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HomeMy WebLinkAbout06/01/2010, B8 - PISMO & BUCHON NEIGHBORHOOD TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT I Aloin.Dft councilJune 1, 2010 j acEnoA Pepont ,wmNum�r 8g CITY O F SAN LUIS O B I S P O FROM: Jay D. Walter, Director of Public Works ffi Prepared By: Jake Hudson, Trac Opera ons Manager SUBJECT: PISMO & BUCHON NEIGHBORHOOD TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT RECOMMENDATION Adopt a resolution approving the Pismo/Buchon Neighborhood Traffic Management (NTM) Action Plan. REPORT-IN-BRIEF In 2005 Pismo Street & Buchon Street residents submitted a petition asking the City to address traffic issues in their neighborhood. The City deferred work on the NTM until the conflicting Neighborhood Parking District and Mitchell Park/Senior Center parking issues were resolved in 2008. Through a significant neighborhood outreach effort over the course of 2008 to 2010, City staff, in cooperation with neighborhood residents, has developed an action plan which was voted on and approved by the neighborhood in 2010. The draft NTM Action Plan is now completed and ready for Council's review and approval. DISCUSSION Background The Pismo/Buchon NTM program is one of the most complex neighborhood traffic management efforts in recent times under the current program. The Pismo/Buchon neighborhood (Attachment 1) is situated between the northern termii of two primary arterials; Johnson Avenue and Broad Street with neighborhood streets serving as the first paths of least resistance between the two arterials. Due to the lack of east/west connections between Broad & Johnson, neighborhood streets also serve as preferred routes to major traffic generators in the vicinity, such as San Luis Obispo High School and French Hospital. These conditions make the Pismo/Buchon neighborhood susceptible to higher speeds and traffic volumes. Due to faster emergency response times, Buchon Street has also now been established as a primary emergency response route by the Fire Department. In addition to the issues caused by the neighborhood's position within the City's arterial network, the local streets within the neighborhood itself further complicate the issue. The neighborhood street network is a grid system and as such any changes to one street will inevitably impact other streets, creating an inherent dichotomy between the resident's interests of one street with the resident's interests of another. It's important to understand that the traffic issues for this neighborhood are primarily related to City-wide circulation patterns which cannot be addressed within the scope of the NTM Program. The recommended NTM Action Plan has been developed to help buffer traffic volumes and speeds with the current demand through the neighborhood. However, in order to address the underlying circulation issues, this area should be evaluated in detail as part of the Circulation Element update including such measures as an east/west connection between Johnson & Broad, opening Marsh Pismo &Buchon Neighborhood Traffic Management Page 2 Street to two-way traffic between Johnson and Santa Rosa, and developing travel demand reduction or management strategies for San Luis Obispo High School. Consistent with the City's current NTM Guidelines (1998) and the new recommended voting and funding methodology, the following steps were taken to develop this draft plan. 1. Initial Neighborhood Contacts: In the fall of 2005 residents of the Pismo/Buchon neighborhood submitted a petition asking the City of San Luis Obispo to address concerns about excessive speeding and traffic volumes within the neighborhood. Due to conflicting issues with the Residential Parking District application of the neighborhood and work on the Senior Center/Mitchell Park parking lot, the NTM was deferred until those issues were resolved in 2008. 2.' Initial Survey of Traffic Conditions: From late 2007 to early 2008, Transportation staff completed its preliminary analysis of conditions in the neighborhood and found that motorists driving faster than Circulation Element desired maximums and that the volume of traffic also exceeded Circulation Element desired maximums. 3. Petition Circulation: The NTM policy requires a petition or ballot indicating that at least 25% of the area's households support an NTM effort. However due to the high level of neighborhood involvement in the parking district application and the Mitchell Park parking lot, it was evident that this level of support existed and this requirement was waived. 4. In Depth Study of Traffic Conditions: In April of 2008, a public community meeting was held for neighborhood residents to discuss and summarize their traffic concerns (Attachment 2). At that meeting a Neighborhood Action Team comprised of residents from each of the neighborhood streets was formed to represent the neighborhood in the development of the NTM Action Plan. From late 2008 to mid-2009, City staff conducted an in-depth study of neighborhood traffic conditions including traffic speeds and volumes based on these concerns. Traffic Volumes Traffic volume counts conducted in the area indicated an average daily volume on Pismo Street of 3,650 vehicles and on Buchon Street of 3,570 vehicles, both of which exceed the maximum desired daily volume of 3,000 as established in the City's Circulation Element Policy 5.2. Because Johnson Avenue is designated as a Residential Arterial, no maximum desired volume is established for that street. Given these relatively high volumes within the neighborhood, City staff further evaluated travel patterns within the neighborhood and found that 74% of the peak- hour traffic on Buchon and 56% of the peak hour traffic on Pismo did not have a destination within the neighborhood and may be considered cut-through traffic. Some level of pass through traffic is expected on Pismo & Buchon as these streets are classified as residential collectors. However, because the volumes exceed the Circulation Element desired maximums, the level of pass-through traffic may be considered too high. The two primary traffic routes through the neighborhood, as shown in Figure 1 below, are Johnson Broad via eastbound Buchon and via southbound Pismo. Pismo& Buchon Neighborhood Traffic Management Page 3 PRIMARY ROUTES THROUGH NEIGHBORHOOD tu�T Boundary N Y San Luis f High School 'French �} Hospital M of Figure 1: Primary Routes through Neighborhood Staff also had a unique opportunity to observe non-holiday, average weekday traffic volumes that were not affected by the San Luis Obispo High School traffic due to a student only day off during the study period. Based on this data, staff has found that High School traffic contributes to approximately 70% of the peak-hour volume on Buchon and 75% of the peak hour volume on Pismo. Attachment 3 depicts the volumes on Pismo & Buchon over the course of an average day with and without the High School traffic. Unfortunately the Pismo & Buchon neighborhood may not be the only neighborhood affected by the High School traffic. The Fixlini neighborhood is currently on the NTM waiting list for similar issues that also appear to be related to High School traffic. Traffic Speeds As shown in Figure 2 below, speed surveys conducted within the study area on Johnson Avenue indicate that the prevailing speed ranged between 35-38 mph with a posted speed of 30 mph; Pismo Street ranged from 30-32 mph and Buchon Street ranged from 31-33 mph, both with a posted speed of 25 mph. B 0a Pismo&Buchon Neighborhood Traffic Management Page 4 PREVAILING SPEED VS. SPEED LIMIT 40 _ __38EAPH.._.._.._.._...._._.