HomeMy WebLinkAboutPW Marin Countywide Local Road Safety Plan____________________________________________________________________________________
FOR CITY CLERK ONLY
Council Meeting: April 2, 2024
Disposition: Adopted the 2024 Marin Countywide Local Road Safety Plan; and Adopted Chapter 16
of the 2024 Marin Countywide Local Road Safety Plan as the City of San Rafael Local Road Safety
Plan
Agenda Item No: 6.a
Meeting Date: April 2, 2024
SAN RAFAEL CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
Department: Public Works
Prepared by: April Miller, Public Works Director City Manager Approval: __________
TOPIC: MARIN COUNTYWIDE LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN
SUBJECT: ADOPT THE 2024 MARIN COUNTYWIDE LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN AND
ADOPT CHAPTER 16 OF 2024 MARIN COUNTYWIDE LOCAL ROAD SAFETY
PLAN AS THE CITY OF SAN RAFAEL LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN
RECOMMENDATION:
1.Adopt the 2024 Marin Countywide Local Road Safety Plan
2.Adopt Chapter 16 of the 2024 Marin Countywide Local Road Safety Plan as the City of
San Rafael Local Road Safety Plan
BACKGROUND:
The 2024 Marin Countywide Local Road Safety Plan (LRSP) was developed as a collaboration
between the Transportation Authority of Marin (TAM), the County of Marin, and Marin County’s
11 incorporated cities and towns, along with input from various stakeholders. The LRSP updates
data and recommendations from the 2018 Marin County Systemic Safety Analysis Report
Program. In addition, the Countywide LRSP includes a focused LRSP for each jurisdiction,
including Chapter 16, which is an LRSP focused exclusively on the City of San Rafael. The LRSP
aims to align each of the participating agencies with the principles of Vision Zero and ensure
eligibility for competitive grant programs that require an adopted LRSP. On January 25, 2024, the
TAM Board adopted the Countywide LRSP, which includes a Vision Zero Statement and Vision
Zero Goals to strive to achieve zero deaths or severe injuries on Marin roadways by 2050. TAM
recommends that each jurisdiction also consider adopting the Countywide and agency specific
LRSP chapters. The County of Marin’s Board of Supervisors adopted the LRSP on February 27,
2024.
The initial chapters of the LRSP consist of an overview of the background and document
organization. Chapter 2 presents the Vision Statement & Goals, which is a key component of the
LRSP. Subsequent chapters present other existing Countywide and State Plans and Studies that
promote and improve safety; present countywide safety data; and present a framework for
developing and implementing strategies to increase road user safety across the County, referred
to as “Emphasis Areas”. The emphasis areas in Chapter 6 present quantifiable goals based on
Caltrans Strategic Highway Safety Plan’s Five E’s (education, enforcement, engineering,
SAN RAFAEL CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT / Page: 2
emergency response, and emerging technology). The emphasis areas were divided into four
categories: Vulnerable Users, Collision Factors, Collision Types, and External Conditions. The
remaining chapters focus on specific jurisdictions.
The LRSP recommends an agency complete a periodic evaluation to monitor safety conditions
over time to understand progress and safety conditions. Foremost amongst these should be the
number of killed or seriously injured (KSI) collisions as this corresponds directly to the LRSP
goals.
ANALYSIS: The LRSP was prepared, in part, to continue the ability for each local jurisdiction to
meet the requirements of safety-related grants such as the federal Safe Streets and Roads for
All (SS4A) grant, or the state’s Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP) grant. Additional
jurisdictions with an adopted LRSP receive additional points in the highly competitive Active
Transportation Program (ATP) administered by the Metropolitan Transportation Commission
(MTC). The LRSP, if adopted, satisfies the eligibility requirements for these grant opportunities
and potential future opportunities. Staff anticipates call for projects for the next cycle of these
grants in spring/summer 2024.
As part of the City Council Goals and Objectives for FY 23-24 & FY 24-25, Goal D states
“Coordinate with the TAM and the County of Marin in the analysis and implementation of Vision
Zero, or equivalent, to eliminate all traffic fatalities and severe injuries while increasing safe,
healthy, equitable mobility for pedestrians, cyclists, and all modes of traffic.” The City has actively
participated in the creation of the LRSP along with TAM and the County of Marin. The next step
is to coordinate and prioritize the ongoing efforts necessary to achieve the Vision Zero Statement
and goals of the LRSP. Staff proposes to develop a Vision Zero Action Plan with input from various
stakeholders, including enforcement, emergency response, San Rafael Bicycle and Pedestrian
Committee (BPAC), community groups, education, public health, advocacy groups, and
businesses. The objective of the Vision Zero Action Plan is to develop a common understanding
of the issues and strategies leading to a mutual commitment to ongoing actions geared towards
eliminating serious injuries and fatalities on San Rafael roadways. This is a significant but
important undertaking that is proposed to be carried out with consultant support.
With people engaged in active transportation disproportionately impacted by traffic collisions,
addressing their safety through Vision Zero is integral to improving and increasing active
transportation. The Department of Public Works will include the development of a Vision Zero
Action Plan in its goals & objectives proposal when the City Council considers its next 2-year
cycle of goals in the Spring of 2025, however the procurement phase may commence sooner. It
should be noted that the Vision Zero Action Plan may identify potential programmatic, capital, or
staff costs for consideration as part of future budgets and grant funding opportunities.
The County of Marin plans to issue a Request for Proposal in the upcoming months to solicit
interest in qualified consultants. The City of San Rafael is in early discussions with the County
about collaborating with the same consultant to potentially develop its Vision Zero action plan.
Although the City and County needs may vary due to the urban and rural roadways, there are
several overlapping concepts that would benefit from a consistent approach.
In addition to evaluating the LRSP, staff will continue to pursue specific related initiatives to
enhance safety for all modes. The City has started work on the “Emphasis Area: Unsafe Speed”
identified in the Chapter 16 of the LRSP by recently conducting speed surveys in key locations,
so the City can review the draft results with the traffic safety committee and determine how the
City can reduce or maintain speed limits using provisions in new state laws like AB 43. The City
is also updating the City’s Bicycle and Pedestrian Citywide Plan next fiscal year which will look at
adding projects along segments identified in the LRSP with high collision rates. The State recently
approved Assembly Bill (AB) 413 which established the new “no parking” zones in advance of
SAN RAFAEL CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT / Page: 3
crosswalks. This City plans to methodically update areas throughout the city to meet this state
law, which helps improve visibility of pedestrians in crosswalks.
PUBLIC OUTREACH: TAM formed a Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) to provide guidance
in developing the Vision Zero Statement and Goals, and to oversee the process of developing the
contents of the LRSP. The membership consisted of TAM staff, local agency public works staff
(including San Rafael), two representatives from the California Highway Patrol, a representative
from the Central Marin Police Authority, two representatives from Marin Health and a
representative from the Marin County Bicycle Coalition.
On March 12, 2024, the LRSP was presented at the San Rafael BPAC. The City received positive
feedback from BPAC members and the community in support of adopting the LRSP and Vision
Zero.
As elements in the LRSP become projects and the City works to update the Bicycle and
Pedestrian Citywide Plan, additional outreach through the BPAC and other meetings will be
performed.
ENVIRONMENTAL DETERMINATION:
This action is statutorily exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”)
pursuant to section 15262 of the CEQA Guidelines because the plan provides a framework to
identify, analyze, and prioritize potential future roadway safety improvements which the City has
not approved, adopted, or funded.
FISCAL IMPACT: There is no fiscal impact associated with adopting the LRSP. Staff will return
at future meetings for specific projects associated with the implementation of the LRSP that are
identified in the Capital Improvement Program and consultant support on other traffic-related
initiatives.
OPTIONS:
1.Adopt the 2024 Marin Countywide Local Road Safety Plan.
2.Do not adopt the LRSP and provide direction to staff. If this option is chosen, there is the
potential that the City cannot apply for grants that require an adopted plan.
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
1.Adopt the 2024 Marin Countywide Local Road Safety Plan
2.Adopt Chapter 16 of the 2024 Marin Countywide Local Road Safety Plan as the City of
San Rafael Local Road Safety Plan
ATTACHMENTS:
1.2024 Marin Countywide Local Road Safety Plan
2.2024 Marin Countywide Local Road Safety Plan Appendix
CHAPTER #. # LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLANJANUARY 2024
Larkspur Corte Madera
San Anselmo
Fairfax
Sausalito
Mill Valley
Belvedere
Ross
Novato
Tiburon
San Rafael
2024 MARIN COUNTY
Local Road Safety Plan
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2024 MARIN COUNTY
LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN
Undertaken by the Transportation Authority of Marin and County of Marin
with Support from the 11 Cities and Towns in Marin County
2024 MARIN COUNTY LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN
Transportation Authority of Marin
PROJECT PARTNERS
COUNTY OF MARIN
Dan Dawson*
Farid Javandel*
Carey Lando*
John Neville
BELVEDERE
Antony Boyd
CORTE MADERA
RJ Suokko
FAIRFAX
Loren Umbertis
LARKSPUR
Richard Cho
Julian Skinner
MILL VALLEY
David DeLira
NOVATO
Christopher Blunk*o
ROSS
Richard Simonitch
SAN ANSELMO
Scott Schneider*
CONSULTANT TEAM
PARAMETRIX /
PARISI TRANSPORTATION
CONSULTING
David Parisi, Project Manager
Jen Shriber
David Hoffman
Jeremy Thornton
* Technical Advisory Committee member
0 No longer at noted jurisdiction
SAN RAFAEL
Nhat Phan*
Rafat Raie*o
SAUSALITO
Andrew Davidson
Kevin McGowan*
TIBURON
David Eshoo
TRANSPORTATION
AUTHORITY OF MARIN
Dan Cherrier*
Bill Whitney*
CALIFORNIA
HIGHWAY PATROL
Erik Egide*
Glen Newcomer*
CENTRAL MARIN POLICE
Scott Niklewicz*
MARIN COUNTY
BICYCLE COALITION:
Warren Wells*
MARINHEALTH
Melanie Duarte*
Charles Holloway*
2024 MARIN COUNTY LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN
Section 148 of Title 23,
United States Code
REPORTS DISCOVERY AND ADMISSION
INTO EVIDENCE OF CERTAIN REPORTS,
SURVEYS, AND INFORMATION —
Notwithstanding any other provisions
of law, reports, surveys, schedules, lists,
or data compiled or collected for any
purpose relating to this section, shall
not be subject to discovery or admitted
into evidence in a Federal or State court
proceeding or considered for other
purposes in any action for damages
arising from any occurrence at the
location identified or addressed in the
reports, surveys, schedules, lists, or
other data.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Executive Summary ............................ i
Introduction .....................................1
Vision & Goals ...................................3
Safety Partners ..................................4
Process ............................................5
Existing Efforts ..................................6
Countywide Road Safety .....................8
Implementation & Evaluation .............24
City of Belvedere & Town of Tiburon ....26
Town of Corte Madera .......................38
Town of Fairfax ................................53
City of Larkspur ...............................68
City of Mill Valley ..............................84
City of Novato ................................100
Town of Ross ..................................121
Town of San Anselmo ......................136
City of San Rafael ............................153
City of Sausalito ..............................178
Unincorporated Marin County ...........195
Appendix A .....................................A1
2024 MARIN COUNTY LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN
2024 MARIN COUNTY LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLANEXECUTIVE SUMMARY
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Based on the latest full year of data available, in the United States, almost 43,000
people were killed in motor vehicle collisions in 2021.1 This is the highest number
of traffic-related fatalities since 2005 and marks a 10% increase from the number of
fatalities in 2020. In the state of California, 2021 saw almost 4,300 traffic fatalities in
2021, a 7.6% increase from 2020.2
To combat this rise in fatal collisions – and collisions more generally – Caltrans
developed a Strategic Highway Safety Plan (SHSP). The purpose of the SHSP is to
coordinate statewide efforts to reduce serious injuries and fatalities resulting from
traffic collisions throughout the state. The SHSP establishes goals, objectives, and
emphasis areas to address road user safety.
This Local Road Safety Plan (LRSP) – focused on Marin County’s jurisdictions – builds
on the foundation of the SHSP while providing the County with an opportunity to
address its own, unique roadway safety needs.
WHAT IS AN LRSP?
An LRSP is a plan that provides a framework to identify, analyze, and prioritize potential
roadway safety improvements for local and rural roads, thereby increasing safety
for all road users. The LRSP facilitates local agency partnerships and collaboration to
systematically address road safety issues, ultimately resulting in a list of prioritized
projects and actions that can be used to obtain federal funding. It provides a proactive
approach to address safety needs and demonstrates agency responsiveness to safety
challenges.
This LRSP has been developed as a collaboration between the Transportation
Authority of Marin (TAM), the County of Marin’s Public Works Department, and Marin
County’s 11 incorporated cities and towns, with input from a number of stakeholders
(described in Chapter 3). It aims to align the County with the principles of Vision Zero.
DATA ANALYSIS
The LRSP makes use of reported collision data to identify trends, pinpoint needs,
and develop strategies to address road user safety in Marin County. Analyses were
conducted using 2017-2021 data from SafeTREC’s Transportation Injury Mapping
System (TIMS), the most recent full year of data available. Only collisions resulting
in an injury or fatality and occurring on non-state route arterials and collectors were
included in the analysis: local, residential roads were not considered as they typically
have fewer collisions. Collision trends were analyzed at the county level as well as at
the level of each individual jurisdiction.
From 2017-2021, a total of 2,164 collisions resulting in an injury or fatality were
reported to occur on Marin County’s non-state arterial and collector roadways. This
includes 28 fatality collisions (1.3%) and 199 severe injury collisions (9.2%), which
are collectively classified as “KSI collisions,” indicating collisions in which a victim was
Killed or Seriously Injured.
Vulnerable road users made up a disproportionate amount of the severe injuries and
fatalities in Marin County. Pedestrians were involved in 14% of countywide collisions
but 22% of KSI collisions; bicyclists were involved in 19% of collisions but 34% of
KSI collisions; and motorcyclists were involved in 7% of collisions but 13% of KSI
collisions. Over one quarter (26%) of collisions were a result of unsafe speeds, while
improper turning was responsible for 17% of collisions and automobile right-of-way
violations resulted in 13% of collisions.
1 United States Census Bureau 2021
2 California Office of Traffic Safety, California Traffic Safety Quick Stats
VISION ZERO PRINCIPLES
Vision Zero is a broad strategy to eliminate all traffic fatalities and severe
injuries while increasing safe, healthy, equitable mobility for all users. It was
first implemented in Sweden in the 1990s and has since been adopted by cities
throughout Europe, the United States, and elsewhere. Vision Zero differs from
traditional approaches in that it recognizes traffic deaths as preventable and
integrates the reality and expectation that humans will make mistakes into
its multidisciplinary, systemic approach. Vision Zero’s safe system approach
is holistic, requiring that road systems be considered in their entirety from
infrastructure to policy. This LRSP incorporates a safe system approach into its
analysis and strategies for improving road user safety in Marin County.
2024 MARIN COUNTY LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN | iiEXECUTIVE SUMMARY
A High Collision Network (HCN) was developed for Marin County, including
intersections and road segments with high collision rates. HCN locations were
confirmed through coordination with representatives from each of the jurisdictions
and unincorporated Marin County. The County’s HCN includes 70 road segments
and 90 intersections spread throughout its jurisdictions and unincorporated areas.
San Rafael, Novato, and Unincorporated Marin County were the highest-represented
jurisdictions in the HCN.
Emphasis Areas were identified for each jurisdiction based on the collision analysis
results and were refined through stakeholder input. Emphasis Areas are collision
characteristics – road users, collision factors, types, or other factors – that can help
provide a framework for developing and implementing strategies to increase road
user safety across Marin County. Each Emphasis Area is accompanied by quantifiable
goals to facilitate evaluation of the plan’s effectiveness in reducing collision rates,
particularly rates of collisions resulting in severe injuries or fatalities. Strategies
are provided to reach each Emphasis Area’s goal. These are grouped based on the
Caltrans Strategic Highway Safety Plan Five E’s: education, enforcement, engineering,
emergency response, and emerging technology.
PRIORITY PROJECT IDENTIFICATION
Following the creation of the High Collision Network, the collision patterns at
intersections and segments were analyzed to determine potential countermeasures.
Countermeasures are engineering treatments that have the potential to reduce
collisions in locations based on the collision trends (see Appendix A). In collaboration
with Marin County jurisdictions, a subset of priority project locations was selected to
recommend specific improvements based on the collision rates, trends, and potential
improvement impacts.
IMPLEMENTATION & EVALUATION
This LRSP identifies implementation and evaluation considerations that will be
important to jurisdictions as they work towards achieving the LRSP goals. These
include funding, coordination and partnership, policy support, and timeline
considerations. It also provides metrics that can be used to evaluate progress.
This LRSP is meant to be a living document and should be revised as needed to reflect
evolving trends, community needs, and priorities. For example, e-bicycle use has
increased substantially during this study period and is now an important road safety
issue. Future iterations of this LRSP could incorporate e-bicycle collision data if made
available.Marin County generally fares better than other California counties when it
comes to traffic safety. Based on the Office of Traffic Safety’s rankings for
2020, the most recent year of data available, the County ranks 55th out of 58
counties for total fatal and injury collisions1. However, the County’s unique
characteristics result in high numbers of certain types of collisions compared to
the rest of the state’s counties. Marin County had the highest number of injury
or fatality bicycle collisions of any county in the state, as well as the highest
number of injury or fatality collisions involving bicyclists under the age of 15. It
also ranked 10th for injury or fatality collisions involving pedestrians over the
age of 65 and 22nd for those involving speeding.
2024 MARIN COUNTY LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN | 1CHAPTER 1. INTRODUCTION
CHAPTER 1. INTRODUCTION
1.1 LRSP BACKGROUND
A local road safety plan (LRSP) is a plan that provides a framework to identify,
analyze, and prioritize potential roadway safety improvements for local and
rural roads, thereby increasing safety for all road users. The LRSP facilitates
local agency partnerships and collaboration to systematically address road
safety issues, ultimately resulting in a list of prioritized projects and actions
that can be used to obtain federal funding. It provides a proactive approach
to address safety needs and demonstrates agency responsiveness to safety
challenges. A living document, the LRSP can be revised as needed to reflect
evolving trends, community needs, and priorities.
This LRSP has been developed as a collaboration between the
Transportation Authority of Marin (TAM), the County of Marin’s Public Works
Department, and Marin County’s 11 incorporated cities and towns, with
input from a number of Marin County stakeholders (see Chapter 3).
1.2 STUDY AREA
Marin County is located north of San Francisco and covers over 800 square
miles. It contains a population of over 265,000 residents residing in the
county’s 11 incorporated cities and towns as well as unincorporated
communities. The county includes the following jurisdictions:Larkspur
CorteMadera
San AnselmoFairfax
Sausalito
Mill Valley
Belvedere
Ross
Novato
Tiburon
San Rafael
MARIN
SONOMA
A map of the study area is shown in Figure 1.1.
• City of Belvedere
• Town of Corte Madera
• City of Fairfax
• City of Larkspur
• City of Mill Valley
• City of Novato
• Town of Ross
• Town of San Anselmo
• City of San Rafael
• City of Sausalito
• Town of Tiburon
• Unincorporated Marin County
Figure 1.1: Marin County Map
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2024 MARIN COUNTY LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN | 2CHAPTER 1. INTRODUCTION
1.3 DOCUMENT ORGANIZATION
This LRSP is organized into the following chapters:
Chapter 1: Introduction
Gives an overview of LRSPs and the study area, and outlines the plan’s structure.
Chapter 2: Vision & Goals
Provides the vision statement and goals that guide the LRSP development and
implementation.
Chapter 3: Safety Partners
Introduces the partners who provided advice in developing the LRSP, including the
vision statement, goals, emphasis areas, and strategies.
Chapter 4: Process
Describes the methodology used to analyze countywide collision data as well as the
process for soliciting feedback during the LRSP development process.
Chapter 5: Existing Efforts
Outlines efforts, activities, programs, policies, and plans in existence or development
to address transportation safety in the County.
Chapter 6: Countywide Road Safety
provides an overview of countywide collision trends on arterial and collector
roadways, including an introduction to the countywide High Collision Network. This
chapter features an overview of emphasis areas, goals, and strategies.
Chapter 7: Implementation & Evaluation
describes the process that will be used to ensure implementation, evaluate the
success of the plan, and update the plan as needed.
Chapters 8–18
can be used as standalone plans for individual jurisdictions.
They include a plan vision and goals as well as a detailed collision analysis, including
High Collision Networks, at the jurisdiction level. Each chapter provides jurisdiction-
specific emphasis areas, goals, strategies, and priority projects.
• Chapter 8: City of Belvedere & Town of Tiburon
• Chapter 9: Town of Corte Madera
• Chapter 10: Town of Fairfax
• Chapter 11: City of Larkspur
• Chapter 12: City of Mill Valley
• Chapter 13: City of Novato
• Chapter 14: Town of Ross
• Chapter 15: Town of San Anselmo
• Chapter 16: City of San Rafael
• Chapter 17: City of Sausalito
• Chapter 18: Unincorporated Marin County
Marin County generally fares better than other California counties when it comes to
traffic safety. Based on the Office of Traffic Safety’s rankings for 2020, the most recent
year of data available, the County ranks 55th out of 58 counties for total fatal and
injury collisions.1 However, the County’s unique characteristics result in high numbers
of certain types of collisions compared to the rest of the state’s counties. Marin County
had the highest number of injury or fatality bicycle collisions of any county in the
state, as well as the highest number of injury or fatality collisions involving bicyclists
under the age of 15. It also ranked 10th for injury or fatality collisions involving
pedestrians over the age of 65 and 22nd for those involving speeding.
1 California Office of Traffic Safety Crash Ranking Results 2023
2024 MARIN COUNTY LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN | 3CHAPTER 2. VISION & GOALS
CHAPTER 2. VISION & GOALS
Marin County’s vision for this LRSP was developed through feedback from the
Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) and Marin County jurisdictions, which are
described in the following chapter. The vision statement reflects the county’s
commitment to Vision Zero, an international strategy to eliminate all traffic
fatalities and severe injuries while increasing safe, healthy, and equitable
mobility for all. The vision statement recognizes that, while aspirational,
working towards anything less than an end to traffic fatalities and severe
injuries would not be appropriate. The accompanying goals represent a path
forward to achieving this vision.
2.1 VISION STATEMENT
Marin County and its incorporated
cities and towns strive to eliminate
collision-related fatalities and severe
injuries by proactively and equitably
pursuing a safe systems approach
prioritizing road safety for all users.
2.2 GOALS
Systematically implement proven safety solutions, initiatives, policies, and
programs to eliminate preventable fatal & severe collisions by 2050.
Utilize a multi-faceted approach that spans jurisdictions and
encompasses diverse strategies including engineering, education,
public health, and enforcement.
Implement improvements that promote and support safe travel for
vulnerable users including people walking and bicycling, children, older adults,
and people with disabilities.
Ensure that multimodal safety investments are made in a manner
that is fair and equitable for all Marin County residents.
2024 MARIN COUNTY LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN | 4CHAPTER 3. SAFETY PARTNERS
3. SAFETY PARTNERS
3.1 TECHNICAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE
The LRSP development process was informed by a number of stakeholders who
formed the project’s TAC. The TAC provided guidance on the vision statement,
goals, collision analysis, emphasis areas, and strategies, as well as implementation
of the final plan. TAC members represented various agencies, organizations,
and jurisdictions.
TAC Members
• California Highway Patrol: Erik Egide, Sergeant; Glen Newcomer, Officer
• Central Marin Police: Scott Niklewicz, Corporal
• Marin County Department of Public Works: Dan Dawson, Principal
Transportation Planner; Farid Javandel, Principal Civil Engineer;
Carey Lando, Senior Project Planner
• Marin County Bicycle Coalition: Warren Wells, Policy & Planning Director
• MarinHealth: Melanie Duarte, Project Manager; Charles Holloway, Director,
Safety & Security Services
• City of Novato: Christopher Blunk, Public Works Director
• Town of San Anselmo: Scott Schneider, Assistant Public Works Director
• City of San Rafael: Nhat Phan, Traffic Engineer;
Rafat Raie, Deputy Director of Public Works
• City of Sausalito: Kevin McGowan, Public Works Director
• Transportation Authority of Marin: Dan Cherrier, Director of Project Delivery;
Bill Whitney, Principal Project Delivery Manager
3.2 JURISDICTIONS
In addition to the TAC, representatives from all the Marin County jurisdictions
provided feedback at critical points during the LRSP development process.
These representatives confirmed the LRSP goals, vision statement,
high collision network, priority project locations, and emphasis areas for
their respective jurisdictions.
Jurisdiction Representatives
• City of Belvedere: Antony Boyd, Public Works Director
• Town of Corte Madera: RJ Suokko, Director of Public Works
• City of Fairfax: Loren Umbertis, Public Works Director
• City of Larkspur: Richard Cho, Senior Engineer;
Julian Skinner, Public Works Director
• City of Mill Valley: David DeLira, Associate Engineer
• City of Novato: Christopher Blunk, Public Works Director
• Town of Ross: Richard Simonitch, Public Works Director
• Town of San Anselmo: Scott Schneider, Assistant Public Works Director
• City of San Rafael: Nhat Phan, Traffic Engineer;
Rafat Raie, Deputy Director of Public Works
• City of Sausalito: Andrew Davidson, Senior Civil Engineer;
Kevin McGowan, Public Works Director
• Town of Tiburon: David Eshoo, Public Works Engineering Manager
• Unincorporated Marin County: Carey Lando, Senior Project Planner;
John Neville, Civil Engineer
2024 MARIN COUNTY LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN | 5CHAPTER 4. PROCESS
4. PROCESS
4.1 DATA ANALYSIS
To develop the LRSP, collision data for the five most recent finalized years (January
1, 2017 - December 31, 2021) were downloaded from SafeTREC’s Transportation
Injury Mapping System (TIMS) and analyzed in Microsoft Excel and ArcGIS Pro.
Only collisions resulting in an injury or fatality and occurring on non-state route
arterials and collectors were included in the analysis: local, residential roads were
not considered as they typically have fewer collisions. Collisions were analyzed at the
county level as well as at the level of each individual jurisdiction.
An initial descriptive analysis was performed to assess trends in road users involved,
collision types, primary collision factors, and other collision characteristics over the
five-year period. The results of this analysis were used to select the emphasis areas for
the county and each jurisdiction, which will be discussed in more detail in Chapters 6
and 8–18.
Equity considerations were taken into account by assessing collision trends in Plan
Bay Area Equity Priority Communities and Justice40 Initiative priority communities.
Equity Priority Communities are census tracts designated by the Metropolitan
Transportation Commission as having a significant concentration of underserved
households based on American Community Survey data including households with
low incomes and people of color. The Justice40 Initiative was created by the Biden-
Harris Presidential Administration to address underinvestment in disadvantaged
communities; as part of this effort, the United States Department of Transportation
has identified census tracts that are burdened from an underinvestment in
transportation. Trends based on race, age, and vulnerable user groups were also
assessed.
A High Collision Network was also developed for the County, including intersections
and road segments with high collision rates. The collision rate per 100 million
entering vehicles was calculated at all non-state route arterial and collector
intersections within the county. For roadway segments, collisions occurring along
each segment, including at intersections, were analyzed to produce the collision
rate per 100 million vehicle miles traveled. The intersections and segments with the
highest rates were selected for a draft high collision network. Following jurisdiction
feedback, adjustments were made to this draft list to result in a final High Collision
Network for the county.
4.2 PRIORITY PROJECT IDENTIFICATION
Following the creation of the High Collision Network through the process described
above, the collision patterns at these intersections and segments were analyzed
to determine potential countermeasures. These countermeasures are engineering
treatments that have the potential to reduce collisions in these locations based
on the collision trends. See Appendix A for more detailed information on the
countermeasures. In collaboration with the jurisdictions, a subset of priority project
locations was selected to recommend specific improvements based on the collision
rates, trends, and potential improvement impacts.
4.3 OUTREACH
Outreach was performed to every jurisdiction in Marin County to guide the LRSP
development process. Meetings with representatives from each jurisdiction were
held to solicit feedback, verify analysis results, and build consensus ahead of the
document’s completion. Each jurisdiction was responsible for approving its chapter of
the plan.
2024 MARIN COUNTY LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN | 6CHAPTER 5. EXISTING EFFORTS
5. EXISTING EFFORTS
In recent years, Marin County’s efforts to improve safety have been most visible
through a range of plans and programs. This chapter describes plans, studies, and
programs supporting safety in Marin County.
5.1 PLANS & STUDIES
Systemic Safety Analysis Report (2018)
The 2018 Marin County Systemic Safety Analysis Report (SSAR) provided a large-
scale systemic safety analysis of roadways across Marin County to help drive future
improvement projects, grant applications, and traffic safety outreach programs for
Marin County’s 11 jurisdictions and unincorporated areas. The analysis was funded
through the California Systemic Safety Analysis Report Program and produced by the
Marin County Department of Public Works. The project also involved collaboration
with various town and city police departments, the Marin County Sheriff, and the
California Highway Patrol. A Technical Advisory Committee was formed to help guide
the process and was comprised of representatives from the Marin Public Works
Association, Transportation Authority of Marin, and Marin General Hospital. This LRSP
serves as an update to portions of the SSAR.
Bicycle & Pedestrian Plan Updates (2018)
TAM facilitated a coordinated update of bicycle and pedestrian master plans in all
jurisdictions and unincorporated Marin County. The updates were completed in 2017
and were adopted by the local jurisdictions in 2018. Each jurisdiction managed the
adoption of its plan. The plan updates were part of a countywide effort to create a
more cohesive, accessible, and safer network for pedestrians and bicyclists.
5.2 PROGRAMS
Safe Routes to Schools
Marin County’s Safe Routes to Schools (SR2S) is
a program of TAM. TAM has created a long-term,
sustainable program that is institutionalized in schools
with strong community involvement. SR2S began
in 2000 as a pilot program in select towns. Today
it operates in all Marin County jurisdictions and Unincorporated Marin in over 55
schools, serving a total population of over 29,000 students. Among its many activities,
SR2S provides professional instructors to teach safe bicycling and pedestrian
safety skills and oversees volunteers in promoting the program through contests,
events, and regular submissions to school newsletters. SR2S also identifies potential
infrastructure projects to address school travel safety issues.
Street Smarts Marin
Street Smarts is a traffic safety program run by TAM
that educates drivers, pedestrians, and bicyclists about
safety issues including distracted driving. The goal
is to encourage people to adopt new attitudes and
behaviors that will reduce the number of collisions and
make the streets safer for everyone. The program incorporates physical banners and
social media posts to spread its messages about key safety behaviors. The program
began in 2009 and includes one to two rollouts per year.
Novato
Fairfax
San RafaelSan Anselmo
Mill Valley
Corte
Madera
Tiburon
Ross
Larkspur
0%
2%
4%
6%
8%
10%
12%
14%
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Total Crashes
Total KSI Crashes
Pedestrian inCrosswalk
Pedestrian not inCrosswalk
Other
3%
3%
5%
38%
100% 100% 100% 100%
8%
6% 7%
14% 18%
29% 5%
38% 22% 6%
5% 43% 38%
3% 34%
1% 54%
5%
8%
8%
CRASH TYPES BY MODE: RATIOS OF ALL COLLISIONS
Motorvehicle proceeding straight
Motorvehicle making left turn
Motorvehicle making right turn
Head-On
Sideswipe
Hit Object
Broadside
Rear End
Overturned
Other *
One square = One Collision * “Other” is one of the eight crash type options for police ocers to designate on collision reports. Collisions designated as “Other” are included in the auto portion of the collisions by mode chart above.
CRASH TYPES ... ... .. :: :: .. .. ..
.... .. .. .. :: :: .. .. .
SAFE ROUTES
TO SCHOOLS
MARIN COUNTY
StreetWsmarts
Marin
2024 MARIN COUNTY LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN | 7CHAPTER 5. EXISTING EFFORTS
Transportation Authority of Marin Crossing Guard Program
TAM’s crossing guard program provides trained crossing guards at key intersections
throughout Marin County. This is a key component of the Safe Routes to Schools
program as crossing guards help reduce the reluctance that some parents may feel
towards allowing their children to walk or bicycle to school. The program began in
2006 with 54 crossing guards and in the 2023/2024 school year 105 crossing guard
locations will be active. TAM contracts with a professional company that specializes in
crossing guard programs and uses a data-driven evaluation process to select the sites
at which guards are located.
Marin County Complete Streets Policy
In 2016 Marin County adopted a formal Complete Streets policy in accordance with
Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) requirements for funding eligibility.
The policy outlines the County’s commitment to creating and maintaining Complete
Streets in a context-sensitive way that incorporates inter-departmental cooperation
and coordination, consultation with designated committees, and ongoing evaluation.
Community-Based Transportation Plans
TAM manages an effort by which local communities develop plans to improve
mobility options for low-income and disadvantaged populations. Community-based
transportation plans identify transportation challenges and develop strategies to
overcome them using a collaborative process involving residents in minority and
low-income communities; community and faith-based organizations that serve
them; local jurisdictions; and transportation agencies. Identified solutions are then
prioritized for Lifeline Program funds distributed by the TAM Board of Commissioners.
To date community-based transportation plans have been developed for the Canal
neighborhood, Marin City, and Novato. More information on these plans can be found
in the respective jurisdiction chapters.
Safe Pathways to Schools Program
TAM’s Safe Pathways to Schools program funds capital projects to enhance safety
for students walking and cycling to school. Three cycles of projects were previously
funded using Measure A funds; in 2019, a fourth project cycle was held using funds
from Measure AA. As part of the Safe Pathways application process, TAM categorized
projects as either “small” or “large.” Small Safe Pathways projects are projects that
require $50,000 or less to design and construct and that should be completed within
TAM’s crossing guard program is a key component of the Safe Routes to Schools program
as crossing guards help reduce the reluctance that some parents may feel
towards allowing their children to walk or bicycle to school.
one year from commencement. Large projects have a maximum requested amount of
$400,000. To date over $14.6 million has been allocated to Safe Routes infrastructure
improvements through Safe Pathways funding. A fifth cycle will occur in 2024.
California Highway Patrol Ongoing Programs
The California Highway Patrol (CHP) routinely carries out enforcement and education
programs in Marin County. Enforcement campaigns focus efforts on primary collision
factor violations (speeding, unsafe turns, etc.); they are usually aligned with Office of
Traffic Safety (OTS) grant funding and CHP’s Maximum Enforcement Campaigns. OTS
grant enforcement includes driving under the influence saturation patrols, speed
enforcement, speed radar trailer deployments, sobriety checkpoints, pedestrian
safety, and sideshow/street racing and aggressive driving activity. Marin CHP is also
the lead for several traffic safety programs including programs focused on impaired
driving (Designate a Sober Driver, Teen Impaired Driving Education, Every 15
Minutes); safe driving for seniors and the newly licensed (Age Well Drive Smart, Start
Smart), bicycle and pedestrian safety (BESEEN); and child passenger safety (CARSEAT).
2024 MARIN COUNTY LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN | 8CHAPTER 6. COUNTYWIDE ROAD SAFETY
FATAL
COLLISIONS
KSI COLLISIONS
TOTAL INJURY
COLLISIONS
6. COUNTYWIDE ROAD SAFETY
During the five-year period from 2017-2021,
2,164 collisions resulting in an injury or
fatality were reported to occur on Marin
County’s non-state arterial and collector
roadways.1 This includes 28 fatality
collisions (1.3%) and 199 severe injury
collisions (9.2%), which are collectively
classified as “KSI collisions,” named
for collisions in which a victim was
Killed or Seriously Injured (Figure 6.1).
This represents a decline in the total
number of reported collisions from the
previous five-year period (2012-2016) by
over 21%. However, the percentage of all injury
collisions that resulted in a severe injury or fatality increased by 1.3
percentage points and the number of fatal collisions increased by
eight collisions during this time. Meanwhile, the total Marin County
population increased by less than 2%.2
Collisions Over Time
As shown in Figure 6.2, the number of collisions had been declining over time prior to
the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in early 2020. The pandemic initially accelerated
this decline as fewer people were on the roads. Severe injury and fatality collisions,
meanwhile, have seen periodic peaks and troughs (Figure 6.3). A slight increase in
KSI collisions is evident in 2020, perhaps reflecting a rise in walking and bicycling as
forms of socially distant recreation. Injury collisions increased in 2021 as pandemic
restrictions began to ease.
Over the five-year period, injury collisions tended to experience slight seasonal
peaks in March (8.5%), May (8.9%), and October (9.6%); KSI collisions also peaked
in October (10.6%). July was a low point for all collisions (7.4% occurred during this
Figure 6.1:
Relationship
between injury,
KSI, and fatal
collisions
Figure 6.2: Countywide injury collisions by year
Figure 6.3: Countywide KSI and fatal collisions by year
1 For the purpose of this plan, any reference to “collisions” refers to reported collisions on non-state arterial
and collector roads resulting in injury or fatality, unless specified otherwise. Arterial roads are high-capac-
ity roads that carry longer-distance vehicle flows between centers of activity. Collector roads have low to
moderate capacity and serve as connectors between local roads and arterials.
2 2021 vs. 2016 American Community Survey 5-year population estimates (Table DP05)
Total Collisions
0
100
200
300
400
500
600
2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021
KSI Collisions Fatal Collisions
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021
6.1 DATA SUMMARY 542 COLLISIONS
61 KSI COLLISIONS
10 FATAL COLLISIONS
-
-----------~--------------------------
--
2024 MARIN COUNTY LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN | 9CHAPTER 6. COUNTYWIDE ROAD SAFETY
Primary Collision Factors
A primary collision factor is a behavior that best describes the main cause of a
collision. While a collision may have several contributing factors, it will only have one
primary collision factor. Among all collisions in Marin County, four primary collision
factors were responsible for approximately 64% of collisions (Figure 6.4). Unsafe
speeds caused 26% of total collisions and about 20% of KSI collisions. Improper
turning caused 17% of total collisions, automobile right of way violations (collisions
where drivers did not yield to another driver with the right-of-way) caused 13%, and
driving or bicycling under the influence caused approximately 8%. While impaired
driving caused a lower percentage of total collisions, this collision factor is more likely
to result in severe injury or fatality collisions. Violations relating to pedestrians were
also noteworthy when considering KSI collisions. Pedestrian right of way violations
(collisions where a pedestrian’s right of way was violated) caused 8% of all injury
collisions, but 11% of KSI collisions. Similarly, pedestrian violations (collisions where
pedestrians were deemed to be at fault) were responsible for only 3% of all injury
collisions but 6% of KSI collisions and 11% of fatal collisions.
Figure 6.4: Top 10 primary collision factors
Road User Types
Figure 6.5 shows reported collisions by mode. Approximately 60% of collisions in
Marin County involved motor vehicles only. Thirty-six percent (36%) of these were KSI
collisions, while fewer than 1% resulted in a fatality. Bicyclists were involved in 19% of
collisions. Almost 17% of collisions involving these vulnerable users resulted in a fatal
or severe injury, while over 1% resulted in a fatality. Of the 14% of collisions involving
pedestrians, 17% were KSI collisions and 3% resulted in a fatality. Lastly, motorcycle
collisions made up 7% of overall collisions but 20% of these were KSI collisions and
2% resulted in a fatality. The fact that collisions involving bicyclists, pedestrians, and
motorcyclists resulted in a higher percentage of severe outcomes speaks to the need
to address safety issues for these vulnerable users.
Figure 6.5: Countywide collisions by mode
Bicycle collisions occurred throughout the county, with concentrations, also
referred to as “hotspots,” in San Rafael, San Anselmo, Larkspur, and Corte Madera.
Of the 420 reported collisions involving bicyclists in Marin County from 2017-2021,
approximately 20% were solo bicycle collisions (not involving any other parties or
motor vehicles); these were largely due to unsafe speed as well as improper turning
and other causes. Bicycle collisions with motor vehicles were largely due to improper
turning, automobile right of way violations, drivers on the wrong side of the road, and
unsafe speed. Bicyclists under the age of 18 were involved in 14% of bicycle collisions
and 15% involved bicyclists aged 65 and older.
month), while March (5.3%) and July (5.8%) saw lower percentages of KSI collisions.
Fatal collisions tended to peak in January and September, with approximately 18% of
fatal collisions occurring during each of these months.
0%
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All Collisions KSI Collisions Fatal Collisions■ ■ ■
2024 MARIN COUNTY LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN | 10CHAPTER 6. COUNTYWIDE ROAD SAFETY
Hotspots of pedestrian collisions were found in downtown San Rafael, downtown
Novato, and Larkspur. The majority (69%) of these collisions occurred when a
pedestrian was crossing in a crosswalk, although no details are available on whether
pedestrians had the right-of-way at the time of their crossing. The most common
primary collision factor for pedestrian collisions was pedestrian right of way violations
(56%); this was followed by pedestrian violations (17%, which could occur both
within or outside of a crosswalk) and unsafe speed (5%). Ten percent (10%) of
pedestrian collisions in Marin County involved pedestrians under the age of 18, while
24% involved pedestrians over the age of 65.
Motorcycle collision hotspots were found in downtown San Rafael, downtown
Novato, and along sections of Panoramic Highway. Unsafe speeds were the primary
cause of 35% of collisions involving motorcycles, while 20% were caused by improper
turning and another 20% were caused by automobile right of way violations.
Collisions involving a solo motorcyclist, with no other parties or motor vehicles
involved, accounted for 47% of motorcycle collisions. Half of these collisions were
caused by unsafe speeds, 38% involved the motorcyclist hitting an object, and 38%
involved an overturned motorcycle.
Equity Considerations
Plan Bay Area 2050 includes three equity priority communities (EPCs) in Marin
County: one in Marin City, one encompassing San Rafael’s Canal neighborhood, and
the third in the Terra Linda district in San Rafael. The two San Rafael EPCs are also
included as federal Justice40 designated disadvantaged communities (see Chapter 4
for an explanation of EPCs and Justice40). Marin City had 11 reported collisions from
2017-2021, including one bicycle collision and two pedestrian collisions. The Canal
neighborhood had 125 collisions, including 29 involving bicyclists and 21 involving
pedestrians. In Terra Linda, 66 collisions occurred during the study period. These
included 6 involving bicyclists and 6 involving pedestrians. These areas are analyzed
in greater detail in the jurisdiction-specific chapters.
Minority populations tended to account for a disproportionately larger percentage
of collisions involving active transportation users (pedestrians and bicyclists). People
of Hispanic background make up 17% of the Marin County population but were
involved in 24% of all collisions involving pedestrians. Only 2.7% of the population
identifies as African American, but this demographic accounted for 6% of all
pedestrian collisions and 4% of all bicyclist collisions. Hotspot locations of collisions
involving Hispanic or African American active transportation users are found in
downtown San Rafael, San Rafael’s Canal neighborhood, and downtown Novato.
A relatively high number of pedestrian collisions occurred in the vicinity of several
Marin County transit stops, denoting these locations as potential sites to address and
to advance equitable road user safety. In San Rafael, these include the transit stops
at Mission Avenue and Lincoln Avenue, Grand Avenue and Third Street, and the San
Rafael Transit Center. Transit stops at the intersection of Ward Street and Magnolia
Avenue in Larkspur also experienced a relatively high number of pedestrian collisions,
as well as the stops at Tamalpais Drive and Eastman Avenue in Corte Madera. While it
is unclear whether these pedestrians were transit users, collisions near transit stops
can be signs of inequity in road safety conditions that should be addressed.
Older adults aged 65 and over were involved in 433 (20%) collisions as drivers,
bicyclists, or pedestrians and 25 of these collisions were KSI collisions (11% of all
collisions involving older adults). Ross (33%), Larkspur (32%), and Mill Valley (28%)
had the highest percentage of collisions resulting in injury or fatality involving
older adults. Youth under the age of 18 were involved in 146 collisions (7% of all
countywide injury collisions) and six KSI collisions (3% of all countywide KSI collisions)
as drivers, bicyclists, or pedestrians. Corte Madera had the highest percentage of
collisions involving youths (11%).
Improving safety conditions at transit stops can reduce collisions involving vulnerable road users.
2024 MARIN COUNTY LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN | 11CHAPTER #. # LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN
Larkspur Corte Madera
San Anselmo
Fairfax
Sausalito
Mill Valley
Belvedere
Ross
Novato
Tiburon
San Rafael
MARINMARIN
LEGEND
HCN Intersection HCN Segment BoundaryFigure 6.6: Marin County High Collision Network
High Collison Network
A High Collision Network (HCN)
was developed based on collision
rates both at intersections and
along road segments throughout
Marin County. HCN locations were
confirmed through coordination
with representatives from
each of the jurisdictions and
unincorporated Marin County.
Figure 6.6 shows the
countywide HCN.
The HCN includes 70 road
segments and 92 intersections.
HCN network facilities are present
in all Marin jurisdictions, except
Tiburon and Belvedere, which
had low numbers of collisions and
therefore low collision rates.
In keeping with the overall
geographic collision trends,
San Rafael, Novato, and
Unincorporated Marin County
were the highest-represented
jurisdictions in the HCN. More
detail is presented on the HCN in
each of the jurisdiction chapters.
CHAPTER 6. COUNTYWIDE ROAD SAFETY
0 2 4 Miles ~
I I I I I I I I
---~--
0 -D
2024 MARIN COUNTY LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN | 12CHAPTER 6. COUNTYWIDE ROAD SAFETY
6.2 EMPHASIS AREAS
Emphasis areas provide a framework for developing and implementing strategies to
increase road user safety across the County. Emphasis areas were identified based on
the collision analysis results and were refined through stakeholder input. An overall
list of emphasis areas for Marin County was developed, and three to seven ‘primary’
emphasis areas were selected from this list for each jurisdiction. While the primary
emphasis areas represent key issues on which jurisdictions should focus to increase
safety, jurisdictions are encouraged to address other emphasis areas as well.
Each emphasis area is accompanied by quantifiable goals to facilitate evaluation
of the plan’s effectiveness in reducing collision rates, particularly rates of collisions
resulting in severe injuries or fatalities. Strategies are provided to reach each
emphasis area’s goal: these are grouped based on the Caltrans Strategic Highway
Safety Plan Five E’s: education, enforcement, engineering, emergency response, and
emerging technology.
Strategies encompass both infrastructure and non-infrastructure elements.
Infrastructure-based strategies are capital improvements that enhance the roadway
environment and generally have an associated collision reduction factor identified
through comparative studies (see Appendix A). Most infrastructure-based strategies
identified in this Plan come from the Caltrans Local Roadway Safety Manual. Non-
infrastructure strategies incorporate programs and policies that aim to improve
awareness and safe behaviors through strategies that don’t directly impact the built
environment. These can include education, enforcement measures, emergency
services, and emerging technology. Most non-infrastructure-based strategies
identified in this Plan come from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
(NHTSA) Countermeasures That Work: A Highway Safety Countermeasure Guide.
The 11 emphasis areas were divided into four categories: Vulnerable Users, Collision
Factors, Collision Types, and External Conditions.
2024 MARIN COUNTY LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN | 13CHAPTER 6. COUNTYWIDE ROAD SAFETY
Table 6.1: Pedestrian emphasis area goals & strategies
EMPHASIS AREA: PEDESTRIANS
GOAL: Eliminate fatal & severe injury collisions involving pedestrians by 2050.
VULNERABLE ROAD USERS
STRATEGIES
Education • Expand the Safe Routes to Schools education programming.
• Expand Street Smarts safety campaigns and consider aligning with Pedestrian Safety Month.
• Create education campaign for jurisdiction staff who operate vehicles about the importance
of safe speeds.
Enforcement • Equitably implement targeted enforcement on key collision areas which resulted in injury
pedestrian collisions.
• Prioritize enforcement of traffic laws based on likelihood of behavior causing an injury collision.
Engineering • In conjunction with other strategies, install countermeasures focused on reducing the likelihood and
severity of collisions between automobiles and pedestrians and increasing driver awareness
of pedestrians.
• Provide low stress, all ages and abilities infrastructure connectivity for pedestrians,
particularly within one mile of schools and along key active transportation routes.
• Develop countywide street lighting standards.
• Implement pedestrian safety countermeasures in all improvement and maintenance projects.
• Develop and implement a Construction Accessibility Policy to maintain accessibility during construction
and maintenance projects.
Emergency
Response
• Install emergency vehicle preemption systems.
• Improve resources for deploying emergency responses to pedestrian collision sites.
• Ensure that emergency routes are clear and well defined.
• Consider targeted training for responding to specific high incident locations and treatment of
predominant pedestrian injury types at those locations.
Emerging
Technology
• Implement new technologies to make pedestrian crossings safer and more comfortable
(e.g., automated pedestrian detection at signalized intersections, etc.).
• Deploy collision-prevention technology at signalized intersections.
• Utilize technologies such as video data and crowdsourcing to track and address near misses.
Vulnerable road users are
unprotected by an enclosure when
they are traveling on the road. This
term typically includes pedestrians,
bicyclists, and motorcyclists, who
face higher risk of injury from
collisions. In Marin County, many
pedestrians and bicyclists are youths,
older adults, and people with lower
socioeconomic status or those living
in disadvantaged neighborhoods.
The County is also a popular
destination for recreational bicyclists,
including both experienced riders
and less experienced tourists.
The County’s scenic, curving, and
more remote roads are popular with
both recreational bicyclists and
motorcyclists. Motorcyclists lack the
protection of vehicles but typically
operate at the same speeds, putting
them at risk of severe injury from
collisions. Table 6.1 through Table 6.3
summarize the countywide goals and
strategies for vulnerable road user
emphasis areas.
2024 MARIN COUNTY LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN | 14CHAPTER 6. COUNTYWIDE ROAD SAFETY
STRATEGIES
Education • Expand Safe Routes to Schools education programming, including a focus on e-bicycles.
• Expand Street Smarts safety campaigns and consider alignment with Bicycle Safety Month.
Enforcement • Equitably implement targeted enforcement on key collision areas which resulted in
injury bicycle collisions.
• Prioritize enforcement of traffic laws based on likelihood of behavior causing an injury collision.
• Equitably implement targeted enforcement for bicyclists driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
Engineering • In conjunction with other strategies, install countermeasures focused on reducing the likelihood and
severity of collisions between automobiles and bicyclists and increasing driver awareness of bicyclists.
• Provide low stress, all ages and abilities infrastructure connectivity for bicyclists, particularly within one
mile of schools and along key active transportation routes.
• Refer to Caltrans and FHWA guidance on the preferred method of separation based on automobile
speeds and roadway volumes.
• Implement technology to improve bicyclist safety such as bicycle activated signal detection and bicycle
signal heads as appropriate.
Emergency
Response
• Install emergency vehicle preemption systems.
• Improve resources for deploying emergency responses to bicycle collision sites.
• Consider targeted training for responding to specific high incident locations and treatment of
predominant bicyclist injury types at those locations.
• Ensure that emergency routes are clear and well defined.
Emerging
Technology
• Implement new technologies to make bicycle crossings safer and more comfortable
(e.g., automated detection at signalized intersections, etc.).
• Deploy collision-prevention technology at signalized intersections.
• Utilize technologies such as video data and crowdsourcing to track and address near misses.
• Conduct in-depth analyses of bicyclist collision trends at hot spot locations to inform strategy
implementation.
Table 6.2: Bicyclist emphasis area goals & strategies
EMPHASIS AREA: BICYCLISTS
GOAL: Eliminate fatal & severe injury collisions involving bicyclists by 2050.0 • •
2024 MARIN COUNTY LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN | 15CHAPTER 6. COUNTYWIDE ROAD SAFETY
STRATEGIES
Education • Coordinate with motorcycle advocacy groups (e.g., ABATE) about ways to effectively
promote safe behaviors.
• Implement education and awareness campaigns focused on conspicuity, protective clothing,
and driver awareness of motorcyclists.
Enforcement • Prioritize equitable enforcement of motorcycle helmet laws in key high injury locations.
• Equitably implement targeted enforcement for motorcyclists driving under the influence of
alcohol or drugs.
Engineering • In conjunction with other strategies, implement countermeasures focused on improving pavement
friction at locations with curves and/or a high frequency of motorcycle collisions.
Emergency
Response
• Install emergency vehicle preemption systems.
• Improve resources for deploying emergency responses to motorcycle collision sites.
• Ensure that emergency routes are clear and well defined.
• Consider targeted training for responding to specific high incident locations and treatment of
predominant motorcyclistinjury types at those locations.
Emerging
Technology
• Deploy collision-prevention technology at signalized intersections.
• Utilize technologies such as video data and crowdsourcing to track and address near misses.
• Collect and analyze data on multi-modal counts, including non-reported collisions.
Table 6.3: Motorcyclist emphasis area goals & strategies
EMPHASIS AREA: MOTORYCLISTS
GOAL: Eliminate fatal & severe injury collisions involving motorcyclists by 2050.
2024 MARIN COUNTY LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN | 16
Table 6.4: Automobile right-of-way emphasis area goals & strategies
EMPHASIS AREA: AUTOMOBILE RIGHT-OF-WAY
GOAL: Eliminate fatal & severe injury collisions involving automobile right-of-way.
Collision factors are behaviors
that directly result in a collision.
Reductions in fatalities and
severe injuries can be achieved
by deterring these unsafe or
risky behaviors made by drivers
and other transportation users.
In Marin County, almost 65% of
collisions are caused by just four
collision factors: automobile right
of way violations, impaired driving
and bicycling, improper turning,
and unsafe speeds.
Table 6.4 through Table 6.7 list the
goals and strategies for emphasis
areas related to collision factors.
CHAPTER 6. COUNTYWIDE ROAD SAFETY
STRATEGIES
Education • Conduct public information and education campaigns for intersection safety laws regarding
traffic lights, stop signs, turning left or right, distracted driving, and pedestrian right-of-way.
Enforcement • Equitably implement targeted enforcement at high injury locations where automobile
right-of-way violations are high.
• Consider use of technology to support automated enforcement at key locations;
consider supporting legislation to allow automated enforcement.
Engineering • In conjunction with other strategies, install countermeasures focused on reducing behaviors
resulting in automobile ROW violations such as signal head improvements, advanced dilemma zone
technology, roundabouts, etc.
Emergency
Response
• Install emergency vehicle preemption systems.
• Improve resources for deploying emergency responses to collision sites.
• Ensure that emergency routes are clear and well defined.
• Consider targeted training for responding to specific high incident locations and treatment of
predominant injury types at those locations.
Emerging
Technology
• Deploy collision-prevention technology at signalized intersections.
• Utilize technologies such as video data and crowdsourcing to track and address near misses.
• Engage in legislative advocacy to seek state law change allowing automated speed cameras and
allowing the resulting citations to be handled as local municipal code violations
rather than vehicle code violations.
COLLISION FACTORS
2024 MARIN COUNTY LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN | 17CHAPTER 6. COUNTYWIDE ROAD SAFETY
STRATEGIES
Education • Implement education and public awareness campaigns targeted at impaired driving.
• Partner with local businesses and organizations along hot spot corridors on educational efforts and
campaigns.
Enforcement • Equitably implement high visibility enforcement campaigns.
• Establish DUI checkpoints where appropriate.
Engineering • In conjunction with other strategies, install countermeasures focused on mitigating or preventing hit
objects, drivers mounting the curb, unsafe speeds, and improper turning.
• Provide physical separation between fast-moving traffic and vulnerable road users.
Emergency
Response
• Install emergency vehicle preemption systems.
• Improve resources for deploying emergency responses to collision sites.
• Ensure that emergency routes are clear and well defined.
• Consider targeted training for responding to specific high incident locations and treatment of
predominant injury types at those locations.
Emerging
Technology
• Implement a Safe Ride Home partnership between the jurisdictions, police departments, CHP, taxi/ride-
hail operators, and local businesses.
• Deploy collision-prevention technology at signalized intersections.
• Utilize technologies such as video data and crowdsourcing to track and address near misses.
Table 6.5: Impaired driving & bicycling emphasis area goals & strategies
EMPHASIS AREA: IMPAIRED DRIVING & BICYCLING
GOAL: Eliminate fatal & severe injury collisions involving impaired driving & bicycling by 2050.
2024 MARIN COUNTY LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN | 18CHAPTER 6. COUNTYWIDE ROAD SAFETY
STRATEGIES
Education • Expand the Street Smarts program with an emphasis on avoiding improper turning.
Enforcement • Equitably implement targeted enforcement on key collision areas which resulted in injuries from
improper turning.
Engineering • In conjunction with other strategies, implement countermeasures focused on designing and improving
intersections to encourage drivers to make safe turns such as curb radius. reduction, left turn hardening,
protected intersections/corners, etc.
Emergency
Response
• Install emergency vehicle preemption systems.
• Consider targeted training for responding to specific high incident locations and treatment of
predominant injury types at those locations.
• Improve resources for deploying emergency responses to collision sites.
• Ensure that emergency routes are clear and well defined.
Emerging
Technology
• Deploy collision-prevention technology at signalized intersections.
• Utilize technologies such as video data and crowdsourcing to track and address near misses.
Table 6.6: Improper turning emphasis area goals & strategies
EMPHASIS AREA: IMPROPER TURNING
GOAL: Eliminate fatal & severe injury collisions improper turning by 2050.
2024 MARIN COUNTY LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN | 19CHAPTER 6. COUNTYWIDE ROAD SAFETY
STRATEGIES
Education • Par tner with local businesses and organizations on educational efforts and campaigns along hot spot corridors.
• Implement a safe speeds education campaign.
• Expand the Street Smarts Marin program.
Enforcement • Equitably implement targeted enforcement on key collision areas which resulted in injuries from unsafe speeds.
• Use recent legislation (AB 43, AB 321) and national research to set context-appropriate speeds suitable for all road users
particularly in business districts and near schools.
• Consider use of technology to support automated enforcement at key locations.
• Deploy a radar trailer and/or permanent speed feedback signage at locations where instances of unsafe speed are more prevalent.
Engineering • In conjunction with other strategies, install countermeasures focused on designing and improving roadways that lead to more appropriate
speeds to the surrounding land uses.
• Coordinate with emergency services to develop design standards for traffic calming treatments, particularly on collector
and neighborhood streets.
Emergency Response • Install emergency vehicle preemption systems.
• Consider targeted training for responding to specific high incident locations and treatment of predominant injury types at those locations.
• Improve resources for deploying emergency responses to collision sites.
• Ensure that emergency routes are clear and well defined.
Emerging Technology • Implement technology such as spot cameras, variable message signs, and traffic control warning devices as appropriate.
• Monitor speeds through critical intersections using smart signal technology.
• Utilize technologies such as video data and crowdsourcing to track and address near misses.
• Engage in legislative advocacy to seek state law change allowing automated speed cameras and allowing the resulting citations
to be handled as local municipal code violations rather than vehicle code violations.
Table 6.7: Unsafe speed emphasis area goals & strategies
EMPHASIS AREA: UNSAFE SPEED
GOAL: Eliminate fatal & severe injury collisions involving unsafe speed by 2050.
2024 MARIN COUNTY LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN | 20
Collision types represent specific
collision geometries; oftentimes
they stem from certain user
behaviors that can be addressed
to increase road safety. Over
half of all collision in Marin
County had just three collision
types: broadside, rear-end, and
sideswipe. Table 6.8 through Table
6.10 show the goals and strategies
for these emphasis areas.
STRATEGIES
Education • Expand the Street Smarts program.
Enforcement • Equitably implement targeted enforcement at high injury locations where violations that
lead to broadside collisions are more common, such as automobile right of way and
traffic signal/stop sign violations.
Engineering • In conjunction with other strategies, implement countermeasures focused on designing and
improving intersections to encourage drivers to make safe turns (e.g., roundabouts and protected
intersections/corners).
• Consider modifying traffic signal timing with longer clearance intervals such as with advanced dilemma
zone detection.
Emergency
Response
• Install emergency vehicle preemption systems.
• Consider targeted training for responding to specific high incident locations and treatment of
predominant injury types at those locations.
• Improve resources for deploying emergency responses to collision sites.
• Ensure that emergency routes are clear and well defined.
Emerging
Technology
• Deploy collision-prevention technology at signalized intersections.
• Utilize technologies such as video data and crowdsourcing to track and address near misses.
Table 6.8: Broadside collisions emphasis area goals & strategies
EMPHASIS AREA: BROADSIDE COLLISIONS
GOAL: Eliminate fatal & severe injury collisions involving broadside collisions by 2050.
CHAPTER 6. COUNTYWIDE ROAD SAFETY
COLLISION TYPES
,-
' -
' -
' -
I
2024 MARIN COUNTY LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN | 21CHAPTER 6. COUNTYWIDE ROAD SAFETY
STRATEGIES
Education • Partner with local businesses and community organizations to educate the public about
distracted driving.
• Expand the Street Smarts program.
Enforcement • Equitably implement targeted distracted driving enforcement at high injury locations where
rearend collisions are more common.
Engineering • In conjunction with other strategies, install countermeasures focused on designing and improving
roadways that lead to more appropriate speeds to the surrounding land uses.
Emergency
Response
• Install emergency vehicle preemption systems.
• Improve resources for deploying emergency responses to collision sites.
• Ensure that emergency routes are clear and well defined.
• Consider targeted training for responding to specific high incident locations and treatment of
predominant injury types at those locations.
Emerging
Technology
• Deploy collision-prevention technology at signalized intersections.
• Utilize technologies such as video data and crowdsourcing to track and address near misses.
Table 6.9: Rear end collisions emphasis area goals & strategies
EMPHASIS AREA: REAR END COLLISIONS
GOAL: Eliminate fatal & severe injury collisions involving rear end collisions by 2050.
2024 MARIN COUNTY LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN | 22CHAPTER 6. COUNTYWIDE ROAD SAFETY
STRATEGIES
Education • Expand the Street Smarts program.
Enforcement • Equitably implement targeted enforcement at high injury locations where sideswipe collisions
are more common.
Engineering • In conjunction with other strategies, install countermeasures focused designing and improving
roadways to prevent sideswipe collisions, such as installing signals and adding lane channelization and
turn lanes where appropriate.
Emergency
Response
• Install emergency vehicle preemption systems.
• Improve resources for deploying emergency responses to collision sites.
• Ensure that emergency routes are clear and well defined.
• Consider targeted training for responding to specific high incident locations and treatment of
predominant injury types at those locations.
Emerging
Technology
• Deploy collision-prevention technology at signalized intersections.
• Utilize technologies such as video data and crowdsourcing to track and address near misses.
Table 6.10: Sideswipe collsions emphasis area goals & strategies
EMPHASIS AREA: SIDESWIPE COLLISIONS
GOAL: Eliminate fatal & severe injury collisions involving sideswipe collisions by 2050.
2024 MARIN COUNTY LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN | 23
Sometimes conditions beyond
the road user’s control can
contribute to collisions. In Marin
County, a high percentage of
collisions occurred during dark
conditions, either in the presence
of streetlights or in areas with no
streetlights. Approximately 25% of
injury collisions and one-third of
collisions resulting in severe injury
or fatality took place
in dark conditions.
Table 6.11 displays the goal and
strategies for this emphasis area.
STRATEGIES
Education • Implement education campaigns targeted at safely walking and bicycling in the dark.
• Implement a safe speeds education campaign.
Enforcement • Use recent legislation and national research to set context appropriate speeds suitable
for all road users.
Engineering • In conjunction with other strategies, implement countermeasures focused on improving nighttime
infrastructure awareness and decision making.
• Improve street lighting in areas with high numbers of collisions during dark conditions.
Emergency
Response
• Install emergency vehicle preemption systems.
• Improve resources for deploying emergency responses to collision sites.
• Ensure that emergency routes are clear and well defined.
• Consider targeted training for responding to specific high incident locations and
treatment of predominant injury types at those locations.
Emerging
Technology
• Deploy collision-prevention technology at signalized intersections.
• Utilize technologies such as video data and crowdsourcing to track and address near misses.
Table 6.11: Dark Conditions emphasis area goals & strategies
EMPHASIS AREA: DARK CONDITIONS
GOAL: Eliminate fatal & severe injury collisions involving dark conditions by 2050.
