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HomeMy WebLinkAboutGLENMOOR DRIVE PUD - PRELIMINARY - 8-95A - SUBMITTAL DOCUMENTS - ROUND 1 - TRAFFIC STUDY- Currently, the two key intersections of Taft Hill/Orchard and Elizabeth/Glenmoor are operating at acceptable levels of - service. The analysis of total peak hour traffic conditions, future traffic conditions with the proposed project, indicate that each of the study intersections is expected to continue to operate at acceptable levels of service. - The pedestrian "safe route" to Moore Elementary School is via a future sidewalk on the east side of Glenmoor Drive and a future sidewalk on the north side of Orchard Place. - It is expected that "cut through" traffic will not be a significant concern when the street connection is made through the Glenmoor Subdivision. C. 2015. Calculation forms are provided in Appendices D and E, respectively. As indicated on both of these tables, it is. expected that the key intersections will continue to operate at acceptable levels of service after completion of the proposed project. B. Pedestrian Analysis The proposed project is adjacent to Moore Elementary School. Currently, there is an opening in the fence which bounds the school on the west. This opening is located directly adjacent to the proposed project. Some students currently utilize this opening to access the school. It is anticipated that this opening would remain when this project is completed. The safe route to school (opening in the fence) would be on the east side of Glenmoor Drive for students from/to the south and on the north side of Orchard Place for students from/to the west. The sidewalk on the north side of Orchard Place should be constructed with the development of the Glenmoor PUD. C. Cut Through Traffic City Transportation Division staff voiced concern that connecting Taft Hill Road and Elizabeth Street would allow the opportunity for "cut through" traffic via Glenmoor Drive. Currently, this opportunity exists via Plum Street and Glenmoor Drive. This route would be similar to the future Glenmoor Drive connection through the proposed development. Observations were conducted during peak hour and non -peak hour times. It was observed that traffic that did this was 20-25% of the turning traffic at either the Glenmoor/Elizabeth intersection or the Plum/Taft Hill intersection. Most vehicles who made the subject turns had destinations within the area. Given the absolute number of turns that actually occurred, the number of "cut through" vehicles was small. It is concluded that "cut through" traffic is not a significant concern. V. CONCLUSIONS The following summarizes the significant findings as a result of this study: The proposed residential development traffic can be accommodated on the area streets. It is expected that approximately 191 daily, 15 morning peak hour, and 20 afternoon peak hour trips would be generated by the Glenmoor Subdivision. 5 Table 3 Short Range Peak Hour Operation Level of Service Intersection AM PM Taft Hill/Orchard EB LT/T/RT A A WB LT/T/RT A B NB LT A A SB LT A A Elizabeth/Glenmoor SB LT/RT A D EB LT A A Table 4 Long Range Peak Hour Operation Intersection Taft Hill/Orchard EB LT/T/RT WB LT/T/RT NB LT SB LT Elizabeth/Glenmoor SB LT/RT EB LT Level of Service AM PM B B A B A A A A B D A A LO rl o \ o - 20/10 LO Nr LO - NOM. f 1 � 15/5 5/10 --1 } r NOM. o Ln uo 15/15 ��LO CD cn 0 a O m J J_ H a 4- N %V JJ 4 SUBD OOR; SION o� o--10/75 ELIZABETH STREET 205 6 10/15 -� 460/525 TOTAL PEAK HOUR TRAFFIC - YEAR 2015 AM / PM Rounded to the Nearest 5 Vehicles. Figure 9 0 ono Ito "� �— 20/10 "' � "' �-- NOM. ORCHARD I 1 � 15/5 PLACE /r 1 5/10� NOM. —+- o Ln Ln 15/15� �o� 0 a 0 m J _J U. a F- ELIZABETH ST TOTAL PEAK HOUR TRAFFIC - YEAR 1996 M00 IVISII FA m 0 0 i Z W o�o� �, Nk-- T / �, 10/75 - *--175/5 10/15 —� 390/450 { AM / PM Rounded to the Nearest 5 Vehicles. Figure 8 Total Traffic The traffic volumes generated by the proposed residential development were added to the background traffic volumes to produce total peak hour traffic projections. Figure 8 shows the morning and afternoon peak hour total traffic for the year 1996, and Figure 9 shows the morning and afternoon peak hour total traffic for the year 2015. IV. TRAFFIC IMPACTS A. Operational Analysis The unsignalized intersection analysis technique, as contained in the 1965 Highway Capacity Manual published by the Transportation Research Board, was used to analyze the two study intersections: Taft Hill/Orchard and Elizabeth/Glenmoor. This technique allows for the determination of the intersection level of service based on congestion and delay of each traffic movement. Recent research '! indicates that the unsignalized analysis technique overstates the level of service at intersections on�four lane major streets. This technique is being revised by TRB. Following review of the available research and conversations with the Chairman of the TRB Committee on Highway Capacity and Quality of