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Home My WebLink About03/06/1990, 7 - CONSIDERATION OF INSTALLING STOP SIGNS ON PALM AT BROAD STREET AS REQUESTED BY MISSION SCHOOLS �,u,ll� f MEETING DATE: i� C, O San L%,.�S OBlSpO arch. 6 1990 COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT �"N! BER: FROM: David Romero, Public Works Director !� SUBJECT: Consideration of Installing Stop Signs on Palm at Broad Street as Requested by Mission Schools CAO RECOMMENDATION: By motion, direct staff to retain the current stop sign pattern on Palm and Broad BACKGROUND: Since 1984, the City has received several requests from Mission Schools for a 4 way stop at Palm and Broad in addition to other improvements within the neighborhood of the two schools. In response to these requests staff has installed signs and school crosswalks across Palm at Broad, and has painted red curbs back in all directions from the intersection. Staff investigation shows that average traffic speed on Palm Street at this location is 19 mph, and that the 85 percentile speed is 22 mph. Our records show 5 accidents at Palm and Broad between 1984 and 1989, only 2 of which might have been prevented by a 4 way stop. Our records show a reduction in average daily traffic and peak hour traffic on Palm Street since 1984. By all of our normal criteria, and by our observation, this is one of the safer intersections downtown. Palm Street is a part of the bypass loop system which permits traffic some flexibility to avoid driving through the center of downtown on Higuera Street. Palm Street is also being considered in the circulation element study as a possible route for relief of the heavy traffic on Higuera Street. Results of that study should be presented to the Council within the next year. If stop signs are installed at this location, some motorists will be discouraged from taking Palm Street and will alternatively drive down Peach Street past the Mission Grade School or drive down and further increase the congestion on Higuera Street. Staff is reluctant to install stop signs on this street which has a good safety record, a slow speed of traffic, and which serves to distribute the traffic, thus relieving the overload on Higuera Street in downtown. For these reasons, staff has consistently refused the request of the Mission Schools for the installation of these stop signs. ALTERNATIVES: A. Retain current stop sign pattern on Palm at Broad (staff recommendation) 7-1 city of saIi . Luis osispo iVCiL AGENDA REPORT Page Two Advantages: 1. Traffic would continue to be able to use this convenient route to bypass downtown. 2. City options in developing a modified traffic pattern for downtown traffic '(now being studied as part of circulation element) would remain open. Disadvantages: 1. Mission High School representatives would not be satisfied . B. Install stop signs on Palm at Broad Advantages: 1. Mission High School representatives would be satisfied. 2. Traffic using this portion of Palm Street would probably be reduced. Disadvantages: 1. Some traffic may divert from Palm Street and use an alternate route on Peach Street (past Mission Grade School) or Higuera Street through downtown. 2.. It will be much more difficult to convert Palm Street to an effective bypass for Higuera Street if that is the final decision made as part of the circulation element study of downtown. FISCAL IMPACT: Approximately $200 to install stop signs and painting, and $50/year thereafter for maintenance. STAFF RECOMMENDATION: After review of accident records, traffic volumes and speeds, and based on our own observations at the site, staff believes the "hazard" is more .perceived than actual. In staff's judgement, the general traffic need of the community for flexibility and free flow outweighs the concern expressed by the representatives at Mission School. Staff recommends that the stop signs not be installed on Palm Street at Broad. Attachments - correspondence 1984-1990 palm/dfr#20 I / ted' .............. ................... ....... .................... .............. ... ..................... ...... .............. ............ ...... ............ ...ld� FEW *IS OHHOHO � ........... 