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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2002-08-05; Traffic Safety Commission; MinutesMEETING OF: TRAFFIC SAFETY COMMISSION DATE OF MEETING: August 5,2002 (Regular Meeting) TIME OF MEETING: 3:OO P.M. PLACE OF MEETING: CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS CALL TO ORDER: Chairperson Courtney called the Meeting to order at 3:OO p.m. ROLL CALL: Present: Absent: Staff Members Present: Chairperson Jim Courtney Vice-Chairperson Bob Mertz Commissioner Jeny Schall Commissioner Howard Heffner Commissioner Keith Gillfillan Robert Johnson, Deputy City Engineer, Transportation APPROVAL OF MINUTES: July 1,2002 ACTION: Motion by Commissioner Schall, and duly seconded, to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of July 1,2002 as presented. VOTE: 4-04 AYES: Courtney, Mertz, Schall, Heffner NOES: None ABSTAIN: None ITEM 4 - ORAL COMMUNICATIONS: None August 5,2002 h TRAFFIC SAFETY COMMISSION Page 2 ITEM 5 - PREVIOUS BUSINESS: NONE NEW BUSINESS: ITEM 6A: La Costa Avenue - Citizen request to revise the 45 mile per hour prima facie speed limit and install speed humps. Referring to an overhead slide, Robert Johnson, Deputy City Engineer, Transportation Division, stated a resident of Carlsbad, Mr. Mohammad Mehdi Zomorrodian initiated agenda item MA. Mr. Zomorrodian sent a letter to the City Attorney requesting that prima facie speed limit on La Costa Avenue be revised to 20 miles per hour and that speed humps be installed on La Costa Avenue. Prior to sending the letter to the City Attorney, Mr. Zomorrodian did speak with the Assistant City Attorney and several staff members in the engineering department to team how speed zoning is done, e.g. what the Engineering and Traffic Survey means and how staff arrived at the existing 45 mph prima facie speed limit upon La Costa Avenue east of El Camino Real. Mr. Johnson stated that La Costa Avenue is designated as a secondary arterial on the Circulation Element of the General Plan. It is a four lane road in most locations from a point easterly of El Camino Real to Camino de 10s Coches. Either a two-way left turn lane or a turn lane at the intersections separates the two traffic lanes in each direction. There are homes on both sides of the roadway, either on the north side or the south side, depending on the segment of the road. Parking is allowed on portions of the north side and also on portions of the south side. In addition, there are bicycles lanes on portions of the roadway. Traffic signals have been installed on La Costa Avenue at the intersections of Cadencia Street, Romeria Street and Viejo Castilla Way. The average daily traffic (ADT) varies on La Costa Avenue, depending on location, and ranges between 9,300 and 12,400 vehicles per day. Mr. Johnson stated that one area of concern mentioned by Mr. Zomorrodian was a fatal collision on La Costa Avenue. This collision occurred in April 2002 and it was not speed related. According to the police report the primary collision factor was an unsafe turning movement. The vehicle did strike the south curb and veered into the westbound ianes in a broadside position and was struck by a westbound vehicle. Mr. Johnson noted that there was a fatal collision approximately one year ago, in August 2001, at the intersection of Rancho Santa Fe and La Costa Avenue. That collision also was not speed related. The collision was due to the driver running a red light and the driver died as a result of this collision. Mr. Johnson stated that anytime a red light running collision occurs at an intersection it usually involves an injury or a fatality. Mr. Johnson informed the Commission, that in the last twelve months on La Costa Avenue, on the subject segment indicated in the overhead slide, according to police reports there have been six mid-block collisions and this includes the fatal collision in April 2002. Onty one of the aforementioned collisions was due to exceeding the safe speed. Continuing, Mr. Johnson noted that an Engineering and Traffic Survey was conducted for La Costa Avenue. He stated that this is required by law in order to set the prima facie speed limit. The speed limit was set in compliance with the results of the Engineering and Traffic Survey at 45 miles per hour. The speed limit was set after an evaluation of all of the conditions on the roadway, i.e. traffic volumes, prevailing speeds, or August 5,2002 TRAFFIC SAFETY COMMISSION Page 3 critical speed, collisions and other factors. There are varying conditions on each and every roadway throughout California. The State Legislature in California Vehicle Code section 22358.5 has addressed this. Mr. Johnson showed an overhead slide that stated the vehicle code section, 'It is the intent of the Legislature that physical conditions such as width, cuwature, grade and surface conditions, or any other condition readily apparent to a driver, in the absence of other factors, would not require special downward speed zoning, as the basic rule of section 22350 is sufficient