HomeMy WebLinkAboutTransportation Board - Minutes - 11/15/20171
MINUTES
of the
CITY OF FORT COLLINS TRANSPORTATION BOARD
November 15, 2017
6:00 p.m.
Community Room
215 North Mason
Fort Collins, CO
FOR REFERENCE:
Chair: Eric Shenk
Vice Chair: Annabelle Berklund
Staff Liaison: Paul Sizemore 970.224-6140
BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT: CITY STAFF PRESENT:
Eric Shenk, Chair
Cari Brown
Valerie Arnold
Andrew Bondi
Karl Ayers
York
Indy Hart
ABSENT:
Annabelle Berklund, Vice Chair
Nathalie Rachline
Councilmember Ross Cunniff
Dan Knab
Mark Jackson
Joe Olson
Martina Wilkinson
Jan Sawyer
PUBLIC PRESENT:
Alan Braslau, Energy Board
1. CALL TO ORDER
Chair Shenk called the meeting to order at 6:00 PM.
2. AGENDA REVIEW
Jackson stated there were no changes to the published agenda; however, a request has
been made to alter the agenda order to move Game Day Operations Review ahead of
Smart Cities Project Updates. Boardmembers agreed to the change.
3. PUBLIC COMMENT
Alan Braslau, Energy Board, stated his Board has been examining electric vehicle charging
infrastructure and encouraged the Transportation Board to do the same.
4. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
A motion was made and seconded to adopt the October 2017 minutes as amended to
change a comment attributed to Ayers which should have been Hart
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5. COUNCIL LIAISON
Councilmember Cunniff was unable to attend.
6. BICYCLE ADVISORY COMMITTEE REPORT – York
York reported on the recent Bicycle Advisory Committee meeting during which the
Horsetooth and College intersection infrastructure, bicycle and pedestrian counts, and the
2018 bike plan projects update were discussed. The Land Conservation and Stewardship
Board and possibly Parks and Recreation Board will be receiving an E-bike presentation
from BAC Chair Caldwell.
7. DISCUSSION/INFORMATIONAL ITEMS
• Emergency Vehicle Awareness Technology – Knab
Knab stated traffic accidents are the number one hazard for first responders and
discussed various distractions for drivers. He discussed current technology Opticon,
owned by Global Traffic Technologies. Opticon is a light preemptive signal that allows
emergency vehicles to turn the light green in the direction they are going. The problem
with the technology is that the communication loop is not complete; the vehicles at the
intersection are not aware an emergency vehicle is converging on the intersection.
Knab went on to discuss his idea for emergency vehicle awareness to place red and
blue lights on the rapid flashing beacons on the traffic masts. This would alert drivers to
clear the left through lane for emergency vehicles. This system would provide maximum
communication for drivers and pedestrians and the proper infrastructure is already in
place in Fort Collins with the existing Opticon system.
Knab stated he filed a provisional patent in March for this idea; however, the Federal
Highway Traffic Safety Administration will not allow experimentation and testing until that
process is complete. He stated he would like Fort Collins to be on board as a pilot city
for initial testing and discussed the options for use on highways. In terms of funding,
grants would be sought.
Bondi commended the idea.
• Game Day Operations Review – Olson/Wilkinson
Wilkinson discussed the change in travel to the on-campus stadium versus Hughes
stadium. There are now many more pedestrians and bicyclists and the average arrival
time is much earlier. The MAX line, which normally runs 6 buses, runs 22 on game
days. Overall, almost 20% of game attendees are using some form of transit.
Wilkinson discussed the stadium perimeter necessary for Homeland Security and noted
bicycles left within that perimeter on game days are removed to the bicycle valet area.
While the exiting of the stadium happens more quickly because users are coming from
all four directions, the exit process is also more complicated. Wilkinson discussed the
signalization changes and MAX staging areas. Regarding Uber and Lyft, staff
underestimated the number of users for those services. The original planned drop zone
for ride share users, on Remington, was found to be too far and users are paying drivers
to drop them closer. Closer drop areas have been identified and CSU is working to
communicate directly with Uber and Lyft to communicate those changes.
