01-15-2008 - Traffic Committee Minutes - 12/18/07TO: Andrew G. Pasmant, City Manager
and City Council
FROM: Shannon A. Yauchzee, Director/City Engineer
Public Works Department
SUBJECT: TRAFFIC COMMITTEE MINUTES
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the City Council take the following actions:
City of West Covina
Memorandum
AGENDA
ITEM NO. D-5
DATE January 15, 2008
1. Introduce the following ordinance reducing the speed limit on Citrus Street from
Vine Avenue to Hillside Drive from 45 miles per hour to 40 miles per hour.
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
WEST COVINA, CALIFORNIA, AMENDING SECTION 22-132 OF
THE WEST COVINA MUNICIPAL CODE RELATING TO
DECREASES OF STATE LAW MAXIMUM SPEEDS.
2. Accept and file the attached minutes of the Traffic Committee meeting held on
December 18, 2007
Prep `ed by: Miguel Hernandez Reviewed/Approved by: Shannon A. Yauchzee
Civil Engineering Associate Director/City Engineer
Attachment No. 1
ZATRAFFIC COMMITTEE - 2007\December TC 2007 Minutes.doc
1
by
ATTACHMENT NO. 1
REGULAR MEETING
OF THE TRAFFIC COMMITTEE
CITY OF WEST COVINA
Tuesday 3:00 p.m.
December 18, 2007 City`Hall, Room.314
Management Resource Center
STAFF PRESENT: Miguel Hernandez, Shannon A. Yauchzee, and
Sergeant Vince Moreno
OTHERS PRESENT: Cy Koch, West Covina Resident
Lindsey Webb, West Covina Resident
I.
REQUEST:
Catalina Cirino, West Covina Resident
THAT CURVES ALONG HERITAGE DRIVE BETWEEN SOUTH
EASTHILLS. DRIVE AND EAST HILLSIDE DRIVE BE REVIEWED.
FINDINGS:
Heritage Drive, between South Easthills Drive and East Hillside Drive, is about
one third of a mile long. Heritage Drive is 32 feet wide curb to curb, which
provides 16 feet travel lanes. The street has two curves in the middle, which make
vehicle travel off tracking. It has been observed that, within the curve areas,
drivers tend to travel into the centerline of the street and sometimes completely
into the opposite lane.
The existing traffic control devices along Heritage Drive consist of double -yellow
centerline between Easthills Drive to the beginning of the curve radius, which is
nearly 400 feet. Heritage Drive is controlled by stop signs from each end.
Heritage Drive is classified as a minor arterial street serving mainly residential
land use.
Staff is recommending installing advisory speed limit signs and advisory curve
signs before approaching the curve from the eastbound and the westbound. Also,
install reflective and non -reflective raised markers along the existing double
yellow lines from the beginning of the curve radius to the end of the curve radius.
TRAFFIC COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION:
THAT ADVISORY SPEED LIMIT SIGNS (W13-1) BE INSTALLED
ALONG WITH ADVISORY CURVE SIGNS (W1-2) ON THE
EASTBOUND AND WESTBOUND BEFORE APPROACHING THE
CURVE AT HERITAGE DRIVE. INSTALL REFLECTIVE AND NON -
REFLECTIVE RAISED MARKS (DETAIL 23) ALONG THE
CENTERLINE AT THE CURVES.
ZATRAFFIC COMMITTEE - 2007\December TC 2007 Minutes.doc
2
NOT* SCALE
CONSTRUCTION NOTES
HERITAGE DRIVE
BLIND CURVE, VEHICLES OFF TRACKING
Install type W13-1 sign (Per Detail"A")
Install type W1-2 sign (Per Detail"B")
n3 Install Bott's dots MUTCD detail 23 over double yellow center line
15
MPH
MUTCD W13-1
fl
MUTCD WI-2
DETAIL B
DETAIL A
II. REQUEST:
Karin Valore, West Covina Resident
THAT TRAFFIC CONDITIONS BE REVIEWED AT STUART AVENUE
AND TURNER AVENUE.
