Safety and Traffic Engineering
MEMORANDUM
TO:
Eamon Kernan, Project Manager
FROM:
Corey O’Connor, Highway Safety Engineer
DATE:
November 12, 2014
RE:
Methuen, Route 28 Resurfacing from Rosewood Road to NH State Line (607709)
The purpose of this Memorandum is to reflect the discussion about roadway safety during the meeting that was
held on October 16, 2014 inside Sanborn Hall at the Methuen Police Station in Methuen in regards to the
resurfacing of Route 28 in Methuen from Rosewood Road to the New Hampshire State line (MassDOT Project
#607709). The intersection of Route 28 at Rosewood Road and the driveway of Dunkin Donuts are both high crash
locations and are identified as 2011 HSIP clusters within the Merrimack Valley Planning Commission region. At the
meeting, members were provided with detailed crash data which included crash diagrams and crash summaries of
reported crashes along the corridor from the years of 2011 to 2013. Similar to a traditional Road Safety Audit,
members discussed current safety issues and potential safety enhancements along the corridor that may be
implemented as part of the resurfacing project or in a future project. The members attending the meeting are
listed below in Table 1.
Table 1. Members in attendance at the Route 28 Resurfacing Safety Meeting.
Michael Havey – Methuen Police Dept.
Michael Buote – Methuen Fire Dept.
Stephen Gagnon – City Engineer
Tony Komornick - MVPC
John Moran – MassDOT, D4 Projects
John Gregg – MassDOT, D4 Traffic
John Ta – MassDOT, D4
Eamon Kernan – MassDOT, Project Mgmt.
Yuan Liu – MassDOT, Traffic Safety
Michelle Deng – MassDOT, Traffic Safety Intern
Corey O’Connor – MassDOT, Traffic Safety
The current proposed scope of the resurfacing project includes micromilling of the current surface to a depth of
two inches, overlaying two inches of Superpave gap graded pavement, installation of recessed pavement markings,
reconstruction of the northbound sidewalk to meet current ADA standards and construction of a new southbound
sidewalk to current ADA standards. All work is proposed to be done within the current 60 foot right-of-way and all
roadway resurfacing is proposed to be done in the current 46 foot roadway width. It is understood that in order
for a suggested safety enhancement to be included in the resurfacing project (MassDOT Project #607709), the
suggested enhancement must be achievable within the current proposed scope of work or have low enough cost
so that the current proposed scope is not changed dramatically. Any suggested enhancement that is not
achievable through this resurfacing project should be considered in a future project.
The following outlines the safety issues and the potential safety enhancements discussed in the meeting:
1. Safety issue: Left turn crashes at commercial driveways.
One third of the reported crashes along the corridor directly involved a left turning vehicle to/from a
driveway. Many other rear-end and sideswipe crashes may have also involved a left turning vehicle in/out
of a driveway but was not recorded in the crash report. This high number of left turn crashes may be a
result from the following.
Given the four lane cross section of Route 28 with heavy peak hour traffic, finding an acceptable gap in
traffic for a left turn can be extremely difficult. This provokes left turning drivers to make risky maneuvers
that may result in an angle crash. There were a large amount of angle crashes recorded at the
commercial driveways along the corridor; 31% of the total crashes were angle crashes at un-signalized
commercial driveways.
Furthermore, the four lane cross section opens the opportunity for courtesy crashes. A courtesy crash is
when an opposing mainline vehicle shows courtesy to a left turning vehicle and grants it the right of way.
The left turning vehicle may not notice an approaching mainline vehicle in the adjacent opposing lane and
then causes an angle crash with it. 19% of the total crashes throughout the corridor were described as
courtesy crashes occurring at an un-signalized commercial driveway. The Dunkin Donuts driveway was of
particular concern; 14 courtesy crashes were reported at this location. The location of this driveway to
the adjacent signal at Rosewood Road and the associated queues exacerbate the courtesy crash issue at
Dunkin Donuts. It should be noted that the Dunkin Donuts is proposed to relocate across Route 28 and a
few hundred feet north of the current location.
