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HomeMy WebLinkAbout3. TSC Minutes 02/11/2013 (Draft)Ik Mount Prospect Director Sean P. Dorsey Mount Prospect Public Works Department 1700 W. Central Road, Mount Prospect, Illinois 60056 -2229 MINUTES OF THE MOUNT PROSPECT TRANSPORTATION SAFETY COMMISSION nadFT CALL TO ORDER Deputy Director Jason H. Leib The regular meeting of the Mount Prospect Transportation Safety Commission was called to order at 7:05 p.m. on Monday, February 11, 2013. ROLL CALL Present upon roll call: John Keane Robert Fisher Justin Kuehlthau Carol Tortorello Bob Smith Henry Dawson Paul Bures Matt Lawrie Chairman Commissioner Commissioner Commissioner Police Department Representative Fire Department Representative Public Works Representative Traffic Engineer —Staff Liaison Absent: Chuck Bencic Commissioner Angel Campos Commissioner Others in Attendance: See attached attendance sheet 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 September 10, 2012. 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 8 February 11, 2013 OLD BUSINESS There was no old business to discuss. NEW BUSINESS A. NORTHWEST HIGHWAY & WILLE STREET PEDESTRIAN CROSSING 1) Background Information During summer weekends, both the Lions Club sponsored Farmers Market and Downtown Merchants Association sponsored Car Show occupy the west commuter lot to host their events. Many visitors park on the north side of Northwest Highway and cross the roadway at Wille Street. There is currently no marked crosswalk or signs at the intersection. The Police Department with the assistance of the Lions Club and Downtown Merchants Association establish a temporary crosswalk using cones, signs and a dolly with flashing lights. The Lions Club has requested of the Village a meeting to discuss the possibility of a permanent marked crosswalk at the intersection. Current Layout 1. Northwest Highway is five lanes and approximately 60' wide (back -of- curb to back -of- curb). 2. Wille Street terminates at Northwest Highway and is approximately 40' wide (back -of -curb to back -of- curb). There is a left -turn lane, right -turn lane & inbound lane at Northwest Highway. 3. Opposite Wille Street is a driveway to the Metra commuter parking lot. It allows full access to and from Northwest Highway. The parking lot has approximately 140 spaces. 4. The north side of Northwest Highway west of Wille Street has a small shopping center with approximately 35 spaces in a private parking lot. 5. There are angled on- street parking spaces along Busse Avenue and Wille Street. 6. There is a Village -owned parking lot on the north side of Northwest Highway east of Wille Street with approximately 50 spaces. 7. There are no marked crosswalk or sidewalk ramps across Northwest Highway at Wille Street. There is, however, a marked crosswalk across Wille Street. 8. There are marked crosswalks and pedestrian signals one block to the east at Northwest Highway and Main Street (Route 83). Current Traffic Conditions 1. On Saturday evenings from mid -May to September there is a car show in the Metra commuter parking lot. 2. On Sundays from B:OOAM — 1:OOPM from June to October the Farmers Market occupies the Metra commuter parking lot. 3. Both of these events generates a lot of people that park their vehicles on the north side of Northwest Highway and walk across the street at Wille Street. The Lions Club places orange cones across Northwest Highway to serve as a crosswalk. The Police Departments sets up a portable dolly that flashes red and blue lights to caution motorists. 4. At all other times there is very little pedestrian activity at this intersection. 2) Discussion Points 1. Northwest Highway is under the jurisdiction of the Illinois Department of Transportation (I DOT). Any proposed work will require their approval. TSC Meeting Page 2 of 8 February 11, 2013 2. A preliminary drawing showing a marked crosswalk across Northwest Highway has been sent to IDOT for comment. 3. A pedestrian count survey has not been performed at the intersection. It is recommended that one be done when the car shows and Farmers Market returns later this spring. IDOT will most likely require one before consideration of a marked crosswalk. 4. IDOT is planning to resurface Northwest Highway perhaps as soon as 2014. Pedestrian crossing improvements could possibly be incorporated into the project. 5. It is unclear how the area along the north side of Northwest Highway between Wille Street and Main Street will be redeveloped. Redevelopment may impact the need for or use of a marked crosswalk at Wille Street. There is not a timetable for redevelopment of this area. 6. The Police Department does not currently assign an officer during the car shows or Farmers Market to assist pedestrians across Northwest Highway. This may be difficult to do because of budget constraints. Is the Lions Club or another organization willing to pay for an officer or crossing guard during these times? 