CC - Item 5D - Traffic Safety Enhancements at Muscatel Avenue and Mission DriveROSEMEAD CITY COUNCIL
STAFF REPORT
TO: THE HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
FROM: JEFF ALLRED, CITY MANAGER
DATE: JUNE 26, 2012
SUBJECT: TRAFFIC SAFETY ENHANCEMENTS AT MUSCATEL AVENUE AND
MISSION DRIVE
SUMMARY
The Traffic Commission recently reviewed a request to review traffic conditions in the
vicinity of Muscatel Avenue and Mission Drive. Nearby residents indicated that on-
street parking and vehicle turning movements create traffic safety concerns near this
intersection. After reviewing these concerns and visiting the location, it was observed
that existing conditions lead to vehicles "going around" other left - turning vehicles.
Further, on street parking at this location does create some visibility concerns for
residential properties north of the intersection. Based on these findings, it was
recommended that parking restrictions, signage and a dedicated left -turn lane be added
at this location. The Commission concurred with this recommendation.
Staff Recommendation
It is recommended that the City Council approve the Traffic Commission's
recommendation and authorize staff take necessary steps to install traffic
improvements, including the addition of parking restrictions, signage, and a dedicated
left -turn lane for northbound vehicles on Muscatel turning onto Mission Drive.
DISCUSSION
A request was received from residents in the vicinity of Muscatel Avenue and Mission
Drive to evaluate parking and traffic conditions. Residents maintain that on- street
parking on Muscatel Avenue (north of Mission Drive and adjacent to the 7 -11
convenience store) is heavily parked, sometimes causing visibility concerns for
residences north of 7 -11. Further, the current turning conditions create some vehicle
safety concerns in this area.
Muscatel Avenue is a north /south roadway approximately 40 feet wide with one lane of
traffic in each direction. Opposing lanes of traffic in the vicinity of Mission Drive are
generally separated by a double yellow centerline. Parking is generally allowed in this
area of Muscatel Avenue except for street sweeping restrictions. The posted speed
limit is 30 mph on Muscatel Avenue.
ujzm 5
City Council Meeting
June 26, 2012
Pace 2 of 3
Mission Drive is generally an east/west roadway approximately 64 feet wide with two
lanes of traffic in each direction. A double yellow centerline separates opposing lanes
of traffic. Separate eastbound and westbound left -turn lanes are provided on Mission
Drive at Muscatel Avenue. The posted speed limit on Mission Drive is 40 mph.
The intersection of Muscatel Avenue and Mission Drive is signalized. There are marked
crosswalks on all legs of the intersection. The traffic signal is a 2 phase signal
operation (north /south and east/west).
After conducting a survey of this location, the following observations /recommendations
were made:
Left -Turns at Northbound Muscatel Avenue at Mission Drive
It was observed that current turning conditions along Muscatel Avenue warrant a
dedicated left -turn lane in the northbound direction at Mission Drive. Currently,
when a group of vehicles are traveling north on Muscatel and one vehicle wants
to turn left this vehicle blocks the pathway of through traffic. Most following
vehicles bypass the left turning vehicle in order to continue heading either north
or south on Muscatel. Southbound lanes were also observed but do not currently
indicate heavy volumes.
Recommendation Install left -turn pocket (with traffic signal loop detection
adjustments) for northbound travel lanes on Muscatel Avenue at Mission Drive.
On- Street Parking on Muscatel Avenue, North of Mission Drive
It was noted that vehicles park on Muscatel Oust north of Mission Drive),
impacting the visibility of residential properties north of the 7 -11 convenience
store. A pattern of specific vehicles was not observed by staff, however, it was
noted by residents that large work truck vehicles tend to park at this location and
access 7 -11.
Recommendation Install approximately 20 feet (1 car length) of red curbing
along Muscatel Avenue, adjacent to the far northwest portion of the 7 -11
convenience store.
Left -Turns from 7 -11 to Southbound Muscatel Avenue
Field observations revealed that several vehicles made this left -tum during the
morning peak period hours. Vehicles that turn left from the 7 -11 store sometimes
cut in front of traffic on Muscatel Avenue heading northbound, occasionally
blocking traffic.
