HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda Bill 5B 12/07/2009i
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CITY OF PETALUMA~ CALIFORNIA ~.
AGENDA I-LI, ®ecernber 7, 2009
A~erida Title: Discussion and Adoption of Resolution Approving Multi- Meeting Date: Dec. 7, 2009
Way :Stop Sign Warrants For Streets Within The City of Petaluma.
iVleetin~ Time: 7:00 PM
Category: ^ Presentation ^ Appointments ^ Consent ^ Public Hearing ^ Unfinished Business ~ New Business
Department: Drecto Contact Person: Phone Number:
Public Works Vincen M e o Curt Bates 778-4311
Total Cost of Proposal'or Proiect: Name of Fund: N/A
Public Works staff time to research the revisions and
prepare the agenda bill package. Account Number: N/A
Amount Budgeted: General Fund -Salary Current Fund Balance: N/A
Recommendation: It is recommended that the City Council take the following action:
Adopt a resolution approving multi-way stop sign warrants for streets within the City of Petaluma.
1. ^ First reading of Ordinance approved unanimously, or with unanimous vote to allow posting prior to second reading
2. ^ First reading of Ordinance approved without unanimous vote: Ordinance has been published/posted prior to second reading; see
Attachment
3. ^ Other action requiring special notice: Notice has been given, see Attachment
Summary Statement:.
Currently, in determining whether or not to install multi-way stop signs at an intersection, the. Public Works
Department, Traffic Division, utilizes multi=way stop sign. warrants. established by the State of California
Department of Transportation (Caltrans). These warrants set conditions. which are established with the intent of
safety and efficiency in moving higher volumes of traffic that are typical on state highways. Staff believes that
the Caltrans warrants may not be appropriate for the lower volume. ttaff c conditions which are prevalent. on most
City streets. The City receives many requests for the installation of multi=way stop sign controls at intersection of
City streets. The Public Works Department proposes the establishment of modified warrants for the installation
ofmtzlti-way stop signs on City streets to address these conditions.
Attachments to A~end'a Packet- Item:
1. Resolution.
Reviewed by:Finance Director: Reviewed by City Attorney: A rov Manager:
Date: ~-Q , Date: Date:
Rev.'.#1 Date Last Revised: File: S:\Traffic Division Folder\CC Agenda Reports\Stop Signs~Approve
1111'7/09 . (~ ~`~ All-Way Stop Sign Warrants.Doc
CITY OF PE`TAL>(JMA, CALIFORNIA
DECEMBER 7, 2009
AGENDA REPORT
FOR
.DISCUSSION AND ADOPTION OF RESOLUTION.APPROVING MULTI-WAY STOP SIGN
WARRANTS FOR STREETS WITHIN THE CITY OF PETALUMA
RECOMMENDATION:
Adopt a resolution .approving multi-way stop sign warrants for streets within the City of
Petaluma.
2. BACKGROUND:
The California Vehicle Code Section 21100(d) allows. local authorities to adopt rules and
regulations by ordinance or resolution to regulate traffic by means of official traffic control
devices. It is common that local agencies adopt jurisdiction-specific stop sign warrants.
Currently, in determining whether or not to install multi.-way stop signs at an intersection, the
Public Works Department, Traffic Division, utilizes multi-way stop sign warrants established
by the State of California Department of Transportation (Caltrans). These warrants set
conditions, such as minimum traffic volumes or collision histories, which must be met for the
intersection to qualify for those controls. These conditions were generally established with
the intent of safety and efficiency in moving. higher volumes of traffic that are typical on state
highways. Staff believes that the Caltrans warrants may not be appropriate for the lower
volume traffic conditions which are prevalent on most City streets. The City .receives many
requests for the installation of multi-way stop sign controls at intersections of City streets.
Traffic volumes and collision histories for these residential streets are typically insufficient to
meet the Caltrans warrants for the installation of multi=way stop signs.
Additional conditions,. not accounted for in the. Caltrans warrants, may indicate that the
installation of multi-way stop signs would enhance traffic safety and preserve the City street
environment. The Public Works Department proposes the establishment of modified warrants
for the installation of multi-way stop signs on City streets to address these conditions.
The Caltrans warrants state that multi-way stop. signs may be installed if any of the following
conditions are met:
1. Where traffic signals are warranted and urgently needed,. the multi-way stop may be an
interim. measure that can be installed quickly to control traffic while arrangements are
being made for the signal installations.
2. An accident problem, as indicated by five or more reported collisions within a 12-month
period of a type susceptible to correction by a multi-way stop installation.
