HomeMy WebLinkAbout07/25/1995, 1 - STATUS REPORT FOR: (1) THE CHORRO STREET SPEED TABLE PROJECT (2) THE CHORRO STREET NEIGHBORHOOD TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT PROGRAM �I�ipl� l�lllllllulll`��Ilulll vJ 1' MEETING DATE:
CI o san tins os�spo JULY 25, 9995
COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT ITEM NUMBER:
FROM: Michael McCluskey, Public Works Directo
Terry Sanville, Principal Transportation Planner
SUBJECT: Status Report For:
(1) The Chorro Street Speed Table Project
(2) The Chorro Street Neighborhood Traffic Management
Program
CAO RECOMMENDATION By motion, receive and file a status report concerning the Chorro
Street speed table and neighborhood traffic management program
and provide direction as appropriate.
I REPORT IN BRIEF
The City Council and Public Works Staff have received complaints from Chorro Street area residents
about the installation of a speed table at the Chorro-Mission Street intersection. Some residents feel
that the speed table does not slow traffic enough. Others feel that it is unattractive or unsafe for small
children who cross the street to go to Anholm Park.
On a related issue, some residents feel that the City should not spend money on a consultant to prepare
a Neighborhood Traffic Management Plan. They feel that the plan should be prepared and adopted
through a cooperative effort with the City Council. Money earmarked by the budget for consultant
services would be used to pay for the installation of traffic calming facilities.
This report responds to these and other issues. If the speed table (as currently designed) does not slow
traffic down, it can be modified to improve its performance. Also, temporary landscaping can be
installed to improve its appearance. Staff continues to believe that the City should hire a consultant to
prepare a neighborhood plan for the area. A consultant can add technical expertise and speed the
planning process.
IL DISCUSSION
A. Background
At its July 5, 1995 meeting, the City Council received comments from Chorro Street area residents
concerning the installation of a "speed table" at the Chorro-Mission Street intersection. A resident also
suggested that the City should not hire a consultant to prepare a Neighborhood Traffic Management Plan
for the area but should let the neighborhood and the City Council work out a solution.
This report directly responds to citizen concerns and provides a status report on the neighborhood traffic
management program for the area.
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COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
B. Installing Trial Facilities
In 1994, the City Council adopted a policy that authorized the Public Works Director to design and
install traffic calming facilities on a trial basis in response to requests from residents. The Council
provided $40,000 funding for the program and limited funding of any one facility to $10,000. A
copy of the Council's adopted policy is attached as Exhibit "A."
The purpose of the trial program is to test the effectiveness of the design of a traffic management
facility at a particular spot location. To date, the Public Works Department has installed three
trial facilities, has monitored their performance, and has seen the following results:
❑ The crossing area on Ramona Drive that connects the Lucky's Shopping Center with senior
housing across the street: This facility has had little effect on traffic volumes or speeds. It
has shortened the distance pedestrians have to cross the street and has increased the
visibility of the crossing location. It has received favorable response from residents of The
Village and now wish that it become a permanent installation.
❑ The crosswalk and median island on Augusta Street at Sinsheimer School: This facility has
had little effect on traffic volumes or speeds. However, it has helped direct pedestrians to
cross at a central location, has increased the visibility of the crossing location, has shortened
the crossing distance and has simplified the crossing procedure (children only have to check
for oncoming traffic in one direction). It has received favorable response from school
personnel and the PTA. With some modifications, they are requesting it become an
interim facility.
❑ The speed table on Chorro Street at the Mission Street intersection: Monitoring of this
facility's performance is discussed later in this report.
C. Preparing Neighborhood Traffic Management Plans
On June 20, 1995, the City Council adopted the 1995-97 Financial Plan. The Financial Plan
earmarks funds to prepare Neighborhood Traffic Management Plans. The Council authorized the
expenditure of up to $50,000 in FY 1995-96 to hire a consultant to prepare a plan for one
neighborhood. Staff believes that the Chorro Street area should be the first neighborhood to
embark on this planning process. The Council deferred funding for installing interim facilities
($80,000) until FY 1996-97.
One reason for preparing a neighborhood plan is to address traffic management throughout the
neighborhood by carefully considering the interrelationship of traffic flow between parallel and
interconnecting street corridors. A second and equally important purpose is to get neighborhood
residents to agree on a solution via aggressive public participation and outreach programs. A
third significant reason is to assess the impact of traffic management strategies on streets outside
and adjoining the neighborhood.
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Preparing a neighborhood traffic management plan will involve surveying area residents, holding
public workshops, evaluating options,gaining neighborhood consensus,and presenting a plan to the
City Council for adoption. Except for rules guiding the creation of neighborhood parking districts,
there are no Council-adopted rules or guidelines that direct the formation of "neighborhoods,"
define "neighborhoods" nor define what constitutes a "neighborhood consensus." Therefore, one .
important and time-consuming task for a consultant will be to establish and carry out such
guidelines. A draft "Scope of Work"for preparing a neighborhood plan for the Chorro Street area
is attached as Exhibit B.
Once a neighborhood plan is adopted,the City will install inexpensive"interim facilities"throughout
the neighborhood. Over a 2-3 year period, the performance of the facilities will be monitored.
Also, during the monitoring period the City Council will have to establish a funding mechanism for
installing and maintaining well-landscaped permanent facilities. Funding options include the
establishment of landscape maintenance districts to share installation and maintenance costs.
III. EVALUATION
A. Installing the Chorro Street Speed Table
1. Working With Neighborhood Residents: In 1994, the Public Works staff met with a group
of Chorro Street area residents to discuss the installation of trial facilities. A neighborhood
contact person was established. Staff and residents talked about types of facilities that may
reduce traffic speed on Chorro Street including the installation of a speed table. A speed table is
a large speed hump with a flat spot on the top. It is designed to reduce traffic speed without
causing the abrupt and jarring change in altitude of vehicles that cross it. When installed at
intersections it can increase the visibility of pedestrians crossing a street by raising the elevation
of the crosswalk.
