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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2002-01-07; Traffic Safety Commission; MinutesMEETING OF: TRAFFIC SAFETY COMMISSION DATE OF MEETING: January 7,2002 (Regular Meeting) TIME OF MEETING: 3:OO P.M. PLACE OF MEETING: CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS CALL TO ORDER: Chairperson Frank Whitton called the Meeting to order at 3:OO p.m. ROLL CALL: Present: Absent: Chairperson Frank Whitton Vice Chairperson Jim Courtney Commissioner Jerry Schall Commissioner Bob Mertz Commissioner Keith Giltfillan Staff Members Present: Robert Johnson, Deputy City Engineer, Transportation Division Jim Murray, Associate Engineer, Transportation Division Sgt. Kelly Cain, Carlsbad Police Department APPROVAL OF MINUTES: October 1,2001 As there was not a quorum of the October 1, 2001 attendees, therefore approval of the minutes from the regular meeting of October 1, 2001 was continued until the February 4,2002 regular meeting of the Traffic Safety Commission. November 6,2001 ACTION: Motion by Commissioner Schall, and duly seconded, to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of November 5,2001 as presented. VOTE: 2-0-1 AYES: Whitton, Schall NOES: None ABSTAIN: Courtney December 3,2001 No Traffic Safety Commission meeting was held. -4 January 7,2002 - ,MC SAFETY COMMISSION ITEM 4 - ORAL COMMUNICATIONS: None ITEM 5 - PREVIOUS BUSINESS: Referring to the November 5, 2001, Traffic Safety Commission regular meeting and the Commission’s discussion regarding establishing a prima facie speed limit of 30 miles per hour on Gabbiano Lane, Robert Johnson, Deputy City Engineer, Transportation Division, advised the Commission that the item did go before the City Council. Mr. Johnson stated that the City Council concurred with the Traffic Safety Commission’s recommendation, the ordinance was adopted and the work order authorizing the installation of signage, indicating 30 miles per hour prima facie speed limit, has been issued. NEW BUSINESS: ITEM BA: Request to establish a prima facie speed limit upon Black Rail Road from Aviara Parkway to Sapphire Drive Referring to an overhead slide, Associate Engineer, Jim Murray, Transportation Division, stated that agenda item #6A is a request to establish a prima facie speed limit on Black Rail Road from Aviara Parkway to Sapphire Drive. Mr. Murray stated that William R. Lynn, who lives at 6575 Black Rail Road, initiated the request. Mr. Murray commented that Black Rail Road was constructed on an interim basis in 1999, basically from Aviara Parkway to Sapphire Drive with a reduced road section. It is being developed in a piece-meal fashion as the adjacent undeveloped properties develop. The road is unclassified on the City Circulation Element, though it does function basically as a collector road between Poinsettia Lane and Aviara Parkway. No prima facie speed limit has been established. 6lack Rail Road is approximately 0.85 miles in length. Roadway grades range from 1.00% to 8.19%. Currently, approximately 30% of Black Rail Road frontage has been improved with curbs, gutters, sidewalks and streetlights. The remaining 70% of the frontage will be improved at a later date as the adjacent properties develop. Some of the adjacent land uses are agricultural; therefore it is not uncommon to occasionally have farm equipment use the roadway. Mr. Murray stated that another use of Black Rail Road is attributed to the Mar Brisa Community. The Mar Brisa Community has a gated access off the very northerly end and the residents from the subdivision typically use Black Road Rail for access to the east. There is an additional access out to Cobblestone Road from the western portion of Mar Brisa. Staff conducted speed sutveys on Black Rail Road. The results of the two speed suweys are depicted in Table A of the staff report. Referring to Table A in the staff report, Mr. Murray indicated that 46 miles per hour was the critical speed on Black Rail Road south of Corte Orchidia and 42 miles per hour was the critical speed on Black Rail Road south of Martingale Court. Mr. Murray advised the Commission that there has been one reported traffic collision on the subject roadway for the two-year period ending October 31, 2001. This collision was speed related. The collision rate of 1.47 on Black Rail Road is low for a collector street. January 7,2002 h IRAFFIC SAFETY COMMISSION Page 3 Continuing, Mr. Murray noted that one issue on the roadway is the fact that it has limited vertical curves in the roadway, which reduces the stopping sight visibility to less than 200 feet. He stated that the 40 miles per hour prima facie speed limit is being