HomeMy WebLinkAbout0179.091..
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Ma,..1\ 14, 1991
HOMORABL£ CI~ t~Cll
Palo ~lto, California
Attention: Policy and Procedores Committe.
Midtown Pede$trlan Stydy
Members of the Council:
REPORT IN BRIEF
The purpose Df this report is to sYmmarize the findings of a recent study
conducted to address the issue of pedestri.n s.fety at Middlefield Road ~ithi'
the "idto,," Neighborhood. The .tudy In>ol,ed data coll.cl;on .. analysis of
contribut1ng faetors and eval~at;~n of several pos$;b~e control ~as~res.
5as.d on the study findings, staff beli.· .. s that while only minimally lmpedlr,g
t~~ flD~ gf tra~el nn Middl~field Road, I mi~block redestria~ ictiv~ted signal
wo~td provide pedestrians with t~e greatest Issurance that ~otortsts ~'1 stop
to allow for their safe eross1ng.
Furthenoore, findings indicat. that consol Mating .. d reducing the number of
driveways within this are. will enhance the safEty of motorists, pedestrians and
bicyclist ••
Staff recommends that Council refer t~lS report to the Poliel and Pro(edures
Committee for discussion and I recommendation to the Council.
BACKGROUltD
Middlefield Road through the Midtown Neighborhood Is fronted by cO/!iII1orcial
e.hblfs'-nt. to the e.st, and by a mixture of resldenti.l housing .nd
coomerc!.l establishments on the west.
following '" April ~, 1990 pedestrian accident, ln~olYing an .1even year old
child wttkfa I Hfdtown cro$$walt. sttff recefved several reQy!sts for improving
th •• afetl of pedestrians crossing Middlefield Road. Tbe subsequent study,
su ... rized iB t~is report, also involved review and eVi1uatton of findings noted
i. the April 1987 tlh of filp Alt. Midtown H~lghbQrhQQd Tuffie StudY report and
the May 1987 Midtown Commercial District Parki~gt Circu1ation and Acces c Study
report, both prepared b~ DKS Associate., .s they pertain to Middlefield ~Qad.
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&AAJ]WAY CO!lpm OIlS
Within the study area, Mlddleflold Rood Is controll.d by signals ot Colorado
".,enup. to the south. Ind at Cregon Expresswa.y to the north. The dishnce betweera
these signals 1> appro,I.,tol, 1600 f.et. Tbls Is .n ac«pUblo spacing of
slgn.ls for an artorla1 street. Th •• ertlc.1 and horlzont.l alignments within
this section of ~idd1.fi.ld Road are flat and straight respect;,ely and provld.
for good visibIlity. Th. str •• t, with a tot.l width of 46 f •• t, Is .trlped for
C trav.l Iaoe •• Ith 13 foot curb lanes and 10 foot interior hn.s (s •• Figure I).
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i Midd!efield Rd.
Br)/son AYe.
fiGURE 1. EXISTIN& CONDITIOIIS
SIGHS AND MARKINGS
Cross",a1 ks Ire currently marked and signed at Bryson Ave-nile and at Webster
Street. All .. rklngs and signs confol"l1 to Stote standards and are in good
condition. Pedestrian paye~ent legends and ~arDfng signs are unobstructed and
visible to the DOtorlsts.
STREET lIGHTING
Existfng illumination ffxtures .long Middlefield Road, w1tnfa t~e Midtown area,
Ire I. the process of being upgr.d~ to I~ro.e t~e lightIng intensity along the
coaoercl.1 ictlvlt, .one.
VEHiCUlAR SPEEDS
The speed 11.lt on MiddlefIeld ROid through the study are. was e,tab1lshed in
accordance with C.1trtn, ~rlteTI. ond Is legally enforc.able by radar. On the
basis of roadside charactec;stlcs, aCCident 'Istor, Ind in observed 31.9 ~h 85
percentl1. speed, MiddlefIeld Road I, posted with. speed limit of 25 mph.
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P£!lfSI8IAN yO!.UH£S
Pt4estrll. sU"~ys were conducted on Middlefield Road on May 2, 1990, at Webster
Street and on May 8, 1990 at Bryson Avenu., between S:OO I.m. Ind 7:00 p.m. Table
I ' .... rlzes the survey result •.
A total of 277 pede,trllns crossed
Mlddl.f1~ld Road during the period
observed. Of tnese, 240 or 86.6 porcent
were adult.. All but three of the
c~lldr.n crossed It Webster Street. Some
of t~ children were escorted by 'dults.
~jth the exception of the first hour (8·9
amJ. volumes were relatfvely consistent,
ranging from 22 to 35 pedestrians per
hour.
Although not noted in Tobl. I, 61 [24
percent} ~~Z3tT1 ii.fl$ fa n ed to c.ross
w1t~iD the estab'fs~ed c.rosswalks,
apparentl,. placing convenience lbo~e
person,l .afety. Severol of the c~i1dr.n
were noted cross1n!} on skat& boards or
roller skates.
Although experh1"lting some delays. aost
pede.t"l,n. waited for ample gap. 10 the
trlfflc flow before crossing.
~EH!CUlAR Mfi
TABLE I. PEDESTRIAN YOLUMES
" .. Iryaon X....,11t Wtbst ... lllOlllc
Per fed Ctdldf' ..... AdoJ! t .. Children AOJI tI ,.,. I 1 1 •
,·1a. • 7 , " -10-11. • " , " '1~1ilp • " • " n-1p • 22 , " ,.,. 2 " 2 • , ... , • , " -)-'p • • • " '-Sp • • 2 " --_.
S· ... , .. • " --6-?p • • • •
10111 , II! 34 122
Gap surveys were eonducted on May 3, ]990. Yehicu1ar gap data is Intended to
eeisure the number and duration of gaps between v2hicles. Such gaps represent
opportunities of sufficient time for pedestrians to cross Middlefield Road.
These survey results also indicate if excessive d~lays eight be encountered by
pedestrians waiting to cross. A peak period survey was (.onduc:ted from 7:50 to
8:20 I.m. and an off·pe.' period ,urvey WiS conducted from 10:10 to !O:4D a.m.
&~r1n9 the 30 ~inute ·off-peak-pcr10d survey. 30 gaps. eQua1 to or exceeding a
ealcuhted required gap time of 13 seconds, were obser\led. During this same
period. the 11ke11no~ of pedestrians experlencfng delays ~as determined to be
73 percent.. These T't's,ults. IT'.:!'icate that IIOst pe<1estria.ns .,11 encounter some
delay, but t~.t I ,ufficlent nuober of adequate gaps e.ist for .,f.ly crossing
the street.
Durfng t~e 30 minute 'peat-p!r1od survey, Z} gaps, equal to or exce!ding tne
required sap time of 13 seconds, were obs!r~ed. Our~ng t~ji same period, the
likelihood of pedestrl,ns •• periencing delays was determined to be 82 percent.
Since BOst adults utilize proper judgement and restraint, the resultant de1ays
to thell are not sfgnlficant. However, based on t~ese findings. delays to some
children .,y be of conce.... Tbls point Is discussed i. further detail I ••
subsequent section of thh report. It should also be noted that individuals
(such IS the elderly) with sl .... r walking rotes will have an Increased like1 ihoa<!
of encountering deIIY •.
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VEHICULAR VOLUMES AND TVRNIHG MQVEM4HTS
Trlfflc conditIons were observed on Middlefield Road on H.y 2, 1990, .t Webster
Street Ind on May 8, 1990, .t Bryson Street. Tlble 2 pro,ents two-dlrectiona'
YO,_S on Middlefield Road and approach vo,.,"" from tne lOCI' str~ets within
the 1~llt. proxl.lty of the pedestrian crossIngs.
Yol_s from the lOCI' streets TABLE 2. TRAffIC VOI.UMES (5/2/90 , 5/8/90)
r .... lned conshtent throughout the
day. As c","" ored to _any ot her
loeal streets, triffic yol .. 1neS Ire
low. Mo,t of the traffic fTOll
Bryson Ave-nue lia.S generated frail
the cosmercll' e,tabllsn..nts
located 0" the west ,Ide of
Middlefield Road •• nd not from the
resldenthl IT" of the street.
Mest ROtorfsts from Bry,on Avenue
Ind Webster Street turned onto
Middlefield Bo.d .nd ,er, few
drove directly to the Midtown
comr~rcl.l est.bllsnments loclted
on the east 'ide of Middlefield
Road.
Northbound traffic on Middlefield
Road general11 travelled without
enco\Jn.terfr.g deliYs. Southbound
tnffic:., howevf'r~ often had to
waU, or cflange lines to Ivoid
delay. fr .. vehicles turning l.ft
Into one of the two coanercia 1
entrance driveways (opposite
BTYs on Avenue). About one of
COoN
'ufod .... .. , ..
10-".
1:-1lp --
1l-1p ..... , . ."
J~",
-
'·50 ....
H.
Total
Approacfl D;rec:tian OnLy i!-Direc:[iCINIl . ...,..., WotbI tl!r ,.,,~ ,IIIlcfI:fltfhld ..
II • so , ... .. • 26 ",a .. 7 so 'DOT
~-,. • ,. '276
50 7 .. ll ..
57 7 " '.2'19 .. • ,. "" II • so 1.7'5 .. .. .. ,""
II " .. "'0 .. • " ,m , .. " .. 5 , ....
every Atne southbound ve~feles observed tur"ed left into one of t~e driveways.
Sooe of these ..otorists hesitded as they turl,ed left into one of the towc
drfveways. suc~ hesitations may be due in part to confusion, as two adjacent
aentrance-drfveways are not common and ire contrary to driver expectations.
S~ besitation may even exi$t from DOtorlsts familfir wi~h this loc.tion. as
they bav. probably observed Individual •• tililing these driv~. to 'exIt' onto
Klddlefleld Road.
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TRANS!! ACTIYITY
T~e Santa Clin Count)' Tr .. nsit District provides thref blJS routes on HiddleffeTd
Road through t~e Midtown Neighborhood, .1th north and southbound stops at
tolorado Avenue lnd at Webster
Street. Ridership is TABLE 3. TIWISIT RIDERSIUP (.ource: steTD) swaoarlzed in Tabl. 3.
While values for Bus lines 35
and BB do not refl ect •
co.p1.te day's ridership,
the.. vl1u.. were obtained
during the ti ... of day when
ridership Is genera111 ~igher.
In this regard, these values
Ire still believed t. be good
indicators of the transit
rldersbip in this area. At
the lIebster Street 1 ocat Ion.
ridership wos .iRima" Tills
supports previously noted
observations, which indicated
that few pedestrians crossing
the street were going to or
from the bus stops.
ACCIOENTS
STtp lOCATlCllli IlD£RSlilP
~-... u,.. .35 -:"1,.. !4
010ItADQ Avt:Q
• Ifor~ 'tap On " " Of' " S
-Southbculd Stop "" '" • Of. ]. a
WEiSTfiiI STliE!
• .o,.v,bou-d Stop On " • Of( • ,
• Souttlbcf..rd Stop On • • OH 1 •
... .eUec-IJ. eMt:iI of 'SUI. ;of dolIil, n.nI •
... ... nee-u. ehd: of 1001. of d.1l y ./"U'"d.
.. •• flKt, chitd: cf ~l of dilly n.r..
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IIA
II<
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REPORTED ACCiD€NT HISTOliY • Accident history '.as reviewed for the period
beginning January I. 1987 through April 30. 1990. lible 4 Identlfle. the
reported .ccldent. by type .nd loc.tlon.
