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Home My WebLink About07-14-09 RTBC ~JCCOG r,.-iii.... m e m 0 MEETING NOTICE JCCOG Regional Trails and Bicycling Committee Tuesday, July 14, 2009 - 4:00PM Iowa City City Hall - PCD Conference Room, second floor AGENDA 1. Call to order; recognize alternates; consider approval of minutes 2. Public discussion 3. Discussion of the Metro Bicycle Master Plan a. Public input received during 30-day comment period b. Bike plan mailing list c. Update on project timeline 4. Discuss updating the Trails Section of the JCCOG Long-Range Transportation Plan 5. Update on Regional Transportation Enhancement application 6. Summary of JCCOG bicycle traffic counts 7. Update on shared lane arrows and bike lanes 8. Other business 9. Adjournment Attachments: 1. Draft minutes from the February 17, 2009 RTBC meeting 2. JCCOG Long Range Transportation Plan - Trail Map 3. Memorandum - Bicycle Statistics from Traffic Counts 4. 2009 Iowa Legislative Session - Resources 5. Cedar Rapids Gazette article, "Cedar Rapids seeks bicycle-friendly distinction" Contact Kris Ackerson, JCCOG Assistant Transportation Planner, at 356-5247 or kristopher- ackerson@iowa-city.orgwith questions. S:\PCD\JCCOG\TRANS\Bike and Ped Planning\RTBC\June 2009\RTBC Agenda Items.doc Page 1 ~JCCOG ,.~ m e m 0 (.... Date: July 2, 2009 To: JCCOG Regional Trails and Bicycling Committee From: Kris Ackerson, Assistant Transportation Planner Re: July 14, 2009 Agenda Items Agenda Item #3a: Public input received during 30-day comment period The official 30-day public comment period began on June 8th and will conclude on July 8th. To-date we have received five comments. We will bring copies of all comments received to the meeting on July 14th for your reference. Agenda Item #3b: Bike plan mailing list As part of the planning process, staff amassed an email list of participants and used it to keep interested parties informed as the process unfolds. Please be prepared to discuss if/how this mailing list could be utilized as implementation of the bike plan begins. Agenda Item #3d: Update on project timeline The Metro Bicycle Master Plan planning process is expected to follow this timeline: III August 5th, 2008 - Kick-off meeting with RTBC III August/September - Meet with city staff &':'1 September - Coralville / North Liberty / Tiffin / Johnson Co. Workshop III October - Iowa City / Univ. Heights / University of Iowa Community Workshop III October - Online survey III November - Meet with Tiffin, University Heights, and school districts staff III November - Summary of community workshops and draft chapters for RTBC III January 2009 - Draft chapters submitted to RTBC for review III February - Draft Plan, including recommendations, submitted to RTBC for review III April - Draft plan submitted to JCCOG TT AC for consideration III May - Public open house during Bike to Work Week III June - 3D-day public comment period · July/August - Plan forwarded to JCCOG member entities for consideration Agenda Item #4: Discuss updating the Trails Section of the JCCOG Long-Range Transportation Plan The JCCOG Long Range Transportation Plan is the guiding document for regional Surface Transportation Program and Transportation Enhancement Program funds. To be awarded funds, planned trail projects must be included in the Long Range Plan. Please review the S:\PCD\JCCOG\TRANS\Bike and Ped Planning\RTBC\June 2009\RTBC Agenda Items.doc Page 2 enclosed plan map and be prepared to recommend any adjustments to the map; any recommendations will be forwarded to the TT AC and Board for approval. I will be available at your July 14th meeting to answer any questions you may have. Agenda Item #5: Update on JCCOG Transportation Enhancement application The FY2010 JCCOG Transportation Planning Work Program directs JCCOG staff to submit a regional Transportation Enhancement application for bicycle way-finding signage throughout the metro area. The application is expected to address concerns outlined in the Metro Bicycle Master Plan. The applications are due in the Fall. Please be prepared to discuss if your community is interested in being a part of this effort, which will require a minimum 20% local match. Agenda Item #6: Summary of JCCOG bicycle traffic counts Beginning in February 2009, JCCOG staff began counting bicycle traffic as an additional component of peak hour traffic counts. The enclosed memorandum summarizes the counts to- date. This item is provided for your reference; no further action is required. Agenda Item #7: Update on shareq lane arrows and bike lanes In an effort to become more bicycle-friendly, some Johnson County communities are installing new shared lane arrow (aka sharrow) pavement markings and bike lanes on streets this summer. The sharrows, which are an alternative to bike lanes, can be found on 5th Street in Coralville, and on Market, Jefferson, and College Streets in Iowa City, beginning this week. Bike lanes will be painted on segments of Market and Jefferson