HomeMy WebLinkAboutRAMS PARK - PDP/FDP - 12-00 - SUBMITTAL DOCUMENTS - ROUND 1 - TRAFFIC STUDYX. CONCLUSIONS
Based upon the analyses, investigations, and findings documented in earlier sections
of this report, the following can be concluded:
• Current roadway operations in the area of the Elizabeth Apartments site are
acceptable during all peak hour periods.
• Site traffic associated with the Elizabeth Apartments development is ex-
pected to be 43 morning peak hour trips, 52 afternoon peak hour trips, and
557 trips per day. These trips are considered manageable.
• The impacts of site generated traffic are negligible. This is evidenced by
the finding that overall intersection levels of service remain constant be-
tween current and short-term conditions with Elizabeth Apartments fully
built.
• No site related transportation improvements are needed. The proposed full
movement access points to Elizabeth Street will not require construction of
auxiliary lanes.
• Per City criteria, traffic operations will be acceptable with the proposed de-
velopment.
• The Elizabeth Apartments development will use the existing pedestrian fa-
cilities. Anticipated levels of service will meet or exceed City criteria.
• Current and future bicycle levels of service will exceed those required by
City standards. This site has direct access to east -west on -street bicycle
lanes which connect to north -south bicycle lanes.
• Future transit operations are expected to achieve level of service 'B' condi-
tions. This level of service exceeds City standards.
25
Table 1
Pedestrian LOS Worksheet
project location classification: School Walking Area I
a
description of applicable
destination area within 1,320'
including address
King Soopers Site
Moore Elementary
Blevins Middle School
Poudre High School
Rodgers Residential Area
destination area
classification
Commercial
Site
Institution
Site
Institution
Site
Institution
Site
Residential
Areas
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' In summary, the transportation demands associated with Elizabeth Apartments are
' considered minor. They can be easily absorbed and accommodated by the current
transportation system. Based upon analyses documented in this study, acceptable
operating conditions can be expected in the vicinity of this development for the fore-
seeable future.
26
N
Table 3
Travel Time Factor Worksheet
Destination
Approximate
Distance
Auto Travel
Time
Bus Travel Time
Travel Time
Factor
Fort Collins HighSchool
6.8 miles
21.3 min.
41 min.
Foothills Fashion Mall
5.1 miles
17.3 min.
35 min.
CSU Transit Center
2.5 miles
11.0 min.
8 min.
Downtown
2.1 miles
1
11.7 min.
21 min.
Total Travel Time
61.3 min.
105 min.
1.72
Service Level Standards Worksheet
Standard
Mixed Use
Centers and
Commercial
Corridors
Remainder of
the Service
Area
Meets Standard
Fails Standard
Score
Hours of Weekday Service
18 Hours
16 Hours
1
0
1
Weekday Frequency of Servic
15 Minutes
20 Minutes
0
1
1
Travel Time Factor
2.0 X
2.0 X
1
0
0
Peak Load Factor
< = 1.2
< = 1.2
1
0
1
3of4
LOS 'B'
times for bus and auto traffic were estimated and resulted in a travel time factor of
' 1.72.
' It is expected that weekday service will be expanded to accommodate any growth in
user demand. This will result in a future LOS "B" being provided as shown on Table
' 3. Service beyond the established goal of LOS 'D' will be easily provided.
23
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IX. TRANSIT
A. Existing Conditions
' Transit stops are currently located very close to the site along Elizabeth Street. Bus
1 routes 2 and 3 provide 30-minute service to this location. Service is available using
Route 2 from 6:52 A.M. to 6:27 P.M., which is about 11'/2 hours per day on a year
round basis. Route 3 runs when CSU is in session during the fall and spring semes-
ters. It runs from 6:50 A.M. to 11:02 P.M. This approximates 16 hours per day. The
1 current peak load factor is less than 1.20 for a representative weekday peak hour.
