Albany Shaker Road Corridor Study Public Meeting # 2

Albany Shaker Road Corridor Study Public Meeting # 2

Scope / Meeting Purpose This project is a CDTC Linkage Study. The Linkage Program is designed to implement the adopted planning and investment principles in CDTC s regional transportation plan, New Visions 2040. Initiation and Data Gathering Existing Conditions Public Meeting # 1 Recap Build 2030 Analysis Draft Transportation Mitigation Measures Evaluation of Alternatives Public Meeting # 2 Report Integrate with Comprehensive Plan

Study Area

Study Purpose Identify transportation and land-use recommendations that Mitigate the traffic concerns Enhance the character of the corridor Address safety and quality of life concerns Integrate with Town s Comprehensive Plan update Public outreach approach that develops a mutual understanding of issues and builds consensus

Livable Streets Provides transportation choices Safer streets for all modes Value communities and neighborhoods Promotes Community Interaction Enhance economic growth Quality of life Complete Streets are streets for everyone, no matter who they are or how they travel.

Existing Conditions Public Meeting # 1 Recap

Vacant Parcels in the Corridor

Land-use/Zoning Known development projects under construction or in planning Vacant parcels with probable development density based on zoning or discussions with property owners Exception: one parcel for density greater than underlying zoning based on landowner discussions and site s unique location Was conservative in that not all parcels would be expected to be developed within planning period

Public Meeting # 1 Recap Existing Public Build 2030 Mitigation Public

Concerns / Issues raised Traffic Congestion Safety: Speed Side street traffic The Crossings Town Park Pedestrian/Bicycle friendly Safety : Critical Locations Access to side streets/driveways

Consistent with Comprehensive Plan Issues that impact quality of life in the Town of Colonie Quality of Life Safety and security Traffic Congestion Strongly support following programs/initiatives Pedestrian accommodations Slower speeds Improvements in Town Parks

Concerns / Issues raised Traffic Congestion Safety: Speed Side street traffic The Crossings Town Park Pedestrian/Bicycle friendly Safety : Critical Locations Access to side streets/driveways

Traffic from New Development Traffic volumes in the corridor would increase by average of 5% based on Build-out conditions Similar growth pattern: from Albany Shaker Road to Old Niskayuna Road via Maxwell Road/Osborne Road Exit 4 connector, west of Wolf Road and increased capacity on I-87, will not increase traffic on Maxwell Road and the corridor east of Maxwell Road

Corridor Traffic Mostly limited to Osborne Road intersection Along the entire Corridor

Traffic from New Development Likely increase in traffic due to development will progress slowly over time and will not have immediate impact Based on the CDTC STEP Model 40% of the traffic is cutthrough

Hourly Traffic Variations 1000 900 800 Practical Capacity Threshold Albany Shaker Road Osborne Rd to Wolf Rd (Typical Weekday) Vehicles per Hour (VPH) 700 600 500 400 300 Legend Traffic Existing 2016 WB EB 200 100 0 12:00 AM 1:00 AM 2:00 AM 3:00 AM 4:00 AM 5:00 AM 6:00 AM 7:00 AM 8:00 AM 9:00 AM 10:00 AM 11:00 AM 12:00 PM 1:00 PM 2:00 PM 3:00 PM 4:00 PM 5:00 PM 6:00 PM 7:00 PM 8:00 PM 9:00 PM 10:00 PM 11:00 PM

Impact from New Development Traffic will increase but will not have significant impact on traffic conditions Traffic will not alter the recommendations in the study

Concerns / Issues raised Traffic Congestion Safety: Speed Side street traffic The Crossings Town Park Pedestrian/Bicycle friendly Safety : Critical Locations Access to side streets/driveways

Safety: Speed Posted speed limit is 40 mph Average speed is 35 mph 85 th percentile speed is 45 mph Peak hour speeds: Near Shaker El 36/34 mph (AM/PM) Near Twilight Terrace 40/30 mph (AM/PM) High residential use-traffic conflict index (CDTC) leading to noise level, driveway movement, unsafe environment

Safety: Speed Mitigation Reduce speed limit to 30 or 35 mph Increased speed enforcement Driver feedback signs

Safety: Speed 30 MPH 40 MPH Higher the speed, reduction in cone of visibility Risk of serious injury increases dramatically above 30 mph Recommend speed reduction to 30-35 mph NACTO Street Design Guidance

Safety: Speed Data shows that driver feedback signs are effective In Shelburne, Vermont, radar speed feedback signs showed a reduction in speed by 6 to 8 mph On US Route 9 in the Town of Malta, CDTC found that the driver feedback signs resulted in a 5 mph reduction in average speed Recommend installation of driver feedback signs

Concerns / Issues raised Traffic Congestion Safety: Speed Side street traffic The Crossings Town Park Pedestrian/Bicycle friendly Safety : Critical Locations Access to side streets/driveways

