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HomeMy WebLinkAbout09/16/2016 TSC MinutesDirector Sean P. Dorsey Mount Prospect Public Works Department 1700 W. Central Road, Mount Prospect, Illinois 60056-2229 MINUTES OF THE MOUNT PROSPECT TRANSPORTATION SAFETY COMMISSION CALL TO ORDER Deputy Director Jason H. Leib The regular meeting of the Mount Prospect Transportation Safety Commission was called to order at 7:00 p.m. on Monday, September 12, 2016. Rni i cai i Present upon roll call: Justin Kuehlthau Chairman Robert Fisher Commissioner John Keane Commissioner Jill Morgan Commissioner Christopher Prosperi Commissioner Carol Tortorello Commissioner Bob Smith Police Department Representative Scott Moe Public Works Department Representative Matt Lawrie Traffic Engineer — Staff Liaison Absent: Dane Phenegar Fire Department Representative (arrived at 7:10 p.m.) Others in Attendance: See attendance sheet APPROVAL OF MINUTES Commissioner Fisher, seconded by Commissioner Tortorello, moved to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of the Transportation Safety Commission held on July 11, 2016. The minutes were approved by a vote of 8-0. CITIZENS TO BE HEARD There was no one in attendance that spoke on an issue not on the agenda. TSC Meeting Page 1 of 5 September 12, 2016 OLD BUSINESS None NEW BUSINESS A. UPDATE ON CENTRAL-WELLER CROSSWALK PROJECT 1) Update Summary The Village of Mount Prospect has had several discussions among staff as well as meetings with Illinois State Representative David Harris, representatives from the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT), staff from the Mount Prospect Park District, and engineers from the Village's consulting firm on the project, Ciorba Group, since the bicyclist fatality in June. From those discussions, several education, enforcement and engineering initiatives will be pursued both in the short-term and long-term. Some have already been accomplished including: 1. Placing a message board facing approaching motorists reminding them it is State law to stop for pedestrians in the crosswalk. 2. Enforcement of the State law by the Police Department. 3. Creating a video that has been placed on the Village web -site and other social media outlets reminding bicyclists the rules of the road. Additional bike -related videos are currently being developed by the Police Department. 4. Tree trimming by the Village Forestry Division to increase the sight distance of the flashing beacons both at the Central -Weller crosswalk and the Busse-Lonnquist crosswalk. Central Road is under the jurisdiction of IDOT. Therefore, any changes to the crossing must be approved by them. The Village will continue to be in communication with IDOT and pursue additional initiatives to further improve the safety at the crossing. 2) Discussion Chairman Kuehlthau introduced the item and told the audience it would be for information and discussion only. There would be no formal vote. He reminded those in the audience there is a scheduled Neighborhood Meeting on Monday, September 191h starting at 7:00 p.m. in the Village Board Room to further discuss this item. Chairman Kuehlthau then asked Traffic Engineer Lawrie to provide a brief background and update on the project. Traffic Engineer Lawrie explained the background on the project and summarized meetings with IDOT, State Representative David Harris, the Park District, and Ciorba Group (engineering consultant on the project). He then shared a series of engineering measures to be implemented in the near future including temporary informational signs at the crossing for pedestrians as well as additional informational signs and pavement markings directed toward motorists. He also shared that staff was working with IDOT to install speed feedback signs in advance of the crossing, a third Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacon (RRFB) assembly in the center island, and decorative visual/descriptive informational signs at the crossing for pedestrians. Police Commander Smith shared some of the Police Department's enforcement and education efforts at the crossing. He said they recently released a video on the rules of the road for bicyclists and will be creating additional educational videos in the near future. He also stated the crash report had not yet been completed as the Police Department was waiting on additional information. TSC Meeting Page 2 of 5 September 12, 2016 Duane O'Laughlin, design engineer from Ciorba Group, presented a series of longer-term engineering measures that were being considered but would require further study. They included an overhead RRFB assembly, in -road warning lights, and a hybrid traffic signal referred to as a HAWK system. There were no questions from the Commission so Chairman Kuehlthau welcomed comments from the audience. Jean Doughty, 1431 Blackhawk, suggested the yellow beacons flash continually and then turn red when the button is pushed. Mr. O'Laughlin responded it would not be consistent with the RRFB design requirements but could be asked of IDOT to consider. Traffic Engineer Lawrie mentioned the primary issue IDOT has with the HAWK system is that a dark traffic signal is to be treated as a STOP sign per the Illinois Vehicle Code. It was asked if a HAWK system comes with a green light. Traffic Engineer Lawrie responded no. Ken Brey, 13 N. Pine, asked IDOT's response to in -road warning lights. Mr. O'Laughlin was not aware of IDOT's position yet. Ms. Doughty questioned whether they would be effective in the daylight. Mr. O'Laughlin said they are LED and would be noticeable during the day. Mr. Brey asked if they could be used with the overhead RRFB's. Mr. O'Laughlin