The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink About0308.093>.:';"-~',<:-~;;.:"' .. ~ . .:<;. ;~i:g#~"" - ~, '. . •.. "" ; May 20, 1993 HONORABLE CITY Cv'-.;r;(;lL Palo Alto, California 7 STOP SIGH SYSTEM UPDATE: _RESOLUTION AMENDING "rH_~ ____ ~J: __ 1YWIDE STOP :INTERSECTION SYS',i,'_~K .MAP Members of the council: REPORT IN BRIEF The purpose of this report is to fcr .... ar-d for Council consideration and approval the .attached resolution amending the Citywide Stop Sign system Map consistent ... rOith the Policy and Services Committee's recornmenda~ions, BACKGROLTND On April ZOI 1993, the Policy and Services committee discussed th~ attached staff report (CMH:242:9J) on Stop Sign System Update~ The committee concIJrred 'o(ith staff' 5 recoIlU11endation to install stop signs at the fol1owin~ locations: (1) Con Doth the ",ast. and .... 'est legs of RorkE Way at ful1es Avenue, (:2) On Ho}:ikir.5: Avenue at Ceddr-Street, and In addition to the locations ..... ·here staff recomrr,ended stop sign installations~ the Policy and Services Corn~ittee decided to recommend that. stop signs 2!Il~o be installed on Channing Avenue at Greer Road. After public testimony CI.nd discussion, the Corneli ttee retained the request to install stop signs on Hamilton Avenue at West Crescent Drive in the COl';'lpittee, and directed staff to work with the residents of 1200 biock of Hamilton Avenue to look for alternative ways to reduce speeding. ENVIRONMENTAL ASS_~.-2:~MENT: Installation of stop signs is categorically exe:rnpt under the California Environmental Qual i ty Act, and no assessment is necessary~ CMR:308:93 L ··-".e~ - The policy and services Ccrn~i.ttee r€:coll'.lT'ends: A. That stop signs be installed at t.hE follo' . .:ing !ocatioI".s: (1) on the east and '",est jegs of Rorke Way a"t: Al'!Ies .~venL1e, (2} On Hopkins AverH.J.e at Cedar street, and (3) On Channing Av~nu~ ~t Gre~L Road B. That stop signs not be installed at the following loc~tions; (1) Northhampton Dri;re at Ne:..'ell Road, and (2) Sequoia Avenue at M3drono Avenue A resolution consistent ""ith the -committee recorrur.endation of installing stop signs at the abo'.'e locations and modifying the Citywide Stop SysteI:'i Inte.r-section Map, is attached for council consideration and apprvval. Respectfully submitted, ~M . ..Jk /'.. 0rljk:,,~<c :~~NETH R. SCHREIBER Director of ~lanning and MHOK AGCARWAL city Traffic Enginp.er A~·~ community Environment JUN\ FLEMIN~ city Manager Attachments: Resolution CMR:242:9J, stop Sign System Update, 4/15/93 cc: City/School Traffic Safety committee Roger wilder, Principal, Palo Verde ~.chaol Bob Alvares, Principal, Jordan Middle: School 30hn Griffiths steve dnd Noel Beitler Howard Wolf Dick and Florence Bilek Hay Wong Florence and Jim Mc~llister Vicky Green Trudy and Jack Andr~sen Barhara Cull Fran and Joe Glexo John Sebes Mar ion and Osmon Fox Nancy Barry Jane Marcus Den Ganscholli' Lew Merme-lstein Roy McCandles R. Squires CMR: 308: 93 5/20/93 P~g~ 2 o ATTACHMENT 1 RESOLU'TICN NO. RESOLUTION OF THE COUNCIL ')F T'"dB CITY OF PALO ALTO Al-fR."l!JING THE CITYWIDE S'!'OP IN'TERSECTION SYSTEM !-'lAP WHEREAS r a Stop Int.ers.;~ticn SyEte~ Map wa.s adopteo by the City Council of the City of Palo Alto pursuant to Resolution No. 4291; and WHEREAS, traffic sit'.lal:ions necessitate the anlend.'TLent of the Stop Intersection System ~~p from time to time. NOW, T"BEREFORE, the Council of the City .of Palo Alto does hereby RESOLVE as follows: SBCTION 1. The modifications to the existir:g stop sig!1 system, as set forth in EDG~ibit9 1, 2, and 3, attached hereto and inco~~rated herein by reference, are hereby adopted as an amendment to the City of PGI',lo Alto ~StOp Intersection Systerr. Map.· 3ECTION.2 The Council finds that this project is categorically exempt from the requirEments of the California Bnviromnent,al Quality Act and does not require an environmental assessment. INTROOUCED AND PASSED: AYES: NOES: ABSENT: ABS?ENTIONS: City Clerk APPROVED AS TO FORM: Sen.ior Asst. City Attorney APPROVED: Mayor Director a-i"Planning and Community Environment Chief Transportation Offl..cial <.U > « " '" ~ « o I fl.i:Q"'ES T '. FOR STOP ~------ RORK.E WAY EAST ,----- r ~'OU'.S.T FeR STOP et __ ROR:<~E ... VAY WEST AMES AVENUE I RORKE WAY ; J ...!.. l''''d'r ~~C~ -1-2·· .. · .. 1' S1~~ _,_ :! ',10', s:c;:: -:_ 4·w.ay ':~p • T'QH,c s, .. "!~ j J ".lsrIN ..... O.' T i STOP ~ Jo REQU'E5T FOR STOP I ,"'''' 0: " o '" Ll I I I I REa.UfST Fe::;, 5TO~ ~~ -~- HOPKINS AVE HOPKINS AVE I CEDAR ST -!.... ! ·\'~'f 5:'0;1 -1_ 2 -we)' !!c p _t_ ~ .... !,. stop _:_ 4-way 'HlP • Tr.!lfl,e S,gnaJ ,,",, I~--==a~==~~~~~~ ! I ExJSTIN:; I .'0> T ---~/ -----.., .. ' AE:CiUeST FOR STO=' co 0: W "' a: '-' I I ",ou'ST ld __ ~~ STOo CHANNING AVE I GREER RD ;1 -L. , .... a' ... S' "';:: 4\'" Z.o>;!, I~C~ _l ... ;; ...... ,. :H:loP -:_ 4 ""'r "c't • .,. '3t:: ~ S,,~ n ~J - April 15, 1993 H()NORABLE CITY COUNCIL palo Alto, California Attention: Policy and Services CO!!1~ittee Members of the Council: ATTACHMENT 2 This repo~t is the periodic update of the Citywide "Stop Intersection Syste:a:". This report includes an evaluation of seven locations in response to requests for installatil)r: of stop signs from citizens and the parent/Teacher Associations (PTlq of Jordan and Palo Verde Schools. BACKGROUND The citywide "Stop lntersection System n ~as adopted by the City council