ACTION:
____________________________
Clerk/Secretary
Department: City Manager/Fire Item No: D2
Prepared by: Gerard Washington, Fire Chief Meeting Date: August 13, 2024 Approved by: John Conley, City Manager Agenda Location: Discussion SUBJECT: TRAFFIC CALMING EFFECTS ON EMERGENCY RESPONSE TIMES AND VISTA FIRE
DEPARTMENT ROUTE MAP
RECOMMENDATION: Receive an update on the effect of traffic-calming measures on emergency response times and approve the Vista Fire Department Route Map.
CORRELATION TO CITY COUNCIL GOALS: Public Safety and Traffic: Continue to improve the flow of traffic for all forms of travel, reduce congestions, and improve our roads and sidewalks.
PRIOR ACTION: On June 13, 2023, adopted City Council Resolution No. 2023-95, amending City Council Policy 600-13, Traffic Calming Program (Vote: 5-0).
On June 13, 2023, adopted City Council Resolution No. 2023-96, amending City Council Policy 600-07, Criteria and Procedures for Installation of Speed Humps (Vote: 4-1, Franklin Opposed).
For a comprehensive list of prior City Council actions, please reference Exhibit 5.
PRIOR TRAFFIC COMMISSION ACTION: On May 3, 2023, reviewed and approved staff’s recommended edits to the Traffic Calming and Speed Hump Policies (Vote: 5-0-1) (Commissioner Flynn Abstained, One Vacancy).
STATEMENT ON THE SUBJECT: In an effort to manage vehicles speeds and address resident concerns with traffic and pedestrian safety, the City Council approved the installation of speed humps on five street segments around the City in Spring of last year. Further in June 2023, the City Council amended City Council Policy 600-07, Criteria and Procedures for Installation of Speed Humps (Exhibit 3), and 600-13, Traffic Calming Program (Exhibit 4) to streamline the process and ease the burden on residents making requests for speed humps.
A total of 22 segments have been approved for speed hump installation. Speed humps have already been installed on 16 of the approved street segments and the remaining six segments are planned for installation by the end of this year. There are also another 48 street segments where residents have requested speed humps over the past few months. These requests are pending the Fire Department’s emergency response time and route mapping discussion before staff proceeds with their evaluation.
AGENDA
REPORT
CITY COUNCIL
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION
SUCCESSOR AGENCY
BUENA SANITATION DISTRICT
JOINT POWERS FINANCING AUTHORITY
Received an update on the effect of traffic-calming measures on emergency response times and approved the Vista Fire Department Route Map. Vote: 5-0
MEETING DATE: August 13, 2024 PAGE 2
SUBJECT: TRAFFIC CALMING EFFECTS ON EMERGENCY RESPONSE TIMES AND VISTA FIRE
DEPARTMENT ROUTE MAP
The City Council has recently been discussing the potential impact of speed humps on emergency response times, and to ensure an approach that balances traffic safety and adequate emergency response, directed staff to return to City Council with additional information. The City of Vista prioritizes public safety. To support this key concern, Vista Fire Department (VFD) staff conducted a comprehensive study regarding these impacts.
To ensure an impartial and thorough analysis, VFD contracted with FireStats, LLC, a consulting firm specializing in fire service analytics. FireStats brings to the project a long-standing professional relationship with VFD and access to comprehensive, relevant datasets crucial for this study.
For every speed hump emergency vehicles must navigate, it will add five to ten seconds to the response time. To address this, a Fire Department Route Map (attached as Exhibit 1) was developed, identifying priority road segments where speed humps should be avoided to ensure efficient response times. The route map was developed using Geographic Information Systems (GIS) software with call data from the City’s six fire stations and the surrounding jurisdiction’s responses within Vista. The route map reflects the roadway segments that provide critical linkages for emergency response purposes.
Staff recommends that the City Council adopt the Vista Fire Department Route Map as presented in Exhibit 1 when considering the installation of speed humps on city streets.
FISCAL IMPACT: The cost of the fire route mapping analysis was $10,775, which was covered within the FY 2023/24 Fire Department Operating Budget. There is no direct fiscal impact with adoption of the Vista Fire Department Route Map.
EXHIBITS:
1. Fire Department Route Map
2. FireStats, LLC Contract
3. City Council Policy 600-07
4. City Council Policy 600-13
5. Prior City Council Actions
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EXHIBIT 1
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EXHIBIT 2
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EXHIBIT 3
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Vista City Council Policy
600-13 TRAFFIC CALMING PROGRAM
PURPOSE
To establish the procedures for implementation of traffic calming on public streets.
POLICY
See Exhibit ‘A’ to this Policy for a detailed description of the City of Vista Traffic Calming Program.
HISTORY
Adopted March 9, 2021, Resolution No. 2021-33
Amended June 13, 2023, Resolution No. 2023-95
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EXHIBIT 4
NEIGHBORHOOD TRAFFIC CALMING PROGRAM
Exhibit ‘A’ to Vista City Council Policy 600-13
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Vista City Council Policy 600-13
Exhibit A – Neighborhood Traffic Calming Program
NEIGHBORHOOD TRAFFIC CALMING PROGRAM
INTRODUCTION
The purpose of the Vista Neighborhood Traffic Calming Program (NTCP) is to reduce speeds of motorists traveling on the City’s streets. The program is aimed at providing a greater level of safety for all modes of transportation. The NCTP details the various traffic calming techniques employed by the City and establishes procedures for their implementation.