The neighborhood residents requested that the Public Works Department install a speed table at
the Mission Street location. The residents also asked that if there was any money left over from
the $10,000 project budget that it be used to install a second speed table at Center Street.
The staff prepared a concept design of a speed table and reviewed it with the neighborhood
residents. The residents supported the staff's concept. The staff prepared a final engineered
design and City crews completed installation of the speed table on June 30, 1995 at a total cost of
$6.75 (which includes the cost of labor, equipment, materials and administration).
Staff had previously told neighborhood residents that the facility would be installed in January or
February, 1995. Work was delayed because of other on-going capital projects -- the installation
of traffic signals and the completion of the bicycle lane striping program—which had been delayed
due to bad weather. These delays may have caused some residents to distrust the Public Works
Department's sincerity in proceeding with neighborhood programs.
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2. Monitoring the Effectiveness of the Speed Table: The concept behind installing trial facilities
is to test their effectiveness before more permanent facilities are installed. Before the speed table
was installed, staff used newly-acquired monitoring equipment to verify current traffic conditions
on Chorro Street in the vicinity of the Mission Street intersection. 24-hour traffic counts and
speed surveys were conducted on June 26th and 27th. . Counts and speeds were surveyed at the
proposed location of the speed table (southbound lane) and at a location 200 foot south of the
intersection. Summary reports of this analysis are attached as Exhibit C.
Staff intends to again survey traffic conditions on July 17th and 18th and compare the before and
after data. This analysis will allow us to determine the project's effect on traffic speed and
volumes. Staff will make summary reports of the "post project"data available to the Council under
separate cover.
3. Responding to Concerns Raised by Area Residents: Since the installation of the speed table,
staff has been talking will neighborhood residents about the project's design. To date, there
appears to be general support for the installation of speed table at this location. However, both
the staff and City Council has received various comments about the design of the facility. The
following is a summary of these concerns and a brief response:
a. Citizen Concern: The Speed Table Doesn't Slow Traffic Down. So far, the response from
residents has been mixed. The range of responses has been: some motorists drive over the
speed table fast because its fun; most motorist brake before going over the speed table and
its working fine; most motorist brake before going over the speed table but they are not
slowing down enough; the speed table has had no effect on traffic speed..
Staff Response: Staff will look at speed data that we collect on or about July 17 and 18 and
compare it with pre-project data. A responsible goal is a 2 to 3 mile per hour reduction in
the 85th percentile speed at the Chorro-Mission Street intersection. If this goal is not
achieved, staff will consider modifying the speed table by increasing the angle of the ramps
or other design changes. However, increasing the steepness of the ramps to slow traffic has
the potential for increasing traffic noise and complaints from adjoining residents. Therefore,
the design of the speed table needs to be sensitive to both of these concerns.
The installation of a single speed table at the Mission Street intersection will not achieve
the desired speed reductions for the Chorro Street corridor. To achieve these reductions
will require the installation of a combination of facilities — of which there is a wide variety,
each having its own traffic calming, fiscal and visual impacts. A decision on what
combination of facilities is appropriate for the neighborhood will be made as part of
adopting a Neighborhood Traffic Management Plan for the area.
b. Citizen Concern: The Speed Table Compromises the Safety of Bicyclists. One area
resident has observed that bicyclists going over the speed table are crowded by motorists
trying to occupy the same space. Motorists continue to cross the speed table at speeds that
are substantially greater than cyclists.
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Staff Response: We agree that the difference in speeds between bicyclists and motorists
is still significant. Bicyclists speeds in a southbound direction were observed to be 15 to 23
miles an hour while the 85th percentile speed for vehicles was 35-36 mph. In the
northbound direction (uphill) bicyclists were traveling a 7 to 11 miles per hour while
vehicles were traveling 35 mph. It may be possible to remove one or more of the pylons
and provide a separate striped "bicycle slot" along the outer edges of the speed table in back
of the pylons. Staff will look at this situation and consider various design refinements.
C. Citizen Concern:The Speed Table Compromises the Safety of Children Crossing the Street.
Small children crossing the street are obscured by the plastic pylons and are harder to see
by motorists.
Staff Response: The pylons are 28 inches high. Children crossing the street are taller than
the pylons and are visible by approaching motorists. Pedestrian visibility is increased
since the crosswalk portion of the speed table is raised above street level. Also, the
crosswalk striping (an international design found to be most visible to motorists), 'bump"
warning signs, the pylons, and striping on the speed table all alert motorists that this is a
pedestrian crossing area with special traffic control conditions. While no crossing facility
can guarantee pedestrian safety, staff believes that this particular design is an improvement
over previously-existing conditions. If the Council feels that visibility is a concern, the 28-
inch pylons may be replaced, at additional cost, with 18-inch pylons that have a reflective
surface only on one side. It would take the City street crew additional time to modify these
shorter pylons to include a reflective material on both sides. .
National research indicates that children younger than 8 years old should not cross streets
unattended. One element of a Neighborhood Traffic Management Plan may be to educate
parents and children on safe pedestrian crossing procedures.
d. Citizen Concern: The Speed Table is Unattractive. The plastic pylons and the striping are
not an attractive addition to the neighborhood. The temporary speed table may be there
for years before a permanent well-landscaped facility takes its place.
Staff Response: Staff did not include landscaping of the speed table because it is a
temporary trial facility. Trial and interim facilities may be in place for several years before
they are eligible for replacement by permanent facilities. To repeat the purpose of the
various levels of improvements:
❑ Trial facilities are intended as temporary "spot" solutions.
❑ Interim facilities will include temporary landscaping.
