HomeMy Public PortalAbout20190621 File_ MDSD Traffic Flow Analysis ReportPAYETTE LAKES MIDDLE SCHOOL
&
BARBARA MORGAN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
DRAFT TRAFFIC FLOW ANALYSIS
JUNE 21, 2019
Prepared By:
Paragon Consulting, Inc.
157 W. 4th Street
Kuna, Idaho 83634
PAYETTE LAKES MIDDLE SCHOOL
&
BARBARA MORGAN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
TRAFFIC FLOW ANALYSIS
COMPLETED FOR THE
McCall-Donnelly School District
June 21, 2019
ENGINEER: OWNER:
PARAGON CONSULTING, INC. MCCALL-DONNELLY SCHOOL DISTRICT
157 W. 4TH STREET 120 IDAHO STREET
KUNA, IDAHO 83634 MCCALL, IDAHO 83638
Telephone: (208) 922-9138 Telephone: (208) 634-2161
DRAFT
Payette Lakes Middle School & Barbara Morgan Elementary School
Traffic Flow Analysis Page i
PAYETTE LAKES MIDDLE SCHOOL
&
BARBARA MORGAN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
TRAFFIC FLOW ANALYSIS
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1.0 Executive Summary....................................................................................1
2.0 Introduction.................................................................................................2
3.0 Existing Conditions.....................................................................................3
3.1 School Enrollment & Capacities .............................................................3
3.2 Existing Traffic .......................................................................................3
3.3 Existing Traffic Flow ..............................................................................5
Exhibit 1 - “Existing Campus Traffic Flow”............................................6
3.4 Public Survey...........................................................................................7
3.5 Summary of Existing Conditions & Concerns........................................9
Exhibit 2 - “Existing Condition and Identified Issues”..........................10
4.0 Traffic Flow Alternatives.........................................................................11
4.1 Reverse Traffic Flow Options...............................................................11
Exhibit 3 - “Reverse Traffic Flow Options Map” ..................................12
4.2 Separate Bus Traffic Options ...............................................................13
Exhibit 4 - “Separate Bus Traffic Options Map”...................................14
4.3 Selected Alternative..............................................................................15
Exhibit 5 - “Selected Alternative Map” .................................................16
5.0 Implementation .........................................................................................17
5.1 2019 – 2020 School Year Changes.......................................................17
Exhibit 6 - “2019-2020 School Year Changes Map” ............................18
5.2 2020 – 2021 School Year Changes.......................................................19
Exhibit 7 - “2020-2021 School Year Changes Map” ............................20
6.0 Conclusions...............................................................................................21
Appendix A: Public Survey & Comment Form
Appendix B: Transcription of Written Comments from the Parent Survey
Forms
Payette Lakes Middle School & Barbara Morgan Elementary School
Traffic Flow Analysis Page 1
1.0 Executive Summary
The McCall-Donnelly School District administration and staff recognize the traffic flow
problems that occur during the a.m. student drop-off and p.m. student pick-up times at
the Payette Lakes Middle School and the Barbara Morgan Elementary School. These
schools share a common campus with limited access via an entrance at the intersection
of E Deinhard Lane and Spring Mountain Boulevard and two exits to Spring Mountain
Boulevard.
Through consultation with school administration, school staff and Harlow’s Bus Service,
many areas of concern were identified regarding the school campus traffic flow.
Additionally, a parent survey was disseminated through the Middle School and
Elementary School to gather parent concerns.
Multiple options for modifying the campus traffic flow were considered along with
numerous construction alternatives for improving parking and traffic circulation. Upon
review of the options with school administration, school staff and Harlow’s Bus Service,
a two-phase implementation plan was identified. The first phase will implement minor
improvements to the campus bus routing and the Barbara Morgan Elementary School
drop-off and pick-up procedures. This phase can be implemented over the summer of
2019, for the 2019-2020 school year.
The second phase will be implemented through a construction project that is designed
and permitted over the 2019-2020 school year and constructed during the 2020
summer break. This phase of the traffic flow improvements will add parking at the
Barbara Morgan Elementary School, add a new entrance to the Payette Lakes Middle
School, improve traffic flow to the Elementary School, separate most bus traffic from
vehicular traffic and include other complementary construction improvements.
Payette Lakes Middle School & Barbara Morgan Elementary School
Traffic Flow Analysis Page 2
2.0 Introduction
The Payette Lakes Middle School and the Barbara Morgan Elementary School were
developed on the same campus, just east of the E Deinhard Lane and Spring Mountain
Boulevard intersection. The combination of two schools on the same site, limited school
site access and the high percentage of student drop-off and pick-up has resulted in
significant on-site congestion. This on-site congestion occasionally backs up onto the
local streets, resulting in additional delay to road users who are not associated with the
school traffic.
The McCall-Donnelly School District is seeking feasible options to reduce on-site
congestion and traffic backup onto the public roadways. Improvement options should
make best use of the existing infrastructure (internal roadways, parking areas and
pedestrian facilities) and identify feasible construction projects to enhance onsite traffic
mobility and drop-off and pick-up procedures.
This report outlines the existing conditions, identifies areas where traffic flow
improvements are necessary, reviews improvement options and discusses
implementation of the identified improvements.
Payette Lakes Middle School & Barbara Morgan Elementary School
Traffic Flow Analysis Page 3
3.0 Existing Conditions
The existing conditions at the Payette Lakes Middle School and the Barbara Morgan
Elementary School are analyzed to provide an understanding of what significant
elements are impacting traffic flow on the school campus.
Significant information related to the existing school enrollment, existing traffic volumes
and existing traffic flow patterns are discussed in the following Sections 3.1 through
3.3. Additionally, Section 3.4 provides information gathered from parent surveys at both
the Elementary School and Middle School.
3.1 School Enrollment & Capacities
The Payette Lakes Middle School was initially constructed on the school campus and
opened in 1996. The Middle School is currently at or near capacity with 315 students.
The Barbara Morgan Elementary School was added to the school campus in 2007. The
current enrollment at the Elementary School is 412 students. Capacity at the
Elementary School is estimated at 450 students.
Therefore, the total campus student capacity is approximately 765 students and the
current total enrollment is 727 students. The campus is at approximately 95% capacity.
The McCall-Donnelly School District currently has no plans to construct additional
student capacity infrastructure on the campus. Therefore, we can expect campus traffic
to increase by approximately 5% as the campus reaches full capacity.
3.2 Existing Traffic
Traffic counts were taken on Monday, April 15, 2019. The counts were taken during the
peak traffic for the morning drop-off and afternoon pick-up.
The weather during the traffic count was cloudy with some rain. The roadways were
wet but no snow or ice was present on the pavement which could impact traffic flow.
The roadways had been cleared of snow over the winter and piles of snow were still
present along the roadway edges, causing slight narrowing of the lanes on the school
access roadways. This slight narrowing of the lanes on the school site was not
significant enough to cause traffic flow issues.
The morning drop-off traffic count revealed the a.m. peak hour of traffic was from 7:15
a.m. to 8:15 a.m. with the peak 15 minutes occurring between 7:45 a.m. and 8:00 a.m.
No significant traffic congestion was observed on the morning of the traffic count.
