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CC - Item 7F - Request for Traffic Access Improvements at 8930 Mission DriveROSEMEAD CITY COUNCIL STAFF REPORT TO: THE HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL FROM: JEFF ALLRED, CITY MANAGE DATE: APRIL 27, 2010 SUBJECT: REQUEST FOR TRAFFIC ACCESS IMPROVEMENTS AT 8930 MISSION DRIVE SUMMARY The Traffic Commission reviewed a request to review traffic conditions and make access improvements at 8930 Mission Drive. The Commission was concerned that left turn access to the development at this location impacts traffic flow and safety on Mission Drive. After visiting the site, staff recommended that a "Keep Clear" pavement marking be added in eastbound lanes directly in front of the driveway to 8930 Mission Drive. Based on these observations, the Traffic Commission approved the recommendation to make traffic access improvements. Staff Recommendation Staff recommends that the City recommendation and authorize staff tt pavement markings in eastbound lanes Drive. Council approve the Traffic Commission's take necessary steps to install "Keep Clear" directly in front of the driveway to 8930 Mission DISCUSSION City staff received a request from the Traffic Commission to review traffic conditions at 8930 Mission Drive, just west of Rosemead Boulevard. According to the Commission, residents have expressed concerns regarding traffic congestion at this location and at the intersection of Rosemead Boulevard and Mission Drive. The congestion in this area prevents ingress and egress from 8930 Mission Drive, and also creates traffic safety conerns. Mission Drive is approximately 58 feet wide just to the west of Rosemead Boulevard. The roadway provides for 2 travel lanes in each direction separated by a two-way left turn lane. Parking is prohibited on the north and south sides of Mission Drive to accommodate the two-way left turn lane. The posted speed limit is 40 mph. The intersection of Mission Drive and Rosemead Boulevard is signalized and is under the jurisdiction of Caltrans. The intersection provides left turn signal phases in all APPROVED FOR CITY COUNCIL AGENDA: ITEM NO. -IP City Council Meeting April 27, 2010 Page 2 of 3 directions. Yellow crosswalks are also located at this intersection. During field observations, staff observed vehicle traffic at 8930 Mission Drive and at the adjacent intersection of Mission Drive and Rosemead Boulevard. Staff observed heavy vehicle traffic during afternoon travel times. Specifically, there is heavy congestion due to the high volume of eastbound left turns at Rosemead Boulevard. This traffic volume results in a queue on Mission Drive that stretches back to Ivar Avenue at times. Two options were discussed by the Traffic Commission that could take time to pursue. These include the following: • Dual Left Turn Lane at Mission Drive/Rosemead Boulevard The addition of a dual left turn lane at this location could help shorten existing queue lengths and accommodate high vehicle volume for left hand turns onto Rosemead Boulevard. This possible alternative is thought to be a long-term solution due to the need to acquire right-of-way to facilitate additional traffic lanes. The addition of a protective/permissive signal operation could help accommodate high vehicle volume for left hand turns onto Rosemead Boulevard. This type of signal helps to reduce congestion at protected left turn signal phases. These signals display a protected left turn (green arrow, yellow arrow), and then a permissive left turn (solid green), allowing vehicles to yield to oncoming traffic. The permissive phase helps to push more vehicles through left turns and reduce wait times. Guidelines for protective/permissive left-turn signals are currently being developed by the Traffic Commission. It is a goal to start a pilot program for this signal phasing in next year's capital improvement budget. The Traffic Commission also discussed the installation of a "Keep Clear" pavement marking as an interim improvement. This would involve the installation of a limit lines in the eastbound lanes of Mission Drive at the westerly driveway of 8930 Mission Drive. These markings will help provide a gap to allow left turn access for vehicles entering and exiting the property. The Traffic Commission concurred with this recommendation but also asked that improved signal timing and longer-term alternatives continue to be pursued. If approved staff will proceed with the following street marking