August 27, 2024
Agenda Item 10.B
Mia Silver
Santa Monica Engineering and Traffic
Survey Results and Speed Limit Update
AGENDA & OBJECTIVES
1. PROJECT OVERVIEW
2. ANALYSIS METHODOLOGY
3. RESULTS
PROJECT OVERVIEW
• In order to enforce speed limits,
California law requires that Engineering
and Traffic Surveys (E&TS) are updated
periodically.
• City staff was guided by City plans and
and the Vision Zero commitment.
• The study was done pursuant to Section
22358 of the CVC, and accounted for
new provisions made by Assembly Bill
43 (AB 43).
City Plans
PROJECT OVERVIEW
• The City prepared an E&TS for 141 roadway
segments, which entailed surveying a total of
215 roadway locations.
ANALYSIS METHODOLOGY
• Prima facie speed limits are speed
limits that qualify under criteria outlined
in the CVC. For areas that qualify as
Resident Districts or Business Districts,
the prima facie speed limit is 25 mph.
• Data collection was conducted in accordance
with CVC and the California Manual on Uniform
Traffic Control Devices (CA MUTCD).
• 85th percentile speeds were collected at the
215 roadway segments.
• Speeds were recorded outside of peak travel
hours on a weekday.
To update speed limits in alignment with current local and state policy, we considered:
Local Roadway Safety Plan City Plans Proximity to Sensitive Areas Business Activity Districts Speed Limit Continuity
PLANS AND CONTEXTUAL FACTORS CONSIDERED
ANALYSIS METHODOLOGY
SPEED SURVEY
RESULTS
• Relative to the posted speed limit, the 85th
percentile speed of vehicles was:
• > 7 mph higher at 1% of locations
• 5 - 7 mph higher at 8% of locations
• 0 - 5 mph higher at 62% of locations
• Lower at 29% of locations
SPEED LIMIT CHANGES
RESULTS
• The speed limit recommendations were made
regarding what would be reasonable and
appropriate in accordance with regulations,
requirements, and contextual factors.
• Overall speeds would be reduced by an
average of 5 mph on 62 roadways, which
account for 32 miles of roadway.
• California Incline was the only segment that
increased due to the speed survey finding
and its contextual factors.
Speed Limit Changes
Total number of roadway segments analyzed 141
Total number of roadway segments with speed reductions 62 Roadways miles where speed limits were reduced 32
Average speed limit reduction for all roadways segments where speed limit reductions were applied 5
SUMMARY STATISTICS
RESULTS
NEXT STEPS
• Upon City Council approval, the changes take effect 30 days after second reading of the ordinance.
• New and updated speed limit signs will then be installed by DOT staff. • The anticipated duration for installation of signs is two months, and new speed limits would not be enforceable until signage is posted on the corridor.
REQUESTED ACTIONS
• Adopt a finding of Categorical Exemption and a finding of no possibility of significant effect pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines • Introduce for first reading an ordinance amending Santa Monica Municipal Code 3.12.490 to establish speed limits for certain City streets pursuant to California Vehicle Code Rounding Changes with AB 43
California Incline
• New rounding changes with AB43 allow
for 30 mph with 85th measured at
36.5 mph.
• 1 of the 2 segments > 7 mph over posted
speed limit.
• Reviewing traffic calming treatments.
• Park, bikeway and sidewalk are all
physically separated from the roadway.
San Vicente
• Rounding changes with AB43 allow
for 35 mph with 85th measured at
39.9 mph.
• Flashing beacons at 4th, 11th, 14th,
and 19th streets.
• Speed feedback signs.
Safety Statistics
Vehicle Speed Comparison to Chance of Pedestrian Injury and Fatality
SCHOOLS INCLUDED IN ANALYSIS
• Academic Achievers Academy
• Carlthorp School
• Crossroads School for Arts & Sciences
• Edison Language Academy
• Evergreen Community School
• Franklin Elementary School
• Garden of Angels School
• Grant Elementary School
• John Adams Middle School
• John Muir Elementary School
• Lighthouse Christian Academy
• Lincoln Middle School
• McKinley Elementary School
• New Roads School
• Olympic High School
• Pacifica Christian High School
• PS1 Pluralistic School
• Roosevelt Elementary School
• Saint Monica Preparatory Upper School
• Santa Monica High School
• Santa Monica Montessori
• St. Annes School
• Sycamore Community School
• Waldorf Ealy Childhood Center
• Will Rogers Learning Community