Service, this technique was modified to take into consideration the overstatement of level of service. The modification entailed multiplying the through traffic by 1.2 and then dividing it in half. This allows for unequal distribution in the two travel lanes. Existing Traffic Conditions The key intersections were analyzed to determine existing traffic operation, using the existing traffic volumes depicted on Figure 2. Table 2 illustrates the levels of service for the existing morning and afternoon peak hour traffic. Definitions of level of service at unsignalized intersections are given in Appendix B. The capacity worksheets are provided in Appendix C. As indicated in Table 2, each of the analyzed intersection are currently operating at acceptable levels of service. Typically in urban areas, level of service D or better is considered acceptable. Total Traffic Conditions Traffic analyses were completed for total traffic conditions for both the years 1996 and 2015. As mentioned earlier, total_ traffic includes the background traffic plus the assigned traffic from the proposed residential development. The results of this analysis are provided in Table 3 for year 1996 and Table 4 for year LO r- o\90 � �15/5 cn ��7, Lod Lo NOM. ORCHARD 1 �-10/5 PLACE 1 5/10 n NOM. o o 15/15 —�o N cn rr 0 a 0 Q J _J H LL a �GLENMOOM; SUBDIVISION m 0 0 2 Z W J C7 0 tn �,-10 ELIZABETH STREET � � 20 10/15 460/525 AM / PM Rounded to the Nearest 6 Vehicles. BACKGROUND PEAK HOUR TRAFFIC - YEAR 2015 0 Figure 7 0 <,�� �15/5 "' -4- "' f- NOM. ORCHARD I 10/5 PLACE 5/10 } i NOM. o uo o 15/15 - �o N �GLENMOOR; SUBDIVISION A I .. m 0 0 Z W J C7 0 oL0 �10 ELIZABETH STREET --17 10/15 -� 390/450 i AM / PM Rounded to the Nearest 5 Vehicles. BACKGROUND PEAK HOUR ' TRAFFIC - YEAR 1996 N Figure 6 I I I. II II I I i N SITE GENERATED PEAK HOUR TRAFFIC Figure 5 N TRIP DISTRIBUTION Figure 4 D. Trip Distribution : Trip distribution assumptions were derived utilizing the relationship of the site to other developments and neighborhoods in Fort Collins. The trip distribution was developed to be consistent with other planning and traffic studies in the area. Figure 4 illustrates the trip distribution assumptions. E. Traffic Assignments and Volumes Site Generated Traffic Volumes Utilizing the trip generation estimates and the distribution assumptions identified previously, projected vehicle trips were assigned to the street system. The resulting site generated traffic is shown on Figure 5. Background Traffic Volumes Background traffic volumes (traffic on the roadways not attributed to the proposed project) were developed for year 1996 and year 2015. Background traffic volumes were developed to account for overall growth in the area and traffic growth related to specific projects near the study area. Two other residential developments were identified for inclusion in the background traffic projections. These developments would be located on the extension of Orchard Place. Glenmoor PUD, located to the north of Orchard Place, would be for 20 townhouses and the other development (assumed), located south of Orchard Place, would be for 120 apartments. The trip generation for these projects was estimated based upon the trip rates provided in the previously referenced ITE document. The resulting trips are also provided in Table 1. It can be seen that these two projects would generate significantly more traffic than the proposed Glenmoor Subdivision. The trips associated with the other projects were assigned to the street system according to the trip distribution depicted on Figure 4. The existing traffic volumes were also factored to reflect overall growth in the study area. For the year 1996, the existing through traffic volumes on Taft Hill Road and Elizabeth Street were factored by 2 percent. For the year 2015, the through traffic volumes on Taft Hill Road were factored by 113 percent and on Elizabeth Street by 120 percent. The year 2015 factors were based upon information contained in the North Front Range Regional Transportation'Plan (NFRRTP), October 1994. The resulting background traffic is depicted on Figures 6 and 7 for the years 1996 and 2015, respectively. 3 Table 1 Trip Generation Daily A.M. Peak P.M. Peak Land Use Trips Trips Trips Trips Trips in out in out PROPOSED PROJECT Glenmoor Subdivision Single Family - 20 DU 191 4 11 13 7 OTHER DEVELOPMENTS Apartments - 120 DU 776 10 51 52 24 Condo/Townhomes - 20 DU 117 1 8 7 4 Total Other Developments 893 11 59 59 28 Table 2 �I Existing Peak Hour Operation Level of Service Intersection AM PM Taft Hill/Orchard EB LT/RT A A NB LT A A Elizabeth/Glenmoor SB LT/RT A C EB LT A A A& N NO SCALE r LI-,---- - L I Moore I Elementry II School I I i I I I L---- ORCHARD _ PLACE i I I I Glenmoor e Subdivision I I I 2 8,-1 I I I l� I i I I I I C I I - � I L LL-L-Jo - PLUM STREET Q _ O --------------- O Z W c� I SITE PLAN Figure 3 N N e EXISTING PEAK HOUR TRAFFIC Figure 2 Glenmoor Drive is a two lane residential street. Currently, Glenmoor