17th Avenue and Houston Avenue - Kings County

JLB Traffic Engineering, Inc. (JLB) was retained by Kings County to prepare a Traffic Safety Audit (TSA) for the intersection of 17th Avenue and Houston Avenue. Based on County data, the intersection was experiencing an apparent operational degradation. Therefore, JLB conducted an independent intersection TSA to identify traffic operational issues and provide recommendations to improve traffic safety.

The intersection TSA included an in-depth evaluation of the existing pavement delineation and signage for conformance with the latest edition of the California Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (CA MUTCD), analyses of the prevailing speeds for Houston Avenue, a stopping sight distance evaluation from the minor street to the major street approaches, a five-year collision analysis, Multi-Way STOP Warrants and Signal Warrants. Multi-Way STOP Warrants were prepared pursuant to section “2B.07 Multi-Way STOP Applications” of the CA MUTCD. Upon completion of the TSA, JLB provided Kings County with short-term and long-term corrective measures for implementation. Some of the long-term recommendations included the addition of radar speed feedback signs as a traffic calming measure and signalization of the intersection with protective left-turn phasing.

Upon review of the recommendations, Kings County requested that JLB prepare a planning level Geometric Approval Drawing (GAD) and construction cost estimate for the long-term improvements. The GAD considered lane geometrics, minimum front and side building setbacks, truck turn templates and traffic signal phasing operations. Since then, the County has implemented Multi-Way STOP controls, applied for and secured  CMAQ grant funding to signalize the intersection.

JLB’s scope of work included the following:

• Coordination with Kings County staff
• Review and analysis of collision reports to determine the potential for implementing corrective measures to the existing traffic controls and/or intersection geometrics
• Conducting a field reconnaissance of the intersection to observe lines of sight, queuing and general traffic operations during the highest peak hours
• Collection of peak intersection turning movement counts (7:00-9:00 AM and 4:00-6:00 PM)
• Collection of 24-hr directional volume counts and 85th percentile speeds
• Preparation of Multi-Way STOP Warrants and Signal Warrants
• Preparation of Existing Level of Service
• Preparation of conceptual plan and cost estimate to implement the study recommendations
• CMAQ emissions calculations