City of Hyattsville Citywide Traffic Study and Transportation Plan February, 2010
Outline Existing Conditions Recommendations Future Conditions Traffic Growth Development Capacity and Level of Service Development of Future Conditions Alternatives Modal Priorities Network Modeling and Testing Cost Estimates Concepts Funding/ Agency or Developer Responsibility Technical Report and Public Outreach
Scope of Study Phase I Traffic Data Collection and Existing Conditions Analysis Phase II Citywide Traffic Study and Transportation Plan Phase III Wayfinding Services
Study Goals To identify deficiencies in the existing and future transportation network To develop recommendations to support the City in planning infrastructure and capital improvement projects To provide short- and long-term strategies that: reduce congestion enhance mobility & safety for all modes improve inter-modal connections minimize impact on residential streets To assist the City in managing re-development and growth To effectively direct visitors, tourists, and workers to key destinations within the City
Phase II Citywide Traffic Study & Transportation Plan Development of traffic forecasts Planned and approved developments Growth in regional through traffic on major roadways Identify modal priorities Auto, truck, bus, bicycle, pedestrian Future conditions traffic modeling Develop Network Improvement Alternatives Immediate safety enhancements, traffic pattern changes, traffic calming Short-term minor intersection widening, pedestrian and bicycle improvements Long-term major intersection widening, major transit initiatives Assist City with SHA, County, M-NCPPC, and WMATA approval Preliminary Cost Estimates
Traffic Signal Level Of Service STOPPED DELAY PER VEHICLE < 10 SECONDS STOPPED DELAY PER VEHICLE > 10 20 SECONDS STOPPED DELAY PER VEHICLE > 20 35 SECONDS STOPPED DELAY PER VEHICLE > 35 55 SECONDS STOPPED DELAY PER VEHICLE > 55 80 SECONDS STOPPED DELAY PER VEHICLE > 80 SECONDS
Existing Level of Service
Existing Transportation Networks - Findings The City is responsible for over 20 miles of public roadways, sidewalks and trails. The City is bisected by five State Highways US 1, US 1 Alt, MD 208, MD 410 and MD 500 and two County roadways (Adelphi Road and Ager Road) which include over 20 traffic signals. Public transit options within the City include two Metrorail stations (West Hyattsville and Prince George s Plaza), a dozen WMATA Metrobus routes, four County The Bus routes and one U of MD Shuttle. Recreational trails include the Northwest Branch Stream Valley Trail and the planned Rhode Island Avenue Trolley Trail.
Existing Traffic Volumes - Findings Weekday commuter peak hour and Saturday peak hour traffic data (vehicle, pedestrian and bicycle) was obtained for 57 intersections 48-hour traffic data (volumes, vehicle classifications and vehicles speeds) was obtained at 23 locations Over 150,000 vehicles per day enter and exit the City along the major State and County roadways. High pedestrian volumes (greater than 100 persons per hour entering the intersection) were noted along Adelphi Road near the University of Maryland, and near the two Metro stations along Hamilton Street, Belcrest Road, and MD 410. Moderate bicycle volumes (greater than 10 bicycles per hour entering the intersection) were noted along Wells Parkway, 31st Avenue, and Lancer Drive. Notable traffic generators within the City include public and private schools (St. Matthews, St. Jeromes, DeMatha, Hyattsville Elementary and Middle, Concordia, Orem Middle, Northwestern High), recreational parks (Magruder, Melrose, Kirkwood, Heurich, University Hills), government buildings (County Courthouse), commercial centers (Prince George s Plaza, Queens Chapel Town Center and Commercial Route 1), and the two Metro stations.
