Median Improvements and Beautification From Gulf State Park to the - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Median Improvements and Beautification

From Gulf State Park to the Florida Line

Orange Beach, Alabama March 29, 2016

Project Sponsor: Alabama Department of Transportation Southwest Region Project Design Team:

Alabama Department of Transportation: Vince Calametti, P.E. Gonzalez-Strength & Associates, Inc.: James Brown, P.E. Skipper Consulting Inc.: Darrell Skipper, P.E.

Project Limits

Project Limits: Alabama Highway 182 from the Orange Beach City Limits to the Florida State Line Project Concerns: Safety: both traffic and pedestrian Traffic Capacity Traffic Speeds Pedestrian & Bicycle Accessibility

Existing Roadway Cross Section

Project Goals: Enhance Roadway Safety for the traveling public Balance the needs of the pedestrian/bicyclist, consumer/beachgoer, and the roadway user Enhance the aesthetics along the roadway corridor Create a gateway to the City of Orange Beach as well as to the Alabama Gulf Coast

Alabama Highway 182 2012-2014 Crash Facts: Total Crashes: 227 Total Crashes 49 injury crashes 4 Fatalities Pedestrian Involved Crashes: 8 Crashes 6 Injuries 2 Fatalities

• At the Average Intersection:
• Approximately 72% of all Crashes involve Left Turning

Traffic

• Of the left turn crashes:
• 47% are related to Left turns from the side street
• 39% are related to left turns from the main street

Conflict Point: A conflict point is the point at which a roadway user crossing, merging with, or diverging from a road or driveway conflicts with another roadway user using the same road or driveway. Intersection Conflict Points

Median U-turn/Indirect Left Turn Concept

• Reduces crashes by reducing intersection conflict points
• Anticipated 35% reduction in crashes
• Reduces Crash Severity by reducing the number of crossing

crashes.

• Does not limit Property access from any direction

Alabama Highway 182 at Palm Pointe Centre

Existing Configuration: 39 Conflict Points Future Configuration: 3 Conflict Points 92% Reduction in Conflict Points Simplifying the driving tasks by limiting the number of conflicts results in fewer collisions, improves safety, and reduces congestion.

• Signalized Median U-turns
• Concept has been utilized

successfully in other areas of the state with roadways of various traffic volumes

• Traffic signals will be simple with

2 phases

• Pedestrian crossings will be

signalized

Project U-turn Locations Project Cross Section

Alabama Highway 182 at Alabama Highway 161

• Left turn onto SR161 from

Eastbound SR182 is prohibited

• An additional westbound right

turn lane added

Alabama Highway 182 at Alabama Highway 161 – East of the intersection

• Truck u-turn location
• Dual eastbound u-turn lanes
• Ability to turn left into the Boat

Launch or the Cotton Bayou Beach Access

• Dual right turns westbound

extend for access onto SR161

Alabama Highway 182 east of Loop Road

• Traffic Signal will be installed at

all u-turn locations

• Standard u-turn location
• Trucks are prohibited
• U-turns provided for both

directions

Alabama Highway 182 west of Loop Road

• Traffic Signal will be installed at

all u-turn locations

• Standard u-turn location
• Trucks are prohibited
• U-turns provided for both

directions

Pedestrian/Bicycle Access:

• 8 Existing Signalized Pedestrian

Crossings

• 14 Future Signalized Pedestrian

Crossings

• Pedestrian Locations identified by

Orange Beach were utilized in determining crossing locations

• Public Beach Access Locations
• Emergency Beach Access Locations
• Areas of Pedestrian Safety
• Intersections & crosswalk locations

will be lighted

Traffic Counts were utilized from:

• Memorial Day 2014 & 2015
• August 2015
• Spring Break 2016

Traffic has grown at a 1% growth rate

• ver the most recent 10 year period

Level of Service - Traffic Capacity is expressed as a Level of Service on a Scale of “A” (highest quality service) - ”F” (jammed conditions). In general a “D” or better is considered acceptable during peak traffic conditions.

• Project Concept has been designed to accommodate the

following scenarios:

• Holiday check in/check out rush
• Weeknight dinner rush
• Traffic volumes are projected to grow at a 1.75%/year rate
• 35% traffic growth can be accommodated (20 years)
• Traffic Capacity analysis indicates the concept would provide

an acceptable Level of Service (“D” or better during peak periods)

• Traffic Simulation Software was used to model what future

conditions would look like with future traffic volumes and lanes in place.

The traffic model includes the following conditions:

• A typical summer evening dinner

rush (Friday night)

• Future traffic volumes including

35% traffic growth over existing traffic volumes

• Proposed roadway lanes in place

All Traffic Signals will utilize mast arms in lieu of span wire for a “cleaner” appearance Currently there is a project by others underway to place overhead power lines underground There will be low growing plantings placed in the median. There will be trees/other plantings to be placed along the outside of the roadway

All curbing to be used is designed to be traversed by Beach Mouse Intersection & Roadway Lighting will utilize LED technology and will be “turtle friendly”

How will my customers reach my business? How will this impact my business? How will trucks get to my business? Can a firetruck make the u-turn? What will this do to my travel time?

• How will Customers Reach My Business?
• Wayfinding - signals will be numbered.

Example: Pigeon Forge, Tn.

• How will this impact my business?
• Economic studies show business owners reported an increase or no change

in their customer traffic when median u-turns were constructed.

• How will trucks get into my business?
• Truck u-turns have been strategically located to provide truck access as

needed.

• Surveys of business owners in other locations indicate the majority felt no

inconvenience to truck deliveries at their business.

• Can a Firetruck Make the u-turn?
• YES! Each u-turn location is sized so that a firetruck can make the u-turn

movement as needed.

• What will this do to my travel time?
• Simpler traffic signals = more green

Phase 1 – Fall 2016 Remainder of the project to be constructed in multiple phases

• Phase 1 Project:
• Consists of Area from east of Cotton Bayou Beach Access to just

west of Loop Road/Wal-Mart

• Construction will begin on or about October 2016.
• Construction is scheduled to be completed by Spring/Early

Summer 2017

• The balance of the project is planned to be constructed as

multiple phases completed during off-peak tourist seasons.

• The City of Orange Beach is working to develop a landscaping

plan.

Thank you for your interest in this project!

Median Improvements and Beautification

From Gulf State Park to the Florida Line