US 75 CORRIDOR STUDY SIOUX CENTER, IA

Transcription

1 US 75 CORRIDOR STUDY SIOUX CENTER, IA Prepared for: City of Sioux Center Iowa Department of Transportation June 25, 2015 Iowa DOT TSIP Project No. CS-TSF-7055(625)

2 US 75 CORRIDOR STUDY SIOUX CENTER, IA S&A PROJECT NO.: Iowa DOT TSIP Project No. CS-TSF-7055(625) Prepared by: Prepared for: City of Sioux Center Iowa Department of Transportation June 25, 2015 I hereby certify that this Engineering Document was prepared by me or under my direct personal supervision and that I am a duly Licensed Professional Engineer under the Laws of the State of Iowa. Mark A. Perington, P.E. License Number My License Renewal Date is December 31, Pages or sheets covered by this seal: All. REVIEW Date COPY US Highway 75 Corridor Study City of Sioux Center

3 TABLE OF CONTENTS Section 1: Introduction... 1 Section 2: Corridor Background, Data and Analysis... 1 Existing Corridor... 1 Background Data... 4 Section 3: US 75 Corridor Vision... 6 Section 4: Corridor Features to Provide Safe, Efficient, Attractive Corridor... 7 Traffic Calming Features... 8 Traffic Efficiency Features Pedestrian Features Aesthetic Features Section 5: Additional Alternatives Considered Section 6: Conclusions References (Final Report) LIST OF FIGURES (Final Report) LIST OF TABLES (Final Report) APPENDIX Traffic Data Memo Crash History and Traffic Safety Memo Traffic Forecast Memo Traffic Operations Memo Stakeholder Meeting Summaries Traffic Count Location Map and Count Details Corridor and Intersection Crash History Summaries US Highway 75 Corridor Study City of Sioux Center

4 Section 1: Introduction As traffic volumes and other demographic trends continue to increase along US 75 through Sioux Center and in the surrounding area, the City of Sioux Center is seeking to proactively plan for the future of the US 75 corridor through the City. This transportation corridor, which is also named Main Avenue, functions as a through route for trips with origins and destinations beyond Sioux Center, as well as local trips with destinations in town. This study is undertaken in partnership between the City and Iowa DOT through the Traffic Safety Improvement Program (TSIP). The purpose and scope of this study is to develop safety enhancement opportunities as the City continues to evaluate long term traffic growth and corridor design in the US 75 (Main Avenue) segment through the Study Area (approximately 9 th Street S to 7 th Street N). This includes a focus on future traffic flow as well as potential enhancements to provide multiple benefits for roadway safety, local traffic, pedestrians, and community aesthetics. Specifically, this report serves to proactively consider and recommend proven enhancement features that can be systematically and consistently applied to a 3-lane to 5-lane conversion of US 75/Main Avenue. These recommendations can provide a corridor which balances the important through traffic with local vehicle and pedestrian use. Section 2: Corridor Background, Data and Analysis Existing Corridor US 75 through the City of Sioux Center is classified by Iowa DOT as a Principal Arterial, and is part of the National Highway System. Other similarly classified highways in Sioux County are US 18 and IA 60. The current US 75 corridor through the Study Area as seen in Figure 1 consists of a three-lane cross section with a posted speed limit between mph and an Annual Average Daily Traffic (AADT) volume of approximately 12,000 vehicles per day (vpd). As seen on Figure 1, the adjacent street network provides intersections on generally ft block spacing, and the street passes through three primary segments: 9 th Street S to 1 st Street: Primarily residential in land use. Limited on-street parking near churches, etc. Areas of trees between curb and sidewalk. Traffic control is primarily two-way stop intersections on side street, traffic signal at 9 th Street S. Former Hospital site located between 5 th Street SW and 7 th Street SW, now vacant and awaiting redevelopment/reuse. Photo 1 US 75 viewing northbound to 6th St S US Highway 75 Corridor Study City of Sioux Center Page 1

