HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOUNCIL - AGENDA ITEM - 01/18/2000 - RESOLUTION 2000-21 REQUESTING THE STATE OF COLORAD w �r
AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY ITEM NUMBER: 28
DATE: January 18, 2000
FORT COLLINS CITY COUNCIL
STAFF: Eric Bracke
SUBJECT:
Resolution 2000-21 Requesting the State of Colorado Department of Transportation to Approve
the Modern Roundabout Design Alternative for the Intersection of State Highway 14 (Mulberry
Street) and Lemay Avenue.
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends adoption of the Resolution.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
In the fall of 1999, the City of Fort Collins received a Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality
grant in the amount of$1,375,721 ($1,090,000 are federal funds) $285,721 are local funds for
III the purpose of makingimprovements at the intersection of Mulberry and Lemay. The first phase
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of the project evaluated a four-lane and six-lane Mulberry cross-section as well as a modern
roundabout design. The evaluation used level of service, air quality, cost-benefit, safety, and
environmental and social impacts. Based upon the evaluation, staff is recommending that the
modern roundabout as the best alternative to pursue. The Colorado Department of
Transportation is the last step in the decision making process for this project. The
Transportation Board and the Planning and Zoning Board also support the modern roundabout
alternative.
j EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
The City of Fort Collins successfully applied for Federal Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality
funds for an alternative analysis of intersection improvements and the construction of those
determined improvements at the intersection of SH14 and Lemay Avenue. The intersection is
currently experiencing both delay and accident problems.
A technical/engineering group has been put together to conduct this evaluation process. Staff
from Traffic Engineering, Engineering, Transportation Planning, Police Services, CDOT, and
j the WalMart Engineering consultants were included in the group. An open house was held and
the Coloradoan newspaper coverage of the process has been good.
i
The City selected Balloffet & Associates along with Mr. Barry Crown of the United Kingdom to
assist staff in this endeavor. Barry Crown is a renowned expert in modem roundabout design
and has assisted in the nuances of the roundabout analysis. The summary of the analysis is
presented in the following table.
t
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DATE: January 18, 2000 2 ITEM NUMBER: 28
------ — cormnlional Comenfionalm m MUnWDM
Intersection Intersection (At Grade Pedestrian (GadeSeparated
Ir provemenns Improvements and Bicycle Pedestrian and
(a Lane Mulberry) (6 Lane Mrdberry) Crossings) 6ryyde Crossings)
I I
rrce
Lem of 33v1ce'#id1eDda/ -- - + +
FWestnai MotAity + 0 + + +
cY e 0 0 +
+ +
BregMudidelapomse -- + +
I
Totd Construction Costs + __ + o
a exam 0 0 + 0
Cbst PB ++ +
dda/cmrrrsl to no brild
I I
I mare mpa I
it ffrissions ++ ++
HoodHaninpacts + + + o
0 0 0
6 0 0 0 0
Socla rnpac€
Oxstnxticnlnpaft + +
lege0d — o + ++
very poor very good
As can be seen from this summary table, the modern roundabout was the best alternative from a
performance, cost, and environmental impact perspective. From a social impact perspective, the
modern roundabout did not fare as well. It is anticipated that it will take the community a short
period of time to accept the roundabout. At the November 23 City Council Study Session, staff
explained that in cities where roundabouts have been constructed, over 60% of the community
was against the roundabout. Within a period of three months, the community favored the
roundabout by 90%. Attached is a document that reviews other communities' experiences with
modern roundabouts. The summary report of the entire analysis process is also attached.
The four and six lane traditional intersections were generally not accepted for the following
reasons:
• The four-lane alternative would only maintain acceptable levels of service for
approximately a seven-year period and then the six-lane alternative would need to
be considered.
• The cost for the six-lane alternative is prohibitive due to the bridge replacement
Mulberry.
7-
DATE: January 18, 2000 3 ITEM NUMBER: 28
• The bridge replacement on Mulberry would have significant impacts on the
Poudre River.
• Pedestrians generally do not feel comfortable crossing six lane roadways,
especially when auxiliary lanes are included (i.e. add double left turn and right
turn lanes).
