Agenda Item #13.3
For Council Meeting of: August 20, 2024
CITY OF SANTA ROSA
CITY COUNCIL
TO: MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
FROM: ROBERT SPRINKLE, DEPUTY DIRECTOR - TRAFFIC ENGINEERING, TRANSPORTATION AND PUBLIC WORKS SUBJECT: ESTABLISHING SPEED LIMITS TO REDUCE VEHICLE SPEEDS TO BETWEEN 25-40 MILES PER HOUR ON 38 STREET SEGMENTS CITYWIDE INCLUDING ON STREETS IN THE HIGH INJURY NETWORK AGENDA ACTION: RESOLUTION
RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended by the Transportation and Public Works Department that the Council, by resolution, establish radar enforceable speed limits that reduce vehicle speeds to between 25-40 miles per hour on 38 street segments throughout the City, including on street segments that are part of the High Injury Network.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
This item is establishing radar enforceable speed limits on street segments primarily along the High Injury Network.
BACKGROUND
Recent changes to the California Vehicle Code and the California Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices were implemented with Assembly Bills 43 (2021) and 1938 (2022). Assembly Bill 43 provides greater flexibility in establishing speed limits in California. Assembly Bill 1938 is a bill that clarifies in further detail the intent of AB 43 and provides specific limits within the California Vehicle Code on how the rules can be implemented.
AB 43 states the following (summarized):
Revise traffic survey procedures to require bicycle/pedestrian safety consideration and develop a survey guidance on this safety topic.
Allow state and local agencies to post speed limits below 25 mph when supported by a traffic survey.
Increase reduction allowance for posted speed limits to allow greater deviations from the 85th percentile speed by including criteria for a statewide definition of High Injury Networks (HIN), criteria for areas adjacent to land uses and types of roadways that have high concentrations of vulnerable road users.
Add business activity district as an additional class of location eligible for a prima facie speed limit and include statewide definition to include urban villages, neighborhood downtowns, and other business-oriented locations.
Revise requirements related to posting prima facie speed limits in school zones to allow speed limit as low as 15 mph without requiring a traffic survey.
Allow for a traffic survey to retain the existing speed limit (or revert to one determined in a prior traffic survey) unless a registered engineer determines that significant design changes have been made to the roadway since completion of the last traffic survey with the specific intent of increasing the safe operating speed. It extends the maximum length of time an engineering and traffic survey may be used from 10 to 14 years.
Consolidate and clarify statutory sections related to speed setting methodology.
AB 1938 does the following (summarized):
Makes technical, clarifying changes to existing law (AB 43 provisions) on how speed limits are set. It clarifies the circumstances where and by how much a local authority may lower the speed limit below that is indicated by an Engineering and Traffic Survey (E&TS).
AB 1938 simply codifies the preexisting authority on setting speed limits and clarifies that the additional authority granted by AB 43 was meant to supplement, not supplant, that authority.
AB 1938 clarifies that the intent of AB 43 was to lower speed limits by not more than 12.4 miles per hour from what would have resulted from an E&TS.
California Vehicle Code Section 22358.7 permits local authorities to set prima facie speed limits that have been reduced an additional five miles per hour for either of the following reasons:
The portion of highway has been designated as a safety corridor. A local authority shall not deem more than one-fifth of their streets as safety corridors.
The portion of highway is adjacent to any land or facility that generates high concentrations of bicyclists or pedestrians, especially those from vulnerable groups such as children, seniors, persons with disabilities, and the unhoused.
PRIOR CITY COUNCIL REVIEW
On August 7, 1973, the City Council, by Resolution 10492 established a speed limit of 40 mph on Bennett Valley Road between Brookwood Avenue and Farmers Lane.
On September 2, 1975, the City Council, by Resolution 11598 established a speed limit of 35 mph on Brittain Lane between Occidental Road and West Third Street.
On November 12, 1974, the City Council, by Resolution 11164 established a speed limit of 30 mph on Bryden Lane.
On November 13, 2018, the City Council, by Resolution RES-2018-197 established a speed limit of 30 mph on Dutton Avenue between Hearn Avenue and Sebastopol Road.
On December 10, 1991, the City Council, by Resolution 20616 established a speed limit of 30 mph on South E Street between Sonoma Avenue and Maple Avenue.
On December 10, 1991, the City Council, by Resolution 20616 established a speed limit of 30 mph on E Street between Sonoma Avenue and College Avenue.
On January 5, 1982, the City Council, by Resolution 15474 established a speed limit of 40 mph on Guerneville Road between Range Avenue and Lance Drive.
On April 10, 2007, the City Council, by Resolution 26816 established a speed limit of 30 mph on Hahman Drive between Hoen Avenue and Patio Court.
On July 3, 1990, the City Council, by Resolution 19989 established a speed limit of 40 mph on Marlow between West College Avenue and Guerneville Road.
On August 3, 1982, the City Council, by Resolution 15750 established a speed limit of 40 mph on Mendocino Avenue between Administration Drive and Bicentennial Way.
On October 20, 2015, the City Council, by Resolution 28699 established a speed limit of 40 mph on Mendocino Avenue between Bicentennial Way and Hwy 101 North On-ramp.
