CITY OF LEXINGTON, NEBRASKA

Transcription

1 CITY OF November 8 th, 2005 Prepared For: City of Lexington 406 E. Seventh Street Lexington, Nebraska Prepared By:

2 LEXINGTON LONG RANGE TRANSPORTATION PLAN November 8, 2005 Submitted To: City of Lexington, Nebraska Submitted By: HWS Consulting Group, Inc.

3 Lexington Long Range Transportation Plan Final Report TABLE OF CONTENTS 1. Introduction LRTP Goals and Objectives Public Participation Existing Transportation System Highways and Streets Functional Classification Traffic Volumes Major Bridges Other transportation systems Existing Travel Demand Model Background TDM Network TDM Process Existing TDM Results Travel Demand Model Background Existing Plus Committed Network Approved Network Transportation Issues and Alternatives Transportation Issues Potential Alternatives Selected Alternatives...36 LIST OF FIGURES Figure 1. Study Area...2 Figure 2. Functional Classification Map...6 Figure Average Daily Traffic Map...8 Figure 4. TDM Traffic Analysis Zones...10 Figure 5. Existing TDM Average Daily Traffic Volumes...12 Figure 6. Existing TDM LOS and V/C Ratios...14 Figure Existing Plus Committed TDM Forecasted Average Daily Traffic Volumes...16 Figure Existing Plus Committed TDM LOS and V/C Ratios...17 Figure Approved Network Average Daily Traffic Volumes...19 Figure Approved Network Change in Traffic Volumes...20 Figure Approved Network LOS and V/C Ratios...21 Figure 12. Issue: Jackson Street...27 Figure 13. Issue: Road 435 and UPRR At-grade Crossing...28 Figure 14. Issue: 13 th Street from Park Street to Adams Street...29 Figure 15. Issue: 13 th Street at Washington Street and Grant Street...30 Figure 16. Issue: 13 th Street from to Liberty Drive...31 Figure 17. Issue: National Functional Classification Proposed Updates...32 Figure 18. Issue: Cattleman s Drive...33 Figure 19. Issue: Adams Street from 15 th Street to CR Figure 20. Issue: Plum Creek Parkway from Frontier to Cattleman s Drive...35 HWS Consulting Group Inc. i November 2005

4 Lexington Long Range Transportation Plan Final Report LIST OF TABLES Table 1. Peak Hour Traffic Analysis...24 Table 2. Transportation Issues and Potential Alternatives...25 HWS Consulting Group Inc. ii November 2005

5 Lexington Long Range Transportation Plan Final Report 1. INTRODUCTION This report documents the City of Lexington, Nebraska s Long Range Transportation Plan (LRTP). The LRTP study area includes the City of Lexington and the area within the city s two-mile exterritorial jurisdiction, as shown in Figure 1. The study area is 39.3 square miles and has a 2000 Census population of 10,850. The Lexington LRTP is for the year 2030 and provides a long-range vision of the study area transportation improvements that will be needed to efficiently move goods and people. The LRTP is a tool for planning, implementing, and maintaining a transportation system. Additionally, it provides goals and objectives to ensure that the study area s transportation system development, social and natural environment preservation, and geographic and social equity are properly directed through a coordinated transportation system. The development of Lexington s LRTP is summarized in the following steps: Perform Background Analysis o Develop base maps. o Collect preliminary data such as traffic counts and previous studies. o Prepare Geographic Information System (GIS) files. o Conduct a project area reconnaissance, which includes driving through the major corridors, taking photos, becoming familiar with key issues, and verifying transportation system features. Identify LRTP Goals and Objectives Public Participation Develop Existing Travel Demand Model o Develop the existing transportation network consisting of the major roadways. o Incorporate the existing land use plan. o Validate the existing model. Develop 2030 Travel Demand Model o Incorporate the future land use plan. o Identify capacity deficiencies. Develop and Evaluate Alternatives o Determine transportation issues within the Lexington study area. o Develop a list of potential alternatives that address the transportation issues. o Determine potential alternative impacts through planning level stick figures on aerial photography and engineering analysis. o Screen the list of potential alternatives to determine if they meet the community s transportation needs. o Carry forward alternatives to be included in the LRTP and identify them as short-term or long term. Obtain LRTP Approval o Present the draft LRTP to the City of Lexington s Planning Commission. o Finalize the LRTP once comments are received from the Planning Commission. HWS Consulting Group Inc. 1 November 2005

6 State Route 21 { W Elm Street S Adams Street E Pa cific S Plum Creek Parkway W Prospect Road Inte r sta te 80 In te r state 80 W tr eet County Road 754 S Taft Street County Road 432 County Road 436 E 13th Street County Road 435 N Taft Street W 10th Street N Monroe Street W 13th Street N Grant Street Stree t acif ic County Road 431 WP N Adams Street County Road 757 B Of f County Road 433 Route 283 Legend City Limits Study Area Miles LONG RANGE TRANSPORTATION PLAN Study Area Figure 1

