HomeMy Public PortalAboutOrdinance 788Ordinance No. 788
An Ordinance of the City Council of the
City of Beaumont Establishing Speed Limits
on Certain Streets in the City of Beaumont
WHEREAS, in accordance with California Vehicle Code, Sections 22357 et seq., local
municipalities have the power to increase or decrease speed limits for local streets; and
WHEREAS, the City has conducted and completed an engineering and traffic survey of
those certain streets specified in Sections 1, below;
WHEREAS, the City Council has been informed and advised that the survey conforms to
the requirements of the California Vehicle Code and the Traffic Manual published by the State of
California, Department of Transportation, and that the speed limits set forth in Section 1 below
are justified.
NOW, THEREFORE, the City Council of the City of Beaumont does ordain as follows:
Section 1: Adoption of Speed Limits
The following speed limits on the streets indicated below within the City of Beaumont are
hereby established:
Loc.
No.
Roadway Segment
Speed Limit
(MPH)
1
First St.:
Veile Ave to Pennsylvania Ave.
30
-east and west
Fourth Street:
2
City Limits to Viele Ave.
30
-east and west bound
3
Veile Ave to California Ave
25
-east and west bound
Sixth St:
4
I-10 Exit Ramp to American Ave
30
-east and west bound
5
American Ave. To Highland Springs Rd.
45
-east and west bound
6
Eighth St
Wellwood Ave. To Highland Springs Rd.
25
-east and west bound
Loc.
No.
Roadway Segment
Speed Limit
(MPH)
Fourteenth St:
Interstate 10 to Beaumont Ave.
55
7
-east and west bound
Beaumont Ave. to Cherry Ave.
30
8
-east and west bound
Beaumont Ave.
9
Fifth St. to Eleventh St
30
-north and south bound
10
Eleventh St. to Fourteenth St.
40
-north and south bound
11
Fourteenth St. to Brookside Ave
50
-north bound only
Brookside Ave
12
City Limits near I-10 to Nancy St.
55
-east bound only
California Ave
13
South City Limits to Sixth St.
40
-north and south bound
Cherry Ave.
14
Fourteenth St. to Brookside
35
-north and south bound
Cougar Wav
15
Beaumont Ave to Cherry Ave
35
-east and west bound
Elm Ave.:
16
Eighth St. to Myr' Ave.
30
-north and south bound
Highland Springs Rd.
17
17th St to Eighth St
50
-south bound only
18
Eighth St to First St
30
-south bound only
Palm Ave.
19
Sixth St to Cougar Way
35
-north and south bound
Pennsylvania Ave:
20
Sixth St to Fourteenth St.
35
-north and south bound
San Timoteo Canyon Rd
21
City Limits to Interstate 10
55
-east and west
Section 2: Compliance With Law
The forgoing speed limits are based upon an engineering and traffic survey conducted by
the City of Beaumont. These speed limits are reasonable and safe upon the indicated portions of
the said streets and are most appropriate to facilitate the orderly movement of traffic.
Section 3: Erection of Signs
The Public Works Department is hereby authorized and directed to install and/or upgrade
any or all immediately -appropriate signs giving notice of said speed limits.
Section 4. Publication of Ordinance: Effective Date
The mayor shall sign this Ordinance and the City Clerk shall attest thereto and shall within
15 days cause it or a summary of it to be published in the Record Gazette, a newspaper published
and circulated in the City of Beaumont, and thereupon and thereafter this ordinance shall take
effect and be enforced according to law.
Accepted, Adopted, and Passed this 13th day of April , 1999 by the
following vote:
AYES: Mayor Leja, Council Members Parrott, Berg, and Zeller.
NOES: None.
ABSTAIN: None.
ABSENT: Council Member Westcot.
6?
ATTEST:
ayor of the City of Beaumont
Deputy City S°erk
CITY OF BEAUMONT
SPEED SURVEY
Beaumont, California
& ASSOCIATES INC.
