2013 traffic safety report slo

Public Works and Police Department September 2014

2013 Annual Traffic Safety Report

1 2013 Traffic Safety Report

April 2014

Table of Contents

Executive Summary .................................................... 2

Citywide Collision Trends ........................................... 3

Pedestrian & Bicycle Collision Trends ...................... 4

Traffic Safety Measures .............................................. 5

2013 High Collision Rate Locations & Recommendations 8


April 2014

Executive Summary

The Public Works & Police Departments are pleased to present the 14th cycle of

the City’s annual traffic safety program. The Annual Traffic Safety Program

began in 2002 in an attempt to identify high collision locations within the City. In

addition, the program actively pursues corrective measures that may reduce

collision rates and improve safety for the citizen of San Luis Obispo. This

program has had continued success with 55% collision reduction since the

program began despite increasing traffic volumes. In 2009 the City received the

International Public Agency Achievement award from the Institute of Traffic

Engineers (ITE) for this program. This award is one of the highest recognitions a

public agency can receive for its traffic engineering practices.

This safety program has had lasting success and again in 2013 total collisions

are the lowest on record, down by 4% from the previous year. In 2013, injury

collisions increased by 8% from the previous year, but are still down 33% since

the safety program began. The program also includes thorough evaluations of

bicycle and pedestrian safety. Bicycle collision trends show a four year decline

for the first time since 2000. While bicycle collisions peaked in 2009, they

declined in 2013 by 14% from the 2012 totals. Pedestrian collisions increased

from an average of 24 collisions a year between 2005 and 2012, to 39 pedestrian

collisions in 2013.

The following report displays trends in collision history, traffic safety measures

and identifies high collision rate locations in 2013. As in previous Traffic Safety

Reports, staff reviewed all high collision rate intersections and segment locations

and has recommended mitigation measures to increase safety at the top five

locations in each category. Our goal is that the combination of thorough

analysis, appropriate mitigation, and consistent and focused education and

enforcement will continue to reduce traffic collisions and injuries and improve the

safety of our motoring, walking and bicycling public.

This report is typically prepared and presented to Council annually, however this

is the first report prepared in the last three years. Due to budget reductions in

2010 & 2011 production of the report was suspended and the volume of safety

projects were scaled back accordingly to staffing capacity. However with the

assistance of temporary grant funding the City is testing a consolidation of intern

staffing into a higher level position, this strategy has allowed staff to resume

production of the report and the ability to engage in a higher volume of safety

projects. If the Annual Traffic Safety Program is to continue in coming years there

will need to be a financial commitment.


April 2014

Citywide Collision Trends

Overall Collision Trend

Injury Collision Trend

Fatal Collision Trend

910

1023

1140

1256

1097 1207

1089

873 866 793

683 598 619 594 570

500

600

700

800

900

1000

1100

1200

1300

1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013

Tota

l Co

llisi

on

s

Year

240

267 268

309 308 315

285

250 257

240 236 233 220

191 207

150

170

190

210

230

250

270

290

310

330

1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013

Inju

ry C

olli

sio

ns

Year

2 2 1 1

4 3

2 1 1

3

012345

1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013

Fata

l Co

llisi

on

s

Year

* Foothill Bridge Closed Throughout 2004

Beginning of Safety Program

Beginning of Safety Program

Beginning of Safety Program * Foothill Bridge Closed Throughout 2004


April 2014

Pedestrian & Bicycle Collision Trends

Pedestrian Collision Trend

Bicycle Collision Trend*

*The increase in bicycle collisions can be directly related to an increase in bicycle

ridership. The US Census showed an increase from 3.6% of the City’s population

commuting to work by bicycle in 2000 to 5.2% in 2010. However, this percentage

does not account for recreational riders or bicycle commuters to school, shopping

or errands which have also continued to increase.

