01-19-1999 - Project #TS-99120 Cameron School Flashing Beacons - Approval of Plans & SpecsTO: City Manager and City Council
FROM: Public Services Department
Engineering Division
City of West Covina
Memorandum
.A GENDA
:ITEM NO. B-6b
DATE 7anuary 19, 1999
SUBJECT: PROJECT NO. TS-99120
CAMERON SCHOOL FLASHING BEACONS
APPROVAL OF PLANS AND SPECIFICATIONS
SUMMARY: The City Council directed. that flashing yellow beacons be installed at
Cameron School to advise vehicle operators of the school zone with the
beacons operating only when school children are present. The plans and
specifications have been completed and are ready to be advertised for bids.
BACKGROUND
City resident, Bamie McBride, and 105 petitioners requested that the City install a traffic
signal at the intersection of Cameron Avenue and Pima Avenue. This intersection is a T-
intersection with Pima Avenue, a residential street, ending at Cameron Avenue, a collector
street. There is a school crosswalk at this location crossing Cameron Avenue to service
Cameron School. Also, a crossing guard -is stationed at this location to assist -school
children to cross safely.
City staff conducted a complete study of the intersection to determine if the installation of a
traffic signal is justified. As part of the study, traffic and pedestrian counts, speed studies,
and an accident history evaluation were.conducted. The results from this study did not
satisfy any of the warrants for the installation of a traffic signal as stated in the'Caltrans
Traffic Manual and the Manual of Traffic Control Devices.
City Maintenance crews, prior to the Traffic Committee review, enhanced the school
crosswalk by installing painted strips within the crosswalk and "bot dots" on each side of
the crosswalk to increase visibility. In addition, oversized "nimble strips" were installed in
advance of the crosswalk for, added warning to the vehicle operators.
On August 19, 1998, the Traffic Committee reviewed the staff findings with Mr. McBride
participating and determined that the primary problem is that vehicle operators were not
slowing. through the school zone when children were present. In addition, some vehicle
operators were not observant enough to notice when the school crosswalk was in use.
The Traffic Committee reviewed measures that may possibly reduce the incidence of the
identified problems; 1) Increase the size and number of the school zone and crosswalk
signage to the maximum permitted and 2) Install flashing beacons in both directions in
advance of the school zones. The Committee then recommended the use of flashing
yellow beacons at Cameron School and the increase in size and number of the school
zone signage to the City Council .at their September 1, 1998 meeting. The City Council
directed staff to prepare plans and specification for the installation of the school zone
flashing beacons on Cameron Avenue as a Demonstration Project. Depending upon the
long term effectiveness of this installation, ,other similar locations could be considered for
flashing beacons. Therefore,.staff will continue monitoring this location.
ANALYSIS
Although the plans and specifications were fairly straight forward, supplying electrical
power became a problem which took time to resolve with the cooperation of the Southern
California Edison Company. 'Initially, the power supply was to be from a single source
point which then entailed lengthy electrical runs to the beacons that, even with oversized
wiring, could produce unacceptable power losses. The use of solar powered beacons was
then investigated, however, timely information from the possible. suppliers was not
forthcoming. Finally, we again approached Southern California Edison Company and
developed a design that used a separate source point for power to serve each beacon.
Although the monthly energy charges will be slightly higher, the installation cost; is, less.
• 1
City Council and City Manager
Page Two
January 19, 1999
FISCAL IMPACT
The estimated cost for this project is as follows:
1. Construction Cost $20,000
2. Engineering, inspection and contingencies 5,000
Total Estimated Project Cost: $25,000
Cameron School is located in an area of the City eligible for the use of Community
Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds. Therefore, .Public Works improvements in or
adjacent to an eligible area can be funded with CDBG funds. Since not.all of the City
CDBG funds for the 1998-1999 fiscal year have- been appropriated, there are sufficient
unappropriated CDBG funds for this project.
ALTERNATIVES
The City Council could decide not to install the flashing beacons, but doing so would not
address the problems within the school zone.. Also, the City Council may choose to
delay this project until Fiscal Year 1999-2000 and consider. it for funding as part of the
1999-2000 Capital Improvement Program.
RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that City Council take the following actions:
1. Establish Project No. TS-99120
2. Appropriate $25,000 from Community Development Block Grant reserves to this
project.
3. Approve the plans and specifications for Project No. TS-99120 and authorize the.City
Engineer to call for bids.
Thomas M. Ma er
City Engineer
REVIEWED AND APPROVED BY:,
rmm-'rr
y W. Collier
is Service Director
h:ct 99-100
TS99120. approve plans