On July 1, 1980, the City Council, by Resolution 14566 established a speed limit of 30 mph on Montgomery Drive between Fourth Street and Farmers Lane.
On December 10, 2013, the City Council, by Resolution 28387 established a speed limit of 30 mph on Montgomery Drive between Talbot Avenue and Farmers Lane.
On April 6, 2010, the City Council, by Resolution 27605 established a speed limit of 30 mph on Montgomery Drive between Farmers Lane and Hahman Drive.
On October 30, 1973, the City Council, by Resolution 10624 established a speed limit of 35 mph on Montgomery Drive between Hahman Drive and Summerfield Road.
On August 18, 1992, the City Council, by Resolution 20944 established a speed limit of 40 mph on Montgomery Drive between Mission Boulevard and Channel Drive.
On April 19, 2016, the City Council, by Resolution 28767 established a speed limit of 40 mph on Montgomery Drive between Channel Drive and Melita Road.
On May 10, 1983, the City Council, by Resolution 16128 established a speed limit of 30 mph on West Ninth Street between Link Lane and Stony Point Road.
On September 8, 2008, the City Council, by Resolution 27196 established a speed limit of 30 mph on West Ninth Street/Ninth Street between Link Lane and Wilson Street.
On May 13, 1975, the City Council, by Resolution 11419 established a speed limit of 45 mph on Occidental Road between Stony Point Road and Brittain Lane.
On November 12, 1974, the City Council, by Resolution 11164 established a speed limit of 30 mph on Pacific Avenue.
On March 18, 2008, the City Council, by Resolution 27052 established a speed limit of 45 mph on Petaluma Hill Road between South City Limits and Kawana Springs Road.
On March 18, 2008, the City Council, by Resolution 27052 established a speed limit of 40 mph on Petaluma Hill Road between Kawana Springs Road and Colgan Avenue.
On July 9, 1996, the City Council, by Resolution 22748 established a speed limit of 40 mph on Piner Road between Fulton Road and Peterson Lane.
On July 9, 1996, the City Council, by Resolution 22748 established a speed limit of 40 mph on Piner Road between Peterson Lane and Marlow Road.
On February 12, 2013, the City Council, by Resolution 27052 established a speed limit of 40 mph on Range Avenue between West Steele Lane and Russell Avenue.
On May 11, 1993, the City Council, by Resolution 21314 established a speed limit of 40 mph on Santa Rosa Avenue between Burt Street and South City Limits.
On August 7, 1973, the City Council, by Resolution 10492 established a speed limit of 35 mph on Sonoma Avenue between Santa Rosa Avenue and Hahman Drive.
On April 10, 2007, the City Council, by Resolution 26816 established a speed limit of 35 mph on Sonoma Avenue between Hahman Drive and Yulupa Avenue.
On May 1, 1979, the City Council, by Resolution 13806 established a speed limit of 35 mph on Sonoma Avenue between Yulupa Avenue and Summerfield Road.
On November 24, 1998, the City Council, by Resolution 23779 established a speed limit of 45 mph on Stony Point Road between Hearn Avenue and South City Limits.
On November 24, 1998, the City Council, by Resolution 23779 established a speed limit of 40 mph on Stony Point Road between Hearn Avenue and Lazzini Avenue.
On January 16, 1979, the City Council, by Resolution 13661 established a speed limit of 40 mph on Stony Point Road between State Highway 12 and Santa Rosa Creek.
On March 22, 1983, the City Council, by Resolution 16072 established a speed limit of 40 mph on Stony Point Road between Santa Rosa Creek and West College Avenue.
On May 22, 1990, the City Council, by Resolution 19928 established a speed limit of 45 mph on West Third Street between Fulton Road and Valley West Drive.
On May 10, 1983, the City Council, by Resolution 16133 established a speed limit of 40 mph on West Third Street between Stony Point Road and Valley West Drive.
On April 7, 2009, the City Council, by Resolution 27338 established a speed limit of 35 mph on West Third Street between Stony Point Road and Dutton Avenue.
