Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout08/19/2024 - Active Modes Advisory Board - AGENDA - Regular Meeting8/19/2024 Agenda Page 1 Active Modes Advisory Board Meeting SUMMARY AGENDA Monday, August 19, 2024, 6:00 PM Online via Zoom or in Person at 281 N. College Avenue This hybrid Active Modes Advisory Board meeting will be conducted in person at 281 N College Ave, 1st floor conference rooms or you may join on-line via Zoom. Participants should join at least 5 minutes prior to the 6:00 p.m. start time. ONLINE PUBLIC PARTICIPATION: You will need an internet connection on a laptop, computer, or smartphone, and may join the meeting through Zoom at https://us06web.zoom.us/join Meeting ID: 885 5782 2535, Passcode 782728. Keep yourself on muted status. For public comments, the Chairperson will ask participants to click the “Raise Hand” button to indicate you would like to speak at that time. Staff will moderate the Zoom session to ensure all participants have an opportunity to comment. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION BY PHONE: Please dial +1-719-359-4580 and enter Meeting ID 885 5782 2535; Passcode 782728. Keep yourself on muted status. For public comments, when the Chair asks participants to click the “Raise Hand” button if they wish to speak, phone participants will need to press *9 to do this. Staff will be moderating the Zoom session to ensure all participants have an opportunity to address the Transportation Board. When you are called, press *6 to unmute yourself. Documents to Share: Any document or presentation a member of the public wishes to provide to the Active Modes Advisory Board for its consideration must be emailed to lnagle@fcgov.com at least 24 hours before the meeting. Provide Comments via Email: Individuals who are uncomfortable or unable to access the Zoom platform or participate by phone are encouraged to participate by emailing comments to lnagle@fcgov.com at least 24 hours prior to the meeting. If your comments are specific to any of the discussion items on the agenda, please indicate that in the subject line of your email. Staff will ensure your comments are provided to the Active Modes Advisory Board. 8/19/2024 Agenda Page 2 Active Modes Advisory Board Meeting SUMMARY AGENDA Monday, August 19, 2024, 6:00 PM Online via Zoom or in Person at 281 N. College Avenue AGENDA 1. CALL TO ORDER 2. ROLL CALL 3. AGENDA REVIEW 4. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION (15 min) 5. APPROVAL OF MINUTES PROCESS 6. UNFINISHED BUSINESS a. Active Modes Advisory Board & TBoard liaisons (Bruce Henderson | 15 min) 7. NEW BUSINESS a. Preliminary Pedestrian Hybrid Beacons Study (Maya Swanson | 45 min) b. Trail pop-up education ideas (Lauren Nagle | 15 mins) 8. BOARD MEMBER REPORTS 9. OTHER BUSINESS a. Staff Liaison Report 10. ADJOURNMENT ACTIVE MODES ADVISORY BOARD TYPE OF MEETING –REGULAR July 15, 2024 6:00 p.m. Online via Zoom or In Person at 281 North College 7 /1 5 /202 4 – MINUTES Page 1 FOR REFERENCE: 1. CALL TO ORDER Chair Henderson called the meeting to order at 6:00 PM. 2. ROLL CALL Bruce Henderson, Chair Kevin Krause, Vice Chair (arrived late) Tim Han Jared Hanson Wallace Jacobson Kat Steele Kristina Vrouwenvelder (arrived late) CITY STAFF PRESENT: Dave Kemp Ginny Sawyer Cortney Geary ABSENT: Cameron Phillips Destiny Dominguez PUBLIC PRESENT: Ed Peyronnin (Transportation Board) 3. AGENDA REVIEW Chair Henderson outlined the published agenda. 4. COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION None. ACTIVE MODES ADVISORY BOARD TYPE OF MEETING – REGULAR 7 /1 5 /202 4 – MINUTES Page 2 5. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – JUNE 2024 Han made a motion, seconded by Steele, to approve the minutes of the June 2024 meeting. The motion was adopted unanimously. 6. UNFINISHED BUSINESS a. Work Plan Approval Chair Henderson stated a few changes were made to the Work Plan that was originally provided by the Bicycle Advisory Committee. Han made a motion, seconded by Steele, to approve the 2024 Work Plan as presented. The motion was adopted unanimously. 