several years ago (a ~ap of the stop Inte~section System is aVailable ror reference in the Transportation Divisiol". office, 250 Hamilton Avenue, Sixth Floor). ,The constructicn of nelj,." streets, changes in traffic patterns I and the need to evaluate safety and respond to citizen requests I necessitates th,'3.t. the City Council periodically consider whether to update the sl's~em. M:ost cities in Califcrnia use Ca:liforr;ia Departinent at Transportation (Caltrans) criteria (Attachment 1) J to determine if the installation of s"top signs is 'Warranted, These criteria include rE'view of traffic volumes and. traffic accident history, In Palo Alto j the justification fc·!." a stop sign en a local str~_g~ is based on: (l) The council-adopted "Guard & Go~ policy (installation of stop signs at every other block to discourage through traffic from neighborhoods) i (~) Caltrans criteria; or (3) Warrants adopted by the City Council in 197] for installation of traffic control devices near schools (Attachment 2) . CMR:242:93 PW!I'9' ~ , '. ,:: --::;-...," ;I~t.··.· - The justification fOt" a stop sign on ~ ~_9)lector st~...t i~. Palo Al to is based ei ther on Ca Itra)1s cri ter ia or ccunci I-adopted criteria for installation of traffic control devi~es near schools Cor safety reasons. The policy for arter. ial ____ ~L_~ has: teen that they should not have step signs. sta.ff receives :many requests to install or remove stop signs. All such req-lJests are i:'!vestigateod and evaluated using trl€ above criteria. As a resuit of such investigations, safety improvements, ~hich diminjsh the need for stop signs~ are sometimes made (e.g., painting red curbs, trimming bushes, etc.). While many residents in Palo Alto liY.e stop signs, stop :sign requests can be controversial because stop signs require motorists to stop day and night, resulting in increased noise and air pollution. Historically, staff has 5ubreitted to the policy and services committee those requests: (l) that staff supports and, therefore, the request requires a council resolution to install the stop sign; and (2} that are not s~tisfactorily resolved by staff. The P::>licy and Services Committee forwards its recot!1mendat.ions to the Council. CURRENT UPO.A1'_~ This report includes an evaluati on of requests to install stop signs at the following seven locations. Exhibit ~ 2 3 4 5 6 CMR:242:93 l.ocation Am~ Avenue/Rurke Way e!!s[ and west 1 egs Nort.hampk~n Drivt;!.' Nev."ell R(1ad Cha[U1 ing A venu 10:/ G.reer Road Hopkins A venuei Cedar Street Hd.:nilt(1!l A venue..' "\V" Crcs.ct:llt Drive Sequoia Avenue,' Mad rom) A vtlnue ReauesC_m __ Install stap ~i gns 011 Rorke [ns~J~l stllP ~ign_~ on .""urthampton Irutall stup signs .on Channing I!l$tall s.top signs on Hopki.n.< lru.rali o;.!0P sign~ on H.::unilwn In..qall s,rnp signs un Sequoia Rt:u:iI., tn:ID:tl lru:taJl Dl' ~(!l Il"Jitall Do NGt !m.tall Install Do Nor fnst:1l1 Oll Nut tnst:!I1 4/15/93 Page 2 .. ,.' ... '. _ • c '": >:. ' "~:-. :··~r I!i! ... ...;;.., __ ~~-<,~. ":'-"'_ - for each location, there is an informational sheet (Exhibits 1-6) that includes a location ~ap~ intersection sketch, bac~ground and eva!.uaticn information, and staff recomrL.<:mdation. The stop sign requests for Channing, HopkiI'1.s, Hamilton cl":'d Sequoia have come from residents residing along those: str€€ts, who are concerned about red1.1cing speeding. S't.op sigr.s, however, are not speed control device.s. ·rhey are. used to resolve right-of-... ay problems caused by an excessive amount of traffic or accidents. No conditions warrant.ing the addition of stop sigr.s exist at the above locations. Staff f"'E!cognizes that drivers do slow· dovn a.t stop signs to stop and yield the right-of-way to other ~lehiclesi however. a study conducted. in Palo Alto and several othe:r-cities indicates that drivers travel as fast or faster at mld-block locations to make up time lost at stop signs. In addition, the noise and air pollutio'(). caused by vehicles increases because of stop signs. There are no simple solutions to control speeding. Currently, staff is working on the Waverley/~ddison study. ~nich may result in staff recommendations to use techniques su.::h as raised circles, chokers and other measures (using concrete and landscaping) ~ If these measures prove be:neficial~ staff ""iould develop guidelines for implementing tj"leir use on other Palo Alto streets. Staff is also exploring the possible use of same simple, low-cost measure.s to control speeQing. These include chokers and meandering or offset center lines, using pavement markers and/or paint as sho'4.'n on Attachment 3. ~NVIRQNMEN~AL ASSESSMENT Installation of stop signs is categorically California Environmental Quality Act, and neces'Sary. exempt under no assessment the is St.~RY OF RECCMMENDA':r.:rCN~ Staff recommer.ds t.hat the Policy and Services corr.mit.tee reco.m..'":"Iend to the City Council: (lJ Installation of stop signs on both the east and west legs of Rorka Way at Ames Avenue. and (2) Installation of stop signs on Hopkins Avenue at cedar street. Staff does not recommend installation of stop signs at the following locations: (3) Channing Avenue at GrEer Road, (b} Hamilton Avenue at West Crescent Drive, (e) Northampton Drive at Ne~ell Road , and (d) sequoia Avenue at Madrono Avenue 4/15 /93 Page J ! , ',., Based on the Committel?ls :recommendation to the City Council, st.