Boards & Commissions Supporting Documents - 10/08/2003 - Safety Pathway Committee (2)Margaret Rimbo
From: Dale Durfey
Ient: Thursday, January 15, 2004 1:18 PM
"o: Margaret Rimbo
Cc: Richard Boehm; Jeffrey P. Moline
Subject: FW: Pedestrian and Bicycle Events and Resources
Margaret,
Item 2.A should be of interest to the Safety Pathway Committee (MUTCD changes). Please
include this when the next meeting packet goes out. ✓
Thank you.
Dale
- - - -- Original Message---- -
From: Tom Murtha [ mailto :tmurtha @mail.catsmpo.com]
Sent: Thursday, January 15, 2004 12:33 PM
To: bikeped @catsmpo.com
Cc: bikepedmembers @catsmpo.com
Subject: Pedestrian and Bicycle Events and Resources
This is CATS' email announcing resources as well as recent and upcoming events related to
pedestrian and bicycle planning. If you no longer wish to receive these emails, please
let me know. If you have events and information of interest to a regional audience, also
let me know. My contact information is at the end of this email.
1. CALENDAR
A. CALL FOR CMAQ PROJECTS. Submittals for the FY 2005 CMAQ Program are due at 4:30 p.m.
on Friday, January 30, 2004. CMAQ funds have been used for pedestrian and bicycle
projects. An application booklet and forms are at http: / /www.catsmpo.com /progs /CMAQo
202005o20Projects %20Call.htm.
B. CALL FOR ILLINOIS BICYCLE PATH GRANT PROGRAM PROJECTS. Project submittals are due on
March 1 for the Illinois Department of Natural Resources Bicycle Path Grant Program as
well as other programs. See http: / /www.dnr .state.il.us /ocd /newbike2.htm for more
information.
C. CHICAGOLAND BICYCLE FEDERATION CONFERENCE. The Chicagoland Bicycle Federation 2004
Conference will be held March 18 -20, 2004, University of Illinois - Chicago. The conference
is designed to provide opportunities to discover important know -how, innovative ideas, and
inspiration on improving bicycling and walking conditions in your community. It is an
educational and networking event for transportation professionals, public officials, and
advocates.
* Learn about bicycling and walking endeavors specific to northeastern Illinois.
* Share cutting -edge ideas and strategies for project funding, planning and design.
* Engage your peers on ways to work with local officials to enhance advocacy efforts.
* Share issues and strategies with colleagues and fellow advocates from across the region.
For complete information: www. biketraffic.org /conference.htmi
Contact Anne at 312.427.3325 x41, or anneh @biketraffic.org
1. AGENCY ACTIVITIES
A. The FEDERAL HIGHWAY ADMINISTRATION has released the 2003 edition of the Manual of
Uniform Traffic Control Devices. The Manual sets the nationwide standard and guidance for
traffic controls, and serves as the basis for the Illinois Manual. FHWA's Manual includes
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numerous changes to improve the safety of road users, including pedestrians and
bicyclists. The Manual is posted on the Web as a series of pdf files at
http: / /mutcd.fhwa. dot .gov /pdfs /2003 /pdf- index.htm.
The complete list of changes to the Manual runs more than 200 pages and is posted at
ttp:// mutcd .fhwa.dot.gov /kno- 2003.htm. Following is a sample of the pedestrian- related
changes in the Manual that might be of special interest to transportation engineers and
planners (a sample of bicycle- related changes will be listed in a subsequent email). Note
that this list is meant only for information and to draw attention to new standards and
guidance. The standards themselves are only in the MUTCD, promulgated by FHWA. Also,
note that phase -in periods extend up to 10 years, depending on the standard.
A new "Yield Here to Pedestrians" sign was established to be used in conjunction
with mid -block pavement markings. See Section 2B.11 of the Manual.
- A new "In- Street Pedestrian Crossing" sign option was established for unsignalized
locations. The new Manual will standardize these signs, variations of which have recently
appeared in northeastern Illinois in increasing numbers. See Section 2B.12 of the Manual.
A new "Turning Traffic Must Yield to Pedestrians" sign was added as an option for
signalized intersections. See Section 2B.45.
Diagonal and longitudinal crosswalk lines can be spaced up to 60 inches apart, with
some limitations. This, combined with guidance that the markings should avoid wheel
paths, may make durable and highly visible crosswalk markings easier to implement. See
Section 3B.17.