Streets. Many cyclists know that when there is no bike lane present, cyclists are expected to ride on the right. Some sharrows and bike lanes, however, are located in the left lane. Why? In a word, safety: . Bicycle lanes and sharrows on the left side of some one-way streets are gaining popularity to help reduce the number of bicyclists being struck by opening car doors; . This location removes bicyclists from the path of buses pulling into bus stops; . The left curb lane is most clear of snow on streets where vehicles park along the right curb; and . The design helps increase visibility, as the rear-right blind spot is eliminated and drivers can more easily see a bicyclist in the driver's side mirror. This item is provided for your reference; no further action is required. Agenda Item #8: Other business Agenda Item #9: Adjournment S:\PCD\JCCOG\TRANS\Bike and Ped Planning\RTBC\June 2009\RTBC Agenda Items.doc Page 3 MINUTES JCCOG REGIONAL TRAILS AND BICYCLING COMMITTEE TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 17'h 2009 IOWA CITY PUBLIC LIBRARY - MEETING ROOM A DRAFT MEMBERS PRESENT: Terry Dahms, Brian Loring, Royce Phillips, Sherri Proud, Michelle Ribble, Terrence Neuzil MEMBERS ABSENT: OTHERS PRESENT: STAFF PRESENT: CALL TO ORDER Shelly Simpson, Terry Trueblood Louise From Karin Oils, Del Holland, Nick Maddix, Bob Oppliger Kristopher Ackerson, Kent Ralston, Chris Widmer Ackerson called the meeting to order at 4:05 pm. Ackerson recognized no alternates were present. APPROVAL OF MINUTES FROM THE JANUARY 20TH. 2009 MEETING The motion to approve the January 20th, 2009 minutes was made by Dahms and seconded by Loring. The motion carried unanimously. PUBLIC DISCUSSION There was no public discussion AGENDA ITEM #3: DISCUSSION OF THE METRO BICYCLE MASTER PLAN 3a. DISCUSSION UPDATED DRAFT - CHAPTER 2 Ackerson explained the edits to Chapter 2 including an inventory of bike corrals in University Hospital ramps and additional information from a graduate student study on bike collisions in Iowa City. Figures and graphs display demographic information on age and frequency of the collisions. This information suggests more education programs could be put in place for younger drivers. Before proceeding to the next agenda item. Ackerson mentioned that the committee should consider recommending that the bike plan be sent to the TTAC for review. The process of this recommendation was then discussed between members. Ralston also added that while the RTBC recommendation weighs heavily, the final adoption lies with the Board and City Councils. 3b. DISCUSS DRAFT RECOMMENDATIONS - CHAPTER 4 Ackerson highlighted changes in the education section found on page 38 of the draft master plan which is a system-wide recommendation to provide public service announcements and driver education classes focusing on bicycle safety. The third item was removed concerning adult cyclists and motorists because it was too general and educational efforts should focus on college age and younger residents. In the encouragement section on page 40 a section was added to promote bicycle boulevards that have added traffic calming devices in place to be more attractive to bicyclists. Dahms mentioned the possible inclusion of examples to better describe this concept. Ackerson agreed that the clarification could be included. Ackerson continued with the next section on page 44 noting that each JCCOG community would pursue the platinum designation and JCCOG RTBC would become the steering committee a review each community before becoming a bike friendly community. Proud mentioned that it may be possible some communities might not want to achieve platinum. Loring recommended removing the terminology "platinum" and adding to "pursue a high rating." Community specific recommendations on page 45 were then discussed by Ackerson. Such additions include recommendations of crosswalk push buttons for bicyclists, Iowa City changing Washington Street to a two-way street in the downtown district, Iowa City reducing Madison St. from 4 to 3 lanes, and installing shelter racks throughout downtown Iowa City. Ackerson continued with more changes by the University which include simplifying share-the- road education, a change in the wording in the bike share program, bike parking specifications, removing bike carriers on busses because of the bus barn capabilities and removing publicizing of the North Campus Parking Ramp as a bike elevator. Neuzil discussed rewording the Johnson County complete street policy. Neuzil suggested that Johnson County plans to continue to place paved shoulders on all new and reconstructed roads. Ackerson continued with JCCOG changes to page 43, including website information on a bike trip maker, public shower location guide, and a note for education to new youth. It was then discussed to add an annual update on communities that will apply Bike Friendly Community designation after implementation. Ackerson continued with changes to the infrastructure projects including adding the Clear Creek Trail to the city of Coralville's list and adding a trail from Cedar Rapids to Iowa City. Neuzil discussed how the trail will be separated into four segments and need naming each of which should be implemented in the plan for the Iowa City to Cedar Rapids trail. Neuzil also added that the county will be using conservation bond money to start purchasing property for the project. Ackerson reviewed two appendices including the on-street facilities criteria developed by the Federal Highway Administration. The last appendix was provided for communities to use as a reference for implementing a bicycle parking ordinance in their community. 