ColaTown: Telling our Stories: Learn more about the Columbia Council of Neighborhoods

Good morning. Welcome on in to another edition of Col Town on a Monday. Glad to have you on board. Colat Town, our city, our [music] stories. My name is Kevin Cohen. Happy to be with you from now until 10:00. always bringing in new guests, new [music] ideas, uh some dynamic people to talk about different things and and we're excited to actually we get a chance to welcome back someone today uh that's been with us before that we said when we have something new to add when you know we we're going to do some measurements, we're going to do this, we're going to do then we're going to come back and talk about it, she kept her word. Nicole Broner is here with us and Nicole is here with us from the city of Colombia to talk a little bit about the pedestrian count, the bike count, all that stuff. you were here a while back and you said once we get some data, can we come back? >> I was like, well, when if you're going to study the data, we need to know what the results are and what we're figuring out and what we need to do better. And so, you said, I'll keep my word. I'll come back. And here you are. >> Good morning. >> Thank you for coming back. >> I'm happy to be back. >> I'm glad I didn't drive you away so badly the first time that you you're willing to come back. So, thank you for that. >> How's your summer? >> Oh, my summer's going great. First summer in South Carolina. >> Really? Now, let's go back because I do want to introduce you again to the listening folk here at the point. So, tell me a little bit about where you're from, how what brought you to Columbia, all that. >> Absolutely. So, I'm actually an Ohio native. So, I'm coming from the Midwest, right? >> And I'm coming down here because I'm following my passion and things I've studied in, which is um multimotal transportation and active transportation. >> Right. Right. Right. Where in Ohio? >> I'm from Dayton. >> Okay. I I I drove through Dayton I guess about a month and a half ago on my way to Detroit because we our family is from Detroit. So my family's from Detroit and so I I was we took the kids up to see a baseball game and do some other stuff up and see some family in Detroit. Then we went to Chicago and all that stuff on the way home. But but Oh, we had a good family vacation. We did uh although it's not a vacation when you drive places that's a trip. Yes. I've I've come to learn that a vacation is when you go on a cruise or something and you put your feet up for a week. A a trip is where you go spot to spot to spot and you stop at different things and do different things. That's a trip. >> Yeah, that was a whole journey for you. >> Exactly. Exactly. But Dayton Yes. So you're you're a Dayton flyer. >> Um I'm actually a Xavier Musketeer. >> Oh, okay. Well, that's close by. >> Yes. But Right. Okay. I think I made the same mistake last time when you said Dayton. No, it's okay. Anyway, but you're from where? Dayton University. Okay. So, anyway, good stuff. Well, so this is your first summer. >> Yes. >> How are you handling the heat? The heat is >> what you expected overwhelming. >> It's what I expected, but it's also it's it's different. I was never really used to the wet heat. Yeah. >> So, it's just like >> the humidity. >> Yeah. >> Nicole, today's feels like temperature is 109. >> Oh my. [laughter] >> Yes. But you know, it's important though because you are dealing with your job with people who are outside, who are actually wanting to be outside, who are riding bikes and who are going for walks and things like that. And part of your job, as I understand it, is we want to make sure that they have safe passage. >> Exactly. >> So tell me a little bit about the job description, the department you work with, all that stuff. >> Yeah. So with multimodal transportation, our department really looks into active transportation. So, think of sidewalks, greenways, trails, getting access to parks. We want to make sure that anyone that wants to access those things, especially during the summer when a lot of kids and a lot of families want to be out and be active, they have the chance to do so and do so in a very safe environment and get there safely as well. >> People, and I was talking about this when I was previewing Colola Town with our morning show this morning. I was talking about the fact that these are all this is another one of those jobs and another one of those things that's in the background that we pay very little attention to in terms of the citizens because the only time is when something bad happens. We that's the kind of job you want. you want to be in the background with what you do because the only time we wanna uh the only time we're gonna hear about it is when heaven forbid there's a ble bicycle accident and somebody gets hit or or someone gets a pedestrian gets hit, things like that. If we're all doing our job and people are behaving and being smart, then you guys can stay in the background and just keep people safe. Yes. Fair. >> Yes. Yes. That's exactly what we'd like to do. Like when it comes to any sort of active transportation or multimotal transportation, we want to make sure that our roadways are safe for everyone. drivers, pedestrians, cyclists, everyone in between. >> So, let's go back in time to when you were first here with us a little earlier in our Cola Town days, and you said, "Well, we're doing some studies." You even encouraged people to get involved with those studies to help us do measurements and things like that. Take me through what the goal was then and then we'll start to worry about, not worry about, we'll start to reveal what some of the results have told us. >> Absolutely. So during that time