Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout14 - NB-3 - Request for Speed Bumps on St. Clair St - 1/19/2016CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT MEETING DATE: JANUARY 19, 2016 ITEM NUMBER: IVB -3 SUBJECT: REQUEST FOR SPEED HUMPS ON SAINT CLAIR STREET DATE: JANUARY 7, 2016 FROM: PUBLIC SERVICES DEPARTMENT - TRANSPORTATION SERVICES DIVISION PRESENTATION BY: ERNESTO MUNOZ, PUBLIC SERVICES DIRECTOR FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: RAJA SETHURAMAN, MANAGER, TRANSPORTATION SERVICES (714) 754-5032 RECOMMENDATION: Provide direction on the speed humps request on Saint Clair Street between Drake Avenue and Velasco Lane. BACKGROUND: The Public Services Department received a written request for the installation of speed humps on Saint Clair Street between Drake Avenue and Velasco Lane from Mr. Jay Litvak, a resident of Velasco Lane. The written request along with a signed petition were submitted to the City on February 10, 2015 (Attachment 1). Based on the request, staff collected data and analyzed the traffic conditions along this segment of Saint Clair Street. Saint Clair Street carries about 1,600 vehicles per day and the 85th percentile speed is 33 miles per hour. The analysis revealed that installation of speed humps was not recommended as it did not satisfy the requirements included in the City Council -adopted "Guidelines for Study of Installation or Removal of Speed Humps" (Attachment 2). According to the guidelines, speed humps could be considered if the average daily traffic volumes exceed 3,500 vehicles and the 851h percentile speed is greater than 30 miles per hour. Therefore, in order to address the speeding concern, staff recommended the installation of transverse thermoplastic striping across Saint Clair Street, which was included in a written response sent by City staff to Mr. Litvak (Attachment 3). Subsequent to the submittal of the written response, Mr. Litvak requested consideration of another alternative (raised markers) that could help alleviate the speeding concerns. This alternative consists of the installation of several rows of raised markers glued to the pavement which cause vibrations to vehicles when they are driven over, to alert the driver. The raised markers were installed in April 2015 across Saint Clair Street and have helped in providing additional warning for speeding motorists. The above information was provided to the City Council via a Memorandum in November 2015. Council Member Foley directed that the Saint Clair Speed Humps request be agendized to the regular City Council Meeting in January 2016. ANALYSIS: Staff regularly receives speeding concerns along residential streets in neighborhoods throughout the City. Typically, after receiving these types of concerns from residents, staff conducts a field review, collects daily traffic count data, conducts a speed survey, and obtains five (5) years of accident data for the subject location. The information collected is analyzed and compared to the thresholds included in the Council -adopted guidelines for installation or removal of Speed Humps (Attachment 2). If a particular location does not satisfy the Council - adopted guidelines, staff recommends other alternatives such as signage, pavement markings, raised markers, etc., that can help alleviate speeding concerns. In order to address resident concerns fairly and effectively, and to maintain consistency throughout the City, staff does not deviate from the requirements listed in the City's Guidelines. In the last 12 -month period, Public Services staff has received fifteen (15) requests for installation of speed humps at the locations listed in the table below. No Street Segment Limits Posted/Prima Facie Speed Limit Observed Speed (85th percentile Daily Traffic Volume Satisfies City Guidelines From To 1 Europa Dr. Balearic Dr. Calvert Av. 25 28 489 No 2 Labrador/Bermuda Baker St. Gisler Av. 25 27 900 No 3 Hamilton St. Harbor Blvd. Thurin Av. 25 33 3,200 No 4 Hamilton St. Harbor Blvd. Pomona Av. 25 32 6,000 Yes 5 Avocado St. Fairview Rd. College Av. 25 32 2,500 No 6 Cabrillo St. Irvine Av. Tustin Av. 25 30 550 No 7 Monte Vista Av. Orange Av. SAanta Ana 25 33 1,700 No 8 Thurin Av. Victoria St. Hamilton