WCCTAC
West Contra Costa Transportation Advisory Committee
Minutes
October 27, 2006
The regular
meeting of the West Contra Costa Transportation Advisory Committee was called
to order at 7:38 A.M. on Friday, October 27, 2006 by Chair Sharon Brown in the City
Council Chambers of the City of
CALL TO ORDER/SELF INTRODUCTION_________________________________
PRESENT: Janet Abelson (El
Cerrito), Bob Franklin (BART), Tom Butt (Richmond), Vice Chair Maria Viramontes
(Richmond), Maria Alegria* (Pinole), Jerrold Parsons* (WestCAT), and Chair
Sharon Brown, (San Pablo)
ABSENT: Irma Anderson
(Richmond), Ed Balico (Hercules), John Gioia (Contra Costa County), Joe Wallace
(AC Transit)
STAFF: Lisa Hammon, WCCTAC Managing Director
John Rudolph, WCCTAC Management Assistant
Nancy Cuneo, WCCTAC Administrative Analyst
Jeremy Hughes, WCCTAC Administrative Clerk
Martin
Englemann, CCTA Staff
Bryan Otake, WCCTAC General Counsel
*Arrived after Roll Call
PUBLIC COMMENT_____________________________________________________
There were no comments from the public.
REMOVAL OF ITEMS 7 AND 9 FROM
CONSENT CALENDAR______________
Chair Brown
recommended that item 9 be pulled from the Consent Calendar.
Tom Butt
requested discussion of Item 7.
Chair Brown
stated that Item 7 may be discussed after item 9.
Lisa Hammon
declared that action cannot be taken on the Consent Calendar until a quorum has
been established
________________________________________________________________________
ITEM 9 - TAXI DRIVER SAFETY___________________________________________
Harpreet Sandhu,
Human Relations Commissioner for the City of Richmond, expressed appreciation
for the WCCTAC Board’s actions towards achieving greater taxi driver safety. Mr. Sandhu cited the recent shooting death of
an area taxi driver as reason for urgency in the matter. He also expressed
concern for taxi cab accessibility for disabled persons, and invited the Board
to a meeting with local taxi drivers to address these issues.
Lisa Hammon stated
that John Rudolph, WCCTAC staff, the Pinole and Richmond Police Chiefs, Lt.
Gordon from the Sheriff’s office and an interpreter would be on hand at the
meeting. Ms. Hammon noted that the
agenda packet contained the meeting information as well as a brochure on the
Standard Taxi, a wheel chair accessible vehicle.
Maria Viramontes
stated that Richmond put $30,000 aside for the senior disabled and script
programs to meet the transportation needs of low income residents and seniors. Ms.
Viramontes said that the lack of taxi service accessible to those individuals
is of concern. She also expressed a desire to make taxi drivers in the Richmond
community safer and cited a study conducted in New York that provided a list of
useful strategies including GPS, caller identification, first aid kits,
surveillance cameras, partitions, silent alarm systems and the use of debit cards
as methods to increase taxi driver safety
Maria Alegria
suggested that the WCCTAC Board appoint an ad hoc committee to shepherd the
process and suggested that those attending the meeting return to this body with
a plan of action.
Ms. Hammon stated
that the WCCTAC Board had allocated $10,000 to establish a public/private
partnership to install safety partitions in taxi cabs. She noted that the funds combined with the
$30,000 from the City of Richmond would provide enough money to create a
starting point.
ITEM 7 – I-580/WESTERN DRIVE BICYCLE
ACCIDENT____________________
Tom Butt directed
the Board’s attention to an email from John Rudolph, dated October 12, 2006 and
a Contra Costa Times article, dated October 22, 2006 about a bicycle accident
along I-580. Mr. Butt expressed disgust
with Caltrans’ reaction to the incident, and to the article which stated there
are 15 miles of bikeways on freeway shoulders in District 4 and 1,000 miles
statewide. People are not aware they should
be looking for bicyclists along a freeway.
Mr. Butt stated
that Caltrans’ solution to the incident was to put up more signs. He suggested that “K” rails be installed to
separate the bike lanes from the freeway and expressed hope that WCCTAC would take
the matter to MTC, etc. and encourage them to write letters urging Caltrans to take
the matter seriously and do something substantive.
Maria Alegria
suggested the application of reflective, fluorescent tape to identify the bike
lanes as an interim solution.
Ms. Hammon articulated
that the posting of signage was not meant as a final solution to the problem it
was rather an immediate response to the incident with purpose to enhance public
awareness until a more effective and final solution could be realized.
Ms. Hammon then stated
that WCCTAC has no jurisdiction over what Caltrans does or does not do on
roadways. WCCTAC can pull groups of
people together to achieve goals and expressed a willingness to have WCCTAC
staff serve as an agency to pool personnel and funding resources, but again expressed
that WCCTAC cannot physically do anything on a Caltrans roadway.
Chair Brown noted
that a quorum had been achieved.
