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HomeMy WebLinkAbout4203 .- , . , . . RESOLUTION NO. 4203 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ARCADIA ESTABLISHING CRITERIA FOR PLACING TRAFFIC CONTROL DEVICES NEAR SCHOOLS. WHEREAS, the California Vehicle Code in Section 21372 provides that municipalities shall "establish and promulgate warrants to be used as guide lines for the placement of traffic control devices near schools for the purpose of protecting students going to and from school;" and WHEREAS, the warrants hereafter set forth in Exhibit "A" were prepared and recommended by the California Traffic Control . Devices Committee, which Committee includes representatives from the following: 1. California Division of Highways 2. California Highway Patrol 3. County Supervisors Association of California 4: League of California Cities 5. California State Automobile Association 6. Automobile Club of Southern California NOW, T~REFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ARCADIA that the policy for school district responsibility, signs and markings, flashing yellow signals, school area traffic control signals- and adult crossing guards as set forth in Exhibit "A", which is attached hereto and made a part hereof, is hereby adopted as warrants to be used as guide lines for the placement of traffic control devices near schools for the purpose of protecting students going to a.nd from school. I HEREBY CERTIFY that the foregoing resolution was adopted at a regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Arcadia held -1- 4203 " on the 18th day of May , 1971, by the affirmative vote of at least three Councilmen, to wit: AYES: Councilmen Arth, Butterworth, Considine, Hage and Helms NOES: None ABSE:NT: None a~.2 . City ~"{h~t~ SIGNED AND APPROVED this Arcadia ATTEST: &kLU 711 City Clerk (SEAL) -2- 4203 l,..-_. --. . '!'....;. . . . .--..--..., f SCHOOL DISTRICT RESPUNSIBILITY POLICY There is need to provide a means by which each school district can be responsibly involved in requests for traffic controls, coordinatins action ~ithin and bet~een the public and the public agencies concerned with the safety of ~~ildren on their \laY to and fr<m1 school. To implement this measure it is the policy of this Council to encourage each school district within the geographic limits of its jurisdiction to assign traffic safety responsibilities for school children to a competent, staff member who may serve the needs of one or more schools depending upon the size of the district. The duties of these staff members 'should include coordinating all activities related to the school traffic safety program. Included in these activities is the developnent of a "Suggested Safest Route to School" plan for each kindergarten, elementary, junior high, and senior high school. Junior colleges and colleges may also elect to develop a sL~ilar plan to assist their students. The "Suggested Safest Reute to School" is defined as a plan developed by the school district and traffic safety officials responsible for school pedestrian safety. It consists of a simple map showing streets, the school, existing traffic controls and estahlished school routes to be used by children en route to and from school. The plan should be designed to provide a maximum of protection for the children. It should take 'advantage of existing traffic controls, and the children should be required to walk somewhat longer distances to avoid locations that may be considered a problem. School children should be instructed by the schools and parents on the ,use and purpose of the "Suggested Safest Route to School" plan. This plan need not be limited to strictly school use but should be encouraged for all pedestrian travel. Subsequent field checks should be made to determine the need for revision. Problems about pedestrian safety on these routes to school raised by parents and others should be referred to the local principal for review and transmission to the appropriate staff person. A location must be on the "Suggested Safest Route to School" to qualify I'or installation of traffic control devices in accordance with warrants established pursuant to Section 21372 of the California Vehicle Code. Exhibit "A" to Resolution No, 4203 , Page 1 Hay 13, 19'71 ," . SIGNS AND l1ARKINGS POLICY 1. SIGNS - GEN":RAL All traffic signs used at schools, school crossings, er crossings used by school children shall be of permanent type and in conformance with 6F"c1,fications of th<J Depa:-tm"nt of FubIie "':>rks, :tatc of Ca] ifo:"fiia, as published in the State of California Division of Highways' Planning Manual, Part S - Traffic. Non uniform'signs are prohibited and shall not be installed. Portable signs are not permitted within the roadway at any time. ~n.enav"r a divided high..,,;" has a cur'::"d ~('nt."". m",di::ln of :mrfioi,,~t ;.':.;.:nh, consideration should be r:i,,<:'n to loc,'l.ting "i1;"5 1n th0 median as well as on the right. 