HomeMy WebLinkAbout0449.095--------
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City of Palo Alto
City Manager's Report
TO: HONORABLE CIn' COUNCIL
"'ROM: CITY MANAGER DEPARTMENT: PLArI.'NING
DATE: OcIDber 16, 1995 CMR:449:95
SUBJECf: Traffic Signal Modification at Middlefield RoadiLytton Avenne
REOJJEST
The p.xpose of this report is 10 inform the Council of modifications that City staff will be
implementing 10 the traffic signal at the intersection of Middlefield Road and Lyttcn
A \>et!ue. during the coming weeks.
RECOMMENDATIONS
No Council action is required at this time.
POLICY IMPLICATIONS
There are no policy implications. other tIJan the City's general responsibility 10 address
demonstrated accident problems 00 City streets.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
AI the present the. that traffic signal at the mtersectioo of Middlefield Road and Lytton
Avenue operates as a simple twe>-pbase cycle. One pbase provides a green lighl foe all
traffic on Middlefield Road and the other phase provides a green light for all traffic on
Lytton Avenue.
As part of the City's eff<>rts 10 monitor. investigate, evaluate. and resolve accident
problems. the subject intersection bas been identified as a location where the number of
accidents 'warrants some action. The primary type of accident, albeit not the only type.
involves collisions between vehicles luming left from Middlefield Road and opposing
through traff.IC on Middlefield Road.
Ine modification that Wlll be implemented durUlg the coming weeks is to change the
existing operation oftbe traffic signal fr()IJl two phase to three ph"",. whereby one phase
will provide a green light 10 northbound trafIic only on Middlefield Road. a second phase
will provide a green light to southbound traffic only on MKId1efield Road, and a third
phase will provide a green light for all traffic on L }ttoo A \'enue (as is oow the case).
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In essence. the traffic signal will operate in the same manner as the trafBc signal 31 t.'le
intersection of Middlefield Road and University Aveoue, where nor1hOOund and
sOlJtbbolmd MJdd!e!ield Road tr.ffic have two separate phases and University Avenue bas
a single phase for traffic in both directions.
The physkal changes that will be made include: (J) replacement of the existing three
se<-1ion signal heads (red. yenew, green) with four-section signal heads (adding a green
8ITOW indication), (2) modifications 10 the existing wiring. and (3) installation of '3-Way
Siglllll" signs aIoog Middlefield Road. The wed: w11l be dODe by City staff. The east of
the equipmenl is $3.000. Funds for thIs work are included in the Utility Fund CIP -
Traffic Signal Upgrade.
While Ihis change is expecled (n reduce the number of accidents. and therefoce impcove
safety at Ibis intersection, it will nol alter existing traffic patterns or volumes through this
intersection.
FISCAL IMPACT
Funds fur this type oftrafflC signal JXoject have already been budgeled.
ENVIRONMENTAL ASSf:SSMENT
The purpose offr.is JXoject is l(Heduce accidents and imJXove safety. The JXoject is
eaIegoricalIyexempt pDfSllant 10 section 1530 I of the CEQA guidelincs, which includes
the operation of existing public facilities involving negligJble or no expansion beyond
existing use.
Prepared By: Ashok Aggarwal, City Traffic Engineer
Department Head Re"';"w:
City Manager Approval:
'&u~&~,( £./lk:4,y
KENNblH R SCHREIBER
Director of Planning
and Conu!Junity En>lrorunent
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