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HomeMy WebLinkAbouttecp_031495TRAFr'C ENGINEERING COMN''TTEE UKIAH CIVIC CENTER Conference Room 3 300 Seminary Avenue Ukiah, California 95482 MARCH 14, 1995 5:30 P.M. AGENDA KENNEDY, BUDROW, FERNANDEZ, FORD, HARRIS, LOONEY AND TURNER I. CALL TO ORDER II. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: NONE III. 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. IV. DISCUSSION/ACTION ITEMS: NEW BUSINESS a. Request for the Removal of a "NO PARKING" Zone and the Establishment of a Loading Zone along State Street in Front of Motosports of Ukiah, 724 South State Street -Paul Kobetz b. Request for aTwo-Way Stop at North Spring Street and Willow Avenue - Donna Ruoff c. Stop Sign on Hastings Road at Commerce Drive -Jim Looney, Public Works Superintendent a. Reconsider Request for Red Curb South of Driveway at 617 South State Street (World Wide Travel) and Red Curb South and North of Driveway on Main Street -John Paju and John Leonard V. COMMITTEE MEMBER REPORTS VI. MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS VII. ADJOURNMENT R:1\TEC A031495 TRAFFIC ENGINEERING COMMITTEE UHIAH CIVIC CENTER Conference Room 3 300 Seminary Avenue Ukiah, California 95482 FEBRUARY 14, 1995 MINUTES BUDROW, Kenneth FERNANDEZ, William FORD, Steve HARRIS, Michael LOONEY, Tim TURNER, Steve -Chairman STAFF PRESENT WOODS, Lazry Associate Civil Engineer Kathy Kinch Recording Secretary MEMBERS ABSENT KENNEDY, Rick OTHERS PRESENT Howard Henly The Traffic Engineering Committee meeting was called to order by Chairman Turner at 5:36 p.m. Roll was called with the results listed above. APPROVAL OF MINUTES -DECEMBER 13, 1994 Member Ford made a correction on Page 3, Pazagraph 3: Tedford is located in the County. On Page 4, Pazagraph 2, delete the words prima facia and add speed limit, the sentence to read: "Member Kennedy advised Lorraine Street is within the residential district as deFined in the Vehicle Code and the speed limit is 25 M.P.H. pursuant to Section 22352 of the Code." Member Budrow made a correction on Page 4, Paragraph 4, delete the word directors and add diverters, the sentence to read: "The type and proposed locations for the traffic diverters will be discussed with the residents in the near future." MINUTES OF THE TRAFFIC ENGnYEERU]G COMMITTEE 1 FEBRUARY 14, 1995 Member Harris made a correction on Page 4, Paragraph 4, delete the word humps and add bumps, the sentence to read: "A possible diverter or deterrent to be discussed aze speed bumps." ON A MOTION by Member Hazris, seconded by Member Budrow, it was cazried by an all AYE vote to approve the minutes of Februazy 14, 1995, as corrected. ABSTAIN: FERNANDEZ, William ABSENT: Member Kennedy. AUDIENCE COMMENTS ON NON-AGENDA ITEMS Chairman Turner read "Audience Comments on Non-Agenda Items" to those present. DISCUSSION/ACTION ITEMS: UNFINISHED BUSINESS a. Rye uest for Multi-Way Stop (4-Wayl on South Dora Street at Wabash Avenue - Howazd Henly Lazry Woods, Associate Civil Engineer, reported a request from Mr. Henly, 1321 Laurel Avenue, was received for amulti-way (4-way) stop on South Dora Street and Wabash Avenue. Mr. Henly expressed the traffic at the intersection has increased due to the new County Clinic and the Adventist Church located within the azea. There aze children walking to and from Nokomis School. There aze vehicles pazked on Dora, both sides, making it difficult to see on-coming traffic in both direction. He is requesting easier access onto Dora from Wabash Avenue. Field observations indicate that a crest vertical curve starts approximately 250 feet north of Wabash Avenue, and from the viewpoint of a driver at the stop baz on Wabash Avenue, the sight distance to oncoming traffic is approximately 300 feet when there are no obstructions from parked vehicles. The minimum sight distance at 35 M.P.H. is 250 feet. The intersection is currently atwo-way stop for east and west bound traffic on Wabash. From a review of the most current SWITRS (State-Wide Integrated Traffic Reporting System) report, one traffic accident was reported to occur near this intersection within the 12 month period from July 1, 1993 to June 30, 1994. The incident involved a vehicle backing into a pazked caz on Wabash 100 feet east of South Dora Street on May 12, 1994, at 4:30 p.m. On two occasions a small truck parked approximately 75 feet north of Wabash on the west side of South Dora Street. A vehicle of that height pazked in that position does block a driver's view of a sizable section of South Dora Street. When stopped at the stop