HomeMy WebLinkAbout0351.095• City of Palo Alto
City Manager's Report
TO:
ATTE."ITION:
ItONORABLE CITY COUNCIL
Folicy and Services Com mitt«
FROM: CITY MANAGER DEPARTME..''T: PLANNING
AGENDA DATE: July til, 1995 CMR:351:95
SUBJECT: Stop Sign h.ters«tion System Update
REOUEST
The JUPOSe of this report is for the Policy and Services Committee to consider requests
for the instaIIatioo of stop signs at seven locations. Included as Attachment 1 is a copy
of lbe "I99S City of Palo Aha Citywide Stop Siga Request, Evaluation and
Recommendation-repor1. which provides infoonation regarding each cucrenl request
RECOMME1'IDA nONS
Staff fer' o;mnends that !be Policy and ServK-.:s Comittee recommend to the City Council:
(1) InstaI!ation ofst<lp sig1lS 00 both the east and west approaches of Forest Avenue at
. Emerson Streef; and
(2) Installation of st<lp sig1lS 00 both the east and west approaches of Webster Street at
Homer Avenue.
Staff does not reoommend installation of st<lP signs at the followi-Ilg five locations:
a. Waverley Street at Hawthorne Avenue
b. Homer Avenue at Cowper Street
c. Hale Streel at Hamilton Aven""
d. Northampton Drive at Newell Road
e. Pad;: Boulevard at Page Mill Road
Based on the Commilfee's recommendation. stalfwill prepare a resolution to Council
auiliorizing installation of slop sig1lS at the appropriate locations, consistent with the
recommendation of the Policy and Services Commjlfee.
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POLIcy IMfLJCA TlONS
The Citywide Stop Intersection System was originally adopted by City Council many
years ago. Sin« that ~. it has been periodically updated to reflect Council-approved
changes. The CUJTeDI proposed changes arc ill response 10 changing traffic cooditions.
g;ECUTlYE SUMMARY
The Cit}wide Stop Intersection System was originally lJdopted by the City Council many
years ago (a map of the Stop Intersection System is available for reference in the
Transportalioo Division office. 250 Hamiltoo A.'enue, sixth floor). o,anges in traffic
patterns and clwacteristics. and the need to e>'3luate safety concerns and respond to
ci~ requests, necessitates that the City periodically consider changes and updates 10
thesystetn.
Most citks in Califumia use California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) criteria
(Appendix A of Attacbment 1). 10 deleoni.'\e if the installation of stop signs is warranted.
These crileria include review of traffic volumes and traffic lIC(;idenl history. In Palo Alto.
the justification for a stop sign on a local street is based on;
(I) The Cooncil-adopted "Guard &: Go" policy (mstallation of stop signs at every other
block 10 discourage through traffic within ndgbboffioods);
(2) Caltrans criteria; or
(3) Warrants adopIed by the City Council in ) 973. foe installation of traffic control
devices near schools (Appendix B of Attachment I).
The juslificalion for a stop sigt: 00 a collector street in Palo Alto is based either OIl
Cal!rans criteria or Cooncil-adopted criteria fO( installation of traffic cootrol devices near
scbools for safety reasons. City polk:Y has been DOC 10 instal! stop signs OIl 311erial streets.
Staff receives many requests 10 install stop signs. All such requests are investigated and
evaluated llSing the above criteria As a result of such investigations (including field
obselwIioos and review of pertinent data). safety irnp-ovements. which diminish the need
foe stop signs. are sometimes made (e.! .• painting red curbs, trimming bushes, etc).
VtIhiIe many residents in Palo Alto request and support stop signs, installation of new stop
signs can be controversial because they require rOOCorists 10 stop day and night, resulting
in increased ooise and air po11u6oo.
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JA<ial!atioo of stop silll'S requires Qxmcil approval. TrttditiooaDy, staff bas recommended
referal of stop sign requests and rerommondations to the Poli<:y and Services Committee
for coosidetatioo. The Poli<:y and Service! Committee focwards its recommendations 10
the CooociL
EVALUATION
Table I presents a smnmary ewluation and staff recommendation for request3 10 install
stop signs at seven locations.
Included in the attached te<:bnicaI appendix (Attachment I) is an inf<XtIl3tioru;l sheet
(Figures 1-7) that includes a vicinity map. intersection layout. 5O'Jfce of request,
bacl<gJoond and eV3Iuation infonnalioo. and staff recommendation for each intersection.
F« reference, each intersection has been assigned a number and is illustrated on the cover
page of the tecbnical appendix.
Basically. ali of the requests Cl\ll be classified into a three major categories: concerns
about speeding, ~'isibili!y issues. and other concerns.
C1)lluras aboul Speeding
There are requests for installation of stop signs on Forest Avenue at Emerson Slreet
(lnIersectioo. No. I), on Waverley Street at Hawthorne Avenue (In\enectioo No.2) and
OIl Parle Boulevard at Page Mill Road (Intersection No.7) due to concerns about
speeding Slop signs. however. are not speed c:oolrol devices. They are used to resolve
rigbt-of-way problems caused by an excessive amount of traffic \l( accidents.
Staff recognizes thai drivers do slow down at stop signs and yield the rigbt4 -way to
oIher vehicles; however. a study cooducted in Palo Aho and several oIher cities indicates
that driven travel as fast or faster at mid-block locations. to make up time los! at stop
signs. In additioo, the noise and air pollution mlSed by vebicles iDaeases because of stop
signs. Oftbe three i-ltersectioos (No.'s 1.2, and 1). only the traffic conditions at the
intersec600 of Forest Avenue and Emerson Street (No. I) meet the criteria of the
muI1i-way stop sign wamwl The existing Ir&ffic cooditioos alln!ersectioos No.2 and No.
1 do 001 meet the stop sign wammt criteria. Therefore. staff recommends the instaDation
of stop signs Of] Forest Avenue at Emerson Street. Staff recommends ir.stalling a
supplemen!al "2-way" sign below eristing stop signs for the other two intersections (No.'s
2 and 7).
