Administrative
Report
J.1., File # PWS24-1581 Meeting Date: 9/23/2024
To: PUBLIC WORKS AND SUSTAINABILITY COMMISSION
From: Department of Public Works
TITLE
DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION REGARDING THE INSTALLATION OF SPEED CUSHIONS ALONG THE 700-800 BLOCK OF N PAULINA AVENUE
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
In response to a resident request, staff is bringing forward a recommendation to install speed cushions along the 700-800 block of N Paulina Avenue between Anita Street and Beryl Street. In accordance with the City Council’s policy for speed cushion and traffic calming requests, staff provided materials to the petitioners on the block to solicit feedback and approval. Residents initiated a survey of all 59 residences within the block and provided 41 approval signatures (69%), which is above the two-thirds threshold required for further evaluation. The City’s Transportation Engineer performed multiple site visits and speed surveys as part of an engineering study in accordance with the City Council’s policy. Based on these factors, staff recommends the installation of speed cushions (3 sets) along the 700-800 block of N Paulina Avenue and is seeking the input of the Public Works and Sustainability Commission before bringing the matter to City Council for final consideration.
BACKGROUND
Paulina Avenue runs northwest-southeast, is classified as a local street, and has a 25-mph residential prima facie speed limit. It is approximately 40 feet wide with one travel lane in each direction that is separated by a dashed yellow centerline. Slopes on the street are less than 8%. Parking is allowed on both sides of the street. The subject block is approximately 1,350 feet (1/4-mile) long and is controlled by stop signs at Anita Street to the northwest and Beryl Street to the southeast. Attachment 1 shows the subject block and existing intersection controls. Speed cushions within the neighborhood exist on the 800 block of N Lucia Avenue, a street of similar width and functional character.
Fronting development along the block is primarily single-family residential. Sidewalks, curbs, and gutters are present along the subject block and yellow school zone crosswalks are striped at Beryl Street and Paulina Avenue.
The process to approve and install speed cushions is based on City Council policy (rev. March 3, 2021).
Resident petitioners are required to seek approval of at least two-thirds of residents on the affected block by reading and signing the City’s standard signature form for these types of requests. Only one vote per dwelling unit is allowed and signatures are spot-verified for residency against City records. Under the City’s policy and procedures, signatures received outside of the surveyed street segment are not considered as part of the official approval process. Only after sufficient resident support is reached does the City proceed with further technical study.
DISCUSSION:
Staff received requests for speed cushions along this block in December 2023 and February 2024. The
J.1., File # PWS24-1581 Meeting Date: 9/23/2024
requests are due to resident(s)’ concerns with vehicular speeds and traffic safety along this block, approximately 1,350 feet, that does not have other speed control devices.
Staff provided the City’s official materials in accordance with City policy and resident petitioner(s) proceeded with soliciting neighbor feedback and approval. 59 residences are located within the 700-800 block of N Paulina Avenue, and 40 signatures are required to advance the request. As of August 2024, the City received 41 approval signatures, of which 40 were verified against City records or with a proof of residence. Therefore, City staff deemed this step of the process complete.
The City has a list of technically-based installation criteria for speed cushions, which includes street classification, grades, horizontal alignment, speed limit, surveyed 85th percentile speed, and traffic volumes, shown in Attachment 2. Staff determined that the 700-800 block of N Paulina Avenue would qualify for speed cushions from a technical perspective. The slope of the street does not exceed 8% per City policy. Speed and volume surveys were performed by a third-party count vendor for one week (24 hours, 7 days) along the block in August 2024. Due to the length of the block, data was collected in two locations, approximately at 722 and 809 N Paulina. The data showed an average daily traffic volume (ADT) of approximately 580 vehicles per day along the subject block and an average two-way 85th percentile speed of 33 mph at #722 and 34 mph at #809. Therefore, the ADT is within the City’s policy threshold maximum and the speeds exceed the City’s policy threshold minimum, as required. The ADT is also similar to other parallel streets in the area.
Attachment 3 shows a speed and volume summary table that summarizes data provided by the count vendor.
The raw data can be made available if desired.
Based on the performed engineering technical studies and resident approvals in accordance with the City’s policy, staff recommends proceeding with the installation of speed cushions along the 700-800 block of N Paulina Avenue.
After site visits by the City’s engineers, three sets of speed cushions are proposed in front of the following laddresses:
· 812 & 813-815 N Paulina
· 730-732 & 733-801 N Paulina
· 712-714 & 713-715 N Paulina
These specific locations were determined to provide the most effective speed control along the subject block and are located outside of resident driveway curb cuts. There are not many locations along the block that offer sufficient lengths of full height curb on both sides of the street. Fortunately, the proposed locations section the 1,350-foot block into four segments of about 330-350 feet between speed cushions or stop signs. These segment lengths are within engineering industry recommendations and are similar to other installations around the City.
Speed cushions and associated signage and striping would be installed in accordance with the California Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (CAMUTCD) and other relevant industry guidelines. Street parking removal would not be required upon installation of speed cushions along this block. Attachment 4 shows the proposed locations of the speed cushions.