Existing Traffic Operations - Findings Two signalized intersections adjacent to the City border currently operate at a level of service F in at least one peak hour: US 1 at MD 410, and Adelphi Road at Campus Drive. Several side streets controlled by a stop sign experience failing operations when accessing the major roadway during at least one peak hour along Ager Road (Nicholson, Lancer), Queens Chapel Road (Lancer, Longfellow, Jefferson, Madison, Manorwood, Nicholson, Oglethorpe and Oliver), MD 410 (Editors Park), Adelphi Road (Stanford), US 1 Alt (Armentrout) and Hamilton (31st)
Public Comments on Existing Conditions Bicycle Access improve bicycle facilities and crossing of major roadways such as NW Branch Trail at 38th and MD 500. Pedestrian Access improved signal timing to accommodate pedestrian crossing along Adelphi Road, Queens Chapel, install missing sidewalk links along 38th Avenue, East West Highway, improve pedestrian amenities along Ager and Belcrest to access Metro stations. Parking restrict parking full-time along US 1 between Queensbury and US 1 Alt.
Public Comments on Existing Conditions Traffic Operations congestion along Queensbury at Queens Chapel, Queensbury at US 1, signal timing concerns along US 1. Traffic Calming cut through traffic along Lancer Drive, Oliver Street and 43rd Avenue, revise access restriction on Queensbury. Traffic Safety speeding concerns along 43rd Avenue, Hamilton, Ager and Queens Chapel, Belcrest, improve safety for school children to walk to Hyattsville Elementary. Transit Access upgrade amenities (benches, shelters) for high-volume bus stops at 42nd Ave, Hamilton (3000 block), Toledo Terrace, consider local City shuttle service to connect high-rise residential, major retail and Metro stations.
Public Comments on Existing Conditions
Stakeholder Outreach Residents of Hyattsville, Bicycle and Pedestrian Safety Committee City of Hyattsville DPW, Community Development, Police, Mayor and Council Maryland State Highway Administration Prince George s County DPW&T Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Washington Metropolitan Area Transportation Authority Private Developers
Estimating Future Traffic Trip Generation is the most critical aspect of assessing traffic impact Several factors can reduce the number of new personal vehicular trips generated by a development: Availability of alternative modes of transportation i.e. sidewalks, bicycle facilities, public transportation Pass-by traffic i.e. personal vehicles already on the roadway network making a new stop at a proposed development
Estimating Future Traffic Pass-by traffic (con t) Internal Trips traffic originated and destined for uses within the same development Example Office building to restaurant Usually applies to mixeduse development All of these factors were applied to adjust traffic projections in Hyattsville
External Development and Regional Growth Cafritz Property Town of Riverdale Fort Totten Redevelopment Wasington D.C. (the Dakotas, Cafritz) University of Maryland East Campus Greenbelt Metro Station TOD Mt. Rainer Town Center Major roadways (US 1, MD 410, MD 500, MD 208, US 1 Alt) are sensitive to regional growth in existing through traffic volumes Average 20% to 30% increase in through traffic on US 1, US 1 Alt, MD 500, MD 410 and MD 208 (growth rate provided by SHA Travel Forecasting Division)
Estimating Future Traffic Year 2035 is the study horizon year to be consistent with State and Regional Planning Models Total Potential Build-out within City of Hyattsville 250,000 SF Retail 25% of total new traffic 525,000 SF Office 30% of total new traffic 5,000 Residential units 45% of total new traffic 500 vehicle trips per peak hour by individual land use= 1,500 residential units 400,000 SF Office Building 100,000 SF Retail Source Institute of Transportation Engineers Trip Generation Handbook, 8 th Edition and M-NCPPC
