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HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 4.06 Speed Limits SurveyG~~~ OF DU~~y ~ i9'~;~`~ STAFF REPORT C I T Y C L E R K `` C~ ~ DUBLIN CITY COUNCIL File #^~00-$~ D~ ~LIFOR~ DATE: June 1, 2010 TO: Honorable Mayor and City Councilmembers FROM: Joni Pattillo, City Manager SUBJE . Review of Engineering Survey Results and Establishment of Speed Limit for Amador Valley Boulevard, Martinelli Way and Arnold Road 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 May 18, 2010. The ordinance will establish, based on the findings of engineering and traffic surveys, new speed limits of 30 mph on Amador Valley Boulevard between Village Parkway and Stagecoach Road, 40 mph on Martinelli Way between Iron Horse Parkway and Hacienda Drive, and 35 mph on Arnold Road between Dublin Boulevard and Altamirano Road. FINANCIAL IMPACT: The cost to replace existing speed limit signs and pavement legends on Amador Valley Boulevard is approximately $1,500. The cost to install new speed limit signs on Martinelli Way and Arnold Road is $1,500. This can be covered by the 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 new speed limits on certain portions of Amador Valley Boulevard (Village Parkway to Stagecoach Road), Martinelli Way (Iron Horse Parkway to Hacienda Drive) and Arnold Road (Dublin Boulevard to Altamirano Road). ~ ~ ~G-,/ ~~ Submitted B Rev e d By Senior Civil Engineer Assistant ity Manager Page 1 of 3 ITEM NO. ~• ,r i 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. Amador Valley Boulevard is identified as a collector street, not a local street, on the federal roadway classification map; therefore, an E&TS is required to justify the posted speed limit and allow for enforcement by means of radar. Martinelli Way and Arnold Road are relatively new roadways, for which speed limits have not yet been established. This staff report discusses the establishment of new speed limits for Martinelli Way and Arnold Road and a revised speed limit for Amador Valley Boulevard. Procedure for Establishinq a Saeed 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 85th 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 a new speed limit of 30 mph on Amador Valley Boulevard between Village Parkway and Stagecoach Road, 40 mph on Martinelli Way befinreen Iron Horse Parkway and Hacienda Drive, and 35 mph on Arnold Road between Dublin Boulevard and Altamirano Road (Attachment 1). The ordinance will also revise the Traffic Code to address a clerical error in the boundary for the 35 mph speed zone on Amador Valley Boulevard east of Stagecoach Road (changing the western boundary from 200 feet west of Stagecoach Road to Stagecoach Road). The revised boundary is consistent with the current E&TS on file with the City of Dublin. Page 2 of 3 The City Council considered this matter on May 18, 2010 and waived the readi~ 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. NOTICING REQUIREMENTS/PUBLIC OUTREACH: A notice regarding the public hearing held on May 18, 2010, was mailed to residents and businesses fronting the segment of Amador Valley Boulevard under discussion. Notices were not mailed out for the second reading. ATTACHMENTS: 1. Ordinance amending the Dublin Traffic Code to establish new speed limits on certain portions of Amador Valley Boulevard (Village Parkway to Stagecoach Road), Martinelli Way (Iron Horse Parkway to Hacienda Drive) and Arnold Road (Dublin Boulevard to Altamirano Road). 2. May 18, 2010, Staff Report (without Attachments). Page 3 of 3 ~ *~` ~ ORDINANCE NO. -1~0 AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DUBLIN :~:~,~~*~**:~ AMENDING THE DUBLIN TRAFFIC CODE TO ESTABLISH A NEW SPEED LIMIT ON CERTAIN PORTIONS OF AMADOR VALLEY BOULEVARD (VILLAGE PARKWAY TO STAGECOACH ROAD), MARTINELLI WAY (IRON HORSE PARKWAY TO HACIENDA DRIVE), AND ARNOLD ROAD (DUBLIN BOULEVARD TO ALTAMIRANO ROAD) The City Council of the City of Dublin does hereby ordain as follows: Section 1: The following language shall be deleted from Section 6.60.010 (Twenty-Five Miles per Hour) of the City of Dublin Traffic Code: "Amador Valley Boulevard: 200 feet east of Village Parkway to 200 feet east of Stagecoach Road." Section 2: The following language shall be added to Section 6.60.020 (Thirty Miles per Hour) of the City of Dublin Traffic Code: "Amador Valley Boulevard: Village Parkway to Stagecoach Road." Section 3: The following language shall be added to Section 6.60.040 (Forty Miles per Hour) of the City of Dublin Traffic Code: "Martinelli Way: Iron Horse Parkway to Hacienda Drive." Section 4: The followinglanguage shall be added to Section 6.60.030 (Thirty-Five Miles per Hour) of the City of Dublin Traffic Code: "Arnold Road: Dublin Boulevard to Altamirano Road." Section 5: The following language shall be deleted from Section 6.60.030 (Thirty-Five Miles per Hour) of the City of Dublin Traffic Code: "Amador Valley Boulevard: 200 feet west of Stagecoach Road to Dougherty Road. " Section 6: The following language shall be added to Section 6.60.030 (Thirty-Five Miles per Hour) of the City of Dublin Traffic Code: "Amador Valley Boulevard: Stagecoach Road to Dougherty Road. " ~. ~ ~~~_~v Pagel ATTACHMENT I ~ ~~ ~ Section 7. 