November 27, 2024 - Rodrigues Avenue Bicycle and Pedestrian Safety Enhancements
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CITY COUNCIL INFORMATIONAL MEMORANDUM
Date: November 27, 2024
To: Cupertino City Council
From: Pamela Wu, City Manager
Re: Rodrigues Avenue Bicycle and Pedestrian Safety Enhancements
Background
On March 18, 2023, the Regnart Creek Trail opened to the public. Prior to the opening of
the trail, on June 15, 2022, staff presented options to the Bicycle Pedestrian Commission
(BPC) on potential midblock pedestrian crosswalk locations in the vicinity of the two
trail access points on Rodrigues Avenue (Attachment A). The BPC recommended that
the City Council consider a midblock crosswalk be installed at the western access gate
prior to trail opening (location A) and determine the need for additional crosswalks
based upon studies to be conducted within a year of the trail opening.
Following the BPC meeting, on October 18, 2022, staff presented crosswalk alternatives
to the City Council. At that meeting, staff advised Council of the BPC’s
recommendation. Staff’s recommendation to Council at this meeting included no
crosswalks to be installed prior to trail opening, with staff collecting trail usage and
vehicle speed data within a year of trail opening and advising Council on a
recommendation for the necessity of a crosswalk.
Discussion
To allow trail usage to stabilize and, following that, the passage of inclement weather
while ensuring usage for school-related commuting was included, field data collection
on trail usage was postponed until May 2024.
Data collected in May included the volume of pedestrians and bicyclists using each of
the two trail access points, the number of pedestrians and bicyclists crossing at the
Rodrigues Avenue midblock at these locations, pedestrian and bicycle volumes along
the trail, and vehicle speeds and volumes in the vicinity of the two access points. The
trail usage data was collected over two 16-hour periods on a Thursday and a Saturday,
while the vehicle data was collected over a consecutive 72-hour period. Staff also
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researched the collision history along Rodrigues Avenue and assessed public input
regarding safety concerns.
Field data collected is shown in Attachment B. Combined pedestrian and bicycle usage
of the trail is close to 600 users per day, with a substantial number of trail users, almost
350, accessing the trail from location A. Substantially fewer, 60-70, used the easement
pathway near the Lazano de Campo development (location B). Approximately 90 trail
users crossed Rodrigues Avenue midblock at location A, while about 50 crossed
midblock near location B. Trail user volumes were heavier on Thursday than Saturday.
85th percentile vehicle speeds along Rodrigues Avenue at both locations were about 33
miles per hour (mph) in both directions.
There have been no documented safety incidents along Rodrigues Avenue since the
opening of the trail; only one collision was reported involving a driver under the
influence colliding with parked vehicles. Staff also reached out to the Sheriff’s
Department, inquiring about any recent accidents. The Sheriff’s Department informed
staff that they have not observed or been made aware of any safety concerns along
Rodrigues Avenue. Finally, staff has not received any concerns from the public, outside
of the four speakers that made a public comment at the April BPC meeting. These
speakers all noted jaywalking at the trail entrances, two requested midblock crossings,
and one requested lowering the speed limit. None cited any specific safety-related
incident.
Staff presented this information to the BPC at the October 16 meeting. Due to the lack of
safety incidents or concerns documented or observed related to midblock pedestrian
crossings, and that pedestrians that currently cross midblock exhibit desirable behavior
by exercising caution prior to crossing, the BPC moved to recommend a list of signing
and striping improvements. This was intended to raise driver awareness of pedestrians
and bicyclists and to calm vehicle traffic, but the BPC did not recommend the
installation of any crosswalks as a part of their motion. The signing and striping
improvements include speed reduction markings, high-visibility warning signs, radar
speed feedback signs, and adding striped buffers to the bike lanes along the horizontal
curve between the two trail access points. The BPC also recommended staff re-evaluate
the speed limit, which is currently 30 mph, for a potential reduction to 25 mph, based on
allowances contained in Assembly Bill 43.
Sustainability Impact
The recommended improvements are intended to enhance pedestrian and bicycle safety
and encourage bicycle use, which will reduce single-occupancy vehicle trips and lead to
reduced vehicle emissions. This will help the City achieve air quality and greenhouse
gas emission reduction goals.
Fiscal Impact
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The recommended improvements will be funded through the approved Public Works
operating budget. Costs for striping modifications are included in the cost of the
upcoming pavement project which includes this portion of Rodrigues.
Prepared by: David Stillman, Transportation Manager
Reviewed by: Chad Mosley, Director of Public Works
Reviewed by: Tina Kapoor, Interim Assistant City Manager
Approved for Submission by: Pamela Wu, City Manager
Attachment:
A – Rodrigues Avenue Aerial Exhibit
B – Rodrigue Avenue Data Collection
Rodrigues Ave Vicinity
Regnart Creek Trail
D
Approximate Alignment of
Pedestrian Walkway
Regnart Creek Trail Access
Point (Location “A”)
Pedestrian Path Access Point
(Location “B”)
Attachment A
Attachment AtAtt
Pedestrian and Bicycle Volumes On Regnart Creek Trail
and Entrances on Rodrigues Avenue. Attachment B
Attachment B
85th Percentile Speed and Volumes on Rodrigues Avenue.
Regnart Creek Trail
Attachment B