-aff will forward a resolu.tion to Council a'lthorizing inst2:11ati<:m of stop signs at the approp~iate locations. R2speGtf~11y submitted, ftk 41 1 Ch,,-, '-! ) ,.~ <:. 11uc'-<~ t~ --",A,'~·.J,c.:-t.<.- ASHOK AGGARWAL City Traffic Engineer ¥.ENNETH R. SCHREIBER Director of Planning and COllununity Erwironment ~~ k\ FLEMI~G City Manager Att~chments: Exhibits 1 - 6 1. Caltrans criteria for stop sign installation :2. City cQuncil adopted policy fOl7 ins'talling traffic control devices in school zcne ar.eas 3. sketch of traffic management techniques cc: City/School Traffic safety committee Roger Wilder, Principal, Palo Verde School Bob Alvares, Principal, Jordan Middle School John Griffiths Steve and Noel Beitler Howard Wolf Dick and Florence Bilek Hay Wong Flar~nce and Jim McAllister Vicky Green Trudy and Jack Andresen Barbara Cull Fran and Joe Olexa John Sebes Marion and Osmon Fox Nancy Barry Jane Marcus Don GanschoW' Lew Merrr.elstein F.oy McCandles R. Sq':lires CMR:;:42:9J 4/15/93 Page 4 :~~~" :::~::;>_r - - (- I I R,JR~.E ..... ~rAY EAS'T I fI:~OUES, I FOR S7,CJP ~---- I , RORKE "NAY WEST AMES AVENUE' RORKE WAY -.-~ ...!.. I-W<I', s,ep -1-2-""~', $!OO1 ___ 'l-hlli'!>t'"_'P -t-4 ....... ,' ~r"~ • Trai'fic Sigr>a.' N f\ \ r U RegiJ.e_$_~: Install stop signs en the easterly and .,-esterly legs. of Rorke Way at Ames Avenue. Received from: PTA of Palo Verde school Exis"i:j...1!_g_~9.lJ4ition§: As :shm/o'l"! above/ both legs of Rorke form a IT' intE"t"s.action with Ames, and both intersections are ur:controlled. Both streets are local streets. Analysis: Although it is not essential far all intersections to be controlled by stop signs, there are not many intersections in Palo Alto where one or Gore legs of an inters.ection does not have a stop si9n~ These two IT' intersections are close to Palo Verde School and are uncontrolled. Field opservations indicate tr,at a large number of elementary school students cross both legs of Rcrke along Ames. Since the traffic on Rorke does not have stop signs, not every vehicle yields; to cross traffjc on A.'-l1es. Vehicles ""ere also observed cutting the corner~ Installation of step signs on beth legs of Rorke at Anes 'Would provide an added element of control and erlhance the safety of stUdents, A school crosswalk would be installed on the easterly leg of Rorke at Ames, as part of this improveil1ent. Re __ 90mmendatioD: Staff recommends that stop signs be installed on both legs ot Rorke Way along Ames Avenue. - ~~ >;:' . ,,,:.,."'. :.-'::.: '. ·c .. . '. ~~ -,;. :,;.:-."~ _. c~I~ __ ~", EXI~T:NG STOP '"\ I'ifo.uE~~ I FC'R STOP • ~;:~;~r~~ I STOfl I I NORTHAMPTON I NEWEll RD Request: Install stop signs on Northalr.pton Dl-ive at Ne .... ell Road. Received from; PTA of Jordan School Exi§..:!:'J_M. fonditions: Newell is a collector street. Kor-thampton is a local street. Traffic OJ"'. Newell has stop signs. AngJ.ysis! The PTA \<Iould like to have stop signs installed on Northampton, to create a four-...,ay stop. because some student bicyclists do not stop at the Ne',.;all stop sign~ A large number of middle school students on bikes were observed traveling on Newell across Northampton. Not all of the students stopped at the Newell stop signs, but students ~ere observed watching for side street traffic and being cautious_ In addition~ the volume of traffic en Northampton is low (about 10 Vehicles were observed in a 15 minute period) and traffic travels at relatively :slow speeds. No conflicts or visibility problens "Were observe.d / and no accidet""'.ts were reported from Jan~ary 1990 to September 1992~ Recommendation: Staff recom."Cends that stop signs not be installed en Northampton Drive at Newell Road. Staff has diE:.cl.l.ssed this issue '!lI'ith Jordan PTA representatives, and they are aware of staffs· reasons for net recommending stop signs on Narth(;l.:npton. • - ~' ReQUEST FOR STOF' ~ EX'S"'" I $Te, , I CHANNING AVE I GREER RD Request: !nstall stop signs on Channing Avenue at Greer Road in order to help reduce speeding. Received trom: Marion Fox and other Channing residents Existing conditions: channing Avenue is a collector street ...,ith a bus rou'te. Chan'1ing is. a through street at this location. Greer Road is a local street and has stop signs. Analysis: Channing carries approximately ~.OOO vehicles and it is estimated that Greer carries approximately 1,000 per daY4 The traffic volumes at this inter-section SUfficient to ju~tify installing stop signs according to criteria. per day, vehicles are not Caltrans A revie'lj; of the accident historj' from January 1;8 9 teo September 1992 (45 months) indicates th~'t two right-angle accidents :)ccurred (one in 1991 and one in 1992) at this location. Although right angle accidents are susceptible to correction by installing stop signs or improving visibility, no visibilit)~ problems were observed, and the cause of both accidents ..... as inattention. The accident history does not indicate any substantial safety problems that warrant installing stop signs. .. ~: -----_.