HomeMy WebLinkAboutMin - TSP - 1977.03.10TRAFFIC, SAFEnf & PARKING COMI*{ISSION
!,tardr 10, 1977
CALL TO ORDER
The regular meeting of the Traffic, Safety & Parking Commission was
held on Marcb 1O, 1977; called to order by Chairman Podesta at SsOO p.m.
Present: Conmissioners Aliamus, constantino, Graham, Gundersen, Podesta,'
Subbotin, Sulger.
Others Present: Traffic Engineer Thomas E. Moore
Traffic Director, Sgt. James D. O'Brien
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIA}ICE
Conmissioner Subbotin led the Pledge of Allegiance to the FIag.
UINUTES
!{inutes of the meeting of February 10, 1977 were accepted.
1. Pedestrian safety. Mr . Samuel Weinstat, 1O2l E1 Camino Real, was
present to discuss his concern for pedestrian safety in the City of
Burlingame. His attention has been focused on EI Camino Real as the
result of a friend of his having been hit by a car about six weeks ago.
llhe driver turned right from Chapi.n Avenue and did not see the pedestrian.
His wife, also, was crossing at Burlingame Avenue and noticed a car
intending to turn 1eft. She realized the driver had not seen her and
had to shrerve to avoid hitting her.
Today he spent a half hour at the intersection of Chapin Avenue, a half
hour at Burlingame Avenue, and a half hour at Howard Avenue, on EI Camino
Real. He recorded the number of pedestrians crossing at each intersection
and the nudber of cars turning right on the red light. He mentioned that
they look to the left for cars coming, but not to the right for pedestrians.
HAlf of the cars cross the white line and stop within the pedestrian cross-walk. He suggested a red line with a slmbo1 alerting motorists not to
stop in crosswalk.
Mr. wei.nstat thinks there is a need for correction and suggested that any
main street where there are pedestrians, should have a sign "watch out
for pedestrians." Also, "No right turns on red signa).." He spoke of
Tucson, Arizona, with their school signs placed in the center of the
street, one-half a block before and one-half a block beyond the school ,cautioning motorists to slow to 15 m.p.h., for school children.
ROLL CALL
CURRENT BUSINESS
traffic. safety & Parking comm. --2 l,larch 10, 1977
He suggested that the speed limit on El Camino Real in the city of
Burlingame be reduced to 25 m.p.h. He offered to help in any way
possible.
Comnissioner Graham asked Traffic Director Moore about statistics
available. Mr. Moore replied that there are twenty-nine intersections
on EI Camino Real . Over a three-year period there were sixteen
accidents involving pedestrians, eight of which were attributable
to the pedestrian.
Commissioner subbotin expressed appreciation for the concern of
Mr. weinstat and the statistics he presented regarding the behaviour
at some of the intersections. He explained that State laws and State
vehicle code govern El Camino Real, and that there is adequate signing
maintained. with the State jurisdiction, the City cannot do everything
we might want to. Both the car driver and the pedestrian must use
common sense, as !.{rs . weinstat did .
Commissioner Aliamus mentioned "VIa1k" and "Don't walk" signals, and
asked if they could be utilized? He emphasized the importance of
driver and pedestrian education, naking them responsible for their
actions.
Ur. lIoore spoke of the red stripe used in Arizona. He doubts if it
is still in effect and knows it cannot be used in california.
Be and sergeant O'Brien attended a meeting of CARES. statistics for
Iast year indicate an accident ratio of three per cent. Burlingame's
was two per cent. Again this year, Burlingamer s is two per cent. He
does not see this to be a huge problem, however, effort r,tilI be exerted
to attain zero accidents.
Sergeant O'Brien called attention to the circumstances when it is not
right to cross a street. 1. When there is a red signal 1i9ht. 2. A
sign prohibits pedestrians, or a "Don't Walk" signal . 3. It is againat
the lau to step off the curb when the signal light is yellow. Also,
California state legislature has ruled that the driver shal1 use due
caution. Houever, this does not relieve the pedestrian from using due
caution.
!1r. lloore mentioned that we have flashing yellow signs (beacons) that
say "School Zcnc." I{e read an art-i.cle ccnceuning th;.:ir lnei-f ect-i\/rlncss
and found, upon investigation, that if Lhe driver does not see a chil<l ,
he does not change his speed at a1l.
