HomeMy WebLinkAbout2000-07-11 - AGENDA REPORTS - TRAF SIGNAL PRIORITY EVAL (2)CITY OF SANTA CLARITA
AGENDA REPORT
CONSENT CALENDAR City Manager Approval:
DATE:
I-ONA a
DEPARTMENT:
July 11, 2000
Item to be presented by: Bahman Janka
FISCAL YEAR 2000-2001 TRAFFIC SIGNAL PRIORITY
EVALUATION REPORT
Transportation & Engineering Services
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City Council receive report regarding traffic signal priority evaluation; approve the ranked
list of candidate traffic signal locations; and select the intersections of Sierra Highway at
American Beauty Drive, and Bouquet Canyon Road at Wellston Drive to be signalized from
the City's current Signal Priority List.
In October 1996, the City Council adopted Resolution No. 95-116, establishing the City of
Santa Clarita Traffic Signal Priority Rating System. The system provides the City a
rational way of ranking competing candidate locations for traffic signalization by assigning
points based upon various traffic data. The system has become an annual evaluation study,
where candidate intersections competing for limited funding for traffic signals are
prioritized to provide maximum safety to the community by installing traffic signals only at
the most critical intersections as determined by the rating system.
The complete copy of the Traffic Signal Priority System is shown as Exhibit "B."
Staff evaluated nine locations for traffic signal warrants this year. Five of these locations
were carried from last year's list. All of the candidate locations satisfied one or more traffic
signal warrants and were ranked as shown below. A tabulated evaluation summary
showing the points assigned by category and a location map are attached. Exhibit "A"
shows the detailed description of the relevant traffic operating conditions for each location.
appG�Od�D Amda Item: --F'
FISCAL YEAR 2000/2001 TRAFFIC SIGNAL PRIORITY EVALUATION
July 11, 2000 — Page 2
Ranking Summary of Candidate Traffic Signal Locations for Fiscal Year 2000-2001:
Rank
Location
Points
1
Sierra Highway/American Beauty Drive
45
2
Bouquet Canyon Road/Wellston Drive
43
3
Avenue Tibbitts/Avenue Mentry
42
4
Lyons Avenue/Kansas Street
42
5
Soledad Canyon Road/Honby Avenue
41
6
Copper Hill Drive/Tamarack Lane
38
7
Haskell Canyon Road/Jeffers Lane -Bob White Circle
37
8
Calgrove Boulevard/Wiley Canyon Road
34
9
Wiley Canyon Road/Via Macarena
30
All citizens who have requested a traffic signal in the past two years were notified in
writing regarding this agenda report (see attached).
ALTERNATIVE ACTION
Other action as determined by City Council.
FISCAL IMPACT
Funds for this expenditure in the amount of $320,00.00 have been budgeted in the
Fiscal Year 2000-2001 CIP Budget, Account No. C0016201.
ATTACHMENTS
Ranking Summary
Location Map
Exhibit "A" — Fiscal Year 2000-2001 Traffic Signal Priority Evaluation Results
Exhibit `B" - Traffic Signal Priority Rating System
Letter to Citizens Requesting Traffic Signal
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EXHIBIT "A"
CITY OF SANTA CLARITA
FISCAL YEAR 2000-2001 Traffic Signal Priority Rating Evaluation Results
SUMMARY
Review of the observed delays and other conditions at the intersections confirm the ranking
as stated in this report. A thorough field observation was made at each of the top ranked
intersections to account for other not -so -readily apparent traffic conditions, such as driver
behavior, approach conditions, delays, and queuing.
Based on the results of the signal priority evaluation and observed field conditions, the
intersections of Sierra Highway at American Beauty Drive, and Bouquet Canyon Road at
Wellston Drive acquired the most points and ranked No. 1 and No. 2, respectively, in the
traffic signal priority list.
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In October 1995, the City Council adopted Resolution No. 95-116, establishing the City of
Santa Clarita Traffic Signal Priority Rating 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 Fiscal Year 2000-2001.