5 Figure 1 US 75 Through Sioux Center 9 th St S to 7 th St N US Highway 75 Corridor Study City of Sioux Center Page 2

6 1 st Street to 4 th Street N: Downtown core. Retail, office and civic land uses (library, post office). Parallel on-street parking, wider sidewalks. Primary traffic control is twoway stop on side street, traffic signal at 3rd Street N. Centre Mall and agricultural Co-Op located to west. East/west cross streets provide access to 4 th Ave E and Dordt College. Photo 2 - US 75 viewing northbound to 6th St S 4 th Street N to 7 th Street N: Primarily commercial land uses, lower density than downtown, including auto/implement dealerships, banks, churches. Central Park to east. Some parcels have independent access points. Primary traffic control is two-way stop on side streets, traffic signal at 7th Street N. Pedestrian and Bicycles along Corridor Photo 3 - US 75 viewing southbound to 5th St N Pedestrians are accommodated on adjacent sidewalks that parallel the entire corridor. These sidewalks range from 4 ft to 10 ft in width. The study portion corridor has ten marked pedestrian crossings with pavement markings (and often school or pedestrian crossing signs), located at intersections or mid-block crossings, including some locations that are offset or tee intersections that often function like midblock crosswalks with respect to vehicle yielding at the crossing point. Bicycles are currently served by either on-road travel or along parallel north/south streets adjacent to US 75 with lower vehicle traffic, as well as a trail east of 4 th Avenue E. The City street grid provides current and future opportunities to parallel US 75. The existing crosswalk markings provide a basic level of pedestrian visibility, warning and protection. Numerous additional features are discussed in this report to enhance driver awareness of pedestrian crossings, improve pedestrian sight lines or provide for safer crossings. Existing crosswalk locations are summarized in Table 1. US Highway 75 Corridor Study City of Sioux Center Page 3

7 Table 1 Marked Pedestrian Crossings Listed from North to South At Intersection At Mid-block 7 th St N North and south legs (traffic signal) 6 th St N South leg Between 4 th St N and 5 th St N (no signs) 3 rd St N North and south legs (traffic signal) 2 nd St N North leg 1 st St T -Intersection: North leg/post office to east (Ped Crossing signs with flashing beacon for SB sign) 2 nd St S Center of offset intersection (School Crossing signs) 4 th St S North leg 6 th St S T -Intersection: South leg (old hospital location to west, School Crossing signs) 9 th St S North and south leg (traffic signal) Background Data Multiple technical memorandums are available in the Appendix. These address new Traffic Count Data in Spring/Fall 2014; Crash History and Traffic Safety, Traffic Forecasts and a summary of public input comments from Stakeholder meetings held in August In summary, the memos record that: Traffic volumes continue to increase, and include a significant truck traffic volume throughout the day. Typical truck traffic is 6-7% of the peak and 9% of daily traffic. Crash history indicates an average crash rate above statewide average for similar roads. A majority of crashes occurred at intersections, and crash patterns were consistent with Manners of Crash and Major Causes associated with a congested corridor, specifically Rear End (Following Too Close) and Broadside/Angle/Left Turn (Failure to Yield when turning, and Ran Traffic Signal) Traffic Forecasts based on traffic history as well as other demographic indicators (population, housing permits, county vehicle registrations, city/county retail sales) indicate a sustained upward trend with projections of % annual traffic volume growth rate resulting in year 2035 projections of 15,000-17,000 vehicles per day. Corridor Planning Efforts As a part of the Iowa DOT system and the primary north-south commercial route through the City, this corridor has been studied numerous times. In 1998, an Iowa DOT Traffic Engineering Assistance Program (TEAP) report analyzed the corridor for potential short-term and long-term intersection improvements and safety concerns. At that time, US 75 was a 4-lane corridor with a high crash rate. The report recommended conversion from 4-lane to the existing 3-lane cross section (with center two-way left turn lane, TWLTL). This was implemented in 1999 as a short- US Highway 75 Corridor Study City of Sioux Center Page 4