bar, it was possible to see approaching traffic by looking behind the pazked vehicle. If more than one vehicle is pazked in this azea, it can be difficult to see oncoming traffic from the stop baz position. The sight distance condition at this intersection is not unlike many other intersections where pazked vehicles or street trees block part of the view of oncoming traffic and it is necessazy to carefully move from the stop bar position to a point farther out to check that it is safe to proceed through the intersection. A striped bicycle path on South Dora Street makes it easier to accomplish. MWUTES OF THE TRAFFIC ENGINEERIIJG COMMITTEE ~ FEBRUARY 14, 1995 The following conditions may wazrant a multi-way stop sign installation: Where traffic signals are warranted and urgently needed. An accident problem, as indicated by 5 or more reported accidents within a 12 month period. Such accidents include right- and left-turn wllisions as well as right-angle collisions. Minimum traffic volumes. The total vehiculaz volume entering the intersection from all approaches must average at least 500 vehicles per hour for any 8 hours of an average day. The combined vehiculaz and pedestrian volume from the minor street must average at least 200 units per hour for the same 8 hours, with an average delay to minor street vehicular traffic of at least 30 seconds per vehicle during the maximum hour. When the 85 percentile approach speed of the major street traffic exceeds 40 M.P.H., the minimum vehicular volume wazrant is 70 percent of the above requirements. A Vehicle Volume Summary was performed on January 4, 5, 12 and 17, 1995. Actual total vehicles through the intersection during the peak period from 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. was 3,319. The maximum vehicles per hour for any 8 hours of an average day is 415 vehicles per hour. The combined vehiculaz and pedestrian volume from the minor street averaged 72 units per hour for the same 8 hours. The actual total vehicles and pedestrians from the minor street during a peak 8 hour period was 573 units. The 85 percentile approach speed of the major street traffic was 34 M.P.H. and did not exceed the 40 M.P.H. From the information known at this time, it can be determined that the warrants for amulti-way stop are not met. Member Budrow advised the mobile trailer that displays vehiculaz speed can be placed at the intersection of South Dora Street and Wabash Avenue. Discussion followed regarding the mobile trailer has a computer and printer to record speed, the number of vehicles passing the unit, and the vehicular speed; and using the mobile unit for traffic studies. ON A MOTION by Member Ford, seconded by Member Harris, it was cazried by an all AYE vote, that the request for Multi-way stop on South Dora Street and Wabash Avenue be denied, based on the information known at this time that the warrants for amulti-way stop are not met. NEW BUSINESS a. Request for Red Curb South of Driveway at 617 South State Street (World Wide Travel) and Red Curb South and North of Driveway on Main Street -John Paju Larry Woods reported a request from John Paju, World Wide Travel, 617 South State Street, sight distance is restricted by large truck parked near driveways resulting in unsafe conditions. The curve in Main Street adds to the problem. Mc Paju has discussed this with Chief Keplinger and was given the impression that red curbs would be an appropriate solution. MINUTES OF THE TRAFFIC ENGINEERING COMMTITEE ~ FEBRUARY 14, 1995 Discussion followed regarding there does not appeaz to be an obstruction for sight distance north of the driveway, and the angle of the curve on south bound Main Streets helps give cleaz sight visibility; and the State Street driveway is an ingress driveway only. ON A MOTION by Member Woods, seconded by Member Looney, it was cazried by an all AYE vote, that the request for red curb south of driveway at 617 South State Street (World Wide Travel) and red curb south and north of driveway on Main Street, be denied based on the fact there is no sight restrictions. b. Traffic Signal Timine and Responses for Sifnals at KUKI/State Street and Empire/State Street Intersections -Don Fox. County Public Works -Verbal Report Lazry Woods reported Don Fox, County Public Works, expressed that the detector loops for northbound traffic do not activate the northbound through phase. KUKI rests in green when there are no traffic actuations. KUKI appears to have an unusually long green time that delays traffic on North State Street. Empire reacts quickly to actuation. Empire