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HomeMy WebLinkAboutOB 1 TRAFFIC CONCERNS 07-06-93AGENDA OLD.BUSINESS NO. 1 7-6-93 Inter-Com --.,-. _~_,~. - DATE' JULY 6, 1993 TO: FROM: WILLIAM A. HUSTON, CITY MANAGER PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT/ENGINEERING DIVISION SUBJECT: TRAFFIC CONCERNS AT THE INTERSECTION OF BRYAN AVENUE AND EPPING WAY RECOMMENDATION: It is recommended that the City Council direct staff to modify the traffic signing and street markings in the area of the subject intersection as recommended in the attached study entitled "Traffic Study For The Intersection Of Bryan Avenue And Epping Way". FISCAL IMPACT: The investigation and study for the noted project cost approximately $1,600.00. These funds were expended from the FY 92-93 Engineering Division budget for Engineering Consultant Services. It is estimated that the costs to modify the street markings and signing in the study area would be $800.00. Upon Council direction, these funds would be absorbed in the City Public Works Department's annual signing and striping budget for FY 93-94. BACKGROUND: At the May 3, 1993 City Council meeting, Mayor Pro Tem Saltarelli expressed concern regarding traffic movements at the intersection of Bryan Avenue and Epping Way. It was indicated that due to the proximity of the noted intersection with the intersection of Red Hill Avenue and Bryan Avenue, there exists the potential for vehicular turning movements . that could possibly effect traffic safety in the area. An exhibit showing the noted location is attached to this report. Engineering Division staff was directed by the City Council, at the May 3, 1993 meeting, to prepare a report investigating and addressing any traffic movement concerns at the noted location, and any feasible modifications to lessen these concerns. \ DISCUSSION: The Engineering Division has completed the traffic investigation of the subject location. A copy of the study is attached to this report. During the investigation, it was determined that the greatest potential for vehicular movement conflicts occur in the morning peak hour of 7:15 a.m. to 8:15 a.m. Observations indicated that the majority of vehicles entering and/or leaving the residential area north of the study area occurred during this time period. It was noted that there were numerous violations of the KEEP CLEAR area of th~ subject intersection. This area has been established to provide for a clear area directly adjacent to the noted intersection to' allow vehicles to enter and exit the residential area north of the subjec intersection. Violations of this KEEP CLEAR area occur when vehicle~ stack into this area, thereby impeding the movement of vehicles entering and exiting the residential area. The existing striping for the noted study area is shown in Figure 1 of the Traffic Study. It was also observed that left-turning .vehicles from westbound Bryan Avenue to southbound R~d Hill Avenue ~en~ to stack not only through the intersection, but into'the double-double yellow median area just east of the subject intersection. During the investigation, several alternatives were considered to improve the traffic operation of the study area. One alternative ~included making no changes other than increasing police enforcement in the area. The Traffic Study indicates that the intersection appears to operate at a basic, satisfactory level. While there are no demonstrated accident or major enforcement problems at the study intersection, at this time, some stop violations of the KEEP CLEAR area are occurring that partially impede traffic flow in this area. It is felt that these could be alleviated through increased police enforcement. The Traffic Study also considered the options of prohibiting and/or restricting all left-turns into and out of Epping Way from Bryan Avenue. The Study indicates that this would impose significant impacts on all of ~ the residents who live in 'the area north of the study area and who use Epping Way as an access. It is recommended by the Engineering Divisior and the Police Department that if the Council is considering this optic as a solution to traffic concerns in this area, that input from the affected community be solicited prior to direction to restrict or prohibit any left-turn movements at this intersection. CONCLUSION: There appears to be an opportunity to improve the efficiency of traffic operations at the noted intersection. The violations of the KEEP CLEAR area may be decreased by improving the traffic signing and street markings as Shown in Figure 2 of the Traffic