TECHNICAL MEMORANDUM
260 Baker Street East | Suite 200 | Costa Mesa, CA 92626 | (949) 660-1994 | urbanxroads.com DATE: August 10, 2026
TO: Louisa Feletto, Meritage Homes
FROM: Jose Alire/Robert Vu, Urban Crossroads, Inc.
JOB NO: 15842-03 Pedestrian Hybrid Beacon Warrant Analysis SUBJECT: LA SIERRA RESIDENTIAL PEDESTRIAN HYBRID BEACON
WARRANT ANALYSIS AND FLASHING BEACON APPLICATION
Urban Crossroads, Inc. has completed the following Pedestrian Hybrid Beacon Warrant Analysis and Flashing Beacon Application for the La Sierra Residential development (Project), which is located west of La Sierra Avenue between Alhambra Avenue and Francisco Place in the City of Riverside (see Exhibit 1). The purpose of this analysis is to determine if a pedestrian hybrid beacon is warranted at the intersection of La Sierra Avenue & Alhambra Avenue and if the installation of a marked crosswalk and/or rectangular rapid flashing beacon (RRFB) would be applicable at this location.
PROJECT OVERVIEW
The proposed Project consists of the development of 56 single -family residential dwelling units, including four estate residential lots accessed from Alhambra Avenue and 52 single-family detached residential dwelling units accessed from La Sierra Avenue, o f which three units are designated as affordable housing.
BACKGROUND
A focused traffic analysis was first prepared under the La Sierra Residential Focused Traffic Analysis (Urban Crossroads, December 31, 2025) (referred to as 2025 Traffic Study). A su pplemental memorandum was prepared under the La Sierra Residential Focused Traffic Analysis (Urban Crossroads, August 5, 2026) (referred to as 2026 Traffic Study). In the 2026 Traffic Study, intersection operations analysis and traffic signal warrants were conducted for the intersection of La Sierra Avenue & Alhambra Avenue for the Background (2028) With Project traffic scenario. The intersection of La Sierra Avenue & Alhambra Avenue did not trigger the City of Riverside requirements to install a traffic signal nor did it meet any CA MUTCD traffic signal warrants under the aforementioned traffic analysis scenario.
The City of Riverside is developing a Citywide Safe Routes to School (SRTS) Master Plan, which will create an individualized Safe Route to School Plan for each of the fifty (50) elementary and middle schools, citywide. The SRTS Master plan is currently being updated and finalized. The intersection of La Sierra Avenue & Alhambra Avenue is located within ¼ mile of the Loma Vista Middle School. As shown in Exhibit 2, improvements have not been recommended in the City of Riverside SRTS ArcGIS map at the intersection of La Sierra Avenue & Alhambra Avenue. The adjacent intersections to the north and south have various improvements recommended including installing ADA ramps and high visibility crosswalks.
15842-03 Pedestrian Hybrid Beacon Warrant Analysis La Sierra Residential EXHIBIT 1: LOCATION MAP
15842-03 Pedestrian Hybrid Beacon Warrant Analysis La Sierra Residential EXHIBIT 2: CITY OF RIVERSIDE SAFE ROUTES TO SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT RECOMMENDATIONS
15842-03 Pedestrian Hybrid Beacon Warrant Analysis La Sierra Residential
PEDESTRIAN HYBRID BEACON WARRANT ANALYSIS
The California Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices (CA MUTCD) provides the criteria for which agencies and municipalities determine if pedestrian hybrid beacon is warranted at a given intersection. Section 4J.01 of the CA MUTCD, titled Application of Pedestrian Hybrid Beacons , provides the following criteria to consider the installation of a pedestrian hybrid beacon:
• A pedestrian hybrid beacon may be considered for installation to facilitate pedestrian crossings at a location that does not meet traffic signal warrants, or at a location that meets traffic signal warrants but a decision is made to not install a traffic control signal.
