Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Traffic Safety topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
County traffic engineer recommends adult crossing guard at Foster and Silverwood next to Lee Elementary
Summary
Orange County Public Works told the Rossmoor Community Services District board that counts at Foster Road and Silverwood Drive did not meet the numeric warrant for an all‑way stop but did meet the criteria for an adult crossing guard. Staff will present the request to the Orange County Traffic Committee this week.
Orange County Public Works traffic engineer Wizu told the Rossmoor Community Services District board that a recent warrant analysis found the Foster Road/Silverwood Drive intersection — adjacent to Lee Elementary School — does not meet the county standard for converting the mainline (Foster Road) to a full stop but does meet the pedestrian volume threshold for an adult crossing guard.
Wizu said the county uses a three‑part test for all‑way stop warrants (traffic volume, signal plans and collision history). The eight‑hour peak analysis showed about 370 vehicles on Foster and 29–36 on Silverwood, for a combined total near 400 vehicles — below the county’s 500‑vehicle threshold for an all‑way stop. She also said collision records show no recorded crashes at that intersection in the last five years.
By contrast, the adult crossing‑guard warrant — which looks primarily at pedestrian counts during arrival and dismissal peaks — was met. Wizu said staff recorded peak student crossings that met the 25‑students‑per‑two‑hour benchmark on multiple days and therefore recommended the board forward a request for an adult crossing guard to the Orange County Traffic Committee for its Thursday agenda.
Board members asked whether school contexts should carry different thresholds. Director Maynard and others urged staff to consider community safety even when numeric warrants are not met; Wizu replied that the county treats requests on a site‑by‑site basis and that an adult crossing guard can be an interim solution while longer‑term measures are explored.
Wizu also noted planned outreach: the Traffic Committee posts agendas publicly and staff can provide the committee staff report on request. The county will pursue the crossing‑guard request as an advisory item; final authorization would come through the county process.
The board did not take a formal vote on policy changes at the meeting; staff said the next procedural step is the Traffic Committee review.
