Administrative
Report
N.3., File # 23-7168 Meeting Date: 11/21/2023
To: MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
From: TED SEMAAN, PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR
TITLE
DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION REGARDING THE IMPLEMENTATION OF EDGE LINE
STRIPING AS A TRAFFIC CALMING MEASURE AND LEADING PEDESTRIAN INTERVALS (LPI)
AS A TRAFFIC SAFETY MEASURE
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
In an effort to be more responsive to resident requests, and to be better equipped to address traffic safety issues that arise, staff is bringing forward two proposed policy changes for City Council approval. The first proposed change shortens the timeline for implementation of edge line striping as a traffic calming measure. The second proposed change introduces the use of leading pedestrian interval(s) (LPI) in the design of signal timing as a traffic safety measure. The goal is to shorten the timeline for implementation of these tools when there is no risk of affecting roadway operations, other than to reduce vehicle speeds and enhance pedestrian visibility.
Staff’s recommendations for these policy changes were presented to the Public Works & Sustainability Commission on October 23, 2023. The Commission voted unanimously in support of both policies.
BACKGROUND
The City of Redondo Beach regularly receives inquiries from the public regarding speed control, crosswalk safety, and vehicle yielding compliance at intersections. Two low-cost traffic engineering measures that can improve overall traffic safety are edge line striping and LPIs at signalized intersections.
Edge Line Striping
The City regularly receives requests for all-way stop (AWS) controls or speed cushions to address speeding concerns. For a variety of reasons, these solutions are not always feasible or appropriate to address excessive speed. In addition to AWS controls, staff has several low cost and discretionary options at its disposal, including the installation of signage, pavement markings, and the deployment of the Police Department’s radar feedback “speed” trailer. If this item is approved, staff will add edge line striping to the list of its discretionary options.
Edge line striping is a low-cost traffic calming tool that visually narrows the travel lane and encourages slower speeds. Edge lines typically consist of solid white 4-inch or 6-inch lines that delineate the edge of the travel lane. Edge lines help narrow travel lanes, which reduces the width
N.3., File # 23-7168 Meeting Date: 11/21/2023
delineate the edge of the travel lane. Edge lines help narrow travel lanes, which reduces the width available for driving without removing entire travel lanes. Narrower travel lanes have been shown to reduce speeds, which improves safety by reducing the number, and severity, of collisions. The attached Public Works & Sustainability Commission Administrative Report shows examples of edge line striping. Staff believes that, because edge lines do not constitute a change in traffic controls or the number of lanes available for use, they can be installed without needing City Council approval on a case-by-case basis. This would improve response times to resident requests and allow staff to propose and quickly implement traffic calming measures to address community concerns.
If approved, staff would immediately consider installing edge line striping on Avenue H (PCH to Catalina) and Rindge Lane (190th to Artesia Blvd.). These corridors have been brought up recently by residents and are not well suited for speed cushions. Others corridors will be considered as requests arise and receive installation, as appropriate, using available resources.
Leading Pedestrian Intervals (LPI)
Recently, the City has received requests to improve crosswalk safety, with specific requests to install LPIs at signalized crosswalks. Pedestrians often cite concerns with drivers not yielding the right-ofway to individuals utilizing crosswalks, even with active pedestrian signals. By providing 3-7 seconds of time for pedestrians to enter the intersection and cross, individuals can better establish their presence in the crosswalk, which increases visibility, reduces conflicts, and increases the likelihood of drivers yielding to pedestrians. Caltrans has published LPI Implementation Guidelines, which are available for use by local agencies. Staff proposes following this guidance for LPI implementation should they be adopted for use within the City. The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) found that this treatment could reduce pedestrian-vehicle crashes at intersections by 13%. Locations that tend to benefit the most from LPIs include intersections with long crosswalks, substantial setbacks for vehicular limit lines, higher volumes of older adult and student pedestrians, a high number of vehiclepedestrian collisions, and locations with limited visibility. Potential downsides to installing LPIs could include minor increases in driver delay due to decreased green time, although the separation of rightturning drivers from pedestrians in time would offset this somewhat.
The community may have noticed LPIs already in use within the City. That is a result of Assembly Bill (AB) 2264, which requires LPIs upon first placement and replacement of state-owned/operated traffic signals. While this does not apply to locally-owned/operated traffic signals, Caltrans is required to comply at their intersections within Redondo Beach, with one example being the intersection of PCH and Carnelian.
If this design policy change is approved by the City Council, staff will consider implementing LPIs on a corridor-by-corridor basis, focusing first on corridors managed by Los Angeles County through their Traffic Signal Synchronization Program (TSSP). These County supported changes would likely be made at no cost to the City. Other corridors will be evaluated and implemented as resources allow.
At this time, staff believes all signalized intersections controlled by the City with pedestrian signal heads are compatible with LPIs. Based on Caltrans’ guidance, staff will consider adding LPIs on crosswalk legs that cross major streets and/or streets with more than one approach lane in any direction. LPIs could also be considered at any signalized crossing based on resident feedback, collision history, intersection geometry, visibility, or other engineering factors.
N.3., File # 23-7168 Meeting Date: 11/21/2023
COORDINATION
Coordination and preparation of this report took place within the Public Works Department.
FISCAL IMPACT
The cost to install edge lines is estimated to be $3,000 per linear mile. Funding for standalone edge line projects is available in the City’s Traffic Calming budget, or could be incorporated at minimal cost during street resurfacing projects. The cost to implement LPIs is estimated to be $3,500 per intersection, which could be implemented by staff and/or the City’s on-call traffic signal maintenance consultant. Timing changes along corridors maintained by Los Angeles County are expected to be implemented at no cost to the City.
APPROVED BY:
Mike Witzansky, City Manager
ATTACHMENTS
· Administrative Report - Public Works & Sustainability Commission with Exhibits for Edge Line Striping, October 23, 2023
· Administrative Report - Public Works & Sustainability Commission with Exhibits for Leading Pedestrian Interval, October 23, 2023