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Attachment 1 Traffic Patterns  PO BOX 25  Danville, CA 94526  info@trafficpatterns.net  (408) 916-8141 November 1, 2016 Matt Morley Town of Los Gatos 41 Miles Avenue Los Gatos, CA 95032 Subject: Downtown Los Gatos – Santa Cruz Avenue Highway 17 On-Ramp Extended Closure Observations Introduction The Town of Los Gatos closed the Santa Cruz Avenue on-ramp to Highway 17 Southbound through the Summer to collect data regarding traffic pattern changes from June 25th to July 17th. At the July 26th Town Council directed for an Extended Closure through the remainder of Summer to the weekend of September 3rd. This Tech Memo documents additional field and traffic data observations and findings through the Extended Closure. Background The Town of Los Gatos initiated an extensive traffic data collection process in the Summer of 2015 aimed at establishing baselines for the development of alternatives to help reduce Highway Cut Through traffic from Highway 17 through the Town. Traffic Patterns participated in the initial 2015 study and developed a series of improvement options, see Exhibit A for List of 2015 Improvement Options. The improvement options ranged from simple roadway marking and signage improvements to changeable message sign improvements both on the highway system and on local streets. Those improvements already completed are highlighted in Exhibit A. This past Summer 2016 the Town closed the Santa Cruz Avenue on-ramp to Highway 17 southbound to allow for additional data collection and comparison to the 2015 baseline conditions. The Summer 2016 closure included an initial Test Closure between during June 25th to July 17th and an Extended Closure from August 6th through September 4th. Findings from the Test Closure were presented to the Los Gatos Town Council on July 26th and included an extensive data comparison between 2015 and 2016. This report focuses on field observations and data comparisons during the Extended Closure period. Data from the Test Closure helped advise the decision to continue with the Extended Closure for additional data comparison. To: Matt Morley Subject: Downtown Los Gatos – Santa Cruz Avenue, Highway 17 On-Ramp Extended Closure Date: November 1, 2016 Page: 2 of 7 Traffic Patterns  PO BOX 25  Danville, CA 94526  info@trafficpatterns.net  (408) 916-8141 Analysis Data Collection Traffic data collection through the Extended Closure period focused on Turning Movement Count data between the hours of 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM for each weekend day. Image sensors were used to store buffered video that were later processed off-site to help count the number of vehicles turning left, proceeding straight, or turning right at each approach of every intersection. Pedestrian and bicycle count data for each count period were also collected. The analysis within this section focuses on vehicle data findings only. The pedestrian and bicycle count data can be used for future data comparison and other projects such as the active Bicycle & Pedestrian Transportation Plan. The following data comparison focuses on how advanced warning signage influenced motorist behavior at key decision areas that impact traffic patterns within the Town such as along Lark Avenue, Blossom Hill Road, Highway 9, and in the Downtown Business Distinct. The data comparison also focuses on the 2-hour period between 11:00 AM and 1:00 PM when traffic volumes on Highway 17 are at their peak. North Los Gatos Advanced warning signage advising motorists about the Santa Cruz Av Downtown Ramp closure was installed north of Lark Avenue on Winchester Boulevard and Los Gatos Boulevard. The signage advised encouraged the use of Lark Avenue to access Highway 17 Southbound. On Winchester Boulevard one of the two southbound through lanes was also closed to visually discourage cut-through traffic from proceeding towards Downtown. 0 200 400 600 800 1000 1200 1400 2015 2016 Trial Closure (Avg)2016 Extended Closure (Avg) 730 1223 1161 Winchester Blvd & Lark Avenue 2-Hour Southbound Through Volumes (11AM - 1PM) +68% +59% To: Matt Morley Subject: Downtown Los Gatos – Santa Cruz Avenue, Highway 17 On-Ramp Extended Closure Date: November 1, 2016 Page: 3 of 7 Traffic Patterns  PO BOX 25  Danville, CA 94526  info@trafficpatterns.net  (408) 916-8141 Vehicle volumes proceeding towards Downtown on Winchester Boulevard from Los Gatos Boulevard was higher in 2016 compared to the 2015 baseline data. The significantly higher volumes tend to indicate an increase in regional traffic volumes but the 2015 baseline data represents only one weekend in mid-June while the Trial and Extended Closure volumes represent July and August volumes over multiple weekends. Through the Extended Closure period volumes showed a continued downward trend possibly indicating that the advanced warning signage messages and public messaging regarding the closure was starting to change