B. Planned Improvements
No improvements are planned in the immediate area of the site. Passenger demand
is expected to be the driving force behind increases in the frequency of service and
hours of operations. It is expected that Transfort will adequately serve this area in
concert with ridership demands.
' C. Levels of Service
' Using the criteria presented in the Manual, current and future transit levels of service
were determined.
The current travel time factor was calculated for transit and automobile trips to Fort
' Collins High School, Foothills Fashion Mall, the CSU Transit Center, and the down-
town area as defined in the Manual. Bus travel times and transfer times were ex-
tracted from the current Transfort bus schedule brochure. Walk time from the site to
the bus stop is considered negligible. Auto travel times were estimated as part of this
' study. Auto park and walk times were assumed to total 5 minutes. Current travel
22
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specific connections to priority sites:
description of
destination area within 1,320'
including address
Blevins Middle School
Poudre High School
Table 2
Bicycle LOS Worksheet
level of service - connectivity
minimum actual proposed
base connectivity: C A I I A
destination area
classification
(see text)
Public School
Public School
A I I A I I A
' Vlll. BICYCLE FACILITIES
A. Existing Conditions
Elizabeth Street currently has on -street bicycle lanes and borders the site on the
south. These lanes connect to established bicycle routes on Taft Hill Road. Excellent
connectivity is therefore provided in both the north -south and east -west directions.
B. Planned Improvements
' No improvements are planned on the area bicycle system in conjunction with this
development.
1
1 C. Levels of Service
' The City of Fort Collins defines level of service based upon connectivity of the site to
existing and planned bicycle facilities. In this instance, the site abuts existing bicycle
' lanes on Elizabeth Street resulting in excellent connectivity in all directions. This
results in level of service'A' being realized both currently and in the future. The
' bicycle level of service work sheet is presented on Table 2.
1
20
C. Levels -of -Service
The City of Fort Collins multi -modal transportation Level -of -Service Manual (the
Manual) was used to assess both current and future pedestrian conditions. It was
determined that the site fits the "School Walking Area" classification due to its rela-
tionship to area schools. Sidewalks leading to Moore Elementary School were investi-
gated. To access Moore Elementary School, students would travel east on Elizabeth
Street, cross to the east side of Taft Hill under traffic signal control and go north to
Glenmoor Drive. The existing sidewalk along the north side of Glenmoor Drive leads
to the school. To reach Blevins Middle School, students would walk east to Taft Hill
Road and then walk south to the school. High school students could walk north on
Taft Hill Road to Mulberry Street, then walk west along the north side of Mulberry
Street to Impala Drive which leads to Poudre High School.
Other areas such as the King Soopers Shopping Center to the south of the site can
be easily and safely reached. Residents could walk east on Elizabeth Street, cross to
the south side at Taft Hill road (under traffic signal protection) and access the shop-
ping center. Connection to the residential areas to the west (Rodgers Park) will
require traveling north on the bike/pedestrian way leading to Orchard and then walk-
ing west. Five factors were assessed under current and future conditions. These
classifications provide the basis for determining minimum level of service criteria.
Based upon the investigations into current and future pedestrian levels of service,
acceptable levels of service are currently being and will continue to be experienced.
The pedestrian level of service worksheet is presented on Table 1. As shown, all
pedestrian factors are expected to represent acceptable conditions.
18
VII. PEDESTRIAN FACILITIES
A. Existing Conditions
The existing sidewalk system was field reviewed within 1,320 feet of the Elizabeth
' Apartments site. Sidewalks currently exist along the north side of Elizabeth Street
from Taft Hill Road to the west property line. To the west of this point, they are
' somewhat lacking.
' Pedestrian facilities have been installed under earlier editions of City design stan-
dards. This has resulted in older designs; however, all facilities were determined in
' generally usable condition. Pedestrian ramps are available at critical intersections
and traffic signals facilitate crossings at the Elizabeth Street — Taft Hill Road intersec-
tion. Generally speaking, Taft Hill Road has sidewalk along both sides as do other
area streets. Sidewalk is available to all schools and major street crossings can be
made using traffic signals. Sidewalks adjacent to the site are 5 feet wide and are
detached. In other areas, they vary in width.
