CC – Item 4A – Staff Report Request for Additional Traffic Controls on Mission Dr. E
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TO: HONORABLE MAYOR
AND MEMBERS
ROSEMEAD CITY COUNCIL
FROM: kRANK G. TRIPEPI, CITY MANAGER
DATE: NOVEMBER 24, 1998
SUBJECT: REQUEST FOR ADDITIONAL TRAFFIC CONTROLS ON MISSION DRIVE IN
FRONT OF ROSEMEAD HIGH SCHOOL
DISCUSSION
Due to growing concerns of unsafe traffic movements during drop-off times at Rosemead High
School, Traffic Commissioner Victor Ruiz requested staff to review the traffic patterns on Mission
Drive in front of the High School. Commissioner Ruiz indicated that there were vehicles dropping
off students and making U-turns from the north curb line of Mission Drive to head back in an easterly
direction.
Staff also spoke by telephone with Ms. Geneva Pruitt regarding a request for the Traffic Commission
to consider the installation of a crosswalk near the entrance to Rosemead High School. Ms. Pruitt
indicated that such a crosswalk would accommodate students being dropped off on the south side of
Mission Drive.
The conditions and the reported accident history on Mission Drive between Rosemead Boulevard and
Loma Avenue are depicted in the Traffic Commission staff report (Exhibit `•A"). The reported
accident history shows a series of accidents occurring in the vicinity of the high school. But it is
difficult to determine which of these accidents are specifically related to the high school drop-off and
pick-up patterns.
This past summer, a field review of the subject site was conducted by staff. Though this was not a
regular school session, Commissioner Ruiz indicated that the traffic patterns remain unchanged. The
COUNCIL AGENDA
NOV 241996?
ITEM No. ffZ °�--A-4
2
Rosemead City Council
November 24, 1998
Page 2 of 8
field review revealed that several vehicles made U-turns from the north curb line. Several more
vehicles turned left into the church parking lot on the south side of Mission Drive then turned right
upon exiting. Remaining vehicles continued west on Mission Drive.
The drop-off/pick-up periods are relatively short, ranging from 20-30 minutes before and after school.
The congestion time for the subject site is very limited. Sheriffs enforcement has occurred and
resulted in citations for various pedestrian and vehicular violations. Continued enforcement of
existing vehicle code violations during drop-off/ pick-up periods will remind motorists and
pedestrians of the concern for safety, especially in the vicinity of a school.
Students ,who 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 pedestrian and vehicles.
The installation of a mid-block crosswalk without a traffic control on Mission Drive, or any other
street, is not recommended.
studies
marked crosswalks
at locations
signals
or stop signs to control have an increased accidetptential It is City policy to remove any
uncontrolled mid-block crosswalk as resurfacing projects progress.
Based on the limited congestion period in the mornings and afternoons, and continued enforcement
of existing pedestrian and vehicular violations, staff does not recommend any specific changes be
made at this time to the traffic controls on Mission Drive in front of Rosemead High School.
However, on November 5, 1998, the Traffic Commission approved the staff recommendation and in
addition, three alternatives prepared by staff, which are as follows:
• Installation of large botts dots on the double yellow centerline, nearest the
green curb in front of the high school and at the entrance of the staff parking
lot.
• A letter to the students and parents be distributed through the high school
addressing the concerns regarding pedestrian and vehicular traffic in front of
the school. This letter will be drafted by both school administration and City
staff.
• A study will be conducted revealing previous research on crosswalks in front
of schools.
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends the following:
1. The Rosemead City Council approve the staff recommendation that no
changes be made to the existing traffic controls on Mission Drive in front of
Rosemead City Council
November24, 1998
Page 3 of 8
Rosemead High School at this time. Staff also recommends that enforcement
by the Sheriff's Department of existing code violations be continued.
2. The Rosemead City Council approve three alternatives that staff has prepared
and which the Traffic Commission has recommended: I) installation of large
botts dots on the double yellow centerline, nearest the green curb in front of
the high school and at the entrance of the staff parking lot; 2) a letter to
students and parents be distributed through the high school addressing the
concerns regarding pedestrian and vehicular traffic in front of the school. This
letter will be drafted by both school administration and City staff; and 3) a
study to be conducted revealing previous research on crosswalks in front of
schools.
Exhibits: A. Traffic Commissioner StaltRepor,dated October 27, 1998
TO: HONORABLE CHAIRMAN
AND MEMBERS
ROSEMEAD TRAFFIC COMMISSION
FROM: JOANNE ITAGAKI, DEPUTY TRAFFIC ENGINEER
DATE: OCTOBER 27, 1998
RE: REQUEST
DRIVEINADDITIONAL
CONTROLS
HIGH
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.
EXHIBIT "A"
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 Time
1. 210 ' w/o Loma - Eastbound vehicle 01/06/97 7:55 a.m.
making an unsafe turn sideswiped
an eastbound vehicle proceeding
straight (Improper Turn).
2. 531' w/o Newby - Northbound vehicle 03/19/97 7:45 a.m.
entering traffic collided with a parked
vehicle (Starting/Backing).
3. 200' w/o Newby - Northbound vehicle 02/13/97 7:23 a.m.
backing broadsided eastbound stopped
vehicle (Starting/Backing).
4. 420' w/o Newby - Eastbound vehicle 02/26/97 2:00 p.m.
proceeding straight broadsided an
eastbound vehicle proceeding straight
(Improper Turn, Inattention).
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).
7. 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' e/o 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
patterns 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
all schools, the drop
for 20 - 30 minutes before and after school. relatively up period is
The remainder of the day, there1 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 High 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-turns 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.
Attachment
u6okil i lismRosemead High Scnooi