Besides angle crashes, rear-end and sideswipe crashes may have also resulted from left turning vehicles.
Route 28 does not provide left turn storage into any commercial driveway; a left turning vehicle must
queue in the inside travel lane of Route 28 to wait for an acceptable gap. As a left turning vehicle queues
in the inside travel lane, it is vulnerable to rear-end crashes. Also, sideswipe crashes occur as through
vehicles attempt to pass the queue build up from a left turning vehicle. 10% of the recorded crashes
along the corridor were same direction side swipe crashes and 7% were rear-end crashes directly related
to a vehicle turning left into a commercial driveway as noted in the crash reports; however, 41% of the
total crashes along the corridor were rear-end crashes which may have indirectly resulted from a left
turning vehicle’s queue. Furthermore, a queuing left turning vehicle in the inside travel lane greatly
reduces the capacity of Route 28, causing congestion and driver frustration and aggressiveness which also
contributes to rear-end and sideswipe crashes.
Left turns in and out of the driveway of Texas Roadhouse on Route 28 were discussed specifically during
the meeting. Currently, left turns in and out of the driveway with Route 28 are discouraged by an island
in the middle of the driveway whose geometry limits to right in and right out movements only. However,
it was observed that vehicles still turn left into the driveway from Route 28 instead of traveling to the
traffic signal at Rosewood Road and entering through the mall parking lot. No regulatory signs prohibiting
this maneuver were observed to be in the view of Route 28 northbound drivers. Two angle crashes
resulted from a left turning vehicle attempting to access Texas Roadhouse from Route 28.
Potential enhancements:
Restrict left turns to and from commercial driveways along Route 28. This may be
accomplished by means of regulatory signage, driveway geometry that promotes
right in/right out maneuvers only and/or physical means such as a raised median or
quick-curb along the center line of Route 28. Restricting left turns addresses about
one third of the recorded crashes which includes angle, rear-end, sideswipe and
courtesy crashes. Consistent enforcement would be needed if no physical means
are preventing left turns. Vehicles wishing to turn left should still be
accommodated somewhere and somehow. It was suggested to talk with private
property owners in order to consolidate driveways and possibly accommodate left
turns at a centralized location, preferably at a signalized location. It was also
suggested that the City of Methuen and MassDOT addresses left turn restrictions
during the permitting process; when commercial properties apply for highway
access permits, consider left turn restrictions. Specific consideration should be
given to the Dunkin Donuts driveway and the proposed relocation.
-
Provide left turn storage. Providing left turn storage by means of left turn pockets
or a two way left turn lane will allow a left turning vehicle to queue outside of the
travel lanes of Route 28 and allow through traffic to travel uninterrupted. This
addresses many of the rear end and sideswipe crashes and may likely improve
operations. It should be noted that a two way left turn lane may exacerbate the
safety issues for left turning vehicles out of commercial driveways, especially if a 5
lane cross section is constructed. In order to maintain two lanes of travel in each
direction the cross section of the roadway must be widened. Unfortunately,
widening the cross section of the roadway is not in the proposed scope of the
resurfacing project.
-
Address left turns in and out of the Texas Roadhouse driveway on Route 28. This
may be accomplished by reviewing regulatory signing and making sure left turn
restriction signage is clear and visible to drivers on Route 28 northbound, modify
the driveway geometry to create a more aggressive right in/right out geometry,
increase enforcement and providing additional signage for Texas Roadhouse at the
intersection of Rosewood Road to encourage the use of the signalized intersection.
Fire truck access from Route 28 must be considered if the geometry of the driveway
is altered. Additional regulatory signage may be accomplished through the
resurfacing project.
2. Safety Issue: Intersection of Rosewood Road and Route 28: Intersection operations.
The traffic signal phases combined with the lane layout of the intersection of Route 28 and Rosewood
Road was discussed to have contributed to many of the crashes at the intersection and its approaches.
