town of san anselmo staff report

TO: Town Council

TOWN OF SAN ANSELMO STAFF REPORT

November 17, 2015

For the meeting of November 24, 2015

FROM: Sean Condry, P.E., Public Works Director Dan Blomquist, P.E., Senior Engineer

SUBJECT: School Zone Speed Limit Reduction

RECOMMENDATION:

That Town Council approves the Resolution (Attachment 1) to establish 15 mile per hour school zone speed limits on two lane streets within 500 feet of Brookside Elementary, Wade Thomas Elementary, St. Anselm's Elementary and Sir Francis Drake High Schools.

BACKGROUND:

To address public concerns regarding vehicle speeds around schools, particularly during the busy pickup and drop-off times, Public Works Staff and the Central Marin Police Authority have developed

. a plan to establish school zone speed limits in the vicinity of each elementary school and at the high school to allo~ posting and enforcement of a 15 mile per hour (MPH) speed limit when children are present.

DISCUSSION:

School Zone Speed Limits:

On January 1, 2008, California Assembly Bill (AB) 321 (Attachment 2) went into effect. The bill contained a provision to extend the 25 MPH prima facie speed limit in school zones from 500 feet to 1,000 feet from the school grounds and to reduce the speed limit to 15 or 20 MPH up to 500 feet from the school grounds, under certain conditions.

One of the intentions of the new law was to enhance the safety of children walking and bicycling to school. If a vehicle is in a collision with a child, a slower moving collision will generally result in a less severe injury or the avoidance of a death.

In 1999 the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration published a "Literature Review on Vehicle Travel Speeds and Pedestrian Injuries." According to NHTSA's study, fatality and serious injury rates increase substantially when travel speeds rise. For example, for children ages 14 or less, 20.2 percent suffer fatal or serious injuries when struck by a vehicle traveling 1-20 MPH, while 32.8 percent are killed or seriously injured when hit by a vehicle traveling 21-25 MPH. The study can be viewed online at: http://www.nhtsa.gov/people/injury/research/pub/HS809012.html.

Item 10a of 14

School Zone Speed Limits November 17, 2015 Page2

California's new reduced or extended school zone speed limits can be applicable on streets that meet the following conditions: 1) Within a residential district that has a posted speed limit no greater than 30 MPH, and 2) No more than a total of two through lanes of traffic.

Similar to the reduced 25 MPH school zone speed limit on streets with higher posted streets, such as on Sir Francis Drake near the high school, the reduced 15 or 20 MPH school zone speed limit would only be in effect only when children are present (going to or leaving school, either during school hours or during the noon recess hour). However, if a fence, gate or other physical barrier does not surround a portion of the school grounds, the 15 or 20 MPH limit would be in effect any time of day or any day of the week

MUTCD Section ?B.15 (CA) in Attachment 3 of this memorandum describes and illustrates the use of extended and reduced school zone speed limits.

A number of jurisdictions in California have reduced the school zone speed limit on eligible residential district street to 15 or 20 MPH since adoption of AB 321. The cities of Goleta, Lompoc, and Santa Maria were among the first jurisdictions to reduce school speed limits. In the summer of 2011, the City and County of San Francisco implemented a program of citywide 15 MPH reduced school zone speed limits covering 181 public and private schools. San Jose implemented a pilot program to reduce the school zone speed limit to 15 MPH at three schools.

The provisions of AB 321 apply to public, charter, and private schools. The law does not require the Town to conduct Engineering and Traffic Surveys (E&TS) to reduce speeds limits within the specified vicinity of the schools. The law allows the establishment of school zone speed limits by ordinance or resolution of the Town.

The use of 15 MPH reduced speed zones, instead of 20 MPH reduced speed zones, is suggested due to the potential for fewer severe injury or fatal collisions with the use of a lower speed limit, as shown in the previously discussed research.

Attachment 4 shows the proposed locations and limits for 15 MPH speed limits at Brookside Elementary School, Wade Thomas Elementary School, St. Anselm's Elementary School and Sir Francis Drake High School.

