TRAFFIC SIGNAL WARRANT STUDY AT RANDALLDOCK INTERSECTION Presentation

TRAFFIC SIGNAL WARRANT STUDY AT RANDALL/DOCK INTERSECTION Presentation to Transportation Committee February 21, 2019

OVERVIEW • Background / History • Capital Improvement Program • Current Traffic Signal Warrant Study • Recommendations February 21, 2019 2

BACKGROUND / HISTORY A Traffic Signal at Randall/Dock streets is not a new idea……. . Ø 2010 Urban Land Institute Technical Assistance Panel Report Ø 2011 Bicycle Automobile Pedestrian Safety Evaluation (BAPSE) Ø 2013 City Dock Master Plan Ø 2018 Urban Land Institute Technical Assistance Panel Report February 21, 2019 3

2010 Urban Land Institute Technical Assistance Panel Report While a traffic signal is not specifically recommended, the report documents: • Residents treasure the City Dock as walkable urban place but note walkability could be improved • Many residents expressed concern over potential pedestrian/vehicle conflicts during peak times • Panelists commented on “too close for comfort encounters with vehicles” during their mid-week morning and evening tours (in October) • Recommended changes to the traffic circle in order to focus on the pedestrian • Commended City for proactive approach of engaging traffic consultants to study the area February 21, 2019 4

2011 Bicycle Automobile Pedestrian Safety Evaluation (BAPSE) Study Goal: Improve safety and enhance transportation network efficiency focusing on the City Dock area Study Scope: Document existing network; collect usage data for all modes of transportation; review crash data, risky behaviors and evaluate key conflict points. Key Findings: Pedestrian environment is defined by: • High pedestrian volumes • Complicated geometry and wide crossings • Frequent mid-block crossings (jaywalking) • Unfamiliar tourists and distracted pedestrians • Conflicts with high volumes of turning vehicles at key locations • Major pedestrian traffic generators such as Market House, City Dock, Main St. , USNA and St. Mary’s school Key Alternate Recommendations include: Ø Randall Street Road Diet/Signalization Ø Reduce the number of travel lanes along Randall Street, reduce pedestrian crossing distance, and install new coordinated traffic signal at Randall/Dock streets Ø Coordinate existing signal at Randall and Prince George streets with this new signal. February 21, 2019 5

2013 City Dock Master Plan - Discussed creating opportunities to improve pedestrian environment and increase public space - Considered various configurations for Memorial Circle, including modified circle and T-intersection with signalization - Recommended context sensitive signal poles and coordinated signal timing February 21, 2019 6

2018 Urban Land Institute Technical Assistance Panel Report Recommended Pedestrian Strategies include: • Ensure safe and convenient pedestrian crossings between Main Street, Compromise Street and City Dock • Undertake analysis of signalized intersection at Randall/Dock streets and at Compromise/Main streets Recommended Traffic Strategies include: • Consider modifying the intersection of Compromise and Main streets • Consider signalized intersections for pedestrians, bicyclists and vehicles February 21, 2019 7

CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM (CIP) How did we end up with a Traffic Signal Project? Ø Since 2010, planning documents recommended studies and alternatives for increasing focus on pedestrian mobility; improving traffic network efficiency; and increasing pedestrian safety. Ø Increased vehicular traffic in and through downtown City Dock area due to overall city-wide traffic network congestion. Ø Ave. Daily Traffic = 8, 000 -10, 000 vehicles per day on Randall Street Ø Increased pedestrian and bus traffic due to restricted vehicular access to USNA post 9/11. Susan Campbell Park at City Dock is the designated drop off point for tours. Ø Extended “peak” season (9 month calendar) including additional Spring Boat Show, frequent festivals and holiday shopping events increase pedestrian traffic. Ø Ongoing complaints/concerns with pedestrian safety. February 21, 2019 8

CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM PROCESS v Capital Working Committee v Capital Steering Committee v Mayor’s Budget Process v City Council Budget Approval February 21, 2019 9

