To be honest, I'm at a loss to come up with a reasonably acceptable reason as to why IDOT is as dismissive as it is regarding the changes needed on Galena Road. So, I'm left with some guesses; they might be random, some are based on what others have told me, as well. Let's try a few:
1) IDOT Is Simply Obstinate, and Unwilling to Bend Their Idiotic "Rules":
Very possible. My interaction with the head honchos of IDOT, so far, have been basically that I am the Invisible Man. And, our arguments are relegated to the pile of torn up concrete that used to be near I-474. This could be the most likely explanation. Their feelings might be that they are the ones with the engineering degrees (of course), and "By Golly, we're not going to let some stupid podunk mayor try to tell us how this work is done!"
2) Bigger, More Sinister Plans Await for Galena Road:
I've heard this one, too. The ultimate plans are to virtually wipe out the houses and businesses that front onto Galena Road, and create an interstate, for all intent and purpose, leading to the proposed (and absolutely idiotic) "corridor" to I-80, along Galena Road. The longer I deal with IDOT, the more plausible this idea becomes. But, where the heck is the "corridor" going to go to? Chillicothe? Henry? There will have to be huge bypasses built for those towns. Or, could it be that the "corridor" will just go to the Rte. 6 interchange? In preparation for the proposed ring road bridge at Mossville?
This idea that we have to have a direct interstate from Peoria to Chicago just will not work. The cost would be unbelievable. We have bluffs and the river presenting all sorts of challenges. Besides, we already have an interstate to Chicago, and have had for years. It's called "take I-74 to Bloomington, and go North."
3) Safety? What "Safety"?
Review the posting below regarding the collisions along Galena Road from 2007-2009. No matter how much IDOT states that safety is a real concern of theirs, it certainly is not when it comes to Galena Road. This should have been addressed 40 years ago. Galena Road has been known as a major problem for the residents, and the traffic on it FOREVER, and it has been virtually ignored by IDOT. Now, when the facts bear out that the true culprit for the issues is SPEED, not the lack of a center turn lane, the IDOT honchos look for the most expensive, most intrusive, and most questionable option to supposedly address the "safety" along Galena Road. I can't type much more about this... my blood vessels are about to burst.
4) Cat-Mossville Has the Political "Pull" to Make Sure The Speed Stays High.
I'm not so sure about this one. What's so great about getting your employees home a few minutes sooner, if there is also an increase in their possibly being involved in an accident? Does Cat want to make sure that their employees can fly through the Heights at 65-70 MPH so that they're not late for work? I don't know. Sounds a bit far-fetched, but I've heard this explanation more than a few times. It doesn't help that probably over 50% of the accidents and speeding tickets (I'll bet) involve Cat-Mossville workers.
There certainly are more possibilities. I'll try to come up with a few more; anyone else who might check, please give me your take on the same.
Thursday, May 27, 2010
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
When Is An "Urban District" NOT An "Urban District"?
First, what exactly is an "Urban District," you might ask. Well, according to Illinois Statute, an Urban District is:
"The territory contiguous to and including any street that is built up with structures devoted to business, industry, or dwelling houses situated at intervals of less than 100 ft. for a distance of a quarter of a mile or more (625 ILCS 5/1-214)."
Hmmmmm. So, what is the importance of THAT definition, you might ask.
Well, the statutory speed limits in Illinois are defined as follows:
"Urban District for Any Vehicle: The maximum speed limit in an urban district for all vehicles is 30 MPH for a street and 15 MPH for an alley."
Voila! Eureka! We've caught IDOT going against the Illinois statute, right? I mean, Galena Road is CLEARLY an "Urban District," and statute says that the maximum speed limit in an urban district is 30 MPH, and... and...
Whoops. The statutes go on to give IDOT the power to INCREASE the maximum speed limit on any highway under their jurisdiction, based on engineering and traffic investigation. And, of course, any traffic study along Galena Road will show that the traffic is SPEEDING. Why? Because they're allowed to, that's why, by keeping the speed limit 15 MILES TOO HIGH for an "urban district," and by not allowing traffic signal lights, when they are allowed virtually everywhere else under similar circumstances.
