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TC - 06-07-01i~ AGENDA ROSEMEAD TRAFFIC COMMISSION 8838 East Valley Boulevard Rosemead, California 91770 Regular Meeting JUNE 7, 2001 CALL TO ORDER: 7:00 p.m. Roll Call: Chairman Ruiz, Vice-Chair Herrera Commissioners Baffo, Knapp, Quintanilla Pledge of Allegiance: Commissioner Quintanilla Invocation: Chairman Ruiz 1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES - May 3, 2001 2. 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) 3. OLD BUSINESS -None 4. NEW BUSINESS A. REQUEST FOR STOP SIGN ON MUSCATEL AVENUE AT SCOTT STREET. 5. STAFF REPORTS A. UPDATE ON CITY COUNCIL ACTION TAKEN ON MAY 22, 2001. 6. COMMISSIONER REPORTS 7. ADJOURNMENT - Thursday, July 5, 2001, 7:00 p.m., Rosemead City Council Chambers, 8838 East Valley Blvd., Rosemead, CA 91770 ROSEMEAD TRAFFIC COMMISSION MEETING MAY 3, 2001 A regular meeting of the Rosemead Traffic Commission was called to order by Vice- Chairperson Herrera at 7:05 p.m., in the Council Chambers, 8838 East Valley Boulevard, Rosemead. ROLL CALL Present: Absent: Ex Officio: CALL TO ORDER Herrera, Quintanilla, Baffo & Knapp Chairman Ruiz Administrative Assistant: Jessica Wilkinson Traffic Engineering Deputy: Joanne Itagaki The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Commissioner Knapp The Invocation was delivered by Commissioner Quintanilla I. APPROVAL OF MINUTES It was moved by Commissioner Baffo, seconded by Commissioner Quintanilla, and carried unanimously to approve the minutes for March 1, 2001. H. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE AUDIENCE Speaking before the Commission was: Helen Gunther 3644 Dubonnet Street Rosemead, California 91770 Ms. Gunther asked if the City could have a yellow line on the new section of Loftus and Dubonnet along the bend, because everyone wants to go to the west side of the street. M. OLD BUSINESS - None IV. NEW BUSINESS A. REQUEST FOR RED CURB ON THE WEST SIDE OF SAN GABRIEL BOULEVARD IN FRONT OF DIAMOND SQUARE Traffic Engineering Deputy Itagaki presented the staff report. RECOMMENDATION: The installation of red curb on the west side of San Gabriel Boulevard from approximately 600 feet of Garvey Avenue to the southerly most driveway of Diamond Square is recommended. 1. Should the Traffic Commission desire, no parking any time signs could also be installed in place of the recommended red curb. Speaking before the Commission was: Steven Zuckerman 900 South San Gabriel Boulevard San Gabriel, California Mr. Zuckerman stated that he's here to answer any questions the Commission may have for him. Commissioner Knapp stated that there is a history in this area as it relates to day laborers, and thought perhaps Sgt. Wallace could address this issue regarding the laborers. Sgt. Wayne Wallace stated that the problem with day laborers has continued for years, and on San Gabriel Boulevard the problem seems to be.more with trespassing issues. The I.N.S. has been asked to help, but they don't want to go into that problem. This is a very difficult location with a lot of different problems. Sgt. Wallace stated that they met with I.N.S. back in February, they have been given direction from the people in Washington D.C. not to do sweeps, there are financial issues. Mr. Tripepi got together with officials from the City of El Monte, and El Monte encouraged them us to bring the day laborers to their City, however, they didn't want to be bussed. It was moved by Commissioner Knapp, seconded by Commissioner Baffo and carried unanimously to approve the Traffic Engineer's recommendation. Commissioner Knapp encouraged the audience to attend the City Council meeting on May 22"d, where the Council will make the final decision on this issue. V. STAFF REPORTS A. UPDATE ON CITY COUNCIL ACTION TAKEN ON MARCH 27, 2001 Deputy Traffic Engineer Itagaki stated that City Council approved the installation of the stop sign at Emerson and Kelburn, and they have already been installed. Commissioner Knapp thanked the staff for their quick response to this matter. VI. COMMISSIONER REPORTS Commissioner Baffo stated that on San Gabriel Boulevard north of Walnut Grove across from Carrows, he would like to see a sign that says "Rose Glen" with arrows to avoid missing the street and also incorporate East Village Lane. Commissioner Quintanilla stated that the timing/loop sensor at the intersection of Temple City Boulevard and Valley Boulevard seems to be off. Commissioner Knapp congratulated Helen Gunther who has been chosen as one of the recipients of the " Volenteer of the Year" award, and will be honored at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion on Wednesday, May 9"i. VII. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business to come before the Commission, the meeting was adjourned at 7:32 p.m. The next regularly scheduled meeting is set for Thursday, June 7, 2001. Staff Report Rosemead Traffic Commission TO: HONORABLE CHAIRMAN AND MEMBERS ROSEMEAD TRAFFIC COMMISSSION FROM: JOANNE ITAGAKI, TRAFFIC ENGINEERING DEPUTY DATE: May 21, 2001 RE: Request for Stop Sign on Muscatel Avenue at Scott Street REQUEST A request from Mr. William Boyd of 8712 Scott Street has been received. Mr. Boyd is requesting the installation of STOP signs on Muscatel Avenue at Scott Street. Mr. Boyd indicates that motorist often do not yield the right-of-way to pedestrians in the crosswalk. He also believes motorists ignore the rumble strips and they usually do not slow down when approaching the crosswalk. Mr. Boyd has made a similar request in the past. He initially requested the installation of speed bumps. Mr. Boyd's past request resulted in the installation of the rumble strips approaching the crosswalk on Muscatel Street at Scott Street. This staff report and meeting minutes are attached. CONDITIONS Muscatel Avenue is a 40-foot wide north/south secondary arterial. There is one lane of traffic in each direction separated by single yellow skip striping. On-street parking is allowed on both sides of the street except during street sweeping times. The posted speed limit on Muscatel Avenue is 30 mph. There is also 25 mph school speed limit signs in the vicinity of Muscatel Intermediate School. Scott Street is a 36-foot wide east/west local street. There is no striping on the street. Parking is allowed on both sides of the street except during street sweeping times. Scott Street is stop controlled at its T-intersection with Muscatel Avenue. The prima facie speed limit on Scott Street is 25 mph. At the intersection of Muscatel Avenue, and Scott Street, a yellow crosswalk exists on the south leg. School crossing signs and markings exist on Muscatel Avenue in advance of this crosswalk. Rumble strips are also present on both approaches (northbound and southbound) to the crosswalk. Figure 1 depicts existing conditions in the.vicinity of Muscatel Avenue and Scott Street. Request for Stop Sign on Muscatel Avenue at Scott Street Page 2 DATA The reported accident history at the intersection of Muscatel Avenue and Scott Street was reviewed for the period from January 1, 1997 to September 30, 2000. This review indicated that no reported accidents occurred at the intersection during this period. A 24-hour traffic count was conducted at the intersection of Muscatel Avenue and Scott Street on Tuesday, May 22, 2001. This count indicated the following: 24-hour traffic volume Muscatel Avenue 5,164 (2,545 NB: 2,619 SB) Scott Street 937 (636 EB: 301 WB) Pedestrian volumes were observed during the afternoon release time of Muscatel Intermediate School. This observation revealed the students were not using the crosswalk. The majority of the students were crossing Muscatel Avenue at Lawrence Avenue. This was due to the fact that the "back gate" of the school at Scott Street is not opened. The pedestrian volumes are summarized below: Pedestrian volume (2:00 - 3:00 PM) Crossing at Lawrence Ave. 47 Crossing at Scott St. 5 DISCUSSION Field review of the intersection of Muscatel Avenue and Scott Street was made during school release times of Muscatel Intermediate. During this review, no instances were observed when pedestrians were crossing Muscatel Avenue and motorists did not stop, even at the unmarked crosswalk at Lawrence Avenue. Both pedestrians and motorists appeared to use due care in negotiating the crossings at Lawrence Avenue and at Scott Street. The installation of Stop signs is