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REPORT OF THE CLEARWATER BEACH ENTRYWAY ADVISORY COMMITTEE 'III. 'I' ,'II F \/\ iLf , j / ' 1/ ~;!/ ] I I I I I '1.11. !II !III III REpORT OF THE CLEARWATERBEA(:H ENTRYWAY ADVISORY COMMITTE]~ #1 I :11 I 'I II I I I I I I I I JULY 12, 2001 I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I Table of Contents for Draft of the Clearwater Beach Entryway Advisory Committee (CBEAC) Introductory Memo from Clearwater Beach Entryway Committee Alternatives Other Than the Crown Report (to be provided in Final Report) Draft Overview of Meetings Individual Member Comments Cost Matrix of the Crown Recommendations Opinion Matrix of Members on Various Points of Discussion Educational Model Meeting Minutes Other Items of Interest: as of March 30, 2001 CBEAC List of Members CBEAC Mission Statement CBEAC Rules of Procedure CBEAC Committee Questions/Answers Comparison of 2000-2001 Volumes of Traffic Entering the Roundabout Roundabout Accidents 1999-2001 Fountain: Maintenance Costs; Water Cost; Demo Cost Mr. Crown's Alternative Proposal David Nelson Construction Cost Estimates Submission of Roadway Needs for Motorcycles Barry Crown Report To assist the reader, new infonnation is on pale blue paper while the original draft report remains on white paper. I I I I II I , , I I I I I I I I I I I I I FINAL EXECUTIVE SUMMARY AND COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I Final Executive Summary Report Clearwater Beach Roundabout Advisory Committee June 11, 2001 The Clearwater Beach Roundabout Advisory Committee held its final meeting on May 21, 2001. The committee met to review final cost E!stimates for various alternatives forwarded to Mr. Crown for analysis, to determine whether traffic volumes for this spring altered any recommendations, and to finalize the final report. Further meetings of the committee will be called by the chairman or if asked to do so by the City Commission. The Roundabout has proved to be a very complex intersection with no simple solutions or easy fixes. After meetings taking place over several months, there was no unanimity as to appropriate action to recommend to the City Commission. Some members held to their position that the Roundabout worked fine. Others held their position that starting over may be the most appropriate action. While certain members do not believe any changes will correct the deficiencies of the original design, most members did not want to bE! part of a committee that made no recommendations to the City Commission. Committee members agreed that many problems of the Roundabout would be lessened with wider lanes, larger circumference, lower fountain walls, etc. But most of these changes were either too costly or had no proof of solving the various problems. The committee was ever conscious of the extensive costs associated with most recommendations. We also learned that many possible recommendations by Mr. Crown were not presented because they were even more costly. In fact, the committee rejected Mr. Barry Crown's final report because of its expense and no assurances that it would correct certain problems. The committee asked Mr. Crown and staff to consider realignment of only Mandalay Avenue and Coronado Avenue intersections because this is where most vehicle conflicts occur. The :1 _Ie t i, ..11 report. The committee entertained numerous suggestions and had lively debate over various alternatives. The committee has asked staff to list many of those alternatives in Section II of this report. While no analysis is provided as to each II 'I... ' " I' ~I' , 'II,' l.. t t, t l, 'I..... I~' .J t t I' II. t t Iii committee voted unanimously to recommend to the City Commission that modifications 1, 2, 3, 4, and 7 of the alternatives forwarded by Mr. Crown be implemented (subject to City Commission affirming this recommendation) at an estimated cost of approximately $300,000. These modifications were to Mandalay Avenue and Coronado Avenue exits primarily, with minor modifications to the exit onto the Causeway. While other alternatives from Mr. Crown's original report may have been helpful, they were not deemed sufficient to justify the $1,500,000 necessary to implement them. It was left to staff discretion to remove medians at Marina and Poinsettia, after review and at a later date. The other primary discussion involved whether to recommend removing the fountain from the center of the Roundabout. A primary design flaw of the current Roundabout is the massiveness of the fountain, the "tunnel" effect of the high walls next to the traffic, the over spray of the fountain onto the roadway, only to mention a few. While the proposal submitted by Mr. Carl Wagenfohr did not receive endorsement by the committee, it does represent the only formal minority III I. I I I n I I I I I I I I ~I ~I II il II 1- " alternative, they are listed to assist the commission in its discussion of the Roundabout. Individual commissioners can also cross reference specific sections of the report to assist them in understanding the original dBbate surrounding each alternative. All other suggestions failed to win a majority vote and therefore were not formally recommended to the Commission. One specific recommendation that many thought might solve the vehicular confli:t problem at minimal expense was placing "candlesticks" similar to those used to exit onto the Causeway at the exit onto Coronado. But, after originally winning majority support, objections from various quarters caused the committee to reverse its decision. Two more points of significance: first, while the Roundabout was designed to accommodate approximately 32,000 cars, it has seen over 58,000 cars on peak demand weekends. The committee acknowledges that limitin~ access on peak weekends may be more valuable than realignment of intersec:ions. Adding more parking spaces on the beach (i.e., parking garages) will not solve the peak demand problem. Both of these areas were outside the scope of the committee's work, but further study and analysis of each area is suggested. Second, many committee members remains steadfast in their belief that nothing Wl3 do will "fix" the Roundabout, but hopefully we can make improvements to it. We would recommend delaying improvements until major redevelopment projects have been implemented and their impact on the Roundabout evaluated, and the final alignment of all roads on the beach have been determined to determine traffic flow on the entire beach. This is especially true of improvements north on the Roundabout involving East Shore Avenue and Poinsettia Avenue, and south of the Roundabout involving Coronado Avenue and the improvements to Pier 60 Park. Making "corrections" to the Roundabout in a vacuum may do more harm than good. The committee review volume reports for the Roundabout during Spring Break 2001. Because traffic counts are down this year as compared to Spring Break 2000, increased traffic volume problems did not appear to adversely impact the Roundabout. The Clearwater Beach Roundabout Committee appreciates the opportunity to study this complex problem and stands ready to assist the Commission with its decision. The committee is available to answer any questions and to clarify any specific concerns of the Commission. And, if further analysis is deemed appropriate, then the committee is ready and able to continue in a formal manner. 1,'1 l, 'I' " 'I 'I 1 'I,,' " !. ! I, it,!'; I,li' l 1',' " : , , I t,' I II" ! _jl~. II 'I i 1.111 li"II" ili; ..lilliilliiiilldiiIIl-._ ..-. ._ I I I I I I I I I I I I I I II II II II I March 28, 2001 To: City Commission From: Clearwater Beach Entryway Advisory Committee In September 2000, the City Commission appointed the Clearwater Beach Entryway Advisory Committee to review and evaluate the Barry Crown Report detailing various upgrades to the roundabout at the entrance of CIBarwater Beach. After extensive discussion and review, the committee affirmed on March 19, 2001 "that problems related to the roundabout are so complex, the committee believes that the cost benefits of spending between $1.:3 and $1.5 million to initiate the Crown Report recommendations have not been demonstrated (5-2). It was further affirmed (Vote 7-0) that the City Commissioner retain a Clearwater Beach Entryway Advisory Committee to review proposed roadway configurations, traffic studies, location of parking garages, and any other proposed improvements to Clearwater Beach (including proposed catalytic projects) as it relates to changes in and to the roundabout. Stated simplistically, the committee believes that it is premature to implement major changes to the roundabout until after the commission has affirmed to roadway infrastructure improvements, parking garage locations and catalytic projects conceptualized in Beach bv Desiqn. At its meeting on March 26, 2001, the committee was presented for the first time a statement from Mr. Crown that suggested that certain elements of his proposal could be implemented without implementing all the changes he recommended. Mr. Crown submitted an alternative recommendation, which differentiated traffic safety issues from traffic capacity and driveability issues. At his suggestion, the committee has asked staff to cost out the realignment of the Mandalay Avenue and Coronado Avenue exits only. Mr. Crown's E~stimate was approximately $300,000. This needs to be confirmed (Vote 5-2). At the request of a committee member (Vote 7-0), staff was also asked to cost out the realignment of the northwest section of Coronado Avenue only. This information was not available in time for this interim report. In the report that follows are extensive notes, including individual comments of various members of the Clearwater Beach Entryway Advisory Committee, that will expand upon these recommendations. They include: 1. Alternatives other than the Crown Report (to be provided in final report) 2. Draft overview of meetings 3. Individual member comments (if submitted) 4. Cost matrix of the Crown Recommendations 5. Opinion matrix of various points of discussion by the committee 6. Educational model [ 7. Other information deemed appropriate for commission consideration II 'I, ,," J' The committee stands ready to assist the commission in further research if asked by the commission. This report is considered a draft report only in that the committee voted in December to wait until after spring break of this year to make its final recommendations. Ii, II II II, I t Ii l 'II t II II I, II' II 'I" ". I o UJ 0 en g;; ~ ~ ffi ili v ,;...d.l.J Cl ~ Z'" '" ~:~ ~ ~ 0 ~ lLJ'~ 8 ~ a,~ ~. ~ E JIJ..:;.;t--!::l..- ! g~~~ .5 oo:cz en tt: u <")::l- C ~ C ) 'f: if ,~I ;~i I I I I I, -I I I I I I I I Ii I, I I 1\ J AL TERNA TIVES OTHER THAN THE CROWN REPORT (TO BE PROVIDED IN FINAL REPORT) I I - I, I I I I I I I I I I 1/ I I ,I, ~::4 Viidw:1Y Island Uearwatel, FL B7(,7 72>446-5 QO 1 Carl Wagenfohr Proposal to remove the Entryway Roundabout Fountain .~.L' ,;~)I::' I: I I I I I Ir I I I I I I I I I I I I I Proposal to remove the En~ay ROlIDdabout Fountain Introduction The Clearwater Beach Entryway Roundabout was constructed for several purposes: . As a solution for the chronic traffic congestion caused by the former intersection, . As a pedestrian-friendly stimulus for beach redevelopment, and . As a beach landmark providing visitors with a 'sense of arrival'. The fountain in the roundabout's central island was intended to provide that 'sense of arrival'. It is a massive concrete structure, featuring pumps capable of spraying water 40 feet into the air, a shallow pool at drivers-eye level, and steps at the perimeter down which water cascades. While the fountain provides a 'sense of arrival', it has come under criticism for it's operating costs, wastefulness of potable water, and safety issues. Problem Description Operating costs The Parks and Recreation Department have estimated the annual operating cost of the fountain to be $231,730. This estimate includes fountain maintenance, electrical usage, water usage and electric light maintenance. While some may argue that the intangible effect on beach tourism justifies this expense, Clearwater's operating budget has become strained to the point of requiring a reduction in the number of Police Officers serving the City. When evaluated versus the costs of providing basic police services, that $231,730 could instead be used to put 5 additional officers on the street (salary & benefit cost assumption of $46,000 per officer). Funding the extravagance of fountain operation at the expense of basic police services should not be continued. 2 The fountain has been consuming in excess of one million gallons of potable water per month since commencing operation. This loss of precious resource has been caused by evaporation, maintenance requiring drainage, spillage onto the roadway, and overflow into the stormwater system. I I I Water Consumption This extravagant consumption of potable water is in direct contradiction of the water conservation efforts of every government entity in Florida. Citizens will not tolerate the hypocrisy of being encouraged to reduce household water consumption while the City of Clearwater sprays that same water wastefully into the air & onto the roadway. I The drought is not a temporary phenomenon, but a chronic condition that citizens, businesses and governments must plan for. Even when it is not operating, the fountain consumes water through evaporation. When operating, it is an irresponsible waste of a vital resource. I 3 I I I I I I I I I I I I I I safety The fountain wall is a safety issue because the 'tunnel effect' causes some drivers to use the outside lane only, increasing the likelihood of exit-conflict accidents as they circulate past the Coronado exit. In addition, the fountain wall limits the sight-line distance of drivers, reducing the amount of time available to avoid errant pedestrians, other vehicles, or objects in the roadway. This is an especially critical issue for motorcyclists, whose front wheel could be deflected by contact with unseen roadway debris, resulting in a crash. Despite the efforts of City staff and their contractors, the fountain continues to spray water onto the roadway when operating. The City's Public Works Administrator, at the May 21, 2001 CBEAC meeting, admitted that the water' ... can't be contained within the fountain' because of wind and other factors. This is a safety issue for two reasons: . Water sprayed onto a moving vehicle is a distraction to drivers, especially of open- roof vehicles and motorcycles. . The presence of water on the circulatory roadway is a hazard for inexperienced motorcyclists, especially with the use of very slippery pavement-marking tape on the road surface. In the Publication 'National Agenda for Motorcycle Safety', written jointly by the Motorcycle Safety Foundation and NHST A, fluid spills and the use of plasticized adhesive pavement-marking tape are individually identified among the common road conditions and design factors that can pose hazards to motorcyclists; both conditions exist concurrently when the fountain is operating. The two pages of the referenced publication describing Roadway Characteristics are included in the CBEAC Final Report. Public safety is the city's most important responsibility. Continuing to allow the fountain to compromise safety is a disservice to our citizens and visitors. Proposed Solution The fountain should be demolished and replaced, for example, with attractive landscaping modeled after the Acacia Roundabout treatment. Fountain operating costs will be eliminated, saving $231,730 per year. The replacement landscape maintenance estimate is $30,000 per year, yielding a net annual savings of 20 1,730. - I I I I I I I I; I I I J I I I I i I I Fountain demolition and landscape installation is estimated at $544,558, including a 10% contingency. While it may seem wasteful to spend so much to destroy an expensive feature, the payback period on this investment is only 2.7 years. After the payback period, the annual cost savings can be applied, for example, to funding the salary & benefits of 4 police officers. Potable water consumption will be eliminated. While landscape irrigation will be necessary, reclaimed water can be used. This will result in the conservation of 1 million gallons of potable water per month, a quantity that represents 30% of the City's conservation quota during the current drought. By removing the fountain wall, sight lines will be improved, providing drivers with more time to take accident avoidance action. The 'tunnel effect' which causes some drivers to avoid using the inside lane, will be eliminated. In addition, the elimination of fountain spray will reduce driver distraction and improve roadway grip for motorcyclists. The removal of the fountain makes good financial sense, conserves our precious water resource, and improves the safety of the roadway. Evaluation of Alternative Solutions There are solutions that mitigate some of the individual issues raised. However none of the alternatives are as comprehensive a solution as fountain removal. Operate the fountain less frequently Less-frequent operation of the fountain would reduce operating expense and water consumption, but not in direct proportion to the hours of reduced operation. Fountain maintenance, roughly half of the operating cost, would continue at nearly the current rate. Water would still be lost via evaporation when not operating. Safety issues are unaddressed by this alternative. The 'sense of arrival' created by the operating fountain is lost in this alternative. During the idle periods, the fountain is nothing more than an unattractive, massive concrete monument. Stop operating the high-pressure pump This alternative, approved by the Citizens Advisory Committee, would result in reduced operating cost, reduced water consumption, and reduced spray onto the roadway. It does not improve driver sight-lines now limited by the fountain wall, or eliminate the tunnel effect which contributes to exit-conflict accidents at the Coronado exit. The cost of fountain maintenance, half the operating budget, would continue at nearly the current rate. Loss of water via evaporation would continue. The 'sense of arrival' created by the operating fountain is reduced in this alternative. Bubblers and small jets would continue to operate, but without the dramatic effect of the 40-foot spray. Use reclaimed water in the fountain While this alternative, approved by the Citizens Advisory Committee, will eliminate the waste of potable water, reclaimed water is highly corrosive to the fountain pumps and other equipment; the use of reclaimed water will result in higher equipment maintenance costs. Because the City has no point-source discharge permit for reclaimed water into Clearwater Harbor, additional construction costs to pump fountain overflow to a wastewater treatment plant may be incurred. This alternative will not significantly reduce operating expense; costs may increase. 4 I I M At the May 21,2001 CBEAC meeting, the City's Public Works Administr;:tor claImed that water' . . . can't be contained witlllll the fountain' and that because of wmd, 'rs going to be outside' the fountain walls. Regardless of scientific evidence. the public is Hot ready to accept being sprayed by the fountain wIth reclaimed water. It is likely that this J1t:mative will further discourage drivers from using the insIde lane, increasmg the likelihJOd of exit conflict at Coronado. I On the other hand, this alternative may result in a reduction of beach traffic congestion, and a reduction in the need for beach parking facilities. I Eliminate the lower 2 steps of the fountain wall I' This alternative will have the effects of slightly improving driver sight-distance, and slightly reducing the tunnel effect. Operating costs, water consumption and fountain spray onto the roadway are not addressed For the estimated cost of $160,000, this alternctive does not provide good value. I Sense of Arrival I Simply removing the fountain & replacing it with a flat concrete central island eliminates the 'sense of arrival' that is thought to enhance the beach tourism industry. On the other hand, the inoperative fountain creates no favorable impression: many think the idle fountain is an eyesore. I Current condition I This is a photograph of the idle fountain taken from the westbound approclch to the beach from driver's eye-level, the view that was intended to create the sought-aftl~r sense of arrival I I I I I I Without it's operating water features, the fountain appears to many as a large, ugly concrete monument which blocks the view of the attractive Pier 60 Park behind it. I I 5 I I 'J " I Replacement Landscaping Concept Using the attractive landscaping ofthe Acacia Roundabout's central island as a model, the Entryway Roundabout's central island could be very attractive, providing a 'sense of arrival' but without the dramatic effect of water features. t This composite photograph illustrates a driver's view approaching the roundabout from the same perspective as the earlier photo. The Acacia ROlmdabout's central island and features of Pier 60 Park, now blocked from view by the fountain, have replaced the concrete stmcture I ~l J L I!~ -, 1 J, , .'-- j" ,.t! _1,- Conclusion The replacement of the fountain with attractive central island landscapin.g makes good economic sense, conserves potable water resources, and improves traffic safety of the Entryway Roundabout. While not providing the dramatic effect of the fountain, passive landscaping could be quite attractive, and could open the westbound vista to include Pier 60 Park and the beach beyond. The central island landscaping illustrated here is only a concept. The community should be invited to determine the new central island landscaping and features, an. opportunity not provided when the fountain was originally proposed and approved" }I ~I l, 6 t Page 2 of 3 I I i I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I Description Recommendation Recommendation or Area List of Recommendations Made By Date Made From II'\t:uUl.t: me . ::>>Lt:J..I::>> LV LVVV VI ~III~, create a large, flat pool with or without small inward-pointing jets and feature at the center a rough, fairly low pyramid of limestone and volume Fountain of moving water. Arthur Lupien 05/30/01 Submittal Fountain Lower the fountain to reduce the canyon effect. Mr. Crown 10/23/00 Minutes Fountain Remove Roundabout Fountain Carl Wagenfohr 05/14/01 Minutes ...urD adjustments De constructed in tandem witn Fountain splitter island modifications. Paul Bertels 05/07/01 Minutes Use reclaimed water in tne fountain if the City can Fountain obtain the proper permits. Lucile Casey OS/21/01 Minutes Fountain Remove top two tiers from fountain. City Staff 05/14/01 Minutes It would De nice to Increase me outer penmeter Of the roundabout to increase overall width of the Lanes configuration. Hoyt Hamilton 05/30/01 Submittal IKeauce lanes to one wlmout lines or wlaen (straighten) the sharp curve turns (East Ave and Lanes Poinsettia) Lucile Casey 05/30/01 Submittal Lanes Widen space between fountain and driving lane Lucile Casey 05/30/01 Submittal Lanes Move lanes farther from fountain. Member Suggestions 09/25/00 Minutes Better illumination is needed, roundabOut too Lighting dark. Hoyt Hamilton 05/30/01 Submittal Lighting Change to halide. Arthur Lupien 05/30/01 Submittal II ne entire approacn to me rounaaDout IS tOO dark. Private lighting should be used similar to Lighting the Hilton. ~er Schulman 05/30/01 Submittal Increase lighting to meet stanaards in the Feaeral Lighting Highway guide. Mr. Crown 10/30/00 Minutes Mandalay Modify splitter island. Bruce Littler 05/07/01 Minutes Enlarge curD line Detween Marina and eastbOund Marina lane on causeway. Bruce Littler 05/07/01 Minutes AII:er splluer ISlanaS al lne IYlanna ana ,",olnseUla to make them raised medians in front of the crosswalk and to leave them at the existing height Marina behind the crosswalk. Carl Wagenfohr 05/07/01 Minutes Aller splluer ISlanas al lne IVlanna ana ,",olnseUla to make them raised medians in front of the crosswalk and to leave them at the existing height Marina behind the crosswalk. Carl Wagenfohr OS/21/01 Minutes A lane mat wOUla allow a anver to travel rrom north end to south end without entering North/South roundabout to alleviate demand on the Bypass roundabout. Hoyt Hamilton 05/30/01 Submittal Parking Remove beachfront parking. Charlie Siemon 09/25/00 Minutes Pedestrian Crossing Timing should be lengthened between activations. Hoyt Hamilton 05/30/01 Submittal Plants Replace with shorter, low maintenance foliage. Lucile Casey 05/30/01 Submittal Poinsettia Eliminate sharp turn onto Poinsettia Member Suggestions 09/25/00 Minutes Ada lane for right turns at East ~treet and Poinsettia Poinsettia. Member Suggestions 09/25/00 Minutes Poinsettia Widen Poinsettia to allow increased traffic. Member Suggestions 09/25/00 Minutes Pedestrian movement be repositioned away trom Safety roundabout traffic. Member Suggestions 10/02/00 Minutes I I I I I I I I I I J I I I I I I I I Description Recommendation Recommendation or Area List of Recommendations Made By Date Made From IArrows ana nortn/soutn Deacn on pavement IS helpful, but need to reduce number of other Signs distracting signs. Lucile Casey 05/30/01 Submittal Signs Clear signage is a must. Daniel J. Moran 05/30/01 Submittal Color coded signs similar to Tampa Airport may Signs aid drivers to find certain streets. Lucile Casey 05/30/01 Submittal Neeas to oe arastically reaucea In numoer to lesson confusion and improve physical appearance Signs of entire project. Bruce Littler 05/30/01 Submittal Take down signs from the bridge to the Signs roundabout. Bob Bickerstaffe 05/30/01 Submittal Too many signs are distracting while changing Signs lanes. David Hemerick 09/06/00 Minutes Signs Recommends less signs and more traffic control. Herb Brown 09/06/00 Minutes Signs need to direct traffic to North Beach and South Beach with smaller letters stating via Signs Mandalay or Poinsettia, or Coronado and Gulfview. Member Suggestions 10/02/00 Minutes ~Ign Clutter at tne rounaaDOut entry neeas to De eliminated; they are too close together and Signs confusing. Member Suggestions 12/11/00 Minutes Neea a sign to indicate tne Speed limit tnrougn Signs the roundabout is 15 mph. Member Suggestions 12/11/00 Minutes Signs Install signs to promote use of the left lane. Member Suaaestions 05/14/01 Minutes I Speeding/ iClear posting of speed limit ana strict enforcement Police is necessary. Daniel J. Moran 05/30/01 Submittal I Speeding/ Police Enforce yield and speed limits. Bill Jonson 05/30/01 Submittal I Speeding/ Needs to control speeding, one at tne bridge, one Police at Hamilton and one at Pier 60. Bob Bickerstaffe 05/30/01 Submittal speeding/ Police needS to enforce tne law regarding Police speeding. Lucile Casey 05/30/01 Submittal I Entry speed IS 15 mpn ana neeas to De enforcea. Speeding/ Suggest sign that reports a vehicle's speed would Police slow traffic. Member Suaaestions 01/08/01 Minutes Striping Remove all stripes in the circle. Bob Bickerstaffe 05/30/01 Submittal Remove all striping from the inside of the Striping roundabout. Hoyt Hamilton 05/30/01 Submittal Milling one inch off the roundabout s asphalt to Striping remove the stripes and resurfacing. Gary Johnson 05/14/01 Minutes J.11'I.m:::;'IIl:::;IIL lUUfl~l fClUIU UII lilt: east end of the causeway welcoming folks to Clearwater Beach, providing simple directions and Tourist giving basic driving tics for roundabout and Assistance getting around beach. Bill Jonson 05/30/01 Submittal One-way pairs on south beach and connecting the beachfront parking lots and opening access closer Traffic to the roundabout could improve traffic flow. Member Suggestions 10/09/00 Minutes ,""ollce neeas to enforce traTtlc laws Immealately as Traffic/ to crosswalks, directional signals, speeding and Police jaywalking. Carl Waaenfohr 05/30/01 Submittal Page 3 of 3 I ,:1 11 I I 11 jl !I DRAFT OVERVIEW OF MEETINGS 11 II' ,I II 11 11 11 . 'I 'I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I , I I I I I L.L ...:::::::::::::1:...::::::::::.. ,,- . ....... ... .. ....... ... - . ........ ... "' . ......... O",,(//:}/:::::::::}:. ... ....... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . - . . . . .... ....... . . ... ....... - . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ... ....... . . .....1............. ..:.IHft.....: rwater >- }}}}: .:.:(/: ..... ..0. . . ..... ... .. . ..... .. . o. J- :::::::t~:::::~..:..... '.;::::;::::.::::f. () Interoffice Correspondence Sheet To: Commissioner Hart From: Paul Bertels, Traffic Operations Manager Through: Mahshid Arasteh, P.E., Public Works Administrator CC: Roundabout Advisory Committee Members William B. Horne II, Interim City Manager Gary Brumback, Asst. City Manager Michael Quillen, P.E., City Engineer Gary Johnson, Public Services Director Date: May 24, 2001 June 21, 2001 RE: Overview of Roundabout Advisory Committee Meetings The roundabout advisory committee met twenty one times from September 6, 2000 through May 21, 2001. The meetings have been very beneficial in the input received from the citizens that use the roundabout on a daily basis and have given the staff some additional insights into the roundabout operation. The following bullet points highlight key elements of each meeting with the recommendations of the committee at the end of the report. . September 6th Meeting-- The inaugural meeting was for organizational purposes and was designed to establish the ground rules whereby the committee would operate. The mission statement was reviewed and approved with a weekly meeting schedule adopted. The committee agreed to meet every Monday at 4:00 PM. . September 11 th Meeting--Rules of procedure were reviewed and discussed and it was decided to adapt the Fire Task Force rules. Barry Crown's report was briefly discussed and it was reported to be due in two weeks. There was general discussion of roundabout operations and how the current operation has reduced the need for police aides from 18 to 4 on heavy traffic days. There was general discussion about the striping that Barry Crown proposed and the use of flex posts or candles as our English friend called them. . September 25th Meeting--The rules of procedure were adopted and the sunshine law and its impact on committee operations was discussed. Copies of the city's brochure on the roundabout were handed out and discussed. The city produced videotape was reviewed and it was determined that updating was necessary. The final draft of the Crown report was given to the members for review and they were instructed to be ready to discuss at the next meeting. There was immediate discussion that the current lane widths are adequate but need to be relocated further from the fountain. It was suggested by some of the members that the Poinsettia Avenue connection to the roundabout be modified to provide an exclusive right turn lane onto Poinsettia Avenue and onto East Shore Drive. . October 2nd Meeting--The committee was taken up with discussion about the parking on south beach and its impact on the roundabout operation. The Public Works Administrator pointed out that new traffic control systems on Gulf to Bay Boulevard would help alert motorists to the parking and traffic circulation status on the beach. It was pointed out that the FDOT Roundabout Guide is a guide and the final design is up to the designer. Concern was expressed that pedestrians and vehicles are being given equal status under the Crown improvements. There was discussion regarding the signage and the fact the FDOT would not allow lane assignment signs on the Memorial Causeway. There was a lot of discussion about education modules that would be used to train motorists how to properly drive the roundabout. Copies of the Beach by Design report were handed out and discussed. Lt. Slack narrated videotape of the roundabout in operation during the last spring break. The tape was taken from the roof of the Hilton Hotel and showed the effects of the metering signal and the significant congestion points. . October 9th Meeting--During the meeting it was determined that members of the committee should submit questions for Barry Crown to Carolyn Brink by Wednesday the 11th. The questions will be directed to Barry Crown during an upcoming conference call. Discussion ensued regarding the danger of multi- lane exits and the backup of traffic from Sand Key. Mahshid Arasteh discussed the effect that the lack of parking has on the roundabout operation including the baCkup of traffic from Sand Key. There was discussion regarding the metering signal and its operation. There was concern that the Causeway entrance design is contrary to the USDOT publication, An Informational Guide. It was pointed out that the publication is strictly a guide and design issues are the ultimate provinces of the designer. There was discussion regarding a temporary closure of one lane of the roundabout from Mandalay Avenue to duplicate the change at the Causeway exit to determine if the same effect is achieved. It was decided that the temporary change should not take effect until other options were explored. At the end of the meeting the committee viewed the videotape of the Vail, Colorado roundabout. It was noted the lanes of the Vail roundabout are not striped and that the circulating lane is 6 feet wider than the lanes in Clearwater. . October 16th Meeting-- There was concern that the metering signal on the causeway is malfunctioning and motorists are ignoring the red signal. Staff will monitor the signal to make sure it is functioning properly. There was considerable discussion regarding Barry Crowns responses to the comments forwarded to him from the committee. There was discussion regarding the center of the roundabout, the question of adding an additional lane for north beach traffic and Mr. Crown's advice against that option. There was discussion that the exit conflicts differ noticeably from the entry conflicts and that the main problem involves the exiting from the inside lane. Staff reported I I I I I I I I I I I I - -, I' I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I a continuing attempt to obtain FDOT approval for the placement of lane assignment signs on Memorial Causeway proper. There was further discussion of temporary fixes to the Coronado exit and then the call for temporary fixes was tabled. . October 23rd Meeting--Staff revealed an approximate cost of $1.3 million dollars to implement the Crown improvements. A detailed cost breakdown will be provided by November 10th. The committee reviewed more questions and comments for the upcoming conference call to Mr. Crown. There was concern that some of Mr. Crown's written responses were flippant and rude. Discussion was renewed about removing the top layers of the fountain but that was discounted due to tremendous plumbing problems. It was determined to have a conference call with Mr. Crown at the next meeting. . October 30th Meeting--Most of the meeting involved a conference call to Mr. Crown. He emphasized that small changes can have big benefits, citing the small change in striping at the Causeway exit having a large benefit in reducing or eliminating accidents. Mr. Crown related how the original design of the roundabout had narrow lanes, small entry and exit radii that caused tremendous congestion when volumes exceeded expectations. His proposal to widen the access points will help reduce the congestion and also assist trucks in making the turns into the various street connections. Mr. Crown felt that adding a third lane from the causeway for north beach traffic would be very expensive and rarely used. He pointed out that north beach traffic could already turn at East Shore Drive. The geometry changes that are proposed for the roundabout will increase capacity on the causeway by 55%, on Mandalay Avenue by 44%, and on Coronado Drive by 38%. This is based on analysis by the Rodel software that was developed in the U.K. and is used extensively there. The software was developed at a cost of $11 million dollars and is very accurate. Mr. Crown also mentioned that the Sidra software is based on gap theory and is not very accurate for roundabout capacity measurements. Several other questions and comments were made in the discussion between Mr. Crown and the committee. He indicated the proposed alignment for Mandalay Avenue meets standards and is designed to control the speed of entering vehicles. The driver upon approaching the new alignment of Mandalay Avenue will look to opposing traffic at about the same angle as a tee intersection. The increase in speed will be in the 3 to 5 mph range, which is still acceptable in interfacing with pedestrians. Mr. Crown felt that the issue of the fountain height should be addressed after all the other improvements had been made. Enlarging the roundabout to the size of the one in Vail would be extremely expensive requiring a complete redesign of all the access points. The differences in the entry and exit characteristics at each of the connection points were discussed with regards to the difficulty in teaching someone how to drive the roundabout. Mr. Crown pointed out that the differences were based on volumes at each of the connection points. Coronado Drive and the Causeway needed two lane exits to handle the volumes whereas the other connections only need one lane exits. Mr. Crown emphasized that the circulating traffic in the roundabout has the right of way to all other traffic. There was a tremendous amount of discussion regarding the installation of a crosswalk on the causeway just east of the roundabout. Mr. Crown feels the crosswalk is needed to address a need evidenced during spring break. There is no consensus on the part of the committee to install such crosswalk and in fact traffic operations staff is opposed to it. The final point made during the discussion with Mr. Crown was to increase the lighting around the roundabout so that when the fountain is off there is still adequate light. . November 6th Meeting--The Public Works Administrator has indicated that city staff is looking at the lighting issue when the fountain is off. The street lighting itself far exceeds the minimum standard of one-foot candle recommended for this type of roadway. City staff will review the need for additional lighting that will still be environmentally friendly. A motion was made and seconded to try an experiment whereby the outside lane of the roundabout will be temporarily closed at the Coronado Drive connection. This will duplicate the operation at the Causeway connection forcing the outside lane to turn off onto Coronado Drive instead of going all the way around the roundabout. The motion was approved unanimously to do the experiment between November 15, 2000 and January 15, 2001. There was also discussion to try one way pairs on S. Gulfview Boulevard and Coronado Drive. The police department pointed out that an experiment of this type would be quite costly and would take a minimum of six months to evaluate properly. There was no formal action to recommend the one way pairs. There was discussion to the effect that an educational video and brochure be developed to help drivers navigate the roundabout. The Public Works Administrator alerted the committee to the need to activate the pedestrian signal on Coronado Drive due to ADA issues. The Traffic Operations Manager explained that a minimum of 20 seconds was required for a pedestrian to cross on the signal. . November 13th Meeting--The Public Works Administrator advised that the staff had to delay the implementation of the experiment on the roundabout. The Traffic Operations Manager reported that the lighting levels in the roadway and in the pedestrian areas all meet the illumination requirement of 2-foot candles, which is a higher level than previously reported. Further work is being done to determine what can be done to increase the lighting even more. There was discussion of radio broadcasts for educational purposes on how to drive the roundabout and advising of traffic conditions related to the roundabout. The cost breakdowns for the improvements to the roundabout were presented and discussed. There was agreement that the format for the cost breakdown was not easy for the committee to use. The costs need to be associated with individual connection points to the roundabout. There was serious concern regarding the high cost especially for mobilization. The Traffic Operations Manager explained that a lot of the cost was due to the amount of electrical wiring and conduit requiring relocation. There was a motion and second to recommend the city commission evaluates the improvements to the roundabout after spring break of 2001. The motion died due to a lack of a vote. The committee recommended reviewing the education module developed by staff after the roundabout improvements are decided upon. The question of member absences was discussed and a motion and second were made to waive the member absence rule. This was approved unanimously. Staff was requested to determine the cost of providing colored lenses for the fountain. Staff indicated the new cost matrix would be made available to the committee at the meeting on the 20th of November. It was expressed by several members of the I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I -- I I I I I I I I I I I I , I I I I I I committee that weekly meetings were difficult for most members to attend. It was suggested that monthly meetings were more reasonable. . November 20th Meeting-- This meeting was held at the Clearwater Beach Hilton Hotel and was preceded by a visit to the roof to oversee the roundabout operation. Mr. Gary Johnson, Director of Public Services was present to answer any questions about the roundabout during the visit to the roof. In addition, Mr. Johnson was available to answer questions about the cost spreadsheet that was presented to the members. The spreadsheet reflected the Nelson Construction estimate for each phase of the job according to the Barry Crown report. During the review of the spreadsheet it was revealed that the city has approximately $965,000 available from the original job. The committee reviewed the spreadsheet and made some initial comments requesting information on the relocation of the bus stop in front of Hilton and whether a bus stop could be relocated to the Marina parking lot. It was recommended that the roundabout improvements involving Mandalay Avenue be incorporated into the Mandalay Avenue streetscape project. Staff pointed out that the same consultant is doing both tasks. The committee was told the experiment to close one lane of the roundabout at Coronado Drive was postponed by the City Manager due to some question about whether such an experiment would violate an agreement that the City had with FDOT. The Public Works Administrator indicated staff was researching the issue and would present the agreement at the next meeting. The committee was asked to review the education module in the USDOT publication for the next meeting. The committee moved and seconded a recommendation to the city commission that no major improvements be done before spring break of 2001 . . November 27th Meeting--A copy of the agreement between the FDOT and the city was presented to the members and it was determined that the agreement would not be compromised by the experiment. The Traffic Operations Manager presented cost figures to upgrade the lighting in the roundabout that amounted to an initial cost of $3500 for installation and a monthly charge of $1175 for the additions. This would increase the lighting from the existing 1.75-foot candles to 4-foot candles. The total monthly cost after the additions would be $2888. The issue of floodlights was raised again and the Traffic Operations Manager expressed concern about the impact on the environment. There was discussion regarding the costs in the spreadsheet and the Public Works Administrator requested that the recommendations for improvements be prioritized according to short, medium and long-term importance. There was a great deal of discussion by the committee on the expensive nature of the improvements in Barry Crown's report. It was related to the committee that a lot of the expense has to do with utilities and drainage impacts. The committee suggested that the lowering of the fountain wall and the installation of a crosswalk on the causeway just east of the roundabout be omitted from the report. There was further discussion about combining the Mandalay Avenue connection improvements with the Mandalay Avenue streetscaping to save money. Better enforcement of speed laws was emphasized and possibly the use of speed tables, but the Public Works Administrator noted that speed tables seriously impact the response time of the fire department. The use of pavers was recommended instead of speed tables. Discussion was intense on the possible conflicts between the issues related to Beach by Design and the other development proposals and their impact on the roundabout improvements. Not wanting to duplicate the work is a serious concern of the committee. The Traffic Operations Manager reported it would cost $1026 to relocate the bus stop. The committee decided to change to monthly meetings and the next meeting was scheduled for December 11. . December 11 th Meeting--Concern was expressed by a member of the committee that the anemometer that controls the fountain had been relocated to a wind shadow during the relocation of the pedestrian signal on Coronado Drive. The committee felt this was causing a serious problem with water on the roadway and needed immediate attention. The Traffic Operations Manager committed to an immediate correction of the problem. It was stated that the committee was not responsible for slowing down the process as the cost estimates came in too late to complete construction prior to spring break. The original designer of the roundabout was in agreement with Barry Crowns report on the needed improvements. However, he took exception with the location of the candlesticks at the causeway exit and was concerned about increased speed when the improvements are completed. There was a great deal of discussion and subsequent consensus that the $1.5 million dollar cost is far too expensive. Many on the committee feel the roundabout is working well and the public simply needs time to learn how to traverse it successfully. The committee suggested that the shrubbery be trimmed and thinned out, that more enforcement is needed and that the sign clutter on the entranceway be reduced. The Traffic Operations Manager reported that the FDOT had given the city a permit to install lane assignment signs on the Memorial Causeway between Island Way and bridge 43. This will serve to reduce the sign clutter at the roundabout by spreading out the signage. There was considerable discussion regarding the design of the signs on the causeway with the suggestion that the term's north beach and south beach be incorporated. The Traffic Operations Manager indicated the FDOT permit was very specific as to size of the signs and the text. The FDOT was already mandating 48" x 48" instead of the original 36" x 36" signs. Staff indicated they would try to get the permit amended. In the meantime the committee instructed that the original signs be installed to avoid delay in thinning out the sign clutter. The City Commission has requested a formal report from the committee in March. . January 8th Meeting--It was reported by the Traffic Operations Manager that the anemometer had been relocated out of any wind shadow. The committee was informed that permanent count loops had been established in the roundabout and the lane assignment signs had been relocated to the causeway. The committee felt by consensus there were five items that needed to be addressed. 1) Beach by Design, 2) new beach development, 3) wait until after spring break for any major improvements, 4) development of an educational module, and 5) enhanced enforcement of existing traffic laws in and around the roundabout. The committee agreed to meet monthly and will review the educational module as it is developed. The committee made the following motions, which were seconded and approved. 1. Postpone until after spring break any major improvements and will meet on first Monday of each month to review operations. I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I 2. Allow staff to do routine minor operational improvements such as signage, pavement markings and signalization. 3. Develop an educational module by utilizing the National Safety Council and the Pinellas County School system. 4. Encourage the City Commission to provide the resources needed by the police department to do more enforcement. · February 5th Meeting-The draft overview by the Traffic Operations Manager was presented for comment and review. Commissioner Hart complimented staff for the outline and recommended a matrix be developed for member comments. It was also recommended that the items come to an appropriate conclusion. There was considerable discussion on the best way to gather committee member conclusions. It was recommended that staff gathers member conclusions and present them to the committee for a vote. It was determined that committee members review the issues before the March meeting. It was suggested that the final report include actions taken at the behest of the committee, such as the relocation of signage and the anemometer. Also, future actions not related to the committee should be noted in the final report such as the new entrance to Wings. It was suggested that a committee member draft a minority report supporting opposing positions, especially with regards to close votes. City Clerk Cyndi Goudeau indicated the minority opinion could be included in the final report to the commission. It was suggested that the Barry Crown implementation costs of $1.3 M - $1.5 M be included in the final report. Committee members had opposed several of the recommendations in the Crown report but no consensus was determined. There was a suggestion that the appendix to the report include all member summations. There was considerable discussion regarding the speeding problem in the roundabout and possible solutions. The solutions ranged from candlesticks or raised pavement markers being installed to separate the lanes of traffic until the last moment until time for the turn. This would have the effect of slowing the traffic just before the turning movement. There was an observation by a committee member that large cobblestones had been used in Washington D.C.'s neighborhoods to slow traffic. Mahshid Arasteh stated that widening the lanes of the roundabout would encourage traffic to drive two abreast in each lane. Lt. Waters expressed concern regarding motorists ignoring the yield signs entering from the causeway into the roundabout. There was concern that the staff never did explain fully why the committee suggestion for candlesticks at Coronado and the roundabout was never implemented. It was noted that Barry Crown's recommendation to mark two lanes to increase capaCity outweighed staff's recommendation to remove the lane markings. There was a suggestion from the committee that it would be safer to allow jay walking by pedestrians rather than limiting them to crosswalks. There was concern that the pedestrian signal at Coronado Drive was stopping traffic for too long. Mr. Bertels explained that a minimum of 20 seconds was necessary for a safe crossing. The walk sequence can be repeated once every 60 seconds. There was a suggestion from a committee member that the interval be lengthened to once every 3 to 5 minutes, but Mr. Bertels explained that a pedestrian will not wait that long for the walk signal. Mr. Bertels pointed out that the city must provide this signalized crossing to comply with the federal ADA law. Another suggestion was made to add a sign to the signal to explain the interval or possibly have a countdown signal. Mr. Bertels pointed out that countdown signals tend to encourage anticipation of the signal by the motorist. Commissioner Hart indicated he would present the report to the commission and report it is in draft form and would be available next month. In addition, he would report the committee recommends no major changes to the roundabout until after spring break, and that the committee would recommend changes after studying the data collected regarding the traffic flows. The committee would not prioritize the Crown improvements but did eliminate the lowering of the fountain and the Causeway crosswalk from serious consideration. Member Wagenfohr reported that he had worked with staff and Jim Ewbanks of the Pinellas County School District to develop a countywide curriculum related to driving roundabouts. Clearwater Beach offers an excellent opportunity for students to learn about one lane and two lane roundabouts. A teacher training session is scheduled for March for implementation into the county school curriculum. The school board will fund the costs of copying the videos used in the curriculum. There was a consensus that the curriculum needs to be expanded to Hillsborough County as well. It was felt the staff present the curriculum to the committee sometime in the near future. The committee suggested that a video for hotel guests be developed as well. There was a recommendation to change the roundabout brochure to more accurately reflect the proper driving procedure. However, it was pointed out editing should not be done until after the commission decides what action is to be taken. Lt. Waters reported that effective the 24th of February an accident report would be written for all accidents regardless of the amount of damage. This will cause an increase in the number of reported accidents but will help the city further identify problem areas. Concern was expressed that the media not use this new procedure to skew the accident data. Lt. Waters noted that a recent dramatic accident involving a vehicle in the fountain was actually caused by a medical condition, not the roundabout. It was determined that during the recent Super Bowl activities with the sand sculpture on Sand Key that the roundabout handled more traffic than the prior signal system could have handled. . March 5th Meeting-Commissioner Hart laid out the proposed format of the final report. The report has five components and an appendix. The five components are the Executive Summary, the Overview of Roundabout Advisory Committee Meetings, the Committee Member Summary Reports, the Cost Matrix and the Roundabout Committee Comments Matrix. Commissioner Hart indicated the commission had asked for a report from the Committee as soon as possible. In order to accomplish that task the chair recommended returning to a weekly meeting schedule. The chair also recommended prioritizing the improvements in the Crown report. Some citizen initiatives were reviewed such as a fly-over, elongating the roundabout, designating Poinsettia Avenue I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I - I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I and Mandalay Avenue as a one way pair and rewiring the roundabout for signal operation. Committee members were asked to submit to Carolyn Brink by March 9, 2001 any comments, corrections or suggestions. There was a great deal of discussion about the content of the report. It was felt that the report should be succinct, detail options, and review dissension. There was agreement that resident opinion should count. There was consensus that enforcement of pedestrian and traffic laws would help create a safer environment. Member Wagenfohr moved that the final report include an Executive. summary and Recommendations, the Overview of Roundabout Advisory Committee meetings, as amended, Committee Member Summary Reports, the Cost Matrix, the Roundabout Committee Members Comments Matrix, and the Educational Model. The motion was seconded. Discussion ensued and the vote was taken. Voting aye were members Casey, Moran, Schulman, Wagenfohr and Bickerstaffe. Voting nay were members Littler and Brown. Several members of the committee felt that the improvements in the Crown report were not a good financial investment. It was noted the roundabout is safest when crowded with traffic. Several members also noted that the Fire department is opposed to any roughening of the pavement or speed humps due to delay considerations. Sgt. Egger of the Police Department pointed out that there were 12 accidents reported in February, while only 3 were reported in January. This is due to a change in reporting procedure. All accidents no matter how minor are now issued a written report. It was recommended the final report to the commission include in the appendix a listing of the accident data. Member Brown moved to recommend the Crown report improvements not be accepted in it's entirety without modification. The motion was seconded. Upon the vote being taken, members Brown, Casey, Littler, Moran, Wagenfohr, and Bickerstaffe voted aye. Member Schulman voted nay. Motion carried. There was a recommendation that the Cost Matrix and the Comments Matrix be cross-referenced. There was discussion about removing the striping in the roundabout, the proposal to move the Mandalay and Coronado accesses closer together, and points of conflict, especially at the Coronado exit. Opposition was expressed regarding the Crown recommendation for a "T" intersection at Mandalay Avenue. Member Wagenfohr moved to recommend approval of item 3.1 of the Cost Matrix to modify the geometry from the entry at Mandalay Avenue to the exit into Coronado Drive, removing the reference to revising the striping. The motion was seconded. Members Casey, Moran, Schulman, Wagenfohr, and Bickerstaffe voted aye. Members Brown and Littler voted nay. Motion carried. Member Wagenfohr moved to add item 3.1 a, revised striping to the