The afternoon pick-up traffic count revealed the p.m. peak hour of traffic was from
2:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. with the peak 15 minutes occurring between 3:00 p.m. and 3:15
p.m. As with the a.m. traffic count, no significant traffic congestion was observed on the
afternoon of the traffic count.
A summary of the a.m. and p.m. peak hour traffic counts collected on April 15, 2019 is
presented below, in Figure 3.1.
Payette Lakes Middle School & Barbara Morgan Elementary School
Traffic Flow Analysis Page 4
Figure 3.1 - Existing a.m. and p.m. Peak Hour School Traffic (4/15/2019)
Traffic Count Analysis – Each of the school campus approach intersections were
analyzed using the Highway Capacity Software. For these evaluations the traffic counts
presented in Figure 3.1 were increased by 10 percent. This 10 percent increase
accommodates full student capacity on the school campus plus moderate local traffic
increases.
Under normal operating conditions, each of the school campus intersection operates at
acceptable levels with individual vehicle delays less than 20 seconds and Level of
Services of “C” or better. Level of Service (LOS) ranges from LOA “A” being the best
to LOS “F” representing failing traffic conditions. Additionally, the intersection analyses
indicate that up to five vehicles may be stacked at the eastbound stop controlled
Deinhard Lane approach to Spring Mountain Boulevard. The five-vehicle stacking is
consistent with what was witnessed during the traffic count on April 15, 2019.
Payette Lakes Middle School & Barbara Morgan Elementary School
Traffic Flow Analysis Page 5
Based on the intersection analyses and traffic observations on April 15, 2019, it is
apparent that factors outside the school approach intersections influence traffic backup
at the intersections. School administration and staff indicated that traffic has been
backed up at the E Deinhard Lane and Spring Mountain Boulevard intersection as far
west as the Les Schwab building (approximately 2,000 feet west of the school
entrance). School administration and staff also indicated that heavy snow and/or ice and
left turns into the Middle School parking area significantly exacerbate the traffic backup
at the school entrance and exit intersections.
3.3 Existing Traffic Flow
All school traffic, including bus traffic, for the Payette Lakes Middle School and the
Barbara Morgan Elementary School must currently enter the school campus from the E
Deinhard Lane and Spring Mountain Boulevard intersection. Once on the school campus,
vehicles may proceed straight along the school access road to the Elementary School or
make a left turn into the Middle School parking lot.
During student drop-off and pick-up at the Payette Lakes Middle School, parents stage
along the parking isle on the east side of the Middle School parking lot. Often vehicles
stage side-by-side in this area making it difficult to see children walking between
vehicles. Additionally, school administration and staff indicated that the Middle School
vehicle staging can backup into the Elementary School access road, causing significant
traffic congestion. Upon completion of business at the Middle School, vehicles may exit
the campus at either the south or north exits to Spring Mountain Boulevard.
Alternatively, vehicles may exit the Middle School at the south end of the parking lot
and make a left turn to proceed to the Elementary School.
During student drop-off and pick-up at the Barbara Morgan Elementary School, parents
stage along the curb in front of the school and in the parking stalls on the south side of
the school. The vehicle staging line typically backs up around the traffic circle, through
the parking lot and down the hill towards the Middle School. This staging line can be
problematic in the winter because of vehicles stopping/staging on the hill up to the
Elementary School. Upon completion of business at the Elementary School, vehicles
may exit to the Middle School parking lot or exit via the south campus exit to Spring
Mountain Boulevard.
Bus traffic on the campus is currently mixed with the vehicular traffic. Six buses
proceed to the Elementary School where they stage adjacent to the parking stalls on the
west side of the school. Three buses proceed directly to the backside (northeast side)
of the Middle School. Following release of the Elementary School students in the
afternoon, the six buses staged at the Elementary School proceed to the backside of the
Middle School where some students must change buses prior to departing the campus.
Upon completion of business on the school campus, buses exit at the north campus exit
to Spring Mountain Boulevard.
Exhibit 1, on the next page, shows the current campus traffic flow and staging areas
graphically.
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LEGENDBus RouteBus Staging/Loading
Drop-Off/Pick-Up RouteParent Staging/Loading
Entrance for Barbara
Morgan Elementary
School, Payette Lakes
Middle Schools and bus
traffic
Exit for both Payette
Lakes Middle School and
bus traffic
Exit for both Barbara
Morgan Elementary and
Payette Lakes Middle
Schools
Staging and loading area
for Payette Lakes Middle
School
Staging and loading area
for Barbara Morgan
Elementary School
Bus staging and loading
area for Payette Lakes
Middle School
Bus staging and loading
area for Barbara Morgan
Elementary School
Payette Lakes Middle School & Barbara Morgan Elementary School
Traffic Flow Analysis Page 7
3.4 Public Survey
A public survey was developed to collect statistical data and assist with identifying
school campus traffic flow issues as perceived by the parents. A copy of the public
survey form is included in Appendix A.
The public survey form was converted to an online survey and distributed to the Middle
School parents. Approximately 100 surveys were completed through the Middle School
survey effort.
A paper copy of the public survey form was sent home with the Elementary School
students. Approximately 80 surveys were completed and returned through the
Elementary School survey effort.
Statistical data collected through the survey included the following information:
Student enrollment at the Elementary School and Middle School
How students currently arrive at the school
How students currently depart from the school
How long do parents wait in the drop-off and pick-up lines
Where do parents currently drop-off their student
Why are students being dropped off and picked up rather than riding the bus
Data from the Payette Lakes Middle School (PLMS) and Barbara Morgan Elementary School
(BMES) surveys are compiled into a single set of data. The following charts represent the
results of the statistical data collected from the surveys:
Figure 3.2 – Summary of Public Survey Data
Payette Lakes Middle School & Barbara Morgan Elementary School
Traffic Flow Analysis Page 8
Figure 3.2 – Summary of Public Survey Data (continued)
Payette Lakes Middle School & Barbara Morgan Elementary School
Traffic Flow Analysis Page 9
In addition to the statistical data presented above, the survey forms presented to the
Middle School and Elementary School parents included an opportunity to provided
written comments to address the following:
What are your current concerns with regard to the student drop-off and pick-up
procedures at these schools?
Please provide additional comments related to parking and traffic flow at the
Barbara Morgan Elementary and Payette Lakes Middle Schools.
Over 200 written responses were received related to the above survey items. A complete
transcript of the written comments received is included in Appendix B.
3.5 Summary of Existing Conditions & Concerns
Through review of the public survey comments and consultation with school
administration and staff, numerous concerns and issues were identified relative to the
current traffic flow at the Payette Lakes Middle School and the Barbara Morgan
Elementary School. Some of the most significant concerns/issues are as follows:
Bus and vehicular traffic should be separated where possible
Afternoon bus staging at the Elementary School blocks parking
Left turn movements at the Middle School parking lot entrance cause congestion
Winter road conditions increase congestion on the school campus
Vehicles stopping or staging on the hills for student drop-off and pick-up causes
issues during winter road conditions
The Middle School drop-off and pick-up line can extend into the road to the
Elementary School, causing a traffic jam
Additional parking is needed at the Elementary School
The percentage of students being dropped off or picked up is considerably higher
than the existing facilities were originally designed for
Vehicles beginning to stage for afternoon pick-up at the Elementary School
Exhibit 2, on the following page, provides a graphical summary of the existing
conditions and identified concerns.