CHAPTER 6. COUNTYWIDE ROAD SAFETY
EXTERNAL CONDITIONS
I
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\
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2024 MARIN COUNTY LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN | 24CHAPTER 7. IMPEMENTATION & EVALUATION
Marin’s Transportation Sales Tax
MEAS U R E
V O T ER APPROVED
Marin’s Vehicle Registration Fee
BMEASURE
V O T ER APPROVED
7. IMPLEMENTATION & EVALUATION
This chapter identifies implementation and evaluation considerations that will be
important to jurisdiction staff as they work towards achieving the LRSP goals.
7.1 IMPLEMENTATION
A number of considerations must be proactively managed to successfully implement
the strategies presented in the LRSP. Successful implementation requires adequate
funding, coordination, and partnerships, and can be supported by policies at both the
jurisdiction and county levels.
Next Steps & Timeline for Implementation
The next steps for implementation should focus on developing specific programs
and projects from the LRSP recommendations:
Identify an “agency champion” to advance each LRSP priority recommendation.
This agency generally would assume the primary role in program/project
development
Further define each priority recommendation (or if appropriate, bundle several
recommendations together) into a discrete program or project with a specific
scope of improvements
Allocate initial funding to complete basic program/project development tasks,
such as conceptual planning, feasibility assessments, cost estimation, and
agency coordination
These initial development steps will allow lead agencies to define specific programs
and projects and prepare them for inclusion in competitive funding applications,
regional transportation plans, and local capital improvement plans (CIPs).
The strategies introduced in this document may be implemented in different phases.
Short-term implementation would generally occur in less than five years from
completion of the LRSP. These actions include low-cost engineering treatments that
can be constructed relatively quickly, such as striping projects, signal optimizations,
and quick-build infrastructure. Additional short-term strategies could include scaling
up existing programs and implementing enforcement activities.
Medium-term implementation typically would occur between five and ten years after
LRSP development. This may include progressive and scaled-up safety elements as
well as larger projects that require more resources to design and construct. Policy
changes also could be implemented in this timeframe.
In the long term (generally 10 years or more), implementation may focus on further
emphasizing safety in future planning and design efforts.
Funding Sources & Strategies
Obtaining funding is critical for plan implementation. The County and its jurisdictions
can pursue funding at various levels depending on their needs. Identification of
funding sources and opportunities can be focused on the following:
Federal and state grant opportunities, including the Highway Safety
Improvement Program, Safe Streets & Roads for All, and the
Active Transportation Program
Regional funding opportunities, including funding opportunities resulting from
Marin County’s Measure AA sales tax and Measure B vehicle registration fees
Local fund contributions from TAM, the County, and its jurisdictions to
support countywide programs
Capital improvement projects, such as repaving efforts into which safety
upgrades could be bundled
California Active
Transportation Program
2024 MARIN COUNTY LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN | 25CHAPTER 7. IMPEMENTATION & EVALUATION
The following strategies can help to increase the likelihood of success in competitive
funding applications:
Pursue the highest-priority, highest-benefit projects and programs. These tend
to be the most competitive in grant programs, driven by strong results in the
benefit-cost analyses that are often required. In addition, showing funding
partners that the County and local jurisdictions have thought carefully about the
highest-value ways to direct resources can inspire confidence from these federal
and state entities
Partner across jurisdictions to greatly strengthen applications for competitive
funding. Some potential partners for local jurisdictions include the County,
TAM, Marin Transit, or relevant community-based organizations. Beyond
grant applications, these jurisdictional partnerships also could include more
formalized memoranda of understanding to share the costs of planning, design,
construction, or operations
Leverage local funding for projects and aim to provide close to 50 percent of
total project costs from these local funds. This type of commitment will increase
competitiveness when applying for discretionary funds at the federal and state levels
Pursue multiple funding sources. Infrastructure programs and projects often
require agencies to leverage many sources to meet project budgets, especially
given the uncertainty of competitive funding programs
Coordination & Partnership
Coordination and partnership among diverse stakeholders are essential for the
success of the LRSP. Within jurisdictions, collaboration and partnership between
public works, law enforcement, bicycle/pedestrian advisory committees, and others
can ensure that road user safety is systematically addressed.
Additional countywide partnerships could also be considered to track funding and
project implementation. These partnerships could take the following forms:
Jurisdictional partnerships to prepare joint grant applications and potentially
share program/project costs
Countywide bicycle working committee including representatives from existing
groups from various jurisdictions to further develop program/project concepts,
track funding opportunities, and monitor overall progress toward LRSP goals
Task force to audit countywide projects and programs related to bicycle safety,
review collision trend data, and make recommendations on preventing future
collisions
Policy Support
Whether at the county or jurisdiction levels, the LRSP strategy implementation can be
facilitated by supportive policies. Policies to consider include establishing clear goals
for regional connectivity through a countywide bicycle master planning process,
parking policies, and traffic calming policies. Having clear policies can pave the way
for related safety improvements.
7.2 EVALUATION
It will be important to evaluate progress towards meeting the LRSP’s goals. Evaluation
allows the County and its jurisdictions to monitor safety conditions over time and
make strategy adjustments as necessary.
In order to understand progress and safety conditions, specific outcome metrics
should be used when evaluating the LRSP’s progress. Foremost among these should
be the number of KSI collisions in each jurisdiction, as this corresponds directly to the
LRSP goals. Additional metrics could be the number of non-KSI injury collisions and
collisions related to each emphasis area. Metrics should be tracked every two years
and summarized in a memo or scorecard. This data will also be helpful when applying
for funding.
Regularly updating the LRSP will allow the plan and its strategies to be revised based
on the evaluation results. The LRSP should be updated every four years or as needed.
2024 MARIN COUNTY LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN | 26CHAPTER 8. BELVEDERE & TIBURON LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN
8. BELVEDERE & TIBURON LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN
8.1 INTRODUCTION
Tiburon and Belvedere are both located on a peninsula in southern Marin County.
Tiburon Boulevard (California State Route 131) serves as the primary access road to
both communities, which are bordered by the San Francisco Bay and, in the case of
Tiburon, Corte Madera. Tiburon is the fourth largest incorporated city or town in the
county by area (4.5 square miles) and the seventh largest by population, with just
over 9,000 residents.1 Belvedere, meanwhile, is the smallest Marin County jurisdiction
by area (0.52 square miles) as well as the smallest by population (approximately 2,100
residents). Given that these jurisdictions have relatively similar geography, terrain,
and low number of collisions, the two are analyzed together in this chapter.
A Local Road Safety Plan (LRSP) is a plan that provides a framework to identify,
analyze, and prioritize roadway safety improvements on local and rural roads to
increase safety for all road users. The LRSP facilitates local agency partnerships and
collaboration to systematically address road safety issues, ultimately resulting in a
list of prioritized projects and actions that can be used to obtain federal funding. It
provides a proactive approach to address safety needs and demonstrates agency
responsiveness to safety challenges. A living document, the LRSP can be revised as
needed to reflect evolving trends, community needs, and priorities.
This chapter presents the vision statement and goals, summarizes collision data,
identifies emphasis areas, recommends high priority project locations, and outlines
the implementation and evaluation strategies for Tiburon and Belvedere. For the
purpose of this plan, only non-state roadways were considered; therefore any
considerations around Tiburon Boulevard are not considered unless specified (see
Section 8.4 for a collision analysis along Tiburon Boulevard).
1 United States Census Bureau 2021
2024 MARIN COUNTY LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN | 27CHAPTER 8. BELVEDERE & TIBURON LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN
8.2 VISION & GOALS
Tiburon and Belvedere’s vision for this LRSP was developed through feedback with
the Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) and Marin County jurisdictions, which are
described in Chapter 3. The vision statement reflects the jurisdictions’ commitment
to Vision Zero, an international strategy to eliminate all traffic fatalities and severe
injuries while increasing safe, healthy, and equitable mobility for all. The vision
statement recognizes that, while aspirational, to work towards anything less
than an end to traffic fatalities and severe injuries would not be appropriate. The
accompanying goals represent a path forward to achieving this vision.
Vision Statement
Tiburon and Belvedere strive to eliminate collision-related fatalities and severe
injuries by proactively and equitably pursuing a safe systems approach prioritizing
road safety for all users.
GOALS
Systematically implement proven safety solutions, initiatives, policies, and
programs to eliminate preventable fatal & severe collisions by 2050.
Utilize a multi-faceted approach that spans jurisdictions and
encompasses diverse strategies including engineering, education,
public health, and enforcement.
Implement improvements that promote and support safe travel for
vulnerable users including people walking and bicycling, children,
older adults, and people with disabilities.
Ensure that multimodal safety investments are made in a manner
that is fair and equitable for all residents.
8.3 EXISTING EFFORTS
In recent years, Tiburon and Belvedere’s efforts to improve safety have been most
visible through a range of plans and programs. This chapter describes plans, studies,
and programs supporting safety in Tiburon and Belvedere.
PLANS & STUDIES
Systemic Safety Analysis Report (2018)
The 2018 Marin County Systemic Safety Analysis Report (SSAR) provided a large-
scale systemic safety analysis of roadways across Marin County to help drive future
improvement projects, grant applications, and traffic safety outreach programs for
Marin County’s 11 jurisdictions and unincorporated areas. The analysis was funded
through the California Systemic Safety Analysis Report Program and produced by the
Marin County Department of Public Works. The project also involved collaboration
with various town and city police departments, the Marin County Sheriff, and the
California Highway Patrol. A Technical Advisory Committee was formed to help guide
the process and was comprised of representatives from the Marin Public Works
Association, Transportation Authority of Marin, and Marin General Hospital.
This LRSP serves as an update to portions of the SSAR.
Novato
Fairfax
San RafaelSan Anselmo
Mill Valley
Corte
Madera
Tiburon
Ross
Larkspur
0%
2%
4%
6%
8%
10%
12%
14%
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Total Crashes
Total KSI Crashes
Pedestrian inCrosswalk
Pedestrian not inCrosswalk
Other
3%
3%
5%
38%
100% 100% 100% 100%
8%
6% 7%
14% 18%
29% 5%
38% 22% 6%
5% 43% 38%
3% 34%
1% 54%
5%
8%
8%
CRASH TYPES BY MODE: RATIOS OF ALL COLLISIONS
Motorvehicle proceeding straight
Motorvehicle making left turn
Motorvehicle making right turn
Head-On
Sideswipe
Hit Object
Broadside
Rear End
Overturned
Other *
One square = One Collision * “Other” is one of the eight crash type options for police ocers to designate on collision reports. Collisions designated as “Other” are included in the auto portion of the collisions by mode chart above.
CRASH TYPES ...... :::::· ::::: ..... ..... ..... :::::
■
■ ■ : :
■
■
... ..
■ ::
■ :: .. .. .. :·
.d...
2024 MARIN COUNTY LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN | 28CHAPTER 8. BELVEDERE & TIBURON LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN
Tiburon Bicycle & Pedestrian Master Plan Update (2016)
This plan is an update of the Town’s bicycle and pedestrian master plan. It identifies
existing and future needs as well as projects, policies, and programs to improve active
transportation in Tiburon. The plan’s goals are to increase bicycle and pedestrian
access, improve bicycle transportation, and encourage pedestrian transportation.
PROGRAMS
Safe Routes to Schools
Marin County’s Safe Routes to Schools (SR2S) is a program of TAM. TAM has created
a long-term, sustainable program that is institutionalized in schools with strong
community involvement. SR2S began in 2000 as a pilot program in select towns.
Today it operates in all Marin County jurisdictions and Unincorporated Marin in
over 55 schools, serving a total population of over 29,000 students. Among its
many activities, SR2S provides professional instructors to teach safe bicycling and
pedestrian safety skills and oversees volunteers in promoting the program through
contests, events, and regular submissions to school newsletters. SR2S also identifies
potential infrastructure projects to address school travel safety issues.
Street Smarts Marin
Street Smarts is a traffic safety program run by TAM that
educates drivers, pedestrians, and bicyclists about safety
issues including distracted driving. The goal is to encourage
people to adopt new attitudes and behaviors that will reduce
the number of collisions and make the streets safer for
everyone. The program incorporates physical banners and
social media posts to spread its messages about key safety
behaviors. The program began in 2009 and includes one to
two rollouts per year.
Transportation Authority of Marin Crossing Guard Program
TAM’s crossing guard program provides trained crossing guards at key intersections
throughout Marin County. This is a key component of the Safe Routes to Schools
program as crossing guards help reduce the reluctance that some parents may feel
towards allowing their children to walk or bicycle to school. The program began in
2006 with 54 crossing guards and in the 2023/2024 school year 105 crossing guard
locations will be active. TAM contracts with a professional company that specializes in
crossing guard programs and uses a data-driven evaluation process to select the sites
at which guards are located.
ENGINEERING IMPROVEMENTS
Tiburon Boulevard Pedestrian Crossing Improvements (Ongoing)
Caltrans has two projects planned to start construction in fall of 2022 to improve
pedestrian safety along several locations along Tiburon Boulevard. The intersections
of Stewart Drive and Tiburon Boulevard, Trestle Glen Boulevard and Tiburon
Boulevard, as well as Ned’s Way and Tiburon Boulevard will receive signal, signage,
and striping improvements as part of this project.
Stewart Drive High Intensity Activated CrossWalK Signal (2023)
A High Intensity Activated CrossWalK (HAWK) signal was installed at the Tiburon
Boulevard and Stewart Drive intersection to improve pedestrian safety at the
intersection. This pedestrian-activated traffic control device gives drivers a red light,
allowing pedestrians to safely cross Tiburon Boulevard.
Tiburon Boulevard/Blackfield Drive/Greenwood Cove Drive
Reconstruction (2021)
A reconstruction project in Tiburon was completed in 2021. The project included
removing pork-chop islands, tightening turning radii, shortening crosswalks, and
improving traffic signal. Existing bicycle boxes were also retained as part of the project.
Crossing guards increase safety and comfort for students walking and rolling to school.
TIBURON SUPPORTS
Stree~Smarts
WALK
BIKE
DRIVE
SMART • • • b~
2024 MARIN COUNTY LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN | 29CHAPTER 8. BELVEDERE & TIBURON LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN
La Cresta Open
Space
Richardson Bay
San Francisco Bay
Paradise Beach
Park
ANGEL ISLAND
Paradise Cay
ROMBERG
TIBURON CENTER
Hila
r
i
t
a
Tre s t l e G l e n B o ule v a r d
T
i
b
u
ron B
oulevard
B e l v e d e r e Drive
T
r
i
n
i
d
a
d
D
ri
v
e
W
e
s
t
S
h
o
r
e
R
o
a
d
B
e
lvedere A
v
e
n
ue
STRAWBERRY POINT
ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
S
a
n Rafael Ave
Belvedere Lagoon
BEL AIRE
ELEMENTARY
SCHOOL
REED
ELEMENTARY
SCHOOL
DEL MAR
MIDDLE SCHOOL
SAINT
HILARY
SCHOOL TOWN OF TIBURONTOWN OF TIBURON
BelvedereBelvedere
LEGEND
Severe Injury Other Visible Injury Complaint of Pain Boundary
8.4 DATA SUMMARY
This analysis considered reported
collisions on non-state arterial and
collector roads resulting in injury or
fatality. Arterial roads are high-capacity
roads that carry longer-distance vehicle
flows between centers of activity.
Collector roads have low to moderate
capacity and serve as connectors
between local roads and arterials.
For the purpose of the following data
summary, “all collisions” refers to
collisions resulting in injury (regardless
of severity) or fatality, unless otherwise
specified.
From 2017-2021, four reported injury
collisions occurred in Tiburon and one
injury collision occurred in Belvedere
(Figure 8.1); there were no collisions
resulting in severe injury or fatality
in either jurisdiction. This represents
a decrease in collisions for both
jurisdictions compared to 2012-2016,
down from five collisions in Tiburon and
three in Belvedere during the previous
period.
Figure 8.1: Belvedere & Tiburon
collisions by severity
0
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0.3 0.6 Miles
I I I I I
0 0 0 D
2024 MARIN COUNTY LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN | 30CHAPTER 8. BELVEDERE & TIBURON LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN
Primary Collision Factors
Four primary collision factors were responsible for 100% of collisions in Tiburon and
Belvedere (Figure 8.2).
In Tiburon, half of collisions were caused by unsafe speed. One collision resulted from
driving or bicycling under the influence of drugs or alcohol, and one was caused by
improper turning.
Belvedere’s one collision resulted from driving on the wrong side of the road.
50%
25%25%
100%
0%
20%
40%
60%
80%
100%
120%
Unsafe speed Impaired driving
or cycling
Improper turning Wrong Side of Road
Tiburon Collisions Belvedere Collisions
Figure 8.2: Top primary collision factors
Road User Types
Figure 8.3 shows collisions by mode for both Tiburon and Belvedere. Motor vehicle
only collisions made up 50% of collisions in Tiburon and 100% of collisions in
Belvedere. In Tiburon, both vehicle-only collisions involved solo vehicles, while the
collision in Belvedere involved multiple vehicles. Two collisions in Tiburon (50%)
involved bicyclists.
Figure 8.3: Tiburon & Belvedere collisions by mode
Equity Considerations
Owing to the low number of collisions, no trends regarding equity considerations
could be determined.
External Conditions
Owing to the low number of collisions, no trends regarding external conditions could
be determined.
Tiburon Boulevard
The focus of this analysis is non-state-owned roadways; however, when discussing
collisions in Tiburon and Belvedere it would be remiss to ignore Tiburon Boulevard.
Tiburon Boulevard is an important route for connecting Tiburon and Belvedere with
the rest of Marin County. This section provides an analysis of Tiburon Boulevard from
Highway 101 to Paradise Drive.
Fifty collisions occurred along Tiburon Boulevard from 2017-2021 (Figure 8.4). This
included eight collisions resulting in a severe injury and zero fatalities. These collisions
tended to be more closely spaced toward the western end of the segment. A hot spot
of collisions was located between North Knoll Road and the Highway 101 ramps.
■ ■
2024 MARIN COUNTY LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN | 31CHAPTER 8. BELVEDERE & TIBURON LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN
BEL AIRE
ELEMENTARY
SCHOOL
RING MOUNTAIN
LA CRESTA
OPEN SPACE
STRAWBERRY POINT
ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Blackie’s
Pasture
Re
d
w
o
o
d
H
w
y
F
r
o
n
t
a
g
e
R
d
REED
ELEMENTARY
SCHOOL
DEL MAR
MIDDLE SCHOOL
SAINT
HILARY
SCHOOL
B e l v e d e r e D r
TIBURON BLVD
Bl
a
c
k
f
i
e
l
d
D
r
Trestle G l e n B l v d
Stewar
t
D
r
G
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t
D
r
Hilary D
r
A v e nida M ir a flo r e s
Rock H
i
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l
R
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Reed R a n c h R d
P a r a d i s e Dr
TI
B
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O
N
B
L
V
D
Lyford Dr
S
a
n
R
a
f
a
e
l
A
v
e
Richardson Bay
0 0.15
LEGEND
Severe Injury Other Visible Injury Complaint of Pain Boundary
Figure 8.4: Tiburon Boulevard collisions by severity
Tiburon Boulevard
Unsafe speed accounted for 54% of the collisions on this segment. This is drastically higher than
the second most common primary collision factor, automobile right-of-way violations, which
was responsible for 14% of collisions. Automobile right-of-way violations are when drivers
did not yield to another driver with the right-of-way. Unsafe starting or backing caused 8% of
collisions, while traffic signals and signs violations led to 6% of collisions. Together, these four
primary collision factors were responsible for 82% of collisions on this roadway.
Of the 50 collisions, 86% involved motor vehicles only. Approximately 6% involved motorcyclists,
while another 6% involved bicyclists and 2% involved pedestrians. The bicycle collisions occurred
between North Knoll Road and Cecilia Way, while the motorcycle and pedestrian collisions were
spread throughout the corridor. Caltrans is currently planning a State Highway Operation and
Protection Program (SHOPP) project that will include the addition of Class IV bicycle lanes along
Tiburon Boulevard.
I I I I
0 0
0.3Miles
I II I I
0 D
2024 MARIN COUNTY LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN | 32CHAPTER 8. BELVEDERE & TIBURON LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN
High Collision Network
Owing to their low number of collisions, Tiburon and Belvedere did not feature any
locations in the Marin County High Collision Network.
8.5 EMPHASIS AREAS
Emphasis areas provide a framework for developing and implementing strategies to
increase road user safety across the County. Potential emphasis areas were initially
identified using severe injury and fatality collision data from 2012-2021 for Tiburon
and Belvedere in comparison to the County as a whole, which allowed for a larger
sample size of collisions to be compared. Emphasis areas were then refined through
stakeholder input. A full list of emphasis areas for the County can be found in Chapter
6. Three primary emphasis areas were selected from this list for Tiburon based on
the jurisdictions’ collision trends, shown in Table 8.1. Owing to the low number of
collisions in Belvedere (just three during 2012-2021), insufficient data existed to
assess emphasis area trends for the City.
Approximately 11% of injury collisions in Tiburon from 2012-2021 involved a
bicyclist; this is slightly higher than the County’s rate of 9%. Given that Tiburon’s
roads are frequented by recreational bicyclists, this is an important emphasis area to
address to improve road user safety.
Table 8.1: Tiburon primary emphasis areas
Category Primary Emphasis Area
Vulnerable Road Users Bicyclists
Collision Factors Unsafe Speed
Collision Types Rear-End
Unsafe speed resulted in 58% of Tiburon’s injury collisions, which is much higher
than the countywide proportion of 28% for this collision factor. Paradise Drive was a
hotspot of unsafe speed collisions. Approximately 58% of injury collisions were rear-
end collisions, which is more than double the countywide proportion of 25%. Again,
high numbers of rear-end collisions were located along Paradise Drive.
Focusing on these primary emphasis areas can significantly contribute to eliminating
collisions in the County resulting in severe injury or fatality. However, a strategy that
includes additional emphasis areas would have further positive effects. Table 8.2
through Table 8.4 list the goals and strategies for Tiburon’s primary emphasis areas.
See Appendix A for more detail on countermeasures recommended as emphasis
area strategies.
2024 MARIN COUNTY LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN | 33CHAPTER 8. BELVEDERE & TIBURON LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN
STRATEGIES
Education • Expand Safe Routes to Schools education programming.
• Expand Street Smarts Marin safety campaigns and consider alignment with Bicycle Safety Month.
Enforcement • Equitably implement targeted enforcement on key collision areas which resulted in injury bicycle collisions.
• Prioritize enforcement of traffic laws based on likelihood of behavior causing an injury collision.
• Equitably implement targeted enforcement for bicyclists driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
Engineering • In conjunction with other strategies, install countermeasures focused on reducing the likelihood and severity of collisions between automobiles
and bicyclists and increasing driver awareness of bicyclists.
• Provide low stress, all ages and abilities infrastructure connectivity for bicyclists, particularly within one mile of schools and along key active
transportation routes.
• Refer to Caltrans and FHWA guidance on the preferred method of separation based on automobile speeds and roadway volumes.
• Implement technology to improve bicyclist safety such as bicycle activated signal detection and bicycle signal heads as appropriate.
Emergency Response • Install emergency vehicle preemption systems.
• Improve resources for deploying emergency responses to bicycle collision sites.
• Consider targeted training for responding to specific high incident locations and treatment of predominant bicyclist injury types at those
locations.
• Ensure that emergency routes are clear and well defined.
Emerging Technology • Implement new technologies to make bicycle crossings safer and more comfortable
(e.g., automated detection at signalized intersections, etc.).
• Deploy collision-prevention technology at signalized intersections.
• Utilize technologies such as video data and crowdsourcing to track and address near misses.
• Conduct in-depth analyses of cyclist collision trends at hot spot locations to inform strategy implementation.
Table 8.2: Tiburon bicyclist emphasis area goals & strategies
EMPHASIS AREA: BICYCLISTS
GOAL: Eliminate fatal & severe injury collisions involving bicyclists by 2050.
0 • •
2024 MARIN COUNTY LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN | 34CHAPTER 8. BELVEDERE & TIBURON LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN
STRATEGIES
Education • Par tner with local businesses and organizations on educational efforts and campaigns along hot spot corridors.
• Implement a safe speeds education campaign.
• Expand the Street Smarts Marin program
Enforcement • Equitably implement targeted enforcement on key collision areas which resulted in injuries from unsafe speeds.
• Use recent legislation (AB 43, AB 321) and national research to set context-appropriate speeds suitable for all road users
particularly in business districts and near schools.
• Consider use of technology to support automated enforcement at key locations.
• Deploy a radar trailer at locations where instances of unsafe speed are more prevalent.
Engineering • In conjunction with other strategies, install countermeasures focused on designing and improving roadways that lead to more appropriate
speeds to the surrounding land uses.
• Coordinate with emergency services to develop design standards for traffic calming treatments, particularly on collector
and neighborhood streets.
Emergency Response • Install emergency vehicle preemption systems.
• Consider targeted training for responding to specific high incident locations and treatment of predominant injury types at those locations.
• Improve resources for deploying emergency responses to collision sites.
• Ensure that emergency routes are clear and well defined.
Emerging Technology • Implement technology such as spot cameras, variable message signs, and traffic control warning devices as appropriate.
• Monitor speeds through critical intersections using smart signal technology.
• Utilize technologies such as video data and crowdsourcing to track and address near misses.
• Engage in legislative advocacy to seek state law change allowing automated speed cameras and allowing the resulting citations
to be handled as local municipal code violations rather than vehicle code violations.
Table 8.3: Tiburon unsafe speed emphasis area goals & strategies
EMPHASIS AREA: UNSAFE SPEED
GOAL: Eliminate fatal & severe injury collisions involving unsafe speed by 2050.
2024 MARIN COUNTY LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN | 35CHAPTER 8. BELVEDERE & TIBURON LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN
STRATEGIES
Education • Partner with local businesses and community organizations to educate the public
about distracted driving.
• Expand the Street Smarts program.
Enforcement • Equitably implement targeted distracted driving enforcement at high injury locations where rearend
collisions are more common.
Engineering • In conjunction with other strategies, install countermeasures focused on designing and improving
roadways that lead to more appropriate speeds to the surrounding land uses.
Emergency
Response
• Install emergency vehicle preemption systems.
• Improve resources for deploying emergency responses to collision sites.
• Ensure that emergency routes are clear and well defined.
• Consider targeted training for responding to specific high incident locations and treatment of
predominant injury types at those locations.
Emerging
Technology
• Deploy collision-prevention technology at signalized intersections.
• Utilize technologies such as video data and crowdsourcing to track and address near misses.
Table 8.4: Tiburon rear-end collision primary emphasis area goals & strategies
EMPHASIS AREA: REAR-END COLLISIONS
GOAL: Eliminate fatal & severe injury collisions involving rear end collisions by 2050.
2024 MARIN COUNTY LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN | 36CHAPTER 8. BELVEDERE & TIBURON LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN
Marin’s Transportation Sales Tax
MEAS U R E
V O T ER APPROVED
Marin’s Vehicle Registration Fee
BMEASURE
V O T ER APPROVED
8.6 PRIORITY PROJECTS
Owing to the low number and geographically dispersed nature of collisions in Tiburon
and Belvedere, no priority projects have been identified at this time.
8.7 IMPLEMENTATION & EVALUATION
A number of considerations must be proactively managed to successfully implement
the strategies presented in the LRSP. Successful implementation requires adequate
funding, coordination, and partnerships, and can be supported by policies at both the
jurisdiction and county levels.
IMPLEMENTATION
Next Steps & Timeline for Implementation
The next steps for implementation should focus on developing specific programs
and projects from the LRSP recommendations:
Identify an “agency champion” to advance each LRSP priority recommendation.
This agency generally would assume the primary role in program/project
development
Further define each priority recommendation (or if appropriate, bundle several
recommendations together) into a discrete program or project with a specific
scope of improvements
Allocate initial funding to complete basic program/project development tasks,
such as conceptual planning, feasibility assessments, cost estimation, and
agency coordination
These initial development steps will allow lead agencies to define specific programs
and projects and prepare them for inclusion in competitive funding applications,
regional transportation plans, and local capital improvement plans (CIPs).
The strategies introduced in this document may be implemented in different phases.
Short-term implementation would generally occur in less than five years from
completion of the LRSP. These actions include low-cost engineering treatments that
can be constructed relatively quickly, such as striping projects, signal optimizations,
and quick-build infrastructure. Additional short-term strategies could include scaling
up existing programs and implementing enforcement activities.
Medium-term implementation typically would occur between five and ten years after
LRSP development. This may include progressive and scaled-up safety elements as
well as larger projects that require more resources to design and construct. Policy
changes also could be implemented in this timeframe.
In the long term (generally 10 years or more), implementation may focus on further
emphasizing safety in future planning and design efforts.
Funding Sources & Strategies
Obtaining funding is critical for plan implementation. The County and its jurisdictions
can pursue funding at various levels depending on their needs. Identification of
funding sources and opportunities can be focused on the following:
Federal and state grant opportunities, including the Highway Safety
Improvement Program, Safe Streets & Roads for All, and the
Active Transportation Program
Regional funding opportunities, including funding opportunities resulting from
Marin County’s Measure AA sales tax and Measure B vehicle registration fees
Local fund contributions from TAM, the County, and its jurisdictions to
support countywide programs
Capital improvement projects, such as repaving efforts into which safety
upgrades could be bundled
California Active
Transportation Program
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2024 MARIN COUNTY LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN | 37CHAPTER 8. BELVEDERE & TIBURON LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN
The following strategies can help to increase the likelihood of success in competitive
funding applications:
Pursue the highest-priority, highest-benefit projects and programs. These tend
to be the most competitive in grant programs, driven by strong results in the
benefit-cost analyses that are often required. In addition, showing funding
partners that the County and local jurisdictions have thought carefully about the
highest-value ways to direct resources can inspire confidence from these federal
and state entities
Partner across jurisdictions to greatly strengthen applications for competitive
funding. Some potential partners for local jurisdictions include the County,
TAM, Marin Transit, or relevant community-based organizations. Beyond
grant applications, these jurisdictional partnerships also could include more
formalized memoranda of understanding to share the costs of planning, design,
construction, or operations
Leverage local funding for projects and aim to provide close to 50 percent of
total project costs from these local funds. This type of commitment will increase
competitiveness when applying for discretionary funds at the federal and state levels
Pursue multiple funding sources. Infrastructure programs and projects often
require agencies to leverage many sources to meet project budgets, especially
given the uncertainty of competitive funding programs
Coordination & Partnership
Coordination and partnership among diverse stakeholders are essential for the
success of the LRSP. Within jurisdictions, collaboration and partnership between
public works, law enforcement, bicycle/pedestrian advisory committees, and others
can ensure that road user safety is systematically addressed.
Additional countywide partnerships could also be considered to track funding and
project implementation. These partnerships could take the following forms:
Jurisdictional partnerships to prepare joint grant applications and potentially
share program/project costs
Countywide bicycle working committee including representatives from existing
groups from various jurisdictions to further develop program/project concepts,
track funding opportunities, and monitor overall progress toward LRSP goals
Task force to audit countywide projects and programs related to bicycle safety,
review collision trend data, and make recommendations on preventing future
collisions
Policy Support
Whether at the county or jurisdiction levels, the LRSP strategy implementation can be
facilitated by supportive policies. Policies to consider include establishing clear goals
for regional connectivity through a countywide bicycle master planning process,
parking policies, and traffic calming policies. Having clear policies can pave the way
for related safety improvements.
EVALUATION
It will be important to evaluate progress towards meeting the LRSP’s goals. Evaluation
allows the County and its jurisdictions to monitor safety conditions over time and
make strategy adjustments as necessary.
In order to understand progress and safety conditions, specific outcome metrics
should be used when evaluating the LRSP’s progress. Foremost among these should
be the number of KSI collisions in each jurisdiction, as this corresponds directly to the
LRSP goals. Additional metrics could be the number of non-KSI injury collisions and
collisions related to each emphasis area. Metrics should be tracked every two years
and summarized in a memo or scorecard. This data will also be helpful when applying
for funding.
Regularly updating the LRSP will allow the plan and its strategies to be revised based
on the evaluation results. The LRSP should be updated every four years or as needed.
2024 MARIN COUNTY LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN | 38CHAPTER 9. CORTE MADERA LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN
9. CORTE MADERA LOCAL ROAD SAFETY
9.1 INTRODUCTION
The Town of Corte Madera is located in central Marin County. The Town is bisected
by Highway 101 and bordered by Larkspur and Mill Valley to the west, Tiburon to the
south, San Rafael to the north, and the San Francisco Bay to the east. Corte Madera
is the fifth largest incorporated city or town in Marin County by area, at 3.16 square
miles. As of 2021 Corte Madera had a population of approximately 10,100 residents,
which makes it the sixth most populous incorporated jurisdiction in Marin County.1
A Local Road Safety Plan (LRSP) is a plan that provides a framework to identify,
analyze, and prioritize roadway safety improvements on local and rural roads to
increase safety for all road users. The LRSP facilitates local agency partnerships and
collaboration to systematically address road safety issues, ultimately resulting in a
list of prioritized projects and actions that can be used to obtain federal funding.
The LRSP provides a proactive approach to address safety needs and demonstrates
agency responsiveness to safety challenges. A living document, the LRSP can be
revised as needed to reflect evolving trends, community needs, and priorities.
This chapter presents the vision statement and goals, summarizes collision data,
identifies emphasis areas, recommends high priority project locations, and outlines
the implementation and evaluation strategies for the Town of Corte Madera.
9.2 VISION & GOALS
Corte Madera’s vision for this LRSP was developed through feedback with the
Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) and Marin County jurisdictions, which are
described in Chapter 3. The vision statement reflects the town’s commitment to Vision
Zero, an international strategy to eliminate all traffic fatalities and severe injuries
while increasing safe, healthy, and equitable mobility for all. The vision statement
recognizes that, while aspirational, to work towards anything less than an end to
traffic fatalities and severe injuries would not be appropriate. The accompanying
goals represent a path forward to achieving this vision.
1 United States Census Bureau 2021
2024 MARIN COUNTY LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN | 39CHAPTER 9. CORTE MADERA LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN
VISION STATEMENT
The Town of Corte Madera strives to eliminate collision-related fatalities and severe
injuries by proactively and equitably pursuing a safe systems approach prioritizing
road safety for all users.
GOALS
Systematically implement proven safety solutions, initiatives, policies, and
programs to eliminate preventable fatal & severe collisions by 2050.
Utilize a multi-faceted approach that spans jurisdictions and encompasses diverse
strategies including engineering, education, public health, and enforcement.
Implement improvements that promote and support safe travel for vulnerable
users including people walking and bicycling, children, older adults, and people
with disabilities.
Ensure that multimodal safety investments are made in a manner that is fair and
equitable for all Corte Madera residents.
9.3 EXISTING EFFORTS
In recent years, Corte Madera’s efforts to improve safety have been most visible
through a range of plans and programs. This chapter describes plans, studies, and
programs supporting safety in Corte Madera.
PLANS & STUDIES
Systemic Safety Analysis Report (2018)
The 2018 Marin County Systemic Safety Analysis Report (SSAR) provided a large-
scale systemic safety analysis of roadways across Marin County to help drive future
improvement projects, grant applications, and traffic safety outreach programs for
Marin County’s 11 jurisdictions and unincorporated areas. The analysis was funded
through the California Systemic Safety Analysis Report Program and produced by the
Marin County Department of Public Works. The project also involved collaboration
with various town and city police departments, the Marin County Sheriff, and the
California Highway Patrol. A Technical Advisory Committee was formed to help guide
the process and was comprised of representatives from the Marin Public Works
Association, Transportation Authority of Marin, and Marin General Hospital. This LRSP
serves as an update to portions of the SSAR.
Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan (2016)
This plan was created to improve the Town’s network for walking and bicycling
by providing direction for future bicycle and pedestrian planning and meeting
the guidelines of the California Active Transportation Program. Bikeway and
pedestrian network information was gathered from meetings with the Corte Madera
Bicycle Pedestrian Advisory Committee (BPAC) and Town staff and combined with
information on proposed routes from the previously adopted Bicycle Transportation
Plan (2008). Relevant bicycleway information was also gathered from the Marin
County Unincorporated Area Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan (2008). Public input
for the Plan was sought through public workshops, meetings, and social media.
PROGRAMS
Safe Routes to Schools
Marin County’s Safe Routes to Schools (SR2S) is a program of TAM. TAM has created
a long-term, sustainable program that is institutionalized in schools with strong
community involvement. SR2S began in 2000 as a pilot program in select towns.
Today it operates in all Marin County jurisdictions and Unincorporated Marin in
over 55 schools, serving a total population of over 29,000 students. Among its
many activities, SR2S provides professional instructors to teach safe bicycling and
pedestrian safety skills and oversees volunteers in promoting the program through
contests, events, and regular submissions to school newsletters. SR2S also identifies
potential infrastructure projects to address school travel safety issues.
Novato
Fairfax
San RafaelSan Anselmo
Mill Valley
Corte
Madera
Tiburon
Ross
Larkspur
0%
2%
4%
6%
8%
10%
12%
14%
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Total Crashes
Total KSI Crashes
Pedestrian inCrosswalk
Pedestrian not inCrosswalk
Other
3%
3%
5%
38%
100% 100% 100% 100%
8%
6% 7%
14% 18%
29% 5%
38% 22% 6%
5% 43% 38%
3% 34%
1% 54%
5%
8%
8%
CRASH TYPES BY MODE: RATIOS OF ALL COLLISIONS
Motorvehicle proceeding straight
Motorvehicle making left turn
Motorvehicle making right turn
Head-On
Sideswipe
Hit Object
Broadside
Rear End
Overturned
Other *
One square = One Collision * “Other” is one of the eight crash type options for police ocers to designate on collision reports. Collisions designated as “Other” are included in the auto portion of the collisions by mode chart above.
CRASH TYPES ...... :::::· ::::: ..... ..... ..... :::::
■ ■ . . : :
... ..
■ :: . :: .. .. .. :·
2024 MARIN COUNTY LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN | 40CHAPTER 9. CORTE MADERA LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN
Street Smarts Marin
Street Smarts is a traffic safety program
run by TAM that educates drivers,
pedestrians, and bicyclists about safety
issues including distracted driving.
The goal is to encourage people to
adopt new attitudes and behaviors that
will reduce the number of collisions and
make the streets safer for everyone.
The program incorporates physical banners and social media posts to spread its
messages about key safety behaviors. The program began in 2009 and includes one
to two rollouts per year.
Transportation Authority of Marin Crossing Guard Program
TAM’s crossing guard program provides trained crossing guards at key intersections
throughout Marin County. This is a key component of the Safe Routes to Schools
program as crossing guards help reduce the reluctance that some parents may feel
towards allowing their children to walk or bicycle to school. The program began in
2006 with 54 crossing guards and in the 2023/2024 school year 105 crossing guard
locations will be active. TAM contracts with a professional company that specializes in
crossing guard programs and uses a data-driven evaluation process to select the sites
at which guards are located.
ENGINEERING IMPROVEMENTS
Central Marin Regional Pathway Gap Closure Project (Ongoing)
This project will close a gap in the active transportation network spanning five
pathways and routes within a congested area that includes an interchange with
Highway 101. The project will include widening an existing Class I pathway on
Wornum Drive, installing a new class IV bicycle path on Nellen Avenue from Wornum
Drive to Fifer Avenue, adding an enhanced crosswalk across Wornum Drive, and
adding an enhanced crosswalk with a refuge island and Rectangular Rapid Flashing
Beacons on Fifer Avenue. The project is currently in the design phase.
Paradise Drive Complete Street Project (Ongoing)
This project is currently in the design phase, which was initiated in 2021. It includes
multimodal improvements along Paradise Drive from Westward Drive to the Town
limit including a new multi-use path on the south side of the roadway and an
enhanced crosswalk between Marin Montessori and Marin Country Day School.
Casa Buena Complete Streets Project (Ongoing)
This project, anticipated to be completed in summer 2024, includes sewer system
repair and surface improvements along Casa Buena Boulevard. The surface
improvements will fill a crucial gap in Marin County’s primary North/South bicycle
route, connecting the Horse Hill Class I Path (Mill Valley) to existing Class II bicycle
lanes on Casa Buena Boulevard. The project will also fill sidewalk gaps along the
corridor.
Tamal Vista Boulevard Complete Street Improvement Project (2020)
This project included roadway and sidewalk improvements on Tamal Vista Boulevard
between Fifer Avenue and Madera Boulevard and all of Council Crest Drive.
Improvements included adding Class II bicycle lanes, pedestrian refuge islands
and rapid flashing beacons at crossings, new Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
compliant ramps, and a bicycle left turn lane from the Wornum Drive intersection to
the Sandra Marker trail. The project was completed in 2020.
Sidewalk Pilot Program
The Corte Madera Sidewalk Pilot Program contributes grant funds and resources
to assist homeowners with their responsibility to maintain sidewalks and trees in a
safe condition. Grant funds are awarded under several strategies: sidewalk grinding;
Capital Improvement Program sidewalk replacement and repairs; individual sidewalk
replacement; and sidewalk replacement projects (10-zone cycle).Crossing guards increase safety and comfort for students walking and rolling to school.
2024 MARIN COUNTY LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN | 41CHAPTER 9. CORTE MADERA LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN
Corte Madera
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9.4 DATA SUMMARY
This analysis considered reported collisions on non-state arterial and collector
roads resulting in injury or fatality. Arterial roads are high-capacity roads that
carry longer-distance vehicle flows between centers of activity. Collector roads
have low to moderate capacity and serve as connectors between local roads and
arterials. For the purpose of the following data summary, “all collisions” refers to
collisions resulting in injury (regardless of severity) or fatality, unless otherwise
specified. A subset of these collisions resulted in a severe injury or fatality: these
are referred to as “KSI collisions” (resulting in a person being Killed or Severely
Injured). Finally, “fatal collisions” refers to any collision resulting in a fatality.
From 2017-2021, 74 reported injury collisions occurred on non-state arterial and
collector roadways in Corte Madera (Figure 9.1). LEGEND
Severe Injury Other Visible Injury Complaint of Pain Boundary
Figure 9.1: Corte Madera collisions by severity
5 0 .3 Miles 0 0 .1 I
I I I I I I I I
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2024 MARIN COUNTY LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN | 42CHAPTER 9. CORTE MADERA LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN
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Of these there were zero fatalities and eight collisions (11%) that resulted in a severe
injury. This is nearly even with the number of collisions from 2012-2016, which
included 76 injury collisions including five severe injury collisions. The percentage of
collisions resulting in a severe injury increased by four percentage points in the more
recent five-year study period.
Primary Collision Factors
Four primary collision factors were responsible for 71% of collisions in Corte Madera
(Figure 9.2). Unsafe speeds resulted in 30% of collisions, compared to 26% of all
countywide collisions. Automobile right of way violations led to 18% of collisions,
while improper turning led to 14% of collisions in the Town. Pedestrian right-of-way
violations resulted in 9% of collisions.
Figure 9.2: Top 10 primary collision factors
Road User Types
Figure 9.3 shows collisions by mode. Forty-five percent (45%) of collisions in Corte
Madera involved vehicles only. A relatively high proportion (37%) involved bicyclists,
compared to 19% of collisions countywide. Fifteen percent (15%) of collisions involved
pedestrians and 3% involved motorcyclists. None of the vehicle-only collisions resulted
in a severe injury. However, 14% of bicycle collisions and 36% of pedestrian collisions
resulted in a severe injury.
Bicycle collisions tended to result from improper turning, unsafe speed, automobile
right-of-way violations (where drivers did not yield to another driver with the right-
Figure 9.3 Corte Madera
collisions by mode
of-way), and improper passing. Approximately 21% of collisions involving bicyclists
were solo-bicycle collisions, which were primarily caused by unsafe speeds. Hotspots
of bicycle collisions were located along Corte Madera Avenue and by the Park Madera
Shopping Center on Tamalpais Drive.
Among collisions involving pedestrians, 73% involved pedestrians who were
crossing in a crosswalk at the time of the collision. Over half (55%) of collisions with
pedestrians were caused by pedestrian right-of-way violations (where drivers did not
yield to a pedestrian with the right-of-way), while the remaining 45% resulted from
pedestrian violations, when pedestrian were deemed at fault. A pedestrian collision
hotspot was located at the intersection of Tamalpais Drive and Eastman Avenue.
Equity Considerations
Bus stops located at the intersection of Tamalpais Drive and Eastman Avenue were
near four pedestrian collisions during the study period. Two of these were pedestrian
right-of-way violations, while the other two were pedestrian violations. These
bus stops serve two transit routes: Golden Gate Transit Route 18, which connects
the College of Marin to San Francisco; and Marin Transit Route 22, which operates
between San Rafael and Marin City.
Youths under the age of 18 were involved in a higher percentage (11%) of collisions
resulting in severe injury in the Town compared to the County as a whole (3%).
External Conditions
Seventeen percent (17%) of collisions occurred in low-visibility conditions. The
majority of these – 12% of all collisions – occurred in the dark but in the presence
of streetlights, while the remainder – 5% of all collisions - occurred at dusk or dawn
when streetlights may not yet have been activated.
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2024 MARIN COUNTY LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN | 43CHAPTER 9. CORTE MADERA LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN
Town of Town of
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ELEMENTARY
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HALL MIDDLESCHOOL
Shorebird
Marsh
Mill Valley /
Sausalito Path
Town Park
Ring Mountain
GRANADASCHOOL
Corte Madera
Open Space
Horse Hill
San Clemente Park
Bike Trail
Tamalpais Dr S
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ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
MARIN PRIMARY
AND MIDDLE
SCHOOL
THE COVE
SCHOOL
ALLAIRE
SCHOOL
TAMISCAL
HIGH SCHOOL
MARIN COUNTRY
DAY SCHOOL
REDWOOD
HIGH SCHOOL
SAN ANDREAS
HIGH SCHOOL
Red
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Magnolia Ave
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TOWN OF TOWN OF
CORTE MADERACORTE MADERA
High Collision Network
Corte Madera’s High Collision Network is shown in Figure 9.4, Table
9.1, and Table 9.2. High collision road segments and intersections
were selected countywide based on overall collision rates at those
locations and through discussions with jurisdictions.
Figure 9.4: Corte Madera High Collision Network LEGEND
HCN Intersection HCN Segment Boundary
o 0.15 0.3 Miles
I II I I II I I
0 -D
2024 MARIN COUNTY LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN | 44CHAPTER 9. CORTE MADERA LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN
Table 9.1: Corte Madera High Collision Network Segments
ID Location
Number of Collisions
Collision Rate Per
100 Million VMT
Pedestrian Bicycle Motorcycle Motor
Vehicle Only
Total
1 Tamal Vista Boulevard/Fifer Avenue from Wornum Drive to Lucky Drive 2 2 1 5 10 183.6
2 Tamalpais Drive from Willow Avenue to Highway 101 Ramp 6 7 0 9 22 77.6
Table 9.2: Corte Madera High Collision Network Intersections
ID Location
Number of Collisions
Collision Rate Per
100 Million Entering
Vehicles
Pedestrian Bicycle Motorcycle Motor
Vehicle Only
Total
A Tamalpais Drive & Willow Avenue 0 2 0 0 2 3.6
B Tamal Vista Boulevard & Fifer Avenue 0 0 0 1 1 3.3
C Corte Madera Avenue & Redwood Avenue 0 0 0 1 1 1.9
The Town’s High Collision Network includes two segments: Tamal Vista Boulevard/
Fifer Avenue from Wornum Drive to Lucky Drive and Tamalpais Drive from Willow
Avenue to the Highway 101 Ramp. The Tamal Vista Boulevard/Fifer Avenue segment
has a collision rate of 183.6 collisions per 100 million vehicle miles travelled, the
25th highest rate among the 70 countywide High Collision Network segments. The
Tamalpais Drive segment has a rate of 77.6 collisions per 100 million vehicle miles
traveled, ranking 50th countywide. Approximately 60% of the Tamalpais Drive
segment’s 22 collisions involved a pedestrian or bicyclist.
Corte Madera’s High Collision Network also includes three intersections: Tamalpais
Drive and Willow Avenue, Tamal Vista Boulevard and Fifer Avenue, and Corte Madera
Avenue and Redwood Avenue. These intersections have collision rates of 3.6, 3.3, and
1.9 collisions per 100 million entering vehicles, respectively, and are among the lowest
of the County’s 92 High Collision Network intersections.
2024 MARIN COUNTY LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN | 45CHAPTER 9. CORTE MADERA LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN
9.5 EMPHASIS AREAS
Emphasis areas provide a framework for developing and implementing strategies to
increase road user safety across the County. Potential emphasis areas were initially
identified using severe injury and fatality collision data from 2012-2021 for Corte
Madera in comparison to the County as a whole, which allowed for a larger sample
size of KSI collisions to be compared. Emphasis areas were then refined through
stakeholder input. A full list of emphasis areas for the County can be found in Chapter
6. Four primary emphasis areas were selected from this list for Corte Madera based on
the Town’s collision trends, shown in Table 8.3. The following is a description of trends
relating to these emphasis areas from 2012-2021.
Table 9.3: Corte Madera primary emphasis areas
Category Primary Emphasis Area
Vulnerable Road Users Pedestrians
Bicyclists
Collision Factors Improper Turning
External Conditions Dark Conditions
Approximately 20% of injury collisions in Corte Madera involved a bicyclist; this
includes 42% of KSI collisions. These rates are considerably higher than Marin County,
where bicycle collisions made up 9% of injury collisions and 17% of KSI collisions.
Pedestrians were involved in 8% of injury collisions and 33% of KSI collisions.
The latter rate is almost three times the rate of pedestrian-involved countywide
KSI collisions.
Improper turning resulted in 13% of Corte Madera’s injury collisions. This collision
factor caused approximately one-third of the Town’s KSI collisions, which is higher
than the countywide proportion of 19%. Improper turning collisions were spread
throughout the Town, with a hotspot located in front of the Park Madera Shopping
Center on Tamalpais Drive.
One-third of KSI collisions occurred during dark conditions. This includes 11% that
occurred during dusk or dawn, compared to just 3% of countywide KSI collisions that
occurred during these times of day. Collisions during dark conditions tended to be
clustered along Tamalpais Drive between Willow Avenue and Lakeside Drive.
Focusing on these primary emphasis areas can significantly contribute to eliminating
collisions in the Town resulting in severe injury or fatality. However, a strategy that
includes additional emphasis areas would have additional positive effects. Table 9.4
through Table 9.7 list the goals and strategies for Corte Madera’s primary emphasis
areas. See Appendix A for more detail on countermeasures recommended as
emphasis area strategies.
A significant number of collisions in Corte Madera occurred under dark lighting conditions.
2024 MARIN COUNTY LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN | 46CHAPTER 9. CORTE MADERA LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN
STRATEGIES
Education • Expand Safe Routes to Schools education programming.
• Expand Street Smarts safety campaigns and consider aligning with Pedestrian Safety Month.
• Create education campaign for jurisdiction staff who operate vehicles about the importance of safe speeds.
Enforcement • Equitably implement targeted enforcement on key collision areas which resulted in injury pedestrian
collisions.
• Prioritize enforcement of traffic laws based on likelihood of behavior causing an injury collision.
Engineering • In conjunction with other strategies, install countermeasures focused on reducing the likelihood
and severity of collisions between automobiles and pedestrians and increasing driver awareness of
pedestrians.
• Provide low stress, all ages and abilities infrastructure connectivity for pedestrians, particularly within
one mile of schools and along key active transportation routes.
• Develop countywide street lighting standards.
• Implement pedestrian safety countermeasures in all improvement and maintenance projects.
• Develop and implement a Construction Accessibility Policy to maintain accessibility during construction
and maintenance projects.
Emergency
Response
• Install emergency vehicle preemption systems.
• Improve resources for deploying emergency responses to collision sites.
• Ensure that emergency routes are clear and well defined.
• Consider targeted training for responding to specific high incident locations and treatment of
predominant injury types at those locations.
Emerging
Technology
• Implement new technologies to make pedestrian crossings safer and more comfortable (e.g.,
automated pedestrian detection at signalized intersections, etc.).
• Deploy collision-prevention technology at signalized intersections.
• Utilize technologies such as video data and crowdsourcing to track and address near misses.
• Conduct in-depth analyses of pedestrian collision trends at hot spot locations to inform strategy
implementation.
Table 9.4: Corte Madera pedestrian emphasis area goals & strategies
EMPHASIS AREA: PEDESTRIANS
GOAL: Eliminate fatal & severe injury collisions involving pedestrianss by 2050.
2024 MARIN COUNTY LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN | 47CHAPTER 9. CORTE MADERA LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN
STRATEGIES
Education • Expand Safe Routes to Schools education programming.
• Expand Street Smarts safety campaigns and consider alignment with Bicycle Safety Month.
Enforcement • Equitably implement targeted enforcement on key collision areas which resulted in injury bicycle
collisions.
• Prioritize enforcement of traffic laws based on likelihood of behavior causing an injury collision.
• Equitably implement targeted enforcement for bicyclists driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
Engineering • In conjunction with other strategies, install countermeasures focused on reducing the likelihood and
severity of collisions between automobiles and bicyclists and increasing driver awareness of bicyclists.
• Provide low stress, all ages and abilities infrastructure connectivity for bicyclists, particularly within one
mile of schools and along key active transportation routes.
• Refer to Caltrans and FHWA guidance on the preferred method of separation based on automobile
speeds and roadway volumes.
• Implement technology to improve bicyclist safety such as bicycle activated signal detection and bicycle
signal heads as appropriate.
Emergency
Response
• Install emergency vehicle preemption systems.
• Improve resources for deploying emergency responses to bicycle collision sites.
• Consider targeted training for responding to specific high incident locations and treatment of
predominant bicyclist injury types at those locations.
• Ensure that emergency routes are clear and well defined.
Emerging
Technology
• Implement new technologies to make bicycle crossings safer and more comfortable
(e.g., automated detection at signalized intersections, etc.).
• Deploy collision-prevention technology at signalized intersections.
• Utilize technologies such as video data and crowdsourcing to track and address near misses.
• Conduct in-depth analyses of bicyclist collision trends at hot spot locations to inform strategy
implementation.
Table 9.5: Corte Madera bicyclist emphasis area goals & strategies
EMPHASIS AREA: BICYCLISTS
GOAL: Eliminate fatal & severe injury collisions involving bicyclists by 2050.0 • •
2024 MARIN COUNTY LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN | 48CHAPTER 9. CORTE MADERA LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN
STRATEGIES
Education • Expand Street Smarts program with an emphasis on avoiding distracted driving.
Enforcement • Equitably implement targeted enforcement on key collision areas which resulted in injuries from
improper turning.
Engineering • In conjunction with other strategies, implement countermeasures focused on designing and improving
intersections to encourage drivers to make safe turns such as curb radius. reduction, left turn hardening,
protected intersections/corners, etc.
Emergency
Response
• Install emergency vehicle preemption systems.
• Consider targeted training for responding to specific high incident locations and treatment of
predominant injury types at those locations.
• Improve resources for deploying emergency responses to collision sites.
• Ensure that emergency routes are clear and well defined.
Emerging
Technology
• Deploy collision-prevention technology at signalized intersections.
• Utilize technologies such as video data and crowdsourcing to track and address near misses.
Table 9.6: Corte Madera improper turning emphasis area goals & strategies
EMPHASIS AREA: IMPROPER TURNING
GOAL: Eliminate fatal & severe injury collisions improper turning by 2050.
2024 MARIN COUNTY LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN | 49CHAPTER 9. CORTE MADERA LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN
STRATEGIES
Education • Implement education campaigns targeted at safely walking and bicycling in the dark.
• Implement a safe speeds education campaign.
Enforcement • Use recent legislation and national research to set context appropriate speeds suitable
for all road users.
Engineering • In conjunction with other strategies, implement countermeasures focused on improving
nighttime infrastructure awareness and decision making.
• Improve street lighting in areas with high numbers of collisions during dark conditions.
Emergency Response • Install emergency vehicle preemption systems.
• Improve resources for deploying emergency responses to collision sites.
• Ensure that emergency routes are clear and well defined.
• Consider targeted training for responding to specific high incident locations and
treatment of predominant injury types at those locations.
Emerging Technology • Deploy collision-prevention technology at signalized intersections.
• Utilize technologies such as video data and crowdsourcing to track and address near misses.
Table 9.7: Corte Madera dark conditions emphasis area goals & strategies
EMPHASIS AREA: DARK CONDITIONS
GOAL: Eliminate fatal & severe injury collisions involving dark conditions by 2050.' ' ' '
' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' '
2024 MARIN COUNTY LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN | 50CHAPTER 9. CORTE MADERA LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN
9.6 PRIORITY PROJECTS
Following the identification of the High Collision Network, the collision patterns
at these intersections and segments were analyzed to determine potential
countermeasures. In collaboration with the Town, a subset of priority project locations
was selected to recommend specific improvements based on the collision rates,
trends, and potential improvement impacts. These are locations where site-specific
engineering improvements can have a substantial effect in achieving the LRSP’s goals.
In Corte Madera, the priority location and projects are as follows:
Tamalpais Drive & Willow Avenue (Intersection)
Pedestrian Crossing Improvements
Pedestrian crossing improvements that could be considered at this intersection
include bulb-outs and directional curb ramps. These could improve pedestrian
crossings by shortening crossing distances and emphasizing pedestrians’
presence.
Bicycle Facility Improvements
Potential bicycle improvements could include installing continuous bicycle lanes
on Tamalpais Drive. Adding dedicated bicycle facilities can lessen the chances of
collisions involving motor vehicles overtaking bicyclists.
9.7 IMPLEMENTATION
A number of considerations must be proactively managed to successfully implement
the strategies presented in the LRSP. Successful implementation requires adequate
funding, coordination, and partnerships, and can be supported by policies at both the
jurisdiction and county levels.
IMPLEMENTATION
Next Steps & Timeline for Implementation
The next steps for implementation should focus on developing specific programs
and projects from the LRSP recommendations:
Identify an “agency champion” to advance each LRSP priority recommendation. This
agency generally would assume the primary role in program/project development
Further define each priority recommendation (or if appropriate, bundle several
recommendations together) into a discrete program or project with a specific
scope of improvements
Allocate initial funding to complete basic program/project development tasks,
such as conceptual planning, feasibility assessments, cost estimation, and
agency coordination
These initial development steps will allow lead agencies to define specific programs
and projects and prepare them for inclusion in competitive funding applications,
regional transportation plans, and local capital improvement plans (CIPs).
The strategies introduced in this document may be implemented in different phases.
Short-term implementation would generally occur in less than five years from
completion of the LRSP. These actions include low-cost engineering treatments that
can be constructed relatively quickly, such as striping projects, signal optimizations,
and quick-build infrastructure. Additional short-term strategies could include scaling
up existing programs and implementing enforcement activities.
Medium-term implementation typically would occur between five and ten years after
LRSP development. This may include progressive and scaled-up safety elements as
well as larger projects that require more resources to design and construct. Policy
changes also could be implemented in this timeframe.
In the long term (generally 10 years or more), implementation may focus on further
emphasizing safety in future planning and design efforts.
2024 MARIN COUNTY LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN | 51CHAPTER 9. CORTE MADERA LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN
Marin’s Transportation Sales Tax
MEAS U R E
V O T ER APPROVED
Marin’s Vehicle Registration Fee
BMEASURE
V O T ER APPROVED
Funding Sources & Strategies
Obtaining funding is critical for plan implementation. The County and its jurisdictions
can pursue funding at various levels depending on their needs. Identification of
funding sources and opportunities can be focused on the following:
Federal and state grant opportunities, including the Highway Safety
Improvement Program, Safe Streets & Roads for All, and the
Active Transportation Program
Regional funding opportunities, including funding opportunities resulting from
Marin County’s Measure AA sales tax and Measure B vehicle registration fees
Local fund contributions from TAM, the County, and its jurisdictions to
support countywide programs
Capital improvement projects, such as repaving efforts into which safety
upgrades could be bundled
The following strategies can help to increase the likelihood of success in competitive
funding applications:
Pursue the highest-priority, highest-benefit projects and programs. These tend
to be the most competitive in grant programs, driven by strong results in the
benefit-cost analyses that are often required. In addition, showing funding
partners that the County and local jurisdictions have thought carefully about the
highest-value ways to direct resources can inspire confidence from these federal
and state entities
Partner across jurisdictions to greatly strengthen applications for competitive
funding. Some potential partners for local jurisdictions include the County,
TAM, Marin Transit, or relevant community-based organizations. Beyond
grant applications, these jurisdictional partnerships also could include more
formalized memoranda of understanding to share the costs of planning, design,
construction, or operations
Leverage local funding for projects and aim to provide close to 50 percent of
total project costs from these local funds. This type of commitment will increase
competitiveness when applying for discretionary funds at the federal and state levels
Pursue multiple funding sources. Infrastructure programs and projects often
require agencies to leverage many sources to meet project budgets, especially
given the uncertainty of competitive funding programs
California Active
Transportation Program
2024 MARIN COUNTY LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN | 52CHAPTER 9. CORTE MADERA LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN
Coordination & Partnership
Coordination and partnership among diverse stakeholders are essential for the
success of the LRSP. Within jurisdictions, collaboration and partnership between
public works, law enforcement, bicycle/pedestrian advisory committees, and others
can ensure that road user safety is systematically addressed.
Additional countywide partnerships could also be considered to track funding and
project implementation. These partnerships could take the following forms:
Jurisdictional partnerships to prepare joint grant applications and potentially
share program/project costs
Countywide bicycle working committee including representatives from existing
groups from various jurisdictions to further develop program/project concepts,
track funding opportunities, and monitor overall progress toward LRSP goals
Task force to audit countywide projects and programs related to bicycle safety,
review collision trend data, and make recommendations on preventing future
collisions
Policy Support
Whether at the county or jurisdiction levels, the LRSP strategy implementation can be
facilitated by supportive policies. Policies to consider include establishing clear goals
for regional connectivity through a countywide bicycle master planning process,
parking policies, and traffic calming policies. Having clear policies can pave the way
for related safety improvements.
EVALUATION
It will be important to evaluate progress towards meeting the LRSP’s goals. Evaluation
allows the County and its jurisdictions to monitor safety conditions over time and
make strategy adjustments as necessary.
In order to understand progress and safety conditions, specific outcome metrics
should be used when evaluating the LRSP’s progress. Foremost among these should
be the number of KSI collisions in each jurisdiction, as this corresponds directly to the
LRSP goals. Additional metrics could be the number of non-KSI injury collisions and
collisions related to each emphasis area. Metrics should be tracked every two years
and summarized in a memo or scorecard. This data will also be helpful when applying
for funding.
Regularly updating the LRSP will allow the plan and its strategies to be revised based
on the evaluation results. The LRSP should be updated every four years or as needed.
2024 MARIN COUNTY LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN | 53CHAPTER 10. FAIRFAX LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN
10. FAIRFAX LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN
10.1 INTRODUCTION
The Town of Fairfax is located in central Marin County. The Town is intersected by
Sir Francis Drake Boulevard, which connects West Marin to the more populated
eastern side of the County. It is bordered by San Anselmo to the east and
Unincorporated Marin County on all other sides. Fairfax is the eighth largest
incorporated Marin County city or town by area, at 2.2 square miles, and the eighth
largest in terms of population with a population of approximately 7,500 residents1.
A Local Road Safety Plan (LRSP) is a plan that provides a framework to identify,
analyze, and prioritize roadway safety improvements on local and rural roads to
increase safety for all road users. The LRSP facilitates local agency partnerships and
collaboration to systematically address road safety issues, ultimately resulting in a
list of prioritized projects and actions that can be used to obtain federal funding.
The LRSP provides a proactive approach to address safety needs and demonstrates
agency responsiveness to safety challenges. A living document, the LRSP can be
revised as needed to reflect evolving trends, community needs, and priorities.
This chapter presents the vision statement and goals, summarizes collision data,
identifies emphasis areas, recommends high priority project locations, and outlines
the implementation and evaluation strategies for the Town of Fairfax.
1 United States Census Bureau 2021
2024 MARIN COUNTY LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN | 54CHAPTER 10. FAIRFAX LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN
10.2 VISION & GOALS
Fairfax’s vision for this LRSP was developed through feedback with the Technical
Advisory Committee (TAC) and Marin County jurisdictions, which are described
in Chapter 3. The vision statement reflects the town’s commitment to Vision
Zero, an international strategy to eliminate all traffic fatalities and severe injuries
while increasing safe, healthy, and equitable mobility for all. The vision statement
recognizes that, while aspirational, to work towards anything less than an end to
traffic fatalities and severe injuries would not be appropriate. The accompanying
goals represent a path forward to achieving this vision.
