Following is information emailed to Northpark Members on 9/15 and 9/18.
Introduction
In response to the many requests from Northpark residents, the Board of Directors commissioned a team of traffic engineers at Stantec Consulting Services to evaluate existing traffic operating characteristics and to recommend feasible measures to lower speeds and improve safety. The study also analyzed four specific intersections to determine if additional measures are recommended at the intersections. The Board of Directors would like to share the following report excerpts and information with all residents.
Existing Conditions
Traffic volumes and vehicle speeds were measured along 9 streets within the Northpark Community at 19 mid-block locations. These measurements were taken in September 2022 during one mid-week 24-hour period (Wednesday, September 28, 2022, which was a typical school day). Intersection turning movement counts were collected during the AM and PM peak hours at the four specified locations. These intersection counts also included pedestrians and bicycles. The time periods for the intersection counts varied due to the need for different data based on the location of the intersection. For example, the intersections of Vacaville/Meadow Valley and Grass Valley/Meadowood were counted during the typical AM and PM peak periods (7 to 9 AM and 4 to 6 PM, respectively); however, the intersection of Paso Robles and Forest Glen was counted during the typical AM peak period (7 to 9 AM) but during the mid-afternoon period of 1:30 to 3:30 due to its location adjacent to the Hicks Canyon Elementary School so that pedestrians would be counted during the school’s dismissal period.
Traffic Volumes
The traffic volumes are within the range to be expected on the community streets. The highest volumes are located on the four main streets that form a loop through the community— Spring Valley, Meadow Valley, Grass Valley, and Forest Glen. These streets lead to the three gated entrances and carry traffic into and out of the community.
Vehicle Speeds
Speed limits are not posted on the streets within the community; however, due to the residential nature and width of the streets, the default (prima facie) speed limit is 25 mph.
In evaluating speed data, the speed which 85 percent of the motorists drive at or below is considered the prevailing speed. The prevailing speeds at the studied locations range from 17 mph to 35 mph, with one of the locations over 30 mph. However, there were a number of drivers that exceeded 45 mph on these residential streets. The 85th percentile speeds and maximum recorded speeds where drivers exceeded 45 mph were identified as areas of special concern for this analysis. These excessive speeds occurred along the streets that lead to the gated entrances and carry the most traffic (Spring Valley, Meadow Valley, Grass Valley, and Forest Glen) plus Atascadero. There were no identified patterns noted for the observed occurrences of excessive speed, as they occurred in different directions and at different times throughout the day.
Recommendations
For the most part, speeds are reasonable within the community. The locations with excessive speeds were identified as the focus of the recommended traffic calming measures. These locations tend to have long uninterrupted distances between stop signs.
Traffic calming measures in the form of speed humps were recommended to discourage drivers from traveling at excessive speeds.
Implementation
Prefabricated rubber speed humps will be installed at seven (7) locations, along with signs to alert drivers to the presence of the speed humps.
View and download exhibit maps here: Location and Exhibit Specifications
This sign plan complies with California Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (CA MUTCD) guidelines and will alert all entering traffic of the use of speed humps within the community.
To ensure compliance with emergency vehicle access, plans were submitted to the Orange County Fire Authority (OCFA) for review. Permits were approved for the following areas:
1. Forest Glen/Los Olivos
2. Spring Valley/Three Rivers/Mineral King
3. Meadow Valley/Sebastian/Oroville
4. Paso Robles/Ivanhoe/Buellton
5. Grass Valley/Maywood/Malibu
6. Grass Valley/Walnut Creek/Pacific Grove
7. Spring Valley/Chula Vista/Atwater
Additional subsequent locations may be evaluated after the installation of the above locations is complete and traffic effects can be measured.
Project Installation Scope
The Association has contracted with Premier Paving to furnish and install:
21 prefabricated rubber speed cushions (3 per location).
Layout and paint 14 each 8′ Hump Ahead pavement markings with 2 coats of paint.
Furnish and install 4 each W84 SPEED HUMPS AHEAD signs on posts.
Furnish and install 3 each W85 SPEED HUMPS AHEAD signs on existing light post.
Approximately one week to complete. Improvements will be performed in November after asphalt repairs are completed in multiple areas of the community in October.
Project Cost: $44,000.00. Fiscal Impact to Budget: Minimal.
SPEED CUSHIONS PRODUCT DESCRIPTION
https://trafficlogix.com/
Traffic Logix recycled rubber speed cushions or speed humps are a series of small speed humps installed across the width of the road. Designed to be wide enough to slow cars while narrow enough for emergency vehicles to straddle, speed humps are ideal for streets where emergency response time is a concern. Speed cushions slow cars to between 15-20 mph. Made of interlocking units that simply snap together, Traffic Logix speed cushions are quick and easy to install and remove.
Speed Cushions Project Installation Date
Early November 2023.
Questions or Comments for the Board?
Send to christine@ch-pm.com or come to Homeowner Forum on September 27, 2023 at 6:30 PM. Meeting location is the Northpark clubhouse at 10 Meadow Valley.
Documents for download
Traffic Calminbg Report & Speed Humps
Location and Exhibit Specifications