HomeMy WebLinkAbout08/03/2004, BUS 1 - 2003 ANNUAL TRAFFIC SAFETY REPORT council- DiAugust 3,2004
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CITY OF SAN LUIS OBISPOYr/�,,,st�
FROM: Michael McCluskey,Public Works Director
Prepared By: Timothy Scott Bochum,Deputy Director Public Works
Jake Daniel Hudson,Assistant Engineer
SUBJECT: 2003 ANNUAL TRAFFIC SAFETY/REPORT
CAO RECOMMENDATION
1. Receive the 2003 Annual Traffic Safety Report and associated mitigation strategies.
REPORT IN BREIF
As part of the City's Traffic Safety Program, the Public Works Department has completed the third
annual Traffic Safety Report (TSR). The TSR reviews all intersections and street segments in the
City for collision rates and patterns for calendar year 2003. Based on these patterns,
recommendations are made for altering or monitoring the five most critical locations of each
intersection and street segment classification. Of these locations the most notable are: Laurel at
Orcutt, Madonna at Pereira, Chorro at Pismo, Buena Vista at Garfield, Bishop at Johnson, El
Mercado at Madonna, and Osos at Pacific. This year the TSR has been expanded to include a
comprehensive analysis of bicycle and pedestrian collision types and patterns at high collision
locations.
DISCUSSION
The collision data and corresponding analysis have been compiled and completed by the Public
Works Department in July of 2004. The TSR identifies patterns at the five highest collision rate
locations of similar classification. For example, all arterial segments are compared to each other to
establish the prime locations that will potentially receive mitigation or safety improvements. The
analysis technique utilizes an advanced collision records software suite that aids in the
determination of collision patterns and potential corrective measures. In order to determine if
corrective measures could reduce the likeliness of a collision type identified in the pattern, staff
conducted a comprehensive review including a survey of the physical field conditions and travel
behavior.
The significance of an intersection's "collision rate" is that it is a "normalized" indicator when
comparing intersections or street segments. The more vehicles entering the intersection, the more
likely a collision is to occur. The collision rate is the ratio between the volume of vehicles and
the number of collisions. Collision rates are used by police departments to target traffic
enforcement and by engineers to establish traffic safety mitigation measures. Collision statistics
within this report are based on actual police reports.
The TSR makes twenty-two recommendations to improve traffic safety at these high collision rate
locations. Of these twenty-two recommendations, fourteen low cost measures have already been
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Council Agenda Report—2003 Annual Safety Report Page 2
implemented or are in the process of being implemented, two high cost measures are carried over
from previous years and are currently under construction or design, three high cost measures are
part of planned future improvement projects, and three high cost measures will require further
funding as recommended in the fiscal analysis section of this report. Key tables and figures
excerpted from the TSR provide a valuable insight to trends and results of our previous actions.
Analysis Results &Safety Trends
Figure 3.1 shows a five-year comparison of total traffic collisions that have been reported within
the City. Although traffic collisions have been on an upward trend in San Luis Obispo for the
past four years, in 2003 the number of reported collisions actually dropped and was the lowest in
the three years of the traffic safety program. There were 1,092 total collisions reported in 2003,
13% lower than 2002 and 4% lower than 2001.
Figure 3.1 -Fere Year CoDision Trend
1300 -
i
i
1200
1,142 �
1100
1.092
- �
1.025
1000
870 �
900
t
800 -
i
700
1989 2000 200' 1 2002 2003
Safety Program Begins
While this is certainly exciting news, variations in collision occurrences are typical. Only
through future years analysis will we fully determine effectiveness of recently installed safety
mitigation. However, we can say with certainty that some corrective actions are occurring within
our right of way based upon the reversal in upward trend in collision occurrence.
Figure 3.2 shows trends of five-year injury collisions. Injury collisions, the focus of traffic
safety, were down by a small percentage (0.6%) in 2003 as compared to 2002 but were still up
by 13% as compared to 2001. Injury collisions as a percentage of all collisions have historically
been on the rise, up by 3% from 2002 and by 4% from 2001. This is expected, since the overall
number of collisions dropped for 2003 and yet the injury collisions were close to 2002 levels.
