Capital District Transportation Committee

Bicycle and Pedestrian Task Force

Record of Meeting on August 12, 2003

Attendance: Lindsay Childs (Guilderland Pathways), Dom De Cecco (Retired Legislator), David Gehrs (CDTA Planning), Andy Labruzzo (Albany Co. Planning), Ivan Vamos (NYBC), Judy Breselor (Hudson River Valley Greenway) Kevin McLoughlin (NYPCA), John Stangle (Village of Menands), Eric Ophardt (NYSDOT), Tameka Macon (CDTC), Jason Purvis (CDTC)

1.0 AGENDA AND MEETING NOTES REVIEW

The July minutes were approved.

2.0 PROJECTS/PROGRAMS AND OTHER UPDATES

3.0 ONGOING TASKS

3.1 Greenways Grant for Regional Bike Trail: J. Purvis reported that the grant is near completion. Clark Patterson Associates is finishing the final document. Completion is expected within a few weeks. When complete the study will be available on the web. Additionally, J. Purvis noted that a Linkage Study on the Rensselaer side of the river will begin soon.

3.2 CDTC's Bicycle/Pedestrian Priority Network: J. Purvis distributed the original priority network list and the newly updated list for comparison. No further additions or deletions are expected. Comments are still be accepted for mistakes or errors on the list. Also, the purpose of the priority network was reviewed.

3.3 Game Plan and Toolbox Update: J. Purvis distributed a packet of information containing material on the projects and programs that have been implemented since the 1995 document was produced. The group quickly went through each page of the packet and provided comments. Two comparison charts were distributed showing vehicle/pedestrian counts at various intersections and the percentage of households with zero motor vehicles.

There was interest in trying to incorporate bicycle and pedestrian Level of Service (LOS) into the formula that calculates vehicular Level of Service (LOS).

J. Purvis noted that there would be a text summary to go along with each piece of material in the information packet.

3.4 Canalway Initiative: The Canalway Group continues to work on signage and routing options in the City of Schenectady and the tunneling efforts at Scrafford Lane.

3.5 Guilderland Pathways Committee: Work has begun on French's Mill Road over the Normanskill.

3.6 Mohawk Hudson Bike Hike Trail Map update: CDTC continues to work on the update. The Task Force will remained well informed as updates occur. A. Labruzzo requested the GIS files of the new network when they are completed.

4.0 NEW BUSINESS

Legislation was currently passed designating the Mohawk Towpath as part of the New York State Scenic Byway. The most recent Towpath newsletter was distributed.

Lengthy discussions were held regarding the status of the Transportation Enhancement Program. The House of Representatives are expected to revisit the topic in September.

4.1Other new business:

Eric Ophardt distributed copies of the newly printed State Bike Route 5 and State Bike Route 9 maps. Additional copies can be obtained by contacting Eric at 457-8307 or eophardt@dot.state.ny.us

E. Ophardt also mentioned the Traffic Calming Training courses currently being held. The next session will be in Saratoga Springs on September 5^th. There is no charge for this training.

Ivan Vamos stated that there is a piece of abandoned railroad from Montgomery County to Rotterdam in which OPRHP has started the preferential rights process to acquire.

J. Purvis briefly mentioned that he was selected to participate in a scanning tour of US cities that have state-of-the-practice pedestrian safety programs. The tour is scheduled for the first two weeks in November.

D. Gehrs reported that CDTA will be ordering 10 new bike racks a month for the next 6 months. CDTA would like to eventually have their entire fleet equipped with bike racks.

Andy Labruzzo provided an update on the D&H railroad abandonment. Albany County continues to seek funding to preserve the corridor for future public use. They have until January 2004 to negotiate the acquisition of the Corridor with CP Rail. The cost of acquisition is $700,000.

To encourage more participation, the meetings were moved to 1:00PM. Future meetings will alternate between starting at 1:00PM and 4:30PM.

5.0 UPCOMING EVENTS

- The next CDTC Bicycle and Pedestrian Task Force meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, September 9th at 1:00 p.m. at the CDTC Offices. The October meeting will be held at 4:30p.m.