02-10-20 Work Session Agenda and MaterialsCITY COUNCIL
CITY OF WORK SESSION AGENDA
KALISPELL February 10, 2020, at 7:00 p.m.
City Hall Council Chambers, 201 First Avenue East
A. CALL TO ORDER
B. DISCUSSION ITEMS
1. Legislative Update from Representative Frank Garner
2. Woodland Park Waterfowl Management — Restoring Back to Nature
3. Core Area Trail and Complete Street Update
C. PUBLIC COMMENT
Persons wishing to address the council are asked to do so at this time. Those addressing
the council are requested to give their name and address for the record. Please limit
comments to three minutes.
D. CITY MANAGER, COUNCIL, AND MAYOR REPORTS
E. ADJOURNMENT
UPCOMING SCHEDULE / FOR YOUR INFORMATION
City Offices Closed — February 17, 2020 — Presidents' Day
Next Regular Meeting — TUESDAY, February 18, 2020, at 7:00 p.m. — Council Chambers
Next Work Session — February 24, 2020, at 7:00 p.m. — Council Chambers
Reasonable accommodations will be made to enable individuals with disabilities to attend this meeting.
Please notify the City Clerk at 758-7756.
Page 1 of 1
CITY OF City of Kalispell
KTALISPELL post Office Box 1997 -Kalispell, Montana 59903-1997
elephone (406) 758-7700 Fax - (406) 758-7758
MEMORANDUM
To: Honorable Mayor Johnson and City Council
From: Doug Russell, City Manager
Re: Legislative Update from Representative Frank Garner
Meeting Date: February 10, 2020
BACKGROUND: The Montana Legislature recently held a "Legislative Week", described on their
respective website as follows:
"The Legislative Council and the Legislative Finance Committee sponsored a Legislative Week
when all legislators were invited to get together and receive training. Tuesday and Wednesday
were scheduled for all legislators to attend training sessions. Many interim committees met
Monday, Wednesday afternoon, Thursday, and Friday which provided an opportunity for
legislators that are not on the committees to attend.
The purpose was to bring legislators together to "cross-pollinate" and provide opportunities to
receive some additional training and share information. It is also being held in conjunction with
the study in Senate Bill No. 310 that is looking into annual sessions and this was a chance to meet
in January 2020 as a small way to try on meeting every year."
Representative Garner, House District 7, attended the Legislative Week and will be present at the meeting
to discuss the week, legislative trends, and anticipated areas of importance for the next legislative session.
ATTACHMENTS: 2018 Legislative Priorities
City of Kalispell
Montana Legislative Priorities
November 2018
The City of Kalispell is supportive of efforts to improve financial options related to all areas of
municipal operations where local control and decision -making can be effectively applied. While
this list of priorities does not single out any specific proposed bill, in general the City of Kalispell
has identified these areas of policy interest.
Local Option Sales Tax: The City of Kalispell supports legislation that would provide local
communities the option of enacting a voter approved sales tax (or increasing the population
limit of the current resort tax) within municipal limits that would provide an opportunity
to maintain infrastructure and services for our community that is impacted by a large
number of people that do not reside within the City of Kalispell.
Tax Increment Financing: The City of Kalispell supports existing or more expansive
legislation that provides municipalities the opportunity to use Tax Increment Districts as
part of an Effective Economic Development Strategy, and opposes legislation that would
limit the effectiveness of the options currently present in state statutes.
Special District Legislation: The City of Kalispell supports legislation enhancing the
opportunity for the creation of special districts. The City of Kalispell feels the current
requirements place unnecessary financial and procedural burdens on special district
creation.
Environmental Quality: The City of Kalispell supports legislation that would mitigate the
economic impacts of the unfunded liability caused by increased regulatory standards on
municipal operations such as water production, wastewater treatment, solid waste, and
storm water management.
- Public Infrastructure Assistance: The City of Kalispell supports legislation that would assist
in the local infrastructure costs associated with our rapid growth. The City of Kalispell also
opposes legislation that decreases or removes current revenue streams.
