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Dear Councilmembers,
In addition to the information in the staff report, I'd like to direct your attention to the recently released report by the state's Zero Traffic Fatalities Task Force:
https://calsta.ca.gov/-/media/calsta-media/documents/calsta-report-of-findings-ab-2363-zero-traffic-fatalities-task-force-a11y.pdf
Here are some of the key questions it addresses:
--Isn't it safer for traffic to travel at the 85th percentile?
No, the 2017 NTSB Safety Study found that there is no strong evidence that traveling at the 85th percentile speed results in safer outcomes and recommended that the FHWA (Federal Highway Administration) “remove the guidance that speed limits in speed zones should be within 5 mph of the 85th percentile speed. (p. 23)
--Is it even useful to lower speed limits? Isn't street design the most important thing?
While many consider road design and engineering the effective countermeasure to reduce operating speed....recent research has indicated that [lowering speed limits] is effective. The UC ITS research synthesis found that research studies clearly indicate speed limit changes cause changes in drivers’ speed....UC ITS concluded that “even though reducing speed limits may only have a small effect on vehicle speeds, those changes in speed result in meaningful safety improvements" especially for vulnerable road users such as bicyclist and pedestrians.” (p. 5)
--Aren't cities in CA required to use the 85th percentile to set speed limits?
There are several scenarios in which it is not necessary for agencies to conduct traffic surveys in order to post a lower speed limit. For example, in 25-mph prima facie school zones, agencies have the option to lower the speed limit from to 20 mph or 15 mph without conducting a traffic survey if certain criteria are met. Agencies may opt to either conduct a traffic survey to support the lower limit, or they may pass a local ordinance provided that the roadway design meets certain conditions stipulated in the CVC. (p. 21)
--What legislative efforts are there to change the 85th percentile?
States across the U.S., including Oregon, Washington, and New York are adopting speed-limit-setting laws that grant local agencies more flexibility to establish lower speed limits (p. 30). In California, AB 2363 led to the formation of this Zero Traffic Fatalities task force and the creation of this report, which may lead to new legislation.
Putting on my hat as the Hillview Safe Routes to School coordinator, I'd also like to note that Olive St. from Santa Cruz to Middle Ave (cited on page H-4.6) is unquestionably a key route for students getting to Hillview and should qualify for the 25 mph speed limit for school areas regardless of measured speed limits. As an indicator of the amount of student traffic on Olive, Hillview has a crossing guard posted at the intersection of Olive and SCA, and there have been several reported accidents on the road itself.
Thanks so much for your consideration,
Lydia Lee
MP Complete Streets Commissioner, Safe Routes to School Subcommittee Member