B. Planned Improvements
The pedestrian system planned internal to Elizabeth Apartments will conform to
' current City criteria. It will connect to the external pedestrian system thereby accom-
modating and complimenting the integration of pedestrians into the site. An internal
' walkway system will connect to the external system including the apartments to the
' north. No off -site improvements are planned in conjunction with this project. The
current sidewalk system is considered sufficient to serve this site and pedestrians
' using this facility.
17
C. Short -Term Operating Conditions
Short-term operating conditions were assessed using total traffic, which includes full
development of Elizabeth Apartments. This investigation used the traffic volumes
shown on Figure 7 and the existing roadway geometry shown on Figure 3. Resultant
operating conditions are shown below
SHORT-TERM OPERATING CONDITONS WITH PROJECT
1 I LEVEL OF SERVICE
INTERSECTION CONTROL APPROACH/ AM PK HR PM PK HR
MOVEMENT
Elizabeth Street — Taft Hill Signal EB C D
WB C D
NB C C
SIB C C
Elizabeth Street — West Access/
Stop
EB LT
A
A
Shopping Center Drive
WB LT
A
A
WB LT/RT
A
A
SIB LT/RT
A
A
E7�:eralt
A
._
A
Elizabeth Street — East Access
Stop
EB LT
A
A
SIB LT/RT
A
A
Capacity worksheets are presented in Appendix E.
As indicated, all intersections are expected to operate acceptably per City standards.
16
B. Existing Total Operating Conditions
Existing operating conditions were assessed using total traffic, which includes full
development of Elizabeth Apartments. This investigation used the traffic volumes
shown on Figure 6 and the existing roadway geometry shown on Figure 3. Resultant
operating conditions are shown below.
EXISTING OPERATING CONDITONS WITH PROJECT
LEVEL OF SERVICE
INTERSECTION CONTROL APPROACH/AM PK HR PM PK HR
MOVEMENT
Elizabeth Street — Taft Hill Signal EB C D
WB C D
NB C C
SIB C C
Elizabeth Street — West Access/
Stop
EB LT
A
A
Shopping Center Drive
WB LT
A
A
WB LT/RT
A
A
SB LT/RT
A
A
Ouera lI
A
Elizabeth Street — East Access
Stop
................::..................::................
EB LT
A
A
SIB LT/RT
A
A
Capacity worksheets are presented in Appendix D.
As shown above, acceptable operations are expected under existing total traffic
conditions with the existing roadway geometry.
15
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U
2
Q
Q
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O
H
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U)
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o o
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45/135
5/10
0 �
1 {— 160/615
Ln 1
"'
� 1 �
f— 105/375
70/185
� 5/5
1
� �
�--- 165/615
�
Elizabeth
5/10 /4 1
5/10
120/170 �
I
525/500 —►
530/495 —►
275/310 ►
(D , Ln
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A 5/5 uO o 0
C N
135/165 -�
0
E
uoi N
F "
0
C
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Ca.
O 0
O
V7 U_
cm
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LEGEND: AM/PM Peak Hour
nom = nominal
Figure 7
NOTE: Rounded to nearest 5 vehicles.
SHORT-TERM TOTAL TRAFFIC
U
U
=
Q
Q
.�
W
N
U)
U)
~
E
0
o 0
00 0
E 5/10
o
45/125
LO
n- 145/560
�
, �
�-
`r' `r
f — 100/350
5/5
5/10
4-- 150/560
J I
65/175
Elizabeth
5/101 1
5/101
110/1551
T) I
475/455 —f LIOE
480/450 —�
255/290 ---►
Ln C1 Ln
w 5/5 c N
125/155
LO Lo Lo
E
0
c
U) 0
CL60 0
U) U_
rnZ
c �
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LEGEND: AM/PM Peak Hour
nom = nominal
Figure 6
NOTE: Rounded to nearest 5 vehicles.