8 term improvement, with discussion that further analysis and potential widening should be monitored in future. While the introduction of the center left turn lane resulted in a marked improvement in crash frequency, rate, and severity, the TEAP report and subsequent analyses have anticipated that as the City and US 75 traffic volumes continues to grow the potential for corridor capacity improvements should be considered. In 2006, preliminary Downtown Streetscape plans were developed, with analysis of potential future 5-lane widening and associated changes to parking and aesthetic improvements, as well as pedestrian crossing and medians. A corridor review memo in 2013 also examined existing and future traffic volumes, traffic and safety trends, and functional geometry. This memo discussed above statewide average crash rates, and crash trends of majority of crashes involving following too close, indicative of roadway congestion. Additional corridor planning has been undertaken by the City at City Comprehensive Planning visioning workshops (2013) and a series of three stakeholder meetings for this report (2014). Recurring concerns at the stakeholder meetings included: US 75 traffic delay, and impact on local quality of life as well as importance of through/agricultural truck traffic to local economy. Difficulty for drivers and pedestrians in finding gaps in through traffic to turn onto US 75 from side streets or turn across opposing traffic at traffic signals Providing for safe pedestrian crossings Providing an attractive appearance to residents and visitors and keep the downtown area attractive These concerns align with the Comprehensive Plan documents, which summarize concurrent goals for US 75: Provide an attractive gateway to the City Provide an efficient street system for current and projected traffic volumes, and encourages through and local traffic to use correct routes Address capacity and safety issues related to truck traffic Consider US 75 downtown retail Consider access management along highway at adjacent land uses Provide a transportation network that serves truck and car traffic as well as bicycle/pedestrian users within the City The City and DOT have a shared interest in working to construct and maintain a corridor that meets these goals and provides for long term needs. The City has grown along the US 75 corridor, and the City desires to plan for the next 50 years. Similar to the roadway pavement infrastructure aging, long term planning includes the need for aging City utilities to be replaced along the corridor, including storm sewer, water mains, and street lighting. These should be done with consideration of US 75 improvements to avoid duplicating work, making the best use of public investment, and consolidating construction periods to minimize disruptions. US Highway 75 Corridor Study City of Sioux Center Page 5

9 Section 3: US 75 Corridor Vision The Iowa DOT State Transportation Plan: Iowa in Motion - Planning Ahead , adopted in 2012 summarizes the Iowa DOT goal of "Safely moving people and goods through investments that strengthen our economic vitality. This is consistent with the City goals described above, which also includes additional local concerns important for aesthetics and local quality of life, preserving existing investments. One of the goals in the Sioux Center Comprehensive Plan is to Provide for the efficient, safe, and cost effective movement of people, goods, and services throughout the City that expands mobility options 2. Based on the concerns and goals for the US 75 corridor as part of the City and State transportation system, and the discussed corridor studies and analyses, the City envisions the US 75 corridor as an Enhanced 4-Lane Roadway With Left-Turn Lanes, to provide an Efficient, Safe, and Attractive roadway to serve future traffic through the City of Sioux Center and the region. It will do so efficiently by providing additional capacity for the predominant north/south traffic movements and improving traffic signal operations, particularly in the downtown area, as well as improving gaps for side street traffic to enter US 75. Concerns about excessive speed will be addressed through traffic calming measures in the roadway design. It will do so safely by reducing crashes related to the existing traffic congestion, continuing to provide left turn lanes to reduce left turn conflicts, and by considering medians or other access management enhancements to address intersection safety concerns. In addition, it will provide features for improved pedestrian travel and crossing safety along the corridor. It will be an attractive roadway by providing aesthetic enhancements in the medians and roadsides of the residential and commercial areas. These include safe landscaping (trees, shrubs) and streetscaping (roadway lighting, benches, pavement and sidewalk treatments) that prevent the road from being a featureless sea of pavement, but instead provide an attractive corridor along the most highly traveled areas of the city. Section 4 discusses specific features to be considered in roadway design to accomplish these goals. Section 5 summarizes additional alternatives that have been considered but were not concluded to balance the various community concerns and goals to meet the Corridor Vision. 1 page US Highway 75 Corridor Study City of Sioux Center Page 6

10 Section 4: Corridor Features to Provide Safe, Efficient, Attractive Corridor In order to proactively respond to concerns about traffic speeds and corridor traffic and intersection safety, a number of features that encourage traffic calming and consideration of all users should be incorporated. These features are described in further detail with respect to the concerns they address, as well as with illustrating pictures. Traffic calming primarily deals with roadway features that encourage drivers to drive closer to the posted speed limit, especially to reduce excessive speeding. These features may be physical (raised curbs, lane width, signs) or visual (streetscaping, parking, landscaping, pavement markings). Other similar terms include context sensitive design and complete streets. These terms refer to considering all corridor users in roadway design, including pedestrians and bicyclists who travel along or across the street and how they also access adjacent land uses. With reference to US 75, the primary application of these concepts includes; maintaining and improving pedestrian sidewalks along the corridor, providing for pedestrian crossings and accessible curb ramps, considering and designing for east/west connections to US 75 from future bicycle trails or bicycle friendly street improvements on parallel routes Prioritizing downtown trips with access and parking. In addition, provide physical and visual features to the residential and commercial segments to reinforce for drivers that the corridor is an urban highway with urban speed limits that has a dual role as US 75 and Main Avenue. There are numerous opportunities for pedestrian improvements along the corridor. These include upgrades to the pedestrian crossing locations with potential for new signing and other warning beacons, pedestrian refuges in the medians (to cross one direction of travel at a time) and curb extensions to decrease the distance of a US 75 crosswalk. As part of design activities for reconstruction, final location and quantity of pedestrian crosswalks and the various enhancement features for each location will be determined. US Highway 75 Corridor Study City of Sioux Center Page 7

11 Traffic Calming Features Design Feature: Lane Width Operational/Safety Concern: Traffic calming, Excessive speeding, Speed variability Discussion: Consider 11 ft lanes to reduce traveled way width for through lanes. This provides adequate width for vehicles including trucks and plows, but reinforces the urban environment of the roadway instead of a wide open rural roadway and encourages drivers to follow lower speed limits. Potential center lane width of ft. Iowa DOT coordination will be required for lane widths less than 12 ft wide standards. Design Feature: Lane Usage Designations Operational/Safety Concern: Traffic calming Discussion: Consider signage directing through trucks to use inside through lane unless turning right. This would reduce trucks operating near sidewalks, particularly downtown where the outside lane traffic would be near parallel parking. Also, it may reduce delay for right turning vehicles. Design Feature: Dynamic Speed Feedback Signs Operational/Safety Concern: Traffic calming Discussion: The Iowa DOT has investigated efficacy of speed limit feedback signs that show drivers their actual speed adjacent to posted speed limit sign. Studies in smaller Iowa cities, particularly at the transition from a higher speed to more urban speed zone have shown a 3-4 mph average speed reduction, as well as average travel speeds closer to speed limit and reduction in excessive speeding. There are concerns about long-term effectiveness as drivers become accustomed, and so some units allow for relocation to other poles or with a trailer in a parking spot. See Figure 2. Figure 2: Dynamic Speed Feedback Signs US Highway 75 Corridor Study City of Sioux Center Page 8

12 (Traffic Calming Features Continued) Design Feature: Medians along US 75 between left turn lanes at intersections, in downtown commercial area. Operational/Safety Concern: Traffic calming, left turns across US 75 Discussion: Consider construction of medians. The median provides opportunities for landscape and aesthetic improvements, as well as visual indications to encourage traffic calming. This would likely restrict left turns to City street intersections, and impact access to/from private drives. This consolidation of turn movements would serve to reduce vehicle conflict potential and improve safety. Depending on locations, they may require some parking lot or access modifications. See Figure 3 and Figure 4. Figure 3: Examples of Landscaped Median (Arial and Street Level View) Figure 4: Examples of Landscaped Median with Turn Restrictions or Channelization (Arial and Street Level View) US Highway 75 Corridor Study City of Sioux Center Page 9

