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Home My WebLink About1993-11-09 - AGENDA REPORTS - TRAFFIC CONCERNS (2)AGENDA REPORT UNFINISHED BUSINESS DATE: November 9, 1993 City Manag Item to be Anthony J. Nisich e SUBJECT: TRAFFIC CONCERNS AT THE INTERSECTION OF MCBEAN PARKWAY AND ALEGRO DRIVE DEPARTMENT: Community Development BACKGROUND At the September 28, 1993 regular Council meeting, public testimony was heard regarding the Intersection of McBean Parkway and Alegro Drive. On this date, a petition was also submitted to the Council by the area residents who are concerned with the safety of the children who cross at this intersection to and from Meadows Elementary School. Staff has also received letters from Meadows Elementary School and Newhall School District regarding the above Issue. This matter was referred to the Community Development Department for investigation. As a result, a traffic study was conducted for this Intersection to evaluate the existing traffic conditions at this Intersection and potential options to address the citizens' concerns. Copies of the above petition and the traffic study are attached. Staff has completed a detailed traffic study to address the concerns raised for the safety of children at this Intersection. Options evaluated In the traffic study Included: 1. Installation of traffic signals. 2. Installation of pedestrian -activated signals. 3. Installation of flashing beacons. 4. Use of the existing pedestrian paseo and a future nearby traffic signal. After careful evaluation of the various alternatives, staff has concluded that the traffic and pedestrian volumes at this intersection do not meet the minimum warrant requirements established by the California Department of Transportation for Installing traffic signals, pedestrian -activated signals, or flashing beacons. These devices are therefore not recommended. The intersection of McBean Parkway and Singing Hills Drive, which Is 800 feet west of the subject intersection, Is to be signalized by Newhall Land and Farming. The construction of the new traffic signal started on October 27, 1993; and it is anticipated the signal will be operational prior to January 1994. APPROVED Agerdalfem:Z MCBEAN PARKWAY AND ALEGRO DRIVE November 9, 1993 - Page 2 There is also an existing paseo path along the north side of all cul-de-sacs north of McBean Parkway between Alegro Drive and Singing Hills Drive. This Includes Ramillo Way, Empalmo Court, Alegro Drive, Blanca Way, Galante Way and Fenda Way. The staff's Intersection study and survey Indicated that up to 15 schoolchildren use the crosswalk to cross McBean Parkway at Alegro Drive. It Is suggested that these schoolchildren use the paseo path to the intersection of Singing Hills Drive and McBean Parkway to the school. Staff has Informed the Sheriff's Department of the high speed on McBean Parkway, which was indicated by the traffic study in this area. The PARET speed Indicator unit has been used in this area on several days and will also be used periodically to remind the drivers what the speed limit Is and what their speeds are. Staff has also Issued a service request to the Public Works Department to install "No U -Turn" signs for the westbound direction at the subject intersection. This prevents the vehicles from stopping in the through traffic lane to make a U-turn, since there Is no storage or left -turn pockets for that direction. A copy of this agenda report and the traffic study has been sent to Mrs. Diane Von Buelow, Principal (Meadows Elementary School); Mr. Michael McGrath, Superintendent (Newhall School District); and all the individuals signing the petition to the Council. RECOMMENDATION Staff recommends that immediately after the signatization of McBean Parkway and Singing Hills Road, the existing "Suggested -Route -to -School" map for the Meadows Elementary School be revised. This