7. The need for a marked crosswalk is isolated to two specific time periods. And the Police Department provides resources to highlight the crossing of pedestrians and caution motorists during these time periods. Permanent signs and a marked crosswalk without the presence of the Police Department during these events may not provide the desired safety level as motorists are not accustomed to seeing pedestrians cross at this location most times of the year. As a result, motorists may not be as attentive to pedestrians crossing the street compared to a location that experiences pedestrians on a consistent basis. Therefore, is there benefit /justification to install a marked crosswalk? 8. In addition to assigning a police officer or crossing guard during the busiest times and installing a marked crosswalk at the intersection, the Lions Club has also suggested placing temporary stop signs at the crossing during the car shows and Farmers Market. This is not recommended because of its potential impact on traffic along Northwest Highway. Also, stop signs may not be expected by motorists creating a false sense of security for pedestrians. 3) Recommendation The Engineering Division neither supports nor opposes pedestrian crossing improvements at Northwest Highway and Wille Street at this time. Police Department resources today assist in providing a high level of safety during the times when pedestrians cross the street. At all other times there is very little pedestrian activity to warrant a marked crosswalk. It is recommended the Engineering Division perform a pedestrian count survey this spring. It is further recommended that they discuss the acceptability of a marked crosswalk with IDOT and their schedule to resurface Northwest Highway. Finally, it is recommended the Engineering Division discuss with the Planning Division the status of redevelopment plans for the area to determine the long -term need for a marked crosswalk at Wille Street. This issue can be discussed again later this fall /winter once additional information has been gathered. 4) Discussion Traffic Engineer Lawrie asked those representing the Lions Club to share a little bit about the Farmers Market and their concerns with pedestrian safety. Mike Giblin and Fred Steinmiller, representing the Lions Club, provided the Commission with some history of the Farmers Market and its current operations. The Farmers Market occupies the west commuter lot on Sunday mornings between June and October, and typically draws 2000 to 3000 visitors each week. The Police Department provides a dolly on Northwest Highway TSC Meeting Page 3 of 8 February 11, 2013 that flashes red and blue lights. The Lions Club provides signs and orange cones to simulate a crosswalk at Wille Street. Mr. Giblin expressed concern that the Lions Club could be held liable in the event of an accident because of their involvement with placing signs and cones in the roadway. They could consider hiring a police officer to serve as a crossing guard but this would reduce the money used to help the community. Christy Watychowicz, representing the Downtown Merchants Association, spoke about the Car Show that takes place every Saturday evening in the summer. The Car Show also occupies the west commuter lot and the Police Department provides the dolly for this event. However, there are no cones or signs even though pedestrians cross Northwest Highway at Wille Street. There was discussion about the Village or the Lions Club purchasing a second dolly so that there would not be a need to charge it in between weekend events. However, it is prohibitive at this time because of cost. Rafael Manjarres, the owner of Crave Pizza, expressed concern for his patrons crossing Northwest Highway without a marked crosswalk at Wille Street. He believes the intersection is dark during the Car Show when people are crossing the street. Steve Polit, 601 Wilshire Drive, is involved in both the Farmers Market and Car Show. He would like to see an engineering solution to this issue because he believes the temporary solution is ineffective. One long -term idea is to have a pedestrian overpass connecting the north side of Northwest Highway to the businesses on Prospect Avenue. Commissioner Kuehlthau supported this idea. Ms. Watychowicz suggested a similar configuration to the pedestrian crossing across Northwest Highway at Maple Street. At that location there is a marked crosswalk and a connection in the commuter lot to the railroad platform. Commissioner Fisher does not want the Lions Club to have to incur liability for having cones in the roadway. He asked if community service officers could assist pedestrians cross the roadway. He also suggested parking a drone car at the intersection to cause motorists to slow down. Commander Smith said there are limited police and community service officers to assist on the weekends. The Police Department has committed to placing the dolly at the two weekend events but cannot provide a full -time presence at the intersection. There was some discussion about the Lions Club hiring a crossing guard. Commander Smith mentioned that because Northwest Highway