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SUMMARY
1995
Sit .. Req_t .".1 Recommendation
> No
• No
" No
, No
• NO
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~WAY"'
Sq. Sips QQ,.
YISI1IiJiCy Issues
The request for slop signs on Hooter Avenue at Cowper Stre<:t (Intersection No.3) and
Homer Avmue at Webster Street (In!ersec!ioo No.4) coooems sight distance or visibility
problems tom (be side streets. Due to resfricted \is.bility. staffreoommends installation
of 5101> signs on Homer Avenue at Webster Street The \isibility problem at the
iDtersec:Iioo olCowper Street and Homer Avenue is minor. Staff recommends eKtending
\be ~I! Rd CIIb on the south side of Homer Avenue tly 2Q feet from the intersectioo.
of Cowper Street.
Other Concems
The request Coo-stop signs 00 Nor.hamptoo Drive at Newell Road (Inlersect:oOIl No.6)
IDvotves a set clmusual cin::umsIances. Residents reported lhaI student bikers and roller
b!aders are not stopping at the stop sign rontrolled approaches on Newell Road Field
~ coofinned that a majority of the students who travel on Newen Road during
Ibe school. boon are not stopping at !he Newell Road stop signs, but students were
observed watching for side sU"eet traffic and being cautious. In additioo. the volume of
traffic OIl Nor1hamp!on Drive is low and traffic travels at relatively slow speeds.
Neither \be traffic volumes !lOf the accident dara at !he intersection (No.6) meet !he stop
sign wammI criteria. Therefore. staff does not r-..commend the installation of stop signs.
It sOOuld be DOled that !he CiIy is curreotIy initiating a school safety commute Joule study.
That study will involve extensive data collection and studY of aD major school commute
roufes, including Newen Road, which is the Joute to Jordan School.
Finally, staff does not recommend installation. of stop signs on Hale Street at Hamilton
Avenue (In1erSe\:tion No. S) Neither traffic volwnes DO< accident dara criteria are met
FISCAL IMPACT
In."",natjon of slop signs and associated signing and striping will be accomplished within
existing budget resources of !he Public Works Department No additional funds are
needed for this item.
ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT
lnstaIlation cl stop signs is categorically exempt lJIlder the California Environmental
Quality Act, and no assessmen( is necessaI)'.
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AUACHME.'ITS
I. 1995 CiIy of Palo Alto C~ St'lp Sign Request Evaluation and
Recommendation report.
ce:
loyccy....p.a
C<lIIIIie Co!Ioa
Frm l..iIwoDce
Doris J jdvnond
DoaalcI A. BarT
l\usoelI PbilIip'
~~Ay KENNETH R SCHREIBER
Director of Planning
and Community Enviroament
Assistant City Manager
MiktLyzwa
Mn. Mello
Kay Pinslccr
S!qJbea W. Player
SIa<o)< BeroanIi
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1995
City of Palo Alto
Citywide
STOP Sign Request
Evaluation and
Recommendation
Pupard By: T"'''-'PortanolO DivisiOil
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I. Em<noo S".../foresl A' ....
1. W...edty ~ ... 1OOmc A,"<I>Ue
1. Cowper S!rmIHorncr Av<nue
4. W""'*'~ A ......
S.lWo~A""""
,. _lIoo<i~ooDrive
1. Pft ~.geMll!
,. C.Jtrano STOP Sip W..,..""
II. COy Coonoi! O<IoptOO po!>.")' b instalIinB 1Z\\l1>< """"'" o!evices ill ocllool ""'" ..... c. U:ttm _ Jtc.ideRts
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Executive Summary
This report is Il>e periodic update ofL'" Ciz:l"""'. "Stop Intersection System". It includes an evaluation
and t~d&tion in response to requests for instal1atiot'l of stop signs fi'om c.iti.zens at seven
intersections.
The ciz:l-..ide 'Stop Intersection System" was adopted lrJ Il>e Cily Counc~ several years 'So. The c"",,ges
in traIlic p&"!orns ~ charactOiistics, and L"" need !O ..... luat. wety and respond to citizen requests,
necessitat .. thalll>e C"lI)' Cou~ period"tcally consi6er wl-.etber I<> update Il>e system.
Mo<I cities in California use CaTlfomi. Department of Transportation (Caltrans) criteria (Appendix A) , to
del""';"" ;r,lle insIalIatioo of 51"" signs is "'man!ed. These c:'t";.a include r<View of traffic ,,,r,UT\e5 and
traffic accident histO<)'. !II Palo Alto, the justilkatioo f<>c .51"S' sign 00 • \Q9! street is based <><I:
(I) The Council-adopted "Guard &1. Go" policy (Installation of stop signs at every otber block 10
disccurase tIvoog/l traffic from oeig/lbo<boods); (2) Caltrans criteria; Of (3) Warnnts adopted by
the Cily Counri in 1973 f<>c installation of traffic contr':ll d"";';H near schools (Arpeno", B).
The requests fo< insIaJlation of stop signs on F ores! A venue at Emerson Street, on Waverley Street at
Hawtborne Avenue and on Palio Boulevard at Page Mill R<>ed are due 10 concerns about speeding. Stop
signs, oowever, are DO( speed control Oofflces. They are osed to resolve right-of-way probf""'" c.used by
an excessive amoun1 o(traffic or a(ciderus. The existing traffic conditions at tbe intersections ofWavertey
Strees III Hawthorne AveJ1!lC and on Park Boulevard at Page "~n Road do DO( meet Il>e multi-way stop
sign wamnI crilerla. TherefOre, SliIff doe. not recommend Il>e install.,"", of STOP signs A supplemental
"2-WAY" sign beIowexistins STOP sign. f<>c Il>ese two intersections will be insIalIed.
The request> fo< STOP signs on Homer Av,,"ue at Co..ye< Street. and 00 Homer Avenue I!t Webster
Streel c:oncen sight tf15lance {$ visibility p<obJems on the side streets Due 10 restricted visibility, staff
recommend, installation of STOP signs on Homer A'1m"" at W.b5l., Street To correct • min<>< wibiliry
p<obJem at the interaection of Cowper Street and Homer Avenue, the existing red cur!> on the soutl! side of
Homer Avenue will lie extended '" fiO feet.