As identified previously, the 2025 and 2026 Traffic Study states that the intersection of La Sierra Avenue & Alhambra Avenue did not meet any traffic signal warrants under any of the aforementioned traffic analysis scenario. Therefore, a pedestrian hybrid beacon may be considered based on the following guidance provided by the CA MUTCD. • CA MUTCD Guidance: If one of the signal warrants of Chapter 4C is met and a traffic control signal is justified by an engineering study, and if a decision is made to install a traffic control signal, it should be installed based upon the provisions of Chapters 4D through 4I and 4K. o Remark: As identified previously, the 2025 and 2026 Traffic Study states that the intersection of La Sierra Avenue & Alhambra Avenue did not meet any traffic signal warrants under any of the aforementioned traffic analysis scenarios. A conventional traffic signal is not recommended to be installed at this location • CA MUTCD Guidance: If a traffic control signal is not justified under the signal warrants of Chapter 4C and if gaps in traffic are not adequate to permit pedestrians to cross, or if the speed for vehicles approaching on the major street is too high to permit pedestrians to cross, or if pedestrian delay is excessive, the need for a pedestrian hybrid beacon should be considered on the basis of an engineering study that considers major-street volumes, speeds, widths, and gaps in conjunction with pedestrian volumes, walking speeds, and delay. o Remark: As identified in the 2025 Traffic Study, a radar speed survey was conducted on La Sierra Avenue between Arlington Avenue and Francisco Place. The survey was conducted under clear and dry weather conditions while traffic was operating under free-flow conditions (i.e., off-peak hours). A sample of 100 vehicles were determined to have an 85th-percentile speed of 50 miles per hour (MPH) with a 40 – 49 MPH pace.
The posted speed limit on La Sierra Avenue is 45 MPH. Based on the existing 85th- percentile speed, the speed for vehicles approaching is too high to permit pedestrians to cross uncontrolled. It is observed that one (1) pedestrian was observed to cross La Sierra Avenue during the combined AM (7:00 – 9:00 AM), mid-day (2:00 – 4:00 PM), and PM peak hours (4:00 – 6:00 PM).
• CA MUTCD Guidance: For a major street where the posted or statutory speed limit or the 85th-percentile speed is 35 mph or less, the need for a pedestrian hybrid beacon should be considered if the engineering study finds that the plotted point representing the vehicles per hour on the major street (total of both approaches) and the corresponding total of all pedestrians crossing the major street for 1 hour (any four consecutive 15-minute periods) of an average day falls above the applicable curve in Figure 4J-1 for the length of the crosswalk.
15842-03 Pedestrian Hybrid Beacon Warrant Analysis La Sierra Residential o Remark: This CA MUTCD Guidance is not applicable since the existing 85th - percentile speed exceeds 35 MPH.
• CA MUTCD Guidance: For a major street where the posted or statutory speed limit or the 85th-percentile speed exceeds 35 mph, the need for a pedestrian hybrid beacon should be considered if the engineering study finds that the plotted point representing the vehicles per hour on the major street (total of both approaches) and the corresponding total of all pedestrians crossing the major street for 1 hour (any four consecutive 15-minute periods) of an average day falls above the applicable curve in Figure 4J-2 for the length of the crosswalk. o Remark: The plotted point for the AM (7:00 – 9:00 AM), mid-day (2:00 – 4:00 PM), and PM peak hours (4:00 – 6:00 PM) were prepared utilizing existing traffic data provided in the 2025 Traffic Study. All peak hours did not meet the requirement to consider the need for a pedestrian hybrid beacon . The plots are provided in Attachment A.
• CA MUTCD Guidance: For crosswalks that have lengths other than the four that are specifically shown in Figures 4J -1 and 4J -2, the values should be interpolated between the curves.
o Remark: This guidance has been accounted for in pedestrian hybrid beacon warrant analysis.
RECTANGULAR RAPID FLASHING BEACON (RRFB) AND MARKED CROSSWALK
APPLICATION
Section 4L.01 of the CA MUTCD provides requirements and guidance for if/when a RRFB should be installed. The RRFB may be used to provide supplemental emphasis to pedestrian, school, and trail warning signs at marked crosswalks across uncontrolled approaches and shall only be installed to function as a Warning Beacon. An RRFB shall not be used for crosswalks across approaches controlled by YIELD signs, STOP signs, traffic control signals, or pedestrian hybrid beacons.
A marked crosswalk provides for a pedestrian crossing 24 -hours a day, seven days a week.
Pedestrians should utilize the existing controlled crossing at the intersection of La Sierra Avenue and Arlington Avenue to cross La Sierra Avenue . Since there are existing wheelchair ramps on the northwest, southeast, and southwest corners of the intersection , a high visibility crosswalk can be installed as directed by the City Engineer. It is within the City Engineer’s purview with sufficient traffic engineering judgement to install a marked crosswalk within the City’s jurisdiction. Additionally, a RRFB can be considered to supplement the marked crosswalk.
