Highway 27 Sundre Mini-Roundabout Pilot Project

Transcription

1 Highway 27 Sundre Mini-Roundabout Pilot Project March 2018

2 Hwy 27 Downtown Sundre Corridor The Problem Concerns were raised in 2015 by the Town of Sundre regarding the impact of the Highway 27 four-lane cross section in the downtown area of Sundre Traffic travelled too close to the narrow sidewalks. This intimidated pedestrians and sometimes caused damage to adjacent properties.

3 High Load Corridor Highway 27 is part of the Provincial High Load Corridor. There is a high percentage of truck traffic along this corridor. Sundre

4 High Load Corridor Design Vehicles: Reactor Transporter 112m long Platform Trailer 55m long Sundre Lowboy Heavy Hauler 47m long

5 Hwy 27 Downtown Sundre Corridor Corridor Review Objectives A review was undertaken to identify options to better accommodate pedestrians and adjacent properties Review of 2009 Access Management Study Review of existing and projected traffic data Identify potential improvement options Consultation with directly affected stakeholders as well as the general public.

6 Previous 2009 Corridor Plan

7 Hwy 27 Downtown Sundre Corridor Corridor Review Process 1. Traffic data collection and corridor review 2. Develop improvement options 3. Present to Town and County councils 4. Present to affected stakeholders Chamber of Commerce, Downtown Business Community, and trucking industry 5. Public Open House Present options to public and collect feedback 6. *Present all feedback to Town Council for final decision* 7. Public information session to present recommendation 8. Obtain funding and arrange municipal agreement to design/deliver project 9. Construct pilot project Monitor pilot project (current phase)

8 Corridor Options Back to Back left Turns

9 Corridor Options Mini-Roundabout & Back to Back Lefts

10 Corridor Options Three Mini-Roundabouts

11 Corridor Options Four Mini-Roundabouts

12 Corridor Options Cross-Sections

13 Sundre Mini-Roundabouts Animation

14 Public Open House Feb 2016

15 Public Open House Feb 2016 Summary of Open House Option Response 1 Rbt + Back-to- Back Left Turns 7% No Option Chosen 21% 3 Rbts 30% Existing Four Lanes 13% 4 Rbts 11% Back-to- Back Left Turns 18% Presented Option Preferred Option % Existing Four Lane Configuration (with signals at Centre St) % Back-to-Back Left Turns Option (with signals at Centre St) % 4 Mini Roundabouts % 3 Mini Roundabouts (with signals at Centre St) % 1 Mini Roundabout (with back-to-back left turn bays and signals at Centre St) % No Option Chosen %

16 Mini-Roundabouts

17 Mini-Roundabouts

18 Mini-Roundabouts The Sundre trial project is the first installation of mini-roundabouts on any Alberta highway PROS Small intersection footprint ICD = 20 m, fits within existing ROW Fully traversable centre island that can support HLC traffic Better side street access compared to TWSC Vehicles on left have right of way Pedestrian accessibility More crossing points and narrower two-lane cross section provides greater buffer distance to sidewalks Traffic calming slows through traffic Removes left turns between roundabouts less through traffic delay CONS Initial public perception and education challenges Vehicle deflection to slow vehicles is harder to achieve compared to conventional roundabouts as they re very low profile General lack of information on mini-roundabouts. Many drivers do not realize that the islands are mountable.

19 Public Info Session May 2017

20 Public Info Session May 2017

21 Trial Project Why Not Permanent? Traffic analysis shows the corridor should accommodate the corridor volumes at LOS A, but there are several challenges in Sundre: There are no other roundabouts in the Sundre area, so the locals are unfamiliar with roundabouts in general, let alone mini-roundabouts. Alberta Transportation has not used mini-roundabouts on any provincial highway before. It s the High Load Corridor with regular over-dimensional traffic (~1,350 permitted loads per year) Sundre is a popular area in the summer season with non-local tourists with large RV s who will be unfamiliar with mini-roundabouts

22 Trial Project Paint or Modular? Initial concept was to paint the circles and use modular curbing for the islands It would be more difficult to control traffic speed with paint only Paint durability could be a major issue Roundabout consultant (GHD) suggested using a modular product for the miniroundabouts. The Spider Traffic Control System is made from 3 inch high modular pieces of a polyethylene based composite material

