A Good Way To Kill Some Time On Friday

It's Friday, there's not a lot going on in transportation news, and it's snowing outside. To cheer us (and by 'us' I mean 'me' of course) up, let's go to my happy place: Mexico. That's right, I'm fortunate enough to have friends with a place in Puerto Vallarta, so I just got back from a cheap vacation there. So that it doesn't sound like I'm talking about myself though, and because this is a transportation blog, let's talk about transportation in Mexico.

To start with, we made a point to get everywhere by bus if possible. See those people huddled against the rock wall in the picture? That was the bus stop across from our hotel. Standing on Highway 2 waiting for the bus isn't looking so bad anymore is it?

Once you got on the bus (assuming you lived to do so), there was lots to see. Many bus drivers decorate their buses with curtains, decals, fuzzy dice, etc. and they also provide you with music at high decibels; usually traditional Mexican mariachi music or techno. I've never been a techno fan but there's one beat I just can't get out of my head now.


Some buses even had live music. These were two musicians who jumped on at our stop and played and sang all the way downtown. When they got to the transfer point, they jumped off our bus and got on another, presumably to sing and make more money.

Many of the bus stops weren't even marked, you just had to know where they were. This one was marked with this shrine though. I'm not sure if that's to show that someone died there (probably because it was right next to a high speed two-lane highway) or if it's just a convenient place to worship while you wait for the bus.

While the buses were very popular there, many people created their own mass transit.

This one is hard to see because it was taken from a moving vehicle, but that's a man and woman on a motorcyle with a baby between them. I also saw pregnant women in the back of pickup trucks and people lying on top of loads to keep them from blowing out. Apparently bungee cords aren't popular in Mexico.

The pedestrian 'walk' signs there were really cool. They were animated and actually showed someone walking, although it looked more like he was doing the electric slide.

Okay, I'm done talking about myself- I mean transportation in Mexico- now. Don't we all feel better now?

Street Striping Starts Soon

You wouldn't think it today considering it's been snowing, but it's about time for road striping to begin. The Washington State Department of Transportation included a notice in their newsletter today that they will begin re-striping the centerlines and fog lines on the 1,570 miles of state highway as soon as the weather dries out.

About 85,000 gallons of reflective, yellow and white, water-based paint is used. To help drivers see the stripes at night, the paint is mixed with tiny glass beads. The beads raise the paint slightly above the level of the roadway and vehicle headlights reflect off them.

Because of our seasonal weather, highway paint striping is an annual process. The combination of winter traction sand, plowing, and studded tires wears down the paint and beads making the stripes harder to see or even removing the stripe altogether. On some highways, permanent, plastic inlaid stripe is installed on the road and sometimes a recessed reflective pavement marker. These often help, but they also lose reflectivity and need to be maintained.

Unlike highways in Puget Sound, we don’t use the raised pavement markers on this side of the state. Those work very well but are removed quickly by snowplow blades in the winter.

Bike "Helpers" Will Be Rewarded This Year

The annual Bike to Work Week Commute Challenge is being conducted a little differently this year. In past years, participants who rode the most miles were rewarded for their efforts. It stands to reason though that the seasoned riders would win that contest, as they're already riding long distances on a regular basis while new riders aren't comfortable riding at that level yet.

And it's those new riders that need the encouragement to become regular riders. So this year, the emphasis will be rewarding those who help others get started.

When you register for Bike to Work Week this year, you will be asked to identify your “helper,” which could be an individual, a team, or even an employer who might have provided support to get you started riding.

May (National Bike Month) starts on Sunday, so if you haven't already registered, hurry up and do it! Here's the link to Spokane Bikes, formerly Bike to Work Spokane.

Bloomsday Road Closures

Guess what Sunday is? Yep, Bloomsday. And whether you're running the race or just going to be out and about running errands, there will be race-related road closures you need to know about. So where do you get the details on them? Must you even ask? www.SpokaneRoadFix.net of course. Go there now. I said now! I mean please.

Looking For Input On Transportation Vision Project

If you haven't weighed in on the Transportation Vision Project yet, you're running out of time to do so. The Vision Project report is posted online here and you have until May 9 to submit any comments you may have about it. There are also directions posted there as to how to comment.

The Vision Project was a year-long study to determine how best to develop the regional transportation system in the long-term and includes recommendations and an implementation plan. Check it out and let us know what you think of the finished product.

WSDOT Asking For Your Freeway Fix Ideas

A reminder that the Washington State Department of Transportation is hosting an open house this evening to get your ideas on how to improve Interstate 90 in East Spokane Valley and Liberty Lake.

The open house is 5:30-8:30 p.m. at Hope Lutheran Church, 17909 E. Broadway Ave. Potential freeway designs will be presented that could help commuters and freight haulers get where they need to go more conveniently. Some of the suggested possible changes include added lanes and more efficient on- and off-ramp locations between Barker and Harvard roads.

