AGENDA # 4i
MEMORANDUM
TO: Mayor and Town Council
FROM: W. Calvin Horton, Town Manager
SUBJECT: Report on Problem Intersections and Alternatives for Improving Intersection Safety and Operations
DATE: January 10, 2005
The following report responds to the Council’s request for information on street intersections with traffic accident problems and on possible measures that could improve safety and operations at these intersections.
The report also responds to a petition from Mr. Bobby Clapp regarding traffic safety and enforcement alternatives.
The Manager recommends adoption of the attached resolution that would:
· Request that State staff work with Town staff to identify, develop and implement measures to improve safety and traffic operations at selected intersections.
· Refer the report to the Transportation Board and the Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Board for comments.
At its January 28, 2004 meeting, the Council terminated the SafeLight Chapel Hill Program and directed the Manager to prepare a report identifying problem intersections based on accident history and identifying potential improvement measures at those intersections. The January 28, 2004 Council resolution is provided in Attachment 1.
At its October 11, 2004 meeting, the Council received a petition from Mr. Bobby Clapp regarding general public safety in Chapel Hill, with specific references to traffic safety at intersections. The Council agreed to discuss the petition when the Manager submitted the report referred to previously. A copy of Mr. Clapp’s petition is provided in Attachment 2.
DISCUSSION
Since the Council terminated the SafeLight Chapel Hill Program, Town staff has undertaken the process of closing out the Program in accordance with the contract requirements. We are currently working with a collection agency to collect the final remaining SafeLight citations. This involves approximately seventy unpaid citations at this time.
Upon termination of the Safelight Chapel Hill Program, Engineering Department staff also began working with State staff to collect and compile accident data for Chapel Hill using the Statewide Accident Database System. This work was in preparation for tonight’s report regarding problem intersections and possible improvement measures.
ACCIDENT DATA:
The Statewide Accident Database System includes all “reported” traffic accidents, including bicycle and pedestrian related accidents. Attachment 3 provides a summary report including all categories of traffic accidents reported in Chapel Hill for the years 2001, 2002, and 2003. Attachments 4 and 5 provide specific data on bicycle and pedestrian accidents in Chapel Hill for the years 2001, 2002, and 2003. The data provided in attachments are organized as follows:
1. 2001 Accident Locations:
· Summary of accidents by type and violation
· Top ten accident locations based on number of accidents
2. 2002 Accident Locations:
· Summary of accidents by type and violation
· Top ten accident locations based on number of accidents
3. 2003 Accident Locations:
· Summary of accidents by type and violation
· Top ten accident locations based on number of accidents
4. 2001-2003 (3-year period) Accident Locations:
· Summary of accidents by type and violation
· Top ten accident locations based on number of accidents
5. Bicycle Accident Locations:
· 2001-2003, three year accident data
· 2001, 2002, and 2003 annual accident data
6. Pedestrian Accident Locations:
· 2001-2003, three year accident data
· 2001, 2002, and 2003 annual accident data
The Engineering Department staff came to the following conclusions based on our preliminary analysis of the above accident data.
Accidents at Intersections in Chapel Hill:
A list of the top ten intersections based on total number of accidents is provided in the following table. Please see Attachment 3 for detailed accident data. Also, a comprehensive report of the 2001, 2002, and 2003 accident statistics is available for review in the Chapel Hill Public Library, the Town Clerk’s Office, and the Town Engineering Department.
TOP TEN ACCIDENT LOCATIONS BASED ON NUMBER OF ACCIDENTS
2001 – 2003 (THREE YEAR PERIOD)
|
Rank |
Location |
Traffic Control |
Accident Numbers |
|||
|
Total |
2001 |
2002 |
2003 |
|||
|
1 |
Airport Road and Estes Drive |
Signal |
52 |
16 |
12 |
24 |
|
2 |
Fordham Boulevard and NB Off Ramp onto NC 54 Eastbound |
Stop Sign |
45 |
14 |
10 |
21 |
|
2 |
Fordham Boulevard and Eastowne Drive/Lakeview Drive |
Signal |
45 |
11 |
14 |
20 |
|
3 |
Columbia Street and Franklin Street |
Signal |
43 |
20 |
9 |
14 |
|
3 |
Fordham Boulevard and Elliott Road |
Signal |
43 |
12 |
16 |
15 |
|
4 |
Fordham Boulevard and Sage Road/Old Durham Road |
Signal |
41 |
11 |
13 |
17 |
|
5 |
Franklin Street and Estes Drive |
Signal |
40 |
17 |
10 |
13 |
|
6 |
Fordham Boulevard and Estes Drive |
Signal |
36 |
15 |
9 |
12 |
|
7 |
Fordham Boulevard and Ephesus Church Road |
Signal |
33 |
13 |
11 |
9 |
|
7 |
Fordham Boulevard and Old Mason Farm Road |
Signal |
33 |
11 |
12 |
10 |
|
8 |
Columbia Street and Rosemary Street |
Signal |
31 |
14 |
9 |
8 |
|
9 |
Fordham Boulevard and Manning Drive |
Signal |
30 |
11 |
9 |
10 |
|
10 |
Fordham Boulevard and Eastowne Drive/BCBS Entrance |
Signal |
30 |
13 |
10 |
7 |
Bicycle Accidents in Chapel Hill:
· A total of 34 bicycle accidents occurred from 2001 to 2003 (15 accidents in 2001, 9 accidents in 2002, and 10 accidents in 2003)
· 10 bicycle accidents occurred on Airport Road from 2001 to 2003
Please see Attachment 4 for details of bicycle accidents.