2. STANDARD SIGNS a. School Sign - W33 (To establish a legal school zone) (1) Policy Use sign in advance of all schools where the school or the school grounds are contiguous to the highway, except where pedestrians are excluded from the highway. (2) Loca ticn Erect in advance of the school property, boundary, crosswalk, or nearest point of access to the schoel ground. b. School Xing Sign - W66 (1) Policy May be installed at crosswalks which are used predominantly by school children going to and from school, except in advance of "Yield" signs, "Stop" signs, or traffic signals. (2) Location Erect in advance of the crosswulk. 3. PAVE:1mr HARKINGS - GENERAL Pavement markings consist of crosswalks, limit lines and legends. Exhibit "A" to Resolution No. 4203 , Page 2 May 18, 1971 ~ a. Crosswalks Crosswalks shall be established only where, necessary tc safely channelize pedestrians and shall consist of two parallel 12 inch wide stripes or applied markers completely across the roadway. Normally, these stripes should be a minL~um ~f ten feet ,apart. Crosswalks should be m.'lrked at all intersectfons on "Suggested Slifest Routes to School" where there is material conflict bet"een vehicles and school pedestrians; or where pedestrian crossings are permitted at midblock locations; or where school pedestrians could not otherwise'recognize the proper place to cross. (1) Crosswalks Near Schools The color of school crosswalks shall be yel10w "hen contiguous to school grounds 'and may he yellow if within 1400 feet of the school grounds, as provided by the Califo'rnia Vehicle Code. (2) Other Crosswalks The oolor of other marked pedestrian crosswalks shall be white. b. Limit Lines Limit lines if used shall be painted white and shall he not less than 12 inches wide. c. Legends (1) "SLO;{ SCHOOL XING" Legend The yellow pavement marking legend "SLOe{ SCHOOL XING" is required in advance of nIl yellow crosswalks, except in advance of a "Stop" sign, "Yield" sign, or traffic signal. The legend shall be in each approach la)1e or lanes, and the word "XING" shall be at least 100 :eet from the crosswalk. (2) "SCHOOL" Legend Yellow school legend may be used to augment the standard school sign. Exhibit "A" to Resolution No. 4203 Page 3 I-Iay is, 1971 , -~.......- - ~---- --------. FLASHING ELLOH SIGHAL POLICY FLASHING SIGNALS ( 1. GENERAL The use of yellov flashinc signals viII be limited to functions of advance warning and will not be used to control traffic at school crossings. 2. \.[ARRANTS The installation of a flashing yelJ,o'.' signal may be warranted as an, advance ~arning device for a school crossing when both of the follouing conditions exist: a. Tho 65th pcrc'lntill) approa,ch "p""cd of traff'ic is 40 Miles ?or Hour or highcr, and b. Approach visibility of the crossing is permanently restricted to less than the required safe stopping sight dis~~nce for the prevailing speed of traffic. A flashing yellow signal shall operate only when a school crossing problem exists going to and from school or during special events, and such signal shall be controlled by a tim'3 clock or actuated !)y a l:ey. Exhibit "A" to Resolution No, 4203 Page 4 "!9.y 18, 1971 . , , SC!IOOL AREA TRAFFIC COlrrnOL SIG}L~LS POLICY 1. TRAFFIC CONTROL SIGNALS - GENERAL ( ~fuen correctly designed and operated the traffic signal is an effective device for alternately assigning the right-of-way at an intersection. It can accomplish its purpose of promoting the safe and orderly movement of traffic, both vehicular and pedestrian. Contrary to common belief, however, signal control does not automatically reduce delay ~nd increase safety. :[ts indiscriminate application cannot be recor.lf:lended since tUljustified, ill-advised signal controls lead to intentional violation, increased hazard, unnecessary delay and diversion to less desirable alternate routes; 2. IlARRANTS FOR SCHOOL AR!:A SIGNAL3 Installation of traffic control signals may be warranted when both of the following conditions exist: a. It becomes necessary to extend or create adequate gaps in the flow of traffic to permit pedestrian crossinI'; opportunities and no other controlled crossing is avaiLaDle within 600 feet; and b. Traffic volU!nes equal or exceed 500 vehicles and 10') school-age pedestrians for each of any two hours daiLY wnile children are crossing to and from scnool; or 500 vehicles per hour for each of any two hours while children are crossing to or from school, and a minimum total of 500 school-age , pedestrians during the entire day. Additional factors that must be considered when traffic signals are installed at school crossings include the following: 1. At no time shall the traffic signal be dark. 2. Pedestrian n;.ALK-OON 'T ~{ALK" signals shall be exhibited on all crosswalks. 