- Service Delivery: The City of Kalispell supports legislation that enhances the opportunities
for expanding service delivery options throughout all areas of municipal operations,
including revising legislation that limits the options available to communities to take
advantage of alternative and innovative service delivery methods.
mOFl�+QM.
KALISPELL
Parks and Recreation Department
St
306 1 Avenue East
PO Box 1997 Kalispell, MT 59903
Phone: 406-758-7849, Fax: 406-758-7719
www.kalispell.com / Parks -Recreation
TO: Doug Russell, City Manager
FROM: Chad Fincher, Parks and Recreation Director
SUBJECT: Restoring Back to Nature — Woodland Park
MEETING DATE: February 10, 2020
Woodland Park pond has increasingly become a topic of negative conversation over the years for
the public due to degraded pond health, the amount of waterfowl feces and the aggressiveness of
the waterfowl towards the public. Over the last couple years, we have looked at options to
address the publics concerns.
Attached is an outline of the history, problems with the current waterfowl population, objectives
and potential solutions and methods that could be utilized to address the overpopulation and
other impacts resulting from the waterfowl. We have also met with Montana Fish, Wildlife and
Parks to discuss the problems and potential solutions. Through meetings with MFWP, a
preferred solution was identified by a wildlife biologist as the population of domestics in the
park can have adverse effects to migratory waterfowl.
Currently, the only managing of the waterfowl we have done is to promote only feeding healthy
alternatives to bread and not feeding of waterfowl in the roadway.
At the meeting, it is recommended that council review and discuss the effects of overpopulation
of waterfowl at Woodland Park and possible solutions.
ATTACHMENTS: Restoring Back to Nature Woodland Park Report
CITY OF
KALISPELL
Kalispell Parks & Recreation
306 1st Ave E. P.O. Box 1997
Kalispell, Montana 59903-1997
(406) 758-7715 Fax (406) 758-7719
Restoring Back to Nature
Woodland Park
Waterfowl Population Reduction
History and Facts:
Woodland Park is a historical park that was donated to the City of Kalispell from the Conrad Family. The
pond is fed by natural springs and through an artesian well. Water flows from the pond through a 10-inch
pipe towards the backwater area below Woodland Avenue. The pond is 3' at its deepest. Since the
donation of Woodland Park to the City, the pond has been a community gathering spot to feed waterfowl.
Lacking any natural predators, the pond is a haven for both migratory and domestic waterfowl.
Problems:
The overpopulation of geese and ducks (both non-native domestic and native migratory) has created
common issues for the community such as; degraded pond health, wildlife -human conflicts, accumulation
of feces on pavement and trails, over grazing of landscape vegetation, safety hazards for vehicles, and
increased potential disease outbreaks in waterfowl (Fish Wildlife and Parks Region 1).
Public Feeding: Feeding waterfowl and other birds can be a popular pastime for some people
and is a major cause of high urban bird populations, especially when natural food sources are in short
supply. However, migratory waterfowl do not need handouts to exist.
Feeding of the waterfowl has compounding issues.
• Bread, chips, crackers, popcorn or other
processed foods provide little nutritional value
to waterfowl and can result in angel wing and
other deformities.
• Artificial food sources can attract large
congregations of ducks and geese to areas that
wouldn't normally support them. The
resulting high density of birds at artificial
feeding sites like Woodland Park result in
stressful competition among birds.
The artificial feeding of waterfowl has also resulted in an increase in the number of gulls at
Woodland Park. They have become a secondary nuisance due to their numbers increasing and
their feces being more prevalent in the park.
Increased concentration of feces poses health risks on land and in the pond. Overcrowding and
unsanitary conditions increases that risk.
Artificial feeding has been known to alter or even eliminate migration patterns of waterfowl.
Migratory birds can become reluctant to leave a reliable food source despite the onset of winter,
and then struggle to survive as temperatures falls.
