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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2004-05-03; Traffic Safety Commission; MinutesMEETING OF: DATE OF MEETING: TIME OF MEETING: PLACE OF MEETING: TRAFFIC SAFETY COMMISSION May 3,2004 (Regular Meeting) 3:OO P.M. CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS CALL TO ORDER: Vice-Chair Gordon Cress called the Meeting to order at 3:06 p.m. ROLL CALL: Present: Vice-Chair Gordon Cress Commissioner James Courtney Commissioner Steve Dorsey Commissioner Susan Gardner Commissioner Guy Roney Absent: None Staff Members Present: Robert Johnson, Deputy City Engineer, Transportation Division Jim Murray, Associate Engineer, Transportation Division Lt. Mike Shipley, Carlsbad Police Department Vice-Chair Cress welcomed Guy Roney to his fvst meeting on the Traffic Safety Commission. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: February 2,2004 ACTION: Motion by Vice-Chair Cress, and duly seconded by Commissioner Courtney to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of February 1,2004 as presented. VOTE: 4-0- 1 AYES: Cress, Courtney, Dorsey, Gardner, NOES: None ABSTAIN: Roney There were no meetings of the Traffic Safety Commission held on March 1,2004 and April 5,2004. May 3,2004 TRAFFIC SAFETY COMMISSION Page 2 ITEM 4 - ORAL COMMUNICATIONS: None. ITEM 5 - PREVIOUS BUSINESS: Robert Johnson, Deputy City Engineer, Transportation Division, stated that three of the speed zones that the Commission took action on in the recent past were Paseo Acampo, Woodstock Street and Middleton Drive. All three of those have had an ordinance adopted by the City Council and the speed limit signs have been installed. ITEM 6 - NEW BUSINESS: ITEM 6A: Request to establish an all-way stop on Avenida Encinas at the intersections of Dory Lanemeridian Way, Portage WayMarlin Lane, and Windrose Circle. Referring to an overhead slide, Exhibit 1 of the staff report, Robert Johnson, Deputy City Engineer, Transportation Division, stated that the formal request from several residents of the San Pacific0 development was to establish an all-way stop at three intersections on Avenida Encinas. This item originated in May of 2003 when three residents addressed the City Council and asked that three intersections be established as an all-way stop. The City Council referred the matter to staff who conducted studies last summer. A meeting was held with Mr. Ordas and his committee in October 2003 when staff explained the results of the study. A request was received from Mr. Ordas in November 2003 to schedule the matter for the Traffic Safety Commission meeting of March 1,2004. Shortly before the March Traffic Safety Commission meeting, Mr. Ordas requested that the matter be rescheduled for the April 5,2004 meeting. Prior to the April 5,2004 Traffic Safety Commission meeting, h4r. Ordas requested that this issue be rescheduled for the Trafftc Safety Commission meeting of May 3,2004. Mr. Johnson explained that “warrants” is another name for “criteria,” and that the Caltrans criteria for an all-way stop analysis provides an objective way to analyze a particular intersection when there is a request to establish an all-way stop. He further explained that the Caltrans warrants are based on the Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices that is used nationwide. Mr. Johnson discussed the warrants and indicated that the volume warrant is based on entering volumes of 500 vehicles per hour for any 8 hours in a one-day period. He stated that one of the warrants is based on the accident history at the intersection Mr. Johnson explained that another warrant includes the combination of traffic volumes and pedestrian volumes on the minor street that must equal 200 units in the same 8-hour period, and there must be a delay of least 30 seconds to the minor street vehicles. May 3,2004 TRAFFIC SAFETY COMMISSION Page 3 Mr. Johnson informed the Commission that Avenida Encinas is classified as a secondary arterial on the Circulation Element of the General Plan. He stated that based on a traffic count conducted in August of last year, the volumes recorded on Avenida Encinas ranged from 3,458 to 3,866 vehicles in a 24-hour period which is a two-way total. Mr. Johnson described the study area as having two traffic lanes, one in each direction with a bicycle lane in each direction, and a bus turnout provided by North County Transit District located westerly of the Portage WayMarlin Lane intersection in each direction. The road follows a curvilinear alignment and it has a relatively flat grade between 1 % and 3.58%. Mr. Johnson mentioned that the intersections are a combination of public streets and private streets, either gated or non-gated, and exit only or both exit and entry. The intersecting streets were