Side Street Traffic Consider traffic calming measures on alternate routes to discourage regional traffic from using local/neighborhood streets Street design Education Enforcement Locations to Consider: Campagna Drive/Marie Parkway Emerick Ln/Briarwood Road Danielwood Drive Loudon Parkway

Side Street Traffic Tighten street geometry to reduce travel speed, making is less desirable Increased enforcement on side streets like Marie Parkway Feasibility of additional traffic control signs/devices

Concerns / Issues raised Traffic Congestion Safety: Speed Side street traffic The Crossings Town Park Pedestrian/Bicycle friendly Safety : Critical Locations Access to side streets/driveways

The Crossings Access to The Crossings park Single access point Busier in good weather Exclusive pedestrian phase during peak hours add to delays Limited parking in the park

The Crossings Metro Park Rd Mitigation Access via Metro Park Road Improve and attract by better wayfinding Encourage and advertise this access Increase parking Secondary access and increased parking recommended Albany Shaker Rd

The Crossings Intersection Add leading left turn phase to signal only* Add crosswalk and pedestrian facilities to EB approach Add left turn lane Consider mini roundabout The Crossings Emerick Ln

The Crossings Signal Timing Changes August 2017 Lead left-turn for WB approach EB delay increases by 3 seconds Reduced queues westbound Observed increased queues eastbound Exclusive pedestrian phase Emerick Ln The Crossings * Based on average of 5 pedestrian calls per hour

The Crossings Mini Roundabout Pros Traffic calming Improved traffic flow Pedestrian facilities Cons Mini Roundabout not a viable option Roundabout will reduce vehicle gaps for those to turn left on side streets in the corridor ROW impacts Costs $ 500,000 1 million The Crossings Emerick Ln

The Crossings Left Turn Lanes Pros Improved traffic flow Cons If done within existing ROW, lose shoulders If widening, ROW impacts Pedestrian safety Costs $ 500,000 The Crossings Emerick Ln Widening for turn lanes to be considered in the future based on traffic conditions

Concerns / Issues raised Traffic Congestion Safety: Speed Side street traffic The Crossings Town Park Pedestrian/Bicycle friendly Safety : Critical Locations Access to side streets/driveways

Pedestrian/Bicycle Provide sidewalks on both sides of the road between The Crossings and Everett Road intersections Existing Pedestrian & Crosswalk Facility Recommended option Pros Improved pedestrian connections Pedestrian safety Character of the street Cons Tight ROW Acquire ROW at some locations Cost $1-2 million

Pedestrian/Bicycle Provide a dedicated path on one side of Albany Shaker that could accommodate bicycles Dedicated bike path not a viable option Pros Dedicated bike lane/path Bicycle safety Character of the street Complete streets Cons Acquire ROW on adjacent properties Cost implications ($ 3-5 million)

Pedestrian/Bicycle Provide/improve intersection crossing improvements at these locations: The Crossings/Emerick Lane Marie Parkway Shaker El Everett Road Osborne Road Provide Share the Road signs in locations with narrow shoulders Recommended option

Marie Parkway Add pedestrian accommodations Tighten radii and remove median

Marie Parkway Pros Improved pedestrian connection Reduced walking distance Improved circulation for emergency vehicles Cons Current signal does not support Upgrade signal to provide pedestrian pedestrian accommodations. accommodations is recommended Cost $ 500,000

Shaker El Add crosswalk to side street Improve pedestrian accommodations like Yield to Pedestrian sign Consider roundabout or signalization Shaker El Danielwood

Shaker El Mini Roundabout Heavy east-west traffic Low volumes on sidestreet Side street access will get difficult Limited Right-of-way School bus turning Cost $ 500,000 1 million Shaker El Danielwood Mini Roundabout not a viable option

Shaker El Pros Improved pedestrian connection Easier to turn left out of Shaker El Signalization will also slow down traffic more other modes friendly Cons Another signalized intersection will slow traffic in peak hour Cost $ 300,000 Signalization is recommended Shaker El Danielwood

Concerns / Issues raised Traffic Congestion Safety: Speed Side street traffic The Crossings Town Park Pedestrian/Bicycle friendly Safety : Critical Locations Access to side streets/driveways

Safety: Critical Locations Based on concentration of crashes and types the following priorities should be considered: Everett Road Intersection Osborne Road Intersection, particularly the westbound approach between Osborne and Tipton Maxwell Road Roundabout

Everett Road Road Diet Option Eliminate second WB thru lane Add EB left lane Pedestrian accommodations

Everett Road

Everett Road Pros Reduce crashes due to the merge Easier turning into driveways/side streets Pedestrian accommodations Cons Cost $ 200,000 Intersection Improvements recommended option ROW impacts

