M-NCPP PPC M Montgomery P Parks Capital Crescent Trail Crossing - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

M-NCPP PPC M Montgomery P Parks Capital Crescent Trail Crossing at Little Falls Parkway

INTERSE SECTION SA SAFETY IMPR PROVE VEMENT STUDY DY COMMUNITY MEETING | JUNE 13, 2018

SOMERSET ELEMENTARY SCHOOL, 7:00-9:00 PM

Welcome / Team Introductions

MONTGOMERY PARKS STUDY TEAM

• Parks and Planning Technical Staff
• Park Management Staff – Cabin John Region
• Park Police
• Engineering Consultant – Sabra, Wang & Associates Inc
• Environmental & Stormwater: Alpha Engineering
• Landscape Architecture & Forest Conservation: Floura Teeter
• Montgomery County Department of Transportation

Tonight’s Meeting

AGENDA

• Project Background
• Project Metrics (how we will evaluate alternatives)
• Project Schedule
• Alternative Concepts
• Open Discussion (Public Input)
• Next Steps

Project Background

LITTLE FALLS TRAIL CCT CROSSING

• The Capital Crescent

Trail (CCT) was created by a “Rails to Trails” conversion

• CCT crosses Little

Falls Parkway (LFP) at mid-block at- grade intersection

• CCT most popular

trail in Montgomery County

• CCT crossing at LFP

has historically experienced significant vehicle/trail user conflicts

LITTLE FALLS PARK (LITTLE FALLS SVU 2)

Project Background

• Parks undertook

intersection safety improvements in 2011 to reduce conflicts

• Increased trail usage offset

safety improvements and conflicts continued

• In 2016, Parks began to

coordinate Vision Zero solutions with Montgomery County

• In January 2017, Parks

installed an interim “road diet” along LFP to reduce travel speeds and number

• f lanes
• Parks undertook study to

develop permanent solution to improve intersection safety

Project Background

Interim Improvements in place:

• 2 driver crashes, 1

bike crash (1.5 years)

• 6 bike crashes, 6

driver crashes (2 year period prior to Interim Improvements)

• Slight reduction in

LFP thru traffic

• Slight diversion of

through traffic from Arlington Road to Hillandale Road

Project Background

Southbound CCT Approach Towards LFP LFP Looking Northbound

Project Background

• Project Goal:

Provide a permanent safer crossing for the Capital Crescent Trail at Little Falls Parkway that recognizes the significant trail usage by a wide range of users, while maintaining the Parkway’s function of providing access to Park amenities.

• Considerations:
• Minimize confusion/decision points for all intersection users
• Traffic calming to reduce vehicle speeds on Parkway
• Maintain/enhance high quality trail user experience
• Minimize environmental impacts (i.e. tree loss, impervious area)
• Limit additional vehicle delay along Parkway
• Minimize construction and operational costs

Project Background

• Additional Project Goals:
• Implement Montgomery County Vision Zero goals
• Maximize visibility/communication for all users at

intersection

• Improved interconnections from adjacent

neighborhoods to the CCT and Little Falls Trail

• Integration of project with DOT for traffic calming along

Hillandale Road and Arlington Road

• Aesthetic and intuitive design for trail users and

motorists

• Improve lighting to improve visibility at crossing
• Modification of Bethesda Pool entrances to improve

access/conflict along Little Falls Parkway

Project Metrics

Metrics are factors, both quantitative and qualitative, used to evaluate alternatives.

• Trail User Safety
• Improved visibility and “communication” among all intersection users
• Reduction of vehicle/trail user conflict
• Implementation of Vision Zero goals
• Traffic calming and vehicle speed reduction
• Reduce driver “decisions” at intersection
• Trail User Delay
• Minimize delays at LFP crossing
• Intersection Lighting
• Improved photometrics for use at dawn and dusk
• Vehicle Delay/Access
• Minimize additional delays for motorists along LFP and maintain access to Park amenities

Project Metrics

• Diverted Traffic
• Through traffic unable to process LFP/Arlington/Hillandale due to intersection
• Indirect changes to traffic on Dorset Ave/Kenwood Ave
• Environmental Impacts
• Tree and habitat losses
• Changes in impervious surfaces and stormwater runoff
• Cost
• Initial construction cost
• Continuing operational / maintenance costs

Public Input Matters!

• Public Input
• Individuals may have different perspectives depending on how they interact with the

intersection

• Transportation trail users (i.e. commuter or advanced bicyclists)
• Recreational trail users (i.e. children from 8 months to 108 years old)
• Local motorists (those living in adjacent neighborhoods)
• Through traffic (those using LFP as a cut through)
• Individuals may fall into different categories at different times
• Your feedback will help us understand how others view the Park resources and amenities
• Ultimate solution will require compromise

Project Schedule

Summer 2018

 Obtain feedback from community  Quantify impacts and compare metrics  Focus study towards top 3+/- alternatives  Advance top alternatives to 10% design with pros and cons

 Fall 2018

 Upload advanced concepts to website for further input from all  Obtain feedback from public and agencies to identify Preferred Alternative (PA)  Develop PA to Preliminary Engineering (30% design) with SWM Concept and Cost Estimate

 Winter 2018/2019

 Present Preferred Alternative (30% Design) to Planning Board for Approval  Develop CIP funding request in coordination with MCDOT

Alternative Concepts – General Improvements

Alternative Concepts – 3 Primary Approaches

Control the Trail Crossing

• Alt #1, #2 – Divert Trail to Existing Signal
• Alt #3, #4 – Traffic Signal or Pedestrian Signal at Trail Crossing
• Alt #5 – Stop Sign Control on LFP

Remove the Conflict Entirely

• Alt #6; #7 – Tunnel under LFP; Bridge over LFP
• Alt #8 – LFP Closure Between Arlington and Hillandale Roads

Reduce Conflict Potential

• Alt #9 – Permanent Road Diet, Speed Table
• Alt #10 – Dynamic Lane Use, Speed Table
• Alt #11 – Road Diet and Arlington Roundabout
• Alt #12 – Permanent Road Diet Continued to Dorset Avenue

Alternative Concepts #1 – Divert Trail to Existing Arlington Rd Traffic Signal

Alternative Concepts #2 – Divert Trail to Existing Hillandale Rd Traffic Signal

Alternative Concepts #3 – Traffic Signal at Trail Crossing

Alternative Concepts #4 – Pedestrian Signal (HAWK Beacon) At Crossing

Alternative Concepts #5 – STOP Sign Control On Little Falls Parkway

Alternative Concepts #6 – Tunnel under Little Falls Parkway

Alternative Concepts #7 – Bridge Over Little Falls Parkway

Alternative Concepts #8 – Little Falls Parkway Closure Between Arlington and Hillandale Roads

Alternative Concepts #9 – Permanent Road Diet, Speed Table

Alternative Concepts #10 – Dynamic Lane Use, Speed Table

Alternative Concepts #11 – Road Diet And Arlington Roundabout

Alternative Concepts #12 – Permanent Road Diet Continued to Dorset Ave

Open Discussion

 Questions and Comments? Next Steps:  Please use sign-in sheet to provide your contact info for project e-mail updates  This presentation and concept sketches will be posted to the Parks project website. Montgomeryparks.org and search for “Capital Crescent Trail”  We will open a “Town Hall” forum where everyone can post comments. Montgomeryparks.org and search for “Open Town Hall”  If you have any trouble accessing info, contact: Andrew.tsai@montgomeryparks.org or 301-495-2508

www.MontgomeryParks.org