There is no formal presentation planned, so drop by anytime during the meeting. If you can't make it, no problem, you have until May 15 to submit comments. Here's a link to the WSDOT web page on this. It's got more information and contact info.

Buy A Home- Get A Free Car

Everyone knows the real estate market, along with the economy, is in the dumps right now. But one Chicago builder has found a way to move his inventory of homes; by giving a free car with purchase. The New York Times has the story.

While the home buyers in that community are loving that deal, others are calling it a way to promote urban sprawl and criticizing the builder for creating 'life-draining commutes.' Here's an article from Grist that references the 'empty, angry hours spent on the road and in traffic.'

So what's your take on this? If you were looking for a home, would you buy one far from home because a car was being thrown in?

Why Do YOU Walk?

It seems to be survey week here at SRTC. This latest survey is to help the group 'America Walk' learn more about who walks, and why we walk. America Walks is a national resource which fosters walkable communities by engaging, educating, and connecting walking advocates.

The survey only takes 5 minutes to complete and results are anonymous. This national survey will help walking advocates understand what motivates walkers and what keeps others from walking more. When the data is analyzed, America Walks will use the results to help promote walking in America.

Division & Wellesley Work

On Thursday, April 28th, the traffic signal at the Division Street and Wellesley Avenue intersection will be upgraded. That means the system will be shut down from approximately 9 am until 3 pm. Traffic through the intersection will be controlled by flaggers during this time. Because of the flagger control, the left turn and right turn lanes will be closed off on Division and Wellesley, and Division will be reduced down to only two lanes in each direction. The flaggers will allow each leg to proceed separately. You can expect delays during this time.

County Considers Bike Helmet Ordinance

The City of Spokane already has a bicycle helmet ordinance, but now County commissioners are considering one. And users of skateboards, roller skates and scooters also might be required to wear them.

Here's more information, from the Spokesman-Review.

Child Car Seat Emphasis Patrol

If you hadn't noticed the big electronic signs around the area announcing it, there's a child car seat emphasis patrol on. The Spokane County Target Zero Task Force received a grant from the Washington Traffic Safety Commission to promote the correct use of child car seats with an educational and enforcement program to be conducted throughout Spokane County.

Parents frequently place children in seat belts too soon. Seat belts are designed for adults and do not properly protect children until they are 4’9” tall. Under Washington law, people who transport children are required to adhere to the following basic rules to protect children in the event of a crash:

▪ Child ages: 0 to at least 12 months and 20 pounds --use a rear-facing infant seat. Keep your child rear-facing as long as your child car seat allows.
▪ Age: 13 months to age four -- use a car seat with a five-point harness.
▪ Age: four to 4’9” tall -- use a booster seat with a lap and shoulder belt.
▪ Age: up to age 13 -- children should ride in the rear seat of the vehicle.

Every day in the US, on average five children are killed and 548 injured in vehicle crashes (according to 2007 figures). Child car seats reduce the risk of injury by 71% for infants and 54% for toddlers. If you need information about correctly installing a child car seat visit www.800bucklup.org.

FHWA Approves Green Bike Lanes

Here's something cool; the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) has issued an Interim Approval for the use of green coloring in bike lanes, much like the one in the picture from San Francisco.

Citing multiple experiments that demonstrated positive operational effects for both bicycle riders and other road users, with no notable negative effects, this approval allows states to apply for approval to use coloring in bike lanes. This Interim Approval does not make the use of green-colored pavement mandatory however.

Here's more info on this decision from FHWA, including the research that went into making it.

What do you think? Is this an improvement for bicyclists in your eyes?

Don't Park On Bloomsday Route Reminder

Do you like your car? Do you want to keep it? Then don't park it on the Bloomsday course this week. There were four vehicles towed yesterday that were parked on the race route so the City wants to remind you to keep your vehicle off the street from 9 a.m. to around 4 p.m.

If your car is towed, the number to call to claim it is 625-4100.

TAC Members Needed

Okay all you armchair transportation planners, this is your chance to have a say in how transportation works around here. SRTC needs new members for its Transportation Advisory Committee (TAC).

TAC members are responsible for advising the SRTC Board on recommendations regarding plans, programs, and activities conducted by SRTC. The purpose of the TAC is to promote transparency and provide an opportunity for the public to be involved in SRTC's programs.

The TAC is composed of 13 members that meet monthly. You don't have to have any technical transportation experience, we just ask that you can read and understand the fundamentals of land use and transportation planning as established in the Revised Code of Washington. That makes it sound like a drag, but it's not. It's a fun group for the most part and we have some lively meetings. The biggest reason you're going to want to joint though is because I am the staff liaison to the TAC. Don't all line up at once now.

For more information on the TAC or to apply to be a member, click here. The deadline to submit applications is Wednesday, May 18.

Bike And Pedestrian Master Plan Headed Out For Public Input

May is National Bike month, and it's also the month when Spokane Valley is working on wrapping up their portion of work on a Bike and Pedestrian Master Plan. City staff has been working on the Plan all winter and is now ready to take it out to the public for input. The Spokane Valley News Herald has the story.

