REPORT TO BICYCLE AND PEDESTRIAN ADVISORY COMMITTEE
SUBJECT
Title
15 MPH School Zone Speed Limit (Chan)
Report
BACKGROUND
The Santa Clara Bicycle Plan and the Santa Clara Pedestrian Master Plan contain goals and policies related to 15 mph speed limits in school zones. Specifically, the Santa Clara Bicycle Plan states to “Study the need for 15 mph School Zone speed limits and adopt in appropriate locations by 2022,” and the Santa Clara Pedestrian Master Plan states to “Reduce the speed limit to 15mph, where warranted, in school zones that experience high speeds.”
DISCUSSION
The California Vehicle Code (CVC) establishes the rules of the road, speed limits, and the prima facie speed limits for various roads. The term “prima facie speed limit” is the speed limit that applies when no other specific speed limit is posted. CVC Section 22358.4 (Attachment 1) states the City may, by ordinance or resolution, determine and declare a prima facie speed limit of 15 mph within a school zone if a roadway has the following characteristics:
• is in a residence district, defined as containing 13 or more separate dwelling units within a quarter mile of one side or 16 or more separate dwelling units within a quarter mile of both sides
• has a maximum of two traffic lanes
• has a posted speed limit of 25 mph or 30 mph
• contiguous to, and within 500 feet of, a school (i.e. school zone)
Staff hired a consultant to analyze all 29 schools (public and private for grades K through 12) within the City. The analysis included an inventory of all existing traffic signs, markings, and controls within these school zones. In addition, the analysis recommended changes to various signs and markings to improve school safety (Attachment 2). The analysis found 48 street segments adjacent to 29 schools within the City that are eligible for 15 mph speed limits.
Next Steps
Staff recommends continuing to study the installation of 15 mph speed limits on these 48 street segments adjacent to 29 schools in Sant Clara. The next steps would entail public outreach, continued coordination with the Police Department and the Santa Clara Unified School District, completing engineering and traffic surveys, and City Council adoption of an ordinance.
Staff will hire a consultant to assist in preparing outreach materials, hosting community meetings, sending flyers to notify residents on these 48 street segments, and preparing online information. These outreach efforts will ensure the public is notified of the City’s intent to reduce the speed limit to 15 mph. Public outreach is anticipated to be completed by summer 2025.
To declare a prima facie speed limit of 15 mph within these school zones, the City must take provisions of CVC Section 627 into consideration. This Section defines an engineering and traffic survey and states that it shall include (1) prevailing speeds, (2) accident records, (3) highway, traffic, and roadside conditions not readily apparent to the driver, (3.c.1) residential density, and (3.c.2) safety of bicyclists and pedestrians with increased consideration for vulnerable pedestrian groups including children, seniors, and persons with disabilities. The creation of a new engineering and traffic survey is anticipated to be completed by summer 2025.
The City Council must adopt an ordinance to declare a prima facie speed limit of 15 mph within these 48 street segments based on the results of the engineering and traffic surveys.
Staff
Written by: Steve Chan, Transportation Manager, Public Works
Approved by: Michael Liw, Assistant Director/City Engineer, Public Works
ATTACHMENTS
1. California Vehicle Code, Section 22358.4
2. School Traffic Improvements Maps