Recommendation Restrict left -turns from the 7 -11 convenience store onto
Muscatel Avenue, including installing "No Left -Turn" signs.
After considering these observations and taking public input, the Traffic Commission
concurred with the above listed recommendations. An overhead map view of the area
City Council Meeting
June 26, 2012
Page 3 of 3
and traffic counts are attached to this report for your consideration.
FINANCIAL REVIEW
The funding for this project is available in the City's street maintenance operations
budget.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
The project is categorically exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act
(CEQA) pursuant to Section 15301 (a) of the CEQA Implementing Guidelines.
PUBLIC NOTICE PROCESS
This item has been noticed through the regular agenda notification process. A
notification postcard was delivered to properties within approximately 300 feet of the
intersection of Mission Drive and Muscatel Avenue prior to the Traffic Commission
review of this item. Property owners in the area not able to attend the Commission
meeting were also encouraged to submit written comments to the Public Works
Department. Any correspondence received will be forwarded to the Commission for
consideration.
Submitted b�
Chris Marcarello
Public Works Director
Attachment 1: Neighborhood View
Attachment 2: Field Observations and Traffic Counts
Attachment 3: Outreach Flyer
Neighborhood Overview
Muscatel Avenue /Mission Drive
Parking Restriction — approx 20 feet
Additional Signage to restrict left-
turns from 7-11 to S/B Muscatel
e
A W
Parking Restriction — approx 120 feet
to accommodate left turn pocket.
ji
Existing fire hydrant currently
restricts parking in this area.
, ria
i.
Traffic Counts /Analysis
Discussion
Turning movement count data was collected for Muscatel Avenue at Mission Drive
during morning (7:00 -9:00 AM) and evening (4:00 -6:00 pm) peak hours. The peak
hours (AM and PM) of these turning movement counts are summarized in Table 1.
Table 1
Peak Hour Turning Movement Counts
On Muscatel Avenue at Mission Drive
Field observations were made by the technicians conducting the turning movement
counts. Their observations included:
Vehicles turning left exiting the driveway of the 7 -11 Store on to Muscatel Avenue
would block traffic on Muscatel Avenue (northbound) during the AM peak hours
observed. The traffic was blocked primarily as a result of a northbound vehicle
wanting to turn right into the 7 -11 Store driveway waiting for the exiting vehicle to
make their left turn.
Larae vehicles Darkina on the eastside of Muscatel Avenue near Mission Drive.
Residents living on the eastside of Muscatel Avenue north of the 7 -11 Store have
requested red curb adjacent to the 7 -11 Store to improve visibility when exiting their
driveways.The installation of 20 feet of red curb would improve the visibility for the
residents. This would remove approximately 1 on- street parking space on Muscatel
Avenue, in front of the 7 -11 Store. Approximately 2 on- street parking spaces in front of
the 7 -11 Store will remain.
Vehicles turning left from Muscatel Avenue on to Mission Drive.
Table 1 identifies the number of southbound and northbound turning vehicles on
Muscatel Avenue during the peak hours. The southbound volumes are also considered
acceptable for this type of roadway. Northbound volumes are much higher.
The installation of northbound and southbound left turn lanes on Muscatel Avenue at
Mission Drive would require the removal of on- street parking for a distance of
7:30 - 8:30
AM
5:00 - 6:00
PM
NB Left Turn
115
78
NB Thru
87
97
NB Right Turn
109
92
SB Left Turn
28
33
SB Thru
97
66
SB Right Turn
1 27
1 18
Field observations were made by the technicians conducting the turning movement
counts. Their observations included:
Vehicles turning left exiting the driveway of the 7 -11 Store on to Muscatel Avenue
would block traffic on Muscatel Avenue (northbound) during the AM peak hours
observed. The traffic was blocked primarily as a result of a northbound vehicle
wanting to turn right into the 7 -11 Store driveway waiting for the exiting vehicle to
make their left turn.
Larae vehicles Darkina on the eastside of Muscatel Avenue near Mission Drive.
