HomeMy WebLinkAbout03-15-2018 ATC Agenda Packet1
MISSION: The purpose of the Active Transportation Committee (ATC) is to provide
oversight and policy direction on matters related to bicycle and pedestrian
transportation in San Luis Obispo and its relationship to bicycling and walking outside
the City.
ROLL CALL: Lea Brooks (Chair), Ken Kienow (Vice Chair), Jenna Espinosa, Timothy Jouet, Layla Lopez,
Jonathan Roberts, and Howard Weisenthal
PUBLIC COMMENT:
At this time, the public is invited to address the Committee concerning items not on the agenda but are
of interest to the public and within the subject matter jurisdiction of the Active Transportation
Committee. The Committee may not discuss or take action on issues that are not on the agenda other
than to briefly respond to statements made or questions raised, or to ask staff to follow up on such
issues.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES: January 18, 2018 (Attachment 1), February 27, 2018 (Attachment 2)
1. DISCUSSION ITEM: Funding the Future of SLO (15 min) – Grigsby (or designee)
2. DISCUSSION ITEM: Annual Traffic Safety Report (30 min) – Crisp
3. Committee Items
o Adopt-a-Trails Subcommittee (5 min) – Brooks
4. Project Updates (25 min) – Fukushima
COMMITTEE AND STAFF ANNOUNCEMENTS (5 min)
ADJOURNMENT: The next regular meeting will be held May 17, 2018
Agenda – Regular Meeting
Active Transportation Committee
(formerly the Bicycle Advisory Committee)
Council Hearing Room, City Hall, 990 Palm Street, San Luis Obispo
Thursday, March 15, 2018 – 6:00 pm
The City of San Luis Obispo is committed to including the disabled in all of its services, programs, and
activities. Please contact the Clerk or staff liaison prior to the meeting if you require assistance.
2
ITEMS:
1. DISCUSSION ITEM: Funding the Future of SLO (15 min) – Grigsby (or designee)
The City is making progress on meeting the 2017-2019 Major City Goal of Fiscal Sustainability
and Responsibility, which includes addressing capital improvement project goals with available
funding. Staff will share the status of achieving this goal including key projects and possible
funding mechanisms. Presentation by Public Works Director, Daryl Grigsby or designee.
2. DISCUSSION ITEM: Annual Traffic Safety Report (30 min) – Crisp
City staff will present a summary of the bicycle and pedestrian activity in the latest Annual
Traffic Safety Report (2016).
Attachment 3 is an excerpt from the draft report summarizing collision data including details on
the top bicycle and pedestrian collision locations and recommendations for improvements.
The entire report can be found at: http://www.slocity.org/Home/ShowDocument?id=18904
Note: This agenda item supports the 2013 Bicycle Transportation Plan Implementation Action
4.13.3, “Present bicycling related statistics from the City’s Annual Traffic Safety Report to the
Bicycle Advisory Committee for their consideration and input.”
ATTACHMENT 3: Excerpt from the 2016 Annual Traffic Safety Report
3. Committee Items (5 min)
• Adopt-a-Trails Subcommittee – Brooks
4. Project and Committee Updates (15 min)
• Paving Plan Update
• Anholm Bikeway Plan “Middle Section” Update
• Active Transportation Plan Update
• Bike Rodeo: May 19, 2018 at Hawthorne Elementary
• Items for next meeting
✓ _Officer Elections______________________________________
✓ _____________________________________________________
✓ _____________________________________________________
3
The next regularly scheduled meeting will be held: May 17, 2018
ATTACHMENTS:
1. DRAFT January 18, 2018 BAC Minutes
2. DRAFT February 27, 2018 ATC Minutes
3. Excerpt from the 2016 Annual Traffic Safety Report
4. Minor Bike Project Wish List
1
2
3
DRAFT Minutes 4
Bicycle Advisory Committee 5
Council Chamber Room, City Hall, 990 Palm St, San Luis Obispo 6
Thursday, January 18, 2018 at 6:00 p.m. 7
8
MISSION: 9
The purpose of the Bicycle Advisory Committee (BAC) is to provide oversight and policy 10
direction on matters related to bicycle transportation in San Luis Obispo and its relationship to 11
bicycling outside the City. 12
13
Lea Brooks (Chair) called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. 14
15
ROLL CALL: 16
Present: Lea Brooks (Chair), Ken Kienow (Vice Chair), Jenna Espinosa, Timothy Jouet, 17
Jonathan Roberts, Howard Weisenthal 18
Absent: Layla Lopez 19
Staff: Transportation Planner / Engineer Jennifer Rice, Active Transportation Manager Adam 20
Fukushima, Transportation Manager Jake Hudson, Recording Secretary Lareina Gamboa 21
22
Public Comment on Items Not on the Agenda 23
Lydia Mourenza, resident, reminded the committee and staff that the City would no longer 24
receive funding from the closure of the Diablo Canyon Power Plant and that the Safe Routes to 25
School Plan should be revisited before the City moves forward with it. She has seen a decrease 26
in students heading to Pacheco Elementary School and does not want the city to waste money 27
on a new route that may not get use. 28
29
MINUTES: 30
November 16, 2017 31
CM Howard motioned to approve the Minutes with no amendments. CM Jouet seconded the 32
motion. The motion passed unanimously. 33
December 14, 2017 34
A correction was made about the Adopt-a-Trails subcommittee item to add CM Jouet on the 35
subcommittee, not CM Roberts. 36
37
CM Kienow motioned to approve the Minutes with amendments. CM Weisenthal seconded the 38
motion. The motion passed unanimously. 39
40
ACTION ITEM: 41
42
Agenda Item #1: Broad Street Bicycle Boulevard 43
Attachment 1, Page 1 of 3
44
Transportation staff gave an update on the planning effort for the Broad Street Bicycle 45
Boulevard including a summary of the community outreach conducted over the course of the 46
last year and technical analysis on the two alternatives as determined by the City Council study 47
session on August 15, 2017. Analysis included the benefits and tradeoffs of each alternative. 48
Staff also provided information on the proposed phasing of the project and the performance 49
monitoring proposed throughout the project implementation. 50
51
Public Comment: 52
Lydia Mourenza, resident, informed the committee that most homes were built in the 1920s and 53
30s and were not built with wide parking spaces, or even garages, therefore leaving residents to 54
rely on on-street parking. She also had concerns about the project’s compatibility with garbage 55
and recycling collection. She mentioned challenges with living in a parking district especially on 56
the elderly. 57
58
Garrett Otto, resident, is in favor of the project and believes many in the community want the 59
protected path as well. He is concerned with safety first and encouraging more people to bike. 60
He does not believe that trash collection or driveway access are significant issues. In addition to 61
the Preferred Alternative, he suggested speed humps on Lincoln Street since it is already 62
seeing overflow from those who try to bypass Chorro Street. With the extra traffic calming 63
measures, he encouraged staff to pick a couple of elements from Phase II to push forward a 64
project that some have been waiting a long time for. He understands the Ferrini crossing is very 65
important and should be a high priority but hopes that striping on Chorro and Broad streets 66
would occur during the temporary implementation. 67
68
T. Keith Gurnee, resident, mentioned the lack of garages and driveways for some residents and 69
gave an overview of when his home was built in the 1980s. When he obtained his permit to 70
build, he had to decide on a three-story residence, the garage being the first story, or to park on-71
street. At the time, the City decided there was ample space for on-street parking, so he 72
proceeded with a two-story home. He favors improvements to the underpass but is hoping for 73
the Lincoln Street option. He has made many trips by bicycle and does not see a need for the 74
project. He also has never seen a report on bike vs. car accidents in the area and questions the 75
safety need. 76
77
John Valpa, resident, says his neighborhood is impacted by parking and removing parking 78
would be detrimental to the community. He stated that Chorro Street traffic is too fast and 79
congested. He prefers the Lincoln Street alternative as a place to bike with his grandson and 80
hopes the City will choose that alternative. 81
82
Myron Amerine, resident, thanked staff for all the work they have done in designing and 83
implementing this plan. He supports the full application of the Preferred Alternative and when he 84
bikes and walks he does not, and will not, go out of his way to take the Lincoln route. He asked 85
the Committee to consider City policy, the LUCE 20% mode share goal, and presented 86
percentages from other cities who have succeeded and surpassed this mode share goal. He 87
Attachment 1, Page 2 of 3
also encourages two-way cycle tracks for being more appealing to a wide range of cyclists and 88
hopes they will be pursued more often. 89
90
Liz Silveira, resident, likes Lincoln Street and uses it herself. She thinks more signage could 91
make it better. She worries that the Preferred Alternative will put more vehicular traffic on 92
Lincoln Street, creating a busy side street. She hopes that planters will not be considered on 93
Chorro since there is a question of who will maintain them. She appreciates that the City is 94
encouraging bicycling but wonders where they will park once they reach downtown. 95
96
Questions and Discussion: 97
Staff answered committee questions including those regarding parking demand, trash collection, 98
and the design of the protected bikeway. 99
100
CM Kienow motioned to recommend to the City Council the adoption of the Preferred 101
Alternative. CM Roberts seconded the motion. The motion passed with a majority 5 to 1 vote, 102
with CM Weisenthal voting “no”. 103
104
CM Weisenthal then motioned for a reexamination of the Broad Street Bike Boulevard using 105
minimal diverters, traffic calming devices along Chorro Street with shared lane marking, and that 106
staff investigate the possibility of closing the entrance of US 101 off Broad Street as an 107
alternative to the Preferred Alternative. The motion died for lack of a second. 108
109
COMMITTEE AND STAFF ANNOUNCEMENTS 110
● Applications for BAC members are due on January 19th, and new officer elections will 111
take place at the March meeting. 112
● There will be a City Council meeting on February 6th. On the agenda is the BAC’s 113
transition to an Active Transportation Committee (ATC). 114
● As discussed at the December meeting, there will be a special BAC meeting in 115
February. Staff will send a doodle poll to the BAC members to help decide on a few 116
potential dates. 117
118
ADJOURN 119
CM Weisenthal motioned to adjourn the meeting at 8:16 p.m. CM Jouet seconded the motion. 120
The motion passed unanimously. 121
122
Respectfully submitted, 123
124
Lareina Gamboa 125
Recording Secretary 126
127
DRAFT MINUTES TO BE CONSIDERED FOR APPROVAL AT THE MARCH 15, 2018 BAC 128
MEETING 129
Attachment 1, Page 3 of 3
1
2
DRAFT Minutes - Special Meeting 3
Active Transportation Committee 4
(Formerly the Bicycle Advisory Committee) 5
Council Chamber Room, City Hall, 990 Palm St, San Luis Obispo 6
Tuesday, February 27, 2018 at 6:00 p.m. 7
8
9
MISSION: 10
The purpose of the Active Transportation Committee (ATC) is to provide oversight and policy 11
direction on matters related to bicycle and pedestrian transportation in San Luis Obispo and its 12
relationship to bicycling and walking outside the City. 13
14
Lea Brooks (Chair) called the meeting to order at 6:02 p.m. 15
16
ROLL CALL: 17
Present: Lea Brooks (Chair), Ken Kienow (Vice Chair), Jenna Espinosa, Timothy Jouet, Layla 18
Lopez (departed at 7:07 p.m.), Jonathan Roberts, Howard Weisenthal 19
Absent: None 20
Staff: Active Transportation Manager Adam Fukushima, Recording Secretary Lareina Gamboa 21
22
