SR-100-003-01
F:\PCD\share\information items\NeilsonWay Nghb Trfc.doc
October 9, 2001 Santa Monica, California
To: Mayor and City Council
From: City Staff
Subject: Traffic Signal Pedestrian Improvements on Neilson Way and
Requested Neighborhood Traffic Study
Introduction
This report provides information to the City Council on the traffic signals being installed
on Neilson Way as a component of the City’s crosswalk enhancement program and
outlines a neighborhood traffic study that could be undertaken to address possible
impacts on neighborhood streets.
Background
On June 29, 1999 City Council approved a package of crosswalk enhancements that
included three new signals on Neilson Way at Bay, Pacific and Strand Streets. The
traffic signals respond to the high volume of pedestrian demand and the difficulty in
crossing at these locations. These signals are part of a construction contract awarded
on May 22, 2001 and will be installed by December, 2001.
The Neilson Way pedestrian improvements were developed through an extensive
public outreach program including a community workshop in November, 1998; a follow-
up workshop to review proposed recommendations in April, 1999; and the City Council
th
meeting in June, 1999. Residents, businesses and property owners west of 4 Street
from Pico Boulevard to the southern City limit were sent postcards inviting them to the
Neilson Way workshops. Display ads ran in the local papers and postcards were
distributed to libraries, schools and senior centers. Feedback concerning the
recommended Neilson Way traffic signals was supportive. No comments were
received concerning the potential for increased neighborhood traffic.
Since that time, some residents have become concerned about the potential for
increased traffic on neighborhood streets and are requesting consideration of
measures such as the conversion to one-way streets. Staff does not anticipate that
the new signals will create increased levels of cut-through traffic for several reasons.
First, the signals will be set to favor through-traffic on Neilson Way. Pedestrians will
activate a “walk” signal by pushing a button and vehicles waiting to cross or turn left
onto Neilson Way will be have to wait for the Neilson Way green time to end. Second,
the adjacent intersections crossing Neilson Way are already signalized. In order to
assess any possible impact, staff will monitor the project area by conducting traffic
counts in the entire neighborhood before the signals are installed and then recounting
the area after the signals are installed to identify and document any traffic pattern
changes.
Before any changes could be made to neighborhood streets, a neighborhood traffic
study would have to be conducted to assess impacts to the circulation pattern of the
neighborhood, since measures applied to one street could affect traffic on adjacent
neighborhood streets. Staff recommends that, if a study is conducted, it include the
2
th
area bounded by 4 Street on the east, Bay Street on the north, Ocean Avenue on the
west and Ocean Park Boulevard on the south. Residents within this broader area
would be notified of the study and encouraged to participate. An initial public meeting
would be held to understand concerns and at least one follow-up meeting would be
held to obtain feedback concerning any proposed changes. If Council wishes to
proceed with a neighborhood traffic study, staff will return to Council with an evaluation
of how this fits into the department’s priorities and to provide an estimated cost.
Prepared by: Suzanne Frick, Director of Planning and Community Development (PCD)
Ellen Gelbard, Assistant Director PCD
Lucy Dyke, Transportation Planning Manager
3