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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2022-11-10 SC Agenda Packet Revised Date:Thursday, November 10, 2022 Time:6:00 p.m. Location:Council Chambers, 276 Fourth Avenue, Chula Vista, CA Welcome to your Safety Commission Meeting! Public Comments: Public comments may be submitted to the Safety Commission in the following ways: In-Person comments during the meeting. Join us for the Safety Commission meeting at the time and location specified on this agenda to make your comments. Please visit www.chulavistaca.gov/boardmeetings for current mask requirements and other safety protocols. • Submit an eComment. Visit www.chulavistaca.gov/boardmeetings, locate this meeting and click on the comment bubble icon. Click on the item you wish to comment on, and then click on "Leave Comment." The commenting period will close one hour before the meeting. All comments will be made available to the Commission and the public. • Mail or email comments. Submit comments via email to SC@chulavistaca.gov or by mail to Safety Commission, 276 Fourth Ave, Chula Vista, CA 91910. Please send comments early; written comments received within one hour of the meeting may not be distributed until the following day. • Accessibility: Individuals with disabilities are invited to request modifications or accommodations in order to access and/or participate in a Safety Commission meeting by contacting the Engineering & Capital Projects Department at SC@chulavistaca.gov at least forty-eight hours in advance of the meeting. 1.CALL TO ORDER 2.PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE 3.ROLL CALL Commissioners Cervantes, Flores, Hidinger, Luke, Marroquin, Orso-Delgado 4.PUBLIC COMMENTS Persons may address the Commission on any subject matter within the Commission’s jurisdiction that is not listed as an item on the agenda. State law generally prohibits the Commission from discussing or taking action on any issue not included on the agenda, but, if appropriate, the Commission may schedule the topic for future discussion or refer the matter to staff. If you wish to speak on any item, please fill out a "Request to Speak" form and submit it to the Secretary prior to the meeting. 4.1.Emails from Nacion Avenue Crusaders 3 5.ACTION ITEMS The Item(s) listed in this section of the agenda will be considered individually by the Commission and are expected to elicit discussion and deliberation. If you wish to speak on any item, please fill out a "Request to Speak" form and submit it to the Secretary prior to the meeting. 5.1.RESOLUTION ADOPTING THE 2022 LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN 12 Staff Recommendation: Commission adopt the resolution. 6.PRESENTATIONS The following item(s) will be presentations given to the Commission. Action on these item(s) is typically limited to the Commission receiving the presentation and providing direction or feedback to staff, as appropriate. 6.1.POLICE DEPARTMENT TRAFFIC DATE UPDATE 51 Staff Recommendation: Commission hear the presentation. 6.2.BIKEWAYS AND PEDESTRIAN FACILITIES CIP PROJECT UPDATE 54 Staff Recomendation: Commission hear the presentation. 7.STAFF COMMENTS 8.COMMISSIONERS' COMMENTS 9.ADJOURNMENT to the regular meeting on December 8, 2022, at 6:00 p.m. Materials provided to the Safety Commission related to any open-session item on this agenda are available for public review by contacting the Engineering Department at SC@chulavistaca.gov. 11/10/2022 SC Agenda Page 2 of 81 1 On Sep 29, 2022, at 8:57 AM, Florence Picardal wrote: Ms. Saponara: Email received. Thank you. - fp From: Mary Ann Saponara Sent: 28 September, 2022 7:52 PM To: Florence Picardal Subject: Fwd: Near Death Experience by Lead Crusader Ms. Jan Lawry Hi Florence, Here is another key email. Marianna Saponara Sent from my iPhone Begin forwarded message: From: Mary Ann Saponara Date: September 25, 2022 at 10:17:13 PM PDT To: Eddie Flores Jill Galvez , Amanda Angulo Jan Lawry Miriam Figueroa Patti Ward Margaret Collins , Gabriel Salazar Moro Subject: Fwd: Near Death Experience by Lead Crusader Ms. Jan Lawry Revision 9/25/2022 Please make sure City Manager, Traffic Engineering Department and Traffic Safety Commission receive this email? From: Mary Ann Saponara Date: September 24, 2022 at 8:02:57 PM To: Eddie Flores Jill Galvez Warning: External Email 11/10/2022 SC Agenda Page 3 of 81 2 Amanda Angulo Subject: Near Death Experience by Lead Crusader Ms. Jan Lawry Good evening Chula Vista Government’s Officials Long-time resident/Lead Nacion Avenue Crusader, Jan Lawry was almost T-boned by a speeding car which exited East James Court’s cul de sac. Incident happened September 22, 2022 at 10:17am. Crusader Jan was exiting her driveway- 740 Nacion Avenue. Crusader Marianna’s Saponara Subaru was parked in the widened park lane close to East James Court. Crusader Marianna’s car obstructed Crusader Jan’s visibility. (Look at the photo describing the scene) Crusader Jan was traumatized and quickly ceased her entrance onto Nacion and entered the parking lane in front of her house. Distraught, overwhelmed with fright, at the thought of being injured or even killed by the dark speeding car. What will it take for the Traffic Engineering Department and City Officials to stop their procrastination nonsense and Fix Nacion Avenue. Speed studies already prove that 85% of vehicles clock in at 36/37 mph in a 4 Hilltop Area School Zone. A) Traffic Engineers please do not conduct another speed study when schools are not in session! B) Traffic Engineers do not “Blow Smoke in the Crusaders’ faces by directing us to comply with your bogus, ludicrous visual car monitoring 11/10/2022 SC Agenda Page 4 of 81 3 last Summer.” Who benefited from the hours the Crusaders sacrificed from their families, with interviews tabulations which Crusader Jan did— For What Purpose- For Whom, Why? Crusaders were told, “Just call the cops to install their Radar Trailer which is Useless- Does Not Give Speeding Tickets.” Crusaders know Now what Mr. Flores Should Have Given Crusader Jan the Truth what safety procedural devices were Bona Fide Options. Instead- False Hope, Trickery and Non-Transparent Political Jargon! Crusaders have tried to reach the Traffic Engineering Department without success. Add the City Manager’s Department with similar non responsiveness! Crusaders have requested an appointment to speak before the Traffic Safety Commission - non responsive! Strike Three City Government! What has happened to our Great City? Apathetic Demeanor! CVPD deserves a commendation for responding as best it can with a limited cadre of motorcycle cops. Thanks Sgt. Fred Rowbotham and Chief of Police Roxana Kennedy. Incident numbers are shared with follow up surveys! Bravissimo! Crusaders will be Forced To Seek Other Avenues For Support! Crusaders have petitioned for Nacion’s Improvement For 7- Years! Crusaders Refuse to Accept statements that Nacion is not the only street with a speeding problem. Okay- with more funding from the City Council, Get Your City Departments to Respond to Constituents’ phone calls, emails, letters etc. Start Here! Why the Drama? Marianna (Mary Ann) Saponara and the Nacion Avenue Crusaders Sent from my iPhone 11/10/2022 SC Agenda Page 5 of 81 1 Florence Picardal From:Mary Ann Saponara Sent:18 October, 2022 5:51 PM To:Fredrick Rowbotham; Jan Lawry; Margaret Collins; Patti Ward; Gabriel Salazar; Moro; Florence Picardal; Amanda Angulo Subject:Thanks Sgt. Fred Warning: External Email Good afternoon, Sgt.Fred, with very limited motorcycle cops, has been sending his cops up Nacion. I was traveling southbound on Nacion passing Milan. I saw one of Sgt. Fred’s squad members. I am sure the officer saw the gridlock from Milan towards Telegraph Canyon Road heading towards L Street at 3:16pm. Advocates for Nacion’s improvements have been: Police Chief Ms. Roxana, Sgt.Fred, Amanda Angulo, Council Members John McCann, Jill Galvez and new advocate Ms. Florence Picardal. The Crusaders will be ready with our presentation for the Traffic Safety Commission’s November 10, 2022 meeting. I told the Crusaders that we have been snubbed, thrown under the bus, ignored and treated disrespectfully by the Traffic Engineering Department. As a trained journalist, Crusader Marianna, will be writing a human interest piece to be shared with the Commissioners and the press. Our photo presentation will verify our comments that Nacion Is Extremely Unsafe for School Children and other pedestrians. These School Children walk to 4 Hilltop Area Schools using Nacion! If this isn’t heart wrenching what about that Saloon at the bottom of Nacion’s 800 block? Sgt.Fred, please share all the Crusaders’ emails with Police Chief Ms.Roxana. A person from that engineering department threw blame upon the cops and City Council! The engineering department should have responded to the Crusaders, instead, tossed blame which is unacceptable Blaming speed throughout the City with a 35 police personnel shortage is unconscionable. Nacion/Bonnieville Salt Flats Autobahn of Chula Vista has its limitations over other “Collector’s Streets.” Traffic engineers did nothing after the 15- year-old skate boarder’s death. Why? A) Did not have a bona fide solution B) Did not care/ non-responsiveness- they did not know the young man The Crusaders are not a gaggle of delusional old Biddies! The 4 Lead Crusaders are highly educated and we represent the other Crusaders who are in their 60s through mid eighties. Ms.Florence please share this email with the Commissioners? 11/10/2022 SC Agenda Page 6 of 81 2 The Crusaders will be sharing all correspondence as well. Thank you Marianna Saponara and the Nacion Avenue Crusaders Sent from my iPhone 11/10/2022 SC Agenda Page 7 of 81 1 Florence Picardal From:Mary Ann Saponara Sent:17 October, 2022 7:58 PM To:Jan Lawry; Patti Ward; Margaret Collins; Gabriel Salazar; Fredrick Rowbotham; Florence Picardal; Amanda Angulo Subject:Crusaders will physically present our goal of saving lives to the Traffic Safety Commission on Nov. 10, 2022 Warning: External Email Good evening, Nacion Avenue Crusaders will present our goal of saving lives to the Traffic Safety Commision with visuals. We know the Commissioners will not comment. It has taken 7- tenuous years to reach the Commissioners who are our City’s representatives? Troppo Tempo/ eccessivamente lunghi —Too Long The Crusaders know Nacion is a “Collector’s Street.” Nacion has been taken over by DUI Speeders who visit the saloon in the small shopping center at the bottom of the 800 block of Nacion. The Crusaders have been played, tricked, treated as if we are a gaggle of “Old Complaining Biddies!” The Crusaders have had “Smoke Blown In Our Faces” by members of the Traffic Engineering Department. Blaming the cops and City Council for Nacion’s Bonnieville Salt Flats Autobahn status is the lack of a solution by the Traffic Engineering Department. The engineers did nothing to improve Nacion’s safety with the fatality of a 15- year- old’s death. Crusaders’ totaled vehicles were compensated for. The young man’s death remains heavily on the hearts of his family and friends. 4,000 students attending 4 Hilltop Area Schools Is The Problem! These students use Nacion to reach their schools. Re-routing Halecrest School’s traffic flow over the J Street and Highway 805 bridge was a slap in the Crusaders’ faces. Now, more than ever, more traffic uses Nacion Ms. Florence Picardal please make sure the Commissioners receive this email? The Crusaders’ written presentation and demonstrative photos will be shared with the press. Thank you. Marianna Saponara and the Nacion Avenue Crusaders Sent from my iPhone 11/10/2022 SC Agenda Page 8 of 81 11/10/2022 SC Agenda Page 9 of 81 11/10/2022 SC Agenda Page 10 of 81 11/10/2022 SC Agenda Page 11 of 81 SAFETY COMMISSION STAFF REPORT Item _5.1 ___ Meeting Date 11/10/2022 ITEM TITLE: RESOLUTION OF THE SAFETY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF CHULA VISTA RECOMMENDING THAT THE CHULA VISTA CITY COUNCIL ADOPT THE 2022 LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN SUBMITTED BY: Principal Traffic Engineer In 2019, the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) with the support of the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), began arranging training sessions for local agencies to develop their own Local Road Safety Plans (LRSPs) to plan for road safety within their jurisdictions using data-driven methodology such that past collision data—particularly those resulting in severe injuries and fatalities—determined the priority of safety improvements. The LRSP is intended to be a “living document” that is regularly revised and updated with changing data and traffic patterns. Preparation of this LRSP has been primarily funded by this Caltrans grant with a local match from regional transportation sales tax (TransNet) funds. This item recommends adoption of the LRSP. RECOMMENDATION: That the Safety Commission adopt the resolution. DISCUSSION: Background The FHWA throughout the mid-2010s began advocating for local agencies, such as the City of Chula Vista (“City”), to plan for road safety within their jurisdictions using data-driven methodology such that past collision data—particularly those resulting in severe injuries and fatalities—determined the priority of safety improvements. In 2019, the Caltrans Division of Local Assistance (DLA) with the support of FHWA, began training sessions for local agencies to develop their