Traffic and Transportation

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The Traffic Engineering Section is responsible for the design, installation, and monitoring of traffic signals, signs, road markings, and other measure to provide for the mobility and safety of people and goods on City streets. The section is also responsible for transportation planning, traffic safety reviews, traffic control plan reviews, and citizen inquiries and concerns regarding the City transportation infrastructure.

California Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (CA MUTCD)

The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) publishes the Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD), which contains national design, application, and placement standards, guidance, options, and support provisions for traffic control devices. The purpose of the MUTCD is to provide uniformity of these devices, which include signs, signals, and pavement markings, to promote highway safety and efficiency on the Nation’s streets and highways. When a new edition or revision of the national MUTCD is issued, States have two years to adopt it, with or without a State supplement, or to adopt a State MUTCD that is in substantial conformance with the new edition of the National MUTCD.

The state of California adopts its own MUTCD, the CA MUTCD, with each new National MUTCD release or update. The current CA MUTCD can be viewed here: https://dot.ca.gov/programs/traffic-operations/camutcd

Caltrans Facilities

Interstate 5 and the intersections/interchange areas connecting to Interstate 5 are owned, operated and maintained by the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans). Any questions or concerns regarding Caltrans facilities can be directed to the Caltrans customer service request page at https://csr.dot.ca.gov/. The City of San Clemente is located within Caltrans District 12 (Orange County). The phone number for Caltrans District 12 is 657-328-6000.

Caltrans Traffic Cameras, locally and throughout the State, can be viewed here: http://cwwp2.dot.ca.gov/vm/iframemap.htm

Freeway traffic flow conditions can be viewed here: https://www.sigalert.com/map.asp?partner=sigalert&lat=33.45096&lon=-117.60723&z=2

Speed Limits

The California Vehicle Code (CVC) and the California Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (CA MUTCD) govern the criteria for establishment of speed limits in local municipalities. For speed limits to be valid and enforceable, the CVC requires that an Engineering and Traffic Survey (E&TS) be conducted every five years (or seven or ten years depending on specific street criteria) in order to justify posted speed limits for non-statutory streets. Per state law, speed limits are established at the nearest 5 mph increment of a surveyed 85th percentile speed (speed at which 85 percent of surveyed vehicles travel at or below). Based on factors such as accident rate, roadside conditions, etc., speed limits may be slightly reduced from the nearest 85th percentile 5 mph increment citing provisions contained in the CVC/CA MUTCD. A link to the current Speed Limits E&TS can be viewed here: https://www.san-clemente.org/Home/ShowDocument?id=47658

Stop Signs

As outlined in the California Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (CA MUTCD), the purpose of a stop sign is to control the right-of-way assignment at an intersection. Stop signs are not intended for speed control. The City of San Clemente, by state law, must comply with requirements contained in the CA MUTCD when evaluating and providing a recommendation for the installation of a new stop sign(s).

Public Transportation

Please feel free to check our online San Clemente Public Mobility Map for a view of transportation services within the city, some of which are described in more detail below.

In addition to regional transportation options, the City of San Clemente also offers some of the following supplemental City-based transportation options in partnership with OCTA:

Senior Mobility Program, a local program that offers no-cost rides to select San Clemente destinations for eligible residents 60+

San Clemente Trolley, a traditional seasonal trolley system that provides free rides between major destinations in San Clemente, from May to September

SC Rides On-Demand Ride Program

In 2016, the City started the pilot on-demand transportation service "SC Rides" designed to help mitigate the loss of former local OCTA bus routes 191 and 193. Under its Project V grant program, OCTA has awarded funds to the City to provide up to 90% of the cost of this pilot program.

Using the code SCRIDES, riders can enjoy discounted rides, courtesy of the City of San Clemente and the Orange County Transportation Authority. Save up to $9 on your rides. That means for an $11 ride, you only have to pay $2.

To use the code, please download the Lyft app and go to the "Payment" section of the main menu (the main menu can be located in the top left corner with 3 horizontal lines). In the Payments section, go to "Add Lyft Pass." Simply type "SCRIDES" in the box. This will activate the SC Rides program on your Lyft app. From there, please feel free to book a ride per the usual Lyft process, and the discount will be applied after mapping a trip, if the ride is eligible.

Please note: Discounted rides will only be applied to "Shared Rides." Shared rides connect you with other riders along your route.

To be eligible, rides must be taken between 6 AM-8 PM, and must be both picked up and dropped off within a .25 miles radius of the original 191 and 193 bus routes. To make sure you’re at the right space, look for signs at participating bus stops, or use the purple-text "View Coverage Area" portion of the coupon tile in the Promos section of the Lyft app.

You can also view a general map of SC Rides locations by going to our Public Mobility Map or by clicking on this PDF link.

For assisted rides and/or Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle (WAV) rides, please call our assisted ride vendor Butterfli, at 1-855-267-2354, press 3 to book a ride, and mention the SCRIDES code. You can also book a ride online, through Butterfli's Book a Ride feature at this link.

Transportation/Wide Load Permits

Transportation permits are required if vehicle and/or vehicle load exceeds any of the following dimensions:

8’-6” in width
14’ in height
40’ in length (single unit)
65’ in length (combo unit overall length)

Permit Application and Issuance

Transportation Permits are issued on a single trip or annual basis. Transportation Permits are only issued upon receiving payment of the permit fee, and after the moving routes and vehicle load have been approved by the City. The following items are required prior to permit issuance:

Completed and Signed Transportation Permit Application
Certificate of Liability Insurance naming the City of San Clemente as the additionally insured
Proof of permit fee payment, e.g. a copy of mailed check payable to the City of San Clemente or payment receipt obtained in person at City Hall.
Daily Single-Trip Permit fee is $16.00 and Annual Permit fee is $119
Copy of other necessary permits (Caltrans, County)

Permit Processing

City processing time for Transportation Permit is 24 to 48 hours. Permits can be submitted to the City by the following ways:

Email the completed Transportation Permit Application to:
- mrotekj@san-clemente.org or trafficengineering@san-clemente.org

Mail or submit in person to:
- City of San Clemente, Engineering Division
  910 Calle Negocio San Clemente, CA 92673

Resources

Contact

Jane Mrotek
Phone: (949) 361-6136
Email: mrotekj@san-clemente.org