FINDINGS:
Stuart Avenue is a 60-foot wide street with a four -foot wide raised median
between Lark Ellen Avenue and Turner Avenue. At the intersection with Turner
Avenue, Stuart Avenue- curves northeasterly and the street width decreases to 40
feet. The intersection is controlled by a stop sign on westbound Turner Avenue.
There is an "S" shaped curve along Stuart Avenue that begins after intersection
with Turner Avenue. In addition, the driveway for property at 246 South Lark
Ellen Avenue is on Stuart Avenue at the beginning of the curve.
The primary concern of the resident is the speed of vehicles that travel westbound
on Stuart Avenue approaching through the "S" shaped curve and using the
parking lane to complete the movement. When vehicles are parked along the
curve, the line of sight for the westbound vehicles is obstructed from seeing the
vehicles entering from the driveway.
Staff is recommending painting the curb red along the curve to prohibit parking
and improving the line of sight and installing a right edged stripe, 8-feet from the
curb. In addition, a sign, W 1-4R, be installed on westbound Turner Avenue to
warn drivers of the impending curve with advisory speed of 15 miles per hour.
TRAFFIC COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS:
THAT A W1 4R, ADVANCE WARNING FOR REVERSE CURVE, BE
INSTALLED ON STUART AVENUE EAST OF TURNER AVENUE.
THAT RIGHT EDGE STRIPING BE INSTALLED ON WESTBOUND
STUART AVENUE.
THAT CURB ALONG THE CURVE BE PAINTED RED ADJACENT TO
241 TURNER AVENUE AND 1413 STUART AVENUE.
ZATRAFFIC COMMITTEE - 2007\December TC 2007 Minutes.doc
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STUART
Paint 52 ft. of !curb red
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REQUEST:
Cy Koch, West Covina Resident
Dennis McConaughey, West Covina Resident
THAT A MULTI -WAY STOP BE INSTALLED AT THE INTERSECTIONS.
OF CITRUS STREET AND MONTEZUMA WAY AND CITRUS STREET
AND SPRING MEADOW DRIVE.
FINDINGS:
Citrus Street and Montezuma WU
Citrus Street and Montezuma Way are both 40 feet wide curb to curb, and form a
"T" type intersection. The 40-foot width on both streets provides for two 20 feet
travel lanes. Citrus Street is designated as a collector street and Montezuma" Way
is designated as residential. The intersection is controlled by a stop sign for the
westbound approach of Montezuma Way.
The posted speed limit along this segment of Citrus Street is 45 miles per hour. A
recent speed survey of vehicles traveling on this segment of Citrus Street indicates
that the critical approach speed (85 percentile speed) is 46 miles per hour.
The following table shows traffic volumes for a 24-hour period on the two streets.
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Northbound
�., r,�Location
x?
.Sogthbound ,.,
wWestbound, r;
Citrus Street
1453
1323
Montezuma Way
313
The primary concerns of the residents are vehicles traveling along Citrus Street
have a restricted line of sight to vehicles entering from Montezuma Way and
speeding. At the intersection of Citrus Street and Montezuma Way, there is
downhill grade of eight percent (8%) south of the intersection and an uphill grade
of six percent (6%) to the north. The calculated safe stopping sight distance for a
vehicle traveling on wet pavement at the critical approach speed of 46 miles per
hour at 471 feet for the down hill approach and 345 feet for the up hill approach.
Because of the nature of the horizontal and vertical alignment at this intersection
of Citrus- Street, the actual safe stopping sight distance was measured at 495 feet
to the south and 307 feet to the north of the intersection. Therefore, the line of
sight is not restricted.
A stop sign warrant evaluation form in
Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) is
warrants for a multi -way stop were met.