FISCAL IMPACT:

Approval of the 15 MPH school zone speed limit at each school would require the Town to install up to 20 new street signs and posts. The estimated cost per sign installation is $200 each. Total cost would be $4,000.

Item 10a of 14

School Zone Speed Limits November 17, 2015

Respectfully submitted,

Daniel Blomquist, P.E. Senior Engineer

~o~ Public Works Director

Attachments: Attachment 1 Draft Resolution Attachment 2 California Assembly Bill 321 Attachment 3 MUTCD Section 7B.15(CA) Attachment 4 Table and Maps of Streets Eligible for 15 MPH School Speed Zones

Item 10a Page 3 of 14

Attachment 1

RESOLUTION NO.

A RESOLUTION OF THE TOWN COUNCIL OF THE TOWN OF SAN ANSELMO ESTABLISHING SCHOOL

ZONE SPEED LIMITS

Whereas, the Town of San Anselmo is seeking to improve safety and reduce the severity of collisions in

the vicinity of Brookside Elementary, Wade Thomas Elementary, St. Anselm's Elementary and Sir Francis Drake High Schools; and

Whereas, establishment of 15 MPH school zone speed limits on two lane streets wit.hin 500 feet of each

school would improve safety for all roadway users and reduce the severity of collisions.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Town Council of the Town of San Anselmo does hereby

establish 15 MPH school zone speed limits on portions of The Alameda, Berkeley Avenue, Brookmead

Place, Belle Avenue, Richmond Road, Mariposa Avenue, Ross Avenue, Woodland Avenue, Sunnyside

Avenue, Crescent Road and Saunders Avenue within 500 feet of a school.

Adopted at a regular meeting of the San Anselmo Town Council held on the 24th day of November, 2015,

by the following vote to wit:

AYES:

NOES:

ABSENT:

ABSTAIN:

Mayor

Deputy Clerk

Item 10a of 14

Attachment 2

Assembly Bill No. 321

CHAPTER384

An act to amend Section 22358.4 of the Vehicle Code, relating to vehicles.

[Approved by Governor October 10, 2007. Filed with Secretary of State October 10, 2007.)

LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST

AB 321, Nava. Vehicles: prima facie speed limits: schools. (1) Existing law establishes a 25 miles per hour prima facie limit when

approaching or passing a school building or the grounds thereof, contiguous to a highway and posted up to 500 feet away from the school grounds, with a standard "SCHOOL" warning sign, while children are going to or leaving the school either during school hours oi during the noon recess period. The prima facie limit also applies when approaching or passing school grounds that are not separated from the highway by a fence, gate, or other physical barrier while the grounds are in use by children and the highway is posted with a standard "SCHOOL" warning sign. A violation of that prima facie limit is an infraction. ·

Existing law allows a city or county, based on an engineering and traffic survey that the prima facie speed limit of 25 miles per hour is more than is reasonable or safe, by ordinance or resolution, to determine and declare a

.. prima facie speed limit of20 or 15 miles per hour, whichever is justified as the appropriate speed limit by that survey.

This bill would additionally allow a city or county to establish in a residence district, on a highway with a posted speed limit of 30 miles per

. hour or slower, a 15 miles per hour prima facie limit when approaching, at a distance of less than 500 feet from, or passing, a: school building or the grounds thereof, contiguous to a highway and posted with a school warning sign that indicates a speed limit of 15 miles per hour, while children are going to or leaving the school, either during school hours or during the noon recess period. The prima facie limit would also apply when approaching, at that same distance, or passing school grounds that are not separated from the highway by a fence, gate, or other physical barrier while the grounds are in use by children and the highway is posted with one of those signs.

The bill would provide that a 25 miles per hour prima facie limit in a residence district, on a highway with a posted speed limit of 30 miles per hour or slower, applies, as to those local authorities, when approaching, at a distance of 500 to 1,000 feet from, one of those areas where children are going to or leaving the school, either during school hours or during the noon recess period, that is posted with a school warning sign that indicates a speed limit of25 miles per hour.

