SPEED LIMIT WORKSHOP

PRESENTED BY CALTRANS ANDCALIFORNIA HIGHWAY PATROL

WORKSHOP PRESENTERS

ROBERTA McLAUGHLIN,PE,TE,PTOE CALTRANS DIVISION OF TRAFFIC OPERATIONS OFFICE OF SIGNS AND MARKINGS

SERGEANT KEVIN DAVIS CALIFORNIA HIGHWAY PATROL PLANNING AND ANALYSIS DIVISION

WORKSHOP PROTOCOL

PUT PHONES ON SILENT MODE STAY FOCUSED PROVIDE INPUT, BUT AVOID LONG

PERSONAL EXPERIENCES USE INDEX CARDS FOR QUESTIONS

TO ADDRESS AT END OF SESSION LOCATION OF RESTROOMS NO FOOD OR DRINK IN AUDITORIUM

AUDIENCE (BY SHOW OF HANDS)

CALTRANS HQ’S CALTRANS DISTRICT PUBLIC AGENCY TRAFFIC

DEPARTMENT PUBLIC AGENCY (NOT TRAFFIC)

. . . THERE’S MORE ON NEXT SLIDE

AUDIENCE (CONT’D)

LAW ENFORCEMENT COURT OFFICIALS ENGINEERING CONSULTANTS ATTORNEYS ANYONE NOT LISTED ABOVE

GREETINGS FROM CALTRANS HQ & HOST DISTRICT

ROBERT COPP, HQ DIVISION CHIEF,

TRAFFIC OPERATIONS DIVISION CHARLES GRAY

SR TRANS ENGR, DISTRICT 11

OFFICE OF TRAFFIC OPERATIONS

PURPOSE OF WORKSHOP

•WHY

•HOW

•WHO

•WHEN

•WHERE

TODAY’S TOPICS

SPEED LIMIT HISTORY JULY 1, 2009 CHANGES CALIFORNIA TRAFFIC CONTROL

DEVICES COMMITTEE (CTCDC) CALIFORNIA VEHICLE CODE (CVC) CALIFORNIA MANUAL ON

UNIFORM TRAFFIC CONTROL DEVICES (CA MUTCD)

TODAY’S TOPICS (CONT’D)

ENGINEERING AND TRAFFIC SURVEYS (E&TS)

SPEED ENFORCEMENT COURT’S REVIEW OF SPEEDING

CITATIONS INFORMATION SHARING ANSWER YOUR QUESTIONS RESOURCES FOR FUTURE

REFERENCE

NOT ON TODAY’S AGENDA

DEBATING WHAT HAS ALREADY BEEN DISCUSSED WITH CTCDC

SIGN DETAILS AND LOCATIONS ROADWAY CHANGES TO SLOW

DOWN VEHICLES

BRIEF HISTORY OF SPEED LIMITS IN CALIFORNIA

EARLY DAYS OF SETTING

SPEED LIMITS WHY 85TH PERCENTILE? CALTRANS TRAFFIC MANUAL FEDERAL HIGHWAYS MUTCD CALIFORNIA MUTCD CTCDC

EARLY DAYS OFSETTING SPEED LIMITS

1901, CONNECTICUT 8 MPH IN CITIES

1926, UNIFORM VEHICLE CODE FIRST PUBLISHED

REQUIRED MOTORISTS TO DRIVE

AT SPEEDS “REASONABLE AND PRUDENT”

1941 COMMITTEE ON SPEED REGULATION RECOMMENDED 80 TO 90TH PERCENTILE

WHY 85TH PERCENTILE?

ANALYTICAL SUPPORT FROM THESE STUDIES: 1964 SOLOMON 1968 CIRILLO RTI 1970

REPRESENTS UPPER BOUND OF THE PREFERRED DRIVING SPEED

CORRESPONDS TO UPPER BOUND OF SPEED RANGES WHERE CRASH RATES ARE LOWEST

DATA ANALYSIS

• • • > 1 SD from Mean

CALTRANS TRAFFIC MANUAL

SUPERCEDED IN MAY 2004 WITH MUTCD AND CALIFORNIA SUPPLEMENT

http://www.dot.ca.gov/hq/traffops/signtech/signdel/trafficmanual.htm

FEDERAL MANUAL ON UNIFORM TRAFFIC CONTROL DEVICES

The 2003 Edition of the MUTCD

with Revisions Number 1 and 2 Incorporated, dated December 2007,

is available in both PDF and HTML.

