To: PUBLIC WORKS COMMISSION
From: DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS
TITLE
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U-TURN RESTRICTION ON 600 BLOCK OF N. MARIA AVE.
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RECOMMENDATION
Consider whether to implement a U-turn restriction on the 600 block of N. Maria Avenue on school days to improve traffic operations adjacent to Beryl Heights Elementary School
SUMMARY
In response to a request from the principal of Beryl Heights Elementary School, staff has investigated the need for a U-turn restriction along the 600 block of N. Maria Avenue. The principal indicated disruptive traffic patterns created when southbound vehicles on N. Maria Avenue make a U-turn to northbound N. Maria Avenue during drop off and pick up times at the school. The City’s traffic engineer visited with the principal and observed the present operations and recommends that a U-turn restriction be installed.
BACKGROUND
Staff received am inquiry from Commissioner Nafisi in November 2022 regarding how the principal may make such a request, and subsequently put staff in touch with the school principal. Staff reached out to the principal and arranged for a site visit to observe existing conditions during the morning drop off and afternoon pick up time frames. A brief email from the school principal, Mr. Joshua Stern, that explains and supports the need for a U-turn restriction is included in the attachments. Notice of this topic at this meeting was provided to the residents along the 600 block of N. Maria Avenue and the school principal for distribution to parents of students at the school.
DISCUSSION
Beryl Heights Elementary School is bounded by Beryl Street to the north, N Maria Avenue on the east, Carnelian Street on the south and N Lucia Avenue on the west. These are residential streets, with the exception of Beryl St., which has a functional classification of a minor arterial. The intersection of Beryl Street and N. Maria Avenue is controlled by a traffic signal. Parallel parking is permitted on both sides of N. Maria Avenue in this block. Fronting development on these streets is residential in nature.
The school has a student population of approximately 450 students residing generally south of Anita / 190th and north of Emerald Street in the City of Redondo Beach. School officials report the vast majority of students arrive at school each day by car, and that traffic congestion is a significant issue.
Staff notes that vehicles coming from Beryl Street and traveling southerly on N. Maria Avenue to stop or park adjacent to the school often make a U-turn within this block upon departure in order to return to Beryl St. A steady stream of these U-turning vehicles does create significant congestion on this block of N Maria Avenue for both northbound and southbound vehicles. This is especially true when, due to parked vehicles on both sides, the U-turn is a three-point turn rather than a continuous turn. Significant congestion can contribute to less predictable driver behavior which presents a threat to a safe drop off or pick up operation.
If U-turns are restricted, much of that additional congestion is eliminated. If U-turns are restricted, motorists leaving parking spaces adjacent to the school and wishing to return to Beryl Street will need to continue southerly after leaving the school, turn right on Carnelian Street, which resembles an alley and is only about 25 feet wide in this block. From there motorists can turn right on Lucia Avenue, also adjacent to the school, and return to Beryl Street. Although circulation using Carnelian may be somewhat uncomfortable due its narrow width, it does relieve the congestion on N. Maria Avenue and is preferable from a circulation point of view.
An additional consideration would be to restrict U-turns for northbound vehicles on the same block of N. Maria Avenue. While staff did not observe this movement as a significantly contributing factor to the congestion, elimination of northbound U-turns into the southbound traffic does present additional protection. Whether in the southbound direction only, or in both directions, staff recommends any U-turn restriction be limited to school days only.
ALTERNATIVES AVAILABLE
1. Recommend installation of a U-turn restriction in the southbound direction on the 600 block of N. Maria Avenue on school days only;
2. Recommend installation of a U-turn restriction in both directions on the 600 block of N. Maria Avenue on school days only;
3. Deny the request for a U-turn restriction; or
4. Other actions as determined by the Public Works Commission.
COORDINATION
Coordination of the field analysis and this report took place within the Public Works Department, with input from the school principal.
Prepared by:
Andy Winje, City Engineer
Submitted by:
Ted Semaan, Public Works Director
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