Feeding waterfowl encourages them to congregate in an area and may make geese more
aggressive toward people. (Smith, Craven, Curtis 1998)
Food that is not readily eaten by waterfowl can contribute to increased pond nutrient load, which
can trigger algae blooms. Food remaining on land decomposes, is unsightly and a potential
disease vector. Bread that is contaminated with mold can result in additional disease issues.
Steve Carr professor at Canada's Memorial University has stated the following about mold and
bread - "The second thing is, a lot of people will bring down bread that has gone bad. And when
it goes bad, it has that little green mold in it, and that mold actually causes specific diseases in
ducks. It causes lung diseases, so it's not just nutritionally bad it can just kill them outright. "
Population: The current over -population of birds results in several issues:
• Interbreeding is occurring between domestics and migratory waterfowl. Interbreeding can
threaten the genetic diversity of wild species and their conservation. Hybridization is occurring
in Woodland Park.
• Domestic and Migratory Bird disease spreading — the chances of disease occurring, and spreading
is greatly increased in a population where wild birds are not encouraged to migrate and are
allowed to cohabitate and breed with domestic birds.
• Public dumping of exotic nonnative species is increasing. Typically, after Easter, there is an
increase in the abandonment of domestic waterfowl, rabbits and chickens at the park.
Unfortunately, this trend is increasing.
Domestic Muscovy duck recently spotted
at Woodland Park.
Conflicts with park users: The overpopulation of waterfowl at Woodland Park has resulted in increasing
conflicts with park users:
• The most common complaint by park users is the large quantities of duck and geese feces
throughout the park, including in the expensive engineered fall surface wood chips and sidewalks
surrounding playgrounds. Not only is it visually unappealing, high concentrations of feces can
spread disease.
• Waterfowl congregate in large numbers near the playground, walking trails and the pond in
anticipation of food. Feeding waterfowl can make waterfowl more aggressive toward people.
A-
• While fishing is not encouraged at Woodland Park, a few anglers utilize the pond, and
waterfowl are often injured by fishing hooks and lines.
Obiective•
To reduce the impacts of domestic waterfowl on the park, pond, park users and diminish diseases spread
to migratory waterfowl.
Population Control Methods:
Eliminate/Reduce Public Feeding
Pros:
• Reduce the chances of waterfowl being
fed foods with little nutrient value and
contribute to diseases such as angel wing
and other deformities.
• Reduce concentrated feeding as it often
leads to aggressiveness in waterfowl.
• Reduce the secondary issue of gulls in the
park.
• Reduce artificial feeding to promote
normal migration.
• Reduce pond water quality issues (nutrient
loading) from excess feed and feces.
Pros:
Cons:
• Public has historically fed waterfowl as
a pastime in the park. There may be
pushback as some may view it as a
historical use.
• To enforce a no -feeding rule, a new
ordinance would need to adopted.
• Could be difficult to enforce due to
limited resources available and the
hours the park is open.
Capture and Euthanization
• Immediate reduction of the population of
waterfowl at the park by culling domestic
waterfowl.
• Remedies waterfowl damage.
• Remedies high concentrations of feces.
Cons:
• These measures are subject to public
criticism and opposition.
• Roundups and euthanization have been
criticized as inhumane.
Addling (Oiling)
Goose egg addling is a wildlife management method of population control for waterfowl. The process of
addling involves temporarily removing fertilized eggs from the nest, testing for embryo development,
terminating embryo development, and placing the egg back in the nest. Returning the egg to the nest
misleads the goose into believing the egg is still developing. Otherwise, the goose would begin laying
again.
Pros:
Allows waterfowl to still go through their
nesting process.
Park users would see a gradual decline in
the waterfowl population through attrition
Pros:
Cons:
Would need permission and a permit
from US Fish and Wildlife Service as
there are migratory birds that may be
affected. (No permits needed for
domestics)
Labor intensive as you need a team to
do this effectively. (Herders, Egg
handlers, data collection and oilers)
Would need to test each egg 14 Day
incubation period float)
It would take several years of
dedication to this plan to start to see a
decline.