3c. PUBLIC DISCUSSION OF THE METRO BICYCLE MASTER PLAN Dahms was happy to find that the appendices included on-street facilities criteria and pleased to see tables separating experience levels for different bicyclists. Yet, it was difficult to interpret what constitutes these levels and what these levels determine. Ackerson explained the differences between the four types and how street facilities will be determined. 3d. UPDATE ON PROJECT TIMELlNE Ackerson briefly discussed the timeline of the plan and is looking for TT AC to review the plan at their next meeting. There will then be a public comment meeting and open house before it goes to the Boards or councils. Ackerson projected that this summer the plan will then be able to be adopted by each municipality and the JCCOG Board. Proud moved the motion to recommend the TT AC review the plan and was seconded by Neuzil. The motion carried unanimously. AGENDA ITEM #4: INFORMATION ON THE DRAFT AMERICAN RECOVERY AND REINVESTMENT ACT PROJECT LIST Ralston outlined the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act project list. JCCOG is targeted to receive 3.6 million dollars from the stimulus package as projected by the Iowa DOT. Ralston handed out a sheet with a list of projects to be considered by the TT AC with a combined estimated cost of 43 million dollars. Ralston explained that while not all projects meet the current Iowa DOT requirements more stimulus money may cover these projects. At the next Board meeting, projects that do meet the requirements will be apportioned funds by the Board. Ralston explained the three criteria needed for a project to be viable: 1) The project is on a federal aid route, 2) consistent with the JCCOG Long Range Multimodal Transportation Plan, and 3) doesn't require property acquisition. AGENDA ITEM #5: DISCUSSION OF A UNIVERSTIY OF IOWA STUDENT GOVERNMENT REPRESENTATIVE ON THE RTBC Ackerson continued with a discussion about the U of I Student Government representative that may take a place on the RTBC. Ackerson mentioned the fact that having two voting members from the University would give an unfair advantage. Loring motioned to amend the January 20th decision for the position to be a non-voting ex officio and was seconded by Phillips. The motion carried unanimously. AGENDA ITEM #6 UPDATES TO THE JCCOG TRAILS MAP Briefly, Ackerson mentioned that JCCOG staff are updating the trail maps and will be finished around April. Maps will be sent out in the next couple of weeks for review. AGENDA ITEM #7 OTHER BUSINESS Ackerson mentioned that Coralville received an award from Federal Recreational Trails Program for an approximated $226,000. Proud added that this will continue the trail started on James St. and will stop at Deer Creek Road. ADJOURNMENT At 5:31 pm Dahms moved to a<;ljourn and was seconded by Loring. Ell l1') ('0") Q t'l ~ Q Q t'l c:: ~ Cl.. c:: Q '':: .:s '- Q ~ c:: ~ t=: - ~ Q ~ I ',:: - :: ~ ~ ~ a= ~ Q -- ~ c:: ClJ e E ~ Q " ..... Q :- t:i 5 a .e c:: :: a c:: Q III c:: .c: .sa !E. l:J .~ 0 f_ co U r- CDU -c L- J ~ ~ Ilil~\\~~~ o ~ .~III\\\\\t. 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(j) (j) Ql Ql '(ii '(ii U U ~ ~ ?; ?; ..-- N l[) o o ~JCCOG r(..... m e m 0 Date: May 19, 2009 To: Kris Ackerson; Assistant Transportation Planner From: Brock Grenis; Transportation Planning Intern Re: Bicycle Statistics from Traffic Counts Below is a table summarizing the amount of bikes observed during routine turning movement counts at predetermined intersections performed from February to May 2009. Counts were performed during the AM peak travel period (7:15 - 8:45 AM) and the PM period (4:15 - 5:45 PM). The numbers displayed in the table are the sum of both the AM and PM counts unless noted otherwise. The number of bikes counted for this analysis is a combination of on-street and sidewalk bike users. The intersections are from Iowa City, University Heights, and Coralville traffic counts. The intersections are ranked in order of the highest percentage of bicycle use compared to total vehicle usage of the intersection. It is possible to determine which direction bicycles used the intersection and whether or not they were on the sidewalk if such information is necessary. Intersection # of Vehicles # of Bikes % Bikes Melrose/Koser 4,213 108 4.2% Grand Avenue Roundabout 3,844 132 3.4% Melrose/Grand Avenue (AM