is a State roadway, a crossing guard needed to be a trained law enforcement person. Mr. Giblin said the Lions Club would consider hiring a police officer to serve as a crossing guard. Traffic Engineer Lawrie made a presentation on the issue and provided the Engineering Division's recommendations. He mentioned that he had a phone conversation with IDOT after the report was sent to the Commission. IDOT has opposed the Village's conceptual plan to install a marked crosswalk across Northwest Highway at Wille Street for two reasons. First, the intersection is only one block from marked crosswalks and pedestrian signals. Second, pedestrian activity is evident at only two events throughout the year. A permanent crosswalk may become ineffective should motorists become accustomed to not seeing pedestrians using TSC Meeting Page 4 of 8 February 11, 2013 the crosswalk. IDOT would, however, continue to allow a temporary crosswalk as has been the practice. Commissioner Tortorello asked if the curb could be replaced with a handicap ramp and sidewalk constructed to the commuter lot. There was discussion that this may interfere with the booth layout and still may not serve wheelchairs and strollers well. Traffic Engineer Lawrie said that IDOT would not allow any work within the right -of -way without a permit and recommended the temporary crosswalk continue to terminate at the commuter lot driveway. It was suggested that fluorescent yellow -green cones be used as a temporary crosswalk rather than orange cones. Commander Smith concurred that fluorescent yellow -green cones would be more visible at night. He also supported the idea of using the speed feedback trailer during the Farmers Market and Car Show to slow down vehicles on Northwest Highway. Many of the commissioners expressed an interest in having the Engineering Division this summer perform a pedestrian count survey at the intersection. It will be important to know not only the number of pedestrians crossing Northwest Highway during the Farmers Market and Car Show but at other times of the week as well. This information may be useful to cause IDOT to reconsider their position. Mr. Polit offered his recording equipment to assist in the survey if necessary. There was consensus to continue to dialog with [DOT about a permanent marked crosswalk in the future. Traffic Engineer Lawrie reiterated IDOT plans to resurface Northwest Highway in the next few years, possibly as early as 2014. He will bring this issue up again as well as the Village's interest to improve the crossing at Maple Street. There was continued discussion on the issue of liability. Mr. Giblin stated that he planned to speak to the Lions Club attorney to see if they should continue to place cones and signs across Northwest Highway during this upcoming season. Traffic Engineer Lawrie said he would speak with the Village Attorney about the Village's involvement as well. He said there is always the option to encourage pedestrians to only cross at the pedestrian signals one block to the east. The issue was brought back to the Commission. Traffic Engineer Lawrie was asked to summarize the recommended action steps based on the conversation. He recapped: • The Lions Club will speak with their attorney about liability and their involvement with providing a temporary crosswalk. Mr. Giblin will then contact the Village to discuss their position • Traffic Engineer Lawrie will discuss the subject of liability with the Village Attorney. • The Lions Club will consider hiring a police officer to serve as a crossing guard. • The Lions Club will consider using fluorescent yellow -green cones instead of orange cones and installing signs in advance of the temporary crosswalk. • The Police Department will continue to provide the dolly during the Farmers Market and Car Show. They will also consider setting up the speed feedback trailer. • The Engineering Division will perform a pedestrian count survey this summer. • The Engineering Division will continue to dialog with IDOT and look for an opportunity to install a permanent marked crosswalk in the future. • Traffic Engineer Lawrie will bring the issue back to the Commission once the above items have been explored. TSC Meeting Page 5 of 8 February 11, 2013 Commissioner Tortorello made a motion to concur with the recommendations as summarized by Traffic Engineer Lawrie. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Fisher. The motion was approved by a vote of 7 -0. B. GROVE DRIVE PARKING STUDY 1) Background Information The border between Mount Prospect and Arlington Heights is such that the street tapers to only 21' wide at the western end of Grove Drive. Nearby residents have recently complained that on- street parking along this tapered section makes it difficult to access the multi - family complexes. Those residents and the property management company directly impacted by the potential change to prohibit parking in the area were notified of the Transportation Safety Commission Meeting and invited to send comments. Current Traffic Regulations 1. Parking is prohibited along the south side of Grove Drive for its entire length. 