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HomeMy WebLinkAbout06/09/2003 SC minutes Glen R A,~dler Deputy [Director Sear, FI Oorsey Village tEnglnear Jeffrey A Wulbecker Solid Waste Coordinator M Lisa Angell FIL£ COPY ~odedck T O'Don0va~ Mount Prospect Public Works Department Phone E]47/E]70-S640 Streets/8uiIdings Superintendent Paul C B~res Fecestr¥/Grou~ds Superintendent Sandra M Cqa~k Vehicle/Equipment Superintendent James E. Guenther Pax 847/223-9377 TOO 847/3~2-1235 T w MINUTES OF THE MOUNT PROSPECT SAFETY COMMISSION DRAFT C'AI.L TO ORDER The P~egular Meeting ct' the Mount Prospect Safety Commission was called to order at 7:05 p.m. on Monday, June 9, 2003. Present upon roll call: Chuck Bencic John Keane Joan Bjork Carol Tortorello Jim Edwards Buz Livingston Jeff Wulbecker Matt Lawrie Chairman Vice Chain-nan Commissioner Commissioner Police Department Fire Department Public Works Public Works/Engineering Diviston Others in Attendance: None .,\I)PP, OVAI. OF MINUTES Commissioner Keane, seconded by Commissioner Tortorello, moved to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of the Safety Commission held on March 10, 2003. The minutes were approved by a vote of 7-0. C VI'IZENS TO BE HEARD No citizens came forth to discuss an3.' topics that were not on tine current agenda. Recycled Paper - P:inted with Soy [~k, ,~ BUSINESS old i~ems were discussed by the Commission. N I.~\V BUSINESS TRAFFIC AROUND ROBERT FROST ELENIENTARY SCHOOL Background Information Sandy Kowalski, 1013 Eva Lane and Heidi Heimann, 1414 Circle Drive. are members of the sclnool's Parent Teacher Organization (PTO). They, along with the school's principal, met with representatives of the Engineering Staff and Police Department on March I4, 2003 to discuss xartous traffic-related issues around Robert Frost Elementary School. Staff agreed to monitor the tratTic de, ring drop-off and pick-up times and provide recommendations. Those in attendance at tine meeting as well as residents who live near the intersection of Cypress Drive and Eva Lane were informed that this issue would be discussed at 7:00 p.m., on Monday, June 9, 2003. at the Public Works Building. Robert Frost Elementary School is located between Golf Road and Dempster Street and between Busse Road and Linneman Road. The school provides learning for levels kindergarten througI~ grade 5 and has an enrollnnent of approximately 400 students. The streets near the school including Cypress Drive, Eva Lane, Frost Drive and Circle Drive are 28' wide (back-of-curb to back-of-curb). A bus lane exists along the west side of Cypress Drive between Eva Lane and Frost Drive. At this location, the street is 37' wide (back-of-curb to back- of-curb). There are two primary entrance/exit points at the school. Those students who ride the btts primarily use the main doors on Cypress Drive. Most of the students who walk to and fi-om school use tine doors on Frost Drive. [n 1997, the Village passed various parking restrictions and one-way street designations during o~hool hours. Frost Drive has no parking on the south side of the street during school hours and Frost Drive is one-way westbound and Circle Drive is one-way southbound from 8:30-9:30am and 3:00-4:00pm school days. There are three street crossing points in front of the school. They are across Cypress Drive at Eva Lane, across Frost Drive at Cypress Drive and across Frost Drive at Circle Drive. Each of these locations have painted crosswalks and appropriate signage. However, there are no crossing guards at the school. The school parking lot contains 55 standard spaces and 3 handicap spaces. There are two driveways to the lot. The north driveway is inbound only and the south driveway is outbound only. ) 'lhc~-c are a total o.t'three buses that load and unload in the bus lane on Cypress Drive. In the mornm~4, ail dwee buses m-rive and depart between 8:$0am and 9:00am. In the afternoon, school is dismissed at3:30pm. Ail three buses depart by3:40pm. In early 2003, the Police Department requested that the intersection o£ Cypress Drive and Eva Lane be studied to determine if any traffic control devices (stop or yield signs) should be installed. CmTently only the exit driveway at the school is stop controlled (west leg of intersection). Staff included this request as part of our overall study. Staff Study Traffic Volume - Traffic counters were set out at 2 locations from May 5t~' - 8'h to gather volume data in order to analyze traffic entering the intersection of Cypress Drive and Eva Lane. Street Direction Dailv Volume Cypress Drive Northbound 280 Cypress Drixe Southbound 210 Eva Lane Westbound 190 Vehicle speed - Traffic counters were set out at 2 locations fi'om May 5~h - 8s~ to gather speed dt',ta in order to analyze traffic entering the intersection of Cypress Drive and Eva Lane. The speed ltta~it on both streets is 30mph. Street Direction Cypress Drive Northbound Cypress Drive Southbound Eva Lane Westbound Averaq_e speed (mph) 85:n % Speed (mph) 19 27 22 28 23 28 Accident history - Staff contacted the Police Department and requested copies of all accident reports over the past five years for the intersection of Cypress Drive and Eva Lane. Below ~s a s'~mnmary of the number of accidents. 