Highway Safety Manual - Kittelson & Associates, Inc.

TRANSPORTATIONTRAININGToday’s Agenda Welcome and Training OutlineJorge Aguilar, APWA Monterey Bay Chapter President / Wallace Group Intersection Control EvaluationBrian Ray, Kittelson & Associates, Inc. Highway Safety ManualMatt Braughton, Kittelson & Associates, Inc. Roundabouts 101Brian Ray, Kittelson & Associates, Inc. .1

JOINT TRAINING OUTLINEIndustry Change and Growth Emphasis on Safety Improvements Multi-Modal ImprovementsIntersection Control Evaluations Caltrans Requirement Beyond CaltransRoundabouts Interactive Process Design Plans and ConstructabilityHighway Safety Manual Provide Engineers and Transportation Planners with Tools Assist with Informing Stakeholders and Decision Makers2

Industry Changes and GrowthMAP-21 and FAST Federal Funding has a renewed emphasis on Multi-Modal and SafetyImprovements Funding Applications – Benefit/Cost Analysis Performance BasedPublic Engagement and Support Tools to Convey Information Active CommunitiesPlanning and Engineering Working Together Combining Strengths and Perspectives Maintain communication throughout the project3

Intersection Control Evaluations (ICE)Del Rio Road Interchange – City of Atascadero Pilot Project ICE for CaltransUsed Existing Traffic Analysis and DataEliminated Signalized AlternativeStreamlined Approach & PDT approvalEast Boronda Road Widening – City of Salinas Decision Making Tool for 2 Mile Corridor 4 Intersections to Review Traffic Model Volumes & Operations/Initial Cost/Maintenance/ROW Impacts/Water Quality/Safety/etc ConsiderationsCaltrans Requirement Interchange Ramp Termini Improvements Require an ICE Desire to maintain a Streamlined Approach4

RoundaboutsNot the One and Only Solution Highly Skewed IntersectionsResolve Queue Storage LengthsLess Severe CollisionsCorridor – Wide Nodes/Narrow RoadsDesign Process – Lesson’s Learned Iterative ProcessVisual QueuesLandscapePublic EducationConstruction – Lesson’s Learned Construction Staging Lighting5

Highway Safety ManualSolutions for Rural Roads In Our Central Coast Counties Quantitatively EstimatingCollision Frequency/Severity Balance Improvements andCost Effectiveness Quantify IncrementalImprovements Tool to Help EngineersCommunicate withStakeholders6

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Evolving Solutions ForHighway System Access How to Use ICE forGood and Not Evil APWA Monterey BayTraining ConferenceJune 28, 2016Watsonville, CABrian L. RayKittelson & Associates, Inc.8

Presentation OutlineOverview Roundabouts on the state system Emerging statewide guidanceIntersection Control Evaluations National Trends Two Step Caltrans ICE approach ToolsAlternative Intersections and Interchange GuidesSample Application of Interchange ICEThoughts for the Future Understanding fundamentals Performance-based Analysis Continued Training9

OverviewRoundabouts in California Late 1990s: Caltrans Roundabout Task Force Internal training Managers Headquarters/District Design Managers District StaffVarious Roundabout Proposals Strong support in some jurisdictions Concerns!—More analysis, more review Concept Approval Report (CAR) Outline 2006 SR 246 SolvangConcept Approval Report Fear of saying “yes”“More analysis is needed”-- a way of not really saying “no” or “yes”Resources wasted; good roundabout applications lostProgress in some Districts less in others10

OverviewICE August 2013 Two Step Screening Challenges in assessing what is enough for a first step Learning to adapt ICE to the fullest range of contextsHighway Design Practices Section 405.10 Roundabouts (HDM update March 2014) Others: “District 6 “Roundabout Best Practices” Challenges? Applying principles versus design standardsCA MUTCD: Interest in updates to include ICE All jurisdictions; not just Caltrans facilities Focus on objective, adaptive solutions Safety and performance-based focus11

