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HomeMy WebLinkAboutRES-93-5645 (TRAFFIC SURVEY/ENGINEERING)1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 `./ 27 28 RESOLUTION NO. 93-5645 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF HERMOSA BEACH, CALIFORNIA, CERTIFYING THE ENGINEERING AND TRAFFIC SURVEY WHEREAS, Enforcement of speed limits by radar must be justified by an engineering and traffic survey; WHEREAS, Section 40802 of the California Vehicle Code requires an engineering and traffic speed survey to be performed every five years; WHEREAS, The last survey was presented to City Council on November 22, 1988; WHEREAS, A survey was prepared by a licensed traffic engineer and completed in October 1993, in accordance with the State of California Vehicle Code and Traffic Manual as is attached as Exhibit "A". NOW, THEREFORE THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF HERMOSA BEACH, CALIFORNIA DOES HEREBY RESOLVE AS FOLLOWS: SECTION 1. To certify the attached engineering and traffic survey (Exhibit A). SECTION 2. Direct that a copy of the resolution and attached engineering and traffic survey be forwarded to the presiding judge of the South Bay Municipal Court. SECTION 3. That this resolution take effect immediately. PASSED, APPROVED and e City Hermosa ty/ertraf s 23 ay f November 1993. and RAYOR of the City of :h, California APPROVED AS TO FORM: ,IVB, 4 tq NX3 • ztzi xvznx ara za azavamia E66T 'GT EaROSOO XaAunS OI33vis = ORMERNIONa HOvZq YSOPMaH 30 XSIO \%wrll 1. INTRODUCTION The City of Hermosa Beach enforcement of the speed limits on city streets and roadways is performed by the City of Hermosa Beach Police Department. The speed limit enforcement and response to speed related problems is primarily accomplished using radar. Speed regulation involves both routine and selective enforcement. Routine enforcement is performed citywide on a schedule established by the police department based on their beat and personnel assignments. Selective enforcement is utilized at those locations where citizens complaints and/or- in-house requests allege high travel speeds on certain streets, and at those locations that exhibit a disproportionate number of traffic accidents involving speed as a prime criterion. However, the use of radar for enforcement of speed limits has been_ preempted by statutes contained in the Motor Vehicle Code (CVC) of the State of California. The CVC specifies certain requirements and limitations for the use of radar to enforce speed limits and to avoid engaging in "Speed Tramps" .1- 2. EXISTING CONDITIONS RELATIVE TO SPEED LIMITS The City of Hermosa Beach has complied with the CVC sections relative to conducting an Engineering and Traffic Survey (Survey) within the last five years. The last citywide survey was completed in September, 1938. It was certified and adopted on November 22, 1988. Table 1 lists the existing posted speed limits on the city street system and the links contiguous with the city's neighbors to the north, south and east. L Section 40802, CVC, "Speed Trap" is a particular section of highway with a prima facie speed limit provided by this Code or local ordinance....... which speed limit is not justified by an engineering and traffic survey conducted within five years prior to the date of the alleged violation, and where enforcement involves the use of radar or other electronic devices which measure the speed of moving objects. 