- Project typeTransportation
Bill 43 of the Assembly, Friedman: Road safety (AB 43) was promulgated at the end of 2021 by the Governor of California. Under AB 43, local governments can, by prescription, set a primary speed limit of 20 MPH or 25 MPH in the streets adjoining a “commercial activity district” (a new designation authorized by AB 43).
On December 6, 2022, the city of Oakland adopted a modifying order Oakland Municipal Code Chapter 10.20 (speed limits) Establish speed limits of 20 MPH and 25 MPH in commercial activity districts (misdeeds), as defined by AB 43 and summary in this report. AB 43 establishes a balance between allowing greater local flexibility and ensuring that speed adjustments are gradually completed. (1))
This work is important because road safety is a critical problem in Oakland. Each week, two Oaklanders are killed or seriously injured in traffic accidents in the streets of the city. These accidents are also very concentrated – with 60% of serious and deadly accidents occurring on only 6% of Oakland City streets, identified as the high -arranged Oakland (Hin) network of high injuries (Hin). These accidents disproportionately harm people in black, indigenous communities and colored communities (bipococ), disabled, elderly and low -income communities. Streef Oakland Streets (SOS) is an initiative at the city level to prevent serious and fatal accidents, eliminate injuries inequality and carefully assess and alleviate any impact on actions resulting from security measures.
The speed limit reductions were priority because they have proven to be effective in reducing speed and preventing serious and deadly injuries. In addition, the drop in speed limits can be even more effective when associated with engineering measures to reduce speeds and increase visibility. OAKDOT continues to provide short and long -term improvements on road safety in commercial activity districts throughout the city. The drop in speed limits in commercial activity districts increases the SOS 3.4 political strategy: CAD, DOT and OPD to defend state policy for local speed limit reductions to improve safety and save lives.
Implementation and prioritization
Fifty-seven (57) corridors totaling 26.5 miles in Oakland were identified by a complete and city-scale analysis to identify eligible districts.
Oakdot will begin to implement reduced speed limits for 10 commercial activity districts by the summer of 2023 (2).
The implementation Prioritize eligible corridors on the high injury network Network with a strong injury and geographic equity list(PDF, 952KB). Oakdot also aims to implement signaling in all eligible commercial activity districts identified as feasible at the end of 2025.
Engagement
OAKDOT will endeavor to hire consulting offices, neighborhood councils, AC public transport and SAFE Oakland Streets partners as speed limits are lowered and a new signaling is installed.
Application
To support public notification and respond to concerns related to the increase in traffic quotes in colored communities and low -income communities, AB 43 establishes that a local authority may issue Only warning quotes for violations exceeding the speed limit of 10 MPH or less During the first 30 days, a lower speed limit is in force as authorized by this section of this bill.
Floor notes
(1) According to the law of the State, the cities are mandated to conduct an investigation into traffic and engineering to determine the speed limit of a street via the 85th centile method. This method is based on the premise that the speed limit should be fixed at the speed in which the majority (85%) of drivers travel, as measured by an engineering and traffic survey, rather than a speed that is safe for all road users. This method is contrary to safe adjustment speeds which would reduce the risk of serious injury or death in an accident – in fact, it is known to increase speed limits over time. For the most part, the bill does not remove the 85th centile approach from the speed limit in California, but it adds several very specific strategies to help improve safety while continuing the 85th centile approach.
(2) Legislative criteria for commercial activity districts
According to AB legislation, commercial activity districts are defined as this part of a street and the adjacent property contiguous which includes Downtown, urban villages or zoning designations in the district or neighborhoods that prioritize commercial land on the downtown or district.
These streets Must have four traffic lanes or less and meet At least three of the following four requirementsinclusive:
- No less than 50 percent of the property adjacent fronting the highway consists of retail or catering commercial uses, including outdoor restaurantswhich opens directly on the sidewalks adjacent to the highway.
- Parking spaces located next to the highway (including parallel spaces, diagonals or perpendicular).
- Traffic signals or stop panels Located at least every 600 feet.
- Uncontrolled marked pedestrian crossings by a traffic control device.