13 Traffic Efficiency Features Design Feature: Replace Traffic Signal at 3 rd Street N Operational/Safety Concern: Left turn gaps across US 75 traffic; Inefficient Pre-timed Signal with time of day traffic variations, signal head visibility, pedestrian crossings Discussion: A new modern traffic signal would provide safety improvements with updated pedestrian crossing signals and increased visibility of the signal heads by improved size and locations. Operations and safety would be improved by a modern signal with vehicle detection to allow potential for protected (green arrow) or permissive left turns depending on time of day and/or vehicle traffic detection. Potential protected left turn phase would decrease green time for through traffic, but additional US 75 through lanes would provide additional capacity. In addition, the small signal heads would be upgraded to standard size, and their relocation on new poles would improve visibility for through and turning traffic lanes. See Figure 5. Design Feature: Traffic Signal Timing/Coordination Operational/Safety Concern: Steady traffic flow, speed differential, inefficient stopping, rear end crashes Discussion: Coordinated signals reduce stops at subsequent signals, and offers an incentive to travel at posted speed limit as higher speeds may result in stops at downstream signals. Lower cost alternatives include GPS receivers on cabinets to preclude need for conduit/cable network installation. Improved signal operation of highways is also an area of emphasis for Iowa DOT. Figure 5: 3 rd Street Signal Upgrade Opportunities US Highway 75 Corridor Study City of Sioux Center Page 10

14 Pedestrian Features Design Feature: Curb Extensions Operational/Safety Concern: Pedestrian crossing width and visibility Discussion: A curb extension moves the intersection corner closer to the street while still allowing for vehicle turning movements. This provides a better view of oncoming traffic for the pedestrian, a more visible pedestrian to the driver, and reduces the curb to curb crossing distance of a pedestrian crosswalk. Curb extensions can be used at mid-block crossings and intersection corners and in conjunction with other crosswalk improvements, and are primarily applicable with on-street parking. Storm water drainage must be accounted for in design. See Figure 6 3. Figure 6: Curb Extensions to Reduce Pedestrian Crossing Distance Design Feature: Rapid Rectangular Flashing Beacon (RRFB) at W11-2 Pedestrian Crossing Sign Operational/Safety Concern: Pedestrian crossing visibility Discussion: The RRFB provides a pedestrian activated flashing indication to draw attention to present use of an otherwise passive crosswalk warning sign. When activated, the RRFB flashes in a rapid irregular strobe pattern, and when used with other crosswalk signs and pavement markings has been shown to increase driver awareness and yielding compliance. See Figure 7. Figure 7: RRFB with Crosswalk Sign 3 Image Source: FHWA; National Association of City Transportation Officials US Highway 75 Corridor Study City of Sioux Center Page 11

15 (Pedestrian features Continued) Design Feature: Pedestrian Refuge at Median Islands Operational/Safety Concern: Pedestrian crossing visibility, Crossing Width Discussion: A pedestrian refuge island provides a location for a pedestrian to make a two-stage crossing of the street. In this manner, a pedestrian can focus on finding a gap in one direction of traffic, then after crossing those lanes, can look in the other direction to complete the crossing. See Figure 8 4. Additional pavement markings (Yield lines) and signing should be used to improve the visibility at the crosswalk for the pedestrian to see both lanes of traffic and for driver visibility of pedestrian. See Figure 9. 5 Figure 8: Pedestrian Refuge, angled to Encourage Pedestrians To See Oncoming Traffic Figure 9: Advance Yield Signing and Pavement Markings Design Feature: Pedestrian Hybrid Beacon aka HAWK Pedestrian Signal Operational/Safety Concern: Pedestrian crossing visibility, Crossing Width Discussion: This higher impact pedestrian improvement is a particular type of midblock pedestrian signal. The commonly used term of HAWK signal is an abbreviation for High Intensity Activated CrossWalK. Unlike a typical Red/Yellow/Green signal, this signal rests in dark until a pedestrian activates with pushbutton. The signal then cycles through yellow and red periods to stop traffic. These signals are used at midblock locations, and could be considered at the midblock crossing locations summarized in Table 1 (5/6 th Street N near former hospital, 1 st Street near post office, 4 th /5 th Street near City Park). See Figure 10. Figure 10: Pedestrian Hybrid Beacon (aka HAWK Pedestrian Signal) 4 Image Source: ITE Designing Walkable Urban Thoroughfares, Image Source: US Highway 75 Corridor Study City of Sioux Center Page 12

