HomeMy WebLinkAboutStaff Report 8466
City of Palo Alto (ID # 8466)
City Council Staff Report
Report Type: Informational Report Meeting Date: 12/11/2017
City of Palo Alto Page 1
Summary Title: Middlefield Road North Traffic Safety Project Mid-pilot
Report
Title: Accept Middlefield Road North Traffic Safety Project Mid-Pilot Report
From: City Manager
Lead Department: Planning and Community Environment
Recommendation
This report is provided for information only and requires no Council action.
Background
On January 23, 2017 Council approved the implementation of a one-year traffic safety
pilot for Middlefield Road between the Menlo Park city limits and University Avenue.
Installation was completed in mid-June 2017. Background information on the project
can be found here:
http://www.cityofpaloalto.org/civicax/filebank/blobdload.aspx?BlobID=55488. Staff will
return to City Council in July 2018, one-year after the implementation of the pilot for
direction on whether to make the improvements permanent or modify the alternative
and complete additional monitoring.
The technical memorandum, included as Attachment A, describes the results of the pre-
pilot and mid-pilot data collection efforts. The purpose of this report is to provide
Council with a mid-year update on the Middlefield Road North Traffic Safety Project
one-year pilot, which is currently underway.
Discussion
The results of the mid-pilot data collection are mixed, though no major issues were
identified. Some key takeaways include:
Collision rate has remained static
Observed near-misses have increased slightly
Average motor vehicle speeds have remained static or gone down on all area
roadways except for Hawthorne Avenue, Everett Avenue, and Fulton Street (no
local street exceeds the traffic calming speed threshold for a local street)
City of Palo Alto Page 2
Outdoor sound levels have remained relatively unchanged
Motor vehicle traffic volumes at intersections has decreased slightly, while bicycle
and pedestrian traffic has increased
Delay at Middlefield Road and Lytton Avenue intersection has increased slightly
Motor vehicle traffic volumes on segments has increased on all area roadways
except for Middlefield Road north of Everett Avenue, Hawthorne Avenue and
Everett Avenue, with Webster Street approaching the traffic calming volume
threshold for a local street (Hawthorne Avenue and Everett Avenue were already
above this threshold prior to the pilot)
Public support for the project has increased
At this time, Staff does not recommend making any changes to the roadway
configuration. However, at the conclusion of the one-year pilot, minor modifications
may be recommended if current trends continue.
Resource Impact
Not applicable.
Timeline
The one-year pilot is scheduled to end in June 2018 and a final report will be presented
to City Council in August 2018. At the conclusion of the pilot, City Council may adopt
the current configuration as a permanent feature, direct staff to modify the current
