Capital
District Transportation Committee
Bicycle
and Pedestrian Task Force
Record of
Meeting on August 13, 2002
Attendance: Mark Cashman (MHCC/LAB),
Lindsay Childs (Guilderland Pathways), Dom De Cecco, Andy Labruzzo (Albany Co.
EDCP), Kevin McLoughlin (Hudson River Valley Greenway), Doug Melnick (CDCG),
Don Odell (retired planner), Don Robertson (NYSDOT Region1), John Stangle
(Village of Menands), Elaine Troy (NYSDOH - Healthy Heart), Jim Utermark (The
Louis Berger Group, Inc.), Ivan Vamos (NYBC), Teresa La Salle (CDTC), Jason
Purvis (CDTC)
1.0 AGENDA AND MEETING NOTES REVIEW
June 2002 minutes were approved.
2.0 PROJECTS/PROGRAMS AND OTHER UPDATES
2.1 SPOT
Improvement Program (Round 2): J. Purvis distributed a summary list of
proposals received. Seventeen proposals were submitted, requesting a total of
$676,610. J. Purvis noted that there are a few proposals that have eligibility
issues. A team of CDTC and NYSDOT staff will be meeting this week to review the
proposals and provide CDTC's Planning Committee with a list of selected
projects for the September Planning Committee meeting. J. Purvis gave task force members an
opportunity to comment on the selection process. J. Purvis noted that the following categories
are looked at in the selection process: Safety Benefit, Overmatch, Budget
Sensitivity, and Regional Distribution, in addition to other factors. Several
task force members felt that the guidelines for projects be more specific. Members did not support ranking projects from
lowest to highest cost.
2.2
Greenway Trail
Event/Opening of Albany Pedestrian Bridge: K. McLoughlin reported that the bike tour was successful. Participants completed the trek in 10 days
with a mixture of walking, biking, and hiking, on existing routes and
trails. Participants saw many
opportunities for existing and potential routes. A group of 6-30 participated. The group was included in the first
procession across the new pedestrian bridge.
K. McLoughlin extended his thanks to local participants who joined the
tour on the last day. A virtual tour of
the event will be available on the website in the future.
3.0 ONGOING TASKS
3.1 Greenways Grant for Regional Bike Trail: J. Purvis announced that a Regional
Outreach meeting will be held at the Menands Firehouse on October 29th
at 7:00 p.m.. An announcement
will be sent out. There will be a
combined Bicycle Pedestrian Task Force meeting for October/November at this
meeting.
3.2
Canalway
Initiative:
The next CTANY meeting will be held on August 14th in Syracuse. More announcements are expected for trail
projects under the 5 year $35 million program.
Albany County is not eligible due to
legislation restrictions. On August 29th
the Greenway will be sponsoring a meeting to discuss opportunities for trails
and open space in Albany County. This meeting will be a precursor to the
Greenway Grant's Regional Outreach meeting in October. The meeting is part of the Albany Waterfront
Plan.
3.3 Guilderland Pathways
Committee:
L. Childs noted that the town has budgeted $25,000 over the last two years for
sidewalks proposed to fill gaps along Western Avenue near Old Grand Union and Gipp Road. It was also noted that
residents of Lone Pine #7, a 20-house development that borders the Pine Bush,
do not want sidewalks. L. Childs provided
members with a cross-section sketch of the Town Highway Department's
standards. No sidewalks or trees are
shown. Concerns about width and speeds
were raised. The Pathways Committee is looking for knowledge base for areas
with high snow removal.
4.0 NEW BUSINESS
4.1 Route 20/155 Signals: J. Purvis
provided members with a recent newspaper article describing the new crosswalk
button at the intersection of Routes 20 and 155 in Guilderland. The new button stops traffic in all
directions to allow the pedestrian a safer crossing environment. A sign prohibiting right turns on red is also
activated when the ped button is used.
The technique seems to be working well.
4.2 2000 Census Data: J. Purvis distributed some
preliminary data form the 2000 Census regarding Journey to Work data. Walking, carpooling, and public transit use
have all declined, while persons with zero vehicles available and persons
working at home have increased since the 1990 Census. This data represents work trips only. Members discussed a means to obtain data on
non-work trips. K. McLoughlin inquired
about the availability of Federal funds to conduct a survey. E. Troy noted that the NYSDOH
conducts a survey that may be of some use.
T. La Salle noted that the SUNY survey
might have relevant data. J. Purvis will
follow-up on the SUNY survey and report back to members.
4.3 Economic Value of
Walkablity:
J. Purvis noted and circulated an article by Todd Litman discussing the
economic value of walkability.
4.4 Fire at Scrafford Lane: J. Purvis noted the recent
fire that claimed the property on Scrafford Lane south of the Railroad
Tracks. Fire Officials were unable to
get their vehicles past the tracks, due to the Jersey barriers placed there by
the Railroad.
4.5
Other New business: D. Robertson reported that
no date has been set for the announcement of Enhancement Projects in the
Capital District.
5.0 UPCOMING EVENTS
-
The next CDTC Bicycle and Pedestrian Task Force meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, September
10, 2002 at the CDTC office, 5 Computer Dr. West, at 4:30
p.m.