HomeMy WebLinkAbouttecm_021495TRAFFIC ENGINEERING COMMITTEE
UKIAH CIVIC CENTER
Conference Room 3
300 Seminary Avenue
Ukiah, California 95482
FEBRUARY 14, 1995
MINUTES
MEMBERS PRESENT
BUDROW, Kenneth
FERNANDEZ, William
FORD, Steve
HARRIS, Michael
LOONEY, Jim
TURNER, Steve -Chairman
STAFF PRESENT
WOODS, Lazry
Associate Civil Engineer
Kathy Kinch
Recording Secretazy
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, Paragraph 3: Tedford is located in the County.
On Page 4, Paragraph 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 neaz future."
MWUTES OF THE TRAFFIC ENGn9EERWG COMMITTEE ~ FEBRUARY 14, 1995
Member Hazris made a correction on Page 4, Pazagraph 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 Harris, 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:
a. Request for Multi-Way scup (4-Wayl on South Dora Street at Wabash Avenue - Howazd Henly
Larry 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 pazked 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 bar 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 cazefully 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.
MINUTES OF THE TRAFFIC ENGINEERING COMMITTEE ~ FEBRUARY 14, 1995
The following conditions may warrant amulti-way stop sign installation:
Where traffic signals aze wazranted 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 collisions aswell asright-angle
collisions.
Minimum traffic volumes. The total vehicular 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 vehicular 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
vehiculaz 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 warrant 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 vehicular 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 regazding 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 carried 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 Drivewav at 617 South State Street (World Wide Travell and Red
Curb South and North of Driveway on Main Street -John Paiu
Larry Woods reported a request from John Paju, World Wide Travel, 617 South State Street, sight
distance is restricted by lazge truck pazked neaz driveways resulting in unsafe conditions. The curve in
Main Street adds to the problem. Mr. 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 COMMITTEE ~ FEBRUARY 14, 1995
Discussion followed regarding there does not appear to be an obstruction for sight distance north of the
driveway, and the angle of the curve on south bound Main Streets helps give clear 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 Timing and Responses for Signals at KUKI/State Street and Empire/State Street
Intersections -Don Fox. Count~Public Works -Verbal Repoli
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 aze no traffic
actuations. KUKI appeazs 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 car 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 regarding 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.
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
2. Open Highland Avenue to two-way traffic
Close Highland Avenue to
a breakaway barricade
(A) 13
(B) 7
Other
through traffic and install
MINUTES OF THE TRAFFIC ENGINEERING COMMTITEE A
16
16
19
4
FEERUARY 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, regardless of its design. Highland Avenue, in this portion, is the only
access to an azea 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 barricade, possibly placing
residents in a more hazazdous location because their exit route was blocked, or believed to be blocked.
Fire appazatus would also need room to turn around if a bazricade were installed. There is not enough
room for this maneuver on this street.
ON A MOTION by Member Budrow, seconded by Member Hazris, it was cazried 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 clear 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, Hazris,
Looney and Chairman Turner. NOES: Member Ford
COMMITTEE MEMBER REPORTS
None.
MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS
None.
AD.iOURNMENT
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 6:30 p.m.
,r' ~
Steve Turner, Chairman
. r ~,
Kathy Kinch, Rec ding Secretazy ~-~
aa~rec
M021A95
MINUTES OF THE TRAFFIC ENGINEERING COMMITTEE ~ FEBRUARY 14, 1995