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Wilkinson discussed ongoing refinements to ADA accessibility, pick-up and drop-off
zones for ride shares, speed signage for the Shields Street underpass, and additional
ongoing changes.
A boardmember asked about the use of the ADA parking lot. Wilkinson replied she does
not have the data for that with her; however, the lot was not full for the first game.
Jackson stated the permit parking on campus has not been as heavily utilized as CSU
had originally hoped as attendees have found using MAX is easier.
Wilkinson noted Council directed cars to be towed if they were violating parking
requirements in surrounding neighborhoods. All in all, the first five games have operated
smoothly from a transportation aspect.
York asked how operations will change when the I-25/Prospect project begins.
Wilkinson replied the largest changes will be for Air Force or Wyoming games and
people will be encouraged to park outside and take MAX into the games.
• Smart Cities Project Updates – Jackson/Olson
Jackson stated Fort Collins has signed on as part of a front range consortium of smart
cities in Colorado. The goal of the consortium is to ensure innovation and technology
are being used to maximize the capacity of existing infrastructure.
Olson discussed the Bluetooth travel time system used by the City and stated it has an
ongoing project with CSU regarding improving fuel efficiency without driver interaction.
CSU is also working to evaluate air pollution monitors or sensors on a much more
detailed level. He noted there is surprisingly little research to support the notion of
congestion reduction improving air quality.
Boardmembers discussed auto braking vehicles. Jackson noted automated and
connected vehicle technology comes with a lot of questions and implications related to
land use, curb protection, and bicyclist and pedestrian protection. The fear is that broad
federal regulations may not address the individual needs and concerns of communities.
Olson noted the City’s fiber optic network and potential broadband positions it well to
have necessary infrastructure in place.
York asked how the Harmony Road automation has been functioning. Olson replied that
is not fully installed but will be by year end.
• Special Events Code Updates – Sawyer
Sawyer, Special Events Coordinator, stated her position is relatively new for the City and
discussed the various City departments that weigh in on special events, including
transportation and traffic operations. She stated her job is to coordinate special events
and be a central point of contact.
In terms of major projects, Sawyer stated the Municipal Code for special events is being
updated and the application process is being streamlined with a new online system. She
discussed the three requests staff will be making of Council: to update some of the new
Code definitions, to legitimize the Special Events Coordinator position to be able to sign
off on permits after all other departments approve them, and to develop a terms and
conditions document. Changes are also proposed to require special events permits for
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events located entirely on private property, but which greatly impact public rights-of-way.
Brown asked about the fee for a special events permit. Sawyer replied the current fee
for a for-profit organization is $50 and $0 for a non-profit organization. However, staff is
requesting those fees be increased to $100 and $50 respectively. Regarding
demonstrations, staff is requesting a 24-hour notice; however, demonstrations cannot
legally be stopped if they do not have a permit.
Sawyer detailed the terms and conditions document which includes items such as
required numbers of portable toilets, recycling, a tiered events system, and film permits.
York discussed the importance of ensuring detours are well publicized.
A boardmember suggested the posting of directional maps on event perimeter fences.
Brown suggested those maps illustrate ADA areas.
Sawyer discussed the public outreach for these changes, which included two meetings
with event producers, the City Bike Projects Fair, and solicitation of feedback from
others.
8. ACTION ITEMS
None.
9. REPORTS
• Boardmember Reports
Brown reported on the City Planning Development class and stated the City of Loveland
has contracted with Fort Collins to have a transit manager to run its bus system and the
Dial-a-Ride contractor to run its paratransit system.
York reported on the Bike Projects Fair and the Boards and Commissions Appreciation
dinner.
Chair Caldwell stated the formalization of communications with other Boards will be a
discussion item for next month.
• Staff Report
Jackson reported on the I-25 improvements project and stated revised bid packages will
be opened at CDOT Friday morning. He discussed Fort Collins needs with regard to the
Prospect/I-25 interchange and timing related to bond issuance.
Boardmembers and Jackson discussed the need for aggregate for the I-25 project.
10. OTHER BUSINESS
None.
11. ADJOURN
The meeting adjourned at 8:29 p.m. by unanimous consent.
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