combined matrix. The motion was seconded and approved unanimously. Member Wagenfohr moved to recommend approval of item 3.1a, striping changes per the Crown improvements to allow inside lane traffic to exit at Coronado. The motion was seconded. Discussion ensued regarding traffic movement. There was concern expressed about increased conflicts if striping is removed from the roundabout. It was stated that by approving item 3.1, revised geometry of the Mandalay entrance/Coronado exit, the remaining recommendations in the Crown report also have to be approved. Upon the vote being taken, the motion passed unanimously. The board reviewed the cost matrix and decided to vote against certain improvements. Member Casey moved to reconsider the motion approving item 3.1 at the next meeting. The motion was seconded. Members Brown, Casey, Littler, and Moran voted aye. Members Schulman, Wagenfohr, and Bickerstaffe voted nay. The motion carried. The next meeting is scheduled for March 19, 2001. . March 19th Meeting-Commissioner Hart indicated he would present a summary draft report with a minority stat~ment attached. This was due to the fact the committee felt a final report could not be submitted until spring break is over. The committee noted that any future changes related to Beach by Design must be coordinated with the traffic movement through the roundabout. There was considerable discussion that the committee must make sure the Crown Improvements are worth the investment of $1.5 million dollars. Several comments were made by the committee regarding the inadequacy of the signage. It was noted that a larger police presence might have a beneficial effect on the roundabout operation. Members Schulman and Wagenfohr voted to implement the Crown improvements and members Brown, Casey, Hamilton, Littler, and Bickerstaffe voted against the Crown improvements. The committee discussed the issue of removing the striping in the circulating lanes after spring break. Public Works Administrator Mahshid Arasteh expressed concern regarding the reduction of lanes entering the roundabout. A committee member noted that the Vail, Colorado roundabout had three lane approaches into a roundabout with no markings. Staff noted that the Vail roundabout is much larger and has less volume of traffic with fewer pedestrians. Member Littler moved that problems related to the roundabout are so complex, the committee believes the cost benefits of spending $1.3 M - $1.5 M to implement the Crown improvements has not been demonstrated. The motion was seconded. Members Brown, Casey, Hamilton, Littler, and Bickerstaffe voted aye and members Schulman and Wagenfohr voted nay. Motion carried. Member Littler moved to recommend the City Commission retain a Beach Entryway Advisory Committee to review problems with the roundabout in light of future development. The motion was seconded. The discussion on the motion indicated that the committee would provide valuable advice to the commission regarding traffic issues and development on the beach. The committee voted unanimously in favor of the motion. Lt. Waters indicated there was a reduction in the number of police aides on the beach due to budget restrictions. There was discussion regarding the comment matrix and the fact that the committee cannot dictate budget policy for the commission. The members of the committee were requested to complete the comments matrix and turn it in the following week. In addition a safety notice was distributed regarding motorcycle safety. There is serious concern about the type of materials used to mark the lanes in the roundabout due to their slick nature and the presence of water and other fluids on the roadway. Mr. Johnson indicated staff would address issues related to the fountain costs and the use of reclaimed water at the next meeting. Mr. Johnson indicated that I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I would include discussion of the costs associated with razing the fountain and replacing it with landscaping. A committee member sugg'ested razing the fountain and adding to the dimension of the roundabout circulating lanes on the inside circumference. The Public Works Administrator pointed out that would not work from an engineering standpoint due to the angle of the roadway connections. The next meeting was scheduled for March 26th. . March 26th Meeting-There was discussion regarding the fact that the thermoplastic striping in the roundabout is slippery when wet to motorcyclists and maybe paint should be used instead. The traffic operations manager indicated that is a possibility but would require striping more often, every six months in fact. It was suggested as part of the discussion that the painted striping wearing off would give staff an opportunity to observe the roundabout in operation without striping. There was no consensus to this issue one way or the other. The Chair indicated the draft report would be presented to the City Commission on March 31 for review. Any additional comments were to be submitted by Wednesday the 28th. The draft report can be changed after Spring Break is over. There was a statement that most cost items in the Crown report address speed and capacity and that more emphasis is needed on safety issues. The committee discussed alternatives to the Crown recommendation such as additional signage to clearly indicate that both circulating lanes exit onto Coronado Drive. The committee revisited the issue of installing flex posts or candlesticks between the two lanes to emphasize the need for caution when turning. The committee asked that the Coronado Drive exit be treated the same way as the Causeway exit. There was an informational statement that the parking lot at Crabby Bills is being redesigned. Staff was requested to confirm that the Mandalay realignment and streetscaping was being coordinated with the roundabout. The traffic operations manager reported that Barry Crown indicated the city could just implement the redesign of the curb line from Mandalay Avenue into Coronado Drive along with resurfacing and restriping. That change is estimated to cost approximately $244, 000. There was discussion about the pedestrian crossing affecting the backup of traffic from Coronado Drive into the roundabout even though traffic operations had moved the crossing further away from the roundabout. It was pointed out by the traffic operations manager that the pedestrian signal on Coronado Drive is necessary to comply with the ADA law. The committee did feel that the traffic does move faster on the beach since the roundabout has been in operation. The traffic operations manager indicated that the accident rate should drop tremendously after the improvement is made. There was discussion to remove the splitter islands on Poinsettia Avenue and the Marina entrance, however it was pointed out the medians guide the traffic. A motion was made and seconded to ask Barry Crown if his new design will alleviate traffic safety issues and to get the estimated costs. The motion was approved unanimously. Due to the drought the Interim City Manager had ordered the fountain to a cascading effect only. The geysers will be turned off until the drought is over. The Public Works Administrator presented a memo detailing the costs of the fountain operation. The annual maintenance cost is $231, 730; $118, 330 in fountain maintenance, $60,000 in electrical charges, $38,400 in water and $15,000 for electrical light maintenance. The water costs are based on an average of 670,000 gallons per month. However, the month of January saw usage in the 1 M gallon range and 1.8 M gallons in February. It should be pointed out that the landscape costs are $67,200 annually. There. was discussion about demolishing the fountain and that would cost $70,000 with an additional expenditure of $32,800 for irrigation installation and $322,253 for fill material, palms, trees and shrubs. In addition an allowance of $70,000 for maintenance of traffic during construction and a contingency of $49,505. The total is $544,558 dollars to demolish the fountain and replace with landscaping. There was discussion on the possibility of using reclaimed water in the fountain. The Public Service Director pointed out it would cost about $20,000 to convert to reclaimed water and another $100,000 to install a gravity sewer line to reroute the water back to the sewer plant. He also explained that reclaimed water is highly corrosive due to the high amounts of chlorine and this would require the replacement of pumps and valves sooner than normal. There was further discussion on the general costs related to fountain operation and it was determined that staff would bring back the cost figures for reducing the operation from geysers to cascading. Mr. Wagenfohr moved that it be recommended to the Commission that modifications be made to the fountain to reduce operating costs and safety issues. Further that the modifications address the reduction in the use of potable water and to improve the sight lines around the fountain. The motion was seconded and there was discussion that ensued regarding this issue. Members Casey, Hamilton, Schulman, and Wagenfohr voted aye; members Bickerstaffe, Brown, littler, and Moran voted nay. Motion failed. Mr. Moran moved to recommend to the Commission that the fountain be modified to change the water flow only, so that it cascades and that no structural changes be made. The motion was seconded and approved unanimously. . May 7th Meeting-The chair indicated the committee's draft report had been presented to the City Commission. The Mayor has requested the final report be submitted by the end of June for action by the Commission. The Chair has recommended weekly meetings until the final report is completed. The Public Works Administrator presented cost estimates for the new proposal submitted by Barry Crown. The total cost estimate to do everything in the proposal was $313,000. The Traffic Operations Manager stated that in conversations with Mr. Crown the improvements could be done in stages and that in fact each of the improvements was independent of each other to a certain extent. The Traffic Operations Manager suggested the curb line adjustment between Mandalay Avenue and Coronado Drive along with the accompanying splitter island adjustments. There was a great deal of concern regarding the removal of the splitter island on the Marina entrance as well as the Poinsettia Avenue entrance. The two splitter islands serve as pedestrian refuges and the committee is very concerned about maintaining pedestrian safety. The Public Works Administrator indicated that a lot of the costs associated with the Mandalay Avenue side of the roundabout could be incorporated into the Mandalay Avenue streetscaping. Member littler moved to recommend modifications to the roundabout as recommended by Barry Crown to include #1, adjust the curb line from Mandalay Avenue to Coronado Drive west side only; #2, modify the splitter island on Mandalay Avenue; #3, enlarge the curb return into the roundabout from northbound Coronado Drive; #4, modify the Coronado Drive splitter island; and #7, enlarge the curb return between the I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I 1 I I I I I I I I. I I I I I Marina access and the Causeway eastbound lanes. The motion was duly seconded. There was discussion that replacing the fountain with landscaping would cover the costs of these improvements. It was also discussed that the improvements may cause serious traffic interruptions in the roundabout. In response to this concern it was pointed out that the city portion of the Wings driveway construction had not caused any disruption to traffic flow. There were questions and comments regarding the traffic counters and the loop detectors. Mr. Bertels indicated that the loop detectors were now counting traffic and that the tube counters were simply there as a check to make sure everything was working all right. Mr. Bertels explained the functioning of the metering signal and how the queuing loops on Mandalay Avenue near the Hilton Hotel trigger the signal when traffic is present more than 30 seconds. In addition there are extension loops near the roundabout on Mandalay Avenue that keep the metering signal red until 135 seconds has elapsed. The metering signal stays red as long as there is continual flow across the extension loop. A member of the committee inquired as to whether this should be done on Coronado Drive as well as Mandalay Avenue. Mr. Bertels agreed to report back to the committee at the next meeting as to the efficacy of queuing loops on Coronado Drive. There was concern that motorists are not using both lanes of Coronado Drive as they enter the roundabout and could striping solve this problem. Mr. Bertels pointed out that striping on Coronado Drive south of First Street already addresses that issue through the use of arrows. The vote was called on the motion on the floor and the motion was approved unanimously to do the improvements. Discussion ensued regarding the rest of Mr. Crown's recommendations, #5 to .remove the Marina splitter island and #6, to remove the Poinsettia Avenue splitter island. There were numerous safety issues raised regarding pedestrian refuge if the splitter island were removed. Member Wagenfohr moved to modify the splitter islands so that the portion of the island from the crosswalk to the roundabout is mountable by trucks and that the rear portion is left as existing. This would still maintain some sort of pedestrian refuge for cars but allow large trucks to enter safely. The motion was seconded. Members Hamilton, Littler, Lupien, Moran, Schulman, and Wagenfohr voted Aye and member Bickerstaffe voted nay. Motion carried. There was more discussion about Crown's recommendation # 8 to remove the top two tiers of the fountain for better sight lines. The Public Works Administrator indicated the appearance would not be aesthetically pleasing. There was considerable discussion regarding modifications to the fountain that ranged from removing it entirely to changing the flow characteristics of the water. Eliminating the geyser and replacing with bubblers was a popular option. It was determined staff would come to the next meeting with options to consider. The Public Services Director pointed out that the fountain is off due to the drought conditions and during this period of time leaks are being repaired. In addition, the fountain is being prepared for a long idle period. In response to a suggestion to reduce the overall size of the fountain it was pointed out that the drains are on the perimeter of the existing fountain wall. This would make it extremely costly to reduce the size of the fountain. Raising the height of the roadway around the fountain was suggested as an alternative to improve the sight lines. However, it was pointed out that raising the roadway could cause serious drainage issues. It was the consensus of the committee that the fountain should not be changed as it is the signature feature of Clearwater Beach. The committee discussed issues ranging from the location of parking garages to future beach development and expressed the concern that all these issues effect the operation of the roundabout. It was agreed that the committee should stay in existence to work on such issues that may arise from time to time. Member littler suggested that serious consideration be given to a parking garage over the Rockaway parking lot. In addition to that site a garage could be constructed near the Clearwater Beach Recreation Center. There was discussion regarding the fact that many motorists do not use the inside lane of Coronado Drive to access the roundabout. The Traffic Operations Manager indicated it is not a problem with pavement markings but with the fact that motorists do not want to get caught in the inside lane of the roundabout. Staff was to investigate and make sure the proper signage and markings are in place to encourage the usage of the inside lane. . May 14th Meeting-The Public Services Director reported that in order to reduce overspray from the fountain several steps could be taken. The steps include the reaiming of the jets, the rate of pumping could be reduced and the nozzles could be replaced. City staff is gathering data from the firm maintaining the fountain and from the original designer to determine more efficient operational methods. Mr. Johnson indicated that milling one inch of asphalt from the roundabout and resurfacing would cost about $14, 300. The one-inch resurfacing would be as durable a surface as if it had never been patched. Ms. Arasteh will do research on the issue of metered parking and it' s rate of usage to determine if the 27 percent figure is accurate. The Traffic Operations Manager reported that the inquiry from last weeks meeting about using queuing loops on Coronado Drive had been researched. In order to utilize the metering signal for Coronado Drive a signal would also have to be installed to stop inbound traffic from Mandalay Avenue. Otherwise the traffic from Mandalay Avenue would block the traffic from Coronado Drive and the metering signals effectiveness nullified. The fountains water usage was given to the committee in a spreadsheet covering the July of 2000 to December of 2000. The usage ranged from a high of 2.0196 million gallons in August to a low of .668 million gallons in December. Staff reported that rerouting the water through the air conditioning system of the vault should reduce usage by as much as .8 million gallons of water a month. It is difficult to estimate savings however, until the fountain is back in operation after the drought. Member Wagenfohr presented a very well done proposal to remove the fountain entirely and replace with a landscaped island. Mr. Wagenfohr requested that members read the proposal and be prepared to discuss at the next meeting. Mr. Wagenfohr briefed the committee on his technique to superimpose the Acacia roundabout photo on the photo of the Entryway roundabout. Mr. Wagenfohr said that removal of the fountain would save the city $231, 000 dollars per year in maintenance costs, the equivalent of five police officers. He expressed concern about safety issues related to overspray on drivers in convertibles and motorcycle riders. He is also very concerned about the wet pavement conditions. A landscaped island eliminates these problems entirely. Member Wagenfohr requested that Sgt. Miller of the Clearwater police department attend the next meeting to discuss motorcycle issues as they relate to the roundabout. There was further discussion on modifications to the splitter islands on the Marina Access and I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I Poinsettia Avenue and how trucks have difficulty navigating these locations. It was pointed out that trucks could use East Shore Drive and bypass Poinsettia Avenue entirely as well as use the east driveway to the Marina instead of the roundabout access to the Marina. Staff was asked to study the Marina' and Poinsettia access issues and make recommendations when appropriate. The chair asked for information before next weeks meeting on the use of truck table pavers on the radii at the Marina Access and the Poinsettia Avenue access. This request was prompted by committee discussion. Staff will bring the costs to the committee to provide the paver brick truck table option to the next meeting. . May 21st Meeting-The cost of installing paver bricks in the form of a truck table on the corner radii of the Marina Access and the Poinsettia Avenue connections was presented by staff. The total cost for pavers at both the Marina and Poinsettia was $52,964 over the original estimate of $29,770 for removing the splitter islands. There was considerable discussion about the overall safety of pavers both in the radii and in the roundabout circulating lanes. Sgt. Cronin, a Clearwater motor officer was present to give input on the relative safety of pavers and other irregular surfaces that motorcycles may have to traverse. The final consensus of the committee was to allow staff to make changes at the radii in question at Poinsettia and the Marina if and when the need has been determined. The committee discussed the operation of the fountain focusing on Mr. Wagenfohr' s proposal to remove the fountain and replace with landscaping. Mr. Lupien would like the fountain scaled down with some type of boulders and bubbling effect in the center. Mr. Schulman feels the fountain is ostentatious and needs to be removed. Lucille Casey questioned whether the city could truly afford to operate such a fountain both in light of the current drought and the overall cost figures. There is concern that if the fountain is removed what is there to deter pedestrians from crossing the center of the roundabout. It has been reported that is already happening now that the fountain is turned off. There were no easy answers to that question. The committee mov.ed and seconded that the City Commission support the idea of using reclaimed water in the fountain. The motion was approved by a 6 to 2 vote. The committee reached consensus that this would be the last meeting of the roundabout advisory committee but that if necessary the Chair could call for a meeting sometime in the future. The Chair promised to revise the Executive Summary for the Final Report in the next week or so and send out the final reports to the members of the committee when completed. I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I LL ""::""""""'1' ::':""":'" O/W" },,,,,)::::::""')(. ... ....... . . . .... ....." '. ". . .... ....... . . ....... .............. . . . " ... ....... . . .... ........ .... .......1............. .I.......B.... rwater >- miL'::::f,:,,::(::" .. ..... .. . .. I-- .::::::::::.:..............::t~::::;::::: o Interoffice Correspondence Sheet DRAFT To: Commissioner Hart From: Paul Bertels, Traffic Operations Manager Through: Mahshid Arasteh, P.E., Public Works Administrator CC: Roundabout Advisory Committee Members William B. Horne II, Interim City Manager Gary Brumback, Asst. City Manager Michael Quillen, P.E., City Engineer Gary Johnson, Public Services Director Date: January 31,2001 RE: Overview of Roundabout Advisory Committee Meetings The roundabout advisory committee met fourteen times from September 6, 2000 through January 8, 2001. (sixteen times up to March 5 - Comm Hart) The meetings have been very beneficial tf:t because the input received from the citizens that use the roundabout ona daily basis and have given the staff some additional insights into the roundabout operation. The following bullet points highlight key elements of each meeting with the recommendations of the committee at the end of the report. . September 6th Meeting--The inaugural meeting was for organizational purposes and was designed to establish the ground rules whereby the committee would operate. The mission statement was reviewed and approved with a weekly meeting schedule adopted. The committee agreed to meet every Monday at 4:00 PM. . September 11 th Meeting--Rules of procedure were reviewed and discussed and it was decided to adapt the Fire Task Force rules. Barry Crown's report was briefly discussed and it was reported to be due in two weeks. There was general discussion of roundabout operations and how the current operation has reduced the need for police aides from 18 to 4 on heavy traffic days. There was general discussion about the striping that Barry Crown proposed and the use of flex posts or candles as our English friend called them. . September 25th Meeting--The rules of procedure were adopted and the Sunshine Law and its impact on committee operations was discussed. Copies of the city's brochure on the roundabout were handed out and discussed. The city produced videotape was reviewed and it was determined that updating was necessary. The final draft of the Crown report was given to the members for review and they were instructed to be ready to discuss at the next meeting. There was immediate discussion that the current lane widths are adequate but need to be relocated further from the fountain. Certain members believed that an additional lane may be beneficial. - Comm Hart) It was also suggested by some of the members that the Poinsettia Avenue connection to the roundabout be modified to provide an exclusive right turn lane onto Poinsettia Avenue and onto East Shore Drive. . October 2nd Meeting--The committee was tal<en u~ with di3eussiaR Beaut discussed the parking on south beach and its impact on the roundabout operation. The Public Works Administrator pointed out that a new traffic control systems on Gulf to Bay Boulevard would help alert motorists to the parking and traffic circulation status on the beach. It was pointed out that the FOOT USDOT Roundabout Guide is a guide and the final design is up to the designer. Concern was expressed that pedestrians and vehicles are being given equal status under the Crown improvements. There was discussion regarding the signage and the fact the FOOT would not allow lane assignment signs on the Memorial Causeway. There was a lat of long discussion about education modules that would be used to train motorists how to properly drive the roundabout. Copies of the Beach by Design report were handed out and discussed. Lt. Slack narrated videotape of the roundabout in operation during the last spring break. The tape was taken from the roof of the Hilton Hotel and showed the effects of the metering signal and the significant congestion points. . October 9th Meeting--During the meeting it was determined that members of the committee should submit questions for Barry Crown to Carolyn Brink by Wednesday ~ October 11th. The questions will be directed to Barry Crown during an upcoming conference call. Discussion ensued regarding the danger of multi-lane exits and the from the roundabout. Another major concern is the backup of traffic from Sand Key. Mahshid Arasteh discussed the effect that the lack of parking has on the roundabout operation including the backup of traffic from Sand Key. There was discussion regarding the metering signal and its operation. There was concern that the Causeway entrance design is contrary to the USDOT publieatieH'l, An Iflformatienal Guide "Roundabouts- An Informational Guide". Dublished bv the USDOT. Federal Highwav Administration. It was pointed out that the publication is strictly a guide and design issues are the ultimate provinces of the designer. There was discussion regarding a temporary closure of one lane of the roundabout from Mandalay Avenue to duplicate the change at the Causeway exit to determine if the same effect is achieved. It was decided that the temporary change should not take effect until other options were explored. At the end of the meeting the committee viewed the videotape of the Vail, Colorado roundabout. It was noted the lanes of the Vail roundabout are not striped and that the circulating lane is 6 feet wider than the lanes in Clearwater. . October 16th Meeting-- There was concern that the metering signal on the causeway is malfunctioning and motorists are ignoring the red signal. Staff will monitor the signal to make sure it is functioning properly. There was I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I - I I I I I I I I I I . I I I I I I considerable discussion regarding Barry Crowns responses to the comments forwarded to him from the committee. There was discussion regarding the center of the roundabout, the question of adding an additional lane for north beach traffic to south beach and Mr. Crown's advice against that option. There was discussion that the exit conflicts differ noticeably from the entry conflicts and that the main oroblem involves the exiting from the inside lane. Staff reported a continuing attempt to obtain FOOT approval for the placement of lane assignment signs on Memorial Causeway proper. There was further discussion of temporary fixes to the Coronado exit (Le.. adding candlesticks similar to the causeway exit) SAd tt:l8A tt:le 8011 far t8ffiJ3arsry fixe::. 'flOS tSBled. The chair suggested that such a discussion should be tabled until the next meeting. . October 23rd Meeting--Staff revealed an approximate cost of $1.3 million dollars to implement the Crown improvements. A detailed cost breakdown will be provided by November 10th. The committee reviewed more questions and comments for the upcoming conference call to Mr. Crown. There was concern that some of Mr. Crown's written responses were flippant and rude. Discussion was renewed about removing the top layers of the fountain but that was discounted due to tremendous plumbing problems. It was determined to have a conference call with Mr. Crown at the next meeting. . October 30th Meeting--Most of the meeting involved a conference call to Mr. Crown. He emphasized that small changes can have big benefits, citing the small change in striping at the Causeway exit having a large benefit in reducing or eliminating accidents. Mr. Crown related how the original design of the roundabout had narrow lanes, small entry and exit radii that caused tremendous congestion when volumes exceeded expectations. His proposal to widen the access points will help reduce the congestion and also assist trucks in making the turns into the various street connections. Mr. Crown felt that adding a third lane from the causeway for north beach traffic would be very expensive and rarely used. He pointed out that north beach traffic could already turn at East Shore Drive. The geometry changes that are proposed for the roundabout will increase capacity on the causeway by 55%. on Mandalay Avenue by 44%. and on Coronado Drive by~. This is based on analysis by the Rodel software that was developed in the U.K. and is used extensively there. The software was developed at a cost of $11 million dollars and is very accurate. Mr. Crown also mentioned that the Sidra software is based on gap theory and is not very accurate for roundabout capacity measurements. Several other questions and comments were made in the discussion between Mr. Crown and the committee. He indicated the proposed alignment for Mandalay Avenue meets standards and is designed to control the speed of entering vehicles. The driver upon approaching the new alignment of Mandalay Avenue will look to opposing traffic at about the same angle as a tee intersection. The increase in speed will be in the 3 to 5 mph range, which is still acceptable in interfacing with pedestrians. Mr. Crown felt that the issue of the fountain height should be addressed after all the other improvements had been made. Enlarging the roundabout to the size of the one in Vail would be extremely expensive requiring a complete redesign of all the access points. The differences in the entry and exit characteristics at each of the connection points were discussed with regards to the difficulty in teaching someone how to drive the roundabout. Mr. Crown pointed out that the differences were based on volumes at each of the connection points. Coronado Drive and the Causeway needed two lane exits to handle the volumes whereas the other connections only need one lane exits. Mr. Crown emphasized that the circulating traffic in the roundabout has the right of way to all other traffic. There was a tremendous amount of discussion regarding the installation of a crosswalk on the causeway just east of the roundabout. Mr. Crown feels the crosswalk is needed to address a need evidenced during spring break. There is no consensus on the part of the committee to install such crosswalk and in fact traffic operations staff is opposed to it. The final point made during the discussion with Mr. Crown was to increase the lighting around the roundabout so that when the fountain is off there is still adequate light. . November 6th Meeting--The Public Works Administrator has indicated that city staff is looking at the lighting issue when the fountain is off. The street lighting itself far exceeds the minimum standard of one-foot candle recommended for this type of roadway. City staff will review the need for additional lighting that will still be environmentally friendly. A motion was made and seconded to try an experiment whereby the outside lane of the roundabout will be temporarily closed at the Coronado Drive connection. This will duplicate the operation at the Causeway connection forcing the outside lane to turn off onto Coronado Drive instead of going all the way around the roundabout. The motion was approved unanimously to do the experiment between November 15, 2000 and January 15, 2001. There was also discussion to try one way pairs on S. Gulfview Boulevard and Coronado Drive. The police department pointed out that an experiment of this type would be quite costly and would take a minimum of six months to evaluate properly. There was no formal action to recommend the one way pairs. There was discussion to the effect that an educational video and brochure be developed to help drivers navigate the roundabout. The Public Works Administrator alerted the committee to the need to activate the pedestrian signal on Coronado Drive due to ADA issues. The Traffic Operations Manager explained that a minimum of 20 seconds was required for a pedestrian to cross on the signal. . November 13th Meeting-- The Public Works Administrator advised that the staff had to delay the implementation of the experiment on the roundabout. The Traffic Operations Manager reported that the lighting levels in the roadway and in the pedestrian areas all meet the illumination requirement of 2-foot candles, which is a higher level than previously reported. Further work is being done to determine what can be done to increase the lighting even more. There was discussion of radio broadcasts for educational purposes on how to drive the roundabout and advising of traffic conditions related to the roundabout. The cost breakdowns for the improvements to the roundabout were presented and discussed. There was agreement that the format for the cost breakdown was not easy for the committee to use. The costs need to be associated with individual connection points to the roundabout. There was serious concern regarding the high cost especially for mobilization. The Traffic Operations Manager explained that a lot of the cost was due to the amount of electrical wiring and conduit reauiring relocation. There was a motion and second to recommend the city commission evaluates the improvements to the roundabout after spring break of 2001. The ffietiofl died due to e leek of e .'ote vote was I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I , I I I I I I I I I II I II deferred until the next meetina to aive members time to reflect on the motion. The committee recommended reviewing the education module developed by staff after the roundabout improvements are decided upon. The question of member absences was discussed and a motion and second were made to waive the member absence rule. This was approved unanimously. Staff was requested to determine the cost of providing colored lenses for the fountain. Staff indicated the new cost matrix would be made available to the committee at the meeting on the 20th of November. It was expressed by several members of the committee that weekly meetings were difficult for most members to attend. It was suggested that monthly meetings were more reasonable. . November 20th Meeting-- This meeting was held at the Clearwater Beach Hilton Hotel and was preceded by a visit to the roof to oversee the roundabout operation. Mr. Gary Johnson, Director of Public Services was present to answer any questions about the roundabout during the visit to the roof. In addition, Mr. Johnson was available to answer questions about the cost spreadsheet that was presented to the members. The spreadsheet reflected the Nelson Construction estimate for each phase of the job according to the Barry Crown report. During the review of the spreadsheet it was revealed that the city has approximately $965,000 available from the original job. The committee reviewed the spreadsheet and made some initial comments requesting information on the relocation of the bus stop in front of Hilton and whether a bus stop could be relocated to the Marina parking lot. It was recommended that the roundabout improvements involving Mandalay Avenue be incorporated into the Mandalay Avenue streetscape project. Staff pointed out that the same consultant is doing both tasks. The committee was told the experiment to close one lane of the roundabout at Coronado Drive was postponed by the City Manager due to some question about whether such an experiment would violate an agreement that the City had with FOOT. The Public Works Administrator indicated staff was researching the issue and would present the agreement at the next meeting. The committee was asked to review the education module in the USDOT publication for the next meeting. The committee moved and seconded a recommendation to the city commission that no major improvements be done before spring break of 2001. . November 27th Meeting--A copy of the agreement between the FOOT and the city was presented to the members and it was determined that the agreement would not be compromised by the experiment. The Traffic Operations Manager presented cost figures to upgrade the lighting in the roundabout that amounted to an initial cost of $3500 for installation and a monthly charge of $1175 for the additions. This would increase the lighting from the existing 1.75-foot candles to 4-foot candles. The total monthly cost after the additions would be $2888. The issue of floodlights was raised again and the Traffic Operations . . Manager expressed concern about the impact on the environment. There was discussion regarding the costs in the spreadsheet and the Public Works Administrator requested that the recommendations for improvements be prioritized according to short, medium and long-term importance. There was a great deal of discussion by the committee on the expensive nature of the improvements in Barry Crown's report. It was related to the committee that a lot of the expense has to do with utilities and drainage impacts. The committee suggested that the lowering of the fountain wall and the installation of a crosswalk on the causeway just east of the roundabout be omitted from the report. There was further discussion about combining the Mandalay Avenue connection improvements with the Mandalay Avenue streetscaping to save money. Better enforcement of speed laws was emphasized and possibly the use of speed tables, but the Public Works Administrator noted that speed tables seriously impact the response time of the fire department. The use of pavers was recommended instead of speed tables. Discussion was intense on the possible conflicts between the issues related to Beach by Design and the other development proposals and their impact on the roundabout improvements. Not wanting to duplicate the work is a serious concern of the committee. The Traffic Operations Manager reported it would cost $1026 to relocate the bus stop. The committee decided to change to monthly meetings and the next meeting was scheduled for December 11. The majority of the committee recommended approval of modifying the geometry between Mandalay's entrance to Coronado's exit and revise the striping. - added by Carl Wagenfohr . December 11 th Meeting--Concern was expressed by a member of the committee that the anemometer that controls the fountain had been relocated to a wind shadow during the relocation of the pedestrian signal on Coronado Drive. The committee felt this was causing a serious problem with water on the roadway and needed immediate attention. The Traffic Operations Manager committed to an immediate correction of the problem. It was stated that the committee was not responsible for slowing down the process as the cost estimates came in too late to complete construction prior to spring break. The original designer of the roundabout was in agreement with Barry Crowns report on the needed improvements. However, he took exception with the location of the candlesticks at the causeway exit and was concerned about increased speed when the improvements are completed. There was a great deal of discussion and subsequent consensus that the $1.5 million dollar cost is far too expensive. Many on the committee feel the roundabout is working well and the public simply needs time to learn how to traverse it successfully. The committee suggested that the shrubbery be trimmed and thinned out, that more enforcement is needed and that the sign clutter on the entranceway be reduced. The Traffic Operations Manager reported that the FOOT had given the city a permit to install lane assignment signs on the Memorial Causeway between Island Way and bridge 43. This will serve to reduce the sign clutter at the roundabout by spreading out the signage. There was considerable discussion regarding the design of the signs on the causeway with the suggestion that the term's north beach and south beach be incorporated. The Traffic Operations Manager indicated the FOOT permit was very specific as to size of the signs and the text. The FOOT was already mandating 48" x 48" instead of the original 36" x 36" signs. Staff indicated they would try to get the permit amended. In the meantime the committee instructed that the original signs be installed to avoid delay in thinning out the sign clutter. The City Commission has requested a formal report from the committee in March. . January 8th Meeting--It was reported by the Traffic Operations Manager that the anemometer had been relocated out of any wind shadow. The committee was informed that permanent count loops had been established in the I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I II I 'I roundabout and the lane assignment signs had been relocated to the causeway. The committee felt by consensus there were five items that needed to be addressed. 1) Beach by Design, 2) new beach development, 3) wait until after spring break for any major improvements, 4) development of an educational module, and 5) enhanced enforcement of existing traffic laws in and around the roundabout. The committee agreed to meet monthly and will review the educational module as it is developed. The committee made the following motions, which were seconded and approved. 1. Postpone until after spring break any major improvements and will meet on first Monday of each month to review operations. 2. Allow staff to do routine minor operational improvements such as signage, pavement markings and signalization. 3. Develop an educational module by utilizing the National Safety Council and the Pinellas County School system. 4. Encourage the City Commission to provide the resources needed by the police department to do more enforcement. Failed by a vote of 4-4. - added by Carl Wagenfohr . February 5th Meeting-The draft overview by the Traffic Operations Manager was presented for comment and review. Commissioner Hart complimented staff for the outline and recommended a matrix be developed for member comments. It was also recommended that the items come to an appropriate con~lusion. There was considerable discussion on the best way to gather committee member conclusions. It was recommended that staff gathers member conclusions and present them to the committee for a vote. It was determined that committee members review the issues before the March meeting. It was suggested that the final report include actions taken at the behest of the committee, such as the relocation of signage and the anemometer. Also, future actions not related. to the committee should be noted in the final report such as the new entrance to Wings. It was suggested that a committe~ member draft a minority r~port supporting opposing positions, especially with regards to close votes. . City Clerk Cyndi Goudeau indicated the minority opinion could be included in the final report to the commission. It was suggested that the Barry Crown implementation costs of $1.3 M - $1.5 M be included in the final report. Committee members had opposed several of the recommendations in the Crown report but no consensus was determined. There was a suggestion that the appendix to the report include all member summations. There was considerable discussion regarding the speeding problem in the roundabout and possible solutions. The solutions ranged from candlesticks or raised pavement markers being installed to separate the lanes of traffic until the last moment until time for the turn. This would have the effect of slowing the traffic just before the turning movement. There was an observation by a committee member that large cobblestones had been used in Washington D.C. '.s neighborhoods to slow traffic. Mahshid Arasteh stated that widening the lanes of the roundabout would encourage traffic to drive two abreast in each lane. Lt. Waters expressed concern regarding motorists ignoring the yield signs entering from the causeway into the roundabout.. There was concern that the staff never did explain fully why the committee suggestion for candlesticks at Coronado and the roundabout was never implemented. It was noted that Barry Crown's recommendation to mark two lanes to increase capacity outweighed staff's recommendation to remove the lane markings. There was a suggestion from the committee that it would be safer to allow jay walking by pedestrians rather than limiting them to crosswalks. There was concern that the pedestrian signal at Coronado Drive was stopping traffic for too long. Mr. Bertels explained that a minimum of 20 seconds was necessary for a safe crossing. The walk sequence can be repeated once every 60 seconds. There was a suggestion from a committee member that the interval be lengthened to once every 3 to 5 minutes, but Mr. Bertels explained that a pedestrian will not wait that long for the walk signal. Mr. Bertels pointed out that the city must provide this signalized crossing to comply with the federal ADA law. Another suggestion was made to add a sign to the signal to explain the interval or possibly have a countdown signal. Mr. Bertels pointed out that countdown signals tend to encourage anticipation of the signal by the motorist. Commissioner Hart indicated he would present the report to the commission and report it is in draft form and would be available next month. In addition, he would report the committee recommends no major changes to the roundabout until after spring break, and that the committee would recommend changes after studying the data collected regarding the traffic flows. The committee would not prioritize the Crown improvements but did eliminate the lowering of the fountain and the Causeway crosswalk from serious consideration. Member Wagenfohr reported that he had worked with staff and Jim Ewbanks of the Pinellas County School District to develop a countywide curriculum related to driving roundabouts. Clearwater Beach offers an excellent opportunity for students to learn about one lane and two lane roundabouts. A teacher training session is scheduled for March for implementation into the county school curriculum. The school board will fund the costs of copying the videos used in the curriculum. There was a consensus that the curriculum needs to be expanded to Hillsborough County as well. It was felt the staff present the curriculum to the committee sometime in the near future. The committee suggested that a video for hotel guests be developed as well. There was a recommendation to change the roundabout brochure to more accurately reflect the proper driving procedure. However, it was pointed out editing should not be done until after the commission decides what action is to be taken. Lt. Waters reported that effective the 24th of February an accident report would be written for all accidents regardless of the amount of damage. This will cause an increase in the number of reported accidents but will help the city further identify problem areas. Concern was expressed that the media not use this new procedure to skew the accident data. Lt. Waters noted that a recent dramatic accident involving a vehicle in the fountain was actually caused by a medical condition, not the roundabout. . It was determined that during the recent Super Bowl activities with the sand sculpture on Sand Key that the I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I, I I I I I I I I I I I I roundabout handled more traffic than the prior signal system could have handled. . March 5th Meeting-Commissioner Hiut laid out the proposed format of the final report. The report has five components and an appendix. The five components are the Executive Summary, the Overview of Roundabout Advisory Committee Meetings, the Committee Member Summary Reports, the Cost Matrix and the Roundabout Committee Comments Matrix. Commissioner Hart indicated the commission had asked for a report from the Committee as soon as possible. In order to accomplish that task the chair recommended returning to. a weekly meeting schedule. The chair also recommended prioritizing the improvements in the Crown report. Some citizen initiatives were reviewed such as a fly-over, elongating the roundabout, designating Poinsettia Avenue and Mandalay Avenue as a one way pair and rewiring the roundabout for signal operation. Committee members were asked to submit to Carolyn Brink by March 9, 2001 any comments, corrections or suggestions. There was a great deal of discussion about the content of the report. It was felt that the report should be succinct, detail options, and review dissension. There was agreement that resident opinion should count. There was consensus that enforcement of pedestrian and traffic laws would help create a safer environment. Member Wagenfohr moved that the final report include an Executive summary and Recommendations, the Overview of Roundabout Advisory Committee meetings, as amended, Committee Member Summary Reports, the Cost Matrix, the Roundabout Committee Members Comments Matrix, and the Educational Model. The motion was seconded. Discussion ensued and the vote was taken. Voting aye were members Casey, Moran, Schulman, Wagenfohr and Bickerstaffe. Voting nay were members Littler and Brown. Several members of the committee felt that the improvements in the Crown report were not a good financial investment. It was noted the roundabout is safest when crowded with traffic. Several members also noted that the Fire department is opposed to any roughening of the pavement or speed humps due to delay considerations. Sgt. Egger of the Police Department pointed out that there were 12 accidents reported in February, while only 3 were reported in January. This is due to a change in reporting procedure. All accidents no matter how minor are now issued a written report. It was recommended the final report to the commission include in the appendix.a listing of the accident data. Member Brown moved to recommend the Crown report improvements not be accepted in it's entirety without modification. The motion was seconded. Upon the vote being taken, members Brown, Casey, Littler, Moran, Wagenfohr, and Bickerstaffe voted aye. Member Schulman voted nay. Motion carried. There was a recommendation that the Cost Matrix and the Comments Matrix be cross-referenced. There was discussion about removing the striping in the roundabout, the proposal to move the Mandalay and Coronado accesses closer together, and points of conflict, especially at the Coronado exit. Opposition was expressed regarding the Crown recommendation for a "T" intersection at Mandalay Avenue. Member Wagenfohr moved to recommend approval of item 3.1 of the Cost Matrix to modify the geometry from the entry at Mandalay Avenue to the exit into Coronado Drive, removing the reference to revising the striping. The motion was seconded. Members Casey, Moran, Schulman, Wagenfohr, and Bickerstaffe voted aye. Members Brown and Littler voted nay. Motion carried. Member Wagenfohr moved to add item 3.1 a, revised striping to the combined matrix. The motion was seconded and approved unanimously. Member Wagenfohr moved to recommend approval of item 3.1 a, striping changes per the Crown improvements to allow inside lane traffic to exit at Coronado. The motion was seconded. Discussion ensued regarding traffic movement. There was concern expressed about increased conflicts if striping is removed from the roundabout. It was stated that by approving item 3.1, revised geometry of the Mandalay entrance/Coron~do exit, the remaining recommendations in the Crown report also have to be approved. Upon the vote being taken, the motion passed unanimously. The board reviewed the cost matrix and decided to vote against certain improvements. Member Casey moved to reconsider the motion approving item 3.1 at the next meeting. The motion was seconded. Members Brown, Casey, Littler, and Moran voted aye. Members Schulman, Wagenfohr, and Bickerstaffe voted nay. The motion carried. The next meeting is scheduled for March 19, 2001. . March 19th Meeting-Commissioner Hart indicated he would present a summary draft report with a minority statement attached. This was due to the fact the committee felt a final report could not be submitted until spring break is over. The committee noted that any future changes related to Beach by Design must be coordinated with the traffic movement through the roundabout. There was considerable discussion that the committee must make sure the Crown Improvements are worth the investment of $1.5 million dollars. Several comments were made by the committee regarding the inadequacy of the signage. It was noted that a larger police presence might have a beneficial effect on the roundabout operation. Members Schulman and Wagenfohr voted to implement the Crown improvements and members Brown, Casey, Hamilton, Littler, and Bickerstaffe voted against the Crown improvements. The committee discussed the issue of removing the striping in the- circulating lanes after spring break. Public Works Administrator Mahshid Arasteh expressed concern regarding the reduction of lanes entering the roundabout. A committee member. noted that the Vail, Colorado roundabout had three lane approaches into a roundabout with no markings. Staff noted that the Vail roundabout is much larger and has less volume of traffic with fewer pedestrians. Member Littler moved that problems related to the roundabout are so complex, the committee believes the cost benefits of spending $1.3 M - $1.5 M to implement the Crown improvements has not been demonstrated. The motion was seconded. Members Brown, Casey, Hamilton, Littler, and Bickerstaffe voted aye and members Schulman and Wagenfohr voted nay. Motion carried. Member Littler moved to recommend the City Commission retain a Beach Entryway Advisory Committee to review problems with the roundabout in light of future development. The motion was seconded. The discussion on the motion indicated that the committee would provide valuable advice to the I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I !I I I commiSSion regarding traffic issues and development on the beach. The committee voted unanimously in favor of the motion. Lt. Waters indicated there was a reduction in the number of police aides on the beach due to budget restrictions. There was discussion regarding the comment matrix and the fact that the committee cannot dictate budget policy for the commission. The members of the committee were requested to complete the comments matrix and turn it in the following week. In addition a safety notice was distributed regarding motorcycle safety. There is serious concern about the type of materials used to mark the lanes in the roundabout due to their slick nature and the presence of water and other fluids on the roadway. Mr. Johnson indicated staff would address issues related to the fountain costs and the use of reclaimed water at the next meeting. Mr. Johnson indicated that would include discussion of the costs associated with razing the fountain and replacing it with landscaping. A committee member suggested razing the fountain and adding to the dimension of the roundabout circulating lanes on the inside circumference. The Public Works Administrator pointed out that would not work from an engineering standpoint due to the angle of the roadway connections. The next meeting was scheduled for March 26th. I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I ;1 I I I INDIVIDUAL MEMBER COMMENTS I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I Clearwater Beach Entryway Roundabout Recommendations Arthur Lupien, Committee Member General Remarks - Personally, I agree the Roundabout is the only practical alternative to address the traffic nightmare. No solution to this unique problem is, or would ever be, perfect given the constraints dictated by the site conditions. The Roundabout is simply the best that can be done under the circumstances, and while the city has made a valiant attempt to address the problems by constructing it, most would agree nothing man-made is so good that it cannot be made better. There are some genuine but relatively minor problems that can be corrected. Although the doom sayers and reactionaries are entitled to have and to voice their opinions, they offer only complaints and no worthwhile recommendations for solutions. They remain part of the problem and should be ignored. Keep the Roundabout. Consultants - An expert has been described as someone who makes three consecutive correct guesses. One must assume they know something we don't know; why else would anyone want to pay for their opinions? I've listened to a great deal of committee disagreement with the consultant's recommendations, but on the whole, I generally agree with them. A bit more dialog between the committee, our excellent city staff representatives and the consultants, should produce meaningful results. Fountain - The fountain as it exists is too massive for the location. I understand the rationale for constructing it in such a way as to make a dramatic impact without simultaneously creating an attractive nuisance. Under no circumstances should pedestrians be allowed anywhere near it. But this fountain is plagued with problems both real and perceived, to include; the never popular overspray, the tunnel effect, leaks, mechanical difficulties, huge potable water consumption, lack of nighttime lighting when it is off and the fact that it's off much of the time. We have what looks like a concrete wedding cake with seagull icing. While I like the idea of a fountain, I do not like this particular fountain. Never having seen the construction plans I cannot say if my suggestion is practical, but this is what I'd like to see: reduce the outermost steps to two or three; create a large, flat pool with or without small, inward-pointing jets; and feature at the center a rough, fairly low pyramid of limestone boulders with water gushing and flowing among them. Given a big enough pile of rocks and volume of moving water, a very dramatic statement can be made without overspray. I would try to use seawater, instead of potable water, to avoid any possible problems with odor or rude comments from use of reclaimed water. Add some marine sculptures if you like, and let the seagulls interact with it since they will anyway. Traffic-ability I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I - All our roundabout traffic interaction problems are caused by loose nuts behind steering wheels. There is only so much the physical layout can do to encourage proper and courteous driving. Excessive speed, failure to signal, and failure to yield, are what cause crashes. Unfamiliarity with the area or with driving a roundabout is, in my opinion, a lesser contributing factor that can be addressed by signage. One suggestion made to me is to number or letter the exits, the rationale being that numbers or letters are easier and quicker to comprehend and remember than unfamiliar multi-syllable street names. To control speeding in the Roundabout, I can only half-heartedly suggest pavers in lieu of asphalt. While slowing traffic, they're costly to install and maintain and the traffic noise level may prove unacceptable. Lighting - Tests have shown that illumination levels are" adequate". The problem lies in perception. Brighter light in the background does, of course, make foreground lighting appear dim by comparison. Paradoxically, both can be "adequate". One can always start a kilowatt war and keep raising the ante, but I don't think we need to make the beach look like a used car lot even though it strongly resembles one at times. The decorative up-lighting is, I believe, metal halide while the down lighting is high pressure sodium. Watt for watt halide (halogen) appears "brighter" than high pressure sodium. When mixing the two, white wins out over pink. I suggest looking into changing over to halide. I strongly disagree with floodlights because of shadows. Pedestrian Crossing on the Causeway - I am dead set against this. By use of plantings and physical barriers as necessary, make it very difficult for pedestrians to make it to the curbs on the causeway, and present no clear way to get across should they get that far. Conversely, make it easy to walk parallel to the causeway and encourage use of the pedestrian underpass. Put something down there besides a bait shack to attract them in that direction. I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I Clearwater Beach Entryway Roundabout Recommendations Bob Bickerstaffe, Committee Member Final Report Coronado Drive Phase One Mandalay Drive Phase Two The One and Two Phases will be worked together. They are the only two phases that have been approved by the Roundabout Committee. All others were left to the discretion of city staff, as listed: Pendin2: 2 - Marina Driveway 3 - Memorial Causeway 4 - East Shore Drive 5 - Poinsettia Avenue 6 - Hamilton Freight Stop Si2:ns All signs should be eliminated that can legally be eliminated. The only one I believe should be: Slow Down Use Your Turn Signals Don't be a Jerk (picture attached) ********* Re: "Proposal to Remove the Entrvwav Roundabout Fountain" bv Carl Wa2enfohr. a member of Committee I believe this is not within his jurisdiction and was not in my opinion. I am very strong on the subject of the roundabout fountain. The fountain never did get a fair check-out in operation. Then we had some speed problems and items that needed to be corrected first. What we have with the fountain will not jump up at any of us, it just sits there until such time when the roundabout is working correctly. Common sense would tell us that. I believe that our staff will be able to take care of the necessary adjustments, but not at this time. It is messy but at this time it doesn't do anything but inconvenience us. I talk to a lot of people, young and old, business and residential and they all talk in favor of the project. The ones that don't like it either don't drive or admit "it takes getting used to". I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I We are waiting until the right time, after the two main problems are corrected Coronado and Mandalay. Staff will keep all going. I'm surprised at Carl. I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I ,.." ..........., Jolt,. ow.. 