Estimating Future Traffic Total New Peak Hour Vehicle Trips Forecasted in Hyattsville by Major Development West Hyattsville Commons* 940 AM, 1224 PM EYA 254 AM, 428 PM Belcrest Center/ Landy 1376 AM,1846 PM University Town Center** 70 AM, 235 PM WSSC Building 153 AM, 142 PM GRAND TOTAL 2,800 AM, 3,875 PM*** * Based on 2008 West Hyattsville Commons Traffic Impact Study, does not include maximum buildout of 3,600 residential units and 1,000,000 SF office/ commercial **New Hotel at East-West and Belcrest ***Includes new County Elementary School on Nicholson Street with access via Editors Park Drive and 26 Single Family homes north of St. Marks Church on Adelphi Road
Development Locations
Distribution of Traffic
Existing Level of Service
Future No Improvements Level of Service
Approach to Developing Improvements Sensitive to limited capital budgets Integrated, comprehensive, systems-level multi-modal focus Focus on other modes first Safety improvements for pedestrians (signal timing, curb and median extensions) Bicycle connections (lanes, trails, cycle tracks) Transit enhancements (e.g. bus shelters) Transportation Demand Management and Parking Maximize efficiency of existing curb-to-curb width Lane configuration/ turn lanes Parking restrictions New traffic signals or roundabouts Optimized signal phasing and timing Access controls Roadway extensions to complete grid
One-Way vs. Two-Way Traffic Flow and a Grid Network Current best practice is to maximize use of grid street network over one-way circulation or cul-de-sac Improvements to State routes, and improving access to State routes, will be a focus to keep traffic out of neighborhood streets One-way streets maximize traffic flow and speed, which is not a goal for a residential street One-way streets create additional travel to reach destination Two-way streets diffuse overall traffic volume and speed Two-way streets conform with driver, pedestrian and bicyclist expectancy Two-way streets provide most direct access Recommendations do not preclude following City s Traffic Calming request protocol for chicanes, chokers, etc.
Short-Term Recommendations 1) Develop and Implement a Safe Route to School for Hyattsville Elementary to enhance safety for parents and children walking to school. Specific recommendations will be included for four major high-priority pedestrian corridors and three major high-priority bicycle corridors as noted in the 2008 Pedestrian and Bicycle Master Plan 42nd Avenue, 41st Avenue, Nicholson Street and Jefferson Street. NOW UNDERWAY! 2) Install Speed Cameras to increase compliance with posted speed limits in school zones along: -US 1 (St. Jerome s, Hyattsville Elem., DeMatha) -MD 410 (Nicholas Orem, Concordia) -42nd Avenue (Hyattsville Middle) -Adelphi Rd (Northwestern High) and -Ager Road at Nicholson (Rosa Parks Elem.)
Short-Term Recommendations 3) Install New Bicycle/ Pedestrian-Actuated Traffic Signals at Northwest Branch Trail crossings, pending results of SHA traffic study, to enhance major pedestrian/ bicycle trail crossings MD 208/ 38th Avenue south of Gaines Alley MD 500/ Queens Chapel south of Jamestown Road 4) Install new sidewalks along 38th Avenue between Hamilton and 38th Avenue Park/ City line and missing links along Hamilton Street between 38th Avenue and Queens Chapel to improve pedestrian access and safety. Include bicycle lane markings as part of the sidewalk improvements. 38 th Avenue project to be constructed spring and summer 2010
Short-Term Recommendations 5) Work with WMATA and County to upgrade high-volume bus stops with benches and shelters along the following major bus corridors: Hamilton St/ 38th Avenue to improve access to transit East-West Highway at Toledo Terrace 6) Work with SHA to finalize design of Queens Chapel Road streetscaping (median) project to identify final access controls between Belcrest Road and Hamilton Street.
