Mission Gorge/ Navajo Ethernet Communications Upgrades – Basis of Design City of Coronado
Caltrans Traffic Signal Operation Assessment Report
February 2024
Prepared for:
City of Coronado
Public Services and Engineering
1825 Strand Way
Coronado, CA 92118
Prepared by:
STC Traffic
5973 Avenida Encinas, Suite 218
Carlsbad, CA 92008
Attachment 7
City of Coronado
Caltrans Traffic Signal Operation Assessment Report i
Document Version
Version Date Status
1 08/16/2023 Draft Submittal 1
2 09/15/2023 Draft Submittal 2
3 02/27/2024 Final Submittal
Attachment 7
City of Coronado
Caltrans Traffic Signal Operation Assessment Report ii
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1 Introduction .......................................................................................................................................... 1
1.1 Study Locations ............................................................................................................................. 1
1.2 Corridor Description ...................................................................................................................... 1 2 Field Observations and Records Review ............................................................................................... 2
2.1 Observation Results ...................................................................................................................... 2 3 Traffic Operations Analysis ................................................................................................................... 5 4 Summary and Recommendations ......................................................................................................... 8 Attachment 7
City of Coronado
Caltrans Traffic Signal Operation Assessment Report iii
LIST OF FIGURES
Figure 1-1 Intersection Location Map ............................................................................................. 1 Figure 2-1 7th Street and Orange Avenue ....................................................................................... 3 Figure 3-1 AM Operational Deficiencies ......................................................................................... 6 Figure 3-2 Midday Operational Deficiencies .................................................................................. 7 Figure 3-3 PM Operational Deficiencies ......................................................................................... 8
LIST OF TABLES
Table 2-1 Traffic Signal Operation Observations ............................................................................ 3 Table 3-1 AM Analysis Results ........................................................................................................ 5 Table 3-2 AM 95th Percentile Lane Queues (ft) ............................................................................. 5 Table 3-3 Midday Analysis Results .................................................................................................. 6 Table 3-4 Midday 95th Percentile Lane Queues (ft) ....................................................................... 6 Table 3-5 PM Analysis Results......................................................................................................... 7 Table 3-6 PM 95th Percentile Lane Queues (ft) .............................................................................. 8 Table 4-1 Summary Recommendations .......................................................................................... 9
LIST OF ACRONYMS
ATC……………………………………………………………………………………………………Advanced Transportation Controller LOS………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….…………………Level of Service TMS……………………………………………………………………………………………..………………..Traffic Management System Y-Coord……………………………………………………………………………………………………………..Yellow-Yield Coordination Attachment 7
City of Coronado
Caltrans Traffic Signal Operation Assessment Report 1
1 Introduction
This technical report provides an assessment of traffic signal operation for six Caltrans traffic signals located on Orange Avenue. The assessment includes a summary of on-site observations, deficiencies discovered, and recommendations for improvements.
The report also includes the benefits and drawbacks of replacing Caltrans traffic signal controllers and software with the City’s traffic signal adaptive system.
1.1 Study Locations
Caltrans District 11 currently owns, maintains, and operates six intersections along the Orange Avenue corridor, which are depicted below in Figure 1-1.
1. Orange Avenue & 3rd Street
2. Orange Avenue & 4th Street
3. Orange Avenue & 6th Street
4. Orange Avenue & 8th Street
5. Orange Avenue & 10th Street
6. Orange Avenue & R.H. Dana/Adella
Figure 1-1 Intersection Location Map
1.2 Corridor Description
The Orange Avenue corridor is approximately one mile long and carries two lanes on the northbound and southbound sides of the roadway, and left turn pockets at signalized intersections. A 40’ wide median divides the roadway from 1st Street to Adella Avenue. The speed limit is 30 MPH. Both sides of the corridor are lined with shops, restaurants, and tourist attractions. Transit service is provided by MTS route 904 with 19 bus stops located on the east and west sides of the corridor (every block). Seven side street stopcontrolled intersections are located on the corridor and typically between the signalized intersections.