Vision Statement
The Town of Fairfax strives to eliminate collision-related fatalities and severe injuries
by proactively and equitably pursuing a safe systems approach prioritizing road
safety for all users.
GOALS
Systematically implement proven safety solutions, initiatives, policies, and
programs to eliminate preventable fatal & severe collisions by 2050.
Utilize a multi-faceted approach that spans jurisdictions and
encompasses diverse strategies including engineering, education,
public health, and enforcement.
Implement improvements that promote and support safe travel for vulnerable
users including people walking and bicycling, children, older adults, and people
with disabilities.
Ensure that multimodal safety investments are made in a manner that is fair and
equitable for all Fairfax residents.
10.3 EXISTING EFFORTS
In recent years, Fairfax’s efforts to improve safety have been most visible through a
range of plans and programs. This chapter describes plans, studies, and programs
supporting safety in Fairfax.
PLANS & STUDIES
Systemic Safety Analysis Report (2018)
The 2018 Marin County Systemic Safety Analysis Report (SSAR) provided a large-
scale systemic safety analysis of roadways across Marin County to help drive future
improvement projects, grant applications, and traffic safety outreach programs for
Marin County’s 11 jurisdictions and unincorporated areas. The analysis was funded
through the California Systemic Safety Analysis Report Program and produced by the
Marin County Department of Public Works. The project also involved collaboration
with various town and city police departments, the Marin County Sheriff, and the
California Highway Patrol. A Technical Advisory Committee was formed to help guide
the process and was comprised of representatives from the Marin Public Works
Association, Transportation Authority of Marin, and Marin General Hospital. This LRSP
serves as an update to portions of the SSAR.
Novato
Fairfax
San RafaelSan Anselmo
Mill Valley
Corte
Madera
Tiburon
Ross
Larkspur
0%
2%
4%
6%
8%
10%
12%
14%
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Total Crashes
Total KSI Crashes
Pedestrian inCrosswalk
Pedestrian not inCrosswalk
Other
3%
3%
5%
38%
100% 100% 100% 100%
8%
6% 7%
14% 18%
29% 5%
38% 22% 6%
5% 43% 38%
3% 34%
1% 54%
5%
8%
8%
CRASH TYPES BY MODE:
RATIOS OF ALL COLLISIONS
Motorvehicle proceeding straight
Motorvehicle making left turn
Motorvehicle making right turn
Head-On
Sideswipe
Hit Object
Broadside
Rear End
Overturned
Other *
One square = One Collision * “Other” is one of the eight crash type options for police ocers to designate on collision reports. Collisions designated as “Other” are included in the auto portion of the collisions by mode chart above.
CRASH TYPES
:::::: ::::: ..... ..... ..... ::::: .....
. :
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....
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2024 MARIN COUNTY LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN | 55CHAPTER 10. FAIRFAX LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN
Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan Update (2016)
This plan provides for a Town-wide active transportation network of bicycle and
pedestrian paths, lanes and routes, along with bicycle- and pedestrian-related
programs and support facilities, intended to ensure bicycling and walking are viable
transportation options for people who live, work, and recreate in Fairfax. The purpose
of this Plan is to improve bicycle and pedestrian transportation in Fairfax by providing
direction for future bicycle and pedestrian planning and meeting the guidelines of
the California Active Transportation Program. The plan was created with input from
the Fairfax Bicycle/Pedestrian Advisory Committee, Town staff, and the public, and
builds on prior plans.
PROGRAMS
Safe Routes to Schools
Marin County’s Safe Routes to Schools (SR2S) is a program of TAM. TAM has created
a long-term, sustainable program that is institutionalized in schools with strong
community involvement. SR2S began in 2000 as a pilot program in select towns.
Today it operates in all Marin County jurisdictions and Unincorporated Marin in
over 55 schools, serving a total population of over 29,000 students. Among its
many activities, SR2S provides professional instructors to teach safe bicycling and
pedestrian safety skills and oversees volunteers in promoting the program through
contests, events, and regular submissions to school newsletters. SR2S also identifies
potential infrastructure projects to address school travel safety issues.
Street Smarts Marin
Street Smarts is a traffic safety program run by TAM
that educates drivers, pedestrians, and bicyclists about
safety issues including distracted driving. The goal
is to encourage people to adopt new attitudes and
behaviors that will reduce the number of collisions
and make the streets safer for everyone. The program
incorporates physical banners and social media posts
to spread its messages about key safety behaviors.
The program began in 2009 and includes one to two rollouts per year.
Transportation Authority of Marin Crossing Guard Program
TAM’s crossing guard program provides trained crossing guards at key intersections
throughout Marin County. This is a key component of the Safe Routes to Schools
program as crossing guards help reduce the reluctance that some parents may feel
towards allowing their children to walk or bicycle to school. The program began in
2006 with 54 crossing guards and in the 2023/2024 school year 105 crossing guard
locations will be active. TAM contracts with a professional company that specializes in
crossing guard programs and uses a data-driven evaluation process to select the sites
at which guards are located.
e FAIRFAX SUPPORTS
Stree¥smarts
WALK BIKE
DRIVE SMART
• • • • -~It~~
2024 MARIN COUNTY LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN | 56CHAPTER 10. FAIRFAX LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN
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LEGEND
Severe Injury Other Visible Injury Complaint of Pain Boundary
10.4 DATA SUMMARY
This analysis considered reported collisions on non-state arterial and
collector roads resulting in injury or fatality. Arterial roads are high-capacity
roads that carry longer-distance vehicle flows between centers of activity.
Collector roads have low to moderate capacity and serve as connectors
between local roads and arterials. For the purpose of the following data
summary, “all collisions” refers to collisions resulting in injury (regardless of
severity) or fatality, unless otherwise specified. A subset of these collisions
resulted in a severe injury or fatality: these are referred to as “KSI collisions”
(resulting in a person being Killed or Severely Injured).
From 2017-2021, 63 reported injury collisions occurred on non-state
arterial and collector roadways in Fairfax (Figure 10.1). Of these, there
were zero fatalities and four collisions (6%) that resulted in a severe injury.
This marks a slight decrease from 2012-2016, which saw 67 collisions. It
also marks a seven-percentage point decrease in the percentage of KSI
collisions compared to the previous five-year period.
Figure 10.1: Fairfax collisions by severity
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2024 MARIN COUNTY LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN | 57CHAPTER 10. FAIRFAX LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN
Primary Collision Factors
Four primary collision factors were responsible for approximately 65% of collisions
in Fairfax (Figure 10.2). Unsafe speeds resulted in 27% of collisions, while improper
turning resulted in 16%. Following too closely and pedestrian right-of-way violations
each resulted in 11% of the Town’s collisions, rates that are above the County’s for
these collision factors (2% and 8%, respectively). Half of collisions resulting in a severe
injury resulted from a pedestrian right-of-way violation. Pedestrian right-of-way
violations occurred when drivers did not yield to a pedestrian with the right-of-way.
Figure 10.2: Top 10 primary collision factors
Road User Types
Figure 10.3 shows collisions by mode. 48% of collisions in Fairfax involved vehicles
only. Almost one-third (32%) involved bicyclists: this is higher than the countywide
rate of 19%. Sixteen percent (16%) of collisions involved pedestrians, while 5%
involved motorcyclists. None of the vehicle-only collisions resulted in a severe injury
or fatality. However, two collisions involving a pedestrian and one each involving a
bicyclist and a motorcyclist resulted in a severe injury.
Of Fairfax’s 21 collisions involving a bicyclist, 18 involved motor vehicles, two were solo
bicyclist collisions, and one involved a bicyclist and a pedestrian. Almost 30% of bicycle
collisions were caused by improper turning, while approximately 15% each resulted from
unsafe starting or backing, unsafe speeds, and other hazardous violations.
Hot spots of bicycle collisions were
located at the intersection of Sir Francis
Drake Boulevard and Azalea Avenue
as well as on Broadway between Mono
Avenue and Bolinas Road.
Eighty percent (80%) of pedestrians
involved in collisions were crossing in
a crosswalk at the time of the collision.
Seventy percent (70%) of collisions
with pedestrians were caused by
pedestrian right-of-way violations,
while the remaining 30% was evenly
split among unsafe speeds, unsafe starting or backing, and pedestrian violations
(when pedestrian were deemed to be at fault). A pedestrian collision hot spot was
located along Center Boulevard/Broadway between Merwin Avenue and Pacheco
Avenue.
Equity Considerations
One pedestrian collision each occurred in proximity to three transit stops in the Town
of Fairfax. Downtown, these stops were located at the Bolinas Road and Broadway
intersection. To the north, the transit stop at Sir Francis Drake Boulevard and Glen
Drive was also the site of a collision with a pedestrian. While it is unclear whether
these collisions involved transit users, pedestrian collisions near transit stops can be
seen as equity concerns.
Youths and older adults were involved in a higher percentage of KSI collisions
compared to countywide rates. Seventeen percent (17%) of KSI collisions in Fairfax
involved youths, compared to only 3% of KSI collisions at the countywide level. The
proportion of KSI collisions that involved older adults was slightly higher than the
County as a whole at 13% and 11%, respectively.
External Conditions
Approximately 27% of collisions occurred in low-visibility conditions. The majority of
these, accounting for 20% of all collisions, occurred in the dark but in the presence of
streetlights, while most of the remainder occurred at dusk or dawn when streetlights
may not have been activated. One collision occurred along Cascade Drive in the dark
where no streetlights were present.
Figure 10.3:
Fairfax collisions by mode
FAIRFAX
All Collisions KSI Collisions
FAIRFAX
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2024 MARIN COUNTY LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN | 58CHAPTER 10. FAIRFAX LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN
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High Collision Network
Fairfax’s High Collision Network is show in Figure 10.4, Table 10.1, and
Table 10.2. High collision road segments and intersections were selected
countywide based on overall collision rates at those locations and refined
following discussions with the jurisdictions.
Figure 10.4: Fairfax’s high collision network LEGEND
HCN Intersection HCN Segment Boundary0 -D
2024 MARIN COUNTY LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN | 59CHAPTER 10. FAIRFAX LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN
Table 10.1: Fairfax High Collision Network Segments
ID Location
Number of Collisions
Collision Rate Per
100 Million VMT
Pedestrian Bicycle Motorcycle Motor
Vehicle Only
Total
1 Center Boulevard/ Broadway from Pastori Avenue to Claus Drive 5 7 1 3 16 198.4
2 Sir Francis Drake Boulevard from Marinda Drive to Town Border 2 9 1 17 29 140.2
Table 10.2: Fairfax High Collision Network Intersections
ID Location
Number of Collisions
Collision Rate Per
100 Million Entering
Vehicles
Pedestrian Bicycle Motorcycle Motor
Vehicle Only
Total
A Broadway & Claus Drive 0 2 0 0 2 19.9
B Broadway & Azalea Avenue 0 1 0 1 2 18.3
C Broadway & Bolinas Avenue 1 0 0 0 1 4.2
The Town’s High Collision Network includes two segments: Center Boulevard/
Broadway from Pastori Avenue to Claus Drive and Sir Francis Drake Boulevard from
Marinda Drive to the Town border. The Center Boulevard/Broadway segment has a
collision rate of approximately 198 collisions per 100 million vehicle miles traveled
(VMT), the twenty-second highest rate among the 70 countywide High Collision
Network segments. The Sir Francis Drake Boulevard segment has a rate of 140
collisions per 100 million vehicle miles traveled, ranking 30th countywide. Both
segments have a relatively high number of collisions involving active transportation
users, with 12 in the former segment and 11 along the latter.
Fairfax’s High Collision Network also includes three intersections: Broadway and
Claus Drive, Broadway and Azalea Avenue, and Broadway and Bolinas Road. These
intersections have collision rates of 19.9, 18.3, and 4.2 collisions per 100 million
entering vehicles, respectively. The Claus Drive and Azalea Avenue intersections are
in the top 30 of the county’s 92 High Collision Network intersections and were sites
of collisions involving bicyclists. All three intersections had a relatively low number of
collisions compared to intersections elsewhere in the county.
2024 MARIN COUNTY LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN | 60CHAPTER 10. FAIRFAX LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN
10.5 EMPHASIS AREAS
Emphasis areas provide a framework for developing and implementing strategies to
increase road user safety across the County. Potential emphasis areas were initially
identified using severe injury and fatality collision data from 2012-2021 for Fairfax in
comparison to the County as a whole, which allowed for a larger sample size of KSI
collisions to be compared. Emphasis areas were then refined through stakeholder
input. A full list of emphasis areas for the County can be found in Chapter 6. Four
primary emphasis areas were selected from this list for Fairfax based on the Town’s
collision trends, shown in Table 10.3. The following is a description of trends relating
to these emphasis areas from 2012-2021.
Table 10.3: Fairfax primary emphasis areas
Category Primary Emphasis Area
Vulnerable Road Users Pedestrians
Collision Factors Improper Turning
Unsafe Speed
External Conditions Dark Conditions
Almost 8% of injury collisions in Fairfax from 2012-2021 involved a pedestrian; this
represents almost 14% of collisions resulting in a severe injury or fatality in the Town.
These rates are higher than Marin County, where pedestrian collisions made up 12%
of collisions resulting in KSI collisions.
Improper turning resulted in 18% of Fairfax’s injury collisions and one-third of its KSI
collisions. Countywide, meanwhile, this collision factor was only responsible for 19%
of KSI collisions. Improper turning collisions were spread throughout the Town with a
hotspot Downtown and several collisions along Bolinas Road.
Unsafe speed accounted for about one quarter of injury collisions and approximately
13% of KSI collisions. While these rates are not higher than countywide rates,
speeding is a significant concern for the Town, particularly downtown along Sir
Francis Drake Boulevard.
Approximately 27% of KSI collisions occurred during dark conditions. Twenty-
five percent (25%) of these KSI collisions occurred in the presence of streetlights,
compared to 22% of countywide KSI collisions. Collisions during dark conditions
tended to be clustered downtown along Sir Francis Drake Boulevard and Broadway.
Focusing on these primary emphasis areas can significantly contribute to eliminating
collisions in the Town resulting in severe injury or fatality. However, a strategy that
includes additional emphasis areas would have additional positive effects. Table 10.4
through Table 10.7 list the goals and strategies for Fairfax’s primary emphasis areas.
See Appendix A for more detail on countermeasures recommended as emphasis
area strategies.
I
2024 MARIN COUNTY LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN | 61CHAPTER 10. FAIRFAX LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN
STRATEGIES
Education • Expand Safe Routes to Schools education programming.
• Expand Street Smarts safety campaigns and consider aligning with Pedestrian Safety Month.
• Create education campaign for jurisdiction staff who operate vehicles about the importance of safe speeds.
Enforcement • Equitably implement targeted enforcement on key collision areas which resulted in
injury pedestrian collisions.
• Prioritize enforcement of traffic laws based on likelihood of behavior causing an injury collision.
Engineering • In conjunction with other strategies, install countermeasures focused on reducing the
likelihood and severity of collisions between automobiles and pedestrians and
increasing driver awareness of pedestrians.
• Provide low stress, all ages and abilities infrastructure connectivity for pedestrians, particularly within
one mile of schools and along key active transportation routes.
• Develop countywide street lighting standards.
• Implement pedestrian safety countermeasures in all improvement and maintenance projects.
• Develop and implement a Construction Accessibility Policy to maintain accessibility during construction
and maintenance projects.
Emergency
Response
• Install emergency vehicle preemption systems.
• Improve resources for deploying emergency responses to collision sites.
• Ensure that emergency routes are clear and well defined.
• Consider targeted training for responding to specific high incident locations and treatment of
predominant injury types at those locations.
Emerging
Technology
• Implement new technologies to make pedestrian crossings safer and more comfortable
(e.g., automated pedestrian detection at signalized intersections, etc.).
• Deploy collision-prevention technology at signalized intersections.
• Utilize technologies such as video data and crowdsourcing to track and address near misses.
• Conduct in-depth analyses of pedestrian collision trends at hot spot locations to inform strategy
implementation.
Table 10.4: Fairfax vulnerable primary emphasis area goals & strategies
EMPHASIS AREA: PEDESTRIANS
GOAL: Eliminate fatal & severe injury collisions involving pedestrianss by 2050.
2024 MARIN COUNTY LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN | 62CHAPTER 10. FAIRFAX LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN
STRATEGIES
Education • Expand the Street Smarts program with an emphasis on avoiding distracted driving.
Enforcement • Equitably implement targeted enforcement on key collision areas which resulted in injuries from
improper turning.
Engineering • In conjunction with other strategies, implement countermeasures focused on designing and improving
intersections to encourage drivers to make safe turns such as curb radius. reduction, left turn hardening,
protected intersections/corners, etc.
Emergency
Response
• Install emergency vehicle preemption systems.
• Consider targeted training for responding to specific high incident locations and treatment of
predominant injury types at those locations.
• Improve resources for deploying emergency responses to collision sites.
• Ensure that emergency routes are clear and well defined.
Emerging
Technology
• Deploy collision-prevention technology at signalized intersections.
• Utilize technologies such as video data and crowdsourcing to track and address near misses.
Table 10.5: Fairfax improper turning emphasis area goals & strategies
EMPHASIS AREA: IMPROPER TURNING
GOAL: Eliminate fatal & severe injury collisions improper turning by 2050.
2024 MARIN COUNTY LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN | 63CHAPTER 10. FAIRFAX LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN
STRATEGIES
Education • Par tner with local businesses and organizations on educational efforts and campaigns along hot spot corridors.
• Implement a safe speeds education campaign.
• Expand the Street Smarts Marin program.
Enforcement • Equitably implement targeted enforcement on key collision areas which resulted in injuries from unsafe speeds.
• Use recent legislation (AB 43, 2021) and national research to set context-appropriate speeds suitable for all road users particularly
in business districts and near schools.
• Consider use of technology to support automated enforcement at key locations.
• Deploy a radar trailer at locations where instances of unsafe speed are more prevalent.
Engineering • In conjunction with other strategies, install countermeasures focused on designing and improving roadways that lead to
more appropriate speeds to the surrounding land uses.
• Coordinate with emergency services to develop design standards for traffic calming treatments, particularly on collector
and neighborhood streets.
Emergency Response • Install emergency vehicle preemption systems.
• Consider targeted training for responding to specific high incident locations and treatment of predominant injury types at those locations.
• Improve resources for deploying emergency responses to collision sites.
• Ensure that emergency routes are clear and well defined.
Emerging Technology • Implement technology such as spot cameras, variable message signs, and traffic control warning devices as appropriate.
• Monitor speeds through critical intersections using smart signal technology.
• Utilize technologies such as video data and crowdsourcing to track and address near misses.
• Engage in legislative advocacy to seek state law change allowing automated speed cameras and allowing the resulting citations
to be handled as local municipal code violations rather than vehicle code violations.
Table 10.6: Fairfax unsafe speed emphasis area goals & strategies
EMPHASIS AREA: UNSAFE SPEED
GOAL: Eliminate fatal & severe injury collisions involving unsafe speed by 2050.
2024 MARIN COUNTY LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN | 64CHAPTER 10. FAIRFAX LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN
STRATEGIES
Education • Implement education campaigns targeted at safely walking and bicycling in the dark.
• Implement a safe speeds education campaign.
Enforcement • Use recent legislation and national research to set context appropriate speeds suitable
for all road users.
Engineering • Implement countermeasures focused on improving nighttime infrastructure awareness
and decision making.
• Improve street lighting in areas with high numbers of collisions during dark conditions.
Emergency
Response
• Install emergency vehicle preemption systems.
• Improve resources for deploying emergency responses to collision sites.
• Ensure that emergency routes are clear and well defined.
• Consider targeted training for responding to specific high incident locations and
treatment of predominant injury types at those locations.
Emerging
Technology
• Deploy collision-prevention technology at signalized intersections.
• Utilize technologies such as video data and crowdsourcing to track and address near misses.
Table 10.7: Fairfax dark conditions emphasis area goals & strategies
EMPHASIS AREA: DARK CONDITIONS
GOAL: Eliminate fatal & severe injury collisions involving dark conditions by 2050.' ' ' '
' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' '
2024 MARIN COUNTY LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN | 65CHAPTER 10. FAIRFAX LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN
10.6 PRIORITY PROJECTS
Following the identification of the High Collision Network, the collision
patterns at these intersections and segments were analyzed to determine
potential countermeasures. In collaboration with the Town, a subset of priority
project locations was selected to recommend specific improvements based
on the collision rates, trends, and potential improvement impacts. These are
locations where site-specific engineering improvements can have a substan-
tial effect in achieving the LRSP’s goals. In Fairfax, the priority locations and
projects are as follows:
Center Boulevard/Broadway from Pastori Avenue to
Claus Drive (Segment)
Pedestrian Crossing Improvements
Several pedestrian crossing improvements could be considered along this
corridor including advanced stop bars, improved signage, and rectangular rapid
flashing beacons (RRFBs) where appropriate. These could improve pedestrian
crossings by emphasizing pedestrians’ presence.
Bicycle Facility Improvements
Consider extending the existing dedicated bicycle lane on Center Boulevard west
past Pacheco Avenue on Broadway. Adding dedicated bicycle facilities,
if feasible, can lessen the chance of conflicts and collisions involving motor
vehicles overtaking bicyclists.
Sir Francis Drake Boulevard from Marinda Drive to
the Town border (Segment)
Traffic Signals Improvements
Signalization improvements may include upgrading signals to 12” LED modules,
lengthening clearance intervals, and installing adaptive traffic control.
Pedestrian Crossing Improvements
Several pedestrian crossing improvements could be considered along this
corridor including advanced stop bars, directional curb ramps, median refuge
islands, and reduced curb radii. These could improve pedestrian crossings by
shortening crossing distances and emphasizing pedestrians’ presence.
Bicycle Facility Improvements
Consider adding bicycle facilities, if feasible. Adding dedicated bicycle facilities
can lessen the chance of conflicts and collisions involving motor vehicles
overtaking bicyclists.
2024 MARIN COUNTY LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN | 66CHAPTER 10. FAIRFAX LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN
Marin’s Transportation Sales Tax
MEAS U R E
V O T ER APPROVED
Marin’s Vehicle Registration Fee
BMEASURE
V O T ER APPROVED
10.7 IMPLEMENTATION & EVALUATION
A number of considerations must be proactively managed to successfully implement
the strategies presented in the LRSP. Successful implementation requires adequate
funding, coordination, and partnerships, and can be supported by policies at both the
jurisdiction and county levels.
IMPLEMENTATION
Next Steps & Timeline for Implementation
The next steps for implementation should focus on developing specific programs
and projects from the LRSP recommendations:
Identify an “agency champion” to advance each LRSP priority recommendation.
This agency generally would assume the primary role in program/project
development
Further define each priority recommendation (or if appropriate, bundle several
recommendations together) into a discrete program or project with a specific
scope of improvements
Allocate initial funding to complete basic program/project development tasks,
such as conceptual planning, feasibility assessments, cost estimation, and
agency coordination
These initial development steps will allow lead agencies to define specific programs
and projects and prepare them for inclusion in competitive funding applications,
regional transportation plans, and local capital improvement plans (CIPs).
The strategies introduced in this document may be implemented in different phases.
Short-term implementation would generally occur in less than five years from
completion of the LRSP. These actions include low-cost engineering treatments that
can be constructed relatively quickly, such as striping projects, signal optimizations,
and quick-build infrastructure. Additional short-term strategies could include scaling
up existing programs and implementing enforcement activities.
Medium-term implementation typically would occur between five and ten years after
LRSP development. This may include progressive and scaled-up safety elements as
well as larger projects that require more resources to design and construct. Policy
changes also could be implemented in this timeframe.
In the long term (generally 10 years or more), implementation may focus on further
emphasizing safety in future planning and design efforts.
Funding Sources & Strategies
Obtaining funding is critical for plan implementation. The County and its jurisdictions
can pursue funding at various levels depending on their needs. Identification of
funding sources and opportunities can be focused on the following:
Federal and state grant opportunities, including the Highway Safety
Improvement Program, Safe Streets & Roads for All, and the
Active Transportation Program
Regional funding opportunities, including funding opportunities resulting from
Marin County’s Measure AA sales tax and Measure B vehicle registration fees
Local fund contributions from TAM, the County, and its jurisdictions to
support countywide programs
Capital improvement projects, such as repaving efforts into which safety
upgrades could be bundled
California Active
Transportation Program
2024 MARIN COUNTY LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN | 67CHAPTER 10. FAIRFAX LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN
The following strategies can help to increase the likelihood of success in competitive
funding applications:
Pursue the highest-priority, highest-benefit projects and programs. These tend
to be the most competitive in grant programs, driven by strong results in the
benefit-cost analyses that are often required. In addition, showing funding
partners that the County and local jurisdictions have thought carefully about the
highest-value ways to direct resources can inspire confidence from these federal
and state entities
Partner across jurisdictions to greatly strengthen applications for competitive
funding. Some potential partners for local jurisdictions include the County,
TAM, Marin Transit, or relevant community-based organizations. Beyond
grant applications, these jurisdictional partnerships also could include more
formalized memoranda of understanding to share the costs of planning, design,
construction, or operations
Leverage local funding for projects and aim to provide close to 50 percent of
total project costs from these local funds. This type of commitment will increase
competitiveness when applying for discretionary funds at the federal and state levels
Pursue multiple funding sources. Infrastructure programs and projects often
require agencies to leverage many sources to meet project budgets, especially
given the uncertainty of competitive funding programs
Coordination & Partnership
Coordination and partnership among diverse stakeholders are essential for the
success of the LRSP. Within jurisdictions, collaboration and partnership between
public works, law enforcement, bicycle/pedestrian advisory committees, and others
can ensure that road user safety is systematically addressed.
Additional countywide partnerships could also be considered to track funding and
project implementation. These partnerships could take the following forms:
Jurisdictional partnerships to prepare joint grant applications and potentially
share program/project costs
Countywide bicycle working committee including representatives from existing
groups from various jurisdictions to further develop program/project concepts,
track funding opportunities, and monitor overall progress toward LRSP goals
Task force to audit countywide projects and programs related to bicycle safety,
review collision trend data, and make recommendations on preventing future
collisions
Policy Support
Whether at the county or jurisdiction levels, the LRSP strategy implementation can be
facilitated by supportive policies. Policies to consider include establishing clear goals
for regional connectivity through a countywide bicycle master planning process,
parking policies, and traffic calming policies. Having clear policies can pave the way
for related safety improvements.
EVALUATION
It will be important to evaluate progress towards meeting the LRSP’s goals. Evaluation
allows the County and its jurisdictions to monitor safety conditions over time and
make strategy adjustments as necessary.
In order to understand progress and safety conditions, specific outcome metrics
should be used when evaluating the LRSP’s progress. Foremost among these should
be the number of KSI collisions in each jurisdiction, as this corresponds directly to the
LRSP goals. Additional metrics could be the number of non-KSI injury collisions and
collisions related to each emphasis area. Metrics should be tracked every two years
and summarized in a memo or scorecard. This data will also be helpful when applying
for funding.
Regularly updating the LRSP will allow the plan and its strategies to be revised based
on the evaluation results. The LRSP should be updated every four years or as needed.
2024 MARIN COUNTY LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN | 68CHAPTER 11. LARKSPUR LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN
11. LARKSPUR LOCAL ROAD SAFETY
11.1 INTRODUCTION
The City of Larkspur is located in central Marin County. The City’s segment of Sir
Francis Drake Boulevard serves as a key connector between Highway 101 and
Interstate 580, while the city itself is intersected by Highway 101. It is bordered by San
Rafael and unincorporated Marin County to the north, Corte Madera and Mill Valley to
the south, and unincorporated Marin County to the west. Larkspur is the sixth largest
Marin County incorporated city or town by area, at three square miles, and the fourth
largest in terms of population with a population of approximately 13,000 residents.1
Larkspur has the second highest population density of any incorporated Marin
County city or town, with almost 4,300 residents per square mile.
A Local Road Safety Plan (LRSP) provides a framework to identify, analyze, and
prioritize roadway safety improvements on local and rural roads to increase safety
for all road users. The LRSP facilitates local agency partnerships and collaboration to
systematically address road safety issues, ultimately resulting in a list of prioritized
projects and actions that can be used to obtain federal funding. The LRSP provides a
proactive approach to address safety needs and demonstrates agency responsiveness
to safety challenges. A living document, the LRSP can be revised as needed to reflect
evolving trends, community needs, and priorities.
This chapter presents the vision statement and goals, summarizes collision data,
identifies emphasis areas, recommends high priority project locations, and outlines
the implementation and evaluation strategies for the City of Larkspur.
1 United States Census Bureau 2021
2024 MARIN COUNTY LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN | 69CHAPTER 11. LARKSPUR LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN
11.2 VISION & GOALS
Larkspur’s vision for this LRSP was developed through feedback with the Technical
Advisory Committee (TAC) and Marin County jurisdictions, which are described
in Chapter 3. The vision statement reflects the city’s commitment to Vision Zero,
an international strategy to eliminate all traffic fatalities and severe injuries while
increasing safe, healthy, and equitable mobility for all. The vision statement
recognizes that, while aspirational, to work towards anything less than an end to
traffic fatalities and severe injuries would not be appropriate. The accompanying
goals represent a path forward to achieving this vision.
Vision Statement
The City of Larkspur strives to eliminate collision-related fatalities and severe injuries
by proactively and equitably pursuing a safe systems approach prioritizing road
safety for all users.
GOALS
Systematically implement proven safety solutions, initiatives, policies, and
programs to eliminate preventable fatal & severe collisions by 2050.
Utilize a multi-faceted approach that spans jurisdictions and
encompasses diverse strategies including engineering, education,
public health, and enforcement.
Implement improvements that promote and support safe travel for vulnerable
users including people walking and bicycling, children, older adults, and people
with disabilities.
Ensure that multimodal safety investments are made in a manner that is
fair and equitable for all Larkspur residents.
11.3 EXISTING EFFORTS
In recent years, Larkspur’s efforts to improve safety have been most visible through
a range of plans and programs. This chapter describes plans, studies, and programs
supporting safety in Larkspur.
PLANS & STUDIES
Systemic Safety Analysis Report (2018)
The 2018 Marin County Systemic Safety Analysis Report (SSAR) provided a large-
scale systemic safety analysis of roadways across Marin County to help drive future
improvement projects, grant applications, and traffic safety outreach programs for
Marin County’s 11 jurisdictions and unincorporated areas. The analysis was funded
through the California Systemic Safety Analysis Report Program and produced by the
Marin County Department of Public Works. The project also involved collaboration
with various town and city police departments, the Marin County Sheriff, and the
California Highway Patrol. A Technical Advisory Committee was formed to help guide
the process and was comprised of representatives from the Marin Public Works
Association, Transportation Authority of Marin, and Marin General Hospital. This LRSP
serves as an update to portions of the SSAR.
Novato
Fairfax
San RafaelSan Anselmo
Mill Valley
Corte
Madera
Tiburon
Ross
Larkspur
0%
2%
4%
6%
8%
10%
12%
14%
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Total Crashes
Total KSI Crashes
Pedestrian inCrosswalk
Pedestrian not inCrosswalk
Other
3%
3%
5%
38%
100% 100% 100% 100%
8%
6% 7%
14% 18%
29% 5%
38% 22% 6%
5% 43% 38%
3% 34%
1% 54%
5%
8%
8%
CRASH TYPES BY MODE:
RATIOS OF ALL COLLISIONS
Motorvehicle proceeding straight
Motorvehicle making left turn
Motorvehicle making right turn
Head-On
Sideswipe
Hit Object
Broadside
Rear End
Overturned
Other *
One square = One Collision * “Other” is one of the eight crash type options for police ocers to designate on collision reports. Collisions designated as “Other” are included in the auto portion of the collisions by mode chart above.
CRASH TYPES
:::::: ::::: ..... ..... ..... ::::: .....
. :
: . . .
....
:: : :: .. .. .. :: .
.d...
2024 MARIN COUNTY LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN | 70CHAPTER 11. LARKSPUR LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN
Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan Update (2017)
This plan was developed to identify Larkspur’s existing network of bicycle and
pedestrian facilities and multi-use paths, lay the framework for future facilities, and
develop policies that will work towards making bicycling and walking an integral part
of transportation and daily life in Larkspur. The purpose of the plan is to coordinate
and guide the provision of all bicycle and pedestrian related plans, programs, and
projects in Larkspur. It is intended to assist the City in the implementation of its
priorities but does not mandate any particular action on its part.
PROGRAMS
Safe Routes to Schools
Marin County’s Safe Routes to Schools (SR2S) is
a program of TAM. TAM has created a long-term,
sustainable program that is institutionalized in
schools with strong community involvement.
SR2S began in 2000 as a pilot program in select
towns. Today it operates in all Marin County
jurisdictions and Unincorporated Marin in over 55 schools, serving a total population
of over 29,000 students. Among its many activities, SR2S provides professional
instructors to teach safe bicycling and pedestrian safety skills and oversees volunteers
in promoting the program through contests, events, and regular submissions to
school newsletters. SR2S also identifies potential infrastructure projects to address
school travel safety issues.
Street Smarts Marin
Street Smarts is a traffic safety program run by TAM that educates drivers, pedestrians,
and bicyclists about safety issues including distracted driving. The goal is to
encourage people to adopt new attitudes and behaviors that will reduce the number
of collisions and make the streets safer for everyone. The program incorporates
physical banners and social media posts to spread its messages about key safety
behaviors. The program began in 2009 and includes one to two rollouts per year.
Transportation Authority of Marin Crossing Guard Program
TAM’s crossing guard program provides trained crossing guards at key intersections
throughout Marin County. This is a key component of the Safe Routes to Schools
program as crossing guards help reduce the reluctance that some parents may feel
towards allowing their children to walk or bicycle to school. The program began in
2006 with 54 crossing guards and in the 2023/2024 school year 105 crossing guard
locations will be active. TAM contracts with a professional company that specializes in
crossing guard programs and uses a data-driven evaluation process to select the sites
at which guards are located.
Crossing guards provide safety and comfort for students walking and rolling to school.
• • M SAFE ROUTES
TO SCHOOLS
MARIN COUNTY
2024 MARIN COUNTY LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN | 71CHAPTER 11. LARKSPUR LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN
ENGINEERING IMPROVEMENTS
Doherty Drive at Redwood High School Safe Pathways (Ongoing)
This project will provide crosswalk, sidewalk, pathway, and bicycle lane improvements
to increase pedestrian and bicyclist safety in front of Redwood High School. The
construction schedule has not yet been finalized.
Bon Air Road Bridge Replacement Project (2022)
After a multi-year process, Bon Air Road saw the completion of the new multimodal
bridge in 2022. The bridge serves as a critical connection across Corte Madera Creek
and fills a gap in the pedestrian and bicycle network. The bridge has new wide
sidewalks and bicycle lanes that better connect pathways, trails, and bicycle lanes to
schools, businesses, and the surrounding neighborhoods.
Magnolia Avenue Complete Streets Project (2022)
In 2022, Magnolia Boulevard in Larkspur received multimodal infrastructure
upgrades, including pedestrian enhancements, bicycle lane improvements, and
traffic calming. The complete streets opportunity was used to add more than a mile
of new bicycle lanes and upgraded buffered bicycle lanes, enhanced pedestrian
crossings, and improved vehicle travel lanes. Near Marin Primary & Middle School,
several uncontrolled pedestrian crossings were also enhanced with traffic calming
features including painted bulb-outs and reflective delineator posts. Connected to the
new bridge, the intersection of Bon Air Road and Magnolia Boulevard also received
a variety of multimodal safety enhancements. The new intersection design replaces
the previous yield-controlled vehicle right-turn slip lanes with protective islands to
remove this pedestrian-vehicle conflict zone, to provide a dedicated space for people
on bicycles to maneuver through the intersection, and to make vehicle right turns
safer.
Doherty Drive Complete Streets Projects (2022)
Doherty Drive benefited from several multimodal infrastructure upgrades in 2022,
including pedestrian enhancements, bicycle lane improvements, and traffic calming.
A 1,300-foot-long separated two-way bicycleway was completed in front of the
Redwood High School; buffered bicycle lanes were installed throughout Doherty
Drive; and other improvements were made to the corridor using the Transportation
Authority of Marin’s Measure A and AA Safe Pathways to Schools funding. This project
closes a crucial gap in the bicycle network. Enhancements were also made to the
uncontrolled pedestrian crossing at Rose Lane.
Sir Francis Drake Boulevard Corridor Rehabilitation (2021)
Completed in coordination with TAM, this regional project rehabilitated 2.2 miles
of Sir Francis Drake Boulevard between Highway 101 and the Ross town limits. In
addition to repaving, the project consisted of pedestrian safety improvements,
striping, intersection and signal improvements, traffic operation improvements, utility
infrastructure improvements, and new street lighting.
South Eliseo Drive Accessibility Improvement Project (2020)
This Capital Improvement Project calmed traffic and improved pedestrian safety
through improvements including splitter islands, ADA-compliant curb ramps, and
crosswalks. It was completed in 2020.
Magnolia/Madrone Intersection Improvements (2018)
This project aimed to improve intersection and crosswalk safety by installing
crosswalk enhancements including rectangular rapid flashing beacons and other
intersection modifications. Construction was completed in fall 2018.
Recent improvements at the intersection of Magnolia Avenue and Bon Air Road included
a bicycle lane and traffic calming.
2024 MARIN COUNTY LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN | 72CHAPTER 11. LARKSPUR LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN
ADALINE
E KENT MIDDLE
COLLEGE
OF MARIN
ANTHONY G
BACICH ELEMENTARY
SCHOOL
Piper Park
HALL
MIDDLE
SCHOOL
Larkspur
Landing
Shorebird
Marsh
Town Park
REDWOOD
HIGH SCHOOL
Miwok
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Blithedale
Summit
Larkspur Path
Tamalpais Dr
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SAINTPATRICKSCHOOL
MARIN PRIMARY
& MIDDLE SCHOOL NEIL CUMMINSELEMENTARYSCHOOL
MARIN
CATHOLIC
HIGH SCHOOL
TAMISCAL
HIGH SCHOOL
SAN ANDREAS
HIGH SCHOOL
Wolfe Grade Rd
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CITY OF CITY OF
LARKSPURLARKSPUR
LEGEND
Severe Injury Other Visible Injury Complaint of Pain Boundary
11.4 DATA SUMMARY
This analysis considered reported
collisions on non-state arterial and
collector roads resulting in injury or
fatality. Arterial roads are high-capacity
roads that carry longer-distance vehicle
flows between centers of activity.
Collector roads have low to moderate
capacity and serve as connectors
between local roads and arterials. For the
purpose of the following data summary,
“all collisions” refers to collisions resulting
in injury (regardless of severity) or
fatality, unless otherwise specified. A
subset of these collisions resulted in a
severe injury or fatality: these are referred
to as “KSI collisions” (resulting in a person
being Killed or Severely Injured). Finally,
“fatal collisions” refers to any collision
resulting in a fatality.
From 2017-2021, 93 injury
collisions occurred on non-state
arterial and collector roadways in
Larkspur (Figure 11.1). Of these,
there were zero fatalities and
eight collisions (9%) that resulted
in a severe injury. This marks
an increase from 2012-2016,
which saw 89 injury collisions.
It also marks an increase in the
percentage of collisions resulting
in a severe injury compared to the
previous five-year period, which
had 4%.Figure 11.1: Larkspur collisions by severity
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2024 MARIN COUNTY LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN | 73CHAPTER 11. LARKSPUR LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN
Primary Collision Factors
Four primary collision factors were responsible for approximately 63% of collisions
in Larkspur (Figure 11.2). Unsafe speeds resulted in almost 38%, which is a far larger
proportion than any of the other primary collision factors and surpassing the County’s
rate for collisions caused by unsafe speeds (26%). Surprisingly, this primary collision
factor was not responsible for any severe injury collisions. Automobile right-of-
way violations, pedestrian right-of-way violations (where drivers did not yield to a
pedestrian with the right-of-way), and improper turning resulted in 10%, 9%, and 8%
of collisions, respectively. Pedestrian right-of-way violations led to a high percentage
(38%) of collisions resulting in a severe injury.
Figure 11.2: Top 10 primary collision factors
Road User Types
Figure 11.3 shows collisions by mode. Approximately 43% of collisions in Larkspur
involved vehicles only, which is a lower proportion than the County as a whole.
Conversely, 37% of collisions in Larkspur involved bicyclists, compared to only 19%
countywide. The proportion of collisions involving pedestrians was also higher, at
17% compared to 14% countywide. One vehicle-only collision, two bicyclist collisions,
and five pedestrian collisions resulted in a severe injury.
Of Larkspur’s 34 collisions involving a bicyclist, 19 involved motor vehicles and 15
were solo bicyclist collisions. Bicycle collisions with motor vehicles tended to result
All Collisions KSI Collisions
LARKSPUR
0%
5%
10%
15%
20%
25%
30%
35%
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Figure 11.3:
Larkspur collisions by mode
equally from either unsafe speed,
automobile right-of-way violations
(where drivers did not yield to another
driver with the right-of-way),
and other hazardous violations.
Almost half of solo bicyclist collisions
were caused by unsafe speed. A
hotspot of bicycle collisions was
located along Magnolia Avenue
between Doherty Drive and
William Avenue.
Approximately 57% of pedestrians involved in collisions were crossing in a crosswalk
at the time of the collision. Half of collisions with pedestrians were caused by
pedestrian right-of-way violations, while 25% resulted from pedestrian violations,
collisions for which pedestrians were deemed at fault. A pedestrian collision hotspot
was located at the intersection of Magnolia Avenue and Ward Street.
Equity Considerations
A relatively high number of pedestrian collisions – five collisions resulting in seven
injured people – occurred within 100 feet of the transit stops at the intersection of
Magnolia Avenue and Ward Street. These stops are currently served by Marin Transit
Route 22, which connects San Rafael to Marin City. One transit stop at Magnolia
Avenue and Madrone Avenue was proximate to one pedestrian collision and another
transit stop on South Eliseo Drive west of Via Belardo was also in proximity to one
pedestrian collision. While it is unclear whether these collisions involved transit users,
pedestrian collisions near transit stops can be considered equity concerns.
Youths and senior citizens were involved in a higher percentage of injury collisions
compared to countywide rates. Ten percent (10%) of collisions in Larkspur involved youths
and 32% involved older adults, compared to countywide rates of 7% and 20%, respectively.
External Conditions
Approximately 22% of collisions occurred in low-visibility conditions. The majority of
these – 17% of all collisions – occurred in the dark but in the presence of streetlights,
while most of the remainder occurred at dusk or dawn when streetlights may not
have been activated. One collision occurred at the intersection of Magnolia Avenue
and Wiltshire Avenue in the dark where no streetlights were present.
II 1 1 1 •• 1 •• I .
■ ■
2024 MARIN COUNTY LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN | 74CHAPTER 11. LARKSPUR LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN
ADALINE
E KENT MIDDLE
COLLEGE
OF MARIN
ANTHONY G
BACICH ELEMENTARY
SCHOOL
Piper Park
HALL
MIDDLE
SCHOOL
Larkspur
Landing
Shorebird
Marsh
Town Park
REDWOOD
HIGH SCHOOL
Miwok
Park
Blithedale
Summit
Larkspur Path
Tamalpais Dr
An
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Doherty Dr
Lucky
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SAINTPATRICKSCHOOL
MARIN PRIMARY
& MIDDLE SCHOOL NEIL CUMMINSELEMENTARYSCHOOL
MARIN
CATHOLIC
HIGH SCHOOL
TAMISCAL
HIGH SCHOOL
SAN ANDREAS
HIGH SCHOOL
Wolfe Grade Rd
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CITY OF CITY OF
LARKSPURLARKSPUR
Figure 11.4: Larkspur High Collision Net-
work
High Collision Network
Larkspur’s High Collision Network is
show in Figure 11.4, Table 11.1, and Table
11.2. High collision road segments and
intersections were selected countywide
based on overall collision rates at those
locations and finalized through discussion
with the jurisdictions.
LEGEND
HCN Intersection HCN Segment Boundary
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2024 MARIN COUNTY LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN | 75CHAPTER 11. LARKSPUR LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN
Table 11.1: Larkspur High Collision Network Segments
ID Location
Number of Collisions
Collision Rate Per
100 Million VMT
Pedestrian Bicycle Motorcycle Motor
Vehicle Only
Total
1 Eliseo Drive from Bon Air Road to Lower Via Casitas 2 3 0 3 8 129.7
2 Magnolia Avenue from Northern Border to Southern Border 10 23 1 14 48 106.0
3 Doherty Drive from Magnolia Avenue to Lucky Drive 1 5 0 3 9 41.2
4 Sir Francis Drake Boulevard from Larkspur Landing Circle West to
Larkspur Landing Circle East
0 0 2 9 11 23.9
Table 11.2: Larkspur High Collision Network Intersections
ID Location
Number of Collisions Collision Rate Per
100 Million Entering
Vehicles
Pedestrian Bicycle Motorcycle Motor
Vehicle Only
Total
A Magnolia and Ward 3 1 0 1 5 17.7
B Magnolia and Bon Air 0 0 0 1 1 2.5
C Sir Francis Drake and Larkspur Landing 0 0 1 1 2 2.5
D Broadway & Bolinas Avenue 1 0 0 0 1 4.2
The City’s High Collision Network includes four segments, all of which have collision
rates that are in the lower half of the 70 countywide High Collision Network
segments. South Eliseo Drive from Bon Air Road to Lower Via Casitas has the highest
collision rate, with 129.7 collisions per 100 million vehicle miles traveled (VMT). Over
half of collisions along this segment involved a pedestrian or bicyclist. Magnolia
Avenue from the City’s northern to southern border had the most collisions (48) with
a rate of 106 collisions per 100 million vehicle miles traveled. Twenty-three of these
involved a bicyclist while 10 involved a pedestrian. Doherty Drive from Magnolia
Avenue to Lucky Drive and Sir Francis Drake Boulevard from Larkspur Landing Circle
West to Larkspur Landing Circle East had relatively low rates among the countywide
high collision network segments, with 41.2 and 23.9 collisions per 100 million vehicle
miles traveled, respectively.
Larkspur’s High Collision Network also includes three intersections: Magnolia Avenue
and Ward Street, Magnolia Avenue and Bon Air Road, and Sir Francis Drake Boulevard
and Larkspur Landing Circle West. These intersections have collision rates of 17.7, 2.5,
and 2.5 collisions per 100 million entering vehicles, respectively. The Magnolia Avenue
and Ward Street intersection had the thirty-second highest rate of the County’s 92
High Collision Network intersections and was the site of five pedestrian collisions and
two collisions involving bicyclists.
2024 MARIN COUNTY LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN | 76CHAPTER 11. LARKSPUR LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN
11.5 EMPHASIS AREAS
Emphasis areas provide a framework for developing and implementing strategies to
increase road user safety across the County. Potential emphasis areas were initially
identified using severe injury and fatality collision data from 2012-2021 for Larkspur
in comparison to the County as a whole, which allowed for a larger sample size of KSI
collisions to be compared. Emphasis areas were then refined through stakeholder
input. A full list of emphasis areas for the County can be found in Chapter 6. Four
primary emphasis areas were selected from this list for Larkspur based on the city’s
collision trends, shown in Table 11.3. The following is a description of trends relating
to these emphasis areas from 2012-2021.
Table 11.3: Larkspur primary emphasis areas
Category Primary Emphasis Area
Vulnerable Road Users Pedestrians
Bicyclists
Collision Factors Automobile Right-of-Way
Unsafe Speed
Almost 20% of injury collisions and 18% of KSI collisions in Larkspur from 2012-2021
involved a bicyclist. These rates are higher than the County as a whole, where bicycle
collisions made up 9% of all injury collisions and 17% of KSI collisions.
Meanwhile, over 9% of injury collisions and over 45% of KSI collisions in the city
involved a pedestrian. This is slightly higher than the countywide rate for pedestrian
injury collisions (6%) but almost four times the rate of pedestrian KSI collisions (12%).
Automobile right-of-way violations resulted in over 9% of Larkspur’s KSI collisions.
Countywide, this collision factor was responsible for 8% of KSI collisions. Automobile
right-of-way collisions were spread throughout the city with half occurring on
Magnolia Avenue between Doherty Drive and the City’s southern border.
Unsafe speed accounted for almost 40% of injury collisions in the City, considerably
higher than the county’s rate of 28%. Unsafe speed collisions were most prevalent
along Magnolia Avenue, Doherty Drive, and Sir Francis Drake Boulevard east of
Highway 101.
Focusing on these primary emphasis areas can significantly contribute to eliminating
collisions in the City resulting in severe injury or fatality. However, a strategy that
includes additional emphasis areas would have additional positive effects. Table 11.4
through Table 11.7 list the goals and strategies for Larkspur’s primary emphasis areas.
See Appendix A for more detail on countermeasures recommended as emphasis area
strategies.
2024 MARIN COUNTY LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN | 77CHAPTER 11. LARKSPUR LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN
STRATEGIES
Education • Expand Safe Routes to Schools education programming.
• Expand Street Smarts safety campaigns and consider alignment with Bicycle Safety Month.
Enforcement • Equitably implement targeted enforcement on key collision areas which resulted in
injury bicycle collisions.
• Prioritize enforcement of traffic laws based on likelihood of behavior causing an injury collision.
• Equitably implement targeted enforcement for bicyclists driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
Engineering • Install countermeasures focused on reducing the likelihood and severity of collisions between
automobiles and bicyclists and increasing driver awareness of bicyclists.
• Provide low stress, all ages and abilities infrastructure connectivity for bicyclists, particularly within one
mile of schools and along key active transportation routes.
• Refer to Caltrans and FHWA guidance on the preferred method of separation based on automobile
speeds and roadway volumes.
• Implement technology to improve bicyclist safety such as bicycle activated signal detection and bicycle
signal heads as appropriate.
Emergency
Response
• Install emergency vehicle preemption systems.
• Improve resources for deploying emergency responses to bicycle collision sites.
• Consider targeted training for responding to specific high incident locations and treatment of
predominant bicyclist injury types at those locations.
• Ensure that emergency routes are clear and well defined.
Emerging
Technology
• Implement new technologies to make bicycle crossings safer and more comfortable
(e.g., automated detection at signalized intersections, etc.).
• Deploy smart signal technology at intersections.
• Utilize technologies such as video data and crowdsourcing to track and address near misses.
• Conduct in-depth analyses of bicyclist collision trends at hot spot locations to inform strategy
implementation.
Table 11.4: Larkspur bicyclists primary emphasis area goals & strategies
EMPHASIS AREA: BICYCLISTS
GOAL: Eliminate fatal & severe injury collisions involving bicyclists by 2050.0 • •
2024 MARIN COUNTY LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN | 78CHAPTER 11. LARKSPUR LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN
STRATEGIES
Education • Expand Safe Routes to Schools education programming.
• Expand Street Smarts safety campaigns and consider aligning with Pedestrian Safety Month.
• Create education campaign for jurisdiction staff who operate vehicles about
the importance of safe speeds.
Enforcement • Equitably implement targeted enforcement on key collision areas which resulted in
injury pedestrian collisions.
• Prioritize enforcement of traffic laws based on likelihood of behavior causing an injury collision.
Engineering • Install countermeasures focused on reducing the likelihood and severity of collisions between
automobiles and pedestrians and increasing driver awareness of pedestrians.
• Provide low stress, all ages and abilities infrastructure connectivity for pedestrians,
particularly within one mile of schools and along key active transportation routes.
• Develop countywide street lighting standards.
• Implement pedestrian safety countermeasures in all improvement and maintenance projects.
• Develop and implement a Construction Accessibility Policy to maintain accessibility during
construction and maintenance projects.
Emergency
Response
• Install emergency vehicle preemption systems.
• Improve resources for deploying emergency responses to collision sites.
• Ensure that emergency routes are clear and well defined.
• Consider targeted training for responding to specific high incident locations and treatment of
predominant injury types at those locations.
Emerging
Technology
• Implement new technologies to make pedestrian crossings safer and more comfortable
(e.g., automated pedestrian detection at signalized intersections, etc.).
• Deploy collision-prevention technology at signalized intersections.
• Utilize technologies such as video data and crowdsourcing to track and address near misses.
• Conduct in-depth analyses of pedestrian collision trends at hot spot locations to inform strategy
implementation.
Table 11.5: Larkspur pedestrians primary emphasis area goals & strategies
EMPHASIS AREA: PEDESTRIANS
GOAL: Eliminate fatal & severe injury collisions involving pedestrianss by 2050.
2024 MARIN COUNTY LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN | 79CHAPTER 11. LARKSPUR LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN
STRATEGIES
Education • Conduct public information and education campaigns for intersection safety laws regarding
traffic lights, stop signs, turning left or right, distracted driving, and pedestrian right-of-way.
Enforcement • Equitably implement targeted enforcement at high injury locations where automobile right-of-way
violations are high.
• Consider use of technology to support automated enforcement at key locations;
consider supporting legislation to allow automated enforcement.
Engineering • In conjunction with other strategies, install countermeasures focused on reducing behaviors
resulting in automobile ROW violations such as signal head improvements, advanced dilemma zone
technology, roundabouts, etc.
Emergency
Response
• Install emergency vehicle preemption systems.
• Improve resources for deploying emergency responses to collision sites.
• Ensure that emergency routes are clear and well defined.
• Consider targeted training for responding to specific high incident locations and treatment of
predominant injury types at those locations.
Emerging
Technology
• Deploy collision-prevention technology at signalized intersections.
• Utilize technologies such as video data and crowdsourcing to track and address near misses.
• Engage in legislative advocacy to seek state law change allowing automated speed cameras and
allowing the resulting citations to be handled as local municipal code violations
rather than vehicle code violations.
Table 11.6: Larkspur automobile right-of-way primary emphasis area goals & strategies
EMPHASIS AREA: AUTOMOBILE RIGHT-OF-WAY
GOAL: Eliminate fatal & severe injury collisions involving automobile right-of-way.
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2024 MARIN COUNTY LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN | 80CHAPTER 11. LARKSPUR LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN
STRATEGIES
Education • Par tner with local businesses and organizations on educational efforts and campaigns along hot spot corridors.
• Implement a safe speeds education campaign.
• Expand the Street Smarts Marin program.
Enforcement • Equitably implement targeted enforcement on key collision areas which resulted in injuries from unsafe speeds.
• Use recent legislation (AB 43, 2021) and national research to set context-appropriate speeds suitable for all road users particularly
in business districts and near schools.
• Consider use of technology to support automated enforcement at key locations.
• Deploy a radar trailer at locations where instances of unsafe speed are more prevalent.
Engineering • In conjunction with other strategies, install countermeasures focused on designing and improving roadways that lead to
more appropriate speeds to the surrounding land uses.
• Coordinate with emergency services to develop design standards for traffic calming treatments, particularly on collector
and neighborhood streets.
Emergency Response • Install emergency vehicle preemption systems.
• Consider targeted training for responding to specific high incident locations and treatment of predominant injury types at those locations.
• Improve resources for deploying emergency responses to collision sites.
• Ensure that emergency routes are clear and well defined.
Emerging Technology • Implement technology such as spot cameras, variable message signs, and traffic control warning devices as appropriate.
• Monitor speeds through critical intersections using smart signal technology.
• Utilize technologies such as video data and crowdsourcing to track and address near misses.
• Engage in legislative advocacy to seek state law change allowing automated speed cameras and allowing the resulting citations
to be handled as local municipal code violations rather than vehicle code violations.
Table 11.7: Larkspur unsafe speed primary emphasis area goals & strategies
EMPHASIS AREA: UNSAFE SPEED
GOAL: Eliminate fatal & severe injury collisions involving unsafe speed by 2050.
2024 MARIN COUNTY LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN | 81CHAPTER 11. LARKSPUR LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN
11.6 PRIORITY PROJECTS
Following the identification of the High Collision Network, the collision patterns at
these intersections and segments were analyzed to determine potential countermea-
sures. In collaboration with the city, a subset of priority project locations was select-
ed to recommend specific improvements based on the collision rates, trends, and
potential improvement impacts. These are locations where site-specific engineering
improvements can have a substantial effect in achieving the LRSP’s goals. In Larkspur,
the priority location and projects are as follows:
Magnolia Avenue from City’s Northern to
Southern Border (Segment)
Sight Distance Improvements
Removing parking would improve sight distances at driveways and intersections.
Pedestrian Crossing Improvements
A number of pedestrian crossing improvements could be implemented along
this corridor including some of the following: mid-block crossings with RRFBs,
advanced stop bars, bulb outs, tighten curb radius, and directional curb ramps.
These could improve pedestrian crossings by shortening crossing distances and
emphasize pedestrians’ presence.
Bicycle Facility Improvements
Consider installing continuous bicycle lanes on segments along Magnolia
Avenue, where feasible. Parking may need to be removed to accomplish this.
Adding dedicated bicycle facilities can lessen the chances of collisions involving
motor vehicles overtaking bicyclists.
11.7 IMPLEMENTATION
A number of considerations must be proactively managed to successfully implement
the strategies presented in the LRSP. Successful implementation requires adequate
funding, coordination, and partnerships, and can be supported by policies at both the
jurisdiction and county levels.
IMPLEMENTATION
Next Steps & Timeline for Implementation
The next steps for implementation should focus on developing specific programs
and projects from the LRSP recommendations:
Identify an “agency champion” to advance each LRSP priority recommendation. This
agency generally would assume the primary role in program/project development
Further define each priority recommendation (or if appropriate, bundle several
recommendations together) into a discrete program or project with a specific
scope of improvements
Allocate initial funding to complete basic program/project development tasks,
such as conceptual planning, feasibility assessments, cost estimation, and
agency coordination
These initial development steps will allow lead agencies to define specific programs
and projects and prepare them for inclusion in competitive funding applications,
regional transportation plans, and local capital improvement plans (CIPs).
The strategies introduced in this document may be implemented in different phases.
Short-term implementation would generally occur in less than five years from
completion of the LRSP. These actions include low-cost engineering treatments that
can be constructed relatively quickly, such as striping projects, signal optimizations,
and quick-build infrastructure. Additional short-term strategies could include scaling
up existing programs and implementing enforcement activities.
Medium-term implementation typically would occur between five and ten years after
LRSP development. This may include progressive and scaled-up safety elements as
well as larger projects that require more resources to design and construct. Policy
changes also could be implemented in this timeframe.
In the long term (generally 10 years or more), implementation may focus on further
emphasizing safety in future planning and design efforts.
2024 MARIN COUNTY LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN | 82CHAPTER 11. LARKSPUR LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN
Marin’s Transportation Sales Tax
MEAS U R E
V O T ER APPROVED
Marin’s Vehicle Registration Fee
BMEASURE
V O T ER APPROVED
Funding Sources & Strategies
Obtaining funding is critical for plan implementation. The County and its jurisdictions
can pursue funding at various levels depending on their needs. Identification of
funding sources and opportunities can be focused on the following:
Federal and state grant opportunities, including the Highway Safety
Improvement Program, Safe Streets & Roads for All, and the
Active Transportation Program
Regional funding opportunities, including funding opportunities resulting from
Marin County’s Measure AA sales tax and Measure B vehicle registration fees
Local fund contributions from TAM, the County, and its jurisdictions to
support countywide programs
Capital improvement projects, such as repaving efforts into which safety
upgrades could be bundled
The following strategies can help to increase the likelihood of success in competitive
funding applications:
Pursue the highest-priority, highest-benefit projects and programs. These tend
to be the most competitive in grant programs, driven by strong results in the
benefit-cost analyses that are often required. In addition, showing funding
partners that the County and local jurisdictions have thought carefully about the
highest-value ways to direct resources can inspire confidence from these federal
and state entities
Partner across jurisdictions to greatly strengthen applications for competitive
funding. Some potential partners for local jurisdictions include the County,
TAM, Marin Transit, or relevant community-based organizations. Beyond
grant applications, these jurisdictional partnerships also could include more
formalized memoranda of understanding to share the costs of planning, design,
construction, or operations
Leverage local funding for projects and aim to provide close to 50 percent of
total project costs from these local funds. This type of commitment will increase
competitiveness when applying for discretionary funds at the federal and state levels
Pursue multiple funding sources. Infrastructure programs and projects often
require agencies to leverage many sources to meet project budgets, especially
given the uncertainty of competitive funding programs
California Active
Transportation Program
2024 MARIN COUNTY LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN | 83CHAPTER 11. LARKSPUR LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN
Coordination & Partnership
Coordination and partnership among diverse stakeholders are essential for the
success of the LRSP. Within jurisdictions, collaboration and partnership between
public works, law enforcement, bicycle/pedestrian advisory committees, and others
can ensure that road user safety is systematically addressed.
Additional countywide partnerships could also be considered to track funding and
project implementation. These partnerships could take the following forms:
Jurisdictional partnerships to prepare joint grant applications and potentially
share program/project costs
Countywide bicycle working committee including representatives from existing
groups from various jurisdictions to further develop program/project concepts,
track funding opportunities, and monitor overall progress toward LRSP goals
Task force to audit countywide projects and programs related to bicycle safety,
review collision trend data, and make recommendations on preventing
future collisions
Policy Support
Whether at the county or jurisdiction levels, the LRSP strategy implementation can be
facilitated by supportive policies. Policies to consider include establishing clear goals
for regional connectivity through a countywide bicycle master planning process,
parking policies, and traffic calming policies. Having clear policies can pave the way
for related safety improvements.
EVALUATION
It will be important to evaluate progress towards meeting the LRSP’s goals. Evaluation
allows the County and its jurisdictions to monitor safety conditions over time and
make strategy adjustments as necessary.
In order to understand progress and safety conditions, specific outcome metrics
should be used when evaluating the LRSP’s progress. Foremost among these should
be the number of KSI collisions in each jurisdiction, as this corresponds directly to the
LRSP goals. Additional metrics could be the number of non-KSI injury collisions and
collisions related to each emphasis area. Metrics should be tracked every two years
and summarized in a memo or scorecard. This data will also be helpful when applying
for funding.
Regularly updating the LRSP will allow the plan and its strategies to be revised based
on the evaluation results. The LRSP should be updated every four years or as needed.
2024 MARIN COUNTY LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN | 84CHAPTER 12. MILL VALLEY LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN
12. MILL VALLEY LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN
12.1 INTRODUCTION
The City of Mill Valley is located in southern Marin County. The City is located west
of Highway 101 and is bordered by Larkspur and Corte Madera to the north and
unincorporated Marin County on the rest of its borders. Mill Valley is the third largest
Marin County incorporated city or town by area, at 4.8 square miles, and the third
largest in terms of population with a population of approximately 14,100 residents.1
Because of this, Mill Valley has a relatively low overall population density: it ranks
eighth of Marin County’s 11 incorporated cities and towns, with a density of fewer
than 3,000 residents per square mile. However, the City contains a significant portion
of uninhabited land; inhabited areas are relatively densely populated compared to
other Marin jurisdictions.
A Local Road Safety Plan (LRSP) is a plan that provides a framework to identify,
analyze, and prioritize roadway safety improvements on local and rural roads to
increase safety for all road users. The LRSP facilitates local agency partnerships and
collaboration to systematically address road safety issues, ultimately resulting in a
list of prioritized projects and actions that can be used to obtain federal funding.
The LRSP provides a proactive approach to address safety needs and demonstrates
agency responsiveness to safety challenges. A living document, the LRSP can be
revised as needed to reflect evolving trends, community needs, and priorities.
This chapter presents the vision statement and goals, summarizes collision data,
identifies emphasis areas, recommends high priority project locations, and outlines
the implementation and evaluation strategies for the City of Mill Valley.
1 United States Census Bureau 2021
2024 MARIN COUNTY LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN | 85CHAPTER 12. MILL VALLEY LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN
12.2 VISION & GOALS
Mill Valley’s vision for this LRSP was developed through feedback with the Technical
Advisory Committee (TAC) and Marin County jurisdictions, which are described
in Chapter 3. The vision statement reflects the city’s commitment to Vision Zero,
an international strategy to eliminate all traffic fatalities and severe injuries while
increasing safe, healthy, and equitable mobility for all. The vision statement
recognizes that, while aspirational, to work towards anything less than an end to
traffic fatalities and severe injuries would not be appropriate. The accompanying
goals represent a path forward to achieving this vision.
