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HomeMy WebLinkAbout07/23/2012 TSC MinutesDirector Sean P. Dorsey CALL TO ORDER Mount Prospect Public Works Department 1700 W. Central Road, Mount Prospect, Illinois 60056-2229 MINUTES OF THE MOUNT PROSPECT TRANSPORTATION SAFETY COMMISSION Deputy Director Jason H. Leib The regular meeting of the Mount Prospect Transportation Safety Commission was called to order at 7:03 p.m. on Monday, July 23, 2012. ROLL CALL Present upon roll call: John Keane Chairman Angel Campos Commissioner Robert Fisher Commissioner Justin Kuehlthau Commissioner Carol Tortorello Commissioner Bob Smith Police Department Representative Paul Bures Public Works Representative Matt Lawrie Traffic Engineer —Staff Liaison Absent: Chuck Bencic Commissioner Henry Dawson Fire Department Representative Others in Attendance: Daniel Korbakis 1820 Pheasant Trail APPROVAL OF MINUTES Commissioner Fisher, seconded by Commissioner Tortorello, moved to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of the Transportation Safety Commission held on June 11, 2012. The minutes were approved by a vote of 5-0 with Commander Smith and Streets/Buildings Superintendent Bures 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 8 July 23, 2012 OLD BUSINESS There was no old business to discuss. NEW BUSINESS A. JOHN JAY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL TRAFFIC STUDY 1) Background Information Approximately 15 years ago, John Jay Elementary requested a series of one-way streets and turn restrictions around the school. Residents were opposed to the request via a survey and the issue was dropped before any public discussion. Today's regulations have been in place for over 35 years. The Engineering Division worked with Dr. Thomas Seaton, principal at John Jay Elementary School, during the past school year to identify vehicular and pedestrian concerns around the school and develop solutions to these concerns. Current Traffic Regulations 1. Parking is prohibited along the north side of Pheasant Trail 110' east of and 121' west of the centerline of Tamarack Drive during school hours. 2. Parking is prohibited along the south side of Pheasant Trail 81' east of and 93' west of the centerline of Tamarack Drive during school hours. 3. Left turns are prohibited from eastbound Pheasant Trail onto northbound Tamarack Drive on school days 8:OOAM-4:OOPM. 4. Left turns are prohibited from southbound Tamarack Drive onto eastbound Pheasant Trail on school days 8:OOAM-4:OOPM. 5. Parking is prohibited between 2:OOAM and 6:OOAM on all Village streets. Current Layout 1. The streets in the neighborhood are 31' wide (back -of -curb to back -of -curb). 2. There are painted crosswalks and school crossing signs at Pheasant Trail & Tamarack Drive. 3. Pheasant Trail & Tamarack Drive is a 3 -way stop controlled intersection. 4. There are two drop-off/pick-up lanes along the south side of Pheasant Trail in front of the school. The western one is for busses and the eastern one is for parents. 5. The Mount Prospect — Arlington Heights border is along the western edge of the school property, approximately 170' west of Tamarack Drive. Current Traffic Conditions 1. The school day begins at 8:40AM and ends at 3:3013M. 2. Busses drop-off and pick-up students on the south side of Pheasant Trail in the bus lane. 3. Teachers and administrators park in the lot that is closed to parents during drop-off and pick-up times. 4. A majority of parents drop-off and pick-up their child along the north and south sides of Pheasant Trail. Some parents also park on Tamarack Drive. Based on the Engineering Division's observations, approximately 25-30 vehicles are observed at afternoon dismissal. 5. A volunteer serves as a crossing guard at the Pheasant Trail & Tamarack Drive intersection. 6. There is not any significant traffic congestion during the midday. 7. Parents begin to arrive approximately 20-30 minutes before the start and end of the school day. Traffic congestion lasts approximately 15 minutes after afternoon dismissal. TSC Meeting Page 2 of 8 July 23, 2012 2) Issues The principal and assistant principal conveyed a few traffic -related issues to the Engineering Division during our meeting. The Engineering Division also spent several days observing the traffic throughout the semester. The issues include: 1. Two-way traffic cannot be maintained with vehicles parked on both sides of Pheasant Trail and Tamarack Drive. Traffic congestion was evident, particularly during afternoon dismissal. 2. Busses dropping -off and picking -up students in the bus lane on Pheasant Trail do so with the Stop arm extended. Students, though, are not crossing the street. This delays other vehicles from dropping -off or picking -up students and traveling by the school. 3. Emergency vehicles would have a difficult time travelling on the streets surrounding the school during the morning drop-off and afternoon pick-up times. 