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HomeMy WebLinkAbout0194.094March 17, 1994 HONORABLE CITY COUNCIL palo Alto, califo~nia speed Limi t~ Members of the Council: Jll!PORT XII BRUF 14 This report recommends that the city Council adopt an ordinance (Attachment 1) reaffirming the current posted speed limits on the following six streets: • oregon Expressway (Alma to Middlefield) • Page Mill Expressway (~lma to Hanover) • Sa,n Antonio Road (Alma to East Bayshore) • Churchill Avenue (El Camino Real to Embarcadero) • ArastrCidero Road (Foothill Expressway to the 'Westerly city limit) • East Eayshore Road (Embarcadero to northerly City 1 imit) The engineering and traffic surveys for these six streets expired on February 27, 1994. Adoption of the attached ordinance will allow the Police Department t.o continue using radar for spolS.ed enforcement. The affected street segments are illustrated in Attachment 2. BACltGROUllD The California Vehicle Code (eVe) requires updating the engineering and traffic surveys every five years, in order to reevaluate current speeds and establish whether or not the Police Department can continue to use radar for speed enforcement. Exempt from this requirement are the 25 ~ph school zone speed limits, when children are present, for which the Police Department can use radar ~ithout speed surveys and council action~ Tha three ele!!',ents of engineering and traffic surveys, as defined in eve Section 627, are: (1) speed surveys. (2) road conditions, and (3) accident records. The speed surveys provide the basis for de~ermining the 85th percentile speed (crit,ical speed). This is the speed at or below which 85 percent of the traffic is trav~ling. CMR:194:94 _\ .. ------~-------~-.- The speeds are normally ~stablished at the fir~t five mile per ~our increment below the 85th percentile speed. 'l'his all,:)ws the majority of drivers to travel at a reasonable speed, bvt provide$ a means for e!tforcp.ment officers to control the upper group of drivers 'Who may be reckless or travel at excessive 6peeds~ In matching existing conditions with the traffic safety needs of the community, ho~ever, policies and procedures contained in the Caltrans Traffic Manual permit consideration of further reduction in the speed limit of five miles per hour. The factors justifying such a further reduction include a high number of accidents based upon two years of records, and road~ay conditions such as inadequate stopping distance, co~~ercial driveway characteristics, super elevation, shoulder conditions, roadway design speed, and pedestrians on road~ays without sidewalks~ AJIlILYSIS The previous engineering and traffic surveys for these six streets were conducted in 1989. These surveys expired on February 27, 1994. Ne~ engineering a~d traffic surveys were recently completed to pe~it a reassessmen~ of the Existing speed lirnlts~ A compar1son of the current spaed survey results with those conducted in 1989, as shown in Table 1 below, indicates that the prevailing speeds on the six streets have not substantially changed~ Table 1. Street Segment 85~ 10 'tile ~5'.h "';'tile Net increase or ~1989 speed 1994 (Decrease) Oregon E~pres~way. AJrr.a 40 57 41..5 0.93 tr.J Middlefield --~ Page MI..!! hpr.essway, 38,10 i 38.6 , 0.5 ~t:' El Camino Real ---+- p.age Mill E7.pressway, EI 42.50 4().1 {2.4J Camioo Real to Hanover Sa:l Antonio RUaG, Alma b H.35 409 (~.45) Middlefield ------- San AnI')nlO Road, Middle-NA 38,S - field llJ E. 8ayshore --~--------------~- Cburchill Avenue, EI 33.46 I 32.2 ( 1.26) CamiI1l' Real to AJma Churchill Avenue, A1ma to NA 28.S - Embarc:.Jdero Atast.