ROAD DIET SUCCESS: Emergency 911 Call at Aqui Restaurant on Lincoln Ave.

First test of emergency 9-1-1 response, at Aqui restaurant, within the Lincoln Avenue Road Diet; therein, occurring as of 7 May 2015. The center-turn/emergency lane was open at both ends, allowing access from both Almaden Expressway and downtown San Jose.  Arriving were SJ Fire Station #1's hook-and-ladder truck from downtown San Jose; plus, a Rural Metro Ambulance from the South in the Almaden Valley area.  Both EMS Squads were able to arrive on the scene just in time.  Every thing went as planned!

Meridian & Hamilton Avenues Project (Shell gas station)

Shell station at Meridian & Hamilton Avenues, to be replaced.

Councilmember Oliverio (San Jose District 6), please confirm use:

The Shell Station at the corner of Meridian & Hamilton Avenues is being replaced by a commercial building, pending the approval of a zoning change by the Planning Department.

• File number and project name: C14-067 — 1610 Meridian Avenue Conforming Rezoning.

• APN 429-46-014.

• Planning department contact person: John Davidson at phone (408) 535-7895 and email john.davidson@sanjoseca.gov

Public comment for the draft Negative Declaration began as of Friday 20 March 2015 and ends as of Thursday 9 April 2015.

Can you brief us on the project.

The Environmental Impact Report/EIR is complete.

Regards,

    Stakeholders for a Safe Green Village

LINCOLN AT MINNESOTA AVENUES — BLIND SPOT ("MAKE THE INVISIBLE, VISIBLE")

A look at the corner of Lincoln and Minnesota Avenues, although a south bound motorist can't really see around the corner... or if someone has just entered the crosswalk.

This is the location of the 23 January 2015 accident involving a Willow Glen Middle School student. She was seriously injured by a motorist as the car turned the corner from Lincoln onto Minnesota. Stakeholders SGV covered that story and exposé, here.

File photo from before the road diet, with two trucks parked.

Recent photo as of March 2015, showing blocked line of sight, even after the road diet installed.


 

Stakeholders SGV has recommended that a bulb-out (curb extension) would be a remedy.  See that advocacy point made in our position paper, here.

BULB-OUT as a traffic calming method on Lincoln at Minnesota intersection. 

If we look at the above "bulb out" design, its most important feature and benefit  is "making the "invisible, visible. ”  That's by putting the users of the street where they can see each other.   In other words, a car motorist can see a pedestrian or bicyclist around the corner, as well as vice-versa.   

A bulb-out, in place at the north-west corner of Minnesota at Lincoln Avenues, could have prevented an injury accident, when a motorist hit a Willow Glen High School Student on the corner of Minnesota at Lincoln Avenue (i.e., January 2015). 

Professional Department of Transportation (DOT) designers should put safety first.   We need a street where people feel safe! It’s a 'quality of life” issue; wherein, good street design creates a more livable community.

A fundamental characteristic of a successful "road diet" (a.k.a., lane reduction) is that it creates an opportunity for drivers, pedestrians and cyclists to move through the street network; that's while simply and easily minimizing the unexpected, the confusing and the potential for surprises.   We call this a sharable, safe street.  In a livable and green community. 

As we look at our own Lincoln at Minnesota Avenues, it is especially important that we focus on elements of DESIGN that make the street safe for all. 

THAT INJURY ACCIDENT OF THE SCHOOL STUDENT COULD HAVE BEEN AVOIDED.  WE MUST MOVE TO A "VISION-ZERO" INITIATIVE.

Lincoln & Minnesota Avenues Crosswalk, Auto-Pedestrian Related Accident (23 JAN 2015)

Richard Zappelli, Chairperson, Stakeholders for a Safe Green Village, happened to be sitting at the window of Dolcetto Cafe and Market (at the Corner of Lincoln and Minnesota Avenues), when he heard screams from an auto and pedestrian related accident.  

That event occurred as of 23 January 2015, before the Lincoln Avenue Road Diet test had gone underway (months later, 1 March 2015).  

In this happenstance, Mr. Zappelli was able to take photographs of the event, only then to realize, later, that the victim is the daughter of family friends.
  

She is a student of Willow Glen Middle School.  