EXISTING TOTAL TRAFFIC
Short-term conditions reflect the year 2005. This reflects the analysis time frame
requested by the City. By that time, Elizabeth Apartments will be fully built and occu-
pied.
VI. TRAFFIC IMPACTS
In order to assess operating conditions with Elizabeth Apartments fully operational,
capacity analyses were conducted at the Elizabeth Street intersections with Taft Hill
Road and both site access points. Total traffic (background traffic combined with site
traffic) was developed for two time frames: the first being existing conditions with site
traffic added and the second being 2005 total traffic. Existing total traffic is shown on
Figure 6 with short-term total traffic shown on Figure 7. Site traffic was rounded to the
nearest 5 vehicles with a minimum of 5 vehicles for each traffic movement. This
represents a very conservative analysis. Total traffic volumes were reviewed from an
auxiliary lane standpoint. The results of this review are discussed in the following
section.
A. Auxiliary Lane Requirements
Traffic movements at the site access to Elizabeth Street were reviewed. This effort
focused on the need for a westbound right turn lanes and a westbound left turn lanes
to accommodate vehicles entering the site under 2005 traffic conditions. Both lanes
were determined to be unwarranted using criteria presented in Report 279, "Intersec-
tion Channelization Design Guide" as published by TRB. Warrant sheets are pre-
sented in Appendix C. The Elizabeth Street intersection with Taft Hill Road was not
reviewed. This was deemed appropriate given the negligible amount of site traffic
expected to use this intersection and the current availability of most auxiliary lanes.
12
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{ j
Lo
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5110
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5/10
U7
4)
4-5/5
Elizabeth
5/10 —/4
5/10
10/5--!
10/5 —i
o
10/5
U)
LEGEND: AM/PM Peak Hour
nom = nominal
NOTE: Rounded to nearest 5 vehicles.
Figure 5
SITE TRAFFIC
' C. Trip Distribution
Trip distribution is a function of the origin and destination of site users and the avail-
able roadway system. In this case, all site traffic must use Elizabeth Street to access
the site. Site traffic was assigned to the street system based upon current traffic
patterns. Current biases reflect heavy weighting to the east during the morning peak
hour and more balanced conditions during the afternoon peak hour. Peak hour site
traffic is shown on Figure 5.
V
A. Roadway Improvements
FUTURE CONDITIONS
The site is located in a generally developed section of Fort Collins. Accordingly, no
significant major roadway improvements are planned in the area of the site in the
short-term. When and if improvements are made is largely speculative and cannot be
reasonably predicted. For analysis purposes, any future improvements are assumed
to occur well beyond the time frames considered in this study.
B. Short -Term Background Traffic Volumes
Background traffic was developed using an annual growth rate in the range of 1'/2 - 2
percent per year. This factor was applied to existing traffic volumes to approximate
short-term conditions.
10
I
1
Figure 4
CONCEPT PLAN
IV. DEVELOPMENT ISSUES
' A. Project Description
t Elizabeth Apartments is a residential development with 84 apartments. It is expected
that construction will start in 2000 with completion and full occupancy within the
' following year or two.
' Two full movement accesses to Elizabeth Street are planned to serve this develop-
ment. A concept plan is presented on Figure 4.
1 B. Site Traffic
' Site traffic was estimated using Institute of Transportation Engineers (ITE) publication,
"Trip Generation, 6th Edition", a nationally recognized reference. The apartment
' classification was selected to best represent this development. Trips associated with
Elizabeth Apartments are indicated in the following table.
Land Use
Size
Daily
AM Peak Hour
PM Peak Hour
Rate
Trips
Rate
In
Out
Rate
In
Out
Apartment
84 D.U.
6.63
557
0.51
7
36
0.62
35
17
As shown above, Elizabeth Apartments is expected to generate 43 morning peak hour
trips, 52 afternoon peak hour trips, and 557 trips per day. These trips are considered
' minor.