recommended even though the critical speed is 48 miles per hour. Typically, staff does not recommend a speed limit more than 5 miles per hour lower than the critical speed, but due to the limited vertical alignment staff is recommending the 40 miles per hour prima facie speed limit. In conclusion, Mr. Murray stated that based upon the results of the Engineering and Traffic Survey, the Traffic Safety Coordinating Committee recommends establishing a prima facie speed limit of 40 miles per hour upon Black Rail Road from Aviara Parkway to Sapphire Drive. He mentioned that an ordinance will be required to be adopted by the City Council to establish the 40 mile per hour speed limit, as recommended. Chairperson Whitton asked if there were questions of staff. Mentioning that problems may arise because the road in question would be a suburban road open highway type of road that could in ail probability lead to excessive speeds, Vice Chairperson Courtney questioned if the prima facie speed limit 40 miles per hour would be adequate. Mr. Murray reiterated that the City is bound by the requirements of the California Vehides Code for establishing the prima facie speed limits. Refening to the parts of the road that are undeveloped, Vice Chairperson Courtney commented that 40 miles per hour on this segment of road could be excessive. Commissioner Schall questioned if the construction and barriers on the roadway would affect the Engineering and Traffic Survey as conducted in accordance with the California Vehicle Code laws. Mr. Murray stated that when the Engineering and Traffic Survey is conducted if there are any traffic controls in place at that time the vehicles would be adjusting their speed based on the roadway conditions and if there are traffic controls in place this would be taken into account. Staff does not obtain speed surveys on roads where normaf prevailing speeds cannot be obtained. Commissioner Schall asked if a temporary speed limit could be established. Mr. Murray mentioned that appropriate construction zone temporary speed limits could be established. He advised the Commission that Black Rail Road does not have a posted prima facie speed zone and noted that typically temporary speed limit signs are not posted in construction zones that do not already have a posted prima facie speed limit. Mr. Johnson commented that the Engineering and Traffic Survey was taken when there was no influence on the results of the speed survey, e.g. no construction in the area and free flowing conditions prevailed. The prevailing speed under the roadway condition as they existed was measured. When there is construction, a construction speed limit can be established, but depending on the nature of the construction, it would be a day-to-day type speed limit and when the construction is over the temporary speed limit is removed. Mr. Johnson noted that if a road construction project needed to reduce lanes, change alignments, etc. then a roadwork speed zone would be implemented and remains in place during the duration of construction. He stated that having work on the side of the road, widening the road, and putting in curbs and gutters, etc. generally does not require a roadwork speed zone, and the C17 sign, orange, black and white sign, is not implemented. He mentioned that the construction on Black Rail Road is not the type of construction that warrants the implementation of a roadwork speed limit zone. Commissioner Schall expressed concern that the recommended 40 mile per hour prima facie speed limit is too fast on this particular roadway with the circumstances that exist today. January 7,2002 - 1 RAFFIC SAFETY COMMISSION Page 4 Mr. Johnson stated that the collision history helps determine if the speed limit is too fast. He noted that there has only been one speed related accident over the last two years. Referring to the Engineering and Traffic Survey, he noted that only 44% of the vehicles traveled at or below the 40 miles per hour and 56% of the vehicles traveled above 40 miles per hour. As 17% of the vehicles drive at or below 35 miles an hour, posting a prima facie speed limit of 35 miles per hour would make lawbreakers out of the majority of the vehicles traveling on the road and those vehicles drive at what is considered to be a reasonable and prudent speed. There is no justification in the results of the Engineering and Traffic Survey to go lower than the 85* percentile critical speed and compliance would not be obtained because the vehicle speed would be much greater than 35 miles per hour. Commissioner Schall asked if the speed limit of 40 miles per hour were posted would it be easier to have a temporary speed limit assigned to a