Cut Through TrafficMEETING DATE: 10/07/14
ITEM NO: i
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t °y s��os COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
DATE: SEPTEMBER 29, 2014
TO: MAYOR AND TOWN COUNCIL
FROM: GREG LARSON, TOWN MANAGER
SUBJECT: RECEIVE THE STAFF REPORT ON CUT THROUGH TRAFFIC
RECOMMENDATION:
Receive the staff report on cut through traffic.
BACKGROUND:
Town streets experience periodic increases in cut through traffic due to southbound Highway 17
congestion where drivers look for alternatives that provide less delay. This is especially evident
on the day before holiday weekends, during the summer when beach traffic is at a high, and
when accidents on Highway 17 create a backup. In recent weeks, staff has actively engaged with
Caltrans to discuss opportunities to discourage cut through traffic.
DISCUSSION:
Three recent meetings have taken place on the subject which included Caltrans and Parks and
Public Works. The ideas and challenges are discussed below. A summary of the meetings
include:
September 4 — Meeting with Town staff, Caltrans, and VTA to discuss cut through traffic,
maintenance challenges, and partnership possibilities.
September 24 — West Valley Mayor and Manager's meeting where Caltrans was the invited
guest. Subjects included maintenance challenges, partnership opportunities, and cut through
traffic.
September 25 — Meeting led by the Silicon Valley Leadership Group and including Caltrans and
elected officials from Monte Sereno and Los Gatos focused specifically on cut through traffic.
PREPARED BY
Reviewed by:
MATT MORLEY
OKI
Director of Parks an Public W rkdi s�
stant Town Manager J��wn Attorney Finance
PAGE 2
MAYOR AND TOWN COUNCIL
SUBJECT: CUT THROUGH TRAFFIC
SEPTEMBER 29, 2014
DISCUSSION (cont'd):
Each of the meetings provided an opportunity to discuss the various challenges facing local
jurisdictions and to review options for addressing those challenges. Ideas include:
Closure of ramps — Some of the discussion included access modifications to the southbound
Winchester Boulevard, Lark Avenue and Highway 9 off ramps, as well as the southbound on
ramp to Highway 17 at South Santa Cruz Avenue. This idea has ties back to the initial
construction of Highway 85 where the Town's agreement with the Santa Clara County Traffic
Authority (the predecessor agency to the Valley Transportation Authority) states:
"...the TRAFFIC AUTHORITY agrees to provide an agreement between the TOWN and
CARRANS that will enable the TOWN to close the local streets at the connection to the
southbound on ramp onto Highway 17 at South Santa Cruz Avenue when Route 85 or
Highway 17 is congested. "
The final agreement with Caltrans, however, does not include the referenced provision. Current
Caltrans staff has taken a clear position that closing ramps to address traffic on local streets is not
an option Caltrans would support.
Local roadway adjustments — Several ideas around adjusting traffic flow on local roadways
garnered discussion.
Signal Timing — The Town could adjust signal timing at Town controlled intersections to slow
travel time through Town, with the idea that this would discourage cut through traffic. This
would likely affect local traffic as well.
Detours — The Town could establish detours on the impacted days with the goal of diverting
traffic off of the most travelled roads and across the Town. For example, forcing a left turn off
of southbound Winchester Avenue onto Lark Avenue and directing traffic back to Highway 17
or to Los Gatos Boulevard could dampen the appeal for cut through traffic (similar solutions
could be put in place at Blossom Hill Road). Residents would likely develop work around paths
of travel. The balance of the impact on local traffic is unknown.
Road Diets — The reduction of lanes and road widths could serve to slow traffic and reduce the
appeal of local roads to cut through traffic. Winchester Avenue south of Lark Avenue could
particularly benefit this option. The road is very wide with low posted speed limits. Reducing
the number of travel lanes could also reduce the speed of traffic. Similar to other ideas in this
section, this too would likely have broader effects on local traffic.
Reduce the use of single occupancy vehicles — Several ideas fall into the category of reducing the
number of vehicle trips along Highway 17.
Train Service — Train service once existed between Santa Cruz and Los Gatos. Re- establishing
the train service, similar to the Altamont Express, could take numerous vehicle trips off of the
road. The cost of this idea likely makes it infeasible.
PAGE
MAYOR AND TOWN COUNCIL
SUBJECT: CUT THROUGH TRAFFIC
SEPTEMBER 29, 2014
DISCUSSION(cont'd):
Highway 17 Express — The Highway 17 Express bus service has been a successful program.
Enhancement of this service drew much discussion, with several ideas generated around it. The
idea of adding a service stop in Los Gatos developed into a discussion on the need to establish a
location providing connectivity to corporate bussing systems, and eliminating the "last mile"
challenge prevalent with transportation systems. The discussion revolved around a location
easily accessible to both Highways 17 and 85. Discussion also included funding through
partnerships with large corporations whose employees might benefit.
Increase Efficiencies
Freeway Service Patrol — Look for opportunities to ensure that the Freeway Service Patrol is
stationed in a location to make it most responsive to accidents or stalls that inhibit traffic flow.
The quicker the lanes are cleared, the better overall traffic will be.
Smart Road Improvements — With a transportation focused ballot initiative likely in 2016,
opportunities may exist to increase the use of smart road improvements. These improvements
can serve to meter the flow of traffic and identify problem areas early, allowing for mitigation.
Other Ideas
Communication — Increases in communication may be possible through the use of radio station
news reports and freeway changeable message signs. Caltrans does not desire to post regular
changeable message information discouraging local street use, but could do so periodically.
Tolls — Some discussion of tolls at the on ramp at South Santa Cruz Ave garnered discussion
although feasibility and an implementation strategy were not discussed.
CONCLUSION:
Staff will continue to work with Caltrans, including efforts at building on the existing
relationship to ensure opportunities for multi- agency partnerships occur. Council input or
direction will drive the next steps in this effort.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal impact at this time. Should projects develop from these efforts, they will be
included in the annual budget process.
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