7 Lexington Long Range Transportation Plan Final Report 2. LRTP GOALS AND OBJECTIVES This section of the report identifies the goals and objectives for the Lexington LRTP. Objectives describe specific outcomes that satisfy the intent of the goals. They may be thought of as more detailed descriptions of the goals. Preferably, objectives should be quantifiable, in order to determine if the objective has been met and what progress has been made toward achieving the goals. Standards are statements designed to identify when an objective has been met. For example, if an objective is to reduce air pollution, the standard may be to reduce carbon monoxide concentrations to a level below the National Ambient Air Quality standard. The following are the goals, objectives, and standards for the Lexington LRTP: Goal # 1: Provide an Efficient Transportation System o Objective: Reduce excessive travel delays. Standard: Reduce the rate of growth of vehicle-hours of travel. Standard: Reduce the rate of growth of vehicle-miles of travel. Standard: Increase average vehicle travel speeds. o Objective: Define a proper mix of local, collector, and arterial streets according to land use and network continuity. o Objective: Preserve and maintain the street and highway system. Standard: Maintain pavement, signal systems, signage, striping, and other features of the transportation infrastructure that influence traffic movement to a level that permits safe operation. Goal # 2: Provide Mobility and Accessibility to the Users of the Transportation System o Objective: Provide an acceptable level of service for all streets. Standard: Provide Level of Service C or better. o Objective: Provide access control guidelines for functionally classified facilities. o Objective: Establish standards for location of local, collector, arterial, and freeway facilities. Standard: Be compatible with local access standards (including collectors). Standard: Be compatible with national and/or state practice. Standard: Be compatible with federal standards and those of other jurisdictions. Goal # 3: Provide Compatible Transportation and Land Use Systems o Objective: Assign the correct facility type according to use and location. o Objective: Design roadways according to new land use using appropriate facility types. HWS Consulting Group Inc. 3 November 2005

8 Lexington Long Range Transportation Plan Final Report 3. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION This section of the report summarizes the Lexington LRTP public participation process. Transportation improvements represent a significant public investment. Large projects affect many people who live in the community, especially residents who have property near areas where improvements are constructed. Therefore, it is important to provide the public with opportunities to participate in the identification and development of alternatives. Reasonable decisions can only be made through active public participation. LRTP meetings were held in conjunction with the City of Lexington s Planning Commission Meetings on the first Wednesday of every month. Those present at the meetings included the City Manager, City Planning Commission, and other interested members of the public. The following is a summary of the project meetings that were held followed by a brief meeting description: September 1, 2004 The meeting involved a LRTP overview and preliminary identification of transportation issues. November 3, 2004 The travel demand model development was discussed and a more in-depth discussion of Lexington s transportation issues occurred. April 6, 2005 Potential alternatives for the transportation issues identified at the previous meetings were presented and public input was obtained. Additionally, deficiencies identified in the travel demand model were discussed. June 2, The Draft LRTP Report was presented. Comments received from this meeting will be incorporated into the Final LRTP Report. HWS Consulting Group Inc. 4 November 2005

9 Lexington Long Range Transportation Plan Final Report 4. EXISTING TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM This section of the report describes Lexington s existing transportation system HIGHWAYS AND STREETS The study area is served by the following primary highways: I-80 U.S. 30 U.S. 283 NE-21 In addition to the primary highways, the study area is served by the following major north-south routes: Erie Avenue Ontario Avenue Adams Street Washington Street Grant Street Jackson Street Taft Street In addition to the primary highways, the study area is served by the following major east-west routes: Cattleman s Drive Walnut Street 8 th Street 10 th Street 13 th Street 17 th Street 20 th Street 4.2. FUNCTIONAL CLASSIFICATION The street network within a community is a combination of roadways of various types that serve regional, sub-regional, and local traffic. Functional classification is a system used to classify the overall character of a roadway facility. Functional classifications are listed below in their hierarchical order: Principal arterials typically consist of interstates, U.S., and state highways and may include other critical municipal routes. Principal and minor arterials are characterized by a high level of regional and sub-regional traffic and partial to full access control. Mobility along arterials is higher than any other roadway classification. Minor arterials Collector roads typically serve as distributors of local roadway traffic. As such, mobility is less than an arterial but access to property is greater. Local roads are the lowest rank of the classification hierarchy and primarily serve as land access. Figure 2 provides an illustration of the study area roads that have a functional classification of collector or above. HWS Consulting Group Inc. 5 November 2005

10 County Road 435 County Road 431 Legend W Pacific Street Aiport Road County Road 432 FUNCTIONAL CLASSIFICATION URBAN COLLECTOR URBAN MINOR ARTERIAL Route 283 County Road 757 W 13th Street W Prospect Road Interstate 80 URBAN PRINCIPAL ARTERIAL - OTHER CONNECTING LINK City Limits Railroads River and Streams Miles W 18th Street S Adams Street Interstate 80 N Adams Street County Road 433 State Route 21 W 15th Street W 10th Street EB Off N Grant Street W 6th Street S Madison Street Cattlemen Drive N Polk Street S Washington Street WB ON Plum Creek Parkway WB Off N Monroe Street E 6th Street EB On S Taft Street Commerce Road Heartland Road N Taft Street E 13th Street E Pacific Street County Road 754 { LONG RANGE TRANSPORTATION PLAN Existing Functional Classification Figure 2