1 ..................... ........................ co ................ co ..4 ....... L..................-.4 ...... .................. .......... .......... ................. . ......... FiL 0 .. . .......... ....... .................... is avoki . Ol ................. .. .......... 'JLS-(3VOHl3 LL tx....... L............. cr W = Ea . Ll OIS OW_ OdIN 0 Jv 00. (D cc co CL ........ .......... ...... .............. .......... ..................... ........ 7,3 IIIA IIS city of san tuts oBispoy . 955 Morro Street • San Luis Obispo, CA 93401 January 24, 1990 MEMORANDUM TO: John Dunn, City Administrative Officer FROM: David F. Romero, Public Works Director SUBJECT: Mission School Traffic Attached are copies of memos and letters relating to the continuing requests of Mission School for additional traffic control in their area. Not included are 27 delightful letters from Mrs. Porter's second grade. class. We have responded to the Mission School's- concerns by installing a crosswalk at the Mission High School and painting red curbs back in all directions along Palm Street in order to open up visibility. The accident record shows 5 accidents at Palm and Broad, between 1984 and 1989. Two of these might have been prevented by a 4 way stop or a traffic signal. There were 3 accidents at Mill and Broad, none of which are likely' to have been prevented by a 4 way stop or signal. By comparison there were 2 accidents during the same 1984-1989 time period at Broad and Peach which has a 4 way stop, and 13 accidents at Chorro and Palm where there is a signal and admittedly a great deal more traffic. Our latest counts show the traffic in the neighborhood of the Palm/Broad intersection, has reduced an average of 14* since 1984 . The peak hour traffic has reduced by is an average of 7%. We have been reluctant to install the requested 4 way stop because. Palm Street is a part of our loop system which allows some traffic to bypass the heart of town in a relatively convenient manner, and because the situation is quite safe, both by accident records and observation. We simply see no overall benefit in installing an additional stop sign on Palm Street at the high school corner. Attachments 4way/dfr#19 Accidents at Palm & Broad 5 Accidents 1984-89 n *2/17/84 Broadside SB vs EB 4/26/84 Vehicle backing up vs vehicle proceeding straight 85' None 7/8/86 Sideswipe 87 Jogger vs bike *12/25/88 Pedestrian crossing Palm - saw car & thought it would stop Accidents at Mill & Broad 3 Accidents 1984-89 4/4/84 Vehicle backing up vs vehicle proceeding straight 10/9/84 Vehicle entering traffic vs vehicle proceeding straight 85 None 86 None 87 None 88 None 89 On Broad 89 ' north of Mill - hit fixed object *Denotes accident which might have been prevented by a traffic signal or 4 way stop. By comparison: Broad - Peach (4 way stop) 2 accidents 1984-89 Chorro - Palm (traffic signal) 13 accidents 1984-89 accrep/dfr#19 .(MORKS DEPARTMENT—ENCiI-NEERINC3 DIV151OW. 9 ^M STREET• Post office Box 321 •San Luis OUW- -. 93406-0321 8051549.7200 October 2, 1984 MEMRANDUM TO: David F. Romero VIA: Wayne A. Peterson VIA: John Hawley Jut IAL FROM: Barbara Lynch SUBJECT: Four-way stop At Palm amd Broad The SLOPD has requested we look at the intersection of Palm and Broad as a possible four-way stop location. Presently there is a two-way stop on Broad. See attached memo. Total volume counts were taken on the four legs of the intersection. These counts were then modified by average turning movement counts to get approach volumes. Approach volumes meet state four-way stop volume warrants except a 30-second per vehicle delay. Turning movement counts showthata majority of the traffic on Broad Street is south of Palm turning right onto Palm. With little traffic west of Broad on Palm, this decreases delay. There has been one broadside accident this year. Observations during J turning movement counts indicate drivers are having difficulty seeing. Drivers were observed leaning forward and glancing back and forth several times, with their vehicles completely across the crosswalk. I feel with the number of pedestrians in this area and the poor visibility that a four-way stop would be beneficial. Drivers would be less engrossed in