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CC – Item 5A – Staff Report - Request for Three-way Stop at Wells Street and Earle Ave. \ ,� stafteport TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS ROSEMEAD CITY COUNCIL FROM: FRANK G. TRIPEPI, CITY MANAGER DATE: AUGUST 26, 1997 SUBJECT: REQUEST FOR THREE-WAY STOP AT WELLS STREET AND EARLE AVENUE DISCUSSION The City received a request for the installation of a three-way stop at the intersection of Wells Street and Earle Avenue in the vicinity of Shuey Elementary School. The request identified concern about the safety of pedestrians, in particular students at Shuey School, who cross Wells Street without adequate stop controls for vehicles approaching the crosswalk at Earle Avenue. Shuey Elementary School is located on the south side of Wells Street immediately east of Earle Avenue. Earle Avenue terminates at Wells Street creating a"T" intersection. Staff investigated the request and found that the site did not meet the criteria for the installation of multi-way stop controls. The City of Rosemead uses the Caltrans Traffic Manual as a guideline for the installation of traffic signals and"Stop" signs. Traffic volumes, pedestrian volumes, and reported accident history are analyzed in these guidelines. Wells Street at Earle Avenue did not satisfy the guidelines for installation of a three-way stop based on traffic volumes, accident history, and pedestrian volume. It was identified,however, that an advanced warning sign for westbound traffic on Wells Street was missing. While adequate pavement markings were in place, a"School Pedestrians" symbol sign and "School Crossing" sign should be installed. Staff has installed these signs pursuant to accepted traffic control practices. COUNCIL AGENDA AUG 2 61997 ITEM No. . A- .. y On July 10, 1997, the Rosemead Traffic Commission voted 4-0 to recommend that the City Council approve the installation of a three-way stop at the intersection of Wells Street and Earle Avenue, citing pedestrian safety and support from the school and area residents. The Traffic Commission also recommended approval of the installation of advanced warning signs indicating a pedestrian crossing. Staff recognizes the concerns of the Traffic Commission in recommending the installation of the three-way stop sign at the Wells/Earle Intersection. However, because the installation of the signs would not meet established warrants for the installation of multi-directional stop controls, and because the Council avoids Stalling"mid block" stop controls when possible, staff is recommending denial of the Traffic Commission recommendation. RECOMMENDATION Staff recommends that the City Council deny the Traffic Commission recommendation to install a three-way stop at the intersection of Wells Street and Earle Avenue. Exhibits: A. Traffic Commission Staff Report B. Traffic Commission Minutes,Meeting July 10, 1997 TO: HONORABLE CHAIRMAN AND MEMBERS ROSEMEAD TRAFFIC COMMISSION FROM: JOANNE ITAGAKI, DEPUTY TRAFFIC ENGINEER DATE: JULY 3, 1997 RE: REQUEST FOR STOP SIGNS ON WELLS STREET AT EARLE STREET REQUEST The City has received a request for the installation of additional traffic controls at the intersection of Wells Street and Earle Street. The request identified concern for pedestrians attending Shuey Elementary School and crossing Wells Street. In addition, a new school district office is proposed west of Shuey Elementary School and a concern for the additional traffic associated with this office was expressed. CONDITIONS Wells Street is a 40 foot wide east/west residential roadway. There are no traffic stripes on the roadway. A yellow crosswalk exists on the east leg of Wells Street at Earle Street. Advance warning of this marked crosswalk exists in both directions of Wells Street. Shuey Elementary School exists on the south side of Wells Street immediately east of Earle Street. The prima facie speed limit on Wells Street is 25 mph. Earle Street is a 36 foot side north/south residential roadway. There are no traffic stripes on the roadway. Earle Street terminates at Wells Street creating a "T"-intersection. Earle Street is STOP controlled at its intersection with Wells Street. The prima facie speed limit is 25 mph. Figure 1 depicts existing conditions at the intersection. DATA The reported accident history at the intersection of Wells Street and Earle Street was reviewed from January 1, 1993 through September 30, 1996. One accident was reported at the intersection. This accident occurred on Saturday, April 22, 1995 at 4:43 p.m. It involved a westbound passing vehicle sideswiping a westbound vehicle turning right. No injuries were reported. EXHIBIT "A" • Page 2 A 24-hour traffic volume count was conducted at the intersection