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HomeMy WebLinkAbout11/10/2004 � • � Traffic Safety Advisory Committee City of Apple Valley November 10, 2004 7:00 p.m. Municipal Center Minutes 1. Call to Order The meeting was called to order at 7:03 p.m. by Arthur Zimmerman. The members introduced themselves. Members Present: Craig Anglin,Dick Asleson,Linda Dolan, Charles Grawe, Neal Heuer, Arthur Zimmerman Members Absent: Harald Eriksen Consultants/Alternates Present: Glen Van Wormer Others Present: John Bergman,John Brumbaugh, Jim DeLaHunt,Julie Dodds,Karen Fogolis,Miriam Forrest,Katelyn Olson, Steve Olson,Patti Siefert, Gregory Yung, Judy Yung 2. Approval of A eg nda There were no changes to the agenda. MOTION: Mr.Anglin moved, second by Mr. Asleson,to approve the agenda as presented. Motion passed 5 to 0. 3. Ax�proval of Se�tember 8, 2004 Minutes There were no changes or adjustments to the minutes. MOTION: Mr. Asleson moved, second by Mr. Zimmerman,to approve the minutes of September 8,2004. Motion passed 5 to 0. 4. Audience Items There were no audience items. Ms.Dolan arrived and introduced herself at 7:08 p.m. 5. Review Traffic Calming Installed on 138�`Street Mr.Heuer said the traffic calming measures were installed on a temporary test basis over the � � r summer with the expectation that the effectiveness of the measures would be studied and presented I in a report to the City Council in the fall. Public Works staff conducted several studies to measure traffic speeds and volumes. Some studies were conducted using traffic counting devices and others were conducted by employees using radar equipment. The traffic counting devices are very effective for deternuning traffic volumes,but can also provide an estimate of vehicle speeds. Mr.Heuer said the data from the traffic counting devices con�rms that the traffic calming measures did not have a significant impact on traffic volume, as was expected prior to the project. The devices did confirm that vehicle speeds were somewhat slower after the installation of the calming measures,with a drop of approximately two miles per hour in the 85�`percentile speed at the "choker"installed between Cedar Avenue and the lower portion of Pennock Avenue and at the median installed near the intersection with the lower portion of Pennock Avenue. Mr. Heuer said the data from the employees using radax equipment also showed reductions in traffic speeds. At the"choker"installed between Cedar Avenue and the lower portion of Pennock Avenue,the 85'�percentile speed dropped by about 2 miles per hour from 38 miles per hour for eastbound traffic to 36 miles per hour after the project. He also noted that immediately after the installation of the traf�c calming,there was a greater decrease in speeds to as low as 33 miles per hour,but the speeds have risen over time to 36 miles per hour. At the median installed near the intersection with the lower portion of Pennock Avenue, after the installation of the traffic calming, the 85"'percentile speed for all westbound traffic was 29 miles per hour. The 85"'percentile speed for westbound traffic that did not turn south onto Pennock Avenue was 34 miles per hour. The 85`�' percentile speed for all eastbound traffic was measured twice, once at 30 miles per hour and once at 33 miles per hour. The 85`h percentile speed for eastbound traffic that did not turn south onto Pennock Avenue was measured twice, once at 34 miles per hour and once at 36 miles per hour. Mr. Heuer said that measurements taken on the lower portion of Pennock Avenue did not indicate that the traffic calming on 138`�'Street had an impact on the speeds on Pennock Avenue. Mr. Asleson asked if the two miles per hour reduction in the 85�'percentile speed was statistically significant or a chance variation in measurement from one time to another. Mr.Van Wormer responded that as the change in speed was recorded in multiple locations and as the lowering of the speed was an expectation of the project,he believes the decrease in speeds are statistically significant. If the temporary measures were replaced with permanent improvements,there would be a few changes in the design. Mr.Van Wormer said that the concrete medians would be two inches higher and much of the surmountable curb would be replaced with a vertical curb. He said the "choker"area would also have higher curbs and structures such as planters would be added to make the"chokers"more noticeable. Mr. Heuer said that"no parking" signs would also be posted for properties along the medians. He also noted that the medians need to be designed to accommodate large trucks,but that this makes them less effective for helping to slow smaller vehicles. Mr. Heuer reported that he has received a number of communications from residents, one expressing support for the measures,the remainder expressing concerns over the measures. Concerns included difficulty in reaching residents' mailboxes and the elimination of on-street parking. There were also nine cases in which a sign was struck by a vehicle, three of which had accident