HomeMy WebLinkAboutAGENDA REPORT 1999 0421 CC REG ITEM 11MrrEM- 11-Mo_
CITY OF MOORPARK, CALIFORNIA
City Council Meeting
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ACTION: L4tA t0
AGENDA REPORT'
CITY OF MOORPARK
TO: The Honorable City Council
FROM: Ken Gilbert, Director of Public Works
BY:
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DATE: March 22, 1999 (Council Meeting 4- 21 -99)
SUBJECT: Request for the Construction of a Traffic Signal at the
Intersection of Los Angeles Avenue (State Route 118) and
Montair Drive [American Products, Inc.]
BACKGROUND
Staff has received a request from American Products for
assistance from the City in constructing and /or facilitating the
construction of traffic circulation improvements at the entrance
to their facility. That entrance is a City street, named Montair
Drive, which intersects with Highway 118 at the west end of the
City (see map attached as Exhibit 1).
DISCUSSION
A. Left -Turn Lane
A number of months ago, at the request of the American
Products, City staff looked into the feasibility of a project
to lengthen the eastbound left -turn lane at the subject
entrance. Apparently, during peak traffic hours it is difficult
for eastbound traffic to enter the facility and the number of
vehicles staged in the left -turn lane meet
capacity of that turn lane. Subsequent to
staff, it was determined that such a project w
and rather expensive to implement. This is p
conflict between the desired improvements an
trees on the south side of the highway, j
entrance. American Products was advised of t h
was advised that the City would not be
investigation or development of this concept.
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American Products Traffic Signal
March 22, 1999
Page 2
B. Traffic Signal
American Products has also asked that the City construct and /or
facilitate the construction of a traffic signal at the subject
intersection. The City Council is advised that Caltrans will
not allow the construction of a traffic signal on a State
Highway which does meet one of the prerequisites, or warrants,
for a traffic signal. A copy of the Caltrans Traffic Signal
Warrants is attached as Exhibit 2.
In the view of staff the traffic operations at the subject
intersection do not meet any of the Caltrans Traffic Signal
Warrants. Staff believes that a Traffic Signal Warrant Study
would not find that any of the Warrants can be met. The cost of
performing and preparing such a study would be $1,000.
C. City vs. Private Sponsorship
It is recommended below that the City take no action to pursue
the investigation and /or development of the traffic circulation
improvements which have been requested by American Products.
However, if that action is approved, it would still be possible
for American Products to undertake these investigations on
their own, or fund City costs for such efforts. Also, presuming
Caltrans would approve the installation of a traffic signal,
the cost of the design and construction of that facility could
be funded by American Products. It should be noted that the
requested improvements would provide no general benefit to the
public, but would solely benefit American Products.
D. Street Vacation
It should also be mentioned that Montair Drive currently serves
no properties other than American Products. This street extends
from Route 118 to the northerly property line of the American
Products facility. When and if the property tot he west
(currently outside the City Limit) develops, additional right -
of -way would be granted to provide full -width right -of -way.
Montair Drive then extends easterly along the north line of the
American products facility to provide street access for the
vacant property immediately east of the American Products
facility.
In the future, the City Council may wish to consider vacating
this street if properties to the east have access to the
proposed Bypass connector planned to be constructed northerly
form Los Angeles Avenue in this vicinity. Any such vacation
could include reservation of an access easement conveyed to the
adjacent properties.
am _prod_sig
American Products Traffic Signal
March 22, 1999
Page 3
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that the City Council take no action on the
subject request.
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CITY Off" AIVORPARK
Traffic Manual TRAFFIC SIGNALS AND LIGHTING
CHAPTER 9
TRAFFIC SIGNALS AND LIGHTING
Traffic Signals, Basic Information and Warrants 9-01
9 -01.1 Introduction
A traffic signal is an electrically powered
traffic control device, other than a barricade
warning light or steady burning electric lamp, by
which traffic is warned or directed to take some
specific action.