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w
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SITE
STOP ® Elizabeth
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00
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Y u7
Figure 3
CURRENT ROADWAY GEOMETRY
afternoon peak hour conditions. This was undertaken for Elizabeth Street intersec-
tions with Taft Hill Road and the shopping center service drive. The shopping center
drive intersection will change to a four-way intersection with the planned site access
to the north. Traffic volumes from Figure 2 were loaded onto the current roadway
geometry, which is shown on Figure 3.
CURRENT OPERATING CONDITONS
INTERSECTION
CONTROL
APPROACH/
MOVEMENT
LEVEL OF SERVICE
AM PEAK
HOUR
PM PEAK
HOUR
Elizabeth Street —Taft Hill
Signal
EB
C
C
WB
C
D
NB
C
C
SIB
C
C
Elizabeth Street — Shopping Center
Service Drive
Stop I WB LT I A I A
NB LT/RT A A
Per City standards, overall level of service'D' is defined as acceptable for arterial
street intersections. As shown above, all intersections currently operate at level of
service 'C' or better during peak hour periods. Capacity work sheets are presented in
Appendix B.
C.
i
U
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t°
u_
Y
~
0
M 0 0
T CD
43/122
M N
1 1
1/3
c o
v ,I
� 89/337
{— 145 /550
0 0 0
4— 130/459
1
63/168
j
�1�
�-
y
Elizabeth
466/477 —►
4/2
3/7 1
R
1
98/1481
t
I
243/278
422/351 —►
0 ,� 0
—►
Ln M
C"
M N
45/84
o N
LO
116/147 —�
^ �'
co co
M
fp
12
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N
a
00
O
U) U
01 Z
E N
C
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Y
LEGEND: AM/PM Peak Hour
Figure 2
nom = nominal
CURRENT PEAK HOUR TRAFFIC
'
Taft Hill Road is an arterial roadway having two lanes in each direction in the area of
the site. It is a north — south arterial roadway extending through the City of Fort
'
Collins and beyond. It typically has auxiliary lanes at all key intersections and on -
street bicycle lanes. Older but functional sidewalk exists along Taft Hill Road.
' Elizabeth Street is an east — west minor arterial roadway extending east and west of
Colorado State University (CSU). It is a two-lane roadway expanding to a three -lane
section in the immediate area of the site. The roadway has some 22 feet of additional
pavement along the north side. This added width stops at the west site boundary.
' Current daily traffic on Elizabeth Street is estimated at 10,500 vehicles.
B. Surrounding Land Uses
The Elizabeth Apartments site is currently vacant. Residential developments lie
' directly north and west of the site with commercial areas to the east and south. The
area is considered fully built.
C. Existing Traffic
' Weekday morning and afternoon peak hour traffic counts were obtained for the
Elizabeth Street - Taft Hill Road intersection, Elizabeth Street — KFC/Shopping Center
' Access intersection and the shopping center service drive — Elizabeth Street intersec-
tion. This information is presented on Figure 2.
' D. Existing Traffic Operations
Highway Capacity Manual procedures were used to quantify current intersection oper-
ations. Resultant levels of service (LOS) are indicated below for both morning and
4
II. AGENCY DISCUSSIONS
' Prior to undertaking this study, a scoping session was held with Eric Bracke, City
Traffic Engineer. During that discussion, it was determined that an abbreviated
' transportation impact study was appropriate. Key items of agreement and direction
are identified below.
I
• A full assessment of pedestrian, bicycle, and transit levels of service needs
to be conducted.
• The Taft Hill Road — Elizabeth Street and site access intersections should
be investigated. Weekday morning and afternoon peak hour conditions
should be evaluated.
• An assessment of existing and future short-term conditions is appropriate.
The short-term was identified as the year 2005.
• Traffic growth on nearby arterial streets of 1'/2 - 2% percent per year is rea-
sonable to estimate future background traffic.