1 Table 1 City of Hermosa Beach Existing Speed Limits - Established 1988 Posted Posted Speed Speed Limit Limit LOCATION (MPH) LOCATION (MPH) ARDMORE AVENUE MORNINGSIDE DRIVE N. City Limits -Gould Ave. 35 Longfellow Ave. -Gould Ave. 25 Gould Ave. -21st St. 35 21st St. -Pier Ave. 35 PACIFIC COAST HIGHWAY (SR 1) Pier Ave. -8th st. 25 8th St. -2nd St. 25 Artesia Blvd. -Pier Ave. 35 ARTESIA BLVD. (SR 91) Pier Ave.-Herondo St. 40 E. City Limits -PCH (SR1) 40 PIER AVENUE AVIATION BLVD. PCH -Ardmore Ave. 25 Ardmore Ave. -Monterey Blvd. 25 E. City Limits -PCH 35 Monterey Blvd. -Hermosa Ave. 25 GOULD AVENUE PROSPECT AVENUE PCH -Ardmore Ave. 25 Artesia Blvd. -21st St. 25 Ardmore Ave. -Manhattan Ave. 25 21st St. -Aviation Blvd. 25 Aviation Blvd. -6th St. 25 HERMOSA AVENUE 6th St.-S.City Limits 25 35th St. -27th St. 25 SEPULVEDA BLVD. (SR 1) 27th St. -22nd St. 30 Longfellow Ave. -Artesia Blvd. 35 22nd St. -16th St. 30 VALLEY DRIVE 16th St. -Pier Ave. 25 N.City Limits -Gould Ave. 35 Gould Ave. -21st St. 30 Pier Ave. -8th St. 25 21st St. -Pier Ave. 30 Pier Ave. -8th St. 35 8th St.- Herondo Ave. 30 8th St. -2nd St. 35 2nd St.-Herondo St. 35 HERONDO STREET SECOND STREET Valley Dr. -Hermosa Ave. 35 PCH -Valley Dr. 25 LONGFELLOW AVENUE Valley Dr. -Hermosa Ave. 25 Sepulveda Blvd. -Ardmore Ave. 25 EIGHTH STREET Valley Dr. -Hermosa Ave. 25 E. City Limits -PCH 25 MANHATTAN AVE. PCH -Ardmore Ave. 25 Ardmore Ave. -Hermosa Ave. 25 N.City Limits -Longfellow Ave. 30 Longfellow Ave. -27th St. 30 THIRTIETH STREET 27th St. -Pier Ave. 25 Pier Ave. -1st St. 25 PCH -Ardmore Ave. 25 MONTEREY BLVD. Manhattan Ave. -19th St. 25 19th St. -Pier Ave. 25 Pier Ave.-Herondo St. 25 2 The present study was initiated to comply with the five year time frame. It shall serve as the legal basis for the "Engineering and Traffic Survey".2 The CVC has set these regulations for the setting and posting of speed limits to reflect the viewpoint that speed zoning should be based on prevailing traffic conditions and natural driving behavior and not because of an arbitrary response to a traffic event or occurrence. It is therefore necessary to have an understanding of the "Basic Speed Law", "Maximum Speed Limit", "Prima Facie Speed Limits", and "Intermediate Speed Zones".J This latter condition is the subject of this report. State law permits local agencies to lower the maximum 55 mph limit or to raise "business and residence district" ' speed limits on the basis of the Survey. The procedures for the Survey have been clearly established by Caltrans. The "short method for determining speed limits on City and County roadways and local streets" is listed below. CITY AND COUNTY THROUGH HIGHWAYS, ARTERIALS AND COLLECTOR ROADS PROCEDURES. Introduction - This is a short method of speed zoning based on the premise that a reasonable speed limit is one that conforms to the actual behavior of the majority of motorists, and that by measuring motorists speeds, one will be able to select a speed limit that is both reasonable and effective. If there are other factors, such as high pedestrian volume coupled with a lack of sidewalks etc. that might require further downzoning of speeds, then it is recommended that the procedure for speed zoning on state highways be followed. However, this short method will handle most situations adequately. Determination of -Existing Speed Limits - These speeds will be either verified, increased, or decreased 2 Section 627, CVC "Engineering and Traffic Survey", as used in this code, means a survey of highway and traffic conditions in accordance with methods determined by the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) for use by state and local authorities. An engineering and traffic survey shall include, among other requirements deemed necessary by the Department, consideration of the following: (a) Prevailing speeds as determined by traffic engineering measurements (b) Accident records. (c) Highway, traffic and roadside conditions not readily apparent to the driver. 