we were having a public session where we were finalizing some of our high injury network corridors and intersections. So these are areas that we are seeing a lot more pedestrian strikes and cyclist strikes. So part of that was to look at these segments and figure out which ones we would want to consider to be at the forefront of all of this. >> Right. So you guys were trying to figure out where the hot spots are, if you would. and you were trying to figure out why because you have to know where first and then you then you can look at the why and then you could look at the how. Can we prevent that? Is that all kind of the the the way this thing works? >> Yes, it was looking at like what like times of day like what people were doing like how the signals are um like what their segments are. We're also looking at how pedestrians and cyclists use any sort of like stop sign if they're using the street or even if there's even a sidewalk present. Sure. Let's talk about bikes for a moment because >> they're certainly entitled to their space and they're certainly entitled to safety. We that's that's not a lot to ask. We should be able to make sure we provide them a safe uh passage. Bicycling is a wonderful hobby and a nice mode of transportation if you can use it for whatever. But the thing that frustrates a lot of drivers is that sometimes bike drivers do not think that they need to be stopping at stop signs or they don't they they don't they don't follow the laws of the road themselves. And there's no way to keep someone safe if they're coming up on an intersection and they're not willing to stop at that intersection because they don't want to lose the momentum because again it's it's hot. It's 100 degrees out. It takes effort to stop and start and that I I get that. But I mean, do are you finding that some of the bicycle accidents that have happened over the years, are they because the bicyclists are being ignored or are they doing so because they're not following proper protocol or or all the above or how does it work? >> Well, when we look at these types of strikes, we don't really want to place blame. We want to make sure that when we look at any sort of situation because they will change from like situation to situation >> like are these like sections of road are they actually safe for everyone? Like is there a separate bike facility for cyclists to do what they need to do? Is there something where they do see the signs? >> Well, okay. And and I probably I I came at that wrong from the standpoint of blame. That's not necessarily what I'm thinking, but I mean, >> the city can do everything in their power to make it safe for somebody, but if a bicyclist is not going to stop at a stop sign and it's just going to proceed through you. I mean, there's a reason why it's a stop sign. It's for all vehicles to stop because someone might be coming the other way. Do you follow what I'm saying? >> Yeah. The rules of the road do apply to everyone. >> So, that's all I'm saying. It's not so much a blame as much as just it is are we finding that even when you take the city takes proper precautions are the bicyclists following those precautions. So with our findings, we are analyzing that most of the strikes do tend to happen at like these certain intersections where sometimes the signals aren't re like relaying um either a pedestrianled or a bicycleled interval the way it should or we are just seeing that sometimes the signage isn't clear like people can't see it. So when we want to influence and improve some of these sections and segments, we are really looking at various strategies and toolkits to actually implement so they can be safer. >> Gotcha. All right, let's do our first break. When we come back, we're going to talk more with Nicole. I got a couple of things to ask specific, then we're going to get into some of the data. Stick around. This is Cola Town on the point. Welcome back to Cola Town on this Monday. I [music] appreciate you hanging out with us. We have with us uh Miss Nicole Broner from the city of Columbia talking to us about uh bike and pedestrian counts and why that matters and why even if you have not walked the city or ridden a bike through the city, of course it affects all of us as drivers because we want if we're driving a vehicle, we want to make sure that the people who are trying to cross the worst imaginable thing is that you know one of us hit somebody or or cause an accident ourselves. So, I told you I had something I wanted to throw your way, and that was about the concept of of you guys study to make sure there's enough time to get across from A to B when you're crossing an intersection. And the mayor talks all about, you know, he wants more people to be able to move downtown, live downtown, not just students, but also retirees and things like that. We have an a aging population, Nicole. So, we have to make sure there's enough time when the light changes for somebody to get across. Here's my question to you guys because there has to be cooperation because a lot of these roads have nothing to do with the city of Colombia. They're all DOT controlled. So, you can provide them data, but it really isn't it up to DOT to make the adjustments. >> So, when we do provide those types of recommendations, um what is nice is that DOT does work handinhand with us when whenever possible. >> Right. So >> because they control like 73% of the the roads in in the city. Y >> is what the mayor told me I think. >> Yes. Yeah. >> So when it comes to um any sort of signalized intersection we are seeing some resalization studies happening in the downtown corridor. And one of the recommendations that we are having is having an allw walk, which is not necessarily a blitz, but everyone