described as follows: Windrose Circle is a T-intersection and is a public street. Portage WayNarlin Lane intersection is a four-leg intersection with both side streets private. Portage Way is non-gated and there is a gate on Marlin Lane that is an exit only. At the Dory LaneMeridian Way intersection, it also is a four-leg intersection. Both streets are private with Dory Lane being non-gated and Meridian Lane having a gate and serving as an exit only. Continuing his report, Mr. Johnson presented the following information. The posted speed limit on Avenida Encinas is 35 miles per hour with a critical speed (the speed which 85% of vehicles are traveling at or below) of 40 miles per hour based on a speed survey. The purpose of a stop sign is to assign the right of way at an intersection; it is not a speed control device. Stop signs can reduce certain types of collisions such as right-angle collisions. Other types of collisions, such as rear-end collisions, would not necessarily be expected to be corrected by installing a stop sign. Conversely, there could be an increase in rear-end collisions with the installation of a stop sign. Installing stop signs does not necessarily prevent collisions from occurring, as the city’s highest collisions each year occur at intersections with traffic signals and stop signs. Other consequences of unwarranted stop signs include the starting and stopping of vehicles that can increase air and noise pollution, and there can be an increase in fuel consumption because of the unnecessary stop and starting at unwarranted stop signs. Mr. Johnson explained that the all-way stop warrant analysis conducted was based on the Caltrans traffic criteria and those factors mentioned earlier. Staff found that none of the warrants were met at any of the three intersections for an all-way stop. Mr. Johnson stated that the entering traffic volumes were counted at the intersection and there were a number of one-hour turning movement counts conducted in July, August, and September. When recording the turn movements of vehicles, staff also counted the pedestrians crossing the street at the same time. These studies were done at different time periods on different days of the week. Mr. Johnson informed the Commission that the Portage Way/Marlin Lane intersection provides access to the swimming pool and tennis court for the San Pacific0 development. He stated that the volume range of pedestrians crossing Avenida Encinas recorded during the turning movement counts in a one-hour period was from zero pedestrians up to ten pedestrians on the east leg of the intersection. He indicated that no vehicle-pedestrian conflict was observed when a pedestrian crossed Avenida Encinas as an individual or in a group, stating that this is probably a combination of a set of factors such as the low volume on Avenida Encinas, there were adequate gaps for May 3,2004 TRAFFIC SAFETY COMMISSION Page 4 pedestrians to cross the street, and drivers did yield, slow down or stop for the pedestrians when the vehicle was approaching the intersection as a pedestrian crossed. He said that because of the access to the recreation facilities for San Pacific0 there have been pedestrian symbol warning signs previously installed on each side of the Marlin Lane intersection to alert drivers to the possible presence of pedestrians. Mr. Johnson explained that staff conducted a Pedestrian Gap Study. He stated that this type of study is a measurement of the number of gaps in traffic that would allow a pedestrian to cross from one side of the street to the other side without encountering a vehicle. Mr. Johnson said the roadway is 48 feet curb-to-curb and a walking speed of three and one-half feet per second is assumed that would equate to 14 seconds to walk from curb-to-curb for a pedestrian. He said that assuming a three second reaction time for pedestrians to look in both directions and begin to walk, the total crossing time would then be 17 seconds. Mr. Johnson stated that the Pedestrian Gap Study results at the Portage Way and Marlin Lane intersection in the peak hour of 5: 15 to 6: 15 p.m. on September 10 found that there were 74 gaps in traffic of 17 seconds or more, in some cases there were gaps of 3 1 - 50 seconds and also 5 1-60 seconds. He stated that at the Dory LaneNeridian Way intersection the same study was conducted on a different day and found that there were 84 gaps in a one-hour period of 17 seconds or more for the pedestrians to cross. Mr. Johnson stated the results mean there are 84 times in one hour when a pedestrian can walk from one side of Avenida Encinas to the other without encountering an approaching vehicle on Avenida Encinas. Because the all-way stop warrants require an average delay of 30 seconds per vehicle on the side street in a one-hour