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- Middle School morning bell at 8:15
- Middle School release bell at 3:05
- Middle School current enrollment = 315 students
- Middle School capacity = 315 students
- Elementary School morning bell at 8:05
- Elementary School release bell at 3:00
- Elementary School current enrollment = 412 students
- Elementary School capacity = 450 students
Eight out of nine buses
exit left here
Issues Identified Through Site Observations, Public Survey and by Staff
- Bus and vehicular traffic should be separated
- More sidewalks/pathways are needed to keep walkers & bikers out of the traffic lanes
- Safety concerns with children walking between cars to get to parents out in the parking lots
- Parents do not pull to the front of the pick-up or drop-off line
- Afternoon pick-up is generally more congested than morning drop-off
- Winter ice and ruts cause issues with two way traffic
- School schedules should accommodate dropping off at the Barbara Morgan Elementary School (BMES) first and then the Payette Lakes Middle School (PLMS)
Existing PLMS Parking
= 125 Stalls
Existing BMES Parking
= 91 Stalls
Left turn stacking on
Spring Mountain causes
backup on the exit road
Additional parking is
needed at the elementary
school
Stopping and staging on
the hill causes issues in
the winter
Vehicles stage double file
causing safety issues and
blocking vehicles in
Left turns in and out of
middle school parking lot
cause traffic congestion
and vehicles stopped on
the hill which is an issue
in the winter
Middle school staging line
can impede the elementary
school access road
Afternoon buses stage
two wide in this area,
blocking the parking stalls
Afternoon parking spills back
past the elementary school
access road
Stopping on the
hill causes issues
in the winter
Parking here causes
issues with bus flow,
loading & unloading
Intersection configuration
does not accommodate
primary traffic flow to
Elementary School
Payette Lakes Middle School & Barbara Morgan Elementary School
Traffic Flow Analysis Page 11
4.0 Traffic Flow Alternatives
Multiple improvement alternatives were developed based on review of the existing
traffic flow and identified concerns/issues. No single option addresses all concerns and
issues on the school campus. Therefore, upon reviewing various alternatives and
solutions with school administration and staff, the most advantageous components of
each alternative were extracted to develop the final recommended alternative.
The following sections provide an overview of some of the improvement options that
were developed to address school campus traffic flow and drop-off and pick-up issues.
4.1 Reverse Traffic Flow Options
Reverse traffic flow options were based on the premise that if traffic flowed around the
Middle School and Elementary School in a clockwise direction then turn around
maneuvers would not be necessary to drop students off at the curb adjacent to the front
school entrances. The reverse traffic flow options also provided for one-way traffic
throughout most of the school campus.
Advantages to the reverse traffic flow options include the following:
Bus staging at the Elementary School could be accomplished in the north
playground area, eliminating the current situation where parking is blocked off
The potential for stopping and/or staging on the hill up to the Elementary School
is significantly reduced
The left turn conflicts at the current entrance to the Middle School parking lot
are eliminated
One-Way traffic is implemented on internal campus roadways
Significant disadvantages to the reverse flow options include:
Bus traffic and vehicular traffic are intermixed
Vehicular traffic flow proceeds through the bus loading and unloading area for
the Middle School
Vehicular traffic flow is in conflict with the Elementary School playground area
Bus traffic cannot proceed from the Elementary School directly to the Middle
School causing significant operational issues with getting students on the correct
bus in the afternoon
Exhibit 3, on the next page, shows a compilation of the reverse traffic flow options
graphically.
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LEGENDBus RouteBus Staging/LoadingDrop-Off/Pick-Up RouteNew Access Road & Parking AreasPavement markings
Separates vehicles from
student and bus area
(construct as two lanes
for pick-up line and
escape lane)
Exit line stacking could
impact flow here
May proceed to
elementary when exiting
middle school
Exiting traffic stopped
here may backup into
middle school staging
area when waiting for
elementary traffic to pass
Existing PLMS Parking
= 125 Stalls
Existing BMES Parking
= 91 Stalls
Modified BMES Parking
= 92 Stalls
Option here for a right-out
exit for middle school
Spring Mountain left turn
stacking not an issue for
right turn
One-Way traffic is better
in winter
Bus route does not return
to middle school
No staging buses in front
of parking stalls
Does not separate bus
and vehicular traffic
Double file may not
provide escape lane
(possibly separate
into pick-up and
escape lanes)
Pull through parking away
from student sidewalk
Passenger vehicles
through bus load/unload
area is problematic
Vehicles through the
playground area during
the day is an issue
Payette Lakes Middle School & Barbara Morgan Elementary School
Traffic Flow Analysis Page 13
4.2 Separate Bus Traffic Options
Under the current traffic circulation, school bus traffic uses the same entrance roadway
to the Middle School and the Elementary School as the parent and teacher vehicular
traffic. The bus arrival and departure schedules are often impacted by the intermixing
with the vehicular traffic. Schedule reliability is imperative to the bussing system,
particularly in maintaining confidence in the system, therefore increasing ridership and
helping reduce the overall traffic congestion at the school campus.
School administration and staff indicated that school buses are often slowed or stopped
on the entrance hill while waiting on vehicles to turn left into the Middle School. This
became significantly problematic when the roadways were snow covered and the bus
could not get moving again.
Considering the significance of intermixing the bus and vehicular traffic on the school
campus, multiple alternatives were evaluated to separate the buses from other traffic.
The foundation for these options includes turning the north school campus access roads
into a two-way bus access. The buses would enter and exit at the north access to
Spring Mountain Boulevard (currently a bus and vehicle exit point) and proceed through
the area behind the Middle School (between the school building and the football field) to
the north playground at the Elementary School.
Exhibit 4, on the next page, shows the basic layout of the separate bus traffic options.
Benefits of the bus separation options include:
Vehicular traffic is not traveling through the bus loading and unloading areas
creating unsafe conditions for students crossing traffic
Buses are not impeded by staging vehicles at the drop-off and pick-up areas
Increases bus schedule reliability
Buses are not staged where they block parking stalls at the Middle School
Disadvantages of separating the bus traffic from vehicular traffic include:
Eliminating the vehicular exit at the north school campus access road will
increase the traffic conflicts at the Middle School parking lot entrance from the
Elementary School access road
The drop-off and pick-up staging issue at the Elementary School are not
addressed without additional infrastructure construction
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LEGENDBus RouteBus Staging/LoadingDrop-Off/Pick-Up RouteNew Access Road & Parking AreasPavement markings
Separates bus and
vehicular traffic
No resolution for
additional parking needs
at the elementary school
Existing MS Parking
= 125 Stalls
Existing ES Parking
= 91 Stalls
No staging buses in front
of parking stalls
Increases turning conflicts
over existing condition
with no exit to north
Exit must be blocked for
middle school parking lot
Spring Mountain left turn
stacking is an increased
issue over existing
because of increase in
exiting vehicles here
No resolution for two way
traffic in winter or staging
on hillNo mitigation for staging
on hill in the winter
Payette Lakes Middle School & Barbara Morgan Elementary School
Traffic Flow Analysis Page 15
4.3 Selected Alternative
The multiple variations of the “Reverse Traffic Flow Options” and the “Separate Bus
Traffic Options” were reviewed with MDSD school administration, school staff and
Harlow’s Bus Service. Through this review process, beneficial elements of each option
were identified as well as some undesirable option features. Then, the beneficial
elements were extracted and compiled into an alternative selected for implementation.