terminates to the north of Plum Street. The proposed project would extend Glenmoor Drive to the north. Orchard Place is a two lane residential street. Currently, Orchard Place forms a T-intersection with Taft Hill Road. However, construction is underway which would extend Orchard Place to the east of Taft Hill Road. The extension of Orchard Place would meet Glenmoor Drive within the Glenmoor Subdivision. B. Existing Traffic Volumes Current, 1995, morning and afternoon peak hour traffic volumes at the study intersections are shown on Figure 2. Peak hour traffic counts were performed at the two study intersections during March 1995. The traffic count data is provided in Appendix A. III. FUTURE TRAFFIC PROJECTIONS A. Development Assumptions The proposed project would provide for approximately 20 dwelling units. These would be comprised of duplex and triplex housing units. It is anticipated that the project would be completed by the year 1996. The site plan is shown in Figure 3. B. Site Trip Generation To estimate the traffic generated by the proposed development, standard trip generation equations compiled by the Institute of Transportation Engineers in the report entitled Trip Generation, 5th Edition were utilized. These equations were applied -to the appropriate land uses to determine daily, and morning and afternoon peak hour traffic volumes expected to be generated by the site. Table 1 summarizes the trip generation estimates for the proposed project. As shown in Table 1, the project would generate approximately 191 trip ends per day with 15 and 20 trips occurring during the morning and afternoon peak hour periods, respectively. ,. C. Assumed Roadway System It was assumed that the roadway system would remain as it exists today with the exceptions noted earlier: Orchard Place would be extended to the east, and Glenmoor Drive would be extended to the north. i 2 I I I I I I I 4� N al J. ... 1. 1 (11 .11 C 0 3 . - � I� I L� % L 31 zg; el 5 .7 x rave it its 3 rF�Hr 4 4,96o ------ It ---- ---- ld U ai 1 1 m LIL -fig in( Worth —Yard ry ... 20" . .1 . r. 19 I fir I �, LL D Co olf JLJIJE UI P. i —AL H �!w L - — 15/0 — , FW_' ITS— A 4T, 1U -D 4AD S 1�7]Nj 1 _j L N UNIV R, LjU — OS bUB I I J 31ON MR (54465 50 1 ..Hughes- SRpp(rr as StadjumJ_ Gravel Pit I ri Ye I Theale 19 IIIr es :3cj , 9N� t 2tj Jr A lei 8(01� f ,,t L 4 — p u? _ --- 86 Zen 11 _ ttosl`• 30 e. Gray.,l 7 P. 1 F Omeq. Pits /549 Va J.) I, I LDry ake 33 Gravel PI 35 Me Ciellan 3 L 4991� 5� I .7 �U . . . . . . . . . . NO SCALE I SITE LOCATION Figure 1 I 1 I. INTRODUCTION I I I i �P A residential development, the Glenmoor Subdivision, is proposed to be located on an extension of Glenmoor Drive in Fort Collins, Colorado. The site is located to the north of Elizabeth Street and east of Taft Hill Road. The site location is shown on Figure 1. Currently this site is vacant. The purpose of this study is to address the traffic impacts of the proposed development. The focus of the review is the street network which will serve the proposed residential development. The following intersections will be analyzed as part of this traffic study: Taft Hill Road/Orchard Place, and Elizabeth Street/Glenmoor Drive. II. EXISTING CONDITIONS A. Existing Road Network The major existing streets in the vicinity of the proposed development include: - Taft Hill Road - Elizabeth Street - Glenmoor Drive - Orchard Place Taft Hill Road is a north -south arterial street that serves the western areas of Fort Collins. Near the project site, it has four travel lanes with dedicated bike lanes on both sides of the street. The speed limit is posted at 30 mph. The T-intersection of Taft Hill Road with Orchard Place is currently stop sign controlled for Orchard Place. There is a pedestrian signal at this intersection which allows pedestrians to cross Taft Hill Road. Currently, there is construction on the eastern side of the Taft Hill/Orchard intersection, which will extend Orchard Place to the east. The adjacent land use is residential on the east and west side of Taft Hill with a church also located on the west side of Taft Hill. Elizabeth Street is a east -west street, located to the south of the project site. Near the intersection with Glenmoor Drive, Elizabeth Street has one travel lane in each direction and a center two way left -turn lane. There are dedicated bike lanes on both sides of the street. Within. the study area, Elizabeth is also posted for no parking on both sides of the street. To the east of Glenmoor, Elizabeth Street widens to three travel lanes (two eastbound and one westbound) and then to four travel lanes. The T-intersection of Elizabeth with Glenmoor is stop sign controlled for Glenmoor. The speed limit is posted at 30 mph. 1 GLENMOOR SUBDIVISION SITE ACCESS STUDY FORT COLLINS, COLORADO MARCH 1995 J Prepared for: R. Kint Glover 2101 Lindenmeier Road Fort Collins, CO 80524 Prepared by: MATTHEW J. DELICH, P.E. 3413 Banyan Avenue Loveland, CO 80538 Phone: 303-669-2061