Staff ReportPREPARED BY : MATT MORLEY
Director of Parks and Public Works
Reviewed by: Assistant Town Manager Town Attorney Finance
MEETING DATE: 10 /18 /16
ITEM NO: 7
COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
DATE: OCTOBER 7 , 2016
TO: MAYOR AND TOWN COUNCIL
FROM: LAUREL PREVETTI, TOWN MANAGER
SUBJECT: RECEIVE THE REPORT O N TRAFFIC AND PARKIN G AROUND SCHOOLS
RECOMMENDATION :
Receive the report on traffic and parking around schools .
BACKGROUND :
In recognition of the significant impact of traffic around schools, the Town Council set aside $100,000
in the Town’s S pecial S tudies R eserve during the adoption of the Fiscal Year 2014/15 budget. This
money was to be used to conduct a study to evaluate a nd make recommendations specific to reducing
vehicular traffic around schools. At the January 19, 2016 Council meeting, the Town Council awarded a
contract to the consulting firm Traffic Patterns to conduct the study.
When funding was set aside, the Co uncil had asked for contribution from local schools towards the
study. With that in mind, staff reached out and received commitments from the Los Gatos Union
Elementary School District (LGUSD) in the amount of $10,000, the Los Gatos -Saratoga Union High
Sc hool District in the amount of $5,000, and from Hillbrook School in direct proportion to the number
of students enrolled in the amount of $1,070. All three are active participants in the local Safe Routes to
Schools effort and committed to impacting multi -modal transportation to and from schools.
DISCUSSION :
Key Study Elements
In beginning the study, several key elements were important for inclusion. These included the
following:
Outreach is Integral – It was important that parents, students, teacher s, administrators, and the public had
ample opportunity to provide input into the study. Efforts included information tables at school
locations at the end of the school day, evening meetings at school sites, feedback through an online
survey, and outreach through meetings of Town Commissions and the Safe Routes to Schools Coalition.
PAGE 2
MAYOR AND TOWN COUNCIL
SUBJECT: RECEIVE THE REPORT O N TRAFFIC AND PARKIN G AROUND SCHOOLS
OCTOBER 7 , 2016
DISCUSSION (cont’d):
Include All Transportation Modes – The study incorporated a look at all modes of transportation with
assessments and recommendations geared to wards improving the opportunity for all modes to interact
safely. Therefore, the study includes a look at vehicles as well as pedestrians and bicyclists (and
scooters and skateboarders).
Look at M ore than Engineering – The success of mode shifts relies h eavily on infrastructure to facilitate
alternatives. However, it is important that other elements contribute to the culture of alternative
transportation methods. The study included all five “E’s” typically associated with Safe Routes to
Schools – Engine ering, Enforcement, Education, Encouragement, and Evaluation. All of these elements
are included in the report.
Findings from the Study
Engineering - The study identified numerous potential improvements in the area of engineering, both in
the right of way and on school property. The improvements are grouped by school and identified
graphically through Concept Plan Line drawings and descri ptively with written project narrative s , cost
estimates, and “at a glance” icons depicting the mode that benefits from the improvement.
Improvements range from the basic to the more involved, with some of the ideas more visionary in
nature. This means th ey require shifts in thinking and potentially significant financial investments.
These items should be evaluated in more depth prior to implementation to ensure the impacts are
desirable.
Encouragement - Led by the distribution of Walk and Roll maps, t he ideas in this section focus on
reinforcing the importance of safety around schools. In addition to the maps, highlights to this section
include the potential for walking school buses, a possible Town -provide d busing program, and mileage
clubs (which ha ve begun with a challenge for students to log enough miles to get to Washington D.C. by
Election Day ).
Education Assessment – The LGUSD began development and implementation of a comprehensive
curriculum over the summer. The recommendation in the study in cludes course work structured to align
with the age of the students. This helps to continue reinforcement through the elementary and middle
school ages.
Enforcement – Enforcement recommendations include increased usage of newer signage types, such as
sto p signs with red LED flashing lights and more impactful flashing beacons at crosswalks. These
improvements help vehicles to understand the laws of the road as they apply to them and make the
enforcement job easier. The Los Gatos Monte Sereno Police Depar tment already embraces having a
presence in and around schools during drop off and pick up times, during the day, and on special events.
This section also recommends an examination of school zones to identify areas where it may make sense
to reduce speed limits.
PAGE 3
MAYOR AND TOWN COUNCIL
SUBJECT: RECEIVE THE REPORT O N TRAFFIC AND PARKIN G AROUND SCHOOLS
OCTOBER 7 , 2016
DISCUSSION (cont’d):
Evaluation – The use of an online survey provided for the collection of baseline data on the modes of
transportation used and most importantly, ideas for improving traffic and parking around schools.
Common themes within the comments were addressed with solutions through the study and cross
reference d in the results section following the survey data within the study.
Immediate Progress
During the course of the study, several items were identified as highly desirable and implemented while
the study was in progress.
Fisher Parking Lot Striping Improvements – The timing of t he study allowed for recommended
improvements to take place over the summer at Fisher School. These improvements allow for better
vehicular flow and safer pathways for students.
Shannon Road Striping – Coordination with the Town’s annual street resurfac ing project allowed for a
reduction in the travel lane width along Shannon Road. Narrow travel lanes cause traffic to slow and
provide additional roadside space for bicyclists and pedestrians. This is especially important on the
portion of Shannon Road w here sidewalks are limited.
Signal Timing Changes – Traffic observations identified at Roberts Road and Los Gatos Boulevard
showed extended queuing at drop off times. This was handled through changes in the timing of the
signal and resulted in immediate improvements at no cost.
Bike Rack Additions – Many elementary schools and the high school added bike racks during the
summer. The addition of bike racks helped meet some of the existing demand and, in the case of the
high school, provided for dramatic increases in the number of students riding bikes to school.
Safe Routes Curriculum – LGUSD, in collaboration with the Safe Routes to School Coalition, was able
to establish a documented curriculum for use by teachers in the classroom. The curriculum make s it
easy for teachers to draw from established lessons, resulting in an increased focus on walking and biking
to school, including safety elements. This is reinforced through events, including bicycle rodeos where
hands on efforts reinforce the lessons.
Walk and Roll Maps – The study team made a big push to complete and deliver Walk and Roll maps
prior to the start of school. This allowed for the distribution of these maps so that students and the
parents had the early encouragement to shift transportat ion modes.
CONCLUSION AND NEXT STEPS :
The study provides a significant amount of information and many areas for the Town and its partners to
target towards making change. The commitment of these partners is evident in the changes that have
been made eve n before the survey was finalized.
PAGE 4
MAYOR AND TOWN COUNCIL
SUBJECT: RECEIVE THE REPORT O N TRAFFIC AND PARKIN G AROUND SCHOOLS
OCTOBER 7 , 2016
CONCLUSION AND NEXT STEPS (cont’d):
Many of the improvements require investments by way of staff work and capital improvements. Having
these identified and described through the study provides for an opportunity t o obtain funding to achieve
them. Funding can come in the way of projects through the Town’s five year Capital Improvement
Program and the timing of this study will allow for prioritizing projects in the next budget cycle. In
addition, having the study a nd identified projects will position the Town for grant funding opportunities
as they arise. The study itself demonstrates a commitment and identified projects are often recognized
as key components during grant evaluations.
As the study reached the fi nal draft version and staff continued to make it available for comment,
additional information and ideas continued to flow. Staff has taken this input and included it as an
appendix to the study, but not attempted to address them individually. This does, however, point to the
fact that, although the study is comprehensive, it is not all inclusive.
E NVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT :
This is not a project as defined under CEQA, and no further action is required.
FISCAL IMPACT :
There is no fiscal impact from this action.
Attachment
1. Los Gatos Safe Routes to School Phase 1 Study
Los Gatos
Safe Routes to School
Phase 1
August 25, 2016
Prepared by:
Traffic Patterns – Alta Planning + Design Team
Traffic Patterns PO BOX 25 Danville, CA 94526 www.trafficpatterns.net
August 26, 2016
Matt Morley
Town of Los Gatos
41 Miles Avenue
Los Gatos, CA 95030
Subject: Los Gatos Safe Routes to School Phase 1
Project Report
The Los Gatos Safe Routes to Sch ool – Phase 1 project was devel oped and implemented during
Spring/Summer 2016. The project includes several elements aimed at helping to promote and make
bicycling and walking the preferred travel modes to school, inc luding:
Walk & Roll Maps
Walk & Roll Maps identify preferred walking and biking corridor s to each of the Town’s public
schools and are an excellent Encouragement tool to promote those travel modes.
Concept Plan Line Drawings
Concept improvement plans along several corridors in the town t hat serve schools were
developed to help plan and prioritize future Capital Improvemen t Program (CIP) projects.
Corridors studied for future Engineering improvements include: Los Gatos Boulevard‐E Main
Street, Blossom Hill Road, Shanno n Avenue, Roberts Road, and Da ves Avenue.
School Heat Maps
To help Evaluate the demand on the Town’s transportation infrastructure, Heat M aps were
developed for each school withi n the town, including Hillbrook School. These maps show the
distribution of students around the community and highlight tho se corridors which should be
prioritized for CIP improvements.
Education Assessment
An evaluation of the towns’ a nd school districts’ existing Education materials used within the
classroom environment that help promote and encourage safe bicy cle riding habits was
conducted, and recommendations fo r program improvements are pre sented.
Enforcement Evaluation
The operations assessment of locat ions identified by the Los Ga tos Police Department was
conducted to help improve Enforcement around school zones, including discussion on new
Lower Speed Limit School Zones.
The study, as noted above, was built around the Five E’s of Saf e Routes to School programs with every
program element targeted. Withi n the report there is overlap b etween sections highlighting how the
Five E’s built upon each other t o provide a cohesive program fo r the Town.
To: Matt Morley
Subject: Los Gatos – Safe Routes to School Phase 1 Study
Date: August 26, 2016
Page: 2 of 2
Traffic Patterns PO BOX 25 Danville, CA 94526 www.trafficpatterns.net
The project itself included a co alition with various public and private sector partner s within the Town of
Los Gatos including:
Town of Los Gatos
Los Gatos Unified School District
Los Gatos Saratoga Unified High School District
Hillbrook School
Los Gatos – Bicycle and Pede strian Advisory Commission
Los Gatos – Monte Sereno Safe Routes to School Coalition
Each of the coalition members pa rticipated in the development o f this project and helped to review and
refine the project and program recommendations included within this report.
The public participated in this project through an extensive Survey Monkey outreach campaign where
the proposed Walk & Ro ll Maps and Concept Pl an Line Drawings we re made available for comments.
Traditional public outreach meth ods were also provided includin g two evening community meetings
held in May at Daves Elementary School and Van Meter Elementary School. In addition, tables at each
public elementary school were set up during the “after school” period to provide parents with
information regarding the program.
The remainder of the report discusses project recommendations b y school site along with programmatic
recommendations that are specific to the Town and School Distri cts.
The project and this report were prepared by the Traffic Patter ns ‐ Alta Planning + Design Project Team.
Traffic Patterns prepared the Concept Plan Line and Operations recommendations within the report.
Alta Planning + Design led the de velopment of the Walk & Roll M aps and Education Evaluation.
Table of Contents
Traffic Patterns PO BOX 25 Danville, CA 94526 www.trafficpatterns.net
Section Page
Section 1: Engineering Analysis
Blossom Hill Elementary School 1
Daves Elementary School 9
Van Meter Elementary School 16
Alta Vista Elementary School (Union School District) 22
Fisher Middle School 28
Los Gatos High School 38
Hillbrook School (Private School) 46
Section 2: Encouragement
Walk & Roll Maps – Introduction 49
Walk & Roll Maps 51
Student Drop Off and Pick Up Zones 59
Walking and Rolling School Bus Programs 60
Mileage Club and Contests 61
Park and Walk Facilities 62
Bicycle Parking 62
City‐School Commuter Shuttle Program 63
Electric Bicycle Share for High School Students 63
On‐Campus Bicycle Rodeos 64
Town Carpool Program 64
Cocoa for Carpools 64
Golden Sneaker 64
Section 3: Education Assessment 65
Section 4: Enforcement
Adult Crossing Guards 70
Community Requested Adult Crossing Guard Locations 71
School Zones 72
Enhanced Crosswalk Facilities 73
Red LED Flash STOP Sign 74
Section 5: Survey Monkey Results ‐ Evaluation 75
Exhibits: Concept Plan Line Draw ing – Blossom Hill Road (East) 82
Concept Plan Line Drawing – Blossom Hill Road (West) 83
Concept Plan Line Drawing – Daves Avenue 84
Concept Plan Line Drawing – Roberts Road 85
Concept Plan Line Drawing – Sha nnon Road (Partially Complete) 86
Concept Plan Line Drawing – Los Gatos Boulevard/E Main Street 87
Concept Plan Line Drawing – Hilow Road 94
School Density Maps 95
Survey Monkey Raw Data Results 101
Section 1
Blossom Hill Elementary School Engineering Analysis
Los Gatos – Safe Routes to School Phase 1 Study 1.
Blossom Hill Elementary School
Blossom Hill Elementary serves the east‐central portion of the Town of Los Gatos. The school is located
on the southeast corner of Blosso m Hill Road & Cherry Blossom L ane. Immediately adjacent to the
school along its eastern peri phery is Blossom Hill Park with tr ail linkages that provi de access to Shannon
Road. A traffic signal at the co rner of Blossom Hill Road & Che rry Blossom Lane provides controlled
pedestrian access and the intersection is staffed with adult crossing guards during the morning and
afternoon school commute periods.
Like most schools within the Tow n of Los Gatos, Blossom Hill El ementary School has two dedicated drop
off/pick up zones to help distri bute traffic loads. The Blosso m Hill Road drop off zone is staffed by the
school during the school commute periods and it operates relati vely efficiently with school staff
constantly moving motorists thro ugh the drop off zones and disc ouraging dwelling and illegal parking by
parents.
Blossom Hill Elementary was moni tored twice during the study du ring both school commute periods to
inform development of the following Walk & Roll Map:
Section 1
Blossom Hill Elementary School Engineering Analysis
Los Gatos – Safe Routes to School Phase 1 Study 2.
Blossom Hill School – Roadw ay Operations Improvements
The Blossom Hill Elementary Sch ool Walk & Roll Map takes advant age of existing bicycle lanes and trails
that lend themselves well for Suggested Route to School activit ies. Several roadway operations
improvements are offered for the Town’s consideration and are i llustrated in the Concept Plan Line
drawings provided in the Exhibits section:
Blossom Hill Road Bicycle Lane Widening
Cost Estimate: $25,0000 Be nefiting Mode:
The existing bicycle lanes on Bl ossom Hill Road are currently 5 feet wide east of Los Gatos
Boulevard, including along the Blossom Hill School frontage. Th e usable pavement space in the
current configuration offers le ss than 3‐feet of ridable pavement surface because of adjacent
gutters and roadway markings. Widening the bicycle lanes to 6 f eet allows for more comfortable
bicycle lanes without impacting the adjacent vehicle travel lanes; the adjacent vehicle travel
lane can be reduced from its current 11‐feet width to 10 feet t o allow for the bicycle lane
widening.
Blossom Hill Road & Cherry Blossom Lane Intersection Improvemen ts
Cost Estimate: $650,000 Be nefiting Mode:
The Blossom Hill Road and Cherry Blossom Lane intersection is t he primary entry point to
Blossom Hill School for residen ts living north of Blossom Hill Road. The existing intersection can
be reconfigured to improve pedes trian access by removing the existing pork chop island on the
southwest corner and relocating the north‐south crosswalk sligh tly to the east of its current
position. The northwest corner r eturn can be tightened to impro ve the realigned north‐south
crosswalk and allow for more ped estrian queuing space, which is congested with students in the
morning commute periods.
Through the removal of the pork c hop island on the southwest corner the eastbound right turn
lane can be lengthened and pedestrians served through a control led crosswalk from the existing
traffic signal. A green bike lane with a dashed green conflict zone where vehicles traverse the
bicycle lane to enter the eastbound right turn lane should be p rovided.
Unfortunately, the Blossom Hill Road bicycle lane between the t wo Cherry Blossom Lane
intersection approaches cannot be introduced without additional intersection widening which
would impact school pedestrian operations. Traffic Patterns rec ommends eliminating the
westerly second north‐south cro sswalk to help simplify the inte rsection configuration.
Blossom Hill Road & Los Gatos Boulevard Intersection Improvemen ts
Cost Estimate: $500,000 Be nefiting Mode:
The Blossom Hill Road & Los Gatos Boulevard Intersection serves multiple schools including
Blossom Hill School, Fisher Middl e School, and Los Gatos High S chool. Traffic Patterns
recommends immediately implementing green bicycle lanes in the westbound approach of the
intersection along with a green bike box adjacent to the pork c hop island at that corner. Several
students on bicycles were observe d during the school commute pe riods traveling through the
intersection. Green bi c ycle facilities such as bike lanes and b ike boxes highlight their space and
make motorists aware of their presence.
Section 1
Blossom Hill Elementary School Engineering Analysis
Los Gatos – Safe Routes to School Phase 1 Study 3.
On the southwest corner, removal of the pork chop island is rec ommended to extend bicycle
lanes to the limit line of the intersection. This recommendatio n is discussed further in this report
as part of the improvements for Fisher Middle School.
Cherry Blossom Lane (North) Bicy cle Boulevard or Enhanced Bikew ay
Concept Plan Line Design Concepts
Cost Estimate: $15,000 Be nefiting Mode:
Cherry Blossom Lane north of Blo ssom Hill Road serves as a coll ector street for students walking
or bicycling to Blossom Hill School and Fisher Middle School vi a Shannon Road. The street is
already well traffic calmed with all‐way STOP signs at Cherryst one Drive and two traffic circles at
Oleander Avenue and Camellia Terrace.
The street has existing bicycle lanes, but the bicycle lanes ar e narrow to accommodate the
adjacent on‐street parking. As a result, bicyclists often ride in the vehicle travel lanes. Traffic
Patterns recommends considering classifying Cherry Blossom Lane as a bicycle boulevard or
enhanced bicycle facility as part of its current Bicycle and Pe destrian Master Plan study efforts.
Improvements can include removal of the bicycle lanes with tighter parking lanes supplemented
with greenback sharrow facilitie s to align with the existing po sitions bicyclists currently use on
the roadway. Speed humps or speed tables can further reduce veh icle speeds between the
existing intersection all‐way STOPs near the intersections of L ilac Way, Apple Blossom Lane, and
Farley Road. Typically, with bicycle boulevard designs, removal of all‐way STOPs with side‐street
two‐way STOP conversions are pre ferred to help bicyclists maint ain their momentum on the
roadway. The existing traffic ci rcles can be easily modified to mini‐roundabout facilities to
reduce vehicle speeds (with the su pplemental speed tables or speed humps) to achieve an
optimal bicycle boulevard design.
Bicycle boulevard design concepts for Cherry Blossom Lane shoul d be developed as part of the
Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Pl an (by others) to help implemen t improvements quickly with
adoption of that Plan.
Cherry Blossom Lane (South) Bic ycle Boulevard or Enhanced Bikew ay
Cost Estimate: $25,000 Be nefiting Mode:
Improvements on Cherry Blossom La ne south of Blossom Hill Road are listed separately in this
discussion to help reinforce the concept that design improvemen ts can be implemented in
phases with smaller scopes and estimated costs, but implementin g the following improvements
concurrently with those disc ussed above is encouraged.
Traffic Patterns recommends redu cing the vehicle travel lane wi dths through this portion of
Cherry Blossom Lane from 11 feet to 10 feet. The additional one foot of roadway width can be
reallocated to the bike lanes on Cherry Blossom Lane given the high volume of student bicycle
riders. Along the east side of the street adjacent to the Bloss om School and Los Gatos Fire
Station frontages, time‐of‐day parking restrictions can be impl emented to provide a wider and
more useable bicy c le facility during school commute periods.
Section 1
Blossom Hill Elementary School Engineering Analysis
Los Gatos – Safe Routes to School Phase 1 Study 4.
Blossom Hill Road & Cherrystone Drive‐Hillbrook Drive Flashing Beacon
Cost Estimate: $25,000 Be nefiting Mode:
Many residents expressed concerns regarding the operation of th e crosswalk across Blossom Hill
Road at Cherrystone Drive‐Hillbrook Drive. The existing crosswa lk has a pedestrian‐activated
flashing beacon system with sing le‐section flashing beacons and single‐section side‐mounted
flashing beacons facing each app roach of Blossom Hill Road. Res ident concerns included noting
poor visibility of the beacons due to the large tree canopies. The flashing beacons operate on a
standard one‐second on one‐s econd off flash patterns.
Traffic Patterns recommends modi fying the crossing with an addi tional beacon in the existing
median islands at the crosswalk. The new pole should include a three‐section beacon system
that includes a 12‐inch yellow amber LED, LED‐embedded crosswal k sign, and a Rectangular
Rapid Flashing Beacon (RRFB). Th e pole would be placed in the c enter section of Blossom Hill
Road that is not impeded by futu re vegetation growth. The existing beacons should be replaced
with similar rapid‐flashing beaco ns, but can be installed on th e existing pole structures to help
reduce cost.
Shannon Road & Shady View Lane Intersection Improvements
Cost Estimate: $15,000 Be nefiting Mode:
During field observations of the Shannon Road & Shady View Lane intersection it was
consistently observed that motor ists fail to yield to pedestria ns at this intersection. The
intersection operates as an all‐way STOP with only one marked c rosswalk across Shannon Rad
on the west leg of the intersection.
Traffic Patterns recommends repl acing the existing STOP signs a t the intersection with LED
Enhanced STOP signs that operate on a time‐of‐day flash pattern to coincide with the school
commute periods. The LED embedded STOP signs operate on solar‐p ower to help reduce
installation costs. Traffic Patte rns also recommends using high ‐visibility yellow crosswalk
markings with “continental” patte rns on both the west and south leg, across Shady View Lane.
In the future, a third marked crosswalk should be considered ac ross the east leg, but this will
require a new pathway or sidewalk connection along with an ADA‐compliant pedestrian ramp.
Shannon Road Resurfacing and Pathway Improvements
(Partially Complete)
Cost Estimate: $75,000 Be nefiting Mode:
Shannon Road is scheduled for pave ment resurfacing as part of t he Summer 2016 street
maintenance program. Traffic Patte rns prepared a Concept Stripi ng Plan for the Town to help
improve pedestrian and bicycle accessibility on the street that includes improvements such as
pavement widening and high‐visibility crosswalk improvements at Shannon Road at Cherry
Blossom Lane. Colored multi‐use pathways are recommended to hel p define bicycle‐pedestrian
space on the roadway as the street does not have consistent sid ewalk facilities given the rural
character of the neighborhood. The colored multi‐use pathways a re being considered for a
future phase improvement pro ject by the Town.
Section 1
Blossom Hill Elementary School Engineering Analysis
Los Gatos – Safe Routes to School Phase 1 Study 5.
Shannon Road Speed Tables
Cost Estimate: $15,000 Be nefiting Mode:
The Town currently does not have a policy that allows for the i nstallation of speed tables on
residential collector streets such as Shannon Road. Traffic Pat terns recommends that it update
its Neighborhood Traffic Calming Po licy to allow speed table in stallations. Shannon Road, with
its rural character and inconsis tent sidewalk facilities, would benefit from the use of speed
tables to help reduce vehicle speeds given that the roadway spa ce is currently shared with
vehicles, bicyclists, and pede strians at the same grade.
Shannon Road Speed Limit
Cost Estimate: $5,000 Be nefiting Mode:
Shannon Road has a posted spee d limit of 30 MPH. Traffic Patter ns notes that this speed may be
too high for the street given its rural design and shared pavem ent space with vehic les, bicyclists,
and pedestrians. With the recent street resurfacing improvement s completed over this past
summer, Traffic Patterns recomme nds that a new Engineering & Tr affic Survey be conducted for
the street to determine if the s peed can be reduced to 25 MPH. Reduced 15 or 20 MPH school
zone speed limits are also now available through state policy, and are discussed further in this
report. Shannon Road may benefit from the reduced school zone s peed limits given that the
street is used by students from Blossom Hill School and Fisher Middle School.
Cherry Blossom Lane Sight Distance Improvements
Cost Estimate: $250 Benefiting Mode:
Traffic Patterns recommends in stalling red curb along Cherry Bl ossom Lane immediately north
of Blossom Hill Road to improve si ght distance between vehicles on Blossom Hill Road to
pedestrians and bicyclists on Cherry Blossom Lane. It is common for parents to park along
Cherry Blossom Lane – north of Blossom Hill Road – and walk acr oss Blossom Hill Road by the
crossing guards to drop off stude nts at school. The dense morning parking scenario chokes
down the Cherry Blossom Lane approach at the intersection for d rivers and impacts sight
distance as a result. Removal of the first parking space on eac h side of Cherry Blossom Lane
would improve sight distance.
Section 1
Blossom Hill Elementary School Engineering Analysis
Los Gatos – Safe Routes to School Phase 1 Study 6.
Blossom Hill School – On Ca mpus Traffic Improvements
Blossom Hill Road Drop Off Zone Improvements
Cost Estimate: $1.5M B enefiting Mode:
The Blossom Hill School frontage operates as one‐way circulatio n with ingress access near the
Cherry Blossom Lane intersection and egress access from the dri veway closest to Blossom Hill
Park. The ingress acce ss was observed to be come congested durin g the AM drop off as parents
try to access the driveway from both Blossom Hill Road (right a nd left) and from Cherry Blossom
Lane. There are consistent perio ds when the driveway becomes co ngested and backs up onto
eastbound Blossom Hill Road. The school has tried to address th is congestion by encouraging
parents making a left from Blosso m Hill Road to turn into the p arking area of the parking lot, but
parents do not always respect the suggested travel route. The W alk & Roll Maps prepared for
Blossom Hill School include a sug gested vehicle travel pathway, and the westbound left turn
movement into the sch ool into the parking lot area is highlight ed to help encourage parents to
better follow this practice.
Traffic Patterns prepared the fo llowing concept plan to reconfi gure the parking lot to allow left
turn access into a reconfigured parking lot near Blossom Hill Park. This would reduce vehicle
movements at the Blossom Hill Ro ad & Cherry Blossom Lane inters ection by providing two entry
points to the school. A new dri veway near Cherry Blossom Lane would be a right turn only
driveway to help further minimize conflicts at the intersection .
Concept Driveway Reconfiguration
Blossom Hill School – Blossom Hill Road Frontage
The proposed driveway reconfigur ation does result in a signific ant loss of school parking but
adds a second student drop off zone.
Section 1
Blossom Hill Elementary School Engineering Analysis
Los Gatos – Safe Routes to School Phase 1 Study 7.
Cherry Blossom Lane Drop Off Zo ne Student Valet Operations
Cost Estimate: Staffing C osts Benefiting Mode:
The Blossom Hill Road frontage st udent drop off zone operates e xtremely well with student
valet operations supplemented with adult monitors. Traffic Patt erns recommends that a similar
student valet operation be imple mented along the Cherry Blossom Lane drop off zone to help
move vehicles forward and open d oors for students to quickly ex it vehicles.
Uniform signage for student drop off and valet areas are discus sed later in this report within the
Encouragement section of this report.
Section 1
Blossom Hill Elementary School Engineering Analysis
Los Gatos – Safe Routes to School Phase 1 Study 8.
Blossom Hill School – Student Density Map
The following Student Density M ap for Blossom Hill School shows the distribution of student population
within the Los Gatos community. This and the other School Dens ity Maps are also provided within the
exhibits section.
Blossom Hill School – Student Density Map
The Density Map highli ghts the importance of Cherry Blossom Lan e as a route to Blossom Hill School.
The recommended bicycle boulevard or enhanced bikeway study alo ng Cherry Blossom Lane would
greatly benefit the community by helping to improve the connect ion Blossom Hill School as Cherry
Blossom Lane is the primary nort h‐south corridor serving the sc hool.
Section 1
Daves Elementary School Engineering Analysis
Los Gatos – Safe Routes to School Phase 1 Study 9.
Daves Elementary School
Daves Elementary School serves th e west portion of the Los Gatos community and is located on the
corner of Daves Avenue & Poppy Lane. The school serves students from both the Los Gatos and Monte
Sereno communities. Although the school is operated by the Los Gatos Unified School District, the
surrounding streets including Daves Avenue and Poppy Lane are o perated and maintained by the City of
Monte Sereno, limiting the ability of the Town of Los Gatos to immediately implement operations
improvements around the school. The following discussions and r ecommendations were shared with
the City of Monte Sereno staff for input.
Daves Elementary School has two s tudent drop off zones: one along the Daves Avenue frontage and the
other along the Poppy Lane frontage. Both drop off zones are ac cessed via Poppy Lane from one ingress
driveway. During the school comm ute periods, parents from Daves Avenue enter the campus from the
northern Poppy Lane driveway and are allowed to only proceed straight to the Daves Avenue frontage
drop off. Parents who enter the campus from Poppy Lane driveway are forced to the Poppy Lane drop
off zone. These forced movements help to distribute traffic on the campus. The new Daves School Walk
& Roll Map highlights these vehi cle travel routes for parents.
Daves School Walk & Roll Map
Section 1
Daves Elementary School Engineering Analysis
Los Gatos – Safe Routes to School Phase 1 Study 10.
Daves School – Roadway Operations Improvements
Daves Avenue and Poppy Lane are the two main corridors serving the Daves School with all school traffic
traveling along or crossing one o f the two street s. Both street s are operated and main tained by the City
of Monte Sereno. The following roadway operations improvements are recommended and have been
shared with the City:
Daves Avenue & Poppy Lane Le ft Turn Lane Installation
Cost Estimate: $10,000 Be nefiting Mode:
The Daves Avenue & Poppy Lane intersection operates as an all‐w ay STOP. During the school
commute periods motorists informa lly create a dedicated left tu rn lane on westbound Daves
Avenue to access the Daves Avenue frontage student drop off zon e. An edge stripe on Daves
Avenue delineates a shoulder used by bicyclists.
Traffic Patterns recommends working with the City of Monte Sereno to restripe the intersection
to provide a dedicated left turn lane. This can be accomplished by creating a bicycle lane on the
north side of the street slightly narrower than the existing sh oulder and striping 10‐foot travel
lanes between the Daves School driveway and Poppy Lane; there i s no parking loss as part of
this recommendation. The bicycle lanes in this roadway section align with the informal bicycle
lanes west of Poppy Lane.
Section 1
Daves Elementary School Engineering Analysis
Los Gatos – Safe Routes to School Phase 1 Study 11.
Daves Avenue Crosswalk Improvements
Cost Estimate: $50,000 Be nefiting Mode:
The crosswalk located immediatel y in front of the school on Dav es Avenue operates as an all‐
way STOP with the school’s egress driveway at this location. Cr ossing guards control the
intersection during the school commute periods and the crosswal k is heavily utilized during
those periods. To help improve the intersection, Traffic Patterns recommends the following
improvement options:
Retrofit the all‐way STOP with LED Enhanced STOP signs to bette r highlight the control
during periods when the crossing guards is not controlling traf fic on their own.
Stripe dedicated left turn and right turn lanes on the school d riveway supplemented with a
white limit line to define the st op location for motorists at t he intersection and STOP
legends to highlight the STOP control.
Install a raised crosswalk at the intersection that also acts a s a speed control measure for
traffic that is not complying with the all‐way STOP control.
For evening, non‐school period us e, consider the installation o f a pedestrian‐scale light at
the crossing to highlight the crosswalk and STOP controls.
Poppy Lane Driveway Reconfiguration
Cost Estimate: $500,000 Be nefiting Mode:
The northern Poppy Lane school d riveway is adjacent to a crossw alk controlled by crossing
guards during the school commute periods. Reconfiguring the dri veway to provide two
driveways, one north and one south of the crosswalk, would help to reduce vehicle cross traffic
at the crosswalk and reinforce th e school’s existing vehicle tr affic circulation routes. Although
this is a Daves School on‐campus improvement, it is also listed in the Roadway Operations
Improvements section to highlight the required street improveme nts coordination with the City
of Monte Sereno.
Daves Avenue & Kavin Lane Intersection Improvements
Cost Estimate: $10,000 Be nefiting Mode:
The Daves Avenue & Kavin Lane intersection operates as two‐way STOP control intersection on
the Kavin Lane approaches only an d no marked crosswalks are cur rently provided for
pedestrians across Daves Avenue. During the school commute peri ods the intersection and
Kavin Lane approaches experience traffic increases as parents p ark near the intersection to pick
up and drop off students. Traffic Patterns recommends installin g an all‐way STOP control at the
intersection and providing at lea st one marked crosswalk across Daves Avenue on the east leg,
as the northeast corner of the i ntersection is already retrofit ted with pedestrian ramps.