Vision Statement
The City of Mill Valley strives to eliminate collision-related fatalities and severe injuries
by proactively and equitably pursuing a safe systems approach prioritizing road
safety for all users.
GOALS
Systematically implement proven safety solutions, initiatives, policies, and
programs to eliminate preventable fatal & severe collisions by 2050.
Utilize a multi-faceted approach that spans jurisdictions and encompasses
diverse strategies including engineering, education, public health, and
enforcement.
Implement improvements that promote and support safe travel for vulnerable
users including people walking and bicycling, children, older adults, and people
with disabilities.
Ensure that multimodal safety investments are made in a manner that is
fair and equitable for all Mill Valley residents.
12.3 EXISTING EFFORTS
In recent years, Mill Valley’s efforts to improve safety have been most visible through
a range of plans and programs. This chapter describes plans, studies, and programs
supporting safety in Mill Valley.
PLANS & STUDIES
Systemic Safety Analysis Report (2018)
The 2018 Marin County Systemic Safety Analysis Report (SSAR) provided a large-
scale systemic safety analysis of roadways across Marin County to help drive future
improvement projects, grant applications, and traffic safety outreach programs for
Marin County’s 11 jurisdictions and unincorporated areas. The analysis was funded
through the California Systemic Safety Analysis Report Program and produced by the
Marin County Department of Public Works. The project also involved collaboration
with various town and city police departments, the Marin County Sheriff, and the
California Highway Patrol. A Technical Advisory Committee was formed to help guide
the process and was comprised of representatives from the Marin Public Works
Association, Transportation Authority of Marin, and Marin General Hospital. This LRSP
serves as an update to portions of the SSAR.
Novato
Fairfax
San RafaelSan Anselmo
Mill Valley
Corte
Madera
Tiburon
Ross
Larkspur
0%
2%
4%
6%
8%
10%
12%
14%
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Total Crashes
Total KSI Crashes
Pedestrian inCrosswalk
Pedestrian not inCrosswalk
Other
3%
3%
5%
38%
100% 100% 100% 100%
8%
6% 7%
14% 18%
29% 5%
38% 22% 6%
5% 43% 38%
3% 34%
1% 54%
5%
8%
8%
CRASH TYPES BY MODE:
RATIOS OF ALL COLLISIONS
Motorvehicle proceeding straight
Motorvehicle making left turn
Motorvehicle making right turn
Head-On
Sideswipe
Hit Object
Broadside
Rear End
Overturned
Other *
One square = One Collision * “Other” is one of the eight crash type options for police ocers to designate on collision reports. Collisions designated as “Other” are included in the auto portion of the collisions by mode chart above.
CRASH TYPES
:::::: ::::: ..... ..... ..... ::::: .....
. :
: . . .
....
:: : :: .. .. .. :: .
.d...
2024 MARIN COUNTY LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN | 86CHAPTER 12. MILL VALLEY LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN
Bicycle and Pedestrian Transportation Plan (2017)
The Plan focuses on developing a network of bicycleways and walkways, identifying
safety improvements, and documenting programs and policies that will support Mill
Valley’s goal of becoming a more bicycle- and pedestrian-friendly community. The
plan is meant primarily as a coordinating and resource document to aid the City’s
efforts to pursue outside funding for bicycle and pedestrian safety projects.
PROGRAMS
Safe Routes to Schools
Marin County’s Safe Routes to Schools (SR2S) is a program of TAM. TAM has created
a long-term, sustainable program that is institutionalized in schools with strong
community involvement. SR2S began in 2000 as a pilot program in select towns.
Today it operates in all Marin County jurisdictions and Unincorporated Marin in
over 55 schools, serving a total population of over 29,000 students. Among its
many activities, SR2S provides professional instructors to teach safe bicycling and
pedestrian safety skills and oversees volunteers in promoting the program through
contests, events, and regular submissions to school newsletters. SR2S also identifies
potential infrastructure projects to address school travel safety issues.
Street Smarts Marin
Street Smarts is a traffic safety program run
by TAM that educates drivers, pedestrians,
and bicyclists about safety issues including
distracted driving. The goal is to encourage
people to adopt new attitudes and behaviors
that will reduce the number of collisions
and make the streets safer for everyone. The
program incorporates physical banners and
social media posts to spread its messages about key safety behaviors. The program
began in 2009 and includes one to two rollouts per year.
Transportation Authority of Marin Crossing Guard Program
TAM’s crossing guard program provides trained crossing guards at key intersections
throughout Marin County. This is a key component of the Safe Routes to Schools
program as crossing guards help reduce the reluctance that some parents may feel
towards allowing their children to walk or bicycle to school. The program began in
2006 with 54 crossing guards and in the 2023/2024 school year 105 crossing guard
locations will be active. TAM contracts with a professional company that specializes in
crossing guard programs and uses a data-driven evaluation process to select the sites
at which guards are located.
E-Bike Safety
In March 2023 Mill Valley was the first agency
in California to adopt safety regulations
governing e-bicycles and other electric
mobility devices. The ordinance prohibits
the use of electric mobility devices from
certain locations within the City including the
downtown plaza, skate park, public hiking and riding trails, sidewalks, and public
facilities such as drainage facilities and athletic fields. It will also include speed
regulations. The ordinance requires businesses that sell or rent electric mobility
devices within the City to provide safety and legal educational materials to buyers
and includes a diversion program for youths that would mandate a four-hour safety
training program for youth offenders and an online training course for their parents.
Mill Valley
Elementary
School
Tam High SchoolTam High School
Marin Horizon
School
Mill Valley
Middle School
Mill Valley
Middle School
Sidney St.
Fern Ave.
Catalpa Ave.
Walnut Ave.
Sycamore Ave.
Manor Dr.
Sunnyside Ave.
Buena Vista Ave.
Del Casa Dr.
Sidney
Fern
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Marlin
PARK SCHOOL Suggested Routes to School
Mill Valley School District
LEGEND
Recommended
Walking Routes
Recommended
Bike Route
Steps, Lanes & Paths
Approved Crossing
Guard Location
All-way Stop
Park & Walk
Location
Traffic Signals
Drop-Off/Pick-Up
Route: In on Elm,
out on Catalpa
Mill Valley
Elementary
School
Tam High SchoolTam High School
Marin Horizon
School
Mill Valley
Middle School
Mill Valley
Middle School
Manor Dr.
Buena Vista Ave.
Del Casa Dr.
Sidney Street
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atilda Avenue
Park Park
Elementary Elementary
SchoolSchool
Park Park
Elementary Elementary
SchoolSchool
AUGUST, 2023
BOYLE
PARK
Suggest crossing at Evergreen Ave
and Miller Ave with Crossing Guard.
NOT at La Goma and Miller!
FOLLOW THE RULES
OF THE ROAD
Bike smart –
be predictable.
2024 MARIN COUNTY LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN | 87CHAPTER 12. MILL VALLEY LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN
ENGINEERING IMPROVEMENTS
Sycamore Avenue Bicycle Improvments (Scheduled for Construction in 2025)
This project located, between Camino Alto and the County multi-use path, was
studied at a conceptual level to review opportunities to improve bicycle circulation
along this short stretch of Sycamore Avenue. Improvements include adding conflict
zone markings, improved ramps at driveway intersections, signage, and striping
directing westbound bicyclists from the south side to the north side of Sycamore
Avenue before arriving at the Camino Alto traffic signal. This would simplify the
westbound bicycle crossing of that intersection to create a safer and more efficient
route for bicyclists heading to and through the heart of Mill Valley.
East Blithedale Rehabilitation Project (2023)
The goal of this project was to rehabilitate pavement and drainage while making
active transportation improvements along the corridor. Pedestrian improvements
along the corridor included new high-visibility crosswalks, rectangular rapid flashing
beacons, installation of pedestrian ramps, and improved sidewalks. The project had
three phases. Phase 1, from Highway 101 to Camino Alto, included installation of
Class IV bicycle lanes and were previously completed and closed the vehicle slip lane
at Meadow Avenue to create a safer bicycle and pedestrian intersection. Phase 2
(Camino Alto to Elm Avenue) and Phase 3 (Elm Avenue to Sunnyside Avenue) were
substantially completed in August 2023.
Downtown Project (2023)
This project focused on upgrading infrastructure and improving flow and safety for
all road users. Phases one and two, completed in 2022, included upgrading accessible
curb ramps and pavement repair along West Blithedale Avenue, Gardner Street, Corte
Madera Avenue, Sunnyside Avenue, and Throckmorton Avenue. Phase three included
upgrading existing curb ramps to meet accessibility standards and restriping along
Throckmorton Avenue and Miller Avenue, and was completed in 2023.
Ashford Avenue (2022)
In conjunction with the first phase of the Blithedale Avenue project, a new crosswalk
was installed to provide access between the residential area, the shopping center,
and several schools. The project widened the sidewalk, installed a pedestrian railing,
reconfigured the Blithedale/Meadow/Ashford intersection, and upgraded pavement
markings to improve safety.
Camino Alto Improvements (2019)
A number of improvements to Camino Alto between Miller Avenue and East
Blithedale Avenue were carried out in 2019. Improvements included new paving and
narrowing traffic lanes to provide Class II bicycle lanes on both sides of the street.
Signal upgrades and accessibility improvements were also made.
Recent projects have improved safety for cyclists and pedestrians throughout the City.
2024 MARIN COUNTY LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN | 88CHAPTER 12. MILL VALLEY LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN
Throckm o r t o n A v e
rk
Old Mill Park
Camino Alto
E Bl
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Mill Valley
Ca
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MILL VALLEYMIDDLE SCHOOL
EDNA MAGUIREELEMENTARYSCHOOL
PARKSCHOOL
OLD MILLSCHOOL
MOUNT
TAMALPAIS
SCHOOL
TAMALPAIS
HIGH SCHOOL
M
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N e l s o n A ve
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Dr
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Edgewood Ave
Corte M
adera Av
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P
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l
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CITY OF MILL VALLEYCITY OF MILL VALLEY
LEGEND
Severe Injury Other Visible Injury Complaint of Pain Boundary
12.4 DATA SUMMARY
This analysis considered reported collisions on non-state arterial and
collector roads resulting in injury or fatality. Arterial roads are high-capacity
roads that carry longer-distance vehicle flows between centers of activity.
Collector roads have low to moderate capacity and serve as connectors
between local roads and arterials. For the purpose of the following data
summary, “all collisions” refers to collisions resulting in injury (regardless of
severity) or fatality, unless otherwise specified. A subset of these collisions
resulted in a severe injury or fatality: these are referred to as “KSI collisions”
(resulting in a person being Killed or Severely Injured). Finally, “fatal
collisions” refers to any collision resulting in a fatality.
From 2017-2021, 93 reported injury collisions occurred on non-state arterial
and collector roadways in Mill Valley (Figure 12.1). Of these, there were zero
fatalities and one collision that resulted in a severe injury. This marks a 30%
decrease from 2012-2016, which saw 133 injury collisions. It also marks a
decrease in the number of collisions resulting in a severe injury compared to
the previous five-year period, which had four.
Figure 12.1: Mill Valley collisions by severity
0.3 Miles 0.1s I
o I I I I I I I I ..
0 0 0 D
2024 MARIN COUNTY LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN | 89CHAPTER 12. MILL VALLEY LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN
Primary Collision Factors
Four primary collision factors were responsible for approximately 71% of collisions
in Mill Valley (Figure 12.2). Unsafe speeds resulted in almost 38%, far outpacing the
other primary collision factors and surpassing the County’s rate for this collision factor
(26%). Automobile right-of-way violations (where drivers did not yield to another
driver with the right-of-way); pedestrian right-of-way violations (where drivers did
not yield to a pedestrian with the right-of-way); and improper turning resulted in
15%, 10%, and 9% of collisions, respectively. The one severe injury collision resulted
from a pedestrian right-of-way violation.
Figure 12.2: Top 10 primary collision factors
Road User Types
Figure 12.3 shows collisions by mode. Over half of collisions (52%) in Mill Valley
involved vehicles only. Twenty-three percent (23%) involved bicyclists, compared to
19% of collisions countywide. Twenty percent (20%) of collisions involved pedestrians
– compared to 14% countywide – and 5% involved motorcyclists. One collision with a
pedestrian resulted in a severe injury, while the rest resulted in other injuries.
Of Mill Valley’s 21 collisions involving a bicyclist, 18 involved motor vehicles, two were
solo bicycle collisions, and one involved a motorcycle. Bicycle collisions with motor
vehicles tended to result from unsafe speed (28%), users on the wrong side of the
MV
0%
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Figure 12.3: Mill Valley collisions by mode
road (22%), improper turning (11%), and other hazardous violations (11%). Hotspots
of bicycle collisions were located along Miller Avenue from Montford Avenue to
Camino Alto and at the intersection of East Blithedale Avenue and Lomita Drive.
Approximately 74% of the 19 pedestrians involved in collisions were crossing in a
crosswalk at the time of the collision. Almost half (47%) of collisions with pedestrians
were caused by pedestrian right-of-way violations, while 32% resulted from
pedestrian violations (pedestrians were deemed at-fault) and 11% were caused by
unsafe speeds. Pedestrian collision hot spots were located on Miller Avenue at the Mill
Valley Depot Plaza and the intersection of Miller Avenue and Reed Street.
Equity Considerations
Approximately 5% of collisions involving pedestrians and 10% of collisions involving
bicyclists involved a person of Hispanic background. Comparatively, approximately
3% of Mill Valley’s population identifies as Hispanic.
Youths and older adults were involved in a higher percentage of injury collisions
compared to countywide rates. 10% of these collisions involved youths, compared to
7% countywide; 28% involved older adults, compared to 20% for the County.
External Conditions
Approximately 31% of injury collisions in Mill Valley occurred in low-visibility
conditions. Most of these low-visibility injury collisions – 12% of all injury collisions –
occurred in the dark but in the presence of streetlights.
MV
I I ■ ■ ■ - -
- -
■ ■
2024 MARIN COUNTY LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN | 90CHAPTER 12. MILL VALLEY LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN
Throckm o r t o n A v e
rk
Old Mill Park
Camino Alto
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Mill Valley
Ca
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MILL VALLEYMIDDLE SCHOOL
EDNA MAGUIREELEMENTARYSCHOOL
PARKSCHOOL
OLD MILLSCHOOL
MOUNT
TAMALPAIS
SCHOOL
TAMALPAIS
HIGH SCHOOL
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CITY OF MILL VALLEYCITY OF MILL VALLEY
High Collision Network
Mill Valley’s High Collision Network is shown in Figure 12.4,
Table 12.1, and Table 12.2. High collision road segments and
intersections were selected countywide based on overall
collision rates at those locations and finalized through
discussions with the jurisdictions.
Figure 12.4: Mill Valley High Collision Network
LEGEND
HCN Intersection HCN Segment Boundary
0.15
I I
0.3 Miles
I I
0 -D
2024 MARIN COUNTY LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN | 91CHAPTER 12. MILL VALLEY LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN
Table 12.1: Mill Valley High Collision Network Segments
ID Location
Number of Collisions
Collision Rate Per
100 Million VMT
Pedestrian Bicycle Motorcycle Motor
Vehicle Only
Total
1 Throckmorton Avenue from Miller Avenue/Bernard
Street to Elma Street
1 1 0 1 3 153.4
2 Miller Avenue from Reed Street to Montford Avenue 3 3 0 4 10 128.7
3 Blithedale Avenue from Throckmorton Avenue to Millwood Street 4 1 1 3 9 113.4
4 Camino Alto from Miller Avenue to East Blithedale Avenue 4 4 0 15 23 102.9
5 Miller Avenue from Throckmorton Avenue to Sunnyside Avenue 4 0 0 0 4 78.8
6 Blithedale Avenue from Roque Moraes Drive to Tower Drive 0 1 2 8 11 36.8
Table 12.2: Mill Valley High Collision Network Intersections
ID Location
Number of Collisions Collision Rate Per
100 Million Entering
Vehicles
Pedestrian Bicycle Motorcycle Motor
Vehicle Only
Total
A Ashford Avenue & Meadow Drive 0 1 0 2 3 18.3
B Miller Avenue & Camino Alto 2 1 0 3 6 11.9
C Montford Avenue and Miller Avenue and La Goma Street 0 1 0 3 4 8.2
D Camino Alto and East Blithedale Avenue 1 0 0 2 3 3.1
The City’s High Collision Network includes six segments, as can be seen in the map.
Throckmorton Avenue from Miller Avenue/Bernard Street to Elma Street had the
highest collision rate for the City – 153.4 collisions per 100 million vehicle miles
traveled – making it 28th of the 70 countywide High Collision Network segments by
collision rate. Camino Alto from Miller Avenue to East Blithedale Avenue, while having
one of the lower segment rates for the City, had the most collision (23). This included
four involving bicyclists and four involving pedestrians. The one severe injury collision
occurred on Miller Street from Throckmorton Avenue to Sunnyside Avenue; this was
one of four pedestrian collisions that occurred along this segment.
Mill Valley’s High Collision Network also includes four intersections. Of these, Ashford
Avenue and Meadow Drive had the highest collision rate (18.3 collisions per 100
million entering vehicles) and ranked 30th of the County’s 92 High Collision Network
intersections. Miller Avenue and Camino Alto had the second highest rate and
highest number of collisions (11.9 collisions per 100 million entering vehicles and six
total collisions), including three involving vulnerable users.
2024 MARIN COUNTY LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN | 92CHAPTER 12. MILL VALLEY LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN
11.5 EMPHASIS AREAS
Emphasis areas provide a framework for developing and implementing strategies to
increase road user safety across the County. Potential emphasis areas were initially
identified using KSI collision data from 2012-2021 for Mill Valley in comparison
to the County as a whole, which allowed for a larger sample size of KSI collisions
to be compared. Emphasis areas were then refined through stakeholder input. A
full list of emphasis areas for the County can be found in Chapter 6. Four primary
emphasis areas were selected from this list for Mill Valley based on the City’s collision
trends, shown in Table 12.3. The following is a description of trends relating to these
emphasis areas from 2012-2021.
Table 12.3: Mill Valley primary emphasis areas
Category Primary Emphasis Area
Vulnerable Road Users Pedestrians
Collision Factors Automobile Right-of-Way
Collision Types Broadside
Rear-End
More than 8% of injury collisions and 25% of severe injury collisions in Mill Valley from
2012-2021 involved a bicyclist, which is significantly higher than the County’s rates of
6% and 12%, respectively. The proportion of bicyclist collisions increased to over 20%
in the five-year period from 2017-2021.
Automobile right-of-way violations resulted in almost 16% of Mill Valley’s injury
collisions, as well as 50% of collisions resulting in severe injury. Countywide,
meanwhile, this collision factor was responsible for 8% of KSI collisions. Automobile
right-of-way collisions were spread throughout the City with the most prominent
locations along Miller Avenue and Camino Alto.
Broadside collisions accounted for 27% of injury collisions and 50% of severe injury
collisions. Countywide, this type of collision made up 20% of injury and 13% of
severe injury collisions. Broadside collisions were most notable along Camino Alto,
particularly adjacent to the Mill Valley Shopping Center.
Almost one-third (32%) of injury collisions in the City were rear-end collisions,
compared to 25% countywide. These were most prominent at the Miller Avenue/
Camino Alto intersection as well as East Blithedale Avenue, particularly by the
commercial center by Lomita Drive.
Focusing on these primary emphasis areas can significantly contribute to eliminating
collisions in the City resulting in severe injury or fatality. However, a strategy that
includes additional emphasis areas would have additional positive effects. Table 12.4
through Table 12.7 list the goals and strategies for Mill Valley’s primary emphasis
areas. See Appendix A for more detail on countermeasures recommended as
emphasis area strategies.
Miller Avenue and Camino Alto intersection.
2024 MARIN COUNTY LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN | 93CHAPTER 12. MILL VALLEY LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN
STRATEGIES
Education •Expand Safe Routes to Schools education programming.
•Expand Street Smarts safety campaigns and consider aligning with Pedestrian Safety Month.
•Create education campaign for jurisdiction staff who operate vehicles about
the importance of safe speeds.
Enforcement •Equitably implement targeted enforcement on key collision areas which resulted in
injury pedestrian collisions.
•Prioritize enforcement of traffic laws based on likelihood of behavior causing an injury collision.
Engineering •In conjunction with other strategies, install countermeasures focused on reducing the likelihood and
severity of collisions between automobiles and pedestrians and increasing driver awareness
of pedestrians.
•Provide low stress, all ages and abilities infrastructure connectivity for pedestrians,
particularly within one mile of schools and along key active transportation routes.
•Develop countywide street lighting standards.
•Implement pedestrian safety countermeasures in all improvement and maintenance projects.
•Develop and implement a Construction Accessibility Policy to maintain accessibility during
construction and maintenance projects.
Emergency
Response
•Install emergency vehicle preemption systems.
•Improve resources for deploying emergency responses to collision sites.
•Ensure that emergency routes are clear and well defined.
•Consider targeted training for responding to specific high incident locations and treatment of
predominant injury types at those locations.
Emerging
Technology
•Implement new technologies to make pedestrian crossings safer and more comfortable
(e.g., automated pedestrian detection at signalized intersections, etc.).
•Deploy collision-prevention technology at signalized intersections.
•Utilize technologies such as video data and crowdsourcing to track and address near misses.
•Conduct in-depth analyses of pedestrian collision trends at hot spot locations to inform strategy
implementation.
Table 12.4: Mill Valley pedestrians primary emphasis area goals & strategies
EMPHASIS AREA: PEDESTRIANS
GOAL: Eliminate fatal & severe injury collisions involving pedestrianss by 2050.
2024 MARIN COUNTY LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN | 94CHAPTER 12. MILL VALLEY LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN
STRATEGIES
Education •Conduct public information and education campaigns for intersection safety laws regarding traffic lights,
stop signs, turning left or right, distracted driving, and pedestrian right-of-way.
Enforcement •Equitably implement targeted enforcement at high injury locations where automobile right-of-way
violations are high.
•Consider use of technology to support automated enforcement at key locations; consider supporting
legislation to allow automated enforcement.
Engineering •In conjunction with other strategies, install countermeasures focused on reducing behaviors resulting
in automobile ROW violations such as signal head improvements, advanced dilemma zone technology,
roundabouts, etc.
Emergency
Response
•Install emergency vehicle preemption systems.
•Improve resources for deploying emergency responses to collision sites.
•Ensure that emergency routes are clear and well defined.
•Consider targeted training for responding to specific high incident locations and treatment of
predominant injury types at those locations.
Emerging
Technology
•Deploy collision-prevention technology at signalized intersections.
•Utilize technologies such as video data and crowdsourcing to track and address near misses.
•Engage in legislative advocacy to seek state law change allowing automated speed cameras and
allowing the resulting citations to be handled as local municipal code violations rather than vehicle code
violations.
Table 12.5: Mill Valley automobile right-of-way primary emphasis area goals & strategies
EMPHASIS AREA: AUTOMOBILE RIGHT-OF-WAY
GOAL: Eliminate fatal & severe injury collisions involving automobile right-of-way.
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2024 MARIN COUNTY LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN | 95CHAPTER 12. MILL VALLEY LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN
STRATEGIES
Education • Expand the Street Smarts program.
Enforcement • Equitably implement targeted enforcement at high injury locations where violations that
lead to broadside collisions are more common, such as automobile right of way and traffic
signal/stop sign violations.
Engineering • Implement countermeasures focused on designing and improving intersections to encourage
drivers to make safe turns (e.g., roundabouts and protected intersections/corners).
• Consider modifying traffic signal timing with longer clearance intervals such as with
advanced dilemma zone detection.
Emergency
Response
• Install emergency vehicle preemption systems.
• Consider targeted training for responding to specific high incident locations and treatment of
predominant injury types at those locations.
• Improve resources for deploying emergency responses to collision sites.
• Ensure that emergency routes are clear and well defined.
Emerging
Technology
• Deploy collision-prevention technology at signalized intersections.
• Utilize technologies such as video data and crowdsourcing to track and address near misses.
Table 12.6: Mill Valley broadside collisions primary emphasis area goals & strategies
EMPHASIS AREA: BROADSIDE COLLISIONS
GOAL: Eliminate fatal & severe injury collisions involving broadside collisions by 2050.
2024 MARIN COUNTY LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN | 96CHAPTER 12. MILL VALLEY LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN
STRATEGIES
Education •Partner with local businesses and community organizations to educate the public a
bout distracted driving.
•Expand the Street Smarts program.
Enforcement •Equitably implement targeted distracted driving enforcement at high injury locations
where rearend collisions are more common.
Engineering •Install countermeasures focused on designing and improving roadways that lead to
more appropriate speeds to the surrounding land uses.
Emergency
Response
•Install emergency vehicle preemption systems.
•Improve resources for deploying emergency responses to collision sites.
•Ensure that emergency routes are clear and well defined.
•Consider targeted training for responding to specific high incident locations and treatment of
predominant injury types at those locations.
Emerging
Technology
•Deploy collision-prevention technology at signalized intersections.
•Utilize technologies such as video data and crowdsourcing to track and address near misses.
Table 12.7: Mill Valley rear end collisions primary emphasis area goals & strategies
EMPHASIS AREA: REAR END COLLISIONS
GOAL: Eliminate fatal & severe injury collisions involving rear end collisions by 2050.
2024 MARIN COUNTY LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN | 97CHAPTER 12. MILL VALLEY LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN
12.6 PRIORITY PROJECTS
Following the identification of the High Collision Network, the collision patterns
at these intersections and segments were analyzed to determine potential
countermeasures. In collaboration with the City, a subset of priority project locations
was selected to recommend specific improvements based on the collision rates,
trends, and potential improvement impacts. These are locations where site-specific
engineering improvements can have a substantial effect in achieving the LRSP’s goals.
In Mill Valley, the priority locations and projects are as follows:
Miller Avenue from Reed Street to Montford Avenue (Segment)
Study intersections, develop and implement recommended improvements
Analyze collision reports for this HCN arterial that accommodates buffered Class
II bicycle lanes and is key access route for the community, looking for causes
and patterns that can reduce or eliminate the number of collisions with best
engineering practices. Develop and implement recommended mitigations.
Throckmorton Avenue from Miller Avenue/Bernard Street to Elma
Street (Segment)
Study intersections, develop and implement recommended improvements
Analyze collision reports from this HCN segment that serves a community park,
library, elementary school, and downtown business district and serves as a main
evacuation route for multiple neighborhoods, looking for causes and patterns
that can be mitigated with best engineering practices. Develop and implement
recommended mitigations.
Miller Avenue at Camino Alto, Montford Avenue/Locust Avenue,
High School Parking Lot, & Almonte Boulevard (Intersections)
Study intersections, develop and implement recommended improvements
Various concepts that may be implemented include, but are not limited to, traffic
circles, traffic signals, roadway geometry modification, pedestrian railings, bulb-
outs, addition of crosswalks, etc. as necessary to improve safe access through the
intersections.
2024 MARIN COUNTY LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN | 98CHAPTER 12. MILL VALLEY LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN
Marin’s Transportation Sales Tax
MEAS U R E
V O T ER APPROVED
Marin’s Vehicle Registration Fee
BMEASURE
V O T ER APPROVED
12.7 IMPLEMENTATION & EVALUATION
A number of considerations must be proactively managed to successfully implement
the strategies presented in the LRSP. Successful implementation requires adequate
funding, coordination, and partnerships, and can be supported by policies at both the
jurisdiction and county levels.
IMPLEMENTATION
Next Steps & Timeline for Implementation
The next steps for implementation should focus on developing specific programs
and projects from the LRSP recommendations:
Identify an “agency champion” to advance each LRSP priority recommendation.
This agency generally would assume the primary role in program/project
development
Further define each priority recommendation (or if appropriate, bundle several
recommendations together) into a discrete program or project with a specific
scope of improvements
Allocate initial funding to complete basic program/project development tasks,
such as conceptual planning, feasibility assessments, cost estimation, and
agency coordination
These initial development steps will allow lead agencies to define specific programs
and projects and prepare them for inclusion in competitive funding applications,
regional transportation plans, and local capital improvement plans (CIPs).
The strategies introduced in this document may be implemented in different phases.
Short-term implementation would generally occur in less than five years from
completion of the LRSP. These actions include low-cost engineering treatments that
can be constructed relatively quickly, such as striping projects, signal optimizations,
and quick-build infrastructure. Additional short-term strategies could include scaling
up existing programs and implementing enforcement activities.
Medium-term implementation typically would occur between five and ten years after
LRSP development. This may include progressive and scaled-up safety elements as
well as larger projects that require more resources to design and construct. Policy
changes also could be implemented in this timeframe.
In the long term (generally 10 years or more), implementation may focus on further
emphasizing safety in future planning and design efforts.
Funding Sources & Strategies
Obtaining funding is critical for plan implementation. The County and its jurisdictions
can pursue funding at various levels depending on their needs. Identification of
funding sources and opportunities can be focused on the following:
Federal and state grant opportunities, including the Highway Safety
Improvement Program, Safe Streets & Roads for All, and the
Active Transportation Program
Regional funding opportunities, including funding opportunities resulting from
Marin County’s Measure AA sales tax and Measure B vehicle registration fees
Local fund contributions from TAM, the County, and its jurisdictions to
support countywide programs
Capital improvement projects, such as repaving efforts into which safety
upgrades could be bundled
California Active
Transportation Program
2024 MARIN COUNTY LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN | 99CHAPTER 12. MILL VALLEY LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN
The following strategies can help to increase the likelihood of success in competitive
funding applications:
Pursue the highest-priority, highest-benefit projects and programs. These tend
to be the most competitive in grant programs, driven by strong results in the
benefit-cost analyses that are often required. In addition, showing funding
partners that the County and local jurisdictions have thought carefully about the
highest-value ways to direct resources can inspire confidence from these federal
and state entities
Partner across jurisdictions to greatly strengthen applications for competitive
funding. Some potential partners for local jurisdictions include the County,
TAM, Marin Transit, or relevant community-based organizations. Beyond
grant applications, these jurisdictional partnerships also could include more
formalized memoranda of understanding to share the costs of planning, design,
construction, or operations
Leverage local funding for projects and aim to provide close to 50 percent of
total project costs from these local funds. This type of commitment will increase
competitiveness when applying for discretionary funds at the federal and state levels
Pursue multiple funding sources. Infrastructure programs and projects often
require agencies to leverage many sources to meet project budgets, especially
given the uncertainty of competitive funding programs
Coordination & Partnership
Coordination and partnership among diverse stakeholders are essential for the
success of the LRSP. Within jurisdictions, collaboration and partnership between
public works, law enforcement, bicycle/pedestrian advisory committees, and others
can ensure that road user safety is systematically addressed.
Additional countywide partnerships could also be considered to track funding and
project implementation. These partnerships could take the following forms:
Jurisdictional partnerships to prepare joint grant applications and potentially
share program/project costs
Countywide bicycle working committee including representatives from existing
groups from various jurisdictions to further develop program/project concepts,
track funding opportunities, and monitor overall progress toward LRSP goals
Task force to audit countywide projects and programs related to bicycle safety,
review collision trend data, and make recommendations on preventing future
collisions
Policy Support
Whether at the county or jurisdiction levels, the LRSP strategy implementation can be
facilitated by supportive policies. Policies to consider include establishing clear goals
for regional connectivity through a countywide bicycle master planning process,
parking policies, and traffic calming policies. Having clear policies can pave the way
for related safety improvements.
EVALUATION
It will be important to evaluate progress towards meeting the LRSP’s goals. Evaluation
allows the County and its jurisdictions to monitor safety conditions over time and
make strategy adjustments as necessary.
In order to understand progress and safety conditions, specific outcome metrics
should be used when evaluating the LRSP’s progress. Foremost among these should
be the number of KSI collisions in each jurisdiction, as this corresponds directly to
the LRSP goals. Additional metrics could be the number of non-KSI injury collisions
and collisions related to each emphasis area. If feasible, metrics should be tracked
every two years. If not tracked bi-annually, this data can be collected and summarized
during the next LRSP update to help when applying for funding.
Regularly updating the LRSP will allow the plan and its strategies to be revised based
on the evaluation results. The LRSP should be updated every four years or as needed.
2024 MARIN COUNTY LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN | 100CHAPTER 13. NOVATO LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN
13. NOVATO LOCAL ROAD SAFETY
13.1 INTRODUCTION
The City of Novato is located in northern Marin County. The City is split by Highway
101 and is bordered by unincorporated Marin County on all sides except for a short
eastern segment bordering the San Pablo Bay. Novato is the largest Marin County
incorporated city or town by area, at almost 27.5 square miles, and the second
largest in terms of population with approximately 52,700 residents.1 Due to its large
area, Novato has a relatively low population density, ranking 10th of the county’s 11
incorporated jurisdictions with a density of fewer than 1,920 residents per square mile.
A Local Road Safety Plan (LRSP) is a plan that provides a framework to identify,
analyze, and prioritize roadway safety improvements on local and rural roads to
increase safety for all road users. The LRSP facilitates local agency partnerships and
collaboration to systematically address road safety issues, ultimately resulting in a
list of prioritized projects and actions that can be used to obtain federal funding.
The LRSP provides a proactive approach to address safety needs and demonstrates
agency responsiveness to safety challenges. A living document, the LRSP can be
revised as needed to reflect evolving trends, community needs, and priorities.
This chapter presents the vision statement and goals, summarizes collision data,
identifies emphasis areas, recommends high priority project locations, and outlines
the implementation and evaluation strategies for the City of Novato.
13.2 VISION & GOALS
Novato’s vision for this LRSP was developed through feedback with the Technical
Advisory Committee (TAC) and Marin County jurisdictions, which are described
in Chapter 3. The vision statement reflects the city’s commitment to Vision Zero,
an international strategy to eliminate all traffic fatalities and severe injuries while
increasing safe, healthy, and equitable mobility for all. The vision statement
recognizes that, while aspirational, to work towards anything less than an end to
1 United States Census Bureau 2021
2024 MARIN COUNTY LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN | 101CHAPTER 13. NOVATO LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN
traffic fatalities and severe injuries would not be appropriate. The accompanying
goals represent a path forward to achieving this vision.
Vision Statement
The City of Novato strives to eliminate collision-related fatalities and severe injuries by
proactively and equitably pursuing a safe systems approach prioritizing road safety
for all users.
GOALS
Systematically implement proven safety solutions, initiatives, policies, and
programs to eliminate preventable fatal & severe collisions by 2050.
Utilize a multi-faceted approach that spans jurisdictions and
encompasses diverse strategies including engineering, education,
public health, and enforcement.
Implement improvements that promote and support safe travel for vulnerable
users including people walking and bicycling, children, older adults, and people
with disabilities.
Ensure that multimodal safety investments are made in a manner that is fair and
equitable for all Novato residents.
13.3 EXISTING EFFORTS
In recent years, Novato’s efforts to improve safety have been most visible through
a range of plans and programs. This chapter describes plans, studies, and programs
supporting safety in Novato.
PLANS & STUDIES
Systemic Safety Analysis Report (2018)
The 2018 Marin County Systemic Safety Analysis Report (SSAR) provided a large-
scale systemic safety analysis of roadways across Marin County to help drive future
improvement projects, grant applications, and traffic safety outreach programs for
Marin County’s 11 jurisdictions and unincorporated areas. The analysis was funded
through the California Systemic Safety Analysis Report Program and produced by the
Marin County Department of Public Works. The project also involved collaboration
with various town and city police departments, the Marin County Sheriff, and the
California Highway Patrol. A Technical Advisory Committee was formed to help guide
the process and was comprised of representatives from the Marin Public Works
Association, Transportation Authority of Marin, and Marin General Hospital. This LRSP
serves as an update to portions of the SSAR.
Bicycle/Pedestrian Plan (2015)
The Plan provides for a recommended citywide network of sidewalks, bicycle
paths, lanes, and routes, along with pedestrian and bicycle related programs and
support facilities, intended to ensure bicycling and walking become more viable
transportation option for people who live, work, and recreate in Novato. The plan
sought input from the Complete Streets and Pathways Oversight Committee, City
staff, public workshops, and previous plans.
Community-Based Transportation Plan (2015)
The Novato Community-Based Transportation Plan was part of an effort by the
Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) and TAM to identify barriers to
mobility and work to overcome them. The plan resulted from a collaborative
planning process that involved residents in minority and low-income communities,
the community and faith-based organizations that serve them, transit operators,
county congestion management agencies, MTC, and TAM. It describes existing
conditions, community input, recommended improvements, and considerations for
implementation.
Novato
Fairfax
San RafaelSan Anselmo
Mill Valley
Corte
Madera
Tiburon
Ross
Larkspur
0%
2%
4%
6%
8%
10%
12%
14%
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Total Crashes
Total KSI Crashes
Pedestrian inCrosswalk
Pedestrian not inCrosswalk
Other
3%
3%
5%
38%
100% 100% 100% 100%
8%
6% 7%
14% 18%
29% 5%
38% 22% 6%
5% 43% 38%
3% 34%
1% 54%
5%
8%
8%
CRASH TYPES BY MODE:
RATIOS OF ALL COLLISIONS
Motorvehicle proceeding straight
Motorvehicle making left turn
Motorvehicle making right turn
Head-On
Sideswipe
Hit Object
Broadside
Rear End
Overturned
Other *
One square = One Collision * “Other” is one of the eight crash type options for police ocers to designate on collision reports. Collisions designated as “Other” are included in the auto portion of the collisions by mode chart above.
CRASH TYPES .,,,, ~ 1'f'
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2024 MARIN COUNTY LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN | 102CHAPTER 13. NOVATO LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN
PROGRAMS
Safe Routes to Schools
Marin County’s Safe Routes to Schools (SR2S) is
a program of TAM. TAM has created a long-term,
sustainable program that is institutionalized in schools
with strong community involvement. SR2S began
in 2000 as a pilot program in select towns. Today
it operates in all Marin County jurisdictions and Unincorporated Marin in over 55
schools, serving a total population of over 29,000 students. Among its many activities,
SR2S provides professional instructors to teach safe bicycling and pedestrian
safety skills and oversees volunteers in promoting the program through contests,
events, and regular submissions to school newsletters. SR2S also identifies potential
infrastructure projects to address school travel safety issues.
Street Smarts Marin
Street Smarts is a traffic safety program run by TAM that
educates drivers, pedestrians, and bicyclists about safety issues
including distracted driving. The goal is to encourage people to
adopt new attitudes and behaviors that will reduce the number
of collisions and make the streets safer for everyone. The
program incorporates physical banners and social media posts
to spread its messages about key safety behaviors. The program
incorporates physical banners and social media posts to spread
its messages about key safety behaviors. The program began in
2009 and includes one to two rollouts per year.
Transportation Authority of Marin Crossing Guard Program
TAM’s crossing guard program provides trained crossing guards at key intersections
throughout Marin County. This is a key component of the Safe Routes to Schools
program as crossing guards help reduce the reluctance that some parents may feel
towards allowing their children to walk or bicycle to school. The program began in
2006 with 54 crossing guards and in the 2023/2024 school year 105 crossing guard
locations will be active. TAM contracts with a professional company that specializes in
crossing guard programs and uses a data-driven evaluation process to select the sites
at which guards are located.
ENGINEERING IMPROVEMENTS
Diablo Avenue-De Long Avenue Corridor Enhancements (2023)
The project proposed several traffic safety elements to be installed to calm arterial
traffic and improve pedestrian access by shortening pedestrian crossing distances
and increasing the visibility of traffic signals. De Long Avenue-Diablo Avenue is a
multi-lane arterial that carries regional traffic through Novato and connects with
Highway 101. The corridor is also an important east-west connection for bicyclists
and pedestrians and is located one block from downtown Novato and Novato’s
transit center. Because of both the collision data and residents’ concerns, project
improvements along De Long Avenue-Diablo Avenue represent one of the City of
Novato’s top priorities for enhancing safety.
Novato Boulevard Improvements (2023)
The project included improvements to Novato Boulevard between Grant Avenue
and Diablo Avenue to provide two through travel lanes (one in each direction) and
a center, two-way left-turn lane between Diablo Avenue and 7th Street-Tamalpais
Avenue, a second northbound through-travel lane between Boulevard Terrace and
7th Street-Tamalpais Avenue, and three through-travel lanes (two northbound and
one southbound) and a center, two-way left-turn lane between 7th Street-Tamalpais
Avenue and Grant Avenue. The project included other improvements such as new and
reconstructed sidewalks, new bicycle lanes, reconstructed driveways, landscaping,
and water quality enhancement areas.
Rowland Boulevard Improvement Project (2021)
This project included construction of a multi-use path, enhanced crosswalks, and
traffic operations improvements along Rowland Boulevard from the southbound
Highway 101 ramps to Vintage Way.
Pedestrian Access to Transit & Crosswalk Improvements (2018)
This project filled sidewalk gaps, upgraded accessible curb ramps and accessibility
features, added a median pedestrian refuge and rectangular rapid flashing beacons,
and updated striping, signs and pavement markings at several locations including
DeLong Avenue, Diablo Avenue, and Redwood Boulevard.
Street Smarts Marin is a program of
Eyes Up, Marin
NOVATO SUPPORTS
WALK
BIKE
DRIVE
SMART
SAFE ROUTES
TO SCHOOLS
MARIN COUNTY
2024 MARIN COUNTY LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN | 103CHAPTER 13. NOVATO LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN
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CITY OF NOVATOCITY OF NOVATO
LEGEND
Fatality Severe Injury Other Visible Injury Complaint of Pain Boundary
13.4 DATA
SUMMARY
This analysis considered
reported collisions on non-
state arterial and collector
roads resulting in injury or
fatality. Arterial roads are
high-capacity roads that carry
longer-distance vehicle flows
between centers of activity.
Collector roads have low to
moderate capacity and serve as
connectors between local roads
and arterials. For the purpose of the
following data summary, “all collisions” refers to
collisions resulting in injury (regardless of severity)
or fatality, unless otherwise specified. A subset of
these collisions resulted in a severe injury or fatality:
these are referred to as “KSI collisions” (resulting in a
person being Killed or Severely Injured). Finally, “fatal
collisions” refers to any collision resulting in a fatality.
From 2017-2021, 412 reported injury collisions occurred
on non-state arterial and collector roadways in Novato
(Figure 13.1). Of these, there were 18 (4%) collisions
resulting in a severe injury and 6 (1.5%) resulting in a fatality.
This marks a 24% decrease from 2012-2016, which saw 544
injury collisions. It also marks a one percentage point decrease
in the percentage of collisions resulting in a severe injury
compared to the previous five-year period. However, there were
two additional fatal collisions during the more recent period.
Figure 13.1: Novato collisions by severity
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2024 MARIN COUNTY LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN | 104CHAPTER 13. NOVATO LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN
Primary Collision Factors
Four primary collision factors were responsible for approximately 68% of collisions
in Novato (Figure 13.2). Unsafe speeds resulted in approximately 27%. Automobile
right-of-way violations (collisions where drivers did not yield to another driver
with the right-of-way) and improper turning resulted in 18% and 1% of collisions,
respectively. Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol caused 11% of injury
collisions in the City, compared to just 8% countywide. Half of the City’s fatal collisions
were caused by a pedestrian violation (pedestrians were deemed to be at fault); one-
third resulted from driving under the influence, while the remaining were caused by
unsafe speed.
Figure 13.2: Top 10 primary collision factors
Road User Types
Figure 13.3 shows collisions by mode. Approximately 68% of collisions in Novato
involved vehicles only, compared to 60% countywide. About twelve percent (12%)
involved pedestrians (14% of which resulted in severe injury), 11% involved bicyclists,
and 8% involved motorcyclists. Of the six fatal collisions during the study period, four
involved a pedestrian, one involved a motorcycle, and one involved a solo motorist.
Figure 13.3: Novato collisions by mode
Of Novato’s 47 collisions involving a bicyclist, 35 involved a motor vehicle, nine were
solo bicycle collisions, and three involved a motorcycle. Bicyclist collisions with motor
vehicles tended to result from improper turning (22%), automobile right-of-way
violations (16%), driving on the wrong side of the road (13%), and unsafe speed
(13%). Hot spots of bicycle collisions were located along Diablo Avenue in Downtown
Novato and around the Novato Boulevard and Simmons Lane intersection.
Approximately 64% of the 49 pedestrians involved in collisions were crossing in a
crosswalk at the time of the collision, while 19% were in the road and 10% were
crossing without a crosswalk. Approximately 56% of collisions with pedestrians were
caused by pedestrian right-of-way violations, when a driver did not properly yield
to a pedestrian. Another 17% resulted from pedestrian violations (collisions where
pedestrians were deemed to be at fault). Pedestrian collision hot spots were located
along Diablo Avenue between Center Road and Redwood Boulevard and along Grant
Avenue between Reichert Avenue and Fourth Street.
Approximately 69% of motorcycle collisions involved a motor vehicle, while 22%
were solo motorcycle collisions. Motorcycle/vehicle collisions were mainly caused by
automobile right-of-way violation (35%), unsafe speed (25%), and improper turning
(14%). Half of solo motorcycle collisions resulted from unsafe speed, while another
28% were from improper turning. Motorcycle collisions were spread throughout
the City, particularly along South Novato Boulevard and Redwood Boulevard in
downtown Novato.
All Collisions KSI Collisions Fatal Collisions
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2024 MARIN COUNTY LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN | 105CHAPTER 13. NOVATO LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN
Equity Considerations
Novato has a relatively high proportion of active transportation users of Hispanic
descent involved in collisions in the City compared to other jurisdictions.
Approximately 20% of pedestrian collisions and 17% of bicycle collisions involved
Hispanic people. Given that approximately 22% of the population is Hispanic or
Latino, this elevated rate can be somewhat expected. While 4% of the population is
African American, people with this background made up 8% of collisions involving
bicyclists. Hot spots of Hispanic and African American active transportation user
collisions were in downtown Novato around the Grant Avenue and Redwood
Boulevard intersection; the intersections of Novato Boulevard with Wilson Avenue
and Simmons Lane; and in the vicinity of the South Novato Boulevard and Rowland
Boulevard intersection.
Bus stops at the intersections of Diablo Avenue and George Street and Novato
Boulevard and Wilson Avenue were the sites of two pedestrian collisions each. The
former location is adjacent to a supermarket and can therefore be expected to be
used by shoppers who do not own or choose not to use vehicles. While it is unclear
whether the victims of these collisions were using transit, active transportation user
collisions near transit speak to a potential equity concern.
Youths and older adults were involved in a higher percentage of severe injury and
fatality collisions compared to countywide rates. 17% of these collisions involved
youths, compared to just 3% countywide; 13% involved older adults, compared to
11% for the County.
External Conditions
Approximately half of KSI collisions resulting in severe injury or fatality in Novato
occurred in low-visibility conditions. Most of these collisions (38%) occurred in the
dark but in the presence of streetlights. Approximately 4% occurred in the presence
of streetlights that were not functioning: these were located on Redwood Boulevard
between Atherton Avenue and Escallonia Drive.
2024 MARIN COUNTY LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN | 106CHAPTER 13. NOVATO LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN
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CITY OF NOVATOCITY OF NOVATO
Figure 13.4: Novato High Collision Network
High Collision Network
Novato’s High Collision Network is shown in Figure
13.4, Table 13.1, and Table 13.2. High collision
road segments and intersections were selected
countywide based on overall collision rates at those
locations and were finalized based on discussions
with the jurisdictions.
LEGEND
HCN Intersection HCN Segment Boundary0 -D
2024 MARIN COUNTY LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN | 107CHAPTER 13. NOVATO LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN
Table 13.1: Novato High Collision Network Segments
ID Location
Number of Collisions
Collision Rate Per
100 Million VMT
Pedestrian Bicycle Motorcycle Motor
Vehicle Only
Total
1 Wilson Avenue from Center Road to Novato Boulevard 1 2 1 4 8 284.2
2 Redwood Boulevard from Diablo Avenue/De Long Avenue
to Olive Avenue 4 3 4 13 24 239.8
3 Grant Avenue from Monterey Court to Redwood Boulevard 6 2 3 9 20 197.0
4 Olive Avenue from Third Street to Summers Avenue 1 2 1 12 16 187.7
5 Novato Boulevard from Nave Court to Tamalpais Avenue 2 0 4 22 28 161.0
6 Rowland Boulevard from Leafwood Drive to Vintage Way 1 2 1 13 17 152.5
7 Center Road from Sutro Avenue to Wilson Avenue 1 3 1 5 10 139.6
8 Center Road from McClay Road to S. Novato Boulevard 4 2 2 8 16 138.5
9 Novato Boulevard from Tamalpais Avenue/Seventh Street
to Grant Avenue 0 1 0 11 12 136.3
10 Diablo Avenue from Center Road to Reichert Avenue 6 1 3 22 32 126.7
11 San Marin Drive from Novato Boulevard/Sutro Avenue
to San Carlos Way 1 4 3 8 16 125.1
12 Ignacio Boulevard from Nave Drive to Entrada Drive 4 2 0 11 17 104.5
13 Sunset Parkway from Monte Maria Avenue to Cambridge Street 0 4 1 5 10 91.1
14 Nave Drive from Bolling Drive to NB Alameda Del Prado 1 2 0 1 4 54.6
15 Nave Drive from Hamilton Parkway to Roblar Drive 0 1 0 2 3 25.9
2024 MARIN COUNTY LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN | 108CHAPTER 13. NOVATO LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN
Table 13.2: Novato High Collision Network Segments
ID Location
Number of Collisions
Collision Rate Per
100 Million Entering
Vehicles
Pedestrian Bicycle Motorcycle Motor
Vehicle Only
Total
A Olive Avenue & Railroad Avenue 0 2 0 1 3 27.9
B Vallejo Avenue & Third Street 0 0 0 2 2 21.1
C Arthur Street & Washington Street 0 0 0 2 2 18.8
D Olive Avenue & Chase Street 0 0 0 2 2 18.4
E Center Road & Diablo Avenue 2 0 0 1 3 15.2
F Redwood Boulevard & Hill Road 0 0 0 3 3 14.7
G Main Gate Road & Randolph Drive 0 0 0 2 2 13.6
H Novato Boulevard & Tamalpais Avenue & Seventh Street 0 0 0 5 5 11.7
I Grant Avenue & Redwood Boulevard 2 0 0 2 4 11.2
J San Marin Drive & Redwood Boulevard 0 1 1 3 5 9.1
K Novato Boulevard & Simmons Lane 1 2 0 0 3 8.6
L Rowland Boulevard & Redwood Boulevard 0 0 0 4 4 8.1
M Diablo Avenue & Redwood Boulevard & De Long Avenue 1 0 0 4 5 7.6
N De Long Avenue & Reichert Avenue 0 0 0 4 4 7.1
O Novato Boulevard & Diablo Avenue 0 0 1 2 3 5.7
P Ignacio Boulevard & Bel Marin Keys Boulevard and
Nave Drive & Highway 101 0 0 0 2 2 3.9
Q Grant Avenue & Seventh Street 0 0 0 1 1 3.8
R Diablo Avenue & George Street 1 0 0 0 1 3.4
2024 MARIN COUNTY LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN | 109CHAPTER 13. NOVATO LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN
The City’s High Collision Network includes 15 road segments. These account for
over one-fifth (21%) of the 70 countywide high collision network segments. Of
these segments, two have collision rates in the top 20 segments countywide. Wilson
Avenue from Center Street to Novato Boulevard had eight collisions and a rate of
284.2 collisions per 100 million vehicle miles traveled. Half of these involved collisions
with vulnerable road users, with two bicycle collisions, one pedestrian collision, and
one motorcycle collision. Redwood Boulevard from Diablo Avenue/De Long Avenue
to Olive Avenue had 24 collisions and a rate of 239.8 collisions per 100 million vehicle
miles traveled. Approximately 40% of collisions on this segment involved vulnerable
road users. Diablo Avenue from Center Road to Reichert Avenue had the highest
number of collisions of any segment in Novato, with 32 total collisions, including six
involving pedestrians.
Novato’s High Collision Network also includes 18 intersections. Olive Avenue and
Railroad Avenue ranked ninth of the County’s 92 High Collision Network intersections
with a rate of 27.9 collisions per 100 million entering vehicles. Two of the three
collisions at this intersection involved a bicyclist. Vallejo Avenue and Third Street also
ranked in the top 20 with a rate of 21.1 collisions per 100 million vehicles entering.
Three intersections had the highest number of collisions in the City, with five each
at Novato Boulevard/Tamalpais Avenue/Seventh Street, San Marin Drive/Redwood
Boulevard, and Diablo Avenue/Redwood Boulevard/De Long Avenue. Most of these
collisions involved motor vehicles only.
Diablo Avenue and Redwood Boulevard and De Long Avenue
was the site of five collisions from 2017-2021.
Thirty-two collisions occurred on Diablo Avenue from
Center Road to Reichert Avenue during the five-year study period.
2024 MARIN COUNTY LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN | 110CHAPTER 13. NOVATO LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN
Category Primary Emphasis Area
Vulnerable Road Users Pedestrians
Collision Factors Automobile Right-of-Way
Impaired Driving or Bicycling
Improper Turning
Collision Types Broadside
External Conditions Dark Conditions
13.5 EMPHASIS AREAS
Emphasis areas provide a framework for developing and implementing strategies to
increase road user safety across the County. Potential emphasis areas were initially
identified using severe injury and fatality collision data from 2012-2021 for Novato
in comparison to the County as a whole, which allowed for a larger sample size of KSI
collisions to be compared. Emphasis areas were then refined through stakeholder
input. A full list of emphasis areas for the County can be found in Chapter 6. Six
primary emphasis areas were selected from this list for Novato based on the City’s
collision trends, shown in Table 13.3. The following is a description of trends relating
to these emphasis areas from 2012-2021.
Table 13.3: Novato primary emphasis areas
More than 7% of total injury collisions and 26% of KSI collisions in Novato from 2012-
2021 involved a pedestrian; this is significantly higher than the County’s rates of 6%
and 12%, respectively, during this same time period. The pedestrian collision rate
increased to over 12% of all injury collisions when considering only the most recent
five years of data.
Automobile right-of-way violations resulted in almost 19% of Novato’s injury
collisions, as well as 14% of KSI collisions. Countywide, meanwhile, this collision
factor was responsible for 8% of KSI collisions. Automobile right-of-way collisions
were spread throughout the City with the most prominent locations along Novato
Boulevard.
Driving or bicycling under the influence resulted in almost one quarter (24%) of KSI
collisions in Novato, compared to just 10% countywide. Over the past five years this
proportion has jumped to almost 30% while the County average has increased to
12%. Almost 40% of these collisions involved solo motor vehicles.
Improper turning caused almost 12% of KSI collisions in Novato. While this is below
the countywide rate of 20%, the City felt that this was an important issue to address.
Broadside collisions accounted for 24% of injury collisions and 19% of severe injury
and fatality collisions. Countywide, this type of collision made up 20% of injury and
13% of KSI collisions. Broadside collisions were most notable at the intersections of
Redwood Boulevard and Grant Avenue; Redwood Boulevard and Diablo Avenue; and
on Novato Boulevard between Diablo Avenue and Nave Court.
From 2012-2021, approximately 43% of KSI collisions occurred under dark conditions.
This rate is significantly higher than the countywide rate of 30%.
Focusing on these primary emphasis areas can significantly contribute to eliminating
collisions in the City resulting in severe injury or fatality. However, a strategy that
includes additional emphasis areas would have additional positive effects. Table 13.4
through Table 13.9 list the goals and strategies for Novato’s primary emphasis areas.
See Appendix A for more detail on countermeasures recommended as emphasis area
strategies.
2024 MARIN COUNTY LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN | 111CHAPTER 13. NOVATO LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN
STRATEGIES
Education • Expand the Safe Routes to Schools education programming.
• Expand Street Smarts safety campaigns and consider aligning with Pedestrian Safety Month.
• Create education campaign for jurisdiction staff who operate vehicles about the importance of safe speeds.
Enforcement • Equitably implement targeted enforcement on key collision areas which resulted in injury pedestrian collisions.
• Prioritize enforcement of traffic laws based on likelihood of behavior causing an injury collision.
Engineering • Install countermeasures focused on reducing the likelihood and severity of collisions between automobiles and pedestrians and increasing driver
awareness of pedestrians.
• Provide low stress, all ages and abilities infrastructure connectivity for pedestrians, particularly within one mile of schools and along key active
transportation routes.
• Develop countywide street lighting standards.
• Implement pedestrian safety countermeasures in all improvement and maintenance projects.
• Develop and implement a Construction Accessibility Policy to maintain accessibility during construction and maintenance projects.
Emergency
Response
• Install emergency vehicle preemption systems.
• Improve resources for deploying emergency responses to collision sites.
• Ensure that emergency routes are clear and well defined.
• Consider targeted training for responding to specific high incident locations and treatment of predominant injury types at those locations.
Emerging
Technology
• Implement new technologies to make pedestrian crossings safer and more comfortable
(e.g., automated pedestrian detection at signalized intersections, etc.).
• Deploy collision-prevention technology at signalized intersections.
• Utilize technologies such as video data and crowdsourcing to track and address near misses.
• Conduct in-depth analyses of pedestrian collision trends at hot spot locations to inform strategy implementation.
Table 13.4: Novato pedestrian primary emphasis area goal, & strategies
EMPHASIS AREA: PEDESTRIANS
GOAL: Reduce fatal & severe injury collisions involving pedestrians 30% by 2030.
Reduce fatal & severe injury collisions involving pedestrians 50% by 2040.
Eliminate fatal & severe injury collisions involving pedestrians by 2050.
2024 MARIN COUNTY LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN | 112CHAPTER 13. NOVATO LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN
STRATEGIES
Education • Conduct public information and education campaigns for intersection safety laws regarding traffic lights,
stop signs, turning left or right, distracted driving, and pedestrian right-of-way.
Enforcement • Equitably implement targeted enforcement at high injury locations where automobile right-of-way
violations are high.
• Consider use of technology to support automated enforcement at key locations; consider supporting
legislation to allow automated enforcement.
Engineering • In conjunction with other strategies, install countermeasures focused on reducing behaviors resulting
in automobile ROW violations such as signal head improvements, advanced dilemma zone technology,
roundabouts, etc.
Emergency
Response
• Install emergency vehicle preemption systems.
• Improve resources for deploying emergency responses to collision sites.
• Ensure that emergency routes are clear and well defined.
• Consider targeted training for responding to specific high incident locations and treatment of
predominant injury types at those locations.
Emerging
Technology
• Deploy collision-prevention technology at signalized intersections.
• Utilize technologies such as video data and crowdsourcing to track and address near misses.
• Engage in legislative advocacy to seek state law change allowing automated speed cameras and
allowing the resulting citations to be handled as local municipal code violations rather than vehicle code
violations.
Table 13.5: Novato automobile right-of-way primary emphasis area goals & strategies
EMPHASIS AREA: AUTOMOBILE RIGHT-OF-WAY
GOAL: Reduce fatal & severe injury collisions involving automobile right-of-way 30% by 2030.
Reduce fatal & severe injury collisions involving automobile right-of-way 50% by 2040.
Eliminate fatal & severe injury collisions involving automobile right-of-way by 2050.
2024 MARIN COUNTY LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN | 113CHAPTER 13. NOVATO LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN
STRATEGIES
Education • Implement education and public awareness campaigns targeted at impaired driving.
• Partner with local businesses and organizations along hot spot corridors on
educational efforts and campaigns.
Enforcement • Equitably implement high visibility enforcement campaigns.
• Establish DUI checkpoints where appropriate.
Engineering • In conjunction with other strategies, install countermeasures focused on mitigating or preventing hit
objects, unsafe speeds, and improper turning.
• Provide physical separation between fast-moving traffic and vulnerable road users.
Emergency
Response
• Install emergency vehicle preemption systems.
• Improve resources for deploying emergency responses to collision sites.
• Ensure that emergency routes are clear and well defined.
• Consider targeted training for responding to specific high incident locations and treatment of
predominant injury types at those locations.
Emerging
Technology
• Implement a Safe Ride Home partnership between the jurisdictions, police departments,
CHP, taxi/ride-hail operators, and local businesses.
• Deploy collision-prevention technology at signalized intersections.
• Utilize technologies such as video data and crowdsourcing to track and address near misses.
Table 13.6: Novato impaired driving & bicycling primary emphasis area goals & strategies
EMPHASIS AREA: IMPAIRED DRIVING & BICYCLING
GOAL: Reduce fatal & severe injury collisions involving impaired driving & bicycling 30% by 2030.
Reduce fatal & severe injury collisions involving impaired driving & bicycling 50% by 2040.
Eliminate fatal & severe injury collisions involving impaired driving & bicycling by 2050.
2024 MARIN COUNTY LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN | 114CHAPTER 13. NOVATO LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN
STRATEGIES
Education • Expand the Street Smarts program with an emphasis on avoiding distracted driving.
Enforcement • Equitably implement targeted enforcement on key collision areas which resulted in injuries from
improper turning.
Engineering • In conjunction with other strategies, implement countermeasures focused on designing and improving
intersections to encourage drivers to make safe turns such as curb radius. reduction, left turn hardening,
protected intersections/corners, etc.
Emergency
Response
• Install emergency vehicle preemption systems.
• Consider targeted training for responding to specific high incident locations and
treatment of predominant injury types at those locations.
• Improve resources for deploying emergency responses to collision sites.
• Ensure that emergency routes are clear and well defined.
Emerging
Technology
• Deploy collision-prevention technology at signalized intersections.
• Utilize technologies such as video data and crowdsourcing to track and address near misses.
Table 13.7: Novato improper turning primary emphasis area goals & strategies
EMPHASIS AREA: IMPROPER TURNING
GOAL: Reduce fatal & severe injury collisions involving improper turning 30% by 2030.
Reduce fatal & severe injury collisions involving improper turning 50% by 2040.
Eliminate fatal & severe injury collisions involving improper turning by 2050.
2024 MARIN COUNTY LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN | 115CHAPTER 13. NOVATO LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN
STRATEGIES
Education • Expand the Street Smarts program.
Enforcement • Equitably implement targeted enforcement at high injury locations where violations that lead to
broadside collisions are more common, such as automobile right of way and traffic signal/stop sign
violations.
Engineering • In conjunction with other strategies, implement countermeasures focused on designing and improving
intersections to encourage drivers to make safe turns (e.g., roundabouts and protected intersections/
corners).
• Consider modifying traffic signal timing with longer clearance intervals such as with advanced dilemma
zone detection.
Emergency
Response
• Install emergency vehicle preemption systems.
• Consider targeted training for responding to specific high incident locations and treatment of
predominant injury types at those locations.
• Improve resources for deploying emergency responses to collision sites.
• Ensure that emergency routes are clear and well defined.
Emerging
Technology
• Deploy collision-prevention technology at signalized intersections.
• Utilize technologies such as video data and crowdsourcing to track and address near misses.
Table 13.8: Novato broadside collisions primary emphasis area goals & strategies
EMPHASIS AREA: BROADSIDE COLLISIONS
GOAL: Reduce fatal & severe injury broadside collisions 30% by 2030.
Reduce fatal & severe injury broadside collisions 50% by 2040.
Eliminate fatal & severe injury broadside collisions by 2050.
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2024 MARIN COUNTY LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN | 116CHAPTER 13. NOVATO LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN
STRATEGIES
Education • Implement education campaigns targeted at safely walking and bicycling in the dark.
• Implement a safe speeds education campaign.
Enforcement • Use recent legislation and national research to set context appropriate speeds suitable
for all road users.
Engineering • In conjunction with other strategies, implement countermeasures focused on improving nighttime
infrastructure awareness and decision making.
• Improve street lighting in areas with high numbers of collisions during dark conditions.
Emergency
Response
• Install emergency vehicle preemption systems.
• Improve resources for deploying emergency responses to collision sites.
• Ensure that emergency routes are clear and well defined.
• Consider targeted training for responding to specific high incident locations and
treatment of predominant injury types at those locations.
Emerging
Technology
• Deploy collision-prevention technology at signalized intersections.
• Utilize technologies such as video data and crowdsourcing to track and address near misses.
13.9: Novato dark conditions primary emphasis area goals & strategies
EMPHASIS AREA: DARK CONDITIONS
GOAL: Reduce fatal & severe injury collisions involving dark conditions 30% by 2030.
