M-NCPP PPC M Montgomery P Parks Capital Crescent Trail Crossing at Little Falls Parkway INTERSE SECTION SA SAFETY IMPR PROVE VEMENT STUDY DY COMMUNITY MEETING | JUNE 13, 2018 SOMERSET ELEMENTARY SCHOOL, 7:00-9:00 PM
Welcome / Team Introductions MONTGOMERY PARKS STUDY TEAM Parks and Planning Technical Staff • Park Management Staff – Cabin John Region • Park Police • Engineering Consultant – Sabra, Wang & Associates Inc • Environmental & Stormwater: Alpha Engineering • Landscape Architecture & Forest Conservation: Floura Teeter • Montgomery County Department of Transportation •
Tonight’s Meeting AGENDA • Project Background • Project Metrics (how we will evaluate alternatives) • Project Schedule • Alternative Concepts • Open Discussion (Public Input) • Next Steps
Project Background The Capital Crescent • Trail (CCT) was created by a “Rails to Trails” conversion CCT CROSSING CCT crosses Little • Falls Parkway (LFP) LITTLE FALLS at mid-block at- LITTLE FALLS PARK (LITTLE grade intersection TRAIL FALLS SVU 2) CCT most popular • trail in Montgomery County CCT crossing at LFP • has historically experienced significant vehicle/trail user conflicts
Project Background Parks undertook • intersection safety improvements in 2011 to reduce conflicts Increased trail usage offset • safety improvements and conflicts continued In 2016, Parks began to • coordinate Vision Zero solutions with Montgomery County In January 2017, Parks • installed an interim “road diet” along LFP to reduce travel speeds and number of lanes Parks undertook study to • develop permanent solution to improve intersection safety
Project Background Interim Improvements in place: ◦ 2 driver crashes, 1 bike crash (1.5 years) ◦ 6 bike crashes, 6 driver crashes (2 year period prior to Interim Improvements) ◦ Slight reduction in LFP thru traffic ◦ Slight diversion of through traffic from Arlington Road to Hillandale Road
Project Background Southbound CCT Approach Towards LFP LFP Looking Northbound
Project Background • Project Goal: Provide a permanent safer crossing for the Capital Crescent Trail at Little Falls Parkway that recognizes the significant trail usage by a wide range of users, while maintaining the Parkway’s function of providing access to Park amenities. ◦ Considerations: • Minimize confusion/decision points for all intersection users • Traffic calming to reduce vehicle speeds on Parkway • Maintain/enhance high quality trail user experience • Minimize environmental impacts (i.e. tree loss, impervious area) • Limit additional vehicle delay along Parkway • Minimize construction and operational costs
Project Background • Additional Project Goals: Implement Montgomery County Vision Zero goals • Maximize visibility/communication for all users at • intersection Improved interconnections from adjacent • neighborhoods to the CCT and Little Falls Trail Integration of project with DOT for traffic calming along • Hillandale Road and Arlington Road Aesthetic and intuitive design for trail users and • motorists Improve lighting to improve visibility at crossing • Modification of Bethesda Pool entrances to improve • access/conflict along Little Falls Parkway
Project Metrics Metrics are factors, both quantitative and qualitative, used to evaluate alternatives. Trail User Safety • Improved visibility and “communication” among all intersection users • Reduction of vehicle/trail user conflict • Implementation of Vision Zero goals • Traffic calming and vehicle speed reduction • Reduce driver “decisions” at intersection • Trail User Delay • Minimize delays at LFP crossing • Intersection Lighting • Improved photometrics for use at dawn and dusk • Vehicle Delay/Access • Minimize additional delays for motorists along LFP and maintain access to Park amenities •
Project Metrics Diverted Traffic • Through traffic unable to process LFP/Arlington/Hillandale due to intersection • Indirect changes to traffic on Dorset Ave/Kenwood Ave • Environmental Impacts • Tree and habitat losses • Changes in impervious surfaces and stormwater runoff • Cost • Initial construction cost • Continuing operational / maintenance costs •
Public Input Matters! • Public Input • Individuals may have different perspectives depending on how they interact with the intersection • Transportation trail users (i.e. commuter or advanced bicyclists) • Recreational trail users (i.e. children from 8 months to 108 years old) • Local motorists (those living in adjacent neighborhoods) • Through traffic (those using LFP as a cut through) • Individuals may fall into different categories at different times • Your feedback will help us understand how others view the Park resources and amenities • Ultimate solution will require compromise
Project Schedule Summer 2018 Obtain feedback from community Quantify impacts and compare metrics Focus study towards top 3+/- alternatives Advance top alternatives to 10% design with pros and cons Fall 2018 Upload advanced concepts to website for further input from all Obtain feedback from public and agencies to identify Preferred Alternative (PA) Develop PA to Preliminary Engineering (30% design) with SWM Concept and Cost Estimate Winter 2018/2019 Present Preferred Alternative (30% Design) to Planning Board for Approval Develop CIP funding request in coordination with MCDOT
Alternative Concepts – General Improvements
Alternative Concepts – 3 Primary Approaches Control the Trail Crossing ◦ Alt #1, #2 – Divert Trail to Existing Signal ◦ Alt #3, #4 – Traffic Signal or Pedestrian Signal at Trail Crossing ◦ Alt #5 – Stop Sign Control on LFP Remove the Conflict Entirely ◦ Alt #6; #7 – Tunnel under LFP; Bridge over LFP ◦ Alt #8 – LFP Closure Between Arlington and Hillandale Roads Reduce Conflict Potential ◦ Alt #9 – Permanent Road Diet, Speed Table ◦ Alt #10 – Dynamic Lane Use, Speed Table ◦ Alt #11 – Road Diet and Arlington Roundabout ◦ Alt #12 – Permanent Road Diet Continued to Dorset Avenue
Alternative Concepts #1 – Divert Trail to Existing Arlington Rd Traffic Signal
Alternative Concepts #2 – Divert Trail to Existing Hillandale Rd Traffic Signal
Alternative Concepts #3 – Traffic Signal at Trail Crossing
Alternative Concepts #4 – Pedestrian Signal (HAWK Beacon) At Crossing
Alternative Concepts #5 – STOP Sign Control On Little Falls Parkway
Alternative Concepts #6 – Tunnel under Little Falls Parkway
Alternative Concepts #7 – Bridge Over Little Falls Parkway
Alternative Concepts #8 – Little Falls Parkway Closure Between Arlington and Hillandale Roads
Alternative Concepts #9 – Permanent Road Diet, Speed Table
Alternative Concepts #10 – Dynamic Lane Use, Speed Table
Alternative Concepts #11 – Road Diet And Arlington Roundabout
Alternative Concepts #12 – Permanent Road Diet Continued to Dorset Ave
Open Discussion Questions and Comments? Next Steps: Please use sign-in sheet to provide your contact info for project e-mail updates This presentation and concept sketches will be posted to the Parks project website. Montgomeryparks.org and search for “Capital Crescent Trail” We will open a “Town Hall” forum where everyone can post comments. Montgomeryparks.org and search for “Open Town Hall” If you have any trouble accessing info, contact: Andrew.tsai@montgomeryparks.org or 301-495-2508 www.MontgomeryParks.org
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