MINUTES
TRAFFIC
COMMISSION
Monday,
December 8, 2008
City
Hall, Room 400
5:30
pm
MEMBERS PRESENT: Vice Chairperson Brad Hopp, Charles Karow,
Matt Kuepers, Lieutenant Brad Florence, Alderman Andy Nicholson (left meeting
at 5:52 PM)
MEMBERS ABSENT: Chairperson Judy Kuiper (excused), Mark
Schuster
OTHERS PRESENT: Alderwoman Amy Kocha, and Recording Secretary and Traffic Engineer Dave
Hansen
GENERAL BUSINESS
1. Approval of the minutes from the
October 27, 2008 Traffic Commission meeting.
A motion was made by C. Karow, seconded by M.
Kuepers and carried to approve the minutes from the October 27, 2008 Traffic
Commission meeting.
The remaining items were taken in this
order: 9, 6, 2-5, 7-8, and 10-18.
2. Review of the 2008 3rd
quarter serious/fatal traffic crashes within the City of Green Bay.
Lt. Florence handed out the report,
summarizing 2 fatal and serious injury crashes.
Crash #1:
Wed Jul 9, 2008, 12:20 AM, Bellevue St at E Mason St. Male motorcycle operator,
age 46, fatal; female motorcycle passenger, age 40, serious injury; male
vehicle motorist, age 25, at fault, no injury. Northbound SUV made left turn in front of
motorcycle, OWI-causing injury, hit and run death, hit and run injury, 0.124%
BAC. Motorcycle driver
0.115% BAC.
Crash #2:
Thu Jul 24, 2008, 4:45 PM, 1400 E Mason St. Male operator, age 81, fatal. Westbound SUV suddenly accelerated rapidly,
crossed 4 lanes of travel, sideswiped unmarked eastbound police unit, left road
and hit tree. No medical condition or
alcohol as contributing factors.
A brief discussion took place about case
prosecution and passenger recovery.
A motion was made by M. Kuepers, seconded by
B. Hopp and carried that the review of the 2008 3rd quarter
serious/fatal traffic crashes within the City of Green Bay be received and
placed on file.
3. Request by Ald. Wiezbiskie to replace
the STOP sign on Ontario Road and Mason Street with traffic signals.
Dave Hansen, City Traffic Engineer, stated
that traffic signals are warranted at Mason/Ontario and that the installation
of these traffic signals is included in the 2009 Capital Improvement Program
(CIP).
A motion was made by C. Karow, seconded by
Lt. Florence and carried that the request to replace the STOP sign on Ontario
Road and Mason Street with traffic signals be received and placed on file.
4. Request by Ald. Wiezbiskie for the
installation of STOP signs on Peterson Road and Kathy Drive.
D. Hansen stated that the intersection has
been studied before for multi-way STOP sign installation and still does not
meet the STOP warrants. He emphasized that NO crashes have occurred at the
intersection, nor have intersection characteristics alone contributed to the
cause of each crash. One unique statistic
with all crashes near the intersection is that they involved 1 vehicle each and
were run-off-the-road type crashes. He
provided an overview of recent crashes near the intersection and reiterated the
officer’s opinion of possible contributing factors to each crash, to which he
agreed. A multi-way STOP condition
likely would not have prevented these crashes.
1.
Sat,
Nov 8, 2008 – Westbound vehicle on Edinburgh Rd lost control of car negotiating
left curve and hit tree. Wet road
surface, nighttime, and cloudy conditions.
Driver was male, 16. 1
injury. Officer opinion: Speed too fast for conditions.
2.
Sat,
Aug 16, 2008 – Northbound vehicle on Kathy Dr missed intersection with Peterson
Rd, turned westbound too late, and hit tree then mailbox on Peterson Rd. Driver arrested for OWI. Dry road surface, nighttime, and clear
conditions. Driver was male, 21. 0 injuries.
Officer opinion: Driver
condition.
3.
Mon,
Dec 3, 2007 – Northbound vehicle lost control of car negotiating right curve on
Edinburgh Rd and hit tree. Snow/slush
road surface, daylight, and cloudy conditions.
Driver was female, 44. 0
injuries. Officer opinion: Speed too fast for conditions.
D. Hansen inspected the roads leading up to
the intersection and made some conclusions.
