CC 2019-10-22_08e Local Roadway Safety PlanMEMORANDUM
TO: CITY COUNCIL
FROM: BILL ROBESON, PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR/ACTING COMMUNITY
DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR
BY: ROBIN DICKERSON, CITY ENGINEER
SUBJECT: CONSIDERATION OF A PROJECT UPDATE AND INCORPORATION
OF A LOCAL ROADWAY SAFETY PLAN (LRSP) WITH THE
SYSTEMIC SAFETY ANALYSIS REPORT (SSAR)
DATE: OCTOBER 22, 2019
SUMMARY OF ACTION:
Approval of this item will allow the City’s current transportation consultant (GHD) to
incorporate the LRSP into their current SSAR work program.
IMPACT ON FINANCIAL AND PERSONNEL RESOURCES:
The cost of adding the LRSP project as part of the ongoing SSAR study is $13,204. Staff
proposes to use funds from the Community Development Contractual Services Account.
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended the City Council receive the project update and approve incorporation
of the Local Roadway Safety Plan (LRSP) within the SSAR.
BACKGROUND:
The City of Arroyo Grande is currently developing a Systemic Safety Analysis Report
(SSAR) with the assistance of a specialized consultant (GHD). The total cost for the
current SSAR is $86,404 and is funded with $77,500 in grants (Caltrans and the San Luis
Obispo Council of Governments) and $8,904 from the Community Development
Contractual Services Account (010-4130-5303). The SSAR is a proactive safety approach
that focuses on evaluating an entire roadway network using a defined set of criteria. The
SSAR analyzes crash history on an aggregate basis to identify high-risk roadway
characteristics, rather than looking at high-collision concentration locations through site
analysis. The goal of the SSAR is to assist local agencies to identify safety projects to
submit for Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP) funding consideration.
Caltrans has recently announced that starting in April 2022, applications for Highway
Safety Improvement Project Program (HSIP) Cycle 11 funds will require a LRSP.
Additionally, although Caltrans is not requiring a LRSP for HSIP Cycle 10 grant
Item 8.e. - Page 1
CITY COUNCIL
CONSIDERATION OF A PROJECT UPDATE AND INCORPORATION OF A LOCAL
ROADWAY SAFETY PLAN (LRSP) WITH THE SYSTEMIC SAFETY ANALYSIS
REPORT (SSAR)
OCTOBER 22, 2019
PAGE 2
applications in April or May of 2020, Caltrans has informed staff that it is
highly recommended.
ANALYSIS OF ISSUES:
The HSIP is a Federal-aid program that incorporates a data-driven, strategic approach to
improving highway safety that focuses on performance. The SHSP provides a strategic
direction for the State's safety investment decisions, and the HSIP supports and finances
projects specifically targeting roadway and intersection locations by identifying and
implementing countermeasures to improve the safety of the site.
The LRSP will supplement the SSAR, form a stakeholder group, and will result in a formal
plan of local projects that will compete for future HSIP funding. Overall, the LRSP will
summarize the identified needs, the safety goal, emphasis areas, and a prioritized list of
improvements or activities. Additionally, the plan can identify responsibilities and
resources to carry out the plan. Items that may also be documented include the
stakeholders and process used to develop the plan, successes realized through similar
past or current efforts, and obstacles or challenges related to implementation. The
working group should monitor the plan to evaluate effectiveness and relevance over time
and should adjust the plan periodically or as needed.
Including the LRSP study will benefit the City in three areas: 1) the City will meet the
future requirements of the HSIP funding program, 2) utilizing the current SSAR consultant
will allow information to be shared and allow both reports to make consistent
recommendations, and 3) the overall cost of the LRSP will be reduced because
information obtained as part of the SSAR will be utilized.
ALTERNATIVES:
The following alternatives are provided for the Council's consideration:
1.Receive the project update and approve incorporation of the LRSP within the
SSAR.;
2.Do not receive the project update and approve incorporation of the LRSP within
the SSAR.; or
3.Provide direction to staff.
ADVANTAGES:
Supplementing the grant funding to cover the cost of the study will allow the City to meet
the future requirements of the HSIP funding program. Utilizing the team that is working
on the SSAR will allow information to be shared and allow both reports to be consistant
with recommendations. Overall cost of the LRSP are reduced because information
obtained as part of the SSAR can be utilized.
DISADVANTAGES :
The preparation of this report will require staff time and City funds.
Item 8.e. - Page 2
CITY COUNCIL
CONSIDERATION OF A PROJECT UPDATE AND INCORPORATION OF A LOCAL
ROADWAY SAFETY PLAN (LRSP) WITH THE SYSTEMIC SAFETY ANALYSIS
REPORT (SSAR)
OCTOBER 22, 2019
PAGE 3
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW:
The SSAR and LRSP do not require environmental review. In compliance with
California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) the project is categorically exempt
per section 15061(b)(3) of the CEQA Guidelines, which states that where it can be
seen with certainty that there is no possibility of a significant effect on the
environment, an activity is not subject to CEQA. Each project completed will
evaluate environmental impacts on a project-by-project basis. The individual projects
developed from the SSAR and LRSP will include the necessary environmental reviews
and studies.
PUBLIC NOTIFICATION AND COMMENTS:
The Agenda was posted at City Hall and on the City’s website in accordance
with Government Code Section 54954.2. At the time of report publication, no
comments have been received.
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