11 Lexington Long Range Transportation Plan Final Report 4.3. TRAFFIC VOLUMES The Year 2000 average daily traffic (ADT) map is shown in Figure MAJOR BRIDGES There are two major bridges in the study area. Both bridges cross U.S. 30 and the U.P.R.R. They are located at Jackson Street and Adams Street and provide access between the southern part of the city and the northern part of the city OTHER TRANSPORTATION SYSTEMS Air Service The study area is served by Jim Kelly Field for air transportation services, which is located in the northwest quadrant of the U.S. 30 and intersection. The airport has one grass runway and one concrete runway. The grass runway is 3,200 feet long by 250 feet wide. The concrete runway is 5,489 feet long by feet wide. Railroad The study area is served by one major railroad. The Union Pacific Overland Route between Oakland, California and Chicago, Illinois passes through Lexington, bisecting the community in an east-west direction. Bicycle and Pedestrian Facilities Bicycle and pedestrian facilities throughout the Lexington study area consist of various systems of sidewalk facilities supplemented by various sections of paved shoulders. Public Transportation Lexington is served by one rural public transportation agency, the Dawson County Handi Bus. HWS Consulting Group Inc. 7 November 2005

12 600 County Road County Road 431 W Pacific Street W 6th Street W Pacific Street W Elm Street N Washington Street 1500 Aiport Road County Road 432 N Grant Street Miles W 13th Street N Jackson Street W Prospect Road E 6th Street E 5th Street E Pacific Street Route 283 County Road 757 W 18th Street S Adams Street 800 County Road 433 State Route W 10th Street W Walnut Street Interstate 80 N Monroe Street W Elm Street 0 W Oak Street Plum Creek Parkway Interstate 80 EB Off N Polk Street 2 WB Off EB On E 10th Street N Taft Street E 6th Street S Taft Street Commerce Road E Pacific Street E 13th Street County Road Average Daily Traffic 8500 { LONG RANGE TRANSPORTATION PLAN Figure 3

13 Lexington Long Range Transportation Plan Final Report 5. EXISTING TRAVEL DEMAND MODEL This section of the report discusses the Year 2000 Existing Travel Demand Model (TDM) that was developed as part of the Lexington Long Range Transportation Plan BACKGROUND Development of a LRTP requires estimating future travel. Travel demand models are used to do this. These mathematical models are designed to calculate the number of trips, connect their origins and destinations, predict the mode of travel, and identify the roadways most likely to be used in completing a trip. Models are used to determine where future transportation problems (as indicated by congested roads) will occur. The model can test the ability of transportation system improvements to address those problems. TransCAD was recommended by the Nebraska Department of Roads (NDOR) as the modeling package to use in the Lexington LRTP. The package is state-of-the-art travel demand forecasting software and it incorporates GIS into the transportation planning process. TransCAD was developed by Caliper Corporation in Newton, Massachusetts. The overall capabilities of the software met the analysis needs for the LRTP study. The most recent version, version 4.7, was used. The following paragraphs summarize the development of the Existing TDM. Please refer to the City of Lexington, Nebraska Network Validation Paper for more detailed information regarding the model development. It can be requested from HWS Consulting Group, Inc. The conclusion of the paper is that the Lexington study area model has been validated and that the model results show a sufficient level of detail to allow for accurate regional planning and alternative testing TDM NETWORK The Existing TDM network was developed using the federal functionally classified streets and a few significant local streets as well as the existing land use. It includes Traffic Analysis Zones (TAZ s). These zones were defined according to their development density, homogeneity of land use, and access to the major street network. TAZ development also involved locating the centroid of the zone, which is the point that represents the center of gravity of trip-making activity within the zone (not its geographic center). A map of the TAZ s is shown in Figure 4. HWS Consulting Group Inc. 9 November 2005

14 N Polk Street State Route 21 N Lake Street County Road 757 N Taft Street E 13th Street W Elm Street County Road Figure 4 7 S Adams Street E Pacific Street County Road 435 W Pacific Street County Road 754 W Prospect Road Interstate 80 Interstate 80 Route Miles { E 13th Street W 13th Street W 20th Street W 17th Street E 17th Street N Monroe Street N Washington Street N Jackson Street N Grant Street 124 N Adams Street W 10th Street E 6th Street W 6th Street W Pacific Street E 5th Street E Pacific Street 149 Plum Creek Parkway S Washington Street W Walnut Street W Oak Street 1 Map Inset LONG RANGE TRANSPORTATION PLAN Traffic Analysis Zones

15 Lexington Long Range Transportation Plan Final Report 5.3. TDM PROCESS The TDM uses a four-step process to predict future traffic. The four steps are Trip Generation, Trip Distribution, Mode Split and Trip Assignment and are described below. Trip Generation Trip generation is the process of determining the number of trips produced by and attracted to each TAZ. This is done using mathematical equations based on known relationships between travel and the socioeconomic characteristics of trip makers. The trip generation model for the Lexington study area estimates daily trips based on socioeconomic variables of population, households, retail and non-retail employment. Trips are estimated as productions, which are trips related to household, and attractions, which are related to employment. Trip Distribution Trip distribution is the process of identifying the distribution of trips from each production zone to each attraction zone. The average trip length for the study area is approximately 6.0 minutes. This trip length is very reasonable for an area the size of Lexington study area. Mode Split Mode split is the process of allocating the person trips computed in the trip generation phase to the available modes of travel. The model allocates person trips to either automobiles or transit. A transit element was not created in the travel demand model since the Lexington study area does not have a city bus service; therefore, all personal trips were allocated to the automobile. Trip Assignment The purpose of the assignment process is to allocate trips between the TAZ s to one or more paths using the roadway network. Comparing the results of the assignment step with 2000 daily counts is the final check on the model validation process. As stated previously, it was concluded that the model was well calibrated and was an acceptable planning tool for accurate transportation planning and alternative testing EXISTING TDM RESULTS After the Existing Travel Demand Model was validated, transportation system measures of effectiveness were investigated. The Existing TDM ADT volumes are shown in Figure 5. HWS Consulting Group Inc. 11 November 2005

