HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes Transportation Advisory Commission - 02/25/2002 n52627^ \
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TRANSPORTATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE
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(Meeting of February 25,2002) �� �
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Members Present �- CITE ;
Anthony Alejandro Clif Moss Stuart Sher • z F2/ P L1 0: v
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Robbie Foster MAC Karla Bennett Grace Marie Gonzales !-- —
Israel Ybarra Don Davenport
Members Not Present
Orlando Noyola
CALL TO ORDER- Chairperson Alejandro called meeting to order at 1:33 p.m.
II. APPROVAL OF"MINUTES"- Chairperson called for approval of minutes for meeting of January 28,2002. Motion made by
Mr.Moss, seconded by Mr.Sher to approve minutes as amended. Second Members Present should have read Members
Not Present. Motion approved.
III. COMMENTS BY CHAIRPERSON and/or VICE-CHAIRPERSON - None
IV. MONTHLY TRAFFIC FATALITY REPORT(ATTACHMENT"A") - Capt.MacDonald reporteded on the fatality report year
to date of three(3)fatalities.
Mr. Moss stressed that motorists be made aware of the importance of wearing seat belts to prevent serious or fatal injuries.
Capt. MacDonald stated that the Texas Department of Transportation(TxDOT), along with Driscoll Children's Hospital have
instituted a Children's Car Seat Program called KYKS"Keep Your Kids Safe"funded through State funded grant monies and
the Corpus Christi Police Department along with TxDOT will be holding a media campaign during Spring Break. Mr.Ybarra
asked Capt.MacDonald if mandatory Driver's Education Class for failure to wear one's sealtbelt should be a State requirement.
Capt.MacDonald answered in the affirmative or perhaps even increasing the amount of the fine.
V. MONTHLY TRAFFIC ACCIDENT EXPERIENCE REPORT JANUARY,2002), (ATTACHMENT"B")
1. Mr Seiler briefly reported a total of 689 trafficaccidents for January, 2002, no change from same time last year;
Alcohol/Drug related accidents,down 18%;Injury Accidents,down 8%;Total Injuries,down 28%, Fatal Accidents,down 67%
and Fatalities,down 67%,Confirmed Alcohol Related Statistics-no change from same time last year.
Saratoga/Staples.Everhart/SPID and Airline/SPID are the top three high accident location of the Top 27 High Accident Location
thru January, 2002. There are several new intersections in the top 10 but as the year progresses, the Top 27 Listing will
change.
Mr. Moss made reference that the larger percent of the accidents are on the south and southeast side of the City and asked
if this was unusual? Mr.Seiler stated that this area of the City is the primary growth area and that the growing traffic accident
experience can be expected to continue.
2. Review of 2001 Traffic Accident Summary Report - Mr.Seiler briefly outlined the Summary Report for the Committee.
In making a comparison with 2002.and then going back ten (10)years for comparison. Total accidents by month compared
to last year shows no significant change;primary age of motorists included in accidents shows to be 2 to 30 years to age;
Severity of Injury are shown to be most heavily in the"C"classification;74%of all accidents occurred during daylight hours with
approximately 41%of all accidents occurred during peak hours with the heaviest peak time being between the 4 to 5 pm and
5 to 6 pm.time periods. This time has been consistent throughout the last ten years. Friday shows to be the highest day of
the week with 19% accidents occurring and Sunday the lowest 9%. The major contributing circumstance of most accidents
is"Failure to Control Speed", compared to previous years being"Failure to Yield Right-of-Way". The Top 20 High Accident
Intersections in the report are ranked by number of accidents,ranked by accident rate and severity index.