own LRSP and provided grant funding for their preparation. At the time, they also signaled that future Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP) grant cycles would begin requiring that a local agency have an LRSP to be eligible to submit applications for grant funding. Preparation of this LRSP has been primarily funded by this Caltrans grant with a local match from regional transportation sales tax (TransNet) funds. Purpose and Intent This LRSP is intended formalize the road safety practices that the City has performed in the past as well as establish a rigorous, data-driven protocol and policies for future routine roadway safety and collision data reviews. This will streamline future project identification and grant application efforts and will bring the City into compliance with the HSIP Cycle 11 (2022) requirement that a City have an LRSP. 11/10/2022 SC Agenda Page 12 of 81 Page 2, Item 5.1 Meeting Date 11/10/2022 This LRSP does not scope specific projects at specific locations, but rather identifies policies and potentially appropriate countermeasures for locations with high concentrations of collisions and areas of emphasis determined by the data-driven safety analysis. In addition, this LRSP outlines the City’s strategies to support its Vision Zero initiative, which was adopted in March 2020. Therefore, the aspirational goal of this plan is to have zero traffic-related fatalities on City roadways in a calendar year; and at a minimum, decrease traffic-related fatalities and serious injuries (KSIs) on a year-over-year basis. City Road Safety Stewardship Prior to this LRSP, City staff had routinely reviewed collision data to plan and prioritize safety improvements and has continually discussed traffic safety matters with the Safety Commission. In addition, the City already had past success obtaining HSIP funding for several safety improvement projects including those with far-reaching systematic safety improvements that Caltrans DLA and FHWA intended for LRSPs like this to address. For example, pedes trian countdown signal indications, traffic signal retiming, and leading pedestrian interval operations are just a few past HSIP-funded projects that have provided systematic city-wide safety improvements to the City’s roadways. Collision Data Analysis All collision data in the City originates with the Chula Vista Police Department (CVPD); however, it is processed and dispersed to various resources, the most notable of which is the State Wide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS). SWITRS incorporates all collision data in the state and is broadly considered the primary resource for past collision data. The City accesses and analyzes this data using a program called Crossroads. Collision data in SWITRS that is less than two years old is generally considered provisional, meaning that many reports may not yet be logged in the system so there is lower confidence that a representative sample of data can be obtained from the most recent two years. The COVID-19 pandemic also greatly impacted data for 2020, which is why collision data for this LRSP was obtained from 2015 through 2019. The following is a brief summary of the data set: • Timeframe: 2015-2019 • Total Collisions: 5,990 • Total Killed or Severely Injured Collisions: 227 • Total Fatalities: 51 Noteworthy findings from the review of the past collision data are summarized as follows: • Collisions have generally trended downward since 2016 with a sharp decline in fatalities between a peak in 2018 and low in 2019. • Most collisions occurred in the afternoon period with most KSIs occurring in October through December, followed by July. • More vulnerable road users (pedestrians, bicycles, and motorcycles) were most likely to be involved in KSI collisions at a rate disproportional to their involvement in total collisions. 11/10/2022 SC Agenda Page 13 of 81 Page 3, Item 5.1 Meeting Date 11/10/2022 Motorcycles were 17% of KSIs while 5% of total collisions, bicycles were 11% of KSIs while 4% of total collisions, and pedestrians were 34% of KSIs while 6% of total collisions. • The vast majority (84%) of collisions involved motor vehicles only. • KSI collisions were primarily either a motor vehicle occupant (38%) or a pedestrian (34%) and most frequently involved the influence of alcohol (24%) or a pedestrian violation (19%) followed by unsafe speed (15%). • The minority (38%) of pedestrian collisions involved pedestrians in crosswalks, regardless of whether they were in intersections. The current 2019 California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) rankings echo some of these findings and indicate that Chula Vista is in the top half (top 8 out of the 15 largest cities in California) for collisions that involve: • Drivers aged 21-34 that had been drinking – 6th highest* • Drivers below age 21 that had been drinking – 8th highest* • Pedestrians aged 65 or above – 8th highest *Chula Vista was 6th highest for DUI arrests Chula Vista was in the lowest rough quartile (bottom 4 of the 15 largest cities) for collisions that involved: • Motorcycles – 11th highest • Bicyclists below age 15 – 12th highest • Bicyclists – 13th highest When compared to 2018 data, Chula Vista’s rankings have been generally similar. Emphasis Areas Staff determined that collisions most frequently exhibited factors that can be condensed into four emphasis areas that can inform subsequent safety improvement projects, in no particular order: Traffic Calming on Major Collectors/Arterials “Unsafe Speed” was the primary collision factor for 14% of fatalities, 15% of KSIs, and 28% of all collisions, making it the most prevalent collision factor for any type of collision followed by “Improper Turning” at 16%. These types of collisions are dispersed throughout the City but are concentrated on Major Collector and Major Arterial roadways (roads with four or more travel lanes). Additionally, rear-end collisions may be addressed by recent retiming City projects that are completed or in progress. DUI Collisions As noted in the “Driver Impairment” subsection, a substantial portion of all KSIs (nearly 25%) and fatalities (nearly 30%) involve alcohol impairment. Educating the public about drinking responsibly and continued collaboration between the Engineering and Police Departments will attempt to counter this trend. Bicycle Lanes and Conflict Zones Bicycles represent a vulnerable road user group with anticipated continued growth and potential for additional conflict with other transportation modes on roadways. Large scale efforts to provide 11/10/2022 SC Agenda Page 14 of 81 Page 4, Item 5.1 Meeting Date 11/10/2022 facilities for bicycles—the Bike Lanes on Broadway project, for example—should act as countermeasures to past bicycle collision data; however, attention will be given to seek opportunities for further facilitating safe bicycle traffic in addition to implementing improvements identified in the ATP. Pedestrian Crossings and Facilities Nearly 30% of all fatalities involved some sort of “Pedestrian Violation,” with the majority of these (nearly 60%) located in the northerwesterly portion of the City, with serious injuries following a similar pattern. Although the pedestrian was identified as the at fault party in such instances, it indicates a potential need for enhanced pedestrian facilities in this area, particularly in “jaywalking” and walking in shoulder scenarios, some of which may be addressed by implementing improvements and new sidewalks planned in the ATP. FISCAL IMPACT: This plan does not have direct fiscal impact. Attachments: 1. 2022 Local Road Safety Plan 11/10/2022 SC Agenda Page 15 of 81 2022 CITY OF CHULA VISTA LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN SEPTEMBER 2022 11/10/2022 SC Agenda Page 16 of 81 PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK 11/10/2022 SC Agenda Page 17 of 81 202 2 CITY OF CHULA VISTA LOCA L ROAD SAFETY PLAN 11/10/2022 SC Agenda Page 18 of 81 2022 CITY OF CHULA VISTA LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN CERTIFICATION Prepared by: City of Chula Vista Paul Oberbauer, PE Date Senior Civil Engineer – Traffic Ben Herrera, Associate Engineer Jerard Madrigal, EIT, Associate Engineer Oscar Cortes, TE, Associate Engineer Erica Wood, Senior Engineering Technician Nancy Chen, EIT, Engineering Technician II Approved by: City of Chula Vista Eddie Flores, PE Date City Traffic Engineer ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS This Local Road Safety Plan (LRSP) was funded by an LRSP preparation grant provided by the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) and proceeds from the TransNet regional sales tax. This LRSP evaluates travel safety for all road users including: motorists, bicyclists, and pedestrians within Chula Vista by systematically analyzing past collision data. The study was managed by the Traffic Engineering Operations Section of the Chula Vista Department of Engineering and Capital Projects. STATUTORY NOTICE This LRSP qualifies under the following in addition to the information presented in Appendix A: 23 U.S.C. § 409: U.S. Code Section 409: Discovery and admission as evidence of certain reports and surveys Notwithstanding any other provision of law, reports, surveys, schedules, lists, or data compiled or collected for the purpose of identifying, evaluating, or planning the safety enhancement of potential accident sites, hazardous roadway conditions, or railway-highway crossings, pursuant to sections 130, 144, 148 of this title or for the purpose of developing any highway safety construction improvement project which may be implemented utilizing Federal-aid highway funds shall not be subject to discovery or admitted into evidence in a Federal or State court proceeding or considered for the purposes in any action for damages arising from any occurrence at a location mentioned or addressed in such reports, surveys, schedules, lists, or data 23 U.S.C. § 148: U.S. Code Section 148(h)(4): Discovery and admission into evidence of certain reports, surveys, and information Notwithstanding any other provision of law, reports, surveys, schedules, lists, or data compiled or collected for any purpose relating to this section, shall not be subject to discovery or admitted into evidence in a Federal or State court proceeding or considered for other purposes in any action for damages arising from any occurrence at a location identified or addressed in the reports, surveys, schedules, lists, or other data. Pierce County, Washington v. Guillen 537 U.S. 129 (2003) The results of State studies of traffic accidents were not discoverable in Federal or State Court. If the States thought that the traffic data could be used against them in courts, they wouldn’t make the studies at all (why would they gather evidence that could be used against them?). The Washington Supreme Court ruled that this was beyond Congress’ power. However, the US Supreme Court found that the law was constitutional because it falls within the power of the Interstate Commerce Clause to “regulate the use of the channels of interstate commerce” and “to regulate and protect the instrumentalities of interstate commerce.” PROJECT PARTNERS Mary Casillas Salas, Mayor John McCann, District 1 Councilmember Jill Galvez, District 2 Councilmember Steve Padilla, District 3 Councilmember Andrea Cardenas, District 4 Councilmember Department of Engineering & Capital Projects William Valle, PE, Director, City Engineer Frank Rivera, PE, TE, Principal Civil Engineer Patrick Moneda, PE, TE, Senior Civil Engineer Eddie Juarez, Signals & Lighting Supervisor Police Department Rusty Rea, Lieutenant 11/10/2022 SC Agenda Page 19 of 81 2022 CITY OF CHULA VISTA LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN E X E C U T I V E S U M M A RY ii TABLE OF CONTENTS 1 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ............................................... 1-1 1.1 Background ..................................................... 1-1 1.2 Collision Data Analysis ........................................ 1-2 1.3 Safety Countermeasures ..................................... 1-4 1.4 Candidate Safety Improvements ............................ 1-4 1.5 Plan Evaluation and Maintenance ........................... 1-5 2 CITY ROAD SAFETY STEWARDSHIP ................................ 2-1 2.1 Annual Collision Data Reviews ............................... 2-1 2.2 Highway Safety Improvement Program..................... 2-1 2.3 Safety Commission ............................................ 2-1 2.4 Related Plan Documents ..................................... 2-1 2.5 LRSP Purpose & Intent ........................................ 2-1 2.6 Five E’s of Traffic Safety ..................................... 2-2 3 COLLISION DATA ANALYSIS ........................................ 3-1 3.1 Data Sources ................................................... 3-1 3.2 Data Analysis Approach ....................................... 3-2 3.3 OTS Collision Rankings ........................................ 3-2 3.4 Past Collision Data Findings .................................. 3-2 3.5 Emphasis Areas ...............................................3-10 4 SAFETY COUNTERMEASURES ....................................... 4-1 4.1 FHWA Countermeasures ...................................... 4-1 4.2 Caltrans Local Roadway Safety Manual .................... 4-1 4.3 Countermeasure Types ....................................... 4-1 5 CANDIDATE SAFETY IMPROVEMENTS .............................. 