16 County Road N Erie Avenue 300 W Pacific Street County Road 431 W 13th Street 5000 W 15th Street W 10th Street 2600 W Pacific Street N Grant Street W Elm Street W Walnut Street County Road Miles Aiport Road N Monroe Street 1200 E 5th Street Plum Creek Parkway County Road Route County Road 433 State Route N Monroe Street N Taft Street W 13th Street 1800 W Prospect Road E 13th Street E Pacific Street 0 Interstate 80 N Taft Street Interstate 80 3 N Adams Street 400 W 10th Street EB Off W Oak Street 2600 Plum Creek Parkway WB Off S Taft Street Commerce Road E 13th Street E Pacific Street 300 County Road { LONG RANGE TRANSPORTATION PLAN Existing TDM Average Daily Traffic Volumes Existing Network Figure 5

17 Lexington Long Range Transportation Plan Final Report An indicator of congestion is the assigned volume to capacity (V/C) ratio. Capacity is defined as the maximum hourly rate at which persons or vehicles can reasonably be expected to traverse a point or uniform section of a lane or roadway during a given time period under prevailing roadway, traffic, and control conditions. V/C ratio is the assigned volume divided by the capacity. The congestion of a roadway increases as the V/C ratio approaches 1. To define how persons and vehicles interact under certain roadway conditions, a qualitative measure of driving conditions, called level of service (LOS), is used to describe operational characteristics at given amounts of traffic volume. The six levels of service are defined below. Level of Service A - Describes primarily free-flow operations at average travel speeds, usually about 90 percent of the free flow speed for the arterial roadway. Vehicles are completely unimpeded in their ability to maneuver within the traffic stream. Stopped delay at signalized intersections is minimal. Level of Service B Represents reasonably unimpeded operations at average travel speeds, usually about 70 percent of the free-flow speed for the arterial roadway. The ability to maneuver within the traffic stream is only slightly restricted and stopped delays are not bothersome. Drivers are not generally subjected to appreciable tension. Level of Service C Represents stable operations; however, ability to maneuver and change lanes in mid-block locations may be more restricted than at LOS B, and longer queues, adverse signal coordination, or both may contribute to lower average travel speeds of about 50 percent of average free flow speed for the arterial roadway. Motorists will experience appreciable tension while driving. Level of Service D Borders on a range in which small increases in flow may cause substantial increases in delay and decrease arterial speed. LOS D may be due to adverse signal progression, inappropriate signal timing, high volumes, or some combination of these factors. Average travel speeds are about 40 percent of free flow speed. Level of Service E Is characterized by significant delays and average travel speeds are onethird the free-flow speed or less. Such operations are caused by some combination of adverse progression, high signal density, high volumes, extensive delays at critical intersections and inappropriate signal timing. Level of Service F Characterizes arterial flow at extremely low speeds below one-third to one-fourth of the free flow speed. Intersection congestion is likely at critical signalized locations, with high delays and extensive queuing. Adverse progression is frequently a contributor to this condition. The Existing TDM LOS and V/C ratios are shown in Figure 6. HWS Consulting Group Inc. 13 November 2005

18 County Road 435 W Pacific Street County Road W 6th Street W Pacific Street W Elm Street N Washington Street County Road N Grant Street Miles N Jackson Street County Road Route W 13th Street W Prospect Road Interstate E 6th Street E 5th Street E Pacific Street Interstate 80 N Monroe Street County Road 433 State Route 21 S Adams Street EB Off Plum Creek Parkway N Monroe Street N Taft Street WB Off S Taft Street Commerce Road E Pacific Street 0.02 E 13th Street County Road Existing LOS and V/C ratios { Legend Level of Service - V/C LOS A LOS B LOS C LOS D LOS E LOS F Above 1.00 LONG RANGE TRANSPORTATION PLAN Existing Network Figure 6

19 Lexington Long Range Transportation Plan Final Report TRAVEL DEMAND MODEL 6.1. BACKGROUND Once the Year 2000 Existing Travel Demand Model (TDM) was validated and a future land use plan was developed, both elements were combined to forecast future traffic volumes. The study team used the 2030 planning horizon in order to provide a minimum 25 year time period between the date of the study and the analysis period for the improvements. A post processing technique described in publication NCHRP-255 was used to adjust the 2030 forecasted volumes. This methodology compares the calibrated travel demand model output with actual traffic counts. The differences between the modeled traffic volumes and the actual traffic volumes are then used to adjust future traffic projections. Traffic projections are affected by a number of factors including: The available capacity of the roadway network. Type and location of land use in the surrounding area. The directness (or lack thereof) of available routes between various zones. The characteristics (i.e. design speed) of the roadways between zones EXISTING PLUS COMMITTED NETWORK The 2030 Existing Plus Committed TDM network consists of the existing roadway network and any transportation improvements that will be completed in the next 25 years that have already been committed through prior planning efforts and capital improvement programs in the study area. No committed projects were incorporated into Lexington s 2030 Existing Plus Committed TDM. Figure 7 shows the forecasted average daily traffic volumes and Figure 8 illustrates the LOS and V/C ratios for the 2030 Existing Plus Committed TDM. HWS Consulting Group Inc. 15 November 2005