based on guidelines developed by Caltrans. These guidelines, or warrants, are based on the most recent reported accident history, traffic volumes entering the intersection, delay and the number of pedestrians crossing the major street. "Stop" control is intended to assign positive right-of-way at intersections. The control is usually established on the street with the least volume of traffic. Additional control, beyond the basic right-of-way assignment, is usually reserved for those locations where the volume of traffic exceeds 500 vehicles per hour for any eight hours of an average day and -where both streets having about the same amount of traffic, lends credibility to the higher level of intersection control. Without credibility, voluntary compliance is . poor and without voluntary compliance, traffic safety is severely compromised. Request for Stop Sign on Muscatel Avenue at Scott Street Page 3 Furthermore, numerous studies have concluded that "Stop" signs are ineffective as a speed deterrent. These studies found that slowing only occurred within 150 to 200 feet of the actual "Stop" location. Those motorists who slow for the controls at unjustified locations often reach higher speeds between controls to make up the time lost at the "Stop" sign. As previously indicated, many drivers fail to stop and others do not bother to slow due to the perception on nonexistent potential cross conflict. Exhibit 2 depicts the Caltrans guidelines as applied to the intersection of Muscatel Avenue and Scott Street. The guidelines indicate the intersection of Muscatel Avenue and Scott Street does not satisfy the guidelines for the installation of Stop signs. Field observations and favorable reported accident history reinforce this determination. With regards, to the school pedestrians crossing Muscatel Avenue at Lawrence Avenue, staff will make contact with school authorities to determine whether any changes to the access to Muscatel Intermediate School at Scott Street will change in the next school year. If the intent is to keep the "back gate" closed and have students cross Muscatel Avenue at Lawrence Avenue, staff will bring this issue back before the Traffic Commission. prior to the 2001-02 school. RECOMMENDATION The installation of Stop signs on Muscatel Avenue at Scott Street is not -recommended at this time. Caltrans guidelines, including a favorable reported accident history, and field observations indicate motorists as well as pedestrians negotiate the intersection with due care. However, staff does recommend selective enforcement of Muscatel Avenue by Sheriffs officers. Rsdt2001Wune-Muscatel at Scott Stop Request Edmond Dr. Ex. W65, R2(25) and R72 signs. Private Road Ex. W66 sign. 250' Scott St. w 215' JI1\Rsd\Exh Fig\2001\June-Muscatel & Scott Exhibit 1 e ~ Not to Scale Lengths are to approximate. Lawrence St. S 00 S X 20' _ I _20' I Ex. rumble strip. Ex. W66 and W66A signs. X S __O O dlt S I Ex. rumble strip. Ex. W65, R2(25) and R72 signs. CITY OF ROSEMEAD 01/99 MULTI-WAY STOP SIGN WARRANTS (FROM CALTRANS TRAFFIC MANUAL) Page 1 of 2 Exhibit 2 LOCATION: Muscatel Ave. at Scott St. DATE: 5/21/01 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 No 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. No accidents reported at the intersection (1/1/97-9/30/00) 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 Avg. = 428/hr 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 Avg, is less than 200 units/hr and delay estimated at less than 30 sec/vehicle Satisfied: Yes No (c) When the 85-percentile approach speed of the major street traffic exceed 40 miles per hour, the minimum vehicular volume warrant is 70 percent of the above requirements. Posted speed limit=30 mph Satisfied. Yes No MULTI-WAY STOP SIGN WARRANTS (FROM CALTRANS TRAFFIC MANUAL) Page 2 of 2 LOCATION: Muscatel Ave. at Scott St. DATE: 5/21/01 VOLUME WORKSHEET Guideline ~V+ e ;.o Q4 Q4 Q4 led /A (a) Total Volume 500 (350) 516 / 458 / 309 / 472 / 402 / 506 / 447 / 311 / (b) Combined Vol. 200 (140) 53 / 50 / 45 / 40 / 51 / 48 / 48 / 42 / Only vehicle volume shown. Pedestrian volume would not significantly affect volume (estimated at 50 in AM and PM peak hours). SUMMARIES\STOP