The signal consists of four phases; a leading protected left and through for Route 28 northbound, a
through phase with permissive lefts for Route 28 north and south, a through phase with permissive lefts
for Rosewood Road and the Village Mall parking lot and an exclusive pedestrian phase. The lane layout
consists of one shared left/through lane and one shared through/right lane on both directions of Route
28.
Similar to the issues associated with vehicles turning left into commercial driveways, left turning vehicles
at the signal must queue in the left/through lane of Route 28 while waiting for an acceptable gap during
the permissive left phases. As a result of left turning vehicles consistently queuing, the through/left lane
becomes a de facto left turn lane and forces all through traffic to the outside lane. With around 15,000
ADT in the northbound direction this creates congestion and long queues. Similar issues occur in the
south bound direction as well. Queues from the signal were said to extend back through the New
Hampshire state line to the north and past the interchange of Route 213 to the south. As queues and
congestion build, driver frustration and aggression also builds. As stated before, 41% of the total crashes
throughout the corridor were rear-end crashes and many of these crashes referenced heavy traffic and
vehicles stopping abruptly and unsuspectingly. Three rear-end crashes directly involved a left turning
vehicle in the middle of the intersection waiting to turn left into the Village Mall. Additionally, there were
seven reported sideswipe crashes approaching the intersection involving a through vehicle in the inside
lane changing lanes to the outside lane to pass a queuing left turning vehicle.
With one lane acting as a de facto left turn lane, angle crashes may occur as a left turning vehicle may not
be able to see or expect a through vehicle in the outside lane, especially when there is a large vehicle in
the opposing inside lane. Additionally, with the shared left/through lane, it is not always clear whether an
opposing vehicle is turning left or traveling through because some drivers may not use their blinker. Ten
angle crashes between a through vehicle and a left turning vehicle were reported at the intersection of
Route 28 and Rosewood. Three of these 10 crashes were courtesy crashes while the others stated that
the left turning driver failed to yield to the through vehicle during the permissive phase.
Left turn angle crashes also were found to be a result of the signal phasing. Due to the heavy traffic in
Route 28 and the permissive left turn phasing, it is difficult to turn left at the signal. At times, left turning
vehicles may have to wait until the end of the cycle and execute a left turn during the yellow and
clearance interval. Drivers may grow frustrated and impatient while waiting for a gap and take a gap in
traffic that may be too short and increase the likelihood of an angle crash. It should be noted that six
crashes occurred in the southbound direction with permissive only phasing and three crashes occurred in
the northbound direction with the protected/permissive.
Potential enhancements:
Provide left turn pockets on Route 28 at the intersection with Rosewood Road.
Providing left turn pockets will allow left turning vehicles to move out of the way of
through traffic and greatly improve operations and safety. This enhancement will
address some of the rear-end and sideswipe crashes associated with the
intersection. Due to the inability to widen the cross section, this enhancement
would not be able to be part of the resurfacing project unless one of the two travel
lanes is converted to a left turn only lane.
-
Provide protected left turn phasing for Route 28 NB and SB. Providing protected
left turn phasing gives left turning vehicles the opportunity to turn left during a
signal cycle and reduces the number of angle crashes associated with left turning
vehicles in the intersection. Route 28 northbound currently has a protected left
turn phase however southbound does not. Protected/permissive phasing or
protected only phasing for both northbound and southbound can be implemented
only if an exclusive left turn lane is added in each direction therefore may not be
feasible for the resurfacing project. Lead/lag phasing or split phasing can be
implemented with the current lane assignment and cross section however both are
not recommended due to the yellow trap and the high volumes, respectively.
-
Restrict left turns onto Rosewood Road from Route 28 south. Restricting left turns
into Rosewood Road from Route 28 south will eliminate the conflict with
southbound left turning vehicles and a northbound through vehicles hence reducing
angle crashes between the two. Rear-end crashes and sideswipes crashes on Route
28 south will also be mitigated due to the fact that the inside lane will be clear of
queuing left turning vehicles. Another positive side effect is improved operations
for Route 28 southbound. Consideration to where the left turning vehicles will be
rerouted needs to be taken. This enhancement can be implemented with signs and
pavement markings and can be done within the scope of the resurfacing project.
