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Home My WebLink About1999-01-12 - AGENDA REPORTS - ENGINEERING TRAFFIC SURVEY (2)CITY OF SANTA CLARITA AGENDA REPORT CONSENT CALENDAR DATE: January 12, 1999 City Manager Approval: Item to be presented by: SUBJECT: 1998 ENGINEERING AND TRAFFIC SURVEY STUDY RESOLUTION NO. 99-11 DEPARTMENT: Transportation & Engineering Services RECOMMENDED ACTION Adopt the attached resolution establishing prima facie speed limits on each highway segment included in the attached 1998 Engineering and Traffic Survey Study; direct the City Clerk to certify the Study as to the effective date of the individual surveys; direct staff to implement the necessary signing changes brought about by adoption of this Study; and request the Sheriffs Department to begin an aggressive radar enforcement program on the City streets and highways covered in the Study as soon as the signing changes are made. BACKGROUND Staff has completed an Engineering and Traffic Survey as defined in Section 627 of the California Vehicle Code (CVC). This study (a copy of the full report is available in the City Clerk's Office reading file) forms the basis for recommended speed limits on roadway segments that have been newly annexed into the City since the 1995 Citywide Engineering and Traffic Survey Study. Staff performed the study according to the provisions of the CVC and as recommended by the California Department of Transportation (CALTRANS) Traffic Manual. When adopted, the study establishes prima facie speed limits on every highway segment included in the study. When appropriate signs are posted according to this study, the Sheriffs Department can enforce each of these speed limits. California cities, counties, and other state agencies must conduct these surveys every five years to validate the continued use of radar for enforcement. Enforcement of speed limits by radar is the safest and most effective form of speed control. Without radar, speed enforcement becomes more complicated, more time consuming, and less safe because of the need to pace offending vehicles with a police unit. Rather than one speeding vehicle on the highway, there would be two: the offender and the police unit. An effective radar enforcement program can: • Lower prevailing vehicle speeds • Lower vehicular accident rates • Enhance overall highway safety Opted I� Agenda Item -&-o 1998 ENGINEERING AND TRAFFIC SURVEY STUDY January 12, 1999 — Page 2 The results of this study are presented in one report. The report includes individual surveys on 19 highway segments. The purpose of this presentation is to include all engineering and traffic surveys in one volume. The report contains a brief discussion regarding speed zoning principles, basic purpose, and methodology of speed -zone studies. It includes a summary of recommended speed limits for each highway segment studied and a color -coded City map depicting the recommended speed limits as formulated in this study. There are two tabulated summaries of traffic accident analysis and the speed survey summary and recommendations. It includes the appendices containing the detailed engineering and survey data. The report also contains a summary of significant adjustments to existing posted speed limits. Staff has recommended these adjustments, based on the results of the study, as essential to the overall success of the program. The speed limit adjustments are listed as follows: 1. New Established Prima Facie Speed Limits • Fairview Drive, between McBean Parkway and Hillsborough Parkway 35 m.p.h. • Grandview Drive, between Newhall Ranch Road and Decoro Drive 35 m.p.h. • Grandview Drive/Hillsborough Parkway, north of Decoro Drive 35 m.p.h. • Hillsborough Parkway, between Newhall Ranch Road and Decoro Drive 35 m.p.h. • Shangri-La Drive, north of Soledad Canyon Road 35 m.p.h. • Avenue Tibbetts, between Newhall Ranch Road and Avenue Scott 45 m.p.h. • Avenue Tibbetts, between Avenue Scott and Avenue Hopkins 35 m.p.h. • Newhall Ranch Road, between Avenue Tibbetts and McBean Parkway 50 m.p.h. • Avenue Mentry, between Old City Boundary and Avenue Rockefeller 35 m.p.h. • Avenue Scott, between Old City Boundary and Avenue Rockefeller 45 m.p.h. • Avenue Hopkins, between Old City Boundary and Avenue Rockefeller 40 m.p.h. • Avenue Rockefeller, between Avenue Mentry and Avenue Scott 30 m.p.h. • Avenue Rockefeller, between Avenue Scott and Avenue Hopkins 30 m.p.h. • Railroad Avenue, between San Fernando Road and 11th Street 35 m.p.h. 2. No Change to Existing Prima Facie Speed Limits • Decoro Drive, between McBean Parkway and Vista Delgado Drive 50 m.p.h. • McBean Parkway, between Magic Mountain Parkway and Decoro Drive 50 m.p.h. • Newhall Ranch Road, between McBean Parkway and Bouquet Canyon Road 50 m.p.h. 3. Decreases to Existing Prima Facie Speed Limits None proposed. 1998 ENGINEERING AND TRAFFIC SURVEY STUDY January 12, 1999 — Page 3 4. Increases to Existing Prima Facie Speed Limits • Plum Canyon Road, between Bouquet Canyon Road and Via Joyce Drive Increase of 5 m.p.h. from 40 m.p.h. to 45 m.p.h. • Seco Canyon Road, between Copper Hill Drive and Tamarack Lane Increase of 5 m.p.h. from 30 m.p.h. to 35 m.p.h. The current 40 m.p.h. speed limit on Plum Canyon Road was established as part of the 1995 Citywide Engineering and Traffic Survey Study. At that time, Plum Canyon Road had not been extended east to Whites Canyon Road. The traffic volumes and prevailing vehicle speeds along Plum Canyon Road were considerably different than they are now. Since Plum Canyon Road has been opened as a through facility, traffic volumes and speeds have changed. The existing speed limit of 40 m.p.h. does not meet State criteria and is no longer valid. As a result, a speed limit of 40 m.p.h. cannot be enforced. The proposed recommended speed limit of 45 m.p.h. meets the State criteria, and is therefore enforceable. The current 30 m.p.h. posted speed limit on Seco Canyon Road, between Copper Hill Drive and Tamarack Lane, was established by the developer at the time the road was constructed and was not based on an Engineering and Traffic Survey. The Sheriffs Department cannot legally enforce that speed limit. The survey included in this report for Seco Canyon Road establishes a legally enforceable speed limit of 35 m.p.h. along this section of Seco Canyon Road. Staff recommends these adjustments primarily because of observed speeds on the highway segments. These observed speeds are the result of driver comfort with the roadway. The individual driver selects this comfort level, often without regard for the posted speed limit. It is not likely that these adjustments in the speed limit will result in higher prevailing speeds. In fact, these adjustments, when combined with an effective enforcement program, can result in safer operating speeds on the highway. The Sheriffs Department has carefully reviewed each recommendation of this study and concurs with its findings. The County of Los Angeles will need to. review and concur with those recommendations along street segments under joint City/County jurisdiction. ALTERNATIVE ACTIONS No alternative action identified by staff. 1998 ENGINEERING AND TRAFFIC SURVEY STUDY January 12, 1999 — Page 4 FISCAL IMPACT New sign installations or minor adjustments to existing signs will be required. The estimated cost is about $1,000.00. Funds for these expenses are available in the Field Services Signing and Striping Maintenance account. Resolution No. 99-11 Figure 1: Recommended Speed Limits — 1998 Speed Surveys Figure 2: Existing & Recommended Speed Limits — 1995 & 1998 Speed Surveys Engineering and Traffic Survey Study is available in the City Clerk's Reading File IJP:IkI munci1\re99-11.dm