AGENDA #5b

MEMORANDUM

TO:                  Mayor and Town Council

FROM:            W. Calvin Horton, Town Manager

SUBJECT:       Update on Traffic Signal and Sign Improvements Recommended by the Transportation Advisory Board

DATE:             January 8, 2001

The following report provides an update on the status of improvements identified by the Transportation Advisory Board for implementation throughout the Town.

BACKGROUND AND DISCUSSION

At its August 28, 2000 meeting, the Council received and referred a petition from the Transportation Advisory Board.  The petition identified a variety of recommended improvements throughout Town, on both local and state roadways. The Council referred the petition to the Manager for follow-up.

The following table notes the primary Transportation Board recommendations and the current implementation status.

Recommendation

Status

1. Enforcement of Red Light Signal Violations by Cameras.

A Public Forum is scheduled on January 16, 2001 to receive comments on video traffic surveillance for red light violations.  An action item is scheduled for Council consideration on February 12.

2. Install Light Green Pedestrian Signs throughout the Town.

Approximately, 80% of the signs in Town have been upgraded to the new high visibility yellow-green standards. We expect to have remaining signs installed within the next 60 days.

3. Change the signal timing on major arterials to provide better coordination.

Staff from the Town and the NCDOT are working together on this, and expect to complete the work in February, 2001.

4. Crosswalk and Pedestrian signal improvements at several signalized intersection.

Please see the attached spreadsheet for the status of each intersection.

Most of the improvements requested at signalized intersections would require approval of the State, since they involve roads and equipment under State control.  We contacted State staff and received the attached written response noting that they will evaluate the requested improvements on state roads. We are presently working with State staff to complete investigations at several intersections. We will provide another update report in the spring, following completion of our investigations.

ATTACHMENTS

1. Letter from NCDOT (p. 3).

2.  Status of Intersection Improvements Spreadsheet (p. 4).

2.  August 28, 2000 Council Memorandum (begin new page 1).