Orange Center Elementary School

Transcription

1 Drag and drop pic and stretch/crop to the limits of the blue rectangle (delete this text box) Orange Center 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 ORANGE CENTER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL LOCATION 36 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 September 18, 2007 Professional Engineer: Marc W. Hustad P.E. No

3 School Route Plan- Orange Center Elementary School TABLE OF CONTENTS EXECUTIVE SUMMARY INTRODUCTION EXISTING CONDITIONS QUALITATIVE ASSESSMENT RECOMMENDATIONS APPENDIX FIGURES, EXHIBITS and TABLES FIGURES Figure 2 School Boundary Map... 9 Figure 3 School Route Plan Map Figure 4 Condition Diagram: Texas Avenue at Orange Center Boulevard Figure 5 Condition Diagram: Texas Avenue at Jacobs Place Figure 6 - Conceptual Improvement Diagram EXHIBITS Exhibit 1- Texas Avenue at Orange Center Boulevard Exhibit 2- Texas Avenue at Orange Center Boulevard Exhibit 3- Texas Avenue at Jacobs Place Exhibit 4- Texas Avenue at Jacobs Place TABLES Table 1-Field Inventory... 3 Table 2-Summary of Vehicular Volumes... 4 Table 3-Summary of Pedestrian & Bicycle Volumes... 5

4 School Route Plan- Orange Center Elementary School 1 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY HNTB Corporation was retained by Orange County Public Works to conduct a School Route Plan Study for Orange Center Elementary School located at 621 Texas Avenue, 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. It is suggested that the Orange County School Board and the Orange Center Elementary School consider adding painted pavement marking arrows to identify one-way circulation for the pickup/dropoff area within the east-side school parking lot to reduce driver confusion. 2. Add a Stop Sign (R1-1) for the outbound side of the driveway at the carpool exit (east-side parking lot) to enhance pedestrian safety. 3. At the intersection of Orange Center Boulevard and Ohio Avenue, install countdown pedestrian signal heads for each crossing. Install the AHEAD plaque (W16-9p) on the Advance School Crosswalk Warning Assemblies and replace the School Advance Warning Assemblies (S1-1) with the diagonal downward pointing arrow plaque (W16-7p) 4. Install a curb ramp at the southwest corner of the intersection of Orange Center Boulevard and Ohio Avenue to meet ADA requirements. 5. Install a connection to the sidewalks at the northeast corner of the intersection of Orange Center Boulevard and Ohio Avenue if right of way allows. 6. Add School Advance Warning Assemblies (S1-1, W16-9p) and the School Crosswalk Warning Assemblies (S1-1, W16-7p) for the east and west approaches along Orange Center Boulevard at Texas Avenue. 7. Add a crossing guard at the intersection of Orange Center Boulevard and Texas Avenue. 8. Add a No Parking 7:00 AM to 3:15 PM School Days Only (R7 Series) along Texas Avenue just south of Jacobs Place to eliminate parents using this area as a pickup/dropoff area for children. A notice flyer should be provided to students/parents to indicate the proper pickup/dropoff location for students. 9. Repaint the existing crosswalks on the south and east approaches at the intersection of Jacobs Place and Texas Avenue. Remove the School Crosswalk Warning Assemblies at the stop controlled intersection of Jacobs Place and Texas Avenue. 10. Install the AHEAD plaque (W16-9p) to the existing School Advance Warning signs on the east, south, west, and north approaches to the intersection of Jacobs Place and Texas Avenue in advance of the stop sign.

