Hazards introduced by the Turning Lane at Mitchell Park Library/Mayview and Middlefield
(revised 4/9/2012 PM)

This April 7 2012 letter to City Council summarizes the primary lane striping and signalling issues of interest to Middlefield Residents at Mitchell Park Library/Mayview.  The links below are to the specific reference documents associated with those described in the April 7 city council letter.

This powerpoint presentation will be presented at the April 9 2012 city council meeting

Palo Alto Daily News coverage of the city council meeting

2002 Hexagon Traffic Consultants Report from Palo Alto Main library: 
      Summary page vii concluding no turning pockets are needed
  
2007 Hexagon Transportation Consultants Report excerpt:
      pages 25 & 26 concluding "left turn pocket is not required"

2008 Mitchell Park Library Study excerpts:
      Page 11 showing proposed Middlefield/Mayview striping - no turning lane (expanded in following page)
      Pages 71-72 "no left turning pockets are required"

Page 11 proposed site detail as shown to public in 2008 outreach distribution package, the most recent version found in the libraries today:
      No turning lane is shown, and bike lanes are full width:


2009/2010 Striping Plan calling for turning lanes - as approved by Public Works/Transportation, but without public review or notice

Google Maps View showing Pre-Library renovation street configuration (two staggered signals, continuous wide bike lane):


View of Middlefield showing old/new striping:


Google Maps View annotated with Red to show new red-curb (blue is existing no-parking zone at bus stop):


Riding a Bicycle in the "bike lane" seems to confuse motorists - VTA busses on Middlefield routinely veer into the bike lane:


On this ride down the "bike lane", the motorist behind came to a full stop behind me:


As did the guy behind him:


View of Middlefield showing hazard to residents entering/leaving driveways with narrow bike lane:


View of Middlefield showing blocked left turn into/out of driveways from newly created barrier median:




This is what street parking predictably looks like to the north of the 500 foot "Red Curb" zone:


Same problem at the south end of the "red curb" zone:


This is Google Maps satellite view of Cubberley/Montrose at Middlefield, 2 blocks down the street - it functions fine without a dedicated turning lane, and with higher traffic volumes in/out.  This same signalling is what Middlefield Residents request for Mayview/Mitchell Park Library, and the bike lane width can be preserved through the intersection at Mayview/Mitchell Park Library, unlike this intersection where the street widens going north: