Capital District Transportation Committee

Bicycle and Pedestrian Task Force

Record of Meeting on December 11, 2001

 

Attendance: Mark Cashman (MHCC/LAB), Craig Church (Vollmer Associates), Dom De Cecco (retired, citizen member), Andy Labruzzo (Albany Co. EDCHP), Kevin McLoughlin (HRV Greenway), Don Odell (retired, citizen member), Don Robertson (DOT Region 1), Bert Schou (CDTA), John Stangle (Menands), Elaine Troy (NYSDOH Healthy Heart), Ivan Vamos (NYBC), Teresa La Salle (CDTC), Jason Purvis (CDTC)

 

1.0 AGENDA AND MEETING NOTES REVIEW

There were no changes to the November Task Force meeting notes.

2.0 UPDATE ON ACTION ITEMS

 

 

3.0 PROJECTS/PROGRAMS AND OTHER UPDATES

3.1 Schenectady Urban Bike Route Master Plan: J. Purvis reported that the plan has been completed. The document should be available on CDTC's website in the near future. At this time the document is available on CD from CDTC upon request. J. Purvis also noted that the document can be obtained in PDF format through Howard Halstead.

3.2 Regional Bike/Hike Map: J. Purvis noted that work on the Regional Bike/Hike Map is progressing and CDTC is still aiming for a Spring 2002 print date. J. Purvis provided members with a sample list of contact agencies to be included in the final product. CDTC must receive permission to include agency contact information on the publication. Members assisted CDTC with permissions and/or agency officials contact information. Don Odell noted that the Albany Visitors Center and the Albany Visitors and Convention Bureau would be an excellent distribution source for the map, and that we may want to include their contact information. J. Purvis requested that all members respond via email with permission information prior to the 25th of December.

 

4.0 ONGOING TASKS

4.1 Greenways Grant for Regional Bike Trail: All involved parties are still engaged in developing the project scope.

4.2 Bethlehem Crosswalk Campaign: The Bethlehem Pedestrian Safety Committee last met on Friday, December 7th. The Fall Campaign is complete and there has been a generally positive response. The Spring Campaign will be more expansive, with 12 projected locations for stanchion placement. D. Robertson discussed DOT's recommendation to remove the crosswalk at Delaware Avenue and the Elsmere Elementary School. The next meeting will be held on Friday, February 1st.

4.3 Innovative Technology: J. Purvis reported that he has done some research on crosswalk lighting at mid-block locations, since the last meeting. He found out the following in regards to the Lightguard Systems product: The lights are not damaged by snowplows. Installation costs are $10-20,000. Bollards are optional, if they are not installed, pedestrian buttons are required.

J. Stangle reported that the Village of Menands Board responded positively to the idea of installing this technology at two locations on Wards Lane. The Village will continue to explore this option. J. Purvis mentioned that Doug Melnick, Capital District Community Gardens, is working on Bicycle/Pedestrian improvements in the Federal St/Peoples Ave corridor in Troy. He has sent CDTC a draft of the project with proposed lights in the medians for the length of the corridor. J. Purvis will follow up with Doug Melnick.

J. Purvis noted that installing this innovative technology could be funded by the Spot Improvement Program, if the program is available this year. J. Purvis will check on the status of the program and report back. J. Stangle provided the task force with the website address for Lightguard Systems. (lightguardsystems.com)

 

5.0 NEW ITEMS

5.1Voorheesville Sidewalk/Railroad Crossing: J. Purvis reported that CDTC is working with DOT and the Village of Voorheesville on extending a sidewalk across a railroad crossing. The project location is near the Post Office.

5.2 Enhancement Evaluations: CTDC has received 23 applications from the four counties. The applications are currently being reviewed by DOT. CDTC expects to receive the applications in early January. The evaluation team will have about three months to prioritize the list before it is due to the Planning Committee in April.

5.3 Safety Technical Report: D. Robertson provided a document discussing bicycle-related injuries. He also noted that more information could be found at bikinginfo.com and walkinginfo.com.

5.4 Wolf Road Sidewalks: I. Vamos provided a newspaper clipping highlighting the new sidewalks on Wolf Rd. J. Purvis stated that the original intention was to install countdown signals at all pedestrian crossings. He noted however that the crossing at Computer Drive West was lacking a countdown signal. D. Robertson made note of the discrepancy. D. Robertson also noted that crosswalk lines are marked at driveways not just intersections.

5.5 Guilford Rail Crossing in Rotterdam Junction: E. Troy mentioned the possible lawsuit between the Town of Rotterdam Junction and Guilford Rail due to the refusal of Guilford Rail to remove their barricades from the Mohawk-Hudson Bike Trail. D. Robertson reported that Ted Thompson, DOT Region 1, has been in contact with the Town and is recommending that they do not go through with the lawsuit. Rather he recommends that they focus their efforts and monies on constructing a tunnel to reconnect the trail.

5.6 Design Guidelines: J. Purvis provided members with copies of the design guidelines used in the Schenectady Urban Bike Route Master Plan. CDTC would like to use these as a reference for other urban areas in the four county planning area. J. Purvis noted that these guidelines are consistent with both AASHTO and CDTC's 1995 guidelines. If approved, these guidelines would serve as a supplement for urban areas. CDTC would like to present the guidelines to the Planning Committee for approval at the January 2002 meeting. Several members noted concerns with Figure 3 in the document. It was suggested that this particular item be omitted. J. Purvis requested that everyone reviews the document further and returns their comments via email prior to the 25th of December. J. Purvis also noted that the option for the task force to create their own set of guidelines could also be investigated, if these guidelines are not deemed acceptable.

5.7 Normans Kill Pedestrian Bridge: B. Schou reported that the issue is still being discussed with the Town of Guilderland and Albany County. He also noted that the RFP's for the Mckownville linkage project has received 12 proposals. Consultants will be presenting in early January.

5.8 Menands Quality Community Grant: J. Stangle reported that the final report should be ready after January. He noted that the study is very land use focused. The plan includes restriping Broadway, and possibly incorporating a bike path. The project could begin in Spring 2002, given proper funding and DOT response.

 

6.0 UPCOMING EVENTS