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Home My WebLink About1.15 Level Two Traffic Assessment 08.24.2017August 24, 2017 Red Barn Guest Ranch C/O Mr. Larry Halonen 26432 El Mar Drive Mission Viejo, CA 92691 MOUNTAIN CROSS r ENGINEERING, INC. Civil and Environmental Consulting and Design RE: Level Two Traffic Assessment — Red Barn Guest Ranch, 345 Mid Valley Lane Dear Larry: The purpose of this Level Two Traffic Assessment is to document the projected trip generation from the Red Barn Guest Ranch and to determine if auxiliary tum lanes are warranted at the proposed intersection of Mid Valley Lane and Highway 6. A Level Two Assessment was requested by CDOT through the review and comment process for Garfield County permitting. This letter of report will provide a project description, trip generation calculations, assessment of existing accesses in the area, background traffic, projected traffic distribution, and recommendations. The abbreviation for vehicles per hour (vph) is used throughout this letter. I. PROJECT DESCRIPTION The project proposes to construct a reception center for events serving up to 300 people. The project is located in Peach Valley, to the east of Silt and to the west of New Castle, at 345 Mid Valley Lane. A majority of the receptions are expected to take place on Saturday afternoons or evenings, between 4:30 and 10:00 pm. The percentage was estimated at 75% of the events would be scheduled for Saturdays. Approximately 15% of the events are anticipated to occur on Sundays from 3:00 to 9:00 pm. The remaining 10% would take place on Friday evenings from 5:00 to 10:00 pm. The project proposes an event and reception center at a working ranch. The project is bordered on the north by Peach Valley Road (CR 214) and on the south by private property. The Mid Valley Lane intersection with Highway 6 is at approximate mile marker 102.27 which is 1,750 feet to the south of the driveway of the Red Barn Guest Ranch. The traffic impacts are anticipated to be felt at this intersection. The posted speed limit is 55 mph on Highway 6 which is classified by CDOT as a Category R -A, Regional Highway. A Google Earth image is shown in Figure 1. 826'/2 Grand Avenue, Glenwood Springs, CO 81601 P: 970.945.5544 F: 970.945.5558 www.mountaincross-eng.com Red Barn Guest Ranch August, 2017 Page 2 of 12 1 .nEe6/4,7/2016 39933'10.26" rl L07°35'52.02" lV ela 5537 tl eV! .7It SSU t ' Figure 1 Mountain Cross Engineering, Inc. Civil and Environmental Consulting and Design 8261/2 Grand Avenue, Glenwood Springs, CO 81601 P: 970.945.5544 F: 970.945.5558 www.mountaincross-eng.com Red Barn Guest Ranch August, 2017 Page 3 of 12 Figure 2 - Eastbound Highway 6 Figure 3 - Westbound Highway 6 Mountain Cross Engineering, Inc. Civil and Environmental Consulting and Design 826'/2 Grand Avenue, Glenwood Springs, CO 81601 P: 970.945.5544 F: 970.945.5558 www.mountaincross-eng.com Red Barn Guest Ranch August, 2017 Page 4 of 12 Figure 4 - Southbound Mid Valley Lane Figure 5 - Northbound Mid Valley Lane Mountain Cross Engineering, Inc. Civil and Environmental Consulting and Design 826'/2 Grand Avenue, Glenwood Springs, CO 81601 P: 970.945.5544 F: 970.945.5558 www.mountaincross-eng.com Red Barn Guest Ranch August, 2017 Page 5 of 12 II. TRIP GENERATION Traffic trips were calculated based upon the Trip Generation Manual, Ninth Edition, by the Institute of Transportation Engineers, 2012. The maximum permitted event capacity is 300 people however the average event is much smaller ranging in size between 85 and 125 people. Trips are estimated based on a larger event of 150 people. No trip study exists for a "reception center". Instead a reception seems to have a similar event and use type as a church would. The Church (560) study "On a: Sunday, Peak Hour of Generator" was used for estimating trips from the reception center: Average Vehicle Trip Ends vs. Seats (50% entering, 50% exiting) Average Rate of 0.61 trips/unit = 0.61 * ( 150 ) _> 92 Trips III. EXISTING DRIVEWAYS There is only one access within 1,000 feet. It is a private driveway that is 650 feet to the east, pictured below: Figure 6 - Driveway Mountain Cross Engineering, Inc. Civil and Environmental Consulting and Design 826 Y2 Grand Avenue, Glenwood Springs, CO 81601 P: 970.945.5544 F: 970.945.5558 www.mountaincross-eng.com Red Barn Guest Ranch August, 2017 Page 6 of 12 The