The above items are included or addressed in the following sections of this report.
The City's Transportation Impact Study base assumptions and pedestrian destina-
tions forms are attached in Appendix A.
EXISTING CONDITIONS
A. Existing Road Network
The Elizabeth Apartments site is located along the north side of Elizabeth Street west
of Taft Hill Road.
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I. INTRODUCTION
Elizabeth Apartments is a planned residential development along the north side of
Elizabeth Street to the west of Taft Hill Road in Fort Collins, Colorado. A vicinity map
is presented on Figure 1.
This transportation impact study follows the established guidelines for such studies as
are applicable and appropriate to the proposed project. The following key steps were
undertaken as part of this study.
• Obtain current traffic and roadway data in the immediate area of the site.
• Evaluate current operations to establish base conditions.
• Determine site generated traffic volumes and distribute this traffic to the
nearby street system.
• Estimate roadway traffic volumes for future conditions.
• Evaluate operations with the Elizabeth Apartments fully operational.
• Inventory, evaluate, and assess the pedestrian, bicycle, and transit net-
works serving the site.
Identify deficiencies and recommend measures to mitigate the impact of
site generated traffic and enhance the alternate travel mode systems as
appropriate.
Key areas of investigation are documented in the following sections of this transporta-
tion impact study.
List of Tables
' Table 1 Pedestrian LOS Worksheet........................................................................19
Table 2 Bicycle LOS Worksheet..............................................................................21
Table 3 Future Transit Level of Service................................................................... 24
List of Figures
Figure1
Vicinity Map...............................................................................................2
Figure 2
Current Peak Hour Traffic.........................................................................
5
Figure 3
Current Roadway Geometry......................................................................7
Figure4
Concept Plan.............................................................................................
9
Figure 5
Peak Hour Site Traffic.............................................................................11
Figure 6
Existing Total Traffic................................................................................13
Figure 7
Short -Term Total Traffic..........................................................................14
Table of Contents
I.
INTRODUCTION...............................................................................................1
II.
AGENCY DISCUSSIONS..................................................................................3
III.
EXISTING CONDITIONS..................................................................................
3
A.
Existing Road Network......................................................................................3
B.
Surrounding Land Uses.....................................................................................4
C.
Existing Traffic...................................................................................................4
D.
Existing Traffic Operations................................................................................4
IV.
DEVELOPMENT ISSUES.................................................................................8
A.
Project Description............................................................................................
8
B.
Site Traffic.........................................................................................................
8
C.
Trip Distribution...............................................................................................10
V.
FUTURE CONDITIONS..................................................................................10
A.
Roadway Improvements..................................................................................10
B.
Short -Term Background Traffic Volumes.........................................................10
VI.
TRAFFIC IMPACTS........................................................................................12
A.
Auxiliary Lane Requirements...........................................................................12
B.
Existing Total Operating Conditions................................................................15
C.
Short -Term Operating Conditions....................................................................16
VII.
PEDESTRIAN FACILITIES..............................................................................17
A.
Existing Conditions..........................................................................................17
B.
Planned Improvements....................................................................................17
C.
Levels-of-Service.............................................................................................18
Vill.
BICYCLE FACILITIES.....................................................................................20
A.
Existing Conditions..........................................................................................20
B.
Planned Improvements....................................................................................20
C.
Levels of Service.............................................................................................
20
IX.
TRANSIT.........................................................................................................22
A.
Existing Conditions..........................................................................................22
B.
Planned Improvements....................................................................................22
C.
Levels of Service.............................................................................................
22
X.
CONCLUSIONS..............................................................................................25
Transportation Impact Study
ELIZABETH APARTMENTS
Fort Collins, Colorado
Prepared For:
Bellisimo Inc
7307 Stream Side Drive
Fort Collins, CO 80525
Prepared By:
Eugene G. Coppola, P.E.
P. 0. Box 260027
Littleton, CO 80127
303-792-2450
February 18, 2000