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Home My WebLink About05/06/2003, PH4 - AMENDMENTS TO MUNICIPAL CODE CHAPTER 10.56, SPECIAL SPEED ZONES. council j Agenba uEpont C I TY OF SAN L U IS O B I S P O FROM: Michael McCluskey,Director of Public Works Prepared By: Timothy Scott Bochum, Deputy Director of Public Works Jake Daniel Hudson,Transportation Assistant SUBJECT: AMENDMENTS TO MUNICIPAL CODE Chapter 10.56, SPECIAL SPEED ZONES. CAO RECOMMENDATION Introduce an ordinance amending Chapter 10.56 of the Municipal Code to comply with State regulations set forth in the California Vehicle Code. DISCUSSION Background Chapter 10.56 of the Municipal Code established "special speed zones" for approximately forty street segments (see attachment 2, Municipal Code speed designations) in San Luis Obispo. Currently, about half of these segments are not enforceable because they do not comply with provisions set forth in the California Vehicle Code. The purpose of this Municipal Code amendment is to eliminate that noncompliance. The California Vehicle Code in tandem with the State of California Department of Transportation Traffic Manual prescribes the method local agencies must use to determine speed limits. Aside from local streets (see Attachment 3, street classification map), school zones, and other specified roadways, the Vehicle Code requires that a speed limit be based on an engineered survey that identifies the 85th percentile speed (the speed at which 85% of motorists drive at or below). The Vehicle Code uses this predominant speed to establish "safe speed limits and to ensure the orderly movement of traffic" and to preclude illegal speed traps from being created by jurisdictions. The Vehicle Code also requires that speed zones be updated a minimum of every five years so that the survey (and corresponding speed zone) is current. As set forth in the California Vehicle Code, establishing a speed limit below the 85th percentile speed would create a "speed trap" making lower speed limits unenforceable. In essence, the speed limit is set erroneously and cannot be enforced with radar or other types of speed limit equipment. Citations issued in these zones often are dismissed when contested in the Court system. Currently about half of the segments set forth in the City's Municipal Code are considered "speed traps"because of their inconsistency with the findings of updated engineering and traffic surveys. In 2000, Public Works began an update of speed zones within the City. Updating the Municipal Code speed zones is the final step in bringing the City into compliance 1 Council Agenda Report-Amendments to Municipal Code Ch. 10.56 Page 2 with the Vehicle Code requirements. Proposed Amendment Rather than continually having to amend the Municipal Code to comply with State regulations, staff recommends that the Municipal Code Chapter be renamed "Speed Zones" and the current list of designated speed limits in Section 10.56.010 be made consistent with how other streets in the City have had speed zones established. The listing would be replaced with a paragraph that establishes a methodology for designating speed limits that reflects the requirements established by the California Vehicle Code. No future amendments to the Municipal Code would be necessary unless the Vehicle Code identifies alternative methodologies that are available to local agencies. Staff has already used this methodology for establishing speed limits on all other non- Municipal Code defined speed limits. This methodology has been reviewed and accepted by the Police Department and will allow staff to immediately respond to requests for speed zone changes based upon actual conditions of the roadways. Impacts to the Street System No impact to the street system or to the safety of our streets is anticipated from this recommendation. The establishment of speed zones and enforcement are dictated by the Vehicle