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The Regular Meeting of the Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee (BPAC) was called to order at 6:08 p.m. by
Chairperson Wadler, Valley Transportation Authority, Auditorium, Building A,  3331 North First Street, San Jose, California.

ROLL CALL

Members Absent                           Members Absent
Christopher T. Hauge                       Bill Reisinger
Marc Jensen                                     David Simons

A quorum was declared.

James Wightman, Interested Citizen, stated that VTA should extend light rail from the city of Mountain View to the Winchester Line in 2007.   Mr. Wightman inquired when the Plaza de San Antonio Light Rail Station will be opened.   Mr. Wightman stated that the Grand Prix should be extended to the City of Milpitas, the City of Santa Clara, and the City of San Jose in 2007.  Mr. Wightman expressed concern regarding incidents at the I-880/Milpitas, Montague, and Hostetter Stations and recommended that VTA place surveillance cameras at the Light Rail Stations.

Chris Augenstein, Transportation Planning Manager and Staff Liaison, reported that the San Antonio Light Rail Station is scheduled to open on July 26, 2006 at 10:00 a.m.  Mr. Augenstein provided flyers to the BPAC Members that states the location and time of the opening of the Station.  Mr. Augenstein requested a volunteer from the BPAC Committee to be the official bike rider for the event to exit the Light Rail Vehicle as part of the program. Chairperson Wadler volunteered.   

Mr. Augenstein thanked the BPAC Members for providing their comments to staff regarding the issues raised concerning storing bicycles on Light Rail Vehicles.   Mr. Augenstein stated that one of the common comments was that the BPAC was involved in the original design of the bicycle racks, most of the issues were worked out as best as they could be early on, and that while the bicycle racks may not be a perfect solution, it might be necessary to reeducate experienced bicyclists and provide additional education to the public as to how to properly utilize the bicycle racks.    Mr. Augenstein asked for volunteers and their bicycles to accompany staff to the Guadalupe Yard to further research ideas for the bicycle racks.  Member Stallman volunteered.   Chairperson Wadler recommended asking Bob Eltgroth, City of Morgan Hill. 

Mr. Augenstein stated staff is exploring creative ideas such as developing a video that illustrates proper use of bicycle racks, which will be added to VTA’s website.   Staff will also develop a survey for users of bicycle racks that will be posted on VTA’s website and circulated to the BPAC and to the Silicon Valley Bicycle Coalition (SVBC). 

Michelle DeRobertis, Senior Transportation Planner, distributed a map of the bicycle rack locations on the VTA River Oaks Campus to the BPAC Members. 

Ms. DeRobertis referenced the Project Design Review reporting that the Mary Avenue 101/237 Overcrossing has begun the process of preliminary design.   Staff has met with the City of Sunnyvale and will meet again to further discuss the look and feel of the Overcrossing with the goal of making crossing the bridge a pleasant experience.   Recommendations have been provided to the City of Sunnyvale regarding pedestrian scale lighting, the addition of trees on the Overcrossing, if possible, and alternate surface treatments. 

Ms. DeRobertis reported that at present there is no standard sign for a bicycle lane that transitions over to the left side of a long right turn lane on the Coleman Avenue/I-880 Overcrossing. Ms. DeRobertis noted that she is working with the VTA Graphics Department to come up with wording for a warning sign.

Member Stallman provided staff with a list of Measure B Projects that need to be fixed.   Mr. Augenstein stated staff will review the list and provide a response at the BPAC’s August 9, 2006 Meeting. 

Member Thielges thanked Ms. DeRobertis for the bicycle-parking map.         Member Thielges recommended adding how cyclists can find parking in large properties to the Bicycle Technical Guidelines when next updated.  

Ms. DeRobertis requested that BPAC Members advise her if bicycle racks are necessary at other locations on the VTA Campus.  

Member Muniz queried if the US-101 Freeway Conversion Project has gone into design phase.   Ms. DeRobertis stated it has not and will be in Project Study Report (PSR) mode for a few more years.

