HomeMy WebLinkAbout09/14/1998 SC MinutesDirector
Water/Sewer Superintendent
Glen R. Andler
MAINTAIN
Roderick T. O'Donovan
Deputy Director
Streets/Buildings Superintendent
Sean P. Dorsey
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Paul C. Bures
Village Engineer
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Forestry/Grounds Superintendent
Jeffrey A. Wulbecker
Sandra M. Clark
Administrative Aide
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Vehicle/Equipment Superintendent
Dawn L. Wucki
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James E. Guenther
Solid Waste Coordinator
M. Lisa Angell
Mount Prospect Public Works
Department
1700 W. Central Road, Mount Prospect, Illinois 60056-2229
Phone 647/670-5640 Fax 647/253-9377
TDD B47/392-1235
MINUTES OF THE MOUNT PROSPECT
SAFETY COMMISSION
CALL TO ORDER
The Regular Meeting of the Mount Prospect Safety Commission was called to order at
7:30 P.M. on Monday, September 14, 1998.
ROLL CALL
Upon roll call, each Safety Commission Member introduced themselves to the
audience.
Present upon roll call: Lee Beening
Chuck Bencic
Nancy Bobikewicz
Joan Bjork
Andy Mitchell
Ted Adamczyk
Buz Livingston
Paul Bures
Matt Lawrie
Absent:
Others in Attendance:
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Chairman
Commissioner
Commissioner
Commissioner
Commissioner
Police Department
Fire Department
Public Works
Public Works/Engineering Division
Phyllis Moliere Commissioner
Jeff Wulbecker, Village Engineer
See Attached List
Commissioner Bencic, seconded by Commissioner Mitchell, moved to approve the
Minutes of the Regular Meeting of the Safety Commission held on April 13, 1998. The
Minutes were approved by a vote of 8-0.
Commissioner Bjork, seconded by Commissioner Mitchell, moved to approve the
Minutes of the Regular Meeting of the Safety Commission held on August 10, 1998:
The Minutes were approved by a vote of 8-0.
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CITIZENS TO BE HEARD
Mr. Bill Schmitt, 905 Whitegate, informed the commission that on southbound Route 83
on the west side of the road, immediately north of the railroad tracks there is a "No Left
Tum" sign, restricting turns into the train station parking lot, which blocks the railroad
gate crossing light.
Mr. Schmitt also inquired about the status of a traffic signal at the intersection of
Central Road and Cathy Lane. He believes one is needed there because of the
anticipated increase in pedestrians crossing to access the new Park District Building.
Chairman Beening stated that Central Road is under the jurisdiction of the State of
Illinois and that Mr. Schmitt should contact the Illinois Department of Transportation.
Mr. Chuck Litgen, 900 Cathy, stated he does not think a traffic signal should be
installed at Central and Cathy because there is a sight problem for vehicles
approaching from the west because of the hill at We -Go.
OLD BUSINESS
None.
NEW BUSINESS
A) STOP OR YIELD SIGN REQUEST AT THE INTERSECTION OF MEIER ROAD AND
PRENDERGAST LANE
1) Background Information:
Mr. Tom Tiano, 544 Lois Ct., requested a Stop or Yield sign on Prendergast
Lane at Meier Road. Mr. Tiano has observed that vehicles travelling eastbound
on Prendergast Lane do not always stop or yield to vehicles travelling
southbound on Meier Road which creates the potential for an accident.
Staff Observations:
The Engineering Staff performed a Stop sign study. The firdings are as follows:
a) Accidents
A search of the accident reports indicated:
Year 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998
(Sept)
Number of
Accidents 0 0 0 0 0 0
The above accident records do not meet the Stop sign warrant (minimum
five accidents per year) according to the Multi -Way Stop Sign Warrants.
b
b) Speed Study
Representative speed surveys were performed on Meier Road south of
Prendergast Lane and on Prendergast Lane west of Meier Road during
the period of Wednesday, August 19, 1998 and Friday, August 21, 1998.
The 85th percentile speeds are follows:
Northbound Meier 35-36 mph
Southbound Meier 35-36 mph
Eastbound Prendergast 29-30 mph
The speed limits on Meier Road and Prendergast Lane are 25 mph.
