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HomeMy WebLinkAbout0429.091, I , , I i saptember 26, 1991 HONORABLE CITY COUNCIL palo Alto, California Attentio~: Policy and S.~iC.8 Committee Members of the Council: RUQBT IN BRIEF 1 The purpose of this report js to r-aco:allllend that Council (1) approve a recomm~nded plan for the extension of the Bryant Street Bicycle Boulevard, (2) approve the Negative Declaration prepa~ed for the project and (3) lI.\Jthorize staff to proceed ,d th the necessary design, installation and fundinq procedures to implement the extension project. During the past year, staff has conducted. a study to develop a recommended plan for the extension of the Bryant street Bicycle Boulevard from its present terminus at Churchill Avenue northward to and through downtown Palo Alto and on to the existing bicycle/pedestrian bridge across San Francisquito creek into Menlo Park. Exhibit 1 illustrates the location of the proposed extension relative to the existinq section of the bicycle boulevard. The effort to development a recommended plan for the extension of the Bryant street Bicycle Boulevard is one part of an overall process that: Ca) began vith a city COuncil decision I a decade ago to establish the eXisting Bryant street Bicycle Boulevard, (b) buildS upon long standing Council policies: actions and a~~ievements that support ncn-drive alone modes of travel, as well as approval of capital improvement projects related to the bicycle boulevard, and (c} continues with this study and a subsequent city council decision regarding the extension of the bicycle boulevard. The overall process is illustrated in Exhibit 2. CMR:429:91 .. i , i I I "'-·~·_""7"".1 " '. '- The study has now been completed and a recommended plan :or the exto!:nsion ot the: bicycle boulevard has been developed. The recommended plan, as illustrated in Exhibit 3, includes: (a) in_stallation of ~ na...-'traffic s"ign.-,.l 1'!I't th", i!"!:t-=,r5:e~ti~~ :::f er:r"ii"t street and Embarcadero Road, with certain turn restrictions; (b) modifications to stop signs at selective locations along Bryant Street; (c) removal of existing bike lanes on Waverley Street between Lytton Avenue and Coleridge Ayen~, and on Churchill Avgnue between Waverley Street and Bryant Street; and (d) extension of existing bi~e lanes on Addison Avenue and Coleridge Avenue from Waverley Street to Bryant street. The total cost of the project is $229,000 with the source of funds being state TDA fUi~S (57\) and City of Palo Alto Utility Funds (43\) ~ The project lr,,"ot. L,~ take nine months to fully implement. Staff reco~ends that Council refer this report to the Policy and Services comaittee for review, discussion and a recommendation to the Counc 1.1 ~ BACKGR01JNI) The City ot Polo Alto has long-standing policies, and a notable record of actions and achievements, that em.phasize, encourage and f,a;,cilitate the use of alternative tr3t'l.sFortation modes to the automobile (wal):i"9, biking, c.ar/vanpools, transit). These policies and actions, carefully and consistently applied over an extended period of time~ have made a favorable difference in the utilization of several transport components, includinq a bicycle system and related support facilities that consistently place Palo Alto in the top ranks of bicycle. usage and user friendliness throuqhout the nation. Comprehensive plan The transportativ~ element of the Comprehensive Plan contains a number of policy statements and related programs that strive to redu<:e the usage of the automobile and encourag~ the '.lse of alternative travel modes. Specifically, the Comprehensive Plan includes Transportation Policy 12: ·PROMOTE BICYCLE USE-, along with related .programs to support and achieve such a policy including: Program 34 -Develop and im~lement a network of through bicycle boulevards, and Program 35 -Remove traffic control impediments and physical barriers to bicycle travel. CMR: 429: 91 9/26/91 Page 2 ( ---------- i ! The objectives o:f these policies and programs is to promote, encourage and facilitatE bicyc~e travel throughout Palo Alto and i t_G ",,1"IU'ir~?'!!';l, fer .all ags gr;:;'iJPS, and for all trip purposes including recreational travel, shopping trips, travel to school, commute to work trips, business travel and other reasons for ~hich people traveL Traffic Congestion & Air Quality Efforts to facilitate and encourage the use of alterna~ive transportation modes, includinq the use of bicycles, ~ill continue to take. on increasinq importance as the effects of Congestion Management Agency require~ents, regional implications of state air quality regula.tions, und the City's recently enacted 'I'ransportation Demand Hanaqement (TCM) or~inance become more evident. In tact, ~any of the policies and actions to encourage and facilitate the use of alternativ'3 modes to the lIIutomobtle,. which Palo Alto has voluntao,rily pursue.d during the past two decades l are noW' becoming institutionalized Yith applicability to the entire say Area as part Qf continuing: leqislative and judicial efforts to addres5 and resolve the issues of traffic congestion and air pollution. w~ile no single action or strategy is gOing to solve the eXisting and projected traffic congestion and air pollution problems, it is increasingly 6vident that any ar.d all mea~ures that offer potential ben'9fit in terms of reduced use of the private automobile are likely to become increasingly important during the next several years. ~rpose of Bicycle Boulevard The purpose of the bicycle boulevard is to pr~vide: (1) a throughway upon which bicycles have precedence over automobiles; (2) a direct route that reduces travel time for bicyclists; (3) a s~fe travel route that minimizes conflicts .o"ith motor vehicle t1affic; and (4) a facility that promotes and facilita.tes the use of bicycles as an alternative trar.spor-to.tion mode ter all purposes of trave.l. EXisti':".g 'Bicycle Bcule.y'~l;_g The existing initial segment of the Bryant. Stre.et Bicycle Boulevard was established in 1982 and involved street closures at two locations and changes in stop signs at several intersections. It extends. a distance of two miles alonq Bryant street, from East Meadow Drive to Churchill Avenue. At pre.sant. the bicyci~ boulevard does !lot connect ~ith a.ny major activity center at either end. At Ch~rchill Avenue l bicyclists are directed one block east to Waverley Street. CMR,429,91 9/26/91 Page 3 1 ~ 11 i I - wittlin the existi.,g initial two mile seqtr,ent t there are thr-ee locations that specifically permit bicycle passage and prohibit automobile passage (a street closure at Lo .. el1 Avenue, a street closure at El Veri!:no Avem .. e, and a bridge crossing at Matadero Creek] a In addition, stop signs at a number of intersecticns along Bryant Street have been located so as to favor bicycle travel along the Bryant street Bicycle Boulevard. In all other respects, the bicycle. bouleva.rd appears and fu.'1ctions as a normal local :::i ty street providing automobile access to residences, on-street parking and unrestricted local area travel. Initially, some complaints were rec9ived about the visual appearance of the t2mporary street closures. These have. recently been replaced 'With permanent landscaped closures, and city stat! has not received any other complaints frQM residents wh~ live on or near the existing initial segment cf the bicycle boUlevard. Capital ImprQvemen~ The city has made a substantiai investment in upgrading the bicycle boulevard si:'lce its initial implementation in 1982. In 1986~ a narrow pedestrian bridqe., where Bryant street meets Matadero ere'!!):, vas replaced with two new structures; ·a wide bicycle bridge and a s~parate pedestrian bridqe at a cost of $82.000. In 1590 1 the two temporary wooden street closures (barriers) on Bryar.t Street were replaced with permanent ~aised and landscaped concrete islands at a cost of $22 •• 00. Both projects were funded through the City's Capital Improvement Program with grant funding in excess ot $71,OOD from the State. of california, through the Metropolitan Transportation Commission ($47,700 for the t~o bridges and $22,400 for the concrete islands). In January 1989, Council authorized staff to file a grant application rl)r 1989-1990 Transportation Development Act (TDA) funds for Pedestrian/Bikeway Projects (CMR:I01:9) which included funding for a traffic signal at Embarcadero Road and Bryant Street as part of the antiCipated extens.i.on of the bicycle boulevard. The grant application was approved and an amount of $75,000 is available to the City for this specific proj~ct for a pericd of up to three years beqinning July 1, 1990. In 1990~ as part of the 1990-1995 capital Improvement Program (page 107), Council approved a project with funding for the installation of a traffic siqnal at the intersection of Embarcadero Road and Bryant Street. The total cost at the traffic signal in~tallatio.tl ~as estimated t.o b~ $150,000 pl'.Js $24~OOO for inteqrat10n into the City's computerized traffi.c signal coordination system. The remaining costs for the traffic siqnal installation and integration, after use of thE $75,000 TDA Grant, is designated to come from the City's Electric Fund~ CMR:429:91 9/26i91 Page 4 !j I ~ 1 At the ti~e that Council approved the 19;0-1995 CIP project for installation of ~ traffic signal at Embarcadero Road an~ Bryant S~reet, it was ~ith the clear understanding that no funds were to be spent tor design and c~n5truction of a traffic sign31 u~til the bicycle boulevard extension study is completed and staff returns to Council with a recommended plan tor Council discussion and approval. The purpose of the Bryant Street Bicycle Boulevard Extension Study was to develop a recommended plan for the extension of the eXisting bicycle boulevard from its present te:nainus at Churc;hill Avenue northward to and through downtown Palo Alto and on to the eXisting bicycle/pedestrian bridge across San Francisquito Creek into Menlo Parle. The study considerpd alternative means for extending the eXisting bicycle boulevard .further northward along Bryant Street to San Francisquito Cree,k. An alternative alignment along waverley Street, from Churchill Avenue to San Francisqui~o Creek, i6 not suitable fo~ the extension of the ~icycle boulevard for a number of reasons including: (a) waverley Street is a designa~ed collector street in the Palo Alto street network, (b) traffic Volumes along Waverley Street are in excess of 4,000 to 6,000 vehicles per day,. (c} the impact of traffic diversion from Waverley street to other streets within adjacent neighborhood ~reas, due to any measures that wculd reduce vehicular volume, and (d) the presence of b~ses traveling and making stops along Waverl~y Street. Tbe study report docume~t~ the information gathering, altern~tives evaluation, public review and comments, and development of a recommended plan for the implementation of a project to extend the existing bicycle boulevard. The study ~eport describes (a) existing conditions; (b) a set of conceptual alternatives, including an initial concept plan; (e) the first round of c.r::lmrn~mity review and c?m.ments; ,d) an evaluation of ~lte~natives; (e) the development of an intert!l.ediate preferred plan; (0 a second round of commur.ity revielll' and comments; {g) additional evaluation and (h) a finol recommended plan, including costs, funding and an implementation schedule. A copy of the complete final report is included as Attachment 2. Offi:429: 91 ----------~--' 9/<6/91 Page 5 , " 1 · -"~"',..~ "f 'fLiSD RECOMM'£NDEP put! FOR B!C¥CLE BOULEVARD EXTENSION The recommended plan for implementation of ~h~ extension to the Sry~nt S~reet Bicycle Boulevard, as illustrated in Exhibit 3, is based upon staff's analysis and evaluation at all the information developed throuqhout the study prvces3, as documented in the study report. The :recommended plaTI is described a:;;. folloi.ls: Segment A Seqment A starts at {:hurchill Avenue and extends to, but does not include, the Embarcadero Road intersection. At present, the exiatinq initial segment ot the bicycle boulevard ends at Churchill Avenue and cyclists are directed along Churchill Avenue to waverley street which bas marked bike lanes from Coleridge Avenue to Lytton Avenue and a signed bixe route from Lytton Avenue to San Francisquito creak. The recommended plan for Seqm£nt A includes the removal of the existing stop signs on Bryant street at Churchill Avenue. The removal of the stop signs on Bryant Street at Churchjll Avenue is important to help facilitate bicycle travel along the bicycle boulevard and is not e.xpected to cause any serious operational problems. 7f.actual experience indicates that conflicts, speeding or other operational problems do occur, corrective measures, includinq the possible reinstallation of the stop signs on BrY-3.nt Street, can ~ take.n. The existing stop signs on Chur~hill Avenue, as ~ell as those on Kell09g Avenue, Coleridge Avenue, and Lowell Avenue would remain as they are at the present time. Drive~ay access to Castilleja School and on-street parking would also remain as it is at the present time. Segment B SegDent B incluaes only the intersection of Bryant Street and Embarcadero Road. The recommended plan for segment B includes the installation af a new traffic signal at the intersection in general conformance with Option II-A .. hich includes a neW' traffic signal, right turns only from Bryant Street (throuqh and left turns prohibited}, left turn pockets on Embarcadero Road and no street closure on Bryant street. CMR:429:91 9/26/91 Page 6 The recommended plan vould facilitate bicycle and pedes~rian crossing of Enbarcadero Road ~ith little negative consequence to Embarcadero Road traffic flo. {stops, -d-elay) and air q"<.lality because the traffic :;iqnal at this location .... ill be crx>rdinated with the e~isting traffic signal at waverlsy street~ The study report inQicates that it would result in an increase of only one add.itional car stopping per cycle. on an average throughout the entire day. The recommended plan 'Would also limit the diversion of Bryant Street ve~icular tra~fic to other area streets~ ~ould be less costly to implement, and is likely to be less disruptive to the neighborhood than a solution that includ~d a street closure~ .s..eqment ~ SEqMent C starts at Enharcadero Road (excluding the intersection) and extends up to Forest Avenue. The recomme.ndeQ plan for Seqment C includes the rev€"t"sal of the st~p signs at Kingsley Avenue, removal of the existing stop signs on Bryant Stree.t at Addison Avenue, and p] a~ement of additio:1al stop signs on both Channing and Homer Avenues at their respective intersections ~ith Bryant Street~ The removal of the Eitop signs on Bryant street at }(ingsley Avenue and Addison Avenue is important to help facilitate bicycle travel al..mq the bicycle boulevard and is not expected to cause any serious operational problems. If actual experience indicates that conflicts, speeding or other operational problems do occur, corrective measures, including the possible reinstallation of the stop signs on Bryant Street~ can be taken. Placeme~t of additional stop signs on Channing Avenue at Bryant Street and on Homer Avenue at Bryant street __ ould not only facilitate travel for ~icyclists by providing gaps in traffic on the collector streets but would also address some e.xisting concerns related to high pedestri~n usage and driver rehavior at these two intersections. (Observations indicate that many drivers stop on Bcmer and Channing even in the absence of stop signs~) The existing stop signs on Lincoln Avenue, Addison I,venue and Forest Avenue as 'Well as the existing stop signs on Bryant Street at Channing Avenue, Homer Avenue ~nd Forest Avenue would remain as they are at the present time. On-street parking would also remain as it is at the ~resent time. ACCESS to the current and/or future Urgent Care services at the Palo Alto Medical Clinic would rem~in essentially unChanged, 'With the exception that non-emergency 9/26/91 Page 7 .... ehicle traffic .. ould flot be able to cross Embarcadero Road at Bryant Street. segment D atarts ~t Forest Avenue and extends through the dc~~town business district to Lytton Ayenue. The recommended pl~n for Segment 0 is to make no changea trom existing conditione.. The t!xif::ting on-street diagonal parking along Bryant Stre-et al! well as the eXisting traffic siqnal timinq ~ould remain as it is at the present time. EXperience in Palo Altv 5u9geGts that existing on-street diaq~nal par-king within the downtown business district creates no inherently more severe or less safe environment for bicyclists. Therefore, the potential loss cit 19 on-street parking spaces, that would result from t.he conversiofl of diagonal parking to parallel parking, is not ~arranted. Also, the existinq traffic signal ciming is an integral part of a more extensive downtown coordinated tra~fic siqnal syste~ that is set in a manner that favors traffic flow along Hamilton, University and Lytton Avenues over tr~ffic flow on the cross streets. The re­ tiainq of traffic signals to facilitate bicycle travel ~lon9 Bryant street, through the downtown business district, is problematic and 'Would create unacceptable consequences on vehicular traffic floW' in the east-~est direction. segment E Segment E starts at Lytton Avenue and extends along Bryant Street to Palo Alto Avenue, and then proceeds along a one block section of Palo Alto Av~nue to the eXisting bicycle/pedestrian hridge crossing San Francisquito creek. ~he recommended plan tor Segment E includes the reversal of the stop signs at Hawthorne Avenue and removal of an existing stop sign on Bryant Street at Poe street. Th~ removal of the stop signs on Bryant Street at Ha'Wthorne Avenue and Poe Street is important to help facilitate bicycle travel along thlt bicycle boulevard and is not expected to cause cony serious operational problems. If actual experience indi.::::ates that conflicts, speeding or other operational problems do occur, CHR:429:91 9/26/91 Page 8 corrective measur£$, including the possible reinstallation of the stop siqns on sryant Street, can be taken. The existing stop signs on Everett Avenue, Poe street and Palo Alto Ave.nue would remain eo.s tney are at the present time. O:l-street parking ~ould 31so re~ain as it is at the present time. segment F represents all related changes on streets adjacent to the pr~sed extension of the Bryant Street eicycl~ Boulevard, includinq chanqes to biXe lanes and on-street parking along waverley straet, Addison Avenue. Churchill Avenue and Coleridge Avenue. ~he recommended plan for Segment F includes the following: Waverley Street o Removal of existinq ~arked bik~ lsnes bet~een Lytton Ave.nue and coleridqe Avenue (Waverley Street from Lytton Avenue to the ~icycle/pedestrian b~idge at San Francisqulto cre~k is a signed hike route but does not have marked bike lanes). o Restoration of on-street p3rking between Embarcadero Road and Forest Avenue. o conversion of existing on-street parallel parking to diagonal parking' on the east side of waverley Street between Lytton Avenue and University Avenue l and on the west side of Waverley Street between University Avenue il!nd Hall'tilton Avenue, vith the concomitant gain of 13 on-street parxinq spaces .. ~n Avenue o Extension of existin9 bike l~nes for one block from Waverley street to Bryant Street. o Initiation ot parkin'] restrictions (1 AM to 7 FM) on one side of one block of Addison Avenue (between Waverley and Bryant streets) to accommodate bike lanes. o Removal of existing bike lanes bet.,.een 'Bryant Street and Waverley Street. CMR: 429: 91 9{26/91 Page 9 o Cessation of existing parxinq restrictior.s (7 AM to 7 PM) on one side of one block or Chcrchill Avenue (betw~en 5ryant Street and Waverley Street). Coleridge !yenug o EXtension of existinq bike lanes tor one block from waverle~' street to Bryant street. o Initiation of parking restrictions (7 AM to 1 PM) on one side of one block ot Coleridqe Avenue (between Waverley and Bryant streets) to acco~odate bike lanes. COST 1NQ FUNDING FOB EXTEN~ PROJECT As part of the study process, a cost estimate was 9repared tor the implementation of the recommended plan for the extens!c:-:I or the Bryant Street Bicycle Boulevard. The total project cost ia estimated to be $ 228,000. Exhibit 4 presents a 5ummary or the project costs. Potential fundinq 50urces fo~ implementation c! the extension of the Bryant Street Bicycle Boulevard, as shown in Exhibit 5, include previously approved funds (State Transportation Development .Act qrant funds ana City of Palo Alto Utility Fund) as well as yet to be considered and approved future state Transportation Developcent Act grant funds. SCHEDULE lOR IMPLEMENTATION Of EXTENSION PROJECT A schedule proposed for the implementation of the extension of the Bryant street Bicycle Boulevard is illustrated in Exhibit 6 and includes the following: o Study repcrt with recomm .... ndation to Cowlcil for refer'ral to policy and Services Commil:tee (Oct.ober '1, 1991). o Policy and Services Committee review and recommendation to Council (October B. 1991). o Final council approval (disapproval} of project (November 1991). o Council approval (disapproval) of supplemental fundinq for project (December 1991). C'HR:429:91 9/26/91 Page 10 c Preparation of design plans and d~cuments (December -March 1991) • c Project bidding process (April· May 1992). o conatruction of project {June -Septe~ber ~992}. o Opening of extension of Bryant Street Bicycle Boulevard (September, 1992). ENYlRONNENTAI. ASSESS~ An initial study recvllUllending a Negative Declaration has been completed and is i~cluded as ~tt~chment 1. RECOMMENDATIoN Staff reco~ends that Council: 1. Approve the reco1l\1'll.ended plan for the extension of the Bryant Street Bicycle BoulevaI'd, 2. Approve the Neqativ~ Declaration prepared for the project, and 3, Authorize staff to proceed ~ith the nec£ssary design, installation and funding procedures to i~plement the axtension project.~ including the follo'Wing ite;n.s which 'Will require future Council approval~ a. TeA grant application, b$ CIP budget amendment ordinance. c. Resolution amending the Stop Sign system Hap, d. Resolution establishing parking restrictions. e. Award cf contract for installation, and f. Resolution amEnding the Bikeway Master Plan If Council approves the bicycle boulevard extension project and following its full i=~lementation, staff viII monitor actual conditions (speeds. volumes, conflicts, etc.) on Bryant Street at the locations where s~op signs have been removed, on a periodic basis; and will report back to the Council following an initial six month period, or earlier, as conditions ~arrant. CMR:429:n j , 9/26/91 Page 11 -. ---, .... •• ...... _rIlliT .' •• 1., Staft tu~~&r recommends that council refer this staff report to the Policy and services Committe.e for revie ..... , discussion and a ~ecommendation to the Co~n~il. Respectfully submitted, /??~~ MARVIN L. OVERWAY Chis! Transportation official CflllL. jU((CC"Cj'" JUNE FLEMING Assistant ci t'j' Manager j/ / "£' /./ .. ,~, /1£~.·c;:£R( / .. /U'Vi.l~ '/ KENNETH R. SCHREIBER Director of Planning and Community Envir~nment AttaChments: 1. Environmental Assessment (91-EIA-28) 2. B~rant Street Bicycle Boulevard Extension Report, September 1991 ec: Palo Alto Planning Commission Architectural Review Board Historical Resol.lrces Board Palo Alto Bicycle Advisory Committee Palo ~~t~ Chamber of Commerce Ci~y of Menlo Park Stanford University June 6th Public Meetinq participants (without attachment 2} C!!R:429:91 9/26/91 page 12 • \ ------....... --- .. ::f~~j'~" - EXH!B!T 1 LOCATION OF PROPOSED EXTENSION IN RELATION TO EXISTING 'BICYCLE BOULEVARD • > , I. • ,..;.,""'" " -" .:~. BICYCLE IOULEVARD EXTENSION STUDY Project Goals Data collection Conceptual Alter. Communi ty Revie .. · Evaluation Preferred ?lan Draft Report Community Review Re-:::ommendation Final Report ':IHPLE.IIBH"r BnU'SIOll 07 " IlIt(UI'r S'l'RllZ'r BICYCLE BOVLBVARD EXHIBIT 2 PLAN DEVELOPMENT PROCESS i i , i' I I !i~ z i. " « _~_~ ___ J t-"~ ~-~ D,~-~_~~j::i::= >::iQT:::~ ...J -__ =-=1 [~-----j II. 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" W Z .. 0: S! .. .. • .. .. .. ;;; " " L " " '" ~ : ! .. .. ~ ~ ---.. - EXHIBIT 4 COST ESTIMATE FOR EXTENSION OF BICYCLE BOULEVARD Segment A -Remove/relQCate/in~tall signs and pavement markings Segment B -Remove/relocate/install siqns and pavement markings -Install handicapped ramps -Construct raised concrete islands -Restricted ·work hours cost increment -Install new traffic signal -Traffic signal interconnection segment C -Remove/relocate/install signs and pavement markings Seg:ment 0 -Install signs Segment E -Remove/relocate/install signs and pavement markings Segment F Waverley streE.t -Re~ove signs/pavement markings and install new centerline and loops Addison Avenue -Install signs and pavereent markings Churchill Avenue -Remove si~qs and pavement markings Coleridge Avenue -Install signs and paveme~t markings $ 2,000 SubtotallA) $ 2,000 $ 6 ,000 $ 6,000 $ 12,000 $ 6 /000 $ 120,000 $ 24,000 Subtotal CS) $ 174,000 $ 4 ,000 Subtotal (e) $ 4,000 $ 1,000 Subtotal 10) $ 1,000 $ 3,000 Subtotal IB) $ 3,000 $ 36,000 $ 3,000 $ 2,000 $ 3, ODe Subtotal (F) $ 44,OQO TOTAL CA+B+C+D+E+F) $ 228, ODD EXHIB1T 5 FUNDING SOURCES FOR EXTENSION OF BICYCLE BOULEVARD At previously Approyed 1990-1991 state Transportation Development Act funds for Pedestrian/Bikeway Projects Signal $ 75,000 1990-1995 City of Palo Alto Capital Improvement Program (utility Electric Fund) B. Not CUrr~ntly Approved Signal Interconnect S 15.,000 $ 24,000 Subtotal (AI ,174,000 State Transportation Development Act funds for Pedestrian/Bikeway Projects Signs/markings $ 54,000 SUbtotal (Bl $ 54,000 TMAL (A+B) $ 228,000 FUNDING SQll1<CE SUMMARY State TDA Funds $ 129,000 (57\) CPA utility Funds 99,000 (43\) TOtAL $ 228,000 ( lOOt) i r i I 1 "' M '" .. § :i ~ i'< .... H .. ~ .... >3 In Q .. '" 8 f;j E:.;isting 19~O $174K I. I IS_~~j ~ . -. i~ =E DE . " go 0" .!! .. ;:'" 00 D- e-"~ -" -0 "--. ., " CIP 1991 ocr, I NOV. • .!' .. " • • • , 0 • ~ • • • > ~ • > ~ ~ ~ • e .. ! • • .! • > O ! O '" 0 • .. , • .. 0 1992 OE~F,.:.A.:.:N.:.:.-+-:...F=-E=.cB_+MAR:...f~R'I,_MAY iJUN~~ JULY I AUG'I SEPT. I • .. > " • :;; ~ ~ = a '0 ~ -< !! • --• <r .0 ,; • • • " . 0 • 0 ,,;; -eEc:; <0 0 0 C-;~2 .. -ID-__ 0 EO=, CL 0'2 <:c~ _cr-• • lie:;;;; 0 • .g~Oc~ :::- 0-ija);1!J D- ;:" a.. ~t< • ;; • __ ,.,0 " OO)a..~ ZO "--, • .s! • • • • .! 0--x o· .0 .!! -~ 0" .-•• >>< .> .~ -. -'" .0 ... ·0 .-;;:~ ." " . e· e'" •• .~ ""-• .. ~-~o .! -. ,.a o. e· -. )"~ <" .!l • 0. _0 !--.. 0 . · , Construction I ______________ .1 ".-" . AITACHl!rlIT Environmental Documents -City of Palo Alto ENVlRONMENTAL ASSUSMENl ProJect Description/Tit'!: ~ryant Street Bicyc1e BouTevard [xtension Project -Recolm~ended Pl an- location/Address: Bryant Street and Wal,'erley SJreet between Churchill A~enue and San Frar,d squjt.o Creek Sponsorln9 Agency(App1icant: Citi of Pale Alto ________ _ Address and Telephone of Applicant: ~O kamilton Avenue,_Palo Alto. CA ( 4151 329 -2552 App H cat i on for: nR"c.,.d"-.Ji'l'm",Pflr"o~y",em!"'''"l!t",s'o-__ --'-__ -,--,-,_,--_, __ '-____ _ (e.g., zoning change, subdivision of property. architectural review, use permit) Zoning at Project lacat ion: .Jjj"' __ _ Fee R~ceipt No.: nla NOTICE Oi...m;TERM\N.~TION Zased upon re~iew of the proj!ct files, th~ unde~si9ned member of the Planning Department has concluded: Iii Negative Declaration: The proJect has no significant environmental imp!ct. No Environmental lmpact Report is required. The reasons f~r i Negative Declaration are: ln the attached Initial Study. which concludes that there are no significant environmental impacts. T~i~ document is avail~ble for re­ vi!!w at the PalQ Alto Tran!Q9Ltation Division. Sixth floor. (itv H<lll. 250 H'amjHon Ave~u~8 AJoI -12 Man and I PM - 5 ___ PM . .Monday-Friday. lnstallatfpn and removal cf stop s;gns~_categorical1y exempt ~nde~ ~..n.Q....nQ.. environment:ll ar,alvsis is required. [] Hte project may have a significant environmentll impaC-t. An EnvirD1'Ime:nti:1 Impact R~p()rt wi 11 be prepared. Phnning Oepartment Offic;'l: ~ ~L h ... ~;...&.t1,~~ Planning Director: ry ... f£le.5-Ju"d-£r Date: Wbl'?f The project ~as been approved. The project has been denied. Date: Date: File No_: 9J,11&:f~ __ EIANDO 91-EIA-2S 1 ENVIRONMENTAL DOCUMENTS -PALe ALTO iNITIAL STUDY" ,1" I. Project Tit' !/AddrE'ss: kYill. Str~et 8iCYc~ Soul e ... ard Extensign II. Proje:::t Description: Extend the present bicvcle b·Julevard fr..9!ll its ________ _ gr~s.er,t term' nus at th!Jr~hU.uyenue. nort"wa-rd, through downtown Paio Alto. to t~g exfsting bicvcle/pedestrian bridge across San fTanC159uito Creek. The "Recommended Plan" is evaluated in this initial study. fiI. Environmental Setting: Urban resfdential area, downto ..... n central bUSiness district (CBO)' "p'av~d roads, 'Substanthl 1andsc~iM ctnd till-~ __ .iILihJ!: residential i!.rea. urban traffic noise. especialJx ___ j:1 CSO and Emb@rcadero/Brvant intersection. IV. Environmenta1 Impact C;ecklist (Explan.tion of a ~ 1 ·yes" answers Settion Y) J. iltlh. Will the propos.' resuH in: YE~ ~.AY8E •• Unstable eafth conditions or cnange:s in geologic substruct~res? b. Disruptions, displacements, compac- tion or overcovering of the soil c. Change in topography or ground surface relief features? d. The destruction, covering or modi- fication of any unique geologic or Physical features? e. Any increase in wind or water erosion of soils, tither on or off the site? f. Exposure of reo~le or property to geologic hazards such is eart~quakes, l~~ds'ldes, ~udslides, ground failure or similar hazards! 9· Changes in siltation, deposition, or erosion which may modify the channel of a river Dr the bed of a bay or inl et? * Adapted from Appendix I. California Guidelines for Implementation of CEQA, December 14, 1975. ** Updated May 19B2, June 1983 flACK I 91-EIA-,8 I are NO _1. J_ J_ J_ .L .L J_ in • 2. 3. A~r. Will the propo$~l result in: i. Substantial air emissions or de­ tel";{lration of ambient air quality? b~ The creation cf objectionab1e odors? c. ATteration of air mo¥ement, mofst~re temperature, or iny change in cli­ mate, either lota'l)' or regional? Watn. Will the proposal result in: i. Changes in absorption rates, dr.inage patterns, or the rlte and amount of surface water r~noff? b. Alterations to the course or flo~ of fj{)od waters? c. Discharge illto su.rfac.e 'IIatns. or in any alteration of surface ~ater qual;ty, including but not limited to temperature, dissolved oxygen or turbidity~ d. Alteration of the direction or rate of f10w of ground waters? e. Expo$ure of peop1e or property to water related hazards such as flood­ ing or tidal w~ve? f~ Change in the Quantity of ground waters, !ither throug~ direct additions or withdrawals, or througr. interceptio~s of a~ aQu,fer b1 c~ts or excavatfons? 4. Plant life. Will the proposal re~ult in: a. Change in the div~rsity of species, or number of any species of plants (in­ cluding trees, shrubs, gross, crops, microflora ind aquatic plants)? b. Reduction of the numbers of any unique, rare or endangered species of pl ants? c. rntroduction of new species of ElACKl 91·ElA-28 2 _1- _1- r , I. pTants into an area, cr in a barrier to the nonmal replenishment of ~xisting $pecies? d. Reduction in acreage of ani agricultural crop? 5. Anirr.al Ljfe. Will the propo.s.al result in: I. Change in the dive~sity of species, or of any species of anima1s (birds, land animals including reptiies, fisM and shellfish. benthic organisms, insects or microfauna)? b. Reduction of the numb~rs of any uniq~e~ rare or endangered species of animals? c. Introductio~ of new species of animals into an area, or result in a barrier to the migration or mo~~· ment of anima1s? d. Deteriorati«n in existing fish or wildlife habitat! 6. Noise. Will the proposal result in: 7. 8. il. Increases in existing noise levels? b. Exposure of people to severe noise level s? tight a~d Glare. Will the proposil produce new 11ght gTare? illd Us"'. Will the propes:!l resul t in a substantial alteration of the present or piann!d land use of an area? 9. Energv/Natural ResQyrces. Will the proposal result in: 1. Use of substantial l~ounts of fuel or energy: b. Substant; al increase in demanj upon existing sources of energy. or ill EIACKI 91·EIA-28 l • _x_ _x_ _1_ _1_ _1_ _1_ .. _--.-. ----. - [JACK) / requira t~e ~eve1opment of new sources or energy? c. Incr::::3se in the rate of use of any naturil resourc~s? d. Substantial de~leticn of any nonre­ n~wable natura1 resource? 10. Risk of Upset. Does the proposal invol ve a ri sk of l.n explosion or the release of hazardous substances (in·· eluding, but not li~ited to, o;l~ pesticides. chemicals or radiation) in the ev~nt af an accident or upset? 11. population/Housing. i. Will the proposal aHe; the location, distribution, density, or growth rate of the human population of an area? b. ~jll the proposal effect existing t,ousing, or create a demand for additional ~ous1ng? ll. Transportation/Circu1ition. Will the proposal Te5~'t in: i. Generation of substantial additiondl vehicular movement? _X ___ _ b. Effects on existing park;n~ facili- ties, nr demand for new parking? ~ c. A~ tent ions to present patterns of circulation or movement of recple and/or goods? _X_ d. Increase ir. traffit hazards to motor ~o _1_ vehicles, bicyclists or pedestrians? ~_ 13. Public Services. Will the proposal have in effect upon, or result i" a need for new or al tered go .... ernmental services in any of the fcllowing areas: a. Fire protection? g)-ErA-1S 4 flACK! b. Police. pr{,ltectiorl? c. Schoo15? d. Parks or other recrfat~onal facilities? e~ Maintenance of public facilities, including roads? f. Oth~r governmental ser'fic-es? 14. Utilities. Will the propos.' result in • need for new systems, or substantial alterations to the following utilities: a. Power or natural gas? b. Communications systems? c. WatH? d. Sewer Dr septic tank? e. Storm water drainage? f. Solid wast. and disposal? ]5. Hyman Health. Will the propcsal result in: a. Creation of an~ health hazard or potenti.l health hazard (excluding mental health)? b~ Expasu~e of people to potential health hazards~ 15. Aesthetiq. 