Meadow Woods Elementary School

Transcription

1 Drag and drop pic and stretch/crop to the limits of the blue rectangle (delete this text box) Meadow Woods Elementary School Drag and drop pic and stretch/crop to the limits of the blue rectangle (delete this text box)

2 SCHOOL ROUTE PLAN For MEADOW WOODS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL LOCATION 34 ORANGE COUNTY Prepared for: ORANGE COUNTY SCHOOL ASSESSMENT PROGRAM ORANGE COUNTY PUBLIC WORKS Traffic Engineering Division 4200 South John Young Parkway Orlando, Florida Contract No.: Y4-903B HNTB No PL-003 Prepared by: Lake Mary, Florida Sept. 28, 2007 Professional Engineer: Marc W. Hustad, P.E. P.E. No

3 School Route Plan-Meadow Woods Elementary School TABLE OF CONTENTS EXECUTIVE SUMMARY INTRODUCTION EXISTING CONDITIONS... 4 Vehicular, Pedestrian, and Bicycle Volumes QUALITATIVE ASSESSMENT RECOMMENDATIONS APPENDIX FIGURES, EXHIBITS, and TABLES FIGURES Figure 1 - Project Location Map... 3 Figure 2 School Boundary Map... 9 Figure 3 School Route Plan Map- 1 of Figure 4 School Route Plan Map- 2 of Figure 5 Condition Diagram: Rhode Island Woods Circle at School Entrance Figure 6 Condition Diagram: Rhode Island Woods Circle at Villa Del Sol Lane Figure 7 Condition Diagram: Rhode Island Woods Circle at Landstar Boulevard Figure 8 - Conceptual Improvement Diagram: Virginia Woods Ln and School Entrance Figure 9 - Conceptual Improvement Diagram: Rhode Island Woods Cir at Villa Del Sol Ln EXHIBITS Exhibit 1- Rhode Island Woods Cir at Villa Del Sol Lane/Oklahoma Woods Ct Exhibit 2- Rhode Island Woods Circle at Villa Del Sol Lane/Oklahoma Woods Ct Exhibit 3- Rhode Island Woods Circle/Chicago Woods Cir at Landstar Boulevard Exhibit 4- Rhode Island Woods Cir/Chicago Woods Cir at Landstar Boulevard TABLES Table 1-Field Inventory... 4 Table 2-Summary of Vehicular Volumes... 5 Table 3-Summary of Pedestrian & Bicycle Volumes... 6

4 School Route Plan- Meadow Woods Elementary School 1 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY HNTB Corporation was retained by Orange County Public Works to conduct a School Route Plan Study for Meadow Woods Elementary School located at 500 Rhode Island Woods Circle, Orange County, Florida. This study is being performed as a part of the County s School Assessment Program to identify safe routes for children to walk and bicycle to school. Based on the results of the analysis, field observations and engineering judgment, the following recommendations and conclusions were developed: 1. Pedestrian and bicycle access to the school is safe and efficient. 2. The stop sign at the exit of the parking area should be straightened so that it is facing the driver. A stop sign (R1-1) should be installed to the right side of the carpool exit lane. 3. It is recommended that a sidewalk be installed on the east side of Virginia Woods Lane from the existing sidewalk to Rhode Island Woods Circle. 4. It is recommended the cross walk and stop bar on the north approach of Rhode Island Woods Circle and Villa Del Sol Lane be restriped. 5. At the mid-block crossing on Rhode Island Woods Circle, the School Crosswalk Warning signs should be replaced with (S1-1) signs and supplemented with down arrow placards (W16-7p). 6. It is recommended the School Advance Warning assemblies have the placard SCHOOL replaced with the placard AHEAD (W16-9). 7. It is recommended that a crosswalk, ADA curb ramps and stop bar be installed, the sidewalk realigned and the stop sign moved on the south approach of Rhode Island Woods Circle and Villa Del Sol Lane (Oklahoma Woods Court). 8. It is recommended that a speed indicator be attached to the sign assembly for eastbound traffic on Rhode Island Woods Circle. 9. It is recommended that the broken pedestrian signal indicators on the intersection of Rhode Island Woods Circle and Landstar Boulevard be replaced. 10. The sign (FTP-25-04) on the pedestrian signal indicator in the northeast quadrant of the intersection of Rhode Island Woods Circle and Landstar Boulevard, which informs pedestrians Push Here to Cross Rhode Island, should be replaced. 11. Consideration should be given to providing a protected westbound left turn phase.

