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Home My WebLink About03/11/1996 SC Minutes" —Director Glen 9. Andler ' Deputy Director Sean P. Dorsey Administrariue Aide Dawn L. Wucki Village Engineer Jeffrey A. Wulbecker Solid Waste Coordinator M. Lisa Angell Forestry/Grounds Superintendent Sandra M. park Vehicle/Equipment Superintendent James E. Guenther Mount Prospect Public Works Department 1700 W. Central Road, Mount Prospect, Illinois 60056-2229 Phone 647/670-5640 Fax 647/253-J377 TDD 647/392-1235 MINUTES OF THE MOUNT PROSPECT SAFETY COMMISSION I. CALL TO ORDER The Regular Meeting of the Mount Prospect Safety Commission was called to order at 7:35 P.M. on Monday, March 11, 1996. II. ROLL CALL Upon roll call, each Safety Commission Member introduced themselves to the audience. Present upon roll call: Lee Beening Chairman Buz Livingston Fire Department Sean Dorsey Public Works John Dahlberg Police Department Joan Bjork Commissioner Arlene Juracek Commissioner Sean Won Public Works, Engineering Division Absent: Art Coy Commissioner Andy Mitchell Commissioner Others in Attendance: See Attached List. III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Commissioner Arlene Juracek requested to amend the item V.d.2 in page 4 of the Minutes to clarify the actual event which took place to read: "At that time the Pedestrian Crossing at Maple Street had flashing red lights because there was an outbound train on the southern most track which had stopped at a few hundred feet from the station. All the commuters crossed the train track while the Pedestrian Crossing was flashing red lights since it appeared that this was what the southern most track train engineer wanted them to do." 1 Recycled Paper - Printed with Soy Ink instead of 'At that time the Pedestrian Crossing at Maple Street had flashing red lights because there was an outbound train on the southern most track. Then the train at the southern most track stopped at a few hundred feet from the station and sounded its hom. All the commuters crossed the train track while the Pedestrian Crossing was flashing red lights.' Commissioner Arlene Juracek, seconded by Sean Dorsey, moved to approve the Minutes of the Regular Meeting of the Safety Commission held on February 12, 1996. IV. CITIZENS TO BE HEARD No citizens came forth at this time to discuss any topics that were not on the current agenda. V. BUSINESS A) REVIEW OF VILLAGE'S RAILROAD CROSSING SAFETY PROGRAM Sean Won reported the following findings based on his contact with the organizations: 1. History of Illuminated No -Right -Tum & No -Left -Tum Signs at IL 83/Northwest Highway & Emerson Street/Northwest Highway IDOT said that they have no records about illuminated No -Tum signs at these intersections. (Commissioner Andy Mitchell informed the Safety Commission that these intersections did have illuminated No-Right-Turn/No-Left-Tum signs in 1960's and removed in 1980's.) 2. Neighboring Communities Sean Won contacted the Village of Arlington Heights and the City of Des Plaines. They said that they have no special activities planned for the train crossing safety. 3. Federal, State and Local Authorities and Railroad The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) said that 1) they already completed public hearings, 2) they will complete the report in 6-7 months, and 3) probably all other organizations are waiting for their recommendations. Union Pacific Railroad said that the maximum speed for a passenger train is 70 mph and the maximum speed for a freight train is 60 mph. He said that the Northwest Municipal Conference (NWMC) has no special activities planned for the train crossing safety. NWMC collected accident data at train crossings due to the federal whistle blowing mandate. Note that this mandate was postponed for further comments. Sean Won said that a draft of the Village Railroad Grade Crossing Safety Program was revised per the Safety Commission's comments. 2 a) CURRENT RAILROAD SAFETY SYSTEM Sean Won said that there are no railroad warning signs (Figure W10-1) on Emerson Street. Railroad warning signs are not required per section 86-3 of the Manual on Uniform 'raffic Control Devices (MUTCD). Ail Commissioners agreed that railroad warning signs are not necessary at this intersection. Chairman Lee Beening said that the Village of Arlington Heights has new Do - Not -Cross -Track Signs posted on the center fence of the railroad tracks while our signs are old and faded. Chairman Beening requested that Sean Won contact Union Pacific Railroad to replace these old signs with new signs. b) RECOMMENDATIONS 1) MAIN STREET/NORTHWEST HIGHWAY/PROSPECT AVENUE Sean Won recommended illuminated No -Right -Tum and No -Left -Tum signs on Northwest Highway at Main Street for southbound traffic. Commissioner Arlene Juracek said that No -Right -Tum signs should not be recommended because we would like to clear Northwest Highway. All Commissioners agreed not to recommend illuminated No -Right -Tum signs. 