TS 109 DURHAM ROAD QTC PHASE 4 PROJECT PROPOSAL. Page 1

Transcription

1 TS 109 DURHAM ROAD QTC PHASE 4 PROJECT PROPOSAL Page 1

2 Table of Contents 1.0 Introduction Project Overview Project Proposals Enfield Road / Durham Road Junction Summerfield Road Musgrave Road Hawthorn Gardens Joicey Road Pedestrian Crossing Point Joicey Road Parking Denewell Avenue Bell Vue Bank Junction Appendix A Proposed Consultation Plan Appendix B Alternative Vehicle Routes Page 2

3 1.0 INTRODUCTION The Government is committed to an integrated transport policy which will address the important issues of traffic congestion and environmental pollution, both of which are serious and growing issues. A key part of such an integrated policy will be measures to encourage provisions of more sustainable, environmentally friendly forms of transportation. To enable sustainable transport systems to fulfil their potential, they must be made more attractive to current private car users. To achieve this it is important that public transport is able to operate efficiently. Local Transport Note 1 97 (Keeping Buses Moving) states Delays to public transport often increase operational costs which in turn may result in increased fares. Users are therefore deterred because of slower and less reliable services and higher fares, resulting in an increase in private car use and congestion. Gateshead Councils Local Transport Plan sets out a vision to continue and develop Tyne and Wear where all residents have better access to a more prosperous, safer, healthier and more sustainable lifestyle in a more attractive environment. Durham Road Quality Transport Corridor Phase 4 looks to reduce congestion and promote sustainable travel by providing genuine alternatives to the car by improving the environment for walking, cycling and public transport. 2.0 PROJECT OVERVIEW The project will consist of the following elements: Closure of Musgrave Road and Denewell Avenue at their junction with Durham Road Installation of additional pedestrian crossing facilities Improvements to existing pedestrian crossing facilities Installation of bus priority traffic signal systems Raised junction tables Footpath re surfacing Shared use footway for both pedestrians and cyclists (Enfield Road to Bell Vue Bank) Dedicated cycle link crossing facilities 600m Southbound bus lane link (Valley Drive to Bell Vue Bank) 325m Northbound bus lane link (Valley Drive to Enfield Road) On street parking facilities Removal of redundant signs, road markings and street furniture Installation of new relevant signs and road markings Relocation of existing bus shelters Page 3

4 3.0 PROJECT PROPOSALS The project proposals highlighted within this document are those agreed with the project client. For the purpose of this report the project proposals have been segmented into areas, with a detailed breakdown of the proposed works. 3.1 ENFIELD ROAD / A167 DURHAM ROAD JUNCTION The entrance/exit to A167 Durham Road QTC Phase 4 consists of the following elements: EAST KERBLINE ALIGNMENT To accommodate the expected increase in vehicle movements from A167 Durham Road to Enfield Road, due the new housing development located upon the old college site. A right turning pocket has been incorporated into the design proposals. To compensate for a vehicle right turning pocket from A167 Durham Road onto Enfield Road, carriageway widening works will be required for an approximate length of 20m. SOUTH WEST KERBLINE ALIGNMNET A section of carriageway widening is required to accommodate the proposed bus lane and bus gate system for an approximate length of 50m. The existing build out section which currently incorporates the controlled pedestrian crossing point will also be removed and converted to a dedicated left turn carriageway lane. TRAFFIC SIGNALS It is the designer s proposals to depart from the traditional traffic signal system thus reducing/eliminating the cost for carriageway trenching and ducting works and disruption to road users associated road closure times. It is proposed the traffic signal system will consist of a wire less setup. Vehicle movements on approach to the traffic signals will be detected by Magnetometers located within the carriageway at the required specified distances, as a vehicle passes over the magnetometers the metal content of the vehicle is detected. Radio signals are then emitted from the magnetometers and sent to either an internet cloud based server or an on site controller, which in turn controls to traffic signals operations. It should be noted that the wireless cloud based server method of controlling the proposed traffic signal is currently under trails with expected DfT approval being conformed in 2015/2016. It is also the intention of the project to upgrade all traffic signals to an Urban Traffic Management Control system (U.T.M.C). U.T.M.C. allows for the monitoring of live traffic flows, if for any reason heavy congestion occurs the traffic signals can be remotely adjusted to improve the traffic flow. The U.T.M.C is controlled and monitored by a dedicated team based within Newcastle City Council. Page 4