20 County Road W Pacific Street County Road 431 W 6th Street W Pacific Street W Elm Street N Washington Street 2400 County Road N Grant Street Miles 1300 W 13th Street N Jackson Street 17 0 County Road W Prospect Road Route 283 Interstate E 6th Street E 5th Street E Pacific Street Interstate 80 N Monroe Street County Road 433 State Route EB Off Plum Creek Parkway EB On N Monroe Street S Taft Street Commerce Road Heartland Road N Taft Street E 13th Street E Pacific Street County Road { LONG RANGE TRANSPORTATION PLAN 2030 Forecasted Average Daily Traffic Existing and Committed Network Figure 7

21 County Road W Pacific Street County Road W 6th Street W Pacific Street W Elm Street N Washington Street Aiport Road County Road N Grant Street Miles N Jackson Street Route 283 County Road W Prospect Road E 6th Street E 5th Street E Pacific Street W 13th Street N Monroe Street County Road 433 State Route 21 Interstate EB Off Plum Creek Parkway Interstate 80 EB On N Taft Street S Taft Street Commerce Road E 13th Street E Pacific Street County Road LOS and V/C ratios { Legend Level of Service V/C LOS A LOS B LOS C LOS D LOS E LOS F Above 1.00 LONG RANGE TRANSPORTATION PLAN Existing and Committed Network Figure 8

22 Lexington Long Range Transportation Plan Final Report APPROVED NETWORK As shown in Figure 8, there was one roadway deficiency identified (below LOS C). The two-lane roadway segment along Jackson Street/Plum Creek Parkway from Ash Street to 5 th Street is LOS F and the segment from 5 th Street to 6 th Street is LOS D. To address this roadway deficiency, widening Jackson Street from Ash Street to 6 th Street to four lanes was tested in the TDM. This TDM with the Jackson Street widening from Ash Street to 6 th Street is the 2030 Approved Network. Figures that illustrate the results of the 2030 Approved Network TDM are as follows: Figure 9 Average Daily Traffic Volumes Figure 10 Change in Traffic Volumes Figure 11 LOS and V/C Ratios The 2030 Approved Network results indicate that more traffic will be traveling on the roadway segment; however, the LOS will increase to above LOS C due to the roadway widening. HWS Consulting Group Inc. 18 November 2005

23 County Road W Pacific Street County Road W 6th Street 500W Elm Street W Pacific Street N Washington Street N Grant Street Miles County Road W 13th Street County Road 433 State Route N Jackson Street 17 1 County Road W Prospect Road Route 283 Interstate 80 E 6th Street E 5th Street E Pacific Street W 10th Street Interstate 80 N Monroe Street N Adams Street EB Off Plum Creek Parkway WB Off S Taft Street Commerce Road N Taft Street E 13th Street E Pacific Street County Road { LONG RANGE TRANSPORTATION PLAN 2030 Forecasted Average Daily Traffic Approved Network Figure 9

24 -1200 County Road County Road 431 W Pacific Street W 6th Street W Pacific Street W Elm Street -600 N Washington Street 1200 County Road 432 N Grant Street Miles Aiport Road N Jackson Street W Prospect Road Interstate 80 E 6th Street E 5th Street E Pacific Street Route 283 County Road 757 W 18th Street 1300 W 13th Street Interstate 80 N Adams Street County Road 433 State Route 21 W 15th Street N Monroe Street S Adams Street S Madison Street -500 EB Off N Polk Street N Grant Street WB ON 1500 Plum Creek Parkway WB Off N Monroe Street E 6th Street 1300 EB On N Taft Street S Taft Street Commerce Road Heartland Road E 13th Street E Pacific Street County Road 754 Legend Traffic Volumes Decrease Increase { -800 LONG RANGE TRANSPORTATION PLAN 2030 Change in Traffic Volumes Approved Network Figure 10

25 N Adams Street N Polk Street N Taft Street County Road 435 State Route 21 { County Road 757 W 18th Street County Road 431 W Pacific Street W 6th Street W Pacific Street W Elm Street N Washington Street Aiport Road County Road 432 N Grant Street N Jackson Street W 13th Street W Prospect Road Interstate 80 E 6th Street E 5th Street E Pacific Street W 15th Street W 10th Street N Monroe Street S Adams Street Interstate 80 N Grant Street W 6th Street S Madison Street S Washington Street Cattlemen Drive WB ON EB Off Plum Creek Parkway WB Off N Monroe Street E 6th Street EB On S Taft Street Commerce Road Heartland Road E 13th Street E Pacific Street County Road 754 Legend Level of Service - V/C LOS A LOS B LOS C LOS D LOS E LOS F Above Miles Route 283 County Road 433 LONG RANGE TRANSPORTATION PLAN 2030 LOS and V/C ratios Approved Network Figure 11