2) EMERSON STREET/NORTHWEST HIGHWAY/PROSPECT AVENUE Sean Won recommended illuminated 1) No -Right -Tum and No -Left -Tum signs on Northwest Highway at Emerson Street for southbound traffic and 2) Do -Not -Stop -On -Track sign on Emerson Street for north bound traffic. All Commissioners agreed not to recommend illuminated No - Right -Tum signs because we would like to clear Northwest Highway. 3) NEW WARNING SIGNS Chairman Lee Beening said that the Safety Commission decided not to recommend "MT. PROSPECT ARRESTS TRAIN CROSSING VIOLATORS ($500 FINE)" at the last meeting because there are already too many signs at the intersections. Chairman Beening said that these warning signs could be installed at the center fence of the railroad track. Sean Won said that signs informing available roadway length were included per Trustee Wilks' comment. All Commissioners agreed that this sign may not be effective to improve the safety of the intersection. The available roadway length signs will not be recommended d) PUBLIC EDUCATION All Commissioners recommended placing flyer boxes in coffee shops, the train station and the parking toll boxes, not on cars in the commuter parking lots creating a litter problem. Commissioner Arlene Juracek requested an increased availability and presence of the public safety officers because a large number of 3 commuters still do not know the details of new train crossing law. John Dahlberg said that more police officers will be available in the future as the weather gets warmer. Chairman Lee Beening requested that all Commissioners review train crossings one more time and discuss this issue again in the next meeting. B) STOP SIGN REQUEST AT MAIN STREET & SHA-BONEE TRAIL Mr. Lee Resolut of 511 South Main Street said that he made the above request because 1) he observed several accidents during the last several years and 2) cars are speeding at the intersection. Sean Won said that the Engineering Staff performed a stop sign study and this intersection does not meet the stop sign warrants. The findings were 1) the number of accidents (maximum 4 accidents in 1993) do not meet the stop sign warrants (more than 5 accidents per year), 2) the traffic volume at this intersection is less than 20% of the stop sign warrants, and 3) the 85th percentile speed of Sha-Bonee Trail was 26 mph while random speeding was observed. Due to the relatively large number of accidents for a residential intersection, Sean Won recommended yield signs on Main Street at Sha-Bonee Trail. Chairman Lee Beening questioned why Emerson Street has a 20 mph speed limit and Main Street (next to Emerson Street) has a 30 mph speed limit. John Dahlberg said that the speed limit on Emerson Street was revised a few years ago. Commissioners Joan Bjork, Sean Dorsey, and John Dahlberg had concerns that by installing yield signs on Main Street at Sha-Bonee Trail vehicle speeds on Sha-Bonee trail might increase. As a daily user, Commissioner Arlene Juracek said that she has some sight obstruction problem when she is making a right -turn from south bound Main Street to west bound Sha-Bonee Trail. Commissioner Arlene Juracek, seconded by Sean Dorsey, moved to install yield signs on Main Street at Sha-Bonee Trail. The Safety Commission voted to 6-0 to approve this motion. - C) NOTIFICATION POLICY TO AFFECTED RESIDENTS Sean Won said that the notification policy was prepared for review and explained the policy. Commissioner Arlene Juracek questioned why a 200 ft distance was used instead of the 250 ft distance used by the Zoning Board. Sean Won said that the policy will be revised to reflect the Zoning Board policy. Buz Livingston asked to add a time limit for the surveys. Sean Won said that the Village generally request residents to return the surveys within 30 days. Chairman Lee Beening asked Sean Won to revise this policy and bring it back to the next meeting. D) ELECTION OF CHAIRMAN AND VICE CHAIRMAN This item was deferred to the next meeting because two Commissioners did not attend the meeting. Vi. ADJOURNMENT With no further business to discuss, the Safety Commission voted 6-0 to adjoum at 9:12 P.M., upon the motion of Commissioner Joan Bjork. John Dahlberg seconded the motion. Respectfully submitted, Sean S.M. Won, P.E. Traffic Engineer 5 VILLAGE OF MOUNT PROSPECT SAFETY COMMISSION MEETING ATTENDANCE SHEET MARCH 11, 1996 NAME ADDRESS PHONE NO. PLEASE SIGN-UP AND PICKUP THE AGENDAI