CITY OF POMONA
COUNCIL REPORT
September 16, 2024
To: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
From: Anita D. Gutierrez, City Manager
Submitted By: Rene Guerrero, Public Works Director
SUBJECT: DISCUSSION OF PEDESTRIAN AND VEHICLE SAFETY ALONG TOWNE AVENUE RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the City Council discuss safety for vehicles, pedestrians, and cyclists along Towne Avenue.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
In a continued effort to enhance safety for vehicles, pedestrians, and bicyclists along Towne Avenue, the City Council is encouraged to discuss and address an increase of vehicle-to-vehicle and vehicle-to-pedestrian accidents that have occurred in the last 2.5 years. Over the years, the City of Pomona (City) has implemented improvements to the infrastructure to enhance safety along the corridor. Much of these safety improvements include median islands, speed radar signage, high-visibility crosswalks, speed limit reductions, curb extensions, median street trees, and the installation of protected left-turn signals.
SB1439/GOVERNMENT CODE §84308 APPLICABILITY:
☐ When this box is checked, it indicates the agenda item is subject to the Levine Act SB1439 requirements. Councilmembers are reminded to check their campaign contributions and determine whether they have received a campaign contribution of $250 or more that would require disclosure and/or recusal from discussing or acting on this agenda item. Campaign contributions of $250 or more made 1) by any person or entity who is identified in the agenda report as the applicant or proposer or 2) on behalf of the applicant or participant, including a parent, subsidiary or otherwise related business entity, or 3) by any person who has a financial interest in the agenda item requires a councilmember to comply with SB1439.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no fiscal impact at this time. However, for discussion purposes, over the last five to six years the City has installed the following traffic calming and safety improvement devices at various locations along Towne Avenue, totaling approximately $1,804,090:
2 Speed Feedback Radar Signs (at Alvarado St.) - $8,820 ea. = $17,640 19 Speed Limit Signs (35 MPH) - $150 ea. = $2,850
4 High Visibility Crosswalks (at Mission Blvd.) - $3,800 ea. = $15,200 4 Curb Extensions / Bulb outs (at Holt Ave.) - $8,000 ea. = $32,000 100-foot long Median (at McKinley St.) - $2,000/ft. = $20,000 82 Median Island Trees (La Verne Ave. to Oakhurst Dr.) - $200 ea. = $16,400 Left-turn Arrows (at Philadelphia St.) - $500,000
Left-turn Arrows (at Bonita Ave.) - $800,000
Staff is also considering additional treatments to mitigate vehicle speeds and enhance pedestrian safety. Potential devices include, but are not limited to, the following:
Red-Light Safety Camera (Attachment No. 1):
Installation costs could range from $175,000-$225,000 per intersection.
For a typical five-year contract, monthly costs per intersection can range from $10,500 to $21,000, based on the number of cameras installed.
Other LA County cities with red-light camera programs have stated that 1-2 violations per day per camera can cover operational costs.
Traffic signal and intersection upgrades at Alvarado St.:
Total cost for construction is $1,200,000. If funded, this project could enhance intersection safety by installing new traffic signal equipment, optimized phasing programming utilizing LPI (leading pedestrian intervals), brighter intersection safety lights, curb extensions to shorten pedestrian crossing distances, and left-turn arrows for northbound/southbound directions.
PREVIOUS RELATED ACTION:
On September 18, 2023, the City Council adopted Ordinance 4335 to amend Chapter 58, Article III of the Pomona City Code.
On September 11, 2023, the City Council introduced Ordinance 4335 amending Chapter 58 of the Pomona City Code to decrease certain speed limits in the City based on an Engineering and Traffic Survey.
On June 15, 2020, the City Council appropriated $70,481 from District 4 CIP Carryover Discretionary Fund to fund the procurement and installation of speed radar feedback signs at four locations in the City (Indian Hill Blvd., Towne Ave., San Bernardino Ave., & Alvarado St.).
On December 17, 2018, the City Council appropriated $20,000 from District 4 CIP Carryover Discretionary Fund Balance to fund traffic enhancements at an existing intersection crossing by creating a solid concrete median at intersection at Towne Avenue and McKinley Avenue.
On January 6, 2014, the City Council adopted Ordinance No. 4178 to increase and/or decrease certain speed limits in the City based on an Engineering and Traffic Survey.
DISCUSSION:
Towne Avenue (Towne) is a minor arterial that extends as far north as Baseline Road in Claremont and as far south as Riverside Drive in Pomona. Towne is approximately 7.1 miles in total length and crosses three major highway systems, CA-210, I-10, and CA-60. Due to its accessibility to these freeway systems, Towne acts as a vital transportation corridor connecting commercial and industrial businesses. The corridor also supports many residents and travelers who live and work in the area or are traveling through Pomona to other neighboring cities. In general, Towne averages over 20,000 vehicles per day demonstrating that this corridor is a heavily travelled roadway for all types of users.
