• Roadway Capacity is diminished by all closures. However, this particular <br />segment of roadway has not been utilized for neighborhood circulation for many <br />years. The unimproved gravel surface has not been maintained by the City and <br />has served the adjacent industrial uses much more directly than the nearby <br />residential. The street segment does not connect to Chambers or 2"a Avenue, and <br />carries internal traffic only. The turn prohibition from 3ra to Taylor does not <br />affect the capacity of either street and targets large trucks only. <br />• Intersection capacity: The closure will have minor effects on the capacity of the <br />intersection of Almaden and 4`'' Avenue by removing most northbound and <br />southbound movements and converting them to westbound to southbound left <br />turns and northbound to eastbound right turns. Likewise, the intersection of 3ra <br />and Taylor will reduce one movement for large vehicles only. Observed volumes <br />through both intersections are low and there will be no change in the LOS. <br />• Safety: All potential safety impacts, both positive and negative, are minor. <br />There have been no reported accidents on Almaden Street between 3ra and 4`i' <br />Avenue or the intersection of 3ra and Taylor in the five year period from January <br />1, 1993 through December 31, 1997. The probability of accidents will decrease <br />with this closure from reductions in traffic volume and a likely reduction in <br />vehicle speeds. <br />_ Closing a street can have negative safety impacts, including: 1) an increase in <br />emergency vehicle response time; 2) the barricade could be hit by a motorist; and <br />3) the increased traffic at other intersections could increase the probability of <br />accidents at those intersections if capacity is significantly affected. <br />In the case of the Almaden Street closure, and restriction of one movement at 3ra <br />and Taylor, the anticipated effects on safety are slight, as 1) the closure and turn <br />prohibition were reviewed and approved by the Fire Marshall; and 2) the <br />barricade and all associated signing and marking, is in compliance with the <br />Manual on Uniform Traj~c Control Device (MUTCD) standards. <br />• Signs, Signals, Markings: This project will be adding several signs notifying <br />motorists of new regulatory controls and warnings including No Right Turn for <br />Trucks at 3ra and Taylor, End and Object marking signs at the barricade on <br />Almaden. <br />• Intersection Controls: This project will make no changes to existing controls. <br />• Roadway Lighting: This project proposes no changes in roadway lighting. <br />• Access Control: No direct driveway or approach changes are a part of this action, <br />however all access (except for emergency services) between the A&K <br />Development site and 4`h Avenue is being eliminated. <br />