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" " ~ s ~ ~ " <n " '" w -' ~ " " -' -' " ~ "z "Q t-+ ",'5 0'" ,..,.. u<n "Z ",0 ,..u 8~ -<n W,.. 6~ z-' 88 ~~r ;:~ z et (/)...J .-D.. zW 'lLIel ::Eet lLIZ u- zet eto:: :J:C fficO .-el ~~ OC met etO:: cel z . ~el oz 0::- > et D.. ~ ~ ~ ~. ~ I ~J l5 ~ (j ~:g ~~ :c:~ :"(. . tj ~ ~~ ::i ~ :~ ~~ J1 :c:~ ,; ~i ~~ ID~;~ ' Q~ " Cig a:~ O~ 'it lf1J liB! ;' ,pt Q "Ii: II;! i ,In! ~ I,lL I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I Clearwater Beach Entryway Roundabout Recommendations Hoyt Hamilton, Committee Member General Overview While it is obvious that our roundabout is far from perfect, and in need of minor modification(s), opinions as to exactly what these modifications are vary greatly even among our committee. My view of the roundabout is well known. I feel that the roundabout is a dramatic improvement over the previous T-intersection. As drivers have become more familiar with driving it, and modifications that have already been implemented (candlesticks at causeway exit for example), accident numbers have shown a significant decrease. I continue to stress that the roundabout, and traffic on the beach in general, operates very well 80% of the year. During the periods that we experience the highest volumes, the roundabout performs infinitely better than its predecessor. This is where I find it to be important that we address the true problems of the roundabout, and not the perceived problems. Safety Any modifications must not compromise safety to motorists, pedestrians, or any other user. Fountain The expense of operating and maintaining the fountain has become a major concern (especially during the existing drought situation) A cost analysis must be done to determine the proper direction. Cost of reconfiguring the fountain vs. operating expense and other factors need to be considered. Education Education of the public (local high school driver education classes and local drivers) is important. Statistics show that the more that people use the roundabout, the easier it becomes to drive it. Geometry and "Striping" It would be nice to increase the outer perimeter of the roundabout to increase the over- all width of the configuration. I would also like to see the striping removed from the inside of the roundabout. I believe strongly that a majority of accidents in the roundabout are directly a result of our encouraging a right-hand turn from the left- hand lane, which is in direct conflict with standard driving practices. Without lane designation inside of the roundabout, we would allow common sense and rules of the road to dictate the traffic flow. (Remember, we are talking about 80% vs. 20% again!) Lighting The roundabout is too dark! Better illumination is needed. Poinsettia Avenue With the city's efforts to locate additional parking somewhere on North Beach, I would like to see access to Poinsettia Avenue directly from the Causeway without entering the roundabout. This would lessen the number of vehicles entering the roundabout and allow easier access to these new spaces. North-South Bypass This is a concept that I would like to see addressed. I am sure that a lane that would allow a driver to travel from the north end to south beach without entering the roundabout would alleviate some demand on the roundabout. However, I am also concerned about the configuration of this lane when considering all factors (pedestrians, bicyclists, etc.). I'm open to suggestions here! South Beach traffic Flow - The timing of the pedestrian crossing on Coronado should be lengthened between activations. During medium to high volume periods, this signal tends to activate too frequently and causes traffic to back up into the roundabout. I also cannot submit my recommendations without identifying the traffic congestion created in medium to high traffic periods by the limited access the public has to the public lots due to attendant parking. Optional systems would allow easier access to these lots and would also allow for some stacking within the lot rather than backing up traffic on the roadways. I would also like to see us consider implementing a one-way pair on South Beach with South Gulfview being one-way southbound and Coronado being one-way northbound. Even if it is only temporary until the Kimpton project is finalized. This would eliminate the congestion at the Coronado/Gulfview intersection. I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I Clearwater Beach Entryway Roundabout Recommendations Bob Bickerstaffe, Committee Member The only real problem with the roundabout is speeding. Must be controlled by three officers - one at the bridge; one at Hamilton turn otT; one at Pier 60. These are the hot spots where a controllable speed should be maintained at 15-20 miles per hour. Causeway should be at 45 miles per hour. It seems there is no control with this limit. Traffic from Island Estates light to bridge should start at 35-30-25. Speed is RAB. At 15 miles per hour. I have never seen police on the east side of the roundabout. Only 2 at Pier 60 area. Mandalay project: Start on Mandalay south to Coronado on west side of roundabout. We are placing so much on pedestrian traffic that we are creating our own problems. We do not give pedestrians credit for being able to take care of themselves. All they need is to have traffic slow down to 15 miles an hour. The $1.5 million should not be needed to complete the project. Speed control will solve it. Take down signs. We do not need all those signs from the bridge to the roundabout. It takes away from the attention, and distracts people from what they should be paying attention to. StatTwith routine maintenance can do all housekeeping. Let's get on with the rest of the beach. The real problem with the roundabout still is speeding! It is the only real problem that exists! We need the speeding stopped! We need police personnel in strategic locations Let the police be seen at the following locations. One police personnel on the small bridge at the East Side with cars going west. The drivers must see the police located on the top of the bridge. The second police personnel will be seen by the traffic light on the East Shore turn otTo This will control the traffic. The East Shore exit makes this possible. Between Mandalay and Coronado there should be two police personnel Another great improvement would be to remove all stripes in the circle. Let drivers use their turn signals. Clearwater Beach Entryway Roundabout Recommendations Lucile Casey, Committee Member 1. Do not spend any more money than is absolutely necessary. Guidelines must include ways to improve safety and to reduce maintenance costs. 2. Reduce the height of the fountain or level to a flat-water reflection pool or sundial. 3. Widen the space between the fountain and driving lane to reduce tunnel effect. 4. Continue to use digital speed reduction and "you are now driving --- mph" signs. 5. Arrows and north/south beach on the pavement are helpful but need to reduce number of other distracting signs and shrubbery. 6. Replace plants with shorter, low maintenance (xeriscaped) foliage. 7. Color coded signs similar to those in Tampa Airport may aid drivers to find certain street. 8. Reduce lanes to one without lines or widen (straighten) the sharp curve turns (East Avenue and Poinsettia) 9. Install attractive brick style speed bumps at crosswalks and/or intersections especially Gulfview/Coronado exit (where left hand turns in front of right). 10. Enforce the law. Speeding must not be tolerated nor pedestrians crossing undesignated crosswalks. 11. Residents will learn to use the roundabout with time and hopefully lead the way for tourists. The backup during heavy traffic times is not as long as previously. 12. It is important to study the design of the new bridge and any other planned redevelopment (Beach by Design, etc) in relation to the roundabout and the limited exits on the beach carefullv to avoid similar Doorlv desi2ned en2ineerin2 incurrin2 excessive costs from our tax dollars! I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I Clearwater Beach Entryway Roundabout Recommendations Bill Jonson, Committee Member Observations 1. I recently observed the operation of the roundabout with the following results. I saw that the professional drivers generally drove differently than individually owned cars. The commercial vehicles generally: a. yielded at the entry to the roundabout (they yielded to traffic in the roundabout) b. drove slower through the roundabout, and c. used turn signals as they approached their exit 2. The large number of signs west of bridge 43 approaching the roundabout presents information overload. I believe that this is intimidating to the unfamiliar driver. The "Get In Correct Lane" tag line on the signs is an unneeded imperative command. 3. The public I speak with has widely divergent opinions of the roundabout. Many expressed concerns with considerable emotion. However, I still hear more reports that the roundabout has improved traffic flow over the previous intersections. 4. No matter what is done to the roundabout, the traffic capacity of the receiving roads (Coronado and Mandalay) is overloaded at peak times of the day/month/year. As such, no amount of corrections on the roundabout will fully solve the problem (even if unlimited funding was available). Concerns 1. I am concerned with reports at our last committee meeting that the two roundabout consultants disagree on improvements to the physical characteristics of the roundabout. Until this difference is resolved we should not finalize any construction changes. Recommendations 1. Driver education and reassurance. Prepare a flyer explaining the key roundabout process guidelines: Yield on entry, go slow, use turn signal and practice courtesy to fellow drivers. 2. Keep track of accidents and have the newspaper publish the trend periodically. It would be especially helpful if the accident reports could capture as much information as possible about the accident: where it occurred, damage estimate, and the speed of cars. 3. Police should periodically enforce yield and speed limits in the roundabout - this should be publicized in advance 4. Implement a tourist informational radio on the east end of the causeway welcoming folks to Clearwater Beach, providing simple directions, and giving basic driving tips for the roundabout and getting around on Clearwater Beach. I I 5. To answer the suggestions from folks that just want it torn down or major changes, I. could we have approximate dollar estimates for the following actions: a. Remove the fountain and replace with the original dolphin pool (the folks who have urged this action say that the wedding cake fountain blocks the visibility to I their exit. b. Remove the roundabout and totally replace with a signalized intersection. I am not suggesting that these actions be taken, just that data be made available. I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I Clearwater Beach Entryway Roundabout Recommendations Bruce Littler, Committee Member Mandalay/Roundabout Reconfigure 1. If this construction is decided to be necessary it should correspond with proposed improvements of the downtown section of Manda lay Avenue to avoid possible conflict in - traffic, cost and alignment. 2. This change in alignment as proposed by Barry Crown does not in my opinion solve the accident problem as many vehicles involved in accidents at the Coronado exit are vehicles that are already in the roundabout having entered from other sources and this change does nothing to alleviate these mishaps. a. This configuration will also add to back-ups on Mandalay during peak traffic b. The vehicles entering from Mandalay in such close proximity to Coronado will cause additional accidents with vehicles entering from Coronado, a condition that does not exist now c. Entering from Mandalay will be more difficult and dangerous and it will require looking behind and over one's shoulder to see oncoming traffic. Pedestrian Crossing Relocation 1. This construction should correspond with Mandalay Avenue Improvement to facilitate elimination of duplication of traffic problems, alignment and duplication of costs. Pedestrian Cross of Causeway Boulevard 1. Building crosswalk will cause more problems than it will solve 2. Extensive fending will prove very unsightly and would serve to divert people into roadway of roundabout 3. After long observation pedestrian crossing is not a major problem Reconfiguration of Curb Radii 1. This improvement will no doubt ease use by large vehicles. This improvement however might be better undertaken after decisions are made concerning the possible vacation of Edgewater Drive and the possible necessity of a northbound turn lane from causeway at a cost that would maybe not exceed the wholesale changes recommended in curbs and existing drainage Signage 1. Signage should be drastically reduced in number to lesson confusion and improve physical appearance of entire project Conclusion After much observation and study, I have concluded that the recommended changes suggested by Barry Crown are not changes that will change measurably the perceived problems of the public and certainly does not justify the expenditure of ONE AND ONE HALF MILLION tax dollars. I believe time and education will accomplish as much to increase the acceptance and successful use of the roundabout. If after time the need for drastic changes of the roundabout are deemed necessary, I believe these changes should be incorporated into overall planning connected with, and in conjunction with, the Beach by Design plan now under consideration, especially if the north-south transportation system proposed is under serious consideration. I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I Clearwater Beach Entryway Roundabout Recommendations Carl Wagenfohr, Committee Member Introduction Having participated in the Roundabout Charrette and Walking Audit, and the CBEAC as a voting member, I offer my opinions of the proposed modifications to the roundabout, and suggestions for City policies regarding its operation. The design of the Roundabout as-built has been influenced by several sometimes- conflicting objectives: esthetics, safety, and capacity; it's redesign should consider these objectives in the prioritized order of: 1. Safety The redesign should provide for the safety of all users of the intersection, including motorists, motorcyclists, bicyclists, skaters, pedestrians and the physically handicapped. 2. Capacity The redesign should provide a significant increase in the traffic capacity of the Roundabout without compromising the safety of any user. 3. Cost The redesign must be cost-effective, considering both one-time construction costs and operating costs. 4. Esthetics To the extent that safety & capacity must not be compromised, the Roundabout should be esthetically pleasing and provide useful amenities for the pedestrian, skater, bicyclist & handicapped users, and provide informative and attractive signage for motorists. It is important to consider not only the recommendations of Mr. Barry Crown and City Staff, but the opinions of those who participated in the Roundabout Charrette and Walking Audit as well. Failure to do so is not only a disservice to the several hundred participants, but lends credibility to arguments that the Charrette was nothing more than a charade. Finally, consideration must be given to the Beach By Design initiative, which will likely change the demands placed on the Roundabout by modifying the uses of connecting roadways. Roundabout and Beach By design(s) should be integrated for the purpose of maximizing the cost effectiveness of construction projects and eliminating inadvertent safety compromises. Geometric and Striping Changes I am convinced that the changes described in Phase 3 and Phase 5 will increase traffic- carrying capacity, reduce delays, and improve vehicular safety. Construction should begin immediately after Spring Break. These engineering changes are not a panacea, however. I have learned that highway safety is like a tripod; it must have 3 working legs, and those legs are Engineering, Education and Enforcement. We must have adequate education & enforcement action plans to complement the geometric and striping changes. I am equally convinced that these changes will result in increased vehicle speed at the relocated pedestrian crossings and that motorists will be less inclined to grant pedestrian right-of-way; compromising pedestrian safety. A solution is offered under the heading Enforcement. Causeway Pedestrian Crossing I am not convinced that this is necessary. Deterrents should first be constructed & pedestrian activity monitored. If pedestrian crossing of the Causeway is not largely eliminated, the split-signalized crosswalk should be reconsidered. Fountain Mr. Crown recommends lowering the fountain wall by 2 steps to eliminate the 'tunnel effect' which causes motorists to avoid the inside lane. This is a safety issue because the 'tunnel effect' causes some drivers to use the outside lane only, increasing the likelihood of exit-conflict accidents as they circulate past the Coronado exit. Participants in the Charrette raised 2 issues with the fountain: 'Fountain blocks view' and 'Decrease water on roadway'. The spray of fountain water onto the circulating roadway is a safety issue, which has not yet been solved by City Staff or it's consultants. Increasing sight-line distance would provide older drivers with more time to react to other drivers. Fountain operating costs are estimated to be $250,000 per year. These costs include power, water, chemicals, and maintenance of the fountain. Finally, the fountain has been consuming an average of one million gallons of potable water per month since commencing operation. This loss of precious resource has been caused by evaporation, spillage onto the roadway, and overflow into the sewer system. Rather than lower the fountain wall at an estimated cost of $160,000, I advise the Commission to consider eliminating the fountain, along with it's unsolved safety issues, annual operating cost, and waste of precious water resource. Education A public education initiative has been undertaken to improve the skills of motorists. On March 2, 2001, a roundabout education session was presented to the Driver Education instructors in the Pinellas County School System. The material is being incorporated into I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I their curriculum, ensuring that our young adults will receive roundabout training for the foreseeable future. Help should be solicited from other organizations conducting driver education programs for older adults. Possible partners include the National Safety Council (older adult drivers), AAA, and AARP. Although the city has produced a brochure describing the roundabout, an updated one should be produced reflecting the geometric changes and lane-use advice. The roundabout graphic should be larger & more detailed, allowing hotel/motel operators to highlight directions to their facility by distributing the brochure to their incoming guests. Brochure distribution should not be limited to Clearwater media, but made available county and region-wide. Enforcement The commission should provide additional resources to the Clearwater Police Department to begin more vigorously enforcing traffic laws immediatelv. Specific attention should be paid to pedestrian right-of-way at crosswalks, use of directional signals, and speeding. An unfortunate outcome of the Roundabout geometry changes is increased vehicle speed at the relocated pedestrian crossings. Drivers will be less inclined to grant right of way, and an increase in pedestrian accidents may occur. A comfortable & safe pedestrian environment is a desirable attribute for the resort community we may become. I think it's important to begin educating drivers to respect pedestrian rights on Clearwater Beach llill!, before Roundabout reconstruction begins and before Beach By Design becomes a reality . Enforcement of the use of directional signals should also be emphasized. I have observed less-than 10% of the vehicle operators using their signals at the roundabout. By signaling their lane-change or exit intent, drivers are less likely to be involved in accidents at the roundabout. Speeding is an issue with the roundabout only when traffic is light. That doesn't lessen the impact of resulting vehicle collisions, loss-of-control accidents or pedestrian accidents. Some emphasis should be placed on enforcing the posted speed limit approaching and within the roundabout. Pedestrian Amenities The committee has thus far not addressed any of the issues raised during the Walking Tour on July 29, 2000, documented on pages 16-18 of the Clearwater Beach Entryway Roundabout Charrette report, and itemized as issues 715-724 on the project spreadsheet. Included are issues such as: benches too hot to sit on, lack of water fountains, deteriorating sidewalks, annoying music, lack of trash cans, lack of shade etc. While they do not include any serious safety issues, they should be addressed so that the promise of a world-class pedestrian environment is realized. Clearwater Beach Entryway Roundabout Recommendations Roger Schulman, Committee Member 1. I still believe utilizing the Crown plan is the best we can do at this point. It should speed up traffic flow and make the circle more user friendly. 2. The initial decision to place a large spewing fountain and constricted circle tightly around it was bad, and only the spending of large amounts of money will fix it. 3. If that solution is not acceptable, I would suggest going back to an improved "T" type intersection. 4. The entire approach area is entirely too dark. If necessary, private lighting should be used similar to the lights in the Hilton lot. They are about the same physical size for the supports but emit a great deal more light. 5. I still strongly suggest an entry to the Pier 60 lot northeast side be opened as in the past to allow traffic to store inside the lot and not block and back up Coronado. Prior Recommendations Submitted: I would further recommend that spring Break be carefuly monitored and a final observation of problems and pedestrian flows be made to give us a final base of data to proceed from. Spending $1.5 million to try and improve on the $10 to $12 million project seems a better alternative than starting over with a "T" intersection... however, if the thing turns into a total mess, that alternative should not be discarded. I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I 1\ I I I Clearwater Beach Entryway Roundabout Recommendations Daniel J. Moran, Committee member Educating the residents of Clearwater on the proper usage of the roundabout is the first order of business. Education could be implemented on C- View and at civic association meetings. A copy of the C- View video should be provided to the police who go out to the civic meetings so it can be shown as part of the program. Concentrate on Clearwater residents. They are the drivers who will use the roundabout the most. Non-residents are occasional users generally and trying to reach them via video would be a waste of money, time and effort. Non-residents who are employees in the businesses in the City could be educated through an outreach program provided to Clearwater businesses. I am concerned that we are putting too much emphasis on the opinions of Barry Crown. I recognize his expertise but I still remind everyone that he is not dealing with the roundabout on a daily basis. I feel it is our duty to resolve problems that arise and not wait for his opinion or approval. I definitely feel that wider access onto Poinsettia from the Causeway and/or the roundabout is a must. A clear posting of the speed limit and strict enforcement of same is a necessity. Also, I feel that firm enforcement of a policy requiring signaled lane changes is necessary. When I use the roundabout it is very frustrating to be targeted by other vehicles that have little or no idea what traffic courtesy is all about. Pedestrians must be educated to use the posted crosswalks or face the consequences. The city is going full speed ahead with the Beach by Design and I am concerned that this is going to create more traffic problems. I would hope that before the first shovelful is struck that a firm plan of action is put into effect the Traffic Department. I also recommend that nothing be started until after the spring break, in any way, shape or form. The fountain, nuisance that it may be, should stay. It would not be cost effective to remove it. I do recommend that we use the fountain in a more aesthetic manner by illuminating it with more colorful lighting at night. One thing we must all remember is that roundabouts, traffic circles, rotaries, etc., are in place worldwide. The majority of people have little or no trouble maneuvering through theme. Most, however, do have a wider circumference. This is something I think we should look into thoroughly to determine if widening is a definite possibility. Access to the roundabout should not be a bumper car experience. Knowing where you are going and how to get there is why clear signage is a must. Again, I stress that driver courtesy and common sense would take care of most of the problems. Truthfully, the roundabout is responsible for none of the accidents the drivers are and educating them is what we must concentrate on. I do stress that all-corrective action, unless it is minimal and totally non-disruptive, should be held off until after spring break. One Further Comment on the Roundabout Each day as I commute to and from my office I am tuned into the radio and the various traffic reports. Each time I listen I am made aware of serious accidents on US 19 and Alderman or US 19 and 590 or US 19 and Sunset or East Bay and Belcher, etc. Many times as added information the traffic reporter will indicate that Bayflite is being dispatched to remove the injured. Seldom do I read anything about these accidents in the papers, neither the Tribune nor the Times, but, let there be a fender bender at the roundabout and we have press coverage with pictures and interviews and oftentimes unsolicited editorial comment from the reporter or the witness or some other irate citizen. These are the things that get the most coverage and I think it is unfair. I have never heard of any major injury accident at the roundabout like I have heard at other intersections yet the roundabout gets the coverage. Don't misunderstand me, accidents should be reported and the traffic problems at the roundabout should be covered by the print media and the radio and TV but, if you follow the press coverage you would think that all traffic problems in Pinellas County stem from the beach entryway, affectionately known as the roundabout. I believe that if the citizens of Clearwater can see that the city is trying to rectify problems that have been created and they see that the roundabout is not the evil monster that it has been pictured as, then the citizens will begin to flow with the traffic and many of the perceived and unproven problems will self-correct. I am reluctant to mention his name but, Mike Roberto, the City Manager who got the roundabout put into action did a good job of selling the idea and convincing people that it would work. I think it is time for others within the Commission and staff to start promoting the positives of the roundabout and try to counter much of the criticism with a good public relations push. Remember, the entry to the beach was a major traffic jam long before the roundabout and despite the obvious problems we are confronted with, it is an improvement and should be promoted much more positively. I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I II I I I I I I I I I I' I I I I I I I I I I I I COST MATRIX OF THE CROWN RECOMMENDATIONS I III g .. II g E .- o '5 i~ a. )( QjW ::2 I I c a :; u. - - CI." EO a u o o 2; (") (0 o I ~ .2 .t I >. :c- .. .. c a au ::2 I CD '" ~ I - ::> o .<> '" "'0 c: ::> o 0:: >. '" ~ c: UJ .r:. (J '" Q) al c: o ~ o CI. Q) 0:: c: ~ i:5 "'0 c: '" Q) ~ lii .r:. u E o .:: 1:: - .. a u I ~ I I I I .. .!!! lii E E ::> CJ) "'0 Q) c: :E E o u I I I I I c a t.i lJ a ...J j E ::> z 10 N ~ M III .. II .&. a. .... GI III CG s:. c.. I o o 2; (") (0 o ;;; ~ ~ - ~~.!! 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I~ I e ~ U "C e ftl Q) ~ lij ~ t) E o .:: III Q) .~ E E ::J en "C Q) e :0 E o t) III ., ::J III IE ., ::: ~ lij ~ t) III ., o e ., "C ftl ., ~ "C ., "C III ~ en '" - o '" ., Cl III a. o o o N <<t-o ~o ~o ~N E~ Q)~ > ~ o Q) zoO _ E o Q) ., (,) - Q) IIlCl E- :.;::; 0 III ., w- e III o E 11)+=0 ~LTI .,::!; ~Cl -t) E ., o ~ .:: III ., III ~ e III ., 1: m "i:;: a.. <>'e :!2 ";;; 0- .0 III o .s t) .J!J III o t) I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I OPINION MATRIX OF MEMBERS ON VARIOUS POINTS OF DISCUSSION I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I w Iii ~ >- >- >- >- >- Q. ~ 0 U "- .r: oS ~ >,>->->->- III >->->->->-~ >-~ >- >- >- >- >- >- >- >- 01 ~ ~ '" E '3 >- ~ >- >- >- >- t5 (f) ~ l!! >- >- >- >- >- 0 ~ ~ III 05. >- >- :> ~ "- III =: >- >->-~ >-~ >- >- >-~ >- >- >- >- ~ >- ~ >- >- >-~ :::i ~ 0 1Il >- >- >- >- >- >- >- >- ~ 0 .., .>J! (.) o~ III >- >- >- E III :I: ~ ,g oe>->->->->-c:: '" :I: c~~c~~~~~~~~cc~~~~~~~c >- III 1Il >- '" U c:: ~ e !Xl ~ '" "E! III .>J! 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Introduction - George Jones ,. Theory of Roundabouts and Rules of the Road - Ken Sides ,. Video: How to use 1-lane roundabouts - Oregon Department of Transportation ,. Video: How to use the Clearwater Beach Entryway 2-lane roundabout- C-VIEW TV ,. Field trip ,. Discussion of roundabout pedagogy for high school students ,. Class evaluation What is a Modem Roundabout? .lUlI .. I I I".' i '; il".: , t' '1. .' 'I I.. ".'.' ,:( Wi ,I W I What it is not · Not a Rotary · Not like the rotaries in New England · Not huge (400' diameter) · Not high-speed · No high-speed crashes · Not a Traffic Circle · Not like St Armand's Circle in Sarasota · No pedestrians on central island · No stop signs in the circulating lanes I II I II I 'I' .'....1.... ! :,,' i, ~ "..1.... ',\ ! , " -..---...- II' I I I :1 I II 'I il I I I I I I !I 11 t I 45% 15% = I....i: ,I I,..'..... ' , , , I I' ,,: " I I: I'.' ".'," , , I. . i 'I ,: !Ii I'.'i I' : I .,tii.i.: II ~-- : Conflict Points If b t" .,~ ~ 'w"}'C:" -. ...'''./. ",. .... '., '."'-' ..A:J I !-, T: . '-. ....--,,~... , .,.< J ":if".;tt~rA'" rf-~~f'r -(2)Vehicle to 'ilehicle conflicts 024 Vehicle to pedestnan conflicts )f"'AU ':;'14 /~"~\\' ~ ,l"- . ..' .' ;::>'::;;'. >'J "".'. ~ I' 10,. '-' ,'"'-:---",\ ~~" .:E3.' '.'. . <<.J~el}'\.. C:.(:~ -~r" . \'0:}) :'----',C,-,. ""'___'~_"'''' -.................,.. ./"J......,,'~ ,-y \ '~I' " . '(}1.,-,f Nr1 .Oehicle 10 \lehfde conllicts I,........... I: ~ n 8 Vehicle to pedestnan conflicts w I,dr il) ~.."..I,. I, , I 'Iill.: Ii II: I' I' I,' . I tJI: '. ...-...- I' I il 'I :1 I I I il i'l I I I II il I I I 'I Roundabout Rules of the Road · Yield at entry Circulating tratlic has the right-of-way over entering tratlic · Use direction signals when exiting and when changing lanes · Yield to pedestrians in the crosswalk Field Trip 1. To Acacia Roundabout 2. Driveaboutl Acacia Roundabout 3. Lookabout! Hilton rooftop 4. Driveaboutl Entryway Roundabout 5. Back to Clearwater HS 6. Walkaboutl Optional afternoon session I I I, Ii I. '.".' ! ": , II!, II il."; .. I I' .'. i,'. ! 'I " I'....' :. '1[1 ! w '1" ',I f I I"!I.: i'i W"!, ' I I, ,1. "'.'.'. " r Ii :Iil' .' I'., '. I" .: , ...--.- I" !I II I il I 'I I il ,I I I I il 'I I ,I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I Education Model A public education initiative has been undertaken to improve the roundabout driving skills of motorists. On March 2,2001, a roundabout education session was presented to the Driver Education instructors in the Pinellas County School System. The material is being incorporated into their curriculum, ensuring that our young adults will receive roundabout training for the foreseeable future~ the first Clearwater High School student classes are scheduled for April 4, 2001. Involvement should be solicited from other organizations conducting driver education programs for older adults. Possible partners include the National Safety Council (older adult drivers), AAA, and AARP 55 Alive. Although the city has a brochure describing the roundabout, an updated one should be produced reflecting the approved geometric changes and lane-use guidelines. The roundabout graphic should be larger & more realistic, including the revised lane striping. Public distribution should include hotel/motel operators, who could use it to highlight directions to their facility by distributing the brochure to their incoming guests. The new brochure should include public facilities in Clearwater and Pinellas County. The distribution of the brochure could be included in mailings from Clearwater Utilities, Pinellas County Tax Collector vehicle registrations, and property tax bills. I I I I I I I MEETING I MINUTES I I I I I I I I I I I : I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I The Clearwater Beach Entryway Committee held the following meetings: September 6, 2000 September 11, 2000 September 25,2000 October 2,2000 October 16, 2000 October 23, 2000 October 30, 2000 November 6,2000 November 13, 2000 November 20,2000 November 27, 2000 December 11, 2000 January 8, 2001 February 5, 2001 March 5, 2001 March 19, 2001 March 26, 2001 May 7, 2001 May 14, 2001 May 21, 2001 I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I The Clearwater Beach Entryway Committee held the following meetings: September 6, 2000 September 11, 2000 September 25, 2000 October 2,2000 October 16, 2000 October 23, 2000 October 30,2000 ~ovember6,2000 ~ovember13,2000 ~ ovember 20, 2000 ~ ovember 27, 2000 December 11, 2000 January 8, 2001 February 5, 2001 March 5, 2001 March 19,2001 March 26, 2001 I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I CLEARWATER BEACH ENTRYWAY ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETING CITY OF CLEARWATER May 21, 2001 Not Approved Present: Commissioner Ed Hart Commissioner Hoyt Hamilton Lucile Casey Bruce Littler Arthur Lupien Dan Moran Roger Schulman Carl Wagenfohr Bob Bickerstaffe Absent: Herb Brown Commissioner Bill Jonson Also present: Mahshid Arasteh Gary Johnson Paul Bertels Lt. Mike Waters Cynthia E. Goudeau Patricia O. Sullivan Facilitator/Non Voting Chair Committee Member Committee Member - arrived 4: 13 p.m. Committee Member Committee Member Committee Member Committee Member ..,. Committee Member ~~:~ Committee Member ~'\ V Committee Member~ ~~ Alternate ~ ' Public Works Administrator Public Works Director Traffic Operations Manager Police Department City Clerk - departed 5:21 p.m. Board Reporter The Chair called the meeting to order at 4:00 p.m. at City Hall. To provide continuity for research, items are in agenda order although not necessarily discussed in that order. ITEM #1 - Aooroval of Minutes - None. ITEM #2 - Old Business Concern was expressed a report that claims beach metered parking spaces are used only 27% of the time is misleading. The Chair said the City Commission is trying to honor promises made by a previous City Commission and is considering the best site for a beach parking garage. Public Works Administrator Mahshid Arasteh said staff studies do not agree with that conclusion. ITEM #3 - Discussion Items a) Alternative Recommendations Ms. Arasteh presented an illustration of truck aprons at the roundabout exits to Poinsettia and the Marina. Adding truck aprons and removing the splitter island at the Marina entrance is estimated to cost $38,152. Traffic Operations Manager Paul Bertels mbe05c01 1 OS/21/01 mbe05c01 2 OS/21/01 I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I said removing the Marina splitter island alone would cost approximately $15,370. The installation of truck aprons requires modifying drainage and relocating irrigation, lighting, and a traffic signal control box. Modifying the Poinsettia entrance splitter island and installing a truck apron would cost approximately $44,500 versus approximately $14,000 to remove the splitter island. Public Works Director Gary Johnson said modifications included in Barry Crowns' original proposal, estimated to cost $1.2-million, included the truck aprons. It was stated retaining part of the splitter islands is important to safeguard pedestrians. Concern was expressed Crown's original recommendations would have increased vehicular speeds before approaches to pedestrian crossings. It was felt aprons would not affect vehicular speed as automobiles would not traverse them. In response to a question regarding safety, Lt. Mike Waters said currently, trucks can access north beach via East Shore and the Marina's Causeway entrance, without problem. He expressed concern increased traffic speeds onto Poinsettia would increase the potential for a pedestrian accident. He supported retaining the splitter islands as safety zones. It was stated truck aprons would decrease damage to City fixtures and landscaping when trucks turn. It was stated truck drivers face no consequences for destruction caused when they drive over curbs. Concern was expressed truck destruction of City landscaping and curbing is unremitting. Mr. Johnson said damaged landscaping can be replaced with mulch. Member Wagenfohr moved for the committee to reconsider its motion of May 7, 2001, regarding altering the splitter islands at the Marina and Poinsettia. The motion was duly seconded. Members Hamilton, Casey, Littler, Lupien, Moran, Schulman, and Wagenfohr voted "Aye"; Member Bickerstaffe voted "Nay." Motion carried. Member Wagenfohr moved to rescind the May 7, 2001 action regarding the splitter islands at the Marina and Poinsettia. The motion was duly seconded. Members Hamilton, Casey, Littler, Lupien, Moran, Schulman, and Wagenfohr voted "Aye"; Member Bickerstaffe voted "Nay." Motion carried. Member Lupien moved to recommend that after the first series of modifications, if staff determines it is needed, leave the splitter islands as is at the Marina and Poinsettia but expand the curbs with brick pavers at an estimated cost of $82,000. The motion was duly seconded. Members Hamilton, Casey, Littler, Lupien, Moran, Schulman, and Wagenfohr voted "Aye"; Member Bickerstaffe voted "Nay." Motion carried. b) Recommendation to remove the fountain Member Wagonfohr reviewed his recommendation to remove the roundabout fountain. Opposition was expressed. An objection to the 40-foot geyser, which causes significant evaporation, was expressed. It was noted the fountain's $237,000 annual operational costs must be brought under control. The difference between perceived and real problems was noted. It was suggested the fountain be replaced by one more - I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I mechanically simple. The need to discourage pedestrian access was stated. It was felt the City cannot afford fountain related expenses if basic services must be cut. Ms. Arasteh said evaporation would remain a problem if the fountain is modified to be a reflecting pool. Discussion ensued regarding costs to redesign the fountain and problems associated with the current location of drains around the fountain's perimeter. Ms. Arasteh said some circulation is necessary to deter birds. Concern was expressed pedestrians walking on the fountain will cause damage. It was felt the Committee does not have sufficient information related to removal of the fountain The Chair invited members to submit alternative recommendations for the final report. In response to a question, Mr. Johnson said removing two tiers, for approximately $66,000, would make the fountain unsightly. Ms. Arasteh estimated reconfiguring the fountain by removing the outer two tiers and redesigning the fountain would cost $160,000 and include traffic maintenance. The Chair will distribute a draft of the final cover sheet in the next few days and forward a draft final executive summary to staff next week. Mr. Johnson reported staff is obtaining a feasibility study regarding obtaining a discharge permit from SWFWMD (Southeast Florida Water Management District) so that reclaimed water can be used in the fountain without having to pump it back to the water treatment plant. He said money would have to be budgeted to replace components at a more accelerated rate as reclaimed water is more abrasive to metal parts. Ms. Arasteh said the fountain originally was designed to use reclaimed water. She estimated repiping the fountain for reclaimed water would cost $7,500. Member Casey moved that the committee support use of reclaimed water in the fountain if the City can obtain proper permits. The motion was duly seconded. It was suggested the motion prohibit fountain water from spraying on the roundabout. Ms. Arasteh said that requirement would be impossible to meet. Upon the vote being taken, Members Hamilton, Casey, Littler, Lupien, Schulman, and Bickerstaffe voted "Aye"; Member Moran and Wagenfohr voted "Nay." Motion carried. c) Other suggestions The Chair invited members to submit additions and corrections to their reports, to include their recommended alternatives. In response to a comment, Lt. Waters said the Fire Department does not like speed bumps, as they reduce response time. Fire Department vehicles already slow to negotiate the roundabout. mbe05cO 1 3 OS/21/01 mbe05c01 4 OS/21/01 I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I Ms. Arasteh said speed is a secondary problem at Coronado, where conflict is common. In response to a question, Mr. Bertels said no problems are anticipated with moving the Mandalay crosswalk as part of the streetscape project. Concern was expressed regarding significant traffic back-ups at the Mandalay roundabout entry. It was recommended additional changes be considered after Crown's minor revisions are implemented. In response to a question, Lt. Waters said most roundabout accidents occur at Coronado. It was recommended modification of the Coronado exit be constructed first. It was recommended the Committee not consider modifying the Mandalay and Coronado splitter islands. Concern was expressed modifications will increase traffic speed. d) Final Report In response to a question, Ms. Arasteh said the proposed redesign of the Mandalay splitter island will increase the exit lane's width by four feet to 10 feet at its widest. Lt. Waters said the change would increase truck traffic at that exit and alleviate stresses on the Poinsettia exit. Replacement of bollards was included in the $1. 5-million project, but not in Crown's suggested revisions. ITEM #4 - New Business It was requested staff tape the button at the Mandalay pedestrian crossing to communicate to pedestrians that the signal light is not operational. In response to questions, Sgt. Charlie Cronin said if motorcyclists can see pavers ahead, they can negotiate changes in pavement. He said motorcyclists face numerous hazards such as debris, gravel, and puddles from sprinkler runoff throughout the City. Lt. Waters suggested cobblestone strips at the roundabout entrances would slow vehicular movement. Concern was expressed the strips would resemble crosswalks and encourage pedestrians to cross there. In response to questions, staff responded striping or installing candlesticks would be difficult on pavers. It was suggested colored bricks could be used for striping. Ms. Arasteh said colored bricks would not meet standards. It was felt the cost to install pavers to slow roundabout traffic would be worthwhile. ITEM #5 - Next Meetina Member Littler moved that this be the final meeting, unless it is necessary to call a special meeting to reach consensus on an item in the final report. The motion was duly seconded. Lt. Waters reported Spring Break traffic counts had decreased by approximately 6,000 vehicles per day in comparison with last year. It was noted the decrease in traffic counts will not impact the report. I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I' I I I Upon the vote being taken, the motion carried unanimously. Adjournment The meeting adjourned at 5:28 p.m. Chair Clearwater Beach Entryway Advisory Committee Attest: City Clerk mbe05c01 5 OS/21/01 mbe05b01 1 05/14/01 I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I CLEARWATER BEACH ENTRYWAY ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETING CITY OF CLEARWATER May 14, 2001 Not approved Present: Commissioner Ed Hart Facilitator/NonVoting Chair - arrived 5:09 p.m. Commissioner Hoyt Hamilton Committee Member - arrived 5:10 p.m. Bruce Littler Committee Member Arthur Lupien Committee Member Dan Moran Committee Member Roger Schulman Committee Member Carl Wagenfohr Committee Member Bob Bickerstaffe Committee Member Absent: Herb Brown Lucile Casey Commissioner Bill Jonson Committee Member Committee Member Alternate ~~ ~,~ ~~' Also present: Mahshid Arasteh Gary Johnson Paul Bertels Lt. Mike Waters Sue Diana Patricia O. Sullivan Public Works Administrator Public Works Director Traffic Operations Manager Police Department Assistant City Clerk Board Reporter The meeting was called to order at 4: 12 p.m. at City Hall. To provide continuity for research, items are in agenda order although not necessarily discussed in that order. ITEM #1 - Aooroval of Minutes - None. ITEM #2 - Old Business Public Works Director Gary Johnson said to minimize the fountain's spray onto the roadway, the nozzles could be replaced and tilted inward, the rate of pumping could be reduced, or a different type of grate could be used. It is difficult to predict how much water would be saved. Public Works Administrator Mashid Arasteh said staff is gathering information from the firm maintaining the fountain and the one, which had coordinated the original project's design-build specifications. A bid process for a professional fountain consultant has not been initiated. Mr. Johnson said milling one inch off the roundabout's asphalt to remove the stripes and resurfacing would cost approximately $14,300. He recommended this action instead of increasing the roundabout's height, which could cause drainage problems. In response I 'I I I I I I I I I :1 I I I I I I I I to a concern, he said a one-inch replacement would be durable as the surface has never been patched. Ms. Arasteh will research further and report on metered parking usage on the beach. It was stated most extended vehicle and motorcycle parking is rarely used during the week and is poorly promoted. Lt. Mike Waters said the Police Department directs drivers of those types of vehicles to those spaces. Traffic Operations Manager Paul Bertels reported stopping roundabout traffic when Coronado backs up would require also stopping access from Mandalay as well as the Causeway. The Chair reported he will prepare a draft final executive report for board review. ITEM #3 - Discussion Items a) Fountain Usage Report Mr. Johnson reported a total fountain water usage of 8,235,480 gallons during six months: 1) July 2000 - 1,314,236 gallons; 2) August 2000 - 2,019,600 gallons; 3) September 2000 - 1,938,068 gallons: 4) October 2000 - 1,129,480 gallons; 5) November 2000 - 1,165,384 gallons; and 6) December 2000 - 668,712 gallons. It was requested staff report on ways to reduce the amount of water used by the fountain. Mr. Johnson indicated a project to reroute water through the fountain's air- conditioning system should reduce usage by approximately 800,000 gallons a month. He felt staff could reduce water usage further. It is difficult to estimate savings until the fountain is operational after drought conditions subside. Ms. Arasteh said draining and refilling the fountain on more than one occasion last summer used a significant amount of water. It was stated those procedures are part of a normal maintenance schedule. In response to a question, Mr. Johnson said a defoamer can be used if bubbles are a problem. Staff is investigating leaks, which may be related to several sump pumps and the unexplained draining of the fountain's second tier. b) Proposal to Remove Roundabout Fountain - submitted by Carl Wagenfohr Copies of Member Wagenfohr's proposal were distributed. Member Wagenfohr requested members read the proposal for discussion next week. He said the water use numbers are too conservative and need to be increased. Mr. Johnson said usage had dropped to approximately 670,000 gallons per month before the fountain was turned off. Staff is determined to lower usage further. Mr. Wagenfohr reviewed the method he had used to represent the possible view of Pier 60 from the roundabout if the fountain is replaced by landscaping. He said the change would improve motorist sight lines. He said the fountain's $231,000 annual cost is a frivolous use of scarce resources, when the money could be used to hire additional Police Officers. He expressed concern fountain water sprayed onto convertibles and through mbe05bO 1 2 05/14/01 mbe05b01 3 05/14/01 I I I I I J I I I I I I I I I I I I I sunroofs distracts drivers. He said a wet surface is dangerous for motorcycle riders, especially when striped with plastic. He said a landscaped island would provide visitors and citizens with a nicer sense of arrival than the current unattractive dry concrete structure. Ms. Arasteh said Mr. Crown had suggested only removing the fountain's top tiers. It was felt the fountain is not a problem. It was stated others may not agree with assumptions included in this proposal. It was noted the board had voted several times not to alter the fountain. Concern was expressed a landscaped island would attract pedestrians and be dangerous. It was suggested the island could be fenced. It was stated traffic could drive into the landscaped area to avoid an accident as long as pedestrians are not present. It was stated the fountain is not a safety issue and presents no danger to drivers from the left. It was felt the spray problem can be fixed. It was stated the present structure could be modified as a reflecting pool if the drought continues. Opposition to razing the fountain structure was stated. Ms. Arasteh said the fountain was designed to discourage pedestrian access. At a charette, staff had presented a rendering of the fountain without its top two tiers. Attendees expressed concern a view of the opposite side of the fountain would be distracting for drivers. The fountain sprays a maximum of 40 feet above the ground. Discussion ensued regarding the drought and SWFWMD's (Southwest Florida Water Management District) request for the City to lower usage by 5%. Mr. Johnson said some people fear a spray of reclaimed water would harm children even though it is safe to use on lawns and golf courses. The City would need to obtain a point of discharge permit if reclaimed water is to be used. Mr. Wagenfohr requested that Sgt. Thomas Miller be invited to attend next week's meeting. c) Alternatives Reference was made to Barry Crown's suggested minor revisions to improve Roundabout safety: 1) adjust curb line to southbound lane from Mandalay to Coronado - west side only; 2) modify Mandalay splitter island; 3) enlarge curb return into right-of-way for northbound traffic off Coronado; 4) modify Coronado splitter island; 5) remove Marina splitter island; 6) remove splitter island at Poinsettia; 7) enlarge curb line between Marina and eastbound lane on Causeway; and 8) remove fountain's top two tiers. In reference to revisions #5 and #6, it was stated modifying the splitter islands will be difficult due to extensive landscaping and tall palm trees. Discussion ensued regarding difficulties large trucks experience when turning from the roundabout into the Marina and onto Poinsettia. Replacing some curbs with mountable truck aprons was suggested. It was noted trucks could instead use East Shore to access Poinsettia or the Causeway access to the Marina. Lt. Waters reported a pedestrian on Coronado had received minor injuries darting into traffic. Consensus was for staff to study the issue and decide on the best way to modify the splitter islands at the Marina and Poinsettia. I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I The Chair requested information on the issue before next week's meeting. It was stated staff should have the latitude to fix problems related to the roundabout, just as they fix problems at other City intersections. Difficulties associated with the splitter islands relate to property damage, not traffic or safety problems. Concern was expressed any modification must provide a pedestrian safe zone. It was suggested installing a mountable curb or truck apron on the turning radius would be as effective as demolishing the splitter island. It was requested staff use truck templates when considering alternatives. It was stated the bollards at the Marina need to be moved away from the road. Ms. Arasteh said it would be less expensive to remove the splitter island than move curbs to expand the roundabout's radii. She suggested this work could be done at the same time as #7 - enlarge curb line between Marina and eastbound lane on Causeway. Concern was expressed pedestrians, who continue to cross at that point, are endangered. It was recommended staff direct them to a safer route. Member Wagonfohr said if the board does not approve his proposal, he will submit it as an alternative. ITEM #4 - New Business Concern was expressed drivers on Coronado avoid the left lane access to the roundabout and causes traffic to back up as far as Hamden. It was recommended staff install signs to promote use of the left lane. ITEM #5 - Next Meetina The next meeting date will be May 21, 2001 at 4:00 p.m. Adjournment The meeting adjourned at 5:35 p.m. Chair Clearwater Beach Entryway Advisory Committee Attest: City Clerk mbe05b01 4 05/14/01 Facilitator/Non Voting Chair Committee Member Committee Member Committee Member Committee Member - arrived 4:09 p.m. Committee Member Committee Member ,;"" Committee Member ~W~' Alternate - arrived 4:23 p.m. ~~' Committee Member ~~ ~, Committee Member ~~ " I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I CLEARWATER BEACH ENTRYWAY ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETING CITY OF CLEARWATER May 7,2001 Not approved Present: Commissioner Ed Hart Commissioner Hoyt Hamilton Bruce Littler Arthur Lupien Dan Moran Roger Schulman Carl Wagenfohr Bob Bickerstaffe Commissioner Bill Jonson Absent: Herb Brown Lucile Casey Also present: Mahshid Arasteh Gary Johnson Paul Bertels Cynthia E. Goudeau Patricia O. Sullivan Public Works Administrator Public Works Director Traffic Operations Manager City Clerk Board Reporter The Chair called the meeting to order at 4:00 p.m. at City Hall. To provide continuity for research, items are in agenda order although not necessarily discussed in that order. ITEM #1 - Aooroval of Minutes Member Littler moved to approve the minutes of the regular meetings of March 19, and March 28, 2001, as submitted in written summation to each board member. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously. ITEM #2 - Old Business The Chair said the committee's draft report had been submitted to the City Commission. The Mayor has requested the final report be submitted by the end of June 2001. The executive summary needs to be updated and alternatives addressed. He recommended the committee meet weekly until the project is complete. It was stated committee members are not engineering experts. It was felt committee recommended alternatives need staff review and approval. It was felt the roundabout works better to move traffic than the previous traffic design. It was noted all intersections can be dangerous and risky. Enlarging the roundabout would cause traffic to move faster and endanger pedestrians. It was felt the Committee's recommendations should be positive. mbe05a01 1 05/07/01 - I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I ITEM #3 - Discussion Items a) Opinion of Probable Cost for Minor Modifications to Roundabout AND b) Drawings Public Works Administrator Mahshid Arasteh reviewed drawings of Barry Crown's suggested minor revisions to improve Roundabout safety. She reviewed the Camp Dresser McKee, Inc. opinion of probable costs: 1) $61,537 - adjust curb line to southbound lane from Mandalay to Coronado - west side only; 2) $9,162 - modify Mandalay splitter island; 3) $21,738 - enlarge curb return into right-of-way for northbound traffic off Coronado; 4) $23,041 - modify Coronado splitter island; 5) $15,370 - remove Marina splitter island; 6) $14,400 - remove splitter island at Poinsettia; 7) $15,028 - enlarge curb line between Marina and eastbound lane on Causeway; 8) $66,294 - remove fountain's top two tiers; and 9) $5,000 - temporary striping. Additional costs to the $231,569 subtotal include 5% for cleanup, 5% for mobilization, and 2% for bonds and insurance, totaling $260,411, plus a 20% contingency, for a total estimated cost of $313,000. The estimate to remove the fountain's top two steps does not cover other needed modification costs. Ms. Arasteh estimated modifications to the fountain would cost$160,000. It was stated the proposed modifications to the roundabout can be done in stages. Traffic Operations Manager Paul Bertels said the projects are independent of each other. He recommended curb adjustments be constructed in tandem with splitter island modifications. Staff was requested to compare the cost of completely resurfacing and restriping the roundabout versus removing and replacing the striping. Mr. Bertels said inclusion of plastic striping was an oversight. He felt painted stripes would be less expensive. Public Works Director Gary Johnson estimated work would take several nights. Concern was expressed removing the Marina splitter island may cause problems. Ms. Arasteh said the splitter islands stop drivers from making left turns onto the roundabout. Mr. Johnson indicated they also provide a place of refuge for pedestrians. In response to a question, Mr. Johnson said Mr. Crown had recommended the bollards be moved back five feet. Vehicles had destroyed three of them. The bollards are necessary to keep vehicles off the sidewalks. It was recommended the Poinsettia exit be located before the roundabout. In response to a question, Ms. Arasteh said some costs related to Mandalay modifications can be absorbed by the streetscape project. Member Littler moved to recommend modifications to the roundabout as recommended by Barry Crown to include #1 adjust curb line to southbound lane from Mandalay to Coronado - west side only; #2 modify Mandalay splitter island; #3 enlarge curb return into right-of-way for northbound traffic off Coronado; #4 modify Coronado mbe05a01 2 05/07/01 mbe05a01 3 05/07/01 I I I I I I I I I I :1 I I I I I I I I splitter island; and #7 - enlarge curb line between Marina and eastbound lane on Causeway. The motion was duly seconded It was stated the annual savings from replacing the fountain with landscaping would cover the cost of these modifications. In response to a concern, it was indicated the new entrance to Wings had been constructed at night and did not affect roundabout traffic. Ms. Arasteh said the Wings project took four weeks. When working on special in- house projects, staff cannot complete City planned projects, such as sidewalk installation. In response to a question, Mr. Bertels said traffic counters are on all beach access roads. The loops are being fine tuned. It was stated the trigger that stops causeway traffic onto the roundabout to address backups on Mandalay does not resolve traffic backups on Coronado. It was suggested a loop also address Coronado backups. Mr. Bertels said another traffic control cabinet has been installed at East Shore. The preemptive control of roundabout traffic for the beach Fire Station is almost complete. He disagreed with Barry Crown's recommendation to move the Mandalay pedestrian crossing closer to the roundabout. It was stated the fact that Coronado has a two-lane exit is not apparent to roundabout drivers. It was suggested some candlesticks be installed. Discussion ensued regarding traffic flow problems, including those related to drivers who are afraid to use the inside lane. Mr. Bertels said staff is reviewing striping and the use of arrows on the pavement. Ms. Arasteh said signage needs to be improved. Upon the vote being taken, the motion carried unanimously. Discussion ensued regarding Barry Crown's recommendations #5 - remove Marina splitter island and #6 - remove splitter island at Poinsettia. Safety concerns were expressed regarding the recommendation to replace the splitter islands with striping. It was suggested mountable bumps be installed to provide a refuge for pedestrians, direction for traffic, and allow room for truck movement. Mr. Johnson said pavers could be included in the bid process. Member Wagenfohr moved to recommend altering the splitter islands at the Marina and Poinsettia to make them raised medians in front of the crosswalk and to leave them at the existing height behind the crosswalk. The motion was duly seconded. Members Hamilton, Littler, Lupien, Moran, Schulman, and Wagenfohr voted "Aye"; Member Bickerstaffe voted "Nay." Motion carried. Discussion ensued regarding Crown's recommendation #8 - remove fountain's top two tiers. Ms. Arasteh said the result would not be aesthetically pleasing. It was suggested a reflecting pond, as originally proposed, replace the fountain. It was suggested bubblers replace the spray to conserve water. It was felt drivers should be able to see across to the other side of the roundabout. Mr. Johnson said removing the outside two tiers would cost $160,000. Staff will review the recommendations to remove the top tiers in the center of the fountain. It was suggested modifications to the fountain could lower operating costs. I, I I, I I I I \1 I I I I I I I I I I I In response to a question, Mr. Johnson said while the fountain is turned off due to the water shortage, staff will fix the leaks, drain it, steam clean it, sand blast it, then review the drought situation. In response to a suggestion, Ms. Arasteh said staff has not found an expert who can solve problems related to the fountain, which has a unique design. It was requested staff forward copies of Camp Dresser McKee, Inc. suggestions. Mr. Johnson said until the drought subsides, it will be difficult to determine how much water should be displayed. It was suggested nothing be done regarding this issue until the drought is over. In response to a question, Mr. Johnson said reducing the fountain's diameter would be difficult as the drains are on the outside. A report on all fountain operating costs was requested. In response to suggestions to raise the roundabout roadway several inches to improve visual sight lines, Ms. Arasteh indicated the roundabout already is higher than the surrounding roadways. She expressed concern increasing the angle of roundabout access would increase driver difficulty. That change also would affect drainage. The roundabout roadway would not be raised sufficiently to improve sight lines. It was felt the fountain should not be modified as it is a signature feature on Clearwater beach. c) Alternatives The Chair said the final report will need to include Committee recommended alternatives. He welcomed input and requested members bring suggestions to the next meeting. Concern was expressed future changes to the beach will affect roundabout traffic. The location of future parking garages and the development of resort properties need to be considered. It was recommended a parking garage be constructed on north beach to educate visitors and encourage use of that portion of beach. It was suggested when that garage is fully used, another garage be constructed by the recreation center, using footers sufficient to allow future expansion. In response to a question, staff will verify meter use on the beach. It was suggested visitors be encouraged to exit north beach via Poinsettia to im prove traffic flow. Discussion ensued regarding difficulties accessing the roundabout off Coronado. It was suggested a Police Aide be assigned to the roundabout during high traffic times. Concern was expressed the roundabout needs to be better illuminated. It was stated Code prohibits businesses from shining light onto surrounding properties. It was felt Wings violates that requirement, causing the roundabout to appear even darker. It was requested staff see if the business can lower its light pollution. It was recommended roundabout lighting be evaluated. It was stated the lighting at the Hilton works well. ITEM #4 - New Business Ms. Arasteh said parking on the Causeway may soon be removed. Concern was expressed a yearly event, advertised in conjunction with Fun 'n Sun, draws a large crowd to Clearwater beach. Participants, however, bring their own ice and supplies. The mbe05a01 4 05/07/01 mbe05a01 5 05/07/01 I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I organizer is the only one who profits from this massive incursion. It was recommended the event be discouraged in the future. ITEM #5 - Next Meetina The next meeting date will be May 14, 2001 at 4:00 p.m. The Committee will review traffic counts from Spring Break and possibly modify their recommendations. Adjournment The meeting adjourned at 5:35 p.m. Chair Clearwater Beach Entryway Advisory Committee Attest: City Clerk I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I' I CLEARWATER BEACH ENTRYWAY ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETING CITY OF CLEARWATER March 26, 2001 Present: Commissioner Ed Hart Herb Brown Lucile Casey Commissioner Hoyt Hamilton Bruce Littler Dan Moran Roger Schulman Carl Wagenfohr Bob Bickerstaffe Absent: Arthur Lupien Commissioner Bill Jonson Also present: Gary Johnson Paul Bertels Lt. Mike Waters Cynthia E. Goudeau Patricia O. Sullivan Facilitator/Non Voting Chair Committee Member Committee Member Committee Member Committee Member Committee Member Committee Member Committee Member Committee Member Committee Member Alternate Public Works Director Traffic Operations Manager Police Department - departed 5:25 p.m. City Clerk Board Reporter The Chair called the meeting to order at 4:00 p.m. at City Hall. To provide continuity for research, items are in agenda order although not necessarily discussed in that order. ITEM #1 - Review Minutes In reference to the minutes of the regular meeting of March 19, 2001, page 2, paragraph 3, it was recommended the word "initiate" be replaced by "implement." In reference to page 3, paragraph 2, it was recommended after"... a handicapped person required that accommodation." it should read, "It was estimated only 1 0% of motorists use their turn signals in the roundabout. Lt. Waters said the major point of conflict is at the Coronado exit. Concern was expressed trucks speed through the roundabout." ITEM #2 - Old Business Traffic Operations Manager Paul Bertels referred to expressed concerns regarding dangers affecting motorcyclists. Although rubber striping can be slippery, using paint instead requires frequent reapplication. It was suggested the rubber striping be replaced by paint and when the paint fades, staff can observe traffic movement through the roundabout without striping. mbe03c01 1 03/26/01 mbe03c01 2 03/26/01 I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I ITEM #3 - Discussion Items a) Roundabout Report Review AND b) Executive Summary & Specific Recommendations The Chair said the committee's draft report would be submitted for City Commission review on March 31, 2001. Members were requested to submit additional materials by Wednesday. Changes can be made to the draft after Spring Break. Staff distributed a map of the roundabout, highlighting areas recommended for widening in the Crown Report. It was stated most costs related to Crown's recommended changes address speed and capacity. It was recommended the Committee focus on safety related recommendations. It was noted all changes must consider Beach by Design plans. c) Alternatives other than the Crown Report It was suggested signs clearly indicate both lanes exit at Coronado to limit conflicts when inner lane vehicles attempt to exit there. It was stated accidents occur when inner lane vehicles turn in front of outer lane vehicles. It was suggested candlesticks between the roundabout's lanes could limit inner lane turns prior to the Coronado exit. It was recommended the Coronado exit be treated the same as the Causeway exit. It was noted vehicles have difficulty after exiting the Marina when trying to reach Mandalay. It was stated the parking lot for Crabby Bills is being redesigned. It was requested staff clarify that the Mandalay realignment and streetscaping project are coordinated with the roundabout. d) New Information from Barry Crown Mr. Bertels reported Barry Crown had suggested the City only implement his recommended redesign between Mandalay and Coronado: 1) realign west curb line of roundabout from east-west axis, south into Coronado Drive entrance and 2) resurface and restripe pavement to the final design. That change is estimated to cost $244,000, plus the cost of striping. It was felt the pedestrian crossing on Coronado causes too many backups into the roundabout. It was noted that crossing had been relocated farther from the roundabout to limit backups. It was stated traffic movement to and from the beach has improved significantly since the roundabout was installed. I, I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I Mr. Bertels said Mr. Crown had indicated the accident rate probably would decrease after the minor change is made. Concern was expressed the proposed change will increase traffic speeds between Mandalay and Coronado and create a liT" intersection at Mandalay, making it difficult for that traffic to access the roundabout. It was noted few drivers use the inside lane. It was suggested additional law enforcement would decrease vehicle speeds. It was felt the conflict point at Coronado will remain after Crown changes are made as most Mandalay traffic exits the roundabout at the Causeway. It was stated the change will create problems as Coronado traffic will have little time to access the inner lane and avoid exiting onto the Causeway. It was suggested removing the medians at Poinsettia and the Marina would increase turning radii. Public Works Director Gary Johnson said the islands help direct traffic. He estimated implementation of the reduced change would disrupt traffic for three months. It was suggested the change would be worth it if it alleviates dangers. Member Brown moved for staff to contact Barry Crown and ask if his new recommendation will alleviate traffic safety issues and to report on estimated costs. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously. d) Fountain Operating Costs & Water Consumption Mr. Johnson said due to the drought, the Interim City Manager had ordered the fountain's water display to be limited to cascading down the steps. The geysers will remain off until the drought subsides. Staff will monitor water use. If the fountain is turned off, its caulking will crack and peel and the water will turn green. SWFWMD (Southwest Florida Water Management District) does not have rules related to fountains. In her March 26, 2001 memorandum regarding the Entryway Fountain, Public Works Administrator Mahshid Arasteh said annual maintenance costs total $231,730: 1) $118,330 - fountain maintenance; 2) $60,000 - electric: 3) $38,400 - water; and 4) $15,000 - electrical light maintenance. Annual water costs are based on a monthly water consumption rate of 670,000, as reflected by December use. The fountain used 1-million gallons in January and 1.8-million in February when the fountain had to be drained twice for inspection and repairs. Estimated water consumption for March is estimated to be 280,000 gallons. Also landscaping maintenance of the entryway costs $67,200 annually. It is estimated demolishing the fountain and replacing it with landscaping would cost $544,558: 1) $70,000 - demolition of fountain; 2) $32,800 - irrigation installation; 3) $322,253 - fill material, palms, palm lights, specimens, shrubs, groundcover, St. Augustine sod and mulch; 4) $70,000 -allowance for Maintenance of Traffic; and 5) $49,505 - 10% contingency. Staff estimates maintenance costs at $30,000 annually. mbe03c01 3 03/26/01 Discussion ensued regarding the need for drivers to be able to see the other side of the roundabout. Members disagreed on the importance of that view. Suggestions were to replace the fountain with a concrete sundial, similar to one in San Francisco, or sod and a flag. It was felt those alternatives would become attractive nuisances. It was suggested reclaimed water replace the potable water currently used. Mr. Johnson estimated that change would cost $20,000, plus $100,000 to install a gravity sewer line to reroute the water back to the plant. He reported reclaimed water is extremely corrosive on metal and cast iron grates, and estimated costs related to early failure of components at $300,000 to $400,000. He said people, who are sprayed with reclaimed water, will not get sick as it has extremely high chlorine levels. In response to a question, Mr. Johnson said the fountain's pumps cost $2.1- million and have a salvage value. It was felt removing the fountain and reducing maintenance costs by one-third would be worthwhile. In response to a question, Mr. Johnson said the vault is oversized to support an interactive fountain once envisioned for the nearby park. It was felt the fountain's replacement must be attractive and discourage pedestrians from accessing it. Mr. Johnson said in a few months staff will determine costs related to the fountain cascading water versus shooting geysers. It was stated the City cannot afford the high costs related to fountain maintenance. Opposition to destroying the beautiful fountain was expressed. It was stated the fountain is a focal point, loved by tourists. It was stated water features are popular and appreciated world wide. It was suggested related costs could be modified. Concern was expressed water from the fountain's spray not dampen the road and jeopardize the safety of motorcyclists. Member Wagonfohr moved to recommend, that based on concerns related to the fountain, the Commission consider modifications the fountain to reduce operating cost, address safety, reduce use of potable water, and improve the sight line. The motion was duly seconded. Discussion ensued regarding site lines. It was suggested beach businesses be surveyed and private funding to support fountain costs be investigated. Upon the vote being taken, Members Casey, Hamilton, Schulman, and Wagonfohr voted" Aye"; Members Bickerstaffe, Brown, Littler, and Moran voted "Nay." Motion failed. Member Moran moved to recommend to the City Commission that the fountain be modified to change only water flow, so that it cascades and that no structure mbe03c01 4 03/26/01 I I I I I I -I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I 'I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I' I changes be made to the fountain. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously. ITEM #4 - New Business Staff reported this weekend an art show is planned for Cleveland Street, a concert will block Drew Street, and a volleyball tournament is planned for Pier 60. It was felt special events are not needed in March. ITEM #5 - Next Meetino The next meeting date will be May 7, 2001 at 4:00 p.m. Adiournment The meeting adjourned at 5:39 p.m. 72U Chair Clearwater Beach Entryway Advisory Committee Attest: ~c ",--L City erk /~L I ):.J, ~____ _ mbe03c01 5 03/26/01 Facilitator/Non Voting Chair Committee Member - arrived 4:09 p.m. Committee Member Committee Member Committee Member Committee Member Committee Member Committee Member I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I CLEARWATER BEACH ENTRYWAY ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETING CITY OF CLEARWATER March 19, 2001 Present: Commissioner Ed Hart Herb Brown Lucile Casey Hoyt Hamilton Bruce Littler Roger Schulman Carl Wagenfohr Bob Bickerstaffe Absent: Arthur Lupien Dan Moran Bill Jonson Also present: Mahshid Arasteh Gary Johnson Paul Bertels Lt. Mike Waters Cynthia E. Goudeau Patricia O. Sullivan Committee Member Committee Member Alternate Public Works Administrator Public Works Director - arrived 4:07 p.m. Traffic Operations Manager Police Department - departed 5: 11 p.m. City Clerk Board Reporter The Chair called the meeting to order at 4:00 p.m. at City Hall. To provide continuity for research, items are in agenda order although not necessarily discussed in that order. ITEM #1 - Approval of Minutes Member Casey moved to approve the minutes of the regular meetings of February 5, and March 5, 2001, as submitted in written summation to each board member. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously. ITEM #2 - Old Business - None. ITEM #3 - Discussion Items a) Roundabout Report Review AND b) Executive Summary & Specific Recommendations mbe03b01 03/19/01 I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I Commissioner Hart said next week he will present to the committee a summary draft to meet the Mayor's request that the committee submit a report by the end of the month. A minority statement will be attached. The committee previously had determined the final report could not be prepared until after data collected during Spring Break is analyzed. It was noted any future changes related to Beach by Design, such as the location of parking garages, must be coordinated with traffic movement through the roundabout. Frustration was expressed that alternatives to Crown Report recommendations had not been presented. Concern was expressed the City must be certain incorporating Crown Report recommendations into the roundabout is worth the financial investment of approximately $1.5-million. It was suggested a police presence would slow traffic and improve safety. It was felt motorists can not read all of the signage along the causeway entrance to the roundabout. In a show of hands, Members Brown, Casey, Hamilton, Littler, and Bickerstaffe opposed and Members Wagenfohr and Schulman supported adopting Crown Report recommendations. It was suggested staff's recommendation to remove striping from the roundabout be tried after Spring Break. Public Works Administrator Mahshid Arasteh expressed concern regarding the marking of lanes entering the roundabout. It was noted in Vail, Colorado, up to three lanes at one point access the unmarked lanes of the roundabout. It was stated the Vail roundabout has a larger circumference and fewer pedestrians. It was noted traffic through Clearwater's roundabout is much greater than anticipated. It was stated cold weather is responsible for this year's traffic decrease. Member Littler moved that problems related to the roundabout are so complex, the committee believes the cost benefits of spending between $1.3- and $1 .5-million to implement the Crown Report recommendations have not been demonstrated. The motion was duly seconded. Members Brown, Casey, Hamilton, Littler, and Bickerstaffe voted" Aye"; Members Schulman and Wagenfohr voted "Nay." Motion carried. It was stated the committee's recommendation would indicate the importance of anticipating the effects of future construction related to Beach by Design, the location of future parking garages, and the final decision related to three development proposals. Member Littler moved to recommend that the City Commission retain a Beach Entryway Advisory Committee to review problems with the roundabout in light of major changes to occur as the beach is redeveloped. The motion was duly seconded. It was felt committee members act as liaisons between the community and City regarding issues related to the roundabout. It was stated the committee can provide information to the City Commission when action is needed. It was indicated the beach mbe03b01 2 03/19/01 mbe03b01 3 03/19/01 I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I suffers few traffic problems during most of the year. It was stated the roundabout works much better to move traffic than did the previous road configuration and traffic signals. It was felt the decrease in roundabout accidents has resulted from installing candlesticks in the roundabout at the causeway. It was suggested the roundabout may be more efficient than the previous intersection but it is less safe. Upon the vote being taken, the motion carried unanimously. Lt. Waters stated a reduction in the number of Police Aides on the beach is a result of a department budget reduction. Discussion ensued regarding the matrix listing committee comments. It was felt the committee had rejected a proposal to increase funding for police enforcement as the committee cannot dictate these issues to the City Commission and had felt increased funding should not be directed only to the beach. It was stated it still is too dark in the roundabout at night. Lt. Waters reported traffic moved smoothly when staff disconnected the signal at the crosswalk on Coronado Avenue while they were present. Staff was able to change the signal light when a handicapped person required that accommodation. The department paid overtime for these services. It was estimated only 10% of motorists use their turn signals in the roundabout. Lt. Waters said the major point of conflict is at the Coronado exit. Concern was expressed trucks speed through the roundabout. It was requested committee members rate the issues listed in the comments matrix and forward it to staff this week along with alternative suggestions. c) Other Concerns Roadway Design for Motorcycle Safety A page from the National Safety Foundation report on roadway characteristics important for motorcycle safety was distributed. Concern was expressed regarding hazards in the roundabout including slick materials used to paint directional arrows on the pavement that interfere with traction and fluid spills, such as water from the fountain, which can cause a loss of traction and result in a crash. Fountain Operation Concern was expressed the annual cost to operate the fountain is $0.25-million and that the fountain uses 1-million gallons of water monthly due to spillage and evaporation. Ms. Arasteh suggested reclaimed water could be used. Public Works Director Gary Johnson said staff will report on costs related to the fountain, including the cost to raze and replace it with landscaping. It was felt enlarging the roundabout by narrowing the fountain area would not be helpful. It was requested staff estimate the cost of widening the roundabout by six feet. Ms. Arasteh I I I I I I I I I I I; I I I I I II I I indicated the Crown Report could be used as a guide for that cost as implementing those recommendations would widen most of the roundabout by five feet or more. ITEM #4 - New Business - None. ITEM #5 - Next Meetinq The next meeting is scheduled for March 26, 2001. Adiournment The meeting adjourned at 5:21 p.m. Chair Clearwater Beach Entry ay Advisory Committee Attest: C'~"" 2-.. .~U n. Cit lerk mbe03b01 4 03/19/01 I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I CLEARWATER BEACH ENTRYWAY ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETING CITY OF CLEARWATER March 5, 2001 Present: Commissioner Ed Hart Herb Brown Lucile Casey Bruce Littler Dan Moran Roger Schulman Carl Wagenfohr Bob Bickerstaffe Bill Jonson Absent: Hoyt Hamilton Arthur Lupien Also present: Mahshid Arasteh Paul Bertels Sgt. Fontayne Egger Cynthia E. Goudeau Patricia O. Sullivan Facilitator/Non Voting Chair Committee Member - departed 5:35 p.m. Committee Member - arrived 4: 1 0 p.m. Committee Member Committee Member Committee Member Committee Member Committee Member - arrived 4: 1 0 p.m. Alternate Committee Member Committee Member Public Works Administrator Traffic Operations Manager Police Department City Clerk Board Reporter The Chair called the meeting to order at 4:00 p.m. at City Hall. To provide continuity for research, items are in agenda order although not necessarily discussed in that order. ITEM #1 - Aooroval of Minutes Approval of the minutes of the February 5, 2001 minutes will be considered at the next meeting. ITEM #2 - Old Business ITEM #3 - Discussion Items a) Overview of Roundabout Advisory Committee Meetings AND b) Committee Member Summary Reports AND c) Cost Matrix mbe03a01 1 03/05/01 mbe03a01 2 03/05/01 I I I I I II I I I I I I I I I I I I I AND d) Roundabout Committee Comments Matrix AND e) Educational Model The Chair said the City Commission had requested the committee file a report as soon as possible. He recommended the committee prioritize projects recommended by Barry Crown. He said Mr. Crown had stated the City should institute all of his recommendations or none of them. He suggested the report include the five discussion items listed above, as well as a brief overview presented in a one-page executive summary with recommendations. He reviewed some citizen suggestions including constructing a flyover, elongating the roundabout, designating Poinsettia and Mandalay as one-way pairs, and rewiring the intersection for signal lights. He recommended the committee meet weekly. Committee members were requested to submit to Carolyn Brink by March 9, 2001, their comments, corrections, and suggestions. Discussion ensued regarding the report. It was suggested the report be succinct, that it detail options, and review dissension. It was felt resident opinions should count. It was felt enforcement of traffic and pedestrian laws would slow vehicles and improve traffic flow. Member Wagenfohr moved for the report to include an executive summary and recommendations, the overview of roundabout advisory committee meetings, as amended, committee member summary reports, the cost matrix, roundabout committee comments matrix, and the educational model. The motion was duly seconded. Discussion ensued. Public Works Administrator Mahshid Arasteh said staff will revise the overview after all comments are received. Upon the vote being taken, Members Casey, Moran, Schulman, Wagenfohr, and Bickerstaffe voted "Aye"; Members Brown and Littler voted "Nay." Motion carried. It was noted the municipal election is scheduled for next week. Consensus was to schedule the next meeting for March 19, 2001. It was felt implementing Crown recommendations would not be worth the financial investment. A recommendation to limit access to the beach on key weekends was stated. It was noted the roundabout is safest when it is crowded and traffic moves slowly. It was indicated the Fire Department had opposed recommendations to roughen the pavement to slow traffic. It was noted an accident on the causeway also causes traffic tie-ups. I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I It was stated the roundabout is too dark at night. It was noted the fountain's lights have been off while the fountain is short cycling. It was suggested the City install lights similar to those in the Hilton parking lot, as they look similar but are brighter and friendlier. In response to a question, Sgt. Egger stated 12 accidents were reported in February. While only 3 accidents were reported in January, the Police Department has changed its procedures and now writes reports for all accidents. The reports do not indicate where in the roundabout the accidents had occurred. It was recommended the report include an appendix listing accident statistics. It was stated the educational model does not explain that right turns from the roundabout's left lane are allowed at Coronado and the Causeway. It was indicated the location of future parking garages will impact traffic movements through the roundabout. It was suggested the City try removing lane striping within the roundabout. Ms. Arasteh said that type of experiment would have to be delayed until after Spring Break. Member Brown moved to recommend the Crown report not be accepted in its entirety without modification. The motion was duly seconded. It was noted the committee previously had approved implementation of several items in the report. Discussion ensued regarding the motion. Upon the vote being taken, Members Brown, Casey, Littler, Moran, Wagenfohr, and Bickerstaffe voted "Aye"; Member Schulman voted "Nay." Motion carried. It was recommended the Cost Matrix and Roundabout Committee Comments Matrix be cross-referenced. Discussion ensued regarding the proposal to remove striping in the roundabout, the proposal to move the Mandalay and Coronado accesses closer together, and points of conflict, especially at the Coronado exit. Opposition was expressed regarding the Crown recommended "T" intersection at Mandalay. Member Wagenfohr moved to recommend approval of Item 3.1 of the combined summary matrix to modify the geometry from the entry at Mandalay Avenue to the exit into Coronado Drive, removing the reference to revising the striping. The motion was duly seconded. Members Casey, Moran, Schulman, Wagenfohr, and Bickerstaffe voted "Aye"; Members Brown and Littler voted "Nay." Motion carried. Member Wagenfohr moved to add Item 3.1 a, Revised Striping, to the combined summary matrix. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously. Member Wagenfohr moved to recommend approval of Item 3.1 a: striping changes per the Crown illustration to allow inside lane traffic to exit at Coronado. The motion was duly seconded. Discussion ensued regarding traffic movement. Concern was expressed increased conflicts may result if striping is removed from the roundabout. It was stated that by mbe03a01 3 03/05/01 mbe03a01 4 03/05/01 I I I I I !I I I I I I I I I I I I I I approving Item 3.1, revised geometry of the Mandalay entrance/Coronado exit, the remaining recommendations in the Crown report also have to be approved. Upon the vote being taken, the motion carried unanimously. It was suggested the board review the combined summary matrix and vote against the inclusion of certain items. Member Casey moved to reconsider the motion approving Item 3. 1 of the combined summary matrix at the next meeting. The motion was duly seconded. Members Brown, Casey, littler, and Moran voted "Aye"; Members Schulman, Wagenfohr, and Bickerstaffe voted "Nay." Motion carried. ITEM #4 - New Business Ms. Arasteh reported the annual advisory board dinner is scheduled at the Harborview Center on March 20, 2001, at 6:00 p.m. Member Wagenfohr said the educational model for Pinellas County School Board drivers' education instructors was well received. Staff is capturing roundabout movements on film for use in a video. ITEM #5 - Next MeetinQ The next meeting is scheduled for March 19, 2001. Adiournment The meeting adjourned at 5:43 p.m. Chair Clearwater Beach E Attest: (i \J . ',.~" \. City . (' ) ,J~ .~: <. __ ( \\ i '_.;;' , ,( .'. -~'- I I I I I I I I I I I I ,I I I I I I I CLEARWATER BEACH ENTRYWAY ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETING CITY OF CLEARWATER February 5, 2001 Present: Commissioner Ed Hart Lucile Casey Bruce Littler Dan Moran Roger Schulman Carl Wagenfohr Bob Bickerstaffe Bill Jonson Absent: Herb Brown Hoyt Hamilton Arthur Lupien Also present: Mahshid Arasteh Gary Johnson Paul Bertels Lt. Mike Waters Cynthia E. Goudeau Patricia O. Sullivan Facilitator/Non Voting Chair Committee Member - arrived 4:41 p.m. Committee Member Committee Member Committee Member Committee Member Committee Member - arrived 4:02 p.m. Alternate Committee Member Committee Member Committee Member Public Works Administrator Public Works Director Traffic Operations Manager Police Department City Clerk Board Reporter The Chair called the meeting to order at 4:00 p.m. at City Hall. To provide continuity for research, items are in agenda order although not necessarily discussed in that order. ITEM #1 - Aooroval of Minutes Member Littler moved to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of January 8, 2001, as submitted in written summation to each board member. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously. ITEM #2 - Old Business - None. ITEM #3 - Discussion Items a) Draft - Overview of Roundabout Advisory Committee Meetings In reference to Traffic Operations Manager Paul Bertels' January 31, 2001 memorandum, Commissioner Hart complimented staff for the outline and recommended the report be presented in matrix form and include action statements reviewed at the end of several meetings, committee conclusions, and recommendations, with reflection on the flavor of discussions. Public Works Administrator Mahshid Arasteh noted minutes of the meetings provide brief summarizations. During the course of its meetings, the committee mbe020 1 1 02/05/01 mbe020 1 2 02/05/01 I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I voted on few issues. Discussion ensued regarding the best way to gather committee member conclusions. It was recommended staff gather individual committee recommendations and present them to the committee for a vote. After further discussion, it was recommended committee members review each issue before March. It was suggested the final report list actions taken at the behest of the committee, such as moving signage and the wind gauge, and note future actions unrelated to the committee such as the required new entrance to the Wings property. Also suggested for inclusion were accident statistics, traffic volume comparisons with previous years, and traffic counts of vehicular arrivals and departures to Clearwater beach. It was suggested the committee submit a majority and minority report, supporting opposing positions, especially related to close votes. It was suggested a member draft a minority report to report the concerns of the minority. City Clerk Cyndie Goudeau said the minority report could be attached to the committee's final report. It was suggested the report indicate implementation of Barry Crown's recommendations would cost between $1.3- and $1. 5-million. Committee members had opposed several of Crown recommendations, but no consensus was determined. It was suggested an appendix to the report include all member summations. It was felt speeding causes most problems related to the roundabout. It was suggested devices, such as candlesticks or raised markers, be installed to separate lanes to force drivers to remain in their lane until their exit, and reduce their speed to negotiate the roundabout's tight turns. It was stated large cobblestones in Washington D.C.'s neighborhoods have slowed traffic there significantly. In response to a suggestion, Ms. Arasteh said widening the roundabout would encourage motorists to drive two-abreast in one lane. Lt. Waters stated traffic coming off the causeway often ignores signs requiring motorists to yield to roundabout traffic. Concern was expressed staff never explained why the committee recommended plan to require outside lane traffic to exit to Coronado never was implemented. Discussion ensued regarding the Vail, Colorado roundabout. Barry Crown's recommendation to mark two lanes in the roundabout to increase capacity outweighed staff's recommendation to remove the lane markings. It was suggested it would be safer for pedestrians to jay walk rather than limiting their movement to crosswalks. It was noted residents had complained the crossing signal on south beach stops traffic too often. Mr. Bertels stated the light must remain red for 20 seconds. The sequence can be repeated once a minute. It was suggested the interval be extended to once every 3 or 5 minutes. Mr. Bertels said the City must provide this signal to meet ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) requirements and provide a reasonable accommodation similar to standard practices. It was suggested a sign on the traffic signal could explain the interval. In response to a suggestion, Mr. Bertels said signals that count down seconds require special permit as drivers sometimes rely on the count down to effect drag strip conditions. I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I II II II Commissioner Hart said he would present the report to the City Commission and report it is in draft form and will be available next month, that the committee had agreed to recommend no changes to the roundabout prior to this year's Spring Break, and that the committee will make recommendations related to improvements after a review of data related to the high traffic levels. The committee did not prioritize Crown recommendations but did agree the least important recommendations were to lower the fountain walls and add a crosswalk on the Causeway, across from the Marina. Barry Crown had recommended the City adopt all or none of his recommendations. Staff will contact members to remind them to submit their reports. The format for the final draft will be determined at the next meeting. b) Educational Model Member Wagenfohr reported he had worked with staff and Jim Eubanks, with the Pinellas County School District, on a countywide curriculum related to negotiating roundabouts. Clearwater beach offers opportunities for students to experience a single and double lane roundabout. A teacher training session is scheduled for March for implementation in Pinellas County Schools' drivers education classes. The School Board will fund costs of copying the videos. It will be necessary to develop a new module if changes are made to the roundabout's design. It was suggested the program be expanded to Hillsborough County. Input from engineering experts and the National Safety Council also was recommended. It was suggested staff present the educational model draft to the committee for future review. It was stated a videotape for hotel guests also is needed. Brochure It was suggested errors in the roundabout brochure be corrected before it is reprinted. Errors relate to directions for exiting from the roundabout. It was suggested the brochure identify the single and double lane entrances/exits and explain the ingress/egress methods for each. It was recommended the roundabout drawing be large enough for hotel/motel owners to use as a diagram to highlight the roundabout movement necessary to access their property and forward it to guests prior to their visit. A new brochure cannot be designed until the City Commission makes a decision regarding changes. Ms. Arasteh requested committee members forward recommendations to staff. ITEM #4 - New Business Lt. Mike Waters reported a Citywide Police Department policy change now requires the issuance of a report for every accident, regardless of resulting damage. The number of accident reports issued will increase. Ms. Arasteh said the reports will help staff identify the location of all accidents. Concern was expressed the press not use this change to mbe0201 3 02/05/01 mbe020 1 4 02/05/01 I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I skew statistics related to the roundabout. Lt. Waters reported a recent dramatic accident outside the roundabout attracted heavy media attention when the vehicles were lifted out of the fountain. He said a medical condition was responsible for the accident, not the roundabout. Lt. Waters reported Pinellas County had sponsored a sand sculpture event at Sand Key Park in conjunction with Super Bowl. Although literature indicated the display closed at dusk, a considerable amount of traffic was attracted to onsite light shows after dark. The County did not provide additional personnel to deal with the resulting traffic jam. He said the roundabout was much more successful at moving traffic than traffic signals were in the past. Southbound traffic off the roundabout was shut down only three times, for one minute each, to allow traffic to dissipate. He suggested committee members consider advantages related to the roundabout. ITEM #5 - Next Meetinq The next meeting is scheduled for March 5, 2001. Adjournment The meeting adjourned at 5:22 p.m. Chat Clearwater Beach En ryway Advisory Committee Attest: %\.\-QlA~ [. )jq.,..rh... _ Clt \ lerk . I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I CLEARWATER BEACH ENTRYWAY ADVISORY COMMITTEE CITY OF CLEARWATER January 8, 2001 Present: Commissioner Ed Hart Herb Brown Lucile Casey Hoyt Hamilton Bruce Littler Dan Moran Roger Schulman Carl Wagenfohr Bob Bickerstaffe Bill Jonson Absent: Arthur Lupien Also present: Gary Johnson Paul Bertels Lt. Mike Waters Cynthia E. Goudeau Patricia O. Sullivan Facilitator/Non Voting Chair Committee Member - arrived 4:12 p.m. Committee Member - arrived 4: 19 p.m. Committee Member Committee Member Committee Member - arrived 4: 18 p.m. Committee Member Committee Member Committee Member Alternate - arrived 4:25 p.m. Committee Member Public Works Director Traffic Operations Manager Police Department City Clerk Board Reporter To provide continuity for research, items are in agenda order although not necessarily discussed in that order. The Chair called the meeting to order at 4:00 p.m. at City Hall. ITEM #1 - Aooroval of Minutes Member Littler moved to approve the minutes of the regular meetings of November 20, November 27, and December 11, 2000 as submitted in written summation to each board member. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously. ITEM #2 - Old Business Traffic Operations Manager Paul Bertels reported the loops on approaches to the roundabout will be operating within two weeks. He said the pedestrian crossing has been moved farther south on Coronado, providing storage for 24 vehicles before traffic backs into the roundabout. It was stated during the week before New Year, no police aids were on duty and gridlock occurred near 3'd Street, due to vehicles waiting to enter the parking lot. Mr. Bertels stated one truck, stopped in the outside lane, also had caused backups. He indicated some signs had been relocated farther east of the roundabout entry. Lt. Mike Waters said the Police Department in December had received 13 calls on roundabout accidents and issued 3 reports. It was requested police reports indicate by which exit each accident occurs. mbe0101 1 01/08/01 mbe0101 2 01/08/01 I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I ITEM #3 - Discussion Items a) Final Report to Commission Members were requested to submit their suggestions for the final report. New development agreements under consideration and Beach by Design plans may require modifications to committee recommendations to improve the roundabout. It was recommended data be gathered during Spring Break before changes are made. Staff will compile member comments and present the committee with a draft final report. It was stated none of the members had recommended removing the fountain. Concern was expressed the committee should not ignore comments from citizens who had attended the charettes and supported that action. It was recommended another charette be scheduled to provide information to the community regarding committee recommended changes. Concern was expressed proposed changes to the Mandalay Avenue entry will increase delays for north beach residents. It was stated the roundabout had improved traffic significantly during last year's Spring Break when compared with previous years. It was stated Barry Crown feels marking lanes in the roundabout is important because American drivers are unfamiliar with the design. It was recommended lane markings be eliminated and traffic enforcement be increased. Concern was expressed removing lane markings will cause speeds to increase. It was stated foreign visitors were impressed by the roundabout and had commented on its beauty. It was recommended no changes be made to the roundabout until another season of data is gathered and Beach by Design plans are firmed. The majority of the committee agreed the final report should recommend nothing be done until: 1) Beach by Design plans are approved; 2) negotiations related to three proposed beach development projects are completed; and 3) data is gathered from the 2001 season. It was requested staff also provide roundabout data related to Super Bowl weekend. It was recommended the City Commission approve additional funds for police enforcement of pedestrian and vehicular laws. Concern was expressed ticketing visitors hurts tourism. In response to a suggestion, Lt. Waters stated Police Officers must retain discretion to issue a ticket or a warning for traffic law infractions. He anticipated a decrease in police activity on the beach will result from budget cuts. It was recommended the City provide the Police Department with adequate resources to enforce traffic laws. It was felt no problems have occurred related to pedestrian traffic. Concern was expressed Mr. Crown's recommended changes would increase vehicular speeds through the roundabout and endanger pedestrians. Discussion ensued regarding enforcement needs. It was recommended entry speeds be enforced. It was suggested the sign that reports a vehicle's speed would slow traffic. It was suggested many drivers are not aware the speed limit through the roundabout is 15 mph. Mr. Bertels said FOOT (Florida Department of Transportation) opposed lowering speeds for westbound traffic east of the small bridge. I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I Support was expressed for color coordinated signage for North and South beach. It was recommended staff submit to FOOT designs for larger signs on the causeway. Concern was expressed Coronado is not the destination for most tourists and that directional signs should include Gulfview. It was recommended the City rename Coronado "Gulfview" between the roundabout and Gulfview. It was stated proposed development may use Coronado as an entrance. It was noted Gulfview may be redesigned to discourage vehicular traffic. Member Littler moved to submit the committee's recommendation to the City Commission that no changes be made at this time, that staff should monitor roundabout traffic, that if changes are deemed necessary the committee be reformed to review them, that when Beach by Design plans are finalized the committee review changed conditions, that staff educate the public regarding use of the roundabout and enforce traffic laws, and that new signage be installed on the causeway. The motion was duly seconded. Discussion ensued. Concern was expressed the motion would disband the committee. Member Littler withdrew his motion. The seconder agreed. Member Hamilton moved to postpone major changes to the roundabout until data is obtained from one more season, but for staff to make minor changes such as changes to signage and marking lanes, and that the Committee start meeting monthly. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously. Member Casey moved for members to submit their suggestions for staff to draft a summary of committee efforts, and for the committee to finalize the Committee's Report at the meeting of February 5, 2001. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously. Member Wagenfohr moved to encourage the City Commission to increase funding to the Police Department to enforce vehicle and pedestrian safety laws on the beach during peak times. The motion was duly seconded. It was felt increased Police Department funding should not be limited to the beach. Upon the vote being taken Members Casey, Moran, Schulman, and Wagenfohr voted "Aye"; Members Brown, Hamilton, Bruce Littler, and Bickerstaffe voted "Nay." Motion failed. b) Educational Model It was stated a new educational model needs to be designed to instruct residents and visitors on the correct way to use the roundabout. The current brochure is incorrect. C-View will produce a video on correct movements through the roundabout. It was suggested the video also be aired on the County and School Board stations. It was recommended information related to using the roundabout be included in See Magazine as few visitors would view the video. It was suggested educational materials be distributed by the local Chambers of Commerce and beach hotels/motels. It was stated Bay News 9 also could broadcast related information. It was recommended educational materials also mbe0101 3 01/08/01 mbe0101 4 01/08/01 I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I be provided to the Safety Council and Pinellas County School District for its driver education programs as turning right from the left lane is an awkward movement for most drivers. It was stated staff can develop the brochure. Mr. Bertels stated Vail, Colorado will send information regarding their roundabout if they are able to locate it. It was noted residents are now familiar with the roundabout and are more comfortable using it. Mr. Bertels said feedback from agencies across the country has been positive. The importance of using turn signals was noted. Member Wagenfohr moved to encourage staff to develop an education model with assistance from the community, to include the National Safety Council and Pinellas County Schools. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously. ITEM #4 - New Business It was stated backups on the causeway to the main bridge during the Outback Bowl moved twice as fast now that the roundabout is in place. In response to a question, Mr. Bertels reported a large sand sculpture at Sand Key Park is planned for the Super Bowl. Trucks transporting the sand will access the park via Ulmerton Road, instead of via the roundabout. Members requested new parking passes. ITEM #6 - Next Meetina The next meeting is scheduled for February 5, 2001, at 4:00 p.m. at City Hall. The meeting adjourned at 5:50 p.m. Adjournment Chair Clearwater Beach Entr ay Advisory Committee Attest: ~I'~~' ~~. Cit. lerk I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I CLEARWATER BEACH ENTRYWAY ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETING CITY OF CLEARWATER December 11, 2000 Present: Commissioner Ed Hart Herb Brown Hoyt Hamilton Bruce Littler Roger Schulman Carl Wagenfohr Lucile Casey Dan Moran Vacant Seat Bob Bickerstaffe Bill Jonson Absent: Arthur Lupien Also present: Mahshid Arasteh Paul Bertels Lt. John Slack Sgt. Mike Waters Gary Johnson Cynthia E. Goudeau Patricia O. Sullivan Facilitator/Non Voting Chair Committee Member Committee Member Committee Member Committee Member Committee Member Committee Member - arrived 4: 15 p.m. Committee Member - arrived 4:05 p.m. Committee Member Alternate Alternate Committee Member Public Works Administrator Traffic Operations Manager Police Department Police Department Transportation & Drainage Director City Clerk Board Reporter The Chair called the meeting to order at 4:00 p.m. at City Hall. To provide continuity for research, items are in agenda order although not necessarily discussed in that order. ITEM #1 - Review Minutes Minutes for November 20 and 27, 2000 meetings to be considered for approval on January 8, 2001. ITEM #2 - Old Business Concern was expressed the annomometer, which measures the wind speed and regulates the fountain's spray, has been moved adjacent to a palm tree, resulting in a wind shadow. Traffic Operations Manager Paul Bertels said in the process of moving the pedestrian crossing, the annomometer was moved. Member Wagenfohr moved that preventing water from the fountain from spraying on the roundabout is an important safety issue and that the City always should locate the annomometer outside wind shadows. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously. mbe 1 200 1 1 2/11 /00 mbe 1 200 2 1 2/11 /00 I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I ITEM #3 - Discussion a) Cost Breakdown for Each Modification It was stated the Committee had not slowed the process to upgrade the roundabout, as cost figures were available too late to complete construction prior to Spring Break. In response to a question, Public Works Administrator Mahshid Arasteh said the designer of the original project agreed with Barry Crown's modification recommendations, except he felt the candlesticks on the east side of the roundabout should be relocated and was concerned about increased speeds. Concern was expressed the anticipated cost of almost $1.5-million to modify the roundabout is too expensive. One member submitted a written opinion regarding each suggestion. It was requested other committee members also submit opinions. Discussion ensued regarding the committee's opposition to installing sidewalks across Causeway Boulevard in front of the Marina and reducing the fountain's height. It was suggested the estimated costs to widen the entry/exit radii are too high if it only improves truck movement. It was stated one proposal for beach redevelopment would eliminate the truck exit to East Shore. Fire trucks are able to navigate the roundabout by riding over curbs. It was suggested that movement is unacceptable and should be fixed. It was felt the roundabout is functioning and residents are now educated to traverse it successfully. It was stated the new entryway eliminated a dangerous curve where many fatalities had occurred previously. It was suggested the City spend money on enforcement of traffic laws instead of undertaking a large construction project. Lt. Slack said the Police Department's staff levels on the beach have decreased and may be reduced further. The roundabout now averages 4.4 fender benders per month compared with 15.8 per month before the candlesticks were added. It was recommended staff gather vehicular and pedestrian traffic data this Spring Break to compare with last year. It was suggested the City trim the shrubbery and replace some landscaping to lower maintenance costs. Transportation & Drainage Director Gary Johnson estimated the annual costs to maintain the entryway are $140,000 for the fountain and $140,000 for the landscaping. It was recommended the sign clutter at the roundabout entry be eliminated. It was stated visitors find signage too close together and confusing. Ms. Arasteh reported FDOT (Florida Department of Transportation) has agreed to allow the City to install directional signs on the Causeway, 800 feet and 1600 feet west of Island Way. FDOT requires the City to increase the size of the signs from 36 inches square to 48 inches square. Consensus was to improve the signage by the roundabout by removing extra signs and installing them on the Causeway. Staff will submit a drawing of the signs to the committee. Discussion ensued regarding directional information to be included on the signs. It was recommended the signs identify exits to north and south beach. It was recommended I I the names of destination streets, including Gulfview, be included if it is not too cluttered and confusing. Staff will work on proposed language. Consensus was for neW signs to be instalied as soon as possible, even if they are to be replaced when colors and design are finalized. . In response to a question, Ms. Arasteh said it is important for drivers to decide which lane they need to be in before they enter the roundabout. It was recommended the CitY color coordinate signs to north and south beach, as it is done at Tampa Airport. It was recommended a sign indicate the speed limit through the roundabout is 15 mph. Lt. Siack reported the State must authorize that speed limit if drivers are to be ticketed for speeding. It was suggested a sign be instalied that indicates the speed limit and reports to drivers of oncoming vehicles how fast they are traveling. It was felt the success of the sign could be tested during Spring Break. It successful, Lt. Slack Suggested the sign could be enclosed in an aesthetically attractive housing. Support was expressed for the implementation of the Crown Report recommendations to improve safetY and increase the entryway's capacity. It was suggested committee members respect the opinions of engineerS, who have studied this issue. It was Suggested that drivers be encouraged to use their turn signals. It was recommended illumination of the roundabout be increased. It was noted those costs are not included in the estimate. It was requested that staff submit estimates on the cost of lighting the roundabout with floodlights instalied on top of nearby buildings. Mr. Bertels Suggested adding 4 or 5 light posts along the entry medium could improve the visual perception that the area is too dark. He will report on the increase in illumination that would result. It was stated the color lights look nice. Lt. Slack Suggested consideration of 2-foot high lights that illuminate the roadway only. Staff will research the issue. It was suggested education efforts begin before construction. Concern was expressed little can be done to stop pedestrians from darting into traffic. It was felt the proposed Mandalay reconfiguration may be tOO grandiose. Concern was expressed the proposed change will required traffic from Mandalay to stop when entering the roundabout, instead of yielding. It was recommended educational brochures on the roundabout be distributed at the tourism office on the Courtney Campbell Causeway. I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I b} Education Model - None. ITEM #4 - New Business The Chair reported the CitY commission has requested a written report from the Clearwater Beach Entryway Advisory committee in March, prioritizing recommended projects and sumrnarizing the types of inquiries the committee had made. The committee congratulated Lt. John Slack regarding his promotion to Captain and welcomed his replacement, Sgt. Mike Waters, who had been promoted to Lieutenant. 12/11/00 3 mbe 1200 mbe1200 4 12/11/00 I I I I I I I I I I I I ,I I I I I I I Former Committee member, David Hemerick, was congratulated for his temporary appointment to the City Commission. The City Commission will determine which alternate will assume Mr. Hemerick's seat. In response to an observation, staff will contact Florida Power regarding the light poles, which are out of plumb. It was noted beach business owners feel their input related to this project has not been adequate. It was recommended a meeting to gather input from the beach community should be scheduled within the next 60 days. Discussion ensued regarding beach development project proposals and density issues. ITEM #5 - Next Meetinq The next meeting is scheduled for January 8, 2001, at City Hall, at 4:00 p.m. The meeting adjourned at 5:32 p.m. Adjournment Chai Clearwater Beach En ryway Advisory Committee Attest: ~rr[ /.LQ__ Cit lerk I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I II II CLEARWATER BEACH ENTRYWAY ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETING CITY OF CLEARWATER November 27, 2000 Present: Commissioner Ed Hart Herb Brown Hoyt Hamilton David Hemerick Bruce Littler Arthur Lupien Roger Schulman Carl Wagenfohr Bob Bickerstaffe Bill Jonson Absent: Lucile Casey Dan Moran Also present: Mahshid Arasteh Paul Bertels Lt. John Slack Gary Johnson Cynthia E. Goudeau Patricia O. Sullivan Facilitator/Non Voting Chair Committee Member Committee Member Committee Member Committee Member Committee Member - arrived 4:14 p.m. Committee Member Committee Member Alternate - arrived 4:30 p.m. Alternate Committee Member Committee Member Public Works Administrator Traffic Operations Manager Police Department Transportation & Drainage Director City Clerk Board Reporter The Chair called the meeting to order at 4:05 p.m. at City Hall. To provide continuity for research, items are in agenda order although not necessarily discussed in that order. ITEM #1 - Approval of Minutes Member Hamilton moved to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of November 13, 2000, as submitted in written summation to each board member. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously. ITEM #2 - Old Business - None. ITEM #3 - Discussion - Cost Breakdown for Each Modification Regarding the recommendation to increase the lighting of the roundabout, Traffic Operations Manager Paul Bertels distributed an estimate from Florida Power for installation of an additional 24 light poles and 48 street lights, which would increase foot candles on the roundabout from approximately 1.75 to 4. He suggested adding a column to the spreadsheet to list monthly costs. In additional to an initial installation cost of $3,500, Florida Power would charge $1, 175/month for the additions. The City currently pays r",\;11 dOO 1 11/27/00 Florida Power $1,71 3/monthly for the existing 35 light poles. The total projected cost of the lights is $2,888/month. Installation would require lane closings. Mr. Bertels expressed concern the glow from floodlights from nearby buildings directed onto on the roundabout would intrude on beach wildlife. It was suggested floodlights would be much less expensive and could be directed away from the beach. Mr. Bertels suggested if the City hired a private contractor to install City-owned lights, the mix of fixture ownership would cause confusion. Public Works Administrator Mahshid Arasteh requested the Committee prioritize its recommendations according to short-, medium-, and long-term importance. Concern was expressed costs for the redesign could get out of control if items, and their costs, continue to be added. It was felt Barry Crown's recommendations are too expensive and after the committee has done its due diligence, it should determine the roundabout needs no changes. It was indicated the City has files of complaints. It was felt the committee should honor input at the charettes. In response to a question, Lt. John Slack reported the roundabout averages 15 to 20 accidents monthly, most near Coronado. It was suggested the projects to install a pedestrian walkway east of the fountain and lower the fountain wall could be delayed or removed from the list. It was suggested combining modifications to the Mandalay access to the roundabout with the Mandalay streetscape project would save money. Design work is underway. Project construction will begin in 2002. It was recommended the roundabout and streetscape projects be coordinated. Concern was expressed changes to the Mandalay access not allow significant increases to vehicular speeds. Discussion ensued regarding Mandalay traffic having to stop, not just yield, when entering the roundabout. It was felt the interval for the traffic signal east of the roundabout could be increased to allow more Mandalay traffic to flow onto the roundabout. It was recommended speeding on the roundabout be monitored. Discussion ensued regarding vehicular conflicts on the roundabout. It was suggested the redesign will inconvenience north beach residents. It was noted foliage on the medium has not developed sufficiently to block pedestrian movement. Lt. Slack suggested a fence could frame the grass near the marina and block pedestrian movement into the road. Concern was expressed fences are not aesthetically pleasing. Staff will provide an illustration of the suggestion. It was requested staff provide an estimate of related costs. Ms. Arasteh reported the Fire Department had objected to plans to install speed tables to slow traffic and improve pedestrian safety. The Fire Department said 6 inch-high speed tables would reduce their response time by 2 to 3 minutes. She suggested pavers could be installed instead. In response to a question, Ms. Arasteh said she trusts Mr. Crown's recommendations. He had recommended a crosswalk on Causeway Boulevard to limit the City's liability. Discussion ensued regarding conflicts in the Beach by Design plan related to the proposed intra-island transportation system route between north and south beach. It was stated earlier concerns related to the roundabout's geometry had been addressed. mbe11 dOO 2 11/27/00 I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I II The majority of the committee recommended approval of modifying the geometry between Mandalay's entrance to Coronado's exit and revise the striping. Discussion ensued regarding pedestrian crosswalks. It was noted the recommendation to move the crosswalks approximately 40 feet will limit the number of vehicles backing up into the roundabout. It was stated pedestrians must wait for the light to change at signalized crossings. Transportation & Drainage Director Gary Johnson said costs related to moving the crosswalk include removal of existing pavers. Mr. Bertels said a signalized crossing would increase congestion. Concern was expressed the Mandalay streetscape and realignment projects must be coordinated. It was suggested fencing would direct pedestrians to crosswalks. Concern again was expressed the fencing would be unattractive. The majority of the committee recommended approval of relocating the pedestrian crossing on Mandalay. In response to a question, Mr. Bertels said it is estimated moving the bus stop on Mandalay will cost $1,026. He did not know how buses will pickup passengers without blocking traffic. It was recommended the Police Department begin a more vigorous enforcement of pedestrian rights, as is done in West Coast states. It was felt Fire Department concerns should be considered. ITEM #4 - Discussion - Education Model - None. ITEM #5 - New Business - None ITEM #6 - Next Meetinq Discussion ensued regarding December meetings. Consensus was to schedule one meeting next month on December 11, 2000, at City Hall, at 4:00 p.m. Adiournment The meeting adjourned at 5:30 p.m. Chair Clearwater Beach Entryway Advisory Committee mbe11 dOO 3 11/27/00 I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I CLEARWATER BEACH ENTRYWAY ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETING CITY OF CLEARWATER November 20, 2000 Present: Commissioner Ed Hart Herb Brown Hoyt Hamilton David Hemerick Bruce Littler Arthur Lupien Dan Moran Roger Schulman Carl Wagenfohr Bob Bickerstaffe Bill Jonson Facilitator/Non Voting Chair Committee Member Committee Member Committee Member Committee Member Committee Member Committee Member Committee Member Committee Member Alternate Alternate Absent: Lucile Casey Committee Member Also present: Mahshid Arasteh Paul Bertels Lt. John Slack Gary Johnson Sue Diana Patricia O. Sullivan Public Works Administrator Traffic Operations Manager Police Department Transportation & Drainage Director Assistant City Clerk Board Reporter The Clearwater Beach Entryway Advisory Committee meeting was held at the Clearwater Beach Hilton Hotel, Mandalay Avenue, Clearwater, Florida. The Chair called the meeting to order at 4:05 p.m. The Committee recessed to observe the roundabout from the rooftop of the hotel. The meeting reconvened at 4:25 p.m. in a hotel meeting room. To provide continuity for research, items are in agenda order although not necessarily discussed in that order. ITEM #1 - Approval of Minutes Member Hemerick moved to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of November 6, 2000, as submitted in written summation to each committee member. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously. ITEM #2 - Old Business Fountain Lights Transportation and Drainage Director Gary Johnson was present to answer committee questions related to David Nelson Construction, the roundabout's contractor and bidder on recommended changes. He reported changing the color of the fountain's lights would cost approximately $ 20,000, of which $11,000 is for reusable lenses for the mbe11 cOO 1 11/20/00 mbe11 cOO 2 11/20/00 I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I 364 lights. It was felt all of the lights may not have to be changed for a colorful effect. It was suggested area associations may be willing to collaborate and raise funds for related labor costs. It was questioned if the lights can be covered with temporary filters. Mr. Johnson stated the fountain's warranty would be invalidated if staff makes any modifications to it. Staff was asked to report on the yearly costs to decorate Downtown, the Memorial Causeway, and Clearwater beach for the winter holidays. Lighting the Roundabout Traffic Operations Manager Paul Bertels said Florida Power is providing a cost estimate for increasing the lighting near the roundabout via additional decorative lights and for rooftop floodlights. Re Committee Recommendation to Alter the Roundabout's Exit to Coronado It was stated the newspaper had published an article regarding plans to modify the Coronodo exit from the roundabout. The City received several calls stating Clearwater's agreement with FDOT (Florida Department of Transportation) related to the City obtaining control of a portion of SR 60 required the City to maintain two lanes for north beach traffic to exit the beach on the causeway. The Interim City Manager decided to delay implementation and present it to the City Commission for public input. Concern was expressed the recommendation of the committee, which met weekly for almost 3 months, had been ignored and preference had been given to opinions from citizens who had telephoned the City. Frustration was expressed regarding the influence of those who had not worked on the related issues. It was stated committee members are liaisons between the community and City Commission. Public Works Administrator Mahshid Arasteh said staff will contact FDOT to clarify this issue. ITEM #3 - Discussion - Cost Breakdown for Each Modification The Committee reviewed the spreadsheet. It was noted approximately $965,000 from the original project remains available. It was stated that Barry Crown had recommended relocating crosswalks to limit vehicle backups into the roundabout. It was stated the City may face liability issues related to pedestrians crossing the road in front of the Marina. It was suggested sufficient vegetation or a fence could block pedestrian movement. It was noted many pedestrians cross at the roundabout and will not be impeded by obstructing the mediums. It was suggested ticketing pedestrians is not tourist friendly. Mr. Bertels stated modification work will disrupt traffic. Reducing the size of the fountain will require closing the inside lane every day. Concern was expressed some vehicles near Crabby Bills must back up when exiting the Marina parking lot. It was felt PST A buses are too large to use the Marina for passenger pickup. It was suggested the eastern side of the fountain be painted with white reflective paint to aid drivers at night. Staff was asked to obtain costs for reflective gadgets on the fountain's steps. It was noted the roundabout would not be resurfaced until the new geometry is in place. Discussion ensued regarding related costs. It was requested staff obtain an estimate of the I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I ,I il II cost to move the bench in front of the Hilton and to extend the sidewalk to the road for a bus stop. It was suggested State right-of-way law requiring vehicles to yield to pedestrians should be strictly enforced and highlighted in the educational model. Also vehicular speed should be monitored. It was recommended the project to reconfigure Mandalay be incorporated into the Mandalay streetscape project which is under design. Construction of the streetscape project is planned for 2004. In response to a question, Ms. Arasteh reviewed expenses related to repouring pavers, relocating landscaping, and moving electrical conduits. Concern was expressed the intra-beach transit system in the Beach By Design plan would require a lane on Mandalay in the future. Member Brown moved for the Clearwater Beach Entryway Advisory Committee to recommend that the City not initiate any major changes to the roundabout before Spring Break 2001, but to make minor changes the City Commission considers easy to accomplish. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously. ITEM #4 - Discussion - Education Model It was requested the Committee review the educational recommendations listed in Roundabouts: An Information Guide, published by USDOT and the Federal Highway Administration for discussion next week. ITEM #5 - New Business - None ITEM #6 - Expandinq Spreadsheet Columns - Proposed ITEM #7 - Next Meetinq Concern was expressed continuing a weekly meeting schedule will discourage attendance and member enthusiasm. It was recommended the committee meet next week to complete the review of project costs. The next meeting is scheduled for November 27, 2000, at City Hall, at 4:00 p.m. Adiournment The meeting adjourned at 5:35 p.m. Chair Clearwater Beach Entryway Advisory Committee Attest: ('1 .r _ r ~ \~~L }l.r D,~ Ci y\Clerk .J mbe11 cOO 3 11/20/00 I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I CLEARWATER BEACH ENTRYWAY ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETING CITY OF CLEARWATER November 13, 2000 Present: Commissioner Ed Hart Herb Brown Hoyt Hamilton David Hemerick Bruce Littler Arthur Lupien Dan Moran Roger Schulman Bob Bickerstaffe Bill Jonson Absent: Lucile Casey Carl Wagenfohr Also present: Mahshid Arasteh Paul Bertels Lt. John Slack Cynthia E. Goudeau Patricia O. Sullivan Facilitator/Non Voting Chair Committee Member Committee Member Committee Member Committee Member Committee Member Committee Member Committee Member Alternate Alternate Committee Member Committee Member Public Works Administrator Traffic Operations Manager Police Department City Clerk Board Reporter The Chair called the meeting to order at 4:00 p.m. at City Hall. To provide continuity for research, items are in agenda order although not necessarily discussed in that order. ITEM #1 - Approval of Minutes Member Hamilton moved to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of October 30, 2000, as submitted in written summation to each board member. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously. ITEM #2 - Old Business ADA Concerns Public Works Administrator Mahshid Arasteh said staff had activated the crosswalk traffic light on Coronado due to ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) concerns. Traffic Operations Manager Paul Bertels said one 20-second activation backed traffic into the roundabout beyond Wings. Committee Approved Temporary Changes mbe11 bOO 1 11/13/00 mbe11 bOO 2 11/13/00 I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I Ms. Arasteh said there has been a delay in the committee recommended installation of candlesticks, intended to force right-lane roundabout traffic to exit at Coronado. Staff plans to install the easily removable candlesticks, striping and change the lane assignment signs on Thursday night. A flashing message board on Mandalay will explain the change to southbound motorists. It was recommended the message also state this is an experiment that will end on January 15, 2001. Concern was expressed the proposed change would result in a catastrophe as some drivers are afraid of the inside lane. It was noted traffic backs up behind drivers who are timid about entering the roundabout from the left lane. It was recommended the sequence for the traffic signal regulating traffic from the Causeway be reduced from 8 minutes. Roundabout Lighting In his November 13, 2000 memorandum, Mr. Bertels stated the Illumination Engineering Society of North America indicates the lighting requirement for a high activity roadway averages two candle power per square foot of vehicle use area. While the roundabout is a medium activity roadway, the current lighting system meets the higher level requirement. All pedestrian walks, the greenspaceadjacent to Pier 60 Park, and new marina parking lots also are required to have an average of two candle power per square foot of use area. These areas have been tested with a light meter and have been determined to be in illumination compliance. Mr. Bertels said Florida Power, which had provided the current roundabout lights, indicated they cannot be changed to a higher intensity. The lights must be replaced or multiplied. It was stated nearby light pollution makes the road appear dark. Concern was expressed that it is difficult to see pedestrians in the crosswalks at night. It was suggested the roundabout could be lighted by high intensity floodlights installed by the City on the roofs of nearby buildings. It was recommended a lighting expert be contacted. Radio Broadcasts It was suggested the committee consider broadcasting information related to tourism, parking, and the roundabout to motorists approaching the beach. Staff is working to obtain funds to install a message board on the Causeway. Concern was expressed few drivers would tune into the broadcast. ITEM #3 - Discussion - Cost Breakdown for Each Modification The cost breakdowns provided by David Nelson Construction were distributed. Concern was expressed the costs were not listed in the format useful to the committee. Ms. Arasteh said the contractor had provided a "not to exceed" bid. The firm will provide refined numbers within days. It was felt the cost for each entrance should be listed separately so the committee can prioritize its recommendations. The bid does not include costs to reduce the fountain's size. Ms. Arasteh said David Nelson Construction was the contractor who oversaw the original construction of the roundabout and is familiar with the location of underground utilities. A sub-contractor constructed the fountain to City specifications. I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I It was stated physical errors must be corrected to facilitate truck traffic. Concern was expressed Barry Crown's recommendation to realign Mandalay would be ineffective and expensive. It was stated there have been no accidents related to the crosswalks, even though Mr. Crown feels they are too close to the roundabout. In response to a question, Ms. Arasteh said the project could not begin until the City Commission has approved it. It was recommended construction be delayed until after Spring Break. Concern was expressed the bid seems very high, including a charge to mobilize equipment. Mr. Bertels said increasing the radii will require significant electrical work to relocate electrical conduits for landscaping lighting. It was recommended the speakers be eliminated. In response to a comment, Ms. Arasteh said the maintenance of traffic is smoother during a construction project when the contractor handles it. She will invite the firm to the next meeting to discuss the bid. It was suggested following the City's bid process would result in a more competitive bid. It was stated another bid could not guarantee savings. Concern was expressed the proposed changes will not correct the problem motorists have accessing Poinsettia. It was requested that staff share their recommendations and priorities with the committee. Discussion ensued regarding recommended changes. Member Littler moved to recommend the City Commission evaluate the roundabout after Spring Break and not initiate any changes until then. The motion was duly seconded. Further discussion ensued and there was no vote. ITEM #4 _ Discussion - Education Model It was recommended the Committee review the education model after changes to the roundabout are decided. Copies of the educational recommendations listed in Roundabouts: An Information Guide, published by USDOT and the Federal Highway Administration will be distributed. ITEM #5 _ Discussion - Waive Rule of Absences Member Brown said he was embarrassed regarding his absences and reviewed his recent itineraries and activities. Member Hamilton moved to waive the committee rule regarding member absences. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously. ITEM #6 - New Business It was requested staff price the cost of colored lenses to make the fountain more colorful. It was Suggested adding color to the fountain lights would be attractive for the holidays and may decrease the glare. 11/1 3/00 3 mbe11 baa mbe11 bOO 4 11/13/00 I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I ITEM #7 - Discussion - 11/20/00 Meetinq It was stated the cost matrix will be available for review next week. Staff will forward copies of the cost matrix before next week's meeting. The next meeting is scheduled for November 20, 2000. Concern was expressed the current schedule of weekly meetings is difficult for committee members and should be changed to monthly. It was stated committee members were not prepared to attend weekly meetings when they agreed to serve. Adiournment The meeting adjourned at 5:05 p.m. V;U- Cha Clearwater Beach Entryway Advisory Committee Attest: ~. ~.L~~.- ~Ierk I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I CLEARWATER BEACH ENTRYWAY ADVISORY COMMITTEE CITY OF CLEARWATER November 6, 2000 Present: Commissioner Ed Hart David Hemerick Bruce Littler Arthur Lupien Dan Moran Roger Schulman Carl Wagenfohr Bob Bickerstaffe Absent: Herb Brown Lucile Casey Hoyt Hamilton Bill Jonson Also present: Mahshid Arasteh Paul Bertels Lt. John Slack Sue Diana Patricia O. Sullivan Facilitator/Non Voting Chair Committee Member Committee Member - arrived 5:09 p.m. Committee Member Committee Member Committee Member Committee Member Alternate Committee Member Committee Member Committee Member Alternate Public Works Administrator Traffic Operations Manager Police Department Assistant City Clerk Board Reporter To provide continuity for research, items are in agenda order although not necessarily discussed in that order. The Chair called the meeting to order at 4:05 p.m. at City Hall. ITEM #1 - Approval of Minutes Member Lupien moved to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of October 23, 2000, as submitted in written summation to each board member. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously. ITEM #2 - Old Business Public Works Administrator Mahshid Arasteh reported staff is reviewing the roundabout's lighting when the fountain is turned off. Street lighting far exceeds the one candlefoot per square foot level recommended for a medium use road. It was requested staff review recommendations for higher levels of pedestrian and vehicular activity that exist during tourist season. In contrast with the bright illumination of Pier 60 Park and the Marina, the roundabout appears dark. People feel it is too dark. It was recommended the Mandalay streetscape project also consider lighting. It was suggested lights be adjustable and designed for high traffic. Traffic Operations Manager Paul Bertels reviewed minimum lighting requirements for residential, collector, and arterial roads. It was stated lighting must be "turtle friendly." Staff will review. mbe11 aOO 1 11 /06/00 Mr. Bertels said Barry Crown is providing the City with a copy of the Rodel Modeling program, which Mr. Crown had used to evaluate his recommendations to tweak the roundabout. Staff will learn the software and verify Mr. Crown's analysis. Ms. Arasteh said the City would use the software only with proper authority. It was indicated Mr. Crown had recommended against narrowing the Mandalay Avenue entrance. Concern was expressed Mandalay Avenue would back up into the residential neighborhood during Spring Break. It was noted the Committee's recommendation to alter the Coronado exit so that it is similar to the Causeway, costs only $2,500 compared with Mr. Crown's recommendations, which are estimated to cost $1.3- million. Mr. Bertels indicated staff had liability concerns related to the Committee's recommendation. The Chair stated Mr. Crown had said he would guarantee that Mandalay will not back up if his recommendations are followed. Discussion ensued regarding traffic flow and its dominant flow from east to south. It was felt the majority of accidents do not involve traffic off Mandalay. The difficulty of accessing the Marina immediately past the Coronado entrance was noted. It was stated American drivers are trained not to turn right from the left lane. Concern was expressed Crown's proposed change would locate the Mandalay entrance too close to the Coronado exit. In response to a question, Lt. John Slack said some candlestick designs permit easy removal. It was suggested north beach traffic be directed to Poinsettia. Concern was expressed the City Commission would support Crown's recommendations over the Committee's. It was suggested a less expensive solution should be tried first. Staff will contact Mr. Crown regarding liability concerns. The Interim City Manager said the City values the Committee's perspective. It was noted Mr. Crown still recommends exiting from the left lane. Discussion ensued regarding the traffic signal, which stops Causeway traffic from entering the roundabout. Lt. Slack said based on experience, staff feels an 8-minute interval for the traffic signal is ideal. Mr. Crown had recommended moving the signal closer to the roundabout and using it also to meter a split pedestrian crossing. Mr. Bertels said it now takes 79 seconds to clear traffic from the signal light to Coronado. Lt. Slack said the signal must remain red for 60 to 90 seconds to clear Mandalay traffic. The Interim City Manager recommended traffic movement be deferred to vehicles leaving the beach. Opposition was expressed to Mr. Crown's recommendation for a pedestrian crossing on the Causeway road in front of the Marina. It was recommended a barricade in the median would obstruct pedestrian crossings. It was felt persuading pedestrians to use the walkway under the bridge would be more successful if some type of attraction is located there. Member Littler moved for the City to carry out the Committee's recommendation to force right lane traffic to exit at Coronado on a temporary basis and that two lanes of traffic from Mandalay continue. mbe11 aOO 2 11/06/00 I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I il II It was noted the Police Department could easily remove the candlesticks if problems occur. It was recommended the trial be evaluated in mid January. The motion was duly seconded. It was stated the candlesticks would reduce backups on Coronado as the right lane could flow freely. Concern was expressed the change would help south beach traffic but could impede north beach traffic. Ms. Arasteh said staff would need flexibility when supervising this trial. It was recommended the project be labeled as experimental. It was stated the only way to depart the beach from Mandalay and Poinsettia is via the inside lane. It was stated one of Mr. Crown's goals is for the roundabout to be self-sufficient. It was stated that the Police Department handled beach Spring Break traffic long before the roundabout was constructed. Ms. Arasteh said that goal relates to normal conditions. Mr. Littler agreed to amend his motion for temporary changes to occur between November 15, 2000 and January 15, 2001, for staff to monitor traffic, and for staff to remove the candlesticks should problems occur. The seconder agreed. Lt. Slack agreed the trial is worth trying. Upon the vote being taken, the motion carried unanimously. It was suggested the City also enact temporarily one-way pairs on Coronado and Gulfview. It was stated Beach by Design plans for Gulfview to be a destination, featuring a serpentine road. Lt. Slack said changing the roads to one-way pairs would require significant alterations, such as removing Gulfview medians and changing signage, lane markings, and curbs. It was stated each road's egress must be widened for truck traffic. It was felt one-way pairs could be established on an interim basis as development will not occur for several years. Concern was expressed resident access to Devon Drive and Brightwater would be hindered if 1 st and 3'd streets are vacated for a resort hotel and one- way pairs remain in place. It was recommended that Coronado be widened to add a reversible lane. It was stated Beach by Design recommends widening Coronado to four lanes, which would remove visitor parking at small motel properties. It was indicated staff's first priority in adopting Beach by Design is replacing Gulfview with a serpentine road. A beach parking garage should be constructed by 2003. ITEM #3 - Discussion Item - Waive Rule of Absences The Chair reported he had been unable to contact Member Brown. He said the Fire Task Force had waived its attendance rules for a member who traveled frequently on business. Member Hemerick moved to waive the attendance rule. The motion was duly seconded. mbe11 aOO 3 11/06/00 mbe11 aOO 4 11/06/00 I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I The Chair suggested he ask Member Brown, who has missed 5 meetings, if he will resign. Discussion ensued. It was noted Member Casey has made efforts to stay current when she misses meetings due to business. It was suggested the decision be delayed. Member Hemerick withdrew his motion. The seconder agreed. ITEM #4 - Discussion Item - Educational Model It was stated a new film and brochure related to the roundabout need to be produced. It was requested staff gather educational items that require modification. It was recommended staff use educational recommendations listed in Roundabouts: An Informational Guide, published by USDOT and the Federal Highway Administration. ITEM #5 - Discussion Item - Costs Breakdown for each Modification The Chair recommended the committee's report to the City Commission include recommendations, a cost analysis, and priorities. It was recommended staff provide the committee with a draft for further input. ITEM #6 - New Business Staff will provide committee members with updated parking passes. Ms. Arasteh reported an ADA (American Disabilities Act) related issue had occurred regarding the pedestrian crossing on Coronado. A person who uses a wheelchair could not reach the signal button, which has not been activated due to concerns traffic would back up into the roundabout. Similar concerns relate to the pedestrian crossing at Mandalay. Once the design of the Mandalay egress is finalized, plans are to move the bus stop away from the crossing to avoid confusion. Mr. Bertels said the crossing could not be moved to Papaya, as it is too far for handicapped access. It was suggested the signal button be limited to use by handicapped individuals. Mr. Bertels said a pedestrian crossing signal light would have to remain red for 20 seconds, which would cause traffic to backup the roundabout. A pedestrian must wait up to 45 seconds for the traffic light to change. While traffic related loops are installed in the roadway, none is installed in the sidewalks to detect a wheelchair. Once signals are activated, their use will increase. Ms. Arasteh said the Coronado crosswalk should be moved farther south. It was requested staff determine traffic numbers moving onto and off of the beach. It was noted the Beach by Design proposal for a fixed rail tying north and south beach would require an 8-foot lane along Mandalay. Meetings to obtain resident input related to Beach by Design are scheduled for tonight, November 8, 13, and 15, 2000 I I I I I ITEM #7 - Next MeetinQ The next meeting is scheduled for November 13, 2000, at 4:00 p.m. at City Hall. Adiournment The meeting adjourned at 5:39 p.m. Chair Clearwater Beach Entryway Advisory Committee I Attest: ~ r.Ci'YCI . I I I I I I I I I I I I mbe11 aOO 5 11/06/00 I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I CLEARWATER BEACH ENTRYWAY ADVISORY COMMITTEE CITY OF CLEARWATER October 30, 2000 Present: Commissioner Ed Hart Lucile Casey Hoyt Hamilton David Hemerick Arthur Lupien Dan Moran Roger Schulman Carl Wagenfohr Bob Bickerstaffe Bill Jonson Absent: Herb Brown Bruce Littler Also present: Mahshid Arasteh Paul Bertels Lt. John Slack Cynthia E. Goudeau Patricia O. Sullivan Facilitator/Non Voting Chair Committee Member Committee Member Committee Member Committee Member Committee Member Committee Member Committee Member Alternate Alternate Committee Member Committee Member Public Works Administrator Traffic Operations Manager Police Department - departed 5: 17 p.m. City Clerk Board Reporter To provide continuity for research, items are in agenda order although not necessarily discussed in that order. The Chair called the meeting to order at 4:05 p.m. at City Hall. ITEM #1 - Approval of Minutes Member Moran moved to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of October 16, 2000, as submitted in written summation to each board member. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously. ITEM #2 - Old Business In response to a committee request, Traffic Operations Manager Paul Bertels submitted the weekly summary for February 8, 1997, listing the hourly traffic counts for Poinsettia before the roundabout was constructed. Lt. John Slack said the Police Department in September had received 3 calls on roundabout accidents but issued no reports and in October received 19 calls and issued 6 reports. Since the roundabout opened, only one injury has been reported. It was requested the spreadsheet be modified to reflect funds spent to date on tweaking the roundabout. mbe 1 OeOO 1 10/30/00 mbe10eOO 2 10/30/00 I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I Public Works Administrator Mahshid Arasteh said staff is awaiting a report on eliminating water from the fountain onto roundabout traffic lanes. ITEM #3 - Final Review of Questions Presented Discussion ensued regarding questions to ask Barry Crown. ITEM #4 - Conference call with Barrv Crown In response to a question, Mr. Crown said an example of small changes resulting in a large benefit would be new striping, which was inexpensive but reduced accidents. He said widening the radius at the Coronado entry from 10 to 1 2 feet will increase capacity and safety. He said the roundabout's original design had narrow lanes and small entry and exit radii to severely control traffic speeds and improve the safety of large volumes of pedestrians. Problems resulted when traffic volumes were higher than anticipated. He said his proposal to widen access points will allow large trucks to maneuver, except to the Marina. He said widening the causeway approach east of East Shore would be very expensive and not very helpful. Mr. Crown said adding a third lane for north beach destinations would be expensive, rarely used, and of little benefit. Northbound vehicles already can exit at East Shore. He said the geometry of proposed changes to access points will increase capacity on the causeway by 55%, on Mandalay by 44%, and on Coronado by 38%. He said his predictions are based on the Rodel modeling program, developed in the UK (United Kingdom). He said the program, costing more than $11-million to develop, is extremely accurate. He will forward his computations to staff and a copy of the modeling program results. He said the aaSIDRA program is based on the gap theory and does not properly measure the geometry or capacity of roundabouts. In response to a question, Mr. Crown said the proposed alignment for Mandalay complies with standards and is designed to control the speed of vehicles entering the roundabout. He said without access points at Poinsettia and the Marina, the roundabout could have been circular in shape and comply with the American guide. He said drivers checking roundabout traffic when entering from Mandalay will turn their heads to an angle similar to when entering a "T" intersection. He said his recommended changes will increase capacity of traffic egressing from Mandalay and decrease delays. He said an increase of 3 to 5 miles per hour is not enough speed to endanger pedestrians. The farther a crosswalk is from the roundabout, the more space traffic has to increase speed before reaching it. Staff will need to monitor the situation. Concern was expressed the proposed changes will endanger pedestrians. It is important for vehicles to be aware of pedestrians, and visa versa. In response to a question, Mr. Crown said the proposal to remove the lower two steps of the fountain would reduce the "canyon" affect, but its $125,000 cost may not provide value. The fountain currently does not affect visibility nor necessary sight lines. He suggested moving only the lower step would help some and move the fountain 6 inches I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I farther from traffic lanes. He agreed changes to the fountain should be delayed until all other recommended changes are tried. Mr. Crown said enlarging the roundabout to the size of one in Vail, Colorado would be extremely expensive, requiring all access points to be redesigned and the vault to be moved. He said the only benefit would be to move the road away from the fountain. He said it would be less expensive to modify the fountain. He said widening circulating roads would cause more accidents. He said the intensity of traffic traveling through the Vail roundabout is much less than in Clearwater. He said while most in the UK are not striped, the City's roundabout requires striping. He said bad striping causes accidents. He said the roundabout's geometry and striping are interrelated. He said problems at Coronado are due to geometry. Once that is repaired, the striping will be redone. Concern was expressed use of the access points differ, making it difficult to educate drivers on using the roundabout. Mr. Crown said differences relate to volume requirements for 2-lane entries and exits on Mandalay, Coronado, and the Causeway. The Marina only needs one lane. He said traffic volumes are too great on Mandalay to narrow its access to one lane. Mr. Crown reviewed his recommendations to remove the traffic signal at Coronado and Gulfview, indicating traffic movement improvement will reduce backups into the roundabout. He stated another option would be to reduce private vehicle access to Clearwater beach and provide alternative transportation. He felt that option would discourage tourism. In response to a question related to yielding requirements, Mr. Crown said traffic circulating through the roundabout has the right of way. He said accidents occur when vehicles move side by side. Discussion ensued regarding driver courtesy and which driver is at fault after an accident. It was suggested the yield sign off Mandalay should indicate its warning refers to both lanes of roundabout traffic. Mr. Crown said instructors who teach drivers to stay in the outside lane are wrong. It was suggested a radio signal could instruct drivers on correct roundabout movement. Concern was expressed installing a crosswalk across the causeway in front of the Marina would be dangerous. The recommendation is for a traffic signal to be long enough to cross halfway to the median. Doubt was expressed that pedestrians would wait safely on the median for the traffic signal to change again and instead would cross during a gap in traffic. Mr. Crown said the median would be widened. It was suggested pedestrians be directed to the walkway under bridge 43. Mr. Crown felt pedestrians would not walk from the Marina or Poinsettia to the bridge to cross the causeway. Staff estimated 1 ,000 pedestrians a day crossed the causeway during last year's Spring Break. It was suggested stronger enforcement would help. Mr. Crown noted the difficulty of redirecting pedestrian movement. Mr. Crown said the illumination of the roundabout after dark is not good when the fountain lights are off. He recommended the City increase lighting to meet standards in the federal highway guide. Related costs have not been estimated. It was suggested the committee work to create realistic expectations. mbe 1 OeOO 3 10/30/00 mbe 1 OeOO 4 10/30/00 I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I ITEM #5 - New Business The Chair indicated the committee had adopted rules that members who miss three consecutive meetings can be removed from the committee. He said Member Brown had missed three successive meetings. Member Casey will miss three meetings in a row in November. She has suggested she could participate via a conference telephone call. She said when she agreed to serve on the committee, it had been indicated that weekly meetings would not extend into November. It was suggested either the rule be waived or enforced. The Chair will contact Member Brown regarding his plans. The committee will discuss this issue further on November 6, 2000. Staff will consult the, City Attorney regarding a conference telephone call being allowed. Cost estimates for changes to the roundabout recommended by Mr. Crown will be available on November 10, 2000. Staff will not make recommendations until that time. A limited time is available to complete changes prior to Spring Break. Lt. Slack said the Police Department could handle Spring Break without the changes in place if overtime costs can be covered. Ms. Arasteh said even with related construction interference last year, the movement of Spring Break traffic had improved over previous years. ITEM #6 - Next Meetinq The next meeting is scheduled for November 6, 2000, at 4:00 p.m. at City Hall. Adiournment The meeting adjourned at 5:42 p.m. /---'/~;' ~//. c- ~t _u Chair Clearwater Beach Entryway Advisory Committee Attest: r~l. ~~- ~. ~ I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I CLEARWATER BEACH ENTRYWAY ADVISORY COMMITTEE CITY OF CLEARWATER October 23, 2000 Present: Commissioner Ed Hart Lucile Casey Hoyt Hamilton David Hemerick Bruce Littler Arthur Lupien Dan Moran Roger Schulman Carl Wagenfohr Bob Bickerstaffe Bill Jonson Absent: Herb Brown Also present: Mahshid Arasteh Paul Bertels Lt. John Slack Cynthia E. Goudeau Patricia O. Sullivan Facilitator/Non Voting Chair Committee Member - arrived 4: 1 0 p.m. Committee Member Committee Member Committee Member Committee Member Committee Member Committee Member Committee Member Alternate Alternate Committee Member Public Works Administrator Traffic Operations Manager Police Department City Clerk Board Reporter To provide continuity for research, items are in agenda order although not necessarily discussed in that order. The Chair called the meeting to order at 4:00 p.m. at City Hall. ITEM # 1 - Approval of Minutes Member Moran moved to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of October 9, 2000, as submitted in written summation to each board member. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously. ITEM #2 - Old Business Public Works Administrator Mahshid Arasteh said staff had forwarded to the contractor, drawings related to proposed above and below ground changes to the roundabout. The vault is not affected. The contractor indicated the changes would cost approximately $1 .3-million. He will provide a breakdown of cost estimates by November 10, 2000. mbe10dOO 1 10/23/00 mbe 1 OdOO 2 10/23/00 I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I Ms. Arasteh said Barry Crown had indicated the value of his work for the Clearwater Beach Entryway Advisory Committee had reached $2,000. While he does not want to bill the City for his assistance, he will should additional time required be significant. In response to a question, she said he had stated moving the lanes away from the fountain will minimize the psychological canyon effect on drivers. Traffic Operations Manager Paul Bertels reported the City has spent $5,739.26 for interim striping and signage changes recommended by Mr. Crown. It was requested these costs be tracked on the spread sheet. It was stated Mr. Crown's measurements had been verified and found to be conservative. ITEM #3 - Review Questions/Answers - Decide Which Ones to Review with Mr. Crown The committee reviewed committee questions and Mr. Crown's replies for further discussion with him. In response to a question, Ms. Arasteh said if the roundabout is widened too much, drivers will be tempted to share lanes. Mr. Bertels said enlarging the radii will cause speeds to increase and pedestrian problems. Ms. Arasteh said moving the road, landscaping, and utilities are expensive projects. She said travel times must be balanced against safety and cost concerns. It was felt some of Mr. Crown's answers were flippant and reflect a poor attitude toward committee concerns. It was felt Mr. Crown's recommendation for the Mandalay entrance will back up traffic into the residential neighborhood every weekend. It was stated traffic will worsen after the beachfront condominium project is complete. Ms. Arasteh said Mr. Crown had indicated Roundabouts: An Informational Guide, published by USDOT and the Federal Highway Administration is only a guide. It was suggested the committee reach consensus regarding recommendations and present them to the Commission along with the Crown report. It was requested staff research if the original roundabout design included three centers. It was requested staff assemble a committee notebook to include minutes and all handouts. Traffic counts related to ingress/egress to Poinsettia Avenue before and after construction of the roundabout were requested. Ms. Arasteh reported Mr. Crown had said to be effective, a northbound bypass lane would have to extend east of Bridge 43. It was stated prior to the roundabout, north beach traffic flowed easily after the road widened west of Bridge 43. Ms. Arasteh said previous traffic signals may have helped accelerate northward movement. It was stated encouraging drivers to use a north beach parking garage would improve area economic development. It was noted Beach by Design recommends 5 parking garages. It was stated a parking garage must be constructed before the new bridge is completed. I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I Ms. Arasteh said plumbing would have to be readjusted if the fountain's two lowest layers are removed. It was recommended the committee consider changes to the fountain as a last resort. It was noted Mr. Crown had recommended lowering the fountain to reduce the canyon effect. As the fountain does not impair required sight distances, it was felt the structure does not affect safety. Ms. Arasteh felt moving the lanes away from the fountain's base would reduce driver difficulties. It was noted many charette attendees had recommended changes to the fountain. It was stated the committee has a better understanding of related issues than the public following presentations, discussion, and the receipt of related information. It was stated many drivers fear driving on the inside lane. It was reported the majority of tourists who comment, praise the roundabout and the beauty of the fountain. Few complain of any difficulties. It was felt residents perceive the roundabout as more complicated than it is due to overwhelming signage and negative media coverage. Fewer problems would occur if drivers behaved courteously. It was stated spray from the fountain is dangerous when it drenches vehicle windshields and dampens the road. It was requested staff obtain an estimate on modifying the fountain so that spillage onto the roadway no longer occurs. Proposals related to parking lot access were reviewed. Ms. Arasteh said modifications may be impossible due to the parking lot's location seaward of the CCCL (Coastal Construction Control Line). It was noted Mr. Crown had proposed a roundabout encircling the Days Inn in order to remove the Coronado/Gulfview signal light. Discussion ensued regarding the proposed traffic pattern. Mr. Bertels reported the City Commission had voted down staff's 1986 recommendation to convert Coronado and Gulfview to one-way pairs due to strong business community opposition. It was noted Charlie Siemon, of Siemon and Larsen, opposes one-way pairs as he feels the traffic pattern would undermine Gulfview's attractiveness as a resort destination. Discussion ensued regarding Siemon's Beach by Design recommendations to remove gulf-front parking and realign Gulfview to attract a resort hotel. It was felt this plan subordinates the property rights of south beach property owners to the desired hotel. It was felt Mr. Siemon's plan would attempt to change the beach from a family to a resort destination. It was requested staff question Mr. Siemon why one-way pairs are ineffective for a destination resort. It was stated the parking garages will add little parking as they must replace parking spaces to be lost along the beach front. Ms. Arasteh said a lighting analysis of the roundabout without the fountain lights is planned. ITEM #4 - Conference call with Barrv Crown A conference call is planned for the beginning of next week's meeting. Consensus was to discuss questions # 1, 4, 6, 7, 11, 18, 20, 24, 28, and 35 with Mr. Crown. mbe10dOO 3 10/23/00 mbe 1 OdOO 4 10/23/00 I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I ITEM #5 - New Business - None. ITEM #6 - Next Meetinq The next meeting is scheduled for October 30, 2000, at 4:00 p.m. at City Hall. Adiournment The meeting adjourned at 5:35 p.m. Chair Clearwater Beach Ent way Advisory Committee Attest: L ~.~~ I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I CLEARWATER BEACH ENTRYWAY ADVISORY COMMITTEE CITY OF CLEARWATER October 16, 2000 Present: Commissioner Ed Hart Lucile Casey Hoyt Hamilton Bruce Littler Arthur Lupien Dan Moran Roger Schulman Carl Wagenfohr Bob Bickerstaffe Bill Jonson Absent: Herb Brown David Hemerick Also present: Mahshid Arasteh Paul Bertels Lt. John Slack Cynthia E. Goudeau Patricia O. Sullivan Facilitator/Non Voting Chair Committee Member - arrived 4: 15 p.m. Committee Member Committee Member Committee Member Committee Member Committee Member Committee Member Alternate Alternate Committee Member Committee Member Public Works Administrator - arrived 4:45 p.m. Traffic Operations Manager Police Department City Clerk Board Reporter To provide continuity for research, items are in agenda order although not necessarily discussed in that order. Chair Hart called the meeting to order at 4:00 p.m. at City Hall. ITEM #1 - Approval of Minutes Member Littler moved to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of October 2, 2000, as submitted in written summation to each board member. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously. ITEM #2 - Old Business Roundabout Control Traffic Signal Concern was expressed the traffic signal on the Causeway is malfunctioning and drivers are ignoring the red light. Staff will monitor. It was requested members contact the City during office hours should they witness a malfunction. mbe10cOO 10/16/00 mbe10cOO 2 10/16/00 I I I I I I 'I I I I I I I I I I I I I ITEM #3 - Finalize Questions for Crown Report AND ITEM #4 - Schedule for Roundabout Modifications Experiment/Coronado Exit Traffic Operations Manager Paul Bertels said he had spoken with Barry Crown since staff had forwarded committee comments to him. It was noted the committee had requested Mr. Crown to answer their questions in writing. Written answers to committee questions by staff and Mr. Crown were distributed. Mr. Crown is reluctant to write answers as he already has fulfilled his contract with the City and is addressing committee inquiries and concerns as a favor. Discussion ensued regarding the planned conference telephone call with Mr. Crown. Concern was expressed oral responses cannot be reviewed. It was stated the Crown report answers 67 questions. Concern was expressed, while it appears the roundabout was designed around one center, the geometry of proposed changes creates three circles. It was stated the roundabout is elliptical in shape. The safety of changing the radial alignments was questioned, especially as it relates to pedestrians. It was indicated the report only proposes to realign Mandalay. Discussion ensued regarding Mr. Crown's advice against adding a north beach lane and recommendations such as softening curbs, and restriping options. It was felt the Vail roundabout, with 3-lane entries, works well because it is not striped. Ms. Arasteh said the traffic shown in the video is light. Mr. Crown had said striping is necessary due to capacity problems and the need to use all available space. It was noted Mr. Crown has recommended striping the inner 2- % feet of the roundabout to keep cars away from the fountain. As the Vail roundabout is 6 feet larger than the City's, it was requested staff determine if the roundabout can be enlarged without increasing vehicular speeds. It was noted exit conflicts differ from entry conflicts. It was felt problems relate to vehicles exiting from the left lane. Mr. Bertels said reducing the height of the fountain would cost about $125,000. It was noted drivers can see oncoming traffic at all entrances. It was stated drivers have a perceptual problem regarding the height of the fountain. It was recommended major expenditures be delayed until less expensive cures are tried. It was stated the public charette had supported lowering the fountain. It was suggested the spray be calibrated so roundabout vehicles do not get wet. It was stated the wind gauge should be relocated to more accurately measure wind speed. Mr. Bertels stated staff continues to petition FOOT (Florida Department of Transportation) to add instructional signage east of bridge 43. It was felt a barrage of signs overwhelms drivers approaching the roundabout. Discussion ensued regarding signage that would help drivers negotiate the roundabout. Lt. John Slack reported the City previously had received FOOT approval to install an electronic sign 300 feet west of Island Way to provide traffic-related information. He estimated a sign would cost I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I $225,000. When traffic is backed up, drivers would have time to observe the sign's directional information related to the roundabout. It was requested staff check if money is available for the sign. The committee reviewed questions to ask Mr. Crown. A board member offered to accompany staff to re-measure the roundabout. Public Works Administrator Mahshid Arasteh said the roundabout's size is dictated by the number of lanes on the causeway bridge. The new bridge will create a new traffic pattern. The need for a beach parking garage was stated. It was reported the first meeting for public comment related to Beach by Design is scheduled for November 1, 2000 at the Harborview Center. It was recommended the City convert Gulfview and Coronado to one-way pairs on a temporary basis. It was requested staff research why the City had rejected previous attempts to resolve south beach traffic problems with one-way pairs. Staff has estimated temporary changes recommended by the committee would cost $2,500 to implement, including police services. Mr. Crown had recommended against the temporary fixes, stating the changes would provide the City with a false sense of security and result in severe backups during Spring Break. It was felt the changes would be worthwhile if accidents are reduced. Lt. Slack reported 3 accidents had occurred in the roundabout during the first 2 weeks of September. Mr. Bertels said he is reluctant to test the committee's recommendations due to liability issues. In response to a suggestion, Ms. Arasteh said candlesticks would not be necessary to direct right lane traffic onto Coronado if lane-striping is removed in the roundabout. The dominant movement through the roundabout is from the east toward the south. Mr. Crown has stated removing the striping would reduce capacity and increase backups. Consensus was to table the committee's recommendations for temporary fixes. ITEM #5 - New Business - None. ITEM #6 - Next Meetinq The next meeting is scheduled for October 23, 2000, at 4:00 p.m. at City Hall. Adiournment The meeting adjourned at 5:41 p.m. Chair Clearwater Beach Entryway Advisory Committee Q;~. ~ tit Clerk mbe10cOO 3 10/16/00 I I I I I I I I I I I I , I I I I I 'I I CLEARWATER BEACH ENTRYWAY ADVISORY COMMITTEE CITY OF CLEARWATER October 9, 2000 Present: Commissioner Ed Hart Lucile Casey David Hemerick Bruce Littler Dan Moran Roger Schulman Carl Wagenfohr Bill Jonson Absent: Herb Brown Hoyt Hamilton Arthur Lupien Bob Bickerstaffe Also present: Mahshid Arasteh Paul Bertels Lt. John Slack Cynthia E. Goudeau Patricia O. Sullivan Facilitator/Non Voting Chair Committee Member - arrived at 4:20 p.m. Committee Member Committee Member Committee Member Committee Member Committee Member Alternate Committee Member Committee Member Committee Member Alternate Public Works Administrator Traffic Operations Manager Police Department City Clerk Board Reporter To provide continuity for research, items are in agenda order although not necessarily discussed in that order. Chair Hart called the meeting to order at 4:05 p.m. at City Hall. ITEM #1 - Aooroval of Minutes Approval of the October 2, 2000 minutes was continued to October 16, 2000. ITEM #2 - Old Business a) Questions pertaining to Crown Report In response to a question, Public Works Administrator Mahshid Arasteh said cost estimates for short- term changes recommended by Barry Crown should be available by October 20,2000. Members were requested to submit to Executive Assistant, Carolyn Brink in the City Manager's office by Wednesday, all questions and comments related to the Crown Report. Mr. Crown will address each concern during an upcoming conference call. mbe10bOO 1 10/09/00 mbe10bOO 2 10/09/00 I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I Pages 11 - 15 The dangers of multi-lane exits were stated. Concern was expressed the report assumes most accidents in the roundabout involve vehicles that have entered from Mandalay Avenue. It was felt drivers are confused because traffic patterns for ingress/egress differ at each exit. Concern was expressed the report's solutions related to Mandalay and Coronado differ. Ms. Arasteh said the report recommends Mandalay Avenue traffic stop before entering the roundabout. Concern was expressed the change could back traffic on Mandalay through residential areas and affect causeway traffic. It was felt merging into roundabout traffic from a right-angle entry would be difficult. In response to a question, Lt. John Slack said the Police Department had been successful at moving traffic through the roundabout after the second weekend of Spring Break 2000. Ms. Arasteh reported the City has implemented recommendations listed in the last three paragraphs of page 11 and on page 1 2. In response to a concern that traffic has backed up to Sand Key, Ms. Arasteh said slow southbound traffic searching for parking on Gulfview backs traffic into the roundabout, which then causes northbound backups. Lt. Slack said northbound traffic is heaviest in mid afternoon. It was suggested one-way pairs on south beach and connecting the beachfront parking lots and opening access closer to the roundabout could improve traffic flow. It was noted the causeway exit handles more traffic than other exits. Lt. Slack said between 75% and 80% of northbound traffic from south beach exit to the causeway. It was suggested any modifications would require proper signage and time for drivers to understand the change. It was felt most drivers are taught that turning right from a left lane is forbidden. It was felt striping on the roundabout confuses drivers. Reducing the number of lanes to one at the Mandalay entrance to the roundabout could save money. In response to a question, Ms. Arasteh said available software does not consider lane backups and cannot provide a model for more than one lane of traffic movement. Discussion ensued regarding the traffic signal installed on the Causeway to clear the roundabout of traffic. While the signal is programmed to stop traffic for no more than 135 seconds at a time and not more than once every 8 minutes, committee members indicated they had been delayed by multiple changes of the traffic signal and by signals that had remained red as long as 6 minutes. Staff will check on this matter. It was stated the current Causeway entrance design is contrary to recommendations in Roundabouts: An Informational Guide, published by USDOT and the Federal Highway Administration. Concern was expressed proposed changes to roundabout entries will alter the current radial alignment. It was stated the guide does not support this design as it will allow drivers to enter the roundabout at a higher speed with less control. It was felt proposed changes for Mandalay seem more focused on saving money by bypassing the I I I I I I I I I I I I' I I I I I I I fountain's vault rather than for safety concerns, which should be paramount. Ms. Arasteh said the recommended change would move the Mandalay entrance closer to the Coronado exit. It was stated the guide rates right-angle entries as unacceptable. Concern was expressed drivers would be required to look over their shoulders to check traffic before entering the roundabout. It was noted it is difficult for some residents to make that physical movement. Ms. Arasteh said during the conference call, Mr. Crown will explain his recommendations. It was stated changes should be tried before they are made permanent. It was suggested some changes could be tried during the Thanksgiving holidays through use of temporary signage, candlesticks to guide traffic, and removable lane tape. It was felt no changes should be implemented prior to the Jazz Holiday on October 19 - 22, 2000. It was requested staff calculate the percentage of traffic that enters the roundabout off Mandalay and exits onto Coronado. In response to a suggestion, it was noted staff does not request City Commission approval of road initiatives but is prepared to explain any proposed changes. Traffic Operations Manager Paul Bertels reported staff can make temporary changes overnight and carefully watch the morning traffic. If problems result, staff will not hesitate to reverse the changes. It was suggested the public be notified through press releases and government cable of temporary changes before they occur and that the public be educated that a final decision will not be made until data is collected. Consensus was for these avenues of notification to be pursued. Ms. Arasteh said staff could narrow the Mandalay entrance to one lane on a temporary basis. It was felt that proposal should not be considered until other options are explored. It was indicated changing the signal light's pattern could help move traffic off north beach. It was suggested right lane traffic could be forced to exit onto Coronado. It was recommended staff evaluate the pros and cons of committee recommendations. It was suggested temporary changes be videotaped for review and that measurements be established. Staff will evaluate the results of the changes and report to the committee. As the button is not activated on the Mandalay Avenue crosswalk, staff was requested to make pedestrians aware of that fact. In response to a question, staff will review if hourly statistics indicate the roundabout is operating above capacity during the three highest volume days between 10:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. . In response to a question, Lt. Slack will check details related to a recent accident after a northbound vehicle exiting at Poinsettia was struck by a vehicle that had just entered the roundabout from the causeway. Neither driver was cited. In reference to the last paragraph on page 13, it was recommended educational material include information regarding problems related to vehicles driving side by side. Regarding paragraph 2, page 15, it was felt the radius at Mandalay should be expanded, not reduced. It was suggested the fountain be replaced with a reflecting pond. It was noted the Beach by Design report recommends removing most beachfront parking. Ms. mbe10bOO 3 10/09/00 mbe10bOO 4 10/09/00 I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I Arasteh said the CCCL (Coastal Construction Control Line) must be considered when making changes. It was stated long term plans must be considered. It was questioned if the City can afford to improve aesthetics at the cost of removing parking. It was suggested the City could offer an incentive to visitors who park on the mainland and use public transportation to the beach. It was stated an earlier attempt to involve beach merchants in a similar incentive program had been unsuccessful. It was suggested the ferry drop passengers at both the Clearwater Beach Recreation Center and at the Marina. It was felt few visitors would take the ferry if north beach is the only destination. ITEM #3 - Combined Crown Report and Charette Summary Handout The Chair distributed a summary of citizen input from the related charette and Crown Report recommendations. The summary can be expanded. ITEM #4 - New Business Videotape of Vail, Colorado Roundabout The committee reviewed videotape of the Vail roundabouts. It was noted the lanes in the Colorado roundabouts are not striped. It was noted the roundabouts are 6-feet wider than Clearwater's roundabout. It was suggested striping in roundabouts provides drivers with a false sense of security. ITEM #5 - Next MeetinQ. The next meeting is scheduled for October 16, 2000, at 4:00 p.m. at City Hall. Adiournment The meeting adjourned at 5:42 p.m. Chair Clearwater Beach Ent way Advisory Committee Attest: ~~[. /'i-.L.~_ Cit. lerk I I I I I I I I I' I l I I I I I I * I CLEARWATER BEACH ENTRYWAY ADVISORY COMMITTEE CITY OF CLEARWATER October 2, 2000 Present: Commissioner Ed Hart Lucile Casey Hoyt Hamilton David Hemerick Bruce Littler Arthur Lupien Roger Schulman Carl Wagenfohr Bill Jonson Absent: Herb Brown Dan Moran Bob Bickerstaffe Also present: Mahshid Arasteh Paul Bertels Lt. John Slack Cynthia E. Goudeau Patricia o. Sullivan Facilitator/Non Voting Chair Committee Member Committee Member Committee Member Committee Member Committee Member Committee Member Committee Member Alternate Committee Member Committee Member Alternate Public Works Administrator Traffic Operations Manager Police Department City Clerk Board Reporter To provide continuity for research, items are in agenda order although not necessarily discussed in that order. Chair Hart called the meeting to order at 4:00 p.m. at City HalJ. ITEM #1 - Approval of Minutes Member Hamilton moved to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of September 25, 2000, as submitted in written summation to each board member. The motion was duly seconded. It was requested copies of the minutes be e-mailed to members when they are available. Upon the vote being taken, the motion carried unanimously. ITEM #2 - Old Business mbe 1 OaOO 1 10/02/00 mbe10aOO 2 10/02/00 I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I a) Crown Report It was stated the Crown report does not consider long term plans for south beach. In response to a question, Public Works Administrator Mahshid Arasteh said Barry Crown had suggested moving the ingress to the Pier 60 parking lot to Coronado to move traffic off beach roads more quickly. While the plan would move a queue of up to 30 vehicles off the street and into the parking lot, vehicles trying to depart the lot would be blocked. Constructing a parking garage near the beach entrance is a long-term solution. A new traffic control system planned for Gulf-to-Bay Boulevard will allow staff to communicate with beach-bound vehicles via message boards and encourage use of ferries and buses. On Thursday, the City Commission will consider a grant to study alternative modes of transportation between the mainland and beach. It has been noted this data would be especially crucial if the Tampa Bay region is chosen as a future Olympic venue. It was noted only two members had submitted questions for Mr. Crown during a planned conference call. As they are turned in, staff will distribute copies of the questions to other members. To provide adequate time for member question submittal, the Chair recommended the conference call be delayed at least until October 16, 2000. Cost estimates for proposed changes will not be available until then. Page 4 Traffic Operations Manager Paul Bertels said the Crown Report is a guide. The designer will make final decisions. It was recommended the designer be required to justify, in writing, each deviation from the report. In response to a question, Ms. Arasteh said legal staff has indicated the City has no recourse regarding the roundabout's original design, as that design was based on assumptions and priorities provided by the City: 1) attractive beach entryway; 2) economic redevelopment; 3) pedestrian traffic movement; and 4) vehicular traffic movement. Concern was expressed the City Commission seriously consider committee input as end users of the interchange. When preparing this report, Mr. Crown had been directed to consider solutions without relying on preconceived ideas. Page 6 Concern was expressed the current design gives pedestrians and vehicles equal status. It was felt the roundabout's function had been compromised for aesthetic purposes. Safety concerns related to the fountain were expressed. It was suggested City priorities have changed and that pedestrian and vehicular needs are foremost. Ms. Arasteh said the project's foliage has not grown sufficiently to block pedestrian movement. It was suggested plants with thorns or a low fence would stop pedestrian crossings where they are not wanted Page 8 Most roundabout traffic exits onto Coronado and the causeway. Both exits have 2 lanes. Remedial efforts are needed. I I I I I I I I I I I I I I , I I , I ,I Page 9 Mr. Bertels indicated report recommendations related to sign age had already been accomplished. FOOT (Florida Department of Transportation) currently will not allow advanced directional signs to be placed on the causeway. Staff continues to work to resolve the issue. It was recommended driving instructors be contacted so that they teach correct roundabout traffic movement. Mr. Bertels said new electrical wiring would have to be installed before electrical exit signs could be raised sufficiently to avoid blocking vehicular sight lines. It was suggested the signs be moved farther from the exits or placed in the center island after the turn. It was felt advanced notice related to the next exit is needed. Concern was expressed signs in the middle of the island would create a hazard. It was recommended signs remain illuminated to improve their visibility. It was suggested the signs could be replaced with regular 7-foot City street signs, which feature a hibiscus. It was stated street names mean little to arriving tourists. Consensus was to recommend that signs direct traffic to North Beach and South Beach with smaller letters stating via Mandalay or Poinsettia, or Coronado and Gulfview. Staff was asked to estimate the cost of changing the signs. As a tiny strip of Gulfview remains on north beach, it was recommended staff rename that portion of the street to avoid confusion. It was recommended the board consider changes to the fountain after all cost estimates are available. The Chair reported reducing the fountain's height by 2 tiers is estimated to cost $124,000. Page 10 In response to a question, Ms. Arasteh said striping of the roundabout has not begun. She felt comfortable the proposed radii are adequate to eliminate difficult right turns. She reviewed the changes recommended in the report. Staff will report next week on the measurements of the planned changes and striping. It was stated the tail of the island at the marina entrance is superfluous and impedes truck access. The importance of protecting the crosswalks at all exits was stated. Concern was expressed the planned changes to the Poinsettia exit may not be sufficient. It was stated Roundabouts: An Informational Guide, published by USDOT and the Federal Highway Administration, discourages bypass lanes. It was noted City agreements related to a new project on north beach will prevent Mandalay from being designated as a one-way street. It was recommended the City partner with Channel 9 and government agencies with cable channels to expand education efforts to Pinellas and Hillsborough county residents regarding use of the roundabout. It was felt current efforts do not reach a large enough audience. mbe10aOO 3 10/02/00 mbe10aOO 4 10/02/00 I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I Page 11 Discussion ensued regarding safety issues related to the Coronado and Causeway exits. It was noted strategies to negotiate the roundabout differ depending upon the exit used. It was stated right lane traffic off Mandalay often backs up. It was recommended pedestrian movement be repositioned away from roundabout traffic. It was requested that sight distance measurements be redone. Mr. Bertels stated the consultants had already performed those measurements. Members were requested to submit questions for Mr. Crown to address. Once a list of proposals is prepared, costs can be considered when prioritizing recommendations. It was requested the City Commission not act on changes until the committee presents their input. ITEM #3 - Beach bv Desion Handout Copies were distributed of the Beach by Design report issued by Charlie Siemon, of Siemon and Larsen. It was suggested the City test Mr. Siemon's suggestion for one-way pairs on south beach. Concern was expressed using Coronado and Hamden as one-way pairs is impractical. It was felt Coronado and Gulfview would work as one-way pairs, be an inexpensive experiment, and may improve roundabout traffic. It was noted Mr. Siemon had recommended closing Gulfview to through traffic and removing the parking. Ms. Arasteh said City traffic studies continue to consider solutions. It was stated costs for a beach transit system cannot be justified, except during the peak 3 months of visitors. To be successful, a transit system from the mainland would require its own lane, which is not included in the design for the new bridge. A cost benefit analysis was recommended to consider incentives for those who choose alternative transportation. It was suggested weekend parking rates could be increased. Concern was expressed tourists not be impacted. Mr. Bertels estimated constructing a narrow gauge transport system would cost $1 O-million per mile. The County is considering a public transportation program. A City system could be linked with the County. It was recommended private/public funding be considered. In response to a question, Ms. Arasteh said free ferry service during Spring Break had attracted few riders. Concern was expressed bottlenecks at the intersection of Coronado and Gulfview back traffic to Shepherds. Lt. John Slack reviewed police efforts during peak times. Eliminating left turns onto Coronado from Gulfview improves traffic flow off south beach. I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I ,I ITEM #4 - New Business Police video of roundabout Lt. Slack narrated videotape taken by the Police Department from the top of the Hilton Hotel during Spring Break 2000. In response to a question, Ms. Arasteh said during that time, backed up vehicles from the mainland took an average of 15 minutes to traverse the causeway from the large bridge to beach destinations. During peak times, traffic backed up as far as Missouri Avenue. The tape showed slow vehicles searching for parking spaces along Gulfview, causing traffic to back-up into the roundabout. Three police officers, stationed at the roundabout to direct traffic during high traffic volumes, can clear traffic from the roundabout when fire engines and emergency vehicles approach. Mr. Bertels said staff will be able to activate a signal to stop traffic before the fire truck leaves the beach station. ITEM #5 - Next MeetinQ. The next meeting is scheduled for October 9, 2000, at 4:00 p.m. at City Hall. Adiournment The meeting adjourned at 5:42 p.m. Chair Clearwater Beach Entr~ ay Advisory Committee Attest: c~~ [J:L r>~ . - mbe10aOO 5 10/02/00 I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I CLEARWATER BEACH ENTRYWAY ADVISORY COMMITTEE CITY OF CLEARWATER September 25, 2000 Present: Commissioner Ed Hart Herb Brown Lucile Casey Hoyt Hamilton David Hemerick Bruce Littler Arthur Lupien Dan Moran Roger Schulman Bill Jonson Bob Bickerstaffe Absent: Carl Wagenfohr Also present: Paul Bertels Lt. John Slack Sue Diana Patricia O. Sullivan Facilitator/Non Voting Chair Committee Member Committee Member Committee Member Committee Member Committee Member Committee Member Committee Member Committee Member Alternate Alternate Committee Member Traffic Operations Manager Police Assistant City Clerk Board Reporter Chair Hart called the meeting to order at 4:00 p.m. at City Hall. ITEM #1 - Approval of Minutes Member Hamilton moved to approve the minutes of the regular meetings of September 6 and September 11, 2000, as submitted in written summation to each board member. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously. ITEM #2 - Rules of Procedure Member Casey moved to accept the Rules of Procedures as presented. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously. The Chair reviewed how Sunshine Laws affect each board member, noting they cannot speak privately about beach entryway issues. ITEM #3 - Old Business - None. ITEM #4 - Roundabout Brochure and Video Copies of the City's brochure on the roundabout were distributed. Updates are planned. mbe09cOO 1 09/25/00 mbe09cOO 2 09/25/00 I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I The board reviewed a City-produced tape regarding the roundabout. The tape, produced before conflict points had been identified, needs to be updated. It was recommended the tape be distributed to the Visitors Bureau, the Chambers of Commerce, and hotels, and that the updated tape be featured often on C-View TV. Members were invited to schedule tours of the roundabout. ITEM #5 - New Business a) Crown Report The Chair requested board members review the updated version of Barry Crown's report for discussion at the next meeting. The City Commission had received the report last Thursday, reviewed it, then forwarded copies to board members. A spreadsheet will be developed to track progress, identify priorities and costs, and establish project start and completion dates. Staff is working on cost estimates. It was stated some proposed changes, such as reducing the fountain's height, is very expensive. Information related to roundabout vehicular and pedestrian traffic during the 3 weekends around Spring Break was distributed and discussed. Problems with the counter resulted in incomplete data vehicle counts. Pedestrians were counted for 12 hours daily, beginning at 8:00 a.m. Ideally, the traffic counter worked 24 hours per day. Public Works Administrator Mahshid Arasteh said only traffic in-bound was counted. Total traffic counts would double one-way data. It was felt it is important to determine the number of vehicles that enter the island daily. One Crown report option removes traffic from beach streets more quickly by providing access to beachfront parking closer to the roundabout. The Police Department reported videotapes of the roundabout indicate slow vehicles, searching for parking along Gulfview, cause backups on the roundabout. It was stated Charlie Siemon's Beach by Design report recommended removing most beachfront parking. It was recommended board members review Siemon's report, as it proposes to alter beach traffic flow and pedestrian transportation. It was recommended this document be considered when expensive changes to the roundabout are discussed. The City Commission had allowed the board's scope to expand slightly to consider the beach plan. Many want fixes in place prior to Spring Break. Ms. Arasteh said changes currently planned include increasing striping, widening the entrance to Mandalay Avenue by one lane's width to improve right turn movement, and moving crosswalks farther from the roundabout. Ms. Arasteh said staff is working with utility companies regarding changes proposed in Crown's report. The cost of relocating utilities is significant. More information is required before staff can estimate project costs. In response to a question, Ms. Arasteh said the Crown Report had recommended a staggered pedestrian crosswalk across causeway traffic in front of the Marina. Safety concerns related to this pedestrian movement were expressed. In response to a I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I suggestion, Ms. Arasteh said FOOT (Florida Department of Transportation), which owns the Causeway's right-of-way, had issued a temporary permit to the City to allow parking east of the small bridge. The lot is difficult to access and many residents wish the Causeway to retain its pristine beauty. Members reported current problems include pedestrian movement across causeway traffic near the roundabout, traffic backups related to some beach businesses, difficult right turn onto Poinsettia, traffic backup affecting north beach residents, turn onto Poinsettia too close to Causeway entrance to roundabout, and conflicts related to the Mandalay access. It was felt current lane widths are adequate. It was stated increased traffic in late afternoon and early evening is related to crowds drawn to "Sunsets at Pier 60" activities. Member suggestions included: 1) moving lanes farther from the fountain; 2) increasing sight distances at roundabout entrances; 3) modifying Poinsettia access; 4) eliminating sharp turn onto Poinsettia; 5) adding lane for right turns at East Street and Poinsettia only; 6) improving truck right-turn movement; 7) widening Poinsettia to allow increased traffic; 8) improving traffic movement to north beach; 9) adding a lane for north beach traffic; 10) the roundabout's radii be compared with an arc ideal for traffic movement; and 11) staff itemize costs for each recommendation. Concerns were expressed that Crown proposals may have little affect but cost a lot, the construction schedule for the roundabout had not allowed time for adequate input, changes do not alter the attractiveness of the promenade entryway and that changes do not reduce the size of the beach. Members were requested to forward questions, comments, suggestions, and concerns to Ms. Arasteh. A conference call will then be scheduled with Mr. Crown. It was requested staff estimate traffic volumes if traffic direction on Coronado is modified and report if the road can be widened. ITEM #6 - Other Items - None. ITEM #7 - Next MeetinQ. The next meeting is scheduled for October 2, 2000, at 4:00 p.m. at City Hall. Adiournment ~11r Chair Clearwater Beach Entryway Advisory Committee The meeting adjourned at 5:32 p.m. ~ Assist t Ity Clerk mbe09cOO 3 09/25/00 I I I I I I I I I' I I I I I I I I i I I Clearwater Beach Entryway Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes of September 11, 2000 The CBEAC met on September 11 th at 4:00 PM in the OED Training Room, Second Floor, City Hall. Members Present: Bruce Littler Hoyt Hamilton Herb Brown Bob Bickerstaffe & Bill Jonson, Alternates John Fan, Guest Members Absent: Dan Moran Staff: Comm Ed Hart, Facilitator Bill Home Mahshid Arasteh Lt. John Slack Carolyn Brink David Hemerick Roger Schulman Carl Wagenfohr Arthur Lupien Lucille Casey Paul Bertels Comm Ed Hart opened meeting by reading from Page 4, paragraph 3 of the CBE Roundabout Charette, July 2000 Draft. I. Review Minutes Carom Hart asked members to review minutes for approval at next meeting. II. Rules of Procedure The Rules of Procedure for the Fire Task Force were used as an example and it was agreed to adapt for use for the CBEAC concept. Adapted rules to be reviewed and discussed at next meeting. III. Items/Old Business Mahshid Arasteh said final Crown report is due in at end of next week and will be mailed to members. Comm Hart introduced Lt. John Slack of the Police Department and asked if Police Department could have a representative here for each meeting for input. Upon questioning, Lt. Slack said that the old intersection required 15-18 police/aides to assist traffic. On heavy days at roundabout, only 3 or 4 aides are necessary. Bruce Littler felt that in times of accidents, there should be a cut-through at some point for traffic so that it doesn't back up. Committee agreed to review this suggestion along with others. In response to question, Lt. Slack said that tickets are not always issued at accidents at roundabout, due to the prevailing attitude that drivers to the left cannot exit to the right, this is left to insurance companies to decide, Tickets are issued , when an infraction is obvious. Carl Wagenfohr said supportive of the Crown report regarding striping, felt this is on the right track. 1 General discussion ensued regarding "candles" and other ways to let people know the proper way to exit. Discussion regarding size of fountain and whether it contributes to hazards of roundabout. Consensus felt it was not hazardous; exiting from the roundabout is the cause of most accidents. Lt. Slack agreed to bring list of accidents, if possible, statistics from beginning of opening in December 15, 1998. Lt. Slack distributed "Crash and Volume Data" for last 5 months - in April 58; May 47; June 32; July 22; August 22. Right now there is an average of 35,000 cars per day. Bruce Littler asked if the police department was asked for input from the beginning regarding roundabout. He felt the Police Department should have been the first expert. Carl Wagenfohr again raised the CDr 3 list - he wants the committee to discuss and prioritize and asked for update - where are we on it? Mahshid said cost estimates will be available at the end of September. Carl Wagenfohr very interested in how public was educated about the roundabout. His suggestion is to mail out good information through the Property Appraiser's office. Bill Jonson suggested a tourism radio station Discussion ensued reference pedestrian safety. Comm Hart thought that bus stops should be removed from crosswalks. This is also confusing for motorists when they think a person will cross road but are in actuality standing on corner to catch bus. David Hemerick concerned about traffic queuing up on south beach. Bill Jonson asked about fountain and how to deal with wind velocity increases - turn fountain ,inward. Comm Hart to bring up at Commission meeting. Arthur Lupien would like roundabout picture up on wall next meeting so that it can easily be referred to when speaking. Corom Hart wants to be sure we have measurable factors (performance standards) to determine if we have solved the problem and asked if we need an expert at another level- a more independent review. Mahshid Arasteh reminded committee that the objectives now are not the same as when the design was started. Pedestrian was highest; economic development next and then vehicle traffic flow. Carl Wagenfohr said he did not want pedestrian safety compromised. No pedestrians have been hit to date. IV. New Business/Crown Draft/Burden Draft Corom Hart urged everyone to read these reports. V. Other Agenda Items - none VI. Time/Place of meetings Meetings will continue to be weekly at 4:00 PM in the OED Training Room, second floor of City Hall. Exception to be no meeting next week, September 18th, as Comm Hart is out of town. Weekly meetings will resume September 25th. 2 I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I ,I I I I I Approved at September 25, 2000 Meeting I I I I I I I I I I I I il I I, I I ,I zzdr Carom Ed Hart Facilitator 3 I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I Clearwater Beach Entryway Advisory Committee Minutes of September 6, 2000 Meeting The Clearwater Beach Entryway Advisory Committee (CBEAC) met on September 6th at 3:00 PM in City Hall's Large Conference Room on 3rd Floor. This first meeting was for organizational purposes. Attendees: Staff: Commissioner Ed Hart; City Manager Bill Home; City Clerk Cyndie Goudeau; Assistant City Clerk Sue Diana; Mahshid Arasteh, Public Works Administrator; Paul Bertels, Traffic Operations Manager; Carolyn Brink, Executive Assistant Committee: Hoyt Hamilton; Bruce Littler; Arthur Lupien; David Hemerick; Carl Wagenfohr; Roger Schulman; Herb Brown; Luelle Casey. Dan Morari called in with inability to attend and was excused. Guests: Bill Jonson; John Farr 1. Introductions Comm Hart opened meeting and said his role would be one of facilitator to discuss and draw out ideas from group. This group is one that has no power and cannot authorize $. However, it is important to hear from the citizens and give representation to the commission on their thoughts. Cyndie Goudeau gave overview of "sunshine law" to members of the committee. The meetings must be properly noticed for the public; members cannot make phone calls, give messages to each other regarding committee subject. All discussion regarding subject has to take place in a noticed meeting. This meetings has been noticed to the press and properly distributed. Each person introduced themselves: Paul Bertels as Traffic Operations Manager; Mahshid Arasteh as Public Works Administrator; Hoyt Hamilton - resident and business owner on Clearwater Beach; Bruce Littler - owner of Nautical Shop and lives on north Clearwater Beach; Arthur Lupien - frequent beachgoer; David Hemerick - resident of Clearwater Beach, born and raised here; wants to preserve and protect the south end of beach; Carl Wagenfohr - resident of Island Estates and uses roundabout in car, on motorcycle and in-line skates; Roger Schulman - former 28 year resident however travels to beach often in his professional and promotional activities; Herb Brown - resident of Clearwater Beach for 31 years and loves the roundabout; Lucile Casey - wants to be part of solution, fiscally responsible and solve accidents; Bill Jonson - interested in roundabout, is part of scenic America and 1 2 I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I its corridors; John Farr - resident 22 years and a retired police officer; Bill Horne- assured group he would attend as many meetings as possible. Cyndie Goudeau and Sue Diana were introduced by Carolyn Brink. Comm Hart said that two more people will be appointed as alternate members at the Commission Meeting of September 7th and would be accepting call-ins up until that time. II. Define our role Hoyt Hamilton expressed he feels roundabout does have room for improvement however noted that the public has forgotten how long they waited in traffic to and from the beach before the roundabout; wants to obtain information; evaluate and come to a logical conclusion. The volume of traffic is tremendous and is handled welL Lucile Casey would like to find solutions to lessen accidents. Bruce Littler said he is supporter of roundabout; feels there is confusion with drivers turning in front of others and not understanding protocol of exiting. Also felt inferior designs and mistakes should be the responsibility of the firms hired. Arthur Lupien said no solution will be perfect; suggested improvements will have to be viewed together. David Hemerick likes roundabout, feels it is "over landscaped", too many signs, too much happening visually, too many distractions while changing lanes. Accidents occur at intersection of Mandalay and Coronado. These intersections need addressing. Carl Wagenfohr noted book he brought entitled "Roundabout" and encouraged everyone to read it. He felt changes Barry Crown recommended were good. Has concerns with pedestrian crossings and increased speed of cars. He recommended MFO be contacted re: their committee input on pedestrian traffic. Wants detailed answers to questions and act as an oversight to Mr. Crown's suggested improvements. Would like to see the final report from Mr. Crown. Mahshid Arasteh said the report should be here within the next week or two and that a conference call could be arranged with Mr. Crown. Roger Schulman felt Barry Crown made excellent recommendations. Suggested law enforcement officer should be here for resource. Roundabout working better than it did initially. Herb Brown concerned about turning right. Curbs need to be opened more. Major problems with roundabout are crazy drivers that are racing around. Recommends more traffic control, less signs. Beautiful roundabout for people who drive safely and sanely. I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I Comm Ed Hart said he felt comfortable with everyone's role. A report from this committee is expected by second week in October but felt that was too short a time frame. Lucile Casey thought the Committee needed some real data and that it might take more time than the second week in October. Comm Ed Hart felt the Committee also needed all costs for all phases. Bruce Littler raised a concern about the committee' effectiveness and if we are going to be listened to. We need to know there is an ear listening to us. Comm Ed Hart said we need to do this correctly the first time. We may not make these decisions by spring break, but can have by the next spring break. Arthur Lupien thought it best to work through one idea at a time to see if it works. Bruce Littler said it is important to find a way to reduce accidents and feels the Committee needs to do this right away and then can work on the other suggestions. This would take the pressure off. David Hemerick felt curbs should have already been addressed, palm trees in center section -line of dozen palms - block view of pedestrians on Coronado. Carl Wagenfohr agreed there are safety issues with bicycles and pedestrians. David Hemerick thought some bollards on pedestrian areas should be removed so that bicyclists could use. Carl Wagenfohr also concerned that committee will receive credibility. III. Review Mission Statement Bruce Littler concerned about draft of mission statement. Hoyt Hamilton felt committee should have ample time to make a difference and that time frame was too tight. Spring Break should not be our immediate goal, but plan for all Spring Breaks to come. David Hemerick thinks committee should have Barry Crown report in front of them. Consensus that mission statement fine as is with the exception of meeting frequency. Committee thought once a week would be better. Bruce Littler suggested meeting weekly to expedite the short term solutions. Comm Ed Hart to take to Commission. IV. Materials to bring to next meeting CDI 3 - entryway enhancements were available for distribution - outlining immediate measures, short term measures and long term measures. Clearwater Beach Entryway Roundabout Charrette report was available for distribution. The Barry Crown report will be available in the next week of two. 3 4 I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I v. Review calendars and set future meetings Consensus to meet weekly for now and determine future schedule. Next meeting set for Monday, September 11th at 4:00 PM. It was suggested that Chief Klein or designee be invited to attend next meeting for input. Approved at September 25, 2000 Meeting g;ir Comm Ed Hart Facilitator I I I I I I I I I I I I I I ,I , :1 I I I OTHER ITEMS OF INTEREST 1. Clearwater Beach Entryway Advisory Committee (CBEAC) List 2. CBEAC Mission Statement 3. CBEAC Rules of Procedure 4. CBEAC Committee Questions / Answers 5. Comparison of 2000-2001 Volumes of Traffic Entering the Roundabout 6. Roundabout Accidents 1999-2001 7. Fountain: Maintenance Cost; Water Cost; Demo Cost 8. Mr. Crown's Alternative Proposal 9. David Nelson Construction Cost Estimates 10. Submission of Roadway Needs for Motorcyles I I I I I I I I I I I I II I I I I I :1 I Clearwater Beach Entryway Advisory Committee: Commissioner Hart - Non Voting Chair 562-4050 Paul Bertels - Non Voting staff - Traffic Operations Manager 562-4794 Roger Schulman 2337 Willow Tree Trail Clearwater, FL 33763 0: 839-9393 Arthur Lupien 2387 Nash Street Clearwater, FL 33765 796-8033 Lucile Casey 1270 Gulf Boulevard, #2007 Clearwater, FL 33767 517-1874 Carl Wagenfohr 424 Midway Island Clearwater, FL 33767 446-5001 David Hemerick 1 92 Devon Drive Clearwater, FL 33767 446-1426 Dan Moran 1351 Gulf Blvd. #108 Clearwater, FL 33767 596-2225 Herb Brown 1114 Mandalay Point Road Clearwater, FL 33767 447-6243 0: 443-6488 fax 448-0009 Continued members cont. I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I Hoyt Hamilton 2020 Coronet Lane Clearwater, FL 33764 530-7238 0: 447-5356 Bruce Littler 711 Bay Esplanade Drive Clearwater, FL 33767 447-5827 0:441-3036 Alternates: Bill Jonson 2694 Redford Court West Clearwater, FL 33761-1729 786-3075 Bob Bickerstaffe 1007 East Druid Road Clearwater, FL 33756 446-1421 I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I II Clearwater Entryway Advisory Committee Mission Statement: The Clearwater Entryway Advisory Committee will advise the City Commission on recommended solutions to make the Clearwater Beach Entryway (roundabout) safe, efficient and friendly for all stakeholders and users. 1. Meeting Frequency: The Advisory Committee will meet twice a month for the first 2-4 months, and then monthly thereafter, or at a frequency to permit timely review of staff and consultant plans and designs. 2. Purpose. The Clearwater Entryway Advisory Committee Will: a. Interpret and serve as a liaison between the citizens who developed the vision at the July 27-31 st charrette and the city staff carrying out these changes. b. Review, and provide added details to the engineering analysis and proposed immediate and short term geometric, operations and maintenance solutions to the entryway. c. Retain, as much as practicable, the community vision as expressed in the documents and reports of the charrette. d. Work toward solving immediate and short-term issues. e. Identify any needed educational, informational and enforcement measures f. Determine what measurements are needed to assure that the entryway is meeting its objectives of becoming safer, efficient and friendly for all users. g. Review these measures and report on the progress and effects of these changes. h. Review, monitor and oversee the development of long-range topics that need to be considered by the City of Clearwater. These measures will be addressed if immediate and short-term measures fail to fully meet their intended objectives. I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I CLEARWATER BEACH ENTRYW A Y ADVISORY COMMITTEE Rules of Procedure Article I. Members. The Clearwater Beach Entryway Advisory Committee (CBEAC) is made up of 9 voting members and 2 non-voting alternates appointed by the City Commission. . The alternates may participate in the discussion, but may not make or second a motion. (Should a voting member vacancy occur, one of the alternatives will be selected to become a voting member by majority vote of the Advisory Committee.) Should alternates become voting members, the City Commission will determine whether to appoint additional alternates. A City Commissioner shall serve as the non-voting Chair whose role is to facilitate the meetings of the CBEAG Article II. Meetings. Regular weekly meetings of the Task Force shall be held on Monday, from 4:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Special meetings may be called by the Chair as needed. Whenever practical, 24 hours notice shall be given for special meetings. Article III. Quorum. Five voting members shall constitute a quorum of the Advisory Committee. A quorum must be present for the CBEAC to take any action. No action shall be valid or binding unless adopted by the affirmative vote of the majority of the CBEAC members. Article IV. Attendance. A voting member that misses 3 consecutive meetings shall be removed from the Advisory Committee. Vacancies so created will be filled as provided for in Article I, above. Article V. Motions. A member making a motion shall address the Chair and wait to be recognized. When a motion is made, it must be seconded prior to debate on the motion. Article VI. Debate/Discussion. A member wishing to discuss an issue or debate a motion shall address the Chair and wait to be recognized. 10f2 '-U" 20f2 I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I Article VII. Public Comment. Persons speaking before the CBEAC shall be limited to three minutes per speaker. No person shall speak more than once on the same subject at the same meeting unless pennitted by the Chair. Unused time cannot be passed from one speaker to another. Article VIII. Voting. Voting shall be by voice vote and announced by the Chair. In the case of a tie vote, the issue will be rescheduled to the next meeting. If a tie vote on the identical motion occurs at the next meeting the motion will be declared defeated. Article IX. Reconsideration. Any voting member of the CBEAC, who voted with the prevailing side, may move a reconsideration of any action of the CBEAC. Reconsideration of an action must occur at the same meeting in which the action took place. No motion to reconsider shall be made more than once on any subject or matter. As approved by the Clearwater Beach Entryway Advisory Committee Members, September Ed Hart, City Commissioner Attest: Cynthia E. Goudeau, City Clerk I' I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I Clearwater Beach Entryway Committee Ouestions/ Answers Question Answer Ql Modifications to roundabouts, The striping at the Causeway exit is a small Casey surprisingly large benefits are inexpensive change that has produced a P7 provided by small changes in detail large reduction in crashes. The small changes to the Coronado entry geometry gives a 38% increase in capacity. Q2 Entryway & exit accidents - remedial See Cad plan Final-1H for measures Casey measures needed P8 Q3 Cost for fixing exits & entrances for I do not know, FDC can provide the costs Casey large trucks P8 Q4 General question - fixing exits & All entrances and exits are widened and the Casey P entrances and widening curbs radii increased. 8 Q5 Is there a more favorable alignment Wagenf of the Mandalay entry lanes if the No. The redesign was done before I knew ohr presence of the fountain equipment the location of the valt vault were to be ignored? Q6 The Mandalay entry lanes appear to The proposed alignment controls the entry Wagenf be offset right aligned, rather than speeds. The fastest entry path is better than ohr radially aligned, with the center of the requirements of the US Guide. the central island. The FHW A Roundabout Informational Guide, Section 6.4.2. is not where it is at and is section 6.4.2, specifically cautions somewhat naive. The entry speed can be against this alignment, referring to it controlled adequately by other geometric as UNACCEPTABLE in exhibit 6- elements even when not complying with 18. Isn't there an alignment that will 6.4.2. It depends on the interaction of a both control vehicle speed on the number geometric elements not anyone Mandalay entry and minimize Coronado exit conflict? Consequently some designs that comply with 6.4.2. have high entry speeds and some that do not have low entry speeds. As it happens both the original and the new design comply with 6.4.2 - see the cad file Mandalay-Alignment.dwg 1 2 I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I Q7 The exit conflict at Coronado and Littler Causeway seem to be the same See Document 'Mandalay-Coronado.doc' P 12-14 problem. The solution at these two areas seem to be very different. Assuming the exit conflicts at Coronado are caused only by vehicles entering from Mandalay is in question. I believe the conflict exists and endangers vehicles already in the roundabout from other sources just as much. Would it be feasible, at much less or little expense, to try the same solution proposed for the Causeway exit. It also seems that the proposed changes to the Mandalay entrance will cause more frequent back-ups on See Document 'Mandalay-Coronado.doc' Mandalay causing the stop-light on the causeway to be activated and cause additional delays backing up the causeway unnecessarily. A solution to a problem that causes additional problems seems to be one that should be considered only as a last resort. Q8 Comments on Hoyt Hamilton's This was examined. Flows from the Jonson suggested north beach exit Causeway into Poinsettia are very low, less than 100 vph. Also East Shore is a bypass that accesses Poinsettia and Mandalay from the Causeway. Q9 Raising or lowering heights of signs Raising the signs is good but not very Casey aesthetic. Lowering is less obtrusive but not P9 as visible. Raising is best for traffic. Q10 Education: The number of signs This was the original intention, but most of Jonson approaching the roundabout is the Causeway is a FDOT road and it takes intimidating and detracting from the time to get their permission.. aesthetic appearance of the beach entryway. Could these signs be The signs where crammed into the spaced out more along the causeway Clearwater section with the intention of re- approaching the beach? Would this spacing them when FDOT agree. be helpful in allowing folks to get into the correct lanes sooner? I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I Qll Reduce height of fountain wall Reducing the Fountain wall is not needed Casey for sight distances, as they are OK. Page 5 However, the wall does produce a Canyon effect and is uncomfortable for drivers on the inner lane. The gore area moves traffic an extra 2.5 feet away and has made it more comfortable. Removing two steps (12 inches) would further improve comfort, but it is very expensive (-$125,000) and would be disruptive to traffic for several months Q13 Height of wall reduction from three See above Casey feet to two feet "canyon" effect Page 18 Q14 Would it be possible to eliminate the This could be done. Littler jets on the first level, closest to the Page 18 street, allowing this level to be a However angling the jets back and reducing receptacle for the other levels the water pressure automatically to match eliminating the spray reaching the wind speed will also stop over spray without vehicles and causing windshield removing any jets. wipers to be used and the delay of clear vision while the windshield is cleared? Q15 Please provide documentation of the For what purpose. Wagenf measurements taken which indicate ohr compliance with the FHW A Both sight lines requirements are met. stopping sight distance safety standard. Include diagrams, the date Sight distances are not the problem. measurements were taken, and name the individuals involved About 10 million vehicle have entered the roundabout and 10 million have circulated. This gives about 100 million entry / circulating interactions. As there have been no entry/circulating accident problems, the intersection sight distance is not an issue. 