'iill U1e proposal resuit in the obstruction of any scenic vista ar view open to the p~blic. or will the proposal result in the creation of an aesthetically offensive site open to pubic view? 17. ~ecreation. Will the proposal ~esult 1n an impact upon the quality or quantity of existing recreational opportunities? _x_ 91·EIA·28 5 _X_ _1_ l . x.. _X_ l _X_ l _X_ _1_ • . ,,0 S?( .• ;~~ 'c~",,' ,,' ., ..... 18. Cultural Resourcgs. a. ~ill the proposal result in t~e alteration of/~r the destruction of a prehistoric cr historic archaeo1ogical sit!? D. ~il1 the proposal resuit in a~­ verse physical or aesthetic effe~ts to i prehist,ric or ~istoric buildjng. structure; or object? c. Does tMe proposal l1ave the potential to cause I physical change ~~ich would affect ~niqu~ cultural values? d. Will tne propoHl restrict exist',!19 religious or sacred uses witnin the potential impact area? 19. Mandatory Findings of Significanc~. ill i. Does the project have the potential to degrade tne qUdlitj of the environment~ substantially reduce the habitat of a fish or wildlife species, cause a fish or wildlife population to drQP b~1uw self-sustaining levels. threaten to eliminate a plant or anim~l community. reduce the number or restrict the range of a rare ~r endangered plant or animal or eliminate important examples of t~e major periods of Cal ifornia history or prehistory? b. Does the project have the potenti~l to acnjeve short-term, to the dis­ advantage of long-term. enviro~menta' goals? (A short-term impact on t~e environment is one which occurs in a relatively brief, definitive period of time whtTe long-term impacts ~ilT e~dure well into the future.} c. Does the project have impa~ts w~ich are ind;yjdually limited, but cumulatively c0l1siderab1e? (A pro­ ject may impact on twa or mQre separate resources where the imDact [IACKl 91·EIA-28 5 • , " ;~ on each resource is relat1vely small, b~t where the effect of the total Df tnose impacts or. ihe en~iro~ment is significant.) d. Does tht project have Envircnm€ntil effects wnich will cause substantial advers! effects en human beings, either directly or indirectly? ill Y. E)~ianation of ~yes· answers in environmenta1 checklist~ See attached. [lACKl 9l ~E!A-28 1 'I Purp_9se of the Bicycle Bo..i:!.levlL~ _____ f)(tE'nsion Project The pureese Df this project is to extend the eXlsting bicjc'i~ bc~le\lard by approximat!ly 1.3 miles. Th~ purpose of a bicycle bcuievard is to. provide a d;T~ct ro~te t~at reduces travel time for bicyclist-!. end' miniwizes cor.flicts between bicycles and motor vehicles. T~e bicycle boule~ard thus promotes the use of bicycles as an aiternative transportation mode fo, ill travel purposes. Use of the bicycie is in alt!rnatille transportation mode will take on increasing importance as iii 'IIIay to meet t~e requirements of nelll State regulations which attempt to. improve air quality and decrease traffic congestion. Explanation ~f C~efkli5t Items fn the following paragrap1'1s, all checklist itel7ls markeod "Maybe"' and ·Yes·, as well as some lOIarked "No". are explalnea. Section and figure refet'ences belOW refer to the aryant Strpet Bicycle 8Qu'ev_~_r_d_ Extension Reoort, Cit.\'" of Palo Alto Transportation Division, Sept(mber 1991. This report is aYiilabl~ as described in the Environmental Ass[ssm~nt. The term "project~ refers to the ~Recommended Plan-is described i~ C~apter )0. Item 2eal. Air This it~m was marked ~no.· A study of the estimated ~missions at the B!"yant/Emoarcadero inters(I<::tion for unslgnal ,_ed (existing) and siqnali:ed (project) conditions ~a3 <::onducted in June 1989. City staff provided the traffiC data, and tne emiss1o~s calculations were prepared by Michael Kim of the Bay Area Air QualitJ Management District. The results of the emissions calculltions are as follows: Before signalization After signalization Change Emfssions (tons/day) Hydr-ocar~ .05 .05 o Carbon MQnoxid~ .34 .49 .15 Nitrogen .Q)(ide .05 .05 o The increa:e in emissions of carbon monoxide; of .15 tonsjda~' ~s below the thresho1d level of .275 t01'1sjdaj conSidered tr:: be significant by the Bay Area Air quality Management District, as defined in Table VIII-A-l of Air Ql'ality .and Ur~an Devel..QM.ent: Guidelines for .Possessing Impacts of Project and Plans, BAAQMD, No¥ember J985. Sin<::e June 1989, traffiC volumes at Bryant/Embarcadero have increased by ahout 2 percent, whi<::h does not materia1ly affect this air quality analysis. It.ems 12..la. b. c. cD. Transportation/Circulation Vehicuhr Moverl',ef'1t. The project will prohibi;t certain motor v: Ilc1e turning mo¥ements at the Embarcadero/Bryant intersection, th~s causi~g some drivers to use other routes. Increase in vehicle-miles travelled due to turn prohibitions, as i percentage of total ¥ehicle-mile~ travel1ed for any given EIACKl 9i ·[lA·2S 8 . trip, is expected to be ~inima', is drivers are ~xpected to use alter~ate ro~tes which iTE no lQnger, or ~nly up t~ three blocks langei, than routes without the tUl'n p-rohibitions. Refer to the Circulation section beT;:..", for iii. disc~ssion of the impacts of these di~erted trips on a~erige dai1y traffic vo1umes on n~iilrby streets. Parking. The project will not cause iii. demand fnr ~ew parking. :0 the degree that the project causes i shift from automobile driving to bicycling for non­ recreational trips, the demand f~r automobile parking w;11 decrease. Channelization fs1ands associated with the Bryant\Embarcadero traffic Signal ...,111 require that two to three on-street parking spaces be removed on eac.n sid'e of Bryant imedhtely north and south of E!11barc.aderC', for a total 1 ass of 8 to 12 Dn~street parking spaces. Half ~f this loss would oc.cur south of Embarcadero a~d wouid be noticeab'e when Castilleja School is in operation, as most on~street parking spaces in that block are in use during school hours, especially on the Castilleja side of Bryant. Otner wnoccupied an-street parking is av~ilable during th~se ~ours in t~e blocks of Kellogg Aver.ue and Emerson Stre!t bordering tastil1eja, on the Castilleja side of the streets, $0 this loss of parking spac~s is not considered to be a significant impact. The project ~ill result in the prohibition of park~ng bet~een 7 AM and 7 PM on O1'\e side of one bloc~ of both Coleridge and Addison AlJentJes., resuHing in the loss of about 20 spaces in each blocK. dLirin9 daytime ~ours. As documented in Section 9.3, this loss may create so~ deficiency of spaces en Addison Avenue during the periods immedhte1y fol10\lling 7 AM and immediate1y precEding 7 PM, is ~e11 &S in~onvenience to some ~dd,son Ave~ue residents; hG~e~er, th~se impacts are not Significant. Parking demand on Coleiidge is 10-", so the loss of daytime parking on Coleridge will ~ot have a significant impact. The project will result in r gain of appr~ximately 170 on-st~eet parking spaces as a result of the removal of b~k~ lanes and reinstotement of parking on port ions of Wa~'erley Street and Churchill Avenue, H1is include-s 13 new spaces on ~averley in the downtown area. Circulation. 1wo aspects of the project .ill alter present patterns of Circulation. The new traffic signa1 at Embarcadero/Bryant will result in the prohibiti<ln of motor 'v'i!hic1e left turns from Bryant to Embarcadero and the prohibition of through motor vehicle traffic O~ Bryant acro~s Embarcadero. Changes 1n stop signs on Bryant and some cross streets will also cause changes in circulat;on pattern~. All of t~ese changes ere documented in detail in Section 9.1 (refer especially to Figures 9.1·9.4). whi:h discusses circulatfon cnanges caused by the project, with and without the cumu1ative impact of the proposed expansion of the Palo Alto Medical foundation (PAMF expansion). The traditional grid street pattern predominant in this erea will help to diffuse the impact of changes in traffic patterns. The project wi1l also affect the c~n:::ul.a.Uon patterns of t!mergency vehicles arid City service vehicles, as described below under item 13. Without P~.MF flcpansion (r.i~lE-Jo Figt.'res 9.1 and 9.2), Trre bicycTe boule~ard ~r~ject w511 cause average daily traffic voTumes (ADTs) to decrease on Bryant ~treet, both north and south of £mbarcadero, which is an environmental benefit to Bryant Street. On Waverley Street. north and south of Bryant, the bicycle boulevard project ~ill cause increa~es iM ADTs ranging [IACKl 91 ->IA-1S 9 · c. i . 7.. from abo'Jt 45 to 330 'lIehicles. Increases in ADTs on cross streets be-been Bryant and 'li/a¥erley (Kingsley, Lincoln, Add;sO~lf kel1099. Churchill, Coleridge, and lo .... ell A .... erlues) range fro:r: abuut 30 to 210 \o'€:hicles. As ~~pli1ned in Sections 9.1.1 and 9.1.Z, th~ lraffic Infusion on Residential fnilironment (BRE) Inde ... is used ta eV~1~jdte the severity of these }i,DT increases. In all but one loca.t ;0", t"-e ADT increases are not expected to be noticeable to the i'llerage resident, ilS the change in the TiRE index is less than 0.1. On Kellogg between Bryant and Waverl~y. tne TIRE index is O.!, indicating the minimum noticeable increase in ADT to the avere~e resident. None of these increases is consid'ered to be a significant environmental 1nJpact. Wfth PAM, [xpa.nsion (rff~r to Ficn..;.res 9.3 and 9.4). The PA.'-IF e)(pansi{ln, by ltse'f~ would cause AnTs to increase O~ tome streets and decrease on others, as documented in U1e ~nlJironmEnta1 im~act report for that project, and as illustrated in Figures 9.3 and 9.4. As explained in Section 9.1.3, the ctlang!s in ADTs caused by the bicycle boLtlenrd project are about the same whether or "ot the PAMr e~pansion is built. In all but one location, ADT increases due to the bicy~le boulevard project are not expected to be noticea!:;'le: to the average resident, as the cnange in the TlRE inde)(' is 1ess than 0.1. On Kellogg between Bryant and Wa~erley, the TiRE index reaches 0.1, indicating the mlnimum noticeable fncrfase in ADT to the average resident. None of these increases is considered to be a Significant environmental impact. Impact on Castilleja School. (astilleja sc~onl is located an the southwest corner of the Bryant/Embarcadero intersection. The channelization islands associated ",ith. the Bryant/Embarcadero traffic signal w-ill prohibit motor vehic12 left turns from Bryant to Embarcadero and the tnrough movement across Embarcadero. This will not affect drivers approacning the school~ ~ut wi 11 cause some drivers leaving the school tn use alternate rot.:tes. As described above, 1rivers~ use of alternate routes, including drivers originating at Castilleja School, will not have a signHicant impact. He primary reason that the TIRE index shows t~e minimum noticeable impact due to increased ADT on K~lTogg between Waverley and Bryant, is due to drivers lea ... 1ng Castilleja S(ncol 'Using KEllogg to reach t.~e Waverley/Embarcadero intersection in order to t~rn left onto, or (TOSS, Embarcadero. As stated above, this impact is not considered to be signlficart. Loss of 4-6 on-street parking spaces d~r5ng school hours was discuss2d above under ·ParkingW, and was not considered to b! a s igrll fi cant irr1pact. Traffic ~azards. In the checklist, this item ~as checked "no·. ln ~rder for the Bryant Street B~cycle Boulevard to be !xtended as proposed~ a traffic signal mu.st be installed at the Bryant/Embarcadero intersectio~. This sign;Jl will provide a safer crossing ~f Embarcadero Road, a ~ajor arterial street, fo~ bicyclists and pedestrians. Cyclists and pedestrians who currently use Bryant Street must wait for gaps ~n the flow of traffic on Embarcadero~ which is heavy during the peak corm;ute periods. As documented in Section 9.2, removal of stop .signs or. Br.,llant Street is nat expected to result iii increased motor ~ehicle speeds on that street. As stated in Sections 10.1 and 10.3, if actual ~xp~rience indicat~d that conflicts, speeding, or ot~er operational [IACKI 91· [lA-IS ]0 ~ ~ • ,j , :,j 1 _. " problems were ~ccurin9 as a result of stop sign removals, (orrective m~isures. including possible reinstallation of stop signs, would be taken . ll.em$ 13(;a. b. It. flo Public S~l'\Iices polict and Fire. The channel~lit;on ;~lands lssoclated wit~ the ary~r.t/Embarcadero traffic signa' ~;ll impede right turns from Bryant to Emblrcadero for very large trucks) and ~ill impede left turns from Brycnt tD EmbarcaderD and tn~ through ~ovement across (~barcaderc fer all vehicles. However, pol ice and fire vellicl'5's (including fi re trucks), operating in emergency cond;ti~ns, will be ab1e to bypess the islands by driwing to tne left of them. Police and fire vehides occasionally ha~e to use the left sides of intersections in o~der to bypass queues of vehicles. Effects on em2r9~ncy response tfme would not be measurable. Th~re ~ill thus be no significant fmpact on fi~e and police protection servfces. ~afntenance of Public Fa~il1ties. The pr~ject ~;11 result in increased maintenance for the new traffic signal and the issociated channelization 1slands. This increase will be offset by the removal of bike Jane lines on portions of ~ayerley and Churchill, which results in elimination of the periodic repainting of bike lane lines. There will be no significant negative impacts on maintenance of public facilitlEs. Go~enmental Services. The channelization iSlands at t~e 8ryant/Embarcadero intersection may cause alteration of routes for the Postal Serwice, Palo Alte Sanitati~n Company. tity street sweepers, and other occasional governmental services whose vehicles use that intersection. The impacts on these serwices are not expected to be significant. cs EIACKI 91-E1A-26 II • \ , . 1I'l"l'ACHIIEJIT 2 BRYANT STREET aICYCLE BOULEVARD EXTL~SION REPORT September, 1991 copies of this r~port are available in the Transportation Division office, 6th floor, City Hall, 250 Hamilto~ Avenue, Palo Alto. II !I ~ I ~ I I . ;. II I I I I I I I a o J BRYANT 3TREET BICYCLE BOULEVARD EXTENSION REPORT Prepared by the Transportation Division City of Palo Alto September 1991 ~ ~~ [(fbI ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~. • -> • .. "' . . , -'-, .-' I ~ I I 1~t>1 a Q, BRYANT STREET ~ I BICYCLE BOULEVARD EXTENSION REPORT ~ I I ~ I I ~ I I Prepared by the I~-b) Trnnsportatlon Division C City of Palo Alto D September 1991 ~ ~ j ~ j :'l j@-b/ - J '-' . '.': , I ~U1J! OP COI!'rEII'l" 1. 0 nrraoDtlCTION. • 2.0 3.0 1. 1 PURPOSE OF THE STUOY • • • • 1. 2 THE PLAN DEVELOPMENT PROCESS IIACIi:GJtOlJIID •• •• ••• • 2 • 1 COKPREHENS IVE PLAN • • • • 2.2 TRAFFIC CONGESTION' AIR QUALITY 2.3 PURPOSE OF BICYCLE BOULEVARD 2.4 EXISTING BICYCLE BOULEVARD 2.5 CAPITAL lMPROVEMENTS 2.6 EXTENSION ALIGNKEWT 2 • 7 S'l'UDY REPORT BXI'TIN~ CONDITIONS 3.1 EXISTING BICYCLE ROUTES 3.2 EXISTING LAND USES 3.3 PHYSICAL AND OPERATIONAL CHARACTERISTICS , • 0 COtrCEPTIIlU. ALftlUlAUnS , • 1 SEGMENT A 4.2 SEGMENT B , • ~ SEGMENT C 4. 4 SEGMENT 0 ,. S SEGMENT E 4 • 6 S E<lMEN'l' F 5.0 C010WNU'Y 1I.EVl:£W loIII) COMKENT8 5.0 INITIAL pUBLIC MEETING 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 SUMMARY OJ' SELECTED SMALL GROUP COMMENTS SIDIKARY OF OPEN FORUM COMMENTS SUMMARY OF WRITTEN RESpONSE FORMS " • 6 • 1 SEGMEII'r A 6.2 SEGMEN'r B 6 • 3 SEGMENT C 6. , SEGMEII'r 0 6.5 SEGMENT E 6.6 SEGMENT F i PAGE 2 2 2 4 4 5 5 5 1 8 9 9 9 9 14 16 16 19 20 20 23 27 27 21 31 31 33 33 35 49 S6 58 ~O I I I I J J 7.0 nz &alIBI) rLAJI 7 • 1 S &G!IElIT A 7 • 2 SEGMENT B 7 • J SEGMENT C 7 • 4 SEGMENT D 7.S SEGKENT E 7.6 SEGMENT F •. 0 COIOCOJlI'l'Y U'VIn PI> COIlKENTa e. 1 SECOND PUII!.IC M];;ETr~G 8.2 PUBLIC COllMENTS • '.0 ADDITIOKaL JV1~vaTIOX 9,1 '!'RAF!'IC DrvERSION 9,2 I!E!!I"'1AL OF STOP SIGNS 9.3 ON-Snu:ET PAR!{ING • • , 9.4 RELATIONSHIP >lITH PAMF EXPA.'ISION PROJEC'I' 9.5 BRYANT Snu:ET TURN RESTRICT'ONS •••• 9.6 PALY HIGH/TOWN' COUNTRY TRAFFIC SIGNAL. 10. D IIlICOIllO!Jll)ED PLAJI 10.1 SEG!IElIT A 10.2 SEGMJ;;NT B 10, 3 SEGMENT C 10.4 SEGl'lENT 0 10.5 SEGMEII'l' E 10.6 SEGM];;NT F 11.1 11.2 11.3 11. 4 COST ES 1'IlIA':'E • f\l1IDING CITY COUNcI L REVIEW SCHEDU!..E •••• • AND APPROVAL ii em j ? ~,;,...; ... =--............. 66 66 66 69 69 69 70 72 72 72 84 84 92 93 95 97 98 100 100 100 103 105 105 106 107 107 107 110 110 • J ~ g 1.1 2.1 3.1 ~ 3.2 4.1 ~ 4.2 4.3 ~ 4.4 4.5 4.6 ~ 4.7 6.1 ~ 6.2 6,) ~ 6.4 6.5 6.6 ~ li.7 7.1 a 7.2 9.1 a 9.2 9.3 9.4 :I 10.1 10.2 I 10.3 j , ... J ., , -J __ :I 1.19'1" OF F1GDRES Plan Development Precess Existing Bicycle Boulevard Pale Alto Bicycle Routes Primary Features Along Bryant Street Initial concept Plan Initial Concept Plan -Segment A Initial concept Plan -segment B Initial Concept Plan -Segment C Initial concept Plan -Segment D Initial Concept Plan -Segment E Initial Concept Plan -Segment F Traffic progression Diagram Intersection Group Option 0 Intersection Group Option I Intersection Group Option II Intersection Group option III Loc&tions for possible Street Closure Propo&ed Diagonal Parking on Waverley Street lnt~rmediate Preferred Plan . 4 Bryant/Embarcade~o Inters&ction Expected Daily Traffic Volumes Expected caily Traffic Volumes Expected Daily Traffic Volumes Expected DAily Traffic Volumes ~eco~mended Plan Bryant/Embarcadero Intersection (Recommended Plan) PAGE 3 6 10 11 15 17 1& 21 22 24 26 37 41 42 43 H 51 6' 67 68 67 88 90 91 101 102 Bryant/Embarcadero Intersection (Substitute Plan) _ 104 iii \ , D j J 5.1 6.1 6.2 9.1 11.1 11.2 " . LIB'!' 01" !,QUS S~~ary Description ot Initial Conceptual Plan Summary Description of Inters~ction Options Traffic volume Changes TIRE Index Table • • . Cost Estimate for the Extension of the Bicycle Boulevard 40 4S B6 lOB funding Sources for the Extension of the . . • . . . . ~09 Bicycle Boulevard iv I I I APPEND!X A A."~ENDIX B a APPENDIX C APPENDIX D I APPENDIX E I I j J / APPBIIDICZ8 sketches of Preliminary Oesiqn Concepts for Intersection of Bryant st~eet and Emba~cadero Road Materials Related to Initial Public Meeting Map of stop Sign Locations Map of Professorville Historic District Boundary. PAGlI: • 111 •• 115 147 149 Materials Related to Second Public .. . 151 Meetinq v \ ...,;"c' o " • ; J ... j 1.0 nrl'JU>ollC'rIOJl This report c!oewn..ents the information qatherirn;, alternatives evaluation, public review and comments, and development of a. recoamended plan fo~ the lmple~entation of a p~oject to ~xtend the existing Bryant street Bicycle Boulevard. 1.1 PIlRPOSE OF TIfE STUOY The purpose of the current study is to develop a recommended plan for the extension of the Bryant street Bicycle Boulevard from its pr.sen~ terlllinus at Churchill Avenue northvard to and through downtown Pelo Alto, and on to the existing bicycle/pedest!"illn bridqt:. aCt'OSs San Francisquito Creex into Menlo Park. 1.2 THE PLAN OEVELOPMENT PROCESS The developllent of a recommended plan for the extp.nsi~, of the bicycle boulevard is one part of an overall process that: (1) began with a previous City Council decision a decade ago to establish the exlstinq bicycle boulevard# {2J builds upon long-standing council polieiea, actions and aChievements that support non-drive alone modes of travel, as well as approval of capital illlprovement projects related to the bicycle boUlevard, and Cl) continues with this r:.tudy and a subsequent city Council decision regarding the extension of the bicyt::le boule-yard. The overall process, ir.cluding this current study component, is shown i~ Fiqure 1.1. 2 • '-1 'I , I I ?. Ai';: :; -~:':~ ',,: " " ""?:--~::;::¥~ .-;~,~~ -:;'--~ ~ _""""~~ ........... ~,~" "",.»<oR". ,:.~~~ BICYCLE BOlllJ!VAJW ZrTZNSION STUDY Project Goals Data collection concept~al Alter. Community Review Evaluation Pre-ierred: Plan Ora ft Report Community Review Recommend ... tion F ina! Report FIGURE 1.1 PLAN DEVELOPMENT PROCESS 3 • . ~, .. • (T'r . ....J, .. , j j a j , ... ., 2.0 Tha City of ~alo Alto has long-standing policies, an~ a notable reoo~d ot actions and achi&vementa, that emphasize., encourage and facilitate the use of alt~rnative ~odes to the automobile (walking, bikinq, car/vanpoo18" transit) ~ These pclicies and actions, carefully and consistently ~PFlied over an extended period of time, have made a favorable difference in the utilization of several tra,nsport components, including a bicycle system and related support facilitie.s that consistently place Palo Alto in the top ranks of bicycle usage and user friendliness throughout the nation. COKPREHENS lYE PLAN The transportation el~nt of th2 Comprehensive Plan contains a number ot policy statements and related programs that strive to reduce the usaqe of the automobile and encouraqe the use of alternative travel Jlodes, Spe.cifically, the Comprehensi-;te Plan includes Transportation Policy 12: ·PROMOTE BICYCLE USE-, along­ with related programs to support and achieve such a policy, including: P~oqra. 34 -Develop arzd implement a network of thra~qh bicycle boulevards, and Proqram 35 -Re30ve traffic control impediments and physical barriers to bicycle travel. The objectives of these policies and proqrams are to promote, encourage, and facilitate bicycle travel throuqhout Palo Alto and its environs, .tor all aq-e qroups, and for all trip purposes~ includinq travel for recreation, shopping, school, busines5# work commutes~ and other reasons tor which people travel. 2.2 TRAFFIC CONGEST:ON , AIR QUALITY Efforts to tacilitate and encourage the use of alternative transportation Qodas, including the use of bicycles, will continue to tAke on increasing importance as the effects. of Congestion Management Agency requirements, regional implications or State air quality zb.;ulations, and the City's recently enacted Transportation oe.and Xanaqelllent 'TOM) ordinance become more evident. In tact, many of the policies and actions to encourage and facilitate the use of alternative ~odes to the automobile. which Palo Alto h3& voluntarily pursued during the past two decades, are now becoming instit'ltionalized with applicability to the entire Bay Area as part of continuing legislative and ju,,"icial efforts to aadre&.s and resolve the issues of traffic congestion and air pollution~ While no sinqle action or strategy is qoing to solve the existing ar.d 4 -L • , ''---- I \ I , ."~ ------::...--::..-- projected. traf~ic congestion and air pollution problems, it is increasingly evident that any .and all measures that offer any potential benefit, in terms of reduced use o~ the private automobile, are likely to become mandatory during the next several years. PURPOSE OF BICYCLE ~ULEVARO The purpose of a bicycle boulevard is to provide: (l) a throughway upon which bicycles have procedence Over aut~mobl1es, '2) a direct rout9 that reduces ~ravel time for bicyclist8, (3) a sate travel route that minimizes conflicts ~ith motor vehicle traffic, and (4) a facility that promotes and facilitates the use ot bicycles as an alternative transportation mode for all purposes of travel. EXISTING BICYCLE BOULEVARD The existing initial segment of the Bryant Street Bicycle Boulevard, ,eo,S illustrated in Fiqure 2 • .1, was establist.ed. in 1982, and involved street closures at two locations and changes in stop signs at several intersections. It extends a distance of two 4i1es alonq Bryant street, trom East Meadov Drive to Churchill Avenue. At present, the bicycle boulevard does not connect with any major activity center at either end. At Churchill Avenue, bicyclists are directed one block east to Waverley Street. Within the existinq initial two lJile segment, thare are three locations that specifically J)Qrmit bicycle passaga and prohibit automObile passage (6 street closure at Lowell Avenue, a street closure at El Verano Avenue, .and & bridqe crossin9 at Matadero Creek). In addition, stop signs at a number of intersections along Bryant have been located so as to favor bicycle travel along the Bicycle Boulevard. In all other respects, the bicycle boulevard appears and functiona as a nOl"JDal local city street; providing automobile access to resid.enca:s, on-street parkinq, and urlrestricted local area tr-6veL Other than periodic:: c~mplaints received. about the visual appearZlnce ot tl"!e initial temporary street closures (rece:'lt.ly replaced with permanent landscaped closures), city staff is not aware of any serious concerns from residents who live on or near the existinq initial seqment ot the bicycle boulevard. 2.5 CAPITAL IMPRO\TEMEN'I'S The City has made a substantial investment in upgradinq the bicycle boulevard sinee its initial implementation in 1982. In 1986, a narrow pedestrian bridge, where Bryant meets Matadero Creek, was replaced with two new structures; a wide bicycle bridqe and. a separate pedestrian bridge. In 1990, the two temporary wooden 5 '.:.;.a- ., , ..J - FIGURE 2.1 EXISTING BICYCLE BOULEVARD L --''- SOU1'H Erro OF EXISTING BICYCLE 1'L\"'11. @ E. MEADOIol J-i<-"'''''''''' ~,;:O'( ... i t ! I i • 8t~eet closures (barrie~5) on Bryant were replaced with permanent raised and landscaped concrete islands~ Both p~ojects were tunded throuqh the Cityts Capital Improvement Program with grant funding in excess of $D7 ,000 from the state of California, through the Metropolitan Transportation commission. In January 19S9, co~cil authorized statf to file a grant application tor 1989-1990 Transportation Development Act ('!'DA) funds tor Pedestrian/Bikeway projects (CMR:I01:9), which included funding tor a traffic siqnal at ~arcadero Road and Bryant as part ot the anticjpated extension of the bicycle boulevard. The qrant application was approved and an amount of $75,000 is available to the City r,:,r this specific project for a period ot up to three years beginning July 1, 1990~ In 1990, as part of the 1990-1995 Capital Improvement Program (CIP !page 107J), Council approv:a<1 a project with funding for the installation Qf" a traffic siqnal at the intersection of Embarcadero and Bryant~ The cost of the traffic signal installation was estimated to be $150,000 plus $24,000 for integration into the City·s computerized traffic siqnal coordination system. The remainlnq costs tor the traffic Signal installation and integration, atter use of the $75,000 TDA Grant, is desiqnated to come from the City's Electric Fund. At the time that council approved the 1990-19'95 CIP proj ect for installation of a traffic signal at Embarcadero and Bryant, it was with tba clear understandin9 that no funds wera to be spent for desiqn and. construction of a traffic signal until the curI"'ent bicycle boulevard extension study has }:Ieen complll!!:ted and staff raturns to council with a recommended plan tor Council discussion and approval:-prior to implementation ot the bicycle boulevard extension. 2.6 EXl~NSION ALIGNMENT This study, as documented in th2 tclloYing s~ctions of the report~ cons.iders alternative means for elrtenclin9" the ex:isting bicycle boulevard f"lJrther northward along Bryant, from i ts pr-es~nt terminus at Churchill A ..... enue to the existing bic,)'c:'e/pedestrian bridge crossinq San Francisquito Creek into Henlo Park. An alternative alignment alonq Waverley Street, from Churchill Avenue to San Erancisquito Creek, is not. suitable for the extension of the bicycle boulevard for a number of reasons includinq: (a) Waverley is a designated COllector street in the Palo Alto street network, CD) traf~ic volumes along Waverley are in excess oL 4,000 to 6,000 vehiclas per day, (C) the impact of traffic diVersion ~ro~ waverley to other streets within adjacent neighborhoods, due to any measur£:s thAt would r~duce vehiCUlar volume, and {dJ the presence of buses travelinq and makinq stops along Waverley. 7 r , i.. ; 11 , ~ f. ~ , ~ ~; .,-~ a l 3 a 0 :1 ~ a ~ I 0 " ... • \ , ...J '1 ~ ., j 2 • 7 S'l'tJO ~ REPORT SUbsequent sections cf this report document: (Il) existing conditions, (b) a oet ot. conceptual alternatives, includinq an iriiti&l concept plan, (e) the tirst round ot communit~ review, Cd) &n evaluation of alternatives, (e) t-21e devalopoaent of an interaediate preferred plan, (t) a second round of r;ommunity r.8view, and (9) presentation of a final recommended plan, including costa, tundinq and an implementation schedule, for r~esentatlon to the city Co\mcil for its consideration and I!ctio7l$ This study report is intended to provide appropriate intormation to serve as a fraaework upon which understanding and decisions can occur~ 8 "~--__ lIlil_".".I_tlA·_----"-" • ---------. ~ I ~ j J J , ",. '. -\ ~_,:,":-"--::"". ___ -___ r_~~·-"'"""'·~----'----,.~----- 3.1 EXISTrNG BlCYCLE ROUTES The existing initial segment of the Bicycle Boulevard, as well as its proposed extension northward to San Franclsquito Creek, are an integral part of a comprehensive citywide system of bicycle routes throughout the entire c.i,ty. As illustrated in Figure 3.1, the citywide bicycle route ayatSJI: is comprisE:d of a series of lanes, paths, and signed routes throughout the entire city with lin~aqes to adj&cent -::ommunities, the baylands, and the Stc'l.nford University campus, as well &S bridqes and underpasses that span existing physical barriers such as creeks, commuter rail transit lines, and freeways. 3.2 EXISTING LAND USES The existing initial seqment of the :bicycle boulevard passes entirely through areas ot residential neighborhoods. The proposed extension of the bicycle boulevard from Churchill Avenue north to San Francisquito Creek passes through areas ot residential neighborhoods (including Castilleja School ond the d".19'llated historic Professorville area), continues past the Palo Alto Medical F~undatlonl proceeds into and through the do.~town business district, continues onward throuq!'J the Doimtown North neighborhood l crosses over San Prancisquito Creek via an existing bicycle./pedestrian bric:lqe, and connects with a corresponding system of bicycle routes in Henlo Park. 3.3 PHYSICAL AND OPERATIONAL CHARACTERISTICS Existing primary characteristics of Bryant and aajacent land uses, from Churchill Avenue to San Frar.cisquito creek are illustrated in Figure 3.2 and summarized below. • BI)·ant is classifiel1 as I!! local street. • The street width is 26 feet, except the portion between Lytton Avenue. and Fo::-ast Avenue (within the downtolm business district), wher-e the str-eet width varies trom 44 to 53 feet. • An eXisting arainaqe dip across Bryant in the pave~e~t Btructur~ near Ki~qsley serves as a significant potential speed control measure along Bryant, be.tween Embarcadero and Lincoln. 9 • , , . & .;.-----;-' ,,- c- , i ••••• ON -SfFE[T a.u:: LAtE ~ OFF~~ B~E PATH __ SlOEV'MLK BIKE PATH .'''1 I n. SIGNED BI<t ROUTE ~..I..FISDfCTOO ""'" IlOUTE • BIKE IRIDCi~ERP-.sS '--B~ BOuI..EIIAAO FIGURE 3.1 PALO ALTO BICYCl E ROUTES 10 r - ~=~~-~~-~----------- - FIGURE 3.2 PRIMARY FEATURES ALONG BRYANT STREET • • • On-street parking is penaittec1 on both sides of the atreet, except ror designated loading zones. A combination of diagonal and parallel parking exists along tbe seqaent betveen Forest Avenue and Lytton Avenue (within the business district): elsSlihere alonq the proposed extension, only pa~all.l parkinq is permitted. On-street parkinq is fully utilized throuqhout the da)'" on the seqment of Bryant between Ac!dison and Havthorne, and 1:'1 the area of Castilleja School; and intermittently utilized else~here. Availa.ble counts indicate th&t on an average day over GOO OOllUD'.lter, student, and recreational cyclists travel along the existing initial segment ot the ~icycle boUlevard. Racent counts on Bryant and ~averley indicate a total of 725 cyclists are crossinq bbarcl\dero daily; 325 at Bryant and 410 at Waverley. • Traffic volumes vary considerably alonq Bryant. 1000 -1300 vehicles/day south of Embarcade~o 1400 -1700 vehicles/day north of Emba~cad8ro 2000 -2200 vehicleS/day in front of PAMF vehicles/day in business district vehicles/day north of business district • Major c~oss streets include: ~rcadero Road Channing Avenue Homer Avenue Haailton Avenue university Avenue - Lytton Avenue 21, COO vehicles/da,y 5,000 vehicles/day 5,000 vehicles/day 11,000 vehicles/day 17,000 vehicles/day 13,000 vehicles/day • EX"istinq traffic c.ontroi .eaaures along Bryant ar-e as tollows: Churchill Avenue Xelloqg Avenue Embarcadero Road Jl:inqsley AVQnue Lincoln Avenue Addison Avenue Channj nq A venue Homer Avenue "cre~t Avenue HAlllil ton Avenue university venue Lytton Avenue Everett Avenue Hawthorne Avenue Palo Alto Avenue Bryant , Churchill traffic stops Xelloqg traffic stops Bryant traffic stops Bryant traffic stops Lincoln traffic stops Bryant , Aadison traffic stops Bryant traffic stops Bryant tra f:fic stops Bryant traffic stops rraftie siqnal control Tratfic 51qnal control Traffic .i9n~1 control Everett traffic stops Bryant traffic stops Bryant, Poe' Palo Alto stops 12 L r c. L - ~ g = ~ = g ~ 0 Q ~ ~ ~ = ~ I ~ j , - '1 ... "'I '" ~ '" A r.vlev of recDrded traffic accident listings indicates that during the period troa July 1, 1988 thro~9h Sept.aber 30# 1990, a total of five accidents invclvinq bicyclists were reported on Bryant from t:hurchill to Palo Alto Avenue. During the &l!IlIe period, II. total 0: three motor vehlcle/bicycle accidents were l"ecorded en W8verley. Bryant Street To~al accidents 44 Bicycle accident. 5 waverley street Total acci~.nta 51 Bicycle accidents J Of the bicycle accidents on Bryant., two occurred at or in the iIIIlIIediate viCinity of the intersection with Embarcadero. The three remaining accidents occurred in the. residential neiqhborhoods north lind south of the downtown business district. On Wa'Verley, two of the three reported accid.ents occurred. in the downtown business di8trict. Of the. total of eight bicycle accident., motorists vera at fault in four cases, bicyclists vere at fault in three cases, and both pa.,rties were at fault in one case. 1) --.... 3 ...... ""'4IU.I ... >..,.