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HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 4.14 Final Rpt Traffic Engineering Study 5-gv -go CITY OF DUBLIN AGENDA STATEMENT CITY COUNCIL MEETING DATE: January 13 , 19$6 SUBJECT Final Report Traffic Engineering Study EXHIBITS ATTACHED Comprehensive Traffic Engineering Study; Executive Summary RECOMMENDATION Adopt Final Report and direct Staff to implement recommendations FINANCIAL STATEMENT: Cost of Study including purchase of microcomputer and radar equipment is funded through an Office of Traffic Safety Grant . Total project cost is $29 , 7$2 . Approximately $9,100 will be required to implement the traffic sign and marking recommendations . Sufficient funds are budgeted. DESCRIPTION In October, 19$4, the City Council authorized the preparation of a Comprehensive Traffic Engineering Study by JHK & Associates . The project is being funded through a grant from the Office of Traffic Safety. The primary objective of this project was to reduce traffic accidents and to coordinate traffic related activities . The City Council adopted speed limit recommendations approximately one year ago based on the first phase of the study. JHK & Associates have recently concluded the final phases . These included the development of a comprehensive data base . The consultant developed an operating manual and provided training to the users. The California Office of Traffic Safety requires that the agency receiving the funds prepare an Executive Summary. Attached is a copy of the Summary which reviews each aspect of the entire report . In the preparation of the 1985-86 Budget , Staff attempted to estimate costs related to the implementation of JHK ' s recommendations . The recommendations relate to the maintenance and installation of traffic signs and markings . The total cost of implementing these recommendations is $9 ,100. The consultant has prioritized the recommendations and representatives of MCE Corporation will proceed with placement of signs and markings not requiring further City Council action. The installation of yield signs on free right turns will require an ordinance which will be developed by the Traffic Engineer. A representative of JHK & Associates will be available to answer any questions regarding the final report . Staff recommends that the City Council adopt the report and direct Staff to implement the recommendations . ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- COPIES TO: . ITEM N0. e r Item 4. 14 Exhibit Missing Comprehensive Traffic Engineering Study CITY OF DUBLIN P.O. Box 2340 Dublin, CA 94568' (415) 829-4600 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY CITY OF DUBLIN COMPREHENSIVE TRAFFIC ENGINEERING STUDY The City of Dublin has undertaken a Comprehensive Traffic Engineering Study as part of the California Traffic Safety Program. The project was made possible through the support of the Office of Traffic Safety , State of California, and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. JHK & Associates, a Traffic Engineering Firm, provided the technical expertise throughout the study. Richard C. Ambrose , City Manager, and his Staff were responsible for the coordination of the project . PROJECT OBJECTIVES The project was developed to include several objectives which would address traffic safety issues on roadways throughout the community. The City of Dublin incorporated in February of 1982 and prior to that time services were provided by Alameda County. The number of records available related to roadway improvements and traffic enforcement _ were limited and in some cases not current . The primary goals of the project were to reduce accidents and relieve traffic congestion on city streets . It is the City ' s intent to continue devoting necessary resources to maintain the systems developed following the completion of the project . The overall intent of the project was to address basic organizational problems associated with traffic safety in the City of Dublin. PROJECT PHASES The project was divided into five phases which address the overall needs at the time of the project application. SPEED STUDY — The first phase involved the establishment of realistic speed limits on city streets. Prior to this study the only means of enforcement related to speed limits would be the pacing of vehicles. This method is difficult to utilize given the relatively short street segments found within the community. California State law requires that prior to the use of radar to enforce speed limits , an engineering and traffic survey must be completed. The law does exempt specific streets where a prima facie speed limit can be declared. Approximately 34 street segments were identified where an engineering and traffic study was required to justify enforcement with the use of radar equipment . This study included a sampling of the speed of vehicles traveling on the street , a review of roadside conditions , and a review of accident records . The outcome of this portion of the study was the development of speed limit recommendations for streets throughout the City of Dublin. This will allow the Dublin Police Services to utilize radar enforcement of speed