5 3.1 ENFIELD ROAD / A167 DURHAM ROAD JUNCTION CONTROLLED PEDESTRAIN CROSSING POINTS The existing pedestrian controlled crossing point will will be replaced and upgraded. An additional crossing point is also proposed assisting pedestrian movements across Enfield Road, as the existing pedestrian refuge will be removed. All pedestrian controlled pedestrian points will consist of a Toucan crossing system defined by the associated blistered paving. CONTROLLED CYCLE CROSSING POINT A diagonal cycle controlled crossing facility is proposed to create a link to the shared use path located on the Western footway of Durham Road. UK Roads advise it is important that crossings are located on the desire line of cyclists and so align with traffic free route on either side of the road. Where the routes either side not directly in line, the crossing may be at an angle if an awkward dog leg on a shared use footway is to be avoided. It is foreseen that cyclists travelling southbound will be directed to a short shared use footway link where they will arrive at a cyclist holding box for a pre determined period of time. At which point a traffic signal radar detector system will identify the cyclists, resulting in a full red signal phasing on all approach legs and pedestrian phases, the cyclist will then be given a green phase enabling them to traverse the junction/carriageway. RAISED TABLE JUNCTION By incorporating a raised table section within the project proposals, it is the designs intention to create a continuous level crossing point for both pedestrians and cyclists. Local Transport Note LTN2/08 Cycle Infrastructure Design (section 9.5.1) advise Seventy per cent of injury accidents involving cyclists take place at junctions. Raised tables create a safer condition for all road users by reducing the speed at which traffic negotiates the junction. thus creating a safer environment for all users. BUS PRIORITY GATE To assist in the movement of buses entering Gateshead via Durham Road Northbound carriageway a bus gate system will be install following the bus lane link. The bus lane will be controlled using the wire less system as previously discussed. It is the projects intentions that the buses will not be under a traffic light control at this point, it is proposed as a bus approached the bus gate the magnetometers will detect the bus and call a red light to other road users at the bus gate, holding all other road users at a specified distance allowing the bus priority movement at Enfield road junction. Page 5

6 3.1 ENFIELD ROAD / A167 DURHAM ROAD JUNCTION PARKING FACILITIES Existing parking facilities on the West side of Durham (adjacent the previous Gateshead College site) will be removed to facilitate the proposed Northbound bus lane. It is foreseen that the removal of these existing parking bays will not affect current parking requirements as the parking was originally provided for Gateshead College use. On road parking facilities upon the East side of Durham Road (adjacent properties 221 and 259) will remain and will be extended by approximately 10m due to the proposed removal of the existing build out and double bus cage. CYCLE PROTECTION It is proposed to construct and install a cycle protection island to the North of Enfield Road / Durham Road junction to increase cycle safety when traversing the junction in a Northerly direction. Although the proposals include a shared use footpath space, it is foreseen that confident road cyclists will continue to use the carriageway space. Therefore to increase cyclist safety, where bus lanes are proposed they have been design to a 4m width to accommodate cyclists and advance cycle stop boxes have been proposed at traffic signal controlled junctions. 3.2 SUMMERFIELD ROAD / A167 DURHAM ROAD JUNCTION CYCLE ENTRANCE TO SUMMERFIELD ROAD As requested within the Projection Instruction Document a cycle entrance has been included within the design proposals. Summerfield Road currently has a No Entry legal restriction applied at its junction with Durham Road; the cycle entrance will therefore enable cyclists to enter Summerfield Road at this junction while maintaining No Entry to all other road users. The cycle entrance will be delineated with road markings only, as any physical island may restrict vehicle turning movements exiting Summerfield Road onto Durham Road. Page 6

7 3.3 MUSGRAVE ROAD ROAD CLOSURE Currently Musgrave Road has a legal No Entry restriction place upon its junction with Durham Road. The project proposals include the closure of Musgrave Road at its junction with Durham Road junction to all vehicle movements. Thus eliminating tuning manoeuvres across the proposed bus lane and Durham Road. This will prevent the potential for vehicle collisions and assist in the movement of buses (Southbound). A vehicle turning count survey has been carried out on the junction, results indicate that over a 24 hour period 57 vehicles turned right (Northbound) onto Durham Road and 192 vehicle turn left (Southbound) onto Durham Road totalling 249 vehicle. It is foreseen that road user would be able to use a number of alternative routes without increasing additional strain to other junctions. These alternative routes can be reviewed in appendix B and include: o o Musgrave Road Valley Drive Musgrave Road Dryden Road 3.4 HAWTHORN GARDENS PARKING FACILITIES To create the proposed southbound bus lane the existing build out and resulting on site parking (adjacent properties 347 to 359 Durham Road) will be removed. To retain the existing levels of parking it is proposed to alter the existing kerb line to create a combined footway and parking area consisting of 1.8m wide footway and a 2.0m uncontrolled parking area with splayed kerbing to aid vehicle access/egress. An exemption will be made within the Traffic Regulation Order to allow residents to cross the legal bus lane boundary markings to enable parking. 3.5 JOICEY ROAD PEDESTRIAN CROSSING POINT PEDESTRIAN CROSSING POINT It is proposed to create a dedicated left turn for vehicle travelling from Durham Southbound onto Joicey Road Eastbound. To facilitate these proposals the existing build out which includes the existing pedestrian controlled crossing point will be removed and replaced with full carriageway construction. The pedestrian controlled crossing will be replaced with an updated system and sited within a similar location to the pervious crossing point. This proposal enables a dedicated left turning lane and maintains a safe pedestrian controlled crossing point. Page 7