regulation as to such conditions." Mr. Johnson mentioned that section 22350 of the Vehicle Code is basic speed law which states, 'No person shall drive a vehicle upon a highway at a speed greater than is reasonable or prudent having due regard for weather, visibility, the traffic on, and the surface and width of, the highway, and in no event at a speed which endangers the safety of person or property." Mr. Johnson mentioned that the roadway conditions on La Costa Avenue are readily apparent to the driver. The road does follow a curvature linear alignment, there are some vertical cuwes, there are homes on each side, there are intersections that are apparent, there are signafized intersections and parking on the roadway, which does send a message to the driver as to the type of roadway, he or she is operating the vehicle upon. In summary Mr. Johnson advised the Commission that the Traffic Safety Coordinating Committee reviewed the request for a 20 mile per hour speed limit upon La Costa Avenue and the installation of speed humps on this roadway. The Traffic Safety Coordinating Committee could not agree with either of the requests and is recommending that the 45 mile per hour prima facie speed limit remain as is and that speed humps not be installed on La Costa Avenue. Chairperson Courtney asked if there were questions of staff. As there were no questions of staff, Chairperson Courtney opened public testimony. PUBLIC TESTIMONY: Mohammad Mehdi Zomorrodian, 2664 La Costa Avenue, Carlsbad, CA 92009, stated that he initiated this request due to the unsafe situation on La Costa Avenue from El Camino Real to the Rancho Santa Fe Road. Noting that he contacted the City about the conditions on the street before the fatal accident, he noted that one fatality is one too many and he believes this fatality could have been prevented if a lower speed limit had been in effect. He mentioned his numerous interactions with staff and the information garnered regarding the California Vehicle Code. He advised the Commission that he was a registered civil engineer and did not believe that the physical and geometric condition of La Costa Avenue was taken into account when the prima facie speed limit was set. He noted that traffic volumes had nothing to do with the geometric and physical conditions of La Costa Avenue and the safety of the citizens. Mr. Zomorrodian stated that he nor residents in the area were not notified in a timefy manner that the request for a lower prima facie speed limit and speed humps on La Costa Avenue would be an agenda item on the August 5,2002 Traffic Safety Commission meeting. Referring to the Highway Design Manual Published by Caltrans, section 80-1, Section 80-5, and table 82.1A Mandatory Standards chapters 100 and chapter 200 - Figure, 201.4 (stopping sight distance on crest vertical curves) and Figure 201.5 (stopping sight distance and sag vertical curves) and Figure 201.6 (stopping sight distance on horizontal curves), Mr. Zomorrodian commented that La Costa Avenue is in August 5,2002 " TR4FFIC SAFETY COMMISSlON Page 3 direct violation of the aforementioned and that the 45 mile per hour speed limit should be lowered officially to meet the standards that the City has been practicing. Mr. Zomorrodian also mentioned that La Costa Avenue sidewalks in some areas are in violation of the federal government American with Disabilities Act and the City is in direct violation of Federal, State and City standards. He stated that he obtained plans from the City of Carlsbad's engineering department and mentioned that the speed limit pasted on La Costa Avenue is not the proper speed limit according to the plans. He noted that the plans were from the 1960's and suggested that the alignment of the road would have to be adjusted and 200 houses condemned in order to meet the conditions and standards of today. In conclusion, he mentioned that many people have been injured on this road, but may have not filed an official accident report. He assured the Commission that the average driving speed on this roadway exceeds 75 miles per hour and reiterated his request for a lower speed limit and the installation of speed humps to insure the safety of the residents. Chairperson Courtney asked Mr. Zomorrodian how long he had resided in the area. Mr. Zomorrodian responded that he has lived on La Costa Avenue since December 2001 Emilie K. Cuthberct, 3207 La Costa Avenue, Cartsbad, CAI mentioned that her home was the fourth lot north east of Cadencia Street on the right hand side of La Costa Avenue. She has resided in the area since January of 2000. In this time she has noticed a major increase in traffic on La Costa Avenue. The posted speed limit is 45 miles per hour, but the speed limit is not being enforced. Ms. Cuthberct stated that she feared for her safety and did not walk on La Costa Avenue due to the vehicles traveling at excessive speeds. She expressed concerns regarding the safety of the pedestrians, especially the school children walking to and from school, and entering and exiting her