TO:
Honorable Parking and Public Improvements Commission Chair and Commissioners
THROUGH:
Masa Alkire, Community Development Director
FROM:
Erik Zandvliet, T.E. City Traffic Engineer
SUBJECT:Title
Consider Traffic Calming Measures on 2nd Street between Peck Avenue and Aviation Boulevard
DISCUSS AND PROVIDE DIRECTION
Body
_________________________________________________________
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends that the Commission pass a motion to recommend that the City Council
approve the following traffic calming measures to supplement continued enforcement of speeding and stop sign violations on 2nd Street between Peck Avenue and Aviation Boulevard:
1. Install crosswalk markings at the intersection of 2nd Street and Herrin Street;
2. Install crosswalk markings at the intersection of 2nd Street and Redondo Avenue;
3. Install a solar-powered flashing stop signs at the intersections of 2nd Street at Peck Avenue and 2nd Street at Redondo Avenue;
4. Install a solar-powered speed awareness sign on 2nd Street between Redondo Avenue and Harkness Street; and
5. Initiate a capital project to construct corner bulb-outs, sidewalks and curb ramps on the north side of 2nd Street between Harkness Street and Aviation Boulevard.
BACKGROUND:
On September 2, 2025, the City Council directed staff to evaluate potential traffic calming measures on 2nd Street between Peck Avenue and Aviation Boulevard in response to a serious traffic crash on August 17, 2025, and related requests from Michelle Varady and other residents on 2nd Street to take safety actions. The crash involved a solo eastbound driver colliding with a parked car near 1720 2nd Street at an excessive speed. The residents have asked for the following:
• Reduce cut-through traffic on 2nd Street and enforce violators with technology;
• Install stop signs and crosswalks at all corners;
• Increase police patrols during peak hours;
• Provide banners and signage to remind drivers to slow down;
• Install speed cushions or raised crosswalks near Harkness Street;
• Conduct a formal traffic and safety study on 2nd Street; and
• Explore traffic calming measures to discourage speeding.
This staff report summarizes the existing street conditions, describes the Neighborhood Traffic Calming Program methodology and process, and proposes numerous traffic calming measures that would be appropriate to reduce the potential for fatal and injury crashes along this segment of 2nd Street in the future. The Parking and Public Improvements Commission (Commission) should review and discuss these potential traffic calming measures and recommend that the City Council further pursue those measures that it believes should be installed or warrant further evaluation.
DISCUSSION:
Valley Drive is a 34-foot wide, two-lane Residential Collector Street that connects with traffic signals at Sepulveda Boulevard to the west and Aviation Boulevard to the east. The section of 2nd Street between Peck Avenue and Aviation Boulevard is 0.42 miles long and has stop controls at Peck Avenue, Herrin Street and Redondo Boulevard. The speed limit on 2nd Street is 25 miles per hour (mph). 2nd Street is improved with curbs, gutters and narrow sidewalks on both sides and has a yellow centerline and numerous residential driveways. There is a cross-gutter at Harkness Street that acts as a de-facto traffic calming device due to the need to slow down to traverse it. Bicycle sharrows are marked on the pavement in both directions. Pennekamp Elementary School and Mira Costa High School are located on Peck Avenue, which generates additional traffic on 2nd Street during the school year.
Pursuant to the City’s Mobility Plan, “Major Local Streets provide for circulation within and between residential neighborhoods. Major Local streets are designed to discourage longer distance through trips and higher speeds (posted speed limit of 25 miles per hour or slower). Major Local streets generally have a maximum of one lane in each direction, and curbside parking is generally allowed where the street width is sufficient to support both moving traffic and parking lanes.”
Volumes and Speeds
Traffic volume counts were conducted in June 2022 on typical school days and in July 2026 during summer school break (See attachment). A summary of the peak hour and daily traffic volumes is provided below:
DAILY TRAFFIC VOLUMES
|
DIRECTION |
AM PEAK HOUR (HR) |
PM PEAK HOUR (HR) |
DAILY |
|
Eastbound (June 2022) |
118 (8AM) |
166 (3PM) |
1,525 |
|
Westbound (June 2022) |
149 (8AM) |
101 (2PM) |
1,253 |
|
Total |
267 |
267 |
2,778 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Eastbound (July 2026) |
134 (8AM) |
160 (5PM) |
1,513 |
|
Westbound (July 2026) |
120 (8AM) |
90 (5PM) |
1,052 |
|
Total |
254 |
250 |
2,565 |
As indicated in the table, daily traffic volumes on school days are about eight percent (8% greater than on non-school days.