The reque<I fo< STOP Jigns on NortIwnplon Drive at Ne ... e~ Road comet from. CO"""", tlIat student
bik ... and roDer-b1&ders are 001 stopping at the STOP sign controlled 'pproa<:h., 00 N.weD Road
However. bot& the b'affic volumes and accident data at the int~"'tion do not med the multi-way STOP
sign warrant crit<ria. StJJff does not recommend the i.'lSIa~.tioo of STOP signs on Nortbamptoo o,w".
Finally, staff does no< recommend insIallation of STOP signs on Hal. Street" Hanulton Avenue ",ilere
l1eitber traffic volume nor accident data criteria are mel
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Intersection No. 1
Figu .. I
Roqu..r: Install STOP signs 00 forest Avenue at Emersoo StreeL
Received FroID. ~ Yamagiwa of 700 Emerson Street. Sta<:ey Bernar:l< of 115 Forest Avenue
Edstilil COBclioons: Forest Avenue is. throog1\ street. "Wiu1e traffic on Emerson Street 'has STOP slgns.
AaaIpis; This intersection is locale<! within tOe de<igns.ed Downtown Commercial Area. AIthougll
parlring is prollibUed OIl Forest Avenue w~.ic\ l)ro,;d", adC<juate visibility lOr the traffic on Emerson
Str .... both olthe street segment. oear the iruer",,;tions ar< beavily
used lOr parlcing, dw~ie par1cins by large tru<:ks and regular
vloliitior.s ol!ll. red curb lOr quick drop-offs .. ~. 1ead"1Ilg 10 Sum",,,,,.t A_ 0. .. of
oc~ visibility problems, especlolly ~urlng the commute bours F.r<>tJE""' .....
A v.ney gutter (tOr drainage) exits on Forest Avenue immedtat ... 'y
west 0( Emerson Street. Eastbound drive ... slowdoWll due 10 tile
valley gutter. giving I fal .. impressioo to drivers oa Eme"". Street
thai it is alright file them '" proceed. Tills couses confusioo and
potential safety probrelll$. 11 is also h .. ,ily osed by pedestrians who
frequent the many restaurants ",d sllops in the area. A review 0(
traffic volumes lOOlCates more than SO{) vehicles per hour entering
1hi$ in'lenecMD for 10 consecutive-'boon on l typical weekd3Y. This
volume meets the Caltrans volume aitet1& lOr mul!i-wtIy STOP
intenections criteria Tbe accident data does no! meet the .oodenl
data criteria.
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RecommeRdatloa: lnstaD STOP signs Of] Forest Avenue at [me:rsoD: Street.
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Intersect.lon No. 2
l!eqaKt: Install STOP signs 00 Waverley Street at Hawthorne Avenue.
~m'" rr..1II: Mike Lyzwa of 193 Waverley Street.
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EUUnI ConelitKII": Hawthorne Avenue is. two Ian. east·", ... local street ..tiel! extends trom
Middlefield Road 10 Alma Street. Jt is STOP sign. controlled II the intenectiOD i! forms witlt Waverley
Street. Johnson p~ is locoted 00 the .o,'t ...... quadrant of the inter=tion of Waverley Street and
Hawtborne Avenu •.
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• -\uJysis: The volumes 00 bod! streets are relatively low. The IOta! volumes at the intersectioo does 00(
meet (be STOP sign warranI criteria A review of accidem records s1lowed only olle accident in the past
live ,...... Thorefu<e,. STOP sign. is not warranted based 00 C .. 'trans criteria fur STOP sign.
Concerns bav. 'been expressed ,.it11 rogara, 10 speeding 00 Woverley Street ana on-street padcing being
oe<upied I>y llOlI-residenu. The purpose of STOP sign is 10 assign right-of-way (ROW) .nd OOIlO<
speed cootrol Excessive speecfm8 was !lOt ""served during 6eld survey I>y stal!: The issue of:>oo
tes.ident vehicle intrusion futo residential oo-street parking 'is not related to stop signs.
'Recummendation: Staff does DOt Te(:Qmmend instaRation of a STOP sign on Waverlq Street at
Hawthollle Avenue. Instead, .. affplans 10 add. 'l·WA YO' sign under the e.osting STOP control sign on
Hawt1tome Avenue. Thls woold help inform d.~s en Ha .... 1llome _",venue that vehicles Of] ,,"'aver-ley
Street are IlOI requited 10 stop .. the intenection.
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Intersection No.3
Request: Ins!aII STOP signs 00 Homer AVOIlue at ec"';>ef Street.
RAuived From: Ccnoje Cotto!] .. -.I Mrs. Mello. re<peclively 01'816 and 7S9 C{)wpeT Strert
EDstial eo.ditionS! Homer A\o'enue is lone-way. westbound two lane col1eC1or roadway_ Bot1t
nonl.oound ."d """bbound approaches O(COwpeT Street at Homer Avenue are controlled street by
STOP signs.
Aaalyl;,: VelUcles northb..",od on Cowper Street would be in
cooflict with the westbound through and left-tuna traflk on
Homer ,",venue and southbound traffic on Cowper Street. field
obscr>-"&lioM indka1ed no<tbbou"" vehk!es on C<>wper Street
experience some difficully seeing ",."boo"" through and Ieft
tun! t.~. Thi, is primarily due 10 parl<ed vehicles on the south
side 01'_ Avenue. The "'"sting red cu!bed section is
opproximalely 4<J feet, ..rending eastward ITom the inter=!ioo.
Due 10 large trees near the curl> 6ne, the e>Osting red curl>ed
section cIoes DOl "",,"ide adequate sight distancelOc northbound
SwnlDalJ'ef Ac:c:Wmb,fa,. aI
vehicles. .
A review 0( accidents data showed fOur accident' in the past 6ve
years. A summary 0( the acciden .. is shown aD the table 10 the
rigllt. The accident history b-the paS! 6-.. year, does DOl meet
the Cahrans <l-woy STOP ';gn warrant criteria In adO,tion, the
Vat<
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traffic counts at the intersection do 00( meet the STOP sign warrant cri.leria.
