To: Honorable Mayor and Members of Town Council
From: Public Works and Town Manager’s Office
Title
Discussion/Direction: Downtown Quiet Zone Follow-Up
Body
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Executive Summary
In November 2015, Town Council reviewed the various methods jurisdictions can use to establish a train horn quiet zone. Based on its cost efficiency, Town Council directed staff to undertake a more detailed review of the impacts closing the crossing at Second Street would have, gain public feedback on this option, and report back to Town Council. Staff has completed the first two steps, and the purpose of this item is to report back to Town Council on the public input received on this option and to gain further direction on how to proceed.
Staff further assessed three primary aspects of this project concept: 1) Further refinement of the closure concept for budget impacts, 2) Traffic impacts, and 3) Emergency Services impacts.
The concept still appears to be the lowest cost method for establishing a train horn quiet zone. While the overall process to complete a train horn quiet zone is estimated to take between two to three years, should the process be quicker, the 2016 budget could absorb the construction costs associated with this option.
To evaluate traffic, engineers evaluated traffic volumes throughout the area and intersection performance. Because Second Street near Festival Park is already planned to be closed as part of the park’s redesign, this element was also taken into account. An assessment of the traffic impacts indicates that a traffic control change would be necessary at the intersection of Perry Street and Third Street as a result of the completion of Festival Park without the Second Street crossing closure. A roundabout would be the most efficient improvement, but a traffic signal would also effectively handle the traffic shift. With closing the Second Street crossing, traffic numbers were shifted over to Third Street, and the roundabout or signal at the intersection of Perry Street and Third Street would still operate effectively. There is also capacity on Third Street itself to accommodate the shift in traffic. When a typical train runs through downtown, there will be increased delays to traffic and traffic queuing at Third and Perry Streets. While a traffic signal can more efficiently handle the operations during the train operations, a roundabout can handle the recovery process more efficiently.
The operational impacts to both Fire Department and Police Department operations with this concept have been determined to be negligible. Fire Department vehicles and equipment could navigate adequately through the intersection of Perry Street and Third Street with either a roundabout or traffic signal. In summary, this concept could be incorporated without significant negative impacts to traffic or emergency response operations once a change to the traffic control at the intersection of Third Street and Perry Street is completed.
The refined details of this concept were provided to the public with an open house on January 12, 2016 at Town Hall. The public was notified of this event through direct mailings, social media, news releases, the Town’s website, and notifications along certain public streets. The information provided at the open house was also made available to the public on the Town’s website, CRgov.com/TrainHorn. Formal comment forms were provided at each. 95 people provided feedback on the formal forms. Comments were also informally provided through social media. Of the formal feedback forms received, the majority of responses oppose the closure of the Second Street crossing. Some primary reasons include: 1) concern about Town growth and elimination of this route creating further congestion Downtown, 2) increased traffic on Third Street and safety concerns associated with steeper grades on this street (11% near the Cantril School), and 3) potential negative impacts to surrounding businesses.
Of the people that supplied a formal comment form staff also tried to get a general sense of comments regarding the quiet zone issue itself. There is a fairly even split of the majority between people who still desire a quiet zone be pursued using a different method to preserve all crossings with those who did not provide additional information on establishing a quiet zone. The remaining folks did not favor pursuing a quiet zone at all. The majority of formal input received through social media outlets was similar to the majority feedback received through the formal forms.
Based on the public input received, there are some options that Town Council may consider for moving forward:
• Do not pursue a train horn quiet zone at this time, or
• Implement a train horn quiet zone utilizing a different option
o 4-Quad Gates at Second & Third Street crossings
o Use a different federally approved Supplemental Safety Measure (SSM) at one of the crossings to get the Quiet Zone Risk Index (QZRI) below either the Risk Index with Horn (RIWH) or National Safety Risk Threshold (NSRT). One option may be to install a 4-quad gate system at either the Second or Third Street crossing.
• Install Way-side horns, or
• Further assess another option and gain public input. The use of one-way streets on Third Street and Second Street is likely the only remaining option that would need to be reviewed in this manner, or
• Proceed with the Second Street closure option
Budget Impact
There is no budget impact with this discussion item. If Town Council directs staff to proceed with a project to implement a train horn quiet zone, depending on the method selected, a 2016 budget amendment could be necessary. This would be dependent on how fast the planning and approval process actually takes. The exception to this is the implementation of the Second Street closure option. Staff believes the existing approved budget could accommodate any construction costs that may occur in 2016. If construction could not begin in 2016 due to the planning duration, construction would be budgeted as part of the 2017 budget process.
Staff Recommendation
This agenda item is for information and feedback purposes only.
Attachments
Staff Report