HomeMy WebLinkAbout2003-11-25 - AGENDA REPORTS - STOP SIGN WARRANTS RESID ST (2)CONSENT CALENDAR
DATE:
SUBJECT:
DEPARTMENT:
Agenda Item: — 4
CITY OF SANTA CLARITA
AGENDA REPORT
City Manager Approval:
Item to be presented by:
November 25, 2003
Andrew Yi
MULTI -WAY STOP SIGN WARRANTS FOR RESIDENTIAL
STREET INTERSECTIONS
Transportation and Engineering Services
RECOMMENDED ACTION
City Council adopt a resolution establishing multi -way stop sign warrants for residential street
intersections within the City of Santa Clarita.
BACKGROUND
California Vehicle Code Section 21100(d) allows local authorities to adopt rules and regulations
by ordinance or resolution regulating traffic by means of official traffic control devices.
Currently, the Transportation and Engineering Services Department utilizes multi -way stop sign
warrants established by the State of California's Department of Transportation (Caltrans) in
determining whether or not to install multi -way stop signs at an intersection. These warrants set
conditions, such as minimum traffic volumes or collision histories, which must be met for the
intersection to qualify for those controls. These conditions were generally established with the
intent of safely and efficiently moving higher volumes of traffic that are typical on state
highways. Staff believes that the Caltrans warrants may not be appropriate for the lower volume
traffic conditions, which are prevalent on most neighborhood residential streets.
The City receives many requests for the installation of multi -way stop sign controls at
intersections of residential streets. Traffic volumes and collision histories for these residential
streets are typically insufficient to meet the Caltrans warrants for the installation of multi -way
stop signs. Additional conditions, not accounted for in the Caltrans warrants, may indicate that
the installation of multi -way stop signs would enhance traffic safety and preserve the residential
street environment. The Transportation and Engineering Services Department proposes the
establishment of modified warrants for the installation of multi -way stop signs to address these
conditions.
Adoptee:,., q o
The Caltrans warrants state that multi -way stop signs may be installed if any of the following
conditions are met:
1. Where traffic signals are warranted and urgently needed, the multi -way stop may be an
interim measure that can be installed quickly to control traffic while arrangements are being
made for the signal installations.
2. An accident problem, as indicated by five or more reported collisions within a 12 -month
period of a type susceptible to correction by a multi -way stop installation.
3. Minimum Traffic Volumes:
(a) The total vehicular volume entering the intersection from all approaches must average at
least 500 vehicles per hour for any eight hours of an average day.
(b) The combined vehicular and pedestrian volume from the minor street or highway must
average at least 200 units per hour for the same eight hours, with an average delay to
minor street vehicular traffic of at least 30 seconds per vehicle during the maximum hour.
(c) When the 85th percentile approach speed exceeds 40 miles per hour, the minimum
vehicular volume warrant is 70 percent of the above requirements.
Typically, residential streets do not carry traffic volumes which would qualify for multi -way stop
sign controls. Traffic collisions on residential streets within the City of Santa Clarita are also
typically well below those required to qualify for the controls. For similar reasons, many cities
have adopted their own multi -way stop sign warrants to preserve the residential street
environment.
The proposed multi -way stop sign warrants are intended for residential streets only, and may be
applied when the following conditions are met:
• Both streets must meet the California Vehicle Code definition for a residential street.
• Both streets must be classified as local streets by the General Plan.
• Neither street exceeds 40 feet in curb to curb width.
The proposed warrants will allow for installation of multi -way stop signs on residential streets
when one of the following conditions are met:
1. An accident problem, as indicated by three or more reported collisions in any 12 -month
period or five or more collisions in any 24 -month period of a type susceptible to correction by
a multi -way stop installation.
2. Minimum Traffic Volumes:
a) The total vehicular volume entering the intersection from all approaches must average at
least 300 vehicles per hour for any four hours of an average day;
b) The combined vehicular and pedestrian volume from the minor street or highway must
average at least 120 units per hour for the same four hours; and
c) When the intersection is contiguous to a public or private school, a center serving the
visually, mentally, or physically impaired, or a recreation center or playground used by
children under 12 -years -old, the minimum volume warrant will be required for only a
single peak hour.
3. Excessive Through Traffic:
a) The traffic volume on the uncontrolled street exceeds 2,000 vehicles per day;
b) The traffic volume is at least 25 percent greater than that on similar adjacent parallel
streets; and
c) The distance between current stop signs exceeds 750 feet.
Staff prepared the above warrants to better reflect conditions at residential street intersections,
and to help preserve the residential neighborhood environment. Also, the proposed warrants
consider additional traffic concerns, such as high traffic volumes and land uses such as schools
and parks. The Caltrans multi -way stop sign warrants will continue to be used to analyze all other
intersections that do not meet the residential street conditions listed above.
ALTERNATIVE ACTIONS
Continue to base multi -way stop sign installations for residential streets on the State of
California's Department of Transportation (Caltrans) warrants.
FISCAL IMPACT
With the adoption of the proposed modified warrants for multi -way stop sign controls on
residential streets, it is anticipated there will be an increase in the number of stop signs to be
installed by the City. It is anticipated that the additional studies and new stop sign installations
will cost the City approximately $3,000.00 annually. Staff will request additional funds through
the annual budget process for this purpose.
ATTACHMENTS
Resolution