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<br />eASE # .15 <br /> <br />P ARKlNG RAMP SAFETY CONCERN <br />By: Steven Jankowski, City Engineer <br /> <br />Background: <br /> <br />A disposal chute was incorporated into'the design of the parking ramp in an effort to <br />assist in the efficient removal of snow. The snow disposal chute is located in the <br />southwest corner of the ramp and has openings on the top of the ramp as well as on the <br />third level. At street level there is an opening facing Civic Center Drive large enough to <br />allow tandem axle trucks to enter beneath the chute and be loaded. This truck access is <br />secured by two large doors. See photos attached. to this case. <br /> <br />It has been brought to the attention of staff that a safety issue may exist in that the <br />openings could allow an inattentive bicyclist to crash and project over the wall apd into <br />the snow chute.- There are sloping concrete baffles design_ed to break the fall of deposited' <br />snow. These baffles would prevent a direct fall to the bo.ttom. However once at the <br />bottom of the chute, a victim would have little means of summoning help. <br /> <br />Staff has consulted J.\1r. Jim Lasher who assisted in:the design of this facility to provide <br />his background to address this concern. Staff is awaiting his input at the time of this <br />writing. Staff has also investigated several options for eliminating or mitigating. the <br />consequences oftbis hazard scenario. <br /> <br />Option A - Remove the. doors at street level securing the snow chute. <br />This option would not eliminate the hazard itself but would allow the victim to be readily. <br />visible and obtain help. There would be little cost associated with the removal oftbe <br />doors which could be facilitated by the Public Works Department. <br /> <br />Option B - Install a removable or hinged grate on the top floor <br />This option would insure that anyone falling over the top rail would be prevented from a <br />debilitating fall. The cost of such a grate is unavailable at the time oftbis writing but <br />. , should be-available at the meeting. <br /> <br />Option C - Remove doors at ground level and refit them to the 3rt! level chute. opening <br />This option would eliminate the possibilitY of a fall from the 3rd level by effectively <br />shutting this opening to the public. The doors would only be opened during snow <br />removal operations. J'he cost of this option would be relatively minimal as it would <br />require primarily the time on the part of the Public Works Department in making the <br />modifications. <br /> <br />Recommendations: <br /> <br />Based upon discussion and costs <br /> <br />-207- <br />