Traffic collisions resulting in fatalities occur randomly and generally do not occur only at
intersections with high collision rates; rather they are usually the result of unique situations and
conditions (including driver error) and often may not represent typical conditions correctible by
mitigation.
Council Agenda Report—2003 Annual Safety Report Page 3
Figure 3.2-Five Year Injury Collision
350 -
309 307
300
250 240
200 ,
150
,
,
100
,
50 '
,
0
1999 2000 2001 2002 2003
Safety Prate Begins
A high collision rate is generally indicative of deficient roadway conditions that may be
correctable by mitigation or alteration but precluding a fatality is difficult to quantify. As such,
fatality analysis should not be the sole focus for safety mitigation. However, traffic fatalities are
often high profile incidents that receive the most attention from the public, media and Council.
Over the past five years the City has averaged one and a half fatalities per year. On a very
positive note there were no traffic related fatalities on City streets in 2003.
Table 3.2 compares injuries and fatalities by year to demonstrate this point.
Table 3:2-City-wide Annual Injury and Fatal Collisions
Year Total Injury %Change %of Total Fatal %Change
Collisions Collisions Collisions
1999 240 - 26.37 2 -
2000 269 +12.08 26.24 2 0
2001 265 -1.5 23.26 1 -50
2002 _ 309 1 +16.60 124.66 1 1 10
2003 307 1 -0.6 1 28.11 1 0 1 100
2002 Traffic Safety Report: Completed Safety Improvements
As a result of the 2002 Annual Traffic safety report, various safety improvements were
implemented. Last year's traffic safety report recommended implementation of numerous mitigation
strategies throughout the City. To date, 9 pedestrian and bicycle facility improvements, 5
intersection configuration and control improvements, 4 sight distance improvements, and 2 roadway
configuration improvements have been completed. Attachment 1 contains a full listing of these
improvements. Three significant capital projects are currently in design and will be implemented
1 ' ?)
Council Agenda Report—2003 Annual Safety Report Page 4
later this year.They are:
Signalization.of Broad Street/Pacific Street
Signal Modification Marsh Street/Santa Rosa
Signal Modification Marsh Street/Osos Street
Bicycle&Pedestrian Safety Review—A new Focus
Even though the Public Works Traffic Engineering Section has been understaffed for quite some
time, this year's Traffic Safety report has been expanded to include a more comprehensive
analysis of pedestrian and bicycle collisions. It is anticipated that in future years these areas will
receive more thorough analysis. Table 4.1 shows an annual comparison of total pedestrian
collisions while Attachment 2 shows specific pedestrian collision information as identified in the
safety report for the types of collisions that occurred.,
Table 4.1 —2003 Pedestrian Collisions
Total Reported
Year Pedestrian Collisions on
Public Streets
Pedestrian % Change
1999 24
2000 37 +54%
2001 19 -49%
2002 . 41 +54%
2003 24 -41%
Source: City of San Luis Traffic Collision Database
Although pedestrian collisions were down in 2003, pedestrian collisions have been on an upward
trend over the past five years. There were 24 pedestrian related collisions reported in 2003, 41%
lower than the previous 12 month period and 21% higher than collisions reported in 2001.
In general, bicycle collisions have also been on an upward trend over the past five years. There
were 54 total bicycle related collisions reported in 2003, 3.7% higher than the previous 12 month
period and 11% higher than collisions reported in 2001. Table 4.4 shows an annual comparison
of total bicycle collisions while Attachment 3 shows specific bicycle collision information as
identified in the safety report for the types of collisions that occurred. Bicycle collisions have
stayed fairly steady (there was a slight rise in the last three years) with an annual occurrence
usually fluctuating near the fifty(50) per year mark.
Although pedestrian and bicycle collisions have been increasing over the past few years, these
collisions are often difficult to mitigate. This is because they are primarily non-correctable
incidents attributed to cyclist, driver, and/or pedestrian negligence; inattention or error.
