HomeMy Public PortalAbout10C Installation of crosswalk and stop signs at Grand and DaleviewCity Council
September 16, 2014
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The installation of new multi-way Stop signs requires the satisfaction of certain
requirements, or warrants, set by the California Manual of Uniform Traffic Control
Devices (CA-MUTCD). Transtech Engineers, Inc., the City's consultant for engineering
services, conducted a warrant analysis to determine whether the required warrants
were satisfied for this situation (Attachment "B").
The warrants required under CA-MUTCD include the following, and are discussed in
greater detail in the attached warrant analysis:
• minimum traffic volume on street approaches to the intersection
• minimum volume of pedestrians crossing at the intersection
• speed of traffic through the intersection
• number of accidents at the intersection
• potential sight obstructions at the intersection
The warrant study concluded that the intersection of Daleview and Grand does not
satisfy any of these required warrants to justify the installation of Stop signs on Grand
Avenue. However, the CA-MUTCD allows cities to consider additional criteria through
an engineering study to justify installation of a Stop control. Based on these additional
criteria, Transtech determined that installation of Stop signs on Grand Avenue can be
justified under the following criteria:
• the need to control a left turn conflict at the intersection
• the need to control vehicle/pedestrian conflicts near locations generating high
pedestrian traffic volumes (in this case, an elementary school)
• the desire to utilize a multi-way stop control to improve traffic operational
characteristics at the intersection of two residential streets of similar design and
operating characteristics
Transportation and Public Safety Commission Recommendation
Pursuant to Temple City Municipal Code Section 2-6E-7, the Transportation and Public
Safety Commission is charged with reviewing all proposed traffic regulations and
making a recommendation to the City Council on any proposed improvements. The
Commission was scheduled to consider the proposed improvements on September 10,
2014, after the publication of this staff report. Staff will inform the City Council of the
Commission's recommendation at the September 16 City Council meeting.
CONCLUSION:
The goal of the Safe Routes to School program and projects funded by the program is
to encourage students to walk or ride their bikes to school by increasing the safety and
efficiency of pedestrian and bike routes to schools. Installation of the proposed Stop
signs and crosswalks at the intersection of Grand Avenue and Daleview Avenue will
complete an important connection to Cleminson School. The warrant analysis prepared
by Transtech demonstrates that the installation of the Stop signs is justified pursuant to
CA-MUTCD requirements.
City Council
September 16, 2014
Page 3 of 3
FISCAL IMPACT:
The proposed Stop signs and crosswalks are included in the Safe Routes to School
project budget which was previously approved by the City Council. Approval of the
proposed Stop signs and crosswalks would not result in any additional impact to the
Fiscal Year 2014-15 budget.
ATTACHMENTS:
A. Resolution No. 14-5029
B. Warrant Analysis for Stop Control on Grand Avenue at the Intersection of Daleview
Avenue and Grand Avenue
RESOLUTION NO. 14-5029
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF TEMPLE
CITY APPROVING THE INSTALLATION OF SCHOOL ZONE
CROSSWALKS AND MULTI-WAY STOP CONTROLS AT THE
INTERSECTION OF GRAND AVENUE AND DALEVIEW AVENUE
Attachment A
WHEREAS, Section 21372 of the California Vehicle Code (CVC) and Sections 2B.04 through 26.07
of the California Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices (CA-MUTCD) provide factors that cities may
consider in an engineering study to justify the appropriateness of proposed multi-way Stop controls; and
WHEREAS, Section 21368 of the CVC and Section 3B.18 of the CA-MUTCD provide guidelines for
the installation of crosswalks near schools; and
WHEREAS, the City Council has reviewed and considered the engineering study prepared by
Transtech Engineers, Inc. justifying the appropriateness of multi-way Stop controls and school zone
crosswalks at the intersection of Grand Avenue and Daleview Avenue.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council of the City of Temple City approves
the installation of school zone crosswalks and multi-way Stop controls at the intersection of Grand Avenue
and Daleview Avenue.
PASSED, APPROVED, AND ADOPTED on this 16th day of September, 2014.
