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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes Transportation Advisory Committee - 08/27/2012Transportation Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes Monday, August 27, 2012 Call Meeting to Order - Mr. Curtis A. Rock, Chairman, called the meeting to order at 2:30 p.m. II. Approval of Minutes - Minutes of July 16, 2012 were approved. III. Presentations and Discussions - a. Monthly Traffic Fatality Report: Capt. Gutierrez reported two (2) new fatalities, which brings the total to sixteen (16) for year 2012. He said fatality fifteen (15) occurred on July 5 at the 5900 block of S. Staples St. This accident happened around 9:20 p.m. and the person was in a wheelchair. He wheeled down into the middle of the roadway and was struck by a vehicle. He sustained injuries and passed away approximately twenty (20) days later. The person on the wheelchair was found to be at fault and alcohol was not related to this accident. Fatality sixteen (16) occurred on July 27 at approximately 11:39 p.m. in the evening. This accident happened at the 4300 block of Ayers St. Capt. Gutierrez stated this was a single vehicle accident and the individual was speeding and lost control, striking a traffic signal box. It is believe that alcohol was a factor in this accident. b. Monthly bicycle and Pedestrian Subcommittee Report: Ms. Arnold mentioned there is no report this month because they did not have a quorum; therefore, they did not meet. c. Police Department Traffic Enforcement Complaints: Capt. Gutierrez reported three complaints for the month of July. He said two of the complaints were for speeding and one for disregarding a red light. d. Top 20 Traffic Accident Locations for the Month: Capt. Gutierrez reported the number one location for the month again is 2501 of HWY -181 SB by the Harbor Bridge; it continues to be at the top with four accidents. This is one of the locations they have been concentrating their radar blitzes. They continue to have an excess of 20 plus citations written, every time they go out, and yet it continues to make the top 20. He said they have had officers stationed at various times of the day at every one of these locations; at least in the top four. Capt. Gutierrez stated they are trying to have some influence in the way people drive in these areas to lower the accidents. Mr. Rock asked what the posted speed limit in this area is. Capt. Gutierrez said it is 55 mph. e. Discussion on Pedestrian Crosswalks Installation Process: Mr. Cardenas said it is important that this committee be informed on how Traffic Engineering conducts the installation process of crosswalks. Mr. Cardenas stated that they follow the Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD), the Texas version. In the MUTCD, it states whenever placing crosswalks; they should be at a controlled intersection being a traffic signal or stop sign. The vehicle by law stops at a red light or stop sign, making it safe for the pedestrian to cross. The major crosswalks are the mid -block crosswalks or non - controlled intersection crosswalks and usually they are at school zones or a big pedestrian zone. Mr. Cardenas stated in some Page 1 of 3 cases they install pedestrian control signals; like the one on Lipan St. by the Nueces County Courthouse. They have recently installed a hybrid signal called "The HAWK System ". This pedestrian signal is in front of City Hall on Staples St. for the heavy pedestrian traffic that uses the RTA buses. Mr. Cardenas mentioned the speed limits need to be brought down in order to put in a crosswalk; it is not advised to place a crosswalk with speeds over 40 mph. He mentioned that is why Alameda St. has lower speed limits and they lower down the speed limits at school zones for obvious reasons and for crosswalk safety. They did the same thing for Shoreline Blvd. by Bayfront Park; they lowered the speed limits to accommodate the crosswalks. He said there has to be an engineering study done, especially on the arterials, before crosswalks can be installed. In addition, it is safer and easier to place a crosswalk at smaller roadways with lower volumes and lower speeds, than roadways with high volumes and speeds. f. Urban Transportation Plan Amendments: Mr. Cardenas stated that he had nothing new to report at this time. He said they are meeting with the Planning Department to update the Urban Transportation Master Plan to include the complete streets and the bike lanes. g. Unified Development Code (UDC): None h. Street Reconstruction List: Mr. Cardenas reported this list is being proposed on the Bond 2012. He said this list was discussed at the Bicycle and Pedestrian Subcommittee meeting and hopefully the comments made by the subcommittee were changed and done as discussed. Mr. Cardenas said to look at the list and stated some projects are related to streets but are not street projects, like the signal work. He said the other projects (1 - 21) have a description of what the new roadways should look like. In addition, this agenda package includes the City Hall Improvements, Service Center Improvements, Parks 6t Recreation Improvements, etc. Mr. Jacobi inquired about the funding participation from TxDOT in proposition one. Mr. Cardenas stated the City is participating with TxDOT for their projects. i. Discussion on the No Cell Phone Use While Driving: Mr. Jacobi discussed an article called "Summary of Texas Texting Laws" that was emailed recently to the committee. He mentioned this is for information purposes only of what people have done around the State of Texas. Mr. Jacobi reported that about a month ago, a young man in Texas was driving and texting. He said the text before the last text he sent said, "I need to stop texting; I am going to kill myself'. The next minute he drove over a ravine. The young man suffered some severe injuries but he survived the accident. Mr. Jacobi said the young man started an organization called "Unuse.org" to educate people not to use the cell phone while driving. Ms. Cudd brought up a question pertaining to the "No Cell Phone Use in Work Zones" that had been discussed by Mr. Cardenas a few months ago. She did not know if Mr. Cardenas was still interested in discussing this item because it did not go anywhere. Mr. Cardenas stated that he did bring it up for the reason that there have many work zone fatalities due to distracted drivers. He said there are many distractions going on in a work zone; let alone having to do some texting while driving. Mr. Cardenas mentioned a work zone is confusing enough to navigate. He said the reason he brought it up was that about three months ago TxDOT had a fatality in Karnes County in a work zone area where someone was texting and driving and hit a truck. Mr. Cardenas stated that it is a serious problem and anything that can be done to help the workers out there would definitely help. Page 2 of 3 IV. Staff Recommendations requiring Committee Review for Recommendations / Actions a. Appointments to the Bicycle and Pedestrian Sub - committee - None V. Identify items to be placed on a future agenda • Discussion on Turning Lanes at Chaparral St. /Water St. C IH37 • Discussion on Speed Limit Change on McArdle Rd. from Everhart Rd. to Staples St. VI. Public Comment - None VII. Adjournment - Meeting adjourned at 3:20 p.m. Page 3 of 3