City of Lafayette Action Agenda Circulation Commission Meeting Public Forum

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1 City of Lafayette Action Agenda Circulation Commission Meeting Public Forum January 21, 2016, 7:00 PM Acalanes High School Cafeteria 1200 Pleasant Hill Rd., Lafayette, California 1. CALL TO ORDER 7:00 p.m. 2. ROLL CALL Present: (Commission) Chair Carpenter, Hiden, Johnson, Loudon, Riggio, Sturm; BPAC Liaison Serriere; (Staff) Coe, Hinkamp; Excused Absences: Wood. 3. ADOPTION OF AGENDA M/S/U. 4. PUBLIC COMMENTS- This is an opportunity for members of the public to comment on items that are NOT on this agenda but under the purview of the Circulation Commission. None. 5. PUBLIC FORUM A) Pleasant Hill Road Traffic Signal Operations Study Coe provides verbal staff report, stating purpose of the study and the meeting this evening and introduces Nayan Amin, Principal for TJKM, who will provide traffic engineering services for the study. Staff recommendation is to receive public input regarding existing traffic conditions along the study corridor and solution ideas to noted issues. COMMISSION Q & A Commissioners pose several questions meriting staff clarification, as follows: 1. The focus of the study is signal timing and operations; considerations requiring alternative roadway alignment, striping, and similar changes may be reviewed as part of evaluating existing operations at study intersections. 2. The study scope of work entails pedestrian safety considerations in so far as revised signal timings might have an impact on them. 3. Withers Ave. is not part of the study scope because that intersection with Pleasant Hill Rd. is owned and controlled by the County. 4. New traffic counts will be performed as part of this study and will be generated by pneumatic tubes placed across the roadway as well as directly observing intersection operations. Page 1 of 6

2 PUBLIC COMMENTS Edwin Wolf poses two questions: 1) what was the most recent traffic volume count along Pleasant Hill Road?; 2) where is the traffic coming from? He opines the Waze mobile application is negatively impacting corridor traffic conditions by contributing to congestion, particularly from northerly jurisdictions. He suggests no heavy-duty trucks be allowed to travel along the corridor and cites various traffic mitigation strategies implemented nationwide that should be considered as part of this study. Strategies include increased law enforcement presence and route sign messaging (in Los Gatos, CA) and license plate-reading tolls (in Florida). He provides handouts to the Commission, regarding aforementioned topics, including information on the Waze app. Martin Brook relates his difficult experiences trying to access Pleasant Hill Rd. from La Caminita due to excessive traffic along Reliez Valley Rd. He notes it is particularly difficult between 7 and 9am. He suggests installing Stop signs and speed bumps on neighborhood feeder roads to ensure local traffic safety, in response to fast driver speeds. He also opines that local schools should contribute to solution ideas to alleviate traffic congestion along the study corridor. Geoff Manley supports prior comments regarding safety enhancements on feeder roads, Waze app impacts on local traffic conditions, and disallowing heavy-duty trucks on Pleasant Hill Rd. He also relates personal experiences with difficulty accessing Pleasant Hill Rd. from his home. He states concern about potential traffic impacts generated by the future Homes at Deer Hill. He also states concern of safety risks associated with increased vehicle traffic volumes in the study area, adjacent to bicyclists and pedestrians, particularly children. Chad Follmer states there is a significant problem with cut-through traffic along Reliez Valley Road. He opines this traffic should be redirected to Pleasant Hill Road by installing physical barriers at the north end of Reliez Valley Rd. Colin Elliott suggests installing traffic counters and metering lights at northerly City limits. He also expresses concern about the southbound right-turn lane along Pleasant Hill Rd, at Deer Hill Rd; the vehicle queues in the through-southbound lanes typically prevent prospective right-turners from accessing the right-turn lane and should be addressed during this study. A utility pole in vicinity of this intersection that should be moved (or removed) to mitigate an existing pinch point. Staff suggest metering may prove politically challenging; there are benefits and also drawbacks to the solution idea. Michael Walker requests that the City prioritize the needs of Lafayette residents when considering solutions during this study. He challenges the study scope emphasis on Pleasant Hill Rd traffic congestion relief, as opposed to concentrating on neighborhood feeder street traffic conditions. He expresses concern regarding future impacts of the Homes at Deer Hill development on study corridor traffic. He admonishes the idea to install roundabouts on Deer Hill Rd, in association with the aforementioned development; Page 2 of 6