Presentation OutlineOverview Roundabouts on the state system Emerging statewide guidanceIntersection Control Evaluations National Trends Two Step Caltrans ICE approach ToolsAlternative Intersections and Interchange GuidesSample Application of Interchange ICEThoughts for the Future Understanding fundamentals Performance-based Analysis Continued Training12

National Intersection Control Evaluation TrendsStates with objective intersectioncontrol evaluation policies: CaliforniaIndianaMinnesotaWisconsinOther states pendingSupported by FHWA’sEvery Day Counts Initiative Shortening project delivery Enhancing roadway safety Protecting the environmentFHWA provides guides onAlternative Intersections andInterchanges“DOTs should consider and evaluate[roundabouts, diverging diamond interchanges(DDIs) and intersections with displaced leftturns or variations on U-turns] early in theproject scoping, planning and decision-makingstages, as they may serve as more efficient,economical and safer solutions than /everydaycounts/edctwo/2012/geometrics.cfm13

Intersection Control EvaluationsIntersection Control Evaluations simply mean objective evaluations Would you conduct a “Single Point Diamond Interchange Study”? Then why would you conduct a “Roundabout Intersection Study”?National trends toward cost-effective solutions “Right-sizing” project solutionsConsidering the likely value versus simply addressing projectionsPerformance-based Practical Design (PBPD)Performance-based Analysis of Geometric Designof Highways and Streets (NCHRP Report 785)Increasing number of states and cities with roundabout policies Roundabouts “first” or “also” (San Luis Obispo, CA Bend, OR)FHWA also promotes alternative intersections and interchanges Published Alternative Intersection/Interchange Guides (AIIG) Promoting objective multi-modal, safety, and operations research14

Intersection Control EvaluationsWhat is an Intersection? The connection or crossing of two or more roadway facilitiesTypical focus: At-grade forms We have been challenged implementing roundaboutsover the last 15 years We now have more “innovative” forms to consider Mostly treatments of left-turning vehiclesIntersection control evaluations apply to grade separated facilities Objective look at interchange form and function Focus is most often upon the ramp terminal intersection control Stop Yield SignalizedA “Diverging Diamond Interchange” is simply an alternative treatmentat the ramp terminal intersections15

Intersection Control Evaluation General StepsConsider project contextInitial screening evaluationPerformance-based decisions OperationsSafetyMultimodal Quality Of ServiceProject PhasingLife Cycle Cost16

ICE: Common Considerations and FactorsConsiderationsInfluencing factors Foot Print Rural/Urban Context Traffic Operations High-Speed Environments Multi-modal Quality of Service Intersection Forms User types Corridors versus Isolated Safety Performance Adjacent Traffic Control Service Life Freight Movement Expandability Special Vehicles Initial Capital Costs Pedestrian and Bicyclist Benefit/Cost Demand Special user needs17

Intersection Control Evaluations (ICE) –Caltrans Traffic Operations Policy Directive 13-02Key Process Changes andRequirements Must consider signal, yield andmulti-way stop control during orbefore completing the projectinitiation phase of the projectdevelopment process. The safety performancecharacteristics must be consideredwhen developing engineering andinvestment recommendations. The authority to recommend orapprove yield-controlledroundabouts and single pointinterchanges is delegated to theDistricts.18

ICE: Two Step Process (Initial efforts) –Caltrans ExampleStep 1: Assessment/screeningof traffic control/managementstrategies Typically part of TrafficEngineering PerformanceAssessment (TEPA) in supportof Project Study Report/ProjectDevelopment Support(PSR/PDS) process Outcomes: Identify strategies that meritfurther consideration becausethey meet the control needand are practical to pursue orimplement.19