Let's play a game here. Knowing what the definition of an "Urban District" is, according to Illinois statute, the next time you're out and about on an Illinois state highway, make note of when you're going through an area that you believe could be defined as an "urban district." Then, make note of what the speed limit is along that area. A few places pop into my mind. Chillicothe, Creve Coeur, Havana, Mason City, etc. etc. I can double check the next time I go through these "urban districts," but to the best of my recollection, the speed limits are, without fail, in the 30-35 MPH range. Except Galena Road. Why is that?
We'll explore the possible WHYs in the next posting.
"The territory contiguous to and including any street that is built up with structures devoted to business, industry, or dwelling houses situated at intervals of less than 100 ft. for a distance of a quarter of a mile or more (625 ILCS 5/1-214)."
Hmmmmm. So, what is the importance of THAT definition, you might ask.
Well, the statutory speed limits in Illinois are defined as follows:
"Urban District for Any Vehicle: The maximum speed limit in an urban district for all vehicles is 30 MPH for a street and 15 MPH for an alley."
Voila! Eureka! We've caught IDOT going against the Illinois statute, right? I mean, Galena Road is CLEARLY an "Urban District," and statute says that the maximum speed limit in an urban district is 30 MPH, and... and...
Whoops. The statutes go on to give IDOT the power to INCREASE the maximum speed limit on any highway under their jurisdiction, based on engineering and traffic investigation. And, of course, any traffic study along Galena Road will show that the traffic is SPEEDING. Why? Because they're allowed to, that's why, by keeping the speed limit 15 MILES TOO HIGH for an "urban district," and by not allowing traffic signal lights, when they are allowed virtually everywhere else under similar circumstances.
Let's play a game here. Knowing what the definition of an "Urban District" is, according to Illinois statute, the next time you're out and about on an Illinois state highway, make note of when you're going through an area that you believe could be defined as an "urban district." Then, make note of what the speed limit is along that area. A few places pop into my mind. Chillicothe, Creve Coeur, Havana, Mason City, etc. etc. I can double check the next time I go through these "urban districts," but to the best of my recollection, the speed limits are, without fail, in the 30-35 MPH range. Except Galena Road. Why is that?
We'll explore the possible WHYs in the next posting.
Thursday, May 13, 2010
Collisions Along Galena Road
The District 4 division of IDOT has been the culprit in not allowing the speed limit to be lowered along Galena Road, and the refusal to install traffic signal lights. The head of District 4, Mr. Joe Crowe, in his many refusal letters to me and to our elected officials, stated that the "majority of accidents along Galena Road are rear end accidents; so the center turn lane is the best way to lower the number" (in so many words).
Oh, really?
Here is the breakdown of the collision accidents along Galena Road, from 2007-2009 (3 years):
SUMMATION- Collision Causes Along Galena Road in Peoria Heights
Rear End Collisions (Total) 26
Rear End Collisions Partially Caused by
Stopped Traffic Trying to Make Left Turn 9 (35%)
Rear End Collisions While Attempting
To Make a RIGHT Hand Turn 5 (19%)
Total Collisions Along Galena Road 35
Percentage of Total Collisions along Galena Road, partially caused from Vehicles stopped to make a left hand turn: 26%
Findings:
The majority of the automobile collisions along Galena Road are rear enders.
However, the vast majority of the rear end accidents are not related, at all, to someone trying to make a left hand turn off of Galena Road. Moreover, the high speeds of the vehicles along Galena Road likely have as much to do, if not MORE to do, with the rear end collisions of those turning left.
Rear end hits while a vehicle is attempting to make a right hand turn off of Galena Road is only four below the number making a left hand turn!
The cost to put in a center turn lane along Galena Road will probably exceed $30 million dollars, or more, by the time it could be done. And, by doing so, it will only affect a mere 26% of the accidents along Galena Road, if years 2007-2009 are reflective of the accident rates (and they almost certainly are).
