HomeMy WebLinkAboutRETREAT AT 1200 PLUM ST. - FDP - 34-08/A - SUBMITTAL DOCUMENTS - ROUND 1 - TRAFFIC STUDYa
9.0 Conclusion
This TIS assessed the impacts associated with the Plum Street Apartments
redevelopment project located in central Fort Collins, Colorado. The project consists
of redeveloping existing older residential units into 197 apartment units for students
at Colorado State University. The site lends itself to outstanding use of alternative
modes of transportation. Based on the analyses, investigations, and findings
documented in the various sections of this Transportation Impact Study, the
following can be concluded.
o Current operation is acceptable at all of the key intersections.
o Operation at the key intersections will be acceptable under full build -out
of the project.
o For the entire project, during the morning peak hour, 81 trip ends can be
expected and 98 trip ends can be expected from the project during the
afternoon peak hours. The trip generation of the project is expected to be
significantly lower due to the proximity of the site to CSU.
o No new traffic signals or signal modifications will be required with the
construction of the project.
o No auxiliary lanes will need to be constructed with the project.
o Multi -modal LOS standards can be achieved with the project.
o The project is feasible from a traffic engineering perspective.
Statement of Adequacy: The transportation facilities will be adequate and available to
serve this development as contained in the Larimer County Urban Area Street Standards.
All applicable LOS standards will be met since all transportation facilities are in place or
will be in place upon issuance of a certificate of occupancy.
18
Plum Street .Apartments ELB Engineering. LLC
Transportation lmpact Studi; 5401 Tailor Lane
Revised - November 2008 Fort Collins, CO 80528
0
40
0
weekday frequency of service, travel time factor, and peak load factor. The LOS
standard for transit is `B" based on this site location.
The 2010 transit plan shows that the site will have close access to Route 3 and 6 which
will have direct access to the downtown area and the CSU campus. Additionally, there
is currently a bus stop at the site in front of the Cambridge Apartment complex. As an
observational note, during the traffic counting process, numerous students were observed
utilizing the Transfort system.
Hours of Weekday Service: Since Route 3 and 6 will take students directly to
CSU and the downtown transit center as well as good connection to the Mason
Corridor, it is assumed that the site will be served by 18 hours of service on an
average weekday. The standard can be assumed to be met.
Weekday Frequency of Service: Since the site is adjacent to an identified route
of high frequency transit service, the minimum of 15-minute service is met.
Travel Time Factor: The travel time factor is portal-to-portal travel time
divided by auto travel time (peak hour). The standard for the criteria is for the
travel time in bus to be no more than two times that of the automobile. This
standard is not met for the project for the CSU Campus destination.
Table 6
Transit Travel Time Comparisons
Destination
Mode
Distance
(miles)
Travel
Speed
(mph)
Travel
Time
(hours)
Wall
Time (hours)
ransteri
Wait
Time
(hours)
Total
Travel
Time
(hours)
Time
Differential
(buslauto)
LOS
Standard
Met?
Downtown
Bus
2.25
15
0.15
0.05
0.20
1.16
Yes
automobile
2.25
25
0.09
0.08
0.17
Foothills Mall
Bus
3.76
15
0.25
0.16
0.41
1.92
Yes
automobile
3.25
25
0.13
0.08
0.21
FC High School
Bus
8
15
0.53
0.50
1.03
2.40
Yes
automobile
6.75
25
0.27
0.16
0.43
CSU Campus
IBus
1 0.251
201
0.011
1 0.051
0.06
0.63
Yes
automobile
1 0.51
251
0.021
0.081
1 0.10
Peak Load Factor: The standard for the peak load factor is calculated by
dividing the number of passengers by the peak time of day by the available seats.
The standard requires that this value be <_ 1.2. Based on the LOS Manual, for all
future routes, the presumed peak load factor is 1.0 and therefore the standard is
satisfied.
Based on the above, the transit LOS achieved 4 out of the 4 criteria and is therefore the
LOS is calculated at "A", which is acceptable.
