FOR THE COUNCIL MEETING OF JANUARY 17, 2023
COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
TO: City Council
FROM: City Manager
Prepared by: Public Works Director
SUBJECT: FOUR-WAY STOPS AT THE INTERSECTIONS OF EL CAMINO STREET
AND NORTH LINCOLN STREET AND NORTH THORNBURG STREET
RECOMMENDATION:
That the City Council adopt a Resolution establishing two four-way stops at El Camino Street and North Lincoln Street and at El Camino Street and North Thornburg Street pursuant to Section 7-5.20 of the Santa Maria Municipal Code.
BACKGROUND:
The Santa Maria Bonita School District has expressed a safety concern regarding the roadway segment of El Camino Street between North Lincoln Street and North Thornburg Street. The School District noted that El Camino Street has stop controls within the specified roadway segment only in the east -west direction and seeks the consideration of the City Council for establishing four-way stops on El Camino Street between North Lincoln Street and North Thornburg Street.
The Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) published by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) lists warrants for the installation of stop signs. The following is taken from Section 2B.07 regarding multiway stop applications:
Section 28.07 Multiway Stop Applications
Support:
Multiway stop control can be useful as a safety measure at intersections if certain traffic conditions exist. Safety concems associated with multiway stops include pedestrians, bicyclists, and all road users expecting other road users to stop. Multiway stop control is used where the volume of traffic on the intersecting roads is approximately equal.
The restrictions on the use of STOP signs described in Section 28.05 also apply to multiway stop applications.
Guidance:
The decision to install multiway stop control should be based on an engineering study.
The following criteria should be considered in the engineering study for a multiway STOP sign installation:
A. Where traffic control signals are justified, the multiway stop is an interim measure that can be installed quickly to control traffic while arrangements are being made for the installation of the traffic control signal.
B. A crash problem, as indicated by 5 or more reported crashes in a 12 - month period that are susceptible to correction by a multiway stop installation. Such crashes include right- and left-tum collisions as well as right-angle collisions.
C. Minimum volumes:
1. The vehicular volume entering the intersection from the major street approaches (total of both approaches) averages at least 300 vehicles per hour for any 8 hours of an average day; and
2. The combined vehicular, pedestrian, and bicycle volume entering the intersection from the minor street approaches (total of both approaches) averages at least 200 units per hour for the same 8 hours, with an average delay to minor -street vehicular traffic of at least 30 seconds per vehicle during the highest hour;; but
3. If the 85th -percentile approach speed of the major -street traffic exceeds 65 km/h or exceeds 40 mph, the minimum vehicular volume warrants are 70 percent of the above values.
D. Where no single criterion is satisfied, but where Criteria 8, C.1, and C.2 are all satisfied to 80 percent of the minimum values. Criterion C.3 is excluded from this condition.
Options:
Other criteria that may be considered in an engineering study include:
A. The need to control left-tum conflicts;
8. The need to control vehicle/pedestrian conflicts near locations that generate high pedestrian volumes;
C. Locations where a road user, after stopping, cannot see conflicting traffic and is not able to reasonably safely negotiate the intersection unless conflicting cross traffic is also required to stop; and D. An intersection of two residential neighborhood collector (through) streets of similar design and operating characteristics where multiway stop control would improve traffic operational characteristics of the intersection.
DISCUSSION:
The intersections on El Camino Street and North Lincoln Street and North Thornburg Street are both in a residential area. Currently, both intersections are controlled with a two- way stop with stop signs existing on El Camino Street, therefore vehicles traveling on North Lincoln Street and North Thornburg Street are not required to stop at El Camino Street.
Both El Camino Street and North Lincoln Street are considered streets with low traffic
volumes. North Thornburg Street is classified as a residential collector street.
The subject intersections are located along the safe route to school for El Camino Junior High School. After a review of traffic warrants for a multi -way stop per the MUTCD, the Traffic Committee recommended establishing four-way stops at El Camino Street and North Lincoln Street and at 0 Camino Street and North Thornburg Street.
The City Council has the authority to designate certain locations within the City where vehicles shall stop before entering an intersection. The Traffic Committee discussed the matter and recommended that the City Council establish four-way stops at the intersections of El Camino Street and North Lincoln Street and at El Camino Street and North Thornburg Street.
Fiscal Considerations:
Initial installation of a stop sign, and pavement marking will cost approximately $125 per stop sign plus labor and long-term maintenance.
Impact to the Community:
Drivers traveling on North Lincoln Street and North Thornburg Street will experience a slight delay because they will be required to make a complete stop at El Camino Street.
LUIS A. MAGALLON, P.E.
Civil Engineer III
BRETT FULGONI
Director Public Works
Attachments: A: Proposed Four -Way Stop at the intersections of El Camino Street and North Lincoln Street and El Camino Street and North Thornburg Street.
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City of Santa Maria
Depa rtme nt of Public Wo rks
110 South Pine Street
Sa nta Maria , CA 93458
Drawn BY Approve d By:
Luis A. Ma gellan David Seas
Propos ed All Way St op
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Atta chment A
RESOLUTION NO.
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
SANTA MARIA, CALIFORNIA, ESTABLISHING TWO
FOUR-WAY STOPS AT EL CAMINO STREET AND
NORTH LINCOLN STREET AND AT EL CAMINO STREET
AND NORTH THORNBURG STREET PURSUANT TO
SECTION 7-5.20 OF THE SANTA MARIA MUNICIPAL
CODE
WHEREAS, it is in the best interest of the City of Santa Maria to establish stop sign control at certain locations within the City; and
WHEREAS, the City of Santa Maria Traffic Committee reviewed the request by the Santa Maria -Bonita School District and recommended establishing a four-way stops at the locations described below:
NOW, THEREFORE, IT IS RESOLVED that pursuant to Section 7-5.20 of the Santa Maria Municipal Code, a four-way stop shall be established at El Camino Street and North Lincoln Street and at El Camino Street and North Thornburg Street. North Lincoln Street and North Thornburg Street northbound/southbound traffic shall be required to stop at the intersection with El Camino Street.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Santa Maria, California, as follows:
1. The foregoing shall constitute traffic regulations pursuant to ordinance.
2. All work is to be accomplished using the standards and methods approved by the Public Works Director. This shall be in accordance with standard City specifications, and the provisions of this resolution are to be carried out by erecting signs, painting marks and temporary markers and barricades required, and by such other indicators or devices as may be under provisions of the Vehicle Code of the State of California and regulations adopted pursuant thereto.
3. The Chief Deputy City Clerk is hereby authorized to make minor changes herein to address clerical errors, so long as substantial conformance of the intent of this document is maintained. In doing so, the Chief Deputy City Clerk shall consult with the City Manager and City Attorney concerning any changes deemed necessary.
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PASSED AND ADOPTED at a regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Santa Maria held this 17th day of January 2023.
Mayor
ATTEST:
Chief Deputy City Clerk
APPROVED AS TO j :
Ity Attorney
APPROVED AS TO CONTENT:
Department Director