Public Comment on Items Not on the Agenda 23
No comments were made. 24
25
MINUTES: 26
No Minutes to approve at this time. 27
28
DISCUSSION ITEMS 29
30
Agenda Item #1: Active Transportation Plan Kickoff 31
Staff presented kicked off the new Active Transportation Plan effort. The Committee gave input 32
on the overall project objectives that will guide the Plan effort and discussed how it would like to 33
be involved in developing the Plan. 34
35
Public Comment 36
Myron Amerine, resident, distributed the City of Sacramento’s pedestrian master plan, and 37
urged the committee and staff to look it over. Amerine also encouraged the list of prioritizing and 38
ranking projects, and suggested any new projects be approached from many angles. He also 39
asked the committee to find a way to incorporate bike and ped elements into new developments 40
the way fire and safety are required. And, reminded the committee that new projects are a great 41
opportunity to include ADA specific improvements. 42
43
Attachment 2, Page 1 of 3
Garrett Otto, resident, hopes the subcommittee will be willing to meet with staff to bike and/or 44
walk corridors that need improvement so as not to have the same prolonged issues that the 45
Anholm bike way had. He also suggested to keep the committee small so broad improvements 46
will continue to take place, and to create objectives, like considering transit users to improve 47
connectivity. Otto also recommended driver education to be addressed in the plan, and perhaps 48
increased fees around schools to discourage the ongoing issue of distracted drivers. 49
50
Committee Discussion 51
Committee discussion centered around developing a subcommittee that would allow a focused 52
effort on the AT Plan development and not use all of the ATC time. They discussed 53
incorporating new developments into the Plan so as not to spend excess money attempting to 54
catch up while connecting gaps. 55
The committee also suggested prioritization of a few key projects that would yield a higher bike 56
mode share. The committee also suggested having a less time consuming process of selecting 57
and prioritizing projects than in the last Bicycle Transportation Plan. 58
59
Agenda Item #2: Minor Bikeway Improvement Projects 60
Staff presented the Paving Plan for summer 2018 including staff suggestions for using minor 61
bikeway improvement funds to augment the new street striping. This included widened bike 62
lanes on Orcutt Road, a widened bike lane on N. Sacramento and a Complete Streets project 63
on Laurel Lane that will add buffered bike lanes, as well as shared lane markings in certain 64
neighborhoods. 65
66
Public Comment 67
Myron Amerine, mentioned that with all of the new homes developing, that there is an important 68
corridor that will need lane widening and feels that the developer should be paying for this. He 69
also asked for green striping to continue southbound on LOVR in front of the main entrance of 70
Irish Hills shopping plaza, as well as just past Whole Foods, where the bike lane pulls out 20%. 71
72
Garrett Otto, encouraged offside improvements for increased safety on Orcutt Road as Righetti 73
Ranch continues to develop. In addition to street widening on Sacramento Street, Mr. Otto 74
requested signage with flashing lights, or a “Your Speed Is” monitor, where the street curves, to 75
slow down drivers. He also asked for the path in Meadow Park to be fixed and expressed desire 76
for a HAWK crossing on Broad Street, and a buffered bike lane on South Higuera where the 77
new Central Coast Brewery is opening. 78
79
Committee Discussion 80
Committee discussion focused on limiting the number of sharrows, investigate the possibility of 81
buffered bike lanes on Orcutt Road and investigate installing green pavement in conflict zones 82
on Los Osos Valley Road that were left over desires from last year’s pavement update. 83
84
Agenda Item #3: Unleashed Dogs on Trails 85
Attachment 2, Page 2 of 3
At the committee’s request, Staff presented information on unleashed dogs including in areas 86
where there are bike paths and open space. Staff gave info on the municipal code section, the 87
associated fines and efforts to encourage more leash use. 88
89
Public Comment 90
Myron Amerine, suggested the committee make a motion to require that Class I facilities 91
enforce the Municipal Code of dogs on leashes. 92
93
Garrett Otto, echoed Mr. Amerine’s comment, but expressed hope for some leeway for obedient 94
dogs on trails, and even mentioned other countries that issue certificates for those obedient 95
dogs and dog owners. 96
97
Committee Discussion 98
Discussion included the possibility of installing a kiosk on the Railroad Safety Trail where free 99
leashes could be provided. Other suggestions included more enforcement efforts, however 100
there was not a consensus among the committee members. Staff was asked for more 101
information for a later time including the number of unleashed dog violations and what the 102
municipal code was for unleashed dogs on regular city streets (not parks or open space). 103
104
ADJOURN 105
106
CM Weisenthal motioned to adjourn the meeting at 8:23 p.m. to a regular scheduled meeting of 107
March 15, 2018. CM Jouet seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously. 108
109
Respectfully submitted, 110
111
Lareina Gamboa 112
Recording Secretary 113
Attachment 2, Page 3 of 3
12016 Traffic Safety Report
September 2016
Executive Summary
The Public Works & Police Departments are pleased to present the 16th cycle of
the City’s annual traffic safety program. The Annual Traffic Safety Program
began in 2002 in an attempt to identify high collision locations within the City. In
addition, the program actively pursues corrective measures that may reduce
collision rates and improve safety within the City. This program has had
continued success with a 62% reduction in citywide
collisions since the program began, despite increasing
traffic volumes.
