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HomeMy WebLinkAbout11/08/2004 SC minutes Director Glen R. Andler Deputy Director Sean P. Dorsey Village Engineer Jeffrey A. Wulbecker Solid Waste Coordinator M. Lisa Angell Water/Sewer Superintendent Roderick T. O'Donovan Streets/Buildings Superintendent Paul C. Bures Forestry/Grounds Superintendent Sandra M. Clark Vehicle/Equipment Superintendent James E. Guenther MOUNT PROSPECT PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT 1700 W. CENTRAL RCAD, MCUNT PRCSPECT, ILLINCIS 60056-2229 PHCNE 847/870-5640 FAX 847/253-9377 TDD 847/392-1235 MINUTES OF THE MOUNT PROSPECT SAFETY COMMISSION DRAFT CALL TO ORDER The Regular Meeting of the Mount Prospect Safety Commission was called to order at 7:00 p.m. on Monday, November 8, 2004. ROLL CALL Present upon roll call: Chuck Bencic John Keane Susan Arndt Carol Tortorello Ted Adamczyk Buz Livingston Paul Bures Matt Lawrie Absent: Kevin Grouwinkel Mark Miller Others in Attendance: See attached list. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Chairman V ice Chairman Commissioner Comn'Íissioner Police Department Representative Fire Department Representative Public Works Representative Traffic Engineer - Staff Liaison Commissioner Commissioner Commissioner Keane, seconded by Commissioner Tortorello, moved to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of the Safety Commission held on September 13,2004. The minutes were approved by a vote of7-0. CITIZENS TO BE HEARD Mr. Ed Plocharski, 401 S. Douglas Avenue, expressed a concern with traffic on Lincoln Street. Over the years, traffic has increased primarily because of housing development in Arlington Heights and the construction of the White Oak Street and Arlington Heights Road intersection. With this increased traffic, speeding also has increased. Because there isn't a complete sidewalk system, pedestrians walk in the street. He is concerned for their safety. Traffic Engineer Lawrie suggested rneeting with Mr. Plocharski at a later time to discuss the issues in greater detail and determine next steps. Mr. Plocharski was agreeable to this. Commissioner Grouwinkel arrived. OLD BUSINESS A) TRAFFIC STUDY ALONG THE 600 &700 BLOCKS OF N. PINE STREET 1) Background Information This issue was originally discussed at the June Safety Commission Meeting. A petition had been submitted by the residents of the 600 and 700 blocks of N. Pine Street to restrict right turns from eastbound Kensington Road onto Pine Street. The primary complaint is the amount of cut through traffic using Pine Street to avoid the traffic signal at Kensington Road and Route 83. The residents are also concerned about speeding. While approving a turn restriction would reduce the amount of cut through traffic, residents of Pine Street would also not be allowed to access the street. Also, adjacent streets such as Russel Street would most likely experience an increase in traffic. In addition to discussing the advantages and disadvantages of a turn restriction, the Safety Commission discussed possible improvements to Kensington Road. Staff recommended contacting mOT about the feasibility of adding an exclusive right turn lane for eastbound Kensington Road at Route 83 thereby providing incentive for rnotorists to stay on the main roads rather than cutting through the neighborhood. The Safety Commission agreed to table the issue to give Staff an opportunity to meet with mOT and bring the issue back for further discussion at a later date. Since then, Staff has met with mOT, gathered updated traffic volume and speed data, and discussed possible short-term and long-term solutions. Also, as mentioned at the previous meeting and directed by the Safety Commission, a No Thru Traffic sign was installed on Pine Street at Kensington Road and the school districts were contacted and asked to not use Pine Street as a cut through route. 2) Staff Study The Engineering Staff met with mOT representatives from their Traffic Section and Programming Section a couple of months ago. The idea of adjustments to the traffic signal timing was first discussed. mOT mentioned that no additional equipment such as traffic signal heads, turn arrows, pedestrian signals, etc. could be installed as the controller is at rnaximum capacity. mOT then indicated that no major adjustments to the timing could be made as it would have a negative impact on traffic progression along Rand Road and Route 83, the two primary roads at this congested triangle intersection. Any minor adjustments that might be able to be made would have little impact on reducing cut through traffic as the cycle length of the traffic signals would still remain between three and four minutes. Therefore, mOT indicated there would not be any changes to the traffic signal timing. Staff then brought up the idea of adding an eastbound right turn lane on Kensington Road at Route 83. IDOT agreed that the road widening would increase capacity and, thereby, reduce delay. They were supportive of the concept but said they have no funds to accomplish such a project. Kensington Road is