16 Aesthetic Features Connecting these proposed improvements, especially the medians and intersection locations, to a continuous streetscape plan will provide the opportunity for the City to provide a consistent and attractive corridor to residents and visitors. As seen in many of these photos and illustrations, these features provide opportunities for street trees, plantings, decorative columns, pavers or street light poles, as well as innovative storm water drains that incorporate plantings into the intake instead of simply a concrete gutter. The inclusion of these aesthetic features will also have the combined benefits of encouraging traffic calming and driver behavior that is appropriate to the context of the urban highway corridor. Some nearby examples of attractive US Highway corridors include US 18/US 71 in Spencer, IA which provides a landscaped median, trees and intersection treatments, as well as US 169 in St Peter, MN which includes a downtown streetscape and extensive landscaping. (See photos below) US 18/US 71 in Spencer, IA Four Lanes with Left-turn Lane Median and Landscaping (Google Maps Hyperlink) US 169 in St Peter, MN Four Lanes with Center Medians/Left-turn Lane and Landscaping (Google Maps Hyperlink) US Highway 75 Corridor Study City of Sioux Center Page 13

17 Section 5: Additional Alternatives Considered Multiple alternatives have been considered for the US 75 corridor in this Study as well as previous efforts. Additional technical details noted in these descriptions are further discussed in the Appendix memos. The alternatives are described as follows: Do-nothing: This alternative would maintain the existing 3-lane (including center left turn lane) roadway. Analysis suggests this option is not a long term solution due to existing through and side street traffic delays as well as corridor safety problems complicated by congestion, all of which will continue with future traffic growth. Revert back to original undivided 4-lane: This alternative could provide advantages for through traffic as it would increase through traffic capacity. However, this alternative has significant concerns due to traffic safety. The conversion from 4-lane to 3-lane resulted in a reduction in crashes, primarily due to the benefit of a left turn lane that separates left turning traffic from through traffic, reducing opportunities for rear end crashes as well as left turn crashes where an opposing vehicle blocks the drivers line of sight. The safety goals for the US 75 corridor do not make this a viable alternative. City/DOT bypass: There have been numerous suggestions to divert through traffic, or in particular truck traffic, around Sioux Center on a bypass. While this would reduce through traffic and local traffic at intersections, there are no plans by the DOT to consider this alternative due to funding and extensive farmland right of way acquisition requirements. In addition, the loss of through traffic would have negative impacts on retail economy. Local alternate north/south corridors: Similar to the bypass considerations, a more local bypass specific to truck traffic through and around Sioux Center have been proposed. These truck routes would generally use the county paved and gravel roads south (20 th St SW), west (13 th Ave NW) and north (20 th St NW) to route truck traffic around the City or to access industrial/agricultural land uses on the City s west side (e.g. 4 th St NW). The issues associated with these improvements are: US 75 through the City remains a US highway open to public travel, and therefore commercial truck traffic would not have to divert, US 75 improvements are still necessary and therefore two roads would be considered for construction improvements and investment, Improvements would likely be needed for intersection capacity to remove and re-enter traffic to US 75, Improvements may be necessary for added railroad crossings west of City. Roundabout intersections: This alternative would consider roundabouts at intersections along the corridor instead of two-way stop control or traffic signals, and particularly at the signalized intersections at 9 th St S, 3 rd St N and 7 th St N. Roundabouts have positive benefits for crash reduction and traffic calming as well as reduced delays during off-peak times of the day. However, they were not considered appropriate for this corridor due to intersection right-of-way requirements, volume and type of truck traffic, and high percentage of US 75 through traffic that would be delayed compared to side street traffic (side street traffic accounts for approximately 10% of entering intersection traffic). US Highway 75 Corridor Study City of Sioux Center Page 14

