The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink About2023-08-10; Tamarack Avenue Traffic Calming Project Update (District 1); Gomez, PazTo the members of the: CITY COUNCIL Date'&/ 1 o /,a CA ..JL cc ~ CM L ACM ✓ DCM(3)L August 10, 2023 Council Memorandum {city of Carlsbad Memo ID# 2023087 To: From: Honorable Mayor Blackburn and Members of the City Council Paz Gomez, Deputy City Manager, Publ~orks Via: Geoff Patnoe, Assistant City Manager ~ Re: Tamarack Avenue Traffic Calming Project Update (District 1) This memorandum provides an update on the Tamarack Avenue Traffic Calming, Capital Improvement Program (CIP) Project No. 6070 (Project), which implements expedited improvements to address speeding concerns on Tamarack Avenue between Adams Street and Skyline Road as part of the Safer Streets Together Plan. Background Residents along Tamarack Avenue between Adams Street and Skyline Road have consistently expressed concerns about traffic safety due to speeding. The city is planning a long-term project to redesign the entire Tamarack Avenue corridor to reflect the City Council's policies in the General Plan Mobility Element, which focuses on designing streets to meet the needs and priorities of people of all ages and abilities who live, walk, bike or drive in the area. Because this longer-term project is still several years away, on July 5, 2022, the Traffic & Mobility Commission recommended that the City Council direct staff to expedite a short-term solution to reduce speeding on Tamarack Avenue between Adams Street and Skyline Road. Staff provided an update to the City Council on the short-term project in the Semiannual Transportation Report presentation on July 26, 2022. The Semiannual Transportation Report highlighted a three-phase plan for traffic calming on Tamarack Avenue. This three-phase plan includes: 1) an expedited short-term traffic-calming project on Tamarack Avenue between Adams Street and Skyline Road; 2) data collection, observation and an after-action report on the newly installed intersection improvements at Tamarack Avenue and Valley Street including the pedestrian hybrid "HAWK" signal, shortly after the short-term project completion; and 3) implementation of a longer-term Sustainable Mobility Plan transformative corridor project along Tamarack Avenue. The short-term traffic calming project focuses on cost-effective traffic calming solutions such as speed cushions that could be implemented quickly. For the longer-term transformative corridor project, staff will consider redesigning the Tamarack Avenue corridor to enhance mobility for all users and may consider features like traffic circles, roundabouts and curb extensions, consistent with the General Plan Mobility Element, approved by the City Council in 2015. Public Works Branch Transportation Department 1635 Faraday Avenue I Carlsbad, CA 92008 I 442-339-2730 t Council Memo -Tama rack Avenue Traffic Calming Project Update (District 1} August 10, 2023 Page 2 In fall 2022, the project team created a conceptual design featuring three raised crosswalks and six speed cushions, and subsequently sought input from the community. Staff refined the conceptual design of the short-term project based on the input and presented the project to the Traffic & Mobility Commission on December 5, 2022. The commission approved supporting staff's recommended plan. Emergency vehicle considerations As the concept plan was further developed during the design process, Public Works staff worked closely with the Fire Department to ensure the proposed traffic-calming measures met operational needs. The Fire Department indicated that though speed cushions are designed with gaps to allow fire engines to straddle the bumps without significant slowing, the Fire Department utilizes Tamarack Avenue to access Interstate Highway 5 (1-5} and the region's trauma centers, so the potential delay in patient movement associated with the proposed speed cushions weighed against the improved safety speed cushions would provide. Due to this risk assessment, staff developed a revised design for traffic calming on Tamarack Avenue using speed tables instead of speed cushions. Speed tables have a bigger footprint than speed cushions and have a flat-topped height of 3-3.5 inches and a typical overall length of 22 feet, with no gaps. Studies have shown that speed tables are preferred for ambulance routes because they cause less delay and patient disruption while still being effective in reducing vehicle speeds. Raised crosswalks are essentially speed tables that function as crosswalks as well and are marked accordingly. Based on input from the Fire Department, the concept plan was revised to include three raised crosswalks