TC - 11-05-98 2AGENDA
ROSEMEAD TRAFFIC COMMISSION
8838 E. Valley Blvd.
Rosemead, CA 91770
Regular Meeting
November 5, 1998
CALL TO ORDER
Roll Call:
Pledge of Allegiance:
7:00 p.m.
Chairman Tiff e, Vice-Chairperson Knapp,
Commissioners Ruiz, Quintanilla, & Baffo
Commissioner Baffo
Invocation: Commissioner Ruiz
I. APPROVAL OF MINUTES - October 1, 1998
H. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE AUDIENCE - This is the time reserved
for members of the audience to address the Commission on items not listed on the agenda
(Maximum time per speaker is three (3) minutes; total time allocated is fifteen (15)
minutes.)
III. OLD BUSINESS - None
IV. NEW BUSINESS
A. REQUEST FOR YELLOW CROSSWALK AT SAN GABRIEL BOULEVARD
AND GRAVES AVENUE
B. REQUEST FOR ADDITIONAL TRAFFIC CONTROLS ON MISSION DRIVE
IN FRONT OF ROSEMEAD HIGH SCHOOL
V. STAFF REPORTS
VI. COMMISSIONER REPORTS
VII. ADJOURNMENT -Thursday, December 3,1998,7:00 p.m., Rosemead City Council
Chambers, 8838 E. Valley Blvd., Rosemead, CA 91770
TO: HONORABLE CHAIRMAN
AND MEMBERS
ROSEMEAD TRAFFIC COMMISSION
FROM: JOANNE ITAGAKI, DEPUTY TRAFFIC ENGINEER
DATE: 'OCTOBER 26, 1998
RE: REQUEST FOR YELLOW CROSSWALK AT SAN GABRIEL
BOULEVARD AND GRAVES AVENUE
REQUEST
Commissioner Knapp requested staff review the crosswalk at San Gabriel
Boulevard and Graves Avenue. Commissioner Knapp indicated the crosswalks
are faded white. She also requested staff investigate the possibility of painting
the crosswalk yellow at this intersection.
CONDITIONS
Figure 1 depicts conditions surrounding Rice Elementary School. This includes
the yellow school crosswalks, pavement markings and traffic signs.
DISCUSSION
Staff reviewed the Caltrans standards, attached, for the installation of yellow
school crosswalks. The standards are based on the provisions of the California
Vehicle Code (CVC) Section 21368. The CVC states that a yellow crosswalk
may be installed if "the nearest point of the crosswalk is not more than 2,800 feet
from a school building or the grounds thereof, there are no intervening
crosswalks other than those contiguous to the school grounds..." This is
applicable to the intersection of San Gabriel Boulevard and Graves Avenue.
Therefore, yellow school crosswalks are recommended at the intersection.
During field review of the intersection of San Gabriel Boulevard and Graves
Avenue, staff also reviewed the traffic controls surrounding Rice Elementary
School. The field observations revealed missing and inappropriate traffic control
signs.
RECOMMENDATIONS
Based on the Caltrans standards and the existing school crosswalks, the
installation of yellow school crosswalks at the intersection of San Gabriel
Boulevard and Graves Avenue is recommended. All four legs of the intersection
shall be painted with yellow school crosswalks.
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Traffic Manual SCHOOL AREA PEDESTRIAN SAFETY 10-11
&1996
(
Markings 10-04
10-04.1 Functions and Limitations of Markings
Markings have definite and important functions
to perform in a proper scheme of school area
traffic control. In some cases they are used to
supplement the regulations or warnings of other
devices such as traffic signs. In other cases they
serve, soley on their own merits, as a very effective
means of conveying certain regulations and
information to the driver without diverting the
drivels attention from the roadway.
10-04.2 Uniformity
Each standard school area marking shall be
used only to convey the meaning prescribed for it
in this chapter.
10-04.3 Crosswalk. Lines
in accordance with the provisions of CVC
21368:
. "Whenevera marked pedestrian crosswalk has
been established in a roadway contiguous to a
school building or the grounds thereof, it shall be
painted or marked in yellow as shall be all the
marked pedestrian crosswalks at an intersection
in case any one of the crosswalks is required to be
marked in yellow. Other established marked
pedestrian crosswalks may be painted or marked
in yellow if either (a) the nearest point of the
crosswalk is not more than 600 feet from a school
building or the grounds thereof, or (b) the nearest
point of the crosswalk is not more than 2,800 feet
from a school building or the grounds thereof,
there are no intervening crosswalks other than
those contiguous to the school grounds, and it
appears that the facts and circumstances require
special painting or marking of the crosswalks for
the protection and safety of persons attending the
school..."