limits throughout the City. The intent is to assist the police officers and easily identify violators . As a result , overall traffic safety should be improved . TRAFFIC CONTROL DEVICE INVENTORY - The next phase of the project involved an inventory of all traffic signs and pavement markings within the community. The records which were previously available prior to Dublin' s incorportation had not been updated and this made it difficult to implement a coordinated maintenance schedule for markings and signs . The Traffic Control Device Inventory also included an inventory of the traffic signals . This included a diagram showing the placement of hardware at each intersection and a descriptive chart of the timing for each phase of the signal operation. In all , 1 , 337 and 1 , 306 markings were evaluated . They were reviewed by a Traffic Engineer to determine whether the placement was appropriate . Also details related to the location, condition, and type of sign or marking were recorded. CITATION/ACCIDENT RECORDS - The study also included compiling data on traffic accidents and traffic citations . Accident records were reviewed from July of 1982 through June of 1985 . All traffic citations issued in Fiscal Years 1983-84 and 1984-85 were also combined into a data base . Prior to this study a comprehensive listing of this information was unavailable . The accident information can only be retrieved from SWITRS reports or by going through each individual record. The creation of the data base was organized to allow the information to be transferred to a micro-computer. AUTOMATED TRAFFIC RECORDS SYSTEM - A computerized data base was established utilizing an AT&T micro-computer. The data base includes all traffic signs and markings , traffic citations , and traffic accidents . The system allows for powerful sorting, searching, and data retrieval features which can be easily accessed by individuals with minimal training in the use of the micro-computer. It is anticipated that the results of this phase will allow City Officials to more easily review data and become familar with potential problem areas . JHK & Associates also developed a users manual for this system and provided training to each of the users. 2 - ' v a HIGH ACCIDENT INTERSECTION STUDY - The purpose of this portion of the study was to analyze intersections with a high accident frequency to determine whether the accident level could be reduced through traffic engineering techniques . Because the City has already undertaken several studies reviewing intersection safety and developed plans for modifying them in the near future , several intersections were eliminated as potential study locations . Three locations were studied in detail . At the intersection of Dublin Boulevard and Regional Street it was noted that a high rate of the accidents occuring were rear-end collisions . The Traffic Engineer' s review indicated that the accident rate may be affected through modifications which are planned at the intersection of Dublin Boulevard and San Ramon Road. The review of Village Parkway and Brighton Drive confirmed the potential for improved safety through the installation of a traffic signal . The City has included this project in a Five Year Capital Improvement Plan. The accident rate alone did not warrant the traffic signal , however, it may reduce some confusion over right-of-way assignment under the current four way stop conditions . The intersection of Brighton Drive and Gallan Street was also reviewed, however, the review did not identify specific steps related to traffic engineering which would reduce the accident rate at this location. EVALUATION STATEMENT This project has developed an ongoing system which will help to organize traffic related activities . The collection of inventories and data related to accidents and citations will allow Staff members to evaluate both the problems and potential alternatives which will improve traffic safety. The original grant provided by the Office of Traffic Safety was $37,400. The City utilized a RFP process to award the contract for the consulting firm and formal bid procedures to acquire the micro- computer equipment . These efforts have assured that the project was completed in a cost effective manner. The total project cost was approximately 25 .6% less than the original appropriation made by the grant . The benefit of this project is significant . The collection of important data and ability to use this information will assist Staff members . CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS The Consulting firm of JHK & Associates recommended to the City Council of the City of Dublin, new speed limits for all streets in the City where a prima facie speed limit could not be established . The wording and adoption of these speed limits was adopted by City Officials . . The report also resulted . in several recommendations related to signing and marking. The City has attempted to appropriate adequate funding in its operations budget to carry out the recommendations of JHK & Associates . The automated traffic records system will allow the City to continue to monitor efforts and to improve traffic safety and reduce congestion. - 3 -