period, staff conducted a stop delay study. He stated that at Windrose Circle staff found an average delay to each vehicle of 4.9 seconds, at Portage Way 5.3 seconds, and at Dory Lane the delay was 2.3 seconds per vehicle. He indicated that delays to vehicles on side streets are substantially less than the 30 seconds that are required by the warrants. Mr. Johnson mentioned that when an intersection is studied for an all-way stop, staff has to analyze that intersection to determine if there is an accident history at that location. Mr. Johnson stated that the warrant is five accidents in a 12-month period of the type susceptible to correction if a stop sign were to be installed. Mr. Johnson informed the Commission that in the last 12 months there have been zero collisions at each of the three intersections. Mr. Johnson explained that the Caltrans Highway Design Manual criteria for comer sight distance was evaluated for the intersecting streets on Avenida Encinas. He indicated that staff conducted field measurements of the corner sight distance. For 40 miles per hour, the minimum corner sight distance required is 508 feet. With respect to the three intersections, there are five intersecting streets with five different street names. Staff found that at Dory Lane looking easterly the corner sight distance is 660 feet. Meridian Way looking westerly has 550 feet of corner sight distance, Portage Way has 660 feet of corner sight distance looking westerly, Marlin Lane has 660 feet looking easterly, and at Windrose Circle there is 950 feet of corner sight distance looking westerly. The measurements were made at a position 9.9 feet behind the prolongation of the curb line, which is assumed to be the driver position in a vehicle. May 3,2004 TRAFFIC SAFETY COMMISSION Page 5 Mr. Johnson informed the Commission that the stopping sight distance is used in some circumstances when the corner sight distance is not available and there is at least the minimum stopping sight distance available at the intersection. He indicated that stopping sight distance is the distance to bring the vehicle to stop when the driver observes an object six inches high in the roadway. He explained that stopping sight distance for 40 miles per hour is 308 feet. He stated in the case of Dory Lane looking westerly the corner sight distance was 350 feet, which exceeds stopping sight distance. The comer sight distance at Meridian Way looking easterly was 329 feet, Portage Way looking easterly was 3 16 feet, Marlin Lane looking westerly was 3 12 feet, and at Windrose Circle looking to the east the corner sight distance was 375 feet. He summarized by saying that the stopping sight distance available when looking in the directions where there is less than the required comer sight distance does exceed the minimum stopping sight distance required for Avenida Encinas. In conclusion, Mr. Johnson stated that the Traffic Safety Coordinating Committee had reviewed this issue. Because none of the warrants were met for an all-way stop at any of the three intersections, it was the recommendation of the Traffic Safety Coordinating Committee that an all-way stop not be established for the three intersections. However, the Traffic Safety Coordinating Committee did recommend that a cross road symbol sign be installed on Avenida Encinas on the westbound approach to the Dory LaneMeridian Way intersection, on the westbound approach to the PortageMarlin Lane intersection, and on both eastbound approaches to the Dorian WayMeridian Way intersection and the Portage WayMarlin Lane intersection. DISCUSSION: Vice-Chair Cress asked if there were any questions for staff. Commissioner Gardner asked how the distance was measured and how far back the gates were on Meridian Way and Marlin Lane. Robert Johnson replied that the measurements were taken from 9.9 feet behind the prolongation of the curb line and there was no obstruction by the gate when obtaining the measurements. Commissioner Courtney asked if there were ever any accidents at the intersections since the time the first projects have been built. Mr. Johnson replied that the reported accident history since January 1,2000 shows five collisions total for all three intersections. However, two of the intersections had all five of the collisions. In 4- 1/2 years there have been five collisions total. Vice-Chair Cress stated that this project opened about 4-5 years ago, and asked if most of the accidents were within the first couple of years? Mr. Johnson stated there were two reported collisions at the intersections in 2000, one in 200 1, one in 2002, and one in 2003 based upon reports staff received from the police department. May 3,2004 TRAFFIC SAFETY COMMISSION Page 6 PUBLIC TESTIMONY Vice-Chair Cress opened public testimony. Dale Ordas, 7325 Seafarer