Feasibility Study of Pedestrian Crossings Along Route 7, East of Cascades Parkway and West of Dranesville Road. October 3, 2017

Transcription

1 Feasibility Study of Pedestrian Crossings Along Route 7, East of Cascades Parkway and West of Dranesville Road October 3, 2017

2 Study Area (area within a ¼-mile radius of the study intersections) Route 7 Pedestrian Crossings Feasibility Study 1. Bartholomew Fair Drive (Route 1792)/Campus Drive 2. Potomac View Road (Route 637) 3. Sterling Boulevard (Route 846)/ Cardinal Glenn Circle (Route 846) 4. Augusta Drive (Route 2700) 5. Lakeland Drive (Route 821) 2

3 Travel Times Existing Conditions WB Direction PM = 4 mins. 42 secs. A B EB Direction AM = 4 mins. 9 secs. Land area mostly commercial, retail, and office to the east and west; residential in the middle No existing sidewalks or marked crosswalks within study area Two fatal pedestrian crashes documented between

4 Pedestrian Demand: Current pedestrian activity at the existing intersections is low. Pedestrians observed crossing mid-block and using the median as a pedestrian refuge. Existing signalized intersection configurations are not pedestrian friendly and provide no area for pedestrian refuge. Pedestrian demand expected to increase with the provision of safer alternatives to cross Route 7. 4

5 Pedestrian Crossings Options: Crossing Options evaluated: At-Grade uses new pedestrian signals at existing signalized intersections Grade-Separated uses pedestrian bridges over Route 7 Transit provides transit services similar to Safe-T-Ride 5

6 At-Grade Crossing Analyzed based on: Physical and geometric constraints Impact on traffic operations Crashes involving pedestrians Surrounding businesses and communities Five existing signalized locations evaluated Requires signal equipment upgrades, minor roadway modifications, and utility relocations Businesses and communities benefitting from the pedestrian signal varied greatly depending on the location of the crossing 6

7 At-Grade: Physical and Geometric Constraints Two intersections with physical constraints which precluded them from further evaluation: o Intersection #3: Sterling Blvd (Route 846)/Cardinal Glenn Circle (Route 846) o Intersection #4: Augusta Drive (Route 2700) 7

8 At-Grade: Operational Impacts Single Stage Crossing evaluated Pedestrians cross both directions in one pedestrian phase Single-stage crossing Note: Video recorded in fast-forward motion for presentation purposes 8

9 At-Grade: Operational Impacts Two Stage Crossing evaluated Pedestrians cross each direction during separate pedestrian phases Two-stage crossing Note: Video recorded in fast-forward motion for presentation purposes 9

10 Recommended At-Grade Crossing Locations Stop bar placement and signal equipment at these locations will need to be modified to accommodate pedestrian crossings Fewer utility relocations required than Grade-Separated option No right-of-way acquisition expected Minor roadway modifications required 10

11 Travel Times At-Grade: Operations with Two-Stage Crossing Difference in Peak Travel Time WB Direction PM = 4 mins. 42 secs. (+30 secs) = 5 mins. 12 secs. A B EB Direction AM = 4 mins. 9 secs. (+11 secs) = 4 mins. 20 secs. Direction of Travel Simulated Peak Hour Travel Time (minutes : seconds) AM Peak PM Peak Existing Improvements Existing Improvements Westbound Route 7 4:42 5:12 Difference 0:30 Eastbound Route 7 4:09 4:20 Difference 0:11 11

12 Grade-Separated Crossing Analyzed based on: Amount of right-of-way required Impact on the immediate area Surrounding businesses and communities Seven locations evaluated (5 intersections plus 2 additional locations Require large capital investments and significant utility modifications Affected businesses and communities varied greatly depending on the location of the crossing 12

13 Grade-Separated: Physical and Geometric Constraints Physical constraints at same two intersections as at-grade preclude them from further evaluation for grade-separated: Intersection #3: Sterling Blvd (Route 846)/Cardinal Glenn Circle (Route 846) Intersection #4: Augusta Drive (Route 2700) 13

14 Grade-Separated: Suggested Pedestrian Bridge Locations 14

15 Grade-Separated: Suggested Pedestrian Bridge Locations Significant utility relocations required May impact sight lines to adjacent properties Acquisition of right-of-way required Highest cost per crossing 15

16 Grade-Separated: Example Pedestrian Bridges W&OD Trail over Route 28 16

17 Transit The feasibility of a transit option was discussed with the Loudoun County Transit Team Use of adjacent bus systems as references: Safe-T-Ride Sugarland Connector Leesburg to NVCC Solution: A new bus route, OR Extending existing bus route to accommodate crossing across Route 7 17

18 Cost Summary Grade-Separated Pedestrian Crossings Location 1A. Midblock between Bartholomew Fair Drive/Campus Drive and Potomac View Road Estimated Cost $3,504,000 4A. Cedar Drive $4,501,000 Total Cost for Two (2) Grade-Separated Pedestrian Crossings $8,005,000 Note: Grade-separated pedestrian crossings are recommended to be included as part of discussion and comprehensive Route 7 corridor study to be completed following direction received at June 29, 2017 Transportation Summit. Transit Service Transit Service Estimated Annual Cost 8-mile bus loop, 12 stops, 60-minute frequency (2 buses) $400,000 Note: Transit Service is not recommended. 18

19 Cost Summary At-Grade Pedestrian Crossings Intersection 1 Recommended Option Estimated Cost 1. Bartholomew Fair Drive/Campus Drive $312, Lakeland Drive $169, Potomac View Road $341,000 Total Cost for Three (3) At-Grade Pedestrian Crossings $822,000 1 Intersections shown in order by suggested priority Note: Three (3) at-grade pedestrian crossings on Route 7 are recommended for installation. 19

20 Proposed Sidewalk/Trail Connectivity July 2017 Meetings: Supervisors requested a planning-level cost estimate for the missing sidewalk and trail connections in the study area to provide continuous pedestrian network Staff developed two alternatives to compliment recommended at-grade pedestrian crossings and provide continuous pedestrian network Scenario Missing Sidewalk (linear feet) Planning-Level Cost Estimate ($675 per linear foot) Full Sidewalk/Trail Connectivity 15,000 $10,200,000 Partial Sidewalk/Trail Connectivity 9,000 $6,100,000 Note: Sidewalk/trail connectivity is recommended to be discussed as part of the Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan Item scheduled for November 2017 Transportation and Land Use Committee Meeting. 20

21 Identification of Missing Sidewalk/Trail for Full Connectivity Missing Sidewalk (linear feet) Planning-Level Cost Estimate ($675 per linear foot) 15,000 $10,200,000 21

22 Identification of Missing Sidewalk/Trail for Partial Connectivity Missing Sidewalk (linear feet) Planning-Level Cost Estimate ($675 per linear foot) 9,000 $6,100,000 22

23 Summary of Draft Motions Installation of three (3) at-grade pedestrian crossings on Route 7: Priority 1: Route 7 at Bartholomew Fair Drive (Route 1732) Priority 2: Route 7 at Lakeland Drive (Route 821) Priority 3: Route 7 at Potomac View Drive (Route 637) Include discussion of sidewalk/trail connectivity to pedestrian crossings discussed in this item to be part of the Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan Item scheduled for November 2017 TLUC Meeting Include grade-separated pedestrian crossings as part of discussion and comprehensive Route 7 corridor study to be completed following direction received at June 29, 2017 Transportation Summit 23