HomeMy WebLinkAbout2002-12-03 - AGENDA REPORTS - TRAFFIC SAFETY (2)CITY OF SANTA CI ARITA
INTEROFFICE MEMORANDUM
TO:or Fe and City Councilmembers
FROM: 4enlull ,City r
DATE: December 3, 2002
SUBJECT: TRAFFIC SAFETY - OVERVIEW
RECOMMENDED ACTION
City Council review and discuss staffs presentation.
BACKGROUND
The purpose of this study session is to provide the City Council with an overview of traffic
collision history, and ongoing and upcoming traffic safety programs in the City. This report and
accompanying attachments, along with staffs and the Sheriffs presentation, will provide the
City Council with the following:
• Citywide collision statistics, including total collision and fatality rates, primary collision
factors and comparison with neighboring cities, and state and nationwide collision rates.
• Currentlongoing traffic safety program.
• New and upcoming traffic safety program.
Growth and Accident Statistics
The City and surrounding unincorporated areas have experienced tremendous growth due to
development and annexations. According to the State's Finance Department, the City's
population has grown approximately 22 percent since 1993, from 129,000 in 1993 to 155,000
in 2002. The City's boundary has expanded due to annexations of unincorporated areas, which
encompass approximately 49.6 square miles today from 40 square miles in 1993. Consequently,
many new roadways, intersections, traffic signals, and infrastructures were added to the City.
The City has more than 130 traffic signals under its operation today, an increase of more than
60 since 1993. This indicates that traffic volume and vehicle miles driven have increased
significantly, as well as constant changes in traffic patterns and circulation.
While traffic volume, patterns, and circulation have changed significantly, the traffic collision
rate has remained constant for the past nine years. About 1,000 collisions per 100,000 in
population have been reported each year in the City. Exhibits "A" and `B" illustrate traffic
collision statistics in the City compared to neighboring cities, such as Burbank, Thousand Oaks,
Glendale, Simi Valley, and the State of California. As shown in the attached exhibits, the City's
traffic collision rate is equal to or below neighboring cities and statewide rates.
Recently, we have had an unusual amount of fatal collisions over a short period of time that
occurred on Soledad Canyon Road. Fatal collisions this year have increased sharply from the
previous year, nine fatalities in 2002 versus five in 2001. These fatal collisions fluctuate from
year to year without any apparent reason, pattern, or trend. In addition, fatal collisions are
usually due to driver errors or recklessness, such as driving under the influence of alcohol,
,�apnq Item
TRAFFIC SAFETY - OVERVIEW
December 3, 2002 — Page 2
racing, running red lights, and inattention. Approximately five to ten fatal collisions were
reported each year over the past nine years. The highest amount of fatal collisions, which was
12, occurred in 1997. Exhibit "C" illustrates total fatal collisions and rates in the City,
compared to state and national rates. As shown, the City's fatal collision rate is an average of
5.22 per 100,000 population versus state and national rates, 11.54 and 15.3 per 100,000
population in the year 2000, respectively.
Several collision factors, known as Primary Collision Factor (PCF), are used to determine the
cause of traffic accidents. The highest cause of traffic collisions is right-of-way violations, which
is about 38 percent of the total collisions, and the second highest PCF is unsafe speed, about
22 percent. Exhibit "D" illustrates the PCF for reported traffic collisions in the City over the
past three years.
It should also be noted that the Sheriffs Department responds to traffic collisions that occur
on private streets and intersections. Approximately 200 to 300 traffic collisions occurred on
private streets.
Current and Oneoine Safetv Proerams
Traffic safety is one of the main concerns for the City's Transportation and Engineering
Services Department and the Sheriffs Department. The list below is some of the ongoing traffic
safety programs:
Transportation and Engineering Services Department:
1. High Accident Location and Mitigation — An ongoing program to identify high accident
locations and provide corrective measures to reduce recurring accidents and frequency. This
year we installed protected left -turn phasing at Bouquet Canyon Road/Plum Canyon Road
and Soledad Canyon Road/Luther Drive.
2. Traffic Calming Measures in New Developments — Traffic Division staff has taken an active
role in requiring the use of traffic calming measures in new residential developments within
the City.