-'--. -- _. Initially, this reguest was receive-d from Mariorl Fox: ...... ho expressed a concern regarding speed ing on Cha.nni,ng. St~ff responded to Mrs. Fox's request in a letter dated Dece~ber 29, 1992 (~opy attached). Subsequent to Mrs. Fox's request and other Channing resi.dents also expressing concerns about speeding, a neighborhood meeting ,.,:as held February 22, 1993, to shat"e information regarding various speed control techniques, including road bumps, chok08rs, stop signs, post.i.n; speed limit signs to b€ consistent ".Iith engineering surveys, etc. This meeting ...... as attended by 11 residents and representatives of the Police Department and Transportatior. Division. Several residents pres.;.nt in the meeting were not in favor of installing the stop sign. Since the neighborhood meeting; staff .cec!:!ived and responded to anoth~r letter from Mr$. F~x (see attached). Staff has proposed to use lOlli-cost t:raffic management strategies: such as cho}.:ers and meandering or eff-set centerlines (using pavement markers or paint) on Channing to help control speeding. Some time ag~, staff measured the free flo~ing speed of traffic in the 1900 block of Channing. The 85th percentile speed 'wJ3S 35.5 mph. More recently. we measured the ~peed in the 1600 block of Channing hetllleen Stanley Way and Heather ~ane, close to Alester Avenue. Traffic on Channing at Alester has stop signs. The 85th perceTltile speed -was measured ClIt J4. 6. This supports study findings that indicate that stop signs are not effective in controlling speeds. Recor.:..'!1endaticn: In view of the above~ staff recommends that st·?P signs n;:>t be inst,alled on Channing Avenue at Greer Road. L ', ... ;:..c ; :tflr '.'., '-.;'" o DEcember 29, 1992 Mrs. Marion A. Fox )990 Channing .Avenue P410 Alto, CA 9430) Dear Mrs. Fox~ CitYQt fhlo Alto f2er'lmrU::I! c[PJ.;,mi';g and co~mmmJfy t n UU"C1lil ,,"rtf Tbis letter is in response to your letter' regarding speeding in the 1900 block of Channing Avenue. The current posted speed lin-.it on Ch~r.nin9 is 25 :r:'Iph and \o,'C recognize that rr.any drivers are traveling close to 35 t1'.ph. As shown helow, it is not uncom~on in P~10 Alto or otl,er cities for drivers to travel approxim~t~l)' 10 r:;ph abo'''e the posted speed limit. J..ocation Matadero Avenue ~aybell Avenue CO"..Iper street Stanford Avenue Cr,anning AVenue Posted Speed Lirdt 25 25 ,5 25 25 85th Percent i1 EO ~e-cj_ 35 34 34 3~~5 35.5 These data, as 'Well as past technical res€.3rch, studies, and disct)ssions ""ith othe.r Bay .txea cc'",rnunities. indicat.e that most drivers (85 percent) tend to drive at speeds that they consider sate. Th€ to~ 15 percEnt of d::-ivers ",a1' drive at unsafe speeds. The driver's determination of what speed is approprjate for a specific street includes little consideration for the L'(J rLl.7li!tulAvenue rO,5ol;1m:..J Palo AJIo, CA 9-DCO - -.,."' -:,.;.,,~ .. ' < Ms~ Marion A. Fox December 29 1 1992 Page 2 posted speed lirnit. Maje-r factor=:; that deter~ine a driver's perception of what is a safe speed include: • the ~idth of the travel la~es • the number of travel lanes • the presence or absence of pa~ked cars (which appears to be translated into the driver's perception of lap.e width and physical enclosure) • the amount of traffic • the surface condition of the road' .. :ay (l,.·et or dry. s-mooth or rough} • sight distance and visibility (darkness; fog) • the extent of roadway curvature $ the slope and length of grades • the number of intersections • built-up areas near the road~ay • school zones, especially ~hen childrEn are prese~t We have considered several optio~s to control speeding in the 1900 block of Channing as !ollo~s: • Pest t'ie spe-ed and Trait le" eTlforcement li'mtLm.i. __ fi accordance '-'ith "En<:ltnee-ri.ns surveys« and proy.!.de police radar The current posted speed li~it of 25 mph cannot ba enforced using radar, beca~5e it does nD~ conform to ·'Engineering arid Traffic" su~veys, as required by the California Vehicle Code, sectio~ 40802. School zones aye exempt end the Police Traffic Tea~ does ~se radar on Channing in front of the schoo! for speed enforcement. Based on a recent speed survey conducted b}' the Police Department, a speed limit of 3S nph or, possibly I 30 :mph ",'ould have to be: post.ed in order to use radar. Although this option could be pursued, the community at large h2S opposed raising the speE?d limit in the past. • ITlstal1 stop siS'~s cn_~hanninQ at Gr~et" Stop signs are not speed control devices+ They are used to resolve right-of-... 'ay prcbl~rn5. caused by excessive amount of traffic or accidents. No conditions warranting the additio~ of stop signs exist at the intersection of Channing AvenLle and Greer Road. Drivers do sID"" do"'n at stop signs and stop to yield the right-or-way to other vehicles. However, a study 'L - o Ms. Marion A. Fox December 29, 1992 PagE J cond ... cted in Palo Alto and several other cit,i.es. indicate that drivers travel 8$ fast or faster at ~id block locations than it stop signs were not installed, to make up the lost ti~e at stop sjg~s. In addition, the noise and air pollution caused by vehicles WQuld increase. Th~ effectiveress of a speed reduc~ion ~rogre~ using enfl)rcet'len~ and eaJ..:ication tecr,niques IS ai:rectly related to the est~blish~ent of a very visible police presence. S~ch an approach may be successful. but only as long as the police preserce continues and will be costly. Nevprtheless, the folice Department does provu5e periodIc police enfarr;ement on cr.anning and has received l"n.';[7,erOU$ cal1~; ack:oowledgir.g t.heir presence. In addition, the rolice Depart~ent sent a letter to over 50 resident.::,; asking if they wO!..lld like to r::eet ",rith department :otaff regarding their concer-ns on