February 11, 1999
Mr. Dave Dillon
CITY OF BEAUMONT
P.O. Box 158
550 E. Sixth Street
Beaumont, CA 92223-0158
Subject: City of Beaumont Speed Survey
Dear Mr. Dillon:
RECEIVED
FEB 16 1999
COP OFFICE
RKJK & ASSOCIATES, INC. (RKJK) is pleased to provide this speed survey and
recommendations for 15 roadways and 21 survey locations within the City of
Beaumont.
This report summarizes our data collection, methodology, analysis, findings and
recommendations with respect to speed limit recommendations.
RKJK appreciates the opportunity to work with the City of Beaumont on this very
important project. If you have any questions or if we can be of further assistance,
please do not hesitate to give us a call at (949) 474-0809.
Sincerely,
RKJK & ASSOCIATES
RAJLA 4- \its.
Robert Kahn, P.E,
Principal
RK:kgd/9228
JN:0544-98-02
Attachments
TRANSPORTATION PLANNING • GIS • TRAFFIC/ACOUSTICAL ENGINEERING
1601 Dove Street, Suite 290 • Newport Beach, CA 92660 • Phone: (949) 474-0809 • Fax: (949) 474-0902
CITY OF BEAUMONT
SPEED ZONE STUDY
BEAUMONT, CALIFORNIA
Prepared for:
CITY OF BEAUMONT
P.O. Box 158
550 E. Sixth Street
Beaumont, CA 92223-0158
Prepared by:
RKJK & ASSOCIATES, INC.
1601 Dove Street, Suite 290
Newport Beach, CA 92660
February 11, 1999
JN:0544-98-02
RK:kgd/9228
TABLE OF CONTENTS
SECTION PAGE
INTRODUCTION 1
I. SUMMARY OF FINDINGS 5
Survey Methodology 5
Speed Zone Recommendations 5
II. SPEED LIMITS 10
III. DATA COLLECTION 12
Roadway Characteristics 12
Travel Speed Survey Data 14
Statistical Analysis 14
Accident Experience 15
IV. SPEED LIMIT RECOMMENDATIONS 17
APPENDICES
SPEED STUDY TRAFFIC CONDITIONS FORMS BY LOCATION A
STATISTICAL SUMMARY SHEETS B
EXISTING TRAFFIC VOLUMES C
LIST OF EXHIBITS
EXHIBIT PAGE
A CITY OF BEAUMONT SPEED SURVEY 2
B CITY OF BEAUMONT RECOMMENDED SPEED ZONES 6
C SPEED ZONE LOCATION MAP 13
LIST OF TABLES
TABLE PAGE
1 CITY OF BEAUMONT SPEED SURVEY ROADWAYS SURVEYED 3
2 SPEED SURVEY SUMMARY 7
CITY OF BEAUMONT
SPEED ZONE STUDY
BEAUMONT, CALIFORNIA
INTRODUCTION
This report contains the speed zone study for 15 roadways in the City of Beaumont
(see Exhibit A). The 15 roadways and 21 segments identified by the City for speed
zone evaluation are listed in Table 1. For each roadway segment, information was
collected on existing roadway characteristics, speed characteristics, traffic volumes
and traffic accidents. Statistical analysis of travel speeds and accidents were
performed. Based on applicable sections in the California Vehicle Code, speed limits
for each roadway section are recommended.
This report contains an introduction to speed survey requirements, analysis of existing
roadway conditions, speed characteristics, accidents, and recommended speed limits
at each location.
Setting speed limits through engineering and traffic studies results in better, safer
speed limits. Speed limits set lower than appropriate result in flagrant violations by
a large majority of drivers, create disrespect for speed limits, lead to a large variation
in speeds, and are more hazardous than appropriately set speed limits. A speed limit
set lower than justified results in many drivers violating the posted speed limits. On
the other hand, the more conservative drivers choose to drive 10 miles per hour or
more over the speed limit. The result is a great variation in speed and a higher
average speed than if the speed limit is properly set. Variation in speed in itself is a
significant hazard, and when this is combined with a higher average speed, the result
is more accidents.
