Travel Times

Newsletter of the Pasadena Department of Transportation

C i t y o f Pas aden a

Fun Facts about

the month of Jan-

uary/February/

March:

Martin Luther

King, Jr. Day 1/18

Groundhog day

2/2

Chinese New Year

2/8

Lincoln’s Birthday

2/12

Washington’s

Birthday 2/15

Daylight Savings

Time Begins 3/13

First Day of

Spring 3/20

Inside this issue:

Parking 2

Traffic 3-4

Administration 4-5

Complete Streets 6

Calendar 7

Message from the

Director

7

Issue 6 JANUARY 2016

Pasadena Transit Connects Riders with High-Tech Convenience

Pasadena’s local transit system, the Pasadena Area Rapid Transit System (ARTS), is now Pasadena Transit! This new brand clearly communicates the role Pasadena Transit has in connecting nearly 1.6 million passengers a year to destinations within Pasadena, as well as to the greater Los Angeles area as a local feeder to the regional transit system, including the Metro Gold Line.

In addition to the new look and name, the system is now equipped with new technology that lets customers track the real time arrival of their Pasadena Transit bus. Passengers can ac-cess the real time bus arrival information by calling 511 or via web and mobile platforms at www.pasadenatransit.net, Google Transit and www.Go511.com. This new real time bus arri-val technology was made possible by local grant funding from the Los Angeles County Metro-politan Transportation Authority and Federal grant funding.

Pasadena’s service began in 1994 as a single free shopper shuttle. Currently, Pasadena Transit offers six routes that provide service throughout the City of Pasadena. Pasadena’s transit system is one of the largest locally funded operators in Southern California today, and serves as an essential feeder system in support of the regional transit network. The expan-sion of Pasadena’s bus service has been closely tied to the growth of the regional system as a whole, including the opening of the Metro Gold Line in 2003.

It is this shift in the role of Pasadena's bus system that prompted the rebranding effort. As a result, the City of Pasadena embarked on a multi-year partnership with the renowned ArtCenter College of Design to assist with the development of a new transit brand. The new brand was developed by ArtCenter graduate Julie Yeow who described the theme as retain-ing a “friendly energy” and communicating the primary goal of connecting people and places in Pasadena. To convey this theme, iconic images of Pasadena are integrated the new look, such as the Colorado Bridge and City Hall.

On December 1, 2015, an event was held for public officials and various stakeholders to offi-cially introduce Pasadena Transit as the City’s new transit brand. Fred Dock was the Master of Ceremonies, along with remarks provided by Mayor Tornek, Councilmember McAustin, and Nikolaus Hafermaas who chairs the ArtCenter’s Graphic Design Department.

TRANSIT

Travel Times Page 2

PARKING

Updates!

The Parking Office has survived another annual per-

mit renewal process. The team has endured long

lines and we are looking at ways to minimize those

lines and the need for residents to come into the of-

fice. Parking Management (PMT) will be working

with staff to determine ways to simplify the process,

including examining the feasibility of staggering per-

mit expiration dates to spread demand throughout

the year.

The Parking Management Team is developing a

plan to install parking stall sensors at various loca-

tions throughout the City. The sensors will give us

data regarding parking turnover, length of stay and

other important metrics that will allow us to plan

for future parking projects, enforcement patterns

and appropriate parking rates.

PMT is examining a booting option for vehicles on our

scofflaw list (those with 5 or more past due cita-

tions). Instead of impounding, we will be examining op-

tions for a vehicle boot that will allow drivers to call a 1-

800 number and electronically release the boot them-

selves. We hope to have this solution in place for the

upcoming fiscal year, if not sooner.

Our Meter Mechanics Andrew, John and Evan have completed

the installation of our new Temporary Overnight and Daytime

Parking Exemption Kiosks (TODPEKs) at the 5 locations through-

out the City. The new kiosks will allow vehicle owners to input

their license plate information when they purchase an exemption,

and the kiosk will communicate to our enforcement equip-

ment. This is our first major step towards “virtual permitting”

where a vehicle’s license plate serves as their parking pass.

