CCR Transportation Q & A

Transcription

1 CCR Transportation Q & A Trails 1. Are there parking lot access points to the trails? In certain locations there is access. The City works with developers just as they did with Walmart to build a loop trail. The NSB multi-use trail is open now and there is a small parking lot. Ideally, every trail will have parking lots. In urban areas, you will usually find a parking lot nearby. In rural areas parking lots are harder to find. 2. Could fundraising runs and 5Ks use the trails instead of the streets? Absolutely, in fact user-friendly, it would be better to use trails as opposed to City streets due to issues such as traffic conflicts. Some of the trails run through downtown New Smyrna Beach and it was difficult to find the horizontal space to implement a large enough trail. As a result, there are markings called sharrows. These markings indicate the road is to be used by drivers and pedestrians. 3. Are the assisted or motorized bicycles that are all the rage prevented from using the trail systems? Yes, typically no motorized vehicle signage is placed. Prefer that motorized vehicles do not use the trails. Also looking to implement mile-markers on the trail in case of emergencies. An exception would be a motorized wheelchair or scooter. Those users are active pedestrians. 4. Connect River-to-Sea trail to Canaveral National Sea Shore park entrance? It is already planned. 5. In the Mid-Atlantic area, bike/walk trails are created using packed/crushed stone. Could we build our trails faster if we used that method? They could, but it would not be the same quality and as for a funding standpoint, they could not use federal funds for a trail that is built with such material. For a funding aspect, State requires that the trails are paved via asphalt or concrete. 6. Instead of planning to encourage cars, emphasize more healthful lifestyle choices-walking, biking, jogging, etc. Point is well taken and that s why more trails and new sidewalks are being built or proposed. 7. What do you do to publicize the many trails in our area? Do you produce maps to give to Visitor Centers and Chamber of Commerce? Volusia County created county-wide free app for trail system and parks in Volusia County. 8. Sun trail: connection to beach for biking/walking could lessen some car traffic-didn t see connection in plan. Currently this is under planning and engineering study by FDOT for connections from SR 44 to Port Orange. Also, the trail from 10 th Street to SR 44 is under design.

2 Safety 9. Who is in charge of control of speeding on Magnolia Street? As a resident I wish they could close off the south end of Magnolia Street at US 1. The City controls the speed on Magnolia Street. However, Magnolia connects to US 1. There have been meetings with FDOT and City of Edgewater. There was a traffic calming study performed as a result of meetings. It was determined the City of Edgewater needs to give their approval. They will take it to their City Council and FDOT will discuss it with their staff members. If that does not work, they have a Plan B to implement, stating there are several traffic calming options to choose from. 10. Need 45 MPH signs westbound on SR 44 east of Hidden Pines. None past Half Wall. Cars exiting New Smyrna Shopping Center do not see any 45 MPH signs going west. The strategy is to place speed limit signs where the speed limits decrease or increase and then have a sign placed as confirmation on what the speed limit is. If there is any issue on SR 44 at Hidden Pines that is not providing enough guidance to drivers, they can look into it. 11. How can we get consistent speed limits? We could do a Spot-Speed Study on a specific road or if the community is involved, we can do it as randomly selected spots. The way speed limits are determined is due to motorists. They monitor the speed. In order to change the actual speed limits, a study must be done via FDOT. We could adjust the speed limit plus/minus 3 mph based upon what motorist statistics are. 12. Are there any regulations governing the length and weight of delivery trucks? Can our existing roads handle the weight of these trucks which seems to only get longer? Delivery trucks meet FDOT weight limits. Our roads are all designed to handle the maximum loads. However, certain bridges that are aged such as 5 th Street bridge (which is currently under design) will not handle the maximum load. 13. Why are there so many hit and runs? Several factors: under the influence, no insurance, suspended driver s license, not being responsible, etc. 14. Thank you for the new pedestrian flashing beacon crosswalks on South Atlantic. However, on a bright sunny day the lights cannot be seen by drivers. Is it possible to change the color of the lights inside the signs so there is more contrast for visibility improvement? We will approach Volusia County since this is County right-of-way and ask them if this is feasible. 15. Pedestrian crossings on A1A Turtlemound are NOT being used appropriately by pedestrians or drivers. What additional procedures can you implement to secure safer roads for children getting buses, bicyclists, and drivers who use this road every day? We will approach Volusia County since this is County area and County right-of-way to see if they could address this issue. 16. At SR 44 and Colony Park going north on Colony Park, markings worn off road. An accident waiting to happen almost did last week. This will be done soon.