THE TRAFFIC CALMING PROCESS
The traffic calming process simply begins with a resident expressing concern with speeding or making a request to the City to implement traffic calming. The request may be made to City staff in any form of communication including telephone, email, mail or in person. Staff will conduct an evaluation of the requested street using data such as traffic volumes, speeds and accident history. If the data supports a speeding and/or a traffic safety issue, staff will recommend one or more of the following traffic calming measures. Staff will share the recommendations with the resident making the request and advise them of the next steps.
1.Installation of signs, markings and/or striping.
2.Enforcement.
3.Installation of stop signs.
4.Installation of speed humps.
5.Other physical traffic calming devices such as roundabouts, raised medians, intersection pop-outs, enhanced pedestrian crossings and chicanes.
Please see Appendix I for examples of the City’s traffic calming toolbox.
Below is a description of the procedures for the implementation of stops signs and physical traffic calming devices. City Council Policy 600-07 contains for the procedures for the installation of speed humps.
Stop Signs:
The installation of stop signs at one or more intersections along a street segment may provide a break in the traffic speeds. Stop signs may only be considered as a traffic calming tool if the Traffic Engineer using appropriate engineering judgment determines that the roadway or traffic conditions on the street in question justify their installation. The installation of stop signs requires the residents to gather signatures in a petition showing that at least 51% of residents within 200 feet of a proposed stop sign are in favor. Staff will prepare a map of the properties required to sign the petition to aid residents in their signature gathering effort. Appendix II contains a petition form to be used by the residents.
If the residents submit a petition, staff will review it to reasonably ensure that at least 51% 600-13 (3)08/13/2024 D2 44 of 57
Vista City Council Policy 600-13
Exhibit A – Neighborhood Traffic Calming Program
of property owners on the map prepared by the City have signed the petition. The City is not responsible for any misrepresentations of signatures on the petition. If the petition meets the minimum threshold, staff will prepare the necessary reports and present the item to the Traffic Commission and City Council for approval. Staff will send out notifications to an area that is wider than the petition area prior to each meeting.
Physical Traffic Calming Measures:
Physical traffic calming measures rely on the concept of diverting the traffic horizontally within the existing road width to result in vehicles slowing down to maneuver through these features. Physical traffic calming features include traffic circles, intersection pop-outs, raised medians, chicanes at or between intersections, enhanced pedestrian crossings and others.
Please see Appendix I for examples. These types of traffic calming features carry a significant cost and generally require the removal of parking within approximately 50 feet in either direction of each feature on both sides of the street. Therefore, City staff will conduct an evaluation based on traffic volumes, speeds and accident data to determine the appropriateness of these devices for a street segment.
The implementation of physical traffic calming devices requires the residents to gather signatures on a petition showing that at least 51% of residents within 200 feet of each proposed calming feature are in favor. Staff will prepare a map of the properties required to sign the petition to aid residents in their signature gathering effort. Appendix III contains a petition form to be used by the residents.
If the residents submit a petition, staff will review it to reasonably ensure that at least 51% of property owners on the map prepared by the City have signed the petition. The City is not responsible for any misrepresentations of signatures on the petition. If the petition meets the minimum threshold, staff will have an engineering consultant prepare exhibits and a cost estimate for the proposed traffic calming devices. The proposed traffic calming plan will then be placed on a list with other locations to await the availability of funding.
If funding becomes available, staff will prepare the necessary reports and present the item to the Traffic Commission and City Council for approval. Staff will send out notifications to an area that is wider than the petition area prior to each meeting. 600-13 (4)08/13/2024 D2 45 of 57
Vista City Council Policy 600-13
Exhibit A – Neighborhood Traffic Calming Program
APPENDIX I
TRAFFIC CALMING TOOLBOX EXAMPLES
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Vista City Council Policy 600-13
Exhibit A – Neighborhood Traffic Calming Program
Phase I – Speed Limit Sign and Marking and Lane Narrowing 600-13 (6)08/13/2024 D2 47 of 57
Vista City Council Policy 600-13
Exhibit A – Neighborhood Traffic Calming Program
Phase I – Speed Reduction Markings and Parking Lane Buffer 600-13 (7)08/13/2024 D2 48 of 57
Vista City Council Policy 600-13
Exhibit A – Neighborhood Traffic Calming Program
Phase I – Speed Feedback Sign
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Vista City Council Policy 600-13
Exhibit A – Neighborhood Traffic Calming Program
Phase II-A – All-Way Stop
Phase II-B – Horizontal Diversion
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Vista City Council Policy 600-13
Exhibit A – Neighborhood Traffic Calming Program
Phase III – Neighborhood Traffic Circle
Phase III – Curb Pop Outs
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Vista City Council Policy 600-13
Exhibit A – Neighborhood Traffic Calming Program
Phase III – Chicane
Phase IV – Roundabout
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Vista City Council Policy 600-13
Exhibit A – Neighborhood Traffic Calming Program
APPENDIX II
STOP SIGN PETITION
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Vista City Council Policy 600-13
Exhibit A – Neighborhood Traffic Calming Program
PETITION REQUESTING STOP SIGNS
Intersection: _____________________________
We the undersigned do hereby request the City of Vista, California, to install an all-way stop at the intersection stated above.
