HomeMy WebLinkAboutPINECONE PUD FORT COLLINS HIGH SCHOOL SITE PLAN ADVISORY REVIEW - 60 91B - SUBMITTAL DOCUMENTS - ROUND 1 - TRAFFIC STUDYT
00
W)
0
00
z
a
r
z
a
m
M
jai
a
Q
W
x
t--
4
M
10 To:
0
o From:
ri
m Date:
MEMORANDUM
Rick Ensdorff, Director of Transportation
Matt Delich W��>
April 2, 1992
Subject: High school trip data (File: 9203MEM1)
As you are aware, extensive traffic counts were taken at
the Rocky Mountain High School (RMHS) parking lots and on area
streets during the week of February 24, 1992. This data is
intended to be used to represent an existing Fort Collins high
school's travel patterns in order to predict what might occur
at the proposed Fort Collins High School (FCHS). The data
collection involved hourly machine counts at numerous
locations and observations regarding drop-offs/pick-ups- on
Swallow Road in front of RMHS. 'There were 260 drop-off/pick-
up vehicles observed during the peak periods. Some of these
vehicles had more than one student in them. I also obtained
the following information from various school district staff
about RMHS:
- 1180 students
- 90 faculty/staff
- 724 parking stalls
- 6 buses
- 50 students use buses (average)
- 250 faculty/staff trips/day
- 695 students drive to/from school/day (average)
CD z Parking lot driveway counts yielded 4628 vehicles in and
out of the parking lots. Inbound vehicles numbered 1574 and
W Z_,_ outbound vehicles numbered 3054. Obviously, the number of
inbound vehicles should equal the number of outbound- vehicl.es..—
W It was observed that students did not necessarily adhere to
designated directional traffic flow. Also, two of the
accesses to the Southwest Lot have a markedly higher outbound
• count compared to the inbound count. Due to the narrow
o accesses, it is my judgment that entering vehicles probably
a tripped both the inbound and outbound tubes. Therefore, the
cc daily count is high and, in particular, the outbound count is
N high.
cc
a
If it is assumed that the inbound count is correct
• (1574), that would allow each driving student and staff (695
LL + 90 = 785) two inbound trips per day. This would appear to
a be reasonable allowing an inbound trip in the morning and an
cc
inbound trip after lunch. It is reasonable to assume that
the outbound vehicles trips should equal the inbound trips.
This would result in a total of 3150 vehicle trips into/out,
of the parking lots on an average day., To this total, it is
necessary to add the number of drop-off/pick-up vehicles and
the buses (260 + 24 = 284). This results in a total trip'
generation of approximately 3440 for RMHS. If the number of
students is used as the trip generation rate variable, then
the trip rate/student is 2.915.
Trip Generation, 4th Edition indicates a daily rate of
1.385 trips/student. The range of rates is 0.706-2.490!
Table 1 shows the trip generation rate comparison between the
RMHS data (adjusted) and the ITE data (27 sources). The RMHS
rate is more than double the ITE rate. While we both agree
that the ITE rate probably does not reflect Fort Collins
characteristics, a doubling of the rate will not underestimate
the existing and future conditions at Fort Collins high
schools.
The peak hour data also indicates that the RMHS trip
rates are higher than the ITE trip rates.. It is interesting
to note that the proportion in and out is almost identical
during the peak hours. These rates (daily and peak hour) are
for all trips with one trip end at RMHS. They include student
trips, staff trips, bus trips, drop-off/pick-up trips, and
visitor trips.
Once I have your comments on these trip rates, I will
continue with my analyses. My preliminary analysis volumes
are not significantly different than that which would result
using these rates. Actually, some of the peak hour volumes
that I used were higher.
In my judgment, the access desired by both the high
school and the commercial interests can be achieved without
sacrificing the operational and safety integrity of Timberline
Road as a major arterial. With the commercial area on the
corner, there is an opportunity to provide the necessary
geometry on the north leg. Based upon traffic projections,
it is important -that provision for some double left -turn lanes
be made.
Other Issues
From the FCHS site plan, there are 1050 parking spaces
allocated for staff and students. There are 724 parking
spaces at RMHS for staff and students. Assuming staff at FCHS
will be at the same proportion as at RMHS, the parking/student
ratio is 0.614. Applying this ratio to the expected 1800
students at the new FCHS would indicate the need for 1105
parking spaces. It would appear that the plan is about 50
spaces short. This does not bother me so much as the fact
that the site plan indicates that there are 250 spaces!
allocated to staff. This appears to be high. Given the
travel characteristics of the students and the probable number
of staff, more spaces should be given to student parking.
This would at least allow a similar parking ratio as exists
at RMHS. If use of alternative modes by both students and
staff occurs and is sustained over a period of time, then
perhaps parking lot reductions can be considered.
There are currently six buses serving an average of 50
students per day. On -some adverse weather days, ridership
does increase. This level of ridership seems low to me.
However, the school district is committed to providing
transportation to "remote" students. Perhaps the school
district, in conjunction with the City can better utilize the
Transfort system for some of this service.
Based upon my preliminary analyses and the new site plan
provided by Cityscape (March 24, 1992), the geometry discussed
at our last meeting will work well. While I will refine my
analyses, I would recommend that the access shown
schematically on the attached graphic be pursued. I realize
that there may have been right-of-way decisions made in the
pat which will make double left -turn lanes on some legs
difficult to accomplish. However, it is important that all
parties be aware of the potential need for these.
Table 1
Trip Generation Rate Comparison
Daily
AM
(7-9)
PM
(4-6)
Source
Trips
In
Out
In
Out
RMHS Data
2.915
0.364
0.197
0.062
0.094
(trips/students)
ITE ( code 530 )
1.385
0.257
0.139
0.015
- 0.026-
(trips/students)
i
•1
.o
IM
VBRMcu F1 Z0 + T
coo
-14
coo
rnn •� , I i I
M
i
j -ICS
OA (eL
Cs)- SrofAGE i
_ Decc4.- I&O 04-6MPf?Z80'-340'
-t1 T lzo,-/Bo I
erg' I I
I
i
I i
i
Poo
f
i
i
IN
Soo'+T i
Z50tT�j
N
� R
Q
z
'o
0
}
.o
M
Ly
r
p IZo� +T
�O
M ,
C, C�
av
1 DECc 4. — l(00, 04.5 MPN18o-340�
TAP i2o-/80
R
+�
_a i
o •
}
f-
p
N T=908
-o
H
N
=1�0-22o�
70CL-
7�d
3io'rT