· "." --_ .. -.... Q ~ t ! ~ , . '~ , 0 ~ . a l ~ ~ = = II! ill 0 .. oJ ~ j ., ... ... J -• .; ., -' 4.0 ITt the early stage of the study process, a set of conceptual alternatives were developed for the extension of the bicycle boulevard along Bryant, based ~pon ~n initial set or identified issues and available information. These conceptual alternatives, from which an initial concept plan was i~entified, are described in this chapter. These same CO!lcept:lal 81 ternatives, inclusive of the initial concept plan, were usa~ for the initial round of community review and comment, as discussed in Chapter 5; and for subsequent further eveluatlon, as discussed in Chapter 6. In order to facilitate the discussion, evaluation, and presentation of proposals, opticns, and recommendations, the proposed extension of the bicycle boulevard from Churchill to San F~ancisquito creek was organized into five contiguous segments ($~qments A through E) alonq Bryant, and one additional se~ent (Segment F} representing all potential related changes on streets other than Bryant (waverley and Coleridqe, Churchill, and Addison). These seqments ~re QQ$cribed as follows: Segment A: Segment B: Segment c: S89Dle nt D: Seqment E: Seq:m.ent F: Bryant from Chur~ill up to Embarcadero, but not inclu,'inq the Embarcadero intersection. Bryant intersection with Embarcadero. Bryant from Embarcadero (eJl:cluQiiny the inter­ section) to Forest. Bryant from Forest to Lytton. Bryant from Ll-tton tc the San Francisquito Creek bridge. Waverley frOID Chur~'lill to the San Francisquito Creek bri~s~. and short sections of Coleridge, Churchill, and Addison (between Waverley and Bryant). Ttie fol~owin9 paraqr.c.phs identify arid discuss the issues and concept~al alternatives that were developed in the initial phase of ~lan development end evaluation for the extension of the bicycle boulevard. Also included l is the iaentification of the initial conceptual plan for each seg1llent. Fiqure •• 1 illustrates the initial concept plan . 14 ".' ' SEGMENT F FIGURE 4.f INITIAL CONCEPT PLAN __ --.J "-..:..:.-- • j. .... SEGMENT F SEGMENT ,.. / " • i .. J ... J -; " 4.1 SEGMENT A Se~ent A starts at Churchill Avenue and e~tend5 to~ but does not include, the Embarcadero Road intersection. At present, t...l-le existinq initial seqment of the bicycle boulevard ends at Church!ll and cyclists are dire.cted along Churchill Avenue to Waverley, 'Which has marked bike lanes tr~ Coleridge to Lytton, and a signed bike route from Lytton Avenue to San Francisquito Creek. Issues relatea to the extension of the bicycle boulevard along Bryant for segment A include: • • • Potential removal of stop signs on Bryant at Churchill, Potential changes to on-street parking, and Poten~i.al operational conflict at Castilleja school drop off/pick up area. The initial conceptual plan developed for Se~ent A, as illustrated in Figure 4.2, included the removal of the existinq stop signs on Bryent at Churchill Avenue. An alternative yas to leave tr.e stop sig:"is on Bryant and Cburchill as they are at the present time. On­ street parkinq would rgmain as it is at the present time. The referenca in Figure 4.2 to the removal of a bike lane eeqment (on Churchill] and the extension of' bike lanes (on ColeridgeJ, between Bryant and Waverley, is orqa~izationally incorpo~ated and discussed as part of Segment F~ 4.2 S£Gl!ElI'l' B Seqment B 1s the shortest, albeit most complex, seqment of the proposed ertension. The prima.ry issues related to the extension of the bicycle boulevard along Bryant for segment B include: • • • Potential installation of a new tra.ffic signal, Suitability of a non-signalized intersection, and General design configurations (roadway channelization and traffic flow restrictions) for siqnalized a.nd non­ siqnalized intersection control alternatives~ The initial conceptual plan developed for Seqment B, as illustrated in Fiqure 4.3, di~ net specify a single plan vith related alternatives. Ratl',er it included five alternatives, four that involv.~ installation of a ne~ traffic siqnal and one that diQ not involve installation of a new traffic siqnal. These five alternatives Yere selected as being representative of a larger 16 • -~-~-----.----~- ,~ ,- L r ,- -~ '-- .... ~ , • l '"' .-I ' ... FIGURE 4.2 "" I INITIAL CONCEPT PLAN SEGMENT A W J" I 17 I.; -----~ ·' /. .. --.. -- urSnNG C"OND~TIO""S ----.. -- - -"Iolll __ l ...... ¢ IrlJJlc~1 ... .59 \21. ra,llng ,." 'IOIItmtI ~rN _ .. 1111 Ihrr,..I1-... .~- .... ....,- --- ._- ~ow.~"""" I.VT nRI ov;q .... 111.-." C\oa:D .J"WrL" ..-,.. _ uexo._ ._- -loll-=--­ ~'''''"IID.v.aD _ __ ,.... OIU _.....-n. 1IOO~c.c'--" ALTERI4A.TIV£ "' FIGURE 4.3 • --JI!!II ----- AlTERNATIVe: 2 -.~ ----- ... _..,--"IoE1~_ '-- .~ ALTEANATIVE 5 I NITIAL CONe EPT PLAN -S EG MENT B :'- • --. _ --_.---"" number of earlier prellsinary design concepts as illustrated in .ketch for. in Appendix A. Resultant traffic vcl~es on Bryant as well as traffic diversion to Waoverley was estimated tor each altern~tive and i. included with each illustration • !ltermltiyes 1 And 2 both included the pr-ovision of a new stret!t closure on Bryant (:between Kinqsley and C!".anninq), in conjunction .. ith the installation of e: new traffic siqnal at the intersection of Bryant and Embarcadero, in order to Ii.it automobile traffic on Bryant. Alternatiyes 3 ond • also inclUded the installation of a neW tr&t!~.c siqnal, but;. cUd not involve the proviSion of a new street closure. Rather, potential tr&ffic volume increases would be limited by prohibition of selective travel Dloveme!'lts at the intersection ot Bryant and Em))arcadero, throu9h the use of re9'lJlatory siqninq and/or roadway channelization. Alternatiye 5 did not include the ins~allation of a new traffic signal or ~ street closure further along Bryant. It did involve prohibitinq selective travel movements at the intersection at Bryant and Embarcadero through the use of regulatory signs and roaGway channelization. SEGMENT C Segment C starts at Eubarcadero Road Caxcluding ~~e intersection) and extends up to Forest Avenue~ Issues related ~o the extension of the bicycle boulevard along Bryant for Seqment C include: • Potential reversal of stop signs at Kingsley from Bryant to Kingsley, • Potential removal of stop signs on aryant at Addison l • • • Potential street closure ~l~cement and desiqn, Potential additional stop sign on Channing at Bryantl Potential additional stop siqn on Romer-Avenue at Bryant, • Pot~ntial cbanqes to on-street parking, and • Effects and potential chanqes to the Palo Alto Medical Foundation CPAMFJ. The initial conceptual plan developed for seqment C, as illus~~ated in Figure 4.4, included reversal of the stop siqns at Xingsley, the location of a potential street closure in the block betwee.n Addison and Lincoln, :t'eJDoval of the existing &top siqns on Bryant at 19 -, I I I I : ., , Ad~ison, and placement ot additional stop signs on both Channing and Homer, at their intersections with Bryant. Alternatives were to leave the stop signs on ~ryant at Xingsley, locate the potential street closure one block further north or south along the bicycle boulevard extension, leave the stop signs on Bryant at Addison, and/or not place additional atop signs en Channing and Hrymer. on­ street parking would remain as it is at the present'time. The reference in Figure 4.4 t~ the extension (If bike lanes on Addison between Bryant and Waverley, and the removal of bike !ane., and restoration of on-street parking along Waverley, is organiza­ tionally incorporated and discussed ~s part of Segment F. SEGMENT 0 seqment D starts at Forest Avenue and extends through the downtown business district to Lytton. Three of the cross streets, Hamilton, University, ane Lytton are controlled by existing traffic signals. Issues related to the extension of the bicycle boulevard along Bryant for Segment 0 include: • • Potential conversion of on-street diagonal parkinq to parallel parking, and potential coordination of traffic sic;nals along Bryant to facilitate bicycle travel. The initial conceptual plan developed for Segment D, as illustrated in Fiqure 4.5, included no change to tbe on-street diagonal parkinq along Bryant, and retention of t.he traffic signal timing along Bryant. An alternative was to convert the on-street diagonal parkinq spaces to parallel parking spaces. The threa traffic signala along Bryant are part of a lIore extensive downtown coord-inated traffic siqnal system that is designed to favor treffic flow along Hamilton, University and Lyttons rather than the cross streets.. The initial conceptual plan includea no change to the existing traffic siqnal operations. 4.5 SEGMEN'I' E SSgIIIent E starts at Lytton, extends along Bryant to Palo Alto Avenue, and then proceeds along a one hlock section o£ Palo Alto Avenue to the eXis.ting bicycle/pedestrian bridge crossing San Francisquito Cre~k~ Issues related to the extension of the bicycle bo~levard alonq Bryant tor Segment E include: • Potential reversal of stop signs at Hawthorne fr-om Bryant to Harthorne, • Potential removal of a stop sign on Bryant at Poe, and • Potential changes to on-street parking. 20 ---".--"-~~.-... ':.:;,. ... -~~ • . , ", 1 "J •• FIG URE ~.4 INITIAL CONCEPT PLAN -SEGMENT C 21 i - r. i:. .... t,.. .. ; , --f_, C - r l- ~ - r- '- r L... r-. ""' r .. C 1"1 ~ ~ , i I f I I \ I - ., ..1 FIGURE 4.5 INITIAL CONCEPT PLAN -SEGMENT D 22 , . , , . \ I ... - , . . , : The initial conceptual plan developed for Segment E, a& illustrated in Fiqure 4.6, included the reversal of the stop signs at Hawthorr.e an.d removal or an existing stop sign on Bryant at Poe. Alter­ natives were to leave the existinq stop signs on Bryant. at Hawthorne (no new stop siqns on Hawthorne:) and/or leave the exi~tinq stop sign on Bryant at Poe. on-street parking 'Would remain as it is at the present time. '.6 SEGI!El<T F segment F represents all related changes on streets adjacent to the proposed extension of the Bicycle Boulevard~ including: Waverley Street • • Removal of existing bike lanes related signs between Lytton and Coleridge (Waverley from Lytton to the bicycle/pedestrian bridge at San Francisquito CreeK is a siqned bike route but does not have marked bike lanes). Restoration o.f on-street Embarcadero ana Forest. parking between Addison Avenue • • Exten&ion ot existinq bike lanes for one block from Waverley to Bryant. Initiation ot parking restrictions (7 a.m~ to 7 p.m.) on one side g( one block of Addison (between waverley and Bryant) I to accommodate extension of the existing bike lanes on Addison~ Churchill AvenUe • • Removal of existinq bike lanes and related siqr.s between Bryant and waverley. cessation of parking restrictions {7 a.m. to 7 p. III.) on one side of one block of Churchill (between aryant and Waverley}. Coleridge Avenue • • Extension of eXisting bike lanes tor one block from Waverley to eryant. Initiation of parking ~estrictions (7 a~m. to 7 p.m~J on on£ side ot one block of Coleridge (between waverley and Bryant), to accommodate the extension of existing bike lanas alonq Coleridge. 23 - -, .... c I c ! D f1 g t ~ ~ .. ..I -; ~ ... . , FIGURE 4.6 INITIAL CONCEPT PLAN -SEGMENT E 24 _.-. ...:......--......-..:.-.. , The initial concept plan developed tor Segment F is ~ummarized in Figure 4.7. Alternatives were to retain the existinq bike lanos and on-street parking restrictions along Waverley # retain the exi.tim; bike. lanes and on-street parlc:ing restrictions alor,g Churchill., and not extend the existing bike lanes and on-street parking restrictions tor one block (from W~verley to Bryant) alonq Addison and/or COleridqe. 25 .\ '--" ... -~ ... '-I-)or, l~ ... '&1 - ~ ,... '-' c_ ,- " 1-:::' r ... !' ,.. I t, ... c I ~ !CiIII i1 g ~ I !, t ~ " ~ ~ , 2 ~ a IIf rl j ~ ~ tI ., <Ii ~ '" ... a ,., ... J '" j - -, J .' :-"!" RELATED CHANGES ON ADJACENT STREETS WAVERLEY STREET o Remove existing bike lanes and ~elated signs between Coleridge and San Francisquito Creek o Restore on-street parkinq ADDISON AVD.'l1E o Extend bike lanes from Weverley to Bryant CHURCHILL AVENUE o Remove bike lanes between Bryant and waverley COLElUOGE AVENUE o Extend hike lanes from waverley to Bryant FIGURE 4,7 INITIAL CONCEPT PLAN -SE(zMENT F '" . , .------~-. .. .. j 5.0 COIlllU1lXTY amn AIID COIOlZ1l'l"& S.l INITIAL PUBLlC KEETING On October 25, 1990, a public meeting was held at the Palo Alto senio~ center tor the purpose of providirJq a.n opportuni ty for the public to learn more about the studY$ and comment on the initial concaptual plan ter the bicycle boulevard extension. The initial conceptual plan presented, for discussion purposes, was described in the previous chapter of this report and summarized as Ta~le 5.1. The meeting was organized in a workshop format, which included a qeneral presentation, qucl3tions for claritic'3tlon, and small group discussions 'With comments rec~Ided on newsprint. This was followed ~y a period for public comment and completion of a written response form. A professional consultant was hired to serve as a tacilitato~ for the meeting. A meeting notice vas sent to nearly 1,900 area residents and other interested persons. Approximately 65 people attended the three hour meeting. While there we~e obvious and qenuine differences of opinioh &mong the meetinq participants regarding the need for the e~ending the bicycle boulevard, as vell as the manner of doing it~ there was a qeneral sense that the partiCipants gained a better understanding of tha proposed project; and their comments provided valuable input for further evaluation and consider-.ation. Included as Appendix B is a copy of the Jileetinq notice~ agenda, handout material&~ and a summary of comments from the meeting. 5.2 SUMI'.ARY OF SELECTED SMAI.L GROUP COMMENTS It is certainly prOblemati~~ if not impossible, to summari%e the esserlce of a broad, diverse, sometimes cvntradictory, set of publi.c comments and responses into a few brief cateqorical statements. However, notwithstanding the difficulty and potential inadequacy~ this section attempts to c~pture the general intent of the public ccmments and CGncerns, as they relate most directly and siqnifi­ cantly to the design and man ... er in which the bicycle boulevard extension project would be implemented. The reader is advised that a more comprehensive set of COI!llDE!.nts from the public meeting' is provided as part of Appendix B. Segment A • qeneral concern associated with Churchill about visibility removal of stop 27 .e.nd speed problems sign on Bryant at TAllLIl 5.1 SDlOlAR~ OES::R1PTION OF rNITrAL CONCEPl'UAL PIAN S..",ent A - S""""ent B - segment c- S_ant D - seqment E - remove ex!.sting Ii top signs on Bryant Waverley; n~ changes to on-street parkinq. at fiva alternatives; two with traffic aiqnal and an associated street closure: t~~ with traffic siqnal and selective traffic flow probibiticn. no strQet closure; and one with aelactive traffic flow prohibitions but no traffic s1qnal. remove existinq s~op 5i~ on Bryant at Kingsley: street closure, it required, located betwe$n Lincoln and Addison: remove stop signs on Bryant a.t Addison; add new stop siqns on Che.nning and Romer at Bryant: no changes to on­ street parking. no changes to existinq conditlons~ inclu4ing no chanq98 to on-street parking. re.oye existing stop signs on Bryant at Bavthorne.; add new atop SigllS on Hawthorne at Bryant: remove .top siqn on Bryant at Poe: no Chanqes to on-street parking. remove existing bike lanes a10n; Waverley; restore on-street parking-along Wave.rley: extend. bike lane. on Adclison (Waverley to Bryant), including parking prohibition {7 a.a. to 7 p.m.) OJ'!. one side of Addison; remove bike lanes on Churchill (Waverley to Bryant) and r~store on-street parking; extend bilee lanes on Coleridqe (Waverley to Bryant) includinq parkinq prohibition (7 a.a. to 7 p .•. J on one side of Cole-ridge. 28 .. < , ~ .... ~ '" r <" " "" ~, , ~ "' e "" \; C"' - ~ <# '7" 'J )_ .... ~ ~ ~ '", r ~~;;,;: ~ , ... r I> , ~ r' ~ '--L -. };:- ~ '- g , , , 3 ~ :J g g 0 J III .I ~ ~ .. oJ "f .. :J " J -1 , --, .J -, , - i . ..:: ---"'---.--_ .. _-,--- • concern about children crossing Bryant at Churchill on way to/trom Palo Alto High School • visibility of existing barrier (ae Lo~ell) is not very qood, particularly at niqht Segment B • concern reqardin~ delay ~nd related consequences that a !leW traftio: signal viI! create fer traffic on Embarcadero • if a new traffic signal is installed at Bryant, consider removal of the existing traffic signal at Waverley • ;;rovision of lett turn lanes on Embarcadero resel t in narroW lanes which are less safe for &wtomobiles and bicycles • alternatives with roaoway channelization and turn prohibitions create unexpected# confusinq and less safe conditions for automobiles and bicycles: particularly at night • left turns from Embarcadero to Bryant should be permitted • non-signalized alternative should be tested, before a final commitment is made to a traffic s19na1 • need to consider other non-signalized elternatives • concern th~t retuqe area/island tor non-signalized intersection be SUfficient to provide adequate security and net a false sense of safety; sufficient for multiple bicycle.s of varying configurations, as 'Well as pe:,aestrians • concern that alternatives that prohibit selective tra.ffic movements at Embarcadero will cause more traffic: in adjacent residential ~eiqhborhoods • consider removal of a feW" on-street parkinq spaces on Bryant at Embarcadero Road in order to facilitate tUrns fro~/to Embarcad~ro; relocate existinq majl box • bicycle boulevard should detour to waverle)' traffic signal, and then either continue along Waverley or detour back to Bryant Segment C • concern about removal of on-&treet parking • general concern about visibility and spe.ed problems associated with removal of .st.op signs; visihility exiting from Whitman Court 2' .. • • • • • • iBtop signa on Ho.ar and Chan....,ing at Bryant will stop tr6~~ic on a collector .treet potential ebanges to p~ facilities must ~ con5idered Protes.orville 1a a recognizea histori~ neighborhood and needs to be protected street closure desiqn should complement architectural cllaracter ot historic neighborhood. a street cloBure will block fire trucks as well as access to PAKF Urgent Care Center (UCC); consider a sinqle one­ way barrier or t'Wo Beparated one-way ba.rriers in order to maintain access to the vee .. treet closure will divert traffic to ether streets including waverley and Ramona consider use of road bumps instead of a street closure Segment 0 • potential conflicts are hiqhest due to traffic volumes, bikes, parking, drivevays# pedestrians, ~nd qeneral activity • the three traffic signals along B:ryant should be timed to favor Bryant traffic • concern about any potential reduction of on-str-eet parking • varied opinions regardinq diagonal versus parallel parking • conflict between bikes and autos using the Civic center garage 30 ., "".." • t '_ " ! .~ ~ -' ,- ... j' - r .. C C C C i'i U I" Ioi -! .. J 5.3 Seql!1ent E • • conside.r stree';. closure. on Palo Al to Avenue and on Bryant concern about visibility at Palo Alto/Bryant intersection, Hawthorne/Bryant intersection, as well as the approach to the bicycle/pedestrian bridge crossing San Francisquito Creek Seql!1ent F • • concern about removal of on-street parking on Addison and Coleridge (Waverley to Bryant Street), to accommodate extension of bike lanes from Waverley to Bryant restoration of on-street parking or. waverley is good SUMMARY OF OPEN FORUM COMMENTS The comments presented durin1 tbe open c'OmJQent period ot the meeting re~lected the broad diversity among a qroup comprised of strong advocat~s, e~~allf strong opponents, and some in between. As such, it is not pos~ible to further qeneralize their statements in a manner that responsibly reflects the seriousness and intensity of their support and opposition. The reader is referred to the summary of open forum comments provided 8S part of Appendix B. 5.4 SUMMAAY OF WRITTEN RESPONSE FORMS At the end of the public meeting, ths participants were asked to complete a written response fOIlll incUcatinq their opinion on various alternatives tor each of the stUdy segments. This item was placed at the end of the meeting 'With t.he expectation that the opinions. expressed at that t.ime would reflect a better understanding of the. proposed bicycle boulevard extension project. About thirty response forms were submitted. Wnile it is difficult to accurately s~lIl11ise the extent to 'Which the written responses were a representative sa~ple of the diversity of the larger group of meet.ing participants, a review of the data suggests a bias in tavo~ of individuals who are mildly to strongly supportive of the propos.d bicycle boulevard extension. Therefore, it is inappropriate to interpret or extrapolate the numerical indications a$ representing the diversity an~ intensity of opjnion among the larger qrC"',Jp of meeting participa.nts. However, the 'Written response forms do provide an additional source of information that .. arrants consideration in the further evaluation and de:velopment of a recommended plan for the extension of the bicycle boulevard. "----- ~ - I L I ! S_nt A: Se<pHnt B: S89Jt.ent c: Se9lll"nt D: . . Support for re.mcval Qf .top siqn& en Bryant at Churchill. Support for a neli tra.ffic siqnal at the inte!"­ se~tion of Bryant and ~arcadero in conjunction with a street closurQ turther alonq Bryant, rather than roadway channelization and turn prohibitions at ~arcadero. Support tor reveraal ot stt)P siqr1s at inter­ Bection 01 Bryant and Xin9s1ey; removal of stop .iqn& on Bryant at Addison; and addition ot stop &igns on Ch&r..ninq and Moaer at Eryant~· Support tor no changes to the existing conditions with .ixed feelings about conversion of existing diaqonal parkinS' to parallel parkl.ng. Support for reversal of stop aigns intersection of Bryant and f!a.-thorne, and of stop Sign on Bryant at P~e. at the removal seqaent F: Support for .rel!Ioval of existing :bike lane and restoration of on-atreet p:!lrk!nq on Waverlf!Y, with .ixed feelinq. regarding the extension of bike lanes on Ac1c1iso!'1 anc1 Coleridge (between Waverley and Bryant Street), and its associated on-&treet parkin9 r~&trictions. • .. III I -J 6.0 This section of the repert is int.-ended to provide evaluative information for the various issues related to the proposal to extend the bicycle boulevard. Some of this infonnation was prepare~ in the early stages of the study, a~d was used to help screen alterJ'!atives tor the selection of the initial conceptual plan. Other information was prepared fol1o~inq the initial public meeting, in order to responsd to issues raised at the meeting: and provide more complete info~ation, as the project proqresse~. 6.1 SEGMENT A Segment A starts at Churchill Avenue and extends to, but does not incl~~e, the Embarcadero Road intersection. Issues i Dcl ude ~ • • • 6.1.1 Potential removal of stop signs on Br .t at Churchill. Potential chanqes to on-street parkin~, and potential operational conflict at the castilleja School drop off/pick up area potential Rempyal of Stop Signs At the ~resent ti~e, the intersection o~ Bryant and Chu~chil~ is controlled as a 4-way stop.-Tbe removal of the existing stop signs on Bryant would facilitate travel for bicyclists alonl the bicycle boulevard; thereby, make bicycling a more attractive travel alternative. Related concerns include visibility at the intersection, potential higher automobile speeds along Bryant, and children crossing Bryant at Churchill on their way to/from Palo Alto High School. Bicycle counts at this intersection irldicate a 1'learly equal number of bicyclists on Bryant and Churchill durinq the school related ~orninq (7-9 a.m.) and afternoon (2-5 p.:.) perjods. During other portions of the day, bicycle usage on Bryant likely exceeds that on ChurchilL With the I:licycle boulev-~rd exte.nsion in place, and the corresponding elimination of the existing shi.ft from Bryant to Waverley at Churchill, bicycle usage of Bryant would turti:ler­ increase. Visibility at this intersection is adequate. However, there is a continuing need to insure that existing vegetation on the horthw8lit corner is not all:;)wed to obscure adequate sight distance. The other three earners of the intersection are relatively open and free of any visual obstructions. While it is difficult to ~ccurately predict what imp~ct removal of the stop signs on Bryant at Churchill would have on automobile )) , . 0.. i~~:,: - speeds I the fact that Bryant is closed at Lowell, and thP. tact thAt speedir.q problems hav. not .aterialized elsewhere along the .xistinq bicycla boulevard, indicate that $peed proble~s would not likely dEvelop as a result ot the removal of these particular stop .. 19110. Potential Changes to On-street PArking on-street parking, which is veIl utilized in the area. ilClDediately adjacent to castillsja School and intenaittantly utilized elsewhere along this segment, could and should remain as it is at the ~resent time. Potential Operotional Conflicts The ~rimary areas for student drop ctf/pick up at Castilleja School are the areas of the two semi-circular driveways along Bryant in front of t!J.e administration building. Existing traffic operational conditions adjace~t to the sch?Cl, ~hich already include a number of bicyclists using Bryant Street, would n~t change in any substantial lDannar, in cor.junction wit.h the extens.ion of the bicycle boulevard. Prom a aeetinq with representatives of Castilleja School to discuss the bicycle boulevard extension, the followin9 primary interests and concerns emerq~d: (a) support for the need to provide a safer crossing for pede5tri~ns and bicyclists, Cb) access to th. school driveway. immediately south of Embarcadero Road should not be blocked by medians or barrier. alonq Bryant street, Cc) on-street parkin<J along Bryant, adj acent to the school, should not be reduced, and Cd) favor intersection alternatives that Would maintain left turns from vestboUnO Embarcaaero Road to southbound Bryant. The master plan tha~ is r,ow beinq developed for the school ~as also discussed with the general resolution that little or no chanqe would occur alonq Bryant, and there was no evident conflict between the proposed exte.nsion of the bicycle boulevard and chanqes that vere. being considered in the development of the master plan fo~ c.stilleja Schoola Other Concerns A conce.rn was raised regarding the visibility (particularlv at night) of the street closure at Lowell. The permanent landscaped closure that now exists at Lowell was only recently installed as a replacement tor a lChq-existinq tempor~ry closure. The visibility of the new permanent closure is be] ieved to be adequate at the present time. L - - - .. Ii 6.1. 5 • • • Conclusions: Removal ot th.'!: .top signs on Bryant at Churchill is important to help facilitate bicycle travel along the bicycle Dou16vard,ana Should be pursued. If conc~rns about removal of the stop signs on Bryant at Churchill (as perceived at the preser.t time or as experienced after the fact) are substantial, the present retention or future reinstallation or the stop signs is not a decisive factor that should, in itself, preclude a decision to extend the bicycle boulevard. Apart from Churchill, related to boulevard. SEGMENT B removal of the stop signs on Bryant. at there are no other changes in Segl%:;ent A implementinq the extension of the bicycle Segment B is the Bryant intersection with Embarcadero Road. Issues include: • • • 6.2.1 Potential installation of a ney traffic signal, Suitability of existing non-signalized. inte.rsection, and General design configurations (roadway channelization and traffic floy restrictions) for siqnalized and non~ siqnalized inte4section control alternatives. Potertial Installation of a New Traffic Signal The purpose of a proposed ne'W traffic sign-\\l at the int.ersection of Bryant and .Eml::>arcadero Road is to provide bioyclists W'ith a controlled, safe, and convenient ~eans to cross Embarcadero. The lack of a traffic siqnal at this intersection is a major impediment to the use of the Bryant as a throuqh route to downtown Palo Alto, or 'travel to Menlo Park. Embarcadero is a major street that carries OVe~ 22,000 vehicles per day, and crossing Embarcadero ac Bryant, without benefit of a traffic siqnal, 1s particularly difficult during the morning and evening commute periods. ~ddinq a new traffic signal at Bryant and Embarcad~ro~ however~ is not without related consequences~ The neW' traffic signal could and vould be electronically interconnected with the existing traffic signal at Waverley and Embarcadero, 4nd ope.rationally coordinated so as to eliminate the ne~d for traffic on Emb~rcadero Road to stop at both traffic signals. By subordinating the operation of the 35 • .. 1 , ,. , . , ' --------"-._._------..... Bryant traffic siqnal to the operation of the Waverley 51qna1, it i8 possible to minimize (albeit not eliminate) tt-~e adverse effects., to, a point of little or no consequence~ The addition ot a ne~ traffic signal at Bryant and Embarcadero is expected to have the follo~inq effects: ';." . • The amount of traffic on Embarcadero Road that would be required to stop at ~ traffic signals throughout the entire day, includinq the peak period! of traffic flow, is minim.al. • • SOIDe additional amount of traffic: on Embarcadero 'Would be required to stop at one traffic siqnal (at either Bcyant .2l: Waverley). Throuqhout the entire day" the averi"-re incr&aae could reach 6 percent (one vehicle per cycle), w:t .. ile during the peak. perioos of tro!l!ffic .tlow, the average increase could reach 10 percent (tour Vehicles per cycle). The new traffic signal at Bryant would qive ft continuous green siqnal indication t~ traffic on Embarcadero, except when traffic (bicyclists, pedestrians, vehicles) is detected on Bryant. Wllen the presence of traftic is detected on Bryant, the interruption to traffic ~low on Embarcadero would then be coordinated with the operation of the traffic signal at Waverley. • The installation of a new tr~ftic siqnal at Bryant would benefit pedestrians and bicyclists by providinq them -wl"J1 a protected peri~ in which to safely cross Emb~rcadero. • • 6.2.2 Previously, a request was made to the Bay Area Air Quality Management District to evaluate the impact that the new traffic signal ~ould have on air quality. Based upon the results of that evaluation, the expect~d increase in stopped Vehicles would have no significant affect on ~ir quality. Figure 6.1 provi~es an illustrative exampla of how the flow -Qf traffic on ·Embarcadero "'oulcl be changed with the installation of a new traffic signal at Bryant. suitability of th!! Existing Non-signalized Intersection One of the primary concerns raised in opposition to the extension of the bicycle boulevard has been the proposed installation of a new tra.ffic signal at Bryant and Embarcad.ero. conversely, the lack of a traffic siqnal at Bryant is viewed by proponents as the primary impediment to the extension of the bicycle bouleva~d. The preceding section discussed some of tt-e overall operational 36 ",,~:,:, . r ,. • .... r r I j .. J ] j • B. Westbound C. EaSIl>"'IO<t..~~sl FIGURE S.l TRAFFIC PROGRESSION DIAGRAM 37 i - f j r ! I I "--'....' "'.c .... .....-----'",: -... . . t~~;~~. '-' . r - - consequences on traffic flow on Embarcadero. This section discusses the overall suitability, or lack thereot, tor the existing non-signalized intersecti~n at this location. Subsequent sections discuss the specific features and c~latea consequences fer several intersection ~lternatives, s19nali7.e~ and non-signalized. Embarcadero Road is a four lane art~rial roadvay carrying in excess of 22,000 vehicles Fer day. This volume is similar to the volume on Alma. (near channinq) ~ twice: the volWEle on Middlefield (near Channinq), and a little aore than halt the volume on El Camino Real (at Churchill) and Oreqon-Paqe Kill Expressway (at El Camino Real). crossing Embarcadero at Bryant, w~thout benefit of a traffic signal, ia particularly difficult durinq the morning and evening comaute periods wben traftic vol>.lllies on Embar-cadero reach 2.000 vet~icles per hour (average -one vehicle each 1.8 seconds). Crossing Embarcadaro is further ~xacerbated by factors such as the ,.,pee.d of traffic along: Embarcadero (85th percentile speed of 37 ~ph), the oblique anqle at which the two roadvays intersect, the existence of tour lanes of moving traffic (two lanes in ea~h direction) vith the need to judge all four lanes at one time, and the lack ot an adequate center refuqe 6rea that would permit the option or crossing the roadvay in two parts (one-half of the roadway at ~ tiue). While su~~ conditions are not unique to this location, they do constitute~ in the aggregate, a set of conditions that impede rather than facilitate usaqe ot Bryant. Therefore. if the existinq bicycle boulevard is t~ be extended northward from its present terminus at Churchill, to and through downtown, ana on to the existinq bicycle/pedestrian brid-qe across San Francisqui to Creek into ,Menlo Park, it is necessary to make 50me improvements to the intersection of Bryant and Embarcadero that would facilitate crossing Embarcadero. While the nature and deqree ot improv~nt and facilitation 1s subject to debate~ the unsuitability of the existing ccnditions for the extension of the bicycle boulevard is evident, ;and a sufficient basi. for not proceeding 'With the extension; unless some improvements are aade. 6.2.3 General Intet§e~i9n Design Configurations This section of the report. discu.sses a repreRentative s~t of options for makinq improvements to the intersection Of Bryant and Embarcadero for the expressed purpose of faCilitating bicycl~ (and pedestrian) crossing of Embarcadero, in conjunction with the extension of the bicycle boulevar-d. As such, they represent a basic set of options 91ea~ed from a larqer number of alternatives representinq nuances and variations that may become importan~ at the detaile~ design stage, ~ut add an element of confusion at this stage in the project development and decision making process. For convenience of identification, the options have been organized into the followinq four qroupings: 38 - '". .. - ~ .... " .. r- c. -. ~ ~. .. r ~ - ,- 'v !"" I 'j I I I , I I 2 I I .. ...I .. i ... • • • • ~r9Up QptLon Q (ineludes only Option Q) Representative of eXisting {1~90) conditions. Group optioo I (includes Options I-A. I-B. , I-C) Representative of 4 ne~ traffic signal installation that permits all or most travel moveoents at the intersection~ Groyp optian II tinclgdas Options II-A. II-B. , II-C) Representative of a nev traffic signal installation that prohihits some or many travel movements at the intersection. Group option III (inclydes optioDS III-A. III-B. , III-C} RepreEentotive tha t Droh ib its intersection. of a ncn-siqnalized intersection some or many travel movements at th~ Table 6.1 provi~es a summary description of each of the options presented iT' this section, and Fiqures 6.2, 6.3, 6.4, and 6.5 provide an illustration of each option. Traffic diversion from one street to another is probably the 6ingle most important concern, and is, therefore, a primary consideration differentlatinq the intersection options~ The ideal solution would be one that strikes an appropriate ~alance bet~een (a) reducinq vehicular traffic on the bicycle boulevard and (b) minimizing increased vehicular tra.ffic on surrounding streets. Table 6.2 provides indicators of projectec2 chanqes in vehicular t~affic volumes on "two segments /?f 8ryl!nt street, north and south of Embarcadero Road, and Similarly, two segments of Waverley Street. Options I-A and I-B represent the "ffects ot adding a traffic signal without any other measures to restrict travel moveUlents. The reSUltant volumes reflect the evident added attraction that a traffic signa.l, by itself, would create. Wnile operationally, these two options are simple and permit all travel movements, the vehicula.r volume increases on Brye!nt are substarltial, in and of themselves, and are inconsistent with the objectives of the l:licycle boulevard~ Option I-C represents the effect of incorporatinq a street closure on Bryant. {north of Embarcadero) with a new traffic siqnal. Again, the operational teatures at the intersection are Simple and permit all travel movements. rhe point at -which travel movements are restricted would be located on Bryant street, several blocks north of Embarcadero. The resultant reduction in vehicular volu..'Ce on Bryant Street. due to traffic diversion to other streets, is consistent with the objectives of the bicycle boulevard . 