Governors Council on Highway Safety MEETING MINUTES

Monday, January 23, 2012, at 1:00 PM Wisconsin State Capitol Building Conference Rm. 328 NW 2 East Main Street, Madison, WI 53703 Call to Order: Chair Dr. Randy Thiel called the quarterly meeting of the Governors Council on Highway Safety to order at 1:15 p.m., performed a roll call, and had members and guests introduce themselves. Roll Call: Members Present Mr. Robert Tom Barten Mr. Brian Leuth Police Chief Richard Van Boxtel Mr. Tom Clauder on behalf of Mr. Jeff Plale Supt. David Collins (Retired) Ms. Rebecca Szymkowski on behalf of Mr. John Corbin Dr. Randall Thiel Ms. Tim Fiocchi on behalf of Rep. Jerry Petrowski Sen. Mary Lazich Members Not Present Mr. Donald E. Cline Ms. LaVerne E. Hermann Mr. Tim Stumm Rep. Joe Knilans Sen. Joseph Leibham Others Present Major Sandy Huxtable - WisDOT/DSP/BOTS Mr. Randy Romanski - WisDOT/DSP/BOTS Ms. Laura Andreasson WisDOT/DSP/BOTS Mr. Zach Wyatt WisDOT/DSP/BOTS Mr. Neil May WisDOT/DSP/BOTS Mr. Steve Krieser WisDOT/Secretarys Office Mr. Nate Yahn on behalf of Gov. Scott Walkers Office

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Introduction of Members and Guests: Mr. Krieser spoke, welcoming those present, while also speaking to the subject of the time period between this meeting and the last one to occur and how the GCHS will move forward, from this point onward. Dr. Thiel provided background and historical information for those unfamiliar with the history and function of the GCHS. Mr. Neil May called the attendance roll (9 members were present of the 15 total, which constitutes a quorum) Approval of January 23, 2012 Meeting Agenda: Dr. Thiel brought the approval of the present agenda and whether any new business should be discussed. Mr. Brian Leuth wanted the new development plans for the Hwy 51 corridor in Minocqua, discussed. Mr. Tom Barten wanted a discussion of the paint presently being used on the roads, reconsidered.
The January 23, 2012 Meeting Agenda was approved unanimously, with the additional new business items,

Mr. Lueths and Mr. Bartens Review of Background Information:

A. November 16, 2009 Minutes - Dr. Randy Thiel

Dr. Thiel also discussed the OWI Recommendations that did not have their final version approved and were a topic of discussion as mentioned in the GCHS Meeting Minutes for November 16, 2009. Supt. Collins (Retired) asked that the GCHS Meeting Minutes from November 16, 2009, be approved. Further discussion concerning OWI Recommendations ensued, with the understanding that the OWI Recommendations would be updated to reflect current statutes and would be discussed at the next meeting. The November 16, 2009 Meeting Minutes were approved by the voting members, except for Sen. Lazich who abstained, with the amendment that the OWI Recommendations be updated and discussed further at the next meeting.
B. Strategic Highway Safety Plan (SHSP) Mr. Randy Romanski

Randy Romanski presented description and background information for the Council, regarding the Strategic Highway Safety Plan (SHSP). The SHSP is an interdisciplinary Plan that encompasses the various traffic safety related functions throughout WI-DOT, as defined by the members of the Traffic Safety Council (TSC). Mr. Lueth asked why the EMS priority moved during 2008-2011 time period from 19.37 to 44.04 in relevant importance. Mr. Romanski noted that the people creating the SHSP have changed over the years, with their respective priorities for the SHSP and that EMS has moved to the forefront in more people opinions in recent times. In the process of the give and take of the discussion Ms. Andreasson noted that the SHSP is required for FHWA funding, but that these monies are not tied to the content of the SHSP.

