TC - Item 3A - Review of Traffic Conditions at Temple City Boulevard and Ellis LaneROSEMEAD TRAFFIC COMMISSION
STAFF REPORT
TO: TRAFFIC COMMISSION
FROM: CHRIS MARCARELLO, PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR
DATE: DECEMBER 5, 2013
SUBJECT: REVIEW OF TRAFFIC CONDITIONS AT TEMPLE CITY BOULEVARD AND
ELLIS LANE
SUMMARY
At the Traffic Commission Meeting on November 7, 2013, the Traffic Commission and staff
reviewed and discussed the traffic conditions at the intersection of Temple City Boulevard
and Ellis Lane. This review was initiated due to concerns that the existing configuration of
the intersection results in limited sight visibility and creates safety concerns for motorists.
These factors sometimes cause difficulties for vehicles turning from Ellis Lane onto Temple
City Boulevard. A traffic engineer surveyed the site for existing conditions and made some
recommendations for the Commission's review and discussion. Based on the
Commission's review and discussion, staff developed the attached improvement plans for
the Commission's review.
Staff Recommendation
It is recommended that the Traffic Commission review the attached striping plans and
provide input to staff.
ANALYSIS
Temple City Boulevard is a north -south arterial that is approximately 60 feet wide. There
are two lanes for both north and southbound travel with restricted parking allowed on both
sides of the street. The posted speed limit is 40 mph. Temple City Boulevard is a major
north -south connector to Interstate 10 and has a large volume of traffic, especially during
peak hours. Additionally, Temple City Boulevard is serving as a main north -south detour
during the closure of Baldwin Avenue in El Monte due to an ongoing construction project
that is expected to last until late 2015. Ellis lane is a north -south residential street that is
approximately 40 feet wide. Ellis lane has one lane of travel in each direction and a posted
speed limit of 25 mph. Parking is permitted on both sides of Ellis Lane. Ellis Lane intersects
Temple City Boulevard at an angle.
A traffic engineer visited the intersection to review existing conditions and prepare
recommendations for improvement alternatives. On October 18, 2013, at approximately
8:00 a.m., the following observations were recorded during a survey of turn movements at
the intersection.
Traffic Commission Meeting
December 5, 2013
Page 2 of 3
Turn Movements — Ellis Lane onto Temple City Boulevard
Observation
Time
Total Number of Cars
Turning
Average Time to Complete
Turn
Longest Time to Complete
I Turn
Left Turn
Right Turn
Left Turn
Right Turn
Left Turn
Right Turn
8:10 a.m. to
9:10 a.m.
44
9
20 Sec
4 Sec
60 Sec
10 sec
The table shows a total of 44 cars making left turns and 9 cars making right turns. The right
turn movement averaged four seconds while the left turn movement averaged twenty
seconds. The queue in the left turn lane on Ellis Lane did not exceed two vehicles at any
time during the count. It was observed that the left turn movements take longer than the
right turn movements because vehicles making left turns need to find gaps in both the
northbound and southbound traffic to allow for a safe turn. Finding sufficient gaps in the
traffic to make left hand turns may take longer during peak hours of travel as there are
typically greater traffic volumes during these times. It was also observed that some
landscaping on the southwest corner of Ellis Lane and Temple City Boulevard may impact
visibility of northbound traffic.
Based on the field observations, the traffic engineer offered three alternatives to help
alleviate delays and improve safety for left hand turning vehicles from northbound Ellis
Lane to northbound Temple City Boulevard. The initial improvement options presented at
the November 7, 2013 meeting included:
1. Replace some landscaping with lower profile vegetation and install a "Keep Clear
Zone"
2. Install a refuge lane (storage lane) on northbound Temple City Boulevard
3. Realign the Intersection
1. Replace landscaping and install a "Keep Clear" zone
The landscaping at Ellis Park at the intersection of Temple City Boulevard and Ellis has
been trimmed down to increase visibility for motorists. Staff will trim the landscaping
back regularly to prevent the obstruction of motorists' view. Per the Traffic
Commission's recommendation of November 7, 2013, staff will recommend to the City
Council that "Keep Clear" pavement markings be installed on the northbound lanes of
Temple City Boulevard at the intersection of Ellis Lane. The installation of these
markings will be completed in conjunction with the installation of any other striping
improvements that are recommended.
2. Install a Refuge Lane
The installation of a refuge (storage) lane was presented as an option to alleviate the
difficulty of making a left turn from northbound Ellis Lane to northbound Temple City
Boulevard. This would allow drivers to make a left hand turn from Ellis Lane with an
acceptable gap in southbound traffic and safely merge from the refuge lane into
northbound traffic. The installation of a refuge lane will involve the installation of parking
restrictions along a portion of Temple City Boulevard as additional roadway is needed to
Traffic Commission Meeting
December 5, 2013
Pace 3 of 3
accommodate the additional lane. Per the engineer's proposed striping plan, the
installation of the refuge lane will require the addition of 120' of red curb (parking
restrictions) along the east side of Temple City Boulevard to continue with the existing
striping. The existing parking restrictions on the west side of the street will remain
unchanged.
2A. Install a Left Turn Pocket from Northbound Temple City Blvd. to Westbound Ellis Lane
During the discussion of Option 2, regarding the refuge lane, the idea was mentioned of
installing a turn pocket from northbound Temple City Boulevard turning left to
westbound Ellis Lane. Concerns about the safety of turning left against heavy
southbound traffic as well as delays in northbound traffic due to left turning vehicles
were among the reasons cited in support of a left hand turn pocket. According to the
striping plan prepared by the traffic engineer, the installation of the turn pocket would
require the installation of significant parking restriction to accommodate he needed
roadway. The installation of the turn pocket, in addition to the refuge lane, would require
the restriction of parking on the east side of Temple City Boulevard for 230' (an
additional 110' when added to the needed restrictions for the refuge lane). Additionally,
on the west side of Temple City Boulevard, 75' of parking restrictions would need to be
added to the existing red curbing.