5 School Route Plan- Orange Center Elementary School 2 1. INTRODUCTION HNTB Corporation was retained by Orange County Public Works to conduct a School Route Plan Study for Orange Center Elementary School located at 621 Texas Avenue, 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 location. Figure 1 - Project Location Map

6 School Route Plan- Orange Center Elementary School 3 2. EXISTING CONDITIONS Orange Center Elementary School is located in Orange County at the intersection of Texas Avenue and Jacobs Place approximately 1500 feet west of Tampa Avenue and 500 feet north of Orange Center Boulevard. Significant features for the study location are summarized in Table 1. Feature Table 1-Field Inventory Description School Name Orange Center Elementary School Address 621 Texas Avenue Orlando, FL School Hours 8:00 AM- 2:15 PM (1:15 PM Wednesday) Student Enrollment 421 Primary Roadway Access Texas Avenue 20 undivided primary access road with a closed drainage system Posted speed limit: 25 mph Sidewalks: Both sides of roadway Conventional lighting on both sides of road Pedestrian and Bicycle Access to School Carpool Access to School Bus Access Guarded School Crossings Orange Center Boulevard Four-lane divided arterial with an closed drainage system Posted speed limit: 35 mph Sidewalks: Both sides of roadway Conventional lighting in the median Sidewalk on both sides of Texas Avenue and both sides of Jacobs Place A single driveway along Jacobs Place on the eastern side of the school provides ingress and egress to carpools. Vehicles enter along Jacobs Place and circle the parking lot to the designated dropoff/pickup area. Vehicles exit via the same driveway. Bus traffic uses the southernmost driveway along Texas Avenue, the driveway is also the main entrance to the school. Buses circulate to the front of the school and continue northward to exit via the northernmost driveway along Texas Avenue. The bus entrance is blocked with cones during school hours to prevent carpool vehicles mixing with bus traffic. Texas Avenue at Jacobs Place Four-Way stop controlled School crosswalk warning assemblies on all approaches Crosswalk on the south and east approaches Ohio Avenue at Orange Center Boulevard Signal controlled Pedestrian signal heads, crosswalks and pushbuttons School crossing warning signs on all approaches Other Facilities Sidewalks are provided along most roadways in adjacent neighborhoods within the walk zone. A connector sidewalk is provided through the park north of the school to provide access between Texas Avenue and Sunset Drive. Reduced Speed School Zones None

7 School Route Plan- Orange Center Elementary School 4 Vehicular, Pedestrian and Bicycle Volumes Two-hour turning movement counts were conducted at the intersections of Texas Avenue with Orange Center Boulevard and Texas Avenue with Jacobs Place. The counts were conducted from 7:15 to 8:15 AM and 1:45 to 2:45 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 Texas Avenue at Orange Center Boulevard Texas Avenue Orange Center Boulevard Direction Northbound Southbound Eastbound Westbound Movement L T R TOT L T R TOT L T R TOT L T R TOT Morning Arrival: 715 to 815 Vehicles Busses Total Afternoon Departure: 1345 to 1445 Vehicles Busses Total Approaches Texas Avenue at Jacobs Place Texas Avenue Jacobs Place Direction Northbound Southbound Eastbound Westbound Movement L T R TOT L T R TOT L T R TOT L T R TOT Morning Arrival: 715 to 815 Vehicles Busses Total Afternoon Departure: 1345 to 1445 Vehicles Busses Total

8 School Route Plan- Orange Center Elementary School 5 Table 3-Summary of Pedestrian & Bicycle Volumes Texas Avenue at Orange Center Boulevard Total 7:15 7:30 7:45 8:00 Total 1:45 2:00 2:15 2:30 AM PM AM 8 Texas Avenue AM Total Total PM 4 Total AM 5 7: : : : : : Orange Center Boulevard 8: : AM PM Total 1 0 Total AM PM 6 5 1: : : : : : : : Total PM 0 Total PM 15 Apartment Entrance Total 7:15 7:30 7:45 8:00 Total 1:45 2:00 2:15 2:30 AM PM Total AM PM 2 Orange Center Boulevard Texas Avenue at Jacobs Place Total 7:15 7:30 7:45 8:00 Total 1:45 2:00 2:15 2:30 AM PM AM 0 Texas Avenue AM Total Total PM 0 Total AM 46 7: : : : : : : : AM PM Total 0 0 Total AM PM Jacobs Place 1: : : : : : : : Total PM 0 Total PM 88 Texas Avenue Total 7:15 7:30 7:45 8:00 Total 1:45 2:00 2:15 2:30 AM PM Total AM PM 1 Jacobs Place