The new Walk & Roll Maps for Dave s School highlights Kavin Lane as a Suggested Walking and
Bicycling route, so improving the intersection will further enc ourage use of the suggested route.
Section 1
Daves Elementary School Engineering Analysis
Los Gatos – Safe Routes to School Phase 1 Study 12.
Poppy Lane Right Turn Lane Improvements
Cost Estimate: $10,000 + Staffing Costs Benefiting Mode:
The Poppy Lane student drop off zone is a popular facility used by parents accessing Daves
School from south of Vista Avenue . Traffic queues to the drop off zone can extend beyond Vista
Avenue, pushing northbound traffi c on Poppy Lane onto opposing southbound traffic near the
school driveway.
Traffic Patterns recommends crea ting a “time‐of‐day” dedicated right turn lane on northbound
Poppy Lane to help serve the school. The time‐of‐day restrictio n during school hours would limit
on‐street parking loss for the ne ighborhood, as the right turn lane would be positioned in the
existing parking lane. To further help reduce queuing on Poppy Lane, Traffic Patterns
recommends that the school impleme nt a student valet program with adult monitors at least on
Poppy Lane to discourage parking in the drop off zone and to ke ep traffic moving by having
students open and close doors fo r students to quickly enter and exit vehicles.
The Poppy Lane right turn lane co nfiguration is shown in the Da ves School Concept Plan in the
exhibits section of this report.
Daves Avenue Enhanced Bikeway Concept Plan
Cost Estimate: $7,500 Be nefiting Mode:
There are no designated bicycle lanes on Daves Avenue. Bicyclis ts can use the shoulder parking
aisle, but there are no parking restrictions so bicyclists are forced into the travel lane when
parked cars are present.
Traffic Patterns recommends deve loping Concept Plan Line drawin gs for Daves Avenue as part
of the active Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan to consider al ternative roadway configurations.
As the parking is critical to neighborhood operations, striping the parking lane with a standard 4‐
inch white line (versus a 6‐inch bike lane white line) will red uce confusion regarding bicycle
facility operations. Greenback s harrows can be provided on Dave s Avenue to highlight the
shared bicycle and vehicle roadway operation. Students will nat urally travel back into the bicycle
lanes if they are not comfortabl e within the travel lane. To fu rther improve student bicycle
safety, the addition of speed ta bles or speed humps on Daves Av enue would reduce vehicle
speeds providing a more comfortab le riding experience for stude nt bicyclists. This type of facility
would create the foundation of a bicycle boulevard or enhanced bikeway facility along Daves
Avenue.
Poppy Lane Enhanced Bikeway
Cost Estimate: $250,000 Be nefiting Mode:
Student bicycle and pedestrian tr affic on Poppy Lane has direct access to a dedicated widened
sidewalk facility on the school c ampus near the Poppy Lane egre ss driveway. Student bicyclists
approaching the driveway at times find themselves in conflict w ith the vehicle queues trying to
access the Poppy Lane campus driveways.
Traffic Patterns recommends wide ning the sidewalk on Poppy Lane between the campus facility
driveway and the egress campus driveway to provide students wit h a dedicated two‐way multi‐
use facility to feed directly onto the school campus. Extendin g the two‐way multi‐use facility to
Vista Avenue would be preferred if the City of Monte Sereno can partner with the private
property residents on the northeast corner of Poppy Lane & Vist a Avenue to secure right‐of‐way
for the installation of the facility.
Section 1
Daves Elementary School Engineering Analysis
Los Gatos – Safe Routes to School Phase 1 Study 13.
Winchester Boulevard – Enhanced Bikeway Concept
Cost Estimate: $10,000 Be nefiting Mode:
Bicycle lanes are provided on se gments of Winchester Boulevard, but a continuous bicycle lane
does not exist through the Town of Los Gatos. Few students were observed bicycling on
Winchester Boulevard to Daves Av enue and parents noted concerns regarding allowing their
students to ride on the street bec ause of its major arterial fe el. The number of travel lanes on
Winchester Boulevard varies from one lane in each travel direct ion to two lanes in each travel
direction depending on the roadway segment.
Traffic Patterns recommends deve loping Concept Plan Line drawings for Winchester Boulevard
as part of the active Bicycle an d Pedestrian Mas ter Plan to inform future CIP projects. Buffered
bicycle lanes or separated bikeways may fit the corridor well a nd provide increased comfort to
encourage student bicycling. Multi‐use pathways should also be considered, to provide space
for pedestrians.
Highway 9 & Massol Enhanced Crosswalk Improvements
Cost Estimate: $30,000 Be nefiting Mode:
Students traveling to Daves School from the Almond Grove Neighb orhood must cross Highway 9
at Massol Avenue, the only marked crosswalk facility west of Sa nta Cruz Avenue. The Town has
implemented various improvements at the crossing in recent year s, including the installation of
pedestrian‐activated flashing be acons, but parents continue to express concerns regarding this
crossing.
Although the recent flashing beacon systems are a step in the r ight direction, Traffic Patterns
recommends the use of three‐sectio n high‐intensity beacon syste ms that can be easily modified
to work with the existing poles to reduce implementation cost. Solar‐powered three‐section
systems can include an LED embe dded crosswalk sign, and a Recta ngular Rapid Flashing Beacon
(RRFB). The three elements toget her provide a continuous warnin g to motorists regarding
pedestrian activity when the beacon is activated.
Section 1
Daves Elementary School Engineering Analysis
Los Gatos – Safe Routes to School Phase 1 Study 14.
Daves School – On Campus Traffic Improvements
Daves School traffic circulation works well with its dedicated Poppy Lane and Daves Avenue drop off
zones. The improvements discussed in the previous section may h elp to further improve traffic
operations with the on‐street imp rovements and driveway improve ments on Poppy Lane. The following
additional improvements are for the consideration of the Los Ga tos Unified School District:
Drop Off and Pass Line Delineation
Cost Estimate: $2,500 Be nefiting Mode:
The Daves Avenue Concept Plan Line drawings in the previous section show new pass lane and
drop off delineation for each of the school’s drop off zones. T hese improvements were prepared
for each of the schools in the project study area and help to r einforce traffic operations on the
campus.
Bicycle Parking Expansion (Complete)
Cost Estimate: $5,000 Be nefiting Mode:
The Daves School administration and staff noted planned expansi on of bicycle parking on the
campus over summer 2016. These improvements are documented with in this report to highlight
the school’s active bicycle parking program. The expanded bicyc le parking is located adjacent to
the Poppy Lane school entry.
Daves Avenue Drive way Improvements
Cost Estimate: $50,000 Be nefiting Mode:
Improvements to the Daves Avenue egress driveway were discussed in the previous section and
are highlighted here again as the improvements are on‐campus. T raffic Patterns recommends
striping the driveway with dedic ated left and right turn lanes and supplementing the existing
STOP sign with a second STOP sign on the left side of the drive way, adding white limit lines
before the sidewalk, and STOP legends to reinforce the STOP.
Poppy Lane – School Loading Dock Access Restrictions
Cost Estimate: $2,500 Be nefiting Mode:
Traffic Patterns observed and mu ltiple parents noted concerns r egarding parents using the
schools loading dock driveway as an informal drop off zone. The additional vehicle movements
can cause conflict with the high volume of pedestrian and bicyc le traffic traveling along Poppy
Lane in the narrow sidewalk. Traffic Patterns recommends chaini ng off the driveway each day
during school hours to discourage use of the facility for passe nger loading activities.
Section 1
Daves Elementary School Engineering Analysis
Los Gatos – Safe Routes to School Phase 1 Study 15.
Daves School – Student Density Map
The following Student Density Map for Daves School shows the di stribution of student population within
the Los Gatos community.
The Density Map highlights the n eed to further improve the crossing at Highway 9 and Massol Avenue,
and to implement other recommende d improvements along Poppy Lan e as all pedestrian and bicycle
traffic must travel along these streets to access the Daves Sch ool from the south. North of Daves
Avenue, Kavin Avenue and Winches ter Boulevard are the obvious corridors to travel to Daves School,
but these routes currently lack continuous bicycle and pedestri an facilities. The recommended
improvements in the prior section will help to encourage these travel modes.
Section 1
Van Meter Elementary School Engineering Analysis
Los Gatos – Safe Routes to School Phase 1 Study 16.
Van Meter Elementary School
Van Meter School is located in the central area of Los Gatos ad jacent to Fisher Middle School. The
school has access and drop off zo nes along the Los Gatos Boulev ard and Shannon Road frontages. Bell
schedules with Fisher Middle Sc hool are staggered to help minim ize traffic congestion, but it is common
to find student traffic from both schools interacting with one another during their commutes. Along Los
Gatos Boulevard, the vehicle commute towards Van Meter School c an be overwhelming for parents as
school and regional commute traffic meet on Los Gatos Boulevard , emphasizing the importance of
promoting active travel modes to Van Meter Elementary and Fishe r Middle School. Many of the traffic
operations improvements in the s ubsequent sections will benefit both schools given their proximity.
The following Van Meter School Walk & Roll Map highlights how i mportant Los Gatos Boulevard is as a
connector to the school. Addition al Los Gatos Boulevard and Eas t Main Street improvements are
discussed later in this report a s part of traffic operations im provements for Los Gatos High School, which
will also support Van Meter School.
Section 1
Van Meter Elementary School Engineering Analysis
Los Gatos – Safe Routes to School Phase 1 Study 17.
Van Meter School – Roadway Operations Improvements
Van Meter School benefits from e xisting bicycle lanes along Los Gatos Boulevard, but many younger
students were observed riding on the sidewalk alongside their parents. Adult crossing guards are well
positioned around the campus at Lo s Gatos Boulevard & Nino Aven ue, and at Nino Avenue & Fisher
Avenue.
Students benefit from well‐positi oned school access points alon g Los Gatos Boulevard and Nino Avenue
frontages, and an almost even di stribution of students at both entry points was observed. The Los Gatos
Boulevard & Nino Avenue intersect ion operates with a pedestrian scramble phase for additional safety
benefits for students although t his does cause traffic congesti on along Los Gatos Boulevard. Mitigation
measures are discussed below.
Los Gatos Boulevard Capacity Improvements
Cost Estimate: $30,000 Be nefiting Mode:
Los Gatos Boulevard north of B lossom Hill Road has three travel lanes in each direction. South of
Blossom Hill Road, the street transitions to two travel lanes in each direction. Southbound, the
street narrows to one lane immediately south of Mitchell Avenue while in the northbound
direction the road widens to two travel lanes approaching Nino Avenue. The narrowing in the
southbound direction approaching Van Meter School results in ex tensive queues during the
morning school commute which can extend to Roberts Road‐Shannon Road. The southbound
narrowing is also noted to impact commuter traffic – specifical ly on summer weekends –
causing delays being studied sep arately by the Town. Approachin g Nino Avenue, Los Gatos
Boulevard has excessive roadway space in the form of an oversiz ed right turn lane to Nino
Avenue with wider‐than‐normal parking aisles that are not well utilized today.
Traffic Patterns recommends incr easing the roadway capacity on Los Gatos Boulevard by
continuing the two southbound lanes past Nino Avenue. A dedicat ed right turn lane to Nino
Avenue and all existing parking can be maintained as part of th e capacity increase. The merge
would be moved south of Nino Aven ue, which in the morning moves at a slower pace because
of the extended vehicle delays from the all‐pedestrian traffic signal interval.
The southbound Los Gatos Boulevard capacity extension would also provide a better alignment
of the green bicycle lane and introduce a dedicated right turn lane into the Van Meter School
campus.
An additional capacity option includes the extension of the nor thbound left turn lane at Los
Gatos Boulevard & Nino Avenue. The Town recently installed a ne w landscaped median in this
area, but the needed storage for t urning vehicles often extends beyond its storage length,
impacting the northbound appr oach for through traffic.
These improvements are illustrat ed in the following diagram and also in the exhibits section of
this report.
Section 1
Van Meter Elementary School Engineering Analysis
Los Gatos – Safe Routes to School Phase 1 Study 18.
Los Gatos Boulevard & Nino Avenue
Concept Capacity Improvements
Los Gatos Boulevard Frontage – Driveway Circulation
Cost Estimate: $500,000 Be nefiting Mode:
The Van Meter School frontage cu rrently operates as a one‐way, counter clockwise circulation
with all traffic entering from th e north and exiting on the sou th end of the campus. Parents
driving students to school must ma ke a U‐turn at the Los Gatos Boulevard & Nino Avenue
intersection to access the school’s northern driveway. Motorist s do experience longer queues
and delays at times with the add itional Roberts Middle School traffic and the pedestrian
scramble phase at the traffic signal, but the pedestrian scramb le phase provides a significant
safety benefit for students and Traffic Patterns recommends ret aining that feature for the
community.
The above Los Gatos Boulevard & Nino Avenue diagram shows a con cept of creating two new
driveways on Los Gatos Boulevard for the school to allow parent s driving from south of the
school to enter the campus ahead of the Los Gatos Boulevard & N ino Avenue intersection. Los
Gatos Boulevard retains its curre nt one‐lane configuration, mak ing the left turn an easy
movement for motorists. An additional student loading zone is s hown on the campus that would
require additional adult supervis ion. Parents that entered from the south in the new driveway
would exit in a second new drivew ay with a “right turn only” mo vement, helping to reduce
queues within the driveway. The pedestrian scramble phase suppo rts this new driveway concept
because it creates a gap in onco ming traffic, helping to reduce queuing in the exit driveway.
Los Gatos Boulevard – Northbound Buffered Bicycle Lanes
Cost Estimate: $250,000 Be nefiting Mode:
Traffic Patterns recommends desi gnating Los Gatos Boulevard as an enhanced bikeway facility
as part of its Bicycle and Pedest rian Master Plan update so tha t additional safety‐focused design
concepts for Los Gatos Boulevard can be introduced. For example , buffered bicycle lanes would
provide space between vehicles an d bicyclists and improve bicyc list safety. The Los Gatos
Boulevard Concept Plan Line drawings provided in the exhibit in clude operations
recommendations from Blossom Hill Road to Los Gatos High School . An excerpt of the Los Gatos
Boulevard Buffered Bicycle Lane c oncept is shown in the Los Gat os Boulevard & Nino Avenue
diagram above. Green bicycle lan es approaching Van Meter School should be retained, but
buffered elements cannot be provided without parking loss and t herefore are not
recommended for implementation at this time.
Section 1
Van Meter Elementary School Engineering Analysis
Los Gatos – Safe Routes to School Phase 1 Study 19.
Van Meter School
Nino Avenue Frontage Improvements
Fisher Avenue & Nino Avenue I ntersection Improvements
Cost Estimate: See Co st Breakdown Below
The Fisher Avenue & Nino Avenue i ntersection is one of the busi est intersections throughout the
entire Town of Los Gatos during the school commute periods, wit h students from both Van
Meter Elementary and Fisher Middl e School crossing paths at this location. The intersection also
serves as the entry point to the Van Meter School – Nino Avenue frontage student drop‐off
zone. Traffic Patterns recommend s several improvements at this intersection including:
Installation of a Raised Crosswalk
Cost Estimate: $50,000 Be nefiting Mode:
A raised crosswalk at this location allows pedestrians to cross the street at a continuous
grade from sidewalk to sidewalk of the intersection. The raised crosswalk also serves to
reduce vehicle speeds for vehicl es traveling across the crosswalk on Nino Avenue.
LED Enhanced STOP Signs
Cost Estimate: $7,500 Be nefiting Mode:
Installation of LED Enhanced STO P signs that flash during the s chool commute periods will
help to reinforce the all‐way ST OP controls of the intersection s. Traffic Patterns observed
multiple motorists failing to com ply with the all‐way STOP to t urn onto Fisher Avenue
towards Fisher Middle School.
Van Meter School Pathway Widening
Cost Estimate: $20,000 Be nefiting Mode:
A narrow sidewalk and pathway receives students from the adjacent Fisher Avenue & Nino
Avenue intersection crossing, bu t the pathway cannot accommodat e the volume of students
entering Van Meter School. As a result, students were observed walking in the driveway
adjacent to vehicles. Widening of the pathway to 10 feet is rec ommended.
Section 1
Van Meter Elementary School Engineering Analysis
Los Gatos – Safe Routes to School Phase 1 Study 20.
Egress Nino Avenue Driveway – Sight Distance Improvements
Cost Estimate: $1,500 Be nefiting Mode:
Vehicles parked along the Van Meter School Nino Avenue frontage created visibility challenges
between motorists. Traffic Patte rns recommends either permanent red curb restrictions
between the driveway or time‐of‐day parking restrictions during school hours so that parking
can be maintained for resident s during evenings and weekends.
Van Meter School ‐ On‐Campus Traffic Improvements
Van Meter School was noted as having some of the busiest parking lots and sidewalk activity because of
the Los Gatos Unified School Dis trict elementary schools. The o ff‐campus traffic improvements would
greatly benefit the school commute, but additional on‐campus im provements were noted and
documented within this section:
Egress Nino Avenue Driveway – Student Pathway Relocation
Cost Estimate: $2,500 Be nefiting Mode:
Three driveways serve Van Meter School. The western driveway ne ar Fisher Avenue is the single
ingress driveway to teacher park ing and student drop‐off zones. The two additional driveways
serve as egress driveways. The c enter driveway serves parents leaving the student drop‐off
zone. The third driveway serves teachers in the “teacher only” parking lot of the school.
The center driveway has a stripe d pedestrian pathway from the a djacent sidewalk that guides
students onto the campus. The pathway currently guides pedestri ans across traffic that is
leaving the student drop off zo ne and causes parents and studen ts to interact twice with
vehicles: once crossing the driveway and again crossing the parking lot. Traffic Patterns
recommends relocating the pathway to the east side of the drive way to eliminate any
pedestrian‐vehicle interaction.
Teacher Egress Nino Avenue Driv eway – New Pedestrian Pathway
Cost Estimate: $20,000 Be nefiting Mode:
The teacher‐only egress driveway on Nino Avenue sees little veh icle traffic during the school
commute. The driveway is adjacent to the Van Meter School Multi ‐Purpose Room (MPR) and
multiple parents were observed cutting through the driveway and parking lot to an access gate
to the school. Traffic Patterns recommends constructing a new p athway or sidewalk from the
Nino Avenue sidewalk to the MPR access gate. This would further reduce pedestrian‐vehicle
interaction at the center egre ss driveway on Nino Avenue and pr ovide more direct access onto
the campus for students and parents.
Drop Off and Pass Line Delineation
Cost Estimate: $2,500 Benefiting Mode:
The Van Meter – Nino Avenue Conce pt Plan Line drawings in the p revious section show new
pass lane and drop off delineatio n for each of the school’s dro p off zones. These improvements
were prepared for each of the schools in the project study area and help to reinforce traffic
operations on the campus.
Section 1
Van Meter Elementary School Engineering Analysis
Los Gatos – Safe Routes to School Phase 1 Study 21.
Van Meter School – Student Density Map
The following Student Density Map for Van Meter School shows th e distribution of student population
within the Los Gatos community.
The density map highlights the wi de distribution of the student population at Van M eter School. From
both north and south, many stud ents access the school along Los Gatos Boulevard. The proposed
capacity improvements in the sou thbound direction of Los Gatos Boulevard will help parents access the
school and the proposed driveway circulation changes on the Los Gatos Boulevard frontage of the
school will help to reduce conge stion at the Los Gatos Boulevar d & Nino Avenue intersection where all
school traffic currently meet.
Section 1
Alta Vista Elementary School Engineering Analysis
Los Gatos – Safe Routes to School Phase 1 Study 22.
Alta Vista Elementary School
Alta Vista Elementary School is operated by the Union School Di strict in San José but the school serves
the northeast portion of the Los Gatos community. A focused Saf e Routes to Sch ool assessment was
conducted and a DRAFT Walk & Ro ll Map prepared and shared with the school administrators and City
of San José – Department of Tran sportation staff. The City of S an José requested that the Walk & Roll
Map remain in draft form so that they could build upon the stud y in the future. No input was received to
the Walk & Roll Map from the Alta Vista School administrators.
At the request of the City of San José, the Walk & Roll Map onl y highlights suggested routes within the
public right‐of‐way of the Town of Los Gatos and immediate scho ol frontage. The map highlights the
critical link created by the Cr eek Trail Bridge at Camino Del C erro. At Westchester Drive & Blossom
Valley Road the majority of the Los Gatos community meet to acc ess the school. Blo ssom Glen Way is an
excellent alternative entry point to the school for Los Gatos r esidents, but it currently underutilized as
an access point. Traffic operatio ns improvements to help change that are discussed in the following
section.
Section 1
Alta Vista Elementary School Engineering Analysis
Los Gatos – Safe Routes to School Phase 1 Study 23.
Alta Vista School – Traffic Operations Improvements
Only traffic operations improvements within the Town of Los Gat os right‐of‐way are discussed in this
section. It should also be noted that Alta Vista School is the only school for which the Traffic Patterns
team did not conduct parent outreach during the afternoon schoo l pick‐up. The following traffic
operations recommendations were made available online through a Survey Monkey survey and some
community input received through that outreach method. Traffic Patterns recommends that the Town
of Los Gatos continue to coordinate with the City of San José a nd Alta Vista School administrators so
that these and other traffic operations improvements can be ide ntified and considered.
Westchester Drive & Blossom Vall ey Drive Intersection Improveme nts
Cost Estimate: See Cost Breakdown Below
The Westchester Drive & Blossom Valley Drive intersection is lo cated at the west end of the Alta
Vista campus and is the primary intersection through which all Los Gatos residents access the
school. The following traffic ope rations improvements are recom mended:
Blossom Valley Drive
Section 1
Alta Vista Elementary School Engineering Analysis
Los Gatos – Safe Routes to School Phase 1 Study 24.
Pedestrian Ramp Installation and Catch Basin Relocation
Cost Estimate: $100,000 Be nefiting Mode:
One crosswalk across Westchester Drive is marked on the south l eg of the intersection. An
ADA accessible pedestrian ramp on the west side of the crosswal k is missing due to a
conflict with an existing catch basin and streetlight. Traffic Patterns recommends relocating
the catch basin and streetlight to accommodate a new ADA‐access ible pedestrian ramp. The
crossing is adjacent to a privat e residence driveway, but drive ways should not be used as
pedestrian ramps.
High‐Visibility Crosswalk Markings
Cost Estimate: $5,000 Be nefiting Mode:
The existing standard transverse crosswalks at the intersection are faded and cracked due to
poor pavement condition on the st reet. Traffic Patterns recomme nds installing high‐visibility
continental crosswalk markings t o highlight the adult crossing guard‐controlled intersection.
LED Enhanced STOP Sign
Cost Estimate: $7,500 Benefiting Mode:
The intersection currently opera tes as an all‐way STOP with adu lt crossing guard supervision
during the school commute periods . As all motorists must curren tly traverse through the
intersection to gain access to the school’s frontage and studen t drop‐off zone the use of
time‐of‐day LED Enhanced STOP signs would highlight the STOP controls of the intersection
and assist adult crossing guard operations.
Blossom Valley Drive Student Passenger Loading Zone
Cost Estimate: $5,000 Be nefiting Mode:
Blossom Valley Drive currently has inconsistent white curb and passenger loading zone signs
along the school frontage. Since the west parking lot is closed to parents for "teacher only”
parking, additional demand for o n school frontage parking resul ts. Traffic Patterns recommends
striping consistent white curb and installing consistent “passe nger loading zone” signage along
the school frontage.
Bicycle Boulevard or Enhanced Bike Route Operations
Cost Estimate: $0 Benefiting Mode:
Traffic Patterns recommends that as part of the active Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan that
the following street segments be c onsidered for Bicycle Bouleva rd or other en hancements to
help Alta Vista School:
Camino Del Cerro
Westchester Drive
Blossom Glen Way
Section 1
Alta Vista Elementary School Engineering Analysis
Los Gatos – Safe Routes to School Phase 1 Study 25.
Blossom Glen Way Student Passenger Loading Zone
Cost Estimate: $7,500 Benefiting Mode:
Blossom Glenn Way has two access gates located on each end of t he school’s fields that front
the street. Informal loading zon e activities occur mostly near the western gate adjacent to Craig
Way. Formalizing and promoting th e use of Blossom Glen Way as a n alternative student drop‐off
zone would help alleviate traffi c demand and congestion on Blos som Valley Drive. Traffic
Patterns recommends continuing d iscussions with t he Alta Vista School administrators to
consider and implement a passenger loading zone.
The Blossom Glen Way & Dover Street intersection currently operates as two‐way STOP on
Dover Street. If the passenger l oading zone recommendations fo r Blossom Glen Way were to be
implemented, further safety impro vements along Blossom Glen Way should be considered
including the following:
All‐Way STOP at Blossom Glen Way & Dover Street
Cost Estimate: $7,500 Benefiting Mode:
Introduction of an all‐way STOP at Blossom Glen Way & Dover Str eet would help to meter
traffic to/from the Blossom Glen Way loading. Traffic Patterns staff spoke to the home
owner living on the southwest cor ner of the intersection who sa id that the all‐way STOP
would be welcome improvement for her household.
High‐Visibility Crosswalk Markings
Cost Estimate: $5,000 Benefiting Mode:
High visibility crosswalk markings would highlight pedestrian a ctivity at the intersection and
guide pedestrians to the interse ction to reduce mid‐block cross ings at the western school
gate.
Blossom Glen Way
Do
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Section 1
Alta Vista Elementary School Engineering Analysis
Los Gatos – Safe Routes to School Phase 1 Study 26.
Alta Vista ‐ On Campus Traffic Improvements
The Alta Vista staff implement various traffic control measures during the school commute periods,
including the installation of traffic controls to restrict left turns into the campus a nd to force right turn
movements out of the campus. Thes e traffic control measures wor k well to enforce consistent traffic
patterns around the school campus . The following on‐campus impr ovements are recommended for
consideration by the school:
Drop Off and Pass Lane Delineation
Cost Estimate: $2,500 Benefiting Mode:
The Alta Vista Concept Plan Line drawings below shows suggested pass lane and drop off
delineation at the school’s pr imary student drop‐off zone. Sample of the passenger loading zone
and valet drop off sign age are also shown.
Egress Driveway Turn Lane Delineation
Cost Estimate: $2,500 Benefiting Mode:
The Alta Vista Concept Plan Line drawing below also suggests st riping of turn lane and STOP
delineation at the school driveway. When the turn restrictions on Blossom Valley Drive are in
place, additional traffic cones can be used to narrow the drive way approach into a striped right
turn only lane.
BlossomValleyDrive
Alta
Vista
School
Section 1
Alta Vista Elementary Sch ool Engineering Analysis
Los Gatos – Safe Routes to School Phase 1 Study 27.
Alta Vista School – Student Density Map
Alta Vista School is operated and maintained by the Union Schoo l District in the City of San José, so no
student population data was ava ilable to the Traffic Patterns team for development of a Student Density
Map. As the Town of Lo s Gatos, Union School District, and City of San José staff move forward on the
Safe Routes to School program for Alta Vista School, use of a S tudent Density Map may help to validate
suggested traffic operations i mprovements for the school.
Section 1
Fisher Middle School Engineering Analysis
Los Gatos – Safe Routes to School Phase 1 Study 28.
Fisher Middle School
Fisher Middle School is the only middle school within the Los G atos Unified School Di strict. The school is
located centrally within the Town adjacent to Van Meter Element ary School. The im mediate streets
fronting the school include Rober ts Road and Fisher Avenue, but the primary vehicle routes serving the
school include Blossom Hill Road and Los Gatos Boulevard. Shann on Road shares a strong bond with
Fisher Middle School as a prefe rred walking and bicycling route for students. The corridor received much
need street resurfacing and widening improvements over summer 2 016 that will benefit Fisher School
students and families.
The following Fisher School Walk & Roll Map and subsequent reco mmended traffic operations
improvements aim to improve tra ffic circulation around the campus. As Fisher School is the primary
middle school for almost all of Lo s Gatos, striking a balance b etween vehicle and walking/biking demand
is critical to reduce tr affic around the school.
Section 1
Fisher Middle School Engineering Analysis
Los Gatos – Safe Routes to School Phase 1 Study 29.
Fisher Middle School – Traffic Operations Improvements
The Fisher School Walk & Roll Map highlights a number of reside ntial and minor arte rial streets that
students use to walk or bike to s chool. Many of the routes over lap with Walk & Roll routes for other
schools such as Blosso m Hill Elementary School (Shannon Road an d Cherry Blossom Lane), Van Meter
Elementary School (Los Gatos Bo ulevard, Roberts Road, and Nino Avenue), and Los Gatos High School
(Los Gatos Boulevard). The follo wing traffic operations improve ments aim to balance the existing
roadways to accommodate multiple travel modes:
Blossom Hill Road Enhanced Bikeway
Cost Estimate: $75,000 Benefiting Mode:
Traffic Patterns recommends that, as part of the active Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan,
Blossom Hill Road between Roberts Road and Los Gatos Boulevard be considered for enhanced
bikeway treatments to better dis tribute the existing roadway sp ace. The street is currently
configured as a four‐lane roadwa y with parking on the north sid e to serve the multi‐family
housing units on that side of th e street. Bicycle lanes on Blos som Hill are narrow in this section
and place bicyclists a djacent to vehicles.
The following concept plan line drawing proposes a lane reducti on on Blossom Hill Road from 4‐
lanes to 3‐lanes with a center two‐way left turn lane that will benefit both residences on the
north side of the street and com mercial land uses on the south side of the street. The additional
roadway space can be used to pro vide buffered bicycle lanes tha t buffer the bike lanes from
both parking and vehicle travel lanes. The green bicycle lanes that currently exist at Roberts
Road are further enhanced through widening and realignment across the Roberts Road
intersection.
West of Roberts Road, installati on of a new dedicated right tur n lane to Roberts Road is
recommended. Motorists already i nformally position themselves i n the green bike lane to make
the turn, which blocks access to the bike lane. Traffic Pattern s notes that most student bicyclists
were observed on the sidewalk al ready but that may be due to th e fact that the bike lane is
blocked rather than a preference . The drawing above proposes a widening of the sidewalk
adjacent to the right turn lane to accommodate student bicycle use. A pedestrian connector on
the hillside is also shown in t he drawing and is discussed furt her in this section (not included in
cost estimate).
Section 1
Fisher Middle School Engineering Analysis
Los Gatos – Safe Routes to School Phase 1 Study 30.
Blossom Hill Road & Robe rts Road Improvements
Cost Estimate: See Cost Breakdown Below.
The Blossom Hill Road & Roberts R oad intersection is signalized , and an adult crossing guard
helps to manage the intersection during the school commute peri ods. Traffic Patterns
recommends the following intersection modifications:
Minor Traffic Signal Modificatio n to Accessible Pedestrian Sign als
Cost Estimate: $20,000 Benefiting Mode:
During multiple observations at the intersection, pedestrians w aiting to cross from the north
side of Blossom Hill towards Fisher School were noted to not pu sh the pedestrian push
button to request a WALK indication. Students were observed str anded for extended
periods of time until a pedestri an did push the button. Althoug h the intersection does have
an adult crossing guard, the guard was not always present at th e intersection.
The use of an Accessible Pedestrian Signal (APS) provides an au dible queue to help bring
awareness to the push button to receive demand. The use of APS signals is now a standard
required by the Manual on Uniform Traffic Signal Controls Devic es (MUTCD) as part of major
modifications or new signal installations. An APS at this inter section may help to encourage
use of the pedestrian push button. An alternative can be to add a second push button at the
intersection located closer to t he private driveway on the nort h leg where pedestrians
typically queue while waiting for a WALK indication.
Enhanced Crosswalk Markings across Roberts Road
Cost Estimate: $2,500 Benefiting Mode:
The intersection already has high‐visibility continental crossw alks across Blossom Hill Road,
but the Roberts Road crosswalk ha s equal demand during the scho ol commute. The high‐
visibility yellow crosswalk acro ss Roberts Road should also inc lude an advance yield line to
push vehicles back about 5 feet to provide a buffer between veh icles, pedestrians, and the
required school assembly signage.
Robert Road – Fisher School Frontage Improvements
Cost Estimate: See Cost Breakdown Below
Roberts Road includes a student d rop‐off zone midblock between Blossom Hill Road and Roberts
Road. This drop‐off is popular w ith parents driving from Blosso m Hill Road as students can enter
immediately to the campus at this location. The student drop‐of f zone currently operates
inefficiently and the following o perations modifications are of fered to help improve traffic flow
on Roberts Road. Some of the suggestions have already been pres ented to and implemented by
Town staff, but are still document ed within this section for th e benefit of the Town Council and
community.