reports. Several residents expressed their thoughts on the project. Steve Olson said he doesn't believe that a two miles per hour reduction in speed is great enough to justify the cost of permanent � � improvements. He said he thinks concrete improvements would likely have a greater impact on drivers than the current asphalt construction. He asked how much additional speed reduction could be expected. Mr. Van Wormer said permanent concrete improvements might yield an additional reduction in speed of one or two miles per hour. Mr. Olson asked if the median proposed for the upper portion of Pennock Avenue would have been beneficial. Mr.Van Wormer said it was considered,but not implemented on the trial basis due to the need to modify the curb lines. John Brumbaugh asked what other options have been considered for slowing speeds, including speed humps, which he said are used in Burnsville and Minneapolis. Mr.Heuer said that emergency service providers do not like speed humps as they negatively impact emergency vehicles and/or patients. He noted that other cities are placing restrictions on the use of speed humps do to the negative impacts on fire trucks and ambulances. Mr.Van Wormer said the City of Vadnais Heights removed speed humps for this reason. He said the City of Burnsville uses temporary humps and that Minneapolis has a very different situation in terms of volumes of traffic. He also said he believes both of those cities have restrictions on the use of speed humps along ambulance routes. Jim DeLaHunt said he hasn't noticed a significant change in the speeds,but finds that the medians create difficulty when backing out of his driveway. Patti Siefert asked what the timeline might be for the median closure on Cedar Avenue as well as the status of the request to reduce the speed limit on the lower portion of Pennock Avenue. Mr.Heuer responded that the City has not received an indication for when MnDOT would likely close the median,but believes it likely at some point in the future when MnDOT upgrades the roadway. He noted that the State budget and funding for such projects is tight, so it is uncleax when the upgrade would occur. He said he would prefer a three-quarter intersection design over full closure. Mr.Van Wormer responded that he asked for an informal MnDOT review of the speed limit on the lower portion of Pennock Avenue. MnDOT staff up to the State Traffic Engineer uniformly told him that they would not change the speed limit at that point. Mr.Van Wormer said he lobbied the MnDOT staff for a 25 miles per hour designation,but was not successful. Mr.Zimmerman noted that if the calming measures on 138�'Street were removed,vehicle speeds would likely increase. Several residents complained about property damage from vehicles on lower Pennock Avenue. Mr. Asleson said he believes that vehicle speeds on Pennock Avenue are not related to txaffic calming on 138�'Street. There was brief discussion about other engineering options that might be available. Mr.Heuer said that even if an engineering solution does not exist, speed concerns can be addressed through enforcement activity, driver education, and neighborhood awareness efforts. Ms.Dolan asked if painting the speed limit on the roadbed is effective. Mr.Van Wormer and Mr.Heuer said that this method has been tested and showed no lasting impact on other locations within the City. MOTION: Mr. Asleson moved, second by Ms.Dolan,to recommend to the City Council the removal of the temporary traffic calming measures on 138�'Street between Cedar Avenue and Pennock Avenue for the following reasons: 1) the measures achieved minimal reductions in vehicle speeds; 2) removal would minimize sign clutter; and 3) the measures created maintenance issues such as sign replacement and challenges for snow plowing activity; and that the City should attempt to remove the traffic calming measures prior to the beginning of the snow plowing season. Mr. Zimmerman expressed concern over the use of the term"minimal"to describe the reductions � , in vehicle speeds. He offered a friendly amendment of the phrase "less than desired"in place of the word"minimal". Mr.Asleson and Ms.Dolan accepted the amendment. There was also a concern about the removal of on-street parking if the measures were installed on a permanent basis. AMENDED MOTION: Mr.Asleson moved, second by Ms.Dolan,to recommend to the City Council the removal of the temporary traffic calming measures on 138�'Street between Cedar Avenue and Pennock Avenue for the following reasons: 1) the measures achieved less than desired reductions in vehicle speeds; 2) removal would minimize sign clutter; and 3) the measures created maintenance issues such as sign replacement and challenges for snow plowing activity; and that the City should attempt to remove the traffic calming measures prior to the beginning of the snow plowing season. Motion passed 6 to 0. 