3 See Appendix A for CVC definitions. a California Department of Transportation, "Traffic Manual", Section 8-03 "Speed Limits and Zones", instituted December, 1988. depending on the results of the investigation. Speed Zone Survey - • Only one person is required for the field work. Speeds can be read directly from a radar speed meter. • A section of road should be selected with representative operating speeds. If speeds vary on a given road, additional surveys should be conducted. In this case, it may be necessary to establish additional speed zones with different speed limits. The section selected should be straight and should have no traffic signal, stop sign or intersection with a major cross street. • Speed measurements should be taken during off peak hours on weekdays, The weather should be fair with no unusual conditions prevailing. It is important that the surveyor and his equipment be so inconspicuous so as not to affect traffic speeds. For this reason an unmarked car is recommended, with the radar speed meter located as inconspicuously as possible. It should be placed so as to be able to survey traffic in both directions and should not make an angle greater than 15 degrees with the roadway centerline. It is desirable to have a minimum sample of 100 autos in each survey. This may result in excessive survey periods for low volume roads. Under these conditions the survey should be conducted for a maximum of three hours, but in no case should the sample contain less than 25 automobiles. A sample data sheet is shown in Appendix B. • Experience has shown that speed limits should be established at or below the 85th percentile speed, which is the speed at or below which 85% of the traffic is moving. This speed can be selected directly from the data sheet. The speed chosen for speed zoning should be in 5 mile per hour increments and should normally be selected at a value immediately below the 85th percentile speed. However, if the 85th percentile speed is within 1-1/2 mph of the next higher increment, the speed limit should be set at the higher speed. • As a check on the validity of the proposed speed limit, an analysis should be made of the. two year accident record for the section of roadway under consideration. If this record shows an abnormally high percentage of accidents normally associated with excessive speeds, the proposed speed limit should be further reduced. This.is a judgment situation, and will not usually be a factor. • Short speed zones of less than one-half mile should be avoided, except in transition areas. • Speed zoning in 5 mph increments should be avoided if possible. A 10 mph increment* is preferable. • Speed zoning should be coordinated with adjacent jurisdictions. LOCAL STREETS PROCEDURES Section 22352(b) (1) of the CVC ' establishes a prima facie speed limit of 25 mph on any highway in any business or residence district. If -enforced by radar or other electrical devices, this 4 speed limit must be justified by an engineering and traffic survey. Roadways in business districts will normally fit into the city and county through highways discussed in the previous procedures and speed zoned in accordance with the techniques listed thereunder. The method described here is intended for speed zoning lightly