Channing (copy enclosed). Based on their )nterest, a meeting will be ar'ranged by the Police Departnent in January 199J. • JJistall speed burnns on C:JJ.an:ajno Base~ on a study of the MidtoWll neighbo~hood, council approved a road bu~p program, through which road b~~ps can b-e installed C'li lc,,:;al. residential street.s (subject to neeting cGi..lilcil-approve'= criteria). This crite-:-ia: ir,cllJdes oeTIlcnsttaticn of ar', acciderlt p=cble:m indicated by six speed-related accident.s within c three year period. The rationale for cOr':siderirlg accidents is to differentiate between a demonstrated problem Vc2rsus e probl-ern per-celved to be caused by speed ir.g. Speed bumps are consj dered inappro}:riate for collector and arterial £treets for several reasons, including the fact that they tend to divert traffic to lo=al r€sidential streets. Channing is a collector street ar.d does ./'"Jot h~ lie a dei":1onstr2ted speed-related accident problem. CcntIolling speeding has been a challenge for a long time. There are a limited number of ways to control speeding. However, most of the~ have several draWbacks, and their disadvantages outweigh their advantages. These incl~de: rumble strips, '.,rh ich are noisy and danger-ou5 for c ._ -~:---I¥~ . -L"" .,.' ;,'- :~:: '-j" r·J " " Ms+" Marion A. r':'X December :2 9 / 1992 Page -4 bicl"clistSj serpentine streets (changing tha shape of a street so that it zig-z!gsJ~ which is expensive and has additional drawbacks; a~d traffic circles. Past studies using some of these techniq:Jes are iT1cc,r.clusive. The Cities of Seattle and Portland, ho\".'ever, [laVe installed traffic circles (round raised isla:lds) and chokers; and have found that they reduce s?eeding. We are currently revie;.dng this informatior. and may suggest that the City COUncil consider th~ir use on Waverley St~eet in response to concerns raiSed by residents the~e~ \;'e 'WQuld do t~is on a trial basis to gain firsthanr:l: experience \.:ith these traffic controls. If their use prOVEd to be benefiCial, we would develop guidelines (subject to Council review and approval) tor implementing their use en other Palo Alto streets, including Cha~ning. Thank you for bcinging yot.,Jr conCErns to OLlt'" attention, and we wish you a happy holiday season. Sincerelr, t /lJ£ltrFi ASHCK AGG~~WAL, P.E. City Traffic Engineer cc: City Council A.lbert G+ Lzke Lt. Kathy Mc~enna ----~---~--------- o l".pril 8, 15:91 ~ity~~4oAltQ Ut7;arhn..""1Jf ofFit;rmlj'tgar.J U7C:W;W1,ty Ltr~iron;rLt~r! Mrs. Marior. A. Fo:x: 1990 Channing Avenue T~tiortDkism Palo }O.lto, CA 94303 - Dear Mrs ~ Fox: This letter is in response 'to jlC'Ur March S, 1993 letter regarding speeding on Channing Avenue. Following your e~rlier letter of Novsmber 11, 1952 regarding the same issue, we resp0nded to you on December 29, 1992 (~nclosure 1). Subsequer=t to the above response, a neighborhood meeting 'Was held on February 22, 1993 in the home of Mr'. and Mrs. Marcus of le20 Channing Avenue. This meeting was attended by approximately 15 people, including Mr. Fox. The issue of installing stop signs on Channing at Greer Road 'Jas discussed in great detail. Many of the residents present llIere not in favor of installing the step signs, because of concern that drivers would travel as fast or faster at mid-block locations to }",1ake up for time lost at the stop signs. Nevertheless, I com.mitted to incl1.:.de an evaluation of your stop sign request for City Council consideration in the upcoming update of the Stop sign system Report. The Policy and services Com.;,:nittee of the City Council is tentatively scheduled to discuss this item C:1 April 20, and ..... e -.rill keep yOLl inforned. In my last letter, I indicated the possible use of traffic cj rcles (round raised islands) and chokers (narro....,j n9 the road se.ction physically using concrete islands). These techniques are being evaluated in the Waverley/Addison neighborhood. Both of these techniques involve expenditures that would require council revie· ... · and approval, and ... e ""Quld not recommend their use to the Council on a citj~ide basis unless their use proves to l:.~ beneficial in the Waverley/ Addison area. MeanWhile, in response to requests we have received to control s;peeding, -.re have decided to select one or more locations to try some lo;.r-cost traffic management strategies that have not bec~ tried in Palo Alto. These include such l"iiHarrJrton.";vIDUl' r 0 00" W1.':(1 Pdlo Alto,Colo,. 94..10:3 415 329.1."20 415.319 . .2.299 Fax --- ~i;i:: -... ~.- ,.;", ","'" .~~ ..... .. . ,.)~;~~:~ . - Mrs. Mat'ion ~ .. Fox April 8, 1993 Pag~ :2 measures as chokers and meanderi~g, or off-set, sen~erlines using pavem£'.'1t markers or pain.t (not cO:1.':-rete), as shc'.n; it: the enclosed sketches. You may like to discuss this idea with your neighbors and let me knew if area residents are interested in the installation of chokers using pave:ner.t markers and related signing jn the 1900 block of Channi~g. on a trial basis. wi th regard to your observations about Line 8ti, the Santa Clara county Trarisportation }o.gency implemented service changes in January 1993, wt".ich have redllc.;d the nur.