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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes Transportation Advisory Commission - 07/23/2001 TRANSPORTATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES (Meeting of July 23,2001) Members Present - - Clif Moss Anthony Alejandro Robbie Foster Israel Ybarra Orlando Noyola Grace Marie Gonzales MAC Karla Bennett Members Absent Don Davenport Stuart Sher I. CALL TO ORDER- Meeting called to order at 1:37 p.m.by Chairperson Alejandro. II. APPROVAL OF"MINUTES"-Vice-Chairperson called for approval of monthly minutes of June 25,2001. Motion made by Mr.Noyola,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.Wayne Tisdale,presented the traffic fatality report reporting a total of seventeen(17)fatalities to-date. In response to Mr.Moss's inquiry,Capt.Tisdale stated that seventeen(17) accidents were also reported at this same time last year. V. MONTHLY TRAFFIC ACCIDENT EXPERIENCE REPORT(May,2001), (ATTACHMENT"B")- Mr.Seiler briefly stated total accidents for May,2001,down 7%; Alcohol/Drug related accidents,down 37%; Injury Accidents,down 13%;Total Injuries, down 11%,Fatal Accidents and Fatalities,down 6%. Confirmed Alcohol Related Statistics-50%. Increasing and decreasing in the top ten high accident locations. SPID/Everhart has increased the most-113% (68 accidents compared to 32)last year. Weber/SPID has shown a decrease of 3%. Increase of traffic accidents in the SPID/Staples and SPID/Everhart zones both show an increase. Most of the accidents at the frontage roadsfintersections are rear-end collisions. Decrease at Saratoga/Weber(installed left turn arrow only); and Everhart/Saratoga; Staples/Saratoga show a decrease in accidents. Capt.Tisdale stated that with the continued help of Traffic Engineering and Street Services,the intersection of SaratogaNVeber has proven to be a very successful project. With monies from the Intersection Control Grant from TxDOT that has funded special enforcement,all these efforts have contributed to a 31%decrease.In the intersection's accident experience.Port/Tarlton intersection showing a 160% increase can be contributed to an increase in new establishments being built,"gasoline wars", and increased pedestrian and vehicular traffic. Capt. Tisdale also stated that the Transportation Advisory Committee had contributed tremendous support to the Corpus Christi Police Department by approaching the Crime Control District for much need radar equipment(37 units). VI. RECOGNITION of Audience/Public Concerns not scheduled on Agenda-None VII. DISCUSSION ITEMS (Continuances) A. On-going Texas Department of Transportation -City of Corpus Christi issues 1. Accidence experience at Padre Island Drive signalized intersections- Mr. Seiler briefly stated that as shown on the Comparison of Traffic Experience Statistics with Other Cities data was difficult to obtain from other cities for various reasons for comparison. Mr.Soto stated that TxDOT does foster communication with other cities throughout the state,but it is difficult to maintain databases, and unique differences in traffic control and design of these grade-separated interchanges generally result in"apple—and—orange"comparisons. SCANNED 000+ I 2. Yield requirements on frontage roads to expressway/exit ramps In answer to Mr. Seiler, Mr. Soto stated that due to insufficient distance between the off-ramp and the signaled intersection, there is no room to expand the distance. Mr.Foster asked why are there no YIELD signs in Houston? Mr.Soto stated that Houston has substantial roadway for merging. Corpus Christi is limited because of the short distances between exit ramps and downstream signals. Additionally,Mr.Soto added that he felt eliminating the YIELD requirement would back-up traffic on the expressway, creating more congestion and accidents. C. Possible interest on the part of the Transportation Advisory Committee in uses of cellular phones by motorists while driving-Awaiting possible update of Texas Peace Officers Accident Report ST-3 to include category for cellular phone usage. D. Request by Transportation Advisory Committee to the Corpus Christi Crime Control District for possible funding for enhanced traffic enforcement capability in all Police patrol vehicles-Discussed earlier in meeting. E. Confirm membership of Bicycle Advisory Sub-Committee-No current action. VIII. STAFF RECOMMENDATIONS SUBMITTED FOR COMMITTEE APPROVAL OR REVIEW A. Recommendation by the Texas Department of Transportation(TxDOT)for increasing the speed limit on S.H. 361 between Park Road 22 and Port Aransas. 