3 though he supports the roundabout at Pleasant Hill Rd/Olympic Blvd, roundabouts on Deer Hill Rd are a poor choice. He also supports prior comments regarding southbound right-turn issues at Pleasant Hill Rd/Deer Hill Rd. Staff respond to Commission inquiry about traffic projection timeframes, stating future traffic estimates are typically for the year 2040 and could already be documented in longrange scenarios of existing study/planning documents. Kerry Bolen suggests restricting heavy-duty truck access along Pleasant Hill Rd during peak travel hours. She relates negative experiences with extensive traffic congestion in the Silver Dell neighborhood. She expresses concern regarding children s safety, and feels it is largely unsafe to bike nearby. With respect to data collection during this study, she notes Wednesday are anomalous because of unique school bell schedules; not to mention, recent rainy conditions should be reflected in any data collected. She further notes that Acalanes High School may be considering shifting to a block schedule method. She lastly expresses concern regarding the southbound left-turn lane along Pleasant Hill Rd (at Stanley Blvd) is often under-utilized due to extensive vehicle queues along Pleasant Hill Rd. Kristen Altbaum says it is not unusual to require 40 minutes in order to travel just 3 miles from her home to drop off her kids at school. She cites the Waze app as a contributing factor to local traffic congestion. She suggests converting the Boy Scouts Christmas tree lot to accommodate a right-turn lane and drop-off zone for schools; she also thinks additional bike-pedestrian facilities in this space would be beneficial. She also suggests elongating the southbound left-turn lane on Pleasant Hill Rd at Stanley Blvd. Furthermore, she supports prior comments to install a physical barrier at Grayson and Reliez Valley Road, to deter cut-through traffic. She concludes with an idea to implement Lafayette resident stickers on vehicles, to distinguish vehicles allowed access to certain local streets. Margaret Johnstone expresses concern regarding vehicular-pedestrian interactions and safety, particularly at Pleasant Hill Rd/Deer Hill Rd crossings. She notes many drivers pull over on Pleasant Hill Rd., to let out students who then dash across the arterial. She suggests a more robust staging area at the southwest corner of the Pleasant Hill Rd/Deer Hill Rd intersection. She also supports prior comments opposing the Homes at Deer Hill development and asks if there will be study of traffic along the Deer Hill Rd corridor. Staff clarify that traffic impacts associated with Homes at Deer Hill were studied and addressed during development review by City commissions and Council. Mitigation measures along this particular corridor were established as part of development approval. Mike Gilson conveys negative experiences with the traffic signal timing at Pleasant Hill Rd/Quandt Rd. Delays to Quandt Rd drivers waiting on a red light are apparently exceed two minutes. Once the signals turn green for Quandt Rd drivers, they have less than 30 seconds to clear the intersection. He notes this even occurs pre-dawn, at approximately 4:30am. He also notes instances of red-light runners at this intersection and reiterates a need for solutions that include safety measures. John Kiefer states the issues along Pleasant Hill Rd are tied to traffic coming over the hill (i.e., north of City limits). He also cites traffic signal spacing and timing sequences as Page 3 of 6

4 primary issues contributing to traffic congestion along the study corridor. In particular, the Pleasant Hill Rd/Reliez Valley Rd yellow light does not allow for adequate clearance of turning movements. Additionally, he suggests altering the traffic pattern and layout for Springhill Elementary school drop-offs and pickups, to alleviate congestion near the Pleasant Hill Rd/Springhill Rd intersection and roadway itself. Specifically, he opines volunteer traffic controllers could direct traffic appropriately, around queued schooldestined drivers; alternatively, drop-offs and pick-ups may be better served on San Reliez Ct. Joyce Bogner Bohn does not consider traffic signal timing to be as large of an issue as the sheer volume of vehicles along Pleasant Hill Rd and local streets. She suggests coordinating with neighboring jurisdictions to more effectively utilize Park-and-Ride lots in, to promote carpooling. She also suggests the City consider construction of a pedestrian overpass, over Pleasant Hill Rd at Springhill Rd. She further opines that a mini-bus or shuttle system could be an effective traffic reduction measure, particularly along Reliez Valley Rd. She also states Acalanes High School could consider staggering start and end times as school-related traffic negatively impacts afternoon and evening traffic from State Route 24. She concludes with support for elongating left- and right-turn pockets at Pleasant Hill Rd/Deer Hill Rd and also for a Park-and-Ride near that intersection, but opposes roundabouts near Homes at Deer Hill. Steve Mirabito expresses concern about City staff pessimism toward possible solution ideas. He supports prior speakers experiences regarding traffic delays along Reliez Valley Rd; he has personally experienced backups in excess of one and one-quarter miles on that roadway. He is particularly concerned about the likely inability of emergency services vehicles to traverse Reliez Valley Rd when peak congestion occurs. He suggests the County and the local school districts be involved in developing solutions to issues meriting this study. He also desires to hear Caltrans perspective regarding State Route 24 traffic management. He states left turns in the morning, at Pleasant Hill Rd/Reliez Valley Rd., should have immediate green signals for left-turning drivers. He further suggests left-turn restrictions from Withers Ave. and Grayson Rd. He concludes that additional law enforcement should be present along the study corridor. Julie Tobias-Pancoast advocates for use of barricades, to restrict access along local private roads. She is also frustrated with the current signal timing operations at Quandt Rd and echoes experiences witnessing red-light runners at that intersection. She further supports the idea of a pedestrian bridge over Pleasant Hill Rd at Springhill Rd. She also suggests restricting Springhill Elementary school access from Springhill Rd. to teachers only; instead, the Briones Regional Park lot should accommodate drop-offs and pick-ups. Deborah Jansen notes that during the last two to three years, the study corridor has seen tremendous traffic volume growth. She opines that the prevalence of U-turns on Quandt Rd [associated with school drop-offs and pick-ups] simply adds to the vehicle queue at the Pleasant Hill Rd/Quandt Rd intersection. To obviate delays incurred by vehicles turning left from Quandt Rd, she suggests moving the existing crosswalk to the north side of the intersection. She also supports prior suggestions to utilize the Briones Regional Park lot for school traffic and suggests opening the median along Pleasant Hill Rd, to facilitate lot access. Page 4 of 6