5 School Route Plan- Meadow Woods Elementary School 2 1. INTRODUCTION HNTB Corporation was retained by Orange County Public Works to conduct a School Route Plan Study for Meadow Woods Elementary School located at 500 Rhode Island Woods Circle, Orange County, Florida. The purpose of this study is to identify safe routes for children to walk and bicycle to school. The analysis methods used in conducting this study are consistent with those set forth in the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD 2003), the Manual on Uniform Traffic Studies (MUTS) and Orange County guidelines and procedures. Figure 1 shows the school project location map.

6 School Route Plan- Meadow Woods Elementary School 3 Figure 1 - Project Location Map

7 School Route Plan- Meadow Woods Elementary School 4 2. EXISTING CONDITIONS Meadow Woods Elementary School is located in southeast Orange County on Rhode Island Woods Circle approximately 0.44 miles north of Central Florida Greeneway (SR 417). Significant features for the study location are summarized in Table 1 below: Feature Table 1-Field Inventory Description School Name Meadow Woods Elementary School Address 500 Rhode Island Woods Circle Orlando, FL School Hours 8:45 AM- 3:00 PM (2:00 PM Wednesday) Student Enrollment 832 Primary Roadway Access Rhode Island Woods Circle Four lane, divided with left turn lane on east approach, closed drainage Posted speed limit: 30 mph Sidewalks: Both sides of roadway Conventional lighting on both sides of roadway Pedestrian and Bicycle Access to School Carpool Access to School Bus Access Guarded School Crossings Landstar Boulevard Four lane, divided, with a right turn lane on south approach and a left turn lane on north approach, closed drainage Posted speed limit: 40 mph Sidewalks: Both sides of roadway Conventional lighting on both sides of roadway Sidewalk on both sides of Rhode Island Woods Circle and Landstar Boulevard. The car and bus entrance is the main entrance to the school. Vehicles drive straight, then loop around to the left and exit via the same entrance/exit. Bus and van traffic enters the school via the main entrance and veer towards the left at the point where the vehicles drive straight. The bus exit is on the northeast side of the school on Rhode Island Woods Circle. Rhode Island Woods Circle/Landstar Boulevard Controlled by traffic signal Pedestrian signal indicators, crosswalks and pushbuttons on all approaches School Crosswalk Warning signs on all approaches 2-3 crossing guards provided during school times Rhode Island Woods Circle- Mid block crossing Controlled by school speed zone School Crosswalk Warning signs on both approaches County Sheriff at crossing, one day per week Crossing guard provided during school times Other Facilities Sidewalks are provided along most roadways in adjacent neighborhoods within the walk zone. Reduced Speed School Zones Rhode Island Woods Circle west of Villa Del Sol Lane

8 School Route Plan- Meadow Woods Elementary School 5 Vehicular, Pedestrian, and Bicycle Volumes Two-hour turning movement counts were conducted at the intersections of Rhode Island Woods Circle at Villa Del Sol Lane and Rhode Island Woods Circle at Landstar Boulevard. The counts were conducted from 8:00 to 9:00 AM and 2:30 to 3:30 PM to coincide with the morning arrival time and afternoon departure time of students at the school. Pedestrian, bicycle, automobile and bus traffic were recorded separately for this count. Tables 2 and 3 summarize the results of these counts: Table 2-Summary of Vehicular Volumes Approaches Rhode Island Woods Circle at Villa Del Sol Lane Villa Del Sol Lane Rhode Island Woods Circle Direction Northbound Southbound Eastbound Westbound Movement L T R TOT L T R TOT L T R TOT L T R TOT Morning Arrival: 800 to 900 Vehicles Busses Total Afternoon Departure: 1430 to 1530 Vehicles Busses Total Approaches Rhode Island Woods Circle at Landstar Boulevard Landstar Boulevard Rhode Island Woods Circle Direction Northbound Southbound Eastbound Westbound Movement L T R TOT L T R TOT L T R TOT L T R TOT Morning Arrival: 800 to 900 Vehicles Busses Total Afternoon Departure: 1430 to 1530 Vehicles Busses Total