on Tuesday, May 6, 1997. School was in session and it was a "regular school day schedule. The traffic counts indicated the following: Approach 24-hour Volume Peak Hour Volume Southbound _ 397 77 (B a.m.) Eastbound 1,145 133 (9 a.m.) Westbound 1.152 141 (B a.m.) Total 2,694 DISCUSSION Field review of the intersection did not identify any visibility constraints for southbound vehicles on Earle Street turning on to Wells Street. This is supported by the favorable reported accident history at the intersection. However, it was identified during field review that an advanced warning sign was missing for westbound traffic on Wells Street. The "SLOW SCHOOL XING" pavement markings were in place. A "School Pedestrians" symbol sign and "School Xing" sing, W63 and W65, should be installed in conjunction with the pavement markings. The City of Rosemead uses the Caltrans Traffic Manual as a guideline for the installation of traffic signals and STOP signs. Primarily traffic volumes, pedestrian volumes and reported accident history are analyzed in these guidelines. Attached are the guidelines for the installation of multi-way STOP signs. The first guideline deals with the urgent need for a traffic signal at the intersection. Wells Street at Earle Street does not satisfy this guideline. The accident guideline at the intersection of Wells Street and Earle Street is not satisfied. Only one accident was reported during the 3+ year accident history reviewed. In addition, this accident would not be "susceptible to correction" with the installation of a multi-way STOP at this location. For the minimum traffic volume guideline, the volumes on Wells Street or Earle Street do not approach the recommended guidelines. Assuming the peak hours of each approach, the traffic volumes fall well below the 500 vehicles per hour and 200 units per hour guidelines. Page 3 Currently, the new school district office proposed for the site west of Shuey Elementary School is in the planning stages. The exact size of the office has not been determined. However, staff will work closely together to determine if the additional traffic associated with the proposed office will have a significant impact on the traffic volumes at the intersection of Wells Street and Earle Street. RECOMMENDATIONS The installation of multi-way STOP controls at the intersection of Wells Street and Earle Street is not recommended at this time. Staff will monitor the plans for the new school district office and their impact to this intersection. It is recommended that the advanced warning signs, W63 and W65, for westbound traffic be installed adjacent to the existing pavement markings. This recommendation is depicted in Figure 1. Attachment n. RSDIWELSEARL } 00 in ) / Sw cc -o = `•ir 2 « >- _.."-: - / / j / / = 3i ' � —J� � / e \ /~ / / -- 2 § / / 1 \: \ 2 ` I— Q2 < / ' - } w . z2 ! S / / » 1 / / a:: G W ' 2 \ a 1 [ \ 3 , w < . . \ 2 2 _____, ) \ L ) m . i \ \ \ ! a dw e _ 0 - - 1.1-1 ]. \ } I \ / : 0 lb / Ci 0+55 CITY OF ROSEMEAD MULTI-WAY STOP SIGN WARRANTS (FROM CALTRANS TRAFFIC MANUAL) LOCATION: Earit 5+'e +I(4e-Its 31-fi - DATE: 6/(4/97 The installation of multi-way STOP signs are based on the following: 1. Where traffic signals are warranted and urgently needed, the multi-way STOP may be an interim measure that can be installed quickly to control traffic while arrangements are being made for the signal installation. Satisfied: Yes m 2. An accident problem, as indicated by five or more reported accidents within a 12 month period of a type susceptible to correction by a multi-way STOP installation. Such accidents include right- and left-turn collisions as well as right-angle collisions. Satisfied: Yes No 3. Minimum traffic volumes: • (a) The total vehicular volume entering the intersection from all approaches must average at least 500 vehicles per hour for any 8 hours of an average day, and Satisfied: Yes (No) (b) The combined vehicular and pedestrian volume from the minor street or highway must average at least 200 units per hour for the same 8 hours, with an average delay to minor street vehicular traffic of at least 30 seconds per vehicle during the maximum hour, but Satisfied: Yes (co) (c) When the 85-percentile approach speed of the major street traffic exceeds 40 miles per hour, the minimum vehicular volume warrant is 70 percent of the above requirements. Satisfied: Yes No VOLUME WORKSHEET , Guideline q� - A„� Q� '�'J �` �e` . A A' �J N AR GJ ro n (a) Total Volume 500 (350) 194 I 2E2. 