Animated eyes symbol may be added to a pedestrian signal head in order to prompt
pedestrians to look for vehicles in the intersection during the time that the WALK signal
indication is displayed. See Section 4E.04.
- A pedestrian interval countdown display may be added to a pedestrian signal head in
order to inform pedestrians of the number of seconds remaining in the pedestrian change
interval. See Section 4E.07 but also 4E.10 for implementation.
At signalized locations with a demonstrated need, pedestrians with special needs may
be provided with additional crossing time by means of an extended pushbutton press. See
Section 4E.08.
Guidance regarding the length of the pedestrian clearance interval was changed so
that the distance used to determine the clearance interval is measured to the far side of
`he traveled way (or a wide median), instead of the center of the farthest traveled lane
Dr a wide median). See Section 4E.10.
A great deal of attention was given to temporary traffic control to reduce work zone
injuries and fatalities. Work zone traffic control is often substantially more complex
than normal operations. Section 6D.01 (Pedestrian Considerations) was substantially
improved and clarified. In addition, a new section (6D.02) was added to regarding
accessibility considerations. The new section includes the standard that "when existing
pedestrian facilities are disrupted, closed, or relocated in a TTC zone, the temporary
facilities shall be detectable and include accessibility features consistent with the
features present in the existing pedestrian facility." See also Section 6F.12 and 6F.13.
Section 6F.68 gives guidance regarding detectable edging for people with visual
disabilities.
Implementation of temporary traffic control includes a number of other changes.
Pedestrian and accessibility needs are addressed in implementing temporary traffic control
signals (Section 6F.80). A new section (6G.05) was added regarding work affecting
pedestrian and bicycle facilities. This section supplements the 6D.02 standard above with
the standard "Where pedestrian routes are closed, alternate pedestrian routes shall be
provided." The standards for provision of accommodations are further clarified in the
case of urban streets (Section 6G.11) where the MUTCD includes the standard "Where transit
stops are affected or relocated because of work activity, access to temporary transit
stops shall be provided."
- At unsignalized school crossings, in- street pedestrian crossing or in- street
reduced -size school advance warning signs are included. See Section 73.09.
B. FRANKFORT is updating its Bike Trail Master Plan. "The ultimate goal is to provide
direct access to the Old Plank Road Trail within a half mile of every residence." See
http:// www. villageoffrankfort .com /biketr.html.
NORTHBROOK has adopted its first bike route plan that lays the framework for future
ike facility planning and design.
D. SKOKIE has also adopted a Bicycle Facility Plan. It is posted at:
http: // www .skokie.org /comm/compplan.html.
PA
3. NEWS SCAN
ELBURN'S list of priorities for 2004 includes a sidewalk study to prioritize areas of
^oncern, construction and needed repair. (Beacon News Online, January 12). In addition,
lburn has been selected as a site of a Technical Assistance Panel provided by the Urban
Land Institute. The issues the panel may deal with include how to maintain the village's
downtown business district and how to incorporate more compact development to complement
the forthcoming Metra station. (Source: Kane County Chronicle, January 7)
FOX RIVER GROVE'S downtown plan, an RTA station area plan, calls for bike and walking
trails, a pedestrian underpass beneath Northwest Highway, and eventually a 576 -space
parking garage. These transportation improvements will complement a plan that maintains
open space while adding office space, stores, three -story condominiums, a string of
restaurants and a community center around the train station in the downtown and along the
riverfront. (Source: Daily Herald, January 7).
GURNEE, as part of its proposed Cemetery Road improvement, plans to include a pedestrian -
bike path from the intersection of Washington Street and Cemetery Road to Woodland
Intermediate School. In addition, Gurnee is hoping to extend the Washington Street path
to Almond Road. (Source: Gurnee Review, January 8).
ROLLING MEADOWS faces a dispute in the value of land needed for a sidewalk and road
widening along a section of the upcoming Golf /Algonquin Road project. Rolling Meadows is
moving toward condemnation, but the roadway width has been reduced and the proposed
sidewalk width may be reduced from 7' to 5' to reduce the potential costs of the
condemnation (Source: Rolling Meadows Review, January 1).
Thank you for your interest in transportation planning.
Tom Murtha
Chief Transportation Planner
Chicago Area Transportation Study
"nice: 312 - 793 -3466
ax: 312 - 793 -3481
Email: tmurtha @catsmpo.com
Post: 300 W Adams St 2nd Floor
Chicago IL 60606
http: / /www.catsmpo.com
http: / /www.sp2030.com
http: / /www.solesandspokes.com
mail.catsmpo.com
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