Source: 2013 Bicycle Transportation Plan

24

37

19

41

24

41

26 27

18

25 24 22

24 26

39

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

45

1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013

Ped

estr

ian

Co

llis

ion

s

Year

52

46 45

53 55

50

55

61 59 59

73

69 67

69

63

35

40

45

50

55

60

65

70

75

1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013

Bic

ycle

Co

llis

ion

s

Year


April 2014

Improper Turn 5% Failure to Yield

6%

Stop Sign Violation

29%

DUI 24%

Traffic Signal Violation

10%

Speeding 26%

Traffic Safety Measures

Traffic Enforcement

Traffic Citation Trends

Hazardous Traffic Citation Types for 2013

20

01

17

91

22

43

25

50

89

6

78

9

93

4

17

69

31

20

20

98

28

06

14

74

15

24

15

71

67

41

71

14

65

08

48

02

26

63

34

54

35

85

44

88

74

37

59

47

46

86

41

24

61

95

52

93

0

1000

2000

3000

4000

5000

6000

7000

8000

2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013

Cit

atio

ns

Year

Hazardous Total Citations


April 2014

DUI Arrests

Age of Driver at Fault 2013

396

502

410

304 312

412

331 339

248 213

241 256

377

0

100

200

300

400

500

600

2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013

DU

I A

rre

sts

Year

4

83

122

52 38

28 25 30 17

26 30 25

8 7 5 5 5

0

20

40

60

80

100

120

140

Nu

mb

er

of

Co

llisi

on

s

Driver Age


April 2014

Traffic Safety Education Campaigns

Bicycle Rodeo

The City hosts a hands-on bicycle training class targeting youth teaching

bicycle skills & operations.

Pedestrian Halloween Safety Campaign

The City provides reflective Halloween bags with safety tips to local schools

free of cost.

Impaired Driver Offender Classes

City officers attend and supplement DUI offender courses to provide a unique

positive opportunity to discuss, face to face, the impacts of driving under the

influence.

Every Fifteen Minutes Program

The City participates in a multi department and agency event simulating the

psychological effects of student fatalities as a result of traffic collisions.

Child Car Seat Instruction & Assistance

The City provides child safety seat installation and inspection free of cost.

Channel 20 Public Safety Announcements

Bicycle Safety Posters

City of SLO Partnerships:

SLO County Bicycle Coalition

Safety Education Courses

Elementary School Safety Assemblies

Safety Brown Bag Lunch at Participating Businesses

SLO Rideshare

Safe Routes to School Program


April 2014

2013 High Collision Rate Locations & Recommendations

Pedestrians*

Rank Intersection 5 Yr. Collisions

PH Veh. Vol

PH Ped. Vol

REV

1 Foothill & Santa Rosa 3 4104 73 843

2 Monterey & Santa Rosa 5 2029 116 437

3 Broad & Higuera 5 933 375 62

*In 2013 there were only 3 locations that had 3+ collisions over the past five years

Pedestrian Location Recommendations:

Rank Intersection 5 Yr. Collisions

PH Veh. Vol

PH Ped. Vol

REV


Pattern: No discernible pattern. Recommendation: Continue to monitor in 2014.

2 Monterey & Santa Rosa 5 2029 116 437

Pattern: Ped Vs. Monterey Left Turns to Santa Rosa Recommendation: Yield to Pedestrian signs installed in April of 2011, one collision has been reported since. Upgrade warning signs and post an additional warning sign. Continue to monitor in 2014.

3 Broad & Higuera 5 933 375 62

Pattern: Ped vs. Left Turns from Broad to Higuera and Higuera to Broad Recommendation: Pedestrian warning signs installed in July of 2013, one collision has been reported since. Upgrade warning signs and post additional warning signs. Continue to monitor in 2014.

PH = Peak Hour REV = Relative Exposure Value


April 2014

Bicycles

Rank Intersection 5 yr Collisions

PH Veh. Vol

PHBike Vol

REV

1 Olive & Santa Rosa 6 3119 18 5198

2 Montalban & Santa Rosa 4 3419 18 3799

3 California & Monterey 10 1947 46 2116


5 Broad & Woodbridge 4 2997 30 1998

6 California & Taft 5 1733 54 802

7 101 N/b On/off Ramp & California 3 1473 55 402

8 California & Mill 3 1070 42 382

9 California & Palm 3 1056 44 360

10 Chorro & Monterey 3 630 31 305



April 2014

Bicycle Location Recommendations:

Rank Intersection 5 yr Collisions

PH Veh. Vol

PHBike Vol

REV

1 Olive & Santa Rosa 6 3119 18 5198 Pattern: Cyclists vs. NB Motorists turning Right onto Olive

Recommendation: Collaborate with CalTrans and pursue installation of green bike lane extensions thru intersection.

2 Montalban & Santa Rosa 4 3419 18 3799 Pattern: NB Cyclists vs. NB/SB RT/LT

Recommendation: Collaborate with CalTrans and pursue installation of green bike lane extensions thru intersection. Continue to monitor in 2014.

3 California & Monterey 10 1947 46 2116 Pattern: Cyclists vs. SB and NB Motorists Turning Right

Recommendation: In May 2012, green bike lanes were installed. Since then two collisions were reported at the intersection, both of which were determined to have been caused by the cyclist. Continue to monitor in 2014.