5-1 5.1 Education and Enforcement ................................. 5-1 5.2 Traffic Calming on Major Collector and Arterial Roads .. 5-1 5.3 DUI Collisions .................................................. 5-2 5.4 Bicycle Lanes and Conflict Zones ........................... 5-2 5.5 Pedestrian Crossings and Facilities ......................... 5-3 6 PLAN EVALUATION & MAINTENANCE ............................. 6-1 6.1 Annual Data Reviews .......................................... 6-1 6.2 Mid-Cycle Data Analysis Update ............................. 6-1 6.3 Five-Year LRSP Update ....................................... 6-1 6.4 Emerging Predictive Analytics Technologies .............. 6-1 11/10/2022 SC Agenda Page 20 of 81 2022 CITY OF CHULA VISTA LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK 11/10/2022 SC Agenda Page 21 of 81 11/10/2022 SC Agenda Page 22 of 81 2022 CITY OF CHULA VISTA LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN EXECUTIVE SUMMARY E X E C U T I V E S U M M A R Y 1-1 1 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 1.1 BACKGROUND Introduction The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) throughout the mid-2010s began advocating for local agencies, such as cities and counties, to plan for road safety within their jurisdictions using data-driven methodology such that past collision data—particularly those resulting in severe injuries and fatalities—determined the priority of safety improvements. In 2019, the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) Division of Local Assistance (DLA) with the support of FHWA, began arranging training sessions for local agencies to develop their own Local Road Safety Plans (LRSPs) and provided grant funding for their preparation. At the time, they also signaled that future Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP) grant cycles would begin requiring that a local agency have an approved LRSP in order to be eligible to submit project applications for grant funding. Preparation of this LRSP has been primarily funded by this Caltrans grant with a local match from regional transportation sales tax (TransNet) funds. Purpose and Intent This LRSP is intended formalize the road safety practices that the City of Chula Vista (“City”) has performed in the past as well as establish a rigorous, data-driven protocol and policies for future routine roadway safety and collision data reviews. This will streamline future project identification and grant application efforts and will bring the City into compliance with the HSIP Cycle 11 (2022) requirement that a applicant have an LRSP. This LRSP does not scope specific projects at specific locations, but rather identifies policies and potentially appropriate countermeasures for locations with high concentrations of collisions and areas of emphasis determined by the data-driven safety analysis. In addition, this LRSP outlines the City’s strategies for implementing its Vision Zero initiative, which was adopted in March 2020. Therefore, the goal of this plan is to have zero traffic-related fatalities on City roadways in a calendar year; and at a minimum, decrease traffic- related fatalities and serious injuries (KSIs) on a year-over-year basis. As a part of both LRSP development and Vision Zero implementation, this plan will incorporate what is termed “Five E’s of Traffic Safety.” City Road Safety Stewardship Past City Road Safety Planning Prior to this LRSP, City staff had routinely reviewed collision data to plan and prioritize safety improvements and has continually discussed traffic safety matters with the City’s Safety Commission. In addition, the City already had past success obtaining HSIP funding for several safety improvement projects including those with far-reaching systematic safety improvements that Caltrans DLA and FHWA intended for LRSPs like this to address. For example, pedestrian countdown signal indications, traffic signal retiming, leading pedestrian interval operations, and fully standard traffic signal hardware are just a few past HSIP-funded projects that have provided systematic city-wide safety improvements to the City’s roadways. Related Planning Documents Along with this LRSP, the City has planning documents that guide implementation of some traffic safety improvements: the Active Transportation Plan (ATP) and the Pedestrian Connectivity Plan. Both documents focus on expanding and improving existing pedestrian and bicycle facilities, which represent a substantial portion of potential safety improvements for the most vulnerable road users. The Five E’s of Traffic Safety The priorities and key elements of traffic safety planning is often expressed in the form of four to five E’s, which are summarized below. The elements all contribute to safer roadways for all road users and represent major stakeholders in the management and operation of the City’s roads. Engineering and Emerging Technologies accounts for the physical road and the vehicles and infrastructure that operate on it. Education is a way to addresses driver behavior through training and communication between City representatives and the public. Enforcement is the main force in ensuring driver compliance with traffic control devices and the engineered roadways. Evaluation involves reviewing the effectiveness of safety improvements and this LRSP through review of future collision data. Emergency Response represents the need to maintain efficient flow for first responders to reach incident sites. ROADWAY SAFETY Engineering/ Emerging Technology Education Enforcement Evaluation Emergency Response 11/10/2022 SC Agenda Page 23 of 81 2022 CITY OF CHULA VISTA LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN E X E C U T I V E S U M M A R Y 1-2 1.2 COLLISION DATA ANALYSIS Data Sources All collision data in the City originates with the Chula Vista Police Department (CVPD); however, it is processed and dispersed to various resources, the most notable of which is the State Wide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS). SWITRS incorporates all collision data in the state and is broadly considered the primary resource for past collision data. The City accesses and analyzes this data using a program called Crossroads. Collision data in SWITRS that is less than two years old is generally considered provisional, meaning that many reports may not yet be logged in the system so there is lower confidence that a representative sample of data can be obtained from the most recent two years. The COVID-19 pandemic also greatly impacted data for 2020, which is why collision data for this LRSP was obtained from 2015 through 2019. In addition, the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) publishes rankings of cities throughout the state to show the relative prevalence of certain types of collisions by ranking against peer cities. OTS Collision Rankings The annual OTS Collision Rankings1 compare collision data across cities and does not highlight actual roadway safety data. OTS uses the Empirical Bayesian Ranking Method that combines population, daily vehicle miles traveled, collision records with weighting factors to determine the ranking. Chula Vista’s peer group is Group A (populations larger than 250,000), which includes all cities from Los Angeles to Chula Vista. Chula Vista is the smallest city in Group A, which makes comparisons with similarly sized cities applicable while those with very large cities are not. The current 2019 OTS rankings indicate that Chula Vista is in the top half (top 8 out of 15 cities) for collisions that involve: • Drivers aged 21-34 that had been drinking – 6th highest* • Drivers below age 21 that had been drinking – 8th highest* • Pedestrians aged 65 or above – 8th highest *Chula Vista was 6th highest for DUI arrests 1 https://www.ots.ca.gov/media-and-research/crash-rankings-results/ Chula Vista was in the lowest rough quartile (bottom 4 of 15) of Group A cities for collisions that involved: • Motorcycles – 11th highest • Bicyclists below age 15 – 12th highest • Bicyclists – 13th highest When compared to 2018 data, Chula Vista’s rankings have been generally similar. Collision Data Review Collision Dataset Overview TIMEFRAME TOTAL COLLISIONS KILLED OR SEVERELY INJURED (KSI) FATALITIES Past Collision Data Findings Noteworthy findings from the review of the past collision data are summarized as follows: • Collisions have generally trended downward since 2016 with a sharp decline in fatalities between a peak in 2018 and low in 2019. • Most collisions occurred in the afternoon period with most KSIs occurring in October through December, followed by July. • More vulnerable road users (pedestrians, bicycles, and motorcycles) were most likely to be involved in KSI collisions at a rate disproportional to their involvement in total collisions. Motorcycles were 17% of KSIs while 5% of total collisions, bicycles were 11% of KSIs while 4% of total collisions, and pedestrians were 34% of KSIs while 6% of total collisions. • The vast majority (84%) of collisions involved motor vehicles only. • KSI collisions were primarily either a motor vehicle occupant (38%) or a pedestrian (34%) and most frequently involved the influence of alcohol (24%) or a pedestrian violation (19%) followed by unsafe speed (15%). • The minority (38%) of pedestrian collisions involved pedestrians in crosswalks, regardless of whether they were in intersections. 5,990 227 (4%) 51 (1%) 2015 - 2019 Total Total KSI Total Fatal Only 0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 0 200 400 600 800 1000 1200 1400 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 TO T A L K S I A N D F A T A L CO L L I S I O N S TO T A L C O L L I S I O N S COLLISIONS BY YEAR AND SEVERITY 0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25% 30% 35% TIME OF WEEKDAY COLLISIONS* 0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25% 30% 35% VIOLATION CATEGORIES†TOTAL KSI FATAL *Reported percentages in time of day charts reflect percentage relative to other times of day for that mode, not relative to other modes for that time. †Percentages reported in violation categories chart are relative to other violation categories. 11/10/2022 SC Agenda Page 24 of 81 2022 CITY OF CHULA VISTA LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN E X E C U T I V E S U M M A R Y 1-3 Emphasis Areas Staff determined that collisions most frequently exhibited factors that can be condensed into four emphasis areas that this LRSP will focus on, in no particular order: Traffic Calming on Major Collectors/Arterials “Unsafe Speed” was the primary collision factor for 14% of fatalities, 15% of KSIs, and 28% of all collisions, making it the most prevalent collision factor for any type of collision followed by “Improper Turning” at 16%. These types of collisions are dispersed throughout the City but are concentrated on Major Collector and Major Arterial roadways (roads with four or more travel lanes). Additionally, rear-end collisions may be addressed by recent retiming City projects that are completed or in progress. DUI Collisions As noted in the “Driver Impairment” subsection, a substantial portion of all KSIs (nearly 25%) and fatalities (nearly 30%) involve alcohol impairment. Educating the public about drinking responsibly and collaboration between the Engineering and Police Departments will attempt to counter this trend. Bicycle Lanes and Conflict Zones Bicycles represent a VRU group with anticipated continued growth and potential for additional conflict with other transportation modes on roadways. Large scale efforts to provide facilities for bicycles—the Bike Lanes on Broadway project, for example—should act as countermeasures to past bicycle collision data; however, attention will be given to seek opportunities for further facilitating safe bicycle traffic in addition to implementing improvements identified in the ATP. Additional care may be taken to ensure that conflict zones between bikeways and travel lanes are appropriately marked to facilitate driver awareness a compliance. Pedestrian Crossings and Facilities Nearly 30% of all fatalities involved some sort of “Pedestrian Violation,” with the majority of these (nearly 60%) located in the northerwesterly portion of the City, with serious injuries following a similar pattern. Although the pedestrian was identified as the at fault party in such instances, it indicates a potential need for enhanced pedestrian facilities in this area, particularly in “jaywalking” and walking in shoulder scenarios, some of which may be addressed by implementing improvements and new sidewalks planned in the ATP. 6%4% 5% 84% 1% OTHER TOTAL COLLISIONS BY MODE 34% 11% 17% 38% KSI COLLISIONS BY MODE 103 44 15 74 36 9 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100% KSI COLLISIONS: FAULT BY MODE At Fault Not At Fault PRIMARY COLLISION FACTOR – FATAL (K) COLLISIONS PRIMARY COLLISION FACTOR – SEVERE INJURY (SI) COLLISIONS 48% NOT DRINKING27% DRINKING, IMPAIRED 2% DRINKING, IMPAIRMENT UNKNOWN 1% DRINKING, NOT IMPAIRED 22% UNKNOWN KSI COLLISIONS: AT FAULT PARTY IMPAIRMENT 11/10/2022 SC Agenda Page 25 of 81 2022 CITY OF CHULA VISTA LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN E X E C U T I V E S U M M A R Y 1-4 1.3 SAFETY COUNTERMEASURES Safety countermeasures are modifications made to the physical infrastructure at a location that are intended to improve traffic safety. Such countermeasures can range in scope and complexity from adding a sign or pavement marking to constructing an entirely new traffic signal, for example, and they have various levels of applicability and effectiveness. All these countermeasures and various administrative best practices attempt to incorporate and promote the five E’s of traffic safety FHWA Countermeasures The FHWA Proven Safety Countermeasures website lists 20 high-level countermeasure categories that may assist traffic engineers in improving roadway safety with some metrics on past effectiveness.2 It also indicates potential collision reduction attributable to these countermeasures based on past research. Local Road Safety Manual To assist local agencies with planning for HSIP applications and provide them with a “toolbox” of countermeasures for various types of traffic challenges, Caltrans publishes the Local Roadway Safety Manual for California Local Road Owners (LRSM).3 Generally, the LRSM takes the FHWA countermeasures and breaks them down to specific improvements that may be eligible for grant funding. It identified countermeasures, their range of applicability, and their collision reduction factor (CRF) to indicate their potential for enhancing safety. 