City Council Memorandum
TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL DATE: AUGUST 2, 2022 FROM: PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT WARD: 4 SUBJECT: REMOVAL OF NORTHBOUND AND SOUTHBOUND STOP SIGNS AND INSTALLATION OF HAWK SIGNAL AND PUBLIC NOTIFICATION – MADISON STREET AT EMERALD STREET ISSUES:
Approve removal of the existing northbound and southbound stop signs and associated pavement markings Madison Street at Emerald Street to install a High-Intensity Activated Crosswalk signal; and approve installation of temporary signage notifying the public of the stop sign removals for a minimum of 45 days.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
That the City Council:
Approve removal of the existing stop signs and associated pavement markings along Madison Street at its intersection with Emerald Street to install a High-Intensity Activated CrossWalk (HAWK) signal; and Approve installation of Public Notification Signage for the Stop Sign Removals at the subject intersection for a minimum of 45 days.
BACKGROUND:
The Public Works Department applied for and secured Caltrans Highway Safety Improvement Plan (HSIP) grant funding under the Cycle 7 call for projects. HSIP grants focus on infrastructure improvements aimed at reducing collisions, fatalities, and serious injuries on public roadways. One component of the awarded Cycle 7 HSIP grant project includes the installation of a HAWK signal on Madison Street at Emerald Street which also involves the removal of the existing northbound and southbound stop signs and associated pavement markings to facilitate HAWK installation. The planned HAWK signal is intended to improve both safety and operations at the intersection and the HAWK installation was supported by the Casa Blanca Community Action Group during the community engagement process in preparation of the HSIP Cycle 7 grant application. The construction contract was awarded by the City Council at the February 15, 2022 meeting and the construction project is anticipated to be completed in late 2022.
DISCUSSION:
The Public Works Department is proposing removal of the existing northbound and southbound stop signs and associated pavement markings on Madison Street at Emerald Street to install a HAWK signal as part of the City’s HSIP Cycle 7 grant funded project. The HAWK signal installation will be completed by the awarded project contractor.
Even though the California Traffic Manual has not adopted a standard procedure/guideline to remove existing stop signs, the Riverside Municipal Code (R.M.C.) Chapter 10.16.070 authorizes the City Traffic Engineer to remove, relocate or discontinue the operation of any traffic control device not specifically required by the Vehicle Code. Engagement with the Transportation Board and City Council to share the recommendation to remove the existing stop signs is intended to provide the neighboring community with an opportunity to give feedback regarding the modification of the intersection from an all-way stop sign operation to a HAWK signal operation intersection with stop signs on Emerald Street.
City Staff intends to install temporary public notification signage at the intersection of Madison Street and Emerald Street to inform the public of the planned stop sign removals while transitioning the intersection operations to a HAWK signal. Temporary dual orange flags would be installed above the notification signs to increase awareness of the proposed change in traffic operations. Though there is not a definitive minimum period for public notification for removal of the stop signs, a similar process for posting public notification for planned crosswalk removals specifies notification must be in place a minimum of 30 days in advance of removal per California Vehicle Code (CVC) 21950.5. To ensure more than ample time for public notification, the Public Works Department has elected to post public notification for a minimum of 45 days in advance of the planned northbound and southbound stop sign removals along Madison Street at Emerald Street.
The intersection is located near the Casa Blanca Library and Villegas Park which each generate pedestrian activity and crossings as people from the nearby neighborhoods walk to and from these community facilities. Per the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), studies have shown that HAWK signals improve safety and motorist yield compliance creating a safer environment for pedestrians and cyclists when crossing. Removal of the northbound and southbound Madison Street stop signs at Emerald Street will also improve traffic operations and air quality by allowing traffic to flow freely when the HAWK signal is not engaged for pedestrian crossings thus reducing emissions from vehicular stopping/starting, reducing greenhouse gases and their negative impacts on air quality within the Casa Blanca community.
To enhance driver awareness of the change in traffic control operations at the intersection after the HAWK signal is constructed, permanent “Caution Cross Traffic Does Not Stop” signs would be added below the existing eastbound and westbound stop signs on Emerald Street at Madison Street and temporary dual orange flags would be added above the stop signs. Existing “Stop Ahead” warning signs and pavement legends and 36” DG3 material stop signs in place on eastbound and westbound Emerald Street will also provide added driver recognition of and compliance with the remaining stop signs. Staff proposes to continue to monitor and evaluate the intersection operations and implement any operational changes as necessary.
Proposed stop sign removals and associated work would be performed by the Public Works Department Streets Division crews in coordination with the project schedule for the awarded contractor handling the HSIP Cycle 7 grant project and HAWK signal installation. The project inspector from the Public Works Contract Administration Division will manage coordination of the work in accordance with public notification and project timelines.
On July 6, 2022 the Transportation Board considered this item and unanimously voted to support removal of the existing stop signs and associated pavement markings as detailed in this report, along with the installation of public notification signage at the subject location for a minimum of 45 days.
STRATEGIC PLAN ALIGNMENT:
This item contributes to Strategic Priority 2 – Community Well-Being and Goal 2.4: Support programs and innovations that enhance community safety, encourage neighborhood engagement, and build public trust. Additionally, the proposed stop signs and associated pavement marking removals and installation of a HAWK signal on Madison Street at Emerald Street relates to the cross-cutting threads as demonstrated below:
Community Trust - The community engagement facet of the HSIP Cycle 7 resulted in the selection of the HAWK signal installation project on Madison St. at Emerald St. The City’s HSIP grant application was awarded funding under Cycle 7 and completing the construction of this project will demonstrate the importance of community engagement and addressing neighborhood concerns. Working together to enhance safety and quality of life of the community establishes public trust with the City.
Equity - This project will provide enhanced connectivity for residents relying on active transportation while improving traffic flow along Madison Street when the HAWK signal is not activated.
Fiscal Responsibility - This project is predominantly funded through HISP Cycle 7 grant funding and use of City Public Works Department Streets Division staff to fabricate, install, and remove signage and pavement markings as necessary to facilitate HAWK signal installation while minimizing costs to the City to complete the project.
Innovation - This project includes installation of a HAWK signal which is an innovative traffic control device utilized to stop roadway traffic when activated by a pedestrian crossing in the marked crosswalk.
Sustainability & Resiliency - The HAWK signal installation will continue to serve the community residents and neighboring businesses in the future while simultaneously reducing emissions and greenhouse gases by encouraging active transportation. The City’s Traffic Signal Shop will maintain the HAWK signal after construction to enhance the resilience and longevity of the equipment.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The HAWK signal procurement and installation will be completed by the awarded project contractor as funded under HSIP Cycle 7 grant funding. Signage and installation cost to notify the public of planned crosswalk removal is $2,950. Sufficient funding is budgeted and available in the existing General Fund, Public Works, Streets Maintenance, Signing Supplies account no. 4110100-424143, to cover this cost.
Prepared by: Gilbert Hernandez, Public Works Director
Certified as to
availability of funds: Edward Enriquez, Interim Assistant City Manager/Chief Financial Officer/City Treasurer
Approved by: Kris Martinez, Assistant City Manager
Approved as to form: Phaedra A. Norton, City Attorney
Attachments:
Plan X-573
Phase Diagram
Site Map
Aerial Map
Riverside Municipal Code (RMC) Chapter 10.16.070
California Vehicle Code (CVC) 21950.5
Installation of HAWK Signal and Public Notification – Madison Street at Emerald Street Page 2