revision will direct the schoolchildren from the area in the northeast quadrant of McBean Parkway and Singing Hills to use the pedestrian paseo Immediately to the north and use the future signalized Intersection of McBean Parkway and Singing Hills Drive. (See Exhibits "B" and "C" of the Traffic Study for existing and proposed "Suggested Route to School" for Meadows Elementary School.) The existing adult crossing guard would also be relocated to the Intersection of McBean Parkway and Singing Hills Drive. A study will be conducted six months after this relocation to verify if his presence is warranted or required, per the State of California Traffic Manual and City guidelines. Staff also recommends that all existing signing and pavement legends referred to the existing crosswalk on the east leg of McBean Parkway and Alegro Drive be removed after the new signal is in operation, "Suggested Route to School" be revised, and Meadows Elementary School, parents and schoolchildren be notified of the changes. ATTACHMENT Traffic Study Request Letters and Petition RJR:hds co ndWegm.rjr CITY OF SANTA CLARITA INTEROFFICE MEMORANDUM TO: Anthony J. Nisich, City Engineer FROM: Bahman Janka, City Traffic Engineer DATE: October 28, 1993 SUBJECT: MCBEAN PARKWAY/ALEGRO DRIVE INTERSECTION - TRAFFIC STUDY BACKGROUND At the request of Councilmember Jan Heidt, staff prepared an agenda Item to hear public testimony regarding the Intersection of McBean Parkway and Alegro Drive at the regular Council meeting on September 28, 1993. A public hearing and the submitted petitions to the Council revealed that the residents are concerned with the following at this Intersection: 1) Safe speed on McBean Parkway. 2) Vehicles not stopping for the crossing guard, and the children crossing McBean Parkway at the existing crosswalk. 3) Prohibition of U-turns from westbound McBean Parkway. 4) Analysis for a possible traffic signal. 5) Analysis for a possible flashing beacon. Staff has also received letters from Meadows Elementary School and Newhall School District regarding the above Issues. The following. summarizes staff's evaluation of traffic conditions and potential_ options to address the citizens' concerns: Alegro Drive is a two-lane street and forms a T -intersection with McBean Parkway, which Is a four -lane street with a raised median and a left -turn pocket at the Intersection. Alegro Drive is controlled by a stop sign. A yellow school crosswalk exists on the east leg of the intersection. Presently, there Is a school crossing guard crossing the children before and after the school hours. The analysis of the adult crossing guard warrant adopted by the City Council indicates that the existing crossing guard at this Intersection Is not warranted. The warrant requires a minimum of 20 schoolchildren cross the uncontrolled Intersection In any two hours to warrant the adult crossing guard. The staff investigation shows that a maximum of 15 schoolchildren use the crosswalk. The adult crossing guard has been assigned to this Intersection, mainly because of the high speed of traffic. The posted speed limit on McBean Parkway is 45 miles per hour. Appropriate school warning signs and pavement legends exist In both directions of McBean Parkway approaching Alegro Drive. A review of the reported accidents shows that there have been two accidents at the Intersection since 1990, which are not susceptible to correction by installation of a traffic signal. The Intersection of McBean Parkway and Singing Hills Drive, which is 800 feet west of the subject Intersection, is to be signalized by Valencia Company. The construction of the new traffic signal started on October 27, 1993, and the installation is anticipated to be finalized prior to January 1994. There is a landscaped area along the north side of McBean Parkway between Singing Hills and Alegro Drive, which is covered with