appeazs to have an unusually long green time that delays traffic on North State Street. Ford Road left-turn phase will sometimes not be actuated when a caz is on the loop. Turn is westbound Ford to southbound State Street. Mr. Woods advised Staff is checking loop detectors and timing on both signals. Discussion followed regazding the traffic signal at KUKI is within the County and maintained by the City; the traffic signal at Empire three legs is County and the Empire leg is in within City limits and maintained by the City; when a detector loop is broken it gives a constant call; there aze two broken loops on KUKI and broken loops on Empire; and during evening hours when there is no traffic on these streets there is a red light on State at both locations. ON A MOTION by Member Budrow, seconded by Member Ford, it was cazried by an all AYE vote, that the traffic signal timing and responses for signals at KUKI/State Street and Empire/State Street intersection be referred to Public Works and coordinate repairs with the County. UNFINISHED BUSINESS b. Questionnaire Results Concerning Request for Barricade on Highland Avenue Larry Woods reported the summary responses from residents aze as follows: 1. Keep Highland Avenue as is 16 2. Open Highland Avenue to two-way traffic 16 3. Close Highland Avenue to through traffic and install a breakaway barricade 19 (A) 13 (B) 7 4. Other 4 MINUTES OF THE TRAFFIC ENGINEERING COMMITTEE A FEBRUARY 14, 1995 He noted on Item No. 3 some residents selected both A and B locations. The resident had no preference as to which location. The Fire Department opposes the installation of a bazricade on any public street. Such a device would limit emergency access to the azea, regazdless of its design. Highland Avenue, in this portion, is the only access to an area of critical importance and potential danger from wildfire threatening homes or a home fire threatening wildland. Evacuation of residents would also be effected by a bazricade, possibly placing residents in a more hazardous location because their exit route was blocked, or believed to be blocked. Fire apparatus would also need room to turn azound if a barricade were installed. There is not enough room for this maneuver on this street. ON A MOTION by Member Budrow, seconded by Member Harris, it was carried by a consensus vote, that the Traffic Engineering Committee take no action and that Highland Avenue remain as is, because there is no cleaz consensus from the questionnaire and no cleaz solution. The highest response is indirect opposition to the safety factor by the Fire Department. The safety aspect is in conflict with the proposal and limit public safety access by the Fire Department. AYES: Members Budrow, Fernandez, Harris, Looney and Chairman Turner. NOES: Member Ford COMMITTEE MEMBER REPORTS None. MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS None. AD.TOURNMENT There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 6:30 p.m. ~' Steve Turner, Chairman ~( ~' 9 i" 1 t ~~,0 d 1.~~,~ Kathy Kinch, Rec ding Secretary R:1\TEC M021495 MINUTES OF THE TRAFFIC ENGINEERING COMMITTEE C FEBRUARY 14, 1995 ~L j", ,r' i ~l \H, U 95482-5400 MMIN. 707/463-6200 PUBLIC SHFETY 46}6242/6274 rnx i 707/4636204 Mazch 7, 1995 Mr. John Paju Mr. John Leonazd WORLDWIDE TRAVEL HOME FEDERAL SAVINGS AND LOAN 617 South State Street 607 South State Street Ukiah, California 95482 Ukiah, California 95482 RE: REQUEST FOR "NO PARKING" ZONES ON THE WEST SIDE OF MAIN ALONG REFERENCED BUSINESS PROPERTIES Gentlemen: As a follow-up to your request fora "NO PARKING" zone on the west side of Main Street along your respective businesses, I have agendized this matter for the Traffic Engineering Committee's reconsideration at their meeting of Mazch 14, 1995, at 5:30 p.m. at the Civic Center, Conference Room 3. May I recommend that you attend the meeting to express your concerns to the Committee. In response to your request that I simply paint the curb red, the City's Municipal Code does not authorize the Public Works Director/City Engineer to establish "NO PARKING" zones. The Code specifically authorizes the Traffic Engineer of the City to establish such zones, and as defined in the Code, the Traffic Engineering Committee is the Traffic Engineer. truly, Director of Pubic Works/City cc: Traffic Engineering Committee Btl REC LWORLDWB)B "We Are Here To Serve" M•E•M•O•R•A•N•D•U•M DATE: March 7, 1995 TO: TRAFFIC ENGINEERING COMMITTEE FROM: Rick H. Kennedy, Director of Public Works/City Engineer ~.