First, SPEED LIMIT 25 signs exist too close to the intersection and
curve, likely leading motorists to maintain 25 mph approaching and through the
intersection and curve. This is
supported by recent speed data collected that motorists are traveling around
27.3 mph in the northbound direction through the intersection and 29.1 mph in
the southbound direction through the curve.
Although the speeds are just above the speed limit, they are average for
most city neighborhoods. Speeds are
likely being maintained through the curve.
Second, no signs or markings indicate a curve or warn of one. D. Hansen recommended removal of the SPEED
LIMIT 25 MPH signs near the intersection (SPEED LIMIT 25 signs prior to them in
each direction within the block should remain), replacing them with TURN AHEAD
20 MPH advance warning signs.
B. Hopp questioned if 15 MPH supplement
should be posted. D. Hansen responded
that he drove the long, snow-covered curve at 15 MPH safely. He stated 15 MPH likely won’t be obeyed and
recommended 20 MPH.
C. Karow recommended installing curve
chevron(s) somewhere near the midpoint of the curve for both directions.
D. Hansen reminded the Commission of the
referred-to-staff item to evaluate beam guard installation at the northwest
corner. He recommended against such
installation because it does not address the core issue of why motorists are
leaving the roadway and would become a maintenance and
cost burden on the City.
D. Hansen recommended a double yellow
centerline to be painted through the curve and gapped at the intersection to
better indicate to motorists where to turn for the intersection while guiding
them better through curve, especially during dark, wet, and foggy conditions.
M. Kuepers questioned D. Hansen if this
proposal was discussed with Ald. Wiezbiskie.
He responded he thought he would have been in attendance tonight. Extensive discussion with DPW staff was made
prior to making the recommendations.
Commission members made comments in favor of
the staff recommendations.
A motion was made by Lt. Florence, seconded
by M. Kuepers and carried that the installation of STOP signs on Peterson Road
and Kathy Drive:
A.
Be
received and placed on file.
B.
That
the Traffic Engineer will discuss with Ald. Wiezbiskie the DPW signing and
marking recommendations to reduce or eliminate crashes near the Kathy Drive and
Peterson Road intersection.
5. Request by Ald. Nicholson to review the
traffic on Manitowoc Road near Greenbrier Road with possible action.
B. Hopp questioned if a road tube speed study
could be conducted under winter conditions.
D. Hansen replied no.
D. Hansen stated that Ald. Nicholson received
a complaint of speeding in this area. He
explained that traffic has increased due to recent nearby development at I-43/Manitowoc
Rd, and that motorists from that area are taking a shortcut to Main St via
Manitowoc Rd. He described the road
profile as 2 sag curves north and south of Greenbrier on Manitowoc.
Lt. Florence stated that the Traffic
Enforcement Unit has recently enforced speeds in this area with success.
D. Hansen stated that no crashes have
occurred on Manitowoc Rd near Greenbrier Rd.
He recommended that the Police Department continue speed enforcement in
this area.
A motion was made by Lt. Florence, seconded
by C. Karow and carried that the request to review the traffic on Manitowoc
Road near Greenbrier Road with possible action be:
A.
Received and placed on file.
B. That the Police Department continues their
speed enforcement efforts on Manitowoc Road near Greenbrier Road.
6. Request by Ald. Kocha
on behalf of Anne Sullivan Elementary to establish a NO STOPPING OR STANDING 7
AM TO 4 PM SCHOOL DAYS zone on the north side of Deckner Avenue just west of
the school’s driveway.
D. Hansen stated that he met with
Ald. Kocha and with a staff member from Anne Sullivan
Elementary to observe the traffic patterns during the evening release of
students. One issue observed was a
double-parking situation near the school’s west driveway. This created an unsafe crossing environment
for students. Establishing and enforcing
a NO STOPPING OR STANDING zone would eliminate this issue.
A brief discussion took place about student
midblock crossings along Deckner Ave.
A motion was made by C. Karow, seconded by M.
Kuepers and carried that, on a 90-day trial, to:
A.
Remove
the NO PARKING DURING SCHOOL HOURS zone on the north side of Deckner Avenue
from a point 345 feet west of Bellevue Street to Hartung Street.
B.
Remove
the NO PARKING zone on the north side of Deckner Avenue from a point 345 feet
west of Bellevue Street to Danz Avenue.
C.