7. NEW BUSINESS a. Strategic Trails Plan (Dave Kemp) Dave “DK” Kemp, Senior Parks and Recreation Planner, discussed the goals of the Strategic Trails Plan noting its scope has been broadened since the 2013 Trails Plan. He provided an overview of the three phases of the Plan, noting the first phase of community engagement has just been completed, proposed connections and policies are ongoing, and the draft plan and recommendations will be forthcoming late this year or early next year. Kemp commented on the connection of the Trails Plan with the City’s 15-minute city goals and Our Climate Future and detailed the community engagement process which included a community working group and an interactive map and questionnaire. He commented on the importance of the on-street and off-street systems working together and discussed various constraints to trail connections, including topography, floodplains, wetlands, major roadways, and railroads. Kemp outlined the next steps which include seeking input on the new interactive map which shows the new proposed trail connections and a new questionnaire that is being developed with FC Moves. Kemp discussed the existing soft surface bike facilities and stated Council has asked staff to request the appropriation of funds to conduct a bike park feasibility study. Additionally, he noted the Strategic Trails Plan will also provide the opportunity to help identify areas along the trail system for new soft surface features. Kemp discussed trail funding, which includes about $2 million annually from conservation trust funds, partnerships with FC Moves and other City departments, and the Community Capital Improvement Program. Steele asked how the upcoming questionnaire is planned to be distributed. ACTIVE MODES ADVISORY BOARD TYPE OF MEETING – REGULAR 7 /1 5 /202 4 – MINUTES Page 3 Kemp replied the questionnaire will be available through the City’s webpage and will also go out through a multitude of channels via the City’s Communications Department. Additionally, stakeholder organizations, CSU, and Larimer County will also be asked to help get the word out. Han commented on the importance of small bike parks. He asked if there is a list of amenities or facilities that are desired within a 15-minute city. Kemp replied the land uses are desired to be places individuals want to go and spend time. He stated there is an opportunity for Fort Collins to reimagine many of its activity centers to incorporate those uses and there are interdepartmental conversations happening about the best way to stimulate land use and business growth to support and attract those uses. Han commented on the importance of changing the way parking is considered as well. Vrouwenvelder commented on the Land Use Code and its parking requirements. Geary noted phase two of the Land Use Code updates have started and bike parking has been flagged as a need to be considered. Jacobson asked about trails level of service measurements and how they are assessed. Kemp replied trails level of service has typically been thought of as trail milage access per 100,000 people; however, it is now being considered in terms of connectivity to the trails by areas of the city with priority being placed on connecting to schools and underrepresented neighborhoods. Chair Henderson asked if connectivity to businesses is also considered a priority. Kemp replied connectivity to activity centers and major employers are priorities. Steele asked if the feasibility study for a bike park at the Huges Stadium site is in conjunction with any other feasibility studies. Kemp replied the Hughes discussion is more universal around potential future uses and the bike park feasibility study is planned to occur concurrently but will look at multiple sites, not solely Hughes. Vrouwenvelder asked if there is a possibility some of the Hughes site could serve as a connector between the Spring Creek Trail and points further north. Kemp replied that is a possibility. Ginny Sawyer, Senior Policy and Project Manager, noted there are additional advantages to having connectivity in that area with the West Elizabeth transit hub going in. Hanson asked if there is an educational component to the Strategic Trails Plan in terms of trail etiquette, mapping, and future possibilities. Kemp replied education and outreach will be a major part of the output of the Plan, particularly as related to safety. Han commented on seeing more permanent signage on trails in other ACTIVE MODES ADVISORY BOARD TYPE OF MEETING – REGULAR 7 /1 5 /202 4 – MINUTES Page 4 communities related to usage rules and courtesy expectations. Kemp replied signage is tricky for various reasons and staff is seeking more innovative and creative ways to communicate. Vrouwenvelder stated trails should be made safe for all users and streets can be utilized for riders wanting to go more quickly. Kemp commented on the importance of making streets safer as well. Vice Chair Krause questioned what becomes the definition of a trail and a side path when bringing together multiple plans in terms of making people aware of the end experience. Kemp replied people are ultimately looking for physical separation between vulnerable users and motor vehicles to help improve safety and that can be done in a manner that is more