COORDINATION
Coordination of the resident survey and engineering evaluation and this report took place within the Public Works Department. Coordination took place with the Councilmember for District 3. Noticing for this meeting was provided to the residents and property owners of the subject block. Traffic data was collected by an outside vendor.
ATTACHMENTS
1. Existing Conditions Map
J.1., File # PWS24-1581 Meeting Date: 9/23/2024
2. City Speed Cushion Policy and Criteria
3. Speed and Volume Data Summary
4. Proposed Speed Cushion Locations
5. Public Feedback After Noticing
Existing Stop Sign ~1,350 ft. length
Attachment 1: Existing Conditions Map
Rev. March 3, 2021 1 of 3
TRAFFIC CALMING - SPEED CUSHION INSTALLATION APPLICATION PROCESS
1. Petition
Residents may begin the petition process for installation of speed cushions by requesting a “Traffic Calming – Speed Cushion Petition” form from the Traffic Engineer. A petition form will be supplied if the proposed speed cushion location is not on one of the predetermined “Exemption Routes” or is otherwise not technically allowable on the block in question. Due to limited funding, the City will only commit resources towards investigating and processing the speed cushion installation request upon receiving the completed petition, which must satisfy the following criteria:
1. At least two-thirds of the residents within the block affected have signed the petition in favor of installing a speed cushion on the street in question.
2. Each signature must be identified by a corresponding typed or printed name, address, and telephone number.
3. Only one vote is permitted per dwelling unit for purposes of tallying the two-thirds majority.
4. The two-thirds majority vote must also constitute no less than 50% of the developed frontage or side-yard of the block submitted for the proposed speed cushion.
5. If the petition includes the address of a large scale complex (such as an apartment or school), the residents must obtain the signature of the principal of the affected school or the owner of the complex for that property to be included as a valid vote.
2. Installation Criteria
The following criteria shall be considered in evaluating a location for the possible installation of speed cushions. Should the criteria not be met, subsequent requests will not be considered for a minimum of one year.
1. Engineering Study/Speed Survey
Speed cushions shall only be installed to address documented safety or traffic concerns supported by traffic engineering studies, and after consideration of alternative traffic control measures. Potential impacts such as traffic diversion, noise and general roadway discomfort of traversing a vertical deflection type device should be taken into consideration.
2. Street Type
Speed cushions shall only be installed on local neighborhood residential streets. Some residential streets have been identified by the Fire Department as critical access routes, and therefore will Public Works | Engineering
415 Diamond Street, Door 2
Redondo Beach, CA 90277
Tel: 310.318.0661
redondo.org
Rev. March 3, 2021 2 of 3
not have speed cushions installed. The emergency access routes and the non-residential streets are identified as being exempt from speed cushion installation, and are shown on Figure 1.
3. Number of Lanes
Speed cushions shall only be used on streets with no more than one travel lane in each direction.
4. Street Grades
Speed humps shall only be used on streets with grades of 8% or less (per the recommendation of the Institute of Transportation Engineer’s Study on speed humps – grades steeper than 8% increase the braking distance thereby resulting in unsafe faster travel over the speed hump).
5. Street Alignment
Speed cushions shall only be placed on horizontal curves with a centerline radius that is equal to or greater than 300 feet, or on vertical curves with more than the minimum stopping sight distance.
6. Speed limit
Speed cushions shall only be installed on streets where the posted or prima facie speed limit is 25 mph or less.
7. Speed Survey
Speed cushions shall only be installed at locations where a 24-hour speed survey indicates that the 85th percentile speed exceeds the posted speed limit by 7 mph or more (85th percentile speed 32mph+).
8. Traffic Volumes
Speed Cushions should only be considered for installation on residential streets with an average daily traffic volume between less than 3000 vehicles per day.
9. Not on Exemption Routes
Speed Cushions shall only be installed on streets without fixed transit routes or not designated as Emergency (Fire) Access Routes.
3. Approval Process
1. When the Engineer determines the street segment requested for speed cushion installation qualifies for speed cushions, he will refer the recommendation of the street segment for speed cushion installation to the Public Works Commission.
2. The Public Works Commission will then conduct a public meeting for said speed cushion installation. Notice of such public meeting shall be mailed to the property owners and to the occupants of each parcel on and adjacent to the street segment recommended for speed cushion installation.
3. The Public Works Commission will submit a recommendation (whether it be an approval or denial of the requested speed cushion) to the City Council. Opposition to the decision should be appealed to the City Council prior to the City Council’s decision. The appeal may be a petition or written letter (or digital correspondence) delivered to the City Clerk’s office or the Traffic Engineer.
4. The City Council will adopt a resolution for implementation upon approving the installation of a speed cushion.
Rev. March 3, 2021 3 of 3
5. The proposed speed cushion will begin the design and implementation phase once City Council has appropriated sufficient funding to cover costs. If funding is not immediately available, the approved speed cushion segment would be placed on a priority list waiting for the next available funding source.
