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HomeMy WebLinkAbout4.03 Speed Limit Dublin Blvd~~~~ OF Dp~~~~ ~ i9`~~~%Z STAFF REPORT C I T Y C L E R K ~`c~ ~ ~ ~ DUBLIN CITY COUNCIL File # ^~0^~ -~~ ~LIFOR~ DATE: October 5, 2010 TO: Honorable Mayor and City Councilmembers FROM: , Joni Pattillo, City Manager SUBJE . Review of Engineering Survey Results and Establishment of Speed Limits for Dublin Boulevard, Central Parkway, Fallon Road and Lockhart Street Prepared By: Jaimee Bourgeois, Senior Civil Engineer (Traffic) EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: This is the second reading of an ordinance introduced at the regularly scheduled City Council meeting of September 21, 2010. The ordinance will establish, based on the findings of engineering and traffic surveys, new speed limits of 45 mph on Dublin Boulevard between Tassajara Road and Fallon Road, 35 mph on Central Parkway between Tassajara Road and Fallon Road, 45 mph on Fallon Road between South City Limit and Bent Tree Drive, and 30 mph on Lockhart Street between Dublin Boulevard and Gleason Drive. FINANCIAL IMPACT: The cost to install new speed limit signs on the four roadways is approximately $2,000. This can be covered in the Fiscal Year 2010-11 Street Maintenance Operating Budget. RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends that the City Council waive the reading and ADOPT the ordinance amending the Dublin Traffic Code to establish a new speed limit on portions of Dublin Boulevard (Tassajara Road to Fallon Road), Central Parkway (Tassajara Road to Fallon Road), Fallon Road (South~ity Limit to Bent Tree Drive) and Lockhart Street (Dublin Boulevard to Gleason Drive). ~ / ~ , ~-~' Submitted By Public Works Director v' Revie y Assistant City Manager Page 1 of 3 ITEM NO. ~• '~ DESCRIPTION: Backqround The California Vehicle Code (CVC) provides that police may use radar for speed enforcement as long as certain criteria are met. For roadways that are defined as local roads on the federal roadway classification map or, if not shown on that map, roads that are (1) not more than 40 feet in width, (2) not more than one half mile of uninterrupted length, and (3) not more than one traffic lane in each direction, a prima facie 25 mph speed limit may be used without performing a survey. For all other roadways, an engineering and traffic survey (E&TS) is required to establish a speed limit that can be enforced by means of radar. The four roadways under consideration include Dublin Boulevard between Tassajara Road and Fallon Road, Central Parkway between Tassajara Road and Fallon Road, Fallon Road between South City Limit and Bent Tree Drive and Lockhart Street between Dublin Boulevard and Gleason Drive. These roadway segments are relatively new for which the federal roadway classification map has not yet been updated to reflect the appropriate classification. Each should be classified as either Collector or Arterial; therefore, an E&TS is required for each to establish an appropriate speed limit that is enforceable by means of radar. This staff report discusses the results of the E&TS and the recommended new speed limits for each roadway. Because tk~ese are relatively new roadways, E&TS have not yet been completed; therefore, none yet have legal enforceable speed limits. Procedure for Establishinq a Speed Limit The operative criterion determined by an E&TS is the "85th percentile" or "critical" speed. This figure is based on the belief that most drivers will drive at a speed that is safe and reasonable for conditions. In a sampling of speeds that are taken by radar, 85% of drivers are traveling at the 85t" percentile speed or lower. Speed limits are to be set at the nearest 5 mph increment to the critical speed. The second part of the E&TS includes an analysis of the roadway to determine whether there are any offsetting factors such as residential density, pedestrian and bicycle features, intersecting driveways, accident history, schools, and so forth, which would cause the recommended speed limit to be reduced by 5 mph. Engineering surveys are typically performed during non-commute hours and are not performed where roadways are still under construction or where there are temporary conditions (such as a lane closure or inclement weather) that would affect a driver's speed. A Policy Directive was issued by the State of California Department of Transportation in July 2009 that reiterates the standard for establishing speed limits as set forth in the California Vehicle Code (Sections 627, 22358.8 and 40802). Specifically, it called for clear justification for the 5 mph reduction in the E&TS. Traffic Commissioners take these E&TS's seriously and may not uphold citations when the driver is within the 85th percentile speed. Speed limits that are set artificially low are said to be "speed traps" and are not enforceable using radar. Proposed Action This ordinance will amend the City of Dublin Traffic Code to establish new speed limits of 45 mph on Dublin Boulevard between Tassajara Road and Fallon Road, 35 mph on Central Parkway between Tassajara Road and Fallon Road, 45 