DATE: August 13, 2013 AGENDA ITEM # 8 TO: FROM: SUBJECT: City Council Cedric Novenario, Transportation Manager Speed zone survey RECOMMENDATION: A. Adopt Resolution No. 2013-27, approving Engineering and Traffic Surveys at 42 street segments in Los Altos B. Direct staff to draft an ordinance amending Municipal Code Section 8.08.020 to reflect revised speed limits in accordance with the Engineering and Traffic Survey SUMMARY: Estimated Fiscal Impact: Amount: $66,000 Budgeted: Yes, Capital Improvement Program Project #13-15 Public Hearing Notice: Not applicable Previous Council Consideration: August 16, 2007 and October 5, 2007 CEQA Status: Exempt pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15321 Attachments: 1. Resolution No. 2013-27 2. Speed Zone Survey Summary Table
BACKGROUND The California Vehicle Code (CVC) and the California Manual for Uniform Traffic Control Devices (CA MUTCD) requires that local agencies re-evaluate non-statutory speed limits every five, seven or ten years, using an Engineering and Traffic Survey (E&TS). On August 16, 2007 and October 5, 2007, City Council adopted the current E&TS which defined the current speed limits in the City. DISCUSSION A total of 42 street segments were evaluated in 2007 based on the provisions set forth by the CVC and CA MUTCD. The E&TS supported the posted speed limit on 19 of these road segments. A summary table of these road segments is provided in Attachment 2. A copy of the speed zone surveys is available for review in the City Clerk s office. The E&TS for these road segments was re-evaluated in conformance with the CVC and CA MUTCD, and it is recommended that the City Council re-certify the Engineering and Traffic Surveys for these 19 road segments. A letter will be sent to Traffic Court regarding the re-certification following Council approval. Also in 2007, the posted speed limits on 23 road segments were maintained, although the E&TS of 2007 recommended that those speed limits be raised. The posted speed limits on those 23 road segments do not conform to the requirements of setting speed limits by the CVC and CA MUTCD and therefore are not enforceable by radar. The alternative method for the Police Department to enforce speed limits is by the pacing method. This method requires that a Police vehicle position itself behind the violator to measure speed by following at a fixed distance away. This can require maneuvering in and out of traffic and cutting off motorists to maintain pace. This is not practical for the City of Los Altos as a majority of City streets are two lanes and not enough space is available for such an enforcement method. Therefore, many speed violators on these 23 road segments cannot be cited. Radar enforcement is generally considered the safest and most effective method to detect and cite speed violators. New Engineering and Traffic Surveys for the radar-unenforceable 23 road segments were conducted. The requirements set forth by the CVC and CA MUTCD establishes speed limits at the nearest 5 mph increment to the 85 th percentile speed of the free-flowing traffic. However, the posted speed may be reduced by 5 mph from the nearest 5 mph increment of the 85 th percentile speed, where an Engineering and Traffic Survey indicates the need for a reduction in speed to match existing conditions with the traffic safety needs of the community, considering such factors as accident rates, other modes of travel and characteristics of the road not apparent to the motorists. Based on this, 19 road segments are being recommended for raised speed limits, while four road segments are proposed to maintain their current posted speeds. Fourteen segments are recommended to be raised from 25 mph to 30 mph, one segment is recommended to be raised from 25 mph to 35 mph, and four segments are recommended to be raised from 30 mph to 35 mph. Table 2 in Attachment 2 reflects the above recommendations. The adoption of an ordinance to raise these speed limits will allow legal and safe speed enforcement for all the designated speed zones in Los Altos. August 13, 2013 Speed zone survey Page 2