configuration, or direct staff to revert to the pre‐pilot conditions. If the project is made
permanent, Staff will identify opportunities to add landscaping and other aesthetic
features.
Environmental Review
Not applicable.
Attachments:
Attachment A - Middlefield Road North Traffic Safety Project Mid-pilot Report
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4/18/2017 -
4/19/2017
Middlefield Road from Palo Alto Avenue
(west) to Palo Alto Avenue (east) 26 27 28 33 27 28 28 33 26 27 28 33
4/18/2017 -
4/19/2017
Middlefield Road from Hawthorne Avenue
to Everett Avenue 26 28 28 34 26 27 28 33 26 28 28 33
4/18/2017 -
4/19/2017
Middlefield Road from Everett Avenue to
Lytton Avenue 26 27 28 32 23 24 28 31 24 26 28 32
4/18/2017 -
4/19/2017
Webster Street from Lytton Avenue to
Everett Avenue 17 18 23 24 21 21 23 27 19 20 23 25
4/18/2017 -
4/19/2017
Byron Street from Lytton Avenue to Everett
Avenue 17 18 23 23 18 19 23 24 17 19 23 24
4/18/2017 -
4/19/2017
Palo Alto Avenue from Middlefield Road to
Fulton Street 17 18 18 22 17 18 18 22 17 18 18 22
4/18/2017 -
4/19/2017
Fulton Street from Lytton Avenue to
University Avenue 15 17 8 23 17 18 23 23 16 17 18 23
4/18/2017 -
4/19/2017
Fulton Street from Lytton Avenue to Everett
Avenue 19 21 23 26 18 20 23 25 19 20 23 25
4/18/2017 -
4/19/2017
Guinda Street from Lytton Avenue to
University Avenue 12 13 8 18 14 16 18 19 13 15 8 19
4/18/2017 -
4/19/2017
Hawthorne Avenue from Byron Street to
Middlefield Road 17 18 18 22 16 17 18 22 16 17 18 22
4/18/2017 -
4/19/2017
Everett Avenue from Byron Street to
Middlefield Road 15 17 18 20 18 19 18 23 16 17 18 22
4/18/2017 -
4/19/2017
Everett Avenue from Middlefield Road to
Fulton Street 18 19 23 23 20 21 23 24 19 20 23 24
10/4/2017 -
10/5/2017
Middlefield Road from Palo Alto Avenue
(west) to Palo Alto Avenue (east) 24 25 28 29 22 23 23 29 23 24 28 29
10/4/2017 -
10/5/2017
Middlefield Road from Hawthorne Avenue
to Everett Avenue 27 27 28 32 23 25 28 31 25 26 28 31
10/4/2017 -
10/5/2017
Middlefield Road from Everett Avenue to
Lytton Avenue 27 28 28 32 25 26 28 33 26 27 28 33
- Webster Street from Lytton Avenue to
Everett Avenue - - - - - - - - - - - -
10/4/2017 -
10/5/2017
Byron Street from Lytton Avenue to Everett
Avenue 19 20 23 24 19 20 23 25 19 20 23 25
10/4/2017 -
10/5/2017
Palo Alto Avenue from Middlefield Road to
Fulton Street 16 17 18 19 17 18 18 22 16 17 18 21
- Fulton Street from Lytton Avenue to
University Avenue - - - - - - - - - - - -
10/4/2017 -
10/5/2017
Fulton Street from Lytton Avenue to Everett
Avenue 16 18 18 23 17 19 23 23 17 18 18 23
10/4/2017 -
10/5/2017
Guinda Street from Lytton Avenue to
University Avenue 14 16 18 19 13 15 8 19 14 15 18 19
10/4/2017 -
10/5/2017
Hawthorne Avenue from Byron Street to
Middlefield Road 19 20 23 24 18 18 18 23 18 19 18 23
- Everett Avenue from Byron Street to
Middlefield Road - - - - - - - - - - - -
10/4/2017 -
10/5/2017
Everett Avenue from Middlefield Road to