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A JICIl' STOP <ootrol is ~tIy recommended on lWrner Avenue ~'ebster Str<el Webster &reel is
one brocl elisa olCo~ ~eel If the rer..ornrlJet!d'atlolllo place .. WOP sigra 00 Homer Avenue at
Webst .... Streel is approved, I~ ",,,,,ld !>e more Slips cr .. ted fuc vehicle5 00 Cowper Street.
RocGIII",olld.tion: Stalf RCOOll!leDd. tl>!l STOP si8" not!>e instaJ!ed 0<1 HGmer Avenue.1 Cowp«"
&red-Staff does plan 10 extend the red curb ~ 20 feet OD the 5'>U1ll side of Homer Avenue. Sight
6isW!CC and ruibility issues would Ill". be lmptoved.
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Intersection No.4
Req._ InstaD. STOP sign on Homer Avenue at Webs1er Street
RKeivod Fro .. , fran Laurence of USO Webster Street. No. 1000.
Emtin, CG.dilions: Homer A,'enue is. westboond one-way.""" 1ane colIec!o< roadway. Both the
nortbbound and southbound approaclles of Webster Street at Homer Avenue are STOP si,'!" controlled.
ADalyJis: Field observlItiou showed lOur large trees on ..... south side of Homer Avenue, and 10 the east
ofWtbstcr Street. 8e<:ause!bese trees are so closely spaced 10 eacl! w.er. !hei< loto! effect is sinular 1<,
thai of. wall. and obstructs the ,is:llility of drivers ..mich stop at tile northbound 'f¥oach ofWebs1e<
Street. Also.' U,S. Postal Service mail box with vehicle
aecess>ll1e mailllrop-otf design is Ioco!ed on the sooth side of
Homer Avenue near the intersection, almost ne<l1O the cur!>
radius ofretunL Vehicles using this mail box also COfItribute
10 ~g the vislbility of northbound vellicles 00 Webster
Street
A total of 11 accident. was record<d h the past six·and-.-~aIf
year .. The number oCaccidems per yOM is silo",,, on~'" table
10 the right, Most of tile lIOCi<knts are due 10 n<>rthboond
tr2ffie (with STOP control) DOl yielding tile rig~t-of-way
(ROW) to westbound traffic O<l Homer Avenue,
Both the number of accidents per year and the traffic volumes
do no! meet the Caltrans multi-way STOP ,'gn warrant
criteria:.
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R«i-InsbII STOP sign. 00 Hale Street .t Hamilton Avenue
Rtceivcd From: Kay Pinsl<erof57J Center Drive.
Eaistiag Cooditions: Hamiltoo Avenue and Hale Street ore both two lane Iocai:oadli.
Hale Stnoet is • t/u"oogh street. while both eastbound and westbound approaclles on
Hamihoo Avenue are CO"lroned by HOP signs.
Aul)".;., This is I ""de inter>ection Mlh clear visibility 00 aD four approacl!es '" lbe
intersection The STOPcoolTo! 00 Hanul.oo Avecue" clearly vislbte lllaMrtion, 10
further infocm drivers 0[1 Hamilton A venue that
theinteoectioo is. ~way STOP •• 2-WAY
siglo ..... also insIaDed under the standard
STOP slgll 00 both approacl>eo of Hamilton
.o\venue. Thus, it seems Ilia! neither .I""k of
clear signing nor visibility "'as the <~se of
accidents II! this l"er=tion
A re<.'iew of accidents data lOr the 1>''' fly.
yearJ showed I p.atte.'1l. four of the 1OIa1 si.
accident. (three in 1990, Oilein 1991 and two
in 1994) whic~ oe<:urred in If .. past flye years
involved Wlure of vehicles on HarrultOD
Avenue 10 yield the right-of-way (ROW) 10
t. ... ough IraI& on Hale Street. The accidents
dats iOO"lCaIe tl-.a' drivers stop 00 HanUltoo
Sctmmary., A.eeideDI Data lot
1b.Io1IhmtI ...
"'" Cauor;qT ........... ,.-~"""'fIiIn .. ,;.wa~ , . .,.,. ~.ll""~" )'idd lOW
1 "3~ Ell wIIdo: IiIiIuro: W) _ SB ~ .. ""' ..... .-:EB ~ ~ Ie yUl RoW' &r-"''8 ¥dW<lo ... FWo ~
5.. ~1&1l4 Ell ~ ~ 1e:!Wd 11o,,' IiIr ,..13 ~ aM R*Srnol
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Av ........ but appaw\!!y pr~od 10 cross Ill. inter=io. \lI!4. ... Lite impretSioo.that
vehicle$ "" P.al. ~ would 0150 be slopping. ...,
To improve!bo apparent confusion ,boot 1il.1l0W Oll. the part oftraffi<: traveTIng on HaroilIon
Avem>e, • ·2~W A r sign 'MS inste.lled 00 Oe«mbe< 199G. Si.'I<C the new signs were insta!!ed.
only twO accidents have occutred. Thus, it appear> thaI by installing the "2-WA Y" srgr.s, the
main c<>otriboling factcr fa< w:ideotJ II the inlerseo6oa has been co.-rected ,Ie. apparent ROW
confusion).
Bod> the accident> and \r8l!\c volume data do not meet the Csllru'.s multi-way STOP sign warrw
criteria..
ROcom ..... dltio~" Stoff does not re<OOImend insra".tion of STOP si8M on Hale Street II .
HaroilIoa Avenue.
Intersectlon No. S
Request: Install STOP signs on Northampton Driv, II Nev.'elI 1tO&d.
Reeoivld Frum: Don A. Barr 0( 1249 C«lar Street.
