Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout1997-06-24 - AGENDA REPORTS - TRAFFIC SIGNAL EVALUATION (2)City Manager Approv; Item to be presented Bahman Janka UNFINISHED BUSINESS DATE: June 24, 1997 SUBJECT: 1997-1998 TRAFFIC SIGNAL PRIORITY EVALUATION - STATUS REPORT RYE CANYON ROAD/AVENUE SCOTT - THREE-WAY STOP CONTROLS RESOLUTION NO. 97-82 DEPARTMENT: Building and Engineering Services In October 1995, the City Council adopted Resolution No. 95-116 that established the City of Santa Ciarita 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 provide maximum traffic safety in the community by prioritizing candidate intersections that are competing for traffic signals. Over the past year, staff received several requests for traffic signal installations. Of the requests received, eight locations satisfied a traffic signal warrant(s) and are ranked on the attached table. 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 two candidate signal locations where staff recommends a specific action as discussed in this report. Staff will reevaluate the remaining candidate locations for signalization next year, along with other requested locations that may come up next year. Whites Canyon Rood and Steinway Street: The result of the signal priority rating study showed that the Whites Canyon Road and Steinway Street intersection is at the top of the list. The intersection of Whites Canyon Road and Ashboro Drive was also evaluated to determine the best location for the installation of a traffic signal. Due to the proximity of Ashboro Drive and Steinway Street, only one location would need to be signalized. Staff intends that if one location is selected for signalization, the other one will be dropped from the signal priority list and not reevaluated in future signal priority studies. The result, as shown in Appendix "A," showed that the signalization of Whites Canyon Road and Steinway Street would be more beneficial. Adopted:67`1-27A rla Ron 1997-98 TRAFFIC SIGNAL PRIORITY EVALUATION June 24, 1997 - Page 2 This intersection is part of the "Suggested Route to School" for the Sky Blue Mesa Elementary School, and the signal would maximize the safety of school children crossing at the intersection. Also, the signal would address the sight visibility concerns at this intersection. Funding in the amount of $220,000 has been requested as part of the 1997-98 proposed budget. Bye Canyon Road and Avenue Scott: This intersection ranked No. 6 on the signal priority list. Of the next top five intersections in the list, this is the only location that meets warrants for a multi -way stop control. The review of the accident history at this intersection within a 36 -month period showed a pattern of collisions involving northbound left -turns versus westbound through -traffic. The volume of traffic entering the intersection from Rye Canyon Road and Avenue Scott was almost equal. Further evaluation showed that the intersection satisfied the warrants for a multi -way stop control. A three-way stop will not only address most of the recurring traffic concerns at this intersection, but also provide an appropriate traffic control at the intersection. A Traffic Signal Assessment District was established for the installation of three traffic signals within the Valencia Industrial Center. This intersection is part of the list of locations in the Assessment District to be signalized when signal warrants are met, when the traffic signal is deemed necessary, and when funds become available. The three-way stop control will fulfill the traffic control needs at this intersection in the interim until the intersection is signalized in the future. 1. City Council select the intersection of Whites Canyon Road and Steinway Street to be signalized from the City's current signal priority list; and 2. Adopt Resolution No. 97-82, establishing three-way stop controls at Rye Canyon Road and Avenue Scott. Resolution No. 97-82 Attachment "A"- FY 1997-1998 Traffic Signal Priority List Vicinity Map MS:lkl muncilkn99-82.m RESOLUTION NO.. 97-82 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SANTA CLARITA, CALIFORNIA, ESTABLISHING A THREE-WAY STOP INSTALLATION AT THE INTERSECTION OF RYE CANYON ROAD/AVENUE SCOTT WHEREAS, California Vehicle Code Section 21354 allows local authorities to designate any intersection under their exclusive jurisdiction as a three-way stop intersection; and WHEREAS, traffic operation at the intersection of Rye Canyon Road/Avenue Scott 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 three-way stop intersection with the addition of stop sign controls at northbound and southbound Rye Canyon Road at Avenue Scott. All traffic shall stop before entering or crossing the intersection. SECTION 2. That the three-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 MAYOR ATTEST: CITY CLERK RESO NO. 97-82 June 24, 1997 - Page 2 STATE OF CALIFORNIA ) COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES ) § CITY OF SANTA CLARITA ) I, Sharon L. Dawson, CMC, 