DATE: JANUARY 9, 2024
DEPARTMENT: PUBLIC WORKS, TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORTATION
FROM: DAVID JACOBS, PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR
BY: GERARDO RODRIGUEZ, ASSISTANT ENGINEER
ADRIANA ROBLES, CITY ENGINEER
TITLE: ALL-WAY STOP REQUESTS ALONG FREEDOM PARKWAY AND SCONBERG PARKWAY RECOMMENDED MOTION:
A motion to approve a Resolution approving the installation of All-Way STOP at the intersections of Freedom Parkway at Tuscany Boulevard and Sconberg Parkway at Monte Bella Boulevard.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
Staff received a request to evaluate the potential of establishing All-Way STOPs at four intersections:
No. Intersection Warrant Finding
1 Freedom Parkway at Padova Drive Not Satisfied
2 Freedom Parkway at Tuscany Boulevard Satisfied
3 Sconberg Parkway at Monte Bella Boulevard Satisfied
4 Sconberg Parkway and Pavia Way Not Satisfied
All-Way STOPs are considered using a combination of quantitative and qualitative measures. Two intersections, Freedom Parkway at Tuscany Boulevard and Sconberg Parkway at Monte Bella Boulevard satisfy qualitative All-Way STOP establishment criteria and are recommended for installation.
BACKGROUND:
Public Works staff received a request from residents of the Monte Bella neighborhood to evaluate the potential of installing All-Way STOP controls at the intersections of Freedom Parkway & Padova Drive, Freedom Parkway & Tuscany Boulevard, Sconberg Parkway & Monte Bella Boulevard, and Sconberg Parkway & Pavia Way. Staff performed a traffic analysis that utilizes a combination of quantitative and qualitative criteria recommended by the California – Manual on Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD).
The quantitative criteria measure the volume of traffic (vehicles, pedestrians, and bicycle) entering the intersection from all approaches to measure delays experienced by side-street traffic trying to enter the intersection over a typical 8-hour day. Volumes are analyzed to determine if at least 300 vehicles per hour on the major street impact a combination of at least 200 vehicles, bicyclist, or pedestrians on the minor street. On streets where vehicles speeds exceed 40 MPH the suggested volumes threshold is analyzed at 70% or 80% of the normal threshold requirement. While none of the intersections satisfied the 8-hour quantitative criteria, the Freedom Parkway & Tuscany Boulevard and Sconberg Parkway & Monte Bella Boulevard intersections satisfy the quantitative criteria for several hours of the day. The other two intersections do not satisfy any of the quantitative measures.
Qualitative criteria consider other contributing factors that may satisfy establishment criteria using engineering judgement. Factors analyzed in the qualitative analysis include elements such as land use generators (schools, business districts, etc.), geometric conditions (blind curves, unimproved shoulders, etc.), and corridor planning measures (interim solution while larger, long-term improvements are being considered). When considering the qualitative criteria, both the Freedom Parkway & Tuscany Boulevard and Sconberg Parkway & Monte Bella Boulevard intersections satisfy these criteria given the intersections proximities to schools, Monte Bella Elementary School and Bardin Elementary School, respectively. In addition, both intersections were identified as part of the Salinas Safe Routes to School planning efforts which identified intersections of concern by parents surveyed.
Traffic and Transportation Commission
The recommendation of establishing All-Way STOP installation at the intersections of Freedom Parkway at Tuscany Boulevard and Sconberg Parkway at Monte Bella Boulevard was presented to the Traffic and Transportation Commission at its December 7, 2023, meeting. The Commission voted (5-0) recommending City Council approve a Resolution to establish All-Way STOPs at the intersections of Freedom Parkway at Tuscany Boulevard and Sconberg Parkway at Monte Bella Boulevard.
CEQA CONSIDERATION:
The City of Salinas has determined that the project is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines (Section 15301, Class 1(c)) because the actions consist of operation and minor alteration of an existing City street.
STRATEGIC PLAN INITIATIVE:
The proposed all way STOP at the intersections of Freedom Parkway at Tuscany Boulevard and Sconberg Parkway at Monte Bella Boulevard improves walking conditions and safe routes to school. This action supports the Council of “Public Safety” and “Infrastructure and Environmental Sustainability”.
DEPARTMENTAL COORDINATION:
Street signs are installed and maintained by Public Works staff. Traffic enforcement is coordinated with the Police Department.
FISCAL AND SUSTAINABILITY IMPACT:
The estimated labor and material cost to install the multi-way stop at the intersections of Freedom Parkway at Tuscany Boulevard and Sconberg Parkway at Monte Bella Boulevard is estimated to be $9,500 using the existing job order contract for traffic control devices. Alternatively, if the City’s maintenance staff is able to perform this work, depending on their availability, the cost will be significantly reduced. Sufficient funding is available in the current streets maintenance budget to fund the proposed all way stop.
ATTACHMENTS:
Resolution
Attachment 1: Freedom Pkwy at Tuscany Blvd Stop Warrant Analysis Attachment 2: Sconberg Pkwy at Monte Bella Blvd Stop Warrant Analysis Attachment 3: Freedom Pkwy at Padova Dr Stop Warrant Analysis Attachment 4: Sconberg Pkwy at Pavia Way Stop Warrant Analysis Attachment 5: All-Way Stop Signs Plan
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