93

Item 10a of 14

Ch. 384 -2-

The bill would require that these prima facie speed limits apply only to highways that meet certain conditions.

The bill would require a city or county that adopts a resolution or ordinance establishing revised prima facie limits to reimburse the Department of Transportation for any costs incurred by that department in implementing the bill.

By authorizing a change in the prima facie limits, the bill would expand the scope of an existing crime, thereby imposing a state-mandated local program.

(2) The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement.

This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason.

The people of the State of California do enact as follows:

SECTION 1. Section 22358.4 of the Vehicle Code is amended to read: 22358.4. (a) (1) Whenever a local authority determines upon the basis

of an engineering and traffic survey that the prima facie speed limit of 25 miles per hour established by paragraph (2) of subdivision (a) of Section 22352 is more. than is reasonable or safe, the local authority may, by ordinance or resolution, determine anci declare a prima facie speed limit of 20 or 15 miles per hour, whichever is justified as the appropriate speed limit by that survey.

(2) An ordinance or resolution adopted under paragraph (1) shall not be effective until appropriate signs giving notice of the speed. limit are erected upon the highway and, in the case of a state highway, until the ordinance is approved by the Department of Transportation and the appropriate signs are erected upon the highway.

(b) (1) Notwithstanding subdivision (a) or any other provision of law, a local authority may, by ordinance or resolution, determine and declare prima facie speed limits as follows:

(A) A 15 miles per hour prima facie limit in a residence district, on a highway with a posted speed limit of 30 miles per hour or slower, when approaching, at a distance of less than 500 feet from, or passing, a school

· building or the grounds of a school building, contiguous to a highway and posted with a school warning sign that indicates a speed limit of 15 miles per hour, while children are going to or leaving the school, either during school hours or during the noon recess period. The prima facie limit shall also apply when approaching, at a distance of less than 500 feet from, or passing, school grounds that are not separated from the highway by a fence, gate, or other physical barrier while the grounds are in use by children and the highway is posted with a school warning sign that indicates a speed limit of 15 miles per hour. '

93

Item 10a of 14

-3- Ch. 384

(B) A 25 miles per hour prima facie limit in a residence district, on a highway with a posted speed limit of 30 miles per hour or slower, when approaching, at a distance of 500 to 1,000 feet from, a school building or the grounds thereof, contiguous to a highway and posted with a school warning sign that indicates a speed limit of25 miles per hour, while children are going to or leaving the school, either during school hours or during the noon recess period. The prima facie limit shall also apply when approaching, at a distance of500 to 1,000 feet from, school grounds that are not separated from the highway by a fence, gate, or other physical barrier while the grounds are in use by children and the highway is posted with a school warning sign that indicates a speed limit of 25 miles per hour.

(2) The prima facie limits established under paragraph (1) apply only to highways that meet all of the following conditions:

(A) A maximum of two traffic lanes. (B) A maximum posted 30 miles per hour prima facie speed limit

immediately prior to and after the school zone. (3) The prima facie limits established under paragraph (1) apply to all

lanes of an affected highway, in both directions of travel. (4) When determining the need to lower the prima facie speed limit, the

local authority shall take the provisions of Section 627 into consideration. (5) (A) An ordinance or resolution adopted under paragraph (1) shall

not be effective until appropriate signs giving notice of the speed limit are erected upon the highway and, in the case of a state highway, until the ordinance is approved by the Department of Transportation and the appropriate signs are erected upon the llighway. .

(B) For purposes of subparagraph (A) of paragraph (1 ), school warning signs indicating a speed limit of 15 miles per hour may be placed at a distance up to 500 feet away from school grounds.

(C) For purposes of subparagraph (B) of paragraph (1), school warning signs indicating a speed limit of 25 miles per hour may be placed at any distance between 500 and 1,000 feet away from the school grounds.