Travel Times Page 3

TRAFFIC

Commercial Loading Zone Analysis of Old Pasadena

In Old Pasadena, various on-street parking demands and curb utilization exists throughout the day, including: commercial loading zones, valet zones, bus zones, time restricted parking and metered parking. The competing parking demands have resulted in commercial loading activities taking place in locations that are not desig-nated for loading, such as red curbs and narrow alleys. A consultant services RFP was released in December 2015, with proposals submitted in January 2016, for a commercial loading zone analysis of Old Pasadena. Through a review of best practic-es and our existing parking inventory, a consultant team will develop a loading zone strategy for Old Pasadena. Commercial loading zone strategies developed out of this project could potentially be implemented in other commercial business district areas in the City. Traffic Engineering is leading this effort with assistance from the Parking division.

Traffic Operation Improvement Project

Construction began January 11, 2016 – Installation of a flashing yellow arrow protected permissive left turn traffic signal indications, at various intersections near the Metro Gold Line, along Fair Oaks Ave, Raymond Ave and Ma-rengo Ave. This includes the addition of a flashing yellow arrow protected permissive left turn for southbound Fair Oaks Avenue at Glenarm Street.

Detection of Bicycles at Intersections Controlled by Traffic Signals Project

Working with Public Works, SLaTS received Caltrans’ authorization to construct bicycle detections at four intersec-tions. Project is scheduled to advertise for construction in February 2016. The Project provides for bicycle detec-tion at traffic signals along Mountain St, Washington Blvd, Altadena Drive and Hill Ave.. An RFP to obtain profes-sional traffic engineering services to develop and implement Updated Signal Synchronization timing at 44 intersec-tions along the project corridors will be advertised early next month and planned to be completed by mid 2016.

Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) Phase 2

Working with the Engineering staff at Public Works, Traffic Management Center Staff completed the construction portion ITS Phase 2 . The construction portion of ITS Phase 2 included the installation of fiber optic communica-tion, CCTV cameras, traffic signal controller and detection upgrades. The other completed components of ITS Phase 2 included: the Development of Adaptive Traffic Control System Requirements (Completed in December 2013), the procurement and deployment of an Adaptive Traffic Signal Control System along south Fair Oaks Ave-nue (completed in April 2014), and the update of Traffic Signal Synchronization for 26 traffic signals along mobili-ty corridors (completed in mid-2015). The remaining portion of the project will upgrade of the central Traffic Control System software which is scheduled for implementation in 2016.

Safer Streets Pasadena – School Area Safety Campaign

Submitted grant application to the California Office of Traffic Safety in January 2016 for the Safer Streets Pasade-na – School Area Safety Campaign. Requesting funding to expand the “We Make Time” safety outreach to schools, and update the suggested routes to school maps for all elementary and middle schools in Pasadena.

Pasadena Wayfinding System – CMS and Monument Signs

Working with Public Works SLaTS, advertised for construction in January 2016. Bids due in February 2015. Pro-ject includes installing changeable message signs throughout the City and Pasadena Monument signs at entranc-es to the City.

Page 4 Issue 6

Resident Exempt Parking Signage Project

Purchase orders for all traffic signs were approved. All field reviews and plans for the traffic sign replacement project is now complete, hence, the fabrication of all the signs will now be initiated. A separate purchase order for the installation of the sign is planned to be advertised by early February, with a planned completion goal before the end of this 2016 calendar year.

“Award of Excellence”

Pasadena Department of Transportation’s project nomination entitled, “Measuring Mobility in Pasadena - Beyond Auto LOS,” recently received the Award of Excellence for Transportation Planning from the California section of the American Planning Association (APA) and APA LA Chapter. The award recognizes the robust set of transportation performance measures which add depth and balance to the existing measures of vehicle capacity and delay while adding measures to evaluate impact on the non-motorized modes as well as transit. The new measures also align with the sustainability goals of the General Plan by evaluating the “modal efficiency” of projects by analyzing the per capita length and number of trips associated with changes in land use. The five newly adopted transportation performance measures with CEQA thresholds are:

Vehicle Miles Traveled Per Capita

Vehicle Trips Per Capita

Proximity and Quality of the Transit Network

Proximity and Quality of the Bicycle Network

Pedestrian Accessibility

TRAFFIC (cont..)

