04 ATTACHMENT 2 - Laserfiche WebLink

DRAFT 3. Circulation Element many of the needed projects. In addition, Assembly Bill 1600, enacted in 1987, requires that a nexus be established between the development and the need for improvements. The Traffic Impact Fee is based on the number of evening peak-hour trips a development will contribute to the circulation network. The fee is the primary means of payment for the construction of local infrastructure improvements. However, major projects which directly create traffic impacts to identified local intersections will continue to be subject to improving those intersections or paying apro-rata share contribution towards their improvement. Proposed Traffic Management Improvements In order to make roadway improvements effective, additional traffic mitigations should be installed. Traffic signals, for example, are a critical mechanism to ensure the safest and most efficient flow of traffic. Figure 3-2, page 3-6, shows existing traffic signal locations and those proposed to facilitate the free flow of traffic at potentially congested intersections. Traffic counts are another mechanism used by the City to ensure that roadway improvements are effective and traffic is flowing according to projections. The City undertakes regular traffic counts on major arterial and collector streets throughout the community. Average daily traffic counts are conducted at over 100 locations, and peak-hour turning movement counts are taken at 57 major intersections. These existing traffic counts are then used to verify future traffic volumes and service levels throughout the community. The City uses this information to monitor traffic increases over time and improvements in traffic flow caused by roadway and other improvements. This information also serves as the basis for analyzing the traffic impacts of individual development projects. The overriding purpose of these traffic studies is to anticipate and mitigate traffic congestion on City streets according to adopted standards. The City has established a computerized traffic monitoring and signalization system. The Central Traffic Computer and Monitoring System is used to produce a regular Baseline Traffic Report which depicts current and projected traffic conditions for all existing plus approved development. These projections of "existing plus approved" are a midway point between "existing" counts and "buildout" projections and help determine when new major improvements will be necessary to avoid traffic congestion. In addition to the "existing plus approved" projections, a "five-year projection" is made of those developments deemed likely to be built within the next five years. Potential Problem Intersections and Mitigations Table 3-8, above, lists critical intersections and needed improvements. This table and Figure 3-10 detail the needed mitigation measures identified through the traffic model run for buildout conditions. Circulation Element 012908 clean 3-34 City Council 012908