DATE: January 31, 2016
TO: Board of Supervisors
SUBMITTED BY: Steve E. White, Director
Department of Public Works and Planning
SUBJECT: Ordinance to Amend Sections 11.24.010 through 11.24.100 of Chapter 11.24 of Title 11 of the Fresno County Ordinance Code to Reflect Changes for Speed Limits
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
TITLE
Conduct second hearing to adopt proposed Ordinance to amend Sections 11.24.010 through 11.24.100 of Chapter 11.24 of the Fresno County Ordinance Code to reflect changes for speed limits as listed on the Ordinance Summary Attachment and waive the reading of the Ordinance in its entirety.
REPORT
Fourteen road locations are proposed for adoption in the Fresno County Speed Limit Ordinance. One location will reduce the speed limit on said section of roadway as allowed by the California Vehicle Code (CVC), and is detailed in the Speed Zone Ordinance Summary. The remaining 13 locations are technical in nature and do not increase or decrease a speed limit. These will improve traffic safety and service by making speed limits consistent with existing conditions and allow the California Highway Patrol to use radar for the enforcement of the speed limits.
ALTERNATIVE ACTION:
If the recommended action is not approved by your Board, the existing speed limits may not be enforceable.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no Net County Cost associated with the recommended action. The estimated cost for placing or relocating speed limit signs is $1,450 for materials and $1,750 for labor and equipment for a total estimated cost of $3,200. Funds for this work are included in the FY 2016-17 Public Works and Planning - Roads Org 4510 Adopted Budget. County personnel will perform the work.
DISCUSSION:
The first hearing of the proposed ordinance was conducted on December 13, 2016, and speed limit changes were proposed at two locations. An increase in the speed limit from 40 MPH to 45 MPH were proposed on Dakota Avenue from Brawley to Cornelia Avenues. Since portions of Dakota Avenue are in the city limits, the City of Fresno has asked the speed limit remain at 40 MPH for consistency throughout the entire length. A decrease in the speed limit on Sky Harbour Road, near Table Mountain Casino from 55 MPH to 40 MPH is proposed in this second hearing of the proposed ordinance.
CVC Section 22348-22366, Article 1 of Chapter 7 states that an Engineering and Traffic Survey (E&TS) must be conducted prior to posting, modifying or installing a new speed limit. The CVC does not state how the E&TS is to be conducted. For this reason, the Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD), which is published by the Federal Highway Administration, is used as a guideline to satisfy this requirement. Because the MUTCD is prepared by Federal Highway Administration, the method and procedures outline has been adopted by government agencies across the country. The MUTCD recommends State and local authorities should evaluate speed limits at least once every 5, 7, or 10 years. It also states a speed limit should be re-evaluated on areas that have undergone significant changes since the last review, such as the addition or elimination of parking or driveways, changes in the number of travel lanes, changes in the configuration of bicycle lanes, changes in traffic control signal coordination, or significant changes in traffic volumes. It is the policy of the Department to re-evaluate the speed limit every 5 years. Since E&TS must be kept current, individual road segments are re-evaluated every 5 years, but, ordinance changes are recommended more frequently to even out the work load.
Maximum speed limits are not set arbitrarily, i.e. public opinions. Arbitrarily low and restrictive limits set by local authorities on classified County roads are defined in the CVC as speed traps, and are not enforceable by radar. The CVC allows a local authority to determine, based on an engineering and traffic survey, a maximum speed limit upon any street, other than a State highway, to facilitate the orderly movement of traffic that is reasonable and safe. Engineering and traffic surveys include radar measurement of operating speeds, analysis of accident records, and field reviews to inventory road conditions and roadside conditions not readily apparent to drivers. The MUTCD provides guidance and procedures on data collection and for conducting a survey. An appropriate speed limit is recommended based upon analysis of the acquired data and actual road and traffic conditions.
The public, other agencies and County staff can initiate requests for changes to existing speed limits. The speed limit cannot be changed or modified without satisfying the requirements as stated in the MUTCD. The CVC states that changes to a speed limit require the Speed Limit Ordinance be updated prior to any changes being made. A notice that the Fresno County Speed Limit Ordinance is proposed for change was published in a local newspaper before the second reading of the proposed Ordinance changes. The Ordinance changes will take effect thirty days after adoption and signs will be posted shortly thereafter.
OTHER REVIEWING AGENCIES:
The California Highway Patrol provides traffic enforcement on County roads and the proposed changes will need their review and approval. The City of Fresno concurs with the proposed ordinance where it affects their jurisdictions.
ATTACHMENTS INCLUDED AND/OR ON FILE:
Vicinity Maps
Speed Zone Ordinance
Speed Zone Ordinance Summary
CAO ANALYST:
John Hays