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HomeMy WebLinkAbout3. TSC Minutes 04/08/2013 (Draft)IL Motmt Pro" 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 DRAFT CALL TO ORDER Deputy Director Jason H. Leib The regular meeting of the Mount Prospect Transportation Safety Commission was called to order at 7:03 p.m. on Monday, April 8, 2013. ROLL CALL Present upon roll call: John Keane Angel Campos Robert Fisher Carol Tortorello Bob Smith Paul Bures Matt Lawrie Chairman Commissioner Commissioner Commissioner Police Department Representative Public Works Representative Traffic Engineer —Staff Liaison Absent: Chuck Bencic Commissioner Justin Kuehlthau Commissioner Henry Dawson Fire Department Representative Others in Attendance: See attached attendance sheet APPROVAL OF MINUTES Commissioner Fisher, seconded by Mr. Bures, moved to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of the Transportation Safety Commission held on February 11, 2013. The minutes were approved by a vote of 5 -0 with Commissioner Campos 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 5 April 8, 2013 OLD BUSINESS There was no old business to discuss. NEW BUSINESS A. COTTONWOOD DRIVE & CIRCLE DRIVE PEDESTRIAN CROSSING IMPROVEMENTS 1) Background Information The Robert Frost Elementary School administration and Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) approached the Village with concerns about pedestrian safety at the intersection of Cottonwood Drive and Circle Drive. School administration and parents have explained that motorists often speed on Cottonwood Drive and do not stop to allow students to cross the street. They have requested the Village consider additional safety measures at the intersection. Current Traffic Regulations 1. Parking is prohibited along the north side of Cottonwood Drive for its entire length. 2. Circle Drive is one -way southbound on school days from 8:30- 9:30AM and 3:00 -4:00 PM. 3. Parking is prohibited between 2:OOAM and 6:OOAM on all Village streets. Current Layout 1. Cottonwood Drive is 31' wide (back -of -curb to back -of- curb). 2. Circle Drive is 28' wide (back -of -curb to back -of- curb). 3. Circle Drive terminates at Cottonwood Drive creating a three - legged intersection. 4. There are single family houses on the north side of Cottonwood Drive. 5. Cottonwood Apartments are on the south side of Cottonwood Drive. 6. Frost Elementary School is one block north at Circle Drive and Frost Drive. 7. The intersection is controlled with a Stop sign on Circle Drive. 8. The speed limit on Cottonwood Drive and Circle Drive is 25 mph. 9. There are painted crosswalks and school crossing signs across all three legs of the intersection. Current Traffic Conditions 1. The average daily traffic on Cottonwood Drive is approximately 1,200 vehicles. 2. The average daily traffic on Circle Drive is approximately 200 vehicles. 3. The average and 85"' percentile speeds on Cottonwood Drive are 25 mph and 31 mph, respectively. 4. Pedestrian counts were gathered in December 2012 at the intersection. 41 students crossed Cottonwood Drive from 8:15- 9:15AM. 92 students crossed Cottonwood Drive from 3:00- 4:OOPM. 5. Sporadic parking has been observed on the south side of Cottonwood Drive, mostly used by visitors of the Cottonwood Apartments. 2) Analysis 1. The intersection of Cottonwood Drive & Circle Drive was evaluated as part of the Neighborhood Traffic Study. Before the study, there were no Stop or Yield signs at the intersection. With the study, all -way Stop signs were not warranted. 2. The school has not been able to provide a crossing guard at the intersection and the Police Department cannot provide this service. TSC Meeting Page 2 of 5 April 8, 2013 3. The intersection experiences a higher than average amount of student crossings and vehicles during the school day compared to other intersections near schools without a crossing guard. Because of this, it is recommended that additional safety measures be considered. 4. Cottonwood Drive does qualify for traffic calming measures (as appropriate) per the Neighborhood Traffic Calming Program based on traffic volume. 5. In- street Stop for Pedestrian signs have been beneficial at the intersection of Prospect Avenue & Maple Street in the downtown. The signs were installed in the pavement in 2010. Motorists use greater caution traveling through the intersection making it safer for commuters. The signs, however, are removed in the winter so as to not interfere with snow plow operations. 6. The Engineering Division considered various options to enhance safety at the intersection for students crossing Cottonwood Drive. The favored solution includes constructing raised median islands and installing in- street Stop for Pedestrian signs on them. The signs would be left in place all year round, since they would be protected by the raised median islands, as a constant reminder for motorists to use caution. The islands would also narrow the travel lanes slowing vehicles. 7. Raised median islands would need to be designed to accommodate the turning patterns of large vehicles such as fire trucks, buses and delivery trucks. 8. The approximate cost to construct two raised median islands with decorative brick in the center, signs and pavement markings is $7,000.00. Funds are available in the 2013 Village Budget for this work. 9. On- street parking along the south side of Cottonwood Drive would have to be prohibited within the influence of the raised median islands in order to not obstruct through traffic. This would affect 220' of on- street parking. 10. If approved, construction would begin soon after the end of the school year and be completed prior to the start of the new school year. 3) Resident Survey As part of the study, 40 surveys were sent to nearby properties as well as the property management company of Cottonwood Apartments soliciting their input on this issue. Only 2 completed surveys (5 %) were returned. Both opposed the proposal. One was against prohibiting on- street parking on the south side of Cottonwood Drive and the other suggested adding Stop signs on Cottonwood Drive as a better solution. 