AGENDA #7
MEMORANDUM
TO: Mayor and Town Council
FROM: W. Calvin Horton, Town Manager
SUBJECT: Process to Develop Measures for Improving Pedestrian Safety on Fordham Boulevard between Manning Drive and Old Mason Farm Road
DATE: April 10, 2006
PURPOSE
The following information is in response to a petition from a Council Member requesting that the Manager propose a process for identifying and developing pedestrian safety improvements on Fordham Boulevard between Manning Drive and Old Mason Farm Road. Please see Attachment 1 for an area map.
The attached resolution would authorize the Town Manager to:
Solicit applications to serve on a work group and present applications for the Council’s consideration and selection of work group members.
Negotiate a contract with Mr. Charlie Zegeer (UNC Highway Safety Research Center) and Dr. Joe Hummer (N.C. State University Transportation Engineering Department) to lead the work group in analyzing and identifying options for improving pedestrian and bicycle access, circulation and safety on Fordham Boulevard between Manning Drive and Old Mason Farm Road and return to the Council for authorization to execute the contract.
We recommend adoption of the attached resolution.
At its February 13, 2006 meeting, the Council received and referred an oral petition from Council Member Greene requesting that the Manager propose a process for identifying and developing pedestrian safety improvements on Fordham Boulevard between Manning Drive and Old Mason Farm Road.
At this meeting, several residents also expressed concerns about the safety of pedestrians in this area. We responded to residents’ concerns at the March 6, 2006 Council meeting. Please see Attachment 2.
Currently, Town and State staff are working together to identify and develop short-term pedestrian and bicycle safety improvements on Fordham Boulevard between Mason Farm Road and Manning Drive. We think that identifying and developing comprehensive improvements in this area will require the assistance of consultants to lead a work group of citizens and other interested parties in identifying and evaluating possible pedestrian and bicycle safety improvements on Fordham Boulevard between Manning Drive and Old Mason Farm Road.
This process would be similar to the facilitated work group that developed improvements at and in the vicinity of the NC 54/Hamilton Road intersection. That model proved to be both practical and productive.
We suggest that the representatives of the following agencies and groups be invited to apply for participation on the work group:
We also suggest that the work group consist of no more than 12 to15 appointments to remain manageable. Town staff would provide support for the work group.
Both Mr. Zegeer and Dr. Hummer have many years of experience working with pedestrian safety issues, and both have tentatively agreed to serve as co-leaders of the work group subject to execution of a service contract to cover their costs. We estimate that consulting costs would be in the range of $5,000 to $10,000, depending on the extent of work and the amount of time involved in leading the work group. If the attached resolution is adopted by the Council, we will negotiate a tentative contract with the consultants and return to the Council for authorization to execute the contract and for adoption of the necessary budget amendment to cover the cost of the contract services.
PROPOSED ACTION PLAN:
Because Fordham Boulevard, Manning Drive, and Old Mason Farm Road are State maintained roads, the North Carolina Department of Transportation would need to agree to any modifications to the roadway and/or the traffic signals. The Town would need to work with and through the State to implement recommended improvements.
That the Council adopt the attached resolution authorizing the Manager to:
Solicit applications to serve on a work group and present applications for the Council’s consideration and selection of work group members.
Negotiate a contract with Mr. Charlie Zegeer (UNC Highway Safety Research Center) and Dr. Joe Hummer (N.C. State University Transportation Engineering Department) to lead the work group in analyzing and identifying options for improving pedestrian and bicycle access, circulation and safety on Fordham Boulevard between Manning Drive and Old Mason Farm Road and return to the Council for authorization to execute the contract.