TRAFFIC SIGNAL WARRANT STUDY Randall at Dock Street and Randall at Prince George Street v Study Goal v Study Scope v Findings v Recommendations February 21, 2019 10

CURRENT TRAFFIC SIGNAL WARRANT STUDY Study Goal: Evaluate the need for a traffic signal, stop-control, alternative geometric configurations, and other traffic safety measures. Five alternatives were evaluated: 1. New Traffic Signal at Randall/Dock Streets; Retain Traffic Signal at Prince George Street 2. New Traffic Signal at Randall/Dock Streets with Geometric Modifications (Bump-outs and Channelized Right-Turn from Randall to Dock); Retain Traffic Signal at Prince George Street 3. New Traffic Signal with Road Diet at Randall/Dock Streets; Retain Traffic Signal at Prince George Street 4. New Actuated-Coordinated Traffic Signals at Randall/Dock Streets and Randall/Prince George Streets 5. Remove Existing Signal and install Stop Sign at East Leg of Prince George Street with Crosswalk Restriping (coupled with Alternatives 1 -4) February 21, 2019 11

CURRENT TRAFFIC SIGNAL WARRANT STUDY Work Scope of Study: 1. Collect pedestrian and vehicular traffic data and crash history 2. Field measure sight distances, vehicle queues and delays 3. Observe driver and pedestrian behaviors 4. Conduct intersection capacity and signal warrant analyses February 21, 2019 12

VEHICULAR AND PEDESTRIAN TRAFFIC DATA COLLECTED AT MIDDAY ON A WEEKDAY IN OCTOBER Vehicular Volumes February 21, 2019 Pedestrian Volumes 13

VEHICULAR AND PEDESTRIAN TRAFFIC DATA COLLECTED AT MIDDAY ON A SATURDAY IN OCTOBER Vehicular Volumes February 21, 2019 Pedestrian Volumes 14

CRASH HISTORY Despite the large volumes of vehicular and pedestrian traffic combined with poor driver and pedestrian behaviors, there were only 8 total (reported) crashes in 2015 -2017, which included 2 pedestrian crashes involving a total of 3 pedestrians within the crosswalk. February 21, 2019 15

Signal Warrant Analysis § Required by Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) § Must satisfy at least one of the following warrants: q Warrant 1, Eight-Hour Vehicular Volume q Warrant 2, Four-Hour Vehicular Volume q Warrant 3, Peak Hour q Warrant 4, Pedestrian Volume q Warrant 5, School Crossing q Warrant 6, Coordinated Signal System q Warrant 7, Crash Experience February 21, 2019 16

SIGNAL WARRANT ANALYSIS RESULTS – RANDALL/DOCK WEEKDAY February 21, 2019 17

SIGNAL WARRANT ANALYSIS RESULTS – RANDALL/DOCK SATURDAY February 21, 2019 18

CURRENT TRAFFIC SIGNAL STUDY Study Findings: • Pedestrian volumes exceed vehicles during weekday midday peak and throughout the day on Saturday. • Randall/Dock intersection operates at LOS F (>50 second delay) during the weekday midday peak and operates at a LOS D (35 -50 sec delay) during the Saturday peak. • A full traffic signal is warranted at Randall/Dock streets based on Warrant #4, Pedestrian Volumes. • Intersection sight distance is not adequate for vehicles crossing or turning onto Randall St. from Prince George St. due to current geometry. February 21, 2019 19

PEDESTRIAN AND VEHICULAR TRAFFIC VOLUMES Counts taken in October 2018 Weekday Volumes Saturday Volumes Pedestrian volumes exceed vehicles during weekday midday peak and throughout the day on Saturday February 21, 2019 20

CURRENT TRAFFIC SIGNAL STUDY Market House Middleton’s Recommended Alternative: Install a traffic signal at Randall/Dock intersection with geometric modifications that include bumpouts and channelized right turn onto Dock Street with peak and non-peak pedestrian phasing. Coordinate the timing of the two signals. February 21, 2019 Mission BBQ Dock Street Maintain the existing traffic signal at Randall/Prince George Streets intersection. Randall Street 21