Section 1
Fisher Middle School Engineering Analysis
Los Gatos – Safe Routes to School Phase 1 Study 31.
Dedicated Right Turn Lane to Roberts Road Drop‐Off Zone
Cost Estimate: $15,000 Benefiting Mode:
Because of the popularity of the Roberts Road Student drop off zone, it is common for
queues to extend to Blossom Hill R oad and eventually towards th e Highway 17 overpass.
When the queue builds between the drop off zone and Blossom Hil l Road, motorists trying
to continue on Roberts Road towards Fisher Avenue move into the opposing northbound
lane creating a possible head‐o n collision scenario. The instal lation of a dedicated right turn
lane with parking removal betwe en Blossom Hill Road and the dro p off zone would
eliminate this condition. The right turn lane can be supplement ed with sharrows that can
feed into an optional dedicated bike lane adjacent to the drop off zone.
Roberts Road Student Drop‐Off Zone Sight Distance Improvements
Cost Estimate: $500 Benefiting Mode:
When parents exit the student dr op‐off zone on Roberts Road the y must turn right to avoid
blockage of the intersection bac k towards Blossom Hill Road. Th e shrubs at the median
between the drop‐off zone and Robe rts Road are overgrown and sh ould be trimmed
downward or removed for the firs t 20 feet to improve sight dist ance towards Blossom Hill
Road. Removal of one parking spa ce in the same area would furth er improve sight distance.
Traffic Patterns also recommends formally STOP controlling and striping a right turn arrow
at the drop off zone t o reinforce the “right turn only” movement at all times.
Roberts Road & Fisher Avenue I ntersection Improvements
Cost Estimate: See Cost Breakdown Below
The Fisher School administration has done a wonderful job of en forcing specific pedestrian
travel patterns to the campus at this intersection. Students typically walk along the west side of
Roberts Road from Los Gatos Boul evard and continue straight pas t Fisher Avenue towards the
Roberts Road school entry, the sam e entry point us ed by the Rob erts Road student drop off
area. This helps to reduce student‐vehicle conflicts at the Fis her Avenue main school entry. The
intersection is extremely busy w ith vehicle traffic, however. The following improvements are
recommended to help improve intersection efficiency:
Section 1
Fisher Middle School Engineering Analysis
Los Gatos – Safe Routes to School Phase 1 Study 32.
Southbound Roberts Road Right Turn Lane
Cost Estimate: $7,500 Benefiting Mode:
Building on the right turn lane from Blossom Hill Road to the student drop‐off zone, a right
turn lane between the student dro p‐off zone and Fisher Avenue w ould require parking
removal, but would improve the e fficiency of the southbound Rob erts Road approach. The
parking removal can be by “time of day,” but would require exte nsive enforcement and
vehicle towing, so permanent parking removal may be preferred.
Sight Distance Improvements
Cost Estimate: $1,000 Benefiting Mode:
Although a majority of students access the school from the west side of Roberts Road,
students still access the school from the east sid e and cross at the intersection. There is
currently no formal adult crossing guard at this location and w ith vehicles parked
immediately adjacent to the crosswalk, pedestrian visibility to motorists is limited. Traffic
Patterns recommends removing one parking space north of the Rob erts Road crosswalk and
removing one parking space adjacent to the northbound Roberts R oad STOP approach to
improve pedestrian visibility.
Adult Crossing Guard Operations
Cost Estimate: On‐Going Operat ions Cost Benefiting Mode:
The Town, Fisher School administrators, and Traffic Patterns im plemented a trial during
Spring 2016 to have a Town Flagge r control the intersection lik e a “work zone” with the
flagger taking over the all‐way STOP operations and moving queu es of vehicles and
pedestrians through the intersec tion at a time. The flagger ope rated like a traffic signal
assigning right‐of‐way movements . The test results were mixed w ith some parents verbally
thanking the flagger for the improvement and others complaining that it was making the
conditions worse. The use of flaggers at middle schools is not uncommon, and is usually a
function taken on by the school administrators. Typical adult c rossing guards are only
trained to stop traffic when children are present. The Fisher S chool staff noted reluctance
towards taking on that respons ibility and the Town staff expres sed concern regarding on‐
going operations cost if a certified traffic flagger were retai ned to handle that responsibility.
Traffic Patterns recommends at a minimum providing an adult cro ssing guard to queue
students and cross them in groups to help improve intersection efficiency.
Section 1
Fisher Middle School Engineering Analysis
Los Gatos – Safe Routes to School Phase 1 Study 33.
Roberts Road Traffic Signal Opera tions in FREE Mode (Completed)
At the start of this project the traffic signals at Los Gatos B oulevard & Roberts Road and Blossom
Hill Road & Roberts Road operated in coordinated traffic signal modes with adjacent traffic
signals. This resulted in limited green time for the Roberts Ro ad movements and it was typical to
see queues on each Roberts Road approach at these intersections . Traffic Patterns
recommended the removal of the coordination mode to free mode d uring the school commute
period to help provide longer green time for the Roberts Road m ovements. The Town
implemented this change immediately quickly eliminated queues o n Roberts Road without
impacts to operations on either Los Gatos Boulevard or Blossom Hill Road.
In addition to the free mode oper ations, Traffic Patterns recom mended increasing the gap time
used by the traffic signal contr ollers for the Roberts Road app roaches. The gap time determines
the number of seconds between veh icle detection before the traf fic signal moves onto the next
programmed movement. When gap times are low (less than three se conds) it is common for the
signal to not fully serve vehicle queues when a motorist is not paying attention to traffic in front
of them and does not pull forwar d with the other vehicles. In t his case, the gap times were
increased to 5 seconds for the R oberts Road approaches at each intersection to compensate for
drivers not paying attention to traffic ahead of them.
Section 1
Fisher Middle School Engineering Analysis
Los Gatos – Safe Routes to School Phase 1 Study 34.
Fisher Avenue Intersection Improvements
Cost Estimate: See Cost Breakdown Below
The Concept Plan Line drawing ab ove highlights the following tr affic operations recommended
for Fisher Avenue including:
Dedicated Eastbound Left Turn La ne from Fisher Avenue to Fisher School
Cost Estimate: $7,500 Benefiting Mode:
It is common for vehicles turning left into Fisher School to bl ock traffic trying to get to
Roberts Road. A dedicated left t urn would help facilitate vehic le movements, but requires
the removal of parking along the Fisher School driveways on Fis her Avenue.
Westbound Right Turn Lane from Fisher Avenue into Fisher School
Cost Estimate: $7,500 Benefiting Mode:
To complement the proposed dedic ated left turn lane, a right tu rn lane to the school would
reduce impacts to through vehicle movements on Fisher Avenue. P arking restrictions are
required to implement the turn lanes.
Section 1
Fisher Middle School Engineering Analysis
Los Gatos – Safe Routes to School Phase 1 Study 35.
Los Gatos Boulevard & Shannon Ro ad Intersection Improvements
Cost Estimate: $750,000 Benefiting Mode:
The majority of students traveling by foot or bike to Fisher Sc hool travel down Shannon Road to
Roberts Road. The Concept Plan L ine drawing above illustrates s ignificant recommended
intersection improvements at Los Gatos Boulevard & Shannon Road . The primary improvement
includes reduction of the northbound travel lanes on Los Gatos Boulevard between Shannon
Road and Magneson Loop from thre e lanes to two. There are only two travel lanes south of
Shannon Road and the third travel lane eventually becomes a right turn lane north of Magneson
Loop, offering little operations benefits to Los Gatos Boulevar d traffic. If the curb lane were
eliminated to allow for widening o f the sidewalk in this block, it would provide a better
pedestrian experience for Fisher School students. The sidewalk widening can include the
removal of the pork chop island at Shannon Road, which is too s mall to accommodate the
number of students that cross at t he intersection. This would a lso allow the implementation of a
buffered bike lane segment. The crosswalk across Los Gatos Boul evard can be repositioned
closer to Roberts Road to furthe r encourage the use of Roberts Road Walk & Roll route to Fisher
School.
On Shannon Road, a new green bike box is proposed in the Concep t Plan Line drawing that
would allow bicyclists turning l eft from Shannon Road onto Los Gatos Boulevard to queue ahead
of adjacent left turn vehicle traffic.
Section 1
Fisher Middle School Engineering Analysis
Los Gatos – Safe Routes to School Phase 1 Study 36.
Blossom Hill Trail Connector to LGUSD District Offices Feasibil ity Study
Cost Estimate: $25,000 Benefiting Mode:
Earlier, in the Blossom Hill Road Traffic Improvement section, the concept of a new pedestrian
connector along the hillside of B lossom Hill Road was introduce d. Where eastbound Blossom Hill
Road currently widens at the cre st of the roadway, an undevelop ed hillside extends to Los Gatos
Unified School District offices. The hillside can be improved w ith staggered steps and wheelchair
ramps to provide a new pedestrian trail connection to the back of the Fisher School‐LGUSD
offices. Traffic Patterns recommends further review of this op tion. An early planning phase
study to gauge the feasibility and costs of such an improvement is also recommended as a
priority study in the future CIP program. Additional LGUSD parking lot changes may be required
to accommodate a pedestrian acce ss landing to the back of Fishe r School, so a joint partnership
effort to fund and conduct t he study is recommended.
Section 1
Fisher Middle School Engineering Analysis
Los Gatos – Safe Routes to School Phase 1 Study 37.
Fisher Middle School – Student Density Map
The following Student Density Map for Fisher School shows the d istribution of student population within
the Los Gatos community.
The density map shows demand on the entire Los Gatos roadway ne twork to travel to Fisher School and
emphasizes the importance of improving active travel mode optio ns such as walking a nd biking. Each of
the primary corridors serving Fis her School are addressed withi n the proposed traffic operations
improvements, including Shannon Road, Los Gatos Boulevard, and Blossom Hill Road. Closer to the
campus on Roberts Road and Fisher Avenue, the proposed roadway capacity improvements with
dedicated turn lanes will more efficiently move traffic to/from the school.
Section 1
Los Gatos High School Engineering Analysis
Los Gatos – Safe Routes to School Phase 1 Study 38.
Los Gatos High School
Los Gatos High School is operated by the Los Gatos‐Saratoga Uni on High School District. The school is a
member of the Los Gatos‐Monte Se reno Safe Routes to School Coal ition that took a leadership role in
organizing this Safe Routes to School – Phase 1 effort for the community.
The high school is located on E Main Street adjacent to Downtow n Los Gatos and ac ross from the Los
Gatos Civic Center‐Main Library. Similar to Fisher Middle Schoo l, it is the only high school in the
community and serves the majorit y of town high school residents . The demand on the local roadway to
the high school exceeds roadway capacity at times, specifically along Los Gatos Boulevard north of
Pleasant Street‐Jackson Street. The subsequent sections include multiple recommendations both on‐
and off‐street to improve the efficiency of the roadway network . Additional planning studies are
recommended in conjunction with the active Bicycle and Pedestri an Master Plan study.
Section 1
Los Gatos High School Engineering Analysis
Los Gatos – Safe Routes to School Phase 1 Study 39.
Los Gatos High School – Traffic Circulation Improvements
The two main Town arterials serv ing Los Gatos High School are L os Gatos Boulevard along the east side
and University Avenue on the we st. The Los Gatos Creek Trail is located between these two corridors
and offers an excellent pedestria n and bicycle route with limit ed vehicle conflict points for high school
students and other community members. The following traffic ope rations improvements are
recommended for Los Gatos High School:
Town and LGUSD Policy Statements Supporting School Access from Los Gatos Lodge
Cost Estimate: $0 Benefiting Mode:
In interviewing Town and school district staff, the recent loss of public access through the Los
Gatos Lodge property to the back of Los Gatos High School is identified as significant loss of
public benefit.
Traffic Patterns recommends that the Town Council and Los Gatos Unified School District board
both adopt policy statements requiring the future development o f the Los Gatos Lodge site
include public access to Los Gatos Unified School district as a mandatory public benefit if the
access cannot be provided ahead of any future development. The Town Council can adopt policy
statements by formally adopting this report and future policy s tatements being developed
through the active Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan update. I dentifying in as many Town
planning documents as possible that public access through the L os Gatos Lodge site to Los Gatos
High School is a priority for the Town will place any future de veloper in the position of needing
to be responsive to th ese policy statements.
Los Gatos Boulevard Co rridor Improvements
Cost Estimate: $2.5M Benefiting Mode:
A Concept Plan Line for improvements along the Los Gatos Boulev ard‐E Main Street corridor is
provided in the exhibits section of this report. Portions of th e corridor improvements have
already been discussed within thi s report as excerpts related t o improvements in front of
specific schools, the southbound Los Gatos Boulevard Capacity Improvement at Nino Avenue in
front of Van Meter School for example. Although each individual improvement can significantly
impact specific school sites, it is the eventual implementation of a corridor improvement that
will yield the largest positive community benefit.
Elements already discussed along Los Gatos Boulevard north of N ino Avenue include:
Southbound capacity increase at Nino Avenue
Sidewalk improvements at Shannon Road‐Magneson Loop
Buffered bicycle lanes on northbound Los Gatos Boulevard
The following additional improveme nts complement these improvem ents to transform the Los
Gatos Boulevard‐E Main Street corridor into a more balanced, mu lti‐modal facility.
Section 1
Los Gatos High School Engineering Analysis
Los Gatos – Safe Routes to School Phase 1 Study 40.
Los Gatos Boulevard & Highway 9 Intersection Improvement
Cost Estimate: $500,000 Benefiting Mode:
Traffic Patterns recommends removal of the two pork chop island s along the west side of
the Los Gatos Boulevard & Highwa y 9 intersection. The pork chop islands place pedestrians,
and younger student bicyclists who typically ride on the sidewa lk, in a position to cross high
speed right turn traffic without any controls in order to access pedestrian signal controls on
the island. Removal of the pork chop islands can provide for wi der pedestrian queuing areas
at the intersection and better separate bicycle lanes and vehic ular traffic.
In the concept below, the single marked crosswalk on Los Gatos Boulevard is repositioned
from the south to the north side of the intersection to avoid c onflicts with traffic trying to
access East Main Street from High way 9. The repositioning of th e crosswalk also allows for a
pedestrian signal phase that als o serves the eastbound right tu rn movement from Highway
9 towards E Main St.
The concept also shows the sout hbound bicycle lane approaching Highway 9 at a more
comfortable 6 foot width positio ned to the left of right turn traffic. The right turn lane is
lengthened and a transition zone introduced using green bicycle lane treatments. Minor
striping width adjustments on Lo s Gatos Boulevard on the south side of Highway 9 allow for
an 8‐foot bicycle lane to receive bicycle traffic.
The drawing shows a lengthened northbound left turn pocket to t urn onto Highway 9
towards Highway 17, but there is an alternative option to strip e a short two‐way left turn
lane north of Wheeler Avenue to ac commodate turns into that str eet. The two‐way left turn
would accommodate additional stacking for the turn towards High way 17 when needed, but
otherwise can provide more comfortable left turn access to resi dents living on and off of
Wheeler Avenue.
Section 1
Los Gatos High School Engineering Analysis
Los Gatos – Safe Routes to School Phase 1 Study 41.
Los Gatos Boulevard Widening – South of Loma Alta Avenue
Cost Estimate: $250,000 Benefiting Mode:
Traffic Patterns recommends a mi nor 4‐ to 5‐foot widening of Lo s Gatos Boulevard south of
Loma Alta Avenue. The widening w ould be approximately 175 feet long into an existing
hillside and will not impact pri vate property. The widening wil l allow for more comfortable
6‐foot bike lanes on Los Gatos B oulevard. The existing bike lan es are 4 feet wide in this
segment, but the usable bike lane space is less than 2 feet wid e because of adjacent
concrete gutters. The widening c an utilize decorative rock reta ining walls to maintain the
Town’s character.
E Main Street Speed Tables and/or Mid‐block Crosswalk Bulb‐outs
Cost Estimate: $35,000 Each Benefiting Mode:
There are three mid‐block crossw alks along E Main Street betwee n Pleasant Street‐Jackson
Street and Villa Avenue that serve the high school. All of the crosswalks are well utilized
during the school commute periods and motorists tend to expect pedestrian activity during
those periods. Traffic Patterns ha s observed the E Main Street corridor during non‐school
commute periods and weekends and traffic during those periods d o not expect pedestrian
traffic and so yield compliance is lower and vehicle speeds can be faster.
Traffic Patterns recommends at a minimum the construction of bu lb‐outs at the crosswalk
locations to help place pedestri ans in a better line‐of‐sight w ith motorists on E Main Street.
Bulb‐outs typically extend to the width of adjacent parking ais les and can be supplemented
with pedestrian‐activated flashin g beacons or Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacons (RRFB’s)
to further advise pedestrian pre sence. Pedestrians activate th e RRFB’s through a standard
pedestrian push button.
The Concept Plan Line drawing be low illustrates the bulb‐out co ncepts and demonstrates
how speed tables, similar to those recommended on Shannon Road, can be introduced to
reduce vehicle speeds on E Main St reet. Vehicle traffic on E Ma in Street tends to be faster at
Villa Avenue, so crossing at this location can feel unsafe. As an alternative, if an all‐way STOP
at Villa Avenue & E Main Street w ere introduced, it may elimina te the need for additional
speed control measures such as sp eed tables on E Main Street.
Section 1
Los Gatos High School Engineering Analysis
Los Gatos – Safe Routes to School Phase 1 Study 42.
E Main Street & Pleasant Street‐Jackson Street Sight Distance I mprovements
Cost Estimate: $1,500 Benefiting Mode:
The Pleasant Street approach to E Main Street can become conges ted during the school
commute periods as parents droppi ng students off via New York A venue use Pleasant Street
to access Los Gatos Boulevard. Traffic Patterns recommends rest ricting parking on Pleasant
Street immediately north of E Main Street to improve intersecti on sight distances even
though the intersection operates as an all‐way STOP. The restri ctions will also a llow traffic to
move through the Pleasant Street approach more comfortably comp ared to executing turns
between moving and parked vehicles.
Chicago Avenue – Right Turn Only Restriction
Cost Estimate: $500 Benefiting Mode:
Brooklyn Avenue to Chicago Avenue are popular alternative route s to avoid the congested E
Main Street & Pleasant Street‐Jac kson Street intersection. Left turn movements from
Chicago Avenue towards Pleasant Street‐Jackson Street further c ongest that intersection.
Traffic Patterns recommends imple menting a right turn only rest riction on Chicago Avenue
to reduce traffic on Pleasant St reet. The restriction also has the added benefit of removing
left turn conflicts with the adj acent crosswalk directly east o f Chicago Avenue.
Pleasant Street Parking Lot Improvements
Cost Estimate: $15,000 (change) Benefiting Mode:
Los Gatos High School is planning improvements at the Pleasant Street parking lot. The
school proposal includes two angled parking aisled with a narro w vehicle lane. Traffic
Patterns instead recommends a 90‐degree parking aisle configura tion with a wider 24‐foot
lane that can also accommodate a parallel parking aisle. This i ncreases the lot capacity to 50
parking spaces. The proposed par king lot layout also accommodat es sidewalk and tree
planting aisles committed by the school to the Pleasant Street community. A right turn only
restriction out of the parking l ot could reduce congestion on P leasant Street.
Section 1
Los Gatos High School Engineering Analysis
Los Gatos – Safe Routes to School Phase 1 Study 43.
The proposed Pleasant Street par king lot improvements are illus trated in the above
diagram, which includes a recommended passenger loading zone on Pleasant Street that
would extend from New York Avenue to E Main Street. The diagram also highlights an
optional bicycle cage adjacent t o New York Avenue to accommodat e student bicyclists.
New York Avenue & Pleasant Str eet Intersection Improvements
Cost Estimate: $2,500 Benefiting Mode:
With the Los Gatos Lodge closure of access to the high school, Bella Vista Avenue to New
York Avenue is now a popular bicycle and pedestrian corridor to access the high school. The
intersection currently lacks marked crosswalks, so installation of crosswalk markings across
both New York Avenue and Pleas ant Street are recommended.
New York Avenue Street Resurfacing
Cost Estimate: $25,000 Benefiting Mode:
New York Avenue is observed to have extremely poor pavement con ditions. As the street is
a popular bicycle route, Traffic Patterns recommends street res urfacing improvements to
provide a more comfortable bicycling and skateboard/scootering facility for students and
community members.
Bella Vista Avenue‐New York Avenue Bicycle Boulevard
Cost Estimate: $0 Benefiting Mode:
Given the popularity of this route for bicycle and pedestrian travel modes, the street is ideal
for classification and improvements for a bicycle boulevard facility. Traffic Patterns
recommends considering such a cla ssification as part of the act ive Bicycle and Pedestrian
Master Plan. Design treatments c an include textured or colored asphalt treatments to
delineate bicycle and pedestrian pathways, and access restricti ons to promote bicycle‐
pedestrian only use during school commute periods. Additional traffic analysis would be
required for the latter considera tion to determine if the Los Gatos Boulevard corridor could
accommodate the additional vehicle traffic demand, and to estim ate any additional delays
as a result.
Miles Avenue Priority Student Parking
Cost Estimate: $0 Benefiting Mode:
The Los Gatos High Sch ool Walk & Roll Map h ighlights the use of the Miles Avenue parking
lot adjacent to the sports field as an alternative parking faci lity for high school students.
Students that park at the Miles Avenue parking lot can access t he high school via the
existing Los Gatos Creek Trail and Church Street. This route is been informal and not publicly
advertised, but with the inclusi on in the Walk &n Roll Map the Town may realize increased
parking lot usage as a result. N o additional public improvement s are required to promote
use of the lot, but it is called out specifically in this secti on to bring awareness of the
planned use in the Walk & Roll Map.
Section 1
Los Gatos High School Engineering Analysis
Los Gatos – Safe Routes to School Phase 1 Study 44.
E Main Street Passenger Loading Zone (complete)
The on‐street parking on E Main S treet immediately in front of the high school is currently
used by senior students with permits. Traffic Patterns recommen ds conversion of this
parking aisle to a passenger loading zone to encourage parents traveling from Los Gatos
Boulevard to stay on E Main Str eet to drop‐off pick‐up students versus turning onto Pleasant
Street, which adds to congestion on that street.
Los Gatos High School – On Campus Traffic Improvements
Chicago Avenue Pedestrian Connector
Cost Estimate: $15,000 Benefiting Mode:
The school recently installed a new bicycle parking cage on Chi cago Avenue, but there is no
connecting sidewalk or pedestrian facility to access the bicycl e cage. As this property is
owned and maintained by the school, Traffic Patterns recommends construction of a
pedestrian walkway between the E Main Street sidewalk and the b icycle cage.
Bicycle Parking on West Side of Campus
Cost Estimate: $10,000 Benefiting Mode:
The west side of the high school was identified as lacking secu red bicycle parking for
students. With the potential increase in bicycle and foot traff ic from the Miles Avenue
parking lot, bicycle usage should be monitored in the coming sc hool year to determine if
additional secure bike parking o n the west side of campus shoul d be provided.
Section 1
Los Gatos High School Engineering Analysis
Los Gatos – Safe Routes to School Phase 1 Study 45.
Los Gatos High School – Student Density Map
The following Student Density Map for Los Gatos High School sho ws the distribution of student
population within the Los Gatos community.
Los Gatos High – Student Density Map
Similar to Fisher Middle School, Los Gatos High School has dema nd from all over Town, given it is the
only high school. The largest de nsity is east of Highway 17, ma king the Los Gatos Boulevard‐E Main
Street corridor a must‐improve facility to accommodate not only vehicle demand but promote safer
multi‐modal operations. The Bella Vista Avenue‐New York Avenue Bicycle Boulevard consideration
would provide an alternative for students until the Los Gatos Lodge access can be restored.
Section 1
Hillbrook School Engineering Analysis
Los Gatos – Safe Routes to School Phase 1 Study 46.
Hillbrook School
Hillbrook School is a private Pre‐Kindergarten through 8 th grade school located off of Marchmont Drive
in Los Gatos. The school has implemented a strong Transportati on Demand Management (TDM) team
and program that includes four (4) fixed shuttle routes operate d by the school. Use of the shuttle is free
to students and they are encouraged to take advantage of the program to reduce parent chauffeuring to
school.
The map below highlights the current shuttle routes that extend into San Jose, Sara toga, Monte Sereno,
and locally within the Town.
The map includes an inset that highlights the staging methods u sed by the school for student pick up
and drop off activities. Althoug h Hillbrook is a commuter scho ol there are local students from the Town
that bike or walk to school.
Section 1
Hillbrook School Engineering Analysis
Los Gatos – Safe Routes to School Phase 1 Study 47.
Hillbrook School – Traffic Ci rculation Improvements
Primary access to Hillbrook School is provided by Hilow Road an d Marchmont Drive. Several traffic
circulation improvement recommenda tions are provided to improve access or safety to the school.
Hilow Road Improvements
Cost Estimate: $5,000 Benefiting Mode:
Hilow Road narrows to a one‐lane section from north of Topping Way to Marchmont Drive. The
one‐lane section can be improved immediately through the introd uction of a formal STOP on
each end of the one‐lane section . In addition, marked crosswal ks at the Hilow Road &
Marchmont Drive intersection will facilitate pedestrian movemen ts for students that walk to
school. Traffic Patterns also recommends the use of Red LED Fla sh STOP signs at the existing All‐
Way STOP at Hilow Road & Marchmont Drive. These improvements ar e illustrated in the
drawing below.
Hilow Road Improvements
Concept Plan Line Drawing
Marchmont Drive Speed Limit Signs
Cost Estimate: $500 Benefiting Mode:
Marchmont Drive is signed as a 15 MPH street coming down the hi ll from Hillbrook School
towards Hilow Road but in the opposite direction it only has ad visory speed placards as part
of the curve warning sign installation. A formal speed limit sign in the eastbound direction
heading towards Hillbrook School should be provided.
Section 1
Hillbrook School Engineering Analysis
Los Gatos – Safe Routes to School Phase 1 Study 48.
Hilow Road‐Marchmont Drive Bicycle Routes
Cost Estimate: $0 Benefiting Mode:
The Town has an active Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan curre ntly underway (by others).
Traffic Patterns recommends cons idering both Hilow Road and Mar chmont Drive as bicycle
routes with sharrow markings. B oth streets have similar design s with curb & gutter
improvements but no sidewalk facilities. The sharrow markings would be helpful to provide
driver awareness regarding the co ndition of “Sharing the Road” with bicyclists and they may
provide ancillary benefits to pedestrians as the rural design e nvironment of the
neighborhood does not provide sidewalk facilities.
Section 2
Walk & Roll Maps Encouragement
Los Gatos – Safe Routes to School Phase 1 Study 49.
Walk & Roll maps, introduced in the prior section, are an excel lent encouragement tool for the
community to promote walking an d biking to school along locally ‐preferred routes. The maps were
developed using historical maps prepared by the Town and then u pdated as part of this project. To
solicit public input, the Traffic Patterns and Alta Planning + Design team made the maps available at
each of the elementary schools, a fter school, for parents and s tudents to review. Two Town‐wide
community meetings wer e also held at the e nd of spring 2016 fol lowed by a month‐long online survey.
The Walk & Roll Maps, developed as a tri‐fold document, include several key elements:
Front Page:
Rules of the Road
To encourage safe bicycling habits including helmet use , to be predictable at intersection,
positioning on the roadway, to be alert to for hazards such a s the door zone area
Pedestrian and Skate Safety
To advise students to be aware of their surroundings as they ap proach intersections,
encourage use of crosswalks , and to be proactive wi th motorists by making eye contact with
motorists before entering intersections
Share the Path Safely
To encourage bicyclists to “call out” their positions to pedest rians ahead of them, to keep to
the right of pathways, and to pass on the left
Safe Parent Driving Behavior
Parents are encouraged to Slow down around schools, to Yield to Pedestrians, and to avoid
unpredictable driving patterns such as u‐turns near schools
Walk & Roll Map Page:
Walk & Roll Map
Large map with bold streets that are the suggested walking and biking routes to each school
Crosswalk and Adult Crossing Guard Locations
All marked crosswalks along the suggested routes are shown, alo ng with the location of
intersections with adult crossing guards
Intersection Controls
The location of intersection con trols such as All‐Way STOPs or traffic signals are highlighted
Suggested On‐Campus Vehicle Traffic Circulation Inset
Each map includes an inset of th e school campus that highlights vehicle routes to parents to
use to access each school campus f or drop off and pick up activ ities, along with suggested
Bicycle/Pedestrian routes
Section 2
Walk & Roll Maps Encouragement
Los Gatos – Safe Routes to School Phase 1 Study 50.
Walk & Roll Maps also serve to h elp prioritize Capital Improvem ent Program (CIP) funding for both local
and school district to support s afe route activities. Los Gato s, for example, resurfaced Shannon Road
upon initiation of this Safe Rout es to School – Phase 1 project after identifying the street as a priority
corridor serving both Fisher Mi ddle School and Blossom Hill Ele mentary School. The Concept Plan Line
work for Shannon Road, shaped t hrough the projects public outre ach efforts, provided the blueprint for
new roadway markings implement ed over summer 2016. The Los Gat os Unified School District also
prioritized improvements at Fisher Middle School, including parking lot improvements to encourage
counter‐clockwise circulation patterns and pedestrian ramps at the school’s main entry on Fisher
Avenue.
The Walk & Roll Maps provided in this section in their complete format are the highlight of this study
effort. The school district and high school will be providing the maps in large format at each school at
the start of the school year and providing a hard copy to each student as part of their Welcome Back to
School packets.
Suggested Routes
Blossom Hill
Elementary
School
WALK & ROLL TO SCHOOL Bike Safely
Parents Drive Safely
Walk or Skate Safely
BIKE
LANE
Pedestrians have the right of way
on walkways and paths. Give an
audible warning when you pass
on your bicycle.
Keep to the right and pass on the
left.
Share the Path Safely Parents: Help your student be more independent
and learn how to share the road safely with other
users. Children who regularly practice safe walking
and biking skills are more likely to make safer choices
as teenagers.
Obey adult crossing guards. They are there to help
everyone cross congested intersections safely.
Wear your helmet and buckle
it every time. It’s the law. To best
protect your brain, your helmet must
fit properly: snug and level on your
head, just above your eyebrows.
Be alert. Look for cars coming from
all directions before entering the
street - including behind you.
Slow down and use extra caution in school
zones and along commute routes! Signal your
turns and yield to pedestrians .
Obey adult crossing guards and “No Right
Turn on Red” signs posted at designated
school intersections. This allows students
to cross safely without cars turning through
crosswalks.
Don’t make U-turns, drop off along red curb
zones, or make other unsafe maneuvers that
put other road users at risk.
When dropping off or picking up your
student, pull all the way to the end of the
loading zone , always ensure that students
can exit or enter the car from the curb side,
do not encourage students to run to/from
the vehicle, and make sure all passengers are
buckled before driving.
Never double park , block access ramps or
driveways, or stop where prohibited.
Help reduce traffic congestion on school
routes by carpooling with a neighbor and
avoiding the last minute rush whenever
possible.
Avoid texting, phone calls and other
distractions while driving.
Check All Directions
Rules of the Road
Be predictable. Obey ALL stop signs
and traffic signals. Never ride the
wrong way. The best way to avoid bike
crashes as well as traffic tickets is to
follow the same rules of the road that
apply to car drivers.
Be alert. Watch out for drivers
turning left or right, or coming out of
driveways. Avoid car doors opening in
front of you by riding out of the door
zone. Yield to pedestrians.
Cross at corners and crosswalks. This
is where drivers expect pedestrians.
Don’t assume drivers see you.
Make eye contact before crossing
intersections.
When skating, wear your helmet
and buckle it every time. To best
protect your brain, your helmet must
fit properly: snug and level on your
head, just above your eyebrows.
For more Safe Routes to School information, please visit:
www.LosGatosCa.gov/SafeRoutes or
email SafeRoutes@LosGatos.gov Los Gatos-Monte Sereno
Safe Routes to School Coalition
Blossom Hill Elementary School
WALK & ROLL TO SCHOOL
SUGGESTED ROUTES
For more Safe Routes to School information, please visit:
www.LosGatosCa.gov/SafeRoutes or
email SafeRoutes@LosGatos.gov
Designated Student Drop Off/Pick Up areas help to
consolidate and organize the school circulation patterns. This
can increase safety for students, as it minimizes the number
of students walking through drive lanes and the parking lot.
