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Agenda Item 22.

City Council Meeting

Meeting Date:	01/15/2019
FROM:	Bill Gallardo

Subject:

Site Drive Engineering and Traffic Survey

RECOMMENDATION

Adopt Ordinance 1207 - Second Reading by Title Only and Waive Further Reading of the Ordinance.

BACKGROUND/DISCUSSION

On October 4, 2016, the City Council adopted an Engineering and Traffic Survey (“Survey”) which recommended speed limits on 62 roadway segments. As part of the Survey, there were adjustments in posted speed limits along several street segments. One of the changes was the adjustment of posted speed limit on Site Drive from the North City limit to Central Avenue. The posted speed was increased from 30 mph to 40 mph based on the collected data. In 2016, the 85th percentile was 41 mph.

The California Vehicle Code requires traffic speed limits be established based on a Survey to consider prevailing vehicle speeds, accident frequency, roadside development and other conditions not readily apparent to motorists for radar or laser equipment for speed limit enforcement.

The procedure for establishing speed limits is based primarily on the speed that 85% of the vehicles are traveling. The procedure requires that the speed limit be considered at the five-mile-per-hour (5 mph) increment nearest the 85th percentile speed. Adjustments from that speed are limited to five miles per hour (5 mph) and must be justified on the basis of accident frequency or other factors not readily apparent to drivers. However, for cases in which the nearest 5 mph increment of the 85th percentile speed would require a rounding up, the speed limit may be rounded down to the nearest 5 mph increment below the 85th percentile speed, if no further reduction is used.

Recently, the City received a number of complaints regarding the posted 40 mph speed limit on Site Drive from north city limit to Central Avenue. As a result, on September 18, 2018, a new Survey was conducted to verify the original data. The new data showed that the 85th percentile speed, which is the speed that should be posted, was 35 mph. Aside from the speed, the roadway geometry has sharp horizontal curves that may not be apparent to unfamiliar drivers. These curves should have been considered when the speed limit was increased in 2016. In considering the curves now, staff has determined that the speed limit can be posted 5 mph below the 85th percentile at 30 mph. In an effort to alert drivers of the curves ahead, staff intends on installing advisory curve signs ahead of the curves.

Based on the findings of the Survey, staff’s observations and Traffic Committee’s recommendation, staff recommends City Council adoption of the Site Drive Engineering and Traffic Survey by Resolution and further recommends adoption of an Ordinance amending Title 10 of the Municipal Code to include the speed limit changes, as identified in the Survey.

Ordinance 1207 was introduced at the December 18, 2018 City Council Meeting.

COMMISSION/COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

The Survey was recommended for approval by the Traffic Committee at their November 15, 2018 meeting.

FISCAL IMPACT/SUMMARY

Speed limit and advisory curve signs will cost approximately $500. Sufficient funds are available in the Public Works Department Budget.

RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED:

William Gallardo, City Manager
Prepared by: Farhad Iranitalab, T.E., City Traffic Engineer
Concurrence: Tony Olmos, P.E. Director of Public Works

Attachments
Resolution
Ordinance