On a motion by
Tom Butt, seconded by Maria Viramontes, and carried unanimously, WCCTAC will take
action to write a letter to Caltrans urging them to take whatever action necessary
to make the bike path safe.
CONSENT CALENDER__________________________________________________
On motion by
Janet Abelson, seconded by Maria Viramontes and carried unanimously, the WCCTAC
Board adopted the Consent Calendar, minus two items discussed above, as
follows:
3. Approved Minutes, Sign-In Sheet, and
Meeting Summary from the September
29, 2006.
4. Approved staff reports from the Managing Director, Management Assistant, and Transportation Project Specialist for October are attached.
5. Authorized the Chair to sign the Master Cooperative Agreement No. 43.00.102 between the Contra Costa Transportation Authority and WCCTAC.
6. Approved, in concept, the FY 07-08 TDM projects. FY 07-08 Transportation Demand Management (TDM) Project Ideas.
7. Removed Summary of Discussions/Actions
Regarding Bicycle Accident at I-580 and Western Drive.
8. Approved the WCCTAC Office Schedule for 2006-2007 December Holiday Period as follows:
Thursday, December 21 Employees work or take a vacation day
Friday, December 22 Employees work or take a vacation day
Monday, December 25 Holiday
Tuesday, December 26 Holiday
Wednesday, December 27 Office closed with pay
Thursday, December 28 Office closed with pay
Friday, December 29 Office closed with pay
Monday, January 1 Holiday
Tuesday, January 2 Holiday
Wednesday, January 3 Employees work of take a vacation day
9. Removed the update on Taxi Safety Program.
10. Received an update on status of Slide Repairs on I-80 in Pinole and San Pablo.
ITEM 11: PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENTS____________________________________
There were no
announcements or comments made regarding Item 11.
ITEM 12: LEGISLATIVE
NOTES__________________________________________
Bryan Otake reviewed
public safety related legislation: SB1021,
a provision which makes it an infraction and fine under the penal code, to
drive a vehicle in an unsafe manner which leads to bodily injury or great
bodily injury; SB1613, hands free cell phone bill will become effective July 1,
2008. It mandates that cell phones be used only in hands free or wireless mode
when operating a vehicle; AB 573, changes the permissible indemnity provision
that a city or public agency can use in their contracts with engineering
designers.
Mr. Otake emphasized
that AB573 pertains to engineering and architectural design consultant
contracts of which WCCTAC and its member agencies engage in many.
________________________________________________________________________
ITEM 13: COMBINED
MEETING FOR NOVEMBER AND DECEMBER_______
On motion by
Maria Viramontes, seconded by Maria Alegria and carried unanimously the WCCTAC
Board approved a combined November and December Board meeting to take place
Friday, December 8, 2006.
________________________________________________________________________
ITEM 14: BART TICKET EXCHANGE
PROGRAM__________________________
Lisa Hammon noted
that pg. 14-1 of the agenda packet cited two memos from the Citizens Advisory
Committee to the Contra Costa Transportation Authority about placement of a BART
ticket exchange location in Contra Costa County, and traffic circulation issues
around the El Cerrito Del Norte BART Station.
She noted that at
a recent CAC meeting BART personnel offered options to remedy the ticket
exchange issue with the first being to establish a location, most likely in
Central County, where ticket exchanges could occur. BART staff has been in
negotiation to do the exchange at the Walnut Creek station however staffing and
personnel were an issue.
BART stated that
they would look into consolidation technology and notify CAC when the exchange could
take place in Contra Costa.
Janet Abelson
asserted that putting a ticket location in Central County does nothing for West
County pointed that TransLink and its arrival will make the current issue moot.
Bob Franklin
stated that BART has a ticket set for release which functions like FasTrak, in
that it automatically replenishes as needed. The tickets have currently been
issued to about 500 people and from this BART will determine its effectiveness
and demands on the current system. Mr. Franklin further stated that because of
the issues with the TransLink contractor BART will release this new ticket and
assimilate it into the system when TransLink and BART are linked.
Ms. Hammon stated
that the CAC had some great suggestions regarding circulation issues around the
del Norte BART station which she plans to discuss with the El Cerrito staff.
The issues around the station tie into potential developments along San Pablo Avenue
on both sides of the street.
Ms. Hammon stated
that at the CAC meeting she informed them that WCCTAC is working on the issue
and that there have been a number of other existing projects which have an
impact on San Pablo Avenue including the San Pablo SMART Corridors project, the
visioning project by Loni Hancock, as well as the specific plan that Richmond
and El Cerrito are working on which includes that area. The CAC set up a
subcommittee including Peter Loubal, David Currant, Doug Sibley and a Hercules
representative. Ms. Hammon expressed her
willingness to work with this committee and stated that it makes sense to
create a coalition between the CAC subcommittee and a working group comprised
of WCCTAC members to bring the issue to
Martin Engelmann
elaborated by expressing that the CAC is concerned about the El Cerrito del
Norte BART traffic issues; however, there is concern that as a working group
for the TAC, obtaining information from BART, AC Transit and the City of El
Cerrito may be difficult given the authority has adopted a policy that the CAC
not contact the city directly.
