Swamp Road Residents Study

Transcription

1 Swamp Road Residents Study SRRG Meeting with PennDot and Elected Officials Newtown and Wrightstown, PA April 25, 2008

2 Newtown Township Section of Swamp Road

3 Limited Public Funds No reconstruction of a road that is not congested Improve safety by mitigating specific road hazards Improve quality of life Retain the rural character Preserve open and green space Improve peace and enjoyment for residents Avoid increase in noise, visual disturbance, air pollution, and environmental impact

4 Traffic Calming Reclassify from a minor arterial to a major collector road Make the road eligible for simple safety measures for navigating hills and curves Conduct a study for reducing speeds to safer limits Post signs against use of Jake Brakes Post warning signs at trouble spots Replace damaged and missing signs

5 Traffic Enforcement Not enough enforcement and police visibility Increase enforcement Increase truck details Establish VASCAR (Vehicle Average Speed Calculator) monitoring zones

6 Location 1: Corner of Rt. 413 Existing Condition: Unsafe for Tyler Walk pedestrians for crossing into Tyler Park.

7 Location 1: Corner of Rt. 413 Potential Fix: Provide a pedestrian crossing at the existing traffic light Safe crossing for pedestrians Increase awareness for drivers regarding presence of pedestrians

8 Location 2: Tyler Walk Entrance Existing Condition: Unsafe and difficult left turn from Tyler Walk during peak traffic time in the mornings

9 Location 2: Tyler Walk Entrance Potential Fixes: Residents prefer that the existing traffic lights at the bypass and college are timed to provide safe egress An alternative, as a last resort could be a traffic control light that only operates during the morning rush hour

10 Location 3: Colonial Commons & Existing Conditions: Unsafe and difficult left turns from Colonial Commons and BCCC during peak traffic time in the mornings Difficult crossing for pedestrians at all times due to high traffic speed BCCC Entrances

11 Location 3: Colonial Commons & Potential Fixes: Provide a four-way stop or a traffic light. Residents prefer the four-way stop Provide a pedestrian crossing College Traffic Study BCCC Entrances 3 rd entrance Improved traffic flow inside the college to reduce backups on Swamp Road

12 Location 4: Temora Farm Bridge Existing Condition: Bridge is wide enough. It was repaired sufficiently by PennDOT in But trucks often cross the center lane markings.

13 Location 4: Temora Farm Bridge Potential Fix: Install additional raised reflectors on the lane markings to alert drivers to stay in lane. Add Slow Down signs and a white arrow on the road with the words SLOW approaching the bridge.

14 Location 5: Twining Bridge Area Existing Conditions: Vertical as well as horizontal blinds and sharp curve Extremely difficult to make safe left turns from Twining Bridge Road and Tyler Park Unsafe for pedestrians for crossing into Tyler Park

15 Location 5: Twining Bridge Area Potential Fixes: Create a 3-way 3 stop at Twining Bridge Road and provide a pedestrian crossing Pave small section of park exit to eliminate spinning of wheels

16 Wrightstown Township Section of Swamp Road

17 Scope and Process Wrightstown Section of Swamp Road Eastern limit: Intersection of Twining Bridge Road Western Limit: Township Line, past Rushland Observe and investigate existing conditions Identify Specific Problem Locations

18 Process (continued) Gather Information: Photographs of problems and locations Current speed limits and warning signs Review prior studies, Accident Reports Describe Locations and Problems Develop Proposed Fixes for Problems Interview adjacent residents Interview Newtown Police Department Get input from Township Transportation Engineer

19 Process (continued) Summarize Findings and Recommendations Public Meeting: Wrightstown Section Both Boards of Supervisors met with the two residents groups on April 17, 2008 Coordinate with Newton Residents Group

20 Location 1: Unmarked Crossing at 2 Horse Stables Existing Conditions 1. Eastbound sight distance limited due to vertical curve, risk to pedestrian and horses crossing Swamp Road. 2. Drainage issue-water flows for days after a hard rain from north shoulder, freezes in winter. 3. Unmarked pedestrian and horse crossing Westbound, between Farms, Icy Road

21 Eastbound, between Farms, Icy Road

22 Location 1: Unmarked Crossing at 2 Horse Stables Potential Fixes: 1. Horse Crossing caution signs, Bridle Path (W11-20 or W11-7) 2. Reduce speed limit. 3. Fix drainage, and until fixed, post a Watch For Ice (W8-19) warning sign. Eastbound, between Farms, crest of hill