1998 1999 2000 ~lav) e ct'accidents 0 0 0 2001 2002 2003 (Max2 1 0 0 Sight obstructions- A tail bush exists at the northeast comer of the intersection that could hinder the view of pedestrians or vehicles southbound on Cypress Drive by motorists on Eva Lane. This bush is on private property at 1014 Eva Lane. Survey - I0 surveys were sent to each of the homes within 200' of the intersection. Of the 10 surveys distributed, 2 were completed and sent back to the Village. Both surveys supported Stop signs as a way to improve safety around the school. ~ In addition to gathering information such as taking measurements, obtaining vo]ume and speed data. and reviewing accident data, Staff also spent time observing the traffic. Highlighted below arc sonde of OLlr observations. The~-e were no crossing guards or teacher/parent supervision during drop-eli' and pick-up times at the crosswalks surrounding the school. Approximately 5-I0 students were observed crossing the street at each of the three crosswalks adjacent to the school. Students made the decision to cross the street when it was safe to do so. Adults ~vere present at the buses during loading and unloading. Also, the flashing red lights w'ere turned on during this time. Only one time was it observed a vehicle disobeying the red lights and continuing on Cypress Drive pass the buses. At other times, vehicles either waited or chose another route using either Frost Drive or Eva Lane. In the morning, multiple locations were used for drop-off. Some parents chose to use the kiss ~n drop in the parking lot. Others chose the north side of Frost Drive. Most chose to the bus lane when a bus was not present or park directly on the crosswalk on the west side of Cypress Drive. Some parents dropped their child off on the east side of Cypress Drive and allowed them to cross the street away from the crosswalk. In tb, e afternoon, the north side of Frost Drive was a capacity (9 vehicles) with parents x~aitmg to pick up their child. Consistently, a few vehicles were observed to be parking illegally such as on the south side of the street and within the intersection o£Frost Drive and Circle Drive. Only a few other vehicles were observed to be waiting near the school at the pick-up time. Locations included the east side of Cypress Drive, Eva Lane and ~vithin the parking lot. Many parents and teachers were observed using the north driveway (entrance only) on Cypr'ess Drive as an exit in the afternoon. Most vehicles would turn left and head north on Cypress Drive. · There are cun-ently no crosswalks across the school driveways. l>~ecornlT~endations Slop'Yield Signs - Based on the volume data, speed data and accident history at the intersection of Cypress Drive and Eva Lane, 4-way stop signs are not warranted. However, since the school driveway (west leg of intersection) is stop controlled, a stop sign on Eva Lane would help to clarit'y the right-of-way (north-south direction). Crosswalks - Installing crosswalks across both school driveways may assist in cautioning motorists of pedestrians crossing the street. The crosswalks across the driveways would be school's responsibility. Crossing Guards - Having an adult (parent or teacher) to assist students crossing the street at the crosswalks adjacent to the school would improve pedestrian safety. This w'ould be the school's responsibility. olice Presence - The Police Department should periodically monitor thc school to enforce the parI<ing restrictions on Frost Drive. This will help to improve traffic flow along the street and pedestrian safety. Also, the Police would be able to watch for motorists who proceed along Cypress Drive past the buses w}:en the flasl~,ing red lights are activated during loading and unloading. School Driveway - Many motorists are using the north driveway as both an entrance and exit even though it is striped and signed as an entrance only. Staff has no objection to making this a full access driveway, however, should the school wish to have the driveway remain an enn-ance only then the school should consider options to make motorists oblige. Eliminate Sight Obstruction - Trimming of the bush at 10t4 Eva Lane to a maximum height of 3' or removal of the bush would improve the sight distance for motorists on Eva Lane at Cypress Drive. It would be StafCs recommendation to send a letter to the homeowner requesting that this be done. Bus Lane - Based on our observations, it appears that the school parking lot and surrounding neighborhood streets can adequately and safely handle the needs for short term parking, long term parking and parent drop-off and pick-up space. The one area that appears to cause the greatest concern is tine cum'eat location of the bus lane. First, ~t can be difficult for pedestrians on tlqe west side of Cypress Drive at Eva Lane to cross the street since the buses block the view of northbound vehicles. Second, the buses hinder the flow of traffic along Cypress Drive during the pct-iod when the red lights are flashing. Third, the buses take up prime drop-off and pick-up space in fi'oat of the school. Repeatedly, students were observed being picked-up or dropped-off otq the east side of Cypress Drive and crossing the street at a non-crosswalk location. It is Staff's recommendation that the school consider creating a bus lane or turn-around area on their property to address these issues. Modifications to the current lot, however, may eliminate some parking spaces and the kiss 'n drop area. Staff'does not recommend moving the bus