Minutes

SAFETY ADVISORY AND TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE The Safety Advisory and Transportation Committee meeting was held on April 24, 2013 at 5:00 p.m. with Chairman Hutchison presiding. Members present were Mr. Perza (arrived at 5:11 p.m.), Mr. Davis, and Mr. Keller. Mr. Dixon was absent. AGENDA ADDITIONS/DELETIONS Mr. Keller moved for approval of the agenda, seconded by Mr. Davis and unanimously carried. Safety Concerns - New Dover High School Pedestrian/Vehicular Traffic During the Committee Meeting of January 30, 2013, staff reviewed concerns regarding pedestrian/vehicular traffic in the area surrounding the new Dover High School. As a result, the Committee recommended that staff be directed to gather information from the Capital School District, including the number of people going in and out of the school and the total number of students walking and driving, as well as information from the Police Chief pertaining to traffic patterns, accidents, and safety information, and that this information be compiled, perhaps including input from State officials, and presented to the Delaware Department of Transportation (DelDOT) with a request for further review and consideration of a traffic signal at the east entrance of the New Dover High School. This recommendation was approved by City Council during their Regular Meeting of February 11, 2013. Mrs. Ann Marie Townshend, Director of Planning, Community Development, and Recreation, introduced Mr. Rich Vetter, Executive Director of the Dover/Kent County Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO), as well as Mr. Jonathan Hermes and Mr. Andrew Howard of Century Engineering. She reminded members that staff met with representatives of the Capital School District and determined that, although the signalization was an important issue, there were also concerns regarding gaps within the pedestrian network. A meeting was then held with MPO staff and, with their assistance, a Dover High School Pedestrian Study was performed and a pedestrian plan for the new high school was developed which identified sidewalk gaps in the network. She advised members that costs were being obtained for addressing these gaps and that a meeting had been scheduled with local legislators for Tuesday, April 30, 2013 in an effort to obtain funding assistance. Mrs. Townshend provided members an informational brochure on High-Intensity Activated Crosswalks (HAWK) Signals (Attachment #1) and explained that this is a pedestrian only activated system. She advised members that a HAWK signal has been approved as meeting the warrants for the east entrance of the new Dover High School and will be installed at that location. Responding to Mr. Davis, Mrs. Townshend stated that DelDOT had clearly indicated that the intersection did not meet the warrants for a standard traffic signal. However, she explained that once the infrastructure (conduit, wiring, etc.) for the HAWK signal was installed, if at some point in the future the intersection met the warrants, it would be easier to change the signal rather than having to dig up roadway, install conduit, and install a whole new signal. She felt that the HAWK signal would address well over half of the concerns and issues; however, it would not address concerns regarding bus traffic turning into the site. She noted the possibility that once the school is

SAFETY ADVISORY AND TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE MEETING OF APRIL 24, 2013 PAGE 2 operational, if there is an indication that a standard traffic signal is needed, the City could request a warrant analysis. Mrs. Townshend reminded members that buses would enter the site at the east end and teachers and students with vehicles would use the west entrance. Mr. Davis noted that pedestrian traffic would interrupt bus traffic entering the site. Responding, Mrs. Townshend stated that there would be further discussions regarding the intersections and assured members that issues regarding bus and pedestrian traffic would be brought forward. Mr. Keller noted that it appeared the concerns regarding the pedestrian crossing had been addressed; however, no action had been taken to alleviate issues related to bus traffic. Responding, Mrs. Townshend stated that she felt confident that this issue would be brought up for consideration during the meeting to be held with legislators. In response to Mr. Hutchison, Mr. Vetter estimated that there would be approximately 270-275 students within a two (2) mile radius walking to school. He stated that public involvement would be needed to address pedestrian access, particularly from owners of property where an easement would be necessary. Mr. Vetter reviewed a Dover High School Pedestrian Study Map (Attachment #2) and advised members that the pink areas denoted sections where there were currently no sidewalks and the blue outlined existing sidewalks. He advised members that a concept plan was developed, including drainage, utility, rights-of-way, etc., and the cost to complete the work was estimated at $450,000. He reiterated that the purpose of meeting with the legislators was to attempt to acquire sources of funding. (Clerk’s Office Note: Subsequent to the meeting, Mrs. Townshend clarified that this estimate applied to the cost of filling sidewalk gaps on the north side of Route 8 and that an additional estimated $450,000 would be required to address gaps on the south side of Route 8.) Elaborating, Mrs. Townshend stated that providing a signal without a safe way for pedestrians to access it (a sidewalk) would not offer a safe means of access to the school. She indicated that, in accordance with State law, if there were no safe way for students to walk to school, the Capital School District would be required to bus students. This would not be a good use of public monies; therefore, there was an incentive to install sidewalks. She advised members that the Pedestrian Study also provided information regarding longer-term issues that need to be addressed, such as additional pedestrian traffic on Mifflin Road, drainage issues, sidewalk gaps along Kenton Road and in front of Nottingham Meadows, etc. However, she explained that the sidewalk gaps on the north side of Route 8 need to be addressed before the opening of the school. Responding to Mr. Hutchison, Mr. Hermes indicated that there is a HAWK signal located on Route 72 in Newark approaching Library Avenue that has been in use for approximately nine (9) years. The signal was erected to provide University of Delaware students access to and from the College of Agriculture and associated farmland. He stated that although these signals are used in many other states that would have more information, the HAWK signal on Route 72 is the first and only such signal in Delaware.