Fulton Street 19 21 23 25 19 21 23 24 19 21 23 24
10/25/2017 -
10/26/2017
Middlefield Road from Palo Alto Avenue
(west) to Palo Alto Avenue (east) 25 26 28 31 24 26 28 32 24 26 28 32
10/25/2017 -
10/26/2017
Middlefield Road from Hawthorne Avenue
to Everett Avenue 26 27 28 31 23 25 28 31 24 26 28 31
10/25/2017 -
10/26/2017
Middlefield Road from Everett Avenue to
Lytton Avenue 24 24 23 39 17 19 8 28 21 23 23 28
10/25/2017 -
10/26/2017
Webster Street from Lytton Avenue to
Everett Avenue 16 18 8 24 19 20 23 25 18 19 23 24
10/25/2017 -
10/26/2017
Byron Street from Lytton Avenue to Everett
Avenue 17 18 18 23 19 20 23 24 18 20 23 24
10/25/2017 -
10/26/2017
Palo Alto Avenue from Middlefield Road to
Fulton Street 17 18 18 23 16 17 18 21 17 17 18 22
10/25/2017 -
10/26/2017
Fulton Street from Lytton Avenue to
University Avenue 18 19 18 24 19 20 23 25 19 20 23 25
10/25/2017 -
10/26/2017
Fulton Street from Lytton Avenue to Everett
Avenue 18 20 23 24 19 20 23 25 18 20 23 24
10/25/2017 -
10/26/2017
Guinda Street from Lytton Avenue to
University Avenue 14 16 18 19 9 9 8 16 11 11 8 18
10/25/2017 -
10/26/2017
Hawthorne Avenue from Byron Street to
Middlefield Road 18 19 23 23 17 18 18 22 17 18 18 23
10/25/2017 -
10/26/2017
Everett Avenue from Byron Street to
Middlefield Road 18 18 18 23 18 18 18 22 18 18 18 23
10/25/2017 -
10/26/2017
Everett Avenue from Middlefield Road to
Fulton Street 18 19 23 24 18 19 23 23 17 18 18 23
PRE-PILOT 7:00 AM -
9:00 AM
Middlefield
Road
Hawthorne
Avenue 4/18/2017 7:55 AM 8:55 AM 0.91 2,391 2,313 78 5 32
PRE-PILOT 7:00 AM -
9:00 AM
Middlefield
Road
Hawthorne
Avenue 4/19/2017 8:00 AM 9:00 AM 0.93 2,429 2,352 77 14 14
PRE-PILOT 7:00 AM -
9:00 AM
Middlefield
Road
Hawthorne
Avenue AVERAGE - - 0.92 2,410 2,333 78 10 23
PRE-PILOT 11:00 AM
- 1:00 PM
Middlefield
Road
Hawthorne
Avenue 4/18/2017 11:40 AM 12:40 PM 0.89 2,572 2,510 62 9 10
PRE-PILOT 11:00 AM
- 1:00 PM
Middlefield
Road
Hawthorne
Avenue 4/19/2017 11:25 AM 12:25 AM 0.92 2,547 2,463 84 5 15
PRE-PILOT 11:00 AM
- 1:00 PM
Middlefield
Road
Hawthorne
Avenue AVERAGE - - 0.91 2,560 2,487 73 7 13
PRE-PILOT 4:00 PM -
6:00 PM
Middlefield
Road
Hawthorne
Avenue 4/18/2017 4:55 PM 5:55 PM 0.92 3,350 3,294 56 8 23
PRE-PILOT 4:00 PM -
6:00 PM
Middlefield
Road
Hawthorne
Avenue 4/19/2017 4:50 PM 5:50 PM 0.96 3,280 3,216 64 10 25
PRE-PILOT 4:00 PM -
6:00 PM
Middlefield
Road
Hawthorne
Avenue AVERAGE - - 0.94 3,315 3,255 60 9 24
PRE-PILOT - Middlefield
Road
Hawthorne
Avenue TOTAL - - - 8,285 8,074 211 26 60
PRE-PILOT 7:00 AM -
9:00 AM
Middlefield
Road
Everett
Avenue 4/18/2017 8:00 AM 9:00 AM 0.90 2,390 2,309 81 12 14
PRE-PILOT 7:00 AM -
9:00 AM
Middlefield
Road
Everett
Avenue 4/19/2017 8:00 AM 9:00 AM 0.91 2,424 2,346 78 17 15
PRE-PILOT 7:00 AM -
9:00 AM
Middlefield
Road
Everett
Avenue AVERAGE - - 0.91 2,407 2,328 80 15 15
PRE-PILOT 11:00 AM
- 1:00 PM
Middlefield
Road
Everett
Avenue 4/18/2017 11:35 AM 12:35 AM 0.92 2,291 2,233 58 11 13
PRE-PILOT 11:00 AM
- 1:00 PM
