SAN FRANCISCO MUNICIPAL TRANSPORTATION AGENCY

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1 THIS PRINT COVERS CALENDAR ITEM NO. : 10.2 DIVISION: Sustainable Streets BRIEF DESCRIPTION: SAN FRANCISCO MUNICIPAL TRANSPORTATION AGENCY Adopting Conceptual Proposal for Streetscape Improvements to Broadway, between Columbus Avenue and the Robert C. Levy Tunnel (Phase IV). SUMMARY: The goal of traffic calming is to minimize the negative impacts of motor vehicle travel and create balance among all modes of travel by working with the public to meet the needs of all road users. The Planning Department conducted an extensive community process, including numerous community meetings and workshops, from which staff developed a streetscape proposal. Measures within the project area draw from the toolbox of measures from the Cityadopted Traffic Calming Guidelines, including lane reductions, bus bulb-outs, sidewalk bulb-outs, median islands, raised crosswalks and shared lane bicycle markings. The Transportation Advisory Staff Committee (TASC), which has representatives from Muni Operations, Police and Fire Departments, has reviewed this Project. Funding to implement project plan elements is primarily projected to come from One Bay Area grant and California Safe Routes to School funds. Implementation of some proposed measures will require review by the TASC, and a public hearing and approval from the SFMTA Board of Directors. ENCLOSURES: 1. SFMTAB Resolution 2. Broadway Streetscape IV Project Maps APPROVALS: DIRECTOR SECRETARY DATE _4/8/13 4/8/13 ASSIGNED SFMTAB CALENDAR DATE: April 16, 2013

2 PAGE 2. PURPOSE This calendar item requests that the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA) Board of Directors adopt the Conceptual Proposal for the Broadway Streetscape Phase IV Design Project. GOALS Benefit to the SFMTA Strategic Plan: Goal 1: Create a safer transportation experience for everyone Objective 1.3: Improve the safety of the transportation system Goal 2: Make transit, walking, bicycling, taxi, ridesharing and carsharing the most attractive and preferred means of travel Objective 2.2: Improve transit performance Objective 2.3: Increase use of all non-private auto modes DESCRIPTION The goal of traffic calming is to minimize the negative impacts of motor-vehicle travel, and create balance among all modes of travel by working with the public to meet the needs of street users. To this end, Planning Department staff developed the Broadway Streetscape Design Project Phase IV, between Columbus Avenue and the Robert C. Levy Tunnel. The adoption of the conceptual proposal for this section of Broadway will strengthen the application for design and construction funding through the One Bay Area grant program, which has an April application deadline. A primary objective of the Project is to create safer, more comfortable conditions for pedestrians using and crossing Broadway and the intersections of Powell Street, Stockton Street and Grant Avenue. The primary factors used in prioritizing Broadway Streetscape Phase IV for traffic calming included pedestrian volumes, speeding, collision history, proximity to pedestrian generators and evidence of exhibition driving. The project is located in San Francisco s Chinatown, one of the City s densest neighborhoods. Chinatown has a large population of elderly, low income and monolingual residents. The neighborhood is unique in that car ownership among households is much lower when compared to the city as a whole, and the percentage of households that journey to work by foot is much higher when compared to households citywide. As a result, the majority of residents depend on public transportation and walking as the primary modes of transportation. The demographics of

