Radar recertified for Fallbrook St., Live Oak Park Rd., McDonald Rd.

The San Diego County Board of Supervisors voted 5-0 May 15 to recertify segments of Fallbrook Street, Live Oak Park Road, and McDonald Road for radar enforcement.

The supervisors’ action ratified the March 8 recommendations of the county’s Traffic Advisory Committee to recertify the 40 mph speed limit on Fallbrook Street from Stage Coach Lane to Main Avenue, the 35 mph speed limit on Live Oak Park Road from Reche Road to Gum Tree Lane, the 40 mph speed limit on Live Oak Park Road from Gum Tree Lane to East Mission Road, and the 45 mph speed limit on McDonald Road from Fallbrook Street to Pepper Tree Lane.

In order for a speed limit to be enforceable by radar, a speed survey must show that the speed limit is within the closest 5 mph increment to the 85th percentile speed, although the speed limit can be reduced by 5 mph if findings of special circumstances not apparent to a typical motorist are made. Periodic recertification, along with a supporting speed survey, is required for continued radar enforcement. The county’s Department of Public Works conducts speed surveys on a radar-enforceable road segment every seven years.

The 1.38-mile segment of Fallbrook Street which was recertified for radar is classified as a Light Collector on the county’s Mobility Element network. The striped two-lane thoroughfare varies in width from 42 to 54 feet.

The traffic survey taken at Fallbrook Street and McDonald Road in October 2012 indicated a two-way traffic count of 14,880 average daily trips. The previous traffic survey was taken in October 2005 and produced an average daily volume of 14,730 vehicles. During the two-year period from Oct. 31, 2010, to Oct. 31, 2012, the only reported collision along Fallbrook Street between Stage Coach Lane and Main Avenue did not involve injury.

Speed surveys were taken at two locations along Fallbrook Street on Dec. 4, 2012; the survey 100 feet west of Las Ramblas began at 10 a.m. and the survey 100 feet west of Villageview Place was taken at noon. The previous speed surveys for those locations were taken in 2005.

The 2005 speed survey at Las Ramblas produced an 85th percentile speed of 42.7 mph with 82.5 percent of drivers traveling within a 10-mph pace of 35-44 mph. The 2005 speed survey at Villageview Place indicated an 85th percentile speed of 41.5 mph with 79.0 percent of drivers within a 33-42 mph pace.

The December 2012 speed survey at Las Ramblas observed 235 vehicles. The 85th percentile speed was 45.0 mph with 69 percent of drivers traveling within a 34-43 mph pace. Two drivers at 55 mph were the fastest while one driver at 23 mph was the slowest. The most frequent speed was 43 mph with 22 drivers; the next most frequent speed was 37 mph with 21 drivers.

If a speed survey is taken in multiple locations, enforcement of a lower speed can be justified to provide a consistent speed limit. Although 40 mph was the 57th percentile west of Las Ramblas, the 45 mph speed was in the 98th percentile west of Villageview Place.

The 241 vehicles which traveled on Fallbrook Street west of Villageview Place had an 85th percentile speed of 41.0 mph with 83 percent of drivers traveling within a 33-42 mph pace. The most common speed at that location was 30 mph, which was driven by 30 motorists. The speeds of 35 mph, 36 mph, 39 mph, and 40 mph were driven by 27 motorists apiece. The fastest driver traveled at 53 mph while the slowest driver approached the speed survey location at 17 mph.

Live Oak Park Road from Reche Road to Gum Tree Lane covers 1.19 miles. Live Oak Park Road from Gum Tree Lane to East Mission Road is a 1.45-mile segment. Both are unclassified on the Mobility Element network and both are striped two-lane roads ranging from 22 to 25 feet in width. Two separate segments were utilized due to road configuration.

A December 2012 traffic survey at Live Oak Park Road south of Alvarado Street indicated a two-way average daily volume of 1,900 vehicles. The previous traffic survey for that segment was taken in April 2002 north of Reche Road and resulted in a two-way average daily volume of 2,310 vehicles. The December 2012 traffic survey on Live Oak Park Road south of East Mission Road indicated a two-way average daily volume estimate of 3,000 vehicles while the May 2006 survey at that location had an estimate of 2,270 average daily trips.

The speed survey for the Live Oak Park Road segment between Reche Road and Gum Tree Lane was taken 2,070 feet south of Alvarado Street. In 2006, the 85th percentile speed was 37.0 mph with 69.1 percent of vehicles traveling within a 27-36 mph pace. The Dec. 19, 2012, speed survey which began at 2 p.m. resulted in an 85th percentile speed of 39.0 mph with 68.3 percent of the 271 vehicles within a 28-37 mph pace. A driver at 49 mph was the fastest, three motorists at 23 mph were the slowest, and the most common speed was 32 mph which was traveled by 27 vehicles.

Live Oak Park between Reche Road and Gum Tree Lane had nine reported collisions in the 48-month period between Jan. 1, 2008, and Oct. 31, 2012, including six which involved injuries.

The speed survey for Live Oak Park between Gum Tree Lane and Mission Road was taken at North Ridge Road. In 2006, the 85th percentile speed was 42.6 mph with 64.3 percent of the vehicles traveling within a 33-42 mph pace. The Dec. 18, 2012, speed survey began at noon and recorded 250 vehicles whose 85th percentile was 42.0 mph with 70.4 percent of drivers traveling within a 32-41 mph pace. A driver at 54 mph was the only motorist traveling above 50 mph, two vehicles which crossed the location at 23 mph were the only ones under 25 mph, and 27 vehicles made 37 mph the most frequently-traveled speed.

During the 48-month period between Jan. 1, 2008, and Oct. 31, 2012, the eight reported collisions on Live Oak Park Road between Gum Tree Lane and Mission Road included five with injuries.

The 1.0-mile segment of McDonald Road is not classified on the Mobility Element network. The striped two-lane roadway ranges in width from 25 to 62 feet. The October 2012 traffic survey south of Fallbrook Street revealed a two-way average daily volume of 2,280 vehicles; the 2007 traffic survey at that location indicated 1,830 average daily trips.

The McDonald Road speed survey was taken 200 feet south of Gerald Way. The 2006 survey had an 85th percentile of 45.0 mph with 68.1 percent of drivers within a 35-44 mph pace. The Dec. 6, 2012, survey began at 10 a.m.; the 85th percentile speed was 44.0 mph with 46.9 percent of the 273 vehicles within a 34-43 mph pace. The fastest driver crossed the location at 58 mph while a driver traveling at 13 mph was the slowest. The most frequent speed was 36 mph, with 18 vehicles, and the second most traveled speed was 42 mph with 17 vehicles.

During the 48-month period between Jan. 1, 2008, and Oct. 31, 2012, five collisions including three with injuries were reported on McDonald Road between Fallbrook Street and Pepper Tree Lane.