3 Roads 17. How can we get FDOT to add slower traffic keep right and keep right except to pass on the variable message boards to hopefully improve traffic flow? It is typical to implement because it was prepositioned in the left lane. There were signs on interstates, etc. cautioning drivers to keep slower drivers out of the passing lanes. 18. How do you determine the new technology in traffic lights? We get vendor solicitations and then tell them to talk to FDOT. FDOT does not mind the submissions, as long as they can pass the extensive environmental testing. If the vendors products pass, they are placed on an approved product list. Federal, State, County and City roads must be on FDOT s approved product list. 19. Are all traffic signals in Volusia County programmed by the County? If yes, they need to be much better coordinated. It is a combination of who is programming the lights. FDOT programs the state roads and urban areas every three years and rural isolated intersections every five years. The County looks to collaborate with the Department regarding county streets. The current technology is based upon the time of day. They developed special timing for the beach season and based upon the timing, they change the programming. 20. Is it known that the several agencies including the landowner have not agreed on the location of Williamson Road between Pioneer Trail and SR 44? What is being done to resolve this issued? What is the schedule for resolving this issue? Currently working with the New Smyrna Beach Utilities Commission (UC) to see if they can resolve the issue. They did an alignment study years ago. They have worked with a developer and worked with City Staff to get an alignment done. Just waiting on UC. They need to determine the alignment position and then do another study. Then have County and Elected Officials approve the alignment. After that approval, then looking at construction. Possibly 8-16 years. They are trying to expedite and reduce the cost. Speaking with UC is underway now. 21. Is there a plan to widen Sugar Mill Drive from SR 44 to Pioneer Trail? There is a plan to widen Sugar Mill from SR 44 to Isles of Sugar Mill (this is County right-of-way). County is working with developer on this issue. 22. Route 44 into New Smyrna Beach at about 11:00 AM on Saturday mornings is typically jammed from Burger King to Home Depot sometimes I-95. Are there any plans which might alleviate this? Adaptive traffic? New Smyrna Beach beaches received 500,000 vehicles in Typically weekends and Holidays are the busiest for our area. FDOT provided a grant to pre-emptive traffic lights on SR 44. Also, information signs on SR 44 regarding Beach conditions along with an app by Southeast Volusia Advertising Agency on beach conditions and traffic. 23. What can be done (other than blame the County) to beautify and make safe South Atlantic Ave? It looks like a freeway rather than resort design too wide, needs landscaping and made walker, biker and golf cart friendly. Typically, when they look at this, they are looking at 4-lane roadways. A complete street is street, sidewalk and pedestrian ways. The County is ok if the City wants to landscape the roads. The County is leery on landscaping due to past lawsuits since they have been sued in the past for trees falling during storms.

4 A complete street strategy is something that is being vetted and encourage by the State. It is one of the best opportunities we have to effectively change the character of the roadway, making it more pedestrianfriendly. 24. Are there any traffic intersections that are planned on being changed from lights to roundabouts? Not sure but the City has looked at past traffic studies. It is reviewed on case-by-case basis. 25. How about a left turn signal heading east at New Smyrna Beach Shopping Center? There is one westbound (pic on Mike s presentation). We will look into it. 26. Estimate date of Canal Street & US 1 intersection with southbound right turn lane onto Canal St. This project will be under construction January-February 2019 by FDOT. 27. Specific and additional plans for traffic lights timer or cameras in NSB and Edgewater? On a 24/7/365 schedule? Sometimes sit and wait for no traffic. No cameras proposed at this time. Traffic lights are set up for during the day to favor the heaviest side. At night, the traffic lights change on demand. Policy and Process 28. What is the difference between road capacity and road deficiency? Why can t impact fees be used for road deficiencies? The difference is how much traffic the road can carry. When the amount of vehicles exceeds the capacity; it creates a deficiency because the volume has exceeded capacity. It is also based on Florida Statutes. 29. In reviewing several TIAs, the growth forecast of the background traffic (i.e. the traffic not generated by the development under consideration) used area-wide growth factors and did not take into account other new adjacent development traffic. Why is this the procedure used in the TIA? Existing developments are used but because many developments are coming into place, travel patterns are changing. City of Port Orange dealt with a similar situation regarding Williamson Road. Port Orange projected volumes that were very high and still are today. Those volumes far exceed the actual capacity. The process was not a perfect science but they find a way in between to calculate. 30. How can we as a City/County assure transportation to emergency shelters for our most vulnerable elderly, disabled, low-income, homeless? This is done through Volusia County/Votran. 31. What strategies can be used to break through to elected official resistance to raise developer impact fees that have not been raised in over a decade? Currently all impact fees are under study including the transportation impact fee. 32. Do higher impact fees deter development of condos and housing construction? I feel they should pay both impact fees and developer transportation improvement fee. It might but all depends on demand. Normally additional impact fees will be added to the price of the house.