Citrus Street and Spring Meadow Drive
accordance with the Manual of Uniform
attached and shows that none of the
Citrus Street is 40-foot wide designated as a collector street and Spring Meadow
Drive is a 32-foot wide residential street. The intersection is controlled by a stop
sign for the westbound approach of Montezuma Way.
The posted speed limit along this segment of Citrus Street is 45 _miles per hour. A
recent speed survey of vehicles traveling on this segment of Citrus Street indicates
that the critical approach speed (85 percentile speed) is 47 miles per hour.
The following table shows traffic volumes for a 24-hour period on the two streets.
" ~ tlocation
Northbound _;'
,Sou"thbound,n
� Westbound„„
Citrus Street
1617
1692
Spring Meadow
130
ZATRAFFIC COMMITTEE - 2007\December TC 2007 Minutes.doc
L,
III. REQUEST: (Continued)
The primary concerns of the residents are vehicles traveling along Citrus Street
have a restricted line of sight to vehicles entering from Spring Meadow and
speeding. At the intersection of Citrus Street and Montezuma Way, there is
downhill grade of 2.6 percent south of the intersection and an uphill grade of 5.1
percent to the north. The calculated safe stopping sight distance for a vehicle
traveling on wet pavement at the critical approach speed of 47 miles per hour at
424 feet for the down hill approach and 366 feet for the up hill approach.
Because of the nature of the horizontal and vertical alignment at this intersection
of Citrus Street, the actual safe stopping sight distance was measured at 505 feet
to the south and 565 feet to the north of the intersection. Therefore, the line of
sight is not restricted.
A stop sign warrant evaluation form in accordance with the Manual of Uniform
Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) is attached and shows that none of the
warrants for a multi -way stop were met.
Speeding
According to the Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) 2003
California Supplement, speed limits should be established at the nearest five miles
per hour increment to the 85t" percentile speed, which is defined as that speed
which 85 percent of the traffic is moving. The 85th percentile is often referred to
as critical speed. Speed limits higher than the 85thxercentile are not considered
reasonable and prudent. Speed limits below the 85 percentile do not ordinarily
facilitate the orderly movement of traffic and require constant enforcement to
maintain compliance.
Traffic and Engineering study (attached) was conducted on a segment of Citrus
Street from Vine Avenue and Hillside Drive. The result of the study indicated
that the critical speed (85%) for this segment is less than the posted speed limit
and suggests that the posted speed limit may be lowered safely.
TRAFFIC COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS:
THAT IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE PROVISION OF THE MANUAL OF
UNIFORM TRAFFIC CONTROL DEVICES, THE FOLLOWING SPEED
SHALL BE ESTABLISHED BY ORDINANCE ALONG CITRUS STREET:
FROM VINE AVENUE TO HILLSIDE DRIVE 40 MPH
THAT SPEED LIMIT SIGNS WITH RADAR ENFORCED PLATES BE
INSTALLED ON CITRUS STREET BETWEEN VINE AVENUE AND
HILLSIDE DRIVE.
THAT WATCH DOWN HILL SPEED SIGNS BE INSTALLED ON
NORTHBOUND CITRUS STREET.
THAT THE PORTABLE SPEED TRAILER BE UTILIZED ON CITRUS
STREET.
THAT RED CURB BE INSTALLED ON CITRUS STREET AT
MONTEZUMA WAY AND SPRING MEADOW.
THAT LANDSCAPING AT THE SOUTHWEST CORNER OF CITRUS
STREET AND MONTEZUMA WAY BE TRIMMED/REMOVE.
