HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes Transportation Advisory Commission - 10/22/2001 TRANSPORTATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE
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(Meeting of October 22,2001) ^�,:1 ?��s
Members Present RECEIVED
Israel
�NClif Moss Stuart Sher Robbie Foster C�ry CEED
MAC Karla Bennett Anthony Alejand"rt7' SECRf'v'c °°).-:
Israel Yba„a OFFI
Orlando Noyola 4'
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Members Absent 8< r 1� E Z i
Don Davenport Grace Mane Gonzales
I. CALL TO ORDER-Chairperson Alejandro called meeting to order at 1:37 p.m.
II. APPROVAL OF"MINUTES"- Chairperson called for approval of minutes for meeting of September 24,2001. Motion made
by Mr.Ybarra, seconded by MAC Bennett to approve minutes as presented. Motion passed.
III. COMMENTS BY CHAIRPERSON and/or VICE-CHAIRPERSON - None.
IV. MONTHLY TRAFFIC FATALITY REPORT(ATTACHMENT"A") -Capt. MacDonald reported no fatalities since last month's
meeting of September 24,2001.
V. MONTHLY TRAFFIC ACCIDENT EXPERIENCE REPORT SEPTEMBER, 2001), (ATTACHMENT"B")- Mr Seiler briefly
stated total accidents for September, 2001, down 2%; Alcohol/Drug related accidents. down 32%; Injury Accidents,down
9%;Total Injuries, up 1%, Fatal Accidents,down 5% and Fatalities,down 9%. Confirmed Alcohol Related Statistics-55%.
The intersection with the largest percent increase(75%)in traffic accidents this year is the Everhart/SPID intersection showing
96 accidents to date, with a total of 82 accidents for all of year 2000. EverhatSaratoga intersection has the greatest percent
decrease(24%). Collision ciagrams attached in the agenda of this month's agenda package show the cumulative number
of accidents at each intersect:on listed.
Mr.Ybarra asked if the timing of the yellow light has anything to do with the numerous accidents. Mr. Seiler stated that the
yellow clearance intervals are within the acceptable standards which is maintained by the Texas Department of Transportation.
The different driving habits of motorists is a large contributing factor in most of the accidents. Any intersection of high volume
and closely spaced to upstream and downstream intersections and that is not coordinated during different times of the day,
is very susceptible to more congestion and more accidents. Mr.Ybarra further stated that he feels the width of the intersection
is a contributing factor to the numerous accidents. Mr.Seiler stated that the yellow lights are set with factors such as speed
of street,intersection width,spacing,etc.
VI. RECOGNITION of Audience/Public Concerns not scheduled on Agenda-None
VII. DISCUSSION ITEMS
A. Traffic signal concerns expressed in September 2001 meeting - Mr. Seiler handed out a preliminary"white paper"
regarding traffic signal coordination issues for the members to familiarize themselves with traffic signal issues and who
to contact in case of malfunction or coordinate traffic flow on a particular street. Mr.Seiler also stated that he spent
additional time with committee member Mr. Moss after last month's meeting discussing issues on Airline Road and
Staples Street. Mr.Seiler also stated that he has spent quite a bit of time in the past few weeks observing the signal
coordination systems and has encountered some problems and breakdowns and has reported them to Traffic Signals,
which can be caused by electronic interfaces between signals. Cooroinated signal systems are generally directional
during the peak penods to provide for the coordination of traffic in the direction of the heaviest travel. Also,Mr.Seiler
stated that he did not encounter any street where he was forced to stop at every signal as had been reported in the
prior month's meeting.
SCANN ED Mr.Alejandro commented that the informational"white paper"furnished the committee members is very informative
the Committee well in the future. Mr.Moss stated that he did not encounter any problems traveling to
and will serve
this meeting as on previous occasions.