Establish
a NO PARKING DURING SCHOOL HOURS zone on the north side of Deckner Avenue from
Hartung Street to a point 255 feet east of Hartung Street.
D.
Establish
a NO STOPPING OR STANDING 7 AM TO 4 PM SCHOOL DAYS BUS LOADING zone on the
north side of Deckner Avenue from a point 675 feet west of Bellevue Street to a
point 210 feet west of Bellevue Street.
E.
Establish
a NO PARKING zone on the north side of Deckner Avenue from a point 210 feet
west of Bellevue Street to Danz Avenue.
7. Request by Ald. Wery on behalf of Jenny
Jensen to install DEAF CHILD AREA signs near 223 North Platten Street.
D. Hansen stated that 3 signs need to be
installed since the requestor lives at the head of a T-intersection.
A motion was made by Lt. Florence, seconded
by M. Kuepers and carried that DPW be instructed to install DEAF CHILD AREA
warning signs near 223 North Platten Street.
8. Request by Ald. VanderLeest to study
if traffic signs should be installed at Locust and Shirley Streets.
D. Hansen stated that currently the
intersection operates under a 2-WAY YIELD condition where Locust St yields for
Shirley St. In the past 3 years, 2
crashes have occurred, both involving a southbound motorist failing to yield
the right-of-way for a westbound vehicle.
Both parties responsible for each crash resided on Locust St and should
have been familiar with the existing YIELD condition, and that converting the
YIELDS to STOPS likely would not have prevented the crashes. D. Hansen showed photos of the existing
intersection and indicated that the sight lines are adequate.
B. Hopp recalled that
this request was made in 2006, and that the Commission motioned to trim trees
back to improve intersection sight distance.
D. Hansen showed photos of the trees that were cut back, which opened up
the lines of sight. He also noted the
existing YIELD sign condition and placement could be improved, and that the
DEAD END and PLAYGROUND warning signs in the southbound direction overpower the
YIELD sign. He recommended adjusting
signs to improve this condition and that DPW can make the improvements without
Commission approval.
A motion was made by C. Karow, seconded by
Lt. Florence and carried that the request to study if traffic signs should be
installed at Locust and Shirley Streets be received and placed on file.
POSTPONED
FROM PREVIOUS MEETING
9. Request by Ald. Kocha
to establish a 4-WAY STOP condition at the intersection of Victoria and Crooks
Streets to address Early Learning Center 4K-K school safety concerns.
D. Hansen stated he summarized the results of
the multi-way STOP warrant study at the last Commission meeting. He continued by highlighting the conclusions
of that study. The intersection does not
warrant a 4-WAY STOP condition. He
cautioned about installing an unwarranted 4-WAY STOP condition at this
location, especially if the concern is about children crossing Crooks St, as
unwarranted multi-way STOP conditions over time lead to rolling STOP
conditions. He stated that DPW recently
added school speed limit signs in both directions on Victoria St.
A motion was made by M. Kuepers, seconded by
C. Karow and carried to suspend the rules and allow interested parties to speak.
Barbara Dorff (3375
Pebble Beach Ct), Green Bay Public Schools Director of Student Services, stated
she supports a 4-WAY STOP at Crooks/Victoria.
The school playground is across Crooks Street, and 90 children cross
Crooks St twice a day during midday with 2 supervisors. She’s thankful that DPW responded quickly to
their previous request for school signs along Victoria St. She’s concerned over the safety of the
children.
Kathy Wenzel (429 Carrie Ln), Principal of
the 4K-K Early Learning Center (ELC), stated that the school speed limit signs
have helped with morning and evening traffic.
Motorists have run through the 2-WAY STOP on Victoria at Crooks. They’ve had the most traffic problems between
11:45 AM and 12:45 PM, recess time. City
buses are driving fast.
Ald. Kocha asked
why the intersection doesn’t meet STOP warrants, and could there be an
exception at this location given its proximity to a school and for children
safety.
D. Hansen responded that Victoria/Crooks
doesn’t meet the minimum criteria including crash history correctable with a
multi-way STOP, minimum entering traffic volumes, left-turn conflicts,
intersection sight distance, and equal street volumes, among other
criteria. He recommended analyzing the
concerns, considering solutions, and then selecting the best one, if any
needed, to minimize or eliminate the issues rather than focusing on one
solution to start. The primary concern
is a pedestrian crossing safety concern that happens 1 hour each school
day. The proposed solution of a
multi-way STOP would be in place 24-7-365.