23 Trial Project Modular Mini-Roundabout System Overview Intended for replacement of conventional mini-roundabout systems such as concrete or brick Made from modular pieces that are rapidly installed (2-5 days depending on size of center circle and splitter islands) over existing pavement with no required modification to the existing roadway System consists of a recycled polymer modular precut and predrilled blocks, anchors, anchor adhesive and fasteners delivered as a site specific kit Materials Modular Blocks Polyethylene based composite material (basically recycled milk jugs) Asphalt Anchors Commercially available off the shelf, asphalt specific solution Corrosion resistant steel anchor Corrosion resistant steel bolting hardware Installation of the system typically requires 4 to 8 people. For the Sundre installation, onsight engineering oversight by the supplier (ZKxKZ LLC Propriertary) was also provided.

24 Trial Project Modular Mini-Roundabout Central Island Specs 10 core, 33 diameter Max board length = 10 (300 lb) Min board length = 3 (90 lb) Board width = 24 Spacing = widthwise and lengthwise Material Usage 77 boards per island 255 anchors per island

25 Trial Project Modular Mini-Roundabout Large Splitter Islands 40 boards, 130 anchors Small Splitter Island 18 boards, 59 anchors Cross Walk Cut-Out

26 Mini-Roundabout Kit (as provided by supplier) 1. Modular Blocks (colours vary by site) 2. Panel restraint plugs (colours vary by site) 3. Anchors 4. Anchor Adhesive 5. Installed Panel

27 Site Layout - Pallets Center Island 17 Pallet ID Core = Rings = Large Splitter Island West Pallet ID Large Side = 1,3,5 Small Side = 7,9 East Pallet ID Large Side = 2,4,6 Small Side = 8, Small Splitter Island 22 North Pallet ID = 17,19,21 South Pallet ID = 18,20,22 20 Pallet weight = 800 to 2500 lb 18

28 Site Layout - Pallets

29 Anchor Assembly Detail Panel restraint plug Panel restraint mounting kit Coated for heavy corrosion resistance 3/8-16 x 1.75 bolt 3/8 flat washer 3/8 Schnoor safety washer SP12-38 Anchor

30 Installation Process (~2 days per Roundabout) Lay-Out Install First Block to Intersection Center Place Additional Modular Blocks Set Spacing and Secure Locate Place 1 Space and Secure Anchor Drill Holes in Asphalt Clean Hole (vacuum out debris) Fill w/ Adhesive Install Anchor Cure (sets in 15 mins, final in 1 hr) Modular Block Asphalt Ground Drill Drill Bushing Modular Block Asphalt Ground Fill Adhesive Modular Block Asphalt Ground Poun d Anchor Plug Bolt Secure Drop in Restraint Plug Assemble bolt/washers Tighten Bolts to specified torque Modular Block Asphalt Ground Modular Block Asphalt Ground

31 Traffic Accommodation Narrowed to one lane in each direction Biggest issue was the frequency of over-dimensional vehicles through town Traffic accommodation had to move each time a load came through Drivers were required to call ahead. Not all of them did.

32 Heavy Load Traffic Accommodation

33 Existing Pavement The side street approaches were in very poor condition prior to installation. These were resurfaced and have held up fairly well Fairly significant concrete work required to install new wheelchair ramps Wheel ruts on Highway 27 were a big issue that wasn t noticed initially the modules do not lie entirely flat Mastic One (hot applied, pourable polymer modified asphalt) was used as a levelling course at the second and third roundabouts

34 Weather Conditions Construction began in October with the concrete and asphalt work on the side streets. Module installation followed shortly afterwards. Some difficulty procuring contractors and subcontractors this late in the year Weather was at or below zero on several days. This caused fairly significant delays for all activities Grout for the ground anchors was not setting properly and had to be heated Lines were painted late and under poor conditions much of what was painted has worn out

35 Failed Mushroom Plugs

36 Failed Mushroom Plugs Potential Fixes Urethane Plugs Countersink or Counterbore Urethane Plugs Aluminium Plugs

37 Failed Mushroom Plugs Potential Replacement

38 Failed Flexi-Posts Some drivers purposely striking the flexi-posts The epoxy was not holding Many were installed in the wrong location improperly surveyed Looked good for about half a day according to Town staff Raised, reflective pavement markers will be installed to delineate the approaches. Snow piles are currently being left to keep traffic centered.

