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HomeMy WebLinkAbout09/10/2018 TSC Minutes (draft) 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 DRAFT CALL TO ORDER The meeting of the Mount Prospect Transportation Safety Commission was called to order at 7:00 p.m. on Monday, September 10, 2018. ROLL CALL Present upon roll call: Justin Kuehlthau Chairperson John Keane Commissioner Christopher Prosperi Commissioner Carol Tortorello Commissioner Jeff Schmitz Police Department Representative Aaron Grandgeorge Fire Department Representative Scott Moe Public Works Department Representative Matt Lawrie Traffic Engineer—Staff Liaison Absent: Jill Morgan Vice Chairperson Robert Fisher Commissioner Others in Attendance: see attached sheet APPROVAL OF MINUTES Commissioner Keane, seconded by Commissioner Prosperi, moved to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of the Transportation Safety Commission held on August 13, 2018. The minutes were approved by a vote of 5-0 with Chairperson Kuehlthau and Officer Schmitz abstaining. TSC Meeting Page 1 of 6 September 10,2018 CITIZENS TO BE HEARD Sara Raymond, 19 N. Emerson Street,said this past weekend it was difficult to travel on Henry Street near Busse Park because of parked vehicles. From Owen Street to Louis Street, vehicles are parked on both sides of the street for baseball games allowing for only one travel lane. Others in the audience reported the same experience. Park District baseball games and practices take place at the park during spring, summer, and fall throughout the day on weekends and evenings on weekdays. Ms. Raymond suggested parking be limited to one side of the street. Traffic Engineer Lawrie said he would contact the Park District and request a schedule of practices and games. Staff will then observe the parking situation at different times and days of the week. Traffic Engineer Lawrie will then follow-up with Ms. Raymond on next steps. OLD BUSINESS None. NEW BUSINESS A. Central Road & Emerson Street Intersection Improvements 1) Background A key component of the Mount Prospect Strategic Plan is to evaluate pedestrian and bicycle crossing activity along the entire limits of Central Road in the Village of Mount Prospect and to develop an overall plan for safe and efficient crossings. The Village's ongoing efforts to construct sidewalk, install signed &marked bike routes, install pedestrian signals&crosswalks, and promote walking& biking in the Village have resulted in an increase inactivity throughout the community. A Village-initiated study and IDOT/FHWA study of the Central Road corridor were recently completed and presented to the Transportation Safety Commission last month. One of the crossings highlighted in both studies is at Emerson Street. The marked crosswalk experiences pedestrian activity throughout the day, primarily in the morning and early evening. Primary destinations include the train station, library, Village Hall, and downtown shopping & restaurants. Central Road is five lanes wide at Emerson Street and under the jurisdiction of IDOT. The marked crosswalk has signs at and in advance of the crosswalk without a pedestrian refuge island. The Engineering Division has retained the services of a consultant, Gewalt-Hamilton Associates(GHA), to redesign the crossing in order to enhance safety for pedestrians, bicyclists, and motorists. Coordination with IDOT will be an important aspect of the project. Current Traffic Regulations 1. Parking is prohibited between 2:00am and 6:00am on all Village streets. 2. Parking is prohibited at all times along both sides of Central Road. 3. Parking is limited to two hours along both sides of Emerson Street north and south of Central Road from 7:00am to 6:00pm. 4. The speed limit on Emerson Street north of Central Road is 25 mph and south of Central Road is 20 mph. The speed limit on Central Road is 35 mph. 5. STOP signs exist on Emerson Street at Central Road and at Henry Street. 6. Left turns are prohibited from northbound Emerson Street onto westbound Central Road from 4:00pm-6:30pm. TSC Meeting Page 2 of 6 September 10,2018 Current Layout 1. Emerson Street between Central Road and Henry Street is approximately 31' wide (back-of-curb to back-of-curb). It is a residential neighborhood. 2. Emerson Street south of Central Road is a collector street with row homes on the east side of the street. The Mount Prospect Library and Village Hall are on the west side of the street. 3. Central Road is typically a four-lane arterial street under the jurisdiction of IDOT. There is a left turn lane for westbound traffic at Emerson Street making it a five-lane cross-section at this location (60' wide street). 4. Marked crosswalks exist on the north, south and west legs of the intersection. 5. A traffic signal system with marked crosswalks and pedestrian crossing signals exist one block to the west at Central Road and Main Street (IL Route 83). Volume &Speed Data Traffic data was collected in 2018 on Emerson Street and on Maple Street, one block to the east. The IDOT web site was also used for estimated traffic counts. Central Road Average Daily Traffic—17,700 vehicles Emerson Street south of Central Road Average Daily Traffic—4,700 vehicles Emerson Street north of Central Road Average Daily Traffic—629 vehicles Peak morning hour(8:00am—9:00am)—42 vehicles Peak evening hour(5:00pm—6:00pm)—83 vehicles Average speed—26 mph 85th percentile speed—31 mph Maple Street north of Central Road Average Daily Traffic—586 vehicles Peak morning hour(9:00am—10:00am)—33 vehicles Peak evening hour(5:00pm—6:00pm)—59 vehicles Average speed—26 mph 85th percentile speed—30 mph Pedestrian Data Pedestrian counts were done at the intersection for a 12-hour period in 2017. Central Road & Emerson Street North leg—19 pedestrians South leg—18 pedestrians East leg—12 pedestrians West leg—72 pedestrians Crash History The Police Department provided crash reports for accidents between 2013 and 2017 at the intersection of Central Road & Emerson Street. In summary, Year #of Crashes #Correctable with Plan* 2013 5 2 2014 8 6 TSC Meeting Page 3 of 6 September 10,2018 Year #of Crashes #Correctable with Plan* 2015 8 4 2016 5 2 2017 6 5 Average 6.4 3.8 *the plan designed by GHA may have prevented some crashes from occurring Design Features The preliminary plan designed by GHA addresses the primary goal of enhancing safety for pedestrians and