Pedestrian Accidents in Chapel Hill:
· A total of 49 pedestrian accidents occurred from 2001 to 2003 (21 accidents in 2001, 13 accidents in 2002, and 15 accidents in 2003)
· The majority of pedestrian accidents occurred in the downtown area
Please see Attachment 5 for details of pedestrian accidents.
The Engineering Department has forwarded the accident summary reports to the State and has met with the State staff to discuss the details of the reports. The NCDOT Division Seven Traffic Engineer, Mr. Vance Barham, has agreed to review the high accident locations identified in our report and to work with Town staff to evaluate and implement measures to improve safety and traffic operations at identified intersections.
ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGICAL ALTERNATIVES:
The following information discusses possible engineering and/or technological alternatives for improving safety and traffic operations at signalized and unsignalized intersections:
1. Geometric Improvements
a) Adding an additional through lane or turn lane to reduce congestion at and around an intersection.
Staff Comment: Town and State staff routinely review intersection operations and identify improvement opportunities that may include additional lanes. In some cases we use data from the Mobility Report Card to determine appropriate geometric improvements, including the following examples:
· Added a left-turn lane on outbound US 15/501 at Eastowne Drive/Lakeview Drive.
· Lengthened the right-turn lane on inbound US 15/501 at Manning Drive to provide more stacking area for turning vehicles.
· Received State funding for construction of a left-turn lane on inbound Weaver Dairy Road at Sedgefield Road.
b) Identifying and removing obstructions that restrict driver/pedestrian/cyclist lines of sight within and on the approaches to an intersection; and
c) Upgrading, modifying, and/or supplementing signs and pavement markings within and on the approaches to an intersection.
2. Changing Traffic Control from a Stop Sign to Traffic Signal:
Staff Comment: Town and State staff periodically evaluate unsignalized intersections throughout the Town based on traffic volumes, accident reports and requests from citizens to determine if traffic signal installations are warranted. The following list includes intersections that have been signalized in the last five years or are approved for signalization in the near future:
· Traffic signal installed on Weaver Dairy Road at Vilcom Center/Kingston Drive.
· Traffic signal installed on US 15/501 at entrance to Southern Village.
· Traffic signal approved for installation on Erwin Road at Sage Road.
· Traffic signal approved for installation on Airport Road at Northfield Drive.
· Traffic signal approved for installation on Weaver Dairy Road at Sunrise Road.
3. Traffic Signal Phasing and Timing Improvements:
a) Checking clearance timings (yellow and all-red times) to ensure that they are appropriate based on criteria established in the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) and in accordance with requirements of the NCDOT.
b) Checking signal timing cycle lengths (red, green, yellow and turn-arrow phases) for optimal intersection operations.
c) Checking signal timing plans to facilitate progression characteristics through intersections and from intersection to intersection on travel corridors.
d) Checking vehicle detectors for proper location and operation to ensure that vehicles within or approaching intersections are detected and that applicable information is transmitted to the traffic signal controller.
e) Revising phasing from permissive mode to protected-permissive or protected only; implementing split phases.
Staff Comment: Town and State traffic engineering and technical staff meets routinely to evaluate and adjust traffic signal operations to optimize service under all conditions, including peak traffic periods. A variety of techniques are used with our system, including variable timing plans based on time of day, demand responsive signal timing, and coordinated signal timing at intersections along a given travel corridor.
Engineering Department staff regularly implement traffic signal adjustments on most of the major arterial corridors serving Chapel Hill and Carrboro, and those signals are coordinated wherever possible. Significant effort has been and continues to be focused on the US 15-501 corridors on the east and south sides of Town, the NC 54 corridor on the east side of Town, and the NC 86 corridor on the north side of Town.
It is our objective to use the signal system to provide the highest possible level of service at all intersections at all times of day. Because our system is beginning to show signs of aging, we are experiencing mechanical and electrical problems with increasing frequency. These problems typically involve broken or short-circuited vehicle detector loops at intersection approaches, electrical faults in the communication cables between signal controllers and communication units, and obsolete controllers. When these problems occur, traffic signal operations are affected and congestion typically increases until we are able to make the necessary repairs.