~ RE: REQUEST FOR "NO PARKING" ZONE WEST SIDE OF MAIN IN THE VICINITY OF HOME FEDERAL AND WORLDWIDE TRAVEL Business Owners/Representatives of Worldwide Travel and Home Federal Savings and Loan seeks the Committee's reconsideration of their request fora "NO PARKING" zone on the west side of Main Street along the frontage of their businesses. The Business Owners/Representatives wish to address the Committee. ftKK:~ BJ AT2C MWORLDWNE ~r~ HOME FEDERAL SAVINGS AND LOAN ASSOCIATION Of SAN FRANCISCO 54 YEARS OFSfRVICE TO NORTHERN CALIFORNIA (707) 937-2332 Local call from Mendocino Coast r1~~7 ~ -~~S @ {E_C_'~ N a N _,~.__ M,q-~n1 ST2G~T -~ 5 ~r- - z ~~ ~ ~ ~ -~ ~ ~ ~ o ~ ~~ .~ U ~~ t 5-r~Te s-r~->=-~ JOHN LEONARD 607 S. STATE STREET LOAN MANAGER UKIAF' 'A 95482 WORLDWIDE TRAVEL February 22, 1995 Rick Kennedy, Chief of Engineering City of Ukiah 300 Seminary Avenue Ukiah, CA 95482 Mr. Kennedy: As concerned business people, we would like to have you reconsider our request for "red lining" of curb areas surrounding our business. The approaches and exits near WORLDWIDE TRAVEL and HOME FEDERAL SAVINGS AND LOAN are Dangerous to our customers, especially the Main Street area, which is impossible to see on-coming traffic when large vehicles are parked in those spots. Both myself of WORLDWIDE TRAVEL and John Leonard of HOME FEDERAL SAVINGS AND LOAN are respectfully requesting that this painting be done as quickly as possible. We are both available to meet with your appropriate committee should you deem it necessary, although this simple but very important request seems easily solved by your approval alone. Please call me, John Paju at 462-1557 or John Leonard at 468-5196 if you need further input. Thank you for your expeditious assistance! Best Regards, WO IDE [~[~[~~///~~~i)))_...VE-L HOME FEDERAL SAVINGS AND IRAN Joh Paj~i G`~ _ J n onard JP/jj CC: Fred Keplinger Larry DeNoble Larry woods 617 SOUTH STATE STREET, UKIAH, CALIFORNIA 95482 UKIAH (707) 462-0911 OR NATIONWIDE (800) 822-0108 `F'riendly Travel Help" M•E•M•O•R•A•N•D•U•M DATE: March 7, 1995 TO: TRAFFIC ENGINEERING COMMITTEE FROM: Jim Looney, Public Works Superintendent RE: STOP SIGN ON HASTINGS ROAD AT COMMERCE DRIVE The intersection of Hastings Road, Commerce Drive and Airport Road is a 3-way intersection with one stop sign on the north bound entrance from Airport Road. Vehicles traveling south on Hastings Road are at risk of colliding with vehicles making a left turn from Commerce Drive onto Airport Road. On numerous occasions I have observed hesitation and uncertainty from drivers on the non-regulate entrances to the intersection. California Department of Transportation traffic manual restricts the installation of a stop sign, at any entrance to an intersection controlled by an official signal or railroad crossing with an automatic signal. Commerce Drive has an automatic signal control at the railroad crossing to prevent an accident due to uncertainty over right-of-way. I recommend a stop sign be installed on Hastings Road at the south bound entrance to the Hastings-Commerce-Airport Road intersection. IL:tlc B:11TEC MIIASTMGS 4-38 31987 SIGNS Traffic Manual POLICY A STOP sign is not a "cure-a1P' and is not a substitute for other traffic control devices. Many times the need for a STOP sign can be eliminated if the sight distance is Increased by remoJing the obstructions. STOP signs shall not be erected at nor gates, or Otner train-actuetetl control tleVlceS ex t as provided in CVC 21355, Stop Signs The conflicting commands of two types of control devices are con- fusing. If traffic is required to stop when the operation of the stop-and-go signals is not warranted, the signals should be put on flashing operation with the red flashing light facing the traffic that must stop. Where two main highways intersect, the STOP sign or signs should normally be posted on the minor street to stop the lesserflow of traffic. Traffic engineering studies, however, may justify a decision to install a STOP sign or signs on the major street, as at a three- way intersection where safety considerations may justify stopping the greater flow of traffic to permit cleft-turning movement. STOP signs should not be installed indiscriminately at all unprotected reilroad crossings. The allowance of STOP signs at all such crossings would eventually breed contempt for both law enforcement, and obedience to the sign's command to stop. STOP signs may only be used at selected reil/highway grade crossings aker their need has been determined by a traffic engineering study. Such study should consider approach speeds, sight distance restrictions, volumes, accident