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HomeMy WebLinkAbout08/13/2018 TSC Minutes 1V taunt PrcnPecx 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 CALL TO ORDER The meeting of the Mount Prospect Transportation Safety Commission was called to order at 7:00 p.m. on Monday, August 13, 2018. ROLL CALL Present upon roll call: Jill Morgan Vice Chairperson John Keane Commissioner Christopher Prosperi Commissioner Carol Tortorello Commissioner Randy Uidl Fire Department Representative Scott Moe Public Works Department Representative Matt Lawrie Traffic Engineer—Staff Liaison Absent: Justin Kuehlthau Chairperson Robert Fisher Commissioner Jeff Schmitz Police Department Representative Others in Attendance: see attached sheet 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 October 9, 2017. The minutes were approved by a vote of 5-0 with Commissioner Prosperi abstaining. Commissioner Keane, seconded by Battalion Chief Uidl, moved to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of the Transportation Safety Commission held on April 9, 2018. The minutes were approved by a vote of 6-0. TSC Meeting Page 1 of 4 August 13,2018 CITIZENS TO BE HEARD Anita Schmitz, 214 Dale Avenue, requested that sidewalk be installed on Dale Avenue between Northwest Highway and Gregory Street. There are children that live on the street and she is concerned someone walking in the street may be hit by a vehicle. She has started a petition asking those on her block to support a sidewalk. Tim Gavin, 212 Dale Avenue, supports a sidewalk and cited safety as a concern. Traffic Engineer Lawrie said that he met with Ms. Schmitz and Mr. Gavin a few weeks ago to discuss sidewalk on their street. There is sidewalk on Northwest Highway and a new sidewalk was installed last year on Gregory Street to connect Meadows Park and Fairview Elementary School. The Village has a limited amount of funds each year for new sidewalk and areas are prioritized by staff and the Village Board. Sidewalk projects that have the support of residents are seen favorable for funding. The Commission asked questions regarding the current traffic data and road conditions. Traffic Engineer Lawrie responded traffic counts gathered in July showed approximately 800 vehicles per day. The road is approximately 26'wide, allows parking on both sides, and has an open drainage system in the parkway. The Commission recommended that Ms. Schmitz and Mr. Gavin continue to dialogue will their neighbors and submit a petition for sidewalk to staff. Once received, Traffic Engineer Lawrie said he would discuss with staff next steps and that may include bringing the issue to the Commission as a formal item. Additional traffic counts on Dale Avenue will also be gathered this fall once school is back in session. OLD BUSINESS None. NEW BUSINESS A. Central Road Pedestrian Crossing Study Traffic Engineer Lawrie made a presentation to the Commission that was previously made to the Village Board last month. Two studies, one prepared by a Village-retained consultant and one prepared by IDOT and FHWA, evaluated the current uncontrolled crossings along the Central Road corridor and provided recommendations for improvements. A primary goal through the studies was to provide greater consistency with the crossings. In addition to presenting on the uncontrolled crossings along Central Road, Traffic Engineer Lawrie also discussed planned improvements to pedestrian crossings at traffic-signalized intersections and a planned crosswalk at Main Street and Busse Avenue. Superintendent Moe asked if there would be a need to widen Central Road in order to install refuge islands. He also asked if the crossings would meet ADA requirements. Traffic Engineer Lawrie responded that in cases where the roadway is only four lanes wide, it would be widened to construct a refuge island. And,yes, the design would have to meet ADA requirements. Vice Chairperson Morgan inquired about the potential improvements at Central Road and Emerson Street. Traffic Engineer Lawrie responded the Village has hired a consultant to provide design services and the issue would come to the Commission at a future meeting. TSC Meeting Page 2 of 4 August 13,2018 Commissioner Keane raised an issue with left turn movements with the potential construction of a refuge island at Main Street and Busse Avenue. Traffic Engineer Lawrie responded the issue is being reviewed by a consultant from a design perspective and the Village's Community Development Department is discussing its potential impact with nearby businesses. Ken Brey, 13 N. Pine Street, had questions regarding the design at the Pine Street, Emerson Street, and Wego Trail crossings. Traffic Engineer Lawrie said the drawings from the presentation were conceptual and the details would be considered during design by a consultant. In response to his specific questions, Traffic Engineer Lawrie said the Village could consider moving the crossing to the east side of Pine Street, could consider allowing bikes to travel north at Emerson Street even with a right-in/right-out configuration, and could consider high visibility pavement markings at Wego Trail because of the slight hill. The Village could also consider removing advanced crossing signs along Central Road to reduce sign clutter with the approval of IDOT. Jill Maher, 514 S.Wapella Avenue, asked why the yellow flashing beacon system (RRFB)would remain at the Weller Lane crossing while the other crossings would only have signs and not include the yellow flashing beacon system. Traffic Engineer Lawrie mentioned that the Weller Lane crossing has more use than the other crossings with it next to Melas Park. He also mentioned that the IDOT and FHWA study did not suggest that it be removed. The crossing at Emerson Street cannot have the yellow flashing beacon system per IDOT because of its close proximity to the traffic signals at Route 83. There was general discussion from the audience that the yellow flashing beacons at the Weller Lane crossing are confusing and should be red rather than yellow. There was not a desire from the audience to consider them at other crossings but rather the one at Weller Lane should be removed. Ms. Maher asked what other communities are doing at crossings similar to those along Central Road. Traffic Engineer Lawrie responded that the Village researches projects in other nearby communities as well as around the country. The presentation showed an example from a crossing in Crystal Lake. Traffic Engineer Lawrie also mentioned the IDOT and FHWA study included team members that are familiar with best practices around the state and country. There was general discussion from the audience about installing a HAWK system. Traffic Engineer Lawrie responded that while other communities in Illinois and around the country have installed such a system, it is still not permitted on IDOT routes. It was asked if the Village would consider taking over jurisdiction of Central Road from IDOT. Superintendent Moe and Traffic Engineer Lawrie said there are considerable costs and responsibilities associated with maintaining such a roadway and the Village does not have intention to take over jurisdiction. Vice Chairperson Morgan thanked the audience for their participation in the meeting. Traffic Engineer Lawrie reiterated that a consultant is currently working on a design for the Emerson Street crossing and that nearby residents would be invited to a future Commission meeting for further discussion. COMMISSION ISSUES Euclid Elementary School experiences traffic congestion during afternoon pick-up. Cars waiting to get into the parking lot are stopped on Euclid Avenue. Commissioner Keane noted that the parking lot was under construction during the summer. It was suggested the Police Department monitor the situation. TSC Meeting Page 3 of 4 August 13,2018 ADJOURNMENT With no further business to discuss, the Transportation Safety Commission voted 6-0 to adjourn at 8:26 p.m. upon the motion of Commissioner Prosperi. Commissioner Keane seconded the motion. Respectfully submitted, Matthew P. Lawrie, P.E. Traffic Engineer h:\engineers ng\traffic\safety_commission\recs&mins\TSC-a ugust18min.docx TSC Meeting Page 4 of 4 August 13,2018 VILLAGE OF'AI OUNTPROSPFCT TRANSPORTATION SAFETY COMMISSION MEETING ATTENDANCE SHEET August 13,2018 NAME ADDRESS PHONE NUMBER e r� a e �� ® -7,D