HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 05 - City’s Speed Humps PolicyPublic Works Agency
www.santa-ana.org/pw
Item # 5
City of Santa Ana
20 Civic Center Plaza, Santa Ana, CA 92701
Staff Report
July 20, 2021
TOPIC: City’s Speed Humps Policy
AGENDA TITLE
Receive and File Update to the City’s Speed Humps Policy
RECOMMENDED ACTION
Receive and file an update to the City’s Speed Humps Policy.
DISCUSSION
Due to a number of factors, including an increase in overall City traffic volumes, frequent
complaints about speeding in residential districts, and a recent emphasis on bicycle and
pedestrian mobility and safety, the City is considering program enhancements to further
improve bicycle and pedestrian safety. As a result of the complaints about speeding on
residential streets, the Public Works Agency developed a formal procedure so that these
requests could be handled effectively. One of the primary purposes for developing a
standard procedure was to provide uniformity in processing such requests.
One of the aforementioned enhancements involves revising the City’s Speed Hump
Policy, which was created in 1998. Revisions include simplifying the application process,
streamlining the process to review each request, and reducing the number of steps
residents must take to request the installation of speed humps in their neighborhood
(Exhibit 1). It is important to note that the procedure is only a guideline, and not a
regulation. Below is a summary of the streamlined process.
Process Improvement for Speed Humps
Below is an overview of the four-step process for residents to request speed humps:
Step 1: Verify Feasibility of Speed Hump – one month
Step 2: Residents Circulate Interest Form (need 75 percent approval) – one month
Step 3: Prioritization (requires analysis of field data) and determination of availability
of funding – two months
Step 4: If funding is sufficient, perform neighborhood advisory poll (need two-thirds
approval) – two months
o If Step 4 results in support of speed humps installation, installation is
scheduled.
Receive and File - Speed Hump Policy
July 20, 2021
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ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
There is no environmental impact associated with the action.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal impact associated with this action
EXHIBIT(S)
1. Speed Hump Policy
Submitted By: Nabil Saba, P.E., Executive Director – Public Works Agency
Approved By: Kristine Ridge, City Manager
Updated 5/18/21
STANDARD PROCEDURE
FOR
MANAGING SPEED ON RESIDENTIAL STREETS
In response to frequent complaints about speeding on residential streets, the Public Works
Agency developed a formal procedure so that such requests can be handled effectively, and is
most expeditious and responsive. The primary purpose for adopting the standard procedure was
to provide uniformity in processing such requests, ensure continuous community involvement
and support in implementing the various measures for dealing with speeding on residential
streets, and help educate residents on the importance of respecting traffic control laws.
The following is the standard procedures for use in the City of Santa Ana to respond to citizen
requests for reducing the speeds on residential streets. It should be noted that the procedure is
only a guideline, not a regulation. The Environmental and Transportation Advisory Commission
(ETAC) will receive periodic presentations on these guidelines so that they understand the steps
and will better understand reports summarizing requests and installation locations. This will also
help ETAC provide feedback and advice.
STEP 1. SPEED HUMP FEASIBILITY & LESS RESTRICTIVE MEASURES
If speed humps are requested, Speed Hump Warrant is performed to determine if the
location is feasible for speed hump installation (Attachment A).
If Speed Humps are not feasible, the City will determine any combination or all of the
following measures will be undertaken:
Police enforcement.
Provide speed awareness letter.
Provide mobile radar trailer.
STEP 2. RESIDENTS CIRCULATE SPEED HUMP INTEREST FORM
If the location satisfies the warrant, the City will mail an information letter and an
Interest Form to affected residents describing the purpose of the form.
The Interest Form for the proposed speed hump street segment, must be returned to
the City (Attachment B).
To demonstrate there is a widely held perception of a problem and adequate
community support for further action, the petition should be returned with supporting
signatures from typically 75% of the residences of the proposed speed hump segment
(one signature per address).
All Interest forms must be submitted to the City by the assigned date on the
information letter for validation and prioritization for available funding.
Staff notifies the Neighborhood Association, if it exists, of the request for speed
humps.
Updated 5/18/21
STEP 3. PRIORITIZATION
A. All locations that meet the Speed Hump Warrant and petition requirements are
prioritized by a point system based on the following:
Criteria Basis For Assignment Max. Points
Severity of speeding 5 points for every one mph (85% tile) over
34mph
50
Total daily traffic volume For streets with traffic volumes greater than
or equal to 500 vehicles per day, 1 point for
every 100 vehicles
35
Speed related accidents 5 points for speed related accidents 5
Proximity to School or Park 250 feet or less of a school or a park
Between 251 and 500 feet of a school or a
park
Between 501 and 600 feet of a school or a
park
10
7
3
Total 100 points
B. City determines the number of speed hump locations that can be installed using
available budgeted funds. Installation location and funding will be evaluated at
least once per year, but more frequently if funding allows.