MAYOR
ATTEST:
City Clerk
I hereby certify that the foregoing resolution, Resolution No. 14-5029, was duly passed, approved
and adopted by the City Council of the City of Temple City at a regular meeting held on the 16th day of
September, 2014, by the following vote:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN:
Councilmember-
Councilmember-
Councilmember-
Councilmember-
City Clerk
Avenue on the east and McClintock Avenue (one block west of Daleview Avenue) on the west. As part of
Safe Routes to School project, a continuous sidewalk has been constructed along the north side of
Grand Avenue between Daleview Avenue and Santa Anita Avenue. Grand Avenue is currently controlled
by Stop signs at Santa Anita Avenue (approximately 900' to the east of Daleview Avenue) and at El
Monte Avenue (approximately 1,300' to the west of Daleview Avenue).
Cleminson Elementary School was part of the Safe Routes to School Project, which was funded by the
State's SR2S program in 2012. The area in the vicinity was also identified as Focus Area M in the City's
Traffic Calming Master Plan. The improvement measures per the Safe Routes to School project include:
additional school children and speed control signs along Daleview Avenue, stop sign, pavement legend
and bar at Arrowood Street approach, and yellow ladder-stripe crosswalks at Daleview Avenue and
Freer Street (West Leg and South Leg), at Arrowood Street (West Leg) and on Daleview Avenue at the
intersection of Grand Avenue and Daleview Avenue (North Leg). The proposed measures also included
installation of sidewalks along the east side of Daleview Avenue between Grand Avenue and Freer
Street. However, due to some existing constraints, trees and residents, objection, the east side sidewalk
construction has been postponed, and will not be installed as part of the project.
The Temple City Traffic Calming Master Plan outlines a need to use traffic calming measures on Grand
Avenue as it approaches Daleview Avenue. This included speed bumps and speed control signage and is
identified as a Tier 1 priority for the City.
Cleminson Elementary School is located at 5213 N Daleview Avenue and is approximately 510' north of
the intersection of Grand Avenue and Daleview Avenue. The school has approximately 400 students
attending k-6 grades. School hours for students start at 8:15 a.m. and end at 2:50 p.m. Approximately
40% of students were estimated to walk to and from school and 5% bike.
Since a crosswalk across Grand Avenue west of Daleview Avenue would provide a direct
pedestrian/school children access to and from the Cleminson School from south side of Grand Avenue,
adequate protection of this crosswalk is warranted for school children.
Per the California Vehicle Code (CVC) Section 21368 Crosswalks Near Schools:
"Whenever a marked pedestrian crosswalk has been established in a roadway contiguous to a
school building or the grounds thereof, it shall be painted or marked in yellow as shall be all the
marked pedestrian crosswalks at an intersection in case any one of the crosswalks is required to
be marked in yellow. Other established marked pedestrian crosswalks may be painted or
marked in yellow if either (a) the nearest point of the crosswalk is not more than 600 feet from
a school building or the grounds thereof, or (b) the nearest point of the crosswalk is not more
than 2,800 feet from a school building or the grounds thereof, there are no intervening
crosswalks other than those contiguous to the school grounds, and it appears that the facts and
circumstances require special painting or marking of the crosswalks for the protection and
safety of persons attending the school. There shall be painted or marked in yellow on each side
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of the street in the lane or lanes leading to all yellow marked crosswalks the following words,
"SLOW-SCHOOL XING," except that such words shall not be painted or marked in any lane
leading to a crosswalk at an intersection controlled by stop signs, traffic signals or yield right-of-
way signs. A crosswalk shall not be painted or marked yellow at any location other than as
required or permitted in this section."1
The national Center for Safe Routes to School prepared a study of modes of travel fork-8th Grades based
on distances students live from campus. It was found that 59% of students who live within a lc\ of a mile
of the campus walk or bike to school, and 41% of all students who live less than one (1) mile away from
campus either walk or bike to school. On average nearly 87% of students live less than one mile from
campus.
A marked crosswalk can benefit pedestrians by directing them to cross at locations where appropriate
traffic control exists or can be provided. It may be helpful to install marked crosswalks at locations
where crosswalks are typically marked, at key crossings in neighborhoods with designated school
walking routes, and at certain types of uncontrolled crossings.