overpass bridge to the east, across I-70 to the River Frontage Road is just outside of the 1,000' radius and would not contribute significantly so it will remain unevaluated. IV. BACKGROUND TRAFFIC & GROWTH CALCULATION Traffic data was researched for the intersection of Mid Valley Lane and Highway 6. The last time that traffic counts were performed by Garfield County on Mid Valley Lane was in 2002. OTIS has counts for Highway 6 east of Peach Valley Road at station ID 100296. These traffic station counts are made on weekdays where traffic counts are higher than what traffic is anticipated to be during receptions and events at the Red Barn Guest Ranch because receptions are expected to be during weekend afternoons and evenings. New traffic counts were performed to determine background traffic during weekend afternoon and evenings. Traffic was counted over the weekend of August 1ltl' to August 13th on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday evenings between 4:00 pm and 10:00 pm. Counts are attached in the Appendix. Existing traffic counts at the intersection for the arrival time of a typical reception event would be on a Saturday during the 4:00 pm to 5:00 pm hour and are shown below: 719- yph !I epi 71 vph Highway 6 6'2 vph Existing Traffic Saturday: 4:00 yam to 5700 pm Figure 7 Mountain Cross Engineering, Inc. Civil and Environmental Consulting and Design 826'/2 Grand Avenue, Glenwood Springs, CO 81601 P: 970.945.5544 F: 970.945.5558 www.mountaincross-eng.com 69 vph Red Barn Guest Ranch August, 2017 Page 7 of 12 Existing traffic counts at the intersection for the departure time of a typical reception event would be on a Saturday during the 8:00 pm to 9:00 pm hour and are shown below: B vph 1 vph 49 vph 5 49 wh 1 vph Existing Traffic Saturday: 8:00 pm to 9:00 pm Figure 8 Highway 6 49 vph Per OTIS Station #100296, the 20 -Year growth factor reported is 1.42. This growth factor was multiplied to the above traffic counts to estimate the future background traffic and is shown below: Mountain Cross Engineering, Inc. Civil and Environmental Consulting and Design 826'/2 Grand Avenue, Glenwood Springs, CO 81601 P: 970.945.5544 F: 970.945.5558 www.mountaincross-eng.com 110 vph 11 tiph 14 vph 3 vph I 2 vph Red Barn Guest Ranch August, 2017 Page 8 of 12 3 vph 101 vph Highway 6 20 -year Background Traffic Saturday: 4:00 pm to 5:00 pm Figure 9 Mountain Cross Engineering, Inc. Civil and Environmental Consulting and Design 826 1/2 Grand Avenue, Glenwood Springs, CO 81601 P: 970.945.5544 F: 970.945.5558 www.mountaincross-eng.com 98 vph 70 vpli 7 aph as c as J A as t. 3 vph 2 9 vph 2 vph 70 T h � 2 Yph 64 vph Red Barn Guest Ranch August, 2017 Page 9 of 12 Highway 6 20 -year Background Traffic Saturday: 8:00 pm to 9:00 pm Figure 10 V. PROJECTED TRAFFIC DIRECTIONAL DISTRIBUTION 70 wh The evaluation of existing traffic shows a directional distribution of 80% to the west toward Silt and 20% to the east towards New Castle. This split was assumed for project traffic. It was also assumed that 100% of the traffic from the Red Barn Guest Ranch would use Highway 6 to the south instead of Peach Valley Road to the north. Assumptions are as discussed with the CDOT Region 3, Access Engineer. The number of trips calculated from the ITE, Trip Generation Manual was 92 trips with the entering and existing percentages as 50% and 50%, or 46 and 46 respectively. Entering Red Barn Guest Ranch on Saturday between 4:00 pm and 5:00 pm: 80% Right Turn onto Mid Valley Lane from westbound Highway 6: 9 vph 20% Left Turn onto Mid Valley Lane from eastbound Highway 6: 37 vph Mountain Cross Engineering, Inc. Civil and Environmental Consulting and Design 826'/2 Grand Avenue, Glenwood Springs, CO 81601 P: 970.945.5544 F: 970.945.5558 www.mountaincross-eng.com Red Barn Guest Ranch August, 2017 Page 10 of 12 Leaving Red Barn Guest Ranch on Saturday between 8:00 pm and 9:00 pm: 80% Right Tum from Mid Valley Lane to westbound Highway 6: 37 vph 20% Left Turn from Mid Valley Lane to eastbound Highway 6: 9 vph These trips were added to the 20 -year background traffic discussed above: 11u vr.11 11 vph 14 vph c 3 4D Sf vph 2 40 vph 110 vph Highway 6 1]5 vpli 98 vph Project Traffic Saturday: 4:00 pm to 5:00 pm Figure 11 Mountain Cross Engineering, Inc. Civil and Environmental Consulting and Design 8261/2 Grand Avenue, Glenwood Springs, CO 81601 P: 970.945.5544 