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 8. Effective Date. This Ordinance shall take effect and be enforced thirty (30) days following its adoption. Section 9. 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 accordance with Section 36933 of the Government Code of the State of California. PASSED, APPROVED AND ADOPTED this 1 St day of June, 2010. AYES: NOES: ABSENT: ABSTAIN: ATTEST: City Clerk Mayor G:\TRANSPORTATION~I,ocal Traffic\Speed Limits\ordinance_AVB Martinelli_Arnold speed limit 060110.doc Page 2 / ~~ ~ G~~.~ OF DUB~~ 19/ ~~• ,g2 ``~~~~ ` ~ ~ ~''~LIFpR~~ STAFF REPORT DUBLIN CITY COUNCIL C1TY CLERK F~,e # nnnn-nn DATE: May 18, 2010 TO: Honorable Mayor and City Councilmembers FROM: Joni Pattillo, City Manager SUBJEC . Public Hearing: Review of Engineering Survey Results and Establishment of Speed Limit for Amador Valley Boulevard, Martinelli Way and Arnold Road Prepared By: Jaimee Bourgeois, Senior Civil Engineer (Traffic) EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: This is the first reading of a proposed ordinance which would establish, based on the findings of engineering and traffic surveys, new speed limits of 30 mph on Amador VaHey Boulevard between Village Parkway and Stagecoach Road, 40 mph on Martinelli Way between Iron Horse Parkway and Hacienda Drive, and 35 mph on Arnold Road between Dublin Boulevard and Altamirano Road. FINANCIAL IMPACT: The cost to replace existing speed limit signs and pavement legends on Amador Valley Boulevard is approximately $1,500. The cost to install new speed limit signs on Martinelli Way and Arnold Road is $1,500. This can be covered by the Street Maintenance Operating Budget. RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends that the City Council conduct a public hearing, deliberate, waive the reading and introduce the ordinance establishing new speed limits on Amador Valley Boulevard, Martinelli Way and Arnold Road. Submitted B Senior Civil Engineer ~ Reviewe Assistant City Manager ATTACHMENT ~ o.,..,. ~ ..r ~ ITC11/ ~~ ~ DESCRIPTlON: 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. Amador Valley .Boulevard is identified as a collector street, not a local street, on the federal roadway classification map; therefore, an E&TS is required to justify the posted speed limit and allow for enforcement by means of radar. Martinelli Way and Arnold Road are relatively new roadways, for which speed limits have not yet been established. This staff report discusses the estabiishment of new speed limits for Martinelli Way and Arnold Road and a revised speed limit for Amador Valley Boulevard. Procedure for Establishin a S eed 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 85 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 stiil 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 calied 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 (Attachment 1). Studv_Findin4s The E&TS forms are included with this staff report (Attachments 2, 3 and 4). Amador Vallev Boulevard Nillage Parkwav to Staqecoach Road). The findings for Amador Valley Boulevard are being brought before the City Council because the E&TS results do not support the existing posted speed limit, as discussed below. In late 2009, the E&TS for 34 roadway segments Citywide expired; therefore, new surveys were conducted. One of the roadway segments requiring re-evaluation was Amador Valley Boulevard between Willage Parkway and Stagecoach Road. The survey results supported ~~ ~ increasing the speed limit from 25 mph to 30 mph. Rather than taking the item before the City Council in December, staff elected to wait and resurvey the roadway to determine whether the results were valid. Two additional surveys have since been conducted (in late November 2009 and late January 2010), each providing similar resutts. After discussing a proposed 5 mph increase with the Traffic Safety Committee, including Police Services, Staff is electing to take the speed limit increase before the City Council for approval so that the posted speed limit may again be enforceable by radar. The existing posted speed limit on Amador Valley Boulevard between Village Parkway and Stagecoach Road is 25 mph. The adjacent land use is generally residential, with driveways fronting Amador Valley Boulevard, with commercial on the west end. Between Village Parkway and York Drive, the roadway transitions from four lanes to two lanes. East of York Drive, the roadway is one lane in each direction with a median. Parking and bike lanes are provided on both sides of the roadway (Attachment 2). The E&TS indicates that the critical speed is 34 mph in the eastbound direction and 33 mph in the westbound direction. These suggest a posted speed limit of 35 mph (by rounding to the nearest 5 mph increment). Due to the high density of residential driveways and the presence of bicyclists and pedestrians, a 5 mph reduction to 30 mph is justifiable. Staff recommends that the posted speed limit be established at 30 mph so that enforcement by use of radar may continue (Attachment 3). It should be noted