(D) A local authority shall reimburse the Department of Transportation for all costs incurred by the department under this subdivision.

SEC. 2. No reimbursement is required by this act pursuant to Section 6 of Article XIII B of the California Constitution because the only costs that may be incurred by a local agency or school district will be incurred because this act creates a new crime or infraction, eliminates a crime or infraction, or changes the .penalty for a crime or infraction, within the meaning of Section 17556 of the Government Code, or changes the definition ofa crime within the meaning of Section 6 of Article XIII B of the California Constitution.

0

93

Item 10a of 14

ATTACHMENT #3

California MUTCD 2012 Edition

(FHWA's MUTCD 2009 Edition, as amended for use in California)

Section 7B.15 School Speed Limit Assembly

EXTENDED 25 MPH AND/OR REDUCED SPEEDS IN SCHOOL ZONES

Option:

A local authority may declare a 15 mph prima facie speed limit within 500 feet of a school building or school grounds and an extended 25 mph prima facie speed limit within 500 to 1000 feet from a school or school grounds.

Support:

The extended 25 mph school speed zone can provide a progressive speed reduction.

Standard:

If the local authority declares by ordinance or resolution the above prima facie speed limits, all of the following criteria shall be met:

A. Street (or highway) is in a residential district.

B. Street (or highway) outside of a school zone has a posted speed limit no greater than 30 mph.

C. Street (or highway) has no more than a total of two through traffic lanes (one in each direction or two in one direction).

D. The reduced school zone speed limit of 15 mph is within 500 feet of school grounds.

E. The extended school zone speed limit of 25 mph is within 500 to 1000 feet of school grounds.

When used, a local ordinance or resolution adopted ·to establish a 15 mph reduced school zone speed limit and/ or an extended 25 mph school zone speed limit shall not be effective until School Speed Limit Assembly C (CA) giving notice of the speed limit(s) is erected upon the highway.

On a State highway, the ordinance or resolution shall not be effective until the ordinance or resolution has been approved by the Department of Transportation and appropriate school zone speed signs are erected upon the State highway.

For purposes of a 15 mph reduced prima facie speed limit, School Speed Limit Assembly C (CA) indicating a speed limit of 15 mph shall be placed at a distance up to 500 feet away from school grounds. For purposes of an extended 25 mph prima facie speed limit, School Speed Limit Assembly C (CA) indicating a speed limit of 25 mph shall be placed at a:py distance between 500 to 1,000 feet away from school grounds. Refer to Figure 7B-103(CA).

The established school speed limits shall be effective when children are going to or leaving the school, either during school hours or during the noon recess hour. The school speed limits shall also apply when the school grounds are not separated from the highway by a fence, gate, or other

Item 10a of 14

physical barrier while the grounds are in use by children (this condition can apply at any time of day or any day of the week). ·

The determination to reduce a prima facie speed limit to 15 mph and/or extend a 25 mph school zone speed limit, as described above, shall be documented in writing, in an engineering study. The engineering study shall identify the provisions of Section 627 of the Vehicle Code that support the reduced and/or extended school zone speed limit(s).

Guidance:

When preparing an engineering study pursuant to the Standard above, the local authority should cite all elements of an Engineering and Traffic Survey, as discussed in Section 627 of the Vehicle Code, that support the need for a reduced speed limit of 15 mph and/ or an extended 25 mph school zone speed limit.

Support:

The documentation of prevailing speeds found in CVC Section 627 can be used to establish an existing speed profile for the school zone; but the 851h percentile speed is not used to set the reduced or extended school speed limit.

Standard:

The local authority shall reimburse the Department of Transportation for all costs incurred by the Department under this sectiot?;.

Section 7B.16 Reduced School Speed Limit Ahead Sign (S4-5, S4-5a)

Guidance:

A Reduced School Speed Limit Ahead (S4-5, S4-5a) sign (see Figure 7B-1 or 7B-1(CA)) should be used to inform road users of a reduced speed zone where the speed limit is being reduced by more than 10 mph, or where engineering judgment indicates that advance notice would be appropriate for the School Advanc:;e Warning Assembly D (CA).

