HomeMy WebLinkAboutSpeed Woodruff
DATE: March 13, 2007
TO: Mayor and Members of the City Council
FROM: Office of the City Manager
By: Desi Alvarez, Director of Public Works
SUBJECT: SPEED LIMIT FOR WOODRUFF
AVENUE
RECOMMENDATION:
That the City Council introduce:
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DOWNEY AMENDING SECTION 3186 OF THE DOWNEY MUNICIPAL CODE RELATING TO THE
SPEED LIMIT FOR WOODRUFF AVENUE.
INTRODUCTION:
The California Vehicle Code (CVC) requires Engineering and Traffic (E&T) surveys be conducted periodically for many roadway segments
in order to post speed limits and allow enforcement by RADAR. Roadway segments that require surveys are non-local streets as defined in the federal-aid system maps administered by the
Federal Highway Administration (FHWA).
There are three basic means by which speed limits are established. First, the CVC identifies speed limits which apply as a maximum in the event
that no other condition is met to establish the speed limit as less than the maximum. The current maximum limit is 65 mph in California, but the State may increase the speed limit to
70 miles per hour (mph) on State highways.
Second, the CVC establishes specific prima facie speed limits for streets when certain conditions are met (such as residential streets set
at 25 mph). The prima facie speed limits do not need speed studies or speed limit signs to be posted in order to be enforced. For the purposes of setting prima facie speed limits,
all streets must be “local” streets based on functional usage as defined by FHWA and meet the CVC criterion for the minimum number of residential dwellings per mile.
Third, in order
to post a speed limit which varies from the maximum speed or a prima facie speed limit and allow enforcement by RADAR, the speed must be established based on an E & T survey. The purpose
of said survey is to determine a speed limit which is reasonable and safe. Woodruff Avenue is both a collector street north of Fifth Street, and a minor arterial South of Fifth Street,
that requires the preparation of an E&T survey in order to establish RADAR-enforceable speed limits.
Mayor and Members of City Council
Speed Limits for Woodruff Avenue
March 13, 2007
Page 2
ENGINEERING AND TRAFFIC SURVEY RESULTS:
The City routinely conducts E&T surveys in conformance
with the CVC requirement and in accordance with Federal and State guidelines. Said surveys are needed to recognize variable roadway/traffic conditions and to effect changes to complement
speed enforcement. This ordinance amends the Downey Municipal Code (DMC) to reflect the results of the E&T surveys for Woodruff Avenue.
The results of the recently completed E&T surveys
(in conjunction with the current 2004 adopted Federal/State manual procedures) are shown below. It is being proposed to increase the existing posted speed limit by five (5) mph to 30
mph, between Florence Avenue and Firestone Boulevard; to decrease the existing speed limit by five (5) mph to 35 mph between Firestone Boulevard and Stewart & Gray Road; to increase
the existing speed limit by five (5) mph to 40 mph, between Stewart & Gray Road and Washburn Road; and for it to remain at 40 mph South of Washburn Road. The speed limit is always 25
mph in school zones when children are present. After review and discussion of the report at the meeting of March 1, 2007, the Traffic Committee voted unanimously to endorse the proposed
speed limits on Woodruff Avenue.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
The proposed ordinance requires five new speed limit sign installations. The estimated cost for implementing said changes is
$900.00. Sufficient funds exist in the Public Works Department Account 10-3145 (Traffic and Street Maintenance Program.)
Attachments:
Ordinance
E&T Surveys
S:\Agendas & Memos 2007\agda031307\Wood
ruff spd lim - Intro Ord
ORDINANCE NO.
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF CITY OF DOWNEY AMENDING SECTION 3186 OF THE DOWNEY MUNICIPAL CODE RELATING TO THE SPEED LIMIT FOR WOODRUFF AVENUE.
WHEREAS, the
California Vehicle Code (CVC) requires engineering and traffic (E&T) surveys to be conducted periodically for Woodruff Avenue in order to post speed limits and allow enforcement by RADAR;
and
WHEREAS, the City of Downey has recently completed E & T surveys for Woodruff Avenue.
NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DOWNEY DOES HEREBY ORDAIN AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION
1. Subsection m) of Section 3186 of the Downey Municipal Code is hereby amended to read as follows:
“Woodruff Avenue. Between Florence Avenue and Firestone Boulevard the prima facie
speed limit shall be thirty (30) miles per hour; between Firestone Boulevard and Stewart & Gray Road the prima facie speed limit shall be thirty-five (35) miles per hour; and between
Stewart & Gray Road and the southerly City limits the prima facie speed limit shall be forty (40) miles per hour.
SECTION 2. The City Clerk shall certify to the adoption of this Ordinance
and shall cause the same to be published or posted as required by law. A certified original shall also be forwarded to the City Traffic Engineer.
APPROVED AND ADOPTED this day
of , 2007.
___________________________________
, Mayor
ATTEST:
_______________________________
KATHLEEN L. MIDSTOKKE, City
Clerk
ORDINANCE NO.
PAGE TWO
STATE OF CALIFORNIA )
COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES ) ss:
CITY OF DOWNEY )
I HEREBY CERTIFY that the foregoing Ordinance No.
was introduced at a regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Downey held on the day of , 2007, and adopted at a regular meeting of the City
Council of the City of Downey held on the day of
, 2007, by the following vote, to wit:
AYES: Council Members:
NOES: Council Member:
ABSENT: Council Member:
ABSTAIN: Council Member:
I FURTHER CERTIFY that a Summary of the foregoing Ordinance No. , was published in the Press-Telegram, a newspaper of general
circulation in the City of Downey, on ________________, 2007 (after introduction), and on ______________, 2007 (after adoption, including the vote thereon). It was also posted in the
regular posting places in the City of Downey on the same dates.
___________________________________
KATHLEEN L. MIDSTOKKE, City Clerk