lane to another street such as Frost Drive. Similar issues such as impeded traffic flow and occupying drop-off/pick-up space would still be of concern if the bus lane were simply moved to another street. Also, it would be recommended that the school encourage parents to drop-off and pick-up their clnild on the side of the street adjacent to the school or instruct the students to use tlne crosswalks. In summary, the Village Traffic Engineer recommends: · Install a stop sign on Eva Lane (westbound) at Cypress Drive. · Install crosswalks at the school's driveways. · Provide crossing gnards at key crosswalks adjacent to the school. · Periodic Police presence to enforce existing laws. · Clarify correct direction of traffic at school drive~vays. · Eliminate sight obstruction at Eva Lane and Cypress Drive. · Relocate the bus drop-oflTpick-up area onto school property. ) Discussion Tral'?[c Engineer Lawrie provided an overview of the report to the Commission. tie also mentioned that he met ~xith the school principal and two PTO members on Thursday, June 5TM to discuss Staff's observatiop, s and recommendations. The school was receptive to the recommendations and will 6onsider them in the Fall. Chub'man Bencic opened up the discussion ~:o the commission members. Commissioner Tortorello brought up the issue of possible bus turn-around locations on school property rather than using the bus lane on Cypress Drive. Traffic Engineer Lawrie said that Staff's first recommendation to the school to consider is modifying the parking lot to create a bus lane. Constructing a new bus turn-around location would be another option but has some drawbacks such as cost. Commissioner Tortorello pointed out that a bus turn-around location in fi'om of the school would affect their detention basin. There was some additional discussion regarding a possible bus lane m the parking lot. A couple of' commission members questioned wi:ether the buses would be able to maneuver in the lot and x~hether there was enough space to line-up and sai:ely load and unload tile students. Trafl:ic Engineer l.awrie mentioned that these questions would have to be addressed by' the school as part of ~h¢ir evaluation of this recommendation. Chub'man Bencic supported the idea of moving the school buses onto school property. He noticed, that while watching traffic earlier that morning, garbage trucks and delivery trucks are thc parking lot during the drop-off time. If the school decided to create a bus lane in the some coordination on the school's part would have to be made so that these trucks arrive at a di ~Terent time. Chairman Bencic asked if many parents were dropping-off their children on Cypress Drive at Frost Drive and, if so, should a crosswalk be installed across Cypress Drive at this location. Traffic Engineer Lawrie responded that ,typically parents were dropping-off their children midway between Frost Drive and Eva Lane directly in front of the school. He didn't believe a crosswalk at this location would be used and would rather see the parents use the school side of the street to drop-off their children. Chairman Bencic raised a concern with installing a stop sign on Eva Lane if it is not warranted. Trafl'ic Engineer Lawric said that he believes it is wan-anted at this location. Even though Eva Lane eiqds at Cypress Drive, the school driveway creates the fourth leg of the intersection. The schoo! driveway already has a stop sign and adding a sign on Eva Lane would help to clarify that Cyp~'ess Drive has the right-of-way. Commissioner Keane asked if folded stop signs could be used at this intersection and create a 4- way stop during drop-off and pick-up times. Other commission members thought this might cause some confusion and may create some liability for the Village. Chairman Bencic raised a potential concern with southbound motorists on Cypress Drive using the bus lane to drop-off their children and then doing a U-turn to head back northbound. Traffic Engineer Lawrie said that Staff would have to monitor the area and address the issue if it becomes a problem. as no one in the audience to speak on this issue. Commissioner Keane, seconded by Village Engineer Wulbecker, moved to approve the recommendations of the Village Traffic Engineer. Village Engineer '~Vulbecker asked that thc recommendations clearly indicate what is the Village's responsibility and what is the school's responsibility. The motion was approved by a vote of 7-0. CG*IMfSSION ISSUES Commissioner Keane asked that Staff inspect the northwest and northeast corners of Westgate Road and Central Road to detem~ine if the landscaping and fence are in compliance with the sight obstruction ordinance. Chairman Bencic has noticed that between 8:45am and 10:00am Busse Road at Golf Road only gets about 12 seconds of gn'een time pet' cycle. Village Enaineer \Vulbecker said that IDOT tn~amtains this intersection and has given priority to Golf Road since it is part of Operation Green I_.ighu Staff' has, over time, received some complaints but IDOT has no~ changed the timing. Staff will again ask IDOT to review this situation. :x~I).l()L! R. NMENT \Vith no further business to discuss, the Safety Commission voted 7-0 to adjourn at 7:40 p.m. upon the motion of Commissioner Tortorello. Village Engineer Wulbecker seconded the motion. Respecfftflly submitted, Matthew P. Lawrie, P.E. Traffic Engineer