2 https://safety.fhwa.dot.gov/provencountermeasures/ 1.4 CANDIDATE SAFETY IMPROVEMENTS Various safety improvements were identified to apply the five E’s to the four emphasis areas identified in the data analysis. These were both operational and infrastructure in nature and various recent safety improvements for which there is insufficient data regarding their potential collision reduction are also described. For additional details, refer to Section 5. Education and Enforcement Education and enforcement are complements to any countermeasure that has been or may be installed. They inform that road users are aware of the operation of existing and new traffic control devices and ensure road user compliance with those devices. The CVPD Traffic Division is the lead in this role, though the Traffic Engineering Division of the Department of Engineering and Capital Projects is responsible for being proactive and collaborative partners with CVPD and diligent stewards of the safety of the City’s roadway system. As part of their enforcement efforts, CVPD has ensured that traffic stops are treated first as an opportunity to educate the public. Over recent years, the Traffic Engineering Division and especially CVPD Traffic have had challenges being fully staffed; however, Measure A passed by Chula Vista voters in 2018 has funded additional opportunities for CVPD to conduct enforcement and education efforts, which may translate to improved driver compliance and reduced collisions as has been the most recent trend since the Covid-19 pandemic. 3 https://dot.ca.gov/programs/local-assistance/fed-and-state- programs/highway-safety-improvement-program/apply-now Recent City Efforts Through its past and ongoing routine review of collision data, the City has made significant efforts toward implementing safety improvements with local and HSIP funds. This isncludes calming traffic on roads with four or more lanes, largely supported by HSIP and Active Transportation Program grant funding and typically involves lane reduction or narrowing as well as dynamic speed signage. With respect to DUI collisions: per the collision data, 24% of KSI collisions and 29% of fatalities involved the influence of alcohol and the OTS rankings indicate DUI collisions represent a major factor in Chula Vista’s collisions compared to peer cities. The CVPD has made efforts to counter DUIs through a combination of education and enforcement. According to the OTS rankings, Chula Vista had the 6th most DUI arrents among group A cities, which is consistent with its rankings for DUI collisions. In addition, CVPD periodically conducts checkpoints on City roads to discourage driving after drinking. For bicycle facilities, the City has recently made extensive progress with constructing new bicycle lanes in various locations throughout Chula Vista, most notably, with Bike Lanes on Broadway, which added four miles of bi-directional bike lanes from approximately the north to south City Limits. In addition, staff routinely seeks opportunities to add buffers and new class 2 bike lanes where applicable and planned as part of ongoing pavement maintenance. The City has also implemented multiple strategies to address pedestrian crossings and facilities. Where feasible, the City has systematically been constructing missing sidewalks, now in accordance with the ATP. A notable recently completed project was the addition of sidewalks along the south side of Palomar Street between Orange Avenue and Fifth Avenue and the north side of Orange Avenue from Palomar Street to Fifth Avenue. 11/10/2022 SC Agenda Page 26 of 81 2022 CITY OF CHULA VISTA LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN E X E C U T I V E S U M M A R Y 1-5 Candidate Operational Improvements Various operational improvements may be implemented to enhance safety and address the emphasis areas. These are primarily divided into two types: those based on updates to City ordinances and policies and those related to traffic signal operations. The City has implemented most of these countermeasures as part of its ongoing operations; however, amendments to the CVC intended to enhance safety have made it so updating speed limits using newer methodology may be appropriate. • Updating Speed Limits (FHWA Countermeasure) • Updating Traffic Signal Coordination Plans (LRSM #S03) • Minimum Green Time for Bicycles • Enhanced Crosswalk Warrant Criteria Candidate Infrastructure Improvements This LRSP also identifies candidate infrastructure improvements to enhance safety and the associated countermeasures. Some countermeasures may be applicable to multiple emphasis areas, and nearly all have substantial collision reduction potential according to the LRSM. As mentioned earlier, recent and ongoing City efforts have implemented many of these countermeasures and improvements in multiple locations throughout the City using local and HSIP grant funds using prior analyses similar to this LRSP. However, the list of potential locations for implementing these strategies has not been exhausted. In addition, other planning documents such as the ATP will help to guide implementation of new infrastructure that may be associated with these countermeasures, particularly related to those intended to support pedestrians and bicyclists. Some countermeasures may require great consideration with respect to their applicability and suitability for a given location when accounting for site constraints, traffic patterns, as well as the need for emergency responders to reach calls quickly. • Updating Regulatory and Warning Signage (LRSM #R22) • Dynamic/Variable Speed Signs (LRSM #R26) • Road Diet: Lane Narrowing/Reduction (LRSM #R14) • Curb Extensions (FHWA Countermeasure) • Buffered Bike Lanes (LRSM #R32PB, R33PB) • Green Paint in Bicycle-Vehicle Conflict Zones (NACTO) • Advance Stop Bar “Bike Box” (LRSM #S20PB) • Separated Bikeways (LRSM R33PB) • Filling Gaps in Sidewalks (LRSM #R34PB) • Lead Pedestrian Interval Signal Operations (LRSM #S21PB) • Enhanced Pedestrian Crossings (LRSM #R35PB, R37PB) • Pedestrian Hybrid Beacon Crossings (LRSM #NS23PB) • Curb Extensions/Road Diets (FHWA, LRSM #R14) • Pedestrian Countdown Signal Indications (LRSM #S17PB) 1.5 PLAN EVALUATION AND MAINTENANCE The maintenance of the LRSP will follow a routine yearly process based on three tiers of analysis, ultimately creating a five-year LRSP renewal cycle. Annual Data Reviews On years one, two, and four, staff will follow procedures similar to its current process for reviewing collision data for the prior year to identify high-collision locations as well as trends in the collision data. The results may be reported to the Safety Commission at their July meeting. Mid-Cycle Data Analysis Update The data-driven safety analysis in Section 3 of this LRSP will be updated on year three. In addition to the Annual Data Review tasks, staff will incorporate recent traffic volume data to highlight locations of interest based on collision rate and evaluate prior performance. Five-Year LRSP Update Every five years, staff will perform a comprehensive update of this LRSP that incorporates any addenda adopted in the intervening years as well as any large-scale changes to planned projects and initiatives. Emerging Predictive Analytics Technologies With the continual refinement of sophisticated data analysis tools such as machine learning, predictive analytics are anticipated to continue to improve and gain widespread acceptance. As these technologies become more readily available and accurate, they will be incorporated into the analysis of the data-driven safety assessment. LRSP UPDATE Year 1 Data Review Year 2 Data Review Year 3 Data Analysis Update Year 4 Data Review 11/10/2022 SC Agenda Page 27 of 81 11/10/2022 SC Agenda Page 28 of 81 2022 CITY OF CHULA VISTA LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN CITY ROAD SAFETY STEWARDSHIP C I T Y R O A D S A F E T Y S T E W A R D S H I P 2-1 2 CITY ROAD SAFETY STEWARDSH IP 2.1 ANNUAL COLLISION DATA REVIEWS The safety of roadway users of all City roads has always been, and will continue to be, paramount in the City’s operation of its roadways. Currently, the City’s Traffic Engineering Division conducts routine annual reviews of collision data and high-collision locations and determines whether existing Capital Improvement Projects are already being implemented at those locations. If no projects are planned for a given location, staff determines what possible countermeasures can be implemented as part of routine operations, or whether larger-scale improvements are needed, in which case funding sources are sought after including compiling data for grant applications such as the Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP). 2.2 HIGHWAY SAFETY IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM The HSIP is a grant program funded by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and administered by the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) Division of Local Assistance (DLA). Each HSIP funding cycle typically occurs biannually, which provides an opportunity for staff to do a more in-depth review of the data and prepare applications for larger-scale safety improvements identified in that and the prior year’s routine reviews. These reviews, in addition to this LRSP, are based on various data sources, which are discussed in Section 3, Collision Data Analysis. Applications analyze a location’s collision history, and the prescribed countermeasure’s efficacy at reducing collisions or Collision Reduction Factor (CRF) provided in HSIP guidance materials. The benefit derived from reduced collisions is converted to monetary terms in accordance with HSIP guidance and is compared to the estimated cost to construct the countermeasure. Caltrans DLA then compares an application’s benefit-cost ratio (BCR) and other merits with other applications to determine whether it will be funded. 4 https://www.chulavistaca.gov/departments/engineering/active -transportation-plan 5 https://www.chulavistaca.gov/departments/public-works/pedestrian-connectivity 2.3 SAFETY COMMISSION The Chula Vista Safety Commission was established prior to the 1960s and is comprised of seven Chula Vista residents. The Safety Commission works in conjunction with the Department of Engineering & Capital Projects to conceive and develop ideas and suggestions to contribute to the improvement of personal, traffic or property safety within the City. Meetings are scheduled on the first Monday of each month in the City Council chambers. City staff presents numerous traffic safety items to the Safety Commission for their concurrence and approval, including but not limited to speed limit adjustments, parking restrictions, road diets and related traffic calming measures, and changes to intersection control. Safety Commission meetings also provide a public forum to present City initiatives related to roadway management and safety as well as an opportunity to receive input from the public on the presented items or hear concerns regarding roadway safety raised by the public. 2.4 RELATED PLAN DOCUMENTS Active Transportation Plan The Chula Vista Active Transportation Plan (ATP) adopted in May 2020 4 identifies pedestrian and bicycle facility needs and includes prioritization criteria for planned active transportation projects. The ATP also addresses needs of other classes of road users such as shared mobility devices (i.e. rented scooters/bicycles) and neighborhood electric vehicles (NEV). Much of the data and opportunities identified in the ATP inform stewardship of local roadway safety, particularly for non-vehicular modes. Pedestrian Connectivity Plan The Pedestrian Connectivity Plan adopted in May 20205 is a Citywide evaluation of existing pedestrian infrastructure and it identifies deficiencies with respect to current ADA standards. The Pedestrian Connectivity Plan along with the ATP complements the LRSPs efforts toward pedestrian safety. 