11-10-2004 Council Workshop Agenda

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Ms. Becky Meyer Mr. Mark Bigelbach -5- September 17, 2004 Table 2 Available Sight Distance from the Academy Driveway Locations The sight distance Looking to the left from the western driveway is significantly below the amount desired for "safe" conditions (460 feet). Sight distances looking to the right from the western driveway and to the left from the eastern driveway are also below the desired amount of 460 feet. Options to Fulfill Sight Distance Needs At the eastern driveway, sight distance looking to the left is below the desired amount, while sight distance looking to the right is acceptable. Relocation of the eastern driveway was considered in order to increase the available sight distance. Since it is located at the eastern edge of the Academy property under the current concept plan, it cannot be moved farther to the east. If the driveway were moved 94 feet to the west to the, high point of vertical curvature of Vadnais Boulevard, sight distance would not improve. The current location of the eastern driveway provides the highest amount of available sight distance. As the site plan is prepared in more detail, clear zones should be provided on the south side of Vadnais Boulevard to maximize sight distance between the eastern driveway and the west on Vadnais Boulevard. Under these circumstances, we are confident that the eastern driveway will provide safe operations. For the westem driveway, sight distance looking to the left is significantly below the desired amount. The horizontal and vertical curvature of Vadnais Boulevard do not allow for sight distance to the west to be lengthened by any significant amount. As long as Vadnais Boulevard remains in its existing alignment, conditions are unsafe for traffic exiting from the western driveway. Considerations also have been given to a concept whereby the western driveway would serve entering traffic only. The feasibility of this concept relates to drop -off and pick -up activities at the Academy entrance. The site plan shows that the entrance is located adjacent to the western driveway, approximately 100 feet from Vadnais Boulevard. The drop -off area begins at a point approximately 50 feet from Vadnais Boulevard, and extends for approximately 100 feet. According to information provided by the Academy, the maximum potential queue of vehicles dropping off students in the AM peak hour is six vehicles. At the end of the school day, the maximum potential queue of vehicles picking up students is 20 vehicles. The existing site plan provides for only six vehicles to queue on -site before spilling back into the travel lanes of Vadnais Boulevard. Very dangerous conditions would occur if traffic entering the Academy site backed up onto Vadnais Boulevard. - 3 1 - Left Right Western Driveway 210 feet 420 feet Eastem Driveway 400 feet 540 feet The sight distance Looking to the left from the western driveway is significantly below the amount desired for "safe" conditions (460 feet). Sight distances looking to the right from the western driveway and to the left from the eastern driveway are also below the desired amount of 460 feet. Options to Fulfill Sight Distance Needs At the eastern driveway, sight distance looking to the left is below the desired amount, while sight distance looking to the right is acceptable. Relocation of the eastern driveway was considered in order to increase the available sight distance. Since it is located at the eastern edge of the Academy property under the current concept plan, it cannot be moved farther to the east. If the driveway were moved 94 feet to the west to the, high point of vertical curvature of Vadnais Boulevard, sight distance would not improve. The current location of the eastern driveway provides the highest amount of available sight distance. As the site plan is prepared in more detail, clear zones should be provided on the south side of Vadnais Boulevard to maximize sight distance between the eastern driveway and the west on Vadnais Boulevard. Under these circumstances, we are confident that the eastern driveway will provide safe operations. For the westem driveway, sight distance looking to the left is significantly below the desired amount. The horizontal and vertical curvature of Vadnais Boulevard do not allow for sight distance to the west to be lengthened by any significant amount. As long as Vadnais Boulevard remains in its existing alignment, conditions are unsafe for traffic exiting from the western driveway. Considerations also have been given to a concept whereby the western driveway would serve entering traffic only. The feasibility of this concept relates to drop -off and pick -up activities at the Academy entrance. The site plan shows that the entrance is located adjacent to the western driveway, approximately 100 feet from Vadnais Boulevard. The drop -off area begins at a point approximately 50 feet from Vadnais Boulevard, and extends for approximately 100 feet. According to information provided by the Academy, the maximum potential queue of vehicles dropping off students in the AM peak hour is six vehicles. At the end of the school day, the maximum potential queue of vehicles picking up students is 20 vehicles. The existing site plan provides for only six vehicles to queue on -site before spilling back into the travel lanes of Vadnais Boulevard. Very dangerous conditions would occur if traffic entering the Academy site backed up onto Vadnais Boulevard. - 3 1 -