1
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ROADWAYS INCLUDED IN SPEED SURVEY
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CITY OF BEAUMONT SP ED SURVEY, Beaumont, California
2
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TABLE 1
CITY OF BEAUMONT SPEED SURVEY
ROADWAYS SURVEYED
STREET
First Street:
• Viele Avenue to Pennsylvania Avenue - east and west bound
Fourth Street:
• City Limits to Viele Avenue - east and west bound
• Viele Avenue to California Avenue - east and west bound
Sixth Street:
• 1-10 Exit Ramp to American Avenue - east and west bound
• American Avenue to Highland Springs Road - east and west bound
Eighth Street:
• Wellwood Avenue to Highland Springs Road - east and west bound
Fourteenth Street:
• Interstate 10 to Beaumont Avenue - east and west bound
• Beaumont Avenue to Cherry Avenue - east and west bound
Beaumont Avenue:
• Fifth Street to Eleventh Street - north and south bound
• Eleventh Street to Fourteenth Street - north and south bound
• Fourteenth Street to Brookside Avenue - north bound only
Brookside Avenue:
• City limits near 1-10 to Nancy Street - east bound only
California Avenue:
• South City Limits to Sixth Street - north and south bound
Cherry Avenue:
• Fourteenth Street to Brookside - north and south bound only
Cougar Way:
• Beaumont Avenue to Cherry Avenue - east and west bound
Elm Avenue:
• Eighth Street to Myri Avenue - north and south bound
Highland Springs Road:
• 17th Street to Eighth Street - south bound only
• Eighth Street to First Street - south bound only
Palm Avenue:
• Sixth Street to Cougar Way - north and south bound
Pennsylvania Avenue:
• Sixth Street to Fourteenth Street - north and south bound
San Timoteo Canyon Road:
• City limits to Interstate 10 - east and west bound
3
A properly set speed limit will encourage the speeding driver to slow down and obey
or nearly obey the speed limit, and will encourage the slow driver to keep up with
traffic. The end result is vehicles traveling at an appropriate speed and with a
minimum of speed variation.
Two important characteristics are achieved by proper speed zones:
1. Motorists will be advised as to a realistic and safe travel speed; and
2. Law enforcement personnel will have an effective tool with which to
differentiate between reasonable and unreasonable speeds.
4
I. SUMMARY OF FINDINGS
Survey Methodology
1. As described in the California Vehicle Code regarding how to set speed limits,
data was collected on the existing characteristics of 21 roadway segments in
the City of Beaumont.
2. All roadways were surveyed to determine existing roadway characteristics and
surrounding land uses.
3. Existing travel speeds on the 21 roadway locations were obtained with the
radar speed survey. A minimum of 100 speed observations were recorded at
each survey location.
4. Speed observation data was statistically calculated by computer to determine
average speed, 85th percentile speed, and 10 mile per hour pace speed.
5. Three year accident data was tabulated for each roadway segment for
consideration in the speed limit recommendations.
Speed Zone Recommendations
1. Based on a review of roadway segment survey data (Appendix "A"), speed
zone recommendations were made on each of the 21 roadway segments and
are graphically displayed in Exhibit B. Table 2 summarizes the speed zone
survey information.
5
i
EXHIBIT B
CITY OF BEAUMONT
RECOMMENDED SPEED ZONES
- 25 MPH
go 30 MPH
35 MPH
«www» - 40 MPH
X11111111 - 45 MPH
--�--�—• 50 MPH
- 55 MPH
0544-98-02:02A
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6
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TABLE 2
SPEED SURVEY SUMMARY'
LOC.
NO.
