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HomeMy WebLinkAbout_1998 06 17 City Commission Workshop Minutes WORKSHOP CITY COMMISSION JUNE 17, 1998 The Workshop of June 17, 1998, was called to order at 1 :05 p.m. in the Commission Chambers. II. A TRAFFIC CALMING PRESENTATION WITH IAN LOCKWOOD OF THE CITYOF WEST PALM BEACH TRAFFIC CALMING PROGRAM. Mr. Kip Lockcuff, Utility/Public Works Director introduced today's speaker - Mr.Ian M. Lockwood, the City Transportation Planner for the City of West Palm Beach, Florida. Mr. Lockwood initially spoke of Mayor Nancy Graham's desire to revitalize West Palm Beach, and he briefly explained some of the staff changes the Mayor is responsible for. He also explained the basic concept of "traffic calming". The presentation began with Mr. Lockwood showing slides, and he explained various interpretations of "biases"; "improvements"; "accidents"; "levels of service"; "upgrades"; "efficiency"; and "traffic demands". He then discussed all of these factors in regards to transportation modeling and forecasting, and how this applied to Transportation and Land Use cycles. Several charts were shown which illustrated these changes. "Right of entry" ("static territory") and right of passage as it applied to social issues was briefly discussed, in addition to "hard space" and "soft space". New concepts in "fixed space" and "multi- use" were also discussed, and how the proposed intention of a plan is often under utilized, in terms of zoning and streets. Mr. Lockwood stated that "The success of the streets now, are measured by volume to capacity ratios, levels of service for motor vehicle users, travel time and delay". Several slides in his presentation showed the merits of multi-use streets, and how merchants and pedestrians all prospered. Therefore, considering the needs of motorists and all other perspectives, Mr. Lockwood explained that a traffic calmed street encompasses all of these considerations in "An equitable street design". He further elaborated that different kinds of criteria is now being used to determine the successfulness of such ventures - such as "access", "character", and "beauty". Mr. Lockwood gave a brief history of Traffic Calming, with its beginning in 1963, in a book called "Traffic in Towns" by Colin Buchanan, and that the books' theme was actually misinterpreted. Instead, the author really had suggested an environment that was "user-friendly" to both residents and motorists. He also spoke ofthe initial European success with the concept of traffic calming, and how it does not have to be a drastic change, but can be implemented as needed, in particular areas of need. Workshop June 17. 1998 Page 2 The Institute of Transportation Engineers, (I.T.E.) in an effort to offer some traffic calming guidelines, and a committee decided on the following definition that best describes traffic calming as: "a combination of mainly physical measures that reduce the negative effects of motor vehicle use, alter driver behavior, and improve conditions for non-motorized street users". Mr. Lockwood explained that there were various "categories" of traffic calming measures such as vertical (humps); lateral shifts; constrictions; entryway features; traffic circles, street scaping; and a combination of the previously mentioned items. He further spoke about the differences between traffic calming procedures and route modification, which is sometimes referred to as "traffic management", and "Involves things like street closures, diverters, one way streets, turn prohibition, this kind of thing. It affects the available routes that drivers can take. Unfortunately, this usually longer trip lengths.. . for the residents, for emergency vehicles, for everybody. Enforcement is required to make this work - usually it ends up with more speeding on one way streets, as we know it, as compared to two way streets.. .but it's inexpensive. Traffic calming, on the other hand, changes driver behavior. It does not change access, it slows down drivers, it's self enforcing, and the costs can vary".. ."typically, traffic calming tries to slow down drivers, it tries to improve the real and perceived safety of the streets, it incorporates the preferences of the community, the businesses or the residents in the area, provides more greenery, it promotes non automobile modes of transportation, and it maximizes access". Mr. Lockwood then reviewed some ofthe "tools" of traffic calming, and their respective merits, such as: speed cushions flat top speed humps narrowmgs lateral shifts medians mini-traffic circles entryways Traffic studies performed have proven the merits of traffic calming, and Mr. Lockwood then spoke of the three main reasons why traffic calmed streets are considered very effective and safe, are often due to the following reasons: 1. The stopping distance at slower speeds is dramatically shorter than at higher speeds. 2. If you actually hit something, the probability of injury or death is lower, along with the actual involved costs which are also lower 3. At slower speeds, a driver's field of vision is expanded Signage was next discussed, with the clarification that traffic calmed streets require less signage, which is a switch from what is currently being practiced. Workshop June 17.1998 Page 3 A brief history ofthe beginning of traffic calming in West Palm Beach was next illustrated by Mr. Lockwood, through a slide presentation. He explained via a number of the photographs, how the administrators used landscaping in lieu of excessive signage, to help promote the benefits of traffic calming. The many changes and improvements to the look of many of the districts and areas of West Palm Beach were next shown. There was some discussion about the change in use of some of the roads in West Palm Beach, and how traffic calming was used to improve the areas. Commissioner David McLeod asked about fiscal matters, and how did the City of West Palm Beach acquire the necessary funds to make the changes that they have. Mr. Lockwood responded that the City Administrator, Mr. Michael Wright could provide the answers to this inquiry. Commissioner McLeod asked if Manager McLemore could check with Mr. Wright. Further discussion about the revitalization of the City (especially since 1993), including such enhancements as a "green market", and greatly improving the "affordable housing" market (which does not look like "affordable housing"). A new concept in West Palm Beach is called "Cityplace" and is to evolve in the downtown "revitalized" area, which is estimated to be a forty million dollar project, and this Mediterranean themed area will include plazas, shopping with specialty retailers (like FAG Schwartz), and cafes, just to name some of what is planned. Commissioner Robert S. Miller asked about roundabouts, and what were some of the hazards? Mr. Lockwood explained that any type of roundabouts reduces collisions, and that there are basically three categories of roundabouts: 1. mini-circle (very aesthetic and safe; reduces the conflict point; are best for residential areas; and are most desirable to keep speeds low, if used in succession) 2. roundabout (larger with islands) 3. large circle (often with buildings in the middle) Commissioner McLeod asked about working with other governmental agencies, such as state departments. Mr. Lockwood suggested that the District Secretary is the best person to develop a good working relationship with, and to assist with a City's proposed traffic calming plan. There was brief discussion about the "green book" and how it is really comprised of "guidelines" and not "standards". Mr. Lockwood suggested a book called "Reclaiming Your Streets" as an alternative to "conventional practices". Commissioner Edward Martinez, Jr. asked about the response to traffic calmed streets. Mr. Lockwood said that once a street it is calmed, then everyone wants the others to also be done. The City of West Palm Beach has decided that whenever a street is dug up, it is "calmed", as a standard matter of practice. Politically, Mr. Lockwood said, "It has a huge amount of support". Workshop June 17. 1998 Page 4 There was discussion as to whom is primarily responsible for the design and implementation of traffic calming, and how it can vary from city to city. Mr. Lockwood suggested that a city send those who might be involved in such an effort, to some of the cities who are very committed to something such as traffic calming, as it is actually cost effective. Regarding safety enforcement, Mr. Lockwood said, "The Police Department love what we're doing, because any street that's "calmed" - they don't have to do radar on it - there's no complaints about speeding anymore. The one slide that I showed you, where the intersection was narrowed - the compliance rate for stop signs has gone up. The calls for collisions has gone down.. .it's freed up our Police to do more important things than, traffic control; so it's had a very beneficial affect on our Police resources. There was discussion about the benefits of using the services of a Consultant first - and Mr. Lockwood suggested that a beneficial alternative would be to train a couple of our staff in traffic calming principles. Commissioner McLeod asked Chief of Police, Dan Kerr about Wade Street, and brief discussion ensued. Commissioner Blake spoke on the issues of capacity and speed, and there was discussion about this subject, especially as it affected the collection of impact fees. There was further discussion about perceptions, and changes in use and traffic. Commissioner Miller asked about "bike lanes" and Mr. Lockwood addressed this issue as it applied to "fixed space" and "shared space". Mr. Lockwood addressed the concept of wider sidewalks being used, and explained that where pedestrian environments needed to be improved, as in some commercial areas, then wider sidewalks were designed. There was further discussion about improved property values and decreased tax rates, in addition to the changes that have been made to the City of West Palm Beach's land use code. Manager McLemore spoke of a similar situation with our new Town Center concept. Discussion followed regarding stop signs and closures. Commissioner Blake asked about the costs of mini-circles? Mr. Lockwood stated that it would run from $4,000 to $12,000, depending on the size. There was further discussion about the importance of good design and engineering practices. Mr. Lockwood was asked ifhe would be willing to share his designs, and he said that he'd be glad to share whatever they have, including designs, and library resources. Workshop June 17. 1998 Page 5 Mr. Lockwood asked what he would do to start the process, and he stated that "What I do is get a map ofthe area, and get a feel ofthe layout, and then I walk the streets with some knowledgeable resident, and then depending on the size of the community, we'll figure out whether we can do the whole neighborhood or a piece of it. We'd rarely do just one street". He further said "If you do one street, the problem typically shifts, so you'd want to do the area". There was further discussion about improving the knowledge base of staff members, in lieu of hiring considerably more expensive consultants. Manager McLemore spoke of getting Kip Lockcuff, Utility/Public Works Director involved with the organization of a design/engineering team, and Mr. Lockwood suggested that perhaps a consultant could be hired just to review the final plans, and he stressed that easier, "sure thing" areas should be implemented first, and to save the more difficult areas for later. Excessive signage, often referred to as "sign pollution" should be avoided, as much as possible. In fact, in traffic calmed areas, there is often very little need for signage. Mr. Lockwood, said that in the beginning, there could be "warnings", and then later, the signage could be substantially reduced. Public involvement was next discussed, with several suggestions for preliminary discussions (some with interested residents) provided by Mr. Lockwood. Community involvement was often most desirable, advantageous and greatly benefited such efforts. He added that "Normally this is a win- win thing for everybody; the Police like it; the neighborhoods like it; the business people like it; it raises property values...there's so many good things about it". Manager McLemore was asked where the best "starting point" for the City would be, for such a program, and he said that "I think the area that is most critical to us, is that section between 419 and 434. That's the area again, that if we don't pay real attention to it, it's going downhill very quickly". (This area includes Edgemon Avenue, Moss Road, and Wade Street). There was further discussion about this being an excellent "target" area for this program, and how a number of residents of Wade Street seem to be quite interested in new changes, and that the City could make Wade Street the pilot program. Commissioner Blake added that he could think of several areas in the City where such a program would be very beneficial, and he said suggested that perhaps a five year plan should be considered. The Commission thanked Mr. Lockwood for his presentation. Workshop III. ADJOURNMENT The workshop adjourned at 3 :22 p.m. Respectfully Submitted, U~~~ Andrea Lorenzo- Luaces Deputy City Clerk June 17. 1998 Page 6