Title
Discuss Citywide Roundabout Analysis Results (Discussion)
Body
Transportation Commission
July 28, 2021
Item #6E
(Discussion)
Discuss Citywide Roundabout Analysis Results Body
BACKGROUND
This citywide roundabout analysis is part of the Vision Zero policy and implementation, which prioritizes the reduction of fatal and severe injury collisions to zero. In November 2019, the Alameda City Council adopted a resolution establishing Vision Zero as the City’s guiding principle for transportation planning, design, and maintenance. In 2021, the City of Alameda will complete a Vision Zero Action Plan that includes specific actions and policy changes to increase street safety in Alameda. Vision Zero webpage: <https://www.alamedaca.gov/VisionZero>
Roundabouts reduce the types of crashes where people are seriously hurt or killed by 78-82 percent when compared to conventional stop-controlled and signalized intersections, per the AASHTO Highway Safety Manual. Roundabouts result in lower vehicle speeds, generally 15-25 miles per hour, around the roundabout. Crashes that occur will be less severe because of this reduced speed and will be more “sideswipe” in nature. Pedestrians are generally safer at roundabouts, and are faced with fewer decisions at any one time. Roundabouts also reduce delays compared to traffic signals, provide landscaping opportunities, and have lower maintenance costs.
Due to the benefits of roundabouts, the City’s Annual Report on Transportation (January 2021) stated that City staff would hire Kittelson & Associates to identify top locations for potential roundabouts, to provide an educational presentation on roundabouts, to peer review the proposed Central Avenue roundabouts, and to add policies related to roundabouts in the General Plan update. The work also includes developing guidance and concept designs for quick build pilots of neighborhood traffic circles along the City’s Slow Streets, most of which are also proposed bicycle boulevards in the Active Transportation Plan draft recommendations.
DISCUSSION
The purpose of this item is to present the findings of the roundabout feasibility analysis for the top potential locations, and then to discuss next steps such as prioritization, further evaluation and securing funding. Exhibit 1 shows the results of the citywide analysis to identify the top locations for potential roundabouts. The top locations were selected by using the following screening criteria: high injury corridor and intersection, AC Transit bus route, existing or planned bikeway, socially vulnerable area and geographic equity. The more of these criteria that were met, the higher each intersection scored.
The feasibility memo lists the top locations using the screening criteria as well as other locations previously studied in the City, and these combined locations for roundabouts are grouped as follows to better understand how to proceed with next steps:
City Council Approved
• Otis Drive/Grand Street (unfunded)
• Central Avenue/Main Street/Pacific Avenue (funded)
• Central Avenue/Third Street/Taylor Avenue (funded)
• Central Avenue/Fourth Street (unfunded)
• Central Avenue/Sherman Street/Encinal Avenue slip lane option with potential right-of-way purchases being studied (unfunded)
Evaluation in Process
• Tilden Way/Blanding Avenue/Fernside Blvd (part of the Clement Avenue Extension/Tilden Way Project (partially or fully funded)
• Mecartney Road/Island Drive (initial recommendation for the Mecartney Road/Island Drive Intersection Improvement project) (partially or fully funded)
Further Evaluation Needed
• Atlantic Avenue/Constitution Way (unfunded)
• Atlantic Avenue/Main Street (unfunded, could be added to the Appezzato Parkway Bus Improvement Project, which is funded)
• Main Street/Willie Stargell Avenue (unfunded, could be added to the Stargell Avenue Safety Improvement Project, which is unfunded)
• Encinal Avenue/Fernside Blvd (unfunded)
City staff will use the results from the roundabout feasibility memo to seek grant funds to further evaluate these top roundabout locations or to fund construction, if applicable. City staff is seeking Transportation Commission input on the feasibility memo and on next steps given that this work represents the initial citywide feasibility analysis for roundabouts.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
The citywide screening of potential roundabout locations is funded by Measures B and BB Local Streets & Roads out of the Transportation Planning Unit (Fund 287.5) for Multi-modal Projects (#4227287) totaling $15,280, which are transportation sales tax monies administered by the Alameda County Transportation Commission (Alameda CTC).
MUNICIPAL CODE/POLICY DOCUMENT CROSS REFERENCE
This action is in conformance with the Alameda Municipal Code and all policy documents, and is consistent with the Transportation Choices Plan (2018) and the Climate Action and Resiliency Plan (2019).
CLIMATE ACTION
The roundabouts analysis effort will further the implementation of the Transportation Choices Plan (2018) and the Climate Action and Resiliency Plan (2019) to improve transportation operations and to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
This action is not a project under California Environmental Quality Act Guidelines, section 15378(b)(4).
RECOMMENDATION
Transportation Commission to discuss next steps such as prioritization, further evaluation and securing funding.
Respectfully submitted,
Gail Payne, Senior Transportation Coordinator
Exhibit:
1. Citywide Roundabout Screening and Feasibility Memo