TO:          TRAFFIC SAFETY COMMISSION

FROM:    DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS

BY:          JACK RYDELL, P.E., T.E., PTOE,CONSULTANT TRAFFIC ENGINEER

DATE: SEPTEMBER 24 2007

SUBJECT:          SPEED ZONE SURVEYS -CREST ROAD, HAWTHORNE BOULEVARD, HIGHRIDGE ROAD, RIDGEGATE DRIVE AND VIA VICENTE/CALLE ENTRADERO

RECOMMENDATIONS

1. Retain the existing 45 mph speed limit on Crest Road between Hawthorne Boulevard and Crenshaw Boulevard.
2. Retain the existing 45 mph speed limit on Hawthorne Boulevard between Palos Verdes Drive West and Vallon Drive.
3. Retain the existing 45 mph speed limit on Hawthorne Boulevard between Vallon Drive and Crest Road.
4. Retain the existing 45 mph speed limit on Hawthorne Boulevard between Crest Road and Eddinghill Drive/Seamount Drive.
5. Retain the existing 45 mph speed limit on Hawthorne Boulevard between Eddinghill Drive/Seamount Drive and Highridge Road/Grayslake Road.
6. Retain the existing 40 mph speed limit on Hawthorne Boulevard between Highridge Road/Grayslake Road and Indian Peak Road.
7. Retain the existing 45 mph speed limit on Hawthorne Boulevard between Silver Spur Road and Indian Peak Road and the Rolling Hills Estates City Limit.
8. Retain the existing 35 mph speed limit on Highridge Road between Hawthorne Boulevard and the Rolling Hills Estates City Limit.
9. Reduce the existing 30 mph speed limit to 25 mph on Ridgegate Drive between Hawthorne Boulevard and Highridge Road.
10. Establish a 35 mph speed limit on Via Vicente/Calle Entradero between Palos Verdes Drive West and Palos Verdes Drive West.

BACKGROUND

To satisfy the requirements of Section 40802(b) of the California Vehicle Code (CVC), Engineering and Traffic Surveys are required by the State of California to establish intermediate speed limits and to enforce those limits using radar or other speed measuring devices.  These surveys must be updated periodically (every 5, 7 or 10 years, depending upon specific criteria) to ensure the speed limits reflect current conditions as dictated by the California Vehicle Code.  The surveys must be conducted in accordance with applicable provisions of the CVC, following procedures outlined in the California Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD).

DISCUSSION

Engineering and Traffic Surveys supporting the current speed limits on the subject roadways were performed during 2002 and 2003.  Due to the length of time since the surveys were last performed, as well as changes to roadway conditions throughout the City, it is appropriate to re-survey these roadways to ensure that the legal speed limit is appropriate and safe.  This approach is supported by the MUTCD and California Supplement, which state: “At least once every five years, States and local agencies should re-evaluate non-statutory speed limits on segments of their roadways that have undergone a significant change in roadway characteristics or surrounding land use since the last review.”

The attached report contains Engineering and Traffic Surveys for the following roadway segments:

• Crest Road
  • Hawthorne Boulevard to Crenshaw Boulevard
• Hawthorne Boulevard
  • Palos Verdes Drive West to Vallon Drive
  • Vallon Drive to Crest Road
  • Crest Road to Eddinghill Drive/Seamount Drive
  • Eddinghill Drive/Seamount Drive to Highridge Road/Grayslake Road
  • Highridge Road/Grayslake Road to Indian Peak Road
  • Silver Spur Road to the Rolling Hills Estates City Limit
• Highridge Road
  • Hawthorne Boulevard to the Rolling Hills Estates City Limit
• Ridgegate Drive
  • Hawthorne Boulevard to Highridge Road
• Via Vicente/Calle Entradero
  • Palos Verdes Drive West to Palos Verdes Drive West

The report also contains background information on how Engineering and Traffic surveys are prepared, how data was collected and applicable sections of the California Vehicle Code.

ALTERNATIVES

1. Modify the submitted speed zoning recommendations
2. Consider other actions as may be determined.

Recommended for Approval                                   Respectfully Submitted,                                                       

Jack Rydell                                                                Siamak Motahari
Consulting Traffic Engineer                         Senior Engineer

JR: Hawthorne Blvd Et Al Speed Zone Surveys TSC Report - 9-14-07

Attachments:        Attachment A – Engineering and Traffic Survey Report