Suggested On-Campus Traffic Circulation
Parents are responsible for choosing the most approriate
option based on their knowledge of the conditions on
the different routes and the experience level of their child.
Daves Avenue Elementary School
WALK & ROLL TO SCHOOL
SUGGESTED ROUTES
For more Safe Routes to School information, please visit:
www.LosGatosCa.gov/SafeRoutes or
email SafeRoutes@LosGatos.gov
Designated Student Drop Off/Pick Up areas help to
consolidate and organize the school circulation patterns. This
can increase safety for students, as it minimizes the number
of students walking through drive lanes and the parking lot.
Suggested On-Campus Traffic Circulation
Parents are responsible for choosing the most approriate
option based on their knowledge of the conditions on
the different routes and the experience level of their child.
Van Meter Elementary School
WALK & ROLL TO SCHOOL
SUGGESTED ROUTES
For more Safe Routes to School information, please visit:
www.LosGatosCa.gov/SafeRoutes or
email SafeRoutes@LosGatos.gov
Designated Student Drop Off/Pick Up areas help to
consolidate and organize the school circulation patterns. This
can increase safety for students, as it minimizes the number
of students walking through drive lanes and the parking lot.
Suggested On-Campus Traffic Circulation
Parents are responsible for choosing the most approriate
option based on their knowledge of the conditions on
the different routes and the experience level of their child.
Alta Vista Elementary School
WALK & ROLL TO SCHOOL
SUGGESTED ROUTES
For more Safe Routes to School information, please visit:
www.LosGatosCa.gov/SafeRoutes or
email SafeRoutes@LosGatos.gov
Designated Student Drop Off/Pick Up areas help to
consolidate and organize the school circulation patterns. This
can increase safety for students, as it minimizes the number
of students walking through drive lanes and the parking lot.
Suggested On-Campus Traffic Circulation
Parents are responsible for choosing the most approriate
option based on their knowledge of the conditions on
the different routes and the experience level of their child.
Suggested On-Campus Traffic Circulation
RJ Fisher Middle School
WALK & ROLL TO SCHOOL
SUGGESTED ROUTES
For more Safe Routes to School information, please visit:
www.LosGatosCa.gov/SafeRoutes or
email SafeRoutes@LosGatos.gov
Designated Student Drop Off/Pick Up areas help to
consolidate and organize the school circulation patterns. This
can increase safety for students, as it minimizes the number
of students walking through drive lanes and the parking lot.
Parents are responsible for choosing the most approriate
option based on their knowledge of the conditions on
the different routes and the experience level of their child.
Los Gatos High School
WALK & ROLL TO SCHOOL
SUGGESTED ROUTES
For more Safe Routes to School information, please visit:
www.LosGatosCa.gov/SafeRoutes or
email SafeRoutes@LosGatos.gov
Designated Student Drop Off/Pick Up areas help to
consolidate and organize the school circulation patterns. This
can increase safety for students, as it minimizes the number
of students walking through drive lanes and the parking lot.
Suggested On-Campus Traffic Circulation
Parents are responsible for choosing the most approriate
option based on their knowledge of the conditions on
the different routes and the experience level of their child.
Hillbrook School
WALK & ROLL TO SCHOOL
SUGGESTED ROUTES
For more Safe Routes to School information, please visit:
www.LosGatosCa.gov/SafeRoutes or
email SafeRoutes@LosGatos.gov
Designated Student Drop Off/Pick Up areas help to
consolidate and organize the school circulation patterns. This
can increase safety for students, as it minimizes the number
of students walking through drive lanes and the parking lot.
Parents are responsible for choosing the most approriate
option based on their knowledge of the conditions on
the different routes and the experience level of their child.I
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5 M i l e s
2 M i l e s
1 M i l e
Sunnyvale Santa Clara
Cupertino
Saratoga
Campbell
Cambrian
Park
Monte Sereno
Los Gatos
Hillbrook School
San
Jose
Red Stop
Red Stop
Red Stop
Pink Stop
Pink Stop Blue Stop
Pink Stop
Hoover MS
Green Stop
Green Stop
Shir Hadash
Yellow Stop Purple Stop
Yellow Stop
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2 M i l e s
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Sunnyvale
Santa
Clara
Cupertino
Saratoga
Campbell
Cambrian
Park
Monte Sereno
Los Gatos
Hillbrook School
San
Jose
Red Stop
Red Stop
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Pink Stop
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Hoover MS
Green Stop
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Shir Hadash
Yellow Stop Purple Stop
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Sunnyvale Santa Clara Cupertino
Saratoga
Campbell
Cambrian
Park
Monte Sereno
Los Gatos
Hillbrook School
San Jose
Red Stop
Red Stop
Red Stop
Pink Stop
Pink Stop Blue Stop
Pink Stop Hoover MS
Green Stop
Green Stop
Shir Hadash
Yellow Stop Purple Stop
Yellow Stop
Suggested On-Campus Traffic Circulation
Section 2
Drop Off / Pick Up Zones Encouragement
Los Gatos – Safe Routes to School Phase 1 Study 59.
Student Drop Off and Pick Up Zones
Each school within the Town uses different types of signage to help regulate the operation of their drop
off and pick up zones. Each school also manages each zone diff erently, some with student and adult
supervision such as Blossom Hill Elementary School while others have no supervision at all. The two
primary unwritten rules of a drop off and pick up zone include:
Pull Forward
Pull forward to the front of the drop off so that additional motorists can queue behind you and
to avoid blockage of drivewa ys that serve the zones.
No Parking in Student Drop Off and Pick Up Zones
Motorists should always remain w ithin their vehicle, specifical ly during Pick Up times. If the
drop off and pick up zone is blocked with parked cars it become s extremely inefficient and poses
blind spot hazards between motorists and student aged pedestria ns. Within the Town of Los
Gatos parking in drop off zones was observed repeatedly with Ki ndergarten pick up activities as
parents tend to park their vehic les within the zones to pick up their children. Enforcement of
drop off zones is typically a school function as the activities are taking place on school property.
The best solution to address this issue is participation by Par ent Teach Association (PTA)
volunteers. Parents whom fail to comply with drop off and pick up zone activities should be
contacted by school administrators to comply.
Concept drop off and pick up zone roadway markings for each pub lic schools analyzed as part of this
project were prepared and included within the Exhibits section. The drawings designated “Drop Off”
versus “Pass” lanes to help encourage safe parking lot operatio ns. The following are example images of
best practice drop off and pick u p zone signage that can furthe r supplement the parking lot markings.
These signs are typically mounted on movable plastic barricades as part of the drop o ff and pick up zone
setup by PTA volunteers.
Student Valet programs are also deployed ar ound the country and within the Town of Los Gatos the
Blossom Hill School student valet program is a positive example of such a program. The students open
and close doors for students to enter and exit the vehicle allo wing the motorists to quickly pull forward
to their spot in the zone and mo ve out after boarding and deboa rding activities.
Sample Sign on Sign
Post or on movable
plastic barricade. Typical plastic barricade
spaced regularly along curb at
Drop Off and Pick Up Zone.
School Entry Signage
to Drop Off and Pick
Up Zone.
Section 2
Future Activities Encouragement
Los Gatos – Safe Routes to School Phase 1 Study 60.
This section details additional e ncouragement efforts that, alt hough not targeted for implementation as
part of this phase 1 study effort s, may help to serve as target outcomes of future phases of the Los
Gatos Safe Routes to School prog ram. The current encouragement activities implemented in Los Gatos
are primarily held in the fall and spring, with a few activitie s occurring throughout the school year to
keep momentum going and increasi ng mode shift. The following re commendations are focused on
activities that can be held in the middle of the school year or on an ongoing basis in order to encourage
active and shared transportation habits.
Walking and Rolling School Bus Programs
With suggested Walk & Roll routes for all schools now identifie d, implementation of a Walking
School Bus program for each school should be considered. Walkin g School Bus programs are
typically implemented through Pa rent‐Teacher Association (PTA) volunteers. With help from
local agency staff, pick‐up locat ions are identified and signed /marked. Parents w alking with PTA
organizes pick up students waiting at pick up locations similar to a school bus picking up
passengers. Students and their pa rents may also join the Walkin g School Bus as it passes their
location, collecting a critical m ass of students en route to sc hool.
Walking School Buses are popular during Walk and Bike to School Day, Bike to Work Day, or
other special events but they can be implemented daily or weekl y to reduce local traffic
congestion. The most d ifficult part of organizing a Walking Sc hool Bus program is identifying
routes and volunteers but the Tow n’s new Walk & Roll Maps prior itize programs such as this for
implementation to capitalize on the Town’s current efforts.
Walking School Buses can be made fun for students by providing yellow safety jackets or other
elements such as safety flags to students to hold and wave on their walk. Rolling School Buses
or Bike Trains include students riding together on the way to s chool. Green bike lane legends
and other innovative pavement treatments can be used to highlig ht Rolling School Bus stop
locations.
There are many resources ava ilable to help get started:
The National Center for Safe Routes to School has a Walking Sch ool Bus website at
http://www.walkingschoolbus.org/ and resources to get started here
http://www.walkbiketoschool.org/g et‐set/event‐ideas/walking‐sch ool‐buses‐and‐bicycle‐
trains .
The Alameda County SR2S program has helpful Walking School Bus and Bike Train videos:
http://alamedacountysr2s.org/programs/walking‐school‐bus‐bike‐t rain/
Spare the Air Youth has a collection of Walking School Bus and Bike Train materials:
http://www.sparetheairyouth.org/w alking‐school‐buses‐bike‐train s
Section 2
Future Activities Encouragement
Los Gatos – Safe Routes to School Phase 1 Study 61.
Mileage Clubs and Contests
Mileage clubs and contests encourage
children either to begin walking and
bicycling to school and track their
participation and dist ance. Rewards are
typically provided at key milestone marks
such as “100 Mile” marks or other points.
Rewards vary from donations from local
shops to major incentives such as a new
bike or scooter. PTA’s play a major part in
Mileage Clubs through volunteer parents
tracking student participation.
The Los Gatos Safe Routes to School
coalition implemented a “Where Can Your
Feet Take You” campaign with the first day
of school as part of the 2016‐17 school year. This program is a nice iteration of Mileage Clubs
and Contests. The new program p rovides pedometers to each stud ent and challenges the
community to walk enough miles to cover the distance from Los G atos to Washington DC by
election day.
Mileage Club Prizes in Marin County, CA
Section 2
Future Activities Encouragement
Los Gatos – Safe Routes to School Phase 1 Study 62.
Park and Walk
Park and Walk is a great
method to help communities
alleviate traffic immediately
within a school area. For
students who live too far
away to walk or bike to school
and must be chauffeured to
school or carpool with others,
identifying Park and Ride Lots
away from the school will
limit traffic congestion and
encourage short distance
walking for exercise.
At Blossom Hill School, the Blo ssom Hill Park parking lot on Sh annon Road is an excellent Park &
Walk facility with multi‐use path ways connecting to the school; this parking lot is also identified
on the new Walk & Roll Map as an alternate parking location. At Fisher Middle School, the
Blossom Hill Pavilion shopping p laza at Blossom Hill Road & Los Gatos Boulevard (Starbucks)
provides a great park and ride lot for the school and can help to encourage local business. At
Los Gatos High School, the Miles Avenue parking lot is promoted on the new Walk & Roll Maps
as an alternate off‐site parking lot for driving students to pa rk and walk to school using the Los
Gatos Creek Trail connections.
Bicycle Parking
Providing on‐campus bicycle parking is a
great encouragement tool for students and
a necessity as bicycle ridership at a school
increases. Parking can come in many
shapes and sizes from s hort‐term racks to
bicycle cages that are locked by school
administrators at the start of school.
Bicycle parking was identified as lacking on
the Los Gatos High School campus, and the
one site available on Chicago Avenue has
no walkable surfaces for students to access
the facility. This report identifies an
alternative bike cage location at the
Pleasant Avenue parking lot.
Daves Elementary School and other elementary schools in the dis trict expanded its on‐site
bicycle parking over summer 2016 as part of their Safe Routes t o School program efforts.
Miles Avenue with Los Gatos Creek Trail Access to LGH S
Expanded Bike Rack Parking
Daves School
Section 2
Future Activities Encouragement
Los Gatos – Safe Routes to School Phase 1 Study 63.
City‐School Commuter Shuttle
Program
Traditional school bus services, like
many communities throughout
California have, are not offered within
the Town of Los Gatos. City‐School
Commuter Shuttle Programs are an
excellent Transportation Demand
Management strategy to introduce
modern school bus programs back to
the community. The San Ramon
Valley TRAFFIX program, for example,
is funded through local county sales
tax measures for transportation
programs and offers discounted
annual passes to students from
elementary to high school. The fee‐
based program can help create transit
bridges that do not exist within the
community, and schedules can be s taggered or expanded to suppor t after‐school activities.
The Santa Clara – Valle y Transportation Authority (VTA) is currently exploring a new
Transportation Sales Tax for the county, exploring funds for su ch a program in Los Gatos should
be explored. To encourage use at the higher grade levels, exec utive style buses similar to those
used by Google or Facebook can be used to provide a fun and mor e relaxing commute
alternative to high school students.
Electric Bike Share for High School Students
If funding through the proposed Santa Clara VTA
tax measures can be secu red for TDM strategies
within the Los Gatos community, an electric bike
share program for high school students may be
a unique option that provides students with a
guaranteed method to get home quickly when
parent chauffeuring or carpooling are not an
option. Students can take the bikes home and
ride them back the next day.
Electric bike share provides a pedal‐assist
element to help reduce t he stress on students
who may already be too tired from a long day at
school.
TRAFFIX Bus in San Ramon, CA
for Walt Disney School
Pedego Electric Bikes in Partnership with
eShare.bike will be intro ducing a new Closed‐
Campus Electric Bike Share Program to the SF
Bay Area in 2017
Section 2
Future Activities Encouragement
Los Gatos – Safe Routes to School Phase 1 Study 64.
As the town expands its bicycle t ransportation network through the active Bicycle and
Pedestrian Master Plan (by others), unique offerings such as el ectric bike share will shape the
landscape of Safe Routes to School programs across the country.
On‐Campus Bicycle Rodeos
Bicycle Rodeos implement ed as part of a Safe
Routes to School Program In‐Class exercise are a
great way to help students, typically starting at the
3 rd grade level, to properly learn bicycle handling
skills and the rules of the road in a fun outdoor
curriculum. The City of Palo Alto Safe Routes to
School Partnership program includes in‐class
curriculum with bicycle rodeos credited for the
city’s higher‐than‐normal active student commute
percentages. Students lea rn how to look over their
shoulders to watch for cars before executing turns,
etc.
An assessment of the tow n’s school education
program is provided within this report.
Town Carpool Program
New online tools are ava ilable to help parents
within the same neighb orhoods find carpool
partners to common schools. Traffic Patterns recommends that t he Town and School District
evaluate and consider implementing programs for the town. Prog rams currently available also
include options for Uber‐like services:
Carpooltoschool.com
Hop Skip Drive
Cocoa for Carpools (November/December)
Cocoa for Carpools is similar to encouragement events such as B ike to School Day, but is focused
on encouraging families to carpool and rewarding them warm cocoa during the winter months.
Event organizers can help families find others to carpool with or they can let neighbors organize
their own carpools. Volunteers sh ould be stationed at each vehi cle entrance to provide tickets
to carpooling students that can be redeemed for cocoa at local coffee shops or restaurants.
Golden Sneaker (February/March)
The Golden Sneaker Contest is a challenge between classrooms wh o compete for the most
active and shared trips to school during a one or two week peri od. Students receive points for
walking, biking, skating/scooter, carpooling or taking the bus/transit. At the end of the contest,
points are tallied and a Golden S neaker Trophy is awarded to th e classroom with the greenest
trips to school. This contest can be adapted a variety of ways and schools can even compete
against each other. A Golden Sne aker Guide can be downloaded he re:
http://www.saferoutestoschools.or g/SR2Simages/GoldenSneaker‐Gui de‐2010.pdf
An instructional video about the Golden Sneaker Contest can be viewed here:
http://alamedacountysr2s.org/even ts/golden‐sneaker‐contest‐two/
Bicycle Rodeo
Palo Alto, CA
Section 3
Education Assessment
Los Gatos – Safe Routes to School Phase 1 Study 65.
Existing Curriculum
The Los Gatos Union School Distr ict conducts in‐class education activities covering bicycle and
pedestrian safety to students in Kindergarten and 2 nd , 3 rd , 4 th , and 5 th grades. This curriculum varies by
grade level. The following is a description of the curriculum c urrently in use.
Kindergarten Classroom Training
The Kindergarten training is a 20‐minute lesson focused on pede strian safety. It covers signs and
signals, looking before crossing, how to cross th e street, and how to get out of a car at school.
The lesson is interactive, beginning with a game about how the students arrived at school.
Pedestrian and Bicycle Safe ty for 2nd Grade Students
This lesson involves signs, cro sswalks, flashcards, and showing students the Asimo video. It
begins by asking students how th ey traveled to school and follows up with basic pedestrian and
street crossing vocabulary. After students watch the Asimo vide o, they review concepts and
then practice by doing a simula ted street crossing activity. At the end of the lesson, a few bicycle
safety tips are discussed.
Bike Rodeo for 3rd Grade Students
Bike rodeos are taught by League Certified Instructors, with he lp from the police department
and parent groups. Four stations are set up on the blacktop: ri ght turn and stop control,
scanning and moving, driveways, and intersections. The lesson i ncludes station set up, day‐of
checklist, and an informational letter to teachers.
Helmet Fitting Lesson for 3rd, 4th, and 5th Grade Students
The helmet fitting lesson is taught to 3 rd , 4 th , and 5 th grade students by trained middle school
students. The older students are trained to use a worksheet, ne w and old sport and bike
helmets, a Jell‐O brain and melo ns to conduct demo nstrations and teach others about the
importance of wearing a helmet.
Bicycle and Pedestrian Safet y for 5th Grade Students
The Bicycle and Pedestri an Safety lesson for 5 th grade students includes a PowerPoint
presentation that begins with le ssons on walking safely, crossi ng, and rules pertaining to
skateboards and scooters, but the majority of the time is spent on bicycle safety. The curriculum
covers general bike safety, rules of the road, and more specifi c turning movements. The lesson is
done in the classroom rather than on bikes.
The lesson also includes a Bicycl e and Pedestrian Safety Jeopar dy Game, which takes about 40
minutes. The game splits classes into teams and covers topics t aught during the 5 th grade lesson.
At the end, the winning team receives a prize.
Section 3
Education Assessment
Los Gatos – Safe Routes to School Phase 1 Study 66.
Additional Materials
The Los Gatos Union School Distr ict also uses these materials t o engage families in the Safe
Routes to School program and prom ote active and shared commutes to school:
Newsletters
Parent Driver Contract
Bicyclist Contract
Calendar of activities
Back to School letters
Honeybee Barcode form (Blossom Hill Elementary)
Kinder Parent Orientation Presentation
Recommendations for E xisting Curriculum
LGUSD provided existing Safe Rou tes to School curriculum materi als including pamphlets, slide
shows, games, and lesson plans used by instructors. Alta Planni ng + Design reviewed the
materials and put together a series of recommendations to impro ve the curriculum. Due to the
large amount of materials given , they will not be included in t his report. This section of the
report can be used separately by LGUSD to compare to existing c urriculum. The following is a
set of recommendations to expand the existing curriculum in use by LGUSD, listed above.
Lesson Time/Format Recommendations
Kindergarten
Classroom
Training
20 minute in‐class
lesson
1. Lesson Part 3: Stop, look left/right/left, listen.
A dd “Make eye contact with drivers” as the
fourth step before crossing. Gesture eye contact
and explain why it is important to make sure
drivers see you before you cross.
2. Lesson Part 4: Crossing the street . Add “Make
eye contact with driver s” as the fourth step
before crossing in this de monstration and have
students practice (nod or wave them across as
they go through the simulated intersection).
3. Add a short lesson on crossing driveways while
walking on the sidewalk. Driveways should be
treated as an intersection.
4. Update flashcards to include pedestrian
countdown signals and to teach students not to
begin crossing if the red hand is already blinking.
Pedestrian &
Bicycle Training
for 2 nd Grade
Students
In‐class lesson 1. Lesson Part 5: Stop, Look and Listen . Add “Make
eye contact with driver s” as the fourth step
before crossing. Gesture eye contact and explain
why it is important to make sure drivers see you
before you cross.
Section 3
Education Assessment
Los Gatos – Safe Routes to School Phase 1 Study 67.
Lesson Time/Format Recommendations
Bike Rodeo for 3 rd
Grade Students
Outside on blacktop
for 1 hour 15 minutes
1. Continue to have League Certified Instructors
lead the bike rodeos.
2. Consider obtaining a small bike fleet for
students without bicycles or those that cannot
bring theirs to school.
3. Discuss distracted dri ving when teaching
students to scan for cars and move left.
Bicycle and
Pedestrian Safety
for 5 th Grade
Students
In‐class lesson 1. Slide 2: Remove referenc e to back up cameras
on cars as it can lead to a false sense of security
among students and not all cars have them yet.
2. Slide 3:
a. Show one photo of a marked crosswalk
and one of an intersection without a
marked crosswalk. Draw a line showing
to cross corner to co rner rather than
diagonally.
b. Edit the notes section to indicate that
not all marked crosswalks will have a
crossing guard (safety guard).
c. Add making eye contact with drivers as
part of the process before crossing the
street.
3. Slide 4: The lesson indicates that skaters,
skateboarders and scooter riders follow the
same rules as pedestrians. Clarify riding on the
sidewalk – these users should slow down and
yield to others.
4. Slide 8: Discuss traffic signals as well, including
what to do at a yellow light.
5. Slide 9: Along with riding in a straight line to be
predictable, discuss the door zone and where to
ride.
6. Slide 13: Edit the gra phic to show marked
crosswalks and/or bike lanes to make sure
students understand where they should be as a
cyclist when using a box turn to turn left.
7. Slide 14: Use photos related to traffic safety to
show eye contact. The lesson could also use
volunteers to demonstrate making eye contact
by having one act as the driver and one as the
pedestrian trying to cross.
8. Slide 15: Use this slide to discuss how to choose
a route, rather than what is currently in the
notes.
Section 3
Education Assessment
Los Gatos – Safe Routes to School Phase 1 Study 68.
Lesson Time/Format Recommendations
Bicycle and
Pedestrian Safety
Jeopardy Game
40 minute game
played during class
with an expert
instructor leading
1. Slide 5: Remove referenc e to back up cameras
on cars as it can lead to a false sense of security
among students.
2. Slide 27: Along with riding in a straight line to be
predictable, discuss the door zone and where to
ride.
3. Slide 42: Use photos related to traffic safety to
show eye contact.
Recommendations for Additional Education Activities
Recommendations for additional e ducation courses and materials are outlined below. Most are
available for free download and h ave been developed by other Ba y Area Safe Routes to School
programs.
On‐Bike Education for Middle and High School Students
On‐bike education significantly improves biking skills as it al lows students to practice in a safe
environment. Several courses have been designed for middle and high school students,
including Drive Your Bike in Alameda County, YBike a program of the YMCA, and Marin County.
In Santa Clara County, the Silicon Valley Bicycle Coalition or other local groups may be able to
provide on‐bike education classe s for middle and high school ag e students.
Alameda County Safe Routes to Schools K‐5 Educator Guide
The Alameda County SR2S program h as developed a K‐5 Educator Gu ide with lessons that meet
Common Core standards. The Guide p rovides information on how to implement each lesson and
activity, as well as information on how each age group understa nds and processes the
transportation environment. The Education Guide can be download ed for free here:
http://alamedacountysr2s.org/programs/educators‐guide/
Alameda County Safe Routes to Schools K‐5 Educator Guide
The Alameda County SR2S program h as developed a K‐5 Educator Gu ide with lessons that meet
Common Core standards. The Guide p rovides information on how to implement each lesson and
activity, as well as information on how each age group understa nds and processes the
transportation environment. The Education Guide can be download ed for free here:
http://alamedacountysr2s.org/programs/educators‐guide/
California Pedestrian & Bicycle Safety Curriculum for Grades 4 & 5
The Active Transportation Resour ce Center (ATRC), formerly the CA Safe Routes to School
Resource Center, recently published pedestrian and bicycle curr iculum for 4 th and 5 th grades.
These lessons align with Common Core Standards and California D epartment of Public Health
standards. Many of these lessons could be used to supplement th e existing curriculum being
used in Los Gatos. Lessons can be found here:
http://www.californiahealthykids.org/product/9718
Section 3
Education Assessment
Los Gatos – Safe Routes to School Phase 1 Study 69.
Marin County Safe Routes to School Curriculum
Marin County has lesson plans th at are age‐specific and indicat e objectives, required materials,
lesson length, and step‐by‐step i nstructions. The curriculum ca n be downloaded as units here:
http://www.saferoutestosc hools.org/curriculum.html
Spare the Air Youth Lesson Plans Resource Page
Spare the Air Youth (STAY) is a regional program that aims to e ducate, inspire and empower
youth and families in the San Fra ncisco Bay Area to walk, bicyc le, carpool, and take transit. STAY
provides resources that have been developed throughout the Bay Area that can be used for
other local programs. A resource list of existing curriculum ca n be found here:
http://www.sparetheairyouth.org/lesson‐plans
Section 4
Enforcement
Los Gatos – Safe Routes to School Phase 1 Study 70.
The Los Gatos Police Department p rovides focused enforcement at the start of each school year to help
encourage safe driving patterns by motorists and safe walking/b iking habits by students. Sporadic
enforcement is provided throughout the year and focused enforce ment is identified and provided
quickly through the department’s a ctive involvement in the Town ’s Safe Routes to School Partnership.
Adult Crossing Guards
The Los Gatos Police Department a lso provides oversight of the Town’s adult crossing guard program.
Crossing guard locations are identified on all the new Walk & R oll Maps provided as part of this project
and are summarized in the table below.
Town of Los Gatos
Adult Crossing Guard Locations
Union Avenue & Thomas Drive
Blossom Hill Road & Cherry Blossom Lane
Winchester Avenue & Daves Avenue
Blossom Hill Road & Roberts Road
Los Gatos Boulevard & Nino Avenue
Nino Avenue & Fisher Avenue
Daves Avenue & Poppy Lane (3 Total)
Los Gatos Boulevard & Shannon Road
Kennedy Road & Los Gatos Boulevard
Shannon Avenue & Cherry Blossom Lane
Adult Crossing Guards are used to create gaps in traffic at sch ool crossings or to provide additional
warning at controlled crossings t o help guide pedestrians. Gua rds are typically uniformed and are
stationed at school crossings up to 30 minutes before school be gins and for another 30 minutes after
school lets out. They use a STO P paddle and sometimes a whistl e to get motorists attention. In the
Town of Los Gatos the adult crossing guards are private‐sector operated but managed by the police
department.
Adult crossing guards are typically deployed at school crossing under one of three methods:
1) Engineering or Planning Study
A study, such as Safe Routes to School Program where Walk & Rol l Maps are being developed,
can identify crossing locations and recommend their placement. Adult crossing guard
placement under this approach is typically based on engineering judgement after repeated
observations and data collection/analysis.
2) Establishment Criteria
The California MUTCD provides rec ommended establishment criteri a for adult crossing guard
placement. Communities that have multiple requests for crossin g guard locations use this
criterion to meet minimum legal requirements and to minimize op erations impacts. The 2014
California MUTCD establishment cr iteria from Section 7D.02 incl udes:
Section 4
Enforcement
Los Gatos – Safe Routes to School Phase 1 Study 71.
At uncontrolled crossings where there is no alternate controlle d crossing within 600 feet;
and
o In urban areas where the vehic ular traffic volume exceeds 350 d uring each of any two
hours (not necessarily consecutive) in which 40 or more school pedestrians cross daily
while going to or from school; or
o In rural areas where the vehicul ar traffic volume exceeds 300 d uring each of any two
hours (not necessarily consecutive) in which 30 or more school pedestrians cross daily
while going to or from school.
o Where the critical (85 th percentile) approach speed excee ds 40 mph, the guidelines for
rural areas should be applied.
At stop sign‐controlled crossings:
Where the vehicular traffic volu mes on undivided highways of fo ur or more lanes exceeds
500 per hour during any period whe n the school pedestrians are going to or from school.
At traffic signal‐controlled crossings:
o Where the number of turning mo vements through the school crossw alk exceeds 300
per hour while school pedestria ns are going to or from school; or
o Where justified through analysis of the operations of the inter section.
It is also common for agencies t o develop their own establishme nt criteria and apply it within
their own community after policy approval of the criteria.
3) Policy Appointment
Local agencies may identify school crossing for deployment of a dult crossing guards as part of
policy direction.
Establishment criteria for adul t crossing guard deployment in t he Town of Los Gatos were not analyzed
as part of this study. This may b e a project element for future phases of the Town’s Safe Routes to
School program. The adult crossing guard locations identified in the new Walk & Roll maps are existing
locations.
Community Requested Adult C rossing Guard Locations
Locations where adult crossing guards were requested by the com munity but not evaluated as part of
this study include:
Highway 9 & Massol Avenue
Fisher Avenue & Roberts Road
Fisher Avenue & Mitchell Road
Blossom Hill Road & Cherrystone Drive‐Hillbrook Drive
Section 4
Enforcement
Los Gatos – Safe Routes to School Phase 1 Study 72.
School Zones
School Zones are helpful in defi ning boundaries in which motorists should pay special attention to
school‐aged pedestrians. School Zones are typically applied wi thin 500‐1,000 feet of a school while
children are outside or crossing the street. The speed limit o n a street in the School Zone can be
reduced from its posted speed limit to either 25, 20, or 15 MPH based on an engineering or planning
study for the School Zone establishment.
The Town of Los Gatos currently has established School Zones on arterial streets such as Blossom Hill
Road and uses reduced 25 MPH spee d limits in those areas supple mented by vehicle speed feedback
signs. Traffic Patterns recommend s analyzing the following str eets by school in future phases of the
Safe Routes to School program. Th e list also includes streets t hat support Hillbrook School.
Recommended School Zone
15‐ to 20‐MPH Str eets “When Children Are Present”
School Suggested Lower Speed School Zones
Blossom Hill Elementary School Shannon Road
Cherry Blossom Avenue
Hilow Road
Daves Elementary School Daves Avenue
Poppy Lane
Kavin Lane
Vista Avenue
Van Meter Elementary Sch ool Los Gatos Boulevard
Nino Avenue
Fisher Middle School Blossom Hill Road
Roberts Road
Fisher Avenue
Mitchell Avenue
Shannon Road
Los Gatos High School E Main Street
Bella Vista Avenue
New York Avenue
Alta Vista Elementary School
(Union School District )
Camino Del Cerro
Blossom Glen Way
Blossom Valley Drive
Blossom Wood Drive
Hillbrook School
(Private School )
Hilow Road
Marchmont Drive
Section 4
Enforcement
Los Gatos – Safe Routes to School Phase 1 Study 73.
Enhanced Crosswalk Facilities
Los Gatos has deployed several crosswalk enhancements around
Town over the past several years including pedestrian‐activated
flashing beacons at select school crossing and flag paddles aro und
the downtown.
The pedestrian‐activated flashin g beacons at Blossom Hill Road &
Cherrystone Drive‐Hillbrook Drive and Highway 9 & Massol
Avenue were locations identified by parents as crossing that
could benefit from additional improvement and enforcement.
Specific recommendations for improvements are discussed within
the Engineering Analysis section of this report and include the use
of 3‐Section Rapid‐Flash Pedestri an‐Activated Flashing Beacons
instead of the traditional “one second on‐one second off” flash
patterns currently in use and using three 3‐section beacons in
each direction.
Traffic Patterns recommended add ing these locations to a regula r
enforcement program that can i nclude non‐uniformed officers
crossing the street during school commute periods to cite
motorists that fail to yield to pedestrians in the crosswalks.
New pedestrian‐activated flashin g beacons are also recommended along the frontage of Los Gatos High
School at the three E Main Str eet crossings depending on additi onal improvements such as bulb‐outs
and/or speed tables, and at Los Gatos Almaden Rd & Cherry Bloss om Lane to support Blossom Hill
School.
3‐Section Pedestrian‐A ctivated
Flashing Beacon Solar Powered
Section 4
Enforcement
Los Gatos – Safe Routes to School Phase 1 Study 74.