The Traffic Engineering Division received several requests over the past year for traffic
signal installations. Staff evaluated a total of nine intersections, of which four were new
requests and five were carried over from last year's list. All of the candidate locations met
at least one traffic signal warrant and were prioritized based on our ranking system.
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.
All nine of the intersections evaluated for traffic signal installation satisfied at least one of
the selected traffic signal warrants. Each of the 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:
Exhibit "A"
Page 2
Sierra Highway/American Beauty Drive - Ranked No. 1 (45 points). This is a tee -
intersection with American Beauty Drive terminating at its connection with
Sierra Highway. 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 and private street with one travel
lane in each direction.
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.
The result of the evaluation of the intersection showed that five signal warrants were
satisfied, warrant Nos. 1, 2, 8, 9, and 11. There were three reported traffic accidents at this
intersection within a recent 12 -month period, all of which were susceptible to correction by
a traffic signal.
No significant queue or delay was observed during morning and evening peak hours.
Bouquet Canyon Read/Wellston Drive - Ranked No. 2 (43 points). Bouquet Canyon
Road is a major divided north/south arterial. There are two travel lanes with a bicycle lane
in each direction of Bouquet Canyon Road. The posted speed limit is 50 mph. Wellston
Drive is a local street with one lane in each direction. This intersection is halfway between
the two signals at Plum Canyon Road and Urbandale Drive on Bouquet Canyon Road. The
intersection is controlled by a two-way stop sign installation, which requires the traffic on
Wellston Drive to stop before entering the intersection.
The evaluation showed that three signal warrants were satisfied, warrant Nos. 2, 9, and 11.
There was one reported traffic accident within a recent 12 -month period which was
susceptible to correction by a traffic signal.
The observed traffic pattern during the peak hours did not show a significant delay.
Avenue Tibbitts at Avenue Mentry - Ranked No. 3 (42 points). Avenue Tibbitts is a
divided east/west arterial leading to the Valencia Industrial Center with three travel lanes
in each direction. The posted speed limit is 45 mph. Avenue Mentry is a local street with
one lane in each direction. The intersection is controlled by a two-way stop sign
installation, which requires the traffic on Avenue Mentry to stop before entering the
intersection.
The evaluation showed that five signal warrants were satisfied, warrant Nos. 1, 2, 8, 9, and
11. There were two reported traffic accidents within a recent 12 -month period, all of which
were susceptible to correction by a traffic signal.
Exhibit "A"
Page 3
A maximum queue of seven to eight vehicles was observed during the afternoon peak hour.
During this time period the majority of the traffic on Avenue Tibbitts was eastbound. A
delay of 10-20 seconds was observed for some motorists. No significant queue was observed
during the morning peak period.
Lyons Avenue at Kansas Street - Ranked No. 4 (42 points). This is a tee -intersection
with Kansas Street terminating at its connection with Lyons Avenue. Lyons Avenue is a
divided east/west major arterial with two travel lanes in each direction. The posted speed
limit is 40 mph. Kansas Street is a local street with one lane in each direction. The
intersection is controlled by a one-way stop sign installation, which requires the traffic on
Kansas Street to stop before entering the intersection.
The evaluation showed that three signal warrants were satisfied, warrant Nos. 2, 9, and 11.
There were two reported traffic accidents within a recent 12 -month period, both of which
were susceptible to correction by a traffic signal.
A maximum queue of 12 vehicles was observed at this intersection with a delay range of 20
to 40 seconds.
Soledad Canyon Road/Honby Avenue - Ranked No. 5 (41 points). This is a tee -
intersection with Honby Avenue terminating at its connection with Soledad Canyon Road.
Soledad Canyon Road is the City's major divided east/west arterial with three travel lanes
in each direction. The posted speed limit is 50 mph. Honby Avenue is a local street with
one lane in each direction. The intersection is controlled by a one-way stop sign installation
which requires the traffic on Honby Avenue to stop before entering the intersection.
The evaluation showed that five signal warrants were satisfied, warrant Nos. 1, 2, 8, 9 and
11. There was no reported traffic accident within a recent 12 -month period which was
susceptible to correction by a traffic signal.