Place, stated that he resides in the San Pacifico community. He distributed hard copies of his Power Point slides since his computer and projector did not work. Vice-Chair Cress asked if Mr. Ordas was representing the Homeowners Association of San Pacifico. He stated he is President of Vista Mar which is one of the sub-associations of San Pacifico. Mr. Ordas stated his background as an attorney. Vice-Chair Cress indicated that 15 minutes would be allowed for their presentation. Tony Ruffolo, 616 Marlin Lane stated his background in litigation as a former Caltrans attorney. Using an Overhead (page 6 of their handout), Mr. Ruffolo showed an aerial photograph showing where their recreation center is located, indicating that this is the focal point of the community. He explained the various routes that the community uses to access the recreation center. He indicated that counting the traffic during the week is really not the best time. He stated that the traffic on weekends is higher because this is when people are going to the pool and tennis courts. He also indicated that on weekends many people access the beach. He Mer expressed that there are also many unreported traffic accidents, many of which he has personally observed or heard after the fact that were not reported to the police. Mr. Ruffolo referred to the handout page 13 depicting a typical accident demonstrating the problem with sight distance. He stated that the sight distances are severely restricted. He stated that if you’re back where you’re supposed to be and not in the bike lane, you’re not going to get a very good view of the traffic nor are you going to get anything near the minimums that are required by the Traffic Manual and the Highway Design Manual. Referring to a picture on page 11, Mr. Ruffolo stated he placed orange cones in the street and that you can see the cones where there is a camera in the bike lane and shooting down the street, but the driver at the limit line cannot see the cones. Mr. Ordas stated that the Recreation Center for San Pacifico is on the north side of Avenida Encinas at Portage Way. He stated that these facilities are used for numerous community activities such as the Carlsbad Christmas Bureau Gift Drive. He stated that the average speed is not 35 miles per hour, but rather 43 miles per hour. Mr. Ordas directed the attention to the photograph on page 10, showing fluorescent cones placed at 196 feet and at 300 feet northeast of a driver stopped at the limit line on Portage Way. He explained that it takes time to perceive, react, and stop. He stated there are risks to San Pacifico residents.. He indicated that a three-year child was killed recently in Carlsbad and preventative steps must keep this from reoccurring. Mr. Ordas stated he understands that the warrants for an all-way stop have not been met, but suggested that a 4-way stop with a flashing beacon and a crossroad or pedestrian crossing sign would greatly improve the safety of their community’s residents. Referring to page 17 of the handout, he said the same proposal has been implemented on similar streets such as Levante Street and Plum Tree Road, both of which have lower posted speed limits. Mr. Ordas said their priority is at the Portage WayMarlin Lane intersection. May 3,2004 TRAFFIC SAFETY COMMISSION Page 7 Commissioner Gardner asked how far back from the curb the pictures were taken. Mr. Ordas indicated that the distance was approximately the same as where staff took their measurements. Dana Mikel, 5362 Dew Point Avenue, is a member of San Pacifico community and a mother of two children. She presented a visual aid poster board depicting pictures of approximately a dozen neighborhood children. Ms. Mikel stated that these were the potential victims of hture traffic accidents, and her goal was to prevent a tragedy. She stated that the children accompanied by adults run across the street when appropriate clearance seems apparent, but there is not enough visibility. Ms. Mikel requested a crosswalk to aid in their safety in crossing the street. Commissioner Courtney gave an explanation of why painted crosswalks are not striped at uncontrolled intersections because of the false sense of security that a painted crosswalk can give the pedestrian. William Van Cleve, 7301 Seafarer Place, said he is a Board Director for San Pacifico and Vista Mar, a retired police officer, and a lecturer and trainer. Mr. Van Cleve stated that Avenida Encinas is cw, hilly, and dangerous. Mr. Van Cleve presented a copy of The Coast News article dated April 22,2004 titled “Condos Coming to La Costa Avenue” to the Commission to become a part of public record. Mr. Van Cleve said recreational vehicles use Dory Lane and he suggested RV stop signs and stop sign ahead signs. Commissioner Gardner asked if the Homeowners