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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes Transportation Advisory Commission - 08/22/1994 TRANSPORTATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES (Meeting of August 22,1994) CALL TO ORDER Mr.Len Brandrup,Chairperson called the meeting to order at 1:32 p.m. II. APPROVAL OF MINUTES(Meeting of July 25,1994) Motion made by Mr.Robert Beggs and seconded by Mr.Braxton Routh to approved minutes as presented with the following correction: "that Corpus Christi is considered a near non-attainment area" at the present time. Motion carried. HI. CHAIRPERSON'S REPORT None. IV. CITY TRAFFIC ENGINEER'S REPORT Mr. Seiler briefly discussed the following items: 1. Cedar Pass\Everhart-New traffic signalization. 2. Beginning of 94-95 School Year;Elliott Grant Middle School and School Pedestrian Crossings. 3. Special Session Meeting to be scheduled for the Capital Improvement Program street element issues to be considered by Transportation Advisory Committee. 4. Sit down session-Strategies and goal setting for the upcoming transportation issues by the Committee during October, 1994. 5. Truck Restriction Ordinance Revision has been delayed. 6. Ozone Alert - Committee briefed due to the lack of wind, the ozone level is higher. Percentages of potential sources: 25% from on-road vehicles, 20% off-road vehicles, 55-60%from industry. The primary source is industry, which is being very cooperative with the City in controlling the ozone problems. Will keep committee advised. V. . TRAFFIC FATALITY REPORT(Attachment"A") Captain Byrd summarized the details of the two(2)fatality accidents in Corpus Christi during the past month bringing the total to 13 fatalities for 1994. The Police Department has made 695 DWI arrests in 1994. Last year at the same time there had been 788 arrests,an decrease of 12%. (At this time,Mr.Brandrup chose to move to item VIII for the Recommendation for reduction of speed limit on SCANNED 1 • • • Ocean Drive, from 45 MPH to 40 MPH between Rossiter Street and Airline Road (Attachment "D") to accommodate committee members. The`minutes will reflect the order which was shown on the aeenda. VI. MONTHLY TRAFFIC ACCIDENT EXPERIENCE REPORT (including'Quarterly Severity Index Report,(Attachment"B") There were 709 total traffic accidents during the month of July, 1994.There were a total of 5064 traffic accidents compared to 4274 showing a 2%increase. Alcohol/Drug Related Injuries totaled 28 for the year for a total of 215 through July, 1994 compared to 257 for 1993, showing a 23% decrease. Injury accidents totaled 260 indicating a 09%increase over the last year. Total injuries for June'totaled 407 injuries showing a 9%increase. accidents for 1994. Fatal accidents for 1994 is 16 compared to 13 for 1993, showing a 19%decrease. (?) Confirmed alcohol related statistics is 31%. Mr. Seiler reported 4 fatalities along Weber Road and 2 fatalities on Ocean Drive. VII. DISCUSSION ITEMS Staff Presentation-Traffic Sienal System Workshop(Attachment"C") Mr. Seiler conducted a Traffic Signal System Workshop to the Committee to illustrate the working relation between the Traffic Engineering Division and Street Services'Department,relative to traffic signal operations, maintenance and planning, as well as legal aspects. He detailed the traffic signal controller equipment (historical/'state of the art")including the fixed-time control and traffic-responsive control;components of signal controller and signalized intersection. In relation to the state-of-the-art,he described the"canned"controllers, the California 170 design,vehicle detection and also the isolated control versus system coordination. Mr. Seiler - further discussed the traffic signal controlled system in Corpus Christi. He further discussed signal system coordination methods which include the large mainframe,Closed Loop System,simple hardware interconnect, and time base interconnect. User Cost Savings which includes reduced stops;reduced stop-time delays(gas consumption,personal time);reduced travel time and reduced vehicle emission pollutants was also discussed. Further discussed and illustrated was the"closed loop signal system"coordination in Corpus Christi showing a • display of the"closed loop system remote monitoring"capability. Mr. Seiler further described the traffic signal improvement planning and costs which includes Traffic Signal Improvement Programs/Capital Improvement Planning; quick-response signalization; contract installation\City-installed installations and selection of intersections to be signalized and upgraded-criteria: He also spoke on the legal aspects and liabilities which included the Texas Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices,traffic signal warrants and traffic signal timing. Also discussed were the local signal system operations issues/new advancements including, peak period and off- peak period strategies, optimization analyses, and the traffic surveillance systems which includes video surveillance of key intersections,continual(permanent)traffic count monitoring and Intelligent Vehicle Highway Systems (IVHS). Mr. Seiler also briefed the Committee on the organization of traffic signal operations, maintenance and planning including traffic signal planning and design;optimization/"tweeking"and maintenance and TxDOT maintenance of controlled-access signalized intersections. VIII. STAFF RECOMMENDATIONS SUBMITTED FOR COMMITTEE APPROVAL 1. Recommendation for reduction of speed limit on Ocean Drive,from 45 MPH to 40 MPH between Rossiter Street and Airline Road(ATTACHMENT "D"). Mr: Seiler presented the following recommendation by staff: Amending the Code of Ordinance,Chapter 53- TRAFFIC,Section 53-254,Schedule V,Increase of State Speed Limit in Certain Zones,by reducing the speed limit on Ocean Drive between Rossiter Street and Airline Road from 45 MPH to 40 MPH,from both directions of.travel to provide a safer environment for motorists,pedestrians, and Ocean Drive residents. Ocean Drive connects the City's heaviest employment centers -- the Central Business District and Corpus Christi Army Depot\Naval Air Station. Ocean Drive is a predominantly residential developed street;with frequent driveway spacings with increasing difficulty for access to and from the driveways due to growing traffic volumes and traffic speeds;increasing presence of pedestrians(including joggers)and bicyclists using the street;landscaped medians which pose potential vision obstructions to motorists;median design which does not allow for left turn refuge 2 • at many crossovers;increasing traffic volume and traffic accident experience. The rate of speed-related traffic accidents for the 1994 year between Rossiter Street and Airline Road is approximately 20%higher than the traffic accident rate for year 1993. The City's speed enforcement policy generally permits travel speeds up to 5-7 MPH above the posted speed limit. Variance of the existing 45 MPH speed zone with the existing 40 MPH speed zone north of Rossiter contributes to higher travel speed violations on inbound Ocean Drive within the existing 40 MPH speed zone. A continuous 40 MPH speed limit between Louisiana Parkway and Airline road should contribute to travel speeds in greater compliance with the 40 MPH speed limit. Discussion followed.Motion made by Mr.Braxton,seconded by SC Sidel. Motion passed. IX. RECOGNITION OF AUDIENCE FOR PUBLIC COMMENTS AND CONCERNS • None X. ACTION ON ABSENT MEMBERS FROM JULY,1994 MEETING No action was taken due to the;lack of a quorum. XI. PREVIOUS CONCERNS None. XII. NEW CONCERNS None XIII. ADJOURNMENT • Meeting adjourned at 4:23 p.m. UmnteLiul 3