TO:Andrew P. Powers, City Manager
FROM:Nader Heydari, Public Works Director
DATE:March 24, 2026
SUBJECT: Radar Feedback Signs at 17 Locations Citywide (CI 5548) RECOMMENDATION:
1. Authorize staff to advertise for construction bids for the Radar Feedback Signs at 17 Locations Citywide Project (CI 5548).
2. Authorize acceptance of a Federal Highway Safety Improvement Program Cycle 11 Grant in the amount of $258,570 from the Federal Highway Administration for construction of Radar Feedback Signs at 17 Locations Citywide.
3. Find that the Project is Categorically Exempt from California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to 14 CCR 15304 (minor alterations to land).
LEVINE ACT ITEM: No
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
No Additional Funding Requested. Minimal staff time and costs required to advertise for bids are included in the Adopted FY 2025-26 General Fund Budget. $258,570 is included in the Adopted FY 2026-27 Grant Fund Budget from the Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP) Grant. The estimated total project cost is $313,300. Additional funding for construction costs will be requested at the time of construction contract award, depending on bids received.
BACKGROUND:
On June 16, 2021, the Traffic and Transportation Advisory Commission (TTAC) recommended that City Council approve the City’s Local Roadway Safety Plan (LRSP), which City Council subsequently approved on August 31, 2021. The LRSP was developed to improve commuter, bicyclist, and pedestrian safety in Thousand Oaks. Through the development of the LRSP, a data analysis was conducted,
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resulting in recommendations that identified various safety enhancements throughout the City’s street network. An adopted LRSP was required of all public agencies in order to apply for HSIP grants beginning in the 2022 application cycle.
One of the projects identified in the City’s adopted LRSP to help calm traffic is the installation of radar feedback signs. Based on citywide traffic data, the LRSP identified 17 locations (Attachment #1) across the City where the installation of radar feedback signs could potentially improve overall traffic safety.
The locations identified for the proposed 17 radar feedback signs are listed below.
Please note that some locations are approximate and subject to change based on final field conditions and placement optimization:
1. Lynn Road east of Meadowcrest Street, eastbound direction
2. Lynn Road west of Helga Court, westbound direction
3. Lynn Road east of Greenmeadow Avenue, eastbound direction
4. Lynn Road west of Greenmeadow Avenue, westbound direction
5. Lynn Road south of Janss Road, northbound direction
6. Olsen Road west of Campus Drive, westbound direction
7. Olsen Road east of 23 Freeway, northbound direction
8. Olsen Road at Northern City Limits, southbound direction
9. Hillcrest Drive west of Skyline Drive, eastbound direction
10. Hillcrest Drive west of Blue Mesa Street, westbound direction
11. Hillcrest Drive east of Lynn Road, eastbound direction
12. Hillcrest Drive west of Marin Street, westbound direction
13. Thousand Oaks Boulevard west of Cord Avenue, eastbound direction
14. Thousand Oaks Blvd. east of Lakeview Canyon Road, westbound direction
15. Borchard Road west of Reino Road, eastbound direction
16. Borchard Road east of Theresa Drive, westbound direction
17. Westlake Boulevard south of Santiago Street, southbound direction A radar feedback sign displays the driver’s speed directly above the posted speed limit (Attachment #2) to help drivers better gauge their speed. If the speed of the approaching vehicle is below or near the speed limit, the radar feedback signs will display the approaching vehicle’s speed. However, if the speed of the approaching vehicle is significantly higher than the posted speed limit, the sign will display “SLOW DOWN” or “TOO FAST”.
Similar radar feedback signs have already been installed on Olsen Road, Lynn Road, Kanan Road, Westlake Boulevard, and Hendrix Avenue over the past few years. In addition, the Thousand Oaks Police Department deploys a portable version of the radar feedback signs at locations where speed enforcement is being conducted.
