TRANSPORTATION ADVISORY BOARD MEETING

APPROVED

HELD ON SEPTEMBER 15, 2009

TAB Members Present	TAB Members Absent	Others Present
Ken Cole, Chairman	Matt Tolman (excused)	Dan Cleavenger
Ron Barnes, Vice Chairman	Grady Van Noy (excused)	Alan Sanderson
Ian Bennett		Ravi Seera
Nick Camillone		Benny Rodriguez
Jerel Campbell		Danny Martinez
Dawn Fortuna		Randi Davis
David Wier		Victoria Kerr
Larry Woolf		Dale Brunk
		Sgt. Bruce Jones

Chairman Ken Cole called the September 15, 2009 Transportation Advisory Board meeting to order at 5:30 pm.

Item 1. Approval of the minutes of the Transportation Advisory Board meeting held on August 18, 2009.

David Wier moved to approve the minutes with two corrections: Christopher Scott had not been present at the August meeting, and the spelling of Marc Ahlstrom’s name was corrected. Ian Bennett seconded and the motion passed unanimously.

Item 2. Acknowledge outgoing Board Member, Mr. Travis Cunningham.

Chairman Cole expressed appreciation for Travis Cunningham’s year of service.

Item 3. Items from citizens present.

None.

Item 4. Hear staff update regarding the status of the Power Road Improvements from Pecos Road to the Loop 202 (Santan) Freeway.

Alan Sanderson said the consultant is reviewing the proposed improvements with the property owners of the businesses that will be affected, and an update should be ready for the next meeting. Ron Barnes requested that it be discussed with Matt Tolman before it is brought back to the Board since he had been contacted by the property owners.

Item 5. Discuss and take action on staff recommendation to approve a pilot Driver Speed Feedback Sign Program.

Ravi Seera presented information on driver speed feedback signs as a tool to mitigate traffic speeds. Not all neighborhoods want speed cushions installed, yet they want excessive speed controlled. The driver speed feedback signs are an alternative traffic calming method that has shown promise in other communities.

Ian Bennett asked about the effectiveness of the mobile driver speed feedback units. Sgt. Jones said they are effective, but batteries run down. A citizen must be willing to plug the unit in to their electric service and chain the unit on their property. There is also just one unit available per district. Sgt. Jones said he supports the driver speed feedback signs. Chairman Cole said he thinks it’s a great idea. Larry Woolf confirmed that there are just four planned for this year. Chairman Cole confirmed that the signs would be funded with money from the speed hump or speed cushion program that had not been used. Ron Barnes asked what would indicate the pilot program was a success. Mr. Seera said a reduction in speeds, and Alan Sanderson added that feedback from the neighborhoods would also be a factor. David Wier asked if numbers would be available from the Police Department. Dan Cleavenger said that PD can provide information on the number of citations issued, but Transportation would provide the speed information. Mr. Sanderson pointed out that the signs are more expensive than the speed cushions, but it would take just one sign to replace two speed cushions so the price of the two is comparable. He said that in Bellevue, WA they found the signs served as a constant reminder for drivers to watch their speed. Jerel Campbell inquired about the expected life of the signs as well as maintenance costs. City staff would install the solar powered signs and the maintenance costs would be minimal, and Mr. Sanderson said the signs were expected to last 10 to 15 years. Mr. Barnes said it is a very innovative approach and he hopes we involve public relations as this is a good way of reaching out to the community.

Resident Greg Schneider spoke on behalf of residents in the area of 40^th Street and McLellan Road. He said it had been very difficult to get support for the installation of speed cushions in that area. He said the signs seem to be very effective, and he feels they would be better than either a ticket or a speed bump.

Mr. Wier moved to accept staff recommendation to approve a pilot Driver Speed Feedback Sign Program. Mr. Woolf seconded and the motion passed unanimously.

Item 6. Hear a staff report regarding the Installation of School Zone Flashing Lights.