26 Lexington Long Range Transportation Plan Final Report 7. TRANSPORTATION ISSUES AND ALTERNATIVES This section of the Lexington LRTP discusses the transportation issues that were identified at the City of Lexington s Planning Commission meetings and their associated alternatives. The following summarizes the development and the evaluation of the transportation alternatives: Determine transportation issues within the Lexington study area. Develop a list of potential alternatives that address the transportation issues. Determine potential alternative impacts through planning level stick figures on aerial photography and engineering analysis. Screen the list of potential alternatives to determine if they meet the community s transportation needs. Carry forward alternatives to be included in the LRTP and identify them as short-term or long term TRANSPORTATION ISSUES The City of Lexington s identified transportation issues are described below. Jackson Street from 5 th Street to 13 th Street The segment of Jackson Street from 5 th Street to 13 th Street is two lanes with parking either on both sides or on one side (only on the east side from 11 th Street to 13 th Street). The roadway narrows heading north. Issues identified along this roadway segment are the traffic volumes, truck traffic, and the appropriate traffic control at the Jackson Street and 6 th Street intersection. and Union Pacific Railroad At-grade Crossing The city would like to investigate grade separation at the and Union Pacific Railroad at-grade crossing. Road 435 and Union Pacific Railroad At-grade Crossing The City of Lexington would like to explore grade separation at or near the Road 435 and Union Pacific Railroad at-grade crossing. It was suggested that the crossing be designed to be truck and farm machinery friendly. 10 th Street and Adams Street Intersection The city would like to improve the pedestrian safety at the 10 th Street and Adams Street intersection. 10 th Street and Taylor Street Intersection The city would like to improve pedestrian safety at the intersection of 10 th Street and Taylor Street near Bryon Elementary School. Walnut Street from Adams Street to Plum Creek Parkway The concern along Walnut Street, an arterial, from Adams Street to Plum Creek Parkway is the high traffic volume and the vehicular speeds in the Morton Elementary school zone. 13 th Street from Park Street to Adams Street The segment of 13 th Street from Park Street to Adams Street is located south of the high school. The city s concern is the high amount of traffic during the high school s drop off and pick up times. HWS Consulting Group Inc. 22 November 2005

27 Lexington Long Range Transportation Plan Final Report Some vehicles picking up students will park on the south side of 13 th Street, requiring pedestrians to cross 13 th Street. The city would like to improve pedestrian safety in this location. 13 th Street at Washington Street and Grant Street The intersections of 13 th Street and Washington Street and 13 th Street and Grant Street are congested during middle school drop off and pick up times. It is difficult to find gaps in the 13 th Street traffic. The City of Lexington would like to investigate options to improve the traffic operations. 13 th Street from to Liberty Drive The segment of 13 th Street from to Liberty Drive is south of the new sports complex. The City of Lexington would like to improve pedestrian safety along this roadway segment. 8 th Street from Adams Street to Jackson Street Before the Adams Street viaduct was built, 6 th Street was an east-west arterial from Adams Street to Jackson Street. After the recent construction of the Adams Street viaduct, 6 th Street is closed at Adams Street; therefore, the city would like to investigate upgrading 8 th Street s functional classification from Adams Street to Jackson Street. This issue may include updating other street functional classifications as desired by the city. Cattleman s Drive Cattleman s Drive has no shoulder area and carries a significant amount of pedestrians and bicycles. The city would like to look into options that would improve safety along this roadway segment. Adams Street from 15 th Street to County Road 757 There are a lot of walkers and runners along the section of Adams Street from 15 th Street to County Road 757, especially during the warmer months. There is a perceived speeding problem in certain areas along the segment. The city would like to look into options that would improve safety along this roadway segment. Plum Creek Parkway from Frontier to Cattleman s Drive The City of Lexington would like to improve pedestrian safety along this roadway segment from the Tyson Plant to the Super Wal-Mart, which is used by Tyson Plant employees. Peak Hour Traffic Analysis The overall perception at the April 2005 Planning Commission Meeting was that the 2030 Existing Plus Committed TDM would indicate worse roadway segment levels of service. It was noted that these results are daily planning level results and represent what the individual roadways experience over the course of a day. It was decided that two individual intersections would be analyzed during the AM and PM peak hours. The selected intersections were 13 th Street and Grant Street and 13 th Street and Jackson Street. Table 1 summarizes the results of the peak hour traffic analysis. HWS Consulting Group Inc. 23 November 2005

28 Lexington Long Range Transportation Plan Final Report Table 1. Peak Hour Traffic Analysis AM Peak Hour PM Peak Hour Intersection Approach Delay (s) LOS Delay (s) LOS 13 th Street and Grant Street EB 0.3 N/A N/A 1 WB 1.7 N/A N/A 1 NB 22.8 C 25.9 D SB 27.5 D 20.3 C 13 th Street and Jackson Street EB 0.0 N/A N/A 1 WB 2.4 N/A N/A 1 NB 16.0 C 17.2 C Notes: 1. The main street approach delay is not defined. The results of the peak hour analysis indicate that the 13 th Street and Grant Street intersection southbound approach during the AM peak hour and northbound approach during the PM peak hour are at unacceptable levels (LOS D). This is due to vehicles on Grant Street being unable to find gaps in the 13 th Street traffic. The Peak Hour Signal Warrant was checked and not met for the two intersections. A traffic engineering study should be performed at these locations to determine improvement alternatives POTENTIAL ALTERNATIVES After the City of Lexington s transportation issues were identified, potential alternatives were developed. Note that these alternatives are potential alternatives that may or may not be carried forward to be included in the LRTP. The alternatives to be carried forward in the LRTP are described in the next section of this report. The potential alternatives are summarized in Table 2 below. HWS Consulting Group Inc. 24 November 2005

