City of Lawrence

Lawrence – Douglas County Bicycle Advisory Committee

June 17, 2014 Minutes

 

MEMBERS PRESENT:

 

Lisa Hallberg, Erin Paden, Bill Anderson, David Hamby, Jacki Becker, Chris Rogge

MEMBERS ABSENT:

Dan Ashley, Chad Foster, Justin Eddings

STAFF PRESENT:

Todd Girdler, David Cronin, David Woosley, Nick Voss, Jessica Mortinger

PUBLIC PRESENT:

Chip Howat, Michael Almon

 

1.   Call Meeting to Order, Introductions and Assurance of Quorum

The meeting was called to order at 5:04 p.m. A quorum was present and introductions were made

 

2.   Action Item: Approval of the May 20, 2014 Meeting Minutes

A motion to approve the minutes from the April meeting was moved by Bill Anderson,  seconded by Lisa Hallberg and passed unanimously (5-0).

 

3.   Discussion Item: Roundabouts & Bicycle Safety

Jessica Mortinger informed the BAC that Chip Howat had contacted Lisa Hallberg to inquire about why his and his neighborhood’s letter to the City Commission about the safety concerns on this project were not brought to the BAC. Ms. Mortinger indicated that not all correspondence between the public and City Commission is forwarded to advisory committees, but based on the request for the BAC to reconsider roundabouts and bicycle design it was placed on this agenda. David Cronin and Nick Voss updated the BAC on the status of the project and design, noting that the plans were updated to include the bikes use full lanes signs that were recommended by the BAC at the May meeting. They also noted that the plans bid will go to the City Commission next week. Lisa Hallberg asked Mr. Howat if he wished to present the concerns addressed in his letter.

 

Mr. Howat agreed and had the following to say: First, the neighbors and businesses don’t oppose roundabouts, and Second, as a cyclist Mr. Howat indicates that he personally supports the single lane roundabouts but has concerns about safety issues with a dual lane roundabout.  His concerns include the current all way stop with users traveling 45 mph and a roundabout won’t slow the traffic, it instead will speed it up. This is a concern for increased speeds in the neighborhoods. The surrounding land uses of a day care, preschool and elementary school are also a concern. Mr. Howat believes that public works has failed to prove that the proposed roundabout is in fact safer. He quotes KDOT’s literature stating that the statistics show insignificantly safer conditions afterwards for bike and pedestrian traffic. Mr. Howat also indicated that there are movements where law abiding users will block the view of cyclists by other vehicles. For example, a left hand turn heading southbound to the north into Quail Run Elementary School using the left turn lane with a north bound large vehicle will cause this blocked view. Mr. Howat shared a draft version of the Access Board recommendations that indicate the possibility for future requirements of activated signals for the pedestrian crossing in this type of design. Mr. Howat indicated he was also concerned about other design features including too small of a radius, too narrow of lanes and the design shrink that is being done to accommodate a roundabout in this space when the current traffic doesn’t warrant it.

Nick Voss responded to the issues addressed by Mr. Howat indicating the Public Works Department has safety for all modes and users as a key factor in the warrant and designs for the Wakarusa roundabout. Wakarusa is being widened as part of the rebuild and as a result a 4 way stop will no longer be sufficient. The options studied for improvements include a signalized intersection, which rated LOS D and a roundabout, which rated LOS A. He said there are a variety of safety studies with constantly improving geometric improvement recommendations and improved safety for cars and no loss of safety for bicyclists. Roundabouts reduce right angle crashes. The new federal standard for lane width in a two lane roundabout is 14-16 ft. This project proposes 15ft. David Hamby said as a cyclists that each individual also has to take responsibility for personal safety and that cyclists have a choice about being on the road or routing as a pedestrian. Personally he is excited for the roundabout but understands the need for caution at any roadway intersection. Lisa Hallberg indicated that she is equally cautious as a cyclist at a four way stop.

 

David Woosley said that the City is investing money in reconstructing the road and must build it to accommodate traffic for the next 20 years; as such the safer choice between a signalized intersection and a roundabout is a roundabout. Mr. Woosley referred members present to the diagrams with the choices cyclists would have to navigate the intersection that were included in the May agenda packet. He also noted that KDOT provided a review with minor revisions, which staff made to the design plans. Lisa Hallberg agreed that the improvements to infrastructure will provide shortening crossing distances for pedestrians and bicyclists who choose to operate as pedestrians. It  is also apparent that this intersection cannot remain a four-way stop. She said that she appreciated the information provided by the staff.

