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HomeMy WebLinkAboutTRAFFIC REVIEW MINUTES 6_10_2014TRAFFIC REVIEW ADISORY BOARD MINUTES JUNE 10, 2014 4:00 P.M. PRESENT: Dan Becker, Steve Haas, Steven Herman, Timothy Schuster and Dan Scieszinski, ABSENT: Gary Ross STAFF: Jim Collins, Transportation Director Marlene Binder, Secretary CALL TO ORDER Chairperson Schuster called the meeting to order at 4:00 p.m. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Mr. Herman moved to accept the May 13, 2014 minutes. Mr. Becker seconded the motion. Motion carried (5-0). TABLED BUSINESS 1. A REQUEST FOR NO PARKING ON THE NORTH SIDE OF IRVING AVENUE FROM MAIN STREET TO 20 FEET WEST OF MAIN STREET. (CURRENT CONDITION: 2-HOUR PARKING) Mr. Collins said it is stated in the Motorists’ Handbook and the Rules of the Road that it is illegal to park within 15’ of a crosswalk or intersection. He said he is having the curb painted yellow to make the prohibition more visible. It was agreed no further action was warranted at this time. 2. A REQUEST FOR STRIPED BICYCLES LANES ON BOTH SIDES OF SAWYER STREET FROM 5TH AVENUE TO FILLMORE AVENUE ON THE EAST SIDE AND TO BUCHANAN AVENUE ON THE WEST SIDE. (CURRENT CONDITION: NO BIKE LANES) Mr. Collins introduced Ben Krumenauer, of the Planning Department whom also serves on the Bicycle & Pedestrian Committee. Mr. Krumenauer gave background about the project. He explained biking is a trend that began in the early 70’s, gained momentum in this area and has no end in sight. He stated the overall Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan, adopted in September 2011, demonstrates the interconnectedness of the city. He went on to say the Bike and Pedestrian Committee created a priority list, with the main arterials to get done as soon as possible. He said the bike lanes on Sawyer Street were thought of last year and they went through the process, but it was laid over and further research was done. He now feels comfortable enough with the plan to bring it before the Board. Mr. Krumenauer said there are three things being looked at here; 1. Striping, 2a. & 2b. Parking Restrictions lifted in option 2a and implemented in 2b. TRA MINUTES 2 JUNE 10, 2014 Mr. Krumenauer gave a Power Point presentation with visual aids demonstrating where the different types of bike routes are currently and where the proposed bike routes would be. He pointed out that the proposed bike lane would run north and south on Sawyer Street from 5th Avenue to Fillmore Street, just south of Sawyer Creek. He indicated the boulevard system with its shifts in parking presented some unique design challenges. He explained to the north of the area is Highway 41 and the Municipal Golf Course, to the south is 5th Avenue, extreme southern end is 9th Avenue. He continued to explain the black represented existing bike routes; the Tribal Trail, UW-O campus and the Riverwalk. The blue illustrated the proposed bike lanes in the future. Red showed bike lanes with sharrows, where vehicles and bikes share the same lane. The purple, the predominant color, depicted multi-use trails. Mr. Krumenauer explained there are four parts as follows: 1. North of Rush Avenue/Porter Avenue to Fillmore Avenue, currently Sawyer Street boulevard has little parking restrictions 2. North of Fillmore Avenue to the Sawyer Creek Bridge, currently no parking is allowed due to the narrower bridge. 3. Witzel Avenue to Rush Avenue/Porter Avenue by Lourdes School parking is currently mostly prohibited. 4. South of Witzel Avenue to 5th Avenue currently has few parking restrictions. Mr. Krumenauer stated the board requested he look at traffic safety, parking in the area, and pedestrian safety, particularly in the Rush Avenue / Porter Avenue area. He went on to explain north of the Rush/Porter Avenue area where the boulevard ends, the plan is to stripe the pavement as though the boulevard continues to maintain uniformity of the lanes. Mr. Krumenauer stated the plan for the signaled intersections of Southland Avenue and Witzel Avenue is to end the bike lane 250’ before the intersection allowing space for cyclists to merge into one lane with the traffic, allowing both modes of transportation to turn right or go straight. He clarified Option A is the preferred option. Other options have lanes cross or have the bike lane continue on the curb side through the intersection, putting the cyclist in conflict if a vehicle would want to turn right. Mr. Krumenauer reiterated the recommended option is Option 2a. He went on to clarify this option allows additional parking for the business of concern with no on-site parking. Mr. Collins interjected he thought parking was removed from this area because the boulevard shifted at this location but he doesn’t think this