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Engineering Report

White River National Forest

Eagle-Holy Cross Ranger District

Analysis of Road # 600

Coffee Pot Road

for Motorized Mixed Use Designation

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Forest: White River

District: Eagle-Holy Cross

Road Number: 600

Road Name: Coffee Pot

Beginning Mile Post: 12.6 at Forest Boundary

Ending Mile Post 23.0 at NFSR 632

Traffic Service Level - A, B, C, or D: B - Congested During Heavy Traffic

Objective Maintenance Level – 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5: 4 – Moderate Degree of User Comfort

Operational Maintenance Level – 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5: 4 – Moderate Degree of User Comfort

Maintenance By: Forest Service and Garfield County

Non-Forest Service ROW or jurisdiction? Yes/No NO

Any road use agreements, maintenance agreements, or other encumbrances? Yes/No YES

Description of agreements or encumbrances: Currently under a “Cooperative Forest Road Agreement” for road maintenance by Garfield County under a “Schedule A” Agreement. Maintenance performed by the county occurs once per year.

Subject to the Highway Safety Act? Yes/No YES

Non-Highway-Legal Vehicles currently permitted? Yes/No YES

Is motorized mixed use consistent with State and Local laws? Yes/No YES Notes:

Description of Road Management Objectives, Existing Use, and Proposed Use:

1999 Road Management Objectives (RMO) Worksheet is on file and signed by the District

Ranger. A recent and updated RMO is currently not available.

NFSR 600 is 29.7 miles long and currently consists of the following Motorized Mixed Use

designations:

M.P. 0.0 – M.P. 12.6 is closed to mixed use and signed with “Highway Legal Vehicles

Only”.

M.P. 12.6 – M.P. 29.7 is open to mixed use and is signed with “Share the Road” and

“ATV” signs.

The Coffee Pot Road is classified as an Arterial.

Current use of this road is recreational and provides access for camping (designated sites &

dispersed), hiking, fishing, hunting, OHV riding, sightseeing, wilderness access and horseback

riding.

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In 2006, a Motorized Mixed Use Judgment was prepared for this segment of the Coffee Pot

Road (M.P. 12.6-M.P. 22.9). The original Judgment recommended closure to mixed use. During

the comment period for the White River National Forest Travel Management Plan

Environmental Impact Statement (EIS), the Colorado Division of Wildlife expressed concerns

with the effects to hunting access if this segment did not allow motorized mixed use. In the

selected alternative for the WRNF Travel Management Plan, the decision was made to allow

mixed use on this segment of road. The Eagle/Holy Cross Ranger District requested that a

detailed Motorized Mixed Use Report be prepared to confirm or to modify the original 2006

Motorized Mixed Use Judgment that recommended closure to mixed use.

Summary of Findings:

The Coffee Pot road is a heavily used forest road. This segment (M.P. 12.6 – M.P. 23.0) is a

single lane, aggregate (gravel) surfaced road with good alignment and grade. This segment is

currently designated and signed for Motorized Mixed Use. There are no known or documented

mixed use accidents.

The horizontal alignment and grade is generally good and the adjacent roadside terrain is

predominately gentle to moderate in nature. The road width varies from 14 to 20 feet with

roadside drainage ditches and culverts. There are some sharp curves and sections that are

lined with vegetation (trees and/or brush) that obscure the roadway and oncoming traffic. The

majority of the road (8.3 miles) occurs in open parks, which provides easy escape options

should a vehicle leave the road to avoid a collision. Approximately 2.1 miles of the road is lined

with vegetation (trees and/or brush), with trees that are large enough (10”-18”) to be obstacles

to vehicles leaving the road to avoid a collision.

There are no posted speed limits on the segment of the road being studied and the reasonable

and prudent driving speed is 30-35 mph. Speed studies were conducted on three separate

occasions (Tuesday July 23, Thursday July 25, and Friday July 26). Travel speeds observed

varied between 15 and 47 mph with the 85th percentile speed at 36 mph. Pickup trucks/SUV’s

were observed traveling at the highest speeds.