A tot.1 of 23 .ccidents were reported during the 40 mont~ period. At l.ast !O
of these .ccidents involved 1eft·tur.ing ,ehlc1es, thee. of which were
spedflc.ll1 related to the dual entrance drlve •• ys opposite Bryson AYenue. fi,e
of the accidents were rear·end accidents, reflective of -inattention-on the
fjilrt Dr .atorfstJ:~ There we ... e no reported ac.cidents 1f1wolving vehicles exitin9
Webster Street ar Bryson Avenue.
Curing tne 40 fIOnth period, there were no reported accidents resulting in
fltal1tfes, seven personal fnjury icc1dents, and sixteen property damage on1,
.ccldents.
Four ~f the accidents involved pedestrfans, t~ree of whom were crOSSing witkin
the Web.ter Street crosswalk. Of the three pedestri.ns crossing at Webster
Street, two were children and the third an elderly woman. The fOlJrth pedestrian
accident Involved an adult crOSSing the .treet ouhlde of the deSignated crossing
IreilS.
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ACCIDENTS (continued)
Attachment 'A' details tn. three pedestrian accident, (""mber 8, 9, and 10 of
Tabl.4) which occurred at the Vebster Str •• t crossIng.
TABLE 4. COLLiSION LISTING & CIAGRAMS (source: SWITRS)
PIUIHII R!P" IDRQI
, • 'nAIfI'I~ M, 4:5~
l'llAl'TtWTla. n 11 fI .IICYQ.IS1
Z • '2JWU~ RlI, Sz10P
rlllnnnCII
J . 7J5"~ WBI~ 7:'-IP
IlMnmIOII
" • lV14ni1. lUI. 7:00P, r.E!
.UTTfIlJOI
J •• J2SJI? ~ _ .. !hN
11Anar.ICII
, • 11/9187. _. 5:1\1', SO'. DI' IlDU:KI ...........
7· 1V23/87, _. 5:451', RtJIIT wn S'KJPHII
JMTltIfTICW. IlIISlF.E SH.8I
I· "'190, TllLI, 4=ZI6I', II 1'1 • PSI • lOUD
IOlES. \1£11 unu.-10 YIEU ICW
, -n/l0/88 rill, HI:4Ool, IET~ !i'S CIF wt1sru
12 Tt F I'm, .11 FAIL"': 1'D rlilJ) IQi
U • V'S/f!I9. e, 6:22A. SEiTCI)$ ru NX.
17 YI. f nD, \IlM IIo\'ffOTl~. ~FI: SPUD
1.1 -t{12/90. FlI, S:Z3'I .. lI1ElUo.[ lUHIllIIO , .. Ie
on NIVE:, 1"'"EWTlOi
'\2 • 'V2:6/W. fal. !;:5Oit. EXtHIG 'WIll IAClCIIIG
MCI !1O'D OItIVE 10 TO IT IIISTUII Of lITT
U • 6/17{1.'1 .. lIED, Z:" .... '60'S Of Io£JS'I'U.
IfflP • IiO TlAIlIC, INlrTtllTIOII. ~fE SPD
1" • JI\4J8B. ..... U1:''''. 55'. Of IItniOl
UIAlTm'mI. Ioa$I.Ft IPfiD
15 -HJno/M~ FlI4 ,:~, )'5'. Of ..,..
,tD;A. T PEl VIOI.J, T l(J(
16 -IJJIII~ ~~ 10:2OA, ]0'. Of' lano.
RtAI ~. ITCPPD. fRan VEil MalltG
11 -"'_,.~ saT ~ ll;W
IIIITTarTIOIii
11 -1V20/19~ frOI~ "151'"
11t1.n£l!T 1011
" ~ 11/29/., NE~ I:OOP. IS'. OF p'fSCl!
lit" Ta LIIOTOtt'fCU Sf. Ln T\.bI:It I IlAnElllC* 20 .. t/U!I1. _, 1:1IOF'
zuiTDl!IQI. ~rt SPEED
21 -..,15187. IItr. 9:2'S.l, Z5 'I !;If 1tY_
Ln ,.. ... Iwtx.m WM
Z2 • 5{4iS7. RaI. 12:45P. 30'S OF.,...
I IIiD IItATTDI. • _ llU.n EI , LlRo"1 'IiPD
n -'DI~9181, MOIl, ,:_~ 60'. CW liT$Olli
IlIT TIft 'iiSiCllil CII$CJIfO, ... I.ICSAF! IP£D
179:91
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JII .. r-.0n6t injUf",
'ropt:l"ty D_III!' I>"oll'
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a
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ACtlOENJS (continued)
NOH-REPORTED AND POTEHTIAL ACCIDENTS -It i. recognized that odditlon.l non·
...,portod accidents Ir. 1 I .ely to hive occurred I. thiS .ection of Middlefield
Road within the 40 oonth review period. The previous listing, however, should
include III of the serious injury Icdd.nls and Is bel loved to be a good
Indicator of .11 accident types and occurrences.
Specfal concerns raised by ~ei9~bcrin9 ~esfdent5 include (1J potential c~nflicts
bet .. on pedestrians .nd bicyclists on Middlefield Ro.d sldewJlks, (2) the num~.r
0' driveways (on ~ilheT side of Mfddlefield Road) which I pedestrian must tross
while w.l~t~ betve.n Web.ter Street t. Colorado Avenue. and (3) limlt.tlons of
sIght visibility of oppcsfng traffic by left turning vehicles. as is associated
wlt~ st...,ets which do not provide for left turr. bays/lanes.
YEHICLE toO£ BEGUL~IONS
Section 21950 of the C.llforol, Vehlc1. Cod. prescribes tn,t: "(a) • driver of
I vehicle shall yield the right-of-way ~o •• edestrian crossing the roadw,y
wIthin .ny .... ked crosswalk ...• (b) th_ pedestrhn has a duty to •• erc; se due
clr •.... lnd shall not sudde~11 ieave I curb or other place of safEty and ~alk
into the path of a vehicle-which 15 so close as to constitute an 1rT1i1edhte
haurd .... and shall not unnecessarily stop or de-hy traffic while in a marked
crouwalk ...• arid (tl tke driver of a vehlcle has I duty to exercise due care (or
the 5afety of any pedestrian withfn Iny crosswa1k.-
ALILBNATIYE PEDESTWI/! CONTROl MfASUR[S
Wine alterniilUve pedestrian control measures were revfe.ed and are fully
dhc:us.$ed in Attachment -8-, GeneTilly, eactl Df the a.lternil:tive control measures
f.l1s within 0'" of the f.l1'.'og thr •• c.tegorie •.
tATfllORY r -Active Traffic Cont,..l Sign.l Devices
Includes (A1tern.tlve }) Inst,ll.tion of • full intersectIon signal at W,bs\er
Str •• t. (A1ternatl •• 2) inst.11ation of • full Intersection sign.l at Moreno
Avenue. and (A1ternatl,e 3) instal1.tion of •• idblock pedestrian sl~nal (see
Figure 1 of Athehment "a"). All three of tnese devices provide I positive !l'1eilns
to stop tnfffc along Middle-fiell:! Road; however. only Alt.ernative 3 is be-lleved
to hive insignificant Impact to the flow of traffic on Middlefield Ro.d .nd to
loc.l neIghboring streets.
Studies have Indic-3;~ed that 'When unsupervised, tess than hal f of the young
~estrfans will actuate II signal. However, due to expected de1i,}'s in crossing
"Iddl.field Road. it Is likely that thildren will ",e. sign.l control at this
locatIon. furth.noore. to discourage the use of crossin9 Middlefield Road at
Dther locotlono. it is recoomended that. C,tegory I device be pursued only if
• single cross •• lk Is to ~i. in place.
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ALTfRNATIY, PEDESTRIAN CONTROL KEASURES (continued)
CATEGORY II· P,s.f.! 1r.fflc Devlc ••
Include, (Alternative 4) '.st.ll,tlon of • pedestrIan fl.sher!s), ,nd
(Altem,tlYe S) IIOdlffntlon. to .. lstlng crossw,lks. The.e ,",osure. ire
utilized to heighten the .waren.n of ""torists to the pedestrian crossings, b"t
do not as.ure th,t • .atorlst .111 .top ind yield the right of way (s •• Fig.r.
2 .f AttachoEnt 'B').
CATEGORY III· Ge~tric Modifications
Includes (Alternative 6) reduction I. the number of lane. t. three; two through
hn!$ and. twc-lItay left tUM! lane with bike lanest lAHernaUve 7) instillation
of I 16 foot pedestrl.n rtfuge I,llnd{.}, Ind reduction to two through tr,ffio
lanes .nd a two·way l.ft turn l.ne, (Altern,tlve 8) In.t.l1.tlo. of • six foot
pedestrfan ref~ge 1$1and(sj. while .aintliD~ng four traffiC lanes, and
(Altern.tlve 9) in,t.llation of • ten foot pedestri,n refug. i.land(.) i. pl.ce
.f the inside southbound lane (see Flg"r •• 3 aod 4 of Attachment 'B').
Altematlv. 6 reduces the number Df trovel laMS that • pede.trlan need. to
cbserve and alternatives 7. 8 and 9 provide pedestrians with I r~fuge island(s)
wlthl. the roadway, thereby redUCing the ""ossar1 gap time required to cross the
str .. t.
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~lTERftA1IYE DRIYEWAY CONTROl MEASURES
Regardle,' of the pedestrlln Ilter.,tlYes pursued, reported occident, .nd field
observltlon. indicate that ._ .... ure, should be considered to reduce the
nUiber of driveways and the conflIcting movement. Issocl,ted with tho drive •• y,.
Distract ions and iIIOYements to and fro;: rlrheways can reduce I IIOtorisl' s
Ittention to street traffic, tr.ffie controls .nd to crossing pedestri.n,.
AlteTflatiYe Misures were evalli.ted f~r the two dri'lswiiYS lotated opposHe Bryson
AYenue, location IAI, and for tbe two driveways s!r1llng the Co-op Market.
locatfon IB-{see F1gure 2j~ Figure 3 11lustra!es that there are in excess of
10 potentf~l cDnflict areas when two separate driveways are ~ainta;ned~ or when
tWD--way IIOvellttnts occur. !io~ver. U'"it! number of confl iet pofnts is redl.lced to
10 for I single lentrance only-driveway.
The following measures Ire 'ntended to simplffl conditions, reduce confusion and
he5itations to drivers. and reduce rear-end and left-turning accfdents.
FurtnfnDCre, I reduction in the potential f~r pedestrian accidents and imp~oyed
trive1 efficiency on ~iddlofiold Road can be ro.liz.d.
[
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: •.•.••.•.••.••••..•.•.•• : •..••.• :.: .•• : •.•..•.••.••. ·.:.:·.· •• · •.•.•• ' •. · .. :.: .•• ·.··•· .•. • •. : .•• • .• '.1 . ........... J .. f\ .:(.". "'L~III! .
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.. III.", 8,.
fiGURE Z. EXISTING DRIVEWAY AND PARKING lOT LAYOUT
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fiGURE 3. DRIYEWAY CONFLICTS
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AlTERNAlIYf DRIVEWAY C~,ROL MEASURES (continued)
AlIEBHATIVE ] . Single TWO-WiY Ortveways It Locations 'A' I '8-
Thl .... ,ure lnvolyes the con.olldatlon of the t.o drlve.ays it .a,h lo,ation
Into .Ingle, t,,'Wit drlvewiYs (see figure .J. ThIs Ictlon does not reduce the
nuaber of potentl.l conflict pol.ts, but It doe. limIt the .r •• of conflicts to
•• horter section of IIlddlefleld Road. At loutlon "A". It also provides
aotorf5t! with I .ore common two-way driveway. Th1s .lternative promotes the
.xltlng of traffic onto IIlddlefleld ROld, contributing to additIonal .re.s of
potent hI confl iets, Ind is not f .. ored by the are. merchants.
