Traffic Calming for the City of Bakersfield - We Should All Slow Down

Recommendations 7

• R1
  By July 1, 2026, the City should implement a routine review of traffic patterns for all streets. This should occur every two years and may be able to utilize interns to take some of the workload off regular staff. (Finding F1, F3, F8)
• R2
  By July 1, 2026, the City should review staffing levels and workloads within the Public Works Department to address the increase in traffic, land area, and ever-changing State regulations. (Finding F2, F3)
• R3
  The City should conduct a pay equity study for the Public Works Department, including workload requirements, to be implemented no later than July 1, 2026. This study should be completed and published on the City’s website by November 1, 2026. (Finding F2,
• R4
  By August 1, 2026, the City should work with the Engineering Department at California State University, Bakersfield to bring interns into Public Works. This could help the City reduce workloads and identify potential new employees before losing them to other job markets. (Finding F2, F3)
• R5
  By July 1, 2026, Public Works and BPD should set up formal annual or biannual meetings between representatives of each department to review and address traffic concerns. (Finding F4)
• R6
  The City Council should conduct a full review of all current City traffic plans to be completed by September 1, 2026. These plans should be incorporated into the General Plan, and compiled into easily accessible and consistent formats. (Finding F5, F8)
• R7
  By July 1, 2026, the City should include forms in its app, allowing citizens to easily submit concerns about speeding or other traffic issues. (Finding F6) COMMENTS: The 2025-2026 Kern County Grand Jury thanks the City of Bakersfield staff who took the time to explain current traffic rules and regulations. It is also appreciated they were open about their opinions and offered valuable suggestions to help the people of Bakersfield. NOTES: • The City of Bakersfield and the City of Bakersfield Public Works Department should post a copy of this report where it will be available for public review. • Persons wishing to receive an email notification of newly released reports may sign up at: www.kerncounty.com/grandjury • Present and past Kern County Grand Jury Final Reports and Responses can be accessed on the Kern County Grand Jury website: www.kerncounty.com/grandjury RESPONSE DEADLINE: • REQUIRED WITHIN 90 DAYS FROM: City of Bakersfield City Council City of Bakersfield Public Works Department • REQUESTED WITHIN 90 DAYS FROM: City of Bakersfield Police Department RESPONSES ARE REQUIRED PURSUANT TO PENAL CODE §§933(c) AND 933.05: • PRESIDING JUDGE SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA COUNTY OF KERN 1415 TRUXTUN AVENUE, SUITE 212 BAKERSFIELD, CA 93301 • TRUXTUN AVENUE, SUITE 600 BAKERSFIELD, CA 93301 Reports issued by the Grand Jury do not identify individuals interviewed. Cal. Penal Code §929 requires that reports of the Grand Jury not contain the name of any person or facts leading to the identity of any person who provides information to the Grand Jury. FIGURE 1 Drawing displaying the difference between a speed hump and a speed bump https://highways.dot.gov/safety/speed-management/speed-management-countermeasures-more-just-speed- humps FIGURE 2 Photo of City of Bakersfield street crew installing a new traffic calming hump https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/23c4e43cdfdb424fb89be0d9c786ba9a ADDENDUM A Arterial Streets 1. Major (Principal) Arterial: The major arterial (referred to as a principal arterial by AASHTO) serves the major center of activities of urbanized areas, the highest traffic volume corridors, the longest trip, and carries a high proportion of a total urban travel on a minimum of mileage. The system should be integrated both internally and between major rural connections. The major arterial system carries most of the trips entering and leaving the area as well as most of the through movements bypassing the central city. In addition, significant intra-area travel such as between central business districts and outlining residential areas, between major inner-city communities, and between major suburban centers, is served by major arterials. Frequently, the major arterial carries important intra-urban as well as inter-city bus routes. Finally, in urbanized areas, this system provides continuity for all rural arterials that intercept the urban boundary. Access to private property from the major arterial is specifically limited in order to provide maximum capacity and through movement mobility. Although, no firm spacing rule applies in all or even in most circumstances, the spacing between major arterials may vary from less than 1 mile in highly developed central areas to 5 miles or more in developed urban fringes. 2. Minor Arterial: The minor arterial inter-connects with and augments the major arterial system. It accommodates trips of moderate length at a somewhat lower level of travel mobility than major arterials. This system places more emphasis on land access but still has specific limits on access points. A minor arterial may carry local bus routes and provide intra-community continuity but ideally does not penetrate identifiable neighborhoods. This system includes urban connections to rural collector roads where such connections have not been classified as urban major arterials. The spacing of minor arterials may vary from 1/8 to 1/2 mile in highly developed areas to 2 to 3 miles in suburban fringes but is not normally more than 1 mile in fully developed areas. Collector Streets The collector street system provides both land access and traffic circulation within residential neighborhoods and commercial and industrial areas. It differs from the arterial system in that facilities on the collector system may penetrate residential neighborhoods, distributing trips from the arterials through the area to their ultimate destinations. Conversely, the collector street also collects traffic from local streets in residential neighborhoods and channels it into the arterial system. In the central business district, and in other areas of similar development and traffic density, the collector system may include the entire street grid. 1. Major Collector: This type of street provides for movement of traffic between arterial routes and minor collectors and may collect traffic, at moderately lower speeds, from local streets and residential and commercial areas. A major collector has control of access to abutting properties with a majority of access at local street connections. Normally, a slightly higher emphasis is placed on through movements than direct land access. 