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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2007-05-07; Traffic Safety Commission; MinutesMINUTES MEETING OF: DATE OF MEETING: TIME OF MEETING: PLACE OF MEETING: TRAFFIC SAFETY COMMISSION May 7,2007 (Regular Meeting) 3:00 p.m. City Council Chambers CALL TO ORDER: Chair Gardner called the Meeting to order at 3:05 p.m. ROLL CALL: Present: Absent: Staff Members Present: APPROVAL OF MINUTES: April 2,2007 ACTION: VOTE: AYES: NOES: ABSTAIN: Chair Susan Gardner Vice-Chair Guy Roney Commissioner Gordon Cress Commissioner Bonnie Bradshaw Commissioner Steve Dorsey Robert Johnson, Deputy City Engineer, Transportation Jim Murray, Assistant Engineer, Transportation Lt. Don Rawson, Carlsbad Police Department Motion by Commissioner Cress, and duly seconded by Vice-Chair Roney, to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of April 2,2007 as presented. 4-0-0 Gardner, Roney, Cress, Bradshaw None None ITEM 4 - ORAL COMMUNICATIONS: None. May 7,2007 Traffic Safety Commission Meeting Page 2 ITEM 5 - PREVIOUS BUSINESS: Bob Johnson, Deputy City Engineer, reported that last year the Commission recommended a 45 mile per hour prima facie speed limit on El Fuerte Street from Alga Road to Palomar Airport Road. The City Council considered that item in January of this year and it was continued because the City Council wanted to have a discussion of potential all-way stops at four intersections on El Fuerte Street. Both of those issues will be discussed May 8th, 2007 at the City Council meeting. ITEM 6 - NEW BUSINESS: ITEM 6A: Install a stop sign on both Impala Drive and Orion Street at their intersection. Mr. Johnson explained that this item was discussed by the Commission last month and there was a 2-to-2 tie vote. Consequently, the motion failed due to the lack of a majority vote. He explained that with only four Commissioners present today the Commission can continue the matter again for another month or they can trail this item until the end of this meeting with the hope that Commissioner Dorsey might be running late and will attend the meeting. The third option would be for the Commission to discuss the issue again and determine if anyone has changed their minds. Typically, when there is not a full Commission, and especially now that it is known that there is a 2- to-2 vote, it would probably be appropriate to request if Mr. Missett wants to go forward with a vote with only four Commissioners. These are the options to pursue in this matter with the matter being continued from last month and the fact that that are only four Commissioners present. Chair Gardner informed the Commission that she would like to trail this item to later on the agenda, because the Commission may receive additional information from the Impala Drive/Palmer Way item, which may change Commissioner's minds. Also, there is a speaker present that wished to be heard on this item. Mr. Johnson clarified that staff would not be offering any additional information to the Commission on the stop sign item. Unless there are additional speakers to be heard, there was no additional information to present. Had all five Commissioners been present today, then it would have been a matter of staff clarifying any questions the Commission has, and then listening to any speakers. The Commission would then vote. Chair Gardner affirmed that she would like to trail the item, because the Impala Drive/Palmer Way speed limit items may add information. Chair Gardner asked staff to present Item 6B. May 7,2007 Traffic Safety Commission Meeting Page 3 ITEM 6B: Establish a prima facie speed limit upon Impala Drive from Palmer Way to Orion Street. Mr. Johnson informed the Commission that this item will be presented by Associate Engineer, Jim Murray. Mr. Murray stated that this item was a request to establish a prima facie speed limit upon Impala Drive from Palmer Way to Orion Street. Referring to Exhibit 1, he explained that no prima speed limit has been established to date on Impala Drive. In cases like this, staff prepares a document called an Engineering and Traffic Survey. It considers the roadway characteristics, shoulder condition, grade, alignment, and sight distance, development activity, traffic collision history, and speed surveys on the road. The premise implied in speed zoning is that the majority of drivers are operating their vehicles at or below the 85 percentile speed. Impala Drive is a short industrial street 0.29 miles in length. The road has a curb-to-curb width of 52 feet with no centerline striping. It has curb and gutter, street lights on both sides of the street, and sidewalks exist along only 600 feet of the street. Impala Drive has daily traffic volumes of 1,611 