-.ber of bllses traveling Channj ng during the week and en w'eekends;. These changes \oIere carried out. in conjunctior. with a 10 percent service reduction program COl.;DtY""ide. The tra!1sit district targeted those routes or seg!'",ents of rCiutes that carried the fe· .... est passengers. The cl,anges un Line 86 included elimination of Sunday service and reduced frequency of service during the week middays and on Saturdays (buses ever}" hour instead of eveI'y 30 mirlt..ites). These changes may have helped to ameliorate the noise pollution conc-erns you raised. Sincerely. ;j;, 4 j 1 c::.~" "-' ASHOK AGGARWAL. P.E. Ci~y Traffic Engineer cc: Jane Marcus Attencees of F.ebruary :2:2, 199) ne:ghborhood meet.i!lg - fX;~~I~G T I S~ RECLJEST FOR STOP , i I RE':JuE:57 ;::OF: SiCP I oj ~---- ,YOPK!NS AVE HOPKINS AVE I CEDAR ST "'1_ 2 ""~~ ""'1=1 _,_ J ....... ~ $10;: .. :_ .... ,..~, !f'C"~ • r,d',:: Sill"'" Request: Install stop signs on Hopkins Avenue at Cedar Street to help reduce speeding and con"t.rol a large volume of traffic/ resulting from Rinconada park. Received From: Several area residents recruested i~stallation of st.ol=l signs on nopkins during the Rincor.ada ParK parking issue neighborhood meeting. ~xisting COl)diti..Q.Il§,: This is a T intersection of t .... ·o local streets I with Cedar Street forming the T. Traffic on Cedar has a stop sign, while Hopkins is a through street. ~U_§.: A revie ... of the accident history frOE!. Ja.'1uary 1989 to September 1992 (45 months) indicates that no accidents of the type susceptible to correction by installing stop signs were r.;porteci. One sideswipe accident involving a park.ed car attempting to parallel park was reported in 1991. No visibility problems were observed. Weekend volumes may range from 2.000 to 3.000 vehicles per aay on Hopkins, ar.d approximately 1,000 vehicles per day on Cedar. Traffic accidents and volume data do not support installing stop signs. The existing stop sign installatjon on Hopkins is inconsistent ... ·ith the Guard and Go policy tor local residential streets, because stop signs do not exist every other block on Hopkins. ~.l though stop signs are not speed control devices~ Hopkins is next to Rinconada Park, W'hich is visited by a large number of people on the weekends. Installing st.op signs ... ·ould help pr,:,vide some control at Cedar. In addition, it is likely that some drivers :r.:ay cl'.oose Hopkins as a short-cut, to avoid the traffic :signal at the intersection of Embarcadero and Middlefield Roads, through the Lt.:.cie Stern Center parking lot. In.stall ing stop signs on Hopxir,s at Cedar ... ·ould help discourage an.'1 throngh traffic passir.g through Hopkins. Recommendatign: Install stop signs on Hopkins Aver.tie at Cedar Street. - EXISTl""" ST':;J'" T .REQ'J~ST FD~ STOP a: o .... z "' G " w a: U 3: , I I Ii REGUEST \. oj'C' "ce HAMilTON AVE ----------- HAMILTON AV I W. CRESCENT Request: Install stop signs on Hamilton Avenue at West Crescent Drive to help reduce speeding. Received f:r9~: J-=>hn Griffiths, Hamilton Ave.nue Existi"jg Conditions: Both Hamilton and West. Crescent are loc-al streets. Tra~fic on West Crescent has stop signs anc Hamilton is a through street. Analysis: It ~s estimated that Hamjlton at this location carries approximat~l:t 1,500 vehicles per day -.d West Crescent carriers approximately 1,000 vehicles per day. A revie'oo" of the ascident history from January 1989 to September 1992 (45 mcnths) indicates that no accidents ...... ere reported. No v-isibili ty problems .. era observed, The traffic volume and accident data do not support installing stop signs. The nearest stop signs on Hamilton exist one block away S~reet to the east and at Lincoln Avenue to the west. sign installation on Hamilton }l.venue is consistent with Guard and Go policy on local residential streets. at Center The stop council's The attached letter was sent to Mr. Griffiths on April 7, 1993 i~ response to nis request r~garding controlling speeding 'Within th€ 1200 block ot Hamilton. Tnis letter includes a discussicn of stop signs: and ether speed control rr.easur"cs. includi.,g a proposal to use low-cost traffic management techniques, such as chok~4S or me:ande::-inq or off-set centerlines (using pavement markers or paint) in the 1200 blOCK of Harnilton~ Reqommendatior.: In view of the ab"ve. staff r:ecomrnends that. stop signs not c-·e installed On Hamilton .::"venue at West Crescent Drive. - April 8, i 993 Mr. lohn R. GrifflL'rJ£ Special Master 1755 Embarcadero Read, Suite 150 Palo Alto, CA 94303-0907 Dear Mr. Griffiths: CitycYaloA!to Dep<7Jftr.erJ ofP'lIlnillg a",j Com,'ra.nity tnvrnr.rrrm.! This letter is in respon.5e to your ietter regarding ~peeding in the 1200 block of Ha!nilton Avemle. The current posted speed limit on Harr.iIton is 25 mph. A re.cent speed survey indicares that the 8501 percentile speed on Hamillon is 31 mph. While a 31 mph speed is higher than the-posted speed limit, 2 ca:-:;pansoro. of travel speeds an Hamilton with similar stieets in Palo Aito, as shown below, indicates that it is nGt uncommon for drivers to travel approximately 5 to 10 mph. above the posted speed limit Posted 85th Speed Percentile ~O_. .limit Speed Bryant Street, Lincoln to Addisun ~5 32 Bryant Street, Lowell to California 25 31 CO~'j>er Street, Embarcadero to Kingsley 25 32 Waverley Street, Embarcadero to Lincoln 25 32 rn addition to L1e abo .... e, we have checked [;'1e ac.dder.[s reporteJ to the Police Depart.'"!'