A high visibility crosswalk conceptual plan has been provided for the City of Riverside’s consideration in Attachment B. The intersection is located within an existing school zone and the existing school zone signage have been shown in Attachment B. The high visibility crosswalk has been designed in accordance with City of Riverside Standard 640 – High Visibility Crosswalk and applicable CA MUTCD signing and striping for school zones.
The City of Riverside should coordinate with the school district to maintain safe routes to school.
These routes should discourage crossings at uncontrolled locations and at locations not readily apparent to drivers, pedestrians, and bicyclists. City staff should coordinate with the school district to discourage back gate access to the Loma Vista Middle School.
15842-03 Pedestrian Hybrid Beacon Warrant Analysis La Sierra Residential
CONCLUSION
Based on the CA MUTCD Pedestrian Hybrid Beacon warrant, the intersection of La Sierra Avenue & Alhambra Avenue did not me et any of the CA MUTCD criteria to justify the need for a pedestrian hybrid beacon. The intersection of La Sierra Avenue & Alhambra Avenue does not meet any traffic signal warrants consistent with the 2025 and 2026 Traffic Study, and does not meet the City of Riverside’s requirements to install a traffic signal. It is not recommended to install a traffic signal or pedestrian hybrid beacon at the intersection of La Sierra Avenue & Alhambra Avenue since the applicable warrants are not met.
Urban Crossroads have reviewed the draft City of Riverside Safe Routes to School (SRTS) Master Plan ArcGIS map. This SRTS report is currently being updated and the SRTS recommendations are based on the draft SRTS findings. As shown in Exhibit 2 , the draft SRTS ArcGIS map does not include recommended improvements for the intersection of La Sierra Avenue & Alhambra Avenue . The adjacent intersections to the north and south have various improvements recommended including installing ADA ramps and high visibility crosswalks.
However, a high visibility crosswalk conceptual plan for the intersection of La Sierra Avenue & Alhambra Avenue has been provided for the City of Riverside’s consideration in Attachment B. The high visibility crosswalk has been designed in accordance with City of Riverside Standard 640 – High Visibility Crosswalk and applicable CA MUTCD signing and striping for school zones . The City of Riverside should coordinate with the school district to maintain safe routes to school. These routes should discourage crossings at uncontrolled locations and at locations not readily apparent to drivers, pedestrians, and bicyclists. City staff should coordinate with the school district to discourage back gate access to the Loma Vista Middle School.
If you have any questions, please contact us directly at [email protected] or [email protected].
15842-03 Pedestrian Hybrid Beacon Warrant Analysis La Sierra Residential
ATTACHMENT A
PEDESTRIAN HYBRID BEACON WARRANT
15842-03 Pedestrian Hybrid Beacon Warrant Analysis La Sierra Residential AM Peak Hour
Mid-day Peak Hour
PM Peak Hour
15842-03 Pedestrian Hybrid Beacon Warrant Analysis La Sierra Residential
ATTACHMENT B
CROSSWALK CONCEPT PLAN
P3528A=2,427 sfS
P3528A=2,427 sf
S
P3524P3522A=1,823 sfS
SD
SDAHEAD
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1208020400SCALE: 1" = 40' (ON 11" x 17" SHEET)LA SIERRA AVENUE AT ALHAMBRA AVENUEHIGH VISIBILITY CROSSWALK CONCEPTEXHIBIT B:LA SIERRA AVEALHAMBRA AVE.(40MPH DESIGN)ÝÞßëÝÞßë !"#$HIGH VISIBILITY CROSSWALKPER CITY OF RIVERSIDESTANDARD DRAWING NO. 640R1-5W16-7P(L)W16-7P(R)W16-7P(R)W16-7P(L)R1-5RRFBRRFBRRFBRRFBSCHOOL1237+,-WHENCHILDRENARE PRESENT SCHOOL1237+,-WHENCHILDRENARE PRESENTÆÄÆÄS1-1S1-1ÆÄÆÄS1-1S1-1SCHOOLSW24-1(CA)SW24-3(CA)AHEADSW24-3(CA)CONCEPT ONLY-NOT FOR CONSTRUCTIONFINAL DESIGN TO BE APPROVED BY CITY STAFFCOMMUNICATION WITH RRFBSIGN TO HAVE RADIO COMMUNICATION WITH RRFBSIGN TO HAVE RADIO ÝÞßëRRFB x2ÆÄS1-1 x2W16-7P(R) x2FGHR89:R4-8OM1-3