Rte. 79/I-195 Interchange Study Evaluation Criteria Working Draft 6/16/10
Goal
Evaluation Criteria (“How will we measure each alternative?”)
1
Improve multi-modal (pedestrian, bicycle, transit, vehicle,
etc.) access to waterfront
Benefits and impacts to ped/bike routes and access
Number of new or improved pedestrian crossings on Rte. 79
2
Reduce interchange maintenance costs
Reduction in deteriorated structures to be maintained
Reduction in bridge surface area and other structures to be maintained
3
Improve visual appearance of waterfront
Number of elevated ramp structures removed
Qualitative assessment of visual quality of views of waterfront & Battleship Cove
Ability to improve aesthetic quality of highway structures
4
Safely and comfortably accommodate pedestrians and
cyclists
Provides shoulders for bikes on new or reconstructed streets
Provides sidewalks on new or reconstructed streets
Maintain acceptable vehicle LOS throughout interchange
LOS at key at-grade intersections
Freeway and ramp junction LOS
Speed and density
Change in local 7 regional trip length through the interchange from No Build
Travel time savings through the interchange from No Build
Rte. 79 capacity
6
Improve safety
Number of interchange safety problems improved
Number of interchange safety problems removed
Number of local intersection problems improved
7
Implement context-sensitive solutions and minimize
impacts to significant historic, aesthetic& cultural resources
Description of how the project fits its physical setting
Impacted resources on or eligible for the National Register
8
Maintain existing roadway classification, access control,
and balance regional traffic on Rtes. 79 and 24
Identify roadway classification
Identify level of local access
Describe change in Rte. 24 volumes
9
Re-engage local streets
Number of local streets connected to Rte. 79
Change in travel distance to/from Rte. 79 to Anawan/Water Street intersection
10
Minimize construction-period impacts
Description of traffic management issues(conceptual)
Estimate of construction duration
5
Rte. 79/I-195 Interchange Study Evaluation Criteria Working Draft 6/16/10
11
Revitalize the waterfront
12
Promote Master Plan goals:
1. Daylight the Quequechan River
2. Facilitate greater access to Heritage Park
3. Upgrade condition & appearance of interchange
4. Recognize importance of water vistas and access
5. Create bike lanes as part of reconstruction projects
6. Implement plan for Rte. 79/I-195 gateway
Description of changes in overall visibility of the waterfront
Number of local streets connected to Rte. 79
Number of elevated structures between RR and Water Street
Description of impacts to plans to daylight the Quequechan River
Description of improved access from Rte. 79 and I-195
Description of improvements
Description/illustration of views and access to water
Description of bike improvements
Description of the degree to which gateway site is enhanced or degraded
13
Promote a green, sustainable and beautiful project area
Specific parkland and historic resources affected
Number of elevated ramp structures removed
Degree to which visual quality of waterfront and Battleship Cove is improved
Ability to improve aesthetic quality of highway structures with new and quantity
Surface streets reconstructed
14
Use all available financial resources within available
timeline
Use of Accelerated Bridge Program funds or not?
Relationship to FHWA eligibility criteria
15
Enhance access to the downtown
Travel time savings to downtown
16
Minimize business impacts
Aggregate annual travel time savings
Ease of physical access to study area
Business displacements
Consistency with local and community economic development plans
17
Minimize impacts to the natural environment
Impacts filled tidelands and requires Ch. 91 license
Impacts Coastal Zone or Designated Port Area
Impacts Wild and Scenic River (Taunton River)
18
Ensure realistic degree of constructability
Qualitative engineering judgment of the overall complexity and difficulties in staging
construction