Title
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING SECTION 410.03 AND 410.04 OF THE TRAFFIC CODE TO ADD A FOUR-WAY STOP INTERSECTION AT HINES HILL ROAD AND VALLEY VIEW ROAD IN THE CITY OF HUDSON; AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY.
Brief Description: Due to an increase in accidents and inquiries, a safety study of the Valley View Road and Hines Hill Road intersection was conducted by GPD Group. The study recommended the introduction of four-way stop signs at the intersection to reduce crashes.
Body
Legislative History
None.
Purpose & Explanation
GPD Group was selected to complete an engineering study to analyze the intersection of Valley View Road and Hines Hill Road. The study evaluated speeding, sight distances, warrants for multi-way stop signs, warrants for a new traffic signal and warrants for a round-about. The following are GPD’s conclusions:
1. A recent traffic count was performed at the study intersection on Tuesday, April 9, 2019, and found that the AM peak hour occurs between the hours of 7:15 a.m. and 8:15 a.m., while the PM peak hour occurs between the hours of 4:30 p.m. and 5:30 p.m.
2. A review of the most recent 5-year crash history (2014 to 2018) found that twenty-one (21) crashed have occurred at the study intersection. Seventeen (17) of the twenty-one (21) crashed occurred as angle crashes with four (4) resulting in injuries. Eight (8) of the angle crashed involved a vehicle entering the intersection from the eastbound approach of Hines Hill Road while the remaining nine (9) involved a vehicle entering from the westbound approach.
3. A sight distance obstruction was found to exist when a vehicle is stopped at the stop bar on the eastbound approach and intending to make a left turn. A combination of a utility pole and vegetation restricts the sight distance to approximately 230’. However, this stop bar is located 25’ from the edge of the traveled way on Valley View Road. When taking the picture from 15’, which is within the recommended offset based upon the L&D Manual, Volume 1, adequate sight distance of 555’ is available. Adequate intersection sight distance is provided for the westbound Hines Hill Road approach.
4. The traffic signal warrant analysis determined that the studied intersection does not meet any of the requirements to justify a traffic signal under the existing or future traffic conditions.
5. The multi-way stop warrant analysis determined that the study intersection does meet the requirements to justify the conversion from two-way stop control to all-way stop control. The capacity analysis performed for the ‘Short-Term Build’ alternative found that the intersection would continue to provide acceptable Levels-of-Service with all movements operating at LOS A or B if the intersection was converted to all-way stop control.
6. The conversion of the intersection to a single-lane roundabout, evaluated under ‘Long Term Build’ alternative, found that all approaches would be expected to operate at Level-of-Service A during the peak hours.
7. A preliminary cost estimate accounting for all signal and traffic control costs and inflation costs found that the conversion of the Valley View Road/Hines Hill Road intersection into an all-way stop control would be expected to cost approximately $7,000.00
8. A preliminary cost estimate accounting for all expected roadway, drainage and traffic control costs, right-of-way acquisition, engineering design services, as well as design contingency and inflation costs found that an intersection improvement project to construct a single-lane roundabout at the Valley View Road/Hines Hill Road intersection would be expected to cost approximately $2,659,150 as a federally funded project and approximately $2,283,350 if the City of Hudson funds this project 100% locally
9. A historical comparison of truck percentages between 2013 and 2019 shows that the truck traffic has increased along Valley View Road in the vicinity of the studied intersection. However, the reason for this increase could not be identified and due to the differences in the count data between 2013 and 2019, no mitigative measures are recommended at this time.
Based on the information and analysis in the study, GPD Group recommends that the City of Hudson convert the Valley View Road/Hines Hill Road intersection to an all-way stop control. Currently, only Hines Hill Road has stop control signs. If the all-way stop control creates operational issues in the future or the crash pattern is not mitigated, the City of Hudson should consider constructing a single lane roundabout at this intersection.
Legal Authority for Proposed Legislation
Pursuant to Charter Section 6.04, Contracts & Purchasing:
Competitively bid and advertised for two consecutive weeks
Joint or Cooperative Purchase Program
Professional Services
X Other - Public works will install signs.
Fiscal Impact
Currently Budgeted (Account #, $)
X Supplemental Appropriation Required ($7,000 - to be part of 3rd quarter appropriations)
Appropriation Not Required
Does this legislation require use of an emergency clause?
X Yes - Staff would like to implement new safety measures as soon as possible.
No
Recommendation
Suggested Action
Staff recommends the following actions based on the recommendations in the study. 1) Convert the Valley View Road/Hines Hill Road intersection to an all-way stop control intersection utilizing the Public Works Department. The new intersection signage will include “Stop Ahead” signs in all directions and other measures to promote new signage and traffic pattern. 2) Update the codified section 410.04; 4-way stop intersections to list this intersection.
Submitted by,
Jane Howington, City Manager
Thomas J. Sheridan, PE, PS, Assistant City Manager - Professional Services
Bradley S. Kosco, PE, PS, City Engineer