4. Students were observed walking across Pheasant Trail at non -crosswalk locations to/from vehicles on the north side of the street. 5. Residents have complained that it can be difficult for them to access their driveways during the school day. A notification letter was sent to 20 nearby properties and to the school soliciting their comments on this issue. The Village received six completed surveys. All surveys supported changes to address the parking concerns. 3) Recommendation 1. To provide safe and efficient traffic flow along Pheasant Trail and Tamarack Drive, it will be important to allow parking only on one side of the street during peak travel times. By doing so, two-way traffic can be maintained, emergency vehicles can easily access adjacent homes, and residents can get in and out of their driveways. And by not allowing parents to drop-off and pick-up their child on the north side of Pheasant Trail and west side of Tamarack Drive, students will less likely cross the street at non -crosswalk locations. Another benefit is that once students are dropped -off or picked -up, vehicles are traveling in a direction away from the school. Recommendation: Prohibit Stopping, Standing, Parking School Days 8:OOAM-4:OOPM along the north side of Pheasant Trail from the Mount Prospect — Arlington Heights border to a point 530' east of the centerline of Tamarack Drive. Prohibit Stopping, Standing, Parking School Days 8:OOAM-4:OOPM along the west side of Tamarack Drive from Pheasant Trail to Magnolia Lane. 2. Should the above recommendation be approved, the existing parking restriction along the north side of Pheasant Trail will need to be repealed. Recommendation: Repeal the ordinance prohibiting Stopping, Standing, Parking School Days 8:OOAM-4:OOPM along the north side of Pheasant Trail from a point 110' east of to a point 121' west of the centerline of Tamarack Drive. 3. The turn prohibition signs at the Pheasant Trail & Tamarack Drive intersection were installed in 1976 on a trial basis according to Village records. It is unclear as to why the signs were installed but they do not enhance traffic flow or safety. In fact, Staff observed some motorists disobeying the signs creating a safety concern. Recommendation: Repeal the ordinance that prohibits left turns from eastbound Pheasant Trail onto northbound Tamarack Drive, and southbound Tamarack Drive onto eastbound Pheasant Trail School Days 8:OOAM-4:OOPM. 4. The Engineering Division has had conversations with the school about the current location of the bus lane on Pheasant Trail. When students are dropped -off and picked -up, the extended Stop arm delays traffic in front of the school. There is a paved area behind the parking lot on school property that appears to be large enough to accommodate busses. TSC Meeting Page 3 of 8 July 23, 2012 Relocating the busses would provide additional drop-off and pick-up spaces for parents and enhance traffic flow in front of the school. Recommendation: Encourage the school to move the bus drop-off/pick-up location to the rear of the parking lot. 5. If any of the above recommendations are approved, they should be implemented during the summer months before the new school year begins in August. Notification to parents and police presence during the first week of school will be important to provide a smooth transition. Recommendation: Implement any approved recommendations and encourage the school to notify parents prior to the start of the school year, and have the Police Department educate parents and enforce the new traffic regulations during the first week of school. 4) Discussion Traffic Engineer Lawrie provided background information on the subject and summarized the recommendations. He also provided the results of the resident survey. Chairman Keane questioned whether the Village can force the school to relocate the bus drop- off and pick-up location from Pheasant Trail to the parking lot. He said it would be more efficient to have the busses in the parking lot. There was some discussion on the feasibility of busses maneuvering in the parking lot. After some more discussion on the issue, Commander Smith clarified that Pheasant Trail is a public street and busses should be able to use and park on it. It was, therefore, suggested that Staff work with the school to relocate the busses rather than force the issue. Mr. Korbakis, 1820 Pheasant Trail, supported the recommendation and explained the difficulty with driving on Pheasant Trail with vehicles parked on both sides of the street. Traffic Engineer Lawrie mentioned that information would be sent to the parents prior to the start of the school year explaining the changes and showing a preferred driving route. Other Commission members expressed their support of moving the bus drop-off and pick-up location to the parking lot to improve traffic flow and free up more parking spaces for parents. Commissioner Campos made a motion to concur with the recommendation of the Traffic Engineer. He specified that he strongly recommends that the school move the bus drop-off and pick-up location to the parking lot to improve traffic flow along Pheasant Trail. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Kuehlthau. The motion was approved by a vote of 7-0. B) LIONS PARK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL TRAFFIC STUDY 1) Background Information Over the past 15 years, multiple traffic studies have been performed around Lions Park Elementary School to address ongoing traffic flow, parking and pedestrian safety issues. The Engineering Division worked with Kristine Gritzmacher, principal at Lions Park Elementary School, during the last couple months of the school year to address a new traffic concern. Current Traffic Regulations 1. Parking is prohibited along the south side of Council Trail, east side of Maple Street, east side of Elm Street and east side of School Street during school hours. TSC Meeting Page 4 of 8 July 23, 2012 2. Signs designating drop-off & pick-up during school hours are located along the west side of School Street and north side of Council Trail in front of the school. 3. Access north on School Street at Council Trail is prohibited from 8:30AM-9:30AM and 3:OOPM-4:OOPM on school days. 4. Parking is prohibited between 2:OOAM and 6:OOAM on all Village streets. Current Layout 1. The streets in the neighborhood around the school vary between 26' and 31' wide (back -of - curb to back -of -curb). 2. There are painted crosswalks and school crossing signs at Council Trail & Elm Street, Council Trail & School Street, and School Street & Shabonee Trail. 3. Council Trail & School Street is a 4 -way stop controlled intersection. Council Trail & Elm Street is controlled with a single Stop sign on Elm Street. Current Traffic Conditions 1. The school day begins at 8:50AM and ends at 3:2013M. 2. Busses drop-off and pick-up students in the circular lot on Council Trail. 3. Teachers and administrators park in the primary lot on Council Trail and secondary lot on School Street. These lots are closed to parents during drop-off and pick-up times. 4. A majority of parents drop-off and pick-up their child along the north side of Council Trail. The west side of School Street in front of the school is also used by parents. Other areas for drop-off and pick-up include Maple Street, Elm Street and School Street south of Council Trail. 5. Teachers serve as crossing guards at Council Trail & Elm Street and Council Trail & School Street. 6. Council Trail & Elm Street experiences 110 pedestrian crossings in the morning and 120 crossings in the afternoon. Council Trail & School Street experiences 70 crossings in the morning and 130 crossings in the afternoon based on a study in May 2012. 7. There is not any significant traffic congestion during the midday. 8. Parents begin to arrive approximately 20-30 minutes before the start and end of the school day. Traffic congestion lasts approximately 15 minutes after afternoon dismissal. 2) Issues The north side of Council Trail in front of the school is the primary location for drop-off and pick- up. During peak times, traffic will often back up into the Council Trail & School Street intersection. One contributing factor is that after dropping -off or picking -up a student along the west side of School Street in front of the school, many parents then turn right onto Council Trail. These parents must now wait in line behind parents dropping -off or picking -up a student on Council Trail before proceeding past the school. Southbound vehicles on School Street can be backed up ten vehicles long because of the congestion at Council Trail. Pedestrian safety is compromised at the intersection of Council Trail & School Street with vehicles stopped near and on the crosswalks. The principal at Lions Park Elementary requested that the Village install a No Right Turn sign from southbound School Street onto westbound Council Trail to reduce traffic along Council Trail during peak times of the school day. TSC Meeting Page 5 of 8 July 23, 2012 3) 4) Data Collection The Engineering Division agreed to try the No Right Turn sign on a temporary basis starting March 2012. Prior to the sign installation, in February 2012, vehicle and pedestrian counts were collected at both the intersections of Council Trail & School Street and Council Trail & Elm Street. Counts were collected from 8:30AM-9:OOAM and 3:OOPM-3:30PM at both locations. Parents and nearby residents were then notified and starting in March, the school each day would place a No Right Turn sign on a barricade at the intersection during drop-off and pick-up times. A second collection of vehicle and pedestrian data was then done in May 2012. The following is a summary of the results: February 2012 (prior to No Richt Turn sien) - # of vehicles Council Trail & School Street 8:30AM-9:OOAM 3:OOPM-3:30PM Southbound Southbound Right Thru Left Right Thru Left 24 22 25 21 9 14 Council Trail & Elm Street 8:30AM-9:OOAM 3:OOPM-3:30PM Westbound Westbound Thru Left Thru Left 83 16 46 12 Mav 2012 (after No Richt Turn sien) - # of vehicles Council Trail & School Street 8:30AM-9:OOAM 3:OOPM-3:30PM Southbound Southbound Right Thru Left Right Thru Left 1 37 20 2 22 12 Council Trail & Elm Street 8:30AM-9:OOAM Westbound Thru Left 61 12 Analysis 3:OOPM-3:30PM Westbound Thru Left 25 14 1. With the turn prohibition in place, 28 more vehicles traveled southbound on School Street south of Council Trail during the 1 -hour period (8:30AM-9:OOAM and 3:OOPM-3:30PM). This represents an 11% increase in traffic volume over the course of a day along this block of School Street. The daily traffic volume, however, is still less than 300 vehicles per day which is within the normal range for a residential street. 