23 Location 2: Poor Drainage Between WMR and New Culvert Existing Conditions: Poor drainage of north side of road, drains days after heavy precipitation, freezes in winter. Drainage from intersection runs down hill and across the road, freezes in winter. Steep vertical and horizontal curves, and lack of shoulders approaching/leaving 4-way 4 stop intersection compounded by weather related hazards. Eastbound, from WMR, black ice forming as water is dragged uphill and freezes on January 13, 2008

24 Location 2: Poor Drainage Between WMR and New Culvert Potential Fixes: Fix drainage, and until fixed, post a Watch For Ice (W8-19) sign and warning sign. Reduce westbound speed limit to the same speed as locations 1 and 2. Westbound, Failed Drainage, February 14, 2008

25 Location 2: Poor Drainage Between WMR and New Culvert CAUSES ICY ROADWAY Westbound, February 14, 2008 Ice forming all the way to stop sign.

26 Location 3: Intersection of Worthington Mill and Swamp Roads 4-Way Stop with complex alignments and topography including two vertical curves and oblique angle of intersection. Views obstructed by embankments and/or vegetation on all four sides of intersection. Ineffective drainage. Condition is worsened by ruts caused by truck traffic. Hidden driveways on south and north side of Worthington Mill Road. Swamp Road westbound Swamp Road Eastbound

27 Location 3: Intersection of WMR and Swamp WMR northbound Potential Fixes: No major realignment or widening of this intersection. Stop Ahead signs at effective distances in ALL approach directions. Reduce speed limit to 25 in vicinity of intersection on both roads. Hidden Driveway signs with curve warnings (W1-1) 1) on Swamp Road to warn turning traffic of the driveways to north and south. WMR southbound

28 Location 4: Hickory Lane Existing Conditions: Very limited sight distance for drivers entering Swamp Road due to vertical curve to west of the intersection. Dangerous conditions exist for vehicles entering and exiting Hickory Lane. Higher vehicle speeds encouraged by wider shoulders and hills. Intersection

29 Location 4: Hickory Lane Intersection Potential Fixes: Reduce speed limit to 35 MPH. Post Hill Blocks View Sign (W7-6) and Advisory Speed (W13-1) 1).

30 Major Safety Concerns 1. Speeding and driving too fast for conditions. 2. Limited sight distance due to hills, curves and vegetation. 3. Poor drainage resulting in flooding and icy conditions, a cause of many accidents. 4. Lack of warning signs at trouble spots; for example, Slippery When Wet, Hidden Driveway, Deer Crossing, etc. Existing signs are not replaced when damaged (hit). 5. Not enough enforcement and police visibility along with a lack of pull-off areas for enforcement stops.

31 Location 5: Neshaminy Avenue Existing Conditions: Sight distance limited for drivers entering Swamp road here. Vertical curve that crests just west of this intersection greatly limits sight distance for vehicles entering and exiting Neshaminy Avenue and adjacent residences. Intersection

32 Location 5: Neshaminy Avenue Intersection Potential Fixes: Reduce speed limit to 35. Post Hill Blocks View Sign (W7-6) and Advisory Speed (W13-1) 1)

33 Location 6: Hill and Curve west of Neshaminy Avenue Intersection Existing Conditions: Horizontal curve and incline make it difficult for vehicles to stay within their travel lanes. Numerous accidents have occurred at this location. Driveways located on curve.

34 Location 6: Hill and Curve west of Neshaminy Avenue Intersection Potential Fixes: Reduce speed limit to 35 MPH. Hidden Driveway signs should be posted both east and west of the curve. Remove vegetation on south side of road to improve sight distances.

35 Location 7: Sharp Curve 0.1 mile east Existing Conditions: Sharp horizontal curve limits sight distance of vehicles traveling both east and west. Scene of numerous accidents. Poor drainage on north side of road. Water covers road after heavy rains, freezes in winter. Speed limit of 40 MPH posted prior to this turn traveling east is misleading, most vehicles can not negotiate this turn at this speed. of SR 0232

36 Location 7: Sharp Curve 0.1 mile east of SR 232 Potential Fixes: Reduce eastbound speed limit to 25 from Route 232 until after the curve. Replace Curve (W1-1) 1) sign. Install effective drainage controls, and until fixed, post signs to warn drivers of adverse conditions with these signs: Post Road Subject to Flooding (W8-18) Watch For Ice (W8-19) Slippery When Wet

37 Location 8: Quarry and School Bus Depot Entrances Existing Conditions: Uncontrolled quarry traffic from Eureka Stone Quarry often does not stop prior to entering Swamp Road from quarries. School Bus also do not always stop sign at exit. There are no stop signs!