39 . , • TABLE 6.1 St.'MKARY OESCRIPIION OF INTERSECTION OPTIONS Group Opt tQr, 0 Existing Conditiops Option 0 No cbanqe from ext.tinq Group Option I H~W Traffic Signal/lUll Aceess Option I-A No street closur~; lett turn pockets on Embarcadero Option I-B No street ~losure1 no left turn pockets on Embarcadero Option I-C Street closure on Bryant; left turn pockets on EmbarcacIero Group Option IX Hev Traffic SignAl/Limited Access Option II-A Right turn only from Bryant; no street clo5ure; left turn pockets on Eabarcadero Option II-B Riqht turn only frem Bryant: no street closure: no left turn pockets on EmbarcadB~ Option II-C Street closure on Bryant: no lett turn per:.itted frew Embarcadero Croup Optipn III No trAffic signal/Limited Access Option rlI-A Riqht turn only frOll Brya.nt; no street closure: no left turn fro. Embarcadero: ~ith refuqe island Option I.II-B Right turn only froll 8ryant; no stre.et closure: no le:tt turn froll bbarcadero: no re!u.qa island Option III-C Right turn only frem Bryant: no street closure; left turn pockets on Embarcadero 40 . '---.---""--"--.-~-----. ~_",J"Ii¢"'''l"''-_~ ___ ,,.-_ .... __ ~ _. __ . ___ ~ .. W , EXISTlNG CONtmCINS NO TRAFFIC SGNAl a NO TURN RSSTFICTlONS -... ,---------- -Tc EI catntnc RIIlJ OPTION 0 j---------------------------- ~ j , .. "'I .J J FIGURE 6.2 INTERSECTION GROUP OPTION 0 r ;0(--" ',,"" -_.-.-' F\.U ACCESS SIGNAl. NO STREET CLOSURE co_ Q traffic algnal 1659 1274 existIng new 'itHume vokIme -with . ."amative ... To £1 Camino RMI OPTION 1-0 ... ;0 £1 Clmlnc ANI OPTION I-A E ldelO -1'0 £1 CaItV.o A.' To W&V*'lIIy ... OPTION 1-8 ~ .. -I ':.'~'!o CUt~;a Soma FIGURE 6.3 INTERSECTION GROUP OPTION I 42 • r L.. r ! ... i ... r .... ,.. i.. ~ -, .. t , - r .. D i.· (-r I, I I :t ,.. :nS.8.· ~ a , ; "J ') >,1 ~ "I i , g ~ a ~ = ; , I ~ I 0 ~ j ., I -.. " , oJ UtvlTED ACCESS SIGNAl. RIGHT TURN CN.Y FROM BRYANT NO STREET CLOSURE Legend: .Q: trame slpr\lil 1859 1274 ell'Jsling nttw .... otume VO<u"" _.,..Ith allerrlat;vli Erft:ilarcllOllro -- ---- -To 'EI C&mlno " .. I OPTION U-C c."I\tJ. s_ r " -T~ £1 Camino F;l(jal OPTION II-A OPTION 11-6 Ca~lllGj. Schooi To W.~IItIe~ - UtvlTED ACCESS SIGNAl. NO LEFT TURNS FROM a.tIARCADERO WITH STREET CLOSURE FIGURE 6,4 INTERSECTION GROUP OPTiON II 43 NO TRAFFIC SIGNAL FIGHT l\JRN ON\. Y FROM BRYANT NO LEFT TURN FROM~ NO S I FEE I C!.OSI.JI'IE Leveod: ¢ ""ffi< ~ \659 1274 eJdS\tnaJ new wotume YOIume -with Iltemative -To E I camorw: ~ .. 1 OPTION III-C ~. • ------_ .... --,,_....:-- OPTION III-A -To fl Clmmc RM: ~ OPTION 111-8 To W"'~}'_ NO TRAF,.1C SIGNAL ;WHT -fURN ON!. Y FROM BRYANT LEFT TURN POCKETS ON EI.IlARCADERO NO smEET CLOSURE FIGURE 6.5 INTERSECTION GROUP OPTION ill " r L - r .. r "'; (1 g ~. ~ ~ j , • i - i J ., Options 0 I-A I-B I-C II-A II-B II-C III-A III-B III-C TABLE 6.2 TRAFFIC vowm; CHANGES Bryant Bryant Waverley Waverley N.of hbarc. S,ot Emhflrc. Heot Marc. S.ot Elmbarc. Y!!l lru; 1 ~ ~ 1 Ylll ~ 1 Ylll In£ 1 1659 1175 4715 3100 2429 +770 +46 1859 +684 +58 3945 -770 -lE 2416 -684 -22 2378 +719 1043 1828 +653 +56 3996 -719 -15 2(47 -653 -21 1274 -385 -23 1425 +250 +21 4773 + 58 • 1 2~50 -250 -8 1350 -309 -19 824 -351 -30 5004 +289 ... 6 3430 +330 +11 1299 -36D -22 794 -381 -32 5055 +340 + 7 3461 +36~ +12 1115 -544 -33 1235 .. 60 + 5 4949 +234 + 5 3040 -60 - 2 9U -740 -45 60. -571 -49 5434 +719 +15 3651 +551 +18 919 -740 -45 604 -571 -49 5434 +719 +15 3651 +551 H8 1350 -309 -19 824 -351 -30 5004 +289 + 6 3430 +330 +11 Notes: Vol'"" volwae of tra" ," '.c Inc -increment vi~_ terence to existing , -percent change tram existing traffic traffic 45 -,----.......... ' ....... "', ...... -............. , .~,-,. ------ \ '. t -: I I r - While the volume change on Waverley is very small, the effect of the street c]oGura, in this particular option, is to shift some ot th~ prilllary diversion to Emerson [+120 vehicles/day) ar.d AllDa (+'200 vehicles/ day). Optlona II-A and II-B represel1t the effect.s of a.ddinq a traffic .tqnal alon9 with the prohibition of 50~e trav~l ~ovements (at the interaection itself) to offset the attraction of a new· traffic signal. Whiie the reduced number of allovable moveme~t& tends to simplify intersection operation, the roadway channelization on Bryant 'll.ust be carefully designed in order not to create a complicating factor tor vehicles turninq lett from Embarcadero to .&ryant,. in both directions of travel. The r!!s.ultant changes in vehicular volumes are favorable on Bryant &nd low to moderate on ~~verley. Option II.-C represents. the effect of incorporating a street clos.ure on Bryant Cnorth of bbarcadero}, in conjunction with a new tratf.lc siqnal and. limited turn prohibitions. The opera.tional teaturu at the inte%'section are simple and permit all travel 'JI.ovements except If'ft tu.rns trom Embarcadero~ The primary point at which t,ravel I1()Vfllll.ents are restricted. would: be at a street closure located on Bryant Street, several blocks north of Embarcadero. The resultant reduction in v~~icular vol~e on Sryant Street, due to traffic ~iverl!1ion to other streets, is quite tavorable and the VQluae change on Waverley is lOY. Aqain, however, the effect of the street clo6ure~ in t~ls particular option Cas in option I-C), is to ahitt some of the prilllary ctiver5ion to Emer-son l+120 vehiclea/day) and Alaa (+l90 vehicles/day). Option. 111-& and II1-B represent the effects of a non-slqnalized intersection with slgnificant prohibition of travel movements at the intersection. Option II1-A provides an iz~rtant ~efuge area for bicyclists and pedestrians to cross Embarc4dero i~ tvo parts. While such I refuge area would need to include a raised isla.nd in order to provide a reason~ble measure of protection, the introduction of & raised islan4 on Embarcadero creates an obstacle within t)".e roal3..,ay that may bave undesirable con&equenc~s for some passing vehicles. option 11-8 1s a simple open intersection design. However~ it does not incorporate a refu9~ ar~al and it is likely that without any physical features to support travel movement restriction.,. compliance with the speCified prohibitions would be .inimal, without frequent police enfor-cement. While the resultant change in vehic~lAr volumes ~or both Option III-A and II1-8 15 favorable on Bryant, the corresponding volume change on waverley is undesirable~ Option 1!I-C repr~sents the etfects of a non-signal i.ze~ design 'With fever prohibitions and a corresponding reduction in the diver9ion of vehicular volu.e fro'!! Bryant to Waverley. Sicyclist a.nd pedestrian crossln~ aovements are more complex than Option III-A, in that they may need to contend vith traffic turninq left from Embarcadero as well as through traffic. 46 ,,: • >. -' ,.. ... -, - ---~ ., J ,<;,,'--' c other ConsideY§tigos One consideration that warrants further elaboratiorl, concerns the provision ot & left-turn pocket on Embarcadero, in conjunction with a n~w traffic signal. With the addition of a traftic si~als the provision of a left-turn pocket provides space for left-turning vehicl~s to wait outside of the main travel lanes, thereby eliminating unnecessary delays to through traffic and reducing the potential for r-e.ar end accidents. At this particular intersEctions the provision of lett turn pockets on Embarcadero would result in minimal lane widths of 9 feets similar to th05e at waverley. While it is desirable to have wider lane widths, the provision of left­ turn pockets is 1I01'e desirable. Options I-A, I-C and II-A incorporate lett turn pockets; options 1-6 and 11-8 per.mit left turns, but do not include a left-turn poclcet; option II-C prohibits left turns from Embarcadero. Another consideration that warrants further elaboration concerns the use of raised islands 0, the use of pavement aarJdnqs to create road'Way channelization features. The use of raised islands provides a clear indication of intended use as well as ~ hiqh deq~ee of requl~tory control and compliance, whereas pavement markings can achieve a similar level of intended use, but the deqree of regulatory control and compliance is significantly diainished. On L~e other hand, raised islands are an u.r:for9ivinq obstacle that can, at times, create problems for v~icleB as veIl as bicycles and pedestrians, in spite of the fact that such islands are properly desiqned and constructed. Pavement markings are much more forqiving at times of atypica.l or unexpected behavior. Options II-A and II-'8 (.signaliz.edJ and Options III-A and III-C (non-siqnalized) each include a significant amount of roadway channelization for directions regulation and compllance~ A third conside~ation that warrants further comment concerns the potential inclusion of a street closure on 8ryant~ Two options (I­ e and II-C) include the use of a street closure on Bryant, seve~al blocks north of Embarcadero. As for the o~~er options: two (I-A and 1-5) do not include any travel movement restrictions; and five (:II-A, II-B., Ill-A, III-B and III-C) focus-the restrictions at Bryant/Embarcadero. Features comparing the .general effects and characteristics of a street closure versus intersection restrictions include the followinq: • • • street Closure Versys InterBection Restrictione Amount of traffic diversion is similar Shift of traf:fic is to iiaverley, Emerson, and Alma rather than predominantly to Waverley Operational restrictions and physical obstructions are locata4 sever-al blocks aw~y from Bryant/Embarcadero, rather than at the intersection itself 47 ,;~.­ ---::'~-" ," " ~~ . i I I I- I I , " ' • • Any sense of potential neighbcrhood separation associated with oparational reBtrictions and physical obstructions viII occur at a nelll' point, within an existing neighbor­ hood, rathel" than at a~ existing point of separ-atio:l created by Embarcadero Additional information and discussion concerninq a possible straet closure on Bryant is presented in Section 6.3.3. • • • • • Conclusions: While the nature and deqree o~ improvelIIent at the intersection of B!yant and Embarcadero is sul:lject to debate, the unsuitability o~ the existing conditions for the extension of the bicycle boulevard is evident and sufficient basis for not proceeding with the extension, unless some improvements are made. A traffic siqnal could be installed to greatly tacilitate bicycle and pedestrian crossing of Embarcadero with little (albeit some) consequence on traffic flo~ (stops, delay), and no significant erfect on air quality~ However" pre<!:icted traffic attract~d to Bryant, attributable to a new traffic signal, would likely be sufficient to require ope~ati~nal restrictions at either the intersection itself or internal to the adjacent neiqr.borhOO<i. A non-aiqnallzed improvement could be made to facilitate bicycle and pedestrian crosslnq of Embarcade:--o; however, operational restrictions would be required at the intersection, and the resultant safety aspects are somewhat problematic. Extending the bicycle boulevard is :best. achiaved by installing ill; new traffic signal at Bryant e:nd Embarcadero, in qeneral conformance with either: Option II-A (new traffic signel, riqht turn only from Bryant, left-tUrn pockets on Zmtarcadero, and no street closure on Bryant) or option I-C (new traffic 5ignal~ full access~ l~ft-turn pockets on ~3rcadero, and a street closure on Bryant)~ If installation of a new traffic ai9'nal proves to be unacceptable, ill non-siqnali~ed improvement could be pursued ih qeneral conformance with Option III-C (no new traffic signal, right turn only from Bryant, left-turn pockets on Embarcadero,. and no street closure on Bryant) ~ However, the resultant situation would be one that tenas to encourage and concentrate hicyclists and pedestrians in the middle of Embarcadero with two lanes of traffic passing by on both sides. In such • 51 tuation, there would be little margin for misjudgment or error, and the resultant consequences of any misjudqment or error are potentially quite severe. 48 po , \.: r- ~~ .. , i ... , C l --~ ! ,. ~ -, - -' .. ... '-.. .;. j j i J ., ) .., i 6.3 SEGMENT C Segment C starts at Embarcadero ~~ad {excluding the intersection) and extends up to Forest Avenue. Is§u§s include~ • • • • • • • 6.3.1 potential reversal of stop aiqns at Kinqsley, from Briant to Kingsley, Potential re~oval ot stop signs on Bryant at Addison, Potential street closure plac~ent and design, Potential additio~ of stop sign on Channing at ~ryant, potential additional stop ~iqn on Homer at Bryant, Potential changes to on-street parkinq, and Effects and potential change& to the PAMF~ potential Reyersal of Stop Signs at Kingsley Avenye At the present time, tbe intersection of Bryant and Xinqsley is controlled as a 2-way Btop~ with stop siqns on Sryant but no stop signs on Kingsley. The reversal of the stvp Signs, from Bryant to Kingsley, would facilitate travel for bicyclists along the bicycle boulevard; thereby make bicycling ill more att~active travel alternativ.~ other stop siqns along Kingsle:y are located one block east at waverley and two blocks west at Emerson Street. Reversal of the stop signs would have only ill minimal eff"ect on Kingsley traffic. Visibility at the intersection is adequate and the existing drair.aqe dip in the pavement structure across Bryant 'near the lti~sley intersection) 'Would. serve to moderate travel speeds alonq Bryant. •• 3.2 Potential Rgmoval of stop Signs at Addispn Avenue At the present time, the intersection of Bryant and Addison is contrOlled as ill ."'-way stop. The removal of the existing stop 5iqns on aryant would facilitate travel for bicyclists along the bicycle boulevard; thereby make bicycling ill more attractive travel alternative. Other stop signs along Addison are locate~ one block w~st at waverley and one block east at Emerson Street. Visibility at the intersection is adequate. 49 ' .. 6" J" J potentia] Street clQs~~e Placement aed pesign Tvo of th~ nine options (I-C and II-C) include the use of a street closure on Bryant, several blocks north of Embarcadero. Previous cliscusaiQn in Section 6 • .2'.3 concerned the traftic diversion and related effects of a stre-9t closure 0:1; Br:r·a.:..t Street. Ttda. Ciu-ctivl'l discus~es the placement and design a3pecta o~ a street closure, if an option that includes a street closure, is ultimately selected as the most appropriate ~eans fer implementatior:: of the bicycle boulevard. Possible placement of a street closure along' Bryant inclUded consideration of: (a) the presence of the designated Professorville Bistoric District, (:b) the boundaries of the historic district, (e) transition fron residential to non-residential land use, (d) access to the Urqent care center, (e) minimizing U-turns at the closure, (l) presence of driveways, utilities ~nd other limitinq features, (g) side yard versus front yard exposure to street Closure, and (h) proximity to Embarcadero and related traffic disper5ion~ Several alternative locations for placement of a street closure along Bryant, as illustrated in Figure 6.6, include the following: • Location A: Zone boundary between Channing And Addison A.t neighborhood boundary: .idbloc)c. three cross streets from Embarcadero; lillLited curb space. • Location 8: Bryant/Addison. north itd!! of AddisQn Side yard frontage; internal to neiqhborhood; en4 of block; at south end of block: three cross streets from Embarcadero; adequate curb space. • Location c: ~nt/Addison. sPUth Bide of Addison In front of one residence; internal to neighborhood; end of block; at north end of blcck; t'W'O cross streets from Embarca~ero; adequate curb space. • Location 0: Bryant/LinColn. north side of Lincoln Side yard frontage; internal to neiqhbcrhood; end ot block; at south end of block: two cross .treats from Embarcadero; pdequate cur-b space; three. Pacific Bell vaults would: require placement of str~et closure away froll! intersection, ending' up in front of one residence~ 50 .1 _-.t.... "- o Location A: Zone boundary betveen Channinq a.nd AcIc1ison o Location B: Bryant/Addison, north side of Addison o Location c: Bryant/Addison, south side of Addison o Loca:tion 0: Bryant/Lincoln, north side of Lincoln o Loc.etion E: Bryant/Lincoln, south side of Lincoln ... FIGURE 6.6 LOC .... TIONS FOR POSSIBLE STREET CLOSURE ., 51 i , i " I, i -" ." ..... r !. t . j ": ". I -~; " l " t~ r I --... ~-- ii::," . ",,-~,--;, '-;~-'­:" • ._. _z ... _ Location E: u:nnt/Lipcoln. §ollth.. side of Lin~ In front of one residencoe.; internal to neighborhood; end o! ~lock; at north end ct block; one cross street from Embarc4dero; adequate curb s~ce. All other things being equal $ consideration of alternative locations tor a possible street closure favors: • Street closure adjacent to side yards r~ther than front yards: th~reby, being somewhat less visually intrusive. • Street closure at neighborhood boundary rather than internal to a neiqhborhood, thereby minimizing any sense of separation. • Street closure at end of block rather than midblock; thereby, red.ucing pZ'opensity of drivers (in one direction) to enter a closed street and having to turn around. • Street closure at the south end of a bloc): rather than at the north end o~ the bloc!c, thereby reducil'lq the propensity of drivers to enter 8: closed street and having to turn around; such an event is Jliore likely to occur with drivers turning from Embarcadero and heading north on Bryant, than for drivers leavirl9 the downtown artlla and heading south on Bryant. • street elosure at location where multiple rather than a single cross street is available for dispersion of traffic; thereby, reducinq the traffic impact on anyone street~ • Street closure ~t location where there are no major underqround utility vaults; the cost involved in alte-rating such locations is generally SUfficient to preclude further consideration as a viable location. • Str~et closure at location where adequate curb space is available. (a:b.sent driveways) to accommodate size and r~lated desiqn features. If a str6et closure is included 85 part of implementing the proposed ~xtension~ its desiqn should reflect sensitivity to~ and be consi&tent with~ the historical design character of the residential ne.iqhborhood. While suc::h a desiqn has not been prepared, it is reasonable to ~gsume that by working with representatives fro~ the residential .neiqhborhood.~ the Historic Resources Board., and the Architectural Revie.w Board, an appropriate design for a street closure could be created. 52 .r, j B j , .. ., .... ... j , From a meeting with a resi~ent of the pro!essorville neiqhborhood, who 1s also a member of the Historic Resources Board, to discuss the bicycle boulevard extension, and the location 3nd deGi~n of a possible street closure, the follow-inq points emerged: (a) any 3treet closure is incompatible with the historic character of the neiqhborhood~ (b) efforts are beinq made to expand the dofinition of tha hls~oric district beyond presently established boundaries, ec) there has alreadY' been too much disruption tv the original neighborhood grid system (closures on Melville and Xinqsley)~ (d' any changes in traffic patterns within the neighborhood would be less acceptable than modest increases in eXisting traftic, and (e) the neiqhborhood's orientation is more toward downtown, therefore a street closure within the neighborhood is more undesirable than restZ:'icted ll'Ovements at the intersection of Bryant and Embarcadero. 6.3.4 potential stop sign on Channing Avenue and/or Homer Avenue At the presene time~ Bryant at both Channing and Homer is controlled as a 2-way stop; stop signs on Bryant at b?th locations. Channing is a tvo lane one-way (eastbouna) street with a traffic Volume ot 5,000 Vehicles per day.. Homer is a similar two lane one­ way (w-estbound) 5treet that also carries 5,000 vehicles per day. Together, they form a two-way c~uplet serving e~st-west travel. Pl.scemerrt of an additional stop sign 00 Channing: and/or Homer (maintaininq stop signs on Bryant) "'ould facilitate travel for bicyclists a.long the bicycle boulevard by making it easier and safer to cross Channing and/or HOlroer. In addition., it 'Would address some e.xisting Vehicular and pedestrian safety rela.ted issues at these intersections. Howev~r, it would require all traffic on Channing and/or Ho~er to stop, with resultant consequences similar to those experienced. at s.top siqn installations throughout the city. Other proximate intersaction controls along Channing incluQe &top signs located three blocks ~e$t at High, and a traffic signal one block east at Waverley. Other proximate intersection controls a.lonq Homer include stop signs locate~ t~o Dlocks ~est at ~erson, and one block east at waverley Street. While consideration was given to the possibility of removing the existinq stop signs on Bryant at Channing and/or Homer, in CQojun,,-t.ion with the placeme.nt of new stop signs on Channing and/or Homer, the conclusion is that the volume and character of traffic flow on beth Channing and Hamer, in relation to that on Bryant, is such that it 'Would be operationally unwise and potentially unsafe to give a low volume ~treet precedent over a higher volume street. 'I'he placement of additional stop signs on Channing and/or Homer is not a decisive factor that should, in itself, preclude a decision to extend the bicycle boulevard~ Irrespective of whether tile extension is implemented, however, continuing concerns 5) »-" <: .... ~" .. ' ".;': ~:~: . . i' about vehicle and. pedestril.n cafety st both intersections lIay re8ult in a future recommendation to install stop signs at ~~ese tvo locations. Potential Chang9§ to On-St,'eet forkins on-street parki:r:g is fully utilized alon<] the portion of Bryant from Addison north to Forest, and intermittently utilized alonq the ~rtion .from Addison south to ElIlbarcade.ro.. There is no evident n.ad to alter existinq parking ·::onditions along this segment ot Bryant in order to implement the extension of the bicycle boulevard; therefore I none are proposed~ 6.3.6 Effects ond Potential Changes to the PAMl Zftorts regarding plans to conaolid~te and expand facilities of the P~lo Alto Medical Foundation are on-goin9, and likely to continue for some time. It is unlikely, nor is it necessary, that the detailed plans of the PAMF will be fully resolved before reaching a decision regardinq implementation af the bicycle boulevard extension~ While the~e is .o~e relationship between the proposed extension of the bicycle boulevard and. changes to the PAMF f~cilltle8~ accomD04ation ot the bicycle boulevard within .ny PAMF desiqn a1tarnative is achievable. Early concepts for the PAMF project included the possibility that eo one. hlock. portion of 8ryant ('between Channinq and HO"'Iler) vould. be closed as a through city street and converted into a pedestrian walkway, an4 possibly a parking qarage aC~esa dr1veway~ Current approvals for the project include a provision that this one block portion of Bryant remain a through city street. Suitable provision for incorporating the needs or safe bicycle passaqe through this area will be incluaed durinq the detailed design development and review of the PAMF project~ At the present time, no special provisions are required or proposed for the extension of the bicycle boulevard on this portion of Bryant. ~.3.7 Qth~r Concerns A concern vali raised about tbe street closure beinq unsiqhtly. There are a variety of street closure de$lgns in place on a number of Palo Alto streets~ Some of them being more attractive than other... If a street closure is included as part of • .:.be iza.pll$e.ntation of the proposed extension, its desiqn should. reflect the historical ch~racter of the neighborhood.. By work.ing with representa.tives frOID the re.sidential nei9h.borhood.~ the Historic Resources Board, and the Arcbitectural Review-Board, an appre-.priate. desiqn for a street cloyure could be Cre&ted~ 54 • > r .... j j j "'l -, ..J A concern was also raised about addition~l bi~e route signs that would ~ needed alonq aryant, if the proposed extension is implemented. While there 'Would be a need for ad.ditional signs, there would be a correspon~ing decrease in signs alo~g Waverley. In addition., special efforts could bE:: purs'..Jed to irwestigate ways­ that such signs could, a.t le:tst in part, reflect the historic cha~acter of the neighborhood. A. concern was expressed about accessing the dO'Wntown business district. Given the: multiplicity ot origin and destinations of both the r~sidential end and business district end of trips, as well as the multiplicity of r-o'Utes that 'Would still exist, ..... jth either a street closure on Btyant or restricticns at the intersection of Bryant and Embarcadero, the n~er of persons who might be anything :more than marginally inconvenienced would be small, and limited to those pe~sons living in very close proximity to tt,e street closure or intersection restrictions. A concern 'Was expressed about .blockage of access for emergency Vehicles to the PAMF Urgent Care Center in particular, as ~ell as general access for fire trucks. A suggestion was also made to consider tvo one-way barriers that would. allow free passage o.f emergenC)" vehicles. Related considerations include the tollo'Winq: • The type of se.rvice provided by the vee does not generally involve emergency care, • With a street closure on Bryant or restrictions at the inte~section of Bryant and Embarcadero, the vee would remain readily accessible via multiple alternate routes, • • • Access for emergency vehicles throuqh a street closure is an int9qral part of the design of all street closures. This is important for fire, police, and other emergency services, as well as other types of public services~ The use of only a single one-way barriE'.r in the outbound direction from the UCC, so as not to impede access to it, and the use of two o~e-way ~arriers in staggered posit:ions to permit elllet"qency Vehicles to pass around them. was considered. While such installations -would maintain existing emergency v~hicle access, e~erience indicates that there yould be an unacceptably high level of violation by non emerqency vehicles, thus neqating the purpose of the street closure. While it would be nice to believe otherwise, people consciously and unconsciously disregarr:l regulatory measures, fer 'Which there are Ii ttle or no physical controls. Experience 'With emergency vehicles and services with existing street. closure.s in other neighborhoods, indicates that there have been no serious problems. This is likely due in large part to the fact that emergency vehicle drivers are .. ell trained ... knowledgeable about any closures or restrictions, and familiar with alternate routes. 55 .' Finally, a aU9'Qestion vas mada to consider more than one atreet cIo_ure. While the purpose and location ot an additional street closure in this 8e~nt is unclear, ~ne of the guiding principles ot this study has been to create an extension of the bicycle boulevard th~t tacilitates and encou~aq~a bicycle use and travel, without creatinq unnecessary or unacceptable ch~~qe8 to existing traffic volumes, travel patterns, and neiqhborhood C'obe&ion. While the use: ot lIIore than one st.reet closure in this segment would further reduce vehicle traftic on Bryant Street, such a reductio~ i~ not necessary tor the bicycle boulevard extension and. the related eft~cts and costs are, therefore, unacceptable. 6.3.8 Conclu§iong: eo Reversal of the eXisting stop siqns troD Bryant to Kingsley would facilitate bicycle travel with little or no r~lated consequences, and should be implemented~ • Removal ot (retaininq facilitate the existi~ stop signs on Bryant at Addison existing stop slqns on Addison) would bicycle travel, and shculd be implemented. • If the implementation of the bicycle boulevard is to include a street closure on Bryant, the preferred site is Location A at the boundary of the residential np.ighborhood. Alternate sit~s (Location B and Locati~n 0) are equally effective for ill!plementation of the bicycle boulevard, and could be used, it prefErred, by residents. • Placement of additional stop signs. on Channi:l9 at Bryantr and on Homer at Bryant, yould no~ only facilitate travel fer tdcycliElts., but would also address some exlstinq vehicular &nd pedestrian safety related issues at the5e two Inter8~ctions, Bn4 therefore should be implemented~ 6 • 4 SEGKENT 0 Segment 0 st~rts at Forest Avenue and extends throuqh the downtown business district to Lytton Avenue. I&suPCi include: • Potential conversion ot on-street diagonal parking to parallel parking, and • potential coordination of traffic signals along Bryant to facilitate bicycle traval. 56 • J .. .J J .., , 6.4.1 Pgtential Conversion qt On-Street Diagonal Porking At the present tim6, there are 51 diagonal on-street parking spaces along various portions of ~;is segment (Forest to Lytton). Conversion of these parking $p~ces from diagonal to parallel ~ould result in a total of 38 parallel parking space$~ or a net reduction of 19 on-street parking spaC~6. The purpose of considering cGnvertinq on-st~eet parkinq from di~qonal to parallel ~ould b~ to addrass a concern that parallel parkin9 provides a safer environment for bicyclists than diagonal parking. The question i5 one of whether a bicyclist's exposure ~nd risk is more severe Erom vehicles unexpectedly back~nq out into the traffic lane (diagonal parking), ~~&n from drivers or passengers unexpectedly opening vehicle doors on the traffic sid.e of the vehicle (parallel parkinq)~ While there ar& ~iftering opinior.s amonq ~icyclists and non-bicyclists, actual experience in Palo Alto suqqe.ts that existing diaq~nal parking, within the downtown business district , creates no inherently more severe or less safe environment for bicyclists. Without convincing evidence to the contrary, t.h9 opportunit.y to fore,:!o the loss. of 19 o!".-street parking spaces, that would result fro~ convertinq existing diagonal parklnq to parallel parking, is significant and, therefore, no change to existing parking i~ warranted. 6.4.2 Potential coordination sf Traffic Sianals At the present ti~e, all of the traffic signals within downtown are fixed time, interconnected and coordinatea to provide prefe~ential progression in th~ peak direction of traffic ~lo~ in the east-west direction lalGnq Lytton, University. and Hamilton), with little or no progression aChievable for tr~ffic flc~ en the cross $treets in the north-south direction. While it is theoretically possible to provide p~ogression through th~ three traffic signals for traffic on Bryant Street, the relSul ting adv~rse consequences on traftic flow in the east-west d.ire~tion WDuld be siqnificant and unacceptable. The ~xistin9 traffic signal operation ~lon9 Bryant through downtown is ad~quQt~ for the mix of Vehicular, bicycle, and pe~estrian traffic that is present. ana is reasonably suitable for the extension of the bicycle boulevard. 6.'