ZATRAFFIC COMMITTEE - 2007\December TC 2007 Minutes.doc
5
•
•
CITY OF WEST COVINA
MULTI -WAY STOP WARRANT
Intersection of Citrus Street/ Montezuma Way
Date of Traffic Count: 18- Sep-07
A. VOLUME WARRANT SATISFIED NOT SATISFIED X
1. 300 or more vehicles per hour (average) entering
intersection from major street approaches (total
from both approaches) for any eight hours , and 156
2. 200 or more combined vehicles and
pedestrians per hour (average) entering
intersection from minor street for the
same eight hours, with 26
3. An average delay to minor street vehicular
traffic of at least 30 seconds per vehicle
during the maximum hour None
B. SEVENTY WARRANT SATISFIED NOT SATISFIED X
When the 85-percentile approach speed of
the major street exceeds 40 mph, the
minimum vehicular volume warrant is
70 percent of the above requirements. 156
C. ACCIDENT WARRANT SATISFIED
Five.or more accidents of types
susceptible of correction by multi -way
stops within a twelve-month period.
D. INTERIM MEASURE WARRANT SATISFIED
Where traffic signals are warranted and
urgently needed
NOT SATISFIED X
None.
NOT SATISFIED X
N/A
ZATRAFFIC COMMITTEE - 2007\December TC 2007 Minutes.doc
6
CITY OF WEST COVINA .
MULTI -WAY STOP WARRANT
Date of Traffic Count: November 28, 2007
Intersection of Citrus Street/ Spring Meadow
E. VOLUME WARRANT SATISFIED NOT SATISFIED X
1. 300 or more vehicles per hour (average) entering
intersection from major street approaches (total
from both approaches) for any eight hours , and 167
2. 200 or more combined vehicles and
pedestrians per hour (average) entering
intersection from minor street for the
same eight hours, with 9
3. An average delay to minor street vehicular
traffic of at least 30 seconds per vehicle
during the maximum hour None
F. SEVENTY WARRANT SATISFIED NOT SATISFIED X
When the 85-percentile approach speed of
the major street exceeds 40 mph, the
minimum vehicular volume warrant is
70 percent of the above requirements. 167
G. ACCIDENT WARRANT SATISFIED . NOT SATISFIED X
Five or more accidents of types
susceptible of correction by multi -way
stops within a twelve-month .period. None
H. INTERIM MEASURE WARRANT SATISFIED NOT SATISFIED X
Where traffic signals are warranted and
urgently needed N/A
ZATRAFFIC COMMITTEE - 2007\December TC 2007 Minutes.doc.
7
IV. REQUEST:
Lindsey Webb, West Covina Resident
THAT TRAFFIC CONDITION BE REVIEWED ON WILLOW AVENUE
FROM NORTH GARVEY AVENUE TO PACIFIC AVENUE.
DISCUSSION:
Ms. Lindsey Webb expressed her concerns regarding high speed vehicles and
increased traffic volumes along Willow Avenue between North Garvey Avenue
and Pacific Avenue. She also indicated that during the late evening and early
morning hour, vehicles would race side by side on Willow Avenue.. In order to
eliminate these conditions, she is requesting that speed humps be installed.
Staff recommended that speed limit signs with the radar enforce plate be installed
and commenced the speed and volume studies: Police Department indicate that
patrols would be increased during the daytime hours when possible.
TRAFFIC COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS:
THAT 25, MILES PER HOUR SPEED. LIMIT SIGNS WITH RADAR
ENFORCED PLATE BE INSTALLED ON WILLOW AVENUE FROM
NORTH GARVEY AVENUE TO PACIFIC AVENUE.
THAT STAFF CONDUCT SPEED AND VOLUME STUDIES.
a
8
ZATRAFFIC COMMITTEE - 2007\December TC 2007 Minutes.doc
is
'ORDINANCE NO.
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF WEST COVINA, CALIFORNIA, AMENDING
SECTION 22-132 OF THE WEST COVINA MUNICIPAL
CODE RELATING TO DECREASES OF STATE LAW
MAXIMUM SPEEDS
The City Council of the City of West Covina does ordain as follows:
SECTION 1. Section 22-132 of the West Covina Municipal Code is amended
such that the sub -paragraph labeled Citrus Street from Vine Avenue to Hillside Drive is deleted;
and that the following sub -paragraph is inserted:
Citrus Street from Vine Avenue to Hillside Drive = 40 mph
SECTION 2. That the City Clerk shall certify to the passage of this ordinance
and shall cause the same to be published as required by law.
