HomeMy WebLinkAbout2007 03 12 Informational 102 Winter Springs Boulevard Tuscora Drive Intersection
COMMISSION AGENDA
ITEM 102
INFORMATIONAL
March 12, 2007
Meeting
MGR DEPT
Authorization
REQUEST: Public Works Department Informing the City Commission on Sight Distance
Improvements at the Winter Springs Boulevard I Tuscora Drive Intersection
PURPOSE: The purpose of this agenda item is to provide the City Commission with a summary
of the analysis and recommended sight distance improvements at the Winter Springs
Boulevard I Tuscora Drive intersection.
CONSIDERATIONS:
· Tuscora Drive intersects Winter Springs Boulevard directly opposite of the Tuscawilla
Country Club entrance. At the Commission's request, Staff analyzed this 4-way intersection
for safety improvements, including adequate sight distance and the possible installation of
stop signs on Winter Springs Boulevard. Stop signs are currently in place at the Tuscora
Drive and Country Club driveway approaches, but not on Winter Springs Boulevard.
SIGHT DISTANCE REVIEW AND IMPROVEMENTS:
· Staff performed a field review ofthe intersection to determine ifthere was adequate sight
distance at the intersection to safely complete all turning movements. For intersections such
as Tuscora Drive with stop control on the minor road, there are three maneuvers that must be
considered:
1. Case 1 - Right turns from the minor road
2. Case 2 - Left turns from the minor road
3. Case 3 - Crossing the major road from the minor road
· Sight distance was sufficient for Case I (right turns), but not for Cases 2 and 3 (left turns and
crossing movements) from both Tuscora Drive and the Country Club driveway. The primary
sight distance conflict is caused by the 2 to 3-foot high plant material located within the first
100- feet of the WS Blvd medians approaching the intersection. To address this sight
distance problem, the plant material was removed and replaced with sod and ground cover,
at a cost of $2,500.
Informational Agenda Item 102
March 12,2007
Page 2 of 2
· Exhibit 1 shows sight distance triangles for left turning maneuvers at the intersection. The
length of the sight triangles are based on FDOT sight distance criteria. The area within the
shaded site distance triangles should, where practical, be clear of obstructions that would
prohibit a driver's view of potentially conflicting vehicles. Removal of the plant material
has significantly improved the site distance at this intersection.
MUL TIW A Y STOP CONSIDERATIONS:
· The Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) is the national standard for the
installation of traffic control devices, including stop signs. MUTCD criteria does not
support the installation of stop signs on Winter Springs Boulevard at this time, because:
1. Multiway stop control is used where the volume of traffic on the intersecting roads is
approximately equal; this is not the case at this intersection, as WS Blvd has a much
higher volume than Tuscora Drive.
2. The intersection does not have a crash problem indicated by 5 or more reported crashes
in a 12-month period. There has been only one reported crash at the intersection since
January 1, 2006 per Police Department records.
3. The combined vehicular, pedestrian, and bicycle volume entering the intersection from
the minor street approaches (total of both approaches from Tuscora Drive and the
Country Club driveway) do not average at least 200 units per hour for the same 8 hours,
with an average delay to minor-street vehicular traffic of at least 30 seconds per vehicle
during the highest hour.
· Additional MUTCD criteria that may be considered in a study of a potential multi way stop
intersection include:
1. The need to control left-turn conflicts;
2. The need to control vehicle/pedestrian conflicts near locations that generate high
pedestrian volumes;
3. Locations where a road user, after stopping, cannot see conflicting traffic and is not able
to reasonably safely negotiate the intersection unless conflicting cross traffic is also
required to stop; and
4. An intersection of two residential neighborhood collector (through) streets of similar
design and operating characteristics where multi way stop control would improve traffic
operational characteristics of the intersection.
· The sight distance improvements described above should reduce conflicts and preclude the
need for a multiway stop. However, Staff will continue to monitor the intersection to
determine if additional improvements are required.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Exhibit 1 - Intersection Sight Distance
COMMISSION ACTION:
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EXHIBIT 1 Winter Springs Boulevard at Tuscora Drive and Tuscawilla Country Club S
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