pages: TransportationCommission/2012-04-25.pdf, 7
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TransportationCommission | 2012-04-25 | 7 | Staff Khan stated yes the Rectangular-shaped Rapid Flash Beacons are used in many places like Berkeley. Staff is considering one on Fernside Boulevard, which is carrying 9,000 vehicles per day. His only concern is if the beacons were implemented on Santa Clara Avenue and 4th Street, the bright lights would disturb homes in the residential neighborhood. Commissioner Bellows replied the lights would only be on during the day since that is when they would have the most use. Staff Khan stated they would look into this. Commissioner Moehring mentioned that she loved the pedestrian signal lights and since it is a narrower street it would require fewer lights. Staff Khan told the Commission that they could see the lights in action in Berkeley on Martin Luther King near Alcatraz. Overall, studies found a compliance rate of 95 percent of motorists stop for the beacons compared to the lighted crosswalk at 75-80 percent compliance. Commissioner Moehring said she understood everything that cannot be done and she wanted to know what could be done. Staff Khan replied that staff could make the crosswalk more visible by installing crosshatching and they have done that in other places. The current signs are up to standard for color, visibility and reflection. Also, they can work with the police to install a Speed Traffic Trailer, which advertizes motorists' speeds. Commissioner Vargas stated if stop signs cannot be erected what is possible without breaking policy or law. Staff Khan stated that staff would look at the Rapid Flash Beacons because lighted crosswalks are quite expensive. The Rapid Flash Beacon has lower energy usage and could cost anywhere from $14,000-15,000. He would work with the school district and community to pursue grants to fund it, if the community wants it. He also mentioned that rumble strips receive noise complaints at night by the community and he does not recommend them placed in residential areas. Commissioner Miley mentioned that drivers often ignore feedback signs and enforcement is an important component. He wanted to know what is the City's liability if they install an unwarranted stop sign. Staff Khan stated there are certain things in state law that you cannot do. When installing stop signs, the review analysis states five collisions must occur in the past 12 months that are correctable by a stop sign. He explained the presence of too many traffic controls without it being warranted, will eventually foster bad driving behavior by drivers ignoring stop signs. Commissioner Miley explained it was good to see the traffic counts in the staff report and he wanted to get a sense of the pedestrian volume. Page 7 of 14 | TransportationCommission/2012-04-25.pdf |