Significant features of the selected alternative include:
Widening the north school campus exit to accommodate two-way traffic into and
out of the Middle School parking lot
Constructing a physical barrier to restrict left turn movements at the Middle
School parking lot approach to the Elementary School access road
Modifying the intersection of the Elementary School access road with the Middle
School rear parking lot access to enhance traffic flow to the Elementary school
rather than to the back side of the Middle School
Construct additional parking and drive isle at the Elementary School
Modify the bus access route and Elementary School staging location
Modify the handicap parking area at the Middle school and increase the student
staging area for drop-off and pick-up
Extracting the beneficial features from the reviewed options will provide some mitigation to
many of the identified issues and concerns, as follows:
Bus and vehicular traffic are separated where possible, with only the Middle
School entrance road having mixed traffic
Afternoon bus staging at the Elementary School is relocated to the north
playground area and will no longer block the parking area on the west side of the
Elementary School
Left turn movements at the Middle School parking lot connection to the
Elementary School access road are eliminated
The frequency of stopping or staging on hills during winter road conditions will
be reduced
The Middle School drop-off and pick-up area is expanded to increase efficiency
Additional parking is added at the Elementary School
Exhibit 5, on the next page, shows the improvement areas for the selected alternative.
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LEGENDBus RouteBus Staging/LoadingDrop-Off/Pick-Up RouteNew Access Road & Parking AreasPavement markings
Exit line stacking could
impact flow here
Must exit to Spring
Mountain to proceed to
elementary school
Provides 23 additional parking
stalls over existing and
additional staging area
Existing PLMS Parking
= 125 Stalls
Modified PLMS Parking
= 112 stalls
Existing BMES Parking
= 91 Stalls
Modified BMES Parking
= 114 Stalls
No staging buses in front
of parking stalls
No resolution for two way
traffic in winter
Modified intersection
configuration to
accommodate primary traffic
flow to Elementary School
No left turns in or out of
middle school parking lot
to cause traffic
congestion and vehicles
stopped on the hill
Expanded student staging
area and staged vehicles
do not block handicap
parking
Separates bus and
vehicular traffic in staging
and loading areas
Payette Lakes Middle School & Barbara Morgan Elementary School
Traffic Flow Analysis Page 17
5.0 Implementation
Considering the survey, design, permitting and bidding time required to implement the
significant construction features of the selected alternative, implementation is broken
into two phases. The first phase will implement minor improvements achievable through
changes to the pavement markings and procedural/operational changes. This phase can
be implemented over the summer of 2019, for the 2019-2020 school year.
The second phase will implement design and construction of significant hard surface
improvements (curbing, sidewalks, parking areas, drive isles, etc.). This phase will be
designed and permitted over the 2019-2020 school year and constructed during the
2020 summer break.
The following sections provide an overview of the implementation phases for the traffic
flow improvements at the Payette Lakes Middle School and the Barbara Morgan
Elementary School campus.
5.1 2019 – 2020 School Year Changes
With only a few summer months before the 2019-2020 school year, implementing phase
one traffic flow changes at the Payette Lakes Middle School and the Barbara Morgan
Elementary School campus must be achievable without significant design and
construction activities. Therefore, changes proposed for the first phase are primarily
procedural/operational changes along with changes that can be accomplished with minor
modifications to the pavement markings.
Significant elements of the 2019-2020 school year implementation include:
Modify the afternoon bus pick-up staging location at the Barbara Morgan
Elementary School to the north playground area
Modify the crosswalk pavement marking locations at the Barbara Morgan
Elementary School main parking area
Adjust the student loading/unloading area at the Barbara Morgan Elementary
School to the west of the school foyer
Develop & distribute a school drop-off and pick-up procedure flyer for the
Elementary School and Middle School parents
Construction costs of implementing phase one improvements are minimal considering School
District staff can implement the pavement marking changes with their summer maintenance
activities.
Exhibit 6, on the next page, provides a graphical representation of the 2019-2020 school
year changes.
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LEGENDAM Bus RouteAM Bus Staging/Loading
PM Bus Route AdditionPM Bus Staging/Loading
Drop-Off/Pick-Up RouteParent Staging/Loading
Relocate afternoon
pickup to back of school
to eliminate double
stacking buses and
blocking parking
Remove unused
crosswalk
Confine drop-off and
pick-up to this area
Develop a flyer for
drop-off and pick-up
procedures for distribution
to parents
Develop a flyer for
drop-off and pick-up
procedures for distribution
to parents
Payette Lakes Middle School & Barbara Morgan Elementary School
Traffic Flow Analysis Page 19
5.2 2020 – 2021 School Year Changes
Developing the phase 2 improvements will begin in July 2019 with survey and design
efforts. Improvements will then be bid out to contractors in the spring of 2020, with
construction over the 2020 summer to be ready for the 2020-2021 school year.
A breakdown of the phase 2 construction area improvements and conceptual
construction costs are included below:
Widen the north school campus exit to accommodate two-way traffic into and out
of the Middle School parking lot (Conceptual Cost = $145,000)
o Extend the existing drainage culvert
o Remove trees
o Construct roadway embankment
o Widen roadway base and pavement
o Relocate pedestrian & bike path adjacent to the widened roadway
o Install directional signing for the Middle School and Elementary School
entrances
Construct a physical barrier to restrict left turn movements at the Middle School
parking lot approach to the Elementary School access road (Conceptual Cost =
$25,000)
o Construct a median curb and tubular markers to separate entering and
exiting traffic
o Install supplemental signing
Modify the intersection of the Elementary School access road with the Middle
School rear parking lot access to enhance traffic flow to the Elementary School
rather than to the back side of the Middle School (Conceptual Cost = $165,000)
o Extend and/or modify existing drainage culverts
o Construct new intersection pavement and base
o Modify existing walking paths to fit new intersection layout
o Install appropriate signing
Construct additional parking and drive isle at the Elementary School (Conceptual
Cost = $165,000)
o Remove trees
o Construct new pavement and base for the parking and drive isle areas
o Install new pavement markings and appropriate signing
o Construct sidewalks to new parking area
Modify the handicap parking area at the Middle school and increase the student
staging area for drop-off and pick-up (Conceptual Cost = $45,000)
o Construct new ADA pedestrian ramps to the school entrance
o Modify pavement markings to include new handicap accessible parking
stalls
o Construct new sidewalk over the old handicap parking stalls
The total conceptual construction cost of the phase 2 improvements is $545,000.
Exhibit 7, on the next page, shows the phase 2 construction and operational changes on the
Middle School and Elementary School campus.