Benny Rodriguez presented an informational report on a proposed project to install yellow flashing lights in nine reduced speed school zones this fiscal year. Currently there are 14 reduced speed school zones in Mesa where the speed limit is reduced to 35 mph during school hours. Five of these sites have flashing lights that activate when the 35 mph speed limit is in effect. The remaining nine sites (seven adjacent to a Mesa public school, two adjacent to a Gilbert public school) have static signs. The installation of yellow flashing lights improves driver compliance with the reduced speed limit as well as provides an active indication when the reduced speed limit is in effect. Funding will come from the ITS capital and operations budget, since fewer traffic signals will be installed due to the economic slowdown. In addition, both school districts have agreed to share in the cost (50%).

Nick Camillone asked about the difference in costs between the School Zone Flashing Lights and the Driver Speed Feedback Signs. Alan Sanderson explained that these signs address different issues. Larry Woolf said he thinks Rhodes Junior High has a number of devices, and Mr. Sanderson said it does, including photo radar. Mr. Barnes inquired about the cost of implementing all those devices including the photo radar. Sgt. Jones commented that the devices at Rhodes were part of a pilot project and were gradually phased in. Dan Cleavenger indicated that staff could provide the previous report that provided the measures that had been implemented and the results of those measures. Ian Bennett commented that the flashing signs in Tempe had made a big difference in getting drivers’ attention, and Chairman Cole agreed that it is a good program and he supports it.

Mr. Woolf asked if there was no action required. Dan Cleavenger said that staff is actually looking for feedback from the Board. Mr. Barnes said he is concerned that there is a Class A system available but we are just using a phased in approach – he feels that it sends a message that we only take action in the event of a death. He would like it made clearer that there is a phased in plan. Chairman Cole said he agreed that this is a valuable tool and is just one of the tools that is being phased in to control the traffic speeds near the schools.

Item 7. Hear a staff report about the proposed Temporary Traffic Control Program, for discussion and possible action.

Alan Sanderson said staff is looking for feedback and comments from the Board on this item as well. Inappropriate or improper temporary traffic control measures result in unnecessary delay, cost, inconvenience, and increased risk to the public and workers. At any given time there are numerous entities working in the public right-of-way including City crews, contractors working for the City, private development contractors, utility companies and others. The City has no formal process for reviewing, approving and coordinating all requests for temporary restrictions in the right-of-way. During the preparation of last fiscal year’s budget, the concept of establishing a formal Temporary Traffic Control (TTC) program to review, pre-approve, coordinate and inspect temporary traffic control in the public right-of-way was discussed. Council provided direction to establish a formal TTC program, and to modify the existing “Traffic Barricade Management Inspection” fee, which was renamed “Temporary Traffic Control Fee.” Staff has been developing the various components needed to implement a formal TTC program. Changes in City code are recommended at this time to authorize and implement this program.

Under the proposed TTC program, any person, contractor or agency, including City departments, will need approval from the Transportation Department for the restriction of a street, sidewalk, or any other portion of a City transportation facility. Transportation will review requests, track and monitor restrictions and closures to minimize impact to the traveling public and gain compliance with temporary traffic control standards. The goal is to cause everyone working in the public right-of-way to plan ahead for any necessary restrictions, and to gain voluntary compliance with the requirements and standards per the Mesa Traffic Barricade Manual. The program will also include the ability to issue citations in cases where people simply refuse to comply. Mr. Sanderson emphasized that the City will follow the rules as well.