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 119— by 19_by the following vote of Council: AYES: COUNCILMEMBERS: NOES: C.OUNCILMEMBERS: ABSENT: COUNCILMEMBERS: CITY CLERK MS:lkl ...0i 97-92.. ATTACHMENT "A" CITY OF SANTA CLARITA FY 1997-1998 Traffic Signal Priority List ACKGR 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 1997-98. The Traffic Engineering Division received numerous requests in the past year for traffic signal installations. Staff evaluated several intersections and prioritized eight (8) 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 1 and 2, warrant 9 - four hour volume, and warrant 11- peak hour volume. Eight of the intersections evaluated for traffic signal installation satisfied at least one of the selected traffic signal warrants. Each of the eight 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) Whites Canyon Road/Steinway Street - Ranked No. 1 (51 points): Whites Canyon Road is a north/south major arterial with two travel lanes in each direction. The posted speed limit along this stretch of Sand Canyon Road is 45 mph. The segment of this road south of Steinway Street has a horizontal curvature that partially obstructs the visibility of the motorists when exiting from westbound Steinway Street. Steinway Street is an east/west local street and serves as an ingress/egress to a residential area and school. The intersection is controlled by a two-way stop sign installation which requires the traffic on Steinway Street to stop before entering the intersection. This location was ranked No. 1 based on the criteria used in the priority list. The result of the evaluation of the intersection showed that four signal warrants were satisfied, warrant Nos. 5, 8, 9, and 11. Also, there were no reported traffic accidents, within a recent 12 -month period. The review of the accident history from January 1, 1993 to March 3, 1997 showed no reported accidents. 2) Soledad Canyon Road/Oak Avenue - Ranked No. 2 (49 points). Soledad Canyon Road is an east/west major arterial with three travel lanes in each direction and divided by a raised median island. The posted speed limit on this stretch of Soledad Canyon Road is 50 mph. Oak Avenue is a nortb/south collector street with one travel lane in each direction and serves as an ingress/egress to a business and residential area. This intersection was ranked No. 2 on the priority list. The evaluation showed that four signal warrants were satisfied, warrant Nos. 1, 2, 8, and 9. There were three reported traffic accidents within a recent 12 -month period that were susceptible to correction by a traffic signal. The review of the accident history from January 1, 1993 to March 3, 1997 showed three reported accidents and all were susceptible to correction by -a traffic signal. 3) Sierra Highway/American Beauty Drive - Ranked No. 3 (43 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/west local 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 peak hours. The result of the evaluation of the intersection showed that four signal warrants were satisfied, warrant Nos. 2, 5, 9, and 11. There was one reported accident at this intersection within a recent 12 -month period. The review of the accident history from January 1, 1993 to March 3, 1997 showed five reported accidents and all five were susceptible to correction by a traffic signal. 4) Whites Canyon Road/Ashboro Drive - Ranked No. 4 (38 points). Whites Canyon Road is a north/south major arterial with two travel lanes in each direction. The posted speed limit along this stretch of Sand Canyon Road is 45 mph. Ashboro Drive is a collector street and serves as an ingress/egress to a residential area and school. The intersection is controlled by a one-way stop sign installation which requires the traffic on Ashboro Drive to stop before entering the intersection. This intersection was studied only for comparison with Whites Canyon Road/Steinway Street. This intersection was ranked No. 4 on the priority list. The evaluation showed that three signal warrants were satisfied, warrant Nos. 5, 8, and 9. There were no reported traffic accidents within a recent 12 -month period. The review of the accident history from January 1, 1993 to March 3, 1997 showed no reported accidents. 5) Rye Canyon Road/Avenue Crocker - Ranked No. 5 (36 points). Rye Canyon Road is an east/west major arterial, within the Valencia Industrial Center, that has two travel lanes in each direction and divided by a raised median. The posted speed limit along this stretch of Rye Canyon Road is 45 mph. Avenue Crocker is a north/south local road that has one travel lane in each direction and is divided by centerline striping. The intersection is controlled by a one-way stop sign installation which requires the traffic on Avenue Crocker to stop before entering the intersection. This intersection was ranked No. 5 on the priority list. The evaluation showed that five signal warrants were satisfied, warrant Nos. 1, 2, 8, 9, and 11. There was one reported traffic accident within a recent 12 -month period, that was susceptible to correction by a traffic signal. The review of the accident history from January 1, 1993 to. March 3, 1997 showed five reported accidents and all were susceptible to correction by a traffic signal. 