watching for oncoming traffic and be more alert to pedestrians. ,' ' If the city does not feel a four-way stop is appropriate, I would strongly recommend removing some parking on Palm to increase visibility. by Attachment I City of San lugs oBIspo December 10, 1984 Jim Gent ilueci Old Mission Elementary• School 161 Broad Street 'San Luis Obis;wi, CA 914(11' Dear Sir: The city has completed an investigation of the intersec,ion of Pale and Broad Streets. The request for , four-way stop was considered and the needs of all concerned veigbed. It was determined pedestrians would be the primary bene- ficiaries of a four ••-y stop. Because pedestrian traffic is light, except during the times students are gain, to and from school, the need for a four- wap stop is questionable. Often a worse situation is presented if drivers feel they are being made to stop unnecessarily. Drivers slide through the stop, causing an accident with a vehicle or a pedestrian who expects them to. stop. Parking at the intersection of Palm and Brnad was removed in accordance with visibility requirements for approaching vehicles based on existing speeds in the area. Red curbing was installed on the Northeast. Sout4east and Southwest . corners. This increased visibility for drivers should ultimately help pedes- trians. Drivers will be better able to see oncoming traffic and therefore not be coicentrating solely on getting onto Palm Street. This makes them better able to watch for pedestrians. The safest situation for pedestriars is to teach them. to be responsible for theaselves when crossing a street. Even the most. sophisticated signalized intersection, with pedestrian lights, will not protect them against a care- less driver. We believe the additionalvisibility provided at this intersection by restrict- ing parking will allow for,better visual communication betweei drivers and pedestrians as well as other drivers. He would like to see if.the parking restriction provides a suitable solution before a four-way stop is considered. Thank you for your concern. Sincerely. WAYNE A. PETERSON CITY ENGINEER ' Barbara Lyncb Engineer iag Assistant/Traffic by r 111111 y f SAn WiS OBISPO 990 Palm Street/Post Office Box 8100 • San Luis Obispo,CA 93403-8100 v I February 26, 1987 Diane Hultquist, President MCP Parent Association C/o Mission College Preparatory 682 Palm Street San Luis Obispo, CA 93401 Subject: Intersection of Palm and Broad Streets Dear Ms. Hultquist, Thank you for your letter of January 14, 1987, pointing out incomplete information regarding pedestrian movement in our previous submittal to You. Your letter was referred to Barbara Lynch, City Traffic Engineer, who has prepared the attached memorandum in response. Although there is heavy pedestrian movement during one hour of the day together with moderate vehicular movement during that. same hour, neither the pedestrian movement; the vehicular movement or a combination would meet city-adopted warrants to justify installation of a traffic signal or stop signs on Palm Street. These warrants follow Caltrans standards which I take into account benefits and detriments from traffic control devices and recommend installation only when such an installation would provide a Positive overall improvement. It is interesting to note that there were only two reported accidents at this location over the past four years. On this basis, this is one of the safest Intersections in town. When I observed the 1986 accident map, this intersection showing one accident was a welcome relief from the multiple accidents which occur in downtown and in the immediate vicinity of i downtown. I observed also that we are not dealing with extremely fast speeds for the vast majority of vehicles passing Mission High School. Vehicles are somewhat controlled by the traffic signal at Chorro one block to the northeast, and by the deadend of Palm Street at Nipomo one block to the southwest. I page 2 We are concerned by the uncontrolled pedestrian movement, particularly of older students who cross this street away I from the intersection. In order to provide direction and improve safety, we are proposing ct install a crosswalk across Palm westerly of Broad Street. This