Larry Woolf inquired about staff requirements for the program. Mr. Sanderson said we would use existing staff, as development is currently pretty slow. Nick Camillone said that under the key elements it indicates that the Transportation Department will approve the permit – who does it now? Mr. Sanderson said that is the problem – no one. Mr. Camillone commented that this would have a positive effect on safety and traffic flow. Mr. Sanderson pointed out that it would capture all those who would be in the right-of-way but do not have a permitted project. Mr. Camillone said he would like to see the Department proceed forward with this. Ian Bennett said he likes this, especially the approach of voluntary compliance. Mr. Sanderson said it could be included in the Code, possibly in an introductory paragraph, that compliance would be obtained through education and written notice prior to resorting to fines. Chairman Cole said it would allow the City to manage things better, to know what streets are ripped up and when, and who’s at fault when things go wrong.

Jerel Campbell asked if we anticipate the fees increasing. Mr. Sanderson said the fee was established from an estimate since we have no historical data to base it on. He thinks it will be adjusted over time as we get more data. Mr. Campbell asked who would enforce it, and Mr. Sanderson said it would be the Traffic Barricading Coordinator. He said that the need for this will increase when construction picks back up.

Dawn Fortuna said she thinks it will be easier to get compliance with a daily fee like this. She asked how conflicting projects would be prioritized, and Mr. Sanderson said it would require getting everyone together to talk. He added that contractors are usually pretty good about adjusting schedules to avoid conflicts. Ms. Fortuna also wanted to know if the database would be accessible to residents. Mr. Sanderson said not initially, but we will be heading in that direction.

Chairman Cole said there is consensus that the Board endorses the program and would like to see us move forward with the program.

Item 8. Discuss and take action on staff recommendation to adopt an updated Traffic Barricade Manual for the City of Mesa.

Alan Sanderson presented a report recommending the adoption of an updated Traffic Barricade Manual for the City of Mesa. City Code calls for developing revising and publishing a Barricade manual to “…establish proper procedures and practices necessary for traffic channelization and control measures to be used in conjunction with any work, construction, maintenance, or other use of City streets and highways.” Historically, Mesa has adopted the City of Phoenix Traffic Barricade Manual (TBM) with a Mesa specific amendment as Mesa’s Barricade Manual, with adoption by City Council resolution. The current Mesa Barricade Manual is the City of Phoenix 1998 manual with a Mesa amendment. The most recent edition of the City of Phoenix TBM was published in 2007. Adopting the current Phoenix manual with a Mesa specific amendment would bring Mesa up to date with improvements in the industry since the 1998 manual was adopted. The changes that will likely have the most impact are requiring temporary traffic control devices to be crashworthy; allowing a short term lane closure (less than 40 minutes) to be done using a service vehicle without an arrow panel, just overhead flashing lights; providing more guidance and placing much more emphasis on accommodating pedestrians through and around construction zones; and requiring temporary traffic control permits for restrictions.

Chairman Cole said speaking of barricades, he had an off the subject question, is the University and Gilbert project ahead of schedule? Mr. Sanderson said that it is, and there is a proposal to completely close the intersection for paving on October 10 and 11.

Ian Bennett asked about the certification for flaggers and Mr. Sanderson said it is a four hour training course from either American Traffic Safety Services Association (ATSSA) or International Municipal Signal Association (IMSA). Mr. Bennett asked what we get from this requirement, and Chairman Cole said in addition to the liability issue, the flagger will have some knowledge of what they are doing.

Ian Bennett moved to accept staff recommendation to adopt an updated Traffic Barricade Manual for the City of Mesa. Dawn Fortuna seconded and the motion passed unanimously.

Item 9. Discuss and take action on staff recommendation to amend the traffic title of City Code by adding new definitions for “City Transportation Facility” and “Service Vehicle” and exempting service vehicles from prohibitions on parking and driving over sidewalks.

Alan Sanderson explained these were simply housekeeping items to clean up certain sections of City Code. David Wier moved to accept staff recommendation to amend the traffic title of City Code by adding new definitions for “City Transportation Facility” and “Service Vehicle” and exempting service vehicles from prohibitions on parking and driving over sidewalks. Larry Woolf seconded and the motion passed unanimously.

The meeting was adjourned at approximately 6:48 pm.