AJ Illustrated, the market signs at both locations will need to b. removed or
reloc.ted. In .ddltlon, changes wIll be reQuired to on·s;t. parking .re.s and
c1rcul.t1on~ A tree at location 'A' will ilsD require remo~al. Variations to
tilts. designs, howe't'!r., especfally at location '''''. $Ucfl is placfng the r.:ew
driv~1 to the north of the tree and Sign, may reduce the need for ~o~e of these
changes.
ALTERNATIVE 2 . SIn9le One·.ay Drlve •• y it lDcation 'A'
The p~f~r1 intent of this .'ternatfv! is to reduce the number of dri~eways and
t~e ~umber af conflicting ~veme~t$ made. Under this alternative. additional
traffic ODto Middl.field Road Is not promoted; and a significant reduction in
conflict pofmts, as noted in Figure 3. can be realized.
T~ls alternat1ve can readily be iaplemented on efther sfde of the existi~g t~~e
Ind 51gn Ind can \ltilfze one of the exfsting driveways. Best i~terf\lr
c:frcwlati'cH\J however. can be realized by Llsing the-south location (see Figure 5).
If pursued. a loss of 4 plrking spaces would be real~zed. but c~ang~s to the
exfsting parking layout and t~rculltion patterns would not be required.
ALTERNATIVE 3 . Single One·way Driveway at location '8'
This ... sure eliMinates the existing Middlefield Road ·e~it on1y" driveway from
the Ca-op Market, and therefore, 'ignificantl~ reduces tne number of conflict
points at Mi~dlefield Road (see Fig~re S). At its current lccation, vehicies
exitfng this driveway must tontend with traffic e)iting bot~ Webster Street from
the south and Moreno Avenue from the north~
[f 1~lemented, a~ .any IS five ~arking spaces ~ay need to be eliminated to allow
for Ioterior trlffic to circ"hte from t~e westbound direction to the east.
ta~e ~a$$enger ve~itlest pick-Up trucks and vans should be able to negotiate
this tura. [R this alternative, all traffiC will exit onto Moreno Avenue, and
it i. possible that odditional trifflc will occur through the neIghborhood.
17':!iI 3/14/;1
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DRijVEWAY ALTERNATiVE 1
//////./L ... L. .. " (JJ/It
~ ____ ~ _______ • _________________ L'p~.!CJII .".
Webster S!. Br)'scn Ave
119:91 3/14/91
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DRIVEWAY ALTERNATIVE 2
~ ___ • ______ • ___ • ______ .lP~:ON-"
If I
Bryson AYa
IItORENQ
NO. DRIVEWAY ALTERNATIVE 3
Wab1ter s"'1\
fliURE 5. SINGLE ONE· VAl DRIYEWAVS
179:91 3/14/91
Page 13
ME 1 GHBORI!OOO ANP OIH E R &~
~£LT~I!!ARY MEETING -Tile first of t.o neighborhood .... ting •• as hel~ on
Septe:ober 12. 1990 •• t the Well. Fargo B.n1< bunding 10Clted .t the ~idto""
dfstr1ct. Tkfs was I prel i.fnary meeting, intended to de-velop .. greater
aWlreness of t~e genenl conc.erns of Ute residents ar.d of the cotmlertiill
dtstrfr;t. Kr. Steve long. President of the Hoover Park Neighborhood Assoc1ati"on,
tog.t~.r with Mr. Ralph Johnson Ind Mr. J.y Jeffries .ttended this ~etio9 in
representation of the residents. Ms. Sharon Gerber of Wells Fargo Bank. ar.d
president of the Midtown Kerchant. Assocl.tlon. attended the meeting .Ith four
ether .erchlnt representatives.
Mr_ Johnson prese.ted ,t.ff with I detailed traffic report. noting the need to
prc'Vide added safety to both pedestrhns and motorists. !:fls ree:OrTlTlf!'lc!ation,
noted a5 _lterr.atfve 6 Df Attachment _&W, was subsequently included in the study
for evaluation.
The merchants expressed Co~cern with any changes to driveways .. hicfl ~u:ld direct
additlon.l traffic to e.it onto Middlefield Road from tho parking lots-A desire
was also ex~ressed by Mr. Rex Willfams, General Manager of the Co-op Market, for
tne deyelo~nt of a rtar access drtve and for i ~ignal on ~renQ Avenue (noted
.s Alternatl •• Z of Attachment 'B').
Ttl general, those in attendance inditated that staff had fdentified most of the
concerns. concurred with the scope of the study, a~d believed that staff ~ad
obtaif'led lpproprhte dati netessary fOT proj>u evaluation. Attachment -C
.5-uaaarfzes the caments .ade at this Meting.
~BL!( MEETING -A public meeting was also held on January 10. 1991. to present
the study findings Ind to receive views , concerns and recomm~ndat'ons from the
residents and ... chlnts of the Midtown .rea. Approximately 37S notices were
... l1ed to residonts and mordant representatives Informing them of the public
meeting (see Attachment ·O·J. Twenty"she residents and one merchant .attended the
public ~etfn94 In addition, one wrltten response was re~tived.
The meeting included p~esentatlon of t~e study purpose I study methodology. data
firlding'S l.nd potentia.l cantrol Ilels.ures. Subs.eGuent to the presentation, those
fn attendance were provided an opportunity to respond (see Attachment ~[-J.
h genenl. aost of the res.idents It the lIIIl£'eting indicated a preferen-ce for
Alternative -3" (pedestrian iIIctivated aidblocK signal) to facn'i\:ate pedestrians
croSSing ~iddlefield Road. provided thot it ;$ designed to be of high yisibillty
and closely .. nitored by the follce Oepart.ent for c~lianc. by motorists_ No
~OIment$ were ~Ide by these fn attendance pertafning to the driveway control
_asures pres.ented. A Hsting of 111 responses and comments ~ade it the :neeting
Ire noted Qn Attithment ~F·.
rABA( !!{[TlNG -Staff attended the Polo Alto Bicyde Advisory (omittee' s (PABAC)
IOnthly ... ting on February 5. 1991. Following. presentation of study findings
Ind of alter"ltive c.ontrol lIe,iI5ures considered, PAaAC snembers discl.lssed the iSSU!
Ind voted to submit a ~morandum expressing their support for impiementation of
Al t<f'rnlt he -3-. (ptdestrhn att hated m'tdbl od. ~ \qni 1 ). lht memorandum.
p~vided IS Attachment -,-. aiso notes their desire for fewer drivewjYS along
~iddl.fi.ld Rold.
179:91 3/14/91
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CONCllISIONS
B .. ed on the (Ir.dings of t~h .tudjl, safety of t,"vel Ing on or ocros< KiddTtnold
Road through the "fdto,"" n.fghbor~ood Is dete,...,ln!d to ~ Iccephble under
current cDnd~tions. Hcwever, these ffndfngs the sU9gest that there are
opportun1tfes for i~roytng th@ currtnt levtl$ ,r safety, and to improve general
(Ire.l.tlon Ind .fflclency of trovel by both motorist. and pede.trlan •.
P£P£ST!laN HEaSURES -E,ch of the 11tornitiYes presented (IndIYidu.lly or fo
cocbfnat1on} has pote-nthl benefits and' cons.equel"lces wbich need to be considered.
Tables 1 Ind 2 of Attl~hment ·B~ summarize attributes of the ~'rlous pedestr!an
.1lernatfve control .. asures.
Wh,1e piI$stve and geometrfc control measures can pro~ide adeQuate ~rotectio" for
the saf. crossing of Midd1.field Road by I>Ost pede.trian., octlv! control
... asures offer chl1dre. Ina the .1derly the gr •• tost opportunity for uf.1)"
crossfng the street. IS t~ey provfde th! greatest assurance that i ~torist ~111
stop. As In active control .rneaslJre and one which should minimally illlpact current
levels of service and traffic f1o~, stoff believes tnat insta11.tlon of • mld
block pede,trion Icthated .ignal on Middlefield Road is ju.tifled. Thi.
lJE!a5ure, however. is reconeended only iD conjunction wit., the rernDval of the
exhtfng crosswilks located It BrysCln Avenue ind at \;ebster Street. The
e.tl .. ted cost of Inst.lling I ~idb10c. pedestrian signal .t this locltion fs
le.s t~.n S50,OOO.
DRIV£IIAY MEASURES -~esfdents and PAMe _ber. have expressed. desIre to have
the number of drfve~.ys on Middlefield Road reduced. Based on the study finding.
and observed driyfng practices, staff belje~es t~at pursuing the consolidation
of the two drfvewi¥s OPPOSite Bryson AyenUf, i~ an effort to en~ance the safetj
of MOtorists, bicytlfsts and pedestrlans is justlffed~
\lbfl. the consolidaH.n of the Co-op drlvew.y' opposite Webster Street can reduce
t~e nUllber of potenth1 conflict points, .taff does not telieve that the PUriult
&f c"n.oildlling these driveways Is justified, ~c.use of on-site limitation.
wlt~f. the parking lot ind ob.oryation of appropriate driving practice. by
sotorlst. It thl. location.
CDS.ts ISsOCht2d wi th co"501 fdating drivewa,)'s can y;ary greatly with regard to
specific desfgn alternativE$ and extent of improvements pursue~.
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STAfF RECOMMENDATIQNS
Shff rec_nds that the Policy ond Procedures ComHte. reco_nd to the
Council to direct st.ff to:
(lJ
(2)
(3)
pursue design ,"d In,t.ll,tlo" of , .id-block pedestrian activated signal
on Middlefield Road In the Midtown ,re', to b. Inst.lled In place of the
exfst1ng cro55wl1ks at BrysDn Ayenue Ind Vebst~r Street.
pursue the funding (electrIc fuhds) for !n,talhtion of the Signal through
the 1991·92 elP proc.ss, and
punue design, and installition Ind funding (street improvement funds)
through the 1992·93 tiP rro<ess for consolid.Ung the two entrance
crtv2ways (oppo.s1t. Bt.150Un A"t'enue) into I single driveway. subject to
staff relching In agreement with property owners to conduct the necessary
re hted work on the Ir respect i ve ptopert 10,.
Respectfull, submitted,
bJ?/,-
DAVID VEGA
TTlnSpOtt,tlon EngIneer
'Ifoi'v/'..d:lv 1~'U{&v,_
KENNETH R. SCHR£ISER
Director of Planning and
Comm~nity fnvirDnment
Attachments: A -Summary of Ptdestrian Accident Reports it Webster Street
8 -Alternatfv~ PedestTlan Contrbl Measures r. -Memo to Fl1~s, Swnmar~ of September 1Z, 1990 Meeting o -Me.ting Notice, J.nu.r~ 10, 1991 Meeting
E • Meeting Agenda, January 10, 1991 Meeting r -Memo to files. Summary of Ja~uary lOt 1991 Meeting
, . PABAC Meacrandum
C-t:: Steve Long t Pres. ident I Hoo\'er Park. Neighborhood Associ ati 0 ....
Sharon Gerber, President, Hidtown ~rc~ants Association
179:91 3/14/91
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L ATTACHMENT "A" I
SUllllAAY of 'EllESTlIAN ACCIDENT REPORTS
ot tho wtJ5TEl STREET CROSSING
AccIdent No. a. PAfP Trofti' Colll,ion ~eport No. 90·095·015
Til. accident occurred on AprilS, 1990 .t 4:Z6~. Point of Implct WiS In tn.
second so"thbound lane of Middlefield Road, !~proxim.tely 9 feet ... t of t~e •• ,t
curb line. Report ·su~ry~ stJtes .••
"'P-';: (11 yelr old prNHuf.,l lIN ... tbo\nl in tNI c~ __ ll. II(:rOSI lIIIiOdlefilld ld.
al ~ttr. V-I (veII1ctl" ... 1oOUt~ Ilddtefi ... \d it'! the !fe. 2 1_ It
oIpptOAi_t ... ly ZS·)ij 'fiI .• -1 5V'Jltk ,·2 I" lM crOolsw.llt.