Attachment 7
City of Coronado
Caltrans Traffic Signal Operation Assessment Report 2
Pedestrian crossings across Orange Avenue are provided at all signalized and unsignalized intersections.
The corridor is not part of the City’s bicycle route network. On-street parallel two-hour metered parking is provided along both sides of the corridor and prohibited in the bus stop locations. 2 Field Observations and Records Review
Orange Avenue corridor and intersection traffic operation was observed over the course of 12 hours on a typical weekday (Wednesday June 7). Morning, midday, and evening peak periods were observed from 06:00 to 09:30, 11:00-13:30, and 14:30 to 18:00, respectively. Observations were made from the sidewalk and by floating car method by a traffic operation specialist who drove Orange Avenue multiple times in both the northbound and southbound directions. This provided the pedestrian and drivers perspective and firsthand experience with corridor traffic conditions.
Signal timing and intersection as-builts were provided by Caltrans District 11 on May 18. Orange Avenue from 6th Street to 10th St runs time base coordinated operation with a cycle length of 120 seconds between the hours of 08:30-20:00. The 3rd and 4th St intersections operate yellow yield coordination on a hardwire circuit.
2.1 Observation Results
In general, the Orange Avenue corridor and intersections experience heavy traffic shortly after the start of the morning peak, about 06:00, and traffic continues to be heavy until 18:00. During this timeframe it can take upward of 25 minutes to traverse the corridor in either direction.
When a bus arrives at a stop, vehicles are unable to pass in the number two lane, which causes backups to neighboring intersections. Parking along the corridor also causes frequent obstruction of the number two lane by delivery trucks (double parked), parking enforcement officers, vehicles waiting to enter parking spaces, and parking space exit maneuvers. The parking and bus maneuvers effectively reduce the roadway capacity to one lane in each direction for much of the day (approximately 10:00 to 18:00). A feasibility study for improvement alternative to remedy these issues is recommended.
The unsignalized intersections between the signalized intersections permit two-stage left turns across Orange Avenue by staging in the wide median with storage for approximately one to two vehicles. through Motorists often make aggressive moves to shoot a short gap in traffic on Orange Avenue to make a left turn. Pedestrians will also cross short gaps in traffic across Orange Avenue at the uncontrolled pedestrian crossings. An example of an unsignalized crossing at Orange Avenue and 7th Street is depicted below in Figure 2-1.
Attachment 7
City of Coronado
Caltrans Traffic Signal Operation Assessment Report 3
Figure 2-1 7th Street and Orange Avenue
A summary of location specific traffic signal intersection observations is contained in Table 2-1.
Table 2-1 Traffic Signal Operation Observations
ID LocaƟon DescripƟon
1 Orange Avenue
& 3rd Street
One of the two most traveled intersecƟons along the corridor. Primary artery for westbound-only traffic to the Naval Air StaƟon North Island from the Coronado Bridge, and access to Orange Avenue.
Vehicle and pedestrian volumes are high throughout the AM, Midday, and PM peaks, with traffic gradually increasing on the northbound and southbound approaches during the Midday peak.
From the Midday peak to the end of the PM peak the intersecƟon creates a significant boƩleneck for northbound and southbound movements due to yellow-yield coordinaƟon with Orange Avenue & 4th Street. North-south movements are restricted by the long cycles on 4th Street. Yellow-yield operaƟon is in effect between the hours of 14:00-18:00 and increases the cycle length to 200 seconds.
Between the hours of 04:00-08:00, an auxiliary yellow-output is sent to Orange Avenue & 4th Street causing it to hold southbound movements (Ø1 & 6) while 3rd Street’s Ø6 is acƟve. LeŌ turns are protected on all phases.
Three pedestrian movements allow for westbound, northbound, and southbound crossings. The westbound Ø6 pedestrian phase crosses into a 40- foot median with midblock pushbuƩons.
Attachment 7
City of Coronado
Caltrans Traffic Signal Operation Assessment Report 4
ID LocaƟon DescripƟon
2 Orange Avenue
& 4th Street
One of the two most traveled intersecƟons along the corridor. Services eastbound-only traffic from the Naval Air StaƟon North Island to the Coronado Bridge, and access to Orange Avenue.
