pages: TransportationCommission/2017-03-22.pdf, 6
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TransportationCommission | 2017-03-22 | 6 | volumes, and roadway width. She stated that the City's key guidance criteria were: pedestrian volumes, collision history and the distance to the signalized intersections. The crossing is not too far from the nearby signalized intersections and it would be safer for pedestrians to cross at one of them. She noted that if the City installed a rectangular rapid flashing beacon, the vehicles would be required to yield to pedestrians, but they may not stop. She indicated that the pedestrian guidance thresholds for a marked crossing are 20 total pedestrians, or 15 senior pedestrians, in the peak hour. Staff counted 12 seniors and 17 total pedestrians crossing when conducting pedestrian counts this year, during the highest peak hour - 11:45 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. Thus, she explained the pedestrian counts were just under the guidance thresholds. Finally, she stated that there was one pedestrian-involved collision in 10 years, even though pedestrians regularly cross there. Commissioner Bertken asked Staff Wheeler if pedestrians do not press the pedestrian push- button, then does the crosswalk not exist? Staff Wheeler replied no, since it would still be a marked crosswalk. Commissioner Bertken replied that if the rapid flashing beacon lights are not blinking, then Atlantic is just a throughway and it does not delay motorists. So, it's only when the pedestrian presses the button to cross that motorists are delayed. Staff Wheeler replied that the traffic impacts of the options with and without the midblock crossing are about the same, since cars only need to yield to pedestrians and are not required to stay stopped, as at a red traffic light. Commissioner Miley stated that the priority tonight was to see the gap closed. Regarding the mid-block, he said he could take it or leave it and he questioned whether the mid-block crossing would be used more. He felt Commissioners Bertken and Vargas echoed his concerns about the turning actions at Constitution Way. He also noted that the staff report said during the peak p.m. hours there were 173 vehicular turns and during the peak a.m. hours there were 110 turns from Atlantic Avenue onto Constitution Way. He believed when looking at the drawings and conceptualizing the queuing concern, a simulation would be useful. He asked Staff Wheeler if staff looked at signalizing traffic so left and right turns could proceed simultaneously. He also wondered if there was a way to signalize the controls, like a scramble, to allow pedestrians and bicyclists to cross the intersection without any cars proceeding. Staff Wheeler replied that the City explored the simultaneous right and left turn idea but that because there is a combined through and right turn lane eastbound on Atlantic Avenue, the right turns cannot proceed in a turn-only phase, because they might be stopped behind a through car. Commissioner Bellows wondered if, rather than giving a lane to the left turns, could they use some of the median and make that a left turn lane and scoot everything over, thereby maintaining all three existing lanes. That would provide a free right turn lane. Staff Wheeler said they also looked at that option, but rejected it because it increases the cost since they would have to remove the center median on both sides of the street, to make room and to allow for the alignment of lanes across the intersection. However, she explained that the traffic Page 6 of 14 | TransportationCommission/2017-03-22.pdf |