CC 2013-11-26_08.g. Crosswalk -Rapid Flash Beacon at Halcyon RdMEMORANDUM
TO: CITY COUNCIL
FROM: TERESA McCLISH, COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR
BY: MIKE LINN, ASSISTANT CITY ENGINEER
SUBJECT: CONSIDERATION TO INSTALL A CROSSWALK AND
RECTANGULAR RAPID FLASH BEACON SYSTEM ON SOUTH
HALCYON ROAD AT THE SOUTHERN LEG OF THE
SANDALWOOD AVENUE INTERSECTION
DATE: NOVEMBER 26, 2013
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended the City Council approve the installation of a crosswalk,
equipped with a "Rectangular Rapid Flash Beacon System", on South Halycon
Road at the southern leg of the Sandalwood Avenue intersection
IMPACT ON FINANCIAL AND PERSONNEL RESOURCES:
The estimated costs to install a crosswalk assembly at the Sandalwood Avenue
intersection are as follows:
ADA Ramps $12,000
Rectangular Rapid Flash Beacons $5,500
Paint Crosswalk & Stencils $300
Advanced Notification Signage $400 $18,200
The project will be funded from the FY 2013/14 ADA Program and Retrofit Fund.
BACKGROUND:
On September 24, 2013, the Traffic Commission reviewed staff
recommendations to remove an existing South Halcyon Road crosswalk at
Willow Lane and install a new crosswalk assembly on South Halcyon Road at
Farrall Avenue, at the_ south boundary of the Margaret Harloe Elementary School
property. The Commissioners listened to citizen concerns, discussed the subject
at length, and advised staff to obtain additional information through a separate
meeting with residents, then report back to the Commission with the results and
recommendations accordingly.
.
Item 8.g. - Page 1
CITY COUNCIL
CONSIDERATION TO INSTALL A CROSSWALK AND RECTANGULAR
RAPIS FLASH BEASON SYSTEM ON SOUTH HALCYON ROAD AT THE
SOUTHERN LEG OF THE SANDALWOOD AVENUE INTERSECTION
NOVEMBER 26, 2013
PAGE2
On October 30, 2013, staff conducted the requested public meeting at the
Margaret Harloe Elementary School Cafeteria. Staff had forwarded an invitations
to residents in advance of the meeting (see Attachment No. 1) and the school
administrative staff similarly notified parents of the meeting with their telephone
notification system. City staff at the meeting included the Police Chief, the Public
Works Director, and the Assistant City Engineer. Attendees from the public
included the Margaret Harloe principal and a school crossing guard.
ANALYSIS OF ISSUES:
The following is a brief summary of the issues identified at the October 30, 2013
public meeting:
• The City recently performed a street resurfacing of South Halcyon and the
striping is scheduled for late next week. The Police Chief stressed that
the existing crosswalk at Willow Lane will not be repainted due to safety
concerns and inability to meet ADA requirements.
• Staff described each South Halcyon intersection between the Pike and
Fair Oaks Avenue for the potential placement of a crosswalk, stating the
advantages and disadvantages of each location (see Attachment No. 2).
• Staff presented the recommendation for placing a crosswalk at the Farrall
Avenue intersection (see Attachment No. 3). All citizens at the meeting
rejected placement at the intersection as being too congested from vehicle
turning movements, pedestrians and the street offsets.
• The attendees listed speed control as a primary concern for crosswalk
safety. Staff emphasized that the speed limits for arterial streets are
formally established by speed surveys.
• Several attendees requested placement of stop signs on South Halcyon at
the Pike intersection. Staff explained that the City's southern boundary is
at the Pike; vehicles travelling northbound from the County climb an
extended grade and that the intersection is just north of the crest, leaving
inadequate sight distance to stop in the event a number of vehicles are
stopped at the intersection.
• The City is currently preparing a traffic circulation plan update to
specifically address areas of traffic concerns. The Pike and South
Halycon intersection will be included in the plan.
The general meeting consensus, though mixed, preferred either installation of a
new crosswalk installation at the Sandalwood Avenue intersection (see
Attachment No. 4) or not installing an additional crosswalk. Since the crosswalk
installation requires the construction of an ADA ramp on the east side of the
Item 8.g. - Page 2
CITY COUNCIL
CONSIDERATION TO INSTALL A CROSSWALK AND RECTANGULAR
RAPIS FLASH BEASON SYSTEM ON SOUTH HALCYON ROAD AT THE
SOUTHERN LEG OF THE SANDALWOOD AVENUE INTERSECTION
NOVEMBER 26, 2013
PAGE3
roadway, the new crosswalk, if recommended, will be incorporated into the next
concrete replacement capital improvement project.
