COUNTY OF SAN MATEO

Inter-Departmental Correspondence

Department of Public Works

DATE:

January 25, 2010

BOARD MEETING DATE:

February 9, 2010

SPECIAL NOTICE/HEARING:

None

VOTE REQUIRED:

Majority

TO:

Honorable Board of Supervisors

FROM:

James C. Porter, Director of Public Works

SUBJECT:

Increase Speed Limit on County-maintained portion of Hillside Boulevard, City of South San Francisco area

RECOMMENDATION:

Adopt an ordinance authorizing a prima facie speed limit of 40 miles per hour for the County-maintained portion of Hillside Boulevard, City of South San Francisco area.

BACKGROUND:

The State of California Department of Transportation (CA DOT) has defined the methods for creating engineering and traffic surveys, which determine prima facie speed limits, in the California Supplement to the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) Section 2B.13.

The CA DOT Traffic Operations Policy Directive 09-04, effective July 1, 2009, revised MUTCD Section 2B.13 to require that prima facie speed limits be set to the closest five mile increment of the actual 85^th percentile speed surveyed. The revised manual further limits the authority of local agencies to optionally reduce the speed limit by no more than five miles per hour when the roadway has conditions not readily apparent to drivers.

DISCUSSION:

The Department of Public Works currently has a posted speed limit of 35 miles per hour (mph) in a section of Hillside Boulevard located between Lincoln Street and Evergreen Drive in unincorporated City of South San Francisco. While protesting a speeding ticket, a member of the public requested an Engineering and Traffic Survey for this section of roadway in light of the fact that the neighboring areas of Town of Colma and the City of South San Francisco both have posted speed limits of 40 mph.

During the month of February 2009, Public Works staff (Department) completed an Engineering and Traffic Survey in accordance with the revised guidelines in MUTCD Section 2B.13. The Department notified local residents of the Department’s plans to implement a 45 mph speed limit along the County-maintained portion of Hillside Boulevard, based on traffic data collected in the survey.

In response to the public notification, numerous protests were lodged by local residents as well as by the adjoining agencies of Colma and South San Francisco. Given the level of concern, the Department determined that it was appropriate to re-test the subject section of roadway. The re-test, conducted in December 2009, recorded slightly slower speeds. MUTCD guidelines allow for a further reduction of 5 mph in posted speed limit due to conditions not readily apparent to drivers, which will also maintain uniformity with adjacently posted speed limits. Based on the data obtained in the December 2009 speed survey, the Department now recommends a prima facie speed limit of 40 mph.

Property owners on adjacent blocks extending a minimum of 300 feet from the proposed speed limit adjustment were notified of the date and time of the Board’s meeting when these items will be considered. In addition, law enforcement agencies, local municipalities and traffic advisory committees were likewise notified. A summary of the agency and public input we received relative to the original 45 mph speed limit proposal is included in Attachment “A.”

A copy of the Engineering and Traffic Survey for this section of Hillside Boulevard is provided in Attachment “B”. In addition, traffic surveys performed along Hillside Boulevard by Colma and by South San Francisco within their jurisdictions are attached as Exhibits “C” and “D”.

The location of signs on County maintained streets are currently shown on maps in the Department of Public Works, and will be made available in list form on the Department’s web site. The master lists will be updated to reflect the recommended changes if your Board approves the proposed resolution.

County Counsel has reviewed and approved the Ordinance as to form.

Approval of this ordinance contributes to the Shared Vision 2025 outcome of a Healthy Community by providing a speed limit that is consistent throughout a multi-jurisdiction corridor and which allows a smooth flow of traffic on our roadways for drivers, bicyclists, and pedestrians.

FISCAL IMPACT:

The cost for staff time involved in evaluating and processing requests for traffic regulations is financed with Road Funds. The cost of changing two speed limit signs to reflect the change in limit is approximately $500. The cost of the signs will be financed with Road Funds. There will be no impact to the General Fund.

Attachments:

Attachment “A” – Map of Proposed Traffic Control Device Locations and Input Summary

Attachment “B” – Engineering and Traffic Survey for Hillside Boulevard

Exhibit “C” – City of South San Francisco’s Engineering and Traffic Survey for Hillside Boulevard

Exhibit “D” – Town of Colma’s Engineering and Traffic Survey for Hillside Boulevard