That 26% of the accidents could be affected in the positive sense by lowering the speed limit to 35 MPH, and by installing 1-3 traffic signal lights along Galena Road, at a fraction of the cost. And, by having the speed limit lowered, and having traffic signal lights installed, we increase our chances of commercial growth along Galena Road, as well. Most importantly, this could be done in mere months, as opposed to waiting YEARS for what IDOT mistakenly thinks will make Galena Road so much safer.
There are also a large amount of deer hits along Galena Road. While this can certainly be directly tied to deer going to the river to drink, it also is definitely affected by the high speed of the vehicles, thus lowering the driver’s reaction time to the deer substantially.
In other words, here's the deal. By spending millions upon millions on putting in a fifth lane along Galena Road, without lowering the speed limit, and not installing traffic signal lights, it will only have a potential effect on 26% of the accidents! 26%! So, 74% of the accidents will just keep on happening! Great planning, huh? Great thought process, right?
It always helps to have the facts in front of you before making blanket statements like Mr. Crowe made. Those rear end accidents, ALL OF THEM, are mostly caused by SPEED & INATTENTION, not by the lack of a center turn lane. Lower the speed limit, put in a couple traffic signal lights, and I'm betting you'll see those 9 rear end accidents involving someone trying to turn left off of Galena Road cut in HALF. If you don't lower the speed limit, if you don't put in traffic signal lights, those rear enders will STILL happen, probably at a greater rate, because those drivers will be going FASTER.
This is like trying to convince a person that the sky is blue, when they're firmly believing it's lime green. I can pile fact after fact after FACT onto IDOT, and it will still be like talking to a wall with a hearing problem.
Oh, really?
Here is the breakdown of the collision accidents along Galena Road, from 2007-2009 (3 years):
SUMMATION- Collision Causes Along Galena Road in Peoria Heights
Rear End Collisions (Total) 26
Rear End Collisions Partially Caused by
Stopped Traffic Trying to Make Left Turn 9 (35%)
Rear End Collisions While Attempting
To Make a RIGHT Hand Turn 5 (19%)
Total Collisions Along Galena Road 35
Percentage of Total Collisions along Galena Road, partially caused from Vehicles stopped to make a left hand turn: 26%
Findings:
The majority of the automobile collisions along Galena Road are rear enders.
However, the vast majority of the rear end accidents are not related, at all, to someone trying to make a left hand turn off of Galena Road. Moreover, the high speeds of the vehicles along Galena Road likely have as much to do, if not MORE to do, with the rear end collisions of those turning left.
Rear end hits while a vehicle is attempting to make a right hand turn off of Galena Road is only four below the number making a left hand turn!
The cost to put in a center turn lane along Galena Road will probably exceed $30 million dollars, or more, by the time it could be done. And, by doing so, it will only affect a mere 26% of the accidents along Galena Road, if years 2007-2009 are reflective of the accident rates (and they almost certainly are).
That 26% of the accidents could be affected in the positive sense by lowering the speed limit to 35 MPH, and by installing 1-3 traffic signal lights along Galena Road, at a fraction of the cost. And, by having the speed limit lowered, and having traffic signal lights installed, we increase our chances of commercial growth along Galena Road, as well. Most importantly, this could be done in mere months, as opposed to waiting YEARS for what IDOT mistakenly thinks will make Galena Road so much safer.
There are also a large amount of deer hits along Galena Road. While this can certainly be directly tied to deer going to the river to drink, it also is definitely affected by the high speed of the vehicles, thus lowering the driver’s reaction time to the deer substantially.
In other words, here's the deal. By spending millions upon millions on putting in a fifth lane along Galena Road, without lowering the speed limit, and not installing traffic signal lights, it will only have a potential effect on 26% of the accidents! 26%! So, 74% of the accidents will just keep on happening! Great planning, huh? Great thought process, right?
It always helps to have the facts in front of you before making blanket statements like Mr. Crowe made. Those rear end accidents, ALL OF THEM, are mostly caused by SPEED & INATTENTION, not by the lack of a center turn lane. Lower the speed limit, put in a couple traffic signal lights, and I'm betting you'll see those 9 rear end accidents involving someone trying to turn left off of Galena Road cut in HALF. If you don't lower the speed limit, if you don't put in traffic signal lights, those rear enders will STILL happen, probably at a greater rate, because those drivers will be going FASTER.
