HomeMy WebLinkAbout20190187 Allen Drive Apts DPS Traffic Review 4-22-19 0 Gil
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Department of Public Safety
Traffic Maintenance Division
April 22, 2019
Traffic Maintenance Department staff reviewed the Creighton Manning Engineering, LLP (CME)Traffic
Assessment Dated March 1, 2019 for the proposed Allen Drive Apartment project located in the
southeast quadrant of the Tait Lane/Allen Drive intersection in the City of Saratoga Springs, Special Use
Permit Application (20180187), and has the following comments.
1. The Staff continues to be concerned with the proposed addition of any new vehicle traffic on
Tait Lane, specifically due to its intersection with Allen Drive being extremely close to the Allen
Drive and Church Street/RT-9N intersection, which is less than 15 feet. The photo below shows
one vehicle stopped at the stop sign on Allen Drive at RT-9N half blocking Tait Lane.
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CME has proposed adding a "DO NOT BLOCK SIDE ROAD" sign on Allen Drive northbound just
before Tait Lane to prevent a second vehicle in the queue stopped at the RT-9N stop sign from
completely blocking Tait Lane and preventing vehicles from being able to turn left onto Tait Lane
from Allen Drive. However,the closeness of these intersections creates additional driver
challenges for drivers turning right from Tait Lane onto Allen Drive.
When the drivers turn right from Tait Lane onto Allen Drive it places them at a 45 degree angle
to RT-9N and not the desired 90 degree angle. Being at a 45 degree angle diminishes their ability
to look to the right, and when they execute the right turn onto RT-9N brings the front of the
vehicle very close, if not over for larger vehicles,the double yellow center line on RT-9N, which
is an undesirable condition on a high speed road as depicted is in the next image.
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In order for drivers to place their vehicle at the desired 90 degree angle with RT-9N, they must
turn right onto Allen Drive from the left side of Tait Lane which is also an undesirable condition.
The Traffic Department recommends exploring the possibility of shifting the Allen Drive at Tait
Lane intersection as far south away from RT-9N as possible to at a minimum improve the ability
for Tait Lane right turning drivers to approach RT-9N at a 90 degree angle, as illustrated in the
image below.
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2. The Traffic Maintenance Department requested in its previous review of the Special Use Permit
Application for this project dated March 4, 2019, which did not include review of the CME Traffic
Assessment, as it was not received for review until April 10, 2019, that specific traffic related
information be provided.
• 5 year past crash history for the intersection of RT-9N at Allen Drive. This item can be
disregarded as the Department was able to obtain the crash history from the Police
Department.The crash history for this intersection was found to be at an acceptable
level.
• Projection of the additional Average Daily Vehicle Trips that will be generated on Allen
Drive at full-build (phase 1&2)for this proposed project. Traditional traffic studies for
proposed land development projects primarily focus on peak-hour condition for
driveways and intersection, and not how a proposed project will change the
atmosphere and safety considerations along a street.The Average Daily Vehicle Trip
Projection provides a more clear view of how street conditions will change.
Allen Drive is classified as a local residential street which primarily consists of multi-
family homes with children. The street currently has a significant lack of sidewalks,
which requires residents to walk and bike in the street.The Traffic Department renews
its request that the Developer provide the Average Daily Vehicle Trips projection.