17
Plum Street Apartments ELB Engineering, LLC
Transportation Impact Studv 5401 Tirvlor Lane
Revised - November 2008 Fort Collins, CO 80528
e
8.1 Pedestrian Level of Service
The project area was evaluated for compliance with the pedestrian level of service
standards. The site is within walking distance to CSU and the commercial area located
on Elizabeth Street.
The project will reconstruct sidewalks along its property that will connect to the
sidewalk system already in place throughout the neighborhood. These particular
sidewalks are currently constructed to the old City Standards. The following is a review
of the evaluation. The worksheet can be found in Appendix F.
Directness — There will be direct sidewalk connections to the commercial area to
the south and directly to CSU.
Continuity — The sidewalk system in place has continuity to all surrounding
areas.
Street Crossings — The intersection of Shields/Plum is a four -phase traffic signal
with pedestrian heads and actuation. Crosswalks and pavement markings are at
the intersection are consistent with City Standards. There are five lanes of traffic
to cross.
Visual Interest and Amenity — The area is an existing neighborhood and the
landscaping is mature. The area is considered visually appealing.
Security — The sidewalks in the area are lit and good sight distances are
available.
8.2 Bicycles Level of Service
The project will meet the bicycle level of service standards for both north/south and
east/west connections. Bike lanes currently exist on Plum Street and Shields Street.
C. Transit Level of Service
According to the LUCASS Multimodal Level of Service Manual, transit level of service
for the City of Fort Collins is based on the routes and service levels planned for the year
2015. However, the Manual was written in 1997 and is significantly outdated and no
longer considered valid. The transit LOS analyses are therefore based on the 2010
Transfort Strategic Plan. The analysis is based on 4 factors — hours of weekday service,
Phan Street Apartments
Transportation Impact Study
Revised - November 2008
16
ELB Engineering. LLC
5401 Taylor Lane
Fort Collins, CO 80528
8.0. Multi -Modal Evaluation
Section 4.5.3 (B) of the Larimer County Urban Area Street Standards requires that
projects undergo a level of service analysis for alternative modes of transportation. The
modes of transportation that must meet LOS standards are bicycles, and pedestrians.
Transit service LOS must also be analyzed at the time of development review.
However, transit LOS is not part of the Adequate Public Facilities test. The area of
interest for the alternative modes of transportation is shown below in Figure 8.
MR
i J
aR w s< n w St W Nulbery� Mu6Uty m
c Aq U1 ;9 P
- „�j Sunset Ave � Gf
r✓ Q c _ W IdyiQe St
i. Nleeh'iew Ave' DI � S = b
Are
Lo
OR
o
d PI_ _ _ - Y,� Laurel St
D T
'4Y+`9ti-- — W PWn Si
n
W Elizabeth St _
O
� :fr
i m
m
n
Springfield Of
ED
n VJ sits
_ N
A
W Elasott` St
'.Jmve-9:ty Ave
v o W esrNtrd Or N
x
T m
y ry �
Spr 'gfietd Dr
Q
O
� Benrr.- R
riqure 8: Multirnodal evaluation Area
W My lIt St
U
orth Of Norm Ur-r.:,rn C•
A
C
{'oloraijo State
uruvers;4
rt
South Dr Soule Dr S:;�N C• -
i
c n _
W Pitk:n SI Y1 P'tPon St
SS
m
15
Plum Street Apartments L'LB Engineering, LLC
Transportation Impact Study 5401 Taylor Lane
Revised - November 2008 Fort Collins, CO 80528
7.0 Improvements
7.1. Traffic Signals
Traffic signals are never installed until a warrant is satisfied under the Manual on
Uniform Traffic Control Devices, 2000. Warrant #3, the Peak Hour Warrant, is usually
the best indication of a whether or not a traffic signal will be needed in the future. Based
on a review of the criteria, no new traffic signals will be required with this project. The
key intersection of Plum/Blue Bell will operate efficiently and safely under STOP sign
control.
7.2 Auxiliary Lanes
A review of the LUCASS requirements regarding auxiliary lanes was undertaken as part
of this study. Based on this review, no new auxiliary lanes are required as part of this
project.
