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

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

2 SCHOOL ROUTE PLAN For MAXEY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL LOCATION 33 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 August 13, 2007 Professional Engineer: Michael DeBacker, P.E. P.E. No

3 School Route Plan-Maxey Elementary School TABLE OF CONTENTS EXECUTIVE SUMMARY INTRODUCTION EXISTING CONDITIONS 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 Figure 4 Condition Diagram: Pennsylvania Avenue at 9 th Street Figure 5 Condition Diagram: Bay Street at Bethune Avenue Figure 6 - Conceptual Improvement Diagram EXHIBITS Exhibit 1- Pennsylvania Avenue at 9 th Street Exhibit 2- Pennsylvania Avenue at 9 th Street Exhibit 3- Bay Street at Bethune Avenue Exhibit 4- Bay Street at Bethune Avenue 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- Maxey Elementary School 1 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY HNTB Corporation was retained by Orange County Public Works to conduct a School Route Plan Study for Maxey Elementary School located at 1100 East Maple Street, 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: Signage: 1. On East Maple St, east of the school, a flashing beacon should be installed on the existing School Speed Limit assembly. This sign is leaning significantly and should be straightened. There is a flashing beacon on the west side of the school on East Maple St. 2. On East Maple Street, a single lane pavement marking of SCHOOL should be striped on the east & west approaches of the school entrance. A School Advance Warning assembly with School Crossing Warning (S1-1) sign and an AHEAD (W16-9p) plaque should be installed. End School Zone sign shall be installed for both approaches to the school. 3. At the Pennsylvania Avenue and 9 th Street, the markings are in poor condition at the intersection and the signs do not meet current MUTCD standards. Install crosswalk on the west approach, SCHOOL pavement markings for all approaches and restripe all existing pavement markings at the intersection. The School Crosswalk Warning assembly should be replaced with new (S1-1, W16-7p) signs. The School Advance Warning assembly should be updated with School Crossing Warning (S1-1) sign and AHEAD (W16-9p) plaques for north-south approaches and install a new School Advance Warning assembly for the east-west approaches. Concrete sidewalk shall be provided to connect E Story Road approximately 600 south. Pedestrian ramps shall be provided for the crosswalk on the south approach. 4. At the Bethune Avenue and Bay Street, the markings are in poor condition at the intersection and the signs do not meet current MUTCD standards. Install crosswalk on the west and south approaches, restripe crosswalk on the east approach, SCHOOL pavement markings and the stop bars. The pedestrian crossing assembly should be replaced with School Crosswalk Warning assembly (S1-1, W16-7p). Also School Advance Warning assembly should be updated with School Crossing Warning (S1-1) sign and an AHEAD (W16-9p) plaque for east-west approaches and install a new School Advance Warning assembly for the north-south approaches. Provide pedestrian ramps for east approach and concrete sidewalk shall be provided on the southeast corner and between Bayou Road and Maxey Avenue. Vehicle & Bus Operations: 5. Shared vehicle and bus operations occur in the semi-circle loop on the north side of the school. The operations appear to operate safely and efficiently for a shared operation. It was noted that some children exited on the driver s side (opposite to the curb) of the vehicle and were walking between vehicles. Recommend sending a notice flyer to students/parents reminding them to only exit vehicles on the passenger side (curb side) of the vehicle. Other Considerations: 6. It is recommended to repair the sidewalk on the south side of East Maple Street in front of the school. 7. It is recommended to continue using an officer to patrol this area during drop off/pick up times for speed enforcement and reckless driving.

5 School Route Plan- Maxey Elementary School 2 1. INTRODUCTION HNTB Corporation was retained by Orange County Public Works to conduct a School Route Plan Study for Maxey Elementary School located at 1100 East Maple Street, 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.

