TRANSPORTATION ADVISORY BOARD AGENDA ITEM
ACTION REQUESTED:
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Approve a recommendation to establish a “No Parking Zone” on the south side of Jefferson Avenue from a point 80 feet west of the centerline of Whispering Hills Drive to a point 165 west of the centerline of Whispering Hills Drive
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DEPARTMENT: Transportation, Engineering and Development
SUBMITTED BY: Andy Hynes, City Traffic Engineer
BACKGROUND:
The City received a request to evaluate all-way stop controls at the intersection of Jefferson Avenue and Whispering Hills Drive from a local resident. The request cited concerns regarding sight distance when vehicles are parked on-street.
Whispering Hills Drive is currently stop controlled for Jefferson Avenue (two-way stop). This section of Jefferson Avenue is classified as a Collector roadway with a 25 mph speed limit. Whispering Hills Drive is a Neighborhood Connector roadway with a 25 mph speed limit.
No parking is currently allowed on the north side of Jefferson Avenue between Whispering Hills Drive and Birchwood Drive to the east. No parking is allowed on the other three corners (northwest, southwest, and southeast) of the intersection for a distance of 80 feet from the centerline of Whisperings Hills Drive.
Between 2018 and 2020, eight (8) crashes were reported at the intersection (average between 2 to 3 annually). Two of the eight crashes were right angle collisions.
DISCUSSION:
City staff has evaluated the Jefferson Avenue and Whispering Hills Drive intersection for all-way stop control in accordance with the standards provided by the Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices. Analysis of this location found that it failed to meet the minimum thresholds for consideration of all-way stop control.
Staff also evaluated sight distance at this intersection. The investigation found that a vehicle legally parked on the southwest corner of the intersection could potentially block the view of eastbound vehicles as they approach Whispering Hills Drive. See the attached exhibit. The potential sight obstruction is attributable to the curvature of Jefferson Avenue as it extends to the west toward Ogden Avenue. Northbound drivers may have more difficulty seeing approaching vehicles when closer to Jefferson Avenue if vehicles are parked in the spaces nearest the intersection. Adequate sight distance was available on the other three corners of the intersection.
Staff recommends extending the no parking restriction on the south side of Jefferson Avenue to a point 165 feet west of the centerline of Whispering Hills Drive (10 feet west of the condominium building driveway). This modification will significantly improve the visibility of eastbound vehicles approaching Whispering Hills Drive. One to two on-street parking spaces will be lost with this change. However, vehicles do not appear to frequently park in this area. Residents in the condominium building closest to these parking spaces (southwest corner of Jefferson Avenue and Whispering Hills Drive) have been notified of this potential change.