Based on the results, there does appear to be a speeding problem on
Meier Road. Staff will request the Police Department to perform
selective speed enforcement along Meier Road in order to reduce the
speed of motorists.
c) Traffic Volume
The minimum traffic volume according to the Multi -Way Stop Sign
j Warrant is 500 vehicles per hour for an eight hour period (500 x 8 =
4000 vehicles/8 hrs). Considering a four-way intersection, this would be
1000 vehicles per 8 hours from each direction. The traffic volume at this
intersection from all three directions (2128 vehicles/8 hrs) is
approximately 53% of the Stop sign warrant. It should be noted that the
combined volume for northbound and southbound Meier Road alone
recorded over 2000 vehicles per 8 hours. This can be interpreted to
mean that even though the warrant has not been met for a four-way
Stop sign intersection, the north/south direction meets the volume
requirement to install Stop signs in the east/west direction
d) Survey Results
A total of 12 surveys were sent out in August 1998 to collect and analyze
the resident's opinion. 4 surveys were returned to the Village. 2
residents favored and 2 residents were against a Stop sign on
Prendergast Lane at Meier Road.
e) Existing Traffic Control Signs
Existing traffic control signs near this intersection are shown on the
attached map.
Stop Sign
At an unmarked intersection, the vehicle to the right has the right-of-way.
Therefore, southbound Meier Road traffic has to yield to eastbound Prendergast
Lane traffic should the vehicles arrive at the intersection at the same time.
3
However, because of the T -intersection and high volume on Meier Road, it is
perceived Meier Road traffic has the right-of-way. According to the Manual of
Uniform Traffic Control Devices, a Stop sign is warranted when a less important
road intersects a main road and the application of the normal right-of-way is
unduly hazardous. Since Meier Road experiences high volume and the normal
right-of-way rule may be misunderstood, it is recommended that a Stop sign be
installed on Prendergast Lane.
Yield Sign
Normally, a study will show that Stop signs are not warranted at the intersection.
However, because of the unique configuration and high volume along Meier
Road, a Yield sign is not recommended in this instance.
Staff Recommendation:
Stop Sign Request
A Stop sign is warranted when a less important road (Prendergast Lane)
intersects with a main road (Meier Road) and the application of the normal right-
of-way rule is unduly hazardous. Therefore,
,j
The Village Traffic Engineer recommends:
a Stop sign on Prendergast Lane at Meier Road be installed.
Yield Sign Request
Because of the unique characteristics of the intersection,
The Village Traffic Engineer recommends:
a Yield sign on Prendergast Lane at Meier Road not be installed.
3) Discussion:
Notification was given to residents within 200' of this intersection, per the
notification policy. However no residents were present concerning this Issue.
Commissioner Mitchell stated that since Meier Road is a collector street it is
appropriate that a Stop sign is installed on Prendergast Lane which carries
much less volume. Commissioner Mitchell suggested that a Stop sign should
also be installed on Chris Lane at Meier Road for the same reason.
Chairman Beening stated that the residents on Chris Lane were not given
notification concerning this Stop sign and that staff should notify the residents
before it is approved.
4
Traffic Engineer Lawrie stated that there are no sight obstructions at this
intersection, but there is a speeding problem on Meier Road. Mr. Lawrie
indicating that a request will be made to the Police to provide speed surveillance
of this street.
Sergeant Adamczyk stated that this route is used as a shortcut route and that
speeding can be a problem from time to time.
Commissioner Mitchell, seconded by Commissioner Bencic moved to
approve installing a Stop sign on Prendergast Lane at Meier Road.
The motion was approved by a vote of 8-0.
Commissioner Mitchell, seconded by Commissioner Bjork, moved to
approve installing a Stop sign on Chris Lane at Meier Road.
The motion was approved 7-1.
B) STOP OR YIELD SIGNS REQUEST AT THE INTERSECTION OF CATHY LANE AND
WHITEGATE DRIVE
1) Background information:
Mr. William Schmitt, 905 Whitegate Drive requested Stop or Yield Signs at
Cathy Lane and Whitegate Drive. Mr. Schmitt expressed a concern that most
drivers on Cathy Lane believe they have the right-of-way because Whitegate
Drive is not a busy street. This dangerous situation was made more aware to
him when two cars collided in July of 1998. With the improvements to the Park
District on the north side of Central Road at Cathy Lane to begin soon, now
would be a good time to correct this situation.
Staff Observations:
The Engineering Staff performed a Stop sign study. The findings are as follows:
a) Accidents
A search of the accident reports indicated:
Year 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998
(Sept)
Number of
Accidents 0 0 0 0 0 1
The above accident records do not meet the Stop sign warrant (minimum
five accidents per year) according to the Multi -Way Stop Sign Warrants.
The police accident report is attached.
5
b)
C)
d)
e)
Speed Study
Representative speed surveys were performed on Cathy Lane north of
Whitegate Drive and on Whitegate Drive west of Cathy Lane between
Monday, August 17,1998 and Wednesday, August 19, 1998. The 85th
percentile speeds are follows:
Northbound Cathy
23-24 mph
Southbound Cathy
23-24 mph
Eastbound Whitegate
29-30 mph
Westbound Whitegate
25-26 mph
The speed limits on Cathy Lane and Whitegate Drive are 25 mph. Based
on the results, there doesn't appear to be a speeding problem at this
intersection.