9 School Route Plan- Orange Center Elementary School 6 3. QUALITATIVE ASSESSMENT Orange Center Elementary School is located in Orange County at the intersection of Texas Avenue and Jacobs Place, approximately 1500 feet west of Tampa Avenue and 500 feet north of Orange Center Boulevard. The school serves children who live in adjacent neighborhoods to the east and west along Orange Center Boulevard between Orange Blossom Trail and John Young Parkway. The entire school zone falls within the two mile walk zone of the school. Orange County does not provide bus service for children that live within the school boundary. Figure 2 illustrates the school zone boundary, two-mile walk radius and existing traffic signals near Orange Center Elementary School. Figure 3 is a School Route Plan Map of the area within the two-mile walk limit. 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 Many of the students arrive to school by walking or via private vehicles. Vehicle traffic along Texas Avenue and Jacobs Place is generally light and most of it is related to the school. Most of the existing school advance and crosswalk warning assemblies do not meet current MUTCD standards, crosswalks are worn and no school speed limit assemblies exist. These assessments are described in more detail below and should be replaced or updated as necessary. School Circulation Bus service is provided to the school only for special needs. The main school driveway entrance along Texas Avenue provides access for bus entry and buses circulate through the one-way driveway along the front of the school building (west-side). The bus pickup/dropoff area is directly alongside the school and there is a sidewalk. Children from the buses do not have to cross parking lots or vehicle traffic; therefore, pedestrian access is safe and efficient. There is sufficient storage capacity, efficient circulation and minimal conflicts with pedestrians or other vehicles. The school staff block off the main driveway with cones so that carpool vehicles do not use the driveway to pickup and dropoff children. At the carpool pickup/dropoff area, vehicles enter and exit the same driveway on the eastern side of the school along Jacobs Place (the west driveway along Jacobs Place remained closed with a cyclone fence gate). Vehicles circulate through the parking area to the designated pickup/dropoff area. Pavement marking and signing is absent from the school parking lot. Some parents tend to take multiple routes to try and jump the queue to the pickup/dropoff location. A clearly marked one-way operation is needed at the drop-off location to clarify the preferred route for parents to take. It is suggested that the Orange County School Board and the Orange Center Elementary School consider adding painted pavement marking arrows to clearly identify one-way operation of the pickup/dropoff area within the school parking lot. School staff also indicated the need for additional cones to block off the center portion of parking lot to vehicles during pickup/dropoff times. It is also

10 School Route Plan- Orange Center Elementary School 7 recommended to add a Sign (R1-1) for the outbound side of the driveway at the carpool exit (east-side parking lot) to enhance pedestrian safety. Orange Center Boulevard at Ohio Avenue The intersection of Orange Center Boulevard at Ohio Avenue is signal controlled with a crossing guard at the intersection. There are pedestrian push buttons and special emphasis crosswalks on each approach. It is recommended to install countdown pedestrian signal heads for each crossing. The School Advance Warning Assemblies and School Crosswalk Warning Assemblies at this intersection do not meet current MUTCD standards. The AHEAD plaque (W16-9p) should be installed on all the School Advance Warning Assemblies and the School Crosswalk Warning Assembly (S1-1) should be installed with the diagonal downward pointing arrow plaque (W16-7p). On the southwest corner of the intersection the crosswalk ends at a curb and gutter. It is recommended to add a curb ramp at the southwest corner to provide better pedestrian accessibility. On the northeast corner of the intersection the sidewalk is interrupted by a large tree. As a result pedestrians walking south that want to turn east must walk into the intersection and along Orange Center Boulevard. If right of way allows, it is recommended to provide a continuous sidewalk in this area to provide a safer route for pedestrians. Orange Center Boulevard at Texas Avenue Although this intersection is not marked as a school crossing, a number of student pedestrians were observed crossing Orange Center Boulevard at the east approach crosswalk (see Table 3). These students appear to come from the southeast portion of the school boundary and are using this crosswalk to walk to school. As a result, it is recommended to add School Advance Warning Assemblies (S1-1, W16-9p) and School Crosswalk Warning Assemblies (S1-1, W16-7p) for this intersection. A crossing guard was not observed at the intersection while the students were crossing the uncontrolled intersection. It is recommended to add a crossing guard at this intersection to provide a safer crossing for students. Texas Avenue at Jacobs Place This intersection is a four-way stop controlled intersection. Pedestrian and bicycle traffic to and from the school predominantly occurs from the south using the east approach crosswalk at this intersection. Few students are accompanied by parents, but there is a crossing guard and school staff are prominent at the intersection. In the afternoon, a large-group of school children congregate on the southeast corner of the intersection and some are waiting for parents to pick them up. It is recommended to create a No Parking or Stopping Zone during school hours on the east side of Texas Ave just south of Jacobs Place to eliminate parents using this area as a pickup/dropoff area for children. This will increase visibility for both crossing pedestrians and drivers. A notice flyer should be provided to students/parents to indicate the proper pickup/dropoff location for students. Crosswalks exist on the east and south approaches and it was observed that the majority of students use these existing crosswalks to cross Jacobs Place or Texas Avenue. This makes it easier for the crossing guard to help children cross by allowing only two crossing points rather than four crossings. As a result, it is not recommended to add additional crosswalks at