Egging (Removal)
• Frees adult geese from tending flightless
goslings, so they can be encouraged to
move elsewhere.
• Park users would see a gradual decline in
the waterfowl population through attrition.
Cons:
Would need permission and a permit
from US Fish and Wildlife Service as
there are migratory birds that maybe
affected. (No permits needed for
domestics)
Labor intensive as you need a team to
do this effectively. (Herders, Egg
handlers, data collection and oilers)
It would take several years of
dedication to this plan to start to see a
decline.
Pros:
Beacons
Non -intrusive or disruptive.
Park users would see a gradual decline in
the waterfowl population as geese would
look for other habitats.
Cons:
Will only work on Canadian geese.
The light disrupts their sleeping
patterns to which an alternative habitat
is looked for. Domestic geese are
structurally different making it difficult
for them to fly any distances.
Ducks wouldn't be affected by the
flashing beacons either.
Consultants: Area experts provided insights and solutions.
• On July 17, 2019, we met with Rocky Mountain Wildlife Services to discuss our issue of over
population and ideas they might have to mitigate the over population. Through the course of
conversation, we discussed the potential solutions outlined above and practicality of them.
Another potential solution was offered during this conversation of removing waterfowl from the
site completely.
• To follow up with our meeting with Rocky Mountain Wildlife Services, we met with Fish
Wildlife and Parks to discuss the waterfowl at Woodland Park. On August 7, 2019, we met with
information and education program manager and a wildlife biologist from Region One. The
wildlife biologist has dealt with urban waterfowl issues such as ours and provided insight from a
wildlife biologist perspective. Since this meeting, Fish, Wildlife and Parks has agreed to be an
active partner.
Preferable Method/Solution: Fish, Wildlife and Parks along with Kalispell Parks and Recreation
assembled the following proposal.
• Phased approach (Title of the project: restoring back to nature)
o Public Process (Open house/workshop/Council Meeting)
o Newsletter, Facebook Posts of not feeding waterfowl, water quality, hybridization
o Informative signs placed around the pond to discourage feeding and stop introduction of
domestic waterfowl or other poultry.
o Look for other Partners to support the process and educate the public.
■ Local sporting and Audubon groups
o Remove domestics from Woodland Park through Capture and Euthanization. FWP
would perform this process with staff providing assistance.
o After project "Restoring Back to Nature", it would be the City of Kalispell's policy to
remove immediately any domestics that maybe introduced to the park.
Restoring Back to Nature Proposed Time Frame
(Tentative)
Participants
Action
Date
Montana Fish Wildlife and Parks
Discussion of issues and potential
19-Aug-19
& KPR
solutions, partners and mutual benefits
City Council Work Session
Discussion of issues and potential
10-Feb-20
solutions
Kalispell Parks and Recreation &
Public education of the issues
19-Feb-20
FWP
Kalispell Parks and Recreation &
Open House - Public input
26-Feb-20
FWP
City Council Meeting
Provide public feedback and seek
16-Mar-20
Council recommendation
Kalispell Parks and Recreation &
Install informative signs around park
6-Apr-20
FWP
Kalispell Parks and Recreation &
FWP works with KPR on removal
May - June 2020
FWP
efforts
-.01111111111
KALISPELL
MEMORANDUM
REPORT TO: Doug Russell, City Manager
Planning Department
201 1st Avenue East
Kalispell, MT 59901
Phone: (406) 758-7940
Fax: (406) 758-7739
www.kalispell.com/planning
FROM: Katharine King, Assistant Director of Community Development
MEETING DATE: February 10, 2020 (Work Session)
SUBJECT: Core Area Trail and Complete Street Update
BACKGROUND: The City of Kalispell was awarded an USDOT TIGER grant in 2015 for the
purpose of building a new industrial rail park between Whitefish Stage Road and Highway 2 East at
the former McElroy and Wilken gravel pit site. With the rail park constructed and Kalispell's last
two rail served businesses relocated to this site the original rail line running through the City is no
longer in service. The second phase of the TIGER project is the design and construction of a linear
park/trail utilizing the BNSF right of way running approximately 1.6 miles through the City from the
west side of Meridian Street to the north side of the rail overpass bridge at Highway 2 East. The
purpose of this City Council Work Session presentation is to provide an update on the project
progress, expected timeline and trail/park naming.