Middlefield
Road
Everett
Avenue 4/19/2017 11:50 AM 12:50 PM 0.91 2,279 2,208 71 10 18
PRE-PILOT 11:00 AM
- 1:00 PM
Middlefield
Road
Everett
Avenue AVERAGE - - 0.92 2,285 2,221 65 11 16
PRE-PILOT 4:00 PM -
6:00 PM
Middlefield
Road
Everett
Avenue 4/18/2017 4:55 PM 5:55 PM 0.92 3,058 3,012 46 15 27
PRE-PILOT 4:00 PM -
6:00 PM
Middlefield
Road
Everett
Avenue 4/19/2017 4:45 PM 5:45 PM 0.95 3,028 2,959 69 17 28
PRE-PILOT 4:00 PM -
6:00 PM
Middlefield
Road
Everett
Avenue AVERAGE - - 0.94 3,043 2,986 58 16 28
PRE-PILOT - Middlefield
Road
Everett
Avenue TOTAL - - - 7,735 7,534 202 41 58
PRE-PILOT 7:00 AM -
9:00 AM
Middlefield
Road
Lytton
Avenue 4/18/2017 8:00 AM 9:00 AM 0.90 2,744 2,647 97 32 36
PRE-PILOT 7:00 AM -
9:00 AM
Middlefield
Road
Lytton
Avenue 4/19/2017 7:55 AM 8:55 AM 0.94 2,750 2,652 98 65 31
PRE-PILOT 7:00 AM -
9:00 AM
Middlefield
Road
Lytton
Avenue AVERAGE - - 0.92 2,747 2,650 98 49 34
PRE-PILOT 11:00 AM
- 1:00 PM
Middlefield
Road
Lytton
Avenue 4/18/2017 11:40 AM 12:40 PM 0.96 2,466 2,410 56 19 27
PRE-PILOT 11:00 AM
- 1:00 PM
Middlefield
Road
Lytton
Avenue 4/19/2017 11:25 AM 12:25 PM 0.94 2,443 2,363 80 14 40
PRE-PILOT 11:00 AM
- 1:00 PM
Middlefield
Road
Lytton
Avenue AVERAGE - - 0.95 2,455 2,387 68 17 34
PRE-PILOT 4:00 PM -
6:00 PM
Middlefield
Road
Lytton
Avenue 4/18/2017 4:50 PM 5:50 PM 0.96 3,329 3,278 51 36 62
PRE-PILOT 4:00 PM -
6:00 PM
Middlefield
Road
Lytton
Avenue 4/19/2017 4:45 PM 5:45 PM 0.96 3,328 3,265 63 51 47
PRE-PILOT 4:00 PM -
6:00 PM
Middlefield
Road
Lytton
Avenue AVERAGE - - 0.96 3,329 3,272 57 44 55
PRE-PILOT - Middlefield
Road
Lytton
Avenue TOTAL - - - 8,530 8,308 223 109 122
PRE-PILOT 7:00 AM -
9:00 AM
Middlefield
Road
University
Avenue 4/18/2017 8:00 AM 9:00 AM 0.94 3,151 3,007 144 44 48
PRE-PILOT 7:00 AM -
9:00 AM
Middlefield
Road
University
Avenue 4/19/2017 7:50 AM 8:50 AM 0.96 3,215 3,087 128 44 61
PRE-PILOT 7:00 AM -
9:00 AM
Middlefield
Road
University
Avenue AVERAGE - - 0.95 3,183 3,047 136 44 55
PRE-PILOT 11:00 AM
- 1:00 PM
Middlefield
Road
University
Avenue 4/18/2017 11:40 AM 12:40 PM 0.93 3,471 3,370 101 15 69
PRE-PILOT 11:00 AM
- 1:00 PM
Middlefield
Road
University
Avenue 4/19/2017 11:25 AM 12:25 PM 0.95 3,501 3,380 121 24 75
PRE-PILOT 11:00 AM
- 1:00 PM
Middlefield
Road
University
Avenue AVERAGE - - 0.94 3,486 3,375 111 20 72
PRE-PILOT 4:00 PM -
6:00 PM
Middlefield
Road
University
Avenue 4/18/2017 4:35 PM 5:35 PM 0.97 3,488 3,426 62 50 93
PRE-PILOT 4:00 PM -
6:00 PM
Middlefield
Road
University
Avenue 4/19/2017 5:00 PM 6:00 PM 0.96 3,501 3,430 71 57 85
PRE-PILOT 4:00 PM -
6:00 PM
Middlefield
Road
University
Avenue AVERAGE - - 0.97 3,495 3,428 67 54 89
PRE-PILOT - Middlefield
Road
University
Avenue TOTAL - - - 10,164 9,850 314 117 216
MID-PILOT 7:00 AM -
9:00 AM
Middlefield
Road
Hawthorne
Avenue 10/4/2017 7:45 AM 8:45 AM 0.95 2,256 2,198 58 13 9
MID-PILOT 7:00 AM -
9:00 AM
Middlefield
Road
Hawthorne
Avenue 10/5/2017 7:55 AM 8:55 AM 0.91 2,234 2,153 81 25 23
MID-PILOT 7:00 AM -
9:00 AM