We are working with the North Carolina Department of Transportation regarding a comprehensive traffic signal system upgrade in the near future. This upgrade would include state-of-the-art controllers and fiber optic communication cables, which would result in a more efficient and reliable system.
Engineering Department staff recently requested that the NCDOT allow us to experiment with “green flash” technology. This technology would flash the green signal for the last few seconds of its cycle, thus alerting drivers of the impending change to yellow and providing a better opportunity for drivers to decide whether to stop or continue, depending on their proximity to the intersection and on prevailing traffic conditions.
.
Engineering Department staff also discussed with the NCDOT the concept of extended yellow and/or extended all-red phases at selected intersections. We were advised that extended yellow and/or extended all-red phasing is not generally accepted or standard practice for traffic control, and is not permitted on State roads in North Carolina for liability reasons.
4. Technology Improvements:
a) Installing high visibility, large-diameter lenses in signal heads.
Staff Comment: 90% of traffic signals in the Town are presently upgraded with 12-inch diameter signal heads and we are planning to upgrade the remaining intersections within the next two years.
b) Replacing standard incandescent signal bulbs with high-intensity light emitting diodes (LEDs).
Staff Comment: In 2004, 90% of traffic signal bulbs were replaced with LEDs and we expect to complete the remaining replacements within the next six to twelve months.
c) Installing count-down pedestrian signals to improve message visibility and clarity, and audible pedestrian signals to aid hearing-impaired pedestrians.
Staff Comment: Count-down pedestrian heads have been installed at several intersections in the downtown area. Several additional downtown intersections will be upgraded with count-down heads as a requirement of the University’s Development Plan. The State has agreed to install countdown heads at all new signals in the downtown area.
5. Enforcement Alternatives:
a) Increasing police enforcement at selected locations.
Staff Comment: The Police Department currently enforces traffic regulations Townwide to the extent possible with available resources.
b) Implementing automated speed enforcement using a combination of electronic speed sensors and cameras.
Staff Comment: This alternative would require enabling legislation from the General Assembly, similar to the existing legislation authorizing use of red-light cameras. Currently, the City of Charlotte has such legislation and has implemented speed enforcement using cameras.
c) Implementing automated red light enforcement using a combination of vehicle position sensors and cameras owned and operated by a private contractor.
Staff Comment: Similar to the Safelight Chapel Hill Program that was terminated by the Council last year.
d) Implementing automated red light enforcement using a combination of vehicle position sensors and cameras owned and operated by the Town (with no involvement by private contractors).
Staff Comments: The current Town Ordinance authorizing automated enforcement of red light violations would allow the Town to implement this type of program without further legislative or code modifications.
CONCLUSION
Unless otherwise directed, Town Engineering Department staff will work with State staff to review high accident intersections in Chapel Hill and to identify and implement engineering and technological improvements where appropriate to optimize intersection safety and functionality.
We continue to utilize engineering and technological alternatives whenever and wherever appropriate to optimize the safety and function of all signalized intersections system-wide. We will continue to review applicable literature and practices for new ideas and methods of improving intersection safety and operations. Our objective is to provide clear, consistent, and understandable regulatory equipment, signs and markings at all intersections to provide for safe and efficient use by motorized vehicles, bicycles, and pedestrians.
Starting with a status report this fall, we will provide annual reports to the Council regarding our progress in implementing improvement measures at high-accident (and other) street intersections in Chapel Hill.
RECOMMENDATION
The Manager recommends that the Council adopt the attached resolution that would:
· Request that State staff work with Town staff to identify, develop and implement measures to improve safety and traffic operations at selected intersections.
· Refer this report to the Transportation Board and the Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Board for comments.
A RESOLUTION REQUESTING THAT NORTH CAROLINA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION STAFF WORK WITH TOWN ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT STAFF TO IDENTIFY, DEVELOP AND IMPLEMENT MEASURES TO IMPROVE SAFETY AND TRAFFIC OPERATIONS AT SELECTED INTERSECTIONS IN CHAPEL HILL AND REFERRING THE JANUARY 10, 2005 REPORT TO THE TRANSPORTATION BOARD AND THE BICYCLE AND PEDESTRIAN ADVISORY BOARD (2005-01-10/R-8)
WHEREAS, the Council of the Town of Chapel Hill is interested in creating safe and efficient street intersections to serve motorized vehicles, pedestrians, and bicyclists; and
WHEREAS, the Council has received and reviewed a summary report including traffic accident data for 2001, 2002, and 2003 in Chapel Hill; and
WHEREAS, the data indicates that significant traffic accident problems exist at several locations in Chapel Hill;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Council of the Town of Chapel Hill that the Council requests that the North Carolina Department of Transportation staff work with Town Engineering Department staff to identify, develop, and implement measures to improve safety and traffic operations at selected street intersections in Chapel Hill.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Council refers the January 10, 2005 report to the Transportation Board and the Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Board for comments.
This the 10th day of January, 2005.