Dear Mr. Baile and Menlo Park city staff,In regards to the no all-red traffic light interval issue at O'Brien, Ivy and Hamilton, I took a few quick videos of the Willow/O'Brien intersection this morning 29Aug17 around 9.30AM (unfortunately because of the slow traffic, not depicting the worst situations that I have seen but it gives an idea): https://vimeo.com/231583589https://vimeo.com/231583590https://vimeo.com/231583682Vehicles are running the red light driving in BOTH directions on Willow Road (not just because there is a short temporary pole on one side). At the same time, may be the Complete Streets Commission can also look into the current situation on Willow Road east of US101 for pedestrians, bicyclists, vehicles and make additional safety recommendations (better/safer pedestrian crosswalks, bicycle lanes, bus stop pullouts, red light cameras, etc...) for Caltrans' implementation between US101 and bayfront expressway CA84.Regards,Romain From: Romain Tanière To: "Baile, Renato C" Cc: "Angulo, Rich F" Sent: Monday, August 28, 2017 10:58 AM Subject: Re: Safety issues at Willow/O'Brien intersection Dear Mr. Baile and Menlo Park city staff,Thank you very much for your follow up and response.Unfortunately another multiple-vehicle accident took place at Willow Road/O’Brien Drive this morning around 9.15AM (at least the 3rd that I witnessed in less than 4 months). It is hard to believe that this intersection is below state average. At least implementing an all-red interval (along with some other safety improvements/maintenance - light covers, etc... and traffic enforcement - red light cameras, speed radar signs, etc...) would mitigate a very dangerous situation where vehicles run the red light at high speed in both directions. As I mentioned before, the current status quo with Caltrans is simply irresponsible and out of touch with the current safety situation at Willow/O'Brien in particular and along Willow Road east of US-101 in general.I look forward to the City of Menlo Park elevating this important matter further with Caltrans for a prompt resolution.Thank you in advance,Romain From: "Baile, Renato C" To: Romain Tanière Cc: "Angulo, Rich F" Sent: Friday, August 11, 2017 3:59 PM Subject: RE: Safety issues at Willow/O'Brien intersection #yiv5558733212 -- filtered {font-family:Wingdings;panose-1:5 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0;}#yiv5558733212 filtered {panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4;}#yiv5558733212 filtered {font-family:Calibri;panose-1:2 15 5 2 2 2 4 3 2 4;}#yiv5558733212 filtered {}#yiv5558733212 p.yiv5558733212MsoNormal, #yiv5558733212 li.yiv5558733212MsoNormal, #yiv5558733212 div.yiv5558733212MsoNormal {margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;font-size:12.0pt;}#yiv5558733212 a:link, #yiv5558733212 span.yiv5558733212MsoHyperlink {color:blue;text-decoration:underline;}#yiv5558733212 a:visited, #yiv5558733212 span.yiv5558733212MsoHyperlinkFollowed {color:purple;text-decoration:underline;}#yiv5558733212 p.yiv5558733212MsoListParagraph, #yiv5558733212 li.yiv5558733212MsoListParagraph, #yiv5558733212 div.yiv5558733212MsoListParagraph {margin-top:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:0in;margin-left:.5in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;font-size:12.0pt;}#yiv5558733212 p.yiv5558733212msonormal, #yiv5558733212 li.yiv5558733212msonormal, #yiv5558733212 div.yiv5558733212msonormal {margin-right:0in;margin-left:0in;font-size:12.0pt;}#yiv5558733212 p.yiv5558733212msochpdefault, #yiv5558733212 li.yiv5558733212msochpdefault, #yiv5558733212 div.yiv5558733212msochpdefault {margin-right:0in;margin-left:0in;font-size:12.0pt;}#yiv5558733212 span.yiv5558733212msohyperlink {}#yiv5558733212 span.yiv5558733212msohyperlinkfollowed {}#yiv5558733212 span.yiv5558733212emailstyle17 {}#yiv5558733212 span.yiv5558733212emailstyle18 {}#yiv5558733212 span.yiv5558733212emailstyle19 {}#yiv5558733212 span.yiv5558733212emailstyle20 {}#yiv5558733212 p.yiv5558733212msonormal1, #yiv5558733212 li.yiv5558733212msonormal1, #yiv5558733212 div.yiv5558733212msonormal1 {margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;font-size:12.0pt;}#yiv5558733212 span.yiv5558733212msohyperlink1 {color:#0563C1;text-decoration:underline;}#yiv5558733212 span.yiv5558733212msohyperlinkfollowed1 {color:#954F72;text-decoration:underline;}#yiv5558733212 span.yiv5558733212emailstyle171 {color:#1F497D;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;}#yiv5558733212 span.yiv5558733212emailstyle181 {color:#1F497D;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;}#yiv5558733212 span.yiv5558733212emailstyle191 {color:#1F497D;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;}#yiv5558733212 span.yiv5558733212emailstyle201 {color:#1F497D;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;}#yiv5558733212 p.yiv5558733212msochpdefault1, #yiv5558733212 li.yiv5558733212msochpdefault1, #yiv5558733212 div.yiv5558733212msochpdefault1 {margin-right:0in;margin-left:0in;font-size:10.0pt;}#yiv5558733212 span.yiv5558733212EmailStyle33 {color:#1F497D;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;}#yiv5558733212 .yiv5558733212MsoChpDefault {font-size:10.0pt;}#yiv5558733212 filtered {margin:1.0in 1.0in 1.0in 1.0in;}#yiv5558733212 div.yiv5558733212WordSection1 {}#yiv5558733212 filtered {}#yiv5558733212 filtered {font-family:Symbol;}#yiv5558733212 filtered {}#yiv5558733212 filtered {font-family:Wingdings;}#yiv5558733212 filtered {font-family:Symbol;}#yiv5558733212 filtered {}#yiv5558733212 filtered {font-family:Wingdings;}#yiv5558733212 filtered {font-family:Symbol;}#yiv5558733212 filtered {}#yiv5558733212 filtered {font-family:Wingdings;}#yiv5558733212 ol {margin-bottom:0in;}#yiv5558733212 ul {margin-bottom:0in;}#yiv5558733212 Dear Mr. Tanière: This is to acknowledge receipt of your e-mail dated August 2, 2017. We also forwarded a copy of this e-mail to Caltrans and they recently responded as follows: · Caltrans will be researching the accident history for the intersection of Willow Road at O’Brien Drive. Based on their preliminary finding, the number of accidents at O’Brien Drive and Willow Road are below the Statewide average. · Caltrans Electrical Maintenance staff has replaced the median pole on Willow Road at O’Brien Drive and has ordered poles for the corner. They are waiting for the order to come in before replacing them. · Regarding the implementation of the all-red interval, it is not common practice to implement an all red interval at State intersections. Each intersection will be evaluated individually. The intersection of Willow Road at Newbridge Avenue has an assigned all-red interval of 1.0 second for all through phases. · Based on the description mentioned in your e-mail below, it appears to be a gridlock situation where drivers are not able to completely clear the intersection prior to the light turning red. This is a violation of California Vehicle Code 22526. Increasing enforcement to deter drivers from entering the intersection and speeding along Willow Road is recommended. We will certainly request our Police Department for increased enforcement of the posted speed limits, red-light running, and vehicles blocking intersection on Willow Road especially the portion of Willow Road, east of Interstate 101. Thanks, Rene C. Baile, PE,TE, Associate Transportation Engineer Public Works– Transportation Division 701 Laurel St. | Menlo Park, CA 94025 Direct 650-330-6775 | General 650-330-6770 | Fax 650-327-5497 rcbaile_at_(domainremoved) Sent: Wednesday, August 2, 2017 11:10 AM To: Baile, Renato C Cc: Angulo, Rich F Subject: Re: Safety issues at Willow/O'Brien intersection Dear Mr. Baile and Menlo Park city staff, Earlier this week on 31 July 17, again a new accident took place at the O’Brien/Willow intersection which this time knocked down the O’Brien light. Every day there are serious near miss accidents that endanger vehicle passengers from side streets who turn on Willow Road. The city of Menlo Park needs to request some appropriate safety improvements on Willow Road east of US101 including URGENT implementation of an all-red interval at Willow Rd & O’Brien Dr, Willow Rd & Ivy Dr, Willow Rd & Newbridge St and Willow Rd & Hamilton Ave, along with increasing the MP PD enforcement to deter speeding cars, red light runners and vehicles blocking intersections. The current status quo situation with Caltrans is simply irresponsible and out of touch with the current safety situation. Thank you in advance with for pushing this important safety matter and elevating the problem for some resolution with Caltrans. Regards, Romain Taniere From: Romain Tanière To: "Baile, Renato C" Cc: "Angulo, Rich F" Sent: Monday, June 19, 2017 5:55 PM Subject: Re: Safety issues at Willow/O'Brien intersection Dear Mr. Baile and Menlo Park city staff. Following the tragic accident that took place last Friday 16 June 2017 on University Avenue: https://www.paloaltoonline.com/news/2017/06/16/car-collision-blocks-university-avenue-in-east-palo-alto I would keep the pressure on Caltrans to make the appropriate safety modifications such as the "all-red interval" on Willow Road intersections as soon as possible along with increasing the MP PD presence to deter speeding cars (including radar speed trailer, etc...). Thank you in advance for your support. Regards, Romain Taniere From: Romain Tanière To: "Baile, Renato C" Cc: "Angulo, Rich F" Sent: Friday, June 9, 2017 9:21 AM Subject: Re: Safety issues at Willow/O'Brien intersection Dear Mr. Baile, Have