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1
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Council Agenda Report—2003 Annual Safety Report Page 5
Table 4.4-2= Bicycle Collisions
Total Reported
Year Bicycle Collisions on
Public Streets
Bicycle %Change
1999 52 -
2000 46 -12%
2001 45 -2%
2002 52 +13%
2003 54 +3.7%
Source: City of San Luis Traffic Collision Database
To combat this phenomenon the Public Works Department is investigating a public education
campaign involving such forms of media as public service announcements (PSA's) on channel
20. These PSA's will address the predominant bicycle and pedestrian collision types and how to
avoid them.
Mitigation Strategies
Mitigation strategies for the high collision rate.locations for 2003 are identified in Section 6 of
the 2003 Traffic Safety Report. Many of the mitigation measures are relatively low cost traffic
improvements, such as installation of additional signing and striping and are currently being
implemented by staff. Some of the notable locations and recommended mitigations include:
Location Ranking Mitigation/Notes
Laurel/Orcutt 1 —A/A The intersection is part of the widening project for Orcutt
Intersection Road .that includes signalization. Unfortunately State
funding for half of the project has been delayed. Other
interim improvements may be necessary if State funds are
delayed further.
Madonna/Pereira 1-A/L This intersection has been in the top five the last two
years. Recent improvements including foliage trimming
and pedestrian restrictions. Implementing more significant
mitigation (including turning restrictions) may be
necessary if trends continue. Will need to program CIP in
next FY 2005-07 Financial Plan.
Chorro/Pismo 1 A/C Intersection remains problematic. Parking removal needed
for increased sight distance. Redevelopment on corner
may provide additional improvements including bulb-
outs.
Buena Vista/Garfield 1 —L/L Pattern attributable to offset intersections and Cal Poly
students avoiding queue at NB 101/ Grand Off Ramp.
Reconfigure intersections to channelized flow. May need
future significant CIP.
Council Agenda Report—2003 Annual Safety Report Page 6
Bishop/Johnson 1 - Other Permissive collisions occurring in the NB direction. Install
Protected movements.
El Mercado/Madonna 3 - Other Continued WB collision pattern for LT traffic. Need to
improve signal head visibility. Will need to program CIP
in next FY 2005-07 Financial Plan.
Osos/Pacific 5 Other Right angle collisions occurring Investigate improving
intersection with bulb-outs or modified traffic flow. May
need to program CIP in next FY 2005-07 Financial Plan.
Notes: A-Arterial, C- Collector, L- Local, O- Other types (not in high rate list)
CONCURRENCES
San Luis Police Department has reviewed the 2003 Annual Traffic Safety Report and concurs with
its findings.
FISCAL IMPACT
Most of the mitigation strategies identified the 2003 Traffic Safety Report will be funded from
the FY 2003-2005 Financial Plan through the allocation of$35,000 annually for safety related
purposes in FY 2004-05. However, there are three "higher" cost.mitigation strategies that will
cost more than currently exists in the adopted budget. These three projects include
reconfiguration of Madonna and El.Mercado traffic signal, visibility improvements (bulbout
installation) at Osos and Pacific, and intersection reconfiguration of Madonna and Pereira.
These projects will need to secure additional funding in the upcoming Financial Plan for FY
2005-07. Current estimates for these projects are:
Project Preliminary Estimate
Madonna/El Mercado Signal Improvement $18,000
Madonna/Pereira Intersection improvements $35,04
Osos/Pacific VisibilityImprovements $45, 000
Unless staff is directed otherwise, these improvements will compete for limited resources (other
CIP and operation programs) for funding in the upcoming Financial Plan prioritization process.
In addition to thesethree projects, staff also believes that there is likelihood that at least two
locations (Higuera/Granada and Johnson/Ella) may receive recommendations for signalization
based upon development occurring near their locations. These improvements would need to be
constructed by the City (they are cumulative in nature and not attributable to any one project)
and as such,will also be requested for funding in the Financial Plan process.