mph on Fallon Road between South City Limit and Bent Tree Drive, and 30 mph on Lockhart Street between Dublin Boulevard and Gleason Drive (Attachment 1). Page 2 of 3 The City Council considered this matter on September 21, 2010 and waived the reading and introduced the ordinance establishing the new speed limits (Attachment 2). The new speed limits will go into effect 30 days following adoption of the ordinance once signs are posted to give notice thereof. Staff will implement a 25 mph school zone on Lockhart Street adjacent to and prior to the opening of Kolb Elementary School (scheduled for Fall 2011), which will be enforceable while children are present. Staff will also continue to monitor the area as development and use of the newly opened Fallon Sports Park continues to expand to insure that the speed limits are still appropriate based on prevailing traffic conditions and other land use and roadway characteristics. NOTICING REQUIREMENTS/PUBLIC OUTREACH: Because there are no direct residential driveways fronting the study roadways, notices were not sent out. ATTACHMENTS: 1. Ordinance amending the Dublin Traffic Code to establish a new speed limit on portions of Dublin Boulevard (Tassajara Road to Fallon Road), Central Parkway (Tassajara Road to Fallon Road), Fallon Road (South City Limit to Bent Tree Drive) and Lockhart Street (Dublin Boulevard to Gleason Drive). 2. September 21, 2010, Staff Report (without Attachments). Page 3 of 3 /~ ~ ORDINANCE NO. -10 AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DUBLIN :~:~:~*xx*x:~ AMENDING THE DUBLIN TRAFFIC CODE TO ESTABLISH A NEW SPEED LIMIT ON PORTIONS OF DUBLIN BOULEVARD (TASSAJARA ROAD TO FALLON ROAD), CENTRAL PARKWAY (TASSAJARA ROAD TO FALLON ROAD), FALLON ROAD (SOUTH CITY LIMIT TO BENT TREE DRIVE) AND LOCKHART STREET (DUBLIN BOULEVARD TO GLEASON DRIVE) The City Council of the City of Dublin does hereby ordain as follows: Section 1: The following language shall be added to Section 6.60.020 (Thirty Miles per Hour) of the City of Dublin Traffic Code: "Lockhart Street: Dublin Boulevard to Gleason Drive." Section 2: The following language shall be added to Section 6.60.030 (Thirty-Five Miles per Hour) of the City of Dublin Traffic Code: "Central Parkway: Tassajara Road to Fallon Road." Section 3: The following language shall be added to Section 6.60.050 (Forty-Five Miles per Hour) of the City of Dublin Traffic Code: "Dublin Boulevard: Tassajara Road to Fallon Road" and "Fallon Road: South Ciry Limit to Bent Tree Drive." Section 4. Severability. The provisions of this Ordinance are severable and if any provision, clause, sentence, word or part thereof is held illegal, invalid, unconstitutional, or inapplicable to any person or circumstances, such illegality, invalidity, unconstitutionality, or inapplicability shall not affect or impair any of the remaining provisions, clauses, sentences, sections, words or parts thereof of the ordinance or their applicability to other persons or circumstances. Section 5. Effective Date. This Ordinance shall take effect and be enforced thirty (30) days following its adoption. Section 6. Posting. The City Clerk of the City of Dublin shall cause this Ordinance to be posted in at least three (3) public places in the City of Dublin in accardance with Section 36933 of the Government Code of the State of California. Page ~ ATTACHMENT ~~ w PASSED, APPROVED AND ADOPTED this St" day of October, 2010. AYES: NOES: ABSENT: ABSTAIN: ATTEST: Mayor City Clerk Page 2 ~~ ~ ~ G~~.~ OF DU~`r~ /// ~ 'y ~;~~82 STAFF REPORT C I T Y C L E R K ~` ~ ~ ~ DUBLIN CITY COUNCIL File # ^~~~-0~ ~LIFOR~ DATE: September 21, 2010 TO: Honorable Mayor and City Councilmembers FROM: Joni Pattillo, City Manager SUBJE . Public Hearing: Review of Engineering Survey Results and Establishment of Speed Limits for Dublin Boulevard, Central Parkway, Fallon Road and Lockhart Street Prepared By: Jaimee Bourgeois, Senior Civil Engineer (Traffic) EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: This item seeks City Council approval to introduce a proposed ordinance which would establish, based on the findings of engineering and traffic surveys, new speed limits of 45 mph on Dublin Boulevard between Tassajara Road and Fallon Road, 35 mph on Central Parkway between Tassajara Road and Fallon Road, 45 mph on Fallon Road between South City Limit and Bent Tree Drive, and 30 mph on Lockhart Street between Dublin Boulevard and Gleason Drive. FINANCIAL IMPACT: The cost to install new speed limit signs on the four roadways is approximately $2,000. This can be covered by the Street Maintenance Operating Budget. RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends that the City Council conduct and introduce the ordinance amending the Dublin portions of Dublin Boulevard (Tassajara Road t Road to Fallon Road), Fallon Road (South City (Dublin Boulevard to Gleason Drive). ~~ ~ ~ Submitted By Public Works Director a public hearing, deliberate, waive the reading Traffic Code to establish a new speed limit on o Fallon Road), Central Parkway (Tassajara Limit to Bent Tree Drive) and Lockhart Street ~ eviewe B Assistant