traveled residential streets in compliance with Section 40802 of the CVC. 0 Prevailing Speeds - Measurement of prevailing speeds is not necessary on each and every street of similar characteristics within a residential area. However, care must be exercised in selecting a location for a speed study that is representative of the character of all streets to which the speed study is to be applied. There should be little difference in roadway features and usage as well as the character and density of the adjacent development. A Speed Measurement - One person with a radar unit can conduct the speed check. At least 50 measurements should be made an in order to obtain a significant sample, the speed of vehicles in either direction may be used. 0 Speeds are recorded on a survey sheet. A typical speed survey sheet is shown in Appendix B. From this sheet, the 85th percentile speed can be selected by separating the upper 1/6 (approximately 15%) of the total samples observed. In the absence of other factors, this is the most reasonable speed for speed zoning. • Other Considerations - Every street should be inspected for unusual traffic, roadway and roadside conditions not readily apparent to a motorist. A check should be made of the adequacy of traffic control devices, roadway alignment, width, surface condition, accident history and any unique traffic hazards that may exist. Any of these conditions may warrant the selection of a speed lower than the 85th percentile speed for speed zoning. 0 The 25 mph prima facie speed limit in residence districts may not be reduced except on narrow streets as authorized by Section 22358.3 of the CVC. 3. METHODOLOGY It is evident that several roadway related factors including those related to geometrics, traffic operations and city planning should be considered when determining public street speed limits. The Traffic Engineering Handbook,' states that the 1185th percentile speed determined by speed studies is a principal factor to be used in the determination of proper speed limits. It is generally assumed that 85% of drivers operate at speeds that are reasonable and prudent for the conditions present in each situation. hence, "Traff is Engineering Handbook", Institute of Transportation Engineers, Fourth Edition, pg. 348. 1� - 5 — the 35th percentile speed of a spot -speed distribution is a first approximation of the speed zone that might be imposed, subject to consideration of other factors." Establishment of speed limits should be based on proper engineering and traffic data. The following factors should be considered, and appropriate data gathered, in establishing speed limitations. I. Prevailing vehicle speeds A. 85th percentile speed (the speed below which 85% of motorists travel) B. Average test -run speeds C. Speed distribution data II. Physical Features A. Design speed B. Measurable physical features (1) Maximum comfortable speed on curves (2) Spacing of intersections (3) Number of roadside businesses per mile (4) Restricted sight distances or view obstructions (5) Long, steep downgrades or hills C. Roadway surface characteristics and conditions (1) Slipperiness or roughness of pavement - (2) Presence of transverse dips and bumps (3) Presence and condition of shoulders (4) Presence and width of median III. Accident experience IV. Traffic characteristics and control A. Traffic volumes �..