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DOT - Traffic Safety

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1. How can I improve traffic safety?

Neighborhood support is key to keeping our streets safe. Educating all roadway users to share the road and to respect the rights of other users will increase the safety of our neighborhoods.

• If you are a driver, respect the right of a pedestrian who is crossing at a marked or unmarked crossing.
  
• If you are a pedestrian, do not insist on your right of way and don’t put yourself at unnecessary risk. Cross at intersections and use controlled crossings, where possible, on busy streets.
  
• If you are a bicyclist, remember to wear your helmet and obey all traffic laws.
  
• As a parent, educate your children about the need for safety when crossing streets or riding a bicycle.
  
• Pay attention to your driving habits and do not exceed the speed limit.

2. What is the City’s process for installing a stop sign?

Stop signs are installed to establish right-of-way, enhance safety for all roadway users, and to reduce vehicle delays. The process and criteria established by City Council Policy 8-1 is used to determine whether a location meets the minimum criteria required for one-way, two-way or all-way stop installation. This policy is based on Caltrans standards tat local agencies are required to follow for roadway traffic control devices.

The major criteria include consideration of: crash history (specifically crashes that may have been prevented by the stop control), right-of-way conflicts, proximity to schools, and any unusual conditions (such as proximity to high pedestrian generators, unique roadway geometry).

Unwarranted stop signs should not be installed as they can result in inappropriate driver behavior. Unwarranted stop signs tend to be disrespected by some drivers who do not fully stop and who may even speed up between stops to make up for perceived “lost time” at the stop sign. Additionally, Federal and State guidelines recommend against installing stop signs for speed control. If you have a speeding concern, please contact the Police Department via their on-line process to request enforcement.

If you would like to request a stop sign installation, please email
Traffic.Safety@sanjoseca.gov, or call (408) 535-3850.

3. When does the City install a painted crosswalk?

Crosswalks exist at all intersections whether they are marked or unmarked, unless prohibited by signs. At any crosswalk, drivers must yield the right-of-way to pedestrians. Marked crosswalks are installed to guide pedestrians to a preferred crossing location. To determine if a marked crosswalk would be beneficial, the City conducts a crosswalk study. The major criteria include consideration of: pedestrian activity, proximity to major generator of pedestrian travel (such as a school, park or transit stop), and the volume of vehicular traffic during peak pedestrian crossing times.

If you would like to request a crosswalk, please email Traffic.Safety@sanjoseca.gov, or call (408) 535-3850. Please include in your request the recommended best time for the City to observe pedestrian crossing activity.

4. How are posted speed limits established? Can a speed limit be reduced or increased on a particular street?

State law, through the California Vehicle Code (CVC) and the California Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (CA MUTCD), provide direction to local agencies on establishing posted speed limits. Generally, unless a prima facie speed limit has been identified in the CVC, local agencies are required to conduct an Engineering and Traffic Survey to justify the posted speed limit. For example, the CVC provides for a prima facie speed limit of 25 mph on local residential streets, and when approaching or passing school zones, without the need for an Engineering and Traffic Survey.

On all other roadways, factors considered in the Engineering and Traffic Survey include: prevailing speed of traffic (85th percentile speeds), accident records, and highway traffic and roadside conditions not readily apparent to the driver, residential density and pedestrian and bicyclist safety.

A common misconception is that lowering a speed limit will slow the speed of traffic. However, most drivers travel at a speed that they consider to be safe and comfortable, regardless of the posted speed limit. Unreasonable speed limits (speed traps) may not be established; and by State law, such speed limits are not radar enforceable. Citations are typically dismissed in traffic court if a traffic commissioner determines that the posted speed limit is a speed trap.

If you have questions regarding the establishment of speed limits or would like to request installation of a speed limit sign, please email Traffic.Safety@sanjoseca.gov, or call (408) 535-3850.

5. How can my business obtain time restricted parking or loading zone signs?

Due to prior program reductions, the focus of traffic engineering resources in the Department of Transportation is on traffic safety related concerns. As a result, the City currently has limited resources to implement time restricted parking zones, loading zones, or other parking related requests, as these types of zones frequently impact multiple properties, require extensive outreach and staff resources. However, we do recognize that businesses have special parking needs, and that these may change over time. Please email Traffic.Safety@sanjoseca.gov, or call (408) 535-3850 if you have a business related request for parking restrictions. We will attempt to address your request as resources permit. The level of traffic safety related concerns staff is addressing at any given time, and the scope of your business related request, may impact the timing of when the City can implement your request.

6. Does the City have a Residential Permit Parking program?

Currently, the City does not have resources for the creation of new, or expansion of existing, residential permit parking (RPP) zones. If you reside in an existing RPP zone and would like to apply for, renew or replace a parking permit, please email dotpermits@sanjoseca.gov, or call (408) 535-3850 for more information.

7. How can I get a disabled parking space installed?

On-street parking spaces may be signed and marked with blue curb for use by disabled residents who need accessible parking provided within close proximity to their residence. Please note that any on-street disabled parking space would be available for ANY person possessing a valid disabled placard or license plate, and is not restricted for use by the adjacent property.

Factors taken into consideration when determining if an on-street disabled parking space is appropriate include:

• Availability and condition of off-street parking, such as a relatively flat (non-sloped) driveway and/or garage. Parking off-street is the preferred location for disabled access to a vehicle.
• The condition of the park strip, sidewalk area and street pavement that will be used by a disabled individual accessing a parked vehicle.
• On-street parking demand in the neighborhood.
• Support of the adjacent property owner, if the property is rented.

Possession of a current Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) issued disability placard or disabled license plate is required, with a registration form that shows the requestor’s name and address.

If you would like to request for a location to be evaluated for an on-street disabled parking space, please email Traffic.Safety@sanjoseca.gov, or call (408) 535-3850.

8. What is the City's process for installing a new traffic signal?

Traffic signals are installed to improve overall safety of roadway users, establish right-of-way, and reduce travel delay at an intersection. The process and criteria established by City Council Policy 2-2 is used to determine whether an intersection meets the minimum warrant criteria required for installation of a traffic signal. This policy is based on Caltrans guidelines that local agencies are required to follow for roadway traffic control devices. The policy includes consideration of peak vehicle volumes, pedestrian activity, proximity to schools, and crash history; among other factors.

The City has limited resources to conduct the necessary traffic signal warrant studies and to install new traffic signals. The installation of a traffic signal is a significant investment (approximately $450,000 - 500,000).

If you would like to request that an intersection be considered for a new traffic signal, please email Traffic.Safety@sanjoseca.gov, or call (408) 535-3850. Traffic engineers can assist with making an initial evaluation to determine if the intersection is a good candidate for further studies, or if there are other improvements that may enhance traffic safety or operations of the intersection.

9. Can the City install speed bumps on my street?

The City does not have a current program for installing speed bumps on residential streets. If you have a speeding concern, please contact the Police Department via their on-line process to request enforcement.