The following types and uses of traffic signals
are discussed in this chapter: Traffic Control
Signals, Pedestrian Crossing Signals, Ramp
Metering Signals, Flashing Beacons, Lane -use
Control Signals, Traffic Control at Movable
Bridges, Priority Control of Traffic Signals,
Traffic Signals for One -lane, Two -way Facilities
and Traffic Signals for Construction Zones.
Traffic control signals are valuable devices for
the control of vehicle and pedestrian traffic.
However, because they assign the right of way to
the various traffic movements, traffic control
signals exert a significant influence on traffic
flow.
Traffic control signals, properly located and
operated, should have one or more of the
following advantages:
1. They provide for the orderly movement of
traffic.
2. Where proper physical layouts and control
measures are used, they increase the traffic
handling capacity of the intersection.
3. They reduce the frequency of certain types
of accidents, especially the right angle
type.
4. Under favorable conditions, they can be
coordinated to provide for continuous or
nearly continuous movement of traffic at a
definite speed along a given route.
5. They permit minor street traffic, vehicular
or pedestrian, to enter or cross continuous
traffic on the major street.
9 -1
4 -1992
Improper or unwarranted signal installations
may cause:
1. Excessive delay.
2. Disobedience of the signal indications.
3. Circuitous travel of alternate routes.
4. Increased accident frequency.
Experience shows that the number of
right -angle collisions may decrease after the
installation of signals, but the number of rear -end
collisions may increase. The installation of
signals may increase overall delay and reduce
intersection capacity. Consequently, it is of the
utmost importance that the consideration of a
signal installation and the selection of equipment
be preceded by a thorough study of traffic and
roadway conditions made by an engineer
experienced and trained in this field. Equally
important is the need for checking the efficiency
of a traffic signal in operation. This determines
the degree to which the type of installation and
the timing program meet the requirements of
traffic.
9 -01.2 Traffic Signal Warrants
The justification for the installation of a traffic
signal at an intersection is based on the warrants
stated in this Manual and in the Manual On
Uniform Traffic Control Devices. The decision
to install a signal should not be based solely
upon the warrants, since the installation of traffic
signals may increase certain types of collisions.
Delay, congestion, approach conditions, driver
confusion, future land use or other evidence of
the need for right of way assignment beyond that
which could be provided by stop signs must be
demonstrated. See Section 4 -03 of this Manual
for stop sign warrants.
9-2 TRAFFIC SIGNALS AND LIGHTING
Traff' M
4 -1992 IC anual
When the 85th percentile speed of traffic on
the major street exceeds 40 miles per hour in
either an urban or rural area, or when the
intersection lies within the built -up area of an
isolated community having a population of less
than 10,000, the location is considered rural. All
other areas are considered urban.
Figures 9 -1, 9 -2, 9 -3 and 9 -4 are examples of
warrant sheets. Warrant Sheet 9 -4 should be
used only for new intersections or other locations
where actual traffic volumes cannot be counted.
The installation of a traffic signal should be
considered if one or more of the warrants listed
below are met:
A. Warrant I - Minimum Vehicle Volume.
The Minimum Vehicular Volume warrant is
intended for application where the volume of
intersecting traffic is the principal reason for
consideration of a signal installation. The
warrant is satisfied when for each of any 8 hours
of an average day the traffic volumes given in the
table below exist on the major street and on the
higher - volume minor street approach to the
intersection.
Number of
Vehicles per
Vehicles per
lanes for
hour on
hour on
moving
major street
higher - volume
traffic on
(total of both
minor -street
each approach
approaches)
approach (one
direction only)
Major St. Minor St.
Urban Rural
Urban Rural
1 1
500 350
150 105
2 or more 1
600 420
150 105
2 or more 2 or more
600 420
200 140
1 2 or more
500 350
200 140
The major street and the minor street volumes
are for the same 8 hours. During those 8 hours
the direction of higher volume on the minor
street may be on one approach during some hours
and on the opposite approach during other hours.