-..._._.._._.. 35 E 30 30 MPH i ED LIMrr 25 25 MPH MPH SEED LIMIT 5 EEO LIMCr W 20 a 15 10 i 5 I 0 Johnson Pismo Buchon STREET Figure 2: Prevailing Speed vs.Speed Limit Based on these speed surveys all three primary streets within the NTM study area are exceeding the maximum desired speeds as established in the City's Circulation Element Policy 5.2 and the posted speed limits. Based on the raw data from these speed surveys it has also been determined that approximately 25% of traffic on Buchon and Pismo are exceeding the speed limit by at least 5 mph and 7%by at least 5 mph on Johnson. 5. Initial Concept Development & Neighborhood Meetings: As previously indicated the underlying circulation issues which are contributing to the traffic conditions within this neighborhood cannot be addressed within the scope of the NTM Program. Therefore, the intent of this NTM Action Plan is to help buffer traffic volumes and speeds given the inherit demand through the neighborhood. Based on the summary of issues identified by the neighborhood residents,detailed studies, and a significant neighborhood outreach effort, City staff developed a NTM Action Plan which includes a series of traffic calming measures as indicated in Table 1 below. However, as allowed under the current NTM policy the Action Team requested revisions to the plan, also shown in Table 1 below, which included an additional speed hump on Pismo Street, closure of Buchon Street at Johnson in lieu of the other calming measures on Buchon, and the support of a larger planning effort for the closure of Pismo Street as a second phase to the Plan. Table 1: Action Plan- V Draft Calming Measures Staff Proposed Action Plan Action Team Revised-Action Plan I Johnson Ave.S eed Feedback Signs , M: 1 Johnson Ave.S eed:Feedback Si s 2 Johnson Ave.-Striping Reconfi uratibn " 2_ Johnson Ave Stri ing Reconfiuration 3 Johnson&Buhcon Intersection Reconfiguration 3" Pismo Street Road Diet 4 Pismo Street RoadDiet � _ 4 Pismo Stteei'S eed Humps(3)__ 5 Pismo Street Speed Humps 3) 5 Pismo&Toro Raised X-Walk&Buldbouts _ 6 Pismo&Toro Raised X-Walk&Buldbouts_. _ 6 Buchon Closur"e* -_ _ 7 IBuchon Street Ed2e Lines _ 7 :Pismo Closure-Phase Il* _ 8 Buchon Street Speed Humps(3) 8 _Islay Street Speed Hump's - 'Aleasares Added by Action Team as allowed by NTM Guildelines Pismo& Buchon.Neighborhood Traffic Management Page 5 Although the closure of Pismo and/or Buchon at Johnson as requested by the Action Team did not directly infringe on City policy or minimum emergency response rates. Closuredid raise several concerns over General Plan consistency, traffic operations, and diminished emergency response time. Despite these concerns the NTM Policy does permit the Action Team to make revisions to the NTM Action Plan prior to neighborhood balloting. However these closures were ultimately not supported and are therefore no longer being considered. 6. Distribution of Draft Action Plan & 1st Ballot: On November 6, 2009, City staff in cooperation with a professional mailing service mailed the first NTM draft Action Plan and voting ballot to the owners and occupants of all 360 households within the study area. One vote was counted per household for each of the calming measures, if both the owner and occupant returned a ballot the owners vote took priority. Based on a required 51% required response rate and a supporting 2/3 vote in order for the measure to be forwarded to the Council. The results of the ballot is shown in Table 2 below. Table 2: Action Plan 1st Ballot Results Responded Vote Not To Support Vote To Support Pass 1 Johnson Ave.Speed Feed Back Signs ' 256 71% 58 23% 198 77% YES 2 Johnson Ave.Striping Reconfig. 256 71% 72 28% 184 72% YES 3 Pismo St.Road Diet 256 71% 67 26% 189 74% YES 4 1240 Pismo St.Speed Hump 256 71% 83 32% 173 68% YES 1126 Pismo St.Speed Hump 256 71% 82 32% 174 68% YES 1176 Pismo St.Speed Hump 256 71% 1 83 32% 1 173 68% 1 YES 5 1034 Islay St.Speed Hump 256 71% 80 31% 176 69% YES 6 Pismo St.Raised X-Wallk&Bulbouts 257 71% 72 28% 185 72% YES 7 Buchon Closure 256 71% 97 38% 159 62% NO 8 Pismo Closure-Phase Il 237 66% 144 61% 93 39% NO Based on the results of the first voting ballot, the closures at Buchon and Pismo did not have 2/3 . support from the neighborhood are therefore not being presented to the Council for approval along with the other measures that did receive neighborhood support. However because the Buchon closure was not supported there were no proposed traffic calming measures as part of the draft Action Plan. Therefore staff and the Action Team prepared an amendment to the Action Plan which included the measures that were originally recommended on Buchon in addition to a raised crosswalk and bulb-out at Buchon and Toro. 7. Distribution of Action Plan & 2nd Ballot: On April 6, 2010, City staff in cooperation with a professional mailing service mailed the NTM Action Plan amendments and second voting ballot in the same manner as the first ballot. Based on a required 51% required response rate and a supporting 2/3 vote in order for a measure to be forwarded to the Council, the results of the ballot is shown in Table 3 below. Table 3: Action Plan-2nd Ballot Results Responded Vote Not To Support Vote To Support Pass I Buchon St.Raised X-Wallk 213 59% 56 26% 157 74% YES 2 1137 Buchon St.Speed Hump 213 59% 117 55% 96 45% NO 1176 Buchon St.Speed Hump 213 59% 111 52% 102 48% NO 1224 Buchon St.