that when the last survey was completed in 2000 for this segment of Amador Valley Boulevard, the criterion for setting speed limits was different. At that time, the speed limit was set at the 5 mph increment below the critical speed with the option for a further reduction of 5 mph. Based on the criterion set forth in the current CVC, the speed limit is set at the nearest 5 mph increment to the critical speed (by rounding up or down as appropriate) with the option for a further reduction of 5 mph. While travel speeds along Amador Valley Boulevard have not changed much over the last 10 years, a change in the law in 2004 on how to set speed limits explains the requirement to increase the speed limit as recommended in this report to allow use of radar for enforcement. Martinelli Wav (Iron Horse Parkway to Hacienda Drive)~ There is currently not a posted speed I~mit on Martinelli Way. The roadway was constructed and accepted by the City of Dublin in 2007. Preparation of an E&TS was delayed because adjacent commercial development was expected to occur, which would require a re-survey of the roadway. Because development has been delayed and because the roadway is greatly used by BART patrons and nearby residents, staff initiated the preparation of an E&TS. The adjacent land is currently vacant. The roadway is two lanes with a median between Iron Horse Parkway and Arnold Road and six lanes with a median between Arnold Road and Hacienda Drive. On-street parking is prohibited (Attachment 4). The E8~TS indicates that the critical speed is 39 mph west of Arnold Road and 40 mph east of Arnold Road. These suggest a posted speed limit of 40 mph (by rounding to the nearest 5 mph increment). Staff recommends that the posted speed limit be established at 40 mph so that enforcement by use of radar may commence (Attachment 5). After the adjacen# properties are developed in the future, a new survey may be required. Arnold Road (Dublin Boulevard to Altamirano Road~ The posted speed limit on Arnold Road north of Dublm Boulevard is 40 mph; however, there is currently not a posted speed limit south of Dublin Boulevard. The roadway was constructed and accepted by the City of Dublin in 2007. Similar to Martinelli Way, the preparation of an E&TS was delayed because adjacent ~ ~ ~ commercial development has not yet occurred. The use of the roadway by BART patrons creates a need to enforce a speed limit using radar. The adjacent land is currently vacant. The roadway is four lanes with a median between Dublin Boulevard and Martinelli Way and two lanes with a median south of Martinelli Way. On-street parking is prohibited (Attachment 4). The E&TS indicates that the critica! speed is 35 mph; therefore, staff recommends that the posted speed limit be established at 35 mph so that enforcement by use of radar may commence (Attachment 6). After the adjacent properties are developed in the future, a new survey may be required. A draft ordinance is attached (Attachment 7) that would amend the City of Dublin Traffic Code to establish a new speed limi# of 30 mph on Amador Valley Boulevard between Village Parkway and Stagecoach Road, 40 mph on Martinelli Way between Iron Horse Parkway and Hacienda Drive, and 35 mph on Arnold Road between Dublin Boulevard and Altamirano Road. The ordinance also includes a minor revision to the Traffic Code to address a clerical error in the boundary for the 35 mph speed zone on Amador Valiey Boulevard east of Stagecoach Road (changing the western boundary from 200 feet west of Stagecoach Road to Stagecoach Road). The revised boundary is consistent with the current E&TS on file with the City of Dublin. NOTICING REQUIREMENTS/PUBLIC QUTREACH; A notice about the public hearing was mailed to residents and businesses fronting Amador Valley Boulevard between Village Parkway and Stagecoach Road (Attachments 8 and 9). Because there are no residences or businesses fronting the other two subject roadways, notices were not mailed regarding the establishment of speed limits on Martinelli Way and Arnold Road. At the writing of this report, staff has been contacted by three residents atong Amador Valley Boulevard. One resident called to request a copy of the survey and one resident called to inquire about the procedures. for setting speed limits and to share concern with the proposed increase. A third resident provided an email in support of the 30 mph speed limit and to also bring to the attention of staff some confusing signage east of the roadway segment in question (Attachment 10). Staff will follow up with the resident separately regarding the signage concern. ATTACHMENTS; 1 2 3 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10 California Vehicle Code Section 40802 "Speed Trap" Location Map for Amador Valley Boulevard Engineering and Traffic Survey Form Results - Amador Valley Boulevard Location Map for Martinetli Way and Arnold Road Engineering and Traffic Survey Form Results - Martinelli Way Engineering and Traffic Survey Form Results - Arnold Road Draft Ordinance Notice of Public Hearing Mailing List for Notice of Public Hearing Email from Mr. Roger Sherwin, dated May 6, 2010 ~- . .