Recommended Alternative: Proposed Traffic Signal Layout With Geometric Modifications February 21, 2019 22

EXISTING PRINCE GEORGE STREET TRAFFIC SIGNAL § Signal is to remain due to limited sight distance to view oncoming traffic from City Dock § Existing signal will be coordinated with new traffic signal at Randall/Dock Streets February 21, 2019 23

COMMUNITY OUTREACH PLAN Ø The Randall/Dock traffic signal project is part of a city-wide Traffic Signal Rehabilitation capital project. The Traffic Signal Warrant Study was complete and the results were ready to present to the public. Ø Communication Plan was developed in December 2018 with a top-down approach: 1. Press Release 2. Brief the Transportation Committee 3. Front page article in the newspaper 4. Community Meetings to brief the public and respond to questions Ø The objective of the community meetings conducted on Wednesday, January 23 was to educate the public on this upcoming approved project and get input on the proposed sidewalk bump-outs that were recommended by the design engineer. February 21, 2019 24

SURVEY RESULTS ON NEED FOR TRAFFIC STUDY OF THIS INTERSECTION February 21, 2019 25

KEY CONCERNS v Cost v Need v Interruption of Traffic Flow v Aesthetics v Lack of Public Input v Operational feasibility of geometric modifications v Pilot Project PROPOSED SOLUTIONS v Use Crossing Guards at Peak Times v Restore Midblock Crosswalk v Wait for Redevelopment February 21, 2019 26

ESTIMATED CONSTRUCTION COSTS Alternative 1: Traffic Signal only - $150 k to $200 k Alternative 2: Traffic Signal + Geometric Modifications - $300 k to $400 k Alternative 3: Traffic Signal + Eliminate Right Turn Lane - $700 k to $1 M Alternative 4: Actuated-Coordinated Traffic Signal (Detection) - $175 k to $225 k Alternative 5: Remove signal at Prince George Street - add $50 k to other Alternatives Maintenance Costs : Estimated at $1, 000 annually February 21, 2019 27

IS THIS SIGNAL WARRANTED? ü Meets signal warrant criteria per MUTCD based on existing non-peak pedestrian volumes ü Improves overall traffic operations including reduction in queue of northbound traffic ü Allows for better pedestrian mobility by efficiently controlling the intersection ü Consistently provides improved pedestrian safety by reducing pedestrian exposure to moving traffic, not just when a crossing guard is present ü Meets goals for City Dock area identified in planning documents (BAPSE, City Dock Master Plan, ULI TAP) ü Yes! A traffic signal at Randall/Dock is warranted. February 21, 2019 28

WHY DO WE NEED BUMPOUTS? Ø Increase the visibility of pedestrians Ø Reduce crossing distance Ø Provide pedestrian refuge while waiting to cross the street Ø Allow for ADA accessible ramps Ø Provide “real estate” for traffic signal poles Ø Pilot study proposed to confirm traffic operations with bump outs February 21, 2019 29

Similar Traffic Signals in Annapolis February 21, 2019 30

OPERATIONAL FEASIBILITY: DESIGN VEHICLE DIMENSIONS Design standards are in accordance with the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) February 21, 2019 31

RANDALL ST. TURNING ANALYSIS The Design Vehicle used for the turning analysis was a WB-40. Coach buses are 6 inches shorter in length but have a wheel base that is 6 inches wider. MIDDLETONS MISSION BBQ DOCK ST. MARKET HOUSE A pilot project (bump outs and island only) will allow us to fine-tune the size and location of the bump outs to ensure operational feasibility. February 21, 2019 EGO ALLEY 32

Why can’t we put the crosswalk back where it was 40 years ago? § Poor visibility § Block flow of traffic around circle § Roundabouts designed to efficiently move vehicles, but less safe for pedestrians February 21, 2019 33

QUESTIONS ? Comments can be sent to Lisa Grieco, P. E. at Lmgrieco@Annapolis. gov February 21, 2019 34