bicyclists crossing Central Road. It will also reduce the amount of cut thru traffic in the neighborhood and potential for vehicle crashes at the intersection. The approximate construction cost is$90,000.00. Some of the design features of the plan include: 1. Overhead pedestrian crossing signs 2. Pedestrian refuge island with pedestrian crossing signs 3. Right-in/ right-out island on north leg 4. Advanced signs and pavement markings 5. Stop line in advance of marked crosswalk 6. Pedestrian lighting at the crosswalk 2) Resident Survey As part of the study, surveys were sent to 22 residential properties along Emerson Street between Central Road and Henry Street to solicit their input on this issue. As of the date of Staff's report,two surveys (9%)were returned to the Village. One survey suggested northbound left turns be prohibited and a traffic signal be installed at the intersection. The other survey supported the crosswalk improvements but opposed the right-in/right-out median. 3) Recommendations GHA will soon complete the engineering drawings and specifications for the project. They will then be submitted to IDOT for review. Revisions will be made as necessary until the plans meet IDOT's requirements and are approved. Village staff will request approval of the plans from the Village Board as well as funding in the 2019 Budget to construct the project next summer. Should funds be available, we will solicit bids from qualified contractors once we have approval from IDOT. Any construction contract awarded by the Village Board will meet the requirements of IDOT and the Village. 1. Approve the crosswalk improvement plan as designed by GHA. 2. Remove the evening left-turn restriction of 4:00pm—6:30pm for northbound Emerson Street onto westbound Central Road. 3. Prohibit thru movement at all times for northbound Emerson Street at Central Road. 4. Prohibit left turns at all times from eastbound Central Road onto northbound Emerson Street. 5. Prohibit left turns at all times from southbound Emerson Street onto eastbound Central Road. 4) Discussion Traffic Engineer Lawrie provided background information on the issue. He then introduced Mike Vasak with Gewalt-Hamilton Associates. Mr.Vasak provided an analysis of their study and highlighted the design elements of the proposed project. Traffic Engineer Lawrie summarized the study and detailed the recommendations to the Commission. TSC Meeting Page 4 of 6 September 10,2018 Commissioner Prosperi asked if the intersection experiences more or less accidents compared to similar intersections in the Village. Officer Schmitz responded that because of its close proximity to Central Road& Route 83 traffic often backs up to Emerson Street along Central Road. This,along with the high amount of traffic on Emerson Street near the library,can result in accidents. It was not known how the number of accidents compares to other intersections. Officer Schmitz and Commissioner Prosperi raised the idea of eliminating northbound left turns from Emerson Street onto westbound Central Road. The concern is allowing unrestricted left turns may result in an increase in vehicle accidents. It may also result in vehicles hitting the pedestrian refuge island. Residents in the audience agreed that northbound left turns should be eliminated. Chairperson Kuehlthau suggested the south leg of the intersection have a right-in/right-out median. This prompted discussion on eliminating the right-in/right-out median on the north leg of the intersection as proposed. However, it was pointed out that construction of a pedestrian refuge island would force eastbound left turning vehicles to turn from the thru lane. Removing the right-in/right- out median on the north leg may also not have an impact on reducing cut thru traffic. One resident suggesting adding a sign to stop motorists from blocking the intersection. Traffic Engineer Lawrie said the design would include stop lines and signs before the crosswalkto showwhere to stop when a pedestrian crosses the street. It may also help to reduce vehicles from blocking the intersection. A question was raised whether emergency vehicles would be able to turn onto Emerson Street with the right-in/right-out median. Mr. Vasak responded the median would have a low profile and be mountable should a fire truck need to access the street. He mentioned the median was designed so that a school bus would not have to go over the curb. The refuge island would have a non-mountable curb to protect pedestrians. Discussion followed on safety concerns associated with left turning vehicles at the intersection. A suggestion was raised to eliminate westbound left turns from Central Road onto Emerson Street. However, Commission members were concerned this would shift traffic and negatively impact the library. There was general support to restrict or eliminate northbound left turns from Emerson Street onto Central Road. Traffic Engineer Lawrie requested that Staff have the opportunity to study the impact on the street network should that be the decision of the Commission. Commissioner Prosperi made a recommendation to approve the following: 1. Approve the crosswalk improvement plan as designed by GHA. 2. Prohibit thru movement at all times for northbound Emerson Street at Central Road. 3. Prohibit left turns at all times from eastbound Central Road onto northbound Emerson Street. 4. Prohibit left turns at all times from southbound Emerson Street onto eastbound Central Road. 5. Direct Staff to study the impact of eliminating northbound left turns from Emerson Street onto westbound Central Road and report back to the Commission. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Keane. The motion was approved by a vote of 7-0. COMMISSION ISSUES No issues were raised by Commission members. TSC Meeting Page 5 of 6 September 10,2018 ADJOURNMENT With no further business to discuss, the Transportation Safety Commission voted 7-0 to adjourn at 8:20 p.m. upon the motion of Commissioner Keane. Commissioner Prosperi seconded the motion. Respectfully submitted, Matthew P. Lawrie, P.E. Traffic Engineer h:\engineers ng\traffic\safety_commission\recs&mins\TSC-septem ber18min.docx TSC Meeting Page 6 of 6 September 10,2018 VILLAGEOPMOUNTPROSPECT TRANSPORTATION SAFETY COMMISSION MEETING ATTENDANCE SHEET September 10,2018 NAME ADDRESS PHONE NUMBER bx r l4a ® I IOD . 1 \o- -leckw0y"i A4SQr ( �� nko,f—'s 0 V-,