Item No. 2 Traffic Signal InstallationAGENDA ITEM
May 9, 2018
TO: Members of the
City Traffic Commission
THRU: Jacki Scott
City Traffic Engineer
ReviewedNerified B
City Traffic E mee
To Be Presented y:
Dave Allenbach
FROM: Traffic Engineering Division
Public Works Department
1. SUBJECT
Request for the installation of a traffic signal at the intersection of South Glassell Street and
Palmyra Avenue.
2. SUMMARY
The apartment manager and residents at 301 South Glassell Street, the Palmyra Apartments,
requested the installation of a traffic signal at South Glassell Street and Palmyra Avenue as the
result of accidents at this location.
3. RECOMMENDED
Deny the request for the installation of a traffic signal and direct staff to install red curb for
increased site distance and to pursue funding opportunities to update the three pedestrian
crossings along South Glassell Street at Palmyra Avenue, Culver Avenue, and south of East
River Avenue.
4. FISCAL IMPACT
Funds are available in the following account:
262.5032.56100.16302 Traffic Control Devices
5. STRATEGIC PLAN GOAL(S)
1.5 Provide and maintain infrastructure necessary to ensure the safety of the public.
6. GENERAL PLAN IMPLEMENTATION
Growth ManaEement Goal 1.0 Reduce traffic congestion within the City.
ITEM 2
May 9, 2018
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Policy 1.10: Apply traffic calming measures, where appropriate, to residential neighborhoods
affected by cut - through traffic in accordance with the City's Residential Neighborhood Traffic
Management Program.
7. DISCUSSION and BACKGROUND
On January 31, 2018, the Traffic Division received a request to install an All -Way STOP or
traffic signal at the intersection of South Glassell Street and Palmyra Avenue. The request was
submitted by the property manager for the Palmyra Apartments located at the southeast corner of
South Glassell Street and Palmyra Avenue. The request cites concerns related to accidents and is
signed by approximately 35 of the residents living within the complex.
This request is the third in recent years, as a traffic signal warrant analysis was completed in
2015 and 2016 following similar complaints. The warrants for installing a traffic signal in 2015
and 2016 were not met; however, the most recent study indicates a traffic signal warrant has now
been met, specifically based upon the number of accidents at the intersection. It should be noted
that an All -Way STOP is not being considered at this location due to the excessive amount of
delay this would cause along South Glassell Street.
Existing Conditions
South Glassell Street runs in a north south direction, has a curb -to -curb width of 40 feet and a
posted speed limit of 30 MPH between La Veta and Almond Avenues. On- street parking is
allowed on both sides of the street in the study area. There is approximately 90 feet of red curb
on both sides of South Glassell Street south of Palmyra for the bus stops. There is also 15 feet of
red curb on both sides of South Glassell Street north of Palmyra Avenue the prevent vehicles
from parking too close to the intersection. There is a marked crosswalk on the south leg of the
intersection with a continually flashing warning beacon. South Glassell Street has an average
daily volume of 17,000 vehicles.
Palmyra Avenue runs in an east -west direction and has a curb -to -curb width of 40 feet. The
posted speed limit on Palmyra Avenue is 25 MPH. East and west bound traffic on Palmyra
Avenue is controlled by a two -way stop at South Glassell Street. On street parking is allowed on
both sides of the street and can be in in high demand on the west leg of Palmyra Avenue.
Average daily traffic volume on Palmyra Avenue is between 1,600 and 1,700 vehicles. Together
Palmyra Avenue and South Glassell Street intersect at a ninety- degree angle.
Accident History
The traffic signal warrant analysis recently completed indicates five accidents have occurred
within a 12 -month period (January 2017 to January 2018) Further investigation into the cause of
the accidents was reviewed and considered to determine what, if any, corrective measures are
recommended, including the installation of a traffic signal.
0a
It was found that of the five accidents, all were right angle, one was a DUI, one involved an
unlicensed driver, one was a hit and run, and one involved an uninsured driver. Four of the
accidents occurred during daylight hours and one a night time hours. Of particular interest, four
vehicles involved motorists driving southbound on South Glassell Street. Upon examination of
the intersection, it was noted that significantly less red curb exists on the north side of the
intersection than the south side which may be limiting the overall sight distance for vehicles
attempting to cross South Glassell Street at Palmyra Avenue. Currently, parking is allowed
within the marked stalls.
Analysis
The Manuel of Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) has several warrants that may be
used to evaluate a candidate intersection for the possible installation of a Traffic Signal. It should
be noted that the satisfaction of one or more warrants does not in and of itself require the
installation of a traffic control signal; however, it is a highly recommended practice to find less
restrictive measures to address traffic issues prior to approving a traffic signal installation.
Traffic Signal warrants include entering traffic volume for the eight highest hours of a typical
day; interruption of continuous traffic; entering volume and turning movements during the AM
and PM Peak traffic hours; intersection delay; pedestrian movement at the intersection and
accident history. Warrants not used in this traffic study include the school zone warrant and the
railroad crossing warrant, which do not apply at this intersection. See the attached warrant sheets
for further detail.
Based on our warrant analysis, staff found that the only warrant met was the accident history
warrant. While all of the reported accidents were right angle accidents, most appear to be the
result of poor driving habits, which are not conditions that are likely correctable with a traffic
signal. Since most of the accidents involved a south bound vehicle on South Glassell Street,
additional red curb should be considered as a corrective measure on the north side of the
intersection to improve overall intersection sight distance, and specifically for motorists looking
to enter or cross South Glassell Street from Palmyra Avenue.