on all four corners can split and just go through the intersection um and cross over. or we're having pedestrian-led inter um intervals, which is um before anyone turns or before anyone has to go like straight through. Sure. You have your pedestrians like get through the intersection first and then you have your cars and bikes. And you got to figure out, this is a challenge for you guys with DOT is the balance because you you want to give people enough time to get across a road, but at the same time, you don't you don't want to create a traffic jam because I'm going to take my time getting across this road. Meanwhile, the traffic's backing up and backing up and backing up and and you next thing you know, for one person, you've got, you know, 40 extra cars that didn't make it through a light. Yes. And and they have to get to work. And then then you get the road rage and you get the the desperation and people take chances and that's how people get hurt. >> Yes. >> And I mean again this might not be real sexy to the average listener. This is really and truly what a major city has to do to keep people safe. And we are getting to the point with the city of Colombia and I like this where because of the connectivity we have in all the different districts around the city of Colombia, we are seeing more people who want to walk. I we we uh the biggest one that we hear about is, "Hey, I just finished up at Soda City. Now I want to walk over to Finley Park." Well, getting across assembly is not always the easiest thing to do. Uh so, you know, there's stuff like that that you guys are studying to make sure everybody can get where they want to go, but also do so safely. >> Exactly. So the city of Columbia's engineering, our planning and development, our public works, all of us, we are working really close with DOT, especially when it comes to crossing assembly, especially when it comes to getting to Finley Park because that connect that connectivity to one of our major urban destinations is going to be very key to what we have like coming up in the future, right? Because I'm not sure if you've heard, but we are looking at um Congre at Riverfront. Yes. So that is going to be a major >> that's next on the list. Yeah. And I mean everything with that and with Huji Street, another major intersection with a heavy traffic pattern and and a lot of speed on that traffic pattern also. And so there's a lot of things, you know, the mayor's talked to us a little bit about um potentially changing and putting in uh uh down the middle of Taylor Street, maybe putting in some medians there and some beautifification and that kind of stuff. but that's worth losing a lane in order to create more safety and easier crossing of of Taylor Street to get into Finley Park, that kind of stuff. So, the bottom line here is stay tuned. Yes, there's a lot of things in the works, but the good news is the city is aware of this and is trying to do things to make this more pedestrian friendly because you never know. Again, I mentioned that might be somebody that never rides their bike ever downtown, but what happens when you want to take your kids to Finley Park? >> That's a lot more people you're not talking about. What happens when it's your parents and maybe they don't get around as quickly as as you do or some younger people do and it's your mom and your dad, that kind of stuff. So, yeah, we're looking into all that. But you still need the public's help. >> Yes, we do. >> So, that brings us to what's coming up in September. >> So, yes, in September between September 12th and the 26th, we are doing our semianual bicycle and pedestrian count. If you would like to sign up, those dates um are available on our website. If you go to the multimodal transportation resources page, they will have a signup sheet and you can pick your days, we count throughout the entire section of time and we only just need about two hours, >> right? So, this is something where you can volunteer and it's like there's weekends, there's weekday, uh, and and again, it's like a couple hour block and you quite literally you you volunteer. So, let's just take me through the process. Okay. Hey, um, you know, I'd like to volunteer, Nicole. Uh, I'm going to the website, City of Columbia website, finding the the modal that you're talking about for for planning and development, and I want to volunteer. I see I've got like all these different choices. What do I do now? >> So, what you do is you just select the date that you deem available for yourself, and then you will pick a location. And from that location, it will just say you either count from 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. or if you do a weekend, that is 10:00 a.m. to noon. And then from there you will be able to just go park or sit. Um because it's still in September slash August >> that the heat. >> I'm really worried about the heat. Sure. >> But just bring something nice to sip on like bring a sweet treat and enjoy some people watching. >> Yeah. And again it's quite literally you can do it on a Saturday or you guys have what Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursdays that you can choose from. and uh 10:00 to noon, 7:00 in the morning, uh 7:30 in the morning to 9:30 in the morning, different slots like that depending on people's schedule to make it as convenient as possible for those. So, so this sounds like it'd be very good for like some retirees. >> Yes. or or people that that because I mean a lot of others are are going to be at work uh on especially the Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday aspect, but I mean if you've got a Saturday morning um how cool would it be go do this for a couple hours and then make your way over to the