9 School Route Plan- Meadow Woods Elementary School 6 Table 3-Summary of Pedestrian & Bicycle Volumes Rhode Island Woods Circle at Villa Del Sol Lane Total 8:00 8:15 8:30 8:45 Total 2:30 2:45 3:00 3:15 AM PM AM 14 Villa Del Sol Lane AM Total Total PM 0 Total AM 0 8: : : : : : Rhode Island Woods Circle 8: : AM PM Total 0 0 Total AM PM 1 0 2: : : : : : : : PM PM Total 0 Total 8 Oklahoma Woods Court Total 8:00 8:15 8:30 8:45 Total 2:30 2:45 3:00 3:15 AM PM Total AM PM 40 Rhode Island Woods Circle Rhode Island Woods Circle at Landstar Boulevard Total 8:00 8:15 8:30 8:45 Total 2:30 2:45 3:00 3:15 AM PM AM 0 Landstar Boulevard AM Total Total PM 31 Total AM 0 8: : : : : : Chicago Woods Circle 8: : AM PM Total 9 13 Total AM PM 3 0 2: : : : : : : : PM PM Total 4 Total 0 Landstar Boulevard Total 8:00 8:15 8:30 8:45 Total 2:30 2:45 3:00 3:15 AM PM Total AM PM 0 Rhode Island Woods Circle

10 School Route Plan- Meadow Woods Elementary School 7 3. QUALITATIVE ASSESSMENT Meadow Woods Elementary School is located on Rhode Island Woods Circle approximately 0.44 miles north of Central Florida Greeneway (SR 417). The school serves children who live north of SR 417 and east of S. Orange Avenue (SR 426). The school zone boundary does not lie completely within the two-mile walk zone of the school. Figure 2 illustrates the school zone boundary, two-mile walk radius and existing bus stops for Meadow Woods Elementary School. Figures 3 and 4 are School Route Plan Maps of the area within the two-mile walk limit where school bus service is not provided. This area is the focus of the qualitative assessment. The school route plan area was reviewed by a registered professional engineer to evaluate vehicle, pedestrian, and bicycle flow patterns to determine what improvements are necessary, if any, to improve the safety and efficiency of the children traveling to and from school. General Volumes and speeds on Rhode Island Woods Circle are moderate. At the school entrance, the queue for eastbound right turning motorists on Rhode Island Woods Circle blocks the outside lane. However, there is minimal through traffic and this queue does not interrupt the flow of traffic. The queue for the westbound left turning vehicles is minimal. Many of the students arrive to school via bus or private vehicles. Bus service is provided for the residential areas north and east of the school. Pedestrian and bicycle traffic to and from the school uses the sidewalk along both sides of Rhode Island Woods Circle. Overall, pedestrian and bicycle access to the school is generally safe and efficient. Figure 5 shows the existing conditions at the school entrance. Carpool vehicles enter via the main driveway at the school entrance, then circulate to the drop-off and pick-up area. Carpool drivers then complete the circle and exit through the main driveway. The driveway is adequately designed for the volume of vehicular traffic it serves. The queue backing up onto Rhode Island Woods Circle was approximately 20 vehicles. The bus drop-off/pick-up area is located along the north side of the school. The buses enter via the main driveway at the school entrance and turn left towards the bus driveway. They exit the school on the northeast side of the property. Here, there is sufficient storage capacity, efficient one-way circulation and minimal conflicts with pedestrians or other vehicles. The current pavement markings on the school property are in good condition. The current stop sign at the exit of the carpool lane is crooked and only services the vehicles exiting the parking area. This stop sign should be straightened and a stop sign (R1-1) should be added to the right side of the exit to ensure no conflicts between the vehicles exiting the carpool lane and the buses that are turning left into the bus loading zone. Straighten sign and add Stop Sign (R1-1) to right side at exit of carpool lane

