Memorandum                                                                                Blacksburg Police

To:               Traffic Committee Members

From:           Kristel Dickerson, Administrative Assistant Sr.

Date:            August 22, 2018

Subject:        Traffic Committee Meeting Minutes – August 7, 2018

Financial Update:

Capital Project:  C10412 (820-3101-852.70-99)

• Available Funding (prior to July 1, 2018):$19,668.32
• Additional Funds (added July 1, 2018):+$15,000.00

   

• Current Available Funding:$34,668.32

(balance available to spend in this project to date)

Old Business:

1. Wayne Garst, with the Fire Department, has a concern for safety at the new development at the corner of UCB and Prices Fork (where the new hotel and Chipotle are located).

    

   Committee Recommendation from October 2017 Meeting:  Tabled

   Cars are still trying to make a left out of the left-hand side, despite the arrows and concrete.  A question was proposed as to whether the nose of the median coming the other direction could be extended, or perhaps reflective poles could be utilized to create a channel, physically restricting left turns.  This would channel the left turn lane in, and restrict the left turn lane out.  John Boyer with Public Works will do a site visit to make a proposal between delineators or extended median.  Perhaps the delineators could be installed now, and the median could be extended later on as part of a CIP project.  From an emergency standpoint, however, the delineators would be a better option because it is not a permanent barrier.  Mountable curbing is another option, as it would discourage cars but emergency vehicles can still drive over it.  Onsite signage may also be effective.  Kali Kasper will ensure that the specifics on their site plan were constructed correctly, and P&E will also contact the owners to see if they would add more onsite signage.  Tabled for November

    

   Committee Recommendation from November 2017 Meeting:  Tabled

   In the Prices Fork/UCB area, drivers are taking a left out of the new hotel onto Prices Fork.  This is a “no left turn”, and they are coming out of the wrong side of the island to make the prohibited left.  Randy Formica had talked to the previous owners and instructed them that they needed more signage, but they have now sold to new owners.  Lt. Goad will go out and take updated pictures.  He personally saw a car drive up the wrong side and turn left.  Ideas were brainstormed about how best to correct this behavior, and the Committee agrees that the thru arrow needs to be a left turn arrow, increased signage, and a sign in the median would help.  The Committee was advised that without signage it’s not enforceable.  It was also agreed that perhaps a letter from the Committee to the new owners would be effective.  Lt. Goad will draft up a letter to the new owners and include the possibility of meeting with them onsite; if they have not noticed the safety issue thus far, perhaps a meeting in person to point out the concern would be helpful.  Tabled for December

    

   Committee Recommendation from December 2017 Meeting:  Tabled

   Lt. Goad has drafted a letter to the new owners of the development, and will be working to obtain their contact information.  Several members of the Committee have personally witnessed this dangerous driver behavior, including that by a driver of a tractor trailer.  The median has been lengthened; however, the geometry of the lane is very wide on the entrance side.  The least cost to the developer would be signage, and if that is found to be ineffective, concrete could be used to neck it down.  A “no left turn” sign in the median would make it more enforceable from a PD standpoint.  There was also some discussion about using small, reflective bollards to create an “avenue”.  The Committee agrees to table the item for February, but in the meantime Lt. Goad/PD and Norman/PW will conduct a site visit to assess installation location for a “no left turn” sign on the site side by the stop bar at the edge of the island on driver’s side.  The owners also need a “do not enter” sign on their site.  Tabled for February 2018   

    

   Committee Recommendation from January 2018 Meeting:  Tabled for February 2018

   While this item wasn’t on the agenda again until February, discussion ensued since Chris Lawrence was in attendance to participate.  He personally saw a driver doing this unsafe maneuver and would like to discuss measures to curb it.  Lt. Goad recommends installing 3-4 small bollards to channel traffic in the correct path and prevent them from making a left turn.  The median has already been extended out some, but people are still coming out of the wrong side of the complex.  The thought is that Kirk and Shivon still own the two hotels, so Randy Formica will email Lt. Goad their contact info so he can reach out and request some safety measures be taken on the actual property as well, such as pavement markings and signage.  In the meantime, Public Works will proceed with a “one-way” sign on the nose of the median and a “no left turn” sign on the grassy side of the complex exit.  No routing form need for the signage.  Tabled for February 2018

    

   Committee Recommendation from February 2018 Meeting:  Tabled

   Lt. Goad is attempting to make contact with the owners.  The initial party he spoke with was not the correct person.  We are trying to establish ownership.  Several committee members believe that the current owner is still Shivon.  Work will continue on this item.  Tabled

    

