Vehicle Code Law is tricky because of all the different agencies having their
own versions. I am definitely not a lawyer, but this is what I think I know…
* I know of NO such parking restriction in Maine’s vehicle code.
http://legislature.maine.gov/statutes/29-A/title29-Ach0sec0.html
* I know that there IS a federal law requiring the State’s to conform to
the MUTCD
https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=a2583ef3fa3a41e5b157549f8dd705ab&mc=true&node=pt23.1.655&rgn=div5#se23.1.655_1603
* Even if it is law in Maine, it really doesn’t REQUIRE Westbrook to do
anything. EG just because it is illegal to park in front of a hydrant, does
not mean every hydrant needs to marked as a no parking area. (If there are
actual signed or striped parking spots within close proximity to x-walk then
this could be another story.)
So, I would recommend the request be that Westbrook install some form of
signing and/or striping to improve safety as per the MUTCD etc. Possibly
identify a list of locations. That is to say, that there might be some
locations where parking is allowed next to crosswalk, but no one ever parks
there. We should focus on the locations where we see an immediate need and
then go from there.
Another tactic could be to advocate for designated on street handicap spots,
because these are generally positioned at the end of blocks or near mid-block
crosswalks to have access to the curb cuts. That way you could assign that
first spot 20’ or 30’ feet away as handicap, then the rest could be unmarked
generally parking.
Ethan Flynn
Project Engineer
P 207.889.3114
www.vhb.com<http://www.vhb.com>
From: wsmac-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:wsmac-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf ;
Of John Brooking
Sent: Monday, July 31, 2017 12:27 PM
To: wsmac@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [wsmac] Re: WSMAC Meeting Minutes for July
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<mailto: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<tel:(207)%20889-3114>
www.vhb.com<http://www.vhb.com>
From: wsmac-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx<mailto:wsmac-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
[mailto:wsmac-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx<mailto:wsmac-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>] On
Behalf Of John Brooking
Sent: Saturday, July 29, 2017 10:14 PM
To: wsmac@xxxxxxxxxxxxx<mailto: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.
This communication and any attachments to this are confidential and intended
only for the recipient(s). Any other use, dissemination, copying, or disclosure
of this communication is strictly prohibited. If you have received this
communication in error, please notify us and destroy it immediately. Vanasse
Hangen Brustlin, Inc. is not responsible for any undetectable alteration,
virus, transmission error, conversion, media degradation, software error, or
interference with this transmission or attachments to this transmission.
Vanasse Hangen Brustlin, Inc. | info@xxxxxxx<mailto:info@xxxxxxx>