2. The May data showed 21 fewer vehicles traveling on School Street north of Council Trail during the 1 -hour period (8:30AM-9:OOAM and 3:OOPM-3:30PM) compared to the February data. This most likely is because more students walk to/from school in the warmer months. 3. With the turn prohibition in place, 45 fewer vehicles traveled westbound on Council Trail at Elm Street during the 1 -hour period (8:30AM-9:OOAM and 3:OOPM-3:30PM). This represents a 3.5% decrease in traffic volume over the course of a day along Council Trail. TSC Meeting Page 6 of 8 July 23, 2012 4. A concern the Engineering Division had was that parents would travel south on School Street, west on Berkshire Lane, north on Elm Street and then west back onto Council Trail. This would potentially create traffic congestion at the Council Trail & Elm Street intersection. However, only 6 additional vehicles were recorded that turned left from northbound Elm Street onto westbound Council Trail during the 1 -hour period (8:30AM- 9:00AM and 3:00PM-3:30PM) compared to the February data. 5. Field observations showed less vehicle congestion at the Council Trail & School Street intersection with the turn prohibition in place. Traffic flow along southbound School Street moved more efficiently and fewer vehicles were observed stopping on the crosswalks. Little impact was seen on adjacent streets with the turn prohibition in place. A notification letter was sent to 9 nearby properties and to the school soliciting their comments on this issue. The Village received three completed surveys. All surveys support enacting a turn prohibition during the peak times of the school day to address the traffic congestion at the intersection of Council Trail & School Street. 5) Recommendation Based on the traffic study, the No Right Turn sign had a positive impact on reducing vehicle congestion and improving pedestrian safety. Having the turn prohibition in place also did not appear to have a significant negative impact on the surrounding streets. Further, both the school and residents along School Street support the turn prohibition. The Engineering Division did consider a shorter time period for the turn prohibition but the hour prohibition provides a buffer of time both before and after the start and end of the school day to assure vehicles are moving safely and efficiently around the school. The timeframe is also consistent with the existing access restriction at Council Trail & School Street. Recommendation: Prohibit right turns from southbound School Street onto westbound Council Trail from 8:30AM-9:30AM and 3:OOPM-4:OOPM on school days. 6) Discussion Traffic Engineer Lawrie provided background information on the subject and summarized the recommendations. He also provided the results of the resident survey. Commissioner Tortorello noted that she is familiar with the traffic issues as a grandparent of a student who attended Lions Park. She expressed support for this recommendation to improve traffic flow. Commissioner Fisher mentioned that he lives on School Street immediately south of the school. He recognizes the issue and supports the recommendation as well. He said the additional traffic on his street is not noticeable and believes making the No Right Turn sign permanent will make the intersection safer for students. Commissioner Fisher made a motion to concur with the recommendation of the Traffic Engineer. It was seconded by Commissioner Campos. The motion was approved by a vote of 7-0. TSC Meeting Page 7 of 8 July 23, 2012 COMMISSION ISSUES Commissioner Campos expressed a concern with a sight obstruction caused by a row of bushes near the Dunkin Donuts driveway on Busse Road at Golf Road. Traffic Engineer Lawrie said he would look into the issue. Commissioner Tortorello thanked those Commission members that helped distribute Yellow Dot brochures at the 4th of July parade. Over 700 brochures were handed out along the parade route. ADJOURNMENT With no further business to discuss, the Transportation Safety Commission voted 7-0 to adjourn at 8:07 p.m. upon the motion of Commissioner Campos. Commissioner Fisher seconded the motion. Respectfully submitted, Matthew P. Lawrie, P.E. Traffic Engineer h:\enginee ring\traffic\safety_commission\recs&mins\ uly12min. docx TSC Meeting Page 8 of 8 July 23, 2012