Consistent enforcement would be recommended.
-
Investigate current signal timing and determine if adjustments can be made. In
order to improve operations at the intersection adjustments should be made to
optimize flow at the intersection and improve the LOS on Route 28, if possible. If
more green time is able to be given to Route 28 without sacrificing service on other
approaches then congestion may be reduced and possibly reduce driver
frustration, aggression, sideswipe crashes and rear-end crashes. This enhancement
can be done within the resurfacing project’s scope or even in the interim before the
project.
3. Safety issue: Intersection of Rosewood Road and Route 28: Traffic signal visibility.
Traffic signal visibility was discussed as a safety issue at the intersection of Route 28, Rosewood Road and
the Village Mall parking lot. Every approach consists of one overhead and one post mounted signal with
12 inch heads. During the day of the meeting the green left arrow on the five section head that faces
Route 28 northbound traffic was not functioning. In addition, one of the signal heads on the southbound
approach was missing its visors. The signal heads, in general, were old and in need of replacing, except
for the four section head that faces the Village Mall approach. Signal equipment that is not functioning
and in need of replacement may produce crashes as drivers do not receive clear and precise indications
on the operations of the intersection.
It was mentioned that one overhead and one post mounted signal may not be conspicuous enough for
approaching vehicles, especially for Route 28 traffic which has two travel lanes through the intersection.
This is exacerbated by large trucks blocking the overhead signal for a following vehicle and overgrown
vegetation blocking the post mounted signals, especially on Route 28 northbound and Rosewood Road
westbound. There were five reported crashes as a result of red light running; four of the five involved a
vehicle on Route 28 northbound running the red light and one of the five involved a vehicle on the
Rosewood Road approach running the red light. Some of the rear-end crashes may have also resulted
from inconspicuous signal heads when a following vehicle does not see a red signal and does not expect
the leading vehicle to stop.
Traffic signal visibility was also said to be obstructed by the vertical crest curve on Route 28 northbound in
between Rosewood Road and Route 213. The crest of this vertical curve is located about 500 feet south
of the signal at Rosewood Road and not only obstructs signal visibility but also obstructs the view of any
queued traffic. Vehicles cresting the curve may not have time to react and stop before colliding with a
vehicle queuing in traffic from the signal. At least one of the rear-end crashes on the Route 28
northbound approach mentioned that the following vehicle did not have time to stop before hitting the
leading vehicle.
Potential enhancements:
Repair or upgrade signal heads. In the short term, even before the resurfacing
project, all signal indications that are not functioning should be replaced with
functioning signals. Visors should be provided on all signals in the short term as
well. As an alternative, upgrading all of the signals to new LED signals will help
provide clear and precise directions on how the intersection is operating.
Upgrading all of the signals is outside of the scope of the resurfacing project.
-
Provide one signal indication per lane and/or supplemental post signals. One way
to make signals more conspicuous is by adding more signal heads. It is
recommended that there is at least one signal head per lane mounted overhead in
the middle of each lane on the far side of the intersection. Far side left post
mounted signals are also suggested. Far side post mounted signals are beneficial
when a large vehicle blocks the visibility of the overhead signals. Making the traffic
signals more conspicuous allows drivers to clearly acknowledge and understand the
signal indications which may reduce accidental red light running and rear-end
crashes. Due to the old signal structure currently in place providing additional
overhead signals may be unfeasible unless new mast arms are provided. Installing
new mast arms with additional signal heads is outside of the resurfacing project’s
scope. Installing supplemental far side post mounted signals is less cost than mast
arm upgrades but is most likely outside of the scope of the resurfacing project as
well.