Vehicle and pedestrian volumes are high throughout the AM, Midday, and PM peaks, with saturaƟon gradually increasing on the northbound and southbound approaches during the Midday peak.
Between the hours of 04:00-08:45, an auxiliary red-output holds southbound movements (Ø1 & 6) while Orange Avenue & 3rd Street’s Ø4 and Ø6 are acƟve.
Ø1 is a dual leŌ turn movement from Orange Avenue southbound, with a 50 second split. While this movement is acƟve, northbound traffic is stopped for the enƟre duraƟon. The leŌ turn pocket oŌen spills onto the mainline. LeŌ turns are protected on all phases.
Three pedestrian movements allow for eastbound, northbound, and southbound crossings. The westbound Ø6 pedestrian phase crosses into a 40- foot median with midblock pushbuƩons.
3 Orange Avenue
& 6th Street
Coordinated intersecƟon with a 120 second cycle. Six phase operaƟons with permissive movements on 6th Street (Ø4 & Ø 8). Long pedestrian movements introduce delay.
A nearby park on the southeast corner increases pedestrian demand.
A library on the southwest corner increases pedestrian demand.
Primary access point to Coronado High School and the Coronado Fire Department located on D Avenue, heavily increasing vehicle, pedestrian, and emergency vehicle volumes.
Ø4 & Ø8 pedestrian movements cross into the 40-foot median with midblock pushbuƩons.
Dedicated leŌ-hand turn pockets do not typically spill onto the main arterial. 4 Orange Avenue
& 8th Street
Coordinated intersecƟon with a 120 second cycle.
Five phase intersecƟon with a dedicated Ø4 for both east and westbound permissive vehicle and pedestrian phases, introduce delay due to heavy pedestrian volumes. The pedestrian movements also cross into the 40-foot median with midblock pushbuƩons.
Dedicated leŌ-hand turn pockets do not typically spill onto the main arterial. 5 Orange Avenue
& 10th Street
Unique five-legged intersecƟon that provides access to Isabella Avenue on the southbound approach.
Coordinated operaƟon with a 120 second cycle length.
Eight-phase protected with four pedestrian movements.
Pedestrian and vehicle volumes become significantly high at this intersecƟon due to proximity to Star Park/Star Park Circle off Isabella Avenue, which includes a 600-foot stretch of parking on each side of the three feet median.
Pedestrian movements cross into the 40-foot median with midblock pushbuƩons.
Dedicated leŌ-hand turn pockets do not typically spill onto the main arterial.
Attachment 7
City of Coronado
Caltrans Traffic Signal Operation Assessment Report 5
ID LocaƟon DescripƟon
6 Orange Avenue
& R.H.
Dana/Adella
Largest intersecƟon on Orange Avenue.
Operates in Free with an average cycle length of 167 seconds.
Primary access point to Coronado Beach, and Hotel Del Sol located on the southwest corner, vehicle and pedestrian movements are heavier than all other intersecƟons.
Significant vehicle delay is introduced by pedestrian intervals, driven primarily by the westbound pedestrian movement at 54 seconds long.
Uncoordinated and unassociated with SR-75 & Pomona Avenue causing vehicle delays and boƩlenecking.
Five phase intersecƟon with a dedicated permissive Ø4 eastbound-westbound vehicle and pedestrian phase. All other movements are protected.
The westbound pedestrian movement crosses into the end of the 40-foot median with mid-block pushbuƩons.
Dedicated leŌ-hand turns are given extra Ɵme for beach access. The leŌ-hand turn pockets do not typically spill onto the main arterial. 3 Traffic Operations Analysis
Synchro analysis models were created based on roadway and intersection geometrics, signal timing and phasing, and traffic demands. Count data collected on a typical weekday, Thursday July 20th, during the AM, Midday, and PM peak periods were coded into the model. HCM 6th Edition Reports were produced for Level of Service (LOS), delay, and 95th percentile queues, and are reported for AM, Midday, and PM peaks in Tables 3-1, 3-2, 3-3, 3-4, 3-5, and 3-6 for all intersections. High-level intersection deficiencies are depicted in figures 3-1, 3-2, and 3-3 for each peak period.
