Albany Shaker Road Corridor Study
Public Meeting # 2
Scope / Meeting Purpose
• Initiation and Data Gathering• Existing Conditions• Public Meeting # 1 Recap• Build 2030 Analysis• Draft Transportation Mitigation Measures• Evaluation of Alternatives• Public Meeting # 2• Report• Integrate with Comprehensive Plan
This project is a CDTC Linkage Study. The Linkage Program is designedto implement the adopted planning and investment principles inCDTC’s regional transportation plan, New Visions 2040.
Study Area
Study Purpose
• Identify transportation and land-use recommendations that Mitigate the traffic concerns Enhance the character of the corridor Address safety and quality of life concerns Integrate with Town’s Comprehensive Plan
update• Public outreach approach that develops a
mutual understanding of issues and builds consensus
Livable Streets
• Provides transportation choices• Safer streets for all modes• Value communities and
neighborhoods• Promotes Community Interaction• Enhance economic growth• Quality of life
Complete Streets are streets for everyone, no matter who they are or how they travel.
Existing Conditions Public Meeting # 1 Recap
Vacant Parcels in the Corridor
Land-use/Zoning• Known development projects
under construction or in planning • Vacant parcels with probable
development density based on zoning or discussions with property owners
• Exception: one parcel for density greater than underlying zoning based on landowner discussions and site’s unique location
• Was conservative in that not all parcels would be expected to be developed within planning period
Public Meeting # 1 Recap
Existing Public Build 2030 Mitigation Public
Concerns / Issues raised
• Traffic Congestion• Safety: Speed• Side street traffic• The Crossings – Town Park• Pedestrian/Bicycle friendly• Safety : Critical Locations• Access to side streets/driveways
Consistent with Comprehensive Plan
Issues that impact quality of life in the Town of Colonie
Quality of Life
Safety and security
Traffic Congestion
Strongly support following programs/initiatives
Pedestrian accommodations
Slower speeds
Improvements in Town Parks
Concerns / Issues raised
• Traffic Congestion• Safety: Speed• Side street traffic• The Crossings – Town Park• Pedestrian/Bicycle friendly• Safety : Critical Locations• Access to side streets/driveways
Traffic from New Development
• Traffic volumes in the corridor would increase by average of 5% based on Build-out conditions
• Similar growth pattern: from Albany Shaker Road to Old Niskayuna Road via Maxwell Road/Osborne Road
• Exit 4 connector, west of Wolf Road and increased capacity on I-87, will not increase traffic on Maxwell Road and the corridor east of Maxwell Road
Corridor Traffic
Mostly limited to Osborne Road
intersection
Along the entire Corridor
Traffic from New Development
• Likely increase in traffic due to development will progress slowly over time and will not have immediate impact
• Based on the CDTC STEP Model 40% of the traffic is cut-through
Hourly Traffic Variations
0
100
200
300
400
500
600
700
800
900
1000
12:0
0 AM
1:00
AM
2:00
AM
3:00
AM
4:00
AM
5:00
AM
6:00
AM
7:00
AM
8:00
AM
9:00
AM
10:0
0 AM
11:0
0 AM
12:0
0 PM
1:00
PM
2:00
PM
3:00
PM
4:00
PM
5:00
PM
6:00
PM
7:00
PM
8:00
PM
9:00
PM
10:0
0 PM
11:0
0 PM
Vehi
cles
per
Hou
r (VP
H)
Albany Shaker RoadOsborne Rd to Wolf Rd
WB EB
Legend
Traffic
Existing 2016
(Typical Weekday)Practical Capacity Threshold
Impact from New Development
• Traffic will increase but will not have significant impact on traffic conditions
• Traffic will not alter the recommendations in the study
Concerns / Issues raised
• Traffic Congestion• Safety: Speed• Side street traffic• The Crossings – Town Park• Pedestrian/Bicycle friendly• Safety : Critical Locations• Access to side streets/driveways
Safety: Speed
• Posted speed limit is 40 mph• Average speed is 35 mph• 85th percentile speed is 45 mph• Peak hour speeds: Near Shaker El 36/34 mph (AM/PM) Near Twilight Terrace 40/30 mph (AM/PM)
• High residential use-traffic conflict index (CDTC) leading to noise level, driveway movement, unsafe environment
Safety: Speed
Mitigation• Reduce speed limit to 30
or 35 mph • Increased speed
enforcement• Driver feedback signs
Safety: Speed
