TRAFFIC SIGNAL STUDY - Laredo, · PDF fileAny available traffic volume, turning movement, ... measures) within and surrounding the study area that affect traffic patterns and intersection

McPherson Road Mobility and Capacity Study October 2008
Final Report
Prepared for:
In Cooperation With:
Prepared by:
Firm Registration No. F-2214
September 2010 E0350601
McPherson Road Mobility and Capacity Study Laredo MPO (Laredo Urban Transportation Study)

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We Make A Difference
McPherson Road Mobility and Capacity Study September 2010 Laredo Urban Transportation Study (LUTS)
McPherson Road Mobility and Capacity Study
Laredo, Texas TABLE OF CONTENTS Page EXECUTIVE SUMMARY INDEX OF FIGURES 4 INDEX OF TABLES 5 1.0 INTRODUCTION 6 2.0 PROJECT BACKGROUND 9 3.0 PRE-STUDY 10 3.1 Study Corridor Access Identification 10 3.2 Traffic Generator and Corridor Identification 10 3.3 Stakeholder/Public Outreach Meeting 12 4.0 EXISTING CONDITIONS 20 4.1 Traffic Data and Corridor Data 20 4.2 Review and Analysis of Existing Traffic Volumes 20 4.3 Traffic Congestion Impacts on Economy, Commerce, and
Environment 20
5.0 FUTURE PROJECTIONS 32 5.1 Current and Future Construction Projects 32 5.2 Expansion Plans by Significant Traffic Generators 36 5.3 Projected Traffic Volumes 41 5.3.1 2035 No-Build Scenario 41 5.3.2 2035 Build Scenario 41 TABLE OF CONTENTS (continued)

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Page 6.0 ANALYSIS AND RECOMMENDATIONS 46 6.1 Analysis of Traffic Conditions 47 6.2 Analysis Results Existing Conditions 48 6.3 Corridor Improvements 54 6.3.1 Traffic Signal Improvements 54 6.3.2 Intersection Geometric Improvements 55 6.3.3 Access Management 57 6.3.4 One-Way Couplets 70 6.3.5 Parallel Relief Routes 70 6.3.6 Additional Capacity 71 6.4 Analysis Results Proposed Improvements 74 6.5 Transit Operations 79 6.6 Costs & Benefits of Recommended Improvements 82 6.7 Implementation Plan 86 7.0 CONCLUSION 88 7.1 Traffic Signal Optimization 88 7.2 Access Management 89 7.3 Alternative Parallel Traffic Routes 92 7.4 One-Way Side Street Pairing 93 8.0 RECOMMENDATIONS 96 8.1 Traffic Signal Optimization 96 8.2 Access Management 96 8.3 Alternative Traffic Routes Intersection Improvements 96 8.4 One-Way Street Pairing 97 8.5 Implementation Plan 97 8.6 Other Recommendation 98

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INDEX OF FIGURES Title Page Figure 3.1 Significant Traffic Generators 11 Figure 4.1 Level of Service Concept 21 Figure 4.2 Potential Neighborhood Diversion Routes 27 Figure 4.3 CO Emissions Characteristics 28 Figure 4.4 VOC and NOx Emissions Characteristics 29 Figure 5.1 Traffic Analysis Zones McPherson Road Corridor 33 Figure 5.2 2035 MTP Projects McPherson Road Corridor 34 Figure 5.3 Future MTP Street Construction Projects 35 Figure 5.4 Special Generators McPherson Road Corridor 37 Figure 5.5 Population and Employment Data by TAZ 2008 and 2035 38 Figure 5.6 Employment Change (Percent) 2008-2035 39 Figure 5.7 Employment Change (No. of Employees) 2008-2035 40 Figure 5.8 2008 Volumes and Level of Service 43 Figure 5.9 2035 Volumes and Level of Service (No Build) 44 Figure 5.10 2035 Volumes and Level of Service (Build) 45 Figure 6.1 Flexible Median Delineator on McPherson Road at Andrew Lane 59 Figure 6.2 Medians Between Loop 20 and Monarch Drive 61 Figure 6.3 Medians at San Isidro Parkway 62 Figure 6.4 Medians at Sterling and Tiara Trail 63 Figure 6.5 Medians at International Boulevard 64 Figure 6.6 Medians at University/Fenwick and Jacaman 65 Figure 6.7 Medians at Calle del Norte and Gale Street 66 Figure 6.8 El Metro Transit Bus Headways 80 Figure 6.9 McPherson Road El Metro Routes 81