Mr. Engelmann
noted that by bringing the working group suggested by Ms. Hammon into a WCCTAC
ad hoc task force the people that have access to the information would be able
to disseminate it to the TAC members thus proving as the most effective way for
CAC to operate.
On motion by
Maria Viramontes, seconded by Jerrold Parsons and approved unanimously, the
WCCTAC Board approved formation of an ad hoc working group to include the subcommittee
from the CAC.
_____________________________________________________________
ITEM 15: CALTRANS RAMP METERING PRESENTATION_________________
Ms. Hammon stated
that the presentation on ramp metering by Caltrans staff member Adrian Levy is
a follow up to discussions over the last couple months regarding technology
improvements along I-80, made possible through the infrastructure bond.
Adrian Levy,
Caltrans Senior Transportation Engineer District 4, accompanied by Alan Chow,
provided a synopsis of existing conditions on I-80, proposed projects to
address these conditions, ramp metering basics, equipment used and software
implemented.
Mr. Levy stated
that the proposed I-80 Integrated Corridor Mobility project (ICM) as a part of
the infrastructure or I-Bond was devised with MTC, the local agencies and
Caltrans with the desire to prepare a Systems Engineering Management Plan
(SEMP) or project study report for the entire corridor.
Mr. Levy stated
that ramp metering systems increase safety, provide a more consistent flow and require
a minimal alteration to the existing system with equity being defined as intent
to affect all jurisdictions equally.
He also stated that with a high rate of metering allowing for rapid vehicle dispersion it is unlikely that traffic would become backed up. Embedded loops communicate traffic information which is used to determine metering rates while working in conjunction with the city traffic signals. Mr. Levy noted that this technology would be made available through the Smart Corridors Package.
He continued by stating that ramp metering is part of a total congestion relief package and a series of solutions that will work together to solve congestion problems.
Janet Abelson
expressed that the presentation failed to sufficiently address the impact that
metering lights would have on arterials. She then stated that there are a
whole series of signals that already don’t work together and that the problem
isn’t getting on the freeway via the ramp; so why spend taxpayer dollars on a
solution that accomplishes nothing?
Jerrold Parsons
stated that when a light turns green on an arterial approaching the freeway a
cluster of vehicles is released and in attempting to merge with the current
freeway traffic causes back-up. The controlled dispersion of vehicles via the
metering lights in theory would help to alleviate this problem.
Maria Alegria expressed that the SEMP study will provide analysis of how the metering lights would affect the local jurisdiction.
Ms. Hammon inquired as to whether or not the technology exists that would allow the loops detecting traffic on the ramp to communicate with the loops detecting traffic on the arterials and noted that integration would perhaps be a key factor in garnering citizen support for ramp metering systems.
Chair Brown stated that she is not a fan of ramp metering and that she will be very skeptical about placement of metering systems along I-80.
Peter Loubal suggested that the Board consult Dolf May, a pioneer in ramp metering.
Martin Engelmann expressed that he worked with Dolf May on a previous ramp metering project. He noted that Mr. May maintained that metering causes spatial, temporal or modal diversion. He continued by stating that the SEMP study will not provide details about delays on the ramps versus delays on the freeway, and that no I-80 specific information will be reveled as a part of it. The study will provide generic information compiled from outside sources and an in-depth look into the proposed system would require $500,000 and likely take a year to complete.
Ms. Alegria stated that if the ramp metering system goes
into place between Emeryville and Pinole, Caltrans must absorb the cost of
maintenance for
Ms. Hammon noted that the study is not designed to provide in-depth analysis of ramp metering alone rather it is a comprehensive look at a number of congestion relief technologies. She noted that ramp metering is only one of many technological improvements which are being considered as a part of this project.
Mr. Parsons stated that it provides a hunting license for $73M in mobility improvements along the I-80 Corridor. This is one reason the agency has put $97,000 towards it.
________________________________________________________________________
PACIFIC
CONFERENCE SUMMARY______________________________________
Jerrold Parsons provided a brief summary of the information learned and/or activities participated in at the meeting of the League of California Cities. He stated that the conference disseminated information about how smaller communities can obtain funding for transportation improvements.
Ms. Hammon stated that she would prepare photo copies of the informational material from the conference for distribution to Board at the next WCCTAC Board meeting.
With no further business to come before the WCCTAC Board, Chair Brown adjourned the meeting at 9:02 A.M. until the next meeting, a combined November/December meeting to be held on December 8, 2006, at 7:30 A.M. at the San Pablo City Council Chambers, 13831 San Pablo Avenue, San Pablo, California, 94806.
Respectfully submitted,
Jeremy Hughes
Minutes Clerk