HomeMy WebLinkAbout1996-06-11 - AGENDA REPORTS - TRAFSIG PRIORITY EVALUATION (2)AGENDA REPORT
City Manager Approval
Item to be presented by:
Bahman Janka
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
DATE: June 11, 1996
SUBJECT: TRAFFIC SIGNAL PRIORITY EVALUATION - STATUS REPORT
RESOLUTION NO. 96-75
DEPARTMENT: Building and Engineering Services
BACKGROUND
In October 1995, the City Council adopted Resolution No. 95-116 that established the City of
Santa Clarita Traffic Signal Priority System. The traffic signal priority evaluation is a critical
element of the City's risk management program and provides the City with a systematic and
defensible approach to installing traffic control devices. The ranking of intersections and the
thoughtful allocation of limited funding resources for traffic signal projects, provides maximum
traffic safety in the community by prioritizing candidate intersections which are competing for
traffic signals.
An amount of $140,000 is appropriated in the current Five -Year Capital Improvement Program
to install a traffic signal anywhere in the City based on the recommendations from the signal
priority evaluation. This amount will cover the cost for the design and construction of one.
complete traffic signal installation.
Since the adoption of the system, staff received several requests for traffic signal installations.
Of the requests received, five locations satisfied a traffic signal warrant. Attachment "A" shows
the detailed description of relevant traffic operating conditions for each location, including a
tabulated evaluation summary which shows the ranked list.
This agenda report will limit discussion to the top three candidate signal locations per the
ranked list in Attachment "A". These are locations where staff recommends a specific action as
discussed in this report. Staff will reevaluate the remaining two candidate locations for
signalization next year, along with other requested locations that may come up next year.
1. Sand Canyon Road and Lost Canyon Road: The result of the signal priority rating study
showed that the Sand Canyon Road and Lost Canyon Road intersection is at the top of the
list. However; staff has recently provided draft conditions for the Hunter's Green Golf
Course project for appropriate traffic mitigation measures that will be required for the
project. One of those mitigation measures included in the draft conditions is the intersection
geometric improvements and installation of a traffic signal at Lost Canyon and Sand Canyon
Roads.
Adopted: - - 4�, Agenda Item:. /
RESO NO. 96-75
June 11, 1996 - Page 2
Staff identified obstacles for installing a traffic signal under present conditions. The existing
intersection geometry will require major road work prior to installation of the traffic signal.
The money currently available for traffic signalization will not be sufficient to pay for this
additional work. Should a traffic signal be installed now without the geometric
improvements, most or the entire traffic signal will have to be modified in the near future.
Staff feels that it would be a better use of available funds to wait for the Hunter's Green
development to install the traffic signal and the necessary roadway improvements.
Staff envisions that it may take a minimum of two years for the signal to be installed if the
City decides to wait for the Hunter's Green development. In the meantime, field
investigations showed that the roadway alignment impairs sight visibility at this
intersection. Due to the roadway curvature and the existence of a large tree in the
southeast corner, the minimum sight distance criteria is not met for motorists exiting the
east leg of the intersection. Staff has also received complaints from parents, and the school
district, of long delays and difficulty to access Sand Canyon Road during peak hours. It is
the professional opinion of staff that an interim measure be taken while the traffic signal
is being arranged.
According to the state guidelines, a 4 -way stop may be installed at a location that meets
traffic signal warrants, as an interim measure while traffic signalization is being arranged.
The stop signs are also warranted based on the limited sight distance at the intersection.
A 4 -way stop will not only address most of the recurring traffic concerns at this intersection,
but also provides an appropriate traffic control at the intersection until the Hunter Green's
development installs the traffic signal.
Staff intends to install advisory signs to notify motorists of the upcoming stop signs 30 days
before the scheduled installation, in the same manner that it was done for the Wiley Canyon
Road and La Glorita Circle/Evans Avenue intersection.
2. May Way and Via Princessa: The second in the signal priority list is the intersection of May
Way and Via Princessa. City staff, after working with the developer and the school district,
has recently received the funds to install the traffic signal. The City Council during the May
14 City Council meeting, authorized staff to advertise the traffic signal installation to get
bids for this project.