Middlefield
Road
Hawthorne
Avenue AVERAGE - - 0.93 2,245 2,176 70 19 16
MID-PILOT 11:00 AM
- 1:00 PM
Middlefield
Road
Hawthorne
Avenue 10/4/2017 11:25 AM 12:25 PM 0.93 2,418 2,358 60 12 8
MID-PILOT 11:00 AM
- 1:00 PM
Middlefield
Road
Hawthorne
Avenue 10/5/2017 11:45 AM 12:45 PM 0.95 2,443 2,396 47 10 6
MID-PILOT 11:00 AM
- 1:00 PM
Middlefield
Road
Hawthorne
Avenue AVERAGE --0.94 2,431 2,377 54 11 7
MID-PILOT 4:00 PM -
6:00 PM
Middlefield
Road
Hawthorne
Avenue 10/4/2017 5:00 PM 6:00 PM 0.94 3,200 3,152 48 21 28
MID-PILOT 4:00 PM -
6:00 PM
Middlefield
Road
Hawthorne
Avenue 10/5/2017 5:00 PM 6:00 PM 0.95 3,176 3,114 62 17 26
MID-PILOT 4:00 PM -
6:00 PM
Middlefield
Road
Hawthorne
Avenue AVERAGE --0.95 3,188 3,133 55 19 27
MID-PILOT - Middlefield
Road
Hawthorne
Avenue TOTAL --- 7,864 7,686 178 49 50
MID-PILOT 7:00 AM -
9:00 AM
Middlefield
Road
Everett
Avenue 10/4/2017 7:40 AM 8:40 AM 0.95 2,255 2,189 66 30 19
MID-PILOT 7:00 AM -
9:00 AM
Middlefield
Road
Everett
Avenue 10/5/2017 7:50 AM 8:50 AM 0.96 2,267 2,200 67 47 26
MID-PILOT 7:00 AM -
9:00 AM
Middlefield
Road
Everett
Avenue AVERAGE --0.96 2,261 2,195 67 39 23
MID-PILOT 11:00 AM
- 1:00 PM
Middlefield
Road
Everett
Avenue 10/4/2017 11:25 AM 12:25 PM 0.92 2,209 2,150 59 15 25
MID-PILOT 11:00 AM
- 1:00 PM
Middlefield
Road
Everett
Avenue 10/5/2017 11:45 AM 12:45 PM 0.95 2,288 2,232 56 9 20
MID-PILOT 11:00 AM
- 1:00 PM
Middlefield
Road
Everett
Avenue AVERAGE --0.94 2,249 2,191 58 12 23
MID-PILOT 4:00 PM -
6:00 PM
Middlefield
Road
Everett
Avenue 10/4/2017 5:00 PM 6:00 PM 0.97 2,961 2,912 49 28 31
MID-PILOT 4:00 PM -
6:00 PM
Middlefield
Road
Everett
Avenue 10/5/2017 4:55 PM 5:55 PM 0.95 2,888 2,831 57 31 45
MID-PILOT 4:00 PM -
6:00 PM
Middlefield
Road
Everett
Avenue AVERAGE --0.96 2,925 2,872 53 30 38
MID-PILOT - Middlefield
Road
Everett
Avenue TOTAL --- 7,434 7,257 177 80 83
MID-PILOT 7:00 AM -
9:00 AM
Middlefield
Road
Lytton
Avenue 10/4/2017 7:40 AM 8:40 AM 0.97 2,676 2,598 78 68 41
MID-PILOT 7:00 AM -
9:00 AM
Middlefield
Road
Lytton
Avenue 10/5/2017 7:55 AM 8:55 AM 0.98 2,673 2,579 94 55 45
MID-PILOT 7:00 AM -
9:00 AM
Middlefield
Road
Lytton
Avenue AVERAGE --0.98 2,675 2,589 86 62 43
MID-PILOT 11:00 AM
- 1:00 PM
Middlefield
Road
Lytton
Avenue 10/4/2017 12:00 PM 1:00 PM 0.94 2,581 2,518 63 28 52
MID-PILOT 11:00 AM
- 1:00 PM
Middlefield
Road
Lytton
Avenue 10/5/2017 11:50 AM 12:50 PM 0.98 2,682 2,610 72 28 33
MID-PILOT 11:00 AM
- 1:00 PM
Middlefield
Road
Lytton
Avenue AVERAGE --0.96 2,632 2,564 68 28 43
MID-PILOT 4:00 PM -
6:00 PM
Middlefield
Road
Lytton
Avenue 10/4/2017 5:00 PM 6:00 PM 0.96 3,309 3,247 62 49 55
MID-PILOT 4:00 PM -
6:00 PM
Middlefield
Road
Lytton
Avenue 10/5/2017 4:15 PM 5:15 PM 0.98 3,270 3,214 56 58 58
MID-PILOT 4:00 PM -
6:00 PM
Middlefield
Road
Lytton
Avenue AVERAGE --0.97 3,290 3,231 59 54 57
MID-PILOT - Middlefield
Road
Lytton
Avenue TOTAL -- 8,596 8,383 213 143 142
MID-PILOT 7:00 AM -
9:00 AM
Middlefield
Road
University
