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HomeMy WebLinkAbout12/14/1998 SC MinutesDirector Water/Sewer Superintendent Gien R. AnCler µAINTAIN RoderickT 0Done,,an Deputy Director Streets/Buildings Superintendent Sean P Dorsey Paul C. Bu -es Village Engineer Forestry/Grounds Superintendent Jeffrey A. Wulbecker O •.,b, r -o•. Sandra M Clark O Administrative Aide %J, Q Vehicle/Equipment Superintendent Dawn L. Wucki <^� �y4 James E. Guenther Solid Waste Coordinator Q� M. Lisa Anoell Mount Prospect Public Works Department 1700 W. Central Road, Mount Prospect, Illinois 60056-2229 Rhone 1347/1370-5640 Fax B47/253-9377 TDD B47/392-1235 MINUTES OF THE MOUNT PROSPECT SAFETY COMMISSION DRAFT CALL TO ORDER The Regular Meeting of the Mount Prospect Safety Commission was calved to order at 7:30 P.M. on Monday, December 14, 1998. ROLL CALL Upon roll call, each Safety Commission Member introduced themselves to the audience. Present upon roll call: Lee Beening Chuck Bencic Joan Bjork Nancy Bobikewicz Andy Mitchell Phyllis Moliere Ted Adamczyk Paul Bures Matt Lawrie Absent: Buz Livingston Others in Attendance: APPROVAL OF MINUTES Chairman Commissioner Commissioner Commissioner Commissioner Commissioner Police Department Public Works Public Works/Engineering Division Fire Department See Attached List Commissioner Mitchell, seconded by Commissioner Bencic, moved to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of the Safety Commission held on November 9, 1998. The minutes were approved by a vote of 8-0. CITIZENS TO BE HEARD No citizens came forth at this time to discuss any topics that were not on the current agenda. OLD BUSINESS No old business was discussed. NEW BUSINESS A) STOP/YIELD SIGNS REQUEST AT THE INTERSECTION OF GEORGE STREET AND BUSSE AVENUE 1) Background Information Ms. Patty Wolfe, 117 S. George Street, is concerned for the safety of the residents and would like to see traffic forced to slow down in the intersection. Many children live in the area and the corner is a . bus stop for the schools in the area. Four accidents have occurred at the intersections of George & Busse and George & Evergreen over the past two years. Most of the residents are cautious in the area but the cut -through traffic and visitors do not slow down at the intersection. The Engineering Staff performed a traffic study. The findings are as follows: a) Accidents A search of the accident reports indicated: Year 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 (Dec) Number of Accidents 0 1 0 0 1 2 b) Speed Study Representative speed surveys were performed on George Street north of Busse Avenue and on Busse Avenue east of George Street. The average speeds are as follows: Northbound George 26 mph Southbound George 21 mph Eastbound Busse 26 mph Westbound Busse 22 mph The speed limits on George Street and Busse Avenue are 25 mph. Based on the results, there doesn't appear to be a speeding concern. C) Traffic Volume Traffic volume data was gathered in November. The minimum traffic volume according to the Multi -Way Stop Sign Warrant is 500 vehicles/hour for an eight hour period (500 x 8 = 4000 vehicles/8 hrs). The traffic volume at this intersection (403 vehicles/8 hrs) is approximately 10% of the Stop sign warrant. Based on the results, there are approximately 660 vehicles per day that enter the 2 intersection. 370 vehicles travel on George Street and 290 vehicles on Busse Avenue. d) Survey Results A total of 20 surveys were sent out in November 1998 to collect and analyze the resident's opinion on Stop signs. 14 surveys were returned to the Village. 14 residents favored and 0 residents were against Stop signs at George Street and Busse Avenue. e) Existing Traffic Control Signs Traffic control signs adjacent to the intersection are as follows: George & Central (north) — Stop sign on George George & Evergreen (south) — uncontrolled Albert & Busse (east) — 2 -way Yield signs on Albert Edward & Busse (west) — uncontrolled f) Site Obstructions Based on a field inspection, there doesn't appear to be a sight obstruction at the intersection. Staff Recommendation: Stop Sign Request Because the intersection of George Street and Busse Avenue does not meet any of the Multi -Way Stop Sign Warrants, The Village Traffic Engineer recommends: Stop signs at the intersection of George Street and Busse Avenue not be installed. Yield Sign Request To clarify the right-of-way at this intersection, The Village Traffic Engineer recommends: 2 -way Yield signs on Busse Avenue at George Street be installed. 