10 million vehicles have circulated but no 3 4 I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I object 2 ft tall has been seen lying in the circulating road. No crash has involved an object lying in the circulating road However, there have been over 300 exit crashes in 6 months. This where it is at. Q16 Would it be possible to lower the The sight distance 42 inches to 24 inches at Wagenf fountain wall only at the small radii the end radii is 93 feet with the existing ohr ends of the central island and still fountain wall and the gore area around the realize significant improvements in roundabout. sight lines and driver comfort? This is greater than the required 77 feet. To increase driver comfort the whole wall needs to be lowered 12 inches Q17 Are we to understand that you advise Definitely. Wagenf the city to operate the fountain in This is easy to do and should be inexpensive ohr such a way that fountain water is to be prevented from spraying onto the roadway? Q18 Increasing capacity of roundabout Widening the lanes from 10 to 12 feet, Page 19 with modifications increasing the entry radii and reducing the Casey entry angle all significantly increase the entry capacity by making it easier and more comfortable to enter the roundabout. The capac1ty mcreases are Causeway Entry = + 55% Mandalay Entry = + 44% Coronado Entry = + 38% Small changes give surprisingly big increases Q19 Queuing up on Coronado See Below Page 20 Casey Q20 Creating an additional entrance to Pier What is proposed is a 10ft wide curbed Littler 60 parking lot would accommodate one-way access road that skirts pier 60 such a small number of vehicles, it parking lot and also skirts and links all would be ineffective of the parking lots on Gulf View as far as Adams Mark. I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I Q21 Littler Q22 Littler The elimination of the signal at Coronado and Gulfview by making Gulfview one-way south to Harnden Drive and Coronado one-way north would seem to be an inexpensive and very effective solution to the queuing back both from the roundabout and entering the roundabout from the south .As a future reference concerning this problem, the proposals of eliminating and replacing the Gulfview parking with a new garage facility, however aesthetic, will have little impact. The addition of a arkin ra e will hel Access into the lots off the 1-way link road is left in, left out. The access to pier 60 lot will be on the section of the link road parallel to the beach, some distance from Coronado so that it wont backup.. Traffic would be taken off Coronado onto this link road. This would remove vehicles off Gulf View that are slow moving, looking for parking spaces and allow other traffic to travel more freely. Consequences on Gulf View / Coronado 1. Less traffic 2. Traffic at normal speeds. Also the removal of the entrance barriers to allow unimpeded entry into the parking lots is essential. Park first, ticket second. These measures will significantly reduce backu . This is a large one way system with some quite large detours. The same benefit can be achieved by a much small 1-way system that has very little detour. This is on Gulf View, First St and Coronado. The primary aim is to increase parking spaces. How this is done is a matter of detail. A multistory parking garage has more s aces than a arkin lot. 5 6 I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I solve the problem only if it is in addition to the existing parking. Until \V'here the parking spaces are located is also the City can afford enough parking to a consideration. Providing parking lots off replace the existing lot, I don't think the north beach would increase the number we can afford the lovely new view. of spaces and take traffic off Coronado/Gulf View further reducing the backups. Q23 A critical recommendation of the See Q20, Q21 and Q22. Jonson report deals with solving the "backing up" into the roundabout at Spring Break and other holidays. Is it realistic to expect that this can be resolved totally even with the construction of parking garages? Plus we have limited funding opportunities for such options. Q24 \V'hat alternative options might be There are 4 basic approaches. Jonson recommended to resolve backing up traffic into the roundabout (ex. 1. Manage the traffic better. Entrance metering signal, etc.)? This is recommended. Remove the barriers at the lots and provide the link road. So that the existing lots can be reached more quickly and easily than at present. Also provide more parking spaces The location of parking lots needs to be more spread out. The concentration on Coronado and Gulf View creates the problem. Providing parking off Mandalay for use of the north beach would greatly help. 2. Reduce the amount of traffic by metering or limiting access to the island. This would increase queues on the Causeway and would probably lead to a decline in tourism. I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I II 3. Provide alternative non-car access from the mainland to the Beach. This can be done several ways. Monorail, bus lane or boat. The are several drawbacks. Costs will be high. Visitors to the beach have a lot of baggage and will be reluctant to give up their car. It may be expensive and difficult to provide adequate parking on the mainland. 4. Provide an additional access to the Island (new bridge/causeway). This is very expensive and would need parking lots and beach facilities at its terminus so that this traffic would not drive to the Gulf View parking lots. Casey Cost of more staff at parking lots The parking lots would not need the staff at the barriers. Some parking wardens would be needed. One warden covers several parking lots so there would be less not more parking staff. Q25 Lighting-cost upgrade for FWHA & I do not know. FDC should be able to Casey AASHTO /illumination provide this. Page 28 Q26 Landscaping-cost of I do not know. The ammount of relocation Casey removal/ relocation/ exchange needs determining on site AFTER the Page 29 geometric modifications Q27 Striping - cost of solid to stripe This has already been done as part of the Casey interim scheme Page 32 Q28 Regarding striping of the circulatory US drivers and engineers use striping Wagenf roadway everywhere on your roads. Lane ownership ohr is important to US drivers. The FHW A Roundabout Informational Guide states that lane Wben we come to multilane roundabout, lines should not be striped within the should the circulating road be striped? circulatory roadway, and 'Circulatory lane lines can be misleading in that The answer is that most do NOT need to they may provide drivers a false sense be striped. HO\VEVER some roundabouts of security' because of non typical geometry and turning volume patterns DO NEED to be striped. 7 8 I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I This is a very complex high level (whole system' consideration that US designers are not yet up to. They are new to roundabouts are learning the basics. The danger was that if the guide allowed striping it would be used as a matter of course on all US Roundabouts as US designers are not yet experienced enough to discriminate when and when not to stripe. This would lead to unnecessary and worse still INCORRECT striping. I advised the FHW A not to recommend striping at this stage. Most US roundabouts are single lane and cannot be striped. Most two-lane roundabouts will not need striping. This policy will prevent unnecessary and incorrect striping. The few roundabouts that need striping will manifest this need after they have been operational for a while and the striping can then be added VERY CAREFULLY to get it right. US engineers will be wary about doing this as they are going beyond the guide. (they will not strip routinely or carelessly) The Entryway Roundabout is very non typical (Oval,six legs, double left turn movements, reverse curves etc) and CORRECT striping is necessary for godd operation and for safety. IT IS ONLY INCORRECT STRIPING 'that is misleading and that may provide a false sense of security' I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I II \V.HERE needed is VERY beneficial, directing inexperienced roundabout drivers into the correct lane for their destination. This reduces lane changes and exit accidents on multilane roundabouts. EXAMPLES. My interim Scheme, implemented in June 2000 modified the striping / introduced new striping and the gore area. This has eliminated the crash problem at the Causeway exit, saving about 25 crashes per month. Does the Committee recommend that this be removed and that we revert to the previous crash situation? In the UK most roundabouts are NOT striped. However, those that need to be are striped. See Striped Roundabouts.doc for examples of striped roundabouts. Q29 In addition, we recently viewed a I was consulted by Lief Ourston the Wagenf videotape of the operation of the Vail designer of the Vale roundabout and ohr roundabout, which is multi-lane reviewed and modified the design, especially without striping & apparently the striping. The flow patterns and the operating safely. geometry at Vail do not require striping. Having viewed one roundabout without stripes does not provide the experience or understanding to know when srtipes are bet used or not Q30 1. Why is your recommendation Vail and Clearwater are VERY different. Wagenf contrary to the FHW A guide and the ohr Vail experience? The 56% crash reduction and the elimination of crashes atr the Causeway exit achieved by my new striping speaks for its 9 10 I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I self. The FHW A Guides advice is inappropriate for Clearwater. It is only a guide not an inflexible rule book. I do not know if it is used in the US but a UK proverb is 'Rules are for the guidence of the wise and the obedience of fools' See the last two paragraphs of the Introduction to my report. Later versions of the guide will allow striping and explain the principles used to decide when it they are needed.. US engineers will have enough experience by then to understand the principles involved Q31 Why doesn't the striping you IT IS ONLY INCORRECT STRIPING Wagenf propose provide drivers with a false 'that gives drivers a false sense of security' ohr sense of security? The striping already in place, as part of the interim scheme, has dramatically reduced accidents providing TRUE security (and a sense of it). The striping proposed as part of the final scheme will do the same. Q32 Move bus stop/enlarging curb The existing bus stop on Mandalay is Casey radius/mandatory median crossing for immediately north of the pedestrian Page 33 emerging vehicles/ flat top speed crossing at the Hilton Hotel. A bus at the tables for pedestrians. stop obstructs the view between pedestrians and cars. This is dangerous. It is recommended that the bus stop be moved to the other side of the Hilton access. A hardened crossing of the Causeway is proposed solely for the use of emergency vehicles, allowing them to turn left out of I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I East Shore to head to the Mainland. Flat topped speed tables. . . See below Q33 Regarding Pedestrians There will be some increase in speed. How Wagenf much depends on many factors. During ohr Many of your recommendations will peak times when there are lots of peds and result in the possibility of increased traffic car speeds will be low due to the high vehicle speeds at the points of volumes. pedestrian crossing, and make During off peak periods when vehicle flows drivers less inclined to yield right-of- are low speeds will be higher. Fortunately way to pedestrians. Would it be ped volumes are also very low during these desirable to more vigorously enforce periods. right-of-way laws to mitigate the effects of the proposed geometry Enforcement is very difficult. The use of changes? flat topped speed tables does control speeds but drivers find them uncomfortable so they should be used when all else has failed. Only by monitoring speeds after the roundabout has been modified can the need be established. Q34 Education program - will raise ideas This should use all means. The best is a Casey to group visuallokking down on the roundabout Phase 5 showing moving cars. This with an explanatory voice over would show the correct (and the incorrect) way to drive from each entry to each destination. Q35 1. Right now the Police 'Yield to the car on left on entry' means the Jonson Department can't issue tickets cars to your left circulating on the for improper lane yielding roundabout. within the roundabout. The FHW A Guideline has specific I t does not mean the car at the yield line lane use rules (yield to car on waiting to enter the roundabout from the left on entry and to the car in left entry lane when you are waiting to enter the inside lane within the from the right entry lane. roundabout). Shouldn't we implement these and education When two cars are side by side at the yield the public as to the proper yield line they have equal priority to enter when rules? there is a gap in the circulating road traffic 11 12 I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I Education will help. Enforcement is difficult. A well designed roundabout educates drivers on how it should be used. The geometry etc should make it obvious what is the natural and correct way to drive the roundabout. U sing the roundabout correcdy should feel comfortable and using it incorrectly should feel uncomfortable. The original roundabout did not do this. For example, a driver in the outer lane of the circulating road, approaching the Causeway exit found that the geometry and striping made it seem most natural to continue around the roundabout and cross the Causeway exit in the outside lane. However, this is an incorrect and dangerous maneuver. The striping introduced by the interim scheme has largely stopped this happening. \\!hen the exit radius onto the Causeway is made larger, the outer lane of the roundabout will naturally and correcdy lead into the Causeway exit. Continuing around the roundabout in the outer lane past the Causeway exit is will appear even less correct and natural. Q36 2. Do you have experience with To explain how to use the roundabout Jonson traveler information radio properly requires moving pictures. Radio when used with a roundabout? may help but there is no real substitute for Would this provide an option mOVing pictures. to explain roundabout courtesy rules and proper lane usage? Radio is very good a congestion warning Such a facility could provide and passing on other information, but early notice on congestion (the education needs pictures I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I south parking lots are full - exit north to north beach). Q37 One-way, using First Street This is to replace the signals at Casey Coronado / Gulf View to reduce backups to Phase 7 the roundabout. See Q21 10/12/00 13 I Comoarison of 2000 - 2001 I VolUmes of Traffic Enterina the Roundabout Note: Blanks incicate inVitlid inc'orool~e or lIlavailable data for that oeriod. Indicates opdlJta. I I DATE DAY DATE DAY CAUSEWAY POINSETTIA MANDALAY CORONADO MARINA TOTAL W8 S8 S8 N8 N8 2000 2001 2000 2001 2000 2001 2000 2001 2000 2001 2000 2001 2000 2001 311 Wednesda 2/28 Wednesda 14 973 1700 6760 9624 781 33 838 312 Thursdav 311 ThlJ,Sdav'. 19542 16358 2034 1478 9625 8326 14583 15021) 1170 1168 46954 42350 313 Friday 312 Friday 24 858 18525 3531 1967 12117 9,236 16877 17 08'3 1 073 1151 sa 456 47965 3/4 Sah'xda" 3/3 Satlxdav 21243 19254 2672 1.757 10558 9.367 16126 12541 920 1142 51519 44 069 315 Soodav 314 SlXldav 21386 13 673 4482 1,15< 10157 7,427 12232 838 886 36 843 35 572 3/6 Mondav 315 MoOdav 18285 14981 2042 1,458 10485 7435 13,273 1186-5 890 1110 44 955 36 859 3fT Tuesdav 316 Tuesdav 18426 14 123 1739 1,458 10423 7029 14.998 13001 1005 985 48591 36 594 318 Wednesd01 3fT Wednesda 18878 15841 1637 1,433 10418 7,762 14 775 1384'3 996 1088 48 704 39 970 3/9 Thtxsdav 318 Thursda 19475 16356 1818 1,446 10462 8,161 15049 13829 1065 46 804 40 857 3/10 Fridav 319 Frida 22744 17547 2198 1,626 8,297 16,334 16344 1123 41276 H937 3/11 Sah..-dav 3110 SattJda 2'3 653 19296 2.370 1,597 10842 8,865 17 847 18056 884 1 145 55 596 46 958 3/12 Sundav 3111 SlOlda 19016 17 348 1588 1531 9463 8510 16695 1689:3 B83 912 47 623 45194 3/13 MondaI,' 3/12 Monda 19949 1,719 1063 0 22731 3125 Saturday 3124 Sah.rday 23 730 16659 2,031 1,778 10524 11239 16854 16 lad 1111 1052 54 250 49114 3126 Sundav 3125 SlXIdav 19938 16252 1513 1,389 9135 9 529 15570 15403 947 931 47103 43 504 3/27 MondaI,' 3126 Mondav 19378 15465 1583 1,53B 8617 9,461 12896 1075 1187 43 529 27 649 3/28 Tu~sday 3127 Tuesday 19.338 16004 1777 1,567 9525 8,574 13943 13116 1043 .. 583 40 303 3129 W~dn~sda 3128 Wednesda 19916 16278 1,821 1,647 11,125 9,349 14241 1409') 526 1130 47631 42499 3/30 ThursdaY 3129 ThUfsday 18721 13 468 2066 1,417 9,3.047 6,995 13748 1055:3 1 '067 43 88'2 33 500 3131 Frida 3130 Friday 20691 17200 1 965 1,641 10003 9,549 15531 1443,3 1182 48250 43 990 4/1 Sa!l....dav 3/31 Sahxdav 24341 17 461 2119 1,-452 10105 10,821 16433 14501 1131 52 998 45 372 412 Sundav 4/1 SLXldaV 20 853 16586 1,817 1,747 9,418 $,614 16149 1555'3 1045 48237 43 548 4/3 Monda y 412 Mondav 17 153 15093 1,627 1.487 8964 8,774 12898 12773 950 1153 41592 39 280 4/4 TUle$dav 413 Tuesdav 15388 15,702 1,576 1 503 8358 8,794 12503 1158,3 935 1190. 38780 38 777 4/5 Wednesda 4/4 Wednesda 16029 15740 1.85 1 508 8,367 8798 12972 12751 1062 1125 39 895 39 928 4/6 ThurSdav 4/5 Thurs d a I,' 17686 15506 1718 1 571 8,907 9539 13306 13345 1217 1202 42814 41 163 4fT FridaY 418 Friday 20631 20 736 1948 1,898 9669 9928 14673 1179 1280 48 300 33 840 418 Saturday 4fT Sah....dav 21247 21502 1,940 1,984 9,539 9 BBO 15,353 1.015 1056 49 094 34 422 4/9 Sunda v 418 SlJ'lday 18337 18640 1.230 1,5.0 8,281 8820 13879 758 969 40 483 29 989 4/1D Mooday 419 Mondav 14 392 14.48 1,320 1,709 7,827 9,026 11018 930 1255 35 487 26 436 4/11 Tuesdav 4/1D Tuesday 14850 17177 1,349 1.779 7785 9,480 11 108 1',1040 1243 36132 29 679 4/12 Wednesda 4/11 Wednesda 14608 17 038 1.310 1,771 7470 9,834 10871 9144 1265 35 203 29 908 4/13 Thtxsd<l 4112 Thursda 15002 17 815 1,.05 1,942 8,120 8,998 11,514 19'805 98B 1356 37 029 49916 4/14 Fridav 4/13 Fridav 15316 19562 1,526 2,185 8,020 10,315 11904 19'997 1065 1219 37831 53 278 4/15 Sah....dav 4/14 Saturday 20125 18543 1 716 2,019 8,675 9,619 14522 18119 1',,020 1167 46 058 49 466 4/16 Sunda v 4/15 Sundav 20168 17 661 1,712 1,740 8,289 9.177 22099 1001 829 31 170 51506 4/17 Monday 4/16 MondaV 18895 16007 1,818 1,723 9,208 9734 14988 1v265 1275 31 18-4 43 727 4f1B Tuesday 4/17 Tuesday' 16543 1,910 1,7-41 8,817 9,245 14 739 14 438 1..110 1124 26 576 43091 4/19 Wednesda 4/18 Wednesda 21 115 15295 1,914 1.568 9147 8,59. 14,954 13266 1 "182 1068 48312 39,791 4/20 Thursday 4/19 Thursday 21281 18495 1,909 1,558 9157 8501 15,279 13571 1,,230 1,1-404 48856 41269 4121 Fridav 4120 Fridav 23 076 19763 2,354 1,847 8434 10,435 15188 16 H8 1.,168 1,084 51202 49277 4122 Saturday 4121 SaturdaY 21526 22 422 1963 2,020 8954 9204 16676 1799B 1.067 1102 50 186 52746 4/23 Sunday 4122 Sunday 19419 19160 1870 1905 7308 10122 15502 16678 910 969 45 009 49 034 4124 Monday 4123 Mondav 14,522 1587 14904. 8339 9014 12990 l,,037 981 23,953 26011 4125 Tuesdav 4124 Tuesdav 14302 14598 16.3 1367 8367 7958 12,930 11 392 1',036 1042 38278 36 355 4126 Wednesda 4125 Wednesda 14869 13759 1633 1366 8,457 8041 13 346 10472 1.,142 1026 39247 34 664 4127 Thursdav 4126 T'hI.xsdav 15111 15820 1694 1417 8,644 8,830 13 526 11657 1,133 1133 40108 38,857 4/28 Fridav 4.'27 Friday 16320 19996 1906 1853 9170 11 167 14582 13688 1 143 1,104 43121 47,808 4i:t.9 Saturdav 4128 Sahxdav 17162 22,90 1986 2302 S OS5 11 729 1567D 15513 1015 43 863 52749 4130 SlOlday 4/29 SlOldav 15459 18161 1625 1637 7752 9928 15083 14952 924 39919 45 602 5/1 Monda v 4130 Mondav 13529 12805 1404 1380 7377 7910 11662 10549 goo 33 972 33544 5/2 Tuesday 511 Tuesdav 13603 13448 1392 1359 7,479 8044 11406 11015 965 33 880 34631 5/3 Wednesda 512 Wednesda 13 830 14117 134.3 1327 7921 809-4 11,582 10943 1.030 900 35 706 35381 5/4 Thursday 513 Th<xsday. 14063 13'923 1403 1300 7869 8282 12 D74 10634 999 1031 36,-428 35 170 515 Fridav 5/4 Fridav 15'341 19223 1575 1688 8952 10661 13774 13974 l' ,078 1136 40718 46 682 5/6 Saturday 515 Sah....'day 16'430 25'033 2199 2043 771'0 11617 16429 165S6 1,129 1113 43 897 56 402 5n Sunday 516 Suollay 15277 22.175 1620 1725 10887 15,878 16214 391 1033 33 766 52 034 5/8 Mondav 5fT Monday' 12067 1.8127 1:4122 1419 8202 11512 336 1,D57 14 425 40317 519 Tuesdav 51ll Tuesday" 1,2"822 20,161 142. 1321 8035 10808 985 993 15231 41318 5/10 WecFIesda 519 Wednesda 13'614 19'900 1328 1290 7725 8,015 1112,6 988 958 23,655 41299 5/11 ThtxsdOlv 5110 Thursda-v 14825 21367 1411 1492 7,690 9,022 121E.O 1,006 1050 24,932 4.5111 5/12 Friday 5/11 Fridav 17398 20526 1832 1768 8,910 10,915 14 835 142-4,0 1 096 1 130 44,071 485.79 5/13 Sa!urda v 5112 SaturdaY 17 643 22 338 1970 1846 8,882 12,917 16,426 16 5~,7 1,172 1,130 46 093 54768 5/14 SlOlday 5/13 SlKldav 16095 19600 1635 1649 8578 10,921 15450 144E4 "43 936 42,701 47582 5/15 Monda 5/14 Mondav 15368 1425 1345 6165 7,727 11388 995J 361 941 19939 .35331 5/16 Tu!!sdav 5/15 Tu~sdav 14878 1423 1369 8,218 7515 11335 11 D90 .~88 925 21964 35 777 5/17 Wednesda 5/16 Weooesda 13217 16478 1336 1330 8354 8010 11401 10701l!3 363 952 35291 37513 5/18 Thu-sdaY 5117 Th<xsda y 11918 16604 1358 1,362 8921 8069 11,810 112EiS 1 054 967 35061 38 290 5/1. Friday 5118 Fridav 12,750 20 024 1614 1 618 103.6 10011 13957 13,4~J8 1,050 1077 39717 46,228 5120 SaturdaY 5/19 SalUfdav 13202 24617 2028 1974 12676 12240 18724 1 8 7~~5 1 204 1153 45 834 56 779 5121 Sl.I1dav 5120 Sunday 12151 19890 1493 1597 10451 1016'1 15554 18 DH9 ":343 1020 40,592 48' 573 5/22 Monda 5121 Monda y 10392 14 576 1246 1305 7853 7,678 11 128 11,2:!7 1065 30619 35651 5/23 Tuesda V 5122 Tuesday 11015 15610 1362 1378 8,080 7848 11320 9988 378 830 32 755 35' 654 5124 Wednesda 5/23 W!!cr.esda 11382 16092 1305 1438 8063 7,998 1 0 6~14 1: 007 900 21757 37 072 5{25 Thursdav 5124 Thlrsdav 11615 17016 1,366 1542 8,5<44 8,516 11,951 10750 1. 036 1000 34512 38 924 5126 FridaI,' 5125 Fridav 19989 20 046 1,771 1 700 1D,<454 9,368 13996 12 6~10 1144 46,210 44 898 5/27 SattKdav 5126 SatUJ"dav 25,607 22 434 2,217 2,284 11,473 9612 18,129 154'-16 1268 55 426 51,D14 5128 SlX'Ida 5127 Senday 22,<428 20 164 1 888 2,288 10446 8324 15435 15584 1158 50 197 47518 5129 Mondav 5128 Monda\l 18110 17550 1594 1964 1q.OO3 B 342 14 986 149.'10 987 0404 753 43,833 5(30 TIJe:sday 5,'29 TuEsda-f 14 216 15:232 1383 1496 7,759 7734 l' 08B 10 Hi) 86,9 3~,'P6 35,'477 5/31 WeiT1esda 5130 Weooesda 14260 16086 1.223 1576 7,638 7972 10,921 104,12 959 34 042 37,025 5/1 tnu'sda 5131 Thl..-sday 1523-0 16384 1,384 1,440 8,009 8,064 11,314 10308 939 36,356 36,196 612 Friday &/1 Fridav 18,290 16386 1,633 1594 9,372 8.032 13,072 121;>0 , ,017 43,384 38,132 5/3 Saturday 6/2 SatUfday 217'0 21192 1,927 1,786 10,815 9660 15,313 166;;'4 . ,104 1046 50 899 50,338 5/4 Sundil V 613 SlX'Idav 19189 18642 1 406 1632 9,743 9075 15,384 165 f8 947 1002 46,689 46,970 6/5 Monda v 6/4 MondaY 14620 1264 7626 11,113 943 35 586 0 8/6 Tuesdav 6/5 TUt!sdav 14829 1343 11 105 ; ,032 28 309 0 5n Weooesda lII6 W!!dnesda 15678 1350 11.816 936 909 29 780 909 619 TIusdav 6fT 1hu'sdav 16624 16218 1467 1434 8,112 !; .081 19172 25 764 619 Friday 518 Friday 20 678 20256 1925 1806 10307 9,326 14 293 1,177 1046 48,380 32,434 6/10 Saturday 619 SatlJda,y 23212 21792 2362 2006 10,616 9452 15,583 17330 -'\: ,251 1131 53,044 51,781 6/11 SLrldav 6/10 SlOlday 17 912 19378 1681 1828 9219 8598 14,520 1LQ~ _.950 998 44,282 47810 5/12 MondaY B/11 Monda Y 13757 16416 125. 1460 7409 8242 11134 13 1.~8 979 1097 34,533 40,-403 6/13 Tuesda\l 6/12 TUt!sdav 15079 16248 1317 1384 800. 7986 11666 131<14 " 072 1087 37138 39,889 6/14 Weli'1esda 6/13 Weroesda 17272 1337 1516 8196 6594 11,888 14204 ". 027 1111 22 446 42 697 6115 Thnday 6/14 Thu"sdav 16339 17444 1425 1644 6587 8494 12518 139J5 ~r; 116 1105 39 9B5 42 683 6/1& Friday 6/15 Friday 18.58 20018 1588 1 798 9390. 9352 13370 15564 l 193 1124 43 999 47 858 8/17 Sa1urdl 8/1S S.IUfdoY 17 944 21802 1503 2024 9164 9 494 13804 17330 96e 1179 43,163 51829 6/18 SoodalJ 6/17 Sunday 17 779 19194 1353 1590 9046 9298 13133 17036 1044 41311 48162 6/19 Mondav 6/18 Monday 13,939 16118 1315 1506 75.56 8034 10727 11462 619 33 539 37 739 6/20 Tuesda 6/19 Tuesda 15295 16258 1516 1492 8039 8032 12014 "' ,081 844 25931 38,640 6121 Wednesda 6120 Wednesda 16133 16816 1425 1476 8617 8366 11,551 136'6 " 010 1101 38 736 41435 6122 Thlxsdav 6121 Thnday 15276 17280 1358 f 550 8239 8510 12029 134'2 " 023 1108 37 925 41920 6123 Friday 6122 Friday 17 465 16938 1661 1534 9128 8340 13435 13610 . 147 1081 42,836 41503 6/24 Sahxday 6123 Silhxdav 19 065 171.58 1 687 1398 9,715 8478 14585 14~)2 1142 1112 46194 42 608 6/25 Sunda v 5124 SlOlda y 16672 1 429 1298 9242 8730 952 11 623 26 700 I I I I I I I -c o .t: _Gl ::10. 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OMNCOMCOlOCOCOlO'<tMCO 0l>>;1;:g~~~~~~r!~C; :::3..tai..t....:~exiexiexiaiNMai ...........NNN...................-NN..... > < o > iU' > iU' > > iU'.g iU' > iU' > > "-"Oco"Oco.g"OIII"Oco"'P~.g OUl"O..."O IIIGlIll"O-~ o ... .- ~ c C Gl C ... ._ ~ C C N ~u."'~ ~ O~"O ~u."'''' ~ 0 ~ ci5U)~I-~~ t1JU)~ > > ra> > >ra> > o "0 .g > ra iU' iU' ra ~ .g > co iU' O:CUl.g"E"O-g~GlIll.g"E"O :::3 -6 ~ .t: .a 5 0 Gl -6 ~ 't: .a 5 ~~u.t1JU)~.=~~u.t1JU) W ~ < o ..-NM:!!:II)Ul!:::OOcnO..-N MMMMMMMMM~~~ I II I II I CAUSEWAY WB I POINSETTIA SB il 'I MANDALA Y SB I I CORONADO NB I I MARINA NB I I TOTAL I I, I: I Ii o 01 o o o -" o o o o N o o o o .t>- O o o o , 01 o o o o .t>- 01 o o o N 01 o o o c...> o o o o <..U 01 o o o -" 01 o o o II~ ~ o 0 o 0 -" 0 ;0 o C ::J a. A) 0" o C - )> < (I) ... A) (0 (I) < o c 3 (I) () o 3 "'C A) ... (ij" o ::J W - ~ w - ~ I\) Ii I I' I, I Roadway Characteristics Roadway design, maintenance, and construction are generally directed toward the needs of multi- wheel vehicles, with the needs of motorcycles often addressed as an afterthought. I Poor road design and maintenance contribute to motorcycle crashes, injuries, and fatalities. A variety of common road conditions and design fac- tors can pose hazards to motorcyclists. Debris on the road can also cause a motorcycle to crash. In addition, roadside objects may create an injury mechanism for a motorcyclist. · Current highway standards permit pavement ridges of up to 1.5 inches without tapering, which pose a significant hazard to motor- cycles. · Potholes are a hazard that can cause motor- cycle crashes. · Slick materials that interfere with traction are applied to road surfaces with increasing frequency. A motorcycle's traction can be seriolJ~ly~gl}lpr9I}lised by bituminous rubber- izedi,l~ph'3.g~~~l~1' used for crack repair and plasticized adhesive pavement-marking tape. · Fluid spills can cause loss of traction and a resulting crash. · Roadway debris poses a greater hazard to motorcycles than to larger vehicles. Debris can deflect a motorcycle's wheel when it is struck. · Metal road surface components, either tempo- rary or permanent, offer almost no traction, and when wet, may also be the most difficult to see. I: 'Ii.,. ; I Ii il! ~ __ J ;1 I II I: II Il, II Ii :11 · Many roadside barriers designed to retain cars and reduce injuries to a Jtomobile occupants are deadly to motorcyclists who collide with them. Wire-rope barriers are one example, but a motorcycle or the body of a fallen motorcy- clist can also strike portions of other barrier designs in ways that an automobile cannot, causing severe injuries. Other roadside fix- tures, such as signage, which may yield when struck by a car, can injure a motorcyclist who hits them. Even curbs can be deadly to a fallen rider who slides into them. · Current work-zone signage practices may not adequately address the safety needs of motor- cyclists. We would like road design, construction, and maintenance procedures to accommodate the safety needs of motorcyclists. Motorcyclists should have the skills necessary to detect and avoid roadway hazards (see Crash A'JoidallCe Skills, page 23), Roadway engineers and other traffic designers need to elevate the placem2nt of motorcycle safety dynamics as a consideration in design, construc- tion, and maintenance of roadways at all levels of oversight-federal, state, county, and local. This may also benefit the safety of other vehicles. 1/1 ... o +- l.I n:l U. ..... m .. s::: l3J E s:::: e .... :> s:::: w II 'I' :,'1 I RoadwGY Charact-eristics i"IJ ~ III -I' :, I I' I' ~ ,_ nJ RECOMMENDATIONS · Identify and prioritize roadway hazards to motorcycle operation. . Develop and revise highway standards on all levels-federal, state, county, and local-to reflect the needs of motorcyclists and encourage motorcycle-friendly design, construction, and maintenance procedures. · Create a working group to recommend changes to highway standards to increase motorcycle safety. · Post specific warnings for motorcyclists where unavoidable hazards exist. ill I ._J II '~ L _J 'I \ ~' _I ............... ... ........................ ... ... ............. ........................ · Revise the ~(JJ1l!Cl(()_T1"l!I1}fopETr.C1ffic._(()T1~r.()ll}~vJc.~s (~lJIC~) so that signage better co m m unicates"ro-adwayor coiistructloii--co n dh:lonsthatpreserithaza rds to moto rcyclists. · Educate motorcyclists about the hazards created by common roadway defects and mainte- nance methods. Emphasize riding skills required to negotiate these hazards through education and training. · Take steps to remove slippery sealants and repair substances applied to road surfaces. · Educate road design and maintenance personnel about conditions that pose hazards to motorcyclists. · Reduce roadway debris such as that resulting from uncovered loads and shorn retreads. 'I: :!~Ij i,'l! 'H . 'ii" ), ! I , 'lll II! 11III Ii 1_,,-,- ',:,11, :1'li 'I' I i i '-' -} 'i" ',. I I : '_,1 .,',11 i , ' 'II, I I I ! ,I__.J ii' I, I " j 'I' ::"I! : , ' :_n_'; 'I: I roundabout I 1999 Month: All Accidents: I 12 1 2000 Month All Accidents: 1 29 I 2 37 3 47 4 49 I 5 37 6 31 7 22 8 22 I 9 3 10 19 11 13 I 12 17 2001 Month: All Accidents: 1 11 I 2 16 3 19 4 20 I 5 21 6 14 I 2000 Month: Written Acc Reports: 1 3 2 9 I 3 15 4 11 5 12 I 6 4 7 4 8 6 10 6 I 11 6 12 3 I 2001 Month: Written Acc Reports: 1 3 I 2 12 3 13 4 12 5 15 I 6 11 I Written Acc Reports 12/15/99 - 06/21/01: I I Page 1 Page 2 I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I roundabout 145 All Accidents 12/15/99 - 06/21/01: 428 Total of All Accidents by Type 12/15/99 - 06/21/01 Accident 64 ACCJI ACCJN ACCOTH ACCWF HITJI HITJN HITO Type: All Accidents: 14 18 219 3 125 3 39 7 Total of Written Accident Reports by Type 12/15/99 - 06/21/01 Accident Type: Written Reports: 64 7 ACCJI 11 ACCJN 91 ACCOTH 1 ACCWF 2 HITJI 2 HITJN 26 HITO 5 - I \1 , I II I ;1 i;1 I , I II 'I I I I I 'I I I I I I I All Accidents Reported ROUNDABOUT ACCIDENTS 1999 Month: Total: 12 8 2000 Month: Total: 1 31 2 44 3 51 4 51 5 40 6 31 7 22 8 22 9 3 10 19 11 13 12 17 2001 Month: Total: 1 11 2 16 3 12 Note: New policy implemented 2/24/0Ho write all accidents. Written Accident Reports 1999 Month: 12 2000 Month: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 10 11 12 2001 Month: 1 2 3 L DR Number Total: 1 DR Number Total: 4 11 15 13 13 4 4 6 6 6 3 DR Number Total: 3 12 Note: New policy implemented 2/24/01 to write all accidents. 8 I I I I I I I I I I :1 I il I 'Ii I I II I L ... o. >- .... u Interoffice Correspondence Sheet To: Commissioner Ed Hart Through: William B. Horne II, City Manager Mahshid Arasteh, P.E., Public Works Administrator From: CC: Clearwater Beach Entryway Advisory Committee; Garry Brumback, Assistant City Manager; Gary Johnson, Public Services Director; Mike Quillen, P.E., City Engi neer Date: March 26, 2001 RE: Entryway Fountain This memo is in response to your inquiry regarding the referenced subject. The following represents the annual maintenance costs as per the Parks and Recreation Department: Fountain Maintenance: Electrical usage: Water usage: * Electrical light maintenance: $118,330 60,000 38,400 15,000 Total for fountain: $231,730 *The annual water cost is based on a monthly water consumption rate of 670,000 gallons. The water consumption for the last three months is as follows: December: 670,000 January: 1,000,000 February: 1,800,000 (the fountain was drained twice for inspection and repairs in Feb. March: 280,000 (estimate based on first three weeks of consumption) There is also an annual cost of $67,200 for landscaping maintenance that is not included in the figures above. Maintenance of Traffic (allowance) 70,000 I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I Page 2 of 2 - entryway fountain memo Estimate to demo fountain and replace with landscaping: Demolish fountain: $70,000 Install : Irrigation - 82,000 sf @ $.40 Import fill material - 3040 cy @ $60.00 Palms - seven @ $3,500.00 Palm Lights - seven @ $1,000.00 Specimens - 36 @ $75.00 Shrubs - 3,280 @ $10.00 Groundcover - 9111 @ $5.00 Sod, S1. Augustine - 40,995 @ $.35 Mulch - 370 cy @ $35.00 32,800 182,400 24,500 7,000 2,700 32,800 45,555 14,348 12,950 Subtotal $495,053 49,505 $544,558 Contingency @ 10% Total Annual Maintenance Allowance $30,000 I I I I I I I I I I 'I I 'I I ;1 I I il I '". Page 1 of3 Brink, Carolyn From: Carl Wagenfohr [cwgn4@att.net] Sent: Monday, March 26,2001 9:49 AM To: Carolyn Brink Subject: documentation for 3/26 CBEAC meeting Carolyn, Please print a sufficient number of copies of the following note for distribution at our meeting today. Thanks...Carl ---Original Message-- From: RSLcrown@aol.com [mailto:RSLcrown@aol.com] Sent: Monday, March 26, 2001 9:22 AM To: cwgn4@yahoo.com Cc: pbertels@c1earwater-fl.com Subject: Re: National Agenda For Motorcycle Safety Carl What is the problem? Is it the cost? if so it can be reduced. I can provide a 'not as good' but much lower cost alternative that will fix the Coronado exit and reduce crashes to normal levels. This will minimally modify one curb line between Mandalay and Coronado. I would also recommend a very small single curb line modification to the Causeway exit to ease the very small exit radius a little.. These minimum curb modifications should cost about SO.3 million. None of the other changes would be included, as they are all to accommodate trucks and prevent them mounting the curbs. This is a separate issue to the exit crashes. The crashes could be fixed first and the truck issue possibly addressed later. The crashes at Coronado will not go away. It is not a matter of drivers learning how to use the roundabout. If it was, they would have done so long ago. The abnormally high crash frequency is due to the geometry that must be fixed. All other new US roundabout (about 100) have very low crash frequencies and crash rates. Drivers learnt how to use them within the first month or so. (I designed the Chief Okemos roundabout in Michigan. This has been open for 9 months and has not had a single crash, not even a fender bender. In addition the 3/28/01 Page 2 of3 Kingston Roundabout opened about 3 months ago in NY State and crashes have dropped 75% overall and with a 62% drop in injury crashes, even though the project is not yet finished and some striping and signing is yet to be introduced) MAKING THE CORONADO EXIT 1 LANE The suggestions that Coronado be made a 1 lane exit should not be pursued, as it will create severe congestion. The Causeway entry has two lanes with about 30% to Mandalay and 60% to Coronado. Coronado traffic must use both entry lanes on the Causeway to avoid extreme congestion. If Coronado has a 1 lane exit then traffic will have to use one lane on the Causeway entry. This will put about 99% of the traffic on the right entry lane on the Causeway. The left lane will only be to the Marina. The severe congestion (imagine Spring Break!) will force drivers to use both entry lanes on the Causeway to access Coronado. Consequently both circulating streams will head simultaneously for the single lane Coronado exit. Two into one does not go. especially with the very small exit radius into Coronado. STRIPING OF THE CIRCULATING ROADWAY I strongly advised the FHWA Guide to NOT recommend striping of the circulating roadway. They agreed and the guide does not recommend striping. However I strongly recommend that CORRECT striping is needed at Clearwater. Why this apparent contradiction? Answer Most two lane roundabouts do not need circulating striping. Us drivers like lane ownership. If striping was recommended, then US engineers would routinely stripe the circulating road. Most of the time this would be unnecessary, but in complex cases, where it is needed, they would get it mostly wrong due to inexperience. The advise therefore discourages striping so that the few roundabouts that do need striping will only be striped very carefully and reluctantly to solve real prob~ems. 3/28/01 I I I I I I I I I I I I I I ,I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I il I Page 3 of3 This strategy will reduce the incidence of incorrect and dangerous striping that gives drivers a false sense of security yet allow CORRECT striping, where needed to give drivers a true sense of security and to reduces crashes. Clearwater is a very non typical roundabout for several reasons and it has a uniquely bad PD~ crash history. Correct striping is needed and will be very beneficial. greatly helping to reduce crashes. (A large UK 3 lane roundabout had very poor safety geometry. It carries over 6000 vph compared to Clearwater Spring Break maximum of3,500 vph. It averaged 12 injury crashes per year until I added circulating stripes whereupon the crashes dropped by over 80% to 2 per year This saving was solely and directly the result of the correct striping. Please do not forget that my interim scheme virtually eliminated the crashes at the Causeway exit (-25 per month to almost 0 per month) and that this was achieved by adding CORRECT circulating stripes and lane arrows. If these are removed crashes will be reintroduced at the Causeway exit. Let me know if the Committee is interested in a minimal alternative that will cure the crash problem at the reduced cost of about $0.3. but leave the truck problems as they are now. Conclusion Doing nothing at Clearwater is the worst alternative - the crashes will not go away. They will vary throughout the year as flow volumes rise and fall. Removing the striping and making Coronado a 1 lane exit will create severe congestion. The full proposals will work but are expensive, especially catering for trucks. A smaller alternative that only addresses the crash problem will cost about SO.3 million,. but will not stop trucks mounting the curbs. Removal of the solid splitter islands on Poinsettia and the Marina will give trucks more room for little expense. This will remove the pedestrian refuge on the splitters, but the crossing distance is short and the vehicle volumes on both roads are low. Barry 3/28/01 Specified Pay Items Unspecified Pay Items Subtotal 196,724._ 134,180 330,904 I I I I I I I I I I ,I I I I I I I I I David Nelson Construction Gateway to Clearwater Beach Contract No. 98-017O-CM ONCe - 678 PCF # 155- Revisions to Roundabout Increase in hOlding U1P Subtotal 25,000 355,904 Electrical Subtotal 175,000 - 530,904 150,000 - 680,904 landscapIng/Irrigation Subtotal Survey/LayoutIT esting Subtotal 15,000 695,904 Mobilization MOT Working under traffic Clearing/Grubbing Grading Subtotal 120,000 (11,000 for MPGlAdvance) 112,200 75,000 (Crosswalks, etc.) 125,000 85,000 1,213,104 Notes: Oris;Jinal Mobilization- $250,000/278 days= $900 Revised Mobilization- $900/day x 120 days= $108,000 Original Maintenance of Traffic- $260,000/278 days= $935 Revised Maintenance of Traffic- $935/day x 120 days= $112,200 Does not include grate replacement I I OaIIid Nelsoo Calstruction = to Cleewater Beach No. 98-017Q.CM PNCC - 678 I Specified Items PCF # 155. Revisions to Roundabout Pcf #155 OrigInal Total Special Bid BId Using Original 10 Oescri on Used UM l..Itit Price Unit Prlce& I 1 revised Mobillzatial (ReYlsed Original Price) Yes1 1 LS 2A revised Maintance OfTrafIic (Revised Original Prk:e) Yes1 1 LS 3 Dust ControI-CaIcium Yes1 3 TN 200.00 600.00 I .. Dust ControI-Waler Yes1 25 MG 40.00 1,000.00 5 Silt Fence Staked Yes1 500 LF 0.70 350.00 6 Baled Hay Or Straw Yes1 2 TN 300.00 600.00 7 Elccavation-Uns Mat Yes1 2 r;y 12.00 24.00 I 8 revised Cleaing & Grubbing (ReIiIsed 0riglnaI Price) Yes1 1 LS 9 revised Grading (ReW;ed OrIginal Price) Yes1 1 LS 10 Crushed Stale tI57 Bedding Yes1 20 TN 40.00 800.00 11 Crushed Stone #89-Beddi~ Yes1 20 TN 40.00 800.00 13 Type Ad@Cone Cub 300 Yes1 1,001 LF 7.00 7.007.00 I 14 Type Af@ Curb&Gutler 300 Yes1 1,418 LF 7.00 9,926.00 19 1~ Stab Subbase Lbr <to Yes1 981 SY 6.00 5.886.00 20 1~ Recycled Cone Base Yes1 981 SY 13.00 12,753.00 21A Pc-1 AsphaIt-3" Yest 981 SY 6.65 6,523.65 I 22 Milling 1 1/Z' Yest 4,682 SY 5.00 23,410.00 23 11/Z' Pc-1 On MiIIecf Area Yes1 4,682 SY 4.65 21.n1.30 22a rei{ Relocate Curb Inlet Type-2 :r.fr Yes1 4 EA 3,500.00 14,000.00 23a neN Relocate Curb Inlet Type-2 !IS (Cadingency) Yes1 1 EA 8,000.00 8.000.00 I 42 Adj Ex Mh CoYer Yest 6 EA 400.00 2,400.00 43 Storm Pipe 1S" Yes1 85 LF 35.00 2.975.00 45 Alum Pipe Ha1cIniI Dot 52 Yest 407 LF 25.00 10,175.00 50 RelIect Pvmt~,Cd Yest 138 EA 3.50 483.00 51 Re(Pvmt Ma1cet)(BI-Clr Am Yes1 50 EA 3.50 175.00 I 52 YeIION ReII Paint(lsland Yes1 7 SY 8.00 54.88 53 Pvmt Messages Therm(Wh)Sc Yes1 9 EA 100.00 900.00 54 Direct ArroNs Thesmo(Wh) Yes1 10 EA 55.00 550.00 55 Guideline 1~ Dot Thermo Yes1 160 LF 1.20 192.00 'I 56 6" Skip (ff -to') Yellow Thermo Yes1 1.125 LF 0.30 337.50 58 Solid Stripe 6"Thermo('JVh) Yes1 2.570 LF 0.50 1.265.00 59 Solid Stripe 6"Thern1o(Y1) Yes1 1.460 LF 0.50 730.00 63 Solid Stripe 18" Thermo(W Yes1 450 LF 2.00 900.00 I 64 Solid Stripe 1fMhenno(YJ Yes1 660 LF 3.00 1,980.00 65 Solid Stripe 24- Thermo(W Yes1 80 LF 3.50 280.00 65a rew 6" Diameter Circle (WhIte) Yes1 100 LF 6.00 600.00 DT Grouncfmg Electrode Yes1 130 LF 5.25 682.50 68 Conduit(Ungr)(630-1-12)Sh Yes1 38 LF 5.00 190.00 I 69 Conduit(Unpvmt)(630-1-13) Yes1 75 LF 15.00 1,125.00 70 SIgnal Cable(632-7-1) Yes1 1 PL 1.200.00 1.200.00 70a rew SIgnal Cable Yes1 400 If 1.10 440.00 71 Pull Box(635-1-11)T-1 & T Yes1 4 EA 200.00 800.00 I 71a rew Relocate Pull Box(635-1-11)T-1 & T Yes1 4 EA 100.00 400.00 72 Sect PONer Service Yes1 1 AS 600.00 600.00 73 Trat Signal-3Sec 1-Wrlt Yes1 2 AS 1,500.00 3,000.00 74 Ped Signal 1 See 1 Wet Yes1 2 AS 500.00 1.000.00 I 75 Tume! VISOf'S Yes1 6 EA 3.00 18.00 76 Alum Ped-Pelc:o Yes1 3 EA 1,500.00 4,500.00 n Induct loop Deleda' Yes1 6 EA 185.00 1,110.00 78 Loop Assemb(Ty B-8 X 6)T- Yes1 2 AS 425.00 850.00 79 L~ Assemb(Ty F.6X3O) Yes1 4 AS 700.00 2,600.00 I 79a rew L~ Material Yes1 400 If 2.50 1,000.00 80 Ped Dele StatIon Pole Mt Yes1 2 EA 120.00 240.00 81 Trat Contro Assem Yes1 1 AS 10,500.00 10,500.00 288 neN Relocate BoIlards Yes1 36 EA 800.00 28.800.00 I 30 neN Replace Cast Iron Grates Yes1 1.00 LS 196,723.83 'I I DaWf Nelson COnstructictl Gateway to Clearwater Beach Contract No. 98-017O-CM ONCe - 678 Unused Items PCF # 155- Revisions to Roundabout Pcf#155 OrIginal TdBI Specia Bid BId UsIng Original 10 (SNf) Descr10tictl Used Quantitv UM Unit PrIce UnltPr1ces 12 6" Cone Sidewalk W Fiber Yes 1,000 SY 26.25 26,2.50.00 sa revised Remove ExIst Pvmt MMdng Yes 1 LS 1,500.00 1.500.00 122 Fire Hydrant Water (153) (Relocate) Yes 1 EA 2,500.00 2,500.00 128 A<7tN8ble Fill In Place Yes 330 CY 70.00 23,100;00 139 Remov & Dispos Cone Rubbl Yes 100 CY 40.00 4,000.00 147 A 4" Traf Signal Pvc Sheet Yes 400 LF 15.00 6,000.00 1478 4" Traf Signal Pvc CcncIui Yes 200 LF 14.00 2,800.00 149 Traf Signal Loops 1-1/4" Yes 4.EA 450.00 900.00 153 Removal Of Exist Ublltle Yes f' LS' , 2,500.00 2,500.00 201 Embed Seashell Aggregate Yes 9,000 SF 1.30 11,700.00 202 Crosswalk Cone Paver" A" Yes 600 SF 10.00 6,000.00 203 Crosswalk Cone Paver"S" Yes 600 SF 10.00 6,000.00 204 Crosswalk 6"lh Cone Band Yes 400 SF 8;00 . 3,200.00 211 Irground Paver lighting Yes 64 EA 105.00 6.720.00 214 Custom Precast(BoIIards)A Yes - EA 1,000.00 - 215 Ught Cone BoIlarcIs"B" Yes - EA 1,000.00 - 217 Tree Mounted Up.Ught Yes - EA 530.00 - 218 Audio Speakers Yes - EA 225.00 - 219 Medjool Date Palms 2fJ' Yes - EA 3,475.00 - 220 Oleander Tree Std 6' X 4' Yes - EA 65.00 - 221 lNeOak 18'X 10' Yes - EA 550.00 - 222 Cabbage Palm Yes - EA 150.00 - 223 Washington Palm Yes - EA 585.00 - 224 Crape MyrtIe"Red" 10' X 6 Yes - EA 2.50.00 - 225 Tree Fam Ugustnm MUll Yes - EA 550.00 - 226 Weeping Holly Yes - EA 185.00 - 2Z7 BougaInvillea 3 Ga Yes - EA 9.00 . 228 Crinum UIy 7 Gal Yes - EA 35.00 - 229 King Sago 7 Gal Yes - EA 55.00 - 230 Cardboard Palm 7Ga Yes - EA 60.00 - 231 J~ 10 Ga Yes - EA 70.00 - 232 Giant Bird Of Paradise Yes - EA 65.00 - 233 Bird Of Paradise 7 Gal Yes - EA 47.00 - 234 Fountain Grass(White)3GaI Yes - EA 8.10 - 235 MuhIy Grass (3 Gal) Yes - EA 8.10 - .- 236 0Ie8nder Calypso Yes - EA 27.00 - 237 D.va1 Oleander Petite Sa! Yes - EA 8.50 - 238 Dwarf India Hawthom Yes - EA 8.00 - 239 Boxthom 3 Ga Yes - EA 9.00 - 240 Fakahatchee Grass 3 Ga Yes - EA 8.10 - 241 Pentas 1 Gal Yes - EA 5.00 - 242 Parson'S Juniper 1 Gal Yes - EA 3.25 - 243 Var Cmfederate Jasmine 3 Yes - EA 8.75 - 244 Turf,St Aug Flaatam Yes 20,000 SF 0.35 7,000.00 245 Mulch, Shredded Cypress Yes 100 CY 35.00 3.500.00 247 Irrigat(# Of Spray Hea:ts) Yes - EA 9.00 - 248 Irrigat(# Of Rotor Heads) Yes - EA 55.00 - 249 revised Mainline & Lat.eraI Pipe (Revised Original Price) Yes 1 LS - - 251 Irrig Meter & Coonections Yes 1 LS - - 265 DbIsided Logo Ceramic TJI . Yes 1 EA 7,000.00 7,000.00 273 8X8 Custom Cast Whelk Log Yes 35 EA 100.00 3,500.00 306 revised 8ectrical Work (ReIIised Original Price) Yes 1 LS - - 307 Indemnifactioo Yes 1 LS 10.00 10.00 308 Misc. Work & Cleanup Max Yes 1 LS 10,000.00 10,000.00 - 134,180.00 I I I I I " I I I I I I I I I I I I 'I I I I I :1 I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I Barry Crown Report I I 1/ I I I I I I I I I I I I I I Ii ,I ENTRYW A Y ROUNDABOUT REVIEW OF OPERATION & SAFETY For the City of Clearwater Robert Barry Crown, B.Sc. C.Eng. M.I.C.E Rodel Software Ltd CONTENTS I I " Page II 4 I 5 I: 5 5 I 5 Ii ,.' I I 6 8 II 8 I: 8 9 II' 9 Ii 10 16 I, 16 I " ! J 18 19 I: 20 Ii 21 I: 23 26 I I 27 'I! I ..-"'- 1. Introduction 2. Intersection Choice Grade Separation Traffic Signals Roundabout 3. The Design Problem 4. Roundabout Safety V ehic1es Pedestrians & cyclists 5. Roundabout Operation Signing Geometry Striping The Fountain The Central Island 6. Roundabout Capacity 7. Blocking Back 8. Travel Times 9. Pedestrians 10. Bus Stops 11. Metering Signal 2 I I 12. Lighting 28 I 13. Landscaping 29 14. Emergency Vehicles 30 I 15. Education 31 I 16. Summary Recommendations And Phasing 32 Appendix 1 - Questions and Answers 35 I Appendix 2 - Lane Use Signs 45 I Appendix 3 - Example advanced direction Sign 48 Appendix 4 - Plans of modified Roundabout 49 I I I I I I I I I I I I 3 4 I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I 1. INTRODUCTION This report reviews the operation and safety ofthe Clearwater Entryway Roundabout. It examines the causes of the operational and safety problems with both normal traffic volumes and with the abnormally high traffic volumes during Spring Break. It recommends changes to the geometry, signing and striping of the roundabout. As a consequence, additions and changes are required to the pedestrian crossings to maintain pedestrian safety. The changes recommended are illustrated in the accompanying CAD drawings in Appendix 4. It is essential for normal roundabout operation, that the surrounding road network is modified to reduce backing up through the roundabout from the Parking Lots on Coronado Drive and Gulf View Boulevard during Spring Break and other peak holiday periods. Short-term interim measures that change the signing and striping of the roundabout are recommended. The proposed modifications form a whole package. The separate elements are dependent on the others for their effectiveness. Partial implementation is not an option, as it could make matters worse. However, it is necessary to implement the modifications in a series of closely related phases. The proposed modifications to the roundabout are generally in accordance with, but not limited bv, the principles incorporated in the FHW A Roundabout Information Guide. The foreword to the Guide finishes with the following statement that defines the use of the Guide within the design process. "Since there is no absolutely optimum design, the guide is not intended as an inflexible rule-book, but rather attempts to explain some principles of good design and indicate potential trade-offs. In this respect the 'design space' consists of performance evaluation models and design principles such as those provided in the guide, combined with the expert heuristic knowledge of a designer. Adherence to these principles still does not ensure J!ood desiJ!n, which must remain the responsibilitv of the desiJ!ner." The appropriate application of the Guide requires the expert heuristic knowledge of an experienced roundabout designer. This is exemplified by the fact that the crashes on the Clearwater Roundabout at both the Coronado Drive exit and at the Causeway exit were not caused by departures from principles in the Guide. Merelv applvin!! the Guide will not resolve these crash problems. The interim measures recommended in this report have already been implemented and have reduced crashes by 56% (a reduction of22 crashes / month). In particular, the crashes at the Causeway exit have been virtually eliminated by using striping techniques on the circulating road that are beyond the scope ofthe FWHA Guide. I I II I I I I I I I I I 'I I I I I 'I I 2. INTERSECTION CHOICE The replacement of the original group of intersection.s with a single roundabout has simplified the traffic interactions, significantly reducing the number of conflict and delay points. In view of the existing problems at the roundabout, the choice of a roundabout intersection has been questioned. Three alternative types of intersection were possible. 1. A Grade Separated Intersection This was rejected because of the visual intrusion, the excessive 'right of way' and the very high cost. ' 2. Traffic Signal Intersection The traffic volumes and turning flows would require avery large multi-lane traffic signal intersection. The large left turn volumes from the Causeway to Coronado Drive and from Mandalay A venue to the Causeway are very difficult to accommodate efficiently with traffic signals. The need to include the large pedestrian movements within the signal control would reduce capacity and require a very complex multi-phase installation. The aim of improving the environment at the end of the Causeway to provide a gateway to Clearwater Beach would not be achieved with traffic signals. For these reasons, the traffic Signal alternative was rejected. 3. A Roundabout Intersection The roundabout was the only alternative that came close to meeting all the aims and objectives ofthe project. It was selected as it offered environmental, capacity, safety and pedestrian advantages over the other alternatives. It also facilitated the building of the fountain to provide an impressive gateway for Clearwater Beach. Although the roundabout has had problems since it opened, these are problems of detail that can be corrected. They in no way detract from the sound strategic choice to build a roundabout. 5 6 I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I 3. THE DESIGN PROBLEM The problems associated with the design of the Entryway Roundabout must not be under estimated, as they are both numerous and difficult. The design had to balance the needs of both pedestrians and drivers while achieving the other aims and objectives, especially those of the landscape architects. These aims and objective conflict and compete. Finding the right balance is difficult under the best circumstances. Under the extraordinary circumstances at Clearwater Beach it was especially difficult. Replacing a group of intersections by a single intersection creates large unpredictable changes in the volumes and patterns of both traffic and pedestrians. Developing a design that balances the various needs for a situation that can only be approximately known is very difficult. These problems were made more difficult by the need to accommodate both the normal traffic volumes and the abnormally large traffic volumes experienced during Spring Break. A larger roundabout that would work well for the Spring Break traffic volumes would be over-designed for the normal conditions that prevail for most of the year. It was essential to avoid over design to ensure pedestrian safety. Consequently a design was developed that balanced pedestrian safety against the needs of the Spring Break traffic volumes. The design had to allow for the uncertainty in the prediction of the post roundabout situation by biasing the design in favor of the more important aims and objectives. This necessarily involved the risk of under provision for the remaining aims and objectives. Pedestrian safety was rightly given top priority as the pedestrian volumes are exceptionally high and pedestrians are the most vulnerable users of the intersection. However the constrictive geometry used to control speed and promote pedestrian safety makes it more difficult for the motorist to comfortably negotiate the roundabout. The unexpected large increase in traffic volumes since the roundabout opened has upset the balance and there is an under provision for the needs of drivers. To redress this balance the roundabout needs some relatively minor modifications. These modifications will greatly reduce vehicle accidents and improve driver comfort. However, they will allow some increase in vehicle exit speeds on the Causeway, Mandalay Avenue and on Coronado Drive. Consequently additions and modifications to the pedestrian crossings are needed to maintain pedestrian safety. I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I ,I ,I I I The need to modify the Entryway Roundabout is not surprising. It is very unusual for such major projects to initially fulfil all their aims and objectives and they invariably require review and modification to match the emerging conditions they create. Such modifications are especially suitable for roundabouts, as surprisingly large benefits are provided by small changes in detail. 7 8 I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I 4. SAFETY (a) Vehicle Safety The Clearwater Beach Traffic Study prepared by DKS revealed that a total of 76 vehicle crashes occurred at the intersections that were replaced by the roundabout in the 30 months from January 1995 to June 1997. This is an average of 0.58 accidents I week. In the 3 months from the 215t December 1999 to 215t March 2000 there have been 131 Crashes. This is an average of 10.07 accidents I week. This crash rate has remained constant over the subsequent three-month period up until June 2000. It is normal practice with a new intersection to discount accidents during the first three months of operation as the intersection has not settled down to normal operation. Drivers are learning how to use the new configuration and the contractor is usually finishing minor works. Both can contribute to accidents that do not normally occur. However, if there are a large number of accidents whose type and location form a distinct pattern, it indicates underlying problems that needs remedial action. This is clearly the case at the Entryway Roundabout. The number of accidents in the first six months is significantly above the average for other new roundabouts in the USA. Almost all are exit accidents, concentrated at the exits onto the Causeway and into Coronado Drive. Notably, these are the only two-lane exit on the roundabout. Remedial measures are therefore needed to reduce accidents. (b) Pedestrian and Bicycle Safety In the 30 months from January 1995 to June 1997 there were 4 pedestrian accidents at the intersections replaced by the roundabout. This is an average of one pedestrian accident every 7.5 months. So far there have been no pedestrian accidents at or near the roundabout. This IS very encouraging but it is too early to draw conclusions. There were 5 bicycle accidents over the same period at the previous intersections. This is an average of 1 bicycle accident every 6 months. There have been no bicycle accidents since the roundabout opened. Again it is too early to draw conclusions. il I I I I il 'I I I I I I , I: I I I I I I 5. ROUNDABOUT OPERATION (a). Signing (i) Advanced Direction signs The Advanced Direction Sign on the Causeway needs to be replaced with a larger more conspicuous sign. The lettering especially needs to be larger so that it is easily read by approaching drivers. Advanced Direction Signs should also be introduced on Coronado Drive and Mandalay Avenue. (ii) Lane Use Signs The existing Lane Use Signs are too small to be effective and should be replaced. di. Two sets oflarger Lane Use Signs are needed on the Mandalay Avenue and Coronado Drive and three sets are required on the Causeway. Simple Lane Use Signs are essential to direct traffic into the correct approach lanes to the roundabout. Traffic will then circulate more safely without the need to change lane. The legend on the signs needs revising to include all lane destinations. (See Appendix 2) (iii) Exit Signs The Street Name Signs on the splitter-islands indicate the correct exit to circulating drivers. These signs need to be seen early to avoid sudden exit maneuvers by non-local drivers, especially from the inside lane of the roundabout. Currently some of these signs are obstructing the view to the left of drivers at the yield line waiting to enter the roundabout. This should be corrected by raising the height of the signs as lowering them make them less visible to the circulatmg traffic, especially at the Coronado exit where the fountain wall would obstruct the drivers view of a low sign until vehicles are too close to the exit. If the height of the fountain wall is reduced the signs could be lowered and still be visible. 9 Ii :I!d '... . II I 'I: .. " I'.,..' , , , , I I I, I; I, I .1'...\ , , II Sign Blocking View to the Left (b) Geometry The roundabout entry and exit geometry is very constricted to maximize pedestrian safety by controlling traffic speeds. Speeds are very low, but the restricted geometry has resulted in trucks scrubbing and damaging the curbs. The constricted geometry has also contributed to the driver discomfort and vehicle exit accidents at Coronado Drive and at the Causeway. I (i) The Exit onto the Causeway 10 I I I I The accidents at this location are primarily due to the geometry, with contributions from the signing and striping. Driver inexperience is also a contributory factor. I I I It is incorrect and dangerous for drivers to use the outside lane of the roundabout to cross a multiple-lane exit. However, some drivers from Coronado or Mandalay are using the outside lane to pass the two-lane exit at the Causeway. 'I I I I I, I I I I I I I I I I I These vehicles cut across vehicles on the inner lane of the roundabout that are correctly exiting onto the Causeway. This has led to a concentration of crashes at this location. _--,_"._"H -oe.,,--'.'