• Higher the speed, reduction in cone of visibility• Risk of serious injury increases dramatically
above 30 mph
30 MPH 40 MPH
NACTO Street Design Guidance
Recommend speed reduction to 30-35 mph
Safety: SpeedData shows that driver feedback signs are effective• In Shelburne, Vermont, radar speed feedback signs
showed a reduction in speed by 6 to 8 mph• On US Route 9 in the Town of Malta, CDTC found that
the driver feedback signs resulted in a 5 mph reduction in average speed
Recommend installation of driver feedback signs
Concerns / Issues raised
• Traffic Congestion• Safety: Speed• Side street traffic• The Crossings – Town Park• Pedestrian/Bicycle friendly• Safety : Critical Locations• Access to side streets/driveways
Side Street Traffic
• Consider traffic calming measures on alternate routes to discourage regional traffic from using local/neighborhood streets Street design Education Enforcement
Locations to Consider: Campagna Drive/Marie
Parkway Emerick Ln/Briarwood Road Danielwood Drive Loudon Parkway
Side Street Traffic
• Tighten street geometry to reduce travel speed, making is less desirable
• Increased enforcement on side streets like Marie Parkway
• Feasibility of additional traffic control signs/devices
Concerns / Issues raised
• Traffic Congestion• Safety: Speed• Side street traffic• The Crossings – Town Park• Pedestrian/Bicycle friendly• Safety : Critical Locations• Access to side streets/driveways
The Crossings
• Access to The Crossingspark Single access point Busier in good
weather Exclusive pedestrian
phase during peak hours add to delays Limited parking in the
park
The CrossingsM
etro
Par
k Rd
Alba
ny S
hake
r Rd
Mitigation• Access via Metro Park
Road Improve and attract by
better wayfinding Encourage and
advertise this access Increase parking
Secondary access and increased parking recommended
The Crossings Intersection
• Add leading left turn phase to signal only*
• Add crosswalk and pedestrian facilities to EB approach
• Add left turn lane• Consider mini
roundabout
Emer
ick
LnTh
e Cr
ossi
ngs
The Crossings
• Lead left-turn for WB approach• EB delay increases by 3 seconds• Reduced queues westbound• Observed increased queues
eastbound • Exclusive pedestrian phase
Signal Timing Changes August 2017
* Based on average of 5 pedestrian calls per hour
Emer
ick
LnTh
e Cr
ossi
ngs
The Crossings
Mini Roundabout• Pros Traffic calming Improved traffic flow Pedestrian facilities
• Cons Roundabout will reduce
vehicle gaps for those to turn left on side streets in the corridor
ROW impacts Costs $ 500,000 – 1
million
Mini Roundabout not a viable option
Emer
ick
LnTh
e Cr
ossi
ngs
The Crossings
Left Turn Lanes• Pros Improved traffic flow
• Cons If done within existing ROW,
lose shoulders If widening, ROW impacts Pedestrian safety Costs $ 500,000
Emer
ick
LnTh
e Cr
ossi
ngs
Widening for turn lanes to be considered in the future based on traffic conditions
Concerns / Issues raised
• Traffic Congestion• Safety: Speed• Side street traffic• The Crossings – Town Park• Pedestrian/Bicycle friendly• Safety : Critical Locations• Access to side streets/driveways
Pedestrian/Bicycle
• Provide sidewalks on both sides of the road between The Crossings and Everett Road intersections
Cons Tight ROW Acquire ROW at some
locations Cost $1-2 million
Pros Improved pedestrian
connections Pedestrian safety Character of the street
Existing Pedestrian & Crosswalk Facility
Recommended option
Pedestrian/Bicycle
• Provide a dedicated path on one side of Albany Shaker that could accommodate bicycles
Cons Acquire ROW on adjacent
properties Cost implications ($ 3-5
million)
Pros Dedicated bike lane/path Bicycle safety Character of the street Complete streets
Dedicated bike path not a viable option
Pedestrian/Bicycle
• Provide/improve intersection crossing improvements at these locations: The Crossings/Emerick Lane Marie Parkway Shaker El Everett Road Osborne Road
• Provide “Share the Road” signs in locations with narrow shoulders Recommended option
Marie Parkway
• Add pedestrian accommodations
• Tighten radii and remove median
Marie Parkway
• Pros Improved pedestrian
connection Reduced walking
distance Improved circulation
for emergency vehicles
• Cons Current signal does
not support pedestrian accommodations.