Traffic Volume
The minimum traffic volume according to the Multi -Way Stop Sign
j Warrant is 500 vehicles/hour for an eight hour period (500 x 8 = 4000
vehicles/8 hrs). The traffic volume at this intersection (535 vehicles/8
hrs) is approximately 13% of the Stop sign warrant
Survey Results
A total of 14 surveys were sent out in August 1998 to collect and analyze
the resident's opinion. 10 surveys were returned to the Village. 6
residents favored and 4 residents were against Stop signs at Cathy Lane
and Whitegate Drive.
Existing Traffic Control Signs
Existing traffic control signs near this intersection are shown on the
attached map.
Stop Signs
Even though there is a majority of residents who favor Stop signs, it is
recommended they not be installed. Stop signs are not warranted based on the
accident history, speed study and traffic volume at the intersection.
Yield Signs
The study has shown Stop signs are not warranted at the intersection. It is not
recommended to install traffic control signs on Cathy Lane since the intersection
is only approximately 120 feet from Central Road and vehicles should not be
stacked between Whitegate Drive and Central Road. However, because a
2
majority of the traffic is on Cathy Lane, Yield signs in the easttwest direction are
recommended in order to clarify the right-of-way.
Staff Recommendation:
Stop Sign Request
Because the intersection of Cathy Lane and Whitegate Drive does not meet any
of the Multi -Way Stop Sign Warrants and even though there is resident support
for the Stop signs,
The Village Traffic Engineer recommends:
Stop signs at the intersection of Cathy Lane and Whitegate Drive 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 Whitegate Drive at Cathy Lane be installed.
2) Discussion:
Mr. William Schmitt passed out a map (attached) showing the traffic signs at
streets in the area of Cathy and Whitegate. Mr. Schmitt is concerned that
vehicles coming off of Central Road onto Cathy feel they have the right-of-way
at Whitegate because of the comparative traffic volumes and the speed with
which they come off of Central. Mr. Schmitt feels it is important to let all
vehicles approaching the intersection know that the vehicles on Cathy do have
the right-of-way by installing Stop signs on Whitegate. Mr. Schmitt stated that
Yield signs would not have the same impact as Stop signs because many
motorists ignore Yield signs. Mr. Schmitt also explained that Cathy Lane is used
by a considerable amount of traffic as a cut through route.
Mr. Chuck Litgen, 900 Whitegate, stated that he is not opposed to Stop signs on
Cathy Lane but would be opposed to four way Stop signs on Cathy and
Whitegate. Mr. Litgen however, does not think that Stop signs are esthetically
beautiful
Chairman Beening and Traffic Engineer Lawrie discussed the warrants for Stop
signs and that this intersections does not meet any of the warrants. Mr. Lawrie
stated that there is a need for clarification of which vehicle has the right-of-way
at this intersection and that installing Yield signs on Whitegate would be the
most appropriate action.
7
Sergeant Adamczyk explained that unwarranted Stop signs cause motorists to
feel the need to make up for lost time and will accentuate a speeding problem.
Commissioner Bjork stated that a Stop sign is not warranted and that a Yield
sign should be placed there.
Mr. Schmitt and Mr. Litgen requested that the same criteria that was used for
the installation of the existing Stop signs on Whitegate at We -Go (the
intersection directly west of Whitegate and Cathy) should be applied to this
intersection and that Stop signs should be installed on Whitegate at Cathy.
Traffic Engineer Lawrie . stated that there are differences between the two
intersections. At Whitegate and We -Go the east and west legs of the
intersection are offset and that there is a large pine trQe causing a sight
obstruction.
Commissioner Mitchell, seconded by Sergeant Adamczyk, moved to
approve installing a Yield sign on Cathy Lane at Whitegate Drive.
The motion was approved by a vote of 8-0.
Commissioner Beening indicated that these recommendations would be
presented to the Village Board agenda at the October 6, 1998 Village Board
Meeting.
Adjournment
With no further business to discuss, the Safety Commission voted 8-0 to adjourn at 8:25
p.m. upon the motion of Commission Bjork.. Commissioner Bencic seconded the motion.
x:vleslengineer\safecommt atficlrecs8minlsep98min.doc
Respectfully submitted,
ulbecker
Village Engineer
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SAFETY COMMISSION MEETING
SEPTEMBER 14, 1998
7:30 P.M.
NAME
SIGN -IN SHEET
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