Denver Transportation Design 101 The ABCs and 123s on how - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation
Denver Transportation Design 101 The ABCs and 123s on how transportation works in your City Denver Public Works Presented by: Dana Hoffman March 20, 2019 Giving you knowledge and tools This presentation was put together for the
Denver Public Works
Presented by: Dana Hoffman March 20, 2019
The “ABCs and 123s” on how transportation works in your City
This presentation was put together for the community to understand how transportation decisions get made in the City of Denver and how you can be part of the process. The slides describe what Denver PW does, why we do it, and how we do it.
Introduction, Purpose, and Organization
Plan, design, build, maintain and regulate (almost) everything in the City’s Right-of-Way (ROW). The ROW is property that the City of Denver owns and operates, which is dedicated for transportation, utility, and communal space needs. ROW provides the legal right of use by many users; PW serves them all.
This can be a balancing act!
Sidewalks are built by the City but maintenance and repair falls on the adjacent property
Development adjacent to the ROW is privately owned, but its design, construction and
PW and CPD. Streetlights are regulated by the City but owned and operated by Xcel Energy, a private company. The City supports transit through building things like bus lanes, pull-outs, shelters and
themselves are owned and
The City operates and maintains ADA ramps, streets (including bike lanes) pavement markings and signals. PW builds medians, raised crossings and other safety and “traffic calming” measures as
vegetation and art must be maintained by an external group. The City maintains underground utilities like sewer/water pipes and provides easement for
Study
studies
benefits studies
Design
to bidding documents
Construct
everything underneath
But things change... Up to 40-50% of work is still reactive to changing conditions
How we make it happen:
Facility Maintenance Special Programs Debt Payments Major Projects $51.7m 55%
Annual Budget (2019): $95m
$17.1m 18% $15.5m 16% $10.3m 11% E.G. Signal Repair, Repaving, Snow Removal, ADA Curb Ramps E.G. grant matches, bond payment, intergovernmental projects E.G. new interchanges, bridges, corridor- wide improvements, major studies E.G. Neighborhood Safety, Bicycle Routes, Sidewalk Gaps & Repair, Safe Routes to School, Transit Support, Pedestrian Crossings
Grants- $33m
E.G. DRCOG TIP, TSSIP, CDOT TAP Grants for projects, signals, programs, plans and studies
GO Bond(1st issuance): $41m
E.G.10-year program funding 290 voter-approved design & construction projects, Money issued in 3-year increments $41.2m $33m
For Mobility, Safety, and Comfort
Administration (FHWA)
all things roadway design and function
legally conform to these standards
safe and consistent across US Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices Can be supplemented but not contradicted by state and local standards.
Issue identified
identified from 311, constituent, council, or traffic incident. Issue is evaluated
safety or mobility concern and if engineering solution can be effective.
Solution
contracted out. Can take anywhere from several days to several years to complete.
Consistent standards help ensure fair use of funds and predictable roadways. But consistency can leave room for creative solutions.
Request:
Speeding on your street Traffic sign down Potholes to fill Graffiti removal Flooding in the right-of-way
You can quickly contact the City of Denver to ask a question or request maintenance, services, and infrastructure improvements anywhere in the city all through one phone call
evaluated for a warrant quickly.
How to use 311:
Call the hotline: weekday and weekend Submit online: Fill out a request through PocketGov.com
Some common things we can help with through 311
Tools to control who has right of way
Markers, signs and signal devices used to inform, guide and control traffic (all modes and users). Generally speaking, these devices assist with mobility and safety by indicating which user has the right of way at any given time and how they are intended to proceed in any given movement. Traffic control devices are not ‘traffic calming’ and should not be used for that purpose.
What’s the Warrant?*
WHAT: Traffic lights alternate the right of way accorded to users by illuminating lights of standard colors. WHEN/WHY: A traffic signal in the right location and designed correctly can decreases accidents and improves the flow of traffic. They are used by PW when large numbers of users are moving in multiple directions through an intersection. BUDGET: ~$250,000-$600,000. PW has limited line-item budgets for replacing old signals and new signal locations. TIMING: 1-2 years for design & construction.
approaching from one or multiple directions at peak hour or all times of day
pedestrians crossing
movements a signal can address + minimum volumes
movement + minimum traffic volumes *Not a comprehensive list of all warrants
What’s the Warrant?
WHAT: Signals designed to facilitate pedestrian crossing, and generally only affecting vehicular traffic when ‘called’ by a
and High-Intensity Activated crossWalK beacon (HAWK) WHEN/WHY: To facilitate a large number of pedestrians or vulnerable pedestrians to cross a street (mid-block or at an intersection) in locations with traffic speeds above 30 mi/hr. Implemented when a full signal is not necessary or warranted. BUDGET: ~$150,000-$400,000. PW has a small budget for signals and may only be able to install 1-2/yr unless other funds can be Identified. TIMING: 6 months-2 years.
pedestrians
pedestrians crossing in a single hour
controlled crossing
than 2 lanes of traffic in each direction
What’s the Warrant?*
WHAT: Signage and/or on-road barriers preventing particular movements, generally turning movements at an intersection. WHEN/WHY: In cases where particular movements are producing crashes, Public Works may restrict that movement at certain times of day or permanently. BUDGET: ~$5,000-$15,000. PW has a general budget for signs and markings. TIMING: 1-6 months for study & installation.
