#2 Action on proposed traffic safety improvements on East Milwaukee Street
DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS MEMORANDUM
July 30, 2010
TO: City Council
FROM: Carl J. Weber, Director of Public Works
SUBJECT: Action on Proposed Traffic Safety Improvements to East Milwaukee Street
from Wright Road to Highway 14
Summary
On June 24, 2010 the City Council held a study session regarding traffic safety
improvements being considered for the E. Milwaukee St. corridor between Wright Rd
and Highway 14. Issues studied included improvements to the greenbelt recreation trail
crossing between Wright Rd. and Shannon Drive and coordinating those improvements
with the scheduled construction of a roundabout at the intersection of E. Milwaukee St.
with Wuthering Hills Drive. Alternatives considered included:
1. The Do Nothing Alternative – This alternative maintains the current situation and
provides a baseline for comparison purposes.
2. Grade Separation Alternative – This alternative provides a discussion of the
project that has been developed to date.
3. Widening Alternative – This option provides for a widening of the current
roadway maintaining the current lane configuration but providing a pedestrian
refuge at the mid-point.
4. HAWK Signal alternative – This option retains the current cross section but
replaces the current beacons with a new system called HAWK (High Intensity
Activated Crosswalk) which provides for a full stop (red light) system.
5. Center Refuge w/ RRFB and Lane Reductions Alternative – This alternative
provides a pedestrian refuge at the midpoint by eliminating two lanes devoted to
vehicular traffic on the street. The current incandescent beacon signals are
replaced with a new LED technology call Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacon
(RRFB) signals. The current four lane alignment on E. Milwaukee St. would be
realigned to a three lane alignment with a single travel lane in each direction,
bike lanes and a center two way turn lane (TWLTL). The lane realignment would
be completed from Wright Rd to Highway 14.
After discussion of the alternatives, the majority of the Council expressed a preference
for alternative #5 but also asked that staff:
1. Research the feasibility of including in pavement lighting along the crosswalk
similar to lighting installed in Wisconsin Dells;
2. Research an automated actuation system for the warning lights;
3. Study the intersection of East Milwaukee Street and Wright Road to determine if
any improvement to the operation of that traffic signal controlled intersection
could be realized and if the recommended lane alignment modification would be
compatible with the intersection.
Recommendation
Following review by the Council, the Public Works Department recommends that the
City:
1. Modify the current four lane alignment on E. Milwaukee St. from Wright Rd. to
Highway 14 to include two drive lanes, two bike lanes and a center two way left
turn lane (TWLTL).
2. Improve the current at-grade trail crossing between Wright Rd. and Shannon Dr.
to include a raised median refuge island in the middle of E. Milwaukee St. and a
pedestrian actuated rectangular rapid flashing beacon (RRFB) system.
3. Include at the crossing an automated actuation system.
4. Do not include supplemental in-pavement lighting.
5. Complete a traffic study of the intersection of East Milwaukee Street and Wright
Road for consideration of recommendations included therein.
City Manager Recommendation
After reviewing the request by City Council to look further at the in-pavement lighting,
the research suggests that there would be continual maintenance costs without a
demonstrated benefit above the other improvements. Based on this, I concur with the
Public Works Department recommendation with the knowledge that we would have the
ability to add in-pavement lighting at a later date if needed.
Suggested Motion
I move to approve that:
1) The current four lane alignment on E. Milwaukee St. from Wright Rd. to Highway 14
be modified to include two drive lanes, two bike lanes and a center two way left turn
lane;
2) The current at-grade trail crossing between Wright Rd. and Shannon Dr. be
improved to include a raised median refuge island in the middle of E. Milwaukee St.
and a pedestrian actuated rectangular rapid flashing beacon system;
3) The beacon system be actuated by an automated detection system for recreation
trail users; and
4) Previously allocated note funds be utilized for the total estimated cost of $108,000.
Background
At the June 24, 2010 Council Study Session, the Council found that Alternative #5:
1) Provided a cost effective safety improvement which significantly enhanced the
safety of the recreation trail crossing between Wright Rd. and Shannon Drive.
2) Coordinates well with the scheduled intersection improvement at East Milwaukee
Street and Wuthering Hills Drive.
3) Generally improves function and safety of the entire corridor between Wright Road
and Highway 14.
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The cost estimate for Alternative 5 as reported on June 24 is $99,500
A number of Council Members had observed a pedestrian crossing in downtown
Wisconsin Dells which included in pavement lighting bordering the crossing. Staff was
asked to look into the cost and feasibility of supplementing the improvements
recommended in Alternative 5 with similar lighting. Staff communicated with the public
works staff from Wisconsin Dells, other communities and a vendor and found the
following:
In-pavement lights
1. Wisconsin Dells Public Works Department offered the following:
a. The lights in the crosswalk are well liked by the downtown business
owners.
b. The cost of the installation for one crosswalk was approximately $35,000
c. There does not appear to be any snowplow or traffic damage to the
lighting units.
d. The City is replacing all 14 units every year due to light failure apparently
caused by moisture. The lights function well through the summer but then
fail during winter. Replacement takes one man two days and costs about
$3500 per year including materials, labor and traffic control.
2. Hayes, Kansas Public Works Department offered the following:
a. Snowplow blades do not bother the lights much except for an occasional
direct hit with a new blade and then the fixtures are quite pricey to
replace.
b. Dirt and grime fill the voids around the lights and reduce their visibility.
You need to blow them clean on a monthly basis.
3. Ashland Public Works Department offered the following:
a. Public Response has been good. Most helpful at night.
b. No problems with snow plows.
c. Installation was very touchy.
d. Although roadway was asphalt, all crosswalks were constructed with
concrete to facilitate the lights.
e. There were a small number of fixture failures.
f. Lighted signs made a bigger impact on safety.
4. Green Bay Public Works Department offered the following:
a. Fixtures are subject to frequent failure due to moisture. They are
maintenance intensive and difficult to repair because traffic needs to be
detoured.
5. One supplying vendor offered the following:
a. It is not recommended to install lights in asphalt pavement.
b. It is recommended to install the RRFB’s initially and only add in-pavement
lights if problems persist.
Incremental Cost Estimate:
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$21,300
for 4 in-pavement lights installed in a new concrete strip
Based on staff’s research it is felt that the in-pavement lights would be a high
maintenance installation and that they would not result in measureable safety over that
provided by the other recommended safety features and therefore do not justify the
additional cost.
Automated actuation
Staff researched in pavement detection pads as well as bollards with infrared
beams. The pads are not recommended for use in snowy climates. The bollard
system is directional and would only be activated by an individual approaching
the roadway. It is assumed that a total of 8 bollards would be needed, four on
each side of the street and four additional in the refuge island.
Incremental Cost Estimate:
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$8,500
for 8 bollards
If the Council desires the addition of automated detection, staff feels that the bollard
system is a reasonable solution.
East Milwaukee At Wright Road Intersection
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Council Member Brunner expressed concern at the June 24 Study Session that the
intersection of East Milwaukee Street at Wright Road, which forms the western limit of
the corridor under study, is experiencing queuing problems under current conditions.
Staff has scheduled traffic counts at the intersection and directed our on-call traffic
consultant to analyze the intersection under the proposed lane alignment. The purpose
of the study is to determine the appropriate traffic signal phasing and timing for the
intersection along with reviewing the adequacy of the turn lane lengths. The results of
this study will provide recommendations on any needed timing; phasing and lane
alignment changes for the intersection to best optimize traffic flow and coordinate with
the proposed improvements to the east.