Public Information Meeting

Farmington Medical Center Area

Transportation Safety and Improvements Study

December 14, 2016

Presentation TeamRob Aloise, P.E., CRCOG

Chris Granatini, P.E., Tighe & Bond

6:30 to 7:00 Open House

7:00 to 7:30 Presentation

7:30 to 8:30 Workshop/Discussion

Transportation Study Overview

■ What is a Transportation Study?– Multi-Modal planning process to prepare a plan of transportation

improvements for an area

■ Why conduct a Transportation Study?– Promote orderly growth and efficient use of public infrastructure

– Provide appropriate recommendations for adequate

transportation improvements

■ What Is the Study’s Schedule?– The Study’s Final Report is anticipated to be completed in early

2018

Study Area

Study Team & Roles

■ Project Manager – Capitol Region Council of Governments (CRCOG)

■ Study Advisory Committee– Town of Farmington (3)

– Connecticut Department of Transportation (1)

– University of Connecticut (2)

– Metro-Realty (1)

■ Technical Consultants– Tighe & Bond – Prime Consultant

– Nelson Nygaard – Sub-Consultant

– ASG Planning – Sub-Consultant

Public Involvement Program

■ Advisory Committee Meetings (7)

■ Public Information Meetings (3)

■ Town Council Meetings (2)

■ Study Webpage

http://bit.ly/2gDmOH6

■ Public Survey

http://svy.mk/2hJboxk

■ Study Newsletters

■ Study E-Mail Blasts

Town of Farmington

CTDOT/CRCOG

Public/Stakeholders

Common

Ground

Study Goals

■ Assess existing and future traffic safety and operations, and evaluate existing transportation improvement plans

■ Improve travel safety and mitigate traffic congestion. Identify opportunities to develop safe and efficient multi-modal transportation options, including bicycle, pedestrian and complete streets for all users, and increase the mode share of alternative transportation for commuters

■ Review existing and proposed future land uses and projects within the Farmington Medical Center Area and assess the effect on the transportation system

■ Recommend appropriate access for planned and future developments within the Farmington Medical Center Area

■ Adhere to smart growth principles and identify sustainable solutions

■ Identify implementable planning-level projects, their priority and strategies for implementation

Tonight's Goals

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■ Review & Comment on Study Goals

■ Convey Observations and Experiences in the

Study Area related to all Transportation Modes

■ Identify Important Issues and Deficiencies to

Mitigate with System Improvements

Project Scope

■ Data Collection

■ Traffic Operations Analysis

– 2016 Existing & 2036 Future (20 years)

■ Safety Assessment

■ Improvement Alternatives

■ Final Report

Data Collection

■ Field Visits– Traffic Conditions – Peak and Off-Peak

– Traffic Control Signal Equipment & Condition

– Signing & Pavement Markings

– Photographs and Videos Inventory

■ Traffic Volume Counts– Turning Movement Counts

– Automatic Traffic Recorders

– CTDOT Historical Traffic Volume Data

■ Multi-Modal Transportation Data– Transit Routes & Amenities

– Bicycle & Pedestrian Facilities Inventory

– Farmington School Bus Routes

■ Traffic Safety Analysis – Collision History

Base Mapping

■ Study Area

■ Existing Traffic Control

■ Average Daily Traffic Volumes

■ Travel Speed Observations

■ Vehicle Collision History (2012-2014)

■ Pedestrian, Bicycle, Transit and Commuter Facilities

■ Existing Roadway Concerns

■ Natural & Environmental Resources

– Historic Areas, Protected Open Space, 4f Properties, Wetlands, NDDB, FEMA Flood

Zones, Contaminated or Potentially Contaminated Sites, Ground Water Quality &

Surface Water Quality

■ Majors Traffic Generators, Planning Improvements &

Developments

Existing Traffic Operations

■ Two Analysis Periods– Morning Peak Hour (7:15 – 8:15 AM)

– Afternoon Peak Hour (4:30 – 5:30 PM)

■ Synchro 8 Traffic Analysis Software

■ Traffic Model Inputs– Balanced Intersection Turning Movement Counts

– Existing Traffic Signal Timings

– Intersection Geometry / Lane Use

■ Analysis Results– Level of Service (LOS) – Average Delay, A – F Grading System

– v/c ratio – volume carried versus capacity

– Queue – Length of Vehicles stopped at Intersections by Lane

Level of Service

■ LOS A - Little to no delay

■ LOS B - Desirable conditions with

relatively low delay

■ LOS C - Conditions with average delays

■ LOS D - Influence of congestion more

noticeable, delays still acceptable

■ LOS E - High delay values, considered

by many agencies to be the limit of

acceptable delay.

■ LOS F - Unacceptable to most drivers

with high delay; arrival rates exceed the

capacity.

LOS A/B

LOS E/F

LOS C/D

Existing Operational Issues

Farmington Avenue at Talcott Notch / Old Mountain Road

Colt Highway/South Road

at Interstate 84 On-Ramp

Farmington Avenue at

Route 4 Connector

Route 6 at Birdseye Road

Traffic Safety Review

Alternative Travel Modes

■ Bicycle Facilities

■ Pedestrian Facilities

■ Transit Facilities

■ Commuter Parking Lots

Workshop Discussions

■ 3 Learning Stations– Traffic Operational Issues

– Alternative Travel Modes – Bicycle / Pedestrian / Transit

– Safety Issues

■ SWOT Analysis– Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats

■ 15 Minutes at Each Station to Obtain Input

■ Summary of Public Comments by Project Team at

Conclusion of Session

Station Leaders

■ Traffic Operations – Chris Granatini – Tighe & Bond (Leader)

– Matt Blume – Town of Farmington

■ Alternative Travel Modes– Dana Huff – Tighe & Bond (Leader)

– Jillian Massey – CRCOG

■ Safety Issues– Becca Hall – Tighe & Bond (Leader)

– Rob Aloise – CRCOG