HomeMy WebLinkAboutAGENDA REPORT 2003 0917 CC REG ITEM 10KMOORPARK CITY COUNCIL
AGENDA REPORT
ITEM 10 • K-
To: The Honorable City Council
From: Kenneth Gilbert, Director of Public Works
Date: September 4, 2003 (Council Meeting of 9- 17 -03)
SUBJECT: A Resolution Designating the Intersection of E. Amherst
Street and N. Columbia Avenue to be a Stop Intersection
and Directing the Placement of STOP signs at All
Entrances Thereto
DISCUSSION
A. Petition
Michael Navarro, a resident on E. Amherst Street, provided a
petition to the City [Exhibit 11 requesting the installation
of a ''three-way'' STOP at the subject intersection. The
matter was referred to the Transportation and Streets
Committee [Councilmembers Millhouse and Harper] for
consideration. A map showing the existing STOP signs in the
neighborhood is attached at Exhibit 2.
B. Transportation and Streets Committee Initial Review
Last March the Transportation and Streets Committee met with
residents of the E. Amherst neighborhood to discuss traffic
issues on that street. The residents expressed concern about
excessive speed. In response, the following actions were
taken:
• additional 25 MPH signs were installed;
• increased traffic enforcement was undertaken.
C. Reconsideration by the Committee
The matter was reconsidered by the Committee on September 2.
After discussing options, the Committee recommended that the
City Council approve the installation of the subject three -
way STOP.
Stop_0209c 000130
Stop: E. Amherst Street / N. Columbia Avenue
September 4, 2003
Page 2
D. Use of STOP Signs
As discussed in prior reports to the City Council, the purpose
of a STOP sign is to resolve issues of "right -of -way" at an
intersection. STOP signs should not be used for "speed
control ". Attached as Exhibit 3 is a hand -out summarizing the
proper uses for a STOP sign.
Good Traffic Engineering practices would restrict the
installation of STOP signs to those intersections where one of
the Caltrans' STOP Sign Warrants have been met (see Exhibit
4). Such "warrants" usually relate to high traffic volumes or
accident history. In such cases, when certain thresholds are
exceeded, a STOP sign is "warranted ".
It is the opinion of staff that a Stop Sign Warrant Study
prepared for the subject intersection would conclude that none
of the STOP Sign Warrants would be met at this intersection.
Consistent with prior discussions on these matter, staff does
not recommend the installation of "unwarranted" STOP signs.
RECOMMENDATION
It is the recommendation of the Transportation
Committee that the City Council adopt the subject
designating the intersection of E. Amherst Street and
Avenue a Three -Way Stop.
Attachments
Exhibit 1:
Exhibit 2:
Exhibit 3:
Exhibit 4:
Exhibit 5:
stop_amherst
Petition
Map of the Neighborhood
STOP Sign Handout
STOP Sign Warrants
Resolution
and Streets
Resolution
N. Columbia
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cSIGNeS
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 s -top signs is to arbdtrari(y fntrrupL through- traffic, either by 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
tnei dence_ 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. Forth
ese 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 - 00ation of indecision is created as to when -to. cr4s _as -a pedestrian or when to start as
a- motorist. Normal gaps in traffic through which crossings could be made safely no longer
exist_ Vin- Intersection which previously was not-busy nawloo.ks like a major intersection.
1 =t �eafty_isn't - it just looks like it-. It doesn't even fook -safer arid- 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
,flagrani violations. In such cases, the stop - sign can I create - a-false sense of security in a
;per7estri n
-a- d an attitude of contempt in a mot&in Tfi__ese -_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 vehicic: :,-riving at an intersection at the same time, the length of time
traffic must wait to enter, and the availability of safe crossing opportunities.
40;
29
000135
, -faffic Manual _ SIGNS
4-37
3 -1987
X2- -tg-i i 4-
POLICY
R1
Standard 30"
Stop Signs and Yield Signs
• Stop Signs
The STOP sign (R1) -shall be used where traffic
is required to stop except at signalized intersections.
The STOP sign shall be an octagon with white mes-
sage and border on a red background. The standard
size shall be 30 x 30 inches. Where greater emphasis
or visibility is required, a larger size is recommended.
On local streets and secondary roads with low ap-
proach speeds and low volume, a 24'x 24 inch size
may be used.
R1 -3
At a multiway stop intersection, a supplemental plate
(111 -3 or R1 -4) should be mounted just below each
Standard 12" x 6" STOP sign.
R1 -4 The numeral on the supplementary plate shall corres-
pond to the number of approach legs, or the legend
+ ALL -WAY (111-4) may be used. The plate shall have
Standard 18" x 6" white letters on a red background.
A red flashing beacon or beacons may be used in
conjunction with a STOP sign. See Section 9 -08
(Flashng Beacons).
Secondary messages shall not be used on STOP sign
faces.