ROADWAY SEGMENT
EXISTING
SPEED
LIMIT
RECOMMENDED
SPEED LIMIT
(MPH)
85TH
PERCENTILE
SPEED
(MPH)
10 MPH
PACE
SPEED
(MPH)
PERCENT
WITHIN
10 MPH
PACE
First St.:
1
Viele Ave. to Pennsylvania Ave.
25
30
34
27-36
84.0
- east and west bound
Fourth St.:
2
City Limits to Viele Ave.
25
30
30
22-31
96.0
- east and west bound
3
Viola Ave. to California Ave.
25
25
32
24-33
88.1
- east and west bound
Sixth St.:
4
1-10 Exit Ramp to American Ave.
35
30
32
25-34
86.4
- east and west bound
5
American Ave. to Highland Springs Rd.
45
45
46
36-45
76.0
- east and west bound
Eighth St.:
6
Wellwood Ave. to Highland Springs Rd.
25
25
30
23-32
91.7
- east and west bound
Fourteenth St.:
7
Interstate 10 to Beaumont Ave.
55
55
67
58-67
66.9
- east and west bound
8
Beaumont Ave. to Cherry Ave.
35
30
34
25-34
88.0
- east and west bound
Beaumont Ave.:
9
Fifth St. to Eleventh St.
25
30
35
27-36
85.1
- north and south bound
10
Eleventh St. to Fourteenth St.
40
40
47
33-42
86.4
- north and south bound
11
Fourteenth St. to Brookside Ave.
50
50
56
45-54
58.4
- north bound only
Brookside Ave.:
12
City limits naafi -10 to Nancy St.
50
55
57
52-61
69.6
- east bound only
California Ave.:
13
South City Limits to Sixth St.
35
40
44
37-46
75.0
- north and south bound
Cherry Ave.:
14
Fourteenth St. to Brookside
25
35
39
30-39
78.4
- north and south bound
Cougar Way:
15
Beaumont Ave. to Cherry Ave.
45
35
43
33-42
77.7
- east and west bound
Elm Ave.:
16
Eighth St. to Myri Ave.
30
30
34
24-33
81.3
- north and south bound
' See Appendix "A" and "B" for additional Speed Survey data.
7
TABLE 2 (CONT'D)
SPEED SURVEY SUMMARY
LOC.
NO.
ROADWAY SEGMENT
EXISTING
SPEED
LIMIT
RECOMMENDED
SPEED LIMIT
(MPH)
85TH
PERCENTILE
SPEED
(MPH)
10 MPH
PACE
SPEED
(MPH)
PERCENT
WITHIN
10 MPH
PACE
Highland Springs Rd.:
17
17th St. to Eighth St.
55
50
53
44-53
84.3
- south bound only
18
Eighth St. to First St.
35
30
33
25-34
79.0
- south bound only
Palm Ave.:
19
Sixth St. to Cougar Way
40
35
36
28-35
93.3
• north end south bound
Pennsylvania Ave.:
20
Sixth St. to Fourteenth St.
35
35
39
30-39
81.0
- north and south bound
San Timoteo Canyon Rd.:
21
City limits to Interstate 10
55
55
59
50-59
64.4
- east and west bound
8
2. With adoption of the recommended speed limits, the City of Beaumont Police
Department will be able to enforce posted speed limits by the use of radar
equipment.
9
II. SPEED LIMITS
This traffic engineering analysis includes (a) results of field inventories including radar
samplings of speeds, (b) data analysis, and (c) recommended applicable speed limits.
With adoption of the recommended speed limits, the City of Beaumont Police
Department will be able to enforce the posted speed limits by the use of radar
equipment. Under State law, speed surveys must be conducted every five years to
use radar enforcement.