EIisti01 CGDclitio •• : Boll> stre<ts are local tw()oJane rO&ds. NeweD Itoad runs oorth·sout!l. and extends
!rom Embarcadero !toad in the 1IOft.~ 10 N. Car.amia Avenue in the sooth. To the sou,heni end 0(
Newell ~ is Jordan School Bo.h O(the "I!p<<>ochos 011 New,D !load are STOP sign COfltrolled and
include bike Janes. A 2.Way sign is olso installed undor each sundar. STOP sign. NeweD Road serves
nonh-"""o tbrwgh traffic wlnle Nonbarnptoo Drivels. circular road and serv .. primarily traffic in the
imme<liat. area It is • wi<k intersection and field miew indicated no sigh! \'isibiIily problem exisI1
AuI)'1is: Many studems (pr'.marily bikers) who use Nev.'eO Ilead 10 acass Jordan School are ignoring
the STOP sign on NeweD 1tO&d. Based on F~ed field observation, staff estimates that lliea>I three·
quanea of the bicyclists and roIler-blad ... ..mit\ travel soothbound. Otl NeweD Road in the morning do
001 stop II the STOP sign control 8uJ student. wer. observed watching for side street traffic and being
QUtious. In adarJon, the \,o,"me 0( traffic on Northampton Driv. is low Ii.! traffic L-av.ls II relatively
slow speed •.
No accident "'as recorded in the past !We year>. Based on the "';stir.g data. both the traffic volumes and
accidents data do DO! me<: the Caltrans multi-way STOP sign warr,n' crileria
RecolDmendation; Staff does no< recommend the instAll.tioo 0(. STOP sign on Northampton Drive. It
sbould be ooted that the Ciry is currently initialing I scbool safety commute rOL~' study. Tho! study will
iswotve extensive dats ooDection and study of e11 major schoo{ commute routes. inc.1uding Newel 'Road·
the route \0 Jordan School as menlioned above. The Council would ~.ve another opportunity to
consiOe.< stop signs wben the ..rudy is compleled.
Intersection No. 7
Roquat: Inslall STOP signs on Park Boulevard B1 Plge Mil! Road.
Received From: Ms. Doris Ric1unood of26O Cbestnut Avenue
IdIstiDg C.aditio • ., Par!< Boulevard is • wide two Ian< road wi!h
bile. lanes in bodI di=tions. The "est-leg of the intmection pro-.;e!es
access 10 Page Mill EKpfesswzy. 11 is estimated IhM approximately 70
percent ol southbound ttBffic makes. riglll-tunl \() lrave! eastbound on
Page Mill EKpf<ssw>y_ The posted ~ limit is 25 m:les per bour.
Observed speeds .... 30 k> 35 mil .. perliour.
AuIy3is: Volume count. lOr the intmectio. barely ~ Ille SlOP
sign w~ And the liourly lola! ,alum<: OIl the minor street is
approximately luiIf olthe STOP sign warranJ thres!lole! ol200 vebides
perbour(1Or any eiglH boon ofl typical day)
A toW offoor a.:cidents was reported in tbe pas< £ve yean A
summary ofL"" dale and causes olthese accidents is ,00"''' on the table
10 tbe right The ~ data do DO< meet the Ca!trans STOP sign
W3IlUtS.
. ". ~.
t .
s.....mary of A~ I>ata
.t Park B1v40'Pacc MII a:.
0-c_.c~
1. S;14.'91 "''B~'''i'¥
MiII~Dftoid'
11>')W.
2. l:t ... ",. m~ ...... --1.. 21IS'!lo4 E8 >dKI=:II. ,.. Mil
6iW 1O)idiI ROw.
.. 7It30 .... .. "B~<IIII'IF
,.. r.w II> !'idd
000.
Recq.mmeD~t.tioa: Since both the volume and accident criteria roc STOP slgR warrant are no( met. staff
does no! r=mmend tbe instaltatioo oll STOP sign 0. Park Boulevard at Page MlD Road.
P~J'
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APPENDICES
APPENDlXA
CALTRANS STOP SIGN WARRANT
Multi .... 1 STOP ri, ..
The "MuIIi way Stop. instaDatiOtl may be useful II so,,", Ic<:atiotU It shouT d ordinarily be used
only wII<n Il>e volume of traffic 00 Il>e irJenecting road. is apl""oximate!y equid A traffic
coatroI signal is more "';sfOClOf) lOr an intersection MIll • !lea")' volume of traffic.
POLIO'
Any of the following """a.!ions may warT."t I Multi ... ay STOP ";gn, IDsIalI.tion:
I _ ~ trafIic signoTs are ",.mmed IlI1d urgently needed, the Multi way stop may be ..
interim measure that can be installed quiddy >0 control traffic w!u1e arrangements are
beina moJe IOc the signal installations.
2. Aft lGCident problem" .. indkated by ~ve or more reported acci4ents whin • 12 mootII
period of. type "'"""PhD1e >0 correcti<ln by • Multi ""Y Slop install.tien. Such accidents
include rig.1U and left-tun! Collision, IS well .. rigJu-angle collisions.
(A) The >otal vehicular volume entering tl>e interseaioo ITom all approaches must
average at least 500 vehic'" per boor IOc any I boors of .... <nIse clay. and
(B) The combined vehicular and pedestrian voTume ITorn the minor street or higbway
must averoge at least 200 units per boo< IOc the same 8 hours, with an ave<age
delay >0 minor street vehicular trafIic of at least 30 seconds per vehlcle duriflgt1le
maximum hour, but
(C) When the 15th-percentile aplKoack speed of the majo< streeI traffic ... ceeds 41)
miles per hour. the minimum vehicuTat vofume warrant !s 10 percent oftbe.~
requiremenrs.