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The plan can be found at http://www.dot.wisconsin.gov/library/publications/topic/safety.htm, part way down the page.
C. Highway Safety Performance Plan (HSPP) and its related Annual Report Ms. Laura Andreasson

Laura Andreasson presented description and background information for the Council, regarding the Highway Safety Performance Plan (HSPP). The HSPP is a roadmap that encompasses the various traffic safety related functions performed within the Wisconsin State Patrol/Bureau of Transportation Safety (BOTS) Transportation Safety Programs Section and their related goals, objectives, and expenditures for the upcoming fiscal year. It was also noted in this discussion that Wisconsin is in Region 5 (with Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, and Wisconsin) and the possibility of the NHTSA Regional Administrator and/or NHTSA Regional Program Manager, attend a GHCS meeting. Ms. Andreasson also presented a description and background information for the Annual Report, which is related to the HSPP, in that it reports the actual results of the goals, objectives, and expenditures for the past fiscal year. The plan can be found at http://www.dot.wisconsin.gov/library/publications/topic/safety.htm, part way down the page. D. The Traffic Safety Commissions (TSCs) Ms. Laura Andreasson Ms. Andreasson described the framework of the TSCs throughout the state, where they are setup at the county level and operate in varying degrees of activities and thoroughness. The TSCs are setup to enable local input and discussions of their county-level traffic safety problems. DISCUSSION Elections of new Chair and Vice-Chair of the GCHS Dr. Randy Thiel Dr. Thiel noted that elections of a new Chair and Vic Chair-person can be held during the next meeting. This topic will be placed on the agenda for the next meeting. NEW BUSINESS/TOPICS Discussion of the new development plans for the Hwy 51 corridor in Minocqua - Mr. Brian Leuth Mr. Lueth mentioned that he had heard that the Hwy 51 project was based on safety considerations and that presently discrepancies existed between the state and local safety data. He also mentioned that access points to the businesses are very important in the Town of Minocqua, because of their dependencies on tourism. Next, Mr. Lueth stated that Minocqua has passed a resolution that they are not in the favor of the project, as it presently exists, because it cuts off 35 to 40 of the downtown businesses. Mr. Lueth also noted that the project is presently in stage I of the planning phase and the part of the plan he is discussing involves the Town of Woodruff, but not the Town of Hazelhurst who has issues with the project going from 2-4 lanes.