,..2' ~tliMd lacer_I far. to bam lnMt. IW'Id • ~.Ibt .... ined left t1<I ... "'lIIIIf
t. .... te-d .t sce:-oe by Palo AHe fI.D. per.-dica. "* ... tr"'>$portt'd to StlllTfcrd
lloapitai by Patel Alto w...trc: .. tG. ).,. (driY9r) did ~I _nin ."., Ir.j .... 'H_
V-' lNIuhwd .. bl-at., .i. lri"rror on lM dl'1~" .i~.
Stlt~ts: D-' It.ted 1M-... ~ lIienriil'ld td. i~ til, 10. Z C ..... It
~i_teL:r 25-50..,... h ... ic! ~ Sft "·2 In cr"I~lt. 'lllut t/'I~[ h WlI
Fing to nop fOl' her. $II ... wid tht-"kt ti'oi". Ifte I.:nr.oi, '-2 WI In front of her.
SIIe .la.t'O' fI"'I Iler tlrHa. Ir"CI .~ to ~ rfgt-:t. II~ ftf\icl .. t'-' .tru::k ,.1.
',2 IIt.ted he _s: _tbo\rd Kron III1ddhf1eld 11'1 t"-erM.l .... lk. lie Hid he ~ked
t!"lfflc In Doth cIll'"k'lfOflS. tr.r: did ""t aft' any clrs ea.ing. Wt-lIt.rted rolle~
Ikltf"" ac:rou til .. ,trHt In tM c.rou .. lk .... erl hot ... uru:k bo,o III-it.
w-, (lIdtnoess, It;!lted "'II! .,... ncr~ ~I'I tite-lo~ 2 L_ tilt _iddtdie'd Id!. lie
..r~ at me cro. .... Lk fn frcn~ .f tM Co-op ""rkil-t ta ,at '-2 prcoeeed oIC"ros.$ the
"","I. lip int~ to t~ riijht fntD till! p.r\i:"lfl tot. III' Mid ,,·1 ~'I::vthbo.sd
I'iddtefietd N. in tfIe I<!. 2 t ..... ,., tb ... atrud. ",2 11'1 d'Ie c"_14LII.
~e: t-1 ~ thto ilC:Cfdent by r.fLlng to yl4!lod til .. ~tr\ ... eronif'lll the
rOKlwy I., I _~ croas. ... lIr: lit an Inteructfon, I .... '''llt1(11'1 IIf 219S11 (I) C_V.C.-
A£Gfdent No_ 9, PAPD Traffic Collision RePQrt No. 68-315-026
rais accident o<curred on Noveeber IC, 1989 at 10:40 am. Point of impact .as In
tne first soutnbound lane of ~iddlef!old Road, approximately 5 feot sout" of the
soutk curb line extensloD of Webster Street Ind approxi""tely 15 feet east of the
west curb1 ine of Hiddlefi!ld Road. R.eport ·sumary-s.tate,s .•.
-Vllf'licli! CItIt:. WH ~ CIn lididlefield sncI In the ~ .... 1_. li'Je
pedHtrlll"1 (12 Yl=a,.. otd), _ IIIf'I the _t (:"~ IIrl lIIido;{lt'E.,!d .t ~e C"OI.~U:.
,otde-... tl""i ... t'l":te,ed the c,c;aIWIILII WId 1IIiII" Itrul:k by ¥ehicl" {PI tnll ~r 0l"Il' t ......
Vellicle I/&S tr_lLlng ~CNlhlnell" ff ..... It""" ~r tIour !lIMn IN totruc:1i: the
pedestrian. SUtton IUlblr Ttlr. IPI'r:lnT .... et rtspCII'IdKI end uid t"'-t p.6I!1otri~
di~'t recil'fw-.-ry fnjlJr-in~ Pedltstrl.., .. tao did flC:t (:~I.ln of .". injuriH.
Stlllt-.U: Dr;......,. aafc:l, ., ... t~ tlllO .lrll 01', tfte aldN.Llr: .t tM crolSwLII: sncI
I dl~'t lMnIr: thlt ttIey wer. r-oi,... to c:r~:I:I. Cht.f L'W ,irLI ... ted out i".tet til ..
c~lll ..c J just CG,tldo>'t'lI stop in 1i_o •
PMJa:trf." ulef, -It (oobd el .... P". I didi'l't He ....,. carlo, so r went 10 CI"HS ttle
IUHt II'Id tt\c ca.r hit _.-
'Wltn."'1 1'UltJer-ON' uid!, ·r,....,. ... "" .. tNti:: on &OV1:lIbou-ct Midc:lleffeLd I .. tM ~r
tlo/O I ..... troat It~ for UI .t tIIi! cros .... lt. We: ICh~'1 HI! .". Dt~r uri 10 she
we. ... t h cr~, the Itre-et II'ld tl\.t-vehicLe bit hr in ~ I'Ullber _ t .... •
c:...; Drl",,", c_ed thlt IICC''''t !by nCit yleLcfil'lll to ptdI"uri.., I0Il10 WI In Ute
c.~a.. Cat 2t9$O(e».·
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ATTADKNT -A·
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P£D£STRIAN ACCIDENTS (continued)
Acc'!4ent Np. 10. fArO Tr,'ftc Col11$fon Broor' No B9-Q2S-~P8
"'tident ~curred on AprlO 5, 19S9 ot 6:22 ••. Point of impatt was In the second
oorthbound hne of Middlefield Road, lpproxl •• t.l, 5 feet west of the east
curbline. ~eport ·summiry· states ...
-sc...ne-: Strwt If~t. In~.I' .,... Wl"1' workf,...t tM tl ... Clot thit ICc:ldet'lt. Tile
~ II .rklld' wfth 2S JIptI II .....
VlllliC!": VeIIfd .. "!lad bHn ~rhd J~ tN 700 IDHI ~f trof'.-.o Mf'HI cf nil seene
btfOl"II I !lad Irrhwd gn the-Ke!'".e. ~liIfcl." -.telr= II br~ .-btr tu"" '18f'111
U .. t I .... on tIM-r!r.'t f .. ont ~/flt!'dlr. I dl«:k~ wflidlll .1 to ... if chi
lOpea ww:I brlkHo 1,Qf",ad propI'rJy erd fcr..nr:l ~ 'n fOOd c:CW'ICfilfon.
pn)"Siail hldtrc~: iii_wi,.. DfecK. 10 Rid _ru. 1IIIf'e f~ I" t~ .~. Clf tile 10'.
D"f~: DrfVfl''' _ fOU"ld .tt ..... ,.,. ~ Part'll fa C41 I"'N--01d pedHtdWl). lIIel
.. 'rfns Just ,.,,-tt. of the c:; .. o .... ~.Lk 1'10 tN 12 18 11M of lII;icHtdit'ld Rd. Drfnr
III' _ w-ari,. .~........,co~rK~f..,. (iII"IUI ~ % canlKtlld t>er a"'d .. ldI .hll" ,",$ _rl,.. ,,,-lit tM tf_ of the aecld.nt. D-' Ihowad no ,f"" of fntOllfutior. w
"'-II wlid Califor-nl .. cff'-twr'$ tic."llt •• " .. rty t2 did I'IDt iIhcIw any sf ... of be11"111
IMOIliuhd.
InjlA" 1_= JIw'ty..z ~ulned .. cap::r.nd frllCh ... tc her lower teft \Ir';, frKtl6"ed
potlyls..-.:l' [euf'I'tion 'to tigt.t Mnd. "rty n -. initiaLly l~at«l at thto t«M
by tfIe hlo Alto 'ire Ihpt fio,r...r!c.s W'd tlNn lr.-.;ortecl by tit-. to Snnfard
l!acpftel.
Sut..m:,: Drfwr lilt .. ,~ thrIt Ih lib ctrfwt,.,. ~ "-'"Nlf. 111,1'1 tM 6'2 t&rlll of
lI;ddl.fleld 'd. at ClP"ox 3O·15~. $1M' R;d tNt she "ad hltr nann on ,inc" It
... nH! cfe:il:. Ddwer It .. id pe did not IJH ,..r1v t'Z U"ItH fllpeCt. Sh.-thl .. ,
tf'I.It 'II"ty 'fZ .,.. 10)'" fn e Kltuly cfirec:tion 'n tt.e (:ros .... lk. Dri"r" lIi6
thai"" other ceu ...... cra.nd' her .t HIt: liM.f ,"-' Keldl!nt:.
lrle'" IfH'I no ;~t wi'tnnMI that ... thc oIICCldIn. tNt couLd IIJt fOl,Rj' a!: 'the .......
"-ry: '.hietl.,1 .... In tile ~ tUffle I ..... of t"" 2'6C(t blk .iddt.fi,td Rd.
et ~. 30·3'5 .. baaed on ar-f-..ef" 1111 .t.t ...... ,. AI "'Ie~ •• ' p.IIUed tlv~ t. ...
Cr-os ..... a IDCllted at tM fMl"raectton fIf w.bI.ter It •• wtlfcle " tift. ".rt.,. t'2 wltft
tM right (~I fll"dllr. _ 'IIl"ty I;i! WM wIH""., EI In tIM-crlXo5l61ik. thl!" i~t
IVIt 'arty.:ll roort" .r the c~lk ,.-.to tile t'Z \III l_ r ... t OfIpCI$it .. c.f tlo, ~rtl.
Itat..et'lt: Pin.,. in Hid C~rCl.l:;'_toli!lt 2 .anth. ,.fur t". Kcideflt)o shl!" ..... EI I,..
the crC)l. .... lk erd ... in. tile 11 Q t..." f!If lIiltilefiehl Rd. ~o-.; ',2 .. t~ fr~
t~ .tdrvelk 1M thl!! u.s.t sTde of u.. nrMt. IIlI1f'1 aile _ bit by Veh ,1 IIIi'd t~ted
to d'Ie .r«.nd. 5M said t",t • looiltod both..,.. IIIfar. crcnl,.,. ...::II ..., no
tr,fffe in .;tMf-t.,.. .. CII'" $I "fr-ectft:IN 01 1I:cic'lefi'ld. Qle said' she ChltC:hd the
P,.rti,... lot. ,,, tM arM ["at tntltt IIif'I'tit lI;dId'l.et;.ld Id ... I.a.o f(lr -erei,.,. trI1111:
.-.:I .. rothf", betONI CI"'05S'I'CI.
1I!1IJIO"t: Uter ,. .... i ... of thi • .-:elder1t case, 1'0 fIOlf~ of ytoL,tlon wILL be ' ... l.a'd
te;. I>river It. TM IJIftd carY"lat bit prGWn to be v.ca.sive. 1M pec$e\;t,.i.,.
~"' to Iter IItIt-.er.t~ onty tool( ........ tltl) .. t:1Pl beforl" being IIotroocl Ibv the
c:cr. TlIer-e f. fnsuffioc:i.-.t fn(o~tlllJ'l tOl'" • vrolatfOt\ In mill: KC'*"t.
•
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PACHME~T
ALTERNATIVE 'PEDESTRIAN' CONlROL MElSUqES
Mine ,1t.rnativt -pedestrian-control meisures reviewed by this study generally
fiU wiUin one of the following three categories, Ind are i11ustnted in Fjg .. res
I thro,:gh 4.
CATEGORY [. -Active-Tr~ffic Centrol Signal Devlces
Includes (Alt. I) installation ef • full intersection signal at Webste, Street,
(Alt. 2} instal1atior. of a f~11 intersectiQn 5igna1 at Moreno Avenue. ar.d (Alt.