-
Provide back plates with retro-reflective yellow borders. Providing back plates
with retro-reflective yellow borders also makes the signals more conspicuous and
reduces the possibility of red light running and rear-end crashes. Installing back
plates increases the wind loading on the signal mast arm therefore load calculations
must be checked; however, it was noted that due to the old age of the aluminum
truss signal support, calculating new wind loads is unattainable. It was further
noted that the current aluminum mast arm is not capable of handling the added
wind load therefore a mast arm upgrade is required. This safety enhancement is
outside of the scope of the resurfacing project.
-
Trim trees on the Route 28 northbound and Rosewood Road approaches.
Especially on the Route 28 northbound and Rosewood Road westbound
approaches, overgrown vegetation blocks the view of the post mounted signal
indications. By trimming vegetation and making all signals visible as vehicles
approach the intersection, rear-end crashes and red light running may be reduced.
Tree trimming should be included in the resurfacing project.
-
Provide blank out “(RED) SIGNAL AHEAD” advanced warning sign for Route 28 NB.
The blank out “(RED) SIGNAL AHEAD” advanced warning sign will allow a
northbound Route 28 driver to properly react to the signal at Rosewood Road even
when the view of the signal is obstructed by the crest curve. This sign may also
make drivers aware of possible queued traffic. Due to the increased awareness of
the signal indication ahead, red light running and rear-end crashes may be reduced.
Providing wireless communication for this enhancement is possible only if a
repeater is installed in between the signal and the blank out sign to maintain the
wireless line of sight over the crest curve. The cost of this enhancement may be
high and therefore may not be achievable in the scope of the resurfacing project.
4. Safety issue: Insufficient signage and pavement markings.
Several issues regarding signage along the corridor was discussed at the meeting. First, regulatory speed
limit signage (R2-1) was noted to be lacking along the corridor. The lack of speed limit signage may link to
speeding along the corridor which contributes to all types of crashes. For example, several of the angle
crashes noted that the approaching vehicle may have been speeding and, as a result, approached the
intersection faster than anticipated and crashed with a turning vehicle. Also, many of the rear-end
crashes noted that traffic stopped abruptly and that vehicles did not have time to stop. These vehicles
may have been speeding and therefore could not stop in time to avoid a collision.
It was also discussed that the lack of lane use signs (R3-8 series) may contribute to sideswipe and rear end
crashes when vehicles do not position themselves in the correct lane and when a through vehicle does
not expect left turning vehicles in the inside lane.
The lack of advanced warning for the signal was also discussed. Advanced traffic signal warning signs
(W3-3) are provided on the Route 28 approaches however these signs were observed to be faded and not
up to current retro-reflectivity standards. A white on green advanced street name guide sign for
Rosewood Road was provided for the Route 28 southbound approach however not for Route 28
northbound. The lack of advanced signing may contribute to rear-end crashes when vehicles do not
expect a signal approaching. Also, a driver unfamiliar with the area who is looking for Rosewood Road
may make an evasive and unsafe maneuver as he or she approaches Rosewood Road if he or she does not
have proper advanced knowledge that Rosewood Road is approaching.
Although it was not discussed at the meeting, the lack of street name signs throughout the corridor may
contribute to sideswipe and rear-end crashes. Similar to the issues found with the lack of advanced
signing, drivers may make evasive and unsafe maneuvers to access a side street when they cannot find
the location of the side street easily.
Another issue not discussed at the meeting was the lack of pavement markings at the intersection of
Route 28 and Rosewood Road. There are currently no crosswalk markings or stop bars on any approach
with the exception of the existing stop bar on the Village Mall driveway approach. Although no
pedestrian crashes were recorded, drivers may not expect pedestrians at the intersection of Route 28 and
Rosewood Road therefore increasing the risk of a vehicle vs. pedestrian crash. The lack of a stop bar may
lead to rear-end crashes as the location of where to stop is not defined.