3. Traffic Safety Brochures — Eight different traffic safety brochures were developed as part of
our ongoing effort to educate the public on traffic related issues. The brochures address
typical traffic -related questions and are currently available at City Hall, local libraries, and
on the City's Website. These brochures have also been distributed to schools and at public
meetings.
4. Signal Coordination Timing — An ongoing effort to synchronize traffic signals for improved
traffic flow on our arterial streets. In November 2002, staff implemented new coordination
timing on Soledad Canyon Road between Rainbow Glen Drive and Galeton Road, and field
studies showed that the traffic flow improved on this corridor.
TRAFFIC SAFETY - OVERVIEW
December 3, 2002 — Page 3
5. Suggested Route to School Map — This map is intended to aid school children on how to
reach school as safely as possible. The City has developed and updated maps for 22 public
elementary and junior high schools every year.
6. PARET — The PARET (Public Awareness Radar Education Trailer) unit is a speed display
trailer that uses radar to display, on a large digital screen, the speed of vehicles as they pass
the unit. The unit is deployed on City streets on a daily basis throughout the year.
7. Striping and Pavement Markings — Staff uses striping and pavement marking techniques
to help channelize motorists and to provide a narrowing effect to reduce vehicle speeds. We
have recently implemented special striping and marking on Live Oak Springs Road and will
implement it on Rainbow Glen Drive this month.
8. Citizen Inquiries — On average, staff receives and responds to approximately 40 citizen
inquiries per month. Most of these inquiries are traffic safety related, such as requesting
stop signs, speeding, sight visibility, signal timing, and accident reductions.
Sheriffs Department:
1. Target Enforcement — The Sheriffs Department provides selective speed enforcement on
specific roadways that have been brought to the City and Sheriffs Department attention.
Selective speed enforcement is typically coordinated with the use of the PARET unit. The
Sheriffs Department has increased speed enforcement on Soledad Canyon Road since recent
fatal accidents.
2. DUI Checkpoints — A monthly program that targets specific areas of a community in an
effort to raise citizen awareness regarding DUI, and apprehend impaired drivers.
3. Every 15 Minutes Program — Designed to influence the perception that high school juniors
and seniors have of the consequences of driving while impaired.
4. White Ribbon Campaign — A program to encourage high school seniors to have a safe and
sober graduation.
5. Trauma Nurses "Talk Tough" — Nurses discuss what happens to the human body during a
collision and point out the need to drive safely and responsibly.
6. Student Valet Program — The Sheriffs Department aids elementary schools in alleviating
chronic traffic problems around schools.
7. Taskforce Enforcement — Using a significant number of traffic safety personnel to address
specific problem areas in the community, such as seatbelts.
8. Specialized Enforcement — Enforcement dealing with a number of specific violations in an
attempt to reduce collisions, or improve quality of life issues raised by the community.
9. Protecting You/Protecting Me — A ten -week pilot program developed by MADD designed to
keep children from using alcohol. The program is currently underway at Peachland
Elementary School.
TRAFFIC SAFETY - OVERVIEW
December 3, 2002 — Page 4
New and Upcoming Safety Programs
In addition to current/ongoing traffic safety programs, the following programs are currently
planned to further enhance traffic safety in the City:
1. DUI Trailer — Display of a crashed vehicle with pictures, video, and audio of a fatal DUI
Collision. The Automobile Dealers Association will sponsor this program.
2. Traffic Calming Pilot Program — The City will conduct an "after study" on a pilot traffic
calming project in the Old Orchard I and II neighborhoods. This study is expected to be
completed by early 2003, then presented to the City Council.
3. Traffic Safety Committee Meeting — The Sheriffs Department and the Transportation and
Engineering Services Department have been conducting meetings with schools, Senator's
representatives, California Highway Patrol, AAA, County Supervisors, and others interested to
aid and educate citizens on traffic safety.
4. Neighborhood Traffic Safety Tool Kit - Provide traffic safety tool kits to neighborhood groups
to promote traffic safety. The Transportation and Engineering Services Department and
the Sheriff's Department will aid the program.