� B. Parking and loading vehicles C. Commercial vehicles D. Turn movements and control E. Traffic signals and other traffic control devices that affect or are affected by vehicle speeds F. Vehicle -pedestrian conflicts. Each roadway in this study was divided into sections. All data were correlated and reviewed prior to making recommendations for speed limits. Table 2 shows the recommended speed limits for each section. ,%WW Table 1 City of Hermosa Beach Existing Speed Limits - Established 1988 Posted Posted Speed Speed Limit Limit r.ncATTON (MPH) LOCATION (MPH) ARDMORE AVENUE N. City Limits -Gould Ave. Gould Ave. -21st St. 21st St. -Pier Ave. Pier Ave. -8th st. 8th St. -2nd St. ARTESIA BLVD. (SR 91) E. City Limits -PCH (SR1) AVIATION BLVD. E. City Limits -PCH GOULD AVENUE PCH -Ardmore Ave. Ardmore Ave. -Manhattan Ave. HERMOSA AVENUE 35th St. -27th St. 27th St. -22nd St. 22nd St. -16th St. 16th St. -Pier Ave. Pier Ave. -8th St. 8th St.- Herondo Ave. HERONDO STREET Valley Dr. -Hermosa Ave. LONGFELLOW AVENUE Sepulveda Blvd. -Ardmore Ave. Valley Dr. -Hermosa Ave. MANIiATTAN AVE. N.City Limits -Longfellow Ave. Longfellow Ave. -27th St. 27th St. -Pier Ave. Pier Ave. -1st St. MONTEREY BLVD. Manhattan Ave. -19th St. 19th St. -Pier Ave. Pier Ave.-Herondo St. 35 35 35 25 25 40 35 25 25 25 30 30 25 25 30 35 25 25 30 30 25 25 25 25 25 MORNINGSIDE DRIVE Longfellow Ave. -Gould Ave. PACIFIC COAST HIGHWAY (SR 1) Artesia Blvd. -Pier Ave. Pier Ave.-Herondo St. PIER AVENUE PCH -Ardmore Ave. Ardmore Ave. -Monterey Blvd. Monterey Blvd. -Hermosa Ave. PROSPECT AVENUE Artesia Blvd. -21st St. 21st St. -Aviation Blvd. Aviation Blvd. -6th St. 6th St.-S.City Limits SEPULVEDA BLVD. (SR 1) Longfellow Ave. -Artesia Blvd. VALLEY DRIVE N.City Limits -Gould Ave. Gould Ave. -21st St. 21st St. -Pier Ave. Pier Ave. -8th St. 8th St. -2nd St. 2nd St.-Herondo St. SECOND STREET PCH -Valley Dr. Valley Dr. -Hermosa Ave. EIGHTH STREET E, City Limits -PCH PCH -Ardmore Ave. Ardmore Ave. -Hermosa Ave. THIRTIETH STREET PCH -Ardmore Ave. N 25 35 40 25 25 25 25 25 25 25 35 35 30 30 35 35 35 25 25 25 25 25 25 TABLE 2 HERMOSA BEACH SPEED SURVEY RESULTS - 1993 85TH PERCENTILE SPEED (MPH) PACE SPEED RANGE (MPH) PERCENT VEHICLES IN PACE POSTED SPEED BOTH DIRECTIONS RECOMMEND SPEED BOTH DIRECTIONS ARDMORE AVENUE NB SB NB SB NB SB N. Cite Limits -Gould Ave. 45 46 35 to 44 37 to 46 77 66 35 35 Gould Ave. - 21st St. 40 37 34 to 43 25 to 34 70 69 35 35 21st St. - Pier Ave. 37 35 24 to 33 27 to 36 82 76 35 35 AVIATION BLVD. EB WB EB WB EB WB E. City Limits - PCH 44 40 35 to 44 27 to 36 57 56 35 35 HERMOSA AVENUE NB SB NB SB NB SB 35th St. - 27th St. 33 32 24 to 33 22 to 31 68 68 25 25 27th St. - 22nd St. 38 39 28 to 37 28 to 36 74 69 30 30 22nd St. - l6th St. 35 35 28 to 37 26 TO 35 80 73 30 30 16th St. - Pier Ave. 32 33 23 to 32 24 to 35 79 70 25 25 Pier Ave. - 8th St. 34 33 25 to 34 25 to 34 75 81 25 25 8th St. - Herondo Ave. 38 39 29 to 38 31 to 40 79 77 30 30 85TH PACE PERCENTILE SPEED SPEED RANGE (MPH) (MPH) PERCENT VEHICLES IN PACE POSTED SPEED BOTH DIRECTIONS RECObUMND SPEED BOTH DIRECTIONS HERONDO STREET EB WB EB WB EB WB Valley Dr. - Hermosa Ave. 41 41 30 to 39 26 to 35 66 66 35 35 LONGFELLOW AVENUE EB WB EB WB EB WB 25 25 Sepulved Blvd. - Ardmore Ave. 30 32 21 to 30 21 to 30 80 77 25 25 Valley Dr. - Hermosa Ave. 27 29 19 to 28 21 to 30 85 83 25 25 MANHATTAN AVENUE NB SB NB SB NB SB N. City Limits - Longfellow Ave. 31 31 20 to 29 22 to 31 71 73 30 30 Longfellow Ave. - 27th St. 36 30 20 to 29 22 to 31 71 83 30 30 27th St. - Pier Ave. 33 37 22 to 31 26 to 35 78 65 25 25 MONTEREY BOULEVARD NB SB NB SB NB SB Manhattan Ave. - 19th St. 39 36 22 to 31 22 to 31 63 64 25 25 19th St. - Pier Ave. 38 39 24 to 33 25 to 34 59 53 25 25 Pier Ave. - Herondo St. 39 39 29 to 38 30 to 39 54 