29 Lexington Long Range Transportation Plan Final Report Table 2. Transportation Issues and Potential Alternatives Issue Potential Alternative Notes Jackson Street Traffic volumes Construct four-lane section from Ash Street to 6 th Street See Figure 12. Truck traffic from 5 th Street to 13 th Street Limit parking See Figure 12. Widen turning radii at Jackson Street/13 th Street See Figure 12. Restrict truck traffic along Jackson Street See Figure 12. Jackson Street/6 th Street traffic control Develop a truck route plan for the city Conduct a traffic signal warrant study See Figure 12. Conduct a traffic study to determine if a roundabout is appropriate at this location and UPRR at-grade crossing Road 435 and UPRR at-grade crossing 10 th Street and Adams Street pedestrian safety Construct an overpass Construct an underpass Construct an overpass See Figure 13. Construct an overpass in the vicinity of the Road 435 and See Figure 13. UPRR at-grade crossing Investigate traffic calming measures Develop a Safe Routes to School document Conduct a pedestrian signal study 10 th Street and Taylor Street pedestrian Investigate traffic calming measures safety Develop a Safe Routes to School document Walnut Street pedestrian safety near Morton Investigate traffic calming measures Elementary School Develop a Safe Routes to School document 13 th Street from Park Street to Adams Street pedestrian safety near the high school Improve a north side drop off area See Figure 14. Install/update crosswalks Conduct a detailed study to develop new traffic circulation patterns HWS Consulting Group Inc. 25 November 2005

30 Lexington Long Range Transportation Plan Final Report Issue Potential Alternative Notes 13 th Street at Washington Street and Grant Street traffic congestion Conduct a detailed study to develop new traffic circulation patterns Conduct a traffic study to determine if a change in traffic control is warranted at one of the intersections See Figure 15. Conduct a traffic study to determine if a roundabout is appropriate at this location 13 th Street from to Liberty Drive pedestrian safety 8 th Street from Adams Street to Jackson Street national functional classification upgrade (includes other functional classification changes desired by the city) Conduct a traffic study to determine the appropriate location of crosswalks Reclassify the functional classification, including other functional classification changes desired by the city Resolution approval by City Council Send resolution and map to NDOR Project Development and Planning Department NDOR sends to FHWA for approval See Figure 16. See Figure 17. Cattleman s Drive from Adams Street to Construct paved shoulders See Figure 18. Plum Creek Parkway pedestrian and bicycle Construct sidewalks on one or both sides of the roadway See Figure 18. safety Construct multi-use trails See Figure 18. Adams Street from 15 th Street to CR 757 Pedestrian and bicycle safety Construct paved shoulders See Figure 19. Construct sidewalks on one or both sides of the roadway See Figure 19. Construct multi-use trails See Figure 19. Speeding Coordinate with NDOR to conduct a speed study Plum Creek Parkway from Frontier to Cattleman s Drive pedestrian safety Construct sidewalk on one or both sides of the roadway See Figure 20. HWS Consulting Group Inc. 26 November 2005

31 ADAMS S 11TH W ONTARIO N ADAMS N 10TH W 8TH W Restrict Truck Traffic from 5th Street to 13th Street JOHNSON N TAYLOR N 12TH W 9TH W Limit Parking from 5th Street to 13th Street TAYLOR N 13TH W HARRISON N 7TH W MADISON N 14TH W LINCOLN N 6TH W WASHINGTON N GRANT N 13TH E 12TH E 11TH E 9TH E 6TH E 13TH E Widen Turning Radii at Jackson Street and 13th Street Intersection 6 Year Plan: Full Width Removal and Replacement of Pavement 8TH E TYLER N 14TH E MONROE N 7TH E FILLMORE N 11TH E TAFT N TAFT N { Conduct Signal Warrant Study at Jackson Street and 6th Street Intersection Develop a Truck Route Plan for the City Construct 4-Lane Section from Ash Street to 6th Street WALNUT W TAYLOR S HARRISON S LINCOLN S HIGH W CEDAR W WALNUT E HWY 283 OAK W MADISON S ASH RIMPLEY LN Miles OREGON TRL SANTA FE CATTLEMENS DR WAGONWHEEL CONESTOGA LN PLUM CREEK PKWY LONG RANGE TRANSPORTATION PLAN Issue: Jackson Street Figure 12

32 { PACIFIC E WALNUT E U.S. Highway 30 Union Pacific Railroad Road 435 Road 436 Potential Grade Separated Railroad Crossing Area 754 COUNTY RD Miles LONG RANGE TRANSPORTATION PLAN Issue: Road 435 and Union Pacific Railroad At-grade Crossing Figure 13

33 LAKE N ADAMS N TAYLOR N 13TH W TAYLOR N JOHNSON N 12TH W WOODWARD CIR 15TH W PARK N Investigate North Side Drop Off Area PARK N Feet { LONG RANGE TRANSPORTATION PLAN Issue: 13th Street from Park Street to Adams Street Figure 14 HAMPTON N 12TH W

34 JACKSON N JEFFERSON N 15TH W 15TH E PACIFIC E 13TH E { 15TH E 14TH W WASHINGTON N GRANT N 14TH W 14TH E LINCOLN N 13TH W 13TH E JACKSON N 12TH W 12TH E 11TH W JACKSON N 11TH E JEFFERSON N 10TH W 10TH E Determine if a Change in Traffic Control is Warranted Feet LONG RANGE TRANSPORTATION PLAN 9TH W Issue: 13th Street at Washington Street and Grant Street 9TH E Figure 15