3. Minimum. Traffic Volumes:
a) The total vehicular volume entering the intersection. from the major street approaches
must average at least 300 vehicles per hour for any eight hours of an average day.
b) The combined vehicular, pedestrian and bicycle volume entering the intersection
from the minor street approaches must average at least 200 units per hour for the
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5\:1'raffic Division Folder\CC Agenda Reports\Stop SienslApprove All-Way Stop Sign VUarrants.doc
same eight hours, with an average delay to minor .street vehicular traffic of at least 30
seconds per vehicle during the maximum hour.
c) When the 85th percentile approach speed exceeds 40 miles per hour, the minimum
vehicular volume warrant is 70 percent of the above requirements.
Typically, streets within the City of Petaluma do not carry traffic volumes which would
qualify for multi-way stop sign controls. Traffic collisions on City streets are also typically
well below those required to qualify for these, controls. For similar reasons, many cities have
adopted their own multi-way stop sign warrants to preserve the city street environment.
The proposed multi-way stop sign warrants will. allow for installation of multi-way stop signs
on City streets when one of the following conditions are met:
1. An accident problem, as indicated by three or more. reported collisions in any 12-month
period, or f ve or .more collisions in any 24-month period, of a type susceptible to
correction by a:multi-way stop installation.
2. Minimum Traffic Volumes:
a) The total vehicular volume entering the intersection from all approaches must
average at least 300 vehicles per hour for any four hours of an average day; and
b) The combined vehicular -and pedestrian volume from the minor street or highway
must average at least 100 vehicles per hour for'the same four hours:
c) When the intersection is contiguous to a public or private school, a center serving the
visually, mentally or physically impaired, or a recreation center or playground used
by children under 12=years old, the minimum volume warrant will be required for
only a single peak hour.
3. Sight Distance:
The uncorrectable stopping sight distance on the major street approach(es) for vehicles or
pedestrians crossing the roadway at the intersection is less than 160 feet.
4. Environmental Determination
The stop sign warrant policy is categorically exempt from the California Environmental
Quality Act pursuant~to Title 14, California Code-of Regulations, Section 15301, because
it represents a policy for the addition of safety devices in existing streets and does not
represent an expansion of use.
3. DISCUSSION:
Staff recommends that. City Council adopt the attached. resolution approving local multi-way
stop sign warrants for the City of Petaluma.
4. FINANCIAL IMPACTS:
There are. no direct fiscal impacts. However, the local stop sign warrants are expected to
reduce the City's future risk exposure.
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S:!"traffic Division Polder\CC Agenda ReportslStop SignslApprove All-Way Stop Sign ~~,'arrants.doc
ATTACHMENT 1
RESOLUTION
APPROVING 1VIULTI-WAY STOP SIGN WARRANTS FOR STREETS WITHIN THE CITY
OF PETALUMA
WHEREAS, the California. Vehicle Code Section 21100 (d) allows local authorities to adopt
rules and regulations by ordinance or resolution to regulate. traffic by means of official traffic control
devices; and
WHEREAS, currently, the City of Petaluma uses the stop sign warrants established by the State
of California Department of Transportation (CALTRANS); and
WHEREAS, Cal'trans stop sign warrants. are not appropriate for City streets; and
NOW, B'HEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED local multi-way stop sign warrants will allow for
installation of multi-way stop signs on City of Petaluma streets when one of the following conditions are
met:
1. An accident problem, as `indicated by three or more reported collisions in any 12-month
period, or five or more collisions in any 24-month period, of a type susceptible to correction
by a multi-way stop installation.
2. Minimum Traffic Volumes:
a) The total vehicular volume entering the intersection from all approaches must average at
least 300 vehicles per hour for any four hours of an average day; and
b) The combined vehicular and pedestrian volume from the minor street or highway must
average at least 100 vehicles per hour for the same four hours; or
c) When the intersection is contiguous to a public or private school, a center serving the
visually, mentally, or physically impaired,. or a recreation center or playground used by
children under 12-years old, the minimum volume warrant will be required for only a
single peak hour.
3. Sight Distance:
The uncorrectable stopping sight distance on the major street approach(es) for vehicles or
pedestrians crossing the roadway at the intersection is less than 160 feet.
4. Environmental Determination
The stop sign. warrant policy is categorically exempt from the California Environmental
Quality Act pursuant to Title 14, California Code of'Regulations, Section 15301, because it
represents. a policy for the addition of safety devices in existing streets and does not represent
an expansion of use.
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S:\Traffic llivision Folder\CC Agenda Reports\Stop Sigi~s\Appiove All-VVay Stop Sign Warrants.doc