ADMINISTRATION

Page 5 Travel Times

The Department of Transportation (DOT) has been working on a number of programs to imple-ment the Mobility Element. In addition to applying the new transportation analysis guidelines adopted by the City Council in December 2014 to all new development, DOT staff has begun to implement the following initiatives identified in the Mobility Element Update:

Transportation Impact Fee Update – Staff has developed a project list and cost estimates for the bicycle, pedestrian and transit infrastructure to be included in the revised fee. A Nexus Study to develop new developments “fair share” for the needed infrastructure will be prepared and presented to the community and City Council in Sprint 2016.

Bicycle Transportation Plan – Funding for the implementation of the top priority bicycle infra-structure projects identified in the plan have been included in the draft FY2016-17 Draft Capi-tal Improvement Plan budget.

Short Range Transit Plan – Funding for the purchase of new Pasadena Transit and Dial-a-Ride vehicles identified in the plan have been included in the draft FY2016-17 Draft Capital Improvement Plan budget.

New Street Design Guidelines – Work has begun on the development of Form and Context Based Street Design Guidelines. Draft guidelines will be presented to the Transportation Ad-visory Commission (TAC) and the community in Summer 2016.

Click on the map to view Draft Mobility Element.

ADMINISTRATION (cont..)

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COMPLETE STREETS

Current Projects: 39 Congress Street An in-house study is currently being completed for the Huntington Orthopedic Medical Office building located at 39 Congress Street. This project will construct a 15,600 sf addition to the existing 17,500 sf medical office building over one level of subterranean parking and one level of at-grade parking.

1030 East California Boulevard

Polytechnic School, located at 1030 East

California Boulevard, is developing their 15-

year Master Plan to demolish a 35-foot tall

gym to construct a new 40-foot tall gym with

a basement level for a net campus building

square footage increase of 38,214 sf. They

also plan to increase student enrollment by

80 students, and staff by 15 employees.

There will be no increase in parking spaces.

Arroyo Seco Music Festival at the Rose Bowl

A transportation analysis is being prepared as

part of the Environmental Impact Report to evalu-

ate the potential traffic impacts of the temporary

use of the Rose Bowl Stadium complex and por-

tions of the Brookside Golf Course for an annual

3-day Arroyo Seco Music and Arts Festival. The

analysis conducted for this report includes analy-

sis for Opening Year 2016 and future conditions

up until Future Year 2035. The annual event

would occur in late spring/summer of each year,

ideally in June. It is anticipated that the Project

would include up to four amplified music stages;

a theatre performance stage; art displays; a car-

nival ride; concession stands for merchandise

sales, food, and drinks; and cultural programming

that is representative of Pasadena and the local

environs. Overnight camping and lodging for at-

tendees and employees would be prohibited dur-

ing the Festival.

Message from Transportation Director Fred Dock

In December 2015, just before the holiday activities took hold in earnest, the Depart-

ment conducted our semi-annual Strategic Planning workshop. While all of you

should have seen and been able to discuss the workshop results, I didn’t want to let this milestone

activity go by without recognition. We are entering the final six-month objectives period for our sec-

ond three-year Strategic Plan. Over the six years that the Department has been Strategic Plan-

ning, I’ve seen great strides in performance, collaboration and innovation from staff and in particu-

lar the Strategic Planning Team. Congratulations to all for Working the Plan!

One of the most improved areas that we have accomplished is a closer working relationship among

all of the Divisions and the various office locations in the Department. What was identified in 2009

as a major weakness with multiple instances of problems communicating among Divisions/offices

has over the Plan iterations diminished to little to none and dropped off the strategic objectives list

altogether. Just a note that we haven’t lost site of work facilities weaknesses that continue to be

noted – in February, several office moves will occur that will expand the space available for Parking

Division in Suite 199 and hopefully relieve some of the crowding that is now taking place.

I’m looking forward to the completion of this Strategic Plan cycle in June 2016 and the develop-

ment of new three-year goals at the next workshop. Please plan to bring your best ideas!

City of Pasadena Calendar of Events

2016 Payroll Calendar

Travel Times Page 7

CITYWIDE UPDATES..

2016 Citywide Training

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January 2016

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February 2016

Disaster Preparedness in Pasadena

City of Pasadena Required Training