Neighborhood Representative: ___________________________ Date Signature
Head of Household)
Address Position Phone Number
Support= S; Opposed = O; No Contact= NC
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Vista City Council Policy 600-13
Exhibit A – Neighborhood Traffic Calming Program
APPENDIX III
PHYSICAL TRAFFIC CALMING MEASURES PETITION
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Vista City Council Policy 600-13
Exhibit A – Neighborhood Traffic Calming Program
PETITION REQUESTING TRAFFIC CALMING
Per City Provided Traffic Calming Plan
Location: _____________________________
We the undersigned do hereby request the City of Vista, California, to install physical traffic calming measures per City provided traffic calming plan.
Neighborhood Representative: ___________________________ Date Signature
Head of Household)
Address Position Phone Number
Support= S; Opposed = O; No Contact= NC
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TRAFFIC CALMING AND EFFECTS ON EMERGENCY RESPONSE TIMES UPDATE AND VISTA FIRE
DEPARTMENT ROUTE MAP
PRIOR ACTIONS
On June 13, 2023, adopted City Council Resolution No. 2023-95, amending City Council Policy 600-13 Traffic Calming Program (Vote: 5-0).
On June 13, 2023, adopted City Council Resolution No. 2023-96, amending City Council Policy 600-07, Criteria and Procedures for Installation of Speed Humps (Vote: 4-1, Franklin Opposed).
On March 28, 2023, adopted City Council Resolution No. 2023-44, approving speed humps at certain locations in the City (Vote: 5-0).
On March 9, 2021, adopted City Council Resolution No. 2021-33, adopting City Council Policy 600-13, Traffic Calming Program (Vote: 5-0).
On December 8, 2009, adopted City Council Resolution No. 2009-197, amending City Council Policy 600-07 (Vote: 5-0).
On May 28, 1996, adopted City Council Resolution No. 96-42, establishing guidelines for the installation of speed humps as specified in Chapter 16 of the City of Vista Municipal Code (Vote:
5-0).
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EXHIBIT 5
Board of Directors James F. Elliott
President John Ploetz
Vice President Robert Fougner
Director Daniel Gomez
Director Read Miller
Director
_________________ Karlena Rannals
Clerk, Board of
Directors/Admin. Mgr. Gerard Washington
Fire Chief
VISTA Fire Protection District
450 S. MELROSE DRIVE, VISTA, CA 92081 | T: 760-688-7588 | WWW.VISTFIREPROTECTIONDISTRICT.ORG August 13, 2024
Regarding Item No: D 2 – Traffic Calming Effects on Emergency Response Times and Vista Fire Department Route Map
Honorable Mayor and City Council Members,
I am James Elliott, President of the Vista Fire Protection District Board of Directors, and I will be speaking at the August 13 Council meeting in support of the Fire Department’s recommendations regarding traffic calming and its effect on emergency response times.
Although the Council Members may not be familiar with the Vista Fire Protection District, the connection between the City and the District reaches back into the time before the City was incorporated. Although the relationship has taken several forms, our current relationship is defined in the agreement between our entities, an agreement that looks into the future through the year 2056.
Under our contract, the approximately 20 square miles, and 20,000 residents of the Vista Fire Protection District, are served by the City of Vista Fire Department. VFPD pays the City of Vista in excess of $4 million per year for these services. In addition, VFPD has agreed to contribute $4.5 million toward the reconstruction of Station 3 located in the northeastern part of the City.
Because of our dependence on the Vista Fire Department, anything that negatively impacts the Department’s ability to respond to calls in a timely manner, and within the standards set forth in our agreement, are of concern to the VFPD Board and our residents.
As the report before you points out, certain traffic calming measures such as speed humps and speed bumps can add five to ten seconds to the response time of an emergency vehicle. This is a significant amount of time if the goal is to achieve the positive outcomes the Department has expressed – goals such as confining a fire to the room or origin, or the best possible medical results for serious patients.
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Please be aware that your decisions about where to place traffic calming measures, and the types of measures employed affect not only Vista residents, but also residents of the Vista Fire Protection District.
We respect and appreciate the top-notch service that is delivered from Vista Fire Department. The men and women of the Department constantly strive to be the best in class. We support the Chief’s recommendations and hope the Council will consider emergency response times as they take this and future actions related to traffic calming measures.
Thank you for your time.
Sincerely
James F Elliott
President, Board of Directors
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D2 Public Comment received via voice message
Jeffrey Laird, ■ Alvarado Terrace, called to say that he hopes the proposed fire map doesn't prohibitthe installation of the requested speed humps on his street. The addition of speed humps on adjacent streets has increased traffic and speeding on Alvarado Terrace and he and his neighbors believe speed humps are the best solution for the street.
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