ORANGE LINE / SAFETY ISSUES

Motion - From the inception of the Orange Line, the Metropolitan Transit Authority (MTA), the City's Department of Transportation (LADOT), the Sheriff's Department, and the Los Angeles Police Department have developed and implemented a comprehensive set of safety measures. These measures are designed to protect drivers, passengers and pedestrians and to alert the public to potential safety hazards in the busway. Despite the implementation of these measures, safety issues must be addressed on an ongoing basis. In the first week of operation of the Orange Line busway, three separate traffic accidents have occurred. It is imperative that the City and County develop immediate solutions to make the Orange Line even safer. Improved safety measures could include: * Enhanced sign visibility by: 1) Moving, "No Right Turn" signs and "No Red Turn" arrows so that they are at eye level and on the drivers side of the intersection; 2) Putting strobe lights on buses at red lights; and 3) Placing "Do Not Cross" flashing signs over the busway. * Better coordinated signal timing by providing longer green and red light signals to allow the bus to get across the intersection and to ensure that no cars enter the busway prematurely. * Increased enforcement by placing photo enforcement cameras at intersections. * The development and implementation of a "Virtual Railroad Crossing Warning System" for Metro Orange Line busway intersections in the San Fernando Valley, which could include: 1) warning signs as found at railroad crossings; 2) flashing lights; 3) large / enhanced red light signals; 4) precision signal timing; 5) noise alert system; and 6) simulated laser crossing gates. It is imperative that changes be made to the Metro Orange Line busway to provide motorists warning indicators equivalent to those found at railroad crossings and for the City and County to continue to improve safety measures for the Orange Line. THEREFORE MOVE that the Los Angeles City Council request that the MTA, the LADOT, the Los Angeles Police Department, and the Sheriff's Department report to a joint meeting of the Transportation and Public Safety Committees on preliminary findings from the three Orange Line traffic accidents and with recommendations regarding the development and implementation of a "Virtual Railroad Crossing Warning System" for Metro Orange Line busway intersections in the San Fernando Valley including, but not limited to, the safety measures listed above.