B. On-going Texas Department of Transportation-City of Corpus Christi Issues 0 0 0r.' 1
C. Confirm memoershic cf Bicycle Advisory Sub-Committee(Continued On-Hold)
VIII. STAFF RECOMMENDATIONS SUBMITTED FOR COMMITTEE APPROVAL OR REVIEW
A. Amending Code of Ordinances Section 53-99-Operation of Trucks.Trailers and Other Vehicles Restricted
on Certain Streets.C::y of Corpus Christi,to allow automated solid waste venicles to travel against traffic on
one-way streets to c.ciiect City- provided garbage carts.
Section 1. Section 53-99 of the Code of Ordinances is amended by adding a new subsection (g)to read
as follows:
(g) It snail be a defense to a charge under Section 53-250 that the person so
cnarged show by competent evidence that the operation of an automated
garoage truck operated by the City's Department of Solid Waste Services
was traveling against the flow of traffic on a one-way street in order to
service a City provided garage cart.
Mr.Seiler began by stating the automated solid waste disposal system is being implemented throughout the
City,and would recu:re amending the City's Code of Ordinance Section 53-99 pertaining to garbage pickup
on one-way streets.
Mr. Jeff Kaplan, D:rector of Solid Waste Services, briefly stated that both sides of the street must be
approached since the new vehicles have automated right side arms operated by the driver, therefore
necessitating the issue of being able to approach both sides of the street involving a backing issue.
Mr. Kaplan further stated that over 40%of the City will have automated trash pick-up. The remainder will
be determined by tr.e City Council at a later date.
Motion made by M7. Moss, seconded by Mr. Ybarra that a new subsection (g) be added to the Code of
Ordinances Section 53-99 allowing automated solid waste vehicles to travel against traffic on one-way
streets to collect City provided garbage carts. Discussion followed.
Mr.Sher inquired if sometime in the distant future,if the City would consider parking restriction on city streets
to alleviate"backing up"on certain streets. Mr. Seiler stated that possibility could certainly be considered.
Mr. Kaplan stated :gat the automated program would be studied for the pros and cons after a year in
existence. The feedback so far has been 50% favor the program vs 50% against the program. Motion
approved.
B. Staff recommendation to reduce the speed limit on Whitecap Boulevard from 40 MPH to 35 MPH from a
point 1,000-feet west of Cruise Street to Isabella Court.
Mr. Seiler stated that a request has been received from the Padre Isles Property Owners Association for
reduction of speed limit on Whitecap Boulevard. Whitecap Boulevard is a divided neighborhood collector
roadway with two different (2) speed limits abutting the residential areas. Existing speed limit is 35 mph
between Park Road 22 and 1000 feet west of Cruiser and 40 mph the remainder of the boulevard to the
west. Recommendation is speed limit reduction from 40 mph to 35 mph to make this a safer roadway. Mr.
Seiler explained the lower speed limit would be consistent with the maximum speed limit the City uses on
residential collector streets. Motion made by Mr. Sher, seconded by Mr. Moss. Motion approved.
C. Staff recommendation to establish a No Parking Anytime curbside parking restriction on the east and west
sides of Santa Fe Street between Meldo Park Drive and Robert Street.
Mr.Seiler explained that Staff is recommending to remove the existing peak hour period parking restrictions
to be replaced with a NO PARKING ANYTIME restriction due to the re-striping of Santa Fe making it one-
lane per direction with a center continuous left turn lane. The width of each through traffic lane was
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increased from 9 feet to 13 feet.
Motion made by Mr. Noyola, seconded by Mr. Foster to approve recommendation. Motion approved.
D. TxDOT recommendation to revise the speed limit on McKinzie Road (FM 3386) by extending the existing
45-MPH speed limit that begins just south of Leopard Street, and continuing it to a point approximately
1,000-ft. south of Haven Drive. The net effect of this change is to remove an existing 50-MPH speed zone
adjacent to the Tuloso-Midway High School.