B. Warrant 2 - Interruption of Continuous
Traffic.
The Interruption of Continuous Traffic
warrant applies to operating conditions where the
traffic volume on a major street is so heavy that
traffic on a minor intersecting street suffers
excessive delay or hazard in entering or crossing
the major street. The warrant is satisfied when,
for each of any 8 hours of an average day, the
traffic volumes given in the table below exist on
the major street and on the higher - volume minor
street approach to the intersection, and the signal
installation will not seriously disrupt progressive
traffic flow.
Number of
Vehicles per.
Vehicles per
lanes for
hour on
hour on
moving
major street
higher- volume
traffic on
(total of both
minor -street
each approach
approaches)
approach (one
direction only)
Major St. Minor St.
Urban Rural
Urban Rural
1 1
750 525
75 53
2 or more 1
900 630
75 53
2 or more 2 or more
900 630
100 70
1 2 or more
750 525
100 70
The major street and the minor street volumes
are for the same 8 hours. During those 8 hours
the direction of higher volume on the minor
street may be on one approach during some
hours and on the opposite approach during other
hours.
C. Warrant 3 - Minimum Pedestrian
Volume.
A traffic signal may be warranted where the
pedestrian volume crossing the major street at an
intersection or mid -block location during an
average day is:
100 or more for each of any four hours; or
190 or more during any one hour.
00 ;'Ll5�)
Traffic Manual TRAFFIC SIGNALS AND LIGHTING
The pedestrian volume crossing the major
street may be reduced as much as 50% of the
values given above when the predominant pedes-
trian crossing speed is below 3.5 feet per second.
In addition to a minimum pedestrian volume of
that stated above, there shall be less than 60 gaps
per hour in the traffic stream of adequate length
for pedestrians to cross during the same period
when the pedestrian volume criterion is. satisfied.
Where there is a divided street having a median
of sufficient width for the pedestrian(s) to wait,
the requirement applies separately to each
direction of vehicular traffic.
Where coordinated traffic signals on each side
of the study location provide for platooned traffic
which result in fewer than 60 gaps per hour of
adequate length for the pedestrians to cross the
street, a traffic signal may not be warranted.
This warrant applies only to those locations
where the nearest traffic signal along the major
street is greater than 300 feet and where a new
traffic signal at the study location would not
unduly restrict platooned flow of traffic.
Curbside parking at non - intersection locations
should be prohibited for 100 feet in advance of
and 20 feet beyond the crosswalk.
A signal installed under this warrant should be
of the traffic- actuated type with push buttons for
pedestrians crossing the main street. If such a
signal is installed within a signal system, it shall
be coordinated if the signal system is
coordinated.
Signals installed according to this warrant
shall be equipped with pedestrian indications
conforming to requirements set forth in other
sections of this Manual.
D. Warrant 4 -School Areas.
See Chapter 10 of this Manual.
E. Warrant 5 -Progressive Movement.
The Progressive Movement warrant is satisfied
when:
1. On a one -way street or on a street which
has predominantly unidirectional traffic,
adjacent signals are so far apart that the
necessary degree of platooning and speed
9 -3
4 -1992
control of vehicles would otherwise be
lost; or
2. On a two -way street, where adjacent sig-
nals do not provide the necessary degree
of platooning and speed control and the
proposed and adjacent signals could con-
stitute a progressive signal system.
The installation of a signal according to this
warrant should be based on the 85th percentile
speed unless an engineering study indicates that
another speed is more desirable.
The installation of a signal according to this
warrant should not be considered where the
resultant signal spacing would be less than 1,000
feet.
F. Warrant 6 - Accident Experience.
The Accident Experience warrant is satisfied
when:
1. Five or more reported accidents of types
susceptible to correction by traffic signal
control have occurred within a 12 -month
period, each accident involving personal
injury or property damage to an apparent
extent of $500 or more; AND
2. Adequate trial of less restrictive remedies
with satisfactory observance and
enforcement has failed to reduce the
accident frequency; AND
3. There exists a volume of vehicular traffic
not less than 80% of the requirements
specified in the Minimum Vehicular
Volume Warrant or the Interruption of
Continuous Traffic Warrant; AND
4. The signal installation will not seriously
disrupt progressive traffic flow.