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

7 School Route Plan- Maxey Elementary School 4 2. EXISTING CONDITIONS Maxey Elementary School is located in western Orange County on East Maple Street in Winter Garden approximately two miles north-west of the Florida s Turnpike and SR 429 interchange. Significant features for the study location are summarized below: Feature Table 1-Field Inventory Description School Name Maxey Elementary School Address 1100 E. Maple Street Winter Garden, FL School Hours 8:45 AM- 3:00 PM (2:00 PM Wednesday) Student Enrollment 296 Primary Roadway Access East Maple Street Two-lane primary access road that connects to Bethune Ave on the east and Pennsylvania Ave on the west. Posted speed limit: 25 mph Sidewalks: south side of roadway only No lighting on the road No bike lanes 9 th Street Two-lane arterial that intersects Pennsylvania Ave, which connects to East Maple Street west of the school. Posted speed limit: 35 mph Sidewalks: west side of roadway only No lighting on the road No bike lanes Pedestrian and Bicycle Access to School Carpool Access to School Bus Access Guarded School Crossings Other Facilities Reduced Speed School Zones Bethune Ave Two-lane road that connects to East Maple Street east of the school. Posted speed limit: 25 mph Sidewalks: west and east side of roadway only Lighting on the west side of the road No bike lanes Sidewalks only on the south side of East Maple Street and Pennsylvania Avenue. Sidewalk on the west and east side of Buthune Avenue. No bike lanes present. Single entrance to a one-way semi-circle loop on the north side of the school gives access to carpool and bus traffic. Carpool vehicles enter the loop to the designated drop-off/pickup areas on the north side of the school. Bus traffic enters the school via the same entrance as carpool traffic. Busses circulate through the loop in the front of the school. No guarded crossings near the school. Sidewalks are provided along one side of most roadways in adjacent neighborhoods within the walk zone. School speed limit signs with time placard located on the east and west side of the school on East Maple Street. A flasher is located on the west side only.

8 School Route Plan- Maxey Elementary School 5 Vehicular, Pedestrian, and Bicycle Volumes Two-hour turning movement counts were conducted at the intersections of Pennsylvania Avenue with 9 th Street and Bay Street with Bethune Avenue. 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. The following tables summarize the results of these counts: Table 2-Summary of Vehicular Volumes Approaches 9th Street at Pennsylvania Avenue 9th Street Pennsylvania Avenue 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 Bethune Avenue at Bay Street Bethune Avenue Bay Street 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- Maxey Elementary School 6 Table 3-Summary of Pedestrian & Bicycle Volumes Pennsylvania Avenue at 9 th Street Total 8:00 8:15 8:30 8:45 Total 2:30 2:45 3:00 3:15 AM PM Total AM PM 0 9th Street Total AM 3 Total AM 0 8: : : : : : : : AM PM Total 0 3 Pennsylvania Avenue Total AM PM 0 0 2: : : : : : : : Total PM 3 Total PM 0 9th Street Total 8:00 8:15 8:30 8:45 Total 2:30 2:45 3:00 3:15 AM PM Total AM PM 0 Pennsylvania Avenue Bay Street at Bethune Avenue Total 8:00 8:15 8:30 8:45 Total 2:30 2:45 3:00 3:15 AM PM AM 4 Bethune Avenue AM Total Total PM 0 Total AM 6 8: : : : : : : : AM PM Total 2 4 Bay Street Total AM PM : : : : : : : : Total PM 0 Total PM 4 Bethune Avenue Total 8:00 8:15 8:30 8:45 Total 2:30 2:45 3:00 3:15 AM PM Total AM PM 4 Bay Street