Potential enhancements:
-
Install R2-1 regulatory speed limit signs along the corridor. Regulatory speed limit
signs should be installed in accordance with the most current speed regulation:
Special Speed Regulation No. 4073-A. Proper speed limit signs will help maintain
safe traveling speeds along the corridor, especially when paired with enforcement.
As a result, angle collisions and rear-end crashes may be reduced. This
enhancement should be included in the resurfacing project.
-
Install R3-8 series lane use signs at intersection of Route 28 and Rosewood Road.
Even though the Route 28 approaches of Rosewood Road provide two general
purpose lanes and lane use signs may not be required, it was discussed that
providing lane use signs may help drivers more aware of the operations at the
intersection and reduce sideswipe and rear-end crashes. This enhancement should
be included in the resurfacing project.
-
Replace W3-3 signal ahead signs. It was noted that the signal ahead signs on both
approaches of Route 28 were faded and out dated. Replacing these signs with new
signs will make drivers more aware of the signal ahead and possibly reduce rearend crashes. It was recommended above to install a blank out “(RED) SIGNAL
AHEAD” for Route 28 northbound; if this sign is installed then a W3-3 is not
required on the northbound approach and the current faded and outdated W3-3
should be removed. Replacing W3-3 signs should be part of the resurfacing project.
-
Install an advanced street name sign for Rosewood Road on Route 28 NB. By
installing a white on green advanced street name guide sign for Rosewood Road on
the northbound approach on Route 28, drivers unfamiliar with the area will have
advanced knowledge that they are approaching Rosewood Road and will be able to
act accordingly. This may reduce rear-end and sideswipe crashes. This
enhancement should be done as part of the resurfacing project.
-
Install new street name signs for side streets along the corridor. Installing new
street name signs that conform to current standards will allow drivers to easily find
the side street that they are looking for which may reduce rear-end and sideswipe
crashes. This enhancement should be included in the resurfacing project.
-
Install crosswalks across the intersection of Route 28 and Rosewood Road.
Crosswalks define the area for pedestrians to cross and bring pedestrian awareness
to vehicles. Providing crosswalks may reduce the chances of a crash between a
pedestrian and vehicle. Striping crosswalks across the intersection should be
included in the resurfacing project.
-
Install stop bars on all approaches of the intersection of Route 28 and Rosewood
Road. Stop bars help define the intersection and mark the area where vehicles
should stop. Rear-end crashes may be reduced as vehicles have a clear indication
on where to stop. Proper placement of the stop bars also allows for proper
enforcement of red light running. Installing stop bars should be incorporated in the
resurfacing project.
5. Safety issue: Pavement condition.
Pavement condition was discussed as a safety issue at the meeting. The current pavement surface is old
and is rutting in locations, especially on the intersection approaches. Friction is reduced on warn
pavement as the surface is smoothed and when ruts form. This condition is exacerbated in wet weather
such as rain or snow. 21% of the crashes throughout the corridor occurred when the roadway surface
was wet. This may contribute to rear-end and angle crashes as vehicles cannot stop properly and slide on
the slippery surface.
Potential enhancements:
-
Resurface the corridor. Resurfacing the corridor and removing the rutted
pavement will greatly increase the friction factor for vehicles and therefore reduce
crashes involving sliding vehicles such as rear-ends and angle crashes, especially
when the roadway surface is wet. High friction pavement can be used in areas
where the concern of sliding vehicles is greater such as on approaches to
intersections. The current project intends to resurface the corridor with gap graded
pavement therefore these types of crashes should be reduced. Gap graded
pavement performs well during wet weather as it allows water to dissipate through
the road surface.
6. Bicycle and pedestrian accommodations
Although no bicycle or pedestrian crashes were reported along the corridor, accommodations for bicycles
and pedestrians were discussed as being inadequate during the meeting. Currently there is a narrow
sidewalk along the northbound side of Route 28 and no sidewalk along the southbound side of Route 28.
The current sidewalk along the northbound lane of Route 28 is in poor condition and has obstructions
such as the signal mast arm and control box.