11 School Route Plan- Meadow Woods Elementary School 8 At Virginia Woods Lane, west of the school entrance, the crosswalk markings do not line up with the sidewalk. The sidewalk on the east side of the roadway does not continue to Rhode Island Woods Circle. It is recommended that a sidewalk be installed from the existing sidewalk to Rhode Island Woods Circle to allow for continuity of pedestrian flow. Rhode Island Woods Circle/ Villa Del Sol Lane Figure 6 illustrates the existing conditions of this intersection. The intersection of Rhode Island Woods Circle at Villa Del Sol Lane was observed during the morning and afternoon school hours. Approximately 87 students cross at this intersection during the school hours. One crossing guard and an Orange County Sheriff Officer are located at the mid-block cross walk on Rhode Island Woods Circle. The following observations were made: At this intersection, only the north approach is marked with a crosswalk, which is faded on the northwest corner. The stop bar on this approach is faded as well. It is recommended that this crosswalk and stop bar be restriped. The mid-block pedestrian crossing has moderate to high volumes of pedestrian traffic. The school speed limit zone is located 75 to the west of the crossing and 50 to the east of the crossing. The School Crosswalk Warning signs are outdated and should be replaced with (S1-1) signs and supplemented with down arrow placards (W16-7p). Restripe crosswalk and stop bar at Villa Del Sol Lane The school speed limit zone on the east approach has a speed indicator attached to the side of the sign assembly. It is recommended that this same indicator be placed on the sign assembly on the west approach. The School Advance Warning assemblies along Rhode Island Woods Circle are outdated. The SCHOOL placards should be replaced with AHEAD placards (W16-9p). Many parents park along Oklahoma Woods Court (south approach of intersection) and walk students to the east entrance of the school, opposite Villa Del Sol Lane. It is recommended that a crosswalk, ADA curb ramps and stop bar be installed, the sidewalk realigned and the stop sign moved at this approach, to allow for continuity of pedestrian flow. Install crosswalk at Oklahoma Woods Court

12 9 N Meadow Woods Elementary School 2 Mile Walk Zone Legend School Zone Boundary School School Bus Stop Traffic Signal Figure 2 School Boundary Map

13 10 N G Gated Community No Access G Meadow Woods Elementary Gated Community No Access G Crossing Guard Signalized Crosswalk Meadows Woods Intersection Legend School Bus Stops Figure 3 Stop Sign Pedestrian Route School School Route Plan Map Elementary School Crossing Bike Lane Yield Sign Sheet 1 of 2

14 11 N G Crossing Guard Signalized Crosswalk Meadows Woods Intersection Legend School Bus Stops Figure 4 Stop Sign Pedestrian Route School School Route Plan Map Elementary School Crossing Bike Lane Yield Sign Sheet 2 of 2

15 School Route Plan- Meadow Woods Elementary School 12 Rhode Island Woods Circle/ Landstar Boulevard Figure 7 illustrates the existing conditions of this intersection. The intersection of Rhode Island Woods Circle at Landstar Boulevard was observed during the morning and afternoon school hours. Two crossing guards are stationed at the intersection to accommodate the relatively high flow of pedestrians across the north approach of Landstar Boulevard. Approximately 62 students in the morning and 31 students in the afternoon cross at the intersection of Rhode Island Woods Circle and Landstar Boulevard. The following observations were made: Traffic on Landstar Boulevard is traveling at or above the posted 40 mph speed limit. Traffic volumes are high. Due to the amount of children crossing at this intersection. School children cross the north and west approaches to the intersection and are protected by two to three crossing guards. Full pedestrian signal indicators, with the countdown heads, are provided for crossing all approaches of the intersection; however the pedestrian indicators are broken. The indicator in the northeast quadrant of the intersection is missing the sign Push Button to Cross Rhode Island. These indicators and this sign should be replaced with sign FTP Replace broken indicators Replace missing sign All approach crosswalks are marked as school crossings. All signs look to be new and in excellent condition. The School Advance Warning Assemblies on the north, south and west approaches look to be new and are in excellent condition. ADA ramps and crosswalks are in adequate condition. The westbound left turning traffic accounts for over half of the westbound volume. Consideration should be given to providing a protected westbound left turn phase. Photographs of the intersections of Rhode Island Woods Circle with Villa Del Sol Lane and Landstar Boulevard are included in Exhibits 1 through 4.

