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HomeMy WebLinkAbout3. TSC Minutes 12/14/2015 (Draft) 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 regular meeting of the Mount Prospect Transportation Safety Commission was called to order at 7:01 p.m. on Monday, December 14, 2015. ROLL CALL Present upon roll call: John Keane Chairman Chuck Bencic Commissioner Robert Fisher Commissioner Justin Kuehlthau Commissioner Jill Morgan Commissioner Carol Tortorello Commissioner Paul Bures Public Works Department Representative Matt Lawrie Traffic Engineer – Staff Liaison Absent: Bob Smith* Police Department Representative Dane Phenegar Fire Department Representative *arrived at 7:05 p.m. Others in Attendance: None APPROVAL OF MINUTES Commissioner Bencic, seconded by Commissioner Tortorello, moved to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of the Transportation Safety Commission held on June 8, 2015. The minutes were approved by a vote of 7-0. CITIZENS TO BE HEARD There was no one in attendance that spoke on an issue not on the agenda. TSC Meeting Page 1 of 4 December 14, 2015 OLD BUSINESS None NEW BUSINESS A.EMERGENCY VEHICLE PRIORITY SYSTEM UPGRADE PROGRAM 1)Background Information The Village of Mount Prospect has a total of 57 signalized intersections of which 42 are maintained by the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT), 7 by the Cook County Highway Department (CCHD), and 8 by the Village. In addition to traffic signals and pedestrian signals, each intersection also includes an Emergency Vehicle Priority (EVP) system. This system allows police and fire vehicles to interrupt the normal operation of the traffic signals and provide a green light as they enter the intersection. The EVP system is actually owned by the Village at all 57 signalized intersections. The current EVP equipment at most of the intersections is over 20 years old and in need of replacement. In 2016, the Village will begin a three-year program to upgrade the EVP system at all 57 signalized intersections. The four basic parts of the EVP system are the emitter, detector, beacon & card. The emitter is located in the emergency vehicle and sends a signal to the intersection. The detector (one in each direction) is typically mounted on the mast arm and receives the signal from the emitter. The beacon (one in each direction) is a LED light that flashes in the direction of the approaching emergency vehicle and is solid in the other directions. The card is located in the cabinet and coordinates the interruption of the traffic signal operation. Over the years individual pieces of equipment have been repaired or replaced with similar models to keep the system fully-operational. Recently, however, the manufacturer has informed us they can no longer supply replacement parts or in most cases repair damaged parts. The old models are no longer supported by the manufacturer. As a result, when a single part fails it requires the replacement of all the parts at an intersection with new models in order to remain fully-operational. This year inexpensive, intermediate work was performed so that the EVP system continues to operate at all intersections. In 2016, 2017 and 2018, EVP parts including detectors, beacons and cards will be replaced with the latest technology. A Central Management Software program will also be integrated to allow us to monitor the EVP system at each intersection remotely. The Engineering Division is currently designing next year’s project and working to secure approval from IDOT and CCHD. The project will go through the typical bidding process to hire an electrical contractor to perform the work. The project will upgrade 15 to 20 intersections and is expected to be completed next summer. The same design, bidding and construction processes will take place again in 2017 and 2018. 2) Discussion Chairman Keane introduced the item and asked Traffic Engineer Lawrie to present the Engineering Division’s report. Traffic Engineer Lawrie provided the Commission with background information on this issue and summarized the expected work in 2016. Commissioner Tortorello asked if a flashing EVP beacon indicated an emergency vehicle was approaching on that particular street. Traffic Engineer Lawrie responded yes and said a steady TSC Meeting Page 2 of 4 December 14, 2015 EVP beacon would be seen on the cross street. Commissioner Kuehlthau asked the approximate cost to retrofit an entire intersection with new EVP equipment. Traffic Engineer estimated the cost per intersection to be $6,000 – $8,000 depending on the condition of the wiring. Commissioner Bencic asked who would be responsible to bear the costs of EVP work as part of future traffic signal projects performed by IDOT or Cook County. Traffic Engineer Lawrie said IDOT typically requires the Village to sign an Agreement that we will pay for associated EVP work completed by the contractor since the Village owns the EVP system. Commissioner Fisher asked if there are a sufficient number of contractors installing EVP equipment to get competitive bids. Traffic Engineer Lawrie said there are many contractors pre- qualified by the State to perform traffic signal and EVP work. Chairman Keane asked that the Commission be updated on this topic at its next meeting. No formal action was necessary. B) UPDATE ON VARIOUS VILLAGE TRANSPORTATION PROJECTS Traffic Engineer Lawrie presented the status of the following Village transportation projects: See Gwun Avenue Traffic Calming Project Northwest Highway Streetscape Project Lincoln Street Traffic Calming Project Central-Weller Pedestrian Crossing Improvements Central-Arthur-Bosch Pedestrian Signal Project Central-Millers Intersection Project Central-Union Pacific Railroad Pedestrian Gates Busse Avenue – Route 83 Crosswalk Study Downtown Covered Bike Parking Bike Route Signage Project – Phase I There was general discussion on each of the projects. No formal action was necessary. Traffic Engineer Lawrie also summarized construction of the Isabella Drainage Improvements Project. COMMISSION ISSUES Commissioner Tortorello raised the issue of the new driveway onto Central Road for Westbrook School. She had heard that motorists were disobeying the right-in/right-out designation. Commander Smith was aware of this concern and had an officer monitor the area during the morning drop-off and afternoon pick-up periods. The Police Department did not witness any violations. Commissioner Bencic asked if the Village provided their input on the design of the new driveway at Westbrook School. Traffic Engineer Lawrie responded that the school district’s original design allowed for right-in, right-out, and left-in turning movements. The Village expressed concern with allowing left turns from Central Road and deferred the final decision to IDOT as Central Road is under their jurisdiction. IDOT concurred and only permitted a right-in/right-out design. Commissioner Kuehlthau asked if there was any additional information on possible parking restrictions along Gregory Street west of Main Street. A resident raised a concern with on-street parking earlier this TSC Meeting Page 3 of 4 December 14, 2015 year and it was briefly discussed at the June meeting. Traffic Engineer Lawrie said Public Works installed a No Parking sign to prohibit parking near the intersection and it was agreed with the resident that she would contact the Village if it didn’t resolve her concern. Traffic Engineer Lawrie said he has not witnessed any issues and has not heard back from the resident. Traffic Engineer Lawrie thanked the Commission members for their commitment to the Village’s efforts over the past year and on behalf of the Village Board of Trustees he presented a small gift to each of the members. Commission members thanked Streets/Buildings Superintendent Bures for his many years of service to the Village and the Commission, and wished him well in his retirement. ADJOURNMENT With no further business to discuss, the Transportation Safety Commission voted 8-0 to adjourn at 8:24 p.m. upon the motion of Commissioner Bencic. Streets/Buildings Superintendent Bures seconded the motion. Respectfully submitted, Matthew P. Lawrie, P.E. Traffic Engineer h:\\engineering\\traffic\\safety_commission\\recs&mins\\TSC-december15min.docx TSC Meeting Page 4 of 4 December 14, 2015