-adero Road, Foothill 38.21 39.0 .79 Expres'iway tc Hillview Anstradero RIJad, Hillvi~..",' 3&Ati 393 .84 to ~es(erly city limit E. B..aY"hor~ RI);t.d, 35.85 35.8 {Q,05) Embarcadero til northerl)' cit} limit -- CHR:19<1:94 3/17/9. Page 2 ----..... \ ! • , ---' .-----".---.-~. Based on the :5urve~:{ results siJmmarized in Table 2 and in Att.achment 3, the Council can reaffirm the c·ut'rent posted speed limit on all of the s.treets. Table 2. I Current I Recom· 85th Poste.! I me.oded ';if 'tile Speed Speed Sir"'" Segment Spee<l Limit limit Comments 0regmI ExI="""'Y, ... I~ I An analysi. (}f the speed sur'\'q data And ta Middlefield 4LS 35 35 speed relatM ac~' idents r:-:affirm tb~ cun'l:nt pasttd hrni\ of 35 mpb. Page. Mill Expres.sway. AJlJlIj. The ~ survq data ilion\:: reaffirms the ~. EI Camioo Red 38_~ 35 35 current po~too ~ hrrul ",r 35 mph. - p.ce Mill E:c.pressway, EI All an"IY~I:;' of 11<! speed Sllf'.'ey data. and Camino Rear to Hanover 4(U 35 35 .. ~ rda!eO accidents r't<iffltm the CUTJl;!ll1 posted limit of 35 mph. San Aaloo.lo Road. Alma to An 3n8.1)'sis of the speed S\lf'o'ey data and Middlefield 40.9 35 ';5 speed relaled au:idtmts ~ft'irm tile curren! posted timit of 35 mpb. SaD Antonio Road, Mlddie-Tht": :;.~ :;uryq data alone N"4Iffim:zs the field to E. Bay&bore 3S.8 I 3S 35 ;::UfTeot posted '§pee.d limit "f 35 mph. Churchill A venUl". E1 An a.nalJsi~ or tht; spotd survey data and C.amino Real to ALma 32,:2 2S 2S ~ relat«l .iiCCide:Dts rc.affil'ID the CUl'Tetll po&td IUlUt of 25 mph. CburchiU Aveoue, .lJma l..:l The :speed SIIof'/c:y data alone reaffirms tlkl Embuoad<ro ";IS 8 2S 2S ctJl'TeOl posIOO speed limit of 25 mpb. Ara.sIn.dero Road, FooChill Tbe ~ su.."V",y da~ .looe ~.affi.n:ru; the Ex~y to HiUyj~ 39 J5 3S current postt'(!' spoeJ limi~ of 3S mph. Arastradero R('OiOd. Hlllview I The ~ survey .!.au alone reaffinns ilie to westerly cit), (uwt 39.:! 3S 3S rUITI:nt posted ~PC:eJ Iimi! of 35 mpb. E. &ysZl·.>fe Ro,ad, r The "pa-..cl SUI'''''e}' d.i.u. ahtle i"t2ffinr.s the Embarcadero to nortilerly 3-'.8 35 35 -c-urr~ t poo;.teci speed Limil of 35 mph. ci!! limit With Council appro-val, the Pol ice Department 'Will be able to use radar for enforcement of the posted speed limits on these six st~eets. ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSKENT Reaffirming posted speed limits is not California Environm~ntal Quality Act. required. CMR:19.(:94. considered a project under the No environmental asseSSThent is 3/17i90 Page 3 --~'--_1IIiIII o RECOMKEBDA'l'IOJl staff re::::ommends that council adopt the attached Ordinance (Attachment 1) reaffirming t.he posted speed limits on six streets, 'based upon engineering' and traffic survey results. Pespect.tully slJbmi tted. ASHOR AGGARWAL City Traffic Enqineer BERNARD M. STROJNV Assistant City Manager Attachments: KENNETH R. SCHREIBER Director of Planning and Community Environment l~ Ordinance re-""ising Chapter 