Submitted By
Bill McKenna, Village Engineer
Reviewed By
CLP.
Agenda Item Title
Title
Motion to Approve the Installation of Accessible Pedestrian Signals Along with Upgraded LED Countdown Signals at One Intersection (Lake Street and Marion Street) and Installation of Pedestrian Push Buttons at the Remaining Three Intersections (Lake and Forest, Kenilworth and Oak Park.
End
Overview
Overview
In November 2014, the Village Board approved the reinstallation of pedestrian push buttons on Lake Street in Downtown Oak Park with direction to engage the Disability Access Commission (DAC) for input on how to make them more accessible. The DAC recommended audible signals be part of the project. Staff is bringing back the item to the Village Board for consideration to move forward with installation of pedestrian signal equipment.
Body
Staff Recommendation
Approval.
Fiscal Impact
Funds for the recommended alternative are available in the Capital Improvement Fund, Traffic Calming Improvements budget account no. 3095-43780-101-570955 and from a carryover of $19,500 from 2014 from the same account.
The total cost for the purchase of the recommended equipment is approximately $12,845.00. Since this work is within the Village Managers spending authority it is recommended a contract with the low bidder, Traffic Control Corporation, to supply the equipment will be executed.
Background
On November 3, 2014, the Village Board of Trustees approved Staff's recommendation to reinstall pedestrian push buttons and upgrade the pedestrian signals to pedestrian countdown timers on Lake Street in Downtown Oak Park contingent upon looking into components making this more accessible. The Board directed Staff to contact the Disability Access Commission (DAC) for input on components to make the intersections more accessible.
On November 19, 2015 the Village Engineer made a presentation to the DAC on the item. It was indicated that the Village Board sought the input of the DAC regarding whether or not audible signals for the crosswalk should be installed as part of the project. After discussion, the DAC unanimously recommended that the audible signals be a part of the project.
In late November 2014, the Village of Oak Park was awarded a Safe Routes to School grant to fund the upgrade the pedestrian signals to LED countdown pedestrian signals and upgrade traffic controllers at 26 of the Village's 40 signalized intersections. The grant pays for 80% of the cost with a local match of 20%. The pedestrian signals at the remaining 14 signalized intersections are currently being upgraded as part of an Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) project. The IDOT project started in March of 2015.
In February 2015, the Engineering Division solicited pricing through a request for proposal (RFP) process for the purchase and/or installation of LED countdown pedestrian signals, Accessible Pedestrian Signals (APS), and pedestrian push buttons for the four intersections on Lake Street. Proposals were received on March 5, 2015. The Village received two responses to the RFP, one for furnishing equipment only and one for furnishing and installing the equipment. A summary of pricing for the various options from the two proposals is shown below in the alternatives section of the agenda item.
Substitution of the APS units for pedestrian push buttons increased the cost of the project by more than double. As a result of the cost increase to switch to the APS units and considering the Village of Oak Park received a federal grant to upgrade all of the signals to LED countdown pedestrian signals, Village staff investigated the cost of upgrading one intersection (Lake Street and Marion Street) with APS units and LED countdown pedestrian signals and installing pedestrian push buttons at the remaining three intersections.
This will allow the Village to test the APS equipment at one intersection and return all of the intersections to actuated signal timing based on real time pedestrian and vehicle volumes. The three intersections with push buttons will be upgraded to LED pedestrian countdown signals as part of the Safe Routes to School grant program where the Village is responsible for only 20% of the cost.
Should the recommended Accessible Pedestrian Signals at the Marion and Lake Street intersection prove to be successful; the Village can elect to include these units at various locations as part of the Safe Routes to Schools Grant project although this could increase the project budget over the awarded grant amount.
Alternatives
The Village Board may defer action and request additional information.
Previous Board Action
On November 3, 2014 the Village Board approved Staff recommendation to reinstall pedestrian push buttons and upgrade the pedestrian signals to pedestrian countdown timers (estimated cost $19,500) on Lake Street in Downtown Oak Park contingent upon looking into components making this more accessible.
Citizen Advisory Commission Action
On November 19, 2015, Disability Access Commission recommended that audible signals (as known as accessible pedestrian signals) be a part of the project. See Attachment A for a copy of the minutes.
Anticipated Future Actions/Commitments
The Department of Public Works will present agreements with IDOT and construction contracts for the installation of pedestrian countdown timers at all signalized intersections within the Village as part of the Safe Routes to School grant funded project later this year.
Intergovernmental Cooperation Opportunities
N/A.
Performance Management (MAP) Alignment
This work is in alignment with the Governance Priority established for the Department of Public Works for Infrastructure/Capital.