driveway without being hit by motorist traveling at speeds as fast as 70-75 miles per hour. Ms. Cuthberct mentioned Avenida de la Posta in Encinitas. She noted that part of the street was closed off, speed bumps and four way STOP signs were installed in order to reduce the traveling speed of vehicles. She suggested that four way STOP'S would slow the traffic down on La Costa and asked staff to look at the installation of STOP signs as a viable option. Tressa England, 2378 La Costa Avenue, Carlsbad, CAI expressed concern regarding the vehicles traveling at excessive speeds on La Costa Avenue. She Concurred with the previous speaker, noting that it was extremely dangerous entering or exiting her driveway due to the high volume of vehicles traveling at speeds well over the posted speed limit. She noted that most motorists were not prudent and did not drive at safe speeds, but instead drove at speeds that endangered lives and property. She didn't know if merely reducing the posted speed would eliminate the problem and suggested that continuous monitoring of the roadway should be done. She mentioned that upon her request, the State Highway Patrol increased the red line at her driveway entrance, because there was no visibility. Ms. England stated that many people park in the red line zone and asked staff to have the Carlsbad Police Department enforce the laws regarding the speed limit and the NO parking in red zones. Commissioner Heffner asked Ms. England how long she has resided in the area. Ms. England replied 4 years. William J. Lewis, 2428 La Costa Avenue, Carlsbad, CAI mentioned that he has lived at this address since 1968 and noted that during most of this time the high-speed roadway was not in existence. He commented that drivers travel at speeds well above the posted 45 miles per hour speed limit. He suggested that STOP signs would do much to slow the flow of traffic. Mentioning the fatality of a child on this roadway, he expressed his concern for the pedestrians walking in the area. 4 August 5,2002 -. TRAFFIC SAFETY coMMIssIoN Page 5 Norman England, 2378 La Costa Avenue, Carlsbad, CA, concurred with the statements of the other public testimony and expressed his concern relative to the posted speed limit on La Costa Avenue not being enforced. Chairperson Courtney asked Mr. England how long he has resided on La Costa Avenue. Mr. England replied four years. Michael Razmajuo, 3019 La Costa Avenue, Carfsbad, CA, has been a resident since October 1992. He mentioned that he operates a child daycare center in his home. He noted that prior to 1999 there was not a traffic volume, noise or excessive speeding problem on La Costa. He mentioned that while entering his driveway his vehicle was rear ended by a vehicle that was tailgating his vehicle. He mentioned the fatality of an eight-year-old child in the area and expressed concern for the safety of the pedestrians in the area. Noting that this segment of La Costa Avenue is a residential street, he suggested that this should be taken into consideration and the speed limit should be reduced to facilitate the safety of the residents in the area. tn addition, he mentioned that he believed the motorist traveling at speeds that exceeded the posted speed limit were not residents in the area. He did not understand why the City of Carlsbad elected to install signal lights, when the installation of all way STOP signs at each intersection would have been less expensive and solved the speeding and cut through traffic problem. Kazem Zomorrodian, 2400 La Costa Avenue, Carlsbad, CA, mentioned that he is the president of Atlantic Engineering and brother of Mohammad Mehdi Zomorrodian. He stated that he review the plans and firmly believes that all of the accidents on La Costa Avenue are speed related and questioned the data given by the Deputy City Engineer of Transportation, Mr. Robert Johnson. In addition, Mr. Zomorrodian stated that financial institutions do not believe the roadway is safe for pedestrians and motorists due to the excessive speeds of vehicles traveling on La Costa Avenue. Various financial institutions refuse to lend funds for construction on La Costa Avenue. He concurred with the previous public speakers regarding the hazardous conditions when entering and exiting ones’ driveway. Mr. Zomorrodian reiterated that motorist travel at excessive rates of speed on this madway. In conclusion, he stated that the geometry of the roadway are taken into consideration when roadways are designed and a margin of error is factored in; e.g. if the road is designed to handle 45 miles per hour, the speed limit is set for 35 miles per hour. Referring to the geometry of La Costa Avenue, he suggested that the speed limit on La Costa Avenue should be set at 25 miles per hour. Chairperson Courtney asked Mr. Zomorrodian how long he had resided on La Costa Avenue. Mr. Zomorrodian replied approximately one year. Mrs. Hjordis Parker, 3111 La Costa Avenue, Carlsbad, CA, second house west of Cadencia Street. She expressed concerns related to safety and