2.5 LRSP PURPOSE & INTENT This LRSP is intended formalize the road safety practices that the City of Chula Vista has performed in the past as well as establish a rigorous, data-driven protocol and policies for future routine roadway safety and collision data reviews. This will streamline future project identification and grant application efforts, and will bring the City of Chula Vista into compliance with the HSIP Cycle 11 (2022) requirement that a City have an adopted LRSP. This plan does not scope specific projects with cost estimates, but rather identifies policies and potentially appropriate countermeasures for locations with high concentrations of collisions and areas of emphasis determined by the data-driven safety analysis. In addition, this LRSP outlines the City’s strategies for implementing its Vision Zero initiative, which was adopted in March 2020. Therefore, the goal of this plan is to have zero traffic-related fatalities on City roadways in a calendar year; and at a minimum, decrease traffic- related fatalities and serious injuries (KSIs) on a year-over-year basis. As a part of both LRSP development and Vision Zero implementation, this plan will address what is termed the “Five E’s of Traffic Safety.” 11/10/2022 SC Agenda Page 29 of 81 2022 CITY OF CHULA VISTA LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN C I T Y R O A D S A F E T Y S T E W A R D S H I P 2-2 2.6 FIVE E’S OF TRAFFIC SAFETY There are multiple versions and numbers of “E’s” throughout the traffic safety community, however this LRSP focuses on five that are primarily builds on those identified in the California State Transportation Agency’s (CalSTA) Strategic Highway Safety Plan (SHSP)6, which are: Engineering/Emerging Technologies, Enforcement, Education, Evaluation, and Emergency Response. Engineering & Emerging Technologies Engineering in this context typically refers to the design and construction efforts involved in creating all the physical attributes of a roadway and its appurtenant facilities from signs and striping to intersection control and sidewalks. Another “E” from the SHSP that is connected to Engineering to the extent that they’re combined in this document is Emerging Technologies. This includes all information technologies from intelligent transportation systems (ITS) to “Smart Cities” connectivity to existing roadway infrastructure. In addition, Emerging Technologies incorporates connected and autonomous vehicles as well as software applications to provide information to road users such as navigation applications. Enforcement Equally as important as the installation of roadway infrastructure is enforcement of the rules associated with travelling via that infrastructure, which is the purview of the Chula Vista Police Department (CVPD). Engineering and enforcement officials regularly coordinate exchange knowledge and data to jointly operate the local roadway system. Education The key participant in roadway safety is the road user including pedestrians, cyclists, and drivers. Their compliance with established laws and effective navigation of roadway infrastructure are critical for safe conveyance of all road users. Education is the primary tool for informing road users of how to navigate roads safely and legally. While much of Education is in the purview of the California Department of Motor Vehicles, the City plays a key role in informing its populace regarding any issues, significant changes, and notices that are key to operating roadways at the local level. 6 https://dot.ca.gov/programs/safety-programs/shsp Emergency Response Emergency response is an “E” added to those identified in the SHSP. Aside from the general public, a key road user are “first responders” associated with emergency response. Emergency response units play a critical role in maintaining the public’s health and safety. Safe and efficient navigation of local roadways is a major factor in road safety stewardship. Evaluation A plan is only as good as its relevance and implementation. Central to stewardship of road safety and implementing this LRSP (refer to Section 6, Plan Evaluation and Maintenance) will be regular evaluation of road safety performance and updates to policies, planned projects, and other initiatives to address the latest available data. ROADWAY SAFETY Engineering/ Emerging Technology Education Enforcement Evaluation Emergency Response 11/10/2022 SC Agenda Page 30 of 81 2021 CITY OF CHULA VISTA LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN COLLISION DATA ANALYSIS C O L L I S I O N D A T A A N A L Y S I S 3-1 SWITRS TIMS RANKINGS SWITRS 3 COLLISION DATA ANALYSIS The basis for LRSPs is the Data-Driven Safety Analysis (DDSA), which reviews past data to determine key factors that are most frequent in collisions that result in KSIs. In theory, certain combinations of key factors are unique to each jurisdiction as jurisdictions have unique geographies, road networks, and road user demographics. This DDSA relies on five years of past collision data compiles from the CVPD via the State of California. The various data sources used in the City’s current stewardship of road safety and in this LRSP are as follows. 3.1 DATA SOURCES Police Department Collision Data All collision data in the City begins with the CVPD. As CVPD officers are typically first responders to traffic collisions, they collect the information to be incorporated into the City’s traffic incident database. CVPD then provides its collision data to the state to be incorporated into the State Wide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS)7 . It should be noted that the data from the CVPD is in its raw form and is not processed compared to the data obtained from SWITRS. SWITRS SWITRS is California’s state-wide collision database of all reported collisions on all roadways in all jurisdictions maintained by the California Highway Patrol. As such, it forms the bases for numerous other data products available for traffic engineers to analyze and evaluate roadway collision history, discussed further below. Collision data is generally available on SWITRS at least approximately six months after it occurs. 7 https://iswitrs.chp.ca.gov/Reports/jsp/index.jsp TIMS The Transportation Injury Mapping System (TIMS)8 is an online mapping product provided hosted by the UC Berkeley Safe Transportation Research and Education Center. It is a map-based viewer of SWITRS collision data for collisions that involved a fatality or any type of injury. TIMS data is used most extensively as part of HSIP analyses and was a key component in the data analysis for this LRSP. Crossroads Crossroads is a proprietary database software that many local agencies use to view, analyze, and dissect SWITRS data for their jurisdiction. City staff routinely use Crossroads to review collision data for locations that are the subject of citizen requests on a case-by-case basis or those that are identified in annual collision data reviews. 8 https://tims.berkeley.edu/ OTS Collision Rankings The California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) publishes rankings of cities and counties for various collision types. The rankings compare a city or county against a peer group of comparatively sized cities and counties and ranks them based on different metrics that characterize collisions such as whether there were fatalities or injuries, the type of vehicle involved, the age of pedestrian involved, etc. Currently, rankings are published for data from the year 2019. 11/10/2022 SC Agenda Page 31 of 81 2022 CITY OF CHULA VISTA LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN C O L L I S I O N D A T A A N A L Y S I S 3-2 3.2 DATA ANALYSIS APPROACH This DDSA focuses on the City’s arterial and collector network and is based on a combination of evaluating past collision data as well as a systemic analysis. The DDSA is intended to identify collision factors and road characteristics to support determining potentially appropriate countermeasures on the studied corridors. Collision data from January 1, 2015 through December 31, 2019, five years, was compiled and processed from raw SWITRS data. The end date of the end of 2019 was chosen because collision data that is more recent than one to two years is considered preliminary as some Traffic Collision Reports have not been completed or transferred to SWITRS. Additionally, the global COVID-19 pandemic’s impacts on traffic patterns and driver behavior has resulted in the year 2020 becoming an anomaly in the data. As shifts in traffic patterns stabilize, the insights to be gleaned from the anomaly in 2020 and 2021 consequent long-term traffic pattern evolution may be reviewed in subsequent editions of the LRSP. Some representative graphs that illustrate the collision data across numerous metrics and factors are presented on the following pages. The inconsistent ways that collision events were coded in SWITRS were processed and standardized into a consistent format so that the records could be aggregated into a workable dataset. The collision records were evaluated comprehensively though the combination of charting collision factors, mapping collision data relative to their locations, and conducting an analysis of the various collision data. Synthesizing the various findings gleaned from the charts, maps, and regression analysis resulted in key emphasis areas on which this LRSP is focused to reduce the number of future KSIs to zero. To perform a systemic analysis of the collision data, collisions were mapped and highlighted for emphasis areas that may be involved. This along with the regression analysis attempted to project factors that may lead to future KSIs so countermeasure could be implemented effectively to address such factors. The objective of the systemic analysis is to identify locations on Chula Vista’s arterial and collector roads that have a high potential for collisions, based the presence of factors that had correlated with collisions that resulted in KSIs in the past. 9 https://www.ots.ca.gov/media-and-research/crash-rankings-results/ 3.3 OTS COLLISION RANKINGS The Governor’s OTS allocates federal traffic safety funds and coordinates the state’s highway safety programs. OTS develops the SHSP, which highlights focus areas for traffic safety and how to address them. The SHSP guides the allocation of grant funds across the state to address the emphasis areas and implement safety initiatives. The annual OTS Collision Rankings9 compare jurisdictions of relatively similar size across various collision types to identify where a jurisdiction performs relatively well and where improvement is needed. However, it is only a comparison and does not highlight actual roadway safety data. OTS uses the Empirical Bayesian Ranking Method that combines population, daily vehicle miles traveled, collision records with weighting factors to determine the ranking. Chula Vista’s peer group is Group A, all California cities with populations larger than 250,000. This peer group is somewhat problematic as it includes all cities from Los Angeles to Chula Vista, which are not necessarily directly comparable. Chula Vista is the smallest city in Group A. The currently available 2019 OTS rankings indicate that Chula Vista is in the top half (top 8 out of 15 cities) in the following collision types that involve: • Drivers aged 21-34 that had been drinking – 6th highest* • Drivers below age 21 that had been drinking – 8th highest* • Pedestrians aged 65 or above – 8th highest *Chula Vista was 6th highest for DUI arrests Chula Vista was in the lowest rough quartile (bottom 4 of 15) of Group A agencies in the following collision type that involved: • Motorcycles – 11th highest • Bicyclists below age 15 – 12th highest • Bicyclists – 13th highest When compared to 2018 data, Chula Vista’s highest rankings were generally the same (highest rank was 6th in 2018 and 2019) as were the bottom end rankings (lowest rank was 12th in 2018 and 2019). The average rank across reported metrics decreased from roughly 9th in 2018 to roughly 10th in 2019. 