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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2016-06-06; Traffic Safety Commission; MinutesMEETING OF: DATE OF MEETING: TIME OF MEETING: PLACE OF MEETING: CALL TO ORDER MINUTES TRAFFIC SAFETY COMMISSION June 6, 2016 5:00p.m. City Council Chambers Chair Fox called the Meeting to order at 5:00p.m. ROLL CALL: Present: Absent: Chair Kathryn Fox Vice-Chair Chuck Hunter Commissioner Fred Muir Commissioner Mychal Dourson Commissioner Ervin Poka None Staff Members Present: Doug Bilse, City Traffic Engineer Jennifer Horodyski, Assistant Engineer Lieutenant Greg Koran, Carlsbad Police Department Jim Gale, Engineering Technician II APPROVAL OF MINUTES: May 2, 2016 ACTION: VOTE: AYES: NOES: ABSTAIN: Motion by Vice-Chair Hunter, and duly seconded by Commissioner Muir to approve the minutes of the regular meeting held on May 2, 2016. After Commissioner Poka stated that on page 2 the two words "Commission Polka" should be spelled "Commissioner Poka", the Commission approved the minutes. The previous minutes will reflect the correct spelling of both words. 4-0-1 Hunter, Fox, Poka, Muir None Dourson June 6, 2016 Traffic Safety Commission Meeting Page 2 ORAL COMMUNICATIONS: None PREVIOUS BUSINESS: None NEW BUSINESS: ITEM GAl: Extend limits of existing 45 mph Speed Zone upon Camino Junipero City Traffic Engineer, Doug Bilse, explained how speed limits are established in California. He said voluntary compliance is the primary goal and California's Basic Speed Law assumes that 85% of drivers are rational drivers and their driving speed should determine speed limits. Speed limits are established in 5 mph increments and must be within 5 mph of what is called the critical speed (i.e., the speed that 85% of drivers follow when driving that roadway section). There is an exception where the City Traffic engineer has the discretion to reduce the speed limit by 5 mph and Bilse explained those conditions including an example of how they could be applied. Mr. Bilse then presented the staff report for Camino Junipero explaining that a speed limit of 45 mph was originally established several years back but the roadway has now been extended due to recent development. Mr. Bilse explained the results ofthe Engineering and Traffic Survey including the critical speed of 46 miles per hour. Based on the results of the Engineering and Traffic Survey, the Traffic Safety Coordinating Committee agreed with staff and supported establishing a 45 mile per hour speed limit upon Camino Junipero from Rancho Santa Fe Road to its terminus at Paseo Encino. Discussion: Commissioner Fox asked why the current speed zone needs to be extended. Mr. Bilse stated that staff wants to support the Police and have a valid speed zone for the entire roadway. Lieutenant Koran said the conditions of the roadway have changed and if the existing speed zone was not extended, the speed limit in the new section would be 55 mph. ACTION: VOTE: AYES: NOES: ABSTAIN: Motion by Commissioner Hunter and duly seconded by Commissioner Muir to recommend that City Council establish a 45 mile per hour prima facie speed limit upon Camino Junipero from Rancho Santa Fe Road to Paseo Encino. 5-0-0 Hunter, Muir, Poka, Fox, Dourson None None June 6, 2016 ITEM 6A2: Traffic Safety Commission Meeting Page 3 Establish a prima facie speed limit upon La Costa Avenue from Camino de los Coches to Circulo Sequoia Mr. Bilse presented the staff report. Referring to Exhibit 1, he said La Costa Avenue between Rancho Santa Fe Road and Camino de los Coches currently has a posted speed limit of 45 miles per hour. This newer section east of Camino de los Caches has a different character to it and needs to have a speed limit posted. Mr. Bilse explained the results of the Engineering and Traffic Survey including a critical speed of 37 miles per hour. Based on the results of the Engineering and Traffic Survey, the Traffic Safety Coordinating Committee agreed with staff and supported establishing a 35 mile per hour speed limit upon La Costa Avenue from Camino de los Coches to its terminus at Circulo Sequoia. Discussion: Commissioner Muir asked how the character of the roadway is different east of Camino de los Caches. Mr. Bilse said there are no commercial properties and the roadway is mostly residential in nature. Chair Fox said part of the subject roadway section has a median which is different. Doug said this section of La Costa Avenue is used by local residents for the most part where the westerly section serves commercial development. Commissioner Muir asked if any signs will be posted warning eastbound motorists ofthe upcoming lower speed limit. Mr. Bilse said no advance signs will be posted but motorists will see the new speed limit signs as they enter the zone. Commissioner Poka said motorists tend to drive faster in the existing 45 mph zone and inquired as to why the entire section, from Rancho Santa Fe Road to Circulo Sequoia, could not be posted 35 miles per hour. Mr. Bilse said a motorist would have a good case at fighting a ticket if the entire roadway were posted at 35 mph because they could argue that the character of the roadway is different where the speed survey was taken. Lieutenant Koran said that officers would not issue any citations in that zone ifthey felt the speed limit was not justified. He explained that, in California, a speed trap is either 1) a section of roadway that has been measured and the speed of a vehicle determined from it or 2) a roadway section where officers use radar or Lidar that has not been engineered with a valid Engineering and Traffic Survey. In both cases, an officer is considered incompetent to testify and cannot introduce any evidence in court. His officers are aware of this and won't even write any tickets in such a zone. Without a valid survey, the zone would have a speed limit of 55 mph. Mr. Bilse explained that this speed zone was recommended by the Traffic Safety Coordinating Committee that includes a motor officer from the Police Department. June 6, 2016 ACTION: VOTE: AYES: NOES: ABSTAIN: Traffic Safety Commission Meeting Page 4 Motion by Commissioner Hunter and duly seconded by Commissioner Muir recommending City Council establish a 35 mile per hour prima facie speed limit upon La Costa Avenue from Camino de los Coches to Circulo Sequoia. 