La Glorita Circle/Evans Avenue and Wiley Canyon Road: The third in the signal priority
list is the intersection of La Glorita Circle/Evans and Wiley Canyon Road. Based on the
discussion above, this location could receive the available funding to be used for installation
of the traffic signal.
RESO NO. 96-75
June 11, 1996 -Page 3
RECOMMENDATION
Adopt Resolution No. 96-75, establishing 4 -way stop controls at Lost Canyon Road and Sand
Canyon Road as an interim measure for traffic signalization;
Select the intersection of La Glorita Circle/Evans Avenue and Wiley Canyon Road to be
signalized from the City's current signal priority list; and
3, Approve the use of the $140,000 appropriated for traffic signals in the Five -Year Capital
Improvement Program to be used for the signalization of La Glorita Circle/Evans Avenue
and Wiley Canyon Road and direct staff to proceed with the signal design process.
ATTACHMENTS
Resolution No. 96-75
Attachment "A"- FY 1996-1997 Traffic Signal Priority List
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RESOLUTION NO. 96-75
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL
OF THE CITY OF SANTA CLARITA, CALIFORNIA,
ESTABLISHING A FOUR-WAY STOP INSTALLATION
AT THE INTERSECTION OF
SAND CANYON ROAD/LOST CANYON ROAD
WHEREAS, California Vehicle Code Section 21354 allows local authorities to designate any
intersection under their exclusive jurisdiction as a four-way stop intersection; and
WHEREAS, traffic operation at the intersection of Sand Canyon Road/Lost Canyon Road would
benefit from such designation.
THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SANTA CLARITA DOES RESOLVE AS
FOLLOWS:
SECTION 1. That the intersection is designated as a four-way stop intersection with the
addition of stop sign controls at the following:
1) Northbound and southbound Sand Canyon Road at Lost Canyon Road. All traffic shall stop
before entering or crossing the intersection.
SECTION 2. That the four-way stop designation, as provided herein, shall apply when
appropriate signs and pavement markings giving adequate notice thereof have been placed as
described in Section 1.
PASSED, APPROVED AND ADOPTED this day of
19
MAYOR
ATTEST:
CITY CLERK
RESO NO. 96-75
June 11, 1996 - Page
STATE OF CALIFORNIA )
COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES ) §
CITY OF SANTA CLARITA )
I, Donna M. Grindey, City Clerk of the City of Santa Clarita, do hereby certify that
the foregoing Resolution was duly adopted by the City Council of the City of Santa Clarita at
a regular meeting thereof, held on the day of 19 by
the following vote of Council:
AYES: COUNCILMEMBERS:
NOES: COUNCILMEMBERS:
ABSENT: COUNCILMEMBERS:
CITY CLERK
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ATTACHMENT "A"
CITY OF SANTA CLARITA
FY 1996-1997 Traffic Signal Priority List
In October 1995, the City Council adopted Resolution No, 95-116, that established "The City of
Santa Clarita Traffic Signal Priority System". The traffic signal priority evaluation was used
in the establishment of the traffic signal priority list. The list will be used as a basis for
allocating capital improvement funding for the FY 1996-97.
The Traffic Engineering section received numerous requests in the past year for traffic signal
installations. Staff evaluated several intersections and prioritized five locations that meet at
least one traffic signal warrant.
DISCUSSION
The City of Santa Clarita uses selected traffic signal warrants established in the State of
California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) Traffic Manual; warrant 1 -minimum vehicle
volume, warrant 2 -interruption of continuous traffic, warrant 4 -school crossing, warrant 6 -
accident experience, warrant 8 -combination of warrants land 2, warrant 9 -four hour volume,
and warrant 11 -peak hour volume.