0 Permanent facilities will include permanent landscaping.
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COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
Staff is attempting to minimise installation and maintenance costs of trial facilities. Staff
will investigate low-cost options for installing temporary landscaping at the speed table with
cooperation from adjoining residents to help maintain it. One option is to install planters
with colorful ornamental plant materials — similar to the planters along Morro Street
between Monterey and Higuera Streets that were installed and are maintained by the BIA.
There is no City funding nor staff available for ongoing maintenance of landscaping.
Experience in other cities has shown that voluntary citizen maintenance of landscaping
declines over time — emphasizing the need to devise a permanent program for providing
maintenance.
e. Citizen Concern: Maybe Stop Signs Would Be a Better Answer. They are cheaper to install
and provide greater safety for pedestrians to cross the street.
Staff Response: Stop signs are cheaper to install. However, they are not respected by
motorists when there is insufficient cross traffic. Therefore, pedestrian crossings at
intersections with little cross traffic may not be safer. Stop signs cause more breaking and
motor noise from deceleration/acceleration. Also, at stop controlled intersections pollution
levels tend to increase. From a speed reduction standpoint, stop signs reduce speed within
200 feet of the stop sign but mid-block speeds tend to assume pre-stop sign levels. Stop .
signs penalize residents at comer locations with little benefit to residents at mid-block
locations. Finally, stop signs can be easily removed and therefore do not provide the
"permanent" solution sought by area residents.
L Citizen Concern: The Speed Table Reduces the Amount of Curb Parking
Staff Response: The speed table eliminates curb area that could accommodate 4 to 6
parked cars. Staff's pre-project review of the Chorro Street area found that there were few
cars parked along the curb and that there is ample curb area and_space on private property
to accommodate parking demand. However,designing a comprehensive long-term solution
for this area must consider the impact of traffic calming facilities on parking supply and
demand.
In summary, staff will be reviewing traffic data to determine the effectiveness of the speed table
and consider modifications to its design. Speed reduction, bicycle safety and aesthetic issues will
be addressed.
B. Proceeding With the Neighborhood Traffic Management Program
It has been suggested that the City not hire a consultant to assist with the preparation of a
neighborhood traffic management plan and that the funding($50,000)be allocated during FY 1995-
96 to the installation of traffic calming facilities. This strategy is inconsistent with the Financial
Plan recently adopted by the City Council. Staff disagrees with this strategy.
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COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
If past and current experience is any indication, it may be a significant challenge to achieve
consensus among all Chorro Street area residents. Some residents feel that they have cooperatively
worked with their neighbors and have a good idea of what the neighborhood will support as the
final solution. Quickly reaching consensus would surely shorten the process. However, it has been
staff's experience that opposition to a strategy can develop late in the design phase of the process
or after the facilities are installed. It will require a continuous education process to ensure that
impacted residents are informed and have the opportunity to participate.
Staff believes that there is a lot of work to be done to design a neighborhood wide solution and
gain neighborhood consensus (see attached draft scope of work). Hiring a consultant can speed
this process and bring technical expertise to the planning effort. Also, it is important to survey
"before" and "after" conditions to verify the objective performance of any facilities installed in the
area. Staff intends to undertake these studies in Fall, 1995 to determine peak seasonal traffic
conditions.
If the Council feels that the process should be exclusively managed by City staff, it will reduce the
transportation planning and engineering staff time available for other work programs authorized
by the Financial Plan. Staff is prepared to identify projects and programs that would have to be
delayed if limited staff resources are reallocated to this project.
III. RECOMMENDATIONS
The City Council should consider the issues raised within this report, critique the prelimary draft
of the RFP for the Chorro Street area planning effort (Exhibit B), and provide direction as
appropriate.
ATTACHMENTS
Exhibit A: Council Adopted Policy on Installing Trial Facilities in Neighborhoods
Exhibit B: Draft Work Scope for a Neighborhood Traffic Management Plan for the
Chorro Street Area
Exhibit C: Summary Traffic Reports for the Chorro Street-Mission Street area
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EXHMIT A
Strategy for Proceeding with
Neighborhood Traffic Management Planning
A. The City Council will adopt the draft Circulation Element. The Element identifies
seven areas where Neighborhood Traffic Management Plans will be prepared. The
Element should include procedures for identifying other areas and/or neighborhoods
where traffic management may be warranted. Traffic management devices will not
be installed in areas not targeted for neighborhood traffic management planning.
B. After the Circulation Element is adopted,the Council will adopt a Transportation Work
Program. The work program will establish Council priorities for implementing the
Circulation Element. Neighborhood traffic management is one of 29 programs (some
of which have many parts) included in the Circulation Element.
C. Assuming that the Transportation Work Program targets neighborhood traffic
management as high priority, the Council should budget for additional resources (as
identified in the work programs) to complete the plans -- if plan adoption is desired
within one or two years. More time (eg. five years) will be needed if existing staff is
asked to prepare the management plans.
D. Once a Neighborhood Traffic Management Plan has been adopted, the City will install
inexpensive interim facilities. If after a year or two, monitoring shows that they are
effective, more permanent and attractive facilities will be installed. Area residents and
organizations will be asked to help pay for the installation and maintenance of interim
and permanent facilities. The amount of contribution will be determined as a part of
the Plan.
E. If the Public Works Department receives requests for traffic management facilities in
areas were Neighborhood Traffic Management Plans will be prepared:
❑ The Department will not install interim or permanent traffic management
facilities in these areas until the management plans have been adopted.
❑ However, "trial' facilities may be installed when the Public Works Director
decides that documented public safety concerns warrant immediate action.
❑ City capital costs for trial facilities shall not exceed $10,000. In all cases, the
Director will seek the financial help of residents and organizations with the
installation cost of trial facilities.
❑ The purpose of trial facilities is to test the effectiveness of a design solution at
a particular location. Trial facilities will be inexpensively constructed and may
be removed, if they cause problems or are rejected by the neighborhood, or
replaced after Neighborhood Traffic Management Plans are adopted.
