TC - Item 3B - Pedestrian Safety Improvements - Bartlett Avenue and Loftus DriveROSEMEAD TRAFFIC COMMISSION
STAFF REPORT
TO: TRAFFIC COMMISSION
FROM: MATTHEW HAWKESWORTH, ACTING PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTO f R
DATE: NOVEMBER 6, 2014
SUBJECT: PEDESTRIAN SAFETY IMPROVEMENTS— BARTLETT AVENUE AND
LOFTUS DRIVE
SUMMARY
A request was received for the Traffic Commission to review pedestrian safety conditions in
the vicinity of Bartlett Avenue and Loftus Drive, directly adjacent to Janson Elementary
School. Janson Elementary School serves approximately 650 students daily and creates a
traffic impact on surrounding streets. The Principal of Janson Elementary school has
expressed concern, on behalf of parents and staff, regarding the intersection of Loftus
Drive and Bartlett Street and the lack of a safe pedestrian crossing at this intersection. City
Staff have visited this location and reviewed the conditions and have determined that the
installation of stop signs and crosswalks at this intersection would improve pedestrian
safety in this school zone. The Traffic Commission has previously reviewed the traffic
conditions in this vicinity.
Staff Recommendation
It is recommended that the Traffic Commission recommend to the City Council that two
stop signs and yellow marked school -zone crosswalks be installed along Bartlett Avenue at
the intersection of Loftus Drive and that 125' of parking restrictions (red curbing) be
installed along the west side of Bartlett Avenue to accommodate these traffic control
devices.
ANALYSIS
Bartlett Avenue is a north -south local residential collector street that is approximately 36
feet wide and has a posted speed limit of 25 miles per hour. Mildred B. Janson Elementary
School is located adjacent to and west of Bartlett Avenue between Marshall Street and
Olney Street. At the intersection of Bartlett Ave. and Marshall Street, there is an existing 4-
way stop - controlled intersection and yellow marked school zone crosswalk. Loftus Drive is
a residential street that is approximately 28 feet wide and has a prima facie speed limit of
25 miles per hour. There is a stop sign for traffic traveling westbound on Loftus Drive at the
intersection of Bartlett Avenue, where Loftus Drive "T's" into Bartlett Avenue. There is also
a yellow marked school zone crosswalk for pedestrians crossing Loftus Drive on Bartlett
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November6,2014
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Avenue. Both Bartlett and Loftus provide one travel lane in each direction with on- street
parking generally allowed with the exception of street sweeping restrictions.
Warrant Study Analysis
A Warrant Study for traffic control devices was previously conducted for this intersection
and both were presented to the Traffic Commission for review in December 2012. At that
time, warrant requirements were not met for the installation of stop control devices at the
intersection of Bartlett Avenue and Loftus Drive. A Warrant Study was conducted for the
intersection of Bartlett Avenue and Olney Street in February 2014 and, like with Bartlett
Avenue and Loftus Drive, the warrant requirements were not met to justify the installation of
traffic control devices. The results of the warrant studies are presented below.
The criteria for determining if all -way stop controls are warranted is based on a number of
factors as set by the California Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices ( MUTCD). These
factors include an analysis of minimum volumes of traffic on each street approach,
accidents, vehicle speeds, pedestrian traffic and potential sight obstructions.
Based on a review of these factors, it was determined that the intersection does not meet
minimum volume or accident thresholds as determined by the MUTCD for the installation of
all -way stop controls at Bartlett Avenue and Loftus Drive. This information is summarized
below:
Traffic
Control Devices are Justified
If:
A. A crash problem exists, as indicated by five (5) or more
NOT MET
accidents in a 12 -month period, or
B. If minimum Volumes are met
NOT MET
The Volume entering the intersection along the major
approach (total from both directions) averages 300
vehicles per hour for any eight (8) hours of an average
day, AND
The combined vehicle, pedestrian, and bicycle volumes
N/A
entering the intersection along the minor approach (total
from both directions) averages at least 200 units per hour
for the same eight 8 hours.
If the 85 percentile approach speed of the major
NIA
approach (street) exceeds 40 MPH, the minimum volume
thresholds become 70 ercent of the above values.
After reviewing this information, the location was further analyzed to determine if other
measures could be taken. Since this path of travel provides a safe route of travel to school
for pedestrians and school -aged children, it has been determined that the addition of both
stop signs and yellow marked school -zone crosswalks at the intersection of Bartlett Avenue
Traffic Commission Meeting
November 6, 2014
Page 3 of 3
and Loftus Drive is warranted to improve safety conditions. The addition of this protected
crossing will enable school -aged children to arrive safely at Janson Elementary School.
According to the MUTCD, although this location did not meet the standard warrant
requirements for the installation of traffic control devices, the local agency may implement
the aforementioned traffic control devices in any location where the devices would enhance
traffic safety. In accordance with this provision, it is recommended that both stop signs and
yellow marked school -zone crosswalks be installed at the intersection of Bartlett Avenue
and Loftus Drive.
In order to accommodate the installation of the stop signs and crosswalks at the
intersection of Bartlett Avenue and Loftus Drive, approximately 125' of parking restrictions
(red curbing) will need to be added to the west side of Bartlett Avenue. This red curbing will
be added to the existing red curbing that is adjacent to the school lot entrance on Bartlett
Avenue and will extend through and beyond the crosswalks and stop signs at Loftus Drive.
This will result in the net loss of approximately six on street parking spaces. There is on -site
parking available at Janson school for staff and parking is permitted on the east side of
Bartlett Avenue as well as the surrounding streets.