.3 oth~r Cance rns While a concern was raised regardinq potential conflicts between bicycles on Bryant and automo~iles usinq the Civic center parkinq garage, there is nO evidence th~t this is B serious problem, and no action is contemplated at the present time. 57 6.4.4 • • • 6.5 , . .....,...;---_ ... Conclusions: The conv~rsion of exi..stinq on-street diagonal parking to parallel parking, vith its concomitant lODs of 19 parkinq ap~ce3, is nat warranted. The timing ot traffic siqnals (progression) to facili tate flow alonq aryant througb the downtown business district ~ould have significant and unacceptable consequences on traffic rlow 1n the east-west direction, and, therefore is not warranted. In sum:a.ary, no changes are required in Segment D for implementation of the extension of the bicyc::le boulevard. SEGHEN'l' E segment E starts at Lytton Avenue, extends along Bryant St~eet to Palo Alto Avenue, and then proceeds along a one block section of Palo Alto Avenue to the eXisting bicycle./pedestrian bridge crossing San Francisquito Creek. Issues include: 6.5.1 • Potential reversal of stop signs at Hawthorne, from Bryant to Hawthorne, • Potential removal of a stop sign on Bryant at Poe, and • Potential changes to on-street parking. Ppt@ntiAl Reversal of Stop Signs at Hawthorne Avenue At present, the intersection of Bryant and Hawthorne is controlled as a 2-way stop, with stop siqns on Bryant but no stop siqns on Hawthorne. Hawthorne is a two lane two-way street with a traffic volume of 2,000 to l,neD Vehicles per day. Reversal ot the stop signs trolll Bryant to Hawthorne, would .fiPcilitate travel for bicyclists alonq the bicycle boulevard.; thereby, making Di~rclinq a more attractive travel alternative. However, it would require all traffic on Hawthorne to stop, with resultant consequences similar to those experienced at stop sign installations elsewhere throughout the city. other proximate int.rsection controls along Bawth~rne include stop signs located one block east at waverley and two blocks west at be.rson Street~ Visibility at the intersection is aciequate. 58 !'" , .. -'.-,~~,-, ,"~'-"-'-~" "',, .. .,: .................. . ,-, j i :J .. , ... -, 6.5.2 PQtential Removal of 0 Stop Sign at poe Street Praaently, the intersection of Bryant and Poe is controlled with one stop siqn on Poe Street and one stop siqn on Bryant Stre~tl in only the northbound direction (there is no stop siqn on Bry&nt in the southbound direction). In very close proximi~y, Palo Alto is con~rolled by a atop &iqn at Bryant in the eAstbound direction, ~ut no correspondinq step siqn in westbound direction. Removal ot the stop s19n from Bryant (northbo1.lnd) at Poe wou::'d facilitate travel for bicyclists alonq the bicycle boulevard; thereby, making bicycling a m~re attractive travel alternative. 6.5.3 Potential Changes to On-Street P0rking On-street parkinq, is tully utilized along the portion of Bryant trom L¥tton north to Ha~~orne, and intermittently utilized along th2 portion from Hawt-~orne to san Francisquito Cree~. There is no evident need to alter existing parking cond.itions along this serpzle.nt cf Bryant in order to implement the bicycle boulevard: extension; therefore, no changes are proposed. 6.5.4 Other concerns Concerns 'Were raised about. poor visibility at ttJe approach to t.he bicycle/pedestrian bridge across San Francisquito Creek, the interaection of Bryant and Palo Alto Aven~e, and the intersection of Bryant and Hawthorne.. \~ilSibility was checked at these three locatier£ and found to be adequate. A BU9gestion wac made to eonsid~r the need for a street clo6~re on Palo Alto Avenue and on Bryant. Additional street closures 'Were consider'!d, and judqed to be unnecessary tor extending t.l]e bicycle boulevard.. Traffic volumes on Palo Al to Avenue and Bryant, in this area, are relatively low and there are no actions related to extendinq th~ bicycle boulevard that ~ould create any noticeable chanqes in traffic volumes. A suggestion lias also :made to make Palo Alto Avenue a one-'Way street in the eastbound direction, as a means to enhance creek side preservation. It is ~nclear whether this comment referred to the entire length of Palo Alto Avenue~ bet'Ween Alma and Middlefield~ or only the portion of Palo Alto Avenue between Bryant and Waverley street. The need and benefits of such an action, CIS wel.l a5 related consequences, are unrelate~ and o~tside the scope of this current study~ and would. be more appropriately a4dre:ssed as a separate stUdy effort. 59 , ". , :1 • 6.5.5 Conc]ugions: • • • • 6.6 Reversal of the eX:isting atop aigns trom Bryant Hawthorne would facilitate bicycle travel, and should impl "",anted. to be RelDov&1 of the stop siqn on Bry.nt (ncrthl>ound) at Poe would facilitate bicycle. travel, anc: appears to have little or no re.lated consequences.. Therefore, the siqns should be removed in conjunction ~ith implementation of the bicycle boulevard extension. If concerns about reversing the atop signs on Bryant at Hawthorne, or removinq the stop sign on Bryant at Poe are substantial (as prese.ntly perr;.eived or as experienced after the tact). the pre~.nt ret~~tion or future reinstallation of the stop aiqn& ia not a decisive tactor that should, in itself, preclude a decision to extend the bicycle boulevard .. Apart from reversing the stop signs on Bryant at Hawthorne and relloving the stop sign on Bryant (northbound) at Foe. the.re are no other changes that are required in s~ent E tvr implementinq the extension .. SEGHEIiT F segment' rapresenta all related chan9~s on streets adjacent to the proposed extension, includinq Waverley tro. Churchill to the San hanei.quito Creek briciqe, and shert sections ot" coleridge, Churchill, and Addison (between W6verlpy and Bryant). Xasues include! waverley street • Removal ot existing bike lanes between Lytton and Coleridge (Waverl-ay from Lytton to the bicycle/ pedestrian bridge at San Frl:f.noisquito Creek is a siqned bike route, but does not have .marked. bike lanes)~ • Restoration ot on-&.treet ~arcadero an~ Forest. parking A441aon Avenue • Extension of existinq bike lanes tor one block trom Wavarley to Bryant. .0 r '-' ,... ::.. ... , r :..- !'! • "I oj J J ., j • Initiation ~f parkinq restrictions (1 a.m. to 7 p.m.) on one side of one blork ot Addison (betwee~ Waverl~y and Sryant) to ~ccommodate hike lanes. Churchill Avenue • Removal of existing bike lanes betwe~n Bryant and Waverley. • Removal of existiQq parking restrictions 7 p .•. ) on one side of one block o! (between Bryant and Waverley>~ (7 a,m. to Churchill Co!eriaqe Avenue 6.6.1 • • Ertension of existing bike lanes for one block:, from Waverley to Bryant. Initiation of parking restrictions (7 a.m. to 'p.m.) on one side of one block of Coleridge (between Waverley and Bryant streets), to accommodate bike lanes. Removal of Existing BikD Lanes on Waverley Street At present, there are marked bike lanes on Waverley from Coleridge north to Lytton. From Lytton north to San Francisquito Creek., there. are no existinq marked bike lanes; instead, this portion continues as a siqned bike routea With the extension of the bicycle boulevard, there is little purpose fer: the presence of marked bike lanes and a signed bike route along Waverley; therefore, the bike lanes and siqns shoula be re.oved~ 6.6.2 Restoratign of on-Street Parking on Waverley street CUrr.ntly, due to the existing bike lanes, on-street parking is restricted aloll"3' Waverley between Embarcadero £ond Fcre6t. The nature of the restriction is that a on-s'treet parking is prohibited from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m . ., on only the ea£t side of waverley. with the extension of the bicycle boulevard and removal of the marked bike lanes along-Waverley, the existing parking restrictions can be eliminated., and on-street parking restored throughout tha entire day. 6.6.3 ExtensigD of Bike Line, for One Block on Addison Avenue At present, there are marked bike lanes on Addis~n be9inning at the Waverley bike lanes, and extending eastwaZ'o. Witb the extension of the bicycle boulevard and the related removal of bike lanes on Waverley, the marked bike lanes on Addison need to be extended one block veBtward, to co~~ect vith the bicycle boul~vard. 61 ------'----- 6.6.4 InitiAtiqn ot Porking BeHtriptiQD5 on Addison Ayenue Due to the limited width ot Addison, it is necessary to initiate on-street parking restrictions between Waverley and. Bryant, to e¥tend the marked biXe l~nes. The nature of these restrictions would be to prohibit Qn-str~et p~~kin~ on only toe south side of Addison betveen Waverley and Bryant; similar to what now exists on Addison east of Waverley (no parking 7 a4D4 to 7 p.m.). This restriction i. intended to xeep the bike lanes tree o~ parked vehicles durifl9 the commute and! daytime period 'W'he.n. use ot the bike lane$ is the qreatest and still permit residential related parking to occur durinq the ~venlnq and niqht hours. The restriction would be applied to only one side of the street with unrestrictea parking continuing to be permitted on the OPPOSite side of the street. 6.6.5 R¥movol gf Bike Lanes 00 One Block of Chyrchill Avenue CUrrently, there are marked bike lanes ~n Churchill between Bryant and Waverley. 'With the extension of the bicycle boUlevard, and elimination of waverley as a bike route, there is no purpose for tb~ markt&d bilee lanes along Churchill: thenfore, the marked bike l~es and signs should be removed. Bugy.l of parking Restrictions on One Block qf Churchill Due to existing bike lanes on Churchill between Bryant and Waverley, on-street parking is currently restricted along Churchill between Bryant and. Waverley. The nature of the restriction is that on-street parking is prohibited from 7 a,m. to 7 p.m.~ and applies only to the south aide ot Churchill. With the bicycle boulevard extension and rem-oval of the marked bike lanes along Churchill,. '":.he existing on-street parking restriction. between :aryant .and waverley can be eliminated, and on-street parking restore~ throuqhout the entire d&y. 6.6.7 gXbwsign of sike I.4ngG for Ooe Block on Cql§!ridge Avenue At present l there are marked bike lanes on Coleridge starting at ~~e Waverley bike lanes and extending eastward. In conjunction with the bicycle boulevard extension and the related removal of bike lanes along waverley,. the marked bike lanes alonq Coleridge need. to be extended one block westward, to connect Yith the bicycle bouleva:rd. 52 • ·' r .. r ... r" , ' .. j ., .. J .., J 6.6.8 Initiot"1on bf Parking Restrict;ons on Coleridge Avenue Bec.a.UBe the width of coler-i<1ge is limited, it is necessary to initiate on~street parkinq t'"estricti{\!,.g bet~ecn Waverley onu Bryant, in order to extend L~e marked bike l~nes. Th~ nature of these restrictions WOuld he to prohibit on-street parking on only the south side of Coleridge; similar to what presently exists 310ng Coleridqe east of w~verley (no parkinq 7 &~m. to 7 p.m~). This restriction is intended to keep the bike lanes free of parked v~lcles during the commute and day time period, when use ot the bike lanes is the qreatest, and still perDit residential rel~ted parking to occur during the eveninq and night hours. The restricti~n ~ould be epplied to only one side of the street, wit~ unrestricted parking continuinq to be pen:aittea on the opposite ~ide of the street. 6.6.9 POtential Conyers ion of on-street Parallfl parking While considerinq the potential conversion of diaqcnal parking to par-allel parking alonq Bryant (between Forest to Lytton), 1I similar, but opposite, issue surfaced regarding the pote.ntial conversion of parallel parking to diagonal parking along Waverley (between Forest to Lytton). Waverley, like Bryant# bas sufficient width to accommodate diagonal parking on one side and parallel parking on the other, where other features such as lett turn lanes, bus stops and Lulbouts are not present. on Waverley between .Forest and Lytton, there are two sections Whare sufficient lenq+-h between existing driveways, and other limiting factors are not present, to warrant the conversion of existinq parallel parking to diagonal parltinq. ~·-nese. two sections, as illustrated in Fiqure 6.7, include: • • Hamilton AveDue to University Avenue 011 the west side. of 'Waverley, midway bet .. een Hamil ton and university, there 15 a section where 9 existing parallel spaces could be converted to 17 diagonal spaces, for a net gain of 8 additional parking spaces. University Avenue to Lytton Avenue Or. the east side of Waverley, midway bet~een University and. Lytton, thez'e is a section where 6 existing parallel spaces could be converted to 11 diagonal spaces, for a net gain of 5 additional parking spaces . 63 ;i£­ ."-~:- ,.....,---- CONVERSION RECOMMENDED '~"'.'.,',.,'-,"'," " " Co, .~ , ---~~ , .,,7" ... : ., FIGURE 6.7 PROPOSED DIAGONAL PARKING ON WAVERLEY STREET 64 ,- , ., .. . , f I - ., .. j J -, ~ .. I .. .. III j .. ! ~ -, , . .-~---------.-> A third pcssible location for converting parallel parking to diaqo~al is on the east sloe of Waverley, between Forest and H~ilton. Howeve~, due to such limitinq factors as the frequency of driveways, a lett-turn pocket, and a bus stop., the only Dractical loc~tlo!'l for di.!;gonal spa.ces is a short section just north of Forest. since these diaqonal spaces 'Would be few in number and separated frolll any other diagonal spaces by some distance, a change in on-street parking for Lhis block (Forest to Hamilton) ia not warrante~. In summary, a total of 13 additional on-street parking spaces would result from converting e~istin; parallel pa~king to dia90nal parkinq at selective locations along Waverley .. between Hamilto!'l and Lytton. At an eetimated cost of $20,000 to $25,000 per space to p=oviQe additional parking within downtown, creating 13 2dditionel parkinq spaces has a potential value of $250,000 to $300,0004 6.6.10 • • • • • CODclu§ions! Existing marked bike lanes and bike Waverley betwe.en Coleridge and LJ"tton and existing daytime (7 a.m. to restrictions terminated. route signs along should be removed, 7 p.m.) parking Harked bike lanes should be extended along Addison between Bryant and Waverley, and related parking restrictions £7 a.z. to 7 p.m.~ should be instituted on the south side of Addison, for this one block. Existinq marke~ bike lanes and bike Churchill between Bryant and Waverley and existinq daytime (7 a.m. to restrictions termin~ted. route signs along should be removed, 7 p.m.) parkinq Marked bike lanes should :be exte.nded a.long Coleridge between Bryant and Wave:ley, and related parking restrictions (7 a.m. to 7 p4m~J should be institcted on the south side of Coleridge, for this one bl~k • The conver~ion of on-street parallel parking to diagonal parking at selective locations along Waverley between Hamilton and Lytton, 'With the concomitant gain of 13 parkinq spaces, should be implemented. 65 "C"'-............... _ .. ,..~-""'--'.~ JI FI J " ~ ! : , '" oJ :J J j J :l .. J ., .,j , .. .. J . , .. ii ~ ..J .., -, 7.0 Based upon information cleviiloped as part of the anal~'5is and evaluation of the conceptual alternatives and the initial conceptual plan, an interze~iate preferred plan was developed £or the p~rpose of qeneratin9 and focusing further consideration and discussion reg.ardinq lmplementinq the bicycle boulevard. The pu~&e o£ this section is to describe the interm~diate preferred plan which served as the basis for a second round of community review and comment. .~ The £ollowin~ paraqraphs describe the intermediate preferred plan as illustrated in Figure 7.1. SEGKDIT A Segment A starts at Churchill Avenue and extends to, but does not include, the Enbarcadero Road intersection. At present, the eXisting segment of ~he bicycle boulevard ends at Churchill. cyclists are then directed along' Churchill to Waverley, whi~~ has marked bike lanes from Coleridge to Lytton and a signed bike route from Lytton to 5811 Francisqui to Creek. The intermediate preferred plan developed for Segment A, as illustrated in Figure 7.1, includes the removal of the existing stop signs on Bryant at Churchill. On-street parking would remain as it is. 7.2 SEGMENT B Segment B includes only the intersection of Bryant street and E"mbarcadero • The intermediate preferred plan tor Segment s, as ill.ustrated in Fiqures 7.1 and 7.2, inrludes the installation of a new traffic siqnal a.t the intersect.ion, in general conformance with Option II-A, which includes a new traffic signal, right turns only from Bryant <through and left turns prohibited), left-turn pockets on Embarcadero, and no street closure on Bryant. If the preferred plan proves to be unacceptable, an acceptable substitute plan (Figure 7.2) would be to install a neW" traffic signal at the intersection, in general conformance ",ith option r-c, 'Which includes a new traffic Signal, a.ll through and turning movements permitted, left-turn pockets on Embarcadero, and a street closure on Bryant north of Embarcaaero. 66 '. --' -'- _rLJUOlrp~ / FIGURE 7.1 INrEAMEDIATE PAfFEFlR:II:D PLAN "" J --------- ---- ---------- -To EI camino Ani To Wavarl9)1 - PREFERRED PLAN Sirael ~. btltwe ... ChannJng &; Uncoln ... m~!"''''i!'o- Embftreadero ------ To EI CamJ no Real SUBSTITUTE PLAN FIGURE 7.2 BRYANT/EMBARCADERO INTERSECTION LIQltnd: ¢' traffic !I~na.I 18S9 12r4 .xlsting Mw yolume votume -with aitemativl Ta Wav!lfley - · -,,_ ...... --... =_._-- It the installation o~ a new traffic signal proves t¢ be unacceptable, th9n extension of the bicycle boulevard should not be pursued. While a non-signalized improvement could be pursued in qeneral con.formance with option III-C {which includes no new traffic signal, right turn only from Bryant, left-turn pockets on Eabarcadero, end no street closure on BryantJ, the re!5ultant situation would be one that tends to encouraqe and concentrate bicyclists and pedestrians in the mi~dle of Embarcadero, with two lanea of tr~ttic passing by on both s1dee. Such a situation, vhile thaoretically possible, is pra~tically unwise. 7.3 SEGMENT C Seqmant C Btarts at Embarcadero Road (excluding the intersection) and ~ends up to Forest Avenue. The intermediate preferred plan developed for seqment C, aa illustrated in Figure 7.1.. includes re-versing the stop signs at K~.ley, removing the stop siqns on Bryant at Addison, and placing add~tional stop signs on both Channing and Homer.. at their intersections with Bryant. On-st~eet parking would remain as it is. The preferred plan d026 not consider a street closurE. However, if the sUbstitute plan (Yh.ich does inr.lude a street closure) is favored, the proposed location for th~ street closure is in the block between Channing and Addison, at the boundary of the rQsidential neighborhood (Location A). Ii this proposed location is unacc~ptable, Illt~rnative sites at the intersections ot Bryant/ ,Addison (Location B) or Bryant/Lincoln (Location D) are equally ~ftective and 8uitabl~. SEGMENT D Segaent 0 starts at Forest Avenue and ert.nds throuqh the downtown business district to Lytton Avenue. The int~na.ediate preferred plan developed for Segment D, as illustrated in Fiqure 7.1, includes no change to the on-street diagonal parking on Bryant, and retention of the existing traffic signal timing. ",hleb is an integral Pl!.rt of a more artenaive coordinated traffic signal system that tends to favor traffic flow alofiq Hamilton, University, and Lytton. 7 • 5 SEGMENT E Segment E starts at Lytton Avenue, extends along Bryant to Palo Alto Avenue, and proceeds on Palo Alto Avenue to the existing bicycle/pedestrian bridge crossing San Francisquito Creek. 69 .- - • 1 , ~ . . ...;" , , m : I ... . I .. J Tbe interaediate preterred pl~n develope~ for Segment E, as illustrated in Figur. 7.1, includes revereal of the stop signs at Sawthorne and r .. oval of a stop sign on Bryant at Poe. On-street parkinq would remain as it is. 7.6 SEGlIEIIT F Segment F represents .all related chanqes on streets adjacent to-the proposed extension J including changes to bike lanes and on-street parking alonq Wave~ley S~reet, and Addison, Churchill, and Coleridge Avenues. The Intarmediate preferrad pla:"'l developed for Segment F, as illustrated in Figure 7.1, incl~des the ~ollowinq: Waverley Street • Removal of existing bike l~ne$ between Lytton and Coleridge (Waverley from Lytton to the bicycle/ pedestrian bridge at San Francisquito Creek is a siqned bike route, but does not have marked bike lanes} . • Restoration of on-street Embarcadero and Forest. parkinq • conversion of on-etreet parallel par-kinq to diagonal parkinq at selective locations along Waverley between Forest and Lytton~ with the concomitant gain ot 13 on-street parkinq spaces. Addison Avenue • Extension of existing bike lanes for one block from Waverley to Bryant. • Initiation of parking restrictions (7 a.m. to 7 p.m.) on one side of one block of Addison (between Waverley and Bryant), to accommodate bike lanes. Churchill Avenue • Removal of existing bike lanes between Bryant and Waverley . • Cessation of parking restrictions (7 a.m. t~ 7 p.m.J on one side of one block of Ci:urchill (between Bryant and Waverley) 4 70 -- .' Coleridge Avenue • Extension of existing bike lanes for one block, trom Waverley to Bryant. • rnlti~tlon ot parkinq restrictions (7 a.m. to 7 p~ •. ) on one aide ot one block ot Colerid.ge (betvean Waverley and Bryant), to accommodate bike laneli. 71 .-- r­, -, "ft-, .- .. .J i ... , I ... ., J - 8.0 8.1 COlOllllIII'1'Y 1IJIVl::n A!II) CO'OA"'1'8 SECOND PUBLlC KEETING On June 6, 1991~ a second public meeting was held at the Palo Alt~ Senior center to infor.m the public about the status of the Dicycle boulevard extensi~n study, to share information regarding the Intermediate Preferred Plan, and to p~ovide an opportunity for the public t~ ask questions and offer comments. Approximately 2,100 meeting notices were sent to area residetLts and interested persons. Sixty-ei'1ht people slgl'1_.:!d the meeting attendance sheets. Of thee:e, 38 (or 56 percent) live between Embarcadero and sal". Francisqulto Creek, and within three blocks of the proposed bicycle boulevard ~ 13 (or 19 percent) live 'Within three blocks of the .xisting bicycle boulevard; two live on the Stanford campus; one in Mountain View, and one in Sunnyvale. The remaining-13 people (or 19 percent) live in palo Alto, but :more than three blocks fr-om the existing bicycle boulevard and proposed extension. The l!Ieeting .fOrtDllt included: (a) a revieW' of the study process, current status, and subsequent decision making process, (b) an overview of the Intermediate Preferred Plan, (c) more detailed }.lresentations on a seqment-by-seqment basis,. Cd} que~tions and answers for clarifica.tion, (e) 9roup discussionIS and. responses, and (e) individual comments. Appendix E includes a copy o! the meeting notlce and agenda. 8.2 PUBLlC COMMENTS The questions tor clarification and the comments {beth in support and opposition to the extension of the bicycle boulevard) covered a broad spe~rua of issues and. perspectives. This section ~ttempts to smmaariz:e t.~e questions and comments raised at the second public meeting • 8.2.1 Segment Quest 1 on9 and COmments SegJllent A • • • Concern for bicycle/vehicle interaction at Churchill and Bryant. What did analysis include? Is parkinq near the Castilleja school ror drop off or for day parkinq? Study conducted by residents S8 cal'S droppir.q children oft, and 50 cars traveling north • 72 .. ii"""', .... " • --------"-.-~-'~--.>--'"'~"-'"""''''''''''''''''~ ... ..,;:~.::. • • • }leed to address added delays to Churchill traffic. Spacing of bicyclists on Bryant will easily a1101l." Churchill traffic to cross. Delay5 should be minimal. Leave yell enouqh alone. Keep tour way stop. Residents fought to get all these stops a long tine aqo. Bixes don·t stop anyway~ Removal may increase nu=ber or accide~ts. • Let bikes jog to waverley. • Need to fully address studE=l'lt bike a.nd pedestrian traffic. • Segment B • • • since it is not a do-or-dioe. iS5ue, further study should occur before recoQmending any chanq~s. Why does: this project cost so much? breakdown of costs? Is ther-e a The more urqent intersection ~or a traffic signal is Paly High/Town and Country. safety at Paly is II much hiqr.,er priority. Due to funding limitations, and proximity, & siqnal at Bryant will doom the possibility of ever having a siqnal at Paly/ToW'l1 and country. Ee:;pecially true sines every additional siqnal will hurt progression along Emb4rcadero~ {Issue expressed several times.) On Oreqon,. the Bryant intersection is signa.li~ed. Does .it work well in teI"lllB of" spacing? Is there a standard spacing for signals'? The spacing of the signals on Oregon seems to be good. How Would Oregon relate t.o Embarcadero? Consider one or the other (Bryant signal or WaverleyJ, but not both. Perhaps even consider one at cowpgr. • Was the possibility of moving the existing Waverley signal to Bryant ever considered? • • • Addition~l signals will cause del~ys,. conqestien, and Bmog~ Reference to 6.2~1, paqe 36 (d~aft reportJ: how was £ percent increase in stopped traffic determined? Was a computer program l.Ised.? Did delay computa'tions include start-up times? The signal at Melville and Middlefield does not siqnificant delays to traffic on Middlefield. the proposed siqnal at Bryant and Embarcadero in similar delays? 73 create Will result ,~. ~-::. [ r ,- [I c ~ a I I ~ l 0 ~ J g 0 a a a 0 I ~ , - J '"l . ~ -, • To what extent will the coordination ot the s.ignals effect th .. 25 M.P}£ speed limit? Can the signale be coordinated to control vehicular speeds on Emobarca..:1ero? Should 6'eek pI'o-actt ve ways to reduce speeds. Should even consider physical impedimen~s. • Will • signal effect the amount of tr.ettic on Embarcadero'? • Kctoriats can currently turn lett from eastbound Embarcadero to northbound Bryant. will t.his movel!lent be eliminated? • If a le~t-turn lane were installed, what would be the r~~ultant lane Wi~th5? What is a typical lane width? Has tee City experienced a history of accident proble:s at other locations where the lane ~idths bave been reduced? • Provide qrean arrows for left turns~ • Concerned with use of nine toot lane widths. • consider three lanes on Embarcadero. • Menlo Park has qood coordination of signals on El CAmino Real. Has their proqram been looked at? • Question the data. Since traffic on Bryant will be effected by both the signal and the chanqes on Bryan.t" proj ections should be made. tor every scenario possible. 00 not show changes in traffic, solely on the basis of Signal options. • Concerned that .. "$Doval of stop signs on Bryant is not reflected in the traffic projections. • Northbound traffic on Bryant should not be prohibited trom turning left onto embarcAdero. other northbound streets from the neighborhood all."eady ha'''e left turn restrictions. Data shows low left-turn volumes anyway. EVen with a Fignal, these volumes shoul~ not increase substantially since there is a Darrier just a few blocks to the south. It prohibited, all traffic will need to go to Waverley to enter westbound Embarcadero. • Northbound Bryant traffic should not. be prohibited from qoing straight to the downtown are&. As proposea, a motorist would be forced to turn right at Embareade:t"o, and then left onto waverley. Making a left turn at the Waverley signal is difficult during the morning rush hour. I • __ , ___ -.. _,,"._,~, ___ .. __ ~_'ilS&tf"L_· • • • Rsther tllan restrict movements at the intersection of Bryant and Eabareadero, staft should discoura96 tratfic by using a barrier, or other physical device 1 away trom the int6rs~ction. With both a signal and a barrier, there is no need fo~ restrictions~ Without barrie~5, Bryant will provide a straiqht shot to the PAMF. A b4rrier will do more to limit traffic than restrictions at the intersection~ • Hotori.ts ma)cine; a right turn trom westbound Embarcadel:o are <Join<] to be travelinq at high speeds. • Inatead of turninq at Waverley, some traffic may turn on Bryant. Consider restricting some lIIovements by time of day_ • • Want. better details of bike islands and approach lanes. How will a bicyclist make a right turn? How will a bicyclist activate the ~i9nal? Signal options, and S.s9lJi.ent C options all reflect sensitivity to traffic on Bryant. However, that samQ level of sensitivity-does not seeD to exiat for Waverley. Impacts to waverley need to be accounted for, when discussing signal options, barriers, etc. • RegarcUnq a aiqnal at Embarcadero and. a barrier at Acldiaon, look at traffic impacts and potential increase of ~ccidents at Lincoln and Xingaley .treetB. • • Haw many and wbat percentage of bicyclists now activate the pedestrian signal at Waverley. Activation of siqnall5 by bicyclists will certainly increase delays to Embarcadero tral'.fic. Therefore, aU. 600 bicyclists should be consolidated at one location only; either Waverley or Bryant. Ho~ many people ~ill th~ light protect. Six hundred bicyclists divided by 12 hours is only 50 per hour. Does this justi.fy i.pact to the higher number of motorists on Embarcadero? • Preference is fer a siqnal, with riqht turns only to northbound Bryant and a barrier. • As a resident of Embarcadero, need. to point out t'~":lt cars will not stop for pedestrians. Fails to understand how some people cannot be concerned about bad auto trafric habits. 75 ~t-<' .--~~ .... ,- ,- .. ~ , l" ~ J , ~ ., H J :J ., oj '" .l ., "j J :J j :I ~ ..I ., ill ., , .. ... , ... -j ., Seqaent C • ~~ a resident of Waverley. a barriet on Bryant is not de.fraklle. There vill be too much diversion onte Waverley • • Its OK and appropriate to divert traffic onto Waverley because it is a desiqnated collecto~. • If all stops on 8ry .. nt are. removed, t:r.-affi-c will travel too fast. Corlcarned that children (going to Addison} crossing Bryant will bQ hit by speeding motorists ~~d cyclists. This concern mentioned several times . • Are thera documented ftndinqa that show traffic will travel faste~ when stop alqns are removed? What has been our eLperienee on the existing bicycle boulevard where stop signs have been removed? • Bicyclists and pedestriana have the same concern. They d~ not wish to be hit by cara . • Bicyclists tend to drive defensively. Bicyclists have a gre.at incentive to avoid collisions since in any collision, they are vulnerable to severe injuries~ • As a bicyclist. one needs to know that cross traffic will stop. • Thirty years 8go, we worked hard to q~t the guard and go system of stop signs installed. Why can't we just leave them alone? Thirty years aqo. we had a lot of accidents. but with the guard and go system, accidents h~ve been reduced. The consistency ot 5topS at every othe.r block works we.ll because it adds to driver expectation. • Why change the stop at Kingsley and Bryant? Kingsley has very little treaftic that crosses Bryant, and bicyclists cur-rently run the stop a::'1yway. R"'!ep as part of the: Bystela • • As a bicyclist, I do not think. we need to stop Kingsley traffic. I do not bilee fast. Speeding should not be an i$sue or qoal • • We need to keep thIS stops. We need to think about the children that bike. Allowing bicyolists to travel fast8~ does not increase bicycle safety • • No stop siqns, means more traffio on Bryant since left turns are allowed fro. E~arcadero: BO a barrier is preferred. 7. • • • • Waverley bas &t~etches ot three or tour blocks without stops or siqnals, and is liveable. We'd all lilee barriers on our street, but they are not essential. The neighborhood needs a harrier. There are a lot of children, and the best way to control traffic is by having a barrier. Wherever a barrier is placed, there will be increased traffic on the side (east-west) street&~ which needs to be accoun~ed for. • Consensus at one table for a barr ier somewhere on BI)'ant. • The substitute plan, ~ith a barrier, shows that less traffic will be on Waverley. • Prefer a barrier at location -,A-. A .id-block klarrler is better than one at an intersection. At an intersection, a motorist on the crOBs-street may not expect to have a bi~iCli8t enter from the direction of the barrier. • Location -A-is preferable ~cause it is located at the boundary of the rep; tder.tial area anc! the. oommercial area. • A barrier at location -A-will block ofr the neighborhood I 6 direct access to the future urqent oare site. Prefers a harrier north of location -A-tat Channing_ • A barrier at location -A-will .aepar.a.te the n£ighborhood from the clinic. With B PQtential five year construction period, the barrier may actually help to keep workers troll pa,rking in the residential area. • Believe that re.siaents 'Would prefer-a barrier at location -A-r along 'With keepinq the e.xisting stop signs on Bryan~. stop signs are essential in main­ tainin9 reasonable car and bike speedS. • Oppose a barrier at location -F,-. This causes B dead end. • Prefer. barrier at location -Oft. A barriE!r here 'Will do the most to reduce auto traffic. • While .. barrier can limit vel1icular traffic, it should not be made so that it divides the neighborhood4 77 J j -, , ...J • • • • • • • • • • • • • • . , -- A barrier at the north side of the intersection of Embarcadero and Bryant vill not divide t~e neiqhborhood, or block it ott fro~ the medical cli~ic or downtown~ Should be similar to the one at Melville. Protessorville: relates to downtown~ not E=barcadero. Part of Protessorville is to be able to walk to the downtown area~ A barrier viII qive a sense (psycholoqi:alj of separation. The new barriers on Bryant south of EmbaIcadero do not visually impact the neiqhborhood~ Need to reiterate that a barrier anywhere will thro~ traffic onto Waverley. Do not limit d:iverter to just barriers. Also consider road bumps, stop signs, etc. Road or speed bumps may be more desirable~ Tend not to divide the community the way a barrier miqht. This seg1l:ent, more ISO than any other, has a qreat liihortaqe of on-street parking.. A barrioer will utilize SOJlle of the. parking areas, and make the shortaqe more. SIli&'I7ere. On Addison, many of the homes are rental, with numerous residents (Stanford students) havinq cars. This Is an old ne.ighborhood~ Has only sinqle-car drive\i",Ys. The study needs to re-e.mphasize the importance of lla.intaininq all on-street parking spaces.. Any plan must indicate that all parking will be 'l!.aintained. Emphasize the need to maintain the character o~ thQ neighborhood. Has staff contacted the Historic Resources Board? 