motorist behavior. The southbound left turn volumes at Winchester Boulevard & Lark Avenue during the Extended Closure showed an average 60% increase compared to 2015 baseline data. The increase also indicates that the advanced warning signage was having a positive effect and further strengthens the need for better dynamic signage to advice motorists regarding traffic conditions to more quickly direct traffic towards Highway 17 as north as possible in the Town. 0 500 1000 1500 2000 2500 2015 2016 Trial Closure (Avg)2016 Extended Closure (Avg) 1149 2053 1905 Los Gatos Blvd & Lark Avenue 2-Hour Southbound Through Volumes (11AM - 1PM) +79% +66% To: Matt Morley Subject: Downtown Los Gatos – Santa Cruz Avenue, Highway 17 On-Ramp Extended Closure Date: November 1, 2016 Page: 4 of 7 Traffic Patterns  PO BOX 25  Danville, CA 94526  info@trafficpatterns.net  (408) 916-8141 Blossom Hill Road Traffic data collection along Blossom Hill Road through the Extended Closure period focused on field observations, no turning movement data in along Blossom Hill Road intersections was collected. The following bulleted list summarizes observations noted by Traffic Patterns during the Trial Closure and first week of the Extended Closure Period: Blossom Hill Road & Santa Cruz Avenue  Queues from Highway 9 extend to and North of Blossom Hill Road resulting in reduced travel times along the Santa Cruz Avenue Corridor Blossom Hill Road & University Avenue  Westbound left turn queues can extend to the Vasona Park Main Entry  Queues from Highway 9 during the noon hour peak period extended north of Blossom Hill Road  Queues at Blossom Hill & University Avenue resulted in more traffic along Roberts Road, a traffic pattern not noted in 2015, this may be a result of mobile app traffic diversion Blossom Hill Road & Los Gatos Boulevard  Queues on Los Gatos Boulevard from Nino Avenue extended to Blossom Hill Road  Visual increases in southbound right turn increases from Los Gatos Boulevard onto Blossom Hill Road were noted and consistent with queue increases at Blossom Hill Road & University and along Roberts Road Highway 9 Along Highway 9 traffic data collection was focused at the Santa Cruz Avenue, University Avenue, and Los Gatos Boulevard intersections. At Santa Cruz Avenue, an average 58% increase in southbound left turns was noted with increases highest in the later weekends of the Extended Closure. This increase is a positive trend noting that motorists were aware of the on-ramp closure in Downtown and were using Highway 9 as a last effort to get towards Highway 17 Southbound. Continuing straight on Santa Cruz Avenue towards Downtown, traffic volumes were only 6% lower compared to the 2015 baseline data noting only a minor decrease in likely Downtown destination traffic; this can be viewed as a positive measure to Downtown business. At University Avenue, the Highway 9 Eastbound traffic volumes show a 20% increase in the later weekends of the Extended Closure noting the increase in traffic towards the Highway 17 ramps. Although the increases in traffic volumes towards Highway 9 at both Santa Cruz Avenue and University are a positive trend in diverting traffic towards the Highway 9/Highway 17 ramps, the lower volumes note the need for infrastructure improvements to better facilitate traffic movements and reduce queue lengths north of Highway 9. Past project recommendations by Traffic Patterns continue to remain strong considerations including a Double Southbound Left Turn at Santa Cruz Avenue, improved traffic signal coordination along Highway 9, and on-ramp widening improvements at the Highway 9 & Highway 17 Southbound On-Ramp. To: Matt Morley Subject: Downtown Los Gatos – Santa Cruz Avenue, Highway 17 On-Ramp Extended Closure Date: November 1, 2016 Page: 5 of 7 Traffic Patterns  PO BOX 25  Danville, CA 94526  info@trafficpatterns.net  (408) 916-8141 At Highway 9 & Los Gatos Boulevard southbound through volumes towards Downtown were down an average 21% through the Extended Closure while the southbound right turn volumes towards the Highway 9 & Highway 17 ramps showed an increase of 14%. The southbound right turn movement is lower than anticipated but is also consistent with lower volumes trends in the later months; the first weekend of the Extended Closure the percent increase in southbound right turn movements was 27% while in the last weekend of the closure it was only 5% lower. Downtown Los Gatos Business District Data collection and analysis in the Downtown Business District focused on the Main Street & Santa Cruz Avenue and Main Street & University Avenue intersections. Both locations show a significant reduction in traffic from the Los Gatos Boulevard direction, average westbound through volume reduction at University Avenue of 26% consistent with lower volumes from the Highway 9 & Los Gatos Boulevard intersections. Queues along both Santa Cruz Avenue and University Avenue were also noted as significantly