RECOMMENDATION: It is recommended that City Council direct staff with further input on the
proj ect.
FISCAL EFFECTS: Consideration of the Core Area Trail and Complete Street update information
would have minimal fiscal impact to the City at this time.
ALTERNATIVES: City Council could direct staff to modify proposed work.
ATTACHMENT: Kalispell Trail Hwy 93 PHB Analysis Memo
Link to Kalispell Trail and Complete Street 30% Design
c: Aimee Brunckhorst, Kalispell City Clerk
MEMORANDUM
www.altaplanning.com
To: Julie Wotring, P.E., Montana Department of Transportation
From: Joe Gilpin, Matt Fralick P.E., Alta Planning + Design
Date: January 30, 2020
Re: Kalispell, MT Trail and Complete Street TIGER Project
Background:
The Kalispell Trail will become a transformative project for the City, generating a wide variety of benefits for area
businesses and residents alike. To make the trail as welcoming as possible, a safe crossing of Main Street (Highway
93) is crucial. The design team has proposed a Pedestrian Hybrid Beacon (PHB) since the first design activities in
Summer of 2018. This crossing device combined with a channelizing median refuge island can isolate conflicts and
improve the flow and safety of this minor street intersection. Figure 1 depicts the crossing location. The Montana
Department of Transportation has requested that a traffic study be performed to analyze the potential impact to
traffic along Highway 93. This memo explores these potential impacts.
Figure 1: Proposed Trail Crossing
11 Alta Planning + Design
Main Street Pedestrian Hybrid Beacon Analysis
Existing Analysis:
Two existing Synchro models were provided by the Montana Department of Transportation for the intersections of
Main Street at Center Street and Main Street at Idaho Street. The two separate models were combined into one file
and the unsignalized intersections of Main Street at Market Place Street and Main Street at Montana Street were
included into the model by Alta. Existing signal timings and vehicular volumes for the signalized intersections were
provided in the Synchro models. The turning movement counts included in the Synchro model were collected in
May of 2019 for the intersection of Main Street at Center Street and in July of 2019 for the intersection of Main
Street at Idaho Street, and were provided by the MDT. Turning movement counts for the unsignalized intersections
were assumed based on volume balancing from the throughputs at the signalized intersections. The AM peak hour
is from 1 1:00 AM to 12:00 PM and the PM peak hour is from 4:30 PM to 5:30 PM. Table 1 shows the delay (in
seconds) for each Level of Service (LOS) thresholds for signalized and unsignalized intersections. Table 2 and Table
3 shows the existing AM and PM peak hour analysis, respectively, for each intersection in the study area.