from the specific movement + & alternative routes available *Not a comprehensive list of all warrants
What’s the Warrant?*
WHAT: Sign to notify drivers that they must come to a complete stop and make sure no other road users are coming before proceeding. WHEN/WHY: Control right of way when an intersection does not have warrant for a signal. Two way stops are appropriate when one street has greater flow of traffic. Four way stops are appropriate when flow of traffic is similar in both directions. Does not address speeding issues. BUDGET: ~$5,000-$15,000. PW has a general budget for signs and markings. TIMING: 1-6 months for study & installation.
warrant a signal
history
signs at surrounding intersections Additional for 4-way:
approaching from each direction of travel
crossing at key locations *Not a comprehensive list of all warrants
What’s the Warrant?
is not an issue addressed by PW. If safety issues are present as a result of vehicles passing through a roadway, those safety issues will be addressed. *Not a comprehensive list of all warrants
WHAT: Vehicles avoiding congestion on collector or arterial streets by utilizing local streets. PW does not utilize any controls to prevent cut- through WHEN/WHY: All public streets on the Denver grid are designed for general use. Additionally, local streets can generally accommodate +3,500 vehicles per day. Therefore, PW does not utilize any controls to prevent cut-through traffic. If safety issues are present, controls or treatments will be developed to address those issues. PW works to provide the most efficient and safe mobility options throughout the city, supporting movement of all modes of transportation. BUDGET: N/A TIMING: N/A
Tools to control traffic right of way
To ensure our roadways are safe and comfortable for all users, the City implements programs and projects to design and encourage responsible driving and reduce traffic speeds—often referred to as ‘traffic calming.’ Traffic calming measures fit into one of three categories, referred to as the three "E's": (public works) engineering, (community) education, and (police) enforcement.
changes that encourage drivers to slow.
roadway users to respect safety and the experience
Enforcement team is the front line.
frequent.
Engineer ering g (PW) Educatio ion Enforcement
The most effective traffic calming efforts entail measures from all 3 E’s; All traffic control treatments have varying levels of effectiveness, maintenance costs, and downsides.
What’s the Warrant?*
WHAT: Posted speed limit signs as well as driver feedback signs (displaying and recording passing vehicle speed). WHEN/WHY: Both treatments are utilized to inform and encourage drivers to conform to the speed limit. Adding additional signs (in addition to standard interval posting) are shown to be effective and reducing driver speeds, but only for short period of time after installation. BUDGET: ~$2,000-$5,000. TIMING: ~1-3 months
issues (>25% vehicles traveling >5 over) *Not a comprehensive list of all warrants
What’s the Warrant?*
WHAT: A reserved area, marked or raised, that separates opposing lanes
WHEN/WHY: Medians help prevent head on collision, limit turning movements, and visually narrow the road. Medians are most appropriate
a mid-street refuge for pedestrians and beautify the street. BUDGET: ~$25,000-$200,000+ depending on length and design
TIMING: ~1-3 years.
remedied by medians/refuge islands (head-on, left turns, U- turns)
streets only in concert with warranted crosswalks
accommodate *Not a comprehensive list of all warrants
What’s the Warrant?*
WHAT: Visually or physically narrowing a lane with curb extensions, medians, or bike lanes. WHEN/WHY: PW works installs lane narrowing to slow traffic, generally in concert with other improvements such as a crosswalk or bicycle lane. Lane narrowing is most appropriate
pleasant and safe for alternative modes. BUDGET: ~$20,000-$500,000. Dependent on
be identified. TIMING: 1-2 years.
neighborhood bikeway or high pedestrian volumes (e.g. serves a vulnerable population center)
crash history that can be corrected by treatment *Not a comprehensive list of all warrants
WHAT: A ‘crosswalk’ exists at all intersections (unless no-crossing is marked) whether or not there is a painted street marking. Pedestrian crosswalk marking with parallel white lines is a method of encouraging pedestrians to use a particular crossing. Some crosswalk locations also have signage, signaling, raised medians or sidewalk bulb-outs. WHEN/WHY: To encourage pedestrians to cross at a particular location and alert drivers and other users that crossings are likely to
BUDGET: ~$12,000-$20,000. PW has a small budget for crosswalks. TIMING: 2-12+ months for design and implementation. Additional elements like bulb-outs or signals may increase time.
What’s the Warrant?*
(signed or signalized) and uncontrolled crossing
destinations (schools, parks, hospitals)
accident history at crossing
enhanced crossing *Not a comprehensive list of all warrants
What’s the Warrant?*
WHAT: A raised circle at intersections along a neighborhood
along a corridor. WHEN/WHY: To slow traffic and encourage driver attention to the road on a neighborhood bikeway. BUDGET: ~$10,000-$60,000. TIMING: 6 mo-1.5 yrs
method is still in pilot phase
neighborhood bikeway
issue (>25% vehicles traveling 5miles >speed limit)
geometry *Not a comprehensive list of all warrants
What’s the Warrant?
WHAT: A raised hump or bump across the roadway that cars must cross at a lower speed. WHEN/WHY: PW does not utilize speed humps/bumps as traffic calming as it has been determined that there other measures to be taken that are effective with less side effects to the community. This device has negative impacts for emergency vehicle respond, cost, and community enjoyment. BUDGET: ~N/A TIMING: N/A
does not utilize speed humps or bumps
Dana Hoffman 720-913-4577 Dana.Hoffman@denvergov.org