Reduce fatal & severe injury collisions involving dark conditions 50% by 2040.
Eliminate fatal & severe injury collisions involving dark conditions by 2050.
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2024 MARIN COUNTY LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN | 117CHAPTER 13. NOVATO LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN
Bicycle Facility Improvements
Upgrading bicycle lanes to green bicycle lanes, installing green paint through
conflict zones, and adding bicycle boxes could increase bicyclist visibility.
Reducing vehicle lane widths to 11 feet may provide additional right-of-way to
increase substandard bicycle lanes and add buffered bicycle lanes.
Ignacio Boulevard from Nave Drive to Entrada Drive (Segment)
Signal Timing Improvements
Signalization improvements may include adding phases, lengthening clearance
intervals, eliminating or restricting higher-risk movements, and coordinating
signals at multiple locations.
Pedestrian Crossing Improvements
A number of pedestrian crossing improvements could be implemented along this
corridor including some of the following: high visibility crosswalks, direction curb
ramps, reduced curb radii, advanced stop bars, and pedestrian refuge islands.
Bicycle Facility Improvements
Upgrading bicycle lanes to green bicycle lanes, installing green paint through
conflict zones, and adding bicycle boxes could increase bicyclist visibility.
Reducing vehicle lane widths to 11 feet may provide additional right of way to
increase substandard bicycle lanes and add buffered bicycle lanes.
13.6 PRIORITY PROJECTS
Following the identification of the High Collision Network, the collision patterns
at these intersections and segments were analyzed to determine potential
countermeasures. In collaboration with the City, a subset of priority project locations
was selected to recommend specific improvements based on the collision rates,
trends, and potential improvement impacts. These are locations where site-specific
engineering improvements can have a substantial effect in achieving the LRSP’s
goals. In Novato, the priority locations and projects are as follows:
Diablo Avenue-De Long Avenue from Center Road to
Reichert Avenue (Segment)
Signal Improvements
Signalization improvements may include adding phases, lengthening clearance
intervals, eliminating or restricting higher-risk movements, coordinating signals
at multiple locations, and adding advanced dilemma detection zones.
Pedestrian Crossing Improvements
A number of pedestrian crossing improvements could be implemented along
this corridor including some of the following: squared up intersections, high
visibility crosswalks, curb extensions, advanced stop bars, yield limit lines at slip
lanes, reduced lane widths at pork chop islands, tightened up radii, RRFB at mid-
block crossings, and signal and ADA/APS pedestrian push button installation.
These could improve pedestrian crossings by shorting crossing distances and
emphasizing pedestrians’ presence.
2024 MARIN COUNTY LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN | 118CHAPTER 13. NOVATO LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN
Novato Boulevard & Diablo Avenue (Intersection)
Signal Improvements
Signalization improvements may include adding phases, lengthening clearance
intervals, eliminating or restricting higher-risk movements, coordinating signals
at multiple locations, upgrading signal heads to 12” LED with backplates, and
adding advanced dilemma detection zones.
Pedestrian Crossing Improvements
A number of pedestrian crossing improvements could be implemented at this
intersection including some of the following: squared up intersection, high
visibility crosswalk, curb extensions, advanced stop bars, yield limit lines at
slip lanes, pork chop island removal, radii tightening, and installation of ADA/
APS pedestrian push buttons. These could improve pedestrian crossings by
shortening crossing distances and emphasizing pedestrians’ presence.
Bicycle Facility Improvements
Upgrading bicycle lanes to green bicycle lanes, installing green paint through
conflict zones, and adding bicycle boxes could increase the visibility of bicyclists.
Reducing vehicle lane widths to 11 feet may provide additional right-of-way to
increase substandard bicycle lanes and add buffered bicycle lanes.
Rowland Boulevard & Redwood Boulevard (Intersection)
Signal Timing Improvements
Broadside collisions may indicate that clearance intervals are too short; consider
adding a longer yellow phase.
Pedestrian Crossing Improvements
A number of pedestrian crossing improvements could be implemented at this
intersection including some of the following: reduced curb radii, pedestrian
ramps, pedestrian refuge islands, high visibility crosswalks, advanced stop
bars, and pedestrian countdown signal heads. These could improve pedestrian
crossings by shortening crossing distances and emphasizing pedestrians’
presence.
Bicycle Facility Improvements
Installing green paint through conflict zones and mixing zones and installing
sharrow symbols through mixing zones could increase the visibility of bicyclists,
clarify where bicyclists are expected to ride, and reminds motorist to expect
bicyclists on the road. Consider a protected intersection.
.
2024 MARIN COUNTY LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN | 119CHAPTER 13. NOVATO LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN
Marin’s Transportation Sales Tax
MEAS U R E
V O T ER APPROVED
Marin’s Vehicle Registration Fee
BMEASURE
V O T ER APPROVED
13.7 IMPLEMENTATION & EVALUATION
A number of considerations must be proactively managed to successfully implement
the strategies presented in the LRSP. Successful implementation requires adequate
funding, coordination, and partnerships, and can be supported by policies at both the
jurisdiction and county levels.
IMPLEMENTATION
Next Steps & Timeline for Implementation
The next steps for implementation should focus on developing specific programs
and projects from the LRSP recommendations:
Identify an “agency champion” to advance each LRSP priority recommendation.
This agency generally would assume the primary role in program/project
development
Further define each priority recommendation (or if appropriate, bundle several
recommendations together) into a discrete program or project with a specific
scope of improvements
Allocate initial funding to complete basic program/project development tasks,
such as conceptual planning, feasibility assessments, cost estimation, and
agency coordination
These initial development steps will allow lead agencies to define specific programs
and projects and prepare them for inclusion in competitive funding applications,
regional transportation plans, and local capital improvement plans (CIPs).
The strategies introduced in this document may be implemented in different phases.
Short-term implementation would generally occur in less than five years from
completion of the LRSP. These actions include low-cost engineering treatments that
can be constructed relatively quickly, such as striping projects, signal optimizations,
and quick-build infrastructure. Additional short-term strategies could include scaling
up existing programs and implementing enforcement activities.
Medium-term implementation typically would occur between five and ten years after
LRSP development. This may include progressive and scaled-up safety elements as
well as larger projects that require more resources to design and construct. Policy
changes also could be implemented in this timeframe.
In the long term (generally 10 years or more), implementation may focus on further
emphasizing safety in future planning and design efforts.
Funding Sources & Strategies
Obtaining funding is critical for plan implementation. The County and its jurisdictions
can pursue funding at various levels depending on their needs. Identification of
funding sources and opportunities can be focused on the following:
Federal and state grant opportunities, including the Highway Safety
Improvement Program, Safe Streets & Roads for All, and the
Active Transportation Program
Regional funding opportunities, including funding opportunities resulting from
Marin County’s Measure AA sales tax and Measure B vehicle registration fees
Local fund contributions from TAM, the County, and its jurisdictions to
support countywide programs
Capital improvement projects, such as repaving efforts into which safety
upgrades could be bundled
California Active
Transportation Program
2024 MARIN COUNTY LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN | 120CHAPTER 13. NOVATO LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN
The following strategies can help to increase the likelihood of success in competitive
funding applications:
Pursue the highest-priority, highest-benefit projects and programs. These tend
to be the most competitive in grant programs, driven by strong results in the
benefit-cost analyses that are often required. In addition, showing funding
partners that the County and local jurisdictions have thought carefully about the
highest-value ways to direct resources can inspire confidence from these federal
and state entities
Partner across jurisdictions to greatly strengthen applications for competitive
funding. Some potential partners for local jurisdictions include the County,
TAM, Marin Transit, or relevant community-based organizations. Beyond
grant applications, these jurisdictional partnerships also could include more
formalized memoranda of understanding to share the costs of planning, design,
construction, or operations
Leverage local funding for projects and aim to provide close to 50 percent of
total project costs from these local funds. This type of commitment will increase
competitiveness when applying for discretionary funds at the federal and state levels
Pursue multiple funding sources. Infrastructure programs and projects often
require agencies to leverage many sources to meet project budgets, especially
given the uncertainty of competitive funding programs
Coordination & Partnership
Coordination and partnership among diverse stakeholders are essential for the
success of the LRSP. Within jurisdictions, collaboration and partnership between
public works, law enforcement, bicycle/pedestrian advisory committees, and others
can ensure that road user safety is systematically addressed.
Additional countywide partnerships could also be considered to track funding and
project implementation. These partnerships could take the following forms:
Jurisdictional partnerships to prepare joint grant applications and potentially
share program/project costs
Countywide bicycle working committee including representatives from existing
groups from various jurisdictions to further develop program/project concepts,
track funding opportunities, and monitor overall progress toward LRSP goals
Task force to audit countywide projects and programs related to bicycle safety,
review collision trend data, and make recommendations on preventing future
collisions
Policy Support
Whether at the county or jurisdiction levels, the LRSP strategy implementation can be
facilitated by supportive policies. Policies to consider include establishing clear goals
for regional connectivity through a countywide bicycle master planning process,
parking policies, and traffic calming policies. Having clear policies can pave the way
for related safety improvements.
EVALUATION
It will be important to evaluate progress towards meeting the LRSP’s goals. Evaluation
allows the County and its jurisdictions to monitor safety conditions over time and
make strategy adjustments as necessary.
In order to understand progress and safety conditions, specific outcome metrics
should be used when evaluating the LRSP’s progress. Foremost among these should
be the number of KSI collisions in each jurisdiction, as this corresponds directly to the
LRSP goals. Additional metrics could be the number of non-KSI injury collisions and
collisions related to each emphasis area. Metrics should be tracked every two years
and summarized in a memo or scorecard. This data will also be helpful when applying
for funding.
Regularly updating the LRSP will allow the plan and its strategies to be revised based
on the evaluation results. The LRSP should be updated every four years or as needed.
2024 MARIN COUNTY LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN | 121CHAPTER 14. ROSS LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN
14. ROSS LOCAL ROAD SAFETY
14.1 INTRODUCTION
The Town of Ross is located in central Marin County. The Town is split by Sir Francis
Drake Boulevard and is bordered by San Anselmo to the north, San Rafael to the
east, and unincorporated Marin County on all other sides. Ross is the second smallest
Marin County city or town by area, at approximately 1.6 square miles, as well as by
population, with approximately 2,300 residents.1 Additionally, it is the least dense of
the county’s incorporated cities and towns, with a population density of fewer than
1,500 residents per square mile.
A Local Road Safety Plan (LRSP) is a plan that provides a framework to identify,
analyze, and prioritize roadway safety improvements on local and rural roads to
increase safety for all road users. The LRSP facilitates local agency partnerships and
collaboration to systematically address road safety issues, ultimately resulting in a
list of prioritized projects and actions that can be used to obtain federal funding.
The LRSP provides a proactive approach to address safety needs and demonstrates
agency responsiveness to safety challenges. A living document, the LRSP can be
revised as needed to reflect evolving trends, community needs, and priorities.
This chapter presents the vision statement and goals, summarizes collision data,
identifies emphasis areas, recommends high priority project locations, and outlines
the implementation and evaluation strategies for the Town of Ross.
14.2 VISION & GOALS
Ross’s vision for this LRSP was developed through feedback with the Technical
Advisory Committee (TAC) and Marin County jurisdictions, which are described
in Chapter 3. The vision statement reflects the town’s commitment to Vision
Zero, an international strategy to eliminate all traffic fatalities and severe injuries
while increasing safe, healthy, and equitable mobility for all. The vision statement
recognizes that, while aspirational, to work towards anything less than an end to
traffic fatalities and severe injuries would not be appropriate. The accompanying
goals represent a path forward to achieving this vision.1 United States Census Bureau 2021
2024 MARIN COUNTY LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN | 122CHAPTER 14. ROSS LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN
Vision Statement
The Town of Ross strives to eliminate collision-related fatalities and severe injuries by
proactively and equitably pursuing a safe systems approach prioritizing road safety
for all users.
GOALS
Systematically implement proven safety solutions, initiatives, policies, and
programs to eliminate preventable fatal & severe collisions by 2050.
Utilize a multi-faceted approach that spans jurisdictions and encompasses
diverse strategies including engineering, education, public health, and
enforcement.
Implement improvements that promote and support safe travel for vulnerable
users including people walking and bicycling, children, older adults, and
people with disabilities.
Ensure that multimodal safety investments are made in a manner that is fair and
equitable for all Ross residents.
14.3 EXISTING EFFORTS
In recent years, Ross’s efforts to improve safety have been most visible through a
range of plans and programs. This chapter describes plans, studies, and programs
supporting safety in Ross.
PLANS & STUDIES
Systemic Safety Analysis Report (2018)
The 2018 Marin County Systemic Safety Analysis Report (SSAR) provided a large-
scale systemic safety analysis of roadways across Marin County to help drive future
improvement projects, grant applications, and traffic safety outreach programs for
Marin County’s 11 jurisdictions and unincorporated areas. The analysis was funded
through the California Systemic Safety Analysis Report Program and produced by the
Marin County Department of Public Works. The project also involved collaboration
with various town and city police departments, the Marin County Sheriff, and the
California Highway Patrol. A Technical Advisory Committee was formed to help guide
the process and was comprised of representatives from the Marin Public Works
Association, Transportation Authority of Marin, and Marin General Hospital. This LRSP
serves as an update to portions of the SSAR.
Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan (2018 Amendment)
This document serves as an appendix to the Town’s 2010 bicycle and pedestrian plan.
It provides an updated analysis of existing bicycling and walking conditions, discusses
progress made towards the Town’s goals, and re-evaluates the list of proposed
projects to lend guidance for future bicycleway and walkway improvements. The
Town’s 2010 goals were to increase bicycle and pedestrian access, improve bicycle
transportation, and encourage pedestrian transportation.
PROGRAMS
Safe Routes to Schools
Marin County’s Safe Routes to Schools (SR2S) is a program of TAM. TAM has created
a long-term, sustainable program that is institutionalized in schools with strong
community involvement. SR2S began in 2000 as a pilot program in select towns.
Today it operates in all Marin County jurisdictions and Unincorporated Marin in
over 55 schools, serving a total population of over 29,000 students. Among its
many activities, SR2S provides professional instructors to teach safe bicycling and
pedestrian safety skills and oversees volunteers in promoting the program through
contests, events, and regular submissions to school newsletters. SR2S also identifies
potential infrastructure projects to address school travel safety issues.
Novato
Fairfax
San RafaelSan Anselmo
Mill Valley
Corte
Madera
Tiburon
Ross
Larkspur
0%
2%
4%
6%
8%
10%
12%
14%
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Total Crashes
Total KSI Crashes
Pedestrian inCrosswalk
Pedestrian not inCrosswalk
Other
3%
3%
5%
38%
100% 100% 100% 100%
8%
6% 7%
14% 18%
29% 5%
38% 22% 6%
5% 43% 38%
3% 34%
1% 54%
5%
8%
8%
CRASH TYPES BY MODE:
RATIOS OF ALL COLLISIONS
Motorvehicle proceeding straight
Motorvehicle making left turn
Motorvehicle making right turn
Head-On
Sideswipe
Hit Object
Broadside
Rear End
Overturned
Other *
One square = One Collision * “Other” is one of the eight crash type options for police ocers to designate on collision reports. Collisions designated as “Other” are included in the auto portion of the collisions by mode chart above.
CRASH TYPES
:::::: ::::: ..... ..... ..... ::::: .....
. :
: : .
:: : :: .. .. .. ::
2024 MARIN COUNTY LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN | 123CHAPTER 14. ROSS LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN
Street Smarts Marin
Street Smarts is a traffic safety program run by TAM that educates drivers, pedestrians,
and bicyclists about safety issues including distracted driving. The goal is to
encourage people to adopt new attitudes and behaviors that will reduce the number
of collisions and make the streets safer for everyone. The program incorporates
physical banners and social media posts to spread its messages about key safety
behaviors. The program began in 2009 and includes one to two rollouts per year.
Transportation Authority of Marin Crossing Guard Program
TAM’s crossing guard program provides trained crossing guards at key intersections
throughout Marin County. This is a key component of the Safe Routes to Schools
program as crossing guards help reduce the reluctance that some parents may feel
towards allowing their children to walk or bicycle to school. The program began in
2006 with 54 crossing guards and in the 2023/2024 school year 105 crossing guard
locations will be active. TAM contracts with a professional company that specializes
in crossing guard programs and uses a data-driven evaluation process to select the
sites at which guards are located. TAM contracts with a professional company that
specializes in crossing guard programs and uses a data-driven evaluation process to
select the sites at which guards are located. The primary locations of the TAM-funded
crossing guards in Ross serve the K-8 students attending Ross School. The Town has
partnered with Ross School to provide additional crossing guards on Sir Francis Drake
Boulevard, including at the Bolinas Road intersection for students attending
St. Anselm and Wade Thomas Elementary schools.
E-Bike Safety
The Town of Ross is partnering with Ross Police to encourage safe e-bicycle use,
particularly among students. Ross School students worked with police to develop an
e-bicycle safety video that will be shown to students. Additionally, police officers have
been recognizing students who safely use their electric mobility devices and offering
advice to those who do not follow safe riding laws.
ENGINEERING IMPROVEMENTS
Laurel Grove Pedestrian Pathway Project (2017 - Ongoing)
This project consists of installing 1,200 feet of new asphalt pathway and concrete
barrier from the Marin Art and Garden Center up to the private driveway known as
Monte Alegra. The work will involve complete reconstruction of the Laurel Grove
pavement with new narrower lane striping and stamped asphalt pedestrian “havens”
at Walters Road and Monte Alegre. Work on the first segment is scheduled to begin in
summer 2023, while the next segment is scheduled for spring 2024 and will extend
the pathway to the Canyon Road intersection. Preliminary design and right of way
surveying has been completed under a grant from MTC to extend the pathway all the
way to Makin Grade at the southerly Town Limit.
Bolinas Avenue Safe Pathways project (2012)
Sidewalk repair and widening between Sir Francis Drake and Kensington.
Sir Francis Drake Boulevard and Shady Lane pathway improvements
(2008-2011)
Full length paved pathway repair and resurfacing projects.
Bicycle safety education is an integral part of Safe Routes to Schools programming.Crossing guards increase safety and comfort for students walking and rolling to school.
2024 MARIN COUNTY LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN | 124CHAPTER 14. ROSS LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN
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LEGEND
Severe Injury Other Visible Injury Complaint of Pain Boundary
14.4 DATA SUMMARY
From 2017-2021, nine reported injury collisions
occurred on non-state arterial and collector
roadways in Ross2 (Figure 14.1). These included
two collisions that resulted in a severe injury
and zero fatal collisions. This marks a significant
decrease from 2012-2016, which saw 14 injury
collisions. However, there was an increase in
severe injury collisions, up from zero in the
previous period.
Figure 14.1: Ross collisions by severity
2 For the purpose of this plan, any reference to “collisions”
refers to reported collisions on non-state arterial and
collector roads resulting in injury or fatality, unless specified
otherwise. Arterial roads are high-capacity roads that carry
longer-distance vehicle flows between centers of activity.
Collector roads have low to moderate capacity and serve as
connectors between local roads and arterials.
0 0.1 0.2 Miles
I I II I II I I
0 0 0 D
2024 MARIN COUNTY LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN | 125CHAPTER 14. ROSS LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN
Primary Collision Factors
Four primary collision factors were responsible for all nine collisions in Ross (Figure
14.2). Unsafe speeds resulted in approximately 56%, compared to 36% countywide.
Automobile right-of-way violations (collisions where drivers did not yield to another
driver with the right-of-way) resulted in 22% of collisions, compared to 13%
countywide. Improper turning and driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol
each caused 11% of injury collisions in the Town. The severe injury collisions resulted
from an automobile right-of-way violation and driving under the influence.
Figure 14.2: Top primary collision factors
ROSS
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
Unsafe speed Automobile right of way Improper turning Impaired driving or cycling
All Collisions KSI Collisions
Road User Types
Figure 14.3 shows collisions by mode. Approximately 78% of collisions in Ross
involved vehicles only, compared to 60% countywide. Twenty-two percent (22%)
involved bicyclists compared to 19% countywide. Of the two severe injury collisions,
one involved a bicyclist and the other was a solo motor vehicle collision.
Figure 14.3: Ross collisions by mode
Of Ross’s two collisions involving a bicyclist, one involved a motor vehicle and the other
was a solo-bicycle collision. The former collision resulted from an automobile right-
of-way violation, while the latter was caused by unsafe speeds. The bicycle/vehicle
collision was located at the intersection of Bolinas Avenue and Upper Road, while the
solo collision occurred at the intersection of Shady Lane and Upper Ames Avenue.
Equity Considerations
None of Ross’s collisions involved minority populations using active transportation
modes, nor did they occur in proximity to a transit stop.
Injury collisions involving older adults tended to occur at higher rates in Ross
compared to the County. One-third (33%) of collisions in Ross involved older adults,
while 20% of all County injury collisions involved this user group. The rate of severe
injury collisions involving older adults was lower than the County rate.
External Conditions
Approximately one-third (33%) of injury collisions and half (50%) of severe injury
collisions in Ross occurred in low-visibility conditions. These were all in locations
where functioning streetlights were present.
■ ■
2024 MARIN COUNTY LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN | 126CHAPTER 14. ROSS LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN
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11 AA
TOWN OF ROSSTOWN OF ROSS
High Collision Network
Ross’s High Collision Network is shown in Figure
14.4, Table 14.1, and Table 14.2. High collision
road segments and intersections were selected
countywide based on overall collision rates at
those locations.
Figure 14.4: Ross High Collision Network
LEGEND
HCN Intersection HCN Segment Boundary
0 0.1 0.2 Miles
I I II I I II I
0 -D
2024 MARIN COUNTY LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN | 127CHAPTER 14. ROSS LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN
The Town’s High Collision Network includes one road segment:
Sir Francis Drake Boulevard from El Camino Bueno to Berry Lane. This
segment had three injury collisions from 2017-2021 and a collision rate
of 19.1 collisions per 100 million vehicle miles traveled, placing it as the
58th highest collision rate of the 70 countywide High Collision Network
segments. All three collisions at this location involved motor vehicles
only, with no clear trends in terms of collision factors or collision types.
One intersection, Sir Francis Drake Boulevard and Laurel Grove Avenue,
is also included in the Town’s High Collision Network. This intersection
had a collision rate of 2.5 collisions per 100 million entering vehicles,
ranking 85th of the County’s 90 High Collision Network intersections.
Table 14.1: Ross High Collision Network Segments
ID Location
Number of Collisions
Collision Rate Per
100 Million VMT
Pedestrian Bicycle Motorcycle Motor
Vehicle Only
Total
1 Sir Francis Drake Boulevard from El Camino Bueno to Berry Lane 0 0 0 3 3 19.1
Table 14.2: Ross High Collision Network Intersections
ID Location
Number of Collisions
Collision Rate Per
100 Million Entering
Vehicles
Pedestrian Bicycle Motorcycle Motor
Vehicle Only
Total
A Sir Francis Drake Boulevard & Laurel Grove Avenue 0 0 0 1 1 2.5
Sir Francis Drake Boulevard and Laurel Grove Avenue
2024 MARIN COUNTY LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN | 128CHAPTER 14. ROSS LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN
14.5 EMPHASIS AREAS
Emphasis areas provide a framework for developing and implementing strategies to
increase road user safety across the County. Potential emphasis areas were initially
identified using severe injury and fatality collision data from 2012-2021 for Ross
in comparison to the County as a whole, which allowed for a larger sample size of
collisions to be compared. Emphasis areas were then refined through stakeholder
input. A full list of emphasis areas for the County can be found in Chapter 6. Four
primary emphasis areas were selected from this list for Ross based on the Town’s
collision trends, shown in Table 14.3. The following is a description of trends relating
to these emphasis areas from 2012-2021.
Table 14.3: Ross primary emphasis areas
Almost half (48%) of injury collisions in Ross from 2012-2021 resulted from unsafe speeds.
Countywide, only 28% of injury collisions were caused by this collision factor.
The percentage of unsafe speed collisions in the Town increases when considering the
latest five years of data, suggesting that this issue is becoming more prevalent in the Town.
Improper turning resulted in over 10% of injury collisions in the Town. While this is
lower than the countywide average, it is the second leading collision factor in Ross
and thus bears recognition.
Approximately 45% of collisions in Ross were rear-end collisions. This compares to
25% countywide. Rear-end collisions were most notable along Sir Francis Drake
Boulevard by the Town’s northern border.
From 2012-2021, approximately one quarter (24%) of all injury collisions and
half (50%) of severe injury collisions occurred under dark conditions. This rate is
significantly higher than the countywide rates of 23% and 30%, respectively. These
collisions were spread throughout the Town.
Focusing on these primary emphasis areas can significantly contribute to eliminating
collisions in the Town resulting in severe injury or fatality. However, a strategy that
includes additional emphasis areas would have additional positive effects. Table 14.4
through Table 14.7 list the goals and strategies for Ross’s primary emphasis areas. See
Appendix A for more detail on countermeasures recommended as emphasis area
strategies.
Category Primary Emphasis Area
Collision Factors Unsafe Speed
Improper Turning
Collision Types Rear-End
External Conditions Dark Conditions
Lagunitas and Sir Francis Drake Boulevard
2024 MARIN COUNTY LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN | 129CHAPTER 14. ROSS LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN
STRATEGIES
Education • Expand Street Smarts program with an emphasis on avoiding distracted driving.
Enforcement • Equitably implement targeted enforcement on key collision areas which resulted in injuries from
improper turning.
Engineering • In conjunction with other strategies, implement countermeasures focused on designing and improving
intersections to encourage drivers to make safe turns such as curb radius. reduction, left turn hardening,
protected intersections/corners, etc.
Emergency
Response
• Install emergency vehicle preemption systems.
• Consider targeted training for responding to specific high incident locations and
treatment of predominant injury types at those locations.
• Improve resources for deploying emergency responses to collision sites.
• Ensure that emergency routes are clear and well defined.
Emerging
Technology
• Deploy collision-prevention technology at signalized intersections.
• Utilize technologies such as video data and crowdsourcing to track and address near misses.
Table 14.5: Ross Improper turning primary emphasis area goals & strategies
EMPHASIS AREA: IMPROPER TURNING
GOAL: Eliminate fatal & severe injury collisions improper turning by 2050.
2024 MARIN COUNTY LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN | 130CHAPTER 14. ROSS LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN
STRATEGIES
Education • Par tner with local businesses and organizations on educational efforts and campaigns along hot spot corridors.
• Implement a safe speeds education campaign.
• Expand the Street Smarts Marin program.
Enforcement • Equitably implement targeted enforcement on key collision areas which resulted in injuries from unsafe speeds.
• Use recent legislation (AB 43, 321) and national research to set context-appropriate speeds suitable for all road users particularly
in business districts and near schools.
• Consider use of technology to support automated enforcement at key locations.
• Deploy a radar trailer at locations where instances of unsafe speed are more prevalent.
Engineering • In conjunction with other strategies, install countermeasures focused on designing and improving roadways that lead to more appropriate
speeds to the surrounding land uses.
• Coordinate with emergency services to develop design standards for traffic calming treatments, particularly on collector
and neighborhood streets.
Emergency Response • Install emergency vehicle preemption systems.
• Consider targeted training for responding to specific high incident locations and treatment of predominant injury types at those locations.
• Improve resources for deploying emergency responses to collision sites.
• Ensure that emergency routes are clear and well defined.
Emerging Technology • Implement technology such as spot cameras, variable message signs, and traffic control warning devices as appropriate.
• Monitor speeds through critical intersections using smart signal technology.
• Utilize technologies such as video data and crowdsourcing to track and address near misses.
• Engage in legislative advocacy to seek state law change allowing automated speed cameras and allowing the resulting citations
to be handled as local municipal code violations rather than vehicle code violations.
Table 14.4: Ross unsafe speed primary emphasis area goals & strategies
EMPHASIS AREA: UNSAFE SPEED
GOAL: Eliminate fatal & severe injury collisions involving unsafe speed by 2050.
2024 MARIN COUNTY LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN | 131CHAPTER 14. ROSS LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN
STRATEGIES
Education • Partner with local businesses and community organizations to educate the public about distracted
driving.
• Expand the Street Smarts program.
Enforcement • Equitably implement targeted distracted driving enforcement at high injury locations where rearend
collisions are more common.
Engineering • In conjunction with other strategies, install countermeasures focused on designing and improving
roadways that lead to more appropriate speeds to the surrounding land uses.
Emergency
Response
• Install emergency vehicle preemption systems.
• Improve resources for deploying emergency responses to collision sites.
• Ensure that emergency routes are clear and well defined.
• Consider targeted training for responding to specific high incident locations and treatment of
predominant injury types at those locations.
Emerging
Technology
• Deploy collision-prevention technology at signalized intersections.
• Utilize technologies such as video data and crowdsourcing to track and address near misses.
Table 14.6: Ross rear-end primary emphasis area goals & strategies
EMPHASIS AREA: REAR END COLLISIONS
GOAL: Eliminate fatal & severe injury collisions involving rear end collisions by 2050.
2024 MARIN COUNTY LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN | 132CHAPTER 14. ROSS LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN
STRATEGIES
Education • Implement education campaigns targeted at safely walking and bicycling in the dark.
• Implement a safe speeds education campaign.
Enforcement • Use recent legislation and national research to set context appropriate speeds suitable
for all road users.
Engineering • In conjunction with other strategies, implement countermeasures focused on improving nighttime
infrastructure awareness and decision making.
• Improve street lighting in areas with high numbers of collisions during dark conditions.
Emergency Response • Install emergency vehicle preemption systems.
• Improve resources for deploying emergency responses to collision sites.
• Ensure that emergency routes are clear and well defined.
• Consider targeted training for responding to specific high incident locations and
treatment of predominant injury types at those locations.
Emerging Technology • Deploy collision-prevention technology at signalized intersections.
• Utilize technologies such as video data and crowdsourcing to track and address near misses.
Table 14.7: Ross dark conditions primary emphasis area goals & strategies
EMPHASIS AREA: DARK CONDITIONS
GOAL: Eliminate fatal & severe injury collisions involving dark conditions by 2050.I
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2024 MARIN COUNTY LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN | 133CHAPTER 14. ROSS LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN
14.6 PRIORITY PROJECTS
Following the identification of the High Collision Network, the collision patterns
at these intersections and segments were analyzed to determine potential
countermeasures. In collaboration with the Town, a subset of priority project locations
was selected to recommend specific improvements based on the collision rates,
trends, and potential improvement impacts. These are locations where site-specific
engineering improvements can have a substantial effect in achieving the LRSP’s goals.
In Ross, the priority location and projects are as follows:
Sir Francis Drake Boulevard & Laurel Grove Avenue (Intersection)
Signal Improvements
Rear-end collisions may indicate that clearance intervals are too short: consider
adding a longer yellow phase. Other signalization improvements may include
adding phases, eliminating or restricting higher-risk movements, coordinating
signals at multiple locations, and adding advanced dilemma detection zones.
Pedestrian Crossing Improvements
This intersection does not have a designated pedestrian crossing across Sir
Francis Drake Boulevard. Consider adding a pedestrian crossing and implement
some of the following: high visibility crosswalks, directional curb ramps, reduced
curb radii, and pedestrian countdown heads. These could improve pedestrian
crossings by shortening crossing distances and emphasizing pedestrians’
presence.
14.7 IMPLEMENTATION & EVALUATION
A number of considerations must be proactively managed to successfully implement
the strategies presented in the LRSP. Successful implementation requires adequate
funding, coordination, and partnerships, and can be supported by policies at both the
jurisdiction and county levels.
IMPLEMENTATION
Next Steps & Timeline for Implementation
The next steps for implementation should focus on developing specific programs
and projects from the LRSP recommendations:
Identify an “agency champion” to advance each LRSP priority recommendation. This
agency generally would assume the primary role in program/project development
Further define each priority recommendation (or if appropriate, bundle several
recommendations together) into a discrete program or project with a specific
scope of improvements
Allocate initial funding to complete basic program/project development tasks,
such as conceptual planning, feasibility assessments, cost estimation, and
agency coordination
These initial development steps will allow lead agencies to define specific programs
and projects and prepare them for inclusion in competitive funding applications,
regional transportation plans, and local capital improvement plans (CIPs).
The strategies introduced in this document may be implemented in different phases.
Short-term implementation would generally occur in less than five years from
completion of the LRSP. These actions include low-cost engineering treatments that
can be constructed relatively quickly, such as striping projects, signal optimizations,
and quick-build infrastructure. Additional short-term strategies could include scaling
up existing programs and implementing enforcement activities.
Medium-term implementation typically would occur between five and ten years after
LRSP development. This may include progressive and scaled-up safety elements as
well as larger projects that require more resources to design and construct. Policy
changes also could be implemented in this timeframe.
In the long term (generally 10 years or more), implementation may focus on further
emphasizing safety in future planning and design efforts.
2024 MARIN COUNTY LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN | 134CHAPTER 14. ROSS LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN
Marin’s Transportation Sales Tax
MEAS U R E
V O T ER APPROVED
Marin’s Vehicle Registration Fee
BMEASURE
V O T ER APPROVED
Funding Sources & Strategies
Obtaining funding is critical for plan implementation. The County and its jurisdictions
can pursue funding at various levels depending on their needs. Identification of
funding sources and opportunities can be focused on the following:
Federal and state grant opportunities, including the Highway Safety
Improvement Program, Safe Streets & Roads for All, and the
Active Transportation Program
Regional funding opportunities, including funding opportunities resulting from
Marin County’s Measure AA sales tax and Measure B vehicle registration fees
Local fund contributions from TAM, the County, and its jurisdictions to
support countywide programs
Capital improvement projects, such as repaving efforts into which safety
upgrades could be bundled
The following strategies can help to increase the likelihood of success in competitive
funding applications:
Pursue the highest-priority, highest-benefit projects and programs. These tend
to be the most competitive in grant programs, driven by strong results in the
benefit-cost analyses that are often required. In addition, showing funding
partners that the County and local jurisdictions have thought carefully about the
highest-value ways to direct resources can inspire confidence from these federal
and state entities
Partner across jurisdictions to greatly strengthen applications for competitive
funding. Some potential partners for local jurisdictions include the County,
TAM, Marin Transit, or relevant community-based organizations. Beyond
grant applications, these jurisdictional partnerships also could include more
formalized memoranda of understanding to share the costs of planning, design,
construction, or operations
Leverage local funding for projects and aim to provide close to 50 percent of
total project costs from these local funds. This type of commitment will increase
competitiveness when applying for discretionary funds at the federal and state levels
Pursue multiple funding sources. Infrastructure programs and projects often
require agencies to leverage many sources to meet project budgets, especially
given the uncertainty of competitive funding programs
California Active
Transportation Program
2024 MARIN COUNTY LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN | 135CHAPTER 14. ROSS LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN
Coordination & Partnership
Coordination and partnership among diverse stakeholders are essential for the
success of the LRSP. Within jurisdictions, collaboration and partnership between
public works, law enforcement, bicycle/pedestrian advisory committees, and others
can ensure that road user safety is systematically addressed.
Additional countywide partnerships could also be considered to track funding and
project implementation. These partnerships could take the following forms:
Jurisdictional partnerships to prepare joint grant applications and potentially
share program/project costs
Countywide bicycle working committee including representatives from existing
groups from various jurisdictions to further develop program/project concepts,
track funding opportunities, and monitor overall progress toward LRSP goals
Task force to audit countywide projects and programs related to bicycle safety,
review collision trend data, and make recommendations on preventing
future collisions
Policy Support
Whether at the county or jurisdiction levels, the LRSP strategy implementation can be
facilitated by supportive policies. Policies to consider include establishing clear goals
for regional connectivity through a countywide bicycle master planning process,
parking policies, and traffic calming policies. Having clear policies can pave the way
for related safety improvements.
EVALUATION
It will be important to evaluate progress towards meeting the LRSP’s goals. Evaluation
allows the County and its jurisdictions to monitor safety conditions over time and
make strategy adjustments as necessary.
In order to understand progress and safety conditions, specific outcome metrics
should be used when evaluating the LRSP’s progress. Foremost among these should
be the number of KSI collisions in each jurisdiction, as this corresponds directly to the
LRSP goals. Additional metrics could be the number of non-KSI injury collisions and
collisions related to each emphasis area. Metrics should be tracked every two years
and summarized in a memo or scorecard. This data will also be helpful when applying
for funding.
Regularly updating the LRSP will allow the plan and its strategies to be revised based
on the evaluation results. The LRSP should be updated every four years or as needed.
2024 MARIN COUNTY LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN | 136CHAPTER 15. SAN ANSELMO LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN
15. SAN ANSELMO LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN
15.1 INTRODUCTION
The Town of San Anselmo is located in central Marin County. The Town, and its Hub
intersection in particular, are key connectors between Fairfax and unincorporated
Marin County to the west, San Rafael to the east, and Ross to the south. San
Anselmo is the seventh largest Marin County incorporated city or town by area, at
approximately 2.7 square miles, and the fifth largest in terms of population with
approximately 12,700 residents.1 San Anselmo is the densest of Marin County’s cities
and towns, with a population density of over 4,700 residents per square mile.
A Local Road Safety Plan (LRSP) is a plan that provides a framework to identify,
analyze, and prioritize roadway safety improvements on local and rural roads to
increase safety for all road users. The LRSP facilitates local agency partnerships and
collaboration to systematically address road safety issues, ultimately resulting in a
list of prioritized projects and actions that can be used to obtain federal funding.
The LRSP provides a proactive approach to address safety needs and demonstrates
agency responsiveness to safety challenges. A living document, the LRSP can be
revised as needed to reflect evolving trends, community needs, and priorities.
This chapter presents the vision statement and goals, summarizes collision data,
identifies emphasis areas, recommends high priority project locations, and outlines
the implementation and evaluation strategies for the Town of San Anselmo.
15.2 VISION & GOALS
San Anselmo’s vision for this LRSP was developed through feedback with the
Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) and Marin County jurisdictions, which are
described in Chapter 3. The vision statement reflects the town’s commitment to Vision
Zero, an international strategy to eliminate all traffic fatalities and severe injuries
while increasing safe, healthy, and equitable mobility for all. The vision statement
recognizes that, while aspirational, to work towards anything less than an end to
1 United States Census Bureau 2021
2024 MARIN COUNTY LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN | 137CHAPTER 15. SAN ANSELMO LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN
traffic fatalities and severe injuries would not be appropriate. The accompanying
goals represent a path forward to achieving this vision.
Vision Statement
The Town of San Anselmo strives to eliminate collision-related fatalities and severe
injuries by proactively and equitably pursuing a safe systems approach prioritizing
road safety for all users.
GOALS
Systematically implement proven safety solutions, initiatives, policies, and
programs to eliminate preventable fatal & severe collisions by 2050.
Utilize a multi-faceted approach that spans jurisdictions and encompasses
diverse strategies including engineering, education, public health, and
enforcement.
Implement improvements that promote and support safe travel for vulnerable
users including people walking and bicycling, children, older adults, and people
with disabilities.
Ensure that multimodal safety investments are made in a manner that is fair and
equitable for all San Anselmo residents.
15.3 EXISTING EFFORTS
In recent years, efforts to improve safety have been most visible through a range of
plans and programs. This chapter describes plans, studies, and programs supporting
safety in San Anselmo.
PLANS & STUDIES
Hub Transportation Study (2023)
This study considered multimodal operational and safety issues at the Hub, San
Anselmo’s busiest intersection. The study evaluated short, medium, and long-term
solutions and their impacts on traffic, safety, and right-of-way. The study was carried
out using an iterative approach that reviewed baseline conditions, developed multi-
modal improvement concepts based on project goals, and incorporated community
and stakeholder input. The project culminated with a number of short- and long-term
concept recommendations for multimodal improvements at the Hub.
Systemic Safety Analysis Report (2018)
The 2018 Marin County Systemic Safety Analysis Report (SSAR) provided a large-
scale systemic safety analysis of roadways across Marin County to help drive future
improvement projects, grant applications, and traffic safety outreach programs for
Marin County’s 11 jurisdictions and unincorporated areas. The analysis was funded
through the California Systemic Safety Analysis Report Program and produced by the
Marin County Department of Public Works. The project also involved collaboration
with various town and city police departments, the Marin County Sheriff, and the
California Highway Patrol. A Technical Advisory Committee was formed to help guide
the process and was comprised of representatives from the Marin Public Works
Association, Transportation Authority of Marin, and Marin General Hospital. This LRSP
serves as an update to portions of the SSAR.
Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan Update (2016)
The purpose of the plan update was to improve bicycle and pedestrian transportation
in San Anselmo. The plan’s goals are to improve bicycle and pedestrian connections,
to encourage active transportation and active recreation, and to improve safety for
people using active modes. The plan development process sought input from City
staff, the Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee, the public, and previous plans.
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CRASH TYPES BY MODE: RATIOS OF ALL COLLISIONS
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2024 MARIN COUNTY LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN | 138CHAPTER 15. SAN ANSELMO LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN
PROGRAMS
Safe Routes to Schools
Marin County’s Safe Routes to Schools (SR2S) is
a program of TAM. TAM has created a long-term,
sustainable program that is institutionalized in
schools with strong community involvement. SR2S
began in 2000 as a pilot program in select towns.
Today it operates in all Marin County jurisdictions
and Unincorporated Marin in over 55 schools, serving a total population of over
29,000 students. Among its many activities, SR2S provides professional instructors to
teach safe bicycling and pedestrian safety skills and oversees volunteers in promoting
the program through contests, events, and regular submissions to school newsletters.
SR2S also identifies potential infrastructure projects to address school travel safety
issues.
Street Smarts Marin
Street Smarts is a traffic safety program run by TAM that educates
drivers, pedestrians, and bicyclists about safety issues including
distracted driving. The goal is to encourage people to adopt
new attitudes and behaviors that will reduce the number of
collisions and make the streets safer for everyone. The program
incorporates physical banners and social media posts to spread its
messages about key safety behaviors. The program began in 2009
and includes one to two rollouts per year.
Transportation Authority of Marin Crossing Guard Program
TAM’s crossing guard program provides trained crossing guards at key intersections
throughout Marin County. This is a key component of the Safe Routes to Schools
program as crossing guards help reduce the reluctance that some parents may feel
towards allowing their children to walk or bicycle to school. The program began in
2006 with 54 crossing guards and in the 2023/2024 school year 105 crossing guard
locations will be active. TAM contracts with a professional company that specializes in
crossing guard programs and uses a data-driven evaluation process to select the sites
at which guards are located.
E-Bike Safety
The Town has created a policy regarding the use of e-bicycles and
other electric mobility devices in Memorial Park and has scaled
up enforcement at Memorial Park and throughout the Town to
increase safe use of electric mobility devices.
Engineering Improvements
Sir Francis Drake Boulevard Rehabilitation Project (2022)
The project included design and construction of pavement rehabilitation on Sir
Francis Drake Boulevard between the Hub and Bolinas Avenue, along with bicycle
and pedestrian improvements in accordance with the Town’s Complete Streets Policy.
Brookside Sidewalk Gap Closure Project (2022)
This project closed a gap in the Town’s sidewalk network along Sir Francis Drake
Boulevard between Butterfield Road and Suffield Avenue.
Bike Spine Project (2022)
The Bike Spine project consisted of school bicycle route signing, striping, and shared
lane pavement markings to create a bicycle route along existing streets to connect
schools. This project was included in the Town’s Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan
update.
Crossing guards increase safety and comfort for students walking and rolling to school.
SAFE ROUTES
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MARIN COUNTY
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2024 MARIN COUNTY LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN | 139CHAPTER 15. SAN ANSELMO LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN
15.4 DATA SUMMARY
This analysis considered reported collisions
on non-state arterial and collector roads
resulting in injury or fatality. Arterial roads
are high-capacity roads that carry longer-
distance vehicle flows between centers
of activity. Collector roads have low to
moderate capacity and serve as connectors
between local roads and arterials. For the
purpose of the following data summary,
“all collisions” refers to collisions resulting
in injury (regardless of severity) or fatality,
unless otherwise specified. A subset of
these collisions resulted in a severe injury or
fatality: these are referred to as “KSI collisions”
(resulting in a person being Killed or Severely
Injured). Finally, “fatal collisions” refers to any
collision resulting in a fatality.
From 2017-2021, 126 reported injury
collisions occurred on non-state arterial
and collector roadways in San Anselmo
(Figure 15.1). Of these, there were eight (6%)
collisions resulting in a severe injury and
two (2%) collisions resulting in a fatality. This
marks an 11% decrease from 2012-2016,
which saw 142 injury collisions. There was
also a slight decrease in the number of severe
injury collisions, down from nine during the
previous period. However, the number of
fatal collisions increased during these two
periods from zero to two.
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Figure 15.1: San Anselmo
collisions by severity
LEGEND
Fatality Severe Injury Other Visible Injury Complaint of Pain Boundary
0 0_15 0.3 Miles
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2024 MARIN COUNTY LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN | 140CHAPTER 15. SAN ANSELMO LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN
Primary Collision Factors
Four primary collision factors were responsible for approximately 68% of collisions in
San Anselmo (Figure 15.2). Unsafe speeds resulted in almost 32%, far outranking the
other primary collision factors and surpassing the County’s rate for this collision factor
(26%). Automobile right-of-way violations (where drivers did not yield to another
driver with the right-of-way), improper turning, and driving or bicycling under the
influence of alcohol or drugs resulted in 14%, 13%, and 10% of collisions, respectively.
The rate of collisions caused by driving under the influence was slightly higher than
the countywide rate of 8% for this collision factor. While not responsible for a large
percentage of injury collisions overall, pedestrian violations caused 25% of collisions
resulting in a severe injury. These are collisions where the pedestrian was deemed to
be at fault.
Figure 15.2: Top 10 primary collision factors
Road User Types
Figure 15.3 shows collisions by mode. Almost 60% of collisions in San Anselmo
involved vehicles only. Approximately 25% involved bicyclists, compared to 19% of
collisions countywide. Ten percent (10%) of collisions involved pedestrians and 7%
involved motorcyclists. Of the two fatal collisions, one involved a pedestrian and the
other involved motor vehicles only.
Figure 15.3: San Anselmo collisions by mode
Of San Anselmo’s 32 collisions involving a bicyclist, 23 also involved motor vehicles,
eight were solo bicycle collisions, and one involved a pedestrian. Bicycle collisions
with motor vehicles tended to result from other hazardous violations (26%),
automobile right-of-way violations (22%), improper turning (17%), and improper
passing (9%). Solo bicycle collisions were largely due to unsafe speed (63%), while
the bicycle/pedestrian collision resulted from a pedestrian violation. Bicycle collisions
tended to occur in downtown San Anselmo, particularly on San Anselmo Avenue
between San Rafael Avenue and Mariposa Avenue.
Approximately 46% of the 13 pedestrians involved in collisions were crossing in
a crosswalk at the time of the collision. Almost half (46%) of pedestrian collisions
were caused by pedestrian violations, while another 31% resulted from pedestrian
right-of-way violations (where drivers did not yield to a pedestrian with the right-of-
way). Hotspots of pedestrian collisions occurred near the Sir Francis Drake Boulevard
and Sunny Hills Drive intersection as well as along San Anselmo Avenue between
Woodland Avenue and Ross Avenue. Collisions during which pedestrians were either
crossing outside a crosswalk or were walking in the road tended to occur along
the southern portion of San Anselmo Avenue, as well as south of the intersection
between San Anselmo Avenue and Bank Street.
Of the nine motorcycle collisions in San Anselmo, five involved motor vehicles and
four were solo collisions. Motorcycle collisions, whether involving a motor vehicle or
not, tended to result from unsafe speed. These collisions occurred along Sir Francis
Drake Boulevard north of the Hub and along Red Hill Avenue.
SAN ANSELMO
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_ _II J_1I _.I_._._._._._
■ ■ ■
2024 MARIN COUNTY LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN | 141CHAPTER 15. SAN ANSELMO LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN
Equity Considerations
Approximately 7% of collisions involving a pedestrian or bicyclist involved an active
transportation user of Hispanic or African American descent. This is proportionate to
the Town’s overall population of these two demographic groups.
Several bus stops were located within 100 feet of at least one pedestrian collision.
The stop at Sir Francis Drake Boulevard and Sunny Hills Drive, serving the Red Hill
Shopping Center, was proximate to two such collisions. The transit stops at Sir
Francis Drake Boulevard and Madrone Avenue; Sir Francis Drake Boulevard and Bank
Street; and Sir Francis Drake Boulevard and Ross Street were each located near one
pedestrian collision. While it is unclear whether these pedestrians were transit users,
collisions near transit stops can be signs of inequity in road safety conditions that
should be addressed.
Youths and older adults were involved in a higher percentage of injury collisions in
San Anselmo compared to countywide rates. Ten percent (10%) of these collisions
involved youths, compared to 7% countywide; 23% involved older adults, compared
to 20% for the County. Approximately 20% of KSI collisions involved older adults, a
rate that is almost double that of the County (11%).
External Conditions
Approximately 23% of injury collisions and 40% of KSI collisions in San Anselmo
occurred in low-visibility conditions. The majority of these injury collisions – 19% of
all collisions and 40% of KSI collisions – occurred in the dark but in the presence of
streetlights.
Sir Francis Drake Boulevard and Sunny Hills Drive
2024 MARIN COUNTY LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN | 142CHAPTER 15. SAN ANSELMO LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN
High Collision Network
San Anselmo’s High Collision Network is
show in Figure 15.4, Table 15.2, and
Table 15.3. High collision road segments
and intersections were selected
countywide based on overall collision
rates at those locations.
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UNIVERSITY OF
REDLANDS,
MARIN CAMPUS
1
3
4
5
C
A
B
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TOWN OF TOWN OF
SAN ANSELMOSAN ANSELMO
Figure 15.4: San Anselmo High Collision Network LEGEND
HCN Intersection HCN Segment Boundary
0.15 0.3 Miles
I I I I I
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2024 MARIN COUNTY LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN | 143CHAPTER 15. SAN ANSELMO LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN
Table 15.2: San Anselmo High Collision Network Segments
ID Location
Number of Collisions
Collision Rate Per
100 Million VMT
Pedestrian Bicycle Motorcycle Motor
Vehicle Only
Total
1 San Anselmo Avenue from Hazel Avenue to Bolinas Avenue 3 15 0 2 20 337.4
2 Sir Francis Drake Boulevard from San Francisco Boulevard
to Cordone Drive 1 1 0 12 14 137.0
3 Sir Francis Drake Boulevard from Center Boulevard
to Tunstead Avenue 1 2 0 1 4 58.0
4 Butterfield Road from Woodside Drive to Fairview Court 0 1 0 4 5 27.8
5 Red Hill Avenue from Sir Francis Drake Boulevard to Forbes Avenue 1 0 3 5 9 10.9
Table 15.3: Fairfax High Collision Network Intersections
ID Location
Number of Collisions Collision Rate Per
100 Million Entering
Vehicles
Pedestrian Bicycle Motorcycle Motor
Vehicle Only
Total
A San Anselmo and Madrone 0 1 0 0 1 13.4
B Sir Francis Drake and Saunders 0 0 0 3 3 5.5
C Sir Francis Drake and San Anselmo 0 0 0 1 1 2.1
The Town’s High Collision Network includes five segments, as can be seen in the map.
San Anselmo Avenue from Hazel Avenue to Bolinas Avenue had the highest collision
rate of the Town’s segments – 337.4 collisions per 100 million vehicle miles traveled –
ranking twelfth of the 70 countywide High Collision Network segments by collision rate.
This segment also had the highest number of collisions (20) for the Town, including 15
involving bicyclists and three involving pedestrians. Sir Francis Drake Boulevard from
San Francisco Boulevard to Cordone Drive had the second highest rate for the Town,
with 136.9 collisions per 100 million vehicle miles traveled. Twelve of this segment’s 14
collisions involved motor vehicles only.
San Anselmo’s High Collision Network also includes three intersections. Of these, San
Anselmo Avenue and Madrone Avenue had the highest collision rate (13.4 collisions
per 100 million entering vehicles) and ranked 49th of the County’s 92 High Collision
Network intersections. Sir Francis Drake Boulevard and Saunders Avenue had the
second highest rate and highest number of collisions (5.5 collisions per 100 million
entering vehicles and three total collisions), all of which involved motor vehicles only.
2024 MARIN COUNTY LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN | 144CHAPTER 15. SAN ANSELMO LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN
15.5 EMPHASIS AREAS
Emphasis areas provide a framework for developing and implementing strategies to
increase road user safety across the County. Potential emphasis areas were initially
identified using severe injury and fatality collision data from 2012-2021 for San
Anselmo in comparison to the County as a whole, which allowed for a larger sample
size of severe injury and fatality collisions (KSI collisions) to be compared. Emphasis
areas were then refined through stakeholder input. A full list of emphasis areas for the
County can be found in Chapter 6. Five primary emphasis areas were selected from
this list for San Anselmo based on the Town’s collision trends, shown in Table 15.4. The
following is a description of trends relating to these emphasis areas from 2012-2021.
Table 15.4: San Anselmo primary emphasis areas
Category Primary Emphasis Area
Vulnerable Road Users Bicyclists
Pedestrians
Collision Factors Unsafe Speed
Collision Types Rear-End
External Conditions Dark Conditions
Almost 13% of injury collisions and 13% of KSI collisions in San Anselmo from 2012-
2021 involved a bicyclist; this is significantly higher than the County’s rates of 9% of
all injury collisions. The bicycle collision rate increased when considering the latest
five years of data, to almost 25% of all injury collisions in the Town. Two severe injury
collisions involved bicyclists.
Collisions involving pedestrians in San Anselmo made up 19% of KSI collisions,
compared to 12% of KSI collisions countywide. This rate also increased when
considering the latest five years of data. One fatality and two severe injury collisions
involved pedestrians.
Unsafe speed resulted in 33% of San Anselmo’s injury collisions, as well as 19% of KSI
collisions. Countywide, meanwhile, this collision factor was responsible for 28% of
injury collisions. Unsafe speed collisions were spread throughout the Town with the
most prominent locations along Sir Francis Drake Boulevard from the San Anselmo
Memorial Park to the Town’s northern border.
Approximately one-third (33%) of injury collisions and 19% of KSI collisions in the
Town were rear-end collisions, compared to 25% and 6% countywide, respectively.
These were most prominent at the Hub intersection and Sir Francis Drake Boulevard
near the Town’s northern border.
One-fifth (20%) of injury collisions and 38% of KSI collisions occurred during dark
conditions. Countywide, only 30% of KSI collisions occurred during dark conditions.
Most of these collisions occurred in locations where working streetlights were
present. The Hub was a hotspot of these collisions.
Focusing on these primary emphasis areas can significantly contribute to eliminating
collisions in the Town resulting in severe injury or fatality. However, a strategy that
includes additional emphasis areas would have additional positive effects. Table 15.5
through Table 15.9 list the goals and strategies for San Anselmo’s primary emphasis
areas. See Appendix A for more detail on countermeasures recommended as
emphasis area strategies.
Butterfield Road and Sir Francis Drake Boulevard
2024 MARIN COUNTY LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN | 145CHAPTER 15. SAN ANSELMO LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN
Table 15.5: San Anselmo bicyclists user primary emphasis area goals & strategies
EMPHASIS AREA: BICYCLISTS
GOAL: Eliminate fatal & severe injury collisions involving bicyclists by 2050.
STRATEGIES
Education • Expand Safe Routes to Schools education programming.
• Expand Street Smarts safety campaigns and consider alignment with Bicycle Safety Month.
Enforcement • Equitably implement targeted enforcement on key collision areas which resulted in
injury bicycle collisions.
• Prioritize enforcement of traffic laws based on likelihood of behavior causing an injury collision.
• Equitably implement targeted enforcement for bicyclists driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
Engineering • In conjunction with other strategies, install countermeasures focused on reducing the likelihood and
severity of collisions between automobiles and bicyclists and increasing driver awareness of bicyclists.
• Provide low stress, all ages and abilities infrastructure connectivity for bicyclists, particularly within one
mile of schools and along key active transportation routes.
• Refer to Caltrans and FHWA guidance on the preferred method of separation based on automobile
speeds and roadway volumes.
• Implement technology to improve bicyclist safety such as bicycle activated signal detection and bicycle
signal heads as appropriate.
Emergency
Response
• Install emergency vehicle preemption systems.
• Improve resources for deploying emergency responses to bicycle collision sites.
• Consider targeted training for responding to specific high incident locations and treatment of
predominant bicyclist injury types at those locations.
• Ensure that emergency routes are clear and well defined.
Emerging
Technology
• Implement new technologies to make bicycle crossings safer and more comfortable
(e.g., automated detection at signalized intersections, etc.).
• Deploy collision-prevention technology at signalized intersections.
• Utilize technologies such as video data and crowdsourcing to track and address near misses.
• Conduct in-depth analyses of bicyclist collision trends at hot spot locations to inform strategy
implementation.
0 • •
2024 MARIN COUNTY LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN | 146CHAPTER 15. SAN ANSELMO LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN
Table 15.6: San Anselmo pedestrian emphasis area goals & strategies
STRATEGIES
Education • Expand Safe Routes to Schools education programming.
• Expand Street Smarts safety campaigns and consider aligning with Pedestrian Safety Month.
• Create education campaign for jurisdiction staff who operate vehicles about
the importance of safe speeds.
Enforcement • Equitably implement targeted enforcement on key collision areas which resulted in
injury pedestrian collisions.
• Prioritize enforcement of traffic laws based on likelihood of behavior causing an injury collision.
Engineering • In conjunction with other strategies, install countermeasures focused on reducing the likelihood
and severity of collisions between automobiles and pedestrians and increasing driver awareness of
pedestrians.
• Provide low stress, all ages and abilities infrastructure connectivity for pedestrians,
particularly within one mile of schools and along key active transportation routes.
• Develop countywide street lighting standards.
• Implement pedestrian safety countermeasures in all improvement and maintenance projects.
• Develop and implement a Construction Accessibility Policy to maintain accessibility during
construction and maintenance projects.
Emergency
Response
• Install emergency vehicle preemption systems.
• Improve resources for deploying emergency responses to collision sites.
• Ensure that emergency routes are clear and well defined.
• Consider targeted training for responding to specific high incident locations and treatment of
predominant injury types at those locations.
Emerging
Technology
• Implement new technologies to make pedestrian crossings safer and more comfortable
(e.g., automated pedestrian detection at signalized intersections, etc.).
• Deploy collision-prevention technology at signalized intersections.
• Utilize technologies such as video data and crowdsourcing to track and address near misses.
• Conduct in-depth analyses of pedestrian collision trends at hot spot locations to inform strategy
implementation.
EMPHASIS AREA: PEDESTRIANS
GOAL: Eliminate fatal & severe injury collisions involving pedestrians by 2050.
2024 MARIN COUNTY LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN | 147CHAPTER 15. SAN ANSELMO LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN
Table 15.7: San Anselmo unsafe speed emphasis area goals & strategies
STRATEGIES
Education • Par tner with local businesses and organizations on educational efforts and campaigns along hot spot corridors.
• Implement a safe speeds education campaign.
• Expand the Street Smarts Marin program.
Enforcement • Equitably implement targeted enforcement on key collision areas which resulted in injuries from unsafe speeds.
• Use recent legislation (AB 43, 321) and national research to set context-appropriate speeds suitable for all road users particularly
in business districts and near schools.
• Consider use of technology to support automated enforcement at key locations.
• Deploy a radar trailer at locations where instances of unsafe speed are more prevalent.
Engineering • In conjunction with other strategies, install countermeasures focused on designing and improving roadways that lead to more appropriate
speeds to the surrounding land uses.
• Coordinate with emergency services to develop design standards for traffic calming treatments, particularly on collector
and neighborhood streets.
Emergency Response • Install emergency vehicle preemption systems.
• Consider targeted training for responding to specific high incident locations and treatment of predominant injury types at those locations.
• Improve resources for deploying emergency responses to collision sites.
• Ensure that emergency routes are clear and well defined.
Emerging Technology • Implement technology such as spot cameras, variable message signs, and traffic control warning devices as appropriate.
• Monitor speeds through critical intersections using smart signal technology.
• Utilize technologies such as video data and crowdsourcing to track and address near misses.
• Engage in legislative advocacy to seek state law change allowing automated speed cameras and allowing the resulting citations
to be handled as local municipal code violations rather than vehicle code violations.
EMPHASIS AREA: UNSAFE SPEED
GOAL: Eliminate fatal & severe injury collisions involving unsafe speed by 2050.
2024 MARIN COUNTY LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN | 148CHAPTER 15. SAN ANSELMO LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN
STRATEGIES
Education • Partner with local businesses and community organizations to educate the public about
distracted driving.
• Expand the Street Smarts program.
Enforcement • Equitably implement targeted distracted driving enforcement at high injury locations where rearend
collisions are more common.
Engineering • Install countermeasures focused on designing and improving roadways that lead to more appropriate
speeds to the surrounding land uses.
Emergency
Response
• Install emergency vehicle preemption systems.
• Improve resources for deploying emergency responses to collision sites.
• Ensure that emergency routes are clear and well defined.
• Consider targeted training for responding to specific high incident locations and treatment of
predominant injury types at those locations.
Emerging
Technology
• Deploy collision-prevention technology at signalized intersections.
• Utilize technologies such as video data and crowdsourcing to track and address near misses.
Table 15.8: San Anselmo rear end collisions emphasis area goals & strategies
EMPHASIS AREA: REAR END COLLISIONS
GOAL: Eliminate fatal & severe injury collisions involving rear end collisions by 2050.
2024 MARIN COUNTY LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN | 149CHAPTER 15. SAN ANSELMO LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN
STRATEGIES
Education • Implement education campaigns targeted at safely walking and bicycling in the dark.
• Implement a safe speeds education campaign.
Enforcement • Use recent legislation and national research to set context appropriate speeds suitable
for all road users.
Engineering • Implement countermeasures focused on improving nighttime infrastructure awareness
and decision making.
• Improve street lighting in areas with high numbers of collisions during dark conditions.
Emergency Response • Install emergency vehicle preemption systems.
• Improve resources for deploying emergency responses to collision sites.
• Ensure that emergency routes are clear and well defined.
• Consider targeted training for responding to specific high incident locations and
treatment of predominant injury types at those locations.
Emerging Technology • Deploy collision-prevention technology at signalized intersections.
• Utilize technologies such as video data and crowdsourcing to track and address near misses.
Table 15.9: San Anselmo dark conditions primary emphasis area goals & strategies
EMPHASIS AREA: DARK CONDITIONS
GOAL: Eliminate fatal & severe injury collisions involving dark conditions by 2050.I
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2024 MARIN COUNTY LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN | 150CHAPTER 15. SAN ANSELMO LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN
Sir Francis Drake Boulevard from San Francisco Boulevard to
Cordone Drive (Segment)
Intersection Improvements
Consider adding no right turn on red signage at San Francisco Boulevard and
improving sight distances at intersections.
15.6 PRIORITY PROJECTS
Following the identification of the High Collision Network, the collision patterns
at these intersections and segments were analyzed to determine potential
countermeasures. In collaboration with the Town, a subset of priority project locations
was selected to recommend specific improvements based on the collision rates,
trends, and potential improvement impacts. These are locations where site-specific
engineering improvements can have a substantial effect in achieving the LRSP’s goals.
In San Anselmo, the priority locations and projects are as follows:
San Anselmo Avenue from Hazel Avenue to
Bolinas Avenue (Segment)
Pedestrian Crossing Improvements
Pedestrian crossing improvements could be considered along this corridor,
including some of the following: Rectangular rapid flashing beacons, high
visibility crosswalks, curb extensions, advanced stop bars, and ADA/APS
pedestrian push buttons. These would improve pedestrian crossings by
shortening crossing distances and emphasizing pedestrians’ presence.
Bicycle Facility Improvements
Consider adding bicycle lanes along this corridor, if feasible, which would require
the removal of on-street parking in the downtown commercial core. Adding
dedicated bicycle facilities can lessen the chances of conflicts and collisions
involving motorists overtaking bicyclists.