10.56 of the Palo Alto Municipal code 2 ~ Map sho .... ing streets where sta.ff requests approval of speed surveys 3 _ Summary of engineering and traffic sur .... eys. including recommended speed limits DC: City School Traffic safety com~ittee Palo Alto Bicycle Advisory committee Masoud Akbarzadeh~ Santa Clara County CMR:194:94 3/17/94 Page 4 " ATIACHMENT 1 ORD IN.IINCE NO. ORDINANCE OF THE COUNCIL OF THECITY OF PALO ALTO AMENDING CHAPTER 10.56 OF TIlE PALO ALTO MtJNrCl~AL CODE TO ESTABLISH AND CHANGE SPECIAL SPEED ZONES FOR. CERTAIN STREETS OR PORTIONS OF STREETS The Council of the City of Palo Alto does ORDAIN as follows: ~~IQN 1. Section 10.56.010 of th~ Palo Alto MUnicipal Code is hereby amended to read as follows: 10.55.010 St.ate twenty· five mph pr1ma facie speed ltmit juatified. It is deter.mined that the state twenty~ five mph pr~ facie speed limit for business or residence districts is justified, as required by stat'S law~ with respect to the following streets or portions of at_reets by engineering and traffic surveys conducted by the city and completed on the dates shown below: S tree t or Par tion Thereof Af f ec ted Churchill Avenue from Embarcadero Road to B1 Camino Real . . • Colorado Aven~e from Middlefield Road to Louis Road . . • . . University Avenue from Middlefield Road to easterly city limit Embarcadero Road from ~ma Street underpass to El camino Real Welch Road from Quarry Road to Pasteur Dr1 ve . . . . . . . BD.giDeering aDd Traffic Survey Completion Date September 24~ 1990 September 24, 1990 September 24, 199D Sept~~er 24, 1950 SECTION 2. Section 10.56.020 of the palo Alto MuniCipal Code is hereby amended to read as follows: 10.S6.020 State speed limit decr<!4Bed (thirty-five =ph). It is dete~ned and justified upon the basis of engineering and traffic surveys conducted by the city, as required by state law. and completed on the dates shown below, that the maximum speed limit applicable under state law is more th2D is reasonable or safe upon the following streets or portiOfl-s of streets, and that the following speed lir.l.its would facilitate the orderly movement of vehicular traffic and are reasonable and safe, and it is declared that the prima faci~ speed limit shall be as set forth in tnese sections, except for school zcnes, on these streets or parts of streets designated in this section when signs are erected giving notice thereof: 1 '. o 35 MPH DBCI.ARED PRIMA FACIE SPBED LIMIT Street or Portion Thereof ~tected Arastradero Road from Foothill Expressway to city limit west of Deer Creek Road • • • . . . Oregon Expressway from Middlefield Road to Alma St~eet .. . . . Oregon Expressway fram Middlefield Road to U.S. 101 .•.•••• Sand Hill Road from Arboretum Street to Pas t eu r Drive . . . . . . . . Sand Hill Road from Pasteur Drive to westerly city lLmit . . _ . • Page ~ll ExpreasYaY from Hanover Street to Foothill Bxpr~ssway Hillview Avenue from Foothill Expressway to Arastradero Road Engineering and Traffic survey Compl.et1on Date F~:f I:la:f} ,i!j,~" 1989 ilarcl:l".."!;l" 191). September 24, 1990 September 24. 