HomeMy WebLinkAbout2018-01-04 - BPAC Minutes
Meeting Minutes
DESCHUTES COUNTY BICYCLE AND PEDESTRIAN ADVISORY COMMITTEE
Thursday, January 4, 2017 - Noon to 1:30pm
ODOT, 63055 N Hwy 97, Building M, Diamond and Crater Lake Conference Rooms, Bend
Audio recording of this meeting is archived for review and/or transcription. The purpose of this
document is to outline topics of discussion and actions by the Committee.
Members Present: Cheryl Howard, Brad Tower, Greg Svelund, Ann Marland, Michelle DeSilva,
Katrina Langenderfer, Wendy Holzman, Scott Ferguson, Christopher Cassard, Dave Thomson.
Agency/Organization: Zechariah Heck (Deschutes County – CDD), Chris Cheng (ODOT),
Robin Lewis & Janet Hruby (City of Bend, Transportation and Engineering), Derek Hofbauer
(COIC/Cascade East Transit), Chris Doty (Deschutes County – Road Dept.), Moey Newbold
(Central OR Landwatch).
Call to Order
Meeting was called to order at 12:00 p.m.
Introductions
Attendees of the meeting introduced themselves and, if applicable, identified the organization
they represent.
Approval of Prior Minutes
Other than one edit, the minutes from the December 7, 2017, were approved unanimously as
drafted.
Bend Central District, Moey Newbold – Central Oregon Landwatch
Moey provided an overview of the Bend central district near downtown and the Orchard District.
In 2012 the city identified the area as having potential for mixed use development with multi -
modal transportation. The area is proposed to have higher density and walkable neighborhoods.
The Bend Central District (BCD) was formed to promote community ide als, including bike and
pedestrian networks, green corridors connecting other areas of town, and mixed -use
development.
The multimodal mixed-use area (MMA) plan was adopted in December 2016 and was worked
on throughout the Urban Growth Boundary remand. The current environment in the district is not
welcoming for pedestrians and bicyclists, as indicated in surveys. Most people who frequent the
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area or live there report feeling uncomfortable while biking and walking through the area. Most
if the survey results expressed an interest in bicycle and pedestrian improvement.
The city has worked on economic studies to understand the costs of implementing some of the
projects identified in the Central District plan. The BCD is looking at an urban renewal area to
help fund implementation.
Transportation Safety Action Plan, Chris Doty – Deschutes County Road Dept. Director
Chris provided an overview of the County’s intention to initiate a transportation safety action plan
(TSAP). The Board of County Commissioners have not endorsed the project yet, so the plan is
still preliminary. The focus is on non-engineering related analysis: what are contributing factors
of crashes outside of speed and sight statistics. For example, Driving Under the Influence (DUI)
related crashes are not counted against road safety issues in an engineering analysis, but a
TSAP does consider DUI incidents. Essentially, a TSAP is a more robust analysis of
transportation safety. The TSAP will coordinate a diverse stakeholder group, including pub lic
health, transportation, etc. The final deliverables of the project will involve proposals on how to
address transportation safety throughout county.
TSAPs are similar to a vision zero policy, but it is yet to be determined if a formal vision zero
policy will be adopted as part of the project. Cheryl explained how BPAC has formed a
subcommittee to discuss vision zero and how to incorporate the policy into future transportation
system plans. Portland and Eugene’s vision zero policies came out of a TSAP project.
The project will be in front of the Board of County Commissioners next week (January 10th) for
their endorsement. The overall project will take around twelve months. Doty aims to have a
BPAC representative as a member of the TSAP stakeholder working group and will provide more
information at a later date. As soon as process is up and running, the County will seek input from
the community at large. Chris is hopeful there will be more data reviewed than just crash data
and mentioned that community input will be an important factor.
Cheryl discussed the economic impacts of bicycle safety, both from a reactionary stand point
and a proactive one, and asked, “What side does the community want to pay for bicycle safety
impacts?” Doty explained a TSAP is planning document that typically sees funding once the plan
is adopted.
BPAC Business
Committee Updates
Vision Zero Subcommittee – Chris Doty provided info on Transportation Safety Action
Plans, which the subcommittee felt may be a good mechanism for promoting vision zero
policies. Another subcommittee meeting is scheduled at January 25 at 3pm. A timeline
has been brought up, but nothing formal has been set. Cheryl asked if there is support
to expand the committee to BPAC’s expanded group. The group agreed there are many
people who want to participate and they should be invited to the table. An
acknowledgement was made that if this step is made, outreach will be provided to
Crook and Jefferson counties. By next week (January 10th), the TSAP program at
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Deschutes County will be known if it is moving forward.
COIC/CET (Derek) – Low-floor bus launch was a success. The new buses will aid riders
with disabilities. E-fare system roll out is upcoming. A new hub is proposed in Redmond.
Annual Report
Bend MPO Technical Committee (David) – Federal safety performance measures have
been adopted. The biggest mandate is to reduce fatalities. MPOs need to adopt their
own, which can be identical to ODOT’s, or different. If BPAC is interested, Tyler Deke
could attend a meeting to provide more information. Cheryl acknowledged the
suggestion and stated she will work to bring Tyler in for an upcoming meeting.
Transition Plan Update
(Cheryl will be leaving the Committee in June.)
Cheryl, Zechariah and Chris Cassard will meet to discuss transition.
Cheryl mentioned the Tri-County Summit will need extra help to coordinate. The Summit
will take place in Prineville. The Oregon State Bicycle Advisory Committee will attend.
The dropbox folder will need to change ownership.
Agenda setting will need to be discussed. County staff may need to take over.
Big Chain-ring Awards and Sidewalk Awards will also need to be reviewed on who will
take over.
The June meeting will set the stage for a lot of September projects, when officers are
elected.
January Messaging
No January messaging was proposed.
General Updates
Bend Update – Hawthorne and 3rd Street pedestrian crossing projects are on hold until federal
issues are worked out. (Rectangular reflective flashing beacon (RRFB) are patent protected which
conflicts with federal policy.) The city is working on other alternatives to install the safety projects.
The city received new speed orders from the state on several roads, .e.g, 15th Street. The state
sets speed limits based on an 85-percentile of existing traffic speeds. There is a concern about
artificially reducing the speed limit. The idea is that drivers will accelerate to a comfortable speed
based on environment.
ODOT – Chris discussed the federal patent issue with RRFBs, which are safety projects for
pedestrian crosswalks. The issue revolves around a federal policy that a patented device cannot
be used as a traffic device. Guidance from the Federal Highway Administration will help ODOT
determine if projects can move forward. Chris will send update when one is available.
Deschutes County – In June of 2016, the County submitted an application for Federal Lands
Access Program (FLAP) funding in the "planning" project category to evaluate bicycle safety and
identify near, mid, and long term improvement options for bicycle safety on Cascade Lakes
Highway. The project has been approved by the Federal Highway Administration. In November,
the Board of County Commissioners gave support for matching funds to initiate the project. This
project will commence in 2019 and will be managed by Western Federal Lands.
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CET/COIC – Chandler loop eliminated because of low ridership and issues during snow storm. A
service was added to the Bend to Redmond route. A route was eliminated to Culver because of
duplication. A new system map will be provided to BPAC shortly. CET has received a grant for a
study to better coordinate corridors for transit and bringing bicycle onboard. One idea is Cascade
Lakes Highway and another near Phil’s trail for mountain bicyclists.
Open Floor
No items were brought up from the general public.
Adjournment at 1:15 pm
Next Meeting:
Thursday, February 1, 2018
12:00 to 2:00 pm
Redmond Agency Coordination Summit, Location TBD