St. 25 30 3,700 Yes 9 E. 18th St. Tustin Av. Irvine Av. 25 35 1,900 No 10 Santa Ana Av. 19th St. 20th St. 30 35 6,000 No 11 Bermuda Dr. Madagascar St. Barbados PI. 25 29 255 No 12 Maple Av. Hamilton St. W. 19th St. 25 31 3,500 Yes 13 Iowa St. New Hampshire Dr. Gisler Av. 25 34 2,400 No 14 Pomona Av. Hamilton St. W. 19th St. 25 28 6,100 No 15 Saint Clair St. Velasco Ln. Drake Av. 25 33 1,600 No While based on the review of existing data, three (3) locations did satisfy the criteria included in the speed hump guidelines, staff considered other options in lieu of speed humps which will require budget authorization. Pavement markings and placement of transverse raised markers were recommended on Hamilton Street. On Thurin Avenue, a new all -way STOP control was added at Hamilton Street. On Maple Avenue, speed humps were not recommended due to the potential diversion of traffic to other parallel streets. Additional speed limit signs and legends were added on Maple Avenue. 0 Based on an analysis of the existing conditions, staff does not recommend consideration of speed humps on Saint Clair Street at this time. Since the installation of raised markers eight (8) months ago, staff has not received any further complaints. In addition, due to the number of speeding complaints and requests for speed humps, the application of Council -approved guidelines consistently has enabled equal treatment of this issue Citywide. ALTERNATIVES CONSIDERED: The City Council could direct staff to install speed humps on Saint Clair Street. If this is recommended, staff will request a budget authorization for the installation. Another alternative is to not recommend speed hump installation. FISCAL REVIEW: The cost to install speed humps at one location is approximately $4,000. In order to effectively implement this type of speed control measure, speed humps have to be installed at two (2) locations (minimum), which will result in a total cost of approximately $8,000. If authorized, funds for the installation will be requested during the mid -year budget review or during the next budget period. LEGAL REVIEW: There is no legal review required for this speed humps request. CONCLUSION: Staff, in response to an earlier request for speed humps from resident Mr. Jay Litvak, determined that the guidelines for the installation of speed humps are not met and installed other measures to address speeding concerns. Council Member Foley directed that consideration of speed humps on Saint Clair Street be agendized for the January meeting. Staff requests Council's direction on this request. ERNESTO MUNOZ Public Services Director ATTACHMENTS: 1 Resident Request 2 City Guidelines City 3 Response DISTRIBUTION: Chief Executive Officer RAJA SETHURAMAN, Manager Transportation Services Division Assistant Chief Executive Officer City Attorney City Clerk Division Staff File 3 Raja Sethuraman, Transportation Services Manager, City of Costa Mesa 77 Fair Drive ata Mesa, CA 92626 (714) 754-5032 E-mail: raia.sethuraman@costamesaca.gov Jay B. Litvak 2895 Velasco Lane, Costa Mesa, CA 92626 AA r. Sethuraman: ATTACHMENT 1 This letter is to serve as a formal request for the installation of speed humps on St. Clair St. between Drake and Velasco Lane in Costa Mesa. Over the years, there have been multiple requests for speed humps, but traffic studies have revealed a traffic flow rate below the threshold of 3,500 vehicle trips/day. We have always registered in the range of 2,500 trips/day (give or take). These requests go back to some of our original owners some 40 years ago. Over time, the traffic issues here have escalated in terms of the speed and aggressiveness of drivers. This pass-through also seems to attract drivers who are impaired and attempting to avoid major streets. Most recently we have had our garage run into by a drunk.driver, and a drunk driver who ended up in our neighbor's yard. Going back a few years, we have had a drunk driver end up in our driveway, two vehicles hit on Velasco in the early morning, and one vehicle hit on St. Clair St.