This safety program has demonstrated continued
success and again in 2016, total collisions are again
the lowest on record, down by 9% from 2015. While
reducing the overall collision rate continues to be a
priority, over time the safety program has continued to
increase focus on the most serious collisions—those that result in severe injuries
or death. Because injury collisions require a police report and an investigation by
a peace officer, these reports provide a clearer picture of the collision
circumstances, and can establish a more reliable year-to-year trend as policies
change with regard to collision response.
There was one fatality on City Right of Way in 2016, however, not on a City
Street. A pedestrian was struck in the sidewalk crossing the railroad tracks on
Foothill Boulevard near California. Injury collisions decreased by 10% from the
previous year and by 36% from 2002 when the safety program began. Severe
injury collisions increased by 186% from 2015, with a 54% increase since 2002.
There were more severe collisions this year than any other year since the
program began. It is unclear why there was a spike in 2016 but Staff will continue
to monitor and determine if 2016 was an anomaly in the next Safety Report.
The program also includes thorough evaluations of bicycle and pedestrian safety,
as these road users are more vulnerable to serious injury or death from collisions
with motor vehicles. Bicycle collision trends have shown an 11% decline from the
previous year and a 32% decline from peak levels in 2009. Except for a
significant peak in 2013, annual pedestrian collisions have been relatively static
since 2008. Although 2016 saw a 17% increase that number only represented 4
additional pedestrian collisions.
The following report displays trends in collision history, traffic citations, and traffic
safety measures and identifies high-collision rate locations in 2016. As in
previous Traffic Safety Reports, staff reviewed all high-collision rate intersections
and street segments and has recommended mitigation measures to increase
safety at the top five locations in each category.
In 2009, the City of San Luis Obispo
received the International Public
Agency Achievement award from the
Institute of Traffic Engineers (ITE) for
this program. This award is one of the
highest recognitions a public agency
can receive for its traffic engineering
practices.
Attachment 3, Page 1 of 18
22016 Traffic Safety Report
September 2016
Our goal is that the combination of data-driven analysis, appropriate mitigation,
and consistent and focused education and enforcement will continue to reduce
traffic collisions and improve the safety of our streets for all users.
Attachment 3, Page 2 of 18
32016 Traffic Safety Report
September 2016
Introduction
Background
Since its inception in 2002, the annual Traffic Safety Report (TSR) provides an
overview of the City of San Luis Obispo’s efforts to monitor and improve safety
for all road users. Every year, the City prepares a TSR for the previous twelve-
month period with the following specific objectives:
Identify the intersections and street segments within the City associated
with the highest collision rates, and thoroughly analyze collision patterns in
order to develop potential mitigation measures for the five highest
locations that will reduce the potential for collisions—particularly those
involving severe injuries and/or fatalities, and;
Identify the predominant pedestrian and bicycle collision types and high-
collision locations, and thoroughly analyze collision data and police
reports so as to determine potential mitigation measures for the five
highest-rate collision locations that may reduce the potential for collisions,
and;
Report on traffic enforcement efforts, traffic safety education activities, and
evaluate the effectiveness of mitigation measures implemented in the
previous twelve month period.
The locations mentioned in this report should not be interpreted as a list of
dangerous or “least safe” intersections or streets within the City. The specific
total of collisions for any location for any year is a function of various factors such
as weather patterns, construction, traffic volumes, roadway conditions and driver
habits. Many of these factors are often difficult to identify and are most often
beyond the ability of the engineer to change or control. However, the City's
mitigation program attempts to identify roadway elements that can be modified so
as to make the transportation infrastructure more driver friendly, reduce driver
confusion, promote bicycle and pedestrian
safety and comfort, and limit impact severity.
Moving Towards Vision Zero
Vision Zero is a multi-national traffic safety
initiative, first initiated in Sweden, with a
straightforward message: No loss of life is
acceptable. At its core, Vision Zero seeks the
elimination of deaths and serious injuries from
our roadways. Since 1997, Sweden and other
European countries practicing Vision Zero
Attachment 3, Page 3 of 18
42016 Traffic Safety Report
September 2016
have been able to reduce their traffic fatalities by almost 50%.
In recent years, Vision Zero has gained steam throughout the United States, with
cities such as San Francisco, New York, Portland and Los Angeles adopting
Vision Zero Policies and action plans. According to the National Highway Traffic
Safety Administration (NHTSA), motor vehicle traffic crashes are the number one
leading cause of death for people ages 13 through 25 and result in over 30,000
deaths per year in the United States alone. By focusing on not only reducing
overall traffic collisions, but preventing severe collisions, particularly to vulnerable
users such as pedestrians, bicyclists and people with disabilities, communities
can achieve real live benefits and save lives.
