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Home My WebLink About2000-07-11 - AGENDA REPORTS - TRAF SURVEY STUDY (2)CITY OF SANTA CLARITA AGENDA REPORT CONSENT CALENDAR DATE: July 11, 2000 City Manager Approval: Item to be presented by: SUBJECT: 2000 ENGINEERING AND TRAFFIC SURVEY STUDY DEPARTMENT: Transportation & Engineering Services City Council adopt a resolution establishing prima facie speed limits on each highway segment included in the attached 2000 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 continue an aggressive radar enforcement program on City streets and highways covered in the Study as soon as the signing changes are made. 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 reading file) forms the basis for recommended speed limits on nearly every major, secondary, and collector roadway within the City. The study was performed 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 Agenda Item:, P4--rIAL k:Pr P-NkL 669 /A,1ofG_T8 S 2000 ENGINEERING AND TRAFFIC SURVEY STUDY July 11, 2000 — Page 2 The results of this study are presented in one report. The report includes individual surveys on 186 highway segments. The purpose of this presentation is to include all engineering and traffic surveys in one volume. As such, each surveyed street will have virtually the same data from which the five-year cycle would begin. 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 also 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: M e• - TV. I WVTJir - The following locations did not previously have an established Engineering and Traffic Survey. Based on the new survey, the appropriate speed limits are outlined below: • Copper Hill Drive between Newhall Ranch Road and Decoro Drive sed 45 mph • Dickason Drive between Newhall Ranch Road and Decoro Drive 35 mph • Golden Triangle Road between Redview Drive and east end 35 mph • Golden Valley Road between SR -14 and Green Mountain Drive 35 mph • Isabella Parkway between Golden Triangle Road and Aurora Lane 30 mph •. Northpark Drive between McBean Parkway and Copper Hill Drive 30 mph • Redview Drive between Golden Triangle Road and end of street 30 mph • Smyth Drive between Dickason Drive and Copper Hill Drive 45 mph • Sunset Hills Drive between McBean Parkway and Northpark Drive 25 mph • Sunset Hills Drive between McBean Parkway and Skycrest Circle 25 mph • Via Princessa between Via Pacifica and Oak Ridge Drive 40 mph • Nathan Hill Road between Shangri-La and end of street 25 mph • Golden Valley Road/Redview Dr. from Golden Triangle Rd. to end of street 35 mph • Decoro Drive from Dickason Drive to Copper Hill Drive 35 mph • Newhall Ranch Road from Avenue Tibbitts to Copper Hill Drive 50 mph • Calle Arbor from Orchard Village Road to Fedala Road 30 mph 2000 ENGINEERING AND TRAFFIC SURVEY STUDY July 11, 2000 — Page 3 Based on the new survey, the speed limits on the following sections are decreased as outlined below: • Anza Drive from Avenue Mentry to Avenue Hopkins 45 mph 40 mph • Anza Drive from Avenue Hopkins to end of street 45 mph 35 mph • Avenue Hopkins from Avenue Rockefeller to Ave. Stanford 40 mph 35 mph • McBean Parkway from Valencia Boulevard to 40 mph 45 mph Magic Mountain Parkway 50 mph 45 mph • Oak Ridge Drive from Via Princessa to San Fernando Road 40 mph 35 mph 3. Increases to Existing Prima Facie Sneed Limits Based on the new survey, the speed limits on the following sections are increased as outlined below: Avenue Rockefeller from Avenue Mentry to Avenue Scott 3• 30 mp 335d 5 mph • Avenue Rockefeller from Avenue Scott to Avenue Hopkins 30 mph 35 mph • Placerita Canyon Road from Sierra Highway to 2,400 feet west of Sierra Highway 40 mph 45 mph • Summit Place from Rockwell Canyon Road to Del Monte Drive 30 mph 35 mph 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. Other action as determined by the City Council. 2000 ENGINEERING AND TRAFFIC SURVEY STUDY July 11, 2000 — Page 4 New sign installations or minor adjustments to existing signs will be required. The estimated cost is about $2,000.00. Funds for these expenses are available in the Field Services Signing and Striping Maintenance account. Resolution Establishing Prima Facie Speed Limits Figure 1— Recommended Speed Limits — 2000 Speed Surveys Engineering and Traffic Survey Study (available in the City Clerk's reading file) AN:lkl W=61\2000.W $ tmft study. d. CITYWIDE SPEED ZONE SURVEY ENGINEERING AND TRAFFIC SURVEYS. LIV 2WE CITY OF SANTA CLARITA 41I1I11 Prepared For CITY OF SANTA CLAMA TRAFFIC No. 1575 DATE: & ^ —� On file in the: Transportation and Engineering Services Department JUNE" 2000 T Submitted By wn . w,�un of wnx cruccion hPLCI: Nu. : WUb Z22 9,09 Jul. 10 2000 01:56PM P1 Box July 10, 2000 W. Bahman Janka Traffic Engineer - City of Santa Clarita 23920 Valencia Blvd. Santa Clarita, CA 91355-21% (661)2864172 fax(661)254-3538 C�3 RE: 2000 ENGINEERING AND TRAFFIC SURVEY STUDY - PLACERITA CANYON ROAD PROPOSED INCREASE TO EXISTING SPEED LIMIT. Dear W. Janka, The above mentioned study is on the City of Santa Clarity agenda consent calendar as item #13 for approval and adoption by the City Council and includes a recommendation to increase the speed limit of Placenta Canyon Road from Sierra Highway to 2,400 feet west of Sierra Highway from 40 mph to 45 mph. The private section of Placenta Canyon Road is improved with a rural standard with traffic calming devices and has single family residential loading consistent with a 25 mph residential street rating. The Board of Directors of Placerita Canyon Corporation have met and discussed this issue and = concerned about speeds and road safety on those public portions of Placenta Canyon Road that load the private section of Placertia Canyon Road. Respectfully, we request that this item #13 be pulled from the consent calendar and that the proposed increase in speed limit to Placcrita Canyon Road be tabled until such time as the City transportation and engineering department has the opportunity to meet with, address, and explore the concerns of the PCC Board. Please feel free to call me should you have any questions or comments. Very Best Ragards, \ G n _rte Lance Williams Vice President, Board of Directors Director Public and Goverrunent Relations Placerita Canyon Corporation CC: PCC Board of Directors file: pcc007.wpd RECEIVED AND MADE A PART OF THE RECPRD AT ;