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Home My WebLink About2007-08-06; Traffic Safety Commission; ; Establish a prima facie speed limit upon Gateway Road from El Camino Real to El Fuerte Street( CITY OF CARLSBAD TRAFFIC SAFETY COMMISSION STAFF REPORT COMMISSION MEETING OF: August 6, 2007 LOCATION: Gateway Road, El Camino Real to El Fuerte Street INITIATED BY: Deputy City Engineer, Transportation ITEMNO.6C REQUESTED ACTION: Establish a prima facie speed limit upon Gateway Road from El Camino Real to El Fuerte Street • BACKGROUND: No prima facie speed limit has been established on Gateway Road from El Camino Real to El Fuerte Street (see Exhibit 1). The road was constructed within the past two years as a requirement of the Bressi Ranch development of Carlsbad. SETTING SPEED LIMITS: Optimal mobility is enhanced and overall traffic flow improved when drivers are operating their vehicles at a speed that is reasonable and safe. In fact, the premise of CVC section 22350, Basic Speed Law, is that no person shall drive upon a road at a speed greater than is reasonable and prudent taking into account weather, visibility, and traffic on the road and in no event at a speed that endangers the safety of others. Most drivers operate vehicles in a reasonable manner. Traffic-laws established on the basis of the behavior of the reasonable and prudent motorist are found to be the most successful. Roads in Carlsbad are designed in accordance with engineering standards to satisfy the goals of a safe roadway and to enhance efficient traffic flow. One way to achieve the goals is to establish proper and reasonable speed limits that can be enforced. Speed limits that are reasonable can help to achieve voluntary compliance by the majority of drivers without need for the presence of a police officer. Laws and/or the establishment of speed zones that arbitrarily restrict travel by the majority of motorists can lead to wholesale violations of the posted speed limit. In the City of Carlsbad, the predominant practice for managing speed is by legally establishing a prima facie speed limit and then posting the speed limit upon the road with regulatory signs. A prima facie speed limit recognizes that conditions change throughout the day and there is no one safe speed for all the conditions that may be present upon the roadway. Police enforcement is used to target the most egregious violators of the speed limit. A fundamental tenet is that laws are enacted to protect the majority of the public by regulating the unsafe or unreasonable actions of the few. ( ( CITY OF CARLSBAD TRAFFIC SAFETY COMMISSION STAFF REPORT COMMISSION MEETING OF: August 6, 2007 ( continued) ITEMNO. 6C Nationally recognized vetted practices and guidance per standards and procedures in the Federal Highway Administration's national Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices 2003 Edition are considered when setting speed limits. In California, this manual is titled the California Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices. The most common method of establishing speed limits incorporates traffic engineering principles and other factors, such as using the results of a speed survey, into the Traffic and Engineering Survey. Prima facie speed limits are established by law when the City Council adopts an ordinance and the speed limit is posted on the roadway to indicate the maximum reasonable speed for a driver to operate a vehicle under ideal conditions in off-peak free flowing conditions. Among many factors, the three most persuasive arguments to consider when setting a realistic, or rational, speed limit are: 1. Critical speed (85th percentile speed) 2. Collision history 3. Conditions that may not be readily apparent to the driver The premise implied in sgeed zoning is that the majority of drivers are operating their vehicles at or near the 85 percentile speed. Drivers that operate their vehicle at speeds higher than the 85th percentile speed should be the focus of the police. An important speed zoning concept is that the disparity in speed between vehicles on the road is reduced when prima facie speed limits are established at or near the 85th percentile speed and, as a result, safety is enhanced. Also, a speed limit that is established based upon the 85thpercentile speed will increase driver respect for the speed limit sign. Only those signs that have the respect of the roadway user will have a positive effect to control traffic. A review of the collision history on a roadway is an important element in the process to