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HomeMy WebLinkAbouttecp_100912TRAFFIC ENGINEERING COMMITTEE AGENDA UKIAH CIVIC CENTER Conference Room No. 3 300 Seminary Avenue Ukiah, California 95482 TUESDAY, OCTOBER 9, 2012 3:00 P.M. 1. CALL TO ORDER: Turner, Baxter, Seanor, Whitaker, Kageyama, Lampi, Taylor, Jordan 2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: February 14, 2012 3. AUDIENCE COMMENTS ON NON - AGENDA ITEMS: The Traffic Engineering Committee welcomes input from the audience. In order for everyone to be heard, please limit your comments to three (3) minutes per person and not more than 10 minutes per subject. The Brown Act regulations do not allow action to be taken on non - agenda items. 4. OLD BUSINESS: None 5. NEW BUSINESS: a. Discussion and Possible Action Regarding Traffic Concerns in the Vicinity of North Oak Street, Cypress Avenue, and North Pine Street (Report attached) b. Discussion and Possible Action Regarding crosswalk request - Observatory Avenue (Report Attached) 6. COMMITTEE MEMBER REPORTS: 7. MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS: 8. ADJOURNMENT: Please be advised that the City needs to be notified 72 hours in advance of a meeting if any specific accommodations or interpreter services are needed in order for you to attend. The City complies with ADA requirements and will attempt to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities upon request. I hereby certify under penalty of perjury under the laws of the State of California that the foregoing agenda was posted on the bulletin board at the main entrance of the City of Ukiah City Hall, located at 300 Seminary Avenue, Ukiah, California, not less than 72 hours prior to the meeting set forth on this agenda. Dated this 4th day of October, 2012. Jarod Thiele, Public Works Administration TRAFFIC ENGINEERING COMMITTEE MINUTES UKIAH CIVIC CENTER Conference Room No. 3 300 Seminary Avenue Ukiah, California 95482 TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2012 3:00 P.M. Members Present Steve Turner, Chair Dan Baxter, MTA, Vice -Chair Ben Kageyama, Staff John Lampi, Public Representative Trent Taylor, UPD Kim Jordan, Staff Jerry Whitaker, Staff Members Absent Rick Seanor, Staff 1. CALL TO ORE Turner/ 2. AP L O M/ " .�/ dr an/T' voice 3. AUDIENCC- The Traffic En please limit your Brown Act regula Tim & ;Todd Jamesl�Snnerton Secretary 10, 2011. Motion was carried by an all AYE UN- AULNUA I 1 LM5: welcomes input from the audience. In order for everyone to be heard, (3) minutes per person and not more than 10 minutes per subject. The action to be taken on non - agenda items. Jamie Connerton, resicjWrk 906 N. Oak Street was present to represent neighbors in the North Pine Street and Cypress Street area. A letter was submitted by interested neighbors asking for the City's attention to traffic safety issues in that area. Member Taylor commented that it didn't make it on the agenda so the Police Department can meet with the group as it is more of an enforcement issue. Mr. Connerton left the room at 3:05 pm. 4. OLD BUSINESS: 3:03pm j None TEC 2/14/12 Page 1 of 3 5. NEW BUSINESS: 3:04pm a. Discussion and Possible Action Regarding Gobbi St. -Oak Manor Dr.- Babcock Lane Intersection (Report attached) Chair Turner introduced the item and discussion ensued with the following comments: • The particular intersection is immediately at the City /County Limits • Bollards could be used to provide more safety to the affected corner but can't be put on private property due to planning requirements • Improvements have been made to the intersection since it was discussed at the TEC the last time • This was the second accident to the affecte me in the recent years • Traffic has increased since the reconstru the intersection and is suspected to increase as Riverside Park develop • The county's response was to not red ollards on public property • There was concern about puttin and in - ight of way • A barrier needs to be 3 feet or nd on priva perty • Placing a fence or guard raJ j/ ivate property co , ' e used as a barrier • It was noted that a fence or a could not be over • The committee suggested usi� a boul - s to prote�� area and is considered landscaping .j,,,,O %ii,,.. M /S: No motion was made as the comm Mrs. Todd left the room at 3 :31 pm. b. Discussion a ." 6ssiblL ion St. and along N', %yak Stre et Membwoo, I introdudi Iocatio St: us wW14s an issue on private property. Mr. and !parking Spaces at 260 S. School and Smith Street ensued with the following comments about the TheIft) towifi ing stud °p`� call for a certain amount of 24- munites zones • A parti mere,' is okay wi h them being removed The othe �% inuj/ es see more use that these particular ones /i %/ 4 j/� here are 2 jinutes � es in the back of the location • ,was recom ded to move the 24 minute zones or remove them completely M /S: Baxter/Whitaker to �jthis '' "';`to the next meeting so the committee can research where to move the 24 minute zones. j Discussion ensured in regards to the location on N. Oak Street between Standley and Smith Streets • Since the post office had moved, these spaces are not being utilized. M /S: Taylor /Jordan to recommend to the City Council to remove the 24- minute zones and turn them into 2 hour parking 6. COMMITTEE MEMBER REPORTS: 3:54pm None TEC 2/14/12 Page 2 of 3 7. MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS: 3:54am None 8. ADJOURNMENT:3:54pm M /S: Taylor/Whitaker to adjourn. Motion was carried by an all AYE voice vote. Meeting adjourned at 3:54 pm. Jar TEC 2/14/12 Page 3 of 3 CITY OF UKIAH MEMORANDUM DATE: October 4, 2012 TO: Traffic Engineering Committee FROM: Rick Seanor, Deputy Director of Public Worksj SUBJECT: Discussion and Possible Action Regarding Traffic Concerns in the Vicinity of North Oak Street, Cypress Avenue, and North Pine Street Agenda Item 5a. REQUEST: Several residents submitted a letter Attachment "A" requesting a chance to meet with the Traffic Engineering Committee and Police Department Representatives regarding traffic concerns in the vicinity of North Oak Street, Cypress Avenue, and North Pine Street. The residents cited the following concerns: speeding, reckless driving, and signage at North Pine Street and Cypress Avenue. DISCUSSION: North Oak Street is designated as a collector street and serves as an alternate route to connect Low Gap Road with downtown Ukiah. In May 2012, a speed survey completed on North Oak Street confirmed the posted 25 mph speed zone. This past summer, the speed radar trailer was posted on North Oak Street between Gibson Street and Cypress Avenue for several weeks. The speed radar trailer is an effective tool to provide direct feedback to drivers of their speed compared to the posted speed zone. In addition, the police department has, in the past, provided enforcement of vehicle speeds with officers parked on Cypress Avenue at North Oak Street. Cypress Avenue is a local street, providing access to the neighborhood as well as Pomolita School. North Pine Street is also classified as a local street. North Pine Street is fairly wide and has a valley gutter crossing, for street drainage, at its intersection with Cypress Avenue. There is an offset jog of Cypress Avenue at its intersection with North Pine Street. Please refer to the attached photo map, Attachment "B" for an aerial view of the intersection. Also, please refer to the photograph shown in Attachment "C" which represents the driver's eye view of the intersection. Staff researched the accident records for the North Pine Street and Cypress Avenue intersection. During the last nine years, there have been only two reported accidents at the intersection. Both of these accidents involved drivers who were driving under the influence. Upon review of signage applications for the intersection of North Pine Street and Cypress 1 Avenue, staff determined that a "DIP" sign with a 10 mph advisory speed plate would be appropriate for this location. In addition, staff determined that a turn sign with a 10 mph - Page 2 /1 Discussion and Possible Action Regarding Traffic Concerns in the Vicinity of North Oak Street, Cypress Avenue, and North Pine Street Agenda Item 5a. October 4, 2012 advisory speed plate would be appropriate for this location. RECOMMENDATION: 1) Post two each DIP signs with 10 mph advisory speed plates; 2) Post two each TURN signs with 10 mph advisory speed plates; 3) Take no action; 4) Refer to staff for further analysis. cc: file Attachment # RECEIVED -- DEC 2 2 2011 December 21, 2011. Chris Dewey, Chief of Police, City of Ukiah 300 Seminary Ave., Ukiah, Ca. 95482 CITY OF UKIAH DEPT. OF PUBLIC WORKS Dear Chief Dewey: Please consider this neighborhood appeal for traffic abatement assistance from the N. Oak St., N.Pine St., and east Cypress St. community. We are cc'ing this to the Traffic Engineering Committee through Public,Works, and to Captain Trent Taylor, who is listed as a police staff community contact. We hope to work with you to address serious speeding and reckless driving issues on our streets. We look forward to your reply, and meeting with you to address our safety problems. We understand staffing limitations and service needs throughout the city impact your and all city departments. We are appreciative of police response to emergency and service calls in our neighborhood, and to periodic placement of an unmanned speed monitoring unit on Oak St. However, increased high speed traffic on all three streets, and a recent repeat of a very dangerous accident on the curve of Pine and Cypress, have raised our concern. As you know, N. Oak St. is a narrow, 25. mph, alternative parallel route for N. State St. traffic from Low Gap to downtown, much used particularly during commute and school starting and ending hours. The .4 mi. stretch from Low Gap to Scott Sts., with no crosswalks, stop signs, or other traffic abatement, has a downgrade from Gibson St. to the Orr Creek Bridge where