Two traffic counters were deployed and traffic volumes were recorded between June 28, 2013

and October 22, 2013. A total of 17,985 vehicles were counted with an Average Daily Traffic

(ADT) of 87 for the 3.75 month sampling period (117 days). Traffic volumes averaged 71 ADT

on weekdays (Mon – Fri) and 127 ADT on weekends. The peak period of use occurred on the

first day of the 2nd big game rifle hunting season, Saturday October 19, 2013 (220 ADT).

Additional periods of peak use included the September 2, 2013 Labor Day holiday (212 ADT);,

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the second day of the 2nd big game rifle hunting season, Sunday October 20, 2013 (196 ADT),

Saturday August 3, 2013 (195 ADT);, and the Friday before the 2nd big game rifle hunting

season, October 18, 2013 (195 ADT).

Traffic types, observed during speed studies, are varied and consist of the following vehicle

types: passenger cars (18%), pickup trucks/SUV’s (43%), pickup trucks/SUV’s towing trailers

(18%), OHV’s (18%), and RV’s (3%).

OHV (ATV’s, unlicensed motorcycles/dirt bikes, and UTV’s) use is currently authorized with the

vast majority of OHV riders (65%) observed wearing head protection (helmets). The vast

majority of OHV’s (90%) were observed traveling between 20-29 mph which is well below the

85th percentile (36 mph)

The original 2006 Motorized Mixed Use Judgment rated the crash probability as high and crash

severity as medium. Mitigation measures may be used to reduce the probability and severity

by varying degrees.

Factors Considered:

1. Operator Considerations:

This segment of road is subject to the Highway Safety Act and to Colorado State laws for

operators.

Colorado Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) State Laws – no person under the age of ten years may

operate an off-highway vehicle on such public street, road, or highway of this state or on such

city street or county road. No person ten years or older may operate an off-highway vehicle on

such public street, road, or highway of this state or on such city street or county road unless:

1. The person has in his possession a valid driver’s license issued by the State of Colorado or

another state; or

2. The person is accompanied by and under the immediate supervision of a person who has in

his possession a valid driver’s license issued by the State of Colorado or another state. The

phrase “under immediate supervision” shall mean that, at a minimum, the unlicensed

operator is within visual contact of the licensed supervisor.

There are no Colorado State laws requiring head protection (helmet) for OHV operators.

2. Crash History:

There are no known or documented mixed use accidents on this segment of NFSR 600.

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3. Traffic Volume and Type

Non-Highway-Legal-Vehicles

Less than 12 inch tread width: X

Less than 50 inch tread width: X

Greater than 50 inch tread width: X

Highway-Legal-Vehicles

Passenger Cars: X

Pickup Trucks/SUV’s X

Commercial Vehicles:

Recreational Vehicles (RV’s): X

Traffic counts were compiled between June 28, 2013 and October 22, 2013. Traffic counters

used were manufactured by TRAFx and utilize magnetometer technology and advanced

embedded software to detect passing vehicles. Two traffic counters were deployed and traffic

volumes were recorded between June 28, 2013 and October 22, 2013. A total of 17,985

vehicles were counted with an Average Daily Traffic (ADT) of 87 for the 3.75 month sampling

period (117 days).

Traffic volumes averaged 71 ADT on weekdays (Mon – Fri) and 127 ADT on weekends.

The peak period of use occurred on the first day of the 2nd big game rifle hunting season,

Saturday October 19, 2013 (220 ADT). Additional periods of peak use included the September

2, 2013 Labor Day holiday (212 ADT);, the second day of the 2nd big game rifle hunting season,

Sunday October 20, 2013 (196 ADT), Saturday August 3, 2013 (195 ADT);, and the Friday before

the 2nd big game rifle hunting season, October 18, 2013 (195 ADT).

Based on observations made during speed studies, conducted on July 23, 25, 27, 2013,

passenger cars accounted for 18% (21 vehicles) of the total traffic (119 vehicles), while pickup

trucks/SUV’s made up 43% (51 vehicles) of the traffic. Pickup trucks/SUV’s towing trailers

accounted for 18% (21 vehicles), with OHV’s (ATV, UTV’s, & motorcycles) accounting for 18%

(22 vehicles) of the traffic. The remaining 3% (4 vehicles) of the total traffic consisted of RV’s.