   Committee Recommendation from March 2018 Meeting:  Tabled

   Although originally thought that the part of the development in question had been sold, it has been confirmed that the ownership actually remains the same.  Lt. Goad has a meeting pending for an undetermined date in the upcoming weeks.  Tabled

    

   Committee Recommendation from April 2018 Meeting:  Tabled

   The “no left turn” sign has now been installed in the median.  The Committee agrees to await further update from Lt. Goad upon his return.  Tabled for May 2018

    

   Committee Recommendation from May 2018 Meeting:  Tabled

   Lt. Goad has a meeting set with the property owner to discuss signage on the property.  Tabled for June 2018

    

    

    

   Committee Recommendation from June 2018 Meeting:  Tabled

   Lt. Goad has now met onsite with the owners of the hotel development and discussed the safety concerns and possible improvements.  The biggest issue surrounds the island on the complex, and drivers going around the island the wrong way and making an illegal left turn onto Prices Fork.  During the onsite visit, Lt. Goad stopped six vehicles within 30 minutes doing this prohibited maneuver.  The median in the road has already been extended some, but adequate clearance must be retained for tractor trailers to service the businesses.  The owners are willing to put signage up on the property and add additional pavement markings.  There was also some discussion of bollards, and while the Town Manager does not typically support the use of bollards in the roadway, the owners are willing to install triangle bollards in their parking lot.  Public Works further recommends additional signage, and if the owners will cover the parking lot markings and bollards, the town will install the signage.  The difficulty of the alternative exit is also a concern at the rear of the development leading out onto UCB.  The stop signs are confusing and are holding up traffic.  Perhaps one could be switched to a Yield sign, although signage is not enforceable in a parking lot unless the driving is deemed reckless.  Lt. Goad and John Boyer from Public Works will revisit this area and make further recommendations for signage.  Tabled for August 2018

    

   Committee Recommendation from August 2018 Meeting:  No Further

   Public Works has installed the signage as recommended above, and the complex owners have agreed to change the arrows on the pavement.  We will continue to monitor this situation, and follow up with the owners regarding the pavement arrows.  No Further

    

2. An At-Your-Request submission has been received from Jill Schwab on behalf of her daughter Emily Schwab regarding pedestrian safety in the vicinity of the bus stop (#1300) located at Toms Creek/Winston Nbnd and Hillel at Virginia Tech.The request is to install a crosswalk in this location.In her correspondence, she specifically mentions students riding the bus to this stop and then crossing without a crosswalk on Toms Creek Road to get to Hillel (710 Toms Creek Road).    She also mentions hearing from friends that live at the Edge wanting to cross Toms Creek Road somewhere between the signalized intersection at Prices Fork Road and the median refuge island at Gilbert Linkous/Watson Avenue. 

Committee Recommendation from June 2018 Meeting:  Tabled

Essentially there are 6 lanes of traffic in this location, and to install a crosswalk across them would be a serious safety concern; it’s just not feasible with all of these lanes.  For next budget year BT does hope to run bus service both ways year round so there will not be a need for riders to cross as often.  This area was reviewed briefly at the May 2018 meeting as well, where it was agreed that there is a need to create a common culture across town and campus, and a Communication Team at BT would be an asset to collaborate with VTPD and the town for an education and awareness campaign.  There are potential options for pavement markings and paint to be used to clarify the bus stop, but as for a crosswalk, safety wise it is not a good idea and would be creating a false sense of security because as the bus starts slowing in the right lane to stop, drivers jump around the bus to go out left and around.  BT will pull ridership numbers to be reviewed at the August meeting.  Tabled for August 2018

Committee Recommendation from August 2018 Meeting:  Tabled

The representatives on the Committee present for today’s meeting continued to voice concern over the vast area that a crosswalk in this location would have to cover, which would create a safety issue in itself.  The Committee agrees to table the item for September in order to review ridership numbers from BT once they become available.  Tabled for September 2018

New Business:

1. A request has been received from Rhonda McDaniel via the Police Department Fusion Center for a “no turn on red” sign for vehicles turning right off of Hubbard Street onto S. Main Street. McDaniel advised that coming out of 1813 S. Main vehicles making a U turn on a green light have near collisions with the vehicles making a right on red coming off Hubbard.