16 13 N SCHOOL SCHOOL Carpool Loop School Entrance Bus Loop Rhode Island Woods Circle Rhode Island Woods Cir at School Entrance Figure 5 Condition Diagram

17 Villa Del Sol Lane 14 N Rhode Island Woods Circle END SCHOOL ZONE Bus Loop SCHOOL SPEED LIMIT 20 WHEN FLASHING DO NOT ENTER 24 END SCHOOL ZONE SCHOOL SPEED LIMIT YOUR SPEED 20 WHEN FLASHING APPROXIMATELY 700 FROM THE SCHOOL ENTRANCE SCHOOL SCHOOL OUTLET NO Oklahoma Woods Court Rhode Island Woods Cir at Villa Del Sol Lane Figure 6 Condition Diagram

18 AHEAD 15 SPEED 25 LIMIT Chicago Woods Circle AHEAD Landstar Blvd N AHEAD Rhode Island Woods Cir AHEAD AHEAD 30 SPEED LIMIT AHEAD Rhode Island Woods Circle at Landstar Boulevard Figure 7 Condition Diagram

19 School Route Plan- Meadow Woods Elementary School 16 Exhibit 1- Rhode Island Woods Cir at Villa Del Sol Lane/Oklahoma Woods Ct Looking south along Villa Del Sol Lane into Rhode Island Woods Circle Looking north along Oklahoma Woods Court into Rhode Island Woods Circle

20 School Route Plan- Meadow Woods Elementary School 17 Exhibit 2- Rhode Island Woods Circle at Villa Del Sol Lane/Oklahoma Woods Ct Looking west along Rhode Island Woods Circle into Villa Del Sol Lane/Oklahoma Woods Court Looking east along Rhode Island Woods Circle into Villa Del Sol Lane/Oklahoma Woods Court

21 School Route Plan- Meadow Woods Elementary School 18 Exhibit 3- Rhode Island Woods Circle/Chicago Woods Cir at Landstar Boulevard Looking south along Landstar Boulevard into Rhode Island Woods Circle/Chicago Woods Circle Looking north along Landstar Boulevard into Rhode Island Woods Circle/Chicago Woods Circle

22 School Route Plan- Meadow Woods Elementary School 19 Exhibit 4- Rhode Island Woods Cir/Chicago Woods Cir at Landstar Boulevard Looking west along Rhode Island Circle into Landstar Boulevard Looking east along Chicago Woods Circle into Landstar Boulevard

23 School Route Plan- Meadow Woods Elementary School RECOMMENDATIONS Based on the results of the analysis, the field observations and engineering judgment, the following improvements are proposed and shown in Figures 8 and 9: 1. Pedestrian and bicycle access to the school is safe and efficient. 2. The stop sign at the exit of the parking area should be straightened so that it is facing the driver. A stop sign (R1-1) should be installed to the right side of the carpool exit lane. 3. It is recommended that a sidewalk be installed on the east side of Virginia Woods Lane from the existing sidewalk to Rhode Island Woods Circle. 4. It is recommended the cross walk and stop bar on the north approach of Rhode Island Woods Circle and Villa Del Sol Lane be restriped. 5. At the mid-block crossing on Rhode Island Woods Circle, the School Crosswalk Warning signs should be replaced with (S1-1) signs and supplemented with down arrow placards (W16-7p). 6. It is recommended the School Advance Warning assemblies have the placard SCHOOL replaced with the placard AHEAD (W16-9). 7. It is recommended that a crosswalk, ADA curb ramps and stop bar be installed, the sidewalk realigned and the stop sign moved on the south approach of Rhode Island Woods Circle and Villa Del Sol Lane (Oklahoma Woods Court). 8. It is recommended that a speed indicator be attached to the sign assembly for eastbound traffic on Rhode Island Woods Circle. 9. It is recommended that the broken pedestrian signal indicators on the intersection of Rhode Island Woods Circle and Landstar Boulevard be replaced. 10. The sign (FTP-25-04) on the pedestrian signal indicator in the northeast quadrant of the intersection of Rhode Island Woods Circle and Landstar Boulevard, which informs pedestrians Push Here to Cross Rhode Island, should be replaced. 11. Consideration should be given to providing a protected westbound left turn phase.

