HomeMy WebLinkAboutTraffic Signal Pre-emption System for Las Palmas Country Club Emergency GateCITY OF PALM DESERT
PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT
STAFF REPORT
REQUEST: Direct Staff Regarding the Consideration of a Traffic Signal Pre-Emption
System for Las Palmas Country Club Emergency Gate on Monterey
Avenue
SUBMITTED BY: Mark Greenwood, P.E., Director of Public Works
APPLICANT: City of Rancho Mirage
C/o Bruce Harry, Director of Public Works
69-925 Highway 111
Rancho Mirage, CA 92270
DATE: April 27, 2006
CONTENTS: Vicinity Map
Recommendation:
Postpone to a date uncertain a request to install a traffic signal pre-emption system for
Las Palmas Country Club emergency gate on Monterey Avenue, and direct staff to
include this system as part of a comprehensive study of all the traffic issues on this
portion of Monterey Avenue.
Background:
Rancho Las Palmas Country Club has approached the City of Rancho Mirage to request a
traffic signal pre-emption system for their emergency gate on Monterey Avenue. This
emergency gate is used during periods of flooding due to the fact that approximately 200
units are located on the north side of the White Water Channel with no other access point.
When the Channel floods, these residents are essentially trapped either inside or outside
their community except for the use of this emergency access on Monterey Avenue. Although
no collisions have ever been reported at this location, residents have reported that when the
emergency gate is in use there is an unsafe condition due to poor visibility as they exit onto
Monterey Avenue,
City of Rancho Mirage staff has proposed installing a pre-emption system which would
involve placing a vehicle detector at the emergency gate to stop all southbound traffic on
Monterey Avenue at the signal at Clancy Lane/Avenida Del Sol. This would allow a break in
traffic for Las Palmas Country Club traffic to access Monterey Avenue. City of Rancho
Mirage staff states that the cost to install and maintain the signal pre-emption system is and
will be the sole responsibility of the City of Rancho Mirage. City of Rancho Mirage staff also
states that the pre-emption system will operate in a manner than minimizes the impact to
Traffic Signal Pre-Emption System Las Palmas Country Club Emergency Gate
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April 27, 2006
Monterey Avenue southbound traffic and that access onto Monterey Avenue will be restricted
to right -in right -out only from the emergency access gate. The pre-emption system will only
be in operation when the emergency gate is used to access Monterey Avenue during periods
of flooding.
On April 4, 2006, representatives from the City of Palm Desert, the City of Rancho Mirage,
Rancho Las Palmas and Monterey Country Club met to discuss the emergency access gate
as well as other issues regarding existing and future conditions along Monterey Avenue. It
was agreed at the meeting that the traffic signal pre-emption system for the Las Palmas
Country Club emergency gate would be brought before the Palm Desert City Council for
discussion and consideration.
The City of Palm Desert Public Works Department staff does not support the proposed
installation of this traffic signal pre-emption system. Public Works staff is of the opinion that
the conditions at the emergency gate are typical of most driveways and side streets with
access onto an arterial roadway. The lack of previous collisions indicates that the
intersection operates in a safe manner. Additionally, the sight distance has been significantly
improved by the recently completed construction project that removed the utility poles and
undergrounded the utility lines along the west side of Monterey Avenue. Conditions at the
emergency gate intersection do not demonstrate the need for additional traffic controls other
than the existing side street stop controls.
Public Works staff believes that any issue regarding access onto Monterey Avenue should be
addressed in a comprehensive manner along with the study to determine the need for
widening Monterey Avenue to six lanes south of Country Club Drive. The comprehensive
study of Monterey Avenue should be prepared in partnership with the City of Palm Desert,
the City of Rancho Mirage, representatives from Monterey Country Club and Rancho Las
Palmas, as well as all area residents affected by the Monterey Avenue improvements.
Therefore, staff recommends that the request be tabled at this time until capacity issues and
the possible need for widening of Monterey Avenue can be studied. It is further
recommended that this emergency traffic pre-emption system be evaluated as part of a
comprehensive study of all the traffic issues on this portion of Monterey Avenue.
Submitted By: Approval:
rk Green ood
Director of Public orks
Carlos Orteg
City Manager
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