Posted by Dirka_dirka, a resident of San Ramon, on Jan 10, 2013 at 1:38 pm Well, it looks like the Dirka was right! It is possible to have 15 MPH spped limits around schools, according to Mr. Huson; however, as Mr. hudson asserts, our schools do not meet these requirements. Hmm, the dirka found this San Jose piolot program here:
There a lot of assertions here, but very little source information listed as to the actual laws. Regardless, San Ramon should implement a 15 MPH piolot program and insure compliance, regardless of cost. It is a matter of child safety. Many states have already implemented a 15 MPH limit around school and the results are significant improvements in safety. The Dirka rides again.............
Assembly Bill 321
AB 321 became effective January 2008 to allow local jurisdictions to extend the 25 mphprirna
facie speed limit (up to 1,000 feet from the school grounds), or to establish a 15 mph speed limit
in school zones (upto 500 feet from the school grounds), under certain criteria. Specifically, the
reduced or extended school zone speed limit is only applicable on local streets in a residential
district that have a maximum of two traffic lanes, and a maximum posted speed limit of 30 mph
immediately prior to and after the school zone; and must be established for both directions of
travel. Based on the requirements in the CVC and the CA MUTCD, when determining the need
to lower or extend the school zone speed limit, the provisions of CVC Section 627 that justify the
speed limit must be documented in an engineering study. Similar to the reduced 25 mph school
zone speed limit on higher speed streets, a 15 mph school zone speed limit would only be in
effect when children are present. Since adoption of AB 321, only a few cities in the State have
elected to implement 15 mph school zones, and staff is not aware if any of these cities has
analyzed the traffic safety benefits of the lowered school zone speed limits.
Dana Avenue 15 MPH School Zone
On August 10, 2010, the Council approved a 15 mph school zone speed limit on Dana Avenue
between Hester Avenue and Naglee Avenue due to an unusual condition that was created on
Dana Avenue when a school building that housed 16 classrooms and the Trace Elementary
library was destroyed by fire. During an approximate two year period while replacement
facilities are under construction, Trace Elementary classrooms have been located on both sides of
Dana Avenue. During this time period, students may be crossing Dana Avenue throughout the
school day at times not regularly anticipated by motorists. This is a significant unusual condition
that would not readily be apparent to motorists as they travel on Dana Avenue, especially those
unfamiliar with the neighborhood. This unusual condition was documented in the engineering
study completed for Dana Avenue to justifythe lowered speed limit. Over the past year, the
signs have been favorably received by the school community, however, given the significant
congestion present on Dana Avenue during drop-off and pick-up periods, the impact of the
lowered speed limit as a speed reduction tool is difficult to assess.
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