traffic work order will be processed in the very near future. We understand the concern that the Parent Association has for the safety Of its Children, however, it is our firm belief that the installation of stop signs on Palm Street at Broad will worsen rather than better the situation. i Thank You again for your concern. j Very truly yours David F. Romero, Director Public Works Department i attachment . i palm-brd/dfr*6 i i I { �� Cly O Sa►�'1 WIS OBISPO � y 990 Palm Street/Post Office Box 8100 • San Luis Obispo,CA 93403-8100 February 18, 1987 MEMORANDUM TO: Dave Romero, Public Works Director VIA: Wayne Peterson, City Engineer VIA: John Hawley, Supervising Civil Engineerile, FROM: Barbara Lynch, Engineering Assistant/Traffic SUBJECT: Four-way Stop, Palm and Broad I We have performed a turning count at Palm and Broad Streets during the hours of 2:40 and 3:40 P.M. As the school suggested, more students are on foot at this time. 97 pedestrians crossed the intersection on the West side and 44 crossed on the East side. There were. 673 entering vehicles during this hour. 348 vehicles entered from Broad St. Of those 348, 204 were making right turns leaving 144 who were either crossing or making left turns. 141 pedestrians also crossed at this time. 325 vehicles traveled on Palm Street into this intersection. This is equivalent to peak hour traffic on. Mill Street near Pepper and also similar to peak hour traffic on Lincoln at Broad. Considering the fact that there have been only two accidents in the last four years, one in 1984 and.one in 1986. I would conclude that the concern from the school is for the pedestrians. As morning pedestrian volumes were very light (22 peds) it would seem that the school's concern is in regard to one hour during the day when the school lets out. Unfortunately the four-way stop will be there all daffy. I have observed the students crossing after school lets out. The students do not -seem to have any problems crossing and traffic is light enough that there is virtually no delay to the pedestrians. A few of the older students wander out into the street and do not cross at the intersection, however most check for cars and cross at the intersection. A crossing guard is for grammar school children only and is therefore not appropriate here, as the majority of pedestrians are high school students. The ease with which the students cross and the limited number of auto accidents would indicate to me that a four-way stop is not really necessary. I will go ahead and do another 24-hour volume count as soon as the count schedule permits, and notify you of the outcome. bl4/plm-brd by / January 5,/1,988 Dear Mayor Dunin,/City Council Members, Mr. Dunn,.✓and Mr. Romero, U The second graders at Old Mission School have been studying citizen- ship and government. In late October we were fortunate to be able to visit the City Council Chambers and spent a very enjoyable hour with Mr. Allen Settle, learning how the city of San Luis Obispo is governed. The class has decided to ask the Council to consider installing two stop signs in the vicinity of Old Mission School and Mission College Preparatory: one cu Broad at Mill, and the second on Palm at Broad. 1 realize these are not entirely new proposals, and that this has not been approved in the past. Our "homework" however indicates that it is time to take action here. The population of cold MiLssion Schooi is now at 225+ students. the reopening of Mission College Prep adds another 200 students. A survey of just our school population shows that up to 55 students cross Mill at Broad daily, both am and afternoon, and another 30 also cross at Palm daily. Police reports indicate that there have been at least eight. vehicle collisions at those intersections since .1984. Although all were vehicle to vehicle, most happened between 2:00 and 4:00 p.m. - the very Lime studeuts would be likely to be involved. We would ask you to look very seriously at our proposal. We would be delighted to come to a Council meeting or tape further action as recommended. We'd love to have. Mr. Romero come to our class and discuss our idea. Thank you very much for your consideration. We look forward to your reply. Sincerely, Mn � ' � � Marga t Porter 7 C P��r s T r o�1 i Second Grade Teacher T Old Mission School 1it4 1 ES Y' <* San tuls Ogl 990 Palm Street/Post Offtoe Box 8100 . 