REPORT TO BICYCLE AND PEDESTRIAN ADVISORY COMMITTEE
SUBJECT
Title
Speed Surveys & Slower Streets - Assembly Bill 43 (Chan)
Report
BACKGROUND
In July 2024, Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee (BPAC) Member Kratz requested City staff to provide a report on speed surveys (Attachment 1) and Member Megas requested staff to discuss the City's plan to implement lower speeds under new Assembly Bill (AB) 43 (Attachment 2).
DISCUSSION
Speed Survey (for Speed Limit Establishment)
The California Vehicle Code (CVC) sets the regulations and framework for how speed limits are established. The speed limit must be established consistent with the CVC in order to be enforceable by the Police Department.
The CVC requires the speed limit to be based on an Engineering and Traffic Survey (E&TS). This speed is considered a safe and reasonable speed for a given road.
The E&TS considers the following:
* Posted speed limit set to prevailing speeds (or 85th percentile speeds) rounding to the nearest 5 mph increment.
* Posted speed limit may be lowered by 5 mph as determined by a registered engineer with consideration to collision history, traffic, and roadside factors and conditions not readily apparent to the driver.
E&TS Validity Period
1. E&TS is valid for five years from the date it is certified.
2. E&TS validity may be extended to seven years under the following conditions:
* Arresting officer successfully completed a 24-hour POST-approved radar course, AND
* If LASER (LIDAR) was used, an additional two hours of POST training on the device, AND
* The device is approved by the National Traffic Highway Safety Administration, AND
* The device was calibrated within the previous three years by independent certified laser or radar repair and testing or calibration facility.
3. E&TS validity may be extended to 14 years under the following conditions:
* All of the conditions above for 7-year validity are met AND a registered engineer evaluates the section of the highway and...
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