2) Discussion Judy Paczko, 106 S. George Street, has noticed a lot of traffic in the area and knows there is a lot of young children in the neighborhood. George & Busse is a bus stop and has a lot of children being picked up and dropped off. She has witnessed a lot of accidents and numerous close calls. Because of the traffic and concern for the children, she would like to see either Stop or Yield signs at the intersection. Don DeLassus, 22 S. Albert Street, lives at the northwest corner of Albert & Busse. There are 2 -way Yield signs on Albert Street which he believes have little effect. Vehicles travel down George Street at high speed and he has rarely seen a police car in the area. Roger Northrop, 14 S. George Street, recently witnessed an accident at the intersection. There are very few intersections in the neighborhood that have either Stop or Yield signs. Because there very few signs, many vehicles drive much faster through the intersections. Commissioner Beening shares in the residents' concern of trying to slow down vehicles in the neighborhood. Unfortunately, there are not enough police officers to patrol every intersection in the Village. Based on the discussion, selective enforcement at the intersection could help slow down vehicles. Officer Adamczyk suggested requesting selective enforcement during the morning and afternoon rush hours. Patty Wolfe, 117 S. George Street, stated that she and most of the residents in the area use caution at every intersection. She believes it is mainly visitors who do not slow down when traveling through the intersection. Officer Adamczyk suggested that Stop signs are not always effective because they can create additional problems. People often speed up after stopping at a Stop sign in order to make up time. He realizes there are very few signs in the neighborhood and vehicles ought to use caution. Many of the speeders and those in accidents live in the neighborhood. Traffic Engineer Lawrie provided an overview of what is involved in a traffic study. He explained the purpose of the traffic counters is to count the number of vehicles as well as the speed. He reviewed the accident history as well as the speed and volume statistics for George & Busse. He explained Stop signs are warranted when there is a minimum of 4000 vehicles/day in any eight-hour period or five accidents in a given year. Most residential intersections, including George & Busse, do not warrant Stop signs. Yield signs are warranted when a problem can be identified and could be correctable by installing Yield signs. In this case, the accident history shows that Yield signs could help in reducing accidents at the intersection. Mr. Northrop asked if there was any new traffic counters that are not easily seen because vehicles tend to slow down over the road tubes. Traffic Engineer Lawrie noted a new counter that looks like a small disk, however, the fact that they are not tied to a tree or post may lead to theft. The counters that are being used are used throughout the country. Mr. Bures stated that whether Stop or Yield signs are installed, they will not guarantee no more accidents. Often, when signs are installed at low volume intersections, motorists do not expect a sign and go through the intersection without slowing down. Hopefully, the sign will help to clarify the right-of-way. Officer Adamczyk noted most of the accidents involved residents in the neighborhood. 4 Ms. Paczko stated her brother lives in Arlington Heights and the entire neighborhood has Stop signs. Commissioner Beening explained that when a Village annexes a piece of land, the current traffic control signs are left in place. There are also a lot of intersections in the Village that do not have Stop or Yield signs. Commissioner Bobikewicz suggested to the residents they accept Yield signs and see if they are effective. If, after some time, there is still a problem, bring back new information to the Commission. Commissioner Bjork, seconded by Officer Adamczyk, moved to deny Stop signs at the intersection of George Street and Busse Avenue. The motion was approved by a vote of 8-0. Commissioner Bencic asked for clarification on what road Yield signs are recommended to be installed. Traffic Engineer Lawrie recommended Yield signs be installed on Busse Avenue since it is the less traveled road. The more traveled road should be given the right-of-way. He explained that if Yield signs were on the more traveled road, vehicles get used to not seeing vehicles coming from the opposite direction and may learn to eventually not slow down, which increases the chance for accidents. Mr. Bures reiterated that the speed study did not reveal a speeding problem. Also, Stop or Yield signs will not necessarily slow down traffic. Vehicles may speed at the mid -block but the signs will help in reducing accidents by clarifying the right-of-way. Commissioner Bencic, seconded by Mr. Bures, moved to approve Yield signs on Busse Avenue at George Street. The motion was approved by a vote of 8-0. B) STOPNIELD SIGNS REQUEST AT THE INTERSECTION OF GEORGE STREET AND EVERGREEN AVENUE 1) Background Information Ms. Patty Wolfe, 117 S. George Street, is concerned for the safety of the residents and would like to see traffic forced to slow down in the intersection. Many children live in the area and she is concerned for their safety. Four accidents have occurred at the intersections of George & Busse and George & Evergreen over the past two years. Most of the residents are cautious in the area but the cut -through traffic and visitors do not slow down at the