HomeMy WebLinkAboutagenda.council.worksession.20130129
CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION
January 29, 2013
5:00 PM, City Council Chambers
MEETING AGENDA
I. West End Traffic and Calming Strategies
Parklets and yield at stop signs
1
MEMORANDUM
TO: Mayor and City Council
FROM: Transportation, Police, Engineering, Streets and Parking staff
RE: West End Traffic Reduction and Traffic Calming Strategies
DATE: January 25, 2013
MEETING DATE: January 29, 2013
________________________________________________________________
SUMMARY AND REQUEST OF CITY COUNCIL
This memo recaps the West End traffic reduction efforts undertaken over the past several years
and outlines additional measures that could be undertaken in summer 2013. Staff is seeking
Council input as to which, if any, measures should be implemented this summer.
BACKGROUND
High traffic volumes combined with a lack of capacity through the S-Curves often result in
congestion and slow moving traffic on Main Street during afternoon peak periods. Some drivers
respond to this congestion by diverting through the West End, via Smuggler Street, to Power
Plant Road. The majority of vehicles travel around 20 mph in the west end (refer to Attachment
A).
The pattern of using the West End as a secondary means of exiting town results in frustration and
complaints from neighborhood residents, especially during summer months. General traffic in
the West End is also increased in the summer by a number of major events occurring at the
Aspen Music Festival and Aspen Institute facilities. Commute-based complaints typically come
from homes around Smuggler Street and revolve around congestion, noise and speeding. Event-
P1
I.
2
related congestion, speed and parking complaints often come from homes located near Gillespie,
3rd, 4th and 5th Streets.
Several efforts have been made over the years to discourage the use of the West End as an
outbound commuter route, as outlined below. In addition, significant shuttle operations are in
place during major events at the Aspen Institute as well as for during the Aspen Music Festival’s
entire summer season. The Aspen Institute and Aspen Meadows are also founding partners in the
WE-cycle bike share program which will offer additional West End trip reduction.
DISCUSSION
A number of traffic calming and traffic reduction measures are already in place in the West End.
In addition, numerous measures have been attempted and/or vetted by various departments over
the years. The lists below are meant to provide Council with a brief overview of several years’
worth of interdepartmental efforts.
West End Traffic Reduction/Calming Measures Currently in Place
Bollards at Bleeker Street, Hallam Street and the alley in between (made permanent in
2010)
Free bus service between Aspen and the Brush Creek Intercept lot (which led to free
service currently in place between Aspen and Snowmass Village)
Seasonal closure of right turns from 7th Street to Main Street
Funding of a portion of Aspen Music Festival shuttle service
Funding of the Cross Town Shuttle transit route
Funding of additional Cross Town Shuttle service hours during late-night events
Frequent coordination with Aspen Music Festival, Jazz Aspen Snowmass and the Aspen
Institute in regards to summer events
Provision of alternative transportation grants to the Aspen Meadows and Aspen Music
Festival via the Transportation Options Program
Development of robust traffic reduction program related to temporary campus relocation
Frequent traffic patrol undertaken by Aspen Police Department
Frequent speed surveys undertaken by Aspen Police and Engineering Departments
P2
I.
3
Parking enforcement presence during large events
Driveway protection kits issued to residents upon request
Addition of stop signs on Francis at 5th and 6th (installed in 2010)
Additional stop signs on Smuggler Street at 5th and 7th (installed 2009 – 2010)
Monarch and Bleeker intersection sightline improvements (2012)
Music School Traffic Control (2012)
West End Traffic Reduction/Calming Measures Previously Attempted
Free 15-minute service between Aspen and the Brush Creek Park & Ride – 2007
No left turns from Power Plant Road or from Cemetery Lane – 2009
No left turns from Power Plant Road – 2010 (suspended due to safety concerns)
Stay on Main messaging - 2010 and 2011
20mph City-wide speed study completed by Engineering – 2010
Bollards along Smuggler Street – 2012
Additional Police presence and Parking enforcement - 2012
West End Traffic Reduction/Calming Measures Reviewed but Not Implemented
Temporary speed bumps on Smuggler – rejected due to potential damage to roadway
Permanent Main Street signage – rejected due to abundance of existing signage
Roaming road closures – rejected due to safety and staffing concerns
Additional stop signs – rejected due to abundance of stop signs in the area outlined in
Attachment B
Measures for Summer 2013
Staff from a variety of departments including Engineering, Transportation, Parking, Parks,
Streets and Environmental Health meet regularly to discuss traffic and pedestrian issues. This
group has contributed the following ideas for measures that could be undertaken and evaluated in
summer 2013.
P3
I.
4
Bollards along Smuggler Street: This was a demonstration in 2012. Speed analysis of the
bollards show that they had no effect on vehicle speeds.
Additional Parking Enforcement: Additional seasonal enforcement ensures greater parking
compliance. This was tried last year with good success.