Red LED Flashing STOP Signs
Red LED Flashing STOP signs are recommended at various locations within the
Engineering Analysis section of this report. The signs are sola r‐powered and
include a programmable timer so t hat the red LEDs Flash by time ‐of‐day to
coincide with school commutes and the presence of adult crossin g guards. Red
LED Flashing STOP signs are recommended at the following locati ons to help
supplement STOP sign compliance and enforcement efforts.
Recommended Red LED Flash ing STOP Sign Locations
School Suggested Lower Speed School Zones
Blossom Hill Elementary School S hannon Rd & Cherry Blossom Ln
Shannon Rd & Shady View Ln
Cherry Blossom Ln & Cherrystone Dr
Daves Elementary School Daves Ave & Kavin Ln (All‐Way STOP Stud y Required)
Daves Ave & Poppy Ln
Daves Ave & Daves School Egress Dwy
Poppy Ln & Bruce Ave
Van Meter Elementary School Fisher Ave & Nino Ave
Fisher Middle School Fisher Ave & Roberts Rd
Fisher Ave & Mitchell Ave
Fisher Ave & Nino Ave
Los Gatos High School E Main St & Villa Ave (All‐Way STOP Study Required)
E Main St & Pleasant St
Los Gatos Blvd & Loma Alta Ave
Pleasant St & New York Av
Alta Vista Elementary School
(Union School District )
Blossom Valley Dr & Westchester Dr
Blossom Valley Dr & Blossom Wood Dr
Hillbrook School
(Private School )
Hilow Rd & Marchmont Dr
Shannon Rd & Shady View Ln
Section 5
Survey Monkey Results Evaluation
Los Gatos – Safe Routes to School Phase 1 Study 75.
This project included an online survey for the community that w as available for approximately one
month during the last month of school in spring 2016. A total o f 458 responses we re provided. The
survey was developed by the Tra ffic Patterns‐Alta Planning + De sign team in partnership with the Los
Gatos Safe Routes to School Part nership. Below are results fro m portions of the survey.
1) Please tell us a little about yourself before we get started.
Section 5
Survey Monkey Results Evaluation
Los Gatos – Safe Routes to School Phase 1 Study 76.
2) On a typical day, how do your kids primarily get to/from schoo l?
Section 5
Survey Monkey Results Evaluation
Los Gatos – Safe Routes to School Phase 1 Study 77.
3) Select one of the schools below on which to provide feedback. I f you are interested in more than
one school, please choose only o ne now and you will have an opt ion to return to this page and
complete the survey for another school.
Many survey respondents also re quested the option to provide in put for schools outside of the
survey scope including Stratford School, St. Mary’s School, Lex ington School, Unio n Middle School,
and Rolling Hills Middle Sc hool in Campbell, CA.
Section 5
Survey Monkey Results Evaluation
Los Gatos – Safe Routes to School Phase 1 Study 78.
The remainder of the survey allo wed respondents to provide inpu t on Draft copies of the Walk & Roll
Maps and Concept Plan Line drawi ngs for each school. Many of t he comments were incorporated into
the final Walk & Roll maps and Concept Plan Line drawings prese nted in this report. Below is a summary
of comments by school for other items that may be of interest t o the Town and School District. An
unabridged copy of all the survey responses is provided in the Exhibits section of this report.
School Comment Response
Blossom Hill School Districted drivers at Cherry
Blossom Ln & Cherrystone Dr
cause a safety concern.
Shannon Rd needs better ped‐bike
facilities.
Add flashing beacons at LG
Almaden & Cherry Blossom Ln
Shannon Rd vehicle speeding
concerns
Red LED Flash STOP Signs
recommended.
Town resurfaced Shannon Rd over
Summer and made improvements.
Rapid‐Flash Ped Activated Flashing
Beacons recommended.
New speed survey recommended to
determine if 30 MPH speed limit can
be reduced and School Zone 20‐MPH
speed limit recommended pending
future study.
Daves School Daves Av & Kavin Ln All‐Way STOP
request.
Daves Av & Palos Verdes All‐Way
STOP request.
Highway 9 & Massol Ave
Crosswalk needs improvement or
New Traffic Signal
Winchester Blvd Pedestrian
Facilities Needed including
sidewalks and crosswalks,
specifically at Blossom Hill Road
intersection (north leg)
Crossing guard request at Hwy 9 &
Massol Av
Strong support for Daves Av
Concept Plan Line Drawings
including Left Turn Lane to School
All‐Way STOP recommended and
should be supplemented with Red
LED Flash STOP signs.
Documented request and passed
along to Town of Monte Sereno
3‐Section Rapid Flash Pedestrian
activated flashing beacons
recommended.
Concept Plan Line drawings for
Winchester Blvd‐Santa Cruz Av
corridor recommended
Request passed along to Town
Requests passed along to City of
Monte Sereno staff
Section 5
Survey Monkey Results Evaluation
Los Gatos – Safe Routes to School Phase 1 Study 79.
School Comment Response
Van Meter School Adult crossing guards requested at
Fisher Av & Roberts Rd and Fisher
Av & Mitchell Av.
Motorists speeding during and
running red lights at Los Gatos
Blvd & Kennedy Drive.
Support for Los Gatos Blvd
Concept Plan Line improvements,
specifically left turn lane extension
on Los Gatos Blvd & Nino Ave.
Provide education in‐class for
student Rules of the Road.
Request passed along to the Town.
Request for enforcement passed
along to Town along with request to
evaluate traffic signal timing changes.
Request passed along to the Town.
Education curriculum evaluated as
part of this study.
Fisher Middle
School
Highway 9 & Massol Ave
Crosswalk needs improvement of
new Traffic Signal.
Blossom Hill Rd improvements
needed, strong support for
changes and trail connection to
back of LGUSD Offices. More
green bike lanes.
Monitor the drop off zones to
keep them moving.
Town wide carpool program.
3‐Section Rapid Flash Pedestrian
activated flashing beacons
recommended.
Request passed along to the Town.
Request passed along to LGUSD.
Suggestions for town carpool
program included.
Section 5
Survey Monkey Results Evaluation
Los Gatos – Safe Routes to School Phase 1 Study 80.
School Comment Response
Los Gatos High
School
General concerns about expecting
students to walk/bike long
distances to school.
Need better VTA Transit Service.
Strong support for Pleasant St
Concept Plan Line drawing
recommendations.
Consider better bike facilities
along Los Gatos Blvd including
grade‐separated bike facilities.
Consider Bella Vista‐New York
Avenue Bicycle Only improvement.
Need lockers on campus to help
students leave items to be able to
bike to school.
Provide Los Gatos Lodge Access to
LGHS.
Need more parking and drop
off/pick up areas.
Main St Crosswalks need
improvement
Active Bike/Ped Transportation Plan
(by others) and recommendations for
Electric Bike Share Program at school.
Request passed along to the Town for
coordination with VTA. Report
includes recommendations for a
Town‐sponsored student commuter
bus program.
Request passed along to the Town.
Concept Plan Line drawings provided
for improvements in current right‐of‐
way.
Recommendation passed along to
Bike/Ped Transportation Plan
consultant and Town.
Request passed along to LGUSD.
Recommendations for policy
statements included in report.
Concept Plan Line drawings included
recommendations for expanded
parking and drop off/pick up areas.
Concept Plan Line drawings include
recommendations for enhanced
crosswalk facilities and All‐Way STOP
at E Main St & Villa Ave/
Section 5
Survey Monkey Results Evaluation
Los Gatos – Safe Routes to School Phase 1 Study 81.
Alta Vista School
(Union School
District)
Concerns regarding traffic
congestion and student drop off in
the street.
Camino del Cerro & Westchester
intersection improvements.
Blossom Valley Rd & Taft
intersection improvements.
All comments passed along to the
Town and City of San Jose.
Request passed along to Town.
Request passed along to the City of
San Jose.
Hillbrook School
(Private School)
Strong support for on‐going bus
program
Hilow Rd One‐Lane Rd needs
improvement including better
sidewalks and bicycle facilities.
Agree.
Study recommends STOP addition at
north end of one‐way section and
Red LED Flash STOP signs at
Marchmont Dr. Request also passed
along to Bike/Ped Transportation
Plan consultant.
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County Park
Blossom Hill
Elementary
School
0.30.6
MILES
Map produced July, 2016.
K 0
Los Gatos
City Boundary
Suggested School
Route
2
3 - 8
9 - 11
12 - 14
15 - 19
STUDENT DENSITY
BLOSSOM HILL
ELEMENTARY
SCHOOL
G re e n w o o d L n
W o o
d R d
W it h
e
y R d
Ros
e
A
v
e
S h a d y L n
L o s G a t os S a r at o g a R d
S B a s co m A ve
Roseleaf L
n
J
o
D
r
Farley Rd
L i l a c L n
L o m a s
L
n
S c o t t D r
Sh
o
r
t
R
d
Vi ll a A v e
P
o
l l a
r
d R d
W e s t
R d
C a m e l l i a T e r
Nino
A
v
e
C r e s c e n
t
D
r
H
i
l
l
T o p D r
C r i s p A v e
Co
o p e r
A v e
O v e r l oo k R d
M
o
r
e
A
v
e
Pollard Rd
Knowles Dr
Es
t
h
e
r
D
r
T e r e s i t a
W a
y
H ard in g
A
v e
E Main St
G r a n a da
W
a
y
O a k D r
B a r r e t t A ve
S h e l l e y A v e
E a t o n L n
L
e
s
t
e
r
L
n
Ki m b l e A v e
B r e w s t e r
Av
e
G y p s y
H il
l
R d
F o r r e s t e r Rd
A v e C
r
e s t a
Ta
i
t
A
v
e
P h i l l i p s A v e
S
a
m a r i t a n D r
W Parr Ave
L
o
m
a
A
l t a
A v
e
S
u
n
d
A
v e
H o l
l
y w o o d A v e
M ar ch m o n t D r
R a v i n e Rd
W es t c h e s t e r D r
B lo s s o m V a l l e yD r
B l o s s o m Hi l l Rd
V i sd
e l M o n t e
N
a
t
i
o
n
a
l
A
v
e
L ar k A v e
Woodard Rd
S t r a t f o r d D r
W e d g e w o o dA v e
N S
a
n
t
a
C
r
u
z
A
v
e
B l o s so m H i l l R d
Shannon
R
d
K e n n e d y
R d
Lo
s
G
a
t
o
s
B
l
v
d
C yp r e s s
W a
y
B l a c k b e r r
y
H
i
l
l
R d
Q u a r r y
R d
F o s t e r
R d
M i l e s A v e
L
i
n
d
a
A
v
e
H e r r i n g A v e
F
o
s
t er
R
d
Ta
f
t
D
r
A l t
u
r
a
V i s
E l e s t e r
D
r
G r e e n w o o dR d
E C o l l e g e C i r
Ja
c
k
s
o
l
D
r
J
o
h
n
s
o
n
A
v e
C h e r r y s t o n e D r
B i c k n e l l R d
C
l y de
l l e
Av
e
O
l
d
A d
o
b
e
R
d
H a p p y A c r e
s
R d S u v i e w D r
W o o d A c r e s R d
M at
i l i j a D r
F
i r e R d
F i r e R
d
M o r e
A
v
e C
a
s
i t a
s B u l e v
a
r
O v e r l o
o
k
R d
S o b e y
R d
Q u i t o
R d
C o
l
l
e
g
e
A v e
à 85
à 9
à 17
SARATOGA
MONTE SERENO
LOS GATOS
SAN JOSE
LOS GATOS 17
18
16
19
9
12
12
9
10
10
10
11
11
12
9
14
12
14
13
10
12
12
11
9
13
4
7
3
4
3
5
5
3
8
4
3
6
5
3
6
5
4
3
5
7
3
3
3
5
3
5
3
3
6
4
4
6
5
6
3
6
3
8
3
4
à 9 à 85
à 35
à 17
LOS
GATOS
SARATOGA SAN JOSE
33 323
219
10
2
0.30.6
MILES
Map produced July, 2016.
K 0
Los Gatos
City Boundary
Suggested School
Route
2
3 - 8
9 - 14
15 - 20
21 - 32
STUDENT DENSITY
DAVES AVENUE
ELEMENTARY
SCHOOL
Daves Ave
Elementary
School
Vasona Lake
County Park
T
o
u
r
n
e
y
R d
W
M
a
i
n
S
t
S
a
i d e l D r
W o
o
d R d
Ros
e
A
v
e
S h a d y L n
I n c a C t
B l a
c
k
b e r r y
H i l l
R d F i r e R d
J
o
D
r
Lilac Way
Farley Rd
Po
p
p
y
L
n
C l a r a
S
t
L ila c L n
A p r i c o t L n
P s o
C a r m e
l
o
F
o
s
t
e
r
R
d
V
i
a
L o m i t
a
e
l
G
a
t
o
L
n
Sh
o
r
t
R
d
V i l l a A v e
C
o r o n e tD r
Be
l
E
s
c
o
u
D
r
A
l
p
i
n
e
A
v
e
C a m e l li a T e r Daves Av
e
Nino
A
v
e
Nimrick Ln A z a l e a W ay
B r o a d wa y
L os t O a k s D r
M o n t c l a i r R d
Z e na A v e
G
r
e
e n ri d g e
Te
r
Vi e w
f
i
e
l dR
d
H i l o w R d
Co
o
p
e
r
A
v
e
Es
t
h
e
r
D
r
R o be r t s Rd
H ard i n g
A
v e
E M a i n S t
E n g l e w o o d A ve
Sa
n
B
e
n
i
t
o
A
v
e
V i a P a l o m i n o L
e
s
t
e
r
L
n
K i m b l e
A v e
Br
e
w
s
t
e
r
A
v
e
Ta
i
t
A
v
e
Ro s s w o o d D r
P h i l l i p s A v e
S
a
m a r i t a n D r
A
v
e C r e s t a
S
u n
d
A v e
M a r c hm o n t D r
Daves
A
v
e
W e st c h e s t e r D r
Vineland A
v
e
B los
s o m V a l l e yD r
N
a
t
i
o
n
a
l
A
v
e
Lar
k
A
v
e
B l o s s o m H i l l R d
Un
i
o
n
A
v
e
G a r d e nH
i l l D
r
Carlton Ave
B l o s s om H i l l R d
S h a n n o n R d
Uni
v
e
r
s
i
t
y
A
v
e
Lo
s
G
a
t
o
s
B
l
v
d
K e n n e d y
R
d
Fo s te r R
d
H i g h S t
C
o
l
l
e
g e A v e
C
y
p
r
e
s
s
W ay
B l a c k b e r r
y
H
i l l
R d
Q u a r r y
R d F o s t e r
R d
W
i l d
W a y
D
o v e r
S t
C e r r o V i s t a
C t
E u
c
l
i d A v
e
Di
c
k
e
n
s
A
v
e
Wi
n
t
o
n
W
a
y
M i l e s A v e
Ch
a
r
l
o
t
t
e
A
v
e
L
i
n
d
a
A
v
e
M a s s o l A v e
C a r l t o n
A v e
Ta
f
t
D
r
L
o
n
g
w
o
o
d
D
r
P i n e h u r s t
A ve
El
e
s
t
e
r
D
r
S h a n n o n
Ht
s
T w e l v
e O a k s R
d
W o o
d
e
d
V
i
e
w D r
J
o
h
n
s
o
n
A
v e
C h e r r y s t o n e D r
J a c k s o n S t
Bicknell Rd
Ka
r
l
A
v
e
Cl
y
d
e
l
l
e
A
v
e
S u v i e w D r
F
i
r
e R d
C o l l e
g
e
A v e
à 85
à 9
à 17
MONTE SERENO
LOS GATOS
SAN JOSE
32
27
18
20
12
14
11
10
11
9
13
11
11
11
12
12
9
10
9
3
5
6
5
8
6
4
5
7
4
4
6
8
8
4
7 6
8 7
5
8
3
5
4
5
6
3
3
6
3
6
4
3
6
5
3
8 3
3
6
5
4
3
3
6
7
3
3
3
3
3
4
4
3
Louise
Van Meter
Elementary
School
£101
à 9 à 35
à 87
à 85
à 17
¥280 ¥880
LOS
GATOS
SARATOGA
CUPERTINO SANTA
CLARA SAN JOSE
SANTA
CRUZ
SCOTTS
VALLEY
4
9
2
27 240 382
Vasona Lake
County Park
0.25 0.5
MILES
Map produced July, 2016.
K 0
Los Gatos
City Boundary
Suggested School
Route
2
3 - 8
9 - 14
15 - 20
21 - 32
STUDENT DENSITY
LOUISE VAN METER
ELEMENTARY
SCHOOL
B e a r C r e e k R d
D
u
r
o
s
o
R d
W i n c h e s t e r B l vd
P i n e T r l
A i r p
o r t Rd
S a ra t og
a
L o s G a t o s
R
d
S k y l
i
n
e
B
l
v
d
S u
m
m
i t
R
d
C a m e l l i a T e r
P a r k D r
O
v e r l o o k R d
B a y v i e w D r
T a i t A v e
S
a
n
d
y
L
n
P
a n o r a
m
a
D
r
Lar
k
A
v
e
L
o
v
e
H
a r r is R d
J a c k s o n
S
t
R
a v i n e R d
B i c k n e l l R d
C h a s e R d
B e l v u e
D r
Samaritan Dr
C
a
r
t
e
r
A
v
e
S o d a S p r i n g s R d
P
e
a
c
h
H i l l R d
S a n t a R o s a D r
W i e u
c
a R d
D a v e s A v e
Un
i
o
n
A
v
e
G a r d e nH
i l
l
D r
L e i g h
A v e
B e a r ds l e y Rd
L i m e k i l n C y n R d
Car lt o n A v e
Bl o s so m H i l l R d
L o c m a A l m a d e n
R
d
U n i v ers
i ty
Av
e
Lo
s
G
a
t
o
s
B
l
v
d
L o s G a t o sAl m a de n Rd
K e n
n
e
d
y
R d
S h an n o n R d
B l a c k R d
A l
m
a
B r i
d
g e
R
d
O l
d
S
a
n
t
a
C
r
u
z
H
w y
Wo o d s Rd
H i
g h S t
H o
w
e
s
L
n
C o l l
e
g e A v e
Cy p r e s s
W
a y
F
o
s t e r
R d
R
u d y
D r
C
a
l
v i l l o
R
d
S k y L n
A
l
a
n
A
v
e
F i r e R
d
Q u i t o R d
G i s t R d
P
h
e
a
s a n t R d
C an
o
n D r
W e a v e r
R
d
Ha
r
w
o
o
d
R
d
H i c k
s
R d
G u a d a lu p e
M i n e s R d M o
n
t
e
v
i
n
a
R d
L u c ky Rd
à 85
à 9
à 35
à 17
MONTE SERENO
LOS GATOS
SAN JOSE
9
7
8
18
21
4
3
4
5
5
4
3
3
3
6
4
11 12
Lexington
Reservoir
Lexington
Elementary
0 0.5 1
MILES
Map produced July, 2016.
K
£101
à 9
à 35
à 87
à 17
à 85
¥280 ¥880
LOS
GATOS
SARATOGA
CAMPBELL
CUPERTINO
SAN JOSE
SCOTTS
VALLEY
4
2 18
12
124 2
Los Gatos
City Boundary
2
3 - 6
7 - 9
10 - 12
13 - 21
STUDENT DENSITY
LEXINGTON
ELEMENTARY
SCHOOL
Va s o n a T e r
W M a i n St
W
o
o d R d
Ne
l
s
o
n
C
t
Ros
e
A
v
e
S h a d y L n
F i r e R d
Roseleaf L
n
J
o
D
r
L o g i c D r
C h i r c oD
r
L i l a c L n
S c o t t D r
Ho
w e s
D r
O a k D r
Sh
o
r
t
R
d
C
o r o n e t D r Daves Av
e
F
o
s
t
e
r
R
d
Nimrick Ln
L os t O a k s D r
C r e s c e n
t
D
r
Z e n a A v e
V i e w f
i
e
l
d R d
H i l o w
R d
Co
o p e r
A v e Es
t
h
e
r
D
r
R o be r t s Rd
H ard in g
A
v e
E M ai nS t
C r an f o r d C i r
A n dr e w s S t
E a t o n L n
V i aP
a l o mi n o
C a me
l l ia T e r
L
e
s
t
e
r
L
n
A z t e c R i d g e Dr
K i m b
l e A v e
B r e w s t e r
A v e
F o r r e s t e r Rd
P h i l l i p s A v e
S
a
m a r i t a n D r
B a r r e t t A v e
H o l
l
y wo
o
d A v e
Ro s s w o o d D r
W e s t c h es t e r D r
Vineland A
v
e
B lo s s o m V a l l e yD r
M
o r e A ve
R i d g e c
r e s t
A v e
V i s d e l M o n t e
N
a
t
i
o
n
a
l
A
v
e
Samaritan Dr
Lar
k
A
v
e
B l o s s o m H i l l R d
Q u i t o
R
d
D a v e sA v e
Un
i
o
n
A
v
e
G a r d e n H i l l D r
S h a n n o n R d
Uni
v
e
r
s
i
t
y
A
v
e
K e n n e d y Rd
T o y o n
D
r
F o s t e r R d
H i g h S t
C y p r e s s
W
a y
Q
u arr
y R d Fos
t er
R d
D
o v e r
S t
Ad
a
i
r
W
a
y
W
o
o d R d
M i l e s A v e
Ja
c
k
s
o
l
D
r
M a s s o l A ve
C a r l t o n
A v e
Herring Ave
Ta
f
t
D
r
P i n e h u r s t
A ve
E l e s t e r
D
r
S h a n n o
n
Ht
s
T w e l v
e O a k s R
d
W o o
d
e
d
V
i
e w D r
Un
i
o
n
A
v
e
B i c k n e l l R d
Ka
r
l
A
v
e
Cl
y
d
e
l
l
e
A
v
e
S u v i e w D r
Es c o b a r A v e
F
i r e R d
à 85
à 9
à 17
MONTE SERENO
LOS GATOS
SAN JOSE
21
18 19
21
16
12
12
14
14
9
10
9
9
8
9
11
10
9
10
9
9
9
8
11
10
8
9
8
8 9
8
8
9
11
9
8
10
9
9
8
11
11 5
7
6
4
6
7
6
7
3
6
7
7
4
5
5
6
6
7
7
3
7
3
5
4
4
4
3
3
3
4
6
5
5
4
4
3
6
6
5
7
6
4
5
3
7
5
5
7
3
5
3
3
7
3
4
3
6
5
3
4
3
5
4
3
3
5
6
3
7
6
4
4
6
3
3 3
5
3
3
3
4
4
5
3
7
6
5
3
3 3
4
3
3
4
5
6
3
4
6
5
4
3
4
4
3
3
3
3
3
3
R.J. Fisher
Elementary
£101
à 9 à 35
à 87
à 85
à 17
¥280 ¥880
SARATOGA
CUPERTINO SANTA
CLARA SAN JOSE
SCOTTS
VALLEY
LOS GATOS
692 366
Vasona Lake
County Park
31
2
6 3
2
2
1
92
75
0.25 0.5
MILES
Map produced July, 2016.
K 0
Los Gatos
City Boundary
Suggested School
Route
2
3 - 7
8 - 11
12 - 16
17 - 21
STUDENT DENSITY
R.J. FISHER
MIDDLE SCHOOL
T
o
u
r
n
e
y
R d
W o o
d R d
S h a d y L n
A
c
t
o
n
D
r
L o g i c D r
R e g e n t
D r
V i ll a A v e
S u n r i s e D r
C r e s c e n
t
D
r
H
i
l
l
T o p D r
H ow
e
s D r
Es
t
h
e
r
D
r
T e r e s i t a
W a
y
R o b er t s R d
C r an
f o r d C i r
G r a n a d a
W
a
y
O a k D r
C o l e D r
M o n t c l a
i
r
R d
E a to n L n
L
e
s
t
e
r
L
n
F o r r e s t e r Rd
Anne Way
Chelsea Dr
P h i l l i p s A v e
L a u r i n d a D r
B a r r e tt Av e
A v e C r e s t a
O v e r l o o k R d
W i t
h e y R d
H o
l l y w o o d A v e
W e s t c he s t e r D r
B lo s s o m V a l l e yD r
O k a R d
R i d g e c r
e s t A v e
N
a
t
i
o
n
a
l
A
v
e
S a m a r i t a n D r
W i n c h e s t e r B l v d
Branham Ln
W e d g e w o o d A v e Woodard Rd
D a v e s
A v e
G a rd
e n H i l l D r
R o s s w o o d D r
L i m e ki l n C y n R d
B lo s s o mH i l l R d
S h a n n o n
R d
K e n n e d y R d
C y p r e s s W a
y
B l a c k b e r r y
H
i
l
l
R d
Q u a r r y
R d
L
i
n
d
a
A
v
e
N e w J e r s e y A ve
F
o
s
t e r
R
d
Ta
f
t
D
r
E l e s t e r
D
r
Ja
c
k
s
o
l
D
r
W e s t hi l l D r
B i c k n e l l R d
D e e r P a r k
R d
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Los Gatos
City Boundary
Suggested School
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STUDENT DENSITY
LOS GATOS
HIGH SCHOOL
Survey Monkey Comments
General Comments
SourceComment Alta ResponseStatus
Member of
Public May
23
One of the worst prepared surveys I have seen. Very biased and does not even include all schools located
within the LG Town borders. The survey should describe in detail what the purpose is. It appears that it is the
Town has bought again into something that likely benefits a select few!No action N/A
Member of
Public May
20
I did not complete the survey because it does not include all schools located in the town of LG. Although Rolling
Hills Middle School is not in a LG district (like Alta Vista), it is technically located in Los Gatos.No action N/A
Member of
Public May
20
Doing this "improvement: would take away my ONLY curb parking. Who came up with this idea to Install red
curb at the first parking Spaces? making the already corner red larger wouldnt make things better for anyone
walking to school
‐Steve Needed for safety/visibility N/A
Member of
Public May
22
I have been extremely frustrated for a long time with the state of the traffic system in Los Gatos and I believe
the biggest impact we can have to improve the safety for our kids is to address what I see as the largest
problem; the number of points of conflict for traffic, pedestrians and cyclists. Unfortunately when I read the
proposed improvements in the recent survey all I could see was minor incremental change to slightly benefit
some cyclists and pedestrians to the severe detriment and further impact of vehicles. This seems like a lot of
effort for very little gain that is unfortunately going to result in more anger and frustration for drivers.
Los Gatos residents complain loudly and bitterly about traffic congestion. I personally don’t believe we have a
problem with congestion (that would mean we had full roads from one end of LG to the other, we don’t). I
believe we have a problem with traffic bottlenecks. Those bottlenecks are caused by old‐style traffic
intersections which pit vehicle against vehicle, cyclist AND pedestrian. Only by removing these inefficient and
unsafe intersections can we create a safe and convenient environment for LG residents who walk, bike and
drive.
I firmly believe the solution is to replace many of the antiquated intersections with well planned roundabout
systems that reduce points of conflict, reduce speeds and reduce the number of places drivers and pedestrians
have to look before moving forward. Roundabouts reduce both the number AND severity of accidents. With
forethought they also allow pedestrians and cyclists to cross safely knowing that approaching drivers are
focussed on the road ahead (i.e. them) and not on 3 different things at once. The following website has a
wealth of information as a start. http://www.alaskaroundabouts.com/index.html
Sincerely, Gail
Comment relates to updated traffic signals
(with dedicated phases), updated intersections
(with dedicated space for different users), and
for roundabouts. Jaime to incorporate into
improvements/concepts as appropriate.
Improvement
Map and
Concept Plan
Member of
Public May
20
My son's school is technically in the Town of Los Gatos and in the Campbell Union School District, Rolling Hills
Middle School 1585 More Ave Los Gatos CA 95032. Why isn't RHMS included in the LG Safe Routes to School
program? Union School District in San Jose that has a school in Los Gatos (Alta Vista) is represented. I would be
interested in having my students ride or walk to school when the safety of their routes are addressed and
improved. How can I get RHMS included? Thanks in advance. Cathy Sanchez catikabonita@yahoo.comNo action N/A
Survey
Where is st. Marys school? It's one of the main private schools in the area and it's not even listed on your
survey.?? No action N/A
SurveyDid not see saint Mary's school listed No action N/A
Surveymy child goes to st. mary's, but they were not on your list .No action N/A
Survey
While we live in Los Gatos, my child is slated for Union Middle School. She can't walk or ride her bike to school
because Blossom Hill and Union are so dangerous. You have an obligation to all Los Gatos residents all the way
up to Harwood.No action N/A
Survey
WHAT ABOUT UNION!!!
Westchester/Camino del Cerro at the bridge. There is a whole neighborhood of kids who walk over the bridge!No action N/A
Survey
We have been in LG for 40 years, three sons, multiple schools. WE CANNOT ADD MORE TRAFFIC TO OUR
STREETS especially Los Gatos High and in front of Van Meter School and drop off pick up at all the elementary
schools. It is already terrible and very dangerous. The streets can no longer accommodate the population that
is here at this time. We need to build another school and keep neighborhoods safer. LG has already added lots
of classroom space without adding parking and even if you did the streets are too small this is a small town!!!!No action N/A
SurveyMy responses are in the wrong boxes ‐‐ every time I go to one of the maps I lose my responses !No action N/A
Fisher
Community
Member
06/07/2016
On the first page, I would change the first line of the Parent Message to something like "Parents: Now is a
good time to start allowing your student more independence in getting to and from school." The second
line could stay "Children who regularly practice safe walking and biking skills are more likely to make safer
choices as a teenager," Seems like the current first sentence targets younger kids.
Under Bike Safety ‐ Be Predictable. I think it should be Never bike THE wrong way. (missing word the)Add "be more independent" and add "the"
Walk & Roll
Map
101
Survey Monkey Comments
Alta Vista School
SourceComment MapStatus
Jaime
5/14/2016
For questions 4 reads a little weird on the first sentence, should remove “…for that…” Let’s use the following
and just modify the school name but be sure to add “school” after each school name
"The Town of Los Gatos is developing Walk & Roll Maps that highlight the suggested walking and biking routes
to school. The Town and School District will make these maps available at the start of the next school year to
help encourage student travel the school. The draft map for Alta Vista School is shown below. Please provide
any comments on the suggested routes or note any additional street suggestions in the Comment Box below."N/A Complete
Jaime
5/14/2016
For question 5, let’s go with
“Based on the suggested Walk and Roll Map routes the Town of Los Gatos and Los Gatos Unified School District
will be considering on‐ and off‐campus improvements to ensure safe and a efficient commute to school.
Suggested improvements for Alta Vista School are shown on the following map. Please provide your thoughts
on these projects or note any other elements that you believe should be considered in the Comment Box.
To view a larger impact of the Alta Vista School Improvement Map, CLICK HERE"N/A Complete
Jaime
5/14/2016
For question 6, let’s go with
The Town of Los Gatos has prepared Concept Improvement Plans to help scope and budget projects. For Alta
Vista School plans concept were prepared for the following streets:
Alta Vista School Campus, CLICK HERE to view
Provide your input in the Comment Box below."N/A Complete
Jaime
5/14/2016
After I finish the survey and reopen the link, I can’t get back to the Start of the Survey? I wonder if after the
last question for each school we should have another page giving parents the option to Return to the Start of
the Survey. If its a Survey Monkey item where it saves your survey status in Cookies that you can’t return to
the survey? N/A Complete
Jaime
5/14/2016
I notice the question numbering is off or if its a Survey Monkey thing where its adding numbers on its own? If
we can’t control the numbering let’s just leave it off?N/A Complete
Jaime
5/14/2016The Walk n Roll Map doesn’t showing up. The image is on the Google Drive.N/A Complete
Jaime
5/14/2016
There’s only one Concept Plan Line drawings so only one suggestion to note but other schools may have one or
two.N/A Complete
Matt
5/16/2016
Please provide any comments on the suggested routes or note any additional street suggestions in the
Comment Box below the image.
(is there a way to label the comment boxes throughout the survey?)N/A Complete
Matt
5/16/2016
Improvement Map – Can you make each question a separate page? Or at a minimum number each area for
comment (W&R map, improvement map, etc) to differentiate them?
The Town of Los Gatos has prepared Concept Improvement Plans to help scope and budget projects. For
Blossom Hill Elementary School plans concept were prepared for the following locations: red words reversed.N/A Complete
Survey
Well, Blossom Wood should be highlighted as a walking/biking street. And the designated zone for drop off
and pick up from vehicles is never followed by the parents driving their kids to school. No one uses it, they clog
the streets instead, let their kids cross in the middle of the streets often unaccompanied from wherever they
decide to stop their cars often blocking the private driveways of all the neighbors that live on Blossom Valley
Drive. The traffic is horrendous in this area and the parents constantly block the driveways. We see parents let
their kids get out street side of their vehicles and the parents speed off leaving their children stuck in the
middle of the street. Other vehicles in motion hesitate and then the children hesitate so the drivers deiced to
proceed and the children are often left to fend for themselves and traffic flows in both directions around the
child. The school needs to enforce the drop off pick up policy and the street needs to be rezoned as 'no‐ drop
off traffic'. All private driveways should be marked with red paint to designate that cars are not allowed to
block the driveways. The school loading zone 'A' is not big enough.