Speed surveys were also conducted in June 2022 and July 2026 using a calibrated RADAR speed measuring device during free-flow traffic conditions. A statistical summary of the recorded speeds shown below confirms that prevailing speeds on 2nd Street are typical and reasonable for this street classification in a residential area. During four days of survey, only 12 vehicles were recorded going over 40 mph, which represents 0.1 percent of the 11,528 vehicles in the survey. No vehicles were recorded going over 48 mph. The current 25 mph speed limit is justified and reasonable for this street segment. A lower speed limit would be illegal and unenforceable.
SPEED SURVEYS
|
DATE |
AVERAGE SPEED |
85TH PERCENTILE |
PACE SPEED |
|
6/23/2022 |
24 mph |
28 mph |
20-29 mph |
|
7/13/2026 |
25 mph |
30 mph |
22-31 mph |
Collision History
The traffic collision history between January 1, 2020, and December 31, 2025, was analyzed for 2nd Street between Peck Avenue and Aviation Boulevard. (See attachment.) According to City records, there were four reported injury or fatal collisions on this street segment during the six-year period. A collision at 2nd Street and Peck Avenue in 2022 involved an eastbound driver making a right turn crashing into two young pedestrians traveling westbound. A collision at 2nd Street and Herrin Street in 2023 involved an eastbound driver traveling straight crashing into two parked cars. A collision at 2nd Street and Harkness Street involved an eastbound bicyclist making a left turn crashing into a westbound vehicle in which the bicyclist was at fault. A fourth collision on 2nd Street east of Herrin Street in 2025 involved an eastbound driver driving erratically and crashing into a parked vehicle. It should be noted that most property damage-only collisions are not reported to the Police Department, but are known to occur through anecdotal reports and physical evidence.
Field observations were made on this street segment during various days and times on typical school weekdays and after school hours. Staff confirmed the empirical traffic count data and speed data. 2nd Street carries moderate traffic volumes appropriate for its designation as a Major Local Street. No significant delays were observed at any of the intersections. Curb parking helps reduce speeding by occupying an otherwise wider street. Also, it was observed that some drivers purposely slow down at the stop-controlled intersections, but do not come to a complete stop when there are no other vehicles on the cross-street. Recurrent speeding was not evident.
Existing traffic safety and calming measures on 2nd Street include the following:
• “Speed Limit” signs at Peck Avenue, Redondo Avenue and Aviation Boulevard
• “Residential Area - No Thru Traffic” signs at Sepulveda Boulevard and Aviation Boulevard
• High Visibility Crosswalks at Peck Avenue and Aviation Boulevard
• Bicycle “Sharrow” markings
• “LEFT AND RIGHT ONLY” restrictions on 2nd Street at Aviation Boulevard
Potential Traffic Calming Measures
The NTMP includes a toolbox of traffic calming measures that can be deployed to address specific neighborhood traffic issues. Each toolbox measure has different advantages, disadvantages, costs and limitations. Level One and Two tools are intended to be implemented as initial trial measures, with Level Three tools considered only if initial measures fail to meet the intended outcome. Level One and Two tools are listed below and described more fully in the NTMP Handbook attached to this report:
Level One Tools
• Enhanced Police Enforcement
• Speed Monitoring Trailer
• Neighborhood Traffic Watch Program
• Higher Visibility Crosswalk
• Pedestrian Crossing Signs
• Electronic Speed Limit Signs/Larger Static Speed Limit Signs
Level Two Tools
• Traffic Signal Adjustments to Discourage Cut-Through Traffic
• Turn Restrictions Via Signage
• Rumble Strips/Dots
• Speed Awareness and Electronic Signs
• Crosswalk Warning System
• Raised Median Island
• Entry Island (Neighborhood Identification Island)
• Mid-Block Narrowing
• Chokers at Intersections
• Lane Reduction/Lane Narrowing (Restriping)
• Stop Sign as Traffic Control Measure
• Parking Restrictions
In addition to the NTMP toolbox, the City Traffic Engineer referred to the City’s Pedestrian Crossing Enhancement Policy and Mobility Plan for guidance and appropriateness of certain measures. After fully evaluating the advantages, disadvantages, physical conditions, and feasibility of the various toolbox measures, the City Traffic Engineer recommends the following specific traffic calming measures to address speeding, stop violation, and pedestrian crossing concerns:
Enhanced Police Enforcement
Targeted police enforcement has been employed since 2025 and is recommended to continue on 2nd Street between Sepulveda Boulevard and Aviation Boulevard. In addition, stop sign violations at all stops should be targeted for enhanced enforcement on a recurring basis, especially during the school year.