http://mutcd.fhwa.dot.gov/kno_2003r1r2.htm

CALIFORNIAMANUAL ON UNIFORM TRAFFIC CONTROL DEVICES

CA MUTCD

http://www.dot.ca.gov/hq/traffops/signtech/mutcdsupp/index.htm

CALIFORNIA TRAFFIC CONTROL DEVICES COMMITTEE

CTCDC“This committee is the vehicle by which the Department fulfills its obligation to consult with local agencies and the public, before adopting rules and regulations prescribing uniform standards and specifications for all official traffic control devices used in California.”

http://www.dot.ca.gov/hq/traffops/signtech/newtech/

MAKING CHANGES TO THE CA MUTCD

FEDERAL CHANGES

LEGISLATIVE CHANGES

CHANGES IN CVC

REQUESTS FROM OTHERS

MAKING CHANGES TO THE CA MUTCD STAFF PREPARES PROPOSED CHANGES

TO TEXT AND AGENDA ITEM FOR CTCDC

CTCDC HOLDS PUBLIC MEETING SCHEDULED THREE TIMES A YEAR

CALTRANS CONCURRENCE

TRAFFIC OPERATIONS POLICY DIRECTIVE (TOPD)

WHY DID SECTION 2B.13 NEED CHANGING?

SPEED LIMIT CONCERNS

PROPOSED SB 848 (2007) CORBETT CHANGES TO E&TS PROCESS ROUND DOWN BELOW 85TH PERCENTILE ELIMINATE E&TS FOR “SPEED TRAP”

SPEED LIMITS CREEPING UPWARD

APPLYING 5 MPH REDUCTION

POLITICAL PRESSURE TO LOWER SPEED LIMITS

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

1996 TRAFFIC MANUAL

The speed limit normally should be established at the first five mile per hour (mph) increment below the 85th percentile speed. However, in matching existing conditions with the traffic safety needs of the community, engineering judgment may indicate the need for a further reduction of five mph.

MUTCD 2003

Guidance:

When a speed limit is to be posted, it should be within 10 km/h or 5 mph of the 85th percentile speed of free-flowing traffic.

2004 CALIFORNIA SUPPLEMENT

Guidance:

When a speed limit is to be posted, it should be established at the nearest 10 km/h or 5 mph increment of the 85th percentile speed of free-flowing traffic.

2004 CALIFORNIA SUPPLEMENT

The posted speed may be reduced by 10 km/h (5 mph) from the nearest 10 km/h or 5 mph increment of the 85th percentile speed, where engineering study indicates the need for a reduction in speed to match existing conditions with the traffic safety needs of the community.

CHANGES TO 2006 CA MUTCD (TOPD 09-04)

The speed limit shall be established at the nearest 5mph increment of the 85th percentile.

If the 5 mph reduction is applied, the E&TS shall document in writing the conditions and justification for the reduced speed limit and be approved by a registered Civil or Traffic Engineer.

SUMMARY OF DISCUSSION OVER LAST TWO YEARS

SEVERAL MEETINGS WITH CTCDC LOTS OF LETTERS AND E-MAILS

SUBCOMMITTEE MEETINGS WITHIN 5 MPH vs NEAREST 5MPH APPLYING 5 MPH REDUCTION

DOCUMENTATION OF JUSTIFICATION 50TH PERCENTILE

“HARD FLOOR” vs “SOFT FLOOR”

SUMMARY OF DISCUSSION (CONT’D)

3/19/09 -- SPECIAL HEARING WITH DIRECTOR KEMPTON AND COMMISSIONER FARROW

5/15/09 -- DIRECTOR KEMPTON ISSUES DECISION

7/1/09 -- TOPD 09-04 ISSUED

TRAFFIC OPERATIONS POLICY DIRECTIVE 09-04

FIND IT AT THIS WEBSITEhttp://www.dot.ca.gov/hq/traffops/signtech/

CHANGES TO CA MUTCD “should be within” 5 mph

to “shall be to the nearest” 5 mph 5 mph reduction approved by CE or TE Document reasons for 5 mph reduction

QUESTIONS?