C. Locations on the priority list will remain active for a period of 36 months, and a
new request for speed humps for the same location may not be made until the
location is off the list.
STEP 4. PERFORM ADVISORY POLL IF THERE IS SUFFICIENT FUNDING
For those priority locations where there is sufficient funding to allow installation, the
City will determine the surrounding area likely affected by the speed humps. This
Area of Impact is used for advisory polling purposes. Residents in the Area of Impact
will typically have 30 days to respond.
The City presents the Area of Impact, speed hump plan and advisory polling
process to residents in the Area of Impact.
Those residents are then polled by mail. City staff will tally the advisory poll
results. 66% support should be obtained for the permanent installation of speed
humps. If support from the Area of Impact for speed humps is not achieved,
residents can request speed humps again after 24 months from the date of poll
recommendation.
STEP 5. PERMANENT SPEED HUMP INSTALLATION
City installs speed hump at locations based on the priority list and as funding allows.
Design is in accordance with current speed hump standard (Attachment C).
Updated 5/18/21
**********
SPEED HUMP REMOVAL
The City at anytime may undertake alteration or removal of speed humps if the
speed humps are deemed to be a hazard to the public.
************
If you wish to make a request or would like more information, please contact the
Traffic Engineering section of the Public Works Agency at (714) 647-5619.
K:\traffic\DIST1\Speed Hump\Forms\K:\traffic\Policies\Speed Humps\Update 2021\Speed Hump 05 -19-2021 Procedures Rev ZK.docc
Updated 5/18/21
GLOSSARY
Advisory Poll Participants or
Residents
Those to whom poll forms are distributed, within a given area of impact,
as a result of their being in one of the following groups:
1. Residents of dwelling units with its own mailing address (one poll
from per dwelling unit).
2. Owners of vacant land (one poll form per parcel).
3. Tenants of non-residential units, including those with business and
commercial uses (one poll form per unit).
4. Designated representatives of properties with institutional land uses,
such as schools, government offices, and non-profit organizations (one
poll form per parcel).
Area of Impact: The street segment with the proposed speed hump and/or the adjacent
streets that are likely to be affected due to significant increase in traffic
and/or speed.
Daily Traffic: A typical 24-hour traffic volume, including both directions of traffic.
Eighty-fifth Percentile (85%-
tile) Speed:
The speed below which 85 percent of all traffic on a given street segment
is traveling.
ETAC Environmental and Transportation Advisory Commission (ETAC) is an
advisory commission appointed by the City Council. The commission
acts in an advisory capacity to the City Council in reviewing
environmental and transportation issues.
Mobile Radar Trailer: A portable trailer that is capable of detecting speed of oncoming traffic
and displaying that speed for the driver.
Police Enforcement: Police officer monitoring the speed by radar and issuing speeding tickets
as applicable.
Residence: One legal address or legal dwelling unit, i.e., a "four-plex" consisting of
four legal addresses.
Speed Awareness Letter: A letter containing speeding information to raise awareness of the
residents in the neighborhood about the speeding problem in the area.
Police enforcement has shown that it is usually residents living in the area
who are doing the speeding.
Speed Hump Warrant: A minimum set of criteria which, when satisfied, justifies the installation
of speed humps.
Speed Hump: A permanent section of raised pavement (asphalt) that is 12 feet wide,
parabolic in shape, raising from street surfaces to an approximate height
of 2 5/8 inches to 3 inches at the center.
Updated 5/18/21
ATTACHMENT A
CITY OF SANTA ANA
PUBLIC WORKS AGENCY
SPEED HUMP WARRANT
Street:
From: To:
ALL OF THE FOLLOWING CRITERIA MUST BE MET FOR CONSIDERATION OF
SPEED HUMP INSTALLATION.
CRITERIA
SATISFIED
NOT
SATISFIED
REMARKS
1. Street is a residential street with no more than one
lane in each direction. Lanes per direction:
2. Street is neither a primary fire access route nor a
transit route.
3. The street is a through street, at least 500 feet long
and uninterrupted by stop sign or traffic signal.
Length:
4. The posted or prima facie speed limit is 25 mph.
5. The 85th percentile speed is > 34 mph.
85th Percentile:
6. Adequate visibility can be provided at all speed
hump locations.
7. Daily traffic on the street segment is less than or
equal to 3500 vehicles per day.
