HomeMy WebLinkAbout2003-07-21 City CouncilTO:
FROM:
City of Palo Alto
City Manager’s Report 3HONORABLE CITY COUNCIL
CITY MANAGER DEPARTMENT: PLANNING AND
COMMUNITY ENVIRONMENT
DATE:JULY 21, 2003 CMR: 361:03
SUBJECT:APPROVAL OF RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE SUBMITTAL
OF AN APPLICATION TO THE BAY AREA AIR QUALITY
MANAGEMENT DISTRICT FOR FUNDS FROM THE
TRANSPORTATION FUND FORCLEAN AIR FUNDFOR TRAFFIC
SIGNAL RETIMING
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that Council approve the attached resolution authorizing the submittal of
an application to the Bay Area Air Quality Management District, for funds from the
Transportation Fund for Clean Air fund for traffic signal retiming.
BACKGROUND
The Bay Area Air Quality Management District (Air District), in conjunction with the
Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), collects a surcharge on motor vehicle registrations
paid within the Air District’s jurisdiction. The surcharge provides funding for the Air
District’s Transportation Fund for Clean Air (TFCA). TFCA funds are distributed to public
agencies to implement projects to reduce air pollution from motor vehicles in accordance
with the requirements of State law and the Air District’s Bay Area 2000 Clean Air Plan and
the 2001 Ozone Attainment Plan. Eligible projects for TFCA funds include those involving
implementation and maintenance of local arterial traffic management, including traffic
signal timing.
DISCUSSION
A comprehensive study of traffic signal timings in Palo Alto was undertaken in 1997, as part
of a Regional Traffic Signalization Operations Program (RTSOP) grant. Since that time,
changes in traffic volumes and patterns, as well as the current development of an Advanced
Transportation Management System (ATMS) capable of providing more optimal traffic
management capability (described in detail in CMR:273:03, approved by City Council on
June 3, 2003), warrant a review and optimization of traffic signal timings. This will ensure
the new ATMS is being used to its full potential and that vehicle, transit, bicycle and
pedestrian delays along major corridors within Palo Alto are minimized.
The project will optimize signal coordination along major arterial corridors within the city
that serve the Palo Alto Shuttle service routes. These corridors are Charleston/Arastradero
CMR:361:03 Page 1 of 2
Road, Embarcadero Road, and Sand Hill Road, including the Arboretum Road and Palm
Road corridors. The goal of the project is to reduce delays along the corridors, create a
uniform flow of traffic and encourage traffic to drive at the posted speed limits. The
program is not intended to increase vehicle speeds, but to reduce delays through the
elimination of stop-and-go conditions, and consequently reduce emissions and air pollutants.
The Transportation Division intends to apply for TFCA funds in the amount of $100,000.
This would allow for the evaluation and coordination of approximately 40 traffic signals
along the previously mentioned corridors, including before-and-after studies as required by
the terms of the grant. The anticipated start date is January 2004, with new signal timings
implemented by December 2004, and final evaluation occurring in December 2006.
RESOURCE IMPACT
TFCA funding of $100,000 or less does not require local match funding.
General Fund money is required to implement this project.
Therefore, no
POLICY IMPLICATIONS
Traffic signal timing and coordination is a direct application of Comprehensive Plan
Transportation Policy T-28, namely, to "Make effective use of the traffic-carrying ability of
Palo Alto’s major street network without compromising the needs of pedestrians and
bicyclists also using this network." The project also supports Goal T-I, "Less Reliance on
Single-Occupant Vehicles", by targeting the corridors that provide Shuttle service, thereby
encouraging the use of Palo Alto’s Shuttle buses.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
Traffic signal timing is Categorically Exempt under the California Environment Quality Act
(CEQA).
ATTACHMENTS
A: Resolution Authorizing Submittal of TFCA Application
PREPARED BY:
DEPARTMENT HEAD:
DAVID STILLMAN
Transportation Engineer
STEVE EMSLIE
Director of Planning and
Community Environment
CITY MANAGER APPROVAL:~.EM~~Ly H~~A~..S.ON
Assistant City Manager
CMR:361:03 Page 2 of 2
ATTACHMENT3~
RESOLUTION NO.
RESOLUTION OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PALO ALTO
AUTHORIZING THE SUBMITTAL OF AN APPLICATION TO THE
BAY AREA AIR QUALITY MANAGEMENT DISTRICT FOR FUNDS
FROM THE TRANSPORTATION FUND FOR CLEAN AIR FUND
FOR THE TIMING OF TRAFFIC SIGNALS IN PALO ALTO
WHEREAS, the Bay Area Air Quality Management District
(BAAQMD) is authorized to impose a surcharge on motor vehicle
registration fees with its jurisdiction; and
WHEREAS, the surcharge provides funding for the
Transportation Fund for Clean Air (TFCA), which is used to
implement strategies to reduce air pollution from motor vehicles;
and
WHEREAS, the City of Palo Alto is a supporter of clean air
and wishes to take action to enhance air quality within the San
Francisco Bay Area; and
WHEREAS, the City of Palo Alto intends to submit an
application to the Bay Area Air Quality Management District for
funds pursuant to Health and Safety Code Sections 44242 and 44241
for the timing of traffic signals in Palo Alto.
NOW, THEREFORE, the City Council of the City of Palo Alto
does RESOLVE as follows:
SECTION I. The City Council hereby authorizes the City
Manager to file an application with the BAAQMD for funding from the
Transportation Fund for Clean Air for the timing of traffic signals
in Palo Alto.
SECTION 2. The Council further authorizes the Mayor to
execute funding agreements with the BAAQMD for said projects if
said applications are approved for funding.
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SECTION 3.The timing of traffic signals is
categorically exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act.
Therefore, the City Counci! finds that this funding request does
not need any further environmental assessment.
INTRODUCED AND PASSED:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
ABSTENTIONS:
ATTEST:APPROVED:
City Clerk
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
Senior Asst. City Attorney
Mayor
City Manager
Director of Planning and
Community Environment
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