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Home My WebLink AboutAGENDA REPORT 1997 0820 CC REG ITEM 09LITEM . L . OF MOORPAR C AGENDA REPO City Coun '1 Meet�in IFORIV�I C = TY OF MOORPARKf C0' %2U g 7 TO: The Honorable City Council FROM: Kenneth Gilbert, Director of Public BY DATE: August 1, 1997 (Meeting of 8- 20 -97) SUBJECT: Discussion of Proposed Action to Restrict Truck Traffic on New Los Angeles Avenue and Los Angeles Avenue [State Route 118] to the Right Lane Only Since the completion of the Route 23 / Route 118 freeway connector project, the City of Moorpark has experienced a marked increase in truck traffic through the City. This increase in truck traffic combined with an overall increase in traffic volume has exacerbated traffic congestion problems on New Los Angeles Avenue and Los Angeles -- the only east -west corridor through the City. In order to address these truck - related traffic problems, staff submitted an Encroachment Permit Application to Caltrans which, if approved, would allow the City to place signs restricting truck traffic to the right lane only. The permit application included a draft resolution establishing those restrictions. It was the intent of staff to present that resolution to the City Council upon receipt of Caltrans approval of the Encroachment Permit. A copy of the permit application has been provided to the City Council under separate cover. DISCUSSION A. Authority The draft resolution included in the permit application cites the authority for the City to establish these traffic regulations. That authority is restated as follows: 1. Section 21655 of the California Vehicle Code (CVC) states that a local agency may determine, based on an Engineering and Traffic Investigation, that the designation of a specific lane for the travel of certain vehicles (as defined below) would facilitate the safe and orderly movement of traffic. trk_rit3 199 00029'7. Trucks: Right Lane Only August 20, 1997 Page 2 2. Those certain vehicles which may be restricted to a designated lane, are those vehicles subject to the provisions of CVC Sec. 22406. 3. The list of vehicles subject to the provisions of CVC Section 22406 are listed as follows: a) trucks having three or more axles; b) passenger vehicles drawing another vehicle (trailer); c) School Buses; d) farm labor vehicles transporting passengers; e) vehicles transporting explosives; and, f) a trailer bus; and, 4. "Trucks having three or more axles" is one of the categories cited in CVC Section 22406. A sign establishing traffic regulations applicable to "Trucks with three of more axles" would make effective traffic regulations established pursuant to CVC Sec. 21655, applicable to only "Trucks having three or more axles." 5. CVC Section 22348 (c) requires all [designated] vehicle subject to CVC 22406 [Trucks with three or more axles] to drive in the lane(s) designated pursuant to CVC Section 21655; or, if no lane is designated, in the right -hand lane. 6. CVC Section 22348 (c) also states certain exceptions to these restrictions. 7. The draft resolution attached to the permit application sets forth the above authority for the establishment of these traffic restrictions, as well as certain exceptions to facilitate passing, turning and other traffic movements deemed necessary to facilitate the safe and order movement of truck traffic through the City. B. Engineering Investigation An Engineering and Traffic Investigation was not performed prior to the submittal of the City's Permit Application. It was assumed that the traffic problems were readily apparent and that no further traffic investigation was needed to demonstrate that the problems existed. trk_rit3 to 000296 Trucks: Right Lane Only August 20, 1997 Page 3 C. Denial Caltrans has denied the City's Permit Application (see Exhibit 1). Caltrans has stated that a Traffic Study Report is need to demonstrate and justify the City's request. Caltrans has requested that the Traffic study Report include the following: 1. Justifications for the restrictions. 2. Safety and operational concerns related to the implementation of the restrictions [project impacts of implementation]. 3. City's discussion with trucking associations relating to this proposal and City's plan addressing the trucker' concerns. 