vehicles near Palmer Way and 483 vehicles near Orion Street. During the past two years there has been one traffic collision reported on Orion Street, which was a violation of the right of way. Impala Drive has a relatively straight street alignment. It has roadway grades between 1.6 percent and 9.5 percent. Parallel parking is allowed on both sides of the street. Mr. Murray stated that staff completed the Engineering and Traffic Survey for Impala Drive from Palmer Way to Orion Street. From the speed survey component of that document it was determined that the 85th percentile speed on that roadway is 35 miles per hour. The California Vehicle Code authorizes local agencies to establish a prima facie speed limit based on the results of Engineering and Traffic Survey. Based on the results of the Engineering and Traffic Survey, the Traffic Safety Coordinating Committee recommends establishing a 35 mile per hour prima facie speed limit upon Impala Drive from Palmer Way to Orion Street. An ordinance will be required to be adopted by the City Council to establish the 35 mile per hour prima facie speed limit upon Impala Drive, as recommended. DISCUSSION: Commissioner Bradshaw stated that she noticed that this area is receiving a lot of attention lately and wanted to know why. Mr. Murray responded that Mr. Missett brought this matter to the attention of staff with the request for stops on both Impala Drive and Orion Street at their intersection and to establish a prima facie speed limit upon Impala Drive from Palmer Way to Orion Street. The drive and motivating factor is the that construction on Faraday Avenue from Orion Street to Melrose Drive is nearing completion May 7,2007 Traffic Safety Commission Meeting Page 4 and will open this summer. When Faraday Avenue opens, some drivers may chose to drive westbound on Faraday Avenue and turn north on Orion Street, instead of going to El Camino Real at the traffic signal where there might be some delays. Mr. Johnson put Exhibit 1 from Item 6A on the screen for the Commission to view the circulation patterns hi the vicinity that Mr. Murray was discussing. Mr. Murray stated that it was anticipated that when Faraday Avenue is opened to Melrose Drive in Vista, there will be westbound traffic who will want to ultimately get to the El Camino Real corridor. Some drivers would ultimately want to make a right turn to go north on El Camino Real. Any shortcutting traffic using Orion Street, Impala Drive, or Palmer Way, rather than Cougar Drive is what has basically precipitated the concern. Commissioner Bradshaw asked if it was basically just the cut through traffic that was the anticipation of all of the traffic safety issues. Mr. Murray stated that it was his understanding that it was so. Mr. Johnson agreed, stating there was a concern that there may be some cut through traffic. In examining both roads, there is currently no prima facie speed limit established. Both roads have a maximum speed limit of 55 miles per hour and that is the reason this item and Item 6C is being brought to the Commission. Establishing a prima facie speed limit would give the police the ability to use radar and enforce the speed limit if there was a speeding issue on the roadway. Commissioner Bradshaw stated that she went to the area in question and she noticed a couple of items. She felt that a 35 mile per hour speed limit is fine, but she noticed that there is no centerline striping. Has staff thought about striping it with either a centerline stripe or a two-way left-turn lane for that road segment to accommodate the driveways that are there? Mr. Johnson stated that centerline striping is an investment, a maintenance issue, and when there is a need for the striping, it is considered and installed. Because of the low volumes at this time on the roadway, there has not been a need to have a centerline stripe or a two-way left-turn lane striped. Operationally, the road is functioning just fine. Staff drives it regularly because of the Safety Center where the fueling station is for City vehicles. Staff is very familiar with the streets around that area. Because of low traffic volumes, staff has not seen a need to provide a two-way left-turn lane to provide that kind of channelization that might be needed. Should there be a significant increase in traffic volumes, then that is something that could be considered. At this time, however, there really is no need for striping. May 7,2007 Traffic Safety Commission Meeting Page 5 Commissioner Bradshaw stated that she noticed when you are traveling eastbound on Impala Drive towards Orion Street, there is a steep grade. She wondered if a warning sign could be installed showing that Orion Street is there. Commissioner Cress said he had the