REPORT TO COUNCIL
SUBJECT
Title
Speed Survey on Caribbean Drive [Between Crossman Avenue and Moffett Park Drive (Information Only)
Report
BACKGROUND
There was a fatal collision involving a truck and a bicyclist in February 2018 on Caribbean Drive approximately 430 feet east of the intersection of Caribbean Drive and Borregas Avenue. In May 2018, taking into consideration the fatal crash, the proximity to the Bay Trail, the high-speed limit and the increasing traffic on Caribbean Drive, City Council directed staff to investigate the prevailing speed on Caribbean Drive. To analyze the existing travel speed, staff subsequently conducted an Engineering and Traffic Survey (E&TS) on Caribbean Drive between Crossman Avenue and Moffett Park Drive.
EXISTING POLICY
General Plan - Land Use and Transportation Element Policy 35:
Set speed limits at the lowest practicable levels consistent with state law.
Sunnyvale Municipal Code - Title 10:
The city traffic engineer shall have the authority to place and maintain official traffic control devices specified in the traffic control regulations document, per the latest standards or guidelines established by Caltrans.
DISCUSSION
Title 10 of the Sunnyvale Municipal Code requires that speed limits be set forth by City Council resolution in accordance with the latest standards or guidelines established by Caltrans.
As per the California Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (CA MUTCD) and California Vehicle Code, state and local authorities maintain E&TS for a number of street segments in order to establish speed limits that facilitate the orderly movement of traffic and is reasonable and safe. Speed surveys are conducted to measure the speeds of vehicles under free-flow conditions. The CA MUTCD recommends setting a speed limit at the nearest 5 miles per hour (mph) increment to the 85th percentile speed of free-flowing traffic and allows for speed limit reduction up to 5 mph below the 85th percentile under certain conditions....
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