Marked Crosswalks
The stop-controlled intersections at Herrin Street and Redondo Avenue already have curb ramps but no marked crosswalks. Due to the proximity to the elementary school, it would be appropriate to install marked crosswalks at both intersections. Marked crosswalks raise driver awareness of the intersection and the potential for crossing pedestrians and discourage running the stop sign.
LED Enhanced Flashing Stop Signs
The US Department of Transportation (USDOT) and Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) have published a variety of studies that show significant reductions in both speeding and stop violations through the use of LED enhanced stop signs, also known as flashing stop signs. Flashing stop signs are regular stop signs outfitted with red LED lights at the corners that are powered by a small solar panel and battery and operate continuously. The LEDs are designed to be seen only by the approaching driver, and the brightness can be dimmed at night with a light sensor to minimize light spillover to adjacent properties. The FHWA study results indicate a 41 percent reduction in right-angle collisions and a 2.7 percent reduction in approach speeds. The number of drivers coming to a full stop improved by almost 29 percent. These devices are approved by the California Manual on Uniform Traffic Devices (CA-MUTCD) for locations with limited visibility, pedestrian crossing concerns or low driver compliance. The Traffic Engineer has evaluated the conditions at the intersections at 2nd Street at Peck Avenue and at 2nd Street and Redondo Avenue and determined that this safety measure would be an effective device to improve driver compliance and pedestrian awareness at these intersections.
Electronic Speed Awareness Sign (Level Two)
A solar-powered electronic speed awareness sign or speed activated flashing speed limit sign could be installed on 2nd Street between Redondo Avenue and Harkness Street to remind drivers of the speed limit. The sign can be installed in a way to face either the eastbound or westbound direction periodically to address speeding in both directions. These types of signs are effective because they start flashing only if drivers exceed the posted speed limit. This measure could be implemented separately or in combination with other measures.
Lane Narrowing and Sidewalks (Level Two)
A widened sidewalk along the north side of 2nd Street between Harkness Street and Aviation Boulevard could be constructed to both improve pedestrian accessibility and narrow the roadway width to reduce vehicle speeds as drivers enter the neighborhood from Aviation Boulevard. The widened sidewalk would allow for construction of curb ramps at Harkness Street and a painted crosswalk across the north leg. This measure has been implemented successfully in other parts of the City and has been shown to reduce speeding and collisions in those areas.
Besides the recommended initial measures above, the City Traffic Engineer also considered other Level Two traffic calming measures, such as multi-way stop signs, speed cushions and raised center medians, but there are no candidate locations that would be appropriate or would not adversely impact street parking. A raised intersection at 2nd Street and Harkness Street would not be feasible due to the significant cross-slopes and a cross-gutter through the intersection.
CONCLUSION
Based on his analysis of the existing conditions and evaluation of potential NTMP measures, the Traffic Engineer recommends that the that the Commission pass a motion to recommend that the City Council approve the following traffic calming measures to supplement continued enforcement of speeding and stop sign violations on 2nd Street between Peck Avenue and Aviation Boulevard (See attachment):
1. Install crosswalk markings at the intersection of 2nd Street and Herrin Street;
2. Install crosswalk markings at the intersection of 2nd Street and Redondo Avenue;
3. Install a solar-powered flashing stop signs at the intersections of 2nd Street at Peck Avenue and 2nd Street at Redondo Avenue;
4. Install a solar-powered speed awareness sign on 2nd Street between Redondo Avenue and Harkness Street; and
5. Initiate a capital project to construct corner bulb-outs, sidewalks and curb ramps on the north side of 2nd Street between Harkness Street and Aviation Boulevard.
The Commission’s recommendation will be forwarded to the City Council for their consideration at a future meeting.
PUBLIC OUTREACH:
Residents within two hundred feet of 2nd Street between Peck Avenue and Aviation Boulevard and all interested parties were notified by mail of this agenda item and were invited to give input to the Commission. The public has been informed of this agenda item as part of the City’s standard meeting notice practices via public bulletin boards, website calendar, and social media.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW:
The City has reviewed the proposed activity for compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and has determined that the project falls under the statutory exemption pursuant for a “Feasibility and Planning Study” as defined under Section 15262 of the State CEQA Guidelines. Thus, no environmental review is necessary.
ATTACHMENT/ATTACHMENTS:
1. Recommended Traffic Calming Measures Map-2nd Street
2. 2022 E&T Study-2nd St.
3. 2026 Traffic Counts-2nd St.
4. Injury and Fatal Collision Diagram
5. Neighborhood Traffic Management Program (NTMP) Handbook
6. Correspondence Received Before Posting of Agenda