HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - Minutes - Citizens Transportation Advisory Commission - Meeting Date: 11/6/2014 MINUTES
CITY OF GLENDALE
CITIZENS TRANSPORTATION OVERSIGHT COMMISSION
9658 N. 59th AVENUE
GLENDALE, ARIZONA 85304
NOVEMBER 6, 2014
6:00 P.M.
MEMBERS PRESENT: William Sheldon, Chair
James Grose, Vice Chair
Roberta Podzius
Jennifer Cameron
Joyce Stribling
Gerald Woodman
John Ferguson
Thomas Schmitt
Judith Padia
MEMBERS ABSENT: Kevin Frei
Jeff McAffee
OTHERS PRESENT: Debbie Albert, Transportation Engineer
Purab Adabala, Senior Transportation Analyst
Robert Darr, Transportation Program Manager
Trevor Ebersole, Transportation Systems Manager
Allan Galicia, Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) Analyst
Patrick Sage, Transportation Planner
Jack Huested
I. CALL TO ORDER
Chair William Sheldon called the meeting to order at 6:06 p.m.
II. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES
ACTION BY CTOC: Commissioner Schmitt motioned to approve the October 2, 2014
meeting minutes as written. Vice Chair Grose made the second. The motion carried 7
to 0,with two abstaining (William Sheldon and Roberta Podzius).
III. CALL TO THE AUDIENCE
No comments.
IV. APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA
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ACTION BY CTOC: Commissioner Woodman motioned to approve the November 6,
2014 agenda as presented. Commissioner Stribling made the second. The motion
carried 9 to 0.
V. PUBLIC INPUT–COMMISSIONERS AND STAFF
Vice Chair Grose commented that he also serves on the Citizens Bicycle Advisory
Committee. Vice Chair Grose stated that at a recent meeting, a presentation on bicycle safety
and law enforcement was given which would be good to have on an upcoming CTOC
agenda. Mr. Adabala explained that this is actually a training presentation for the City of
Glendale Police Department. Ms. Albert will see if the program is available online and if
not, will check into a having a presentation to the Commission in the future.
Commissioner Schmitt inquired if staff has reached out to the Planning Department regarding
and city-owned properties or rights-of-way that could be identified for transportation
purposes. Ms. Albert will invite a representative from the Planning Commission to an
upcoming CTOC meeting.
Chair Sheldon welcomed new Commissioner Podzius.
VI. MANAGER'S REPORT
Ms. Albert stated that the City of Glendale received a "Best of the West Economic Engine
Award" for the Northern Parkway Phase I project from WESTMARC—the Western
Maricopa Coalition. Ms. Albert noted that the receipt of the award is a testament to the
importance of the project.
Ms. Albert noted that this is the last meeting for the Chair Sheldon and Commissioner
Stribling, who were both given a plaque in recognition of their service. Ms. Albert thanked
Chair Sheldon and Commissioner Stribling for their time and dedication to the Commission.
VII. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
The following future agenda items were noted:
• Presentation from Planning Commission regarding rights-of-way
• The extension of light rail to Westgate
• A report on transportation issues during the recent heavy storms, such as damage and
control
VIII. NEXT MEETING TIME
Meetings are being targeted for 6:00 p.m. on the first Thursday of the month. The next
meeting is scheduled for December 4, 2014.
IX. TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT CENTER TOUR
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Mr. Ebersole gave a presentation on the Traffic Management Center (TMC). Mr. Ebersole
demonstrated how the cameras at various street intersections transmit live video to the
monitors at the TMC. Via the video feed, staff is able to monitor and adjust traffic signals to
alleviate traffic congestion. Also, staff can react quickly to the necessity of traffic signal
adjustments due to accidents, construction or special events. Staff also communicates with
the Police Depai tment regarding traffic issues and can respond instantaneously as needed.
Mr. Galicia explained that during stadium events in the past, the Police department used to
manually change the timing on all of the traffic signals. Mr. Galicia announced that of the 21
or 22 major signals, 18 can be controlled at the TMC. All other signals must be still manually
adjusted. Mr. Galicia explained that this frees up the Police staff for other issues.
Highlights of the presentation included the following:
• History of high technology traffic management beginning in 2004 at the TMC
o First fiber in late 1990s
o Federal funds for fiber on Glendale Ave, 59th Ave, and Bell Road
o Federal funds for remodel of EOC to TMC
o Opened TMC in 2004
o One staff member
o 17 miles of fiber optic cable
o 9 intersections connected remotely
o 5 CCTV cameras
• Present day 2014 technology in traffic management at the TMC
o 192 Traffic Signals
o 2 HAWKS (High Intensity Activated Crosswalks)
o 97 CCTV Cameras (Closed Circuit TV)
o 71 Video Detection Cameras
o 12 Dynamic Message Signs
o 100 Miles of Fiber Optic Cabling
o 119 Fiber connected signals
o 25 Wireless connected signals
o 2 Control Systems KITS and Cameleon
o ITS Strategic Plan
• Staff for ITS (Intelligent Transportation Systems)
o 1 ITS Analyst for TMC and Signal Timing
o 2 ITS Techs for Network-Communications
o 1 Electronics Tech for ITS and Signals
• Special Events which
o Cardinal's Football Coyotes Hockey
o Camelback Ranch Luke Days
o 4th of July at Westgate Concerts at the Arena
o Apollo/Glendale Homecoming Concerts at the Stadium
o Soccer at the Stadium Graduations at the Stadium
o Glitters Spectacular Glitters Spirit of Giving Weekend Event
o Christmas Parade on Glendale Ave Glitters Winter Wonderland
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o Glitters Jingle Bell Rockin' Nights Glendale Glitters &Glow Block Party
o Chocolate Affair IMS Marathon
o Irish 17k Run Redneck Run
o Cinco de Mayo Run Cardinal's Training
o Fiesta Bowl BCS Championship - Playoffs
o Super Bowl Pro-Bowl
• Photos and Parking Maps of Mega Events, such as the Super Bowl, were displayed.