8 3.6 JOICEY ROAD SOUTHBOUND BUS LANE / PARKING FACILITIES PARKING FACILITIES It is the project intentions to implement a 24 hour bus lane. Currently the existing bus lane located adjacent properties 367 to 375 Durham Road is under a time restriction of Monday to Friday between the hours of 07:30 till 09:30 and 16:30 till 18:30. This was originally created to allow resident on street parking after peak traffic flow times. To enable a 24 hour Southbound bus lane the time restriction will be removed and the existing kerb line will be altered to achieve a combined footway and parking area consisting of a 1.8m wide footway and a 2.0m wide uncontrolled parking area. Similar to the Hawthorn Gardens proposals, an exemption will be made with the Traffic Regulation Order allowing residents to cross the bus lane to park. 3.7 DENEWELL AVENUE JUNCTION CLOSURE The project proposals include the closure of Denewell Avenue at its junction with Durham Road to all vehicle movements. The closure of Denewell Avenue will allow for the construction the proposed bus priority gate and the siting of the relocated bus shelter. The siting of the bus gate in this location enables the bus priority movement into the right hand side lane for southbound travel. This location also offers optimal distance for other road users to get in lane prior to the Bell Vue Bank Junction and allows for any loading/unloading of goods vehicle at the nearby businesses. A vehicle turning count survey has been carried out on the junction, over a 24 hour period results indicated the following: o 82 vehicles turned left from Durham Road onto Denewell Avenue o 266 vehicles turned right from Durham Road onto Denewell Avenue o 65 vehicles turned right from Denewell Avenue onto Durham Road o 183 vehicles turned left from Denewell Avenue onto Durham Road It is foreseen that road user would be able to use a number of alternative routes which may lead to additional strain to Dryden Road junction. These alternative routes can be reviewed in appendix B. BUS PRIORITY GATE To assist in the movement of buses exiting Gateshead via Durham Road Southbound carriageway a bus gate system will be install following the bus lane link. The bus lane will be controlled using the wire less system as previously discussed. It is the projects intentions that the buses will not be under a traffic light control at this point, it is proposed as a bus approached the bus gate the magnetometers will detect the bus and call a red light to other road users at the bus gate, holding all other road users at a specified distance allowing the bus priority movement at Bell Vue Bank junction. Page 8

9 3.8 BELL VUE BANK JUNCTION Similar to the junction of Enfield Road and Durham Road (as previous discussed) Bell Vue bank junction will consist of the following elements: TRAFFIC SIGNALS It is the designer s proposals to depart from the traditional traffic signal system thus reducing/eliminating the cost for carriageway trenching and ducting works and disruption to road users associated road closure times. It is proposed the traffic signal system will consist of a wire less setup. Vehicle movements on approach to the traffic signals will be detected by Magnetometers located within the carriageway at the required specified distances, as a vehicle passes over the magnetometers the metal content of the vehicle is detected. Radio signals are then emitted from the magnetometers and sent to either an internet cloud based server or an on site controller, which in turn controls to traffic signals operations. It should be noted that the wireless cloud based server method of controlling the proposed traffic signal is currently under trails with expected DfT approval being conformed in 2015/2016. It is also the intention of the project to upgrade all traffic signals to an Urban Traffic Management Control system (U.T.M.C). U.T.M.C. allows for the monitoring of live traffic flows, if for any reason heavy congestion occurs the traffic signals can be remotely adjusted to improve the traffic flow. The U.T.M.C is controlled and monitored by a dedicated team based within Newcastle City Council. CONTROLLED PEDESTRAIN CROSSING POINTS The existing pedestrian controlled crossing point will be replaced and upgraded. All pedestrian controlled pedestrian points will consist of a Toucan crossing system defined by the associated blistered paving. CONTROLLED CYCLE CROSSING POINT A diagonal cycle controlled crossing facility is proposed to create a link to the proposed QTC phase 5 cycle lane on the East side of Durham Road. It is foreseen that cyclists travelling southbound will be directed to a short shared use footway link where they will arrive at a cyclist holding box for a pre determined period of time. At which point a traffic signal radar detector system will identify the cyclists, resulting in a full red signal phasing on all approach legs and pedestrian phases, the cyclist will then be given a green phase enabling them to traverse the junction/carriageway. RAISED TABLE JUNCTION By incorporating a raised table section within the project proposals, it is the designs intention to create a continuous level crossing point for both pedestrians and cyclists. Local Transport Note LTN2/08 Cycle Infrastructure Design (section 9.5.1) advise Seventy per cent of injury accidents involving cyclists take place at junctions. Raised tables create a safer condition for all road users by reducing the speed at which traffic negotiates the junction. thus creating a safer environment for all users. Page 9

10 3.8 BELL VUE BANK JUNCTION BUS PRIORITY GATE To assist in the movement of buses entering Gateshead via Durham Road Northbound carriageway a bus gate system will be install following the bus lane link. The bus lane will be controlled using the wire less system as previously discussed. It is the projects intentions that the buses will not be under a traffic light control at this point, it is proposed as a bus approached the bus gate the magnetometers will detect the bus and call a red light to other road users at the bus gate, holding all other road users at a specified distance allowing the bus priority movement at Enfield road junction. Page 10

11 APPENDIX A Proposed Consultation Plan Page 11

12 APPENDIX B Alternative Vehicle Routes Page 12