2024 MARIN COUNTY LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN | 151CHAPTER 15. SAN ANSELMO LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN
Marin’s Transportation Sales Tax
MEAS U R E
V O T ER APPROVED
Marin’s Vehicle Registration Fee
BMEASURE
V O T ER APPROVED
15.7 IMPLEMENTATION & EVALUATION
A number of considerations must be proactively managed to successfully implement
the strategies presented in the LRSP. Successful implementation requires adequate
funding, coordination, and partnerships, and can be supported by policies at both the
jurisdiction and county levels.
IMPLEMENTATION
Next Steps & Timeline for Implementation
The next steps for implementation should focus on developing specific programs
and projects from the LRSP recommendations:
Identify an “agency champion” to advance each LRSP priority recommendation.
This agency generally would assume the primary role in program/project
development
Further define each priority recommendation (or if appropriate, bundle several
recommendations together) into a discrete program or project with a specific
scope of improvements
Allocate initial funding to complete basic program/project development tasks,
such as conceptual planning, feasibility assessments, cost estimation, and
agency coordination
These initial development steps will allow lead agencies to define specific programs
and projects and prepare them for inclusion in competitive funding applications,
regional transportation plans, and local capital improvement plans (CIPs).
The strategies introduced in this document may be implemented in different phases.
Short-term implementation would generally occur in less than five years from
completion of the LRSP. These actions include low-cost engineering treatments that
can be constructed relatively quickly, such as striping projects, signal optimizations,
and quick-build infrastructure. Additional short-term strategies could include scaling
up existing programs and implementing enforcement activities.
Medium-term implementation typically would occur between five and ten years after
LRSP development. This may include progressive and scaled-up safety elements as
well as larger projects that require more resources to design and construct. Policy
changes also could be implemented in this timeframe.
In the long term (generally 10 years or more), implementation may focus on further
emphasizing safety in future planning and design efforts.
Funding Sources & Strategies
Obtaining funding is critical for plan implementation. The County and its jurisdictions
can pursue funding at various levels depending on their needs. Identification of
funding sources and opportunities can be focused on the following:
Federal and state grant opportunities, including the Highway Safety
Improvement Program, Safe Streets & Roads for All, and the
Active Transportation Program
Regional funding opportunities, including funding opportunities resulting from
Marin County’s Measure AA sales tax and Measure B vehicle registration fees
Local fund contributions from TAM, the County, and its jurisdictions to
support countywide programs
Capital improvement projects, such as repaving efforts into which safety
upgrades could be bundled
California Active
Transportation Program
2024 MARIN COUNTY LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN | 152CHAPTER 15. SAN ANSELMO LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN
The following strategies can help to increase the likelihood of success in competitive
funding applications:
Pursue the highest-priority, highest-benefit projects and programs. These tend
to be the most competitive in grant programs, driven by strong results in the
benefit-cost analyses that are often required. In addition, showing funding
partners that the County and local jurisdictions have thought carefully about the
highest-value ways to direct resources can inspire confidence from these federal
and state entities
Partner across jurisdictions to greatly strengthen applications for competitive
funding. Some potential partners for local jurisdictions include the County,
TAM, Marin Transit, or relevant community-based organizations. Beyond
grant applications, these jurisdictional partnerships also could include more
formalized memoranda of understanding to share the costs of planning, design,
construction, or operations
Leverage local funding for projects and aim to provide close to 50 percent of
total project costs from these local funds. This type of commitment will increase
competitiveness when applying for discretionary funds at the federal and state levels
Pursue multiple funding sources. Infrastructure programs and projects often
require agencies to leverage many sources to meet project budgets, especially
given the uncertainty of competitive funding programs
Coordination & Partnership
Coordination and partnership among diverse stakeholders are essential for the
success of the LRSP. Within jurisdictions, collaboration and partnership between
public works, law enforcement, bicycle/pedestrian advisory committees, and others
can ensure that road user safety is systematically addressed.
Additional countywide partnerships could also be considered to track funding and
project implementation. These partnerships could take the following forms:
Jurisdictional partnerships to prepare joint grant applications and potentially
share program/project costs
Countywide bicycle working committee including representatives from existing
groups from various jurisdictions to further develop program/project concepts,
track funding opportunities, and monitor overall progress toward LRSP goals
Task force to audit countywide projects and programs related to bicycle safety,
review collision trend data, and make recommendations on preventing future
collisions
Policy Support
Whether at the county or jurisdiction levels, the LRSP strategy implementation can be
facilitated by supportive policies. Policies to consider include establishing clear goals
for regional connectivity through a countywide bicycle master planning process,
parking policies, and traffic calming policies. Having clear policies can pave the way
for related safety improvements.
EVALUATION
It will be important to evaluate progress towards meeting the LRSP’s goals. Evaluation
allows the County and its jurisdictions to monitor safety conditions over time and
make strategy adjustments as necessary.
In order to understand progress and safety conditions, specific outcome metrics
should be used when evaluating the LRSP’s progress. Foremost among these should
be the number of KSI collisions in each jurisdiction, as this corresponds directly to the
LRSP goals. Additional metrics could be the number of non-KSI injury collisions and
collisions related to each emphasis area. Metrics should be tracked every two years
and summarized in a memo or scorecard. This data will also be helpful when applying
for funding.
Regularly updating the LRSP will allow the plan and its strategies to be revised based
on the evaluation results. The LRSP should be updated every four years or as needed.
2024 MARIN COUNTY LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN | 153CHAPTER 16. SAN RAFAEL LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN
16.1 INTRODUCTION
The City of San Rafael is located in central Marin County. Highways 101 and 580
divide the City, which serves as the entryway into Marin County for vehicles arriving
from the East Bay. The City is bordered by Larkspur to the south, San Anselmo and
Ross to the west, unincorporated Marin County to the north, and the San Pablo Bay
to the east. San Rafael is the second largest Marin County incorporated city or town
by area, at approximately 16.6 square miles, and the largest in terms of population
with approximately 60,800 residents.1 San Rafael is the fifth densest of Marin County’s
cities and towns, with a population density of almost 3,700 residents per square mile.
A Local Road Safety Plan (LRSP) provides a framework to identify, analyze, and
prioritize roadway safety improvements on local and rural roads to increase safety
for all road users. The LRSP facilitates local agency partnerships and collaboration to
systematically address road safety issues, ultimately resulting in a list of prioritized
projects and actions that can be used to obtain federal funding. The LRSP provides a
proactive approach to address safety needs and demonstrates agency responsiveness
1 United States Census Bureau 2021
to safety challenges. A living document, the LRSP can be revised as needed to reflect
evolving trends, community needs, and priorities.
This chapter presents the vision statement and goals, summarizes collision data,
identifies emphasis areas, recommends high priority project locations, and outlines
the implementation and evaluation strategies for the City of San Rafael.
16.2 VISION & GOALS
San Rafael’s vision for this LRSP was developed through feedback with the Technical
Advisory Committee (TAC) and Marin County jurisdictions, which are described
in Chapter 3. The vision statement reflects the city’s intention to initiate Vision
Zero, an international strategy to eliminate all traffic fatalities and severe injuries
while increasing safe, healthy, and equitable mobility for all. The vision statement
recognizes that, while aspirational, to work towards anything less than an end to
traffic fatalities and severe injuries would not be appropriate. The accompanying
goals represent a path forward to achieving this vision.
16. SAN RAFAEL LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN
2024 MARIN COUNTY LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN | 154CHAPTER 16. SAN RAFAEL LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN
Vision Statement
The City of San Rafael strives to eliminate collision-related fatalities and severe injuries
by proactively and equitably pursuing a safe systems approach prioritizing road
safety for all users.
GOALS
Systematically implement proven safety solutions, initiatives, policies, and
programs to eliminate preventable fatal & severe collisions by 2050.
Utilize a multi-faceted approach that spans jurisdictions and
encompasses diverse strategies including engineering, education,
public health, and enforcement.
Implement improvements that promote and support safe travel for
vulnerable users including people walking and bicycling, children,
older adults, and people with disabilities.
Ensure that multimodal safety investments are made in a manner
that is fair and equitable for all San Rafael residents.
16.3 EXISTING EFFORTS
In recent years, San Rafael’s efforts to improve safety have been most visible through
a range of plans and programs. This chapter describes plans, studies, and programs
supporting safety in San Rafael.
PLANS & STUDIES
Canal Community Based Transportation Plan (2022)
This plan aimed to understand residents’ transportation challenges and gather
community input to help identify and guide investments in active transportation
modes for the next decade. It was developed in collaboration with a resident
stakeholder committee and an agency technical advisory committee. It provided
a number of transportation recommendations to address gaps identified by the
community; these recommendations were prioritized based on level of community
support and include active transportation infrastructure, traffic calming, and transit
improvements.
Systemic Safety Analysis Report (2018)
The 2018 Marin County Systemic Safety Analysis Report (SSAR) provided a large-
scale systemic safety analysis of roadways across Marin County to help drive future
improvement projects, grant applications, and traffic safety outreach programs for
Marin County’s 11 jurisdictions and unincorporated areas. The analysis was funded
through the California Systemic Safety Analysis Report Program and produced by the
Marin County Department of Public Works. The project also involved collaboration
with various town and city police departments, the Marin County Sheriff, and the
California Highway Patrol. A Technical Advisory Committee was formed to help guide
the process and was comprised of representatives from the Marin Public Works
Association, Transportation Authority of Marin, and Marin General Hospital. This LRSP
serves as an update to portions of the SSAR.
Bicycle & Pedestrian Master Plan Update (2018)
This plan provides a framework to guide the City’s bicycle and pedestrian investments
over the next 5-10 years. The plan was adopted in July 2018 and includes a
description of existing conditions as well as a list of prioritized projects. It outlines
steps needed to improve safety, act on community needs, and improve the mobility
options for San Rafael residents, workers, and visitors. Development of the plan
included a robust community engagement effort.
Crosswalk Inventory and Improvement Prioritization System (2020)
The City collected a variety of data at all unsignalized crosswalks in the City and
developed a system to prioritize the investment in traffic safety based on several
factors. This guiding document is a dynamic tool to line up projects with the greatest
need for local, regional, State and Federal funds.
Novato
Fairfax
San RafaelSan Anselmo
Mill Valley
Corte
Madera
Tiburon
Ross
Larkspur
0%
2%
4%
6%
8%
10%
12%
14%
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Total Crashes
Total KSI Crashes
Pedestrian inCrosswalk
Pedestrian not inCrosswalk
Other
3%
3%
5%
38%
100% 100% 100% 100%
8%
6% 7%
14% 18%
29% 5%
38% 22% 6%
5% 43% 38%
3% 34%
1% 54%
5%
8%
8%
CRASH TYPES BY MODE: RATIOS OF ALL COLLISIONS
Motorvehicle proceeding straight
Motorvehicle making left turn
Motorvehicle making right turn
Head-On
Sideswipe
Hit Object
Broadside
Rear End
Overturned
Other *
One square = One Collision * “Other” is one of the eight crash type options for police ocers to designate on collision reports. Collisions designated as “Other” are included in the auto portion of the collisions by mode chart above.
CRASH TYPES ...... :::::· ::::: ..... ..... ..... :::::
■ ■ . . : :
... ..
■ :: . :: .. .. .. :·
2024 MARIN COUNTY LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN | 155CHAPTER 16. SAN RAFAEL LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN
PROGRAMS
Safe Routes to Schools
Marin County’s Safe Routes to Schools (SR2S) is a program of TAM. TAM has created
a long-term, sustainable program that is institutionalized in schools with strong
community involvement. SR2S began in 2000 as a pilot program in select towns.
Today it operates in all Marin County jurisdictions and Unincorporated Marin in
over 55 schools, serving a total population of over 29,000 students. Among its
many activities, SR2S provides professional instructors to teach safe bicycling and
pedestrian safety skills and oversees volunteers in promoting the program through
contests, events, and regular submissions to school newsletters. SR2S also identifies
potential infrastructure projects to address school travel safety issues.
Street Smarts Marin
Street Smarts is a traffic safety program run by TAM that educates
drivers, pedestrians, and bicyclists about safety issues including
distracted driving. The goal is to encourage people to adopt new
attitudes and behaviors that will reduce the number of collisions
and make the streets safer for everyone. The program incorporates
physical banners and social media posts to spread
its messages about key safety behaviors. The program began in
2009 and includes one to two rollouts per year.
Transportation Authority of Marin Crossing Guard Program
TAM’s crossing guard program provides trained crossing guards at key intersections
throughout Marin County. This is a key component of the Safe Routes to Schools
program as crossing guards help reduce the reluctance that some parents may feel
towards allowing their children to walk or bicycle to school. The program began in
2006 with 54 crossing guards and in the 2023/2024 school year 105 crossing guard
locations will be active. TAM contracts with a professional company that specializes in
crossing guard programs and uses a data-driven evaluation process to select the sites
at which guards are located.
Operating Budget Set-Aside
Realizing the need for smaller level improvements, the Engineering operating budget
sets aside funds for immediate improvements to critical items like signal visibility and
signing and striping improvements.
Video Detection & Automated Traffic Signal Performance
The City is building out its network video detection and automated traffic signal
performance measures by installing Miovision fisheye cameras and cabinet hardware
at select locations, including two along Bellam Boulevard. This technology provides
24/7 turning movement counts, including pedestrians, bicyclists, and transit vehicles,
which help the City with decision making. The collection of data paves the way for a
trending industry of collision prevention software.
A walk audit at Bahia Vista Elementary School brought parents, City, and school staff
together to improve active transportation conditions.
Crossing guards increase safety and comfort for students walking and rolling to school.
SLOWDOWN,
TURN SAFELY ,..
9
h 6.
StreetT smarts Marin
2024 MARIN COUNTY LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN | 156CHAPTER 16. SAN RAFAEL LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN
ENGINEERING IMPROVEMENTS
Manuel T. Freitas Parkway/Route 101 Interchange Project (Ongoing)
This Caltrans project is being undertaken to improve road user safety at the
intersection of Freitas Parkway, Civic Center Drive, and Old Redwood Highway. The
project will make ADA and pedestrian improvements at the intersection and will
add a roundabout to improve vehicle flow while slowing traffic. Bicycle facilities will
be provided within the roundabout for the north-south direction and may also be
extended north to connect with the existing bicycle lanes on Redwood Highway.
Grand Avenue Cycle Track Project (Ongoing)
The City plans to construct a new protected two-way cycle track and widened
sidewalk on the east side of Grand Avenue from Second Street to 4th Street. This
would achieve the goal of getting bicyclists and pedestrians to and from Fourth
Street, the main east-west multi-modal route through the City. The project is
expected to be completed in 2024.
3rd Street Improvement Project (2023)
This project aimed to improve the core utility infrastructure as well as multimodal
access. Its goals were to reduce traffic congestion throughout the downtown corridor;
improve multimodal safety; rehabilitate pavement and add accessible curb ramps;
and upgrade traffic signal infrastructure. The majority of the project was funded
by TAM. The eastern section was funded by HSIP and consisted of smaller-scale
improvements to signal indicators, ramps and signage. One feature of the project was
the installation of a Class IV protected cycle track and sidewalk between Shaver Street
and West Street. Construction was completed in fall 2023.
One-Way to Two-Way Street Conversions (2023)
The City of San Rafael converted several streets from one- to two-way traffic to
increase multimodal user safety. This occurred on C Street and B Street with the
completion of the Third Street improvements.
Francisco Boulevard East Sidewalk Improvements (2022)
The goals of this project were to provide a wider sidewalk along Francisco Boulevard
East; provide connectivity between the Grand Avenue Bridge and the wider sidewalk
south of Vivian Street; and replace the San Rafael Sanitation District’s main line. The
project installed an eight-foot-wide sidewalk/bicycle pathway between Vivian Street
and Grand Avenue.
Francisco Boulevard West Multi-Use Path Project (2021)
This project constructed an approximately 4,500-foot multi-use pathway from
Andersen Drive to Mahon Creek. Phase two of the project was completed in 2021.
On the northern end, the project connects to the existing Mahon Creek Pathway to
the west and to an existing pedestrian bridge/walkway to the north that extends to
2nd Street in downtown San Rafael.
Recent improvements on Francisco Boulevard West increase safety and comfort for cyclists.
Improvements along 2nd Street, part of the 3rd Street Improvement Project, aim to
improve multimodal safety while reducing vehicular congestion.
2024 MARIN COUNTY LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN | 157CHAPTER 16. SAN RAFAEL LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN
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16.4 DATA SUMMARY
This analysis considered reported collisions on non-state arterial and
collector roads resulting in injury or fatality. Arterial roads are high-capacity
roads that carry longer-distance vehicle flows between centers of activity.
Collector roads have low to moderate capacity and serve as connectors between
local roads and arterials. For the purpose of the following data summary, “all
collisions” refers to collisions resulting in injury (regardless of severity) or fatality,
unless otherwise specified. A subset of these collisions resulted in a severe injury or
fatality: these are referred to as “KSI collisions” (resulting in a person being Killed or
Severely Injured). Finally, “fatal collisions” refers to any collision resulting in a fatality.Figure 16.1: San Rafael collisions by severity
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From 2017-2021, 737 reported injury collisions occurred on non-state arterial and
collector roadways in San Rafael (Figure 16.1). Of these, there were 58 (8%) collisions
resulting in a severe injury and three (<1%) collisions resulting in a fatality. This
marks a 23% decrease from 2012-2016, which saw 953 injury collisions. Additionally,
the number of fatal collisions in the City was down from 10 in the previous period.
However, there was a three-percentage point increase in the proportion of collisions
that resulted in severe injury, up from 5% during the previous period.
Primary Collision Factors
Four primary collision factors were responsible for approximately 65% of collisions
in San Rafael (Figure 16.2). Unsafe speeds was the most common primary collision
factor, causing almost 20% of collisions. Automobile right-of-way violations
(drivers did not yield to another driver with the right-of-way), traffic signals and
sign violations, and improper turning resulted in 16%, 15%, and 14% of collisions,
respectively. The rate of traffic signal and sign-related collisions was over twice that of
Marin County as a whole (7%). While only causing 13% of collisions, pedestrian right
of way violations were responsible for 20% of KSI collisions and two of the City’s three
fatal collisions. The third fatal collision resulted from a traffic signal and sign violation.
Figure 16.2: Top 10 Primary Collision Factors
Road User Types
Figure 16.3 shows collisions by mode. Approximately 60% of collisions in San Rafael
involved vehicles only. Collisions in San Rafael were more likely to involve pedestrians
than the County as a whole, at a rate of 19% in San Rafael, compared to 14%
countywide. Sixteen percent (16%) of collisions involved bicyclists and 5% involved
motorcyclists. Of the three fatal collisions, two involved a pedestrian and one involved
a bicyclist.
Figure 16.3: San Rafael collisions by mode
Of San Rafael’s 116 collisions involving a bicyclist, 111 involved motor vehicles, five
were solo bicycle collisions, and two involved a pedestrian. Bicycle collisions with
motor vehicles tended to result from automobile right-of-way violations (21%),
improper turning (20%), unsafe speed (14%), and operating on the wrong side of
the road (13%). The solo bicycle collisions were mainly caused by improper turning
and unsafe speed (40% each). No known cause was recorded for the two bicycle/
pedestrian collisions. Bicycle collisions tended to occur in downtown San Rafael,
particularly around the Lincoln Avenue and 3rd Street intersection, as well as in the
Canal neighborhood along Bellam Boulevard.
Approximately 74% of the 143 pedestrian collisions occurred when the pedestrian
was crossing in a crosswalk at the time of the collision and 11% occurred outside of
a crosswalk. Almost 64% of pedestrian collisions were caused by pedestrian right-
of-way violations (drivers did not yield to a pedestrian with the right-of-way), while
another 10% resulted from pedestrian violations (the pedestrian was deemed to be
at fault). Hotspots of pedestrian collisions occurred downtown, particularly adjacent
to the SMART station and Transit Center and along B Street. Collisions involving
pedestrians crossing outside of crosswalks were spread throughout the City. However,
SAN Rafael
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one-third of these collisions occurred in the Canal neighborhood, one of the City’s
Equity Priority Communities (see the following section for more information).
Of the 35 motorcycle collisions in San Rafael, 30 involved a motor vehicle and five
were solo collisions. Motorcycle/vehicle collisions largely resulted from automobile
right-of-way violations (47%) and improper turning (30%). Solo motorcycle collisions
were mainly caused by unsafe speed and improper turning. Motorcycle collisions
occurred largely downtown, with a hotspot at the intersection between Hetherton
Street and 2nd Street.
Equity Considerations
Almost 40% of pedestrian collisions and 23% of bicycle collisions in San Rafael
involved people of Hispanic background. Citywide, this demographic group makes
up 31% of the population. These collisions tend to cluster around the SMART station
in downtown San Rafael as well as the Bellam Boulevard and Belvedere Street
intersection in the Canal neighborhood.
Several bus stops were located within 100 feet of at least one pedestrian collision. The
Marin Transit Route 35 stops at Lincoln Avenue and Mission Street, providing service
to and from the Canal neighborhood via downtown San Rafael, were the site of five
pedestrian collisions, including three that involved Hispanic pedestrians. The bus
stop at Grant Street and 3rd Street (serving six transit routes) and the Transit Center
(serving a number of bus routes as well as SMART rail) each had four pedestrian
collisions in their vicinity. The transit stops, particularly the downtown Transit Center,
provide important transportation options for people who cannot or do not drive.
More than 7% of households in San Rafael do not have access to a vehicle. While it is
unclear whether these pedestrians were transit users, collisions near transit stops can
be signs of inequity in road safety conditions that should be addressed.
San Rafael’s Canal neighborhood is designated as an equity priority community in
Plan Bay Area 2050. This means that the neighborhood has a significant concentration
of disadvantaged populations, such as households with low incomes and people of
color. One hundred twenty-five collisions occurred in the Canal neighborhood from
2017-2021. Twenty-nine of these (23%) involved a bicyclist and 21 (17%) involved
a pedestrian. The main causes of collisions in this area were unsafe speed (24%),
automobile right-of-way violations (17%), and improper turning (13%).
A second equity priority community is located in San Rafael’s Terra Linda district.
Sixty-six collisions occurred in this district from 2017-2021. Approximately 79%
of these collisions involved motor vehicles only, while 9% involved bicyclists, 9%
involved pedestrians, and 3% involved motorcyclists. The main causes of these
collisions were traffic signal and signs violations and unsafe speed, each of which
accounted for 23% of collisions. The highest concentration of collisions occurred near
the Northgate One Shopping Center along Las Gallinas Avenue and Manuel T. Freitas
Parkway.
External Conditions
Over 21% of injury collisions and almost 30% of severe injury and fatality collisions in
San Rafael occurred in the dark but in the presence of streetlights. This is higher than
the countywide rates for these conditions (16% and 22%, respectively).
In San Rafael’s Canal neighborhood, dark conditions contribute to collisions.
2024 MARIN COUNTY LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN | 160CHAPTER 16. SAN RAFAEL LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN
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High Collision Network
San Rafael’s High Collision Network is show in Figure 16.4,
Table 16.1, and Table 16.2. High collision road segments and
intersections were selected countywide based on overall collision
rates at those locations.
Figure 16.1: San Rafael high collision network
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Table 16.1: San Rafael High Collision Network Segments
ID Location
Number of Collisions
Collision Rate Per
100 Million VMT
Pedestrian Bicycle Motorcycle Motor
Vehicle Only
Total
1 Tamalpais Avenue from 3rd Street to 5th Street 5 1 1 3 10 1699.5
2 Lincoln Avenue from 2nd Street to Mission Avenue 17 7 3 29 56 1409.2
3 A Street from 2nd Street to 5th Street 6 3 1 12 22 1356.4
4 B Street from 2nd Street to 5th Street 9 3 0 6 18 1118.5
5 Hetherton Street from 2nd Street to Mission Avenue 4 1 3 22 30 937.7
6 Grand Avenue from 2nd Street to Mission Avenue 5 4 0 25 34 648.8
7 3rd Street from Lincoln Avenue to Grand Avenue 17 8 1 35 61 594.3
8 C Street from 2nd Street to 5th Street 5 2 1 1 9 585.0
9 D Street from 2nd Street to 5th Street 2 2 0 11 15 561.1
10 4th Street from Grand Avenue to Lincoln Avenue 9 2 0 14 25 486.9
11 4th Street from E Street to Lincoln Avenue 8 7 2 10 27 252.8
12 Manuel T Freitas Parkway from Del Presidio to Las Gallinas Avenue 3 1 0 17 31 235.7
13 2nd Street from Lincoln Avenue to Grand Avenue 2 5 3 26 36 234.8
14 Bellam Boulevard from Kerner Boulevard to Andersen Drive 3 12 1 22 38 233.6
15 3rd Street from E Street to Lincoln Avenue 12 6 3 24 45 231.0
16 2nd Street from E Street to Lincoln Avenue 8 4 1 27 40 166.9
17 Irwin Street from 2nd Street to Mission Avenue 5 1 0 8 14 138.4
18 Canal Street from Medway Road to Portsmouth Cove 5 4 1 7 17 88.5
19 Francisco Boulevard East from Grand Avenue to Vivian Street 1 6 0 8 15 85.9
20 Point San Pedro Road from Manderly Road to Lochinvar Road 0 0 0 7 7 71.8
2024 MARIN COUNTY LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN | 162CHAPTER 16. SAN RAFAEL LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN
Table 16.2: San Rafael High Collision Network Intersections
ID Location
Number of Collisions Collision Rate Per
100 Million Entering
Vehicles
Pedestrian Bicycle Motorcycle Motor
Vehicle Only
Total
A Lincoln Avenue & Mission Avenue 5 2 1 5 13 31.7
B 3rd Street & Grand Avenue 3 0 0 13 16 31.6
C Las Gallinas Avenue & Northgate Drive 0 0 0 9 9 29.9
D 5th Street & Lincoln Avenue 1 0 0 7 8 28.5
E 4th Street & Hetherton Street 2 0 0 4 6 27.0
F Manuel T Freitas Parkway & Del Presidio & Highway 101 0 0 0 15 15 26.0
G 3rd Street & A Street 5 1 0 6 12 25.2
H 3rd Street & Hetherton Street 2 0 0 10 12 23.9
I 5th Street & E Street 2 0 0 3 5 23.1
J 3rd Street & Tamalpais Avenue 4 1 1 3 9 22.3
K Mission Avenue & Nye Street 3 0 0 2 5 20.8
L Lincoln Avenue & Laurel Place 3 0 1 0 4 20.5
M Bellam Boulevard & Lisbon Street 0 4 0 2 6 20.4
N 4th Street & Union Street 2 0 0 0 2 19.4
O D Street & Bayview Street 3 0 0 1 4 18.7
P Lincoln Avenue & 3rd Street 5 2 0 3 10 18.0
Q 3rd Street & B Street 2 2 0 4 8 17.1
R Manuel T Freitas Parkway & Las Gallinas Avenue 2 0 0 6 8 16.9
S Point San Pedro Road & Lochinvar Road & Loch Lomond Drive 0 0 0 6 6 15.8
T Lincoln Avenue & Ritter Street 0 1 1 1 3 15.7
U Del Ganado Road & Las Raposas Road 0 1 0 0 1 14.8
2024 MARIN COUNTY LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN | 163CHAPTER 16. SAN RAFAEL LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN
Table 16.2 continued: San Rafael High Collision Network Intersections
ID Location
Number of Collisions Collision Rate Per
100 Million Entering
Vehicles
Pedestrian Bicycle Motorcycle Motor
Vehicle Only
Total
V Bellam Boulevard & Belvedere Street 1 4 0 1 6 14.5
W Lincoln Avenue & 4th Street 1 1 0 3 5 14.0
X Lincoln Avenue & Maple Street 1 0 1 1 3 13.9
Y 2nd Street & A Street 1 0 1 5 7 13.5
Z D Street & 2nd Street 1 1 0 7 9 13.0
AA Lincoln Avenue & 2nd Street 0 1 0 7 8 12.0
AB 2nd Street & Grand Avenue 0 1 0 7 8 11.4
AC Bellam Boulevard & Kerner Boulevard 0 2 0 5 7 10.4
AD Bellam Boulevard & Francisco Boulevard 0 0 1 4 5 9.8
AE 3rd Street & D Street 0 0 0 4 4 8.0
AF 2nd Street & Francisco Boulevard West & Tamalpais Avenue 0 0 0 5 5 8.0
AG 3rd Street & Irwin Street 1 0 0 3 4 4.6
AH 2nd & Irwin Street 1 1 0 2 4 3.9
AI 2nd Street & C Street 1 0 0 1 2 3.4
The City’s High Collision Network includes twenty segments, as can be seen on the
map. This is the most of any jurisdiction in Marin County. San Rafael also includes
nine of the top ten segments with the highest collision rates. Tamalpais Avenue from
3rd Street to 5th Street had the highest rate, with 1,700 collisions per 100 million
vehicle miles traveled. This segment had 10 collisions from 2017-2021, with half of
them involving pedestrians. Lincoln Avenue from 2nd Street to Mission Street had
the second highest rate (1409.2 collisions per 100 million vehicle miles traveled) and
a count of 29 collisions, 17 of which involved a pedestrian and seven that involved a
bicyclist. Third Street from Lincoln Avenue to Grand Avenue had the highest number
of collisions (61) of any High Collision Network segment in San Rafael. Seventeen
collisions on this segment involved a pedestrian while eight involved a bicyclist. The
high number of High Collision Network segments located in downtown San Rafael
highlight the importance of addressing road user safety in this area.
San Rafael’s High Collision Network also includes 35 intersections, again the most
of any jurisdiction. This includes five of the top 10 Marin County intersections
2024 MARIN COUNTY LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN | 164CHAPTER 16. SAN RAFAEL LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN
with the highest collision rates. Of these the Lincoln Avenue and Mission Avenue
intersection had the highest collision rate (31.7 collisions per 100 million entering
vehicles) and ranked fourth of the county’s 92 High Collision Network intersections.
The intersection’s 13 collisions included five involving pedestrians and two involving
bicyclists. Third Street and Grand Avenue had the second highest rate and highest
number of collisions (31.6 collisions per 100 million entering vehicles and 16 total
collisions), three of which involved pedestrians.
It is worth noting that some High Collision Network locations have made improvements:
C Street and D Street in downtown San Rafael were converted from one-way to two-
way streets in summer 2020. While this study period does not contain enough data to
determine changes in collision trends, they should be monitored for effectiveness going
forward.
16.5 EMPHASIS AREAS
Emphasis areas provide a framework for developing and implementing strategies to
increase road user safety across the County. Potential emphasis areas were initially
identified using severe injury and fatality collision data from 2012-2021 for San Rafael
in comparison to the County as a whole, which allowed for a larger sample size of KSI
collisions to be compared. Emphasis areas were then refined through stakeholder
input. A full list of emphasis areas for the County can be found in Chapter 6. Seven
primary emphasis areas were selected from this list for San Rafael based on the City’s
collision trends, shown in Table 16.3. The following is a description of trends relating
to these emphasis areas from 2012-2021.
Table 16.3: San Rafael primary emphasis areas
Category Primary Emphasis Area
Vulnerable Road Users Bicyclists
Motorcyclists
Pedestrians
Collision Factors Unsafe Speed
Collision Types Broadside
Sideswipe
External Conditions Dark Conditions
Almost 15% of total injury collisions and 15% of KSI collisions in San Rafael from 2012-
2021 involved a bicyclist. While this rate is slightly lower than the countywide rate
(17%), the City recognizes bicyclists as an important user group whose safety must be
improved to achieve its goals.
Collisions involving motorcyclists made up 8% of all KSI collisions in the City, compared
to 7% countywide. This increases to 13% when considering the latest five years of data.
Collisions involving pedestrians made up 19% of KSI collisions, compared to 12%
countywide. This rate increased to 30% when considering the latest five years of data.
Two of the City’s three fatalities were pedestrians.
Unsafe speed resulted in 22% of San Rafael’s injury collisions, as well as 14% of KSI
collisions. Unsafe speed collisions were spread throughout the City with the most
prominent locations along 2nd Street, 3rd Street, Manuel T. Freitas Parkway, and
Bellam Boulevard.
Approximately 26% of injury collisions and 15% of KSI collisions in the City were
broadside collisions, compared to 20% and 13%, respectively, countywide. These
were most prominent at the intersections between Grand Avenue and 3rd Street,
Hetherton Street and 3rd Street, and Manuel T. Freitas Parkway and Las Gallinas
Avenue; as well as along Bellam Boulevard.
Approximately 9% of all injury collisions and 8% of KSI collisions were sideswipe
collisions. This is compared to 8% and 5% countywide, respectively. Hotspots of
sideswipe collisions were located along Hetherton Street between 2nd and 3rd
Streets and at the intersection of A Street and 2nd Street.
Over 24% of injury collisions and 36% of KSI collisions occurred under dark conditions.
This is higher than the countywide rates of 23% and 30%, respectively. Most of these
collisions occurred in locations where working streetlights were present. Downtown
San Rafael between Lincoln Avenue, 2nd Street, Grand Avenue, and 4th Street was a
hotspot for these collisions. A second hotspot was located along Bellam Boulevard
between Francisco Boulevard East and Kerner Boulevard.
Focusing on these primary emphasis areas can significantly contribute to eliminating
collisions in the City resulting in severe injury or fatality. However, a strategy that includes
additional emphasis areas would have additional positive effects. Table 16.4 through Table
16.10 list the goals and strategies for San Rafael’s primary emphasis areas. See Appendix A
for more detail on countermeasures recommended as emphasis area strategies.
2024 MARIN COUNTY LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN | 165CHAPTER 16. SAN RAFAEL LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN
Table 16.6: San Rafael pedestrian primary emphasis area goals & strategies
EMPHASIS AREA: PEDESTRIANS
GOALS: Reduce fatal & severe injury collisions involving pedestrians 30% by 2030.
Reduce fatal & severe injury collisions involving pedestrians 50% by 2040.
Eliminate fatal & severe injury collisions involving pedestrians by 2050.
STRATEGIES
Education • Expand the Safe Routes to Schools education programming.
• Expand Street Smarts safety campaigns and consider aligning with Pedestrian Safety Month.
• Create education campaign for jurisdiction staff who operate vehicles about the importance of safe speeds.
Enforcement • Equitably implement targeted enforcement on key collision areas which resulted in injury pedestrian collisions.
• Prioritize enforcement of traffic laws based on likelihood of behavior causing an injury collision.
Engineering • In conjunction with other strategies, install countermeasures focused on reducing the likelihood and severity of collisions between
automobiles and pedestrians and increasing driver awareness of pedestrians.
• Provide low stress, all ages and abilities infrastructure connectivity for pedestrians, particularly within one mile of schools and
along key active transportation routes.
• Develop countywide street lighting standards.
• Implement pedestrian safety countermeasures in all improvement and maintenance projects.
• Develop and implement a Construction Accessibility Policy to maintain accessibility during construction and maintenance projects.
Emergency Response • Install emergency vehicle preemption systems.
• Improve resources for deploying emergency responses to pedestrian collision sites.
• Ensure that emergency routes are clear and well defined.
• Consider targeted training for responding to specific high incident locations and treatment of predominant pedestrian injury types
at those locations.
Emerging Technology • Implement new technologies to make pedestrian crossings safer and more comfortable (e.g., automated pedestrian detection
at signalized intersections, etc.).
• Deploy collision-prevention technology at signalized intersections.
• Utilize technologies such as video data and crowdsourcing to track and address near misses.
• Conduct in-depth analyses of pedestrian collision trends at hot spot locations to inform strategy implementation.
2024 MARIN COUNTY LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN | 166CHAPTER 16. SAN RAFAEL LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN
Table 16.4: San Rafael bicyclist primary emphasis area goals & strategies
EMPHASIS AREA: BICYCLISTS
GOALS: Reduce fatal & severe injury collisions involving bicyclists 30% by 2030.
Reduce fatal & severe injury collisions involving bicyclists 50% 2040.
Eliminate fatal & severe injury collisions involving bicyclists by 2050.
STRATEGIES
Education • Expand Safe Routes to Schools education programming.
• Expand Street Smarts safety campaigns and consider alignment with Bicycle Safety Month.
Enforcement • Equitably implement targeted enforcement on key collision areas which resulted in injury bicycle collisions.
• Prioritize enforcement of traffic laws based on likelihood of behavior causing an injury collision.
• Equitably implement targeted enforcement for bicyclists driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
Engineering • In conjunction with other strategies, install countermeasures focused on reducing the likelihood and severity of collisions between
automobiles and bicyclists and increasing driver awareness of bicyclists.
• Provide low stress, all ages and abilities infrastructure connectivity for bicyclists, particularly within one mile of schools and along
key active transportation routes.
• Refer to Caltrans and FHWA guidance on the preferred method of separation based on automobile speeds and roadway volumes.
• Implement technology to improve bicyclist safety such as bicycle activated signal detection and bicycle signal heads as appropriate.
Emergency Response • Install emergency vehicle preemption systems.
• Improve resources for deploying emergency responses to bicycle collision sites.
• Consider targeted training for responding to specific high incident locations and treatment of predominant bicyclist injury types
at those locations.
• Ensure that emergency routes are clear and well defined.
Emerging Technology • Implement new technologies to make bicycle crossings safer and more comfortable
(e.g., automated detection at signalized intersections, etc.).
• Deploy collision-prevention technology at signalized intersections.
• Utilize technologies such as video data and crowdsourcing to track and address near misses.
• Conduct in-depth analyses of bicyclist collision trends at hot spot locations to inform strategy implementation.
0 • •
2024 MARIN COUNTY LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN | 167CHAPTER 16. SAN RAFAEL LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN
STRATEGIES
Education • Coordinate with motorcycle advocacy groups (e.g., ABATE) about ways to effectively
promote safe behaviors.
• Implement education and awareness campaigns focused on conspicuity, protective clothing,
and driver awareness of motorcyclists.
Enforcement • Prioritize equitable enforcement of motorcycle helmet laws in key high injury locations.
• Equitably implement targeted enforcement for motorcyclists driving
under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
Engineering • In conjunction with other strategies, implement countermeasures focused on improving pavement
friction at locations with curves and/or a high frequency of motorcycle collisions.
Emergency
Response
• Install emergency vehicle preemption systems.
• Improve resources for deploying emergency responses to collision sites.
• Ensure that emergency routes are clear and well defined.
• Consider targeted training for responding to specific high incident locations and treatment of
predominant injury types at those locations.
Emerging
Technology
• Deploy collision-prevention technology at signalized intersections.
• Utilize technologies such as video data and crowdsourcing to track and address near misses.
• Collect and analyze data on multi-modal counts, including non-reported collisions.
Table 16.5: San Rafael motorcyclist primary emphasis area goals & strategies
EMPHASIS AREA: MOTORYCLISTS
GOALS: Reduce fatal & severe injury collisions involving motorcyclists 30% by 2030.
Reduce fatal & severe injury collisions involving motorcyclists 50% by 2040.
Eliminate fatal & severe injury collisions involving motorcyclists by 2050.
2024 MARIN COUNTY LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN | 168CHAPTER 16. SAN RAFAEL LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN
STRATEGIES
Education • Par tner with local businesses and organizations on educational efforts and campaigns along hot spot corridors.
• Implement a safe speeds education campaign.
• Expand the Street Smarts Marin program.
Enforcement • Equitably implement targeted enforcement on key collision areas which resulted in injuries from unsafe speeds.
• Use recent legislation (AB 43, AB 321) and national research to set context-appropriate speeds suitable for all road users particularly
in business districts and near schools.
• Consider use of technology to support automated enforcement at key locations.
• Deploy a radar trailer at locations where instances of unsafe speed are more prevalent.
Engineering • In conjunction with other strategies, install countermeasures focused on designing and improving roadways that lead to more appropriate
speeds to the surrounding land uses.
• Coordinate with emergency services to develop design standards for traffic calming treatments, particularly on collector
and neighborhood streets.
Emergency Response • Install emergency vehicle preemption systems.
• Consider targeted training for responding to specific high incident locations and treatment of predominant injury types at those locations.
• Improve resources for deploying emergency responses to collision sites.
• Ensure that emergency routes are clear and well defined.
Emerging Technology • Implement technology such as spot cameras, variable message signs, and traffic control warning devices as appropriate.
• Monitor speeds through critical intersections using smart signal technology.
• Utilize technologies such as video data and crowdsourcing to track and address near misses.
• Engage in legislative advocacy to seek state law change allowing automated speed cameras and allowing the resulting citations
to be handled as local municipal code violations rather than vehicle code violations.
Table 16.7: San Rafael unsafe speed primary emphasis area goals & strategies
EMPHASIS AREA: UNSAFE SPEED
GOALS: Reduce fatal & severe injury collisions involving unsafe speed 30% by 2030.
Reduce fatal & severe injury collisions involving unsafe speed 50% by 2040.
Eliminate fatal & severe injury collisions involving unsafe speed by 2050.
2024 MARIN COUNTY LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN | 169CHAPTER 16. SAN RAFAEL LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN
STRATEGIES
Education • Expand the Street Smarts program.
Enforcement • Equitably implement targeted enforcement at high injury locations where violations that
lead to broadside collisions are more common, such as automobile right of way and traffic
signal/stop sign violations.
Engineering • In conjunction with other strategies, implement countermeasures focused on designing and
improving intersections to encourage drivers to make safe turns (e.g., roundabouts and protected
intersections/corners).
• Consider modifying traffic signal timing with longer clearance intervals such as with advanced dilemma
zone detection.
Emergency
Response
• Install emergency vehicle preemption systems.
• Consider targeted training for responding to specific high incident locations and treatment of
predominant injury types at those locations.
• Improve resources for deploying emergency responses to collision sites.
• Ensure that emergency routes are clear and well defined.
Emerging
Technology
• Deploy collision-prevention technology at signalized intersections.
• Utilize technologies such as video data and crowdsourcing to track and address near misses.
Table 16.8: San Rafael broadside collisions primary emphasis area goals & strategies
EMPHASIS AREA: BROADSIDE COLLISIONS
GOALS: Reduce fatal & severe injury broadside collisions 30% by 2030.
Reduce fatal & severe injury broadside collisions 50% 2040.
Eliminate fatal & severe injury collisions involving broadside collisions by 2050.
-
-
-
I I
2024 MARIN COUNTY LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN | 170CHAPTER 16. SAN RAFAEL LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN
STRATEGIES
Education • Expand the Street Smarts program.
Enforcement • Equitably implement targeted enforcement at high injury locations where sideswipe collisions
are more common.
Engineering • In conjunction with other strategies, install countermeasures focused designing and improving
roadways to prevent sideswipe collisions, such as installing signals and adding lane channelization and
turn lanes where appropriate.
Emergency
Response
• Install emergency vehicle preemption systems.
• Improve resources for deploying emergency responses to collision sites.
• Ensure that emergency routes are clear and well defined.
• Consider targeted training for responding to specific high incident locations and treatment of
predominant injury types at those locations.
Emerging
Technology
• Deploy collision-prevention technology at signalized intersections.
• Utilize technologies such as video data and crowdsourcing to track and address near misses.
Table1 16.9: San Rafael sideswipe collsions primary emphasis area goals & strategies
EMPHASIS AREA: SIDESWIPE COLLISIONS
GOALS: Reduce fatal & severe injury sideswipe collisions 30% by 2030.
Reduce fatal & severe injury sideswipe collisions 50% by 2040.
Eliminate fatal & severe injury collisions involving sideswipe collisions by 2050.
2024 MARIN COUNTY LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN | 171CHAPTER 16. SAN RAFAEL LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN
STRATEGIES
Education • Implement education campaigns targeted at safely walking and bicycling in the dark.
• Implement a safe speeds education campaign.
Enforcement • Use recent legislation and national research to set context appropriate speeds suitable
for all road users.
Engineering • In conjunction with other strategies, implement countermeasures focused on improving nighttime
infrastructure awareness and decision making.
• Improve street lighting in areas with high numbers of collisions during dark conditions.
Emergency
Response
• Install emergency vehicle preemption systems.
• Improve resources for deploying emergency responses to collision sites.
• Ensure that emergency routes are clear and well defined.
• Consider targeted training for responding to specific high incident locations and
treatment of predominant injury types at those locations.
Emerging
Technology
• Deploy collision-prevention technology at signalized intersections.
• Utilize technologies such as video data and crowdsourcing to track and address near misses.
Table 16.10: San Rafael dark conditions primary emphasis area goals & strategies
EMPHASIS AREA: DARK CONDITIONS
GOALS: Reduce fatal & severe injury collisions involving dark conditions 30% by 2030.
Reduce fatal & severe injury collisions involving dark conditions 50% by 2040.
Eliminate fatal & severe injury collisions involving dark conditions by 2050.
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2024 MARIN COUNTY LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN | 172CHAPTER 16. SAN RAFAEL LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN
16.6 PRIORITY PROJECTS
Following the identification of the High Collision Network, the collision patterns
at these intersections and segments were analyzed to determine potential
countermeasures. In collaboration with the City, a subset of priority project locations
was selected to recommend specific improvements based on the collision rates,
trends, and potential improvement impacts. These are locations where site-specific
engineering improvements can have a substantial effect in achieving the LRSP’s goals.
In San Rafael, the priority locations and projects are as follows:
2nd Street from Lincoln Avenue to Grand Avenue (Segment)
Signal Improvements
Signalization improvements may include adding protected left turn phases,
improving signal phasing, lengthening clearance intervals, coordinating signals
at multiple locations, adding dedicated left turn lanes, and upgrading hardware
to 12” signal heads with backplates.
Pedestrian Crossing Improvements
A numberof pedestrian crossing improvements could be implemented along
this corridor including some of the following: high visibility crosswalks, advanced
stop bars, bulb-outs, pedestrian countdown signal heads, directional curb ramps,
and ADA/APS pedestrian push button. These would improve pedestrian crossings
by shortening crossing distances and emphasizing pedestrians’ presence.
Manuel T. Freitas Parkway from Del Presidio to
Las Gallinas (Segment)
Signal Improvements
Signalization improvements may include improving signal timing, providing a
protected left turn phase, and providing advanced dilemma zone detection.
Pedestrian Crossing Improvements
A number of pedestrian crossing improvements could be implemented along
this corridor including some of the following: high-visibility crosswalks, bulb-
outs, leading pedestrian intervals, and removal of porkchop islands. These could
improve pedestrian crossings by shortening crossing distances and emphasizing
pedestrians’ presence.
2024 MARIN COUNTY LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN | 173CHAPTER 16. SAN RAFAEL LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN
4th Street from E Street to Lincoln Avenue (Segment)
Signal Improvements
Signalization improvements may include improving signal phasing, coordinating
signals at multiple locations, lengthening clearance intervals, upgrading signals
to 12” heads, adding backplates, adding flashing left turn arrows, and adding a
protected left turn phase.
Pedestrian Crossing Improvements
A number of pedestrian crossing improvements could be implemented along
this corridor including some of the following: high visibility crosswalks, advanced
stop bars, bulb-outs, directional curb ramps, wayfinding signs, pedestrian
countdown signal heads, and ADA/APS pedestrian push button. These could
improve pedestrian crossings by shortening crossing distances and emphasizing
pedestrians’ presence.
Bicycle Facility Improvements
Installing bicycle boxes and green-backed sharrows could increase the visibility of
bicyclists and clarify where bicyclists are expected to ride.
Speed Management
Consider lowering speed limits in compliance with AB 43.
4th Street from Lincoln Avenue to Grand Avenue (Segment)
Signal Improvements
Signalization improvements may include improving signal phasing, coordinating
signals at multiple locations, adding dedicated left turn lanes, and upgrading
hardware to 12” signal heads with backplates.
Pedestrian Crossing Improvements
A number of pedestrian crossing improvements could be implemented along
this corridor including some of the following: high visibility crosswalks, mid-block
crossings, advanced stop bars, bulb-outs, directional curb ramps, wayfinding,
pedestrian countdown signal heads, and ADA/APS pedestrian push button.
These could improve pedestrian crossings by shortening crossing distances and
emphasizing pedestrians’ presence.
Bicycle Facility Improvements
Installing bicycle lanes could improve bicycle connectivity through downtown as
well as provide a key lower stress bicycle connection. Bicycle boxes and green-
backed sharrows could also increase the visibility of bicyclists and clarify where
they are expected to ride.
2024 MARIN COUNTY LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN | 174CHAPTER 16. SAN RAFAEL LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN
Lincoln Avenue & Mission Avenue (Intersection)
Signal Improvements
Signalization improvements may include upgrading signal hardware, improving
signal timing, and implementing a leading pedestrian interval.
Pedestrian Crossing Improvements
A number of pedestrian crossing improvements could be implemented at this
location including some of the following: installation of advanced stop bars, bulb-
outs, high visibility crosswalks, pedestrian countdown signal heads, and ADA/APS
pedestrian push button. These could improve pedestrian crossings by shortening
crossing distances and emphasizing pedestrians’ presence.
Bicycle Facility Improvements
The addition of bicycle boxes at the intersection would increase the visibility of
bicyclists and clarify where they are expected to ride.
Bellam Boulevard from Kerner Boulevard to Andersen Drive
(Segment)
Pedestrian Crossing Improvements
A number of pedestrian crossing improvements could be implemented at this
location including some of the following: installation of advanced stop bars,
bulb-outs, high visibility crosswalks, pedestrian countdown signal heads, and
ADA/APS pedestrian push button. These could improve pedestrian crossings by
shortening crossing distances and emphasizing pedestrians’ presence.
Bicycle Facility Improvements
Installing bicycle lanes could improve bicycle connectivity.
2024 MARIN COUNTY LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN | 175CHAPTER 16. SAN RAFAEL LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN
Tamalpais Avenue from 3rd Street to 5th Street (Segment)
Bicycle Facility Improvements
Installing bicycle lanes and improving bicycle crossings could improve bicycle
connectivity through downtown as well as provide a key low stress bicycle
connection..
Manuel T. Freitas Parkway and Del Presidio & Highway 101
(Intersection)
Signal Improvements
Signalization improvements may include upgrading signal hardware,
lengthening clearance intervals, eliminating or restricting higher-risk
movements, coordinating signals at multiple locations, and upgrading hardware
to 12” signal heads with backplates.
Pedestrian Crossing Improvements
A numberof pedestrian crossing improvements could be implemented along
this corridor including some of the following: high visibility crosswalks,
directional curb ramps, reduced curb radii, pedestrian countdown signal heads,
and removing pork chop islands. These could improve pedestrian crossings by
shortening crossing distances and emphasizing pedestrians’ presence.
2024 MARIN COUNTY LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN | 176CHAPTER 16. SAN RAFAEL LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN
Marin’s Transportation Sales Tax
MEAS U R E
V O T ER APPROVED
Marin’s Vehicle Registration Fee
BMEASURE
V O T ER APPROVED
16.7 IMPLEMENTATION & EVALUATION
A number of considerations must be proactively managed to successfully implement
the strategies presented in the LRSP. Successful implementation requires adequate
funding, coordination, and partnerships, and can be supported by policies at both the
jurisdiction and county levels.
IMPLEMENTATION
Next Steps & Timeline for Implementation
The next steps for implementation should focus on developing specific programs
and projects from the LRSP recommendations:
Identify an “agency champion” to advance each LRSP priority recommendation.
This agency generally would assume the primary role in program/project
development
Further define each priority recommendation (or if appropriate, bundle several
recommendations together) into a discrete program or project with a specific
scope of improvements
Allocate initial funding to complete basic program/project development tasks,
such as conceptual planning, feasibility assessments, cost estimation, and
agency coordination
These initial development steps will allow lead agencies to define specific programs
and projects and prepare them for inclusion in competitive funding applications,
regional transportation plans, and local capital improvement plans (CIPs).
The strategies introduced in this document may be implemented in different phases.
Short-term implementation would generally occur in less than five years from
completion of the LRSP. These actions include low-cost engineering treatments that
can be constructed relatively quickly, such as striping projects, signal optimizations,
and quick-build infrastructure. Additional short-term strategies could include scaling
up existing programs and implementing enforcement activities.
Medium-term implementation typically would occur between five and ten years after
LRSP development. This may include progressive and scaled-up safety elements as
well as larger projects that require more resources to design and construct. Policy
changes also could be implemented in this timeframe.
In the long term (generally 10 years or more), implementation may focus on further
emphasizing safety in future planning and design efforts.
Funding Sources & Strategies
Obtaining funding is critical for plan implementation. The County and its jurisdictions
can pursue funding at various levels depending on their needs. Identification of
funding sources and opportunities can be focused on the following:
Federal and state grant opportunities, including the Highway Safety
Improvement Program, Safe Streets & Roads for All, and the
Active Transportation Program
Regional funding opportunities, including funding opportunities resulting from
Marin County’s Measure AA sales tax and Measure B vehicle registration fees
Local fund contributions from TAM, the County, and its jurisdictions to
support countywide programs
Capital improvement projects, such as repaving efforts into which safety
upgrades could be bundled
California Active
Transportation Program
2024 MARIN COUNTY LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN | 177CHAPTER 16. SAN RAFAEL LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN
The following strategies can help to increase the likelihood of success in competitive
funding applications:
Pursue the highest-priority, highest-benefit projects and programs. These tend
to be the most competitive in grant programs, driven by strong results in the
benefit-cost analyses that are often required. In addition, showing funding
partners that the County and local jurisdictions have thought carefully about the
highest-value ways to direct resources can inspire confidence from these federal
and state entities
Partner across jurisdictions to greatly strengthen applications for competitive
funding. Some potential partners for local jurisdictions include the County,
TAM, Marin Transit, or relevant community-based organizations. Beyond
grant applications, these jurisdictional partnerships also could include more
formalized memoranda of understanding to share the costs of planning, design,
construction, or operations
Leverage local funding for projects and aim to provide close to 50 percent of
total project costs from these local funds. This type of commitment will increase
competitiveness when applying for discretionary funds at the federal and state levels
Pursue multiple funding sources. Infrastructure programs and projects often
require agencies to leverage many sources to meet project budgets, especially
given the uncertainty of competitive funding programs
Coordination & Partnership
Coordination and partnership among diverse stakeholders are essential for the
success of the LRSP. Within jurisdictions, collaboration and partnership between
public works, law enforcement, bicycle/pedestrian advisory committees, and others
can ensure that road user safety is systematically addressed.
Additional countywide partnerships could also be considered to track funding and
project implementation. These partnerships could take the following forms:
Jurisdictional partnerships to prepare joint grant applications and potentially
share program/project costs
Countywide bicycle working committee including representatives from existing
groups from various jurisdictions to further develop program/project concepts,
track funding opportunities, and monitor overall progress toward LRSP goals
Task force to audit countywide projects and programs related to bicycle safety,
review collision trend data, and make recommendations on preventing future
collisions
Policy Support
Whether at the county or jurisdiction levels, the LRSP strategy implementation can be
facilitated by supportive policies. Policies to consider include establishing clear goals
for regional connectivity through a countywide bicycle master planning process,
parking policies, and traffic calming policies. Having clear policies can pave the way
for related safety improvements.
EVALUATION
It will be important to evaluate progress towards meeting the LRSP’s goals. Evaluation
allows the County and its jurisdictions to monitor safety conditions over time and
make strategy adjustments as necessary.
In order to understand progress and safety conditions, specific outcome metrics
should be used when evaluating the LRSP’s progress. Foremost among these should
be the number of KSI collisions in each jurisdiction, as this corresponds directly to the
LRSP goals. Additional metrics could be the number of non-KSI injury collisions and
collisions related to each emphasis area. Metrics should be tracked every two years
and summarized in a memo or scorecard. This data will also be helpful when applying
for funding.
Regularly updating the LRSP will allow the plan and its strategies to be revised based
on the evaluation results. The LRSP should be updated every four years or as needed.
2024 MARIN COUNTY LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN | 178CHAPTER 17. SAUSALITO LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN
17. SAUSALITO LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN
17.1 INTRODUCTION
The City of Sausalito is located in southern Marin County. The City is a crucial
connector between Marin County and San Francisco via the Golden Gate Bridge, and
experiences high volumes of road users of all modes due to tourism. It is surrounded
by the San Francisco Bay to the east and unincorporated Marin County on all other
sides. Sausalito is both the ninth largest Marin County incorporated city or town by
land area (approximately 1.8 square miles) and in terms of population (approximately
7,200 residents).1 Sausalito is the third densest of Marin County’s cities and towns,
with a population density of over almost 4,100 residents per square mile.
A Local Road Safety Plan (LRSP) is a plan that provides a framework to identify,
analyze, and prioritize roadway safety improvements on local and rural roads to
increase safety for all road users. The LRSP facilitates local agency partnerships and
collaboration to systematically address road safety issues, ultimately resulting in a
list of prioritized projects and actions that can be used to obtain federal funding.
The LRSP provides a proactive approach to address safety needs and demonstrates
agency responsiveness to safety challenges. A living document, the LRSP can be
revised as needed to reflect evolving trends, community needs, and priorities.
This chapter presents the vision statement and goals, summarizes collision data,
identifies emphasis areas, recommends high priority project locations, and outlines
the implementation and evaluation strategies for the City of Sausalito.
17.2 VISION & GOALS
Sausalito’s vision for this LRSP was developed through feedback with the Technical
Advisory Committee (TAC) and Marin County jurisdictions, which are described
in Chapter 3. The vision statement reflects the city’s commitment to Vision Zero,
1 United States Census Bureau 2021
2024 MARIN COUNTY LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN | 179CHAPTER 17. SAUSALITO LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN
an international strategy to eliminate all traffic fatalities and severe injuries while
increasing safe, healthy, and equitable mobility for all. The vision statement
recognizes that, while aspirational, to work towards anything less than an end
to traffic-related fatalities and severe injuries would not be appropriate. The
accompanying goals represent a path forward to achieving this vision.
Vision Statement
The City of Sausalito strives to eliminate collision-related fatalities and severe injuries
by proactively and equitably pursuing a safe systems approach prioritizing road
safety for all users.
GOALS
Systematically implement proven safety solutions, initiatives, policies, and
programs to eliminate preventable fatal & severe collisions by 2050.
Utilize a multi-faceted approach that spans jurisdictions and encompasses
diverse strategies including engineering, education, public health, and
enforcement.
Implement improvements that promote and support safe travel for vulnerable
users including people walking and bicycling, children, older adults, and people
with disabilities.
Ensure that multimodal safety investments are made in a manner that is fair and
equitable for all Sausalito residents.
17.3 EXISTING EFFORTS
In recent years, Sausalito’s efforts to improve safety have been most visible through
a range of plans and programs. This chapter describes plans, studies, and programs
supporting safety in Sausalito.
PLANS & STUDIES
Bridgeway Safety Study (2023)
The City recently undertook a study to improve multimodal safety on Bridgeway from
Napa Street to San Carlos Avenue. The study analyzed existing conditions, including
collisions, and proposed a series of improvements that could build upon each other
from short-term to a longer-term vision. Recommended improvements included
filling the northbound bicycle lane gap, narrowing vehicle lanes, and implementing
pedestrian crossing improvements.
Systemic Safety Analysis Report (2018)
The 2018 Marin County Systemic Safety Analysis Report (SSAR) provided a large-
scale systemic safety analysis of roadways across Marin County to help drive future
improvement projects, grant applications, and traffic safety outreach programs for
Marin County’s 11 jurisdictions and unincorporated areas. The analysis was funded
through the California Systemic Safety Analysis Report Program and produced by the
Marin County Department of Public Works. The project also involved collaboration
with various town and city police departments, the Marin County Sheriff, and the
California Highway Patrol. A Technical Advisory Committee was formed to help guide
the process and was comprised of representatives from the Marin Public Works
Association, Transportation Authority of Marin, and Marin General Hospital. This LRSP
serves as an update to portions of the SSAR.
Pedestrian/Bicycle Plan Check-In (2018)
The check-in of Sausalito’s Pedestrian and Bicycle Plan documented the current state
of walking and bicycling conditions around the city. The document’s primary goal
was to inform an ongoing update to the city’s general plan. The check-in highlighted
ongoing issues as well as next steps to improve safety and encourage walking and
bicycling.
Novato
Fairfax
San RafaelSan Anselmo
Mill Valley
Corte
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Tiburon
Ross
Larkspur
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Total KSI Crashes
Pedestrian inCrosswalk
Pedestrian not inCrosswalk
Other
3%
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38%
100%
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CRASH TYPES BY MODE: RATIOS OF ALL COLLISIONS
Motorvehicle proceeding straight
Motorvehicle making left turn
Motorvehicle making right turn
Head-On
Sideswipe
Hit Object
Broadside
Rear End
Overturned
Other *
One square = One Collision
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CRASH TYPES
A DIVISION OF
Bridgeway Safety Study
Napa Street to Johnson Street
DRAFT APRIL 6, 2023
2024 MARIN COUNTY LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN | 180CHAPTER 17. SAUSALITO LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN
PROGRAMS
Safe Routes to Schools
Marin County’s Safe Routes to Schools (SR2S) is a program of TAM. TAM has created
a long-term, sustainable program that is institutionalized in schools with strong
community involvement. SR2S began in 2000 as a pilot program in select towns.
Today it operates in all Marin County jurisdictions and Unincorporated Marin in
over 55 schools, serving a total population of over 29,000 students. Among its
many activities, SR2S provides professional instructors to teach safe bicycling and
pedestrian safety skills and oversees volunteers in promoting the program through
contests, events, and regular submissions to school newsletters. SR2S also identifies
potential infrastructure projects to address school travel safety issues.
Students learn to safely ride bicycles as part of the Safe Routes to Schools
educational programming.
Street Smarts Marin
Street Smarts is a traffic safety program run by TAM
that educates drivers, pedestrians, and bicyclists
about safety issues including distracted driving. The
goal is to encourage people to adopt new attitudes
and behaviors that will reduce the number of
collisions and make the streets safer for everyone.
The program incorporates physical banners and
social media posts to spread its messages about key
safety behaviors. The program began in 2009 and
includes one to two rollouts per year.
Engineering Improvements
Coloma Street Pedestrian Improvements (2023)
This project included installation of a sidewalk, mid-block crosswalk, and signage
improvements on Coloma Street adjacent to Doctor Martin Luther King, Junior Park.
Construction was completed in November 2023.
Nevada Street Striping Project (2022)
This project included striping improvements to calm traffic and add bicycle facilities
along Nevada Street to improve conditions for students walking and bicycling to the
Doctor Martin Luther King, Junior Academy Nevada Street campus.
Gate 6 Intersection Improvement Project (2021)
This project included the installation of new signals and ramps on the east side of the
intersection to allow a dedicated bicycle phase to the signal.
2024 MARIN COUNTY LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN | 181CHAPTER 17. SAUSALITO LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN
17.4 DATA SUMMARY
This analysis considered reported collisions
on non-state arterial and collector roads
resulting in injury or fatality. Arterial roads
are high-capacity roads that carry longer-
distance vehicle flows between centers
of activity. Collector roads have low to
moderate capacity and serve as connectors
between local roads and arterials. For the
purpose of the following data summary,
“all collisions” refers to collisions resulting
in injury (regardless of severity) or fatality,
unless otherwise specified. A subset of
these collisions resulted in a severe injury or
fatality: these are referred to as “KSI collisions”
(resulting in a person being Killed or Severely
Injured). Finally, “fatal collisions” refers to any
collision resulting in a fatality.
From 2017-2021, 59 reported injury collisions
occurred on non-state arterial and collector
roadways in Sausalito (Figure 17.1). This
marks a 35% decrease from 2012-2016,
which saw 94 injury collisions. Of these
collisions, there were eight (13%) resulting in
a severe injury and one collision resulting in
a fatality. While the number of severe injury
collisions remained the same, the proportion
of injury collisions that resulted in severe
injury increased. Fatal collisions increased
during these two time periods from zero
to one.
Sausalito
Yacht Harbor
GOLDEN GATE
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Martin Luther
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LEGEND
Fatality Severe Injury Other Visible Injury Complaint of Pain Boundary
Figure 17.1: Sausalito collisions by severity
• 0 0 0 D
2024 MARIN COUNTY LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN | 182CHAPTER 17. SAUSALITO LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN
Primary Collision Factors
Five primary collision factors were responsible for approximately 73% of collisions in
Sausalito (Figure 17.2). Improper turning resulted in approximately 31% of collisions.
Unsafe speed accounted for 20% of collisions and was the foremost cause of collisions
in which people were killed or severely injured (resulted in one fatality). Pedestrian
right-of-way violations (where drivers did not yield to a pedestrian with the right-of-
way) accounted for 8% of collisions; this is when a driver fails to yield to a pedestrian
crossing the street. Impaired driving and automobile right-of-way violations (where
drivers did not yield to another driver with the right-of-way) each caused 7% of
collisions.