This is like trying to convince a person that the sky is blue, when they're firmly believing it's lime green. I can pile fact after fact after FACT onto IDOT, and it will still be like talking to a wall with a hearing problem.
Wednesday, May 5, 2010
Some Calculations
Let's pretend that a guy, coming from Caterpillar Mossville and heading home to Mount Pulaski, is going 45 MPH as he goes through the Heights, along Galena Road. I know that's a stretch, but this is a game of "pretend," after all.
There is 1.8 miles of Galena Road through Peoria Heights. There is 1 mile of Galena Road at the south end of Peoria Heights, in Peoria, from the Village limits to the McCluggage Bridge. There is approximately a half mile north of the Village limits, in Peoria, that would have to be changed from 35 MPH, then graduated to 45 MPH, until it hits the 55 MPH limit just north of Gardner Lane.
That is 3.3 miles of Galena Road that we would like to have changed to 35 MPH. Let's round it up to 3.5 miles, just to be safe.
According to my Radio Shack calculator, it will take the Mount Pulaski dude 4.67 minutes to drive this 3.5 mile distance, IF he is going 45 MPH. Don't ask me how I calculated it... I'm just fairly certain that it is correct.
Now, if the Mount Pulaski dude is going 35 MPH, over the same 3.5 mile distance, it will take him... get ready for this... SIX WHOLE MINUTES to go the same distance. That is an increase of an additional 1.33 minutes to go the same distance. Now, I don't know about the Mount Pulaski dude, but I'm reasonably certain I can afford that much time out of my day. Alright, multiply it by two, for a trip TO work, and the trip BACK home. We are now at an additional 2.66 minutes, which really comes out to two minutes 40 seconds. For the round trip.
And, obviously if there is a traffic signal light, and the Mount Pulaski dude hits it wrong, it might add another 15-30 seconds to the trip. Each way. We're now looking at a horrendous additional three minutes or so, up to three minutes and 15 seconds or so. Round trip. I'm not sure how the Mount Pulaski dude will deal with it; I'm sure it would be soul-shattering to have to spend that additional three minutes or so, behind the steering wheel.
He might be so frazzled that he will need to stop and pick up a six pack, to take home of course, at the new gas station/convenient store, that could now be located along Galena Road.
There is 1.8 miles of Galena Road through Peoria Heights. There is 1 mile of Galena Road at the south end of Peoria Heights, in Peoria, from the Village limits to the McCluggage Bridge. There is approximately a half mile north of the Village limits, in Peoria, that would have to be changed from 35 MPH, then graduated to 45 MPH, until it hits the 55 MPH limit just north of Gardner Lane.
That is 3.3 miles of Galena Road that we would like to have changed to 35 MPH. Let's round it up to 3.5 miles, just to be safe.
According to my Radio Shack calculator, it will take the Mount Pulaski dude 4.67 minutes to drive this 3.5 mile distance, IF he is going 45 MPH. Don't ask me how I calculated it... I'm just fairly certain that it is correct.
Now, if the Mount Pulaski dude is going 35 MPH, over the same 3.5 mile distance, it will take him... get ready for this... SIX WHOLE MINUTES to go the same distance. That is an increase of an additional 1.33 minutes to go the same distance. Now, I don't know about the Mount Pulaski dude, but I'm reasonably certain I can afford that much time out of my day. Alright, multiply it by two, for a trip TO work, and the trip BACK home. We are now at an additional 2.66 minutes, which really comes out to two minutes 40 seconds. For the round trip.
And, obviously if there is a traffic signal light, and the Mount Pulaski dude hits it wrong, it might add another 15-30 seconds to the trip. Each way. We're now looking at a horrendous additional three minutes or so, up to three minutes and 15 seconds or so. Round trip. I'm not sure how the Mount Pulaski dude will deal with it; I'm sure it would be soul-shattering to have to spend that additional three minutes or so, behind the steering wheel.
He might be so frazzled that he will need to stop and pick up a six pack, to take home of course, at the new gas station/convenient store, that could now be located along Galena Road.
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