HomeMy WebLinkAboutN.B. 4 CIP EMERG VEH 03-02-92AG Ek 11 G"x A�3
114
FEBRUARY 6, 1992
WILLIAM A. HUSTON, CITY MANAGER
PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT/ENGINEERING DIVISION
NEW BUSINESS '140. 4
3-2-92
STATUS REPORT ON THE CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECT TO INSTALL
EMERGENCY VEHICLE PRE-EMPTION AT CERTAIN TRAFFIC SIGNAL
LOCATIONS
RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the City Council at their meeting of March
2, 1992 remove the Emergency Vehicle Traffic Signal Pre-emption
System project for various congested intersections from the current
Capital Improvement Projects Program.
BACKGROUND
The installation of an Emergency Vehicle Traffic Signal Pre-emption
system had been planned for various congested intersections
adjacent to the existing freeways. It had been envisioned that the
traffic signals at the intersections of Irvine Boulevard at SR -55,
Red Hill Avenue at I-5, Newport Avenue at I-5, and Seventeenth
Street at SR -55 would experience severe traffic congestion caused
by the various freeway improvement construction projects and would
possibly interfere and disrupt emergency vehicle operations.
As it turned out, the City's Emergency Vehicle Traffic Signal Pre-
emption system project was delayed due to a study being conducted
by the Orange County Fire Department and the Environmental
Management Agency. The study ultimately recommended the use of the
strobe light system.
Fortunately, the delay gave the City time to experience the traffic
impacts of the various freeway projects. This experience has shown
that the resulting traffic congestion from the freeway improvement
projects has not impacted the City's streets as severely as once
anticipated, though there has been numerous instances of very
congested thoroughfares. Evidently some of the detoured traffic
has found alternative routes to avoid the construction zones.
During this period emergency vehicles have been able to negotiate
through the areas adjacent to the freeway construction. It is felt
that with the opening of the Tustin Ranch Road interchange over
I-5, the completion of the Jamboree Road interchange at I-5 and the
opening of Red Hill Avenue to at least 4 through lanes at I-5, that
emergency vehicle access across the freeway should not be
inhibited.
At present, the City's computerized traffic signal coordination
- system on major arterial streets is providing good traffic flow.
However, when a pre-emption ability is added to a coordinated
traffic signal system, interruption to the system by a pre-emption
call causes the traffic flow to become unstable for some period of
time before it can recover. Also, when more than one emergency
vehicle arrives at an intersection simultaneously, each equipped
with pre-emption devices, the potential for an accident greatly
increases.
At this time, City staff believes that the Emergency Vehicle
Traffic Signal Pre-emption system is not necessary for the welfare
of the City. Recent studies by other County Muncipal agencies have
also revealed a strong concern with the potential adverse impacts
to computerized traffic signal systems operations when emergency
pre-emption devices are installed. Emergency vehicles presently
have experienced adequate response times and the traffic signal
coordination system is of optimal value to the public.
CONCLUSION
The Police and Fire Departments have been able to answer calls with
a minimum of delay since the freeway improvement construction
began. Based on actual experience, the Emergency Vehicle Traffic
Signal Pre-emption system for various congested intersections at
traffic signal locations adjacent to the freeways is not necessary.
Therefore, the remaining $169,400.00 should be removed from the
current CIP budget and should be directed to other needed projects.
Robert S. Ledendecker
Director of Public Works/
City Engineer
RSL:kIb:PRE-EMPT
IjWr-14 IW4�� I
Chuck Mackey
Consulting Tra��; neer