Chairperson Wadler stated he worked recently with Michael T. Burns, General Manager. He stated that he was very impressed with him and thinks there is a good future for all of the VTA Committees.            

Chairperson Wadler advised that he received calls from members of the public expressing concern regarding bicycle lanes not continuing under I-880 at the intersection of  Brokaw Road and I-880.   Mr. Augenstein advised that staff has received emails regarding the missing bicycle lanes, which staff is in the process of researching and anticipate reporting back to the BPAC at their meeting of August 9, 2006.

Chairperson Wadler requested an update on the SR-152/156 Project in the City of Gilroy.   Ms. DeRobertis reported that while there will be shoulders along the roadway, once the overpass is cleared the bicyclist ends up in the middle of two lanes so a bicycle path will be added.   Chairperson Wadler requested and received clarification that there will be access to both sides of the highway.           

Member Stallman referenced Chairperson Wadler’s comments in the May 10, 2006 BPAC Minutes wherein Mr. Burns states his interest in VTA’s role in Bike-to-Work Day and recommended providing Mr. Burns with ideas and input.   Mr. Augenstein advised that Ms. DeRobertis has developed a Work Program with regard to what VTA wants to do for the next Bike-to-Work Day that will be provided to the BPAC within the next several months for their feedback.  

Mr. Wightman queried when the next Spare the Air Day is scheduled.   Mr. Augenstein explained that the days are scheduled according to how the air quality is and there is no way to know ahead of time when a day will be scheduled. 

CONSENT

M/S/C (Stallman/Hagenmaier) to approve the Minutes of March 8, 2006.

M/S/C (Stallman/Hagenmaier) to approve the Minutes of April 12, 2006.

M/S/C (Sullivan/Hagenmaier) to remove the Minutes of May 10, 2006 from the Consent Agenda and place on the Regular Agenda.

M/S/C (Stallman/Hagenmaier) to accept the Programmed Projects Quarterly Monitoring Report (April through June 2006).

REGULAR AGENDA

Member Hagenmaier referenced Page 6 of 15, Paragraph 4, requesting “two people from the City of San Francisco signed up to work at the Enginerizer station” replaced with “two people bicycled from the City of San Francisco.”

Member Swent referenced Page 6 of 15, Paragraph 8, clarifying that he stated that alternating handle bar directions works only on horizontal racks and does not work on hanging racks.

Member Kobayashi referenced Page 1 of 15, 1. Call to Order, and requested spelling of his last name changed to Kobayashi.           

M/S/C (Thielges/Hagenmaier) on a vote of 10 ayes to 0 noes to 1 abstention to approve the Minutes of May 10, 2006 as amended.   Member Manry abstained.

Stephen Flynn, Senior Management Analyst, reported that Marc Jensen did not return to the BPAC for the new term that commenced in July 1, 2006.   Vice Chairperson Wadler automatically became the Chairperson and now there is a need to fill the Vice Chairperson position.

Mr. Flynn explained that the purpose of the nominating committee is to determine who is interested in serving as vice chairperson.   It is usually done in private via e-mail or phone as opposed to doing it at the table.

Mr. Flynn noted that if no one volunteers to be on the nominating committee, Chairperson Wadler has the prerogative of making the appointments to the nominating committee.

Mr. Flynn advised that the election of the Vice Chairperson will be held at the August 9, 2006 BPAC Meeting. 

Member Walton and Member Sullivan were appointed to the Nominating Committee.

M/S/C (Stallman/Hagenmaier) approved forming a subcommittee to identify members interested in serving as vice chairperson for the reminder of the current vice chairperson term, which ends at the January 2007 BPAC Meeting.

Mr. Flynn announced that Los Altos Hills is searching for a representative to serve on the VTA BPAC.   One of Los Altos Hills’ prerequisite is that the person only has to live or work within the County of Santa Clara and does not have to live in Los Altos Hills.   Mr. Flynn stated he will be asking the Spinning Crank to advertise the vacancy for VTA.

Member Kobayashi stated Santa Clara County staff will be providing presentations with regard to future, present, and past projects. 

Ananth Prasad, Associate Civil Engineer, provided a PowerPoint Presentation regarding Adaptive Signal Timing for Bicycles highlighting:   1) a County of Santa Clara Map depicting County Expressways, County pockets, and three airports; 2) Background Information; 3) Map depicting Typical Bicycle Detection Locations & Markings at Expressway Intersections; 4) Graph showing the Top 10 Bicycle Volume Intersection;  5) Project Goals – Project Intersection Selection (candidate intersection with exclusive bicycle areas, Project Intersection Selection (not suitable for the project due to absence of exclusive bicycle areas on cross street, and Map of Signalized Intersections with Bicycle Detection; 6) Project Photos – Bicycle Detection, Why Special Timing for Bicycles, Types of Bicyclists, Types of Bicyclist Arrivals, Bicycle Speed, Bicycle Signal Timing Calculations, Bicycle Signal Timing, and Controller Limitations; 7) Flow Chart Showing Three Scenarios; and, 8) Conclusion.

Mr. Prasad provided a video presentation regarding adaptive signal timing for bicycle projects to provide additional green light time for bicyclists to ride safely.   Mr. Prasad advised that for this presentation, the speed of 12 feet per second was used but once other studies determine the correct speed, the speed may be increased.

Mr. Prasad noted that not all controllers support the technology in the presentation, therefore, it is important for the County of Santa Clara to understand what they are able to support and accommodate bicycle timing.

Mr. Prasad advised that the Projects Awards received for the presentation provided to the BPAC Members are the TRANNY Award and American Public Works Association (APWA) Award.

Mr. Prasad noted that the Next Steps for County Roads and Airports are to install bicycle sensors at additional expressway intersections and educate public/bicyclists of the technology.

Member Swent inquired if copies of the video are available.   Mr. Prasad advised that the version presented to the BPAC is in draft form and when finalized, the video will be available.

Member Swent expressed concern that there are occasional situations wherein a bicycle arrives just as the light is turning yellow.   It is most dangerous because the bicycle is not able to stop before or in the middle of the intersection, does not have time to cross an expressway, and does not want to be in the middle of the intersection in a red light.   He requested staff continue to work with the controller manufacturer.  Mr. Prasad responded that it is liability issue for the controller manufacturers and some of the manufacturers that he spoke to during a conference stated it is a behavioral change. 

Member Swent thanked Mr. Prasad for the report.

Chairperson Wadler stated he is able convert the slides and finished video into Flash Version once provided with the slides and video. 

Mr. Augenstein advised that staff can add the video and slides onto VTA’s FTP site if County Roads and Airport staff have a problem adding it on their website.

Member Sullivan stated that gradient in an intersection makes a huge difference in the amount of time you need to get across.    Mr. Prasad advised that the formula equation includes the grades and intersection specifics. 

Member Stallman inquired as to whether the County of Santa Clara was investigating in conjunction with the City of Sunnyvale a means for the signal to determine whether it is possible to reduce the default green time for the expressway if heavy traffic is not present on minor streets.   Mr. Prasad responded that during peak commute hours, signals are coordinated to give the expressway the full amount of green time and after peak hours, it is on a first come first serve basis except for the freeways, which are on minimum recall. 

Mr. Augenstein requested clarification on whether or not bicycles will terminate green lights on expressway crossings if there are no vehicles present in cross traffic.    Mr. Prasad responded that at locations where there are bicycle detectors, bicycles alone will trip the green light. 

Ms. DeRobertis inquired if the presentation was provided to the Institute of Traffic Engineers (ITE) Meeting and further inquired about their response.  Mr. Prasad responded that comments varied from this is something new that they have never seen before to requesting a copy of the video to queries with regard to the various make of bicycles and how they will be detected. 