3.4 PAST COLLISION DATA FINDINGS Noteworthy findings from the review of the past collision data are summarized as follows: • Collisions have generally trended downward since 2016 with a sharp decline in fatalities between a peak in 2018 and low in 2019. • Most collisions occurred in the afternoon period with most KSIs occurring in October through December, followed by July. • More vulnerable road users (pedestrians, bicycles, and motorcycles) were most likely to be involved in KSI collisions at a rate disproportional to their involvement in total collisions. Motorcycles were 17% of KSIs while 5% of total collisions, bicycles were 11% of KSIs while 4% of total collisions, and pedestrians were 34% of KSIs while 6% of total collisions. • The vast majority (84%) of collisions involved motor vehicles only. • KSI collisions were primarily either a motor vehicle occupant (38%) or a pedestrian (34%) and most frequently involved the influence of alcohol (24%) or a pedestrian violation (19%) followed by unsafe speed (15%). • The minority (38%) of pedestrian collisions involved pedestrians in crosswalks, regardless of whether they were in intersections. • Overall, not accounting for driver impairment, most KSI collisions occurred at higher speeds on major roadways or they involved pedestrians more often in mid-block scenarios. DISCLAIMER: SWITRS data represents the most complete and widely accepted data set, which is collected from coded Traffic Collision Reports that are completed by a police officer that responded to the event. It may include errors and discrepancies depending on how the Traffic Collision Reports are completed, so some data points may not have been able to be georeferenced for consideration on map analyses. Collision Data Set Overview TIMEFRAME TOTAL COLLISIONS KILLED OR SEVERELY INJURED (KSI) FATALITIES 2015 - 2019 5,990 227 (4%) 51 (1%) 11/10/2022 SC Agenda Page 32 of 81 2022 CITY OF CHULA VISTA LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN C O L L I S I O N D A T A A N A L Y S I S 3-3 *Reported percentages in time of day charts reflect percentage relative to other times of day for that mode, not relative to other modes for that time. KSI collisions are those that result in one or more parties being killed or suffering an incapacitating injury, which include collisions coded with either an “K” (Fatal Injury) or “A” (Severe Injury that is not fatal but results in broken bones, dislocated or distorted limbs, severe lacerations, or unconsciousness when taken from collision scene) under “KABCO” collision coding. †Percentages reported in violation categories chart are relative to other violation categories. Total Total KSI Total Fatal Only 0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 0 200 400 600 800 1000 1200 1400 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 TO T A L K S I A N D F A T A L C O L L I S I O N S TO T A L C O L L I S I O N S COLLISIONS BY YEAR AND SEVERITY Total Total KSI 0% 2% 4% 6% 8% 10% 12% 14% Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec TOTAL COLLISIONS BY MONTH AND SEVERITY 0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25% 30% 35% TIME OF WEEKDAY COLLISIONS* 0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25% 30% 35% TIME OF WEEKEND COLLISIONS* 0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25% 30% 35% VIOLATION CATEGORIES† TOTAL KSI FATAL 11/10/2022 SC Agenda Page 33 of 81 2022 CITY OF CHULA VISTA LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN C O L L I S I O N D A T A A N A L Y S I S 3-4 6%4% 5% 84% 1% OTHER TOTAL COLLISIONS BY MODE 34% 11% 17% 38% KSI COLLISIONS BY MODE 10% PED IN XWALK, CAR STRAIGHT 12% PED IN XWALK, CAR LEFT TURN 14% PED IN XWALK, CAR RIGHT TURN 2% PED IN MID- BLOCK XWALK, CAR STRAIGHT24% PED NOT IN XWALK, CAR STRAIGHT 4% PED NOT IN XWALK, CAR LEFT TURN 14% PED IN ROAD, CAR STRAIGHT 20% OTHER TOTAL PEDESTRIAN COLLISION TYPES 30% BIKE STRAIGHT, CAR STRAIGHT 7% BIKE STRAIGHT, CAR STOP/BACKING 15% BIKE STRAIGHT, CAR RIGHT 9% BIKE STRAIGHT, CAR LEFT 14% BIKE STRAIGHT, CAR OTHER 3% BIKE RIGHT, CAR STRAIGHT 6% BIKE LEFT, CAR STRAIGHT 3% BIKE LANE CHANGE 4% BIKE ENTERING 5% BIKE WRONG WAY 4% OTHER TOTAL BICYCLE COLLISION TYPES 31% REAR END 23% BROADSIDE 20% SIDESWIPE 14% HIT OBJECT 7% HEAD-ON 3% OTHER 2% OVERTURNED TOTAL MOTOR VEHICLE COLLISION TYPES 32% BROADSIDE 16% SIDESWIPE16% REAR END 13% OTHER 11% HIT OBJECT 6% HEAD-ON 6% OVERTURNED TOTAL MOTORCYCLE COLLISION TYPES 11/10/2022 SC Agenda Page 34 of 81 2022 CITY OF CHULA VISTA LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN C O L L I S I O N D A T A A N A L Y S I S 3-5 64% “DRIVER” 27% 9% KSI COLLISIONS: MODE OF AT FAULT PARTY 103 44 15 74 36 9 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100% KSI COLLISIONS: FAULT BY MODE At Fault Not At Fault 48% NOT DRINKING 27% DRINKING, IMPAIRED 2% DRINKING, IMPAIRMENT UNKNOWN 1% DRINKING, NOT IMPAIRED 22% UNKNOWN KSI COLLISIONS: AT FAULT PARTY IMPAIRMENT 78 44 4 1 35 99 4 2 2 13 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100% KSI COLLISIONS: FAULT BY IMPAIRMENT At Fault Not At Fault 11/10/2022 SC Agenda Page 35 of 81 2022 CITY OF CHULA VISTA LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN C O L L I S I O N D A T A A N A L Y S I S 3-6 4 149 150 11 116 123 7 60 69 2 32 31 13 13 4 4 0%20%40%60%80%100% Fatal Injured Total KSI COLLISIONS: PEDESTRIAN ACTION Crossing in Crosswalk at Intersection Crossing Not in Crosswalk In Road, Including Shoulder Not in Road Crossing in Mid-block Crosswalk Other 2 2 1 7 8 2 2 3 3 2 2 1 1 1 1 2 1 1 1 1 2 2 0%20%40%60%80%100% Killed Injured Total KSI COLLISIONS: BICYCLE ACTION Bike Straight, Car Stopped Bike Straight, Car Straight Bike Straight, Car Left Turn Bike Straight, Car Unknown Bike Right Turn, Car Straight Bike Left Turn, Car Straight Bike Lane Change, Car Straight Bike Entering, Car Straight Bike Wrong Way, Car Sraight Other Bike Identified as At-fault Party Pedestrian Identified as At-fault Party 11/10/2022 SC Agenda Page 36 of 81 2022 CITY OF CHULA VISTA LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN C O L L I S I O N D A T A A N A L Y S I S 3-7 PRIMARY COLLISION FACTOR – KSI COLLISIONS PRIMARY COLLISION FACTOR – SEVERE INJURY (SI) COLLISIONS PRIMARY COLLISION FACTOR – FATAL (K) COLLISIONS LIGHTING – NON-DAYLIGHT KSI COLLISIONS 11/10/2022 SC Agenda Page 37 of 81 2022 CITY OF CHULA VISTA LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN C O L L I S I O N D A T A A N A L Y S I S 3-8 KSI COLLISIONS - PEDESTRIAN PRIMARY COLLISION FACTOR – SERIOUS INJURY (SI) PEDESTRIAN COLLISIONS PRIMARY COLLISION FACTOR – FATAL (K) PEDESTRIAN COLLISIONS 11/10/2022 SC Agenda Page 38 of 81 2022 CITY OF CHULA VISTA LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN C O L L I S I O N D A T A A N A L Y S I S 3-9 KSI COLLISIONS - BICYCLE PRIMARY COLLISION FACTOR – SERIOUS INJURY (SI) BICYCLE COLLISIONS PRIMARY COLLISION FACTOR – FATAL (K) BICYCLE COLLISIONS 11/10/2022 SC Agenda Page 39 of 81 2022 CITY OF CHULA VISTA LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN C O L L I S I O N D A T A A N A L Y S I S 3-10 Vulnerable Road Users Generally, vulnerable road users (VRUs) are defined as road users that are not travelling with an outer shield as what a motor vehicle would provide. Namely, VRUs consist of pedestrians, bicyclists, and motorcyclists, as well as users of scooters, wheelchairs, skateboards, etc. VRUs are considered vulnerable because they are more at risk for being seriously injured if involved in a collision. Chula Vista’s collision data is consistent with this notion. Even though 84% of all collisions involve motor automobiles, VRUs are victims of 62% of KSI collisions with 45% of all KSI victims being bicycles and pedestrians. However, a key distinction between serious injury collisions and fatal collisions can be made. Collisions involving a pedestrian victim with a serious injury identified the pedestrian as the at-fault party 7% of the time, whereas those collisions resulting in a pedestrian fatality identified the pedestrian as the at-fault party 67% of the time. More evidently, collisions involving a bicyclist victim with a serious injury identified the bicyclist as the at-fault party 59% of the time while both collisions resulting in a bicyclist fatality identified the bicyclist as the at-fault party. In addition, pedestrian violations represent the greatest share of fatal collisions in the data set. Party fault is determined by the police officer that prepared the Traffic Collision Report in relation to information gleaned about the collision and the laws in effect at that time. The majority of pedestrian KSIs occurred in crosswalks at intersections or in situations where the pedestrian was crossing the street or walking in the street with no crosswalks. The majority of bicycle KSIs involved a bike and vehicle proceeding together in the same direction or one of the parties turning or changing lanes. As VRUs represent the majority of KSI victims, countermeasures to enhance their safety should be prioritized. Driver Impairment Many KSIs involved some level of impairment, and the influence of alcohol was one of the leading violation categories for both KSIs and fatal collisions. The minority (48%) of KSI collisions did not involve alcohol in any way, and KSIs that did involve alcohol usually identified the drinking party as at-fault, except for had “been drinking, not impaired.” Moreover, when a party had not been drinking prior to a KSI, they were identified as at-fault less than half (45%) of the time. Lighting While often cited as a potential factor in collisions, the majority of KSIs did occur during non-daylight conditions (cited as “Dark” or “Dusk/Dawn” in collision reports); however, less than 5% of KSIs indicated that there were no street lights. It is unclear from the data whether street lights were present during Dusk/Dawn conditions, but these conditions were also present in less than 5% of KSI collisions. 3.5 EMPHASIS AREAS Assessment of recent past collision data and the OTS Collision Rankings determined that collisions most frequently exhibited factors that can be condensed into four emphasis areas that this LRSP will focus on, in no particular order: Traffic Calming on Major Collectors/Arterials “Unsafe Speed” was the primary collision factor for 14% of fatalities, 15% of KSIs, and 28% of all collisions, making it the most prevalent collision factor for any type of collision followed by “Improper Turning” at 16%. These types of collisions are dispersed throughout the City but are concentrated on Major Collector and Major Arterial roadways (roads with four or more travel lanes). Additionally, rear-end collisions may be addressed by recent retiming City projects that are completed or in progress. DUI Collisions As noted in the “Driver Impairment” subsection, a substantial portion of all KSIs (nearly 25%) and fatalities (nearly 30%) involve alcohol impairment. Educating the public about drinking responsibly and collaboration between the Engineering and Police Departments will attempt to counter this trend. Bicycle Lanes and Conflict Zones Bicycles represent a VRU group with anticipated continued growth and potential for additional conflict with other transportation modes on roadways. Large scale efforts to provide facilities for bicycles—the Bike Lanes on Broadway project, for example—should act as countermeasures to past bicycle collision data; however, attention will be given to seek opportunities for further facilitating safe bicycle traffic in addition to implementing improvements identified in the ATP. Additional care may be taken to ensure that conflict zones between bikeways and travel lanes are appropriately marked to facilitate driver and cyclist awareness. Pedestrian Crossings and Facilities Nearly 30% of all fatalities involved some sort of “Pedestrian Violation,” with the majority of these (nearly 60%) located in the northerwesterly portion of the City, with serious injuries following a similar pattern. Although the pedestrian was identified as the at fault party in such instances, it indicates a potential need for enhanced pedestrian facilities in this area, particularly in “jaywalking” and walking in shoulder scenarios, some of which may be addressed by implementing improvements and new sidewalks planned in the ATP. 11/10/2022 SC Agenda Page 40 of 81 2022 CITY OF CHULA VISTA LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN SAFETY COUNTERMEASURES S A F E T Y C O U N T E R M E A S U R E S 4-1 4 SAFETY COUNTERMEASURES Safety countermeasures are modifications made to the physical infrastructure at a location that are intended to improve traffic safety. Such countermeasures can range in scope and complexity from adding a sign or pavement marking to constructing an entirely new traffic signal, for example. Safety countermeasures also have various levels of applicability and effectiveness, which has been researched extensively by the FHWA, Caltrans, and other non-governmental organizations such as the National Association of City Transportation Officials (NACTO). There are many countermeasures that overlap between the various sources, but the FHWA and Caltrans countermeasures generally encompass the most prevalent and effective countermeasures. 4.1 FHWA COUNTERMEASURES The FHWA Proven Safety Countermeasures website lists 20 high-level countermeasure categories that may assist traffic engineers in improving roadway safety with some metrics on past effectiveness.10 4.2 CALTRANS LOCAL ROADWAY SAFETY MANUAL To assist local agencies with planning for HSIP applications and provide them with a “toolbox” of countermeasures for various types of traffic challenges, Caltrans publishes the Local Roadway Safety Manual for California Local Road Owners (LRSM).11 Generally, the LRSM takes the FHWA countermeasures and breaks them down to specific improvements that may be eligible for grant funding. The LRSM list of countermeasures provides the framework for the countermeasures grouped and listed on the following pages, and it specifies to which collision types it should be applied and a collision reduction factor (CRF) based on the countermeasure’s proven level of effectiveness. 