roadway for construction purposes. Mr. Johnson stated that with the 40 miles per hour posted speed limit and with a decision that a roadwork speed should be implemented; a 30 miles per hour temporary roadwork speed limit could be implemented. Generally a temporary roadwork speed zone is 10 miles per hour below the posted speed limit. If there is a series of back-to-back curves, the type of construction would have to be evaluated to determine the appropriate speed zone, but for widening of the road, installing curbs, gutters and sidewalks a special roadwork speed limit is not needed. Noting that the roadway in question is unclassified, Chairperson Whitton requested clarfftcation on the speed limit. Mr. Johnson stated that it was a two-lane road and the prima facie speed limit would be 55 miles per hour Chairperson Whitton asked the occupancy of home sites in the area. Mr. Murray mentioned that the homes to the east are still under construction. Mr. Johnson noted that last week the Redeemer Lutheran Church received approval from the Planning Commission and it will be built along Poinsettia Lane east of Black Rail Road. Construction will begin in approximately 2 months. When this occurs Poinsettia will be completed from Aviara Parkway easterly to Cassia Road, Cassia Road is immediately to the east of Ambrosia. The only remaining segment missing would be Cassia Road to El Camino Real and there is no time line on this road segment. Chairperson Whitton commented that leaving the roadway unclassified is hazardous, establishing the 40 mile per hour prima facie speed limit is premature at this point and the 40 mile per hour prima facie speed limit is too fast. He noted that above Corte Orchidia there is a high curve that limits visibility to the access to Black Rail Road. In addition, with the construction vehicles in the area, the traffic, although not very heavy, is extremely slow moving, e.g. 10-15 miles per hour from one exit to another in the housing areas. Immediately upon turning the comer at Aviara Parkway there are cones in place to slow traffic. Mr. Johnson commented that a road of this type is a good example of when is it appropriate to establish a speed limit. One cannot lose sight of the fact that basic speed law prevails on any road at any time regardless of the posted speed limit. Currently, on Black Rail Road basic speed law prevails; vehicles should not travel at speeds too fast for roadway conditions. Mr. Johnson stated that the police department’s hands are tied when they try and enforce a speed limit with radar that has not been posted under the conditions that exist in the results of the Engineering and Traffic Survey. Mr. Johnson stated that the dilemma is at what point should it be brought before the Commission and City Council to establish a prima facie speed limit which would allow the police department to use radar to deal with unreasonable speeding drivers or should staff wait, allow the road to develop and conduct the Engineering and Traffic Survey at that time. January 7,2002 /- A RAFFIC SAFETY COMMISSION Page 5 Staff has been monitoring Btack Rail Road for approximately two years, attempting to determine the appropriate time for establishing a prima facie speed limit. As the homes are beginning to be occupied at the end of Black Rail Road and along Black Rail Road there is construction going on, the police department as well as Traffic Engineering has begun to receive complaints regarding speeding vehicles, hence this appeared to be the appropriate time to establish a prima facie speed limit. He noted that the volumes on the roadway in question were low, the roadway is not highly used and there is no serious accident history. In addition, residents in the area are requesting a speed limit, what should the speed limit be and can the police do the enforcement. Chairperson Whitton reiterated that the roadway should not be unclassified. Noting that the housing area is not completely developed and there will be increased volume of traffic in the future, he stated that the recommended 40 miles per hour speed limit was much too fast. Mr. Johnson stated that the Traffic Safety Coordinating Committee did meet and recommend establishing 40 mile per hour prima facie speed limit, but noted it was up to the Traffic Safety Commission to deliberate and make recommendations that would be presented to the City Council. Mr. Johnson stated that speed limit situations where speed limits are initially set and then raised later irritates and upsets the public much more than establishing a realistic speed limit initially. Commissioner Schall questioned if it would be difficult to change the prima facie speed limit