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HomeMy Public PortalAbout20150211RS& H Study - Recommendations.pdfFrom the data collection and analysis, there were serveral issues and needs identified. These include the following: • Accommodation of pedestrian and bicycle usage in a safe and pleasant manner • Increase driver awareness of multiple uses and features within the corridor • Accommodation of the mobility needs for both residents and visitors Traffic calming is an approach through the implementation of the three "Eswhich includes education, enforcement, and engineering, to slow vehicular traffic, improve safety for all users, and enhance the community character and quality of life. Traffic calming approaches range from intensive infrastructure changes or additions, such as narrowing or removing lanes, to relatively simple and inexpensive approaches, such as the addition of speed humps. The various measures were reviewed for applicability and viability within the Jones Avenue corridor to address the identified needs. To determine potential treatments that were viable for the corridor, each measure was reviewed within the context of available right of way constraints, land use, corridor character, and possible adverse impacts. The potential solutions identified as viable are described below. 11slipippill 11! SidewalklPedestrian Path Sidewalks and walkways are facilities designed specifically for pedestrians that are adjacent to roadways, These dedicated pedestrian facilities separated from the vehicular traffic are instrumental in the reduction of collisions between pedestrians and vehicles. A study completed by the Federal H%1M-.q 10 in the roadway environment with the greatest impact on pedestrian safety. The same study found that r. 0i when compared to the overall street sample. The American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) guidance notes that in residential areas, pedestrian facilities are clesireable on both sides of the street, but should be provided on at least one side of all local streets. The City of Tybee has implemented pedestrian facilities on the south end of the island along Butler Avenue. The photographs below depicts this facility and an example of a pathway. PS&M, white stripe, bicycle symbol and signs to alert the auto drivers that the designated area is for the exclusive use of bicycles. Bike lanes help avoid conflicts with motorists and allow bicyclists to travel at their own speed and to facilitate predicatable, interactions between the bicyclist and the driver of the vehicle. Bike lanes are typically four to six feet in width and sometimes, where space allows, include ,06h" P lanes -t L Speed Humps Speed humps are raised areas that are rounded and are placed across the travel lanes. Typically 10 to 14 feet long in the direction of travel and three to four inches in height. Speed humps are usually tapered if there is a curb and gutter to allow for drainage. Speed humps are normally used in areas where low speeds are desired. Relatively inexpensive to implement Results in "rough ride" for motorists Relatively easy for bicycles to cross Larger vehicles, including emergency vehicles, are forced to use slower speeds Slows traffic effectively May not be aesthetically pleasing 1�' IIIIA Traffic Circles Traffic circles are sr -n all raised islands located in intersections. Traffic must circulate around the feature. This measure is used for calming traffic at intersections, particularly effective in neighborhood settings where vehicle speed, traffic volumes and safety can be n«© Typically, traffic circles are not located in areas where traffic includes large vehicles. 'e 0 Eugene, OR Center island Narrowings Center island narrowings are raised islands located along the cente of a street to narrow the travel lane at that location. Typically landscaped, these center islands provide a visual amenity, as well as increasing their bility to motorists. These islands are often used as gateway entrances to developments. On larger facilities, the islands can also provide a pedestrian refuge. Improve safety for pedestrians Reduction in speeds is somewhat limited due to only visual cues May improve roadway aesthetics Maintenance of landscaping 22mm- zmm�r I Landscaped Chokers Chokers are curb extensions located at mid -block or at intersections that narrow the travel lane by widening the pedestrian facility or planting strip adjacent to the roadway. They can also be marked with crosswalks to improve the, safety of pedestrian crossings. Chokers typically used for facilities that experience some issues with vehicular speed and have no shortages of on -street parking. May improve vehicle speeds and volumes Lower vehicle speeds is not as great as some other features Bicyclists must merge with traffic at the site of the feature Easily maneuvered by large vehicles Some on -street parking may be eliminated Montgomery County, MD Winter Park, FL A woonerf is a measure originating in the Netherlands in the 1960s as a treatment to lower vehicular speeds and to reduce neighborhood cut -through traffic. The woonerf is intended for the street to be be a shared space for pedestrians, bicyclists and automobiles, Vehicular speeds are limited and enhances the viability of the street as a public space for all users. Typically woonerfs include street furniture, To clv�-rdesiqnatloiz between oedestrian, bicvcle. and automobile space—s thus encouraging the street as a public space. Woonerfs