The event happened that day between 2:30 and 3:00pm (by estimate).

The below is Mr. Zappelli's photo exposé and personal account.

Lincoln & Minnesota Avenues was always a troubled Intersection.  That's even before this tragic accident, occurring as of 23 January 2015.  Now, as of March 2015, because the Road Diet Work Group (RDWG) has had its hands tied with financial constraints.  Nevertheless...  THERE CAN BE NO MORAL JUSTIFICATION FOR THE DEATH OF ONE SINGLE PERSON.Still, even having said that, now the RDWG has set plans in place to add two left turn lanes from north bound traffic, off Lincoln Avenue to Minnesota Avenue.

This Willow Glen Middle School student was hit by a motorist in the street, whereas she landed on the concrete sidewalk with serious injuries. 

The motorist was turning right from Lincoln Avenue onto Minnesota Avenue when hitting this young student parent.  Look closely.

It's a good thing that the black Jaguar (seen curbside in the photo) wasn’t turning that fast (...as fast as most cars do here); otherwise, this could have been a fatality accident. 

I was sitting on a counter window seat, talking to the owner of Dolcetto Cafe & Market, Lara, when I herd women on the sidewalk screaming!  (I wish that a member of the Lincoln Avenue Road Diet Work Group was sitting there, instead of me).

A serious sight! This was the second accident on Minnesota Avenue within six days!! It was the fourth accident on Lincoln Avenue, in-between Minnesota Ave and Willow Street, in just six days last week!!!

Remember that we no longer have the San Jose Police Department's Traffic Enforcement Division Officers patrolling around schools (not to be confused with crossing guards). 

Why? ”Budget constraints," is what we were told….supposedly, our city had over $3 billion in unfunded pension liabilities, the reason for constraints.  But, oddly enough, we are now told (after the midterm 2014 mayoral elections) that the pension plan is 78% funded.  That's politics. 

There was no Emergency Medical Services (EMS) or paramedics at Willow Glen's Fire Station #6, just two blocks away on Minnesota at Cherry Avenue. 

Our only fire engine (#6) was out on another call (preoccupied).   

Furthermore… the paramedics with the scout ambulance at Fire Station #30 at Auzerais Avenue was not available. 

So... we had to wait for the fire department's “hook and ladder truck” to come from Station #4, which is across from City Collage. 

In that waiting to arrive, we could have lost this student, since she has suffered from a serious concussion.  The back of her head hit the pavement.

The continued delay of "emergency response time" is NOT acceptable!   

Enough is enough! 

It was at the 20 May 2014 General Meeting of Willow Glen Neighborhood Association (WGNA) that we asked the City Manager and Fire Chief for an additional Fire Department to be built at Lincoln Avenue (as voted in by residents years ago).  We want EMS people to be stationed at Fire Station #6. 

Nine months later, no results!  More than that... the City Manager and Fire Chief are gone. 

Santa Clara County Emergency Medical Services (EMS/paramedics) arrived at about the same time as the Fire Department's hook and ladder truck… Also with slow response times!   

This emergency response system is over-stressed!

For some reason, we seem to be more accepting of serious injuries or fatal accidents on the street! 

 We know that road traffic can be DEADLY! 

This is a very BUSY intersection.  You CANNOT DENY that! 

Here's a good example: see how close motorists come close to the curb, when turning west onto Minnesota Ave. 

(Question) This intersection should be re-designed for safety purposes?   

(Answer) Rather, it must be!   

Note that, motorists traditionally look left (east only) then proceed. 

 

POSITION PAPER: “Public Safety of Primary Schools at the Lincoln Avenue Road Diet Test Zone” (bulb-outs) (Friday 6 March 2015)

Tim Mulcahy
President, Willow Glen Business Association
1261 Lincoln Avenue
San Jose CA 95125

Dear Tim,

There’s a few things that I would like to articulate about public safety around the areas of downtown Willow Glen’s two primary education schools; that’s with regards to street design and infrastructural improvements like curb extension (also known as bulb-outs).

