2013-02-26_PWETC_AgendaPacket - Laserfiche WebLink

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80 warranty information on the product; upcoming presentation by Arizona State 81 University to the Roseville City Council and others interested in the best value 82 procurement process used for awarding contracts versus standard low bid or 83 alternative bidding processes; and hydrologic dredging planned in the summer of 84 2013 for Villa Park sediment removal and restoration of wetland depth. 85 86 5. Traffic Signal / Intersection Discussion 87 Ms. Bloom introduced Professional Traffic Operations Engineer Mr. Mike Spack 88 with Spack Consulting to provide the Commission with background on traffic 89 signals, timing practices for MnDOT and Ramsey Vunty, and pedestrian options. 90 Ms. Bloom noted that Mr. Spack assisted the City on signal design for the 91 Northeast Suburban pathway corridor, and updated intersection signal options for 92 bicycles and pedestrians. Ms. Bloom noted that the most recent PWETC 93 discussions were related to "free rights" near the TH36/ Fairview Avenue Ramp 94 signals. 95 ;;o 96 Mr. Spack reviewed theory, priorities, and best practices use pedestrian 97 crossing design, along with implications related to those designs, including legal 98 requirements and /or considerations. Among those issues, Mr. Spack identified 99 legal, Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requirements and concerns, best 100 practices, and the importance of safety for both ve icles as well as pedestrians. 101 102 Mr. Spack reviewed specifics, using the Rosedale area an example, addressing 103 signal cycles and timings depending on crossing width a state law (3.5 feet per 104 second for pedestrian crossing); cycles with and without walk signals to avoid 105 vehicle back -ups and optimizing the system; obsolescence of the push button 106 walk systems of the past; costs of hardware infrastructure; and options for 107 bicycles to choose to be on the roadway and treated like a vehicle or as a 108 pedestrian on sidewalks. Mr. Spack noted that pedestrians are legally obligated, 109 in accordance with state law, to obey signal indications at intersections. 110 However, Mr. Spack noted recent legislation that vehicles had to yield and give 111 the right -of -way to pedestrians when they were crossing a roadway, independent 112 of whether or not there is a painted crosswalk at an intersection. Mr. Spack 113 addressed various phenomena from studies done in the late 1990's and 2000's 114 related to traffic signals on busy roadways and the frequency of pedestrians 115 getting hit in painted crosswalks being three (3) times higher than without a 116 painted crosswalk; and indications that behavior between a motorist and 117 pedestrian were the overall factor, not the presence of a crosswalk. 118 119 Mr. Spack advised that if there was no obvious or major destination, some 120 intersections may not have crossings; with the industry rationales being that it was 121 better to have pedestrians congregate at major crossings where possible. 122 123 Mr. Spack reviewed the basics of signal timing; jurisdictional issues and 124 approvals; rationale for placement of crosswalks and /or lack thereof at Fairview 125 Avenue and Highway 36. Page 3 of 6