1990 September 24~ 1990 September 24, 1990 Sept~ber 24, 1990 SECTlor13. Section 10.56.030 of the Palo Alto M'..micipal Code is hereby arr~nded to read as follows: 10.56.030 State 8peed limit increased. It is determined and justified upon the basis of engineering and traffic surveys conduct.ed by the city, as required by state law, and completed on the dates ehown below, that a speed greater than that provided by state law would facilitate the orderly mov~~nt of traffic and would be reasonable and safe upon the following streets or portions of streets., and it is declared that the prima facie speed limit shall be as set forth in this section, except for B~hool zones, on the streets or parts of streets designated in this section when signs are erected giving ~otice thereof: 3S MPH DECLARED PRlllA FACIE SPEED LIMIT Str .. t or Portion There.of Affect=!<! East Bayshore Road from Embarcader-o Road to northerly city limi~ . Page Mill Expressway from Alma Street to Hanover Street San Antonio Road from Bast Bayshore Road to Alma Street .... Alma Street from Embarcadero Road to Oregon Expressway 2 Engineering and "rr ... f f ic survey completion Date ~!i!=lja~ 2'7, 1989 Mar~ :a, 1994 FeeEua~) ~7, 199G Mar.,);; .21., .L~94 September 24, 1990 ~ma Street from Oregon Expressway to Meadow Drive ~ma Stree~ from Meadow Drive to San Antonio Road sept.arber 24, 19"90 September 24, 1990 SScrIQN 4. The Council finds that this is not a project for the purposes of the California EnvironmeDtal Quality Act. SECtION ~. comm&ncement of the adoption. INTRO!)UCED: ?ASSw: AYES: NOES: ABSTENTIONS: ABSENT: ATTEST: City Clerk APPROVED AS TO FORM: This ordinance thirty-first shall be day after APPROVED: Mayor City Manager Senior Asst. City Attorney AP PROVSO AS TO CONTENT: effective the date on of the its Chief Transportation Official Chief of Police 3 Directcr of Plazm.ing and Community Environment • r--'--------~ .. '-----. A'lTACHMENT 2 .... \ A'ITACHMENT 3 CITY OF PALO ALTO TRANSPORTATION DIVISION Summar~ Qf "lin2in~[in~ and :l'I:affl~" SYmy~ includin2 R~mended Speed Limit.s. Sp.""l Umll To",1 NIlIIIWrv( Appl'll". "' .... fiike [....., B)lh Cl.ltrtnl Indluliuq ,99219' ":1:'-:' I T .... it S.rUl $~mt"l II Pore_ntil. P",I«I "lIln 8.'iiil NUIIl""."f S,,", .... Wilhlq c~. ) RIIaIINIl-nded 199m) Widll\t s, ... SII'MI Ro.., ... Sp..t tMnit ' .... S~I..dnil r~",cnili. "'""iIlenli n.I.ted ('HI,) 5e,mlfll. .')f'mI A.ccidonto 5~,""'nt 0 •• 0. "J<lIro:.w oy .) II I Th ...... ,Yn'.)' 010111 .ad v.. h'.~ .. lIIItb.r IIf IIf'"Id (A~M • Middl.n~:d) 4U Jl " " " II "'(lnc ,~un~ V" ..,[1i00i .. dd"" .. () I 11111 of 4.1 Of ns of rt.t 2·~_r H Q~;f ... ..,0.1""11 .,re lpud r<!"~} rAffi ..... m., ~ur"-... f>OIlDc/ II'"' .... liI,,11 q( H ",ph ,.,I.ic-h ... n = ......... nd. P"I' MOi f..j.Ir .... _II.\' I-I ih.Jpeod. 1UrviS)' d.III,"".,.., ~r.""'Ih~ o; ...... nl,...kIII I iA~nA t;IC .... ino Hul) 18.6 " " 2.' 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BIII.~ Lan.1 lla~ ""endlwrvty du •• 1"fIC. ,ft.lTtnno "' .. ~lIrlehl poollrd I (HiJlvilo,,· -wated) City Lilnill} .\9.J " " , , " NllnJ In<t hth V~ al'M'llllnll of } ~ m"b, ... "'Ieh ...rr Iwcwnmcndl " 'Eout !!.oJ_Dn! Rllowl I Th~ .,....,.. III ..... }· Iklo .1_., ,.,.,ffi,... ",p '"rrenl potUO ! (f ... nbltr~tdfm . no"""ri) CII)' LllDill) lH " " " • 1011) ~on. No"" NOlie " .... ed Ii.lli. of'~ mph, ... hkh ... rr <t~omrn.noI. I ,I", March 17, 1994 " 1 ---'~--'---,'''''/.'''.'''.j ".c -~~.--:--.~ -, , "