LINCOLN & MINNESOTA INTERSECTION:

Last week, one evening at home, I received a phone call from Councilmember Pierluigi Oliverio. The conversation centered around my insistence that:

Three bulb-outs (curb extensions) to be placed at three corner locations:

1. Lincoln at Minnesota Avenues, southwest corner in front of Dolcetto Cafe & Market
2. Lincoln at Minnesota Avenues., southeast corner in front Starbucks
3. Lincoln at Broadway Avenues, close to River Glen School

Councilmember Oliverio replied:

”I can not do all three this year, which one would you pick as the most important? And I'll get that one done this year… the other two, next year” [2016]

My comment:

“Let’s do the one on the southwest corner of Lincoln Avenue this year.”

[End page 1 of 5 from above]

My primary reason:

That corner where the young Willow Glen Student was hit by a car is in the street by a motorist.  She ended up on her back on the sidewalk.

Secondary reason:

With the two left turn lanes being added to north bound Lincoln Avenue —encouraging motorist to turn onto Minnesota Avenue — it would be adding more confusion to that corner.

Third reason:

Motorists going south bound on Lincoln Avenue arrive at that corner, blinded by an extra long yellow curb/ “commercial loading only” zone, in addition to 

• Length and capacity of the curb space includes two large trucks; 

• A kiosk is placed here by WGBA (Downtown Willow Glen)

• A concrete planter with high New Zealand flax and other large greenery is situated at the corner

All of this obstructing the vision of motorists planning to make a right turn from Lincoln Avenue onto Minnesota Ave.

“Make the Invisible, Visible.”

Install a bulb-out at this intersection, with its width being that of a parked car.

• Thereby increasing the radius of the turn; and…

• Thereby, improving visibility for motorists, so that they can see a pedestrian and/or cyclist just around the corner with the increased radius.

[End page 2 of 5 from above]

LINCOLN & BROADWAY INTERSECTION:

At the opposite side of the Lincoln Avenue, at the crossing of Broadway Avenue, we have another very dangerous intersection.

General issues involve:

• A fatality accident occurring at Lincoln Avenue, between Garfield and Broadway Avenues, that is on record.

• A Distance of merely 200 feet between Garfield & Broadway Avenue (by estimate). These two avenues — running perpendicular to Lincoln — are very close to each other.

An address to River Glen School issues include:

• A River Glen School student who was hit by a car here, last year 2014, while walking to school.  The young individual was hit from behind, when a car jumped the curb and came to rest on the sidewalk.  This is very close to the corner of the intersecting streets.

• A parent who was also hit by a motorist, when getting out from a parallel parked car to go pick-up her child from River Glen School.  She was found lying in the street by a school child that came running inside to tell the school’s principle (when in conference with myself).  This accident happened during the the same month and in the same area (as the incident mentioned above).

• A bulb-out would have prevented both of these school related accidents, if it were located at the south-east corner of Broadway and Lincoln Avenues.  That’s in addition to the one that’s already at the north-east corner, which really serves little purpose.

[End page 3 of 5 from above]

Further road safety and traffic related emergencies include:

• Two more pedestrian injuries caused by accidents with motor vehicles at the the Broadway and Lincoln Avenue crosswalk.

• A separate rear-end collision (involving two motorists), that also happened at the same intersection.

• Yet another pedestrian injury, between Garfield and Broadway Avenues, that was caused by a motorist.

Photographs of many of these accidents are kept in my files.

SUGGESTIONS:

There is extensive paint tagging by street engineers, making use of various colors along the surface of Broadway and Lincoln Avenues.  That’s also included on its sidewalks and curb ramps. The appearance of this street tagging will lend a person to believe that there will be a great deal of work done here. 

With all the major work at this intersection, wouldn't it be financially responsible to do the bulb-out work at the same time?

SIDE NOTE to Councilmember Pierluigi Oliverio:

I am very concerned when people are telling me, that you have been telling them… 

“It's not going to happen.” (And) ”We have no money.” 

“Enough is enough…”  Many of us demand that we have safer street corners at Lincoln Avenue; especially those three identified in my above address. 

We need to work towards that outcome, now! 

It is my understanding, after talking with the engineers at San Jose Department of Transportation (DOT), that these three street corners (near the two schools), will be redesigned and improved as of of this June 2015.

[End page 4 of 5 from above]

By the way… 

It is also my understanding that all this work being done at Lincoln Avenue is being funded by U.S. federal grants. 

— In order to be to be fully funded by the use of these grants; however…

— The street work must meet American Disability Act (ADA) requirements.