grass with 21 eucalyptus trees. Any future sidewalk Improvements would require removal of all existing trees. MCBEAN PARKWAY/ALLEGRO DRIVE INTERSECTION TRAFFIC STUDY October 28, 1993 Page 2 The path along the south side of McBean Parkway has a landscaped area and sidewalk behind it. There is a lack of sidewalk for approximately 250 feet east of Singing Hills Drive. There Is a pedestrian paseo along the north side of the tracts that connects Ramillo Way, Empalmo Court, Alegro Drive, Blanca Way, Galante Way and Fenda Way to Singing Hills Drive just north of McBean Parkway (see Exhibit A). Staff's findings Indicate that it takes a maximum of five minutes for schoolchildren to walk from the end of the above cul-de-sac roads through the paseo to the Intersection of McBean Parkway and Singing Hills Road, based on 2.5 feet per second speed. Staff has also conducted a speed survey on McBean Parkway for both directions during peak and off-peak hours. The survey shows the 85th percentile speed (that speed below which 85 percent of all motorists travel) at the following times: Off -Peak Hours School Hours Directions AM PM AM PM McBean/Eastbound 50 mph 54 mph 51 mph 51 mph McBean/Westbound 52 mph 52 mph 52 mph 49 mph As It is shown above, the 85th percentile of speed varies from 49 to 54 mph, and on a street with a speed limit of 45 mph, these recent figures are not unusual. The Sheriff's Office has already been contacted of our findings and requested the possibility of additional enforcement in the area. During the field Investigation, staff noticed that some vehicles attempted to make U-turns on McBean driving westbound approaching Alegro Drive. There are no storage bays for these vehicles, and this movement should be prohibited. Staff has already issued a work request to Public Works for appropriate signage at this Intersection. OPTION 1: TRAFFIC SIGNALS Twenty -four-hour machine counts were conducted at the intersection to be used in evaluation of standard traffic signal warrants for the intersection. The machine counts were supplemented by manual intersection counts and field observations of the traffic and pedestrian operations at the Intersection. The approach traffic volumes are about 21,000 per day on McBean Parkway and about 1,300 per day on Alegro Drive. Some schoolchildren currently cross McBean Parkway at this Intersection during the morning and afternoon school hours. Standard signal warrants established by the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) were used in the evaluation. None of the traffic signal warrants were satisfied, based on vehicular volumes. Due to the number of school-age pedestrians crossing at this Intersection, a special warrant established for use in school areas was also analyzed but was found to be unwarranted. The traffic manual requires a minimum of 70 schoolchildren to cross the roadway, where the staff's Investigation showed a maximum of 15 schoolchildren use this crosswalk. OPTION 2: PEDESTRIAN -ACTIVATED SIGNALS This type of.traffic control device Is sometimes used at mid -block crosswalks In downtown areas where there is a high volume of pedestrians using a crosswalk throughout the day. The signals would only control the major street traffic and would operate In green mode unless activated by a pedestrian push-button. The Caltrans Traffic Manual, however, requires that if the signal warrants are satisfied based on school pedestrians, the entire Intersection shall be fully signalized. This type of control is, therefore, not applicable nor warranted at this intersection. MCBEAN PARKWAY/ALLEGRO DRIVE INTERSECTION TRAFFIC STUDY October 28, 1993 Page 3 OPTION 3: FLASHING BEACONS The Caltrans Traffic Manual also establishes warrants for installation of flashing beacons near schools. The warrant Is satisfied when the crossing is on the "Suggested Route to School," and a minimum number of