Crosswalk lines are solid lines marking both
edges of the crosswalk. The crosswalk line shall
not be less than 300 rrtm in width and shall not be
spaced less than 1.8 m apart. Where no advance
limit line is provided or where vehicular speeds
exceed 35 mph (56 km/h) or where crosswalks are
unexpected, it may be desirable to increase the
width of the crosswalk line up to 600 mm.
Crosswalk lines on both sides of the crosswalk
should extend across the full width of pavement to
discourage diagonal walking between crosswalks.
Crosswalks should be marked at all intersections
on the "Suggested Route to School" where students
are permitted to cross between intersections, or
where students could not otherwise recognize the
proper place to cross.
For added emphasis, the area of the crosswalk
may be marked with diagonal lines at a 45 degree
angle or with longitudinal lines at a 90 degree
angle to the line of the crosswalk. These lines
should be 300 mm to 600 mm wide and spaced 300
mm to 600 mm apart. When diagonal or
longitudinal lines are used to mark a crosswalk,
the transverse crosswalk lines may be omitted.
10-04.4 Limit Lines (Stop Lines)
Limit lines are solid white lines (CVC 377),
normally 300 mm to 600 mm wide, extending
across all approach lanes. They indicate the point
at which vehicles are required to stop in compliance
with a stop sign, traffic signal, officer's direction,
or other legal requirement. The limit line should
be placed 1.2 m in advance of and parallel to the
nearest crosswalk line, but may be placed farther
in advance where School Safety Patrols or Adult
Crossing Guards are used.
TO: HONORABLE CHAIRMAN
AND MEMBERS
ROSEMEAD TRAFFIC COMMISSION
FROM: JOANNE ITAGAKI, DEPUTY TRAFFIC ENGINEER
DATE: OCTOBER 27, 1998
RE: REQUEST FOR ADDITIONAL TRAFFIC CONTROLS ON
MISSION DRIVE IN FRONT OF ROSEMEAD HIGH SCHOOL
REQUEST
Commissioner Ruiz requested staff to review the traffic patterns on Mission Drive
in front of Rosemead High School. Commissioner Ruiz indicated that vehicles
dropping off students often make U-turns from the north curb line of Mission Drive
to head.back in an easterly direction. Commissioner Ruiz stated, in general, the
traffic movements during the drop off time are unsafe.
Staff has also spoke with Ms. Geneva Pruitt on the telephone. Ms. Pruitt is
requesting the Commission consider the installation of a crosswalk near the
entrance to Rosemead High School to accommodate students dropped off on the
south side of Mission drive.
CONDITIONS
Mission Drive is a 62-foot east/west roadway with a posted speed limit of 40 mph
except in the vicinity of Rosemead High School which is posted 25 mph when
children are present. There are two lanes of travel in each direction separated by
a double yellow centerline.
Mission Drive, between Rosemead Boulevard and Loma Avenue, is fronted by
residential uses on the south curb line and the High School on the north curb line.
Parking is allowed on the south curb line in front of the residences. Along the
north curb line, a drop off/pick up area is located in front of the school.
Otherwise, parking is not allowed on the north curb line.
Figure 1 depicts conditions on Mission Drive between Rosemead Boulevard and
Loma Avenue.
Page 2
Request for Additional Traffic Controls on
Mission Drive in Front of Rosemead High School
DATA
The reported accident history on Mission Drive between Rosemead Boulevard
and Loma Avenue was reviewed. The reported accident history from January 1,
1995 through March 31, 1998 revealed thirteen (13) accidents occurring between
Monday and Friday between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. The following
summarizes these accidents:
Location and Description Date
1. 210 'w/o Loma - Eastbound vehicle 01/06/97
making an unsafe turn sideswiped
an eastbound vehicle proceeding
straight (Improper Turn).
2. 531' w/o Newby -Northbound vehicle 03/19/97
entering traffic collided with a parked
vehicle (Starting/Backing)..
3. 200' w/o Newby - Northbound vehicle 02/13/97
backing broadsided eastbound stopped
vehicle (Starting/Backing).
420' w/o Newby - Eastbound vehicle 02/26/97
proceeding straight broadsided an
eastbound vehicle proceeding straight
(Improper Turn, Inattention).
Time
7:55 a.m.
7:45 a. m.