Adopted by San Luis Obispo City Council, Summer, 1994
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EXHIBIT B: PRELINIINARY SCOPE OF WORK FOR
PREPARING A NEIGHBORHOOD TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT PLAN
FOR THE CHORRO STREET AREA
A. BACKGROUND
During the past year, the City of San Luis Obispo has initiated a three step approach to managing traffic
in residential areas:
❑ First,the City has been experimenting with the installation of facilities to manage traffic. To date
we have installed two pedestrian street crossings of unique design and one "speed table." The
speed table (a large speed hump with a flat spot on the top) is located in the Chorro Street
residential area.
❑ Second,a comprehensive Neighborhood Traffic Management Plan for the Chorro Street area must
be prepared along with plans and specifications for the installation of interim facilities called for
by the management plan. Interim facilities are traffic devices that are inexpensive to install but
are designed to achieve a specific objective -- such as reduce speed or divert traffic.
❑ Third, the City will install interim facilities and monitor their performance for 2 to 3 years. After
their performance has been documented, the facilities will be modified as needed or replaced with
well-landscaped permanent facilities.
The City wants to hire a consultant to manage the second step of this process.
B. RELEVANT CITY POLICIES
In November, 1994, San Luis Obispo adopted a revised General Plan Circulation Element The
Circulation Element calls for the preparation of Neighborhood Traffic Management Plans for seven areas;
the Chorro Street area is one of them. The Circulation Element also establish operational standards for
local, collector and arterial streets to be achieved over a 20-year period. Neighborhood Traffic
Management Plans should present long-term traffic management strategies that achieve the standards set
by the Circulation Element.
While there are about a dozen streets in the Chorro Street area, Chorro Street has been the focus of
concern, having problems with speeding traffic and substantial "cut through" traffic. Chorro Street is
classified by the Circulation Element as a"Residential Collector" street. The following table should give
the consultant an idea of the desired performance required of a neighborhood plan for the Chorro Street
area.
Circulation Element Standards v. Chorro Street Traffic Conditions
Circulation Element Standards Current Conditions (estimated)
85th Percentile Speed Desired Max. ADT 85th Percentile Speed ADT
40 km/h (25 mph) 5,000 ADT 56 km/h (35 mph) 11,000 ADT
C. WORK TASKS AND DELIVERABLES
The following outlines the major steps necessary to: (1) prepare and adopt a neighborhood traffic
management plan, and (2) prepare construction documents for the installation of facilities identified in
the plan. The San Luis Obispo City Council has established a maximum budget of$50.000 to complete
the work described below (tasks 1 through 18).
Preparation and adoption of the neighborhood traffic plan will involve the combined efforts of City
Public Works staff and a consultant. The following describes the primary work tasks and defines work
responsibilities.
STEP 1: ASSESSING THE PROBLEM
Task 1: Define the planning area.
City: Define the planning area boundary on a map (see attached draft). Make base maps
available to consultant. Consultant: Critique City's recommended planning area
boundaries and prepare a map that can be used in project reports.
Task 2: Establish a Process for Achieving A Strong Neighborhood Consensus when preparing
and adopting a Neighborhood Traffic Management Plan for the Chorro Street area.
Consultant: This RFP describes one method for achieving consensus in the Chorro
Street area. Surveys would be distributed, neighborhood workshops held, alternative
solutions evaluated, more workshops held to discuss the alternatives and to select a
preferred plan, a follow up survey distributed to area residents asking them to state
support for-, opposition to-, or suggestions for revisions to the recommended plan, and
finally public hearings before the City Council. The consultant should carefully review
this strategy and suggest any changes it feels are needed to achieve high levels of resident
participation in the planning process and a high level of support for the resultant
Neighborhood Traffic Management Plan.
This workscope identifies a minimum of 5 meetings that the Consultant is responsible for
attending and managing the proceedings. This number could increase to 10 to 15
depending on the amount of work needed to achieve neighborhood consensus and
agreement by the City Council.
City: Provide consultant with background on traffic issues in the Chorro Street area and
neighborhood relations.
Task 3: Design and distribute questionnaires to planning area residents. Tell them about the
traffic management study and ask them to identify traffic issues, critique the planning area
boundary, and suggest solutions. Analyze the questionnaire response.
Consultant: Design draft questionnaire, tabulate and analyze response, and write a
summary of findings. City: Critique draft questionnaire prepared by consultant; distribute
questionnaire to residents.
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Task 4: Meetwith the neighborhood residents' 'group to talk about the history of traffic
concerns in the planning area and solutions that have been identified to date.
Consultant: Meet with the neighborhood group and lead discussion. City: Schedule
and attend the meeting.
Task 5: Identify streets and intersections that should be analyzed, including streets that may be
experiencing cut-through and/or speeding traffic.
Consultant: Prepare a preliminary list of street corridors to be studied. Show streets
on a map that can be used in reports. City: ! Critique consultant's street listing.
Task 6: Survey traffic speeds (peak and non-peak hours in both directions) and conduct 24-hour
traffic counts (both directions) on targeted streets to determine compliance with
Circulation Element standards. Survey targeted intersections.
Consultant: Direct city staff on where an d when to install counter_s and for what
duration. Prepare a map that can be used)in reports that identifies count locations.
Analyze traffic data provided by City and write a summary of findings.. City: Provide
counters, install and retrieve them, and provide standard traffic. reports (see attached
example) to the consultant for evaluation.
Task.7: Estimate the level of cut=through traffic on targeted streets. (Cut-through traffic on
local or collector streets that exceeds 30% of 24-hour traffic levels will be considered
significant.)
Consultant: Estimate cut-through traffic levels for targeted streets and write a summary
of findings. City: Provide land use information and traffic generation rates to use in this
analysis.