The question for the need for an auxiliary westbound left turn lane into the parking
structure has been raised by City staff. Level of service is acceptable for the westbound
movement under a single lane approach and under figure 8-01 of LUCASS, the
threshold for requiring a left turn lane is not satisfied.
7.3 Geometric Improvements
The developer is proposing to reconstruct the current Scott Avenue/Cambridge driveway
to one-way operation. This particular improvement will increase the operation of the
intersection as well as improve safety.
14
Plnm Street Apartments ELB Engineering. LLC
Transportation Impact Study 5401 Taylor Lane
Revised - November 2008 Fort Collins, CO 80528
6.0 Traffic Analysis
Capacity analysis was performed at the key intersections for both the background traffic
as well as the total traffic. Table 4 displays the results of the background traffic analysis
and Table 5 shows the results of the total traffic analysis. As can be seen from the
tables, each of the key intersections continues to operate at acceptable levels of service.
Implementation of the project will not have an adverse effect on the operation of the
intersections. The analyses followed the procedures of the Highway Capacity Manual
2000.
Table 4
Capacity Analyses - 2011 Background Traffic
AM
PM
Intersection
Movement
LOS
e ay(seDelay(sect
vehicle)
LOS
vehicle)
Shields/Plum
Signal
EB LEFT/THRU/RIGHT
D
51.5
D
48.3
WB THRU/LEFT
D
38.7
E
66.6
WB RIGHT
D
37.6
D
35.7
NB LEFT
A
2.7
A
9.4
NB THRU/RIGHT
A
3.8
A
4.9
SB LEFT
A
2.8
A
3.3
SB THRU/RIGHT
A
3.2
A
5.8
OVERALL
A
7.5
B
10.6
Plum/Blue Bell/Scott
STOP sign
EB APPROACH
A
0.3
A
0.3
WB APPROACH
A
0.9
A
0.2
NB APPROACH
A
9.1
B
10.5
SB APPROACH
B
10.0
B
11.2
OVERALL
A
1.1
A
1.7
Table S
Capacity Analyses - 2011 Total
AM
PM
Intersection
Movement
LOS
e ay(sec
vehicle)
LOS
a ay(sec
vehicle)
Shields/Plum
Signal
EB LEFT/THRU/RIGHT
D
51.9
D
53.7
WB THRU/LEFT
C
34.1
E
65.6
B RIGHT
C
32.9
C
32.4
NB LEFT
A
32.9
B
14.4
NB THRU/RIGHT
A
5.9
A
6.5
SB LEFT
A
4.3
A
4.5
SB THRWRIGHT
A
5.1
A
7.8
OVERALL
B
11.2
B
14.1
Plum/Blue Bell/Scott
STOP sign
EB APPROACH
A
0.5
A
0.5
WB APPROACH
A
2.5
A
2.5
NB APPROACH
A
9.5
B
10.8
SB APPROACH
B
12.3
B
14.2
OVERALL
A
4.71
A
3.4
13
Plum Street Apartments ELB Engineering, LLC
Transportation Impact Study 5401 Taylor Lane
Revised - November 2008 Fort Collins, CO 80528
_'
511E
o
_o
V1 O N
10/10 20/30
143/155 35/170
5110 25/75 /
N
O N
vi O vi
Ficpre 1; Year 2011 total frafflc (AM/ PM)
Nyyr■�
I�ON,�
P
70/50
10/15
125/85el
410/80
35/120
35/45
o
o n
/
/
n o 0
n a r
Plum/North Drive
., North
12
Plum Street Apartments ELB Engineering, LLC
Transportation Impact Study 5401 Taylor Lane
Revised - November 2008 Fort Collins, CO 80528
r
o v o
Y
s �>
U
65/45
10115
Cn
45/60
> 20/55
30/40
10/80
y
o
o � o
Plum/North Drive
I
/ o
0 0 �
5/55/20
143/155 35/170
015 4 5/5 /
North
Fiqure 6, Year 2011 Packground Traffic(AM/ PM)
Plum Street Apartments ELB Engineering, LLC
Transportation Impact Study 5401 Taylor Lane
Revised - November 2008 Fort Collins, CO 80528
5.0 Traffic Projections
Background traffic for the year 2011 was estimated by assuming that all traffic
movements would increase by 2% per year, as agreed to in the initial scoping meeting
with the Traffic Operations Department. Background traffic is displayed in Figure 6.