Five of the intersections evaluated for traffic signal installation satisfied at least one of the
selected traffic signal warrants. Each of the five locations were reviewed and assigned points
to determine the ranking in the traffic signal priority list. Staffs observation and review of
these intersections are discussed below:
1) Sand Canyon Road/Lost Canyon Road - Ranked #1 (40 points). Sand Canyon is a
north/south major arterial with one travel lane in each direction. The posted speed limit
along this stretch of Sand Canyon Road is 45 mph. The segment of this road south of Lost
Canyon Road has a horizontal curvature and a big tree on the east side that partially
obstructs the visibility of the motorists when exiting from westbound Lost Canyon Road..
Lost Canyon Road is an east/west local -collector street and serves as an ingress/egress to
residential areas and schools. The intersection is controlled by a two-way stop sign
installation which requires the traffic on Lost Canyon Road to stop before entering the
intersection.
This location was ranked #1 based on the criteria used in the priority list. The result of the
evaluation of the intersection showed that two signal warrants were satisfied, warrants #9
and #11. Also, there were two traffic accidents, within a recent 12 -month period, that were
susceptible to correction by a traffic signal.
2) Via Princessa/May Way -Ranked #2 (34 points). Via Princess is an east/west major
arterial with two travel lanes in each direction and a two-way left -turn lane/median island
(RPM'S): The posted speed limit on this stretch of Via Princessa is 45 mph. May Way is
a north/south collector street with one travel lane in each direction. La Mesa Junior High
School exists along the west side of May Way. Santa Clarita Transit and Hart High school
buses use this intersection to access the school and pick-up/drop-off their
passengers/students from the school.
This intersection was ranked #2 on the priority list. The evaluation showed that one signal
warrant was satisfied, warrant #11. There were two traffic accidents within a recent
12 -month period, that were susceptible to correction by a traffic signal.
3) Wiley Canyon Road/La Glorita Circle -Evans Avenue - Ranked #3 (30 points). Wiley
Canyon Road is a north/south major arterial. North of La Glorita Circle -Evans Avenue it
has two travel lanes in each direction and south of La Glorita Circle -Evans Avenue it has
one travel lane in each direction. The posted speed limit for this stretch of the road is 35
mph. 'La Glorita Circle -Evans Avenue are both local roadways. The Wiley Canyon
Elementary School exists at the southwest corner of the intersection of Wiley Canyon
Road/La Glorita Circle -Evans Avenue_
During the public comments portion of the regular March 12, 1996 City Council meeting,
the Wiley Canyon Elementary School Principal and the former PTA President voiced their
concerns about the safety of the school -aged pedestrians attending the Wiley Canyon
Elementary School. After listening to the public testimony and discussion of the issue, the
City Council determined that the school children would benefit if the intersection was
signalized. The Council made a motion on the issue and directed staff to include and
prioritize the intersection of Wiley Canyon Road/La Glorita Circle -Evans Avenue for future
signalization. The motion also included the installation of a four-way stop control at this
location as an interim measure to safeguard the safety of the school children and the
motorists. There were two traffic accidents, within a recent 12 -month period, that were
susceptible to correction by a traffic signal.
4) Bouquet Canyon Road/Sutters Pointe Drive - Ranked #4 (27 points). Bouquet
Canyon Road is a north/south major arterial that has two travel lanes and a bike lane in
each direction. There is an existing raised median island along Bouquet Canyon Road. The
posted speed limit is 50 mph. Sutter Pointe Drive is an east/west local street with one
travel lane in each direction. The intersection of Bouquet Canyon Road/Sutters Pointe
Drive is a T -intersection. Sutters Pointe Drive terminates at its connection with Bouquet
Canyon Road. A driveway of a commercial center is aligned with Sutters Pointe Drive. The
volume of traffic exiting the driveway is lower than the traffic volume on Sutters Pointe
Drive.
Sutters Pointe Drive is the only access to the housing development on the east side of
Bouquet Canyon Road. There are a lot of left -turning vehicles from Sutters Pointe Drive
to southbound Bouquet Canyon Road. Occasionally, motorists cross half of Bouquet Canyon
Road and wait in the median area before completing the left -turns. The result of the
evaluation of the intersection showed that two signal warrants were satisfied, warrants #2,
and #11. There were three reported accidents at this intersection, within a recent
12 -month period, that were susceptible to correction by a traffic signal.
