Capital District Transportation Committee
Bicycle and Pedestrian Task Force
Record of Meeting on
Attendance: Don Odell (Albany Bicycling
Coalition),
1.0 New Business
1.1 Mid-block
crossings (S. Olsen) – Crosswalk placement and design guidelines, as per
NYSDOT, were discussed as relative to the suggested midblock
crossing on
R. Leslie asked about the use of rectangular rapid flashing beacon. It is currently not widely used in the Capital Region but J. Gritsavage said, with the NYSDOT Green Lites program it will be endorsed and encouraged.
1.2
1.3
1.3.1 Town Board acceptance – the prioritization matrix was presented to the Bethlehem Town Board at the end of November and approved. Board passed a resolution to use and passed a resolution to review the bicycle and pedestrian network annually.
1.3.2 Next Steps – The various different departments, including the Town Board, are being directed on how to use the prioritization and evaluation matrix.
S. Olsen and M.
Lyons recommended Town conducts a GEIS to collect mitigation fees from
developers which could help finance bicycle and pedestrian projects in the
Town.
1.4 Capital Coexist – The campaign would like to expand its educational materials to possibly included more web-based products (i.e. video)
1.5 Local Project Updates
1.5.1
Albany Education District Enhancement Study – Draft report is currently being
reviewed by CDTC, City of
1.5.2 New Scotland Hamlet Master Plan – CDTC and the Town, in coordination with stakeholders, hope to develop a land use plan, proposed zoning and design guidelines to create a walkable hamlet area at the NYS 85/85A intersection area. Connections to the Albany County Rail Trail will be explored. The REI went out in November and nine proposals were received and are currently being evaluated.
1.5.3
1.6 “They just don’t get it….” – It has been reported that AAA is advocating to eliminate the Transportation Enhancements Program in order to limit the spending of federal transportation funds on bicycle and pedestrian projects. See Rails to Trails story and efforts to stop this here: http://ow.ly/3BoKd.
1.7 Other New Business
1.7.1 Safe Routes to School mini grants – Applications were due Nov. 9 and recipients will be notified by Dec. 17.
1.7.2 Transportation Enhancements Program + Safe Routes to School – $20M has been allocated to the programs statewide. NYSDOT and MPOs will provide application support throughout the process in order to level the playing field for municipalities with fewer resources. The solicitation timeline will be dependent on new commissioner appointment.
M. Harding said non-infrastructure projects require the “5 Es” and sponsors will be required to submit before and after reports on projects. A minimum of 10% and a maximum of 30% of funding will be committed to non-infrastructure projects.
There was a lot of discussion around the table about NYSDOT and GTSC partnering to use the non-infrastructure SRTS funds. Questions were raised about GTSC’s connectivity to the municipalities and how the contracts would be executed.
T. Fabozzi suggested there be an education component for school districts to understand land use / site location implications.
J. Purvis will keep committee updated on SRTS and TEP program development.
1.7.3 CDTA Bike Rack Program – CDTA will announce solicitation for applications in beginning of January. Check CDTA, CDTC and Capital Coexist websites for details. Non-profits and government agencies can receive up to $1,000 and private businesses can receive up to $500 for new bike racks, bike lockers or bike shelters. Bike lockers and shelters are new to the program in 2011.
1.7.4
R. Leslie announced that the Albany Country Rail Trail is under funded and the
Mohawk Hudson Land Conservancy (MHLC) is looking for partnerships to work with
county to get sections of the trail opened as-is.
1.7.5
E. Tremblay announced that the
1.7.6
J. Purvis announced that CDTC was invited to a meeting with Senator Gillibrand’s staff regarding the
1.7.7
E. Troy announced new NYSDOH programs. One is an integrated school policy grant
that would examine what policies are in place to make schools healthier by
working with school boards.
1.7.8
G. Gillooley announced that
1.7.9
N. Ronsvalle shared concept renderings, plans and details on Halfmoon’s Exist 8 Crescent Road Trail. The road is currently not designed
appropriately for bicycle and pedestrian use, yet bicycle and pedestrian use is
heavy along corridor. The project is a
TIP project that is a partnership between
T. Fabozzi made a recommendation regarding the presentation of the trail concept illustrations – do not abstract ped projects from surrounding development because these types of projects need to be looked at more holistically and in the context of all of their connections.
2.0 Upcoming
Events – Next Bike-Ped Meeting is scheduled for