Commissioner Graham inguired about the selective enforcement program.
Traffic, safety & Parking Comm.--3 l,larch IO, 1977
!1r. lloore said that in 1973 there were 873 accidents in the City.
ln L974, with selective enforcement, they dropped to 687. Ttre program
was dropped at the end of 1974, and in 1975 they went up twenty-threeper cent, from 687 to 895. Itrere were 870 in 1976. fhe cost to thepublic in 1973, for Burling.lme, was about three and one-half million
dollars .
Commissioner Subbotin again expressed appreciation to Mr. hleinstat,
and the Comrnission's ar^rareness of the qoal of zero accidents and zero
expenditures.
Comnissioner cundersen rnent ioned that the city has been studyingEl Canino ReaI extensively and will continue to do so.
1.1r. Weinstat asked if the State could be requested to reduce the speedlitnit to twenty-five miles per hour, and Mr. Moore replied that theCity is trying to do exactly that. ?he City has engaged computer
services to enable staff to evaluate traffic movements and plan how
to move it smoothly and progressively. This effort should cut
accidents tremendously. Mr. Weinstat vras engouraged to return whenever
he wished.
2. Southern Pacific up qrading at Broadway. Commissioner Constantino
inquired if there was information on a future meeting. Mr. Moorereplied that it is not knor.rn at this time. Hor^rever, there is to be apublic hearing on the EIR.
4. Fafe!'rav parkinq lot. Itlr. Moore has called them. No response asyet. He feels confident they wiJ.l respond favorably.
5. Burl ingame Avenue Area parkinq studv. Mr.Moore stated the study
made by Deleuw, Cather & Co., is being upgraded.
6. El Camino Real and Arc Wa Commissioner Sulger personally surveyedArc way. It is a very narrow street with parking only on one side. It
rtas the concensus of the Commission that this be included erith future
discussion regarding the study being made of EI Camino Real .
7. Primrose Road at Howard Avenue. llr . Itloore reported that bothWalgreen's and West Coast Federal Savings have ,No Left Turn,, signsposted for driver's exiting their parking lots on primrose Road.
3. Parkinq structure. Commissioner Graham mentioned that a parking
Conunittee will be appointed to work on parking in the Burlingame Avenue
area and present a specific p1an. Ttrere was discussion with regard to
how a structure would be financed and supported, and the necessity of
merchants taking the Lead in initiating sudr a project.
Traffic, Safety & Parking Comm.--4 March I0, L977
OI,D BUSINESS
1. Commissioner Subbotin reported that the hedge has been trimmed but
still overlaps the sidewalk. Mr. Moore stated that he believes
!1r. Hoffman has written a subsequent Letter requesting additional
correction, and reminding the o$rner of the ordinance reguirements.
2. Commissioner Su1ger
center of the street on
Center. M!. Moore said
Federal grants. One to
streets. Ttle work wiLl
inquired about plaeing yelIow markers in the
Burlingame Avenue in front of the Recreation
it would be possibLe, Ttre City has two
be used on minor streets and one for major
be started as soon as possible.
NEW BUSINESS
1. Commissioner Graham reported that the S.P.C.A. has been patrolling
both Broadway and Burlingame Avenues,. and with the assistance of the
Police Department, the problem seems to have been alleviated.
i. Commissioner Constantino spoke about ttre Retirement Inn on Myrtle
Road and Burlingame Avenue. He stated the developers are most enthus-
iastic about the response from persons interested in possible occupancy.
He suggested that the necessary traffic regulations be provided for the
area. The success and interest expressed in the project would indicate
that the residents will be active. The location is good, close to
Burlingame Avenue area; the Recreation Center, and the S.P. Depot.
Mr. Moore agreed and stated it would be watched and appropriate signing
and regulations installed.
3. NationaL Safety Council Report. Mf,. Moore explained that he and
Sergeant O I Brien attended a meeting of ACTRST/CARES Users. A report uras
provided which includes the County accident record and work being done
in England toward accident reduct,ion. It is well done. England has
Siood traffic engineering. The report is available for reference.
ADJOURNMENT
Tlre meeting adjourned at 9245 p.rt.
Respectfully submitted,
Victor T. Subbot.in