Loading...
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