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Mr. Krieser, Executive Assistant to the Secretary responded with noting he and Secretary Gottlieb went to a Town of Minocqua Board meeting, a couple of weeks before and to listen to the public concerns about the project. Mr. Krieser also mentioned that the Hwy 51 project was originally proposed because of infrastructure conditions. He also noted that partnering with the local municipality and public utilities, whom have a need to upgrade their storm sewers would be cheaper to accomplish, if done in conjunction with the Hwy 51 maintenance, so the roadbed only need to be torn up once. The project also includes upgrades to pedestrian/bicycle accommodations throughout the project span, which is obligatory because of the use of federal funding on the project. In order to promote safety, the engineers have needs to limit the number of entrance/exits conflict points where pedestrians and bicyclists are entering and exiting these points. He said that there are also other considerations, such as the Hwy 51 project must be considered over the next 30 years and that Hwy. 51 itself continues beyond Minocqua, up to the northernmost reaches of the states, thus must be concerned how the Hwy. 51 corridor affects the region and any possible alternative transportation solutions. Discussion of reconsidering the use of vinyl tape being used on the roads, in road construction Mr. Tom Barten Mr. Barten expressed concern about the use of white vinyl-like tape strip to demarcate the roadway lanes in construction zones. He provided several examples of why he considered the tape, to be of a safety concern. Mr. Barten then brought up the possibility of maybe checking with our neighbor states to see how they are presently handling the lane demarcation issue. Dr. Thiel followed up Mr. Bartens issue about the possibility of the GCHS bringing in an expert to better inform the whole Council on this topic. It was decided by the Council that Ms. Szymkowski will ask someone from the Bureau of Highway Maintenance to possibly attend the next meeting, to discuss the use of the vinyl-like tape in construction zones and the use of hot tar and pea gravel on sealing cracks in the roadways. Question concerning traffic sign reflectivity Mr. Lueth Mr. Lueth brought up that the new sign reflectivity standards put in place, by the Federal DOT has been delayed. Ms. Szymkowski interjected that all signage must meet the Uniform Traffic Control Devices (UTCD) standards. Major Huxtable discussed how the new UTCD standards allow for the replacement of signs that do not presently meet those standards, on an obsolete or damage basis, in that they would have to be replaced, as the signs reaches the end of their normal lifecycle (becomes obsolete) or has been damaged beyond repair. Question concerning the purview of the GCHS Mr. Lueth Mr. Lueth asked a final question about the purview of the GCHS. Dr. Thiel responded with the purview of the GCHS is highway safety, making recommendations to the Governor and the Secretary of Transportation. What are the areas we believe need attention for which that attention is not presently being attended? Also, to receive educational input with regard to highway safety to make more informed decisions.
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Question concerning the lack of drivers education for teens Mr. Barten A final discussion put forth by Mr. Barten concerned the lack of drivers education for teens, because they are waiting until they are 18 to get their license. Ms. Andreasson mentioned that BOTS will look into seeing how many drivers fit this situation. At Ms. Andreasson request, Mr. May performed some rudimentary research regarding licensure data for ages 16-18 years old. The data in Mr. Mays opinion should be considered inconclusive as to if persons of this age range are waiting to get their drivers license, until they are 18. The most significant uptick in percentage of licensure for this age group was in 2007, rising to 34%, from the 31% of the two previous years of 2005-2006, but falling to 30% for the 2008-2010 timeframe. The 2007-2008 timeframe coincides with the same time period the last major economic downturn began (late 2007-early 2008). Mr. May speculated that that the economic downturn would be just as likely to have caused the 4% point change, between the 2007 and the 2008-2010 timeframe and given the percentage of licensure during this time period is only 1% less than the 2005-2006 timeframe and hasnt declined any further, from the original 34% to 30% downturn from 2008, further detailed research would not be necessary, unless other factors could be cited , showing a licensure decline is occurring in the 16-18 year old group that is somehow accounted for.

2005-2010 Pct of 16-18 year olds Licensed

100% 90%

80% 70% 60% 50% 40% 30% 20% 10% 0%

16-18 Pct Licensed

31% 31% 34% 30% 30% 30%

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

AGENDA ITEMS FOR THE APRIL 16, 2012 MEETING 1. Hwy. 51 Minocqua corridor (with regard to safety data issue) 2. Review of the distance required for the dimming of lights (presently 500 ft.) Major Huxtable informed me that the statute is presently 500 ft. for the required dimming of bright headlights, thus this item will be removed as an agenda consideration for the next GCHS meeting.
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3. Bureau of Highway Maintenance Presentation A. Use of vinyl-like tape on temporary roadway lanes at construction sites B. Use of aggregate or slag on top of tar-repaired cracks, instead of the pea gravel, presently being used 4. On-going white paper presentation on various topics 5. Discussion of the recommendations put forth, by the OWI Subcommittee 6. Election of a new Chair and Vice-Chair of the GCHS Mr. Tom Clauder on behalf of Jeff Plale (Commissioner of Railroads) spoke to the possible topic of train crashes at newly opened intersections in the future. THE NEXT MEETING DATE AND LOCATION ARE: The next GCHS meeting is scheduled for Monday, April 16, 2012, at the Wisconsin State Capitol Building Conference Rm. 328 NW. (Please note that this meeting had been originally scheduled for April 9, 2012, at 10:00 a.m., at the Wisconsin State Patrol DeForest Post, but the GCHS members decided to move the meeting to April 16th, during the 1/23/12 meeting. Also, it was found out when contacting the WSP DeForest Post that their conference room was unavailable the day and time, it was needed for the GCHS meeting.) ADJOURNMENT 1st 2nd Supt. Dave Collins (Retired) Sen. Mary Lazich

Approved unanimously by the Council MEETING ADJOURNED AT 3:05 PM.

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