3 PAGE 3. the neighborhood have informed both the community outreach strategy as well as the final concept design. According to a Broadway user intercept survey conducted by CCDC in September 2009, seventyfive percent of participants said they either walked or took public transit to get to Broadway. Broadway s auto-oriented design currently does not reflect the high number of people who access and use the street by foot or transit. Sidewalk conditions are poor, pedestrian crossings?? Or pedestrians crossing the street feel unsafe, and sidewalk overcrowding is a major concern on segments of the corridor In 2011, the San Francisco Pedestrian Safety Task Force identified Broadway and Stockton Street as high injury density corridors. A collision at the Broadway/Stockton intersection resulted in a pedestrian fatality in Between 2004 and 2008, the San Francisco Police Department recorded 17 pedestrian-vehicle collisions incidents within the study area. The majority of these incidents (> 65%) occurred at the Broadway/Powell intersection. Collisions that result in only property damage (i.e., no injuries or deaths) may go unreported, so the number of incidents is higher than the official Police Department counts. The Broadway Streetscape Design Project (Project) boundary includes the north and south side of Broadway from the Broadway Tunnel (Robert C Levy Tunnel) to Columbus Avenue. The proposed project would involve the removal of the eastbound AM tow-away lane from Powell Street to Columbus Avenue and the westbound PM tow-away lane from Turk Murphy Lane to Powell Street. The last block within the project area (Broadway Tunnel to Powell Street) would include a planted center median, and two planted side medians. The new center median would accommodate routine cleaning and maintenance of the Broadway Tunnel. New curb work would include a loading pocket in front of Jean Parker Elementary School (northside of Broadway between Powell and Mason). Sidewalk extensions would be added at all corners along Broadway between the Broadway Tunnel and Columbus Avenue and mid-block on the south side of Broadway between Powell and Stockton streets. Bus bulbs would be added at the two existing bus stops for the 8AX muni bus line, on the northwest corner of Broadway and Grant Avenue and for the 10 Townsend and 12 Folsom muni bus lines on the southeast corner of Broadway and Stockton Street. New bus shelters would be added to these locations. Pedestrian-related signal timing changes at each intersection would be implemented as part of the proposed Project to provide a three-second head start for pedestrians crossing Broadway. Implementation of the proposed Project would result in a net loss of 27 on-street metered parking spaces and two metered loading spaces to accommodate sidewalk extensions at the corner or midblock. Decorative paving would be added at the intersection of Broadway/Grant Avenue and Broadway/Stockton Street. Raised crosswalks would be added at Turk Murphy Lane, Cordelia Street and Grant Avenue. Streetscape amenities would be added along the corridor to include new street trees, median plantings, pedestrian scale lighting, sidewalk seating, and public art.

4 PAGE 4. The Broadway Streetscape Improvement project area includes the following roadway segments: Broadway from Mason Street to Powell Street Broadway from Powell Street to Stockton Street Broadway from Stockton Street to Grant Avenue Broadway from Grant Avenue to Columbus Avenue Currently, Broadway is a four-lane, east-west directional street with two 10-foot wide lanes in each direction and an eight-foot (8 ) PM peak hour (3PM-7PM) tow away lane and at all other times a parking lane on the north side of Broadway and a ten-foot wide AM peak hour (7AM- 9AM) tow-away lane and at all other times a parking lane on the south side of Broadway. Muni buses 10 Townsend, 12 Folsom and 8AX Bayshore Express currently have bus stops along Broadway. The proposed streetscape improvements would slightly increase the width of Broadway travel lanes from ten feet to eleven feet on the inner (center) east and west bound lanes. The outer east and west bound lanes would increase from ten feet to ten and a half feet. The proposed Project would involve the removal of the eastbound AM tow-away lane from Powell Street to Columbus Avenue and the westbound PM tow-away lane from Turk Murphy Lane to Powell Street. Sidewalk extensions and bus bulbs would be added at the following locations: Broadway and Powell Street, all corners Broadway and Stockton Street, all corners Broadway and Columbus Avenue, northwest Broadway (midblock, southside) between Powell and Stockton streets Broadway and Grant Avenue, southwest corner Staff convened several community meetings on May 4, August 16 and November 16, 2011 to seek input from residents, merchants and other stakeholders. To facilitate community input and to make the breadth of input more manageable, staff also convened smaller community working groups within the community workshops. A final Open House was held June 6, 2012 to present the corridor proposal to the community. Staff collected traffic volume and speed data based on input from the community to determine where to prioritize pedestrian safety and traffic calming measures and how to mitigate parking and loading changes resulting from the proposed traffic calming measures. Staff worked on the technical side with various City departments, including Fire, Police, and Public Works, as well as other SFMTA staff, to make sure access, congestion and Muni impacts were taken into consideration, as well as impacts to members of the disabled community.