Code and will not be changed under this proposed modification. What will change is the City's ability to actively and effectively enforce these outdated speed zone areas. Staff anticipates that some speed zones will go up and some will go down based upon changed conditions of the roadways (see Attachment 4, Example of City's Traffic Engineering Speed Zone Certification Package). CONCURRENCES Police Department The San Luis Obispo Police Department supports the proposed Municipal Code amendment since it allows them to enforce speed limits using radar or other electronic devices. FISCAL IMPACT None. Changes to speed limit signs will be accommodated within existing Public Works Maintenance operating budgets. ALTERNATIVES The Council could choose not to amend the Municipal Code to eliminate speed limits for specific street segments. If Council chooses this alternative, Council Action on a Municipal Code Amendment would be required every time an engineering and traffic survey results in a speed r 'r�- 0 Council Agenda Report-Amendments to Municipal Code Ch. 10.56 Page 3 limit change. Until the Municipal Code amendment is approved the posted speed limit will be unenforceable by radar. ATTACHMENTS Attachment 1 -Ordinance_(Series 2003)including exhibit A Attachment 2-Existing Municipal Code Speed Designations Attachment 3 -Street Classification Map Attachment 4-Example of City's Traffic Engineering Speed Zone Certification Package H:\_Council Agenda Reports\2003 agenda reports\2003 Speed Limit Municodeupdate.doc 4- 3 o ATTACHMENT 1 ORDINANCE NO. _(2003 Series) AN ORDINANCE OF THE.COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO AMENDING SECTION 10.56.010 OF THE MUNICIPAL CODE (SPEED LIMITS) TO ACHIEVE CONSISTENCY WITH THE CALIFORNIA VEHICLE CODE WHEREAS, the City of San Luis Obispo acts as the local authority to establish speed limits on public streets within its corporate limits; and WHEREAS, Section 10.56.010 of the City's Municipal Code prescribes speed limits for some 39 streets; and WHEREAS, the City has determined that many of the speed limits set forth in Section 10.56.010 do not reflect the results of current engineer and traffic surveys as required by the California Vehicle Code; and WHEREAS, it is the City's desire to achieve and maintain consistency between its Municipal Code provisions and that of the California Vehicle Code. BE IT ORDAINED by the Council of the City of San Luis Obispo as follows: Section 1: Chapter 10.56, SPECIAL SPEED ZONES, Section 10.56.010 of the Municipal Code is hereby amended as shown on Exhibit A, attached hereto and incorporated by reference. INTRODUCED AND PASSED TO PRINT by the Council of the City of San Luis Obispo at a meeting held on the day of 2003, upon motion of seconded by and on the following roll call vote: AYES: NOES: ABSENT: ATTEST: Lee Price, City Clerk Mayor Dave Romero AP VED AS O FORM: it T ,"i o, Acting City Attorney r EXHIBIT A Chapter 10.56 SPECIAL PEED ZONES Sections: 10.56.010 Modifiention of state speed BMW 00 eet4ftiB StFeets op peAians thereof Sigga men= 10.56.010 Saeed Limit Designation. 10.56.020 Regulation of speed by traffic signals-Sign posting. 1 A 56 019 A.4ed-i-AFAt3AM e€stiAe speed limits en eeftgn stFeets-ef pei tier:s thefee€ Sig civetitzvir 14 is dete'nine's . Ye« the basis e f ane«b:« «b .. .: tf f'� investiga4iefi that the speed th eFmse . the_t`enditiens F uad to a .:..t upen .eh stFeet., it is deele..ed tl.etffie« Faeie speed limit 1, 11 1, as vet F..d. :« tt.:s seetie« on these stmetsor-Y ..t f st«eets her-e:« design ..L ted. e., s efeeted giving eti a the a f, Pertlen Affetxed (FRileS POF h9HO ,'Avenue and i iighSseet 23 Phillifs bene end Feethill Retdevard 33 f`RGRDO CTO L'GT I..r.wan ll AIA.. and Prude Reed 33 FeFrini{Feed end the uest045'est} limits 48 Street end b7entere5'Syeet 33• Md BFOad StFeet 34 Street and Madonna PBS X39 Reed end seath Sit)'limits--4S Read and 1-4AA Street 33 Street and MenteM Street 23 PAW and 9raatt Read 49 L98 980-0 VA ROAP hePweem auay .; 1-08 090-0 VA—19-r-34 RGAP batwem Royal Way and city!jFm*t5(Seut4 6 Madanna Read) 33 60S 0808 VA61�94:ROAD belweeR r i i EXHIBIT A I liguera Street 49 Street end Palid,@ bffl» 33 Rereire Prive 43 A 44PO�-N-A- between a Pe int 209 Ekes Valley Freed 33 A40 4 M4 CTPLCT L.........R W.S. 191 and Santa Rasa Street 38 E69d jehnsen Avenue 40 Bush... re.