Desk Item #311,
DATE:
NOVEMBER 4, 2013
TO: MAYOR AND TOWN COUNCIL
FROM: GREG LARSON, TOWN MANAGER
SUBJECT: TOWN WIDE VEHICLE SPEED SURVEY
REMARKS:
MEETING DATE: 11/04/13
ITEM NO: 3
DESK ITEM
Since the distribution of the November 4, 2013 Town Council agenda, staff received requests for
information, as responded to below.
Provide more information about why /how the streets listed were selected and how the Town
evaluates other streets not listed given that traffic patterns and behaviors can change a great
deal over 10 years.
The streets listed in the Town Code are those that do not meet the definition in the California
Vehicle Code (CVC) of a "local street or road." As defined in the CVC, a local street or road
is a facility that primarily provides access to abutting residential property and also meets the
following three conditions:
a) Roadway width of not more than 40 feet;
b) Not more than one -half of a mile of uninterrupted length; and
c) Not more than one traffic lane in each direction.
Local streets and roads that meet the CVC definition do not require a speed survey to support
the use of radar, nor are they required to have their speed limits codified. All other streets
with posted limits require both codification and a current speed survey in order for radar
speed enforcement to be used.
Streets not currently listed in the Town Code are evaluated for lower speed limits in response
to resident feedback, Police enforcement activities, or through formal neighborhood traffic
calming projects conducted consistent with the Town's adopted Neighborhood Traffic
Calming Program.
PREPARED BY: Bob Kass 8Y /lyi
Interim Director of Parks and Public Works
Reviewed by:
Town Manager S!�l Town Attorney Finance
PAGE
NOVEMBER 4, 2013
MAYOR AND TOWN COUNCIL
SUBJECT: TOWN WIDE VEHICLE SPEED SURVEY
2. On the recommendation for LG Blvd, should the 25 MPH limit continue all the way to
Blossom Hill?
The intent of the change on Los Gatos Boulevard is to provide a lower posted speed limit in
the vicinity of Van Meter Elementary and Fisher Middle schools. North of the
Shannon/Roberts Rd. signal, Los Gatos Boulevard becomes a divided multi -lane arterial and
provides a logical break -point for the change in posted speed limits.
3. Why does the speed limit on University change from 20 mph to 25 mph at Mullen? Could it
stay 20 mph the whole way?
There may be some merit to extending the 20 mph speed limit on University from Mullen to
Saratoga/Los Gatos Road (Highway 9). This will require disaggregating speed survey data
for the portion of University from Highway 9 to Mullen, as it is currently combined with
survey data for University Avenue north of Highway 9 to Blossom Hill Road. If a lower
speed limit can be supported by traffic survey data, staff will return to the Council with a
recommendation for a subsequent amendment to the Town Code for this portion of
University Avenue.