• Current Projects
o Construction
• Cactus, Thunderbird, and Greenway ITS
• Peoria ITS and Downtown DMS
• TMC Video Wall Modernization: A $400,000 federal grand has been
received.
• 51st and Peoria Flashing Yellow Arrow
o Design
• 67th Ave ITS
• 51St Ave and Olive Ave ITS
• City-wide Data Collection: Installation of data boxes will capture
traffic data.
• Bell Road Adaptive: Regional effort to make the traffic signals more
efficient.
• Reversible Lane Control on Maryland
Mr. Ebersole and Mr. Galicia entertained questions throughout the presentation and
afterward.
Commissioner Podzius asked if any other roads, such as Bell Road, could be conducive to
reversible lanes. Mr. Ebersole replied in the negative noting that Bell Road has medians.
Mr. Ebersole stated that Camelback Road does not have medians, but it is currently under
capacity and does not need reversible lanes at this time. Ms. Albert stated that in the design
for improvements at 91St Avenue and 99th Avenue, she has called for medians not to be
installed just in case reversible lanes were to be suggested in the future. Mr. Ebersole stated
that the use of reversible lanes garners mixed reviews.
Commissioner Schmitt asked if staff works with ADOT to coordinate the traffic signals at the
Highway 101 entry ramps. Mr. Galicia replied in the positive and added that ADOT has a
different priority in that ADOT does not want the ramps backed up and street traffic flow is
secondary. However, ADOT has been cooperating with the City on various entry points.
Mr. Ebersole announced that the current construction projects are 95% federally funded. Mr.
Ebersole explained that the City is able to obtain federal grants because the City has the
necessary matching funds due to the establishment of GO Funds, which Ms. Albert
spearheaded.
Commissioner Podzius inquired about the transportation budget for special events. Ms.
Albert explained that there is a separate budget for stadium events which includes staff
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overtime, additional traffic control, shuttle operations and some equipment. Commissioner
Podzius asked if the Super Bowl was included in the stadium budget. Ms. Albert noted that
the department was able to request additional funds for the Super Bowl.
Vice Chair Grose asked if staff consults with barricade companies regarding traffic plans for
events. Mr. Ebersole stated that staff is in daily contact with the contracted barricade
company for events as well as construction. Ms. Albert added that staff has an excellent
working partnership with the Police Department as well. Ms. Albert commented that staff
visited other cities to research how those cities handled traffic for the Super Bowl.
Commissioner Schmitt asked if staff has immediate, direct contact with the Police
Department or other departments. Mr. Ebersole relied in the positive and noted that two-way
radios are utilized for communicating with the Police Department. Other departments are
contacted as necessary.
Mr. Galicia noted that for special events, such as the Super Bowl, ingress and egress plans
are devised to alleviate traffic congestion, and that plans providing maximum egress are
developed in case of an extreme incident occurring during any event, including during a
Super Bowl. Mr. Galicia added that staff is working on a potential partnership for ASU
students to study the traffic data that is collected during the Super Bowl for potential use in
traffic planning for future mega events.
Commissioner Cameron asked if the Super Bowl game day traffic was video recorded. Mr.
Galicia replied in the negative. Commissioner Cameron asked if there could be any liability
for not video recording the traffic on that day. Mr. Galicia stated that staff would have to
consult with the City Attorney for potential legal issues. Mr. Ebersole noted that the video
recording and storage of data is very expensive.
Commissioner Cameron inquired as to staff monitoring of the intersection cameras. Mr.
Galicia replied the he is on call 24/7 and can control signals remotely. The department is
looking at a backup plan for Mr. Galicia.
The intersection camera capabilities were demonstrated and discussed in regards to clarity,
zoom and panning capabilities.
Mr. Galicia announced that the department recently received TSOP (Traffic Signal
Optimization Program) funding to perform a traffic study along 59th Avenue from Union
Hills to Deer Valley Road. Mr. Ebersole noted that there are mountains in the area which
limit traffic flow. Mr. Galicia stated that the Maricopa County Department of Transportation
(MCDOT) received grant funds to purchase data from Nokia, which is a central source of
fleet management data for UPS, Federal Express and others. Nokia tracks travel times via
fleets of delivery trucks. This data will be integrated into the City of Glendale traffic system.
These travel times will be posted on the Dynamic Message Signs. The travel time posting
will resume following a 30-day test acceptance period for the TMC upgrade project, which
began this Monday.
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Mr. Ebersole praised the efforts of the TMC staff and also noted that there is a lot of
technology and equipment behind the video wall that is very impressive as well. Mr. Galicia
stated that TMC staff is the caretaker for all of the fiber optic in the City of Glendale. Mr.
Ebersole added that the TMC staff of three also handles over 2,000 blue stake phone call
requests annually, explaining that this is where staff goes on site to mark cabling at a
property prior to construction or digging.
Mr. Galicia and Mr. Ebersole invited Commissioners to call with any questions or set up an
appointment to visit the TMC.
X. ADJOURNMENT
Chair William Sheldon adjourned the meeting at 7:43 p.m.
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