an unmarked State road and receives the least priority when it comes to road improvement projects. They made no indication funds would be allocated for such a project in the future. IDOT recommended to Staff that we consider two other funding sources. First, each year the Northwest Council of Mayors reviews potential road projects and allocates money as part of the federal Surface Transportation Program (STP). Any type of road improvement project is eligible and selected projects could receive up to 70% federal funding. The other funding source is the federal Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality (CMAQ) program. The Chicago Area Transportation Study (CATS) and IDOT administer this program and selected projects could also receive up to 70% funding. And the remaining 30%, in some cases, will be paid for by IDOT. This program specifically targets projects that look to reduce congestion and delay on the state road system. After meeting with mOT, Staff put together a preliminary cost estimate to add a right turn lane along Kensington Road as discussed with mOT. Staff has estimated such a project to cost approximately $200,000. We first considered whether local funds should exclusively be used. Design ofthe project could be done during the winter and construction could take place in 2005. However, it would reduce the budget for the Village's Resurfacing Program that improve local roads. It was decided this avenue would not be taken and Staff would explore the two federal programs. Staff first considered the STP. However, we learned that the annual application deadline recently passed and the program already has committed its budget amount for the next several years. Should we apply next year, notification of our acceptance or denial probably wouldn't come until 2006 with funding allocated in 2011 at the earliest. Staff then considered the CMAQ program. The next annual application will be available in December with notification of a project's acceptance or denial later in the summer/fall of 2005. Should our project get accepted, funding would be available in 2006 at the earliest or 2010 at the latest. It should be noted, however, that even if a project was slated for 2010, there is the possibility that it could be moved up. The CMAQ program looks to spend its entire budget each year and not carry any money over. Since our project is a relatively small project, should a project slated for a particular year either be delayed or eliminated, mOT will move up an already accepted projected ready for construction so that the money can be used. After much discussion, Staff has decided to pursue funding through the CMAQ program. When the application becomes available, Staff will complete it and submit it to mOT for approval. Should the project be accepted, we will then focus our attention on design and be prepared for construction at the earliest opportunity. Traffic volume and speed data were again gathered over a five-day period in September 2004 along four streets: Wille Street, Pine Street, Russel Street and Elmhurst Avenue. The study was done to confirm or refute the findings ofthe May 2004 study. Though the latest results reveal a slight overall reduction in volume and speed, they are similar enough to support the findings found in the previous study. The results are shown on the table below. September 2004 Street Wille Street Pine Street Russel Street Elmhurst Avenue Daily Volume 325 900 525 950 Northbound Avg. Speed (mph) 26 . 27 26 30 May 2004 Street Wille Street Pine Street Russel Street Elmhurst A venue Daily Volume 375 950 600 1075 Northbound A vg. Speed (mph) 27 27 27 31 Southbound Avg. Speed (rnph) 23 27 27 28 Southbound Avg. Speed (rnph) 25 28 27 30 Similar to the traffic study in May 2004, Staff also performed a manual count during peak times of a day by observing the turning movement of vehicles on Pine Street at its intersection with Kensington Road and Highland Street. The purpose of the study was to gain a better understanding ofthe amount of traffic using Pine Street to avoid the traffic signal. The results are shown on the table below. total number number of cut September 22. 2004 of vehicles through vehicles % 7:00-8:00am 61 32 52 2:30-3:30pm 83 37 45 5:00-6:00prn 63 22 35 total number number of cut May 12. 2004 of vehicles through vehicles % 7:00-8:00am 92 45 49 2:30-3:30pm 98 47 48 5:00-6:00pm 93 30 32 Even though the latest manual count had a lower volume, the percentage of cut through traffic was similar to the previous study. As a result of the studies performed by Staff, it is apparent that there is a level of cut through traffic on Pine Street and the adjacent streets to warrant consideration of measures to counteract the problem. To address it, Staff believes the ultimate solution is to provide incentive to motorists to stay on the main roads rather than trying to deter them from using Pine Street. Motorists are cutting through the neighborhood to avoid the delay along Kensington Road. By reducing the delay such that there is little or no savings in time by using the neighborhood