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HomeMy WebLinkAbout11.05.19 TTAC MinutesMPOJC TRANSPORTATION TECHNICAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE APPROVED TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 2019 - 10:30 AM EMMA HARVAT HALL, IOWA CITY, CITY HALL MEMBERS PRESENT: Coralville: Dan Holderness, Vicky Robrock, Kelly Hayworth Iowa City: Ron Knoche, Darian Nagle-Gamm, Simon Andrew, Mark Rummel, Scott Sovers Johnson County: Tom Brase, Ed Bartels North Liberty: Dean Wheatley Tiffin: Doug Boldt University Heights: Louise From University of Iowa: Brian McClatchy RTBC: Bob Oppliger Iowa DOT: Catherine Cutler ECICOG: Brock Grenis STAFF PRESENT: Kent Ralston, Emily Bothell, Brad Neumann, Sarah Walz, Frank Waisath 1. CALL TO ORDER; RECOGNIZE ALTERNATES; CONSIDER APPROVAL OF MEETING MINUTES Neumann called the meeting to order at 10:30 AM. Ed Bartels was recognized as an alternate for Greg Parker (Johnson County). Scott Sovers was recognized as an alternate for Jason Havel (Iowa City). Knoche moved to approve the meeting minutes, Holderness seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously. 2. PUBLIC DISCUSSION OF ANY ITEM NOT ON THE AGENDA None. 3. CONSIDER A RECOMMENDATION TO THE MPOJC URBANIZED AREA POLICY BOARD REGARDING SAFETY TARGET SETTING FOR THE MPO AS REQUIRED BY THE FEDERAL HIGHWAY ADMINISTRATION Ralston informed the group that the Federal Highway Administration requires MPOs to set targets for five safety measures and report them to the Iowa DOT by February 27th each year. The MPO must either support the state’s 2020 targets, or set quantifiable targets for each measure. Staff recommends that the MPO adopt the state’s standards with the ability to adopt specific standards any time before February 27th. Ralston informed the group that the fatality rate and serious injury rate is down - encouraging. McClatchey asked why the number of fatalities is increasing. Ralston answered that the increased number of licensed drivers is likely contributing to the increased number of fatalities, but that fatalities per one million vehicle miles traveled is down. Nagle-Gamm asked about the increase in fatalities around 2016 and potential causes. Ralston answered that neither staff nor the Iowa DOT can attribute the increase to a specific cause. Holderness moved for approval of the recommendation. Bartels seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously. 4. DISCUSSION OF CHANGES TO THE IOWA DOT PAVEMENT DATA COLLECTION PROGRAM Bothell informed the group that since 2013, the Iowa DOT has collected overall pavement condition data every two years for all paved roads in the state. The Iowa DOT is no longer able to collect data on a biannual basis and has offered several alternative collection plans: To identify additional funding to continue the process as is, or reduce the data collection frequency. An Iowa DOT appointed stakeholder group decided to move to a 4-year cycle of data collection instead of two while allowing planning agencies or local jurisdictions to opt-in for additional data collection. Bothell asked the committee to discuss the local need and whether we opt-in as a planning agency of recommend local jurisdictions opt-in at their own discretion. Holderness questioned whether the MPO roads will be eligible for local funds since the MPO opted out of the federal-aid-swap. Bothell answered that staff will follow up with the Iowa DOT to determine eligibility. More information will be provided at future meetings. 5. UPDATE ON THE MPO TRAIL COUNT PROGRAM Walz explained that the MPO has about 20 priority locations that are counted every two or three years to develop a general ridership trend in the metro area. These are week-long counts that take place from May to October and are subject to variation due to weather, construction, or other localized events. The MPO is also able to collect data during the winter at community request. 6. UPDATE ON THE CRANDIC RAILROAD PASSENGER RAIL STUDY Neumann indicated that Phase III of the study is ongoing and includes a ridership survey to develop a financial forecast and ridership model. The numbers derived from the survey will be accepted by the Federal Transit Administration for future grant applications. Onboard surveys are underway and are focusing on four bus routes predominantly in Coralville as the commuter rail would serve the same area. 7. UPDATE ON THE METRO AREA BIKE MASTER PLAN Walz informed the group that the update to the Bike Master Plan focuses on Coralville, North Liberty, Tiffin, and University Heights. The plan includes programmatic changes, provisions for electric-assist bicycles, wayfinding, and potential branding of trails. An open house will take place on November 20, 2019 at Van Allen Elementary School in North Liberty. 8. OTHER BUSINESS Wheatley informed the group that Forevergreen Road has opened. Sovers informed the group that construction on the pedestrian mall is nearly complete and that resurfacing on Newton Road should be completed soon. Knoche informed the group that John Sobaski and Carol Sweeting will be retiring. Holderness informed the group that the E 9th Street project from 1st Avenue to Quarry Road is ongoing and phase one should be complete before Thanksgiving. McClatchy noted that the Cambus maintenance facility is mostly complete. Ridership on the 380 Express has been increasing on campus and University Parking is providing an employee discount for passes. Cutler informed the group that there will be a public information meeting in North Liberty to discuss expansion and reconstruction of three interchanges on I-380. Boldt noted that the roundabout at Highway 6 and Park Road will maintain two-way traffic through the winter with final construction in the spring. Nagle-Gamm informed the group that there will be open house meetings and smaller stakeholder meetings regarding the Iowa City Transit Study later in November. There is also a survey online to solicit feedback regarding ridership. Grenis informed the group that the 380 Express ridership is at about 300 rides per day and continuing to increase. 9. ADJOURNMENT Knoche moved to adjourn. McClatchey seconded. The motion carried unanimously. Meeting adjourned by Neumann at 11:00 AM.