Task 8: Review accident information (SWPI`l2S) to identify any recurrent accident locations or
causes. Review other conditions such as high parking demand areas, bicycle, pedestrian
and school children traffic, and special access.needs (eg. for senior citizens or for the
disabled).
City: Review the SWIMS files and locater�ccurring accident locations within the
planning area. Share information with consultant. Consultant: Identify significant
accident locations (based on SWITRS data); review field conditions for parking, bicycle,
pedestrian and school children traffic, access to transit routes and stops, and special
access needs; write a summary of findings.
Task 9: Prepare a summary report that describes problem conditions, cites supporting survey
data, establishes preliminary management plan objectives, and outlines %the plan's
development and adoption process. Prepare a iseparate technical report that4ncorporates
written findings, maps and other information from tasks 3, 6, 7 and 8..
Consultant: Submit draft reports. Prepare all reports.in vertical 8.5" x 11" format using
WordPerfect 5.1 or 5.2 software and submit them in "camera-ready" hard copy and
computer file form (including graphics). All reports shall be brief, use well-designed
graphics, avoid the use of jargon, and be easily understood by the public. City: Review
and comment on consultant's reports. City will make available existing base maps or
graphics that consultant may want to use.
Task 10: Conduct public workshop after distributing Consultant's summary report to residents
along with background information. At the workshop, review problem conditions,
confirm plan objectives, and summarize plan adoption process. Provide an open forum
for residents to express concerns and ideas for solving problems. Police and Fire
Department representatives should participate in these and future discussions. Prepare
minutes of meeting.
Consultant: Prepare meeting materials, make presentation, lead discussion, and take
notes. City: Schedule meeting, distribute meeting notices, Consultant's summary report
and background information. Prepare minutes.
Note: Additional meetings may be needed if residents want more time to generate ideas
or discuss problems. The Consultant's proposal should budget for management of the
minimum number of meeting identified in this workscope but stipulate a "per meeting
cost" for any additional meetings needed to complete the consensus building process.
STEP 2: EVALUATING SOLUTIONS
Task 11: Describe strategies (collections of individual actions) for solving or reducing problems
identified in Step 1. Strategies may involve changes within or outside the planning area
and both capital and management programs, depending on the nature of the problems.
Consultant: Meet with the City and the neighborhood group to discuss the outcome of
the neighborhood workshop (Task 10). Prepare a draft description of strategies and
submit descriptions to the City for critique. City:Discuss alternate strategies and provide
direction as needed. Review and critique consultant's draft description of strategies.
Task 12: Evaluate each strategy's potential to solve or reduce problems identified in Step 1.
Specifically evaluate the potential for each strategy to achieve traffic volume, speed, and
level of service (LOS) standards set by the General Plan Circulation Element. Evaluate
the impacts of each strategy on the transportation system and land uses within and outside
the planning area. describe institutional, fiscal, environmental and physical limits that
must be overcome. Estimate the construction and maintenance costs of each strategy (see
task 18 below). Describe any secondary or "unintended" impacts and identify mitigation
measures. Secondary impacts may include increased:
trip length fuel consumption
stops and starts traffic diversion
congestion air pollution
noise parking demand
emergency response transit headways
legal issues liability exposure
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Consultant: Complete the evaluation of alternate strategies, prepare a report that
summarizes the analysis and presents information, findings, and recommendations and
submit draft report to City. The report should include a summary section that can be
extracted and distributed to neighborhood residents, with the full report available upon
request. City: Make available to consultant any existing information pertinent to the
completion of this task. Act as liaison to other City departments. Review consultant's
draft report and edit as necessary. Publish the final report and distribute summary section
to residents along with notice of second workshop.
Task 13: Conduct public workshop(s). At the workshop(s), review alternate strategies and take
suggestions and criticism. Try to achieve a consensus among attending residents to
support a particular strategy.
Consultant: Present findings and recommendations at meeting, lead discussion, and
take notes. City: Schedule meeting, distribute notices, Consultant's summary report and
background information, and advertise meeting. Prepare minutes.
Note: Additional meetings may be needed if a consensus cannot be reached or additional
analysis of- or refinement to a particular strategy is needed.
Task 14: Distribute a cover letter, brief description, and plan map of the consensus strategy to
all planning area households and ask residents to indicate support for the proposal,
opposition to the proposal, or to suggest modifications. The cover letter should also
describe the next steps in the process -- eg. transmitting a draft Neighborhood Traffic
Management Plan to the City Council for adoption.
Consultant: prepare description, map and cover letter survey. City:distribute materials
and tabulate survey response. If more than 9 of the responding households oppose the
proposed strategy or suggest major changes to it, schedule additional workshops to
improve consensus (return to Task 13).
Task 1S: Prepare a draft Neighborhood Traffic Management Plan for the Chorro Street area and
complete the CEQA compliance process.
Consultant: Prepare an administrative draft plan and submit it to City for critique.
Upon completing changes that may be required by City, submit a comera-read draft plan.
City: Critique the administrative draft plan and identify any changes. Transmit final draft
plan to the Community Development Department and monitor the CEQA compliance
process. (It's assumed that a categorical exemption or a negative declaration will be
granted. If the negative declaration contains mitigation measures that affect the content
of the draft plan, Consultant will modify the plan to incorporate these measures.)
STEP 3: ADOPTING A PLAN OF ACTION
Task 16: Submit draft Neighborhood Traffic Management Plan to the City Council for
adoption. Send a letter to residents that informs them of the time, date and place of the
fust scheduled Council hearing.
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Consultant: Present draft plan to City Council and respond to questions. Conduct
studies and prepare amendments to draft plan as directed by Council. The draft plan
should contain a summary section (see task 14). City: Prepare letter to residents,
schedule Council meetings,prepare Council Agenda Reports, and transmit all background
reports, survey results, and workshop minutes.