vehicles and pedestrians go through the crosswalk during two hours of each day. The number of vehicles and pedestrians present at the Intersection during the school's peak hours do not satisfy this warrant. The existing "Suggested Route to School" study for this area utilizes this crossing, but after the signal is operational at McBean Parkway and Signing Hills, it will be recommended to revise the study to have the students use the new signalized Intersection. Moreover, the effectiveness of flashing beacons has been questionable when used in school areas. They have been more effective when used to warn motorists of a permanent roadway feature, like a sharp curve or a traffic signal not expected by the approaching motorist. Due to its limited effectiveness and not meeting the standard warrants, this type of installation is not recommended. OPTION 4: USE OF PEDESTRIAN PASEO As It was mentioned, there is an existing paseo path along the north side of all cul-de-sacs north of McBean Parkway between Alegro Drive and Singing Hills Drive. This path is connected to the Singing Hills Drive sidewalk Just north of McBean Parkway. The 12 to 15 schoolchildren crossing McBean Parkway at Alegro Drive could take this path to the Intersection of Singing Hills Drive and McBean Parkway (to be signalized), to the school. RECOMMENDATION Staff recommends that immediately after the signalization of McBean Parkway and Singing Hills Road the existing "Suggested Route to School" map for the Meadows Elementary School be revised. This revision will direct the schoolchildren from the area in the northeast quadrant of McBean Parkway and Singing Hills to use the pedestrian paseo immediately to the north and use the future signalized Intersection of McBean Parkway and Singing Hills Drive (see Exhibits B and C for existing and proposed "Suggested Route to School" for Meadows Elementary School). The crossing guard would be relocated to the newsignalized intersection (McBean Parkway and Singing Hills Drive), and the intersection would be reevaluated in six months to verify If an adult crossing guard Is required. Staff also recommends that all existing signing and pavement legends referred to the existing crosswalk on the east leg of McBean Parkway and Alegro Drive be removed after the new signal at McBean/Singing Hills is operational. RJR:hds Attachment 2 11CIMD -- sues srcJ aosYr•- is tc+vcmu wurewi W.rrM •W.C.Jf Y«C eu•.. par v w•ao-• an csuuml Q were xr.. luc.r a r,ml 11 W.nue Yx rw •J «u.vr Iv.y nl sew tn,.. r Iof Inv o sw• Pl..or, 11 nl e�xlp Iri•um, /� 1'w x• •r ro ndml it °••""'n, w.rri n••.vr••Ir.n.c•s SUGGESTED ROUTE TO SCHOOL PLAN for Meadows Elementary This map shows the suggested crossings to be used from each block in your school walking attendance area. Following the arrows, select the best route from your home to the school and mark it with a colored pencil or crayon. This is the route cNSftin� Instruct your child to use this route and to cross streets .1 locations shown. You and your child should become familiar with the route by - walking it logaher. Observe marked crass walks. slop signs. traffic signals, other traffic controls, and. most of all, traffic. Crossing points have bun located at these controls wherever possible, even though a longer walk may some-limea be necessary please renew with your child proper it" crossing and the use and meaning of pedestrian crossing Indication, at traffic ugrais parents should use catseme caution when picking -up and dmppmgaff students. Do not double park and avoid having children Cross the strep to gel from the school to the ear This mfannaticn is prondd for guidance only The safety of your child mat entirely with you. the parent. The information provided is nos imendd to womanly that she routes shown are o eco' s6oc' SCKL IL4F NO "�� Suf43r[o feD3Yx[ kwttpo wup�DDl ® (iJ°:pD: Ixl <ps'Cl pot sv w ...... w[u..O ( 03 nuoeo3 O IparKsc,e Ix+4 pK01 3. � I rl w3v,u'oq LK.D + f (x•3[01 m.xo •m. n.IJxlu x•�ow r �.; pxxx.w Ol lYWy a/ I • r.