Although a STOP is a “tool in the toolbox”, the ultimate solution should
focus on improving safety during that 1 hour of a day while maintaining safety
during the other 23 hours of a day.
Currently, Crooks St motorists are unaware of pending crossings. School crossing with down-arrow signs in
each direction would bring the pedestrian crossing to the motorist’s
attention.
B. Dorff stated
that SPEED LIMIT 15 WHEN CHILDREN ARE PRESENT signs work good during the
morning and evening school times, but are not that effective during the
midday.
D. Hansen stated that other schools have used
crossing monitors with fluorescent yellow-green vests with success. Breaking up the large ped
groups into multiple small groups makes it safer for all users of the road by
provide gaps for motorists and shortens vehicle queues and delays which reduces
vehicle-pedestrian conflicts.
B. Dorff stated
that traffic is speeding on Crooks St.
D. Hansen was not aware of SPEED LIMIT 25 signs on Crooks St but stated
it’s not required to post it 25, as any unmarked local street defaults to 25
MPH by state statute. He suggested
installing the same school zone signs on Crooks St like there is on Victoria
St. He stated that engineering,
enforcement, and education are all needed to solve most traffic problems. The reason we’ve had success on Victoria St
is because the signs were installed, speeds were enforced, which educated the
motorists.
Ald. Kocha stated
that the SPEED LIMIT 15 WHEN CHILDREN ARE PRESENT signs are not that effective
because the motorist is usually driving normal speeds,
sees a child, then slows down too late.
She asked D. Hansen to clarify his proposal. D. Hansen responded that he recommended the
school crossing with down arrow sign for each direction on Crooks St at the
west approach of the intersection, and to install the school zone and speed
signs in advance of the school along Crooks St.
This type of sign application is more effective and overall more safe
than a multi-way STOP condition. He
reiterated why he is especially concerned with installing an unwarranted
multi-way STOP condition. Motorists
approaching an unwarranted multi-way STOP begin to roll or cruise the STOP
condition because they rarely experience conflicting traffic at the
intersection. This normally doesn’t
occur right away, but over time, you’ll see this happen. Add to the situation children used to
crossing the intersection because all vehicles are supposed to stop. Ultimately, pedestrian safety is decreased
with serious injury or fatalities more probable.
K. Wenzel stated that the ELC is different
than other elementary schools because the children are younger. They don’t stay in place, are impulsive, and
there is a language barrier. Each
supervisor watches about 45 children.
Breaking them into small groups is unrealistic. D. Hansen replied that if this is the case,
given the location of the playground, random midblock crossings would
occur. B. Dorff
responded that the children know only to cross at the crosswalk. What if the school signs don’t work?
A motion was made by M. Kuepers, seconded by
C. Karow to return to regular order of business.
A brief discussion took place about flashing
LED blinker signs.
B. Hopp asked if In-Street Pedestrian
Crossing signs could be used in this situation.
D. Hansen responded that these signs are highly effective but only if
installed during the general time when crossings take place like midday, and
then removed after that. The City has
used them during special events with great success and cited many
examples. The signs, since placed in the
middle of a street, have a narrowing effect and tend to calm traffic.
Ald. Kocha asked
who is responsible for these in-street signs.
D. Hansen stated that DPW owns and maintains some of these signs and has
only used them as part of their traffic control efforts during special events.
Installing one on a semi-permanent basis is new ground for the City. Since the sign has higher exposure than
normal post-mounted signs, responsibility of maintaining these signs that were
requested by others should be discussed with staff.
B. Hopp asked if the City could provide the
school district with one of these signs each fall and the school would return
it at the end of the school year for DPW maintenance. D. Hansen replied that DPW should establish a
policy on how to deal with these types of requests because it is something they
don’t budget for currently and that establishing a precedent could lead to more
of these types of unfunded requests. B.
Hopp recommended the installation could go in on a 90-day trial while a policy
can be considered.
A motion was made by C. Karow, seconded by
Lt. Florence and carried:
A.
On
a 90-day trial, that DPW furnish one (1) double-sided In-Street Pedestrian
Crossing (R1-6) breakaway sign assembly to the 4K-K Early Learning Center for
their installation at the west approach crosswalk of Victoria and Crooks
Streets during large group school children crossing activities.