10 School Route Plan- Maxey Elementary School 7 3. QUALITATIVE ASSESSMENT Maxey Elementary School is located on East Maple Street, in Winter Garden. The school is located in an area of mixed use (light industrial, commercial, and residential) surrounding by a citrus grove on the west, automobile auction facility to the east, and light industrial/commercial to the north and south. The school serves children who live in adjacent surrounding neighborhoods including children south of West Colonial Drive (SR-50). Orange County currently provides bus service for children that live beyond the two-mile walk radius. Figure 2 illustrates the school zone boundaries, two-mile walk radius, and existing bus stops for Maxey Elementary School. Figure 3 is a School Route Plan map of the area within the two-mile walk limit where school bus service may or may not be 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 The school can only be accessed from East Maple Street. Buses and vehicles approach the school using East Maple Street (eastbound or westbound directions) and are required to enter the one-way semi-circle loop drive to access the drop off/pick up area on the north side of the school. After the field review it was determined that signs and striping are missing and some of the existing school warning signs do not meet current MUTCD standards. They are described in more detail below and should be added, replaced, or updated, as necessary. School Circulation Students arrive to school via bus, vehicles, walking, or bicycling. Bus service is provided for the residential areas surrounding the school. Buses and private vehicles use the semi-circle one-way loop drive to access the drop off/pick up area in the front of the school. Pedestrians use the sidewalk located on the south side (no sidewalk on north) of East Maple Street. There is not a crossing guard at the school. School staff uses a parking lot on the west side of the school. Parents and visitors also use this parking lot. There is also a small amount of street parking in the front (north) of the school adjacent to East Maple Street. This area appears to be used by parents who enter the school with their children. The sidewalk in front of the school is in need of various repairs to improve safety for pedestrians and bicyclists. It is recommended to repair the sidewalk on the south side of East Maple Street in front of the school. There are four buses used for drop off and four for pick up each day. There is also one head-start bus used in the morning drop off. During the morning drop off period, buses and vehicles enter the semi-circle drive and proceed past the main school entrance to an interior sidewalk about three-quarters around the semi-circle drive. In discussions with Billie Jean Daily, a staff person that works both drop off and pick up times, she explained that all students go to the cafeteria in the morning which is accessed from this sidewalk. Unloading students at this location provides more capacity in the semi-circle drive. The morning drop off circulation appeared to function efficiently. However, it was noticed that multiple students exited their vehicles from the driver s side (opposite side of school sidewalk) and

11 School Route Plan- Maxey Elementary School 8 walked between vehicles to enter the school. It is recommended to send a notice flyer to students/parents to discourage this unsafe activity and to only exit on the passenger side (sidewalk side) of the vehicle at drop off area. The afternoon pick up period uses the semi-circle drive as well. However, buses and vehicles pick up students at the main entrance which is half-way along the semi-circle drive. The afternoon traffic is more concentrated and uses less of the semi-circle drive resulting in less queuing capacity, thus vehicles backup onto East Maple Street (eastbound). The backup was observed along East Maple Street west of the staff parking entrance. In discussions with Billie Jean Daily and Jennifer Huttle, school staff assisting with student pick up, private vehicles are not allowed to enter the semi-circle drive in the afternoon until the buses have arrived and are parked at the pick up area. They said that parents generally follow this policy and rarely enter the semi-circle drive ahead of a bus. The backup on East Maple Street of eastbound traffic only lasted a few minutes and overall the carpool operations were safe and efficient. In discussions with Billie Jean Daily, she noted that vehicles regularly exceed the posted speed limit on East Maple Street in front of the school. She has also observed cars passing in this area. During the assessment an officer was observed using radar in front of the school to enforce speed in this area. It is recommended to continue using an officer to patrol this area during drop off/pick up times for speed enforcement and reckless driving. School Signage The existing school signage is shown in Figure 3 School Route Plan Map. Several deficiencies were discovered on East Maple Street approaching the school from the west and east. Multiple recommendations are shown below: On East Maple Street, east of the school, a flashing beacon should be installed on the existing School Speed Limit assembly. This sign is leaning significantly and should be straightened. There is currently a flashing beacon on the west side of the school on East Maple Street. On East Maple Street, a single lane pavement marking of SCHOOL should be striped on the east and west approaches of the school entrance. A School Advance Warning assembly with School Crossing Warning (S1-1) sign and an AHEAD (W16-9p) plaque should be installed. End School Zone sign shall be installed for both approaches to the school. Pennsylvania Avenue and 9 th Street The intersection of Pennsylvania Ave. and 9 th Street was observed during the morning and afternoon school hours. No crossing guards were present and the pedestrian and bicycle traffic was low. No students were observed using the crosswalk. The following observations were made:

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

13 YIELD YIELD YIELD 10 N YIELD Install Sign Assembly and School Pavement Marking 300 from AHEAD School Entrance WHEN FLASHING 20 SPEED LIMIT SCHOOL END SCHOOL ZONE 200 from Install Sign Assembly School Entrance Maxey Elementary Maxey Elementary School Legend G Crossing Guard School Bus Stops Pedestrian Route Bike Lane Crosswalk School Crossing Signalized Intersection Stop Sign Yield Sign Figure 3 1 of 2 School Route Plan Map

