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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes Transportation Advisory Commission - 01/22/2001 TRANSPORTATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE. ,2o2122 2a��2 MINUTES Q� A ��� (Meeting of January 22,2001) N, Members Present FEB 2001co flECF VEECD Clif Moss Stuart Sher Orlando Noyola CM'SECRETARY'S Robbie Foster MAC Karla Bennett Israel Ybarra c; OFFICE / Don Davenport -Got ocv- Members Absent Anthony Alejandro CALL TO ORDER-In the absence of Chairman Alejandro,Co-Chairman Sher called meeting to order at 1:30 p.m. Chairman Sher acknowledged the presence of Ismael Soto, Texas Department of Transportation, Sgt. Scott Leeton with the Corpus Christi Police Department and Walter Jarrin,Traffic Engineering Department. II. APPROVAL OF"MINUTES"- Motion made by Mr.Moss,seconded by Mr.Davenport to approve minutes of November,2000 minutes as presented. Mr. Ybarra questioned the answer to his question regarding " are police vehicles equipped with computers for scanning motorists'drivers license". Capt.Tisdale responded that police vehicles do not have this capability at this time. Motion passed. III. COMMENTS BY CHAIRPERSON and/or VICE-CHAIRPERSON -None IV. MONTHLY TRAFFIC FATALITY REPORT(ATTACHMENT"A") - Capt.Tisdale stated that there were a total of 27 fatalities for year 2000. Two(2)fatalities were recorded for January,2001. Mr.Ybarra questioned the length of time programmed on a traffic signal for the yellow caution light. Mr.Soto answered that the usual time is four(4)second minimum,but the speed of the road also dictates length of time light is programed. Mr. Moss commented that motorists should slow down upon observing yellow light and not charge the light attempting to beat the light. Capt.Tisdale agreed,further stating that the entire stretch of highway(Saratoga Boulevard)has shown to be the scene of numerous high speed accidents. Weber/Saratoga is listed as the 7th most likely intersection to have an accident in Corpus Christi. The entire corridor of South Padre Island Drive and Saratoga Boulevard comprises of a significant portion of the probability factors of being involved in an accident. There are two(2)issues that need to be addressed: (1)the public needs to be educated through media services that a yellow light means be prepared to stop,not to proceed through an intersection,especially at high speed intersection;2) Enforcement efforts at these intersections need and will be elevated. Beginning Monday,January 22,2001,the Intersection Control Grant became effective through the Texas Department of Transportation with the placement of additional officers at the 10 TOP high accident location intersections. Capt.Tisdale also informed the Committee that the media did a news story on the speed trailer received through the Law Enforcement Block Grant showing the speeding violations along with radars and video equipment installed in five vehicles for documentation of these violations in conjunction with grants from TxDOT to fund the officers. Equipment is the only constraint placed on the Police Departments at the present time and hopes these grants have some effect at these with the additional enforcement. Capt.Tisdale also stated that he and Mr.Seiler will look at other traffic engineering aspects at high accident intersections, addressing the signalization issues, and a pilot program will be installed at one of these intersections. Mr.Moss commented that the media needs to be commended on publicizing these major accidents in bringing it to the attention of the public. Capt.Tisdale informed the Committee that additional funding was received this year for the police department to publicly educate the motorists as part of the Safe and Sober Grant. V. MONTHLY TRAFFIC ACCIDENT EXPERIENCE REPORT(December,2000), (ATTACHMENT"B")-In the absence of Mr. Seiler, Mr.Jarrin stated that the Monthly Traffic Accident Experience Report identifies the TOP 27 high accident locations for the full 12 months of calendar year 2000. As usual the SPID signalized intersections form the bulk of the top 10 intersection, and the Saratoga intersections at Everhart,Staples and Weber are also within the TOP listing. Despite the number of SPID intersections,two of these have experienced reductions: Everhart @ SPID(20%reduction)and Ayers @ SPID(9%reduction). Regarding the Saratoga Boulevard intersections,the intersections at Everhart, Staples and Weber have each gone through ;cANNED optimization of their timing throughout the past year. At this time,the Traffic Engineering Division is planning a trial measure at the Weber/Saratoga intersection to determine if a restrictive left turn phasing(i.e.,not allowing left turns to make a left turn during an unprotected interval)will increase traffic safety without excessive left turn delays. gee 011 Capt. Tisdale stated that in discussion with Mr. Seiler and Mr. Jarrin, a determination will be made, through this study to ascertain if the restrictive left turn phasing will cure or cause more problems such as high speed rear-end collisions at this intersection. This will be used to determine whether changes should bemadeto the Saratoga @ Staples and Saratoga @ Everhart intersections. Mr.Ybarra asked if the yellow light phasing would be increased? Mr.Jarrin stated-that timing changes will be changed to accommodate the left turn phasing. Vice-Chairperson inquired if double left turn lanes will be integrated at this trial intersection? Mr.Jarrin stated that the geometrics of the intersection will have to be studied to determine if this is geometrically possible. Mr.Foster inquired about the frequency of accidents at the Staples/Lipes intersection. Capt.Tisdale stated