3) installation of I lIidb1od. pedestr11n signal. These dEI/ices provide I
positive means to step troffic along Middlefield Road.
(ATfiORY II --Pas$i~e-Traffic ~wices
Includes (Alt. 4) Installation of • pedestrian flosher(s). aod (Alt. S)
modificatfons to existing crosswalks. These ~easures are utilized to ~ei;hten
t~e awareness of IIOtOrlSts to the pedestrian crossings. but do not assure t~at
• .otorlst will stop ,nd yield tne right of .ay.
CATEGORY III -Geometric Modifications
Includes (Alt. 6) reduction j~ the number of lines tD 3i 2 through Tanes ~r.d a
two-way left turn hn •• ith bike lanes, (Alt. 7) Instal lotion of a 16 foot
pedestrian ~efuge 111and(s). Ind reducti~n to 2 through trlffle lanes and a two
'WilY left turn lane, (Alt. 8) instilh.tion of a 6 foot pedestri.an r-efuge
island{s}, while maintaining 4 traffic lanes, and (Alt. 9) installation of a 10
foot pede,trlan refug. island(s) in place ef the inside southbound Ian,.
ALTERNATIVES I and 2 -Int.rsectien Signals
An 1ntersect1o~ traffic sfgna1 estab1ishes the right·of·~ay for v~ricus traffic
r.ovements and tin provide motorists and pedestrians with i prQtecte~ phase in
which to trilve1 through the intersect ;on. GenerallYI t1'le r.umb!r of traffic
Signals on arterials Ire minillized so that traffic travelling en ,arterials
experience fewer delal'S. The intersections (:f JIIIiddlefield Road with Webster
Street and with Moren~ Avenue ~re evaluated for signalization. Due to its close
proxiGity to Colorado Avenue. the intersection of Middlefield Road a~d Bryson
Avenue was nGt considered.
Data cbhined was applied to tke followi:rlg eleven ~S;gnal Warrants-, estab' ished
.y the Califer.l. Deplrtment of Transportation (Caltr,ns) ...
..... ;'"r~t 1 • lIIir.i_ Yehil;Ut6" YCll~
..... rr.m J • IIII",i_ PltCllnrfoll'l YIIII.o!llf
v.rraort 5 • Prog .. ".i .... ~[
........ Int 7 • S-pt ... w. .... ent
'*111'1''''' •• ,.". .... ¥O>l~ w.rrart[
'\tau''''. 11 ......... """'" yel .... W6rrant
w.~1' .... t 2· r'l[e~~tiCl\lIf Cc:w'Iti,.,."..".,.lr .. HiI:
.... ~ret'lt , -SChoo I lr .. ,
Ikrr.,."t , • Ac:c:;dItnt E"Pl1"ienc'"
.... rnnt I -C~i~tior1 If w.rr ..... u
Iil&trMt 10 -,. .. t IIIlJI' I>tL~ I16rr .... t
When criteria for satisfying at le~st one of these .arrants are not Met. it is
I general fndication t~a.t (lJ there Ire insign\fic~nt benefits tG be gained frere
slgn,Hullon. or thlt (2) Iny ben.fits gained will be outweighed by disb,.efi".
such &, fncrtl$ed vehit'e delays. increase in aCCidents, reduction cf tapacit,
and the cest of instlll,tiDn.
AntlQH]"{T "S"
I of lZ
'i I
PEDESTRIAN CONTROl KEASURES (continued)
ALTERNATIVE 1 -The f.tersectlon of Mlddlofl.ld Road .nd lIebster Str.et was
e'V11lllted fGr signa' itlt\cn beca.use it is 1 d.esignited CT'os:s;iI'19 U'I!a. and was
observed to ha.e been the locitlcn 9redooln.nt1y used by chOdren and the elderly
In crcssilli Middlefield Road (se_ figure 1). IIhn_ His ., .. ,ure provides.
prctectod IIU", of crossln~ Niddlefield Ro.d by pedestrians, crHerla for
satlsfy"g .ny of the taltr.ns w~?r.nt. for slgn.llzatlon were not met.
AlJfRNATIVE 2 -The Intersection of Middlefield Road and Korenc Avenue was ils.
e •• 1.ated for slgn.liz.tlon {se. Figure ll. If slgn,lized, this ;o(atlon oil1
provide Co-op cu,tomers with In .1ter.,tlve Deans of ,ccosslng Middlefield Road_
S_ ... reha,ts bell_ve that '01lI0 customers currently circle bad through the
~eighbor~ood along Koreno A~enue to Ross Road Ind to to1orado Avenue to access
onto Middlefield Road. Al '0, When Irlfflc on Middlefield Road Is stopped ot t~i'
location, t~.r. i, • possitllity that additional gaps in the traffic stream may
be realized It Webster Street and It Bryson Avenue for pedestrians and for left
tu~lng yeblcles_
Few peO'e.st!'h.ns, J\o'llll!vtr. &r-e eJ.pected to ..all to this lQc~tton to cro.ss
Middlefield ROilid wh.en 9c;ng to the conaerc1il establishments frM Webster Street
or Bryson Avenua. furtheraore, eriterl.a for satisf,)'ing any of the Caltrans
warrants for s1gna'fl~tfon are not met.
Both oign,l .1tern,tlve, provide the adjoining residents with a protected means
of Icce"lng Middlefield Road. ~any of t~.se residents, however, may be
c.oncerned that .. $ignal '\11111 11sG entice I.nd incnase tri.ffic 116n9 their
streets.
AlTERNATIVE 3 -Midblock Pedestrian Signal
A ~idblock pede.trl,n slgn.l isslgns the right-of-way between through yehicul.r
traffic (with full "red-amber-gr •• n" Indications) and cross pedestrian traffic
(with pedestrl.n ·walt-don't walk" Indioatlons).
5i9oa1 Warrant 3 {Mlnlewo Pedestrl.n Volu .. } .od warrant ~ (School Areas) are
.lso 'ppltcoble in determining t~e approprlatene,s of a ".Id.lock" pedestri.n
signal. Warrant 3 and C address pedestrian l~d v!hicu1lr volumes~ b~t do not
fully address the issues of Jtreet w1dtbs, number of travel lanes, pedestrian
mikeup. and adequate vehicular gaps. Based on the gap sur~eys conducted as part
of tUs study, It Is evident th.t some benefits, to bot~ children and tne elderly
can be achieved through llgnalt.atIDn. School Crossing Control 'rlteria, also
established by Caltr.ns, .tates ...
"\hen "" .. lay .tlMer. tM-oecurrttrW:. of ~I. pps itH-. excnJi"'.
dllldrenM)' beeON r..,.t;ent lI"'d..,.r ~tl'('t. b,latt.-pl-'J'1iII t'Oo cross I~.
SUftt IiJri.,. WI i~t. DIP. 1,.fI. cfelrr-"" ba conti~r~ p(. ..... I\ft ~ tIM
r....ber of ~fI'" In the C,..fflC" It .. __ ..... i,. w Jet"ic:td the-~;lQrcn IV.
wi,.. • crouf .... 'S l ... thwI a.. ........ 1'" .r .i""us I ... tNt ... Cf. period. "'til till. CGt'Id'ltfon (illhen ~1. lIP' OCCl.,r , .... r~ct)' u., WI .... r .. of
eM per .1M.>. __ rGI'W Of t ... Uic: .tantrot f. ~ .•
A traffic signal io a fvno of control which can ,rtitlcially create I gap !. the
tn.ffic stream by stopping t"rough t.,.affic. ~c as to lIIHO'III peOe-$t.,.'1T\$ $lJffitient
tlee to .,fely orDSS the str •• t.
ATIrotfJIT T 2 of Z
•
·"
....... =.;:..;.;...;...... ______ -_.:-____ c: ____ -___ :-_______ ---'-___ :~,:;;....~
P£PESTIIAN CONTROl REASURES (conttnuod)
ALTERNATIYE 3 -Midblock Podestr". S~gn.1 (continued)
Otller issues. h ...... r. regarding I .Idblock podestrhn '19na1 _ust .lso be
cr.'I::id'em. loc:.t~on. impact to nearoy streets" drheways, 'mpilcl to bus stoPSt
ylslbilltl and coapllance by .. torists. potential d.l.ys to .. torist •• 5afetyof
.. tcrlst. and pEdestrl.ns, •• pected utlllz.tlon by pedestrl.ns and the cost .f
slgnall •• tlon ""st .11 be addressed.
Jf pursued. a IIfdblock ,Ignal should be located sufficiently close to an exi,ting
crosswalk location curre,tly being utIlized by pedestrian •. If lccated too far
froca an existing crou~street. ,pedestrhns are not 1 i tely to lII'a1 k to and USE' the
signal. Since lIIO.t Df the children and the elderly ""re observed crossing at the
llebster St",et cross •• U. I likely locitlon for a pedestrian signal .v.ld be
wlt~l" re.sonable .alklng dist.nce of this Intersection. If located at le.st 40
feet fr"" Webster Street, Impact to n .. rby street. , dr;,ew.ys should be ~1 nimal.
A .idblod. signa1ized crossin.g c.ould be lotahd just soutn of the existing
southbound bus stop near Webster Street (.ee Flg"re I). Minor .dj"stments. if
needed, to location of the bus stop sho~ld be ,possible, ]i~iting adverse impatts
to transit .:tlyitle ••
Observations indicate that 20 or fewtr ~destrhns cron at Webster Street during
• t1Pl~al hour. In this regard. It Is .ntl~ipated that for most of the time. a
pedestrl.n .Ignal ot this location would not interrupt t •• ffic on Middlefield
Road. Delays, t~erefore. to motorist. should be IOlnimal. On the other hand.
local IItOtorists Clf motDrists 'Who routfnelJ tra1!el this street ma)' become
conditioned to having a green Indication. and •• y be caught off·gu,rd when the
light tunns to red. It should be noted that signalized Intersections are often
aSSOCiated wit~ rear~end type col1~sions.
Fina'ly. studies fndicate t~at ~e~ unsupervised, l~ss than half of tne yo~ng
ptdestr1aQs will a(tuate the 5ignal, thODsfng rather to cross during gap~ in
tr.ffl~. In p~tlng the us. of a signalized crossing. this alternat!ye should
onl' be cQ~.sidered if the existing crosswalks at Webster Street and BrysoFl A .... enue
I re removed.
-,'
FIGURE 1. tAT,6ORY I • 'Active' Tr.ffic Control S19n,1 Devices
It ... ,.10., .....
"' ...... -.
_ .... , ••
ALTIUINATIVE
-----.----.-.-
I.,..." -
ALTERNATIVE I
-.,...t::=,.J i Ul ~ .1 L.. _~! ,U r '-r.---..l<L
111' •• --I."
iIII'''''~ ...
(
I
, .. ,.1 •. ".
... ~ .. , ••
---------------
I' ,. ... -.
ALTIRNlJlViI: a
I'"S ................ , ......... u
." .... ...
ATT!Otft[( T of 2
pEJ)(mlM toIITROL 1lIASVll:E5 (continued)
AlTfRNATIVE 4 -Pedestrl •• Warn;ng fl.sh.r.
Ii pedestrIan ~'l'IIlng flosher (technlc.l ly referred te IS • 'nlurd Id.nU (fcaUen
f1as~lng beacon'} is • clevlce with ene er IIIOre flosMng 'yellow' sl9nal
Indication' and Is utilited te heighten the .warenes. of mid-block crosswalk.,
ifl.tersectfons, or WI"ing sign$~ The effectiveness cf flashl!rs, however. has. not
been consistent 'rca one location to .nother_
]f pl"Irsued. flashers IK)lJnted on ildvance "ped4!strh~ warning· signs together ... ith
fllShers phc!-d on ·cvl!rhead wast arms." (as n lu:.trated in figure 2) s.hould
proylde positive re.ults.