have been implemented across Europe and in Canada, and are beginning to be implemented in the United States. Elements of a woonerf include: • Distinct and clearly designated entrance • No continuous curb • Landscaping and street furniture • Incorporation of a variety of traffic calming measures • Incorporation of on -street parking , I Ir Chicago, IL An approximate cost for each potential treatment has been developed through research with the stata of the practice and a review by local transportation engineers. Table 5 depicts the approximate cost each potential treatment. Pedestrian Path (3 — 5 feet) $250,000/Mile Sharrmvs $60/Sharrow Bicycle Lane (4 feet) $600,000/Mile Speed Humps Speed Tables $2,000 - $2,500 $4,000 - $4,500 Raised Cr05SWalks $4,000 - $4,500 Traffic Circles $20,000 - $30,000 Center Island Narrowings $8,000 - $10,000 Chokers $7,000 - $10,000 Recommendations for the Jones Avenue corridor were developed to address the needs identified Lhrough the data analysis. Jones Avenue is a unique corridor, with a mix of single family and multi- family residential, public safety facilities, utility infrastructure, public spaces, and connections to the Maritime Academy. The residential as is also a mixture of vacation rental properties and year-roun residences. In order to address the need to accommodate bicycle and pedestrian users, which serves the mobility needs of both residents and visitors and to increase driver awareness of the various uses within the corridor, the following recommendations were developed. No one single technique will Ul appropriate for the corridor, thus the recommendations incorporate those components that best fit t character and needs of the corridor. I Landscaped gateway features should be created at the north and south entrances to the corridor, near 2 d Street and at Chatham. Landscaping should be low maintenance, native vegetation and will provide a visual alert to drivers that they are entering a special corridor. The woonerf signage, which depicts the multiple uses within the corridor, should be incorporated into the feature and will further alert drivers to be aware of the different activities within the corridor, 2= �« Pedestrian Facility A pedestrian facility, similar to the existing one on Butler Avenue on the south end of the island, has fewer right of way constraints and can better accommodate the walkway with fewer impacts. With the and/or exiting the s�ation located on the east side. The walkway width will vary between three and five feet, depending upon the right of way, and will be both directly adjacent to the roadway, as well as off - roadway where feasible. The walkway could also, include stamped inlays, perhaps with a coastal theme to enhance the aesthetics of the corridor and to support the special corridor designation, With the existing configuration of the roadway, the designation of a bike lane is not feasible without additional pavement to allow for the demarcation of bike lanes. However, with the low traffic volumes, bicyclists do currently use Jones Avenue and will likely to continue to do so in the future. In order to address safety for the bicyclists, the recommendation is to implement sharrows as pavement markings. bicyclists utilize the corridor. In order to provide safe crossings for pedestrians at selected locations, as well as traffic calming features throughout the corridor, raised and designated crosswalks are recommended at three intersections, — including �Vh Street, 81h Street, and 151h Street. The crosswalk at 4 1h Street provides direct access into the park located on the east side of Jones Avenue; the crosswalk at 8' Street provides a crossing for access to the Maritime Academy, and the 15 th Street crossing provides access to the downtown and pier area. I hespi N to 4clude _qtguied xrd/or rolore-TO as,.6 a It ta cIP-9,riv desip--t.9tp t�p muffam =- Pedestrian Connections to Maritime Academy The Maritime Academy recently opened with great success and a growing local student body. In order at the school is recorn mended. In order to further elevate the special corridor identification, landscape features are recommended between 2 Ild and 316 Streets, between Center and 5th Streets, and near 15th Streets, These landscape features are recommended to be between the roadway and the pedestrian walkway, providing a small buffer area from the travel lanes. Native, low maintenance vegetation is recommended for the landscape features, In addition, the incorporation of public art, utilizing the same theme as the path inlays, is recommended to cotinue to enhance the corridor. Other local governments have had great success in obtaining public art through a call for projects to local artists. The winning pieces are then selected and incorporated into the feature. With the significant local art community, this approach may be a viable way for enhancing the corridor through public art pieces. Another option is to solicit donations from private sources to obtain and maintain the artwork. Uff-Iff, ME Cost of improvements is always of concern, particularly to small local governments. Table 6 provides Lhe approximate cost for the recommended treatments. Each recommendation is costed separately, so _741WIMMOTIM MI, Pedestrian Path (1.5 miles) $375,000 Sharrows (30 spaced 250 feet apart) $1,800 Raised and Designated Crosswalks (3) $14,500 Sidewalk on SIt' Street $40,000 Gaieways with Signage $4,000 Landscape Features (3) $6,000 Total $495,000 USSO