Carpool Line Sign
Relief for afternoon traffic around Brookwood Forest Elementary could come in the future.
The city council approved a study for traffic solutions around the school at its Oct. 13 meeting. Skipper Consulting will conduct the study.
Each afternoon from around 2:40-3:10 p.m., Brookwood Forest school carpool traffic backs up onto South Brookwood Road in both directions, so cars are passing the lines of carpool traffic by driving in no-passing zones.
Concerned parents recently approached the city about the issue and last week met with Police Chief Ted Cook, City Manager Sam Gaston, Superintendent Dicky Barlow and school administration to discuss the problems and potential solutions.
In 2003 Skipper conducted a study of the area and suggested extensive projects estimated at around $65,000 and $120,000 to add additional lanes on school property to accommodate more cars in the queue.
At the council meeting, Richard Caudle with Skipper said the new study will focus on trying to find lower cost improvements and addressing pedestrian traffic safety instead of more costly long-term improvements.
“It is a bad situation, and I believe the real solutions will take asphalt and concrete,” Caudle said. ”But I do believe we can do some [smaller] things, particularly to protect the pedestrians.”
Council member Amy Carter pointed out that she does not think parents will not change their driving behavior even if you add signs or other minor changes.
Council member Jack Carl suggested looking at a new drive to get more cars up on school property but doesn’t think extending the left turn lane on South Brookwood Road would be possible. Council president Virginia Smith said one solution could be rerouting through traffic or making the road for one-way traffic during school hours. Caudle said Skipper had previously considered adding a circular drive for more cars to sit on.
A lieutenant from the police department said that according Alabama law, if there is an obstruction in traffic, you can cross it as cars are doing now. Last year he said the department told the school’s parents they cannot sit in the area but must keep moving.
The proposed study will address traffic congestion and potentially unsafe conditions on South Brookwood Road, particularly related to afternoon carpool traffic around the school.
It will include traffic counts during morning and afternoon peak times. Speed and vehicle classification will also be considered, as well as queues, pedestrian activity, carpool flow and accident data.
The detailed operational study will cost $6,900 and take about six weeks. Upon completion, a final report will be presented to the council.
At the bottom of this story is a report regarding the traffic submitted by Brookwood Forest parents.
The council also:
Approved a traffic studying regarding the pedestrian crossing signal design for the intersection of Overton Road and Oakdale Drive/River Run Drive in the vicinity of Cahaba River Park, also with Skipper Consulting. Richard Caudle of Skipper Consulting proposed a study to determine how to best create crosswalks for pedestrian traffic and slow down traffic at the intersection. Jefferson County, who maintains the intersection as well as Oakdale Drive and River Run Drive are at Vestavia-Mountain Brook city limits, had previously suggested adding pedestrian crossings across all four crossings at the intersections and reshaping curve at River Run and Overton Road.
Approved adding a picnic pavilion and sidewalk while taking away plans for water connection at Cahaba River Park. The water connection would have cost $32,877.43, and the pavilion would cost $51,268, which Nimrod Long believes would offer a more complete park feel than the water supply. Long also proposed adding a section of sidewalk on the north side of Oakdale for $4,849.40. The net additional cost would be $23,239.97.
Approved a traffic study by Skipper Consulting for the proposed Piggly Wiggly development on Vine Street.
Approved an additional $5,000 for Schoel Engineering’s drainage study at Beech Circle.
Set an organizational meeting of the new city council and committee and liaison appointments for Nov. 3 at 7:30 a.m.
Appointed Rhett Loveman as a supernumerary member of the Board of Zoning Adjustment through Sept. 22, 2017.
Approved a fire and emergency medical services contract between the City and commercial property owners from unincorporated areas within the city’s police jurisdiction.
Approved service agreements with:
- Jefferson/Blount/St. Clair Mental Health Authority
- Jefferson County Historical Commission
- Alabama Veterans’ Memorial Foundation
- Mountain Brook Chamber of Commerce
- Birmingham Museum of Art
- Alabama Symphonic Association
- Birmingham Botanical Society
- Birmingham Children’s Theatre
- Birmingham Zoo
Approved installing a fire hydrant at 2655 Lane Park Road to serve the Grand Bohemian Inn in Mountain Brook Village.
Approved authorizing the city manager to offer continuing medical coverage to eligible employees, namely those with 20 years of city service at any age or 10 years of city service for ages 60 and over, who elect to retire between January 1, 2015 and August 2015.