APPENDL,(B
AN EXCERP'f FOR STOP SIGN JUSTIFICATION FROM TIlE CIlY COUNCIL
ADOPTED WARRANTS FOR TRAFFIC CONTROL DEVICES NEAR SClloolS
~ 1Pd"';l!D jlriornics 10 the Cit)' Manage< and/or the SuperiN.endenI O(Ihe Polo Aho Unu"<! Sd>ooI
Ilis!rlcI '" &.opp!icalico! 0(1r1Iffic <OOIroI devi=, The am!y,;, 0(& need '" some form 0( special protc<tioo "'. _ <:roSSin& cIep<z><Is Uj><lO the kllolA".nS two .,....mp<ion;. ,
a, TIle maximum delay • child should be exp«ted '" """"PI obouId be PO _ than 1\,,, .. !UcII O'OOld be
ex~ if .. ttafrlC <:ont.."Ol ngnat, timed so IS tD Pf"O\ide an adequate crossing. irUervaJ~ 'iJrot:re located It Ih:
<:roSSin& Uoo.r Itudy,
1>, Some bm cL deriu is =tid """" & .wnba 0( adoqu.otc gop< in the !r.Iffic: stream during "" period the
_." mmg \I'e"""""" is less Ibn "" numba cL minuIcs in !hat sam< period 0( tllil<, That is, _leu
fi'cquc:nI thaD ooc pet minu!e ~ • sitwslioo Ibi1:: t'11o\iy require soene farm of .'ami."1g ex-c.oo.tra de\ice or
""""""
hif(l1D;ltiOil ~ from fidd .studies and me8S1.I1td 19ainst J1lt U:10US b"affic contrti oo'tu 1I-cmants.",m de"..emllnt
\I'e I!'P< o/'~"" ........ !hat wi!! be pbys;call) instaIIcd or ... .ahrlShcd at "" crossing, Generally. !be po/k)' for !be
msraJ!ation of'-IleVi= is .. lone.."
Sips IPd Madcings
Ftashlng Sigruols
,t.destrfun W 1n. ..... ·~"So
V_blo Sp«<Ilooes
L The abovede\i'i:es ",ill be ins"l4ttodat ffiose Sf;fIoaIloca.tions ",ilefeln the: roodit.ioc: of&r.h'fx:,. ie .• speed. \'ofumc,.
...... width IPd vcbicle JOI'. bavins boca "",i.wed by an engine:ring "'"'''Y. arc found 10:
a Produce ~ and ~ Ydli<1c gaps sucI! dull pedestrians may safel), cross !be _ "itIIouI additiooal
<:am7<>ls being J>l'S<"L
2S !:!ph 170 r-
30 mph 200 r-
3Smpl> mr-
40 mpI> 215 r-
9, Sd>ooI podestrian !r.Iffic: <OOIroI JneaSIIl'<S and d.vices
I'<desuian pi< sepantioo
ScbooI saf"'Ji patrol
Traffic<ignal ~
Separated .-an.. ... 1I)"S
Stop inteJ's,e(:tioo
Transportation
1 The foregoing cootro! !IleaSU= and devices are '" be <oos,dewl",lIen !he cooditioos o(""-'1i" =-! \hose
cooditioos listed under warning de\ices lllOlXOOtroi measures).
APPE1iDfXC
LEITERS FROM RESIDENTS
November 8, 1954
June Flemlng
City Manager
City Hal
. 2SO Hamilton
Palo Mo, C .... 94301
Dear Ms. Fleming:
I am sencfmg this Jetter in reference 10 my conversation last week with Mr. Asho<lk ._
Aggarwal, City I':ngineer. J have been phoning him on several elflere"t occasions
regarding the ~ue here on Ill. comer of ErnerS<>f1 and Forest Ol the city of Palo Mo.
I hope that you are aware of how dangerous this slreet comer truly is and if you are
not I would like to wOfm you personally. We desperately need a fOlK (4) way stop, -
that would mean that we nee<! !wI) more stop signs ooe on eacll comer of Forest
Ave""". Everyday as I sit in my office rsee near accidents, honking hofns, peop'"
almost b,Hng hit by mOving vehicles and so on ... According to Mr. Aggarwal we need
.to repor1 how many actual acciden!l5 have taken place, but as a citizen of lIle United
States and a native to earrfomia t d"fSagree '9nmensely. H"we waft until we have mcxe
accidents other citizens and residents wiD be living in danger daily just fike they are
now. Do we wan! to protect and save live. or 60 we want 10 be a .tatist1c?
I urge you and your department 10 do w!latewr is necessary 10 complete tills too, (4)
way stop here on lIle comer of Emerson and Forest Aveilue in Palo Alto. The
COOlITlUnity is waiting lor you< response.
Thank yooll
~el~' . J/ 0Jttt;r ,Bt1/224tl..
Stacey~ma;di
Concerned Citizen
<.-
'.J. -
'.
December 14~ 1994
Ms. Stacey Bernardi
Accountants Inc.
175 Forest Avenue
Palo Alto, CA 94301
Dear KSa Bernardi:
I have received your letter requestir,g that stop signs. be
installed en Forest Avenue at Emerson street in dovntovn PalQ f
Alto .. 1: have. discuss.ed. your concern. and request' with .&shook
AgqarYal of the city's TransportatIon Division and would like to
share th~ following inrormation with you.
The state law, as well as the Palo Alto Municipal Code {Section '
10:24:010)1 requires that the city Council authorize the
installation of any stop signs on public streets. The city's
Transportation Division has the responsibility for evaluating
E:e.quests 'tor s.top signs and forwarding a re.port .. 'With staff
:r-eoommen-Ja'tions .. t.o' the Council for its review and action. Stop
siqn requests are accumulated and brought to the council on a
periodic basis, with the ne.xt: SlY'JJ. opportunity planned for April
1995.
The criteria tor evaluating the need for the installation of
stop siqns inclll4e a review of traffic volumes" pedest.rian
vol-uses, travel spe,eds and traffic accident bistory. As Hr.
Aggarwal bas shared with you, he bas reviewed the accident
history at this location and it does not indicate any safety
probleJlS that require iuediate attention. Accordingly .. I have
asked the Transportation Division to inclGde an ~valuation of
tbe need for stop sitSfns on Focest at EmersOD, per your reql.1est l
in the. ne>.:t report to Council in April, rather than assign it a
higher, more ~ediate priority. city staff will let you knoW
~~en this item is presented to the council.
this matter to my Bttention~
--
P.o.hJa2!<l
hloAlhlXA ..-m
4I5..129.2563
ffil28. 3631 Fax
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Marcil 30, 1995
June fleming
City Managsr/City HaD
250 Hamnton
_ Palo Alto, CA 94301
eeor Ms. Fleming:
RECEIVED
APR 3 1995
OMSJONOf
TRANSPOi'lTATION
This letter is in reference to mv previous Jetter I had sent to Y"" on November 8,
1994. n..nk you to< your response letter to me as weD, '''ljonflng the 'stop sign'
issue on Forest Avenue and Emerson, an """ara intersection in cIowntown Palo Alto.
