Project

The City of Alameda Public Works Department received various concerns/requests regarding Maitland Drive, between Mecartney Road and Harbor Bay Parkway.  We have completed a review and are providing our findings/recommendations below.  Please note that this information has been divided into the following sections:

A.  Recommendations that are moving forward.
B.  Other requests (that we reviewed but do not recommend).
C.  (Information regarding) daylighting
 

A. RECOMMENDATIONS THAT ARE MOVING FORWARD

This section includes improvements that we plan to implement.  These recommendations are not appealable.

1.  Along Maitland Dr.  Police enforcement.  Our analysis of the speed data found that there are individuals that are speeding, and the proper way to address those persons is with enforcement.  This will help to educate motorists of the existing rules of the road on Maitland Dr. and in this area.

2.  Along Maitland Dr.  The installation of white edge lines along the right side of travel lanes.  Motorists may speed up when they feel that they have more room and are more comfortable to do so, i.e. when the lane is wider.  By painting the white lines, it visually narrows the lane and psychologically causes them to slow down.  We have implemented this strategy at various locations, such as Fernside Blvd, Encinal Ave, and Santa Clara Ave.

The lines will also help motorists to stay within the lane and not drift into parked vehicles.  Please note this may not address distracted drivers or drivers under the influence and those motorists are ultimately responsible for their behavior.

3.  Along Maitland Dr.  Install bicycle sharrows.  Bicycle “Sharrows”, or Bicycle Shared Lane markings, are markings on the roadway to (A) indicate that the street is a bicycle route and (B) remind motorists and bicyclists that they must share the road.  Alameda’s Bike Master Plan shows this corridor as a proposed bike route, and the installation of sharrows would be an appropriate improvement. 

4.  Intersection of Maitland / Mecarney / Melrose.  Installation of all-way plaques.  These currently do not exist at this location.

Intersection of Maitland / Mecartney / Melrose.  Conceptually recommend the installation of marked crosswalks across all legs of the intersection, installation of pedestrian ramps at each end of all crosswalks, and daylight the intersection.  We are recommending these improvements to address concerns regarding pedestrian access and connectivity from corner to corner.  The pedestrian ramps are required per the Americans with Disabilities Act.  The new pedestrian ramps and daylighting will ultimately result in parking removal.

Note, all of these improvements are provided as a conceptual recommendation.  The actual details of this project will be designed at a later time.  Please see Section C for more information regarding daylighting.

5.  Near Mecartney and near Harbor Bay Parkway.  Relocate speed limit signs for better visibility.  This will help clarify the speed limit along Maitland Dr.

6.  Intersection of Maitland / Fitchburg.  Install new speed limit sign facing motorists who are coming from Harbor Bay Parkway.  Normally, one speed limit sign is sufficient at the beginnings of corridors.  However, the change in the speed limit and transition to a residential area may not be readily apparent.  So, we are recommending a second speed limit sign after the bend to help address any confusion regarding the speed limit.

7.  Intersection of Maitland / Fitchburg.  Improvement to visibility through the painting of red curbs.  This will result in the removal of five parking spaces.

We initially received a concern regarding visibility at Maitland Dr / Fitchburg Ave, mainly due to buses at the bus stop.  We reached out to AC Transit regarding possible relocation of the bus stop, going towards Harbor Bay Pkwy, from the near side (of the intersection) to the far side, but they did not recommend it due to the existing tree line and lack of concrete landing area for disabled riders.  Additionally, they are reviewing whether service to Maitland Dr will be discontinued in the future or not.  If the latter occurs, then situation will address itself.

Nevertheless, it is currently normal protocol, during these types of reviews, for us to implement improvements to visibility (also called daylighting) along streets that are classified as arterials or collectors.  Maitland Dr is classified as a collector, and therefore, we are recommending to prohibit parking within 20’ of the corners on Maitland Dr and Fitchburg Ave.

This will improve the visibility of motorists, bicyclists, and pedestrians and will result in the removal of five parking spaces.