G. Warrant 7 - Systems Warrant.
A traffic signal installation at some
intersections may be warranted to encourage
concentration and organization of traffic flow
networks. The systems warrant is applicable
ltU (.�()
9-4 TRAFFIC SIGNALS AND LIGHTING
41992
when the common intersection of two or more
major routes has a total existing, or immediately
projected, entering volume of at least 1,000
vehicles during the peak hour of a typical
weekday, or each of any five hours of a Saturday
and/or Sunday.
A major route as used in the above warrant has
one or more of the following characteristics:
1. It is part of the street or highway system
that serves as the principal network for
through traffic flow;
2. It includes rural or suburban highways
outside of, entering or traversing a city; or
3. It appears as a major route on an official
plan such as a major street plan in an
urban area traffic and transportation study.
H. Warrant 8 - Combination of Warrants.
In exceptional cases, a signal may be justified
where no single warrant is satisfied but where
Warrants 1 and 2 are satisfied to the extent of 80
percent or more of the stated numerical values.
L Warrant 9 - Four Hour Volume Warrant.
The Four Hour Volume Warrant is satisfied,
when for each of any four hours of an average
day, the plotted points representing the vehicles
per hour on the major street (total of both
approaches) and the corresponding vehicles per
hour on the higher volume minor street approach
(one direction only) all fall above the curve in
Figure 9 -6 for the existing combination of
approach lanes.
When the 85th percentile speed of the major
street traffic exceeds 40 miles per hour, or when
the intersection lies within a built -up area of an
isolated community having a population of less
than 10,000, the four hour volume requirement is
satisfied when the plotted points referred to fall
above the curve in Figure 9 -7 for the existing
combination of approach lanes.
Traffic Manual
J. Warrant ,10 - Peak Hour Delay Warrant.
The Peak Hour Delay Warrant is intended for
application where traffic conditions are such that
for one hour of the day, minor street traffic
suffers undue delay in entering or crossing the
major street. The peak hour delay warrant is
satisfied when the conditions given below exist
for one hour (any four consecutive 15- minute
periods) of an average weekday. The peak hour
delay warrant is met when:
1. The total delay experienced by traffic, on
one minor street approach controlled by a
STOP sign, equals or exceeds four
vehicle -hours for a one -lane approach and
five vehicle -hours for a two -lane
approach; AND
2. The volume on the same minor street
approach equals or exceeds 100 vph for
one moving lane of traffic or 150 vph for
two moving lanes; AND
3. The total entering volume serviced during
the hour equals or exceeds 800 vph for
intersections with four or more approaches
or 650 vph for intersections with three
approaches.
K. Warrant 11 - Peak Hour Volume
Warrant.
The Peak Hour Volume Warrant is intended
for application where traffic conditions are such
that for one hour of the day minor street traffic
suffers undue delay in entering or crossing the
major street.
The peak hour volume warrant is satisfied
when the plotted point, representing the vehicles
per hour on the major street (total of both
approaches) and the corresponding vehicles per
hour on the higher volume minor street approach
(one direction only) for one hour (any four
consecutive 15- minute periods) of an average
day, falls above the curve in Figure 9 -8 for the
existing combination of approach lanes.
'iJ )U�:. 6J.
Traffic Manual TRAFFIC SIGNALS AND LIGHTING 9 -5
4 -1992
When the 85th percentile speed of major street
traffic exceeds 40 miles per hour, or when the
intersection lies within a built -up area of an
isolated community having a population of less
than 10,000, the peak hour volume warrant is
satisfied when the plotted point, referred to
above, falls above the curve in Figure 9 -9 for the
existing combination of approach lanes.
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