-Speed Hump 213 59% 111 52% 102 48% NO 3 Buchon St.Edge Lines 213 59% 11 90 42% 11 123 58% NO 4 Buchon St.Bulbouts 213 59% 11 121 57% 11 92 43% 11 NO Pismo & Buchon Neighborhood Traffic Management Page 6 Based on the results of the second voting ballot, the raised crosswalk at Buchon and Toro was the only measure to be amended into the NTM Action Plan (Attachment 4)which is being presented to Council for approval. Each of the measures approved in the NTM Action Plan are descried in detail in the action plan itself(Attachment 4). It is however important to differentiate speed bumps and speed humps. Speed bumps, not being proposed, are typically sharp protrusions from the roadway less that one foot in length. Speed humps,which are being proposed, are elongated protrusions from the roadway at approximately 14-feet in length and are designed to balance speed reduction with noise and emergency vehicle access. Neighborhood Traffic Management Policy Issue Based on the past 12 years of experience the City has had with its current NTM policy, City staff has determined that particular elements of the policy continue to raise recurring issues which need to be addressed. In October 2008, as part of the Annual Traffic Safety Report, the Council directed staff to return with recommended revisions to the policy to address these issues. Unfortunately, due to staff resource shortages.and unexpected work load increases (ie. Laguna Village Shopping Center, State Route 1 Major Investment Study, etc.) this update is delayed. However, staff is currently in the final stages of developing a complete revision and expects to return to Council within the next three to six months with the final draft. In particular, two recommended policy revisions that will be recommended as part of that update directly affect this NTM Action Plan;the voting and funding methodologies. NTM Voting Methodology As part of the current NTM policy 51% or more of the study area's households must vote to support the action plan in order for the action plan to be presented to Council. Under this methodology each household that does not return their ballot inherently diminishes the ability of the vote to be successful. Because any type of neighborhood traffic calming device will have some form of negative tradeoff for the benefit they provide it is important to have a high level of support for a project from the entire neighborhood. However the current 51% methodology has been criticized as weighting the vote too heavily against action as a no response is essentially counted as a"No" vote. As part of the upcoming NTM policy revision staff reviewed the NTM policies of many other California cities and found that the current City policy is actually used by less than 10% of other agencies. The most common voting methodology is a minimum 51% response rate and a minimum 67% of the response in favor of the project in order for it to proceed to Council. Staff believes that this voting methodology best fits the overall NTM objective of requiring a high level of neighborhood support without weighting the vote too heavily against action. Therefore staff will be recommending this revision as part of the upcoming NTM policy update. NTM Funding Methodology As part of the current NTM policy the funding for each NTM project is established at $140 per household in the study area, if the total project cost exceeds that dollar amount then the City and neighborhood divide the additional cost. This funding methodology has been criticized for having too low of a dollar-per-household allowance which in turn discourages residents to vote for measures in concern of having to pay for them. This methodology also requires that a certain level of City funding be available for NTM projects depending on the size of the neighborhood, Bg`4:7 Pismo& Buchon Neighborhood Traffic Management Page 7 which may not be the case. For example if a 300 household neighborhood voted for a NTM project, the funding allowance dictated by the policy would be $42,000 which is slightly more than twice the annual NTM budget of$20,000, in which case the City would not be able to meet its fiscal commitment. As part of the upcoming NTM policy revision staff reviewed the NTM policies of many other California cities and found that the current City NTM funding policy is actually used by less than 10% of other agencies. The most common funding methodology is 100% funded by the City and limited to the NTM budget established at the time of the project with any cost above and beyond that budget to be funded by the neighborhood residents. Staff believes that this funding methodology best fits the overall NTM objective by allowing maximum City participation while more appropriately allowing for changes in construction costs and annual budget adjustments. Because both of these policy issues have been identified and recommended revisions have been established, staff believes it is appropriate to apply them to new NTM projects. Therefore staff recommends that the Pismo Buchon NTM move forward under the new recommended methodologies. The information and staff recommendation in this report represents the Action Plan under the new recommended methodologies, Alternative #1 represents the Action Plan under the current methodology. Other Action Plan Improvements In addition to the traffic calming measures which have received 2/3 support of the neighborhood, staff is also recommending that additional projects be included in the Action Plan. These projects include those already approved outside the scope of the NTM and others in order to comply with the NTM policy on traffic diversion. NTM Policy on Traffic Diversion—Buchon Speed Tables The NTM policy on traffic diversion states that the application of NTM devices should not divert traffic onto other residential collector or residential local streets that exceed the diversion standards shown in Figure 3 of the NTM policy (Attachment 5). Due the grid-type street network of the neighborhood, any form of traffic calming has the potential to divert traffic on to other neighborhood streets. Therefore staff proposes to include the three speed tables and painted edge lines on Buchon Street that did not receive 2/3 vote as a contingency follow-up project if staff determines that traffic diversion onto Buchon street has occurred. Staff will evaluate traffic volumes within the neighborhood at six and twelve months to determine if the thresholds identified in Figure 3 of the NTM policy have been exceeded. Buchon & Johnson Intersection Improvements In addition to the current NTM program, the Council has also approved $100,000 for intersection improvements at Johnson & Buchon. Because this project has already been approved by Council these changes were not subject to the NTM balloting requirements. Staff has,however, included the Neighborhood Action Team in discussion and the preliminary design of this improvement. Although this project was approved outside the NTM program it is intended to improve safety and calm traffic in and around the Pismo/Buchon neighborhood and is therefore identified in the Action Plan. Pismo & Buchon Neighborhood Traffic Management Page 8 CONCURRENCES Public Safetv The Police and Fire Departments have both been involved in the development of the Pismo/Buchon NTM Action Plan. The Fire Department and Police Department have both reviewed the calming measures in the recommended Action Plan and