Note: Additional meetings may be needed if the Council cannot reach a consensus or
additional analysis of- or refinements to the plan are requested.
Task 17: Publish adopted Neighborhood Traffic Management Plan
Consultant: Submit plan to City for critique and make final changes as needed. City:
Critique plan and identify final changes. Notify area residents that the adopted plan is
available for purchase at the Public Woks Department.
STEP 4: PREPARING CONSTRUCTION DOCUMENTS
Task 18: Prepare construction plans, specifications and cost estimates for the installation of
interim facilities called for by the adopted Neighborhood Traffic Management Plans.
Interim facilities will be installed at the same time throughout the planning area and must:
❑ Be inexpensive but capable of achieving the intended traffic management purpose.
The consultant should consider inexpensive temporary landscape measures that
can improve aesthetics and not significantly increase maintenance costs during the
monitoring period.
❑ Address issues of traffic, bicycle and pedestrian safety, drainage and signage.
❑ Be durable enough to last throughout the monitoring period — one to three years.
❑ Be removable without requiring extensive modifications to existing facilities.
❑ Be capable of being easily modified to become permanent facilities with attractive
permanent landscaping.
City: It is important to note that completion of all work by consultant identified in tasks
1 through 17 (which includes the preparation of construction documents) should not
exceed $ 50,000.
The City will review the scope of plan preparation services with Consultant based on the
content of the approved Neighborhood Traffic Management Plan. City will negotiate a
separate contract for design-drafting services, if these services are needed. City will make
available all existing drawings, sketches, and specifications for similar facilities installed
elsewhere in San Luis Obispo(eg. speed tables, protected cross walks). City will provide
consultant with copies of all standard specifications and bid materials.
Consultant: will submit a proposal for preparing construction drawings and
specifications, if requested by City. Upon execution of a contract, Consultant will
�y
prepare and submit drawings and specifications for all interim traffic management
facilities in a "bid ready" package. Since the City uses AUTOCAD, release 13 for
Windows, Consultant will submit all drawings in CAD form that is compatible with the
City's software and following City format (eg. layering, details, etc.).
NEXT STEPS
After the City accepts the construction documents from the consultant, it will hire a contractor and/or
use city crews to install interim facilities throughout the neighborhood. The City Council has budgeted
$80,000 to install interim facilities during fiscal year 1996=97.
Once interim facilities are installed, City staff will monitor traffic conditions in the planning area and
in peripheral areas for one to three years and make minor changes as problems arise. This monitoring
program will include a repeat of all or portions of Task#5 -- surveying traffic volumes and speeds. City
staff will also keep track of citizen comments received during the monitoring period.
At the end of the monitoring period, the City will hold a neighborhood workshop to:
❑ Enable public comment.
❑ Determine a design strategy for installing permanent facilities.
❑ Establish a funding strategy for installing and maintaining permanent facilities that may involve
participation of planning area households.
B. ANTICIPATED WORK SCHEDULE
It is the City's objective to:
❑ Complete Step #1 (Assessing the Problem) and Step #2 (Evaluating solutions by December 1,
1995.
❑ Compete Step #3 (Adopting a Plan of Action) by March 1, 1996.
❑ Complete all Step #4 (Preparing Construction Documents) by May 1, 1996.
In no case should work (Steps #1 through #4) extend beyond June 30, 1996.
�S
EXHIBIT C
Tuesday,July 11, 1995
13: 36 Page 1
NU-METRICS Traffic Analyzer Study
Computer Generated Summary Report
Route: chorro street at mission
Location: chorro street at mission
STUDY
A survey of vehicle traffic was conducted with HISTAR unit number
4280. The survey was done in the south lane on Chorro Street At
Mission in Slo, Ca in Slo county. The survey lasted for 24 hours
and began on Monday,June 26, 1995 at 2 :00pm and ended on
Tuesday,June 27, 1995 at 2 :00pm. Data were recorded in 15 minute
time periods. The total recorded volume of traffic showed 3995
vehicles passed through the location with a peak volume of 97 on
Tuesday,June 27, 1995 at 1: 00pm and a minimum volume of 0 on
Tuesday,June 27, 1995 at 2:45am.
SPEED
Chart 1 lists the values of the speed bins and the total volume
for each bin.
-----= --- Chart 1 -----__
Speed Bins (mph)
5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55 60 65 70 75
--- I --- I --- I ---I --- I ---I ---I ---I ---I ---I --- I ---I ---I ---I --- I ---
5 20 365 1432 66 6 1 1
12 52 1682 337 12 0 0
-------------------- ------
Half of the vehicles were traveling at 30. 1 mph or lower speed.
The average speed for all classified vehicles was 32 .25 mph with
46.48 percent exceeding the posted speed of 30 mph. The HI-STAR
found 0.50 percent of the vehicles were traveling in excess of 45
mph. The mode speed for this traffic study was 30 mph and the 85th
percentile was 34.9 mph.
CLASS
Chart 2 lists the values of the 8 class bins and the total volume
for each bin.
---- -- -- Chart 2 -
Class Bins (feet)
<19 30 40 50 60 70 0 0>
------ I ------ I ------I ------I ------I ------ I ------I ------1 ---
3816 141 22 11 1 0 0 0
Most of the vehicles were passenger cars with a total count of
3816. This represents 95.62 percent of the classified vehicles.
The truck percentage is 4.38 percent of the classified vehicles.
HEADWAY
During the peak time period, on Tuesday,June 27, 1995 at 1:00pm
the average headway between the vehicles was 9.28 seconds. The
slow period occurred on Tuesday,June 27, 1995 at 2 :45am and the
headway between the vehicles 0 seconds (No vehicles recorded) .
WEATHER
The roadway surface temperature over the period of the study
varied between 76 degrees Fahrenheit and 123 degrees Fahrenheit.