Lastly, the Council approved an E&TS for University Avenue in 2007. However, the California Road System Map classifies University Avenue as a local road. Subdivision (b) of Section 40802 of the CVC exempts an E&TS for local roads. Section 22352 subdivision (a)(2) of the CVC governs University Avenue. Therefore, it is recommended the two E&TS for University Avenue be eliminated. Other Impacts The posted speed limit also affects the yellow timing interval in a traffic signal timing cycle. The CA MUTCD requires minimum yellow timing intervals based on the posted speed limit or Prima Facie Speed. By artificially setting the speed limit below the recommendations of the E&TS, the yellow interval timing will also be set artificially low. The development of the yellow interval timing is largely based on the posted speed limit. The faster a motorist is traveling requires a greater distance to stop. Adoption of the new ordinance will allow proper adjustment of the yellow interval based on current E&TS and also require adjusting the yellow signal interval at 10 City operated traffic signals and four County operated traffic signals. Additionally, CVC Section 22357 states that The declared prima facie or maximum speed limit shall be effective when appropriate signs giving notice thereof are erected upon the street and shall not thereafter be revised except upon the basis of an engineering and traffic survey. It is estimated that 60 signs and 50 speed limit pavement legends will need to be replaced. FISCAL IMPACT The estimated total cost to implement the above recommendations is noted below: Project #13-15 Budget Expenditures Data Collection $7,800 Re-time Signals $1,400 Sign Replacement $13,500 Pavement Legend $20,100 Replacement TOTAL $66,000 $42,800 The data collection activity is complete; the costs related to implementing the proposed speed limits are estimated to be approximately $35,000. August 13, 2013 Speed zone survey Page 3
PUBLIC CONTACT Information regarding proposed speed limit changes was released to the media which include the Town Crier, Los Altos Patch, and the Los Altos Neighborhood Network. A summary of the proposed speed limit changes is posted on the City website. A news release was also sent to City Commissions and relevant Commission list-serves. Posting of the meeting agenda serves as notice to the general public. August 13, 2013 Speed zone survey Page 4
RESOLUTION NO. 2013-27 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LOS ALTOS APPROVING ENGINEERING AND TRAFFIC SURVEYS AT 42 STREET SEGEMENTS IN LOS ALTOS WHEREAS, the California Vehicle Code Sections 627, 22357 and 22358 and the California Manual for Uniform Traffic Control Devices allows local agencies, based on an Engineering and Traffic Survey, to increase or decrease speed limits; and WHEREAS, the California Vehicle Code and the California Manual for Uniform Traffic Control Devices requires that local agencies re-evaluate non-statutory speed limits every five (5), seven (7) or ten (10) years, using an Engineering and Traffic Survey; and WHEREAS, on August 16, 2007 and October 5, 2007, City Council adopted the current Engineering and Traffic Survey which defined the current speed limits in the City. NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the City Council of the City of Los Altos hereby approves Engineering and Traffic Surveys for the following street segments: Street Limits Speed Limits Almond Ave Entire Length 25 Clark Ave (N) Entire Length 25 Covington Rd Miramonte to Grant 25 Cuesta Dr San Antonio and El Monte 25 Fallen Leaf Ln. Homestead to Fremont 25 Jardin Dr Entire Length 25 Los Altos Ave Entire Length 25 Main St San Antonio to Foothill Expwy 25 Oakhurst Ave Entire Length 25 St. Joseph Ave. Foothill Expwy to Stonehaven 25 Covington Rd Fremont/El Monte to Springer 30 Covington Rd Springer to Miramonte 30 Cuesta Dr. El Monte to E. City Limits 30 W. Edith Ave. Entire Length 30 El Monte Ave. Foothill Expwy to Springer/City Limits 30 Fremont Ave. El Monte to Riverside 30 Fremont Ave. Springer to Miramonte 30 Fremont Ave. Miramonte to Grant 30 Grant Rd. Foothill Expwy to Fremont 30 Grant Rd Fremont to N. City Limits 30 Miramonte Ave. Portland to N. City Limits 30 Miramonte Ave. Foothill Expwy to Portland 30 Resolution No. 2013-27 Page 1 ATTACHMENT 1
Portland Ave. Entire Length 30 Springer Rd Cuesta to El Monte/N. City Limits 30 Springer Rd Foothill Expwy to Covington 30 Cristo Rey Dr. Foothill Expy to West City Limits 35 El Camino Real N. City Limits to San Antonio 35 El Camino Real S. City Limits to San Antonio 35 El Monte Ave. S. City Limits to Foothill Expwy 35 Fremont Ave. Grant to E. City Limits 35 Granger Ave. Entire Length 30 Grant Rd. Homestead to Grant 35 Homestead Rd. Grant to E. City Limits 35 Springer Rd Covington to Cuesta 35 San Antonio Rd Foothill Expwy to Main/Edith 35 San Antonio Rd Main/Edith to Almond 35 San Antonio Rd Almond to El Camino Real 35 Foothill Expwy N. City Limits to Main 45 Foothill Expwy Main to El Monte 45 Foothill Expwy El Monte to Springer 45 Foothill Expwy Springer to Miramonte 45 Foothill Expwy Miramonte to S. City Limits 45 I HEREBY CERTIFY that the foregoing is a true and correct copy of a Resolution passed and adopted by the City Council of the City of Los Altos at a meeting thereof on the day of, 2013 by the following vote: AYES: NOES: ABSENT: ABSTAIN: Jarrett Fishpaw, MAYOR Attest: Jon Maginot, CMC, CITY CLERK Resolution No. 2013-27 Page 2 ATTACHMENT 1