—this along with innumerable vehicles that have failed to navigate the St. Clair to Velasco turn and bounced off of the curb. The screeching.tires at 2 a.m. are generally a wonderful wake- up call. The residents of St. Clair—who were anxious to sign the petition and have speed humps added to eir street—described how they felt that drivers were driving faster, more aggressively (i.e., -tailgating when they were abiding the speed limit), and making it -difficult for them to simply back- out of their driveways. The latest incident at 2895 Velasco Lane involved several close calls relating to possible bodily injury. I understand that the 3,500 number represents a volume threshold; however, 2,500 with extenuating circumstances deserves very serious and thoughtful consideration in terms of SAFETY. Over the last decade or so, the demographic of this neighborhood has changed. Many original owners have passed their homes to their children or have sold their homes, and we now have a younger group of residents who have younger children or are starting families. This last incident occurred at 7:20 a.m. At this time of morning, mothers are walking their children to school, and this December 9` incident was way too close for comfort. My conclusion is this: I do not believe you need to waste money on another traffic study: I do not think much will have changed, and a traffic study cannot quantify the nature of the drivers that do come through here nearly as effectively as speaking with those who live with the problem. This is not a traffic flow problem; this is a PUBLIC SAFETY PROBLEM. Whether or not that stems from enforcement issues or not, it is still OUR problem. We—COLLECTIVELY—would like this problem solved—finally. No more stops signs, reflective bumps, or warning signs as the only solution. We want speed humps like the ones on EI Camino. I have spoken to many of the homeowners on that street, and, to a person, they would not trade those speed humps even though they may provide minor inconveniences—like having to slowing down. For them it isn't just about volume either. When this issue reaches the point at which you are ready for public input, let me know. Every signatory has expressed an explicit desire to voice their safety concerns: That includes St. Clair St. as well as several homeowners on Velasco Lane. Thank you, Jay B. Litvak PETITION FOR SPEED HUMPS ON ST. CLAIR ST. BETWEEN DRAKE ST. AND VELASCO LANE COSTA hfESA, CA, 92626 JANUARY 201E ADDRESS PRINTED NAME 1 SIGNATURE DATE 811 ST.* CLAIR ST. 812 ST. CLAIR ST.' 816 ST. CLAIR STp� 820 ST. CLAIR ST.. �v '823 ST. CLAIR ST. '< t G- f '• �3 -yam 824 ST. CLAIR ST. P?AU(QCZ- CSAajy 27 ST. CLAIR ST. V7 0 % PJI 828 ST. CLAIR ST.Aft O ,--� --- _ r X829 ST. CLAIR ST. � [��� �� : � 5[_...�. _ 830 ST. CLAIR 5 833 ST. CLAIR ST 834 ST. CLAIR ST. 14 `j ps 837 ST. CLAIR ST. 838 ST. CLAIR ST. � � -ip � CA j 8 ST. CLAIR ST.ku r ,' V1. /-tp9tea 840 ST. CLAIR ST. 813 ST. CLAIR ST. L hn5 'S>W a 844 'ST. CLAIR ST. 19 f 847 ST. CLAIR ST. ,kms 6t,/u P>'� I 1 SW I s 848 ST. CLAIR ST. �(�Q�,� �;4 851 ST. CLAIR ST. /�r� ADDRESS PRINTED NAME 852 ST. CLAIR ST.AIM 855 ST_ CLAIR ST. 861F ST_ CLAIR ST. B� ST. CLAIR ST. 867 ST_ CLAIR ST. fig" 868 ST. CLAIR ST. LWe� 6'4-lk' DATE /1-5 101 ATTACHMENT 2 CITY OF COSTA MESA CALIFORNIA 92628-1200 RO. BOX 1200 FROM THE OFFICE OF THE TRANSPORTATION SERVICES MANAGER GUIDELINES FOR STUDY OF INSTALLATION OR REMOVAL, OF SPEED HUMPS The City. of. -Costa Mesa has determined that the use of. speed humps: is appropriate' in... areas- where•other methods have failed and a true public hazard exists, and'the use.o'f speed humps should be ' limited only to 'this type. of situation and not as a first -level traffic control device. _ 1. Candidate.'streets shall meet the -following requirements: a•) Streets must " not be more :than one lane '.in' each- d•irection.' b) Streets• must not be -Master Plan designated higher than. a commuter. on City of Costa Mesa or Orange County .Master Plan of Arterial Highways. c) Streets must. "not be on a street segment adjacent to an emergency response station (police or fire statiori). d) " Streets must not be: on an' establ'ishe'd "Orange County Vransit•District Route. e) Streets must be in a•"residence•distr•ict." A residence" district '• as defined in the California Vehicle Code is.an area with contiguous property on both -sides of the street consisting of sixteen (16) •or• more