Napa County Grand Jury
• 2018-2019
City of Napa Traffic Signal Synchronization Study
⚠️ Translation Notice: This content has been automatically translated. The original English text is the official version. Translation may contain errors.
⚠️ Este contenido ha sido traducido automáticamente. El texto original en inglés es la versión oficial. La traducción puede contener errores.
Findings and Recommendations 4 findings
F1
The Transportation Operations Center is understaffed given the recent vacancy of one full-time senior engineering aide. This position is not expected to be filled for several months.
Related Recommendations (1)
R1
The Director of Public Works fill the vacant Senior Engineering Aide position at the TOC as soon as possible.
F2
A final purchasing decision on an upgraded system has yet to be finalized while one of the bidders is re-visiting their proposal on pricing.
Related Recommendations (1)
R2
When the 2019-2020 fiscal budget becomes effective on July 1, the Department of Public Works finalize the selection of a traffic management software package and initiate the purchasing process for installation commencing by January 1, 2020. 11
F3
The traffic signals at the on and off ramps of Highway 29 and Redwood Road/Trancas Avenue are under control of Caltrans making it difficult for the City of Napa to efficiently control the traffic along the Trancas corridor.
Related Recommendations (1)
R3
The City Council and the PWD resume negotiations with Caltrans for the release of control of the traffic signals located on Redwood Road/Trancas Street at the intersections of Hwy. 29,
F4
The Department of Public Works does not have a Master Plan for the systematic repair, maintenance and replacement of its traffic signal lights.
Related Recommendations (1)
R4
The Grand Jury recommends that the PWD develop a comprehensive Master Plan for the systematic repair, maintenance and replacement of the traffic signals in their jurisdiction
Conclusions 1
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CL1 Page 10The City of Napa has come a long way since those first traffic lights were installed in the mid-1940s. And while the City of Napa’s population has gone from 8,000 to 80,000 in 73 years, the City is still struggling to maintain outdated traffic signal equipment to accommodate the increase in traffic, especially along the four major corridors within the City limits. Further, the recent upgrades in traffic signal synchronization on the major corridors have improved the overall flow of traffic, but the emphasis now must be on modernization of equipment and upgraded technology. 10 With an increase in the use of automobiles and the freedom to travel comes the increase in traffic. Along with the increase in traffic comes the need to control the flow of traffic from our homes to our jobs to our shopping centers. When properly used, traffic signals are valuable devices for the control of vehicular and pedestrian traffic. They assign the right-of-way to various traffic movements and thereby profoundly influence traffic flow. The Jury concludes that the PWD is systematically making improvements in the traffic signal system in the City of Napa and is determined to operate in a proactive manner in the future to better monitor and regulate the ever-increasing traffic volume in the City limits. An example of the proactive approach to traffic management by the PWD is the installation of new traffic signals at the intersection of Second and Main in downtown Napa featuring a pedestrian scramble system. The new system is designed to allow pedestrians to cross the intersection in all directions during one timing phase while the traffic from all other directions remains stopped.
Commendations 1
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CM1 Page 12The Grand Jury commends the PWD for its proactive approach to improving the traffic signal system in the City of Napa with the creation of the Transportation Operations Center and other efforts described herein.
No Responses Found 1
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