 

Chris Rogge stated that while he wasn’t present for the May discussion he often doesn’t cycle on roads with a 45 mph speed, but if he did he would be able to navigate the safest personal route. He also stated that while the pedestrian infrastructure recommendations were out of the scope of the BAC, he felt they would be beneficial. Erin Paden stated that she would not ride on Wakarusa, but if she did she would ride the sidewalk option. She believes the widening will make it harder to do so in the future. She is concerned about the width of the crossing, the speed and considerations of walking and biking with children. She thinks a better plan for the future would be for less automobile demand and more appropriately scaled roadways for all users, in line with the City’s Complete Streets Policy. Mr. Howat said himself and the neighbors don’t have a choice about not using Wakarusa because it is their neighborhood. David Woosley said that the project will widen the roadway regardless, but at the same time will shorten the crossing distances for bikes and peds if they choose the sidewalk route, comparatively an intersection will be a longer crossing distance with more exposure to traffic.

 

Lisa Hallberg asked what a pedestrian active warning/signal looks like and suggested that even some advanced warning indicators would be helpful to notify traffic that pedestrians were ahead using the crossing. David Cronin indicated that safety and warning lighting often times gives pedestrians a false sense of security and these signals are still being studied by the Access Board. He has specifically never seen the pedestrian signals with pedestrian lighting in the draft Access Board recommendations. He also stated that in the future if the pedestrian crossing gets incorporated into the standards it could be added to the roundabout.

 

Bill Anderson thanked Mr. Howat for bringing his concerns to the BAC.  David Cronin said that construction will be in the next couple of months and there will be time to test out the design before the Harvard roundabout is designed. Lisa Hallberg thanked Mr. Howat, BAC members and Staff for the continued discussion about safety and design options on our roads.

 

4.   Discussion/Action Item: SLT Shared Use Path to Haskell Shared Use Path- Planning a Connection

David Cronin informed the BAC members that the City staff is working on plans to make this connection between the ends of the SLT (South Lawrence Trafficway) shared use path and the end of the Burroughs Creek Trail shared use path. The issue now facing the City is about using 28th or 29th Street corridors to make that connection. The diagram shown in the packet shows the ends of each of the planned facilities that are expected to be completed by 2016. The Countywide Bikeway Plan has the future line on 28th Street, but the connection would be more natural on 29th Street because of the distance of each of the projects under construction. Lisa Hallberg indicated that 29th Street was more ideal. David Hamby agreed. A motion was made to encourage Public Works to pursue a connection between these facilities with intermittent markings and/or signing in the short term as needed by Lisa Hallberg, seconded by David Hamby and passed 5-0-1 with Bill Anderson abstaining for lack of information.

 

5.   Discussion Item: Prioritization of Bicycle Infrastructure Improvements

Jessica Mortinger indicated that included in the agenda packet was the email from Michael Almon where  he could presented his priorities for improvements. Mr. Almon presented his proposed projects and BAC members thanked him for his input. BAC members present agreed to table further discussion of this topic to a future meeting.

 

6.   Discussion/Action Item: Set Agenda for Bike/Ped Coordination Forum

Jessica Mortinger asked the BAC members who they had appointed to coordinate the meeting. Todd Girdler passed around a draft agenda for the event. Members thought they had appointed Erin Paden to host the meeting. Lisa Hallberg indicated she would help Erin facilitate the meeting, and other members agreed they would attend. A motion was made to appoint Lisa Hallberg and Erin Paden to represent the BAC and coordinate the forum. Ms. Hallberg and Ms. Paden agreed to work with staff to edit the agenda and get something sent out to participants as soon as possible.

 

7.   Other Business/ Updates

Jessica Mortinger shared the back side of the map design and asked BAC members for comments. She indicated she is finalizing work on the front side design and final edits on the back. The final checks for contributions to print the map are coming in.

Jessica Mortinger informed the BAC that the ride was scheduled for July 19th. BAC members were invited to come attend the ride or volunteer to staff the course. They should let her know if they want to volunteer soon.

Jessica Mortinger shared with the BAC that they should expect a support letter for a SRTS application on the July agenda.

 

8.   Public Comments

Michael Almon informed the BAC that the Lawrence Peak Oil Plan has a discussion about a right-of-way hierarchy where pedestrians and bicyclists have top priority and cars have a lower priority. He indicated that BAC members may want to read that report.

 

9.   Adjournment of Meeting and Announcement of Next Meeting

The meeting ended at 6:28 PM. The Next Meeting is scheduled for June 17, 2014 at 5PM.