Submitted by:
Sean S
Acting Public Works Manager
Attachments:
1. Area Overview and Detail Site View
2. Warrants for the Installation of Pedestrian Crosswalks
3. Outreach Notification
Attachment 1: Area Map of the Study Location
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Attachment 2: Warrants for Pedestrian Crosswalks:
The California Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices (CA- MUTCD) dated January 21, 2010, published by State
Department of Transportation (Caltrans) provides guidance, standard and support for installing traffic control devices,
including Pedestrian Crosswalk markings, on State highway and urban streets. The following is a summary of these
guidelines applicable for installing Pedestrian Crosswalks relevant to this project:
According to CA- MUTCD, the purpose of crosswalk markings is to "provide guidance for pedestrians who are crossing
roadways by defining and delineating paths on approaches to and within signalized intersections and on approaches to
other intersections where traffic stops. Crosswalk markings also serve to alert road users of a pedestrian crossing point
across roadways not controlled by highway traffic signals or STOP signs. At non - intersection locations, crosswalk
markings legally establish the crosswalk."
The following are excerpts from CA -MUTCD on standards and guidance for crosswalk installation:
- Crosswalks should be marked at all intersections where there is substantial conflict between vehicular and
pedestrian movements.
- Marked crosswalks should be provided at other appropriate points of pedestrian concentration, such as at loading
islands, mid -bock pedestrian crossings, or where pedestrians could not otherwise recognize the proper place to
cross.
- Crosswalk lines should not be used indiscriminately. An engineering study should be performed before they are
installed at locations away from highway traffic signals or STOP signs.
- Crosswalk markings near schools shall be yellow as provided in California Vehicle Code (CVC) Section 21368.
CVC 21368 states that:
" Crosswalks Near Schools
21368. Whenever a marked pedestrian crosswalk has been established in a roadway contiguous to a school
building or the grounds thereof, it shall be painted or marked in yellow as shall be all the marked pedestrian
crosswalks at an intersection in case any one of the crosswalks is required to be marked in yellow. Other
established marked pedestrian crosswalks may be painted or marked in yellow if either (a) the nearest point of the
crosswalk is not more than 600 feet from a school building or the grounds thereof, or (b) the nearest point of the
crosswalk is not more than 2,800 feet from a school building or the grounds thereof, there are no intervening
crosswalks other than those contiguous to the school grounds, and it appears that the facts and circumstances
require special painting or marking of the crosswalks for the protection and safety of persons attending the school.
There shall be painted or marked in yellow on each side of the street in the lane or lanes leading to all yellow
marked crosswalks the following words, "SLOW- SCHOOL XING," except that such words shall not be painted or
marked in any lane leading to a crosswalk at an intersection controlled by stop signs, traffic signals or yield right -of-
way signs. A crosswalk shall not be painted or marked yellow at any location other than as required or permitted in
this section."
- In general, crosswalks should not be marked at intersections unless they are intended to channelize pedestrians.
- The following factors may be considered:
• Vehicular approach speeds from both directions
• Vehicular volume and density
• Vehicular turning movements
• Pedestrian Volumes
• Roadway widths
• Day and night visibility by both pedestrians and motorists
• Channelization is desirable to clarify pedestrian routes for sighted or sight impaired pedestrians
• Discouragement of pedestrian use of undesirable routes
• Consistency with markings at adjacent intersections or within the same intersection
- Crosswalk markings may be established between intersections (mid - block) in accordance with CVC 211106(a):
"Establishment of Crosswalks
21106. (a) Local authorities, by ordinance or resolution, may establish crosswalks between intersections.
(b) Local authorities may install signs at or adjacent to an intersection directing that pedestrians shall not cross in a
crosswalk indicated at the intersection. It is unlawful for any pedestrian to cross at the crosswalk prohibited by a
sign."
- Mid -block crossings are generally unexpected by the motorists and should be discouraged unless, in the opinion
of the engineer, there is strong justification in favor of such installation. Particular attention should be given to
roadways with two or more traffic lanes in one direction as a pedestrian may be hidden from view by a vehicle
yielding the right -of -way to a pedestrian.
- White PED XING pavement markings may be placed in each approach lane to a marked crosswalk, except at
intersections controlled by traffic signals or STOP or YIELD signs.
City of Rosemead
TRAFFIC CONCERN NOTIFICATION
The City of Rosemead Traffic Commission will be reviewing a request for the installation
of stops signs on Bartlett Avenue at the intersection of Loftus Drive. Additionally, yellow
marked school zone crosswalks across Bartlett Avenue are included in the request. In
order to accommodate the stop signs and crosswalks, approximately 125' of red curbing
will need to be added to the west side of Bartlett Avenue, eliminating up to six on street
parking spaced.
You are being notified because your property is in close proximity to this location. We
encourage your comments regarding traffic safety in this area. If you wish to comment
on the issue, you are invited to attend the Traffic Commission's next meeting on
Thursday, November 6, 2014 at 7 PM at the Rosemead City Hall City Council
Chambers.
If you are unable to attend the meeting, you may send a letter with your comments
directly to City Hall, attention Sean Sullivan, Acting Public Works Manager. You may
also fax your letter to City Hall at (626) 307 -9218.
We appreciate your concern for traffic safety in the City of Rosemead. Should you have
any questions regarding this letter, please contact us at (626) 569 -2150.
For information please call:
Para obtener mas informacion, favor de Ilamar al:
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626 -569 -2150
PROPOSED STOP SIGNS, CROSSWALKS, AND RED CURBING —
BARTLETT AVENUE R LOFTUS DRIVE