& in PATP1r1A PPIAIR bepA nFeethill Beeieverd ettd N9vffPrwo-3Q 111SA40 STMET t,.«. ..13FOad c..Ot and 14ipm Stfeet 39 PRADO RGA 1)hPANWR W.S. 191 and l Iigaera Street ;o Sky-lif"iI 35 ,!venae and heli€ernia Beaieyard 39 SANTA&A-R-RA-R-A.AVENUE ha--vmm- SeatlrStreet and gess Street 33 SANTA PASA PREET L_.. effi Street and 114eadaw Street 35 Street and lligeera Street 33 ,.n_1,... W 40 61e4504tey and PreaFt Reed43 A1r W APSNOTVPAMS 151 (n_a 1011 c 1 1984.-.:,.___a_c 3215) 10.56.010 Sneed limit desienation Prima facie speed limits shall be determined by the city traffic engineer pursuant to provisions set forth in the California Vehicle Code Speed limits established pursuant to this Section shall be effective when appropriate signs giving notice thereof are erected upon said street 10.56.020 Regulation of speed by traffic signals - Sign posting. The city traffic engineer is authorized to regulate the timing of traffic signals so as to permit the movement of traffic in an orderly and safe manner at speeds slightly at variance from the speeds otherwise applicable within the district or at intersections, and may erect appropriate signs giving notice thereof. 4,U Attachment 2 .III Exi icy al a peed esi nations 1 I H 30 M H (y _ Z I � �A r 2 4 \\ A 35&PH �. �: I—I / 1 2� 31 I I y I 4 PH ayM l M 4o,yp �Qy Ac .� Need Zones •a*25 MPH *V*30 MPH ^035 MPH s 40 MPH \ 45 MPH I Streets U.P.R I; IN City Limits 0 2 Miles W B LI �� n . Attachment 3 S ree a s fi.ca 10 L \ J � { f f � n ~ II streets III "Collector/Arterial Local U.P.R.R. N I City Limits� W E 0 2 Miles S �r p Attachment 4 �►��II�IIIIII�NIIIIIR�� pllllllllllll � city of sAn WIS OBISPO 955 Morro Street • San Luis Obispo, CA 93401 Location: SB LOS OSOS VALLEY (MADONNA TO CALLE JOAQUIN) Direction: SB Observer: SEB Date: 4/7/2003 Time: 11:42 AM— 12:20 PM Road Classification(FAU Map): MAJOR-ARTERIAL Adjacent Land Use(s): OPEN SPACE%COMMERCIA.L ADT: Length: #Of Collisions: Collision Rate. 10,422 .81 mi. 43 (3 Yr.) 4.65 APMVM 85th Percentile: Posted Speed: 10 mph.Pace: Observed Vehicles: 48 mph 35 mph 38 -48 mph 105 Physical Description: Los Osos Valley is a four lane divided major arterial with left turn provisions at commercial driveways and intersections, class two bike lanes, and on street parking for .32mi North of Calle Joaquin. Unusual Conditions: Signal and road improvement construction contributed to the high collision rate. RECOMMENDED SPEED LIMIT: 45 mph The collision rate for this SB segment of Los Osos Valley Rd. is above average for the state of OF ESSlp California, Caltrans Dist. 5, and the County of San Luis Obispo. The above noted condition S B p�9�� collision rate justify the basis for a speed limit recommendatior-based upon the 85hperce rLa Gg co California Vehicle Code section 22358. No. 1907 ;k exp.4lut �Q Timothy Bochum, Deputy Director of Public Cprks_NT� Date: o T9 TRAFf�� OF CALIF I hereby certify that the foregoing is a true and correct copy of the ori _nal d ument on file in the office of the City Traffic Engineer,City of San Luis Obispo, 'fwi Date:_(,{t;i �. C� � By: `%IY Clerk The City of San Luis Obispo is committed tohclude the disabled in all of its services, programs and activities. Telecommunications Device for the Deaf(8w 781-7410. r Attachment 4 ENGINEERING AND TRAFFIC SURVEY,CITY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO,CALIFORNIA Public Works Department,Transportation Division-Traffic Operations Location: LOS OSOS VALLEY RD Block: 12100 Direction: SB Posted