aesthetically pleasing. Kemp commended Vice Chair Krause’s idea related to cascading loops. Vice Chair Krause commented on the number of things a bike park could be and stated the feasibility study should include a wide variety of possibilities. b. Funding Mechanisms and Processes (Ginny Sawyer, Cortney Geary) Ginny Sawyer, Senior Policy and Project Manager, clarified the goal is for this Council to make a determination on the Hughes Stadium site plan; therefore, the bike park feasibility study will occur concurrently with those efforts and will focus on potential parcels of land, connectivity, and potential bike park uses rather than specific bike facilities. Sawyer provided information on the overall City organization chart and summarized the budget process and Strategic Plan update process. Additionally, she outlined the various sources of governmental revenue and discussed the seven outcome areas that are utilized for the budget process. Sawyer also discussed the City’s history of dedicated capital taxes, specifically noting the upcoming street maintenance tax renewal will be sought for twenty years rather than ten. Sawyer outlined the work that has been done for the upcoming tax renewal package for 2025, including items related to the Vision Zero Plan and both pedestrian and bicycle projects to help fulfill the Active Modes Plan in the transportation and engineering piece of the package. Krause expressed concern about the broad appeal of terms such as ‘active modes’ and ‘vision zero’ and suggested ballot language should be written with that in mind. Chair Henderson asked if there is a standard way input from Boards and Commissions is sought around these types of tax packages. Sawyer replied that has varied in the past but noted input as to plans that are relied upon to create ACTIVE MODES ADVISORY BOARD TYPE OF MEETING – REGULAR 7 /1 5 /202 4 – MINUTES Page 5 the tax packages is the primary way in which Boards and Commissions weigh in; however, Boards and Commissions will be asked to weigh in late this year or early next year. Geary provided information on federal, state, and private grants that are available for active modes and transportation and outlined the role of the North Front Range Metropolitan Planning Organization (NFRMPO) in distributing grant funding. Geary outlined specific grants and the Fort Collins projects that are funded by some of them. Steele asked if the City has a grant manager. Geary replied Carrie Ishmael is the City’s grant manager and Transfort also has its own grant manager. Vice Chair Krause asked if there is any data related to grant funding of projects over the decades rather than project by project. Sawyer replied Ishmael provides a quarterly and annual report as to what has been applied for and received. Han asked about the Power Trail crossing at Harmony. Geary replied that will be a grade-separated crossing in the form of an underpass. 8. BOARD MEMBER REPORTS 9. OTHER BUSINESS a. Transportation Board Report Chair Henderson noted the Transportation Board will be including an Active Modes Advisory Board member as a non-voting participant moving forward. He also commented on the importance of the Active Modes Advisory Board receiving presentations and information on Transfort. Ed Peyronnin, Transportation Board, commented on the importance of reliability for Transfort and other transit. Steele asked if anything is being done to address the Transfort driver shortage. Peyronnin replied in the affirmative. Geary noted Transfort has hired a new onboarding person as well. b. Staff Liaison Report Geary reported on two upcoming opportunities to provide input to partner agencies: the State’s update to its Active Transportation Plan and Larimer on the Move. Additionally, she mentioned the upcoming asphalt art project at Canyon/Magnolia/Sherwood which is seeking volunteers, and commented on some Bike to Work Day statistics, the September 15th Open Streets call for vendors, Safe Routes to School statistics, and the Safe Routes to School National Conference to be held in Fort Collins October 22nd – 24th. ACTIVE MODES ADVISORY BOARD TYPE OF MEETING – REGULAR 7 /1 5 /202 4 – MINUTES Page 6 10. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned by unanimous consent at 8:05 p.m. Headline Copy Goes Here MPH Candidate Colorado School of Public Health -CSU Maya Swanson Preliminary Pedestrian Hybrid Beacons Study 2024 08 19 Headline Copy Goes Here 2 Outline Overview Methodology Results Behaviors Conclusions Headline Copy Goes Here Headline Copy Goes Here 4 Public Health and Active Modes Intersection Walking and bicycling promote positive health outcomes •Walking •An increase of 1,000 steps 15% decrease in all-cause mortality •An increase of 500 steps 7% decrease in cardiovascular mortality •Bicycling •Reduces all-cause mortality by 21% •Reduces risk of cardiovascular disease by 16% Traffic crashes are leading cause of death age 5-29 (CDC) •Vision Zero – zero traffic fatalities and serious injuries by 2032 •Active Modes Plan - zero active modes fatalities and serious injuries by 2032 Headline Copy Goes Here 5 Public Health and Active Modes Intersection Active modes infrastructure •Makes people feel more comfortable walking and biking •Reduces traffic fatalities and serious injuries Active Modes Plan recommendations •Pedestrian hybrid beacons or rectangular rapid flashing beacons at 21 locations •Driver compliance at pedestrian hybrid beacons affects safety and comfort Headline Copy Goes HerePedestrian Crossing Treatments 6 97% driver yielding across 11 sites (2019 Arizona Department of Transportation) High Volume RoadsandHigh Speed Roads Pedestrian hybrid beacons used for: Headline Copy Goes Here 7 Aim of Investigation Main aim: Is there driver noncompliance at pedestrian hybrid beacons in Fort Collins? Secondary aim: How do pedestrian hybrid beacons affect traveler behavior? (drivers and active mode users) Headline Copy Goes Here Headline Copy Goes Here 9 •Fort Collins has 13 pedestrian hybrid beacons •4 pedestrian hybrid beacons are located at schools •Taft Hill at Blevins •Horsetooth and Artic Fox •Prospect and Welch* •Shields and Maple *City has received complaints of driver noncompliance at this location Headline Copy Goes Here 10 •Video footage of selected crossings •Conducted at 4 or the 4 sites •Collected during the school year •14 hour observation period •Observed almost 300 crossing events •Staged crossings •Conducted at 3 of the 4 sites •Collected during the school year •1 hour •> 20 crossings per site •Observed 100% driver compliance Headline Copy Goes Here Headline Copy Goes Here 12 Definitions •Beacon Activation: Pedestrian Hybrid Beacon is solid red •Compliance opportunity •First driver per lane to stop at solid red light. •On a four-lane road there is a maximum of four compliance opportunities •If no one is compliant, there can be many noncompliance events •Cross street traffic is not included as a compliance opportunity •Active Modes: total bicyclists, pedestrians and other active modes Headline Copy Goes HereCharacteristics of Pedestrian Hybrid Beacon Crossings 13 Site Traffic Volume Legs Bikeway Taft Hill 30,646 (2024)Midblock No Bikeway Horsetooth*14,374** (2018)4 leg*** No Bikeway Prospect*23,549 (2017)4 leg Brookwood Bikeway Shields 12,515 (2022)3 leg Maple Bikeway Taft Hill: 4 lane Prospect: 4 lane Only 2 lanes visible in video Shields: 2 lane Only 1 lane visible in video Horsetooth: 6 lane (2 turn lanes) *Peak hour backups from downstream intersections **Higher than usual volume during video collection because traffic diverted from Harmony ***One leg is a driveway Headline Copy Goes HereHigh Driver Compliance 14 Site Compliance Opportunities Noncompliance Noncompliance rate** Taft Hill 221 1 0.45 Horsetooth 174 4 2.30 Prospect 347*8 2.31* Shields 20*0 0.00* *estimated ** noncompliance per 100 compliance opportunities •Most noncompliance was borderline •Prospect had the highest noncompliance rate Headline Copy Goes Here 15 Inconsistent Instructions to Drivers Taft, Horsetooth Prospect, Shields Headline Copy Goes Here Headline Copy Goes HereOpportunistic Movements 17 •Opportunistic Movements •Location specific •Pedestrian hybrid beacon activated to facilitate the opportunistic movement •Not all drivers have all information Headline Copy Goes Here 18 Crash History 2019-2023 *Severe crash: any injury or fatality Crashes may be unrelated to the pedestrian hybrid beacon Site Severe Crashes* Property Damage Crashes Total Crashes Bike/Ped Crashes Opportunistic Movements Taft Hill 1 1 2 0 N/A Horsetooth 4 10 14 3 37 Prospect 15 36 51 6 49 Shields 2 5 7 0 3 Headline Copy Goes HereActive Mode Counts 19 Headline Copy Goes Here Headline Copy Goes Here 21 Limitations and Challenges •Few instances of driver noncompliance •Video quality •Incomplete view of all four legs •Inability to see light phases of pedestrian hybrid beacon •Some atypical events •Crossing guards •Construction on Harmony •Traffic crash downstream Headline Copy Goes HereImplications 22 •High compliance •Opportunities •Consistent signage •Signs or strategies to prevent blocking the intersection •No-turn blank out signs to prevent right-turns during pedestrian phase •Future studies •Other pedestrian hybrid beacons •Other types of pedestrian crossing signals •Motivation for infrastructure use as intended Pedestrian Hybrid Beacons work!