Per the Safe Routes Info (SRI) Guidelines key reasons to install marked crosswalks are:
• To indicate a preferred pedestrian crossing location
• To alert drivers to an often-used pedestrian crossing
• To indicate school walking routes
A count and study was made at this location to see the feasibility of installing a crosswalk and stop sign.
The California Manual of Uniform Traffic Control (CAMUTCD) defines a crosswalk as: any portion of a
roadway at an intersection or elsewhere distinctly indicated for pedestrian crossing by lines or other
surface markings such as white paint, or created by reflective pavement markings or with a different
texture of concrete like brick pavers. These markings identify the portion of the road that is designated
for pedestrian travel. At any crosswalk (marked or unmarked) drivers must yield the right of way to
pedestrians.
Crosswalks are marked mainly to encourage pedestrians to use a particular crossing location. Properly
placed marked crosswalks can encourage pedestrians to walk preferred crossing locations while
increasing the visibility of driver awareness of a pedestrian crossing at the location. Per the eve Section
21354 "a local authority may designate any highway under its jurisdiction as a through highway and may
erect stop signs at entrances thereto or may designate any intersection under its exclusive jurisdiction as
a stop intersection and erect stop signs at one or more entrances hereto."
1 California Vehicle Code {CVC) Section 21368 Crosswalks Near Schools
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The fo ll owi ng su m ma rizes t he veh icl e co unt s du ri ng t he high es t 8 hours of a given day . This is used t o
determ in e if minimu m ve hicu lar v o l um e t hresho lds ar e exceeded f o r t he i nstallation of all -way stop
cont rol.
*
**
TABLE 1: VEHICLE COUNTS DURING THE HIGHEST 8 HOURS OF A GIVEN DAY *
Gran d Ave Da l evi ew Ave
Time (M aj or Stree t) (M i nor St r eet)
(Hi ghes t 8 Hours) EB WB Total E + W
App r oac h Approach Appro ach
7 :0 0-8:00 49 95 144
8 :00 -9:00 52 lOS 15 7
13:00-14 :00 45 51 9 6
14:00-15 :0 0 57 63 1 20
15:00 -16:00 8 7 84 171
16:00-17:00 124 70 194
17:00-18 :00 156 68 2 24
18:00-19:00 99 54 153
Counts are based on 2012 Co u n t s per the Temple Cit y Traffic Calming Master Plan
Vph: vehicles per hour
58 Ap proach
18
34
25
35
21
22
18
8
*** Units ph: u ni ts pe r ho ur exiting from either direction of t he m in or street. (Threshold includes veh icles,
b icycles and pe d est rians )
ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION
An acc ident investigatio n was conduct ed us i ng the last 4 ava i lable years from SWITRS (Statewide
Integrated Traffic Reco rds Sys t em) records for the City of Temple City for the studied i nt ersect ion of
Dalevi ew Ave an d Gran d Ave . Th e record resea r ch fou nd that there no recorde d vehicle or pedestri an
vs car accide nts w ithi n the last 4 yea rs as r ecorded in SW ITRS.
0 accidents i n 2013
0 acci d ents in 20 12
0 acci d ents in 2011
0 acci dents in 2010
According t o the Safe Ro utes t o Sch ool Bri efing Sh eets o n the use of t raffic calming near schoo ls, parents
cite h igh vehicle speeds and traffic volumes for not all owing th eir children to walk or b i ke to and from
sc hoo l. Calming traffic through the application of engineering tools can encourage drivers to reduce
thei r speeds. At lower ope r at i ng speeds, drivers are bette r ab le to react i n time to avoid co ll isions. This
is particu larly important a round sc h ool aged children, who may behave errat ica ll y or may not be alert to
traffic. "Traffic ca l m ing" is the in st allation of phys ica l meas u res that al t er driver behavior and impr ove
co nd itions for no n-mot o r ize d street use r s.