While the City of San Luis Obispo has not adopted a formal Vision Zero policy,
the City has demonstrated a long-standing commitment towards eliminating
traffic-related fatalities and serious injuries. Through (a) the data-driven analysis
performed in the annual TSR, (b) regular collaboration between City Public
Works and Police Departments to identify priorities for focused traffic safety
enforcement, and (c) ongoing community education and outreach campaigns, the
City is continually striving to improve the safety and efficiency of transportation
facilities for all modes and users.
Measuring Progress
Progress towards improving traffic safety for all road users is measured in the
TSR using the following metrics:
Total collisions, fatalities and serious injuries
Total pedestrian collisions, fatalities and serious injuries
Total bicycle collisions, fatalities and serious injuries
The traffic safety data for these metrics is obtained from traffic collision reports
provided by the San Luis Obispo Police Department. The TSR for a given year
will normally be prepared after City collision statistics become available in April or
May of the following year; thus, the data analyzed in this TSR is for the 2016
calendar year. Collision data is reviewed for each intersection and roadway
segment within the City and entered into the City Public Works Department’s
traffic collision database. Auto, pedestrian and bicycle volumes are then utilized
in conjunction with collision totals to calculate collision rates for all locations in
the City. Considering the calculated collision rates, as well as collision severity,
locations are ranked for each type of intersection and roadway segment within
the City. The five highest-ranked collision locations for each category are
analyzed in further detail and mitigation measures are presented, where feasible.
Attachment 3, Page 4 of 18
52016 Traffic Safety Report
September 2016
Additional discussion regarding the technical analysis methodology applied in
this TSR is provided in the Appendix.
How to Navigate this Report
The remainder of the 2016 TSR is organized into the following sections:
Citywide Collision Trends – Page 6
How safe are San Luis Obispo’s streets? This section describes the state
of traffic safety in the City, discussing trends in traffic collisions from 1999
to 2016.
Traffic Enforcement Measures – Page 11
This section describes traffic enforcement efforts of the City Police
Department, discussing traffic citations, DUI arrests and hazardous driving
trends.
Ongoing Activities to Make our Streets Safer – Page 14
How are we making San Luis Obispo’s streets safer? This section
describes the ongoing efforts to improve the safety of transportation
facilities for all modes of travel within the City.
2016 High Collision Rate Locations & Recommendations – Page 18
What have we learned about traffic safety in 2016? This section describes
the high collision rate intersections and roadway segments for 2016, and
presents potential mitigation recommendations for high-priority locations.
Attachment 3, Page 5 of 18
62016 Traffic Safety Report
September 2016
Citywide Collision Trends
Injury collisions are the most accurate representation of City collision trends
because these types of collision are most consistently reported and investigated.
In 2015, injury collisions decreased by 10% from 2015. Injury collisions are also
36% lower than 2002 when the safety program began.
Injury Collision Trend
Fatal Collision Trend
It’s difficult to identify a trend in fatal collisions because these types of collisions
are typically sporadic, uncommon, and occur under unusual circumstances.
There was one fatal collision within the City in 2016. A pedestrian was struck in
the sidewalk while crossing the railroad tracks on Foothill Boulevard near
California. Further, fatal and severe injury collisions decreased by 12% from
2014, with a 43% reduction since 2002.
240
267 268
309 308 315
285
250 257
240 236 233
220
191
207 201
220
197
150
170
190
210
230
250
270
290
310
330
Injury CollisionsYear
Injury Collisions
22
110
4
3
2
0 0 0
3
1
2
0 111
0
1
2
3
4
5
Fatal CollisionsYear
Fatal Collisions
Attachment 3, Page 6 of 18
72016 Traffic Safety Report
September 2016
Overall Collision Trend
In 2016 there were 482 total reported collisions in the City—the lowest total on
record, down 9% from 2015 and down 62% from the introduction of the safety
program.
It should be noted that the Overall Collision chart above does not represent all
collisions that occur in the City—merely all reported collisions occurring on public
streets for which a report is generated. Many collisions are either unreported by
the involved parties, reported by the parties without an officer investigation, or
there is no response to the collision by emergency services. Therefore, the actual
total collisions may vary between years. A more accurate measure are the injury
and fatal collision trends, as police always respond to collisions where the
reporting party indicates there is an injury.
910
1023
1140
1256
1097
1207
1089
873 866
793
683
598 619 594 570 548 531
482
400
500
600
700
800
900
1000
1100
1200
1300
Total CollisionsYear
Attachment 3, Page 7 of 18
82016 Traffic Safety Report
September 2016
Pedestrian Collision Trend
Despite rising pedestrian volumes, pedestrian collisions have remained relatively
static since 2008, with the exception of an unexplained spike in 2013. In 2016,
the number of pedestrian collisions rose slightly but have returned to that of the
recent trend.
Bicycle Collision Trend
Despite rising bicycle volumes, bicycle collisions have generally been on the
decline in recent years. Bicycle collision trends have shown a 32% decline from
peak levels in 2009. In 2016, bicycle collision totals returned to the 2014 total
which represented an 11% decrease from 2015.