Sincerely

Richard Zappelli,

Chairperson, Stakeholders for a Safe Green Village — Willow Glen;
Partner, National Safe Routes to School (Bike/Walk to School)

[End page 5 of 5 from above]



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ADVOCACY TOPIC: Rebuild the SJPD Traffic Enforcement Division

"LONG TIME, NO SEE" — on Lincoln Avenue as of Thursday 26 February, 2015, two officers from the San Jose Police Department's (SJPD) Traffic Enforcement Division showed up this afternoon by motorcycle. They stopped at Pizza my Heart for lunch and parked their shinny motorcycles in full view of motorists and pedestrians.    

They were then greeted with great spirit by local pedestrians. 

Richard Zappelli, Chairperson for Stakeholders SGV, spoke to the traffic enforcement officers.  

They said that there are the only two traffic enforcement division officers at this time…  that's for the entire city of San Jose, as Mr. Zappelli understood the comment.   

Mr. Zappelli hopes that the city will REBUILD this traffic enforcement division, as soon possible.

These traffic enforcement officers make it safer for children to walk and bicycle to school.

National Safe Routes To School  (SRTS) is a program that is aimed at increasing the number of children walking and bicycling to school, while also improving the safety of those activities. Law enforcement agencies can play a very important role in this program, working with the city's Department of Transportation (DOT) engineers; as well as teachers, health advocates and parents.  This is all to improve student safety and encourage more physical activity.

Stakeholders Safe for a Safe Green Village has been busy ADVOCATING for the RETURN of this important division of the SJPD.   We encourage you to express your support in comments here; to your city council members; as well as to the officers themselves. 


LEARN MORE about the SJPD's Traffic Enforcement Unit (TEU) at the official web page.

Lincoln Avenue Road Diet/Lane Reduction; Street Safety Improvement — A Letter of Summary & Recommendations

Addressed to: Willow Glen Business Association

December 21, 2014

Tim Mulcahy

President, Willow Glen Business Association
1261 Lincoln Avenue
San Jose CA 95125

Dear Tim,

This will summarize key points in conversation that we had yesterday.

