Niantic Center Elementary School

Transcription

1 Niantic Elementary School is located in the Northwest corner of the intersection of West Main Street and East Pattagansett Road, as so noted on the Facility Location Map. location Overview: The site is generally well organized with some provisions for the separation of activities. Many of the site improvements are in need of repair or replacement due to life cycle age and deterioration. The pedestrian and vehicular circulation patterns appear to work however can be improved to reduce cross circulation and improve overall safety measures. Provisions for handicapped accessibility need to be addressed to conform to current Federal and State requirements. Existing : Recreation field and playground equipment Bus loop and drop off area Access from West Main Street KBA No A - 1 Last Edit 09/28/11

2 The site is accessed directly from West Main Street with provisions for faculty/staff and visitor parking, a bus loop and a parent drop off area located in the front of the building. The entire rear of the site has been developed as play fields with playground equipment in various locations. Two hard surface play areas are located directly behind the building and there is a tot lot immediately adjacent to the east side of the building. Sign located on the corner of West Main Street and East Pattagansett Road L1 Drop off area and main entrance L2 KBA No A - 2 Last Edit 09/28/11

3 Hard surface play area Playground equipment has been installed in numerous locations L3 The recreation field and playground is also accessible directly from East Pattagansett Road. Vehicular Circulation: Vehicular travel is one way throughout the site creating numerous cross circulation patterns between pedestrians, passenger vehicles and buses. Parking located immediately adjacent to the bus loop Exiting vehicles must turn right and travel through the bus loop L4 The entrance drive leads directly into the bus loop located adjacent to the main entrance with faculty, staff and visitor parking located within the center of the loop. KBA No A - 3 Last Edit 09/28/11

4 Traffic flow is one way traveling through the bus loop Exiting vehicles must back into the main vehicular travel path L5 The single entrance drive is utilized by buses, faculty, staff, parents and visitors. It is congested during peak hours and potentially hazardous cross circulation patterns occur with pedestrians crossing vehicle travel paths. As the traffic flow is one way, all exiting vehicles must travel through the bus loop. Circulation within the easterly parking area is also signed as on way travel L6 KBA No A - 4 Last Edit 09/28/11

5 Parking: Based on site observations conducted during routine school hours the number of parking spaces appears to meet the current demand. Handicapped parking spaces L7 The parking area in the Southeast corner of the site appears to be utilized primarily for faculty and staff. The handicapped spaces are also located within this area. Primary parking area for faculty, staff and visitors Bus loop and main entrance L8 The primary parking area is located within the center of the bus loop, adjacent to the building s main entrance. KBA No A - 5 Last Edit 09/28/11

6 Pedestrian Circulation: There is a public walkway along both West Main Street and East Pattagansett Road providing direct access to the school. Public walkway along West Main Street L9 Walkway along the bus loop is connected to main entrance L10 A perimeter walk runs along the North, South and West and face of the facility providing direct access to the building entrances and recreational facilities in the rear. KBA No A - 6 Last Edit 09/28/11

7 L11 The main entrance is located at the North end of the bus loop with a walk providing direct access to the adjoining parking area. Walk located along the West side of the building L12 The walkway around the bus loop connects to a bituminous walk leading to the rear of the building and the recreation facilities. KBA No A - 7 Last Edit 09/28/11

8 Hard surface play area located in the rear of the building Walk from the bus loop L13 The bituminous walk from the bus loop continues along the rear of the building and is connected to the hard surface play area. Walk from East Pattagansett Road to the hard surface play area L14 KBA No A - 8 Last Edit 09/28/11

9 General Conditions: The site is in generally good condition with the exception of the paved surfaces and curbs. Due to normal aging and deterioration, the bituminous concrete pavement is severely cracked and irregular in numerous locations. Additionally, many of the curbs are broken with sections missing particularly adjacent to high traffic areas. Paved surface within the main entrance and bus loop Concrete curb is cracked and broken L15 Concrete curb adjacent to East parking area Walkway has settled and the surface is irregular L16 The bituminous walk along the South face of the building has settled below the top of the adjacent curb elevation creating a potential tripping hazard. KBA No A - 9 Last Edit 09/28/11

10 The slopes around the parking area are steep however the lawn has been well maintained preventing erosion L17 L18 Stones have been placed to help stabilize the slope adjacent to the tot lot however some erosion still occurs. KBA No A - 10 Last Edit 09/28/11

11 The play area bituminous pavement surface is severely cracked L19 Handicapped Accessibility: Provisions for handicapped accessibility are limited and do not meet current design standards. Handicapped parking spaces do not meet current dimensional requirements Required wheel stops and signs are missing L20 KBA No A - 11 Last Edit 09/28/11

12 An accessible route with a flush curb is required Cross slope of the parking spaces appears to exceed current design standards L21 The configuration of the handicapped parking spaces does not conform to State standards and a required accessible route from the spaces to the building entrance has not been provided. Ramp to the lot does not meet current design standards L22 KBA No A - 12 Last Edit 09/28/11

13 Ramp at the West building entrance L23 This ramp from the West building entrance appears to exceed the maximum slope in accordance with current Federal and State design standards. There are no provisions for handicapped access to the play areas L24 There are several pieces of playground equipment located around the perimeter of the recreation field however there are no provisions for handicapped access to and between these play areas. KBA No A - 13 Last Edit 09/28/11

14 Playground equipment is located around the perimeter of the field L25 Recommendations: The existing vehicular circulation should be reviewed to investigate opportunities to reduce cross circulation patterns and provide a better separation between the bus loop, general parking areas and the parent drop off. Additional signage should be provided to improve way finding to designated parking and drop off areas. Deteriorated pavement surfaces, including walkways, drives and curbs should be repaired or replaced to create safe pedestrian and vehicular travel routes. Provisions for handicapped access across the site should be reviewed to ensure that all activity areas, including playgrounds and recreation facilities are accessible in accordance with current Federal and State design standards. KBA No A - 14 Last Edit 09/28/11