24
37
19
41
24
41
26 27
18
25 24 22 24 26
39
24 23
27
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
45
Pedestrian CollisionsYear
52
46 45
53 55
50
55
61 59 59
73 69 67 69
63
50
56
50
30
35
40
45
50
55
60
65
70
75
80
Bicycle CollisionsYear
Attachment 3, Page 8 of 18
92016 Traffic Safety Report
September 2016
Pedestrian and Bicycle Serious Injuries and Fatalities
Over the past five years (2012-2016), 2,725 traffic collisions have been reported
in the City—about 545 per year. Roughly 16% of these collisions involved a
bicyclist or pedestrian. However, as illustrated in the graphic below, 46% of the
collisions resulting in severe injury or death involved a bicyclist or pedestrian.
These trends indicate that bicyclists and pedestrians are overrepresented in
collisions that resulted in severe and life-threatening injuries and there is
continued need for mitigation strategies that target bicycle and pedestrian
collisions.
Human and Economic Impact
Traffic collisions result in direct economic costs to those involved—wages and
productivity losses, medical expenses and legal costs, and motor vehicle
damages—but, this represents only a portion of total costs associated with
collisions. Traffic collisions also have indirect impacts to the families of those
involved, employers and society as a whole. A study by the NHTSA found that
more than 75 percent of collision costs are born by society in the form of
insurance premiums, taxes and congestion-related costs such as travel delay,
excess fuel consumption and lost quality of life associated with deaths and
injuries.
Comprehensive costs include the economic cost components associated with
traffic collisions, but also the indirect societal costs. Using cost estimates by
crash severity published in the American Association of State Highway
transportation Officials’ (AASHTO) Highway Safety Manual, adjusted to reflect
2016 dollars, the comprehensive costs associated with the 531 citywide traffic
collisions occurring in 2016 were calculated to be more than $25 million.
Comprehensive collision costs for 2016 by collision type are summarized in
Table 1 below.
Attachment 3, Page 9 of 18
152016 Traffic Safety Report
September 2016
Location Project Description
Highland Drive Centerline striping added as part of 2016 roadway
resurfacing project.
Sight Distance Improvements
Cerro Romauldo & Ferrini Installed parking restriction.
Cerro Romauldo & La Canada Installed parking restriction.
Cerro Romauldo & Santa Lucia Installed parking restriction.
Other Projects/Programs
Fixilini NTM Construction Construct permanent traffic diverter at Fixilini Street & Iris
Street intersection. Completed in spring 2016.
South Chorro NTM Test Project Install temporary neighborhood traffic circles at Chorro &
Islay, Chorro & Church and Chorro & High. Completed in
winter of 2016.
*Project recommended in previous Traffic Safety Report
Traffic Safety Education Campaigns
Between City-led efforts and activities led by local partners, such as Bike SLO
County and SLOCOG/Rideshare, there are a multitude of ongoing traffic safety
education and outreach campaigns provided to the community of San Luis
Obispo each year. Key education and outreach activities are summarized below:
Partnership with the California Office of Traffic Safety
A Selective Enforcement Grant funds a full-time DUI officer position. This
officer is utilized specifically for DUI enforcement in an effort to further
reduce the number of alcohol and drug related driving incidents.
Bicycle Rodeo
The City hosts a hands-on bicycle training class targeting youth teaching
bicycle skills & operations.
Pedestrian Halloween Safety Campaign
The City provides reflective Halloween bags with safety tips to local
schools free of cost.
Impaired Driver Offender Classes
City officers attend and supplement DUI offender courses to provide a
unique positive opportunity to discuss, face to face, the impacts of driving
under the influence.
Every Fifteen Minutes Program
The City participates in a multi department and agency event simulating
the psychological effects of student fatalities as a result of traffic collisions.
Attachment 3, Page 10 of 18
162016 Traffic Safety Report
September 2016
Child Car Seat Instruction & Assistance
The City provides child safety seat installation and inspection free of cost.
Channel 20 Public Safety Announcements
Bicycle Safety Posters
City of SLO Partnerships:
Bike SLO County
Safety Education Courses
Elementary School Safety Assemblies
Safety Brown Bag Lunch at Participating Businesses
SLOCOG/SLO Rideshare
Safe Routes to School Program
Perception of Transportation Safety – Utilizing Public Input
While the Traffic Safety Program has proven to be a useful tool for identifying
citywide collision trends and prioritizing locations for safety improvement projects,
the process relies on collisions to
occur and be recorded by the City
Police Department. An inherent
limitation with this process is that
locations that may have perceived
safety or comfort issues for road users
are not identified by City staff unless
actual incidents are shown in the
collision data. For locations such as a
crossing where drivers fail to yield to
pedestrians, or a traffic signal where
bicyclists are not given sufficient
green time to comfortably pass
through the intersection, these issues
may not be highlighted unless
residents submit a specific complaint
or an actual collision occurs.
To improve the ability of City staff to appropriately consider locations where the
transportation safety or comfort concerns are perceived by the public, the City
Public Works Department is in the process of developing an interactive public
input map where users can pinpoint locations and provide comments describing
safety concerns that they have observed. The New York City Department of
As part of their Vision Zero program, the NYCDOT uses an online
transportation safety public input map to allow citizens to identify
problem locations in the city.
Attachment 3, Page 11 of 18
172016 Traffic Safety Report
September 2016
Transportation developed a similar tool as part of their Vision Zero program to
solicit public input on various safety concerns throughout the city. Ultimately, this
perception map would be utilized by the City of San Luis Obispo to complement
the existing Traffic Safety Program to develop a more holistic understanding of
the transportation safety and mobility needs off all our road users.
