CITY OF TORRANCE
TRAFFIC COMMISSION
ANNUAL REPORT
JULY 2023 THROUGH JUNE 2024
Purpose of the Commission
The Traffic Commission is a seven-member advisory body to the Torrance City Council on traffic policy matters. The Commission makes recommendations regarding street and traffic improvements and means of improving traffic conditions, operations, and safety.
The Traffic Commission is regularly scheduled to meet on the first Monday of each month at 7:00 P.M. All meetings are open to the public. The meetings for July 2023 to June 2024 were held in the West Annex. City staff in attendance generally include Brenda Moun, Public Works Engineering Manager; Shin Furukawa, Deputy Public Works Director/ City Engineer; David Koenig, Torrance Police Sergeant; and John Newman, Police Services Supervisor.
Membership of the Commission
The following Commission members served on the Traffic Commission between July 2023 to June 2024:
MEMBER OFFICE APPOINTMENT OR
REAPPOINTMENT
Mario Obejas Chair 2020
Arohi Sharma Vice Chair 2022
Kathryn Endo-Roberts Member 2023
Nester Farao Member 2023
Michael Gibson Member 2021
Ginny Suruki Member 2023
Lucas Thoma Member 2022
Meetings
In FY2023-24, the Traffic Commission met on the following dates:
August 7, 2023 November 6, 2023 December 4, 2023 February 5, 2024 March 4, 2024 April 1, 2024 May 6, 2024 June 3, 2024
Summary of Annual Activities
The major topics discussed by the Traffic Commission were as follows:
Proposed All-Way STOP and East-West Pedestrian Crossing at Ocean Avenue and 227th Street At the November 6, 2023 meeting, staff conducted a follow-up meeting regarding the proposal to install an all-way STOP at the intersection of Ocean Avenue and 227th Street adjacent to Arnold Elementary School. The Commission concurred with staff’s recommendation to install a new east-
west marked pedestrian crossing and two new STOP signs on Ocean Ave nue to create an all - way STOP at the intersection of 227th Street.
Assembly Bill 413
At the February 5, 2024 meeting, staff made a presentation on State Assembly Bill 413 (AB 413) which amends the California Vehicle Code (CVC) Section 22500 to prohibit parking within 20 feet of the vehicle approach side of any marked or unmarked crosswalk to increase the safety of pedestrians. The practice called “Daylighting” is the technique of restricting parked cars adjacent to pedestrian crossings results in a wider driver sight triangle that allows drivers to see pedestrians and other vehicles sooner as they approach intersections.
Citywide Traffic Signal Improvements, T-171 (Lomita Boulevard at Madison Street Traffic Signal Installation)
At the March 4, 2024 meeting, staff reported that the City successfully received Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP) grant funding to construct a new traffic signal at the intersection of Lomita Boulevard and Madison Street. The project includes protected left-turn phasing for Lomita Boulevard; a new marked crosswalk on Lomita Boulevard on the east side of the intersection; and reconstruction of curb ramps, sidewalk, and curb and gutter. Additional improvements include pedestrian push buttons with the “touchless” feature and traffic signal heads with yellow reflectorized borders for enhanced visibility. The project is currently in design.
Traffic Conditions Adjacent to Calle Mayor Middle School on Mayor Drive and Juan Avenue At the April 1, 2024 meeting, staff reported on findings of an investigation of congestion on Mayor Drive between Calle Mayor and Juan Avenue adjacent to Calle Mayor Middle School caused by two-way traffic on the narrow street during student drop-off and pick-up times. The Commission took public input to better understand the experiences of affected residents, representatives from Calle Mayor Middle School, and the Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) members. Staff will take into consideration the public input received and perform further analysis of potential modifications.
Traffic Conditions Adjacent to Edison Elementary School on 182nd Street and Doty Avenue At the May 6, 2024 meeting, staff reported on findings of an investigation of the intersection of 182nd Street and Doty Avenue pertaining to the visibility of the crosswalk, location of existing signage, and speeding on 182nd Street during student drop -off and pick -up times at Edison Elementary School. Torrance Police Department also provided a briefing of their response to traffic concerns in the area. Staff then took public input to better understand the experiences of affected residents, representatives from Edison Elementary School, and the Parent -Teacher Association (PTA) members . Staff will take into consideration the public inpu t received and perform further analysis of potential improvements.
I-405 at 182nd Street/Crenshaw Boulevard Operational Improvements, T-155 At the June 3, 2024 meeting, staff reported on the I-405 at 182nd Street/Crenshaw Blvd Operational Improvements, T -155 project including t he goals to alleviate congestion, improve safety and enhance traffic flow and operational conditions on the I‐405 mainline at the Crenshaw Boulevard/182nd Street Interchange, its on‐and‐off‐ramps, and interfacing local arterials in the City of Torrance.