Table 3-1 AM Analysis Results
ID Location HCM 6th LOS HCM 6th Approach Delay (s/per Veh) 1 Orange Avenue & 3rd Street C 29.4
2 Orange Avenue & 4th Street B 17.9
3 Orange Avenue & 6th Street B 17.8
4 Orange Avenue & 8th Street C 21.6
5 Orange Avenue & 10th Street C 22.1
6 Orange Avenue & R.H Dana/Adella F 218.1
Table 3-2 AM 95th Percentile Lane Queues (ft)
ID Location WBL WBT WBR NBL NBT NBR EBL EBT EBR SBL SBT SBR 1 Orange Avenue & 3rd
Street
910 767 N/A 64 44 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A 105 N/A
2 Orange Avenue & 4th
Street
N/A N/A N/A N/A 54 26 N/A 91 7 136 242 N/A
3 Orange Avenue & 6th
Street
N/A 17 N/A 33 157 N/A N/A 47 N/A 33 279 N/A
Attachment 7
City of Coronado
Caltrans Traffic Signal Operation Assessment Report 6
ID Location WBL WBT WBR NBL NBT NBR EBL EBT EBR SBL SBT SBR 4 Orange Avenue & 8th
Street
N/A 24 N/A 44 23 N/A N/A 91 N/A 32 534 N/A
5 Orange Avenue &
10th Street
24 38 N/A 74 108 N/A 45 61 N/A 55 310 N/A
6 Orange Avenue &
R.H Dana/Adella
N/A 11 N/A 458 78 N/A N/A 32 11 18 174 N/A
Figure 3-1 AM Operational Deficiencies
Table 3-3 Midday Analysis Results
ID Location HCM 6th LOS HCM 6th Approach Delay (s/per Veh) 1 Orange Avenue & 3rd Street C 25.7
2 Orange Avenue & 4th Street E 77.3
3 Orange Avenue & 6th Street C 26.4
4 Orange Avenue & 8th Street C 31.1
5 Orange Avenue & 10th Street D 41.1
6 Orange Avenue & R.H Dana/Adella E 55.8
Table 3-4 Midday 95th Percentile Lane Queues (ft)
ID Location WBL WBT WBR NBL NBT NBR EBL EBT EBR SBL SBT SBR 1 Orange Avenue & 3rd
Street
533 362 N/A 180 89 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A 191 N/A
2 Orange Avenue & 4th
Street
N/A N/A N/A N/A 160 138 N/A 262 12 273 33 N/A
Attachment 7
City of Coronado
Caltrans Traffic Signal Operation Assessment Report 7
ID Location WBL WBT WBR NBL NBT NBR EBL EBT EBR SBL SBT SBR 3 Orange Avenue & 6th
Street
N/A 89 N/A 38 294 N/A N/A 131 N/A 71 293 N/A
4 Orange Avenue & 8th
Street
N/A 33 N/A 103 58 N/A N/A 175 N/A 65 366 N/A
5 Orange Avenue &
10th Street
49 96 N/A 104 195 N/A 99 142 N/A 64 110 N/A
6 Orange Avenue &
R.H Dana/Adella
N/A 65 N/A 259 103 N/A N/A 99 21 59 155 N/A
Figure 3-2 Midday Operational Deficiencies
Table 3-5 PM Analysis Results
ID Location HCM 6th LOS HCM 6th Approach Delay (s/per Veh) 1 Orange Avenue & 3rd Street B 19.1
2 Orange Avenue & 4th Street F 89.5
3 Orange Avenue & 6th Street C 30.2
4 Orange Avenue & 8th Street C 28.5
5 Orange Avenue & 10th Street D 42.0
6 Orange Avenue & R.H Dana/Adella C 27.7
Attachment 7
City of Coronado
Caltrans Traffic Signal Operation Assessment Report 8
Table 3-6 PM 95th Percentile Lane Queues (ft)
ID Location WBL WBT WBR NBL NBT NBR EBL EBT EBR SBL SBT SBR 1 Orange Avenue & 3rd
Street
350 331 N/A 85 74 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A 182 N/A
2 Orange Avenue & 4th
Street
N/A N/A N/A N/A 165 107 N/A 214 9 270 338 N/A
3 Orange Avenue & 6th
Street
N/A 56 N/A 56 262 N/A N/A 302 N/A 73 359 N/A
4 Orange Avenue & 8th
Street
N/A 56 N/A 85 186 N/A N/A 206 N/A 52 199 N/A
5 Orange Avenue &
10th Street
45 100 N/A 120 217 N/A 92 261 N/A 44 150 N/A
6 Orange Avenue &
R.H Dana/Adella
N/A 80 N/A 202 134 N/A N/A 128 103 58 243 N/A
Figure 3-3 PM Operational Deficiencies
4 Summary and Recommendations
Current signal operation and observation of traffic behavior displayed poor progression, queuing, and Level of Service. Heavy vehicle and pedestrian traffic with permissive operation increases the risk of vehicle and pedestrian collisions.