Site -generated traffic was then added to the background traffic to determine the total
traffic volumes at the key intersections. Total traffic for the year 2011 is displayed in
Figure 7.
The project will consolidate/revise the current intersection of Plum/Blue
Bell/Scott/Cambridge Apartment driveway. The Cambridge Apartment driveway is next
to Scott Avenue. As such, the traffic from the accesses is combined in the Year 2011
total traffic.
10
Plum Street Apartments ELB Engineering, LLC
Transportation Impact Study 5401 Taylor Lane
Revised - November 2008 Fort Collins, CO 80528
Y
Y
b
`n North
Ficpre 5; 5te l9i5kikAed fraffic (AM/ PM)
th Drive
9
Plum Street Apartments ELB Engineering, LLC
Transportation Impact Study 5401 Taylor Lane
Revised - November 2008 Fort Collins, CO 80528
4.3 Trip Distribution
Trip distribution is the process of determining where the trips are coming to and from the
site. The distribution was based on the current distribution of the current traffic, the
population center of Fort Collins, and engineering judgment. The distribution is not
expected to change during the long tern. The short-term distribution for the project is
displayed in Figure 4. Site distributed traffic is shown in Figure 4.
0
U
U7
s 10%
�Q U7
V0
5%
FIqure 4; Trip nistrlblkion
Plum/North Drive
8
Plum Street Apartments ELB Engineering, LLC
Transportation Impact Study 5401 Taylor Lane
Revised - November 2008 Fort Collins, CO 80528
v
I
NOM
Npre 5: 5te plan
Plum Street Apartments ELB Engineering, LLC
Transportation Impact Study 5401 Taylor Lane
Revised - November 2008 Fort Collins, CO 80528
4.0 Project Description
4.1 Project
The project consists of the redevelopment of existing residential units into 1,2,3, and 4
bedroom apartments. In total, there will be 197 dwelling units. The project is located at
the intersection of Plum Street and Blue Bell. The project is being constructed as a
student housing project due to the close proximity to the CSU campus. The campus is
within easy walking and biking distance. Transfort also serves the site with a bus stop at
the intersection of Plum/Blue Bell.
The project is expected to be completed in one phase with an expected completion date
in the year 2011. Access to the site is via Scott Avenue and Blue Bell Street.
A preliminary site plane is displayed in Figure 3.
4.2 Trip Generation
Trip generation rates for the proposed project are based on the Trip Generation, 1h
Edition manual prepared by the Institute of Transportation Engineers. The manual
presents data from numerous trip generation studies for a variety of land uses from
across the country. ITE Code 220, apartments was used in this analysis. A trip
reduction of 20% was utilized in the trip generation analysis to account for the
alternative modes of transportation that will be used by the residents of this
development. It is likely that the trip reduction will be significantly higher than assumed
rate due to the close proximity of the project to CSU. However, the lower reduction rate
will present a more conservative analysis.
Table 3 below summarizes the proposed trip generation for the project. For the entire
project, during the morning peak hour, 81 trip ends can be expected and 98 trip ends can
be expected from the project during the afternoon peak hours.