On November 4, 2013, the Traffic Commission reviewed staffs revised
recommendation, incorporating the comments from the October 30, 2013 public
meeting, to install a new crosswalk at the Sandalwood Avenue intersection. The
Traffic Commission accepted public comment, discussed the issue at length, and
then passed a motion to advise the installation of the new crosswalk as
recommended. The action included an advisement to upgrade/replace the
existing west side ADA ramp to current standards, install a new ADA ramp on the
east side of the roadway, install Rapid Flash Beacon System assemblies, and
request the School District to provide a crossing guard when children are
travelling to and from the Margaret Harloe Elementary School.
Staff discussed the results of the November 4, 2013 Traffic Commission meeting
with the Margaret Harloe Elementary School Principal. The Principal agreed with
the recommendation but noted that they may be unable to meet the request for a
school crossing guard at the proposed crosswalk due to limited availability of
funding by the Lucia Mar School District.
ALTERNATIVES:
The following alternatives are provided for consideration:
1. Install a new crosswalk on South Halcyon Road at its intersection with
Sandalwood Avenue, equipped with a Rectangular Rapid Flashing
Beacon system, advanced warning signage and pavement markings;
2. Remove the Willow crosswalk but do not replace it an any location; or
3. Pursue another location for a crosswalk on South Halcyon Road.
ADVANTAGES:
Relocating the South Halcyon Road crosswalk to Sandalwood Avenue provides a
safer, controlled pedestrian access for school children walking from the east side
of the roadway to access the Margaret Harloe Elementary School on the west
side. Due to the downhill roadway grade between the Pike and Willow Lane, the
northbound vehicle traffic tends to be faster, but as the roadway grade levels
north of Willow Lane; the traffic slows considerably by the time it reaches
Sandalwood Avenue. The vehicle and pedestrian sight lines are also improved at
the proposed Sandalwood Avenue location.
DISADVANTAGES:
Traditional traffic engineering practices allow the placement of crosswalks only at
controlled intersections (equipped with either stop sign assemblies or traffic
signals). The placement of in-pavement crosswalk lights and rectangular rapid
Item 8.g. - Page 3
CITY COUNCIL
CONSIDERATION TO INSTALL A CROSSWALK AND RECTANGULAR
RAPIS FLASH BEASON SYSTEM ON SOUTH HALCYON ROAD AT THE
SOUTHERN LEG OF THE SANDALWOOD AVENUE INTERSECTION
NOVEMBER 26, 2013
PAGE4
flashing beacons for uncontrolled intersections are relatively new technologies
but the City has successfully installed both systems at uncontrolled intersections
in the City.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW:
The project is categorically exempt from CEQ pursuant to Section 15301 (c).
PUBLIC NOTIFICATION AND COMMENTS:
On October 23, 2013, staff mailed meeting notices to the residents and property
owners along the South Halcyon Road in the vicinity of the crosswalk locations
(see Attachment No. 1) to inform them of the October 30, 2013 public meeting at
the Margaret Harlee Elementary School.
Attachment:
1 . 10/23/13 Public Notification Flyer
2. Vicinity Map -South Halcyon Intersections
3. 9/24/13 Staff Recommendation to Traffic Commission
4. Proposed South Halcyon Crosswalk at Sandalwood Avenue
Item 8.g. - Page 4
:c.CITY OF
~ \~~ALIFDRNIA 2 ~T !I!IIJ ),.0
October 23, 2013
Attachment No. 1
Public Meeting Notice
Review of Uncontrolled Crosswalk Assemblies on
South Halcyon Road
Dear Property Owners and Occupants:
On September 30, 2013, the Traffic Commission reviewed existing and potential crosswalk
locations along South Halcyon Road, between the Pike and Fair Oaks Avenue. The Traffic
Commission did not reach a consensus at the meeting and advised City staff to organize a
public meeting with residents and school parents to further analyze the advantages and
disadvantages of crosswalk placements at each intersection. The public meeting will be held
at the following date, time and location:
Wednesday, October 30, 2013, 3:30 PM
Margaret Harloe Elementary School Cafeteria
215 Fair Oaks Avenue, Arroyo Grande, CA 93420
We encourage your attendance at the meeting. However, in the event you cannot attend, or
would like to discuss the subject matter prior to the meeting, please feel free to contact Mike
Linn, Assistant City Engineer, at (805) 473-5444, e-mail him at mlinn@arroyogrande.org, or
stop by the City Hall at 300 East Branch Street.
Item 8.g. - Page 5
South Halcyon
Crosswalk Analysis
Item 8.g. - Page 6
Item 8.g. - Page 7
Item 8.g. - Page 8