+•. 11V 1M . (W x• Y W xG�JI SUGGESTED ROUTE TO SCHOOL PLAN for Meadows Elementary .J parents: This map shows the suggested crossings to be used from each block in your school walking attendance At". Following the mows, select the bcm route from your home td the school and mark it with a colored pencil or crayon. This is the route �ir+s'o sed V Imtruct your child to ""'this route And to croO nrecta at locations shown. You. and your child should become familiar with the route by walling it together. Observe marked cron.walks, stop signs, 1rafric aignala, other traffic controls, and, most of all, traffic. Crowing points have ban located at these controls wherever possible. even though A longer walk may some -limes be n —.— 01-- —1— with your child proper circa crossing and the use and meaning Of pedestrian crossing indications at traffic ug2ala. Parents should use ealreme caution when picking -up and droppiugoff students. Do not double park •nd avoid having children cross the sttcei to get from the School ro the car. This information is provided for guidance only. The safety of your ch Jd rest entirely with you, the parent. The information provided is not intended to wammy that the roma . shown arc I I An Affirmative Action -Equal Opportunity Employer r September 21, 1993 City of Santa Clarita Mr. Bahman Janka 23920 Valencia Blvd. Santa Clarita, CA 91355 Dear Mr. Janka: FOR YOUR INFORMATION On behalf of the Newhall School District, we request that a traffic study be undertaken at the intersection of McBean Parkway and Alegro Drive in the City of Santa Clarita. There is a marked pedestrian crossing at this intersection which is used by children attending Meadows School. Although this crossing enjoys the services of a crossing guard during the hours when school children are using the crosswalk, that is not sufficient to ensure the children's safety. The vehicle speed on McBean Parkway is quite fast and there have been a number of near - misses involving the crossing guard and the children. We would suggest the City seriously consider a traffic light at that intersection. Sincerely, Michael McGrath, Ed.D. Superintendent JMM:ct XC.:i Mrsvvl; n:BUeldVf Governing Board Members Diane von Buelow, Principal Mr. Bahman Janka City Traffic'Bngineer 23290 Valencia Boulevard Suite 300 Valencia, Ca. 91355 September 22, 1993 Dear Mr. Janka, MEADOWS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL 25577 Fedala Road Valencia, California 91355 (805) 255-8450 FOR YOUR INFORMATION There is growing concern among the Meadows School community regarding unsafe conditions at the intersection of McBean Parkway and Alegro Drive. Some of our students use the crosswalk at this intersection going to and from school. While a diligent crossing guard attempts to stop traffic and safely cross the children, motorists frequently fail to stop. In a recent incident (9/20/93) a - motorist actually drove up,onto the curb to avoid hitting the children already in the act of crossing. I am requesting a traffic study at the intersection of McBean Parkway and Alegro Drive. I feel it is essential that measures be taken as soon as possible to insure the safety of our children. A flashing yellow light and No U -Tum sign are suggestiorisfrom the Meadows School community. , . I appreciate your attention to this matter. A written response from you would be most helpful so. that I may keep our community informed regarding efforts to keep our children safe. Thank you for your assistance. ,Sincerely, n ,, Diane von Buelow Principal NOTICE REGARDING THE SCHOOL CROSSING AT McBEAN PARKWAY AND ALEGRO DRIVE 'vw'E, THE UNDERSIGNED RESIDENTS OF THE MEADOWS SCHOOL COMh1UNITY, DO HEREBY PUT THE CITs~OF SANTA CLARITA ON NOTICE OF THE DANGEROU3 CONDITION THAT