reduced or gone all together. The removal of traffic queues gave the Downtown Core are between Main Street and Bean Avenue a more comfortable walking experience. On-street parking in this area was noted as always fully parked during the 2-hour peak period observations with on-street parking demand nearly fully occupied north towards Bachman Avenue. Once Downtown traffic past Highway 9, moving through and parking in the Downtown was noted as significantly easier. Findings & Recommendations The Extended Closure of the Santa Cruz Avenue On-Ramp to Highway 17 Southbound showed a continued trend in use of the Lark Avenue and Highway 9 ramps, a positive trend in reducing cut- through traffic in the Town. The ramp closure remains a labor-intensive process, Traffic Patterns recommends studying alternatives to reconfigure the Santa Cruz Avenue & Wood Road intersection into a traditional round-about configuration to simplify the on-ramp closure process if the Town chooses to pursue more recurring closure alternatives. Infrastructure improvements in conjunction with active traffic signal system upgrades planned around the Town such as dynamic changeable message signs will also help to reduce the on-going operations cost of the ramp closure. Traffic Patterns  PO BOX 25  Danville, CA 94526  info@trafficpatterns.net  (408) 916-8141 EXHIBIT A 2015 Cut-Through Highway Traffic Study Recommendations No. Term Brief Description 1 Near-Term Use Southbound Hwy 85 Changeable Message Sign (CMS) at Pollard Rd to advise motorists to stay on Hwy 85 towards Hwy 17 2 Near-Term Install Freeway Travel Time equipment along both Highway 85 and Highway 17 to City of Santa Cruz to feed into CMS’s 3 Long-Term Install Cantilever CMS on Northbound Highway 85 between Bascom Avenue and Union Avenue exits 4 NOT CONSIDERED IN 2016 FOR COST Obtain Caltrans Encroachment Permit to install Portable CMS’s along freeways 5 COMPLETE Install static freeway guide signs along Winchester Blvd and Los Gatos Blvd at Lark Avenue to guide motorists towards freeway on-ramps at Lark Avenue and Highway 9 6 Immediate Supplement new static freeway guide signs along Winchester Blvd and Los Gatos Blvd with “Highway Pavement Markers” to better delineate freeway on-ramp routes 7 Immediate Initiate study for Lark Avenue improvements from Winchester Blvd to Hwy Southbound Ramps 8 Long-Term Install Blank-Out No Right Turn signs at Highway 9 & Massol Avenue and Highway 9 & Tait Avenue to restrict eastbound right turn movements into the Almond Grove neighborhood. 9 Long Study Study “Relinquishment” of Highway 9 from Caltrans to Town of Los Gatos and implement seasonal LEFT TURN ONLY restrictions for Southbound Santa Cruz Avenue traffic at Highway 9 10 Immediate Manage traffic signal timing along Los Gatos Blvd between Blossom Hill Road and Highway 9 11 COMPLETE Study Signage & Striping at Los Gatos Blvd & Highway 9 to better highlight Highway 17 on-ramps 12 Near-Term Modify traffic signals along Main Street between Santa Cruz Avenue and University Avenue to eliminate conflicting movements that impact roadway efficiency 13 Long-Term Initiate Complete Street Study to identify community-preferred improvements to promote connectivity while simultaneously deterring cut-through traffic Traffic Patterns  PO BOX 25  Danville, CA 94526  info@trafficpatterns.net  (408) 916-8141 EXHIBIT B 2016 Trial Closure Traffic Study Recommendations No. Term Brief Description 1 Near-Term Install Dynamic – Advanced Warning Message signs along Winchester Boulevard and Los Gatos Boulevard north of Lark Avenue 2 Near-Term Coordinate with Caltrans to implement Traffic Signal Timing Improvements along Highway 9 3 Long-Term Widen the Highway 17 Southbound On-Ramp at Highway 9 to help reduce Highway 9 queues 4 Long-Term Study the Winchester Boulevard & Lark Avenue intersection for Round-about Improvements 5 Near-Term Extend two Southbound Los Gatos Boulevard lanes south of Nino Avenue for capacity improvements 6 Near-Term Install Bluetooth Travel Time traffic data collection equipment as part of traffic signal upgrades around the Town to help gather travel time information and reduce data collection costs. 7 Long-Term Work with Caltrans to study a Semi-Permanent closure of the Santa Cruz Avenue – Highway 17 Southbound On-Ramp during weekends all summer long. 8 Near-Term Develop permanent partnership and press release tools to notify mobile app developers such as Google and Apple regarding planned ramp closure in Town. 9 Long-Term Work with Caltrans to study alternative configurations of the Santa Cruz Avenue & Highway 9 intersection to allow for a southbound double left turn configuration during closure periods. 10 Near-Term Work with Caltrans to make Almost Grove Resident Access Presentation permanent during weekends including closure at Massol Avenue and Tait Avenue. 11 Near-Term Develop an Economic Development Plan to increase Downtown business activity during closure periods.