intersection. The Engineering Staff performed a traffic study. The findings are as follows: a) Accidents 3) C) UR A search of the accident reports indicated: Year 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 (Nov) Number of Accidents 0 Speed Study 0 0 0 1 0 Representative speed surveys were performed on George Street north of Evergreen Avenue and on Evergreen Avenue east of George Street. The average speeds are follows: Northbound George 25 mph Southbound George 21 mph Eastbound Evergreen 26 mph Westbound Evergreen 22 mph The speed limits on George Street and Evergreen Avenue are 25 mph. Based on the results, there doesn't appear to be a speeding concern. Traffic Volume Traffic volume data was gathered in November. The minimum traffic volume according to the Multi -Way Stop Sign Warrant is 500 vehicles/hour for an eight hour period (500 x 8 = 4000 vehicles/8 hrs). The traffic volume at this intersection (391 vehicles/8 hrs) is approximately 10% of the Stop sign warrant. Based on the results, there are approximately 620 vehicles per day that enter the intersection. 370 vehicles travel on George Street and 250 vehicles on Evergreen Avenue. Survey Results A total of 22 surveys were sent out in November 1998 to collect and analyze the resident's opinion on Stop signs. 18 surveys were returned to the Village. 18 residents favored and 0 residents were against Stop signs at George Street and Evergreen Avenue. e) Existing Traffic Control Signs Traffic control signs adjacent to the intersection are as follows: George & Busse (north) — uncontrolled George & Milburn (south) — uncontrolled Albert & Evergreen (east) — uncontrolled Edward & Evergreen (west) — 2 -way Yield signs on Edward I 0 Site Obstructions Based on a field inspection, there does appear to be a small bush located at the northwest corner of the intersection that may create a sight obstruction. The bush is on private property, therefore, the Village can only request the owner to trim or remove the bush. A letter has been sent to the owner at 122 S. George Street requesting they eliminate the sight obstruction. Staff Recommendation: Stop Sign Request Because the intersection of George Street and Evergreen Avenue does not meet any of the Multi -Way Stop Sign Warrants, The Village Traffic Engineer recommends: Stop signs at the intersection of George Street and Evergreen Avenue not be installed. Yield Sign Request Because there doesn't appear to exist a special problem that would be correctable by installing Yield signs, The Village Traffic Engineer recommends: Yield signs at the intersection of George Street and Evergreen Avenue not be installed. 2) Discussion No further input was provided by anyone in the audience. Traffic Engineer Lawrie reviewed the accident history as well as the speed and volume statistics for George & Evergreen. He explained Stop signs are warranted when there is a minimum of 4000 vehicles/day in any eight-hour period or five accidents in a given year. Based on the statistics, Stop signs are not warranted at George & Evergreen. Yield signs are warranted when a problem can be identified and could be correctable by installing Yield signs. In this case, a special problem was not identified that Yield signs could help in correcting. Mr. Lawrie noted that a sight obstruction exists on the northwest corner of the intersection and a letter would be sent to the owner requesting they trim or remove the bush. The bush is on private property, therefore, the Village can only request the bush be removed. Commission Beening asked the location of speed limit signs along George Street. One is located south of Central Road but unsure of other locations. It was suggested installing another speed limit sign at the intersection to reiterate the speed limit. Traffic Engineer Lawrie said he would review the locations of the speed limit signs in the area. Traffic Engineer Lawrie suggested that if any new information could be provided by the residents, please bring it back to the Commission for review. Commissioner Bencic, seconded by Commissioner Bobikewicz, moved to deny Stop signs at the intersection of George Street and Evergreen Avenue. The motion was approved by a vote of 8-0. Mr. Bures, seconded by Commissioner Moliere, moved to deny Yield signs at the intersection of George Street and Evergreen Avenue. The motion was approved by a vote of 8-0. Adiournment On behalf of the Village Board of Trustees, Traffic Engineer Lawrie thanked the Commission members for their commitment to serving on the Commission during 1998. Each member received a box of candy in appreciation for their hard work and dedication. With no further business to discuss, the Safety Commission voted 8-0 to adjourn at 8:35 p.m. upon the motion of Commissioner Bjork. Commissioner Beening seconded the motion. x:\fileslengineer�safecommltraffic\recs&min\dec98min.doc Respectfully submitted, Matthew P. Lawrie Project Engineer 11 VILLAGE OF ?MOUNT PROSPECT SAFETY COMMISSION MEETING ATTENDANCE SHEET December 14, 1998 7:30 P.M. NAME ADDRESS a-0 V � r nun►.ir_ ►.i^