B.
That
DPW install one (1) School Advance Warning Assembly, one (1) School Crosswalk
Warning Assembly, and one (1) School Speed Limit Assembly in both directions
along Crooks Street near the 4K-K Early Learning Center.
TERMINATION
OF TRIAL PERIODS
10. That, on a 90-day trial, to establish a
NO STOPPING NO STANDING zone on the east side of Packerland Drive from a point
240 feet south of Trojan Drive to a point 315 feet south of Trojan Drive.
A
motion was made by C. Karow, seconded by M. Kuepers and carried that a NO
STOPPING NO STANDING zone on the east side of Packerland Drive from a point 240
feet south of Trojan Drive to a point 315 feet south of Trojan Drive be
established and adopted by ordinance.
11. That, on a 90-day trial, to establish a
NO STOPPING NO STANDING zone on the east side of Packerland Drive from a point
485 feet south of Trojan Drive to a point 560 feet south of Trojan Drive.
A
motion was made by C. Karow, seconded by M. Kuepers and carried that a NO
STOPPING NO STANDING zone on the east side of Packerland Drive from a point 485
feet south of Trojan Drive to a point 560 feet south of Trojan Drive be
established and adopted by ordinance.
12. That, on a 90-day trial, to establish
on-street disabled parking on the north side of Pine Street from a point 35
feet west of Washington Street to a point 120 feet west of Washington Street.
A
motion was made by C. Karow, seconded by M. Kuepers and carried that on-street disabled
parking on the north side of Pine Street from a point 35 feet west of
Washington Street to a point 120 feet west of Washington Street be established
and adopted by ordinance.
13. That, on a 90-day trial, to establish a
NO PARKING zone on the north side of Camm Place from a point 120 feet east of
Allard Avenue to its easterly terminus.
A
motion was made by C. Karow, seconded by M. Kuepers and carried that a NO
PARKING zone on the north side of Camm Place from a
point 120 feet east of Allard Avenue to its easterly terminus be established
and adopted by ordinance.
14. That, on a 90-day trial, to remove the
2-HOUR 7:00 A.M. to 4:00 P.M. ON SCHOOL DAYS zone on the north side of Camm
Place from Allard Avenue to its eastern terminus.
A
motion was made by C. Karow, seconded by M. Kuepers and carried that the
removal of the 2-HOUR 7:00 A.M. to 4:00 P.M. ON SCHOOL DAYS zone on the north
side of Camm Place from Allard Avenue to its eastern
terminus be adopted by ordinance.
15. That, on a 90-day trial, to establish a
2-HOUR 7:00 A.M. to 4:00 P.M. ON SCHOOL DAYS zone on the north side of Camm
Place from Allard Avenue to a point 120 feet east of Allard Avenue.
A
motion was made by C. Karow, seconded by M. Kuepers and carried that a 2-HOUR
7:00 A.M. to 4:00 P.M. ON SCHOOL DAYS zone on the north side of Camm Place from Allard Avenue to a point 120 feet east of
Allard Avenue be established and adopted by ordinance.
16. That, on a 90-day trial, to remove the NO
PARKING zone on both sides of Oregon Street from a point 115 feet west of Gray
Street to Gray Street.
A
motion was made by C. Karow, seconded by M. Kuepers and carried that the
removal of the NO PARKING zone on both sides of Oregon Street from a point 115
feet west of Gray Street to Gray Street be adopted by ordinance.
17. That, on a 90-day trial, to establish a
NO PARKING zone on both sides of Oregon Street from a point 65 feet west of
Gray Street to Gray Street.
A
motion was made by C. Karow, seconded by M. Kuepers and carried that a NO
PARKING zone on both sides of Oregon Street from a point 65 feet west of Gray
Street to Gray Street be established and adopted by ordinance.
18. That, on a 90-day trial, Forest Street
between Cedar Street and University Avenue be added to
the official city truck route map.
A motion was made by C. Karow, seconded by M.
Kuepers and carried that Forest Street between Cedar Street and University
Avenue be added to the official city truck route map.
There
being no other items of discussion, a motion was made by M. Kuepers, seconded
by C. Karow, and carried to adjourn from the regular orders of business. The meeting ended at 6:35 P.M. The next Traffic Commission meeting is
scheduled for Monday, January 26, 2009, in Room 310 at 5:30 P.M.