will be an issue. Mr. Krumenauer added that the marked bike lane will help guide traffic through the area. Mr. Krumenauer recapped that Sawyer Street is the only north/south corridor that truly connects a large portion of the city; Taft/Campbell area, 5th/6th Avenue, Riverwalk and Municipal Golf Course. He mentioned that Westfield Street is also being proposed for bike lanes but it has more breaks and the intersections are not as safe for cyclists. Mr. Scieszinski asked why 5th Avenue was chosen over 9th Avenue. He said he has seen bikes on 9th Avenue and wonders where cyclists would want to go on 5th Avenue. Mr. Krumenauer replied it was closer to downtown and that 5th/6th Avenue had priority over the cross streets. He explained 9th Avenue crosses over the highway and has a large amount of traffic. He went on to say that the plan is to provide not only a recreational system but also a transportation system. TRA MINUTES 3 JUNE 10, 2014 Mr. Scieszinski wondered if signage would be installed directing people. Mr. Krumenauer responded the goals of the Bike and Pedestrian Committee is to create mapping and signage options. He continued saying even those routes that are not yet officially mapped can still be used. Another goal of the committee is to ramp up installation of routes. Mr. Scieszinski stated he has seen cyclists riding on the wrong side of the street in the college area. Mr. Krumenauer stated cyclists must be responsible for themself and follow the rules of traffic. Mr. Herman inquired if Mr. Krumenauer spoke with any of the businesses in the area. Mr. Krumenauer replied he had not, with exception of Bob Biebel, superintendent of Lourdes. Mr. Collins clarified Option 2 is to stripe the bike lanes, Option 2a adds about an additional 100’ of parking, and Option 2b eliminates some parking (4-5) but less than the prior proposal in front of the church. He now recommends leaving the loading zone in front of Roosevelt School because vehicles are traveling north and therefore would drop off curbside. He mentioned Roosevelt School would probably prefer it remain a loading zone. Mr. Haas inquired if there were any counts of the number of cyclists biking in this area? Mr. Krumenauer replied currently he did not, but hoped to work with East Central. He went on to say vehicle counts were currently available but not cycles. Mr. Schuster asked if citizens in attendance had comments or if the presentation cleared up questions. Sharon Wertch replied it was her understanding accommodations for four to five parking spaces had been added by 417 N. Sawyer Street which was her concern regarding this project. Mr. Becker moved to amend item 2 to include Option A. Mr. Schuster seconded the motion. Motion carried (5-0). 2a. A REQUEST FOR UNRESTRICTED PARKING ON THE WEST SIDE OF SAWYER STREET FROM 199 FEET NORTH OF PORTER AVENUE TO 298 FEET NORTH OF PORTER AVENUE. (CURRENT CONDITION: NO PARKING) 2b. A REQUEST FOR NO PARKING ON THE EAST SIDE OF SAWYER STREET FROM 398 FEET NORTH OF SOUTHLAND AVENUE TO 15 FEET NORTH OF PORTER AVENUE. (CURRENT CONDITION: UNRESTRICTDE PARKING) It was mutually agreed by all present to vote on 2 as amended, 2a, and 2b together as a whole package. Package motion carried (5-0). 3. A REQUEST TO CHANGE THE SPEED LIMIT ON MURDOCK AVENUE EAST OF BOWEN STREET TO 25 MPH AT THE INTERSECTION. (CURRENT CONDITION: 30 MPH UNTIL HAZEL STREET) Mr. Collins said the speed would be reduced only 2 or 3 blocks earlier than currently posted. He further explained the speed limit was not currently reduced till after the school. TRA MINUTES 4 JUNE 10, 2014 Mr. Schuster moved to accept this item. Mr. Herman seconded the motion. Motion carried (5-0). 4. A REQUEST FOR A TRAFFIC SIGNAL AT THE INTERSSECTIONS OF ELMWOOD/MURDOCK/VINLAND. (CURRENT CONDITION: PARTIAL STOP CONTROL) Scott Schmidt, of 1112 Elmwood Avenue, declared he witnessed five accidents and twelve near misses at this intersection. He said this is a scary intersection with the inexperienced high school drivers in the area. He is requests flashing lights at this intersection. Mr. Collins said the accident history at this intersection does not warrant a stop light to be installed. His predecessor, Christopher Strong, suggested a possible road diet with a shared left turn lane. Mr. Collins says since this is a state highway he will contact the state. It is estimated in 2033 the volume of traffic will not increase substantially so as not to hinder the road diet. He added this may be an alternate route for Highway 41. Mr. Schuster requested the crash data for the current year be pulled up for this intersection. He stated he witnessed four crashes himself just this year. He said the line of sight is obstructed by a picket fence which makes it difficult to see to