DATE: June 5, 2018
TO: Board of Supervisors
SUBMITTED BY: Steven E. White, Director
Department of Public Works and Planning
SUBJECT: Stop Sign at Church and Siskiyou Avenues
RECOMMENDED ACTION(S):
TITLE
Adopt a Resolution designating the intersection of Church and Siskiyou a stop intersection and authorizing a stop sign at the intersection, stopping westbound traffic on Church Avenue, making it a one-way stop.
REPORT
Approval of the recommended action will allow the installation of a stop sign at this location, improving traffic safety by requiring vehicles on Church Avenue to stop in the westbound direction. This item pertains to a location in District 1.
ALTERNATIVE ACTION(S):
If the recommended action is not approved by your Board, the traffic controls at this location will remain unchanged.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no Net County Cost associated with the recommended action. The estimated cost for the one-way stop is $175 for materials and $100 for equipment and labor performed by Department of Public Works personnel. Sufficient appropriations are included in the Department’s Roads Org 4510 FY 2017-18 Adopted Budget Fund 0010, Subclass 11000, Account 7260 (Special Departmental Expense).
DISCUSSION:
Church and Siskiyou Avenues are two-lane roads that intersect when Church tees into Siskiyou, just west of Kerman. The intersection of Church and Siskiyou is under the County’s exclusive jurisdiction. The speed limit is 55 MPH on Siskiyou and pavement markings on Siskiyou consist of the yellow centerline stripes, separating opposing traffic in the north and southbound directions. Siskiyou’s pavement width is approximately 24-feet. The roadway on Church is approximately 15-feet wide, and there are no centerline stripes separating opposing traffic in the east and westbound directions. Traffic signs consist of the yellow T-intersection sign, double arrow, and yellow object marker for westbound traffic on Church Avenue. Traffic volume on Church is 200 vehicles per day (VPD) and 300 VPD on Siskiyou Avenue.
Each intersection has the potential for several different types of vehicular conflicts. Right-of-way assignment for uncontrolled intersections is defined in the California Vehicle Code (CVC). A basic rule of the road, at an intersection where no traffic-control devices are present, requires the vehicle on the left to yield to the vehicle on the right if they arrive at approximately the same time. Section 21800(a) of the CVC states that “The driver of a vehicle approaching an intersection shall yield the right-of-way to any vehicle which has entered the intersection from another highway”. For intersections not controlled by yield signs, stop signs, or traffic signals, the driver of a vehicle approaching an intersection should be able to see potentially conflicting vehicles in sufficient time to stop before reaching the intersection. Stopping sight distance is provided continuously along each highway or street, including intersection approaches, is fundamental to intersection operation. Sight distance is provided at intersections to allow drivers to perceive the presence of potentially conflicting vehicles. This should occur in sufficient time for a motorist to stop or adjust their speed, as appropriate, to avoid colliding in the intersection.
One-way stop control can be useful as a safety measure at intersections where certain traffic conditions exist. When considering a one-way stop control at an intersection, the Department will conduct an engineering study. Based upon the information gathered during the engineering study, the Department will make a recommendation regarding the installation of a stop sign(s). Criteria considered in an engineering study may include the collision history, traffic volume, traffic delays, line of sight studies, or any combination of the foregoing.
Studies performed by Department staff indicate the line of sight for westbound traffic on Church at Siskiyou Avenue is limited in a manner that justifies the installation of a stop sign stopping westbound traffic on Church. Studies performed by Department staff also indicated that a stop sign stopping westbound traffic on Church at Siskiyou is appropriate and will improve traffic safety at this intersection.
ATTACHMENTS INCLUDED AND/OR ON FILE:
Vicinity Map
On file with Clerk - Resolution
CAO ANALYST:
Sonia M. De La Rosa