PASSED AND APPROVED this _day of , 2007.
Mayor
ATTEST:
City Clerk
I, Janet Berry, City Clerk of the City of West Covina, California, do hereby certify that
the foregoing Ordinance No. was regularly introduced and placed upon its first
reading at a regular meeting of the City Council on the day of January 2007. That
thereafter said Ordinance was duly adopted and passed at a regular meeting of the City Council
on the day of 2007, by the following vote:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
City Clerk
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
City Attorney
7:\0kD1NANCt: - 2007\Citrus Street Speed Limits.doc
ATTACHMENT NO. 1
Public Works Department
Engineering Division
December 6, 2007
ENGINEERING AND TRAFFIC SURVEY OF CITRUS STREET FROM VINE
AVENUE TO HILLSIDE DRIVE
Introduction:
The effective enforcement of posted speed limits with radar on certain streets requires
The effective enforcement of posted speed limits with radar, laser or other electronic
devices on certain streets requires that an Engineering and Traffic Survey must be
completed within the previous five years. The majority of drivers comply with the law
but disregard regulations that they consider unreasonable. A small segment of the
population is repeatedly inclined to be reckless, unreliable, or have faulty judgment and
must be controlled by enforcement.
According to the Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) 2003 California
Supplement, speed limits should be established at the nearest 5 mph increment to the 85`h
percentile speed, which is defined as that speed at or below which 85 percent of the
traffic is moving. The 85`h percentile is often referred to as critical speed. Pace speed is
defined as the 10-mile increment of speed containing the largest number of vehicles.
Speed limits higher than the 85th percentile are not considered reasonable and prudent.
Speed limits below the 85`h percentile do not ordinarily facilitate the orderly movement of
traffic and require constant enforcement to maintain compliance.
The establishment of a speed limit of more than 5 miles per hour below the 85 percentile
(critical) speed should be done with great care as studies have shown that establishing a
speed limit at less than this the 85 percentile generally results in an increase in collision
rates; in addition, this may make violators of a disproportionate number of the reasonable
majority of drivers. When roadside developments results in traffic conflicts and unusual
conditions which are not readily apparent to the driver, as indicated in collision records,
speed limits some what below the 85`h percentile may be justified.
Section 22358 of the Vehicle Code states that it is the intent of the Legislature that
physical conditions such as width, curvature, grade and surface conditions, or any
condition readily apparent to the driver, in the absence of other factors, would not require
special downward speed zoning.
1444 W. Garvey Avenue South • PO Box 1440 • West Covina, CA 91793 • Telephone (626) 939-8425 • Fax (626) 939-8660
(_urusatbpeeaatuay 2uu i
1 December 6, 2007
FINDINGS:
The following is a summary of the pertinent items required in the Engineering and Traffic
Survey.
A. Prevailing Speeds (MPH)
Critical Approach S eeds 2007 Existir
Street Segment Limits pp p g Recommended
2006 2007 10-rnph Speed,
85o Pace Speed Limits
. % (mph) $5 /o' (mph) . Limits
Vine Avenue to 47 43 35 to 44 45 mph 40 mph
Hillside Drive
B. Accident Records
The following analysis of the accident history for Citrus Street is in accordance with
the procedures outlined in "Guidelines for Uniform Traffic Controls" distributed by
the Los Angeles County Department of Public Works.