establish a speed limit. The review will reveal if there is a high incidence of speed-related collisions on the road at specific locations. Absent a significant collision history attributed to speed, it can be concluded that drivers are operating their vehicle in a reasonable and prudent manner at the speed they chose to drive. The installation of a speed limit sign does not automatically decrease accident rates nor increase roadway safety. Speed limits should not be lowered for conditions that are readily apparent and the speed limit signs are not used as intersection, curve or hazard warning devices. For the unusual conditions or conditions not readily apparent to drivers, appropriate warning signs are installed. Design factors such as the geometric elements of the road, sight distance, or other factors may have a significant impact on the free flowing speed chosen by drivers. This driver chosen speed, in tum, is considered when establishing a prima facie speed limit. A number of factors may be considered when establishing a prima facie speed limit. The 2003 MUTCD lists such factors as: ( ( CITY OF CARLSBAD TRAFFIC SAFETY COMMISSION STAFF REPORT COMMISSION MEETING OF: August 6, 2007 (continued) ITEMNO. 6C A. Road characteristics, shoulder condition, grade, alignment, and sight distance; B. The pace speed; C. Roadside development and activity; and D. Reported crash experience for at least a 12-month period. As stated, basic speed law requires drivers to operate their vehicle at a speed that takes into account all roadway factors, environmental elements, adjacent land uses, and other traffic on the road. These are, in general, all readily apparent factors. Warning signs placed on the roadway can alert drivers to the presence of an unseen or unanticipated condition. As a result, drivers can operate their vehicle in a reasonable and prudent manner by adjusting speed for the condition that may be encountered. In summary, through the use of engineering, educational, and enforcement techniques, the management of vehicle speed is conducted. Voluntary public compliance with the posted speed limit is the goal when determining a realistic prima facie speed limit to establish. The realistic speed limit takes into consideration the normally competent and careful actions of a reasonable driver and provides for the regulation of unreasonable behavior by a few individuals. A posted speed limit should be readily accepted by drivers, be fair and reasonable, be related to risk on the roadway, be determined by the majority of drivers, and one that has a factual foundation. DATA: Gateway Road has a curb-to-curb width of 52 feet and is unclassified on the Circulation Element of the General Plan. Although functioning as a collector road, the width of Gateway Road matches the curb-to-curb distance for an industrial street. One traffic lane is provided in each direction with lanes separated by a two-way left-tum lane that functions as a striped median in some locations. Bicycle lanes are provided within the subject road segment. Gateway Road, between El Camino Real and El Fuerte, intersects Campbell Place, Alicante Road, Innovation Way, Village Green Drive, Colt Place, and Finnila Place to create a T-intersection with each. STOP control is provided on the stem of each T-intersection. In the future, subject to traffic signal warrants being met, a traffic signal will be considered for installation at the intersections of Village Green Drive and at Finnila Place with Gateway Road. A traffic signal currently operates at the El Fuerte Street and Gateway Road intersection. The subject road segment is 0.81 miles in length and has daily two-way 24-hour traffic volumes of 556 vehicles west of Campbell Place, 1,317 vehicles east of Alicante Road, and 909 vehicles east of Colt Place obtained from a count on July 10, 2007. The directional distribution of the traffic volumes are indicated in Table A. ( I \ CITY OF CARLSBAD TRAFFIC SAFETY COMMISSION STAFF REPORT COMMISSION MEETING OF: August 6, 2007 ( continued) ITEMN0.6C I . DATE 7/10/07 7/10/07 7/10/07 TABLE A 24-HOUR TRAFFIC VOLUMES GATEWAY ROAD .·• 24-HOURADT •• LOCATION E/B < W/B • .. .. 280' w/o Campbell Place 178 378 400' e/o Alicante Road 639 678 140' e/o Colt Place 565 344 TOTAL .·.