Residents living on the eastside of Muscatel Avenue north of the 7 -11 Store have
requested red curb adjacent to the 7 -11 Store to improve visibility when exiting their
driveways.The installation of 20 feet of red curb would improve the visibility for the
residents. This would remove approximately 1 on- street parking space on Muscatel
Avenue, in front of the 7 -11 Store. Approximately 2 on- street parking spaces in front of
the 7 -11 Store will remain.
Vehicles turning left from Muscatel Avenue on to Mission Drive.
Table 1 identifies the number of southbound and northbound turning vehicles on
Muscatel Avenue during the peak hours. The southbound volumes are also considered
acceptable for this type of roadway. Northbound volumes are much higher.
The installation of northbound and southbound left turn lanes on Muscatel Avenue at
Mission Drive would require the removal of on- street parking for a distance of
approximately 150 feet. As shown in Exhibit A, red curb would remove on- street
parking:
3 spaces on the east side of Muscatel Avenue from Mission Drive heading north
(to the north property line of the first residential property north of the 7 -11 Store).
• 2 spaces on the west side of Muscatel Avenue from Mission Drive heading north
(to the north property line of the first residential property north of the business
office fronting Mission Drive).
• 2 spaces on the east side of Muscatel Avenue from Mission Drive heading south
(to the driveway of the business office fronting Mission Drive).
• 2 spaces on the west side of Muscatel Avenue from Mission Drive heading south
(to just passed the south property line of the second residential property south of
the business office fronting Mission Drive).
The installation of the dedicated left turn lanes would also require the relocation of traffic
signal detection on Muscatel Avenue. Therefore, a recommendation to install the left
turn lanes will require a signal modification plan. The modification plan will include the
left turn lane striping, red curb and signal detection.
Vehicles exiting 7 -11 Store onto southbound Muscatel Avenue (left turn exiting).
The field observations of the technicians revealed this issue only occurred during the
AM peak period observed. However, staffs experience confirms the technician's
observations at this location during other times throughout the day. Vehicles exiting the
7 -11 Store attempt to turn left to southbound Muscatel Avenue and sometimes block
northbound traffic. The installation of a "Right Turn Only" sign for exiting vehicles at the
7 -11 Store driveway on Muscatel Avenue would minimize this movement.
City Traffic Counters, LLC.
626 - 256 -4171
File Name : MuscMission
Site Code : 00000000
Start Date : 4/3/2012
Page No : 1
Grouos Printed- Unshifted
08:00 AM
Muscatel Ave
23
Mission Dr
Muscatel Ave
182
3
Mission or
13
18
1
Southbound
Westbound
Northbound
347
436
Eastbound
7
22
Start Time
LeftI
Thru
Right
Left
I Thru
I Right
Left[
Thru I
Rghl
Left
Thru
453
Right
Int. Total
Factor
1.0
1.0
1.0
1.0
1.0
1.0
1.0
1.0
1.0
1.0
1.0
5
1.0
OR-45 AM
07:00 AM
8 12
3
6
114
4
11 3
6
2
44
4
217
07:15 AM
4 14
3
12
125
4
13 7
8
4
65
13
272
07:30 AM
8 19
7
23
157
4
36 21
40
8
125
14
462
07:45 AM
7 33
9
37
173
3
42 34
32
7
143
32
552
Total
27 78
22
78
569
15
i 102 65
86
21
377
63
1 1503
08:00 AM
6
23
5
14 .