support their implementation. The Police Department has worked with Public Works staff not only in the development of the Action Plan but has also been involved in the neighborhood outreach effort, meeting with the Action Team to determine the most effective enforcement approach. Neighborhood Action Team A group of twelve neighborhood residents volunteered to serve on an Action Team representing the neighborhood and each of their respective streets in the preparation of the action plan and ballots. Over the course of the action plan development staff held approximately eight formal Action Teams meetings and maintains ongoing communications with each of the action team members. Each of the measures presented in the action plan are supported by neighborhood action team. The Action Team also supported additional measures that ultimately did not receive 2/3 support of the neighborhood. These measures are identified in Tables 2 and 3. FISCAL IMPACT The total preliminary estimate to implement the Pismo/Buchon NTM Action Plan is $270,000. It is important to understand that this estimate is based on rough concepts at this point. If the Action Plan is approved, more accurate cost estimates can be established once engineering designs are completed. The Action Plan will be funded from the NTM account and the Buchon/Johnson Intersection Improvement project account. The NTM account has an annual allocation of $20,000. However, due to the length of time necessary to complete the Action Plan, allowing for carryover savings from previous years' funding, the current NTM budget is $172,900. The Buchon/Johnson Intersection Improvement project account has a budget of $100,000. This provides a total combined funding of$272,900 which is available to support the Pismo/Buchon NTM Action Plan. PRELIMINARY ESTIMATES-_ FUNDING SOURCES Engineering.Desin $21,750 99501 NTM Acct. $172,900 Construction $217,500 90731 Buchon Johnson Int.Acct. $100,000 15%Contingencies $32,625 Miscellaneous(Pennits,Printing,etc.) $1,000 Total Project: $272,8751 Total Funds Available: $272,900 ALTERNATIVES 1. Approve the Action Plan consistent with the current NTM voting methodology. The Council may choose to approve the Pismo/Buchon NTM Action Plan with measures that received the required level of neighborhood support under the current NTM policy, these measures are identified in Attachment 6 However staff does not recommend this alternative because of the issues associated with such a methodology as identified in this report. c p� �Q — Q Pismo& Buchon Neighborhood Traffic Management Page 9 2. Do not approve the Action Plan. The Council may choose not to approve the PismoBuchon NTM Action Plan at this point and defer further work in this neighborhood until the underlying circulation issues can be addressed in the Circulation Element Update. Staff does not recommend this alternative because even if with the underlying circulation issues were addressed, these calming measures will still provide a measureable benefit to the neighborhood. Staff also does not recommend this because a complete update to the Circulation Element has yet to be approved and funded. 3. Modify the proposed Action Plan to include alternative features The Council may choose to modify the PismoBuchom'NTM Action Plan to include additional and/or alternative features. Staff does not recommend this alternative because the proposed Action Plan is the product of several years of community outreach and input. The Action Plan features also represents the measures which received the support of the neighborhood as demonstrated by the ballot results. 4. Continue consideration and direct staff and/or the Action Team to consider alternative calming features. The Council may direct staff to evaluate alternative calming feature or to engage in a larger planning to address the underlying circulation issues in advance of the Circulation Element update. Staff does not recommend this alternative because the proposed PismoBuchom NTM Action Plan represents the measures which received the support of the neighborhood as demonstrated by the ballot result. Additionally, the Transportation Division does not currently have the staff or fiscal capacity to facilitate such a planning effort at this time. ATTACHMENTS 1. Neighborhood vicinity map 2. Summarized neighborhood traffic concerns 3. Neighborhood volumes with &without high school traffic 4. PismoBuchon NTM Action Plan 5. NTM Traffic Diversion Policy 6. NTM measures supported under current voting methodology. 7. Council Resolution \\chstore4\team\council agenda reports\public works car\'-)010\transportation\pismo&buchon ntm\car pismobuchon ntm.doc a — rrr �• r MAI ion � a.;;� , a 6 0 G G O • �f , IVIN AMR$ IL .i• Attachment 2 SUMMARY OF NEIGHBORHOOD TRAFFIC CONCERNS Pismo/Buchon Neighborhood Action Team Identified Issues and Potential Causes Item Issues Potential Causes 1 High Traffic Speeds on Johnson at the Railroad Downgrade at overpass, left turn lane striping on Overpass. Johnson between Buchon and Pismo. 2. High Traffic Speeds on Pismo and Buchon in Lane configuration, intersection offset at the blocks between Toro and Johnson. Pismo/Toro. 3 Cars passing on Pismo and Buchon in the Intersection offset at Pismo/Toro. blocks between Johnson and Toro. 4. High Traffic Volume during the commute Left tum striping configuration on Johnson/Pismo hours and when the high school gets out. encourages motorists to tum into neighborhood. Traffic congestion at Johnson/Marsh. 5 Congestion at the intersections of No right turn lane for eastbound traffic at Buchon/Johnson, Johnson/Pismo and Buchon/Johnson, left turning traffic backs up Johnson/Marsh. waiting to turn left on Johnson. 6 New development will increase traffic volumes Projections from new developments should be in neighborhood. incorporated into studies and recommendations. 7. Traffic from Santa Rosa and Osos Streets are Traffic signal configuration at Marsh/Santa Rosa encouraged to use Buchon to access Johnson. does not have a left tum phase for southbound traffic to tum east on Marsh. Cut-thru traffic using neighborhood to access Traffic congestion at Johnson/Marsh, Santa 8 downtown and freeway instead of using Rosa/Marsh, one-way lane configuration on Marsh arterials. and Mguera between Santa Rosa and Johnson. Left turn lane design on Johnson between Buchon and Pismo forces traffic to tum into neighborhood. 9 Left-tum lane on Johnson/Pismo forcing traffic Striping configuration on Johnson. to tum left into neighborhood. 10. Limited sight distance at Buchon/Johnson and Large downgrade at overpass, left turn striping at the Johnson RR overpass. configuration,high speeds at the Johnson overpass. 11. Limited sight distance for left turning traffic Parked cars restricting amount of roadway visible from Toro onto Buchon. to motorists. 