8arri~rs may not be feasible~ Are there d1.tferent types of" barriers? Are they designed so that they will not qive a sense of separation'? As a reeide. .. ·'l.t and a bicyclist, believes that nev figures (prcjected traffic) need to be provided that reflect chanqes to the c:lmplete system. It is not appropriate to expect people to show a preference at this time. As a resident and bicyclist, I ride my bike north and south all the ti~e. Everything i& fine. I experience no problems and do not see 6 need for changes.. GOing to Waverley to cross Embarcadero is not ~ problem. As a bicyclist, request th~t ~esidents welcome bikes through their ne.iqhborhood. 78 I i pt:;:,_.,. • ,. r ! , • • • Se91D ent D • • As a resident and bicyclist, preterenc~ is tor speed bumps. What is the dIfterence between speed bumps and road bumps? Bicyclist. should just grow up. I rode bikes all my life and never had problems. Its &afe~ Bicycle co~utin9 through the downt~wn area is greatest conce.rn. with all the short-term: parleing, there is hiqh turnover rat2. Need to chan9~ diaqonal parking to parallel or remove it altogether to really !lake it a bicycle boulevard. Concerned about both backinq out and doors opening. Improving' bicycle travel throuqh the downtown .. ill promote more cyclists and ~educe the parking demand. • Need to coordinate siqnals on Bryant for bicyclists. Bicycle boulevard traffic should have preference over east-west traffic on Hamilton, university. l'.nd Lytton. • .. - Se91Cent E i- 8.2.2 • • Segment F Somewhere near the bridqe# we need to put in something to stop cross traffic. Will bicycle boulevard signs be ins~all~d directing bike traffic from Menlo Park. • None expressed (meeting time had expired). General Ou¢&tions and COmments • This is a very expensive project~ If this r~oject were not pursued, could th~ monies be redirected? • Has the city taken steps to get funds regarding the Federal Hj'ihway Re4uthorization Sill diverted from highways to transit and other alternative modes. • How were the two plans (preferred and alternate, arrived at? Are they intended as options for the neighborhood to choose from? Will the neighborhood have the final aay? 79 .- j '1 - -, • • • .. • • • • Have school. been adeq'.lately involved? Castilleja, Addison, Paly, and other schools, warrant additional attention. concerned with small children crossinq the bike boulevard. Especially if stop signs ar9 removed and vehi:les and bicyclists are allowe~ to travel faster. potential loss of on-street parking is of concern. Wby waa on-street parking not addressed? How does the timing of the bicycle boulevard relate to the development ot the PAMF? Concernsd that staff is beinq reactive, rather than proactive in bringing both issues toqether~ will nev EIR be required for PAMF? Dislike use of ·street closure-term. Prefers -auto barrier-, since bi~es can still qet through. Questions results and counts. residents are ditferent. Counts conducted by Counts vary. What is important i~ futUre traffic. Projections need t,=, account for complete scenarios. Not seqment-by-seqment scenarios. • Hiqh bicycle use on EmQa~cadero~ • • • • • • Were oriqin-destination studies c~r.ducted? If all bicyclists were directed (force~) Waverley, could Waverley handle the volume? onto city should not be content with current bicycle numbers. Rather, there is a need to encourage more ridership. Increased number of bicyclists will help quality of life an~ cost o£ housinq. For over 20 years, bikes, cars, and pedestrians have lived harmoniously. "''hy chanqe thinqs now? Leave thing's as tb,ey are. City shoulc5 recognize that many of the people in attendance are non-residents. Most are bicycle activists and this is their pet project. Many of the co~ents made durinq the eveninq do not reflect the consensus of the neighborhood. A ballot of the neighborhoocl resident.e: should be taken to properly assess their sentiment. Everyone ~as invited. ResiQ~nts had the opportunity to be present. 60 3.2.3 • How wide is the S~P. right-ot-way? Is th~re room for a bicycle boulevard along the~e. It a boulevard is that important for bicyclists, than it may be WOrL~ pursuinq. Britten Comments In addition to the. oral discussion that occurred d'.J.'t'ing the public meetinq, per~ons in attendance were provided with the opportunity to submit written comments either at the end of the meetinq, or d~rin9 the subsequent weeks. Follo~in9 is a summary of the vritten com=ents received, with regard to the second pUblic meetinq_ • p~~ construction likely to cause travel problams on Bryant. Serious consideration should be given to leavinq bicyclists on Waverley, and hold off on pursuing bicycle boulevard chanqes until a.fter construction is complete~ • Reducinq on-street parking on Addison is a real problem. Rathert supports barrier .at locatio:t -A­ alonq with a barrier on Addison (at Scott). A barrier on Addison vill cut down on traffic and aliminate the need fc~ a marked bike lane. • • Urge completion of thOl!. bic1cl~ boulevard. Need. t.o encourage. tdcycling. Changes required are minimal comparea with what was needed to put in Oreqon .E:xprelSsliay~ Not all bicyclists ar-e younq. Stops, starts, and detours discourage distance ridinq. Both the preferred or alternate (sub9titute) plans are acceptable. • The project is compatible with the objectives of the Clean Air Act. • Tha bicycle boulevsrd exten&ion is a nice a~enity. but unneedec!~< and would increase air and noise pollution, and negatively i~pact Embarcadero traffic. • ~esidents on Kelloq9 will be blocked in by in~reased traffic on Waverley and Bryant, especially if left turns are prohibited from Bryant onto Embarcadero. • Leave the bike route the ~ay it is. • Move the traffic signal at Waverley/EmharcaO",ro to Bryant/:blDarcaderc, and close Bryant to automobile tra.ffi.r:: .. • Minimize chanqes in Professorville. 81 ~. , M .. j J j ., .. j ... ..i .J • • • • • • • • • • • • • , The .ubstitute plan is pre.ferable. The City should consiger l~Atalling a temporary barrier to determine the ill1.p.&ct and acceptance by the ne19~!"hood, before proceadinq vith a permanent installation~ In ord.r to pre .... erlt speeding on Bryant, under either the preferred or substitute plans, road bumps should be installed. They have be&n very eftective in the Midtown neighborhood, and pose no hindrance to bicyclists. The substitute plan (with ~arr!er at Location -A·J is superior.. The p~efe.rr-ed plan calls for an unusual roadway deslqn ~t BrIant/Embarcadero. Waverley street resident wants bike lanes to remain. Opposes additional traffic signal on Embarcader-o. The proposed changes at Embarcadero, Channing, and Hoaer will be counterproductive, environmentally adverse, and have no off-setting ben.rits~ The eXistinq bicycle route on Waverley is adequ~te; concerned that conditions ~ill deteriorat~ on WavErley if the bicycle boulevard exten~ion is implementeQ. rhe situation on Embarcadero at the Town and Country/palo Alto High intersection is far more hazardous, L~ funds would best be spent to improve that situation. Automobile traffic is not 50 heavy on Homer and Channing that bicyclists cannot cross safely . Reaident opposes new stop signs on Homer end Channing, and the traffic signal at Embarcadero. Supports project--traftic signal at Bryant end Embarcadero ~oulC! help bicyclists, and reduce vehiCUlar speeding on Embarcadero. The pl~n to remove stop signs on Bryant may decrease safety. cyclists should stop at stop siqns because they are less • ... i .. ible. to motorists. Rather than eliminating stops on Bryant, four-way stops should be installed. Supports traffic signal on Bryant at Embarcadero, but does not favor plan that diverts traffic onto Waverley, or c~eates a bicycle raceway on Bryant . The cost of the project iF, a luxury, at this time of fiscal deficits. Bike crossinq possible on Churchill. signs need to be installed as soon as Homer, Ch.anning, Embarcadero, and 82 .. - • • Hiniaizinq stop signa on Bryant 1s an inteqral _lament ot the bicycle boulevard concept. It th41r r~val creates l,atety problema, they can be reinstalled, but if they are lett in place, it vill be very difficult to remove them at .a leiter tiJOie ~ l"requll11t user of bicycle-boulevard supports the Preferred Plan, but &180 favors a barrier betW'een Addison ar~ Lincoln, and r~ad bumps between S~wthorn~ and Everett. • Support. the rl!llloval of stops signs along Bryant. Bicy~liat. travel .ore slevly than automobiles ~j are more Ilaneuverablei thU8.. are not a: threat to pedestrian., including children. • Place aensinq lc.ops on Bryant so the Embarcadero signal changes tor bicyclist. before they ara required to ca.e to a complete atop. • COncern about potential backups and conqeation on Waverley and ~arcadero if a nay signal is installed at Bryant. BJ • ;> , j :J I , -., - '" , .J 9.0 This ~ectiDn of the report provide& additional evaluative info~ation for several iss yes precipitated by the review, discussion and further consideratlon ot the intermediate preferred p.!an. These issues ir,elude the (olloving: 9.1 • Traffic diversion • Removal of stop signs • • • On-street parking Relationship with PAKF expansion project Bryant Street turn restrictions • Palo Alto High/Town' Country traffic signal TRAFFIC DIVERSION The redistribution of traffic--diversion from one street to another-­ is a central i.ssue regardinq the p!'oposed ertensicn of the bicycle boulevard~ While the proposed extension, unlike typical development projects, will not create additional vehicula= traffic, the actions taken to i:.p!ement ths project will cause some redistribution of existing and tuture vehicular traffic. One of the underlyinq cballenqes of the study process has been to seek ways to minimize such redistribution, while strivinq to achieve the purpose of the bicycle boulevard~ In earlier sections of this report, information on estimated traffic diversion, associ~ted with a variety of alternatives, was presented. The fell owing discussion present6 more detailed information on estimated traffic cUversioT! associated with both the inteflllediate prelerred plan and the liubstitute pll!ln~ In addition, data is pr.gsente.d tOL both existing conditions and t..'t1oae that would be expected, incl1lding the PAMF e.xpansion. Both the intermediat~ preferred plan and substitute plan would cayse existing traffic patterns to change for several blocks in all directions. The amount of such changes, as presented in Figures 9.1, 9.2, 9.3, and 9.4, a~e estimates; based on professional judgment. They reflect the composite effect of how drivers might adjust their travel routes, over an area ot several square blocks, in response to po$sible ohanges in the circulation system. • - ,'-_.---.,,-- g.l.l TIRE Index The TIRE (Traffic Infusion On Residential NeighLorhoods) index is a method of describing and mea&urinq resid€'nts I perceptions of the effect of street traffic on residential activities; such as walking, cycling, playinq, interacting liiith neighbors, a:.,d backinq a car in and ~ut ot a driveway. The index was developed b} neighborhood traffic management researchers in ~~e United states and England, and serves as a reference tool for judqing the anticipated eftect of changes in traffic volumes, in reliltion to current experie.nce with existing traffic volumes. An increase of 0.1 in the TIRE index, equatinq to an increase in daily traffic volume of 20-30 percent, Yas found to be the miniMum increase that is noticeable to the average resident. A change of 0.2 or qreater in the TIRE index, equating to an inc~ease in d.aily trafric volume of 50 percent or greater, would definitely be noticed by residents. Table 9~1 presents the TIRE indices for various levels of daily ~raiiic volumes. 9.1. 2 Traffic Diversign yithout PAMf Expansion Figures 9.1 and 9~2 illustrate the changes in daily traffic vol~~es, due to the intermediate preferre~ plan (P) and the substitute plan (5), assuming no changes in the PAMF. The numbers and shaded bars in the large rectangles shown in Figures 9.1 and 9~2 are existing traffic volumes at locations where they were ~ctually measured in 1989 ana. 1990, plus the expecte.d approximate changes due to plan P and plan s. Small rectangles are used at locations where existinq traffic volume data is not available: therefore, the numbers show only the expected changes in da.ily traffic volWles. The information in Figure 9.1 indicates that, in most locations north of Embarcadero, the plan P 1s expected to cause substantially less diversion of traffic than would plan S. This ig especially evident in those blocks of Addison, waverley. Brfsnt, ana Ramona, which are ne~~ the proposed location of the street closur~ associated ~ith plan s (on Bryant between Channing and Acldison). The street closure included in plan S would cause most of the existin9 traffic vol~e on Bryant, between Channing a.nd Addison, to divert to nearby alternate stroetl5.. No~~ of Embarcadero (Figure 9~1J, with either plan F or plan 5, the daily traffic volume would decrea&;e in all of the blocks along Bryant, and would inc:c;'ease. on Waverley. JCin!isley, Lincol~, Addison, and Ramona. In most c~ses, the increases would not be noticeable to the average resident, as the increase in the TIRE indeX remains less than 0.1. However, or. Addison, between Bryant and Ramona, the daily traffic volume increase for plan S would be substantially higher than plan P and would reach the minimum noticeable~ 85 [ [ .- - ... .~------.. -.--. • " ! 11 , , ~ ~ .. , J 9.1 TABLE ~ TIRE INDEX TABLE 0 y~g,gj~ ll:lawd: b2 E[I2dlI~ Pn-E.mIm; Volom. aO.Ia-g. .. a 0.2 a..z.s. .. BIIIEC rv .. '""'-w DiI!' TIB& [psi;; t!I,llR;;r~ Lla,m:e[ad~ "! , :5 lS 1..l • • 6 • IS 36 41 1.6 + i .. 20 n 4S 56 1,7 + 10 .. 2S 57 70 Li , 13 .. 12 .. 71 II!> 19 .. 17 .. H !IO 110 2.0 • 21 , 52 J 111 1«l 21 • 29 .. 6.5 141 lBO 2.2 • 40 • 80 at 22IJ 1.3 .. 52 • 100 1'1 221 280 24 • 6S • 12S l1li 281 lSO 25 • 79 " 160 lSI (5!) U .. 94 .. ~ J 451 S60 27 • II' , 260 561 T.t) 2A .. 14() .. 33<J 711 890 29 .. 1"ltl .. '15 891 1,100 3.0 .. 220 .. 520 ~ 1,101 1.4()() 31 • m .. 6SO J 1,401 1,&00 3.2 .. 380 + 800 1,801 2,lIOO 33 • 500 .. I.ro:J 0 l,201 2,800 3.' + 6.50 .. 1.300 2,I!Ol 3,SOO 3S • &2S .. 1,100 3,501 c.soo 3.6 .. !Jl25 .. 2,lIOO ,,scI UOO 3.7 .. l,2SO .. 2,800 ~ 5.601 7,100 3.!1 • 1,500 .. 3,sco 7.101 1,900 3.9 .. 1,&00 .. '.lOO 8,901 ll,OOO '.0 .. 2.300 • S.lOO , 11,001 H,ooo 4.1 • 3,000 .. 6.500 14.001 1&,000 4.2 .. ';.00 + B,IlXl .. 18,001 22,000 4.3 .. 5,200 -+11).000 22,001 28,000 , .. • 6,600 + 13,COJ I 2&,001 35.JXX) 4.S • 8,lOO + 17,(XX) 3S.OO1 45.000 ... +-lO,(W .. 22,000 4S,(XU S6,DJO 4.7 .. 12,lIOO .. 28,000 C S6.001 7l,OOO 4.8 ... 14,800 + 3,S,(X)() 71,001 89,000 4.9 +l8.,CW + .(3,.:xxJ j Sourca: Goodrich T~af~ic Group, based on work by Donald Appleyard J J So -, . j • .5* _, -.- " " , . - \ t:llULCJ J hlmBj '" s .,.,1 ] i I J ll~ 1 Ii f'--,. ___ J ] J [~ 'r'rr'-C:]I j~ 1 ~I~~I!~ J~::" f, !XPECfEO OAIL" TRA.FFrC VOLUMES, NOATH OF I:MBA~CADEFtO ROAD MY" ac:C,"CU: BLYO. -WITHOUT ,. ... IIIp: EX~AN$ION FIGURE 9.1 EXPECTED DAILY TRAFFIC VOLUMES = = '-. Legend: E = Existinq p = Preferr~d Plan S = substitute PI I l -- EX,.ECTED DA[L'f' 'fAAFFIC Yo\'UWES. SOUTH OF EMBARCAOEAO ROAD WTTH I!ICVCI..E at-VD. -WITHOUT P ..... F EXPANSION -- FIGU'IE 9.2 EXPECTED DAILY TRAFFIC VOLUMES • -- ·"' . --- , --- Le;end: E EX"istinq P Preferred Plan S Substitute -.' , .". ~" " .:;f:~!~?~; - on ~nal between Hemer and Lincolnl dally traffic volume increases tor plan S would. exceed the .inilDWII noticeable level,_ with an increase in the TZRE index of up toO O.3~ While the increase in daily traft'ic volume on Ramona would be no qreater than that on Waverley, the exi.ting daily traffic volume on Ramona is much lower than that on Waverley I thereby, causinq a mor~ noticeable impact on Ramon~. Sout.~'1 ot Embarcadero (Fiqure 9.2], plan P 'Would divert traffic from Bryant to Waverley, whIle plan S would divert traffic from Waverley to Bryant. The only instance in this area where there would be a mintaum noticeable increase (0.1) in the TIRE index# is in the case of plan P, on ](e11099 between waverley and Bryant. Tl-.ds increase would be due primarily to castilleja School traffic, which nov uses the Bryant/Embarcadero intersection fgr certain turns, but would end up using the Waverley/Embarcadero Intersection because those turns would be prohibited under the intermediate preferred plan. 9.1.3 troffic Diversion with fAKE ExpansioD Fiqure& 9.3 and g.' illustrate the changes in daily traffic volumes resulting from the two bicycle boulevard plans combined with the PAMF expansion project. The daily traffic volumes attributable to the PAKF expansion are based on ditto contained in th6 PAKF Environ.aental Izpact Report: scaled down to reflect the smaller 45,000 square-toot project approved by the. City council. The daily tratfic volumes tor the PAMF e~nsion, for the blocks between Addison and Embarcadero, were not contained in the EIR; therefore, they have been estimated by city 5taf!~ For the larqe r.ctangles with shaded bars (Figures 9.3 and 9.4), the sum CE.MJ of existing CE) and PAHF expansion (M) daily traffic volumes. is used as the basis for comparison. The small rectanqles indicate chanqes in dally traffiC volW1les due only to t.."J.e bicycle boulevard plal1s~ Neither existinq ner PAKF expansion daily tratfic volumes are available, or shown in the small rectanqles. 7iqures 943 and 9.4, when comp.ared to Figures 9.1 and 9.2 respec­ tively, inc:lic.a"te, with only a fev exceptions, that the amount of traffic diversion d:lJe to the bicycle boulevard plans is about tbe &ame with# or without, the PAMF expa~sion project. The exceptions are on Addison and Lincoln, bet'Ween W.verle:f and Ramona. .In those blo.:-Jc:s, Fiqure 9.3 shows that daily traftic Volume increas~& attributable to plan S would cause increases in the TIRE inde~ ranqing f~om 0.1 to 0.2, at and above the minim~ noticeable level. South of Embarcadero (Figure 9.4). the effect ot the PAMF e~~ansion project would. be minimal. The resultant overall effect is that the Daily traffic volumes Bho~ in Figures 9.4 (with PAMF expansion) are quite similar to those in Figure 942 (.ithout PAMF e~ansion) 89 • - ... --- UPECTEO DAILY TRAFFIC VOLUMES, HOATH OF flllBAFlCADERO ROotD WITH BlC'fCI.E BLVO.· wrno: PAMF IEKPAN!lIO" ... - FIGURE 9.3 EXPECTED DAILY TRAFFIC VOLUMES , < \ ".' -- '. UPEcnD DArL'Y TRAFFrC YOlUMU, SOUTH OF EiIIrII ...... C ... DERO ROAD WITH' BlCVCU: II..VD. -WTTH PAMF EXPANsrON • Legend: E+M Existir.g+PAKP p ~ Preferred Plan S SUbstitute Plan llY..TO NVMBfR$. FOf" rach block W~I:'1: ul.ninl dal1y tJaffic ¥<IT\lrne:s (ADTs) are 'known, iarae tublnvtes: cMlainir--J shaded bill"] ir>di~ .. ie tile rel.alr..c mllgJlhude of ADn for the enslin. wndH"ion pha PaiD Allo Mediw Fr'lulldali<m {PAMF) tlp<onWl'. {E+M), 1M imp;!CI of the pttr~ plan (PJ, amj tl1e impact cf the substitute pia!! (5), a1 • SCilloe or G.3" = lace AOT. P1lJ1. (+) ;In.: minU$ (") numben irla~le the apettOll increue or decrease i<l APT for each biqde bo<Jle .... 'd plil/\ \:ompareci 10 I~ E~M AOT. In (lIbel bTIX:lcs wh ___ rC: oilllin8 AnT is PO( \rJQ>o"rJ, sman reeLangl1l!.! "iJB.\"c t.ecn piac~d ~n'~inillg piUli and minU'S nt.:mb<::rs, il1dicating the cJ[rectcd irlClc.ue or d'"-cre<oJc in ADr d'LtC I.e the ph'rerrcc plan (P) arnf tile lU'M!ltl)ie,p1an {S}. (In ioOmc locations, :heJ.e mLT1:ale.! ::u ckc_rl::il1e:S arc: ir. II<.lditiOti 10 inctcUClIi or decrcl1.ll"! due f{' thl': PAMF ex~ruror;, lIIo'hi<:h arc 001 shO';\:ll.) FJ:amp~: On WhC.ley b.::tWCEl1 Kcll~ 3t1d' a,l..Ifcf-.11~ CJI$!lng ADT ~IUJ ADT [;or.11.he PAMF ~~p;!nslOIl is upe,led 10 be: 2725. Wjtb th~ prderrcd plolll, fr,i., ADT would lrlcrc.ue by 215 m mo.. With the $LJb~ti!LJ!c plan, Ill's AOT ",'OuI~ d::l:rea~e by 210 10 2jIS. en Bryant between CClIC:!idg:: .and l.Dw::r<, c:.dslinl1 AnT is 1101 knowrt.. II WOl.'!d decrease by IHl vehicles-per day wilh the fll~:rcnedpl.an. ~IJd would illcna~e. by 7:; ..... ilb the SLJbslitutc: ptan. In addition, there rn~}' be ;J.n a(fditlorlJI inae.ue ',f decn .. ue in A.DT d'LJe fa the PAMF e:c~nsion. FIGURE 9.4 EXPECTED DAILY TRAFFIC VOllJMES --' ---' '!....-.. = j :J 1 .. j .., J • "" .. ---------- Aa with the discussion in the preceding section (9.l.2), the daily traffic voluae increase tor pl~ S vould be substantially hi9her than the preferred plan, on selected street seqments nearest the proposed location of the street closure; including Addison, Ramona, and Wave.rley .. 9.1.4 Effect of Stop SigO Changes~raffic Volumes The ohanqes in daily traffic volumes illustrated in Figures 9.1, 9~2, 9.3, and 9.4, are based on the stop sign confiquration included as part of th. preferred plan, and the substitute plan (no stop siqns on Bryant south of Channing). While the addition c! Dne or ~ore stop signs along Bryant ~ould be expected to result in a limited amount of additional traffic diversion from Bryant, developing a reasonably BOun~ quantitative understanding of the amount of such incremental traffic diversion, is probleetic; particularly when ot.he,t' significant changes are also invQlved~ As a general indicator of the impact of stop sign changes (for plan P and plan 5), the installation of a stop sign on Bryant at Lincol~ (creating a fOllr"w.ey stop) wcouleS be expected to result in a 2-) percent reduction of traffic on Bryant, north of Embarcadero~ If the diversion ~as all to Waverley, the increase on Waverley would amount to 1. perOE:ilt: cOllIpared. to the nu:mbers shown in 1iqures 9:.1 lInc3 9.3. South of" Embarcadero. for both plan P and plan S, It step sign on Bryant at Churchill Ci.e., if the pr~sent four-way 5t~p were retained) would be expected to rasult in an approximate 5 percent reduction of traffic on Bryant, with ZI potential corresponding incr-ease of 1 percent in, traffic on Waverley: compared to th.e numbers shown ir .. Figures 9.2 and 9.~. 9.2 REMO'IAL OF STOP S,!GNS Apart from the traffic diversion effects of changes in stop Signs, as they relate to the proposed e-xtension,. concern 'has been raised regardinq excessive vehicular travel speeds along aryant~ and possible conflicts between pedestrians crossing Bryant, and bicycles and a~tomobiles traveling along ary~nt. South of Embarcadero, tl.e reznoval of the Churchill would result in an unimpeded Embarca4ero to Lowell, of 1800 feet~ stop sign on Bryant at travel distance, from North ot Embarcadero, reversal of the stop signs from Bryant to Xingsley, and removal of the stop signs or Bryant at Addison~ would result in an unimpeded travel distance from Embarcadero to Channing of 1100 feet. The te.xistin9 drainage dip in the pavement acros.s Bryant~ near the Xinqsley intersection, effectively r~duces the uni~peQed travel dista~ce to 1400 feet, Kingsley to Channing. 92 , , ~, , ~ _______ • ~ '._ --I., North of the dor.ontown bl.iainess distr-ict, the reversal of t.'le stop siqn~ ~roz Bryant to Hawthorne and the removal of the step sign on Bryant at Poe, in the northbound direction, 'Would re-sul t in an unimpeded travel distance of 1800 feet. Measurements of travel speedS on sGglIIents of streets with travel­ ~elated features and characteristics similar to those that would be expected on 8ryant, if one or .ore stop signs were removed, are shown below. street unimpgded Street Segm~ Length Speed (mph) ~_ v..tlLt. Waverley street cowper street ,Newell Street Bryant Stre.et Bryant Str-eet Embarcadero to Lincoln Embarcadero to Kingsley Embarcadero to Cha~nin9 Lowell to California Lincoln to Addison (1,100 ft) (1,000 tt) (l,950 tt) (2,400 f-c) (850 tt) 28 26 29 26 27 32 32 32 31 J2 This limited data suggests that travel speed does not necessa:-ily change due to the length of unimpeded travel distance, but rather is related to a drivers perception of the f~atures of the roadway# and characteris.tics of the adjacent area. While this does not "rove that travel SpeeQ6 would not change on Bryant, with the removal of some stop liiqns, it does imply that the presumption that travel speed would Si~lificantly increase is dubious. Ultimately~ the only way of determining with certainty what, if any, changes lIIiqht occur with the removal of one or more stop signs on Bryant, is to actually remove the siqns, and. monitor travel speeds for a period of time ther~after. " 9.3 ON-STREET PARKING The. importance of llLaintalning existinq on-street parktng is one of the few points about which there seems to be common a9ree~ent a~on9 the diverse views e)..-pressed concerning the proposed. extension. The inter­ mediate prefe=red plan includes the follo'Wing provisions z'eqarding on­ street parking: .~: '--~"" ·~:M • No chanqe to existing on-street parking along the full lenqth of Bryant, with the exception that the final design for ~~~ traffic signal installation may need to incorporate an on-street parkinq prohibition in th~ immediate vicinity of the Embarcadero intersection. Parking 'Would be prohi­ bited for a distance of up to 60 feet along each side of each leg of Bryant, in order to facilitate right turns from Bryant and left turns from Embarcadero. 93 .-'<\- • !1 ,I c "! " C :J ~ ~ ~ ~ :! ~ ~ ., iii ~ :l J "I "" ., .J ~ • Additional on-street parkinq (+13 spaces) viII be created in the downtoYn business district along Waverley, between Hamilton and Lytton, by converting existing parallel parking to diagonal parkinq~ • Additional on-street parking alonq Waverley, between Coleridqe and For~st. • Additional on-street parking along one block of Churchill, between Bryant and Waverley. • Initiation of parkir.q res.trictions (7 a.m~ to 7 p.m.) on one side of one block of Coleridge, between Waverley and Bryant. • Initiat:on of parking restrictions (7 a.m. to 7 p~m.) on one side ot one block of Addison, between Waverley and Bryant. Daytime perking restrictions along the south side of the one block of Addison will limit the use of 20 potential on-street parking spaces to a only twelve hour overniqht period (7 p.m. to 7 a.m.). The 17 parking spaces on the north side of the street would be unaftected l and remain availaklle for use throuqhout all hours of the day and night. The surrounding residential area is one of large, older houses with relatively high levels of occupancy, a.nd limited garaqe size a.nd: driveways for off-street parking. The area is also in close proximity to facilities with major daytime parking needs. The ~omposite effect of daytime employee parkinq and day/niqhttime resident parking is one of ,.,e11 utilized on-street parking • On a normal week day in October 1990, an on-street parking survey was conducted 0:1 the one block of Addison where. parkinq is to be restrioted. The inten~ of the survey was to assess the extent or non­ residential parking in neighborhoods adjacent to the downtown. The information collected indicates the following: • At 6: 00 a.III., there vere 29 streett all of Which are resid.ents. vehicles parked on the assu:I!ed to belonq to • At s: 00 a .D., there .. ere 14 vehic~e.G parked on the street, at least 13 or 'Which belonged to residents. • At 10:00 a.m., there were 16 vehicles parked on the street, at least 10 of which belonged tc residents~ • At 12:00 Noon, there ~ere 16 vehicles parked on the street, at least 9 ot ~hich belonged to residents. 9' I I , ., -- =-'-'-<~---------<,,---'--'-' The abo've data (albeit limited) indicates that even with parklng restrictio!'l8 on the south aide of the block, sUfficient on-street capacity may exist on the north side of the block during the dayti~~. While this .ay generally be the case, some deficiency of spaces 1S likely to occur durinq the period immediately following 7:00 a.m., prior to residents' departures, as well as a peri~ preceding 7:00 p.m., following the return of residE-rots. There .. ill also be the inconvenience to some residents ~ho may, periodically, have to move their car from the south Bide of the street, in order to comply vith daytime parking restrictions. A substantial 8.lJlount of additional on-street parking, will become available, in the same iDmlsdiate areal 1ihen the bike lanes are removed. from Waverley and unrestricte~ dayti=e parking is rcstore~. Daytime parking restrictions along the south side of the one bl~=k of Coleridge appear to be of somewhat less consequence since. the residential area is not densely occupied, garage and driveway areas for oft-street parking are qenerally substantial, and area iE not in close proximity to facilities with major daytime parking needs. RELATIONSHIP WITH PAKF EXPANSION PROJECT The relationship between the Palo Alto Medical Foundation expansion project, Which continues to proqress through various levels ot review and approval, and the proposed extension of the bicycle boulevard raises two important considerations. One concerns the compatibility ot the two projects ..... hen both are completed and operational, the ct.'ler concerns coord.ination of the two prcj ects durinq their respe<::tive periods of illplemek\tation. 9.4.1 Cgmp~tibility with PanE Expansion Pkoie~t The PAMF Specific Plan calls for Bryant, between Homer and Channing, to remain open to all traffic, ~ith possibly the a~dition of a major parking qarage access and/or major pedestrian access in this blOCk. Bryant would be rQconstructed, with improved landscaping, pavement features, and pedestrian ~menities. The only specific desiqn features of the intermediate preferred plan in the immediate vicinity of the PAKF are the additional stop signs on Homer and Channing at their respective intersections vith Bryant. If a street closure on Bryant vere to be included. in th~ bicycle boulevard extension project, as indicated in the substitute plan, the future use of the existinq urgent car~ Center site would ne~d to be considered .. There is no e ..... ident incompatibility bet ... een the bicycle extension and the expansion of the PAME expansion project .. coexist successfully with other major developments, and in 95 L p .. boulevard Bikeways areas of , - - '-' .. ._-- c ., .. .. .. i ., -- sub.t~ntial pedestrian and v~lcular ac~ivity, in .any areas of the city. Nevertheless, tra.ffic volume. are projected to increase in the tllock of 3ryant betveen Ramer and Cha.nning by 'approximately 400 vehicles per day with the full implementation of the PAMF p~oject~ This incre.ase, while not the optimum: situation for the bicycle boulevard, can be addresse-i by incorporating design elements t.hat minimize potential points of conflict betveen bicycle, vehicle and pedestrj,an traffic on aryant and at any qarage and driveway ent:ries. The specific manner in which the bicycle boulevard extension will best be inteqrated with the design of th.e PAHF expansion is not defined at this time, and will be examined as more specific design details are developed for the PAME project. It is not unreasonable to anticipate that a satisfactory design solution c~n be achieved~ 9.4.2 ~inati9n with Implementation of PAMF Expansion project The PAMF ~ansion is likely to be i~plemented in tvo phases, with a maximum of ten years allowed for construction~ DUring that time, Bryant will be the f~~s of major construction acti~ity, PQssibly tor one to two years~ Given the turther requirements for des1qn, review and approvals, it is likely that start of constr~ction for the PAMF expansion project may be at least two to three years away~ TbB extension of the bicycle boulevard is proposed to be implemented ouring this coming yea.r, with completion scheduled for September 19512. Following-thim schedule, the bicycle boulevard extension project would be completed ~nd cper-ational for a_ period of one to two years or more, before the construction beqins on the PAMF expansion project. The major consideration during the const~ction of the PAKF expansion project would be the int&raction and required coordination hetwaen PAKF construction activity in the one bclock of Bryant, and the. flo..,­ of traftic in that block of Bryant. EXisti!\9 and new bicycle traffic on Bryant.. as .ell as existing vehicle traffic, voulc1 be expect~d to continue to flow on Bryant Quring the .ajority of PAMF construction activity. ~~rinq most major construction projects, the City normally requires that streets be kept open to pedestrian, ~icy~le and motor vehjcle traffic, often with appropriate restrictions that may include such measures as removal of on-street parking f one-way tr~ffic flow and pedestrian passaqe on only one 5i~e of the street. Such arrangements are relatively routine, ana are bast dete~ineO when specific infermation and requirements are readily aV3ilable. The lenqth of the periods during Which Bryant would need to be totally closed are dependent up¢n th.e type of 'Work that vill be going on, but in any even~ a~~ likely to be relatively brief in relation to the overall ten year construction period for the PAMF. Tatal closure for certain periods may be necessary for such activities as house moves, underground excavation across Bryant, and the r~surtacinq of Bryant • DUring these periods, :bicycle, pedestrian and v~hicular traffic would 96 :--, " i ! i , --), L __ _ \ f I j I [ l i I • i , ),_~:~?:f: _~._. ~-."-'-;-----~-'~"""""- be directed. to an established detour r':Jute utilizing a parallel .treat, such as Ramona or Waverley. Again, this is not an unusual experience &nd one tor which suitable solutions can readily be developed when specific details are ~vailahle. 