only) 1,590 40 2.5% Iowa Ave/Van Buren St. 1,589 34 2.1% Burlington/Main Library Entrance 6,596 104 1.5% Newton/Elliot 1,778 22 1.2% 51n Avenue/5th Street (Coralville) 1,555 14 0.9% Grand/Byington 5,273 23 0.4% Holiday/Corridor Way (PM only) 659 2 0.3% Holiday/North Coral St. (PM only) 640 2 0.3% 1s Avenue/Muscatine (PM only) 3,208 5 0.2% 1 sl Avenue/Mall Drive (AM only) 1,817 4 0.2% Highway 6/ Heinz Street (AM only) 1,428 3 0.2% Mormon TreklHawkeye Park Rd. 4,206 11 0.2% Dubuque St./Foster 6,904 14 0.2% 151 Avenue/?'" St. Coralville (AM only) 2,208 4 0.2% Highway 1/Mormon Trek (AM only) 2,827 2 0.1% Coral Ridge Ave/Holiday 5,417 10 0.1% 15 Avenue/I-80 Exit Ramp 5,276 6 0.1% 15 Avenue/9111 St. Coralville 5,266 5 0.1% 2009 Iowa Legislative Session - Resources 2009 Iowa Acts for the DOT (includes Acts that affect the DOT or transportation): http://www.iowadot.gov/pol leg services/iowa acts.aspx Iowa General Assembly Web site (Enrolled bills, fiscal information, other information on legislators and legislation): www.1egis.state.is.us Specific bills of interest: IJOBS: SF 376 - establishes !JOBS program/board and much more; allows counties to bond to address or prevent disaster damage. HF 822 - Rebuild Iowa Infrastructure, contains local road funding appropriations for FY 2010 and FY 2011 and modal appropriations. HF 820 - ARRA and federal block grant funds; Bridge Program and Fund SF 477 - $1 05M bonding program; appropriations to be made next session Disaster Assistance: HF 64 (Jumpstart - establishes Rebuild Iowa Office) HF 414 (Jumpstart provisions) SF 457 - Relates to disaster recovery by cities and counties in response to a q.atural disaster Regional watershed and flood plain management: HF 756 - Establishes a Mississippi River Partnership Council; requires a 'report to the legislature addressing policies and funding recommendations to promote a watershed management approach to reduce the adverse impact of future flooding. Natural Resources: JeJVibif 1"0 b <^--\ lOf HJR 1 proposes to amend the Iowa Constitution to dedicate a portion of state revenues from a sales tax increase to a new fund to benefit the state's natural resources. The Cedar Kaplds Gazette - Cedar Kaplds, Iawa CIty, bastem Iowa t'age 1 at 1 ~~tttt~...,r"..w2 ~} ~- This is a printer friendly version of an article from www.gazetteonline.com To print this article open the file menu and choose Print. Article published: May 21, 2009 Cedar Rapids seeks bicycle-friendly distinction The City Council will submit an application on Aug. 7 to the League of American Bicyclists in hopes of making Cedar Rapids Iowa's second bicycle-friendly community. Cedar Falls secured the distinction this year, according to the certifying organization's Web site. In total, 102 communities in the United States havEl the bicycle-friendly status, with three, Davis, Calif., Boulder, Colo., and Portland, Ore., having the top platinum rating. Nine cities have a gold rating, 23, a silver rating, and 67, including Cedar Falls, a bronze rating. The pursuit of the bicycle distinction is something that the council and local bicycle and trail enthusiasts have been working on for months. Ron Griffith, a traffic engineer with the city, is heading up the city's effort along with a new Bicycle Advisory Committee. The city must take steps to promote bicycling by focusing on what Griffith last night called the five Es: engineering, education, encouragement, enforcement and evaluation and planning. In tandem, as the city prepares to sell itself as worthy of bicycle-friendly status, it is in the midst of a process to create a Trails Development and Management Plan. A special task force comprised of city and community representatives met the entire week of March 30 to begin the planning process. A key finding: The city needs to look at trails both as recreational venues and transportation assets that connect the neighborhoods and streets to parks, schools and jobs. Griffith reported that city staff and local planners and others the last two Fridays have been out riding city streets with an eye to how they work with bicyclists. Griffith said the city is looking to create "sharrow" lanes as part of four streets projects now under construction, 33rd Avenue SW, Council Street NE, C Avenue NE and Kirkwood Boulevard SW. The outside shared lane or sharrow might be 14 feet wide while other lanes that might typically be 12 feet wide will be 11 feet wide, he said. Council member Justin Shields said he hoped no money would be directed away from flood relief for the bicycle initiative. Griffith noted that trails and connecting neighborhoods to them was a major focus on the city's just completed planning process for its flood-damaged neighborhoods. Among the lingering questions: Is a 10 foot-wide sidewalk, which is intended for pedestrians and bicycle use, a sidewalk or a trail? Click here to go back to the article http://www.gazetteonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?Date=20090521 &Category=NEWS&... 5/21/2009