1Pedestrian access at Pismo/Toro and Limited sight distance due to parked cars. Offset of Pismo/Buchon. the intersection at Pismo/Toro, traffic volumes and speeds. 13. Intersection offset at Pismo/Toro. Existing road geometry and lane configuration. 14 Truck access/parking on Toro behind Scolari's. Trucks parking on Toro waiting to unload. �U �� r Attachment 3 VOLUME COMPARISON WITH AND WITHOUT HIGH SCHOOL TRAFFIC �2 Count s b0 N W d (T m V O] O O -� N O O O O O O O O O O O O O � -lA Q.V. s s 's Scho I start ......... ........ ..... ....... ....... ........ ........ .... - .... ..... O A9� � s '7 17 3 ?9s 2' N 1D 7.zo O A 3 ?,7 .ter '?00 O A'Li Scho I End Q ASA ........ ........ ........ ....... ........ .. ..... •(�'li O 's G A� T �0 W E OX, 4S A Ie�S� s00 YA2J �. F• S 7�A� 2 73. (o 0 0 0 o Attachment 3 VOLUME COMPARISON WITH AND WITHOUT HIGH SCHOOL TRAFFIC Count Z. (n 0) —4 CC) (D 0 7'psrC3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 . . , .. ............................ ................ t. ....... ----. ----..._........... .................. Z?O - School Start ------------- ------ ................. h 0. .00- x.194 0 SchoolEnd 1 .................. .................... ...... ...... ..............I......... ....... 1 0 0 00 co M co rn ,9. 03, L) A ' ACHMENT 4 ��IIIIIIIIIIII� Ills I Pismo/Buchon Neighborhood Traffic Management Draft Action Plan (June, 2010) Background In the Fall of 2005, residents in the Pismo/Buchon neighborhood submitted a petition asking the City of San Luis Obispo to address concerns about excessive traffic speeds, volumes, and collisions in the neighborhood. On April 21, 2008, the City of San Luis Obispo Public Works Department held a community meeting for neighborhood residents to discuss their traffic concerns. Based on interest expressed at the meeting, a Neighborhood Action Team comprised of residents representing the entire neighborhood was formed. Four neighborhood representatives attended the first Neighborhood Action Team meeting in May 2008. At this initial meeting the Action Team members reviewed and specified issues that they felt should be addressed as part of this Neighborhood Traffic Management (NTM) effort. Public Works staff discussed with the Action Team the types of traffic studies that would measure the volume, speed and travel patterns of traffic in the neighborhood and that traffic studies would begin in the Fall once all schools were in session. The traffic studies were conducted from September 2008 to May 2009. Five Action Team members subsequently met with Public Works Staff in May 2009 to discuss the results of the traffic studies and develop a cost effective solution to resolve the traffic concerns identified by the residents. Development of the Action Plan continued as City staff met with the Action Team throughout 2009 and 2010. Traffic Study Results The results of the traffic studies confirmed the neighborhood concerns about traffic speeds and volumes. As summarized in Table 1, speed surveys conducted on Johnson Avenue indicate that the 85' percentile speed ranged between 35-38 mph with a posted speed of 30 mph; Pismo Street ranged from 30-32 mph while Buchon Street ranged from 31-33 mph, both with a posted speed of 25 mph. A license plate survey during the peak traffic hours confirmed that 74% of the traffic on Buchon and 56%of the traffic on Pismo did not have a destination within the neighborhood. Traffic volume counts indicated that the average daily volume of vehicles on Buchon (3,570) exceed the Circulation Element desired maximum volume (3,000 for a Residential Collector) by 20%. Traffic volume counts indicated that the average daily volume of vehicles on Pismo (3,650) exceed the Circulation Element desired maximum volume by 22%. Table 1-Traffic Volumes and Speeds Traffic Soeeds Traffic Volumes — — Observed l Speed Umit. ;; Observed j Circulation Element Desired Predominant Speed !._� Buchon 731-33 MPH !1 25 MPH _,� 3,570 3,000 _P�smo�l. 30-32 MPH _25 MPH �I 3,650 3;000 — Johnson I 35-38 MPH 1! 30 MPH 12,931 'iy=__ _ N/A_ — - ATTACHMENT 4 PismoBuchon Neighborhood Traffic Management Draft Action Plan May 2010 Study Area The study area, shown in Figure 1, was established by Public Works staff and the Action Team. The study area boundary is based on traffic conditions in the neighborhood and the effect the proposed traffic calming measures could have on adjacent streets. �•. �� % SAN LUSSUBIS 0: HIGH-§C OOL/ i ITCHELL NM Boundary N r Figure 1-NTM Study Area Statement of Objectives The objective of this Action Plan is to improve the quality of life and the personal safety for the residents of the PismoBuchon neighborhood by reducing vehicle speeds, reducing non-local traffic volumes, and improving pedestrian safety. The Action Team agreed upon goals form the basis of this Neighborhood Traffic Management Action Plan. These goals include: Table 2-Action Plan Objectives Current NTM Objectives_' Johnson Speeds _ 36.7 MPH 32.5..MPH - Pismo Speeds _ 31.0 MPH 27.5 MPH - Buchon Speeds _ 31.7 MPH 27.5 MPH _— -ume--- —- 300 ADT _ _Pismo Vol , T -- 3 650 AD------ tL -Buchon Volume 3;570 ADT 1�_ 3,300 ADT j 2 ATTAMMENT 4 PismoBuchon Neighborhood Tratrw Management Draft Action Plan May 2010 Traffic Calming Improvements Based on the traffic study and neighborhood voting results,This Action Plan was developed to address the observed traffic issues.Based on a neighborhood wide vote the following projects have been identified as the neighborhood 's preferred solution to address these traffic issues. These projects are depicted in Tables 3 and 4 with the locations of each of the projects shown in the map below. HG14SCH0 Cf 2 o� s 7 ( NTM Boundary " Figure 2-Location of Proposed NTM Devices Table 3-Traffic Calming Projects (51%Response&2/3rds Support) PROJECT ;, DESCRIPTION _ _i —"_ LOCATION _J Speed Feedback Signs_ �I Johnson @Railroad Over a3s --p- ^J 2 Reconfigure Travel Lanes ��Johnson (San Luis Drive to Pismo)__] 3 Road Diet(striping reconfiguration) ;i Pismo (Johnson to Santa Rosa)Y_� 4 Speed Humps(3) -JL 1126; 1176,1240 Pismo 5 Bulbouts and Raised Crosswalk Ji Pismo&Toro 6 � Raised Crosswalk !; Buchon_@_Toro _ r— 7 i, Speed Humps_{1) -- 1034 IsIaY_ 3 ATTACHMENT 4 PismoBuchon Neighborhood Traffic Management Drag Aedon Plan May 2010 Table 4-Traffic Calming Projects Projects Description . Example o Electronic speed display e Reminds drivers of their speed o May reduce vehicle speed an Johnson Avenue: average of logo 17. 1 Speed Feedback o Replacement often needed after 5- SPEED Signs 7 years o Sign reliability and maintenance concerns 33 o New Lane configuration with a two- way left turn lane and one thru lane !