----'-,- --------" '"'=....,....,..-=~""'.,.......,-~""=T--O--~.,.'-"""..,~..,--' Progress past the Causeway exit can only be made safely from the mner lane of the roundabout. As the Lane Use Signs on Coronado and Mandalay are small and ineffective, some drivers, wishing to pass the Causeway exit, are incorrectly entering the outer lane of the roundabout. Correcting the Lane Use Signs will greatly help reduce the exit accidents by directing drivers into the correct lane. The central striping on the circulating pavement around the roundabout is a solid line with occasional short breaks. This discourages drivers in the outer-lane, who wish to turn across the Causeway exit, from gradually merging into the inner lane. They either make a sudden lane change at the break in the solid line or inappropriately stay in the outer lane. Approaching the Causeway exit, the left curved geometry of the outer curbing, together with the large exit angle and small exit radius onto the Causeway, combine to give drivers the strong impression that driving past the Causeway exit in the outer lane is natural and correct. 11 Driving in the outer lane across the Causeway Exit and crossing the path of an exiting vehicle from the inner lane Modifications to the exit geometry, the striping, the lane signs together with the addition of lane direction arrows, will make it clear to drivers that the outer lane is solely for exiting onto the Causeway. Drivers will cease to travel past the Causeway exit in the outer lane, or in rare cases when they realize they are in the wrong lane, they will take extreme caution to avoid collision with exiting vehicles. The recommended modifications are illustrated below: ----= ~= /~ (\ ~(// ~-0 '\ ~ ,,' ~- ~~, \ \ <',\, 12 I' I, I.......' i : I' i. : I I If I I..... I" I I I' , __I I 'I. ". ' I I'. ' : -' 'I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I The larger exit radius and smaller exit angle makes the exit onto the Causeway the natural path of traffic in the outer lane. This is reinforced by the revised striping and by the lane arrows. These measures will greatly reduce vehicle accidents at the Causeway exit. ( ii) The Exit into Coronado Drive Coronado Drive has a two-lane exit to accommodate the large traffic volumes from the Causeway. It cannot be reduced to a single lane exit without creating very severe congestion. Crashes occur at this exit when a vehicle using the inner lane of the roundabout turns right into Coronado Drive and cuts across the path of a non-exiting vehicle in the outer lane of the roundabout. Some vehicles from the Causeway and Poinsettia are incorrectly using the outer lane of the roundabout to pass the two-lane exit at Coronado. Changes to the signing and striping will effectively encourage such traffic to use the correct inner lane. However, the greater part of the traffic that crosses the Coronado exit in the outer lane is from Mandalay A venue. Crashes occur when both the Mandalay traffic and the circulating traffic behave correctly. The problem is created primarily by the roundabout geometry. Explanation When a vehicle is on the inner lane of the roundabout, and the outer lane is empty, a vehicle from Mandalay can safely enter the outer lane of the roundabout without vieldin2:. ft}'//i i //::';~::://"""'.'//~:~ .' .,/ ...' ..... /! ....: " . . .' ~/./ .- '/./~ . c//' ,/' ///. // -..............--------~~ II I , I \ \) The paths of the two vehicles do not cross. The Mandalay vehicle makes a mer2:e into the outer lane with no entry conflict with the inner lane vehicle. This is very undesirable as the absence ofthe entry conflict can subsequently create a dangerous exit conflict. The two vehicles proceed side bv side for about 7 Sft until they reach the exit of Coronado. If the outer vehicle proceeds when the inner vehicle exits, their paths suddenly cross creating an 13 14 Ii......' , . '1'...' . . I I..... i ' ,: I I I I I'i. ' , I I I I..' ! " , , I I !.' ..' , , I I I I I exit conflict and a crash is likely to occur. Neither has priority over the other, nor do they know the others intention until the last second, when it can be too late. Exit conflict at the exit into Coronado Drive. The white car exits into Coronado across the path of the non exiting red car The Solution This problem can be resolved by modifying the entry and the exit geometry between Mandalay and Coronado, removing the 75ft 'reverse curve' parallel side by side section between the entry and the exit. This will stop the entry merge and cause all Mandalay traffic to yield to traffic on both the inner and outer lanes the roundabout. I I I I I I I I Ii II I I With this new arrangement, the exit conflict is replaced by the much safer entry conflict where the traffic exiting into Coronado has absolute and unambiguous priority over the Mandalay Traffic. Consequently all the Mandalay traffic will yield to all the circulating and exiting traffic. As a result, vehicles from the roundabout will exit safely into Coronado before the Mandalay traffic enters the roundabout. This will virtually eliminate exit accidents at Coronado Drive. The entry path radius on Mandalay entry will be reduced by the above modifications and this would allow vehicles on Mandalay to enter the roundabout at unsafe speeds. To prevent this the entry-path radius must be reduced, by widening the median near to the pedestrian crossing. The approach road width must be maintained at a minimum of 20 feet so this will cut into the sidewalk on the West of Mandalay and remove four parking spaces. (iii) The Other Exits and Entries. The ten feet wide lanes and the small entry and exit radii make it difficult for trucks to use the remaining entries and exits without making contact with or over running the curbs. This can generally be resolved by enlarging the radii, reducing the entry and exit angles and widening the entry and exit lanes to a minimum width of twelve feet at the roundabout. The entry and exit at Poinsettia A venue, the splitter-island and the short median need modifying to allow WB-40 trucks to enter and exit without mounting the curbs. This will reduce the need for trucks to use East Shore Drive. The sharp radius on Poinsettia about 100 feet prior to the roundabout should also be enlarged for better truck access. The Marina entry and exit need to be modified and widened to provide access for WB-40 trucks. The splitter-island also needs to be set back to avoid the new path of vehicles exiting onto the Causeway. The parallel tail of the splitter-island needs to be shortened and the lane widths widened to enable trucks to turn more easily into and out of the access at the Parking Lot. I I I I I I I The exit radius into Mandalay needs enlarging to allow a WB-67 truck to exit and avoid mounting the curb. (This will allow WB-67 vehicles to use the three main legs of the roundabout, namely the Causeway, Mandalay Avenue and Coronado drive). This will increase the exit speeds into Mandalay and this should be monitored. If exits speeds are too high for pedestrian safety then a flat-topped speed table should be introduced. Occasionally tourists entering the roundabout from the Causeway are turning into the Hamilton access mistaking it for Mandalay. This should be signed as 'no through route'. The alignment of the Causeway approach should be modified to increase the entry path curvature to prevent high-speed entry. The alignment of the other entries provides sufficient entry curvature. The proposed modifications to the Mariner entry, to accommodate Trucks, will reduce its entry path curvature. However, this is not a problem as the length of the road 15 (c) The Striping I: I I' I I I,: between the Parking Lot and the roundabout yield line is too short for significant speed mcrease. There is an 'entry only' access into the Marina Parking Lot from Coronado Drive. This could be made an entry and exit access. The oval shape of the roundabout, the large number of approach roads (six) together with the complex traffic turning pattern makes the use of appropriate striping on the circulating road very necessary. On simpler roundabouts striping is not usually needed. However, on the more complex multilane roundabouts striping can be extremely beneficial when correctly applied. With multilane complexity it is very easy to stripe the circulating road inappropriately and create problems, so care is needed. I' '.1. ' , i I The original concentric striping on the circulating road is inappropriate and must be changed. Correct striping will greatly improve the safety of the roundabout. It is therefore strongly recommended that the circulatory striping be revised, not removed. The solid striping around the center of the circulating road should be replaced with dashed lines so that occasional vehicles that are in the wrong lane can change lane gradually and safely. The striping must continue into the two lane exits rather than continue around the roundabout. The use of solid striping with a gap as it passes an entry is not recommended. I' I, : I , , - \ 16 :...1 'I!!.., . ....lli. Ii I'.' , j Ii I. .'.' , 1 ! , I'.)' ,: !' I' I r... , I I I The striped apron around the central island should be widened near the Causeway to move left turning traffic safely from the inner to the outer lane to exit into Poinsettia or Mandalay. Lane arrows should be introduced on the circulating road to specify lane use. Both lanes of the Causeway should have'S - Beach' painted on them at the three location shown in the CAD Signing drawing. The left Lane should have 'N-Beach painted on it as per the Cad drawing. The lettering should be as wide as possible and should have a height of between 1.6 and 2.8 meters. If possible this should be repeated every 150 meters over the whole length of the Causeway. It is essential that traffic to the south beach use both lanes on the Causeway as this movement accounts for two thirds of the approach traffic on the Causeway. Designating only the left lane for the south beach will increase congestion during holiday periods and contribute towards lane changing crashes on the roundabout. (d) The Fountain The Fountain Wall around the edge of the central island is 36 inches high. This is crossed in a number of places by safety sight lines from the roundabout entries. These are the sight lines of vehicles waiting to enter the roundabout to circulating vehicles. The sight lines start and I I I, 1 I I I I I I I :1 I II II I I I I end at a height of 1.08 meters (42.5 inches) above the road surface. Obstmctions higher than 42.5 inches along the sight lines are contrary to the Safety Standard. The Fountain Wall was checked using sightmg rods and was found to be a maximum of 41 inches high along the worst sight line. This complies with the Safety Standard by a margin of 1.5 inches. In addition it is necessary to provide adequate sight lines for drivers to be able see low objects on the road surface so they can stop in time. The sight line must be from a height of 1.08 meters (42.5 inches) to an object height is only 0.6 meters (23.6 inches). The minimum length for the sight line is called the sight stopping distance and this is determined by the traffic speed. On the Clearwater Roundabout the sight stopping distance is 77 feet on the circulating road for the observed speed of 15 mph. The Entryway Roundabout has sight stopping distances far greater than 77 feet over most of the length of the circulating road. It has a minimum sight stopping distance of 83ft at the small radii at the ends of the central island. The proposed 2.5ft wide striped apron around the central island will increase this minimum value from 83ft to 93ft, well within the safety requirement. If the height of the Fountain Wall is reduced by one foot (two steps) then the sight stopping distance will be further increased. Although the Fountain Wall complies with the Safety Standards, it is very close to the edge of the roundabout and produces a 'canyon' effect. This is uncomfortable ti:)r some drivers on the inner lane. They have a tendency to shy away from the central island and sometimes elect to use the outer lane. They may feel more comfortable, but they may be in the wrong lane and this may contribute to exit conflict. This situation can be eased by reducing the width of the circuluing lanes to 14 teet wide to provide a 2.5 foot wide striped apron around the central island. This will move traffIC away from the Fountain Wall and make the inner lane more comfortable to drive. 17 If the height of the wall is reduced from a height of three feet to t\VO feet (by two steps), the 'canyon' effect will be removed. The 1.5inch margin for the main sight distance will be increased to about 12 inches. As this will make it much more comfortable for drivers it is re recommended that the wall be lowered. However, this will be costly and is not required by the Safety Standards so the decision to lower the wall could be deferred until after the roundabout is modified and its performance monitored. The fountain sometimes sprays water on the circulating road and on passing vehicles. Usually water on the circulating road comes from watering of the vegetation on the central island and contains soil or clay. This reduces the friction of the road surface. The pure water from the fountain is more like rain and is not such a problem. However spray onto drivers is distracting. The problem can be resolved by turning the fountain jets away from the roadway and by installing a system that automatically responds to wind speed, altering the water pressure to prevent over spray of the roadway. (e) The Central Island Normally roundabouts are round. Large oval roundabouts are to be discouraged as they can lead to high speeds on the long sections and low speeds on the smaller radii end sections. This can cause loss of control crashes. The Entryway Roundabout has a larger radius of 110ft and a smaller end radius of 65 ft that produce circulating speeds of 18 mph and 16 mph respectively. These speeds are very low and the 2 mph speed differential is inconsequential. Consequently the oval shape of the roundabout is not causing problems. There has been no loss of control crashes since the roundabout opened. 18 ."11'1.: I' II II I: I :1........1. , .1': ',_ i II: , , , .- - -~' I I I I'. '.'.' 'I ;', '1 Ii.., '" i il.'. I , I I I I'........' 'I: I"..' I , I : I 6__._ I I ,I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I 6. ROUNDABOUT CAPACITY The capacity ofthe roundabout is sufficient for normal operating conditions when queues and delays are minimal. The flows used for the design were the predicted 2020 volumes of 3100 vehicles / hour. During Spring Break flow volumes in excess of 3500 vehicles per hour were recorded which are not excessive for a 2 lane roundabout. During Spring Break the queues on the Causeway are significantly less than previous years even though the daily traffic volumes were considerably higher. The queues on the Causeway are primarily caused by traffic backing up onto the roundabout from Gulf View and Coronado Drive. This limits the rate at which traffic enters Clearwater Beach. If the backups were removed the roundabout would be capable of moving more traffic, reducing the delays on the Causeway. When traffic leaves the island during Spring Break there are queues and delays on Coronado Drive and Mandalay A venue. The exit onto the Causeway is clear so the capacity of the roundabout limits the rate at which traffic leaves the island. The very large pedestrian volumes crossing Coronado and Mandalay reduces the capacity of the roundabout. The two crash locations also reduce the capacity as traffic flow is frequently reduced and disrupted by confusion over vehicle priority and by near misses and the occasional crash. However, the capacity of the roundabout is still greater than that ofthe intersections it replaced. The modifications proposed to the roundabout will significantly increase capacity. Providing even greater capacity would be expensive, have environmental disbenefit, and would reduce pedestrian safety. 19 20 I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I 7. BLOCKING-BACK Ifthe Spring Break back ups were removed, the roundabout would move more traffic and the delays on the Causeway would be reduced. Queuing back is partially caused by the traffic signals at Coronado and Gulf View. These signals could be replaced by a small one-way system composed of the initial section of Gulf View, part of First Street and a section of Coronado Drive. The blocking back is mainly caused by slow moving vehicles on Gulf View looking for spaces on the Parking Lots and by the queues from the entrances to the Parking Lots. The operation of the parking lots needs to be changed as the manned barriers considerably slow down traffic entry. This has a cumulative effect and causes large queues during Spring Break. Drivers should freely enter the parking lots and park before they collect or pay for a parking ticket. Queuing would be further reduced, by creating an in-onlv access at the comer of the parking lot on Coronado near to the roundabout. This would take traffic off Coronado at the earliest opportunity. If, in addition, the parking lots along Gulf View were linked to the Coronado parking lot, traffic could search for spaces on any of the linked parking lots off the highway. However cars waiting to enter spaces and cars reversing out of spaces would block this route and this could back up onto Coronado and to the roundabout. To avoid this the proposed access into the parking lots off Coronado should be a free flow entrance onto a separate 1 way curbed link road around the periphery of the parking lots. Access to the parking spaces would be at points on the link road. The first access should be as far from Coronado as possible. Any problems inside the lots should not affect the operation of the link road. The blocking back during Spring Break would be reduced by the above measures. In the longer term the provision of extra parking spaces will be beneficial. Other routes or other means of transport to and from the mainland could also help reduce congestion. I I 8. TRAVEL TIMES BETWEEN MANDALA Y AND THE CAUSEWAY II The travel times from Mandalay to the Causeway were measured from Baymont Street to the western end of the Causeway Drawbridge. The reverse travel times were measured using the same end points. I I I I I I I I I :1 I I I I !I II The longest travel times were recorded on 12th March 2000 during the abnormally high Spring Break traffic volumes. The following chart gives the travel time (minutes) between 8:00 and 17:00 for each intervening hour of the day; BAYMONT TO DRAWBRIDGE 12 March 00 10 - fI) c 8 E - w 6 ~ j:: ...I 4 w ~ 2 I- 0 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 17 TIME OF DAY (hours) The Travel Times are below 5 minutes until midday, when they slowly rise to about 9.5 minutes. The police reduced these delays by metering the traffic from the Causeway on subsequent days. This could be done by some form of signal controlled metering. The reverse travel-times from the western end of the Drawbridge to Baymont is shown in the Chart below; 21 25 - U) .= 20 E - w 15 :E t= ..J 10 w ~ 5 I- 0 DRAWBRIDGE TO BAYMONT 12 March 00 I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 TIME OF DAY (hours) The travel times are below 5 minutes until midday when they rise steeply to just over 20 minutes by 15:00 PM. The metering will increase these delays a little between 15:00 and 18:00. However, it is unlikely that the queues will reach the mainland, as queue 'compression' will absorb the short stop time at the metering signal. The above travel times are significant, but they are much lower than previous years. The congestion on the Causeway will reduce when measures to stop backups onto the roundabout along Coronado are implemented. 22 I I I II I I I I I I I I I I I I 9. PEDESTRIANS The modifications to the roundabout geometry will increase the exit speeds on Coronado, Mandalay and the Causeway. However it is essential that pedestrian safety be maintained. 1. Coronado Drive The exit speeds on Coronado should me measured before and after the exit radius into Coronado has been increased. If the 85th percentile exit speeds exceeds twenty miles per hour then the crossing on the exit should be raised to form a low flat-topped speed table. The pedestrian volumes crossing Coronado are exceptionally high during Spring Break. The backup from the Parking Lots ensures that the exit speed from the roundabout into Coronado is very low. Traffic is frequently stationary for short periods and pedestrians find it easy to cross to the median without using the crossing. However, when the recommended modifications to the Parking Lots are in place, the backups will reduce. It may then emerge that the pedestrian crossing on Coronado will cause some backups during Spring Break and other peak times. This will need to be monitored and if backups are a problem then consideration should be given to a signalized split crossing. As the existing median is too narrow to accommodate a split crossing it would need to be widened. During normal operation when both traffic and pedestrian volumes are much lower than the holiday peaks, the signals could be operated on flashing yellow. With the higher exit speeds there is a danger to pedestrians that cross between the crossing and the roundabout. To prevent this, it is recommended that effective pedestrian barriers be introduced along Coronado between the roundabout and the crossing. Most of the pedestrian crossings have several bollards on either side of the crossing. They reduce the pedestrian capacity of the crossing and they have caused some problems for cyclists and roller skaters. It is recommended that the inner bollards be removed. 2. The Causeway There are large pedestrian volumes crossing the Causeway close to the roundabout and also near to East Shore Drive. Pedestrians crossing near the roundabout are not walking to or from East Shore Drive. II I II II Safe pedestrian crossing provision is needed for both of these pedestrian streams. All of the roads to the roundabout have pedestrian crossings except the Causeway, which has by far the greatest vehicle volumes and highest vehicle exit speed. It therefore exposes pedestrians to the highest accident risk. Providing an uncontrolled crossing near to the roundabout will probably attract more pedestrians and significantly increase the 600 pedestrians per day that cross at this location during Spring Break. 23 24 I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I An uncontrolled crossing close to the roundabout would cause backups onto the roundabout during Spring Break and other peak holiday periods. A signal controlled split crossing would minimize backups even during holiday periods. However, locating a signal controlled crossing so close to the roundabout is not recommended, as there is a real danger that approaching drivers could misinterpret a green light and enter the roundabout without yielding to circulating traffic. It is therefore recommended that a split signalized crossing be located on the Causeway, but at a minimum distance on the exit of 80ft from the roundabout. The pedestrian 'walk time' plus the 'don't walk' time only needs to be 10 seconds. This will produce minimal disruption to the traffic flows. During Spring Break the 95% queues should only just reach back to the roundabout. Backup queues should therefore be short, infrequent and short-lived. This crossing would also serve to accommodate pedestrians crossing to and from East Shore without any detour to this pedestrian route. It is recommended that a new pedestrian access be provided from the Marina Parking Lot to the proposed signalized crossing on the Causeway. The exit speeds onto the Causeway will be a little higher with the larger exit radius and smaller exit angle. The exit speeds must be monitored and if the 85th percentile exit speeds exceed twenty miles per hour then the crossing on the exit should raised to form a suitable flat topped speed table. Placing the crossings on flat-topped speed tables makes them more conspicuous. However, they can be uncomfortable for vehicle passengers and are disliked by many drivers. They are also unpopular with passengers in large vehicles. Consequently, they should be at the minimum height to effectively reduce the exit speeds to about 20 mph. 3. Mandalay Avenue During Spring Break exiting traffic into Mandalay backs up onto the roundabout because of significantly large random delays caused by the uncontrolled pedestrian crossing. If the backups on Coronado are reduced by the modifications to the Parking Lots then traffic will discharge onto the roundabout from the Causeway at a higher rate. Since one in three vehicles from the Causeway exits into Mandalay, the exit rate will increase, exacerbating the backups. It is recommended that the crossing on Mandalay be moved away from the roundabout to the location shown in the accompanying drawings in Appendix 4. It is also recommended that the striping be modified to maximize the two lane storage on the Mandalay exit prior to the crossing. I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I il I :1 II The backups on Mandalay should be monitored and if they are a persistent problem during holiday periods then a signalized split crossing should be considered. The widening of the median on Mandalay (to improve the entry deflection) will allow a split crossing. The total time needed to cross the pedestrians to and from the median, including the crossing clearance time is only 10 seconds compared to the 34 seconds needed at the non-split signalized crossing further north on Mandalay. The recommended enlarged exit radius into Mandalay to accommodate WB-67 trucks but will allow some increase in vehicle exit speeds. This should be monitored and if the 85th percentile exit speeds exceeds twenty miles per hour then the crossing on the exit should raised to form a low flat topped speed table. (d) Poinsettia and the Marina Traffic volumes on Poinsettia and the Marina are low and the pedestrian exposure is relatively low. However, exit speeds may increase on Poinsettia when the exit radius is increased to accommodate WB-40 trucks. This should be monitored and speed reduction measures introduced if speeds are too high for pedestrian safety. As previously mentioned, a pedestrian access from the Marina Parking Lot to the proposed signalized crossing on the Causeway is recommended. The Marina has no sidewalks along the vehicle access to the roundabout and pedestrians entering and leaving the Mariner walk in the roadway. Sidewalks should be provided along the access. 25 26 I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I 10. BUS STOPS The bus stop on Mandalay approach to the roundabout is too close to the pedestrian crossing near the Hilton Hotel. This reduces the mutual visibility ofpedestrians and drivers. It is recommended that the bus stop is moved closer to the roundabout to a position just past the access to the Hilton Hotel Parking Lot. Similarly, the Bus Stop on the Coronado approach to the roundabout is poorly sited in relation to the pedestrian crossing. It is recommended that the bus stop be moved into the Coronado Parking Lot. The bus would enter From Coronado and exit onto the roundabout. Preliminary investigation indicates that a bus stop could be located without reducing the overall number of parking spaces. I I II I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I II 11. METERING SIGNAL During Spring Break queuing occurs on Mandalay. When the queues become quite long the police intervened and stopped the traffic on the Causeway from entering the roundabout. This reduced the traffic circulating past Mandalay allowing the queues to discharge. To perform this function a metering signal was introduced on the Causeway at East Shore. The signal is called by queues detected on Mandalay. The signal stops traffic for 135 seconds to provide sufficient time to clear the queue on Mandalay. There have been some complaints that the 135 seconds is too long for drivers to wait on the Causeway. Locating the queue detector on Mandalay closer to the roundabout will reduce these delays. The metering signal will be called when the queue is shorter and requires less time to discharge, reducing the delay to the traffic on the Causeway. Delays to the Mandalay traffic will also be reduced. The metering signal will therefore be called more often, but for shorter periods. Several of the proposed modifications to the roundabout will also reduce queues on Mandalay. . The removal of the accidents and confusion at the Coronado exit will make it easier to enter the roundabout from Mandalay and reduce its queues. . The revised entry geometry on Mandalay has a larger radius and wider lanes. This will increase capacity and reduce its queues. . The proposed signalized crossing on the Causeway will frequently stop Causeway traffic from entering the roundabout for short periods allowing queues on Mandalay discharge onto the roundabout. The combined effect of these measures may significantly reduce the use for the metering signal on the Causeway. The metering signal could be used to help emergency vehicles make a safe left turn out of East Shore onto the Causeway. See Chapter 14 on Emergency Vehicles. 27 28 I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I 12. LIGHTING The lighting on the Roundabout is not to a sufficiently high standard and needs to be improved. It should be upgraded to the standards recommended in the FWHA Guide and AASHTO for urban conditions. They should apply to both the approach roads and to the circulating road of the roundabout. Illumination should be adequate for both vehicles and pedestrians. Especial care should be taken to adequately illuminate pedestrian crossings. I I ,I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I II II 13. LANDSCAPING The palm trees and landscaping obstructs the visibility of cars by pedestrians and of pedestrians by drivers at various locations. By means of a site audit, after the roundabout has been modified, these locations should be identified and corrected especially near the existing, proposed and revised pedestrian crossings. Some palm trees and some metal poles are located close to the roadway at locations where there is a possibility of vehicles mounting the curb (especially at exits). Any poles or light columns near the roadway should be the 'snap off' type that collapse on impact minimizing vehicle and driver injury or they should be moved. Pedestrians are taking short cuts through the landscaping to cross at dangerous locations. This occurs close to the roundabout particularly on Coronado Drive and on the Causeway. It is "rongly recommended that the landscaping be upgraded to make it impenetrable to pedestrians on Coronado between the Roundabout and the pedestrian crossing and on The Causeway between the roundabout and the proposed split signalized crossing. Rerouting the footway from Mandalay to meet Coronado at the pedestrian crossing will help reduce pedestrian jay walking. It is also recommended that a new footpath be provided from the Marina Parking Lot to the proposed signalized pedestrian crossing on the Causeway. See Chapter 9 'Pedestrians'. 29 30 I ,I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I 14. EMERGENCY VEHICLES The roundabout has reduced congestion and travel times significantly even during Spring Break. However during peak holiday periods there are queues and delays that impede emergency vehicles. To mitigate this it is recommended that the median opposite East Shore be modified to allow emergency vehicles only to make a left turn from East Shore across the median. Selective detection of emergency vehicles could be used to call a forced change to the Metering Signal and the Signalized Pedestrian Crossing to stop Causeway traffic. This would allow emergency vehicles to turn left safely onto the Causeway from East Shore without being delayed. I I II I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I 15. EDUCATION When the roundabout is modified it will, to a large extent, teach drivers how to use it safely and comfortably. If it is used incorrectly drivers will feel uncomfortable. If they use it correctly it will feel comfortable and more natural to drivers. The original roundabout does not do this as drivers experience some difficulties and discomfort no matter how they negotiate the roundabout. In order to remove current misconceptions and incorrect advice about how to drive the roundabout it is strongly recommended that a program be introduced to educate the public in the correct use of the roundabout. This can be done using newspapers, TV and video. Schematic audio-visuals showing a birds-eye view of cars correctly negotiating the roundabout would be especially effective. 31 PHASE 1 Interim modifications to the Roundabout I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I 16. SUMMARY OF MAIN RECOMMENDATIONS AND PHASING PHASE 2 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. Improve and enlarge the Direction Sign on the Causeway Introduce a Direction Sign on both Coronado Drive and Mandalay A venue. Replace the Lane Use Signs on Coronado Avenue by two new sets. Replace the Lane Use Signs on Mandalay Avenue by two new sets Replace the Lane Use Signs on the Causeway by three new sets. Paint 'S-Beach' and 'N Beach I S-Beach' on the lanes of the Causeway. Raise the height of the Street Name Signs on the splitter-islands. Introduce a chevron-type sign or similar on the central island opposite the Causeway entry to make the central island more visible at night. Interim modifications to the Roundabout (Follow phase 1 after 1-2 weeks) 1. Introduce a 2' -6" striped apron around the central island reducing the width of the inner lane to 13 feet. Change the solid striping around the roundabout to dashed striping except from the Marina into the Causeway exit. Widen the apron at the Causeway to provide a lane change and stripe in front of the Causeway median. Introduce lane use arrows on the circulating road. 2. 3. 4. Interim Stripine: 32 II :1 II I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I PHASE 3 Full modifications to the roundabout. 1. Modify the geometry from the entry at Mandalay A venue to the exit into Coronado Drive and revise the striping. Widen the median on Mandalay to increase the entry path radius. Relocate the pedestrian crossing on Mandalay. Move the Bus Stop on Manadalay. Enlarge the curb radius into the Mandalay exit. Monitor the exit speed on Coronado and Mandalay. If the exit speeds are too high put the pedestrian crossings on a flat- topped speed tables. Modify the entry and exit Geometry onto the Causeway and revise the striping. Introduce a split signalized pedestrian crossing on Causeway and monitor the exit speed. Ifit is too high add a flat-topped speed table on the exit crossing. Provide a median crossing on the Causeway for emergency vehicles from East Shore. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. PHASE 4 1. 2. PHASE 5 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. Full modifications to the roundabout. (Follow phase 3 as soon as possible) Re-stripe the circulating road with two 14 feet lanes, using a dashed line. Center the lane use arrows on the circulating lanes. Full modifications to the roundabout (Follow phase 4 when possible) 12. Modify the entry geometry at Coronado Drive and re-stripe. Modify the Access on Coronado to the Marina and make two-way. Move the Bus Stop on Coronado into the Marina Parking Lot. Modify the entry and exit geometry and splitter-island at Poinsettia A venue. Enlarge the curb radius on Poinsettia about 100 feet from the roundabout Modify the lane widths, the splitter-island and the entry and exit radii at the Marina. Sign the splitter-island at the Hamilton access indicating no through route. Set back the splitter island in the Hamilton access Monitor roundabout and reduce the Fountain Wall by two steps is if it is still a problem. Review all sight lines and move offending signs and trees especially near pedestrian crossings. Replace poles and column with 'snap off' type where appropriate. Review and up grade the lighting on the Roundabout and on the approaches. Improve the landscaping to provide effective pedestrian barriers on Coronado and the Causeway. Promote a Education Program to teach the public how to drive the revised roundabout. 33 PHASE 6 2. PHASE 7 Reduce the Oueuine Back (Implement before the next holiday period) I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I 1. Alter the Parking Lots so that drivers collect tickets and pay after they have parked Immediately after the roundabout provide a 1 way curbed access road off Coronado to skirt and connect the parking lots on Coronado and Gulf view. Reduce the Oueuine Back 1. Monitor the backing up during a high flow volume holiday period and if necessary modify the traffic signals at Coronado Drive and Gulf View or replace them with a one-way system using First Street. 34 1;1 il II I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I APPENDIX I - ANSWERS TO OUESTIONS AND SUGGESTIONS. The following is a list of answers the questions and suggestions raised by the public about the roundabout and associated traffic matters. They are arranged in the following groups; 1. GENERAL 2. ACCESS FROM THE MAINLAND 3. METERING CAUSEWAY TRAFFIC 4. THE NUMBER OF ACCESSES 5. ENTRY AND EXIT WIDTHS 6. LANE CHANGING AND EXIT CONFLICT 7. SIGNING AND STRIPING. 8. TRAFFIC SPEEDS 9. THE FOUNTAIN 10. PEDESTRIANS 11. TRAFFIC SIGNALS 12. PARKING 13. BYPASS LANES 1. GENERAL QI: "Acknowledge age and experience of drivers" AI: The proposed revisions to the roundabout are designed to work well with both the elderly and with drivers who have no prior experience of roundabouts. Q2: "Acknowledge the tourist make-up of drivers" A2: The revised signing is designed to be clear and simple for tourists, The geometry is designed to control the speeds of high spirited drivers during Spring Break. Q3: "Cite reckless drivers cutting in and out" A3: The revised signing and geometry will virtually eliminate the need to change lanes within the roundabout. Q4: "Disseminate pamphlets explaining how to navigate the roundabout" A4: This is proposed in conjunction with the revised roundabout. QS: "Distribute movie of roundabout to hotels, motels, Chamber of Commerce" AS: Moving graphics showing how to drive the roundabout could be made and distributed widely. Q6: "Enforce traffic laws" A6: The revised roundabout will greatly reduce the need or incentive for drivers to break the law. 35 Q7: "Give and go vs.yie1d to circle" A 7: It is essential that traffic yields to circulating traffic on the roundabout. 'Give and Go', where entering traffic has equal priority with circulating traffic is the mechanism of old 'Traffic Circles'. They have very poor capacity and very high accident rates. The revisions to the roundabout will produce very low accident rates similar to other modem roundabouts. Q8: "There is not enough open space for a successful roundabout" A8: The size of the roundabout is adequate. The problems are caused by details that will be corrected by revision ofthe geometry, signing and striping. Q9: "Remove the roundabout completely and return to basics" A9: The strategic decision to build the roundabout was correct. The revised signing, striping and geometry will remedy the current problems. The roundabout will then operate as intended and will be better than the previous intersections. This will be done at a fraction of the cost of removing the roundabout and rebuilding the intersection. QIO: "Consider alternative designs" AIO: Alternative design were originally considered and rejected. The relatively minor changes to the current design will resolve the current problems at a fraction of the cost and disruption of an alternative. QII: ''The roundabout is not practical at this location" All: See Q9 above. Q12: "Too much traffic makes roundabout impractical" A12: The capacity of the roundabout is greater than the previous intersections. The traffic volumes entering the island during Spring Break were far greater than previous years yet the measured queues and delays on the Causeway were very much less than previous years. The capacity problem is not at the roundabout, but is caused by the backups onto the roundabout from the parking lots on Coronado and Gulf View. It is proposed to change the access and operation of the parking lots and to link them to reduce the backups. Q13: "Too much emphasis place on beautification rather than safety" A13: The safety problems on the roundabout will be remedied by modifications to the signing, striping and the geometry. This will have little impact on the aesthetics of the roundabout. Some palm trees will be moved to increase the visibility of signs and pedestrian crossings. Q14: "Rank the needs of aesthetics, development, pedestrians and traffic" A14: This is a political judgement. Pedestrian safety has been given top priority. The aesthetics have also been given a high priority. The unexpectedly large increase in traffic volumes has created an under provision for the car. The revised scheme will redress the balance between these competing needs. 36 I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I ,I I il I I I I I I I I I I I I Q15: "What can be done immediately"? A15: See the recommended interim scheme on page 32 that revises the signing and striping. 2. ACCESS FROM THE MAINLAND Q16: "Limit access to beach during peak times except to residents" A16: This is a political decision. It would be difficult to provide a route for residents that would not be blocked by the queues of visitors during the holiday periods. Q17: "Reduce the number of events on the beach during peak weekends" A17: This also is a political decision. It would need careful analysis to examine the costs and benefits to the island. Q18: "Limit delivery times" A18: Delivery times could be limited during the peak holiday periods. However, this is not such a problem as the delay entering the island during the peak periods is an effective deterrent to delivery vehicles. There are no problems during the non-peak periods. Q19: "A new bridge should not be built as it would only increase traffic" Al9: A major Transportation Study would be needed to determine the consequences of building a new bridge. It would have to be considered as part of a wider Structure Plan for the area and it would determine if more or less traffic was in line with its aims and objectives. Q20: "Make Memorial Causeway a toll road to pay for bridge, ferries, and high speed transit" A20: This is a political decision It would require careful examination as the revenue from a toll may be less than the loss of revenue to the island. Tourists may choose to visit alternative free beaches in the area. I Q2l: "Build Roads for Emergency Vehicles" A2l: Building new roads is expensive and has environmental impact. The queues and delays on the revised roundabout will not be large and Emergency Vehicle will not be unduly delayed. The exception is during Spring Break when there are long queues on the Causeway. However, since the new roundabout, the observed queues on the Causeway have been significantly less than previous years even though the traffic volumes have been considerably greater. An left turn from East Shore onto the Causeway is proposed for emergency vehicle use only. II il il 37 38 I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I Q22: "Provide an alternative roadway on the Causeway for bus-only traffic" A22: A 'Park and Ride' bus service from the mainland could be beneficial in the holiday periods. This would require the building a car park on the mainland and a 'bus only' lane on the Causeway. This would be expensive to build especially at the bridges. The buses would need extra large luggage racks to carry the 'beach equipment' of the visitors. It is not certain how many visitors would be prepared to leave their cars and carryall their beach luggage onto a bus. Q23: "Increase bus service" A23: See Q22 above. 3. METERING CAUSEWAY TRAFFIC Q24: "Place trained traffic policeman at roundabout, not Police Service Technicians" A24: The police have been employed to meter the traffic onto the roundabout from the Causeway during Spring Break and other peak traffic conditions. The need to use the police for this function will be superseded by a proposed metering signal is on the Causeway near East Shore Road. This will automatically operate when traffic queues on Mandalay exceed a pre-set limit. Q25: "How will the metering signal work" A25: When a detector on Mandalay is triggered by the presence of a queue the Metering Signal will immediately stop traffic on the Causeway from entering the roundabout. This will allow Mandalay traffic to discharge. The signal will be timed to clear the queue on Mandalay. The proposed signalized pedestrian crossing on the Causeway together with the improvements to the roundabout geometry will increase the capacity at Mandalay. This will reduce queue on Mandalay and the metering signal will only be called at times of exceptionally high traffic vo lumes. 4. THE NUMBER OF ACCESSES Q26: "Reduce number of access points" A26: The roundabout has 6 legs. The Hamilton access can be discounted as it is only used a couple of times per week. The traffic volumes to and from the Marina are relatively small and closing it would provide little benefit to the operation of the roundabout. The proposed revision to the signing striping and geometry will be far more effective. The in only access to the Marina from Coronado could be made both in and out. ,I II Q27: "Close the Marina entrance from roundabout" A27: The revised signing and geometry will make access to and from the Marina safe and easy. il I I I I I I I I I II I I ;1 I I II Q28: "Limit number of exits - four recommended" A28: See Q32 and Q33 above. 5. THE WIDTH OF THE ENTRIES AND EXITS Q29: "Cut the curbs, to allow easier access to and from roundabout" A29: The curbs will be altered to provide wider entry and exit lanes. The entry and exit radii will also be increased. This will make it much easier to enter and exit the roundabout. Q30: "Enlarge the on/off lanes" A30: See Q35 above. Q31: "Make ingress and egress points wider" A31: See Q35 above. Q32: "Increase the width of the lanes" A32: See Q35 above. Q33: "Widen offramps" A33: See Q35 above. Q34: "Increase number oflanes" A34: The number of lane is sufficient. Increasing the number of lanes would increase the accident risk. The proposed widening of the exit and entry lanes will make them more effective 6. LANE CHANGING AND EXIT CONFLICT Q35: "Acknowledge that some drivers will not change lanes in the roundabout" A35: The revised geometry, signing and striping will direct drivers into the correct lane before they enter the roundabout. Consequently, they will not need to change lane to reach their destination. Q36: "Restrict right lanes to exit only lanes" A36: This is not how modem roundabouts operate. The revised geometry, signing and striping will make the right turn exit from the inner lane natural and safe. The current conflicts and crashes will cease. (See page 10 'The exit onto the Causeway' and page 13 'The exit into Coronado Drive' Q37: "Prohibit right hand turns from inside lane" 39 40 I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I A37: See Q36 above. Q38: "Install yield signs for right turns from center lane" A38: See Q36 above. Q39: "There are fears about using the inside lane and complaints that it is too difficult to change from the inside lane to the outside lane" A39: The proposed modifications and striping will make it more comfortable to use the inside lane. There should be little or no need to change lane. However, in the exceptional case, changing lane will be a gradual and much easier maneuver, as the solid striping is to be changed to dashed striping. Q40: "Record all accidents" A40: The Police have recorded all accidents. 7 SIGNING AND STRIPING Q41: "Improve signage for use of roundabout not simply increased signage" A41: The new signs will significantly improve matters in conjunction with the revised striping and geometry. Better signing alone is not sufficient. Q42: "Increase signage" A42: The proposed modifications to the roundabout include a complete revision of the signage. Q43: "More signage earlier on Causeway" A43: The signing on the Causeway will be revised to give clear directions to visitors, informing them which lane they should use to reach their desired destination. Q44: "Paint yield signs in roadway" A44: There is no evidence oftraffic failing to yield at the roundabout. However, the use of yield signs on the approach lanes is not uncommon at roundabouts and it could be introduced at the Gateway Roundabout. Q45: "Place a stop sign in lieu of a yield sign at the roundabout entrance of the Causeway" A45: There is no evidence of traffic failing to yield at the roundabout. Stop signs are never used on roundabouts, as the yield mechanism is their fundamental mode of operation. Q46: "Should the proposed striping next to the central island be in the inner lane"? A46: Yes. The traffic turning left past the Causeway exit must use the inner lane initially to avoid exit accidents. The striping creates a single lane between the central island and the Causeway that joins the inner lane to the outer lane. I il :1 I I I I I I I I I !I I I 'I I !I !I Consequently, left turning traffic is safely moved from the central island to the outside of the roundabout without changing lane. Q47: "Provide better line markings on lanes" A47: All the lane markings will be revised. Q48: "Should Coronado be signed as a double exit or should it be signed as a single exit"? A48: It must be a double exitYes. About 70% of the traffic volume from the Causeway exits into Coronado and need to use both lanes to avoid a considerable increase in congestion. 8. TRAFFIC SPEEDS Q49: "Install pavers in roundabout to slow traffic" A49: Excessive traffic speed is not a problem on the roundabout. The observed speed is low. Paradoxically, the slow speed contributes to conflict and accidents at the Coronado exit. Widening the exit into Coronado and increasing the exit radius will sufficiently increase the speed of the circulating traffic so that it will exit into Coronado before vehicles from Mandalay can enter and cause conflict. QSO: "Ribbed paving in roundabout to slow traffic" ASO: See Q49 above. QS1: "Speed bumps in circle to slow traffic" AS1: See Q49 above. QS2: "Enforce 15 mph speed limit" AS2: See Q49 above. 9. THE FOUNTAIN QS3: "The Fountain is a distraction to drivers" AS3: The fountain wall is close to the edge of the central island and it is a distraction to drivers using the inner lane. It produces a canyon effect and drivers tend to shy away from the wall or use the outer lane even when it is inappropriate for their destination. The revised roundabout will have a striped apron around the central island that moves the inner lane 2'-6" away from the central island. This increases the distance from the fountain wall to the inside lane from 3 ' -0" to 5'-6". This will make using the inside lane more comfortable and increase driver visibility. Consideration is being given to reducing the height of the wall by 12 inches by removing the two steps. Although this would be expensive it would remove the canyon effect. 41 10. QS4: "Is the fountain wall too high? Does it pose a hazard? What solution is recommended"? AS4: The fountain wall is 1.5 inches lower than the maximum allowed height and should not therefore be a safety hazard. See Q53 above for the proposed improvement. I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I QSS: "Remove the fountain" ASS: Removing the fountain would be very expensive and the aesthetic feature would be lost. Modifying the fountain would also be very expensive. See Q53 above for remedial measures QS6: "The fountain center too big" AS6: See Q53 above. QS7: "Increase visual distances" AS7: The proposed striped apron around the roundabout will increase the diameter of the roundabout by 5'-0". This will move traffic away from the fountain wall making it more comfortable for drivers and will increase forward visibility. See Q53 above. QS8: "Redesign the fountain for better visibility" AS8: The height of the fountain wall is within the visibility standard. See Q53 and 54 above. QS9: "Increase circumference of roundabout for better visibility" AS9: The proposed striped apron around the roundabout will increase the diameter of the roundabout by 5'-0". This will move traffic away from the fountain wall making it more comfortable for drivers and will increase forward visibility See Q53 and Q54 above. PEDESTRIANS Q60: "Cite jay walkers" A60: There is a need to prevent jay walking. Effective pedestrian barriers should be installed. This would be best achieved by additional vegetation. Pedestrian barriers are recommended on Coronado Drive and the Causeway. Q61: "Is there a need for better pedestrian access to the fountain"? A61: Absolutely not. Pedestrians must not be encouraged to cross to the central island, as crossing the circulating road of a roundabout is extremely dangerous. Pedestrian routes are provided around the outside of the roundabout. Q62: "Close pedestrian walkways close to roundabout" 42 ]1 !I II I I I I I I I I I I il I I I il il A62: The large volumes of pedestrians need protection when crossing the high traffic volumes on the approach roads to the roundabout. Removing the crossings would increase the risk of pedestrian accidents. The provision for pedestrian is to be revised and monitored. The introduction of split signalized crossings is an alternative if backups persist as they cater for the needs of pedestrians while minimizing driver delay and backup. Q63: "Remove pedestrian crosswalks near roundabout" A63: See Q 62 above. 11. TRAFFIC SIGNALS Q64: "Introduce Signal Control on the roundabout" A64: This would create additional congestion. The revised signing, striping and geometry will resolve the problems far better than traffic signals. Q65: "Install traffic lights at entrances to roundabout" A65: See Q65 above Q66: "Use turn signals & install signs to remind drivers" A66: The proposed modifications to the roundabout include revision of the signing. The changes to the geometry and striping will cause the roundabout to operate as intended and there will be no need for traffic signals on the roundabout. Possible signalizing some of the pedestrian crossings will reduce blocking back and improve pedestrian protection. 12. PARKING Q67: "Build parking garages" A67: There is a real need to prevent the backing up onto the roundabout from Coronado and Gulf View. The report recommends an access off Coronado onto the first Parking Lot and that all the lots are linked. There is a need for additional parking spaces that could be provided by building parking garages. However, this is a long-term measure because of the time needed to finance and build garages. Q68: "How difficult would it be to link the parking lots"? A68: This would be very beneficial and should not be too difficult. See the discussion and recommendations on page 20. 13. BYPASS LANES Q69: "Build by pass lanes north, south and east" A69: Bypass lanes are not needed as the roundabout has sufficient capacity. The congestion at the roundabout is caused by the blocking-back from the Parking Lots on Coronado and Gulf View and by the exit conflict into Coronado. The 43 44 I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I proposed reVlSlons to the roundabout and the Parking Lots will increase capacity. The bypass lanes would have limited benefit as they would only carry about one third of the approach traffic. They would allow vehicle speeds that would be a danger to pedestrians. The additional ROW would be considerable and they would detract from the aesthetics of the landscaping Q70: "What is wrong with the design provided in the St Petersburg Times"? A 70: The bypass lanes would only carry about one third of the approaching traffic. They would allow vehicle speeds that would be a danger to pedestrians. The single lanes at the roundabout would have to accommodate two thirds of the traffic and this would cause extreme congestion. Q71: "Create one-way access road from Causeway to North Beach" A 71: One-way access roads are bypass lanes. See Q70. Q72: "Create one-way access road from North Beach to South Beach" A 72: One-way access roads are bypass lanes. See Q70. Q73: "Create one-way access road from South Beach to Causeway" A 73: One-way access roads are bypass lanes. See Q70. Q74: "What is the feasibility of a straight-line link from north beach to south beach"? A 74: This is a bypass lane. See Q70. I I 'I I I I , I I I I I I I I I I I I I APPENDIX 2 - LANE USE SIGNS 1. CORONADO DRIVE ... GET INTO CORRECT LANE The sign is 4 feet tall and 3 feet wide. 45 46 :1 I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I, I I I 2. MANDALAY AVENUE GET INTO CORRECT LANE This sign is 4 feet tall and 3 feet wide I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I 3. THE CAUSEWAY GET INTO CORRECT LANE This sign is shown 4 feet tall and 3 feet wide. However as space permits it could be made larger to be more conspicuous to visiting drivers. Four identical signs are needed on each approach road and are to be placed in pairs with one on the sidewalk and one opposite on the median strip. 47 I' APPENDIX 3 - THE CAUSEWAY ADVANCED DIRECTION SIGN ..::,.1111. . 11 48 I'. .... I . , , I ,II I I I I I I I I I I I II I,. II . I 'I The lettering on the sign should be as large as possible and be between 3 and 12 inches tall. The primary destinations, Coronado and Mandalay, are depicted by wider road widths and longer road sections. The lettering for the primary destinations can also be larger than the secondary destinations. 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