I am again writing to you, Ms. Fleming. to< I am stin very concerned about this issue
and understand it wil be taken to Counci in Apri of this year, which happens to be
next month. I have eoclo$ed a list of other coocemed citizens woo also feel the same
as myself and wauJd like so much 10 see a four (4) way slOp here at our intersection
of FOf""t Avenue and Emsrson in cIowntown Palo Alto. Theee incfrviduaTs w<>rl< in our
=mple>< here which ~app"-"s to be right on the corner of this intersection and an of
us support this issue ver( strongly.
We understand you need to have ~ "report" of hOw many actual accidents there have
been; yl>U ""ed to eva"'ate "",,11 thif>9$ a. traffIC volume, travel speed& and pedestrian
volumeS, but yet with aD of this into consideration I pe<&onaBy would like to see and
evaluala this report lor myself. I can assure you traffIC volume is extremely high,
travel speeds cf the moving vehicles is u"uaDy quite high and pedestrian volume is
extremely IUgII which In conclusion rna"es this area extremely "unsafe'. I heve never
prepared an actual """ideM report nor have I evaluated ona. but please note on the
issue of this particular intersection being """safe" I feel we al agree is most certainly
'''''SlIf§'!l!I I encourage anyone from Council to come and personaBy evaluate this
inter&ection, it they have not done so already. what I am referring to is si!ling and
actuaDy viewing the action that takeo placa on any gel.n day and then decide for
yours.elf ..•
I think you wil Ii!><! cars sereaching. ""'ns being honked, on occasion people yelling
and pedestrians being afraids to cross the streets safely. Again. I as wei as the other
incfrviduals on our list. ~ you and your (;()Uncill<) instal a slOp sign ooe on each
"ide of forest Avenue to "AVOIO and PREVENT' any acciden1& which nUgllt take
place in the future. We as citizens and business people in the Palo Alto commurutY
would Uk. I<) see some action regarding this isouea Thank you to< your attentionll
.~~. 'd1/l;:?fdl" rstarty rdi
<A>ncer C<tizan
ce; Ashat AggalWal
W1:$T GRAPHICS
195 fOREST AVENUE
PALO AI. TO. CA
SIGNATURES IN SUPPORT Of STOP SIGN
FOREST/EMERSON PALO ALTO
LOCAL CIl'IZE~SIf. JJu-.l"l J _ 1J~h-~ V-'" ~ (7\ ..... ";U}~ ~.
@ STEPHEN W. PLAYER €)
Asholt A9'l'arvall, P.J!.
City Traffic Engineer
City of Palo Alto
250 Su.l1ton Avenue
Palo AltQ, CA 94301
.June 2, 1995
JU I( 8 5 1S'95
Re~ StOR Sign on BOlter Avenue at Webster street
near Asho":
Ol> behalf of the Board of mstee. of Charming House, I as.
writing to you in support of your Depart»ent'" proposed racellllllen
dation that a stop aiCJ11 be placed on Bomer at the corner of
Webster u soon as such sign is approved by the City Ce meU.
As you are aware, Charming Bouse is a llteU ... care facility
for sen10rs and baa ~en at its present location since the early
slxties.. For a JlUItber of year. an effort. has been uda to have a
stop aign at this intersection due to the heavy us. of the
intera.ction by Channing BoUs. residents and the difficulty of
access to th~ garaqe of Channing Bouse. You bave received
-correspondence and ha~ nu:.erous discussion .. with resident. about
this problea, and the Board of Trustees enthusiastIcally endorses
and supporta their aftort. for such a stop sign.
1 all. In:torze.>s tha.t. the.re. have been a numt.er of" aec.1dent,s ai,;.
that location and that it ba. become increasingly difficult for
inqr ••• a.ncS. e-;-ress to. the Chann1n9 Rouse <;a-re.ge. <!ue t.o the. speed
of oncoainq traffic on Bomer. rhe presence ot such a sign will
qreatly iwprova thi. problem and viII give i~p~ov.4 access to the
qar.aqe.
aece EI.. CAMINO RE.AI... SUITt;: ... , Q
PAL-O At.. TO. CA '11"3015
.. , IS ••• ·.10"" 'AX:'" So .!I~-e."f!I
A8bok A99&rwall, P.B.
Jun. 3. 1n5
Pa". a
I look forw.r~ to ~Ing a presentation at the Policy and
Services CommIttee aeet!nq OD JUly 18. We viII bave repre.enta
tive. troa Cbannlnq House present at the meetlnq In support of
your re~nd.tlon.
Personally, and on behalf of the Board of Trustees, I would
liko to thank you for your interest in Channinq House and fer
your support of this propos.l.
Very ~ruly yours,
~
STEPHEN W. PLAYER
SWP:pv
cc, IIr. FrS<!. Seal
Hs. Fran Laurenee
•
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Ashok Aggarwal, P.E.
City Traffic Engineer
Transportation Divi>iOn
1249 Cedar St.
Palo Alto, CA 94301
June 9, 1994
RECEIVED
JUN 10 19S4
DIVISION Of
Tt::' .. ~ .·.:c·;P()~:n A nON
Department of Planning a,\d Community Environmenl
City ol Palo Alto
PO Box 10250
Palo Alto, c. .. 943G3
Dear Mr. Aggarwal,
lna ... k you foe!alcing the time 10 meet with me this morning. I would like 10
summarize our meeting. W. discu.'5ed traffic safety at the comer of NeweH and
Northamp!on Sls., with pa.rticuJar attention 10 the children who cross that
intersection twice • day on their way Io}ocdon Mid<Ik School. The data I gathered
indica!es thaI at leasllU s!ud=ts cross Northampton St. on their bike, both on their
way 10 and coming home from school. Despite the presence ol a stop sign On
Newell, 85 of these students, or 69'r. ol them. make no perceptible effort 10 stop at
t.;"! intersection. An addi6orul29 students (23%) make a partial stop, and only 10
studenls (8%) made a full stop. You agreed thaT these figures were coosistenl with
the data you had gathered from an" .arlier observation of the intersection as part of a
previous traffic safety study. "
During the ~ minu!es that I observed the intersection, 189 cars crossed
Northampton on Newen. L'ld 23 cars crossed 0< turned onto Newen from
Northampron. 1n addition, 39 pedesIrians came 10 the intersecti<>n (several of them
students on ·RoIIer Blades', many ol whom are traveling as £as! as bicycles and who
al."" make no perceptible stop crossing Northampton).