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Council Agenda Report—2003 Annual Safety Report Page 7
It is important to note that this engineering safety program is in its third year of operation and in
order for it to continue to be successful, a prolonged commitment both financially and through
staff resources is necessary to properly implement safety mitigation and reduce collisions.
Similar to the Pavement Management program, annual expenditure commitments will be
necessary (even in difficult financial times) if it is the goal of our City and community to
improve traffic and pedestrian and bicycle safety along our roadways.
ALTERNATIVES
1. Continue item with direction to staff.
Attachments
Attachment I —2003 Completed Traffic Safety Improvements
Attachment 2-Pedestrian Collision Types 2001 through 2003
Attachment 3 -Bicycle Collision Types 2001 through 2003
A copy of the 2003 Annual Traffic Safety Report has been transmitted to Council members under a
separate memorandum.
Copies of the 2003 Annual Traffic Safety Report are available for review at the City Clerk's Office
in City Hall (990 Palm Street), the Public Works Department (955 Morro Street), and online at
W W W.SLOCITY.ORG.
IMCouncil Agenda Reports\2004 agenda reports\Transportation and Development Review (Bochum)\Traffic
Engineering(TBA)\2003 Traffic Safety Report CAR.doc
I —
ATTACHMENT 1
Completed Traffic Safety Improvements
Each year the Traffic Engineering Section implements traffic safety improvement
projects through a variety of programs and projects. These improvements are usually
stand-alone projects but are often times included in other City CIP projects or as part of
individual land development projects. The following notable traffic safety improvements
were completed in 2003:
➢ Pedestrian& Bicycle Facility ➢ Sight Distance Improvements
Improvements I. Santa Rosa & Buchon: Extended Red
1. Story&Sandercock:Upgraded crosswalk per the Curb
city crosswalk policy.
2. Prefumo Canyon & Hedley: Extended
2. Orcutt&McMillian:Installed Crosswalk across Red Curb
McMillian. 3. Islay&Osos:Removed Parking
3. Orcutt&Duncan:Installed Crosswalk across 4. Dalidio & Madonna: Installed Red
Duncan. Curb
4. Balboa Street:Installed Pedestrian loading zone for
CL Smith School
5. Johnson(San Luis Dr.to Orcutt):Installed Bike
Lane Stencils
6. Santa Rosa(Walnut to Monterey):Installed Bike
Lane Stencils
7. Laurel&Orcutt:Improved crosswalk configuration
8. Chorro&Higuera:Installed pedestrian signal heads
9. Handicapped.Ramp Program—Installations
Citywide
➢ Signing&Striping Configuration ➢ Roadway Improvements
Improvements
1. Pismo Street: Paved & restriped from
1. Peach&Toro:Installed All=Way Stop Control Broad to Walker
2. Sierra&Ella: Installed 2-Way Stop Control 2. Elks Lane: Modified to create 901
3. High & Broad: Installed dedicated right tum and intersection at Higuera Street
through left
4. Laurel & Orcutt: Improved delineation and
crosswalk configuration installed
5. Fredericks & Albert: Installed All-Way Stop
Control
ATTACHMENT 2
Pedestrian Collision Types 2001 through 2003
Pedes6ianCoffisionType 2001 % 2002 % 2003 %
Signal 8 42% 14_ 34% 6 25%
Out of Crosswalk-_Midblock 3 16% 13 32% 7 29%
Uncontrolled - Unmarked Crosswalk N/A 0% N/A 0% N/A 0%
Major/Collector
Uncontrolled - Unmarked Crosswalk N/A 0% N/A 0% N/A 0%
Local
Uncontrolled-Marked 1 1 5% 3 7% N/A 0%
Not in Road Sidewalk N/A 0% 2 5% N/A 0%
In Road not crossing) 2 11% 2 5% 3 12%
Stop-Marked Crosswalk 1 5% 3 7% 4 17%
Stop-Unmarked Crosswalk 4 21% 4 10% 4 17%
Total: jrml9mmmm7l00% 141 1 100% 124 1 100%
Source: City of San Luis Traffic Collision Database
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