improvement: • The installation of a "Keep Clear" pavement marking in eastbound traffic lanes, directly in front of the driveway at 8930 Mission Drive (Attachment 1) City Council Meeting April 27, 2010 Page 3 of 3 FINANCIAL REVIEW Funding for this work is included in the Fiscal Year 2008-09 budget. Submitted by: Chris Marcarello Deputy Public Works Director Attachment 1: Neighborhood Overview Attachment 2: Traffic Commission Agenda Report and Minutes, March 2010 Page I of 1 100 it ,r N CityGIS Copyright 02006 All Rights Reserved. The Information contained herein is the proprietary property of the cortributor supplied under license and may not be approved ezrept as licensed by Digital Map Products. EXvjib,+ Q hitp://maps.digitalmapcentral.com/production/CityGIS/vO7_O1_O62/index.h(ml 2/24/2010 ROSEMEAD TRAFFIC COMMISSION STAFF REPORT TO: TRAFFIC COMMISSION FROM: JOANNE ITAGAKI, TRAFFIC ADVISOR DATE: MARCH 4, 2010 SUBJECT: ACCESS TO 8930 MISSION DRIVE WEST OF ROSEMEAD BOULEVARD SUMMARY The Traffic Commission has asked staff to review the traffic conditions as they relate to the access of 8930 Mission Drive. The Commission was concerned that left turn access impacts traffic flow and safety on Mission Drive. In addition, the Traffic Commission was concerned for the eastbound left turn pocket on Mission Drive at Rosemead Boulevard. The Commission indicated vehicles waiting in this lane often block through traffic. The Commission suggested extending the left turn pocket and possibly installing protected/permission left turn phasing at this intersection. Staff Recommendation It is staff's recommendation that the Traffic Commission recommends to the City Council the installation of "KEEP CLEAR" pavement markings with limit lines in the eastbound lanes of Mission Drive a the westerly driveway of 8930 Mission Drive. ANALYSIS Mission Drive is approximately 58-feet wide roadway west of Rosemead Boulevard. There are 2 lanes of traffic in each direction separated by a two-way left turn lane. Parking is prohibited on the north and south sides of Mission Drive to accommodate the two-way left turn lane. The posted speed limit on Mission Drive is 40 mph. The intersection of Mission Drive and Rosemead Boulevard is signalized. The intersection and signal timing is under the jurisdiction of Caltrans. The intersection provides left turn signal phases (left arrows) in all directions. Yellow crosswalks exist on all legs of the Mission Drive and Rosemead Boulevard. The development at 8930 Mission Drive has 2 driveway access points on Mission Drive. The westerly driveway is a °full access" driveway allowing left and right turns in and out Traffic Commission Meeting March 4, 2010 Page 2 of 3 of the site. The easterly driveway is a "restricted access" driveway allowing only right turns out of the site. Exhibit A provides an aerial view of the subject location. Discussion Field observations of the location identified heavy congestion during the PM peak hour. Much of this congestion was a result of the heavy volume of eastbound left turn traffic on Mission Drive queuing back (westerly) in the two-way left tum lane. This queue of vehicles often blocked the westerly access to 8930 Mission Drive. During our observations, we did not notice a high number of vehicles exiting the site. However, there were vehicles attempting to turn left into the site. Some of these left turn vehicles were waiting in the westbound number one lane because the two-way left turn lane was filled with eastbound left turn vehicles. The left turn vehicles turning into the site were able to access the site. After the eastbound left turn vehicles got the green arrow, the left turners into the site got in the two-way left turn lane. Then, after the eastbound through vehicles got the green, there was a gap in traffic in which they could enter the site. The Commission thought that the implementation of a protected/permissive signal operation at Mission Drive/Rosemead Boulevard might help the queuing situation. However, based on our field observations, a protected/permissive operation would not be a significant benefit during this PM peak hour. The volume of westbound traffic on Mission Drive does not provide enough gaps during the "permissive" cycle to allow many, if any, eastbound left turns to be made. A protected/permissive phase during non-peak hours may be beneficial. A detailed traffic study should be conducted of this intersection and surrounding signalized intersections to