Table 3 — Trip Generation
Phase
Student Apartments
1 2201 197.0
1 6721
13241
0.11
201
0.411
811
0.41
791
0.22
43
Trip Reduction due to
proximity t0 cSU
11 1265
1 -4
-16
-16
-9
TOTAL
1 161
165
63
35
6
Plum Street Apartments ELB Engineering, LLC
Transportation Impact Study 5401 Taylor Lane
Revised - November 2008 Fort Collins, CO 80528
Table 1
Level of Service Definitions
Level of
Service
Signalized Intersection
Average Total Delay (seconds/vehicle)
Unsignalized Intersection
Average Total Delay (seconds/vehicle)
A
<10
<10
B
> 10 and <20
> 10 and <15
C
>20 and 535
>15 and _<25
D
>35 and <55
>25 and < 35
E
>55 and< 80
>35 and 550
F
>80
>50
Table 2
Existing Traffic — Capacity Analysis
AM
PM
Intersection
Movement
LOS
e ay(sec
vehicle)
LOS
a ay(sec
vehicle)
Shields/Plum
Signal
EB LEFT/THRU/RIGHT
D
51.0
D
48.5
WB THRU/LEFT
D
39.0
E
73.1
WB RIGHT
D
38.0
D
37.0
NB LEFT
A
2.5
A
7.0
NB THRU/RIGHT
A
3.6
A
4.2
SB LEFT
A
2.6
A
2.8
SB THRU/RIGHT
A
3.1
A
5.0
OVERALL
A
7.3
A
10.0
Plum/Blue Bell/Scott
STOP sign
EB APPROACH
A
0.2
A
0.2
WB APPROACH
A
0.2
A
0.0
NB APPROACH
A
9.0
B
10.2
SB APPROACH
A
9.8
B
11.0
OVERALL
A
1 0.51
A
1 1.5
5
Plum Street Apartments ELB Engineering, LLC
Transportation Impact Study 5401 Taylor Lane
Revised - November 2008 Fort Collins, CO 80528
i
e �
aY+
OU
1
62/40
s 10/12
44/55
20/52
28/38
��+ 9/74
W
a
y
o
Plum/North Drive
51fE
3/3 1/18
135/149 34/12
0/2 1/1
North
Npre 2; �xi5tinq peak Hour rurninq Movements( AM/ PM)
4
Plum Street Apartments ELB Engineering, LLC
Transportation Impact Study 5401 Taylor Lane
Revised - November 2008 Fort Collins, CO 80528
L
L,
3.0 Existing Conditions
3.1. Current Traffic
Recent peak hour turning movements at the key intersections were obtained during
September 2008. The morning and afternoon peak hour traffic counts at the key
intersections are displayed in Figure 2. The peak hour counts were conducted in 15
minute increments for the periods of 7:00 -900 AM and 4:00 - 6:00 PM for Shields
Street and 7:30-8:30 and 4:30-5:30 for Plum Street. The peak hours between the two
intersections do not correspond to each other. For a conservative analysis, the peak hour
data was not balanced. The raw information regarding the turning movements is
provided in Appendix B.
3.2 Current Street System
The project is located in central Fort Collins within close proximity to the CSU campus.
The project is located on Blue Bell and Scott Streets at the intersection of Plum Street.
Shields Street is located to the east of the site. Shields Street is an improved arterial
roadway with 4 lanes of traffic, auxiliary turn lanes, on -street bike lanes, and a speed
limit of 30 mph. The intersection of Shields/Plum is controlled by a 4-phase traffic
signal and includes pedestrian heads and actuation buttons. The pavement markings
including the crosswalks are well maintained.
Plum Street is a collector roadway on the City's Master Street Plan and includes 2-lanes
of traffic and bike lanes. The speed limit on Plum is posted at 25 mph.
Scott Avenue will serve a portion of the project and although public ROW, is in reality
no more than a gravel driveway.
The surrounding lane uses are primarily residential and the residents appear to be
primarily students at CSU. Elizabeth Street to the south of the property is primarily
commercial.
3.3 Current Traffic Conditions
Capacity analyses were performed at the key intersections to determine if existing
deficiencies exist on the roadway network. The analyses followed the procedures of the
Highway Capacity Manual 2000. Level of Service (LOS) is a qualitative term
describing operating conditions and expressed in terms of delay. Table 1 below provides
the definitions of LOS for both signalized and unsignalized intersections. Table 2
displays the results of the analyses. All key intersections operate at acceptable levels of
service. The worksheets from the analyses can be found in Appendix C.