1140 I IZ1 I Z1B 1152 I LEE 1146 (b) Combined Volume 200 (140) 121 111 12G I ZS 1 55 1 23 1 20 I I7 I TT rfit Cow s7C' M/NbS vin6677N — Tutyio, ( '/ 7 Deputy Traffic Engineer Itagaki stated that Mission Drive is enforced by using Laser, therefore a traffic survey needs to be done. A survey means going on the street and finding out what the traffic speed is travelling at. If the speed was to be lowered, it would not be legal to use laser. Chairman Ruiz stated that the Traffic Commission's recommendations can be overturned by the City Council, because they make the final decision. It was moved by Commissioner Tirre, seconded by Commissioner Quintanilla to table this item,and have the Engineer do further studies. Vote Results'. Yes: Chairman Ruiz, Commissioner Tirre, Commissioner Quintanilla Noes: Commissioner Knapp Absent: None Abstain: None Commissioner Knapp stated that her"No"vote was for the Traffic Engineer's recommendation. Eventhough she agrees with the statistics of the Traffic Engineer, she does give credibility to the people who live in the situation. She feels a signal electronically triggered by pedestrians or vehicles on Earle Street will give a measure of safety to those who use it and a peace of mind to those who live with it, and she does not feel it needs further study and feels it should have gone to the City Council. Deputy Traffic Engineer Itagald stated that she can take further counts, and look at each of the comments made on the petition and address them. B. REQUEST FOR THREE-WAY STOP AT WELLS STREET AND EARLE AVENUE Deputy Traffic Engineer Itagaki stated that the City received a request for the installation of additional traffic controls at the intersection of Wells Street and Earle Avenue. The request identified concerns for pedestrians attending Shuey Elementary School and crossing Wels Street. In addition, a new school district office is proposed west of Shuey Elementary School and a concern for the additional traffic associated with this office was expressed. Wells Street is a 40 foot wide east/west residential roadway. Earle Street is a 36 foot side north/south residential roadway. It "T's"into Wells Street and creates a stop at the intersection. The reported accident history from January 1, 1993 through September 30, 1996. One accident was reported at the intersection. This accident occurred on Saturday, April 22, 1995, at 4:43 p.m. It involved a westbound passing vehicle sideswiping a westbound vehicle turning right. No iniunes were reported. Field review of the intersection did not identify any visibility constraints for southbound vehicles on Earle Street turning onto Wells Street. However, it was identified during field review that an advanced warning sign was missing for westbound traffic on Wells Street. The"SLOW SCHOOL XING" pavement markings were in place. A"School Pedestrian" symbol sign and "School Xing' sign, W63 and W65, should be installed in conjunction with the pavement markings. The accident guideline at the intersection of Wells Street and Earle Street is not satisfied. Only one accident was reported during the 3+year accident history. EXHIBIT "B RECOMMENDATION. The installation of multi-way STOP controls at the intersection of Wells Street and Earle Avenue is not recommended at this time. Staff will monitor the plans for the new school district office and their impact to this intersection. It was recommended that the advanced warning signs W63 &W65, for westbound traffic be installed adjacent to the existing pavement markings. Speaking before the Commission was: Judy Chapman,Principal Shuey Elementary Rosemead, California 91770 Ms. Chapman stated that the district office is going to be over on Rosemead Boulevard. She stated that from Walnut Grove to the stop sign the traffic has cone to much_greater speeds. The street is narrow and with no place to go,the comer becomes very dangerous for the kids. She would like to see a 3-way stop sign installed. Speaking before the Commission was. Daryl Kelti 4443 Earle Avenue Rosemead, California 91770 Mr.Kelti stated that there is a 10'foot high hedge about 3 foot back from the corner, causing poor visibility. The traffic is not so fast,just a lot of cars. Commissioner Knapp stated the City has made exceptions for stop signs where they arc not warranted by the statistics, and feels this location should be one. It was moved by Commissioner Knapp, seconded by Commissioner Quintanilla and carried unanimously to deny the Traffic Engineer's recommendation and install a Multi- way STOP control at the intersection of Wells Street and Earle Street. V. STAFF REPORTS Commissioner Knapp thanked everyone involved with the parade, and stated that the parade will be broadcasted on cable channel 56,next Thursday, at 5:00 p.m. VI. COMMISSIONER REPORIS - None VII. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business to come before the Commission, the meeting was adjourned at 8:23 p.m. the next meeting will take place on August 7, 1997. There were 9 people in the audience.