Walk and Roll Route
Map and
Improvement Map
Survey
There is no improvement at the Camino del Cerro and Westchester corner. I witnessed a pedestrian accident
here several years ago. Many people speed down the hill and sweep around the corner. there is no stop here,
yet a lot of traffic through this corner to the bridge. This corner needs a crosswalk marking to the bridge across
Ross Creek. Camino del Cerro and Blossom Hill is a main route into the school a.m. and p.m. both.Improvement Map
Survey
The intersection at Blossom Valley Road and Taft needs improvement. If you are driving on Blossom Valley
Road going away from Alta Vista School and stop at the Taft intersection, it is very difficult to see if someone is
stopped coming up the hill on Taft especially if cars are parked on the sidewalk near the intersection. I have to
pull out to look or risk hitting a car. Visibility needs to improve there. Also, on Blossom Dale Road coming
from Blossom Hill, cars FLY down the hill and make BLIND Left Turns onto Blossom Crest way. Two weeks ago I
had to slam on my brakes and blare my horn to avoid an accident! It is a very dangerous intersections
especially when parents are late for school. Just observe between 8:10am and 8:20am on Weekdays. Thank
you.Improvement Map
Survey
You better do something about Camino del Cerro/Westchester corner. It has way more traffic on this side than
the Blossom Valley/Taft you are focusing on!Improvement Map
Survey
What about all the home directly across the street from Alta Vi sta's front entrance? Our homes are constantly
blocked by parents illegally blocking our driveways for their c onvenience to drop their kids off wherever they
want. Our driveways need red markings. The school should be responsible for enforcing their drop off
policies. Blossom Valley should be zoned as a no 'drop off zone'.Concept Plan
102
Survey Monkey Comments
Blossom Hill School
SourceComment MapStatusComments
Survey
I'm concerned about distracted drivers who don't see us in the crosswalk at Cherry Blossom Lane
& Cherrystone Drive. There have been times drivers either don't see us until we're halfway
through the crosswalk and even times when they run the stop sign completely. Because of this, I
still don't let my 2nd and 4th grader daughters cross this intersection on their own.
Improvement
Map
Survey
More stop signs on Shannon Road to slow the traffic. People are using the road to cut off from
Blossom Hill (avoiding 17/85 interchange) and from Hicks
Improvement
Map
Survey
I live on Cardinal Lane and we bike everyday to Blossom Hill. A problem that I do not see
addressed is the congestion at the single lane road in Hilow. In the morning many cars ,
pedestrians , walkers are going in both directions ( many going to Hillbrook) often the
pedestrians walk way next to the fence is filled with walkers ( which is great ‐ I love people
walking to Hillbrook) however it forces my boys and I into the single lane road and most often
the cars do not wait for us to pass and drive directly at us leaving only inches between their car
and our bikes. There is a lot of room next to the fence where the icy is growing ‐ is it possible to
make both a bike path and a pedistrian walkway there? Thanks
Improvement
Map
Survey
I think it's great to add walking lanes on Shannon, but the speed limit is too high to make the
road safe for bikers and walkers. Most cars go well over 30mph. Lowering the limit to 25mph is a
cheap, easy way to make a safety difference on the flat part of Shannon between LG Blvd (which
is 25mph) and Short Road,
Concept Plan
Lines and Walk
and Roll Route
Map
Survey
There should be a marked crosswalk with flashing lights at Los Gatos almaden and cherry
blossom for the kids in the live oak manor area.
Improvement
Map
Surveylooks fine
Walk and Roll
Route MapN/A
Survey
Blossom Hill Road has become a major street with lots of traffic!!! Crossing Guards and lighted
crosswalks should be everywhere along Blossom Hill to protect the kids
Improvement
Map and Walk
and Roll Route
Map
Survey
Seems the map and designated drop offs are set up for non‐working parents. What air those of
odds who have to drop off and get to work and don't have 5 ‐ 10 minutes to spare to walk or a
child old enough to bike alone? As it is, school starting at 8:10 is late!
Walk and Roll
Route MapN/A
There are remote drop off and on‐school
drop off areas to accommodate both
types of parents
Survey
This doesn't look any different than what we currently have. Am I supposed to see a change?
Currently, of the three experiences of driving to school that we have, Blossom Hill, Fisher and
LGHS, Blossom Hill has the easiest drop off and pick up. I park at the church on Cherry Blossom,
cross the street, say goodbye at the gate, then return to my car, continue down to Shannon, turn
right, then right on LG BLVD onto LG Almaden Road, off which I live. Easy. We also get there
really early, sometimes earlier than the teachers.N/A
Survey
There needs to be some way of preventing traffic waiting to turn right into the BH drop‐off
between Cherry Blossom and the entrance. Educate children who bike or scooter that they
MUST do so on right hand side of road. It is against the law and extremely dangerous to ride the
wrong way down a bike lane. The majority of kids ride the wrong way down Cherry Blossom
between BH and Oleander. Perhaps have a bike to school agreeme nt with that clause in it so
parents are made aware. Have a "ride with us" class at the beg inning of the year from the manor
to the school to show how it should be done or have directional arrows (even temporary ones) in
the bike lines. Have no parking zones around the schools between pickup and drop‐off times
AND issue passes for drop off lane usage for families who live outside of viable walk/bike areas.
No other families get to use the drop‐off pickup lane. I know that won't be popular but really
we're a spoiled lot who are molly coddled. :‐)N/A Education
Survey
I have to drive by Blossom school everyday and the traffic is t he parents create is very disturbing.
I see parents stopping on the green lights, on the middle of th e street and making illegal U turns
to drop their kids. Actions that create a very unsafe and bad example to the kids. In addition, I
see permits crossing the streets in "X" with their kids because they do not want to walk to the
safe crossing area. Again, creating an insane and bad example to the kids. I have now been either
leaving my house 30min earlier or driving longer routes to avoid the traffic in front and on the
side of Blossom School. The reason I drive to school is because this traffic has made biking to
HIllbrook very unsafe. N/A Education
Survey
Shannon btwn Hilow Court and Cherry Blossom should be made safe for biking on street. Not
sure walking on sidewalk. Need a safe way to cross to the appropriate side of street. Students
should be able to ride on widened sidwalks/bike lanes. They will do it anyway so this should be
made safer.
Concept Plan
Lines
SurveyWe live on Ann Arbor Dr‐directly off shannon Rd‐Shannon is like a freeway in the mornings N/A
Survey
I live on Shannon Rd near Short Rd junction. This is a 'blind' hill with speeding traffic coming over
the hill. Dangerous to cross the road ‐ need speed control on Shannon Rd!
Improvement
Map
Survey
I am concerned about the safety of children and bikers along the length of Shannon Road (the flat
part). Sidewalks are only on one side of the street and coming out of Ann Arbor, it is unsafe to
cross the street because cars go so fast. Can you add sidewalks and more stop signs on Shannon
and lower the speed limit to 25mph to get cars to drive more safely in this school corridor? My
kids want to bike to school at Fisher and BH and I don't feel safe on Shannon.
Improvement
Map and
Concept Plan
Lines
Survey
I don't understand what is meant by reconfiguring an intersection of adding a speed table. I
would like to suggest that Blosdom Hill park should not be prioritized for Blossom Hill School
only, but should include Hillbrook School and the area preschools which use the parking lot, too.
Perhaps prioritized school parking, not specific to one school. I fear Hillbrook's very successful
bus stop will be forced out if the lot is labeled for Blossom Hill school only
Walk and Roll
Route Map Add for Hillbrook too
Survey
I hope by "student valet" you mean a High School student, not someone attending Blossom Hill!
You need a drill sergeant out there. I think a valet is a good idea.N/A
Survey
Crossing guard should coordinate BOTH students and cars. Now gives almost total use of
crosswalks to students so that auto traffic is continually stopped.N/A Enforcement
Survey
All sounds great to me. Like improvements to Shannon, safer for everyone one using it to see the
kids on their bikes here. I hope it is bright green!
Is parking staying on Cherry Blossom to park and walk in? That helps and removing it would
increase traffic.
Question about (B) in Campus improvements. How would drop off work in two lanes for coming
and going, along with folks parking? Just wondering.
Thanks for all your hard work on this. I hope one of the solutions is buying a site and building
another school in the town. We are at capacity here, no doubt adding to the traffic woes.
Improvement
Map N/A
103
Survey Monkey Comments
Blossom Hill School
SourceComment MapStatusComments
Survey
No left turns at Cherry Blossom to stop parents from creating stop and drop kids in the middle of
the road and illegal U turn.
Also, no drop off allowed at Cherry Blossom/Blossom Hill. Another place where parents use the
red and the green lights to do so.
Improvement
Map
SurveyEnglewood and Kennedy could use attention
Improvement
Map No specific comment
Survey
This does not take into account the section of Shannon between Hilow and Cherry Blossom. This
is going to continue to be an issue without a real solution for bicycles. Also for Fisher students. I
live on Hilow Ct so encounter this daily.
Improvement
Map
Survey
For Blossom Hill School frontage ‐ I'm concerned about taking away one of the crosswalks at
Blossom Hill Rd and Cherry Blossom. That is a heavily used intersection because Fisher middle
schoolers also cross there. Many of them wait to cross at the 2nd crosswalk (right next to the
Terraces). If everyone had to wait at just one crosswalk, we co uldn't all cross on time and do so
safely.Concept Plan
Survey
Need a sidewalk from Ann Arbor all the way down to the crosswalks at the park. Also would be
fantastic to get a very aggressive speed bump shortly after the turn coming off of Short Rd onto
Shannon and before Ann Arbor as drivers from both Shannon and Short do not make a full stop
at the stop signs then accelerate up the hill. Concept Plan
Survey
Require homeowners to install sidewalks all along Shannon Road on both sides. Right now kids
are walking in the street. I think there are houses that are c ounty (as opposed to Town?) Find a
way to require it of them. The broken‐up availability of sidewalks makes the street less walkable.Concept PlanN/A Policy
Survey
Reduce Speed on Shannon to 25MPH.
Enforce the stop signs @ Shannon and Cherry Blossom
Add Real sidewalks all the way on Shannon for walkers Concept Plan
Survey
I'm not sure the right hand turn lane at Shannon and Cherry Blossom will help. From my
experience, the crossing guard, while well‐intentioned, is actually part of the problem because
she makes the cars wait beyond what is reasonable, causing back‐ups down Shannon. Instead of
seeing walkers/bikers safely to the second half of the crosswalk and allowing cars to turn right
when that part of the path is clear, she waits until the walkers are fully onto the sidewalk on the
other side and then some before reluctantly allowing a car to turn. At that point, it's not a safety
issue, but a control issue. I love having a crossing guard there, but it might be helpful to educate
her on traffic management so that everyone benefits from the se rvice. The current guard seems
unnecessarily hostile to drivers.Concept Plan
SurveyPlease create both a pedistrian and bike path along the fence at the single lane portion of HilowConcept Plan
Survey
Improvements to Shannin Road should include a lowered speed limit to 25mph from Short to LG
Blvd and sidewalks all the way down Shannon on both sides of the street Concept Plan
Survey
When you measured the 10 minute walk, how old were the children involved? Just curious.
Again on your map my home is past the radius. Should have bought a home closer to the schools
since you are ill planned for growing population of students. 18 years ago the school board was
discussing a major decrease in enrollment and cutting back. I just saw lots of pregnant mothers.
This town better plan for more students than the can imagine. 90 min parking in residential
areas and no increase parking will create a school situation. Why don't you change the start time
to 9:00 and or give them a cushion in the start time to avoid all those tardies. Let the kids sleep in
and avoid rush hour traffic. Let the kids have a more realistic walk time.Concept PlanN/A Policy
Survey
Please include Hilow/Shannon as an improvement area too!
We walk/bike/scooter to school from Hilow and it is very inconvenient to turn right on Shannon
from Hilow to access Blossom Hill School through the park. It is much easier to go left on
Shannon to the cross walk at Cherry Blossom, however, this is requiring parents to walk against
traffic on Shannon to get to the cross walk at Cherry Blossom/Shannon. Please consider
improving the junction at Hilow/Shannon so that we can cross the street by turning left onto
Shannon and get to school via Cherry Blossom. This is a very common route for many families
that live on the east side of Shannon.Concept Plan
Survey Wow. 2 crosswalks at Shady View Ln.? Talk about really de laying cars!!Concept PlanN/A
Survey
Difficult to understand second concept. First one add yellow crosswalks. That is good. Looks like
some improvement on Shannon‐‐is it bike lanes or pavement for walking that is being added.
Are both added? I don't understand what I am looking at and when I zoom in, I can't read the
writing. So, I think it would be good if kids can bike in bike lanes and kids can walk on sidewalk
and cars can drive. Is this what is accomplished? You tell me. :) Concept PlanN/A
Survey
Oh my, the Blossom Hill Rd Frontage plan doesn't seem to make sense. Isn't the idea to improve
traffic flow. By doing this you are ensuring that ALL traffic is competing head on. Everyone has
to go through the junction. Why block off the left hand turn into the school from the east? That
means more school traffic will be competing with the foot crossing as their only option is to turn
left onto cherry blossom. Improve the right hand turn lane in front of the terraces on blossom
hill so traffic there can wait to turn right onto Cherry blossom and into the cherry blossom drop
off if necessary. Concept Plan
Survey
I don't let my kids walk to school unaccompanied from Englewood/Loma intersection. Even if I
accompany them, it does not feel safe. Sidewalks are needed on Shannon and Englewood. In
lieu of that, I would let them walk if there were a large number of families also walking. With a
large number of walkers, I think drivers (including those backing out of driveways) would slow
down and be more mindful.Concept PlanN/A
Survey
There is no key on the plan for Shannon Rd. Where are bike lanes? Where are new sidewalks?
Same input as above re. Shannon Rd. All Maps
Need to update legends to
include all symbols, etc.
SurveyAdd a second row of parking at Blossom Hill Park. I like the yellow crossing at Shady View.Concept Plan
Survey
I think it's good that you are closing the Blossom Hill Rd left lane access to the school but i
imagine you may have upset citizens who see increased traffic thru their neighborhoods. You
can't win though! Everything looks good and I appreciate that the Town is working to improve
safety at our schools. Concept PlanN/A
104
Survey Monkey Comments
Daves School
SourceComment MapStatus Comments
Survey
The intersection of Rt 9 and Massol needs a crossing guard to ensure the Daves
students cross safely to get to and from school.
Walk and Roll
Route MapPending Confirmation
Survey
I would like to propose that an All‐way STOP Installation with red LED Flash Stop
signs and a crosswalk be installed at the corner of Palos Verdes Dr and Daves Ave,
in addition to Kavin. I would also ask that speed bumps be installed on Palos
Verdes as well. Palos Verdes receives a significant amount of school traffic with
residents coming from the north west and south west areas of Daves Ave. Many
of whom speed down our street. As it is, the street curves and is on an incline,
making it more dangerous because often times people coming down the street
don't see you until they've reached the crest of the hill where the street starts to
turn. Can you please add these items for consideration to your proposed plan?
Can you also please let me know who at the town in Monte Sereno that I can work
with to ensure that this is reviewed within the overall proposed plan?
Improvement
Map
Survey
The crosswalk over Rt 9 needs more inprovement. Multiple times that we have
biked to school we have had extremely close calls almost hit by cars driving too
fast, using rt 9 vs 85 to commute to work. Those morning commute drivers DO
NOT stop and it makes it very unsafe to cross rt 9. We stopped biking after we
almost got hit for the third time.
Improvement
Map
Survey
install a crosswalk at the Blossom hill / Winchester blvd. intersection on the north
side of the intersection.
Improvement
Map
Survey
When we walk, scooter, or bike from Towne Terrace, my preferred route (for
street safety) is NB University Ave, WB Roberts Rd, NB Santa Cruz/Winchester, to
WB Daves. I specifically avoid Blossom Hill lights and crosswalks ‐ during commute
times, drivers there tend to be way too agressive. I think this is because of light
timing causing traffic congestion.
Walk and Roll
Route MapN/A
SurveySidewalk needed on both sides of Winchester!
Improvement
Map
Survey
We need a sidewalk on Winchester Blvd between Daves and La Rinconada Dr.
There is no sidewalk on the west side of Winchester, and this makes it difficult for
children to bike/walk themselves. Winchester has low speed limits, but drivers
often go faster, making it dangerous for kids to walk/bike to Daves. Addressing
this would open up a lot of walkers/cycling to Daves, thereby reducing
morning/afternoon congestion on Daves Ave.
Improvement
Map
Survey
We can't safely bike/walk to the school from Valley Oak Dr., through Winchester
Blvd. to Daves Ave. There's no sidewalk in some parts of the Winchester on the
suggested route. Kids would either have to cross the busy Winchester Blvd. or risk
walking, biking very close to the 'distracted' drivers in the b ike lane.
Building either the crossing with warning lights on the level of Villa Serena, or a
complete traffic stop lights is the only soluƟon.
Another one would be to build sidewalks all the way down to the Lark Ave, along
both sides of Winchester Blvd.
Improvement
Map
Survey
It would be great if kids and adults can be safe to walk on Daves Ave all the way
unƟl Via Caballero.
The side walk on Daves should be continued on the "Curves" of Daves. The curves
up on Daves are very dangerous. There's no visability and cars are driving and
cuƫng the sides where people/kids walk/ bike.
Having an extented side walk all the way on Dave's that we can walk all the way up
will REDUCE TRAFFIC and AVOID ACCIDENTS for families that live half a mile from
school on Via Caballero, twin creek, Daves, Via Vaquero, highway9 and other parts
of M on t e Sereno.
You can reduce traffic and avoid future accident / hit by cars by continuing the side
walk on Daves all the way up until Via Caballero (safer to walk all the way on
Daves, even from highway 9).
It would reduce so much traffic when you'll continue the side walk all the way on
Dave's including the curves up to Via Caballero.
Improvement
Map
Survey
We live on La Rinconada Dr off of Winchester Blvd, so would appreciate ensuring
that students have a clear bike path that starts lower by the cross of Lark and
Winchester. All
Survey
Winchester is not a safe route. We would never let our kids take it from our street,
which is needed.
Walk and Roll
Route MapPending Confirmation
Survey Monkey Comments
Daves School
SourceComment MapStatus Comments
Survey
We would like a crossing guard for the crosswalk on Rte 9, at the intersection of
Rte 9, when the kids are ridi ng to/coming home from school.
Is there a way to stop cars cutting through the parking lot (opposite the bank) at
the intersection of Massol and Rte 9?
Improvement
Map
Survey
This is the current plan. I think the plan is the best it can be. I think if the school
gates opened 10 minutes earlier (at 7:50), this would alleviate this daily mess.
Trying to get so many students into school in a matter of less than 15 minutes is
unrealistic. School/district should pay for morning supervision so gates open
earlier. Or consider buses for those families outside of the 1/2 mile circle.
Walk and Roll
Route MapN/A
SurveyThe biggest issue is speeding cars on the side streets leading to Daves.
Walk and Roll
Route MapN/A Enforcement
SurveyWe are not on the map, which makes sense, as it is too far to walk or bike.Route MapN/A
SurveyAlso from Winchester to Vineland
Walk and Roll
Route MapN/A
Survey
I strongly advise to put in a traffic light at Massol Ave. and Highway 9. Cars coming
from Saratoga towards highway 17 are NOT stopping for the yellow blinking light.
They only look up at the Santa Cruz Ave trafffic light to see if they can make it over
to get to Highway 17 as fast as possible. It is a very dangerous crossing for the
children and everybody else to cross. We have been asking for years to have a
red light installed that is triggered by both pedestrians crossing (push button) or by
cars waiting to turn left onto Massol or left from Massol onto Hwy 9 to avoid
accidents.
Improvement
Map
Survey
First ‐ until speeding and safety issues are addressed on Winchester, it is NOT a
SAFE route to school, especially in the morning/ south bound direction from Lark
to at least Vineland. Additionally while the small easement is nice between Zena
and Eaton, it would greatly benefit from sings to notify drivers of the path. I try to
use this path with my kids and neighbors try to use it as well, however, line of sight
is hard for cars and there is nothing mortifying them of the oath. I worry about my
kids walking up the hill toward Kavin and especially down Eaton toward the trail
and back to Zena. Finally, I have wanted to ride my bike with my kids and other
neighborhood kids ‐ a computing them to school ‐ on the trail. However the trail
will not accommodate a bike with bike trailer or double stroller. Wish it could
somehow accommodate ‐ and I would use it almost everyday!!!
Improvement
Map Enforcement
Survey
Add a school bus system and this all becomes easier.
The left turn light from Hwy 9 onto Santa Cruz is a disaster. It is not long enough to
get half of the cars in the lane through and backs up traffic past Massol so you
cannot enter the lane from the downtown neighborhood. This is a huge impact to
getting our kids to school on time. During 7:45 to 8:10 this left turn light needs to
be longer.
The city should consider putting a light in at Massol and Hwy 9. This is a very
dangerous intersection. Cars, bikes ,and walkers all use it and there have been so
many close calls with accidents/hitting pedestrians that it needs a better, SAFER
plan.
The crosswalk guard on Poppy Lane also needs to be trained. He will hold up car
traffic for pedestrians that have just hit the corner of Daves/Poppy when it takes
them a good 30‐45 seconds to hit the crosswalk. This stops the car flow traffic and
backs‐up Poppy Lane. It is OK to wait for a few people to get to the crosswalk and
wait a few seconds to keep car traffic flowing. Your crossing g uard on Daves
Avenue by the church, she does a wonderful job of this and keeping both car &
pedestrian traffic flowing.
Improvement
Map
Survey
Crossing Hwy 9 at Massol Ave is very dangerous. I don't feel safe crossing there let
alone having my kids cross there.
Walk and Roll
Route Map
Consider for
improvement
map
Survey Monkey Comments
Daves School
SourceComment MapStatus Comments
Survey
1) I think Winchester and Lark area is not safe for kids ‐ also there are no cross
walks marked on the Winchester intersections. Kids should be routed to take the
golf links drive way ‐ I did realize these roads went through t o eaton.
2) What is the name of the road between la rincondada & eaton?
3) I think you should label Vasona park.
4) There are more than 2 crossi ng guards at Daves ‐ 4 I think
5) Seems like Bruce should be included as a green line.
6) Seems like the vasona creek trail should be on map & there is also a road in the
park that links to University near Blossom hill that seems like it should be marked
7) why does the green line on Daves end at the end of the circle when no other
lines end?
8) I dont understand the the traffic circulaƟon map. It is very h ard to read.
9) Seems like the church and the parking related to the church should be marked.
10) Why does the green line end on blossom hill at roberts?
11) seems like map should be blown up a bit hard to read.
Walk and Roll
Route Map
Survey
The crosswalk at Massol and Hwy 9 is VERY dangerous!!! Cars DO NOT STOP! I
have seen so many near misses. This is why I do not let my children walk or roll to
school. A signal or crossing guard there would be so very helpful!
Improvement
Map
Survey
The suggested traffic circulation map is difficult to read red vehicle paths. They
both somewhat converge on Poppy and it is hard to distinguish that each is a
separate route. On large map please note Bruce ave as a route but upgrades must
take place to make it safe. We have half the kids cutting along Bruce and we
cannot change existing behavior instead change existing conditions along Bruce.
Also we only have walking at elderly facility on Poppy from Rose and Fancher Ct.
No bikers are allowed. Everyone must walk. Maybe the school should look at
acquiring the First Baptist church property for future school use. A formal
document should be agreed upon for parking at church since rezoning has been a
high priority for that property. Update bike parking with summer racks being
installed.
Walk and Roll
Route MapN/AEnforcement
Surveya bus from the Almond Grove area would be freaking awesome...N/A
Survey
I'm a Monte Sereno resident and would love to see a cross walk with hazard lights
across highway 9 at Rose Ave. We live just West of this intersection and it would
be much safer to cross and easier than having to walk down to Massol. My kids
will start at Daves next fall.
Improvement
Map
Survey
As a resident on Daves and the parent of two children attending Daves
Elementary, I appreciate the time and effort put into this study and proposed
improvements. One major concern that is not addressed is how to reduce the
speed of those who insist on driving too fast down Daves and those who ignore
the stop signs. Why is there no consideration for speed reducing humps or those
reflector type bumps that help keep drivers in line? Until you slow down the
speeders and get the stop sign runners to STOP then you will still have a problem.
It would be a shame to do something AFTER someone gets hurt or killed.
Improvement
Map
Survey
There is a sidewalk portion between Kavin and Poppy on the left side of the street
if walking east towards Daves Ave where the homeowners bushes h ave taken over
a large portion of the sidewalk. Google Maps photo was taken a while ago, so the
image doesn't show the overgrowth, you have to see it in person. When I walk my
child to school, I either have to cross the street at Palos Verdes/Daves or
Kavin/Daves (where there are currently no sidewalks) or I have to walk in the bike
lane because only my child can fit on the sidewalk due to the overgrowth of the
bushes. I believe the address is 17830 Daves Ave, just before 17825 Daves Ave.
Can you please send a letter to the homeowner on this.
Improvement
Map
Survey
I would like the "Daves" area improvements to include improving access for the
students who live in Almond Grove. There is no way for those students to safely
cross rt 9 and so therefore they must drive in cars vs being on a bike.
Improvement
Map
Survey try and reduce volume of flow up Bruce ave.
Improvement
Map N/A
Survey
I think these changes would be very helpful. Specifically for u s, #6 would help
when walk‐or‐roll‐ing from Towne Terrace (east of Safeway).
Improvement
Map N/A
Survey Monkey Comments
Daves School
SourceComment MapStatus Comments
Survey
Not super useful for us. I think the area immediately surrounding the school is
already well served. Broadening access by having a sidewalk on the west side of
Winchester, From La Rinconada Dr. onward would be a much better spend
because it opens up commute alternatives for children.
Improvement
Map
Survey
Some parents a abandon their cars in drop off lane inside Daves to walk their kids
in instead of parking. Having Fisher 8th graders volunteer during drop off may
alleviate this by having more people on hand to walk small children to their
classrooms.
Improvement
Map
Survey
There needs to be a light at Massol and Highway 9. Way too many cars and too
much traffic. I would never let my kids walk or bike to school from my house.
Improvement
Map
SurveyTo No. 9 ‐ build the same on the Villa Serena level on Winchester Blvd.
Improvement
Map
Survey
It would be great if kids and adults can be safe to walk on Daves Ave all the way
unƟl Via Caballero.
The side walk on Daves should be continued on the "Curves" of Daves. The curves
up on Daves are very dangerous. There's no visability and cars are driving and
cuƫng the sides where people/kids walk/ bike.
Having an extented side walk all the way on Dave's that we can walk all the way up
will REDUCE TRAFFIC and AVOID ACCIDENTS for families that live half a mile from
school on Via Caballero, twin creek, Daves, Via Vaquero, highway9 and other parts
of Monte Sereno.
You can reduce traffic and avoid future accident / hit by cars by continuing the side
walk on Daves all the way up until Via Caballero (safer to walk all the way on
Daves, even from highway 9).
It would reduce so much traffic when you'll continue the side walk all the way on
Dave's including the curves up to Via Caballero.
Improvement
Map
Survey
We live on La Rinconada Dr off of Winchester Blvd, so would appreciate ensuring
that students have a clear bike path that starts lower by the cross of Lark and
Winchester.
Improvement
Map
Survey
We would like a crossing guard for the crosswalk on Rte 9, at the intersection of
Rte 9, when the kids are ridi ng to/coming home from school.
Is there a way to stop cars cutting through the parking lot (opposite the bank) at
the intersection of Massol and Rte 9?
Improvement
Map
Survey
One of the most important improvements is missing. Winchester Blvd, north of
Daves Ave, should have sidewalks on BOTH sides of the street all the way to Lark
Ave.
Improvement
Map
Survey
Crossing guard at Poppy and Bruce, many children do not heed the stop sign.
Crosswalk at N Santa Cruz and Blossom Hill connecting the two sides of N Santa
Cruz at one spot instead of having to cross 3 times.
Improvement
Map
Survey
Re: 8&9: We live on Wild Way, off Winchester BLVD. In order for our children to
be able to safely walk or bike to school, sidewalks and bike lanes must effectively
extend all the way down to Lark on at least one side of the road (assuming a
crosswalk is installed). It's difficult to determine from the map and "suggested
improvements" whether the full length of Winchester to Lark has been considered
as part of the improvement zone.
Improvement
Map
Survey Monkey Comments
Daves School
SourceComment MapStatus Comments
Survey
1). Left turn lane will still potentially jam up further back on Daves? Why not just
make that left side a straight only ‐ easier for folks to get around who aren't
involved in the Daves line.
2). Yes! Great improvement!
3). Don't understand ‐ is thi s intersecƟon near Poppy?
4). Yes!
7). Yes ‐ this is a tricky area. It can be difficult for cars to see pedestrians/cyclists
due to the morning sun especially. At least some signage, cross walk, stop signs
would certainly help.
8 & 9). Something needs to be done about making Winchester more safe ‐ people
and our kids want to and would use it as a
walking path but it's not safe. The Town should consider or inv esƟgate how some
European cities/villages (Kitzbuhk) use walking paths alongside busier roads. It
would healthy for all!
A,b,c,d). Yes to the structural changes ‐ school officials should also consider ways
to move cars through ‐ morning attendant to help kids get out of cars (and greet
students) and afternoon ‐ treat it like the airport ‐ if your pickup isn't out in a few
mins the vehicle has to do a loop, or have teachers call our children (using family
numbers or something instead of names) to let kids know their ride is waiting. I've
see. Way too many cars just wait for a kid ‐ jamming up the lines. There are
human ways to make this process smoother. Additionally better/more training for
the crossing guard at Daves/Oaktree would help ‐ she stops every other car which
makes things inch along in the line. Cars CANT get it bc she's monitor the car flow ‐
just giving priority to the pedestrians.
Improvement
Map
Survey
A ‐ this would be great to keep car traffic flowing. But again, train your crosswalk
guard at that site to let people stack up for a few seconds and car traffic will flow
beƩer.
C ‐ agree with left turn only out of the school onto Poppy. You may also want to
consider not letting people park on Poppy by the school. Use that as drop off
instead.
Improvement
Map
Survey
I think there definitely needs to be a stop sign at Kavin & Daves. You could move
the stop sign from Palos Verdes down one intersection on Daves as well as on
Vineland. That would solve (2 & 7) and also help if there is push back on the
number of stop signs on Daves & Vineland
Improvement
Map
Survey
I strongly support the left‐ and right‐turn lanes at Poppy Lane. I do NOT support
the four‐way stop at Kavin ‐ there is already a stop half a block up the street at
Palos Verdes. Scattering stop signs all over the place is not a solution ‐ people just
run them and it's more dangerous because walkers/bikers are ass uming they will
stop.
Improvement
Map
Survey
number 4 is a concern since parking around school is very limited. I strongly
approve "A" and "D"
Improvement
Map
Survey
Item (2) not necessary. There are already stop signs on Kavin, and sidewalks on
both sides of Daves Ave. Children can walk to the crossing guard and Daves &
Poppy, no need to cross Daves Ave at Kavin.
Improvement
Map
Survey
There needs to be a sidewalk adde d to Poppy south of Bruce Ave.
Bruce Ave between Winchester and Poppy could use a sidewalk, or at least a
marked pedestrian/bike lane.
Make the Daves Ave crosswalk (by the church) a raised crosswalk.
Improvement
Map
Survey
I don't think school traffic is such a big issue that $$ had to be spent to look at it.