24 21 Replace Broken Pedestrian Indicators Replace Missing Sign Provide Westbound Left Turn Phase N Virginia Woods Lane Install Sidewalk on Virginia Woods Lane School Entrance Straighten Stop Sign Add Sign R1-1 Rhode Island Woods Circle Rhode Island Woods Circle at School Entrance Figure 8 Conceptual Diagram

25 Villa Del Sol Lane APPROXIMATELY 700 FROM THE SCHOOL ENTRANCE AHEAD AHEAD N Rhode Island Woods Circle Replace "SCHOOL" with AHEAD placard (W16-9p) END SCHOOL ZONE Replace Existing with School Crosswalk Sign (S1-1) with Down Arrow placard (W16-7P) Bus Loop SCHOOL SPEED LIMIT 20 WHEN FLASHING YOUR SPEED Add Speed Indicator Assembly DO NOT ENTER 24 END SCHOOL ZONE SCHOOL SPEED LIMIT YOUR SPEED 20 WHEN FLASHING Restripe Crosswalk and Stop Bar Install Crosswalk and ADA Curb Ramps Realign Sidewalk to infront of Stop Bar Add Stop Bar Relocate Stop Sign Replace "SCHOOL" with AHEAD placard (W16-9p) APPROXIMATELY 700 FROM THE SCHOOL ENTRANCE SCHOOL SCHOOL AHEAD AHEAD NO OUTLET Oklahoma Woods Court Rhode Island Woods Cir at Villa Del Sol Lane Figure Figure 9 6 Conceptual Condition Diagram Diagram

26 School Route Plan- Southwood Elementary School APPENDIX

27 CITY: Orlando NORTH APPROACH: Villa Del Sol Lane SOUTH APPROACH: Oklahoma Woods Court DATE: 4/2/2007 COUNT: All Vehicles COUNTY: Orange EAST APPROACH: Rhode Island Woods Circle WEST APPROACH: Rhode Island Woods Circle ARRIVAL TIME: 8:00-9:00 AM DEPARTURE TIME: 2:30-3:30 OBSERVER: JE START NORTHBOUND SOUTHBOUND EASTBOUND WESTBOUND GRAND TIME LEFT THRU RIGHT U-TURN TOTAL LEFT THRU RIGHT U-TURN TOTAL NS TOTAL LEFT THRU RIGHT U-TURN TOTAL LEFT THRU RIGHT U-TURN TOTAL EW TOTAL TOTAL 8: : : : Total : : Total : : Total

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30 CITY: Orlando NORTH APPROACH: Landstar Boulevard SOUTH APPROACH: Landstar Boulevard DATE: 3/20/2007 COUNT: All Vehicles COUNTY: Orange EAST APPROACH: Rhode Island Woods Circle WEST APPROACH: Chicago Woods Circle ARRIVAL TIME: 8:00-9:00 AM DEPARTURE TIME: 2:30-3:30 OBSERVER: JE START NORTHBOUND SOUTHBOUND EASTBOUND WESTBOUND GRAND TIME LEFT THRU RIGHT U-TURN TOTAL LEFT THRU RIGHT U-TURN TOTAL NS TOTAL LEFT THRU RIGHT U-TURN TOTAL LEFT THRU RIGHT U-TURN TOTAL EW TOTAL TOTAL 8: : : : Total , ,743 14: : Total : : Total

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