Avenue 10/4/2017 7:50 AM 8:50 AM 0.93 3,136 3,004 132 49 70
MID-PILOT 7:00 AM -
9:00 AM
Middlefield
Road
University
Avenue 10/5/2017 8:00 AM 9:00 AM 0.92 3,125 2,984 141 65 79
MID-PILOT 7:00 AM -
9:00 AM
Middlefield
Road
University
Avenue AVERAGE --0.93 3,131 2,994 137 57 75
MID-PILOT 11:00 AM
- 1:00 PM
Middlefield
Road
University
Avenue 10/4/2017 11:30 AM 12:30 PM 0.93 3,456 3,344 112 34 76
MID-PILOT 11:00 AM
- 1:00 PM
Middlefield
Road
University
Avenue 10/5/2017 11:35 AM 12:35 PM 0.96 3,550 3,395 155 36 73
MID-PILOT 11:00 AM
- 1:00 PM
Middlefield
Road
University
Avenue AVERAGE --0.95 3,503 3,370 134 35 75
MID-PILOT 4:00 PM -
6:00 PM
Middlefield
Road
University
Avenue 10/4/2017 5:00 PM 6:00 PM 0.91 3,559 3,501 58 83 77
MID-PILOT 4:00 PM -
6:00 PM
Middlefield
Road
University
Avenue 10/5/2017 4:05 PM 5:05 PM 0.92 3,391 3,322 69 76 112
MID-PILOT 4:00 PM -
6:00 PM
Middlefield
Road
University
Avenue AVERAGE --0.92 3,475 3,412 64 80 95
MID-PILOT - Middlefield
Road
University
Avenue TOTAL --- 10,109 9,775 334 172 244
127 1 1 1
Despite the signs and barriers,
drivers on both Hawthorne
and Everett still go straight
across or turn left by jogging
to the right around the barrier
then jogging left or turning
left.1,4 1 2
Q1: …I didn't realize my block
would be affected changing 2
straight lanes in to 1 left turn
lane and 1 straight lane.
Q2: morning, mid-day, and
evening
Q5: I travel northbound on
Fulton when there is traffic
and southbound on Guinda
when I can't back out to go
south.
Q6: I am completely in favor
of improving traffic safety,
but too many drivers on
Hawthorne and Everett are
dangerously determined to
go straight across or left on
Middlefield for me to feel
this is an improvement. I
think it slows traffic down
through congestion, not
better safety. Now,
southbound Middlefield is
backing up on a regular basis.
This configuration negatively
impacts me because I now
have to wait 1 or more light
cycles to get out of my
driveway. I've always had to
back out of my driveway.
Backing out is more
dangerous now because the
lane going straight (north)
tends to back up while the
left-hand turn lane on Lytton
doesn't, so cars in that lane
drive fast. If I can't back out
into just the north-bound
lane (because drivers won't
give me room), it creates a
blind situation where a car
turning left could hit me.
It's now almost impossible
for me to back out across
both lanes to go south on
Middlefield. Instead, I have
to turn right on Lytton
(because it's also difficult to
get in the left-hand turn lane
now -see above blind spot
problem), turn right on
Guinda (because it has a
traffic light at University and
Fulton doesn't) and then
head south on Guinda until I
get to Homer to go west or
turn back on to Middlefield
to go south.
Whether I'm coming from
the north or south, getting in
my own driveway is more
difficult. The constant
congestion on northbound
Middlefield on my block
means I have to wait an extra
light cycle or 2 to turn right
into my driveway.