Mr. Seiler stated that due to re-assessment from the Texas Department of Transportation, speed limit
reduction is recommended from 50 mph to 45 mph from north of Kingsbury Drive continuing to a point
approximately 1,000 feet south of Haven Drive near Tuloso-Midway High School.
Mr.Ybarra inquired if the existing 45 mph on McKienze Road has ever been considered lowering to 40 mph
from Leopard Street to Agnes Street. Motorists often refer to this as a speed trap. Mr. Seiler stated that the
City and the State look at speed zoning in different ways. The State sets speed limits at the speed motorists
are predominantly using by their driving habits(85th percentile speed method), while the City periodically
chooses to integrate a speed management system with the 85th percentile speed method so that there is
some consistency on the basis of type of roadway. The speed limits on these particular sections of
McKinzie are long sections and leave an appreciable amount of distance for motorists to transition their
speeds. Mr. Foster asked for the comparable difference between Whitecap Boulevard and McKinze Road?
Mr. Seiler stated that McKienze Road is a State-maintained arterial street. while Whitecap Boulevard is a
City-maintained cc:lector roadway. Motion made by Mr. Foster, seconded by Mr. Sher to approve
recommendation fcr speed limit reduction. Motion approved.
E. (Continuances/Oh-Hold, but may be discussed by Committee members for comments)
Recommendation by the Texas Department of Transportation(TxDOT)for increasing the speed limit on SH.
361 between Park Road 22 and Port Aransas. Note: The City of Corpus Christi does not presently have
an ordinance confirming the State's existing speed limits on this street. Therefore, the Transportation
Advisory Committee will be presented possible actions in the August 27th meeting for(a) supporting an
ordinance consistent with the TxDOT's recommendation, (b)supporting an ordinance to revise the existing
speed limits with changes recommended by the City Staff, or(c) supporting an ordinance maintaining the
State's current speed limits.
Mr.Seiler stated that the Staff will ask TxDOT to hold to the existing speed limits on SH 361, however,the
City needs to estabiish an ordinance(s)for SH 361.
VIII.. CITY TRAFFIC ENGINEER'S REPORT-Nothing additional this month.
IX. ISSUES FOR November 26,2001 Transportation Advisory Committee Meeting
Mr. Foster inquired about the Everhart/SPID intersection. Mr. Seiler stated that discussion could be held at next
month's meeting with TxDOT in attendance if the Committee so desired. It is a very frustrating situation,seeing
rises and falls in traffic accident experience at the Padre Island intersections from one year to the next,many times
without any rhyme or reason. There are multiple reasons for accidents, with congestion and driver errors being two
of them. The CCPD has spent a generous amount of time conducting traffic enforcement at the SPID intersections.
TTI (Texas Transportation Institute)is also studying the interchanges and intersections, in the South Padre Island
Congestion Study. The City participated with TTI in conducting vehicular turning movement counts for this study.
TTI will be developing their own assessment with a broader perspective of the reasons for traffic congestions and
accidents, and measures that could taken by policy-makers and responsible authorities within our community.
Mr. Foster further stated that according to this month's traffic report, motorists are not staying in their lane. Maybe
lane markers can be installed.
Mr. Sher stated that his feeling that the Everhart/SPID accident situation ties in with ramp reversals issues. Feels
Committee and Staff are-spinning their wheels"by just discussing this over and over. Community does not want
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to discuss these issues. t-ev each have their own agenda. He feels that nothing can be resolved until the
community comes together wilectively. Exiting traffic is a "mish-masn. a spaghetti lane network". Motorists are
trying to criss-cross lanes.cetting from one side to the other, motorists are impatient attempting to get into the left
lane especially exiting restaurant row. He doesn't think it will get better.
Mr.Alejandro also agreed t-a:it will not be getting better until the groups mat"killed" (the proposed ramp reversal
project) last time agree the:-amp locations are the real problem and must be corrected. Safety has to be weighed
against economics.