you had any feedback or follow up with Caltrans regarding the safety/traffic improvements at O'Brien/Willow and more generally on Willow east of US101 (on foot/car, face to face to really assess the situation being best)? Between some of the traffic light covers/black background missing (which makes the lights hard to see in the full sun), the large overhang and island traffic lights not replaced yet, the no delay between the red/green light intersection pattern and the willow cars that continuously run the red lights in both directions (at least at peak hour in the morning when I am stuck for 7+ min on O'Brien to make a left turn on Willow), there is a serious safety issue that the city needs to urgently address before more accidents take place. Regards, Romain Taniere From: Romain Tanière To: "Baile, Renato C" Cc: "Angulo, Rich F" Sent: Wednesday, May 10, 2017 3:24 PM Subject: Re: Safety issues at Willow/O'Brien intersection Dear Mr. Baile, Thanks a lot for your response. I look forward to seeing some safety improvement on Willow Road very soon before more potentially fatal accidents take place (in the last week alone, I witnessed 3 near miss accidents myself between 7am-10am). Some neighbors also previously reported the O'Brien/Willow intersection issues at the 650.330.6300 number with a clear lack of concerns/professionalism. Let's hope that there is a change in attitude from city staff to report, elevate and take care of these problems. On a side note, in February I also met with a Caltrans engineer face to face on site to go over some personal suggestions to improve signage (floor painted/street signs) at both Willow/Newbridge and Willow/O'Brien (this was addressed to Menlo Park in a few previous emails back in November 2016). I hope that the city can in parallel follow up with Caltrans in regards to the suggestions' implementations and also have more on site face to face interactions with Caltrans to find practical solutions that address the real on site problems (e.g. the street signs placement or bus stop design with no pull over space right after the traffic light on Willow (at the corner with Newbridge) may look fine on paper or as a pedestrian but not as a daily vehicle driver). Regards, Romain Taniere From: "Baile, Renato C" To: "rtaniere_at_(domainremoved) Cc: "Angulo, Rich F" Sent: Wednesday, May 10, 2017 11:53 AM Subject: FW: Safety issues at Willow/O'Brien intersection Dear Mr. Taniere, Thank you for your e-mail below. We have forwarded your e-mail below to Caltrans’ Traffic Signal Ops so they can address your concerns and issues regarding the subject intersection. We plan to proactively work with Caltrans in getting these issues addressed and plan to share any information or course of action that Caltrans will provide regarding this matter. Rene C. Baile, PE,TE, Associate Transportation Engineer Public Works– Transportation Division 701 Laurel St. | Menlo Park, CA 94025 Direct 650-330-6775 | General 650-330-6770 | Fax 650-327-5497 rcbaile_at_(domainremoved) Sent: Wednesday, May 10, 2017 11:23 AM To: Angulo, Rich F Cc: Elizabeth Lam Subject: Safety issues at Willow/O'Brien intersection Dear All, It has been reported several times to the city of Menlo Park some safety issues at the Willow Road / O'Brien drive intersection and traffic lights. Unlike other intersections, there is no delay between the time one side turns red and the other side turns green (typically there is a couple of seconds when both sides are red to avoid issues with vehicles in the middle of the intersections or red light runners). The O'Brien green light to turn left on Willow is also fairly short despite heavy traffic from the business park (UPS, etc...) and local residents. During peak commute traffic, the intersection is also often blocked by vehicles stuck in the middle. On eastbound/westbound Willow Road, either because many drivers are distracted and do not pay attention or get confused, do not see well the lights/colors well and keep following the vehicles in front of them, daily there are people, including large vehicles at high speed, who run the red light on Willow. Today there seemed to be a 3 vehicle accident where the large overhang traffic light got knocked down at Willow/O'Brien westbound (the small one in the middle divider was already knocked down several weeks ago and has not been replaced since then). Hopefully these safety and traffic issues can be addressed in conjunction with CalTrans (better visible traffic lights, better timing, better flow along Willow and better access for lateral streets such as O'Brien) and followed up proactively by the City of Menlo Park. Thanks in advance, Romain Taniere (image/png attachment: image004.png ) (image/png attachment: image001.png )
