City Council
Carmen Montano, Mayor
Evelyn Chua, Vice Mayor
Anthony Phan, Councilmember
Hon Lien, Councilmember
Garry Barbadillo, Councilmember
1. Call to Order /Roll Call / Pledge of Allegiance
2. Approval of Agenda: October 25, 2023
Approved by Mayor and Vice Mayor
3. Approval of Minutes: August 23, 2023
Approved by Mayor and Vice Mayor
4. Public Forum
Members of the audience are invited to address the Subcommittee on any subject not on the agenda. Speakers must state their name and address for the record, and limit their remarks to under three minutes. As an unagendized item, no response is required of City staff or the Subcommittee; however, the Subcommittee may agendize the item for a future meeting.
None
5. Business Items (Review and Discuss Transportation Related Topics) a. Citywide Traffic Safety Assessment (Project No. 4293) Update and Citywide Travel Safety Plan Presentation
Kimley Horn staff present were Robert Paderna, Zachery Ramalingam, Isabella Li, Ben Huie.
Kimley Horn provided an update on the Citywide Travel Safety Plan with a focus on four areas: 1) project background, 2) project timeline, 3) crash data analysis results and public engagement summary and 4) safety improvements. Kimley Horn noted that the proposed safety solutions would be provided in the form of a Countermeasure Toolbox and site-specific safety improvements intended to reduce the number and severity of crashes.
Kimley Horn noted that the analysis included both hard data as well as input from the stakeholders and the community as a more holistic approach in developing recommendations for safety improvement. Mayor Montano asked how far back (the data reached) and which departments were conferred with such as police and fire. Kimley Horn and Deputy City Manager responded.
Kimley Horn summarized that the Citywide Travel Safety Plan would serve as a Members of Subcommittee
Carmen Montano, Member
Evelyn Chua, Member
City Council Transportation Subcommittee
Committee Conference Room
455 East Calaveras Blvd.
Milpitas, CA 95035
Wednesday, October 25th, 2023
4:00 PM
roadmap to how the City can improve safety on City roadways using a multi- faceted approach considering Engineering as well as Enforcement, Education, and Emergency services.
Kimley Horn reviewed the project timeline which began in February 2023 through December 2023/January 2024 when the final Citywide Travel Safety Plan is presented to Council.
Kimley Horn provided an overview of Citywide crashes between 2017-2021.
Crashes are generally concentrated along major commute corridors and major intersections which are primary commute routes in the City. Primary Collision Factors for crashes and types of crashes were identified. Mayor Montano asked about texting as a contributing factor.
Kimley Horn noted that there were two main rounds of community engagement.
The first was an online public meeting on March 15, 2023 and focused on identifying corridor and intersection safety needs. Comments included concerns related to traffic signal challenges with crossing intersections as pedestrian and/or bicyclists, bicycle facilities, bicycle safety throughout the city, and aggressive driving behavior. The anecdotal feedback along with the data analysis was used in developing the recommended safety treatments proposed in the plan. The second engagement was an in-person meeting at the Milpitas library on May 17, 2023 which was intended to present the safety countermeasures that were being considered to help alleviate the concerns regarding intersections and roadways that was shared at the first meeting.
Kimley Horn explained the draft Countermeasure Toolbox, and noted the City is already using some countermeasures. A few examples of non-signalized intersection countermeasures include 1) install/upgrade signage with retroreflective strips, 2) rectangular rapid flashing beacon (RRFB), and 3) advanced stop bar.
Mayor Montano noted that the previous RRFB in front of City Hall seemed to be more noticeable than its current, smaller replacement.
There are also roadway segment countermeasures such as 1) rumble strips, 2) separated bike lanes and 3) high friction surface treatments. Rumble strips provide tactile and auditory rumbles to warn drivers who are drifting from their dedicated lanes. Mayor Montano asked how the treatments were installed. Staff provided a brief explanation.
Based upon the safety analysis and data driven process, Kimley Horn identified twenty-five case study locations that experienced high frequency or high severity of crash types. There was overlap between the priority locations selected based on the crash data and public concerns. Mayor Montano asked for clarification regarding stop signs (or non-signalized stops) identified on the map. Kimley Horn responded. Mayor also asked if school locations were factored in which was subsequently confirmed.
Kimley Horn reviewed case study locations which summarized the fifteen signalized intersections. Mayor Montano noted that the area around Great Mall Pkwy. and Montague Expy., specifically McCandless Dr., experiences a lot of car crashes. She wondered if the signal timing is a contributing factor. Discussion about extending an elongated red light time as an extra buffer which Milpitas has used previously. Staff to review. Mayor Montano inquired about a separate light just for turning similar to those used in San Jose. Staff to look into this further.
Mayor Montano inquired about a flashing red beacon at Washington Dr. and Arizona Ave, similar to what was installed at Kennedy Dr. & S. Park Victoria Dr.
Kimley Horn reviewed next steps in the project.
Vice Mayor Chua asked about the average number of crashes each year over the five-year data period. Staff responded. She also asked about the estimated cost for the improvements. Kimley Horn provided a relative cost only. Vice Mayor Chua was interested in determining how to prioritize areas based upon cost and number of accidents. She would like to hear recommendations based upon costs and funding sources. Lastly, she is interested in hearing the crash reduction factor once safety countermeasures are in place. Kimley Horn responded.
6. Other Topics
None
7. Next Proposed Meeting Date: Wednesday, December 13, 2023
8. Adjournment
KNOW YOUR RIGHTS UNDER THE OPEN GOVERNMENT ORDINANCE
Government’s duty is to serve the public, reaching its decisions in full view of the public. Commissions and City agencies exist to conduct the people’s business. This ordinance assures that deliberations are conducted before the people and the City operations are open to the people’s review.
Materials related to an item on this agenda submitted to the subcommittee after initial distribution of the agenda packet are available for public inspection on the City website. The subcommittee agendas and related materials can be viewed online at: http://www.milpitas.gov/our-government/committees-and-others/city-council- transportation-subcommittee/ (select meeting date).
For more information on your rights under the Open Government Ordinance or to report a violation of the ordinance, contact the City Attorney’s office at Milpitas City Hall, 455 E. Calaveras Blvd., Milpitas, CA 95035 e-mail: [email protected] / Phone: 408-586-3041 The Open Government Ordinance is codified in the Milpitas Municipal Code as Title I Chapter 310 and is available online at the City’s website www.milpitas.gov by selecting from Online Services the link to Milpitas Municipal Code link.