5 33. How do you plan for events? Could we have parking garages near Canal Street or off-site parking with shuttles? This is work in progress. The City is working to acquire and/or lease properties for parking. Future parking garage most likely will be needed in the future. Several parking lots were developed in the last 5-10 years; Esther Street, Marianne Clancy Park and corner of Canal St and US Is proportionate share a one-time payment? Who pays when roads need repairs at a later date? It is a one-time fee and the maintenance aspect is a challenge the county and city have. 35. Do developers pay impact fees per unit? Same as a private home? Developers pay for construction of roads and improvements to the adjacent roads if required. Builders and homeowners pay the impact fees at time of building permit or certificate of occupancy. 36. What are NSB s plans on handling golf carts, resident carts and rental carts since they appear to act differently? It is your community. We have seen golf carts in different cities throughout Volusia County. Typically, the cities have an ordinance and typically, the golf carts are self-contained within their neighborhoods. However, some are permitted to cross county roads, etc. and they work together with the City to say where do you want it? In regards to low-speed vehicles, they have had experience with it. Ormond Beach reduced the speed limit from 40 mph to 35 mph. They discovered there were many golf carts who considered their vehicle low-speed. They had to work with FDOT and discovered that on the interstate, you used to see signs that read minimum speed xx mph. They ended up implementing the signage in those areas and educated the Volusia County Sheriff s Department on the difference between a low-speed vehicle (must have insurance and registration) and a golf cart (no insurance or registration required). City streets must approve golf cart usage on their streets, but low-speed vehicles are permitted to operate on streets by law, unless prohibited. 37. Who controls/regulates street lane/crossings/street edge PAINTING? It depends if it s state, county or city. Each control their own. 38. Can Volusia County work with the Shell Pointe development owner to donate enough land to the County so the County can extend Williamson Blvd to SR 44? The Developer is willing to donate the right-of-way needed for the extension of Williamson Blvd. 39. If too much traffic, maybe don t advertise The Loop. Do you really want tourists driving in circles? Lose the Loop! No more advertising of the loop. 40. Parking areas free to Volusia County residents are now charging only $10 daily parking fees to nonresidents. That fee needs to be increased. The Future Parking fees were raised from $10/day to $20/day and was enforced in July, Autonomous vehicles sound great, but if people don t have to worry about commute time, won t that only increase the tendency towards low-density sprawl?

6 We understand the logic of the question but in some ways that could contribute to urban sprawl. 42. What are the plans for additional charging stations in NSB? There is only one that I know of near Publix beachside. Additional charging stations are being constructed at the new Live Oak Civic Center and also proposed at the new City Hall Annex. Public Transportation 43. Why is there no discussion of public transportation? It takes me six hours to get from NSB to Orlando airport using only mass transit, but I can fly to Europe in seven hours? Unacceptable! There was a meeting recently that discussed regional transportation. There was a study and it found it was not sustainable at this time. A recent transit study done to connect East and West Volusia recommended bus transit instead of extending Sun Rail. They were trying to get Sun Rail to connect to Deland currently but there is no money. We are glad to hear NSB would be getting a fixed transit route on SR 44 but otherwise there is nothing available to Orlando at this time. 44. Will there be Sun Rail weekend service? According to FDOT, service only operates for commuters Monday-Friday. 45. Can you discuss options and plans for more parking, shuttles, buses? The City is always looking for additional Public Parking. The City is in the process of negotiation to lease with option to buy the property at the corner of S Atlantic and 3 rd Avenues to be used for parking.