1. For many years, the Willow Glen community has been concerned with trends of heavy commuter traffic, resulting with increases to traffic bypass and congestion; whereas, that’s in addition to those issues related to pedestrian and bicycle safety; accidents; plus, regular speeding in excess of 25mph, which goes against the standard for a neighborhood street that’s proximate to a business district and schools.
   These concerns were expressed as of November 20, 2014, which was at a community meeting with both Willow Glen Neighborhood Association (WGNA) and the Business Association (WGBA); therein, especially discussing and making note of the negative safety and accident effects that a road diet — if not properly designed —could have on local schools, business and general neighborhood street safety.  Specific concerns were mentioned about Lincoln Avenue traffic, such as what’s south of Minnesota Avenue to Curtner Avenue.  For example, newly approved developments will impact the neighborhood with at least 7,000 additional housing units in the very near future:  Tamien Station Area Plan/Transit Village; Communications Hill 2; Ohlone Towers; Fruitdale Station (final phase); Sobrato residential at Lincoln Avenue, between Parkmoor & Auzerais (final phase).
2. Lincoln Avenue Road Diet Working Group ( RDWG ) held two closed-door, non-public meetings as of November 21 and December 4, year 20014.  These meetings were held privately — without community input — as referenced in the posted minutes, as seen here from WGBA:  http://www.willowglen.org/lincoln-road-diet
   San Jose Department of Transportation’s (DOT) presented a current draft plan and pilot program for the road diet/lane reduction, which is suggested for the area between Parkmoor and Minnesota Avenues.
   RDWG agreed, that for the pilot test to be successful, that the road diet/lane reduction must occur between Curtner and Coe Avenues.  The concerns are that a traffic back-up would increase the likelihood and risk of many motorists seeking an escape or alternate route from a gridlock, such as by diverting to nearby neighborhood streets that are perpendicular to Lincoln Avenue.
   Other concerns are with the safety of children at Willow Glen Elementary and River Glen School,. such as with exposure to particulate matter from idling cars.  Children, at such young age, are far more sensitive to, and at risk from, the pollution that’s created by excessive traffic, as well as idling cars.
   RGWG developed a list of issues to address, including: speed limit reductions; better signage; crosswalk improvements; traffic light timing, etc.
   DOT staff indicated that there may not be sufficient funds to expand the length of the test, such as from Coe to Curtner Avenues.  There are more costs involved than just striping the Lincoln Avenue; so, it may be cost prohibitive to expand the pilot program beyond Parkmoor and Minnesota Avenues.
   There is already a scheduled resurfacing plan for Lincoln Avenue in the autumn 2015 calendar, such as between West San Carlos Street and Minnesota Avenue.
   At the time of the resurfacing of Lincoln Avenue (between these two points) the cost of re-striping the surface — albeit for a road diet or return to original striping format — is already built-in to the cost of the autumn 2015 program.  There is no need to find additional funding, as it’s already covered.
   Stakeholders for a Safe Green Village (Stakeholders SGV) recommends that the test/pilot program begin at Pedro Street (at Los Gatos Creek), going south past the intersection of Minnesota and Lincoln Avenues.  This is so as to avoid complications at the Minnesota and Lincoln Avenue intersection; whereas, hopefully, the test will continue (southbound) past Pine Avenue, as far south as the budget will allow.
3. San Jose’s downtown, and some of the adjoining neighborhood streets (i.e., those of Willow Glen) are within a four mile radius of the downtown core/urban area; whereas, “Vehicle Miles Traveled” (VMT) replaced “Level of Service (LOS) guidelines.
   Also, trips by bike tend to be shorter trips, (e.g., Park Avenue, Hedding Street bikes routes, etc ), as they are identified in Envision 2014 Transportation Goals and San Jose Bike Plan 2020’s “Primary Bikeway.”  San Jose has identified ten streets that have received a combination of city, state and federal funding, which pays for road diets/lane reductions.
   Funding for Park Avenue serves as a part of San Jose’s Primary Bikeway Network.  The San Jose Department of Transportation has secured three grants.  These three grants are from U.S. federal Community Design and Transportation; California state’s Bicycle Transportation Account;  U.S. federal Highway Safety Improvement Program; as well as California state’s  Environmental Services Department secured grants, which provide funding to install “green street treatments.”

Low cost recommendations improve safety and build wide-spread community support: 

1. Lincoln Avenue Road Diet should go from Parkmoor to Curtner Avenue as a final implantation (beyond the pilot program), so as to minimize the negative impact on Willow Glen community, business district, neighborhood street safety, schools, traffic congestion, etc.  The road diet/lane reduction is to be fully implemented, with the allocation of funds.
2. Due to current funding constraints, the road diet/lane reduction pilot program should only go from Coe Avenue /Pedro Street to Willow Glen Way; that is, to minimize the impact on Willow Glen Elementary School and to improve safety for children; since (if started at Minnesota), exposure to particulate matter is increased by back-up traffic. 
3. Current speed limit between Minnesota and Willow Glen Way should be reduced from 35 mph to 25 mph. Currently, the area in front of the school is only 25mph when children are going to / from school; therefore, the reduction will (1) an increase to overall safety and (2) make the school crosswalk at Willow Glen Way safer; as well as (3) slow down traffic before the rest of the 25 mph business district; and (4) build road diet/lane reduction support from the school principal, PTA and parents.
4. Current speed limit between Curtner Avenue to Willow Glen Way should be reduced from 35 mph to 30 mph while retaining 25 mph in front Willow Glen Community Center.
5. Add a second Left Turn lane for Northbound at Lincoln and Curtner and before intersection
   Add a directional sign (with an arrow) directing motorists that are seeking a route from Curtner Avenue to Interstate-880 or I-280, to drive to Meridian Avenue and turn right towards Hamilton Avenue.
   At the northeast corner of Lincoln and Curtner, add a sign that advises motorists that the speed limit on Lincoln Avenue is 25mph, since the speed limit on Curtner, Hamilton and Meridian are all at 35mph, with multiple lanes.
6. Apply for state and federal grant funds, which will include working with elected representatives, so as to obtain funding for recently passed, but unfunded, “Three Feet for Safety” law for bike lanes.

Sincerely 

Ed Rast & Richard Zappelli

Stakeholders for a Safe Green Village — Willow Glen