same thought about a yellow triangular right turn sign when he drove the same location. Something like that would be very helpful to alert drivers that you're coming up to a right angle turn. Mr. Murray said it could be considered and looked at. Chair Gardner stated that at the traffic management school she went to last year, one way to reduce speed is to grow trees over the street. It makes the street not to be perceived as a freeway. Is there any indication that the stripe down the center might make drivers feel like it is more like a throughway than a sleepy street? Mr. Johnson replied that there are two schools of thought on centerline striping. Some believe that it narrows the street and gives the visual appearance of a narrower road, therefore a more calmed road, and a road that speeds should be lower on. Others believe that it conveys the appearance of a high speed high volume road, and that speed would be higher. That is why it is looked at very carefully. What is the need for centerline striping rather than trying to anticipate perceptions of drivers is the question to answer. That is how staff approaches these issues. If there were significant conflicts such as driving on the wrong side of the road or significant collision history, then it would certainly be a candidate to consider striping the roadway. Absent that, it becomes a real judgment issue. At this time, there has not been a need to have striping on the roadway. MOTION: ACTION: Motion by Commissioner Cress, and duly seconded by Vice-Chair Roney, to recommend the establishment of a 35 mile per hour prima facie speed limit upon Irnpala Drive from Palmer Way to Orion Street. VOTE: 4-0-0 AYES: Gardner, Roney, Cress, Bradshaw NOES: None ABSTAIN: None May 7,2007 Traffic Safety Commission Meeting Page 6 ITEM 6C: Establish a prima facie speed limit upon Palmer Way from Faraday Avenue to Cougar Drive. Mr. Johnson stated that this item will be presented by Associate Engineer, Jim Murray. Mr. Murray informed the Commission that this item is a request to establish a prima facie speed limit upon Palmer Way from Faraday Avenue to Cougar Drive. Staff conducted an Engineering and Traffic Survey on this roadway, taking into consideration the roadway characteristics, shoulder condition, grade, alignment, and sight distance, development activity, traffic collision history, and speed surveys on the road. Also considered are adjacent uses. Palmer Way is unclassified on the Circulation Element of the General Plan. It is a two lane roadway with centerline striping. It is approximately 0.38 miles in length. It has sidewalk only on the west side and parking is allowed on both sides of the street except for the northerly end around the curb on the north side of the road for a distance of 950 feet. There are six driveways serving a numbers of different businesses along Palmer Way. Mr. Murray stated that the daily traffic volumes range from 788 vehicles per day near Cougar Drive to 3,310 vehicles per day near Faraday Avenue. Palmer Way generally has a straight alignment. The only street intersection on Palmer Way is Impala Drive. Impala Drive has an existing stop sign at Palmer Way, and Palmer Way is currently uncontrolled. The road grades on Palmer Way vary from 1.0 percent to 7.0 percent. In conducting the Engineering and Traffic Survey, staff completed a speed survey for Palmer Way from Faraday Avenue to Cougar Drive. An 85th percentile speed of 35 miles per hour was determined on this roadway. There was only one reported traffic collision on Palmer Way in the past two years. Based on the results of the Engineering and Traffic Survey, Mr. Murray indicated that the Traffic Safety Coordinating Committee recommends establishing a 35 mile per hour prima facie speed limit upon Palmer Way from Faraday Avenue to Cougar Drive. An ordinance will be required to be adopted by the City Council to establish the 35 mile per hour prima facie speed limit upon Palmer Way, as recommended. DISCUSSION: Commissioner Bradshaw commented that she noticed that north of Impala Drive on Palmer Way there is an advisory curve warning sign with a 35 mile per hour speed limit. She wanted to know if this area was speed zoned at 35 miles per hour regulatory, what happens to the 35 miles per hour warning sign. Mr. Murray replied that if the advisory speed is not less than the posted speed, it would be taken down. Advisory speeds are typically established by evaluating the horizontal curvature of the road. May 7, 2007 Traffic Safety Commission Meeting Page 7 The 35 mile per hour warning speed is the appropriate maximum speed for the layout of that curve. If staff posted the street at 35 miles per hour, then that advisory 35 miles per hour sign could come down. Mr. Johnson