Turning left is also a problem.
Right now, if everyone was
driving legally and not
yielding right of way, I could
only get in to my driveway
heading north and would
have to wait minutes to back
out. Thankfully, drivers allow
me to back out even though
they have right of way, but
they do it when the
northbound light is red. I'm
forcing my way into traffic
which is not safer.
If you ask me if traffic is
"calmer" on the last 4 blocks.
I think it is, mainly because
it's congested.
I don't think it is safer or will
be until there are
consequences for turning
illegally.
I'm sorry I haven't been able
to pay attention to all the
decisions done on this
project, so you might have
already considered and
dismissed this, but would it
help to go back to 4 lanes
and put lights at Hawthorne
and Everett with protected
turn arrows and red light
cameras? I know this would
be more expensive, but there
would be consequences for
turning illegally and
protection to turn. Other
cities have block after block
of traffic lights with success.
I won't pretend to have all
the answers, understand all
the issues or even know what
questions to ask, but this
current configuration doesn't
work for me and my wife.
Can we please try another
one?
I’d like to respond to your questionnaire questions and then add comments.
1. Were you aware of the project prior to receiving this survey?
Yes, but I didn’t realize my block would be affected changing 2 straight lanes in to 1 left turn lane and 1 straight lane.
2. How often do you typically travel along the project corridor?
Multiple times per day – morning, mid-day and evening
3. Do you have any safety concerns about the project corridor?
Yes. Despite the signs and barriers, drivers on both Hawthorne and Everett still go straight across or turn left by jogging
to the right around the barrier and then jogging left or turning left.
4. When traveling along the corridor, what is your typical mode of transportation?
Auto, but I also Walk on it daily.
5. Do you frequently travel along parallel or adjacent streets to Middlefield Rd.?
Yes, I travel northbound on Fulton when there is traffic and southbound on Guinda when I can’t back out to go south.
6. Are you in favor of a lane reduction on Middlefield Road to improve traffic safety?
No. I am completely in favor of improving traffic safety, but too many drivers on Hawthorne and Everett are
dangerously determined to go straight across or left on Middlefield for me to feel this is an improvement. I think it
slows traffic down through congestion, not better safety. Now, southbound Middlefield is backing up on a regular
basis.
This configuration negatively impacts me because I now have to wait 1 or more light cycles to get out of my
driveway. I’ve always had to back out of my driveway. Backing out is more dangerous now because the lane going
straight (north) tends to back up while the left-hand turn lane on to Lytton doesn’t, so cars in that lane drive fast. If I
can’t back out into just the north-bound lane (because drivers won’t give me room), it creates a blind situation where a
car turning left could hit me.
It’s now almost impossible for me to back out across both lanes to go south on Middlefield. Instead, I have to turn right
on Lytton (because it’s also difficult to get in the left-hand turn lane now - see above blind spot problem), turn right on
Guinda (because it has a traffic light at University and Fulton doesn’t) and then head south on Guinda until I get to
Homer to go west or turn back on to Middlefield to go south.
Whether I’m coming from the north or south, getting in to my own driveway is more difficult. The constant congestion
on northbound Middlefield on my block means I have to wait an extra light cycle or 2 to turn right in to my driveway.
Turning left is also a problem. Right now, if everyone was driving legally and not yielding right of way, I could only get in
to my driveway heading north and would have to wait minutes to back out. Thankfully, drivers allow me to back out
even though they have right of way, but they do it when the northbound light is red. I’m forcing my way in to traffic
which is not safer.
If you ask me if traffic is “calmer” on the last 4 blocks, I think it is, mainly because it’s congested.
I don’t think it is safer or will be until there are consequences for turning illegally.
I’m sorry I haven’t been able to pay attention to all the decisions done on this project, so you might have already considered
and dismissed this, but would it help to go back to 4 lanes and put lights at Hawthorne and Everett with protected turn arrows
and red light cameras? I know this would be more expensive, but there would be consequences for turning illegally and
protection to turn. Other cities have block after block of traffic lights with success.
I won’t pretend to have all the answers, understand all the issues or even know what questions to ask, but this current
configuration doesn’t work for me and my wife. Can we please try another one?