Placentia City Council
AGENDA REPORT
TO: CITY COUNCIL
VIA: CITY ADMINISTRATOR
FROM: DEPUTY CITY ADMINISTRATOR / PUBLIC SERVICES AND INFRASTRUCTURE DATE: APRIL 5, 2022
SUBJECT: PRESENTATION OF TRAFFIC CALMING IMPROVEMENTS ON HEMINGWAY
AVENUE AND COBB AVENUE
FISCAL
IMPACT: None
SUMMARY:
Staff received neighborhood speeding complaints from residents on Hemingway and Cobb Avenues in 2020. In response to public interest in addressing traffic and/or speeding concerns in residential neighborhoods, on July 20, 2021, the City Council adopted a formal Speed Hump Installation Policy (Policy). The adopted Policy standardizes the specific data criteria and standards used to evaluate whether or not the installation of speed humps on a given street is warranted and outlines the review and approval process. The City utilizes an incremental approach toward addressing traffic calming which favors the use non-physical (Phase I) traffic calming measures as the first step of traffic calming evaluation process, and prior to considering speed humps.
In May/June 2021, traffic calming improvements were implemented on Hemingway and Cobb Avenues to address neighborhood speeding concerns. Speed surveys on these two streets were completed six (6) months after implementing the traffic calming measures and as the data indicates, the traffic calming measures worked in reducing neighborhood traffic speeds without the need of installing speed humps and new stop signs. A presentation summarizing the traffic conditions before and after the Phase I traffic calming improvements is attached to this agenda report.
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the City Council take the following action:
Receive and file this report and presentation.
DISCUSSION:
Several residents on Hemingway Avenue approached Staff in 2020 regarding concerns of vehicles speeding and cutting the corner at the T -intersection between Hemingway Avenue and
3. a.
Apr. 5, 2022
City Council Agenda
April 5, 2022
Faulkner Drive. Neighborhood residents requested the City install a series of speed humps and stop signs to control vehicle speeds. Staff conducted a 24-hour speed survey in August 2020 and the data indicated at that time that vehicle speeds were normal. However, the City did install edge/centerline striping around the T -intersection to encourage motorists not to cut the corner and risk a collision with an approaching vehicle at that intersection.
Hemingway Avenue did not qualify for speed humps based upon the existing speed hump guidelines at that time and neighborhood residents remained in communication with Staff and City Council members, both of which met residents onsite to discuss their concerns. In May 2021, pursuant to another request from neighborhood residents, the City conducted a seven-day speed survey which is six (6) days more than the typical standard speed survey. The results of the seven- day survey were consistent with the previous one -day speed survey data and did not indicate any speeding issues are present in the neighborhood. Regardless, the City installed a series of traffic calming measures in the form of new edge striping, centerline striping, and new speed limit signs and legends designed to constrict travel lanes to encourage motorist to slow down as an incremental approach to addressing neighborhood concerns. Once the traffic calming improvements were installed, Staff advised residents that the City would conduct a new speed survey six (6) months later to gauge the effectiveness of the traffic calming measures.
The residents on Cobb Avenue first approached Staff in fall 2020 expressing the concerns of vehicles speeding on their street and requested the City to install a number of speed humps on Cobb Avenue between McCormack Lane and Spahn Lane. These residents also submitted a signed petition from the neighborhood requesting the humps. Staff conducted a 24-hour speed survey in September 2020 and the data indicated the street did indeed have a legitimate speeding concern, however the street does not meet the remaining minimum requirements for speed hump consideration either under the previous guidelines or the updated policy. However, again utilizing an incremental approach to addressing speeding concerns, the City implemented a series of traffic calming improvements by installing edge/centerline striping along with new speed limit signs and speed legends on Cobb Avenue.
In December 2021, two-day speed counts were collected on Cobb Avenue and seven-day speed counts were collected on Hemingway Avenue. The speed data in the tables below show that the incremental approach to managing neighborhood speeding concerns have been effective in reducing the vehicle speeds, particularly on Cobb Avenue.
Cobb Avenue
85th percentile speed
Average speed
Average Daily Traffic
September - 2020
(Pre -Improvement)
36 mph
23 mph
240 vehicles per day
December - 2021
(Post Improvement)
26 mph
20 mph
135 vehicles per day
City Council Agenda
April 5, 2022
Hemingway Avenue
85th percentile speed
Average speed
Average Daily Traffic
August - 2020
(Pre -Improvement)
32 mph
25 mph
294 vehicles per day
May - 2021
(Pre -Improvement)
32 mph
25 mph
250 vehicles per day
December - 2021
(Post Improvement)
31 mph
24 mph
290 vehicles per day
In addition to the physical traffic calming improvements the Police Department also deployed motor units as part of a speed enforcement detail but did not issue any citations.
On July 20, 2021, the City Council approved a formal Speed Hump Installation Policy that updated the evaluation process and design criteria for the installation of speed humps as well as adopting an incremental approach toward implementing traffic speed mitigation measures to address residential traffic and/or speeding concerns. Speed humps have been used as a traffic calming device in various locations around the City to help reduce neighborhood vehicle speeds and cut - through traffic. They provide a vertical change in the roadway intended to reduce the speed of vehicles traveling along that road. Because physical alteration to the roadway pavement is required for installing speed humps, there are some disadvantages associated with speed humps.
As a result, some jurisdictions have adopted a phased approach to neighborhood traffic management i that includes non-physical roadway improvements such as those installed on Cobb and Hemingway Avenues as incremental improvements to reduce vehicle speeds and improve safety. These kinds of improvements include any traffic calming measure that does not require significant physical changes to the roadway. Non-physical traffic calming improvements such as edge and centerline striping and posted speed limit signs are intended to increase drivers' awareness of surroundings and influence driver behavior and are designed and implemented as incremental solutions before considering physical changes to the roadway.
A detailed presentation summarizing the traffic conditions before and after the improvements on Hemingway and Cobb Avenues were completed is attached to this agenda report. Staff presented this before and after study to the Streetscape and Transportation Advisory Commission ("STAC") on January 24, 2022. In addition to the adopted Speed Hump Policy, the development of an in- depth Neighborhood Traffic Management Toolkit ("NTMT") is underway. Staff shared a working outline of a proposed NTMT with the STAC for their input on January 24, 2022. With the Commission's input a draft of the proposed NTMT will be presented to the City Council for its consideration and formal adoption at a future date. The recently adopted Speed Hump Policy will be included in the final draft of the NTMT.
Prepared by: Reviewed an
Kyra Tki-004.
ao
Transportation Manager
Luis Estevez
Deputy City Administrator
City Council Agenda
April 5, 2022
Reviewed
a s. roved:
Damien R. Arrula
City Administrator
Attachment:
Presentation — Hemingway and Cobb Avenue Traffic Calming Improvements