determine if protected/permissive is feasible along with synchronization on Mission Drive. Ultimately, the congestion in this vicinity of Mission Drive is a result of the volume of eastbound left turns at Rosemead Boulevard. The high volume of eastbound left turns from Mission Drive onto Rosemead Boulevard results in a queue on Mission Drive that stretches to Ivar Avenue. To address this high volume and reduce the queue length, the likely solution would be to provide a dual left turn lane on Mission Drive at Rosemead Boulevard. This would shorten the queue length and accommodate the left turn volume. However, this is a long term solution that cannot be accommodated without the acquisition of right-of-way and should be addressed in the future. In the interim, the installation of "KEEP CLEAR" pavement markings with limit lines in the eastbound lanes of Mission Drive a the westerly driveway of 8930 Mission Drive is recommended. These markings will provide a gap to allow left turn access (in and out) of the site. As an option, the Traffic Commission could also recommend the installation of a "DO NOT BLOCK DRIVEWAY" sign (modified R10-7 sign) for further emphasis. Traffic Commission Meeting March 4, 2010 Page 3of3 Staff Recommendation It is staff's recommendation that the Traffic Commission recommends to the City Council the installation of "KEEP CLEAR" pavement markings with limit lines in the eastbound lanes of Mission Drive a the westerly driveway of 8930 Mission Drive (see Exhibit A). Submitted by: 4&q t,,.aP 5% Joanne Itagaki Traffic Advisor Chris Marcarello Deputy Public Works Director Attachment 0 Exhibit A - Aerial of Mission Drive west of Rosemead Boulevard Q: 07470-Rsd 2008-10 TE on-calflTratfic Commission Agendas1201013 March%930 Mission - Driveway Acoess.doc Pagc 1 of 1 ioofl N CityGIS - Copyright O 2006 All Rights Reserved. The information contained herein is the progietary property of the contributor supplied under license and may not be approved except as licensed by Digital Map Products. littp://tiiaps.digitalmapcentral.conVproduction/CityGIS/%-07_01_062/index.litnil 2/24/2010 Minutes of the Regular ROSEMEAD TRAFFIC COMMISSION MEETING'- ' March 4, 2010 The Regular meeting of the Rosemead Traffic Commission was called to order by Chairman _ Masuda at 7:04 p.m. in-the Council Chambers, 8838 E. Valley Boulevard, Rosemead, California. FLAG SALUTE: Commissioner Hall INVOCATION: Commissioner Lewin PRESENT: Chairman Masuda, Vice Chairwoman Russell, Commissioner Deary, Commissioner Lewin, Commissioner Hall ABSENT: None STAFF PRESENT: Deputy Public Works Director Marcarello, Civil Engineer Fajardo, Traffic Consultant Itagaki, and Administrative Assistant Llamas 1. PUBLIC COMMENTS FROM THE AUDIENCE None 2. CONSENT CALENDAR A. The February 4, 2010 minutes were removed from the Consent Calendar for minor corrections. Commissioner Lewin made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Hall to approve the minutes of the February 4, 2010 Traffic Commission Meeting and included the minor corrections. Votes resulted in: Yes: Lewin, Hall, Russell, Masuda, Deary No: None Abstain: None Absent: None B. The request to review the Traffic Signal at Valley Blvd, Rio Hondo Ave., and Mission Dr., was removed from the Consent Calendar for clarifications. After discussing minor clarifications, the Traffic Commission received and filed the report. 3. OLD BUSINESS A. NEIGHBORHOOD TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT PROGRAM - TOOLBOX AND CRITERIA OF TRAFFIC CALMING MEASURES: DRAFT 3 Rosemead Traffic Commission Meeting Minutes of March 4, 2010 Page 1 of 4 Staff presented-the Traffic Commission with a briefing on what has-been done to improve the Neighborbood Traffic Management Program, In addition, staff gave samples on what steps need to be taken in order to make a request for street safety improvements. Commissioner Deary asked what the possibilities would be in moving raised "center medians and chokers at intersections to level 3 criteria and speed bumps into level 2 criteria. Staff informed the Commissioners that they can be changed anytime with the discretion of the Traffic Commission and with the approval of the City Council. Commissioner Lewin asked for clarification on the requirements needed to installing speed humps or speed tables at a certain location. Staff informed the Commissioners that the requirements explained to them are just recommendations and there can be other considerations or different