ACTION:
____________________________
Clerk/Secretary
Department: City Manager Item No: D2
Prepared by: Amanda Lee, Acting City Manager Meeting Date: January 24, 2023 Approved by: Amanda Lee, Acting City Manager Agenda Location: Discussion SUBJECT: TRAFFIC CALMING TECHNIQUES
RECOMMENDATION: Discuss traffic calming techniques, including the use of speed humps, and provide direction to staff.
PRIOR ACTION: On March 9, 2021, adopted City Council Resolution No. 2021-33, adopting City Council Policy 600-13, Traffic Calming Program”, and rescinding City Council Resolution No. 2004-22, Establishing a Traffic Calming Program for the City of Vista (Vote: 5-0).
On September 23, 2014, introduced and adopted City Council Ordinance No. 2014-21, amending Section
16. 57.080 of the Vista Development Code Relating to Speed Bumps and Speed Humps on Private Property; and adopting City Council Resolution No. 2014-130, repealing City Council Policy 600- 09, Speed Humps on Private Streets (Vote: 5-0).
On January 27, 2004, adopted City Council Resolution No. 2004-22, establishing a traffic calming program for the City of Vista (Vote: 4-1, Campo opposed).
Please see Exhibit 1 for a complete list of prior actions.
STATEMENT ON THE SUBJECT: Deputy Mayor Contreras requested the City Manager place a discussion item on an upcoming agenda to discuss traffic calming techniques, including the use of speed humps.
FISCAL IMPACT: There is no direct fiscal impact associated with this discussion item.
EXHIBITS:
1.Prior Actions
AGENDA
REPORT
CITY COUNCIL
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION
SUCCESSOR AGENCY
BUENA SANITATION DISTRICT
JOINT POWERS FINANCING AUTHORITY
01/24/2023 D2 1 of 2
Discussed traffic calming techniques, including the use of speed humps, and directed staff to create a traffic calming comprehensive plan. Vote: 5-0
Traffic Calming and Speed Humps
Prior Actions
On March 9, 2021, adopted City Council Resolution No. 2021-33, adopting City Council Policy 600-13, Traffic Calming Program”, and rescinding City Council Resolution No. 2004-22, Establishing a Traffic Calming Program for the City of Vista (Vote: 5-0).
On September 23, 2014, introduced and adopted City Council Ordinance No. 2014-21, amending Section 16. 57.080 of the Vista Development Code Relating to Speed Bumps and Speed Humps on Private Property; and adopting City Council Resolution No. 2014-130, repealing City Council Policy 600- 09, Speed Humps on Private Streets (Vote: 5-0).
On January 27, 2004, adopted City Council Resolution No. 2004-22, establishing a traffic calming program for the City of Vista (Vote: 4-1, Campo opposed).
On December 8, 2009, adopted City Council Resolution No 2009-197, amending numerous City Council Policies, including Policy 600-09, Speed Humps on Private Streets (Vote: 5-0).
On October 10, 2000, adopted City Council Ordinance No. 2000-6, amending Section 16.57.080 of the Vista Municipal Code of the City of Vista concerning speed bumps and speed humps on private streets and driveways (Vote: 5-0).
On July 13, 1999, adopted City Council Resolution No. 99-120, establishing a policy for the installation of speed humps on private streets (Vote: 5-0).
On November 22, 1994, adopted City Council Ordinance No. 94-28, amending Chapter 16 of the Municipal Code of the City of Vista pertaining to speed bumps and speed humps (Vote: 4-0, Smith absent).
On December 10, 1991, adopted City Council Ordinance No. 91-42, amending street standards (Vote: 4- 0, Smith abstained).
01/24/2023 D2 2 of 2
EXHIBIT 1
San Diego County Bicycle Coalition
300 15th St
San Diego, CA 92101
January 24, 2023
Mayor John Franklin and City Council
City of Vista
200 Civic Center Dr.
Vista, CA 92084
Subject: Comments on Traffic Calming Strategies
Dear Mayor Franklin and City Councilmembers,
I'm writing on behalf of the San Diego County Bicycle Coalition to comment on the discussion of traffic calming techniques during the January 24th City of Vista City Council Meeting.