separate dwelling houses: or business. structures per one-quarter mile... (or • ratio thereof) , with not less "than ".51 percent of the. structures occupied by residents'. f) The posted or prima •facie" speed limit' shall be no greater., than- 25 miles per hour (MPH) g) The* 85th percentile speed of"traffic must be - equal to or greater than 30 miles per hour' (MPH) h) The average daily traffic volume must be -equal -to or greater than 3;500 vehicles, total in .both directions, in a 24-hour period, on an average weekday- -T7 FAIR DRIVE (i14)75A-5334 Speed Hump Guidelines - Page Two i) Street geometry must provide at least 200 feet of clear visibility on approaches to. speed 'humps, . with humps located not' less than 200 feet or more than 450 -feet apart; must provide hump locations -at least 200 feet away from intersections and sharp horizontal curves; must provide . roadway grades of less. - than five percent at hump locations; .. must 'provide . raised curbs to: physically. . discourage motorists from driving. off- , the street' to avoid the speed humps; and - must not have. utility- manholes, fire. hydrants, or driveways at hump locations. j) Speed humps are not recommended in those communities where the roadway system 'is of - a grid pattern -where paralleling streets may be - used. by -- traffic as an . alternate route to avoid the street ith .speed.humps. k) Use. of speed. humps should not be'intprrupted within.a -segment unless •-a • distinct .. -change occurs- in terms of roadway. designation, - speed` limit, number-- of lanes, and. other geometrics and roadway characteristics. 1) The City. of Costa Mesa's 'Fire and Police Departments wild be consulted on candidate streets for -speed .hump installations. m) At least 50 percent of 'households (one signature per household) within 75' feet of face of'.- curb -'a -long a "qualifying street segment" .(i.e.., two-lane street with a• ratio -of at least sixteen (•16)- separate structures per one-quarter mile; of which 51 percent must be occupied by residents; .with segments identified by Transportation Services Manager on basis of through, traffic patterns) must sign a petition to -install or to remove, speed* hump$. 2. Standards for speed hump installation:'-.- a) nstallation: .a) In profile -'view - generally circular, 12 feet in .length and with. .a mean lielght at its midpoint of 3.5 inches, with an allowable tolerance of + 0.5 inch. b) *In plan view - across the street to a point near the edge of the. travelway with the last 1 to 3 feet tapered so that it is.flush with the roadway at the joint with the gutter. ' f Speed Hump Guidelines Page Three , c) Advance. warning signs and pavement legends to'note "Hump. Ahead" and advisory speed of 15- miles :per.hour (MPH) a minimum of 100 feet in advance of each hump.on each side of the. street; * doubleyellow. centerline in vicinity of speed' hump; raised pavement markers to -.delineate the roadway- centerline. over the hump; and Vertical-pavement markings on the. speed hump (parallel to. direction of travel) to illustrate the raise in -pavement. 3. Revlew and Removal P=bcedures -a) Twelve months after installation of speed humps.a review of traffic cond�tibns will be.conducted.' The findings of this review wild.- be reported to the Transportation* Commission and may *be- utilized to evaluate the performance of the speed humps and to -aid in refining qualifications for -the'installation giiidelines. - * - b) After the initial,..rtwelve-month .review, those s_ treets that have been furnished with. speed humps will be included in the City's biannual traffic volume survey. Accident history will also be reviewed biannually. No -other. related data *.gathering 'will be performed unless• the initial findings indicate. the need for further study. c) Removal of speed•humps will not be considered until the completion of the initial twelve-month review. After*the twelve-month review, requests .for -removal. must be supported by a petition as identified in.Item l.m.; or he recommended by staff based- upon unusual or adverse . traffic conditions; or . upon - the - completion of • improvements to the City',s arterial street system that would, reduce the usage o. the subject. street, to levels below that -required f�to qualify by these guidelines. d) If removal is requested by petition -of the residents of the street segment., and a subsequent' request for -- reinstallation is received, it shall be.processed in accordance with - these guidelines. The cost of ..reinstallation 'shall be borne by the petitioners if said- -request` is made • -within five years from the date of removal. 