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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCC Resolution 10384 (Residential Traffic Calming Techniques)RESOLUTION NO. 10384 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAN RAFAEL REGARDING RESIDENTIAL TRAFFIC CALMING TECHNIQUES AND APPROVING THE RESIDENTIAL INTERSECTION ALL -WAY STOP WARRANTS AND POLICY WHEREAS, neighborhood traffic management, as well as safety and quality of life in residential neighborhoods can be improved by neighborhood traffic calming techniquespolicies and devices; and WHEREAS, a policy and professionally established warrants for all -way stop signs at intersections in residential neighborhoods can be developed and implemented to improve traffic control in certain neighborhood areas; and WHEREAS, the City Council desires to have a policy and warrants for all - way stop controls in residential neighborhoods. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Council of the City of San Rafael that the City Traffic Engineer be directed to continue to 1) research and develop policies regarding new traffic calming techniques and 2) bring traffic calming techniques to the Council for discussion and approval. AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the City Traffic Engineer shall conduct before and after studies for selected areas of the City which will be chosen as pilot program areas. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that an all -way stop policy and warrants for intersections in residential neighborhoods as developed by the City Traffic Engineer is approved by the City Council, and the City Traffic Engineer is directed to use his/her �Q iTl4 ii professional judgement to study and analyze appropriate locations for the implementation of this policy and warrants. I, JEANNE M. LEONCINI, Clerk of the City of San Rafael, hereby certify that the foregoing resolution was duly and regularly introduced and adopted at a regular meeting of the Council of said City on the 15`x' day of March, 1999, by the following vote, to wit: AYES: COUNCILMEMBERS: Heller, Miller, Phillips & Vice -Mayor Cohen NOES: COUNCILMEMBERS: None ABSENT: COUNCILMEMBERS: Mayor Boro JE . EON Y, i4yCrk Citv of San Rafael DeDartment of Public Works Traffic Enaineerino MULTI -WAY STOP INSTALLATION POLICY AND WARRANTS FOR RESIDENTIAL STREETS Description A regulatory sign placed at intersections which requires motorists to come to a complete stop and assure that it is safe to proceed under the normal right-of-way rules before proceeding into the intersection. Objective Control of right-of-way at intersections where there is a reason to believe that the intersection does or would not operate within reasonable safety expectations if left to operate as an uncontrolled intersection under the general right-of-way law. Factors to Consider Criteria: An intersection meeting the volume and one other criteria is considered a candidate for an all -way STOP sign installation. However, meeting these requirements will not automatically justify the installation of an all -way stop control. The City Traffic Engineer will recommend to the City Council if an all -way stop control is justified. Volume Total intersection vehicle volume must be equal to or greater than 300 vehicles (units) per hour for at least 8 hours during a typical day (pedestrian and vehicular volumes could be combined as a unit). The major street maximum volume shall be 5,000 vehicles per day. AND Side street approach volumes must be at least 1/3 of the total intersection vehicle (units), volume for the same 8 hours. Accidents Three (3) or more accidents within the recent 12 month period that may be sustible to correction by an all -way stop. Visibility Intersection sight distance must be equal to or less than 150 feet. Speed The 85th percentile speeds must be equal to or greater than 30 mph. On street posted must be25 mph or less. Crossing Residential Intersecting streets are collectors and distribute residential traffic to several other residential streets and/or cul-de-sacs. Collectors AND Volumes on both streets must be nearly equal (no greater than a 40 percent to 60 percent split). Volume Adjustment Factors The volume criteria can v Neither street width exceeds 40 feet. be reduced to 60 % if v No other STOP signs or signals within 600 feet. all adjustment factors v Intersection is located near an activity center (i.e. school, park) AND at least 25 children walk or bike through the are met. intersection during any two hours on a typical day. v The queue at the stopped approches would not effect the nearby side