Additional APD staffing: An additional seasonal enforcement officer could provide an extra
presence for afternoon traffic and speed issues around town, including the West End. This
additional enforcement was utilized in 2012.
Designation as 3rd and 5th as through streets: The elimination of north-south stop signs on 3rd
and 5th Streets could formalize these streets as through routes and potentially eliminate roaming
through the West End prior to large events.
Music Festival traffic control: The Aspen Music Festival worked with Transportation and
Engineering staff to develop a traffic control plan. In 2012 they trained their staff to manage
traffic during particularly large events. This received positive feedback from the neighborhood.
To continue this program, APD could provide the staffing to control traffic at 5th and Gillespie
during large events.
Temporary Speed Tables: The neighborhood concerns related to speeding seem to be centered
on 5th (at smuggler and Francis) and Gillespie. The data shows that most vehicles travel at 20
mph (Attachment A). Speed tables could be placed in those areas of neighborhood concern.
However speed tables are only effective for speeds greater than 25 mph. Because of the noise
associated with speed tables (as vehicles travel over them), neighborhood consensus is important
prior to any installation. Additionally speed tables will increase fire and emergency
responsiveness by 4 sec per speed table. Lastly, because bus traffic may pry the speed tables
loose, staff is not sure how long temporary speed tables will remain in place on bus routes.
P4
I.
5
P5
I.
6
FINANCIAL IMPACT
Estimated costs for measures are as follows:
Bollards: $4,000
Additional Parking Officer able to cover with existing personnel
Additional APD Staffing cost not available at time of memo
Designation of 3rd and 5th Streets as Through Routes $0
Music Festival Traffic Control cost not available at time of memo
Temporary Speed Table $10,000 / ea
*Additional two hours per day for entire summer season. Event-only option would cost
approximately $6000.00.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
The traffic reduction measures discussed in this memo have the ability to reduce single-occupant
vehicle trips thus reducing air pollution and traffic congestion.
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment A: West End Speed Analysis
Attachment B: West End Stop Sign map
P6
I.
7
AT
T
A
C
H
M
E
N
T
A
–
W
E
S
T
E
N
D
S
P
E
E
D
A
N
A
L
Y
S
I
S
P7I.
8
AT
T
A
C
H
M
E
N
T
B
–
W
E
S
T
E
N
D
M
A
P
P8I.
Parklet and Yield at Stop Sign
Page 1 of 3
MEMORANDUM
TO: Mayor Ireland and Aspen City Council
FROM: Scott Miller, Capital Asset Director
RE: Parklets and Yield at Stop Sign Law
DATE OF MEMO: January 25, 2013
MEETING DATE: January 29, 2013
____________________________________________________________________________
REQUEST OF COUNCIL: Staff is seeking direction from Council on Parklets and Yield at
Stop Sign Law
DISCUSSION:
What is a Parklet:
Parklets are a temporary extension of the sidewalk width along the frontage of a property or
properties for the purpose of providing additional space for customers and/or the general public.
Parklets are comprised of a raised platform constructed of treated timber, lumber or other such
material for the purpose of creating a level extension along a sidewalk adjacent to the curbing.
Parklets may also include a number of amenities such as tables, benches, potted plantings and
safety railing. The term "parklet" and "temporary curb extension" are interchangeable.
P9
I.
Parklet and Yield at Stop Sign
Page 2 of 3
Parklet Features:
‐ Seating: benches, chairs, platforms, steps.
‐ Dining: cafe tables, high tables, platforms.
‐ Bike parking: bike racks, other elements used for securing bikes.
‐ Landscaping: plants and planters.
‐ Art: sculptural elements, environmental graphics, urban art.
‐ Other elements: shade structures, performance space, play areas
Staff Proposal:
Conduct an experiment with parklets on Hopkins St. per the attached map.
Install parklets for the full summer season to gauge public opinion and implementation
challenges/opportunities.
Stop as Yield for Bikes
The stop sign law in effect in the City of Aspen assumes that bicycles are just like cars, which
requires a bike to make a full stop at every stop sign, even when there are no cars or pedestrians
nearby. However Idaho has amended its stop sign law to allow bikes to treat stop signs as yield
signs. This law has been in effect for 30 years. Possible benefits of the change include:
Reduction in bicycle injury rates.
Increased predictability for motorists and bicyclists.
P10
I.
Parklet and Yield at Stop Sign
Page 3 of 3
Encourages more bicycle use, which has health and environmental benefits for
individuals and the community as a whole.
Staff Proposal:
Consider changing Aspen’s municipal code to allow bicycles to treat all stop signs as
yield signs.
Attachments:
Attachment A, map of Hopkins St.
P11
I.
/ •tea � - - �" 'niti. rt s4. %• + k�y.
s
4 A r :►,
r +
4 ) r )
� r
O
0
4: 'JVJ^
b f 7
00
s
ftft t f
If sMA<<3T
y l • , r