3. Re -align the Intersection
The Commission and staff discussed the idea of reconfiguring the intersection to
achieve an intersection that is a 90 degree angle. Reconfiguring the intersection would
improve visibility to both northbound and southbound traffic; however, it would not
improve any other elements of the left turn movement. The reconfiguring of the
intersection would require extensive engineering and study, the demolition of the
existing park space, and extensive construction. At this time, the reconfiguring of the
intersection is not a feasible option as the construction costs and impacts outweigh any
perceived gains. The initial engineer's estimate to complete this intersection
reconfiguration is approximately $285,000.00.
At this time, it is recommended that the Traffic Commission review these alternatives and
provide input. Because the alternatives include the addition of parking restrictions, it will be
necessary to notify nearby properties prior to any further consideration or possible
implementation.
Sub tt B .
Sean ullivan
Management Analyst
Attachment 1: Keep Clear Zone Rendering
Attachment 2: Refuge Lane - Rendering & Striping Plan
Attachment 3: Refuge Lane & Turn Pocket — Rendering & Striping Plan
Attachment 4: Lane Reconfiguration — Conceptual Rendering & Engineer's Estimate
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TRAFFIC IMPROVEMENT MEASURES
Option 2:
1. Install a small storage lane (refuge lane) on the north leg of the intersection to allow for a safe left
turn movement from Ellis Lane onto Temple City Blvd. This would minimize the need to have a
simultaneous gap in both the northbound & southbound traffic and would allow drivers to focus on
finding a gap in one direction at a time. This would require the prohibition of parking and the
installation of red curb on the East side and North side of Temple City within the limits of the
striping modification. See Exhibit 3.
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PRELIMINARY ENGINEER'S COST ESTIMATE FOR TEMPLE CITY AND ELLIS INTERSECTION REALIGNMENT
ITEM NO.
DESCRIPTION
UNIT
CITY.
UNIT PRICE
TOTAL PRICE
GENERAL
1
TRAFFIC CONTROL & TRAFFIC CONTROL PLANS
LS
1
$12,000.00
$12,000.00
2
MOBILIZATION & DEMOBILIZATION
LS
1
$12.000.00
$12,000.00
3
SURVEY STAKING
LS
1
$15,000.00
$15,000.00
4
IDENTIFY, TIE -OUT AND RESET SURVEY MONUMENTS AND FILE CORNER
RECORDS (ITEM INCLUDES TIES REMOVED DUE TO RECONSTRUCTION
OF ACCESS RAMP)
EA
3
$700.00
$2,100.00
5
REMOVE AC, BASE, SUBBASE, AND DIRT ( WITHIN EXISTING ROADWAY
AREA)
SF
5.200
$3.00
$15,600.00
6
SAW CUT & REMOVE PCC SIDEWALK (4" AVERAGE THICKNESS) AND
ACCESS RAMPS
SF
2,600
$2.00
$5,200.00
7
SAW CUT & REMOVE CURB & GUTTER
LF
400
$10.00
$4,000.00
8
REMOVE LANDSCAPING, TREES, BUSHES, DG, ETC...
SF
5,000
$2.50
$12,500.00
9
REMOVE DIRT TO BUILD ROADWAY
SF
5,000
$3.00
$15,000.00
10
CONSTRUCT 8" CURB & GUTTER PER APWA STD NO. 120 -2 TYPE A2 -(8).
LF
360
$28.00
$10,080.00
11
CONSTRUCT 4" THICK PCC SIDEWALK INCLUDING GRADING
SF
3,920
$4.50
$17,640.00
12
6" ASPHALT
TON
120
$100.00
$12,000.00
13
CRUSHED AGGREGATE BASE
CY
120
$35.00
$4,200.00
14
6" PCC DRIVEWAY
SF
200
$6.50
$1,300.00
15
CONSTRUCT CURB ACCESS RAMPS
EA
2
$4,000.00
$8,000.00
16
RELOCATE STREET LIGHT, CONDUIT, PULL BOX, ETC...
EA
1
$5,000.00
$5,000.00
17
RELOCATE FIRE HYDRANT
EA
1
$4,000.00
$4,000.00
18
RELOCATE WATER METERS
EA
2
$1,000.00
$2,000.00
19
FURNISH & INSTALL FILL FOR NEW OPEN SPACE AND PLANTERS
CY
500
$25.00
$12,500.00
20
SCARIFY SOIL FOR A DEPTH OF 12" PRIOR TO PLACEMENT OF FILL IN
OPEN SPACE AREA
SF
6,500
$0.40
$2,600.00
21
RELOCATE SIGN AND POST
EA
2
$200.00
$400.00
22
LANDSCAPING & IRRIGATION
SF
6.000
$2.00
$12,000.00
23
SIGNING & STRIPING
LS
1
$2,500.00
$2,500.00
TOTAL COST INTERSECTION REALIGNMENT
$187,620.00
COST OF DESIGN, INSPECTION, CM, SOIL TESTING, ETC...
$46,905.00
Temple City & Ellis realignment Cost Estimate , V1, 11- 25- 13.xts
Eng Estimate Page 2 of 2
PRELIMINARY
ENGINEER'S COST ESTIMATE FOR TEMPLE CITY AND ELLIS INTERSECTION REALIGNMENT
ITEM NO.
DESCRIPTION
UNIT
CITY.
UNIT PRICE
TOTAL PRICE
CONTINGENCY 20%
$37,524.00
GRAND TOTAL
$272,049.00
Temple City & Ellis realignment Cost Estimate, V1, 11- 25- 13.xls