Table 1: LOS Thresholds for Signalized and Unsignalized Intersections
Level of Service Criteria (sec)
A
B
C
D
E
F
Signalized
<_10
>10 - 15
>20 - 35
>35 - 55
>55 - 80
>80
Unsignalized
0 - 10
>10 - 15
>15 - 25
>25 - 35
>35 - 50
>50
Tablet: Existing AM Peak Hour Anal sis
Existing AM Peak
Period
EB
WB
NB
SB
Intersection
Main St @ Idaho St
Delay (sec/veh)
30.4
30.2
29.0
21.9
27.8/C
LOS
C
C
C
C
95th Percentile Queue (ft)
223
222
278
140
Main St @ Montana St*
Delay (sec/veh)
11.4
13.5
-
0.1
0.3/A
LOS
B
B
-
A
95th Percentile Queue (ft)
43
38
56
18
Main St @Market Place
St*
Delay (sec/veh)
-
11.2
-
0.1
0.1/A
LOS
-
B
-
A
95th Percentile Queue (ft)
-
39
3
18
Main St @ Center St
Delay (sec/veh)
32.8
36.5
14.3
12.4
19.7/13
LOS
C
D
B
B
95th Percentile Queue (ft)
180
115
211
175
Unsignalized Intersection
2 1 Alta Planning + Design
MEMORANDUM
www.altaplanning.com
Table 3: Existing PM Peak HourAnal sis
Existing PM Peak
Period
EB
WB
NB
SB
Intersection
Main St @ Idaho St
Delay (sec/veh)
38.7
32.0
35.9
30.5
34.2/C
LOS
D
C
D
C
95th Percentile Queue (ft)
377
1 310
310
364
Main St @ Montana St*
Delay (sec/veh)
12.6
14.2
-
0.1
0.3/A
LOS
B
B
A
95th Percentile Queue (ft)
43
45
174
17
Main St @Market Place
St*
Delay (sec/veh)
-
11.6
-
0.1
0.1/A
LOS
-
B
-
A
95th Percentile Queue (ft)
-
40
-
18
Main St @ Center St
Delay (sec/veh)
30.8
34.9
18.2
14.8
21.8/C
LOS
C
C
B
B
95th Percentile Queue (ft)
190
152
238
254
*Unsignalized Intersection
Items to note:
• All intersections and approaches operate at acceptable levels of service.
• Based on the SimTraffic simulations, the northbound movement approaching the intersection of Main
Street at Idaho Street experiences queueing to the south of the Main Street at Montana Street intersection
of approximately 310 feet during the PM peak. Montana Street is approximately 270 feet to the south of
Idaho Street. The proposed trail crossing at Market Place Street is approximately 710 feet to the south of
the northbound stop bar. Queues typically clear every cycle.
• Similarly, at Center Street, southbound queues max out at 250 feet in the PM peak. The proposed trail
crossing at Market Place Street is approximate 420 feet north of the southbound stop bar.
• Queues in the southbound direction at the intersections of Main Street at Montana Street and Main Street
at Market Place Street are due to the southbound left turn movement and not the thru movement in both
the AM and PM peak.
• The queues for the northbound direction in both the AM and PM peak at the intersection of Main Street at
Montana Street is due to the spillover of vehicles from the queues at the intersection of Main Street at
Idaho Street.
3 1 Alta Planning + Design
Main Street Pedestrian Hybrid Beacon Analysis
Proposed Conditions:
The only proposed design along the Main Street corridor is at the intersection of Main Street at Market Place Street.
The proposed design will remove the existing abandoned railroad line through the intersection and a shared -use
path crossing with a refuge island will be installed in the same location. To create a safe and comfortable crossing
for bicyclists and pedestrians, a pedestrian hybrid beacon (PHB) is being proposed as the number of travel lanes
and available gaps are not suitable to users of all ages and abilities without positive control. PHB's are signal heads
that remain dark until activated by a pedestrian or bicyclist, turning on briefly to stop vehicles and allow the user to
cross before returning to a dark state. In most communities, PHB's are actuated on demand and will immediately
begin the signal notification for vehicles to stop. Market Place Street will become a one-way approach in the
eastbound direction, which will remove any conflicts from Market Place Street at the PHB in the westbound
direction. The remaining intersections along the Main Street corridor will not change. The proposed median refuge
will channelize north and southbound lefts onto Market Place Street and the Bank entrance.