Cost $ 500,000
Upgrade signal to provide pedestrian accommodations is recommended
Shaker El
• Add crosswalk to side street
• Improve pedestrian accommodations like “Yield to Pedestrian” sign
• Consider roundabout or signalization
Dani
elw
ood
Shak
er E
l
Shaker El
Mini Roundabout• Heavy east-west traffic• Low volumes on side-
street• Side street access will get
difficult• Limited Right-of-way• School bus turning• Cost $ 500,000 – 1 million
Shak
er E
l
Dani
elw
ood
Mini Roundabout not a viable option
Shaker El
• Pros Improved pedestrian
connection Easier to turn left out
of Shaker El Signalization will also
slow down traffic –more other modes friendly
• Cons Another signalized
intersection will slow traffic in peak hour
Cost $ 300,000Sh
aker
El
Dani
elw
ood
Signalization is recommended
Concerns / Issues raised
• Traffic Congestion• Safety: Speed• Side street traffic• The Crossings – Town Park• Pedestrian/Bicycle friendly• Safety : Critical Locations• Access to side streets/driveways
Safety: Critical Locations
• Based on concentration of crashes and types the following priorities should be considered: Everett Road Intersection Osborne Road Intersection, particularly the westbound
approach between Osborne and Tipton Maxwell Road Roundabout
Everett Road
Road Diet Option• Eliminate second WB
thru lane• Add EB left lane• Pedestrian
accommodations
Everett Road
Everett Road
• Pros Reduce crashes due to
the merge Easier turning into
driveways/side streets Pedestrian
accommodations
• Cons Cost $ 200,000 ROW impacts
Intersection Improvements recommended option
Osborne Road
• Signal timing changes• Consider a roundabout• Other geometric
improvements to improve peak hour flow
• Consider reduction of turn radii to improve walkability
Osb
orne
Rd
Osb
orne
Rd
Osborne Road
Signal Timing And WB through lane
Osb
orne
Rd
Osb
orne
Rd
IntersectionExisting
LOS Build LOSWB thruturn lane
LOS
Albany Shaker Rd EB L D (40.8) D (40.7) C (35.5)
TR C (27.9) C (33.2) C (27.7)
Albany Shaker Rd WB L D (35.1) D (37.1) C (24.7)
T F (211.6) F (254.7) E (72.9)
R (TR) B (10.9) B (10.7) D (47.9)
Osborne Rd NB L D (42.2) D (54.9) D (59.7)
TR D (41.8) D (48.7) D (50.0)
Osborne Rd SB L C (31.5) C (33.5) C (35.2)
TR E (70.9) F (96.0) E (79.3)
Overall F (87.8) F (106.5) D (51.8)
Osborne Road
Signal Timing And SB right turn lane
Osb
orne
Rd
Osb
orne
Rd
Intersection ExistingLOS Build LOS Right turn
lane LOS
Albany Shaker Rd EB L D (40.8) D (40.7) C (32.0)
TR C (27.9) C (33.2) C (26.5)
Albany Shaker Rd WB L D (35.1) D (37.1) C (29.6)
T F (211.6) F (254.7) F (181.6)
R B (10.9) B (10.7) A (9.4)
Osborne Rd NB L D (42.2) D (54.9) D (58.9)
TR D (41.8) D (48.7) D (51.3)
Osborne Rd SB L C (31.5) C (33.5) C (32.2)
TR(T) E (70.9) F (96.0) D (52.8)
(R) C (24.9)
Overall F (87.8) F (106.5) E (76.1)
Osborne Road
Signal Timing And WB or SB lane improvements• Pros Reduce vehicle crashes Pedestrian
accommodations Reduce in delays
• Cons ROW acquisition Pedestrian safety Improves traffic flow Cost $ 500,000
Osb
orne
Rd
Osb
orne
Rd
Additional lanes- not a feasible option
Osborne Road
Roundabout• Pros
Improved traffic flow Vehicle crash reduction Speed reduction Pedestrian safety
• Cons Bottleneck effect Private property acquisition Cost $2.5 million