4. Administrative Procedures a) Upon receipt of a'request-in writing from a resident of the street for *'a petition for speed humps, the Transportation Services . Manager shall identify the qualifying street ..segment for which the installation of speed humps will be considered and for. which the -petition must be circulated. CIO Speed Hump Guidelines Page Four' b) The petition for installation or removal shall specifically. describe the qualifying .street segment required to be included and.shall contain the following statement' at the top of each page: By signing this petition, I hereby accept speed humps and associated advance warning devices, accept possible increases in noise and air pollution emissions associated with speed humpsdue to additional vehicle braking and accelerating at each speed hump, and accept restricted on -street - .parking in the vicinity of speed humps if a high rate of traffic accidents involving parked vehicles is documented. The petition circular's name(s), address and phone number shall be provided on each page. -.of the petition. c) A separate petition shall be used for each street or - street segment. d) Upon receipt of *a qualifying petition staff will then undertake the appropriate traffic studies to.determine whether the street meets the minimum requirements. I.f the minimum requirements are met, the petition and the resultant traffic studies will then be presented to the Transportation Commission 'for their consideration at a public hearing. e.) Should the petitioners' request for speed humps be denied for any reason, no reconsideration of any subsequent petition shall be accepted for the same street for a minimum of twelve months. Approved 10/15/30 Z w 0• z 6 . W CODi c 01) :z- a) W 'o co 0 w co ci 1. P ±E fV Cli 0 0— 0— 6 U- C5 0 T C5:- cj Z 12" EXIST. PAVEMENT 'T , 12'1 7. T T_(T-P7:k Typ T AT 12 SECTION A-A N.T.S. LollU, x ui_ w ADVANCE wl WARNING SIGN 0 47 u VARIESI MAX B EX. C aG tACK —_WE- _EC IVE ITE L_ I PAVkMENTS*NCIbCONCRETE -COAT THERMOPLAS71C OR o GUTTER SECTION- 8- B N.T.S. A DOUBLE YELLOW CENTERLINE WITH RAISED PAVEMENT —I MARKERS PER v o 12" REFLECTIVE WHITE CALTRANS I STRIPES AT 6 O.C. -STANDARD PLA ' NS THERMOPLASTIC OR EQ. DETAIL NO. 22 8 100 TYR W 3T (MODIFIED) BUMP ADVANCE�_� AHEAD - WARNING _14�x. _a:G sm PLAN VIEW • N.T.S. 15. W 6 (16) NOTESs MPH 1. SPEED HUMPS SHALL BE. LOCATED BY THE ENGINEER, AND/OR AS SHOWN ON PLAN. 2. SPEED HUMP• SHALL BE CONSTRUCTED TO A HEIGHT OF 0.292' (3.5") PLUS OR MINUS 0.031' (0375") AT THE MIDPOINT. THE CORRESPONDING UNISTRUT . t�l SHAPE SHALL: FOLLOW* A CIRCULAR ARC (SEE SECTION A-A). POST WITH 3. PLACEMENT OF ASPHALT TO BE IN ACCORDANCE WITH STANDARD SPECIFICATIONS 1 5/4 I FOR PUBLIC WORKS CONSTRUCTION, LATEST .EDITION INCLUDING SUPPLEMENTS. BASE 4. ASPHALT SHALL. BE TYPE = -C3 -AR4000 (1/2'l OR AS - DIRECTED BY THE ADVANCE ENGINEER WITH 6% ASPHALT BINDER. WARNING SIGN DRAWN CITY* OF COSTA. MESA'j SPEED HUMP DETAILS SCALE NONE z CALIFORNIA STD. DRWG. NO. Z' PUBLIC SERVICES * DEPARTMENT APPROVEDDATE, April 16, 2015 ATTACHMENT 3 CITY OF COSTA MESA CALIFORNIA 92628-1200 P.O. Box 1200 FROM THE OFFICE OF THE TRANSPORTATION SERVICES MANAGER Mr. Jay Litvak 2895 Velasco Lane Costa Mesa, CA 92626 SUBJECT: * SAINT CLAIR STREET — REQUEST FOR SPEED HUMPS Dear Mr. Litvak: The Transportation. Services Division has completed a review of traffic conditions on Saint Clair Street between Velasco Lane and Drake Avenue. This review.has been conducted in response to, your concern of excessive speeding and request for speed humps on Saint Clair Street. The decision to install speed humps on public streets is based on guidelines adopted by the City Council (attached). As primary criteria, streets 'considered for speed hump installation must be in a "residential district" having a speed limit no greater than 25 miles