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Radar feedback signs have been effective in raising awareness about and reducing speeds at the previously installed locations. In addition, overall public feedback on their use has been very positive, with requests by the public to deploy more radar signs throughout the City.
Grant Funding
In September 2022, staff applied for several HSIP grants, which are being administered by Caltrans. The purpose of the statewide HSIP is to achieve a significant reduction in traffic fatalities and serious injuries on all public roads, including non-State-owned public roads, via federal aid to reduce costs to local agencies. In this grant application, funds were requested to install the 17 radar feedback signs throughout the City as recommended in the LRSP.
On March 9, 2023, Caltrans announced the project selection results. The City was approved for HSIP Grant [H11-07-050] funding in the amount of $258,570 to install and maintain 17 radar feedback signs throughout the City. The total project estimate is $313,300, meaning roughly 80 percent of the project's costs will be offset by grant funding.
DISCUSSION/ANALYSIS:
The project will install radar feedback signs at 17 locations throughout the City, including locations in Newbury Park, Thousand Oaks, and Westlake. The project is designed to enhance public safety, focusing on street locations with higher traffic volume and higher speed limits as set pursuant to State law. These specific locations were selected in the LRSP based on data showing where higher than average incidents of speed-related rear-end collisions occurred. All locations are situated on roadways that are 60 feet or wider, measured from curb-to-curb.
The project plans and specifications were completed in-house and are available for review upon request to the Public Works Department by email at [email protected] or by phone at (805) 449-2400.
Staff is recommending that the project be advertised for construction bids. Once bids are received, staff will make a recommendation at a future City Council meeting for the award of the construction contract.
The tentative schedule for completion of the project is as follows:
Bid Opening April 2026
Award of Construction Contract June 2026
Start of Construction Summer 2026
Project Completion Early 2027
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The estimated costs are as follows:
1.Engineering/Design/Construction Support (In-House) $ 0
2. Construction Estimate (including contingency) $ 313,300
3.HSIP Grant Funds $ 258,570
Total Estimated City Contribution $ 54,730
$258,570 is included in the Adopted FY 2026-27 Grant Fund Budget (HSIP Grant).
The total project cost (including contingencies) is estimated at $313,300. Additional appropriation at the time of construction award may be required depending on the actual bids received.
The Project is categorically exempt from CEQA pursuant to 14 CCR 15304 (Minor alterations to land).
Community Outreach: Staff brought this item to the June 25, 2025, TTAC meeting.
During this meeting, staff presented an overview of the project, including the 17 proposed locations, and examples of existing radar feedback signs around the City. TTAC provided positive comments regarding the project and the City’s efforts to help calm traffic on the primary corridors through the City. One email from the public was submitted in support of the project.
Various communication tools and strategies, including community meetings (if needed), press releases, website updates, and social media posts will continue to be utilized to inform the public and receive feedback.
This project meets City Council’s Top Ten Priorities #9 to “Public Works Infrastructure Investments.”
CIP PROJECT PRIORITY (as outlined in FY 2025-26 and FY 2026-27 CIP Program Budget)
Priority One – Essential projects which addresses health and safety, legal and regulatory requirements, as well as City Council’s Top Priorities projects.
COUNCIL GOAL COMPLIANCE:
Meets the following City Council goals:
C. Operate City government in a fiscally and managerially responsible and prudent manner to ensure that the City of Thousand Oaks remains one of California's most desirable places to live, work, visit, recreate, and raise a family.
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F. Provide and enhance essential infrastructure to ensure that the goals and policies of the Thousand Oaks General Plan are carried out and the City retains its role and reputation as a leader in protecting the environment and preserving limited natural resources.
PREPARED BY: Bradley Ackart, Engineering Assistant
Attachments:
Attachment #1 – Radar Feedback Sign Locations
Attachment #2 – Example Radar Feedback Sign
DPW: 850-20\ev\Council\2026\032426\CI5548\Radar Feedback Signs Citywide staff report.docx