5) Sierra Highway/American Beauty Drive - Ranked #4 (22 points). Sierra Highway is
a north/south major roadway with two travel lanes in each direction and a two-way left -
turn center lane. The posted speed limit on this roadway is 45 mph. American Beauty
Drive is an east/westlocal street with one travel lane in each direction. The intersection
of Sierra Highway/American Beauty is a T -intersection, with American Beauty Drive
terminating at its connection with Sierra Highway.
A number of driveways from a condominium complex have access to the intersection of
Sierra Highway/American Beauty Drive. Most of the traffic exiting American Beauty Drive
make a left -turn onto southbound Sierra Highway. Occasional delays of 15 seconds or
greater were observed during the peak hours. The result of the evaluation of the
intersection showed that three signal warrants were satisfied, warrants #2, #9 and #11.
There were no reported accidents at this intersection within a recent 12 -month period.
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CITY OF I/Vii. CI.I.�RIT/.� 1996 TRAFFIC SIGNAL PRIORITY I -11T
SIGNAL WARRANTS
1. Minimum Vehicular Volume: The volume or intersecting traffic is the principal reason for considering traffic signals.
2. Interruption of Continuous Traffic: Traffic volume on major street is so heavy minor street suffers excessive delay R -
or hazard when entering or crossing the major street. U -
4. School Crossings: When it is necessary to create a gap in traffic to provide safe pedestrian crossing on a "Suggested Route to School".
6. Accident Experience: Five (5) a more correctable accidents in a 12 -month period.
6. Combination Warrants: Warrants I and 2 are 80% satisfied.
9. Four hour volume: Four hour equivalent to warrant #2 (8 hour warrant)
11. Peak hour volume: One hour equivalent to warrant#2 (8 hourwarrant)
Critical speed of major street > 40 mph
Critical speed of major street < 40 mph
cd1traffi0sgpty.wk4
INTERSECTION
1995
WARRANTS
24 HOUR
MAX15
15
15
10
20
10
5
10
(100) pts.
CORRECTABLE
MET
APPROACH VOLUME
TOTAL
INTER-
PEOES-
PROG
ACCT-
APPROACH
STREET
SPECIAL
.............
MAJORIMINOR
ACCIDENTS
VOLUME
RUPfION
TRIANS
RESSION
DENTS
SPEED
GEOMETRY
ONDmoNS
TOTAL
RANK
MAJOR
MINOR
1
SAND CANYON ROADI
LOST CANYON ROAD
2
9& 11 R
9930
1867
6
4
D
7
2
8
3
10
40
1
2
VIA PRINCESSA/ MAY WAY
2
11 R
10318
984
1 2
0
19
1 6
1 7
6
1 1
0
1 34
12
3
WILEY CANYON ROAD/
LA GLORITA EVANS
2
4 ! U
8782
1572
3
4
10
3
7
0
3
0
30
3
4
BOUQUET CANYON ROAD/
SUTTERS POINTE
3
2&11 R
24470
717
5
0
5
3
3
8
3
0
27
4
5
SIERRAHIGHWAYI
AMERICAN BEAUTY
0
2.9 & 11 R
19203
1115
5
0
0
10
0
6
1
0
22
5
SIGNAL WARRANTS
1. Minimum Vehicular Volume: The volume or intersecting traffic is the principal reason for considering traffic signals.
2. Interruption of Continuous Traffic: Traffic volume on major street is so heavy minor street suffers excessive delay R -
or hazard when entering or crossing the major street. U -
4. School Crossings: When it is necessary to create a gap in traffic to provide safe pedestrian crossing on a "Suggested Route to School".
6. Accident Experience: Five (5) a more correctable accidents in a 12 -month period.
6. Combination Warrants: Warrants I and 2 are 80% satisfied.
9. Four hour volume: Four hour equivalent to warrant #2 (8 hour warrant)
11. Peak hour volume: One hour equivalent to warrant#2 (8 hourwarrant)
Critical speed of major street > 40 mph
Critical speed of major street < 40 mph
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