cars routinely pick up speed to 45 mph plus. Speeding on N. Oak is common from downtown north, too. N. Pine is a wide street commonly used at excessive speed by traffic to and from Bush St. It dips, curves, and twists at Cypress St., which sometimes surprises first time users. Regular users often speed up to the curve and dip and accelerate when through it We request to have representatives of our community meet with Police Department and Traffic Engineering Committee representatives to identify and work on ways of improving our streets' safety. We recognize that you, as the professionals, have perspectives, ideas, and resources about which we want to be educated. We are ready to participate in our own neighborhood protection, and have ideas of our own. A few specifics: in past years, a police speed monitoring car parked on Cypress between Oak and Pine appeared to have good results in catching speeders; we would like to have that service more often. We understand peak traffic hours (early morning, late afternoon) are also often police shift change hours; we'd like to identify times that would provide the most deterrence to speeders. We believe more frequent use of the unmanned speed monitor, and more speed limit signage on Oak and Pine would be helpful. A dip and curve sign for northbound traffic on Pine heading to Cypress, and reflectors on the curve, seem likely to be effective. We're interested in discussing possible crosswalks and traffic calming measures. Thank you for your attention. We will appreciate your response to one or more of our community representatives, listed on the next page with signatures. cc: Tim Ericksen, Rick Seanor, Public Works, Traffic Safety Committee, Police Capt. Trent Taylor t- t Community Representatives /Contacts Street RECEIVED DEC 2 2 2011 CITY OF UKIAH DEPT. OF PUBLIC WORKS Name (Print) Address Phone Signature se4c 7 60 Al OAK '-/6q-67v 6 3� RS 0 i liq 1 , I Ct1�1 �1 uc�V�U e �k C rig sh r i vY. Community a orite t, Name(Print) Stree Phone Address N, '?Z)I Signature e' P,4 r�s��� Bbd ,uvM< Ari "-/ 6�,, e��v 4,� or,/,-, � /- T,�� I �I I I gbZL— cl'� -- ( o ve r- m Attachment # N. PINE ST. AND CYPRESS AVE. INTERSECTION 1 inch= 100 feet Photo Date: March 2001 $Jl {2i i 4 if i f , Fill,� } • 1, I'r �� �yk?z a ILr��i� i + °Yfp r � f l s. Jet ^ 4y is M -.Jj ^'� U 'i,i I�1 r: u^ 4..•., f t N'i D I P j 1 {f Ste: f 0!` 0'1/2012 CITY OF UKIAH MEMORANDUM DATE: October 4, 2012' TO: Traffic Engineering Committee FROM: Rick Seanor, Deputy Director of Public Works SUBJECT: Discussion and Possible Action Regarding Crosswalk Request — Observatory Avenue Agenda Item 5b. REQUEST: Staff received a letter, Attachment "A ", from Martin Bradley requesting that a crosswalk be placed on Observatory Avenue at Marwen Drive for students and other pedestrians walking to and from the Community Transition Program located at 432 Observatory Avenue. DISCUSSION: Observatory Avenue is an east — west street connecting South State Street with Helen Avenue. There is one lane of traffic for each direction with curbside parking generally unrestricted. Marwen Drive ends at a "T- intersection" with Observatory Avenue opposite the Community Transition Program. There are no ADA curb ramps at the intersection of Marwen Drive with Observatory Avenue. Please refer to the attached photo map, Attachment "B" for an aerial view of the location for the proposed crosswalk. In May 2012, a speed survey completed on Observatory Avenue confirmed the posted 25 mph speed zone. A crosswalk as proposed at the Community Transition Program would be considered a "mid block crosswalk" since there is not a through cross street intersection at the requested location. Mid block crosswalks are not generally preferred since drivers do not expect crosswalks at locations other than intersections. In addition, crosswalks can give pedestrians a false sense of security that they are protected from traffic. The proposed crosswalk, however, would provide the necessary channelization to ensure that all pedestrians cross at the specified location. In the event that a crosswalk is installed at the requested location, trained crossing guards could be utilized to provide additional safety measures for students crossing the street. For reference, an excerpt from the California Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD), 2012 Edition, regarding crosswalk applications is attached. Please refer to Attachment "C ". RECOMMENDATION: Staff is submitting this report for review and discussion by the TEC. Staff has provided the following options for consideration: 1. Recommend approval of crosswalk. 2. Refer to staff for further analysis. 