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HomeMy WebLinkAbout02/08/2016 TSC Minutes (Draft)El Director Sean P. Dorsey J 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 Deputy Director Jason H. Leib The regular meeting of the Mount Prospect Transportation Safety Commission was called to order at 7:00 p.m. on Monday, February 8, 2016. Rnl i rAl I Present upon roll call: Absent: John Keane Robert Fisher Justin Kuehlthau Jill Morgan Carol Tortorello Ed Szmergalski Aaron Grandgeorge Jeff Wulbecker Matt Lawrie Chuck Bencic Others in Attendance: Nancy Wagner Mark Weir APPROVAL OF MINUTES Chairman Commissioner Commissioner Commissioner Commissioner Police Department Representative Fire Department Representative Public Works Department Representative Traffic Engineer — Staff Liaison Commissioner 1774 Azalea Place 13 S. Owen Street Commissioner Fisher, seconded by Commissioner Kuehlthau, moved to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of the Transportation Safety Commission held on December 14, 2015. The minutes were approved by a vote of 7-0 with Battalion Chief Grandgeorge abstaining. 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 February 8, 2016 Y OLD BUSINESS None NEW BUSINESS A. BICYCLE ROUTE SIGNAGE PROJECT 1) Background Information The Village of Mount Prospect developed a comprehensive Bicycle Plan in 2012. During the review process leading up to its approval, it was discussed by both the Village Board of Trustees and Transportation Safety Commission. Topics such as bike -friendly policies & ordinances, education, encouragement, and infrastructure are all included in the plan. It provides a framework for implementing a broad bike network for all types of bicyclists and promoting more people to choose biking to get around town. The Bicycle Plan can be viewed on the Village's website at www.mountprospect.orgIModules/ShowDocument.asox?documentid=192 . Funds have been allocated in the 2016 Village Budget to build a majority of the Phase I bike network. The goal is to connect a few primary destinations in the Village using residential streets. The network will also connect to existing bike routes in Arlington Heights and Prospect Heights. Work will include installing signs and pavement markings only. Standard bike route signs, destination signs, and bike crossing signs at signalized intersections will be installed throughout the network while pavement markings will only be installed on a few streets. In the Kensington Business Park, portions of Business Center Drive, Feehanville Drive, and Wheeling Road are wide streets with prohibited parking. Pavement markings including a combination of bike lane lines, bike symbols, arrows, and shared lane symbols (sharrows — refer to attached drawing) will be considered during the design. On Lincoln Street between Meier Road and Can-dota Avenue, the Village has installed centerline and parking lane lanes. With little on -street parking, the parking lane is often used by bicyclists. The pavement markings have not only slowed traffic but have provided a separate travel area for bicyclists. Meier Road as well as Lincoln Street west of Meier Road will be considered for similar pavement markings during design. This year's project has been discussed with the Mount Prospect Park District, River Trails Park District, and Mount Prospect Bike Club. All are supportive of the project and believe it will encourage more people to bike in Mount Prospect. Once the Engineering staff completes design, permits must be secured from the Illinois Department of Transportation and Cook County Highway Department prior to bidding the project. Anticipating the Engineering staff will recommend award of a contract after opening bids, the project will be presented to the Village Board of Trustees for final consideration. Construction is expected to begin this summer with completion in the fall. 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 presented the scope of the project. TSC Meeting Page 2 of 4 February 8, 2016 Commissioner Fisher asked how the recent bike -related projects have been funded and how this project would be funded. Traffic Engineer Lawrie said the Busse Rd & Lonnquist Blvd Intersection Improvement Project was funded 50/50 by the Village and Cook County. The Central Rd & Weller Ln Intersection Improvement Project was 80% funded by a Safe Routes to School Grant and 20% funded by the Village. This year's Bicycle Route Signage Project is funded entirely by the Village. Nancy Wagner, 1774 Azalea Place, is a member of the Mount Prospect Bike Club and expressed her support of the