The California Vehicle Code is specific in its mandate for the performance of
engineering and traffic surveys in regard to speed limits. In particular, Section 40802
of the State Vehicle Code provides that "prima facie" speed limits established under
Sections 22352, 22354, 22357, 22358, and 22358.3 may not be enforced by radar
unless the speed limit has been justified by an engineering and traffic survey within
the last five years. All local agencies must conduct engineering and traffic surveys
to:
1. Raise State dictated "prima facie" limits above 25 miles per hour;
2. Lower the otherwise permitted maximum speed of 65 miles per hour; and
3. Enforce speed limits by the use of radar equipment.
Section 22350 is the basis of all speed zone legislation in that it states, "No person
shall drive a vehicle upon a highway at a speed greater than is reasonable or
prudent..." considering external conditions such as road conditions, weather, and
other traffic. Second, the Vehicle Code has established certain "prima facie" speed
limits (Section 22352) which may not be exceeded unless the operator of a motor
10
vehicle can prove that it is safe to do so under the Basic Speed Law. Specifically,
these prima facie limits are:
1. 15 miles per hour in traversing a railroad grade crossing;
2. 15 miles per hour in an alley;
3. 15 miles per hour at an uncontrolled intersection with restricted sight distances;
4. 25 miles per hour in business or residence districts;
5. 25 miles per hour in school zones when children are present; and
6. 25 miles per hour when passing a senior center.
The local agency may reduce standard 25 mile per hour school speed zones to
between 20 and 15 miles per hour, if justified by an engineering and traffic study
(Section 22358.4) but in no event may it be raised above 25 miles per hour.
Additionally, the local agency may raise speed limits in business and residence
districts to 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60 or 65 miles per hour, if justified by an
engineering and traffic survey.
Third, all other speed limits are set by an engineering and traffic study which
determines the "reasonable and prudent" speeds at which the majority of drivers
traverse a given street.
11
III. DATA COLLECTION
This section discusses the survey methodology for the collection of data on existing
roadway characteristics, travel speed surveys and accident experiences. Exhibit C
illustrate the 21 roadway locations inventoried. Speed study traffic conditions forms
have been prepared for each survey location, and are included in Appendix "A".
Roadway Characteristics
Visual inspection of each roadway survey location was performed. Based on the
visual survey, speed study traffic conditions forms were completed for data entries
such as the number of travel lanes, type of median, existing posted speed limit and
the types of surrounding land uses. Other special conditions inventoried include
notations on horizontal and vertical curves, school crosswalks and school speed
zones.
Total curb to curb street width was also measured and recorded at each speed survey
location. Existing two-way daily traffic counts were obtained by RKJK in January
1999.
The predominant land use adjacent to the roadway by travel direction was identified.
The surrounding uses were identified by the predominant or significant types of uses
defining the character and intensity of development along the roadway. Adjacent land
uses have direct access if driveways serving the use intersect with the roadway and
the land use directly fronts onto the roadway. Land uses not having direct access
include those uses with rear or side yards facing the roadway with access from
secondary or from parallel roadways. The number of driveways intersecting the
roadway are qualitatively defined as none, infrequent, moderate, or frequent.
12
HANNON RD.
EXHIBIT C
SPEED SURVEY
LOCATION MAP
CHERRY VALLEY BLVD.
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PENNSYLVANIA
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01 = LOCATION IDENTIFICATION NUMBER
0544-98-02:03A
CITY OF BEAUMONT SPEED SURVEY. Beaumont, California
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7
ASSOCIATES 1EJ1(-
Travel Speed Survey Data
Radar speed surveys were conducted at 21 locations within the City. Principles for
survey methods utilized in this engineering survey followed the procedures set out by
the State of California Caltrans Traffic Manual.
Section 8-03.3b of the Traffic Regulations Section of the State of California Traffic
Manual sets forth the basic procedural steps in conducting an "engineering and traffic
survey." This method is designed for use on all City and County through highways,
arterials, and collector streets.
Surveys were conducted during off-peak hours so that free-flow conditions would
allow the motorist to drive at a self -determined "safe speed". An unmarked vehicle
was employed as the survey vehicle, with the radar device situated inconspicuously.
The vehicle was located along a straight roadway segment, far enough away from
signals, stop signs, major intersections, or roadway obstruction so that the motorist
were traveling at free-flow velocity before passing the sampling vehicle.