The phrase "accident rate" shown in the column headings is defined as the number of
accidents per million vehicles entering an intersection or per million vehicle miles
along a street a street segment. The "County Expected Rate" is defined as the
anticipated number of accidents that would generally occur at an intersection or along
a segment of highway with similar conditions. The County Expected Rate factors are
calculated from data derived from a series of charts using parameters such as
intersection controls, traffic volumes, and approach conditions. These charts have
been prepared by the Los Angeles County Department of Public Works based on the
findings of a study of the accident records and traffic conditions throughout Los
Angeles County. The City Rate is calculated using traffic volumes from the calendar
year 1994 and recorded accident history. The Priority Rating is defined as the ratio of
the City Rate to the County Expected Rate
County guidelines classify as _excessive any accident rate that exceeds 1.6 times the
County expected rate determined from the Countywide experience charts. If the City
mid -block accident rates are in excess of the 1.6 times the County expected rate, a 5
mph reduction of the speed limit may be justified. This is to say that if the Priority
Rating meets or exceeds 1.6, a 5-mph reduction of the speed limit from the critical
approach speed (85%) maybe justified.
w[rUS6DPeeaa[uay LVV/
December 6, 2001
1. MID -BLOCK ACCIDENTS - JANUARY 2006 TO DECEMBER 2006
4Ut-t:AJMVM denotes accidents per million vehicle miles
2. INTERSECTION ACCIDENTS - JANUARY 2006 TO DECEMBER 2006
County "
: o
xpected
tyCiyAccidentENfo
PrioriI.
Cross Street
Accidents ;
Rate A/1vIV
Accident Rate
-Rating
A/MV .
Vine Avenue
0
0.0
0.34
0.0
Lark Hill Drive
0
0.0
0.35
0.0
Spring Meadow
1
0.80
0.80
1.00
Hillside Drive
0
0.0 1
0.62-1
0.0
d v it: wive v denotes accidents per million vehicles entering the intersection.
C. Phvsical Conditions
1. Horizontal Alignment - The alignment of Citrus Street beginning at Vine
Avenue, consists of a 260 feet radius curve with a length of 170 feet. Proceeding
south the rest of the street alignment is made up of several horizontal curves .with
radii between 1,000 feet to 1,800 feet.
2. Vertical alignment - The maximum grade along the street profile is
approximately 6.18%, except for the segment approaching Hillside Drive which is
about 14.0% grade..
3. Roadside Friction - The intersections at Lark Hill Drive is controlled by multi -
way stop signs. The area along Citrus Street consists of residential and the golf
course.
D. There are no conditions that are not readily apparent to the driver
UtrusStSpeedStudy 2007
isDecember 6, 2007
E. Analvsis
The first table entitled " Prevailing Speeds" list the critical approach speeds (85%)
which is the primary component of Engineering and Traffic Survey. The critical
approach speeds (85%) are listed for Citrus Street from Vine Avenue to Hillside
Drive and is less than the posted speed limit. The collision records for 2006 show
that none of the mid -block accident rates for this segment is excessive. With a
critical approach speed of 43 miles per hour, the vertical and horizontal alignment
of this street segment and the primary residential land use that abuts this segment
would necessitate a reduction in the posted speed limit from. 45 mile per hour to
40 miles per hour. The reduction in the speed limit in this segment of Citrus
Street, would also provide a uniform speed limit of 40 mile per hour with the
northerly segments from I-10 freeway to Vine Avenue.
F. Conclusion
Presently the posted speed limit for this segment of Citrus Street is 45 miles per
hour and the critical approach speed was measured at 43 miles per hour. In
accordance with the Manual, of Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) 2003
California Supplement, speed limits should be established at the nearest 5 mph
increment to the 85th percentile speed, which is defined as that speed which 85
percent of the traffic is moving. In addition, the vertical and horizontal alignment
of this street segment and the primary land use that abuts this segment should be
considered when establishing the speed limit. The adjacent segments of Citrus
Street are set at a limit of 40 miles per hour. Therefore, the reduction in the
posted speed limit from 45 mile per hour to 40 miles per hour for Citrus Street
from Vine Avenue and Hillside Drive will comply with the provision of the
MUTCD 2003 California Supplement and will provide for a uniform speed the
through out the length of Citrus Street.
Shannon A.Yauchzee
Public Works Director/City gEn ' '
Engineer �
CitrusStSpeedStudy2007`',� EXP. 9-30�;
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