Attachment 3, Page 12 of 18
232016 Traffic Safety Report
September 2016
The most common factors attributed to recorded collisions in 2016 are
summarized in Table 3 below. Improper turning movements and speeding
represent the most prevalent factors in overall collisions and injury collisions.
Pedestrian Right of Way is not ranked in the top 5 of All Collisions (7th at 4%), but
represented 15% of the Severe Injury and Fatal Collisions. DUI along with
Unsafe Speed ranks as the other most prevalent factor attributed to severe injury
and fatal collisions.
Table 3: Primary Collision Factors
Factor Rank %
All Collisions
Unsafe Speed 1 26%
Improper Turning 2 20%
Unsafe Starting or Backing 3 11%
DUI 4 10%
Traffic Signal/Sign Violation 5 9%
Injury Collisions
Unsafe Speed 1 32%
Traffic Signal/Sign Violation 2 12%
Improper Turning 3 11%
Pedestrian Right of Way 4 9%
Unsafe Starting or Backing 58%
Severe Injury & Fatal Collisions
Unsafe Speed 1 25%
DUI 2 15%
Pedestrian Right of Way 3 15%
Automobile Right of Way 4 10%
Improper Turning 5 10%
The table below lists the pedestrian collisions by type recorded in 2016, as well
as the party at fault. As shown in the table, motorist failure to yield during various
movements were the most frequent types of reported pedestrian collisions. The
large majority (90%) of pedestrian collisions were the result of motorist fault.
Table 4: Pedestrian Collisions by Type
Pedestrian Collision Type No.%Party at Fault %
Cyclist on Sidewalk 1 5% Driver 95%
Motorist Failed to yield 16 80% Cyclist 5%
Motorist Failed to Stop 1 5%
Motorist Backing 1 5%
Motorist Improper Turn 1 5%
Total 20 100%
Attachment 3, Page 13 of 18
242016 Traffic Safety Report
September 2016
The table below lists the bicycle collisions by type recorded in 2016, as well as
the party at fault. Cyclists losing control/hitting fixed objects and failing to yield
the right of way to the motorists, and motorist right-turn movements were the
most common types of bicycle collisions reported. About 60% of reported bicycle
collisions were the fault of the bicyclist.
Table 5: Bicycle Collisions by Type
Bicycle Collision Type No. % Party at Fault %
Cyclist Lost Control 11 22% Driver 40%
Cyclist Failed to Yield 8 16% Bicyclist 60%
Motorist Right-Turn 6 12%
Motorist Failed to Yield 6 12%
Motorist Left-Turn 5 10%
Cyclist Lane Change 4 6%
Cyclist Under the Influence 3 6%
Wrong-Way Cyclist 2 4%
Motorist Overtaking or Sideswipe 2 4%
Cyclist on Sidewalk 1 2%
Motorist Starting or Backing 1 2%
Cyclist no Light 1 2%
Total 50 100%
Attachment 3, Page 14 of 18
252016 Traffic Safety Report
September 2016
High Collision Rate Locations – Pedestrians
Rank
Prev.
Year
Rank
Intersection Control 5 Yr.
Collisions
PH
Veh.
Vol
PH
Ped.
Vol
REV
1 NR Santa Rosa & Montalban SSSC 3 3,347 25 2,008
2 1 Santa Rosa & Walnut Signal 4 2,741 29 1,890
3 2 Santa Rosa & Olive Signal 4 3,436 39 1,762
4 3 Foothill & Santa Rosa Signal 4 4,126 106 778
5 5 Santa Rosa & Monterey Signal 5 2,166 227 239
6 NR Foothill & Carpenter SSSC 3 905 100 136
7 NR Broad & Higuera Signal 6 1,158 242 40
8 8 Marsh & Chorro Signal 3 1,507 988 26
9 NR Higuera & Chorro Signal 3 1,315 1,680 12
NR = Not Ranked
SSSC = Side Street Stop-Control
PH = Peak Hour
REV = Relative Exposure Value
Attachment 3, Page 15 of 18
262016 Traffic Safety Report
September 2016
Pedestrian Location Recommendations
Rank Intersection Control 5 Yr.
Collisions
PH
Veh.
Vol
PH
Ped.
Vol
REV
1 Santa Rosa & Montalban SSSC 3 3,347 25 2,008
Pattern: Turning traffic failing to yield to pedestrians.
Recommendation: Paint crosswalks across Montalban on both sides of Santa Rosa to more
clearly define the crosswalk and where vehicles should stop and wait.
2 Santa Rosa & Walnut Signal 4 2,741 29 1,890
Pattern: Turning traffic not yielding to pedestrians and unsafe pedestrian crossings.
Recommendation: Intersection under State jurisdiction. Forward to Caltrans for study and
continue to monitor in 2017.
3 Santa Rosa & Olive Signal 4 3,436 39 1,762
Pattern: Turning traffic failing to yield to pedestrians.
Recommendation: Intersection under State jurisdiction. Forward to Caltrans for study and
continue to monitor in 2017.
4 Foothill & Santa Rosa Signal 4 4,126 106 778
Pattern: Turning traffic failing to yield to pedestrians.
Recommendation: Intersection under State jurisdiction. Forward to Caltrans for study and
continue to monitor in 2017.
5 Santa Rosa & Monterey Signal 5 2,166 227 239
Pattern: Turning traffic failing to yield to pedestrians.
Recommendation: Yield to Pedestrian signs installed in April of 2011. Advanced Pedestrian
Phasing implemented in spring of 2016. Flashing Yellow Arrows were installed in late 2016.