Pedestrian crossings at the intersection of Route 28 and Rosewood Road were also found to be
inadequate. Only the Route 28 crossing on the north side of the intersection provides fiber optic
pedestrian signal indications and pushbuttons although all are not up to date with current standards. In
addition, neither crosswalks nor ADA acceptable curb ramps are provided.
Bicycle accommodations are not provided anywhere along the corridor. Currently there is a one foot
shoulder along both sides of Route 28. This shoulder width does not provide any space for bicyclists to
travel, forcing a bicyclist to travel in the travel lane.
Potential enhancements:
Rehabilitate the sidewalk on the northbound side of Route 28 and construct a
sidewalk on the southbound side. In accordance to current MassDOT standards,
sidewalks are required on both sides of a roadway in an urban environment.
Sidewalks should be free of any obstructions and must not have any location that is
narrower than four feet. The rehabilitation of the northbound sidewalk and the
construction of a southbound sidewalk is currently in the scope of the resurfacing
project however it is recommended to be mindful of the placement of some
obstructions such as signal mast arms and signal control boxes. If required, it is
recommended to move such obstructions.
-
Upgrade current pedestrian equipment and provide pedestrian equipment on all
crossings at the intersection of Route 28 and Rosewood Road. Providing
pedestrian equipment that meets current ADA standards on all crossings of the
intersection will greatly improve pedestrian safety and mobility. New pedestrian
equipment should include LED pedestrian countdown heads and APS push buttons
for all crossings. Both exclusive and concurrent pedestrian crossings should be
explored to determine the safest and most effective way to control pedestrians.
New pedestrian signal equipment is not in the current scope of the resurfacing
project however it is recommended that if the signal is upgraded then all pedestrian
equipment be upgraded and provided as well.
-
Provide ADA compliant ramps along the corridor. Pedestrian ramps that meet
current ADA standards allow mobility and visually impaired pedestrians to cross
intersections and driveways properly and safely. Along with the sidewalk upgrades,
ADA accessible pedestrian ramps are proposed to be included in the scope of the
resurfacing project.
-
Provide a five foot shoulder for bicycles. Current MassDOT standards require a five
food shoulder for use by bicycles. A five foot shoulder allows a bicyclist to travel
comfortably with motor vehicle traffic and eliminates the need for a motor vehicle
to travel outside of its lane to pass the bicycle. The five foot shoulder reduces the
chances of conflict between bicycles and motor vehicles. Due to cross section
limitations, the current resurfacing project only proposes a one foot shoulder. It is
recommended that in the future that a five foot shoulder is provided along this
corridor.
A list of all safety issues discussed and all potential enhancements is provided below in Table 2. Safety payoff
estimates are subjective and are based on the relative percent of crashes that may be reduced by the
enhancement; for example, low (<30%), medium (31% to 70%), and high (>71%). The time frame is categorized as
short-term (<1 year), mid-term (1 to 3 years), or long-term (>3 years). The costs are categorized as low (<$10,000),
medium ($10,001 to $50,000), or high (>$50,001). Enhancements that are not to be included in this resurfacing
project should be considered in a future project that possibly may take place.
Table 2. Potential Safety Enhancement Summary
Safety Issue
Left turns to and from
commercial driveways
Safety Payoff
Time Frame
Cost
Included in resurfacing
project (Project #
607709)?
Restrict left turns to/from
commercial driveways with
signage
High
Short
Low
Consider
Restrict left turns to/from
commercial driveways with right
in and right out driveway
geometries
High
Medium
Medium
No
Restrict left turns to/from
commercial driveways with a
raised median on Rt 28
High
Long
High
No
Restrict left turns to/from
commercial driveways with by
installing quick curb along the
centerline of Rt 28
High
Short
Low
Consider
Consolidate commercial
driveways and provide a
centralized location for left turns,
preferably at a signalized
location
High
Medium
Medium
No
During the highway access
permitting process, instate left
turn restrictions to/from
commercial driveways
High
Short
Low
No
Provide left turn pockets on
Route 28 for commercial
driveways
Medium
Long
High
No
Provide a two-way-left-turn-lane
on Route 28
Medium
Long
High
No
Safety Enhancement
Table 2. Potential Safety Enhancement Summary
Safety Issue
Left turns to and from
Texas Roadhouse
Intersection operations
at Route 28 and
Rosewood Road
Safety Payoff
Time Frame
Cost
Included in resurfacing
project (Project #
607709)?