Since 1987, the San Diego County Bicycle Coalition has acted as the voice for everyone who rides bikes throughout the San Diego region. We advocate for safer bike lanes and paths, host world-class cycling events like Bike the Bay, and actively provide safe cycling classes to hundreds of San Diegans every year.
As the leading advocate for cyclists in San Diego County, the San Diego County Bicycle Coalition thanks the City of Vista for agendizing a discussion of traffic calming techniques. In 2021,ten people were killed in traffic crashes in Vista, half of whom were killed while walking.
Speed is the largest factor in determining whether someone will survive a crash; while pedestrians have 90% chance of surviving a collision with a car traveling 23 mph, those odds decrease to only 10% when a car is traveling 58 mph. At many of Vista's intersections, traffic calming can mean the difference between all cars traveling under 25 mph, and many people dangerously speeding through at over 50 mph. Decreasing traffic speeds is of critical public safety importance for the City of Vista.
When recommending the most effective traffic calming strategies to cities around San Diego County, we utilize two key principles:
1. Physical traffic calming is always more effective than additional signage, signalization, or enforcement.
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D2
2. Engineers should ensure that traffic calming measures improve road safety for cyclists and pedestrians, as well as drivers.
In practice, these principles lead us to several key recommendations for traffic calming plans.
First, when considering how to lower traffic speeds on a certain segment of roadway, cities should prioritize infrastructure improvements like roundabouts, speed bumps, curb extensions, road diets, and lane width reductions over new signage and signalization and increased enforcement. While infrastructure changes are more expensive in the short-term than increased signage and enforcement, they are much cheaper to maintain in the long-term. Furthermore, while traffic signal signals and enforcement ultimately rely on voluntary compliance from drivers to be effective, infrastructure changes can make it difficult and uncomfortable for drivers to reach unsafe speeds, regardless of their intent. With reckless and impaired driving becoming more common than ever, relying on voluntary compliance with speed limits and traffic signals is not effective.
Second, for all of the infrastructural improvements mentioned, specific design features should be included to make them safe and comfortable for cyclists and pedestrians. A few examples of this principle in practice are follows:
Roundabouts:To be safely used by cyclists, the design speed for a roundabout must be 15 mph or less. That means the turning angles must be sharp enough such that cars would not be comfortable passing through at over 15 mph. If the design speed for a roundabout must be higher, separated bikeways must be provided through the roundabout to allow cyclists to take a different path from traffic. Clearly visible crosswalks must be provided at all legs of a roundabout for pedestrian safety.
Speed Bumps:Speed bumps should not extend into the bike lanes, allowing cyclists to move through unobstructed, while drivers are forced to slow down to similar speeds.
Road Diets and Lane Reductions:Wherever possible,the extra road space opened up through lane reductions and road diets should be used to create or widen existing bikeways and sidewalks. While narrowing lanes is an effective traffic calming strategy, bicyclists and pedestrians must be given adequate space to operate separately from traffic.
Conclusion:
Thank you again for seriously considering traffic calming in Vista. We encourage the City Council to commit to a comprehensive traffic calming program that will slow traffic speeds through physical infrastructure on all of Vista's most dangerous corridors. Five pedestrians dying within a year in a city the size of Vista is unacceptable, and it is a moral imperative for the City Council to take action to prevent any more deaths.
The San Diego County Bicycle Coalition is excited to partner with the City of Vista on any and all traffic safety efforts. Please reach out to us at any time; we would be excited to provide input, support, and expertise for Vista's traffic safety goals.
Sincerely,
Will Rhatigan
Advocacy Director
San Diego County Bicycle Coalition
617-775-9112
[email protected]
From:Sarah Spinks
To:Public Comments
Subject:C4, D2, D3 & D4, ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
Date:Tuesday, January 24, 2023 8:00:48 AM
Attachments:PXL 20230121 210304675.jpg
PXL 20230121 210234975.jpg
Dear Mayor and Vista City Council,
First, Happy Anniversary to the City of Vista!
C4. Public Lemon Mural Approval - I am excited for this new piece of interactive public art to come to downtown Vista. Thank you to Traci Lawson for bringing this project to this corner of downtown Vista.