3
Plum Street Apartments ELB Engineering. LLC
Transportation Impact Study 5401 Taylor Lane
Revised - November 2008 Fort Collins, CO 80528
J
Lako 1 y! in
VJ MOl e, VJ Mulcerly St _ W MubeM 81 m
o V,,
ei y
Rs: ' Ce Hve ` Sunsel Ave t! 0v;
!_ m n
fill
W Myrtle St
0 6 N d W Myrllc St
D p e
Ql 1D BL pre s
v� a PI c7 si a r-
. Birch & - 'n D o ;n
w
d PIv 'lJ '_am S
`v V1 Laurel St
ii
J a. Flaystone D, t. in
�-`--"� 'AJ Plum St �, Plum St - North Of North Dr lartr. L
F t �r
'- (a ITS
' 9 O
--'�
N El¢abath St W uizahn St
5
Colorado State
D
'� m tknverfAyAvt _ _ UIIIVefSlly
+; South Or -» Soolh Dr
m
cry m n 'fiestviara or
Pond 0 ± o
n
T � G
e Dr �> m >< 'W Pllkm St Vl PtM'^ St
P p
Spnngfeld Dr 9 Spr:nghela Ot
O to 8 1 -_
Fiqure 1; Vicinity{ Map
Plum Street Apartments ELB Engineering, LLC
Transportation Impact Study 5401 Taylor Lane
Revised - November 2008 Fort Collins, CO 80528
1
ri
1.0 Introduction
This transportation impact study addresses the Plum Street Apartments located west of
the Colorado State University Campus. The project is a redevelopment of an existing,
older residential development. The project is located at Plum Street and the intersections
with Blue Bell and Scott.
The housing that currently is situated on the site is dilapidated. There are single family
units, apartments, as well as row houses on the site (s). For analysis purposes, the
project will be built in one -phase.
Figure 1 on the following page is a vicinity map displaying the location of the project.
2.0 Agency Discussions
Initial discussions with City staff indicated that an intermediate study traffic study as
described in Chapter 4 of the Larimer County Urban Area Streets Standards (LCUASS)
would be appropriate for this particular development.
The project is considered infill and redevelopment and there are no recently approved
projects in the area that need to be considered in the analysis. There are no perceived
capacity or infrastructure deficiencies in the immediate area that are of concern at the on-
set of this study.
Appendix A contains the form (Attachment A), which outlines the agreed to scope of
the study.
1
Plum Street Apartments ELB Engineering, LLC
Transportation Impact Study 5401 Taylor Lane
Revised - November 2008 Fort Collins, CO 80528
List of Figures
Figures
Page
1. Vicinity Map
2
2. Existing Peak Hour Traffic
4
3. Site Plan
7
4. Trip Distribution
8
5. Site Distributed Traffic
9
6. Year 2010 Background Traffic
11
7. Year 2010 Total Traffic
12
8. Multimodal Evaluation Area
15
APPENDIX
A. Base Assumptions/Scoping Form
B. Traffic Counts
C. HCM Capacity Analysis — Base Condition
D. HCM Capacity Analysis — Background
E. HCM Capacity Analysis — 2011 Total Traffic
F. Pedestrian LOS Worksheet
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
1
Introduction
1
2.
Agency Discussions
1
3.
Existing Conditions
3
4.
Project Description
6
5.
Traffic Projections
10
6.
Traffic Analysis
13
7.
Improvements
14
8.
Multimodal Analysis
15
9.
Conclusions
18
List of Tables
Table Page
1.
LOS Definitions
5
2.
Existing Operation
5
3.
Trip Generation
6
4.
2011 Background Capacity Analysis
13
5.
2011 Total Traffic Capacity Analysis
13
6.
Transit Travel Time Comparisons/Analysis
17
it
Plum Street Apartments — Redevelopment Project
Transportation Impact Study
Fort Collins, Colorado
September 25, 2008
Prepared for:
Mr. Jeremy Carver
Director of Acquisitions
Glenwood Student Communities
1425 North University Avenue
Provo, Utah 84604
Prepared by:
Eric L. Bracke, P.E., P.T.O.E.
5401 Taylor Lane
Fort Collins, CO 80528
Office:970-988-7551
Fax:970-225-8942
ELBEngineering(i ,Ipbroadband.net
LLB Engineering, LLC
Transportation Engineering Solutions
Transportation Impact Study
Plum Street Apartments
Fort Collins, Colorado
Revised November 2008