9 • .5 BRYANT STREET TURN RESTRICTIONS In conjunction with the installation of a new traffic signal at the inters'Ciction of Bryant. a.nd EaLbarcadero., the interlllediate plan includes provision tor riqht turns only from Bryant. Thro~gh and left turns movementa for motor vehicles would be prohibited for both the north and !Couthbound Bryant traffic, by means of raised channelization islands~ Drivers, c~rrently m~kinq these movaments, would be required to seek other ways to cross or access Embarcadero. These throuqh and lett turn restrictions support two pr1~ary qoals of the bicycle boulevard extension. First is to reduce existin9 traffic volume on Bryant, er, at least, keep it from increasing due to the a~ded attrAction c! the new traffic signal~ second is to eliminate or reduce automobilejbicycle conflicts at the i~tersection principally le::t turning lIIotorists crossing the path of throu.gh bicyclists. In response to concerns that have been exp~essed, a variation of the intermediate preferred plan, one that ~ould retain the through and left turn. Jlovements. (or possibly cnly the left turn movement) for automobiles in the northbound direction, was also con&idered~ Tbe reason for considering this vllriation is to preserve and enhance automobile access to E=Darcadaro And to the dOk~town area tor rasidents living south of Embarcadero. The primary disadvantage of allowing through and left turn movements on Bryant in the northbound direction 'Would be the consequent increaoe in automobile traf:fic on Bryant as well as incr-eased conflicts be.twean bicrc::les and left turninq automobiles. As shv'loin belcY, the ne'if traffic siqnal ae the intersection of Br}·ant and Embarcadero would attract a additional traffic to the northbound throuqh and left turn movements on Bryant, beyond ~at exists at the present time. Throuqh movement tor northbound Bryant Street Lett turn lIove.ment tor northbound Sryant Street Total OP.1 LX n" FF x s:: YOLUMEs Existing Preferr~d Unrestricted Condition ~ VarLation H 0 250 174 0 305 215 Q 555 .It the removal of turninq restrictions ,,·ere. to be considered for southbound as 'Well as northbcfun:3 tra:ffic on Bryant., then tht! sUbstitute plan for this intersection loIould be recommended. The sUbstitute plan for the intersection provides unrestrioted turning moveaents trom Bryant., but also includes a streec closure on Bryant 97 , - ...• -..... ;.., .. -.,,~--""""'""'~ " . .;. ., oj j ., - - north ot Embarcadero. The street closure is need.ed to reduce the considerable 6dded traffic and the increa~e in potential conflicts between bicycles and lett turninq vehicles, that vould be expected to occur with th~ installation ot the ne~ traffic signal • In addition to the added traffic volume and conflicts, there are adcHtlonal difticilities 'With allowing lett and right turns tor northbound Bryant automobile traffic. For example, some positive ~eans of discouraging t.'1rouqb auto tr-affic is needed --as a minimum, channelization by means of lane striping, but preferably raised islands.. However, neither lane stripinq or raised islands for separate northbound lanes is physically p:-actical in the limited width of Bryant, while still preserving suitable lane 'Width required for turninq movements to and from Bryant. Therefore, signing and pavement arrows would be the only means by which the through movement restriction could be cOIl2!!l.unicated. However r signing and pavement arrows are not believed to be sufficient to deter Qrivers from using the green liqht to cr-css Embarcader-o and continue north on Bryant without a high leval of police presence and enforcement. Furthermore, allmrinq left a.nd riqht turns, or all movements, for northbound Bryant automobile traffic 'Would also raquire additional qreen time for Bryant r and correspondingly ~ore red time for Embarcadero, as compared to the preferred plan. This would have an adverse impact on traffic flow on Embarcadero 'Whjch is a key concern of many members of the public. In summary, there sr. several siqnificant disadvantaqes in permi~tin~ only left turns or both the left and: t.."tr-ough movements for northbound Brya.""lt automobile traffic. These include: contradiction with two basic goals (volume and conflicts) of the bicycle boulevard; increased red time on EmbarCAdero; and lack of driver conformance with the use of only regulatory signs. It felier restricte~ movements at the intersection of Bryant and Embarcadero is a top priority, the substitute plan (inclusive of a street closure) is recommended. 9.6 Pk~ ALTO HIGH/TOWN • COUNTRY TRAFFIC SIGNAL The opinion bas been expressed that the installation of a new traffic siqnal at the intersection of Bryant and Embarcadero will have an adverse effect ,operationally and financially) and is a lover priority than a new traffic siqnal at the location whera the Falo Alto High/ Town , county driveways intersect with Embarcadero. From an operational perspective r the installation of a new traffic liignal at the intersection of Bryant and Embarcadero wi 11 neither ~ea5urably enhance or detract from the possibility of installinq a tr~ffic siqnal at the Palo Alto Hiqh/Town , Cou~try driveway~. From a ~inancial perspective, the same tundinq sources (State Transportation Development Act funds for Pedestrian/Bikeway Projects and city of Palo Alto Utility Electric ~unds) from Which funds have been approved for the Bryant traffic siqnal, could be considered fer a traffic sigt'lal at the Palo Alto High/Town 'County drivevay location~ 98 ~: I ! I I • ,~\! ,". , ~ • '. \ A new traffic siqnal at the Palo Alto Hiqh/Tovn , country driveways was, at one ti.e, included as a project in the city's 1987-88 Capital r Improvement Program. Subsequent evaluation identified a number of issues that would make such an installation problematic, and the project vas deleted through the 1989-94 CIP approval process~ 8riefly, the i:s~~; incl~de th~ followinq: • Close prolCimity to. Camino/Embarcadero difficulty achieving existing traffic sig't\al at 2.1 intersection and resultlnq reason~le aoordin~tion. • Additional delay and stops to Embarcade.ro traffic, including half ct the westbound traffic on Embarcadero havinq to stop at both signals. • Coordination would also result in delays to drivers and pedestrians waiting at the driveways to cros~ or access Embarcadero. • Westbound drivers tarninq riqht ~t El Camino Real may take a Short-cut throuqh the shopping center, to avoid further <1elay. • Conflicts between d:riveway traffic and pedestrian traffic would continue to occur. • Number of OC'.currencea w-hen the student pedestrians from palo Alto Hiqh would cross Embarcadero in a qap in traffic and not 'Wait for an appropriate green Signal, is likely to be high rather than loy. • Experience with usinq 4 crossing quard to facilitate pedestrians croas.ing .EoD.barcadero appears to 'Work quite. wall. In sum:mary, the Palo Alto Riqh/TOYn , Country drive'ifay location represents & completely different set of conditions and objectives from 'those at the Bryant intersection, and should be considered independently on its own ~erits. 99 ... ' .. _ ,,_~-:._. ",",",.""",fG"~_'''· ... ,,'_ ....... _ ~l g 1 T " 0 -, , I J J , ~._'IH:.""!'_~'--,_. .',-.,.-- 10.0 B4eoed upon iniqrmation developed throughout this stUQY process I a recommended plan has been prepared tor the implementation of tile extension to tne Bryant Bicycle Boulevard. The recomEended plan is essentially the s.ame as the previously described and discussed inte.r.ediate. preferred plan. The purpoe=e of this section is to describe the recommended plan which 'Will serve as the ba.sis for further review, comment and action. The following paragraphs describe the recommended plan as illustrated in Fiqure 10.1. 10.1 SEGKENT A seqment A starts at Churchill and extends to, but does not include. the Embarcadero intersection. At present, the existing initial segment of the bicycle boulevard ends at Churchill and cyclists are d.irected along Churchill to Waverley ",hich has marked bike lanes from Coleridge to Lytton and a signed bike route from Lytton to San Francisquito creek. The recommended plan for Seqment A, as illUstrated in Figure 10.1, includes the removal of the existing stop signs on Bryant at Churchill. The removal of the stop signs on Bryant at Churchill is important to help ~acilitate bicycle travel along the bicycle boulevard and is not expected to cause .:.ny serious operational problems. If actual experience indicates that conflicts, speeding or other operational problems do occur, corrective measures, including the possible reinstallation of the stop signs on 8ryant, would be taken. The existing stop siqns on Churchill, as well as those on Kellogg, Coleridq8-j' and Lo'Well would remain as they are at the present time. Driveway access to Castilleja School and on-street parking would also remain as it is at the present ti~e. 10.2 SEGMENT B segment B includes only the intersection of Bryant and Embarcadero. The recommended pla.n for Segment B, as illustrated in Fiqures ~O~l lind 10.2, inclucles the install;eltion of a neW' tra.ffic signal at the intersection in ~eneral conformance with Option II-A which includes a new traffic signal, right tUrns only from Brya.nt (throuqh and left turns prohibited), left turn pocKets on Emharcader-o and no street closure Qn Bryant. In order to facilitate right turns from Bry&nt and left turns trom Embarcadero, the final design for the traffic signal installation Il!ly-incorporate on-street parkinq prohibition in the immed.iate vicinity of the intersection for a distance of \.Ip to 50 to 60 feet from the crosswalk, along each side of each leg of Bryant. 100 • , l l l l l i, I I I t ! i ,IKE "OI/TE 510NS ,.NOYEO sTI)f" StOt4S "E"'E~SE.D f'ROM Mt""HT To HAtWlHOlitNE 5TOjl' SlaMS R('40'lED ON aRT .... NT 101 DIKE L.Ut£S "iEMO'JEO; "'RICINO RESTOREo BIKE LANES EXTENDID; 81"« LAMe:: E.lrr£llJEO; "ARK.flO RESTfll;:nONS ADD!D l"Allucn(o .sTlillenONS MOED alICE U.t.lEs RE_OV£Q; ,,,,gl(tNQ fl:ES'TOIltCD I " , I 1 'I I I! I . I " ;! I--~ I' l;~~~~~~~j~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Jd.~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~:t~~~~~~~~~~~~-"~~{~~~ ''''''d' ""n"!"~ STOp SIOH 0\00(;:0 ON ~OMEI'I S'l'O' SIGNS ItEVEHSED • __ A • ___ • __ ._~ He;,," SIA~ ADD£D Tft.",,,te SKi"'",\.. ADDED ON CHANNING RIGHT fUIiIN ONLY '110,", BRYANT STOP SfCl"'S REHOVEO ON .R ..... 41 NO HEW STAIiEf CLOSURE .. "',,,.. I;~f---l.,,· ...... !----1 ~ l~-' " I IT ,r--jUj s'l'o" !>tGNS "'(MOVED OM 8R ..... 1 '~: !"~i I·! !.o:! !~' ,,--;1 in! I'd I.r:! ,0,:, ::: is! iSi I: FIGI)RE 10.1 RECOMMEIIItlEO PLAN '. ~ ! • ., " 'j 3 0 ... iJ !'l ... 1'1 .., Em~a.rc .. dero ---- j ------------ -To EI Camino Real D jll:l, .. rj To Waverley - ~'" DIU. 'f ..... DRECOMMENDED PLAN, ., < • ... "" J 1 -., r ... ..., -----, Castilleja Sc!\od FIGURE 10.2 BRYANT IE MeAR CAoe RO IN TERSECTION RECOMMENDED PLAN I , I i '-, ~ -~~;j:,;?:~;'~ ~'; .- ,-~.-;;;-.."'" ~I~', illt~~r~_~ ----".--~-"--'."<~ The recommended plan would facilitatE ~icycle and pedestrian crossing of Embarcadero with little negative consequence to Embarcadero traffic flow (stops, delay) and air quality. The recommended plan would also limit th~ diversion of Elrya!"lt vehicular traffic to .:It:her area streets, would be 1es$ costly to implement, and is likely to be less disruptive to the neighborhood than a solution that included a street closure. It ~~e recommended pl~n proves to be unacceptable, a substitute plan, as illustrated in Figure 10.3, CQuid be to install a neW' traffic signal at the intersection in general conformance with option I-C which includes a new traffic signal, all through and turning 1II0VemEJ;nts peraitted, left turn pockets on Embarcadero and a street closure on Bryant north o[ Embarca~ero. :f the installation of I!! new traffic signal proves to be unacceptable, then the implementation of the extension o~ the Bryant Bicycle Boulevard should not be pursued. A non-siqnal~zed improvement would be one that tends to encourage and concentrate bicyclists and pedestrians in the middle of Embarcadero with two lanes of tra£fic passing :by on both sides. S'lJch a situation, .. hile theoretically possible, is p~a~matically unwise. 10.3 SEGKDtT C Seqment C starts at Embarcadero (excluding the inter-section) and extends up to Forest. The recommended plan tor Segment C, as illustrated in Figure 10.1, includes the reversal of the stop signs at Kingsley, removal of the Qxisting stop signs on Bryant at Addison, and place~ent of additional stop signs on Doth Channing and HOQers at their respective intersections with Bryant. The removal of the stop signs on Bryant at Kingsley and Addison is important to help facilitate bicycle travel along the bicycle boulevarci and is not expected to cause any serious operational problems. If actual experience indicates that conflicts, speedinq or other operational proble~s do occur, corrective measures, includinq the possible reinsta1lation of the stop signs en Bryant, would be taken. Placement o£ add.itional stop signs on Channing at Bl"}'ant and on Homer at Bryant would not only £acilitate travel for bicyclists :but would also addr-ess some existing vehicular and pedestrian safety related issues at these two intersections. The existing stop signs on Lincoln, Addison and Forest as well as the existing' stop signs on Bryant at Channing. Ho:mer and Fores!. 'Would remain as they are at the ~resent time. On-street parking would also r~main as it is at t~e present time. Access to the current and/or future 'Urlient Care services at the PAM}' would reMain essentially lJnchanged, with the. exception that non-emergency vehicle traffic \;...Juld not be able to cross Embarcade.ro at Bryant. 103 • r - , I J r i D ~ f ~ w ., .. J ., .. ., J ., : ~ -< ; I ... ... , I - :J , ... "l J i .. • oJ ., ... -, .. Street cIosura ~twsen Channing &. Uncoln_?'~! .... ~'- Embarcadero _ To EI Camino Real SUBSTITUTE PLAN Casti"lIeja School FIG URE 10.3 BRYANT/EMBARCADERO INTERSECTION SUBSTITUTE PLAN . To waverley - 104 ! While the recommended plan does not contemplate a street closure, if the substitute plan# which includes a street closure is favored, the prqposed. location for the street c:lo5ure is in the block bEtween Channing ~~d Addi~on at the boundary of the residential neighborhood (Location A). .If this proposed location of the street closure is unacc-..!ptable, a1 ternative sites at the intersection of Bryant and Adljiaon (Location BJ and the inter'Section of Sryant and Lincoln (Location 0) are equally effectiv~ and suItable. 10.4 SEGKElrf 0 segment 0 starts at Forest and extends through the downtown business district to Lytton. The recommended plan for segment 0, as illustrated in Figure 10.1, is to make no changes from existing conditions. The ~xisting on-street diagonal parking elonq Bryant as vell as the exi5tinq traffic signal t1!1l1n9 would remain as it is at the present time. Experience in Palo Alto s .... qqests that existing on-street diaqonal parkinq within ~he downtown business district cr~ates no inherently more severe or less safe environment tor bicyclists. Therefore, the potential lOES of 19 on-street p~rkinq spaces, that would result fro~ the conversion o~ diagonal parking-to parallel parJcinq, is not warranted. Also, the existing traffic I!dqnal timing 1s an inteqral part of a more extensive downtown coordinated traffic signal system that is set in a manner tha.t favors traffi-c flov along Hamilton, University and Lyttons over traffic flow on the cross stree.ts. The retiming of traffic signals to facilitate bicycle travel alonq Bryant, through the downtown business district, is prohlematic and would create unacceptahle consequences on vehicular traffic flow in the east-west d.irection4 10.5 SEGI'.ENT E Segment E starts at Lytton ana extends along Bryant to Palo Alto l and then proceeds along a one block section of Palo Alto to the existing bicycle/pedestrian bri~ge crossing san Prancisquit~ Creek. The recommended plan fer Se.qment E, &s illustrated in Piqure 1041" includes the reversal of the stop siqns at Hawthorne and re~oval of an existing stop sign on Bryant at Poe 4 The removal of the stop signs on Bryant at Hawthorne and Poe is important to help facilitate bicycle travel alonq the bicycle boulevard and is not ~xpected to cause any serious operational prohlems. If actual experience indicates that conflicts, speeding or other operational prohlems do occur~ correctiVe measures, including the possible reinstallation of the stop signs on Bryant, would be taken. 105 .. .J ~ g ., t.J , 4 I g I , ! C ~ 0 ~ :J 0 ~ !'i ill 0 • J ~ .J i .. J ., , .J ~ .J ~ • < / The existinq atep signa on Everett, Poe and Palo Alto Avenue would remain •• they are 4t the presant time. On-street parking would also reaain .a it is at the present ti~e. 10.6 SEGMI:IIT F Segment F represents all related changes on ~treet6 adjacent to the proposed extension of the Bryant Bicycle Boulevard, including changes to bike lanes and on-street parking alonq Waverley I Addison, Church.ill and Coleridge~ The recommended plan tor Segment F, as illustrated in Figure 10.1, includes the following: Waverley • Removal of existinq bike lanes between Lytton and Coleridge (Waverley from Lytton to the bicycle/pedestrian bridge at San Francisquito Creek is I! siqned bike. route but does not have marked bike lanes). • Restoration of on-street parking between Embarcadero and Forest. • Conversion of exist!nq on-street parallel parking to diagonal parking a"=. selective locations along Waverley bet~een Forest and Lytton, vith the ccncomitant gain of 13 on-st~eet parking spaces. Addison A.venue • Extension of existing bike lanes for one block from Waverley to Bryant. • Initiation of parking restricticns (7 a.m. to 7 p.m.) on the south side of c:;e block of Addison (between Waverley and Bryants) to accommodate bike lanes. Churchill Avenue • Removal of existing bike 1 anes betwee;] Bryant and Waverley. • Cessation of e~isting parking restrictions (7 a.m. to , p.m.) on one side of one block of Churchill (between Bryant and Waverley) . Coleridge Avenue • Extension of existing bike lanes for one block from Waverley to Bryant. • Initiation of parking restrictions (7 a.m. to 7 p.m.) on the south side of one block of Coleridge (between Waverley and Bryant) to accommodate bike lanes . 106 ct~.~~"'-·-~-~-~"---"-- <):" • " , .. :J J 11.0 This section of the report provides information re9ardinq estimated costs plus potential sources for funding the exteneion of the Bryant Bicycle Boulevard project, as 'Well as the identification of the remai~1nq steps ~or Council consideration and action and a sc~sdule for implementation. lLl COST ESTIMATE As part ot this current study pr-ocess, • preliminary cost estimate was prepared for th.e LDp~ementation of the extension of the Bryant Bicycle BoUlevard. Tbe total cost for imple~~ntation of the extension of the sryant Bicycle Boulevard is estimated to be $ 228~OOO. Table 11.1 presents a summary of the project costs. Tbe coat figures in Table 11.1 reflect a project that a&sume~ that a new traftic signal, at the intersection of Bryant and Embarcadero, will be built without a street. closure (Option II-A). If a substitute plan with a street closure is contStructed (Option I-C), the total project cost wrould increase by $3,000 to $13,000.. This. is: the difference between the ac:tcHtional cost for-the stre2t closure C$lS,OOO to $25., 000) and the elllBil'lation of the. cost tor raised concrete islands ($.12 .. 000) at the Embarc-ade.ro intersection. FUNDING potential :funding sources fer implementation of the extension of tne Bryant Bicycle BoUlevard, ~s shoWt'\ in Table 11.2, include the following: (al previously approved - • State Transportation Oevelop~ent Act qrant funds and • City o! Palo Alto Utility FUnd, (b) as well as yet to be considered and app~oved - • future State Transportation Development Act qrant funds. 107 • TABLE 11.1 COST ESTIXATE FOR f:XTENSION OF BICYCLE BOULEVARil Seqment It. -Reaove/relocate/install signs and pavement .arkinqs Seqment I! -Remove/relocate/install siqns a.nll pavement markings -Install handicapped ramps -Construct raised concrete islands -Restricted york hours cost increment -Install new traffic s!qnal ~~ftlc signal int.rconnection SegJUInt C -Remove/relocate/install siqns and pavement markinqs Seqaent 0 -Install signs SegJUInt E -ReJraov./reloc.~_ t:.e/ inst '111 s1qn£ and pavement aarkings Se91lent F waverley Street -Rezaove siqns/paveae.nt aarkings and. install new centerline and loops Addison Avenue -Install &iqn~ and pavement markings Churchill Avenue -Reaove sings and pavement Barkings Coleridge Avenue -Install siqns and pavement markings $ 2,000 Subtotal IA) $ $ 6,000 $ 6,000 $ 12,000 $ 6,.. 000 $ 120,000 $ 24,000 Subtotal (B) ,174,000 $ 4,000 sUbtotal IC) • 4 .. 0.00 $ 1 .. 000 SUbtotal (D) • 1 1 000 $ 3.000 SUbtotal I.) • 3,000 $ 36,000 $ 3,000 $ . 2.000 $ J, 000 8Ubtotu (~) • u.ooo ~AL (A+B+C+D+Z+P) • 228,000 108 '"" ,- ;". ,.. ;. ~ .~;: ,... '- ~ ,.. L. ,.. I I .. C I f I ""--, .. _«"-*--------"MI , war .-:- II ~ ~ " I iii D o o I n 'iii -• 1 ..l '.-,< xt~ -. . / TABLE 11.2 FUNDING SOURCES FOR EXTENSION OF BICYCLE BOULEVARD as t PreyiQus.ly Approyed 1990-1991 State Transportation Development Act funds for Pedestrian/Bikeway Projects Signal $ 75,000 1990-1995 city of Palo Alte capital Improvement Program (utility Electric Fund) B. Hot CUrrently Approved Signal Interconnect $ 75,000 $ 24,000 Subtotal (A) State Transportation Development Act tun~s for Pedeatrian/Bikeway Projects Signs/markinqa $ 54,000 Subtotal (8) roTAL (UB) lVNpING SOURCE StlMMbEY state TDA Funds CPA Utility Funj5 TOTAL $ 129,000 99,000 (57t) (4Jt) $ 228,000 (loot) 109 • 174,000 $ 54,000 f 228,000 - • 11.2 CITY COUNCIL REVIEW ~~D APPROVAL The procedure &ntictpated for rGview and consideration by the city L council ut the 1.plementation of L~e extension of the Bryant Bicycle Boulevard includes the fol1o~in9 steps: r step 1 step 2 step 3 Step , Step 5 Step 6 Forward study report to City Council \dth recommendation for referral to Po!ic.y and Services ccmmittee ter review and recommendation back to Council. Policy and Services Committee review and disclJssion (with opportunity for public comments} and formula.tion of a recommendation to the City Council. Council consideration and discussion of the Policy ant! Services Cc=mittee's recommendation (with opportunity for public comments) and approval (or. disapproval) to proceed with the implementation of thQ extension of the Bryant Bicycle Boulevard. council authorization to apply for additional 'I'DA funds to help fund the project. Council approval ot an amended Capital Improvement Project providing funds needed to complete the project. Council aYard of contract tor installation of traffic signal and other project elements. 11.4 SCHEDULE The schedule tor the implementation of the proposed extension of the Bryant Bicycle Soul.vard is as follows: • Report to Council fo::-referral to Policy and Services Committee (September 1991}. • Policy and Services committee review and recommendation tc­ Council (October 1991). • Final Council approval (disapproval) of project (November 1991) .. • Council approval (disapprovalJ of supplemental funding for project (December 1991). • Preparation of desiqn plans and documents {December-March 1991) • • Proj~ct bidding process (April -May 1992). o construction of project (June -September 1992). • Opening of extension of Bryant Bicycle Boulevard {September, 1992J. 110 J j J J .., ..! apPBBilIll: Sketch8-& -of Preliminary Design Concepts for the Intersection of Bryant street and Embarcadero Road Ul A \ c ~ \ E ~ ,... r \ \ .... r- FIGURE A.l '- 112 ,... L i 'PRELiMINARY DESIGN CONCEPT SKETCHES ... I i ... I .-.•. ~ .. • . " t ~ to; ~ ~J~ !'1 ;,j ., III J ., III ., j,j c n c ~' ,I ---, j ~+\""D" ;;';'~..t' .....,..:.,... __ -+-.J4,..!dr.s.o ..... "! ~\ I .. i .J --.., J &,...1Io--.b.>"I' ., r...t..l~..l:fJ .. ':'O..l~ ............ ~~ "1 CC-!:'>1i\.~ ] , - FIGURE A.2 PRELIMINARY DESIG" CONCEPT SKETCHES 113 l-o.:.,:,.~~.:lo';......:1 t""l'Olfoi.-,.....WI.:J .. ) I<-,"':J Q-fl) C c::;,,;, lie j~ I M -----< • 00 ""';;:''''L ~~ ----,.... (...,.. ~ ..................... ~-..t...~ -:;'''" --n.fto.l, -? ~ ~"')' --- FIGURE 1..3 PRELIMINARY DESIGN CONCEPT SKETCHES N - r L.. roo :: ~ -, L 114 C iii. • -.-. < ~,-., .. . / -<~~ . i :l :.. ~ .., ~ ;;,! ... I OJ ~ iJ ¥~terial Relat~d to the Initial Public Meetinq J Public notice, age.r.da and handouts Summary comments , .. ~ ... ~ oJ ~ iJ ~ ~ .i .. M .. r; -IJ J I J 0 n us ""! , ., j T.ansport.tf~ DI.lslon (415)3U-2136 Oet .... r 5, Ino U12 of Yalo fllto P,O 101 10~~O PA!O A.LTO, CA~ IfOt!:NI.., '.JO:l" PUBLIC MEETING NOTICE. AGENDA AND HANDOLIT MATERIALS PLACE All! TI!!£.: Pl10 Alto SenIor Center, 450 Bryant Street 7:00 p •••• Thursday. October 25. 1990 SUBJECT: Bryant Street Bicycle Boulevard Exten,lon Study. 8Ag§!l0!J!!!l: The Brlant Street Bloycle Boulevard was eshbllshed In 1982 •• nd currently extends I distance of two .,les fro. East ~ •• ~ow to Churchill Avenue. The Bicycle 'oul.vlr~ Is a street .n whIch bicycles have precedenee; wIIere direct. effl~l.nt bicycle travel Is enhanced by 11.'tlng the number of st.ps; and wIIere confJ lets ,,'th ..,tIlr vehloles are .. Inl.hed. The Bryant Street BIcycle Boulevard does not now eonneet to a,y .ajor Ictlvlty center. The lack of a traffIc sl~a1 It t~~ IntersectIon .f Bryant Street and Bob,reldero hi. been a .ajar lopedfoent to the .xtensl.n of the b". boulev.rd to downtown ,.10 Alto Ind through t. the Ken1. 'ark cltl 11.lt. In .:tun. tht CIty Council .ppr.ved funding for the lnst.llatlon of a traffic signal It the Inte.sectlon .f Brlant Ind Embarcldero In the 1990-95 Capall Ilprovement Pr.gr .. budg.t. Work on the de"g' Ind In5tallition of the traffic signal will not proc ... untIl a roc...,n ••• plan f •• the exton,;on of the bIcycle boulevard til downtown Is eompleted and prosent.~ to the City Council for review an~ appro.a1. - PURPOSE OF MEETIUG: The purpose of this IHtlng Is to provide an opportunity for the publ1e ~ learn air. about t~t current stud,)' Ind eoamerlt on prel1IJina'!"")' conceptual altern.tlv.s for the bloycle boulevard exten,lon. Tho,. conceptual plans IdentIfy a .Ingo cf potential chong.s In e~lstlni conditions alor.~ Bryant Street (potenti.l sites for I barrier to 'mpe6e vehicular trafflc. se'ect'~e changes to step sisns Ind 'to on-street pari'ng 1n the d:owntOllTl); on Waverle.)l Street (relay,l of exist1ng ~f[e lanes. resto~atfon of on-street pa~king)i and It Bryant and OOlrcadero (alternatives fro. fu1 1 access to 1 illfted access slpn.llzatlon). The .. etlng will follow a workshop fonsat Incl"ding • gen.ral preJeritatf on , sIIal1 WDrki~~ groups for dfscussiah and eVlluatfor., and I per10d for o.,.r. coament. Wr1tten cc.ae-nts are Ipproprhte before. It. Dr followi n51 the ... tlng. St.ff will use the cCllents frot thIs .. etlng In the e.alu'tlon .n~ further rEfinement of the b1c~'t boulevard extenston pll"~ Thh notice has been sent to all res'dents within I one·block r-ad'ius. of the stud'y corridor. Miltbers of the Palo Alta Bf;:ycle Advtsory Coan1ttee Ind' other fntefe£ted parties. A map of tne study corridor is provided on tne batk of this notice. GAYLE LlKEH5 Stentor Planner -• ..., - 1- 2. J. 4. 5. 6. 7. B. / City of Yalo ~tto p 0 to.l: IO:2SC "" .. 0 '-'LTO, CAUfORM... ,'30) BRYAIft' STlIBI!'l' BICYCJ.J! BOULEVARD EX'l'EJfSIOH S'l'UDY POBLIC IIEB'l'IKG 7:00 PH Thursday OCtober 25, 1~90 Palo Alto Senior Cen~er 450 Bryant Street Palo Alto, CA AGENDA Openinq Comments Presentation on Conceptual Alternatives QtJes'tion& tor Clarification of Alterna.tives Small Group Discussior.s summary Report s from Small Groups Open Per.1 Od. for Pulllie Co:rr:uaents completion of Response Forms Closing comments (7: 00) (7: 20) (7:40) (8:00) (9:00) (9:15) (9:45 ) (9:55) Handouts: A. Summary of project background and current process. B. Reference work sheets tor conceptcal alternatives. Contact Person: Cayle Lik~s, Senior Planner, (415)329-2136 118 \ .., HANDOUT A BRYAIIT STRI!!l!T BICYCLE IIOCLI!VARIl BXl'EHSION STUOY BOIOIARY OJ! PRO.nC'r BACitGROUlID AND ~ ~S A~ PUrpose rhe p~5e of t.)e bicycle boulevard i. to provide: (1) a throuqhway upon which biQycles have precedence over automobiles; (2) a direct route that reduces travel time f~r bicyclists, (J) a .afe travel route that minimizes conflicts 1II'ith motor vehicle traffic: and (4) a facility that promotes and facilitates the us. ot bicycles as an alternative transportation mode. The purpose of this study is to ~eyelop a recommended plan for the extension gf the Bryant Street Bicycle B~ulevard from its present ter1D.inus at Churchill Avenue northward to and t11rol.lgh downtown Palo Alto and on to the eXisting bicycle/pedestrian bridge across san Francisquito Creek to Menlo Park. E. PAlo Alto Cpungil PQ]ic'el The Palo Alto Council has lonq-stan~ing policies, and e notable record of actions and achievements, that emphasIze, encourage and facilitate the use of alternativ~ modes to the automobile (walking, bikinq, car/Vanpool., transit). These policies and actions over a period of tiae have resul tee! in a bicycle sys'tea and related ~upport facilities and promotions that consistently place PalO Alto in the top ranks of bicycle usaqe and user friendliness. Such efforts to facilitate and e~couraqe the use of alternative traTIsportation aedes will taJee on increasing importance as regional and local efforts to reduce traffic conqestion and improve air quality continue to escalate. C. palo Alto Cgmnreb.~siye plon The transportation elament Of the COlDprehensi ve Plan contains a number of policy statements and related programs that strive to reduce the usage of the automobile and encourage the use ot alternative tra'\'el ~es. Specifically, the Comprehensive Plan incluc1es Transportation Policy 12: ·PROMOTE BICYCLE USE-, along with rel.t.~ programs to s~pport and achieve such a policy inelu4ing: Program 34 -Develop and implement a network of throuqh bicycle boulevards, and Proqraa 3S -Remove traffic control i_pedi.ents and physical barriers ~o bicycle travel. 119 Gt .. -~ .. • I .. . t~~:! · - .'--. The ex1atlnq Bry.nt street Bicycle Boulevard vas established in 1982 and extend'S a diliitance of two miles from East MeadoW' D:riv£ to Churchill Avenue. Within that distance, there are thre~ locstions that _peeifically per.it bicycle pass~ge and prohibit automobile pas •• ge (a street closure at Lovell Avenue, II street closure at E1 V.r ... .,o AVRnlJ.e and II bridqe crossing at Kltedero Creek). Also.,! stop 81gns at a number of interaEctions alonq Bryant Street have been located 50 as to t4vor bicycle travel along the Bryant Street Bicycle Boulevard. I. CApitol Improyemonts In 1986. the narrow pedestrian bridge, where Bryant street meets Matadero crt!ek, was replaced with two new structures; I!I wide bicycle: bridge and II separate pedestrian bridge. This past summer. the two temporary wooden barriers (street closures) on Bryant Street were replaced with permanent raised and landscaped concrete islands. Both projects were funded throuqh the City's capital raprovement Pr~ra. with qrant funding in e~cess of $87,000 from the State, thro~~h the Metropolitan Transportation Commission. F. Current Study Proce'l Th. objective of the current study is to d~velop a recommen~ed plan for the extenE,ion 1,)f the Bryant Street Bieycle Boulevard that is consistent with the intended objectives of tbe bicycle boulevard conceptI addresses the concerns of .~fected residents, and :minimizes any real or perceived negative effects. The priRiIlry study tasu include:: 1. Define Project Goal II. Data Collection' Analysis III. Develop Conceptual Alternatives IV~ community Revie~ and Comments V. EValuation' conclusions VI. Develop Preferred Alternative V~I. Prepare Draft Study Report ~II. community Review and comments IX. Final Report' Recommendation to City Cou~cil x. Impleaentation of Approved Plan August September Septetmer October November Nov~mber Oecember January Febr-uary Later This current pu.t:llic aeetinq (Tas)t IV) to review conceptual alternatives and. receive comments will be followed by another p~l.1c aeeting 'Task VIII) in J'anuary to review a preferred alternative and draft study report~ A final decision by the City council regarding the implementation of the extension of the Bryant Street Bicycle BouleVard (including 8; traffic sigTlal at the intersection of Embarcadero Road and Bryant Street) is scheduled to occur in February (TaSK IX}. J 20 -:",. r l -t .. n • 'i oJ • HANDOUT 8 a • ~ ~ • • • C I • 0 a I: 8 •• ~ T • F 0 a co_ C B • r U A L A L ~ I a _ A r I v I 8 III -- '/ .' 10' ." .~ ",' SEE FIVE iNfERSECTION AL.fERNATIVeS _-!-,L-_-I ~ _~_~_-J= 1--~_+~.L-1~ I---l" 1-_ ... :11 = • '\ I' ~ ! : ~ l I l 1.' • A. ; \-.,,-- II '" ........ " ..... " • ., ...... ', ......... 118"" ............... t ........ !" 1 ....... H ... H1I ....... t1I' ... ""'ur". ICMUOI. I I i 1 -- / o o N =..: -- , , , I w ~ w w ~ ,j, '" 0 ~ f Q' ~ w w ~ ;: 0 0 i 0 ~ .... ..J % .., It :> % ., : ~ = I D .. iii D ., J / ~~--------" SEGMENT 8 B • B a • caD Z • ~ lB. r a • ~ a L T Z R • a ~ I V Z 8 123 " ~ ~ '.! I j I , Embarcadero .-- ~ To EI Camino Real EX iSTlNG CONO mpN S Castilleja School • [ Embarcadero A To Waverley -• legend: . ¢ traffic signal 1659 existing volume ,.. - .... --------.. --.... --.. ----.... ~--.. ----.... ----...... --.......... --.... --.... ~[ Embarcadero --- --- -To EI Camino Real ALTERNATIYE" t FULl. ACCESS SIGNAl., LEFT T\Jf\N POCKETS, BRYANT CLOSED BETWEEN AOOSON AND UNCOlN 12) Casijlleja School Embarcadero io Waverley - Legend; ¢ traffic 1659 signal 1274 new volume -with alter na tive ~ ., I .- ~ J ! ~I ; .. "1 ... ., .. ~ , -., .I ., ... "1 ... 1--1 ~ ... J l'l .. rt ~ i ri .. ., « , ... "" < , t ~ " . Embarcadero -To EI Camino Real ALTERNATIVE 2; UMITED ACCESS SIGNAL (NO< LEFT TURNS FROM EMBARCADERO), llI'IYANT ClOSED BETWEEN AOOISON AND UNCOLN Embarcs.dero ------- To EI Camino Rear Casllleja Scnool A!JEBNATlYE 3; UMITED ACCESS SIGNAl. (RIGHT TURNS ONLY FROM BRYANT~ LEFT TURN POCKETS ON EMBARCADERO, NO CLOSURE ON Bf;YANT Cas~llej. School To Waverley - o !t1'WT To Waverley - 125 . ~ " Embar~adero To EI Camino Real ALTERNATiVe: 4' UMITEO ACCESS SIGNAL lRlGHT TURNS ONLY FROM BRYANT). NO CLOSURE ON BRYANT C •• tilleja SchOOl • To Waverley - .----------------------------------------... ------.. ------------.. ------------.... ~ :' Embarcadero To EI Camino Real ALTERNAllyE 5; NO SIGNAL. UMtTED ACCESS (NO LEFT TURNS FROM EMBARCADERO. RIGHT TURNS ONLY FROM BRYANT~ NO ClOSURE ON BRYANT. REFUGE ISLAND '. ~ Castilleja School I-foci '-"It wid"Hn: To Wa veriey - 126 -, ,... •. -.. ---. ---_ .... • ---- • ".{ -.: " . ~ .;: .. 1-::.. .. , . I I I I I I liT nrr 1:C I , \ • SEGMENT 0 WAV FI.mo ... ~ rl.lore . mlthlB~~r ~"~" . _ ........ -. _. T[~ffif"··········="""·~-·"""""···""""···"'''·''''''''''f''·l-_"L"·~W_"L"'JI!T"~LE...J"L.."L·"~" ItDJ · __ ~_-II FlOREIIC[ OPTION L..,..",*= ...... .....d..-J -r-r-h-r---lj : ,. ~~~L-~' .~~~~~~_ '~ ...................... ~ ................ ,"'" ....... u ...... " .. ,II.II ....... ~ .. U ••• "'"':-.~ .... OIl .... n ........ ltn .. u '" k---:-7':-:-i----.... .. .... '·a'fYANT .. • .. N " ~Ili. B !~I'i,' 11.000 El'rlr-rL-t:=:N C-:J' nTIlr1 RAMONA! Irrwt~: !l llill 1:tttH6:~ l Mfft1frwrn II 'II! I~ IjPl~?=1 ===' T,="=r==r=SOIl~1 1.1 -= --' :,". ==::1== __ ... _ ..... _________ _ '- SEGMENT E 1III111 t1 HII II H q III n ~ IlIPLING ST ~ ~ CITY Pl."" [uNCi!YflOP'IEDI o II • • o • , ... SEGMENT F o. • % It • • 1 l' • ... ~VO oxi'tiD; bito lan.. bOtWOOD LyttOD ODd Colerid;_ ... to~ o:-atr •• t pattiD; lzteJld. bite lu. •• troa •• verley to Brya.l:lt 130 , U II , I ~ • DlSCUSSION GROUP ASSIGNMENT 1)' The meeting facilitator will as~igll you to Ci discussion group. 2) Each group h as been assigne<l • Re<ord er. The Recorder ~; -Help your gooup get started. ~. 1:£q; II summary of your group'S discussion on the flipchart. Remind you of time limits., Answer simple clarifying questions .-maIor teochnical questions will be ;J.rt.S'"..vered by roving 5r~lf who can be c.!led on by your group. The Re~order should 11121: -A1.ake decisions for YCUT group, Insert his/her own opinions. --Control the discussion. towards lIZ particular Outcome. 3) Select a Spokesperson. The Spokesperson is someone from your group - but not a City Staff person -who ","ill present a summary of YO'.H group's discussion to the entire meeting when it reassembles. The Spokesperson 1S not to use his/her pos;tion to argue for his/h2f own positions. 4) For each segment: a) Discuss the options for that segment, as neede{.::t urnil everybody in your group understands the options. b) On the flipchart, record all t.."ie iS5uesi arguments you believe people­ should consider in evaluating t:"1.e options. The group as a whole doesn't have to agree with each point -as long as someone in your group wants it up there, write it down. c) Move onto the next segment. Be sure to watch the timE:, or you may find you've used up ali your time on only 1-2 segrr'.ents. d) As soon as you are done .. asstst your Spokesperson in assembling flipchart sheets and preparing to gi ve .a report. 5) The report-back procedure will be as foUows: All the Spokespersons will be assembled at the front of the-room at the sa..--ne time. The meeting facilitator ""ill ask one Spokesper50!1 to take the Jead in presenting-all his/her group's points regardIng one segment. Other Spok~persons will then be asked only to add new pomlS that were not raised in the first group. A different Spokesperson will be asked to take the lead on the next segment, etc. J3! • -. r , - ., .. 1"\ W j U!lUCED IN SUE l"OP PLPROQU~~ON PURPOSES 11C'fr.U -....n .. IXTDSJ.--nJUlAT,_ ,. 01 __ tI' 1M" _~ Doll_II.) 't!' ... J'I! ""' t'·~) r1 lilt .'Mlt .... Im=( M'nl*p. ".nau.,., ..... ' ..... _n·l...-.,.. u":""W:otpI<JI1 pi ........ "";-r"~I ..... lj_ .... ....,eu .. I "C" _ I .... _r.r -" .,-t1 ....... 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'r - ---_ ... _11 ......... *'.'lm ... ---·~-~"'--~·' --- ~ ... -.n-"'''''JIIL~ ~t Iol&'lo [C)I ........... U .. '.11111 ....:11111_ . .... II ~ 111 ..... 1 "";1,.. ,. ... '111'1,....1 ... , - ~"'i '1"" "" _ .~ •• 1_., ",,-..-. __ .... II .. ...,.~ .,_ . • 1 .. I, ItMp I,. .. i_ ..... 1.,1". 11~. -- ~I 101.,. ft), ___ alnllll ,1..,.1. 1_ ..., _,., f_ lytl." 'U c.t ... , .. __ ~,_ .... . II....-! ..... kl .... '"'"_ .-t_ .ic:.,.l. t_ t • ..--.., __ lui", ~ill .Ie,oe'" 1 ___ • .-,..or __ t.,. • .-1 .... tM...-, .. ~~l. t_ .I • ...,..,a. IIpocIM... .. __ Milll ....... I"Y tlfpl:l. i_ • ... 1.,.2: .. _ ..... .".. ..... 1"-1 -,I ... _ K~'""I.I __ ..-.., . .,.1.,,,, ... _ .. 1 .... _1_ 'lc,oKl 1_ U _I., . • \ .. t, .. ~ ""-_rill,.. __ ilt .1..,..1. 1_ ~_ ~ ..., ~I.,. -. .... " .. M1" _ taot ..... l .. "'co,o;l. 1_ ,. ..".,.. - .... CitJl/Zi~ 133 >''''', -, ""';;, .;: ;.;~ , '\ • .),.i.-; ::-- r M .. ,- !.I -\' J .. -. , .J "1 ..; '"' ... -, , , ... ,., w ~ , iJ n ;,J n j n ~ 0 .. J .., , ~ - 'f. ','. . f'l'· ','", "'10 Ja'~~-" I,. l, .. ,,-~ i.J • '. . ~::, \ -- Transportation DivIsion P.O. Box 10250 94303-0862 250 Hamilton Aven~e Sixth Floor (415) 329-n36 PUBLIC MEETING SUMMARY COMMENTS December 7, 1990 S~bject: Bryant Street Bicycle Boulev~rd Study Dear Meetinq Participant: The purpose of this letter is to thank you for your perticipation in the October 25th community meeting regarding the Bryant Street Bicycle Boulevard Extension Study. Enclosed tor your information~ c:;re summaries of the comments received during the open forum and qroup discussion 5eqments of the meetinq, as well as a summary of the responses to the survey questionnaire. The com=ents and input provid~d at the meeting will assist staff in developinq a draft study report and recommended implementation plan. We anticipate that the report 'Will be presented for public review in January 1991. Again" thank you for your intet"est and participation in the Bicycle Boulevard Extension study process. Sincerely, ~~ ~ns Senior Planner, Transportation Enclo:;.ures: Comments from October 25th Community Meeting {aJ Group Discussion CommenTS (b) Open Forum Comments (e) summary of Evaluation Form Responses 13~ -:--........ 100 .... 7 ...... --... -~ .... " • 1 ), SlW.L YOU, COI8IEJITS BRYANT STR.EET BICYCLE BOULEVARD mOOION STUOY PllBllC "EErIN' -OCTOBER 25, 1990 srpDrr A; thurcb1 J 1 to EllbarcacltTo J. The propo~ed stop sign changes are consistent with the objectives of the bike boulevud. 2. Th. Waverley/Churchill intersectIon Is dangerous; remeving the bike lane segment on Wayerley and installing bike lanes on Coleridge are good idea,. 3. Hone of the opt;cms 90 far enough··barr1el""s on Embarcadero shol.lld be considered. 4. Conflicting opinions expressed abDut the exfsting conditions as being okay and dangerous. s. tonceT'Tl ;bout increa:sed volume and speed of traffic ,past Casti 1 Teja School with 2-wlY stops; cars would ignore tnem. 6. 7. 8. There is not ~ch speeding anyway ~n Bryant. Removal of bike lanes on Churchl11 may be unsafe be.:ause of Palo A1tc High School traffic. What is traffic impact on Kellogg? 9. Ch~ck hedg~s on corners (ChurchIll/Bryant) to Improye sfte distance. ]O~ Visibility of ~xisting barriers is not very good. particularly .t night. ]]. Thoe jog fn the bi ke route 1n Sepent -AI" hilS .t greater impact on plcycH,ts than the proposed jog It the nocto end (Segment 'D'), therefore c extension cf Boulevard O~ 8ryant is suppoTt!d. 12. Crossing Embarcadero from thE! south h InOTe dangero'JS dOTing non-peale hours from Waverley than from BrYint. Wa\lerTey has too many 1 anes (IO 'Ws. 6 for Bi"yant) and more turning l'lo\lements and conflicts. A signal at Bryant wou1d allow res.!dents from tne south to acce-ss or cross E"mbarcadero from Sr~ar.t (the less dangerous intersectton). 13. The existing jog to Waverley should be ma;ntiined because bicyclists ire separated from the traffic (vii bike lanes). 14. Sike lanes present t~eir own nalird~: they often have debris and they provide bicyclists with a fa1se sense of security. Many drivers actually encroach on bike lanes. IS. Bike lanes do present some hazards, but for young cilildren, they can provide some sense Df direction ~nd aSSistance. 16. Approves of remov.al of Bryant Street stop signs at Churchnl to minimize delay to bicyclists. l35 • .., L ,- n .... .., .. ~ .. . , , ... .., to! ., .. ""I '"' '" . I 0.1 . ., ... '"' ... .. ..! .., . .... .... I ..; '" ~ i .., . ;,J ... , -, Small Group Comments ·z· 17. Should reaai" 4-w1lY stop. Disapproves of removal of Bryant Street stop signs at Ch~rchn: because C~urchill is he3vil.1 tnveled, e:;p~c;al1.Y by Palo Alto High students. Bryant Street troYelers should not haYe the right-of-way ov~r the ch;ld~n w~o bike up Churchill. No stops on Bryant would pre:;ent an increase in danger to these students. City should recognize that children often do not obey stop signs . ]8. Cnurchil l/Bryant not dangerous because of stops em Bryant and barrier further up • IS. If stop signs are removed from Bryant at ChlJrchill, cons;der using an idult crossing guard. SEGMENT B: Bryant{~barcldero Intersection 1. There should be signs directing people to the Urgent Care Canter . 2. Alternatives with left-turn lanes on Embarcadero are dangerous because the resulting traffic la"es are so narrow; wider tr.fffc lanes are safer for automobiles and bi~ycles . 3. Since left-turn l.r.es on Embarcadero do not hetp bicyclists~ why are they ;ncluded in tne i,lternatives? 4. The intersection plans must tr1 to iccommodate everyone, but bIcyclists' needs .re of foremost importance . S. Co~r.ts on Iiternative t: o A biTrie,:" at Addison ind lincoln would be disruptive to the neighborhood. R~na Street, which is very narrow, ~ould receive additional traffic that it canr.ot bandle . D Tne barrier would only b10ck 2 l/l to 3 blocks. That is ridiculous becau$! it means that motorists can travel cnl,)' a short d:stance berere having to turn. Other barrier locations usually allow motorists to travel a greater distance befere having to turn. Barrier WCHJ.1d' also be teo close to Downtown. Barriers prevent residents from simply being able to drlve around their own neighborhood. o Jf residents 0pp0s! ba!"'rier, consider incther alternative that would be active onl~ part of the day, so residents a,e not preVented from driving around their neighborhood. o Determine whether road b.smps wou1d be a viable alternat1ve to a barrier. o Alternative] is a norm;a1~ naturil driving uperience. Alternati'o'Es 3, 4, , 5 are unusual ,weird) and create unexpected experiences for drivers ind bicyclists, Ind, therefore, are less safe. 136 \ s. o Small Group Comments -3- Alternative 1 does not addr~ss the problems lsscci.ted with the mix of rlght-turnin9 vehicles and b1~ycles -strip designated area for bikes. tom.ent$ on 61tgrnatlvt 2: a This 11terniti~e is ·pra a~tomobtle·. o Left t'J'!"'rtS from EmbarcaderD onto Brya.nt should be atl&lliled. Bryant is too far froo [1 C .. ina for left turns to be prohibited intt the neighborhoods on either side. a Is qood because it reduee,s conflicts between bic-ycl ish and left­ turning vehicles from Embarcadero. 6. Comments on Alternative 1: 7. s. D left turns from Embarcadero to Pry.nt would be difficult if concrete barriers were instal1e-d on Br.yant i!'ld could be (onsidered' hazards to DOtorists. o Preferable because no barrier is proposed'. Comments on Alternittves 4: o o Barriers are effettlve 1n r~uc1n9 traffic on Bryant. ihe birY1ers around the bike lane on Bryant wi11 protect bicyclists from cars tur~ing off of Embaitadero. Comments on Alternatjye 5: o Thls is the most dangerous alternative fo~ thildren and bicyclists D This is the least dangerDus alt~rnatiye for same two groups o o o The centeriine on Bryant ne~t tc the bike la~e shouid b~ a ra;sed median. Cyt11sts will dart across EmDarc~dero to the ~dian when only one lane of traffiC stops ind the second does not This alternative is iii cheap interim measure that could be test!d and changed ;f it doesn't ~ork. o YDung children try to run without a light; wit~ proposed islands {Alternative S) there w'l\ be ~ fa1se s~n5e of safety. Q Need to consider other t!pti.c.;,-~ .. rH~oU't a traffic. 1 ight. Alte.Y'nat've S is i strawman(bad choice. D "efuge island ~U$t be suffiCient to protect mu'ti~Te bicyclists at ont time and bikes with trailers. 137 "-, r , ' ,... , .- ,- ., ... .. J .., " ... ., • ... "l • .. ... .J .. W ., ioI ... • "'! , - o o .-,': .o.:i.~_: __ .. _. _ .. ____ . .........-... ... __ " __ . ~11 Group Comments -4- left turns should be permitted 5.0 people are not pre"tented from entering neighborhood toward Downtown . The refuge fs1and provides protection for bikes without the need for a traffic signal . 9. Embarc,dero should be only three lanes wide: ene lane of traffic in ett~er direct;or. ind I center two-way left·turn lane. HI. The exfsting triiffic Signal It Embaradero/Wa~02rley should be moved to Bryant/Embarcadero. 11. The trafffc light shou1d be a steady 9feen for Embarcad~rQ that can only be triggered by bicyclists on the side street. ll. Traffic lfght is too costly and would cause pollution and noise. 13_ The lock of • tr.ffic light at Bryaot/Embarcadero mak .. the «xi,ting) bike boulevard usel.ss. 14. The .afety issue at Town and Country Village (.,ross from P,ly High) is greater than it BryantjEmbarcadero t so why ~rry about the latter? is. AlternatiYes] and 2 are the l!ast conf~sing; Alternatives 3. 4, S w~vld be confusing for ~otorists . ]6. The refuge island might be dangerous for bikes. 17. Alternatives that bl<lcK cr(lSS movement to/frail Downtown cause inconvenience to drivers. Act~a11y all the alternatf~es (because of the barrier) cause inconvenience to dr~vers. 18. The upqrading of tftis intersection would isprove the safety fer k.ids ~ofng to/from Costilleja. ]9. Alternatives that restrict turning ~ovements at Embarcadero would cause more tnffic to Lise nt!i~hborhood streets--especial1y due to Castilleja dropoffs (.lts 2, 3, 4, 5). ZOo Existing intersection (Embarc4dero and Bryant) is a ~ess for cars, b1kes and pedestrians . 21. Traffic 1 ights mess up traffic; lights cannot be synchronized; countEr productive to traffic flow on Embarcadero. 22. Bryant ~s the best through route for bicyclists. 23. Bicyclists will 19n(lre red light for Alternatives 1 -c. 24. Why not keep the ~tatus QUo~ ~r use WJverTey as the extension of the Bike Bou'e~lrd'. 25. Concerned ilbout Palo A1t~ CliniC expanSion and effect on Brya.nti and coordination with strEet closure in AlternatiVES 1 and 2. 138 "------~ ,"'--... ,-"----.' ! " "l .. ':~~"'. • " r I -' Small Group Comments -5- 26. Wltll prohibition of left turns, concerned .""ut Increased troffic on Kellogg, )Ong.l.y and other str.ets. This Impacts r.,ldent. of the 5urr6unding streets. Heed t~ analyze impact on surrounding streets before presenting plan to City Council. - 27. Consfder t-eIIOval of ill few pnkin9 spaces on Bryant j{Jst north of Embarcaoero in order t. facilitat. turns from and to E~barc.dero. 28. Conc .... t. islands In roadway. (Alternativ .. 3,. & 5) are "".xpected, confusing for DOtorlsts and cre.te s.fety problems, particu'.rly at nfght. 29. All left· turn lane alternat;\I!$ provide safer ieft-turn mo.,ements from Elaba.rt.adere _ 30. Consider alternative thillt yould have signal f1uh yellow on embarcadtra Ind rec on Bry.nt except when bfcycllsts or pedestrian would trigger a narea' cycle of signa' t)perit;Ort. 11. 31. 11. Wa1t-time on cr 055 streets {e.g. Waver1ey) s~culd be minimized. rather than giving so ~~ch time to EmbarcaderQ~ Right turns should not trigger trifffc sf;n.l. Malntiin on-street parking on Bryant. Include I delay 5~nsor. 14. tonsid~r poss'b11ity of barrier in on1y one dir~,tion in ~rder to maintain .ccess to ur-g:ent care centerj Dr lIaybe twc; one-.... ay barriers. 35. Consider road bumps instead of street clos~rt--I~though noise associated ~ith b~s is & concern~ l6. Move existing ma'1 box on Bryant 200 ftet f~rther aw~y from the intersection. U-turns and blockige assocfated with ~sers of mail box is particularly troub'esome at its present location. 37 ~ lh~ nLDllbtl-r of vehicles using EJIlb.;rcader!J compare-d to the number of bicyclists 15 very very high. The numerous ~tori$ts usfng Embarcadero shol.!ld not have to suffer (delays assocfated wI signa',) for the benefit of the few bicyclists. 38. £icy,lists hive not been treated equally, in this town ~r in any othfr. I4otorists, for example, would n!ver be reql.iested to l'1ake I; jog O~ one of their arterials. Why should b,c~cliits? 39. Iin1 il s~gnal help or hindel" tnt. safet}' of the school children? More children .ay be encouraged to cross tr.is street. Has Castil1eji school ra's.c th,s as & concern? 40. A signal shou'd' ·ONLY'" be cCl'iSidned if staff tan assure that it wil1 f~ncticn in full coordination with Waver1ey. 4]. The quality of the loops and their maintenance is essential. Teo often, they iTe not working~ 1)' , - - I.: tl f: ., " rt Ii '< :l ~ ., d , • :J :l 0 J a ~ ~ :l ; :J , ... ., , I - -: s..11 Group Comments -&- .2. e"tering or crossing Eabarcatj'ero is not I: problem in the 1 :.te e~enfn9 or .irT,lIOrnfng. Operation of .any signal should be 1 illiitec1 (perhaps bet,.ee:'l 7"", and ;pm) . • 3. Question the noted 'lductlon (v.1ues) in troffic on Bryant for sever.1 of the options (especially 3 I 4). Cert.inly, more of the W.verley traffic would bo shifted onto Bryant for alter"atiy.s 3 I 4, than Is shown. Options 3 & 4 should only be considered with I barrier in Segment ~[ •. 44. Any sign.1 should be bicyc1. and pedestrian sensitiye (actuated) . 45. Bryant. nortn of EmbarcadeT1l is hhtorica.T in charz;cter~ Opposed to i Signal or Inything else thlt .;9ht hurt this. 46. Trlffic wi 11 inot:r-ease on Bryant due to the signal. 41~ A signal alrea~ exists at Waverley. Why 1n5ta11 another one at Bryant? Sho~ld signal go at Bryant, the 5ignal at Waverley must be taken out. SEGMENT c: tmbareaderG tq Forest 1. Adding stops t~ Homer ilnd Channing will s10w traffic and mak.e tt:~;;e streets safer. 2. lspech111 north of Embart:adero there are many sfght impediments at intersections where stop signs would be removed. 3. No use changing stop signs because bikes d~n't stop at them anyway. 4. Concern abo~t fire trucks being blocked by the barrier. S. Ctlangfnq stop signs I!nakes it safer and quicker for bike tTiilfffc, especia'~y at Homer and Channing. 6. The bike boulevard ~ould tend to increase safety bEcause people would see .are bikes concentrited in one place. Thus, drivers' awareness of bikes would increase, and vice ~ersa. 7. s. A barrier might antagonize people. Concern a~ut effect of street closure {AJternat1v~s 1 & 2J en blockage of access to Urgent Care Center. 9. Consider barrier ~ith Alternatives 3~ 4. & 5 also. 10. 1f st.op signs are added on Homer and !:hanning removlng stl)P '!.ign at Wa\lerley/Homel'" and Waverley/Channing . at Bryant, consider traffic signal at 11. Visibility exiting (rom Whitman Court to Wav!rTey is a prob1em . 12. Throughout the existing Bik~ Blvd .• homes are more desirable and property val lies have increased. The same should be expected in Segment ·C·, if the Bike Blvd. is extended. -~'.>-- ., 50,11 Group Comments ·7· 13. Riding a bike on Bryant is preferred over Waverley. Bryant is a much cal ... r street. 14. (Cl'''S~derlt1on to extending the Bike Bivd. is premature. The City still his ~ny Palo Alto Medical Foundation questions. Strong desire to improve the Clinic ·Campus'. 15. The Bi'~ Blvd. issue should not Blvd. needs prfDrity over PAMF. moves. out. be held up on o<count of the PAMF. Bike A barrier Is needed eve~ if the Clinic 16. Very concer~ed that on-street parking on Bryant will be eliminated. Tnere are very few off· street pa~~king spaces in these oTd hous.es. All on-street parking needs to te .. intalned. 17. Reduction In on·street parking Is also opposed by bicyclists. They feel that the existing Bike Boulevard functions fir.e with parking. lS. Consens~s that -bike lanes· net be pT3ced on Bryant Street. 19. Anything that slows traffic and reduces the number of vehicles can improve the quality of life. 20. Stiff sholJld consider barrier just nort~ of Embarcadero. However, this may pose i hazird for motorists turnfng off of Embarcadero. 21. Staff s~ould also consider more than ~ne barrier. 22. An,)' barrier should eoltpleeent tht architectural character of tne exi~ti1l9 lIistor1ca' neighborhood. It appeared to be a -group consensus tr,at the existing b3rriers throughout the City would n21 be acceptable for this loc.tlon. 23. Concerned about gettfng to Downtown. A .$ur.ey should be conducted to determine the i~act. 24. There will be more conflicts It the barrier locat ion between b; kes and i~tos due to traffic t~rning onto the side str!Ets. 25. Speeds will increase on Bryant due t<:l removal of th.s stop signs. 26. Design of th! barrier is ug'Y. 27. Conc:ern.ed Ibout ad'dir.g stop slgns on Channing and l1(u~er, which are collector streets. 28. Barrier ~ill s~ift ~ore traffiC tc ~aver1ey ~icn already carries twice the amount of traffic carr1ed by Bryant. 29. Concerntd' about adding mere bike ro~te si9ns on Bryant. 30. Stop signs should be added' at Horne~ to increase safety. 3]. Agree with removing Bryant stop signs it Kingsley. [4, • L ,... , .. -, .... r I. ., J .. oJ j ::l ., ...i Small ;roup Co.mer.ts -8- SEGMENT Pj fgrest to lytton 1. ConfHcting opinions \lo1ced regirding whether diagona.l parking or ,tlartll!l pa.rking ~s sifer or dangerous for bicyclists. 2. There is .. c.oncern that bikes will ride fn the center of the road, especfill1 south of downtown, then continwe to ride in the center in the downtawn arel whfch is busier and more dangerDus. 3. This section has the IlOst pot.nthl confHcts due to traffic volumes, bi~es, parking, driveways, pedestrians and general activity. 4. Timing of three traffic Ti;hts should favor traffic on Bryant. S. n~ rJowntOW':'l area 11read,Y has .. shortage of parking. If we change to parallel spaces, we lose SDme needed spaces. Changing diagonal parting to paralTeT would be contrary to the city policy of no net loss of parking in the DowntOWrl_ 6. If -bike lanes· on Waverley are r~moved, and diagonal par~1n9 instll1ed, i net increase in parKing could result. 7. 8icyclist fe.ls that both diagonal and parallel parking are halardous to riding. However, diagcnaT parking is the least acceptable. Where parallel parking exists, a bicyclist simpl1 rides far enough away from the cars to avoid I collision with an openfd door. 8. Oisagrt'l?ment by i non·cyclist. Parallel park.ing shou1d be more dangerous. People open Clr doors without notice to bicycl ists. With diagona1 parking. at least you get SGme warning. ~ou Cin see a vehicles rev~rse lights, Qr tneir break lights. 9. Trave1ing anywhere through Downtown presents problems and h~zards. ]0. Del ivery trucks for the dru9 stores !tften park on Bryant just soutn of University Avenue where the street narrows. 11. Investigate conflict tlehfeen bikes and autes using tnE-CiviC (enter garage. SEGMENT E; Lytton tD San Francfsqu1tc Creek I. 2 . Consider the need for a barrier on Palo Alto Avenue and o~ Bryant in this segme-nt. Pil0 Alto Avoenue should be one-way (eastbound cnly-·conce-rned about creekside preservation) . 3. The Bike Bouie~ar1 should be en ~a~erley from the creek to Cnurc~ill . ., < C. Bikes going left from Pa10 Alto A~enu:e to Bry3.r.t hav! poer visibility because of the t~isting read . -. , ....i 142 --------.. ----- S~ll Group Comments ·9· s. r~ortant that stop signs be reversed at H.wtnorne as proposed. 6. ViSibility is poor at Hawthorne and Bryant. 7. Considor using 2~way and c.-way s1gn indicators .at stop intersections. B. No strong f.elings .bout tnese ch.nges one ",y or tne other. 9. Visibility at the bridge is poor approaching from Bryant. ~GHEgT F, Related Changes en Adiacent Street. I. Moving bicyclist. off of Waverley is desirable. 2. City should consider extending the Bike Boulevard U£r! If • signa' at ~ircadero is not appro~ed~ 3. If the bike bO\Jl-evilrd is extended~ removal of lanes {In Wallerle.v is logic.l. If It Is not extended, bike lanes on Waverley would be useful. 4. Restoration of en-street park1ng on Waverley is I plus. s. Concern about the removal of parking on Addison and Coleridge in order to extend bike lanes from Waverley to BrYlnt. iEl!ERAl C!!I!!!OOS 1. The 1I05t important objective is to create a througfn,j'ay for bicydes on B~lant similar t~ Alma Street for ~ctDr ~en;cle5. 2. Thfrty years ago it was sife for children to bi~e in Palo Alto; now it isn't because of intreased traffic. 3. Drutical1y inc:reasM police enforcement of tl'affic ... iolations by both motorlsts and bicyclists is needed. 4. A ne~ dual m~ssage lraffic sign should be developed t~at reads: STOP for autos and "fIElD for bicycl ists. s. A signal would go in at Bryant/Embarcadero If a. chlid' were «; 1 led in an accident--let's not wait. 6. If the Waverley biP.:e lines Ire removed and parking is restored. the presence of parked cars on both sides of the street 'IIoul d' reduce the overall speed of traffic. 7. Pre-loops should be insta1led on ar~ant in advance of the trafflc signal at [mbarcade~D so bicyclists don't have to stop ~s 10ng at the intersection. 8. What wili be the effect of the pro~osed street closure (Alternatives J & 2) on Stanford football troffi,. 143 4t--~~~ ~-:': r .::/ '- r • - r- i ,- r- .... ,.... ". C- ~ - ~ - ~ r l ~ - ,.... - r ,- '?: .:~>:, t-i a Ii. n " .-j J J .. ..I ~ ~ , iii J ., ii ~ '" .. .., ... ~ :J ., J J "'l ...; . - Small Group Comme"ts -10- 9_ City should '""" how bicyclists pick rout.s. 10 .. Hot illlportint to maint.in existing bike lanos 00 Waverley. 11. 12 . 13. 14. 15. 16. 17 . IS. 19 . 20. Traffit .nd parking are significant proble", Downtown, and getting people out of voi!hic1es and onto bikes trould help alleviate those problems considerably. What is the cost/benefit ratio? What Is the rel.tionship of this st"dJ to the P~~F study such ., volumes. ICC~SS, cTos~re of Bry.nt etc.? Divide the f"nds to put bike ficilitie, .11 aver t..., rather than concentrate on Bryant. On Waverley, th~re are St9PS every 200 meters. This S,~S cyclists and causes delay in tra\'el time~ Motorists do not have to zig zag fr~ point A to Band ha ... e no idea how time consuming ilnd diff; c\Ja it 15 for cyclists ta travel fr ... one point ta another. The Bryant Street Bike Bouleyard needs to be e~t~nded so cyc11stt can have a thoroughfare, just 1; te IDOtorists hi",e ".lSi and other streets. Cyclists shol.l1d be concernlKi about the~r safety related to having tCt snare • street with an emergency facility and vehicles. There shou1d be nil traffic sign.1 fnstalled at Bryant and Embarcadero. Not ~ecessar~ to have I ~fgnal. Signal .auld T!ad to f~rther congestion on Embarcadero. Hot that man~ cyclIsts will be effected, and it may not help cyclists. ADproiching tn! bic),cl! bridg! to Menlo Park on Bryant Street is shorter than froll Waver1ey. When approaching frOlTl Bryant a cyclist can see the traffic on the bridge frog the opposite direction and does not have to look for cross trlffic~ en Wayerley, a cyclists ~ust ~atch cross traffic and Is f.ced .ith visibility problems . Many of the aHernat hies offered are work;).};)' e. A system (.\f barriers is necessary if Brjant is to work ~s a bike boulevard. H4 • · , " l --_v_"""''''' __ _ L ""---_ •. , .... OPEN FOAl!!! C~OOS BRYANT STREET BICYCLE BOULEV~ EXT~SION STUDY PUBLIC MEETING -OCTOBER 25. 1110 Alternative S for th! BrYintjEmbarcadero inte~section cauld be imp1emented on a trial basis, as a cost effectjve alternative to a traffic signal. 2. Opposed to the extension because it 'fIould create barriers to yenicu1c:r traffic. 3. OJ>posed to project becau," of high cost. •. Other factors need to bt ccnsidered, 1no:li.1dlng the tity's decis:on on the Palo Alto Medical fOLIndatlon expansion and the impact of the GoTden Triangle TDK Ord~nance. S. Speaker feeh the opposition to the project is dup. to the potential inc:ollvl!'n1ence to neighborhood residents. ·Progress" may sometimes incDnvenience peeple. 6. The bicycle boulevard extensfon will ~ake it easier for cyclists tn travel in and through Palo Alto. 7. [t woLlld be possible to implement the project and stilT maintain the integrity of the neighborhood. S. S~ifting tne bikt route ~p to Wa~erley means more lfft~hand turns, which sa.e cyclists hi~e difficulty with. S. Speaker hu. a phi1osophical opposition to another traffic signal and would prefer til non-signalized .alternative it Bryant/Embarcadero. 10. Concern expresse-d' that the SryantjEllbarcadero signal would be too close to the Wilve,,1ey signal and drivers would stop at both l'ights ellen if the si9r\als 'We" coordinated. (Sripns submitted to substantiate th~,s tand us I on) ~ IJ. Tne Cfty has I committment tn the Professor~ille neighborhood, a! well as to the bicyde boule~ard. This neighborMod need's to be protected. Speaker support5 idea of a traffic barrler in the neighborhood if it is sensithe1,)' duigned and will stop future increases 1T'! trafflc. Important thlt on-street parking be retained. 12. Cit.)' Ru:st tab long-range approach to this; Hue. Some interests haile nClt be!'rt represtnted ilt the meeting. including Oownt<r ... n merchants, l<mg-haul bth co.uters~ 13. City s"ould ~ol1ed biK~ counts on other parallel streets. C.ity's goal should be t~~ ~~ement of people. 14. Wayerley is ;ess desirable because of bus traffic, obstacles in the bike line5, etc. 14S L r o.~_. __ _ " "--';: -- !IOClE 8{;Ut[~AJlO U'E.NSf(»j STuor SlJlPfl,lrl or £Valuatl"" Fo"'s $[,"o'r A ConCll!ptlJll !lf4ln: ~MI;) .. e stop signs on 8rYUlt at Oum::~l1T Opt~ell L tun ulst'~ r.,lIr-'IIII:t stop Sf9f'1~ at ~r,ant/ CtlLlrchi 11 ____________ ~s~'~'~r~' ____________________ _ 1I1tf'Nldhl! I: run aCTUS ~lgl1411. left hlNl P<ldet.s. Bryll1t closed bl!bttl!rI MdIsOll " Lil'lcoln AHeMl.tl .... ~; U.lted a~cf'U ligrnT (rul left turl1S rrG* [libarcadua), Brl41l1t CIIlSM b/w .-ddlsCltl l lincoln Altem .. th! 3: lhllted' Keen (rfght turnl onls rrCMil BrIll'll), left tun: p«hl$. lIa closure (In ~rli.nt AlteJ'ftlthe ~: 1111Hfd Reus Sl9M1 (d9'~t turns anl1 rro. tr11nt), no cloSIl,. 01'1 Briant AUernathe 5: ~ slgl1411, ljllHtd ICCI!!$~ [r.o left tlJrns ff"Olll [lIbare~dl!ro, right films onl, frMl Brylnt), no elC1Slire on Bry4lnt, refoge' hhntJ _________ -Ir""!fL , CanCl!pt\!!.l "L..,: \l.l!nrSI! 1t09 "9T'I1 I.t !l;rll1ntf'(lngs11!1' rl!ttOve $109 sfgn~ (In Sri .. nt 41t A.:kIhon, .dod ~top s19'1s an bot.h Koeer and Chll'lnlng d aryant IJIltioct I: (~JI stop signs as nhlirog It SrJll1t/k11l9slt'1 OptjOft l: ~p Ul$ling foul".w4l1 sto, sf9"rtS tt !lr),.lnt,lAddhcHl Opth." l: oa. not ad'; 1top s11)r.s 0fI f\O!!\er 0'" th.a~niI19 tl BrY4l"t ~tlon 4: CI,""u BrJant betwe~11 Mdl.on Irfc/ lhcaln T SHttftGl.Y ;;U~pQ@T '1 , • " ] 5 • " ] 1 10 - {NlI1Bfli Of Sltef'OflT ] .. ~ •.. -- R[SroffSES) NEUTRAL • ] , 1 • • 5 , - OPPOSE • • • -- SlJQIGll orposr l 10 7 • 1 • 15 10 11 9 ! , ~ ., .. :l ., ioi j ., ..: I "1 ,­w .. APPENl)!:I c Map of Stop Sign Loca-t--· .. lons 14 i .. . " .. ' . -".'i~- . ~~; j,\ •... -----_.:... .. ----,. FIGURE C.l MAP OF STOP SIGN LOCATIONS 148 • ----~" ,­, ,- r . ... L r: L - j ... , ,.j -.\ -.. ; ... -" I ~ j Map of Professorvill~ Historic District Boundary 149 •• ,... ,... I.. , . r .. ,-~ ~ ,~ ,.. '- ~ , - ~ .~ -,... ;.. ~: •••••••• IiI •• District Boun d ary FIG URE 0.1 PR OFESSORVILL E HI STORIC DISTA I CT BOU N DAR Y '-1 so -" '-' i ~~:~. ;to , r D , ~ .. APPENDIX l! ~ i.1 '+ ~ Material Related to the Second Public Meeting .. J Public notice and agenda , oJ li '" U PI U !"! .. j D II" J I a ~ j .. • ... 1;' 1 ... , .... I May 23,1991 NOTICE OF PUBliC MF.ETING Jon",1991 PLACE AND TIME' Palo Alto Senior Ceoter, 450 Bryant Street 7:00 p.m., Thursday, June 6, 1991 SUBJECT: Bryant Street Bicycle Boulevard E..ctension Study. BACKGROUND: Last September, City staff began a study with the objective of developing • recommended plan for the extension of the Bryant Slree! Bicycle Boulevard from its present terminus at Churchill Avenue nortlrward to and through downtown PaJo Alto, and on t<> the existing bicyclelpede>trian bridge across San Francisquito Creek into Menlo Park. Last October 25th, an initial pubbc meeting was held to provide an opportunity for the public to learn more about the .study and comment 00 preliminary conceptual alternatives for the bicycJ.e boulevard utCll$lOn. Since October, City staff has completed fuMber inve,tigation and analysis of a variety of Bhernatives and issues, including those that surfaced at the initial pubbc meeting. A DRAFT report has beeo prepared, documenling the information and process that has comprised the Oludy to date, including the preparation of an lNTERMEDIA TE PREFERRED PlAN. PURPOSE OF MEETING: The pmpose of this second public meeting is 10 share information regarding the lNTERMEDIA TE PREFERRED PLAN, answer questions, and receive further comments. The public meeting will include a general presentation, di.scussion, questions and answen,. and a period af open comments. Written comments are IpprOpr1&tc befoTe, at, or !oD~U\g the meeting. Staff will -use the comments from the mC'.eol'l£ in fuT1her ~\'aluating, refi.'"ling and deveioprn.g.'! Final Rccommend~d Plan for futur~ presentation to the City CounciL A one page sumrary and related map of the INTERMEDIATE PREFERRED PlAN is cncIDsed for your mformation and reference. A copy of the DRAFT report is available for reference in the TransportatiOll Divi5.ion, I\th F'1t>or, City HaD.. 250 Hamilton Avenue and the Downl","" Library at 270 ForC$t Avenue. A copy of the DRAFT repan ",11 be mailed to anyone upon requesl 1ltis notice has been sent to aD residents 'Within a one block radius of the study corridor, members of the Palo A1to Bicycle Ad~.sory Committee, and other in terested panie5. A rna p of the corridor and the 10"'....ation of the public meeting is provided on the back ofthls notice. cor .... rACT PERSON: Gayle Likens, Senior Planner, (415) 329-2136 152 .... .- ,- - , \. I I ; g I ! C ~ 0 0 PO il D '" OJ ~ .. ioI j I a ... J j ~ , ... ., ...l City of )'a10 !11to BRYANT STREET BICYCLE BOULEVARD EXTENSION STUDY PUBUC MEETING 7:00 I'm Thursday June 6, 1991 Palo Alto Senior Center 450 BfYlInt Street Palo Alto, CA AGENDA 1. Introductions and Opening Comments 2. General Presentation on Policy and Process 3. C>.erview of the InteiIllediate Preferred Plan 4. Presentation & Discussion of Intermediate Preferred Plan a. Segment Presentation b. Clarification Questions c. Group Discussions d. Group Respo!\SeS 5. Opec Period fo< Public Comments 6. Closing Comments Handouts: A. I>escription &nd map of Intenne:diare Preferred Plan (Olapter 7 of draft repan) Copy of fun draft repun is available Contact Person: Gayle Likens, Senior Planner, (415)329·1236 "-, (7:00) (7:10) (7:20) (7:30) (9:30) (9:55) 1';3 •