11 School Route Plan- Orange Center Elementary School 8 this intersection. The existing crosswalk markings are worn and should be restriped. At the stop-controlled intersection, there are School Crosswalk Warning Assemblies that do not meet current MUTCD standards. It is recommended to remove all the School Crosswalk Warning Assemblies as they should not be installed on approaches controlled by a Stop Sign. In their place, it is recommended to install the appropriate AHEAD plaque (W16-9p) to the existing School Advance Warning Assemblies in advance of the stop signs on the east, south, west, and north approaches. Figures 4 and 5 illustrate the existing conditions at these intersections. Photographs of the intersections of Texas Avenue at Orange Center Boulevard and at Jacobs Place are included in Exhibits 1 through 4.

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

13 YIELD 10 N G G Orange Center Elementary Orange Center Elementary School Legend G Crossing Guard School Bus Stops Pedestrian Route Bike Lane Crosswalk School Crossing Signalized Intersection Stop Sign Yield Sign Figure 3 School Route Plan Map

14 11 Ohio Avenue Texas Avenue SPEED LIMIT 25 N NO PARKING Orange Center Boulevard Ohio Avenue Texas Avenue at Orange Center Boulevard Figure 4 Condition Diagram

15 12 Ohio Avenue Texas Avenue N 4-WAY Jacobs Place 4-WAY 4-WAY 4-WAY Texas Avenue at Jacobs Place Figure 5 Condition Diagram

16 School Route Plan- Orange Center Elementary School 13 Exhibit 1- Texas Avenue at Orange Center Boulevard Looking south along Texas Avenue into the intersection Looking north along Orange Manor Apartment s driveway into the intersection

17 School Route Plan- Orange Center Elementary School 14 Exhibit 2- Texas Avenue at Orange Center Boulevard Looking east along Orange Center Boulevard into the intersection Looking west along Orange Center Boulevard into the intersection

18 School Route Plan- Orange Center Elementary School 15 Exhibit 3- Texas Avenue at Jacobs Place Looking south along Texas Avenue into the intersection Looking north along Texas Avenue into the intersection

19 School Route Plan- Orange Center Elementary School 16 Exhibit 4- Texas Avenue at Jacobs Place Looking east along Jacobs Place into the intersection Looking west along Jacobs Place into the intersection