--- -- --- -- — — o o Will allow northbound motorists to - JOHNs011 . merge into one lane prior to Pismo _ r o May reduce tendency for motorists ----- - —__- --'--* to be trapped into turning on Pismo and driving thru the neighborhoodI Johnson Ave:. o Will provide residents easier access a ~� Reconfigure into/out of their driveways 2 Striping o Will provide additional capacity for 4 (San Luis Drive to the left turn lane onto San Luis Drive s\ o Concern that motorists may use the Pismo Street). two-way left turn as a through laneij o Example drawings at right include intersections improvements at _ Johnson/Buchon that will be -- - constructed outside of the Action Plan approval process. o Existing 2 vehicle lanes will be reduced to one vehicle lane o New lane configuration will allow for one vehicle lane,2 parking lanes , �.Qo Pismo Street: and one bike lane. "Road Diet" o May reduce vehicle speeds 3 (Johnson Avenue o Expected to reduce tendency for to Santa Rosa St.) motorists to pass each other ,• �• ,r-„• r oWill improve pedestrian access o Similar to lane configuration on Pismo west of Broad Bo"I 4 PismoBuchon Neighborhood TriWk Management Draft Action Plan May 2010 • Rounded,raised area of pavement • 14 feet in length,3 inches in height �. • May reduce vehicle speeds an �- average of 18% Pismo Street: • Most effective at overall speed — 4 Speed Humps reductions if installed in a series 1240, 1176, 1126 • Speed reductions based on the number and spacing of devices • Possible increase in traffic noise r • Concern over jarring of vehicles Raised Crosswalk: • Raised flat-topped area of pavement with crosswalk markings 22 feet in length,3 inches in height May reduce vehicle speeds by an average of 18% • Improved pedestrian access -- Possible increase in traffic noise ------- Pismo Street Concern over jarring of vehicles (although less than speed humps) — -Q At Toro Streets �;SM 0 _ 5. Bulbouts: F- t Raised Crosswalk • An extension of the sidewalk -- --701 ,1 and Bulbouts Will serve to physically narrow the street and correct the wide offset of the intersection • Will diminish tendency for vehicles to pass each other. • Shorten the crossing distance for pedestrians • May reduce vehicle speed by an average of 4% • Installed on the east side of the intersection • Raised flat-topped area of pavement with crosswalk markings Buchon Street at • 22 feet in length,3 inches in height f 6 Toro Street: • May reduce vehicle speeds by an average of 18% Raised Crosswalk • Improved pedestrian access — • Possible increase in traffic noise • Concern over jarring of vehicles (although less than speed humps) I Uc'Y-- 5 ATTACHMENT 4 I � PismoBachon Neighborhood Tralfrc Management Draft Acdon Plan May 2010 Rounded,raised area of pavement - 14 feet in length,3 inches in height -May reduce vehicle speeds an - — -1 f 18% average o Islay Street: o May reduce the tendency for 7 Speed Hump motorists to use Islay as an alternat 1034 to Buchon o Possible increase in traffic noise o Concern over jarring of vehicles Implementation & Performance Monitoring If the City Council approves the Action Plan, City staff will immediately begin engineering and design of the improvements, which should take approximately 4-6 months to complete. Following design, City staff will advertise for construction bids &award a construction contract,which should take approximately 1-2 months. Construction should take approximately 2-3 months to complete. Once construction is completed, City staff will conduct ongoing performance monitoring of traffic volumes, speeds, and collisions for a period of 12 months. It is the NTM policy that the application of NTM devices should not divert traffic onto other Residential Collector or Residential Local street that exceeds the diversion standards shown in Figure 3 of the NTM guidelines. Therefore if after a period of 6 or 12 months staff determines the diversion standards are exceeded staff will install three additional speed tables and painted edge lines on Buchon street. If it is determined that any of the improvements have imposed any undue secondary impacts, the Director of Public Works may order modification, addition, and/or removal of NTM devices installed as part of this action plan. BS-/ 9 6 ATTACHMENT 4 PismoBuchon Neighborhood Traffic Management Draft Acdon Plan May 2010 Cost Estimates& Funding The Action Plan proposes to construct a series of traffic calming measures on Johnson Ave, Pismo St, and Buchon St. as described in Table 3 and 4. If these measures fail to meet the goals of the project as listed in Table 1, the Action Plan includes the option of installing additional traffic calming devices. The total cost of the Action Plan is estimated at $270,000. The proposed funding strategy is to allocate $172,900 of available City Neighborhood Traffic Management funding to the Action Plan. This funding will be allocated to Action Plan projects 1 through 7. If after one year performance monitoring determines that there has been an increase of traffic on Buchon, additional traffic calming devices may be installed depending on City staff and funding resources. Table 5-Project Funding Action Plan Projects 1 Speed Feedback Signs (2) $18,000 2 Reconfigure Johnson Avenue $8,000 3 Pismo Road Diet $6,500 4 Pismo Speed Humps (3) $12,000 5 Pismo/Toro Bulbouts-Raised Crosswalk $85,000 6 Buchon/Toro Raised Crosswalk $5,000 7 Islay Speed Hump (1) $4,000 Total: $138,500 Approved Projects 1 Johnson& Buchon Intersection Improvements $65,000 Total: $65,000 Contingency Followup Projects 1 Edge Lines $2,000 2 Buchon Speed Tables (3) $12,000 Total: $14,000 Engineering Total: $21,750 Construction Total: $217,500 Contingency Total: $32,625 Misc.Total: $1,000 Project Total: $272,875 7 Attachment 5 NTM TRAFFIC DIVERSION POLICY Traffic Diversion: The application of NTM devices should not divert traffic onto other Residential Collector or Residential Local streets that exceeds the diversion standards shown in Figure 3. Neighborhood Traffic Management Guidelines June 1998 Figure Acceptable Increases inTraffic Volumes On Residential Collector& Local Streets Maximum Allowed Increase of 400 aso Vehicles Per Day (VPD) T r 900 a f 350 f 1 300 . ' + Allowed Increase In Traffi On "N -Project" c �' Streets after NTM Devices I stalled 250-- I 50 . ` . . + n 200 ' ► c , . ' • Use This Curve for r 150 '• ResidentW Local Streets + e + a 100-- s + e rte + Maximum of 1,500 VPD for + /Residential Local Streets 0 50 500 925 1350 1775 2200 2625 3000 Vehicles Per Day (VPD) Before NTM Facilities Installed How to Use This Graph: • First check Figure 1 on page 5 to see what the particular street is classified. For Residential Local streets,use the dashed- _ . curve. For Residential Collector streets'use the solid —curve. • Along the bottom of the graph find the point on the scale that most closely represents the traffic level of the"non-project street"before the NTM devices were installed. • From the point on the bottom scale, draw a vertical