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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2010-01-26-TMG-minTraffic Mitistation Group Meeting DRAFT January 26, 2010 Present: Richard Canale, David Cannon, Elaine Dratch, Jerry VanHook, Gail Wagner, Susan Yanofsky. TMG Committee Charge Revisions Mission ➢ TMG formed to explore transportation issues related to town development and planning. ➢ Hartwell Avenue striping is considered a successful TMG project. ➢ TMD negotiations have shifted from TMG to a town negotiations team. TMG has no input into negotiations; not just monetary, but needs assessment. Membership ➢ Citizens and staff comprise committee. Staff has more input on certain issues. Example: capital expenditures are prioritized by Engineering Dept. Transportation Policies ➢ How do you achieve a cohesive town policy? ➢ Selectmen set policy and priorities as highest elected officials. ➢ TMG had input formulating recently adopted town Traffic Calming Policy. ➢ Town TDM policy developed in 1998 is no longer followed. ➢ Planning Board has labored over Hartwell Avenue overlay policy. The absence of a cohesive town policy and comprehensive transportation committee advising on such policy is lacking. ➢ Transportation Advisory Committee (TAC) feels their presence at Planning Board meetings is unproductive because transportation issues aren't addressed on any substantive level. Committee Coordination ➢ Town transportation could improve if there was more coordination between town and school. ➢ Could contracts for school bus and Lexpress be combined? Past research did not support. ➢ Liberty Ride or school bus down time should be explored for senior service. ➢ COA has historically ignored overtures by the TAC to discuss senior travel needs. COA appears to define transportation services as exclusively as door to door. ➢ Sidewalk Committee has successfully combined town and school issues that merge pedestrian and school bus concerns. Elaine Celi, School Bus Coordinator, and Safe Routes to School representatives attend these meetings and work cooperatively on walking access to school bus stops. Transportation Communication Improvements ➢ TMG may review all transportation related committee minutes. In reference to the Planning Board, is there sufficient time between meetings or do meetings dominate at the cost of effectiveness? ➢ Who within the town structure is responsible for monitoring MPO grants and funding? ➢ How does Lexington relate to regional transportation issues, such as the 128 Corridor? ➢ Is there a clear process for citizens to register concerns and get answers? ➢ Would an improved town website or a clearinghouse concept, as adopted by other communities, be effective? Lexington Transportation Interests Town ➢ Transportation Advisory Committee — Lexpress, MBTA, public transit issues ➢ School Committee - school buses ➢ Safe Routes to School- walking and biking to and from school ➢ LABB vans — LHS special need student transportation ➢ Tourism Committee- Liberty Ride ➢ Sidewalk Committee — pedestrian issues ➢ Bicycling Safety Committee- bicycling ➢ FISH — volunteer door to door service primarily for medical appointments ➢ Traffic Safety Committee - pedestrian, bike and auto safety issues ➢ Traffic Mitigation Group -all travel modes ➢ C3 -128 Central Corridor Coalition ➢ Planning Board- traffic mitigation caused by development ➢ LOA- senior travel issues ➢ Lex Senior Advocates (LexSA)- senior travel issues ➢ Commission on Disability — travel needs of those with physical or mental challenges ➢ Center Committee- bus routes, parking Federal ➢ Hanscom Air Base Private ➢ Business Districts (Hartwell, Hayden, Spring) ➢ TMA -128 Business Council ➢ Lotting School Shuttles ➢ Aloft and Element Hotel Shuttles ➢ Brookhaven Shuttles ➢ Avalon Shuttles ➢ Youville Shuttles ➢ Churches — efforts to secure transportation for seniors ➢ League of Women Voters Up date MPO soliciting proposals for activities funded under Clean Air and Mobility Program. "How To Seminars" to inform applicants are being held at various locations. Wellesley is hosting such a program this week. Eligible activities include transit and infrastructure improvements. Infrastructure improvements must be related to improved pedestrian or bike safety. Proposals are due on April 1, 2010. Next Meeting, February 23, 2010.