There was a maximum queue of nine cars observed on Honby Avenue during the morning
peak hour.
Copper Hill Drive/Tamarack Lane - Ranked No. 6 (38 points). This is a tee -
intersection with Tamarack Lane terminating at its connection with Copper Hill Drive.
Copper Hill Drive is a two- to four -lane divided arterial that connects Haskell Canyon Road
and McBean Parkway. The posted speed limit on Copper Hill Drive approaching
Tamarack Lane from the west is 45 mph and 40 mph approaching from the east.
Tamarack Lane is a local street with one lane in each direction. This intersection is
controlled by a one-way stop sign, which requires the traffic on Tamarack Lane to stop
before entering the intersection.
Exhibit "A"
Page 4
The evaluation showed that three signal warrants were satisfied, warrant Nos. 8, 9, and 11.
There were two reported traffic accidents within a recent 12 -month period susceptible to
correction by a traffic signal.
No significant queue or delay was observed during the morning and peak hours.
Haskell Canyon Road/Jeffers Lane -Bob White Circle — Ranked No. 7 (37 points).
This is a tee -intersection with a private street, Bob White Circle, located on the east leg.
Haskell Canyon Road, a north/south arterial, has one travel lane in each direction and a
bicycle lane on each side. The posted speed limit is 45 mph. Jeffers Lane is a local street
with one lane in each direction. Bob White Circle is a private street that serves as one of
two accesses into condominium complexes. This intersection is controlled by a two-way stop
sign which requires the traffic on Tamarack Lane and Bob White Circle to stop before
entering the intersection.
The evaluation showed that two signal warrants were satisfied, warrant Nos. 8 and 11.
There were no reported traffic accidents within a recent 12 -month period susceptible to
correction by a traffic signal.
No significant queue or delay was observed during the morning and peak hours
Calgrove Boulevard/Wiley Canyon Road -Valley Oak Court - Ranked No. 8
(34 points). Calgrove Boulevard is an east/west secondary road that has one travel lane in
each direction, a two-way left -tum along the center, and a bicycle lane on each side. The
posted speed limit along this stretch of Calgrove Boulevard is 45 mph. Wiley Canyon Road
is a north/south arterial with one travel lane in each direction. Wiley Canyon Road has a
posted speed limit of 35 mph. Valley Oak Court is a nortb/south local road that has one
travel lane in each direction and a posted speed limit of 25 mph.
The evaluation showed that one signal warrant was satisfied, warrant No. 9. There was no
reported traffic accident within a recent 12 -month period.
No significant queue or delay was observed during the morning and peak hours.
Wiley Canyon Road/Via Macarena - Ranked No. 9 (30 points). This is a tee -
intersection with Via Macarena terminating at its connection with Wiley Canyon Road.
Wiley Canyon Road is a nortb/south divided secondary road with two travel lanes in each
direction and a bicycle lane on each side. The posted speed limit along this stretch of Wiley
Canyon Road is 45 mph. Via Macarena is a local road with one travel lane in each direction.
There is a private driveway opposite Via Macarena that leads into a day care center.
The evaluation showed that one signal warrant was satisfied, warrant No. 11. There was
no reported traffic accident within a recent 12 -month period.
No significant queue or delay was observed during the morning and peak hours.
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EXHIBIT "B"
City of Santa Clarita
Traffic Signal Priority Rating System
Intersections will be selected for a signal warrant review from the following list:
I. There was a citizen request for it.
2. It is an intersection which is conditioned to be signalized by developers, and
substantial adjacent land uses have been built and occupied.
3. Locations included in the signal priority list for the previous year which (i) met at least
one traffic signal warrant; and (ii) "based on engineering judgment will not adversely
impact adjacent areas when signalized."
4. Locations that have experienced five or more accidents during the recent 12 -month
period which are susceptible to correction by installation of traffic signals.
5. Selected locations by the Traffic Engineering staff. This may include locations which
were studied in the previous year, but did not meet any traffic signal warrants.