Association has looked at other options. Mr. Van Cleve stated that there were no other options that he was aware of. Steve Zoumaras, 7400 Capstan Drive, said he opposes stop signs on Avenida Encinas for the San Pacifico community. He stated that stop signs increase noise, traffic, pollution, and danger. He said stop signs would cause traffic to back up on Avenida Encinas and the road would be more dangerous if stop signs were installed. Further, he stated that he had no problem crossing the street, in either a vehicle or on foot. He stated he has lived there since 1998. He stated that the stop signs do not meet Caltrans criteria. Michael Sebahar, 7442 Sundial Place, is a member of San Pacifico community and stated that he has seen the community grow since he moved there in 1996. He said he has four children and he stated it is harrowing to cross Avenida Encinas and he wants stop signs. As a doctor he spoke about physical reaction times with reference to drivers. He spoke in favor of protection for the citizens in his neighborhood. He said there will be future projects in the area. May 3,2004 DISCUSSION: TRAFFIC SAFETY COMMISSION Page 8 Commissioner Courtney said that the Commission tries to look out for its citizens. He stated that the City cannot put stop signs to control speed and the Commission typically does not recommend stop signs that are not warranted. He said a traffic signal might be needed instead. The Police Department will give tickets when necessary. However, he supports adding cross street signage. Commissioner Roney stated that he would support the staff recommendation. He noted that there were no vehicles or pedestrians shown in the photographs presented to them. Vice-Chair Cress stated that people ignore signs if not needed, and that it gives pedestrians a false sense of safety. He said that people in his neighborhood routinely ignore the stop signs and run them. Vice-Chair Cress closed discussion and called for a motion. MOTION: ACTION: Motion by Commissioner Dorsey, and duly seconded by Commissioner Roney, to accept the recommendation of the Traffic Safety Coordinating Committee, that an all-way stop not be established at any of the three intersections. The Commission recommends that a Cross Road sign be placed on Avenida Encinas on the westbound approach to the Dory Lanemeridian Way intersection and also on the westbound approach to the Portage WayMarlin Lane intersection. It is also recommended that the Cross Road sign be installed on the eastbound approaches to the Dory LaneMeridian Way intersection and the Portage WayMarlin Lane intersection. The Cross Road warning sign is used to alert drivers of the presence of the crossroad intersection ahead that the driver is approaching. The Commission further recommended that additional pedestrian crossing warning signs be installed on Avenida Encinas. VOTE: 5-0-0 AYES: NOES: None ABSTAIN: None Cress, Courtney, Dorsey, Gardner, Roney RECESS: The Commission took a recess at 4: 15 p.m. and returned at 4:20 p.m. with Vice- Chair Cress and all four Commissioners present. May 3,2004 TRAFFIC SAFETY COMMISSION Page 9 ITEM 6B: Tamarack Avenue, Harwich Drive to College Boulevard - Request to establish a prima facie speed limit. Robert Johnson explained that Item 6B was a request for a recommendation to establish a prima facie speed limit on a portion of Tamarack Avenue, that portion being fiom Harwich Drive to College Boulevard, as indicated on Exhibit 1 on the overhead screen. He stated this portion of Tamarack Avenue serves as a residential collector in the Calavara Hills area. It is a two-lane road, follows a curvilinear alignment, and has a curb-to-curb width of 40 feet, with bicycle lanes provided on both sides. He stated that the road segment is relatively short at 0.39 miles in length and the grades range up to a relatively steep 12% maximum. Mr. Johnson explained that traffic volumes are low south of Harwich Drive. He indicated that a 24-hour volume count was recently obtained and it found 492 vehicles south of Harwich Drive and just west of College Boulevard the volume was 1,144 vehicles. Mr. Johnson stated that the subject segment does not have a posted speed limit, which is why the Engineering and Traffic Survey was conducted as required by state law in order to establish a prima facie speed limit. Mr. Johnson stated that the speed survey portion of the Engineering and Traffic Survey found the critical speed to be 35 miles per hour. He stated that the Engineering and Traffic Survey includes such factors as roadway features, traffic volumes, the critical speed, the collision history, and factors or conditions that may not be readily apparent to the driver. He said that based on the results of the Engineering and Traffic Survey, the Traffic Safety Coordinating