Thanks for the references, Ethan! Much appreciated!
In case some on this list need further clarification on these, I think
these would be correct statements (Ethan can correct me if I'm wrong):
- The sidewalk setback is not actually specified in law at either the
federal, state, or local level. (Theoretically possible at local level,
maybe?)
- The setback is mentioned as engineering guidance in
- The Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manual_on_Uniform_Traffic_Control_Devices>),
a publication of the Federal Highway Administration which is one of the
primary reference guides for traffic engineers in this country, and
- the Uniform Vehicle Code (UVC
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Uniform_Vehicle_Code>), a set of
"model" traffic law that is meant to serve as an example to states in
formulating their own traffic laws, but is not itself law
(because traffic
law is largely up to the states).
- John
On Mon, Jul 31, 2017 at 8:00 AM, Flynn, Ethan <EFlynn@xxxxxxx> wrote:
Hey John and others,
Apologies, I was not at the last meeting, but I was on vacation.
Regarding the x-walk/parking set back. The 20’ back from a x-walk or 30’
at a signal is specified in both the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control
Devices and the Uniform Vehicle Code.
See figure 3B-21 here: https://mutcd.fhwa.dot.gov/
htm/2009r1r2/part3/part3b.htm
And section 11-1003 here: http://iamtraffic.org/wp-
content/uploads/2013/01/UVC2000.pdf
This is also reference in MaineDOT’s x-walk policy:
http://www.maine.gov/mdot/edi/docs/2016/crosswalkpolicy%
20EI_C6%20revised101316.pdf (figure 1)
This comes down to improving signing, pavement markings and enforcement.
Most likely signs would be best, because they would not be restriped
yearly. Also, folks generally adhere to parking signs without the need of
enforcement.
Let me know if you have other questions.
*Ethan Flynn*
Project Engineer
*P* 207.889.3114 <(207)%20889-3114>
www.vhb.com
*From:* wsmac-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:wsmac-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] *On
Behalf Of *John Brooking
*Sent:* Saturday, July 29, 2017 10:14 PM
*To:* wsmac@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
*Subject:* [wsmac] WSMAC Meeting Minutes for July
Here are the minutes for our July meeting. I apologize that we neglected
to send out a reminder to this list about that meeting, so if anyone of you
were missing because you didn't know about it, sorry.
Our next meeting will be Wednesday August 16, 5:30 PM, Westbrook-Warren
Congregational Church. We'll try to do better with a reminder email a few
days in advance.
-------------------
*Document legend:*
- *Blue/green bold underline: Latest proposed agenda*
- *Blue bold underline: Past meeting note header*
- *Black text: Agenda headings*
- *Blue text: Meeting notes*
- *➤** Action item for person in boldface*
------------------------------
*July 19 2017 Meeting Notes*
5:30 PM, Westbrook-Warren Congregational Church
*Present*: Lee Prince, John Brooking, Abigail Cioffi, Kim Tarbox, Dustin
Tarbox, Sarah
*Continuing Business*
1. Safety Promotion
Frustration over kids not “getting it” about safety. Ideas discussed about
videos, maybe “shock videos”, maybe others. What form does this take?
Video? Story? Educational resources?
Kim has written a safety story starring Walnut. Says she can also
illustrate it. :-)
Audiences:
- *Bicyclists*: Kids, especially helmets. Is shock the best way?
Another angle: We are being safe. Please join us.
Can we get helmets to distribute? From where? John notes that both BCM and
Michael Goulet Foundation have been sources for others.
➤ *John *will look into sources for helmets
Distribution: Brown Street Police? “The Hub”?
➤ *Abigail *will look into distribution options for helmets
- *Motorists*: Sarah’s friend Zack telling his story.
➤ *Sarah*: Talk to Zack about doing this.
- *Wheelchair/Pedestrian*:
➤ *Lee *will check with Blackbear Medical for safety equipment, maybe MDA.
- *Skateboard*: Not sure.
➤ *Dustin *will think more about that.
2. Website domain
Maybe get a domain name, but still have page(s) hosted by Downtown
Westbrook. Or HostGater.
Agy does Wordpress, and Lee is learning. We could host it there, and
redirect the domain name to it.
➤ *John *will research domain name and other options (continued task from
last month).
3. Logo
Agy has a job and less free time now. Still need to vectorize the logo.
But maybe we can go ahead with other stuff even before vectorizing, using
current sizes of raster image. (John explained difference between vector
[drawing is a series of instructions for how to create the same image at
any size] versus raster/bitmap [drawing just a bunch of dots which doesn’t
scale well, especially up].) Confirmed the current design.
➤ *Lee *will post graphic to FB group, if not already.
4. Additional walk audits
Reviewed last meeting’s notes about the walk audits.
➤ *John *will reach out to Shannon & Patrick about accompanying DOT on
theirs, and also getting training.
5. Cumberland Triangle Sidewalks
From last meeting, John was going to write letter to City asking them
about applying for this. He has not done so yet.
➤ *John*: Write letter
6. Crosswalk parking setbacks
Dennis Marotte had been assigned to write letter to City about this. Not
sure if he did. Abigail notes she talked to City Planner Jenny Francesca
about this some months ago, and will follow up. We were unsure whether it
was really 20 feet, and where that number comes from. (State statute? Local
ordinance? DOT policy?)
➤ *Abigail *to follow up with Jenny about parking setback.
7. TICK Video
We did not get approved for that.
➤ *Abigail *will ask videographer (Tina Radel) if we can post link.
*New Business*
1. Hannaford Safety Fair
When is it? We should promote and/or represent at it. Will discuss more at
August meeting.
2. Small projects/grants
John discovered “desire path” from end of Locust Street down to multi-use
path by river, behind the ball field. If this were widened, it could be a
useful link in getting from east Main Street to river entirely by
neighborhood streets (through Haskell). Not sure of the property
owner/right of way situation. Something to keep in mind.
➤ *Abigail *may forward some other grant opportunities.
3. Additional infrastructure problem noted
Lee notes overgrown bushes along sidewalk on William Clark.
➤ *John *will look into recommended way for public to contact public
works about stuff like this, so we can promote it to the public.
4. Promotion idea: Signage
Desire expressed for signage about our meetings. John suggests lawn signs.
➤ *Abigail *will look into ordinance on lawn signs.
How about a newspaper article? Should be in event calendar of American
Journal.
➤ *Lee *and/or *Abigail *will check into that.
5. PACTS Bike racks
PACTS is having another round of selling subsidized bike racks to cities.
WSMAC and DWC can both survey the public for locations and make requests of
the City. John thinks the City needs to make the request, and is not sure
if it’s just for city/public property, or if businesses can get them too.
➤ *John *will send out more details.
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