streets or driveways. Street Definition Residential Streets are local streets which primary serve the local residents within a neighborhood. Traffic volumes on such streets are usually low with no transit or truck activities. the traffic volumes are normally less than 5,000 vehicles per day. Neighborhood Collector Streets are intended to distribute traffic between more principal traffic routes and local residential streets within the neighborhood. All of them serve as fire response routes and a few are designated truck routes. The neighborhood collector streets that are eligible for traffic calming projects must be 75% residential in nature. City of San Rafael Deoartment of Public Works Traffic Enoineerina ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES OF VARIOUS TRAFFIC CONTROL DEVICES ALL -WAY STOP ADVANTAGES 1. Controls right-of-way. Readily understood by motorists. 2. Can be installed quickly and inexpensively. 3. Neighborhood and pedestrian friendly. ADVANTAGES DISADVANTAGES 1. Could Increase delay, queue lengths, and rear -end accidents. 2. May increase mid -block speeding on other segemnets that are not fully controlled. 3. Not always favorable to residents immediately adjacent to new stop sign locations. SPEED HUMPS 1. Reduction in overall vehicular speed and collisions. 2. Discouragement of cut -through traffic. 3. Reduced need of police enforcement (i.e. self -enforcing). 4. Highly effective and relatively inexpensive. 5. Increased pedestrian safety. 6. Neighborhood friendly. ADVANTAGES DISADVANTAGES 1. Increase in emergency vehicle response time 2. Longer travel time. 3. Increase in noise and air pollution. 4. May Damage fire trucks and cause injuries to firefighters. 5. Painful for residents with spinal chord or other severe injuries. 6. Cyclists could find humps unfriendly. 7. Will cause traffic to shift to parallel residential streets. 8. May loose some on -street parking at the Humps. 9. Drivers who dislike speed humps, honk while driving over it making life miserable for local residents. ROUNDABOUT (CIRCLES). DISADVANTAGES 1. Reduces accident potential after drivers become accustomed. 1. Some loss of on -street parking. 2. A noticeable reduction in speeds. 2. Pedestrians and cyclists may not adjust to less traditional 3. Under certain conditions capacity can be increased. crossing patterns & conflicting movements. 4. Can be used instead of stop signs. 3. May require right-of-way and more lighting. 5. Rarely causes traffic diversion. 4. Slight Increase in emergency vehicle response time. CURB BULBS ADVANTAGES 1. Slight reduction in vehicular speed. 2. Good for pedestrians due to shorter crossing time. 3. May be aesthetically pleasing, if landscaped. 4. Can be used in multiple application. 5. Rarely causes traffic diversion. 6. May be useful on streets where sideswipe of parked vehicles is a problem. ADVANTAGES DISADVANTAGES 1. Cannot be used on streets of less than 22 feet traveled way width. 2. May require relocationladjustment of turning radius, utility valves, drainage Inlets, and manholes. 3. Increase landscaping maintenance. 4. Landscaping may cause sight distance problems. 5. Some loss of on -street parking. 6. Heavy left/right turns could block through traffic and cause congestion to spread rapidly on the approch street segment. 7. Can Impede legitimate truck movements. 8. Potential obstacle for motorist to run Into. CHICANES 1. Reduces traffic speed. 2. No significant impedance to emergency services. 3. Better motorist -pedestrian visibility of each other. 4. Can discourage truck entry. 5. Can be used in multiple application with other Calming devices. 6. Rarely causes traffic diversion. 7. Neighborhood and pedestrian friendly. ADVANTAGES DISADVANTAGES 1. Some loss of on -street parking. 2. To be effective, may require multi -block treatment where blocks are short. (Must be done in series) 3. Not acceptable on streets with substantial horizontal curvature or where crest vertical curves I;mit sight distance. 4. Potential for head-on collision and for motorist to run into. 5. May require relocation/adjustment of utility valves, drainage inlets, and manholes. CROSS WALK LIGHTING SYSTEM 1. Enhances a driver's awareness of crosswalks and modifies driving habits to be more favorable to pedestrians. 2. Affective during adverse weather conditions such as darkness, fog and rain. DISADVANTAGES 1. Some loss of on -street parking. 2. May give a false sense of security and can cause confusion for pedestrians. 3. Maintenance cost very high. 4. May be hazardous to some bicyclists. 5. SUIT under review in many jurisdictions.