Mr. Moss stated that the ma..s were just being developed and merchants were very concerned about that, but have
learned to live with the congestion, but if the City stresses safety, it would help.
Mr.Alejandro stated he agreed with Mr. Moss, but business owners tend to look out for themselves and the bottom
'ine is that they will put safe- second. Any suggestions placed before the committee will be appreciated. Do the
members want to meet this ,ead-on" or check with the City Council to see if they want committee to pursue this
issue?
Mr. Sher again stated that Mr. Soto,with TxDOT, had already come before the committee, regarding possibilities
and probabilities,availability of funding, without shedding any positive light on funding, Should we look at this from
the standpoint of another alternative to improve that situation of exiting the freeway, if it is not a ramp reversal type
option. What do you do? =•ohibit right turns? As long as you let motorists cross over and take right turns into
Moore Plaza or Everhart. He aoesn't see any improvements, unless right turns are limited. Traffic will also increase
in this area. Options are lirr-ted. What suggestions does Capt. MacDonald have? Capt. MacDonald stated if this
particular ramp was to be c.csed, it would only increase traffic congestions at other exits.
Mr. Sher further stated in c-.ticking all the different traffic flow options one can use, possibly use a hybrid. Other
cities have similar type situat:ons that they have tried to work through. Maybe they have better ideas for decreases
in their traffic accidents.
Mr. Seiler re-stated that the 71 Padre Island Drive Congestion Study wiii recommend solutions and alternatives.
This issue is being placed tinder a microscope like it never has been before. We will likely find recommendations
for some of the locations, no:necessarily just Everhart Road. As an example,the Study may conclude that rather
than close exit ramps, close the upstream entrance ramp and relocate the exit ramp further towards the middle
section towards Everhart anc Weber. The current problem is the entrance and exit ramps are as close to each other
as possible to allow safe v,eaving movements on the expressway. But if certain entrance ramps are eliminated,
which business owners anc :roperty owners are more apt to accept than an exit ramp closure, it will allow flexibility
where to place the exit rano. The problems we are having on the frontage roads is a function of the distance
separation in the downstream intersection. Also, it is a function of the fact that we do not have signal coordination
at different times of the day cue to TxDOT's policy and we are discussing the possibility of the City taking over the
traffic signal maintenance cry South Padre Island Drive intersections. TxDOT is open-minded about it at this point.
The Crosstown Extension veould also be another variable that will enter into the equation. Most of these things are
not going to happen overnight. Mr. Seiler further stated he had no problem with discussing and it would not hurt at
all. Perhaps some media attention to the high accident locations to be on the lookout for other drivers more than
they are now. May have a constructive application by this alone.
Mr. Sher stated that to his knowledge he has not seen any media assistance requesting citizens shopping for their
own needs, suggesting traveling different ways instead of always exiting at Everhart, to exit at Weber as an
alternative. As a suggestic-.the TAC may call an Press Conference to aiert the citizens. Conferences were held
in 1999 and 2000. No dec,sion was arrived at this meeting.
X. PREVIOUS CONCERNS - Mr. Ybarra inquired of Mr. Seiler if he visited the Moody High School campus? Mr.
Seiler stated he did visit the:ovation,did observe curbside parking and congestion. Has not discussed issues with
the school principal. Restriton of curbside parking would be"lot easier said than done", but it certainly does have
a safety benefit. This situation needs to be championed by the school because of a possible strong opposition. Will
discuss further with Mr. Conrado Garcia,the school principal.
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Another concern of Mr.Ybarra's is the bus stop on Alameda Street across trurii the NEB. His concern is teenagers
having to dodge the grocery carts that are being left by bus riders and create a traffic hazard for motorists exiting
business on South Alameda. especially the Texas Driving School. Mr. Seiler stated he would contact HEB's
Community Contact Staff and discuss the matter with them.
Xl. NEW CONCERNS- None
XII. ADJOURNMENT- Meeting adjourned at 3:17 p.m.
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