.ent from January 1989 to September 1992 (45 months) within the 1200 block or Hamilton. No accidents were reported dt!ring thi.s period. Earlier, Mr. Howard Wolf of HarniHon Avenue contacted th~ P:Jlice Department with si;nilar concerns. Based on those concerns, we posted four 25 mph speed limit signs on Hamilton Avenue; and I understand that the Police Department also increased it.s 25J Ha.TU1tcn A \'ef1Uf p.o. Boxlcr.:29J PaloAl:o,CA~m (15.329.2520 4l5.~.Z29na~ 'L -;"J~~ ":"i .. ' -. -.',.: . _ ... ::~~~s~{l--.: • -L o :~~Jf· - Mr Jolm 1\. Griffiths April 8, 1993 Page 2 enforcement activities in the 2.rca. The Cit)' Cou.ncil has adopted guidelines for insta11alion ofiOad bUrr.ps. Road bumps \l,'cre Llstalled in the J-.lidtown neighborhood of Palo Alto. aDd :hey have successfully reduced speed~ on L"h,ose streets. Road bumps, howe\ler, are not appropriate for all situations. They have a number ~Jf disad\'3ntages, incl'Jdir.g delay to t"mergency vehicles, poter,~ia1 di,,·e.r.siof! of tr.ifti..::, increased lioise, generaJ inconvenience tc d:ivers and an uri3.ttr<ictlve appearance. Therefore, to r~gulate the use of road bumps, the City has established crit~ria (copy enclosed) that must be met in orde.r to install th~m. Hamilton AvenL>e does not meet the neces5a."')· criteria to qualify for road bump installation. Regarding ir1stallation of ~top signs on Hamiitan at West Crescent, stop $,igns already exist within approximately 400' and 600' of Y"lest Cre~ent at Cente.r in the easterly direction and at Lincoln in the weslerl)" direction, respectively. Stop signs are not speed control devices. They are used to resol\'t' right··{)f-way problems caused by an excessi .... ·e arnount of t.raftic or acciden.ts. No condition.:, warranling the addition of stop signs exist at tie intersectior. of Hal1'ii!on and Wes~ Crescent. Drivers-dQ slo",. down at stop signs and slOp tD yi.eld the right·-of.way to other vehicles. Hov,;cver, a study cO!1ducted in Palo Alto arra severa! OUler citic'.l indicates trlat drivers. travel as fast. or faster at mid-block locations, to make up time lost at stop sig.ns. In addition, the noise and air pollu:..ion caused by vehides ..... ·ould increase. Nevertheless, if Y(1U wish to pursue Ihe instal1ation of stop signs, pte.as.e call me at 3:9-2575; and we ",rill inciude an evaluation crf Y01Jr stop sign request in the t:pcoming update of the Stop Sign System report, for City Cou!ldl cons.ideration. The staff recommendation to Council would be against in.sralling stop signs on Hamilton Avenue at Wes.t Crescent Drive. Controlling speeding has been a challenge for a long time. Alth(lL.;gh there are no simple so!utions, we continue to .s.t:·i"l.c to fmd q:.1iCK, ;,imple and C0St effective ways to controlspeooing. The; Cities of S~ttle alld POlJand ha .. ·e inst.aJled traffic circles (round raised isla.'1ds) and chokers (narrowing the road section physically using concrete islands) and have found tha.t the.!, reduce speeding. Both of these techniques involve expenditures that wOllld require Council review and appro'tal. Cunen'Jy, we are working on a \Vaverley Stree! neighborhood study that may result in a n:commendallon for using circles, chokers, or otiler measures. in tbat area. We would do this on a ~.1.l basis to gain fm.tr.and experience with these traffic co:ltroi methods_ If their use p:oved to be bL'neficia!. g~id(.'!ines for impl:::m:::nting their l:<;;e on other Palo Allo streels would be developed. V-lhi1e speed survey data and accident his.tot)· do not indicate any significant speeding problem in the 1200 block of Hamiltor., we are [:-";Ierested in 5ekc:ing onE or mOi~ locations in Palo Alto to tIy som'! 101,.1, -cost traffic mar;.agemef1t ~trJ.legie) thai have ~ , , - Mr. John R. Griftiths April S, 1993 Pogo 3 r.ot beerl tried in Palo Alto. Tnes.e i!"Jdude su{'h me.a:.ures as. chokers and mea.1dering or off-set centerlines, using paveme~t marken or paint (not concre~e), as shov·.n in the enclosed sketch. You may like to discuss this. idea with Y0m neighbors and let me k.'10W if area residents are :n!erested in the installation of chokers or off-set centerlines and the related signing, on a trial basis, [n the 1200 block of HaT7liltor.. On a slightly different iss.ue, we have fo;-v.'arded a copy of your ether letter. regarding EI_dopting the parh'ay, to Caltrans since the area }OU have referel!ced in your letter is 1.loder Caltrans~ jurisdiclic.n. Thank you for bnI1ging your concerns to our atter.tior.. Sincerely, frl, ,LI-j 1 "~<-" c:::..' ASHOK AGGARWAL, P.E. City Traffic Engineer AA:oe cc: City Council Howard \Volf Lynne Johnson - Rf':lU~ST FOR STOP T i --~/ w > < < i5 ::> o w " MADRONO AVE Ie EXISTmG STOP REaWE"sT FOR 5,"0'" -J-:W"IV(P SEQUOIA AVE / MADRONO AVE -~-3· ...... , ",,;; U -:_ 4· ... s~ .$~'~IJ • -~ ,i' • -r~lIIffi~ S'I;l~2: Request: Install stop signs on Sequoia Avenue at Madrono Avenue to help reduce speeding. Received from: Nancy .9arry, Sequoia A-'/€?'lue Existing Conditi~ns; streets. Traffic on through street. This is a Madrono has Tin tersect ien o! two loca 1 stop signs and Sequoia is a Analysis: The intersection of Sequoia and Madrono is located on the south side of the SOl.lt.hgate neighborhood. This neighborhood was a subject of extensive traffic studies, including tlaffic volume and speed issues in 1980. At that time, Castilleja street was closed to traffic at Park Bou.levard ns<'!r the east end of Sequoia, which p~ovided sufficient relief to the neighborhood. The observed traffic volumes and speed on Sequoia are ver~t 10·.... A revie'M' of accident history from Janll.ar-::r' 1989 to Septen;ber 1992 (45 months) indicates that no accidents were reported. No visibility proble.ms exist. Tl1e traffic and accident data dD not support installing stop signs . '"",' ."2 _ ~ •. "" . "~ :<:; .. ~:,~ ... " .. ,,;k,:>;", :;,;'"",;.