39 Poor Pavement Markings Lines faded or obscured fairly quickly because they were painted in sub-optimal conditions Black paint was used to cover old pavement markings BAD Leftover pavement messages are to be milled out as soon as weather permits

40 Public Feedback

41 Public Feedback Business Access Issues

42 Public Feedback Traffic Safety Act Who Yields? Right of way at intersections 34(1) Except as otherwise provided in this Part or Part 2, when 2 vehicles approach or enter an intersection from different highways at approximately the same time, the person driving the vehicle to the left shall yield the right of way to the vehicle on the right. (2) A person driving a vehicle shall not turn or attempt to turn the vehicle to the left across the path of an approaching vehicle unless the turn can be completed in safety. Traffic circles 40 Unless otherwise directed by a traffic control device, a person driving a vehicle that is travelling in a traffic circle shall yield the right of way to any other vehicle that is in the circle and that is travelling to the left of that person s vehicle.

43 Public Feedback Other Issues Pedestrians unsure of where to cross both the highway and side streets Noise issues near the motel when larger vehicles drive over the centre island General lack of knowledge on how to drive through the roundabouts The remaining deficiencies have made enforcement difficult to justify

44 Survey Results Feb % 25.00% 20.00% 15.00% 10.00% 5.00% 0.00% 80.00% 70.00% 60.00% 50.00% 40.00% 30.00% 20.00% 10.00% 0.00% What is your age? How often do you drive through the roundabouts? Daily Weekly Monthly Few times 50.00% 40.00% 30.00% 20.00% 10.00% 0.00% 60.00% 50.00% 40.00% 30.00% 20.00% 10.00% 0.00% What public interest are you representing? Please select all that apply. Town Resident County Resident General Highway User Transport Industry Local Business Owner Have you purposely avoided travelling through the roundabouts since they were installed? Yes No During peak hours

45 Survey Results Feb 2018 Strongly Agree Agree Neutral Disagree Strongly Disagree 1 The changes have improved pedestrian comfort along Highway % 8.20% 18.44% 30.63% 35.90% 2 The changes have improved side street access to Highway % 19.61% 13.66% 26.54% 29.46% 3 The changes have improved the flow of traffic along Highway % 11.70% 11.50% 30.31% 38.60% 4 The changes have had a positive effect on the Town 5.46% 7.80% 13.56% 29.66% 43.51% 5 The speed of traffic has slowed down through the mini-roundabouts 16.08% 37.52% 15.89% 18.13% 12.38% 6 The public consultation process prior to project commencement was satisfactory. 3.12% 9.66% 31.80% 25.27% 30.15% 7 The educational materials presented to the people impacted by the project has been helpful. 1.76% 12.70% 31.54% 29.49% 24.51% 8 Alberta Transportation and/or Town officials have been responsive to concerns and comments. 2.54% 13.46% 48.88% 18.54% 16.59% 9 Winter maintenance has so far been satisfactory through the project area. 7.70% 35.77% 23.98% 17.74% 14.81% 10 The signage and pavement markings installed along the corridor provide enough guidance. 1.36% 9.16% 9.65% 33.14% 46.69% 11 As a driver, how would you rate your general opinion of the mini-roundabouts? 7.62% 12.71% 6.84% 22.68% 50.15% 12 As a pedestrian, how would you rate your general opinion of the mini-roundabouts? 4.39% 6.93% 15.51% 23.51% 32.68% 13 Have the red mini-roundabout islands been a satisfactory traffic control product? 5.36% 12.66% 15.97% 29.41% 36.61% 14 I support the continuation of the trial project until the end of % 12.28% 7.31% 20.37% 50.19%

46 Lessons Learned Stakeholder support was absolutely critical in the initial planning phases Giving Town Council the final decision on what alternative to move forward with allowed us to trial something new Flexible delineators were not a successful traffic control device Failed pretty much immediately The over-dimensional vehicles along the corridor likely contributed to this Durable product should be used for pedestrian crossings Future installations ensure that the surface is level Install modules in the summer This was an unforeseen issue due to supplier delays, but budget had to be spent this year Some delays were due to suppliers being in hurricane stricken areas last year Enforcement is very difficult when line painting and delineation is not up to standard

47 Project Successes Accomplished goal of reducing cross section and travel speeds. Local road access through the intersections is highly improved Town has taken ownership of winter maintenance. Zero complaints of snow being plowed onto the sidewalks. Large buffer for pedestrians Only one minor collision that has been attributed to the new roundabouts when they were first installed

48 Questions?