SAFETY ADVISORY AND TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE MEETING OF APRIL 24, 2013 PAGE 3 Mrs. Townshend noted the importance of a warrant analysis in determining the need to install HAWK signals, explaining that if there is not enough pedestrian volume, drivers do not become conditioned to the traffic signal, which can cause safety issues. She felt confident that the signal for the new Dover High School would have a substantial amount of use by pedestrians, unlike the signal in Newark for the University of Delaware. Mr. Hutchison suggested that Mrs. Townshend visit Newark to observe the HAWK signal to obtain a better understanding. No further action was taken by the Committee. Briefing on Delaware Department of Transportation (DelDOT) Projects Mrs. Ann Marie Townshend, Director of Planning, Community Development, and Recreation, provided an update on Delaware Department of Transportation (DelDOT) Projects, as follows: DelDOT Repaving Project Mrs. Townshend stated that the repaving project had started back up. Milling and paving of Governors Avenue was tentatively scheduled for the first two (2) weeks of June and milling and paving of Loockerman Street for mid-June to the end of June. Loockerman Street would be the last location to be completed, tentatively by the end of July, at which point the entire contract should be complete. West Dover Connector Mrs. Townshend indicated that DelDOT continued to refine the final plan package for the project, with submission planned to occur at the end of the year. The rights-of-way acquisitions were ongoing, with cleared rights-of-way planned for March 2014. Demolitions had begun on the total acquisitions processed to date on Charles Polk Road. Advertisement of the project was scheduled for April 2014, with construction to start in late Summer 2014. Route 8/Hazlettville Road Connector Mrs. Townshend advised members that there was no funding in the current Capital Transportation Program (CTP) for the Hazlettville Road Connector project. Preliminary engineering money was previously shown in FY 2017; however, in the latest round of funding cuts, all funding for that project was moved to the out years. Briefing on Dover/Kent County Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) Projects - Rich Vetter Mr. Rich Vetter, Executive Director, Dover/Kent County Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO), announced that a groundbreaking for the Capital City Trails had been scheduled for Friday, April 26, 2013 at 1:30 p.m. at Legislative Hall. Members were provided a copy of the flyer for the event. Mr. Vetter indicated that Century Engineering had been working with the Delaware Department of Transportation (DelDOT) regarding the possibility of making improvements to West Street, such as trail connections (sidewalks) in the area, in an effort to provide a connection to the Transit Center.

SAFETY ADVISORY AND TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE MEETING OF APRIL 24, 2013 PAGE 4 Responding to Mr. Hutchison, Mrs. Ann Marie Townshend, Director of Planning, Community Development, and Recreation, stated that the Bicycle/Pedestrian Subcommittee meets every two (2) weeks and that the next meeting was scheduled for May 7, 2013 at 5:00 p.m. at the Dover Public Library. Mrs. Townshend announced that a “Bike to Work Day” event was being organized to be held on May 15, 2013 and that members would be provided further information as the event approaches. Mr. Davis moved for adjournment, seconded by Mr. Keller and unanimously carried. Meeting adjourned at 5:24 p.m. James L. Hutchison Chairman JLH/JS/jg/mk/dd/tm S:\AGENDAS-MINUTES-PACKETS\Committee-Minutes\2013\04-24-2013 SA&T.wpd Attachments Attachment #1 - HAWK Signal Brochure Attachment #2 - Dover High School Pedestrian Study Map

ATTACHMENT #1 SA&T Committee Meeting of 04/24/2013 SA&T Committee Meeting of 04/24/2013 ATTACHMENT #1

ATTACHMENT #2 SA&T Committee Meeting of 04/24/2013 CENTURY E N G I N E E R I N G DOVER HIGH SCHOOL PEDESTRIAN STUDY RD WALKER WOODS E LL EG CO ST AT E R RD LKE WA BICENTENNIAL VILLAGE FOX HALL WEST HUNTERS POINTE ENGLISH VILLAGE HEATHERFIELD T. STONE C FE ILD TO KEN WESTWIND MEADOWS D GEO N R E RG NG SHI I NDEPENDENCE BL WA TON VD N. CRANBERRY RUN ENWAY L EAST BRANDYWINE GRE DR. HEATHERFIELD COURT RUN GREENTREE DR. THE GREENS DR. OF DOVER A LN Y DR. W K GREEN TREE E STONEY CRE MODERN ELD SHOPPING CENTER HEATHERFI MATURITY CRANBERRY CENTER RCH MA FORREST AVE. 8 WAWA VE. A T RES R FO 8 DOVER HIGH SCHOOL WOODMILL M N LI FF I RD VILLAGE OF WESTOVER L VILERD HAZLETT VILLAGE OF CANNON MILL SA&T Committee Meeting of 04/24/2013 LEGEND W O EXISTING SIDEWALK GAPS Y M SCHUTTE IN PARK D EXISTING SIDEWALK ATTACHMENT #2 R G LLE M I L PROPOSED SIDEWALK BY OTHERS T V IL T NOTTINGHAM . LE MEADOWS R D POTENTIAL HIGH-INTENSITY Z N A ACTIVATED CROSSWALK H Scale: 1" = 200’ W EXISTING PROPERTY LINES April 2013 E PROJECT OVERVIEW S EXISTING TRAFFIC SIGNAL