38 Location 8: Quarry and School Bus Potential Fixes: Post Stop Signs at both quarry exits. Post Trucks Entering Roadway signs with a (W11-10) 10) and an intersection warning sign (W2-1) on Swamp in both directions. Depot Entrances

39 General Improvement Needs 1. No major road reconstruction widening road and softening of curves and hills will only promote speeding. 2. Retain rural character - instead of rebuilding the entire roadway, encourage slower speeds and include strategic mitigation of specific road hazards as listed in the following table. 3. Fix the drainage - design and build controls to prevent flooding and black ice. 4. Strategic vegetation removal to improve sight distances. 5. Increase enforcement. establish and use VASCAR (Vehicle Average Speed Calculator) monitoring zones and related pull- over areas.

40 Location 9: A Series of 3 Tight Existing Conditions: Limited sight distance in both directions. Narrow roadway. Flooding during heavy rains on eastern-most curve. Horizontal Curves

41 Location 9: A Series of 3 Tight Horizontal Curves Potential Fixes 20 MPH sign after stop signs at intersection of Mill Creek Road going east. 20 MPH sign before first curve going west. Install additional warning signs (W1-5) and Roadway Subject to Flooding and Slippery When Wet (W8-5).

42 Location 10: Intersection of Mill Creek Road Existing Conditions: Traffic flow and control not a problem since temporary stop signs have been added. Intersection floods in heavy rains, due to flow from Penns Park Road.

43 Location 10: Intersection of Mill Potential Fixes: Permanently retain 4-4 way stop. Improve drainage control. Creek Road

44 Location 11: Sharp Curve between Mill Creek and Barn and Quarry Existing Conditions: Long straight roadways leading to very sharp curve encourages excessive speed in sharp radius horizontal curve. This is the scene of frequent and sometimes severe accidents.

45 Location 11: Sharp Curve between Mill Creek and Barn and Quarry Potential Fixes: Reduce speed limit in adjacent road segments. Increase curve radius, move roadway south. Improve banking of curve to match radius. Until fixed, post larger and more effective warning signs: Dangerous Curve.

46 Location 12: Village of Rushland Existing Conditions: Excessive, unsafe speeds (40 MPH) allowed through this residential and commercial area.

47 Location 12: Village of Rushland Potential Fixes: Reduce speed limit to 25 MPH, post at both sides of village. Retain village atmosphere, no widening of roadway or shoulders.

48 Location 13: Intersection of Swamp Existing Conditions: and Rushland Roads Eastbound Rushland Road turning left to go west on Swamp Road crosses and conflicts with eastbound Swamp Road which bears left at existing triangular island. Site limited by vegetation on northwest side of intersection. Westbound Swamp Road drivers often miss the right turn to continue on Swamp.

49 Location 13: Intersection of Swamp and Rushland Roads Potential Fixes: Post Stop sign on eastbound Rushland Road at intersection. Install directional signs for Swamp Road and Rushland Road. Remove vegetation on northwest side of intersection to improve sight distances.

50 Location 14: Curve on Swamp West of Rushland Road Existing Conditions: Swamp Road is well built here but design encourages speeding. Site of numerous accidents. Driveways

51 Location 14: Curve on Swamp West of Rushland Road Potential Fixes: Reduce and Enforce Speed Limit. Post warning signs for driveways.

52 General Improvement Needs 1. No major road reconstruction widening road and softening of curves and hills will only promote speeding. 2. Retain rural character - instead of rebuilding the entire roadway, encourage slower speeds and include strategic mitigation of specific road hazards as listed in the following table. 3. Fix the drainage - design and build controls to prevent flooding and black ice. 4. Strategic vegetation removal to improve sight distances. 5. Increase enforcement. establish and use VASCAR (Vehicle Average Speed Calculator) monitoring zones and related pull- over areas.