4. Removal Process
1. The Traffic Engineer will supply a petition, upon request from a resident, to remove a speed cushion. The petition shall satisfy the same criteria within Part 1, #1 – 5 of this document.
2. When the Traffic Engineer determines the petition requesting removal of a speed cushion qualifies, he will refer the petition for removal of the speed cushion to the Public Works Commission. The Traffic Engineer’s staff report shall include recent speed and traffic volume data, collected within the previous 9 months, about the neighborhood. The speed and traffic volume data will exclude school summer vacation months.
3. The Public Works Commission will then conduct a public meeting for said speed cushion removal.
Notice of such public meeting shall be mailed to the property owners and to the occupants of each parcel on and adjacent to the street segment recommended for the speed cushion removal.
4. The Public Works Commission will submit a recommendation (whether it be an approval or denial of the removal of speed cushion) to the City Council. Opposition to the decision should be appealed to the City Council prior to the City Council’s decision. The appeal may be a petition or written letter (email) delivered to the City Clerk’s office and the Traffic Engineer.
5. The City Council will adopt a resolution upon approving the removal of a speed cushion.
Any inquiries can be directed to:
City Traffic Engineer
415 Diamond Street, Door 2
Redondo Beach, CA. 90277
(310) 318-0661
ARTESIA BLVD
INGLEWOOD AVE
AVIATION BLVD GRANT AVE
S CATALINA AVE
BERYL ST
ESPLANADE
S PROSPECT AVE
S PACIFIC COAST HWY
RINDGE LN
MARINE AVE
ROBINSON ST
N PROSPECT AVE
ANITA ST
DIAMOND ST
KNOB HILL AVE
HAWTHORNE BLVD
VAIL AVE
CAMINO REAL
S BROADWAY AVE
N CATALINA AVE
VINCENT ST
MACKAY LN
N HARBOR DR
182ND ST
AVENUE D
TORRANCE BLVD
N PACIFIC COAST HWY
PALOS VERDES BLVD
MANHATTAN BEACH BLVD
KINGSDALE AVE
HERONDO ST
N BROADWAY AVE
SAPPHIRE ST
RUBY ST
VAIL AVE
190TH ST
REDONDO BEACH BLVD
REDONDO BEACH AVE
DEL AMO ST
J
7/26/2005
City of Redondo Beach - Streets Exempt from Speed Cushion Installation Legend
STREET
TYPE
EMERGENCY FIRE ACCESS ROUTE
COLLECTOR STREET
SECONDARY ARTERIAL
MAJOR ARTERIAL
Redondo City Limit
700-800 Block N Paulina Avenue
Speed and Volume Summary at 722 N Paulina
DATE NORTHWEST
VOLUME (VEH/DAY)
SOUTHEAST
VOLUME
TOTAL DAILY
VOLUME
NORTHWEST 85TH %
SPEED (MPH)
SOUTHEAST 85TH
% SPEED
TOTAL 85TH %
SPEED
Friday, 23 August 2024 256 381 637 32 32 32
Saturday, 24 August 2024 189 288 477 33 33 33
Sunday, 25 August 2024 173 259 432 33 32 33
Monday, 26 August 2024 229 333 562 35 33 34
Tuesday, 27 August 2024 280 355 635 33 32 33
Wednesday, 28 August 2024 291 374 665 32 32 32
Thursday, 29 August 2024 277 394 671 33 33 33
7-DAY AVERAGE 583
AVERAGE 85TH % SPEED 33 32 33
REQUIRED SPEED FOR SPEED CUSHIONS 32
[a] Northwest is towards Anita, southeast is towards Beryl. 700-800 Block N Paulina Avenue
Speed and Volume Summary at 809 N Paulina
DATE NORTHWEST
VOLUME (VEH/DAY)
SOUTHEAST
VOLUME
TOTAL DAILY
VOLUME
NORTHWEST 85TH %
SPEED (MPH)
SOUTHEAST 85TH
% SPEED
TOTAL 85TH %
SPEED
Friday, 23 August 2024 255 380 635 33 33 33
Saturday, 24 August 2024 188 301 489 33 34 34
Sunday, 25 August 2024 165 247 412 35 34 34
Monday, 26 August 2024 231 341 572 35 35 35
Tuesday, 27 August 2024 282 359 641 34 34 34
Wednesday, 28 August 2024 291 367 658 33 34 33
Thursday, 29 August 2024 270 385 655 35 35 35
7-DAY AVERAGE 580
AVERAGE 85TH % SPEED 34 34 34
REQUIRED SPEED FOR SPEED CUSHIONS 32
[a] Northwest is towards Anita, southeast is towards Beryl.
Existing Stop Sign
~330'
Attachment 4: Proposed Speed Cushions
~330' ~350' ~330'
812 813 815 733 801 730 732 713 715 712 714
Proposed
Location
Proposed
Location
ATTACHMENT 5
PUBLIC COMMUNICATIONS RECEIVED PRIOR TO PUBLICATION