REPORT/RECOMMENDATION TO THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
OF SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY
AND RECORD OF ACTION
April 9, 2024
FROM
NOEL CASTILLO, Director, Department of Public Works - Transportation
SUBJECT
Title
Establish Speed Limit on Redwood Avenue in the Fontana Area
End
RECOMMENDATION(S)
Recommendation
Adopt a Resolution that:
1. Establishes a 40 mile per hour speed zone on Redwood Avenue from Valley Boulevard to Ceres Avenue in the Fontana area, pursuant to County Code Section 52.0123(b).
2. Directs the County Road Commissioner to perform such acts as are necessary to implement the terms of the Resolution.
(Presenter: Noel Castillo, Director, 387-7906)
Body
COUNTY AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER GOALS & OBJECTIVES
Provide for the Safety, Health and Social Service Needs of County Residents.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
Approval of this item will not result in the use of Discretionary General Funding (Net County Cost). The estimated cost of $1,500 to install the appropriate signs, as well as minor administrative costs to update the Department of Public Works (Department) records, will be funded by Gas Tax revenue. Sufficient appropriation and revenue are included in the Department’s 2023-24 Road Operations budget.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
A request was made by residents in the Fontana area for speed controls on Redwood Avenue from Randall Avenue to San Bernardino Avenue. During the Department’s evaluation of traffic control devices, it was found that a speed zone had not been established on Redwood Avenue from Valley Boulevard to the north of Ceres Avenue, which includes the subject segment. Without an established speed zone, the prima facie speed limit would be 55 miles per hour (mph) pursuant to County Resolution No. 96-22.
The Department conducted an Engineering and Traffic Survey (E&TS) in accordance with the guidelines outlined in the California Vehicle Code (CVC), Section 627 and the California Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices (CAMUTCD), Section 2B.13. These guidelines require speed limits to be based on the speed that 85% of the public is driving at or below (also referred to as “the 85th percentile”), unless there are conditions present that are not readily apparent to the driver.
As part of the E&TS, the Department conducted a speed survey on Redwood Avenue and found that 85% of the motorists are traveling at or below 42 mph. Pursuant to the standard in CAMUTCD Section 2B.13, the posted speed may be reduced five mph from the nearest five mph increment of the 85th percentile speed in compliance with CVC Sections 627 and 22358. Therefore, based on the prevailing speed identified as part of the E&TS, setting the speed limit on Redwood Avenue to 40 mph is appropriate to facilitate the orderly movement of traffic, and is considered reasonable and safe.
The Department, therefore, recommends creating a speed zone on Redwood Avenue from Valley Boulevard to Ceres Avenue, in the Fontana area, from an un-posted 55 mph to 40 mph pursuant to County Code Section 52.0123(b).
This item aligns with the County and the Chief Executive Officer’s goals and objectives to provide for the safety of the traveling public by lowering the speed limit on Redwood Avenue from Valley Boulevard to Ceres Avenue in the Fontana area.
PROCUREMENT
Not applicable.
REVIEW BY OTHERS
This item has been reviewed by County Counsel (Aaron Gest, Deputy County Counsel, 387-5455) on March 15, 2024; Finance (Jessica Trillo, Administrative Analyst, 387-4222) on March 19, 2024; and County Finance and Administration (Paloma Hernandez-Barker, Deputy Executive Officer, 387-5423) on March 24, 2024.