3. Deny request for crosswalk. enc cc: file Martin gjradley 1 10 1 W. Clay 5treet (Alaah, CA 95482 707.489.4607 - 6rad1eym0Pa6fic.net Rick Seanor Deputy Director of Public Works City of Ukiah 300 Seminary Drive Ukiah, CA 95482 Dear Mr. Seanor, Attachment # <<A ,, RECEIVED OCT -22012 CITY OF UKIAH DEPT. OF PUBLIC WORKS October 1, 2012 I am writing on behalf of the students, staff and parents of the Ukiah Unified School District's (UUSD) Community Transition Program (CTP) located at 432 Observatory Avenue. Many of the students are cognitively impaired or have disabilities. As you may know, there is no sidewalk on the north side of Observatory Avenue west of Alice Avenue to Observatory Park. To go to Observatory Park, pedestrians must walk on the street passed parked cars or cross diagonally to the south side of Observatory Avenue until they come to Marwen Drive, then cross, without the benefit of a crosswalk, to the south entrance of Observatory Park and the CTP. If there were to be a crosswalk located at Marlow Avenue, it would be possible for pedestrians leaving Observatory Park, to cross safely, walk on the south side of Observatory and then cross back on Dora Street to proceed north or south. Observatory Avenue has no stop signs or crosswalks or other designed or natural traffic calming measures. There are, three other streets that turn onto or off of Observatory; Alice Street, Marwen Drive and Albright Place. The major east -west streets that serve the Westside neighborhoods south of the Mendocino Gardens subdivision from Dora to Helen (almost % of a mile) are all approximately % mile in length and have fewer streets entering or exiting them than Observatory, and most have at least one crosswalk. • Mendocino Drive meanders as a traffic calming measure, and has one school crosswalk. • Luce Avenue, though wider than Observatory, has only Alice Street entering and exiting it. • Washington Avenue is narrower than Observatory and Luce, one street, Marwen Drive, entering it and three crosswalks to serve the students attending Yokayo Elementary Observatory Avenue is a busy, well traveled corridor for residents living west of Dora and north of Observatory in the Westside residential district. Cars tend to accelerate posing a risk, particularly to children who visit the Park from the private school at the Baptist Church on Alice and Observatory and the students at UUSD Community Transition Program. We understand that installing sidewalks on the north side of Observatory Avenue would be very costly, however we believe that a crosswalk configuration located at Marlow and Observatory would reduce the problem until sidewalks can be built. I have attached several photos to document the area we are discussing. Thank you for your consideration I look forward to working with you to solve this problem and I'm available to meet you in the field to help you measure and to attend the traffic Commission meeting on the October 9, 2012. Please do not hesitate to call me or email me if you have any questions. Sincerely 4" 4l--,r Martin Bradley s a 0 4 >r a� a >r a H H H O V. 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MARKINGS Page 1281 Section 7C.01 Functions and Limitations Support: of Markings have definite and important functions in a proper scheme of school area traffic control. In some cases, they are used to supplement the regulations or warnings provided by other devices, such as traffic signs or signals. In other instances, they are used alone and produce results that cannot be obtained by the use of any other device. In such cases they serve as an effective means of conveying certain regulations, guidance, and warnings that could not otherwise be made clearly understandable. 02 Pavement markings have some potential limitations. They might be obscured by snow, might not be clearly visible when wet, and might not be durable when subjected to heavy traffic. In spite of these potential limitations, they have the advantage, under favorable conditions, of conveying warnings or information to the road user without diverting attention from the road. Section 7C.02 Crosswalk Markings ` Standard: ooa When transverse crosswalk lines are used, they shall be solid white or yellow, marking both edges of the crosswalk,. except as noted in the Option. Refer to CVC 21368. They shall be not less than 12 inches nor greater than 24 inches in width. Guidance: 00b If transverse crosswalk lines are used to mark a crosswalk, the gap between the lines should not be less than 6 feet. If diagonal or longitudinal lines are used without transverse lines to mark a crosswalk, the crosswalk width should not be less than 6 feet. ooc Crosswalk lines on both sides of the crosswalk should extend across the full width of pavement or to the edge of the intersecting crosswalk to discourage diagonal walking between crosswalks. of Crosswalks should be marked at all intersections on established routes to a school where there is substantial conflict between motorists, bicyclists, and student movements; where students are encouraged to cross between intersections; where students would not otherwise recognize the proper place to cross; or where motorists or bicyclists might not expect students to cross (see Figure 7A -1). 