HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-BPAC-2009-05-21Bicycle /Pedestrian Advisory Council — Minutes from May 21, 2009 meeting
BPAC members in attendance: Dave Nutter, David McElrath (DAC liaison), Matt
Freedman, Josh Carlsen, Andy Goodell, Renee Brutvan, David Kay (Planning Board
liaison), Jennifer Dotson (Common Council liaison), Kent Johnson (Engineering Staff
support), Tim Logue (Engineering Staff support)
Agenda:
- Approve minutes
- Reports/Updates
- Roadwork list (not discussed)
- Cliff /Park signal resolution
- Bike Friendly Communities application (not discussed)
- Site Plan Review
Site Plan Review — Planning Board materials
Ithaca Hotel — BPAC discussed concerns of drop -off spots (BPAC members did not want
another situation like the one in front of the Hilton). Various concepts are currently under
consideration. Another issue is how to adjust the TCAT bus stop location — one concept is
to relocate the stop to E. State St. at the City parking lot next to Mayers. BPAC also had
questions about sidewalk design and how bicycles will be accommodated along the
frontage of the hotel. Finally, there were questions about how to accommodate travel
around the site during construction activities.
Collegetown Terrace — This project is in the early concept phase. Access issues will be
important for BPAC to comment on once more details are made available.
Meadow Square —An overview was provided on this project.
Reports /Updates
BPAC was asked to comment on the new bike lane on E. Green St. and E. State St. and to
comment on the new Sharrow markings on Cayuga St. The discussion touched on a
number of issues. The responses were generally favorable with some suggestions for
improving the lane markings on E. State St. In regard to the Sharrow markings, the
conversation seemed to focus more on the issue of educating the public about the
meaning of the markings and how to survey the public to get feedback. BPAC members
seemed interested in participating in writing educational materials (i.e. op -ed piece)
developing survey questions, and administering the survey.
Bicycle Registration
The new Bicycle Registration materials have been passed on to Common Council.
Albany /Titus traffic signal removal
Short discussion — cut short since it was close to the end of the meeting.
Resolution — Signal at Cliff /Park intersection
The vote passed with 5 in favor and 1 (Andy) against. The full text of the resolution is
listed below:
1) Whereas,
Cliff Street (NYS 96) has one of the highest traffic counts in the City of Ithaca, including
a large quantity of trucks, and through- traffic whose drivers may be unfamiliar with the
area.
2) And whereas,
Except for the traffic signal at Park Road, there are no traffic signals or stop signs on
NYS 96 between the intersection of West Buffalo Street / Taughannock Boulevard and
Trumansburg Road / Dates Drive / West Hill Circle (the entrance to Cayuga Medical
Center), a distance of about 2.4 miles.
3) And whereas,
Traffic on Cliff Street generally exceeds the City speed limit of 30 mph.
4) And whereas,
Traffic traveling northwest on the NYS 96 bridge over the Flood Control Channel merges
from two lanes to one lane as it approaches Park Road,
5) And whereas,
A large portion of the drivers traveling northwest on the NYS 96 bridge over the Flood
Control Channel using the right lane do not intend to turn right onto Park Road as
required, but instead are trying to merge left to continue on NYS 96, and some of those
drivers are confused, and some are attempting to pass on the right, such that their
attention is toward their left and rear, not toward anyone approaching from Park Road.
6) And whereas,
Park Road serves the driveways of several residences as well as a parking area for users
of Cass Park and the popular Cayuga Waterfront Trail.
7) And whereas,
Sightlines are obscured by vegetation, poles, guardrails, and bridge railings between
traffic on Cliff Street and drivers, pedestrians, and bicycle users leaving Park Road or
crossing Cliff Street, such that it is difficult for Park Road traffic especially drivers of
small cars, wheelchair users, and users of recumbent bicycles, to see approaching low
vehicles, to tell what lane vehicles are in, to see turn signals or to make eye contact, all of
which would be crucial for safe crossing if NYS 96 traffic were not stopped by the traffic
signal.
8) And whereas,
The traffic signal at the intersection of Cliff Street and Park Road is maintained by NYS
DOT.
9) And whereas,
On occasions, such as April 7 and 8, 2009, when traffic signals in the area are set in a
blinking mode rather than the usual sequence of green, yellow and red, the traffic signal
at Cliff Street and Park Road has been set with yellow blinking lights for Cliff Street and
red blinking lights for Park Road.
10) And whereas,
When the traffic signal at Cliff Street and Park Place is set in a blinking mode, the walk /
don't walk signals do not light at all and the pedestrian signal activator buttons have no
effect whatsoever, although those buttons and lights in normal mode typically allow a
pedestrian to stop Cliff Street traffic in about 5 seconds in order to cross.
11) And whereas,
When the traffic signal at Cliff Street and Park Place is set in a blinking mode, the vehicle
detector loop on Park Place has no effect whatsoever, although in normal mode it allows
a motorist or bicycle rider to stop Cliff Street traffic in about 10 seconds in order to turn
onto Cliff Street.
12) And whereas,
A blinking yellow light calls for caution and makes no requirement to stop voluntarily to
give cross- traffic an opportunity, but a blinking red light calls for drivers to stop and give
cross - traffic its turn.
13) And whereas,
Blinking red lights for all directions at Cliff Street and Park Road would both be
consistent with traffic signals throughout in the West End on such occasions, and would
be more apt to provide drivers, bicycle users, and pedestrians leaving Park Road with a
safe opportunity to turn onto or cross Cliff Street.
14) Now therefore be it resolved that
The City of Ithaca Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Council requests that the City of
Ithaca ask that NYS DOT set the traffic signal at Cliff Street and Park Road to blink with
red lights in all directions instead of blinking yellow for Cliff Street on such occasions
that the signal is set in a blinking mode.
Approval of minutes
March and April minutes were adopted.
Meeting adjourned at 9:15 pm
Minutes submitted by Kent Johnson