5 John Nelson states it has taken him over 20 minutes to travel just one mile along the study corridor. He echoes a prior comment that study solutions should prioritize the needs of local Lafayette residents over improving traffic throughput on Pleasant Hill Rd and serves travelers from outside City limits. He urges the City to incorporate alternative solution ideas. Staff clarify the metering strategy will be addressed by this study; any alterations to the study scope itself will require the Council s approval. Susan Candell notes the Springhill Rd. signal timing has changed since recent nearby sidewalk construction finished. She seconds the idea of a pedestrian overcrossing at that location as well. She also notes that multiple intersections along the study corridor currently operate at level of service (LOS) F; if no improvements occur, she states they could degrade to F minus minus. She suggests cutting out portions of medians along Pleasant Hill Rd, to facilitate access to various key destinations in the corridor, particularly schools. She also supports left-turn lane extensions. She concludes by echoing concern regarding future traffic impacts from Homes at Deer Hill development, which should be considered during formation of solution ideas. Adam Gilberd suggests expanding the study scope of work to accommodate the various issues and concerns raised by previous speakers. He encourages staff and consultants to perform direct observations of traffic conditions and to produce detailed quantitative data, particularly along Reliez Valley Rd. He notes that northbound PM peak traffic on Pleasant Hill Rd. traffic, stemming from State Route 24, presents especially frustrating travel conditions. He also notes that eastbound PM peak traffic on Deer Hill Rd. has become severely congested. Jonathan Westen observes traffic conditions along Pleasant Hill Rd. have degraded particularly within the last few years. He believes the sports fields associated with the pending Homes at Deer Hill development will promulgate significant additional traffic and congestion, especially if recreational/sporting activities are scheduled close to peak hour traffic. He also suggests staff return to the City Council, to amend the study scope of work to include Withers Ave. Julia Tsivia states she is a Martinez resident and sympathizes with local Lafayette residents living near the study corridor. She is most concerned about the traffic conditions at the merge of Geary [Taylor Blvd] and Pleasant Hill Rd., north of Rancho View Dr. She states this merge point is very dangerous and requests additional safety measures be installed, such as flashing lights on Pleasant Hill Rd. warning of a merge ahead. She further suggests additional sign text on Geary and wishes traffic could be slowed with lower speed limits. In response to Commission inquiries on the likely cross-jurisdictional response to ideas presented tonight, staff respond that neighboring jurisdictions can be informed of solution ideas and discussion initiated at the staff level. Staff also state that grant funding has been obtained for additional safety measures at the Pleasant Hill Rd./Taylor Blvd. merge point. Page 5 of 6

6 Eliot Hudson opines that school drop-off and pick-up traffic is a significant hindrance to adequate traffic conditions along Pleasant Hill Rd. He also notes that Deer Hill Rd. provides a critical link to Downtown Lafayette for those living near the study corridor and believes the future Homes at Deer Hill will compound traffic congestion and inhibit Downtown access. Gene Miller states concern regarding travel behavior of those turning right from Pleasant Hill Rd., onto Quandt Rd., and then performing U-turns on Quandt Rd. He suggests banning U-turns on Quandt Rd. Keith Jarett notes the recent sidewalk construction project on Quandt Rd. is the second in the last six years to have disrupted signal operations at that location. He suggests Springhill Elementary drop-offs and pick-ups should occur at the Briones Regional Park lot, as well, to mitigate Springhill Rd. traffic congestion. He suggests another option if a pedestrian overpass for Springhill was built, it could be move south toward Acalanes HS to allow drop-offs for Springhill to occur in the Acalanes HS tennis courts area. He also desires to allow parking along the edges of Deer Hill Rd. COMMISSION DISCUSSION Commissioners thank the public for their detailed comments. Commissioner Loudon follows with concern about whether all ideas presented at this meeting could be addressed within the existing study budget. Chair Carpenter concludes with suggestions to closely study school-related traffic impacts; right-turn only lanes; the possibility of restricting U-turns; pedestrian head starts at traffic signals; and remaining cognizant of bikeway designations in proximity to study intersections, including Stanley Blvd. Action: Public input regarding traffic signal operations along Pleasant Hill Rd between Rancho View Drive and State Route 24 noted and received. 5. ADJOURNMENT 8:47 p.m. Submitted by James Hinkamp, Transportation Planner. Page 6 of 6

City of Lafayette Public Meeting Action Agenda Circulation Commission

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