Short-Term Recommendations 7) Work with SHA to review signal phasing and signal timing adjustments at the following locations Queens Chapel Road at Queensbury Road/ Belcrest Road US 1 from US 1 Alternate to East-West Highway 8) Lift access restrictions during the AM peak hours to improve traffic flow Eastbound Queensbury Road Oliver Street west of 43rd Avenue 9) Install access restrictions (No Left or Right Turns) along Lancer Drive east of Queens Chapel to discourage cut-through traffic
Short-Term Recommendations 10) Improve key pedestrian crossings of major arterials Adelphi Road at Wells Parkway (County Intersection) Ager Road at Nicholson Street East-West Highway at Queens Chapel Road (SHA) Queens Chapel Road at Queensbury Road (SHA) 11) Begin long-term planning with Univ. Park, Mt. Rainer, WMATA, etc. for a public, private or jointly operated circulator bus service to connect major activity centers such as EYA, UTC, Hamilton Street, West Hyattsville Metro and Prince George s Plaza Metro 12) Develop proposed cross-sections, signing and marking for implementation of key bicycle corridor connections (shared lanes, painted lanes, shoulder use, etc.) Adelphi Rd and 40th St/ Sheridan St (University Park) Rhode Island Avenue Trolley Trail (US 1) Ager Road Queens Chapel Rd and/ or Jamestown Rd
Long-Term Recommendations 1) Intersection Improvements a) Toledo Terrace at Belcrest - realign east leg of Toledo Road, extend America Blvd as part of Belcrest Center development, implement left-turn phasing b) Queens Chapel at Belcrest/ Queensbury - Restrict all left-turns EB-WB - Provide 2 nd NB left, 2 nd EB Right c) Ager Road and Lancer Dr Install New Traffic Signal d) Ager Road at Nicholson St Install New Traffic Signal e) Extend Hamilton Street to Chillum Road f) Queens Chapel at Nicholson Street Install New Traffic Signal (as part of SHA streetscape improvemnts) g) Queens Chapel Road from Chillum to Ager - re-stripe for 3 rd NB through lane h) Belcrest Road at Adelphi Road provide SB right-turn lane from Van Buren Street to Belcrest i) US 1 Alternate at Armentrout Drive - install roundabout control
Long-Term Recommendations 1) Intersection Improvements continued j) MD 410 at MD 500 - implement SHA planned 3 rd WB through lane - convert EB right to 3 rd EB through/ right lane - provide 2 nd NB right-turn lane under signal control k) US 1 at MD 410 (SHA/ Riverdale Park) - implement reversible lane to provide 3 rd EB through lane over CSX - new signal at MD 410/ 44 th Place, create quadrant intersection to divert EB and WB left-turns and NB left-turns from US 1/ MD 410 l) MD 410 at Toledo Terrace - widen to provide SB right turn lane - revise EB lanes to provide right-through, through and double left-turn
Long-Term Recommendations 2) Parking and Transportation Demand Management Strong need to manage future trips goal = 20% additional trips managed - Shift trips to another mode - Shift trips to another time (outside of peak hour) - Shift trips to another route - Trips not made Over 7,750 projected parking space demand at current zoning levels with TDOZ buildout. Municipal and/ or WMATA owned parking garage with shared parking, car shares, and parking fee surcharges to support jointly operated circulator shuttle Create a Transportation Management Association with City, County, Hyattsville Business and Professional Association and developers to manage TDM programs (transit passes, car shares, bicycle rentals, etc.) and monitor progress
Preliminary Cost Estimates Improvement Priority Funding Partners Cost Range Safe Routes to School Hyattsville Elementary Pedestrian and Bicycle Corridors Short-Term State and Federal Grants, City funds $250,000 (TBD in further study) Speed Cameras on US 1, 42 nd, Ager and MD 410 Short-Term City and Vendor New Signals at NW Branch Trail Crossing Short-Term City and State $150,000 each New Sidewalks along 38 th Avenue and Hamilton Street (including drainage improvements) Short-Term City $150,000 Upgrade bus stops with benches and shelters Short-Term City and WMATA $50,000 each Queens Chapel Road Streetscape Long-Term City and SHA $500,000 design and $7,000,000 construction Signing and Pavement Marking Upgrades (Access Restrictions) Pedestrian Crossing Improvements (new x-walks, ADA ramps, median, curb extensions) Short-Term City $50,000 Short-Term City and County $100,000 each Circulator Shuttle Service Long-Term County, WMATA, Private Developers $500,000 capital and $750,000 annual operating Bicycle Corridor Implementations (minor geometry, signing, marking) Short-Term City and County $50,000 per corridor including sign fabrication Intersection Improvement major geometry Long-Term City and Private Developers $2,500,000 each Upgraded or New Traffic Signals Short-Term City and Private Developers $150,000 each
Future No Improvements Level of Service
Future Level of Service with Improvements
Next Steps Concept plans and cost estimates for preferred alternatives Coordination with stakeholder agencies Safe Routes to School Study Final Report
Questions and Next Steps