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Per the US Department of Transportation Federal Highway Administration "Executive Summary and
Recommended Guidelines" for crosswalks, unprotected crosswalks can be considered when the subject
roadway satisfies the following:
• Two lane roadways
• Roadway speeds less than 30 mph
• No parking on street segment approaching crossing location
• High pedestrian volume
• Average daily traffic on roadway less than 9,000 vehicles
• Clear sight distance for pedestrian and approaching vehicle
• Well lighted area
• Used to discourage pedestrian crossing at undesirable locations
• Special consideration is given to those locations that are part of a safe route to school program
Some studies suggest that marked crosswalks not at a location with a stop or signal (unprotected) give a
pedestrian a false sense of security, with the markings providing a barrier or some sort of protection.
Contrary to pedestrians expectations a marked crosswalk does not necessarily result in motorists
stopping or yielding to pedestrians. In some instances pedestrians are more likely to step out in front of
oncoming traffic in a marked crosswalk than at an unmarked crosswalk. According to the US
Department of Transportation Federal Highway Administration "Executive Summary and Recommended
Guidelines" for crosswalks, "motorists failing to yield represented a large percentage of pedestrian
crashes in marked crosswalks (41.5%) and unmarked crosswalks (31.7%)". There were several other
contributing factors such as speed of traffic, number of lanes and age of pedestrians that also
contributed to the results.
Crosswalk markings provide guidance for pedestrians by defining and delineating paths. Crosswalk
markings are classified as basic or high visibility. High-visibility markings consist of longitudinal lines
parallel to traffic flow with or without traverse lines.
ALL-WAY STOP CONTROL WARRANTS
The City's criteria for determining if all-way stop control is warranted is based on a number of factors as
set by the California Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices (CA-MUTCD). These factors include
minimum volume on each of the street approaches, accident investigation, speed of traffic, number of
pedestrians and potential sight obstructions. The study concluded that the intersection did not meet
minimum volume or accident thresholds as determined by the California Manual of Uniform Traffic
Control Devices (CA-MUTCD) for the installation of All-Way stop control.
However other criteria that may be considered for the installation of all-way stop control per an
engineering study include the need to control vehicle/pedestrian conflicts near locations generating high
pedestrian volumes. challenging pedestrians on safe routes to school to a preferred crossing. The
Daleview Ave and Grand Ave intersection meets the safety criteria for a location on a designated safe
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route to school for the installation of all-way stop control.
The following briefly outlines the Criteria for the installation of All-Way stop warrants, and if these
warrants are satisfied for Grand Avenue at Daleview Avenue. The placement of All-Way stop control is
warranted when 2
:
A. Traffic control signals are justified . (Based on this analysis, the warrant is not satisfied)
B. A crash problem exi st s as indicated by 5 or more accidents in a 12-month period (Based on this
analysis, the warrant is not satisfied)
C. Minimum Volumes are met if:
Volume entering intersection from the major approach (total of both approaches) averages 300
vehicles per hour for any 8 hours of an average day. (Based on this analysis, the warrant is not
satisfied), And
The combined vehicle, pedestrian and bicycle volumes entering the intersection from the minor
street approaches averages at least 200 units per hour for the same 8 hours. (Based on this analysis,
the warrant is not satisfied)
1. If the 85 1h percentile approach speed of the ma jo r-street exceeds 40 mph the minimum
volumes are 70 percent of the above values. (Posted speed limit is 25 mph on Daleview
Avenue)
Other criteria that may be considered in an engineering study in clude :
A. The need to control left turn conflict. (Based on this analysis, the warrant is satisfied)
B. The need to control vehicle/pedestrian conflicts near locations generating high pedestrian
volumes. (Based on this analysis, the warrant is satisfied)
C. Locations where a road user, after stopping cannot see conflicting traffic and is not able to
safely negotiate the intersection unless conflicting traffic is also required to stop. (Based on
this analysis, the warrant is not satisfied)
D . An intersection of two residential neighborhood collector (through) streets of similar design
and operating characteristics where multiway stop control would improve traffic
operational characteristics of the intersection. (Based on this analysis , the warrant is
satisfied)
RECOMMENDATIONS
The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority's Complete Streets Policy stress the
importance of making improvements that can be made to better facilitate transit, pedestrian, and
bicycle travel across the transportation system . Given the increasingly congested nature of our
roadways, getting more productivity out of the existing road and public transportation systems is vital to
California Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices, Se ction 2B.07 Multiway Stop Applications page 137
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