10 https://safety.fhwa.dot.gov/provencountermeasures/ 11 https://dot.ca.gov/programs/local-assistance/fed-and-state-programs/highway-safety-improvement-program/apply-now 4.3 COUNTERMEASURE TYPES Broadly, countermeasures can be grouped by the infrastructure they modify, their applicable scenarios, or their purpose. These broad types are summarized as follows. Please refer to the FHWA or LRSM for specific countermeasures that can be implemented. Intersection Control/Operation Most countermeasures focus on improvements for either signalized or non-signalized intersections. For signalized intersections, countermeasures often relate to improvements to signal hardware for better visibility or vehicle detection. Other countermeasures offer enhancements to signal timing to improve pedestrian safety or to reduce the approaching vehicle dilemma zone. Non-signalized intersections have countermeasures that also focus on improving visibility, but there are also alternatives to managing right-of-way control such as converting the intersection to a roundabout or traffic signal depending on warrant criteria being met. Pedestrian/Bicycle Facilities Many countermeasures focus on providing enhancements to road infrastructure or intersection right-of-way control to better serve the needs of pedestrians and bicycles. Countermeasures may range from additional means of alerting drivers to the presence of a pedestrian or bicycle facility to fully controlling vehicular traffic to provide pedestrian right-of-way as is the case with Pedestrian Hybrid Beacons. Roadway/Lane Departure There are multiple countermeasures that target roadway or lane departure, especially near curves, that are focused on preventing KSIs on rural roadways. Their intend is to warn or alert drivers to potential departure to help them maintain their position in a lane. However, as Chula Vista has a more urban to suburban context, most of these countermeasures are applicable, only less so compared to rural undivided roadways. Geometric Enhancements Several countermeasures aim to revise roadway or intersection geometry to improve sight visibility, manage traffic to lower speeds, or reduce the potential hazard on a segment of roadway or intersection such that other countermeasures would be unnecessary. These are typically the most substantial countermeasures that generally require grant funding, extensive stakeholder involvement, and often right-of- way acquisition as they typically involve adjusting roadway alignment. Administrative Best Practices The FHWA defines three of its countermeasures as “crosscutting,” meaning they are opportunities to bring the other countermeasures together as best practices in administering roadway safety. This LRSP is one of them. The other is Road Safety Assessments (RSA), the practice of doing a thorough safety review of a road segment of interest. Since the concept was created, one RSA has been performed in Chula Vista on Olympic Parkway between Town Center Drive and Eastlake Parkway. The last countermeasure is using USLIMITS2 in determining speed limits. Being in the state of California, Chula Vista speed limits are set in accordance with the California Vehicle Code (CVC) and California Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (CAMUTCD). 11/10/2022 SC Agenda Page 41 of 81 11/10/2022 SC Agenda Page 42 of 81 2022 CITY OF CHULA VISTA LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN CANDIDATE SAFETY IMPROVEMENTS C A N D I D A T E S A F E T Y I M P R O V E M E N T S 5-1 5 CANDIDATE SAFETY IMPROVEMENTS 5.1 EDUCATION AND ENFORCEMENT Education and enforcement are complements to any countermeasure that has been or may be installed. They inform that road users are aware of the operation of existing and new traffic control devices and ensure road user compliance with those devices. The CVPD Traffic Division is the lead in this role, though the Traffic Engineering Division of the Department of Engineering and Capital Projects is responsible for being proactive and collaborative partners with CVPD and diligent stewards of the safety of the City’s roadway system. As part of their enforcement efforts, CVPD has ensured that traffic stops are treated first as an opportunity to educate the public. Over recent years, the Traffic Engineering Division and especially CVPD Traffic have had challenges being fully staffed; however, Measure A passed by Chula Vista voters in 2018 has funded additional opportunities for CVPD to conduct enforcement and education efforts, which may translate to improved driver compliance and reduced collisions as has been the most recent trend since the Covid-19 pandemic. 5.2 TRAFFIC CALMING ON MAJOR COLLECTOR AND ARTERIAL ROADS Recent City Efforts Through its past and ongoing routine review of collision data, the City has made significant efforts toward calming traffic on roads with four or more lanes, largely supported by HSIP and Active Transportation Program grant funding. Most recently, as part of an HSIP project, the City has updated traffic signal timing on nearly all traffic signals west of I-805, which intended to update timing to the latest standards that support pedestrian clearance timing as well as to facilitate smooth and controlled flow of vehicle platoons with updated traffic signal coordination plans. In a similar manner, another HSIP project was completed in 2019 that greatly expanded the City’s adaptive traffic signal system along East H Street from I-805 to Otay Lakes Road, Otay Lakes Road generally along the frontage of Southwestern College, and Telegraph Canyon Road from I-805 to Otay Lakes Road. A major intent was to counter the trend of rear-end collisions on the corridor by facilitating smooth flow along these arterials while encouraging adherence to the speed limit in order to continue to arrive at green lights at the next traffic signals. The City currently has a locally-funded project to expand this system east along Otay Lakes Road to Eastlake Parkway. City staff also continue to seek opportunities to implement lane reductions (Road Diets) as part of its routine pavement maintenance activities, and it has implemented several throughout the review period. Most notably, a lane reduction was implemented along Broadway from C Street to G Street to accommodate inclusion of buffered Class II bikeways. Candidate Operational Improvements Updating Speed Limits (FHWA Countermeasure) As the City works to update all posted speed limits and their associated Engineering and Traffic Surveys, staff may seek opportunities to use the recently-adopted new provisions of the CVC that allow for speeds to be further adjusted from the observed 85th percentile speed in the interest of road user safety. This is particularly relevant for roads with four lanes or more where speeds tend to be elevated and “Unsafe Speed” is a prevalent primary collision factor. Updating Traffic Signal Coordination Plans (LRSM #S03) In a similar manner to what the City has done in the recent past, improvements to traffic signal timing may result in a CRF of 15% according to the LRSM. Currently, the City is working on retiming traffic signals east of I-805 and has a planned capital improvement project to expand the existing adaptive traffic signal system along Otay Lakes Road from La Media Road to Eastlake Parkway. 11/10/2022 SC Agenda Page 43 of 81 2022 CITY OF CHULA VISTA LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN C A N D I D A T E S A F E T Y I M P R O V E M E N T S 5-2 Candidate Infrastructure Improvements Updating Regulatory and Warning Signage (LRSM #R22) Whenever a safety improvement project is scoped, staff may review existing signage for: compliance with the CA MUTCD, visibility or reflectivity based on the condition of existing retroreflective sheeting and determining the need for fluorescent sheeting, and whether sizes are appropriate for the given application (larger, higher-speed roadways may necessitate larger signs). As needed, such projects should upgrade existing signage to meet these needs. Dynamic/Variable Speed Signs (LRSM #R26) These along with variable speed feedback signs are applicable in cases where drivers’ attention should be brought to the speed at which they are traveling, usually associated with a change in road alignment or adjacent land uses. Care should be taken to install these in targeted locations so as not to desensitize drivers to their presence. Road Diet: Lane Narrowing/Reduction (LRSM #R14) While this strategy when reducing lane count is highly sensitive to impacts to traffic congestion, where appropriate, it may be an effective countermeasure (35% CRF per the LRSM) that the City has implemented recently. Where traffic volumes are too high to feasibly implement a lane reduction, lane width reductions may be considered to encourage driver caution and potentially accommodate bike lanes and/or bike lane buffers. Curb Extensions (FHWA Countermeasure) Also known as curb “bump outs,” these modifications to the curb line can make the road appear narrower similar to a lane width reduction. Care should be taken to implement these where there is low risk for errant vehicles to strike the curb protrusion such as on the opposite end of an intersection from a dedicated turn lane. This strategy has an added benefit of reducing the lengths of crosswalks where they are present, which enhances pedestrian safety as well. 5.3 DUI COLLISIONS Recent City Efforts From the collision data, 24% of KSI collisions and 29% of fatalities involved the influence of alcohol. According to the 2019 OTS rankings, Chula Vista has an outsized number of collisions involving driving under the influence for both drivers under age 21 (8th highest) and drivers age 21 through 34 (6th highest) for its population (15th highest). For reference, the 6th and 8th largest cities by population in California are Sacramento and Oakland, respectively. The CVPD has made efforts to counter DUIs through a combination of education and enforcement. According to the OTS rankings, Chula Vista had the 6th most DUI arrents among group A cities, which is consistent with its rankings for DUI collisions. In addition, CVPD periodically conducts checkpoints on City roads to discourage driving after drinking. Potential Opportunities for Education Unfortunately, there are few opportunities to construct infrastructure to counter DUI collisions; however, the opportunities for education and enforcement are several, and CVPD has been implementing them as described above. 5.4 BICYCLE LANES AND CONFLICT ZONES Recent City Efforts The City has recently made extensive progress with constructing new bicycle lanes in various locations throughout Chula Vista, most notably, with Bike Lanes on Broadway, which added four miles of bi-directional bike lanes from approximately the north to south City Limits. In addition, staff routinely seeks opportunities to add buffers and new class 2 bike lanes where applicable and planned as part of ongoing pavement maintenance. For example, there have been several recent road diets that have resulted in new and wider bike lanes throughout the city as a result of these efforts. Candidate Operational Improvement Minimum Green Time for Bicycles Detection for bicycles is required per CA MUTCD, and such detection will be implemented as traffic signals are upgraded or constructed. However, the CA MUTCD has a guidance statement that minimum bicycle timing should be implemented, which is not required. Based on conditions at a traffic signal, bicycle timing may be implemented where appropriate. Bicycle timing has been determined for traffic signals west of I-805, but it is only implemented in targeted situations. Candidate Infrastructure Improvements Buffered Bike Lanes (LRSM #R32PB, R33PB) The LRSM indicates that new bike lanes have a CRF of 35% with buffers providing additional protection. Staff may continue to seek opportunities during repaving projects to add new bike lanes or buffers to existing bike lanes. In addition, the ATP will guide and inform where bike facilities of various types are to be applied. 11/10/2022 SC Agenda Page 44 of 81 2022 CITY OF CHULA VISTA LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN C A N D I D A T E S A F E T Y I M P R O V E M E N T S 5-3 Road Diet: Lane Narrowing/Reduction (LRSM #R14) This strategy is related to the above regarding buffered bike lanes whereby staff will review opportunities for reducing lane widths or counts to accommodate new or expanded bicycle facilities in the interest of enhancing bicycle safety. Care should be taken to ensure that stakeholder interests are taken into account such that level of service is not severely impacted by such implementations. Green Paint in Bicycle-Vehicle Conflict Zones (NACTO) While not required by CA MUTCD, the FHWA allows and NACTO encourages the use of green paint in bikeways, particularly where they cross travel lanes where it creates conflict zones. The City has implemented a policy of installing green paint solely in these conflict zones, and it may continue to do so. As it implements this strategy, priority may be given to major collector and arterial roadways where volumes for all modes are generally higher. Advance Stop Bar “Bike Box” (LRSM #S20PB) This strategy has a CRF of 15% according to the LRSM and is applicable on less heavily travelled collectors or major roads where one bicycle movement dominates the others. This countermeasure should have an educational component due to its relatively recent creation. Separated Bikeways (LRSM R33PB) Bikeways that are considered either Class 1 Bike Paths or Class 4 Cycle Tracks are a level above buffered bike lanes that are generally considered Class 2. While these facilities are the most substantial for bicycles, they require substantial investment and right-of-way or lane width to be implemented. Therefore, care should be taken in selecting areas to construct them while taking into account anticipated demand and collision reduction potential. The ATP will likely inform the majority of the locations where such facilities are planned, which are typically in locations that link the City’s multiple existing multi-use paths and dedicated bikeways. 