4" San Luls Obispo, CA 93403.8100 March 3, 1988 Ms. Margaret Porter Old Mission Grammar. School 761 Broad Street San Luis Obispo, CA 93401 Dear Ms. Porter and Second Grade Class; The City has review Years, once in 1984edour request for appear again in 1 an allway stop twice in recent to have remained fairly 987' Conditions not plan any than y constant at the intersection and Mill. any at either the intersection last few years a do Of Broad , and w and Palm or Broad It is possible Chorro will that the opens have some effect Of the parking structure at review the area again °n traffic Patterns Palm and . for taking the time once the structure i in the area. We will to express s in full operation. Your concerns. Thank you Sincerely, WAYNE A. PETERSON CITY ENGINEER Barbara L En in ynch g eering Assistant/Traffic BL5/mission bw ►III I II I II IIS�� IIIIIII� aty of sAn luis [IIIIIII III' III oBispo 990 Palm Street/Post Office Box 8100 • San Luis Obispo, CA 93403-8100 March 2, 1990 TO: City Council FROM: Kim Condon, Assistant City Clerk SUBJ: Item No. 7 - 3/6 Agenda - Mission. School Stop Sian 2/20 - Michele Kogelschatz called to say she supported the stop signs at Broad and Palm. 2/28 - Sherry received a call from Joni and Barry Epperson who are for the four-way stop at Broad and Palm. c: J. Dunn J. Jorgensen D. Romero K. Hampian Telegram-Tribune File MEET►P'^ -AGENDA C AT 1� '�' _ ITEM # r s—� 9G7� *� SaO Respond by: Council [?/CA0 =Atty. �D�a7vEes ro � Tr FrL.� RECEIVE ® MAR 5 1990 CITY CLERK SAN LUIS OBISPO,CA MEETING AGENDA To ^ DATE -L� %'o ITEM # , 0-t- 3n' 'rim, 3:OS WHILE YOU WERE. OUT M iiS1aA,1 r ofPhone— / Area Code Number Extension TELEPHONED PLEASE CALL CALLEDTOSEEYOU WILLCALLAGAIN WANTS TO SEE YOU URGENT RETURNED YOUR,CALL Message 0 AMPAD 23.000 50SHT.PAD EFFICIENCYO 23-001 250 SHT.DISPE SER BOX *Denotes ac on by Lead Faxon Respond by: (Z Council 17 CAO {G City Atty. Vclerkorig. (g'D.auE& d K.ty'gNW09-;b s� GGE RECEIVE ® _ MAR 51990 CITY CLERK SAN LUIS OslSPO,CA ME `NG AGENDA DATE o3-� 9a (TEM # III I III I�III�@ II Oty Of SAn luis OBISPO 990 Palm Street/Post Office Box 8100 • San Luis Obispo, CA 93403.8100 March 2, 1990 MEMORANDUM TO: City Counci FROM: Kim Condo A SUBJ: March 6. 1990 Agenda Item No 7 - Mission School Stop Sian At 11:02 this morning, we received a package containing 21 letters from students in the third grade class at Old Mission School. They all express concern for their safety at the corner of Broad and Palm Streets and urge that the Council approve stop signs at this intersection. All of the letters are available in the Council Office for your review. c: J. Dunn J. Jorgensen D. Romero K. Hampian Telegram-Tribune File ^I MEETING AGENDA DATE ITEM # March 2, 1990 TO: Councilmembers FROM: Sherry Stendahl SUBJECT: FOUR-WAY STOP AT PALM AND BROAD 1. Pam Nargie called to leave a message for all councilmembers that she cannot attend the March 6 meeting but wants you to support the four-way stop. It is needed very badly. Her phone number is 544-4402. 2. Vivian McKinney called to ask your support for the four way stop for the safety of the children. Her phone number is 544-4421. Denotes ac:; Lr,�.•a:,r: I Respond by:: 'Pouncil VAO uy Atty. to�rig. N.IM.d/A� 17 6H G� ox cm LU �l m � . a-. U LU n �b MEETING AGENDA DATE N-90 ITEM # 7 C' 1425 Phillips Lane San Luis Obispo, CA. 93401 23 February 1990 Honorable Ron Dunin Mayor, City of San Luis Obispo City Hall San Luis Obispo, CA. 93401 Dear Mayor Dunin, I want to voice my support of the proposed four-way stop at the intersection of Broad and Palm Streets. I strongly believe that this stop is necessary to assure the safety of students and pedestrians as the traffic on Palm Street frequently exceeds the speed limit. Your vote in support of the stop will be greatly appreciated: Thank you for your attention to this matter of concern. S cerel,y, Catherine Brady, Concerned arent CB/cb Denotes action Dy Lead Person Respond by: ncii ,3. OAO uy any. Jerk-ong. RECEIVED FEB 2 7 1990 CITY CLERK �� SAN LUIS OBISPO.CA