1I ..... ln9 fla.hers are not reguhtory devices and do not Impede the flolo( of
traffic. Indeed. seven1 studies lIave indicated that with time, thefr infl uence
on ntdc:uhr speeds and motoriSts attention diminishes. Some pedestrians,
f'lowever •• Y be'leve tholt the dewic:e provides a protetted cros$in9~ thereby
creltfng I potential ·fllse sense of Sfcurtty~.
The MooYer Park Nelghborhcod Assocl.tlon (HPlfA) has requested that a 'pedestr; an
actlYated' yellow fl.shlng lIght be installed on the pedestrian crossing sIgns.
A pedestrlln ,ctinted flasher, however, Is not •• tandard t .. fflc control
device, and sue" In .ppl fcatfon lIay further I pedestrian's filse sense of
securlty_ Pedestrian Ict;yatod devlco. (push buttons) shoold onl, bo utilized
It signals Where right-or-way Is f.lly controlled.
ALTERNATIVE 5 -Cro,s •• lk Modlflcat;on.
A recommend.tlon noted In the OKS Associates, 1987 '~f Palo Allo ~;dtown
N@1ghborbopd Ir.ff1, Stydy· report, Ind supported by the HPNA is t~ texture or
applJ I sp-ecfal trl!.atllK!nt to t"'e crosswalks to remind motorists of their
locatIons. The report stites ...
-The ~.f lUtw.d CIt" othllr IPft'ra! "r'uted crOQ.WlLti {n. this appliutlln is
j_ltffil!d t.Md .,. tM .. i~ood' ~_rcf.t ac:thd!:'I' n 1'0 ..-c:~~ .I" ••
,....fdlnu 10 auuI 1M atIoppfl'lll district by _lIdng. Preum:ly bt-fc$c or
t ... t .... ., cNMls ... IU OI.Itsldlt r>f ~ ~t~ ...... h~ bee\", ii.cour.ted ~i .. ~H'I'
-.... (lr fncrM«d _int~ ~~ t .... C;tt -r incur {I\ rit'ptoKing tilis type.
rJf cr!HIs.lII: an::! If'! 'HIM'fa::fl'll tM .. trH"t~ if ~ ... ry. Otl1er rNII",.. c:lud 'fit" ~.1IoIW: .outifIM D1 tM ~t'*" .,. •• ar.: diffi;:l.Oltl" {" .. tchil'll 1bhlf'ld
f*Io'i,.. C'-'U_} r;.olwf"l ¥"IdIOt patt • ..,.. for .fnt""*lC., IIf'd • ~tlOl"l In
the: ~tlcf.,t ., SYri.n frictfCfl or. 1111. typ! of pilrlr-.. ~r-. It __
Mt.t tNt othoH _tv{.t .. "'tcl\ C1It\ be I!lr«.'tl,. !llppltw to tM ..... ',.. .1'''
..... IL*. at _ towr CNt 8YSun be~. ,..nl, f,.ul!tcllh.--tutwr.a pM'h'l/jl
lit' _tet ..... eus.1II
Another possibl! !Deans of incrusing pedestrian visibility and motorists'
.~.r.n.ss h to oark (cross-h.tc~) tne crossw.lk. II 1988 Fedenl Highway
Admfnfstntfon report, Inyest'gatlon of [)cposure Baseod Pedestr'ian Accident Areas
studied the .!slbillty of 16 different .uking pattern •. While dio90nol marki"9'
\ •• t~ only ,",.,.1 .. 11, acceptable, .everal variltlons of the ladder lUrkIng. (s ..
figure Z) tested well I. enh.nclng the vlslbllity of the cr ••••• lk_
ATfIOKNT "B"
g of 12
,".'
, ,
•
\ ,
FII.URE 2.
.~ "
-','
CATEGORY II . 'P •• ,I •• ' Trlfflc Control Oe.!ce.
N "-
1 ........
"
Al.TERNA'TIVE •
ALTERNATIVE ,
--_ .. __ ._-----
.. ,. .... . ,.
).,,~,~ , ................ , ~, .•• 11._-.. ~_)
111111111 n_ .. ,· I. ..... "" ..
~ 1 •• :1'· .................. .
AT1Wf.!i "B'
of 12
P£D£STRIAH CONTROL MEASURES (cDntlnued)
ALTERNATIVE 6 -Three lane SectIon
This .1tern;tl~e reduces t~e number of t~rough lanes to one for each directfcn
of trl.el Ind Include. a two-wIY left tu", lane (see FIgure 3). Bi~e lan.s are
01.0 provIded for ,"ch dlrectlDn. Recommended by • resident of t~e Hoover Park
llelghl>orhood, this .ltemath. Is Intended for l"Ple~nt.tiDn on Middlefield Road
between Oregon: Expressway and (olorida Avenue. This 01' ternative was recommended
with three primary gOlls:
(I) To chong. the char.,ter of thjs section Df "Iddlef~.ld Ro.d. TMere is a
belief bl SDme re.ldent. that the 0.Istl'9 4 l.ne. reflects a bigher class of
rDldway and thereby promote. higher 'peeds. It Is desired that this section of
Middlefield Ro,d be tloser I. chlraoter to the ,ectlon of Kiddl.fleld Road north
of Oregon [xpress •• y whlt~ Is .. rked for ~ lines.
(2) To provIde left-turning .ehlcle. with a sepa .. te lane from through vehicles.
Safety can be I""roved IS vhlbl1lty by left·turoing .otorist. of oncoming
traff1t: is 1~c:rea.sed, and potenthl fer rear-end accidents reduced. The
Inshlhtion of left-turn lanes Is endorse<! by .eye .. l of t~e Midtown Merch.n!s.
It is also believed by s_ of the re,ldent. th.t the overall r.sult of
implementing this llternatiYe will be • smoother flow of traffic.
(3) TD provide bicyclists with a deslgn.ted on-stre.t tr.vel lane. The intent
is to remove bicyclists from the sidewalks. Currently, bicyclists and
pedestrians sJiare the sidewalks. and create a potenttf;l for pedestrian :and
blCJcle rel.ted ,ceident •.
Some concerns, however, include:
(I) The overall wIdth of the bile lane .nd the adjoi.ing through lane being 17
feet wide. When a bus stops along the curb, car5 passing the bus ~ay encroac~
loto t~e center left-turn l,ne.
(l) Tn. flo .. of northbound traffic. While there ore Significant number of
southbound left·tL!rning venicles. into t~E: Midtown (omercial Estahl ishments, the
significant turning ~ovements af northbound ye~icles is to the right [into the
same establishments). CDmbl.ing the northbound through tr.ffic with the right
tijraing lrlffic ift the same lane will therefore, create further congest lon, and
cause th~ flow of northbound tr.fflc to flow less s .. othl~ than It currently
does.
(3) Reducing the numb~r of l'ne •• t Oregon Expressway and at Color.do Avenue.
As proposed, the delays at the.e Intersections would be signlflcant1y Incre.sed.
There would 11so be increlSes fn the number of occurrenc'!s hI whfc." vehic:1es back
up past the driYewilYs at tt:e MidtClwn establishments. Tnese c.oncern, ?lOIlIiever~ can
be lliAlllfzed If iMpl .... nt.tfon of the proposed ,Hernalive 1$ limited to
Mlddl.fi.ld Road from north of Moreno Ayenue to just south of Bryson Aven'Je.
-'-.-
rl~JRE 3. CATEGOR¥ III -&eometric ModifIcations
4(
lD
Z
W 0 ;;. > 0
~ w ..
w z Z <
0: -'
w W w
!:i '" '" ... <
..: ..: ..: • . • • :< 0
-
:<51 II
0 z.
wW
15~
"
~ ~/
t~
-J
II
~
b========================-=-==~~======d
. ,
PEDESTIIAN CONTROL MEASURES (continued)
ALTERNATIVES 7. 8, and 9 -PedeotTI'n Refuge Islands
As with Alternative 6, these t~ree alternatfves 1n~olye changes to the travel
11,..:1. TIi, Ca.AOn flctor. tlo\lolever, 1II1th Alternlthes 1, 8, Ind 9 ;s the
InsUlhtlon of • pedestrian refuge Ishnd It each of the existing cross.alks.
A refuge 151and. elfminates the need for ill pedestrfafl ttl cross the entire 'Width
of the street It one tillE. Necessary gap HIDes Ire greitly redac.ed and attention
c&n be foc"sed pri .. ril, ta one direction of trlffic flew It • time.
In eVlluatfng thes~ .lternlt1ves. ealcu1ations were co~ducted to determine the
le\l'el of senfce (lOS) for various street cross. ~ections. For 1e,l(istlng
condlt~ons, with 4 lines, on11 the southbound fnsfd~ lane experiences a low LOS
of -E·, ibis, It the dual Midtown entrance dr1Yes opposite Srysan Ayenue 15
attributed t.o tne frequent sout~bound left turiJing vehicles, ind tne changing of
I .... (~rglng) from the left lane to tne right lane by .otoristo caught behind
the stopped left turning .. hlele •• In sections af the roadway where left turning
SQvements do not occur, lOS of -A B is maintained. for all othe~ scenarios. fair
OT good lev,l of servfce 11 achieved.
ALTERNATIVE 7 . This Iltemottve re.ults in I reduction of the number of t~ro"gh
lanes for eac~ di~ct1Dn to or.e, supplemented with a sfngle two-way left turn
lane (se. figure 4). E.c~ curb Ian. wauld be approximately IS feet wide. and the
Isl.nds wauld be about 16 feet wide. Th. wide Islinds should promote use of the
desfgnated cross walks by pedestrfa~s. This is perhaps t~e most ideal situation
for pedestrians, blJt requires t~at III vefi1cular traffic (non-left tur;ning) share
the same Ian.. findings. during the pe,k period, Indicate that the capacity of
the insidE!' lane \Jr')der txfstfng conditions is gri!atl.1 reduced due to left turning
vehftles. Impact of t~~s alternative, tkerefore. to southbound travel ~il1 be
IIlnfaaL Nort"boum:~ travel. however, will realize a redu<:ticn to existing
c.pac~tl and to LOS from 'A' to 'c'.
ALTERNATIVE 8 . Thio .ltemative provides a 6 faot wide pedestrian ishnd
dlrectl, 1. the middle of the street (se. figure 4). Although acceptabl., wider
Isl,.os Ire typically favared. A red"ctien to the curb 'ane widths (from 13' t.
10 /) It t~fs locition is also necessar). The reduced w;dt~ wi1l constrict bus
traffic, and re\lufreo tnat bicycle tnffic merge completelJ .. ;t~ ~ehic\J1ar
traffic. The fQ~r traffic lanes, ~owever, Ire maintlfned, and ped~strians ~il'
be prGvlded with improved cross~ng opportun~ties.
ALTERNATIYE 9 • This Ilternative utiliz.s the insld. southbound lone for placing
10 f~ot wide pedestrian refuge i.lands. Th. remainder of this lane {before 2nd
beyond} the Isl ... d can be canverted ta a two-way left turn l.ne (s.e figure 4}.
At the point of the Island, III southbound tr,ffic wil' need ta travel within a
single lIne. As Indiclted abov., impacts, due to the existing left turn demand
t. southbound troftlc will b. IIinim.1. As proposed, this alternative will
reQufre that southbound vehfcles be merged into one lane north of Moreno Avenue.
The wid'e 151 ihlS should pr-ovide pedestrians with adequate security, inc.reased
DpportuniUes to cross. and promote tne crossing ~f pedestrians within the
deSignated cro •• walks.
