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Home My WebLink AboutAGENDA REPORT 2000 0405 CC REG ITEM 10CITEM / 0 - e, AGENDA REPORT City of Moorpark M To: The Honorable City Council From: Kenneth C. Gilbert, Director of Public Works I Date: March 24, 2000 (Council Meeting 4 -5 -00) SUBJECT: Consider Resolution No. 2000- Designating the Intersections of Loyola Street & Julliard Avenue and Aldergrove Street & Pine Hollow Place to be STOP Intersections and Directing the Placement of STOP Signs at All Entrances Thereto DISCUSSION A. Use of STOP Signs The City often receives requests for the installation of STOP signs as means to control excessive speed in a residential neighborhood. As discussed by the City Council on several prior occasions, STOP signs should not be used for the purpose of speed control. The purpose of a STOP sign is to clarify which vehicle has the right of way at an intersection. Attached as Exhibit 1 is a "handout" which discusses the proper use of STOP signs. B. Warrants The Caltrans Traffic Manual recommends that STOP signs not be installed unless at least one of several Warrants are met. When at least one of these Warrants are met, the intersection is deemed to warrant the installation of one or more STOP signs. C. Subject Intersections The two intersections which are the subject of this report are each "T" intersections with a STOP sign for traffic entering the intersection from the side street. The recommended action is to designate both of these intersections to be "Three -Way" STOP intersections. stop-0004 0000 STOP Intersections March 24, 2000 Page 2 D. Warrant Studies W F. It is the recommendation of the City Traffic Engineer that STOP signs only be installed when Stop Sign Warrants are met. It is also the view of the City Traffic Engineer, a view shared by City staff, that the two subject intersections would probably not meet any of the warrants for the installation of a "Three -Way STOP. It is, therefore, the recommendation of staff that STOP sign Warrant Studies not be performed. Design Immunity Cities rely on those provisions of the law pertaining to design immunity when faced with litigation involving the proper use and installation of traffic control devices. In order to be protected by design immunity the traffic controls in question must have been approved by the legislative body prior to installation, and the approval by the legislative body must have been based upon substantial reasonable evidence in support of said installation. Unique Circumstances In most cases, cities use as the evidence in support of the installation of STOP signs, the existence of one or more STOP sign warrants. As stated above, it is the view of staff that the subject intersections would probably not meet any of the STOP sign warrants. It is the view of staff, however, that certain unique characteristics exist at these intersections which support the installation of a "three -way" STOP. Those unique characteristics are summarized as follows: 1. Loyola Street &, Julliard Avenue: a. Said streets serve as collector streets for the surrounding residential area and convey volumes of traffic deemed to be greater than average for a residential street; b. The intersection lies on a pedestrian "Route to School "; C. The geometrics of the intersection are non - standard (there are vertical and horizontal curves at approaches to the intersection); d. Sight- distance (visibility) is limited due to the vertical and horizontal curves mentioned above; and, e. The approaches to the intersection have grades which contribute to excessive downhill speed. stop.0004 000085 STOP Intersections March 24, 2000 Page 3 2. Aldergrove Street & Pine Hollow Place: a. Said streets serve as collector streets for the surrounding residential area and convey volumes of traffic deemed to be greater than average for a residential street; b. Aldergrove Street is used as a neighborhood "shortcut" between two major collector streets and, as a result, the volume and speed of vehicles traveling this street is greater than average; C. Said streets lie on a pedestrian "Route to School "; d. The community pool located at this intersection generates vehicular and pedestrian traffic in amounts which exceed the amounts to be expected on a typical residential street. H. Striping In a separate but related matter, staff is working with the City's striping contractor to add a double yellow strip to Loyola Street from Campus park Drive to Marquette Street. The addition of a centerline "narrows" the travel lane and thereby tends to cause the speed of vehicles to be reduced. This has proven to be effective when installed on Pecan Avenue a few years ago. In addition, if STOP signs are added at the intersection of Aldergrove Street and Pine Hollow Drive, a double yellow center line will be added just east and west of that intersection to better facilitate the safe movement of traffic through that intersection. A similar installation was done at the intersection of Christian Barrett Drive and Trailcrest Drive when STOP signs were added there. I. Summary & Conclusion As stated above, it is the view of staff that the unique circumstances noted above support an action by the City Council to designate the subject intersections to be "three - way" STOP intersection. STAFF RECOMMENDATION Adopt the subject Resolution. Attachments: Exhibit 1: Exhibit 2: STOP SIGN Hand -out Resolution StOP.0004 000086 'xM: h;a 1 8TOID eSIGN(s WHY DON'T THEY PUT IN MORE STOP SIGNS? A stop sign is one of our most valuable and effective control devices when used at the right place and under the right conditions. It is intended to help