clarified that the advisory speed sign is for the curve itself, not the roadway. It is not real common, but it's not unusual to have warning signs and regulatory sign indicating the speed limit. Staff will take a close look at this situation. MOTION: ACTION: Motion by Vice-Chair Roney, and duly seconded by Commissioner Cress, to recommend the establishment of a 35 mile per hour prima facie speed limit upon Palmer Way from Faraday Avenue to Cougar Drive. VOTE: 4-0-0 AYES: Gardner, Roney, Cress, Bradshaw NOES: None ABSTAIN: None ITEM 6A: Install a stop sign on both Impala Drive and Orion Street at their intersection. Chair Gardner informed the Commission that after being trailed this item would now be considered. Commissioner Dorsey had not arrived and since Mr. Johnson was not going to be presenting any new information at this time, Chair Gardner opened Public Testimony. Public Testimony: Jack Missett, 2460 Impala Drive, Carlsbad, representing Jazzercise, Inc., stated that he and his wife own Jazzercise on Impala Drive. He informed the Commission that he spoke at the Traffic Safety Commission meeting on April 2, 2007 of his concerns about overflowing traffic once Faraday Avenue is open and drivers realize that when traffic backs up and people are waiting to get on to El Camino Real, they are going to cut through the neighborhood. There are three items he wanted to address that he did not at the April 2, 2007 meeting. In addition to already existing traffic in and out of the Safety Center drive and the businesses that exist there, there are a fleet of trucks from Waste Management and an extremely large fleet of trucks from Federal Express located on the south side of Faraday Avenue at that intersection, hi the morning, when the Federal Express trucks come out, it is a parade. May 7,2007 Traffic Safety Commission Meeting Page 8 Secondly, the numbers of skateboarders who are not dropped off by mom and dad at the park, but rather are coming along Faraday Avenue, either walking or on their skateboards, enter that intersection sometimes without looking. There is a lot of traffic in and out of that skate park, sometimes on to Impala Drive or back onto Faraday Avenue. Once again, he is talking about them being on the street, not in a vehicle. Mr. Missett stated that since he was here last month, there has not been a day on Impala Drive that he did not see someone jogging, walking, or running in the morning, the middle of the day, and in the afternoon. He would strongly urge the three stop signs at the top of the hill at Impala Drive, Orion Street and the Maintenance Yard. When you're coming up the top of the hill from Impala Drive to the intersection to turn right on Orion Street, you really don't know you're at the top of the hill until you reach there and you're right at the intersection. Mr. Missett's suggestion is to see a sign at westbound Faraday Avenue at Orion Street saying "no right turn between 7:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m." to keep people from going further west before they can turn. Mr. Johnson previously explained to him that that would be extremely rare, but Mr. Missett said he has seen it in North County. He appreciates the efforts that have been made and if the three stop signs can be installed, it would do a lot to control traffic. Coming out of the Safety Center onto Orion Street, there is no signage whatsoever. There is some foliage there that might be addressed in the future. There is not a stop or a yield right of way sign coming out of the Safety Center. The other element down the road is the future expansion of the complex that the City has there. There is only going to be additional traffic in and out of the complex there as the new elements are added. Seeing no other speakers Chair Gardner closed Public Testimony. MOTION: ACTION: Motion by Chair Gardner, and duly seconded by Vice-Chair Roney, to recommend the installation of a stop sign on both Impala Drive and Orion Street at their intersection and to change the yield sign in the maintenance yard to a stop sign. VOTE: 3-1-0 AYES: Gardner, Roney, Cress NOES: Bradshaw ABSTAIN: None May 7,2007 Traffic Safety Commission Meeting Page 9 ITEM 7: REPORT FROM TRAFFIC SAFETY COMMISSIONERS None. ITEM 8: REPORT FROM TRAFFIC ENGINEER The next regular meeting of the Traffic Safety Commission is scheduled to be held on June 4,2007 at 3:00 p.m. in the City Council Chambers. Because of the discussion of the future opening of Faraday Avenue east of Orion Street, it is tentatively scheduled for mid-August of this year. ADJOURNMENT: By proper motion Chair Gardner adjourned the Regular Meeting of May 7, 2007 at 3:34 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Ruth Woodbeck Minutes Clerk