SCANNED 000:
VI. RECOGNITION of Audience/Public Concerns not scheduled on Agenda-None
VII. STAFF RECOMMENDATIONS REQUIRING COMMITTEE REVIEW
A. Staff recommendation to establish a one-way school zone on the following street at Kostoryz Elementary School,
during the hours of 7:15-8:15 a.m.and 2:45-3:45 pm.,on schooldays only:
1. Panama Drive,from the direction of Kingston Drive(west leg intersection)to Carroll Lane.
Mr. Seiler briefly stated that a request has been received from the school requesting a one-way school zone to ease traffic
congestion and improve safety at the school. Surveys were conducted along the Kingston and Panama Drives residents with
staff receiving a high-approval rating in favor of the one-way school zone.
Motion made by Mr.Foster,seconded by MAC Bennett to approve Staff recommendation establish a one-way school
zone on Panama Drive,from the direction of Kingston Drive(west leg intersection)to Carroll Lane. Motion passed
unanimously.
B. Staff recommendation to establish an automobile-free zone on the Alameda Street Bridge over Interstate 37 between
Antelope Street(Interstate 37 South Frontage Road)and Martin Luther King Drive(Interstate 37 North Frontage Road).
Mr. Seiler briefly stated that this issue was brought before the Transportation Advisory Committee in September, 1998
requesting the Committee approval of the"concept"of the Regional Transportation Authority Livable Communities.
The RTA has implemented Phase I of the LCI Project which provided accessibility improvements and related amenities at the
Oveal Williams Senior Community Center and the Workforce Development Corporation.The RTA is prepared to move forward
with Phases 2 and 3 linking the LCI Phase I improvements to the Staples Street Transfer Center,City Hall,and the Nueces
County Courthouse. Project Phases 2 and 3 are considerably more traffic impacting compared to Phase 1 as these phases
relate to enhanced use of the existing Alameda and Staples Street bridges over Interstate 37.
In particular,the LCI Project Phase 3 proposes to:
Create an "automobile free zone" one the Alameda Street Bridge to create an exclusive pedestrian/bicycle use
crossing,complete with visual enhancements along the Alameda Street corridor between the Northside area and City
Hall;and widening improvements on the Staples Street bridge over Interstate 37.
Staffs approval of ordinance amending the City's Code of Ordinances Chapter 53-TRAFFIC, Article V-OPERATION OF
VEHICLES by including a new traffic restriction,as follows:
a. It shall be unlawful for any person to drive, park, or operate any vehicle, as define in Section 541.201, Texas
Transportation Code,excluding bicycles,on any part of the street right-of-way of any of the following street sections
identified, through traffic signage posted and maintained at each respective end of the identified street, as an
Automobile Restricted Zone:
b. The restrictions in subsection(a)of this section do not apply to:
An authorized emergency vehicle,as defined in Section 541.201.Texas Transportation Code,and
II. A vehicle used in the supervision or maintenance of streets or bridges or street lighting,while being used for
supervision or maintenance purposesby the City or any other governmental entity,and
III. A vehicle or vehicles used for any special permit transporting of any material or equipment,under which case
a special permit mus be issued by the City Traffic Engineer and or supervising authority of any other
governmental entity that specifies the restricted area to be accessed or traveled upon.
Ms.Sharon Gonzalez with the Regional Transportation Authority stated that the project has been approved by TxDOT and bid
letting to be held December,2002.
Motion made by Mr.Moss,seconded by Ms.Gonzales to approve recommendation. Approved unanimously.
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C. Proposal to est=_ h a one-way traffic pattern on Riverwood Drive FM 624 to River Hill Drive-Mr.Seiler
stated that Staff was contacted with a request to establish a one-way traffic pattern on Riverwood Drive from FM 624 to River
Hills Drive and this proposal is being made without current knowledge of support or non-support of the abutting property
owners. Committee is being asked to consider its vote on the basis that Staff would be able to determine a majority support
(or no opposition from the abutting property owners.
