Capital Crescent Trail Crossing at Little Falls Parkway

Transcription

1 M-NCPPC Montgomery Parks Capital Crescent Trail Crossing at Little Falls Parkway INTERSECTION SAFETY IMPROVEMENT STUDY COMMUNITY MEETING JUNE 13, 2018 SOMERSET ELEMENTARY SCHOOL, 7:00-9:00 PM

2 Welcome / Team Introductions MONTGOMERY PARKS STUDY TEAM Parks and Planning Technical Staff Park Management Staff Cabin John Region Park Police Engineering Consultant Sabra, Wang & Associates Inc Environmental & Stormwater: Alpha Engineering Landscape Architecture & Forest Conservation: Floura Teeter Montgomery County Department of Transportation

3 Tonight s Meeting AGENDA Project Background Project Metrics (how we will evaluate alternatives) Project Schedule Alternative Concepts Open Discussion (Public Input) Next Steps

4 Project Background The Capital Crescent Trail (CCT) was created by a Rails to Trails conversion CCT crosses Little Falls Parkway (LFP) at mid-block atgrade intersection CCT most popular trail in Montgomery County CCT crossing at LFP has historically experienced significant vehicle/trail user conflicts LITTLE FALLS PARK (LITTLE FALLS SVU 2) CCT CROSSING LITTLE FALLS TRAIL

5 Project Background Parks undertook intersection safety improvements in 2011 to reduce conflicts Increased trail usage offset safety improvements and conflicts continued In 2016, Parks began to coordinate Vision Zero solutions with Montgomery County In January 2017, Parks installed an interim road diet along LFP to reduce travel speeds and number of lanes Parks undertook study to develop permanent solution to improve intersection safety

6 Project Background Interim Improvements in place: 2 driver crashes, 1 bike crash (1.5 years) 6 bike crashes, 6 driver crashes (2 year period prior to Interim Improvements) Slight reduction in LFP thru traffic Slight diversion of through traffic from Arlington Road to Hillandale Road

7 Project Background Southbound CCT Approach Towards LFP LFP Looking Northbound

8 Project Background Project Goal: Provide a permanent safer crossing for the Capital Crescent Trail at Little Falls Parkway that recognizes the significant trail usage by a wide range of users, while maintaining the Parkway s function of providing access to Park amenities. Considerations: Minimize confusion/decision points for all intersection users Traffic calming to reduce vehicle speeds on Parkway Maintain/enhance high quality trail user experience Minimize environmental impacts (i.e. tree loss, impervious area) Limit additional vehicle delay along Parkway Minimize construction and operational costs

9 Project Background Additional Project Goals: Implement Montgomery County Vision Zero goals Maximize visibility/communication for all users at intersection Improved interconnections from adjacent neighborhoods to the CCT and Little Falls Trail Integration of project with DOT for traffic calming along Hillandale Road and Arlington Road Aesthetic and intuitive design for trail users and motorists Improve lighting to improve visibility at crossing Modification of Bethesda Pool entrances to improve access/conflict along Little Falls Parkway

10 Project Metrics Metrics are factors, both quantitative and qualitative, used to evaluate alternatives. Trail User Safety Improved visibility and communication among all intersection users Reduction of vehicle/trail user conflict Implementation of Vision Zero goals Traffic calming and vehicle speed reduction Reduce driver decisions at intersection Trail User Delay Minimize delays at LFP crossing Intersection Lighting Improved photometrics for use at dawn and dusk Vehicle Delay/Access Minimize additional delays for motorists along LFP and maintain access to Park amenities

11 Project Metrics Diverted Traffic Through traffic unable to process LFP/Arlington/Hillandale due to intersection Indirect changes to traffic on Dorset Ave/Kenwood Ave Environmental Impacts Tree and habitat losses Changes in impervious surfaces and stormwater runoff Cost Initial construction cost Continuing operational / maintenance costs

12 Public Input Matters! Public Input Individuals may have different perspectives depending on how they interact with the intersection Transportation trail users (i.e. commuter or advanced bicyclists) Recreational trail users (i.e. children from 8 months to 108 years old) Local motorists (those living in adjacent neighborhoods) Through traffic (those using LFP as a cut through) Individuals may fall into different categories at different times Your feedback will help us understand how others view the Park resources and amenities Ultimate solution will require compromise

13 Project Schedule Summer 2018 Obtain feedback from community Quantify impacts and compare metrics Focus study towards top 3+/- alternatives Advance top alternatives to 10% design with pros and cons Fall 2018 Upload advanced concepts to website for further input from all Obtain feedback from public and agencies to identify Preferred Alternative (PA) Develop PA to Preliminary Engineering (30% design) with SWM Concept and Cost Estimate Winter 2018/2019 Present Preferred Alternative (30% Design) to Planning Board for Approval Develop CIP funding request in coordination with MCDOT

14 Alternative Concepts General Improvements

15 Alternative Concepts 3 Primary Approaches Control the Trail Crossing Alt #1, #2 Divert Trail to Existing Signal Alt #3, #4 Traffic Signal or Pedestrian Signal at Trail Crossing Alt #5 Stop Sign Control on LFP Remove the Conflict Entirely Alt #6; #7 Tunnel under LFP; Bridge over LFP Alt #8 LFP Closure Between Arlington and Hillandale Roads Reduce Conflict Potential Alt #9 Permanent Road Diet, Speed Table Alt #10 Dynamic Lane Use, Speed Table Alt #11 Road Diet and Arlington Roundabout Alt #12 Permanent Road Diet Continued to Dorset Avenue

16 Alternative Concepts #1 Divert Trail to Existing Arlington Rd Traffic Signal

17 Alternative Concepts #2 Divert Trail to Existing Hillandale Rd Traffic Signal

18 Alternative Concepts #3 Traffic Signal at Trail Crossing

19 Alternative Concepts #4 Pedestrian Signal (HAWK Beacon) At Crossing

20 Alternative Concepts #5 STOP Sign Control On Little Falls Parkway

21 Alternative Concepts #6 Tunnel under Little Falls Parkway

22 Alternative Concepts #7 Bridge Over Little Falls Parkway

23 Alternative Concepts #8 Little Falls Parkway Closure Between Arlington and Hillandale Roads

24 Alternative Concepts #9 Permanent Road Diet, Speed Table

25 Alternative Concepts #10 Dynamic Lane Use, Speed Table

26 Alternative Concepts #11 Road Diet And Arlington Roundabout

27 Alternative Concepts #12 Permanent Road Diet Continued to Dorset Ave

28 Open Discussion Questions and Comments? Next Steps: Please use sign-in sheet to provide your contact info for project updates This presentation and concept sketches will be posted to the Parks project website. Montgomeryparks.org and search for Capital Crescent Trail We will open a Town Hall forum where everyone can post comments. Montgomeryparks.org and search for Open Town Hall If you have any trouble accessing info, contact: Andrew.tsai@montgomeryparks.org or