20220421 - CSAC Minutes

CSAC MEETING--April 21, 2022--MINUTES

ATTENDEES:

CSAC Members/ Liaisons: Anastasia Bamberg, Sgt. John Chuck, Charles S. Di Marco, Shayan Farooqi, John Prieto, Henry Ratcliffe, Jane Remis, Christopher J. Rutishauser, PE

Others: Sheila Brogan, Sophie Miller

OLD BUSINESS:

1)  Franklin Avenue Corridor-- Mr. Rutishauser reported the County plans to re-surface between North Maple Avenue and North Broad Street in 2022. No review comments pertaining to the Corridor Concept Plan have been received by the Village.

2)  Pedestrian/Bike SRTS Grants-- No notice for scheduling the construction work (mostly sidewalks and channelizations)  has been received by the Village.

3)  CBDAC-- Ms. Bamberg reported discussions of a 20 MPH speed limit in the Central Business District (CBD) and scheduling of one or more  Pedestrian Plazas in the summer.

4)  SSATF-- No new initiatives are planned now. Mss. Bamberg and Remis will consult with Ms. Micale for input from HSA Safety Chairs.

5)  West Glen Avenue Sidewalks-- Additional sidewalk construction is budgeted  in 2022. Sections with challenging physical conditions are being evaluated for special treatments by Engineering. 

6)  Smart Streets NJ-- Ms. Remis reported the Village will be funding the proposed safety banners at approximately 12 locations in the CBD. A mix of pedestrian- and driver-oriented messages are anticipated to be used and periodically changed to retain "freshness" in the displays.

7)  Parking Guide/Map for BOE/ Rec Fields-- Mr. Di Marco relayed Ms. Micale's e-mail reporting a delay in obtaining volunteer help to produce the map before the beginning of the next school year.  Ms. Bamberg offered to contact Ms. Micale regarding available resources from Google Maps and others.

8)  Morningside Road/ Hamilton Road-- No progress to report on development of concept plans.

9)  Age-Friendly Ridgewood--Mr. Di Marco on behalf of CSAC participated in a Rutgers University survey of safety partners aimed at measuring community efforts and activities. The results of the study will be made available in the future. Parks and Recreation in cooperation with EZ Ride is sponsoring and promoting a Bicycle Safety Awareness program on May 14th. Ms. Sheila Brogan provided a flyer for the program which was distributed to CSAC members and liaisons.

10)  Crash Statistics/Police Records-- Sgt. Chuck provided a compilation of Ridgewood's New Jersey Police Crash Investigation Report for 2020. The report details monthly and annual records of all crashes with specific breakdowns by intersection, pedestrian, pedal cyclists, hit/run (including Left Scene of Incident) and deer.

11) East Ridgewood Avenue/ North Broad Street-- Mr. Prieto furnished copies of Police Report I-2022-002975 for the February 21, 2022 vehicle /pedestrian incident. The crash involved a westbound vehicle making a left turn and striking a pedestrian walking eastbound in the south crosswalk. The driver reported being distracted by an approaching southbound vehicle that did not appear to be slowing at the existing STOP sign. The driver claimed to have not seen the pedestrian. The driver was charged with Failure To Yield To a Pedestrian.
Sgt. Chuck reported that since 2019 ( approximately 3+ years), five crashes of all types occurred and since 2010 (approximately 12+ years), 17 crashes of all types occurred.  The crashes were typically low-severity incidents. Sgt. Chuck said rear-end crashes on the STOP-controlled Broad Street approaches were among the most-frequent experiences and no nighttime crashes were reported since 2020.     
Upon discussion, the CSAC concluded there were no practical measures to recommend that would upgrade the safety or alter/limit the conditions which may have contributed to the reported crash. The accident experience was far below the minimum warrant for an additional STOP sign and would not address the specific type of vehicle-pedestrian conflict; additional regulatory signing could complicate the driver decision-making process and negatively affect overall safety; the experience of rear-end crashes found at the existing STOP-controlled Broad Street approaches demonstrated a potential negative impact of a new STOP sign that could be extended to the westbound approach without any clear benefit directed at correcting an observed conflict; and, the added safety value of enhanced lighting was not supported by a history of nighttime incidents.

NEW BUSINESS:

1)  Proposed 20 MPH Speed Limit in CBD-- The consensus agreed that the narrow travel lanes, active curb parking, intersecting streets and pedestrian activity, had the effect of limiting vehicle speeds in the CBD to below the legal maximum of 25 MPH. Lowering  the posted speed limit to 20 MPH would likely have little or no impact on travel speeds or safety and would be unnecessary.  Sgt. Chuck stated that speeding in the CBD was not considered a major concern. The typical crash incidents involved car doors and vehicles entering or departing curb parking.
There was concern that setting a regulatory speed limit below 25MPH may not be permitted by NJ statute; the Village Attorney should be consulted and advise accordingly.

2)  Mr. Prieto discussed the safety devices for the pedestrian crossing at the intersection of East Ridgewood Avenue and Pershing Avenue/ Somerville Road.  The intersection has three existing marked crosswalks. The north and south crosswalks are delineated with transverse markings; the west crosswalk has both transverse markings and longitudinal bars and is supplemented on each East Ridgewood Avenue approach by Pedestrian Crossing signs (W11-2)* and Downward Arrow signs (W16-7P)*. Mr. Prieto suggested adding In-Street Pedestrian Crossing signs (R1-6a)* along the East Ridgewood Avenue approaches. Mr. Rutishauser noted the numerous existing safety devices. He also discussed the Village's experience and issues with other locations having R1-6a signs including high initial cost, frequent damage from vehicles, downed signs becoming hazards in the roadway, maintenance and snow plowing concerns and vandalism. He agreed to review the situation and evaluate Mr. Prieto's suggestion. ( *- per Manual On Uniform Traffic Control Devices- MUTCD).

3)  Mr. Farooqi offered to chair the May 19th meeting. Mr. Di Marco will prepare and distribute the Agenda and edit the Minutes, if needed.

NEXT MEETING: Thursday, May 19, 2022 at 7:30PM in the Garden Room at Village Hall.