'WARRANT ANALYSIS
YSI
The State of California Traffic Manual has established 11 types of signal warrants to be
studied to assess if the minimum criteria for installing a traffic signal are met. At least one
signal warrant must be satisfied before a traffic signal can be installed at an intersection.
Only seven of the 11 traffic signal warrants, which are most suitable for the Santa Clarita
roadway and traffic volume conditions, will be used to evaluate whether a candidate
location meets the established criteria. These warrants are the following:
1
1.
1
Minimum Vehicular Volume
2.
2
Interruption of Continuous Traffic
3.
4
School Crossings
4.
6
Accident Experience
5.
8
Combination of Warrants (80 percent of warrants 1 and 2)
6.
9
Four-hour Volume
7.
11
Peak -hour Volume
Those intersections that meet at least one traffic signal warrant will be assigned priority
points and ranked in the signal priority list.
Revised July 1999
Exhibit "B°
Page 2
Priority points are assigned on the basis of the following categories:
Points are dependent upon the major and minor street volumes entering the
intersection. Points are also dependent upon the intersection capacity. The volumes
are based on the eight highest hour counts. The attached Figure 1 assigns points to
this category. A maximum of 15 points may be assigned to this category.
Vehicles on through streets, if uncontrolled, tend to travel through minor street
intersections at speeds that might make it difficult for vehicles and pedestrians from
the side street to cross or enter the principal traffic stream. The total of the highest
minor street vehicles plus pedestrians crossing or entering the major street must
exceed 600 in eight hours to receive any points. A maximum of 15 points may be
assigned to this category.
Major Street Volumes
(8 Hours) Points
0
- 3,299
0
3,300
- 3,899
1
3,900
- 4,499
2
4,500
- 5,099
3
5,100
- 5,699
4
5,700
- 6,299
5
6,300
- 6,899
6
6,900
- 7,499
7
7,500
- 8,099
8
8,100
- 8,699
9
8,700
- 9,299
10
9,300
- 9,899
11
9,900
- 10,499
12
10,500
- 11,099
13
11,100
- 11,699
14
11,700
- Over
15
Revised July 1999
Exhibit `B"
Page 3
This is a judgment criterion; points are assigned based upon the knowledge of
pedestrian activity at the intersection and area characteristics, etc. A maximum of 15
points may be assigned to this category according to the guideline shown in the
following table:
None Very low pedestrian volumes or locations in industrial
or rural areas with no sidewalks.
Light Residential or business area with light pedestrian traffic. 5
Medium Business area with intermittent pedestrian crossings 10
throughout the day, or intersections in the vicinity of
schools or parks where school-age pedestrian traffic has
been observed.
Heavy School crossing or intersection with continuous pedestrian 15
traffic at all hours of the day, including intersections
where adult crossing guards are posted or where criteria
for adult crossing guard warrants are met (posted or not posted),
and intersections adjacent to City parks, and where a severe
or visible pedestrian injury accident has occurred in the
previous year.
Revised July 1999
Exhibit "B°
Page 4
4. Category No. 4 — ProLyressive Traffic Movement (Proximity to the nearest traffic signal)
Generally, it is difficult to attain progressive traffic movement when signals are spaced
too closely together. In addition, if an existing signal is located in close proximity to
the candidate intersection, that signal is likely to provide breaks in traffic that reduce
the need for a signal at the candidate intersection. Points for progressive traffic
movement are selected according to the distance to the nearest traffic signal as shown
in the following table:
Less than 500 feet
0
500
- 549 feet
1
550
- 699 feet
2
700
- 849 feet
3
850
- 999 feet
4
1,000
- 1,149 feet
5
1,150
- 1,299 feet
6
1,300
- 1,449 feet
7
1,450
- 1,599 feet
8
1,600
- 1,749 feet
9
1,750
- Over
10
Only those types of accidents susceptible to correction by traffic signals are considered.
A maximum of 20 points may be assigned to this category. Points are assigned based
on Equivalent Property Damage (EPD) accidents using the equation:
Aepd = P + 6I + 9F, where
Aepd = The number of equivalent property damage accidents;
P = The number of property damage only accidents;
I = The number of severe or visible injury accidents; and
F = The number of fatal accidents.