5 PAGE 5. Overall, implementation of the Project as proposed would result in a net loss of 27 on-street metered parking spaces and two on-street metered loading spaces. On-street parking metered spaces would be converted to on-street loading spaces due to the removal of metered loading spaces for sidewalk extensions. The Project does not include any changes to existing off-street parking or loading facilities. Some traffic calming measures require a public hearing and legislation before implementation. This legislation is developed through approval by the Transportation Advisory Staff Committee, public hearing review, and the SFMTA Board of Directors. Next Steps: Once the project is adopted, the Planning Department will complete the application process for One Bay Area grant funding to conduct detailed design and construction of the project. The final design for sidewalk and bus bulb-outs, crosswalks changes and parking changes will require a public hearing and approval by the SFMTA Board of Directors. Traffic Calming Toolbox of Measures: Bulbs Sidewalk bulbs physically changes the roadway by moving the curb farther towards the middle of the street. They are used to narrow the roadway and to create shorter pedestrian crossings. They also improve sight distance and influence driver behavior by changing the appearance of the street. Bus Bulbs These are longer than typical corner bulbs and are designed to accommodate buses at transit stops. Median Islands - raised islands in the center of street that can be used to narrow lanes for speed control and/or be used for pedestrian refuges in the middle of the crosswalk. Raised Crosswalks raised crosswalks are a vertical deflection device with slopes similar to speed humps, but with a flat topped surface to accommodate a full crosswalk raised to approximately 3.5 inches above the roadway. Bicycle Shared Lane Markings Bicycle Shared Lane Markings, or Sharrows are pavement markings that alert motorists to the presence of bicycles and instruct bicyclists where to ride in shared lanes, to avoid collisions with the opened doors of parked cars. FUNDING IMPACT Once a project is adopted, the project then becomes eligible for additional grants along with sales tax funds. Grants like One Bay Area often require adopted plans to ensure that grant

6 PAGE 6. applications are project-ready and have been vetted fully with the community and City technical staff. Where funding programs do not require adopted plans, adoption is a valuable step in demonstrating a commitment to the project and project readiness. SFMTA staff has already been awarded $414,900 in Safe Routes to School construction funding and $46,100 in Prop K Local match funds in order to construct proposed measures at the Powell and Broadway intersection and on Broadway in front of Jean Parker Elementary School. Staff will be submitting a One Bay Area funding application for detailed design and the remainder of project construction this spring. OTHER APPROVALS RECEIVED OR STILL REQUIRED The Planning Department has reviewed this Project and has issued a Certificate of Exemption from Environmental Review (Categorical Exemption, Class 1 State CEQA Guidelines under Sections 15301(c)). A copy of this Categorical Exemption is available in the office of the Board of Directors. The City Attorney s Office has reviewed this report. RECOMMENDATION Staff recommends that the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency Board of Directors adopt the conceptual proposal for the Broadway Streetscape Design Phase IV Project.

7 SAN FRANCISCO MUNICIPAL TRANSPORTATION AGENCY BOARD OF DIRECTORS RESOLUTION No. WHEREAS, The San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA) developed a Traffic Calming Program to address traffic safety concerns citywide; and, WHEREAS, Broadway was a corridor prioritized for study after examination of pedestrian conditions and community concerns, based on factors such as traffic speeds, volumes, collision history, geographic equity; and, WHEREAS, Planning Department staff held several community meetings on May 4, August 16, and November 16, 2011 in the neighborhood to solicit community input towards the development of the Phase IV Streetscape Design Project for Broadway and a final Open House meeting was held June 6, 2012 to present a draft proposal for the Project; and, WHEREAS, The Transportation Advisory Staff Committee reviewed the Project on February 14, 2013; and, WHEREAS, The SFMTA held a public hearing on the project on March 8, 2013; and, WHEREAS, The adopted Project will be useful in applying for future funding and designing physical improvements; however, implementation of regulatory changes in the Project that impact parking and traffic, including bulb-outs, will be subject to additional review and approval, including environmental review and further public outreach; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency Board of Directors adopts the conceptual proposal for streetscape improvements to Broadway, between Columbus Avenue and the Robert C. Levy Tunnel (Phase IV). I certify that the foregoing resolution was adopted by the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency Board of Directors at its meeting of April 16, Secretary to the Board of Directors San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency

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11 Text Description of Proposal Drawings The Broadway Streetscape Design Project (Project) boundary includes the north and south side of Broadway from the Broadway Tunnel (Robert C Levy Tunnel) to Columbus Avenue. The proposed project would involve the removal of the eastbound AM tow-away lane from Powell Street to Columbus Avenue and the westbound PM tow-away lane from Turk Murphy Lane to Powell Street. The last block within the project area (Broadway Tunnel to Powell Street) would include a planted center median, and two planted side medians. The new center median would accommodate routine cleaning and maintenance of the Broadway Tunnel. New curb work would include a loading pocket in front of Jean Parker Elementary School (north side of Broadway between Powell and Mason). Sidewalk extensions would be added at all corners along Broadway between the Broadway Tunnel and Columbus Avenue and mid-block on the south side of Broadway between Powell and Stockton Streets. Bus bulbs would be added at the two existing bus stops for the 8AX muni bus line, on the northwest corner of Broadway and Grant Avenue and for the 10 Townsend and 12 Folsom muni bus lines on the southeast corner of Broadway and Stockton Street. New bus shelters would be added to these locations. Pedestrian lead time would be implemented as part of the proposed Project to provide a three second head start for pedestrians crossing Broadway. Implementation of the proposed Project would result in a net loss of 27 on-street metered parking spaces and two (2) metered loading spaces to accommodate sidewalk extensions at the corner or midblock. Decorative paving would be added at the intersection of Broadway/Grant Avenue and Broadway/Stockton Street. Raised crosswalks would be added at Turk Murphy Lane, Cordelia Street and Grant Avenue. Streetscape amenities would be added along the corridor to include new street trees, median plantings, pedestrian scale lighting, sidewalk seating, and public art. The Broadway Streetscape Improvement project area includes the following roadway segments: Broadway from Mason Street to Powell Street; Broadway from Powell Street to Stockton Street; Broadway from Stockton Street to Grant Avenue; Broadway from Grant Avenue to Columbus Avenue. Currently, Broadway is a four-lane, east-west directional street with two 10-foot wide lanes in each direction and an eight-foot PM peak hour (3PM-7PM) tow away lane and at all other times a parking lane on the north side of Broadway and a ten-foot wide AM peak hour (7AM-9AM) tow-away lane and at all other times a parking lane on the south side of Broadway. Muni buses 10 Townsend, 12 Folsom and 8AX Bayshore Express currently have one bus stops along Broadway. The proposed streetscape improvements would slightly increase the width of Broadway travel lanes from ten feet to eleven feet on the inner (center) east and west bound lanes. The outer east and west bound lanes would increase from ten feet to ten and a half feet. The proposed Project would involve the removal of the eastbound AM tow-away lane from Powell Street to Columbus Avenue and westbound PM tow-away lane from Turk Murphy to Powell Street. Sidewalk extensions and bus bulbs would be added at the following locations: Broadway and Powell Street, all corners: extending feet from crosswalks; Broadway and Stockton Street, all corners: extending feet from crosswalks; Broadway and Columbus Avenue, northwest: extending 120 feet westward on Broadway; Broadway (1/4 block, midblock, south side) between Powell and Stockton streets; Broadway and Grant Avenue, southwest corner: 25 feet west on Broadway and 10 feet south on Grant.