The samples were recorded in one mile per hour increments. On two-way streets,
samples in both directions were obtained except as noted in Table 1. Care was also
taken to include a representative proportion of trucks and buses. Generally, each
survey contained at least 100 samples. Speed zone statistical summary sheets for
each location are provided in Appendix "B" of this report.
Statistical Analysis
The field data was analyzed with a number of calculations performed by computer.
Statistical calculations included the average speed, 85th percentile (or critical) speed,
14
10 mile per hour pace speed, percentage of vehicles in the 10 mile per hour pace
speed and 50th percentile speed. These terms are defined as follows:
Average Speed: The average or arithmetic mean speed characterizes the speed
observations in a single number, and is calculated by dividing the summation of all
observed speeds by the number of observations.
85th Percentile Speed: The 85th percentile speed is the speed at or below which 85
percent of the vehicles traveled. It is the single most important measure used to
determine what speed limits should be posted.
10 Miles Per Hour Pace Speed: The 10 miles per hour space speed is the 10 miles per
hour range within which the largest number of observations fall. Typically, 70 percent
of the vehicles are contained in this range, with 15 percent above and 15% percent
below. A properly set speed limit will maximize the percent of vehicles in the 10 mile
per hour pace speed. One symptom of an inappropriate speed limit is a lower
percentage than normal in the 10 mile per hour pace speed.
Accident Experience
Accident experiences for the three-year period from 1995 through 1998 along each
of the survey segments were also tabulated and reviewed. Reported accidents were
tabulated based on fatality, injury, property damage only, and total accidents for each
roadway segment. Accidents which occurred in the intersections were proportionally
allocated to each approach leg segment of the intersection. The total number of
accidents was then divided by existing traffic volumes (see Appendix "C") to
determine an accident rate per million vehicle miles of travel for the roadway segment.
15
The accident rates which were calculated for each roadway segment were compared
to the average rates expected for similar facilities throughout California. Caltrans in
conjunction with the Federal Highway Administration has published Accident Data on
California State Highways, which was used to determine whether the accident rates
in the City of Beaumont were above average.
16
IV. SPEED LIMIT RECOMMENDATIONS
Table 2 contains a listing of survey locations with their calculated critical (or 85th
percentile) speed, 10 miles per hour pace speed, and the recommended speed limit.
Speed limit recommendations are graphically displayed in Exhibit A.
Speed limits were generally established at the first 5 mile per hour level below the
85th percentile but generally not lower than the limit of the 10 mile per hour pace
speed. According to the State Traffic Manual:
Experience has shown that speed limits should be established at or below the
85th percentile speed. The speed chosen for speed zoning should be in 5 mile
per hour increments and should normally be selected at a value immediately
below the 85th percentile speed.
In general, the 85th percentile will dictate the speed limit to be established pursuant
to the reasoning that most drivers are "reasonable and prudent."
Speed limit selections resulting from this survey and analysis were based on the
nearest value below the 85th percentile speed. Recommended speed limits are for
both directions of travel.
The primary selected speed limits were then considered in relation to roadway
characteristics, accident experience, and nearby development on each respective
roadway segment. Some of these characteristics may warrant a deviation from the
85th percentile. These characteristics include:
• Higher -than -average accident histories.
17
• Hazardous physical features of the roadway which are not readily apparent to
the driver. Hazards that are not readily apparent include cross gutters, poor
sight distance, and close spacing of controlled intersections.
• Compatibility and continuity with speed zones of adjacent cities and/or adjacent
reaches of the same street within the City.
It is important to note that the Vehicle Code by Section 22358.5 emphasizes that only
hazards not readily apparent to the driver necessitate a downward speed zoning. It
has been determined that the Basic Speed Law "...is sufficient regulation as to such
conditions." These characteristics were considered along with the 85th percentile
speed and accident experience in making recommended speed zone changes.
18