5-0-0 Hunter, Muir, Poka, Fox, Dourson None None ITEM 6A3: Modify limits of existing 30 mph and 35 mph speed zones on Carlsbad Boulevard Referring to exhibits within the staff report, Mr. Bilse explained the limits of the subject speed zones on Carlsbad Boulevard. He said the section of Carlsbad Boulevard between the North City Limit and Mountain View Drive is currently posted at 35 miles per hour. The section from Mountain View Drive to Walnut Avenue is posted at 30 miles per hour. Mr. Bilse mentioned that improvements to the roadway were recently done including the installation of a roundabout at the State Street intersection. Roadway improvements on the bridge over the railroad tracks were also recently completed. Due to those recent improvements which changed the character of the roadway, the speed survey south of State Street indicates a 30 mile per hour speed limit should be posted. A survey north of State Street indicates that the 35 mile per hour speed zone should remain in that section. Based on the results of the Engineering and Traffic Surveys, including the speed surveys, the Traffic Safety Coordinating Committee agreed with staff's recommendation to establish a 35 mile per hour speed limit upon Carlsbad Boulevard from the North City Limit to State Street and a 30 mph speed limit upon Carlsbad Boulevard from State Street to Walnut Avenue. Discussion: In response to inquiry, Jim Gale said the roadway was free of construction when he did the speed survey south of State Street. Mr. Gale added that he never takes a survey if there are any roadway obstructions, if an accident has occurred nearby, or during peak times when congestion occurs. Commissioner Muir asked what is being done to educate bicyclists and motorists on the use of sharrows and how to properly negotiate a roundabout. Chair Fox said the City of Long Beach has done a good job ofhanging up banners to educate bicyclists and motorists in that city. Lieutenant Koran said each month he uses a theme as he works with his motor officers. Last month in May, the theme was "bicycles" because it was National Bicycle Month and it included posts on Facebook and Twitter. Lt. Koran said the theme for June is "pedestrians" and various measures will be used to educate the public including links to videos that can viewed. He said it's important to continually remind the public about safety on the road. June 6, 2016 Traffic Safety Commission Meeting Page 5 Commissioner Muir inquired as to whether a green roadway could be painted through the roundabout for the benefit of bicyclists? Mr. Bilse said the green indicates a conflict point so it could, possibly, be used on each approach to the roundabout where sharrows are painted and bicyclists merge with motorists. Staff is in the process of looking at a re-design of the roundabout and can take a look at adding that feature. Commissioner Dourson asked why the speed limit is not posted 25 mph adjacent to the Army/Navy Academy. Mr. Bilse explained that there are signs posted indicating a speed limit of 25 mph when children are present. ACTION: VOTE: AVES: NOES: ABSTAIN: ACTION: VOTE: AVES: NOES: ABSTAIN: Motion by Commissioner Hunter and duly seconded by Commissioner Muir recommending that City Council establish a 35 mile per hour prima facie speed limit upon Carlsbad Boulevard from the North City Limit to State Street. 5-0-0 Hunter, Muir, Poka, Fox, Dourson None None Motion by Commissioner Hunter and duly seconded by Commissioner Dourson to establish a 30 mile per hour prima facie speed limit upon Carlsbad Boulevard from State Street to Walnut Avenue. 5-0-0 Hunter, Dourson, Poka, Fox, Muir None None ITEM GE: Investigate the need to establish an All-Way STOP at the intersection of Buena Vista Way and Arland Road. Mr. Bilse indicated that Item 6E would be presented by Jennifer Horodyski, Assistant Engineer. Ms. Horodyski introduced herself and presented the staff report explaining that this item was originally heard by this commission at the meeting on March 7, 2016. She said the request is from a resident who had concerns regarding the lack of sight distance at the intersection when looking to the east. Based on the vertical curvature of Buena Vista Way adjacent to the intersection, sight distance standards are not met and staff recommends installation of an All- Way STOP. Ms. Horodyski said at the meeting on March 7, 2016, the TSC requested that staff look into alternatives to an All-Way STOP including stopping only two approaches to the intersection or installing a roundabout. The intersection is currently stop-controlled only on one approach, Arland Road. June 6, 2016 Traffic Safety Commission Meeting Page 6 Staff was also asked to investigate the operation of two nearby intersections. Ms. Horodyski said the Buena Vista Way/Highland Drive/Elmwood Street intersection has five approaches with a short segment between them and all approaches are controlled by STOP signs so the intersection operates as an All-Way STOP. City Council adopted the ordinance in September, 2013. Below each of the five STOP signs