streets, motorists will more likely stay on the main roads. This will in turn benefit the entire neighborhood not just Pine Street. Because of this reasoning, Staff will pursue the widening of Kensington Road through the CMAQ program. Constructing a right turn lane on Kensington Road by obtaining federal funding will be a long-term solution. The residents who feel the effect of cut through traffic on a daily basis will most likely be looking for a short-term solution. Staff has given consideration to various solutions. Staff first considered the right turn restriction at Pine Street and Kensington Road as requested by the residents. While it would certainly reduce the amount of cut through traffic experienced on Pine Street, it would also limit the ability for residents to access their homes. Local traffic and cut through traffic as well would shift to the adjacent neighborhood street. The streets in the neighborhood are set up in a grid pattern, therefore, six streets: Pine Street, Russel Street, Elmhurst A venue, Eastwood Avenue, Prospect Manor Avenue and Fairview Avenue would all require similar turn restrictions to reduce cut through traffic in the neighborhood. Not only would this severely reduce access to the neighborhood, it would require an increased effort on the Police Department to enforce. From our traffic studies, there appears to be two hours during the day that sees a higher percentage of cut through traffic on Pine Street compared to other hours of the day. These are the two hours that experience the most traffic along Kensington Road during the day. The back-ups in the eastbound direction often extend west of Pine Street. Aware of the delay, motorists more often will choose neighborhood streets such as Pine Street as an alternative route during these two hours: 7arn-8am and 2:30pm-3:30pm. Another consideration is to institute time specific turn restrictions. As an example, no right turn from 2:30pm-3:30pm Monday-Friday on school days would eliminate approximately 12-13% ofthe daily southbound traffic on Pine Street. This traffic is primarily Prospect High School students leaving school at the end of the day. The traffic studies also show the highest average speed on Pine Street is during this timeframe. A time specific turn restriction would, therefore, have a positive effect on overall speed as well. However, as mentioned above, even time specific turn restrictions would have to be placed at all six intersecting streets along Kensington Road in order not to burden other neighborhood streets with additional traffic. Even if this were viewed as not a significant inconvenience to the neighborhood, it stilt would have an adverse effect on the neighborhood. The Safety Commission will need to make a recommendation on the residents' request for turn restrictions and should consider the advantages and disadvantages of both fun-time and time specific restrictions when doing so. A recommendation that supports turn restrictions will be forwarded to the Village Board of Trustees for final consideration. A recommendation that opposes turn restrictions will not be formally heard by the Village Board of Trustees unless it is requested by the petitioner. Staff also developed two other ideas that would be considered more mid-range ideas. They would not provide immediate results but they may be able to be accomplished before the road work to Kensington Road. Last month Staff made a presentation to the Vi1lage Board of Trustees regarding the direction of our traffic program. As part of the presentation there was discussion on traffic calming and education. Some of the trustees were interested in testing traffic calming measures such as speed humps and traffic circles on neighborhood streets. They also were receptive to the idea of creating an education program that would involve making neighborhood traffic more aware of their surroundings and to be more cautious, courteous motorists. Staff will be holding a workshop with the Village Board and Safety Commission most likely in January 2005 so that the Viltage Board can provide direction to Staff as we develop these programs. As Staff does so, we can begin to think how Pine Street and possibly the adjacent streets in the neighborhood could be involved in these programs. 3) Recommendation Staff has considered short-term, mid-range and long-term solutions to dealing with the ongoing cut through issue on Pine Street and the adjacent streets in the neighborhood. It is the Vi1lage Traffic Engineer's recommendation that: .:. the right turn restriction at Pine Street from eastbound Kensington Road not be approved as it would shift traffic to the adjacent neighborhood street; and if aU the intersecting streets had turn restrictions it would severely limit access to the neighborhood .:. the traffic calming and education programs continue to be developed based on the direction of the Village Board and that Pine Street and the adjacent neighborhood streets be considered as test cases .:. Staff be pro-active in applying for federal funding to widen Kensington Road at its