Study. Implementation of these measures would provide for a storage area for vehicles stacking to .make left-turns onto Red Hill Avenue from Bryan Avenue, provide clear direction to the travelling public of the KEEP CLEAR area, and provide better visibility at the noted intersection. Upon direction from the Council, staff will implement the recommended modifications in the subject area. Robert S. Ledendecker Director of Public Works/ City Engineer Dougl~ R. Anderson Transportation Engineer RSL: DA:bryeppwy Al~ctuncnu TaA-~C STUDY FOR THE INTERSECTION OF BRYAN AVENUE AND EPPING WAY By CITY OF TUSTIN Engineering Division 15222 Del Amo Avenue Tustin, CA. 92680 (714)544-8890 June, 1993 SUBJECT: Study to identify potential traffic safety concerns at the intersection of Bryan Avenue and Epping Way and investigate feasible modifications to alleviate those concerns. RECOMA lZ NDED ACTION: It is recommended that the city implement the traffic signing and pavement marking improvements for the intersection of Bryan Avenue and Epping Avenue shown on Figure 2. These improvements include adding an additional KEEP CLEAR pavement legend, extending limit line pavement markings, and installing a DO NOT BLOCK INTERSECTION sign. STATEMENT. OF THE ISSUES OR PROBLEMS: The intersection of Bryan Avenue and Epping Way is closely-~ocated to the intersection of Red Hill Avenue and Bryan Avenue. Due to the proximity of these intersections, there is concern that there exists the potential for vehicular turning movements that could possibly impact traffic safety in the area. The purpose of this study is to identify any traffic conflicts, existing ~nd/or potential, in the area of the intersection of Bryan Avenue and £pping Way, and to propose any appropriate mitigation measures. INTRODUCTION AND BACKGROUND: The center of the intersection of Bryan Avenue and Epping Way is 205 feet from the center of the intersection of Red Hill Avenue and Bryan Avenue. Bryan Avenue west of Epping Way is striped with four through travel lanes (two in each direction), a left-turn lane for westbound traffic, and two bicycle lanes. Bryan Avenue east of Epping Way is striped the same except that a painted median replaces the left-turn lane. The painted median becomes a continuous left-turn lane one- h~ndred feet east of Epping way. Bryan Avenue is ~4 feet wide between Red Hill Avenue and Epping Way. The existing striping on Bryan Avenue at the intersection of Epping Way is shown on Figure 1. Epping Way intersects Bryan Avenue fro~ the north forming a "T" intersection. Traffic on Epping Way is controlled by a stop sign at the intersection. The portion of Epping Way north of Bryan Avenue is a cul- de-sac with twenty fronting homes. The intersection of Bryan Avenue and Epping way is the only access to these homes. At the May 3, 1993 City Council meeting, Mayor Pro Tem Saltarelli expressed concern regarding traffic movements at the study intersection. It was indicated that due to the closeness of the intersection of Red ~ill Avenue and Bryan Avenue with the study intersec%ion, there exists the potential for vehicular turning movements that could possibly affect traffic safety in the area. DISCUSSION AND ANAI,YSIS: The existing daily traffic volume on Epping Way is approximately 200 and on Bryan Avenue is 11,200. Red Hill Avenue in the vicinity of Bryan Avenue has approximately 19,500 daily trips. Traffic accident hi_story according _to E. ngineer ing Division logs indicates the following totals: Year 'Accident Total 1993 (through May) 0 1992 0 1991 1 1990 1 Accident Summary The 1991 accident ocCurred when an eastbound bicycle traveling in the bike lane on the north side of Bryan Avenue (fo~_westbound bicycle travel) was hit by a southbound vehicle that had stopped at the stop control on Epping Way and then had started up to turn right when there was a gap in westbound traffic. The 1990 accident occurred when a westbound vehicle stopped at the KEEP CLEAR limit line and was rear-ended by another westbound vehicle. Bryan Avenue has a posted speed limit of 40 MPH; the 85th percentile speed is 42.6 MPH; the pace speed range is 34 to 43 MPH. with 80.2 percent of the traffic in the pace speed range. KEEP CLEAR pavement markings and a R66 (Do Not Block Intersection) sign were installed October 25, 1989. A continuous left-turn lane (CLTL) was installed, evidently in late 1986 or early 1987, with the CLTL closed at the east intersection leg of the study intersection as shown on Figure 1, Existing Condition. The other travel and bike lanes were installed with the CLTL. The traffic operation of