City Manager ATTACHMENT 2. Paqe 1 of 4 ~ ~~b ~ DESCRIPTION: Backqround The California Vehicle Code (CVC) provides that police may use radar for speed enforcement as long as certain criteria are met. For roadways that are defined as local roads on the federal roadway classification map or, if not shown on that map, roads that are (1) not more than 40 feet in width, (2) not more than one haff mile of uninterrupted length, and (3) not more than one traffic lane in each direction, a prima facie 25 mph speed limit may be used without performing a survey. For all other roadways, an engineering and traffic survey (E&TS) is required to establish a speed limit that can be enforced by means of radar. The four roadways under consideration include Dublin Boulevard between Tassajara Road and Fallon Road, Central Parkway between Tassajara Road and Fallon Road, Fallon Road between South City Limit and Bent Tree Drive and Lockhart Street between Dublin Boulevard and Gleason Drive (Attachment 1). These roadway segments are re(atively new for which the federal roadway classification map has not yet been updated to reflect the appropriate classification. Each should be classified as either Collector or Arterial; therefore, an E&TS is required for each to establish an appropriate speed limit that is enforceable by means of radar. This staff report discusses the results of the E&TS and the recommended new speed limits for each roadway. Because these are relatively new roadways, E&TS have not yet been completed; therefore, none yet have legal enforceable speed limits. Procedure for Establishinq a Speed Limit The operative criterion determined by an E&TS is the "85t" percentile" or "critical" speed. This figure is based on the belief that most drivers will drive at a speed that is safe and reasonable for conditions. In a sampling of speeds that are taken by radar, 85% of drivers are traveling at the 85t~' percentile speed or lower. Speed limits are to be set at the nearest 5 mph increment to the critical speed. The second part of the E&TS includes an analysis of the roadway to determine whether there are any offsetting factors such as residentia! density, pedestrian and bicycle features, intersecting driveways, accident history, schools, and so forth, which would cause the recommended speed limit to be reduced by 5 mph. Engineering surveys are typically performed during non-commute hours and are not performed where roadways are still under construction or where there are temporary conditions (such as a lane closure or inclement weather) that would affect a driver's speed. A Policy Directive was issued by the State of California Department of Transportation in July 2009 that reiterates the standard for establishing speed limits as set forth in the California Vehicle Code (Sections 627, 22358.8 and 40802). Specifically, it called for clear justification for the 5 mph reduction in the E&TS. Traffic Commissioners take these E&TS's seriously and may not uphold citations when the driver is within the 85t" percentile speed. Speed limits that are set artificially low are said to be "speed traps" and are not enforceable using radar (Attachment 2). Studv Findinqs The E&TS forms are included with this staff report (Attachments 3, 4, 5 and 6). Page 2 of 4 ~~ ~ ~ Dublin Boulevard (Tassajara Road to Fallon Road)~ This segment of roadway contains several 45 mph speed limit signs; however, this limit is not based upon the results of an E&TS. The posted speeds are therefore not enforceable using radar, and the signs were placed in an effort to encourage reasonable travel speeds. Dublin Boulevard is a major arterial that runs east-west parallel to and north of I-580. The segment consists of four to six travel lanes with a center median and signalized traffic controls with separate turn lanes at major intersections. Parking is prohibited. It is flat and mostly straight with a broad S-curve near the eastern end. The adjacent land use is a mix of new residential and retail and several vacant parcels. The E&TS indicates that the critical speed is 44.3 mph, which suggests a posted speed limit of 45 mph (by rounding to the nearest 5 mph increment). Staff recommends that the posted speed limit be established at 45 mph so that enforcement by use of radar may commence (Attachment 3). Central Parkway (Tassajara Road to Fallon Road)~ This segment of roadway contains several 35 mph speed limit signs; however, this limit is not based upon the results of an E&TS and is therefore not enforceable using radar. The signs were placed in an effort to encourage reasonable travel speeds. Central Parkway is a Class I collector that runs east-west north of Dublin Boulevard between Arnold Road and Fallon Road. The segment under consideration consists of two travel lanes with a center median and signalized traffic controls with separate turn lanes at major intersections. Parking is allowed along the residential sections of the roadway, and bike lanes are provided. It is flat and straight from Tassajara Road to Keegan Street, then moderately graded and curved to Fallon Road. The adjacent land use is primarily