records, etc. This application of STOP signs should be an Interim use period during which plans for lights, gates or other means of control are being prepared. Portable orpart-time STOP signs shall not be used except for emergency purposes. Also, STOP signs should not be used for speed control. ~ Multiway STOP signs The "Multiway Stop" installation may be useful at some locations. It should ordinarily be used only where the volume of traffic on the intersecting roads is approx- imatelyequal. Atraffic control signal is more satisfactory for an intersection with a heavy volume of traffic. d~ M•E•M•O•R•A•N•D•U•M DATE: March 7, 1995 TO: TRAFFIC ENGINEERING COMMITTEE FROM: Rick H. Kennedy, Director of Public Works/City Engineer ~.Y RE: REQUEST FOR STOP SIGN AT NORTH SPRING AND WILLOW AVENUE A request has been received from Donna Ruoff fora 2-way stop at North Spring Street and Willow Avenue. Her request follows a recent accident at the intersection involving her daughter, on February 27, 1995. The intersection of North Spring and Willow Avenue is currently uncontrolled. It has been verified from a recent field survey that visual obstructions for approaching motorists exist at the northwest, southeast, and northeast corners. A high hedge within the pazkway and a fence obstruct the visual detection of west bound vehicles on Willow for northbound motorists on Spring Street. Trees and other vegetation on the corner lot at the northwest comer and parked cars on the north side of the Willow west approach obstruct the visual detection of east and west bound vehicles on Willow for south bound motorists on Spring. Between Clay Street and Walnut Avenue, there are currently 2-way stops on Spring at Clay, Perkins, Standley, and Walnut and 2-way stops on the intersecting streets of Smith and Church. The Willow and Spring intersection is the only intersection along Spring between Clay and Walnut that is uncontrolled. Willow extends approximately 300 feet west of Spring and dead ends at Dora and would be classified as the minor approach. As reported in SWITRS, there was one traffic accident on Spring Street 89 feet south of Willow between September 30, 1994 and January, 1990. The accident is reported as anon-collision involving a 15 year old male bicyclist. As relayed to Lazry Woods by the requestor, the tow truck driver who removed the damaged vehicles from the incident location on February 27, 1995, stated that he has towed other cars from this location that had similaz accidents. Pursuant to warrants published in the traffic manual, a stop sign may be warranted on a minor approach to the intersection where the safe approach speed to the intersection is less than 10 M.P.H. Given the visual obstructions as previously mentioned, the safe approach speed to this intersection is less than 10 M.P.H. It is recommended by the City Engineer that the Traffic Committee make a recommendation to City Council that a 2-way stop be established at the intersection of Willow Avenue and North Spring Street, and the east and west bound traffic on Willow be required to stop. N~:~ Bd\TEC MSPRING M•E•M•O•R•A•N•D•U•M DATE: March 7, 1995 TO: TRAFFIC ENGINEERING COMMITTEE FROM: Rick H. Kennedy, Director of Public Works/City Engineer ~~ RE: REQUEST FOR THE REMOVAL OF A "NO PARKING" ZONE AND THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A LOADING ZONE ALONG STATE STREET IN FRONT OF MOTOSPORTS, 724 SOUTH STATE STREET Mr. Paul Kobetz with Motosports of Ukiah is requesting the removal of an existing red curb zone between the two (2) drive aprons for the business property located at 724 South State Street and replacing the "NO PARKING" zone with a loading zone. Because of the limited and restricted off-street parking facilities for the business property, it is necessary that operators of delivery vehicles park in the red zone to make deliveries to Motosports. The operators are being issued parking tickets or warnings for parking in the red zone. Although the distance of the red zone between the drive aprons is short, it should be sufficient for the loading and unloading for deliveries. The City Manager and City Engineer support the establishment of the unloading zone. Pursuant to Section 7180 of the Ukiah Municipal Code, the Traffic Engineer is authorized to establish loading zones at the following locations: 1. At any place in the central traffic district or in any business district. 2. Elsewhere in front of the entrance to any place of business or in front of any hall or place used for the purpose of public assembly. RKK:kt R:1\TEC MMOTOSPoRTS