These weights are based upon the relative cost of each type of accident as estimated by
the National Safety Council. Accidents for the preceding year are utilized for the
calculation.
Revised July 1999
Exhibit "B"
Page 5
7
Points are awarded based on the critical speed (85th percentile speed) as measured on
the higher -speed street. Points are awarded in this category because of the difficulty
that motorists may have judging gaps in traffic on high-speed streets.
39 and under
0
40-42
2
43-45
4
46-49
6
50-54
8
55 — Over
10
Points will be given to type of intersection and road type classification. Roadways are
typically classified as Local (L), Collector (C), and Arterial (A). For the purpose of this
category, local and, collector streets will be rated identical. The idea for this point
assignment is to put high priority to msjor roadway intersections.
Table 5
Intersection Crossing Streets
J=e _Ing Points
4 way
LULL 0
3 way
AA/L 1
3 way
AA/A 2
4 way
AA/LL 3
4 way
AA/AL 4
4 way
AA/AA 5
Revised July 1999
Exhibit "B"
Page 6
This category considers extenuating circumstances that are not covered in the previous
seven categories. These may include: the proximity of schools, public buildings, and
other traffic and pedestrian generators; the existence of a vertical or horizontal curve;
restricted sight distance caused by intersection geometry; and high traffic congestion
as evidenced by observed delays and long queues during peak hours, or any
unaccounted/unusual traffic conditions. This category requires engineering judgment
based on physical inspection of the site. A maximum of 10 points will be allowed as
shown in the table below:
Observed delays and queues during peak hours and/or other unusual conditions 0-5
Near senior center 5
Blind intersections caused by vertical or horizontal curves 5
Skewed intersection (less than 75 degrees) 5
Near schools, parks, or public buildings which did not receive additional 10
points in category 3
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Revised July 1999
City of
Santa Clarita
23920 Valencia Blvd.
Suite 300
Santa Cladta
Califomia 91355.2196
Website: www.santa-cladta.com
July 6, 2000
«Name.
«Address»
«CityState*
Phone
(661)259-2489
Fax
(661) 259.8125
Subject: Fiscal Year 2000-2001 Traffic Signal Priority Evaluation
Dear «Salutation»:
This letter is to inform you that the subject matter will be on the agenda at the
City Council's July 11, 2000 regular meeting, starting at 6:30 p.m. The City has
adopted the City of Santa Clarita Traffic Signal Priority System that is used in
establishing the traffic signal priority list.
The Traffic Engineering Division received and reviewed requests for traffic
signalization at the following intersections in the City:
1. Sierra Highway/American Beauty Drive
2. Bouquet Canyon Road/Wellston Drive
3. Avenue Tibbitta/Avenue Mentry
4. Lyons Avenue/Kansas Street
5. Soledad Canyon Road/Honby Avenue
6. Copper Hill Drive/Tamarack Lane
7. Haskell Canyon Road/Jeffers Lane -Bob White Circle
8. Calgrove Boulevard/Wiley Canyon Road
9. Wiley Canyon Road/Via Macarena
Each intersection was evaluated and the locations that satisfied at least one of
the traffic signal warrants utilized in the City of Santa Clarita Traffic Signal
Priority System were identified. All intersections satisfied at least one or more
signal warrants. Of the nine warranted intersections, Sierra Highway/American
Beauty Drive was at the top of the signal priority list, and is recommended for
signalization nest year.
All intersections in this year's signal priority list that did not get funded will be
reevaluated next year along with new candidate locations for signalization. For
your reference, a copy of the complete agenda report, including all supporting
data, is enclosed with this letter.
PRINTED ON RECYCLED PAPER
July 6, 2000
Page 2
Should you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me at
(661) 286-4172.
Sincerely,
--�64
Bahman Jenka,,P.E,.City Traffi
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Enclosure
cc: Mayor Darcy and City Councilmembers
George A. Caravalho, City Manager
Anthony J. Nisich, Director of Transportation & Engineering Services