Review and install (as needed)
regulatory left turn restriction
signage at the driveway of Texas
Roadhouse on at Route 28
Low
Short
Low
Consider
Enforce left turn restrictions at
the driveway of Texas
Roadhouse on Route 28
Low
Short
Low
Consider
Create a more dramatic right in
and right out driveway geometry
on Texas Roadhouse’s driveway
on Route 28
Low
Medium
Medium
Consider
Improve signage for Texas
Roadhouse at the intersection of
Route 28 and Rosewood Road
to encourage vehicles to use the
signalized driveway as an
entrance
Low
Short
Low
Consider
Provide left turn pockets on
Route 28
High
Long
High
No
Provide a left turn phase for
Route 28 southbound
High
Long
High
No
Provide protected only left turn
phasing for Route 28
High
Long
High
No
Restrict left turns onto
Rosewood Road from Route 28
south
Medium
Short
Medium
Consider
Low
Short
Low
Yes
Safety Enhancement
Investigate and adjust (if
required) signal timing
Table 2. Potential Safety Enhancement Summary
Safety Issue
Signal visibility at the
intersection of Route 28
and Rosewood Road
Safety Payoff
Time Frame
Cost
Included in resurfacing
project (Project #
607709)?
Repair non-functioning signal
indications and missing visors
Low
Short
Low
Consider
Upgrade all signal heads
Low
Medium
Medium
No
Provide at least one overhead
signal in the center of each
travel lane
Medium
Medium
High
No
Provide supplemental far side
post mounted signals
Low
Medium
Medium
No
Provide back plates with retroreflective yellow borders
Low
Long
High
No
Trim trees on the Route 28
northbound approach and the
Rosewood Road westbound
approach
Low
Short
Low
Yes
Medium
Long
High
Consider
Install R2-1 speed limit signs
along the corridor in accordance
with the current speed regulation
Low
Short
Low
Consider
Install R3-8 series lane use
signs at the intersection of Route
28 and Rosewood Road
Low
Short
Low
Consider
Replace current W3-3 signs with
new retro-reflective W3-3
Low
Short
Low
Consider
Install advanced street name
sign for Rosewood Road on
Route 28 northbound
Low
Short
Low
Consider
Safety Enhancement
Provide blank out “(RED)
SIGNAL AHEAD” advanced
warning sign for Route 28
northbound
Insufficient signage
Table 2. Potential Safety Enhancement Summary
Safety Issue
Insufficient pavement
markings
Pavement condition
Bicycle and pedestrian
accommodations
Safety Payoff
Time Frame
Cost
Included in resurfacing
project (Project #
607709)?
Install new street name signs for
side streets along the corridor
Low
Short
Low
Consider
Install crosswalk markings
across the intersection of Route
28 and Rosewood Road
Low
Short
Low
Yes
Install stop bars on all
approaches of the intersection of
Route 28 and Rosewood Road
Low
Short
Low
Yes
Medium
Medium
High
Yes
Rehabilitate the sidewalk along
the northbound side of Route 28
Low
Medium
High
Yes
Construct a sidewalk along the
southbound side of Route 28
Low
Medium
High
Yes
Upgrade current pedestrian
equipment to meet ADA
standards and provide
pedestrian equipment on all
crossings at the intersection of
Route 28 and Rosewood Road
Low
Medium
Medium
Consider
Provide ADA compliant ramps
along the corridor
Low
Medium
High
Yes
Provide a five foot shoulder for
bicycles along Route 28
Low
Long
High
No
Safety Enhancement
Resurface the corridor