the east without pulling into Murdock Avenue. Mr. Schmitt interjected not to think statistical numbers, but to think of the near misses. He said someone is going to die. Mr. Schuster suggested time lapse photo equipment to record travel movements. Mr. Schmitt professed the worst times at the intersection are when the high school students are traveling to and from school and soon school will be out for the summer. Mr. Herman moved to table item 4. Mr. Scieszinski seconded the motion. Motion carried (5-0). STAFF STATEMENTS Mr. Collins mentioned six chevrons were installed on Koeller Street just before Oshkosh Avenue in mid May. He said information about the flashing yellow turn light is published on the city website under Hot Topics and also on the cable channel. He informed the board the speed limit on 20th Avenue at South Park Avenue was reduced from 35 MPH to 30 MPH because of the close proximity to Traeger School, an increase in the number of driveways in the area, and public input. Mr. Collins spoke about the annual 2013 traffic study which shows that the number of accidents is basically unchanged from 2012 however; the number of injuries was significantly lower, an intended consequence of increased use of roundabouts. The number of incidents in the roundabouts was still high. The older roundabouts at 9th Avenue and Witzel Avenue saw a decrease in the number of crashes, while the newer ones saw an increase. He stated this is partly because of the newness and should decrease as drivers become used to them. He is planning to keep an eye on these. TRA MINUTES 5 JUNE 10, 2014 Mr. Collins talked about signaled intersections. He explained that a crash rate of 0 – 1.4 is good, 1.5 – 2 should be watched, and greater than 2 warrants investigation. He went on to say Murdock Avenue and Wisconsin Street was the only signaled intersection that rated above 1.4. He expected this intersection may also benefit from the traffic diet previously discussed for Murdock Avenue. Mr. Collins explained another way to analyze crash data is using an algebraic formula to determine how the crash frequency compares to a safety performance factor of the intersections. He analyzed the intersections that were higher than 200%. The intersections of South Park Avenue and 20th Avenue, Main Street and Murdock Avenue, Algoma Boulevard and Wisconsin Street, and Westowne Avenue and Washburn Street fell into this category. South Park Avenue and 20th Avenue had four rear end accidents that were weather related. Main Street and Murdock Avenue had two crashes caused by failure to stop and two rear end collisions. He said there were two rear end accidents at Algoma Boulevard and Wisconsin Street. Mr. Collins said he was not as concerned about the higher number of crashes at Westowne Avenue and Washburn Street as the crashes in this corridor were not necessarily at the actual intersection. Mr. Collins explained the next category of intersections examined were stop controlled. The intersection of Elmwood/Vinland/Murdock has been discussed earlier this evening. Venture Drive and South Park was the other intersection warranting a watch. Mr. Scieszinski said he frequently uses the gas station located here and has had difficulty turning left onto South Park Avenue when exiting the station. He suggested moving the driveway closer to the dental office. Mr. Scieszinski had a concern about the roundabout at Koeller Street and 9th Avenue. He said motorists continue straight in the left turn lane. He stated the pavement is marked in the roundabout. Mr. Scieszinski also discussed the intersection of Highways 41 and 44. He voiced concern for traffic turning right onto Highway 44 from the exit ramp of Highway 41. He mentioned traffic was backed up on the exit ramp because vehicles turning right had no break in traffic. He witnessed this on Black Friday. Mr. Collins said he would bring this up when he met with the state. Mr. Scieszinski was also concerned that cars were parking over the crosswalk at Georgia Street and 11th Avenue. Mr. Schuster clarified whether or not the crosswalk had the white lines painted. Mr. Scieszinski said it was not painted but the ramp was cut. Mr. Scieszinski went on to say vehicles park too close to the fire hydrant at Osborn Avenue and Georgia Street. Mr. Becker interjected this would be an enforcement issue. Mr. Collins stated vehicles need to be ten feet from a hydrant and four feet from a driveway. Mr. Herman mentioned he observed motorists not stopping for people at crosswalks with flashing lights on the university campus and at Congress Avenue by the WIOWOSH trail. He suggested installing info signs informing motorists to yield to pedestrians. Mr. Herman moved to adjourn. Mr. Haas seconded the motion. Motion carried (5-0).