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LEGENDBus RouteBus Staging/LoadingDrop-Off/Pick-Up RouteNew Access Road & Parking AreasPavement markings
Construct a physical
median barrier to prevent
left turns at the PLMS
approach
Reconstruct intersection
to promote traffic flow to
BMES
Construct additional
parking and staging area
and connecting sidewalk
Modify the bus routing
and move morning and
afternoon bus drop-off
and pick-up to the rear of
the school
Relocate handicap
parking and construct
additional student staging
sidewalk area
Construct new handicap
ramp for relocated
handicap parking and
mark crosswalk
Widen existing roadway
to accommodate two-way
traffic and the
bike/pedestrian path
Adjust parking to
accommodate new traffic
direction
Payette Lakes Middle School & Barbara Morgan Elementary School
Traffic Flow Analysis Page 21
6.0 Conclusions
The McCall-Donnelly School District is seeking ways to mitigate the traffic flow
problems that occur during the a.m. student drop-off and p.m. student pick-up times at
the Payette Lakes Middle School and the Barbara Morgan Elementary School. These
schools are currently accessed via an entrance at the intersection of E Deinhard Lane
and Spring Mountain Boulevard. Furthermore, the school campus currently has two
vehicle exits to Spring Mountain Boulevard.
Following a public survey and identification of School District concerns, multiple options
for new infrastructure and on-campus traffic patterns were developed and reviewed
with school administration, school staff and Harlow’s Bus Service. These efforts
resulted in a two-phase implementation strategy to address some of the major problems
identified with the current traffic flow on the school campus.
The first phase will implement minor improvements to the campus bus routing and the
Barbara Morgan Elementary School drop-off and pick-up procedures. This phase will
be implemented over the summer of 2019, for the 2019-2020 school year and will
include:
Modifying the afternoon bus pick-up staging location at the Barbara Morgan
Elementary School to the north playground area
Modifying the crosswalk pavement marking locations at the Barbara Morgan
Elementary School main parking area
Adjusting the student loading/unloading area at the Barbara Morgan Elementary
School to the west of the school foyer
Developing & distributing a school drop-off and pick-up procedure flyer for the
Elementary School and Middle School parents
The second phase will be implemented through a construction project that is designed
and permitted over the 2019-2020 school year and constructed during the 2020
summer break. This phase will include the following:
Widening the north school campus exit to accommodate two-way traffic into and
out of the Middle School parking lot
Constructing a physical barrier to restrict left turn movements at the Middle
School parking lot approach to the Elementary School access road
Modifying the intersection of the Elementary School access road with the Middle
School rear parking lot access to enhance traffic flow to the Elementary School
rather than to the back side of the Middle School
Constructing additional parking and drive isle at the Elementary School
Modifying the handicap parking area at the Middle school and increasing the
student staging area for drop-off and pick-up
The selected alternatives contained in this report provide a budget conscious approach
to alleviate some of the traffic flow concerns at the Payette Lakes Middle School and
the Barbara Morgan Elementary School.
Appendix A
Parent Survey & Comment Form
Page 1
PARENT SURVEY & COMMENT FORM
BARBARA MORGAN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL &
PAYETTE LAKES MIDDLE SCHOOL
TRAFFIC FLOW 2019
The McCall-Donnelly School District and Paragon Consulting are currently evaluating the
traffic flow, student drop-off and pick-up procedures, parking areas and access roads at the
Barbara Morgan Elementary and Payette Lakes Middle Schools. The purpose of this survey
and comment form is to gather important information pertaining to the current traffic
conditions at these schools. Please participate by completing the below survey and returning
it to your student’s teacher by April 26, 2019. We appreciate your assistance.
Please indicate your current student enrollment:
I have students enrolled at Barbara Morgan Elementary School
Grades (s)
I have students enrolled at Payette Lakes Middle School
Grades (s)
How do your children currently travel to school in the morning?
Walk or Bike School Bus
I drop my student(s) off Carpool with another student
How do your children currently travel from school in the afternoon?
Walk or Bike School Bus
I pick my student(s) up Carpool with another student
Approximately how long are you in the vehicle drop-off/pick-up line (from the time you enter
the line until you exit the school property)?
N/A (I don’t drop-off or pick-up)
Wait time in the morning
Wait time in the afternoon
Where do you currently drop-off and pick-up students?
N/A (I don’t drop-off or pick-up)
At the designated area identified by the school
Near the school so the student can walk the rest of the way
Other
Optional:
Parent Name ______________________________________________________________________________
Address ___________________________________________________________________________________
Student Name(s) __________________________________________________________________________
Page 2
Why do you choose to drop-off and/or pick-up your student(s) rather than use the
bussing system?
N/A (my student(s) walk, bike or ride the bus)
Safety concerns with the bussing system (accident concern, bullying concern, etc.)
It is more convenient to drop-off and/or pick-up
The bus ride is too long or the pick-up and/or drop-off time does not fit our schedule
The bus stop location is not convenient
Other
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
What are your current concerns with regard to the student drop-off and pick-up
procedures at these schools?
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
Please provide additional comments related to parking and traffic flow at the Barbara
Morgan Elementary and Payette Lakes Middle Schools.
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
Appendix B
Transcription of Written Comments from the
Parent Survey Forms
What are your current concerns with regard to the student drop-off and pick-up
procedures at these schools?
74 responses from Payette Lakes Middle School Survey
At BM- this is awful. 1. It is the only place in the entire town of McCall, on a snow day,
that I have to put my truck into 4wd. The snow maintenance in the lot is incredibly
sloppy. 2. The parking spaces are not sized for trucks or oversized cars. 3. There is no
one present to monitor the people who choose to park in line and leave their cars
unattended. 4. To get to school 45 minutes prior to the bell to get in a good position to
pick up your kids is ridiculous. We would rather pull our kids out early, than have to
battle the traffic. At PLMS- the drop off and pick up lines created by cars are very
confusing. We are in our 3rd year there, and we still haven't figured it out.
None
Congestion
after school can be a cluster, worry about kids getting hit in parking lot
It’s just fine
The flow that is created by other parents and students
The left turn into the middle school is very unsafe with traffic. And the area in front of
the middle school seems clustered and unorganized. In general, it is a mess!!!
The elementary pick up/drop off is a cluster. Another traffic monitor person would help.
Also, things run much smoother at the middle school as there are less kids and more
space, but I think it would help if there was a handout at the beginning of year explaining
the pick-up procedure. In the waiting area, often parents don't pull up to the curb pick up
line and hold up the pick-up waiting area line.
N/A
Children running across traffic from the parking area in the morning and afternoon
A lot of times parents don’t follow current drop off procedures. Some parents will get out
and take their kids to the door and hold up the line and stop the flow of traffic.
drop off at PLMS - cars turning left out of parking lot to go to BMES. Pick up - students
are walking through the parking lot to their cars and cars are leaving
AM - Cars do not pull up as far as they can before allowing students to disembark. PM -
At PLMS there is a double pick up line waiting for student. Cars do not pull up and
through to the end of the loading zone. They stop as soon as their student(s) approach the
vehicle regardless of the space available in front of them. Students are also cutting
through cars to get to parent who pick up students in between the parking rows. Backing
out can be hazardous because students just "go" without looking for moving cars.
Unfortunately, the pick-up zone isn't long enough to accommodate all the vehicles that
come for pick up and many are unwilling to wait their turn behind other vehicles to pick
up their student. Safety is a major issue.
Drop off is fine but when I do pick them up it's an absolute mess (more so at the
elementary school) because many parents park and walk across traffic with their children
which drastically slows down the flow and is a dangerous action as children are
sometimes hard to see/run around. Also, when the parents try to merge into the car line
from the parking lot, the car line comes to a stop, making "doing the right thing" the thing
that gets the short end of the stick.
