Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Demonstration Projects topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Webster Groves outlines six demonstration projects and community engagement plan
Summary
The task force reviewed six temporary demonstration projects (speed humps, adaptive signal timing, variable speed signs, a multiuse path, in-road warning lights, and a pedestrian hybrid beacon), the NEPA-constrained timeline, and plans for community outreach including a May community bike event and pre/post surveys.
Webster Groves staff presented six temporary demonstration projects intended to test safety strategies in high-traffic corridors, described a NEPA-constrained timeline for pilots, and reviewed community engagement plans including a May community bike event and two short survey questions for attendees.
What was presented: staff described six demonstration pilots included in the city's planning-and-demonstration application: temporary speed humps in several high-traffic locations; adaptive signal timing on South Elm and Big Bend to Lockwood; adaptive variable speed limit signs on major corridors such as Edgar Road and Brentwood; a multiuse path on Elm Avenue to connect Lockwood to Kirkham and North Webster; in-road warning light systems at five pedestrian crossings; and a single pedestrian hybrid beacon on Brentwood Boulevard near Kirkham Industrial Court outside a church with frequent Sunday crossings. Staff explained these pilots are temporary and would run for a short period before evaluation.
Timeline and constraints: staff said the NEPA environmental review for the demonstration work is expected to be complete by September; because federal rules prohibit purchasing demonstration equipment before NEPA clearance, demonstration construction would likely occur in November. Staff will deploy pre-demonstration surveys in mid-to-late summer and repeat surveys after pilots conclude to measure public response and inform decisions about keeping elements permanently.
Community engagement: the task force reviewed event logistics for the community bike event "Webster on Wheels" at Bristol Elementary (task force tabling shifts and materials) and discussed two proposed engagement questions for the event: 1) regarding pedestrian crosswalks and crossings, what is your number one area of concern? and 2) what would make biking safer for Webster Groves cyclists? Staff proposed using a city map and colored stickers or pins so attendees can indicate precise locations and areas of concern.
Local issues raised: residents and committee members raised location-specific problems, including deteriorating decorative brick pavers on McKnight (near Bacon/Rock Hill) that may create ADA trip hazards and restricted sight lines where a hill blocks visibility at certain neighborhood intersections. Staff advised those matters should be reported through the city's fix-it form or routed to the Traffic Advisory Commission or public works; members said the TAC maintains an active spreadsheet of reported issues and sometimes resolves items without requiring a formal commission recommendation.
Ending: staff emphasized the pilots are for evaluation; successful demonstrations could be recommended for permanent adoption through the safety action plan and City Council commitment, but any permanent changes would depend on survey results, agency reviews (public works, police, TAC), budget decisions and council action.
