TO: HONORABLE CHAIR AND MEMBERS OF THE TRAFFIC
COMMISSION
FROM: James Ozouf, Senior Civil Engineer
PREPARED BY: Brian Stephenson, Contract Traffic Engineer
SUBJECT:
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Jackson Avenue and Magellan Street Intersection
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RECOMMENDATION
recommendation
Install All Way Stop control at the intersection of Jackson Avenue and Magellan Street.
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BACKGROUND
Beginning in early 2014, residents from the Jackson Crossing neighborhood, located along the east side of Jackson Avenue at the Magellan Street intersection, approached the City with traffic concerns on Jackson Avenue in regards to high speed, increased traffic volumes due to connection of Jackson Avenue to Ynez Road in the City of Temecula, and sight distance concerns. The residents requested an all-way stop or a traffic signal be installed at this intersection.
The Jackson Avenue connection to Ynez Road was opened to traffic in 2014. Per the residents’ request, City staff has been monitoring and evaluating all way stop control and traffic signal control at this intersection since 2014 and warrants for either control were not met. The results of these warrant analysis were presented at several Traffic Commission meetings with a recommendation of no further action. The Traffic Commission voted to maintain existing traffic controls at the intersection. In addition, City staff met with the Homeowners Association (HOA) of Jackson Crossing in order to discuss the landscaping that was overgrown in the sight distance area. In early 2015, the HOA removed shrubs and low vegetation in the area and raised the skirts of the trees.
The installation of all way stops is based on national and state guidelines set forth in the California Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD). In general, all way stops are installed where the volume of traffic on the intersecting roads are approximately equal and are not installed for the purpose of speed control. Stop sign warrants are based on the amount of traffic passing through the intersection, accident history and sight distance constraints. Similarly, to justify the installation of a traffic signal, warrants must be met that are based on requirements contained within the CA MUTCD.
In February 2024, City received additional requests to reevaluate the need for a traffic control at this location. New traffic counts were collected in March, 2024 and an all-way stop and a traffic signal warrant analysis were performed. Staff also conducted a sight distance analysis and confirmed that vegetation within the sightline was overgrown and impacting the sightlines for drivers leaving out of Magellan Street. The results of the traffic signal analysis showed that a signal is still not warranted based on CA MUTCD requirements. However, due to the overgrowth of vegetation that is not being consistently maintained/cleared by the HOA within the sightline, an All-Way Stop is proposed at this intersection.
Staff recommends installing an all way stop control, with advance warning signs with flashing beacons and associated striping at this location.
FISCAL IMPACT
The proposed improvements are anticipated to cost $10,000.00. Funding is available in the City’s CIP Budget as part of the Neighborhood Traffic Management Program and will utilize Measure A and Gas Tax funds.
ATTACHMENTS
1. Vicinity maps
2. Sight Distance Exhibit