Inefficiency in the system, student safety, long wait times.
Not enough parking at BMES and the pick-up lane doesn’t flow well.
Getting to the front of the middle school. crossing traffic from Barbara Morgan should
yield to turning traffic, especially in winter
I prefer the middle school drop off/ pick up compared to Barbara Morgan. At our
previous school, drop off and pick up were well-rehearsed and involved traffic parents
that really kept things moving. No waiting to find your backpack once your parent was
already at the curb. It was a well-oiled machine. Not as necessary here, though, since
school is smaller. I don't wait in pick up line though. My kids walk across the parking lot
to get to me.
ice control for pedestrians and for vehicles on the exit lane
It seems pretty busy, but we are not part of it.
Too crowded, students walking through the parking lot can be dangerous, once the buses
begin to move it is very congested!
Kids are walking out into traffic, there isn't a recognizable line
It is not designed to accommodate as many kids/families as it needs to at this time.
It's way too long.
None. It seems absolutely fine!
I have to come very early or late in order to avoid traffic. Long waits. Inefficient drop off
(people don’t pull all the way forward). Kids and parents don’t follow crosswalks in the
morning, so dodging people everywhere.
Time and safety
I feel there needs to be a turning lane into the middle school so the grade school parents
can proceed. I have sat and watched what clogs it up and that is usually the start. The
concern is I’ve seen cars backed up to the post office many times
I cannot get out of Barbara Morgan Elementary school at the end of the day to pick up
my PLMS student. My choices are to park at PLMS and walk, park in parent parking to
be able to leave at the end of the day, have my PLMS student walk to BRMES, or park in
employee parking and be blocked in by the car back up line.
Drop off seems to flow fairly well. Pick up is a disaster waiting to happen. We park in the
lot and meet our child on the sidewalk to walk him to the car. We have witnessed too
many close calls with drivers going to fast and not watching out for kids. Parents
currently form two parallel pick-up lines with their vehicles, which limits visibility even
further and doesn't work anyway because kids come out at random times in a random
order. Adult drivers are bad enough, but then there are some high schooler drivers that
come to pick up a sibling, and many of them go way too fast.
I think the current system is fine at PLMS
The middle school seems to flow pretty well. The elementary flow is slower and backs up
a lot. Too many people park in the drop off lane and walk their kids in.
Parking at the elementary school, length of time to pick up.
Trying to turn into PLMS parking lot with too much traffic coming from the elementary
school
The lines are too long, people carelessly backing up/pulling in or out, the line at Barbara
Morgan gets so long you need to show up 30 mins early to pick up your child or you'll be
waiting all day, trying to pull out of the pick-up line is even worse people want to get out
and dont care if your trying to move, and the pick-up line a plms backs up all the way
into the entrance of the school.
Too many vehicles everywhere
Vehicle congestion at drop off along with students crossing in foot could be a safety issue
It would be nice if people would pull all the way up to drop off instead of to the corner.
I don't like the double line leading to pick-up. I've gotten stuck in there. I also wish
people would pull forward.
Traffic jam due to the parents coming in and out of Barbara Morgan with only one way in
and out.
Dropping off early (before 7:45 am) is not a problem. Picking up - it's not completely
clear how the pick-up should flow, where cars can wait. Often times the line of cars
extends out into the main driveway, blocking cars coming down from the elementary
school and blocking cars coming up the driveway. There isn't a system in place - and one
has never been communicated or described to us.
Works fine in my opinion
Lines in front of school do not move often block traffic from getting in the parking lot. I
use the parking lot and kid walks out. It is much easier
I don't drop off my students at Barbara Morgan because of the traffic at the school. In the
winter the road up to Barbara Morgan was not taken care of and was icy. At times, I felt
the road was dangerous if two cars were passing each other on the road. My car would
bounce around on the ruts of the ice.
BRMES is just a mess! PLMS is great. Nothing more specific than that.
Drop off works fabulously. Pick up is super congested. Obviously because everyone is
picking up at the same time, but I think it would work better if the times kids were let out
was staggered.
None. It’s similar to any other school
The pick-up designated area is entirely overrun - too small given the volume of cars there
to pick-up.
Volume control - too heavy of traffic given the small drop-off and receiving area
some parents camp out in the lane and requiring others to swing around them and could
be dangerous for kids walking in
The staff at Barbara Morgan do a great job trying to keep the flow going and safe.
Traffic flow into and out of the school particularly in winter can be a nightmare. Safety of
students in parking lot during pickup is a concern.
The general design, especially for the grade school, is terrible and filled with choke
points, so I don't know that much can be done.
It would be great to see signage that instructs vehicles to continue to pull forward in the
drop off area to allow more vehicles to drop students off at the same time. Often, vehicles
stop about midway of the drop off area forcing vehicles behind to wait longer. If they
would just pull forward a couple more car lengths, then a couple more vehicles at a time
could also drop their students off.
People swerve around other cars or stop in the middle of the road to drop off bc the line is
too long; I have almost been hit a few times and my kids.
It’s hard to drop off at PLMS first and then try to get to BRMES
Congestion with BMES and PLMS and one road in an out.
So many cars and kids running around - afraid someone is going to get hurt
We had children who attended BRMES for 9 years. Despite heroic efforts by the school,
the traffic flow seemed very unsafe. I was always terrified a child would dart out in front
of my vehicle. Likewise, currently at PLMS (and MDHS) -- students crossing in front of
cars and through parking lot. Pick-up and drop-off have become mini traffic jams. Winter
brings added stress as we wait on the icy hill trying to turn left into the PLMS parking lot.
We would LOVE to use the bus but it is 45min vs 8 min to drive or 20 min to bike.
Other than the lines being long, the primary exit is poorly designed and dangerous in the
winter.
There are too many people driving because the bus routes are inefficient and leave
students riding for far too long.
The elementary school traffic is controlled and I feel everyone is safe. The middle school
is more disorganized and unsafe. Instead of parents waiting in line to drop kids off they
drive to the front. Now you have kids you have to watch out for and if you are in the front
of the school you now have to wait for the impatient parent to move their car before you
can leave. The afternoon is so crazy I don't even attempt it. Two pick up lanes is very
congested.
The pick-up line at the middle school is a long wait. I choose to pick up closer to 3:15 so
I don't have to wait.
The change in start time for PLMS this year made the traffic flow a total pain. I used to
be able to drop my BMES student off first and then circle around and drop off my PLMS
student. But now my PLMS student needs to be dropped first which causes me to have to
try to turn left across traffic into PLMS. Then turn left again into traffic to head to
BMES. Both turns are difficult, obstruct traffic flow and take much longer. Sometimes
it's impossible to get across unless someone has mercy to stop and let you in. In the
winter the problem is compounded by poor road conditions and visibility.
none
Traffic jams, safety issues
traffic congestion at BRMES is really heavy at pick up. It is nearly impossible to find a
parking spot if you need one at the end of the day.