ABOUT THE MATERIAL SO FAR

ABOUT THE PROCESS FOR CHANGING CA MUTCD

WHERE TO GO FOR MORE INFO

CALIFORNIA VEHICLE CODES FOR SPEED LIMITS

SECTION 627 “ENGINEERING AND TRAFFIC SURVEY”

SECTIONS 22348-22366 GENERAL SPEED LAWS

SECTIONS 40801 to 40805 OTHER SPEED LAWS

SECTION 40802 “SPEED TRAP”

CVC and CA MUTCDCOMPARISION

CVC NEED FOR E&TS DELEGATES E&TS PROCEDURES TO

THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

SPEED LIMITS SET BY LEGISLATION USED FOR CITATIONS

CVC 627

“ENGINEERING AND TRAFFIC SURVEY”1.PREVAILING SPEEDS*

2. ACCIDENT RECORDS

3.HIGHWAY, TRAFFIC AND ROADSIDE CONDITIONS NOT READILY APPARENT TO THE DRIVER

*NO SPECIFIC MENTION OF 85TH %TILE

CVC 22358.5

“…PHYSICAL CONDITIONS SUCH AS WIDTH, CURVATURE, GRADE AND SURFACE CONDITIONS OR ANY OTHER CONDITION READILY APPARENT TO THE DRIVER, WOULD NOT REQUIRE SPECIAL DOWNWARD SPEED ZONING.”

CVC and CA MUTCDCOMPARISION

CA MUTCD CRITERIA FOR SELECTING VALUE OF

SPEED LIMIT E&TS ELEMENTS

SAMPLE FORMS REPORT FORMAT

SIGNS TO USE NATIONAL STANDARDS CALIFORNIA MODIFICATIONS

85TH PERCENTILE SPEED

FOUNDATION FOR SETTING APPROPRIATE SPEED LIMITS

EXCEPTED PRACTICE FOR MANY YEARS

BASED ON STATISTICAL ANALYSIS

DATA ANALYSIS

• • • > 1 SD from Mean

10 MPH PACE

EXERCISE

LET’S LOOK AT HANDOUT OF

2006 CA MUTCD:

PAGES 2B-7,8,9 & 10

E&TS PROCEDURES

PAGES 2B-86,87,88,89

SAMPLE CHARTS

TIME FOR A BREAK

ENGINEERING AND TRAFFIC SURVEY PROCEDURES

RENEWAL TIME PERIODS COLLECTING DATA WRITING REPORT DISTRIBUTION OF REPORT

E&TS RENEWAL PERIOD

5 YEARS 7 YEARS 10 YEARS

COLLECTING DATA

RADAR EQUIPMENT LOCATION CONDITIONS SIZE OF SAMPLE

WRITING REPORT

FORMAT GRAPHICS SIGNATURES

DISTRIBUTION OF E&TS

ENGINEER’S OFFICE FILE

LOCAL COURT SYSTEM

LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCY

ENGINEERING AND TRAFFIC SURVEY

SIGNED AND APPROVED BY REGISTERED ENGINEER (CIVIL OR TRAFFIC)

DOCUMENT REASONS FOR USING

5 MPH REDUCTION

REVIEW DATA FOR ONE YEAR

EXISTING POSTED SPEED LIMIT 85TH PERCENTILE SPEED 50TH PERCENTILE SPEED NEW SPEED LIMIT ACCIDENT HISTORY BEFORE AND

AFTER

SPEED LIMIT ENFORCEMENT

Enforcement of Speed Enforcement of Speed LimitsLimits

Lieutenant Dana SampsonLieutenant Dana Sampson

Sergeant Kevin DavisSergeant Kevin Davis

California Highway Patrol

Effective Speed Effective Speed ManagementManagement

EngineeringEngineering EnforcementEnforcement

EducationEducation

Why is Why is enforcement enforcement so important?so important?

People are more likely to be injured People are more likely to be injured or killed in a traffic collision than as a or killed in a traffic collision than as a

result of a crime.result of a crime. Almost 1/3 of collisions are speed Almost 1/3 of collisions are speed

related.related. 53,132 injury related and 620 fatal 53,132 injury related and 620 fatal

collisions caused by speeding in CA in collisions caused by speeding in CA in 2007 (SWITRS).2007 (SWITRS).