line until it intersects the curve. From this intersecting point,draw a horizontal line to the left until it intersects the vertical scale. • Estimate the number on this vertical scale: This number is the number of additional vehicles per day that will be allowed on this particular strect after the NTM devices have been installed. Attachment 6 NTM MEASURES SUPPORTED UNDER THE CURRENT VOTING METHODOLOGY (51 % OF ALL HOUSEHOLDS) ProRects Description Example (51% of HH's) Electronic speed display Reminds drivers of their speed May reduce vehicle speed an Johnson Avenue: average of ion 1 Speed Feedback o Replacement often needed after 5 YOUR SPEED Signs 7 years Sign reliability and maintenance concerns New Lane configuration with a two-way left turn lane and one a thru lane — — Will allow northbound motoriststo ; merge into one lane prior to Pismo May reduce tendency for motorist u ° to be trapped into turning on Pismo and driving thru the ` neighborhood Johnson Ave: Will provide residents easier Reconfigure access into/out of their driveways 2 Striping @ Will provide additional capacity for (San Luis Drive to the left turn lane onto San Luis Drive '\ Pismo Street) Concern that motorists may use the two-way left turn as a through - lane Example drawings at right include intersections improvements at Johnson/Buchon that will be constructed outside of the Action Plan approval process. Existing 2 vehicle lanes will be reduced to one vehicle lane New lane configuration will allow for one vehicle lane,2 parking r®w� srcmu ��n� Pismo Street: lanes and one bike lane. 3 "Road Diet" a May reduce vehicle speeds (Johnson Avenue a Expected to reduce tendency for to Santa Rosa St.) motorists to pass each other WAV r o Will improve pedestrian access Similar to lane configuration on Pismo west of Broad 90 -ate Attachment 6 NTM MEASURES SUPPORTED UNDER THE CURRENT VOTING METHODOLOGY Projects Description Examale 151%of HH'sl ised Crosswalk: Raised flat-topped area of pavement with crosswalk markings ZZ feet in length,3 inches in height May reduce vehicle speeds by an average of 18% • Improved pedestrian access • Possible increase in traffic noise Pismo Street Concern over jarring of vehicles At Toro Street: (although less than speed humps) pISM 0 . 4 ulbouts: Raised Crosswalk _ An extension of the sidewalk and Bulbouts Will serve to physically narrowthe street and correct the wide offset of the intersection Will diminish tendency for vehicles I — to pass each other. Shorten the crossing distance for pedestrians May reduce vehicle speed by an averse of 4% ��-a3 ATTACHMENT RESOLUTION NO. (2010 Series) RESOLUTION OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO ADOPTING A NEIGHBORHOOD TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT (NTM)ACTION PLAN FOR THE PISMO & BUCHON NEIGHBORHOOD WHEREAS, In June 1998, the City Council adopted Resolution 8811 which establishes guidelines that direct how Neighborhood Traffic Management Plans should be prepared; and WHEREAS, consistent with these adopted guidelines, residents of the Pismo & Buhcon neighborhood have worked with City Transportation staff to prepare a draft NTM Plan for the Pismo and Buchon Neighborhood; and WHEREAS,ballots distributed to all households within the study area requesting support of the draft NTM plan measures resulted in at least a 51%response rate and a supporting 2/3rds vote, and this level of support exceeds the recommended minimum level required; and WHEREAS, the City Council finds that the preparation of the Action Plan is consistent with the standards and protocol contained within the NTM guidelines adopted by resolution 8811, the recommended voting and funding methodology revisions to those guidelines, and that the installation of the measures identified in the action plan are reasonable methods for pursuing City NTM goals along this particular corridor. BE IT RESOLVED,by the City Council of the City of San Luis Obispo as follows: SECTION 1., The City Council adopts the Pismo & Buchon Neighborhood Traffic Management Plan, attached as Exhibit A, and direct the Public Works Department to implement the improvements as called for by the Action Plan. On motion of Council Member seconded by and on the following roll call vote: AYES: NOES: ABSENT: The foregoing resolution was adopted this first day of June, 2010.. i ATTACHMENT � Resolution No. (2010 Series) Page 2 Mayor, David F. Romero ATTEST City Clerk, Elaina Cano APPROVED AS TO FORM: City Attorney, Christine Dietrick B(8-dY --'TD FILE MEETING AGENDA '! DATE4/4 ITEM #- momcoonc,t mEMoRanoum June I st, 2010 TO: City Council E; COUNCIL 'CDD DIR �BABT"*n//u62 "FIN DIR VIA: Katie Lichtig, City Manager 'I]ACA9A9hrti?{^,-ee-FIRE CHIEF I *TTOFINEY [2r-PW DIR FROM: Jay Walter, Public Works Director 0 CLERK/ORIG IT-POLICE CHF 13 DEPT HEADS IrREC DIR Tim Bochum, Deputy Public Works Dir 7ctor - ��3 Cl'GTIL DIR Jake Hudson, Traffic Operations Manager ���� SHR DIR nlaiJTtnt�s � �'Bualcr� SUBJECT: Pismo & Buchon Neighborhood Traffic Management Ciryg Staff has received several questions regarding the Pismo & Buchon Neighborhood Traffic Management Plan that is scheduled for consideration at Today's Council meeting. Many of these questions mirror specific issues we have identified in the current NTM process that are currently under consideration in the update to the NTM Guidelines. Staff is in the process of updating these guidelines and will be bring these recommendations forward for Council consideration later this year. Postponing the Pismo & Buchon NTM until these revisions were completed was considered, however because it had been postponed since 2005 first due to the Residential Parking District effort and then the Mitchell Park / Senior Center parking lot, staff did not feel it was appropriate to postpone this NTM for Council consideration any longer. The following are questions and responses regarding the Pismo & Buchon NTM have been received since the staff report was published. 