approximately
Osb
orne
Rd
Osb
orne
Rd
Roundabout possibly a long term option
Intersection LOS
Albany Shaker Rd EB LTR B (12.8)
Albany Shaker Rd WB L,TR D (44.5)
Osborne Rd NB LTR C (24.4)
Osborne Rd SB L,TR B (12.2)
Overall C (26.1)
Access Management
• Better access management between Maxwell Rd and Wolf Rd, including consideration of a raised median in conjunction with roundabout improvements
Access Management
Example of raised median island
Raised median recommended
Maxwell Rd Roundabout
• Improved signage• Evaluate EB thru lane
capacity to eliminate merge• Lane assignments• Reevaluate design with
current and emerging criteria
• Confirm potential impacts associated with Aviation Rd extension
Maxwell Rd Roundabout
• Pros Improved traffic flow Reduce crashes with
proper signage
• Cons Cost Impact due to future
development
Maxwell Rd Roundabout
Con
cept
ual
Con
cept
ual
Concerns / Issues raised
• Traffic Congestion• Safety: Speed• Side street traffic• The Crossings – Town Park• Pedestrian/Bicycle friendly• Safety : Critical Locations• Access to side streets/driveways
Access to Side Streets/Driveways
• Center turn lane throughout the corridor (except the signalized intersections)
Access to Side Streets/Driveways
Shoulder ShoulderWB Lane EB Lane
5’ 5’11’ 11’
WB Lane EB Lane
11’ 11’
Center Turn Lane
10’
Using shoulders for center-turn-lane
Existing condition with shoulders on either sideCONS• No shoulders• Eliminates space for
bicycles• Increased speed and traffic• No buffer between vehicles
and pedestrian• Cost $$$
PROS• Facilitate access• Reduce turn conflicts• Decrease delays
Access to Side Streets/Driveways
CONS• No shoulders• Eliminates space
for bicyclesCenter turn lane is not recommended at
this time
• Not Complete Street• Less pleasant and safe to walk• Not consistent with Study
goals
Concerns / Issues raised
• Traffic Congestion• Safety: Speed• Side street traffic• The Crossings – Town Park• Pedestrian/Bicycle friendly• Safety : Critical Locations• Access to side streets/driveways
Coordination with other Studies
• The Town is in the middle of update to the Comprehensive Plan and an update to the Airport Area GEIS
• Expected to be completed before completion of the Comprehensive Plan and the Airport Area GEIS
• It is expected that the Comprehensive Plan will either keep projected development densities at current levels or lower them through the Comp plan and future land use law changes. These changes should not influence the results of the ASR Study.
Schedule• Summer: Develop and evaluate
recommendations• Fall: Confirm recommendations with Team• November: Public Meeting # 2• January: Draft Report
Next Steps
• Consensus on transportation mitigation measures
• Compile public input and summarize information• Present final recommendations to the Town and
County• Draft report- January 2018
Poll Everywhere: Live Audience Participation
1. Polling screen
2. Text ALBANYSHAKERRDto join; then text youranswer(s) to 22333
3. Real time results!
Poll Everywhere Questions
THANK YOU for your feedback!
Questions
Your Opinion
Let us know what your like or concerns are :
Email: [email protected]
Fill out a comment form
Thank Youwww.AlbanyShakerColonie.com
Email: [email protected]