Pearl Street / Prospect Street / Colchester Avenue Intersection Scoping Study. April 11, 2013 Steering Committee Meeting #3

Transcription

1 Pearl Street / Prospect Street / Colchester Avenue Intersection Scoping Study April 11, 2013 Steering Committee Meeting #3

2 Meeting Agenda Welcome & Introductions Review Project Purpose & Needs Results of Alternatives Analysis Discussion of Possible Pilot Project Next Steps 1

3 Project Purpose & Needs Purpose The purpose of the Prospect Street/Pearl Street/Colchester Avenue intersection Scoping Study is to identify a preferred alternative improvement plan that enhances mobility and safety for all modes through the intersection. Needs Peak period traffic congestion: The intersection currently experiences recurring congestion, delays, and extended vehicle queuing during peak periods due to relatively heavy vehicle demand, heavy pedestrian crossing demand, and confusion/inefficiencies created by the offset north and south approaches. High Crash Location: The most recent VTrans High Crash Location (HCL) report ( data) lists the Pearl Street/Prospect Street/Colchester Avenue intersection as the #25-ranked HCL intersection (among 659 identified HCLs) in the state. Inadequate accommodations for bicyclists and walkers: Situated immediately adjacent to the UVM Green and between the campus and residential housing to the north, this intersection experiences a relatively high volume of pedestrians and bicyclists. Despite this high activity, the intersection has several identified deficiencies including no advanced pedestrian phase for east-west pedestrians, lack of delineated shoulders on three approaches, and a skewed crosswalk across the North Prospect Street approach. Offset north-south approach alignment: The North and South Prospect Street intersections are offset by approximately 70 feet. As the north- and southbound approaches currently run together under concurrent phasing, there are often situations where vehicles become trapped in the center of the intersection waiting to turn left and being unable to see beyond the opposing car to see any oncoming conflicting traffic. This inefficiency decreases the overall capacity at which the intersection operates.

4 Alternatives Assessment Alternative 1: Short Term Pilot Improvements Alternative 2: North-South Approach Alignment Alternative 3: Alignment plus Turn Lanes 3

5 Alternative #1: Short-Term Pilot Improvements Signal Phasing Plan Leading Ped Phase & NRTOR East-West Flows & Concurrent Ped WB Protected Left & No Ped NB Protected & No Ped Leading Ped Phase & NRTOR SB & Concurrent Ped 4

6 Alternative #1: Short-Term Pilot Improvements Option: Keep parking; no northbound left turn lane Overall PM delay increases from 85 seconds to 121 seconds. Maintains 10 parking spaces 5

7 Alternative #2: North-South Alignment 6

8 Alternative #2: North-South Alignment 7

9 Alternative #3: Alignment + NBL Turn Lane 8

10 Alternatives Evaluation: Traffic Performance Alternative 1: Increased delay due to longer cycle length (split phasing & additional leading ped interval) Alternative 2: Decreased delay due to removal of offset and shorter cycle length than Alternative 1 Alternative 3: Decreased delay due to removal of offset, shorter cycle lengths, and NBL turn lane 9

11 Alternatives Evaluation: Cost Estimate 10

12 Alternatives Evaluation: Summary 11

13 Potential Pilot Project? Do We Proceed with the Pilot Project? Advantages: Improved safety, low-cost, quick implementation, temporary Disadvantages: Increased vehicle delays, potential initial driver confusion Potential Pilot Implementation Schedule Initial presentation to Public Works Commission: 3/20/13 Second presentation to Public Works Commission: 4/17/13 Public Works Commission Vote: 4/17 or 5/15 Implement Pilot Improvements: June/July Monitor Improvements: Sept/Oct Determine Effectiveness of Improvements: October Install Permanent Markings Oct/Nov 12

14 Next Steps (with Pilot Project) Pilot Public Outreach May Pilot Implementation & Monitoring June October Alternatives Assessment Outreach Nov Dec Selection of Preferred Alternative Dec - Jan 2014 Initial Scoping Study February/March Final Scoping Study April

15 Next Steps (no Pilot Project) Alternatives Assessment Outreach April Selection of Preferred Alternative May - June Initial Scoping Study July - August Final Scoping Study September

16 Project Website David Saladino RSG Project Manager Eleni Churchill CCRPC Project Manager 15

17 Signal Timing AM No Build (C=90 sec) AM Alt 1 (C=110 sec) AM Alt 2 & 3 (C=90 sec) 16

18 Signal Timing PM No Build (C=133 sec) PM Alt 1 (C=120 sec) PM Alt 2 & 3 (C=110 sec) 17