4) Recommendations It would be ideal to have a crossing guard at the intersection of Cottonwood Drive and Circle Drive on school days during the morning and afternoon to assist students. Since, however, neither the school nor the Police Department can provide a crossing guard it is recommended that additional safety measures supplement the school crossing signs and crosswalks. In- street Stop for Pedestrian signs have proven effective in making motorists aware of pedestrians crossing the street. And raised median islands have proven effective in other parts of the Village in slowing vehicles. These measures along with the existing school crossing signs and crosswalks should provide a higher level of safety for students given the current traffic conditions. With these improvements on- street parking would need to be prohibited within the influence of the raised median islands so as to not obstruct through traffic. Parking is already prohibited on the north side of the street. A new ordinance would need to be enacted prohibiting parking for 220' on the south side of Cottonwood Drive. While this would directly impact those residents TSC Meeting Page 3 of 5 April 8, 2013 adjacent to the raised median islands there would continue to be ample on- street parking along Cottonwood Drive. If approved by the Transportation Safety Commission and Village Board of Trustees, the Engineering Division would develop detailed construction drawings for the work. Construction would take place during the summer as part of the annual street resurfacing program. There are available funds in the 2013 Village Budget for the work. 5) Discussion Chairman Keane introduced the item and asked Traffic Engineer Lawrie to present the Engineering Division's report and recommendations. Traffic Engineer Lawrie provided the Commission with background, analysis and recommendations. He also shared feedback he received from the resident survey. The Commission asked Traffic Engineer Lawrie a few clarifying questions regarding the design of the raised median islands and the cost. Traffic Engineer Lawrie mentioned the cost is expected to be relatively inexpensive as the brick will be provided and installed at no cost to the Village. This is because the same brick manufacturer who supplied the brick in the downtown is introducing a new product and would like to test it at this location for the Village's evaluation. Chairman Keane opened the discussion to the audience. Mark Kowalczyk, 1420 Robert Drive, is part of the PTO and stated his concerns with the crossing at Cottonwood Drive and Circle Drive. He also brought up a concern for students' safety at the intersection of Willow Lane and Robert Drive. A paved path behind the school leads to this intersection and many parents wait at this location to pick up their child. Mr. Kowalczyk stated that vehicles park on both sides of the street congesting the area. And with speeding vehicles and students walking between cars, it is a dangerous situation. Kristi Brockie, 1109 Birch Drive, is part of the PTO and also expressed her concerns at Willow Lane and Robert Drive. Commander Smith asked if the concerns are evident both in the morning and afternoon. Mr. Kowalczyk and Ms. Brockie said they were primarily in the afternoon from 3:15 to 3:45 PM. Commander Smith said he would have the afternoon Police Department shift monitor the area and place the speed feedback trailer on Willow Lane. Traffic Engineer Lawrie said he too would monitor the area and consider adding temporary flashing red lights on the stop signs as a reminder to motorists. Commissioner Keane told the audience that any potential changes at Willow Lane and Robert Drive may have to come back to the Transportation Safety Commission for discussion. Tonight they would only be making a decision for the concerns at Cottonwood Drive and Circle Drive. The Commission returned the discussion to Cottonwood Drive and Circle Drive. Commissioner Fisher asked about the possibility of having parents or teachers serve as crossing guards. Other schools in Mount Prospect were cited as having crossing guards. Traffic Engineer Lawrie said the school district has concerns with liability having parents as crossing guards and there are no current provisions to have teachers at the crosswalks. Mr. Kowalczyk and Ms. Brockie concurred and said the issue continues to be discussed but there are no immediate plans to add crossing guards. TSC Meeting Page 4 of 5 April 8, 2013 Commissioner Tortorello suggested the proposed parking prohibition on the south side of Cottonwood Drive be extended beyond the limits of the raised median islands to allow for greater transition around the islands. Other Commission members were concerned about removing additional on- street parking beyond what was proposed. Mr. Kowalczyk brought up another concern along Frost Drive in front of the school. He said many parents park on both sides of the street in violation of the signs that prohibit parking on the south side. Commander Smith said he would request officers monitor the area and remind parents of the parking regulations. Traffic Engineer Lawrie suggested the school add an article in the newsletter as a reminder as well. Chairman Keane brought the issue back to the Commission. After some additional discussion about on- street parking along Cottonwood Drive, there was consensus that if necessary the prohibited parking area could be extended if there were any issues. Commissioner Fisher made a motion to concur with the recommendations as presented by Traffic Engineer Lawrie. The motion was seconded by Commander Smith. The motion was approved by a vote of 6 -0. COMMISSION ISSUES Commissioner Campos asked the status of the sight obstruction issue at the Dunkin Donuts at Golf Road and Busse Road. Traffic Engineer Lawrie said the bushes in question have been removed by the Village Forestry Division improving the sight line for motorists exiting Dunkin Donuts. Commissioner Tortorello heard See -Gwun Avenue was going to be resurfaced this summer and asked if the speed humps would be replaced with the project. Mr. Bures responded that the project involves storm sewer improvements and the work will require some excavation in the roadway. Upon completion, any portion of the roadway damaged including speed humps will be replaced. ADJOURNMENT With no further business to discuss, the Transportation Safety Commission voted 6 -0 to adjourn at 8:10 p.m. upon the motion of Commissioner Tortorello. Commissioner Campos seconded the motion. Respectfully submitted, Matthew P. Lawrie, P.E. Traffic Engineer h: \engineering \traffic \safety_ commission \recs &mins \TSC- aprill3min.docx TSC Meeting Page 5 of 5 April 8, 2013