Ms. DeRobertis inquired as to the type of detector that is used and if staff could receive a copy of the specs for the Bicycle/Pedestrian Guidelines.   Mr. Prasad responded that the detector is a Type D diamond detector loop.           

Paul Pascoal, Santa Clara County Roads & Airport Department BPAC Liaison, referenced a previously distributed document entitled, “Roads and Airports Calendar Year 2006 Capital Projects Master Plan” that outlines projects currently programmed through County Roads and Airports, such as Non-Freeway Pavement Management,  Non-Pavement Maintenance Repair, Expressway Pavement Management, Airports, Storm Damage Projects, Pedestrian/Bicycle Projects, Level of Service (LOS), Signal Synchronization and LOS, Intersection Improvements, Road Safety & Lighting, and bridge.  

Member Stallman stated that Mitty Way/Lawrence Expressway pedestrian signal improvements are not listed in the Master Plan.   Dan Collen, Santa Clara County Director of Infrastructure Development, responded that the project is going out for advertising.

Member Manry referenced the fourth project from the bottom, Scour Protection at Select Bridge Locations and queried what scour protection is.  Mr. Pascoal responded that scour protection is something that is added along the abutments adjacent to the water to slow the process of eroding the bridges that have water flowing at an inordinate rate.

Member Stallman noted that he did not see the sidewalk project along  Montague Expressway mentioned in the Master Plan.   Mr. Collen and Mr. Kobayashi explained that a lot of the projects overlap so it is hard to break them down in one specific category. 

Member Walton referenced Pedestrian Bicycle Projects, #5., Lawrence Expressway at Mitty Way and inquired when construction is scheduled to begin.   Mr. Collen responded he will email the construction start date to him. 

Member Stallman queried who will be responsible for the implementation of bicycle racks on County properties.   Mr. Collen responded County Roads and Airports Department has ownership over roads and facilities, and property management is handled by other organizations in the County, so coordination between entities is necessary. 

Member Stallman advised that US 101/Skyport is in need of bicycle lanes.   Mr. Collen advised that Mr. Pascoal is the Project Engineer for the Project and will be able to add bicycle lanes into the Plan. 

Member Muniz referenced Airports, #7., South County Airport Landscaping/Remove Obstruction and asked if the Master Plan includes scoping of upgrades to  San Martin Avenue and additional bicycle lanes along San Martin Avenue.   Mr. Collen responded that the Airport Master Plan stays within the airport property. 

Member Muniz queried where he can obtain a copy of County Roads Map.  Mr. Collen stated he does not believe one is in existence.

Member Kobayashi referenced a distributed document entitled Table 6-1:  Bicycle Improvement Projects, noting that the Status Column depicts that many of the projects have been completed.

Member Kobayashi advised that the Almaden Road between Ironwood and Koch Project is currently out for bid and the County of Santa Clara are trying to ascertain funding for the Oregon/Alma Bridge.

Member Hagenmaier stated that while the Status Section indicates that  Foothill/San Antonio and Foothill/Magdalena Projects have been completed, he does not know that anything was completed there.   Mr. Collen advised that when preparing the estimates, staff did a worse case assumption than would be necessary.    Mr. Collen added that for projects needing sufficient shoulder area for bicycle use, the Project was completed instead through reduction and/or adjustment of through lanes and striping additional areas to the shoulders. 

Member Stallman queried if information is available that outlines pedestrian projects.   Mr. Pascoal responded that the information will be provided at the August 9, 2006 BPAC Meeting.

Mr. Kobayashi reported that in the past 10 years, approximately 40 pedestrian and bicycle projects were completed with costs from $5,000 to $200,000 per project. 