An additional observation made during the speed studies was that the vast majority of OHV

riders (65%) were wearing head protection (helmets), with 35% of the riders not using helmets.

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4. Speed – Anticipated Average Speed (85th percentile): 36 mph

There are no posted speed limits on the segment of the road being studied and the reasonable

and prudent driving speed is 30-35 mph. Colorado Revised Statue 42-4-1101, Speed Limits

notes the following and (a) is applicable to this segment of the Coffee Pot Road.

(1) No person shall drive a vehicle on a highway at a speed greater than is reasonable and

prudent under the conditions then existing.

(2) Except when a special hazard exists that requires a lower speed, the following speeds shall

be lawful:

(a) Twenty miles per hour on narrow, winding mountain highways or on blind curves;

(b) Twenty-five miles per hour in any business district, as defined in section 42-1-102 (11);

(c) Thirty miles per hour in any residence district, as defined in section 42-1-102 (80);

(d) Forty miles per hour on open mountain highways;

(e) Forty-five miles per hour for all single rear axle vehicles in the business of transporting trash

that exceed twenty thousand pounds, where higher speeds are posted, when said vehicle is

loaded as an exempted vehicle pursuant to section 42-4-507 (3);

(f) Fifty-five miles per hour on other open highways which are not on the interstate system, as

defined in section 43-2-101 (2), C.R.S., and are not surfaced, four-lane freeways or expressways;

(g) Sixty-five miles per hour on surfaced, four-lane highways which are on the interstate system,

as defined in section 43-2-101 (2), C.R.S., or are freeways or expressways;

Speed studies were conducted with the Bushnell Speed Radar Gun which utilizes Doppler Radar

technology with +/- one-mile per hour (mph) accuracy. The studies were conducted on three

separate occasions (Tuesday July 23, Thursday July 25, and Friday July 26). The July 23 (Tuesday)

speed study was conducted at various locations along the segment of road being studied, while

the July 25 (Thursday) speed study was conducted in the Crane Park area (M.P. 21.0), and the

July 26 (Friday) speed study was conducted near the traffic counter located at M.P. 13.6. Each

of the three separate speed studies covered six hours each day for a total of eighteen hours.

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Traffic speeds observed varied between 15 and 47 mph with the 85th percentile speed at 36

mph. Only one passenger car was observed traveling above the 85th percentile (39 mph).

Pickup trucks & SUV’s were traveling at the highest speeds, up to 47 mph, with nine

pickup/SUV’s observed traveling above the 85th percentile of 36 mph. Only one pickup/SUV,

towing a trailer, exceeded the 85th percentile and was traveling 39 mph. A single OHV (UTV)

was observed twice traveling above the 85th percentile (38 mph and 45 mph), with the vast

majority of OHV’s (20) traveling well below the 85th percentile (20 – 29 mph). Also observed

was the fact that the vast majority of OHV riders (65%) were wearing head protection

(helmets).

5. Road Surface Type:

This segment of road is aggregate (gravel) surfaced and in good condition. There is vegetation

(trees and/or brush), on two sections of the road that have narrowed the usable roadway. The

two sections are between M.P. 13.0 -13.9 and M.P. 16.1-17.1 and total approximately 1.9 miles.

6. Intersections With Other Roads and Trails:

There are five road intersections, one campground entrance, numerous access points leading to

dispersed camp sites, and one trailhead along this segment of the Coffee Pot Road.

This segment of road intersects with Maintenance Level 3 roads 300.3A (Deep Creek Overlook)

and 600.3L. Both 300.3A (Deep Creek Overlook) and 600.3L have adequate sight distance, in

both directions, at their intersections with the Coffee Pot road.

This section of road also intersects with Maintenance Level 2 roads 600.3C (Coffee Pot Springs

Campground), 604, 622, and 632. Roads 604, 622, and 632 all have adequate sight distance, in

both directions, at their intersections with the Coffee Pot road. Road 600.3C (Coffee Pot

Springs Campground) has adequate sight distance to the north and inadequate sight distance to

the south at the intersection with the Coffee Pot road. Roadside brushing and clearing is

needed at the 600.3C intersection to improve sight distance to the south to allow for earlier

detection of oncoming traffic.