The modem roundabout design considered two types of pedestrian/bike crossings; at-grade and
grade-separated. There are advantages and disadvantages to both of these alternatives and staff
is not prepared to make a recommendation at this time. The grade-separated proposal is
preferred from the bike and pedestrian planners. However, the grade-separated option has issues
from a safety perspective, the cost is approximately $1,000,000 more than the budget, and there
is a potential for flood waters from the Poudre River backing up into the Mulberry-Lemay
Crossing project. City staff will discuss the ped/bike crossing options at the Council meeting on
the 18th of January. It is not critical to decide the type of ped/bike crossing at this time. That
decision can be made during the final design phase of the project.
If the City Council decides to endorse the modern roundabout design,the next step in the process
will be to ask the Colorado Department of Transportation to approve the design. Staff is also
working with the trucking industry, through the Colorado Motor Carriers Association, to address
its concerns.
•
RESOLUTION 2000-21
OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FORT COLLINS
REQUESTING THE STATE OF COLORADO DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
TO APPROVE THE MODERN ROUNDABOUT DESIGN ALTERNATIVE FOR THE
INTERSECTION OF STATE HIGHWAY 14 (MULBERRY STREET)
AND LEMAY AVENUE
WHEREAS,the City has heretofore received a Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality grant
for the purpose of expending$1,375,721 for improvements to the intersection of State Highway 14
(Mulberry Street) and Lemay Avenue (the"Project'); and
WHEREAS,the first phase of the project involved the evaluation of a four-lane and six-lane
traditional intersection as well as the evaluation of a modern roundabout design for the intersection;
and
WHEREAS, based upon that evaluation, the staff of the City, together with the City's
Transportation Board and the Planning and Zoning Board,have supported the modern roundabout
alternative; and
WHEREAS,after evaluating level of service requirements,air quality impacts,cost-benefit
ratios,safety and environmental and social impacts,the City Council has determined that the modern
roundabout design is the most suitable improvement for the intersection of State Highway 14
(Mulberry Street)and Lemay Avenue.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FORT
COLLINS that the Council has determined that the modem roundabout design as shown on Exhibit
"A", attached hereto and incorporated herein by this reference, is the most appropriate and viable
alternative for the intersection of State Highway 14(Mulberry Street)and Lemay Avenue, and the
Council requests the State of Colorado Department of Transportation to approve the proposed
modern roundabout design for construction at said intersection.
Passed and adopted at a regular meeting of the City Council held this 18th day of January,
A.D. 2000.
Mayor
ATTEST:
City Clerk
p , EXHIBIT "A"
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. Other Communities' Experiences with Modern Roundabouts
In response to questions raised by the City Council to investigate other communities'
experiences with roundabouts,the following report was compiled. This report is based on
available accident data and public opinion surveys compiled on intersections from the
states of Colorado, Maryland, and Vermont which have converted intersections from stop
or signal control to modern roundabout intersections.
Vail, Colorado
Introduction: Before the roundabout was constructed at the main Vail exit from I-70,very
serious congestion and long delays were occurring at peak hours of the day. Something had to be
done.A feasibility study showed the roundabout option to provide higher levels of service at a
lower cost versus the other options. Mainvaii'
Background: The City Council directed the Traffic -----�
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Engineer to construct the roundabout option in the face of """""°
some very vocal opposing opinions.Vail's economy relies
w"om:
heavily on the ability to get people in and out of town t z oow"
efficiently. Consequently,many people feared that visitors
and locals alike,unfamiliar with the intersection,would not M tl" 0
be able to navigate it properly and would cause greater
congestion.Both of the local newspapers' editorial boards °A amen
were opposed to the roundabouts.The roundabouts were
opened in the fall of 1995,and the following ski season
received 14 feet of snow and proved to be a good test for the ---
roundabouts. The congestion and long delays that typically r
occurred during the peak hours of operation disappeared,
and there were very few accidents.Both newspapers agreed
that the roundabouts worked very well and publicly apologized for their earlier nasty jokes and
commentary.
Accidents: The overall crash rate for the first two years of operation reduced by12%and injury
crashes decreased by 40%.
Community Approval: A survey of residents' opinions was taken to measure the acceptance of
the modem roundabout. The project received an average rating of 4.4 on a scale of 5,a high
approval rating for a public works project.In addition to the west veil'
improved traffic performance,residents expressed
appreciation for the beautiful entry statement to their Town. `"PAC11'
amoyn
� NFRE
This project was so successful that the Town couldn't get the ,VA - 4 W
roundabouts constructed quickly enough at the West Vail oM.Ro D ON y o
interchange to satisfy the residents' desire to eliminate ----
congestion at these intersections. a
wnfis M
Furthermore,residents living eight miles down valley in s
Avon, seeing the success of Vail's roundabouts, also wanted ---
to eliminate congestion in their Town.