Why is Why is enforcement enforcement so important ?so important ?

Deterrence - Enforcement is critical to Deterrence - Enforcement is critical to ensure compliance and change behavior.ensure compliance and change behavior. Specific – Direct contact with violators.Specific – Direct contact with violators. General - Visual presence / deterrence.General - Visual presence / deterrence.

According to NHTSA, more than half of all According to NHTSA, more than half of all traffic stops result from speeding violations.traffic stops result from speeding violations.

Why is speed Why is speed enforcement enforcement so important ?so important ?

Leads to other types of criminal Leads to other types of criminal apprehension: apprehension:

Drugs – In 2006, 41 percent of all Drugs – In 2006, 41 percent of all narcotic seizures by the CHP narcotic seizures by the CHP originated with a speed stop.originated with a speed stop.

DUI – In 2006, speeding was a factor DUI – In 2006, speeding was a factor in approximately 25 percent of DUI in approximately 25 percent of DUI

injury collisions.injury collisions.

Enforcement Enforcement StrategiesStrategies

Establishment of rational limitsEstablishment of rational limits Public EducationPublic Education

Strict Enforcement for non-Strict Enforcement for non-compliancecompliance

Types of Types of Speed Speed

EnforcementEnforcement Pacing (speedometer)Pacing (speedometer)

Radar / LidarRadar / Lidar Automated (illegal in CA Automated (illegal in CA

21455.6 VC)21455.6 VC) AerialAerial

Advantages of Advantages of Lidar and RadarLidar and Radar

Highly Accurate.Highly Accurate. Officer safety - eliminates need for Officer safety - eliminates need for

pacing / following a speeding violator.pacing / following a speeding violator. Effectiveness – Can be utilized on roads Effectiveness – Can be utilized on roads with limited opportunities for conventional with limited opportunities for conventional

enforcement.enforcement.

Types of Speed Types of Speed LimitsLimits

MaximumMaximum Prima FaciePrima Facie

Maximum Maximum Speed LimitsSpeed Limits

22349(a) VC – 65 mph on 22349(a) VC – 65 mph on any highway.any highway.

* ETS not needed to enforce maximum * ETS not needed to enforce maximum speed limits.speed limits.

Maximum Maximum Speed LimitsSpeed Limits

22349(b) VC – 55 mph on 2-lane undivided highway.22349(b) VC – 55 mph on 2-lane undivided highway. 22406 VC – 55 mph for specified commercial vehicles.22406 VC – 55 mph for specified commercial vehicles.

• 3 or more axles, or towing another vehicle, school bus, etc.3 or more axles, or towing another vehicle, school bus, etc. 22356 (b) – 70 mph on specified freeways.22356 (b) – 70 mph on specified freeways.

* ETS not needed to enforce maximum speed limits.* ETS not needed to enforce maximum speed limits.

Prima Facie Prima Facie Speed LimitsSpeed Limits

““On the face of it.On the face of it.” ” Posted speed limits which are Posted speed limits which are

reasonable and reasonable and prudent under normal prudent under normal conditions.conditions.

22350 VC, Unsafe speed for conditions.22350 VC, Unsafe speed for conditions.

Prima Facie Prima Facie Speed LimitsSpeed Limits

Must be supported by ETS when radar or lidar is used. Must be supported by ETS when radar or lidar is used. Exceptions:Exceptions:

School Zones School Zones Construction Zones Construction Zones

‘‘Local Streets and Roads’Local Streets and Roads’• http://www.dot.ca.gov/hq/tsip/hseb/crs_maps/http://www.dot.ca.gov/hq/tsip/hseb/crs_maps/

Speed Trap Speed Trap LawLaw

HistoryHistory 1923 - Section 155, California Vehicle 1923 - Section 155, California Vehicle

Act.Act. 1950s – Police radar technology 1950s – Police radar technology

developed.developed. Legislature later enacted laws restricting Legislature later enacted laws restricting

use of use of radar.radar. Today - Section 40802 VC.Today - Section 40802 VC.