is a plate that reads /{All-Way STOP" so that motorists are aware ofthe other approaches to the intersection. Ms. Horodyski explained that there has only been one reported traffic collision at the intersection in eight years; a driver under the influence of alcohol hitting a parked vehicle. There are no operational concerns at this intersection at this time. The other intersection that staff was asked to take a look at is Buena Vista Way at Valley Street. Ms. Horodyski explained the T-intersection configuration and the existing STOP control was consistent with industry standards. There was one reported collision in 8 years (a driver under the influence of alcohol hitting a fixed object). There are no operational concerns at the intersection. Ms. Horodyski explained that installing STOP signs on only two approaches at the subject intersection is unconventional and could cause issues with drivers having incorrect expectations and being confused about who has the right of way (i.e., a motorist on an approach with a STOP sign may assume a motorist on the uncontrolled approached will stop and turns in front of them creating operational issue). Ms. Horodyski said the vertical curvature at the intersection restricts sight distance for all of the approaches. The FHWA publishes a guide that serves as the authority on design guidance of roundabouts. It states that a roundabout should not be installed on a crest vertical curve due to the limited line of sight and staff can not recommend installing a roundabout at this intersection. Ms. Horodyski concluded by saying staff recommends establishing an All-Way STOP at this intersection and the Traffic Safety Coordinating Committee agreed with staff's recommendation. Frank Lin, 2740 Arland Road, Carlsbad spoke on behalf of the residents of Arland Road. He said it is difficult to see a motorist coming from the east especially when the sun is rising. He said ten new homes were recently built east of the intersection. He said he appreciates the Traffic Safety Commission recommending an All-Way STOP at the intersection. ACTION: VOTE: AYES: NOES: ABSTAIN: Motion by Commissioner Muir and duly seconded by Commissioner Poka recommending City Council establish an All-Way STOP at the intersection of Buena Vista Way and Arland Road. 5-0-0 Muir, Poka, Fox, Dourson, Hunter None None June 6, 2016 Traffic Safety Commission Meeting Page 7 REPORT FROM TRAFFIC SAFETY COMMISSIONERS Commissioner Muir requested that an item be discussed at a future meeting on what is being done to educate bicyclists and motorists regarding shared lane markings. He applauded Lieutenant Koran's efforts during the month of May to educate pedestrians who use the bike lane instead of the sidewalk. Commissioner Muir stated that he finds the operation of the traffic signal at Alicante Road/Poinsettia Lane to be very efficient at all times and from all approaches. Mr. Bilse explained the signal operates very efficiently in FREE mode because the traffic is light through that intersection throughout the day. Intersections on corridors with heavier traffic need to be operated in COORDINATED mode to maintain mainline traffic flow at the expense of delay to the side street. Commissioner Muir mentioned that he recently experienced an issue at the traffic signal on El Camino Real at Town Garden Road when the northbound to westbound left-turn arrow stayed red for several minutes. He asked Lt. Koran what is a reasonable length of time before proceeding through the red light. Lt. Koran explained that it depends on the situation and includes many factors. The main recommendation is to always have safety in mind, wait for the signal to eventually serve the driver, and after several minutes have passed without service, drive as safely as possible through the intersection. Commissioner Dourson inquired about the operation ofthe traffic signals in the village in regards to pedestrians getting the walk signal before the light turns green for motorists. Mr. Bilse said this is called an advanced pedestrian service and it allows the pedestrians to begin crossing five seconds before the green light comes on for the automobiles. Commissioner Hunter inquired about the lane reduction on southbound Carlsbad Boulevard south of Solamar Drive. Mr. Bilse said it's a temporary lane reduction but staff is evaluating making it a permanent lane reduction and will keep the TSC informed. Commissioner Hunter mentioned that he saw some speed display devices on Unicornio Street. Mr. Bilse said they are used to monitor the speed of vehicles in conjunction with the Carlsbad Residential Traffic Monitoring Program (CRTMP). The critical speed is measured and if it's above 32 mph, the roadway is eligible to be included in the CRTMP. The units are usually installed in a specific location for at least two weeks, the first week in stealth mode and the second week in display mode where motorists can see the speed they are going. Commissioner Muir inquired as to when construction will be finished on El Camino Real. Mr. Bilse said the sections being widened from Chestnut to Cannon should be complete by the end of August. June 6, 2016 Traffic Safety Commission Meeting Page 8 REPORT FROM CITY TRAFFIC ENGINEER Mr. Bilse said the first Monday of July is the Fourth of July so the next meeting ofthe Traffic Safety Commission is scheduled for Monday, July nth. It will be a "special" meeting since it is not being held on the first Monday of the month. One of the items that will be presented atthat meeting is an information item regarding the Ocean Street Beach Access Project. ADJOURNMENT: By proper motion, Chair Fox adjourned the meeting of June 6, 2016 at 6:33 p.m. Respectfully submitted,