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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-BPAC-2008-09-18Minutes from BPAC September 18, 2008 meeting BPAC members in attendance: Dave Nutter, David McElrath, Kent Johnson, Matt Freedman Visitors: Josh, Emily Hunter, Renee & Ananda Brutvan Agenda: - Route 13 /Third St. - E. State St. uphill bike lane - Bike racks - Meadow St. crossing at Wood St. - Truck traffic - Bikes excepted from one -way on Lake Ave. /Cascadilla Ave.? - Hudson St. uphill bike lane - SRTS update - Transportation Plan Route 13 /Third St. A question was posed regarding the status of the pedestrian facility improvements at the Rt. 13 /Third St. intersection. Kent explained that NYSDOT had completed some improvements (traffic signals, three pedestrian crossing signals, and two crosswalks) and that the City of Ithaca would install further improvements (the fourth ped. signal, two more crosswalks, and sidewalk construction). Similar improvements will be installed at the Rt. 13/Dey St. intersection, too as part of a $726,000 Transportation Enhancement project. The projects are planned to be completed in late 2010. ** For more information on these ,projects, please refer to the attached file ** E. State St. uphill bike lane Kent provided an update on the status of the uphill bike lane project on E. State St. It is likely that this work will be finished in the October 2008, if all goes as planned. This work is part of a larger project that also includes the painting of the Sharrows on Cayuga Street.. those markings should be in place this October as well, hopefully. ** The Engineering Office is seeking volunteers to assist in pre- and post data collection for the Sharrow project ... attached is a data collection sheet. If you have questions contact Kent at 274 -6528 or kiohnson@cityofithaca.org ** Bike racks Kent reported that the City of Ithaca has just purchased an additional 8 inverted -U bike racks (to provide 16 parking spaces). Kent enquired if BPAC members had a preference where these bike racks should be installed. There was a consensus that any of the already proposed locations /areas would be fine. Meadow St. crossing at Wood St. There was a brief discussion of the uncomfortable nature of trying to cross Meadow St. as a pedestrian at the Wood St. intersection, and other crossings north and south of Wood St. Currently, these intersections have leading pedestrian interval (LPI) operation, which means that pedestrians can start crossing Meadow St. before motorists receive a green light. A summary of the existing conditions is listed below: Meadow and South St — all countdowns NE to NW xwalk — LPI 6 -7 sec SW to SE xwalk — LPI 6 -7 sec N & S xwalks - no LPI EB protected right turn arrow in same phase as NB /SB protected left turn Meadow and Wood St — all countdowns NW to NE — 6 LPI + 6 more walk + 17 FDW /countdown = 29 sec to cross 5 lanes = 60 feet. @ 3.5 ft/sec = 17 sec. @ 3 ft /sec = 20 sec. @ 2.5 ft /sec = 24 sec. @ 2 ft /sec = 30 sec. N & S - 9 sec of walk. + 17 sec of FDW Meadow and Threshold Plaza Half a LPI — WB hold, EB does not hold. In summary, these crossings should provide a better - than - average level of service for pedestrians crossing Meadow St. given the inclusion of the LPI's, the countdown timers, and the longer- than - average crossing time (29 seconds at Meadow /Wood). Of course, there is still the chance that motorists will be pushy and turn across the crosswalks when pedestrians are nearby — which is uncomfortable for pedestrians .. and there is the likelihood that some pedestrians will not push the crossing buttons so they will not receive the signal benefits and they may be caught in the intersection after the traffic signal has changed. Further action for BPAC? 1. Are there further signal improvements that BPAC would like to see? 2. What about the detectable warnings at the curb ramps — will they be brought up to current standards? 3. Are there education efforts that can inform pedestrians and motorists on the best ways to behave at these intersections? Related topic: Dave Nutter reported that numerous intersections in the West End have dedicated turn arrows that are in conflict with the pedestrian crosswalk operations. This should be fixed. Two of the intersections identified were Buffalo /Fulton and Meadow /Clinton. Tim & Kent will look into this issue. Truck traffic There was a brief discussion on the issue of truck traffic, largely due to the heightened interest in developing regulations for large truck routes in New York. Bikes excepted from one -way on Lake Ave. /Cascadilla Ave.? In an effort to improve the convenience of using a bicycle in the City of Ithaca, the Engineering Office is considering excepting bicycles from certain rules at specific locations that are intended to just apply to motorists. For example, "Except Bikes" plaques are to be installed under the "No Right Turn" and "No Left Turn" signs at the Spencer /S. Meadow intersection — these turn prohibition signs are meant for motorists, not bikes. In a more ambitious move, the Engineering Office is considering opening the 100 block of Lake Ave. and the south side Cascadilla Ave. to two -way bicycle traffic (motorists would still be required to travel N/W bound only). To achieve this, the roadway segments would need to be technically considered two -way, but "Do Not Enter" signs would be used to restrict motorists at certain intersections — "Except Bikes" plaques would be posted below the "Do Not Enter" signs. At this point, residents in the vicinity are not really in favor of this idea because they did not want additional traffic which may impact pedestrian safety and/or quality of life issues. Due to these responses, the Engineering Office is inclined to focus on other issues — but will reconsider if BPAC is supportive of this initiative. Hudson St. uphill bike lane Is now in place. SRTS update The City of Ithaca's Safe Routes to School (SRTS) application was not selected. However, there is still much that the City, the School District, student, parents, residents, etc. can do to advance the SRTS goals — even without the federal funding. It is unclear if BPAC has an interest in assisting in this effort. ** A copy of the SRTS application is attached ** Transportation Plan The Engineering Office is in the early stages of developing a City Transportation Plan. A memo has been sent to a handful of entities in an effort to solicit feedback early on. ** A copy of the memo is attached * BPAC members may submit comments individually, but it would be best if BPAC as an entity would submit comments /recommendations. Input should be provided within the next few months. Adjourned at 9:05pm Minutes submitted by Kent Johnson