AJT.tOKNT -S"
9 of 12
FIGURE 4. CAT[GOR! III -Pede.trl,n Refuge Is1.nds
o=====~-~=----
w ......
ALTEIIN,I[I"IYE 7
ILl _--'tWt~. __ _
1Il81S1,-_-=.J:=r ___ _-
..... ... .,.
11 !
, ..... -
ALTfRNA~IYi •
. . , .. " -
ALTERNATIVE •
lLl __ -l
•
'._'.
1. SUMMARY OF "PEOESTRIAN" CONTROl MtASURES
'I"'iIIta .. U1bll.tt lfM. rl,M·,,'--v (<< ¥vI_
... ~t ....
rots p-ovl'* I pol • ...,. to "top 1rl'1'i-:,
ta IPPI. ",. ILL,* 'Ot' ute peel. croufn;.
tid Wr. tl'A _t d'Ioflclt-en .-.:I lilt ... :,.
, obr;~ tc be croail"lJil.
: ihoocI O( bet... ...-.d by pedI r" ~ 1OOd.
id 'r"HU~1 in .... Li.fbt. or r'IO flllJ'Kt to
. e"o" n: .... u SI.Icll .. flkn"rc WId ""'te ...
-..:b:, tile PUICar .r rfglo.t· .... t. aefdent ••
:lOHf' !:tIa't ,1o!t. lIZ tD .in. Ir}"IoIII"I .,~.
Itlw! t:o Alt. I '2'~ .,1.,.. to "l'*fi.fllld
'fic:: tlliH Is. -'fti_L •
..,t. ,..... ta loot .t ~ tftrOUlfl L .....
rlf1llc: ,,, IKft direc:tion.
,il'\lltN tM Ntd (1eI1'" peds-to C-f'OC' ltIt,n
~ af tM .t~t e1 ON'tl ••
, "*' r9QA .ttwrtian to eN dTr.nion of
rle .-: • ri_.
\.Uf"'J'-.u. ~U be ..... Uy r~.
lIE. sa lOt 'SIC '9 tHi
i\l.T "",r AU
, Z J
VI i,-. ...
n.AS"l1 . ., •
.-I.U.U:.s
AU •
UlE~r III
3-l.A/jU
I
16'IF .. 1G
'-l. T ,I;~ 't
• 1
6' UUG ." •
wuud
'-" I • I
I
---------~---+--_+-_+-_+_-+_-+-------+--1
:h .. to aa ",119 _;~.f,.." t,..Uic t ....
:1 .. 1;0 lUI 4Ui, fillpllC:t to "*"d , •• I,..i_~
AT] ACfIoIENT T
lJ of 12
•
•
\ -
TABLE Z. SUMMARY OF 'PED£STRIAN' CONTROl MEASURES
CAlI!CI:»'I' I CATEGORr II
~. II' "11& p£D SIG FLASIi£t X· ... U$
_t;AUw.nIIMES "" "" "" "" '" I • • , •
'-Doe& not prOWl •• rc:-ftlw .... of .. toppr,.. · · traffic to Illow ror protectiICI , ....... boJ ptdI .
.z-COrdltfarw ..... t a..11'fy HUbtl.hed CIItt.-ans · · .1 ... 1. ..,-1","t ...
,·",1 L L I'ft4.II t In .. t. til Mfddl.ffllC1i t ... 1ti~. · · I""'·' '~ft.,.. n LD5~ ...-c'all, fOl" P'lCrthtJotrd
tral'H<. 'X\ .Iddtcfleld" .ttl b! rMxllcl.
S·Wfll,* 'n conjllltcion .Itll tilt r-.I or t~ · · · uhtl,.. "-¥cLt(.) I wHI NICfoIlrl pedI. to "'"'''' tt-ant the-.. tr. di,Ure. tel UN me COI'Ilro •• ""y
6""-Y Ire ..... Dr be per.ceiwd 1'111 inc-r-atM cut · · tt. ......... 'U'l'fflc.
7-11-I. not II City 0' ".A. It~ IIPPLIClltr.",. ·
a·plU(llifty " ~rot t::. ra.~ .. trefitl I d" iIWl'I-· · I · .-y rfl6jlt In opt"ratil7'lll cClllpLiCltiON.
I'· •• icillt.'d: Cf"OlIlil'lll i. NI~ • IU,.41r-1 cr-ou:lne · lontl_.-.:I -.y eatd'l _torflts oif-..,-d.
lO-iltay rHUlt In iircr..-d ~. of r .. r~ aQC:·I. · 0 ·
,1-I,-y nti't till ~ by tM ,..,astrl .. r .. ."fc:h · · 0 I It ,. fntllt'dNJ tD Mf"W.
'Z'WHt co.t -.. tlwn "00,000. · 0 I
1J·Ef1.t{~' My di.fnfllll with ti ... · ·
"~DaH NIt pr"'CNfdl-b'cLllt vitJI .1t. to ., .. Iu. · · · · 0
lS-Wilt cltel"dM '''PKit,)' III"'od 11'1;1'"_ a.1-vs at
Dr..., n CoLOI'"D.
t6·'0t"et$ tl"g,,.:-hrnfng I thN ~. to VlI,.-e ;n. I r-__ c_~_
17-e.tf"'t. pu,l,. .t~ tow .. ay ItnCr~ Into
.rjofnf,. cwttlr l ...
1e-Ten "t. CYttI I~ viII furthoer deter-
on".tr .. t bfeyel. lr.ffie. -
19·~ It-trttr,,, Wh • .t tM CUlt d'W)' ..,trnc:n
.,. t.....,.( en the: , foot 1eCfIW\.
2Il-S'a.lpe typIo .,;eldem. -r fP'!C~ In ~
W"M& """'~ tnd. tout'" of ~~.'t •• tl.llit .. r .... -----
2i-TUffk. , ... dht"ly Mf]Kant ~o tIM' hi ......
.. HI a. .-.trh:t_ 1:0 , 'diN I.,. In Hd\ dill". ----
•
\
. "," ~'
tAl<:GORr '"
3.L .... U! 16'UlJG, 6' !FIJI> 'O'IFi.IG, oUT ~lT ... , OtT
• T • • · ·
· ·
·
,
If filled-
Ined
·
· I
·
· 0
·
! · .
· .....
""'v
I ,
0
I
P-
i '.'cd ~Yj
·
·
s.ard
""v ii.and On'y
An ACI:f'IErn "8"
12 of 12
•
ATTACHMEt-:T "c" I
71101<:
CITr OF PALO ALTO
%NTEROFRICE ~HO~~UH
septambe~ 14~ 1990
MidtownjMiddlefield Road Study File
David Veqa 23 V
SUBJECT: s~~ary of Septe~er 12, 1990 Meeting
The ~ollowin9 in~ividuals attended a meeting to discuss the August
31, 1990 IIDUF'l''' Middlefield :Road at !1idtown Pedestrian S.!te't.'i
report:
Ashok Aggarwal} Staff
Sajis Katwan, Bajis ' Coffee Lane
Sharon Gerber, wells Fargo Bank
,Ralph Johnson, BPNA Resident
Sam Duca, Midtown Market
David vega, S~aff
Tom FOy, .Midto-.m Realty
Steve Long:" HPNA President
Jay Jeffries, HPNA Res.ide.""It
Rex "'~il1h::ms, Co-op Market
Du~inq this meeting t the ·follo~ing issues were noted:
(.l} Report should identify the need for Folice enforcement ana
place greater emphasis on excessive vehicular speeds.
(2) A variation to Alternative 6 should be included for
consideration. The variation calls £or 6 foot bika lanes and
11 foot travel lanes in each direction, and a 12 foot t~o-~ay
lett turn lane~ Thg 3 lane 5Q~tion would extend trom Cregon
Expressway to Colorado Avenue.
Mr .. Johnson sutllll.itted a report of his personal study. He
note:\ sight ,risibility probleiIls for opposing left tu;=-:r;ing
.... ehicles (sJeetches 3 , 4 of his report) as a reason for
pursuing center leEt turn lanes.
(3} Mr. Johnson ~elieves that a primary concern for ped~strians
is facinq 2 lanes of traffic in each direction. southboun~
traffic cominq trom north of Oregon ExpressW"ay enter the ,
lane section and. .teel comfortable at travelling at higher
speeds. IL City does not install a control that will -stop
the traffic. then we need to reduce the number of lanes~
(4) Mr. Long indicated. that red'Uced lanes might cause some
problems with the buses.
. ,
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(5)
(6)
/
Several individuals expressed a desire for some torm of a lett
turn lane t notinq that such ac~ion, more so than
modifications to 4rive~ays would serve to reduce ac~ident
occurrences. Suqgest that consideration be given to 5 lane
sections as well. Hr. Fay recommended that accident history,
before and after installation of the 5 lane section at
Colorado Avenue be reviewed.. Staff noted tha.t a short section
(50 to 70 feet) as exists might not be representative or a
lon9 5 lane section.
Mr .. Long and Xc. Jeffries appeared to t4vor Alternative 2, a
pedestrian activated 8iqnal and intend to discuss this
proposal at the next NeigrJborhood Association meeting.
(7) Mr .. Williams requested that the study include consideration
of a signal at Moreno Avenue~ Be believes that concerns of
opposition by the adjoining neighborhood will not formalize,
e.nd that the resident.s will actually be the J:!;ajor beneficia
ries of the siqnal~ Other comments suggested that a signal
miqht help to create more giilpS along HidcUefield Road. and
allow for easier access to and from driveways6 and that a
siqnal between Oregon Expressvay and Colorado Avenue miqht
result in slower vehicular speeds.
(S) Concerns and consequences of installing any form of a siqnal
at Koreno Avenue were identified by stafr.
-:ao19ht shift traffic to Cowper Street and Colorado Avenue.
-.ay attract traffic to Horeno Avanue~
-does not meet Caltrans warrants (may ba a legal issue).
-two way coordination with Colorado Avenue
-two way coordination with oregon EXpressway (2 phase vs. 6
phase operation and cycle length).
-delays
-1 imi ted need
-cost
(9} it was notec! that staft should recogni~e (tor northbound
traffic). that traffic is invariably going to be delayed at
Oregon Expressway~ Therefore, temporarily delaying motorists
before they re.ii!lch Oregon Expressway !ihould not be a very
significant factor in assessing the possibility of a siqnal
at Webster str~et or at Xoreno Avenue.
(10) Most in attendance expressed concern for proposed driv~\rlay
:modifications whicl'l direct additional traffic to exit onto
Hi6dlefield Road opposit~ Bryson Avenue. At this location,
this consolidation of driveways might also re~lt in onsite
qri~loCk (possible backing vehicles out onto the street).
\
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(11)
(12)
(13)
(14)
(15)
(16)
;/
Although not addressed in th. ·P:.-aft-report, concern was made
~t the sinqle exit driveway located between the Co-op ~arket
and tl'!e :8as.kin-Ro~bins !ce Cream shop.. Moto:r-ists CanT'l'ot see
pedestrians walking out from behind the Cc-op building. It is
therefore deslre~la that any site modifications not increase
vehi~lar activity in this area.
Kr. Williams noted th~t problems occur at the Cc-op cirive ... 'ays
because of vehicles queueing frOID. the Oregon Express .... ay siqnal
during the peak periods.
Several individuals noted that consolidating the 2 Co-op
driveways die! not necessarily resolve any proble:!:'.s because
vehicles would continue to exit onto Middlefield ~oad ..
Mr. Jeffries indicated concern in directing his childre~ to
cross at Colorado Avenue because to do so would require that
they cross numerous ariveways. Although expres&inq c~ncerns
with specific report Alternatives, most agreed that some
changes to driveways could be beneficial ..
Especially if coupled 'With • siqnal at Moreno Avenue, Mr.