The middle school doesn't have a clear drop off/ pick up location. It has never been
communicated to me as a parent with where I should pick up or drop off. There are not
clear lanes to walk to in the parking lot through or around traffic. We usually have our
elementary school son walk down to the middle school for pick up because the
elementary school is so crowded. I
The middle school doesn’t have a turn lane which backs up traffic
Going from PLMS to BRMES needs some type of traffic control to make entering
oncoming traffic manageable. Also, need continued reminders to parents not to park in
staff parking and go in through the side door at BRMES.
It is a chaotic mess and I am surprised there are not more incidents.
58 responses from Barbara Morgan Elementary School Survey
Ice in Winter
Pick up line is too long
None
N/A
The 4-way intersection is too crowded
Wait time is long if not early
Parents parking along the sidewalks and backing up the traffic
Long wait time, Dangerous to walk kids out due to two-way traffic going on, snow
blocks the road in winter making for longer wait time
Slow
Harder to park due to the pick-up lane
In the morning hard to see due to rising sun may cause injury since unable to see clearly,
anxiety due to drop off and pick up
Parked cars have a difficult time leaving due to drop off line so long, cars are backed up a
long way, traffic flow is stagnant
Emergency vehicle access during peak of drop-off/ pick-up times
Drop-off/pick-up parents taking too long of time saying goodbye, causing the line back
up
Lack of parking, wait time to long, parents along the curb hold up traffic also pull out in
front of cars leaving the parking lot
Cars and people being impatient
Unable to turn around once child is pick up, have to go through the pick-up lane
Flow of cars is inconsistent
Not enough space
None
Lack of knowledge of knowing the system, parents taking to long to load up students, not
using the whole length of drop-off
Not enough parking spots so line does no back up
Line is to congested and takes too long
Safety concerns with students walking to close to other vehicles
Congested and chaotic, lack of space for traffic flow
Congested, safety concerns for the children
Long wait time
Lack of regard for crosswalks, More continuous enforcement procedures
Claustrophobic and confrontation among other parents
Not enough parking spaces
Line backs up, parents leaving vehicles and not returning for some awhile, more parking
spaces and another area for parents to leave their vehicles
If you leave your vehicle then you get blocked in then have you wait, parking spaces are
to small for larger vehicles
Insufficient use of the drop off area, not pulling all the way up
N/A
Not enough parking spots
Parents drop-off in rear of the school causing safety concerns for children who walk or
bike to school
Difficult to get into the parking lot, pedestrians are blocking traffic flow and slowing
down traffic
Wait line too long and not enough parking
Too crowded, hard to exit the parking lot
Access is not smooth efficient or particularly convenient
Criss cross traffic and no crossing for pedestrians
Takes too long
Flow of traffic
Students crossing to parking lot
Too many vehicles 4-way stop is bad, wants a roundabout
Chaotic and sometimes unsafe, traffic flow, safety of the children
No concerns
None
None
No concerns
Works good
N/A
No concerns
Parents on phones, parents bypassing to drop off their children
No concerns
None
Don’t pull forward all the way, parents walking their child to the class
Long wait, not enough space for an emergency vehicle to access
Please provide additional comments related to parking and traffic flow at the Barbara
Morgan Elementary and Payette Lakes Middle Schools.
45 responses from Payette Lakes Middle School Survey
The question about waiting times is not working correctly on the survey. It makes to
select all times.
Its good
A roundabout to get into the middle school would help flow traffic.
I'd like to see someone monitor the traffic at the junction between the elementary and the
middle school. Often there is a long wait to turn from the middle school to go to the
elementary as my middle school child almost always need to get to school before the
younger one. Also, there has to be a way to keep the traffic moving at the elementary to
be more efficient. Thank you so much for asking!
Our community has grown in numbers since the schools were built. We need to update to
accommodate our numbers.
N/A
make the road into the schools wider, so BRMES parents can bypass the turning PLMS
parents. Also include a walking path, as the students are currently walking on the road to
access the schools from the NW.
Kids from the middle school will walk down to the trail right through the middle of
traffic where there are not designated sidewalks. It is a hazard.
Traffic flow turning into PLMS entrance and parking lot is horrendous, especially in the
morning and when the road is icy. In the morning the traffic can be backed up into the 3-
way stop at Deinhard Lane and S. Samson Trail due to vehicles needing to turn left into
PLMS because exiting cars from BRMES are a continual stream. Sometimes it is so bad
it is gridlocked. Exiting from BRMES and turning left onto S. Samson Trail cannot
happen because the traffic is stopped from turning left at Deinhard onto the schools'
entrance because there is a vehicle stopped and blocked from turning left into PLMS. It's
a gridlock circle until someone allows vehicles to turn into PLMS. And it's 10 times
worse when there is ice on the road in the winter. Vehicles cannot get traction to turn
quickly enough when there is a break in traffic exiting from BRMES. One lane is not
enough to enter into two schools that basically have the exact start time in the morning. A
left turn lane at the PLMS entrance with a through lane to BRMES might be a partial
solution to the traffic back up problem.
I often wonder why it takes so long to get through the line at BMES. Most times, I plan
my drop off early and pickup late to avoid long lines and frustration. I stay out of the
pickup line at PLMS and instead my children walk through the parking area. Not the
safest I admit. The walking route is too long from PLMS so children often cut through
the parking lot and green space creating danger for them in traffic. The bus stop from our
house is over a mile walk and over an hour ride so my children do not do it. Thank you
for doing this survey. It is appreciated.
Maybe a driveway could be built on the east side around to the backside of BMES so that
the older students could be picked up back there.
None
Worst flow of traffic I've ever seen at any school. Usually kids don't have to continually
cross roads on their bikes or when walking to get to any of the schools I've been at
previously. Looks like the roads were some horrible afterthought by the designers or that
they were hobbled together by non-designers. Every sporting event seems to include
some poor out of towner driving the wrong way out the 4 way stop:)
that exit lane got really nasty and rutted for a few weeks.
Wish it could be more streamline, schools not getting out so close to the same time,
traffic cop?
My kid is at PLMS not BM but did not have the option to choose PLMS
In addition to easier access/parking at BM, faculty is needed outside in morning to
enforce correct traffic patterns and use of cross walks.
The turning lane would be 1 step. Another step maybe sign postings to the general public
of traffic congestion at 8am and 3pm on weekdays. Perhaps this will remind them to
choose other routes or times. I appreciate this survey and all those involved in helping to
solve this issue. Jared Alexander
PLMS has a good flow. The problem seems to be at BRMES.
BMES was awful because once you were in the traffic line you couldn’t escape! PLMS is
much better.
I think all buses should be routed to pick up students in the main parking lot of plms and
all pick up student parents should be directed to the back of plms
It is too long of a wait to pick up kids and frustrating because there’s just too much
congestion. Whoever designed the pick up at BRMES did a horrible job as it is just a
cluster.
It would be nice if the school could buy some vacant lots on Fox Ridge and develop a
student drop off there. The students could then walk to their school without all the hazard
of all the cars
Icy corner, and very heavy traffic coming into the school with only one entrance for both
the middle school and elementary
Having only one driveway to service both schools, for traffic coming and going, causes
back-ups.
I have not had problems
In the morning at PLMS sometimes it takes a while to turn left into the parking lot
because of the cars coming down from the elementary school.