Speed Limit:35 mph Day/Date: MONDAY,4/7/2003 Start/Stop: 11:42:00 AM to 12:20:00 PM Observer. SEB Weather:CLEAR Frequency Cumulative% 65+ 65+ 63 63 61 61 J- 59 59 57 57 55 55 53 53 51 51 - - -- 49 49 47 47 45 45 H 43 g 43 CL a E 41 - - - E 41 - 3939 COX - CL a H 37 u) 37 35 35 33 33 31 31 29 29 27 27 25 25 23 23 21 21 - 19 19 17 17 15- 15 0 5 10 15 20 0 20 40 60 80 100 Percent of Total Cumulative Percent Sample Size: 105 Mean Speed:44 Standard Deviation: 3.83 10 mph Pace: 39 mph to 49 mph 95th Percentile:51 mph 90th Percentile:49 mph 85th Percentile:48 mph 80th Percentile:47 mph 75th Percentile:46 mph _ Attachment 4 Speed Survey i --ns Posted Speed: Location: 4L Weather: ^' Direction: Date: Start Time: 1 •`�2 08,erver: _End Time: o _ Number of Vehicles H 5 10 15 20 25 30 TOTAL VEH. 3 50 49 3 48 47 -- — --- 46 !0 45 44 l 43 I i Kl 42 i I �f 41 6 40 T i ! 4f 39 - 2. 38 37 XTl 0 36 0 35 i 0 34 I i Q 33 32 31 I 30 ! I 29 28 i ! 27 26 i 25 24 23 I 22 21 I 20 --- 19 - 18 17 16 15 �- ll Attachment 4 cityO Sal'1 �,11S oBispo i 955 Morro Street • San Luis Obispo, CA 93401 Location: NB LOS OSOS VALLEY (MADONNA TO CALLE JOAQUIN) Direction: NB Observer: JDH Date: 4%7/2003 Time: 1138 AM= 12:05 PM Road Classification (FAU Map): MAJOR ARTERIAL Adjacent Land Use(s): OPEN SPACE/COMMERCIAL ADT: Length: # Of Collisions: Collision Rate: 9,392 .81 mi. 25 (3 Yr.) 3.00 APMVM 85`h Percentile: Posted Speed: 10 mph Pace: Observed 'Vehicles: 48 mph 35 mph 38 -48 mph 100 Physical Description: Los Osos Valley is a four lane divided major arterial with left tum provisions at commercial driveways and intersections, class two bike lanes, and on street parking, for.32mi North of Calle Joaquin. Unusual Conditions: Sijznal and road immovement construction contributed to the Wh collision rate. RECOMMENDED SPEED LIMIT: 45 mph QRpTESSlpyq� The collision rate for this SB segment of Los Osos Valley Rd. is above average for the California, Caltrans Dist. 5, and the County of San Luis Obispo. The above noted condi ~ 'altd o4 collision rate justify the basis for a speed limit recommendation based upon the 851'perc fft a perNp,1907 California Vehicle Code section 22358. ,ir OV J-XJJ G AF �P m ff9�OFCA�F TimothyBochum Deputy Director of Publi Works: S — Date: 4-8 P U I hereby certify that the foregoing is a true and correct c o e iginal current on file in the office of the City Traffic$ngineer,City of San Luis Obi o, alif a. Dater �. _a��3 By: �ity Clerk /O The City of San Luis Obispo is committed to include the disabled in all of its services, programs and activities. v Telecommunications Device for the Deaf(805) 781-7410. Attachment 4 ENGINEERING AND TRAFFIC SURVEY, CITY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO, CALIFORNIA Public Works Department,Transportation Division-Traffic Operations Location: LOS OSOS VALLEY RD Block: 12100 Direction: NB Posted Speed Limit:35 mph Day/Date: MONDAY,4/7/2003 StartfStop: 11:38:00 AM to 12:05:00 PM Observer:JDH Weather. CLEAR Frequency Cumulative% 65+ 65+ 63 63 61 61 59 59 57 57 55 55 53 53 51 51 - 49 49 47 47 4545 2 43 _ t 43CL _ E 41 E 41 m 39 m 39 - - a CL wJ 37 m 37 - 35 35' 33 33 31 31 29 29- 27 27 25 25 23 23 21 21 19 19 17 17 15- 1. 15- 0 5 10 15 0 20 40 60 80 100 Percent of Total Cumulative Percent Sample Size: 100 . Mean Speed:44 Standard Deviation:. 4.38 10 mph Pace:38 mph to 48 mph 95th Percentile: 51 mph 90th Percentile:49 mph 85th Percentile:48 mph 80th Percentile:47 mph 75th Percentile:46 mph �- 13 Attachment 4 Speed 5JV64 1ZIoa B1,IL Posted Speed: Location: 1-001— a A111 n OW- Weather: C1,6AR Direction: W& Date: `f I}l2003 Start Time: (b: 3S Observer: _End Time: :Q`� r2e , Z SY Number of Vehicles 5 10 15 20 25 30 TOTAL VEH. 3 50 --- - - 4 49 - - - - - - - 48 _ 47 - — - - 46 45 44 1 Le I I �j 43 C 42 /0 41 i 8 40 T I I S 39 i �f 38 ! I 3 37 3 36 I 1 35 1 34 x II 33 I I I t 32 31 30 29 ! i I 28 I 27 26 i 25 I I 24 23 22 i 21 20 19 18 17 16 -- 15 4. 4