Committee recommended that this portion of Tamarack Avenue from Harwich Drive to College Boulevard be established as a 35 mile per hour speed zone which would be an extension of the existing 35 mile per hour speed zone. DISCUSSION: Commissioner Courtney stated that because the proposed speed limit is consistent with the speed limit on the other portion of Tamarack Avenue, he would support it. He stated that it was going to be a collector street and they are going to have a lot of people that were going from Tamarack Avenue to El Camino Real, who are now going to be traveling over to College Boulevard and going down past the school to get to the new shopping center at the end of College Boulevard by Highway 78. He stated that it was appropriate to post a speed limit and would support the proposed 35 miles per hour. Commissioner Gardner expressed a concern that none of the homes are occupied now on Rockridge and Flatrock because they are all under construction. She stated that there are plans to construct a “Tot Lot” on Tamarack Avenue between Rockridge and Flatrock Street. Commissioner Gardner asked if it is the place for the Traffic Commission to bring that to the attention of the city. She was concerned that the Tot Lot would face Tamarack Avenue which will have a speed limit of 35 miles May 3,2004 TRAFFIC SAFETY COMMISSION Page 10 per hour. Mr. Johnson told Commissioner Gardner that he could certainly look at the Tot Lot location and pass the concern on to the developer. Commissioner Roney stated he would support the recommended speed limit. Vice- Chair Cress stated that he drove that area of road and thought that 35 miles per hour is a very liberal speed limit considering the grade and where it is. He thought it is borne out by the traflic study that shows that 90% of the vehicles are going 36 miles per hour or less, so 35 miles per hour is a very generous limit and he would certainly support it. MOTION: ACTION: VOTE: AYES: NOES: ABSTAIN: ITEM 6C: Motion by Commissioner Courtney, and duly seconded by Commissioner Gardner, to accept the recommendation of the Traffic Safety Coordinating Committee, to establish a prima facie 35 mile per hour speed limit upon Tamarack Avenue fiom Harwich Drive to College Boulevard. 5-0-0 Cress, Courtney, Dorsey, Gardner, Roney None None Elect a new Chairperson and Vice-Chairperson of the Traffic Safety Commission. Vice-Chair Cress reminded the Commissioners that former Chairperson Jerry Schall recently moved to Riverside and that is the reason he was sitting in as Acting-Chair today. Mr. Johnson stated that each Chairperson and Vice-Chair serves one year and typically in July there is a new election. Commissioner Courtney stated that he would like to nominate Vice-Chair Gordon Cress to serve as Chairman for the remainder of this year. It was seconded and the Commissioners voted in favor of Mr. Cress serving as the Chair of the Traffic Safety Commission. May 3,2004 MOTION: ACTION VOTE: AYES: NOES: ABSTAIN: TRAFFIC SAFETY COMMISSION Page 11 Motion by Commissioner Courtney, and duly seconded to elect Steve Dorsey as Vice-Chair for the remainder of this term plus normal 12 month term. 5-0-0 Cress, Courtney, Gardner, Roney None Dorsey Mr. Johnson asked for clarification stating that it was his understanding that Mr. Dorsey has been elected Vice-Chair for the remainder of this normal term through July 2004, plus the normal 12 month term so that in July of 2005 there would be a new election for a Chair and Vice-Chair. Mr. Johnson said that it was his understanding, however, that the new Chairman, Gordon Cress, is only serving until July and then there would be a new election. A third motion was therefore made by the Traffic Safety Commission that the Chair be for the same term as the Vice-Chair; in other words, he would serve out the balance of this term and then through July 2005. VOTE: AYES: NOES: ABSTAIN: ITEM 7: 5-0-0 Cress, Courtney, Dorsey, Gardner, Roney None None REPORT FROM TRAFFIC SAFETY COMMISSIONERS Commissioner Dorsey received a request from a citizen to consider the installation of a four-way stop at the intersection of Skyline Drive and Alder Avenue, and suggested that if it hadn’t been studied in a long time it be put in the cue. Mr. Johnson inquired regarding the name and address of the citizen so that he may contact him. Commissioner Dorsey stated that the citizen was Craig Lindholm. Mr. Johnson indicated that staff would study the intersection. May 3,2004 TRAFFIC SAFETY COMMISSION Page 12 ITEM 8: REPORT FROM TRAFFIC ENGINEER Mr. Johnson said there were no other items to report and the next meeting is scheduled for June 7, 2004. ADJOURNMENT: Chairperson Gordon Cress adjourned the Regular Meeting of May 3,2004 at 4:32 p.m. Respectfully submitted, - 34 ~~ .-&4& Ruth Steckdaub Minutes Clerk