58 25 25 MORNINGSIDE DRIVE NB SB NB SB NB SB Longfellow Ave. - Gould Ave. 23 24 15 to 24 15 to 24 93 84 25 25 * May 4, 1989 speed Survey by Caltrans; Still Valid 85TH PERCENTILE SPEED WED PACE PERCENT SPEED VEHICLES RANGE IN PACE WED POSTED SPEED BOTH DIRECTIONS RECOMMEND SPEED BOTH DIRECTIONS PACIFIC COAST HWY. (SR 1) *' NB SB NB SB NB SB Artesia Blvd. - Pier Ave. 41 40 32-41 29-40 86 76 35 35 Pier Ave. - Herondo St. 34 36 24-35 24-33 84 77 30 30 PIER AVENUE EB WB EB WB EB WB PCH - Ardmore Ave. 29 28 20 to 29 15 to 24 82 76 25 25 Ardmore Ave. - Monterey Blvd. 33 31 24 to 33 21 to 30 70 69 25 25 Monterey Blvd. - Hermosa Ave. 34 35 26 to 35 26 to 35 73 67 25 25 PROSPECT AVENUE NB SB NB SB NB SB Artesia Blvd. - 21st St. 31 32 22 to 31 23 to 32 84 84 25 25 21st St. - Aviation Blvd. 36 34 28 to 37 25 to 34 70 83 25 25 Aviation Blvd. - 6th St. 36 32 24 to 33 24 to 33 62 82 25 25 6th St. - City Limits 29 30 20 to 29 22 to 31 79 66 25 25 SEPULVEDA BLVD. (SR 1) NB SB NB SB SB Longfellow Ave. - Artesia Blvd. * 42 47 30 to 39 29 to:8]73 65 35 35 * May 4, 1989 speed Survey by Caltrans; Still Valid 85TH PERCENTILE SPEED (MPH) PACE SPEED RANGE (M PIEQ PERCENT VEHICLES IN PACE POSTED SPEED BOTH DIRECTIONS RECOMMEND SPEED BOTH DIRECTIONS VALLEY DRIVE NB SB NB SB NB SB Pier Ave. - 8th St. 47 41 34 to 43 31 to 40 60 66 35 35 8th St. - 2nd St. 40 41 31 to 40 30 to 39 65 72 35 35 2nd St. - Herondo St. 37 36 28 to 37 25 to 34 79 71 35 35 SECOND STREET EB WB EB WB EB WB PCH Valley Dr. 30 33 19 to 28 21 to 30 76 66 25 25 Valley Dr. - Hermosa Ave. 35 35 24 to 33 24 to 33 57 55 25 25 EIGHTH STREET EB WB EB WB EB NVB E. City Limits - PCH 30 30 22 to 31 22 to 31 76 83 25 25 PCH - Ardmore Ave. 29 30 22 to 31 20 to 29 81 72 25 25 Ardmore Ave. - Hermosa Ave. 25 24 16 to 25 16 to 25 86 92 25 25 THIRTIETH STREET EB wB EB NVB EB WB PCH - Ardmore Ave. 30 34 18 to 27 23 to 32 70 74 25 25 ALL SPEEDS ARE IN MILES PER HOUR NB = Northbound Speed Survey SB = Southbound Speed Survey EB = Eastbound Speed Survey WB = Westbound Speed Survey 85TH PERCENTILE SPEED (MPED PACE SPEED RANGE (MPH) PERCENT VEffiCLES IN PACE POSTED SPEED BOTS DIRECTIONS RECOMMEND SPEED BOTH DIRECTIONS VALLEY DRIVE NB SB NB SB NB SB Pier Ave. - 8th St. 47 41 34 to 43 31 to 40 60 66 35 35 8th St. - 2nd St. 40 41 31 to 40 30 to 39 65 72 35 35 2nd St. - Herondo St. 37 36 28 to 37 25 to 34 79 71 35 35 SECOND STREET EB WB EB WB EB WB PCH Valley Dr. 30 33 19 to 28 21 to 30 76 66 25 25 Valley Dr. - Hermosa Ave. 35 35 24 to 33 24 to 33 57 55 25 25 EIGHTH STREET EB WB EB WB EB WB E. City Limits - PCH 30 30 22 to 31 22 to 31 76 83 25 25 PCH - Ardmore Ave. 29 30 22 to 31 20 to 29 81 72 25 25 Ardmore Ave. - Hermosa Ave. 25 24 16 to 25 16 to 25 86 92 25 25 TffiRTIETH STREET EB WB EB WB EB WB PCH - Ardmore Ave. 30 34 18 to 27 23 to 32 70 74 25 25 ALL SPEEDS ARE IN MILES PER HOUR NB = Northbound Speed Survey SB = Southbound Speed Survey EB = Eastbound Speed Survey WB = Westbound Speed Survey c a*400f STATE OF CALIFORNIA ) COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES ) CITY OF HERMOSA BEACH } I, Naoma Valdes, Deputy City Clerk of the City Council of the City of Hermosa Beach, California, do hereby certify that the foregoing Resolution No. 93-5645 was duly and regularly passed, approved and adopted by the City Council of the City of Hermosa Beach at a Regular Meeting of said Council at the regular place therof on November 23, 1993. The vote was as follows: AYES: Benz, Bowler, Oakes, Reviczky, Mayor Edgerton NOES: None ABSTAIN: None ABSENT: None DATED: November 25, 1993 -_ Deputy City Clerk