2. Minor Collector: This type of street provides movement of traffic between major collector routes and residential and commercial local streets as well as providing access to abutting property at moderate low speeds. Consideration for through movements and direct land access is normally equal. Local Streets Local streets allow direct access to abutting land and connections to the higher order street systems. They offer the lowest level of mobility and deliberately discourage major through traffic movements. Definitions provided by Iowa Statewide Urban Design and Specifications Manual (https://www.iowasudas.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2025/12/SUDAS_Design_2026_Edition.pdf) ADDENDUM B TRAFFIC CALMING REQUEST FORM FROM NTCP CITY OF BAKERSFIELD PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT NEIGHBORHOOD TRAFFIC CALMING PROGRAM REQUEST FORM THE PURPOSE OF THIS FORM IS TO ENABLE RESIDENTS, BUSINESS OWNERS, AND STAKEHOLDERS WITHIN THE CITY OF BAKERSFIELD TO REQUEST AN EVALUATION OF POTENTIAL TRAFFIC CALMING SOLUTIONS FOR A PROBLEM LOCATION OR LOCATIONS WITHIN THE CITY. BY DOING SO, THE APPLICANT IS INITIATING THE FIRST PHASE OF THE CITY’S NEIGHBORHOOD TRAFFIC CALMING PROGRAM OR NTCP. THIS FORM MUST BE FILLED OUT COMPLETELY, INCLUDING APPLICANT INFORMATION, A DESCRIPTION OF THE ISSUE(S) AT HAND, THE LOCATION(S) OF CONCERN, ANY DESIRED SOLUTIONS (IF KNOWN), AND THE SIGNATURES AND CONTACT INFORMATION OF ANY ADDITIONAL AFFECTED PARTIES WHO SUPPORT THE REQUEST. APPLICANT NAME: ___________________________ DATE OF SUBMISSION: ______________________ APPLICANT EMAIL/PHONE: _________________________________________________________________ APPLICANT ADDRESS: __________________________________________________________________ ___ PLEASE DESCRIBE THE TRAFFIC AND/OR SAFETY ISSUE(S) OF CONCERN: __________________________________________________________________ ___________________ __________________________________________________________________ ___________________ __________________________________________________________________ ___________________ __________________________________________________________________ __________________. PLEASE IDENTIFY THE LOCATION(S) OF CONCERN INCLUDING STREET NAME(S), NEAREST INTERSECTION, AND THE EXTENT OF THE IMPACTED AREA. YOU MAY INCLUDE A MAP OR SKETCH WITH YOUR SUBMITTAL IF DESIRED. __________________________________________________________________ ___________________ __________________________________________________________________ ___________________ __________________________________________________________________ ___________________ __________________________________________________________________ __________________. IF KNOWN, PLEASE INDICATE THE DESIRED SOLUTION OR OUTCOME YOU WISH TO OBTAIN FROM THE NTCP. __________________________________________________________________ ___________________ __________________________________________________________________ ___________________ __________________________________________________________________ ___________________ __________________________________________________________________ __________________. CITY OF BAKERSFIELD PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT PLEASE PROVIDE THE NAMES, SIGNATURES, ADDRESSES, AND CONTACT INFORMATION OF ANY ADDITIONAL RESIDENTS, PROPERTY OWNERS, BUSINESS OWNERS, OR OTHER STAKEHOLDERS WITHIN THE AFFECTED AREA THAT WOULD LIKE TO DEMONSTRATE SUPPORT FOR THIS REQUEST. NAME SIGNATURE ADDRESS EMAIL PHONE 1)_________________________________________________________________ __________________ 2)_________________________________________________________________ __________________ 3)_________________________________________________________________ __________________ 4)_________________________________________________________________ __________________ 5)_________________________________________________________________ __________________ 6)_________________________________________________________________ __________________ 7)_________________________________________________________________ __________________ 8)_________________________________________________________________ __________________ 9)_________________________________________________________________ __________________ 10)________________________________________________________________ __________________. ADDITIONAL COMMENTS __________________________________________________________________ ___________________ __________________________________________________________________ __________________. UPON COMPLETION, THIS FORM CAN BE SUBMITTED ELECTRONICALLY VIA THE CITY’S NTCP WEBSITE OR PRINTED AND SUBMITTED BY MAIL OR IN-PERSON TO: BAKERSFIELD PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT 1600 TRUXTUN AVENUE BAKERSFIELD, CA 93306 FOR QUESTIONS ABOUT THIS FORM, PLEASE CONTACT BAKERSFIELD PUBLIC WORKS BY EMAIL AT [email protected] OR BY PHONE AT (661) 326-3724 Screenshot of 2025 Caltrans Plan Manual. Manual includes all requirements for general street construction and drainage. dot.ca.gov/-/media/dot-media/programs/design/documents/2025-standard-plans-locked.pdf