2. Parking is prohibited between 2:OOAM and 6:OOAM on all Village streets. Current Layout 1. Grove Drive is 31' wide (back -of -curb to back -of -curb) except the westernmost 200' where it narrows to 21' wide (back -of -curb to back -of- curb). 2. The south curb line is a consistent straight line. The north curb line tapers because of limited right -of -way. 3. Driveways on both sides of Grove Drive at the west end serve multi - family housing complexes. Current Traffic Conditions 1. On- street parking was observed at various times of the day and week. 2. Of the 13 observations, there were no vehicles parked on the street 7 times. 3. There were 4 times where there was 1 vehicle parked along the tapered portion of the street. 4. The highest number of vehicles parked along the tapered portion of the street during an observation was 3 vehicles. 5. No vehicles were ever observed to be parked at the end of the street, west of the driveways to the apartment complexes. 2) Issues 1. Two -way traffic cannot be maintained with vehicles parked along the tapered portion of the street. 2. According to the complaint, it can be difficult for motorists to pass a vehicle when it's parked near the driveway to the Mansions of Mountshire complex. 3. It may also be difficult for emergency vehicles to access the apartment complexes when vehicles are parked along the tapered portion of the street. 4. There are available, convenient on- street parking spaces along the north side of Grove Drive at its widest point (31' back -of -curb to back -of- curb). As part of the study, 7 surveys were sent to nearby properties soliciting their input onthis issue. 3 surveys (43%) were returned. All, including one from the property management company at TSC Meeting Page 6 of 8 February 11, 2013 the Mansions of Mountshire, have no issues with prohibiting parking along the north side of Grove Drive for the westernmost 200' of the street. 3) Recommendation With vehicles currently allowed to park along the tapered portion of Grove Drive, it can be difficult for motorists to leave and access the driveways to the apartment complexes. The current situation could also be difficult for emergency vehicles. There is available on- street parking along other sections of Grove Drive and those surveyed have not objected to the request. Recommendation: Prohibit parking at all times along the north side of Grove Drive for the westernmost 200' of the street. 4) Discussion Traffic Engineer Lawrie provided background information on the subject and summarized the recommendation to prohibit parking along the tapered portion of Grove Drive. Commissioner Tortorello asked if it is possible to widen the street at the western end to a standard width. Traffic Engineer Lawrie responded that because of the configuration of the border line between Mount Prospect and Arlington Heights, it is not possible at this time. Commissioner Fisher said he supports the recommendation to improve access for emergency vehicles. Commissioner Kuehlthau commented that he used to live in the area and is familiar with the parking issues. He too supports the recommendation. Commissioner Fisher made a motion to prohibit parking at all times along the north side of Grove Drive for the westernmost 200' of the street. The motion was seconded by Mr. Bures. The motion was approved by a vote of 7 -0. COMMISSION ISSUES Commissioner Kuehlthau inquired as to the accident history between vehicles and pedestrians at the intersection of Emerson Street and Central Road. Commander Smith was not aware of many, if any, accidents involving nedestrians at this intersectinn- Traffic Fnginaar I awria -.aid ha wnulrl invPCtiaata by reviewing crash records for the intersection. Commissioner Kuehlthau asked if any changes were going to be made to the Mount Prospect Plaza driveway at Rand Road. Traffic Engineer Lawrie said there were no near -term plans for the intersection. At a previous meeting, Commissioner Campos brought up a sight obstruction issue at the Dunkin Donuts at Golf Road and Busse Road. Traffic Engineer Lawrie updated the Commission that the Village Forestry Division has removed two large bushes within the public right -of -way which has improved the sight line for motorists exiting the Dunkin Donuts. Traffic Engineer Lawrie congratulated Carol Tortorello for her recent Shining Star award. TSC Meeting Page 7 of 8 February 11, 2013 ADJOURNMENT With no further business to discuss, the Transportation Safety Commission voted 7 -0 to adjourn at 9:18 p.m. upon the motion of Commissioner Fisher. Commissioner Kuehlthau seconded the motion. Respectfully submitted, Matthew P. Lawrie, P.E. } Traffic Engineer h:\ engi nee ring\ traffic\ safety_ commission \recs &mins \TSC- february 13min.docx TSC Meeting Page 8 of 8 February 11, 2013 VILLAGE O F M O UN T PR O SPE C T TRANSPORTATION SAFETY COMMISSION MEETING ATTENDANCE SHEET February 11, 2013 NAME Anne FCc. PHONE NUMBER Alk(;J4 9e� pdl� � p, S. (2,,14 a wf