REPORT/RECOMMENDATION TO THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
OF SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY
AND RECORD OF ACTION
November 19, 2024
FROM
NOEL CASTILLO, Director, Department of Public Works - Transportation
SUBJECT
Title
Establish Speed Limit on Darby Street in the Muscoy Area
End
RECOMMENDATION(S)
Recommendation
Adopt a Resolution that:
1. Establishes a 35 mile per hour speed zone on Darby Street from June Street to California Street in the Muscoy 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 2024-25 Road Operations budget.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
A request was made by residents in the Muscoy area for speed controls on Darby Street from June Street to California Street. Upon evaluation by the Department, it was determined that no formal speed zone had been established for this section. Without an established speed zone, the default speed limit would be 55 miles per hour (mph) as established by the California Vehicle Code and the California Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices (CAMUTCD).
The Department conducted an investigation and found that while Darby Street does not currently have an established speed limit, establishing a posted speed limit would help reduce speeding, lower the severity of collisions, and improve safety for all road users. Establishing a speed limit would also aid law enforcement in citing drivers who exceed safe and reasonable driving conditions. DPW believes that setting a speed limit of 35 mph would provide a clear, visual reminder to drivers to maintain safe and reasonable speeds.
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 CAMUTCD, Section 2B.13. These guidelines require that speed limits be based at or below which 85% of the drivers are traveling, also known as “the 85th percentile speed”, unless there are conditions present that are not readily apparent to the driver.
As part of the E&TS, a speed survey on Darby Street showed that 85% of the motorists are traveling at or below 38 mph. Pursuant to CAMUTCD Section 2B.13, the speed limit can be reduced by five mph from the nearest five mph increment of the 85th percentile speed; therefore, setting the speed limit to 35 mph on Darby Street is considered appropriate, reasonable and safe for traffic flow.
The Department, therefore, recommends establishing a speed zone on Darby Street from June Street to California Street, in the Muscoy area, from an un-posted 55 mph to 35 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 establishing a posted speed limit on Darby Street from June Street to California Street, in the Muscoy area.
PROCUREMENT
Not applicable.
REVIEW BY OTHERS
This item has been reviewed by County Counsel (Aaron Gest, Deputy County Counsel, 387-5455) on October 23,2024; Finance (Jessica Trillo, Administrative Analyst, 387-4222) on October 29, 2024; and County Finance and Administration (Paloma Hernandez-Barker, Deputy Executive Officer, 387-5423) on November 1, 2024.