Standard:

If used, the Reduced School Speed Limit Ahead sign shall be followed by a School Speed Limit sign or a School Speed Limit Assembly C (CA).

The speed limit displayed on the Reduced School Speed Limit Ahead sign shall be identical to the speed limit displayed on the subsequent School Speed Limit sign or School Speed Limit Assembly C (CA).

EXTENDED 25 MPH AND/OR REDUCED SPEEDS IN SCHOOL ZONES

Option:

For school area traffic control with a reduced school zone speed limit of 15 mph and/or an extended school zone speed limit of 25 mph in a residential district, the Reduced Speed School Zone Ahead (S4-5, S4-5a) sign may be used to give advance notice of a reduced 15 mph school zone speed limit and/ or an extended school zone speed limit of 25 mph.

Item 10a of 14

California MUTCD 2012 Edition (FHWA's MUTCD 2009 Edition, as amended for use in California)

Figure 7B-103(CA). Example of Signing for School Area Traffic Control with Extended and/or Reduced School Zone Speed Limits

NOTES: 1. For typical sign installation, see approach from the south side

of school. 2. For typical sign installation for reduced speed conditions, see

approach from the west side of school. 3. If authorized by ordinance or resolution, a progressive reduction

in school zone speed limits may be posted in an extended 25 mph school zone 1000 ft to 500 ft; and, 15 mph school zone less than 500 ft from a school, per Standard paragraph 27, in Seclion 78.15.

4. Signing from the north and east on the figure intentionally not shown.

~ ~ "' 0 .:;.

""""'"'"----' J

5 <ii"

~ "' .. 0 [ z ..

~ Ill "'

§iLO;i~ e;:i .... ·~~

~ ~ "' ~ fih:IO .. ~~ 0

0

~~N1g;

N

I

"I ..

0 ,., .a E .. "' .::!

0 ,., .a E .. "' "' <

Cl

Page 1278

'See Note2

~t "' ;(" ';' a. .::!

~ u; '1' "I ~ i

Chapter 7B - Signs January 13, 2012 Part .7 - Traffic Control for School Areas

Item 10a of 14

ATTACHMENT #4

Table 1: Streets Eligible to l SMPH

School/Street Posted Total Start End Recommendation

Speed Travel

Limit Lanes

i Brookside Elementary School

The Alameda 25 2 500' NW of School 500' E of School Reduce to l 5

MPH Grounds Grounds MPH

Berkeley Ave 25 2 The Alameda 500' E of School Reduce to l 5

MPH Entrance Path MPH

Brookmead 25 2 500' SW of School Brookside Drive Reduce to l 5

Place MPH Grounds MPH

' ; St. Anselm's Elementary School

Belle Ave 25 2 500' E of School Richmond Road Reduce to l 5

MPH Grounds MPH

Richmond Rd 25 2 500' SE of School Mariposa Avenue Reduce to l 5

MPH Grounds MPH

Mariposa Ave 25 2 500' E of School 500' W of School Reduce to l 5

MPH Grounds Grounds MPH

: Wade Thomas Elementary School

Ross Ave 25 2 500' E of School Sunnyside Ave Reduce to l 5

MPH Grounds MPH

Woodland Ave 25 2 500' E of School Sunnyside Ave Reduce to l 5

MPH Grounds MPH

Sunnyside 25 2 500' S of School Woodland Ave Reduce to l 5

Ave MPH Grounds MPH

Crescent Rd 25 2 500 N of School Woodland Ave Reduce to l 5

MPH Grounds MPH

Sir Fr~ncis Drake High School

Saunders Ave 25 2 Sir Francis Drake 500' S of School Reduce to 15

MPH Boulevard Grounds MPH

Item 10a of 14

Item 10a of 14

..

Item 10a of 14

town of san anselmo staff report

Documents