Speed Trap LawSpeed Trap LawCVC Section CVC Section

40802 40802

Speed Trap is either of following:Speed Trap is either of following: Time / distanceTime / distance

Prima facie speed limit not justified by Prima facie speed limit not justified by ETS ETS

(when radar or lidar is used)(when radar or lidar is used)

Speed Trap LawSpeed Trap LawCVC Section CVC Section

40802 40802

Roadway must be surveyed every 5, 7, Roadway must be surveyed every 5, 7, or 10 yearsor 10 years

7 years if…7 years if…• Officer POST certified (24 hour radar course / 2 hour lidar).Officer POST certified (24 hour radar course / 2 hour lidar).• Radar / lidar conforms to NHTSA standards (CPL).Radar / lidar conforms to NHTSA standards (CPL).• IndependentIndependent equipment calibration within 3 years (IACP equipment calibration within 3 years (IACP Certification).Certification).

10 years if engineer certifies no significant changes 10 years if engineer certifies no significant changes in roadway or traffic conditions.in roadway or traffic conditions.

Speed Trap LawSpeed Trap LawCVC Section CVC Section

4080240802

NHTSA Standards – Radar and NHTSA Standards – Radar and LidarLidar

IACP Conforming Products List (CPL) – IACP Conforming Products List (CPL) – www.theiacp.orgwww.theiacp.org

PoliceServices – ExecutiveServices – PoliceServices – ExecutiveServices – ProfessionalAssistance – RadarLidarTestingandCPLsProfessionalAssistance – RadarLidarTestingandCPLs IndependentIndependent Certification every 3 years – provided Certification every 3 years – provided

by IACPby IACP

Speed Trap Speed Trap LawLaw

Section 40803 VCSection 40803 VC No evidence as to the speed of a No evidence as to the speed of a vehicle…shall be admitted in any vehicle…shall be admitted in any

court…when based upon or obtained court…when based upon or obtained by…a speed trap.by…a speed trap.

Why is valid ETS Why is valid ETS important for important for

enforcement ?enforcement ?

People v. Goulet (13 Cal.App.4People v. Goulet (13 Cal.App.4thth) 1992) 1992 Speed traps bring disrespect to law Speed traps bring disrespect to law enforcement and the courts…if prima enforcement and the courts…if prima facie speed limit is set without being facie speed limit is set without being

justified by ETS…it cannot be enforced justified by ETS…it cannot be enforced by any means involving the use of by any means involving the use of

radar.radar.

Why is valid ETS Why is valid ETS important for important for

enforcement ?enforcement ?

One common example…One common example…People v. Perez, Orange County 2005People v. Perez, Orange County 2005

Defendant - 53 mph on lidarDefendant - 53 mph on lidar Posted speed limit - 35 mphPosted speed limit - 35 mph

8585thth Percentile – 44.2 mph Percentile – 44.2 mph Case dismissed !Case dismissed !

Final Final ThoughtsThoughts

Effective speed management requires a Effective speed management requires a collaborative effort among all stakeholders:collaborative effort among all stakeholders:

EngineersEngineers Law enforcementLaw enforcement

JudiciaryJudiciary

QUESTIONS?QUESTIONS?

Thank You !Thank You !

California Highway PatrolCalifornia Highway Patrol

Planning and Analysis DivisionPlanning and Analysis Division

Lieutenant Dana Sampson - Lieutenant Dana Sampson - dsampson@chp.ca.govdsampson@chp.ca.gov

Sergeant Kevin Davis - kmdavis@chp.ca.govSergeant Kevin Davis - kmdavis@chp.ca.gov

TIME FOR A BREAK

PROBLEMS WITH E&TS IN COURTS

EXPIRED AND NOT RENEWED WITHIN 5, 7 OR 10 YEAR PERIOD

NO JUSTIFICATION FOR SPEED LIMIT “WAY BELOW” THE 85TH PERCENTILE

SPECIAL SPEED ZONES

SCHOOL ZONES

TRUCK SPEED ZONES

CONSTRUCTION ZONES

VARIABLE SPEED LIMITS

SPEED LIMITS IN SCHOOL ZONES

SCHOOL ZONE SPEED LIMITS

CA MUTCD Section 7B.11 School Speed Limit

Assembly Section 7B.12 Reduced Speed School

Zone Ahead Sign Section 7B.13 End School Zone Sign

SCHOOL ZONE SPEED LIMITS

CALIFORNIA VEHICLE CODE CVC 22352 – 25 mph

“SCHOOL” warning sign, up to 500 ft away During school hours If no fence or physical barrier, while in use by

children, posted with “SCHOOL” sign

No E&TS required Prima facie speed limit

SCHOOL ZONE SPEED LIMITS

Assembly Bill 321 (October 2007) Expands 25 mph zone to 1000 ft Allows 15 mph within 500 ft of school TOPD 08-06 Sets up trial period (9/08 to 9/10)