You could have hired more teachers instead!!!! Here is my feedb ack. No 4 way
stop at Kavin. All these Stop signs on daves and twin creeks just make more
pollution. No 15 minute parking zone on daves. That won't help anything during
drop off or Pick up since People don't park there longer than that anyways. And if
they need a place to park during school hours to volunteer, etc then it's going to
be longer than 15 mins so why put in a restriction? I suggest putting a sidewalk on
the other side of Poppy since its the shady side. It's So hot on the non sidewalk
side to walk home. Also put more shade trees along the front of the school and
daves ave itself to provide more shade. Concept Plan
Survey I agree with the proposed improvements. Concept Plan
Survey Monkey Comments
Daves School
SourceComment MapStatus Comments
Survey
I live on Fancher Court in Los Gatos and my children walk or ride bikes to school
each day. There is one very dangerous intersection at Poppy and Bruce Avenue
where cars consistently run the stop sign (and then proceed to drive on Poppy to
Daves Avenue School at very high speeds). I would strongly suggest the town
insert an updated and modern crosswalk with flashing lights at the intersection of
Bruce and Poppy as there are hundreds of children who walk or bike through this
intersection each day. I would suggest the town include the type of crosswalk that
the town has installed downtown on Santa Cruz Avenue which includes the
pedestrian signs in the middle of the crosswalk. I think this would create a much
safer environment for the children (and parents!) who constantly have to navigate
the cars who run the stop sign at Poppy and Bruce as we walk our children to
school. In addition, the town should consider putting a similar crosswalk at Poppy
and Vista as that has the same problem. Concept Plan
Survey
More traffic enforcement on Winchester in the 25mph zone north of Daves Ave.
would help.Concept Plan
SurveyLooks good Concept Plan
SurveyI think those plans are sufficient Concept Plan
Survey
Add a crosswalk on Palos Verdes & Daves. Add speed bumps on Palos Verdes‐‐not
on a driveway. Do what you can to discourage Palos Verdes being a cut‐through
street Concept Plan
Survey
Please do not remove any portion of the bike lanes on Daves Ave. They are
needed!Concept Plan
Survey
I think it will be a problem to remove parking on Poppy. There are about 20
volunteers who work at Daves on a daily basis and they typically arrive at the
beginning of the school day/at drop off. Concept Plan
SurveyBus stop by Villa Serena needs cross walk to the other side where is sidewalk. Concept Plan
SurveyI still think these would be helpful Concept Plan
SurveyLooks good.Concept Plan
Survey
Please just make it feel safer for me to ride by bike with my d aughter on her trailer
bike. At the moment there feels like little awareness from moto rists of cyclists.Concept Plan
Survey
There is a high incidence of speeding on Bruce Avenue and Vista Avenue from
parents running late which poses a significant threat to pedestrians. I would like
to propose speedbumps to reduce speed and/or sidewalks to provide pedestrians
a safe place to walk without having to worry about getting run over by a car.Concept Plan
Survey
It would be great if kids and adults can be safe to walk on Daves Ave all the way
unƟl Via Caballero.
The side walk on Daves should be continued on the "Curves" of Daves. The curves
up on Daves are very dangerous. There's no visability and cars are driving and
cuƫng the sides where people/kids walk/ bike.
Having an extented side walk all the way on Dave's that we can walk all the way up
will REDUCE TRAFFIC and AVOID ACCIDENTS for families that live half a mile from
school on Via Caballero, twin creek, Daves, Via Vaquero, highway9 and other parts
of Monte Sereno.
You can reduce traffic and avoid future accident / hit by cars by continuing the side
walk on Daves all the way up until Via Caballero (safer to walk all the way on
Daves, even from highway 9).
It would reduce so much traffic when you'll continue the side walk all the way on
Dave's including the curves up to Via Caballero. Concept Plan
Survey
Winchester should have a sidewalk for kids to walk to school. It's unsafe right now
due to lack of sidewalks and overgrown trees (which make it difficult for drivers to
see the kids) and also the speeds at which people drive (regardless of posted
speeds).Concept Plan
Survey
A good flashing light to cross hwy 9 at Massol would be good for those of us on
the other side of hwy 9 and getting to Daves.Concept Plan
Survey
I like all the proposed ideas. Especially the division of the two entrances and the
expanded sidewalk / bike path on Poppy.Concept Plan
Survey
The cross guards at school need to be better trained as they stop the traffic when
people who walk is not even near the crosswalk causing major dealys.Concept Plan
Survey
It would be nice to have a solution for kids walking/biking to and from school
when they have to cross Highway 9 at Maison Massol.Concept Plan
Survey Monkey Comments
Daves School
SourceComment MapStatus Comments
Survey
I think this plan shows that a lot of money will be spent with minimal
improvement. Consider buses for students coming from more than a 1/2 mile
away. Lowering the number of cars is the best fix, not trying to accommodate all
of the cars. The cost of the bus could be paid for by the district and some cost
subsidized by those using it. I believe this should be the plan for all LG schools
except for Lexington. Why is this not proposed as an option. Concept Plan
Survey
I highly support the widening of the sidewalk on Poppy Ave between Vista Ave.
and the school. As it is now, two adults hardly fit side‐by‐side on the sidewalk and
it gets dangerous when they are also kids on bikes using the sidewalks.Concept Plan
Survey
Still missing a solution for the critical crossing Massol/Highway 9. Almost everyday
at rush hour (mornings and evenings) there is an accident. This crossing MUST get
traffic lights. My son really wants to bicycle to school, but I don't dare to let him
out in the jungle of this crossing in the morning. For me it is a mystery why nothing
is done to this crossing!? I know we are many parents living on the Glen Ridge side
and has kids at Daves Ave and Fisher thinking the same. Concept Plan
Survey
Improvements needed to the crosswalk on Hwy 9. Either better ov erhead signage,
or place a crossing guard there in the mornings. Less downtown families would
drive to school if it was safer to use the crosswalk.Concept Plan
Survey
At the corner of Daves Ave and Kavin, please consider painting corners red for no
parking to improve visibility. During drop‐off and pick‐up, cars often park clear up
to the corner, which makes the left turn onto Daves from Kavin very dangerous.Concept Plan
SurveyReverse drop off direction on Poppy lane parking lot/drop off. Concept Plan
Survey
Safe crossings for kids are super good. I wonder if we can do flashing lights at
school commute times and that way drivers wont get grumpy. Also enforcement
is HUGE ‐ people speed and rush & that is when someone will get hurt Concept Plan
SurveyCrossing guard or signal at Hwy 9 and Massol
Improvement
Map
SurveyI LOVE the concept drawings for Daves!Concept PlanN/A
Survey
Andrews St at the hill at around Montgomery is terrifying and dangerous. It is the
main way into and out of the neighborhood for Rose and Andrews residents and
the way that our kids bike to school. Monte Sereno has a right of way on the
properties that line the hill and should exercise it to create bike lanes or sidewalks.Concept Plan
Survey Monkey Comments
Fisher School
SourceComment MapStatus
Survey
Many students travel from the Almond Grove area and the crossing at Rt 9 and Massol is unsafe. I
have repeatedly seen students crossing by activating the blinking yellow light then crossing to the
island and then crossing the remainder of the crosswalk with oncoming traffic not noticing the
student walking/on his/her bike and almost hitting the student. I have had to honk at times to alert
the driver of the car. A crossing guard is needed at the intersection during before and after school
times. I think it is an excellent idea to provide a pathway from blossom hill ave to the Fisher campus
so students can avoid walking up and down Blossom Hill between the Roberts Road intersecƟons.
The designated right hand turn lane from Blossom Hill to Roberts road is a great idea since this backs
up everyone morning and afternoon.
Walk and Roll
Route MapPending Confirmation
Survey
Our kids ride down Andrews across Santa Cruz Ave to University. The most dangerous portion of
Andrews down and up the hill have no sidewalks b/c it's Monte Sereno. It's not safe at all for bike
riders or pedestrians.
Walk and Roll
Route MapPending Confirmation
SurveyIt's hard to tell from the map how the students from Almond Grove are supposed to cross Rt 9.
Walk and Roll
Route MapPending Confirmation
Survey
Car traffic is very disorganized around drop off and pick up. I'd worry my child would get hit ‐ 1 did
earlier this year on his bike
Walk and Roll
Route MapPending Confirmation
SurveySidewalk on both sides of Winchester near Lark please!
Walk and Roll
Route MapPending Confirmation
Survey
Roberts Rd, from Unversity to Blossom Hill has a portion without a sidewalk. This is the most
dangerous place for kids walking from close to downtown to Fisher. Cars go really fast in the
morning here, right besides kids walking and on bikes. This is an accident waiting to happen.
Walk and Roll
Route MapPending Confirmation
Survey
I believe that if you focus on improving the 15 minute walking radius...the congestion in the 5 unite
zone will automatically improve and therefore not as necessary. Also the 5 minute radius routes are
already quite good. Please focus and prioritize to enable the 15‐30 minute walks.
Walk and Roll
Route MapPending Confirmation
Survey
We live on La Rinconada Dr off of Winchester Blvd, so would appreciate ensuring that students have
a clear bike path that starts lower by the cross of Lark and Winchester.
Walk and Roll
Route MapPending Confirmation
SurveyBetter signage to let drivers know to watch for bikes coming off the Creek Trail at Roberts Road.
Walk and Roll
Route MapPending Confirmation
Survey
my children could walk or bike; they want to BUT it is so dangerous I cannot let them do that. All
these routes put these kids into crazy traffic and lights.
Walk and Roll
Route MapPending Confirmation
Survey
I think the green bike lanes are good. They just need a guard between the bike lane and the cars,
either by putting in a curb or cones/poles so that cars can't push the bikers and the bikers can't
accidentally get out on the road. On Blossom Hill road there are so many kids on bikes very very
close to the cars.
Walk and Roll
Route MapPending Confirmation
Survey
We're outside of the 3/4 mile zone, but would be comfortable with our children biking to Fisher via
the Creek Trail IF bike lanes and sidewalks extended the entire distance of Winchester BLVD to Lark
Ave., making access to the Creek Trail from Lark possible. As c urrently configured, the stretch
between Buena Vista and Lark isn't safe for children. Suggested improvements would be a crosswalk
(to enable children from both sides of Winchester to access sidewalks or bike lanes), improving bike
lanes for visibility, and extending sidewalks the entire distance until Lark.
Walk and Roll
Route MapPending Confirmation
Survey
1) P a t h in Vasona (label) up to university near Lark should be marked.
2) I think Bruce or Daves Ave should be green for kids coming from that direction. (perhaps utilize
same greens as Daves)
3)Suggested CirculaƟon ‐ Is the drop off area on Roberts on the road or in the pull off.
4) It looks like there are more crossing guards marked then are actually there....are they adding
crossing guards?
5)Cross walks on (lower)Roberts & Blossom hill isnt correct with the cross walks...I think there are 2
or 3 ‐ where kids get off creek trail to go up blossom?
6) Why is LG Saratoga Road green? Traffic there in the morning is terrible as there are loads of cars
going to the freeway. Why wouldnt you route them through the r esidenƟal roads onto LG blvd?
7) There is an allway stop on the Creek Trail near where the city offices are. Dont know name of
road.
8) Suggested on campus traffic ‐ I dont see green path Roberts coming from LG blvd. There is lots of
kids who cycle down that road are we not including it as they a re being re‐routed?
9) Santa Cruz Avenue green line weirdly stops? Why not continue it on...or why not route kids onto
residenƟal roads?
10) University Ave Stops weirdly too ‐ link it to the Creek trail via park paths? or link it via the side
roads to Winchester?
Walk and Roll
Route MapPending Confirmation
Survey Monkey Comments
Fisher School
SourceComment MapStatus
Survey
Provide a route from townhouse area off of Alberto ‐ eg, kids in the Bella Vista townhome area.
Typically they walk up the access road to gate, along Bella Vista and Caldwell to LG Boulevard.
That's fine, but sometimes a lot of vehicle traffic on Caldwell in the morning. Would be nice if there
was a back route to Nino.
No one is going to walk on LG Saratoga rd if they can help it ‐ what a terrible place to walk or ride
that is. Cries out for a walk/bikeway completely separated from the road, from LG Blvd to the Creek
trail.
Walk and Roll
Route MapPending Confirmation
Survey
Provide occasional police presence at Fisher to try to keep the drop off/pick up drivers from doing
their frequent stupid practices.
Walk and Roll
Route MapPending Confirmation
Survey
With lack of lockers and the large music program, the students often are carrying a lot of weight
(books, PE clothes, instruments) to and from school. So walking or bicycling is less convenient on
some days.
Walk and Roll
Route MapPending Confirmation
Survey
I would zoom out a bit for the Fisher map, and add a 1‐mile circle. For middle school students, this
is a very reasonable distance to bike/scoot. Also, I would make the trail (road separated path) color
different to make people more aware of them.
Walk and Roll
Route MapPending Confirmation
Survey
Blossom Hill Rd. headed uphill towards Roberts Rd. needs a VERY long dedicated right hand turn
lane. What you have done with the very small right turn lane and green bike lane is dangerous and
does not account for the large flow of traffic at peak times. Around the school, you need more pick‐
up/pass through lanes.
Walk and Roll
Route MapPending Confirmation
Survey
Seems odd that there is a "Walking Only" section on Shannon Rd. This is a major biking route for kids
going to Fisher
Walk and Roll
Route MapPending Confirmation
Survey
Same comment on plan as Blossom Hill Rd. The segment on Shannon between Hilow and Cherry
Blossom should be bike able both ways. How are kids supposed to bike West Bound?
Walk and Roll
Route MapPending Confirmation
Survey
1. The corner of Mitchell and Fisher should have a crossing guard and/or traffic control person
during drop off and pick‐up.
‐ Mitchell Avenue/Fisher is a ver y busy 4‐way stop during drop off and pick‐up
‐ Cars consistently roll though t his 4‐way intersecƟon without stopping.
‐ Visibility is poor and cars can't see children entering cross walk off of Mitchell Avenue (towards
Fisher) until they are entering the cross walk. This is especially dangerous because kids ride bikes
through this cross walk (because there are not crossing guards) and do not stop to check for
oncoming cars. This combined wit h cars rolling through is dange rous.
2. There should be signs and/or enforcement to stop parents from using Mitchell Avenue as a drop‐
off lane. Parents consistently do not pull over to the side of the street to drop off. Instead, they drop
off their kids in the middle of the road on Mitchell Avenue while waiting in the line to move through
the stop light, holding up traffic and causing other cars to go a round them into oncoming traffic.
3. Parents block driveways during drop off and pick‐up on Mitchell Avenue. Signs and/or
enforcement to stop this behavior is needed. Walk and Roll
Route MapPending Confirmation
Survey
Main problem is getting cars finished dropping off to egress. Often lights on Roberts at Blossom Hill
and LG Blvd back up Roberts completely, and Fisher outbound to Roberts, leaving no movement at
all until the lights change. Fisher Ave is empty on the school side because of the grid lock.
Sequencing longer greens to clear the egress on both ends of Roberts between 8:15‐8:45 would do
wonders overall.
Improvement
Map Pending Confirmation
Survey
"new pedestrian pathway" item 11 could make a lot of sense and reduce congestion in the front of
the school by facilitating rear entry for students from the wes t side of town.
Improvement
Map Pending Confirmation
Survey
Early in the school year traffic officers forced cars not to wait for the side drive through and cars had
to continue driving on Roberts road even though their kids were waiting at the side drive thru. If
traffic control person is used, parents shouldn't be forced to bypass the drive thru lane.
Improvement
Map Pending Confirmation
SurveyThese are all good ideas!
Improvement
Map Pending Confirmation
Survey
#10 should include the above: Our kids ride down Andrews across Santa Cruz Ave to University. The
most dangerous portion of Andrews down and up the hill have no sidewalks b/c it's Monte Sereno.
It's not safe at all for bike riders or pedestrians. Sidewalks should be added on both sides of the
street.
Improvement
Map Pending Confirmation
Survey
Again, our issue is the original departure from Almond Grove. There is no safe way to cross Rt 9.
My guess is we'll ride to the entrance of the creek trail off of Miles, but that has issues crossing over
Santa Cruz Ave. Better than rt 9 but not much better.
Improvement
Map Pending Confirmation
Survey Monkey Comments
Fisher School
SourceComment MapStatus
Survey
Yes parking restrictions to improve crosswalk visibility. Parents park on the side of the street all the
way up and down to avoid going through the pickup area, leading children to walk into the street to
get to cars, and then those cars pull back into already very congested traffic, further slowing things
down and all those cars do make it difficult to see the crosswalk.
Improvement
Map Pending Confirmation
Survey
Sidewalk on both sides of Winchester near Lark please! These proposed improvements will have
limited impact because kids near school can already easily walk / bike to school. Make it easier for
kids further away to walk as well.
Improvement
Map Pending Confirmation
Survey
We need a sidewalk on Winchester Blvd between Daves and La Rinconada Dr. There is no sidewalk
on the west side of Winchester, and this makes it difficult for children to bike/walk themselves.
Winchester has low speed limits, but drivers often go faster, making it dangerous for kids to
walk/bike to Daves. Addressing this would open up a lot of walkers/cycling to Daves, thereby
reducing morning/afternoon congestion on Daves Ave.
Improvement
Map Pending Confirmation
Survey
There is a great need for a dedicated right‐turn lane at blossom hill road and Roberts. Cars sharing
the bike lane with kids is dangerous and moms have several times almost had collisions with my
daughter on her bike, who they forget has the right of way.
Improvement
Map Pending Confirmation
Survey
Roberts Rd, from Unversity to Blossom Hill has a portion without a sidewalk. This is the most
dangerous place for kids walking from close to downtown to Fisher. Cars go really fast in the
morning here, right besides kids walking and on bikes. This is an accident waiting to happen.
Improvement
Map Pending Confirmation
Survey
Please do not add additional traffic at the intersection of Nino and Fisher ‐ this area is already
impacted and ideally the drop off should run from Roberts (District Office Entrance) to the back of
the school (black top) ending on Roberts and exiting the school back up to Roberts and/or Mitchell.
The residents behind Fisher and Van Meter have enough traffic and are unable to have the school
take notice and remind parents to be kind to their neighbors (flyers, etc.) and teaching the crossing
guard about traffic flows would help with the situation.
Improvement
Map Pending Confirmation
Survey
I would prefer less cars at the school...so not a fan of near school enhancements. I would like to see
our community become more physically active and encourage more kids walking by adding
sidewalks and improving visib ility of walk and bike lanes.
#10 is suggesting los gatos blvd...what about considering Winchester?
Improvement
Map Pending Confirmation
Survey
We live on La Rinconada Dr off of Winchester Blvd, so would appreciate ensuring that students have
a clear bike path that starts lower by the cross of Lark and Winchester.
Improvement
Map Pending Confirmation
SurveyBetter signage to let drivers know to watch for bikes coming off the Creek Trail at Roberts Road.
Improvement
Map Pending Confirmation
Survey
We must have crossing guards and police presence at all intersections. sometimes the two crossing
guards do not show up. never police there
Improvement
Map Pending Confirmation
Survey
There should be a roundabout at #3 to allow cars leaving droppoff line on Roberts side to return
back to Blossom Hill rd. This would eliminate unnecessary traffic towards Los Gatos Blvd. I would
suggest to try this out, please. At least hypothetically.
Improvement
Map Pending Confirmation
Survey
Regarding 6. You may want to consider the construction project that has been on the table for this
area you are planning on widening sidewalks. There is a wine shop which is supposed to have 20
units go into it. The town should either have the developer pay for the widening of sidewalks, but
my guess is the new sidewalks will be pointless when the development goes in and all the related
parking and driveways go in. Something to review with the town. I like that something is
happening.
The other area I think needs review is Blossom hill. The bike lane from the LG Blvd towards
W i nche ster are narrow& h as some difficult bumps.
It would be great to have access to the school from the LG creek trail. I know it needs to get over 17
but I think a bridge would be super.
I like the back access proposal for Fisher.
Improvement
Map Pending Confirmation
Survey
I think the intersection at Winchester & Blossom Hill should be looked at. It is not a proper crossing
& lots of fisher kids travel through this area.
2)LOVE 11!
3) If re drawing Blossom Hill ‐ perhaps consider evening up the size of the bike paths ‐ going up hill
towards Fisher the bike bath is 2x as wide as the downhill ‐ he ading away from Fisher?
Improvement
Map Pending Confirmation
Survey
I run along Blossom Hill Road to the Vasona Trail in the mornings and it is terrifying when cars are
speeding past. I am astounded more children aren't hurt going to and from Fisher. I feel vulnerable
even on the sidewalks, especially when coming up from the park toward LG BLVD because cars are
speeding so fast. Also, on the bridge going toward the park, as cars are racing up the hill. Seems
dangerous for kids trying to navigate that on bikes and on foot .
Improvement
Map Pending Confirmation
Survey Monkey Comments
Fisher School
SourceComment MapStatus
Survey
I think a fence should be put up to protect walkers on the Vasona side of BH road where cars are
zooming down BH road, Also, what about little bumps in the road that let drivers know when they
are too close to the bike lane or sidewalk?
Also, lower the speed limit on Shannon from Short to LG Blvd where students are traveling to Fisher
and add sidewalks on both sides of Shannon Road. Cars fly Diem that road as students are going to
and from Fisher
Improvement
Map Pending Confirmation
Survey
Great, sounds good, probably need to do ALL of them to improve that traffic situation. Please do
think of item 11, and any other potential pedestrian paths (anywhere in town!) that can help kids
shorten their walk to school. L ength of the walk can be bigges t obstacle.
A traffic control person would be very beneficial. I used drop off area mentioned in item 7 at times
and it does help, can still be difficult to get out of there.
Improvement
Map Pending Confirmation
Survey
Shannon Road should have sidewalks all the way to Los GAtos Blvd. There is currently a small side
lane for bikes but the road is not in good condition making it hard to bike safely. Additionally, on
garbage days the bins take up this space and the bikes are forc ed into the street with the cars.
My kids have told me that there is just too much congestion around the close blocks to Fisher to be
safe to bike; too many moving cars, parked cars, bikes, and ped estrians. I don't know how you would
widen the bike path/sidewalks ar ound the school to fix this issu e.
Overall I believe that their bike skill is not that great. They did not grow up in a neighborhood where
biking was part of their lives. Many kids fall into this category.
Improvement
Map Pending Confirmation
Survey
Mitchell Ave is a bad route to bring children to school or have children walk to schools.There are
people pulling out of their driveways. Their driveways are blocked so they are blocking the
sidewalks. Cars jammed from Los Gatos Blvd to Fisher. Cars blocking the intersection of Los Gatos
Blvd and Mitchell. Cars speeding down Mitchell. This is an accident waiting to happen!
Improvement
Map Pending Confirmation
SurveyI currently use Mitchell Ave for auto drop off…glad to see that will still be available.
Improvement
Map Pending Confirmation
Survey
Unfortunately, there are just too many cars trying to get into Roberts and between Fisher and Nino.
Can we come up with alternate drop off/pick up locations not in this area? What about buses out?
What about staffing the Fisher library so kids can show up earlier and stay later to stagger kids
start/dismissal times. How about enhancing sports programs, so no sports are cut, more kids
participate and less kids leave right when school gets out. what about a drop off /pick up on
Blossom Hill Road with a car waiting area on the other Roberts rd, across from Vasona entrance. So
no one turns into Fisher at the other Roberts? Maybe BH Road is not the answer but something like
that.
Improvement
Map Pending Confirmation
Survey
What route is recommended for bicyclists leaving Fisher and entering their neighborhood at Oak
Rim Way? Pedestrian concerns have been addressed, but not cyclists. To ride with traffic, a cyclist
needs to cross LG Blvd twice to get to their neighborhood from Fisher. Could their be a middle turn
lane incorporated into Blossom Hill? That could also help with cars turning in and out of the
Starbucks shopping area.
Improvement
Map Pending Confirmation
Survey
Could we arrange for designated satellite drop‐off/pick‐up parking? This year, parents have been
using the Wine Depot and other nearby business lots, but perhaps there could be something more
formally arranged.
Improvement
Map Pending Confirmation
Survey
The Fisher Ave/Roberts improvements (3) and (5) and (6) will help improve traffic flow from BH to
LG Blvd, which backs up in part because traffic cannot get through these intersections.
Improvement
Map Pending Confirmation
Survey
Need a traffic light or at least a flashing light cross walk at the top of hill intersection of Old Blossom
Hill Rd and Blossom Hill Rd. Cars come flying over the hill mak ing nearly impossible to cross in the
mornings. Traffic light is neighborhood's preferred solution.
Improvement
Map Pending Confirmation
Survey
#1 Wider sidewalks AND right turn lane. NOT or.
#2/#B: On Fisher Middle School property/adjoining street parking, double the width of the drop off
lane so that the right hand lane can be utilized for drop off/pick up and the new left hand lane in the
drop zone can be used to pass cars that are waiting. The very wide sidewalk and trees/grass areas on
Fisher's property are not well uƟlized and mostly vacant at pea k Ɵmes. It's just not used.
#11 The sidewalk is WAY too narrow for the volume of students AND bikes that traverse it at peak
times. It is very unsafe for the bikes to be in the road at peak times, so they must share the
sidewalk.
Improvement
Map Pending Confirmation
Survey
Parents driving their children to Fisher down Mitchell Avenue speed, do not allow residents on
Mitchell to pull out of driveways, do not stop and block Los Gatos Blvd enterance and exit. MItchell
shoul be band from any school traffic.
Improvement
Map Pending Confirmation
Survey Monkey Comments
Fisher School
SourceComment MapStatus
Survey
Shannon Road has a ton of walking, biking, and car traffic, yet the streets lacks bike lanes and side
walks, while plagued with potholes, for a long stretch between the Presbyterian Church and Los
Gatos Blvd. This feels like a horrible accident waiting to happen.
Improvement
Map Pending Confirmation
Survey
A lot of kids walk along Shannon Rd from Cherry Blossom. It would be nice to see a curb or sidewalk
so they are not so close to the cars
Improvement
Map Pending Confirmation
Survey
Please fix Shannon/Roberts and LG Blvd intersection to allow bike crossing going TO Fisher (on the
right side of road... North? ). Kids will ride on the wrong side if this is not corrected.
Improvement
Map Pending Confirmation
Survey
Please do not prioritize Mitchell Avenue as a Auto Drop Off Route for Fisher Middle School. This is a
small street with no traffic light, no crossing guard, and no traffic control person, no parking
restricƟons, and bad visi bility to the cross walk.
This will only encourage people to continue to use Mitchell Avenue as a drop off lane in the morning
and parking lot during pick‐up.
Mitchell Avenue only has a side walk on one side of the street towards the Mitchell/Fisher
intersection!
Improvement
Map Pending Confirmation
Survey
Main problem is getting cars finished dropping off to egress. Often lights on Roberts at Blossom Hill
and LG Blvd back up Roberts completely, and Fisher outbound to Roberts, leaving no movement at
all until the lights change. Fisher Ave is empty on the school side because of the grid lock.
Sequencing longer greens to clear the egress on both ends of Roberts between 8:15‐8:45 would do
wonders overall.
Also there was a day that they tried to use a traffic control person at corner of Fisher and Roberts.
Total Disaster. Blossom Hill was backed up to University. Normal backup is only to the bridge. Again,
key is to clear egress traffic off Roberts so people can get to Fisher Ave or cycle through drop off on
Roberts faster.Concept PlanPending Confirmation
Survey
There is one aspect of the Fisher school improvement plan that seems to have been overlooked. On
an average morning, there is a significant amount of backup of cars and traffic on Blossom Hill Road
as cars drive from the Winchester Blvd. side up Blossom Hill Road to turn right onto Roberts Road.
In fact, some days the back up goes all the way to Oak Meadow Park. I would suggest creating an
additional lane on Blossom Hill Road to help with this problem.Concept PlanPending Confirmation
Survey
We live off of Rose Avenue. We would like to be able to walk or bike to Fischer but there is no safe
way from our house down the hill. There is a section of Andrews street that has a steep hill with no
sidewalk or even room to walk next to the street. If something could be done along this short
section of road then the entire neighborhood off of Rose would be more bike/ped friendly. This
would apply not only to kids going to school, but residents going to the grocery store and to town. Concept PlanPending Confirmation
Survey
Shannon Road is a main thoroughfare for Fisher and Blossom Hill schools. The speed limit should be
reduced on this street for the pedestrians. Concept PlanPending Confirmation
SurveyLooks good Concept PlanPending Confirmation
SurveyI think those plans are sufficient Concept PlanPending Confirmation
Survey
As we come from Almond Grove our primary concern is how to depart from the neighborhood
safely. Concept PlanPending Confirmation
Survey
Forcing counter clockwise movement in the pickup circle and essentially closing a "lane" in it will
lead to further, longer lasting congestion on the immediately surrounding streets making what is
already a problem worse. There need to be additional safe pickup locations. Concept PlanPending Confirmation
SurveyWon't help us.Concept PlanN/A
Survey
Not as useful to make big modifications to areas that are close to Fisher ‐ they are already super well
served. Our children are closer to La Rinconada and Winchester, and there is no easy access to a
sidewalk on the west side of winchester.Concept Plan Pending Con firmation
Survey
Roberts Rd, from Unversity to Blossom Hill has a portion without a sidewalk. This is the most
dangerous place for kids walking from close to downtown to Fisher. Cars go really fast in the
morning here, right besides kids walking and on bikes. This is an accident waiting to happen.Concept PlanPending Confirmation
Survey
Winchester is not a walk/roll friendly road. Without sidewalks, overhanging trees and the car
speeds...it's near impossible to l et kids walk or bike to schoo l.
Please focus on building out the walkways on Winchester from Blossomhill road to La Rinconada. It
will also allow us to walk to downtown with ease.Concept PlanPending Confirmation
Survey
Dedicated bike lanes with buffers are a great idea where proposed. On Blossom Hill, going down to
one lane sooner from LG Blvd is great idea. However, I think you need to go from 1 to 2 lanes
sooner on Blossom Hill as you head toward LG Blvd. The back up from cars turning right into the
Starbucks/Chipotle parking lot will create additional back up. Cars need to easily be able to go
around, into a left lane to keep traffic moving. Concept PlanPending Confirmation
Survey Monkey Comments
Fisher School
SourceComment MapStatus
Survey
The real dangerous area is the whole length of Blossom Hill Rd from Roberts Rd (Fisher School) to
the other Roberts Rd (opposite to entrance of Vasona Park). Kids ride their bike flying down that
Blossom Hill Rd from school on the pavement AGAINST traffic flow. Option B looks a better than
option A because it adds a pathway for pedestrians and hopefully for bikers (add some ramps
instead of stairs) to avoid a little bit of Blossom Hill Rd, which alleviates the pedestrian/bike/scooter
traffic to the school and hopefully ensures that the bikers and scooters are not flying down the hill
from school and risking their lives. It would be great if that pedestrian pathway could be all the way
to Roberts Rd (opposite Vason Park entrance), so that the kids could avoid the bridge over 17 which
is very narrow. Concept PlanPending Confirmation
SurveyAGAIN, police presence and crossing guards will change the problem. Concept PlanOperations. N/A?
Survey
Enforce standard road laws such as staying in your lane (continously see cars driving on the wrong
side of the road to avoid having to wait), crossing guards at Roberts and Los Gatos Blvd Concept PlanPending Confirmation
SurveyThe biggest issue is on Roberts rd itself. I do not see it to be solved.Concept PlanN/A
Survey
Please add a sidewalk for the entire length of Shannon Road. It is so unsafe for these kids to walk
and ride in the road. I see kids on bikes trying to pass the walkers and they inevitably ride in front of
moving cars that then swerve to avoid them. The kids that are walking in groups also spill into the
car lanes. I've also seen cars drive into the lane where children are walking either because they are
texting or because they are driving around a car that is turning. I've also seen crowds of children
walking into the car lanes because it is the only way to get around a parked car. Concept PlanPending Confirmation
Survey
(Comments provided for Blossom Hill School applies equally to Fisher & Hillbrook. Speeding traffic
on Shannon Rd is an accident waiting to happen, especially for younger children).Concept PlanPending Confirmation
Survey
Concept B is great. I like the connector. I also like the widening of the sidewalk. I would just
reiterate that the bike lane width on Blossom hill going downhill side needs to be looked at. Also
enforcement so folks to drop off by the connector.
Lastly the intersection at Winchester & blossom Hill needs to be looked at. There are quite a few
kids that go through there & the lack of cross walks (only on 3 sides) plus the kids have to cross to
one of the "pork chop" islands and they do so with oncoming traffic. The commute to school is
better than the commute home.Concept PlanPending Confirmation
Survey
My kids walk down Shannon to Fisher. Speeds are too high. The road should be 25mph the entire
length of Shannon with speed bumps to slow people down. Drivers are crazy and children & other
pedestrians are not safe.Concept PlanPending Confirmation
Survey
How about a neighborhood carpool system?
IncenƟves for bike to school?
Low jersey barriers (handsome ones) can make bike paths more safe.Concept PlanOperations. N/A?
Survey
Another ill planned problem. Too far to walk from our home. Too much traffic. Make my kids walk
away to pick up but I end up at Kings Court. They would probably hate to know that. The traffic
congestion on Los Gatos Blvd is ridiculous all the time. The people who live on Englewood pay for it.