D2. Traffic Calming Techniques - I support calming traffic in the City of Vista and prioritizing the safety of people who walk and live in neighborhoods that need some help slowing down these cars. Today, in fact, a car speeding north on North Citrus where I live flipped me off while I was pulling into my driveway. I wish this was a rare occurrence, but it isn't. Cars go absurdly fast down the narrow little street we live on and it is especially concerning because of all the Vista Magnet Middle School students who walk both two and from school. People use the neighborhood as a cut through, which is fine, but so many are not cutting through at a safe speed.
Sometimes I wonder if exploring the idea of making old, narrow streets like N. Citrus into one way directional streets could be a solution, and at the same time increasing parking options for neighbors. I remember attending a meeting when a consultant talked about how street parking actually increases pedestrian safety.
Other ideas for my street would be speed humps or more frequent stop signs - I would suggest placing one at the intersection of Washington and N. Citrus. I also think the crosswalks at intersections where neighborhoods and major arterial roads meet (such as N. Citrus and Vista Village) need something more to protect pedestrians in the crosswalks. I have been nearly run over countless times in the crosswalk I use daily - including a time I was almost run over by a City of Vista vehicle. The crosswalks at Vista Village & Civic Center and North Santa Fe & California Ave need to be repainted, especially because they are so often used by children.
In summary, I support whatever needs to happen to make walking safer and slowing cars down in neighborhoods.
D3. Green Bike Lanes - I support investing in bike infrastructure and think green bike lanes are beautiful. I look forward to Vista moving in this direction and investing in creating a community where more people get out of their cars. (I can't wait for the Rail Trail to finally be completed!)
D4. Proposed Changes to Municipal Code Regarding Appointment of Members of the City Council to the San Diego Association of Governments - I support changing the municipal code to allow city council to appoint a SANDAG representative that is not the Mayor's nomination.
The crucial vote to advance a sustainable and equitable transportation plan for our region is important to me, and I believe a representative decided by council majority best demonstrates our city's commitment to democratic values and principles.
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ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
Please see attached photos of VHB graffiti all over the Creek Walk in Vista Village. I would like to suggest allocating funding in the future to install public art as a solution to prevent future vandalism at this site. A mixture of mosaic and murals would be a nice addition to this area where families and friends meet, people walk pets and children are often having their portraits taken. The area is so beautiful and full of so much potential and it is so sad to see it look this way. Another suggestion would be to program music events (like jazz, singer/songwriter type genre) to help positively activate the space and create a deeper sense of community stewardship.
Thank you for your attention.
Sincerely,
Sarah Spinks
N. Citrus Ave
CITY- OF VISTA .
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January 24 , 2023
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SPEED HUMP CRITERIA CHECK LIST
Street: Limits:
Conformance
Guidelines Data YES NO Comments Points Petition contains signatures of adjacent residents
75% indicating support(each household
represents one vote
Conditions— Minimum of 130 Points Required
1.* The street is a local residential street and is
not a collector or arterial street as defined by
the City of Vista's Circulation Element. (25
points)
2. The speed limit is 25 mph or less. 10points)
3. Radar survey shows that the measured 85t"
percentile speed is 35 mph or more; or 60% of
motorists exceed 25 mph. 10 points
4. Paved width is 40 feet or less with curb and
utter or edge control. 10points)
5. Street shall be no more than one lane in each
direction. 10 points
6. Average traffic volume not less than 1,000 but
greater than 3,500 vehicles per day for both
directions in 24 hours on an average weekday.
10points)
7. Street has a longitudinal grade of 8% or less.
10points)
8. Street segment shall be at least'/4 mile (1,320
feet) in length and uninterrupted by stop signs
or traffic signals. 10points)
9. Must not be proposed on isolated blocks,along
a continuous street or on a short cul-de-sac
less than 800 feet). 10points)
10. Adequate horizontal or vertical alignments and
sight distance. 10 points
11. Street not scheduled for resurfacing within 16
months. 10 points
12.*Street is not a truck route, transit route or an
important access route for emergency vehicles
as determined by the emergency services
departments and NCTD. 25 points
SUMMARY Qualified Total Points
Accident History:
Special Circumstances:
Items marked with an asterisk(*) must be fully satisfied to qualify. A minimum of 130 points out of a possible 150 points is required for a street to be considered.