residential with some parcels undeveloped. The E&TS indicates that the critical speed is 37.5 mph, which suggests a posted speed limit of 40 mph (by rounding to the nearest 5 mph increment). Given the primarily residential character of the roadway and the proximity of the Fallon Sports Park with associated bicycle and pedestrian traffic, staff recommends that the posted speed limit be established at 35 mph by applying the optional 5 mph downward speed zoning (Attachment 4). Fallon Road (South Citv Limit to Bent Tree Drive)~ There is no posted speed limit on this section of roadway. Fallon Road is a major arterial that runs north-south between I-580 to just north of Signal Hill Drive. Plans include extending the roadway further north to intersect Tassajara Road. Between I-580 and Dublin Boulevard, Fallon Road contains four travel lanes and is flat and straight. North of Dublin Boulevard, the roadway has only finro travel lanes and it slopes and curves to Positano Parkway. North of Positano Parkway, there exists five travel lanes (three northbound and finro southbound) and a center median. The roadway contains signalized traffic controls with separate turn lanes at major intersections. Parking is prohibited. The adjacent land use is undeveloped between the freeway and Positano Parkway. North of Positano Parkway, a sports park is located on the west side and non-fronting residential is located on the east side. The E&TS indicates that the critical speed is befinreen 43.4 and 47.3 mph, which suggests a posted speed limit of 45 mph (by rounding to the nearest 5 mph increment). Staff recommends that the posted speed limit be established at 45 mph (Attachment 5). Lockhart Street (Dublin Boulevard to Gleason Drive)~ There is no posted speed limit on this roadway. Lockhart Street is a Class II collector that runs north-south befinreen Dublin Boulevard and Gleason Drive. The roadway consists of two travel lanes with a center median and no parking is allowed. Signalized traffic controls exist at the major intersections, and stop signs exist at Finnian Way. The roadway has a modest grade and curvature between Central Parkway and Gleason Drive. Between Dublin Boulevard and Central Parkway, a multi-family residential complex is located west of the roadway, and the east side is vacant. North of Central Parkway, a sports park exists east of the roadway and a residential development is Page 3 of 4 ~ ~~ (~~ planned on the west side wi#h an elementary school currentiy under construction. The E&TS indicates that the critical speed is between 29.7 (south of Central Parkway) and 35.1 mph (north of Central Parkway), which suggests posted speed limits of 30 mph and 35, respectively (by rounding to the nearest 5 mph increment . Given the ) proximity of the sports park with associated bicycle and pedestrian activity and the planned elementary school, staff recommends that the posted speed limit be established at 30 mph for the entire segment by applying the optional 5 mph downward speed zoning for the segment north of Central Parkway (Attachment 6). Although the E&TS indicates 35.1 mph on Lockhart Street north of Central Parkway and there is clear justification for reducing the posted speed to 30 mph because of proximity to the new Kolb Elementary School (due to open in Fall 2011), there is no leeway to lower the speed further while still maintaining enforceability. Because the roadway is wider than 40 feet a speed survey is triggered by the CVC as indicated earlier in this report. As a comparison, this proposed posted speed is commensurate with the example of a posted speed of 35 mph on Village Parkway fronting along Dublin High School. 25 mph signs are still able to be posted in school areas and in effect when children are present. Staff will pay attention to the speed along this roadway once the school has opened, Fallon Sports Park is in full use, and the area has been further developed. A draft ordinance is attached (Attachment 7) that would amend the City of Dublin Traffic Code to establish a new speed limit of 45 mph on Dublin Boulevard between Tassajara Road and Fallon Road, 35 mph on Central Parkway befinreen Tassajara Road and Fallon Road, 45 mph on Fallon Road between South City Limit and Bent Tree Drive, and 30 mph on Lockhart Street between Dublin Boulevard and Gleason Drive. NOTICING REQUIREMENTS/PUBLIC OUTREACH: Because there are no direct residential driveways fronting the study roadways, notices were not sent out. ATTACHMENTS: 1 2 3 4. 5 6 7 Location Map California Vehicle Code Section 40802 "Speed Trap" Engineering and Traffic Survey Form Results - Dublin Boulevard Engineering and Traffic Survey Form Results - Central Parkway Engineering and Traffic Survey Form Results - Fallon Road Engineering and Traffic Survey Form Results - Lockhart Street Draft Ordinance amending the Dublin Traffic Code to establish a new speed limit on portions of Dublin Boulevard (Tassajara Road to Fallon Road), Central Parkway (Tassajara Road to Fallon Road), Fallon Road (South City Limit to Bent Tree Drive) and Lockhart Street (Dublin Boulevard to Gleason Drive) Page 4 of 5