Methodology:
Synchro does not have any features specific to PHBs. To model a PHB at the intersection of Main Street at Market
Place Street, a signal was placed at the intersection in the Synchro model. A westbound left phase was included at
the intersection with a volume of 50 vehicles for the westbound left turn movement to simulate trail users
activating the beacons with a random arrival rate. A minimum green time of 34 seconds for the westbound
movement was included to provide the maximum crossing time for pedestrians. In reality, the PHB will follow
MUTCD guidance in Chapter 4F' and enter a wig -wag phase after trail users have cleared half of the roadway and
vehicles may proceed after stopping. This additional efficiency is not modeled in Synchro. The intersection was
placed on a 90 second cycle to match the intersection of Main Street at Center Street. On average, the trail was
accessed most phases, indicating an approximately 70 second to 80 second activation. This represents a worst -case
scenario where activations are very frequent, which may only occur at peak times of the day or in peak seasons. In
proposed conditions, the westbound approach will be changed to a one-way street in the eastbound direction.
With this change, there will be no side street volumes in proposed conditions. The remaining intersections along
the Main Street corridor were not changed and signal timings at the intersections of Main Street at Center Street
and Main Street at Idaho Street were not optimized as to not affect the recent retiming projects that occurred on
Center Street and Idaho Street.
https://mutcd.fhwa.dot.ciov/htm/2009/part4/part4f.htm
4 1 Alta Planning + Design
Main Street Pedestrian Hybrid Beacon Analysis
Proposed Analysis:
After making the necessary changes to the Synchro model, the following results were recorded. Table 4 and Table
5 shows the proposed AM and PM peak hour analysis, respectively, for each intersection in the study area. Figure 2
and 3 show the approximate 95th percentile queues for the existing versus proposed conditions visually to better
understand the extent of the queueing.
Table 4: Proposed AM Peak HourAnalysis
Proposed AM Peak Period
EB
WB
NB
SB
Intersection
Main St @ Idaho St
Delay (sec/veh)
34.2
29.0
29.9
23.3
28.9/C
LOS
C
C
C
C
95th Percentile Queue (ft)
234
246
285
246
Main St @ Montana St*
Delay (sec/veh)
11.3
12.2
-
0.1
0.3/A
LOS
B
B
A
95th Percentile Queue (ft)
42
43
61
17
Main St @Market Place
St**
Delay (sec/veh)
-
-
5.2
4.9
5.5/A
LOS
-
-
A
A
95th Percentile Queue (ft)
-
-
235
238
Main St @ Center St
Delay (sec/veh)
32.8
36.5
14.3
12.4
19.7/13
LOS
C
D
B
B
95th Percentile Queue (ft)
183
119
205
191
*Unsignalized Intersection
"Proposed Pedestrian Hybrid Beacon Location
Alta Planning + Design 15
Main Street Pedestrian Hybrid Beacon Analysis
T-t
Cl
v
iF r
Ov N
jggtnLd
95,h Percentile Queue (ft.) — Proposed 4-,
95-h Percentile Queue (ft.) - Existing
Figure 2:95th Percentile Queues for Existing vs. Proposed Conditions - AM Peak
61 Alta Planning + Design
MEMORANDUM
www.altaplanning.com
Table 5: Proposed PM Peak Hour Analysis
Proposed PM Peak Period
EB
WB
NB
SB
Intersection
Main St @ Idaho St
Delay (sec/veh)
38.7
32.0
35.9
30.5
34.2/C
LOS
D
C
D
C
95th Percentile Queue (ft)
377
1 331
315
405
Main St @ Montana St*
Delay (sec/veh)
12.4
13.3
-
0.1
0.3/A
LOS
B
B
-
A
95th Percentile Queue (ft)
42
42
196
15
Main St @Market Place
St**
Delay (sec/veh)
-
-
5.2
5.0
5.5/A
LOS
-
-
A
A
95th Percentile Queue (ft)
-
-
263
303
Main St @ Center St
Delay (sec/veh)
30.8
34.9
18.2
14.8
21.8/C
LOS
C
C
B
B
95th Percentile Queue (ft)
180
152
233
254
*Unsignalized Intersection
"Proposed Pedestrian Hybrid Beacon Location
7 1 Alta Planning + Design
Main Street Pedestrian Hybrid Beacon Analysis
g7 OP
- dt _T.t
rlqr
<
} ~ # = rtNlC.0149 i..
sW- 0 s
� . Y � _ .�-• ��` � t &e rt i
dir-
4
951h Percentile Queue (ft.) - Proposed
w
a 951h Percentile queue (ft.) -Existing
# 4 IL ttk
Figure 3: 95th Percentile Queues for Existing vs. Proposed Conditions - PM Peak
Items to note:
• All intersections and approaches operate at acceptable levels of service.