6. Traffic Concerns on Pennock Avenue between 140�'Street and 138�Street Mr.Heuer noted that there have been similar concerns expressed by residents along Pennock Avenue since at least 1987. He noted that the same problems and solutions discussed then are still talked about today. He noted that in 1987,the City requested a speed study by MnDOT in an attempt to have the speed limit reduced. When MnDOT declined to reduce the speed limit, the City Council asked if there was an appeal process to the MnDOT decision and was told that there is not an appeals process once MnDOT determines the speed limit. Mr. Heuer aclrnowledged that there was a rollover accident on this stretch of roadway in the summer of 2004. He said the information indicates that the driver had business in the neighborhood and was not cutting through. He said it appears that the driver continued to accelerate into the curve causing the rollover. Mr.Heuer said that regardless of engineering measures installed, such accidents can not be entirely prevented. Mr.Heuer said he does not believe that traffic calming measures would be effective on the roadway and that he is working with the Police Department on enforcement and education efforts. Mr. Heuer also noted that creative ideas that are outside the norm such as the "slow"sign on one resident's mailbox might be more effective in gaining drivers' attention that standard signs erected by the City. A resident asked if this section of Pennock could be designated as a one-way roadway for northbound traffic only. Another expressed concern over traffic volumes as development north of 138"'Street proceeds. There was a brief general discussion that traffic accidents can occur at any location regardless of speed limits,traffic calming efforts,or road design. Mr. Heuer responded to the one-way street inquiry. He said that designating the street for one-way traffic would reduce traffic volumes. However,as there would no longer be opposing traffic,vehicle speeds would likely increase. Mr.Van Wormer also said that similar one-way designs have demonstrated a significant number of violations as people perceive the maneuver of going the wrong direction for a short distance to be low risk. Mr. Van Wormer suggested that he create a compilation of the possible options with their pros and cons. Mr. Asleson requested a tabulation of the possible options as well as the available accident data. Mr. Van Wormer said the City could use the information on the meeting sign-in sheet to mail the tabulation to the residents attending the meeting for their review and for additional ideas prior to the next meeting. 7. Request for Stop Si�ns on Haves Road at Communitv Center Drivewav � � Mr. Heuer said he received a request for stop signs on Hayes Road at the Community Center driveway. A review of the data showed three accidents at that location over the past three years. All three accidents were minor,including two rear end collisions and one collision when a vehicle on Upper 145`"Street failed to yield. Mr.Heuer said the accident data for the intersection does not meet warrants for a four-way stop,nor does the traffic count data. Mr. Heuer said he observed the intersection over several days and noted that drivers were generally courteous allowing pedestrians in the crosswalk to cross Hayes Road. He also noticed that many vehicles were slowing when approaching the crosswalks. Mr. Heuer said the City staff does not recommend any changes to the intersection at this time. Ms. Dolan asked if"cross traffic does not stop"signs would be appropriate. Mr.Heuer said he would review if such signs were appropriate. 8. Crosswalk Design Concerns at Garden View Drive and Whitnev Drive Mr.Heuer said he received communications from a resident who did not like the way in which the crosswalk runs from pedestrian ramp to pedestrian ramp at an angle at the intersection of Garden View Drive and Whitney Drive. He noted that the intersection was specifically designed to make it easier for students to cross. Relocating the crosswalk as requested would create additional problems. The City did install a stop bar at the intersection. Mr.Heuer said the City staff does not believe further changes would be appropriate. 9. Traffic Safetv Education Efforts Mr.Van Wormer said that due to the length of discussion for other issues on this agenda,he would make the traffic calming presentation at the next meeting. 10. Traf�c Concerns Communicated to the Citv Mr. Anglin said there was a commercial vehicle enforcement event in October in which there were 32 stops and 19 trucks removed from operation for a variety of violations. In total, 184 violations were issued. Mr.Anglin said that Bob O'Brian,a liaison from the Deparhnent of Public Safety,has volunteered to speak to the Committee at its March meeting. Mr. Heuer distributed a list of additional concerns and briefly described the issues. He noted that in follow-up to the previous meeting,the City shifted the location of the speed limit signs on Palomino Drive. He also noted that the traffic counts at Palomino Drive and 131St Street did not meet warrants for the requested stop signs. 11. Adj ourn MOTION: Mr. Asleson moved, second by Mr. Anglin,to adjourn the meeting. Motion passed unanimously.