I wish I had a suggestion to make BRMES better but I don’t. Sorry
It’s fine. I’m not going to complain about the choice I make to pick up my kids. I am just
thankful I have the option.
Allowing cars at BMES to pass the crosswalk area and double the pickup/dropoff volume
would help. It's not clear to me why that zone is off limits.
For PLMS, pickups are relieved by students being allowed to walk to cars out in the
parking lot so it's not nearly as problematic as BMES.
It seems that there is ample room at this parking lot to create several lanes on the west
side where drop offs and pick-ups could happen. Then the kids would walk across the
parking lot to and from.
Barbara Morgan - There should be a sign or direction telling parents to not simply pull
through a parking space to shortcut the roundabout in the driveway. This is too dangerous
with young kids and big pickup trucks. Pulling through after actually parking in a space is
ok because a driver probably just got their own kids into their vehicle and are more aware
of surroundings or is coming from a stopped parked position and has more time to look
around them before pulling through. Lots of parents cut through spaces quickly and are
not aware of little kids walking along the painted walkway along the front of these
spaces. The roundabout is there in the driveway for a reason. There should be a crossing
guard to cross Samson Trail at Deinhard intersection. There are a lot of kids who cross
there. With 2 lanes (left turning lane and straight/right turning lanes) from all 3 directions
creates a lot of cars that young kids have to be looking for prior to crossing. Plus, this
creates far more opportunity for issues because not all cars have great visibility due to be
blocked by another car in the turning lane next to them. There should be signs or
something telling kids NOT to walk down south driveway to Deinhard and Samson Trail.
This is not a sidewalk and is not safe for kids to go this route, they should go down
sidewalks, even though it is longer distance.
There must be a way to engineer a one-way traffic flow that eliminates current backlogs.
Maybe traffic leaving Barbara Morgan can be routed out the north side instead of feeding
back into the incoming traffic?
I just don't understand why it was designed with 1 entrance for both schools, which will
obviously cause traffic backups, and the parents that pull into the "line up" at the grade
school just back that traffic up even worse so you can't even pull into a parking spot to
wait for your child. I simply wait until 3:15 for the traffic to evacuate.
We need a turn ONLY lane for people going to middle school verses elementary. Takes
forever there some times.
The main road gets backed up when another car is trying to turn into PLMS but cannot
because cars are exiting from BRMES.
See above...incorporate another/separate into BMES...
BRMES Morning drop off: People cutting through the handicapped parking spots; people
who use the drop-off lane and take several minutes to have their kids exit the car; not
enough space to pull out of parking spaces while cars are in the drop off lane; cars in the
drop off lane pulling out and around cars in front of them, while those cars are also trying
to pull forward; people not using the crosswalks; not enough parking spaces in the lot.
PLMS Afternoon pick up: Trying to turn left into the parking lot while BRMES cars are
exiting causes congestion issues into the 4-way stop (morning and afternoon); when the
pick-up line gets too long it can go into the main road and cause issues with people trying
to get by and others trying to turn into the lot; when the elementary "walk to middle
school" kids arrive at PLMS it is sketchy having them find parents who are parked in
parking spaces (having to cross two lanes of pick up traffic that are constantly moving);
teenage drivers picking up their siblings often go too fast and don't pay attention to
pedestrians; pick-up lines & handicap parking spaces; getting stuck in the inside pick up
lane; congestion trying to leave the lot by either egress.
We congratulate these efforts and have debated the situation often. We sometimes
thought if BRMES outbound took a different route, it might help, or having the K-3 all
use the west entrance. The parking and traffic lanes appear to have been designed
assuming most students will bus. We would if the route was closer to commute time
(8min vs 45min). My students often ride the bus home because then it is comparable.
What about splitting MDHS off of the bus mix?
I have completely stopped trying to pick up my BMES student at the end of the day at the
school. I have him walk to PLMS and I pick him up there, because the traffic line is so
long and slow, that I refuse to sit in my car for that long. It works fine to have him walk
down, as he is a 4th grader. He does ride the bus home 2-3 days per week, but on the days
he has sports practice or ski team I pick him up at PLMS, with my other kids who attends
there. It would be very helpful if BMES would allow the walking students to leave
earlier, as sometimes I am waiting for them to get released till 3:20 and it makes us late to
practices that begin at 3:30.
BRMES needs a bigger parking lot.
I think there should be designated teacher parking, and additional temporary parking for
large events as our schools grow in enrollment. I think that the buses should come up a
different route for the hill to make it easier for people exiting the building. If there was a
shared parking lot between the 2 schools for drop off at either location with crosswalks
and bus parking that went around the exteriors of the buildings, it would flow better, be
more efficient, and increase safety. It is also extremely difficult at times to turn into the
middle school with people coming down the hill from the elementary school. It is also
hard to go up the hill in the snow in the winter.
A turn lane to the middle school would be minimal new construction/addition and would
help a lot.
My student is required to get on the bus at 7:05 and then doesn't get dropped off until
3:50. This is ridiculous if students have to be the first to get picked up then they should
be the first to get dropped off or vice versa. If we had shorter routes with more buses that
would be amazing. Commuter vans would be even better. Give students punch cards that
earn them prizes or money to make riding the bus worth it so parents don't have to drop
them off at school. Play short films or have wifi on the bus.
39 responses from Barbara Morgan Elementary
If in a hurry there is no other entrance or exit to leave
People not knowing how to make things flow smoothly, little space and a lot of people
N/A
None
People not following the posted signs for traffic flow
N/A
No concerns
N/A
Roundabout should split going behind school k-2 kids go to front of school, curbside
students should not be walked in just dropped off
Roundabout needs to replace 4-way stop, not bike or pedestrian friendly
Have to wait to long for the busses to leave and being cut off while in the waiting line
Access to the parking lot is not convenient while being stuck in the traffic jam
Parking lot should be double the size, a parking person in the morning
Adding an additional parking allowing parents to other parents, to separate pickup line
from pedestrian traffic, entrance/exit from the street works but not if you show up late
Parking is problematic during events
More parking
Parents getting out of cars to drop of kids
Hard to take a left from PLMS lot to BRMES
Morning crosswalk guards would be nice
Different parking layout/more parking, cars turning left to PLMS block traffic
Parking lot to small, pass through and pick-ups/ drop offs should be separate to help
safety, parking should be separated from moving traffic
Not enough parking
More students to ride the bus
Parents that park and let their kids walk across the drop off lane, safety
None
Bus route in parking lot should avoid the parent pick up line, drop off and pick up line
should go around main parking lot instead of going through
Students don’t walk around PLMS when going into Fox Ridge straight on Dienhard,
walking against traffic down to the sidewalks or street. A sidewalk on Fox Ridge side
down to Dienhard/Samson
Install curbing on the north end of the center parking spaces would require traffic to
follow traffic routes and not cut through lot, zero tolerance for blocking/obstructing/
remaining within the drop-off or pick up line
PLMS left turn block traffic
Hard to get through the parking lot
Lots of traffic
More parking spots, also separate park/walk-up students/parents from drive up line
Lack of bus location, traffic pattern
More parking for events, traffic backs up to the roundabout
Improve the pedestrian pathways and intersection safety, provide a shuttle bus from post
office to BRMES and PLMS
Unable to leave the parking lot
N/a
More parking
Works fine when rules are followed