TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL
FROM: Bob Moehling, Public Works Director
PREPARED BY: Jeff Hitch, City Engineer
SUBJECT:
title
Citywide Traffic Congestion - Traffic Pilot Program
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RECOMMENDATION
recommendation
Authorize staff to implement a traffic pilot program along Los Alamos Road, between Hospitality Place and Whitewood Road, to determine the effectiveness of implementing manual traffic control within the City’s Traffic Management Center during periods of peak congestion.
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PRIOR ACTION/VOTE
None.
CITY COUNCIL GOAL
Plan, program and create infrastructure development.
BACKGROUND
On September 3, 2024, the City Council obtained consensus to discuss traffic congestion and a potential solution for mitigation at a future meeting. On December 3, 2024, City staff presented to the City Council a summary of the City’s existing traffic signal network, the capabilities of the City’s traffic signal control software and closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras from within the City’s Traffic Management Center (TMC), and results from a previous before-and-after study performed as part of the City’s Traffic Light Synchronization Program. After discussion, the City Council requested that staff return to a future meeting with the necessary steps to perform a Traffic Pilot Program, as well as report on the liability of taking over the timing and maintenance of the Caltrans traffic signals within the City’s limits.
Traffic Pilot Program
Staff is proposing the Los Alamos Road corridor between Hospitality Place and Whitewood Road, as a potential roadway to analyze for the Traffic Pilot Program. There are currently 10 traffic signals along this section of the road, with two of the signals operated and maintained by Caltrans at Interstate 215 on and off ramps.
Step 1 - Traffic Counts. Existing traffic counts have recently been obtained for this corridor, and the City is currently working with Caltrans Traffic Operations staff to implement optimized timing along the corridor during peak weekday periods in the morning, at midday, and in the evening. Optimized timing will be implemented by both City and Caltrans staff at the signals along this corridor.
Step 2 - Perform “Before” Travel Time Runs. Prior to initiation of the pilot program, staff will perform “before” travel time runs along the corridor, identifying the travel time, stops, and delays for the corridor during peak periods, to serve as a baseline for the Traffic Pilot Program.
Step 3 - Traffic Observation. Staff or a consultant will observe traffic operations from within the TMC on the following days for a period of two weeks while schools are in session:
Days: Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday
Hours: 6:00 am to 9:00 am
11:00 am to 1:00 pm
3:00 pm to 6:00 pm
During this observation period, the timing at the intersections will be adjusted as necessary to further optimize the timing, to progress the flow of traffic along the corridor, and to minimize queuing.
The observation of traffic will be completed in the TMC utilizing CCTV cameras to monitor vehicles traveling between intersections. There are two existing CCTV cameras located along the corridor which will not be sufficient to monitor the full corridor. Staff proposes to purchase two additional CCTV cameras to supplement the existing ones. The CCTV cameras would be located at the following intersections of Los Alamos and:
Intersection Location |
Existing or Proposed? |
Hancock Avenue |
Existing |
Whitewood Road |
Existing |
Monroe Avenue |
Proposed |
Lincoln Avenue/Vista Murrieta Road |
Proposed |
Step 4 - Perform “After” Travel Time Runs. After the two-week observation period has ended, travel time runs will again be performed during the same time periods, identifying the travel time, stops, and delays. The results of the “before” and “after” travel time runs will be summarized, and the results will be brought back to a future City Council meeting for further consideration.
FISCAL IMPACT
The total anticipated cost of the Traffic Pilot Program is $20,000, broken down as listed in the table below. If the City Council authorizes staff to proceed with the program, a request for an appropriation to cover the cost of equipment, installation, and software will be submitted as part of the mid-year budget update. Any additional personnel costs will be covered within the existing personnel budget through salary savings.
Category |
Cost |
Additional staffing for 8 hours per day, 3 days per week, 2 weeks at $200/hour |
$9,600 |
Two additional CCTV Cameras: $4,000 each plus installation cost |
$10,000 |
Licensing from CCTV Camera Software |
$400 |
Total |
$20,000 |
ATTACHMENTS
1. Vicinity Map