1) Its not clear from the staff report what the staff recommendation would be in the absence of the NTM process. Is what the neighborhood voted on was based on a laundry list of possible alternatives staff gave them or on a uniform staff recommendation that just happened to have multiple parts? The action plan does represent a uniform staff recommendation, the recommendations are specific measures at strategic locations developed to address neighborhood concerns and to adjust traffic volumes and speeds down towards the desired values as established in the circulation element. As set up in the NTM guidelines the proposed list of solutions is a joint effort between staff and the Area Action Team that prioritizes issues on behalf of the neighborhoods. Due to the grid type street system of the neighborhood any potential. change in traffic characteristics on one street has the potential effect to divert traffic to adjacent streets — hence a larger than normal list of potential changes to be addressed. If the improvements were to be completed at staffs' discretion outside of the NTM program staff would most likely implement, incrementally, the measures shown on the left side of Table 1 in the staff report and as provided below. j— Table 1: Action Plan- 1"Draft Calming Measures Staff Proposed Action Plan Action Team Revised Action Plan I lJohnson Ave.Speed Feedback Signs I Johnson Ave.Speed Feedback Signs 2 lJohnson Ave.Striping Reconfiguration 2 Johnson Ave.Striping Reconfiguration 3 Johnson&Buhcon Intersection Reconfiguration, 3 Pismo Street.Road,Diet 4 Pismo Street Road Diet 4 Pismo Street Speed Huai s(3 5 Pismo Street Speed Humps(3) 5 Pismo&Toro Raised X-Walk&Buldbouts 6 Pismo&Toro Raised X-Walk&Buldbouts 6 Buchon Closure*. 7 Buchon Street Edge Lines7 Pismo Closure-Phase ll* 8. Buchon Street Speed Humps(3) 8 Islay Street-Speed Hump* •,Veasums Added by Action Team as allowed by NTM Guildelines 2) On the surface the recommendation seems a bit "over-the-top." Perhaps a "belt &suspender" approach such as feedback signs and new striping and road diet and three speed humps in one block and raised sidewalk. Is this overkill? Due to the layout of the neighborhood and the effect of traffic calming on one street potentially diverting to adjacent neighborhoods the "toolbox" is larger than other NTM programs that have recently been completed. In comparison, while it is not of the same size as the Broad/Chorro neighborhood area, it certainly has similar issues due to the parallel nature of the neighborhood and adjacent arterial streets. On the surface it does look like overkill, however these measures are actually spread across 8 different blocks along four different streets within the neighborhood. It's important in a grid type street network to have good coverage; otherwise traffic would just be diverted onto other streets within the neighborhood and the problems displaced into other areas. 3) Would it make more sense to put stop signs at Toro instead of all the speed humps and the raised sidewalks,particularly with both Pismo &Buchon serving as emergency routes for Police/Fire/Ambulance? Repeated studies have shown stops signs are not effective speed deterrents and State and Federal code specifically state that stop signs should not be used for speed control. Reference documents such as the California Vehicle Code, California Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices, and Federal Highways Administration Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices all comment on this. Speed humps and tables have proven effective in the City in addressing high end traffic speeds along local streets, thus their recommended use in this case. They will be designed to balance speed control with emergency vehicle access and engineering staff will work directly with fire department staff throughout design and implementation. 4) Why are raised sidewalks are proposed at Toro but not at Santa Rosa, Santa Rosa appears to have much more pedestrian traffic. Is that because there are already stop signs at Santa Rosa? The raised crosswalks at Toro are recommended because of limited sight distance, observed pedestrian & vehicle conflicts, and a relatively high volume of pedestrians. There is a fairly high pedestrian demand between the two Housing Authority apartment complexes (approx 40-50 Units) on Toro and Scolaris Market via their private pedestrian path that connects to Toro St. The multiway stops along Santa Rosa Street do provide a logical break along Buchon and Pismo but these stops used to facilitate vehicle operations at the locations and not intended to provide pedestrian access across the streets or to address speeding issues. 5) What are the designation (Arterial vs. Collector) for other nearby streets -- Osos, Marsh (from Santa Rosa to California), Higuera (from Santa Rosa to Johnson). Pismi & Osos are classified as Residential Collectors the Osos, Marsh, & Higuera are classified as Arterials in the City's Circulation Element. 6) Why is Pismo not counted as an Arterial It's certainly being used in that way—not just by drivers, but in our circulation element. Why else have we made it one way? Pismo is designated as a Residential Collector in the Circulation Element, not an arterial. If Pismo were designated as an arterial in the Circulation Element it would not have likely have been included in the NTM process although residential arterials are allowed some forms of neighborhood traffic control through the program. Pismo was historically established as a one way street to act as a one way couplet with Buchon which was previously a one way street as well. It functions both as a residential street as well as a connector street between arterials in the City. It also has through volume issues created by the one way street configuration of Marsh Street — thus the competition for users between residents and vehicles. The volumes on Pismo current exceed the desired maximum for its classification by approximately 22%. 7) The NTM process is concerning, specifically since it allows a neighborhood to propose the closure of a major street(Pismo) used by all citizens as well as a street (Buchon) used by Public Safety as an emergency route, some things need to be off the table. Comment noted. This is one of the issues that has been identified in the current NTM policies and should be discussed in the upcoming NTM policy revisions. The guidelines in the existing NTM program do not offer sufficient language to prevent confusion over what is above and beyond neighborhood traffic control. Instead, residents can sometimes believe closures or significant changes to street alignments are the primary solutions even though staff ultimately does not concur with the potential change to the circulation system. This is not always a negative thing. The premise was used a few years back in determining the appropriateness of closing Morro Street at Santa Barbara Street as part of NTM objectives as well as the focal point of the Bill Roalman Bicycle Boulevard. Overall, it's difficult to apply one toolbox item (such as street closures) to all cases and additional language and direction needs to be established for these major NTM elements. We considered postponing the Pismo/Buchon NTM until the revision was complete, however because it had been postponed for so long we did not feel it was appropriate to postpone any longer. We don't anticipate any new NTM projects being processed before the NTM revisions are considered by Council. Any further questions can be directed to Traffic Operations Manager Jake Hudson at 805.781.7255. \\chstore4\publicworks\staff-reports-agendas-minutes\ ccmemos\201 O\pismo&buchon ntm.doc