SPEED ZONE RECOMMENDATIONS FOR PORTIONS OF

GOULD AVENUE AND VALLEY DRIVE

Recommendation:

It is recommended that the City Council:

1. Retain the existing speed limit of 25 MPH on Gould Avenue from Pacific Coast Highway to Ardmore Avenue; and
2. RAISE the existing speed limit of 25 MPH to 30 MPH on Valley Drive between Gould Avenue and Pier Avenue.

Background:

The City Council at the October 13, 1998, meeting certified the 1998 Engineering and Traffic Survey conducted by Grover & Associates with the exception of two segments in the survey. These segments were on Gould Avenue and a portion of Valley Drive.

In order to fully comply with the requirements of the Engineering and Traffic Survey (E & T) and the "Speed Trap" sections of the California Vehicle Code, the speed limits on these sections need to be resolved by the City Council.

Analysis:

GOULD AVENUE from PCH to ARDMORE AVENUE

The City Traffic Engineer asked Grover & Associates to include this segment in the Engineering and Traffic Survey so that despite the status of the roadway, the speed limit could be raised to realistic limits. This roadway is NOT BOUND by the requirements of an E & T Survey.

For years Gould Avenue has NOT been on the Federal Aid System of highways. A previous City Council chose to rescind the roadway's Federal Aid status. Thus, a 25 MPH limit has remained as if Gould Avenue were a residential street.

The westbound speed from PCH is much higher than 25 MPH. The South Bay Courts continually "throw out" City Police Department tickets because they do not believe that the 25 MPH limit is in truth what is "legal".

Unfortunately, the roadway under legal considerations must remain at 25 MPH unless the City Council wishes to proceed with a Circulation Element amendment to the General Plan in order to reinstate this road as a Federal Aid roadway.

The accident history has not shown any problems along this route for the past five years despite the higher speeds. It is believed that traffic will continue to travel as they have in the past due to the roadway grade west of PCH despite the 25 MPH limit.

Thus, the existing residential speed limit can remain, with the present travel speeds along the corridor because this road is not bound by an E & T Survey.

It is suggested that enforcement of this corridor be on a prima facie speed limit basis. This should allow the Police to determinate when there is a "speeder" rather than the literal interpretation of the 25 MPH residential speed limit. This would satisfy the courts, in my opinion, and be more realistic.

VALLEY DRIVE between GOULD AVENUE and PIER AVENUE

The EXISTING speed limit along the length of Valley Drive is as follows:

• North City limits to Gould Avenue: 25 mph
• Gould Avenue to Pier Avenue: 25 mph
• Pier Avenue to Herondo: 35 mph

The Grover & Associates E & T Survey recommended an increase in the speed limit in the middle section to 30 mph, which is what drivers are actually traveling. Since Hermosa Valley School is located in this stretch of Valley Drive, it will be necessary to post signs that indicate the following: "SCHOOL - SPEED LIMIT 25 MPH - WHEN CHILDREN ARE PRESENT" . These signs will be posted within 500 feet in advance of the school grounds.
Attempts to slow traffic along this corridor via the use of STOP signs along Valley Drive at 21st Street have been a failure. Traffic simply "rolls" the STOP and accelerates toward the next sign.
Accident history has not been a problem along this segment based on the past five years reported history.
The only negative to increasing the limit is that there may be limited sight distance for cross street traffic entering Valley Drive. This has not been an operational problem, however, since drivers have been traveling at speeds higher that the posted speed limit for at least five years without an accident problem nor any complaints from the public.
Thus, it is our opinion that the increase in speed limit is reasonable and consistent with good practice.
Alternatives:

1. Approve staff's recommendations. With this action the City will be in compliance with the state mandate.
2. Disapprove staff's recommendations. In accordance with provisions of the CVC, enforcement of the speed limit on Valley Drive, between Gould Avenue and Pier Avenue, by radar will not be permitted.
3. Take no action.

Fiscal Impact: None

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