Approved an amendment to the PUD master development plan for Pilgrim Place on Montclair Road, which is currently home two residences. In a public hearing the new developer said the development’s name will also change to “Village Place” and the name of the street from Pilgrim Place to Village Place. Plans also call for widening the entryway to allow for gated community, reducing width of the road to allow for deeper lots, closing setbacks from 12 ½ to 10 feet and resurveying some areas. The Bruce Steel, a resident of Ridgeview Drive West, asked for clarification regarding the upkeep of the area on the edge of the property, and the developer said it would be maintained as a part of the development’s codes and covenants.
Approved an amendment to Chapter 121, the “Sign Ordinance,” of the City Code following a public hearing.
Approved a mayoral reappointment of Susan Swagler to the Planning Commission.
The next council meeting will be Monday, Oct. 27 at 7 p.m. at the Council Chamber of City Hall.
REPORT SUBMITTED BY BROOKWOOD FOREST PARENTS
South Brookwood Road from the direction of Brookwood Road is blocked daily from approximately 2:40-3:10, making it impassible for through traffic. The left-turn lane is too short to accommodate all the waiting cars. From the direction of Brookwood Road before reaching the school, through traffic attempts to cross the double yellow line and pass on the left, risking head-on collisions and putting themselves, children and other drivers at risk. (No Passing Zone with Limited Sight Distance)
Through traffic also attempts to pass on the right, risking striking walking children. From the direction of Overton Road, cars are also passing (although sight distance is much better), and drivers often pass through the stop sign in their hurry to get around the stopped traffic.
PRIOR ATTEMPTS TO RESOLVE THE PROBLEMS:
1. Carpool Procedures Redesign
Result: Parents are still blocking the road.
Problem with this approach: There's just not enough space on-property to accommodate all of the cars. Additionally, when we are frantically rushing children into cars in an effort to move the line more quickly, we increase the risk of accidents.
2. Police Intervention
Blinking signs were placed, but instructed parents not to block the road, rather than clarifying the area as a No Passing Zone. Parents were threatened with tickets. Uncertain if any drivers passing on the left were ticketed.
Result: Parents are still blocking the road, cars are still passing on the left, and the hazardous situation still exists, posing a continued danger to anyone on this section of South Brookwood Road during carpool hours. Parents are afraid to request police assistance again for fear of being ticketed while trying to pick up their children from school.
Problem with this approach: If parents are not allowed to queue up for the left-turn lane as they would on any other road anywhere but are forced to keep moving, more traffic will be driven through up to three intersections where children are crossing on foot: across South Brookwood from the school, at Brookwood Trace, and at south Brookwood and Overton, thereby increasing the risk to the walkers.
3. Public Shaming of Reckless Drivers on Social Media
Result: A lot of uproar, with no discernible reduction in the incidence of offenders.
Problem with this approach: Its only benefit is catharsis. Drivers who break the law and don't get tickets don't change their behaviors. Eventually, the shock value wears off and people become apathetic.
4. Homemade Traffic Delay Signs at the Top of South Brookwood
Result: Unclear.
Problem with this approach: Some drivers who passed on the left stated they did not see the signs.They are not very visible, and have no flashing lights or "official appearance" to draw attention.
5. Volunteer Parent Traffic Control
Result: Visible presence seemed to discourage through traffic from attempting to pass.
Problem with this approach: Lack of parent volunteers and potential danger to inexperienced volunteers.
POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS:
Signage clarifying the area as a No Passing Zone-- include flashing lights. Signage requesting no through traffic during carpool hours-- include flashing lights. Request parents not to queue up for afternoon carpool until 2:55 or 3 p.m. if possible. Remind parents to not enter front carpool from the direction of Overton Road, which prevents parents from
the direction of Brookwood Road from turning in, further increasing the delay on South Brookwood Road. Instruct the crossing guard to enforce this. Police patrol to ticket reckless drivers who disregard the safety of our children, families and community members.
Police patrol (or teachers or parents, if appropriate) to help direct traffic so that through traffic may pass safely. A new drive paved somewhere on school property to be used as a carpool lane (and overflow parking for special events) to help alleviate the backup on South Brookwood Road.
Widen the road to allow for a longer left turn lane. Install more guardrails to keep walking children safe.