Capt.MacDonald stated that this intersection has received support from Councilman Bill Kelly for traffic signalization,but in
light of the recent accident,Capt.McDonald concurs with a one-way proposal. An alternate route that can be used is River Hill
Drive to exit this area. There is a traffic signal at Wood River and also one at FM 624/FM 1889. If traffic signals were to be
placed both at River Hill and Riverwood Drives,the close proximity would cause congestion of FM 624.
Mr.Seiler briefly outlined site maps and photographs illustrating the area and streets in question. Mr.Seiler further stated that
with the proposed traffic signal installation at FM 624/FM 69, traffic congestion would be alleviated. Traffic accident experience
at Riverwood/FM 624 has been appreciable but not enough to raise a"red flag". No requests have been received in the past
for a traffic signal.
Mr.Moss asked for a clarity of"prescriptive use of a private street". Mr.Seiler stated that would be classified as a dedicated
street with the City's use and maintenance of the street. The City has jurisdiction in enforcement, maintenance and traffic
signage.
Mr. Foster questioned the speed on FM 624. Mr. Seiler stated at this point of Riverwood/FM 624 it is 50 mph. Traffic
synchronization has been installed from Wildcat Drive to County Road 73 which will create traffic breaks and platoning of traffic
traveling this route.
Mr.Alejandro questioned the speed limits on both River Hill and Riverwood Drives. Mr.Seiler stated they are both 30 mph.
Accidents are occurring from"running"the Stop Sign or underestimating the speed of motorists traveling on FM 624. Mr.
Alejandro questioned if the accident site was being shifted from Riverwood Drive to River Hill Drive. Capt.MacDonald stated
that with the angle of Riverwood Drive,motorists have a propensity of running the stop sign more often.
Motion made by Mr.Foster,seconded by Mr.Sher to conditionally approve establishing a one-way traffic pattern on Riverwood
Drive from FM 624 to River Hill Drive pending further polling of residents.
Discussion followed. Mr. Ismael Soto with the Texas Department of Transportation stated that any time conflict points are
reduced,general safety is increased in the area. His concern is the traffic congestion at the intersection of River Hill Drive and
Riverwood Drive during peak hours.
Mr.Seiler stated that this area will be monitored carefully and determine that the problem has not been made worse. Motion
passed unanimously.
VIII. DISCUSSION ITEMS
A. (Continuances)
On-Going Texas Department of Transportation-City of Corpus Christi issues-.None
B. Confirm membership of Bicycle Advisory Sub-Committee(Continued on Hold)-None
VIII.. CITY TRAFFIC ENGINEER'S REPORT
A. Northwest Planning("Charrette")-First Phase Meeting on January 17,2002, Second Phase in March,2002 planned
by TxDOT to solidify the stakeholders priorities of transportation issues in the northwest area on CR 52 and traffic
improvements on FM 624.
B. Beach Traffic-Beach within the City limits has street regulations.
C. JFK Causeway during Spring Break- The schedule is tentative. Contractor is having some minor problems.
D. South Padre Island Drive Congestion Study(TTI)-Fine tuning model to bring for presentation in the very near future.
E. On-going street construction projects-Kostoryz Road(Holly Road and Saratoga Boulevard)opened to traffic,5 lane
road.
F. Parking Study/Uptown-Downtown and Bayfront Arts&Science-Negotiations in process of conducting study for parking
in these locations;to begin in 2-3 months.
IX. ISSUES FOR March 25,2002 Transportation Advisory Committee Meeting
A. Amendments to Residential Traffic Management Program. 000(.3
X. PREVIOUS CONCERNS - None
XI. NEW CONCERNS - Mr.Moss expressed concern regarding the percentage of driving motorists without insurance or proof
of financial responsibility. State of Texas has law on the books but not enforced. Does the Transportation Advisory Committee
have any jurisdiction regarding this matter?
Mr.Sher-Six Points(Striping and Street Signage)-Better delineation of signage and striping is needed,several of RTA's buses
have been involved in accidents.
XII. ADJOURNMENT-Meeting adjourned at 3:25 p.m.
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