5.5 PEDESTRIAN CROSSINGS AND FACILITIES Recent City Efforts The City has implemented multiple strategies to address pedestrian crossings and facilities. Where feasible, the City has systematically been constructing missing sidewalks, now in accordance with the ATP. A notable recently completed project was the addition of sidewalks along the south side of Palomar Street between Orange Avenue and Fifth Avenue and the north side of Orange Avenue from Palomar Street to Fifth Avenue. For crossings: the City has constructed enhanced flashing beacon crossings at uncontrolled midblock crosswalks at numerous locations as well as upgraded an existing flashing beacon crosswalk to a pedestrian hybrid beacon, which is the equivalent of full traffic signal control (Fourth Avenue and Westby Street) with a combination of local and HSIP funds, depending on the project. The flashing beacon crossings have generally been in the vicinity of schools where pedestrian and vehicular traffic are often particularly heavy at the same times. The City continues to evaluate these midblock crossings for opportunities to upgrade the crossing with additional enhancements or apply a road diet to shorten the crossing length, depending on what is warranted. The City has also been systematically upgrading crosswalk markings at signalized intersections from the minimal two lines to the ladder crosswalk standard, one of the accepted enhanced standards in the CA MUTCD. There also is currently an HSIP project to implement leading pedestrian interval traffic signal operations at applicable intersections, which gives pedestrians the “WALK” signal a few to several seconds before the green light is given to vehicles travelling in the same direction. This is intended to increase visibility of pedestrians to right turning vehicles while allowing them more time to cross with fewer opportunities for potential conflicts with vehicles. Finally, the City has implemented pedestrian countdown indications at numerous signalized intersections throughout the City as part of a past HSIP project. Candidate Operational Improvement Enhanced Crosswalk Warrant Criteria The City has an existing mid-block crosswalk warrant policy in City Council Policy No. 576-16, which generally determines where an uncontrolled midblock crosswalk is warranted. While the City evaluates opportunities for enhancements to existing midblock crossings against specific criteria, these criteria may be formalized as a new policy to clarify and standardize the process. This also applies to criteria for the pedestrian hybrid beacon, which is primarily determined from the single warrant criterion in the CA MUTCD. Candidate Infrastructure Improvements Filling Gaps in Sidewalks (LRSM #R34PB) Portions of the City that were annexed in the past lack curb, gutter and sidewalk. The ATP identifies and prioritizes these locations for constructing new sidewalk to remove any pedestrians from potentially sharing the vehicular travel way. Lead Pedestrian Interval Signal Operations (LRSM #S21PB) According to the LRSM, this strategy has a substantial CRF of 60%, and is applicable to intersections with substantial pedestrian crossings and those with a collision history involving pedestrians. The majority of such intersections in the City are being addressed by a current capital improvement project; however, staff may continue to monitor other intersections for potential implementation. Enhanced Pedestrian Crossings (LRSM #R35PB, R37PB) Based on warrant criteria, enhancements to pedestrian crossings such as rectangular rapid flashing beacons (RRFBs) may be applicable to existing crosswalks as an initial enhancement to pedestrian safety. As they only alert drivers to the presence of a pedestrian to whom they should yield, they do not control right-of-way. The City has implemented several of these near schools, but they may be applicable to midblock crossings at other locations with consideration that the road is not overly wide. RRFBs have been and may also be implemented at crosswalks around higher-volume roundabouts. 11/10/2022 SC Agenda Page 45 of 81 2022 CITY OF CHULA VISTA LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN C A N D I D A T E S A F E T Y I M P R O V E M E N T S 5-4 Pedestrian Hybrid Beacon Crossings (LRSM #NS23PB) Pedestrian Hybrid Beacons (PHBs, formerly known as HAWKs) are applicable at midblock crossings and minor intersections as the highest- level pedestrian crossing enhancement short of installing a full traffic signal. Care should be taken to ensure that the application meets warrant criteria in the CA MUTCD and any additional City criteria and that other countermeasures would not be more appropriate for the application. Curb Extensions/Road Diets (FHWA, LRSM #R14) While curb extensions and road diets intend to calm traffic, they also benefit pedestrians by shortening road crossings and reducing conflict zones between pedestrians and vehicles. Much consideration should be made regarding placement as curb extensions are protrusions that may be vulnerable to errant vehicles and can create operational challenges to street maintenance. Pedestrian Countdown Signal Indications (LRSM #S17PB) The LRSM indicates that pedestrian countdown signals can have a CRF of 25% and are a strategy that is relatively simple to implement. While recent HSIP and locally funded capital improvement projects have implemented pedestrian countdown signals at the majority of intersections throughout the City, this strategy may be considered wherever applicable. 11/10/2022 SC Agenda Page 46 of 81 2022 CITY OF CHULA VISTA LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN PLAN EVALUATION & MAINTENANCE P L A N E V A L U A T I O N & M A I N T E N A N C E 6-1 6 PLAN EVALUATION & MAINTENANCE The maintenance of the LRSP will follow a routine yearly process based on three tiers of analysis, ultimately creating a five-year LRSP renewal cycle. Each analysis stage will analyze available data, update prior assumptions, and evaluate performance of planned projects and initiatives. Significant changes or noteworthy additions to this LRSP will be noted in addenda to be incorporated during the five-year LRSP update. Given that collision data is compiled on an annual basis for the prior year, annual reviews lag real time by one year. LRSP Addenda The mentioned LRSP addenda that may arise during any year in which an LRSP update does not occur may be approved by the City Traffic Engineer with concurrence by the City Engineer. Safety Commission approval is only required for comprehensive updates to the LRSP. If KSI data for the year in review exceeds that of the prior year, staff is required to prepare an addendum to this LRSP per the above process to address the data trend and provide action items for reversing it and realigning data trends to the LRSP goal of annual declines of KSIs toward zero. 6.1 ANNUAL DATA REVIEWS On years of the LRSP cycle that do not involve updates (years one, two, and four), City staff will follow procedures similar to its current process for reviewing collision data for the prior year to identify high-collision locations as well as trends in the collision data. Locations with countermeasures installed the year prior to the year being reviewed will include countermeasure performance evaluations to review their effectiveness. The results of this review may be reported to the Safety Commission at their July meeting. 6.2 MID-CYCLE DATA ANALYSIS UPDATE The data-driven safety analysis included in Section 3 of this LRSP will be updated on year 3. In addition to performing tasks related to the Annual Data Reviews, staff will incorporate post-COVID-19 traffic volume data to highlight locations of interest based on collision rate, evaluate prior performance, as well as potentially revise currently planned initiatives and projects. 6.3 FIVE-YEAR LRSP UPDATE Every five years, staff will perform a comprehensive update of this LRSP that incorporates any addenda adopted in the intervening years as well as any large-scale changes to planned projects and initiatives and the data-driven safety analysis. The prior data analysis update will receive a minor update to incorporate latest available data, though the majority of the analysis and revision will involve incorporating prior addenda and making changes to sections related to potential countermeasures and the five E’s. 6.4 EMERGING PREDICTIVE ANALYTICS TECHNOLOGIES In accordance with the first “E” of the five E’s: with the advent and continual refinement of sophisticated data analysis tools such as machine learning, predictive analytics are anticipated to continue to improve and gain widespread acceptance. As these technologies become more readily available and accurate, they may be incorporated into the systemic projection analysis of the data-driven safety assessment, which would eventually replace the methods currently employed in this LRSP. LRSP UPDATE Year 1 Data Review Year 2 Data Review Year 3 Data Analysis Update Year 4 Data Review 11/10/2022 SC Agenda Page 47 of 81 11/10/2022 SC Agenda Page 48 of 81 2022 CITY OF CHULA VISTA LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN 11/10/2022 SC Agenda Page 49 of 81 RESOLUTION NO. SC-2022-_____ RESOLUTION OF THE SAFETY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF CHULA VISTA RECOMMENDING THAT THE CHULA VISTA CITY COUNCIL ADOPT THE 2022 LOCAL ROAD SAFETY PLAN WHEREAS, the Federal Highway Administration advocated for a data-driven plan for safety improvements informed by analysis of the most recent five years of collision data to prioritize improvements that reduce collisions that lead to fatalities or serious injuries called a Local Road Safety Plan (LRSP); and WHEREAS, the California Department of Transportation (“Caltrans”) required that a local agency such as the City of Chula Vista (“City”) finalize or adopt an LRSP in order to be eligible for future Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP) grant funding; and WHEREAS, Caltrans facilitated the ability of local agencies such as the City to prepare such plans through a specialized grant program; and WHEREAS, staff compiled and analyzed collision data from 2015 through 2019 against numerous factors such as location, roadway, ambient, and operational conditions to determine focused guidelines that inform future investment in and grant applications for roadway safety improvements; and WHEREAS, based on said collision data analysis and guidelines, staff prepared an LRSP for consideration and approval by the Safety Commission. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Safety Commission of the City of Chula Vista does hereby recommend that the City Council adopt the 2022 Local Road Safety Plan. PASSED, APPROVED, and ADOPTED by the Safety Commission of the City of Chula Vista, California, this 10th day of November 2022, by the following vote: AYES: Commissioners: NAYS: Commissioners: ABSENT: Commissioners: ____________________________________ Chair ATTEST: ______________________________________ Florence Picardal, Secretary 11/10/2022 SC Agenda Page 50 of 81 November 2022 11/10/2022 SC Agenda Page 51 of 81 Safety Commission Traffic Collisions 156 125 136 137 89 146 135 125 140 148 118 169 108 118 123 100 114 130 135 155 156 153 150 140 150 123 97 96 95 131 110 138 125 93 110112 104 79 140 88 124 88 60 68 107 92 116 93 98 109 74 78 77 67 141 81 60 80 100 120 140 160 180 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 Nu m b e r o f C o l l i s i o n s Month 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 11/10/2022 SC Agenda Page 52 of 81 Safety Commission Traffic Citations* * Combined hazardous & non-hazardous violations (not counting parking citations) 1036 1032 950 909 479 909 882 1112 1168 757 565 605 1115 1241 24 1575 1275 1452 1053 1404 1256 541 580 529 714 655 514 138 1073 241 1144 933 1073 329 364 332 414 576 676 828 586 516 360 297 343 188 327 216199 7 14 248 99 47 61 265 537 165 0 200 400 600 800 1000 1200 1400 1600 1800 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 Nu m b e r o f C i t a t i o n s Month 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 11/10/2022 SC Agenda Page 53 of 81 11/10/2022 SC Agenda Page 54 of 81 Complete Starting Ongoing 11/10/2022 SC Agenda Page 55 of 81 Safety Commission TRF0417 11/10/2022 SC Agenda Page 56 of 81 Safety Commission STL0432/ST0447 11/10/2022 SC Agenda Page 57 of 81 Safety Commission STL0448 11/10/2022 SC Agenda Page 58 of 81 Safety Commission TRF0408 11/2022 11/10/2022 SC Agenda Page 59 of 81 Safety Commission GGV0255 1/2023 11/10/2022 SC Agenda Page 60 of 81 Safety Commission TRF0418 11/2022 11/10/2022 SC Agenda Page 61 of 81 Safety Commission STL0436 11/2022 11/10/2022 SC Agenda Page 62 of 81 Safety Commission TRF0413 11/10/2022 SC Agenda Page 63 of 81 Advertise for Bid Review Quotes 11/10/2022 SC Agenda Page 64 of 81 Safety Commission TRF0422 12/2022 11/10/2022 SC Agenda Page 65 of 81 Safety Commission STM0386/STM0388/STM0389 1/2023 11/10/2022 SC Agenda Page 66 of 81 Safety Commission STL0426 1/2023 11/10/2022 SC Agenda Page 67 of 81 Safety Commission STL0454 1/2023 11/10/2022 SC Agenda Page 68 of 81 Safety Commission STL0442 3/2023 11/10/2022 SC Agenda Page 69 of 81 Safety Commission TRF0416 5/2023 11/10/2022 SC Agenda Page 70 of 81 Safety Commission TRF0431 7/2023 11/10/2022 SC Agenda Page 71 of 81 Safety Commission STL0456 8/2023 11/10/2022 SC Agenda Page 72 of 81 Safety Commission TRF0432 9/2023 11/10/2022 SC Agenda Page 73 of 81 Safety Commission STL0462 10/2023 11/10/2022 SC Agenda Page 74 of 81 Safety Commission TRF0429 10/2023 11/10/2022 SC Agenda Page 75 of 81 Safety Commission TRF0427 12/2023 11/10/2022 SC Agenda Page 76 of 81 Safety Commission TRF0411 1/2024 11/10/2022 SC Agenda Page 77 of 81 Safety Commission TRF0415 1/2024 11/10/2022 SC Agenda Page 78 of 81 Safety Commission TRF0426 1/2024 11/10/2022 SC Agenda Page 79 of 81 Safety Commission STM0405 1/2024 11/10/2022 SC Agenda Page 80 of 81 11/10/2022 SC Agenda Page 81 of 81