Boards and Commissions

Traffic and Transportation Commission

MINUTES

Department of Public Works Conference Room
Meeting No. 06-04
June 22, 2004, 7:30 p.m.

Commissioners Present: Richard Resnick, Chairman 
Ephrem Asebe   
Elizabeth Crane
Stanley Klein   
Alan Levine   
Jon Oberg 
Amy Rosselle

Guest: Bill Meyer

City Staff: Katherine Kelly  

1. Review and Approve Minutes

Notes from the April 2004 were approved by those present with two spelling changes.

2. Review of Staff Report

A. Commissioner Crane requested that staff research the possibility of changing the color of the light or the way that light is filtered from the illuminated crosswalk on Chapman at the Twinbrook Metro, as it is not very visible during the day.  She also noted that the Watch for Pedestrian sign is not prominent (is off to the right-hand side) and would like staff to research relocating the sign or adding another traffic calming measure.  In addition, she requested that the sign be replaced with one that says “Stop” for pedestrians.

B. Commissioners requested that County add puppy tracks at Redland Blvd. and MD355, to guide the two west-bound lanes of Redland Road across Rockville Pike.   Currently, Redland Road does not line up exactly with Redland Blvd, and cars going westbound in the right-hand lane need to jog to the right to stay in their lane.  When they don't, they end up cutting off drivers in the left-hand lane. 

C. Commissioner Crane requested that staff contact County to implement a left-hand turn arrow for cars exiting from Fallsgrove Boulevard and turning left on Shady Grove. Currently there is a separate phase for this westbound traffic, but the drivers can't tell because there are no signs to indicate it. 

D. Commissioners noted that vegetation (a bush) by the Chicken Out restaurant on MD355 (1598 Rockville Pike) causes sight distance problems.  They requested staff contact SHA to have the bush removed. 

E. Commissioner Levine requested that copies of the final design plans for Town Center be sent to all Commissioners.  Commissioners inquired about the 12/17/2003 memo sent to Mayor and Council (Attachment 1). 

3. Report on MD355 & King Farm Blvd. Accident

Commissioner Oberg shared a Collision Reconstruction Report and emails to and from SHA regarding pedestrian safety and the fatality at MD355 and King Farm Blvd. on 10/17/2003 (Attachment 2).  He emphasized that the report and correspondence refer only to the intersection and do not address pedestrian routes leading to the intersection (i.e., sidewalks from the Metro lead pedestrians to a leg of the intersection that is not marked with a crosswalk and there are no wayfinding signs). 

As a next step, Commissioner Oberg agreed to draft a memo to Mayor and Council/SHA highlighting the need for improvements to pedestrian safety at this intersection.  In addition, he will incorporate a list of other “poor” intersections throughout the City (as agreed upon by Commissioners per item 7 below).

Commissioner Oberg will draft a separate memo to Mayor and Council requesting guidance on the process to ensure that the Commission be given Collision Reconstruction Reports by the County for all pedestrian/auto accidents in the City.  The purpose of this is to provide the Commission with enough information to analyze the situation and make a determination about potential pedestrian safety improvements at those sites.

4. PEPCO Streetlight Issues

Bill Meyer, former T&T and Planning Commissioner, discussed street lighting in the City.  Major issues are the conversion from overhead to underground lighting, high-pressure sodium vs. mercury vapor lighting, and maintenance (high-pressure sodium provides better light and is less costly to maintain).  He expressed concern that FY04 and FY05 CIPs do not explain the reason for changes from overhead to underground conversions (i.e., underground has already been converted and is mercury vapor).  Additionally, PEPCO does not have a regularly-scheduled maintenance program to check or re-lamp streetlights.  (See Attachment 3).

Commissioners Klein and Levine requested that the City Attorney research energy tax rate changes, the MD High Voltage Act and deregulation, and evaluate whether or not the City can 1) hire a third-party contractor and/or 2) generate the electric supply for streetlights.

Mr. Meyer presented the following:

• He suggests a concerted effort by Mayor and Council to create partnerships and research possible shared maintenance and supply costs, perhaps with the Maryland Municipal League 
  
• PEPCO does not respond to complaints about outages.  When he contacted the Public Service Commission, he got an immediate response and repairs were made.
  
• Ask PEPCO if they hand over the wood poles to the City and the City maintains

Commissioners will write a memo to Mayor and Council once they get the following information:

• Percent of streetlights converted
  
• Why the change in CIP funds, and why for underground only
  
• Can the City bid for maintainence and power supply
  
• Staff to provide samples of lumens throughout the City

See (Attachment 3).  This issue should be included in next month’s meeting agenda.

5. Briefing on Market Square Charette

Staff and Commissioner Oberg discussed outcomes of the Market Square Charette.  Commissioners requested a copy of the traffic study for next month’s meeting.

6. Update on CIP/Budget Discussions

Commissioners requested that statistics for changes in funding maintenance as compared with other projects be provided at next month’s meeting.

7. Prioritize Intersections with Less than “Adequate” Safety Ratings

Staff presented a list of “poor” intersections.  Commissioners reviewed the list and had minor changes.  Staff will provide an updated list to be included in the memo to Mayor and Council/SHA (per item 3 above).