The City of Carlsbad’s Traffic & Mobility Commission met Tuesday to advance several projects that make city streets inviting for all modes of transportation while providing feedback to city staff on the latest traffic data and a program to work with neighborhoods to address speeding concerns.
The Traffic & Mobility Commission is a public forum for residents to provide feedback on traffic safety needs in the city and requests regarding traffic, bicycle and pedestrian safety. Specific actions on Tuesday included:
Improvements to five busy roads: Advanced projects to slow traffic and enhance bike lanes on some of Carlsbad’s busiest streets, including Palomar Airport Road, La Costa Avenue, Carlsbad Boulevard, Jefferson Street and Paseo del Norte.
New data on collisions: Provided feedback on the city’s draft Local Roadway Safety Plan, which uses traffic-collision data to help identify, analyze and prioritize local roadway safety improvements. The final plan is expected to go before the City Council later this year.
Neighborhood safety: Reviewed a traffic safety evaluation of Plum Tree Road, where residents are concerned about speeding and safety in the area. The city deployed temporary speed feedback signs, coordinated with property owners to trim landscaping blocking views of the road and signs; and studied traffic patterns in the area to determine whether additional changes could be made.
“Traffic calming” program: Provided feedback on proposed updates to the Carlsbad Residential Traffic Management Program, which is a way for people concerned about speeding in neighborhoods to request city assistance.
Update to e-bike rules: Discussed a proposed change to the city’s e-bike ordinance, which, if adopted by the City Council, would eliminate the need to get off your bike on city trails when passing people walking.
Local emergency update: The commission also received an update on the proclamation of local emergency declared Aug. 23 following a significant increase in collisions involving bikes and e-bikes. Proclaiming a local emergency gives cities more options to address a threat to public safety, including:
- Activate the Emergency Operations Center, which enables a centralized emergency response
- Immediately redeploy resources
- Streamline procurement and other processes
- Increase focus and collaboration among residents, businesses, other agencies and the business community
The City Council ratified the proclamation Aug. 30 and will review conditions no less frequently than every 60 days until the City Council determines it is no longer needed.
Get involved
Regular Traffic & Mobility Commission meetings are usually held the first Monday of the month, at 4 p.m. in the Council Chamber at City Hall, 1200 Carlsbad Village Drive, Carlsbad, CA 92008. See the 2022 meeting calendar.
Sign up to get notified about future Traffic & Mobility Commission meetings and agenda items.
More information
Sept. 6, 2022, Agenda packet
Traffic & Mobility Commission webpage