the construction trucks using La Costa Avenue since it is an extremely steep roadway. She also mentioned the hazardous conditions that exist for her while entering and exiting her driveway due to the numerous vehicles using La Costa Avenue traveling at speeds well in excess of the posted speed limit. She has noticed a tremendous increase in traffic and an increase of noise from the vehicles. Concluding, Mrs. Parker referred to several incidents in the past where vehicles jumped the curb and subsequently crashed into neighbors’ front yards and homes. She acknowledged that traffic accidents have been reduced as a result of the traffic signal being installed at the intersection of La Costa Avenue and Cadencia Street and believes that lowering the speed limit on La Costa Avenue will do much to further reduce the incidents of traffic accident on this segment of roadway. "- August 5,2002 -. 'fRAFFIC SAFETY COMMISSION Page 6 As there were no additional public comments, Chairperson Courtney closed public testimony and called for a discussion. DISCUSSION: Commissioner Mertz stated that he has driven La Costa Avenue and commented that it is a secondary arterial with many of the attributes of a residential road, which makes it a very tough situation to deal with. He advised Mr. Zomorrodian that the Commissioners were not in a position, at this point, to determine whether or not there is a road design issue that needs to be addressed. He suggested that additional policing and traffic enforcement in the area could improve the situation significantly. Noting that construction vehicles do not have the ability to brake as rapidly as motor vehicles, Commissioner Mertz expressed concem regarding safety issues relating to construction vehicles driving on La Costa Avenue's steep grade. That there is a problem on La Costa Avenue is not the question, Commissioner Mertz set forth that the question is, "what is the solution to this problem?" He asked staff to review the issues related to the design of the road to ascertain if the design speed is appropriate to the speed that has been set for the traffic. Noting that the Engineering and Traffic Survey results are from a short period of time, Commissioner Mertz acknowledged that the speeds recorded, e.g. 52 mph, 49 mph, were not outrageously out of line with the average speed and the 45 mile per hour posted speed. He noted that baring very special circumstances, speed limits set by the engineering and traffic studies are the speed limits that judges use in validating speeding tickets. Addressing the issue of construction traffic, Commissioner Mertz suggested that construction traffic be restricted from La Costa Avenue. commissioner Schall mentioned that he drove the area and concurred with Commissioner Mertz's evaluation of the situation. He mentioned that installing STOP signs and/or speed humps on an arterial road such as La Costa Avenue could potentially create an even more hazardous situation and impede the response time for emergency vehicles. . Concluding, Commissioner Schalt asked staff to conduct a new Engineering and Traffic Survey and suggested that the Carlsbad's Police Department police the area vigorously. Commissioner Heffner commented that the installation of speed bumps would create hazardous conditions, in addition to impacting emergency response vehicles and their amval times and therefore are not a viable option. Noting that he observed the roadway on several occasions, he stated that he did not notice an abundance of speeding traffic. Commissioner Heffner suggested that a mobile radar trailer be installed to monitor speeds and alert drivers how fast they are really driving. He commented that he was not in support of lowering the prima facie speed limit to 20 or 25 miles per hour. Chairperson Courtney asked staff what the design speed of the road was when it was initially built. Mr. Johnson replied that La Costa Avenue is an old road designed to County standards. He does not have the County design speed when the road was built. Chairperson Courtney stated that he was familiar with the area. Reviewing the history of the "speed trap" law and the Engineering and Traffic Survey, he mentioned that the prima facie speed limit, by law, had to be set In the 85 percentile of the prevailing speed. He did concur with the need for additional policing in the area. He expressed his support regarding staffs recommendation. August 5,2002 - l'RAFFIC SAFETY COMMISSION Page 7 Commissioner Schall commented that the issue of street design is beyond the charge and scope of the Traffic Safety Commission. Mr. Johnson responded that the street design has been taken into account in the Engineering and Traffic Survey. He stated that if the issue at hand were a brand new road in a vacant area there would be design standards incorporated into the design. He reminded the Commission that La Costa Avenue is an older road that the City inherited the road and it has been improved over the years. He commented that the physical characteristics are what they are