HomeMy WebLinkAboutView PSAC Agenda Item No.5 (PDF 192KB)CITY OF ���
LADE LSINORE
DREAM EXTREME,
CITY OF LAKE ELSINORE
REPORT TO PUBLIC SAFETY ADVISORY COMMISSION
TO: CHAIRMAN AND MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC SAFETY ADVISORY
COMMISSION
FROM: JUSTIN CARLSON,
MANAGEMENT ANALYST
DATE: JUNE 13, 2012
SUBJECT: MCVICKER CANYON PARK ROAD TRAFFIC SAFETY MEASURES
Background
On Monday, June 4, 2012, Mr. Charles Almiron contacted the PSAC Commissioners to
inform them that, he believes, motorist are exceeding the posted speed limit of twenty-five
(25) mile per hour along McVicker Canyon Park road. Mr. Almiron noted that McVicker
Canyon Park road is heavily utilized by both pedestrians and automobiles; thus the
excessive speed by motorists is causing an unsafe traffic condition.
In 2010, Mr. Almiron and a group of residents lobbied the PSAC to address traffic safety
measures along McVicker Canyon Park Road. The City reviewed the area and
recommended that striping be included that created a definitive median as well as bike
lanes. Furthermore, the City also conducted a speed survey to document actual speeds
driven by motorists on this roadway. Unfortunately, the speed limit study concluded that a
speed limit increase was warranted. Mr. Almiron and his group then successfully lobbied
the City Council against the potential speed limit increase for McVicker Canyon Park road.
Discussion
Mr. Almiron is advocating that the PSAC support the placement of "stop" signs at the
arterial streets along McVicker Canyon Park road. Mr. Almiron believes that will reduce
excessive speeds and improve traffic circulation. Also, Mr. Almiron is requesting the
construction of a physical median that could prevent motorists from passing one another
while traveling on McVicker Canyon Park road.
In line with typical traffic engineering standards, stop signs are located in areas that meet
Agenda Item No. $'
McVicker Canyon Park Road Traffic Safety Measures
June 13, 2012
Page 2
the requirements of a stop sign warrant study. Stop signs are used to assign right of way
and regulate the flow of traffic, allowing side -street traffic or pedestrians opportunity to
enter an intersection which would otherwise be difficult due to the volume of traffic on the
main road. The state traffic guidelines say that stop signs should not be used as a method
of controlling speed. Studies have found that the use of stop signs as speed control
resulted in speeding between the stop signs and/or non-compliance with the stop control.
It is staff's position that the use of stop signs requires a warrant study or special
circumstances in order to be installed and enforced.
Fiscal Impact
Unknown. Fiscal impact will depend on the type of median improvements to be installed.
Recommendation
Direct staff to conduct a stop warrant study at the arterial street intersections with McVicker
Canyon Road and review the area for special circumstances that may qualify for
installation of a stop controlled intersection(s) and move forward as the study(s) conclude.
Prepared By: Justin Carlson,
Management Analyst
Ken Seumalo,
Director of Public Works`
Attachments:
1. Charles Almiron's email to the PSAC, dated June 5, 2012.
Agenda Item No.
Justin Carlson
From: Charles Almiron [charles_a99@hotmail.com]
Sent: Tuesday, June 05, 2012 4:55 PM
To: Justin Carlson
Subject: FW: Speed along McVicker Canyon Park Rd.
From: charles_a99@hotmail.com
To: mnorkin@lake-elsinore.org; djstewart@lake-elsinore.org; rcummings@lake-elsinore.org; edana@lake-elsinore.org;
mfairchild@lake-elsinore.org
Subject: Speed along McVicker Canyon Park Rd.
Date: Mon, 4 Jun 2012 13:40:37 -0700
Dear Public Safety Advisory Commission,
I reside roughly 1 mile up McVicker Canyon Park Rd. When we purchased our home in Q3-2008, construction didn't
extend passed our street. As the economy has improved and construction continued, we now have more residents and
approximately another 0.5 miles of road continuing up the hill.
Travelling from the newer section of homes near the top of McVicker, cars are usually exceeding the 25 MPH posted
speed limit by the time they drive past my street, Star Ridge Dr. Without a doubt, this speed is carried along the entire
length of McVicker, driving past 5 additional arterial roads, a fire station, and community park. This road is constantly
used throughout the day by residents of the community to exercise and walk their dogs. Down -hill speeds exceeding 25
MPH are incredibly unsafe for this road for both pedestrians and drivers. Vehicles stopping distance is dramatically
increased; vehicles are subjective to sever instability in case of extreme braking or dramatic maneuvers (i.e. accident
avoidance or passing) and pose a major risk to anyone driving or walking along the road. Additionally, the grade and
direction of the road generate several blind spots. Simply, the excessive speed along McVicker by residents and
construction contractors is unsafe and violating the posted 25 MPH speed limit.
Yes, I do abide by the posted speed limit and ROUTINELY have cars passing me in both directions. In the near
four years of our residence in the community, I can count on one hand the number of occasions an Lake Elsinore PD has
been stationed near the bottom of the road. I am not advocating placing a PD officer at the bottom of the hill- their
resources are better served patrolling the city and responding to calls. I am advocating additional action be taken to
improve safety along McVicker Canyon Park Rd.
Along with fellow neighbors, my wife and I have lobbied PSAC in early 2010 for action on McVicker Canyon Park Rd. By
the recommendation of Ken Seumalo, Director of Public Works, the mitigation was striping, creating a definitive median
and street division, as well as bike lanes. This action was accompanied by a speed limit survey study to monitor traffic
travelling on the road, at the recommendation of Mr. Seumalo. At that time, he also advised against any sort of physical
deterrent (i.e. speed hump/ bump) or STOP signage before striping the road. The speed humps/ bumps were explained
to impede the ability of emergency vehicles travelling along the road. The results of the traffic survey led to a proposed
speed limit increase in the fall of 2010. We lobbied the City Council against the potential speed limit increase and were
successful.
I agree with Mr. Seumalo in this regard, that there shouldn't be any "obstructions" to hinder the response time of any
emergency vehicles. The exception to impeding emergency vehicles are Stop signs. Emergency vehicles can (and
typically do) yield or disregard stop signs in cases of emergency. Additionally, by law all traffic is to pull over to the side
of the road, to provide emergency vehicles a clear travel path.
The case I'm presenting here is in support of placing stop signs along McVicker at several arterial streets, where those
streets begin. This will reduce opportunities for excessive speeds and improve the safety; the signs serve as definitive
"breaks" in the road that could serve to reduce the overall traffic speed and provide vehicles on arterial streets a safe
transition onto McVicker. A physical median would also prevent vehicles from passing others along the road. Though,
this does come at a greater expense, it can be combined with a landscaped planter to further improve the appearance of
the local community. Perhaps something to partner in with the community HOA?
In closing, I am extremely pleased with the responses and past experiences from the PSAC and Lake Elsinore City. We
have full faith that our concerns are taken as opportunities to continually improve the safety of our communities. Thank
you for your service!
Please feel free to contact me with any questions.
Schedule permitting, I can appear at the future PSAC meetings so this can be taken into record.
Regards,
Charles Almiron
29410 Star Ridge Dr.
Lake Elsinore, CA 92530
c)951-520-3642