criteria's for different locations depending on what and where it's being requested. B. ACCESS TO 8930 MISSION DRIVE WEST-OF ROSEEMAD BOULEVARD Staff presented the Traffic Commissioners suggestions and recommendations on what can be done to help elevate traffic conditions along Mission Drive. Commissioner Hall asked to see some of the samples recommended by staff tested before making a final decision on what to make permanent. Commissioner Lewin agreed with lengthening the left turn lanes along Mission Drive. Staff informed the Commissioners that they will work on improving the timing for intersection lights on Mission Drive and Rosemead Blvd. Commissioner Hall made a motion, seconded by Vice Chairwoman Russell to approve staffs recommendation to recommend to the City Council the installation of "KEEP CLEAR" pavement markings with limit lines in the eastbound lanes.of Mission Drive at the westerly driveway of 8930 Mission Drive. Votes resulted in: Yes: Hall, Russell, Masuda, Deary, Lewin No: None Abstain: None Absent: None- 4. NEW BUSINESS A. REQUEST TO ADD STOP CONTROL AT RAMONA BOULEVARD AND HART AVENUE Staff presented the Commission a briefing on what they are currently working on to improve safety concerns at Ramona Blvd and Hart Avenue. Rosemead Traffic Commission Meeting Minutes of March 4, 2010 Page 2 of 4 Commissioner Hall visited the location and stated that within a half hour there were two (2) close encounters. Mrs. Hall suggested that a stop sign be placed on Hart Ave. Chairman Masuda also visited the location and witnessed careless drivers who did not pay attention to all directions of traffic before proceeding. Commissioner Lewin also visited the location and recommended installing bolts dots between Ramona Blvd and Hart Ave. to keep cars from entering the opposing traffic lanes. B. BICYCLE TRAFFIC ON CITY SIDEWALKS Staff presented the Traffic Commission with a briefing on the item.and also informed them that they have been researching with other cities for ideas. Commissioner Hall stated she was concerned because bicycle riders that ride on sidewalks do not obey traffic rules. She added that she is concerned for the safety of the bicycle riders and the motorist. Vice Chairwoman Russell suggested promoting bicycle safety week or month by sending handouts to schools, putting information on the cities resource book, or handing out information at special city events with rules to obey. Chairman Masuda suggested creating a map with a bike route with some alternatives streets that can be safer for bicyclist to use. Commissioner Lewin would like staff to research with other cities to see how they promote bicycle safety. Commissioner Deary suggested that staff should get a bike sp-2cialist to come out to speak to them and get their input on what would be the best thing to do and iroprove bicycle safety on city streets. 5. STAFF REPORTS Staff provided the Traffic Commissioners with the monthly upjates, improvements currently being worked on throughout the City, and agenda items for next month's Commission meeting. . 6. COMMISSIONER REPORTS Commissioner Hall praised Public Service Director Bill Ornel2s and Jimmy Limon for addressing traffic concerns in a promptly matter. Vice Chairwoman Russell informed staff that the bolts dots installed near Walgreens are not effective. She also suggested having a safety month for bicycle riders. Commissioner Lewin informed staff that on WB of Ramona Blvd. near Burton Ave., he noticed a tree planted near the stop sign and as it gets, bigger it will block the sign. He suggested relocating the tree to improve visibility issues. Commissioner Lewin also complemented staff for installing the deiineators on Rosemead Place. He also informed staff that he noticed that there was not a "No Rosemead Traffic Commission Meeting Minutes of March 4, 2010 Page 3 of 4 Left Turn" sign installed on the east exit driveway of the Rosemead pool. He would like to have the Mission Drive and Rosemead.Blvd intersection on 'die next meeting. Chairman Masuda gave staff his input on the Valley Blvd sign on Walnut Grove. 7. ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at 8:53 p.m. The next Traffic Commission meeting is scheduled for April 1, 2010 at 7:00p.m. and will take place at the Rosemead City Hall, City Council Chambers, 8838 East Valley Boulevard. Howard Masuda Chairman ATTEST: Chris Marcarello, Deputy Public Works Director Rosemead Traffic Commission Meeting Minutes of March 4, 2010 Page 4 of 4