Modified CVC 22358.4 – 15mph and 25 mph Local ordinance or resolution needed In residential district Maximum of two lanes Maximum speed limit of 30 mph on each side of

school zone

TRUCK SPEED LIMITS

TRUCK SPEED LIMITS

CVC 22406 –

Maximum speed limit of 55 mphVehicles towing anythingSchool busFarm labor vehicle Transporting explosives3 or more axlesTrailer bus

TRUCK SPEED LIMITS ON DESCENDING GRADES

CA MUTCD Section 2B.13 History of runaway commercial vehicles Descending grades longer than 1 mile Provide physical profile showing length

and gradient Downhill speed profile for 3+ axle vehicles

with gross rating of 10,000 lbs Analysis of truck collisions Posted speed on low side of pace

CONSTRUCTION ZONES

No E&TS required for radar enforcement

CVC 22362 Speed reduction only during working hours Signs covered or removed when no work

going on

CVC 21367 Speed reduction in place 24 hours a day Recommend only 10 mph reduction

CONSTRUCTION ZONES

CA MUTCD Section 6F.104(CA)

for Road Work/Speed Zone

DISCUSSION AT CTCDC MEETING9/24/09 San Jose

VARIABLE SPEED LIMITS

IN CVC 22355 PRACTICE IS NEW TO CALIFORNIA CAN BE USED ON FREEWAYS NEEDS TO IMPROVE ORDERLY

MOVEMENT AND SAFETY ISSUES STILL BE SORTED OUT ON I-

80 CORRIDOR NEAR BERKELEY

SPEED LIMIT CHANGES CAN AFFECT . . .

Yellow light change interval

Length of passing zones on two-lane highways

Signal progression on arterial networks

YELLOW LIGHT CHANGE INTERVAL

Posted speed limit 85th percentile surveyed speed Posted speed limit plus 5 or 10 mph Review location of vehicle detectors

(See CA MUTCD Section 4D.10)

LENGTH OF PASSING ZONE

PASSING ZONES

CA MUTCD Table 3B-1 Section 3B.02

RESOURCES AND REFERENCES

FEDERAL HIGHWAY ADMINISTRATION

INSTITUTE OF TRANSPORTATION ENIGNEERS

OTHER STATE’S DOT CASE LAW NATIONAL MOTORISTS

ASSOCIATION www.motorists.org

REFERENCES

Transportation Research Board --1998 Committee for Guidance on Setting and Enforcing Speed limits

http://onlinepubs.trb.org/onlinepubs/sr/sr254.pdf

REFERENCES

www.dot.ca.gov/dist05/traffic/Realistic-Speed-Zoning.pdf

Automobile Club of Southern California1998 Public Information Pamphlet(currently out of print, available on-line)

REFERENCES

NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION (NHTSA) www.nhtsa.dot.gov

Speed-Related Information

SPEED MANAGEMENT WORKSHOPS

MANUAL OF TRANSPORTATION ENGINEERING STUDIES

Shows in detail how to conduct several transportation engineering studies in the field. Discusses experimental design, survey design, statistical analyses, data presentation techniques, and report writing concepts. Provides guidelines for both oral and written presentation of study results. Includes useful forms for various transportation studies. Edited by H. Douglas Robertson.

Publisher: ITE, Item #TB-012

Pages: 624 pp.

Publishing Date: 01/00

CONTACTS IN CT HQ’S

Johnny Bhullar, CA MUTCDPh: 916-654-7312Email: johnny_bhullar@dot.ca.gov

Roberta McLaughlin, SPEED LIMITSPh: 916-651-1248Email: roberta_mclaughlin@dot.ca.gov

Devinder Singh, CTCDCPh: 916-654-4715Email: devinder_singh@dot.ca.gov

ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS???

SEND CARDS UP FRONT.