that this is a high speed-traffic intersection,due to the width of the street,high speed and the increased growth. The City has addressed the problem with enforcement and the installation of a traffic signal. Mr.Jarrin concluded the Traffic Engineer's report stating Staples at Curtis Clark,#9 of the TOP 10 has the highest increase throughout the year at 144%. A signal control is not planned at this time.The plan to is punch Curtis Clark through to Williams Drive to create a second outlet. VI. RECOGNITION of Audience/Public Concerns not scheduled on Agenda-None. VII. DISCUSSION ITEMS A. Status of safety grants from the Texas Department of Transportation - Mr. Soto with the Texas Department of Transportation stated that all grants have been received and funded. One hundred more DWI arrest cases filed this past year and twenty(20)DWI arrests this year due to funding of the Safe and Sober Grant.-The Pedestrian Safety Public Service Announcement(PSA)has been shown on local media has had a positive impact. Capt.Tisdale further stated that the Department has the money, personnel,some equipment. Availability of vehicles to carry out the full capabilities of these grants seems to be the constricting factor. The fleet size needs to be increased to 8-10(with 3-4 designated for traffic enforcement only) for availability for the officers to carry out their functions with money readily available. He is asking for the vehicles to be equipped with video imaging and radar, and placed into the fleet that are in storage. Vice Chairperson Sher expressed concern that new purchased equipment"sitting"in a box and unable to be installed and used due to lack of vehicles, whereby grant funds could go to some other community. Mr. Davenport inquired about the unused portion of any grant funding. Does this not affect future funding? Capt.Tisdale stated that grants are awarded on performance orientation, but unused portions must be returned to the State. Mr. Davenport questioned justification for any explanation given to the public,stating that the City has the equipment. Capt. Tisdale stated that the equipment is purchased by lot for savings,and set aside for replacement(s). He stated that he has traffic concerns as a Traffic Captain,the City has a traffic problem. Year after year there are more traffic fatalities than homicides, and more serious injuries. Vice-Chairperson Sher asked that Mr.Seiler be may aware of these issues so that he may pass them on to the proper channels. Mr.Moss suggested that the City investigate as to how Corpus Christi compares to other cities per 1000 population. Capt.Tisdale informed the Committee that Nueces County is the 4th leading county in DWI's. He again stated he has the multiple funding, but no equipment or vehicles. B. Pedestrian-related traffic accidents on the Crosstown Expressway and Padre Island Drive Expressway-Mr.Jarrin informed the Committee that since the last Transportation Advisory Committee meeting there has been discussion with the Corridor Management Team. Both TxDOT and the Police Department feel that a barrier(glare fence)on the center median is inadvisable due to other maintenance and safety issues. Also, a city ordinance prohibits pedestrian crossings of expressways;signs are posted along the frontage roads advising that pedestrians crossings are prohibited and observations of attempted pedestrian crossings. Mr. Soto stated the"glare fence" is very high maintenance and a large portion of the fence has been marked for removal. Mr.Sher asked for a definition of glare fencing. The chain link fencing material that has been placed on the concrete median. Mr.Davenport asked if TxDOT has considered building the concrete barrier higher. Mr.Soto stated that increasing the height benefits in car accidents;but is difficult to climb over. Capt.Tisdale also stated that the glare fence may reduce pedestrian fatalities, but increase motorcycle injuries and fatalities. Mr.Soto stated that the glare fencing is a viable tool,but other engineering prevention methods need to be studied. C. 6.;-- 6.6.- :; - ;-6 6 . : -Item was pulled by Staff. D. Updates on the following past action items: Application to close Hutsell Avenue-Mr.Jarrin advised the Committee that in October,the TAC held a public meeting on this matter. Since that time,the applicant has elected to withdraw his application for street closing in order to further discuss this issue with the neighborhood residents. An application may be resubmitted,but for the time being it is a dead issue. 00002 FM 2444 Speed Limit Revision-Mr.Jarrin also advised the Committee that in November,the TAC approved a speed limit revision on FM 2444(South Staples Street)between Timbergate Drive and King Trail Drive south of Oso Creek. However,the 55 MPH speed limit was not reduced between King Trail Drive and the South City Limit. The speed limit reduction was approved by the City Council in December. But,the Council was not satisfied with the limits of the reduction and felt the reduction should be extended all the way to the South City Limit. Council instructed Staff to bring back a Resolution to the Council requesting TxDOT's reconsideration of the speed limit. The Resolution was approved by Council the first meeting in January, and TxDOT has responded that it would be necessary for the City to conduct its own speed zone surveys and to provide the results to TxDOT. The City's speed zone survey is under way and should be completed this week. After providing the results to TxDOT, this information will be sent to TxDOTs Austin office for consideration. A response from TxDOT may take 30-60 days. Mr. Soto stated that TxDOT has lowered the speed limit on FM 2444 approximately 3-4 months ago, and