and two speed tables instead of the three raised crosswalks and six speed cushions that were proposed in the initial concept plan . The revised plan was presented to the Traffic & Mobility Commission on February 6, 2023, and the commission approved supporting it. Community outreach Community outreach focused on residents who live along and near this section of Tamarack Avenue, parents arid other members of the Valley Middle and Magnolia Elementary School communities, and those who use Tamarack Avenue to travel from eastern Carlsbad to 1-5 and the coast. Community members were notified about the project through the following: DATE CHANNEL TOPIC AUDIENCE 9/21/2022 Email Project announcement/how to Interested stakeholders provide input/stay informed 9/23/2022 Nextdoor app Project announcement/how to Project area and northeast provide input/stay informed Carlsbad 9/27/2022 Postcard mailer Project announcement/how to Residents next to new provide input/stay informed features, neighborhood 10/6/2022 City Manager's Project announcement/how to Citywide Update email provide input/stay informed Council Memo -Tamarack Avenue Traffic Calming Project Update {District 1) August 10, 2023 Page 3 DATE CHANNEL TOPIC AUDIENCE 10/6/2022 Banner Project announcement/how to Community members provide input/stay informed 10/10/2022 Email Project announcement/how to Interested stakeholders provide input/stay informed 10/11/2022 Nextdoor app Project announcement/how to Project area and northeast provide input/stay informed Carlsbad 10/17/2022 Email Survey now available Interested stakeholders 10/20/2022 Nextdoor app Surv~y now available Project area and northeast Carlsbad 10/20/2022 City Manager's Survey now available Citywide Update email 10/21/2022 Email Survey reminder Interested stakeholders 11/16/2022 Resident letter Notification of feature proposed next Residents next to mailer to your home proposed features 11/18/2022 Email Project update, 12/5 TMC meeting, Interested stakeholders opportunity for input 11/30/2022 Magnolia Project update, 12/5 TMC meeting, Parents with children Elementary opportunity for input attending Magnolia School Elementary School newsletter 11/30/2022 Valley Middle Project update, 12/5 TMC meeting, Parents with children School opportunity for input attending Valley Middle newsletter School 12/2/2022 Email Reminder, Project update, 12/5 Traffic Interested stakeholders & Mobility Commission meeting, opportunity for input 12/2/2022 Various social Project update, 12/5 Traffic & Mobility Citywide media platforms Commission meeting, opportunity for input 12/2/2022 Nextd.oor app Project update, 12/5 Traffic & Mobility Project area and northeast Commission meeting, opportunity for Carlsbad input 12/9/2022 Email Traffic & Mobility Commission Interested stakeholders meeting recap, changes to proposed design Input opportunities for the original concept plan design • Public meeting-October 12, 2022, at Valley Middle School, 55 participants • Online input -_October 17 fo 24, 2022, received 73 responses • Traffic & Mobility Commission meeting -December 5, 2022 Council Memo -Tamarack Avenue Traffic Calming Project Update (District 1) August 10, 2023 Page 4 Outreach for the revised design Community members were notified about the changes to the original design through the following: DATE CHANNEL TOPIC AUDIENCE 1/31/2023 Email Project update -fewer features, Interested stakeholders 2/6 Traffic & Mobility Commission meeting 2/2/2023 Door hangers Project update -fewer features, Residents next to proposed 2/6 Traffic & Mobility Commission features meeting 2/3/2023 Email 2/6 Traffic & Mobility Commission Interested stakeholders meeting 2/3/2023 Nextdoor app Project update -fewer features, Project area and northeast 2/6 Traffic & Mobility Commission Carlsbad meeting 2/16/2023 Email Next steps following 2/6 Traffic & Interested stakeholders Mobility Commission meeting 3/17/2023 Email Timeline update Interested stakeholders 3/31/2023 Resident letter Project update -new feature Residents next to proposed mailer locations, feature proposed in front locations of your home 5/30/2023 Email Schedule update Interested stakeholders 7/27/2023 · Door hangers Construction starting soon Residents next to proposed features 7/28/2023 Email Construction starting soon Interested stakeholders 7/31/2023 Nextdoor app Construction starting soon Project area and northeast Carlsbad Input opportunities for the revised design • Traffic & Mobility Commission meeting -February 6, 2023 • Mailed letters to residents adjacent to proposed features on March 31, 2023 (Attachment A) Feedback received Community feedback identified the following priorities for the short-term traffic calming project: Can be done quickly Low cost/investment • Does not reduce parking Will slow traffic Council Memo -Tamarack Avenue Traffic Calming Project Update (District 1) August 10, 2023 Page 5 Feedback about the initial concept design was positive. Concerns expressed included: Do not think speed cushions will work to slow traffic Do not think speeding is a problem on this street Concern speed cushions would damage cars Concern plan would push traffic to other streets Prefer increasing enforcement instead Do not think plan will slow down e-bikes In terms of locations for the traffic-calming measures, community members provided the following feedback: Move speed cushions closer to stop signs so people do not roll through stop signs • Add raised crosswalks at all stop signs • Convert speed cushion at James Drive into a raised crosswalk • Only one speed cushion needed between Adams Street and Highland Drive • Too many speed cushions Raised crosswalks between Skyline Road and Valley Street would help, but no need for enhancements on the rest of the street • Use speed cushions without breaks in them to prevent speeders from swerving to avoid them Feedback about the revised design included: • Concerns about reducing the total number of traffic-calming measures • Suggestion to convert a speed table near James Drive to a raised crosswalk • Suggestion to move the raised crosswalk from the west side of Sunnyhill Drive to the east side • Concern about the speed table west of the curve in Tamarack Avenue, near Crescent Point Road In response to t he letter staff mailed on March 31, 2023, the city received email and phone inquiries from one resident. Eleven residents did not reply. The letter and map that were mailed to residents are included in Attachment A. Discussion Final project design Based on community feedback, staff changed the speed table at James Drive to a raised crosswalk. All three raised crosswalks on Tamarack Avenue (located at the intersections of James Drive, Valley Street and Sunnyhill Drive) will be enhanced with rectangular rapid flashing beacons to improve pedestrian access. In addition, two speed tables will be placed at Adair Way and between Crescent Point Road and Alder Avenue. See Attachment B for the final traffic- calming plan. Council Memo -Tamarack Avenue Traffic Calming Project Update (District 1) August 10, 2023 Page 6 Although the number of proposed traffic-calming measures have been reduced from the initial concept, the proposed raised crosswalks and speed tables working in conjunction with the existing stop signs, traffic signal and pedestrian signals along Tamarack Avenue will effectively slow speed in the interim while staff develop the scope for the longer-term transformative corridor project for Tamarack Avenue. Construction Construction of the short-term traffic calming project started in late July 2023 and is scheduled to be completed in late August 2023. After start of construction, three residents contacted staff with concerns about placement of the raised crosswalks or speed tables as described below: 1. One resident was concerned that the placement of the speed table would decrease his property value. 2. Another resident supports the objectives of the project and requested a raised crosswalk at James Drive but is concerned with the location of t he crosswalk in front of his house. 3. A third resident thinks speeding is a problem on Tamarack Avenue and had concerns about the speed table location west of Crescent Point Road. Two of the three residents report ed that the city did not communicate with them about the project and the final design. Staff endeavored to notify the community and stakeholders as outlined in the Community Outreach section. Moving forward, staff plan to reach out to residents immediately adjacent to affected property frontages earlier in the planning process to ensure these residents are informed and understand what is being proposed. Next Steps Construction of the short-term traffic calming project is scheduled to be completed by the end of August 2023. Staff will continue to work with residents who have expressed concerns about construction of the improvements to answer questions. Attachments: A. Letter to residents dated March 31, 2023 B. Final project design cc: Scott Chadwick, City Manager Cindie McMahon, City Attorney Gary Barberio, Deputy City Manager, Community Services Laura Rocha, Deputy City Manager, Administrative Services Mickey Williams, Police Chief Michael Calderwood, Fire Chief Tom Frank, Transportation Director/City Engineer Council Memo -Tamarack Avenue Traffic Calming Project Update (District 1) August 10, 2023 Page 7 Jeff Murphy, Community Development Director Kristina Ray, Community & Engagement Director John Kim, City Traffic Engineer Nathan Schmidt, Transportation Planning and Mobility Manager Babaq Taj, Engineering Manager Miriam Jim, Senior Engineer Mar. 31, 2023 Notice of proposed improvements near XXXX Tamarack Avenue Reducing speeding on Tamarack Avenue Attachment A Traffic safety is a high priority for the City of Carlsbad and the city is developing several projects to reduce speeding throughout the city, including along Tamarack Avenue. Since we last contacted you, the plan has been revised to be more compatible with our newer emergency vehicles while encouraging drivers to slow down. The plan includes five "vertical deflections" -or raised features that cause cars to slow down. • Two speed tables are planned, at the intersection with Adair Way, and between Alder Avenue and Crescent Point Road. Speed tables have ramps on both sides and a flat top about the length of a car. They help reduce speeding and are easier for emergency vehicles to navigate. • Three raised crosswalks are planned, at the intersections with James Drive, Valley Street and Sunnyhill Drive. Raised crosswalks reduce speeding while making it easier for people driving to see pedestrians as they cross the street. Rectangular flashing beacon lights will be installed at the raised crosswalks to help improve visibility. These lights are similar to what you see at several intersections along Carlsbad Boulevard. One of the proposed improvements is near you r property. If you have questions or concerns about the implementation of this project, feel free to contact me at the phone number or email located at the bottom of the page by April. 14, 2023. Construction to install these features is anticipated to begin before summer 2023. A map of the project features is included on the back of this letter. You can learn more about the project at carlsbadca.gov/Tamarack. We appreciate your participation in the process as we move forward with developing a traffic calming plan that will address the speeding concerns of your neighborhood and improve livability for all users. Sincerely, ~~uiu:;- Lindy Pham, P.E. Associate Engineer Traffic & Mobility Division Pub lic Works Department 1635 Faraday Avenue I Carlsbad, CA 92008 I 442-339-2768 t I Lindy.Pham@carlsbadca.gov I :,::I ir;;I ,--(r J ! ,~. ----1---c;. -,, ~-.. :~ , / I ...., i '% TAUARACK_ AW, -•. -/550') ~ •. .-:•t·~'• '[11..' , .• ij; --_fs6'i)_ .__\ B---, · -'[=~ti ~Ss~ l'S69 'S,>9 I 'Sa9/is99/l 609 x'--..' _; •------r Jo l is 's<'9 'sJ9 1 ?!9 -619 ,' ., > • -,, ' • • -c.._, ,,.,, I ..... JJ fl " '-. -, . I T . . ./1' ,, , / ,~. ' l~ -Mo I • ,-'\~, :J. -i <:,:':'· ' ' -] (/) . ,, · ' , . .,_ ____ P_L __ i~ -,;,; .... ;lt,A.NNE (./) '\\ :.~ ~-. 1 _1, ' '•, ~. \. -, ht,,,: --......__ ,991··------..._ r_ 1/ tp_c• .• i' . /~ -._ ·L_ -.', )'< ,.!~ :,-:...\ 11/~ ~ t-P .. 1 ~ \,\ ' '~~--• / r;· ( _\_~ ·1 3995----J..a In._, ,, ,; er L \, .... ·: I' ,_..,_ -;o .. -···--I ........... n 1u ;+............_ .. !;; /~ '·•,,. ., --rt u. .... • ,--\,. -0 \ -------· ' ~1 · )vi' '-I<:) ' ,f,);'•, -~ \ /4 '•1 ,f" ' , 99 10 \ •·-' "·•a.--(, 3994 'c......_ /~/• ··-,..._~,f'·, .. ,_ _l,,,.. \ " -· 1 \ \_ 1795 -.1? i(;)I ~ 2 '·--·--\-_ -/ ~_, /. ····-& ,. __ .....,____ --.,, •., · , ) . '✓,,.,...\-, 4oso • __ J,.., B::......._ ,. ____ .. -----... z 3999 7 • · •. .. ; <e:. '-\ . ✓ \_ --J..~---~ ~ 70!~1ol 7~~7~;<------.,.,1.5!~/(//~-,-, __ _._;-,.,aj.,_,/~ .. I ) -• \\\0'.'-, .. -J';· .. /< 4079 • tx-··:=r~~iAc{A~-=----•-.,i I'< ,f 7' / 11707 _. ·• _, . 171 . , '-.,f'• '"'"-• · -?': \ I ~ L ~--~--,~01 ,,,..,, 8: •f~ · 1709 '-' 1720 -1 •i ,, · ,-4 "-,t . · ,re-,,;;.:.. .... · . ----. . -o 4096 • \ , W . , %1)', "-(__ ~ /'---._ , ,--,_\, I\ " .. . ~ \ . \. so) / \ \ 4120 ' 1 • ' ' / \.~ < ., \ \ \. / . . \ .,...------, \ \ 4099 1 4100 ./. \ ,./ ◊1 • I ITIIJ 200 FEIT PROPERTY LINE ~ § EXISTTNG TRAFFIC SIGNAL EXISTTNG PEDESTRIAN SIGNAL EXISTTNG SPEED FEEDBACK SIGN EXISTTNG ALL-WAY STOP PROPOSED SPEED TABLE PROPOSED RAISED CROSSWALK 754 . • /-'-,' .\ 0··/ / \ 4105 -~ \ 1_ 152 I \ 1156 , _______ _.:,-·· __ ., .... -.!_ _J_t ______ .,Y· ,.,..,,...., \ \_ (XXX') DISTANCE BETWEEN FEATURES (110·,-· /\ ,.,._ / ,, ___ __ •• ,-o""\ I 411 '!::::.. 749/CI::; '-i 1751 /0.../ -~~r ]~. 'il/t/ TAMARACK AVENUE TRAFFIC CALMING CONCEPT PLAN r-_~_r-<:.------r-----j~ t ~.9~ I ,~. J'a.90 Attachment B TAMARACK AV[ § ,... ,... r,, -<: Ii'., -t -~ _i3 ________ -~-- J J'.910 I "90J j 1S1.9 [§;; ,;::----'--...J_---'----'---'----L-L--1.___ \Gil :<:::, [::o , "" 7_t_~NN.CPL - ~ i r-<: 'jn [I]] --TAIVIARACKAVE ~ 11 .,, • I ' ----Pi\l ,z• .. .----i ---- 4105 . _,,. ·--...~ ... : I • 4100 RAISED CROSSWALK SPEED TABLE EXISTING PEDESTRIAN SIGNAL EXISTING SPEED FEEDBACK SIGN