last hour or two of Soda City or or head over to Finley Park yourself, that kind of thing. So again, they go to the city of Columbia website and then there's a page to click on for the planning and development, right? >> Yes. >> Okay. So again, this is something that you can help out. It starts on September the 12th and then there's days the 12th, 15th, 16th, 17, 19th, 22nd, 23rd, 24th, 26th. All these days available for two-hour blocks that you can help. So, they'll sign up >> and then basically you guys will get in touch with them and tell them this is where you're going to be. Do they need like to come pick up anything or how does it work in terms of like paperwork and all? So, when it comes to the paperwork, you can either print out the form and fill out that way, or I've had some people just have it on their phone and then just mark it off that way. Um, I would also like to encourage students to do this as well because there are some professors out there that are going to allow for extra credit if they do actually come out and count. And a lot of these students are the ones that we're trying to protect the most because they're the ones that that are walking a lot from A to B to C to D when it comes to getting around campus and things like that because it's not just USC, it's also Allen and and and Benedict and all that and and so Columbia College, we have a number of different places where there are high traffic areas that we want to keep everybody safe with. Uh and that's essential. So yeah, retirees and students, if you've got some time and you want uh and if you don't if if you're listening right now and you do this and you don't get extra credit, I'll give you a gift card to one of our restaurants here at the radio station if you sign up. Anybody that signs up, get in touch with me and if Nicole signs your report card and I'll I'll give you I'll give you a gift card from here at the point to go to a restaurant here in town as a gift. >> Deal. >> Love that incentive. >> I just want people to care. I want people to to to care because this is something that this is for all of our benefits. Again, >> I don't ride a bicycle downtown. I ride a bicycle. Well, I'm starting to ride a bicycle more. Um it's a good thing. I'm getting a little more fitness driven, but that's another day, another story. But but um >> I'm just saying we got to keep these people safe. Uh they have every bit as much of a right to the road as cars do. And >> the results are not good when car meets bike. And and so let's just avoid that. Let's keep people safe and do this kind of stuff. So, let's go back to the results for a sec. >> Have you found something that in in your year here, have you found data that is eye opening in the sense that wait, we had no idea this was such a a hot spot or that kind of stuff? Have you found spots that are are gaining because new new student housing is in certain areas and that's increasing traffic dramatically in certain spots? >> Yes. So WHMI actually looked at the data we did have like we did have a spikes. >> Yes. >> So one of them once Finley Park became operational and it opened. >> Sure. >> Taylor Street then started becoming a hot spot assembly started becoming a hot spot >> and even all the way up to Two Notch and really Yeah. Mont Montello Monttoello. >> Montel Montichello depends on who you talk to. All I know is it's huge, not huger. Yes. And it's Jery, not grav. You know, I've, you know, first thing I learned 32 years ago here was don't call it huer or huger. >> See, >> it's huge street. >> I kept saying huger street and people were looking at me like, >> no, don't do that. Don't do that. But but so there's spots all over the place. You know, I think about um Blossom and and Hui where all those student housing is going in. You're going to have traffic there. We've already had a lot of traffic because of the baseball stadium there also, but you're going to have so much more traffic with all the student housing going in there. Uh so many people biking and and and uh walking to campus from there to classes from there and things like that. You know, we we just have to change with the times. >> Yes. And what's really nice is some of these results are already published onto our website. So, if you go to our sharing the road section of the planning and development, you will be able to see the segments that we have looked at and are trying to have preliminary designs for as well as intersections. >> Well, it's important obviously that we're we're doing this stuff and and again, the data is ever changing. What worked two years ago is completely different than today. Uh because again the things we just talked about with new student housing and new patterns and this and that going on. Uh lane changes, you know, right now assembly is is under some lane changes right now as you're coming into town and things like that. So uh just again pay attention and understand and and most importantly people be aware of your surroundings. stay off your phones and and no texting while you're driving and and and if you are a bicyclist, please respect the rules of the road. Uh just like you were in a car. These are all important things. All right. If people one more time, if people want to get involved, >> last chance, how do we get them involved? So, best way to get involved when you come to volunteer, just go to our resources page for the multimodal devel um multimodal transportation section of our planning and development website and you can volunteer and sign up right there. >> Thank you, Nicole. Great job as always. Appreciate you coming in and helping people. Thanks for being part of [music] Colo Town. We'll come back with our next guest. Stick around. This is the point.