20 School Route Plan- Orange Center Elementary School RECOMMENDATIONS Based on the results of the analysis, the field observations and engineering judgment, the following improvements are proposed: 1. It is suggested that the Orange County School Board and the Orange Center Elementary School consider adding painted pavement marking arrows to identify one-way circulation for the pickup/dropoff area within the east-side school parking lot to reduce driver confusion. 2. Add a Stop Sign (R1-1) for the outbound side of the driveway at the carpool exit (east-side parking lot) to enhance pedestrian safety. 3. At the intersection of Orange Center Boulevard and Ohio Avenue, install countdown pedestrian signal heads for each crossing. Install the AHEAD plaque (W16-9p) on the Advance School Crosswalk Warning Assemblies and replace the School Advance Warning Assemblies (S1-1) with the diagonal downward pointing arrow plaque (W16-7p) 4. Install a curb ramp at the southwest corner of the intersection of Orange Center Boulevard and Ohio Avenue to meet ADA requirements. 5. Install a connection to the sidewalks at the northeast corner of the intersection of Orange Center Boulevard and Ohio Avenue if right of way allows. 6. Add School Advance Warning Assemblies (S1-1, W16-9p) and the School Crosswalk Warning Assemblies (S1-1, W16-7p) for the east and west approaches along Orange Center Boulevard at Texas Avenue. 7. Add a crossing guard at the intersection of Orange Center Boulevard and Texas Avenue. 8. Add a No Parking 7:00 AM to 3:15 PM School Days Only (R7 Series) along Texas Avenue just south of Jacobs Place to eliminate parents using this area as a pickup/dropoff area for children. A notice flyer should be provided to students/parents to indicate the proper pickup/dropoff location for students. 9. Repaint the existing crosswalks on the south and east approaches at the intersection of Jacobs Place and Texas Avenue. Remove the School Crosswalk Warning Assemblies at the stop controlled intersection of Jacobs Place and Texas Avenue. 10. Install the AHEAD plaque (W16-9p) to the existing School Advance Warning signs on the east, south, west, and north approaches to the intersection of Jacobs Place and Texas Avenue in advance of the stop sign. Figure 6 (2 diagrams) has been included on the following pages to illustrate these recommendations.

21 AHEAD AHEAD AHEAD 18 Install School Advance Crossing Assembly 200 ft North of the Crosswalk. AHEAD Ohio Avenue Install School Crosswalk Warning Assembly (S1-1, W16-7p). Replace signs with standard School Crosswalk Warning Assemblies (S1-1, W16-7p). Texas Avenue SPEED LIMIT 25 N Provide Continuous Sidewalk Connection Install an AHEAD placard (W16-9p) to the existing School Advance Crossing sign Install School Crosswalk Warning Assemblies (S1-1, W16-7p). Install Pedestrian Countdown Displays on all corners Orange Center Boulevard Install An ADA- Compliant Curb Ramp Ohio Avenue Install School Advance Crossing Assembly 200 ft in advance of the Crosswalk on the west and south approaches AHEAD Install School Advance Crossing Assemblies (S1-1, W16-9p) Texas Avenue at Orange Center Boulevard Figure 6 1 of 2 Conceptual Improvement Diagram

22 AHEAD 19 Install AHEAD placards (W16-9p) to the existing School Advance Warning signs Texas Avenue Provide directional arrow markings Remove School Crossing Signs 4-WAY Restripe 4-WAY Jacobs Place Install a sign Crosswalks AHEAD AHEAD 4-WAY 4-WAY Install a NO PARKING sign with time placard Remove School Crossing Signs P 7:00 AM TO 3:15 PM SCHOOL DAYS Install AHEAD placards (W16-9p) to the existing School Advance Warning signs N AHEAD Texas Avenue at Jacobs Place Figure 6 2 of 2 Conceptual Improvement Diagram

23 School Route Plan- Orange Center Elementary School APPENDIX

24 CITY: Orlando NORTH APPROACH: Texas Avenue SOUTH APPROACH: Apartment Entrance DATE: 4/24/2007 COUNT: All Vehicles COUNTY: Orange EAST APPROACH: Orange Center Boulevard WEST APPROACH: Orange Center Boulevard ARRIVAL TIME: 7:15-8:15 AM DEPARTURE TIME: OBSERVER: JK 1:45-2:45 PM 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 7: : : Total : Total : Total : : : Total

25 CITY: Orlando NORTH APPROACH: Texas Avenue SOUTH APPROACH: Texas Avenue DATE: 4/24/2007 COUNT: All Vehicles COUNTY: Orange EAST APPROACH: Jacobs Place WEST APPROACH: Jacobs Place ARRIVAL TIME: 7:15-8:15 AM OBSERVER: DM DEPARTURE TIME: 1:45-2:45 PM 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 7: : : Total : Total : Total : : : Total

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