As we discussed, there is a stop sign on Newell at this infersection consistent 7 7
with the "Guard-and-Go" policy; as "Guard-and-Co' does not apply to te'iidential ..
streets such as Northamplun, ther. is no stop sign on it. There are two reasons why
a stop sign has not been placed on Northampton in the past
I} it does not meet the recommended cri!eria of either Cal-Trans 0< the School
_ Gap policy foe • stop sign;
2) we should always encourage student bicyclists 10 obey traffic laws, and
placing • sign on Northampton might encourage studenls 10 ignoce the sign on
Newell.
You noted that cost is not • factor in having decided 00110 place a stop sign on
Northampton In the past. as Installation would C05I severa! hundred dollars at the
most
While there have been no reported accidents in Ihe pas! five years at the
Intersection in question, it is not the policy of the Transportation DivisiOllIo await
the occurrence ol an accident 0< injury 10 take remedial safety IDeib-utes such as
installing. slop_sign on Northampton. If ."potential hazard exists, the Division will
take sleps 10 decrease that hazard before an injury occurs. However, there is no
ronsistent, objective measure of the level of hazard above which steps "ill be takfn.
--.... -::::--:-~~"-----... --------"
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o
This in judgment issue 10 be addressed by the Transpomtion Division, the Polky
and Sen'ices Committee 01 the City Counal, and !he COW1ciI itself.
IF • potential hazard were deemed to exist .t the intersectk>n i!, question. we
were able 10 identify thr.., alternative sleps that could be taken to lessen that hazard.
They.,.."
1) rev""" the stop signs on Newen and Northampton
2) add stop signs 10 Northampron, making a C-way stop intersection
3) station a crossing guard al!he i"tersection during school hours.
Underslarldably, you are hesitant to remove the stop signs from Newell, bo!h
because 01 the current "Guard-and-Go" polky and because once • slop sign has been
remewed, it is most difficult ever to reinslan it in the fut""re. It would _m that,
should a hazard be deemed to exist, the best alIemati"e would be 10 install stop
signs on Nonharnpton, and orJy 10 ronsld,,, a CIOS.;ng guard if a substantial hazMd
we found still to exist after that inslan.tion.
A5 • parent.I feel qw1e strongly that a hazard exists of sufficient magnit-..de to
!alee immediate "'teps 10 protect chiklren going to and from Jordon ScOOo!. espectaJ1y
thooe on L'leir bikes. While all chL1dren should be encounged and even cajoled into
obeying tn1fic safely laws, the re.lily oladolescence is thai caution and reason are
often ignored in f.vOl: of expedien<y. Tha! certainly seems 10 be the case al the
interoecticn of Newcll and Nonharnpton. Oespile repealed school messages 10 obey
traffic laws 01 all times, and parental messages to the same effect, fewer than 10% of
5luden! cycllsls Obey the slop sign. Tha vast mojc-rily (nearly 70%) roundly ignore it,
aossil'.g Northampton witho<.!! peoceptibly slowing their speed. I am chagrined to
say that thooe failing even 10 slow down include my 13 year old son. wl>om I
obsE-rved crossing Northampton without the slightest slowing. This despite my
having Iold him 30 minutes earlier that I would be at the intersection observing the
actionscl bicyclists, and deopile my finn and repealed encomagemenl \0 obey this
particular stop sign at aD !jmes! I do not consider myself a careless parent, no< do I
consider my son 10 be par&"lllarly in'esponsiJ:>1e. Nonetheless, l1e and more than 100
other chikIren are at risk Mke • day of being injured in 0 ooilision with an
automobile. Tha fact that such an injury would technically be the fault 01 the child
would be oflittIe consolation after the fact.
I hope you ",ill st-udy I.'lis matter furJ-.er, and that you .. -m bring the matter Ie
the aftentioo of the Policy and Servkes Committee of the City Council _\ the earliest
possible date. I would be most anxious 10 aHend the meeting at wlUch they discuss
the issue, and hope thai you wiIllceep me apprised ol your progress in this matter.
H I have not accurately represented the conlen! of our meetirlg. I apolog',ze, and I
would oslo that you would con'espond with me 10 let me know where I have been in
error. Agair, thank you for your time and consideration in this matter, and for your
obvious concern for the safety 01 my child and t.'le other children at Palo Allo.
ccJordoo School PTA T.raffic Safety Committee
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.€>.. ."?>. ~ ,'{jJ
Traffic Pattern Observed
at the Comer of Newell and Northampton
Between 7:45 a,m. and 8:30 a.m.
on Thursday, June 9,1994
Jordon School -'lSIJ .. '
Newell
Cars on Newell =< 189
I'KImtlKlrKllHllHirHllHimi
The followlng crileria were used
in assessing the Iype of slOp
~ed focbkycli&ls:
mtlKlrKllKl
III
Pedestrians'
on .. lther str~t
=39
Full $lp: came essentially 10. full stop.
-"",, ... {lating _tarting the
mo6oo of the bike
l',rtjeJ ~, • perceptible deer ...... in speed
without coming 10 • full stop
~, M~led~inspeed
;.~. '; -.
' ...... eral 0( the pedestrians
were on 'Ron .. B'.adeo·. and
wen! through the interse<:tion .
withool5t"I'Ping a' speeds
similar 10 bikes
Cnmpiled by;
Donald Barr
1249 Ced", St.
Pale Alto, 94301
323-2132