182
3
17
13
18
1
8
123
24
347
436
08:15 AM
7
22
6
32
175
5
20
19
19
138
6
121
21
04:30 PM
453
08:30 AM
10
23
5
18
161
2
21
5
6
18
6
89
17
5
363
OR-45 AM
5
14
8
18
154
5
18
11
8
7
64
26
48
338
04:00 PM
6
9
2
7
104
3
14
14
19
1
156
. 12
347
04:15 PM
11
9
4
9
107
5
21
15
17
9
138
18
363
04:30 PM
7
15
7
11
108
5
27
23
12
10
137
18
380
0445 PM
5
15
4
11
131
7
23
13
20
6
163
11
409
Total
29
48
17 1
38
450
20 1
85
65
581
26
594
591
1499
05:00 PM
7
18
2
11
125
3
21
24
25
12
1'
16
433
05:15 PM
8
18
6
17
147
5
20
20
23
11
178
141
467
05:30 PM
9
13
8
15
117
7
18
28
23
4
182
21
445
05'45 PM
9
17
2
17
125
4
19
25
21
12
174
16
441
Total
33
fib
18
50
514
19
78
97
921
39
703
67
1786
Grand Total
117
274
B1
258
2205
691
341
275
2971
113
2071
277
6378
Apprch %
24.8
58.1
17.2
10.2
87.1
2.7
37.3
301
32.5
4.6
84.2
11.3
Total %
1.8
4 .3
1.3
4.0
34 .6
1.1
5.3
4.3
4.7
1.8
32.5
4.3
City Traffic Counters, LLC.
626 - 256 -4171
File Name : MuscMission
Site Code : 00000000
Start Date : 4/3/2012
Page No :3
Peak MOur From 12:UU PM t0 Ub:4b PM - peak 1 or 1
Muscatel Ave
Southbound
609
Mission Dr
Westbound
Intersection 05:00 PM
Muscatel Ave
Northbound
11 178
Mission Dr
Eastbound
203
Start Time
Left
I Thru
I Right I
ate'
Left
I Thru
I Right
To��
Left
I Thru
I Right
I Total
I Left
Thru
Right
To al
Peak MOur From 12:UU PM t0 Ub:4b PM - peak 1 or 1
67
609
4.8 86.9
Intersection 05:00 PM
11 178
14
203
05:30 PM
Volume 33 66
18
117
60
514
19
593
Percent 28.2 56.4
15.4
10.1
86.7
3.2
05:15 8 18
6
32
17
147
5
169
Volume
Peak Factor
High Int. 05:15 PM
05:15 PM
Volume 6 18
6
32
17
147
5
169
Peak Factor
0.914
0.877
78 97 92 267
29.2 36.3 34.5
20 20 23 63
05:00 PM
21 24 25 70
0.954
39 703
67
609
4.8 86.9
8.3
11 178
14
203
05:30 PM
4 182
21
207
0.977
e
155 F117 7 2]2
a m 031
RgM Tlw Left
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Out In Tat9
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Total
1786
467
0.956
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City Traffic Counters, LLC.
626 - 256 -4171
File Name : MuscMission
Site Code : 00000000
Start Date : 4/3/2012
Page No :2
Muscatel Ave
Mfssbn Dr
Muscatel Ave
Mission Dr
Southbound
Westbound
Northbound
I Eastbound
Start Time I Left I
Thru I Right
I
I Left
Thru
Right
Total
I Left
Thru
Right
15
I Left
I Thru I Right I
18.4 63.8
17.8
TQ
85.0
1.9
flm
7 33
9
49
37
173
3
To m
n m.av wvi w i i.w nm - rnen m �
109
311
37.0 28.0
Intersection
07:30 AM
42 34
32
108
07:45 AM
Volume
28 97
27
152
106
687
15
808
Percent
18.4 63.8
17.8
13.1
85.0
1.9
flm
7 33
9
49
37
173
3
213
volume
e
Peak Factor
High Int.
07:45 AM
07:45 AM
Volume
7 33
9
49
37
173
3
213
Peak Factor
0.776
0.948
115 87
109
311
37.0 28.0
35.0
42 34
32
108
07:45 AM
42 34
32
108
0.720
29 512
91
632
4.6 81.0
14.4
7 143
32
182
07:45 AM
7 143
32
182
0.868
e
ON In Total
1 - 131 1521 1 211
RpM Tlru Loll
O
NoT �
I 2 �� / -4 1 J S
_I� i4rsm1281500AM zl_
q m _ Unstel
o �z
rw
Left 1,:, R M
nsI e7 ,w
1 2 1 X11 1 605
O Tf
Int
Total
1903
552
0.862