Coordination timing is outdated. Synchro HCM 6th Edition Reports for each intersection demonstrate mixed Level of Service, delay, and queuing along the corridor. Yellow yield/ y-coordination prioritize 3rd and 4th Street. Outdated timing sheets provided by Caltrans District 11 skew reporting results. Scheduling Attachment 7
City of Coronado
Caltrans Traffic Signal Operation Assessment Report 9
with Caltrans is in progress to perform on-site observation of controller operation with the cabinet during y-coordinated operation.
Replacing existing equipment with modernized 2070 ATC controllers and fiber communication infrastructure to interconnect the arterial with the City of Coronado’s would be beneficial. It is recommended for the City and Caltrans Traffic Management Systems (TMS) to be compatible and integrated for seamless operation across complete corridor and jurisdictional boundary. This is critical to reduce bottlenecks at 3rd Street, 4th Street, and Dana/Adella.
Implementation of coordinated signal timing along SR-75 and with the Caltrans controllers on Orange Avenue would address immediate operational deficiencies between the two corridors.
A summary table of recommendations for each Caltrans owned and maintained intersection is contained in Table 4-1.
Table 4-1 Summary Recommendations
ID LocaƟon RecommendaƟon
1 Orange Avenue &
3 rd Street
Yellow-yield operaƟon increasing the cycle length to 200 seconds is not necessary. Standard coordinaƟon Ɵming should be modeled and uƟlized. 2 Orange Avenue &
4 th Street
Yellow-yield operaƟon driven by 3rd Street in the AM is unnecessary for this approach as volumes are low heading eastbound.
Standard coordinaƟon Ɵming should be modeled and uƟlized. 3 Orange Avenue &
6 th Street
Coordinated signal Ɵming should be updated to reflect current volumes and traffic condiƟons. Current coordinaƟon Ɵming was generated 11 years ago in 2012 per Caltrans provided Ɵming sheets.
Protected or protected permissive side street operaƟon to minimize the possibility of pedestrian collisions.
4 Orange Avenue &
8 th Street
Coordinated signal Ɵming should be updated to reflect current volumes and traffic condiƟons. Current coordinaƟon Ɵming was generated 10 years ago in 2013 per Caltrans provided Ɵming sheets.
Ø4 be broken into a dual entry Ø4 & 8 permissive operaƟon, if not fully protected or protected permissive to minimize the possibility of pedestrian collisions.
5 Orange Avenue &
10th Street
Coordinated signal Ɵming should be updated to reflect current volumes and traffic condiƟons. Current coordinaƟon Ɵming was generated 8 years ago in 2015 per Caltrans provided Ɵming sheets.
6 Orange Avenue &
R.H. Dana/Adella
Operate coordinated operaƟon instead of Free. The current 167 second Free cycle has negaƟve impacts on Orange Avenue & 10th Street, and SR-75 & Pomona due to change in cycle length.
Ø4 be broken into a dual entry Ø4 & 8 permissive operaƟon, if not fully protected or protected permissive to minimize the possibility of pedestrian collisions.
Attachment 7