HomeMy WebLinkAboutNORTH COLLEGE MARKETPLACE - AMENDED ODP - 42-08 - CORRESPONDENCE - TRAFFIC STUDYMr. Tim Holeman May 14, 2009
Valero Energy Corporation 9211th Page 3
Conclusion
It is our professional opinion through review that the Valero Station could be caused
significant impact to its customer base if left -turn movements at the existing Willox
access are restricted by the raised median proposed by the Marketplace development.
The total traffic analysis in the Marketplace development traffic study presents
information demonstrating that the Valero Station's Willox access will operate well
overall as a full -movement intersection.
We remain available to provide further assistance in traffic consultation.
Sincerely,
Krager and Associates
Mike Rocha, TSOS, TOPS
Transportation Engineer
Kathleen L. Krager, PE, PTOE
Transportation Engineer
E-mail
Mr. Tim Holeman May 14, 2009
Valero Energy Corporation 9211tn Page 2
trip is defined as a one-way vehicle movement from a point of origin to a point of
destination.
As gas stations sales are based on convenience and easy accessibility, the primary
turning pattern of vehicles entering/exiting a gas station are typically right -turn
movements. Traffic surveys summarized by the Institute of Transportation Engineers,
indicate that at least 85 percent of traffic using a typical gas station are pass -by trips
that would use a right-in/right-out access. Other land uses, such as general retail, are
more likely to attract primary trips, which may use a left -turn in or a left -turn out of the
site.
The Willox access serves as the Valero Station's primary access with customers
making a left -turn onto Willox Lane in order to return to North College Avenue.
North College Marketplace — Proposed Roundabout
The North College Marketplace Development and its associated traffic impact study'
propose a roundabout at an existing intersection located nearly 200 feet east of the
Valero Station's Willox access. It is unclear if alternative intersection control
techniques, such as signalization, where evaluated with the roundabout.
Preliminary design of the roundabout identifies a raised median extending from the
roundabout and through the Valero Station's Willox access. This median changes the
existing full -movement access to a right -turn -only access.
A review of the Marketplace traffic study revealed no specific reasons for changing the
existing turning movements of the Willox access. Page 8 of the study describes how
the Marketplace development proposes a secondary right -turn -only access on Willox
Lane that will align with the Valero Station access and will be controlled by the raised
median. However, Figure 9 and Table 6 of the study describe how the Valero Station
access operates well overall as a full -movement access into Year 2028 under total
traffic conditions.
Potential Impact Mitigation
The Valero Station utilizes the left -turn movement at the Willox access for their
customers. The restriction of left -turn movements at the Willox access has the potential
to cause significant impact to the customer base of the Valero Station since the quick
resumption of customer's original travel plans is hindered.
It is possible to mitigate existing access impacts caused by the roundabout and the
raised median by not changing the existing turning movements at the Valero Station's
Willox access or providing traffic signalization rather than a roundabout. An additional
mitigation measure could be the construction of an additional right -turn -only access on
College Avenue that would serve the existing Valero Station.
"North College Marketplace, Transportation Impact Study', August 2008, ELB Engineering, LLC.
d Associates
t Street
)lorado 80204-1243
2626 FAX (303) 446-0270
May 14, 2009
Mr. Tim Holeman
Valero Energy Corporation
952 East Baseline Road
Suite 103
Mesa Arizona, CO 85204
480-503-2372
tim.holeman aavalero.com
RE: Valero Station #1719 at 1660 North College Avenue in Fort Collins, Colorado
s21lth
Dear Tim:
As requested, we are pleased to provide a professional opinion on potential traffic
impacts caused to the Valero Station by the North College Marketplace development
and the proposed roundabout.
The concern is understood to be specific to exiting left -turn movements at the Valero
Station's existing access on Willox Lane and those movements being restricted by the
roundabout's raised splitter island median.
The following is a summary of our review:
Valero Station Access
The Valero Station is located on the southeast intersection comer of North College
Avenue (State Highway 287) and Willox Lane in Fort Collins, Colorado.
To overall Albertsons development, to which the Valero Station resides within, has a
variety of access drives on North College Avenue and Willox Lane. These access
drives are shared with other retail uses in the Albertson's development. However, most
direct access to the Valero Station is on Willox Lane approximately 300 feet east of
North College Avenue.
Gas Station — Tuming Movement Pattern
Gas stations are typically located on an arterial street with convenient right-in/right-out
access. This is because gas stations are a convenience goods retailer. The nature of
this retail type is such that it attracts a majority of their customer trips from traffic
passing the site along the way to an ultimate designation. This traffic pattern is further
defined by the Institute of Transportation Engineers (ITE) as a pass -by -trip. A vehicle