Figure 17.2: Top 10 primary collision factors
Road User Types
Figure 17.3 shows collisions by mode. Bicycle collisions made up almost half (49%)
of all injury collisions in Sausalito. Approximately 24% of collisions involved motor
vehicles only, 22% involved pedestrians (higher than the county’s 14%), and 5%
involved motorcycles. The City’s one fatal collision involved a solo motor vehicle. The
high rate of bicycle and pedestrian collisions speaks to the city’s popularity among
tourists and recreational bicyclists, as well as the challenging conditions for users of
non-vehicular transportation modes.
Figure 17.3: Sausalito collisions by mode
Of Sausalito’s 32 collisions involving a bicyclist, 27 involved motor vehicles, three were
solo bicycle collisions, and two involved a pedestrian. Bicycle collisions with motor
vehicles tended to result from improper turning (48%) and unsafe speed (11%).
Bridgeway from Napa Street to Turney Street was the main hotspot for collisions
between bicyclists and motorists. Both collisions with pedestrians resulted from
unsafe speeds.
Approximately 69% of the 13 pedestrians involved in collisions were crossing in a
crosswalk at the time of the collision. Most pedestrian collisions resulted from three
primary collision factors: pedestrian right-of-way violations (38%), unsafe speed
(31%), and pedestrian violations (23%). A pedestrian violation is when a pedestrian
crosses a street in an inappropriate place other than at an established crosswalk, or
at a time when they are not permitted to cross at a signalized intersection. A hotspot
of pedestrian collisions occurred on Bridgeway between Locust Street and Johnson
Street.
Of the three motorcycle collisions in Sausalito, two involved a motor vehicle and
one was a solo collision. There were no evident trends in the causes of motorcycle
collisions. Two of these collisions occurred along Bridgeway between Gate 5 Road and
Coloma Street.
All Collisions KSI Collisions Fatal Collisions
SAUSALITO
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2024 MARIN COUNTY LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN | 183CHAPTER 17. SAUSALITO LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN
Equity Considerations
None of Sausalito’s pedestrian collisions involved minority populations.
Approximately 9% of bicycle collisions involved a bicyclist of Hispanic or African
American background, although this is below the percentage that these groups
represent in the City’s resident population (10%).
Several bus stops were located within 100 feet of at least one pedestrian collision.
The stop at Bridgeway and Pine Street was proximate to two such collisions. Other
stops along Bridgeway at Coloma Street, Easterby Street, and Bay Street were each
located near one pedestrian collision. While it is unclear whether these pedestrians
were transit users, collisions near transit stops can be signs of inequity in road
safety conditions if people traveling to and from transit by foot are subject to
unsafe or inadequate facilities. These inequities can be addressed by implementing
infrastructure improvements, particularly safe crossings, in proximity to transit stops.
Older adults were involved in a higher percentage of injury and severe injury
collisions compared to countywide rates. People over the age of 65 were involved
in 23% of all injury collisions and 44% of severe injury collisions. This is compared to
20% and 11% countywide, respectively.
External Conditions
Approximately 17% of injury collisions and 22% of KSI collisions in Sausalito occurred
in low-visibility conditions. Most of these – 10% of all collisions and 22% of KSI
collisions – occurred in the dark but in the presence of streetlights.
2024 MARIN COUNTY LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN | 184CHAPTER 17. SAUSALITO LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN
High Collision Network
Sausalito’s High Collision Network
is show in Figure 17.4, Table 17.1,
and Table 17.2. High collision
road segments and intersections
were selected countywide based
on overall collision rates at those
locations.
The city’s High Collision Network
includes three segments, as
can be seen in the map; all
were located along Bridgeway.
Bridgeway from Napa Street
to San Carlos Avenue had the
highest collision rate of the city’s
segments (527.5 collisions per
100 million vehicle miles traveled)
ranking 10th of the 70 countywide
High Collision Network segments
by collision rate. This segment
also had the highest number
of collisions (25) for the City,
including 14 involving bicyclists
and six involving pedestrians.
Bridgeway from Bay Street to
Second Street/Richardson Street
had the second highest rate for
the City, with 86.6 collisions per
100 million vehicle miles traveled.
Two-thirds of the segment’s six
collisions involved a bicyclist or
pedestrian.
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Figure 17.4: Sausalito High Collision Network
LEGEND
HCN Intersection HCN Segment Boundary0 -D
2024 MARIN COUNTY LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN | 185CHAPTER 17. SAUSALITO LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN
Table 17.1: Sausalito High Collision Network Segments
ID Location
Number of Collisions
Collision Rate Per
100 Million VMT
Pedestrian Bicycle Motorcycle Motor
Vehicle Only
Total
1 Bridgeway from Napa Street to San Carlos Avenue 6 14 0 5 25 527.5
2 Bridgeway from Bay Street to 2nd Street/Richardson Street 2 2 1 2 6 86.6
3 Bridgeway from Gate 5 Road to Nevada Street 1 5 1 2 9 70.5
Table 17.2: Sausalito High Collision Network Intersections
ID Location
Number of Collisions Collision Rate Per
100 Million Entering
Vehicles
Pedestrian Bicycle Motorcycle Motor
Vehicle Only
Total
A Bridgeway & Spring Street 1 3 0 2 6 40.7
B Bridgeway & Napa Street 0 5 0 0 5 37.1
C Bridgeway & Turney Street 0 3 0 1 4 29.2
D Bridgeway & Locust Street 2 1 0 0 3 22.0
E Bridgeway & Nevada Street 0 1 0 2 3 20.7
F Bridgeway & Pine Street 2 0 0 0 2 15.6
G Bridgeway & Johnson Street 2 0 0 0 2 12.5
H Bridgeway & Harbor Drive 0 2 0 0 2 7.0
I Bridgeway & Marinship Way & Easterby Street 1 0 0 0 1 6.4
J Bridgeway & Gate 5 Road & Ebbtide Avenue 0 1 1 0 2 5.5
Sausalito’s High Collision Network also includes ten intersections, again all located
along Bridgeway. Of these, the collision rate at three intersections ranked in the top
10 of the County’s 92 High Collision Network intersections: Bridgeway’s intersections
with Spring Street (40.7 collisions per 100 million entering vehicles), Napa Street
(37.1), and Turney Street (29.2). Bridgeway and Spring Street also had the highest
number of collisions of any intersection in Sausalito, with six collisions, four of which
involved a pedestrian or bicyclist.
2024 MARIN COUNTY LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN | 186CHAPTER 17. SAUSALITO LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN
17.5 EMPHASIS AREAS
Emphasis areas provide a framework for developing and implementing strategies to
increase road user safety across the County. Potential emphasis areas were initially
identified using severe injury and fatality collision data from 2012-2021 for Sausalito
in comparison to the County as a whole, which allowed for a larger sample size of KSI
collisions to be compared. Emphasis areas were then refined through stakeholder
input. A full list of emphasis areas for the County can be found in Chapter 6. Four
primary emphasis areas were selected from this list for Sausalito based on the city’s
collision trends, shown in Table 17.3. The following is a description of trends relating
to these emphasis areas from 2012-2021.
Table 17.3: Sausalito primary emphasis areas
Almost 20% of all injury collisions and 27% of KSI collisions in Sausalito from 2012-
2021 involved a bicyclist; this is significantly higher than the County’s rates of 9% and
16%, respectively. The bicycle collision rate increased when considering the latest
five years of data, to almost 25% of all injury collisions in the City. Four severe injury
collisions involved bicyclists.
Approximately 27% of both injury collisions and KSI collisions in the City were caused
by improper turning, compared to 16% and 20%, respectively, countywide. These
collisions were most prominent at Bridgeway’s intersections with Spring Street, Napa
Street, and Turney Street.
Unsafe speed resulted in 23% of Sausalito’s injury collisions, as well as 40% of KSI
collisions. Countywide, this collision factor was responsible for only 24% of KSI
collisions. Unsafe speed collisions were spread throughout the City with the most
prominent locations along Bridgeway between Locust Street and Pine Street.
One-fifth (20%) of KSI collisions were broadside collisions. Countywide, meanwhile,
this type of collision made up only 13% of severe injury and fatality collisions.
Broadside collisions were most prevalent at Bridgeway’s intersections with Napa
Street and Turney Street.
Focusing on these primary emphasis areas can significantly contribute to eliminating
collisions in the City resulting in severe injury or fatality. However, a strategy that
includes additional emphasis areas would have additional positive effects. Table 17.4
through Table 17.7 list the recommended goals and strategies for Sausalito’s primary
emphasis areas. See Appendix A for more detail on countermeasures recommended
as emphasis area strategies.
Category Primary Emphasis Area
Vulnerable Road Users Bicyclists
Collision Factors Improper Turning
Unsafe Speed
Collision Types Broadside
Sausalito’s Bridgeway is a challenging street to navigate by foot or bicycle.
2024 MARIN COUNTY LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN | 187CHAPTER 17. SAUSALITO LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN
Table 17.4: Sausalito bicyclists primary emphasis area recommended goals & strategies
STRATEGIES
Education • Expand Safe Routes to Schools education programming, including a focus on e-bicycles.
• Expand Street Smarts safety campaigns and consider alignment with Bicycle Safety Month.
Enforcement • Equitably implement targeted enforcement on key collision areas which resulted in injury bicycle
collisions.
• Prioritize enforcement of traffic laws based on likelihood of behavior causing an injury collision.
• Equitably implement targeted enforcement for bicyclists driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
Engineering • In conjunction with other strategies, install countermeasures focused on reducing the likelihood and
severity of collisions between automobiles and bicyclists and increasing driver awareness of bicyclists.
• Provide low stress, all ages and abilities infrastructure connectivity for bicyclists, particularly within one
mile of schools and along key active transportation routes.
• Refer to Caltrans and FHWA guidance on the preferred method of separation based on automobile
speeds and roadway volumes.
• Implement technology to improve bicyclist safety such as bicycle activated signal detection and bicycle
signal heads as appropriate.
Emergency
Response
• Install emergency vehicle preemption systems.
• Improve resources for deploying emergency responses to bicycle collision sites.
• Consider targeted training for responding to specific high incident locations and treatment of
predominant bicyclist injury types at those locations.
• Ensure that emergency routes are clear and well defined.
Emerging
Technology
• Implement new technologies to make bicycle crossings safer and more comfortable
(e.g., automated detection at signalized intersections, etc.).
• Deploy collision-prevention technology at signalized intersections.
• Utilize technologies such as video data and crowdsourcing to track and address near misses.
• Conduct in-depth analyses of bicyclist collision trends at hot spot locations to inform strategy
implementation.
EMPHASIS AREA: BICYCLISTS
GOAL: Eliminate fatal & severe injury collisions involving bicyclists by 2050.0 • •
2024 MARIN COUNTY LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN | 188CHAPTER 17. SAUSALITO LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN
Table 17.5: Sausalito improper turning primary emphasis area goals & strategies
STRATEGIES
Education • Expand Street Smarts program with an emphasis on avoiding distracted driving.
Enforcement • Equitably implement targeted enforcement on key collision areas which resulted in injuries from
improper turning.
Engineering • In conjunction with other strategies, implement countermeasures focused on designing and improving
intersections to encourage drivers to make safe turns such as curb radius. reduction, left turn hardening,
protected intersections/corners, etc.
Emergency
Response
• Install emergency vehicle preemption systems.
• Consider targeted training for responding to specific high incident locations and treatment of
predominant injury types at those locations.
• Improve resources for deploying emergency responses to collision sites.
• Ensure that emergency routes are clear and well defined.
Emerging
Technology
• Deploy collision-prevention technology at signalized intersections.
• Utilize technologies such as video data and crowdsourcing to track and address near misses.
EMPHASIS AREA: IMPROPER TURNING
GOAL: Eliminate fatal & severe injury collisions improper turning by 2050.
2024 MARIN COUNTY LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN | 189CHAPTER 17. SAUSALITO LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN
Table 17.6: Sausalito unsafe speed primary emphasis area goals & strategies
STRATEGIES
Education • Par tner with local businesses and organizations on educational efforts and campaigns along hot spot corridors.
• Implement a safe speeds education campaign.
• Expand the Street Smarts Marin program
Enforcement • Equitably implement targeted enforcement on key collision areas which resulted in injuries from unsafe speeds.
• Use recent legislation (AB 43, AB 321) and national research to set context-appropriate speeds suitable for all road users particularly
in business districts and near schools.
• Consider use of technology to support automated enforcement at key locations.
• Deploy a radar trailer and/or permanent speed feedback signage at locations where instances of unsafe speed are more prevalent.
Engineering • In conjunction with other strategies, install countermeasures focused on designing and improving roadways that lead to more appropriate
speeds to the surrounding land uses.
• Coordinate with emergency services to develop design standards for traffic calming treatments, particularly on collector
and neighborhood streets.
Emergency Response • Install emergency vehicle preemption systems.
• Consider targeted training for responding to specific high incident locations and treatment of predominant injury types at those locations.
• Improve resources for deploying emergency responses to collision sites.
• Ensure that emergency routes are clear and well defined.
Emerging Technology • Implement technology such as spot cameras, variable message signs, and traffic control warning devices as appropriate.
• Monitor speeds through critical intersections using smart signal technology.
• Utilize technologies such as video data and crowdsourcing to track and address near misses.
• Engage in legislative advocacy to seek state law change allowing automated speed cameras and allowing the resulting citations
to be handled as local municipal code violations rather than vehicle code violations.
EMPHASIS AREA: UNSAFE SPEED
GOAL: Eliminate fatal & severe injury collisions involving unsafe speed by 2050.
2024 MARIN COUNTY LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN | 190CHAPTER 17. SAUSALITO LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN
Table 17.7: Sausalito broadside collisions primary emphasis area goals & strategies
STRATEGIES
Education • Expand the Street Smarts program.
Enforcement • Equitably implement targeted enforcement at high injury locations where violations that
lead to broadside collisions are more common, such as automobile right of way and
traffic signal/stop sign violations.
Engineering • In conjunction with other strategies, implement countermeasures focused on designing
and improving intersections to encourage drivers to make safe turns (e.g., roundabouts
and protected intersections/corners).
• Consider modifying traffic signal timing with longer clearance intervals such as with advanced
dilemma zone detection.
Emergency
Response
• Install emergency vehicle preemption systems.
• Consider targeted training for responding to specific high incident locations and treatment of
predominant injury types at those locations.
• Improve resources for deploying emergency responses to collision sites.
• Ensure that emergency routes are clear and well defined.
Emerging
Technology
• Deploy collision-prevention technology at signalized intersections.
• Utilize technologies such as video data and crowdsourcing to track and address near misses.
EMPHASIS AREA: BROADSIDE COLLISIONS
GOAL: Eliminate fatal & severe injury collisions involving broadside collisions by 2050.
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I I I
2024 MARIN COUNTY LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN | 191CHAPTER 17. SAUSALITO LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN
17.6 PRIORITY PROJECTS
Following the identification of the High Collision Network, the collision patterns
at these intersections and segments were analyzed to determine potential
countermeasures. In collaboration with the city, a subset of priority project locations
was selected to recommend specific improvements based on the collision rates,
trends, and potential improvement impacts. These are locations where site-specific
engineering improvements can have a substantial effect in achieving the LRSP’s goals.
In Sausalito, the priority locations and projects are as follows:
Bridgeway from Napa Street to San Carlos Street (Segment)
Signal Improvements
Signalization improvements may include improving signal phasing, upgrading
signals to 12” heads, prohibiting right turns on red, leading pedestrian intervals,
and adding video detection.
Pedestrian Crossing Improvements
A number of pedestrian crossing improvements could be implemented along this
corridor including some of the following: consolidating crosswalks, adding high
visibility crosswalks, curb extensions, center pedestrian refuge island, advanced
stop bars, yield lines, and pedestrian-orientated street lighting. These could
improve pedestrian crossings by shortening crossing distances and emphasizing
pedestrians’ presence.
Bicycle Facility Improvements
Consider upgrading bicycle lanes (e.g., by providing wider bicycle lanes and
narrow traffic lanes, by creating green transition zones) and filling gaps in
existing bicycle infrastructure. While the corridor is constrained for space along
this segment, bicycle collisions may indicate that greater separation of bicycles
and motor vehicles may be needed. Installing green paint through conflict
zones and adding ‘right turn yield to bicycles’ signs can increase the visibility of
bicyclists.
Bridgeway from Bay Street to
Second Street/Richardson Street (Segment)
Traffic Calming Improvements
Consider traffic calming elements to discourage drivers using the median to pass
slower vehicles and bicyclists and to slow vehicle speeds. This could reduce the
number of sideswipe collisions along this segment.
Bicycle Facility Improvements
Consideradding bicycle lanes along this corridor. Adding dedicated bicycle
facilities can lessen the chances of conflicts and collisions involving motorists
overtaking bicyclists.
2024 MARIN COUNTY LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN | 192CHAPTER 17. SAUSALITO LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN
Bridgeway from Gate 5 Road to Nevada Street (Segment)
Signal Improvements
Signalization improvements may include improving signal phasing, coordinating
signals at multiple locations, extending left turn pockets, upgrading signals to
12” heads, prohibiting right turns on red, and adding video detection. Replace
controllers to allow operational and safety improvement.
Pedestrian Crossing Improvements
A number of pedestrian crossing improvements could be implemented along
this corridor including some of the following: high visibility crosswalks,
blank-out signs to reinforce a no right on red turn restriction, advanced
stop bars, bulb outs, tighten curb radius, directional curb ramps and leading
pedestrian intervals. These could improve pedestrian crossings by shortening
crossing distances and emphasizing pedestrians’ presence. In addition, off-system
pathway improvements should be considered.
Bicycle Facility Improvements
Installing green paint through conflict zones could increase the visibility of
bicyclists. Bicycle signals at key locations should be considered, e.g., at Nevada
Street. Provision of a wider bicycle lane by narrowing traffic lanes should be
considered.
Bridgeway & Spring Street (Intersection)
Signal Improvements
Signalization improvements may include improving signal phasing, coordinating
signals at multiple locations, extending left turn pockets, upgrading signals to
12” heads, prohibiting right turns on red, and adding video detection. Replace
controllers to allow operational and safety improvement.
Pedestrian Crossing Improvements
A number of pedestrian crossing improvements could be implemented along
this corridor including some of the following: high visibility crosswalks, blank-
out signs to reinforce a no right on red turn restriction, advanced stop bars, bulb
outs, tighten curb radius, directional curb ramps and leading pedestrian intervals.
These could improve pedestrian crossings by shortening crossing distances
and emphasizing pedestrians’ presence. In addition, off-system pathway
improvements should be considered.
2024 MARIN COUNTY LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN | 193CHAPTER 17. SAUSALITO LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN
Marin’s Transportation Sales Tax
MEAS U R E
V O T ER APPROVED
Marin’s Vehicle Registration Fee
BMEASURE
V O T ER APPROVED
17.7 IMPLEMENTATION & EVALUATION
A number of considerations must be proactively managed to successfully implement
the strategies presented in the LRSP. Successful implementation requires adequate
funding, coordination, and partnerships, and can be supported by policies at both the
jurisdiction and county levels.
IMPLEMENTATION
Next Steps & Timeline for Implementation
The next steps for implementation should focus on developing specific programs
and projects from the LRSP recommendations:
Identify an “agency champion” to advance each LRSP priority recommendation.
This agency generally would assume the primary role in program/project
development
Further define each priority recommendation (or if appropriate, bundle several
recommendations together) into a discrete program or project with a specific
scope of improvements
Allocate initial funding to complete basic program/project development tasks,
such as conceptual planning, feasibility assessments, cost estimation, and
agency coordination
These initial development steps will allow lead agencies to define specific programs
and projects and prepare them for inclusion in competitive funding applications,
regional transportation plans, and local capital improvement plans (CIPs).
The strategies introduced in this document may be implemented in different phases.
Short-term implementation would generally occur in less than five years from
completion of the LRSP. These actions include low-cost engineering treatments that
can be constructed relatively quickly, such as striping projects, signal optimizations,
and quick-build infrastructure. Additional short-term strategies could include scaling
up existing programs and implementing enforcement activities.
Medium-term implementation typically would occur between five and ten years after
LRSP development. This may include progressive and scaled-up safety elements as
well as larger projects that require more resources to design and construct. Policy
changes also could be implemented in this timeframe.
In the long term (generally 10 years or more), implementation may focus on further
emphasizing safety in future planning and design efforts.
Funding Sources & Strategies
Obtaining funding is critical for plan implementation. The County and its jurisdictions
can pursue funding at various levels depending on their needs. Identification of
funding sources and opportunities can be focused on the following:
Federal and state grant opportunities, including the Highway Safety
Improvement Program, Safe Streets & Roads for All, and the
Active Transportation Program
Regional funding opportunities, including funding opportunities resulting from
Marin County’s Measure AA sales tax and Measure B vehicle registration fees
Local fund contributions from TAM, the County, and its jurisdictions to
support countywide programs
Capital improvement projects, such as repaving efforts into which safety
upgrades could be bundled
California Active
Transportation Program
2024 MARIN COUNTY LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN | 194CHAPTER 17. SAUSALITO LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN
The following strategies can help to increase the likelihood of success in competitive
funding applications:
Pursue the highest-priority, highest-benefit projects and programs. These tend
to be the most competitive in grant programs, driven by strong results in the
benefit-cost analyses that are often required. In addition, showing funding
partners that the County and local jurisdictions have thought carefully about the
highest-value ways to direct resources can inspire confidence from these federal
and state entities
Partner across jurisdictions to greatly strengthen applications for competitive
funding. Some potential partners for local jurisdictions include the County,
TAM, Marin Transit, or relevant community-based organizations. Beyond
grant applications, these jurisdictional partnerships also could include more
formalized memoranda of understanding to share the costs of planning, design,
construction, or operations
Leverage local funding for projects and aim to provide close to 50 percent of
total project costs from these local funds. This type of commitment will increase
competitiveness when applying for discretionary funds at the federal and state levels
Pursue multiple funding sources. Infrastructure programs and projects often
require agencies to leverage many sources to meet project budgets, especially
given the uncertainty of competitive funding programs
Coordination & Partnership
Coordination and partnership among diverse stakeholders are essential for the
success of the LRSP. Within jurisdictions, collaboration and partnership between
public works, law enforcement, bicycle/pedestrian advisory committees, and others
can ensure that road user safety is systematically addressed.
Additional countywide partnerships could also be considered to track funding and
project implementation. These partnerships could take the following forms:
Jurisdictional partnerships to prepare joint grant applications and potentially
share program/project costs
Countywide bicycle working committee including representatives from existing
groups from various jurisdictions to further develop program/project concepts,
track funding opportunities, and monitor overall progress toward LRSP goals
Task force to audit countywide projects and programs related to bicycle safety,
review collision trend data, and make recommendations on preventing future
collisions
Policy Support
Whether at the county or jurisdiction levels, the LRSP strategy implementation can be
facilitated by supportive policies. Policies to consider include establishing clear goals
for regional connectivity through a countywide bicycle master planning process,
parking policies, and traffic calming policies. Having clear policies can pave the way
for related safety improvements.
EVALUATION
It will be important to evaluate progress towards meeting the LRSP’s goals. Evaluation
allows the County and its jurisdictions to monitor safety conditions over time and
make strategy adjustments as necessary.
In order to understand progress and safety conditions, specific outcome metrics
should be used when evaluating the LRSP’s progress. Foremost among these should
be the number of KSI collisions in each jurisdiction, as this corresponds directly to the
LRSP goals. Additional metrics could be the number of non-KSI injury collisions and
collisions related to each emphasis area. Metrics should be tracked every two years
and summarized in a memo or scorecard. This data will also be helpful when applying
for funding.
Regularly updating the LRSP will allow the plan and its strategies to be revised based
on the evaluation results. The LRSP should be updated every four years or as needed.
2024 MARIN COUNTY LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN | 195CHAPTER 18. UNINCORPORATED MARIN COUNTY LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN
18.1 INTRODUCTION
Unincorporated Marin County occupies an area of almost 460 square miles scattered
throughout the County, with much of this area located in West Marin. A number of
diverse communities are located on this land, ranging in size and characteristics from
small rural communities to those that are denser and more urban. Unincorporated
Marin includes key roadways such as Highway 1, Panoramic Highway, and Sir Francis
Drake Boulevard. Approximately 66,000 residents live in unincorporated Marin
County, comprising 30% of the County’s total population.1
A Local Road Safety Plan (LRSP) is a plan that provides a framework to identify,
analyze, and prioritize roadway safety improvements on local and rural roads to
18. UNINCORPORATED MARIN COUNTY LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN
increase safety for all road users. The LRSP facilitates local agency partnerships and
collaboration to systematically address road safety issues, ultimately resulting in a
list of prioritized projects and actions that can be used to obtain federal funding.
The LRSP provides a proactive approach to address safety needs and demonstrates
agency responsiveness to safety challenges. A living document, the LRSP can be
revised as needed to reflect evolving trends, community needs, and priorities.
This chapter presents the vision statement and goals, summarizes collision data,
identifies emphasis areas, recommends high priority project locations, and outlines
the implementation and evaluation strategies for Unincorporated Marin County.
1 United States Census Bureau 2021
2024 MARIN COUNTY LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN | 196CHAPTER 18. UNINCORPORATED MARIN COUNTY LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN
18.2 VISION & GOALS
Unincorporated Marin’s vision for this LRSP was developed through feedback with
the Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) and Marin County jurisdictions, which are
described in Chapter 3. The vision statement reflects the county’s commitment to
Vision Zero, an international strategy to eliminate all traffic fatalities and severe
injuries while increasing safe, healthy, and equitable mobility for all. The vision
statement recognizes that, while aspirational, to work towards anything less
than an end to traffic fatalities and severe injuries would not be appropriate. The
accompanying goals represent a path forward to achieving this vision.
Vision Statement
Unincorporated Marin strives to eliminate collision-related fatalities and severe
injuries by proactively and equitably pursuing a safe systems approach prioritizing
road safety for all users.
GOALS
Systematically implement proven safety solutions, initiatives, policies, and
programs to eliminate preventable fatal & severe collisions by 2050.
Utilize a multi-faceted approach that spans jurisdictions and
encompasses diverse strategies including engineering, education,
public health, and enforcement.
Implement improvements that promote and support safe travel for
vulnerable users including people walking and bicycling, children,
older adults, and people with disabilities.
Ensure that multimodal safety investments are made in a manner
that is fair and equitable for all Marin residents.
18.3 EXISTING EFFORTS
In recent years, unincorporated Marin’s efforts to improve safety have been most
visible through a range of plans and programs. This chapter describes plans, studies,
and programs supporting safety in unincorporated Marin County.
PLANS & STUDIES
Systemic Safety Analysis Report (2018)
The 2018 Marin County Systemic Safety Analysis Report (SSAR) provided a large-
scale systemic safety analysis of roadways across Marin County to help drive future
improvement projects, grant applications, and traffic safety outreach programs for
Marin County’s 11 jurisdictions and unincorporated areas. The analysis was funded
through the California Systemic Safety Analysis Report Program and produced by the
Marin County Department of Public Works. The project also involved collaboration
with various town and city police departments, the Marin County Sheriff, and the
California Highway Patrol. A Technical Advisory Committee was formed to help guide
the process and was comprised of representatives from the Marin Public Works
Association, Transportation Authority of Marin, and Marin General Hospital. This LRSP
serves as an update to portions of the SSAR.
Novato
Fairfax
San RafaelSan Anselmo
Mill Valley
Corte
Madera
Tiburon
Ross
Larkspur
0%
2%
4%
6%
8%
10%
12%
14%
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Total Crashes
Total KSI Crashes
Pedestrian inCrosswalk
Pedestrian not inCrosswalk
Other
3%
3%
5%
38%
100% 100% 100% 100%
8%
6% 7%
14% 18%
29% 5%
38% 22% 6%
5% 43% 38%
3% 34%
1% 54%
5%
8%
8%
CRASH TYPES BY MODE:
RATIOS OF ALL COLLISIONS
Motorvehicle proceeding straight
Motorvehicle making left turn
Motorvehicle making right turn
Head-On
Sideswipe
Hit Object
Broadside
Rear End
Overturned
Other *
One square = One Collision * “Other” is one of the eight crash type options for police ocers to designate on collision reports. Collisions designated as “Other” are included in the auto portion of the collisions by mode chart above.
CRASH TYPES
:::::: ::::: ..... ..... ..... ::::: .....
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2024 MARIN COUNTY LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN | 197CHAPTER 18. UNINCORPORATED MARIN COUNTY LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN
Marin County Unincorporated Area Bicycle & Pedestrian Plan Update (2018)
This plan update serves as a coordinating and resource document to improve bicycle
and pedestrian facilities in unincorporated areas of Marin County. It describes existing
conditions, analyzes needs, proposes improvements, and provides an implementation
strategy. The plan’s goals are to increase bicyclist and pedestrian access, improve
bicycle transportation, and encourage pedestrian transportation.
Marin City Community-Based Transportation Plan Update (2015)
The Marin City Community-Based Transportation Plan Update was part of an effort by
the Metropolitan Transportation Commission to identify barriers to mobility and work
to overcome them. The plan resulted from a collaborative effort of the Marin City
Community Services District, Marin County, the Transportation Authority of Marin,
Golden Gate Transit, Marin Transit, and other partner agencies and organizations. It
describes existing conditions community input, recommended improvements, and
considerations for implementation.
PROGRAMS
Safe Routes to Schools
Marin County’s Safe Routes to Schools (SR2S) is a program of TAM. TAM has created
a long-term, sustainable program that is institutionalized in schools with strong
community involvement. SR2S began in 2000 as a pilot program in select towns.
Today it operates in all Marin County jurisdictions and Unincorporated Marin in
over 55 schools, serving a total population of over 29,000 students. Among its
many activities, SR2S provides professional instructors to teach safe bicycling and
pedestrian safety skills and oversees volunteers in promoting the program through
contests, events, and regular submissions to school newsletters. SR2S also identifies
potential infrastructure projects to address school travel safety issues.
Street Smarts Marin
Street Smarts is a traffic safety program run by TAM that educates drivers, pedestrians,
and bicyclists about safety issues including distracted driving. The goal is to
encourage people to adopt new attitudes and behaviors that will reduce the number
of collisions and make the streets safer for everyone. The program incorporates
physical banners and social media posts to spread its messages about key safety
behaviors. The program began in 2009 and includes one to two rollouts per year.
Transportation Authority of Marin Crossing Guard Program
TAM’s crossing guard program provides trained crossing guards at key intersections
throughout Marin County. This is a key component of the Safe Routes to Schools
program as crossing guards help reduce the reluctance that some parents may feel
towards allowing their children to walk or bicycle to school. The program began in
2006 with 54 crossing guards and in the 2023/2024 school year 105 crossing guard
locations will be active. TAM contracts with a professional company that specializes in
crossing guard programs and uses a data-driven evaluation process to select the sites
at which guards are located.
Crossing guards increase safety and comfort for students walking and biking to school.
Safe Routes to Schools teaches students safe bicycling behaviors.
2024 MARIN COUNTY LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN | 198CHAPTER 18. UNINCORPORATED MARIN COUNTY LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN
ENGINEERING IMPROVEMENTS
Marin City Pedestrian Improvements (Ongoing)
This project includes pedestrian upgrades at various locations in Marin City: Flemings
Drive and Terrace Drive, Terrace Drive and Terners Drive, Sherwood Drive and
Donahue Street, Bay Vista Circle, and Donahue Street. Work is planned for summer
2023 and will include construction of ADA-compliant curb ramps, sidewalks, and
pavement marking refresh.
Four Corners Intersection Improvements (Ongoing)
Marin County Public Works has been evaluating potential design improvements for
the Panoramic Highway / Sequoia Valley Road / Muir Woods Road intersection, also
known as Four Corners. The project will address the configuration of the intersection,
including the skewed approaches of the roadways and lane alignments. The number
of bicyclists and hikers either using or crossing the roadway further emphasizes
the multimodal uses and the need to develop a solution that benefits all users. This
project is currently in the study phase.
HSIP Signal Enhancements (2022)
This project enhanced 55 signalized intersections throughout unincorporated
Marin as well as four in incorporated jurisdictions. Safety improvements included
upgrading signal heads to 12” LED signal heads, adding signal head backplates,
adding pedestrian countdown heads, adding audible pedestrian signals at pedestrian
push buttons, updating signal hardware to incorporate Lead Pedestrian Intervals at
crosswalks, and adding video or advanced detection loops for advanced dilemma
zone detections.
Sir Francis Drake Boulevard Corridor Rehabilitation (2021)
Completed in coordination with TAM, this regional project rehabilitated 2.2 miles
of Sir Francis Drake Boulevard between Highway 101 and the Ross town limits. In
addition to repaving, the project consisted of pedestrian safety improvements,
striping, intersection and signal improvements, traffic operation improvements, utility
infrastructure improvements, and new street lighting.
Novato
San Rafael
San Anselmo
Mill Valley
Corte
Madera
Tiburon
Belvedere
Sausalito
Ross
Fairfax
Larkspur 1 2
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30
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6
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45
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San Rafael InsetSan Rafael Inset
County of Marin
HSIP Traffic Signal
Improvement
Project
Location Map
LEGEND
Base Bid Locations
Bid Alternate Locations
Jurisdiction Boundaries
The HSIP Signal Enhancements project made
improvements to 55 signals throughout the County.
0 •
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2024 MARIN COUNTY LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN | 199CHAPTER 18. UNINCORPORATED MARIN COUNTY LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN
18.4 DATA SUMMARY
This analysis considered reported
collisions on non-state arterial and
collector roads resulting in injury or
fatality. Arterial roads are high-capacity
roads that carry longer-distance
vehicle flows between centers of
activity. Collector roads have low
to moderate capacity and serve as
connectors between local roads
and arterials. For the purpose of the
following data summary, “all collisions”
refers to collisions resulting in injury
(regardless of severity) or fatality, unless
otherwise specified. A subset of these
collisions resulted in a severe injury
or fatality: these are referred to as “KSI
collisions” (resulting in a person being
Killed or Severely Injured). Finally,
“fatal collisions” refers to any collision
resulting in a fatality.
From 2017-2021, 491 injury collisions
occurred on non-state arterial and
collector roadways in unincorporated
Marin (Figure 18.1). Of these, there
were 84 (17%) collisions that resulted
in a severe injury and 15 (3%) collisions
that resulted in a fatality. This marks a
significant decrease of 41% from the
previous five-year period from 2012-2016,
which saw 624 total injury collisions.
However, while the overall number of
collisions decreased, the number of fatal
collisions more than doubled between
these two time periods, from seven.
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MARINMARIN
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LEGEND
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0 0.15 0.3 Miles
Figure 18.1: Unincorporated Marin
collisions by severity
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2024 MARIN COUNTY LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN | 200CHAPTER 18. UNINCORPORATED MARIN COUNTY LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN
Primary Collision Factors
Four primary collision factors were responsible for approximately 76% of collisions in
unincorporated Marin (Figure 18.2). Unsafe speeds resulted in approximately 29% of
collisions, surpassing the countywide rate of 26% for this collision factor. Improper
turning, responsible for 28% of collisions in unincorporated Marin, far outpaced the
countywide rate of 17%. Driving or bicycling under the influence of drugs or alcohol
and automobile right-of-way violations led to 12% and 7% of collisions, respectively.
Unsafe speed and improper turning resulted in the majority of KSI collisions.
Figure 18.2: Top 10 primary collision factors
Road User Types
Figure 18.3 shows collisions by mode. Motor vehicle only collisions made up
approximately 68% of all injury collisions in unincorporated Marin. Eighteen percent
(18%) of collisions in unincorporated Marin involved a bicyclist, while 10% involved
a motorcyclist and 4% involved a pedestrian. The rate of pedestrian collisions in
unincorporated Marin is much lower than the overall County rate of 14%. Meanwhile,
the rate of motorcycle collisions in unincorporated Marin is significantly higher than
that for the entire county (7%). The high rate of motorcycle collisions speaks to the
County’s popularity among riders, as well as the challenging conditions for users of
non-vehicular transportation modes.
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Figure 18.3: Unincorporated Marin collisions by mode
Of unincorporated Marin’s 90 collisions involving a bicyclist, 52 involved motor
vehicles, 35 were solo bicycle collisions, and three involved a motorcycle. Bicycle
collisions with motor vehicles tended to result from improper passing (19%),
improper turning (19%), automobile right-of-way violations (13%), and operating on
the wrong side of the road (13%). Almost half (49%) of solo bicycle collisions were
caused by unsafe speeds. Hotspots for bicycle collisions included Alexander Avenue,
Strawberry Point, and College Avenue in Kentfield.
Approximately 58% of the 19 pedestrians involved in collisions were crossing
in a crosswalk at the time of the collision. The majority of pedestrian collisions
resulted from three primary collision factors: pedestrian right-of-way violations
(53%, collisions where drivers did not yield to a pedestrian with the right-of-way);
pedestrian violations (11%, collisions where pedestrians were deemed at fault); and
unsafe starting or backing (11%). A hotspot of pedestrian collisions occurred on Sir
Francis Drake Boulevard in Kentfield between Ross Terrace and College Avenue.
Of the 52 motorcycle collisions in unincorporated Marin, 40 were solo collisions, nine
involved a motor vehicle, and three involved a bicycle. Solo motorcycle collisions
tended to result from unsafe speed (55%) and improper turning (35%). Motorcycle
collision hot spots were located along twisting rural roads including Panoramic
Highway and Lucas Valley Road.
I 111 1. ..I .11 ■I •.•• I
■ ■ ■
2024 MARIN COUNTY LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN | 201CHAPTER 18. UNINCORPORATED MARIN COUNTY LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN
Equity Considerations
Several equity priority communities designated by Plan Bay Area 2050 are located in
unincorporated Marin. These are census tracts that have a significant concentration of
underserved populations, such as households with low incomes and people of color.
Of these equity priority communities, Marin City had a relatively high number of
collisions. Twelve collisions occurred here from 2017-2021, and nearly all occurred on
Donahue Street or Drake Avenue, the main roadways through the community. These
collisions included three involving a pedestrian and one involving a bicyclist.
Several bus stops were located within 100 feet of at least one pedestrian collision. The
stop at Sir Francis Drake Boulevard and Elm Avenue, serving the College of Marin, was
proximate to two such collisions. One pedestrian collision occurred at the College of
Marin bus stop on College Avenue, which is also adjacent to a multi-use path. Two bus
stops in Marin City – one at the Gateway Shopping Center on Donahue Street and the
other at Donahue Street and Headlands Court – were each the site of a pedestrian
collision. One pedestrian collision occurred near the Sir Francis Drake Boulevard
and Bon Air Shopping Center stop, one at the North San Pedro Road and Roosevelt
Avenue stop (serving several schools), and one at the stops at North San Pedro Road
and Meadow Drive/Oxford Drive. While it is unclear whether these pedestrians were
transit users, collisions near transit stops can be signs of inequity in road safety
conditions that should be addressed.
External Conditions
Approximately 26% of injury collisions and 30% of severe injury and fatality collisions
in unincorporated Marin occurred in low-visibility conditions. The majority of these
collisions, accounting for 16% of all collisions and 17% of collisions resulting in severe
injury or fatality, occurred in the dark where no streetlights were present.
Shoreline Highway
The focus of this analysis has been on non-state-owned roadways; however, when
discussing collisions in unincorporated Marin it would be remiss to ignore Shoreline
Highway. Shoreline Highway is an important route in the County for connecting
travelers from Highway 101 to West Marin. This section provides an analysis of the
segment that serves the more densely settled parts of unincorporated Marin, from
Highway 101 to Panoramic Highway.
Fifty-one collisions occurred on this segment of Shoreline Highway from 2017-2021
(Figure 18.4). This included four collisions that resulted in a severe injury. These
collisions tended to be more closely spaced towards the eastern end of the segment.
A hot spot of collisions was located along Shoreline Highway between Tamalpais
Valley Junction and Tennessee Valley Road, in an area with many commercial uses.
Four primary collision factors resulted in 82% of collisions on this segment. Unsafe
speed was responsible for over one-third (35%) of collisions. Improper turning,
automobile right-of-way violations (where drivers did not yield to another driver with
the right-of-way), and improper passing caused 18%, 18%, and 12%, respectively.
Of the 51 collisions, over half (55%) involved motor vehicles only. One-third (33%)
involved bicyclists, including four solo bicyclist collisions. Approximately 12% of the
collisions involved motorcycles, including one solo motorcycle collision. None of the
collisions along this segment involved pedestrians.
Equity priority communities such as Marin City can be targeted for safety improvements.
2024 MARIN COUNTY LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN | 202CHAPTER 18. UNINCORPORATED MARIN COUNTY LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN
Figure 18.4: Unincorporated Marin Highway 1 collisions by severity
SBayfront Park
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2024 MARIN COUNTY LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN | 203CHAPTER 18. UNINCORPORATED MARIN COUNTY LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN
High Collision Network
Unincorporated Marin’s High Collision
Network is shown in Figure 18.5, Table
18.1, and Table 18.2. High collision
road segments and intersections were
selected countywide based on overall
collision rates at those locations.
Unincorporated Marin’s High Collision
Network includes 12 segments, as can
be seen in the map; this is the third
highest number of segments among
Marin County jurisdictions. Alexander
Avenue from Highway 101 to Second
Street had the highest rate of any
Unincorporated segment – 295.4
collisions per 100 million vehicle miles
traveled – ranking 13th of the 70
countywide High Collision Network
segments by collision rate. Of this
segment’s 20 collisions, 17 involved
bicyclists, including 12 solo bicycle
collisions, largely resulting from unsafe
speeds and occurring in areas with poor
pavement condition. It is important
to note that, while Alexander Avenue
is located in Unincorporated Marin, it
is owned by the Golden Gate Bridge
District up to the Sausalito City limits.
Marin City’s Donahue Street and Drake
Avenue were both included in the High
Collision Network with collision rates of
222.6 and 76.9 collisions per 100 million
vehicle miles traveled, respectively.
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Figure 18.5: Unincorporated Marin High Collision Network LEGEND
HCN Intersection HCN Segment Boundary
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2024 MARIN COUNTY LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN | 204CHAPTER 18. UNINCORPORATED MARIN COUNTY LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN
Table 18.1: Unincorporated Marin High Collision Network Segments
ID Location Number of Collisions Collision Rate Per
100 Million VMT
Pedestrian Bicycle Motorcycle Motor
Vehicle Only
Total
1 Alexander Avenue from Highway 101 to 2nd Street 0 17 1 2 20 295.4
2 Donahue Street from Park Circle to Drake Avenue (East)0 0 0 4 4 222.6
3 College Avenue from Sir Francis Drake Boulevard to Woodland Road 1 3 0 6 10 90.1
4 Drake Avenue from Donahue Street (West) to Donahue Street (East)0 1 0 3 4 76.9
5 Lucas Valley Road from Bay Laurel Lane to Camino Margarita (Big Rock)0 1 1 7 9 68.5
6 Point San Pedro Road from Summit Avenue to Sea Way 0 0 0 3 3 66.8
7 Point Reyes-Petaluma Road from Novato Boulevard to Nicasio Valley Road 0 1 4 17 22 61.4
8 North San Pedro Road from Golf Avenue to Meriam Drive 1 0 0 5 6 43.2
9 Panoramic Highway from Shoreline Highway to Gravity Car Road 1 6 10 4 21 42.3
10 Sir Francis Drake Boulevard from Bon Air Road to Del Monte 2 0 0 24 26 36.1
11 Sir Francis Drake Boulevard from Baywood Canyon Road
to San Geronimo Valley Drive (White’s Hill)0 3 0 4 7 24.0
12 Sir Francis Drake Boulevard from Drakes Cove Road to Andersen Drive 0 0 1 8 9 17.8
Sir Francis Drake Boulevard from Bon Air Road to Del Monte had the highest number
of collisions of any unincorporated segment, 26. These largely involved vehicles only
but included two pedestrian collisions.
Unincorporated Marin’s High Collision Network also includes 12 intersections,
again the third highest number of any Marin County jurisdiction. This includes the
intersection with the highest collision rate countywide: Nicasio Valley Road and Lucas
Valley Road, with 57.9 collisions per 100 million entering vehicles. This was followed
by the intersection of Point Reyes-Petaluma Road and Novato Road, with 23.8
collisions per 100 million entering vehicles. Collisions at unincorporated Marin High
Collision Network intersections largely involved vehicles only.
2024 MARIN COUNTY LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN | 205CHAPTER 18. UNINCORPORATED MARIN COUNTY LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN
Table 18.2: Unincorporated Marin High Collision Network Intersections
ID Location Number of Collisions Collision Rate
Per 100 Million
Entering VehiclesPedestrian Bicycle Motorcycle Motor Vehicle
Only
Total
A Nicasio Valley Road & Lucas Valley Road 0 1 1 2 4 57.9
B Point Reyes-Petaluma Road & Novato Boulevard 0 1 1 1 3 23.8
C Sir Francis Drake Boulevard & Nicasio Valley Road & San Geronimo Valley
Road 0 1 0 3 4 19.1
D Point Reyes-Petaluma Road & Nicasio Valley Road 0 0 0 2 2 17.0
E Point Reyes-Petaluma Road & Hicks Valley Road 0 0 0 2 2 14.5
F Miller Creek Road & Marinwood Avenue 1 0 0 1 2 13.7
G Sequoia Valley Road & Panoramic Highway & Muir Woods Road 0 1 0 0 1 5.4
H East Blithedale Avenue & Tower Drive & Kipling Drive2 0 1 0 2 3 5.2
I Sir Francis Drake Boulevard & El Portal Drive 0 0 0 2 2 2.6
J Sir Francis Drake Boulevard & Bon Air Road 0 0 0 2 2 2.3
K Sir Francis Drake Boulevard & Bon Air Center & La Cuesta Drive 0 0 0 1 1 1.3
L Sir Francis Drake Boulevard & Eliseo Drive & Barry Way 0 0 0 1 1 1.2
2 As of June 2023, this intersection is under the jurisdiction
of the City of Mill Valley.
2024 MARIN COUNTY LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN | 206CHAPTER 18. UNINCORPORATED MARIN COUNTY LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN
18.5 EMPHASIS AREAS
Emphasis areas provide a framework for developing and implementing strategies
to increase road user safety across the County. Potential emphasis areas were
initially identified using severe injury and fatality collision data from 2012-2021
for unincorporated Marin in comparison to the County as a whole, which allowed
for a larger sample size of KSI collisions to be compared. Emphasis areas were then
refined through stakeholder input. A full list of emphasis areas for the County can
be found in Chapter 6. Seven primary emphasis areas were selected from this list for
unincorporated Marin based on the city’s collision trends, shown in Table 18.3. The
following is a description of trends relating to these emphasis areas from 2012-2021.
Table 18.3: Unincorporated Marin primary emphasis areas
Category Primary Emphasis Area
Vulnerable Road Users Bicyclists
Motorcyclists
Collision Factors Impaired Driving & Bicycling
Improper Turning
Unsafe Speed
Collision Types Rear-End
External Conditions Dark Conditions
Approximately 18% of KSI collisions in unincorporated Marin from 2012-2021
involved a bicyclist; this is slightly higher than the County’s rates of 17%. Given that
unincorporated Marin’s roads are frequented by recreational bicyclists, this is an
important emphasis area for addressing road user safety.
Approximately 4% of injury collisions and almost 8% of KSI collisions involved a
motorcycle, compared to 3% and 7% countywide, respectively. Similar to bicyclists,
motorcyclists often seek out unincorporated Marin’s scenic, winding roads for
recreational riding.
Driving or bicycling under the influence of drugs or alcohol resulted in 11% of both
injury collisions and KSI collisions. This is higher than the County’s rates of 7% and
10%, respectively. Collisions caused by driving or bicycling under the influence were
spread throughout unincorporated Marin. Hotspots included Lucas Valley Road,
Paradise Drive, and Point Reyes-Petaluma Road.
Improper turning led to 26% of injury collisions and 28% of KSI collisions, significantly
higher than the County’s rates of 17% and 20%, respectively. These collisions were
also widely distributed throughout the County but had hotspots along Lucas Valley
Road, Point Reyes-Petaluma Road, and Sir Francis Drake Boulevard.
Unsafe speed resulted in 33% of unincorporated Marin’s injury collisions, as well
as 32% of KSI collisions. These rates are higher than the respective Countywide
proportions for this collision factor of 28% and 24%. Unsafe speed collisions were
spread throughout unincorporated Marin.
Approximately 7% of all injury collisions and 7% of KSI collisions were rear-end
collisions. Countywide, meanwhile, this type of collision made up 6% of KSI collisions.
High numbers of rear-end collisions were located along College Avenue and Sir
Francis Drake Boulevard in Kentfield and Greenbrae.
Lastly, one quarter of KSI collisions in unincorporated Marin occurred under dark
conditions. This includes 15% of all KSI collisions that occurred in locations without
streetlights.
Focusing on these primary emphasis areas can significantly contribute to eliminating
collisions in the County resulting in severe injury or fatality. However, a strategy that
includes additional emphasis areas would have additional positive effects. Table 18.4
through Table 18.10 list the goals and strategies for unincorporated Marin’s primary
emphasis areas. See Appendix A for more detail on countermeasures recommended
as emphasis area strategies..
2024 MARIN COUNTY LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN | 207CHAPTER 18. UNINCORPORATED MARIN COUNTY LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN
STRATEGIES
Education • Expand Safe Routes to Schools education programming.
• Expand Street Smarts safety campaigns and consider alignment with Bicycle Safety Month.
Enforcement • Equitably implement targeted enforcement on key collision areas which resulted in injury bicycle collisions.
• Prioritize enforcement of traffic laws based on likelihood of behavior causing an injury collision.
• Equitably implement targeted enforcement for bicyclists driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
Engineering • In conjunction with other strategies, install countermeasures focused on reducing the likelihood and severity of collisions between
automobiles and bicyclists and increasing driver awareness of bicyclists.
• Provide low stress, all ages and abilities infrastructure connectivity for bicyclists, particularly within one mile of schools and
along key active transportation routes.
• Refer to Caltrans and FHWA guidance on the preferred method of separation based on automobile speeds and roadway volumes.
• Implement technology to improve bicyclist safety such as bicycle activated signal detection and bicycle signal heads as appropriate.
Emergency Response • Install emergency vehicle preemption systems.
• Improve resources for deploying emergency responses to bicycle collision sites.
• Consider targeted training for responding to specific high incident locations and treatment of predominant
bicyclist injury types at those locations.
• Ensure that emergency routes are clear and well defined.
Emerging Technology • Implement new technologies to make bicycle crossings safer and more comfortable (e.g., automated detection at signalized intersections, etc.).
• Deploy collision-prevention technology at signalized intersections.
• Utilize technologies such as video data and crowdsourcing to track and address near misses.
• Conduct in-depth analyses of bicyclist collision trends at hot spot locations to inform strategy implementation.
Table 18.4: Bicyclists primary emphasis area goals & strategies
EMPHASIS AREA: BICYCLISTS
GOALS: Reduce fatal & severe injury collisions involving bicyclists 30% by 2030.
Reduce fatal & severe injury collisions involving bicyclists 50% by 2040.
Eliminate fatal & severe injury collisions involving bicyclists by 2050.
0 • •
2024 MARIN COUNTY LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN | 208CHAPTER 18. UNINCORPORATED MARIN COUNTY LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN
STRATEGIES
Education • Coordinate with motorcycle advocacy groups (e.g., ABATE) about ways to effectively promote
safe behaviors.
• Implement education and awareness campaigns focused on conspicuity, protective clothing,
and driver awareness of motorcyclists.
Enforcement • Prioritize equitable enforcement of motorcycle helmet laws in key high injury locations.
• Equitably implement targeted enforcement for motorcyclists driving under the influence of
alcohol or drugs.
Engineering • In conjunction with other strategies, implement countermeasures focused on improving pavement
friction at locations with curves and/or a high frequency of motorcycle collisions.
Emergency
Response
• Install emergency vehicle preemption systems.
• Improve resources for deploying emergency responses to collision sites.
• Ensure that emergency routes are clear and well defined.
• Consider targeted training for responding to specific high incident locations and treatment of
predominant injury types at those locations.
Emerging
Technology
• Deploy collision-prevention technology at signalized intersections.
• Utilize technologies such as video data and crowdsourcing to track and address near misses.
• Collect and analyze data on multi-modal counts, including non-reported collisions.
Table 18.5: Motorcyclists primary emphasis area goals & strategies
EMPHASIS AREA: MOTORYCLISTS
GOALS: Reduce fatal & severe injury collisions involving motorcyclists 30% by 2030.
Reduce fatal & severe injury collisions involving motorcyclists 50% by 2040.
Eliminate fatal & severe injury collisions involving motorcyclists by 2050.
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STRATEGIES
Education • Implement education and public awareness campaigns targeted at impaired driving.
• Partner with local businesses and organizations along hot spot corridors on educational efforts and campaigns.
Enforcement • Equitably implement high visibility enforcement campaigns.
• Establish DUI checkpoints where appropriate.
Engineering • Install countermeasures focused on mitigating or preventing hit objects, unsafe speeds,
and improper turning.
• Provide physical separation between fast-moving traffic and vulnerable road users.
Emergency Response • Install emergency vehicle preemption systems.
• Improve resources for deploying emergency responses to collision sites.
• Ensure that emergency routes are clear and well defined.
• Consider targeted training for responding to specific high incident locations and treatment of predominant injury types at those locations.
Emerging Technology • Implement a Safe Ride Home partnership between the jurisdictions, police departments, CHP, taxi/ride-hail operators, and local businesses.
• Deploy collision-prevention technology at signalized intersections.Utilize technologies such as video data and
crowdsourcing to track and address near misses.
Table 18.6: Impaired driving & bicycling primary emphasis area goals & strategies
EMPHASIS AREA: IMPAIRED DRIVING & BICYCLING
GOALS: Reduce fatal & severe injury collisions involving impaired driving and bicycling 30% by 2030.
Reduce fatal & severe injury collisions involving impaired driving and bicycling 50% by 2040.
Eliminate fatal & severe injury collisions involving impaired driving and bicycling by 2050.
2024 MARIN COUNTY LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN | 210CHAPTER 18. UNINCORPORATED MARIN COUNTY LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN
STRATEGIES
Education • Expand the Street Smarts program with an emphasis on avoiding distracted driving.
Enforcement • Equitably implement targeted enforcement on key collision areas which resulted in injuries from
improper turning.
Engineering • In conjunction with other strategies, implement countermeasures focused on designing and improving
intersections to encourage drivers to make safe turns such as curb radius. reduction, left turn hardening,
protected intersections/corners, etc.
Emergency
Response
• Install emergency vehicle preemption systems.
• Consider targeted training for responding to specific high incident locations and treatment of
predominant injury types at those locations.
• Improve resources for deploying emergency responses to collision sites.
• Ensure that emergency routes are clear and well defined.
Emerging
Technology
• Deploy collision-prevention technology at signalized intersections.
• Utilize technologies such as video data and crowdsourcing to track and address near misses.
Table 18.7: Improper turning primary emphasis area goals & strategies
EMPHASIS AREA: IMPROPER TURNING
GOALS: Reduce fatal & severe injury collisions involving improper turning 30% by 2030.
Reduce fatal & severe injury collisions involving improper turning 50% by 2040.
Eliminate fatal & severe injury collisions involving improper turning by 2050.
2024 MARIN COUNTY LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN | 211CHAPTER 18. UNINCORPORATED MARIN COUNTY LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN
STRATEGIES
Education • Par tner with local businesses and organizations on educational efforts and campaigns along hot spot corridors.
• Implement a safe speeds education campaign.
• Expand the Street Smarts Marin program.
Enforcement • Equitably implement targeted enforcement on key collision areas which resulted in injuries from unsafe speeds.
• Use recent legislation (AB 43, AB 321) and national research to set context-appropriate speeds suitable for all road users
particularly in business districts and near schools.
• Consider use of technology to support automated enforcement at key locations.
• Deploy a radar trailer and/or permanent speed feedback signage at locations where instances of unsafe speed are more prevalent.
Engineering • In conjunction with other strategies, install countermeasures focused on designing and improving roadways that lead to more appropriate
speeds to the surrounding land uses.
• Coordinate with emergency services to develop design standards for traffic calming treatments, particularly on collector
and neighborhood streets.
Emergency Response • Install emergency vehicle preemption systems.
• Consider targeted training for responding to specific high incident locations and treatment of predominant injury types at those locations.
• Improve resources for deploying emergency responses to collision sites.
• Ensure that emergency routes are clear and well defined.
Emerging Technology • Implement technology such as spot cameras, variable message signs, and traffic control warning devices as appropriate.
• Monitor speeds through critical intersections using smart signal technology.
• Utilize technologies such as video data and crowdsourcing to track and address near misses.
• Engage in legislative advocacy to seek state law change allowing automated speed cameras and allowing the resulting citations
to be handled as local municipal code violations rather than vehicle code violations.
Table 18.8: Unsafe speed primary emphasis area goals & strategies
EMPHASIS AREA: UNSAFE SPEED
GOALS: Reduce fatal & severe injury collisions involving unsafe speed 30% by 2030.
Reduce fatal & severe injury collisions involving unsafe speed 50% by 2040.
Eliminate fatal & severe injury collisions involving unsafe speed by 2050.
2024 MARIN COUNTY LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN | 212CHAPTER 18. UNINCORPORATED MARIN COUNTY LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN
STRATEGIES
Education • Partner with local businesses and community organizations to educate the public about distracted
driving.
• Expand the Street Smarts program.
Enforcement • Equitably implement targeted distracted driving enforcement at high injury locations where rearend
collisions are more common.
Engineering • In conjunction with other strategies, install countermeasures focused on designing and improving
roadways that lead to more appropriate speeds to the surrounding land uses.
Emergency
Response
• Install emergency vehicle preemption systems.
• Improve resources for deploying emergency responses to collision sites.
• Ensure that emergency routes are clear and well defined.
• Consider targeted training for responding to specific high incident locations and treatment of
predominant injury types at those locations.
Emerging
Technology
• Deploy collision-prevention technology at signalized intersections.
• Utilize technologies such as video data and crowdsourcing to track and address near misses.
EMPHASIS AREA: REAR END COLLISIONS
GOALS: Reduce fatal & severe injury rear-end collisions 30% by 2030.
Reduce fatal & severe injury rear-end collisions 50% by 2040.
Eliminate fatal & severe injury rear-end collisions by 2050.
Table 18.9: Rear-end primary emphasis area goals & strategies
2024 MARIN COUNTY LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN | 213CHAPTER 18. UNINCORPORATED MARIN COUNTY LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN
STRATEGIES
Education • Implement education campaigns targeted at safely walking and bicycling in the dark.
• Implement a safe speeds education campaign.
Enforcement • Use recent legislation and national research to set context appropriate speeds suitable
for all road users.
Engineering • In conjunction with other strategies, implement countermeasures focused on improving nighttime
infrastructure awareness and decision making.
• Improve street lighting in areas with high numbers of collisions during dark conditions.
Emergency Response • Install emergency vehicle preemption systems.
• Improve resources for deploying emergency responses to collision sites.
• Ensure that emergency routes are clear and well defined.
• Consider targeted training for responding to specific high incident locations and
treatment of predominant injury types at those locations.
Emerging Technology • Deploy collision-prevention technology at signalized intersections.
• Utilize technologies such as video data and crowdsourcing to track and address near misses.
Table 18.10: Dark conditions primary emphasis area goals & strategies
EMPHASIS AREA: DARK CONDITIONS
GOALS: Reduce fatal & severe injury collisions involving dark conditions 30% by 2030.
Reduce fatal & severe injury collisions involving dark conditions 50% by 2040.
Eliminate fatal & severe injury collisions involving dark conditions by 2050.
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18.6 PRIORITY PROJECTS
Following the identification of the High Collision Network, the collision patterns
at these intersections and segments were analyzed to determine potential
countermeasures. In collaboration with the County, a subset of priority project
locations was selected to recommend specific improvements based on the collision
rates, trends, and potential improvement impacts. These are locations where site-
specific engineering improvements can have a substantial effect in achieving the
LRSP’s goals. In unincorporated Marin, the priority locations and projects are as
follows:
Point Reyes-Petaluma Road from Novato Boulevard to
Nicasio Valley Road (Segment)
Road Improvements
Roadway improvements could include widening the shoulder and installing
guard rails where applicable.
Bicycle Facility Improvements
Installing a wider shoulder, where feasible and with preference to the uphill
direction, could give bicyclists and motorists more room to maneuver. Installing
“Bikes May Use Full Lane” signs clarifies where bicyclists are expected to ride and
reminds motorists to expect bicyclists on the road.
Panoramic Highway from Shoreline Highway to
Gravity Car Road (Segment)
Road Improvements
Roadway improvements may include widening the shoulder and installing
designated turn-outs where feasible; and installing curve advanced warning
signs, guard rails, and dynamic variable speed warning signs at curves.
Bicycle Facility Improvements
Installing a wider shoulder, where feasible, could give bicyclists and motorists
more room to maneuver. Installing “Bikes May Use Full Lane” signs clarify where
bicyclists are expected to ride and reminds motorists to expect bicyclists on
the road. Other signage to alert motorists to bicyclist presence could also be
beneficial.
2024 MARIN COUNTY LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN | 215CHAPTER 18. UNINCORPORATED MARIN COUNTY LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN
College Avenue from Sir Francis Drake Boulevard to
Woodland Road (Segment)
Intersection Improvements
The intersection of Woodland Road and College Avenue may benefit from
installation of a traffic signal or roundabout. Signalization would require a
warrant study to determine if this countermeasure is appropriate.
Pedestrian Crossing Improvements
A number of pedestrian crossing improvements could be considered along this
corridor including some of the following: high visibility crosswalks, rectangular
rapid flashing beacons (RRFBs), pedestrian signals or High Intensity Activated
CrossWalKs (HAWKs), advanced stop bars, bulb outs, tightening curb radii,
directional curb ramps, and leading pedestrian intervals. These could improve
pedestrian crossings by shortening crossing distances and emphasizing
pedestrians’ presence.
Bicycle Facility Improvements
Upgrading bicycle lanes to green bicycle lanes, installing green paint through
conflict zones, and adding bicycle boxes could increase the visibility of bicyclists.
North San Pedro Road from Golf Avenue to
Meriam Drive (Segment)
Pedestrian Crossing Improvements
A number of pedestrian crossing improvements could be considered along this
corridor including some of the following: high visibility crosswalks, advanced
stop bars, bulb outs, tightening curb radii, and directional curb ramps. These
could improve pedestrian crossings by shortening crossing distances and
emphasizing pedestrians’ presence.
Bicycle Facility Improvements
Installing “Bikes May Use Full Lane” signs clarifies where bicyclists are expected to
ride and reminds motorists to expect bicyclists on the road.
2024 MARIN COUNTY LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN | 216CHAPTER 18. UNINCORPORATED MARIN COUNTY LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN
Donahue Street from Park Circle to Drake Avenue East (Segment)
Intersection Improvements
The intersection of Donahue Street and Drake Avenue may benefit from
installation of a traffic signal or roundabout. Signalization would require a
warrant study to determine if this countermeasure is appropriate.
Pedestrian Crossing Improvements
A number of pedestrian crossing improvements could be considered along
this corridor including some of the following: high visibility crosswalks, RRFBs,
advanced stop bars, bulb outs, and tightening curb radii. These could improve
pedestrian crossings by shortening crossing distances and emphasizing
pedestrians’ presence.
Drake Avenue from Donahue Street West to
Donahue Street East (Segment)
Road Improvements
Consider installing edgelines and narrowing travel lanes to encourage traffic
calming.
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Point Reyes-Petaluma Road & Novato Boulevard (Intersection)
Intersection Improvement
Intersection improvements may include installing a left turn lane where
applicable and installing splitter islands on the minor road approaches.
As an optional alternative, convert the intersection to a roundabout as these
can be effective at reducing severe injuries at intersections.
Bicycle Facility Improvements
Installing a wider shoulder, where feasible, could give bicyclists and motorists
more room to maneuver. Installing “Bikes May Use Full Lane” signs clarifies
where bicyclists are expected to ride and reminds motorists to expect bicyclists
on the road.
