Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Traffic Signals topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Atherton committee asks staff to model signals on Middlefield after consultant finds warrants met
Summary
A TJKM traffic study presented to Atherton’s transportation committee found several Caltrans signal warrants met at the Watkins/Middlefield intersection and recommended further design and coordination analysis; the committee voted to pursue design studies for Watkins and explore signal options at Fair Oaks/Middlefield with simulation and coordination analysis.
Robert Abadia, Atherton’s director of public works, introduced a consultant study of Middlefield Road that evaluated pedestrian crossing devices and traffic signals at Watkins/Middlefield and Fair Oaks/Middlefield.
The consultant presented data from counts taken on March 10 and explained Caltrans warrant criteria. The consultant reported that pedestrian‑focused devices (rapid rectangular flashing beacons and HAWK beacons) did not meet warrants because pedestrian crossing volumes were low in the counted periods. By contrast, the consultant said the traffic signal warrants 1 and 2 (volume/gap warrants) and warrant 3 (peak hour) were met at Watkins/Middlefield at the 80% threshold, and that Fair Oaks/Middlefield met some warrants at the 80% level though not the 100% threshold.
"The first, second, and third are met," the consultant summarized for Watkins, noting the analysis used Caltrans warrant methodology and that meeting an 80% threshold can justify signal consideration. The consultant recommended against RRFB/HAWK installations for these locations and urged a signal design study that includes timing, coordination and modeling of impacts on the corridor.
Committee members asked whether a new signal could be coordinated with nearby signals, how modeling would account for induced routing (mapping apps) and whether signals might worsen backups or shift traffic to other streets. Abadia and the consultant said further design and operational analysis — including simulation of with‑and‑without signal scenarios and coordination/timing studies — would be part of the next step.
The committee voted to proceed: members approved further exploration and design analysis for a signal at Watkins/Middlefield and separately directed staff to explore signal options at Fair Oaks/Middlefield, asking staff to include visual simulation, coordination analysis and assessment of possible changes in traffic patterns.
What’s next: staff will prepare scope and cost estimates for detailed design and simulation and bring those materials to the council with recommendations about moving to design and possible funding options. The committee directed staff to include coordination impacts and to model whether a signal would create new cut‑through patterns on nearby streets or influence routing in navigation apps.
(Reporting based on consultant presentation and committee motions; public works director Robert Abadia and consultant quoted.)