    

   Committee Recommendation from August 2018 Meeting:  Action Recommended

   This intersection was just reviewed and reconfigured last year to make a right exclusive lane and a shared left turn/through lane off Hubbard based in part on supporting data from studies conducted previously by traffic consultant WRA.  Making this lane “no right on red” would generate significant back-ups at this intersection.  As for sight distance, Public Works trims the vegetation back continuously, but completely removing the trees will likely not be an option because of the S. Main Streetscape Program and donated funds.  This is a legal U-turn, and if the light is green or flashing yellow, the driver making the U-turn has the right-of-way; drivers making a right off Hubbard must yield to the drivers making a U-turn on S. Main Street.  This maneuver needs the whole road (both lanes), and this is the best option of locations for a legal U-turn in this stretch of road.  The Committee agrees that eliminating the right turn on red is not feasible, but signage indicating right turns must yield to U-turns would be helpful in alerting drivers of who has the right-of-way.  It is recommended that two signs be erected, one on the pole at the red light (Public Works will check wind load on poles), and one leading up to the intersection on the road.  The Committee’s recommendation will be forwarded to the Town Manager’s Office for final approval.    Action Recommended

    

2. A request has been received from Lynn Smith regarding his concern for safety at the intersection of Broce Drive and Scott Alan Circle.  He feels that cars coming off the hill on Broce Drive heading towards Scott Alan Circle need a flashing caution light to alert them to traffic coming in and out of Scott Alan Circle.  He describes vehicles traveling quickly off the hill and where Scott Alan is at the bottom of the hill, it makes it dangerous for cars entering and exiting Scott Alan. (Looking left from Scott Alan up the hill on Broce.)He further describes that from Scott Alan looking left up Broce Drive the trees have grown out over the road and they are obstructing the view.He’s requesting that the trees be trimmed ASAP to improve visibility. 

    

   Committee Recommendation from August 2018 Meeting:  Tabled for Stealthstat Results

   The Stealthstat Radar Data Collection Unit will be deployed to this location in the coming weeks to assess the potential for a speeding issue.  The unit will survey vehicles traveling from Stonegate down the hill toward Scott Alan.  Extra enforcement action has also been deployed to this area, and Public Works has already conducted some tree trimming and plans to return for further clearing of the vegetation.  This item is most appropriately delegated to the Police Department for enforcement action.  The Stealthstat will give a more accurate view of drivers’ habits and if a problem is detected the mobile speed display unit can possibly be deployed to this location.  Tabled for Stealthstat Results

    

3. A request has been received from Planning and Engineering for the Traffic Committee to review a variance request that has been submitted by Balzer and Associates to the town for a new public road to be constructed in the Kinloch Subdivision to a smaller width than town standards, yet still have on-street parking.The request will go before Planning Commission, but the Traffic Committee is being asked to provide input to aid in their decision. (attachment)

Committee Recommendation from August 2018 Meeting:  No Further

The request will go before Planning Commission for the final decision because there are greater than 6 lots involved, but Traffic Committee input has been requested.  The Committee understands that this is a large piece of property being developed into a single-family subdivision with 23 homes on a cul-de-sac.  The roadway will feed onto N. Main Street and provide no connection to Bishop Road.  The variance request is for the allowance of parking on one side of a 28’ wide roadway face of curb to face of curb.  After careful consideration, and input from the multiple departments represented on the town’s Traffic Committee, it is agreed that these specifications are not in line with the Committee’s standard recommendation for new subdivision roadways.  If on-street parking is to be included in this project, the Town of Blacksburg Traffic Committee upholds the 30’ standard, and therefore recommends that the Kinloch Subdivision (B&A Project #: 24160089.00) variance request not be approved.  No Further

Other Business:

• Center Street Traffic Flow and Parking

Karen Day, Solid Waste Operations Coordinator for the Town of Blacksburg, was in attendance to discuss the impact that changing the traffic flow and parking configuration on Center Street would have on trash pickup.  Lt. Goad explained the reason for the request, and detailed the congestion especially on Virginia Tech game day.  Ms. Day explained that the biggest concern will surround whether there is enough space to accommodate trash carts on Fridays, especially on recycling day, which occurs every other week.  The road will be paved soon, and Public Works can perhaps add a very small amount of pavement on each side (1-ft. or less).  Because of the estimated 16 trash carts, the question was posed as to whether this area would be a good candidate for consolidated dumpsters.  The Committee will ask Cpt. O’Dell to follow up with the building owners about their willingness to convert to dumpsters.  The ultimate goal is to keep traffic flowing and provide greater emergency access.  Regardless of whether a permanent solution is determined at this time, the Police Department plans to request permission to close Center Street between Houston and Warren on game day.  Negotiations are in progress.

NEXT MEETING DATE:  The next Traffic Committee meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, September 4, 2018 at 9:00 am in the Training Room of the Blacksburg Police Department, located at 200 Clay Street, SW. 

UPDATE:  The September 2018 meeting was not held due to extenuating circumstances.  The regular meeting schedule will resume with the Tuesday, October 2, 2018 meeting to be held at 9:00 am at the Blacksburg Police Department.

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