Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutRPT 4 ON-ST PARKING 09-06-88TO: FROM: WILLIAM HUSTON, CITY MANAGER PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT/ENGINEERING ~IVISION SUBJECT: ON-STREET PARKING ON FIRST STREET RECOMMENDATION: Confirmation from the City Council that the southerly side of First Street westerly of Centennial Way was the desired location for additional on-street parking. In the event this location is confirmed, then Staff would recommend the City Council receive and file the report. BACKGROUND: At a previous City Council meeting, the City Council requested staff to investigate the feasibility of providing additional on-street parking along the southerly side of First Street, westerly of Centennial Way. The attached report as prepared by the City's Consultant Traffic Engineer summarizes the findings of the review. The Traffic Engineer's review raised the question as to whether Staff had recorded the proper location where the additional on-street parking was requested. A confirmation of this location is requested from the City Council. Bob Led~ndecker Director of Public Works/City Engineer BL:mv Mr. Bob Ledendecker August 24, 1988 Page Two In spite of the above, it is important to note that with the exception of the freeway on-ramp and the new metering sys- tem, the subject location along 17th Street provides good service to existing traffic. Moreover, it should be recog- nized that there are over 41.000 vehicles per day in the vicinity of the subject location. Therefore, from a com- parison of those high volumes to only 4 accidents in 1987 and 7 accidents in 1988 (to August), it is our conclusion that significant changes to existing conditions should no% be implemented. While we can do little to control the be- havior of a driver and his decision to disregard a red sig- nal indication (mentioned in your memo), the decision not to make further improvements includes any changes that would attempt to control illegal left turns into Mimi's driveway. To verify our conclusion, we reviewed all signs, striping, pavement markings and signals between the freeway and Pros- pect. Although a few signs are recommended to enhance driver recognition of restrictive controls (those recommendations provided below), we find no significant deficiencies in the areas' existing operational control. Please note that this includes the signal which controls eastbound left turns into Mimi's from 17th Street. While we did consider moving a sig- nal to the median island (the signal mounted on the east side of the Mimi's driveway which governs eastbound left turns), this would create a non-standard situation causing more problems than it would solve (if any). Recommendations Our recommendations for the area are three-fold. The first concerns signing and signal "indication" improvements at the Mimi's driveway (the size of the signal's lenses), the second involves a more thorough review of the ramp problem, and the third includes the addition of "Do Not Block Inter- section" signs and pavement legends. At the Mimi's driveway, the controls which restrict outbound left turns will be enhanced with signing that is easier to recognize by the drivers (i.e. large international "Right Turn Only" signs). To better define the control of eastbound left turns into Mimi's driveway, the 8" red signal indica- tion located on the east side of the driveway will be increased to 12 inches. Mr. Robert Ledendecker August 24, 1988 Page Three The problem at the northbound 55 ramp has not yet been fully defined. Although we already knowthat its affects are some- times detrimental to 17th Street traffic, we still need to work with Caltrans to develop a more permanent solution. We intend to determine the exact queue lengths during both the morning and the afternoon peak hours. With this information in hand, Caltrans can be presented with a definitive des- cription of the affect that their system has had on 17th Street. They can also be presented with a request to miti- gate the situation. We will have the evaluation completed within two weeks. If significant and re-occurring problems are indeed discovered, we will keep you informed as to our discussions with Caltrans. Please note that one interim improvement that will be imple- mented now involves the placement of westbound "Do Not Block Intersection" signs along with pavement legends reading the same as the signs (placed along 17th Street at the MimiCs driveway intersection). Since most drivers are aware of the new law restricting intersection blockages, we expect that the above combination will be successful in keeping the in- tersection open for left turns. ADDITIONAL PARKING ALONG FIRST STREE~ Your memorandum indicated the a City Council member requested staff to review the feasibility of providing more on-street parking on the south side of First Street west of Centennial Way. This would be done through the selective removal of existing red zones. Please note that from our review of the area, there are no red zones along this stretch of roadway that could be removed and used for curb parking. Aside from a very short red zone on the southwest corner of First and Centennial (barely 10 feet), a short red zone on either side of the post office driveway (recommended to remain), and a fairly long red zone in front of 200 First Street (the southeast corner of First and Prospect), all other curb areas are fully available for curb parking. Our conclusion is that no additional curb parking can be provided along this stretch of First Street. Could there be a possibility that the wrong location was described by the Council member?