3. Traffic signals may be at rnid910ck locations when justified by unusual circums,tances. 4. In the event an intersection is signalized only under this ~rrant for school pedestrians th~ entire inters8ction must be signalized to control vehicular movements. Exhibit "A" to Resolution No. 4203 , Page 5 Hay 18, 1971 5. Speci~l exclusive pedestrian phases may be provided when ther~ is a material conflict of turnin" 'rehiele" with pedestri'l.M. 6. Traffic signals placed under this ..arrant shall be traffic actuated according to the design standards of the lini1'c.rm i':anual on Tra1'ric Centrol Devices. -[ Exhibit "A" to Resolution No. 4203 Page 6 Hay 18, 1971 .__.....J._ _.. ADULT CROSSING GUARDS, POLICY GENERAL 1. It is the practice of many local jurisdictions, through their local enforcement agency, to provide adult crossing guards at designated school crossings which meet certain qualifications during the hours when school children are required to cross the street. The recommended policy for the assignment of adult crossing guards as herein specified applies only to school crossings serving elementary school children. This measure is a supplemental technique and not a traffic control device as defined in the California Vehicle Code. 2. An adult crossing guard should be considered as an appropriate traffic control measure at a school crossing when: a. Special problems exist and it is deemed necessary to assist the children across a street; such as at an unusually complicated intersection, at a controlled intersection where there are heaV'J vehicular turning m~/ements and high vehicular speed, or where the sight distance is less than a reasonable stopping distance at the crossing. b. A change in the school crossing is imminent but present conditions require school crossing supervision for a limited time and it is not feasible to install another form of control for this temporary period. WARRANTS FOR ASSIGNING A:AlLT CROSSIllG GUARDS Adult crossing guards normally are assigned where official superv~s~on of elementary school children is desirable while they cross a public street or highway, and at least 20 elementary school age pedestrians per hour utilize the crossing on the way to or fr~ school. Adult crossing guard protection may be warranted under the following conditions: 1. Uncontrolled crossings on the "Suggested Safest Route to School"- a. Where there is no controlled crossing or grade separation within 600 feet of the location where a request for an adult crossing guard is made (For the purpose of this warrant; a controlled crossing is defined as a crossing controlled by either traffic sign~ls or stop' signs); and one of the following conditions exist: b. vThere the vehicular traffic volumes exceeds the rate of 300 per hour during the time school children are required to cross while traveling to or from school; or c. Where the vehicular traffic vol~e exceeds the rate of 275 per hour and (1) the street is 75 feet in width or wider and (2) th~ posted speed limit 1s 35 to and including 45 Miles Fer Hour; or Exhibit "A" to Resolution No. 4203 Hay, Page 7 18, 1971 'd. Where the vehicular traffic voiume exceeds the rate of 250 per hour and the posted speed limit is 50 Miles Per Hour or more. '-- 2. Stop sign controlled crossings on the "Suggested Safest Route to S~hool" Where the vehicular traffic volwne through the crOSSwalk chi] dren :nust us~ on undivided roadways of four or more lanes, exceeds the rate of, 500 per hour during any period when children are required to go to or from sr;hool. 3. Si9:nal controlled crossings on the "Suggested Safest Route to School" At traffic signals where vehicular turning movements through the,crosswalk children must use exceed the average rate of lP vehicles per minute of signal green time, taken over a period of at least 15 minutes of signal green tline, during any period when children are required to go to or,from school. Exhibit "A" to Resolution No. 4203 Page 3 r'lay 13, 1971