4. Details on the make up of the long haul and local truck traffic flow during the monitoring period. D. Traffic Study The City Traffic Engineer has stated that the report requested by Caltrans could be prepared by his office. He estimates that the cost of the study would be approximately $4,800 ($1450 for sub - consultant costs for traffic counts, plus a fee of $3,350) and that it could be completed in about sixty (60) days. E. Options The options available to the City Council include the following: 1. Drop further efforts to establish the subject restrictions; 2. Direct the staff to proceed with the preparation of a Traffic Study Report to be prepared by the City Traffic Engineer, addressing the points raised in the rejection letter from Caltrans (Exhibit 1). 3. Appeal the denial of the City's request to the Director of Caltrans District 7. trk_rit3 000299 Trucks: Right Lane Only August 20, 1997 Page 4 CONCLUSIONS 1. Although it has been stated that truck traffic in the left lane is a violation of the Vehicle Code' without the posting of a sign, truck drivers do not seem to obey this regulation and traffic officers do not seem to be willing to issue citations for this infraction. 2. Caltrans is apparently aware of certain concerns raised by representatives of the trucking industry regarding the establishment of these RIGHT LANE ONLY restrictions. Caltrans has requested, therefore, that a report be prepared demonstrating that these restrictions are warranted, that they will be effective and that they will not adversely affect the ability of truck traffic to safely and effectively travel on this State Highway through the City of Moorpark. 3. It has been assumed that the restriction of truck traffic to the RIGHT LANE ONLY will have a positive effect upon traffic congestion and traffic safety through the City. This assumption has not yet been evaluated and supported by a Traffic Engineer. 4. It has been assumed that signs restricting truck traffic to the RIGHT LANE ONLY will be heeded by truck drivers and will not pose any significant hardship to them. There has been no in- depth discussion between the City and any representatives of the trucking industry regarding these proposed restrictions, to determine if these restriction will pose any significant hardship on them or will raise any safety issues. 5. It has been assumed that signs restricting truck traffic to the RIGHT LANE ONLY will be enforceable by City traffic officers. There has been no in -depth discussion with traffic officers to determine if traffic enforcement officers will be able to issue citations to any trucks which do not use the RIGHT LANE. 6. It is recommended, therefore, that the City Council direct the City Traffic Engineer to prepare a Traffic Study to investigate and evaluate the above mentioned concerns, as well as those cited in the letter of rejection from Caltrans (Exhibit 1). trk_rit3 ' CVC Section 21654 states that vehicles traveling at a speed lower than the normal speed of traffic must use the right lane, except when overtaking other traffic. 000300 Trucks: Right Lane Only August 20, 1997 Page 5 Staff recommends that the City Council direct staff to have a Traffic Study prepared evaluating the need, if any, for restricting truck traffic to the RIGHT LANE ONLY on that portion of Route 118 within the City and west of the freeway. trk_rit3 000301 STATE OF CALIFORNIA - BUSINESS TRANSPORTATION AND HOUSING AGENCY PETE WILSON Governor DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATIONx�� °_� CALTRANS DISTRICT 7 Ventura Satellite Office 950 County Square Dr., Suite 112 Ventura, CA 93003 -5442 July 10, 1997 CERTIFIED MAIL Mr. Kenneth C. Gilbert City of Moorpark 797 -NMC -1319 799 Moorpark Avenue, J U L 1 i 1997 Moorpark, CA 93021 7- VEN- 23 -R11.6 to VEN- 118 -15.50 Puu} - v or S Department FILE NO. 395 Dear Mr. Gilbert: Your application for an encroachment permit to enter within the State right of way on Route 23 and Route 118, in the city of Moorpark, for the purpose of installing "Trucks Use Right Lane Only" signs has been reviewed and is hereby denied. A Traffic Study Report is needed for the proposal. The study should include the following: 1. Justifications for the restriction. 2. Safety and operational concerns related to the implementation of the restriction. 3. City's discussion with trucking associations relating to this proposal and City's plan addressing the truckers' concerns. 4. Details on the make up of long haul and local truck traffic flow during the monitoring period. District and Headquarters approvals will be needed for the proposed project. Please be advised that if you do not respond to this letter by August 24, 1997, your application will be subject to cancellation without prejudice. If you have any questions regarding this matter, please feel free to contact Jim Renshaw at (805) 650 -7179. Sincerely, L ..;Renshaw sso$iate District Permit Engineer zy cc: Ron Higginbotham Tom Schriber District Office File Ven Sat File 000302