Print Back to Calendar Return
  Agenda Item   30.    
City Council Meeting
Meeting Date: 10/19/2021  
FROM: Bill Gallardo

Subject:
Reflective Backplates at Signalized Intersection Pilot Program
RECOMMENDATION
Approve Pilot Program
BACKGROUND/DISCUSSION
In past years, the intersection of Lambert Road and Berry Street has experienced some of the highest collision rates in the City.  The predominate cause for collisions is weekday broadsides involving westbound and southbound vehicles.  In an effort to address the issue, traffic signal timing parameters have been adjusted a number of times.  Despite these efforts, collision rates are still higher than expected.
 
At the September 16, 2021 Traffic Committee Meeting, the City Traffic Engineer (CTE) provided an update on monitoring efforts and suggested that consideration be given to a “Pilot Program” to install yellow reflective backplates on all 16 traffic signal indications at the intersection.  This new treatment is designed to improve visibility of signal indications, especially at night or low illumination levels.  Traffic safety studies by US Department of Transportation have suggested that this treatment may reduce crash rates by up to 15% on highways in rural areas.  In addition, Caltrans has begun retrofitting some of their traffic signals in the City with this new treatment such as the intersection of Valencia & Lambert/Carbon Canyon (see attachment A).  CTE is recommending a pilot as a supplement to reprogramming to specifically address collisions at night and low light situations. This would be especially relevant after November 7, when Daylight Saving Time ends and motorists are driving in the dark earlier in the evening.  

Term of the pilot program would be for 1 year to focus on evaluating crash rates and would report back to Traffic Committee of its findings.  It is staff’s goal to be able to quantify benefits and costs of the treatment to determine if other traffic signals in City should receive similar treatments.
COMMISSION/COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION
Traffic Committee reviewed staff's recommendation at their September 16, 2021 meeting and recommended to proceed.
 
FISCAL IMPACT/SUMMARY
Recommended reflective backplate pilot program would have a 1-year term at a cost of approximately $4,000 for Lambert Road and Berry Street intersection.  Pilot would monitor crash rates and report back to Traffic Committee of its findings. There are sufficient funds from CIP #7218 (Traffic Signal Controller Upgrade) to pay for the pilot.  
RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED:
William Gallardo, City Manager
Prepared by:   David Roseman, City Traffic Engineer
Concurrence:  Michael Ho, P.E., Deputy Director of Public Works / City Engineer
                        Tony Olmos, P.E., Public Works Director 
Attachments
Attachment A

AgendaQuick©2005 - 2024 Destiny Software Inc., All Rights Reserved