The City has seen a rise in vehicle-to-vehicle and vehicle-to-pedestrian accidents along Towne Avenue. Between January 1, 2022 and April 30, 2024, there have been five (5) traffic accident fatalities along Towne. In this same period, there were a total of thirty-six (36) incidents with 39 fatalities Citywide. This rise in accidents coincides with the community’s increased awareness and expressed concerns. Some of those residents have reached out and met with Staff to share their observations and experiences regarding their use of the corridor. Many concerned residents have witnessed red-light violations, speeding, and vehicle-to-vehicle, vehicle-to-pedestrian, and vehicle-to-bike near misses.
Speeding is a choice for all who sit behind the wheel. Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol impair the decisions made by drivers, resulting from diminished cognitive and motor reflexes. Distracted driving has increased in recent years, and many common distractions have rebounded since the pandemic, including checking social media, typing texts or emails, and talking on a cell phone. The results of these choices can be tragic. The installation of traffic calming devices are for drivers who are not under the influence nor are driving distracted. It requires cognitive alertness to understand the purpose of these devices, thus allowing the motorist to respond accordingly.
Through City Council direction and action, the City has implemented various capital improvement projects addressing problem areas along Towne Avenue with the installation of traffic calming devices, or by enhancing and improving visibility to help decrease speeds and increase driver awareness of their surroundings. Some of those improvements include:
2 Speed Feedback Radar Signs – Located just north of Alvarado St., Staff installed high visibility, LED digital radar speed feedback signs that alert drivers when they are driving above the posted speed limit. 19 Speed Limit Signs – After June 30, 2024, and as approved by the City Council, Staff replaced nineteen “40 MPH” speed limit signs with “35 MPH” signs. In accordance with AB43, signed in October 2021, local agencies were given more flexibility to lower and/or maintain speed limits. In August 2023, the City completed an Engineering and Traffic Survey (E&T Survey) that analyzed the current speeds, accident history, and roadway characteristics along the City’s corridors in accordance with procedures outlined in the California MUTCD and as required by California Vehicle Code Section 627. The findings of the E&T Survey determined which speed limits would increase, decrease, or remain unchanged. 4 High Visibility Crosswalks – As part of the Mission Blvd. rehabilitation project, new high visibility pedestrian crosswalks, using the “continental design” accompanied with the use of thermoplastic paint, were installed at each approach at Towne Ave. The continental pedestrian crosswalk design enhances the pedestrian zone and alerts drivers of crossing pedestrians. 4 Curb Extensions / Bulb outs – At the intersection at Holt Ave., the City installed curb extensions to help decrease the pedestrian crossing distance and to increase pedestrian visibility. 100-foot Median Island – At the intersection of McKinley Ave., the City connected a gap in the existing median. This installation reduced potential left-turn vehicle-to-vehicle conflicts at the intersection. 82 Median Island Trees– From La Verne Ave. to Oakhurst Dr., Staff participated in the planting of trees within the existing median island. As these trees mature, they will not only help in reducing noise pollution and GHG’s, but also help in reducing the visual travel corridor by making the travel way seem smaller. In doing so, vehicle speeds could decrease while enhancing the travel way with greenery and foliage.
Left-turn Arrows - At both Philadelphia St. and Bonita Ave., left-turn arrows were installed in all four directions at the signalized intersections. With left-turn arrows, drivers have the right of way to turn left, while oncoming traffic has a red light.
Staff continues to evaluate and consider various traffic control measures and devices to help mitigate excessive speeds along Towne Avenue. Some examples are listed below for further City Council consideration:
Installation of Red-Light Safety Cameras – The installation of Red Light Safety Cameras throughout the State has been a proven and effective device to prevent red-light running. Motorists that run the red light will activate the camera, and the vehicle, the driver, and the license plate will be immediately captured in a photos. All three photos, including a citation, would be mailed to the violator’s home address.
Improving the existing signalized intersection at Alvarado St. – The improvement of this intersection may include: the installation of corner curb extensions to decrease the pedestrian crossing distance; reduced curb return radius preventing motorists from speeding around corners; new traffic signal poles including protected left-turn heads, brighter safety/intersection lighting, improved high visibility backplates, video detection, APS pedestrian push buttons, new high-visibility striping, and advanced traffic signal controller equipment. City staff has submitted a grant application to Congresswoman Norma Torres FY25 Appropriations for $1.6M. The required City match is $200,000 bringing the total cost of the project to $1.8M.
All-Red Interval Clearance – An all-red clearance interval can safely clear all vehicles from the intersection before an opposing flow of traffic begins. Typically, all-red interval timings range from 1 second to 3 seconds. Staff has recently implemented a 2-second all-red interval clearance at the intersection of Towne Ave. and Alvarado St.
Flashing Red at Super Peak Hours – As a pilot project, Staff can revise signal operations so that signals flash red during the hours of 11:00 pm to 4:00 am. This would make the intersections act as an all-way stop so that motorists would be required to stop in all directions at the intersection.
Increased Police Enforcement – Active and consistent police presence along this corridor may increase awareness of enforcement while promoting speed reduction.
Prepared by:
Arnold Dichosa, City Engineer
ATTACHMENT(S):
Attachment No. 1 – Red-Light Safety Cameras Presentation Discussion of Pedestrian and Vehicle Safety along Towne Avenue