• Based on the SimTraffic simulations, the northbound movement approaching the intersection of Main
Street at Idaho Street experiences queueing to the south of the Main Street at Montana Street intersection.
This queue length does not change significantly (315 from 310 feet), and is still far away from the trail
81 Alta Planning + Design
Main Street Pedestrian Hybrid Beacon Analysis
crossing at 710 feet. It still will backup past Montana Street for a short time. Queues typically clear every
cycle.
• Similarly, at Center Street, southbound queues max out at 254 feet in the PM peak. The proposed trail
crossing at Market Place Street is approximate 420 feet north of the southbound stop bar.
• The intersection of Main Street at Market Street experiences 95' percentile queues in the northbound
direction of 235 feet and 263 feet for the AM and PM peaks, respectively, and in the southbound direction
of 238 feet and 303 feet for the AM and PM peaks, respectively. The distance between Center Street and
Market Place Street (northbound approach) is approximately 420 feet. The distance between Montana
Street and Market Place Street (southbound approach) is approximately 370 feet. In both the AM and PM
peak, the 95' percentile queues indicate there will not be spillover to the adjacent intersections.
• Queues in the southbound direction at the intersections of Main Street at Montana Street are due to the
southbound left turn movement and not the thru movement in both the AM and PM peak.
• The queues for the northbound direction in both the AM and PM peak at the intersection of Main Street at
Montana Street is due to the spillover of vehicles from the queues at the intersection of Main Street at
Idaho Street.
Conclusions:
Overall, the analysis shows that the addition of a pedestrian hybrid beacon creates 95th percentile queues on the
Main Street corridor during the AM and PM peak hours in the range of 200 feet to 300 feet when running a worst
case scenario. In the vast majority of the time, PHB activations will likely be much lower and some vehicles will be
able to clear the Market Place intersection during the wig -wag phase of the PHB cycle.
Based on the results and the distance between intersections accomodating the queues for a worse case sceario of
frequent activations and traffic stoppage for the full pedestrian crossing time, the installation is highly
recommended to provide safe crossings of pedestrians and bicyclists without creating major queuing issues along
Main Street. Additionally, it is recommended that the activitation of the PHB be on demand, with the activation
beginning when the push button to cross Main Street is pressed. If activations occur with extreme frequently once
implemented and queues become problematic, the PHB could be examined for peak period coordination with
Main Street at Center Street by providing a set time for the PHB to activate to allow for thru vehicles at the crossing
to mostly clear before stopping vehicles again; though this should be a last resort as cities that have coordianted
PHBs have reported compliance issues from pedestrians due to crossings when a gap occurs leaving an empty
beacon activation. This also results in driver frustration due to occasional needless stopping.
Alta Planning + Design 19
Main Street Pedestrian Hybrid Beacon Analysis
The phasing of the PHB may be another item to consider. The MUTCD provides specific phasing guidance that puts
the device into the wig -wag pattern once a pedestrian has cleared half of the intersection. This phase allows cars to
stop and then proceed if clear. Since the Kalispell Trail will see substantial bicycle use, this operation could put bikes
in conflict with cars if they enter the signal on the countdown and cars are beginning to move again during the
wig -wag. The NACTO Urban Bikeway Design Guide recommends an alternate phasing pattern for PHBs that see
heavy bike use. This minimizes the wig -wag phase to the last 5 seconds of the pedestrian countdown minimizing
the chance of any conflicts occuring with late entering bicyclists. The way the PHB was modelled in Synchro is
consistent with this alternate phasing pattern.
10 1 Alta Planning + Design