· 556 1,317 909 Gateway Road has several horizontal curves in the curvilinear alignment and roadway grades that vary between 1.00% and 5.89%. In July 2006, one (1) traffic collision was reported on Gateway Road. The primary collision factor was a bicyclist colliding with a maintenance vehicle that had the amber lights flashing and was stopped in the bicycle lane. This is the only reported collision in the two-year period ending March 31, 2007. The 85th percentile speed has been determined throughout the United States to generally conform to a safe and reasonable speed limit. The California Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (FHWA's MUTCD 2003 Revision 1, as amended for use in California) provides guidance when a speed limit is to be posted. It states that "the speed limit should be established at the nearest 10 km/h (5 mph) increment to the 85th percentile speed. However, in matching existing conditions with the traffic safety needs of the community, engineering judgment may indicate the need for a further reduction of 10 km/h (5 mph)." California Vehicle Code section 627 defines the term "Engineering and Traffic Survey" and lists its requirements, as follows: 627. (a) "Engineering and traffic survey," as used in this code, means a survey of highway and traffic conditions in accordance with methods determined by the Department of Transportation for use by state and local authorities. (b) An engineering and traffic survey shall include, among other requirements deemed necessary by the department, consideration of all of the following: (1) Prevailing speeds as determined by traffic engineering measurements. (2) Accident reports. (3) Highway, traffic, and roadside conditions not readily apparent to the driver. ( c) When conducting an engineering and traffic survey, local authorities, in addition to the factors set forth in paragraphs (1) to (3), inclusive, of subdivision (b) may consider all of the following: (1) Residential density, if any of the following conditions exist on the particular portion of highway and the property contiguous thereto, other than a business district; (A) Upon one side of the highway, within a distance of a quarter of a mile, the contiguous property fronting thereon is occupied by 13 or more separate dwelling houses or business structures. ( ( CITY OF CARLSBAD TRAFFIC SAFETY COMMISSION STAFF REPORT COMMISSION MEETING OF: August 6, 2007 ( continued) ITEMNO. 6C (B) Upon both sides of the highway, collectively, within a distance of a quarter of a mile, the contiguous property fronting thereon is occupied by 16 or more separate dwelling houses or business structures. (C) The portion of highway is longer than one-quarter of a mile but has the ratio of separate dwelling houses or business structures to the length of the highway described in either subparagraph (A) or (B). (2) Pedestrian and bicyclist safety. Staff completed the Engineering and Traffic Survey (attached) for the segment of Gateway Road from El Camino Real to El Fuerte Street. Results of the speed survey, contained within the Engineering and Traffic Survey that was conducted on Gateway Road, are summarized in Table B. TABLEB SPEED SURVEY DATA FOR GATEWAY ROAD 340' e/o Innovation Wa The pace speed is the 10 mile per hour range of speeds that contain the highest number of observed vehicles. Generally, the critical speed is located in the upper range of the pace speed. Sections 22357 and 22358 of the California Vehicle Code authorize local authorities to establish a prima facie speed limit on the basis of the results of an Engineering and Traffic Survey. The Engineering and Traffic Survey considers such factors as the number of collisions that have occurred on the road segment, roadway features, adjacent land uses, driveway locations, traffic volumes, pedestrian volumes, critical speed, horizontal and vertical alignment, stopping sight distance, and conditions that may not be readily apparent to the driver. RECOMMENDATION: Based upon the results of the Engineering and Traffic Survey, the Traffic Safety Coordinating Committee recommends establishing a 40 mile per hour prima facie speed limit upon Gateway Road from El Camino Real to El Fuerte Street. NECESSARY CITY COUNCIL ACTION: An ordinance will be required to be adopted by the City Council to establish the 40 mile per hour prima facie speed limit upon Gateway Road, as recommended. ( LOCATION MAP I COLT PL. I VILLAGE GREEN DR. I I PROPOSED I I I SPEED ZONE INNOVATION WY. I ~ I I I I ~1 I LICANTERD. I I CAMPBELL PL-\ \ \ \ LEGEND: I ~ TRAFFIC SIGNAL ~ EXISTING STOP SIGN EL CAMINO REAL PROJECT NAME PROPOSED SPEED ZONE FOR GATEWAY ROAD DRAl+N BY: SCOTT £VANS, CARLSBAD E:NG/NffRING DEPT. 7 12 07 C: TRAFFIC SPffD ZONES SPE:E:D ZONE-GATEWAY ROAD.DWG l3~ NOT TO SCALE EXHIBIT 1 ( CITY OF CARLSBAD ( ENGINEERING AND TRAFFIC SURVEY STREET: Gateway Road LIMITS: El Camino Real to El Fuerte Street A. Prevailing Speed Data: Date of Speed Survey Location of Speed Survey 85th Percentile 10 MPH Pace Percent in Pace Posted S eed Limit B. Midblock Accident History: (4/01/05 through 3/31/07) Speed-Related Accidents Total Accidents Accidents/Million Vehicle Miles (MVM) California Statewide Accidents/MVM C. Traffic Factors: Average Daily Traffic Traffic Controls Pedestrian/Bicycle Traffic Bicycle Lanes On-Street Parking Other D. Roadway Factors: Circulation Element Street Classification Length of Segment Roadway Width Number of Lanes Vertical Alignment Horizontal Alignment Sidewalks Driveways Street Li htin Direction: Eastbound/Westbound 6/28/07 325 Feet e/o Alicante Road 40MPH 31 to 41 MPH 79% No Posted S eed Limit 0 1 1.52 Direction: Eastbound/Westbound 7/12/07 340 Feet e/o Innovation Way 39 MPH • 31 to 41 MPH 87% No Posted S eed Limit 1.91 (2005 Rate for Same Type of Roadway) 1,317 -West of Innovation Way (7/10/07); 909 -East of Colt Place (7/10/07) Stop Sign Control at El Camino Real; Traffic Signal at El Fuerte Street Light Bicycle Lane on Each Side Parking Prohibited on Each Side Bus Route on Portion of Roadway Unclassified 0.81 Mi. 52 Feet (Curb-to-Curb) One Lane Each Direction Roadway Grades Vary from 1.00% to 5.89% Curvilinear Sidewalk on Each Side No Driveways Street Lights on Each Side E. Special Conditions: Travel lanes are separated by either a painted median or two-way left-turn lane. F. Adjacent Land Uses: Light industrial, vacant industrial lots, single-family residential. G. Remarks/Conditions Not Readily Apparent: Ongoing construction activity as adjacent parcels continue to develop. H. Traffic Engineer's Recommendation (Explanation): This speed zone satisfies the conditions of Section 627 of the California Vehicle Code and has been prepared and evaluated in accordance with the California Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices with respect to design and prevailing speeds, accident records, pedestrian and bicyclist safety, intersection and driveway spacing, and roadside and traffic conditions not readily apparent to the driver. A speed llmit posting of 40 MPH is found to be appropriate and ·ustified. DATE: 6/28/07 TIME: 11:05AM TO WEATHER: Sunny & Warm CITY OF CARLSBAD SPEED SURVEY 1:25 PM TOTAL VEHICLES: LOCATION: Gateway Road~325' e/o Alicante Road CRITICAL SPEED:· VEHICLES IN PACE: OBSERVER/RECORDER: J. Gale ---------PACE SPEED(S): NONE POSTED SPEED LIMIT EASTBOUND DIRECTION OF TRAVEL MPH # % 1: # % %tile % # 65 64 63 62 61 60 59 58 57 56 55 54 53 52 51 50 49 48 47 46 45 44 43 42 X X 41 X X 40 X X X 39 X X X 38 X X X X X X 37 X X X X 36 X X X X 35 X X X X X X 34 X X 33 X X X X X 32 X X X X 31 X X X 30 X X 29 X X 28 X 27 X 26 25 24 23 22 21 1 1 100 2 1 1 1 99 2 1 2 4 5 5 98 6 3 2 4 5 5 93 6 3 3 6 6 6 88 6 3 3 6 5 5 82 4 2 6 12 11 11 77 10 5 4 8 10 10 66 12 6 4 8 9 9 56 10 5 6 12 12 12 47 12 6 2 4 6 6 35 8 4 5 10 6 6 29 2 1 4 8 8 8 23 8 4 3 6 6 6 15 6 3 2 4 4 4 9 4 2 2 4 3 3 5 2 1 1 2 1 1 2 1 2 1 1 1 Engineering Department Transportation Division 100 40 MPH ----------- 79 % ----------- 31 TO 41 MPH ----- WESTBOUND DIRECTION OF TRAVEL MPH 65 64 63 62 61 60 59 58 57 56 55 54 53 52 51 so 49 48 47 46 45 X 44 X 43 X X X 42 X X X 41 X X X 40 X X 39 X X X X X 38 X X X X X X 37 X X X X X 36 X X X X X X 35 X X X X 34 X 33 X X X X 32 X X X 31 X X 30 X 29 28 27 26 25 24 23 22 21 DATE: 7/12/07 TIME: 9:00 AM WEATHER: Clear & Warm TO ( CITY OF CARLSBAD SPEED SURVEY 11 :20 AM TOTAL VEHICLES: CRITICAL SPEED: LOCA1ION: Gateway Road~340' e/o Innovation Way OBSERVER/RECORDER: M. Rehfeldt VEHICLES IN PACE: PACE SPEED(S): --------- NONE POSTED SPEED LIMIT WESTBOUND DIRECTION OF TRAVEL MPH # % :E # % %tile % # 65 64 63 62 61 60 59 58 57 56 55 54 53 52 51 50 49 48 47 46 45 44 43 42 X 41 X X 40 X X X 39 X 38 X X X X X X 37 X X X X X X X 36 X X X X X 35 X X X X X X 34 X X X X 33 X ·X X 32 X X X X X 31 X X 30 X X 29 X X 28 X 27 26 25 24 23 22 21 1 2 2 2 100 2 1 2 4 4 4 98 4 2 3 6 5 5 94 4 2 1 2 5 5 89 8 4 6 12 10 10 84 8 4 7 14 12 12 74 10 5 5 10 11 11 62 12 6 6 12 11 11 51 10 5 4 8 10 10 40 12 6 3 6 7 7 30 8 4 5 10 10 10 23 10 5 2 4 6 6 13 8 4 2 4 4 4 7 4 2 2 4 2 2 3 1 2 1 1 1 Engineering Department Transportation Division 100 39 MPH ----------- 87 % 31 TO 41 MPH ----- EASTBOUND DIRECTION OF TRAVEL MPH 65 64 63 62 61 60 59 58 57 56 55 54 53 52 51 50 49 48 47 46 45 44 43 X 42 X X 41 X X 40 X X X X 39 X X X X 38 X X X X X 37 X X X X X X 36 X X X X X 35 X X X X X X 34 X X X X 33 X X X X X 32 X X X X 31 X X 30 29 28 27 26 25 24 23 22 21