18 Section 6: Conclusions When enhanced four-lane reconstruction of the corridor occurs the City should partner with the Iowa DOT to design US 75 with corridor features as outlined in this report. This will balance the goals of safety, efficiency, and corridor aesthetics the community expects. The City of Sioux Center has fostered a climate of growth and serves as a commercial and agribusiness center for the Sioux County region. With this success come challenges related to continued development and associated traffic growth. The City worked diligently with the Iowa DOT over 15 years ago to address safety issues that were occurring with an outdated four lane highway design. Even though the road diet conversion to a three lane was not initially a popular decision with the public, it proved to meet the needs of the community in providing for safe and efficient transportation and was accepted as an improvement over time. The continued growth in traffic, increases in large agricultural truck traffic, the likely continuation of these trends and aging roadway infrastructure and utilities within the corridor has again led to a decision point in the planning of US 75. The desire to improve traffic delays in the corridor could be a simple choice for City leaders and Iowa DOT to widen the highway back to four lanes with the addition of left turn lanes throughout. However this basic widening would be counterproductive to other goals of maintaining safety, providing for pedestrian crossings, and ability to create an aesthetically pleasing corridor through the heart of the community. The community has expressed concern that a basic widening would lead to increased speeds, additional safety conflicts at intersections, or an unattractive expanse of wide pavement. This would not meet the concurrent City and DOT goals of a safe, efficient, and attractive corridor that provides for through traffic as well as local community use. This report summarizes how an enhanced four-lane road with left turn lanes can achieve the City s goals for efficient traffic flow while providing countermeasures to address concerns for speed, safety and aesthetics. Many of these complete streets and traffic calming concepts have been applied here in Iowa on State and US highways, and are certainly proven in other Midwestern states as productive countermeasures to offset the potential negative characteristics of widened four-lane or five-lane highway. These countermeasures can contribute to a more pedestrian friendly corridor with managed speed and access which in turn relates to reduced crash potential. Planning efforts should begin to more precisely layout the lane widths, median treatments, pedestrian crossings, and other corridor enhancements, which are non-typical of design standards. This will allow the City and Iowa DOT to identify what features can be constructed within the US Highway corridor, and the order of magnitude costs associated with these features above and beyond typical reconstruction of the roadway. With further refinement of potential features proposed in a reconstruction, public stakeholder and directly impacted business and residential property owners should be involved to understand impacts and changes in the corridor, providing additional opportunities for community engagement. Some features such as pedestrian refuge islands and traffic control, 3 rd St N traffic signal, and other median features which contribute to crash mitigation may be eligible for TSIP funding through the Iowa DOT. This funding cycles every year, and the next period for application would be in August of 2015, with funding available as early as summer of US Highway 75 Corridor Study City of Sioux Center Page 15

19 REFERENCES (Finalize in Final Report) FHWA Safety Countermeasures FHWA Pedsafe website, Pedestrian Safety Guide and Countermeasure Selection System FHWA Access Management FHWA pedestrian crossing study NCHRP intersection safety MNDOT Traffic Safety Fundamentals ITE Access Management handbook ITE Urban Streets Geometric Design Handbook ITE Designing Walkable Thoroughfares: A Context Sensitive Approach US Highway 75 Corridor Study City of Sioux Center Page 16

20 US 75 CORRIDOR STUDY SIOUX CENTER, IA S&A PROJECT NO.: Appendix Technical Memorandums Traffic Data Memo Crash History and Traffic Safety Memo Traffic Forecast Memo Traffic Operations Memo Stakeholder Meeting Summaries Traffic Count Location Map and Count Details Corridor and Intersection Crash History Summaries US Highway 75 Corridor Study City of Sioux Center Appendix