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 would have to take action in either recommending an ordinance consistent with the TxDOTs recommendation or recommending an ordinance maintaining the State's current speed limits. Mr.Seiler stated as a result of a speed study initiated by the Texas Department of Transportation(TxDOT), the State is proposing a speed limit increase from the SH SH361 and PR 22 intersection north to the city limit of Corpus Christi, from 50 mph to 60 mph near Packery Channel and from 55 mph to 65 mph on the remaining portion inside the city limits. Mr.Seiler further stated that there is presently no City ordinance goveming the existing speed limits on this roadway inside the city limits. Capt.Tisdale,speaking as the Traffic Captain, does not support the increase of the speed limit on Park Road 22. Studies conducted are based on the reducing the number of violators based on the norm of speed by drivers. The police response is based on human carnage and twisted metal. Factors include:motorists traveling to and from Port Aransas,having a propensity during the time frame of Spring Break and summer to the use of alcohol,drivers distraction and inattention,along with drivers fatigue. Also,all types of controls with the various law enforcement agencies must be put in place during activities such Spring Break and other special events to protect the safety of motorists. Increase of speed will increase the changes of high impact crashes. Three(3) of the recent fatalities have occurred in this transportation corridor on Park Road 22 and Hwy 361. His recommendation is not to increase the speed limit. Mr. Foster stated he is basically opposed to speed increases in recreational areas. Chairman Alejandro stated that statistics show that motorists are driving above the speed limit. Legal Department has stated that if the City does not have ordinances"backing-up"speed limits,affects the way cases are prosecuted by either the Municipal Court or the Justice of the Peace. Mr.Seiler reiterated that this roadway is under the jurisdiction of the State and can technically establish these speed limits without the City's support. However,it has always been TxDOT's policy in the Corpus Christi district to seek local approval. Mr.Soto stated the motorists on the whole do try to abide by the law and the State basis its findings on these studies. Henceforth,the State sets speed limits in concurrence with the motorists driving habits. Repeal of the 55 mph speed limit to 70 mph,statistics show that Texas has the lowest rate of fatalities in the United States without the repeal of the helmet law in numerous states. Chairman Alejandro further confirmed with Mr.Seiler that the methodology used by the State is the same ratio method used by the City's Traffic Engineering Division. Motion made by Mr.Foster,seconded by Ms.Gonzales to delay speed limit increase until an opinion can be given by the City Traffic Engineer, Mr.Seiler for next month's meeting. Motion passed. OOOPZ• B. Presentation by the Corpus Christi Regional Transportation Authority on the Livable Communities (LCI) Port/Ayers-Richard Sanchez with the Regional Transportation Authority gave a brief presentation stating that these projects are designed to improve both pedestrian and vehicular traffic at the Port/Ayers Transfer Station. Funding comes from the U.S.Department of Transportation for the various projects,which provide improvements to sections of Ayers and Port Avenue between the RTA Port/Ayers Transfer Station and Home Road. Design elements include introduction of channelization(center medians)on each of Port and Ayers, sidewalk and ADA improvements,landscaping and irrigation,improved lighting,and upgraded signalization at the Port/Ayers intersection. Mr.Sanchez additionally explained that this project would include the new integrated pavement flashers at midblock crosswalks. Mr.Ron Guzman,Project Manager with the design consultant firm of Govind and Associates addressed the technical issues of the projects. Motion made by Mr.Foster,seconded by MAC Bennett to endorse concept of this project. Motion passed. VIII. CITY TRAFFIC ENGINEER'S REPORT—None reported this month IX. ISSUES FOR August 27,2001 Transportation Advisory Committee Meeting-None X. PREVIOUS CONCERNS-Mr.Moss asks City Staff to expedite the completion of Alameda,Santa Fe and Weber Road projects. Motorists have been subjected to this inconvenience of"two lanes only"for too long. In addition, what is the status of the Crosstown Interchange? Mr. Soto stated that the firm of Roziek Construction has been awarded the contract. Permanent electronic message boards provided by Intelligence Traffic Signals(ITS)to help alleviate traffic congestion and inform and direct motorists. Mr.Soto also stated that he is much more concerned with the traffic congestion during the JFK Causeway Elevation. Contract will be awarded within the next six(6)months and project construction will take a minimum of at least two(2)years. The State is also working on requests for proposals for an$2.8 million project for a regional architectural and deployment plan. The firm of PBS&J will also be working on development of hurricane life size status maps on status conditions in the event of evacuation. Mr. Seiler inquired about tying all this information into a central traffic operations area. Mr. Soto stated that with the new development in software that each entity could control portions of traffic control from the City's 911 Center or from each individual center. XI. NEW CONCERNS— None XII. ADJOURNMENT-Meeting adjourned at 4:07 p.m. 00063