Thousand Oaks plans 17 radar feedback signs under Caltrans HSIP grant to reduce speeding

Engineering staff told the Traffic and Transportation Advisory Commission on June 25 that the city has a grant-funded project to install 17 radar feedback signs at locations identified in the Local Road Safety Plan (LRSP).

Bradley Ackert, engineering associate, said the project (CI 55 48) is funded through the Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP), administered by Caltrans, after the city applied for an HSIP grant. The LRSP prioritized sites with high numbers of unsafe-speed and rear-end collisions; candidate locations include Hillcrest Drive, Lynn Road and Westlake Boulevard.

Ackert displayed examples of existing solar-powered radar feedback signs in Thousand Oaks and said the units show posted speed and driver speed and are among the most requested traffic-calming devices from the public. He said the signs are designed to be visible from about 800 feet, should not be placed under trees (they require solar exposure), and are typically placed in medians where available. Ackert said the signs capture speed data stored in a cloud system; staff can access about one to two months of data to support speed requests and enforcement.

On timing, Ackert said the project was in design and that staff planned to advertise for construction bids in the fall and seek City Council approval of a construction contract in the fall. He said construction was anticipated to begin in winter 2026 and that the project would complete in winter 2026 (transcript wording). He also told commissioners that radar sign installations typically reduce the 85th percentile/80th-percentile speed by about two to three miles per hour when measured in follow-up speed surveys.

Commissioners asked about placement (median vs. sidewalk), data retention, whether signs are appropriate on multi-lane roads, and whether the devices are used in place of other traffic‑control measures. Ackert said the HSIP grant funded the project and the city does not yet have a local policy or priority list for radar feedback signs funded with city funds; the devices are generally used midblock rather than to replace intersection controls. He confirmed the radar signs record speeds for staff use (not public display of raw logs) and that staff will perform follow-up radar surveys to confirm changes in the 85th percentile speed.

Staff said the project had received one written comment that was provided to the commission; no public speakers addressed the item at the meeting. Because the installation is grant-funded, Ackert said the city is relying on HSIP funding to implement the 17-unit package rather than general fund capital at this time.