Chairperson Wadler queried if it is the long-term goal of County Management to convert the expressways into freeways under the control of the County rather than the State.   Mr. Collen assured Chairperson Wadler that the goals committed to by the County of Santa Clara and Board of Supervisors are fully described in the Expressway Planning Study.  Chairperson Wadler inquired if the Expressway Planning Study will be rewritten in 2007.  Mr. Collen stated that minor updates and tweaking will be completed in 2006.  Mr. Collen advised that County Roads and Airports is committed to making sure that the BPAC is aware of and able to participate in any proposed considerations or modifications to the Expressway Planning Study. 

Member Kobayashi advised the BPAC Committee that County Roads & Airports appreciate their comments and are looking forward to working closely to come up with two projects that have the biggest bang for the buck.

Member Stallman inquired if the County of Santa Clara has considered unloading any expressways or portions of expressways to the cities.   Mr. Collen responded that during the Expressway Planning Study process, the cities were asked if they were interested in taking over the expressways and to date the City of Palo Alto said no and the City of San Jose said yes so there is a possibility. 

On order of Chairperson Wadler, there being no objection, the Report on County Activities pertaining to Bicycles was received.

Member Sullivan, City of Santa Clara, announced that City of Santa Clara City Council reconsidered the repeal of the resolution that prohibits pedestrians on portions of  San Tomas Expressway and Lawrence Expressway.    The Director of Public Works,  Mr. Collen, and Michael Murdter, Director of Santa Clara County Roads and Airports, urged the City Council Members to maintain the prohibition on expressways due to fatalities involving roadway departures.  Member Sullivan stated he reviewed the percentages on the Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) Database located in the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration website and found the percentages differed dramatically from the percentages provided by County staff.           

Member Walton, City of Cupertino, reported that construction of the Mary Avenue Bridge in the City of Cupertino is scheduled to commence in September 2006.

Member Carpenter, City of Mountain View, reported that Segment 2 of the Stevens Creek Trail is anticipated to be completed in December 2007.  Construction of the Steven Creek Trail/Moffett Boulevard Overcrossing will commence early 2007.  Construction of the   Permanente Creek Trail/US 101 Bicycle/Pedestrian Overcrossing will begin in 2007.  Lastly, the City of Mountain View will begin revisiting their Bicycle Plan in Fall 2006. 

Member Swent, City of Palo Alto, reported that Charleston/Arastradero Corridor Project, Phase 1, is on schedule.   The Gunn High School entrance modifications should be completed by the opening of school year.

Mr. Swent advised that the California Avenue from El Camino Real to the train station Project will be postponed for a year to allow the City of Palo Alto to apply to VTA for a grant to improve the streetscape.            

Member Stallman, City of Saratoga, stated that Union Pacific (UP) has commenced its work on railroad crossings in the City of Saratoga.           

Member Stallman reported that on September 4, 2006, among the golden anniversary celebrations of the City of Saratoga, there will be a biking backwards ride.   Information will be provided in the next issue of the Spinning Crank, the Saratoga Report, and on the Silicon Valley Bicycle Coalition (SVBC) website.

Member Kobayashi, County of Santa Clara, thanked County staff for their presentation. 

Member Kobayashi reported that he received complaints from residents regarding improper use of their front yards by bicyclists and requested the BPAC Members to remind other bicyclists to be polite and respectful of other people’s properties.

Member Muniz, City of Gilroy, advised a five-year old pedestrian was killed while walking across a crosswalk.   Member Muniz expressed concern that local city streets are being impacted by the traffic congestion created by people going to the outlets and major commercial centers.  Member Muniz stated he is hopeful that the South County Circulation Study will perform a thorough review of major intersections.                

Chairperson Wadler, City of Campbell, reported that the City of Campbell Council will meet the week of July 17, 2006 and will discussing bicycle racks.   Chairperson Wadler referenced the Coyote Valley Project, which will be “dumping” a lot of traffic onto the highway. 

On order of Chairperson Wadler, there being no objection, the meeting was adjourned at 8:00 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,                                                                                    

Gilda M. Gozdanich, Board Assistant
VTA Board of Directors