Alexander Avenue from Highway 101 to Second Street
(Segment, Owned by Golden Gate Bridge District)
Road Improvements
Repave road and flatten curves. Install dynamic/variable speed warning signs.
Bicycle Facility Improvements
Install wider shoulder or protected/separated bicycleways, where feasible.
2024 MARIN COUNTY LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN | 218CHAPTER 18. UNINCORPORATED MARIN COUNTY LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN
East Blithedale Avenue & Tower Drive & Kipling Drive (Intersection)3
Signal Improvements
Signalization improvements may include upgrading signal hardware,
lengthening clearance intervals, eliminating or restricting higher-risk
movements, coordinating signals at multiple locations, and upgrading hardware
to 12” signal heads with backplates.
Pedestrian Crossing Improvements
A number of pedestrian crossing improvements could be considered at
this intersection including some of the following: high visibility crosswalks,
directional curb ramps, reduced curb radii, and removing pork chop islands.
These could improve pedestrian crossings by shortening crossing distances and
emphasizing pedestrians’ presence.
Bicycle Facility Improvements
Installing “Bikes May Use Full Lane” signs clarifies where bicyclists are expected to
ride and reminds motorists to expect bicyclists on the road.
Point Reyes-Petaluma Road & Nicasio Valley Road (Intersection)
Intersection Improvements
Intersection improvements may include installing a left turn lane where
applicable and installing splitter islands on the minor road approach.
Convert Intersection to Roundabout
This is an optional alternative countermeasure. Roundabouts can be effective
at reducing severe injuries at intersections.
3 As of June 2023, this intersection is under the jurisdiction
of the City of Mill Valley.
2024 MARIN COUNTY LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN | 219CHAPTER 18. UNINCORPORATED MARIN COUNTY LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN
Marin’s Transportation Sales Tax
MEAS U R E
V O T ER APPROVED
Marin’s Vehicle Registration Fee
BMEASURE
V O T ER APPROVED
18.7 IMPLEMENTATION & EVALUATION
A number of considerations must be proactively managed to successfully implement
the strategies presented in the LRSP. Successful implementation requires adequate
funding, coordination, and partnerships, and can be supported by policies at both the
jurisdiction and county levels.
IMPLEMENTATION
Next Steps & Timeline for Implementation
The next steps for implementation should focus on developing specific programs
and projects from the LRSP recommendations:
Identify an “agency champion” to advance each LRSP priority recommendation.
This agency generally would assume the primary role in program/project
development
Further define each priority recommendation (or if appropriate, bundle several
recommendations together) into a discrete program or project with a specific
scope of improvements
Allocate initial funding to complete basic program/project development tasks,
such as conceptual planning, feasibility assessments, cost estimation, and
agency coordination
These initial development steps will allow lead agencies to define specific programs
and projects and prepare them for inclusion in competitive funding applications,
regional transportation plans, and local capital improvement plans (CIPs).
The strategies introduced in this document may be implemented in different phases.
Short-term implementation would generally occur in less than five years from
completion of the LRSP. These actions include low-cost engineering treatments that
can be constructed relatively quickly, such as striping projects, signal optimizations,
and quick-build infrastructure. Additional short-term strategies could include scaling
up existing programs and implementing enforcement activities.
Medium-term implementation typically would occur between five and ten years after
LRSP development. This may include progressive and scaled-up safety elements as
well as larger projects that require more resources to design and construct. Policy
changes also could be implemented in this timeframe.
In the long term (generally 10 years or more), implementation may focus on further
emphasizing safety in future planning and design efforts.
Funding Sources & Strategies
Obtaining funding is critical for plan implementation. The County and its jurisdictions
can pursue funding at various levels depending on their needs. Identification of
funding sources and opportunities can be focused on the following:
Federal and state grant opportunities, including the Highway Safety
Improvement Program, Safe Streets & Roads for All, and the
Active Transportation Program
Regional funding opportunities, including funding opportunities resulting from
Marin County’s Measure AA sales tax and Measure B vehicle registration fees
Local fund contributions from TAM, the County, and its jurisdictions to
support countywide programs
Capital improvement projects, such as repaving efforts into which safety
upgrades could be bundled
California Active
Transportation Program
2024 MARIN COUNTY LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN | 220CHAPTER 18. UNINCORPORATED MARIN COUNTY LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN
The following strategies can help to increase the likelihood of success in competitive
funding applications:
Pursue the highest-priority, highest-benefit projects and programs. These tend
to be the most competitive in grant programs, driven by strong results in the
benefit-cost analyses that are often required. In addition, showing funding
partners that the County and local jurisdictions have thought carefully about the
highest-value ways to direct resources can inspire confidence from these federal
and state entities
Partner across jurisdictions to greatly strengthen applications for competitive
funding. Some potential partners for local jurisdictions include the County,
TAM, Marin Transit, or relevant community-based organizations. Beyond
grant applications, these jurisdictional partnerships also could include more
formalized memoranda of understanding to share the costs of planning, design,
construction, or operations
Leverage local funding for projects and aim to provide close to 50 percent of
total project costs from these local funds. This type of commitment will increase
competitiveness when applying for discretionary funds at the federal and state levels
Pursue multiple funding sources. Infrastructure programs and projects often
require agencies to leverage many sources to meet project budgets, especially
given the uncertainty of competitive funding programs
Coordination & Partnership
Coordination and partnership among diverse stakeholders are essential for the
success of the LRSP. Within jurisdictions, collaboration and partnership between
public works, law enforcement, bicycle/pedestrian advisory committees, and others
can ensure that road user safety is systematically addressed.
Additional countywide partnerships could also be considered to track funding and
project implementation. These partnerships could take the following forms:
Jurisdictional partnerships to prepare joint grant applications and potentially
share program/project costs
Countywide bicycle working committee including representatives from existing
groups from various jurisdictions to further develop program/project concepts,
track funding opportunities, and monitor overall progress toward LRSP goals
Task force to audit countywide projects and programs related to bicycle safety,
review collision trend data, and make recommendations on preventing future
collisions
Policy Support
Whether at the county or jurisdiction levels, the LRSP strategy implementation can be
facilitated by supportive policies. Policies to consider include establishing clear goals
for regional connectivity through a countywide bicycle master planning process,
parking policies, and traffic calming policies. Having clear policies can pave the way
for related safety improvements.
EVALUATION
It will be important to evaluate progress towards meeting the LRSP’s goals. Evaluation
allows the County and its jurisdictions to monitor safety conditions over time and
make strategy adjustments as necessary.
In order to understand progress and safety conditions, specific outcome metrics
should be used when evaluating the LRSP’s progress. Foremost among these should
be the number of KSI collisions in each jurisdiction, as this corresponds directly to the
LRSP goals. Additional metrics could be the number of non-KSI injury collisions and
collisions related to each emphasis area. Metrics should be tracked every two years
and summarized in a memo or scorecard. This data will also be helpful when applying
for funding.
Regularly updating the LRSP will allow the plan and its strategies to be revised based
on the evaluation results. The LRSP should be updated every four years or as needed.
2024 MARIN COUNTY LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN | 221
PHOTO CREDITS
Adobe Stock: pages, 26, 98, 192
Google Earth: pages 32, 50, 59, 64, 67, 80, 90, 95, 103, 115, 116, 119, 125, 126, 131,
133, 138, 141, 147, 169, 170, 171, 172, 188, 189, 198, 211, 212, 213, 214, 215
Parametrix: inset cover photo and pages 38, 45, 70, 75, 82, 85, 107, 115, 152, 153,
156, 175, 180, 183
Transportation Authority of Marin: pages 3, 7, 10, 28, 40, 52, 54, 69, 121, 135, 152
Parametr iX 1:t1;m1
IRANSPORTAIION CONSULIIN6
2024 MARIN COUNTY
Local Road Safety Plan APPENDIX
JANUARY, 2024
2024 MARIN COUNTY
LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN
Undertaken by the Transportation Authority of Marin and County of Marin
with Support from the 11 Cities and Towns in Marin County
2024 MARIN COUNTY LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN
COUNTERMEASURE TOOLKIT 2024 MARIN COUNTY LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN
TABLE OF CONTENTS
APPENDIX A. COUNTERMEASURE TOOLKIT ..........A-1
Introduction .................................................A-1
Summary of Content ......................................A-1
Signalized Intersections
Countermeasures ...........................................A-2
Unsignalized intersections
Countermeasures .........................................A-10
Roadway Segments
Countermeasures .........................................A-19
Countermeasures That do not Qualify
for HSIP Funding ..........................................A-33
2024 MARIN COUNTY LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN | A-1COUNTERMEASURE TOOLKIT
INTRODUCTION
The Countermeasure Toolkit provided within the following pages summarizes the
measures found in the 2022 Caltrans Local Roadway Safety Manual (CA-LRSM).
The CA-LRSM is a tool intended to provide focused roadway safety information in
a single document. This data uses information from the Crash Modification Factor
Clearinghouse and three other Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) published
safety manuals — Roadway Departure Safety, Intersection Safety, and Roadways
Safety Information Analysis — in conjunction with its own research with the Safe
Transportation Research and Education Center (SafeTREC) to develop the CA-LRSM.
SUMMARY OF CONTENT
The toolkit lists Highway Safety Improvements Program (HSIP) countermeasures
and non-HSIP countermeasures as well as crash type, crash reduction factors (CRF),
federal funding eligibility for HSIP projects and the systemic opportunity. The
countermeasures listed in this toolkit have been divided into four groups: signalized
intersections, unsignalized intersection, roadway segments and countermeasure that
do not currently apply for HSIP funding (not included in the CA-LRSM).
The information included in the countermeasure toolkit are:
CRASH TYPES – “All”, “P & B” (Pedestrian and Bicycle), “Night”,
“Emergency Vehicle”, or “Animal”
CRF - Crash Reduction Factor used for HSIP calls-for-projects
EXPECTED LIFE – 10 years or 20 years
FEDERAL FUNDING ELIGIBILITY – The maximum federal reimbursement ratio
SYSTEMIC APPROACH OPPORTUNITY – Opportunity to implement
using a systemic approach: “Very High”, “High”, “Medium” or “Low”
For countermeasures that are not eligible in Caltrans’ local HSIP call for projects,
“N/A” is placed in the above fields.
The toolkit refers to each countermeasure with an identification letter and number.
The letters refer to the following:
‘S’ countermeasures apply to signalized intersections.
‘NS’ countermeasures apply to unsignalized intersections.
‘R’ countermeasures apply to roadway segments.
‘NH’ countermeasures do not qualify for HSIP funding.
The list of countermeasures in the following section is not
all-inclusive and only consists of thoroughly researched countermeasures.
The mix of countermeasure and CRFs included is intended to meet Caltrans’ goal
of a data-driven process for local agencies to follow. Where possible and appropriate,
the CRF value listed in this toolkit is based on research studies that specifically
established the CRF to be used for ‘all’ project areas, roadway types and traffic
volumes. Where not all applicability factors have already been established by
prior research, Caltrans worked closely with FHWA to approximate CRFs for
countermeasures often utilized by local agencies.
APPENDIX A. COUNTERMEASURE TOOLKIT
2024 MARIN COUNTY LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN | A-2COUNTERMEASURE TOOLKIT
SIGNALIZED INTERSECTIONS
COUNTERMEASURES
2024 MARIN COUNTY LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN | A-3COUNTERMEASURE TOOLKIT
Crash Type Night
CRF 40%
Expected Life (Years)20
Federal Funding Eligibility 100%
Systemic Approach Opportunity Medium
Crash Type All
CRF 15%
Expected Life (Years)20
Federal Funding Eligibility 100%
Systemic Approach Opportunity Medium
Crash Type All
CRF 15%
Expected Life (Years)10
Federal Funding Eligibility 50%
Systemic Approach Opportunity Very High
S1. Add intersection lighting
Applicable at signalized intersections that have a
disproportionate number of nighttime crashes and do
not currently provide lighting at the intersection or
at its approaches. Intersection lighting is of particular
benefit to non-motorized users. Lighting not only helps
them navigate the intersection, but also helps drivers
see them better.
S2. Improve signal hardware: lenses, back-
plates, mounting, size, and number
Install at signalized intersections with a high frequency
of right-angle and rear-end crashes occurring because
drivers may be unable to see traffic signals sufficiently
in advance of the intersection. Signalized intersection
improvements include new LED lighting, signal back
plates, retro-reflective tape outlining the back plates,
or visors to increase signal visibility, larger signal heads,
relocation of the signal heads, or additional signal heads.
S3. Improve signal timing (coordination,
phases, red, yellow, or operation)
Install at locations that have a crash history at
multiple signalized intersections along a corridor.
Signalization improvements may include adding
phases, lengthening clearance intervals, eliminating or
restricting higher-risk movements, and coordinating
signals at multiple locations.
2024 MARIN COUNTY LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN | A-4COUNTERMEASURE TOOLKIT
Crash Type
Emergency
Vehicle
CRF 70%
Expected Life (Years)10
Federal Funding Eligibility 100%
Systemic Approach Opportunity High
Crash Type All
CRF 55%
Expected Life (Years)20
Federal Funding Eligibility 90%
Systemic Approach Opportunity Low
Crash Type All
CRF 30%
Expected Life (Years)20
Federal Funding Eligibility 100%
Systemic Approach Opportunity Very High
S5. Install emergency vehicle pre-emption
systems
The target of this strategy is signalized intersections
where normal traffic operations impede emergency
vehicles and where traffic conditions create a potential
for conflicts between emergency and nonemergency
vehicles. These conflicts could lead to almost any type
of crash, due to the potential for erratic maneuvers
of vehicles moving out of the paths of emergency
vehicles.
S6. Install left-turn lane & add turn phase
(signal has no left-turn lane or phase before)
Many intersection safety problems can be traced to
difficulties accommodating left-turning vehicles, in
particular where there is currently no accommodation
for left turning traffic. A key strategy for minimizing
collisions related to left-turning vehicles (angle,
rearend, sideswipe) is to provide exclusive left-turn
lanes and the appropriate signal phasing, particularly
on high-volume and high-speed major-road
approaches.
S7. Provide protected left turn phase (left turn
lane already exists)
Applicable at signalized intersections with existing left
turn pockets that currently have a permissive left-turn
or no left-turn protection and have a high frequency of
angle crashes involving left turning, opposing through
vehicles, and non-motorized road users. A properly
timed protected left-turn phase can also help reduce
rear-end and sideswipe crashes between left-turning
vehicles and the through vehicles as well as vehicles
behind them.
2024 MARIN COUNTY LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN | A-5COUNTERMEASURE TOOLKIT
Crash Type All
CRF 30%
Expected Life (Years)20
Federal Funding Eligibility 100%
Systemic Approach Opportunity Medium
Crash Type All
CRF 10%
Expected Life (Years)10
Federal Funding Eligibility 100%
Systemic Approach Opportunity Very High
Crash Type All
CRF 30%
Expected Life (Years)10
Federal Funding Eligibility 100%
Systemic Approach Opportunity Medium
S8. Convert signal to mast arm
(from pedestal-mounted)
Install at intersections that are currently controlled by
pedestal-mounted traffic signals (in medians and/or
on outside shoulder) and that have a high frequency
of right-angle and rear-end crashes occurring because
drivers may be unable to see traffic signal in advance
to safely negotiate the intersection. Intersections
that have pedestal-mounted signals may have poor
visibility and can result in vehicles not being able to
stop in time for a signal change.
S9. Install raised pavement markers and
striping (through intersection)
Applicable at intersections where the lane designations
are not clearly visible to approaching motorists
and/or at intersections noted as being complex
and experiencing crashes that could be attributed
to a driver’s unsuccessful attempt to navigate the
intersection.
S10. Install flashing beacons as
advance warning
Applicable in advance of signalized intersections with
crashes that are a result of drivers being unaware of the
intersection or being unable to see the traffic control
device in time to comply.
Click here for an
image example
https://roadtripchick.files.wordpress.com/2012/07/p1030110.jpg
2024 MARIN COUNTY LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN | A-6COUNTERMEASURE TOOLKIT
Crash Type All
CRF 40%
Expected Life (Years)10
Federal Funding Eligibility 100%
Systemic Approach Opportunity Medium
Crash Type All
CRF 25%
Expected Life (Years)20
Federal Funding Eligibility 90%
Systemic Approach Opportunity Medium
Crash Type P&B
CRF 35%
Expected Life (Years)20
Federal Funding Eligibility 90%
Systemic Approach Opportunity High
S11. Improve pavement friction
(High Friction Surface Treatments)
Install at signalized Intersections noted as having
crashes on wet pavements or under dry conditions
when the pavement friction available is significantly
less than needed for the actual roadway approach
speeds. This treatment is intended to target locations
where skidding and failure to stop are determined to
be problems in wet or dry conditions and the target
vehicle is unable to stop due to insufficient skid
resistance.
S12. Install raised median on approaches
Effective at intersections noted as having turning
movement crashes near the intersection as a result
of insufficient access control. Raised medians must
comply with Americans with Disabilities Act guidelines.
S13PB. Install pedestrian median fencing on
approaches
Applicable at signalized Intersections with high
pedestrian-generators nearby (e.g., transit stops) that
may experience high volumes of pedestrians jaywalking
across the travel lanes at mid-block locations instead of
walking to the intersection and waiting to cross during the
walk-phase. When this safety issue cannot be mitigated
with signal timing and shoulder/sidewalk treatments and
a midblock crossing isn’t viable, installing a continuous
pedestrian barrier in the median may be a solution.
2024 MARIN COUNTY LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN | A-7COUNTERMEASURE TOOLKIT
Crash Type All
CRF 50%
Expected Life (Years)20
Federal Funding Eligibility 90%
Systemic Approach Opportunity Medium
Crash Type All
CRF Varies
Expected Life (Years)20
Federal Funding Eligibility 100%
Systemic Approach Opportunity Low
S14. Create directional median openings to
allow (and restrict) left-turns and U-turns
Install at locations where crashes related to turning
maneuvers include angle, rear-end, pedestrian, and
sideswipe (involving opposing left turns) crashes. If
any of these crash types are an issue at an intersection,
restriction or elimination of the turning maneuver
may be the best way to improve the safety of the
intersection.
S16. Convert intersection to roundabout
(from signal)
Install at signalized intersections that have a significant
crash problem and the only alternative is to change
the nature of the intersection itself. Roundabouts can
also be very effective at intersections with complex
geometries and intersections with frequent left-turn
movements.
Crash Type All
CRF 50%
Expected Life (Years)20
Federal Funding Eligibility 90%
Systemic Approach Opportunity Medium
S15. Reduced left-turn conflict intersections
Reduced left-turn conflict intersections are geometric
designs that alter how left-turn movements occur
to simplify decisions and minimize the potential for
related crashes. Two highly effective designs that rely
on U-turns to complete certain left-turn movements
are known as the restricted crossing U-turn and the
median U-turn.
Click here for an
image example
https://safety.fhwa.dot.gov/provencountermeasures/reduced_left.cfm
2024 MARIN COUNTY LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN | A-8COUNTERMEASURE TOOLKIT
Crash Type P & B
CRF 25%
Expected Life (Years)20
Federal Funding Eligibility 100%
Systemic Approach Opportunity High
Crash Type P & B
CRF 25%
Expected Life (Years)20
Federal Funding Eligibility 100%
Systemic Approach Opportunity High
S18PB. Install pedestrian crossing
Install at signalized Intersections with no marked
crossings and pedestrian signal heads, where
pedestrians are known to be crossing intersections
that involve significant turning movements. Pedestrian
crossings are especially important at intersections
with multiphase traffic signals, school crossings, and
double-right or double-left turns.
S19PB. Pedestrian Scramble
A pedestrian scramble is a form of pedestrian “walk”
phase at a signalized intersection in which all vehicular
traffic is required to stop, allowing pedestrians and
bicyclists to safely cross through the intersection in any
direction, including diagonally. A pedestrian scramble
may be considered at signalized intersections with
very high pedestrian/bicycle volumes, e.g. in an urban
business district.
S17PB. Install pedestrian countdown
signal heads
Install at signals that have signalized pedestrian
crossings with walk/don’t walk indicators and
where there have been pedestrian/vehicle crashes.
Countdown signals can reassure pedestrians who are
in the crosswalk when the flashing “DON’T WALK”
interval appears that they still have time to finish
crossing.
Crash Type P & B
CRF 25%
Expected Life (Years)20
Federal Funding Eligibility 100%
Systemic Approach Opportunity Very High
2024 MARIN COUNTY LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN | A-9COUNTERMEASURE TOOLKIT
Crash Type P & B
CRF 60%
Expected Life (Years)10
Federal Funding Eligibility 100%
Systemic Approach Opportunity Very High
S21PB. Modify signal phasing to implement a
Leading Pedestrian Interval (LPI)
Install at signalized intersection locations noted as
having high turning vehicle volumes and that have had
pedestrian/vehicle crashes. An LPI gives pedestrians
the opportunity to enter an intersection about 3–7
seconds before vehicles are given a green indication.
S20PB. Install advance stop bar before
crosswalk (Bicycle Box)
Install at signalized Intersections with a marked crossing
and where significant bicycle and/or pedestrians volumes
are known to occur. Adding an advance stop bar before
the striped crosswalk has the opportunity to enhance
both pedestrian and bicycle safety. Stopping cars well
before the crosswalk provides a buffer between the
vehicles and the crossing pedestrians. It also allows for a
dedicated space for cyclists, making them more visible to
drivers.
Crash Type P & B
CRF 15%
Expected Life (Years)10
Federal Funding Eligibility 100%
Systemic Approach Opportunity Very High
2024 MARIN COUNTY LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN | A-10COUNTERMEASURE TOOLKIT
UNSIGNALIZED INTERSECTIONS
COUNTERMEASURES
2024 MARIN COUNTY LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN | A-11COUNTERMEASURE TOOLKIT
Crash Type Night
CRF 40%
Expected Life (Years)20
Federal Funding Eligibility 100%
Systemic Approach Opportunity Medium
Crash Type All
CRF 50%
Expected Life (Years)10
Federal Funding Eligibility 100%
Systemic Approach Opportunity High
Crash Type All
CRF Varies
Expected Life (Years)20
Federal Funding Eligibility 100%
Systemic Approach Opportunity Low
NS1. Add intersection lighting
Install at non-signalized intersections that have a
disproportionate number of nighttime crashes and do
not currently provide lighting at the intersection or at
its approaches. Crash data should be studied to ensure
that safety at the intersection could be improved by
providing lighting. This strategy would be supported
by a significant number of crashes that occur at night.
NS2. Convert to all-way STOP control
(from two-way or Yield control)
Applicable at unsignalized intersection locations that
have a crash history and have no controls on the major
roadway approaches. However, all-way stop sign control is
suitable only at intersections with moderate and relatively
balanced volume levels on the intersection approaches.
Under other conditions, the use of all-way stop control may
create unnecessary delays and aggressive driver behavior.
CA MUTCD warrants should always be followed.
NS3. Install signals
Traffic signals can be used to prevent the most severe
type crashes (right-angle, left-turn). Consideration to
signalize an unsignalized intersection should only be
given after (1) less restrictive forms of traffic control
have been utilized as the installation of a traffic signal
often leads to an increased frequency of crashes (rear-
end) on major roadways and introduces congestion;
and (2) signal warrants have been met.
2024 MARIN COUNTY LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN | A-12COUNTERMEASURE TOOLKIT
Crash Type All
CRF Varies
Expected Life (Years)20
Federal Funding Eligibility 100%
Systemic Approach Opportunity Low
NS4. Convert intersection to roundabout
(from all way stop)
Applicable at intersections that have a high frequency
of right-angle and left-turn type crashes. Whether
such intersections have existing crash patterns or not,
a roundabout provides an alternative to signalization.
The primary target locations for roundabouts should
be moderate-volume unsignalized intersections.
Roundabouts may not be a viable alternative in
suburban and urban settings where right-of-way is
limited.
Crash Type All
CRF Varies
Expected Life (Years)20
Federal Funding Eligibility 100%
Systemic Approach Opportunity Low
NS5. Convert intersection to roundabout
(from 2-way stop or yield control)
Applicable at intersections that have a high frequency
of right-angle and left-turn type crashes. Whether
such intersections have existing crash patterns or not,
a roundabout provides an alternative to signalization.
The primary target locations for roundabouts should be
moderate-volume unsignalized intersections, or retrofitting
existing moderate volume signalized intersections.
Roundabouts may not be a viable alternative in suburban
and urban settings where right-of- way is limited.
Crash Type All
CRF 30%
Expected Life (Years)20
Federal Funding Eligibility 90%
Systemic Approach Opportunity
NS5mr. Convert intersection to mini
roundabout
Mini roundabouts generally have a diameter of 45-90
feet with traversable islands. They provide the benefits
of a roundabout with a smaller footprint, ideal for areas
that already have low speeds but also a constrained
right-of-way.
2024 MARIN COUNTY LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN | A-13COUNTERMEASURE TOOLKIT
Crash Type All
CRF 25%
Expected Life (Years)10
Federal Funding Eligibility 100%
Systemic Approach Opportunity Very High
Crash Type All
CRF 15%
Expected Life (Years)10
Federal Funding Eligibility 100%
Systemic Approach Opportunity High
NS7. Upgrade intersection pavement markings
Install at unsignalized intersections that are not clearly
visible to approaching motorists, particularly approaching
motorists on the major road. The strategy is appropriate
for intersections with patterns of rear-end, right-angle,
or turning crashes related to lack of driver awareness
of the presence of the intersection, also at minor road
approaches where conditions allow the stop bar to be seen
by an approaching driver at a significant distance from the
intersection. Typical improvements include “Stop Ahead”
markings and the addition of centerlines and stop bars.
NS8. Install flashing beacons at
stop-controlled intersections
Flashing beacons can reinforce driver awareness of
the non-signalized intersection control and can help
mitigate patterns of right-angle crashes related to
stop sign violations. Post-mounted advanced flashing
beacons or overhead flashing beacons can be used at
stop-controlled intersections to supplement and call
driver attention to stop signs.
Crash Type All
CRF 15%
Expected Life (Years)10
Federal Funding Eligibility 100%
Systemic Approach Opportunity Very High
NS6. Install/upgrade larger or additional
stop signs or other intersection warning/
regulatory signs
The target for this strategy should be approaches to
unsignalized intersections with paerns of rear-end,
right-angle, or turning collisions related to lack of
driver awareness of the presence of the intersection.
2024 MARIN COUNTY LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN | A-14COUNTERMEASURE TOOLKIT
Crash Type All
CRF 30%
Expected Life (Years)10
Federal Funding Eligibility 100%
Systemic Approach Opportunity High
NS9. Install flashing beacons as
advance warning
Install in advance of non-signalized intersections with
patterns of crashes that could be related to lack of a
driver’s awareness of the approaching intersection or
controls at a downstream intersection.
Crash Type All
CRF N/A
Expected Life (Years)10
Federal Funding Eligibility 90%
Systemic Approach Opportunity N/A
Crash Type All
CRF 20%
Expected Life (Years)10
Federal Funding Eligibility 90%
Systemic Approach Opportunity High
NS10. Install transverse rumble strips
on approaches
Transverse rumble strips are installed in the travel lane
to provide an auditory and tactile sensation for each
motorist approaching the intersection. They can be
used at any stop or yield approach intersection, often
in combination with advance signing to warn of the
intersection ahead. Due to the noise generated by
vehicles driving over the rumble strips, care must be
taken to minimize disruption to nearby residences and
businesses.
NS11. Improve sight distance to intersection
(clear sight triangles)
Install at unsignalized intersections with restricted
sight distance and patterns of crashes related to lack of
sight distance where sight distance can be improved
by clearing roadside obstructions without major
reconstruction of the roadway.
Click here for an
image example
https://carmanah.com/tag/school-zone-safety/page/11/
2024 MARIN COUNTY LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN | A-15COUNTERMEASURE TOOLKIT
Crash Type All
CRF 40%
Expected Life (Years)10
Federal Funding Eligibility 100%
Systemic Approach Opportunity Medium
NS12. Improve pavement friction
(high friction surface treatments)
Install at non-signalized intersections noted as having
crashes on wet pavements or under dry conditions
when the pavement friction available is significantly less
than needed for the actual roadway approach speeds.
This treatment is intended to target locations where
skidding and failure to stop are determined to be a
problem in wet or dry conditions and the target vehicle
is unable to stop due to insufficient skid resistance.
NS13. Install splitter-islands on the minor
road approaches
Applicable at minor road approaches to unsignalized
intersections where the presence of the intersection
or the stop sign is not readily visible to approaching
motorists. The strategy is particularly appropriate for
intersections where the speeds on the minor road
are high. Creation of a splitter island allows for an
additional stop sign to be placed in the median for the
minor approach.
Crash Type All
CRF 40%
Expected Life (Years)20
Federal Funding Eligibility 90%
Systemic Approach Opportunity Medium
NS14. Install raised median on approaches
Install at locations where turning movements affect
the safety of an intersection. This countermeasure
only applies to crashes occurring on the approaches
or in the influence area of the new raised median. All
new raised medians funded with federal HSIP funding
must not include the removal of the existing roadway
structural section and must be doweled into the
existing roadway surface.
Crash Type All
CRF 25%
Expected Life (Years)20
Federal Funding Eligibility 90%
Systemic Approach Opportunity Medium
2024 MARIN COUNTY LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN | A-16COUNTERMEASURE TOOLKIT
Crash Type All
CRF 50%
Expected Life (Years)20
Federal Funding Eligibility 90%
Systemic Approach Opportunity Medium
NS15. Create directional median openings to
allow (and restrict) left-turns and u-turns
Install at locations with crashes related to turning
maneuvers including angle, rear-end, pedestrian, and
sideswipe (involving opposing left turns). If any of these
crash types are an issue at an intersection, restriction or
elimination of the turning maneuver may be the best
way to improve the safety of the intersection.
Crash Type All
CRF 50%
Expected Life (Years)20
Federal Funding Eligibility 90%
Systemic Approach Opportunity
NS16. Reduced left-turn conflict
intersections
Reduced left-turn conflict intersections are geometric
designs that alter how left-turn movements occur
to simplify decisions and minimize the potential for
related crashes. Two highly effective designs that rely
on U-turns to complete certain left-turn movements are
known as the restricted crossing U-turn and the median
U-turn.
NS17. Install right-turn lane
Many collisions at unsignalized intersections are
related to right-turn maneuvers. A key strategy for
minimizing such collisions is to provide exclusive right-
turn lanes, particularly on high-volume and high-speed
major-road approaches. When considering new right-
turn lanes, potential impacts to non-motorized users
should be considered and mitigated as appropriate.
Crash Type All
CRF 20%
Expected Life (Years)20
Federal Funding Eligibility 90%
Systemic Approach Opportunity Low
2024 MARIN COUNTY LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN | A-17COUNTERMEASURE TOOLKIT
Crash Type All
CRF 35%
Expected Life (Years)20
Federal Funding Eligibility 90%
Systemic Approach Opportunity Low
Crash Type P & B
CRF 45%
Expected Life (Years)20
Federal Funding Eligibility 90%
Systemic Approach Opportunity Medium
NS18. Install left-turn lane (where no left-turn
lane exists)
Many collisions at unsignalized intersections are
related to left-turn maneuvers. A key strategy for
minimizing such collisions is to provide exclusive left-
turn lanes, particularly on high-volume and high-speed
major-road approaches. When considering new left-
turn lanes, potential impacts to non-motorized users
should be considered and mitigated as appropriates.
NS19PB. Install raised medians / refuge
islands
Applicable at intersections that have a long pedestrian
crossing distance, a high number of pedestrians, or
a crash history. Raised medians decrease the level of
exposure for pedestrians and allow pedestrians to
concentrate on (or cross) only one direction of traffic
at a time.
NS20PB. Install pedestrian crossing at
uncontrolled locations (new signs and
markings only)
Install at non-signalized intersections without a
marked crossing, where pedestrians are known to be
crossing intersections that involve significant vehicular
traffic. They are especially important at school
crossings and intersections with right and/or left turns
pockets.
Crash Type P & B
CRF 20%
Expected Life (Years)10
Federal Funding Eligibilitty 100%
Systemic Approach Opportunity High
2024 MARIN COUNTY LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN | A-18COUNTERMEASURE TOOLKIT
Crash Type P & B
CRF 35%
Expected Life (Years)20
Federal Funding Eligibility 100%
Systemic Approach Opportunity Medium
NS21PB. Install/upgrade pedestrian crossing at
uncontrolled locations (with enhanced safety
features)
Install at non-signalized intersections with or without
a marked crossing, where pedestrians are known to be
crossing intersections with significant vehicular traffic.
Rectangular rapid flashing beacons, overhead flashing
beacons, curb extensions, advanced “stop” or “yield”
markings, and other safety features can be added to
complement standard crossing elements.
Crash Type P & B
CRF 55%
Expected Life (Years)20
Federal Funding Eligibility 100%
Systemic Approach Opportunity Low
NS23PB. Install pedestrian signal (including
Pedestrian Hybrid Beacon (HAWK)
Intersections noted as having a history of pedestrian/
vehicle crashes and in areas where the likelihood of a
pedestrian is significant. Corridors should also be assessed
to determine if there are adequate safe opportunities
for non-motorists to cross and if a pedestrian signal,
high-intensity activated crosswalk, or hybrid beacons are
needed to provide an active warning to motorists when a
pedestrian is in the crosswalk.
Crash Type P & B
CRF 35%
Expected Life (Years)20
Federal Funding Eligibility 90%
Systemic Approach Opportunity
NS22PB. Install rectangular rapid flashing
beacon (RRFB)
A Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacon (RRFB) includes
pedestrian-activated flashing lights and additional
signage that enhance the visibility of marked crosswalks
and alert motorists to pedestrian crossings. It uses an
irregular flash pattern that is similar to emergency
flashers on police vehicles. RRFBs are installed at
unsignalized intersections and mid-block pedestrian
crossings.
2024 MARIN COUNTY LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN | A-19COUNTERMEASURE TOOLKIT
ROADWAY SEGMENTS
COUNTERMEASURES
2024 MARIN COUNTY LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN | A-20COUNTERMEASURE TOOLKIT
Crash Type Night
CRF 35%
Expected Life (Years)20
Federal Funding Eligibility 100%
Systemic Approach Opportunity Medium
Crash Type All
CRF 35%
Expected Life (Years)20
Federal Funding Eligibility 90%
Systemic Approach Opportunity High
Crash Type All
CRF 25%
Expected Life (Years)20
Federal Funding Eligibility 100%
Systemic Approach Opportunity Medium
R1. Add segment lighting
Install at locations with a noted substantial patterns of
nighttime crashes. In particular, patterns of rear-end,
right-angle, turning or roadway departure collisions on
the roadways may indicate that night-time drivers can
be unaware of the roadway characteristics.
R2. Remove or relocate fixed objects outside
of clear recovery zone
Applicable at locations or roadway segments prone to
collisions with fixed objects such as utility poles, drainage
structures, trees, and other fixed objects, such as the
outside of a curve, end of lane drops, and in traffic islands.
A clear recovery zone should be developed on every
roadway, as space is available. In situations where public
right-of-way is limited, steps should be taken to request
assistance from property owners, as appropriate.
R3. Install median barrier
Applicable in areas where crash history indicates that
drivers are unintentionally crossing the median and
these cross-overs are resulting in high severity crashes.
The installation of median barriers can increase the
number of property damage only collisions and
non-severe injuries. The net result in safety from
this countermeasure is connected more to reducing
the severity of crashes as opposed to the number of
crashes.
2024 MARIN COUNTY LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN | A-21COUNTERMEASURE TOOLKIT
Crash Type All
CRF 25%
Expected Life (Years)20
Federal Funding Eligibility 100%
Systemic Approach Opportunity High
Crash Type All
CRF 25%
Expected Life (Years)10
Federal Funding Eligibility 100%
Systemic Approach Opportunity High
Crash Type All
CRF 30%
Expected Life (Years)20
Federal Funding Eligibility 90%
Systemic Approach Opportunity Medium
R4. Install guardrail
A guardrail is installed to reduce the severity of lane
departure crashes. However, guardrails can reduce
crash severity only for those conditions where striking
the guardrail is less severe than going down an
embankment or striking a fixed object. Guardrails
should only be installed where it is clear that crash
severity will be reduced, or there is a history of run-off-
the-road crashes at a given location that have resulted
in severe injury crashes.
R5. Install impact attenuators
Impact attenuators are typically used to shield rigid
roadside objects such as concrete barrier ends, steel
guardrail ends and bridge pillars from oncoming
automobiles. Attenuators should only be installed
where it is impractical for the objects to be removed.
R6. Flatten side slopes
Applicable at roadways experiencing frequent lane
departure crashes that result in roll-over type crashes
as a result of the roadway slope being so severe as
to not accommodate a reasonable degree of driver
correction. This countermeasure is appropriate when
there is a need to reduce the severity of lane departure
crashes without installing a barrier system that could
result in increased numbers of crashes.
2024 MARIN COUNTY LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN | A-22COUNTERMEASURE TOOLKIT
Crash Type All
CRF 40%
Expected Life (Years)20
Federal Funding Eligibility 90%
Systemic Approach Opportunity Medium
Crash Type All
CRF 25%
Expected Life (Years)20
Federal Funding Eligibility 90%
Systemic Approach Opportunity Medium
Crash Type All
CRF 15%
Expected Life (Years)20
Federal Funding Eligibility 90%
Systemic Approach Opportunity Medium
R7. Flatten side slopes and remove guardrail
Install at locations where high number of crashes
originate as a lane departure and result in collision
with guardrail or a fixed object located on the side
slope shielded by guardrail. The guardrail may or may
not meet current standards. Even though guardrails are
generally installed to reduce the severity of departure
crashes, they still can result in severe crashes in some
locations.
R8. Install raised median
Install at locations experiencing head-on collisions that
may be affected by both the number of vehicles that
cross the centerline and by the speed of oncoming
vehicles. Installing a raised median is a more restrictive
approach in that it represents a more rigid barrier
between opposing traffic.
R9. Install median (flush)
Applicable at locations experiencing head-on collisions
that may be affected by both the number of vehicles
that cross the centerline and by the speed of oncoming
vehicles. Roadways with oversized lanes offer an
opportunity to restripe the roadway to reduce the
lanes to standard widths and use the extra width for
the median.
2024 MARIN COUNTY LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN | A-23COUNTERMEASURE TOOLKIT
Crash Type All
CRF 15%
Expected Life (Years)20
Federal Funding Eligibility 90%
Systemic Approach Opportunity Medium
Crash Type All
CRF 25%
Expected Life (Years)20
Federal Funding Eligibility 90%
Systemic Approach Opportunity Low
Crash Type All
CRF 25%
Expected Life (Years)20
Federal Funding Eligibility 90%
Systemic Approach Opportunity Medium
R10PB. Install pedestrian median fencing
on approaches
Roadway segments with high pedestrian generators
and destinations nearby (e.g. transit stops) may
experience a high volume of pedestrians jaywalking
across the travel lanes at mid-block locations instead
of walking to the nearest intersection or designated
mid-block crossing. When this safety issue cannot be
mitigated with shoulder, sidewalk and/or crossing
treatments, then installing a continuous pedestrian
barrier in the median may be a viable solution.
R11. Install acceleration/ deceleration lanes
Install at locations proven to have crashes that are the
result of drivers not being able to turn onto a high
speed roadway to accelerate until the desired roadway
speed is reached and areas that do not provide the
opportunity to safety decelerate to negotiate a turning
movement. This countermeasure can also be used to
improve the safety of merging vehicles at a lane-drop
location.
R12. Widen lane (initially less than 10 feet)
Install at horizontal curves or tangents and low speed
or high speed roadways identified as having lane
departure crashes, sideswipe or head-on crashes that
can be attributed to an existing lane width less than
10 feet.
2024 MARIN COUNTY LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN | A-24COUNTERMEASURE TOOLKIT
Crash Type All
CRF 30%
Expected Life (Years)20
Federal Funding Eligibility 90%
Systemic Approach Opportunity Medium
Crash Type All
CRF 30%
Expected Life (Years)20
Federal Funding Eligibility 90%
Systemic Approach Opportunity Medium
Crash Type All
CRF 30%
Expected Life (Years)20
Federal Funding Eligibility 90%
Systemic Approach Opportunity Medium
R13. Add two-way left-turn lane (without
reducing travel lanes)
Applicable at roadways having a high frequency of
drivers being rear-ended while attempting to make a
left turn across oncoming traffic. Also can be effective
for drivers inadvertently crossing the centerline of an
undivided multilane roadway.
R14. Road Diet (reduce travel lanes from four to
three and add a two-way left-turn and bicycle
lanes)
Install at areas noted as having a high frequency of head-
on, left-turn, and rear-end crashes with traffic volumes that
can be handled by only two free flowing lanes. Using this
strategy in locations with traffic volumes that are too high
could result in diversion of traffic to routes that are less
safe than the original four-lane design. It may also result in
congestion levels that contribute to other crashes.
R15. Widen shoulder
Applicable at roadways that have a frequent incidence
of vehicles leaving the travel lane resulting in an
unsuccessful attempt to reenter the roadway. The
probability of a safe recovery is increased if an errant
vehicle is provided with an increased paved area in
which to initiate such a recovery.
2024 MARIN COUNTY LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN | A-25COUNTERMEASURE TOOLKIT
Crash Type All
CRF 45%
Expected Life (Years)20
Federal Funding Eligibility 90%
Systemic Approach Opportunity
Crash Type All
CRF 50%
Expected Life (Years)20
Federal Funding Eligibility 90%
Systemic Approach Opportunity Low
Crash Type All
CRF 25%
Expected Life (Years)20
Federal Funding Eligibility 90%
Systemic Approach Opportunity Low
R16. Curve shoulder widening
(outside only)
Install at roadway curves noted as having frequent lane
departure crashes due to inadequate or no shoulders,
resulting in an unsuccessful attempt to reenter the
roadway. Curve shoulder widening creates a recovery
area in which a driver can regain control of a vehicle, as
well as lateral clearance to roadside objects.
R17. Improve horizontal alignment
(flatten curves)
Applicable at roadways with horizontal curves that
have experienced lane departure crashes as a result
of a roadway segment having compound curves
or a severe radius. This strategy should generally
be considered only when less expensive strategies
involving clearing of specific sight obstructions or
modifying traffic control devices have been tried and
have failed to ameliorate the crash patterns.
R18. Flatten crest vertical curve
The target for this strategy is usually unsignalized
intersections with restricted approach sight distance
due to vertical geometry and with patterns of crashes
related to that lack of sight distance that cannot be
ameliorated by less expensive methods. This strategy
should generally be considered only when less expensive
strategies involving clearing of specific sight obstructions
or modifying traffic control devices have been tried and
have failed to ameliorate the crash patterns.
2024 MARIN COUNTY LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN | A-26COUNTERMEASURE TOOLKIT
Crash Type All
CRF 45%
Expected Life (Years)20
Federal Funding Eligibility 90%
Systemic Approach Opportunity Medium
Crash Type All
CRF 35%
Expected Life (Years)20
Federal Funding Eligibility 90%
Systemic Approach Opportunity Medium
Crash Type All
CRF 40%
Expected Life (Years)10
Federal Funding Eligibility 100%
Systemic Approach Opportunity Medium
R19. Improve curve superelevation
Applicable for roadways noted as having frequent
lane departure crashes and inadequate or no
superelevation. Safety can be enhanced when the
superelevation is improved or restored along curves
where the actual superelevation is less than the
optimal.
R20. Convert from two-way to
one-way traffic
One-way streets can offer improved signal timing
and accommodate irregular-spaced signals. One-way
streets can simplify crossings for pedestrians, who
must look for traffic in only one direction. While studies
have shown that conversion of two-way streets to
one-way generally reduces pedestrian crashes and
the number of conflict points, one-way streets tend to
have higher speeds that can create new problems.
R21. Improve pavement friction (high friction
surface treatments)
Applicable at locations with a noted amount of
crashes on wet pavement or under dry conditions
when pavement friction is significantly less than
actual roadway speeds; including but not limited to
curves, intersections, and areas with short stopping or
weaving distances. This treatment is intended to target
locations where skidding is a problem and the target
vehicle is one that runs (skids) off the road or is unable
to stop due to insufficient skid resistance.
2024 MARIN COUNTY LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN | A-27COUNTERMEASURE TOOLKIT
Crash Type All
CRF 15%
Expected Life (Years)10
Federal Funding Eligibility 100%
Systemic Approach Opportunity Very High
Crash Type All
CRF 40%
Expected Life (Years)10
Federal Funding Eligibility 100%
Systemic Approach Opportunity Very High
Crash Type All
CRF 25%
Expected Life (Years)10
Federal Funding Eligibility 100%
Systemic Approach Opportunity High
R22. Install/upgrade signs with new
fluorescent sheeting (regulatory or warning)
This countermeasure only applies to crashes occurring
within the influence area of the new/upgraded signs.
This countermeasure is not eligible unless it is done
as part of a larger sign audit project, including the
study of: 1) the existing signs’ locations, sizes, and
information per MUTCD standards; 2) missing signs per
MUTCD standards; and 3) sign retroreflectivity.
R23. Install chevron signs on
horizontal curves
Install at roadways that have an unacceptable level
of crashes on relatively sharp curves during periods
of light and darkness. Ideally this type of safety
countermeasure would be combined with other sign
evaluations and upgrades.
R24. Install curve advance warning signs
Applicable at roadways that have an unacceptable
level of crashes on relatively sharp curves during
periods of light and darkness. This countermeasure
may also include horizontal alignment and/or advisory
speed warning signs. Ideally this type of safety
countermeasure would be combined with other sign
evaluations and upgrades.
2024 MARIN COUNTY LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN | A-28COUNTERMEASURE TOOLKIT
Crash Type All
CRF 30%
Expected Life (Years)10
Federal Funding Eligibility 100%
Systemic Approach Opportunity High
Crash Type All
CRF 30%
Expected Life (Years)10
Federal Funding Eligibility 100%
Systemic Approach Opportunity High
Crash Type All
CRF 15%
Expected Life (Years)10
Federal Funding Eligibility 100%
Systemic Approach Opportunity Very High
R25. Install curve advance warning signs
(flashing beacon)
Install at roadways that have an unacceptable level of
crashes on relatively sharp curves. Flashing beacons in
conjunction with warning signs should only be used on
horizontal curves that have an established severe crash
history to help maintain their effectiveness.
R26. Install dynamic/variable speed
warning signs
Dynamic speed feedback signs can reduce vehicle
speeds by alerting motorists that they are operating
above the speed limit. The signs include a speed
measuring device and a message sign that displays
feedback to drivers who exceed a predetermined
speed threshold. The feedback can include displaying
the driver’s actual speed, showing a message such as
SLOW DOWN, or activating some warning device, such
as beacons or a curve warning sign.
R27. Install delineators, reflectors and/or
object markers
Applicable at roadways that have an unacceptable
level of crashes on curves (relatively flat to sharp)
during periods of light and darkness. Many roadways
with a history of fixed object crashes can be candidates
for this treatment, as can roadways with similar fixed
objects along the roadside that have yet to experience
crashes.
https://www.pexco.com/traffic/products/roadside-delineator-posts/fg-400-500-posts/
Click here for an
image example
https://www.pexco.com/traffic/products/roadside-delineator-posts/fg-400-500-posts/
2024 MARIN COUNTY LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN | A-29COUNTERMEASURE TOOLKIT
Crash Type All
CRF 25%
Expected Life (Years)10
Federal Funding Eligibility 100%
Systemic Approach Opportunity Very High
Crash Type All
CRF 45%
Expected Life (Years)10
Federal Funding Eligibility 100%
Systemic Approach Opportunity Very High
Crash Type All
CRF 20%
Expected Life (Years)10
Federal Funding Eligibility 100%
Systemic Approach Opportunity Very High
R28. Install edge-lines and centerlines
Install on roadways with a history of run-off-road right,
head-on, opposite-direction-sideswipe, or run-off-road
left crashes. Install where the existing lane delineation
is not sufficient to assist the motorist in understanding
the existing limits of the roadway.
R29. Install no-passing line
Applicable at roadways that have a high percentage
of head-on crashes suggesting that many head-on
crashes may relate to failed passing maneuvers. No-
passing lines should be installed where drivers’ passing
sight distance is not available due to horizontal or
vertical obstructions.
R30. Install centerline rumble strips/stripes
Centerline rumble strips/stripes can be used on many
roadways – especially those with a history of head-on
crashes. It is recommended that rumble strips/stripes
be applied systematically along an entire route instead
of only at spot locations. For all rumble strips/stripes,
pavement condition should be sufficient to accept milled
rumble strips. Care should be taken when considering
installing rumble strips in locations with residential land
uses or in areas with high bicycle volumes.
2024 MARIN COUNTY LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN | A-30COUNTERMEASURE TOOLKIT
Crash Type All
CRF 15%
Expected Life (Years)10
Federal Funding Eligibility 100%
Systemic Approach Opportunity High
Crash Type P & B
CRF 35%
Expected Life (Years)10
Federal Funding Eligibility 90%
Systemic Approach Opportunity High
Crash Type P & B
CRF 45%
Expected Life (Years)20
Federal Funding Eligibility 90%
Systemic Approach Opportunity
R31. Install edgeline rumble strips/stripes
Shoulder and edgeline milled rumble strips/stripes
should be used on roads with a history of roadway
departure crashes. It is recommended that rumble
strips/stripes be applied systematically along an entire
route instead of only at spot locations. For all rumble
strips/stripes, pavement condition should be sufficient
to accept milled rumble strips. Special requirements
may apply and care should be taken when considering
installing rumble strips in locations with residential
land uses or in areas with high bicycle volumes.
R32PB. Install bicycle lanes
Applicable along roadway segments noted as having
crashes between bicycles and vehicles or crashes
that may be preventable with a buffer/shoulder.
Most studies suggest that bicycle lanes may provide
protection against bicycle/motor vehicle collisions.
Striped bicycle lanes can be incorporated into a
roadway when it is desirable to delineate which
available road space is for exclusive or preferential use
by bicyclists.
R33PB. Install separated bicycle lanes
Separated bicycleways are most appropriate on
streets with high volumes of bicycle traffic and/or high
bicycle-vehicle collisions. Separation types range from
simple, painted buffers and flexible delineators to
more substantial separation measures including raised
curbs, grade separation, bollards, planters, and parking
lanes. These options range in feasibility due to roadway
characteristics, available space, and cost.
2024 MARIN COUNTY LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN | A-31COUNTERMEASURE TOOLKIT
Crash Type P & B
CRF 80%
Expected Life (Years)10
Federal Funding Eligibility 90%
Systemic Approach Opportunity Medium
Crash Type P & B
CRF 30%
Expected Life (Years)10
Federal Funding Eligibility 90%
Systemic Approach Opportunity Medium
Crash Type P & B
CRF 35%
Expected Life (Years)10
Federal Funding Eligibility 90%
Systemic Approach Opportunity High
R34PB. Install sidewalk/pathway (to avoid
walking along roadway)
Install at areas noted as not having adequate or no
sidewalks and a history of walking along roadway
pedestrian crashes. In rural areas asphalt curbs and/or
separated walkways may be appropriate.
R35PB. Install pedestrian crossing (with
enhanced safety features)
Install on roadway segments with no controlled crossing
for a significant distance in high-use midblock crossing
areas and/or multilane roads locations. Rectangular
rapid flashing beacons, overhead flashing beacons, curb
extensions and other safety features can be added to
complement standard crossing elements. For multi-lane
roadways, advance “yield” markings can be effective in
reducing the ‘multiple-threat’ danger to pedestrians.
R36PB. Install raised pedestrian crossing
Applicable on lower-speed roadways where
pedestrians are known to be crossing roadways that
involve significant vehicular traffic. In these cases,
raised crossings can be added to complement the
standard crossing elements. Special requirements may
apply and extra care should be taken when considering
installing raised crossings to ensure unintended safety
issues are not created, such as emergency vehicle
access or truck route issues.
2024 MARIN COUNTY LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN | A-32COUNTERMEASURE TOOLKIT
Crash Type P & B
CRF 350%
Expected Life (Years)20
Federal Funding Eligibility 90%
Systemic Approach Opportunity
Crash Type Animal
CRF 80%
Expected Life (Years)20
Federal Funding Eligibility 90%
Systemic Approach Opportunity Medium
R37PB. Install rectangular rapid flashing
beacon (RRFB)
A Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacon (RRFB) includes
pedestrian-activated flashing lights and additional
signage that enhance the visibility of marked
crosswalks and alert motorists to pedestrian crossings.
It uses an irregular flash pattern that is similar to
emergency flashers on police vehicles. RRFBs are
installed at unsignalized intersections and mid-block
pedestrian crossings.
R38. Install animal fencing
Install at locations with high percent of vehicular/
animal crashes (reactive) or where there is a known
high percent of animals crossing due to migratory
patterns (proactive).
Click here for an
image example
https://www.flickr.com/photos/tranbc/50020523007
2024 MARIN COUNTY LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN | A-33COUNTERMEASURE TOOLKIT
COUNTERMEASURES THAT DO
NOT QUALIFY FOR HSIP FUNDING
2024 MARIN COUNTY LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN | A-34COUNTERMEASURE TOOLKIT
Crash Type All
CRF N/A
Expected Life (Years)N/A
Federal Funding Eligibility N/A
Systemic Approach Opportunity N/A
Crash Type All
CRF N/A
Expected Life (Years)N/A
Federal Funding Eligibility N/A
Systemic Approach Opportunity N/A
NH1. Implement traffic safety education
programs
Education programs such as Street Smarts Marin can
raise awareness and improve driver, pedestrian, and
bicyclist behaviors. Aimed as “hot spot” locations,
education programs can be successful in encouraging
safe traffic behavior.
NH2. Implement targeted enforcement
programs
Enforcement programs can be effective at reducing
common violation types such as speeding, failure to
yield, red light running, aggressive driving, failure
to wear safety belts, distracted driving, and driving
while impaired. They can be especially effective when
combined with education programs.
Crash Type All
CRF N/A
Expected Life (Years)N/A
Federal Funding Eligibility N/A
Systemic Approach Opportunity N/A
NH3. Install cameras to detect red-light
running
Install at signalized intersections with a high frequency
of crashes attributed to drivers who intentionally
disobey red signal indications. This type of automated
enforcement refers to the use of photo and video
camera systems connected to the signal controller.
Such systems record vehicles proceeding through the
intersection after the signal displays red.
2024 MARIN COUNTY LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN | A-35COUNTERMEASURE TOOLKIT
Crash Type All
CRF N/A
Expected Life (Years)N/A
Federal Funding Eligibility N/A
Systemic Approach Opportunity N/A
NH4. Provide advanced dilemma zone
detection for high speed approaches
Effective in remote areas that have a high frequency
of right-angle and rear-end crashes. The advanced
dilemma zone detection system enhances safety at
signalized intersections by modifying traffic control
signal timing to reduce the number of drivers that may
have difficulty deciding whether to stop or proceed
during a yellow phase. This may reduce rear-end
crashes associated with unsafe stopping and angle
crashes due to illegally continuing into the intersection
during the red phase.
Crash Type P & B
CRF N/A
Expected Life (Years)N/A
Federal Funding Eligibility N/A
Systemic Approach Opportunity N/A
NH5. Fill sidewalk and pathway gaps
Filling gaps in existing sidewalk and pathway networks
increases safety and comfort for active transportation
users. Gaps should be filled in a way that meets
specifications for best practices in terms of width,
accessibility, and other attributes.
Crash Type P & B
CRF N/A
Expected Life (Years)N/A
Federal Funding Eligibility N/A
Systemic Approach Opportunity N/A
NH6. Add pedestrian scale lighting
Pedestrian scale lighting increases the visibility
of pedestrians at night, especially at intersections
and when crossing the street. Lighting should be
implemented in a way so as to illuminate pedestrians
and reduce glare to motorists.
2024 MARIN COUNTY LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN | A-36COUNTERMEASURE TOOLKIT
Crash Type P & B
CRF N/A
Expected Life (Years)N/A
Federal Funding Eligibility N/A
Systemic Approach Opportunity N/A
NH7. Wayfinding
This treatment can reduce pedestrian and bicycle
collisions. Wayfinding can be deployed to route
bicycles and pedestrians to safer facilities and avoid
hazardous routes.
Crash Type P & B
CRF N/A
Expected Life (Years)N/A
Federal Funding Eligibility N/A
Systemic Approach Opportunity N/A
NH8. Install sharrows
Sharrow markings increase the visibility of bicyclists,
clarifies where bicyclists are expected to ride and
reminds motorists to expect bicyclists on the road.
Crash Type P & B
CRF N/A
Expected Life (Years)N/A
Federal Funding Eligibility N/A
Systemic Approach Opportunity N/A
NH9. Install ‘Bikes May Use Full Lane’ sign
Regulatory ‘Bikes May Use Full Lane’ sign increases
the visibility of bicyclists, clarifies where bicyclists are
expected to ride, and reminds motorists to expect
bicyclists on the road.
2024 MARIN COUNTY LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN | A-37COUNTERMEASURE TOOLKIT
Crash Type All
CRF N/A
Expected Life (Years)N/A
Federal Funding Eligibility N/A
Systemic Approach Opportunity N/A
NH10. Deploy smart signal technology
Smart traffic signals are equipped with sensing, video
capture, and connectivity technologies to collect real-
time data from the environment. They can improve
the flow of traffic as well as detect pedestrians and
bicyclists at intersections.
Crash Type P & B
CRF N/A
Expected Life (Years)N/A
Federal Funding Eligibility N/A
Systemic Approach Opportunity N/A
NH11. Install protected intersection
Protected intersections separate bicyclists from
vehicles at intersections, increasing safety for all
users. The bicycleway is set back from vehicle traffic
and bicyclists are given a dedicated path through
the intersection and have right-of-way over turning
vehicles.
Crash Type All
CRF N/A
Expected Life (Years)N/A
Federal Funding Eligibility N/A
Systemic Approach Opportunity N/A
NH12. No right turn on red restrictions
No right turn on red (RTOR) restrictions can benefit
pedestrians with minimal impacts on traffic. They
should be done in locations with substantial
pedestrian volume and places where children cross.
Part-time RTOR prohibitions during the busiest times
of day may be sufficient to address the problem. Blank
out signs can be used to reinforce turn restrictions and
encourage motorist compliance.
2024 MARIN COUNTY LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN | A-38COUNTERMEASURE TOOLKIT
Crash Type All
CRF N/A
Expected Life (Years)N/A
Federal Funding Eligibility N/A
Systemic Approach Opportunity N/A
NH13. Refresh signage/ striping
Refresh signage and striping that has faded with age.
Faded striping and signs can lead to confusion and
poor nighttime visibility.
Crash Type All
CRF N/A
Expected Life (Years)N/A
Federal Funding Eligibility N/A
Systemic Approach Opportunity N/A
NH14. Back-in angle parking
Back-in angle parking provides motorists with better
visibility of bicyclists, pedestrians, cars, and trucks as
they exit a parking space and enter moving traffic.
Back-in angle parking also removes the difficulty that
drivers, particularly older drivers, have when backing
into moving traffic.
Crash Type All
CRF N/A
Expected Life (Years)N/A
Federal Funding Eligibility N/A
Systemic Approach Opportunity N/A
NH15. Reduced lane widths
Reduced lane width encourages slower speeds
and frees up additional right of way for bicycle and
pedestrian facilities. Residential streets may be reduced
to 10-foot lanes, arterial streets may be reduced to 11
foot lanes, and turn lanes may be reduced to 10 feet, as
determined by individual jurisdictions.
2024 MARIN COUNTY LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN | A-39COUNTERMEASURE TOOLKIT
Crash Type All
CRF N/A
Expected Life (Years)N/A
Federal Funding Eligibility N/A
Systemic Approach Opportunity N/A
NH16. Square up intersection
Irregular angled intersections present safety hazards
for all road users. Intersections less than 90 degrees
reduce visibility for motorists, while intersections
greater than 90 degrees allow for high-speed turns.
These intersections also create unnecessarily long
pedestrian crossings. Redesign intersections as close to
90 degrees as possible.
Crash Type All
CRF N/A
Expected Life (Years)N/A
Federal Funding Eligibility N/A
Systemic Approach Opportunity N/A
NH17. Relocate parking
Parked vehicles can block sight distances. Relocate
parking, or remove parking at the approaches to
intersections and driveways to improve visibility.
Crash Type All
CRF N/A
Expected Life (Years)N/A
Federal Funding Eligibility N/A
Systemic Approach Opportunity N/A
NH18. Mumble strip
Mumble strips are modified rumble strips. They use
noise and vibrations to alert drivers who are leaving
their lanes. Mumble strips generate less outside noise
than rumble strips, which are less disruptive to nearby
residents, through a sinusoidal wave pattern. Mumble
strips should be installed on facilities where roadway
departures collisions have occurred.
Click here for an
image example
https://micountyroads.org/news/
mumble-strips-are-the-new-rumble-strips-in-macomb-county/
2024 MARIN COUNTY LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN | A-40COUNTERMEASURE TOOLKIT
Crash Type All
CRF N/A
Expected Life (Years)N/A
Federal Funding Eligibility N/A
Systemic Approach Opportunity N/A
NH19. Provide tapered edge for pavement
edge drop-off
This treatment is designed to be a standard policy
for any overlay project. Instead of an overlay project
ending with a 90-degree asphalt or concrete face at
the edge of pavement, the tapered edge provides an
approximate 30-degree angle at the edge.
Crash Type All
CRF N/A
Expected Life (Years)N/A
Federal Funding Eligibility N/A
Systemic Approach Opportunity N/A
NH20. Pave existing shoulder
Install at roadways with an unpaved existing shoulder
and exhibiting a high incidence of vehicles leaving
the travel lane resulting in an unsuccessful attempt
to reenter the roadway. Paving the existing shoulder
provides a wider recovery area with a smooth surface
that has a higher friction factor.
Crash Type All
CRF N/A
Expected Life (Years)N/A
Federal Funding Eligibility N/A
Systemic Approach Opportunity N/A
NH21. Widen shoulder (unpaved)
Consider for roadways with a high incidence of vehicles
leaving the travel lane resulting in an unsuccessful
attempt to reenter the roadway. The probability
of a safe recovery is increased if an errant vehicle
is provided with an area in which to initiate such a
recovery. Unpaved shoulders usually have flatter cross
sections and some structural integrity as compared to
areas of “flatten side slopes”.
300 angle
2024 MARIN COUNTY LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN | A-41COUNTERMEASURE TOOLKIT
Crash Type All
CRF N/A
Expected Life (Years)N/A
Federal Funding Eligibility N/A
Systemic Approach Opportunity N/A
NH22. Remove slip lane
This treatment addresses pedestrian and sideswipe
collisions. Slip lanes should be avoided as they allow
vehicles to travel through intersections at larger speeds
and allow less visibility of pedestrians waiting to cross.
Removing one will result in a shorter crossing distance
for pedestrians and slower speeds at the intersection.
Crash Type All
CRF N/A
Expected Life (Years)N/A
Federal Funding Eligibility N/A
Systemic Approach Opportunity N/A
NH23. Upgrade bridge railing
Open-faced railings can present a snagging hazard,
which may produce high deceleration forces leading
to occupant injuries. Curbs or walkways between
the driving lane and the bridge railing are another
common hazard of older railing systems. Impacted
vehicles may go over the railing or roll over.
2024 MARIN COUNTY LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN | A-42COUNTERMEASURE TOOLKIT
PHOTO CREDITS
Adobe Stock: inset cover photo and pages, A-1, A-2, A-3, A-4, A-6, A-8, A-9, A-10, A-11, A-13,
A-14, A-16, A-19, A-20, A-21, A-23, A-25, A-27, A-28, A-29, A-30, A-32, A-34, A-35, A-37, A-40, A-41
commons.wikipedia.org: page A-4
Google Earth: pages A-3, A-5, A-7, A-8, A-11, A-12, A-13, A-14, A-15, A-16, A-17, A-20, A-21, A-22,
A-23, A-24, A-25, A-26, A-29, A-31, A-36, A-38, A-39, A-41
Parametrix: pages A-3, A-9, A-17, A-18, A-30, A-33, A-34, A-35, A-36, A-37
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