7:23 a.m.
2:00 p.m.
5.. 505' e/o Rosemead - Westbound 01/14/97 2:25 p.m.
vehicle making a U-turn broadsided
a westbound vehicle proceeding
straight (Improper Turn).
6..400' e/o Rt. 19 - Southbound 02/24/97 12:30 p.m.
pedestrian collided with an eastbound
vehicle proceeding straight (Pedestrian
Violation).
200' w/o Loma - Eastbound vehicle 09/25/96 3:10 p.m.
proceeding straight rearended an
eastbound vehicle slowing (Too Close).
8. 417' e/o Rosemead - Eastbound vehicle 05/29/96 2:45 p.m.
slowing rearended an eastbound
vehicle stopped (Too Close).
Page 3
Request for Additional Traffic Controls on
Mission Drive in Front of. Rosemead High School
9. 50' w/o Newby - Westbound vehicle 04/06/95 8:10 a.m.
proceeding straight rearended a
northbound vehicle turning right
(None Stated).
10.466' elo Rosemead - Westbound 12/13/95 1:45 p.m.
vehicle parking sideswiped a westbound
vehicle proceeding straight (Improper
Turn).
11.300' e/o Rt. 19 - Westbound vehicle 06/06/95 8:00 a.m.
proceeding straight rearended a
westbound stopped vehicle (Unsafe
speed).
12.328' e/o Rt. 19 - Westbound vehicle 04/03/95 7:42 a.m.
making a U-turn broadsided a westbound
vehicle proceeding straight (Improper
Turn).
13.676' e/o Rt. 19 - Westbound vehicle 09/29/95 7:40 a.m.
parking sideswiped a parked vehicle
(None Stated).
DISCUSSION
Staff did field review the High School's drop off pattern during the summer
session. Though not a regular session,. Commissioner Ruiz indicated the traffic
pattems are unchanged..
During this review, several vehicles were observed making. U-turns from the north
curb line. In addition, several vehicles would turn left into the church parking lot
on the south side of Mission Drive then turn right upon exiting. The remaining
vehicles would continue west on Mission Drive.
As is typical at all schools, the drop off/pick up period is relatively short, ranging
for 20 - 30 minutes before and after school. The remainder of the day, there is
little or no congestion in front of the school. Sheriffs enforcement has occurred
and resulted in various citations for pedestrian and vehicular violations.
The reported accident history does show a series of accidents occurring in the
vicinity of the high school. However, it is difficult to determine which of these
accidents were specifically related to high school drop off and pick up patterns.
Page 4
Request for Additional Traffic Controls on.
Mission Drive in Front of Rosemead Nigh School
The installation of a mid-block crosswalk on Mission Drive, or any other street, is
not recommended. Mid-block crosswalks without traffic controls are a high
accident potential. Studies have shown that marked crosswalks at locations
without signals or stop signs to control traffic have an increased accident
potential. It has been the City's policy to remove any uncontrolled mid-block
crosswalks as resurfacing projects progress.
Students that are dropped off or picked up on the south side of Mission Drive
should be directed to the controlled crosswalk at Rosemead Boulevard
(signalized). This location provides the best control for both pedestrians and
vehicles.
Staff does not recommend any specific changes be made to the traffic controls on
Mission Drive in front of Rosemead High School. The congestion time is very
limited and continued enforcement of existing vehicle code violations during drop
off and pick up periods will remind motorists and pedestrians of the concern for
safety especially in the vicinity of a school.
Staff has prepared several alternatives that the Traffic Commission may wish to
consider.
1. Installation of flexible delineators or large botts dots on the double yellow
centerline of Mission Drive. This will reduce the number of vehicles
making U-turns and/or left-turns across opposing lanes of traffic. .
2. Installation of a raised center median. This would eliminate U-turns and
left-turns across opposing lanes of traffic. This would require the removal
of parking along at least one side of Mission Drive.
3. Installation of a two-way left-turn lane. This would provide a turning lane
for U-turns and left-turns out of the through travel lanes. This would
require the removal of parking on both sides of Mission Drive.
4. Send letter to students and parents through the High School to encourage
a "circular" pattern around the school (Mission Drive-Rosemead
Boulevard-Lower Azusa Road-Encinita Avenue) to reduce the U-tums from
the north curb line.
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends no changes be made to the existing traffic controls on Mission
Drive in front of Rosemead High School at this time. The continued enforcement
by the Sheriffs Department of existing, code violations is recommended.
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