The Broken Rib Trailhead has two entrances off the Coffee Pot Road. The south entrance has

adequate sight distance to the north and inadequate sight distance to the south due to brush

and needs to be cleared. The north entrance has adequate sight distances in both directions.

7. Other Roadway Factors:

The roadway is in good condition, but there are some segments that have vegetation (trees

and/or brush) on fill slopes and/or in the road shoulder that should be cleared to provide full

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width use of the road. Removal of trees growing in the shoulders should also have the stumps

removed so as not to hinder road surface maintenance operations. Approximately 8.3 miles

(80% of the road segment) is in open parks, with much of the road (5.7 miles - 55%) consisting

of gentle to moderate terrain which provides escape options for drivers leaving the road in an

attempt to avoid a collision.

An additional roadway factor is the dust clouds created by vehicles during periods of little or no

precipitation. Oncoming traffic may have difficulty seeing vehicles traveling in the opposite

direction due to the dust. The only practical mitigation is an application of a dust palliative

product, however, this mitigation is not cost effective as the application of dust palliative

products can cost between $3,000.00 and $3,700.00 per mile.

8. Roadside Conditions:

As mentioned previously in #7 Other Roadway Factors, there are some sections of road that are

lined with trees that are large enough (10”-18” diameter) to be obstacles to vehicles leaving the

road to avoid a collision (2.1 miles – 20% of the road).

There are also sections of road, containing horizontal curves that have reduced and limited

sight distance due to overgrown vegetation (trees and/or brush). This vegetation obscures the

roadway and on-coming traffic and requires clearing and brushing. Clearing and brushing, at a

minimum, should be 5’ from the top of the ditch or 5’ from the edge of the road, whichever is

greater.

The majority of the road (approx. 5.7 miles - 55% of the road) occurs in open parks with gentle

to moderate terrain that provides escape options for vehicles leaving the road to avoid a

collision.

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M.P. 16.5 – Example of inadequate sight distance due to vegetation (small trees/brush)

obscuring roadway around curve.

Coffee Pot Springs Campground entrance– Example of inadequate sight distance due

to vegetation (small trees/brush) obscuring roadway at Campground intersection.

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Coffee Pot Springs Campground entrance – Example of adequate sight distance.

M.P. 16.3 – Example of reduced road width usability due to vegetation

(trees/brush) crowding roadway.

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9. Risk Without Mitigations:

Original 2006 Motorized Mixed Use Judgment Crash Probability/Severity rating

Crash Probability:

High: X

Medium:

Low:

Crash Severity:

High:

Medium: X

Low:

There are no known or documented mixed use accidents on this segment of the road. Factors

contributing to the high crash probability include the high volume of traffic and the speeds at which

vehicles are traveling. Speeds above the 85th Percentile (36 mph) are not uncommon and exceed

the stopping sight distance for most horizontal curves occurring in vegetation (tree/brush) lined

sections that obscure the roadway and oncoming traffic. Pickup trucks & SUV’s are most likely to

travel at speeds exceeding the 85th Percentile – 14%, with observed speeds of up to 47 mph.

Vehicles tend to travel at higher speeds in open park areas – 85th percentile of 38 mph verses 35

mph in tree lined sections.

A crash severity of high is possible due to the speeds which vehicles travel at, however, due to the

gentle to moderate terrain adjacent to the roadway in the open park areas (5.7 miles - 55%), the

severity is rated as medium as the adjacent terrain provides escape options for vehicles leaving the

road to avoid a collision.

Mitigation Measures:

Installation of motorized mixed use signs (“Share the Road” and “ATV”) to inform users of the

types of traffic they can expect to encounter on the road.

Reduce road surface maintenance frequency (2 years between maintenance cycles instead of

the current 1 year cycle) to provide a rougher road surface to reduce travel speeds.

Roadside clearing/brushing to increase sight distances on curves for earlier detection of

oncoming vehicles.

Roadside clearing/brushing, with tree stump removal, to increase the usable width of the road.