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Source: Ourston&Doctors Modem Roundabout Interchanges G j
anoyn
Avon, Colorado
Introduction: Like Vail,Avon relies on the Avon
ability to bring people in and out of town
for tourism and recreation.Avon serves as
the main entrance to the Beaver Creek ski
resort. Avon'
Background: The Avon project includes n V11
five roundabouts,two at the I-70
interchange.Two of the three replaced
congested signalized intersections along the i 1
main entry road. The roundabouts have '� ' j 1 l
traffic capacities ranging from 4,200 to
6,000 vehicles per hour(vph).Having �O 1
experienced the success of Vail s 1
roundabouts first hand,residents of Avon had confidence in
roundabouts and voted two to one in favor of a property tax increase to
pay for the five roundabouts constructed in 1998. 1
Accidents: Researchers from the University of Main working on a
study for the Insurance Institute of America have compiled accident ------_° ® �--
data for the 22 months before the roundabouts were installed compared
to the accidents for 20 months after their installation. The researchers :m«
preliminary findings found that the roundabouts have produced an
overall accident reduction of 50%and a 95%reduction in the more serious injury accident
category.No pedestrian accidents were reported for the before and after periods.
Opinion surveys from other communities:
Montpelier,Vermont
Constructed 1995
Capacity,3000 vph
To measure public opinion, a survey of residents living or working near the roundabout was
conducted one year after its construction. Of the I I I people surveyed, 85%had a favorable or
neutral opinion about the roundabout. Fourteen percent held an unfavorable opinion. By a four-
to-one margin, 64 to 16,favorable opinions outnumbered unfavorable responses.By a 30 to 7
margin,"very favorable responses outnumbered very unfavorable responses."Due to this
intersection's public acceptance and performance in reducing congestion, delays and increased
safety five more are planned for construction in Vermont
Other Accident Studies
A comprehensive accident study performed on thirteen US intersections converted from either stop
controlled or signalized to roundabouts.This research was conducted by Aimee Flannery and Professor
Tapan K.Datta and presented at the Transportation Research Board 750'annual meeting in 1996.The study
shows the reduction in all accidents to be in the 60%to 70%range for US intersections converted to
modem roundabouts.This study's results,are very encouraging and in line with findings of past European
and Australian studies involving roundabouts.
' Source:Ourston&Doctors Modem Roundabout Interchanges
Another comprehensive before-and-after study involving 181 intersections converted from either
stop or signal control to a modern roundabout over the time period form 1984 to 1991 was
performed in the Netherlands by the SWOV Institute for Road Safety Research.This study
reports a 50%reduction in overall motor vehicle accidents and a 72%reduction in injury
accidents. Pedestrians accidents have been reduced by 89% and bicycle accidents reduced by
30%.
As of May of 1997,five roundabouts have been constructed on Maryland state highways. Before
and after studies showed that these five intersections experienced a 50%reduction in all
accidents.Using statistics for average accident costs compiled by the Maryland State Highway
Administration,the average cost per accident at the five intersections in the before condition was
$119,788 compared to$84,000 with the roundabouts.
High Capacity Modem Roundabouts Constructed in Colorado
No.of On State
Year Intersection Location Capacity Circulating Highway
Lanes X=yes
1995 Main Vail/I-70 5500 vph 3 X
N. Frontage Road/I-70 2700 vph 2 X
1997 West Vail S.Frontage Rd/1-70 3300 vph 2 X
• West Vail N.Frontage Rd/I-70 3700 vph 2 X
Lowry Redevelopment 2500 vph 1 O
Lowry Redevelopment 2500 vph 1 O
Nederland 2000 vph 1 X
1998 Loveland:Rocky Mountain Blvd/Fox Trail 4500 vph 2 O
Loveland:Rocky Mountain Blvd/McWhinney Blvd. 5000 vph 2 O
Avon Rd/I-70 N.Frontage Rd. 4200 vph 3 X
Avon Rd/I-70 S.Frontage Rd 5800 vph 2-3 X
Avon Rd/Beaver Creek Blvd. 6000 vph 3 O
Avon Rd/Benchmark Rd 4300 vph 2 O
Avon Rd/U.S.Highway 6 4900 vph 2 X
1999 Grand Junction 2500 vph 1 O
Evergreen 2500 vph 1 O
Aspen 4200 vph 2 X
I-76/HWY 2 2500vph 1 X
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