per. hour (mph) with a minimum threshold of at least 3,500 vehicles per day. As a residential street, the posted speed limit on Saint Clair Street between Velasco Lane and Drake Avenue is 25 mph. As part of our investigation, a radar speed survey was conducted to determine the prevailing speed of vehicles -on Saint Clair Street: The result of this surrey indicates that the 85th percentile speed of traffic is 33 miles per hour, and the median (average) speed is 30 miles per hour. The 85ti' percentile speed is the speed at which 85. percent of the drivers drive safely and comfortably and is the basis to determine speed limits in accordance with the State of California laws. As a result of many residential neighborhood traffic studies, we have found the 25 miles per hour posted speed limit to be frequently exceeded by 5 to 10 miles per hour. Speeds in this.range,,while not desirable, are not uncommon, and represent typical conditions in many residential neighborhoods in Costa Mesa. In addition to the speed survey, the volume of traffic has also been surveyed. The result of this. survey indicates that the traffic volume on Saint Clair Street is approximately 1,600 vehicles per day in the. vicinity. Vehicular volume levels within this range are below the threshold where additional' traffic controls may be considered necessary and are regarded as quite ordinary for streets within a residential neighborhood. Traffic accident. records for the past five (5) years were reviewed to determine* if any unsafe_ conditions may exist. Traffic accident .records revealed thaftwo (2) accidents have occurred in the section between Velasco Lane and Drake Avenue and one (1) accident. has occurred along Velasco Lane between Saint Clair Street and Santiago Road during this time period: Both the accidents on Saint Clair Street involved a collision with a parked vehicle due to improper turning from Drake Avenue to westbound Saint Clair Street. The accident on Velasco Lane involved a collision with a fixed object as a result of loss of control of the vehicle while driving under the influence. The accident on your property caused by the driver under the influence is not yet included in the database. In all these accidents, speeding is not determined to be the primary cause necessitating the installation of speed humps. 77 FAIR DRIVE PHONE: (714) 754-5343 TDD: (714) 754-5244 .- www.00stamesaca.gov Mr. Litvak .April 16, 2015 Page Two As a result of the above analysis, the City has determined that the present traffic conditions ofvehicle volume, speed, and accident frequency do not meet City guidelines. Therefore, the installation of speed bumps is not recommended at this. time. To provide emphasis on slowing westbound vehicles at the cure where Saint Clair Street tums into Velasco Lane, -staff recommends the following signage and pavement legend installations. • Install transverse thermoplastic striping (across the westbound travel lanes) just west of the existing "15 MPH" warning sign before the cure. • Relocate existing parking signage at the west end of Saint Clair Street, five (5) feet south, and install a chevron sign on that post. A work order for the signage and thermoplastic striping installation has been prepared and the work should be completed by City crews in a few weeks. Police presence and enforcement action is the most effective deterrent to excessive speeds. Your observations of certain times or days of the week when violations most likely occur may assist the Police Department in providing the most effective presence in the neighborhood. For further information and assistance regarding enforcement, please contact Lt. Greg Scott of the Police Department Special Services Bureau at (714) 754-5265. The City appreciates your taking the time to inform us of your concerns for safety in your neighborhood and hopes the above information is helpful. If you have any further questions, please contact Elizabeth Palacio, Engineering Technician Il, at (714) 754-5634. Sincerely, RAJA SETHURAMAN, Manager Transportation Services Attachment c Ernesto Munoz, Public Services Director Lt. Greg Scott, Costa Mesa Police Department Pritam Deshmukh, Associate Engineer Elizabeth Palacio, Engineering Technician II