once it is established. Mr. Johnson advised the Commission that it was not difficult to change the prima facie speed limit, but it requires a new Engineering and Traffic Survey, a Traffic Safety Commission recommendation and City Council concurrence to make the changes. He reiterated that the public becomes upset when the speed limit is raised. He mentioned that in his professional opinion, he did not believe a 35 mile per hour speed limit would be able to be sustained in the future once all of the development is complete in the area. Chairperson Whitton asked if the speed limit on the roadway could be lowered once development in the area is complete. Mr. Johnson stated if problems occur and the Engineering and Traffic Suwey indicated that the speed limit should be lowered, certainly the speed limit could be decreased. He noted that by law if there are changed conditions, staff must reevaluate the roadway. Commissioner Schall requested clarification regarding staff's concerns related to establishing a speed limit lower than 40 miles per hour, Mr. Johnson stated that staff was concerned with judges upholding the traffic tickets if the speed limit was too low and radar was used by the police. A judge may dismiss the ticket stating that the Engineering and Traffic Survey is invalid, because the speed limit is not in accordance with the California Vehicle Code criteria. As there were no additional questions of staff, Chairperson Whitton opened public testimony. As there was no public testimony, Chairperson Whitton closed public testimony. Chairperson Whitton called for a discussion by the Commissioners. January 7,2002 <- I RAFFIC SAFETY COMMISSION Page 6 DISCUSSION: Commissioner Courtney stated that he believed the recommended 40 miles per hour speed limit on the segment of roadway in question was too high, but understood that the prima facie speed limit needed to be established according to the California Vehicle Code and the results of the Engineering and Traffic Survey. Chairperson Frank Whitton closed discussion and called for a motion. MOTION: ACTION: Motion by Commissioner Courtney, and duly seconded, that a prima facie 40-mile per hour speed limit be established upon Black Rail Road from Aviara Parkway to Sapphire Drive. VOTE: 2-1 -0 AYES: Courtney, Schall NOES: Whitton ABSTAIN: None ITEM 6B Review and approve Traffic Safety Commission procedure rules and adopt TSC Resolution No. 2002-1 Robert Johnson, Deputy City Engineer, Transportation Division, stated that this item is brought before the Commission once a year in January or February. This is an opportunity for the Commission to review and comment upon the rules and procedures by which the Traffic Safety Commission meetings are operated throughout the year. If changes are required based upon needs identified at meetings in the previous 12 months, changes are incorporated into the procedures. He noted that this item is entirely at the discretion of the Commission. If the Commission is satisfied with the rules and procedures, which they have worked under during the past 12 months, TSC Resolution No. 2002-1 is provided for the Commission’s adoption. If changes need to be made, staff will make the changes and bring the item back before the Commission. Chairperson Whitton called for a discussion or a motion. ACTION: Motion by Commissioner Courtney, and duly seconded, to adopt TSC Resolution No 2002-1 as presented. VOTE: 3-0-0 AYES: Whitton, Courtney, Schall NOES: None ABSTAIN: None ITEM 7 REPORT FROM TRAFFIC COMMISSIONERS None January 7,2002 Page 7 ITEM 8 REPORT FROM TRAFFIC ENGINEER Robert Johnson, Deputy City Engineer, Transportation Division, mentioned that the Traffic Engineering Workshop for Public Officials sponsored by the local section of the Institute of Transportation Engineers would be held on Saturday, March 9,2002 in San Diego. He noted that the City of Carlsbad would pay for the training of any Commissioner wanting to attend. He mentioned that it would be an all day session beginning at 8AM. An attorney would be speaking regarding liability issues associated with traffic calming measures during lunch and lunch would be provided. He noted that a flyer with all of the pertinent information would be provided to the Commissioners and each Commissioner needed to advise Mr. Johnson of their desire to attend the workshop and registration arrangements will be made. Mr. Johnson announced that the next regular meeting of the Traffic Safety Commission would be held on Monday, February 4,2002. ADJOURNMENT: By proper motion the Regular Meeting of January 7,2002 was adjourned at 3:32 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Dianna Scott Minutes Clerk