14 WHEN FLASHING YIELD SCHOOL SPEED LIMIT 20 Install Flashing Beacon and Align Sign Assembly 11 Install Sign Assembly END SCHOOL ZONE 200 from School Exit 300 from AHEAD School Exit Install Sign Assembly and School Pavement Marking N Maxey Elementary School Legend G Crossing Guard School Bus Stops Pedestrian Route Bike Lane Crosswalk School Crossing Signalized Intersection Stop Sign Yield Sign Figure 3 2 of 2 School Route Plan Map

15 School Route Plan- Maxey Elementary School 12 The markings are in poor condition at the intersection and the signs do not meet current MUTCD standards. Install crosswalk on the west approach, SCHOOL pavement markings for all approaches and restripe all existing pavement markings at the intersection. The School Crosswalk Warning assembly should be replaced with new (S1-1, W16-7p) signs. The School Advance Warning assembly should be updated with School Crossing Warning (S1-1) sign and AHEAD (W16-9p) plaques for north-south approaches and install a new School Advance Warning assembly for the east-west approaches. Concrete sidewalk shall be provided to connect E Story Road approximately 600 south. Pedestrian ramps shall be provided for the crosswalk on the south approach. Bay Street at Bethune Avenue The intersection of Bay Street and Bethune Ave was observed during the morning and afternoon school hours. No crossing guards were present and the pedestrian and bicycle traffic was low. Twenty two students used the crosswalk in the morning and seven students in the afternoon. The following observations were made: The markings are in poor condition at the intersection and the signs do not meet current MUTCD standards. Install crosswalk on the west and south approaches, restripe crosswalk on the east approach, SCHOOL pavement markings and the stop bars. The pedestrian crossing assembly should be replaced with School Crosswalk Warning assembly (S1-1, W16-7p). Also School Advance Warning assembly should be updated with School Crossing Warning (S1-1) sign and an AHEAD (W16-9p) plaque for east-west approaches and install a new School Advance Warning assembly for the north-south approaches. Provide pedestrian ramps for east approach and concrete sidewalk shall be provided on the southeast corner and between Bayou Road and Maxey Avenue. Figures 4 and 5 illustrate the existing intersections. Photographs of Pennsylvania Avenue with 9 th Street and Bay Street with Bethune Avenue are included in Exhibits 1 to 4.

16 9th Street 9th Street 300 from SCHOOL 13 crosswalk N SPEED LIMIT SPEED LIMIT 25 Pennsylvania Avenue Pennsylvania Avenue 23 Magnolia Street SCHOOL 280 from crosswalk Pennsylvania Avenue at 9th Street Figure 4 Condition Diagram

17 Bethune Avenue 14 Bayou Road Maxey Avenue N Bay Street AHEAD Bay Street AHEAD 20 Bay Street at Bethune Avenue Figure 5 Condition Diagram

18 School Route Plan- Maxey Elementary School 15 Exhibit 1- Pennsylvania Avenue at 9 th Street Looking west along Pennsylvania Avenue into 9 th Street Looking east along Pennsylvania Avenue into 9 th Street

19 School Route Plan- Maxey Elementary School 16 Exhibit 2- Pennsylvania Avenue at 9 th Street Looking south along 9 th Street into Pennsylvania Avenue Looking north along 9 th Street into Pennsylvania Avenue

20 School Route Plan- Maxey Elementary School 17 Exhibit 3- Bay Street at Bethune Avenue Looking west along Bay Street into Bethune Avenue Looking east along Bay Street into Bethune Avenue

21 School Route Plan- Maxey Elementary School 18 Exhibit 4- Bay Street at Bethune Avenue Looking south along Bayou Road into Bay Street Looking north along Bethune Avenue into Bay Street