And as usual the town wants to build more, increase student enrollment and generally make bad
decisions. Concept PlanPending Confirmation
Survey
Lengthening the right turn lane off of Blossom Hill to Roberts would be helpful ‐ very confusing area
for drivers. Footpath would be such a good idea.
Two way entry to parking lot in Fisher front would be helpful. Difficult sometimes when want to
park but have to go through that whole roundabout thing, full of people double parked.Concept PlanPending Confirmation
SurveyTALK WITH THE STUDENTS ABOUT THEIR IDEAS. Concept PlanN/A
Survey
We live 5 miles from Fisher, so walking and biking the entire way is not likely. But a satellite drop‐
off/pick‐up may work.Concept PlanPending Confirmation
Survey
I think the biggest safety issue is fixing the Blossom Hill/Roberts Rd interchange. Both Concept A
and B are great improvements, and serve to better separate bicycle, pedestrian and vehicle traffic.
Concept B is superior, wth the widened sidewalk, and not creating an unnecessary merge for WB
traffic on Bl Hill while going down hill on a curve, with bicycles in a very narrow/rough bike lane
(which often isn't used because it isn't very safe for students).Concept Plan Pending Confirmation
Survey Monkey Comments
Fisher School
SourceComment MapStatus
Survey
Biggest issue I see at Fisher is competing traffic. All traffic coming from BH down Roberts should
have to use the Roberts drop off lane. No right from Roberts onto Fisher during drop‐off time.
Consider preventing any traffic coming from LG Blvd on Roberts turning left onto Fisher. Find a way
for East LG traffic to use Mitchell instead to enter and exit the school drop‐off zones. That reduces
competing traffic at the points where the kids are trying to cross (mainly on Fisher between Mitchell
and Roberts). Use volunteers (8th graders/parents) to group kids for crossing rather than the
piecemeal wandering that goes on now. So dangerous and frustrating for the traffic that is there.Concept PlanPending Confirmation
Survey
Need someone to monitor drop off line like Blossom Hill does to keep traffic moving. Parents at
Fisher will park in the drop off line and do not pull forward.Concept PlanPending Confirmation
Survey
There is a steep hill on Andrews street above San Benito with no sidewalks. That feeds the Rose
Avenue neighborhood down to Santa Cruz avenue. This dangerous section of road is the reason why
many people in this neighborhood do not let their kids walk or bike to school. I recommend you put
a sidewalk along one side of andrews street in this area. Thank you. Concept PlanPending Confirmation
Survey
Andrews St at the hill at around Montgomery is terrifying and dangerous. It is the main way into and
out of the neighborhood for Rose and Andrews residents and the way that our kids bike to school.
Monte Sereno has a right of way on the properties that line the hill and should exercise it to create
bike lanes or sidewalks. It is a fine distance to bike to Fisher, also to the high school.Concept PlanPending Confirmation
Survey
Since we live on Mitchell Ave. and are directly impacted by school traffic and have been for 27 years
what would the Mitchell Ave. drop off zone look like? Concept PlanPending Confirmation
Survey
Our issue is not near the school... Its getting to the school. We need a bike lane on Kennedy road
between longmedow and teresita.Concept PlanPending Confirmation
Survey
The improvements for drop off/pick up routes will be beneficial. But none of this addresses students
who have to cross rt 9 to get to school. This is the most dangerous crossing point and many many
students make this every day by foot and bike. The town must address students who live 1‐2 miles
from Fisher. The current plan only addresses students who live less than a mile from Fisher. Overall
this plan is a huge disappointment and does nothing to provide safe routes for kids who reside in
the greater Los Gatos area. If you really want to get more cars off the road you need to provide safe
routes in these areas.Concept PlanPending Confirmation
Survey
Shannon Rd improvements needed on NORTH Side such that kids ride bikes on the correct side of
the road. No improvements‐‐they will continue to do it the wrong way. Concept PlanPending Confirmation
Survey
My biggest worry is when my child is on Foster Rd. It's a very narrow (one car wide) road and though
the posted limit is 20mph, we see idiotic drivers doing at least 50mph. Someone is going to get hurt
if nothing is done to fix this.Concept PlanPending Confirmation
Survey Monkey Comments
Van Meter School
SourceComment MapStatus
Survey
Would like to have students bicycle along Kennedy towatd Los Gatos Blvd starting
at Englewood or Vista del Monte.
Walk and Roll
Route MapPending Confirmation
Survey
1)Label vasona & show creek trail.
2)Why doesnt this map have the same green streets as fisher? Seems weird that
they are not consistent?
3)Looks strange that Blossom hill road green just stops? Kids come from all over
Los Gatos to Van Meter?
4) I would not put Lark & LG Blvd as a suggested route for anyone? There is a lot
of traffic there with people trying to get to the freeway. Also there is a car wash
with constant cars coming out onto the road at Lark & LG blvd. It is not kid biking
friendly.
5) I dont understand why this map incorporates so much ? Ithink it should be
blown up a little.
Walk and Roll
Route MapPending Confirmation
Survey
Congestion on LG Blvd from this school is unbelievable. Added to that is the
traffic bypassing 17. Nightmare.
Walk and Roll
Route MapPending Confirmation
Survey
We need to have hired crossing guards at the corner of Fisher and Roberts and
Mitchell to Fisher. Also, it would be beneficial if the police were able to stop
drivers from parking in front of driveways on Roberts Rd., at the hydrants and at
the red zones.
Walk and Roll
Route MapPending Confirmation
Survey
The problem is the kids coming from the east side of Los Gatos Blvd having to
cross at Kennedy. Cars keep going through the yellow and red lights and the
crossing guard can only do so much.
Maybe the light timing or sequence can be changed to help this.
Walk and Roll
Route MapPending Confirmation
Survey
The 10 min radius circle is highly inaccurate. It crosses Kennedy after Stonybrook
and I know that it takes more than 10 minutes to walk from there to school. It
takes at least 30-40 min from t he intersecƟon of S Kennedy and Phillips.
Why is Kennedy not being considered for a safe path to school? How are all the
kids off of Kennedy supposed to get there safely? It shiuld be improved along
with the crossing from S Kennedy across Kennedy or somewhere be tween Via
Santa Maria and S Kennedy so that kids on the south side of Kennedy can cross
and get to school. Pedestrian crossing signs, pedestrian crossing painted on
street, flashing lights - anything. It is possible because I drive it all the time.
Walk and Roll
Route MapPending Confirmation
Survey
I am on Alberto Way and it would be amazing if we could use the gated foot ramp
that takes you up to Bella Vista/Kennedy. But it is locked, can we get unlocked
during school hours only?
Walk and Roll
Route MapPending Confirmation
Survey
There are already designated drop off areas in front of Van Meter and on the side.
I don't see how this proposal would improve that. I also don't see that there are
any more crossing guards in this plan, than what we have today. Based on this, I
don't think anything would improve.
Walk and Roll
Route MapPending Confirmation
Survey
The safer and less congested bike and walking route would be down Pine to
CalĬill Ct., to Albert to Nino t o both Fisher and Van Meter.
This would involve a little improvement of the area between Pine and Calfhill Ct.
Perhaps 10 feet of new pavement. We have virtually no traffic in this area at the
times the students would be going to and from school, as this is a dead end area.
Walk and Roll
Route MapPending Confirmation
SurveyMap illegible, sorry can't comment on what I can't read.
Improvement
Map Pending Confirmation
Survey
One small improvement that would help woth parking is in the sm all lot next to
Fisher's baseball diamond. The exit onto Nino often has cars p arked in single file
where there is no parking allowed. Most of the cars do not effect things too badly
except that no one can enter off Nino and also people often park directly behind
the two legitimate parking spaces making it almost impossible to get out. One
time I would have been blocked in but someone moved next to me so I was able
to wiggle out. The curb there needs to be painted and signs posted.
Improvement
Map Pending Confirmation
Survey Monkey Comments
Van Meter School
SourceComment MapStatus
Survey
These changes would be helpful. Especially extending the left turn lane (#4). But
I don't see any changes proposed to stop cars from zipping into the Old Adobe
hair salon's parking lot and then looping around to drop kids off on the end of (A).
This is really hazardous. Because cars from (A) are turning both right and left onto
LG Blvd exiting the school at the same time that cars from LG Blvd southbound
are turning into the Old Adobe Salon parking lot in a hurry to drop kids off. This is
really dangerous for both the cars as well as all the pedestrians.
Improvement
MapPending Confirmation
SurveyToo hard to follow.Concept PlanN/A
Survey
The dangerous spot at VM is those walking on LG Blvd and coming into school at
parking lot... there are cars coming from alley, drop off and parking...kids are
having to dart between cars. Also the map does not address Kennedy Rd as it is a
main artery coming down on to LG Blvd. The speed is too fast at 30mph, no cross
walks, no pedestrian walk ways since there are not sidewalks. Harding is not an
option for those living past that street. Kennedy Rd has a ton of pedestrian
traffic, Hillbrook bus stop and lots of cars... must address this road!!Concept PlanPending Confirmation
Survey
The corner of Fisher and Nino is not a viable option. You are land locking the
residents that live behind the school. It is already a difficult area to get around
before school and especially after school. The double parking and inconsideration
to the residents is getting out of hand. Will it take a child being hurt to get
anyone to take notice of the situation to the residents and the rudeness of the
parents using the residential area as a personal parking place.Concept PlanPending Confirmation
Survey
As a resident behind Van Meter we have had to deal with horrible traffic. It can
take up to 15 minutes to get to the boulevard - a mere 3/4 mile. The parking on
Nino between the no parking signs makes it impossible to return or leave your
home. Calling the schools - Fisher or a an Meter - is met with a rude not our
problem that's a town problem. Calling for traffic control everyday is not a good
use of police staffing. Getting home when schools get out can take 1/2 hour or
more to get from Blossom Hill /LG Blvd corner. Concept PlanPending Confirmation
Survey
I like the idea of a right turn only when leaving the Nino drop off. I still think more
focus needs to go on the fact that the current laws are not being followed. For
example. People park across the street in the red zone and walk across traffic.
Kids ride their bikes against traffic on their way to Fisher. The crossing guards do
not always follow the streetlight signage and have people walk when they
shouldn't be. The real problem is too much traffic do to overcrowding.Concept PlanPending Confirmation
Survey
The merge from 2 lanes to 1 by the school (southbound LGBlvd) adds tremendous
congestion and aggravation. Eliminate it. Concept PlanPending Confirmation
Survey
Will you be enhancing the pedestrian crosswalk on campus that crosses from the
sidewalk on LG Blvd in front of Adobe Hair Salon to the campus sidewalk in front
of school? This is an extremely dangerous area for our kids. Parents mostly ignore
this pedestrian crosswalk, park on it, etc. and I've seen many close-calls,with kids
within inches of being run over in that crosswalk. Have talked to many parents,
and walking is not a SAFE option at that location.Concept PlanPending Confirmation
Survey
Looks great. There are some gate/entrance improvements that the VM staff
recommend to the Clubhouse/Kindergarten entrance area, that should be
incorporated into the plan.Concept PlanPending Confirmation
Survey Monkey Comments
Van Meter School
SourceComment MapStatus
Survey
Dedicated drop off areas, where truly only dropping off is allowed would be much
better. Now both the LG Blvd frontage road area (A, B) as well as the Nino Ave
frontage road (C, D) are routes for both parking as well as dropping off. And
parents are inconsiderate, especially at (A) and leave their parked cars there - in
the drop off zone. I've never seen anyone get a ticket, but th ey should. Especially
at drop off time when their parked car creates a total bottleneck. We need
frontage roads that are ONLY drop offs. And frontage roads that are ONLY
parking. Trying to do both everywhere and parents using neighboring parking lots
to do both too is not working.Concept PlanPending Confirmation
Survey
Fisher students need lessons in crosswalk safety and curtiousy. It is extremely
difficult to drive through the crosswalks at Mitchell and Fisher as well as Fisher
and Roberts. Fisher students all race their bikes through the LVM Nino parking lot
and down Nino after school as if there were not any cars to be concerned aboutConcept PlanPending Confirmation
Survey
Car pooling would certainly help this situaƟon.
It appears to me as a resident of this area that every mom is bringing only her
own child to and from school.Concept PlanPending Confirmation
SurveyYou can provide.....they won't walk and roll!!!!Concept PlanN/A
Survey Monkey Comments
Los Gatos High School
SourceComment MapStatus
Survey
Walking or biking is not an option. We are beyond the 1 mile mark. I can't
imagine Harding and Kennedy housing cars so kids can walk/ride from there.
Even if they parked in the closer parking lots or streets, my c hildren do after
school sports which can end late at night. They also have to carry sports bags in
addition to their heavy backpacks which mean they can not possibly carry them
when walking or ride on a bike with all their stuff.
Walk and Roll
Route MapPending Confirmation
Survey
This is quite unrealistic. Students can't haul all their sports equipment,
instruments. You can't get cars into the area either because of the congestion.
You will have bicycles and people converging down some of the busiest streets. It
isn't safe.
Walk and Roll
Route MapPending Confirmation
Survey
From Kennedy and LGBoulevard, a good option on bike is to take Caldwell to Belle
Vista Ave.
Would like to be able to see farther to the right on map ‐ cuts off too close to LG
Boulevard. Need good options as on Kennedy out as far as Forrester, on Shannon
as far as Happy Acres. Becomes much too narrow on road on Kennedy between
Longmeadow and Kennedy Court ‐ would be nice walking if not for complete lack
of shoulder.
Walk and Roll
Route MapPending Confirmation
Survey
This is all peachy but we live on the other side of Shannon Road and there is no
alternative way to get to school other than driving. My much greater concern is
the minimizing of parking opportunity to these students who live too far away for
"walk and roll". My daughters are involved in sports which involve both arrival
and departure in darkness. Walking from Balzer field is not a safe route to and
from school at these hours. Minimizing parking just increases their danger.
Walk and Roll
Route MapPending Confirmation
Survey
I have already answered this survey but wanted to add one more thing. My
biggest concern with all the work that is being done here is that it's missing the
big picture. The best way to improve safety for both pedestrians and automobiles
is to reduce the number of conflict points. Los Gatos suffers from traffic
bottlenecks (note I did not say congestion, LG is NOT congested in my opinion, it
simply has an awful traffic flow design). The best way forward for both traffic
flow AND pedestrian/cyclist safety is to embrace the use of well designed
roundabout systems. This site has a huge amount of information on how to do
this with pedestrians and cyclists in mind.
http://www.alaskaroundabouts.com/index.html
Walk and Roll
Route MapPending Confirmation
Survey
We should have crosswalks with flashing lights to attract more attention to
drivers.
Walk and Roll
Route MapPending Confirmation
Survey
I want my daughter to use the VTA bus (from Farley road to the High School BUT
just discovered that there is no bus close to drop‐off time. She has a 7:15 option
or an 8:00 option which doesn't work. If you can get VTA to add one more bus in
the morning between these times I will make sure a bunch of manor kids use it. I
already have some families on board. If we want kids to use public transport then
we need to make it available to them. Right now there is no good option.
Walk and Roll
Route MapPending Confirmation
Survey
We live farther than these lines. It is hard for our son to get up on time for 8am
classes and then to have him have a 20 minute bike ride on top of it? He also has
to bring sports gear with him everyday which is not possible wi th biking or
walking to school. According to google, from our home, he would need 50
minutes to walk and 16 minutes to bike. This means he would have to leave
house at 7:15am, assuming he can carry everything, which is hea vy. Driving him is
the only option. He doesn't sometime carpool with a classmate, which they are
not legally allowed to do, but it does cut down on the commute. I also worry
about him biking with all the other teen drivers. Once I almost hit a student who
was biking coming the other way, passing in front of me. I didn't see him at all,
despite being aware. I worry my son could be hit on his bike, assuming a bike
work s, which it doesn't.
Walk and Roll
Route Map Pending Confirmation
Survey
Until something is done to dramatically reduce vehicle traffic on LG Blvd during
the morning commute, I don't consider biking a safe alternate for my children.
Walk and Roll
Route MapPending Confirmation
Survey Monkey Comments
Los Gatos High School
SourceComment MapStatus
SurveyLooks pretty good. Maybe add something to indicate times of activity
Walk and Roll
Route MapPending Confirmation
Survey
Yes please make Pleasant to Main St a right turn only. This is a frustrating and
dangerous intersection in the morning, putting young pedestrians at risk.
Walk and Roll
Route MapPending Confirmation
Survey
Should be easier (make a better path) to get from hw9 to the creek trail with your
bike.
Consider making physical separated lanes for bikes all over Los Gatos in the future
(but very expensive), as they have in e.g Denmark.
Improvement
Map Pending Confirmation
Survey
More should be done at miles to increase the capacity of parking spaces ; this will
help the students during school and benefit the town at other times
Improvement
Map Pending Confirmation
Survey
I think all these changes can improve traffic and safety. One additional step
would be to close Bella Vista at the top of the New York hill to car traffic, allowing
only bikes, peds and emergency vehicles to go through.
Improvement
Map Pending Confirmation
Survey
LGHS can start later to offset the amount of traffic that coincide with office hour
traffic. Teenagers don't operate on the same hours as adults. If the school starts
at 10am, life improves for everyone.
Improvement
Map Pending Confirmation
Survey
The improvements again do not consider the kids from Los Gatos and Fisher at
night with all their after school gear. It simply can not be a requirement. Also,
the pick up and drop off will only add more cars on the road to cause problems
for the walkers and bikers
Improvement
Map Pending Confirmation
Survey
The Town is lead by people who have no concept nor do they care about the
world of a student these days at high school. Many of these kids have to have cars
to get to jobs and after school activities. Providing parking close to the high
school should be s consideration. Off loading them across the freeway will not
solve the issue. Traffic in town is created by residents doing their daily activities.
There are just more people and we have to accept that grow happens and plan
for safety but not at the expense of our youth because we are accomodating
people who purchased homes near an existing school.
Improvement
Map Pending Confirmation
Survey
You are not addressing the fact that students can't ride their bikes to school with
all their stuff. There are not lockers to accommodate their things. Sports goes
late and we don't want students walking/biking in the dark. You are actually
taking parking spaces away from students by making Pleasant Ave drop off only
and the front of the school as well. Instead of students being stuck in the traffic,
now the parents will as well. Where are the Mt. kids going to park their cars? It is
so unrealistic for a student that lives over by the Blossom Hill area to take more
time to drive to Miles parking lot to then walk at least 11 minutes with their stuff
to school. It is like being bused all over town to a drop off point and now walk
through the town with all the traffic to school. Removing parking is NOT THE
ANSWER. MAKING LOMA ALTA 90 MINUTE PARKING IS NOT GOING TO HELP!!!
Improvement
Map Pending Confirmation
Survey
Particularly support items 1 and 8/C ‐ access from that side would help traffic.
Most days I drop off/pick up outside the crazy zone, but a loading/drop off area in
front of school would be helpful. Might want to make it parking after 4 pm, so
that av a ilable for evening and weekend events.
Better bike lane between Loma Alta and Alpine would be good too.
Improvement
Map Pending Confirmation
Survey
whatever happens, the high school must take more responsibility for the traffic it
generates ‐ more parking, more incentives not to arrive at school by car, etc.
Improvement
Map Pending Confirmation
Survey Monkey Comments
Los Gatos High School
SourceComment MapStatus
Survey
Taking advantage of the Los GAtos Lodge area is a very good idea. Not only
easement but purchase land for pa rking and designate drop off/pi ck up area.
I don't see anything about parking deck being built on campus. I think a bond
measure would be approved for this enhancement. I think it is too lofty of a goal
to expect a large percentage of students to bike/walk to school. Hard to change
patterns. I'm not sure how many students aren't biking due to safety concerns vs
they just don't want to. Kids sweating, hair getting messed up, backpacks too
heavy, extra sports equipt and projects need to be carried, kids needing to get to
after school activities, and kids just living too far away, not having a bike, not
having bike skills, etc are probably top reasons. Can't deny the concept that kids
are going to want to drive themselves or be driven.
Improvement
MapPending Confirmation
Survey
For remote lot at Miles Avenue, won't that be less desired by students who drive
due to (1) distance and (2) increased likelihood of break‐ins due to less passers‐
by? How to encourage students to use the remote lot as a first choice rather than
head to campus then turn around if Pleasant St lots are full?
Improvement
Map Pending Confirmation
Survey
Kids need more encouragement to walk, bike and carpool to school; and to follow
traffic rules when they do so.
Improvement
Map Pending Confirmation
Survey
‐ Current congesƟon is reason not to go forward with North 40
‐Consider providing shuƩle service for students parking at Mile s Avenue
‐Don't agree with taking away E M ain parking in front of school
‐Agree that Los Gatos Lodge easement should be pursued. Consider another
opportunity to use parking lot for High School students.
‐Difficult for HS students to carpool with HS drivers due to legal requirements
regarding licensing for one year.
Improvement
Map Pending Confirmation
Survey
It is difficult to see how any of this helps traffic. It sounds like more rules of what
we can't do without explaining the increased benefit.
Improvement
Map Pending Confirmation
Survey
In addition to making exits from the high school right turn only, I agree with
widening bike lanes on Main and LG blvd. very young riders use this bike route,
and it's nerve wracking for those of us who drive along side them. Encourage bike
riding and help them be safe!
Improvement
Map Pending Confirmation
Survey Monkey Comments
Los Gatos High School
SourceComment MapStatus
Survey
1. This survey should include accurate information. Los Gatos High School is part
of Los Gatos‐Saratoga Union High School District, which is separate from Los
Gatos Union School District, and there is no such thing as Los Gatos UNIFIED
School District. The relationship of the districts and who lives within them is
actually important to this issue. 2. Reducing traffic on Pleasant Street is just silly.
It is the only reasonable access to and from the school parking lots. Overflow will
simply go to the upper section of New York Ave, which is not adequately suited
for the current amount of traffic as it is, and is dangerous. The house on the
corner of Bella Vista and New York has overgrown shrubbery that encroaches on
the road. This is dangerous and needs to be cut back. 3. The other ideas are
debatable as to whether they will help (the best is to add the drop‐off/pick‐up
zone), but they will have overall little impact as student population grows‐‐a
result of Town Council decisions. The schools are required to educate all of our
children. The reality is that all you are doing with these ideas is moving the
problem from one place to another. 4. Restricting parking on neighborhood
streets for students is WRONG. I live on Loma Alta and welcome students parking
on our street. These students are citizens of our town too, and they have a right
to access to their school. The great majority of our students are involved and
productive kids who have a variety of after‐school commitments, so walking is not
an option. We also have students who live on the mountain and other areas who
absolutely MUST drive to school. As a member of the steering committees for all
of our most recent school funding initiatives, I know that there is no funding for
school parking or buses at the high school level, and there is no hope of passing
any measure to support it. Saratoga HS is a part of the high school district, and
they will not vote for it, and quite frankly it would be a tough sell for Los Gatos as
well. 5. I believe the problems with traffic around schools is over‐exaggerated.
Yes, there are time periods where traffic is very slow around s chools‐‐I live on
Loma Alta‐‐I get it, but these are only during very limited (and consistent) times of
Improvement
MapPending Confirmation
Survey
Why not use crossing guards/community service officers to allow more cars to
cross at Main and New York and LGBlvd and Johnson (?). Seems like everything
would move faster....takes more time for cars to individually stop at 4‐way or 3‐
way intersections. Ann Rice
Improvement
MapPending Confirmation
Survey
Please don't remove free right turns. As a daily pedestrian who doesn't drive I
find the free rights helpful and safer for a pedestrian. Concept PlanPending Confirmation
Survey
As there is no turn on red EVER from Shannon to NB LGB, this is a great change. I
like all the other changes also.Concept PlanPending Confirmation
Survey
Improvement plans are great but can not solve the problem for kids to and from
school. On any given day it can help traffic flow with bikers and walkers but for
kids going to and from school at all different times with lots of gear to carry, it
does not solve the school issue. Buses? More parking spaces provided?Concept PlanPending Confirmation
Survey
Again, I see that you are removing parking spots making it more difficult for
students and parents to get to school. We parents need spots as well to do our
volunteer work done at the school. Where are the teachers going to park?Concept PlanPending Confirmation
Survey
If you really want to encourage cycling, provide a set of safe, dedicated bike trails
that feed directly to the creek trail; OR additional dedicated bike trails (e.g. along
Englewood).Concept PlanPending Confirmation
Survey
We live too far away to walk to school. My son plays football a nd the day will be
too long for homework, he will be too tired, he will be too hungry to walk 45
minutes or 3.5 miles home. Stop making the teens and kids pay for bad planning.
This town does little to nothing for kids, i.e. The venue, sports facilities, parks,
teen events. I look at other schools in the area and see solar panels in lots etc.
this town needs to make the school a priority. Our home values are high because
of the schools, not because of the restaurants downtown. Because as a resident
here, I never go downtown, too much traffic, long lines to eat and limited variety. Concept Plan Pending Confirmation
Survey Monkey Comments
Los Gatos High School
SourceComment MapStatus
Survey
Some of these changes are incompatible with the terrible traffic conditions that
prevail on LG Boulevard at present. In particular, it has become extremely
difficult to make a left out of Kennedy onto LG Boulevard during some hours of
the day, can start at 3 pm and is awful during evening commute hours, with even
the first car in line unable to exit during their light cycle. Removing the easy right
turn off of LG Boulevard to HW 9 will make this situation much worse. (The
problem is in part caused by excessive backup from the light at HW 9, part due to
gridlock from southbound cars on LG Blvd, part due to left turners off LG
Boulevard onto different side streets or into driveways. It is untenable already,
relocating the crosswalk, etc, would place too much burden on residents of the
east side of town. Find a different way to get HS students to the west side of
town. Concept PlanPending Confirmation
Survey
Too many students use their cars for their lockers, how can we improve this
situation? ASK THE STUDENTS TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM Concept PlanPending Confirmation
Survey
Extend the green color on the bike routes on Los Gatos Almaden. Please repair
the bike lane between Cherry Blossom and National Ave.Concept PlanPending Confirmation
Survey
The police need to help traffic during the end of the high school day. One hour
directing traffic would make it safer and much more efficient.Concept PlanPending Confirmation
Survey
Why are the high school students being penalized for the total growth in the
community? They are residents too and should be treated with the same level of
rights and respect as others in our community. Making all parking around the
high school restricted because people move next to a school and then complain
sets a dangerous president. If the Town wants to solve this problem, then they
need to think of more creative solutions then penalizing a population of children. Concept PlanPending Confirmation
Survey
Will removing the free right turn at highway 9 cause further southbound
congestion, particularly in the morning? Often the stop‐signs at loma alta and at
pleasant st are bottlenecks due to the proximity‐‐would adding coordinated signal
lights help reduce the jam?Concept PlanPending Confirmation
Survey
Why can't the city bus system add one more bus in the morning so that LGHS
students can utilize it? Currently they have a bus at 7AM and one at 8AM so
students either have to arrive an hour before school starts or sweat being late.
We can EASILY fill a bus on route 49, which would keep cars off the roads AND
provide a safe route to school.Concept PlanPending Confirmation
SurveyI think there should be more not less parking.Concept PlanPending Confirmation
SurveyWe need less housing development and more traffic enforcement.Concept PlanPending Confirmation
SurveyLos Gatos Blvd improvements seem good.Concept PlanPending Confirmation
Survey
Very concerned about the Highway 9 LG Blvd intersection suggestion. While this
might improve things for cyclists it will really impede traffic flow at this already
difficult bottle‐neck. Isn't it better to encourage kids on bikes from East LG to use
Bella Vista Ave before reaching this junction? Concept PlanPending Confirmation
Survey
Interesting. It is a start. It is still not safe to be on a bike during rush hour
anywhere before or after this. However, it is worth considerat ion and I applaud
the task force thinking about this issue.Concept PlanPending Confirmation
Survey
There is a steep hill on Andrews street above San Benito with no sidewalks. That
feeds the Rose Avenue neighborhood down to Santa Cruz avenue. This dangerous
section of road is the reason why many people in this neighborhood do not let
their kids walk or bike to school. I recommend you put a sidewalk along one side
of andrews street in this area. Thank you. Concept PlanPending Confirmation
Survey
hiway 9 right turn onto los gatos blvd, it is just a matter of time untill a car making
a green light turn onto los gatos blvd hits a skate boarder going to the island to
push the green light button Concept Plan Pending Confirmation
Survey
Most of these will improve safety and seem fine. However, whil e removing the
free right turn at Hwy 9 and LG Blvd would make things a little safer, I think it
would have a very negative impact on traffic, causing the back‐up on LG Blvd to
drastically increase. I feel that frustrated drivers are often the most dangerous. Concept PlanPending Confirmation
Survey Monkey Comments
Hillbrook School
SourceComment MapStatus
Survey
In the morning we drop our daughter off at the Green Stop (near Manresa) or we
walk her from Blossom Hill Park. In the evening we pick her up from school via
carpool because the latest Hillbrook bus is too late for us due to work.Bus Route MapPending Confirmation
SurveyWe do not use the bus service.Bus Route MapN/A
Survey
Hillbrook school buses are great. My kids catch the bus on Shsnnon Rd. They walk
to the school bus, and the entire process takes only a couple of minutes. Drivers
at times act impatient, but boarding takes less time than the average stop light.
Children and parents are courteous and friendly and the service helps the town
and the school Bus Route MapPending Confirmation
Survey
Hillbrook's afternoon buses, especially those after 4 PM, are usually almost empty
or completely empty. Hillbrook needs to do more to get parents to have their
children use these buses,
Also, Hillbrook parents have been parking in the neighborhood to avoid being
counted at the gate. The Town and School should encourage this to stop.Bus Route MapPending Confirmation
Survey
I think the stop signs are unnecessary as all cars I see drive very responsibly on
Hilow Rd. and stop signs increase pollution due to making the stop mandatory.
I've never seen any problem at the one‐lane Hilow section ‐ people are very
courteous and common sense works well. But adding the yellow school cross
walk lines would be very good.
Improvement
Map Pending Confirmation
Survey
The intersection of Short and Shannon is completely blind on the Northwest
corner due to overgrown bushes. It is very dangerous for all pedestrians.
Improvement
Map Pending Confirmation
Survey
We live on Pinta Ct and need to cross Kennedy Road at Via Santa Maria. There are
blind curves in both directions, and we occasionally encounter cars coming
around the curves at "high speeds". Can anything be done to facilitate crossing
Kennedy, particularly during commute hours?
Improvement
Map Pending Confirmation
Survey
Neighbors should be required to keep shurbs trimmed back tightly in the
eucalyptus section. Bushes jetting out obstruct the view of cars or people
approaching the narrow road. I've been tempted to trim them myself, but didn't
want to get in trouble. Also, can bikers and walkers get a path on Hilow?
Improvement
Map Pending Confirmation
Survey
Two recommendations to the Town for Hillbrook students. One would be to offer
more parking than what's available at Blossom Hill park ‐‐ this way, more families
can park in that area and then walk to school. The second would be to install
sidewalks on the wide part of Hilow and the part of Marchmont that reaches the
school. This gives walkers a safer route and encourages more walkers.
Improvement
Map Pending Confirmation
Survey
I think there should be a walking/biking lane down Hilow and a stop sign at Hikow
and Shannon with a cross walk. The corner at Shannon and Hikiw is dangerous
because cars go too fast down Shannon
Improvement
Map Pending Confirmation
Survey
I rented a house on Marchmont for one year as my residence was being
renovated. The parents barreled down the street all morning and afternoon. I
stood outside and yelled at cars to slow down. Had little kids that walked to
Blossom Hill and was genuinely scared for them. They need to open the other
access to the school so the traffic can at least be halved.
Improvement
Map Pending Confirmation
Survey
We live in Blossom Manor and the traffic around Blossom Hill school has gotten
worse over the years. Perhaps a bus option for the local schools could help the
issue, as well as to ha v e mor e parking at Blossom Hill Park.
Bike/Walk lanes would also be helpful, including up Parchment, as Hillbrook
families walk up the hill and it isn't very safe without sidewalks.
Improvement
Map Pending Confirmation
Survey
We need bike/walking space to/from HIllbrook. Today, there is none and my
Daugther and I almost got hit by a car and by a bike while walking to school. The
car was from a neighbor in the street and the bike a student heading to Blossom
Hill.
Improvement
Map Pending Confirmation
Survey Monkey Comments
Hillbrook School
SourceComment MapStatus
Survey
Dedicated walk/bike lane HiLow to Blossom Hill Improvement
Map Pending Confirmation