ANALYSIS
The following table gives a summary of the engineering and traffic survey results:
Street
From
To
Existing Speed Limit
Proposed Speed Limit
Measured 85th% Speed
Justification for Lowering
High Injury Network
Bennett Valley Rd
Brookwood Ave
Farmers Ln
40 35
43.5 CVC 22358.7 (a)(1)
Yes
Brittain Ln
Occidental Rd
West Third St
35 25
35.6 CVC 22358.7 (a)(2)
Bryden Ln
Fourth St
Montecito Ave
30 25
32.8 CVC 22358.7 (a)(2)
Dutton Ave
Hearn Ave
Sebastopol Rd
30 25
35.3 CVC 22358.7 (a)(1)
Yes
So E Street
Hendley St
Sonoma Ave
30 25
33.1 CVC 22358.7 (a)(1)
Yes
E Street
Sonoma Ave
College Ave
30 25
32.8 CVC 22358.7 (a)(1)
Yes
Guerneville Rd
Lance Dr
Range Ave
40 35
42.2 CVC 22358.7 (a)(1)
Yes
Hahman Dr
Hoen Ave
Montgomery Dr
30 25
31.6 CVC 22358.7 (a)(2)
Marlow Rd
W College Ave
Guerneville Rd
40 35
44.2 CVC 22358.7 (a)(1)
Yes
Street
From
To
Existing Speed Limit
Proposed Speed Limit
Measured 85th% Speed
Justification for Lowering
High Injury Network
Mendocino Ave
Administration Dr
Bicentennial Dr
40 35
43.7 CVC 22358.7 (a)(1)
Yes
Mendocino Ave
Bicentennial Dr
NB Mendocino Ave Onramp
40 35
42.2 CVC 22358.7 (a)(1)
Yes
Montgomery Dr
Third St
Talbot Ave
30 25
32.4 CVC 22358.7 (a)(2)
Montgomery Dr
Talbot Ave
Farmers Ln
30 25
36.7 CVC 22358.7 (a)(1)
Yes
Montgomery Dr
Farmers Ln
Hahman Dr
30 25
33.9 CVC 22358.7 (a)(1)
Yes
Montgomery Dr
Hahman Dr
Summerfield
35 30
39.2 CVC 22358.7 (a)(1)
Yes
Montgomery Dr
Mission Blvd
Channel Dr
40 35
42.4 CVC 22358.7 (a)(2)
Montgomery Dr
Channel Dr
Melita Rd
40 35
42.5 CVC 22358.7 (a)(2)
W Ninth St
Stony Point Rd
Link Ln
30 25
34.8 CVC 22358.7 (a)(1)
Yes
W Ninth St/Ninth St
Link Ln
Wilson St
30 25
34.8 CVC 22358.7 (a)(1)
Yes
Occidental Rd
Brittain Ln
Stony Point Rd
45 40
47.4 CVC 22358.7 (a)(1)
Yes
Pacific Ave
Mendocino Ave
Bryden Ln
30 25
36.7 CVC 22358.7 (a)(1)
Yes
Petaluma Hill Rd
South City Limits
Kawana Springs Rd
45 40
46.1 CVC 22358.7 (a)(1)
Yes
Petaluma Hill Rd
Kawana Springs Rd
Colgan Ave
40 35
41.5 CVC 22358.7 (a)(1)
Yes
Piner Rd
Fulton Rd
Peterson Ln
40 35
44.5 CVC 22358.7 (a)(2)
Piner Rd
Peterson Ln
Marlow Rd
40 35
43.7 CVC 22358.7 (a)(1)
Yes
Range Ave
W Steele Ln
Russell Ave
40 35
41.2 CVC 22358.7 (a)(1)
Yes
Santa Rosa Ave
South City Limits
Burt St
40 35
40.8 CVC 22358.7 (a)(1)
Yes
Sonoma Ave
Santa Rosa Ave
Brookwood Ave
35 30
34.0 CVC 22358.7 (a)(1)
Yes
Sonoma Ave
Brookwood Ave
Farmers Ln
35 30
39.8 CVC 22358.7 (a)(1)
Yes
Sonoma Ave
Hahman Ln
Yulupa Ave
35 30
38.2 CVC 22358.7 (a)(2)
Street
From
To
Existing Speed Limit
Proposed Speed Limit
Measured 85th% Speed
Justification for Lowering
High Injury Network
Sonoma Ave
Yulupa Ave
Summerfield Rd
35 30
35.5 CVC 22358.7 (a)(2)
Stony Point Rd
South City Limits
Hearn Ave
45 40
47.8 CVC 22358.7 (a)(1)
Yes
Stony Point Rd
Hearn Ave
Lazzini Ave
40 35
43.0 CVC 22358.7 (a)(1)
Yes
Stony Point Rd
W Third St
Santa Rosa Creek
40 35
42.1 CVC 22358.7 (a)(1)
Yes
Stony Point Rd
Santa Rosa Creek
W College Ave
40 35
44.8 CVC 22358.7 (a)(1)
Yes
W Third St
Fulton Rd
Valley West Dr
45 40
47.4 CVC 22358.7 (a)(2)
W Third St
Valley West Dr
Stony Point Rd
40 35
42.1 CVC 22358.7 (a)(1)
Yes
W Third St
Stony Point Rd
Dutton Ave
35 30
38.6 CVC 22358.7 (a)(1)
Yes
FISCAL IMPACT
Approval of this action does not have a fiscal impact on the General Fund as signs will be replaced under JL 17109 which is funded with gas tax.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
The proposed action is exempt from the provisions of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) under CEQA Guidelines Section 15061(b)(3) and 15378 in that there is no possibility that the implementation of this action may have significant effects on the environment, and no further environmental review is required.
BOARD/COMMISSION/COMMITTEE REVIEW AND RECOMMENDATIONS
This item was presented as an informational item to the Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Board at the July 18, 2024, meeting.
NOTIFICATION
Not applicable.
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment 1 – Vicinity Map
Resolution
PRESENTER
Michael VanMidde, Associate Traffic Engineer
ESTABLISHING SPEED LIMITS ON VARIOUS STREETS PRIMARILY ALONG THE HIGH INJURY NETWORK PAGE 3 OF 3