35 AIRPORT RD LIBERTY DR INDEPENDENCE FREEDOM LN 15TH W { Potential Crosswalk Area 6 Year Plan: Full Width Removal and Replacement of Pavement with the Addition of a Sidewalk Feet LONG RANGE TRANSPORTATION PLAN BUFFALO BEND Issue: 13th Street from to Liberty Drive Figure 16

36 N Polk Street N Lake Street N Erie Avenue W 15th Street W 13th Street County Road 432 E 17th Street E 17th Street E 13th Street N Jackson Street N Grant Street N Taft Street N Monroe Street E 6th Street E 5th Street E Pacific Street Plum Creek Parkway N Washington Street S Washington Street W 20th Street W 17th Street W 6th Street W Elm Street S Madison Street W Oak Street Cattlemen Drive W 18th Street N Adams Street W 10th Street Ontario Avenue S Adams Street W Walnut Street W Pacific Street Aiport Road Legend FUNCTIONAL CLASSIFICATION URBAN COLLECTOR URBAN MINOR ARTERIAL URBAN PRINCIPAL ARTERIAL - OTHER CONNECTING LINK REMOVE AS COLLECTOR ADD AS COLLECTOR Railroads River and Streams Miles { LONG RANGE TRANSPORTATION PLAN Issue: National Functional Classification Proposed Updates Figure 17

37 SAGEBRUSH LN WASHINGTON S ARROWHEAD CT HARRISON S WAGONWHEEL ARROWHEAD CT SANTA FE { Possible Paved Shoulder or Sidewalk Addition Possible Multi-Use Trail PLUM CREEK PKWY Issue: Cattleman's Drive from Adams Street to Plum Creek Parkway Figure 18 MADISO OREGON TRL CATTLEMENS DR Feet LONG RANGE TRANSPORTATION PLAN ADAMS S

38 PARK DR SUNSET DR CLEVELAND HOOVER N PLUM CREEK LN DAVISTA 757 COUNTY RD { Possible Paved Shoulder or Sidewalk Addition Possible Multi- Use Trail CHEROKEE GRAFTON DR APACHE 20TH W 18TH W 20TH W 17TH W GRAFTON DR WADE HAMPTON N PARK N ,000 Feet WOODWARD CIR 13TH W LAKE N 15TH W ADAMS N TAYLOR N HARRISON N 15TH W MADISON N 16TH W LINCOLN N 14TH W WASHINGTON N LONG RANGE TRANSPORTATION PLAN Issue: Adams Street from 15th Street to County Road 757 Figure 19

39 CATTLEMENS DR { ADAMS S Possible Sidewalk Addition PROSPECT RD TAFT S JEFFERSON S COMMERCE RD Frontier ,000 2,000 Feet PLUM CREEK PKWY HEARTLAND RD 434 COUNTY RD LONG RANGE TRANSPORTATION PLAN Issue: Plum Creek Parkway from Cattleman's Drive to Frontier Figure 20

40 Lexington Long Range Transportation Plan Final Report 7.3. SELECTED ALTERNATIVES After receiving public input on the potential alternatives described above, alternatives were selected to be carried forward in the LRTP. The selected alternatives were identified to be included into either the short term plan (1-10 years) or the long term plan (11-25 years). The various plans are described below. Short Term Plan Alternatives The following projects are the Lexington LRTP Short Term Plan Alternatives: Limit parking along Jackson Street from 5 th Street to 13 th Street. Restrict truck traffic along Jackson Street from 5 th Street to 13 th Street. Develop a truck route for the city. Conduct a traffic signal warrant study at the Jackson Street and 6 th Street intersection. Investigate traffic calming measures at the 10 th Street and Adams Street intersection, 10 th Street and Taylor Street intersection, and along Walnut Street near Morton Elementary School. Develop a Safe Routes to School document for the city. Improve a north side drop off location at the Lexington high school. Install and/or update crosswalks near the Lexington high school. Conduct a detailed study to develop new traffic circulation patterns around the Lexington high school. Conduct a traffic study to determine the appropriate location of crosswalks along 13 th Street from to Liberty Drive. Update desired roadway national functional classifications. Coordinate with NDOR to conduct a speed study along Adams Street from 15 th Street to County Road 757. Long Term Plan Alternatives The following projects are the Lexington LRTP Long Term Plan Alternatives: Construct a four-lane section along Jackson Street from Ash Street to 6 th Street. Widen the turning radii at the Jackson Street and 13 th Street intersection. Construct an overpass near the Road 435 and Union Pacific Railroad at-grade crossing. Conduct a detailed study to develop new middle school circulation patterns to ease congestion at the 13 th Street and Grant Street and 13 th Street and Washington Street intersections. Conduct a traffic study to determine if a change in traffic control is warranted at the 13 th Street and Grant Street intersection or the 13 th Street and Washington Street intersection. Construct paved shoulders, sidewalks on one or both sides of the roadway, or multi-use trails along Cattleman s Drive from Adams Street to Plum Creek Parkway. Construct paved shoulders, sidewalks on one or both sides of the roadway, or multi-use trails along Adams Street from 15 th Street to County Road 757. Construct sidewalks on one or both sides of Plum Creek Parkway from Frontier to Cattleman s Drive. HWS Consulting Group Inc. 36 November 2005