EXISTS AT THE INTERSECTION OF IlcBEAN PARKWAY AND ALEGRO DRIVE. THERE 13 A MARKED SCHOOL CROSSING AT THIS INTERSECTION THAT IS USED BY CHILDREN ATTENDING MEADOWS SCHOOL. DESPITE THE EFFORTS OF THE SCHOOL CROSSING GUARDS AT THIS INTERSECTION, THERE HAVE BEEN NUi1EROUS INCIDENTS IN THE PAST SEVERAL YEARS WHERE CHILDREN HAVE NEARLY BEEN HIT BY THE CARS THAT FAIL TO STOP. THE MOST RECENT NEAR MISS OCCURRED ON 5EPTEh16ER 20, 1993 WHEN A GROUP OF CHILDREN WERE ALMOST HIT BY A CAR THAT HAD TO GO UP OVER THE CURB TO AVOID THE CHILDREN. IF NOT FOR THE EXTRAORDINARY EFFORTS OF THE CROSSING GUARD, A TRAGEDY WOULD HAVE OCCURRED. THE RACE TRACE: SPEED ON McBEAN PARKWAY COMBINED WITH THE LACK OF A STOP LIGHT, FLASHING YELLOW LIGHT OR PEDESTRIAN WALKWAY CREATES A SITUATION RIPE FOR TRAGEDY. WE WILL NOT WAIT FOR AN INJURY OR DEATH TO.000UR BEFORE WE DEMAND ACTION BY THE CITY OF SANTA CLARITA. DATED THE 28th DAY OF SEPTEMBER, 1993. 25Yd7 C��r�w Gtj Cr �CQ pGUI 6ccxdl,2�) a�1roU�p�klp �4 (�a(nvtG� Ch. /A OLVI10- �Pw� 'Y' 7� a s AJV 1L La Z s'jof4 r'4,'l (lo war, cq ��'- f NOTICC RCOAFiDIIdO TY1[ DCM00L CRO991NO hT McBEAN PARKWAY AND ALEGRO DRIVE WE, THE UNDERSIGNED RESIDENTS OF THE MEADOWS SCHOOL COMMUNITY, DO HEREBY PUT THE CITY OF SANTA CLARITA ON NOTICE OF THE DANGEROUS CONDITION THAT EXISTS AT THE INTERSECTION OF McBEAN PARKWAY AND ALEGRO DRIVE. THERE IS AMARKED SCHOOL CROSSING AT THIS INTERSECTION THAT IS USED BY CHILDREN ATTENDING MEADOWS SCHOOL. DESPITE THE EFFORTS OF THE SCHOOL CROSSING GUARDS AT THIS NTl ERSECTION, THERE HAVE BEEN NUMEROUS INCIDENTS IN THE PAST 7EVEt—( Y "EARS WHERE CHILDREN HAVE NEARLY BEEN HIT 6'{ THE CARS THAT FAIL TO STOP, THE 1-10ST RECENT NEAR MISS OCCURRED ON SEP TEf iBER 20, 1993 WHEhd A CiRVUP OF CHILDREiJ 'vv'ERE ALtiO) H( I BY A CAR THAT HAD TO GO UP OVER THE CURB TO AVOID T HE CHILDREN. iF NOT FOR THE EXTRAVRDINARY EFFORTS OF THE CROSSING GUARD, A TRAGEDY WOULD HAVE VCCVRRED. THE RACE TRACK SPEED ON tic,BEAN PARKWAY COMBINED WITH THE LACK OF A S TVVP LIGHT, FLASHING YELLOW LIGHT OR PEDES T RIAN WALKWAY CREATES A SITUATION RIPE FOR TRAGEDY. WE WILL NOT WAIT FOR AN INJURY OR DEATH TO OCCUR BEFORE WE DEMAND ACTION BY THE Ci T Y OF SANTA CLARITA. DATED THE 26th DAY OF SEPTEMBER, 1993. 0- G4 U '�QeA�' �5 gSo ��a[af2. �-✓"-c� lJe,1'lol�l g 6-r)�u9r4TG w'sy Urs u5N\r t 4� r 6p, °lI 3sS WAY vhAAJM qts �r�� ( c ?i(36 ds�s3 �a��' �v va ((f rob cq�/A Ird • Le )J�� I\kww 1— u4-651- ZS g"7 �{ GgPsc -r� W pq VALk4 C -J PS �s•- s s F� rte- A �( U a .�-� yam, _ • vis Susan Nlarcart� zs$`1� WC11 �vc/Q�°'M-c,� �c/�C �zt(3SJR Ir NOTICE REOARDINO THE SCHOOL CROSSINO AT t I c B E A N PARKWAY AND ALEGRO DRIVE 1. i vVE, THE UNDERSIGNED RESIDENT S GF THE I'iEADO'rvS SCHOOL COMMUNITY, DO HEREBY PUT THE CITY OF SANTA CLARI T A ON NOTICE OF THE DAN GEl: ROU5 CONDITION THAT EXISTS AT T HE INTERSECTION OF MCBEAN PARKWAY AND ALEGRO DRIVE. THERE 13 AMARKED SCHOOL CROSSING AT THIS INTERSECTION THAT IS USED BY CHILDREN ATTENDING MEADOWS SCHOOL. DESPITE THE EFFORTS OF THE SCHOOL CROSSING GUARDS AT THIS INTERSECTION, THERE HAVE BEEN NUMEROUS INCIDENTS IN THE PAST SEVERAL YEARS WHERE CHILDREN HAVE NEARLY BEEN HIT BY T HE CARS THAT FAIL TO STOP. THE MOST RECENT NEAR MISS OCCURRED ON SEPTEMBER 20, 1993 WHEN AGROUP OF CHILDREN WERE ALMOST HIT BY A CAR THAT HAD TO GO UP OVER THE CURB TO AVOID THE CHILDREN. IF NOT FOR THE EXTRAORDINARY EFFORTS OF THE CROSSING GUARD, A TRAGEDY WOULD HAVE OCCURRED, THE RACE TRACK SPEED ON McBEAN PARKWAY COMBINED WITH THE LACK OF A STOP LIGHT, FLASHING YELLOW LIGHT OR PEDESTRIAN WALKWAY CREATES A SITUATION RIPE FOR TRAGEDY. WE WILL NOT WAIT FOR AN INJURY OR DEATH TO OCCUR BEFORE .1E DEMAND ACTION BY THE,CITY OF S ANT A CLARITA. DATED THE 20th DAY OF SEPTEMBER, 1993. l�- a sago -sJ2 � zs�Y� Z5-9-7-0 /3 (-a� 141`�L7 1 `i13o �Jkl4v 1Yf. Vl\4r�C�W r C.n. ,3) 2 Wl V&54((( -c5 -)N `I 6� lle5 AWe,.; . .2442-7 ,455- S/j-q