Wil1iacs believes that traffic from the co-op ~ould benefit
from ~xitin9 onto Moreno Avenue.
Other establishments, south of the Co-~p could also benefit
from qaining access onto Moreno Avenue. This =ould ba
accomplished by developing a common drive (be~ind the Co-op)
from Moreno Avenue to the parking areas to the south.
Possible benefits include •••
-reduced activity from driveways at Kiddlefield Road.
-reduction in the use of Ross Road by patrons going to Moreno
Avenue from the Midtown Businesses "O:r-:by pat:--ons goinSi to
Colorado Avenue from the Co-op.
-providing aocess to Middlefield Road thru Colorado Avenue
(signalizedJ or thru Mo~eno Ave .. [especially if signalize~).
-po5sible economic benefits due to i:mproved act.ivity of
patrons bet~een the Co-op and: other es't,ablis!-..lTIent.s.
(17) Staff noted that a full neighborhood ~eetinq wocld be targetej
for late October.
(11) A request was: .ade that staff not final ize any reco-mmendations
reqardinq changes to the drivevays or parking lots "..ithou~
first •• etinq with the merchants. This yould ~~ a separate
meeting prior to the proposed full neighborhood meeting ..
(19) Mr. Foy expresse~ concern that we might be placinq too much
emphasis on driveway cor~soli"ation. He thinks that ultimately ..
staff ~ill :aa,lte recommendations regarding driveway changes and
fail to address any of the pedestrian iS$ues .
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,.
smmnory:
HPNA Representatives -steve Long read notes from the last neigh
borhood mee~ln9 in which they Ca) prefer installation of a
pe~*strian signal: (b) want enforcement o~ the spee~ limit on
Middlefield Road; and (el ~ant consolidation of the driveways.
HPNA Resident, r~. Johnson -Prefers reductiDn in number of lan~s
to slow traffic and to provide for protection of left turning
vehicles, especially if ott~er controls are not installed that
·stop· traffic.
Merchants -Tbey are not convinced of any merit in consolidating
driveways. Tbey cal want to maJte sure that there !Ire real
benefits to be gained, (b) are opposed to specific -Draft'll
proposals, (e) concerned about costs, (d) want to further
consider b5Ck of site access, and Cd) want left turn bays on
Middlefield Road.
Co-op Ceneral Manaqer, Rex Williams -Wan~s to pursue back of site
access and a Signal at Moreno Avenue and Middlefield Road.
On September ~3I, 15190" Mr. :Re.x Williams called to rE!:state his
concerns an~ desires. Be also ~entioned that he has a long range
qoal of working with all the .erchan~s to develop the Midtown
commercia.! area. into a ~ulti-level, mUlti-use project: pos:sibly
providing (a) underground parkinq, (b) at qracie commercial/ret,ail
and aay care services, (c) medical, dental services, and Cd) lov
cost Senior Clti&en bousinq.
~ .. '
•
December 28, 1990
rit~l of 1'010 :RIta
; 0 lOX IC1HO
~""10 A!.TO C"LlfOfjr-;.,., h:'CJ
PElTING NOTICE
Th~rsdaYI January lOr 1991
7:00 p.m.
CA~CH!'!ENT "D" I
Chu~ch of the Nazarene, Main Building
2490 Middlefield Road
Dear .Resident:
The Transportation Division has recently concluded a study
add~essinq the issue of pedestrian sa~ety at Middlefield Road in
the Midtown Neighborhood. While the study findings indicate that
safety of travelinq on or across Middlefield Road is acceptable,
these findings also suggest that the current level of safety can be
bproved upon.
Xn this regard, several alternative control tr\easures ""-erE
identified and evaluated for possible implementation~ Alternative
control .=.easures evaluated included but were not limited to ..•
(1) enhancements of existinq crossing devices (cverhead beacons and
signs). (2) installation of intersection traffic signals at Webster
Street or Moreno Avenue, (3) installation. of a mid-block pedestrian
activated signal, and (4) installation of pedestrian refuge islands
within the road~ay.
Residents are encouraged to attend this Jrleeting to discuss this
le:sue and to review and express their-vieW's of control ll!.eaSlJres
currently under consideratio~ for implementation.
DAVID VEGA
Transportation Engineer
Transportation Division
(415) 329-2425
Cit}" of Yolo ~lto
".0 JOll '~:i50
PA.~O "J.';O. """ UFO.Nt.. 9.01 )0]
POBLI" XJ:ETDlG
Thursday. 3anuary 10. 1991
1:00 p ....
Church of the Nazarene.,! Main Buildinq
2490 Middlefield Road
1.. Openl ng Comaents
2~ Discussi~n of Study Methodology
3. Pre~entation of Data and Evaluation
4. Presentation of Ccntrol Measures Identified
s~ Questions for Clarifieation of Presentation
5. Break -ana-Review of Enlargem&nts
7. Of"en Period for Public Comments
8. Closing Comments
kTTkCHMEl'IT "E" I
(7:oo)
(7:05)
(7:10)
[7 :20)
("7 :30)
(8:00)
(a:~J
(9:00)
Contact Person: David Ve9a, Transportation E09ineer, (415)329-2425
DATE:
FROM:
CITY OF PA~ AL~
INTEROPFICZ MEMORANDUM
3anuary 15, 1991
Midtovn/Xiddlefield Road Study File
Davi" Ve9~ 'is V·
SOBJECT: Summary of January la~ 1991 Meeting
ATTACHMENT "F" •
The following issues and comments ~ere noted during the January 10,
1991 " .. eting:
(1) Noted that they 'Were pleased that staff had conducted a
thorough study.
(2) Liked the summary s~eets .. because they did a good job of
showing that each alternative has its good poirlts and: 1t:& bad
points. Appreciated that staff had looked at both sides to each
a:lternative.
(3) Expresse~ concern ~ith proximlty of the exit driveway (located
on the east side and just south of the proposed crosswalk) with the
crosswalk as it pertains to alternative -3-, the midblock
pedestrian actiVAted signal.
«() Study needs to &ckno'iri"ledge that one major problem is that
pg~estrians cannot see a car approaching from a second lane l when
a ear has stopped on the first lane~
(,5.) If an elternative which reduced: the number of through larles is
i@?lemented l then all of the through traffic will be on the 5ingle
lane and therefore "W'ill result in shorter gaps between each
ve~icle~
(~) Why not just use warning flashers ~hich would only be t~rned
O~ when a pedestrian activates it?
(7) Residents on Moreno Avenue and Ross Road expres~ed conce~ns
... ~i-::h traffic on their r'.!sidential streets. They indicated that
&any &otorists already avoid Middlefield Road, and consideration
shocld be qiven to this when implem~ntinq any control measures on
Y.iddlefield Road~ Do not encourage more cut-through traffic.
(£) Main problem is the great amount of traffic travelling tbrough
the neighborhOO<! (and "long Mic:lc:llefiel" Roac:l). Mi""lefielc! Roa" is
a freew4Y through a shopping cent2r. Any control measure is just
e band-aid to a much large~ problem.
{9~ COnGUrs, but sU9gests that this larger-p:r-oblem cannot be
solved by Palo Alto alone. US 101 and El Camino Real all need to
be improved or motorists will contin~e to use Middlefield ~oad.
(~O) A resident,. noting that she has lived on Middlefield Road
S1nce 1973. said that traffic only increased when all the
apartments went in south of Coloraao Avenue.
(11) Police enforce north of oreqon on a regular basis,. but not
south of Oregon~ They only come and enforce 'When 'We call.
(12) Heed to close t.~e area trom through traffic, and develop the
other arterials# like Alma street.
e1J) Perhaps implement barriers (divertersl throughout ~ost of the
neighborhoed streets.
(14) Want road bumps installed east of Eiddlefield Road~ Staff
indicated that all in attendance 'Would receive a notice of the
upcoming Council Meeting .. scheduled to i!ddress the poli:::y on read
bump impl.mentatien~
(15) If an
i~plemel'lted~
could be late
alternative 'Was chos.en today, 'When would it be
Staff noted typical process an~ indicated that it
in the year-or spring of ne.xt ~lear.
(16) Want to know what can be done in the immediate future. Staff
responded that crossvalks wculd be highlighted.
(17. Additional coImtents regarding tile excessive speeds on
Middlefield Road. Also concerned with speeding traffic on Moreno
Aven~e and Ross Road~ People are just rolling through the stop
signs at the intersection of Moreno Avenue and Ross Road~
(18J The problem is qettinq vorse everyday. R&sident indicated
that she ha~ lived there since 1955. The locals travel at slow
speeds. It is the cut-through traffic that travels ~t high speeds~
The throuqh traffic needs to be moved to other streets. None of
the solutions offe~ed address the real situation. These suggested
alternatives ~ill just cost a lot of money. but will not solve the
problem. Wants st~ff to take this message back to the Council.
(19) one resident suggests that the other residents not just ask
staff to address the Council# but that they address the Council
~irectly.
(20) All the problems 'Will be solved if \tie can just hold the
traffic to 25 MPH.
:::/~
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!,
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(21) Residents gene.rally agree that something needs to be done to
help ped~str1ans cross Middlefield Road.
several individuals expresse~ their support for alternative
the midblock pedestrian activated siqnal.
(23) More support expressed for alternative -3-, but something
needs to be done to ensure that ~otorist8 will see the crosswalk.
Perhaps texture the paveDent, cross-batch, or add signs.
(24) Recognize that all alternatives have qood and bad points, but
is concerned that a midl::>lock crosswalk is not generally an expected
control (location). Ho· ... ever, short of e:ny better alternative, 'Will
not oppose alternative -3-.
(2S) Alternative -:.PI makes the most sense for senior citizens and
tor t:hildren.
(2EJ All acknowle~ged the need to remove e.xisting crosswalks~ if
e new midblock pedestrian activated signal is installeo.
(27) Wants alternathre -3-bllplemented~ but wants it strictly
~nforced~ In this way people will learn to pay attention. They
need to be co~stantly cited.
(2S) If alternative -3-is installed~ we will ~axe sure that o~~
children al~ays use it.
(29) Check street lighting. If its too dark in this are~. then
add additional street lights to any proposal pursued.
Summary;
Some reside.nts used this opportunity to express their concerns
pertaining to traffic on their own streets, but virtually everyone
in a-etendance agreed that alternative -3-. 'With some additional
control measures and enforcement should be pursued fer
implementaticn as a means of enhancing the safety of pedestrians
crossinq Middlefield Road.
March 13, 1991
2'0, David Veqa
CI'l"i or PALO ALTO
IlEMOlWIJI)lIK
FROII' Gayl .. Lill:enS~
ATTACHMENT "c" I
SUBJECT: Palo Alto Bicyvle Advisory COmmittee Recommendations Ie
Midtown Pedestrian Study
• • * • • • • * • • • • * • • • • • • • • ~ * • • * • • • * • • •
On Tuesday .. February St..'1 the Palo Alto Bicycle Advisory com:aittee
reviewed the existing conditions and alternative improvement plans
presented by staff tor the pedestrian crossings on Middlefield Roa~
in the I!idtcwn business district. FAlIAC adopted th .. follo"ing
position on this i&su~;
(1) FARAe supports the installation of a pedestrian signal on
Kiddlefield south of Webste.r and also supports plans that
would reduce the number of driveways within the business
district, as much as is feasible~
{ll PARAe does not support alternatives that result in reduced
widths for outside lanes on Kiddlefield Road~
(3] In the absence of a coordinated plans tor bikeways alcn9 the
entire length of Middlefield R.oad., PABAC does not find
Alternative 6 (involving the installation of bike lanes on
Middlefield) appropriate at this time.
The complete minutes of the Februarj 5th meeting are attached for
your review.
AUac""ent