Speak to any local Palisadian and you’ll almost certainly hear stories, time after time, of fast approaching headlights late at night on Palisades Drive, or of roaring cars and bikes as they barreling down Sunset Boulevard. However, in recent months, this has become a less frequent occurrence, especially in the Palisades Highlands, thanks in part to a pervasive community awareness concerning the dangers of the roads and in part to the combined efforts of the Los Angeles Police Department, the local private security companies, and our local Speed Watch volunteers.

This is not to say that the job is anywhere near done.

To the contrary, as time passes, the task grows more daunting. As months go by, those who have most profoundly felt the impact of these losses do not forget; however, for many others, the memory fades. New drivers excitedly get their licenses, a newfound sort of freedom. Others notice that the police presence is not as constant as it used to be, and the ominous reminders of past crashes loose some of their power.

This the case, here is my continued call to action. We cannot relent in our pursuit to avoid the senseless loss of life that has become a running theme on our local roadways. In February, the newly constituted Safe Westside pinned three elements as key to our effort: enforcement, education and engineering.

Enforcement has had a visible impact thus far. In the past nine months, police officers have worked in the canyon on more than thirty occasions. In conjunction with hundreds of warning letters issued by the police on behalf of the Speed Watch volunteers, we’ve seen a dramatic decrease in the average speed of motorists on Palisades Drive. This effort must continue. It cannot ease up, or its impact will wane.

Education has rejuvenated an understanding of the dangers on our roads. In Spring 2009, Safe Westside facilitated four assemblies at Palisades Charter High School that reached more than 1200 in attendance, and even more through the reporting efforts of the high school newspaper, the Palisades Post, and the Los Angeles Times. This year, even more assemblies are planned in an attempt to continue the message both at Pali High and in other local schools. In addition, many in the local community have also signed the Pledge to Save Lives. These efforts must not cease.

Sadly, engineering efforts have faltered behind the other two, though they have still made forward progress. Several stop signs have been added in the Highlands, as well as other minor road modifications on Sunset and other local streets, but, in a time of budgetary cuts, it has proven rather difficult to get any such changes passed through, though the effort continues.
In all three areas, we have a long road ahead of us.

January 31, 2009, October 22, 2008, November 7, 2007, July 5, 2007, and April 11, 2001. These are days that will never be forgotten. These are days when our roads tragically claimed members of our small community. They were not the first, but let’s do our part in an attempt to make them the last.

For general information or to get involved with other Safe Westside endeavors, please contact info@safewestside.com. To get involved with Speed Watch, please email speedwatch@safewestside.com. To take the Pledge to Save Lives, please visit http://pledge.safewestside.com.

The Livable Streets Initiative is an organization that is re-envisioning our cities, reversing decades of automobile-dominated planning and policy to create healthier, more sustainable urban environments, better prepared to meet the challenges of the new century. They have a network of great websites filled with information and videos about the movement and affecting change. LA.STREETSBLOG.ORG is local, up-to-the-minute information on the movement in Los Angeles. STREETFILMS.ORG is chock-full of great video from around the world on traffic, safety and transportation design.

For those who are trying to get a quick overview, StreetFilms has their 10 must see videos here.

What do you get when you cross a cross-walk with a speedbump?

How About Physically Separated Bike Lanes?

More Resources:

• Livable Streets Initiative
• StreetFilms
• LA.StreetsBlog.org
• SpeakUporelse.com
• A great post about the global campaigns against reckless driving

L.A. City Councilman, Bill Rosendahl brought representatives from the Los Angeles Department of Transportation to Wednesday’s meeting to discuss proposed engineering solutions. Assistant General manager, John Fisher, presented a variety of short and long term engineering solutions to the problems on Palisades Drive.

Fischer explained that the current roadway could be quickly (2-3 months) converted into a three lane “Traffic Calming Alternative” with a 5′ grooved strip in the middle to separate oncoming traffic (see 2nd illustration below). With more planning, engineering and budget approval (which would be significant), two other proposals were made with concrete and landscaped center divider areas, street lighting and bike lanes. The landscaped alternative would narrow the roadway to two lanes, with bike lanes in either direction. Fisher reported that the traffic volumes on Palisades Drive did not necessitate more than a two lane roadway, and fire captain Randy Beaty confirmed that the Fire Department and emergency vehicles would still be able to manage with a narrower and safer roadway.

The panel fielded questions regarding different solutions from the audience. Fisher was asked what it would take to change the road’s current classification as a Class II highway, and he said that “it was possible when the community plan came up for renewal”.

Next steps, the Safety Committee will meet with community leaders to discuss the proposals.

James Carchich, is a student at the Viterbi School of Engineering at USC. Just a few short months ago James chose Palisades Drive, as a subject for his term paper on Human Factors and Safety. The paper is well documented and worth a look. LADOT might well be advised to ping young Mr. Carcich for his considerable experience on Palisades Drive.

The paper is filled with technical insights into the issues, but powerfully ends with a bit of commentary… “Human factors are present everywhere, and safety issues are abundant. However, as with the accidents, it takes human influence to make any changes occur. The need for change must be pushed forward and imposed upon those in charge. Every time there is an accident and/or death, people complain that changes must be made; yet when it comes time to take action, nothing is done.”

- Good Work James

Download the paper here. (312K PDF)

From Document Request:

LADOT’s Traffic Records Section offers documents so the public can review its transportation projects in great detail. In full compliance with the Freedom of Information Act, the Department of Transportation provides copies of its documents upon request.

Requestors should expect to pay a reasonable fee to cover the cost of printing document copies. Document requests forms can be downloaded in PDF form and submitted by fax or mail to the Los Angeles Department of Transportation.

Requests will be closed and returned to the requested or if a payment for copying services is not received within 45 days of the date of the original request.

Please be advised that there is a four-month delay in entering data into the Department’s records computer. Therefore, please do not request information that is less than four months old.

The Traffic Records Section routinely assists constituents in obtaining a number of frequently requested public documents.

History of Signal Maintenance Report

This report shows the maintenance or service history of traffic signals at a particular location. Allow three to six weeks to obtain this report.

Signal Timing Chart

The Signal Timing Chart shows how the timing of a particular signal is set. The chart shows the sequence of applicable traffic signal displays, such as red, yellow, green, pedestrian walk, “don’t walk” and left or right turn arrows. This report is available within 10 business days of receipt of the request.

Signal Plan Map

This intersection map shows the location of signals at an intersection. It is printed on large format – 17 by 20 inch paper. It is usually available within three weeks of receipt of the request.

Sign Maintenance History Report

This is a dual report that combines the Sign Record and Sign Work Order Record into a document that shows all signs types. It organizes the signs by type, size, location, date installed, maintenance dates, replacement dates, work done and work order numbers. No information is available for years after 2000.

Stop Sign Map

This map shows the condition of a stop sign and its latest inspection date. Allow three weeks for processing.

Geometric Plan Map

This map shows the pavement markings at an intersection. It shows crosswalks, lane markings, left turn lane markings and the dimensions of the street. Maps may not be available for all intersections. Allow about three weeks for processing.

Work Orders

Records for work orders can be requested for signs, signals, mark-outs, paint and more.

Speed Survey

This study of advisory speed limits is available for routed streets. Requests for this type of document should specify a specific location, such as along Main Street from 1st to 9th Streets.

Traffic Signal Symbols

This chart shows the various map symbols used to designate the different types of traffic signals. It consists of four pages.