• Warrants for STOP Signs
Because the STOP sign causes a substantial incon-
venience to motorists, it should be used only where
warranted. A STOP sign may be warranted at an inter-
section where one or more of the following con-
ditions exist:
1. On the less important road at its intersection with
a main road where application of the normal right
of way - ruleis unduly hazardous as evidenced by
accidents susceptible to correction by STOP
signs.
2. On a county road or city street at its intersection
with a state highway.
3. At the intersection of two main highways. The
highway traffic to be stopped depends on ap-
proach speeds, volumes, and turning movements.
4. On a street entering a legally established through
highway or street.
5. On a minor street where the safe approach speed
to the intersection is less than 10 miles per hour.
6. At an unsignalized intersection in a signal-
ized area.
7. At other intersections where a combination of high
speed, restricted view, and accident record indi-
cates a need for control by the STOP sign.
a' l : .
SIGNS
Traffic Manual
POLICY
A STOP sign is not a "cure-alls' and Is not a substitute
for other traffic control devices. Many times the need
for a STOP sign can be eliminated if the sight distance
_ is increased by removing the obstructions.
STOP signs shall not be erected at any entrance to an
intersection when such entrance is controlled by an
official traffic control signal, nor at any railroad grade
crossing which is controlled by automatic signals,
gates, or other train - actuated control devices except
as provided in CVC 21355, Stop Signs. The conflicting
commands of two types of control devices are con-
fusing. If traffic is required to stop when the operation
of the stop- and -go signals is not warranted, the signals
should be put on flashing operation with the red flashing
light facing the traffic that must stop.
Where two main highways intersect, the STOP sign or
signs should normally be posted on the minor street to
stop the lesser flow of traffic. Traffic engineering studies,
however, may justify a decision to install a STOP sign or
signs on the major street, as at a three -way intersection
where safety considerations may justify stopping the
greater flow of traffic to permit a left turning movement.
STOP signs should not be installed indiscriminately at
all unprotected railroad crossings. The allowance of
STOP signs at all such crossings would eventually breed
contempt for both law enforcement, and obedience to
the sign's command to stop. STOP signs may only be
used at selected rail/highway grade crossings after
their need has been determined by a traffic engineering
study. Such _study should consider approach speeds,
sight distance restrictions, volumes, accident records,
etc. This application of STOP signs should be an interim
use period during which plans for lights, gates or other
means of control are being prepared.
Portable or part-time STOP signs shall not be used except
for emergency purposes. Also, STOP signs should not be
used for speed control.
0 Muitiway STOP signs
The "Muitiway Stop" installation may be useful at some
locations. it should ordinarily be used only where
the volume of traffic on the intersecting roads is approx-
imately equal. A traffic control signal Is more satisfactory
for an intersection with a heavy volume of traffic.
{0013'7
i
'Traffic Manual SIGNS
4-39
3 -1987
POLICY
Any of the following conditions may warrant a multi.
way STOP sign installation:
I. Where traffic signals-are warranted and urgently
needed, the multiway stop may be an interim
measure that can be installed quickly to control
traffic while arrangements are being made for
the signal installations.
2. An accident problem, as indicated by five or more
reported accidents within a 12 month period of
a type susceptible to correction by a multiway
stop installation. Such accidents include right-
and left turn collisions as well as right -angle
collisions.
3. Minimum traffic volumes
(a) The total vehicular volume entering the inter-
section from all approaches must average at
least 500 vehicles per hour for any 8 hours of
an average day, and
(b) The combined vehicular and pedestrian
volume from the minor street or highway must
average at least 200 units per hour for the
same 8 hours, with an average delay to minor
street vehicular traffic of at least 30 seconds
per vehicle during the maximum hour, but
(c) When the 85- percentile approach speed of
the major street traffic exceeds 40 miles per
hour, the minimum vehicular volume warrant
is 70 percent of the above requirements.
000138
Exhibit 5
RESOLUTION NO. 2003-
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF MOORPARK, CALIFORNIA, DESIGNATING THE
INTERSECTION OF E. AMHERST STREET AND N.
COLUMBIA AVENUE TO BE A STOP INTERSECTION AND
DIRECTING THE PLACEMENT OF STOP SIGNS AT ALL
ENTRANCES THERETO
WHEREAS, Section 21354 of the California Vehicle Code (CVC)
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 analyzed the traffic data and
considered the information presented to and the recommendations of
the Transportation and Streets Committee, as well as information
provided to the City Council directly; and
WHEREAS, based on such analysis and consideration, the City
Council has determined that the installation of stop signs at the
intersection of E. Amherst Street and N. Columbia Avenue is
necessary and appropriate.
NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF MOORPARK DOES
HEREBY RESOLVE AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION 1. That the intersection of E. Amherst Street and N.
Columbia 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.
SECTION 2. That the City Manager is hereby directed to
provide for the installation and maintenance of appropriate signs
and markings to effectuate these requirements.
SECTION 3. 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 2003.
ATTEST:
Deborah S. Traffenstedt, City Clerk
Exhibit 'A': Diagram
Patrick Hunter, Mayor
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