The HI-STAR analyzer determined that the roadway surface was DRY
100.00 percent of the time. /
Tuesday,July 11, 1995
13 : 38 Page 1
NU-METRICS Traffic Analyzer Study
Computer Generated Summary Report
Route: chorro street s/o mission
STUDY Location: chorro street s/o mission
A survey of vehicle traffic was conducted with HISTAR unit number
4279. The survey was done in the south lane on Chorro Street S/o
Mission in Slo, Ca in Slo county. The survey lasted for 24 hours
and began on Monday,June 26, 1995 at 2: 00pm and ended on
Tuesday,June 27, 1995 at 2: 00pm. Data were recorded in 15 minute
time periods. The total recorded volume of traffic showed 4176
vehicles passed through the location with a peak volume of 105 on
Tuesday,June 27, 1995 at 1:00pm and a minimum volume of 0 on
Tuesday,June 27, 1995 at 2:45am.
SPEED
Chart 1 lists the values of the speed bins and the total volume
for each bin.
------ ---�__== Chart 1 ____________________-----
Speed Bins (mph)
5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55 60 65 70 75
---I---I --1I--- I -431---11527---I -10613 3---I ---I ---I ---I ---I ---I ---
16 67 1437 516 33 4 1 0
Half of the vehicles were traveling at 30.9—mph or lower speed.
The average speed for all classified vehicles was 32 .91 mph with
52.77 percent exceeding the posted speed of 30 mph. The HI-STAR
found 1.29 percent of the vehicles were traveling in excess of 45
mph. The mode speed for this traffic study was 35 mph and the 85th
percentile was 36. 0 mph.
CLASS
Chart 2 lists the values of the 8 class bins and the total volume
for each bin.
---_---- Chart 2
Class Bins (feet)
<19 30 40 50 60 ' 70 0 0>
------I ------I ------I ------I ------I ------I ------I ------ I
3983 166 16 5 5 0 0 0
Most of the vehicles were passenger cars with a total count of —
3983. This represents 95.40 percent of the classified vehicles.
The truck percentage is 4. 60 percent of the classified vehicles.
HEADWAY
During the peak time period, on Tuesday,June 27, 1995 at 1:00pm
the average headway between the vehicles was 8. 57 seconds. The
slow period occurred on Tuesday,June 27, 1995 at 2:45am and the
headway between the vehicles 0 seconds (No vehicles recorded) .
WEATHER
The roadway surface temperature over the period of the study
varied between 70 degrees Fahrenheit and 113 degrees Fahrenheit.
The HI-STAR analyzer determined that the roadway surface was DRY
100.00 percent of the time.
MEFTINGAGENDA
DA,_ 7j25-LOW #
�illllllll IIIIIII��I ��illlllllll�lllllllllll� III san Luis oaspocity
955 Morro Street • San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
Jul 18, 1995 r..,
000NCIL ❑ CDD DIR
Y CAO ❑ FIN DIR
ACAO ❑ FIRE CHIEF
ITTORNEY N(PW DIR !
TO: City Council Members CLERKIO J,3 ❑ POLICE CHF
MGMrTEAM ❑ REC DIR
VIA: John Dunn, City Administrative Officero! R • DFILE ❑ UTILDIR
� -f ❑ PERS DIR
FROM: Michael McCluskey, Public Works Director
Terry Sanville, Principal Transportation Planner�S'
SUBJECT: Traffic Survey Data for the Chorro Street Speed Table
As promised, staff conducted 24-hour surveys of traffic conditions on Chorro Street at the location of
the "speed table." The surveys were conducted on July 17th and 18th at two locations: one counter was
placed on top of the speed table in the southbound lane and the second counter was placed 200 feet
south of the first in the southbound lane.
The attached summary reports are provided by the City's traffic counters. The summary reports and
other data from the counters show the following changes in traffic conditions.
Before the Speed Table Was Installed After the Speed Table Was Installed Change
Location #1: @ Mission St. Location 91: @ Mission St.
Median Speed: 30.1 mph 22.7 mph -7.4 mph
Average Speed: 32.3 mph 24.6 mph -7.7 mph
Mode Speed: 30.0 mph 25.0 mph - 5.0 mph
85th Percentile: 34.9 mph 28.9 mph - 6.0 mph
24-Hour ADT: 3,995 4,021 + 26
Location #2: 200' south of Mission Location 42: 200' south of Mission
Median Speed: 30.9 mph 27.8 mph - 3.1 mph
Average Speed: 32.9 mph 29.8 mph - 3.1 mph
Mode Speed: 35.0 mph 30.0 mph - 5.0 mph
85th Percentile: 36.0 mph 33.3 mph - 2.7 mph
24-Hour ADT: 41176 49070 - 106
RECEIVED
JUL 2 1 WS
/O The City of San Luis Obispo is committed to include the disabled in all of its shy rUu0#ams and activities.