drivers and pedestrians at an intersection decide who has the right -of -way. One common misuse of stop signs is to arbitrarily interrupt through traffic, either by causing it to stop, or by causing such an inconvenience as to force the traffic to use other routes. Where stop signs are installed as "nuisances" or "speed breakers," there is a high incidence of intentional violation. In those locations where vehicles do stop, the speed reduction is effective only in the immediate vicinity of the stop sign, and frequently speeds are actually higher between intersections. For these reasons, it should not be used as a speed control device. A school crossing may look dangerous for children to use, causing parents to. demand a stop sign to halt traffic. Now a vehicle which had been a problem for 3 seconds while approaching and passing the intersection becomes a problem for a much longer period. A situation of indecision is created as to when to cross as a pedestrian or when to start as a motorist. Normal gaps in traffic through which crossings could be made safely no longer exist. An intersection which previously was not busy now looks like a major intersection. It really isn't it just looks like it. It doesn't even look safer and it usually isn't. Most drivers are reasonable and prudent with no intention of maliciously violating traffic regulations; however, when an unreasonable restriction is imposed, it may result in flagrant violations. In such cases, the stop sign can create a false sense of security in a pedestrian and an attitude of contempt in a motorist. These two attitudes can and often do conflict with tragic results. Well- developed, nationally recognized guidelines help to indicate when such controls become necessary. These guidelines take into consideration, among other things, the probability of vehicle arriving at an intersection at the same time, the length of time traffic must wait to enter, and the availability of safe crossing opportunities. 0 0 29 RESOLUTION NO. 2000 - A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF MOORPARK, CALIFORNIA, DESIGNATING THE INTERSECTIONS OF LOYOLA STREET & JULLIARD AVENUE AND ALDERGROVE STREET & PINE HOLLOW PLACE TO BE STOP INTERSECTIONS AND DIRECTING THE PLACEMENT OF A STOP SIGN AT ALL ENTRANCES TO SAID INTERSECTIONS WHEREAS, Section 21354 of the California Vehicle Code authorizes the City to designate any intersection under its jurisdiction a stop intersection and erect STOP signs at one or more entrances thereto; and WHEREAS, the City Council has determined that, in order to better provide for the public safety, it is necessary and appropriate to place STOP signs at all entrances to certain intersections as described herein. NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF MOORPARK DOES HEREBY RESOLVE AS FOLLOWS: SECTION 1. That certain conditions exist at and in the vicinity of the intersection of Loyola Street and Julliard Avenue which justify the placement of STOP signs at all entrances to said intersection, said conditions being summarized as follows: a. Said streets serve as collector streets for the surrounding residential area and convey volumes of traffic deemed to be greater than average for a residential street; b. The intersection lies on a pedestrian "Route to School "; c. The geometrics of the intersection are non - standard (there are vertical and horizontal curves at approaches to the intersection); d. Sight- distance (visibility) is limited due to the vertical and horizontal curves mentioned above; and, e. The approaches to the intersection have grades which contribute to excessive downhill speed. SECTION 2. That the intersection of Loyola Street and Julliard Avenue, as identified on Exhibit 'A' attached hereto and made a part hereof, is hereby designated a stop intersection and that STOP signs shall be erected at all entrances thereto. Resolution No. 2000 - Page 2 SECTION 3. That certain conditions exist at and in the vicinity of the intersection of Aldergrove Street and Pine Hollow Place which justify the placement of STOP signs at all entrances to said intersection, said conditions being summarized as follows: a. Said streets serve as collector streets for the surrounding residential area and convey volumes of traffic deemed to be greater than average for a residential street; b. Aldergrove Street is used as a neighborhood "shortcut" between two major collector streets and, as a result, the volume and speed of vehicles traveling this street is greater than average; c. Said streets lie on a pedestrian "Route to School "; d. The community pool located at this intersection generates vehicular and pedestrian traffic in amounts which exceed the amounts to be expected on a typical residential street. SECTION 4. That the intersection of Aldergrove Street and Pine Hollow Place, as identified on Exhibit IBI attached hereto and made a part hereof, is hereby designated a stop intersection and that STOP signs shall be erected at all entrances thereto. SECTION 5. That the City Manager is hereby directed to provide for the installation and maintenance of appropriate signs and markings to effectuate these requirements. SECTION 6. The City Clerk shall certify to the adoption of this resolution and shall cause a certified resolution to be filed in the book of original resolutions. PASSED AND ADOPTED this day of 2000. Attest: Patrick Hunter, Mayor Deborah S. Traffenstedt, City Clerk Attachments: Exhibit W: Diagram: Loyola Street & Julliard Avenue Exhibit 'B': Diagram: Aldergrove Street & Pine Hollow Place 0008 w C) C) C) | � Resolution No. 2000 - Exhibit 'B" w ........... . OR ME C) ------------- 00009--