Placentia City Council
AGENDA REPORT
TO: CITY COUNCIL
VIA: CITY ADMINISTRATOR
FROM: DEPUTY CITY ADMINISTRATOR / PUBLIC SERVICES AND INFRASTRUCTURE DATE: JULY 19, 2022
SUBJECT: CITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSION: SPEED HUMP INSTALLATION POLICY FISCAL
IMPACT: None
SUMMARY:
Traffic calming improvements were implemented on Hemingway and Cobb Avenues in 2021 to address neighborhood speeding concerns. On April 5, 2022, Staff presented to the City Council the results of the traffic calming improvements, including the before and after study that indicated non-physical traffic calming measures can be just as effective in reducing vehicle speeds on residential streets as speed humps. Hemingway and Cobb Avenues do not meet the minimum requirements for speed humps outlined in the city's existing speed hump installation policy.
At that meeting, the City Council directed staff to re-evaluate the data collected on Hemingway Avenue and return with additional analysis and recommendations for potential alternations to the existing speed hump policy. Pursuant to City Council direction, an inter -departmental team consisting of the City Attorney's office, Police, Fire, and Public Works departments conducted an in-depth review of speed hump policies, practices, and legal analysis. A presentation summarizing the additional analysis pertaining to the city's existing speed hump policy 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:
In response to public interest in addressing traffic and/or speeding concerns in residential neighborhoods, on July 20, 2021, the City Council approved a formal Speed Hump Installation Policy (Policy No. 623) that established the evaluation process and design criteria for the installation of speed humps on residential streets. Non-physical traffic calming improvements include, any traffic calming measures that does not require significant physical changes to the roadway such as edge and centerline striping and posted speed limit signs. In May/June 2021, non-physical traffic calming improvements were implemented on Hemingway and Cobb Avenues to address neighborhood speeding concerns as neither street qualifies for speed humps. Speed
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July 19, 2022
City Council Agenda
July 19, 2022
surveys on these two streets were completed six (6) months after implementing the traffic calming measures to gauge the effectiveness of the traffic calming improvements.
On April 5, 2022, Staff presented the traffic calming improvements that were installed with a detailed analysis of traffic conditions on Hemingway and Cobb Avenues. The data clearly shows the traffic calming improvements have been effective in reducing vehicle speeds on residential streets. At that meeting, the City Council directed Staff to return with additional analysis and recommendations for potential alterations to the speed hump policy. An inter -departmental team consisting of the City Attorney's office, Fire, Police, and Public Works departments analyzed the general public safety and potential legal liabilities associated with speed hump installations and modification of city's policy to make it easier to implement speed humps. After careful consideration of existing speed and collision data as well as speed hump policies adopted by the neighboring cities, modifications to the existing speed hump policy and measuring standards are not recommended.
A detailed presentation summarizing the additional analysis pertaining to the city's existing speed hump policy is attached to this agenda report.
Prepared by: Reviewed
V/ Kyra Tao
Transportation Manager
Reviewed
Damien R. Arrula
City Administrator
7-r
Luis Estevez
Deputy City Administrator
Attachment:
Presentation — Speed Hump Policy discussion