5. Roadway Audit — An expert witness consultant will conduct a roadway audit to identify
unsafe conditions and recommend mitigation to increase safety, and reduce potential City
liability.
6. Hazard Elimination Grant — In October 2002, the City Council approved the application for
a Hazard Elimination Grant with the State of California. If the grant is approved, about
ten major intersections will be improved to enhance accessibility and safety for disabled
citizens, especially the blind crossing at these intersections.
ALTERNATIVE ACTION
Other action as determined by the City Council.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal impact associated with this action.
ATTACHMENTS
Exhibit "A" — Traffic Collision Statistics
Exhibit "B" — 2001 Traffic Collision Rate Comparison
Exhibit "C" — Traffic Fatality Collision Rate Comparison
Exhibit "D" — Primary Collision Factor
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1600
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400
200
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City Of Santa Clarita Traffic Collision Statististics
Year
Population Total Collisions
Collision Rate
in 100,000 population)
2002*
158,289 1,600
1,011
2001
153,776 1,682
1,094
2000
151,260 1,402
927
1999
146,296 1,504
1,028
1998
1 143,582 1,479
1,030
1997
131,111 1,255
957
1996
129,886 1,231
948
1995
129,046 1,290
1,000
1994
129,401 1,476
1,141
1993
129,490 1,282
990
Total Traffic Collision/Rates
1,682 _._.
1,504 1,479 1,476
1,600 �slons
1,402 ,231 1,290 1,28
1094 1,255 1141
1028 957 1000 990
1011 1030 Collision Rate
927 948 (in 100,000 population)
2002* 2001 2000 1999 1998 1997 1996 1995 1994 1993
Year
* Population and Collisions Projected
Sources: Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System
National Center for Statistics
Department of Finance
Exhibit A
2001 Traffic Collision Rate Comparision with Other Cities and Statewide
2,000
01,800
1,600
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01,200
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Agency
Population
Area
in square miles
Total
Collisions
Collision Rate
in 100,000 population)
Citations
Santa Clarita
.153,776
49.6
1,682
1,094
10,550
Burbank
100,316
17.36
1,867
1,861
22 000
Glendale
194,973
30.67
3,193
1,638
24,000
Thousand Oaks
117,005
55.02
1,432
1,224
8,000
Simi Valley
111,351
39.43
1,057
949
10,432
Statewide*
32521,000
---
511,248
1,572
---
Collision Rate Comparision
1,861
Santa Clarita Burbank
* Year 2000
1,638
1,224
Glendale Thousand Oaks Simi Valley Statewide*
Agency
Sources: Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System
National Center for Statistics
Department of Finance
City of Santa Clarita Sheriff's Department
Exhibit B
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16
14
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City Of Santa Clarita Traffic Fatality Collision Rate Comparision
Year
Population
Total
Fatal Collisions
Fatality Rate Statewide Rate
in 100,000 population) in 100,000 population
Nationwide Rate
in 100,000 population
2002*
158,289
9
5.7
Santa Clarita's
2001
153,776
5
3.3
14.5
2000
151,260
6
4.0 11.54
15.3
1999
146,296
4
2.7
15.4
1998
143,582
7
4.9
15.7
1997
131,111
12
9.2
15.9
1996
129,886
4
3.1
15.9
1995
129,046
8
6.2
1994
129,401
10
7.7
1993
129,490
7
5.4
Total Traffic Fatality Collision/Rates
2002' 2001 2000 1999 1998 1997 1996 1995 1994 1993
Population
* Population Projected
Sources: Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System
National Center for Statistics
Department of Finance
Exhibit C
15.7 15.9 15.9
Nationwide Fatal
14.5 15.3 15.4
Collisions
(in 100 000 populst on)
12
1154 a Statewide Rate
Santa Clarita's
(Year 2000)
Total Fatal Collisions 0
g
9.2
7.7
5.7 6
5
6.2 5.4
4
4.9 4
4.0
3.3
Santa Cladta's Fatal Collisions
.7
(in 100,000 population) 3.1
2002' 2001 2000 1999 1998 1997 1996 1995 1994 1993
Population
* Population Projected
Sources: Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System
National Center for Statistics
Department of Finance
Exhibit C
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