Osborne Road Signal timing changes Consider a roundabout Other geometric improvements to improve peak hour flow Consider reduction of turn radii to improve walkability Osborne Rd Osborne Rd

Osborne Road Signal Timing And WB through lane Intersection Existing LOS Osborne Rd Build LOS Osborne Rd WB thru turn lane LOS Albany Shaker Rd EB L D (40.8) D (40.7) C (35.5) TR C (27.9) C (33.2) C (27.7) Albany Shaker Rd WB L D (35.1) D (37.1) C (24.7) T F (211.6) F (254.7) E (72.9) R (TR) B (10.9) B (10.7) D (47.9) Osborne Rd NB L D (42.2) D (54.9) D (59.7) TR D (41.8) D (48.7) D (50.0) Osborne Rd SB L C (31.5) C (33.5) C (35.2) TR E (70.9) F (96.0) E (79.3) Overall F (87.8) F (106.5) D (51.8)

Osborne Road Signal Timing And SB right turn lane Intersection Existing LOS Osborne Rd Osborne Rd Build LOS Right turn lane LOS Albany Shaker Rd EB L D (40.8) D (40.7) C (32.0) TR C (27.9) C (33.2) C (26.5) Albany Shaker Rd WB L D (35.1) D (37.1) C (29.6) T F (211.6) F (254.7) F (181.6) R B (10.9) B (10.7) A (9.4) Osborne Rd NB L D (42.2) D (54.9) D (58.9) TR D (41.8) D (48.7) D (51.3) Osborne Rd SB L C (31.5) C (33.5) C (32.2) TR(T) E (70.9) F (96.0) D (52.8) (R) C (24.9) Overall F (87.8) F (106.5) E (76.1)

Osborne Road Signal Timing And WB or SB lane improvements Pros Reduce vehicle crashes Pedestrian accommodations Reduce in delays Osborne Rd Cons Additional lanes- not a feasible option ROW acquisition Pedestrian safety Improves traffic flow Cost $ 500,000 Osborne Rd

Osborne Road Roundabout Pros Improved traffic flow Vehicle crash reduction Speed reduction Pedestrian safety Cons Bottleneck effect Private property acquisition Cost $2.5 million approximately Intersection Roundabout possibly a long term option Osborne Rd Osborne Rd LOS Albany Shaker Rd EB LTR B (12.8) Albany Shaker Rd WB L,TR D (44.5) Osborne Rd NB LTR C (24.4) Osborne Rd SB L,TR B (12.2) Overall C (26.1)

Access Management Better access management between Maxwell Rd and Wolf Rd, including consideration of a raised median in conjunction with roundabout improvements

Access Management Raised median recommended Example of raised median island

Maxwell Rd Roundabout Improved signage Evaluate EB thru lane capacity to eliminate merge Lane assignments Reevaluate design with current and emerging criteria Confirm potential impacts associated with Aviation Rd extension

Maxwell Rd Roundabout Pros Improved traffic flow Reduce crashes with proper signage Cons Cost Impact due to future development

Maxwell Rd Roundabout Conceptual Conceptual

Concerns / Issues raised Traffic Congestion Safety: Speed Side street traffic The Crossings Town Park Pedestrian/Bicycle friendly Safety : Critical Locations Access to side streets/driveways

Access to Side Streets/Driveways Center turn lane throughout the corridor (except the signalized intersections)

Access to Side Streets/Driveways Using shoulders for center-turn-lane WB Lane Center Turn Lane EB Lane 11 10 11 PROS Facilitate access Reduce turn conflicts Decrease delays Existing condition with shoulders on either sidecons No shoulders Eliminates space for bicycles Increased speed and traffic No buffer between vehicles Shoulder WB Lane EB Lane and pedestrian Shoulder Cost $$$ 5 11 11 5

Access to Side Streets/Driveways CONS No shoulders Eliminates space for goals bicycles Not Complete Street Less pleasant and safe to walk Not consistent with Study Center turn lane is not recommended at this time

Concerns / Issues raised Traffic Congestion Safety: Speed Side street traffic The Crossings Town Park Pedestrian/Bicycle friendly Safety : Critical Locations Access to side streets/driveways

Coordination with other Studies The Town is in the middle of update to the Comprehensive Plan and an update to the Airport Area GEIS Expected to be completed before completion of the Comprehensive Plan and the Airport Area GEIS It is expected that the Comprehensive Plan will either keep projected development densities at current levels or lower them through the Comp plan and future land use law changes. These changes should not influence the results of the ASR Study.

Schedule Summer: Develop and evaluate recommendations Fall: Confirm recommendations with Team November: Public Meeting # 2 January: Draft Report

Next Steps Consensus on transportation mitigation measures Compile public input and summarize information Present final recommendations to the Town and County Draft report- January 2018

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