ICE: Two Step Process (Later project steps) –Caltrans ExampleStep 2: Traffic Analysis andEngineering Studies Typically part of ProjectApproval & EnvironmentalDocumentation (PA&ED)process or Permit EngineeringEvaluation Report Outcomes: Traffic and PerformanceAnalysis Findings Life-cycle/InvestmentAnalysis Findings Future investment needed toextend life Multi Modal Level of ServicePerformanceMeasureOperations &Maintenance –Lowest CostLandscapingMaintenance –Lowest CostPavementRehabilitation– Lowest CostBridge –Lowest CostCrash Costs –Lowest CostSignalRoundabout 20

KAI Intersection Cost Comparison SpreadsheetCompares life-cycle costs ofroundabout to traffic signalor stop-controlElements included: SafetyVehicular delayEmissions (ROG, NOX, PM10)Operations and MaintenanceCapital costsMany qualitative elements notincluded ped/bikeeconomic developmentcommunity desireslivability, etc.

Spreadsheet HistoryCreated by KAI for Pennsylvania DOT in 2012/2013 Incorporated some older KAI spreadsheets for economic calculations“Automation” of safety calculations was largest part of effortSpreadsheet and manual available to PennDOT staff and consultantsLimited use in PA, limited promotion by PennDOTModified by KAI for Virginia DOT in 2013/2014 Part of “ICE-like” roundabout screening process Spreadsheet and manual available .aspAdopted by Florida DOT in 2015Adapted by KAI for California

Spreadsheet History - CaliforniaKAI modified PennDOT/VDOT spreadsheet for TransportationAuthority of Monterey County (TAMC) ICE project in 2014-2016 Minor modifications to incorporate TAMC/Caltrans unit costsAdded emissions calculationsAdd tabs to compute approximate costs based on quantitiesNew layout of results tabMunras Ave at El Dorado StDel Monte Ave at English AveWest Alisal St at Capitol StBroadway St at San Antonio/101Fifth Street at NB US 101 RampsProject AverageFirst St at Central AveWalnut Avenue at El Camino RealSherwood Dr at Sherwood PlLareles Gr at Carmel Valley RdTioga Ave at Del Monte BlvdEast Laurel Dr at St Edwards StSan Miguel Cyn Rd at Castroville0.001.002.00

Spreadsheet goalsEasy to useRequires basic information that isreadily availableHelp agency staff/consultants considerroundabouts and assess when theymay be appropriateEvaluate intersection control acrossseveral key criteria beyond just trafficoperations1B/C Ratio0.3002Lareles Gr at Carmel Valley Rd1B/C Ratio2.8902Deforest Rd at Reservation Rd1B/C Ratio1.9602Fifth Street at SB US 101 RampsSUPPORTING BETTER DECISIONS1B/C Ratio1.500Project Average2

What do users need?Opening year and design year ADTsTurning movement countsOperational analysis results from another program to determine: Control delay Basic geometric layout/lane needsHistorical crash data (optional)Average vehicle speeds (only for emissions)Preliminary cost estimate

Future UpdatesNCHRP Project 3-110 Estimating the Life-Cycle Cost of IntersectionDesigns Accommodates more types of intersections and scenarios thanPennDOT/VDOT/FDOT/TAMC spreadsheet Harder/slower to use Primarily does economic calculation user must do engineering calculations (safety, emissions, etc.) with othertools and type in resultsCONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENTTO SUPPORT PROJECT DECISION MAKING

Presentation OutlineOverview Roundabouts on the state system Emerging statewide guidanceIntersection Control Evaluations National Trends Two Step Caltrans ICE approach ToolsAlternative Intersections and Interchange GuidesSample Application of Interchange ICEThoughts for the Future Understanding fundamentals Performance-based Analysis Continued Training27

The four guidesPublished Fall 2014 Free on the web!28

Guide Outline – Consistent for all GuidesChapter 1 – IntroductionChapter 2 – Policy and PlanningChapter 3 – Multimodal ConsiderationsChapter 4 – SafetyChapter 5 – Operational CharacteristicsChapter 6 – Operational AnalysisChapter 7 – Geometric DesignChapter 8 – Signal, Signing, Marking and LightingChapter 9 – Construction and MaintenanceAppendices29