the study intersection was observed on May 12, 1993 from 7:20 A.M. to 8:30 A.M. During this time'period, 11 vehicles exited Epping Way with 3 vehicles turning left, '8 vehicles turning right, and 3 vehJ. cles entered Epping Way with all 3 vehicles turning . left to-enter. There were violations of the KEEP CLEAR area of the study intersection; however, only partial blockage of the intersection occurred. There were a total of nine stop violations and all involved vehicles stopping in the KEEP CLEAR area during the time when the queue caused by the traffic signal at the intersection of Red Hill Avenue and Bryan Avenue extended east of Epping Way. On some occasions these stops occurred when vehicles were turning into the study intersection. All turns were accomplished with ninimum delay and conflict by driving around the stopped vehicles. 'ive of the nine violations occurred where the vehicles were driving through the closed end of the CLTL and stopped in the study intersection to line up to enter the westbound left-turn lane The other stop violations occurred in order tc enter the westbound curb lane. The Tustin Police Department has commented on the study intersection. A memorandum has been provided by the Tustin Police Department regarding traffic concerns in the study area and is attached to this study. They have noted that the potential of vehicular turning movements that could possibly affect traffic safety has existed since the streets were built in such closed proximity. It is further noted by the Tustin Police '~epar~ment that "that potential has not manifested itself in either collisions.or enforcement problems." Comment. The study intersection appears to operate at a basic, satisfactory level. However, there appears to be an opportunity to increase the operational efficiency of the intersection. The stop violations of the KEEP CLEAR area lining up for the westbound left-turn lane may be decreased by improving the signing and pavement markings as shown on Figure 2. These improvements would legalize the vehicle movements through the closed end of the CLTL and mark that lane with KEEP CLEAR and extend the limit lines to include the left-turn la~. These markings would provide positive intent of usage to the drivers of vehicles for the left-turn lane. This improvement is recommended to be implemented. There are two other options available: The study intersection could have all left-turns into and out of Epping ~Way prohibited either all the time or during specific time periods. The prohibitions would eliminate many of the potential traffic movement conflicts. The prohibitions would impose significant restrictions on all the residents who live on the study portion of Epping Way. However, there is no historical evidence that such severe measures .are warranted. There are no demonstrated accident or enforcement problems at the study intersection, at this time. The Tustin Police Department specifically re, commended against turn prohibitions. The other option would be to propose no improvements to the study intersection. While there are no demonstrated accident or enforcement problems at the study intersection at this time, so~e stop violations of the KEEP CLEAR area are occurring that partially block the study intersection. This operational deficiency w~ll likely be improved by the recommended improvement. \ RECO NDATION: It is recommended that the si~ning and pavement marking improvements for the intersection of Bryan Avenue and Epping Avenue shown on Figure 2 be implemented. These improvements include adding an additional KEEP CLEAR pavement legend, extending limit line pavement markings, and installing a DO NOT BLOCK INTERSECTION sign. B RYANEPP. RPT %TE: MAY 26, 1993 ~OM: JBJECT: ROBERT S. LEDENDECKER, DIR. PUBLIC WORKS/CITY ENGINEER W. DOUGLAS FRANKS, CHIEF OF POLICE ~ BRYAN AVENUE/EPPING WAY MAY2 TUSTIN PUBLIC WORKS DE, F"', Mr. Saltarelli is correct, there is the potential of vehicular turning movements that could possibly effect traffic safety. That potential has existed since the streets were built in such close proximity. Historically, however, that potential h~ not manifested itself in either collisions or enforcement problems. We have no specific recommendation regarding this intersection. An obvious solution would be to prohibit left (E/B to N/B) and right (S/B to W/B) turns, but that would impose significant restrictions upon the residents of Epping way who are essentially the only regular users of that street. For that reason we would not recommend this solution. W. DOUGLAS FRANKS Chief of Police ~DF:dh