Administrative
Report
N.3., File # 23-5627 Meeting Date: 3/14/2023
To: MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
From: TED SEMAAN, PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR
TITLE
DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION REGARDING DEVELOPMENT OF A WAYFINDING
SIGNAGE PROGRAM FOR ALTERNATIVE MODES OF TRANSPORTATION IN THE CITY
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The City’s Strategic Plan includes an objective to develop a wayfinding signage program, consistent with the City’s rebranding effort, for alternative modes of transportation. The City’s adopted South Bay Bicycle Master Plan (SBBMP), as well as the upcoming and Council supported Local Travel Network (LTN) being developed by the South Bay Cities Council of Governments (SBCCOG), support and encourage use of alternative means of transportation. A wayfinding signage program would provide additional support to users by marking certain routes along this network with information about distances and directions to featured destinations. It should be noted that Google Maps offers a Bike Facility Layer (see attached) on a Citywide scale. As a result, it is recommended the City’s wayfinding efforts focus on specific, popular places in Redondo Beach. Staff is seeking direction from Council on what destinations and routes should be prioritized as part of the signage program.
BACKGROUND
The City adopted the SBBMP in 2011 and has been working since that time to assess the feasibility, and implement, the route improvements identified in the City’s bike network. These facilities, typically Class 2 on-street bike lanes or Class 3 on-street bike routes, are being implemented through various Capital roadway resurfacing projects and in stand-alone projects. Both bike lanes and bike routes involve installation of standardized signs and pavement markings (bike lane lines or sharrows) to define the facilities for cyclists and make motorists aware of potential conflicts. Progress has been slow but is accelerating with substantial progress anticipated upon completion of several active capital projects.
The SBCCOG is developing a LTN for several cities in the South Bay and presented a conceptual plan to the City Council on September 6, 2022. Council showed strong support for the project and staff is now working in partnership with the SBCCOG to seek funding to continue with the design of the network. No matter what corridors are ultimately selected for the LTN, the infrastructure installation will include pavement markings (predominantly sharrows) and way-finding signage.
Design for way finding signage is in early stages, but the SBCCOG hopes to incorporate consistent elements across all cities while allowing each City to include unique design flourishes.
Infrastructure improvements along these selected routes can include both regulatory and guide signs designed especially for bike facilities. The California Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (CA MUTCD) is the standard for regulatory, warning and guide signs for both vehicle and bike facilities.
N.3., File # 23-5627 Meeting Date: 3/14/2023
MUTCD) is the standard for regulatory, warning and guide signs for both vehicle and bike facilities.
An excerpt from the chapter on traffic control signage for bike facilities is attached and depicts bike signage for these categories. Staff recommends use of the guide signage (green signs) to provide cyclist and LTN users specific information about destinations and distances (see D1 series on the attached). If the City wants to create a route numbering system in the future for certain routes, the CA MUTCD offers some approved examples and one of these (see M1-8a in the attachment) can include City specific words or a logo. The LTN program will also include way finding signage, so additional, non-standard signage for bike facilities not on the LTN may create confusion.
Staff also recommends identification of key destination points, i.e. Redondo Beach Pier, North Redondo Beach Bike Path, Dominguez Dog Park, Riviera Village, etc. Staff also recommends that guide signs are installed judiciously so as to avoid sign blight and to highlight routes the City would like to emphasize based on ease of ride, shortest ride or other determining factors.
Some of the easiest routes topographically may require cyclists to leave the City to avoid big hills.
Other routes include portions of the facility that are not fully developed yet. For instance, the LTN is not yet installed and portions of the SBBMP are in process of being marked or upgraded. These issues should be considered when determining priorities for signage.
Items to consider in a wayfinding signage program include the appearance and placement of signage, selection of the routes to be marked, public outreach regarding the program and costs to implement the signage. The LTN program anticipates the importance of education and marketing in the development and implementation of its network and staff anticipates there will be future opportunities for public comment on that program as the design develops.
At this time, staff recommends that Council provide input on identifying significant destination points, route selection and authorize working with the South Bay Bicycle Coalition, and its membership, to determine initial routes that can be presented to the Public Works & Sustainability Commission for input from the body as well as the public. Following that, staff would prepare a Budget Response Report for consideration as part of the FY 2023-24 budget process to provide costing information for initial implementation.
COORDINATION
This report was coordinated within the Public Works Department.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal impact associated with the preparation of a wayfinding program. Costs for the construction and installation of signage will be determined after the prioritized routes and destinations are identified.
APPROVED BY:
Mike Witzansky, City Manager
ATTACHMENTS
· Google Maps - Bike Facility Feature
· Bike Signage - CA MUTCD