ADT:
Speed Hump Warrant Met YES NO
Performed by: Date:
Updated 5/18/21
ATTACHMENT B
INTEREST FORM TO THE CITY OF SANTA ANA
TO INSTALL SPEED HUMPS
STREET: FROM: TO:
(cross street) (cross street)
WHEREAS a speeding problem has been identified and confirmed on the above subject street segment; and
I, the undersigned, request the installation of speed humps on the above street segment. We understand that in
order for the City to consider installing speed humps; this interest form should have signatures (one per address)
in favor of the proposed speed humps from typically 75% of residences on this street segment.
I further understand that this street segment must meet all requirements outlined in the Standard Procedure for
Managing Speed on Residential Streets for the installation of the speed humps.
Contact Person: Daytime Phone:
Before you sign this petition, be sure you understand the Standard Procedure for Managing Speed on Residential
Streets (attached). NOTE: UPON INTEREST FORM SUBMITTAL TO THE CITY, MODIFICATIONS,
ADDITIONS, DELETIONS TO PETITIONER’S RESPONSE WILL NOT BE ALLOWED.
INTEREST FOMS ARE DUE ON (DATE).
YES, I favor speed humps on my street.
NO, I do not favor speed humps on my street.
SIGNATURE:
NAME
(Please Print):
DAY TIME
PHONE NO.:
ADDRESS
(Please Print):
Date Received by City:__________________________
SPEED HUMP FLOW CHART
YES YES NO
YES NO
YES NO
YES NO NO
YES
Speed Hump Feasibility
And Less Restrictive Measures
(STEP 1)
Speed
Hump
Warrants
Met?
Interest Form
(STEP 2)
75%
Interest
Form
Met?
Prioritize Speed Hump Locations
(STEP 3)
Funding
Available?
Advisory Poll
(STEP 4)
New
Request
After 24
months?
66% Poll
Support
?
Back To STEP 1
Install Speed Hump
(STEP 5)
DONE
Less
Restrictive
Measures
?
Remain
on List
for 36
Months
SpeedHumps –
PolicyUpdate
CITYCOUNCILMEETINGITEM05JULY20, 2021CITYOFSANTAANA, PUBLICWORKSAGENCY, 20CIVICCENTERPLAZA, SANTAANA, CA92702
PolicyBackgroundPolicydevelopedin
1998.
Goal -improve
safetythroughuseof
speed
humps.
Previous
policyprocedurecontained
10steps.
Revisedpolicy
procedurehas
beenstreamlined.
Proceduresnow
contains
4steps.
Technicalrequirementsare
similar.
PostedSpeedLimit
of25.
Vehiclecountsbetween
500and3,500
vpd.
CITYOFSANTAANA, PUBLICWORKSAGENCY, 20CIVICCENTERPLAZA, SANTAANA, CA92702
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WhatareSpeed
Humps?
Speedhumpsareraisedsectionsofpavementlaintransversetoroadwaytravellanes,
whicharedesignedtodecreasevehiclespeed.
CITYOFSANTAANA, PUBLICWORKSAGENCY, 20CIVICCENTERPLAZA, SANTAANA, CA92702
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WhatareSpeed
Bumps?
Speedbumpsareamoreabruptmethodtodecreasevehiclespeedsandareusedinparkinglots. CITYOFSANTAANA, PUBLICWORKSAGENCY, 20CIVICCENTERPLAZA, SANTAANA, CA92702
4
SpeedCushionPilotCITYOFSANTAANA, PUBLICWORKSAGENCY, 20CIVICCENTERPLAZA, SANTAANA, CA92702
5
Wherearehumps/cushions
installed?
Localstreets –singlelanecollectororresidentialclassification, notaprimaryfireaccessand notatransit
route. Consistenthumpspecifications
usedto
achieve
compatibility. Technicalrequirementsareconsistentwithregion. Blockswherespeedlimitis25mph (cannotbe usedonhigher
limits). DailycountsareADT: 500to3,500
vpd.
Adequateamountofspace, block length, andblocklayout.
th
Measuredspeed (85%)
ishigher thanorequal to34 mph.
Unimpededvisibility.
OCFireAuthority
approvalneeded.
CITYOFSANTAANA, PUBLICWORKSAGENCY, 20CIVICCENTERPLAZA, SANTAANA, CA92702
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HowtoRequest
SpeedHumps/Cushions
Requestreceivedbystaff.
Step
1 -
Verifythatall technicalrequirementsaremet.
Step2 –
Verify75%
ofsegment residentsareinterested. Steps 1and2are completedconcurrently.
Step3 -
Determinepriority
andidentifyfundsfor
priority.
Step4 –
Conduct
poll ofstreetsegmentresidents.
If2/3
ofresidentssupportrequest,
installationmovesforward.
Ifsupportisinsufficient, newrequest maybesubmittedafter
twoyears.
CITYOFSANTAANA, PUBLICWORKSAGENCY, 20CIVICCENTERPLAZA, SANTAANA, CA92702
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