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.