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INDEX OF TABLES Title Page
Table 4.1 Mobility Data, Laredo, Texas 2000-2005 24
Table 4-2 2005 Mobility Data for Laredo and Other Regions Analyzed 25
Table 6-1 Level of Service Criteria for Signalized and Unsignalized Intersections
48
Table 6-2 Analysis Summary for McPherson Rod 2008 Existing Conditions 49
Table 6-3 Existing Travel Times 53
Table 6-4 Lengths of Median Turn Lanes from Table 3-13 of TxDOT Roadway Design Manual
60
Table 6-5 TxDOT Driveway Spacing Requirements 67
Table 6-6 TxDOT Commercial Driveway Design Criteria 68
Table 6-7 Potential Improvements for Intersections along McPherson Road 73
Table 6-8 Analysis Summary for McPherson Road Proposed Improvements 74
Table 6-9 Proposed Travel Times 78
Table 6-10 Travel Time Along McPherson Road, Saunders Loop 20 82
Table 6-11 Air Pollutants 82
Table 6-12 Cost of Police Reported Crashes 85
Table 6-13 Intersection Median Costs and Benefits 86
Table 7-1 Intersection Delay/Level of Service Two-Way Street Operation Gale Street & Calle del Norte
94
Table 7-2 Intersection Delay/Level of Service One-Way Street Operation Gale Street & Calle del Norte
94

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1.0 INTRODUCTION As defined by the Laredo Urban Transportation Study (LUTS), the objective of this study is to evaluate existing and projected traffic conditions on McPherson Road between Loop 20 and US Highway 59 (Saunders Street) to develop recommendations for mobility improvements, which may include, but would not be limited to the following: Traffic Signal System Synchronization
Access Management (Reduce Conflict Points)
Alternative Parallel Traffic Routes
One-Way Side Street Pairing The corridor evaluation included traffic operations, roadway function, trip projections, crash analysis, and needs along the McPherson Road study corridor. The study includes recommendations such as capital improvements, cost-benefit ratios, an implementation plan with short and long-term strategies, cost estimates, and o rder of implementation for infrastructure improvements. The Scope of Work for the study was as follows: SCOPE OF WORK Task I: Project Management Sub-task 1.1 Conduct a project kick-off meeting to identify project goals and objectives, discuss the
proposed scope of work, review proposed project schedule, define study limits, and identify key stakeholders.
Sub-task 1.2 Coordinate tasks with sub-consultants and determine critical paths. Sub-task 1.3 Prepare monthly progress reports and invoices. Deliverable Revised scope of work and project schedule as developed by the study team and the
Technical Committee. Task II: Pre-Study Sub-task 2.1 Identify (on a map) vehicular access routes to the study area, signalized intersections, and all streets. Sub-task 2.2 Identify significant traffic generators along McPherson Road and within identified corridors
and their related access points on a GIS map. Sub-task 2.3 Conduct a stakeholder / public outreach meeting to identify public perceived corridor deficiencies. Sub-task 2.4 Submit the map to the Technical Committee to review relevance and completeness as well as to discuss objectives and methodologies of the other phases Deliverable Prepare a Phase I Technical Memorandum and submit to the Technical Committee. LUTS to provide: a. All available GIS geo database maps b. All pertinent past studies and data

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Task III: Existing Conditions Sub-task 3.1 Obtain and/or collect traffic data (while school is in session) to include intersection
geometry, average daily traffic volume, intersection turning movements, vehicle classification, and travel time runs.
Sub-task 3.2 Review and analyze current vehicular traffic volumes and travel patterns. Sub-task 3.3 Determine the adverse impact that congestion has on area residents, the natural environment, the local economy and the movement of commerce through and within Laredo. Deliverable Prepare a Phase II Technical Memorandum and present Phases I and II to the Technical Committee. LUTS to provide: a. Any available traffic volume, turning movement, and classification data
b. Traffic signal timings for all signalized intersections along McPherson Road c. Crash data records for McPherson Road
Phase IV: Future Projections Subtask 4.1 Identify current and future street construction projects (including access management
measures) within and surrounding the study area that affect traffic patterns and intersection movements along McPherson Road (e.g., widening of McPherson Road near United High School, extension of Bartlett Ave, Springfield Ave, Shiloh Dr, etc.).
Sub-task 4.2 Identify expansion plans by significant traffic generators. Sub-task 4.3 Project future vehicular traffic volumes and identify potential locations for conflict. Sub-task 4.4 Prepare a map depicting the projected construction and land development. Deliverable Prepare a Phase III T

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TRAFFIC SIGNAL STUDY - Laredo, · PDF fileAny available traffic volume, turning movement, ... measures) within and surrounding the study area that affect traffic patterns and intersection