CALTRANS Takes Traffic Counts in Laguna

Caltrans is taking traffic counts in eight locations around Laguna Beach.The purpose of these measurements is to adjust vehicle speeds and signal timing to reduce car trip delay, and to update the traffic accounting system known as the Caltrans Highway Performance Monitoring System (HPMS) system.

The counting methodology is intended to move more cars faster and safer than ever before. Every so often the result of this approach is revealed spectacularly on Laguna's Arterial highways PCH and Laguna Canyon Road.

 

El Morro Crash 7 April 2021

Given Caltrans mission statement the project methodology falls short:

Provide a safe, sustainable, efficient and  integrated transportation system to enhance California's economy and livability.

Given the 10x20-foot hole-in-the-road at Broadway and PCH impeding car traffic, why would Caltrans take traffic count measurements now? Let's ignore this detail for the moment.

This iconic photo reveals the mobility problem particularly for Laguna Beach. Our Caltrans mobility system emphasizes a single mobility mode for cars alone when there are three more to choose to enhance our mobility system.

Demonstration of mobility modes to transport 60 people. Muenster Germany

In the HPMS measurements, bus bicycle and pedestrians are not counted as criteria for success, only cars are counted (a metric called AVMT). Why should Laguna Beach prescribe to a HIGHWAY monitoring system exclusively for cars?

Nationally 60% of all vehicle trips were less than six miles all within the reach of transit, cycling and walking (US Department of Transportation 2018).

The optimal mix of four transportation modes is a balance of car, bus, bicycle and walking, the proportion of each is different for every municipality. A better balance reduces congestion, improves road safety, increases available parking, reduces air noise and water pollution, and achieves LIVABILITY desired in the Laguna village.

Project documents for the Caltrans HPMS upgrade reveal there is no mention of the policy standards or traffic count methodology to support the other transportation modes as found in these documents written by Caltrans:

• 2014 Complete Streets Integrating Transportation System (DD-64-R2)
• 2019 Count Methodology Guidance for Active Transportation (ATP)
• 2016 Corridor Study for Pacific Coast Highway (CSPCH)

In 1959 Los Angeles took extreme measures to expand a freeway interchange from South Los Angeles through Boyle Heights. The expansion demolished and segregated the existing mixed racial community of Boyle Heights (LA Times).

Why should Laguna Beach and San Clemente residents prescribe to a similar freeway policy forced upon East Los Angeles?  There are much better written policies already prescribed in CALTRANS Directives above. They should be followed.

-LS