~,~- The current. stop sign installation on Sequoia is inconsist'?;nt \l.'"ith ~he Council's Guard and Go policy. The intent of the Guard and Go policy was to introduce time d~lays to discourage through traffic troLl using local residential str~ets. HOIio"ever, elictions taken in the early 1980s effectively preclude through traffic from the neighborhood. Thus, only residents use this stre~t, except for ~n occasional delivery truck. Installation of stop signs on Sequoia ;"venue 'Wo\'l.ld be consistent 'With the c:ou.ncil ts Guard and Go polic),. EeCOInnlendatiQn: staff recotfuL'Lends that stop signs :r1.ot be installed on Sequoia Avenue at Madrono Avenue. ATTACHMENT 1 • MlJltiw.8)· STOP signs The "Murtiway Stop" instaljaticn mall bil ;.Jse1ul!i: s('me Ioc.t!tions. H should crdinarily be used only where the .... olume 01 traffic on the !ntersecting roads 15 apptOiI(· imate-f~ .q-ua!. A tran;c controf silinal is mDre sa.ti&-factOI)l fo:.n intarsect;on witha heavy volume of traffic. POLICY Any of the foHowing condlt/ons may warrant I!I multi way STOP sign in,t.allaUon: 1. Where traffic signals are warranted and .,.rgel'1t1y needed, the mufti~y stop "'ay be .n interim measure that c.n be Installed quicl.;:fy to control traffic while auangements a~ bein9 made for the signar ill.stallatiol'l*- 2. An accident problem, .S Indlcl!!ltad by five or more reported Jlccldents wltnf". • 12 month period of • type 5uscepUbfe to ecrre(;tion by .8 mu!t!wa;r stop jns;tallation. Such accidents (ncillde right· and left-tum col!isJons 8S well as right·angle CCmSi011$. 3. Minirr:um traffic \lolumes {a} The total .... ehicular volume entering the inter'" section from all approaches must average al least 500 .... ehlcles per hour f'Oor ai'll' 8 hours of .en a ... ·e"l!lge d&y. a!1d (b) nllt combin'3ld 'oIehic.uJaf and pedestrian volume from tht;= mfnor street or h1~hwa~ "nust average at I .. st 200 units per hQ~r for the same 8 hours, wtth an ave .. age dela)! to minor .street vehicular traffic ot at I"ast 30 '8CO."h1s per vehicle d~ring the maximum hOUI, but {c} When the as-percentile appro.ch _peed of the major street traffic exceeds 40 miles per hour, tne minimum .... hicul.r volU'me warm,.,t is 70 percent of the ab'!! .... fequirements. - o o ATTACHMENT 2 AN EXCERPT FOR STOP SIGN JcSTlFlCHIO~ f1tO~1 TIlE CITY COLNCIL AOOPTED WARRA.'"TS FOR TR·ot..f'F]C CO!"TROL DEVJCES NE:\.R 5CJI()()L..<) Recommend2.tians 2.."ld a.>s.i.gn priori lie!> to L'le City .'vr3.Ilager and/or tile Sl..iperintencfer.1 of Ule Palo Alto Unified Sehe.ul Disr.ri·:! for the app:kOl.tioll cf troiffic c,IntIo! d~\'!ces. T~e ailAly~ the need [or som, form oj sprcial..jlLQ~,\:,j(Jn for 2 schoo! cnJssing d~pe:~ ____ LJQi1.tl...lli.e fnno~ iWr"J aS~'lr;,pliQr.s: a. The maximum de!ay a dlild ~ilOllld be (':<pt'£I(.xl to acc,ept s.~[ll.Jlrl '::le no grcal.e.r lna!1 thai whicJ: ..... ould be experienced if a traffic coIl,!.ro1 sigr.a', timed so as to pro~'ide an "d~~Jre cros..sir,g inlerv:1l, w~[e kc-'J.too at the cmssing under )',ludy b. Some form ofde"ice i~ essential when ~he rlilmber Dfadequa~e gaps m the traffic strear:1 dLJ.ring the pencd ilie cril~dren are 11S!ng the crossv..alk is less t:'1an the number ofmirmtes. in that 5.iJT1e period of time. That .;s, gaps less frequent t..ia,.,"1 one per minut.! I"eprescnl a situation iliat may require some form of ...... aming. or control device or mc-zsure. InfDrmation deveioped from field studies at1d measured against the various traffic oontft.ll device warrant:; will dehermine the type of pwtxllve meas:Jt:e: that will be physically inst.a.lled or e,tablJ$hed at the clo.!.sing. GenNally. the JX)lic), fur the installation of t..'l.ese de ... ·ices is as fo\low.>: A. School pedestnM' non-control mas lJres 1. Type.s a""'a,ililble Sign.> and Markings FlaWing Signals Pede.SI1ian Walkways Variable Spt.'"!:.d Zones 2. I"he above de\'lceS ,,,,,iii he lnstaJ.led at thil)e schoo! Joc.atlons .... ,:herein tile condition of r.raffic, i.e. , s~. volume, street width and vehicle gap, having been revie ...... ed by an engineering survey, are found t): a Produce frt:q .. ent and adequate ..... ehl'~le gaps such ihal pc.de.~triJ.ns rna) safely C:(':i5 thi! street witbout ad/ji:lOnal controls being plesent. b. Tne l!.Dobsl;'.t.;lce 5~E-ht dl:!>,an(:c 10 !.'Je .:-r()s~ ... -alk is more UI.,rJ -:..~at shu,,-·", (or spet!1.h imiicatec' 25 mpfr 30 mph 35 mph 40 mph 170 feet 2{)() feet 235 feet 275 feet B. S-chool petJeslnar~ lratfic co;",lr01 mea~.l.Ires an.d Gr= .... ice-s 1. Type:!> ~v.aila~le Pedestrian i;i"de s<:p.aralion SdK"'()1 S<!ret} patrol Separale.:1 walkwa.ys Slop :nt.erse>;t,;}ll Traffi<;: .signal syslem TransportatIOn 2. The fNe:gOHlg control me.lSllres. and de .... ices are to be c0f1:>i~ered '",-hen the conditions of traflic exceed those conditions IlS!ed under warrling devices (non -control measures), o ATTACHMENT 3 , " \ 'I: '\ ',:\ \ 'li \ I -__ ...-,J'~ -.li '" , " ;i ii " j/ ~---- ,', t 'I r, ,', (, (, " "" r- " " (i, j! I I. r \\ :1 ,) " 'I' ,. i: 'i " I, Ii i I __ ~- SKETCH SHOWING CHOKERS, MFANDERING, AND OFF-SET CENTERLINES I -:"