project. She described the make-up of the club members and the different rides they offer. Mark Weir, 13 S. Owen Street, is the president of the Mount Prospect Bike Club and expressed his support of the project. He spoke about the importance of providing bike connections to Mount Prospect destinations as well as bikeways in adjacent communities. There was discussion on crossing arterial roads on bikes. The Bike Club members shared that they will go out of their way to cross at signalized intersections. Traffic Engineer Lawrie commented that this project will add bike crossing signs and enhanced crosswalks on arterial roads to improve safety at signalized intersections. There was support of the recent intersection improvement projects and consensus that the Village should continue to look for opportunities to improve safety for pedestrians and bicyclists riding along and crossing arterial roads. Nancy Wagner was appreciative of Village staff's willingness to amend the network so that bicyclists would cross Central Road at Owen Street rather than at Emerson Street. The Bike Club prefers to cross at the traffic signal at Owen Street. This change was made during a meeting between Ms. Wagner, Mr. Weir, and Traffic Engineer Lawrie in January. Commission Kuehlthau is an avid bicyclist and described his experiences riding to and from work each day. His employer is outside Mount Prospect and he travels on both residential and arterial roads. He shared some of the difficulties riding along sidewalk on arterial roads. Traffic Engineer Lawrie said the Village is part of the Northwest Municipal Conference Bike & Pedestrian Committee and one the goals is to improve biking along regional corridors such as along Golf Road and Northwest Highway. A brief discussion took place on the widened shoulders along Central Road east of Wolf Road in Des Plaines that can be used by bicyclists. The Commission expressed an interest in connecting to it in the future. Traffic Engineer Lawrie said off-street improvements along Central Road and/or Wolf Road would be necessary and is not included in this year's project. Chairman Keane commented that he doesn't see many bicyclists using the signed/marked bike routes in Des Plaines. He asked if there would be a way to quantify the number of bicyclists on Village bike routes. Traffic Engineer Lawrie said the traffic counter equipment does not record bicyclists. Commissioner Fisher thought this would be a difficult endeavor for Village staff to do. The Commission discussed the use of pavement markings such as bike lanes and sharrows. Traffic Engineer Lawrie said only a few streets would be considered for pavement markings during design. Chairman Keane expressed concern that many motorists may not understand bike markings, especially sharrows. There was consensus that Village staff should give close examination to them with this project. The Commission members shared their support of the project. Commissioner Kuehlthau made a recommendation to approve the Bicycle Route Signage Project. The motion was seconded by TSC Meeting Page 3 of 4 February 8, 2016 Commissioner Fisher. The motion was approved by a vote of 8-0. Chairman Keane asked that the Commission be updated on this topic in one year following completion of the project. He expressed interest in comparing bike -related accidents before and after the project. COMMISSION ISSUES Commissioner Kuehlthau inquired as to the status of the redevelopment at the northwest corner of Main Street (Route 83) and Central Road. He asked if the sidewalk would be improved with any redevelopment. Village Engineer Wulbecker responded there is not anything planned yet but the sidewalk could possibly be improved and widened with the redevelopment. Additional right-of-way may be needed but the issue could be discussed during future design. Commissioner Kuehlthau asked why sections of Rand Road does not have sidewalk. Village Engineer Wulbecker responded the Village has a sidewalk project each year that looks to fill in gaps of missing sidewalk. Also, developers are required to install public sidewalk when properties are developed or redeveloped. There are limited funds but Rand Road can be considered in the future. ADJOURNMENT With no further business to discuss, the Transportation Safety Commission voted 8-0 to adjourn at 7:43 p.m. upon the motion of Commissioner Fisher. Commissioner Tortorello seconded the motion. Respectfully submitted, V4, r------ Matthew P. Lawrie, P.E. Traffic Engineer h:\engineering\traffic\safety_com mission\recs&m ins\1SC-februaryl6m in.docx TSC Meeting Page 4 of 4 February 8, 2016