More Red Light Cameras Approved; Council President Quotes Dr. Evil

Everyone's favorite subject is back; that's right, Spokane's City Council is talking red light cameras again and voted unanimously last night to add them to four more intersections.

Cameras will enforce the southbound approach at Thor Street and Second Avenue, southbound approach at Browne Street and Third Avenue, southbound approach at Maple Street and Second Avenue and the westbound approach at Second Avenue and Walnut Street.

And that's where the meeting got weird. Apparently a citizen who attends City Council meetings regularly spoke, saying the city's main reason for more of the red light cameras is to increase its revenue.

Council President Joe Shogan apparently took offense at this, called the meeting to a halt, then returned with Spokane Police statistics showing a decline of accidents at some intersections in the second year of the Photo Red program.

And the best part from our elected leader: he told the citizen, “You’re frickin’ wrong,” after presenting the police statistics.

Your Input Is Needed

Don't ever tell me you never get to express your opinion when it comes to government projects. Here are three areas just this week where you are being asked for input:

- The Spokane Regional Health District has been awarded a grant to help reduce the number of bicycle, pedestrian and motorist collisions in Spokane County. They're using this survey to test and determine effectiveness of some possible slogans and visuals, so please take it and let them know what would affect you. For your participation, you will be entered into a drawing for one of four $20 Hastings Book/Music Store gift cards. Can't talk now- taking survey.

- The City of Spokane wants to know what design you prefer for the proposed University District Pedestrian/Bike Bridge. You can learn more about the proposed bridge and view three-dimensional images of the two proposed bridge options, then provide your feedback trhough a project survey. Survey responses are due by May 2.

- The Pedestrian Plan Update Citizen Advisory Committee wants your views on what should be included in an update to the City of Spokane's Pedestrian Plan.

The Pedestrian Plan Update seeks to promote pedestrian safety and access to help ensure that Spokane is a safe, convenient, and attractive place to walk. It will establish a pedestrian network emphasizing safe routes to school and connections to transit. The goals of the Pedestrian Plan Update process are: Develop an implementable plan Improve pedestrian safety Enhance mobility Prioritize a system plan Results in projects, programs, enforcement Involve stakeholders, including underserved Develop guiding policy Integrate with other efforts (Complete Streets, Transportation Planning)

In the meantime, the advisory committee working on the plan is gathering public input on it through this questionaire. The Pedestrian Plan Update is expected to be complete by the end of 2011.

I90 Spokane Valley- Liberty Lake Open House

How would you improve Interstate 90 in East Spokane Valley and Liberty Lake? That's what the Washington State Department of Transportation wants to know. They're asking for suggestions and providing an opportunity to learn about possible design options for the freeway between Barker Road and Harvard Road at an open house.

The open house is 5:30-8:30 p.m. Thursday, April 28, at Hope Lutheran Church, 17909 E. Broadway Ave. to present potential designs for this section of I-90. The options aim to help commuters and freight haulers get where they need to go more conveniently with added lanes and more efficient on- and off-ramp locations.

There is no formal presentation planned, so you can drop by anytime during the meeting. Engineering staff will be on hand to answer questions and take comments.

City Upgrades Electric Vehicle Charging Station

The City of Spokane has upgraded the electric vehicle charging station at City Hall to allow for charging electric vehicles more quickly. The station has been upgraded to a “Stage II” unit that provides 208 volts and can charge an electric vehicle in half the time of the earlier 110-volt equipment.

The station is located in the parking lot just north of City Hall. It currently has one outlet, but later this year will be upgraded to two outlets allowing two vehicles to charge at the same time. The station is a partnership between the City and Avista. Avista provided the new equipment, and the City installed it.

In part, the City wanted to upgrade the station to accommodate two new vehicles that will be added to the City’s motor pool. To save money and resources, the City dramatically reduced its motor pool in 2010 and committed to an emphasis on alternative-fuel vehicles for the remaining motor pool vehicles. The City is expecting delivery of a Nissan Leaf this summer and a Chevrolet Volt by early 2012.

The station is also open for public use. Has anyone out there used it yet?

Freeway Lane Closures

Starting today, crews will set up long-term lane restrictions for scheduled bridge work on I-90 in Spokane, including:

• Eastbound I-90 will be reduced to one through lane at the Abbott Road Bridge at the top of the Sunset Hill.

• East and westbound I-90 will be reduced to two lanes at the Latah Creek Bridges near downtown Spokane.

• Drivers entering eastbound I-90 from US 195 need to use extra caution due to probable eastbound congestion.

• The eastbound US 2 to westbound I-90 ramp will be closed with a signed detour.

So here's what to expect: slow traffic, congestion, and delays. Allow for extra travel time in this five-mile section, especially when planning for appointments or airline travel and check out SpokaneRoadFix.net for updates.