and the Engineering and Traffic Survey takes this all into account. Mr. Johnson mentioned that the Police Department has been issuing tickets to speeding motorist on La Costa Avenue. Noting that the 45 mile per hour speed limit is being upheld by the Traffic Commission Judges in the San Marcos court, Mr. Johnson stated that it was a valid speed zone and a posted speed of anything less than 45 miles per hour would not be a valid speed zone. If the speed is posted lower than 45 miles an hour, radar cannot be used for enforcement and if radar is not used there will be no enforcement because the only other option would be for the police to pace the speeding vehicle. Mr. Johnson stated that pacing speeding vehicles is potentially a very dangerous situation for all motorists and the police officer. Chairperson Courtney asked staff how old the Engineering and Traffic Survey was. Mr. Johnson replied 3 years. He advised the Commission that there has been construction on La Costa Avenue east of Rancho Santa Fe Road and the conditions of the road have changed conditions at that location, hence staff is in the process of updating the survey. As there was no further discussion, Chairperson Courtney closed discussion and called for a motion. MOTION: ACTION: Motion by Commissioner Courtney, and duly seconded, to accept the recommendation of the Traffic Safety Coordinating Committee, denying the request to establish a 20 mile per hour speed limit on La Costa Avenue and also to deny the request to install speed humps on La Costa Avenue. VOTE: 4-0-0 AYES: Courtney, Mertz, Schall, Heffner NOES: None ABSTAIN: None Chairperson Courtney called for a fwe-minute recess at 4:lO pm. Chairperson Courtney reconvened the regular meeting of the Traffic Safety Commission at 4:15 pm ITEM 6B: Avenida Encinas - Palomar Airport road to a point 3,500 feet southerly of Palomar Airport Road - Police Department request to revise the prima facie speed limit to 40 miles per hour. August 5,2002 fRAFFTC SAFETY COMMISSION Page 8 Robert Johnson, Deputy City Engineer, Transportation Division, stated that Avenida Encinas currently has a posted speed limit of 35 miles per hour from Palomar Airport Road to 0.67 miles south of Palomar Airport Road. The Police Department has been in the area enforcing very high speeds and have expressed concern with the speeding drivers. Referring to the new Engineering and Traffic Survey that indicates the critical speed is 42 miles per hour, he noted that the 35 mile per hour speed zone would not hold up in court and that the Carfsbad Police Department has requested that staff review the factors related to raising the speed limit to 40 miles per hour. Mr. Johnson commented that the Traffic Safety Coordinating Committee reviewed all the factors and agreed that a 40 mile per hour prima facie speed limit would be appropriate on this segment. The remaining curvilinear portion, by the transit station, would remain posted at 30 miles per hour due to roadway conditions. On Avenida Encinas, as one proceeds further south to Poinsettia Lane there is a posted 35 mile per hour speed limit. He noted that each speed limit on Avenida Encinas was set in accordance with the Engineering and Traffic Survey. Concluding, Mr. Johnson stated that the Traffic Safety Coordinating Committee recommends that a prima facie 40 mile per hour speed limit be established upon Avenida Encinas from Palomar Airport Road to 0.67 miles (3,500 feet) south of Palomar Airport Road. Chairperson Courtney asked if there were questions of staff. As there were no questions of staff, Chairperson Courtney opened public testimony. PUBLIC TESTIMONY As there was no public testimony, Chairperson Courtney closed public testimony and called for a discussion. DISCUSSION: Chairperson Courtney expressed concern regarding the multiple speed limits on Avenida Encinas, but did support the recommendation of the Traffic Safety Coordinating Committee for the subject road segment. Commissioner Heffner mentioned that due to the design of the road, traveling at varying speeds was necessary. As there was no further discussion, Chairperson Courtney closed discussion and called for a motion. MOTION: ACTION: Motion by Commissioner Heffner, and duly seconded, to adopt the recommendation of the Traffic Safety Coordinating Committee to establish a prima facie 40 mile per hour speed limit upon Avenida Encinas from August 5,2002 fTEM 7 " I'RAFFTC SAFETY COMMISSION pase 9 Palomar Airport Road to 0.67 miles (3,500 feet) south of Palomar Airport Road. VOTE: 4-0-0 AYES: Courtney, Mertz, Schall, Heffner NOES: None ABSTAIN: None REPORT FROM T'RAFFtC COMMfSSIONERS None ITEM 8 REPORT FROM 'TRAFFIC EN GIN EER Mr. Johnson mentioned that the next rregular meeting of the Traffic Safety Commission would take place on Monday, September 9,2002 due to the Labor Day holiday on the regularly scheduled meeting date. ADJOURNMENT: By proper motion the Regular Meeting of Augus! 5,2002 was adjourned at 421 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Dianna Scatt Minutes Clerk