follow up studies conducted revealed that the reduced speed limit had little effect on speed reduction on FM 2444. TxDOT will be widening the road with 3-foot shoulders, but with limited State transportation resources and right-of-way purchases due to continued growth in this area,the City is being more pro-active in transportation planning. Capt.Tisdale added to Mr.Soto's comments,further stating that the Traffic Department went to TxDOT and added FM 2444 to the Selective Traffic Enforcement Program commenting that tickets could have been issued all day long, day in and day out,with little or no effect on the public which also posed a safety problem for this police officers having no shoulders to park for speed enforcement. FM 2444 is a infra-structure problem. VIII. STAFF RECOMMENDATIONS SUBMITTED FOR COMMITTEE APPROVAL OR REVIEW A. Staff Recommendation-supported by the Airport Advisory Committee,to revise the speed limits on International Drive (entrance roadways to the airport terminal). Mr.Jarrin reported that the City's Aviation Department requested Traffic Engineering to study the possibility of reducing the speed limits on the International Airport Entrance roadways (International Drive). This roadway is a dedicated public street just like any other city street. The speed surveys revealed a need to reduce the speed limit on the long entrance roadways. In summary,the speed limit is reduced from 45 MPH to a two-section 40 MPH followed by 35 MPH along the primary entrance section. The speed limit would then be transitioned to 25 MPH(up from 20 MPH),then followed by a 15 MPH immediately in front of the terminal(no change). Chairperson Sher and Mr. Davenport inquired as to the enforcement jurisdiction and radar equipment at the Airport. Capt.Tisdale advised the Committee that the Airport has their own police enforcement and does not know if vehicles are equipped with radar equipment. Motion made by Mr.Moss,seconded by Mr.Ybarra to approved staff recommendation unanimously. IX. CITY TRAFFIC ENGINEER'S REPORT- Concrete Street Amphitheater-The amphitheater project is under construction on the west end of Belden Street between West Broadway Street and the Harbor Bridge. It is scheduled for its first concert at the end of March,2001. Staffs of the City, Police, TxDOT, RTA, and DPS have been meeting to work out the required traffic controls to service concerts at the amphitheater. Traffic Signal Improvements-The City has received bids for the new traffic signal construction of the first seven intersections to receive signal improvements(funded by the November Bond Election). The City Council approved the construction contract on January 16, 2001. Construction will begin on or about March, 2001 on the following locations: Staples/Lipes; StapleslTimbergate/Saratoga/Rodd Field Road; Kostoryz/Sunnybrook;Carancahua/Cooper's Alley;Ocean Drive/Cole Park and Everhart/Shea Parkway and Schanen. Mr.Moss inquired if traffic signal installations were being installed by the City or sub-contracted? Mr.Jarrin informed Mr.Moss that signals would be sub-contracted. Mr.Moss again asked why does it take 12 months to have a contractor do a simple job? Mr. Moss said it was a waste of taxpayers money to have it allocated and not being used. It ought to be done in 12 weeks. 00003 Chairperson Sher inquired if the traffic signal lights are done one at a time or all simultaneous. Mr. Jarrin stated he was unfamiliar with the contract,but would have Mr.Seiler bring back the information to the next meeting. Mr.Moss further stated that public money is being used very slowly and there is really no excuse for it. He also stated he just read that Ennis Joslin would be a two and a half year project before completion and it was started when he was on the Council. We need to tell City Hall to get with it and get behind the job. X. Consideration of Requests from Committee Members for Excused Absences-None XI COMMITTEE MEMBER ISSUES for FUTURE TAC COMMITTEE MEETINGS-Mr.Moss asked for someone from the Traffic Signals Department to provide a answer why so many of the traffic signals stop motorists when there are no motorists in the opposite direction. Mr.Jarrin asked if there were any particular locations? Mr.Moss stated he couldn't remember any specific locations. Mr.Jarrin stated there could be several reasons,sometimes malfunctions occur. For example, Mr. Moss stated he left his home near Doddridge/Ocean Drive to the Country Club and was stopped at every single traffic signal. He thinks someone is not doing there job. Mr. Sher concurred with Mr. Moss, especially at Doddridge/Ocean Drive. XII PREVIOUS CONCERNS- Item#1 -Mr. Moss stated it has been 30 months and still nothing has been.done. Item#2-Will wait to talk with Mr.Seiler at February 26th meeting. Item#3-Mr.Ybarra stated he is still researching Left Turn Lane and would ask that the item remain for the February meeting. XII. NEW CONCERNS- Mr.Davenport inquired if the State of Texas is going to change the color of the pedestrian school crossing signage from the standard yellow to the florescent green? Mr.Soto stated that the State is replacing all school zone signage through attrition. The City is also beginning to change its signage to the new color. Capt.Tisdale stated that he has one concern that is a major concern for the City of Corpus Christi,and that is the traffic pattern and flow for the new convention area and the Concrete Street Amphitheater on Concrete Street along with the opening of the new Federal Courthouse. Issues of concern are placement of a marked units,manpower,and tasking and availability along strategic locations on IH 37 and Brownlee Street intersection. XIV. ADJOURNMENT-Meeting adjourned at 3:15 p.m. 00004