4 Foothill & Santa Rosa 6 4104 59 2087 Pattern: Various Unsafe Cyclist Maneuvers

Recommendation: Five of the six collisions involved circumstances with inattention and unsafe maneuvers of cyclists. Conduct focused bicycle enforcement at this intersection, update education materials to highlight these collision types, and continue to monitor in 2014.

5 Broad & Woodbridge 4 2997 30 1998 Pattern: No discernible pattern.

Recommendation: Intersection planned for reconfiguration and control upgrades as part of Broad Street Corridor Plan / Circulation Element Update. Continue to monitor in 2014.



April 2014

Arterial/Arterial Intersections

Rank Intersection Control Collisions Volume Rate*

1 Higuera & Santa Rosa Signal 11 21,361 1.41

2 Monterey & Osos Signal 4 9,130 1.20

3 Johnson & Orcutt 3 Stop 4 13,110 0.84

4 Marsh & Osos Signal 3 12,970 0.63

5 Foothill & Santa Rosa Signal 10 44,225 0.62

6 101 N/b Ramp & Los Osos Valley Signal 6 26,544 0.62

7 Monterey & Santa Rosa Signal 6 26,845 0.61

8 Higuera & Prado Signal 4 18,171 0.60

9 Broad & Foothill Signal 4 18,812 0.58

10 Marsh & Santa Rosa Signal 3 17,211 0.48

11 101 S/b Ramp & Los Osos Valley Signal 5 29,884 0.46

12 California & Monterey Signal 3 19,470 0.42

13 Higuera & South Signal 4 27,104 0.40

14 Higuera & Los Osos Valley Signal 4 27,660 0.40

15 Broad & Marsh Signal 3 20,813 0.39

16 101 N/b Ramp & California 1 Stop 3 24,993 0.33

17 Higuera & Tank Farm Signal 3 27,240 0.30

18 Broad & Tank Farm Signal 4 40,167 0.27

19 Broad & South Signal 3 31,029 0.26

20 Higuera & Madonna Signal 3 34,564 0.24

21 Broad & Orcutt Signal 3 40,092 0.21

22 Los Osos Valley & Madonna Signal 3 45,772 0.18

*Rate = Collision frequency per million vehicles entering the intersection


April 2014

Arterial/Arterial Intersections Recommendations:


1 Higuera & Santa Rosa Signal 11 21,361 1.41

Pattern: NB and SB Red Light Violations Recommendation: Signal heads, poles, and mast arms fully upgraded. Focus red light enforcement and continue to monitor in 2014.

2 Monterey & Osos Signal 4 9,130 1.20

Pattern: Red Light Violations All Directions Recommendation: Reconstruct signal to improve visibility of indications.

3 Johnson & Orcutt

3-Way Stop

4 13,110 0.84

Pattern: NB and SB DUI Collisions Recommendation: Flashers were installed September 2013 and increased DUI enforcement in the area began April 2013. Continue monitoring and focused enforcement in 2014.

4 Marsh & Osos Signal 3 12,970 0.63


5 Foothill & Santa Rosa Signal 10 44,225 0.62

Pattern: SB Rearends due to slowing traffic at signal. Recommendation: Provide CalTrans with collision data and recommend the state implement advance “signal ahead” flashing warning beacons.



April 2014

Arterial/Collector Intersections


1 Chorro & Marsh Signal 5 4,621 2.96

2 Chorro & Monterey Signal 3 5,945 1.38

3 Palm & Santa Rosa Signal 3 20,962 0.39

**In 2013 there were only 3 Arterial/Collector intersection locations that had 3+ collisions

Arterial/Collector Intersections Recommendations:


1 Chorro & Marsh Signal 5 4,621 2.96

Pattern: Parking maneuvers Recommendation: Refresh loading zone paint and install parking end striping. Evaluate adjustment of parking stalls to meet City Standards.

