HomeMy WebLinkAbout5/27/2009 - STAFF REPORTS - 2.I. F?ALM Sp
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'``F°Ra, City Council Staff Report
Date: May 27, 2009 CONSENT CALENDAR
Subject: APPROVAL OF PLANS, SPECIFICATIONS AND ESTIMATE (PS&E)
AND AUTHORIZATION TO BID THE BARISTO ROAD AT PALM
SPRINGS HIGH SCHOOL TRAFFIC SIGNAL INSTALLATION, (CITY
PROJECT 07-13)
From: David H. Ready, City Manager
Initiated by: Public Works and Engineering Department
SUMMARY
A new traffic signal on Baristo Road at the Palm Springs High School is warranted on
the basis of high volumes of pedestrian activity during the morning, at lunch, and in the
afternoon as students enter or leave campus. The construction documents (Plans,
Specifications and Estimate) are completed and, in accordance with 7.03.040 of the
Procurement and Contracting Code the Council is required to approve and adopt plans,
specifications and working details, and authorize the bid request for all public projects in
excess of $100,000. Approval of this project will allow staff to proceed with this public
project with an estimated cost of $194,000.
RECOMMENDATION:
Approve the plans, specifications, and working details, and authorize bidding for the
Baristo Road at Palm Springs Highs School Traffic Signal Installation Project, (City
Project 07-13).
STAFF ANALYSIS:
The Public Works and Engineering Department included installation of a new traffic
signal on Baristo Road at the Palm Springs High School / Palm Springs Mall
intersection in the 2008/2009 fiscal year budget. In 1998, as part of the expansion of
the Palm Springs High School, a traffic impact study was prepared which identified a
need for a signalized pedestrian crossing on Baristo Road as a safe access for
pedestrians coming to and from the High School. The Public Works Department
conducted a traffic signal warrant evaluation for this traffic signal last year, and found
that Warrant 4 — Pedestrian Volume, and Warrant 5 — School Crossing, were both
satisfied. The California Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) specifies
Item No. 2 ■ I r
City Council Staff Report
May 27, 2009 - Page 2
Baristo Road at PSHS Traffic Signal (CP07-13)
that a traffic signal shall be installed when warranted. Therefore, the Public Works
Department is recommending that, although the traffic signal is in close proximity to
Farrell Drive, its necessity is demonstrated by the warrants verified on the basis of
pedestrian volumes and school crossing justifications.
In order to ensure that the traffic signal crossing would be utilized by students, the
Public Works Department installed a striped cross-walk at the intersection.
Subsequently, staff coordinated with the High School administration to ensure the
students' use of the cross-walk would be enforced. In recent conversations with High
School administrators, staff has confirmed that the High School is enforcing the
students' use of the cross-walk with great success. Staff has also verified its use which
is documented in the following picture:
In the current condition, students cross Baristo Road in the striped cross-walk without
the additional protection of a signalized crossing which directs through traffic to stop-
As seen in the picture, vehicles are forced to stop by the very fact that a high volume of
pedestrians are crossing the street; the traffic signal will ensure that vehicles
appropriately stop for pedestrians. The traffic signal will also promote better traffic flow
during peak hours by preventing students from crossing Baristo Road when they
choose, requiring students to wait for the appropriate pedestrian phase of the traffic
signal to cycle for their use. In the event students jay-walk against traffic, High School
administrators have assured staff that they will pursue jay-walking infractions and
ensure students cross Baristo Road safely at the appropriate time.
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City Council Staff Report
May 27, 2009 - Page 3
Baristo Road at PSHS Traffic Signal (CP07-13)
The traffic signal has been designed with protected/permissive signal phasing on
Baristo Road. A protected/permissive signal is one that has a five-section vehicle head
on the signal mast arm, shown at right below, and has a five-section vehicle head on
the far pole, shown at left below:
R R
Y Y Y
G G G
K Y
. G
This type of signal phasing allows traffic to move through the intersection more
efficiently, giving left-turning vehicles a "permissive" movement, allowing the turn when
there are no opposing vehicles. In a true "protected" phase, a vehicle must wait for the
green arrow to make the movement, whether or not there is opposing traffic.
The plans and specifications have been prepared by the City's engineering consultant
(Albert Grover & Associates), are ready for Council approval and the subsequent
advertisement for construction bids. Section 7.03.040 of the Procurement and
Contracting Code requires that for public projects in excess of $100,000 Council
approve and adopt the plans, specifications and working details, and authorize staff to
advertise for construction bids. The Engineer's Estimate for this project is $194,000.
Approval of the recommended action will allow staff to proceed with bidding of this
project.
FISCAL IMPACT:
Funding for this project is available in Local Measure A account 134-4498-50262
(Traffic Signal Baristo). No local general funds are required for this project.
Submitted:
David J. Barakian Thomas J. Wilsdn
Director of Public Works/City Engineer Assistant City Manager
David H. Ready
City Manager
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