6) Rye Canyon Road/Avenue Scott - Ranked No. 6 (32 points). Rye Canyon Road is an east/west major arterial, within the Valencia Industrial Center, that has two travel lanes in each direction and divided by a raised median. The posted speed limit along this stretch of Rye Canyon Road is 45 mph. Avenue Scott is a north/south local road that has two travel lanes in each direction and is divided by a raised median. The intersection is controlled by a one-way stop sign installation which requires the traffic on Avenue Scott to stop before entering the intersection. This intersection was ranked No. 6 on the priority list. The evaluation showed that four signal warrants were satisfied, warrant Nos. 1, 7, 9, and 11. There were two reported traffic accidents within a recent 12 -month period, that were susceptible to correction by a traffic signal. The review of the accident history from January 1, 1993 to March 3, 1997 showed twelve reported accidents and eleven were susceptible to correction by a traffic signal. 7) Calgrove Boulevard/Wiley Canyon Road -Valley Oak Court - Ranked No. 7 (28 points). Calgrove Boulevard is an east/west secondary road that has two travel lanes in each direction and a two-way left -turn. The posted speed limit along this stretch of Calgrove Boulevard is 45 mph. Wiley Canyon Road is north/south arterial with one travel lane in each direction. Wiley Canyon Rad has a posted speed limit of 35 mph. Valley Oak Court is a north/south local road that has one travel lane in each direction and a posted speed limit of 25 mph. This intersection was ranked No. 7 on the priority list. The evaluation showed that two signal warrants were satisfied, warrant Nos. 9, and 11. There were no reported traffic accidents within a recent 12 -month period. The review of the accident history from January 1, 1993 to March 3, 1997 showed two reported accidents and one was susceptible to correction by a traffic signal. 8) Bouquet Canyon Road/Sutters Pointe Drive - Ranked No. 8 (21 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 cast/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. This intersection was ranked No. 8 on the priority list. The result of the evaluation of the intersection showed that three signal warrants were satisfied, warrant Nos. 2, 9, and 11. There were no reported accidents at this intersection within a recent 12 -month period. The review of the accident history from January 1, 1993 to March 3, 1997 showed six reported accidents and three were susceptible to correction by a traffic signal. Stags review of the accident history, within a 51 -month period, has identified the intersection of Rye Canyon Road/Avenue Scott to have twelve accidents and nine of these were all the same type of accidents, which were susceptible to correction by a traffic signal or multi -way stop signs. Furthermore, the location was evaluated for a multi -way stop control. The result showed that the location satisfies the requirements for a three-way stop sign installation. Based on the results of the signal priority evaluation, the intersection of Whites Canyon Road/Steinway Street acquired the most points and ranked No. 1 in the traffic signal priority list. In addition, the intersection of Rye Canyon Road/Avenue Scott is recommended for a three- way stop control. MS:lkl .cll\m97.92.me 12 CITY OF SANTA CLARITA TRAFFIC SIGNAL PRIORITY LIST - 1997 SIGNALWARRANTS 1. Minimum Vehicular Volume: The volume of intersecting traffic is the principal reason for considering traffic signals. 2. Interruption of Continuous Traffic: Traffic volume an 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) or more correctable accidents in a 12 -month period. 9. Combination Warrants: Warrants Iand 2ate 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 hour warrant) Critical speed of major street> 49 mph Critical speed of major street <40 mph c4%traHk\,1"ty97.x1c in on VICINITY MAP Not to Scale LL ' INrtf t - !'r I City of Santa Clarita r { I 0 Whites Canyon Road/Steinway Street © Soledad Canyon Road/Oak Avenue i e 0 Whites Canyon Road/Ashboro Drive © Rye Canyon Road/Avenue Crocker `- Rye Canyon Road/Avenue Scott © - I0 Calgrove Boulevard/Wiley Canyon Road } J 0 Bouquet Canyon Road/Sutters Pointe Drive VICINITY MAP Not to Scale LL ' INrtf t - !'r I City of Santa Clarita r { I 0 Whites Canyon Road/Steinway Street © Soledad Canyon Road/Oak Avenue VICINITY MAP Not to Scale LL ' INrtf t - !'r I City of Santa Clarita Traffic Signal Priority List { I 0 Whites Canyon Road/Steinway Street © Soledad Canyon Road/Oak Avenue i Sierra Highway/American Beauty Drive 0 Whites Canyon Road/Ashboro Drive © Rye Canyon Road/Avenue Crocker Rye Canyon Road/Avenue Scott © - I0 Calgrove Boulevard/Wiley Canyon Road } J 0 Bouquet Canyon Road/Sutters Pointe Drive