said the controller would need to be replaced but could be made to be compatible. Ms. Doughty asked if there was a State rule on the height of the RRFB's. Director of Public Works Sean Dorsey, sitting in the audience, responded the design and location are stipulated in the federal document called the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD). Commissioner Fisher asked who is paying for the additional improvements. Traffic Engineer Lawrie said the grant that was used in the project has been fully spent and the Village is paying for the short-term work. The Village will have discussions with IDOT about cost participation with the long-term work. Sandy Blethen, 612 Edgewood, believes the RRFB's provide a false sense of security. Jill Maher, 514 S. Wapella, believes the RRFB's are ineffective and Illinois is not prepared for them. Mr. Brey noted there are four uncontrolled crossings along Central Road that are not uniform. He suggested they should all be the same and asked if traffic signals were being considered for of all the crossings. Traffic Engineer Lawrie responded IDOT is expected to soon begin a program to review safety along corridors and the Village would partner with them when Central Road was reviewed. Mr. Dorsey said the Central -Weller crossing is being independently reviewed now. Ms. Doughty suggested a bridge over Central Road for pedestrians and bicyclists. She said education will not improve the situation and all options should be considered. Ms. Maher asked if other options were considered during the original design. Traffic Engineer Lawrie responded Village staff and the consultant discussed many possible solutions including a traffic signal, STOP signs, and a HAWK system. The community identified the crossing as dangerous and the Bike Plan recommended safety improvements. TSC Meeting Page 3 of 5 September 12, 2016 Paula Maloney, 714 S. Louis, said motorists do not stop for yellow flashing lights. She asked if a traffic signal is a possibility. Mr. Dorsey responded that IDOT will be performing a speed limit study along Central Road and a traffic signal warrant study at the intersection. Cathy Mataloni, 217 S. Hilusi, believes the Village needs to continue educating motorists and appreciates the enforcement efforts of the Police Department. John Maher, 514 S. Wapella, asked if the Village is working with State Representative David Harris to pressure IDOT to approve a HAWK system. Mr. Dorsey responded Representative Harris was given a copy of our letter to IDOT requesting consideration. Mr. Maher wondered if the Village would include an education article in the newsletter. Mr. Dorsey said the Village was working on an article for the next newsletter. Mr. Maher said there is a need to educate both pedestrians and motorists. Mr. Brey commented there is a HAWK system in the Wisconsin Dells that he believes works well. Mark Weir, 13 S. Owen, came tonight to suggest a HAWK system for the crossing. He has seen them in Europe and other parts of the country and believes the solid red indication eliminates any confusion. He appreciates the Village continuing to be a bike -friendly community and believes simply taking out the RRFB's would not be safe for pedestrians and bicyclists. He thanked the Commission for pursuing additional improvements. Mr. Weir asked how many tickets have been issued to motorists for violating the signal. Commander Smith was not sure but knows officers are also educating motorists during traffic stops. There was some discussion between Commander Smith and the audience about when a pedestrian is considered to be "in the crosswalk" and when a motorist is required to stop for a pedestrian. Ms. Blethen commented that with anything new like a RRFB there can be confusion, and education outreach is needed for motorists and pedestrians. Ms. Doughty asked if the minutes of tonight's meeting or a summary would be given to the Village Board. Chairman Kuehlthau responded yes. With no more comments or questions from the audience or Commission members, Chairman Kuehlthau closed the discussion and thanked the audience for attending. B. SELECTION OF VICE CHAIRPERSON The Mayor recommended to the Village Board of Trustees at the July 19, 2016 Village Board Meeting that Justin Kuehlthau be appointed Chairman of the Transportation Safety Commission for a term ending May 2020. Trustees unanimously approved the recommendation. Choosing a Vice Chairperson is done so by the Transportation Safety Commission. This person's responsibility is to lead a meeting in the Chairperson's absence. It is a four-year term. After some discussion, Chairman Kuehlthau nominated Commissioner Morgan to serve as Vice Chairwoman. Commissioner Prosperi seconded the nomination. Commissioner Morgan accepted the nomination. The nomination was approved by a vote of 9-0. TSC Meeting Page 4 of 5 September 12, 2016 COMMISSION ISSUES Chairman Kuehlthau noted a potential sight obstruction caused by a tree at the corner of Main Street and Henry Street adjacent to the bank. Traffic Engineer Lawrie said he would inspect the intersection. ADJOURNMENT With no further business to discuss, the Transportation Safety Commission voted 9-0 to adjourn at 8:23 p.m. upon the motion of Commissioner Keane. Commissioner Fisher seconded the motion. Respectfully submitted, Matthew P. Lawrie, P.E. Traffic Engineer h:\engineers ng\traffic\safety_commission\recs&mins\TSC-september16min. docx TSC Meeting Page 5 of 5 September 12, 2016 VILLA TRANSPORTATIOT ATTENDANCE SHEET September 12, 2016 NAME N ADDRESS I 9--cs � , � I SPECT MISSION MEETING k M �, ✓ 2 � S 0, Lksi bf e 13 ISI. p. �G'nue iC�T `-�aei5 PHONE NUMBER