As part of the overall traffic signal warrant analysis, it was noted by staff that the pedestrian
flasher at the subject intersection flashes continually. Staff has received a number of complaints
in recent years from pedestrians. Over time, the continuous flasher pattern programmed on South
Glassell Street at Culver and River Avenues have become a part of the landscape, most motorists
do not pay attention to them after getting use to the continuous operations. Pedestrian safety at
these three crosswalks could be enhanced by replacing the existing flashers with Rapid Reflector
Flashing Beacons (RRFB's), which are only activated by a pedestrian. Fifteen crosswalk
locations around the city were recently improved with the installation of new RRFB technology
and have received a lot of positive feedback from motorists and pedestrians.
3
Recommendation
It is recommended that as a corrective measure, the city initiate the removal of parking on the
north side of the intersection and install additional red curb to increase site distance looking in
the northerly direction. Currently, 17,000 vehicles per day travel along South Glassell Street at
Palmyra Avenue, and this additional site distance is appropriate for the speed and volume of
traffic. Installing additional red curb is expected to provide added visibility and result in a
reduced number of future accidents
In addition to the recommended red curb, it is also staff s recommendation to replace the
overhead pedestrian flashers with updated Rapid Reflector Flashing Beacon (RRFB) style
pedestrian warning devices. There are three locations along South Glassell Street, at Palmyra
Avenue, Culver Avenue, and south of East River Avenue, where continuous overhead flashers
were installed some decades ago. New updated technology is available at a fairly reasonable cost
to replace the continuous flashers with solar powered RRFB type flashers that are only activated
by push button when a pedestrian is present and crossing the roadway. This style of pedestrian
warning flasher was recently installed at 15 locations around the city, including three locations in
Old Towne, and have been very popular with pedestrians.
It is estimated to cost approximately $30,000 to update the three locations along South Glassell
Street with current RRFB technology. A source of funding for this has not been identified at this
time, but with the concurrence of the Traffic Commission, staff will seek a source of funds for
the replacement in the future. The City may be eligible for a federal grant or funding may be
identified in a future CIP budget cycle.
The proponent and all residents and businesses within 300 feet of the study area were notified of
the Traffic Commission Meeting.
8. ATTACHMENTS
• Letter of Request
• Site Sketch and Intersection Photos
• Warrant Sheet
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N:\Public Works \TRAFFIC \C T C\Reports\2018 Reports\2018 -5 -9 \Item No. 2 - Signal Installation \Item No. 2 - Signal
Installation. Doc
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January 31, 2018
Hi, Jimmy Rocha-
My name if Julie Medina.
I am the property manager at the Palmyra Apartments located on the corner of Palmyra and Glassell-
301 S. Glassell Street.
I have enclosed petitions signed by my residents and myself requesting that the city adds a 4 -way stop
or street light on Palmyra and Glassell.
I have been at the property just over 3 months and have already witnessed a handful of accidents.
Please contact me if you have any questions.
Thank you in advance for your time.
Sincerely,
Julie Medina
714 - 639 -2121
Letter of Request
ADD -ON OF STREET LIGHT OR 4 -WAY STOP PETITION
REQUESTED LOCATION: PALMYRA AND GLASSELL IN ORANGE, CA
REASON FOR REQUEST: To prevent future vehicle accidents
We, the undersigned, are advocating for a street light or 4 -way stop on
Palmyra and Glassell due to the vast number of accidents that have
occurred year after year, specifically in the last few months.
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ADD -ON OF STREET LIGHT OR 4 -WAY STOP PETITION
REQUESTED LOCATION: PALMYRA AND GLASSELL IN ORANGE, CA
REASON FOR REQUEST: To prevent future vehicle accidents +
We, the undersigned, are advocating for a street light or 4 -way stop on
Palmyra and Glassell due to the vast number of accidents that have
occurred year after year, specifically in the last few months.
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City of
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Public Works Department
CITY OF ORANGE
Department of Public Works
Traffic Engineering Division
Minimum Warrants for the Installation - Analysis Summary
Of a Traffic Signal at South Glassell Street and Palmyra Avenue
EXISTING CONTROL: Two -Way Stop on Palmyra Avenue
California MUTCD 2014 Edition Traffic Signal Warrants Worksheet Not Not
Satisfied Satisfied Applicable
I. Warrant 1— Eight Hour Vehicular Volume
Condition A, Condition B, and a Combination of Conditions
A &B not met
X
II. Warrant 2 -Four Hour Vehicular Volume
X
III. Warrant 3 - Peak Hour
Part A and Part B not satisfied
X
IV. Warrant 4 - Pedestrian Volume
Part 1 and Part 2 not satisfied
X
V. Warrant 5 - School Crossing
X
VI. Warrant 6 — Coordinated Signal Systems
X
VII. Warrant 7 — Crash Experience
5 crashes January 2017 to January 2018
X
VIII. Warrant 8 - Roadway Network
X
Warrant Sheet
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-MEMO
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REPORTED ACCIDENTS 01/01/2017 TO 01/28/2018
0 PROPERTY DAMAGE ONLY
O COMPLAINT OF PAIN
0 OTHER VISIBLE INJURY
® SEVEREINJURY
0 FATAL