Transportation and Mobility Subcommitte
Meeting 2: Monday, May 17 (5-7:15 pm)

Summary of Discussion

Renee Davis briefly discussed the visioning and evaluation criteria, noting that visioning is used during the early steps of planning to provide a ‘look ahead’ to the desired community values, qualities and opportunities – the ideal situation. It provides insights into local resources available or necessary to achieve the desired community vision.  Visioning input is useful for identifying issues,  defining project goals, formulating evaluation criteria, developing improvement options, and evaluating those options. 

For example, what do you like most – what do you want to see preserved? What should South Knox be like in 20 years? 30 years?  In the take forward, leave behind exercise this was discussed in general terms, and now the focus, while still broad, needs to be more specific. When a common vision is established, the group will need to discuss initial thoughts on what transportation related improvements will support their vision.

Renee also outlined the basic components or steps in the planning process, explaining that many of the alternatives had already been developed.

• Visioning
• Purpose and Needs, Project Goals
• Developing Transportation Improvement Alternatives
• Developing Evaluation Criteria  (based on vision and overall goals)
• Evaluating/narrowing the alternatives
• Details and Preferred Alternative

Mike Conger presented information to the subcommittee on existing conditions.

By breaking Chapman highway into sections based on road characteristics, he explained that we estimate capacity for the various sections based on number of lanes, access points, signals, etc. Traffic counts shown are for a 24 hour period, totaling both directions – approximately 50/50 for the recording period. During peak hours, the prevalent direction will vary (approximately 70/30) depending on whether it is morning or evening rush.  Average speeds were determined by a GPS unit collecting second by second data from Seymour to downtown in the morning and back in the evening. Level of service (LOS) is based on comparison   between speed limit and actual speed for urban streets, and also the delay at intersections where numerous traffic signals exist such as the section between Fronda Road and Blount Avenue.  It was noted that the current signal phasing favors the Chapman Highway “through” movements at the expense to side streets and turning movements.

Questions -

Q - TDOT accident rates – how is this determined? Answer- by segment, state average is found by comparing to other similar type road segments within the state.  This data was current in the Fall of 2003.  

Q- LOS – what do you plan for? Answer - When designing a road in an urban area you typically look 20 years out and design for a level D.  It was pointed out that it is important to understand that since LOS is relative to the speed limit in the case of Chapman Highway then the fact that it is operating at or near its speed limit of 45 mph may mean that it is given a LOS A, however the LOS would be considered worse if in actuality a higher speed “freeway” with 55 mph speed limit and no signals along the same corridor were desired.  A lot will depend on the desired function of the roadway, i.e. providing mobility for long distance commute-type trips versus access to shorter trips between commercial establishments.

Mike noted that new data is available for the traffic counts requested by the subcommittee, but that it came in late that afternoon and he was not able to incorporate it into the presentation. This data is compiled by the city and is directional, unlike TDOT’s data (which is included in the presentation and packet provided at the meeting).

The subcommittee discussed the Gay Street bridge closure, turn movements at various locations and the need for through traffic estimates.

In closing, the group questions expectations for the transportation system and demands that will be on it twenty years from now, noting that they don’t want Chapman to get worse. Several feel the proposed TDOT extension of JWP does not serve enough area. Subcommittee members mentioned that they believe some alternatives (as discussed in the 5-6-04 task force meeting) can be eliminated soon. They agreed that the existing TDOT proposal (to extend JWP to Chapman Highway at ‘Dishman’s Curve’) is flawed. 

The group will meet again on Monday, June 14^th at 5:30. This is 30 minutes later than their previous meetings started.  The meeting will be in the South Doyle Middle School Library.

The next task force meeting is Thursday, June 3—due to a special city council session scheduled for that afternoon, the task force meeting will not begin until 6 PM.

Meeting summary prepared by Renee Davis, 4-20-04