intersection with Route 83 and follow through with construction at the earliest opportunity 4) Discussion Mr. Ken Bowman, 613 N. Pine Street, said there has been no change in the traffic since June. The Police Department has provided enforcement but the cut through and speeding problems continue. Chairman Bencic asked Traffic Engineer Lawrie to present the report to the Safety Commission. Traffic Engineer Lawrie provided an overview of Staffs further study of the issue. Chairman Bencic asked if there were questions from the Commission. Commissioner Grouwinkel wanted to confirm that based on the traffic studies, prohibiting right turns at Pine Street on school days between 7 -8am and 2:30-3 :30pm would reduce daily southbound traffic by 20%. Traffic Engineer Lawrie said that is correct. Commissioner Arndt asked about additional traffic after 3:30pm along Pine Street because of after school activities. Traffic Engineer Lawrie said that the 2:30-3 :30pm targets the peak traffic period in the afternoon even though cut through traffic occurs throughout the day. He said it could be extended if the Commission desires. Commissioner Grouwinkel supports the turn restriction from 7 -8am and 2:30-3 :30pm as it will reduce the amount of traffic and be an improvement for the residents. He believes a similar turn restriction would have to be approved for all the streets along Kensington Road; however, he sees this may make it difficult for residents to access their homes. Mr. Bowman asked if the turn restriction at Wille Street and Kensington Road could be removed. Traffic Engineer Lawrie responded that it would be considered as part of the improvements to Kensington Road but is not a recommendation at this time. The sign has been in place for 30 years and the residents on Wille Street are accustomed to it. Any change would have a dramatic effect and would not necessarily solve the cut through problem for the neighborhood. Ms. Sofia Mullins, 709 N. Pine Street, is against a turn restriction as it would make it inconvenient to access her house and only create problems on adjacent streets. She supports improving Kensington Road. Chairman Bencic wondered if the eastbound curb lane could become the dedicated right turn lane thereby eliminating the need to widen the road. Traffic Engineer Lawrie said by doing so there becomes only one through lane. This may in turn result in back-ups and not solve the problem. Chairman Bencic commented that if Pine Street were to have a turn restriction all the streets along Kensington Road should have a similar turn restriction. Commissioner Keane expressed a concern that approving a turn restriction will create other problems. Commissioner Arndt noted that if turn restrictions were put on all the streets along Kensington Street, Highland Street would see an increase in traffic because of residents using it to access their street instead of Kensington Road. Mr. Thomas asked if the turn restriction is denied would the residents have to wait until 2010 to see any change. Traffic Engineer Lawrie said Staff would pursue securing funding and hopefully could complete a project before 2010. Also, he mentioned there may be an opportunity to do something else as the traffic calming and education programs were developed. There was some additional discussion regarding the scope of the improvements to Kensington Road among the residents and Commission. Commissioner Tortorello, seconded by Mr. Bures, moved to approve the recommendation of the Village Traffic Engineer. The motion was approved by a vote of 6-2. Grouwinkel opposed the motion. Commissioner Arndt and Commissioner NEW BUSINESS None. COMMISSION ISSUES Commissioner Keane pointed out a potential sight obstruction at the southwest corner of Westgate Gate and Centennial Drive. Traffic Engineer Lawrie said he would investigate it. Commissioner Tortorello said that the stop sign at the north entrance of Kohl' s on Elmhurst Road was knocked down. She also expressed a concern with motorists exiting the parking structure at the Village Hall and not paying attention to pedestrians. Commissioner Grouwinkel noted that signs along Forest Avenue near Prospect High School prohibit soccer parking. He questioned why the signs could prohibit one sport and the reasoning behind it. Traffic Engineer Lawrie said he would look into it. No other Safety Commission items were brought forth at this time. ADJOURNMENT With no further business to discuss, the Safety Commission voted 8-0 to adjourn at 8:05 p.m. upon the motion of Commissioner Keane. Commission Grouwinkel seconded the motion. Respectfully submitted, ~~ Matthew P. Lawrie, P.E. Traffic Engineer x: \engin eerin g\traffi e \s a f eeomm \rees &min \novO4 min. doc VILLAGE CF MDUNT PRCSPECT SAFETY CCMMISSIDN MEETING ATTENDANCE SHEET November 8, 2004 7:00 P.M. NAME ADDRESS Þ:Y ?LOc.~W\ (Ý) Ct r-r '-I 7h t} h( á $ / ,f(~I~. tÞ~ 4 0' S. PO\J G'LPrS . 7/ ff (I¿ (ý}~ p 51 '2-3 N tt'1.~ sf IGN "&0 ~ f~ f.J P'~E"" ~í Ml~L f?~~~ So-h' ~ M cJ¿'}tA bor'¡ tJ, PUJc£ 70'7 ¡J, f,'ne.S1- \,'.--'.--. -"---.---------7 he I'ilì PHONE NUMBER