For many years, the neighborhood located in the area bounded by State College Boulevard, Lambert Road and Cliffwood Avenue has complained about speeding and cut-through traffic through the neighborhood, in particular on Cliffwood Avenue. In 2003, the City installed speed humps on Cliffwood to address speeding issues. In 2016, a valid petition was received for the reevaluation of existing speed humps and consideration of alternative traffic calming measures on Cliffwood Avenue between State College Boulevard and Lambert Road. The request was based on perceived problems of excessive vehicle speeds, cut-through traffic, and consensus of the residents along Cliffwood Avenue that the previously installed speed humps are no longer effective and that additional measures are needed.
Upon receipt of the petition, staff researched previous studies and concerns related to speeding and cut-through traffic in the Cliffwood tract bounded by State College Boulevard on the north and east, Lambert Road on the south, and Cliffwood Avenue on the west. Since potential traffic calming measures could affect the entire tract, staff conducted the required traffic studies and field reviews for the entire tract. See attached Study Area Map. Traffic data collected for analysis included average daily traffic (ADT), peak period speed data, collision data, and cut-through traffic data is summarized below, and the full Traffic Data is attached for reference:
- ADT = 936 vehicles
- AM peak period (7:00-9:00): 85th percentile speed = 28 MPH
- PM peak period (2:30-5:00): 85th percentile speed = 26 MPH
- Collisions = 2 collisions in recent 4-year period from 1/1/14 to 12/31/17
- Cliffwood AM peak period (7:00-9:00) cut through traffic = 77%
- Cliffwood PM peak period (2:30-5:00) cut through traffic = 45%
- Balsa/Cashew AM peak period (7:00-9:00) cut through traffic = 45%
- Balsa/Cashew PM peak period (2:30-5:00) cut through traffic = 19%
Although the data was from 2016, staff determined that is was more than adequate to use in 2019 since the existing conditions in and around the study area have not changed since then. A good example to illustrate this practice is the use of Engineering and Traffic Surveys (E&T) that are used to set speed limits. The E&T surveys are valid for seven (7) years and are sometimes extended even longer so long as conditions did not change. If conditions change within that timeframe, the cities can update specific streets.
Based on the data, staff determined that the percentage of cut-through traffic was significant and the speeds were higher than expected. Since Cliffwood between Lambert and State College is only 650 feet long, already has speed humps, and also has horizontal and vertical curvature, staff expected to see lower speeds. As a result, staff developed traffic calming options, which included traffic diverters at a few of the intersections. These concepts were presented to the Traffic Committee in February 2018 and the Traffic Committee approved moving forward with presenting these options to the neighborhood.
Staff then met with the neighborhood on May 3, 2018 and again on September 27, 2018 to discuss the proposed traffic calming options. The residents at the meetings recommended to install the traffic diverter at Cliffwood Avenue and State College to eliminate through traffic at the intersection of State College Boulevard and convert the intersection of Cashew and Lambert to a right-in/right-out movement only, as shown on the attached Traffic Calming Measures. On November 15, 2018, the Traffic Committee voted to install the diverters as a pilot program. Given the temporary nature of the installation, staff did not take the item to City Council for approval. After the installation in late January 2019, it quickly became apparent that most of the traffic using Cliffwood was coming or going to the neighborhood north of State College. Since this neighborhood was not part of the original study area, it was not consulted during the development of the traffic calming option.
In an effort to quickly address the concerns brought about by the neighborhood on the north side of State College, staff accelerated the data collection and worked with the Traffic Committee to call a Special Meeting to allow all of the residents to be heard. The meeting took place on March 7, 2019 and was well attended. At the meeting, staff presented the attached presentation, which included the following findings:
- Reduction cut-through traffic (51% reduction in AM and 53% reduction in PM)
- Traffic Queuing on State College at Cliffwood
- May require a protected left turn signal
- Vehicles illegally driving around diverters
- Inconclusive data on Live Oak
Staff expressed most concern with the traffic queuing on eastbound State College at Cliffwood potentially blocking the number one lane. Since correction may require a protected left hand turn, there is a need for further study that would exceed the trial period. A project like this takes time to analyze, design, secure funding, bid and construct.
After receiving the presentation and listening to the community, the Traffic Committee agreed with staff's recommendation to collect data for an additional 2 weeks, remove the temporary diverter at State College and Cliffwood and form a working group made up of residents from both sides of State College Boulevard to come up with a comprehensive solution. Staff explained at the meeting that the committee should be no larger than 16 members and should be balanced with the same number of residents from each neighborhood. Communications and Marketing will be reaching out to the residents who attended the meeting and through social media to solicit interest in joining this group. This group would then set goals and an overall target schedule. The City Council will be provided with regular updates.
Finally, the diverter at Cashew and Balsa was not a large part of the overall discussion and was not included in the Traffic Committee action. No residents expressed concern regarding the disposition of this delineator. Staff plans on continuing to monitor its effectiveness and work through the Traffic Committee to make a determination as to its ultimate status. Updates will be provided to City Council regarding any potential action. |
Since the time the request was accepted in 2016, data collection has cost approximately $5,000, Engineering and Design was $5,400 and the installation of the diverters was $14,500. The cost to remove the Cliffwood / State College diverter and restore the left turn lane is expected to be $4,800. There are sufficient funds in the Engineering Division operational budget to cover these costs.
The cost to prepare a comprehensive study is undetermined at this time. A scope, fee and possible agreement with a traffic engineering firm will be brought to City Council for approval prior to initiation of any effort. |