Telecommunications Device for the Deaf(805) 781-7410. -PN I �•nn
BEFORE AND AFTER SURVEY
CHORRO STREET SPEED TABLE
Before the Speed Table Was Installed After the Speed Table Was Installed Change
(Southbound Lane Only) (Southbound Lane Only)
Location #1: @ Mission St. Location #1: @ Mission St
24-Hour ADT: 3,995 4,021 + 26
Peak Hour: 1 pm 1 pm
Peak Hour Volume: 97 106 + 9
Trucks: 4.38% 4.07% -0.31%
Median Speed: 30.1 mph 22.7 mph -7.4 mph
Std. Deviation: 5.1 5.9
% >Posted Speed: 46.5% 7.68%
Average Speed: 32.3 mph 24.6 mph -7.7 mph
Mode Speed: 30.0 mph 25.0 mph - 5.0 mph
85th Percentile: 34.9 mph 28:9 mph - 6.0 mph
%Veh> 45mph: 0.05% 0.05% NC
Lowest Veh Gap: 9.3 seconds @ 8.5 seconds @ - 0.8 seconds
1 pm 1 pm
Location #2: 200' south of Mission Location #2: 200' south of Mission
24-Hour ADT: 4,176 4,070 - 106
Peak Hour: 1 pm 7:45 am
Peak Hour Volume: 105 108 + 3
Trucks: 4.60 4.61 + 0.01
Median Speed: 30.9 mph 27.8 mph - 3.1 mph
Std. Deviation: 5.8 5.7
%> Posted Speed: 52.8% 26.5%
Average Speed: 32.9 mph 29.8 mph - 3.1 mph
Mode Speed: 35.0 mph 30.0 mph - 5.0 mph
85th Percentile: 36.0 mph 33.3 mph - 2.7 mph
%Veh>45mph: 1.3% 0.7% - 0.6%
Lowest Veh. Gap: 8.6 seconds @ 8.3 seconds @ - 0.3 seconds
1 pm 7:45 am
Tuesday,July 18, 1995
15:12 Page 1
NU-METRICS Traffic Analyzer Study
Computer Generated Summary Report
Route: chorro at mission
Location: chorro at mission
STUDY
A survey of vehicle traffic was conducted with HISTAR unit number
4280. The survey was done in the south lane on Chorro At Mission
in Slo, Ca in Slo county. The survey lasted for 24 hours and began
on Monday,July 17, 1995 at 2:00pm and ended on Tuesday,July 18,
1995 at 2:00pm. Data were recorded in 15 minute time periods. The
total recorded volume of traffic showed 4021 vehicles passed
through the location with a peak volume of 106 on Tuesday,July 18,
1995 at 1:00pm and a minimum volume of 0 on Tuesday,July 18, 1995
at 1:30am.
SPEED
Chart 1 lists the values of the speed bins and the total volume
for each bin.
Chart 1
Speed Bins (mph)
5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55 60 65 70 75
---I---I---I---I---I---I---I---I---I---I---I---I---I---I---I---
3 369 1449 253 10 0 0 0
77 906 894 43 2 0 0
Half of the vehicles were traveling at 22.7 mph or lower speed.
The average speed for all classified vehicles was 24.62 mph with
100.00 percent exceeding the posted speed of 0 mph. The HI-STAR
found 0.05 percent of the vehicles were traveling in excess of 45
mph. The mode speed for this traffic study was 25 mph and the 85th
percentile was 28.9 mph.
CLASS
Chart 2 lists the values of the 8 class bins and the total volume
for each bin.
Chart 2
Class Bins (feet)
<19 30 40 50 60 70 0 0>
------I------I------I------I------I=-----I------I------I---
3843 134 19 8 2 0 0 0
Most of the vehicles were passenger cars with a total count of
3843. This represents 95.93 percent of the classified vehicles.
The truck percentage is 4.07 percent of the classified vehicles.
HEADWAY
During the peak time period, on Tuesday,July 18, 1995 at 1:00pm
the average headway between the vehicles was 8.49 seconds. The
slow period occurred on Tuesday,July 18, 1995 at 1:30am and the
headway between the vehicles 0 seconds (No vehicles recorded) .
WEATHER
The roadway surface temperature over the period of the study
varied between 74 degrees Fahrenheit and 121 degrees Fahrenheit.
The HI-STAR analyzer determined that the roadway surface was DRY
100.00 percent of the time.
Tuesday,July 18, 1995
15:14 Page 1
NII-METRICS Traffic Analyzer Study
Computer Generated Summary Report
Route: chorro s/o mission
Location: chorro s/o mission
STUDY
A survey of vehicle traffic was conducted with HISTAR unit number
4279. The survey was done in the south lane on Chorro SIO Mission
in Slo, Ca in Slo county. The survey lasted for 24 hours and began
on Monday,July 17, 1995 at 2:00pm and ended on Tuesday,July 18,
1995 at 2:00pm. Data were recorded in 15 minute time periods. The
total recorded volume of traffic showed 4070 vehicles passed
through the location with a peak volume of 108 on Tuesday,July 18,
1995 at 7:45am and a minimum volume of 0 on Tuesday,July 18, 1995
at 1:30am.
SPEED
Chart 1 lists the values of the speed bins and the total volume
for each bin.
Chart 1
Speed Bins (mph)
5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55 60 65 70 75
---I---I---I---I---I---I---I---I---I---I---I-- I---I---1---I---
8 56 981 830 39 8 2 2
25 154 1758 177 16 1 0
-----------------------------------------------------------------
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Half of the vehicles were traveling at 27.8 mph or lower speed.
The average speed for all classified vehicles was 29.81 mph with
100.00 percent exceeding the posted speed of 0 mph. The HI-STAR
found 0.71 percent of the vehicles were traveling in excess of 45
mph. The mode speed for this traffic study was 30 mph and the 85th
percentile was 33.3 mph.
CLASS
Chart 2 lists the values of the 8 class bins and the total volume
for each bin.
Chart 2
Class Bins (feet)
<19 30 40 50 60 70 0 0>
------I------I------I------I------I------I------I------I---
3870 147 27 11 2 0 0 0
-----------------------------------------------------------------
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Most of the vehicles were passenger cars with a total count of
3870. This represents 95.39 percent of the classified vehicles.
The truck percentage is 4.61 percent of the classified vehicles.
HEADWAY
During the peak time period, on Tuesday,July 18, 1995 at 7:45am
the average headway between the vehicles was 8.33 seconds. The
slow period occurred on Tuesday,July 18, 1995 at 1:30am and the
headway between the vehicles 0 seconds (No vehicles recorded) .
WEATHER
The roadway surface temperature over the period of the study
varied between 70 degrees Fahrenheit and 121 degrees Fahrenheit.
The HI-STAR analyzer determined that the roadway surface was DRY
100.00 percent of the time.