02 Crosswalk lines should not be used indiscriminately. An engineering study considering the factors described in Section 3B.18 should be performed before a marked crosswalk is installed at a location away from a traffic control signal or an approach controlled by a STOP or YIELD sign. 03 Because non - intersection school crossings are generally unexpected by the road user, warning signs (see Sections 7B. 11 and 7B. 12) should be installed for all marked school crosswalks at non - intersection locations. Adequate visibility of students by approaching motorists and of approaching motorists by students should be provided by parking prohibitions or other appropriate measures. Support: 04 Section 3B.18 contains provisions regarding the placement and design of crosswalks, and Section 3B..16 contains provisions regarding the placement and design of the stop lines and yield lines that are associated with them. Provisions regarding the curb markings that can be used to establish parking regulations on the approaches to crosswalks are contained in Section 3B.23. Option: o5 For added visibility, the area of the crosswalk may be marked with white or yellow diagonal lines at a 45- degree angle to the line of the crosswalk or with white or yellow longitudinal lines parallel to traffic flow. Refer to CVC 21368, When diagonal or longitudinal lines are used to mark a crosswalk, the transverse crosswalk lines may be omitted. Guidance: os The diagonal or longitudinal lines should be 12 to 24 inches wide and spaced 12 to 60 inches apart. The spacing design should avoid the wheel paths. Support: 07 Examples of school area signing, markings, flashing beacons and overhead school signs are shown in Figures 713-11 (CA), 76- 5(CA), 713-4 through 713 -6 and Figures 7B- 101(CA) through 713- 104(CA), Chapter 7C — Markings January 13, 2012 Part 7 — Traffic Control for School Areas California MUTCD 2012 Edition Page 1282 (FHWA's MUTCD 2009 Edition, as amended for use in California) oa Refer to CVC 2136 for crosswalks near schools. Standard: os Whenever a marked pedestrian crosswalk has been established in a roadway contiguous to a school building or school grounds, it shall be yellow. If any one of the crosswalks is required to be yellow at an intersection, then all other marked pedestrian crosswalks at that intersection shall also be yellow. Refer to CVC 21368. Option: io A marked pedestrian crosswalk may be yellow if the nearest point of the crosswalk is not more than 600 feet from a school building or school grounds. Refer to CVC 21368. >> A marked pedestrian crosswalk may be yellow if the nearest point of the crosswalk is not more than 2800 feet from a school building or school grounds and there are no intervening crosswalks other than those contiguous to the school grounds, and it appears that the facts and circumstances require special marking for the protection and safety of persons attending the school, Refer to CVC 21368. ., Section 7C.03 Pavement Word, Symbol, and Arrow Markings 7f .d the A mafk4ng may extend to toe width of two appfeaeh lanes (see Figure 7C-4-)-. Ol xx used, cuc c GH 02 Support: 03 Section 3B.20 contains provisions regarding other word, symbol, and arrow pavement markings that can be used to guide, warn, or regulate traffic. Standard: oa If used, the SCHOOL pavement marking shown in Figure 7C- 101(CA) shall be used and it shall be restricted to a single lane. Guidance: } 05 On State highways, all letters, numerals, and symbols should be in accordance with the Department of Transportation's Standard Plans publication. See Section 1A. 11 for more information regarding this publication. Standard: os The SLOW SCHOOL XING marking shall be used in accordance with the provisions of CVC 21368 in advance of all yellow school crosswalks (see Figure 7C-101 (CA)). They shall not be used where the crossing is controlled by stop signs, traffic signals, or yield signs. They shall be yellow, with the word XING at least 100 feet in advance of the school crosswalk. Option: 07 The SCHOOL XING marking and crosswalks may be used at remote locations outside of the school zone. Support: oa Remote crosswalk locations are locations near schools, which are not included in CVC 21368 criteria. Also refer to Section 7C.03. Standard: os If the SCHOOL XING marking and crosswalks are used at remote locations outside of the school zone, they shall not be yellow (Refer to CVC 21368), but white. Guidance: to The SCHOOL XING marking should be used in advance of all white school crosswalks. Option: 11 The SCHOOL marking may be used with the School Assemblies A(CA) or C(CA), except at locations where SLOW SCHOOL XING markings are required. Standard: 12 If the SCHOOL marking is used with the School Assemblies A(CA) or C(CA) (See Section 713.11), it shall be yellow. Guidance: 131f used, the SCHOOL marking should be located adjacent to the School Assemblies A(CA) or C(CA) (See Section 78.11). Chapter 7C — Markings January 13, 2012 Part 7 — Traffic Control for School Areas