No pedestrian collisions occurred after the installation of the Flashing Yellow Arrows.
Continue to monitor and report it 2017 Traffic Safety Report.
Attachment 3, Page 16 of 18
272016 Traffic Safety Report
September 2016
High Collision Rate Locations – Bicycles
Rank
Prev.
Year
Rank
Intersection Control 5 Yr.
Collisions
PH
Veh.
Vol
PH
Bike.
Vol
REV
1 2 Santa Rosa & Olive Signal 4 3,436 19 3,617
2 8 California & Monterey Signal 7 1,902 38 1,752
3 7 Foothill & Santa Rosa Signal 5 4,126 70 1,474
4 NR Broad & South Signal 3 3,350 41 1,226
5 4 California & 101 N/B Ramps SSSC 4 1,528 27 1,132
6 3 California & Taft SSSC 4 1,680 35 960
7 NR Grand & Mill SSSC 3 576 9 960
8 NR Madonna & Oceanaire Signal 3 2,292 36 955
9 11 Broad & Leff SSSC 3 1,017 16 953
10 9 California & Palm SSSC 4 957 30 638
11 10 California & Foothill Signal 3 2,041 145 211
NR = Not Ranked
AWSC = All-way Stop-Control
SSSC = Side-Street Stop-Control
PH = Peak Hour
REV = Relative Exposure Value
Attachment 3, Page 17 of 18
282016 Traffic Safety Report
September 2016
Bicycle Location Recommendations
Rank Intersection Control 5 Yr.
Collisions
PH
Veh.
Vol
PH
Bike.
Vol
REV
1 Santa Rosa & Olive Signal 4 3,436 19 3,617
Pattern: Vehicles travelling NB on Santa Rosa turning right are causing "right hook" collisions.
Recommendation: Green bike lane extensions through intersections installed along Santa
Rosa from Walnut to Montalban in August of 2015 and reinstalled in July 2016. Only collisions
in 2016 were due to red light violations. Continue to monitor in 2017.
2 California & Monterey Signal 7 1,902 38 1,752
Pattern: NB vehicle vs. NB bicyclist right-hook collisions.
Recommendation: Green bike lanes were reinstalled and only collisions in 2016 were red light
violations.
3 Foothill & Santa Rosa Signal 5 4,126 70 1,474
Pattern: No discernible pattern.
Recommendation: Intersection under State jurisdiction. Forward to Caltrans for study and
continue to monitor in 2017.
4 Broad & South Signal 3 3,350 41 1,226
Pattern: No discernible pattern
Recommendation: Continue to monitor in 2017.
5 California & 101 N/B Ramps SSSC 4 1,528 27 1,132
Pattern: Cyclists vs. NB motorists turning left onto HWY 101 ramp and/or coming from HWY
101 ramps.
Recommendation: Green bike lanes were installed and there were no collisions in 2016.
Continue to monitor.
Attachment 3, Page 18 of 18
Project Status Notes Cost Priority
drainage grate upgrades at San Luis Drive (north of
Johnson), California at CHP office, 2 at Santa Barbara at
Broad, Broad SB near South Street, Madonna near S.
Higuera high
green bike lanes on LOVR on areas left over from the 2017
paving high
2018 summer paving plan improvements $60k high
replace concrete landing on Jennifer Street Bridge $20k high
Improvements to path between Sinsheimer Park and RRST
request forwarded to
School District
School Dist not able to bring
improvements at this time medium
sharrow on Monterey st by the Fremont theatre medium
Actuation for Bikes on Broad and Upham crossing medium
Ped and bike crossing improvements on South St at King medium
flip stop signs on Morro and Pismo to favor bike blvd medium
Ped improvements on South St at King medium
bike box at Chorro / Foothill in engineering phase medium
Address car parking in bike lane on EB South St medium
pavement maintenance at Monday Club bridge over creek low
correct light angled on Jennifer St bridge
need clarification of
light location low
install sharrows and signage on Chorro between Palm and
Monterey
anticipated as part of
Broad Street Bike
Blvd construction low
King Street to Meadow Park ramp low
drainage issues in bike lane on Orcutt near Tank Farm low
flip yield sign on Jennifer Street bridge low
removal of bollards on pathway at Exposition and Bridge
streets low
Remove/move side railing on Jennifer Street Bridge low
bike lane improvements on LOVR bridge Completed!high
Remove parking on California Street at Higuera to improve
sight distance Completed!low
green bike lanes in front of Marigold Plaza on Los Osos
Valley Road Completed!high
Parking removed on California Street at Higuera to
improve sight distance for bike lane Completed!medium
improve delination between bike lane and travel lane on Completed!medium
green bike lanes on Santa Rosa at Olive completed!high
Improve delineation between bike lane and travel lane on
southbound S. Higuera to Madonna Rd completed!high
Remove bollards on the path behind Monday Club Completed! high
removal of three parking spaces on NB California Blvd at
Marsh Completed!high
Remove single bollard on Railroad Safety Trail at
George/Jennifer Street trailhead Completed!
The three bollards on the curb
ramp make this single bollard
on the trailhead redundant high
Yield markings and a push button beacon at the Broad
Street at Upham ped crossing Completed!high
Last Updated: 03/09/2018
Minor Bike Project Wish List: Annual Allocation $100k
Attachment 4, Page 1 of 1