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HomeMy WebLinkAbout03/13/2017 TSC Minutes Mount Prospect Director Deputy Director Sean P. Dorsey Jason H. Leib Mount Prospect Public Works Department 1700 W. Central Road, Mount Prospect, Illinois 60056-2229 MINUTES OF THE MOUNT PROSPECT TRANSPORTATION SAFETY COMMISSION DRAFT CALL TO ORDER The regular meeting of the Mount Prospect Transportation Safety Commission was called to order at 7:00 p.m.on Monday, March 13, 2017. ROLL CALL Present upon roll call: Justin Kuehlthau Chairperson Jill Morgan Vice Chairperson Robert Fisher Commissioner John Keane Commissioner Christopher Prosperi Commissioner Carol Tortorello Commissioner Bob Smith Police Department Representative Aaron Grandgeorge Fire Department Representative Scott Moe Public Works Department Representative Matt Lawrie Traffic Engineer—Staff Liaison Absent: None Others in Attendance: Robert Kron 17 Audrey Lane APPROVAL OF MINUTES Commissioner Keane, seconded by Commissioner Tortorello, moved to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of the Transportation Safety Commission held on January 9, 2017. The minutes were approved by a vote of 7-0 with Commissioners Kuehlthau and Fisher abstaining. CITIZENS TO BE HEARD Robert Kron, 17 Audrey Lane, requested pedestrian crossing signals at the intersection of Central Road and Arthur Avenue. Mr. Kron has lived in the area for many years and said it is difficult to cross Central Road. Traffic Engineer Lawrie responded that he and Mr. Kron have been in contact over the past few TSC Meeting Page 1 of 4 March 13,2017 years about this issue. The Village of Mount Prospect has been working with the Village of Arlington Heights and Illinois Department of Transportation, and construction is expected this fall. IDOT will be resurfacing Central Road, adding sidewalk, and replacing noncompliant sidewalk. The Village will complete the electrical work including the addition of pedestrian crossing signals. Traffic Engineer Lawrie will inform Mr. Kron of the schedule once the resurfacing project is confirmed by IDOT. Mr. Kron also inquired as to when Audrey Lane will be resurfaced with new asphalt. He said the pavement is about 10 years old and in need of repair. Traffic Engineer Lawrie said he would find out the schedule. Superintendent Moe after the meeting reviewed the street resurfacing list and informed Mr. Kron that his block is scheduled for resurfacing in 2017. OLD BUSINESS None NEW BUSINESS A. UPDATE ON CENTRAL-WELLER CROSSWALK PROJECT 1) Background The purpose of the discussion is to update the Transportation Safety Commission on recent changes made to the crosswalk at Central Road & Weller Lane as well as next steps to be taken by IDOT and the Village. Changes that have been made since our last discussion in September 2016 include: 1. Installing a Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacon (RRFB) and Pedestrian/Bicycle crossing signs in the center median. 2. Installing pavement markings in advance of the crossing in each lane that read PED XING. 3. Installing informational signs at the crossing to assist pedestrians and bicyclists crossing the street. 4. Receiving [DOT approval and purchasing speed feedback signs that electronically display vehicle speeds on Central Road. They should be installed within the next couple of weeks. 5. Receiving IDOT approval to modify the layout to include an overhead RRFB in each direction. IDOT and the Village have also studied the following additional alternatives: 1. IDOT determined that a traffic signal system is not warranted per MUTCD guidelines for the intersection of Central Road &Weller Lane. 2. The Village determined, through a consultant's analysis, that traffic signal systems are not warranted for the intersections of Central Road & Cathy Lane and Central Road & We-go Trail. 3. IDOT determined that the 35 mph speed limit is appropriate and should not be lowered. 4. IDOT determined that a HAWK system is not warranted per MUTCD guidelines for the crosswalk. 5. IDOT and the Village determined that a pedestrian overpass would be cost prohibitive at this time. A pedestrian overpass would be a multi-million dollar project that would involve right- of-way acquisition, significant construction costs, and long-term maintenance. Given the TSC Meeting Page 2 of 4 March 13,2017 location, it would also be a challenge to get pedestrians to use an overpass as opposed to still walking across the street. IDOT and the Village have agreed to accomplish the following tasks in 2017: 1. IDOT engineers from their Central Office in Springfield will perform a Safety Evaluation of the crossing in April. 2. IDOT will gather additional pedestrian counts in May/June and further evaluate the HAWK system. 3. IDOT will gather additional vehicle speed data in September and further evaluate the speed limit along Central Road from Rand Road to Arthur Avenue. 4. Based on the results from items 1 — 3, the Village will decide whether to construct the overhead RRFB system. 2) Discussion Chairperson Kuehlthau asked Traffic Engineer Lawrie to present the Engineering Division's report. Traffic Engineer Lawrie provided the Commission an update on the steps taken since their last discussion in September 2016 and the steps to be accomplished in 2017. Chairperson Kuehlthau noted that in the past IDOT has not allowed a HAWK hybrid traffic signal system because it conflicts with the Illinois Vehicle Code. Motorists are required to stop at a dark signal. Traffic Engineer Lawrie responded that IDOT is reviewing their position as the HAWK system is being used throughout the country. There was no further discussion on this issue. COMMISSION ISSUES Commander Smith informed the Commission that the Cook County Highway Department is reviewing the pedestrian signal timing at Euclid Avenue and Burning Bush Lane based on a resident complaint. The intersection is near Indian Grove Elementary School and experiences many students crossing Euclid Avenue on a daily basis. Traffic Engineer Lawrie informed the Commission that the Village will be studying the traffic along Louis Street between Central Road and Rand Road this summer. The Village has received complaints about speeding and cut through traffic. The study will be conducted by the Engineering Division and Police Department, and is expected to be presented to the Commission later this year. Chairperson Kuehlthau expressed a concern that motorists often don't yield to bicyclists on Emerson Street near Northwest Highway. He also inquired if/when Prospect Avenue would be identified as a bike route. Traffic Engineer Lawrie responded that Prospect Avenue between Elmhurst Avenue and Emerson Street had bike route signs installed in 2016. The blocks between Emerson Street and Mount Prospect Road is expected to be marked in the next couple of years once an intersection improvement project that includes pedestrian crossing signals and crosswalks is completed at Mount Prospect Road/Northwest Highway/Prospect Avenue. Commissioner Fisher asked if a drone Police car could be placed near Lions Park Elementary School to manage traffic issues during the school day. Commander Smith said the Police Department no longer has a drone car but he would be willing to work with Commissioner Fisher to address his concerns. TSC Meeting Page 3 of 4 March 13,2017 ADJOURNMENT With no further business to discuss, the Transportation Safety Commission voted 9-0 to adjourn at 8:06 p.m. upon the motion of Commissioner Keane. Commissioner Prosperi seconded the motion. Respectfully submitted, G Matthew . Lawrie, P.E. Traffic Engineer h:\engineering\traffic\safety_commission\recs&mins\TSC-march17m in.docx TSC Meeting Page 4 of 4 March 13,2017