2 Chorro & Monterey Signal 3 5,945 1.38


3 Palm & Santa Rosa Signal 3 20,962 0.39




April 2014

Arterial/Local Intersections


1 Monterey & Morro Signal 3 4,501 1.83

2 Higuera & Morro Signal 3 7,660 1.07

3 Calle Joaquin & LOVR Signal 11 31,095 0.97

4 Olive & Santa Rosa Signal 10 35,504 0.77

5 Marsh & Morro Signal 3 12,343 0.67

6 Grove & Monterey 2 Stop 3 13,282 0.62

7 Higuera & Suburban Signal 5 27,001 0.51

8 California & Taft 1 Stop 3 16,337 0.50

9 Higuera & Vachell 1 Stop 4 22,576 0.49

10 Granada & Higuera 1 Stop 3 17,043 0.48

11 Froom Ranch & LOVR Signal 5 28,754 0.48

12 Murray & Santa Rosa Signal 5 29,180 0.47

13 Los Osos Valley & Royal Signal 3 26,706 0.31

14 Santa Rosa & Walnut Signal 3 29,253 0.28

15 Santa Rosa & Montalban 2 Stop 3 34,191 0.24



April 2014

Arterial/Local Intersections Recommendations:


1 Monterey & Morro Signal 3 4,501 1.83


2 Higuera & Morro Signal 3 7,660 1.07


3 Calle Joaquin & Los Osos

Valley Signal 11 31,095 0.97

Pattern: SB Rearends Recommendation: Collisions contributed to heavy congestion at intersection; reconfigure Calle Joaquin intersection as part of the LOVR Interchange.

4 Olive & Santa Rosa Signal 10 35,504 0.77

Pattern: NB Cyclists Vs. NB Right Car & SB Rearends Recommendation: Pursue installation of green bike lane extensions thru intersection. Support State project to extend SB right turn pocket.

5 Marsh & Morro Signal 3 12,343 0.67

Pattern: Parking Maneuvers Recommendation: Adjust parking stalls to meet city standards.



April 2014

Collector/Collector Intersections

No Locations Ranked Under this Category

Collector/Local Intersections


1 Chorro & Mill 2-Way Stop 7 7,029 2.73

2 Chorro & Peach 2-Way Stop 5 8,910 1.54

**In 2013 there were only 2 Collector/Local intersection locations that had 3+ collisions

Collector/Local Intersections Recommendations:


1 Chorro & Mill 2-Way Stop 7 7,029 2.73

Pattern: SB/NB Vs. EB/WB Recommendation: All-Way Stop Warrants not satisfied. Pursue design and feasibility of a traffic circle. Focus enforcement and continue to monitor in 2014.

2 Chorro & Peach 2-Way Stop 5 8,910 1.54

Pattern: EB and WB vs. SB Recommendation: Existing power pole may be obstructing sight distance, pursue pole relocation with PG&E.



April 2014

Local/Local Intersections


Other Intersections

Los Verdes & Los Osos Valley Road

As part of an agreement with the Los Verdes HOA the City agreed to “specifically

include consideration of the intersections of LOVR & Higuera and with

Petitioners’ members’ and visitor’s ingress and egress to both parks”. The

intersection of Higuera & Los Osos Valley Road had 4 collisions in 2013 with no

discernible pattern. This intersection was ranked 14th out of 22 intersections with

three or more collisions, due to the relatively low ranking this intersection is not

currently considered a priority. The intersection of Los Verdes and Los Osos

Valley Road had no collisions in 2013 and is also not currently considered a

priority..

Staff has evaluated potential signal timing changes at LOVR & Higuera to

improve gap times at the Los Verdes Driveway. At this time any such changes

would degrade the Level of Service at LOVR & Higuera to below minimum

general plan levels.


April 2014

Arterial Segments

Rank Segment Collisions Volume Distance Rate*

1 Higuera 600 BLK 3 7,695 0.10 10.68

2 California 200-400 BLK

11 16,954 0.25 7.11

3 Foothill 1000 BLK 4 16,638 0.12 5.35

4 Foothill 400-600 BLK 3 13,390 0.23 2.65

5 Madonna 400-100 BLK

6 23,991 0.34 2.02

6 Broad 3200-3400 BLK 3 26308 0.20 1.56

7 Madonna 500 BLK 3 22989 0.27 1.32

Arterial Segments Recommendations:

Rank Segment Collisions Volume Distance Rate*

1 Higuera 600 BLK 3 7,695 0.10 10.68

Pattern: No Discernible Pattern Recommendation: Continue to Monitor in 2014

2 California 200-400 BLK

11 16,954 0.25 7.11

Pattern: NB Rearends & SB Left Parking Rearends Recommendation: Investigate parking removal as part of LUCE Update & investigate restriction of left turns.

3 Foothill 1000 BLK 4 16,638 0.12 5.35


4 Foothill 400-600 BLK 3 13,390 0.23 2.65


5 Madonna 400-100 BLK

6 23,991 0.34 2.02


Collector Segments


*Rate = Collision frequency per million vehicle miles traveled along the segment