11-10-2004 Council Workshop Agenda

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Ms. Becky Meyer -4- September 17, 2004 Mr. Mark Bigelbach Table 1 summarizes trip generation results for the Academy and the alternative land uses for each of the three time periods. Table 1 Comparison of Trips Generated by the Academy and Alternative Land Uses This table indicates the Academy will generate more trips than the alternative uses in the AM peak hour, but will generate comparable or fewer trips than the other uses during the PM peak hour and on a weighted average daily basis. SIGHT DISTANCE AT DRIVEWAY LOCATIONS The evaluation of intersection sight distance is critical in determining if either Academy driveway location is safe for turning onto Vadnais Boulevard. The critical sight distance is that for which a vehicle turning left from the driveway must be able to see an approaching vehicle coming from the left. This movement has the highest potential for right -angle crashes. The Road Design Manual published by the Minnesota Dept talent of Transportation outlines procedures for determining safe sight distance at intersections along a public roadway. Applying these procedures with the 35 mph speed limit on Vadnais Boulevard, the critical safe sight distance is determined to be 460 feet. This value pertains to the critical value for vehicles turning left from the minor street or driveway to clear a vehicle approaching from the left. Two methods were used f‘:r determining the available sight distance for each of the proposed Academy driveway locations. First, measurements were taken from the survey drawing to account for horizontal and vertical curvature of Vadnais Boulevard. Second, measurements of actual sight distances were recorded on -site at the proposed driveway locations. The resultant available sight distances are shown in Table 2. - 3 0 - Academy Senior Citizens Apartments Condominiums/ Townhomes Apaituients AM Peak Hour 73 14 14 31 PM Peak Hour 36 10 17 37 Weighted Daily Average Throughout Year 262 341 182 393 This table indicates the Academy will generate more trips than the alternative uses in the AM peak hour, but will generate comparable or fewer trips than the other uses during the PM peak hour and on a weighted average daily basis. SIGHT DISTANCE AT DRIVEWAY LOCATIONS The evaluation of intersection sight distance is critical in determining if either Academy driveway location is safe for turning onto Vadnais Boulevard. The critical sight distance is that for which a vehicle turning left from the driveway must be able to see an approaching vehicle coming from the left. This movement has the highest potential for right -angle crashes. The Road Design Manual published by the Minnesota Dept talent of Transportation outlines procedures for determining safe sight distance at intersections along a public roadway. Applying these procedures with the 35 mph speed limit on Vadnais Boulevard, the critical safe sight distance is determined to be 460 feet. This value pertains to the critical value for vehicles turning left from the minor street or driveway to clear a vehicle approaching from the left. Two methods were used f‘:r determining the available sight distance for each of the proposed Academy driveway locations. First, measurements were taken from the survey drawing to account for horizontal and vertical curvature of Vadnais Boulevard. Second, measurements of actual sight distances were recorded on -site at the proposed driveway locations. The resultant available sight distances are shown in Table 2. - 3 0 -