The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) is presently updating its Engineering and Traffic Surveys for Third and Fourth Streets, which are part of California State Highways 75 and 282. The results of the updated surveys will determine the future speed limits on these streets. Caltrans has completed its data collection and the surveys should be completed by the end of the year. The surveys are required to be performed every 10 years.
If the speed of the majority (85 percent) of the traffic exceeds 33 mph, it could result in raising the speed limit to 30 mph. If the speed is greater than 42 mph, the resulting speed limit could be 35 mph.
Traffic on Fourth Street Between Orange Avenue and the Bridge Passing a Car Traveling at the Posted Speed Limit of 25 MPH
Prior to 2005, when the last surveys were performed by Caltrans, the speed limit on the majority of Third and Fourth Streets was 30 mph and 35 mph on Fourth Street between Orange Avenue and the bridge. The speed limits were reduced based on the “higher than average accident rates and high residential density” as allowed by the California Manual for Setting Speed limits, which allows the speed limit to be reduced by 5 mph from the nearest 5 mph increment of the 85th percentile speed.
Although the speed limits were lowered to 25 mph, the actual speed of the traffic on Third and Fourth Streets has not decreased substantially, if at all. In 2001 the speed of the majority of the traffic west of Orange Avenue on Third Street between F and G Avenues was 34 mph. When measured in 2013 it was unchanged. On Fourth Street west of Orange Avenue between F and G Avenues the speed was measured at 35 mph in 2001 and 33 mph in 2013. East of Orange Avenue on Fourth Street the situation is much the same. Between C and B Avenues in both 2011 and 2012 the speed of the majority of the traffic was measured at 36 mph and in 2006 it was measured at 36 mph between B and A Avenues. One reason why drivers ignore a posted speed limit is stated in the California Manual for Setting Speed Limits, “Regardless of the posted speed limit, the majority of drivers will continue to drive at speeds at which they feel comfortable.”
Left: Outside the Afternoon Rush Hour the Capacity of Fourth Street’s 3 Travel Lanes Exceeds the Requirements of the Traffic, Which Contributes to Drivers Exceeding the Posted Speed Limit
An issue with Third and Fourth Streets is that outside of the morning and afternoon rush hours they have more capacity than required by the traffic on them. Further, they are mostly straight, unobstructed roads and aside from the traffic signals at Orange Avenue they are devoid of measures that would reduce the speed of the traffic. As a consequence the majority of the traffic exceeds the posted speed limit.
The stated goal of the City’s Transportation Commission is to reduce the speed of the majority of the traffic on Third and Fourth Streets to 25 mph, which reflects the sentiment of the majority of the residents who live in proximity to these streets. In response to a survey conducted by the City, over 70 percent of the residents indicated that the speed of the traffic on these streets is an issue.
To achieve this objective and thereby reduce the danger to pedestrians, cyclists and motorists trying to cross Third and Fourth Streets, the City retained the traffic engineering firm of Fehr and Peers to identify alternative sets of measures that would reduce the actual speed of the traffic. The consultant presented three sets of strategies at a public workshop on August 6, 2014, all of which have the potential of reducing the speed of the traffic on Third and Fourth Streets to the posted speed limit of 25 mph. The workshop was followed by a resident survey to gather additional feedback on the alternative strategies. Based on the feedback received the consultant will present its recommendations at a second workshop that is planned for November 10, 2014.
All three of the alternative sets of measures contain several common elements: traffic signals at Third and Fourth Streets at Alameda Boulevard, traffic signals at B Avenue at Third and Fourth Streets, “keep clear” pavement markings at Fourth Street at D Avenue and Third Street at C Avenue, and curb extensions at Pomona Avenue at Glorietta Place.
The first alternative adds to these measures traffic signals at F Avenue at Third and Fourth Streets, H Avenue at Third and Fourth Streets, and Glorietta Boulevard at the bridge. (The signal at Glorietta Boulevard would not allow traffic to turn south onto Glorietta Boulevard from the bridge.) It also adds bulb-outs at Third and Fourth Streets at Palm Avenue.
The second set of measures would reduce Third and Fourth Streets to two traffic lanes during non-rush hour periods, and a third lane that would be used for parking during non-rush hour periods and traffic during periods of peak traffic while retaining parking on one side of each street. Sidewalks or the landscaped parking strip would be widened. This alternative would also add high visibility raised crosswalks and speed tables at several locations along Third and Fourth Streets and bulb-outs at Palm Avenue at Third and Fourth Streets.
Right: The Third Set of Measures Would Make this Segment of F Avenue Between Palm Avenue and Fourth Street One Way Going North
The third alternative would remove parking on one side of both Third and Fourth Streets thereby allowing the construction of wider sidewalks or wider landscaped parking strips. It would also add traffic signals at Third and Fourth Streets at Palm Avenue, at Third Street at F Avenue, and at Glorietta Boulevard at the bridge. Speed tables and high visibility raised crosswalks would be added at several locations along Third and Fourth Streets. Finally, H Avenue would be closed from Third Street to Palm Avenue, F Avenue between Palm and Fourth Street would be made one-way, and curb extensions would be installed at Fourth Street at C and A Avenues.
It is anticipated that the final set of measures recommended by the consultant will have the ability to reduce the speed of the traffic on Third and Fourth Streets to the posted speed limit, if they are implemented. What is implemented will depend on the City Council and Caltrans, which will make the final decision for as long as Third and Fourth Streets remain state highways.
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John Tato
Staff Writer
eCoronado.com
