TO:
Honorable Mayor Powell and Members of the City Council
THROUGH:
David N. Carmany, City Manager
FROM:
Eve R. Irvine, Chief of Police
Andrew Harrod, Police Lieutenant
Julie Dahlgren, Management Analyst
SUBJECT:Title
Crossing Guard Study Concerning Herrin Avenue at 18th Street
REFER THE PROPOSED TRAFFIC IMPROVEMENTS TO THE PARKING AND PUBLIC IMPROVEMENTS COMMISSION FOR REVIEW AND RECOMMENDATION
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Recommended Action
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends that the City Council not staff a Crossing Guard at Herrin Avenue at 18th street and forward the proposed area traffic improvements to the Parking and Public Improvements Commission for discussion, evaluation and recommendation back to City Council for final approval.
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FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
There is no immediate fiscal impact resulting from the crossing guard study. Additional traffic improvement options will be referred to the Parking and Public Improvements Commission for discussion and evaluation; fiscal implication of the improvements will be presented when staff returns with Parking and Public Improvements Commission's recommendations to City Council.
BACKGROUND:
The City of Manhattan Beach Crossing Guard Program was introduced in the mid 1980's. School crossing guards are responsible for assisting school children safely through intersections during school hours at 21 designated locations in the City.
Several factors are considered when determining the need for an additional crossing guard at a particular location. Typically, locations are identified/requested by the schools. The Traffic Engineer investigates the proposed site and takes pedestrian and vehicle traffic counts. The State of California Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices sets criteria for determining, based on volume of cars and children at a particular crosswalk, if a crossing guard is needed. As is the industry practice, the Traffic Engineer uses this criteria to make their recommendation. Each additional guard/location costs around $11,000 per year.
At the August 7, 2012 City Council meeting, discussion of the contract for Crossing Guard services prompted an inquiry about adding an additional crossing guard on Herrin Avenue at 18th Street. A study was conducted by the City Traffic Engineer at the location in October 2011, and a subsequent study was conducted in November 2012.
DISCUSSION:
The Traffic Engineer and Police Department personnel were on hand to study the pedestrian and vehicular movement in the vicinity of Herrin Avenue and 18th Street in November 2012.
Based upon the State of California Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices criteria, the number of school pedestrians, the location of a nearby controlled alternate crossing, and the low number of conflicting vehicles at the intersection of Herrin Avenue and 18th Street does warrant placement of a crossing guard.
In observing the flow of pedestrian and vehicular traffic in the vicinity, staff noted areas where traffic could be improved with some traffic control modifications.
As part of the City's successful Cycle 10 Safe Routes to School (SR2S) grant application, and with the support of the school administration, the City is currently working with Cal Trans to obtain authorization to install the following modifications:
· A yellow high visibility crosswalk will be installed on south leg of 18th Street at Herrin Avenue, at the parking lot entrance; and,
· 250 feet of 4-inch white edge line stripe will be installed on the south side of 18th Street (west leg) west of Herrin Avenue. This will provide a delineated pedestrian pathway immediately adjacent to the ball field.
Furthermore, staff recommends consideration of four traffic improvement options which would enhance safe movement of pedestrians:
· Installation of a marked yellow high visibility crosswalk on 18th Street at Herrin Avenue.
· Installation of all-way stop controls at the intersection of Herrin Avenue and 18th Street
· Establishment of a passenger loading zone during school arrival and dismissal periods for the non-ADA parking spaces in the parking lot.
· Installation of red curb at the curb ramps at Herrin Avenue at 18th Street and at 19th Street.
Staff recommends these improvement options be forwarded to the Parking and Public Improvements Commission for discussion, evaluation and recommendation back to City Council for final action.
Attachment:
1. Adult Crossing Guard Study, Herrin Avenue at 18th Street