VI. Rank 2: Little Road (CR 1) at Embassy Boulevard ...egov.pascocountyfl.net › content › ecm › consolidatedagendas › BCC_… · Rank 2: Little Road (CR 1) at Embassy Boulevard

Rank 2: Little Road (CR 1) at Embassy Boulevard

Tindale-Oliver & Associates, Inc. VI-30 Pasco County Road Safety Assessment Top 10 Locations

VI. Rank 2: Little Road (CR 1) at Embassy Boulevard / Hilltop Drive

VI. 1 Background

The signalized intersection of Little Road (CR 1) at Embassy Boulevard is located in Jasmine

Estates in west Pasco County approximately 4,000 feet to the north of the signalized

intersection of Little Road and Ridge Road (CR 587). The Pasco County CDMS indicates that

an average of 16.5 rear-end crashes per year, 6.4 angle crashes per year, and 2.9 left turn

crashes per year occur at the intersection.

Figure VI-1: Site Location

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Figure VI-2: Site Aerial

VI. 2 Observations

General: The northwest corner of the intersection is occupied by a CITGO gas station, the

northeast corner by a 7-Eleven gas station, the southwest corner by a Bank of America, and the

southeast corner by a Walgreens drug store.

The intersection is well lit by overhead street lighting. Left turns off the mainline have a negative

offset and are controlled by a protected left turn phase; left turns off the minor street are

protected permissive and are controlled by five section heads. The intersection has pedestrian

facilities to cross all four legs.



Observation: Signal Head Visibility

The RSA team noted that none of the traffic signal heads at this intersection have backplates

installed.

Figure VI-3: Signal Heads

Suggestion: Consideration should be given to improving the visibility of the traffic signals at the

intersection. Adding backplates to the eastbound and westbound approaches will increase the

contrast between the traffic signal and its surroundings. If the wind load calculations on the

span wire permit the addition of backplates for the northbound and southbound approaches,

consideration should be given to their inclusion as well.



Observation: Signal Heads

The RSA team noted that the north and southbound approaches each have two signal heads

serving the three thru lanes.

Figure VI-4: Signal Heads

Suggestion: Consideration should be given to the installation of an additional signal head for

the north and southbound approaches to provide one traffic signal per lane.



Observation: Traffic Backup

The RSA team noted that the southbound vehicles can backup beyond the horizontal curve on

the north of the intersection.

Figure VI-5: Traffic Backup

Suggestion: Consideration should be given to increasing the awareness of the intersection by

installing a signal ahead advance warning sign for the southbound approach beyond the

horizontal curve on Little Road.



Observation: Street Name Sign

The RSA team noted that the view of the street name sign for Little Road on the eastbound

approach is limited by the trees on the southwest corner of the intersection.

Figure VI-6: Street Name Sign

Suggestion: Consideration should be given to increasing the visibility to the street name signs.

Additionally, in the long term, consideration should be given to the installation of advance

intersection name signs.



Observation: Merge Sign

The RSA team noted that the speed limit sign for southbound vehicles on the south side of the

intersection limits the view of the merge sign. It was also noted that the bus stop sign on the

north side of the intersection limits the view of the merge sign for northbound vehicles.

Figure VI-7: Speed Limit Sign

Figure VI-8: Bus Stop Sign

Suggestion: Consideration should be given to relocating the signs to increase the visibility of

each sign to the drivers. Consideration should also be given to evaluating the usage of the

merge signs on the north and south side of the intersection to determine the merge signs’

necessity.



Observation: Advance Street Name Signs

The RSA team noted that there are no signs indicating to the drivers the name of the next

signalized intersections along corridor.

Figure VI-9: Intersection Approach

Suggestion: Consideration should be given to creating a corridor street signing project to

introduce intersection ahead signs.



Observation: Pavement Markings

The RSA team noted that pavement markings appear to be worn. The centerlines, edge lines,

lane lines, guide stripes, pedestrian crossings, stop bars, and painted islands appear to be

worn. The team also noted that the raised pavement markings (RPMs) are missing.

Figure VI-10: Pavement Markings

Suggestion: Consideration should be given to refurbishing the pavement markings and RPMs

at this intersection.



Observation: Driveway

The RSA team observed vehicles conflicting with each other at the full median opening for the

driveway approximately 200 feet west of the intersection of CR 1 and Embassy Boulevard. The

turn lane for the westbound left turn at this driveway also limits the turn storage for the

eastbound left turns onto CR 1 from Embassy Boulevard. There is an additional driveway with a

full median opening which serves the same shopping plaza along Embassy Boulevard

approximately 400 feet west of the intersection of CR 1 and Embassy Boulevard.

Figure VI-11: East Driveway



Figure VI-12: West Driveway

Suggestion: Consideration should be given to taking action to reducing the number of conflict

points near the signalized intersection. The RSA team noted that this can be accomplished by

prohibiting the westbound and northbound left turn into and out of the east most shopping plaza

driveway; drivers wishing to make those movements can do so 200 feet to the west at the other

plaza driveway. In the short term, consideration should be given to the utilization of quick curb

to channelize the median opening until a more permanent installation can be scheduled in the

future.



Observation: Pavement

The RSA team noted that the pavement on the eastbound approach to the intersection appears

to have a reduced friction course.

Figure VI-13: Pavement

Suggestion: Consideration should be given to evaluating the frictional coefficients on the

eastbound approach and taking appropriate measures to increase the frictional coefficients if

they are found to be deficient.



Observation: Turn Lane Storage

The RSA team noted that vehicles making eastbound left turns spill out into the thru lane. The

team observed a conflict between drivers wishing to make an eastbound left turn onto Little

Road with drivers wishing to make a westbound left turn into the east most plaza entrance.

Figure VI-14: Turn Lane Storage

Suggestion: Consideration should be given to providing more storage for the heaviest left turn

movement.



Observation: Pushbutton Access

The RSA team noted that the pushbuttons in the northeast corner of the intersection cannot

readily be accessed by persons with disabilities.

Figure VI-15: Pushbutton

Suggestion: Consideration should be given to increasing the accessibility of the pedestrian

pushbuttons to meet current ADA standards. The team noted that this could be accomplished

by installing a concrete pad leading to the buttons.



Observation: Bus Stop Location

The RSA team noted that there are bus stops on the far side of the intersection on both the

northbound and southbound approaches in the merge lane for the channelized right turn lanes

from Embassy Boulevard and Hilltop Drive. During the field review, the RSA team observed a

vehicle and bus conflict. The conflict is accentuated by the driveways on the north and south

side of the intersection in merge lanes beyond the bus stops.

Figure VI-16: Bus Stop

Suggestion: Consideration should be given to taking action to reduce the number of conflict

points around the intersection. This can be accomplished by relocating the bus stops farther

away from the signalized intersection.



Observation: Controller Cabinet

The RSA team noted that traffic signal controller cabinet is located in the sidewalk on the

southwest corner of the intersection.

Figure VI-17: Controller Cabinet

Suggestion: In the long term, consideration should be given to increasing the access through

the sidewalk by relocating the controller cabinet. Consideration should also be given to

increasing the visibility of the fixed object by providing reflective delineators or protecting the

cabinet with the use of bollards.

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