22 School Route Plan- Maxey Elementary School RECOMMENDATIONS Based on the results of the analysis, field observations, and engineering judgment, the following recommendations and conclusions were developed: Signage: 1. On East Maple St, east of the school, a flashing beacon should be installed on the existing School Speed Limit assembly. This sign is leaning significantly and should be straightened. There is a flashing beacon on the west side of the school on East Maple St. 2. On East Maple Street, a single lane pavement marking of SCHOOL should be striped on the east & west approaches of the school entrance. A School Advance Warning assembly with School Crossing Warning (S1-1) sign and an AHEAD (W16-9p) plaque should be installed. End School Zone sign shall be installed for both approaches to the school. 3. At the Pennsylvania Avenue and 9th Street, the markings are in poor condition at the intersection and the signs do not meet current MUTCD standards. Install crosswalk on the west approach, SCHOOL pavement markings for all approaches and restripe all existing pavement markings at the intersection. The School Crosswalk Warning assembly should be replaced with new (S1-1, W16-7p) signs. The School Advance Warning assembly should be updated with School Crossing Warning (S1-1) sign and AHEAD (W16-9p) plaques for northsouth approaches and install a new School Advance Warning assembly for the east-west approaches. Concrete sidewalk shall be provided to connect E Story Road approximately 600 south. Pedestrian ramps shall be provided for the crosswalk on the south approach. 4. At the Bethune Avenue and Bay Street, the markings are in poor condition at the intersection and the signs do not meet current MUTCD standards. Install crosswalk on the west and south approaches, restripe crosswalk on the east approach, SCHOOL pavement markings and the stop bars. The pedestrian crossing assembly should be replaced with School Crosswalk Warning assembly (S1-1, W16-7p). Also School Advance Warning assembly should be updated with School Crossing Warning (S1-1) sign and an AHEAD (W16-9p) plaque for east-west approaches and install a new School Advance Warning assembly for the north-south approaches. Provide pedestrian ramps for east approach and concrete sidewalk shall be provided on the southeast corner and between Bayou Road and Maxey Avenue. Vehicle & Bus Operations: 5. Shared vehicle and bus operations occur in the semi-circle loop on the north side of the school. The operations appear to operate safely and efficiently for a shared operation. It was noted that some children exited on the driver s side (opposite to the curb) of the vehicle and were walking between vehicles. Recommend sending a notice flyer to students/parents reminding them to only exit vehicles on the passenger side (curb side) of the vehicle. Other Considerations: 6. It is recommended to repair the sidewalk on the south side of East Maple Street in front of the school. 7. It is recommended to continue using an officer to patrol this area during drop off/pick up times for speed enforcement and reckless driving. Figure 6 has been included on the following page to illustrate these recommendations. Also see Figure 3 for recommendations.

23 9th Street 9th Street Replace Sign Assembly and Restripe School Pavement Marking AHEAD 20 N SPEED LIMIT 25 Remove Sign SPEED LIMIT 35 Install Concrete Sidewalk to Connect Sidewalk on Maxey Ave Install Sign Assembly and Provide School Pavement Marking Install Crosswalk 250 from AHEAD stopbar Pennsylvania Avenue Pennsylvania Avenue Install Sign Assembly Restripe Crosswalk & Stop Bars and Install Pedestrian Ramps AHEAD 250 from crosswalk Install Sign Assembly and Provide School Pavement Marking Replace Sign Assembly 23 Install Concrete Sidewalk to Connect Sidewalk on E Storey Road approximately 600 south Replace Sign Assembly and Restripe School Pavement Marking Magnolia Street AHEAD Pennsylvania Avenue at 9th Street Figure 6 Conceptual Diagram 1 of 2

24 Bethune Avenue Install Sign Assembly and Provide School Pavement Marking AHEAD from stop bar Bayou Road Maxey Avenue N Install Sign Assembly Remove Crossing Signs and Restripe Crosswalk Install Concrete Sidewalk to Connect Sidewalk on Maxey Ave Replace Sign Assembly and Provide School Pavement Marking Bay Street Bay Street AHEAD 250 from crosswalk AHEAD 250 from crosswalk Replace Sign Assembly and Provide School Pavement Marking Install Concrete Sidewalk Install Sign Assembly, Stripe Crosswalk on West & South Approachs and Restripe Stop Bars from crosswalk AHEAD Install Sign Assembly and Provide School Pavement Marking Bay Street at Bethune Avenue Figure 6 Conceptual Diagram 2 of 2

25 School Route Plan- Maxey Elementary School APPENDIX

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