F: 970.945.5558 www.mountaincross-eng.com 107 vph 44 vph __um 70 vph 0 c a m 3 kph 11 2 • vph 'p I vile Red Barn Guest Ranch August, 2017 Page 11 of 12 )\' - jIl +Ph Highway 6 X81 .ph Project Traffic Saturday: 8:00 pm to 9:00 pm Figure 12 VI. RECOMMENDATIONS Auxiliary Turn Lanes The CDOT, State Highway Access Code (SHAC) provides auxiliary lane requirements for regional highways like Highway 6 and the intersection with Mid Valley Lane. Per Section 3.5(5): • Right turn deceleration lanes may be dropped if the opposing traffic is predicted to be below 150 vph. • Left turn deceleration lanes may be dropped if the opposing traffic is predicted to be below 100 vph. • Right turn acceleration lanes may be dropped if the adjacent travel lane is predicted to be below 120 vph. • Left turn acceleration lanes may be dropped if the volume in the inside lane in the direction of travel is predicted to be below 120 vph. Mountain Cross Engineering, Inc. Civil and Environmental Consulting and Design 8261/2 Grand Avenue, Glenwood Springs, CO 81601 P: 970.945.5544 F: 970.945.5558 www.mountaincross-eng.com Red Barn Guest Ranch August, 2017 Page 12 of 12 Based on the above thresholds for waivers, the following auxiliary turn lanes are not required based on projected traffic: • Westbound Right -turn Deceleration lane: 150 vph > 110 vph • Westbound Right -turn Acceleration lane: 120 vph > 110 vph • Eastbound Left -turn Acceleration lane: 120 vph > 98 vph One of the auxiliary lanes is very nearly at the threshold but when subtracting for the turning movements could also be waived: • Eastbound Left -turn Deceleration lane: 100 vph > 99 vph (110 vph — 11 vph right turns) No auxiliary lanes are proposed to be constructed since the opposing traffic volumes are below the minimum volume thresholds. Compliance with Access Code Auxiliary Ianes are not proposed since anticipated traffic does not warrant construction. Highway is nearly level and straight at this intersection. Sight distance is sufficient in all directions. However, some vegetation needs to be trimmed and/or removed in the right of way to the west of the intersection because it has begun to impede sight distance. Traffic will be increased by greater than 20% to this intersection. The Owner will need to apply for an access permit. The conclusions and opinions that are expressed above are based on the information available at the time of preparation of this report. Any additional information presented afterward may require that these opinions and the recommendations be modified. Thank you for the opportunity to provide this report. Feel free to call if you have any questions, concerns, or comments. Sincerely, Moue ai Cross Engineer hris ale, PE Attachments g. 7:;,) 0 L'- 1 b • �da 3596 r- 0pp'' mea w. L. 5 I X4~1 Mountain Cross Engineering, Inc. Civil and Environmental Consulting and Design 826 1/2 Grand Avenue, Glenwood Springs, CO 81601 P: 970.945.5544 F: 970.945.5558 www.mountaincross-eng.com Red Barn Guest Ranch Traffic Study Traffic Counts Highway 6 Friday 8-11-2017 - Matt - Counter 4:00 PM to 5:00 PM 5:00 PM to 6:00 PM 8:00 PM to 9:00 PM 9:00 PM tp 10:00 PM Total East Bound 140 164 54 30 388 West Bound 145 176 53 40 414 Total 285 340 107 70 802 Mid Valley Lane 13 8 5 4 9 Traffic Counts Highway 6 Saturday 8-12-2017 - Matt - Counter 4:00 PM to 5:00 PM 5:00 PM to 6:00 PM 8:00 PM to 9:00 PM 9:00 PM tp 10:00 PM Total East Bound 69 60 49 31 209 West Bound 71 70 49 34 224 Total 140 130 98 65 433 Mid Valley Lane 13 8 7 1 29 Traffic Counts Highway 6 Sunday 8-13-2017 - Matt - Counter 4:00 PM to 5:00 PM 5:00 PM to 6:00 PM 8:00 PM to 9:00 PM 9:00 PM tp 10:00 PM Total East Bound 69 80 47 17 213 West Bound 55 75 43 20 193 Total 124 155 90 37 406 Mid Valley Lane 5 10 8 7 30 Traffic Counts Highway 6 Friday 8-11-2017 - Matt - Counter 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM 7:00 PM To 8:00 PM Total East Bound 91 140 60 74 151 151 West Bound Tota! 231 134 214 Mid Valley Lane 17 5 365 Traffic Counts Highway 6 Saturday 8-17-2017 - Matt - Counter 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM I 7:00 PM To 8:00 PM Total East Bound 68 56 90 67 124 157 West Bound Total 158 123 281 Mid Valley Lane 10 6 16 Traffic Counts Highway 6 Sunday 8-13-2017 - Matt- Counter 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM I 7:00 PM To 8:00 PM Total East Bound 56 54 78 51 110 129 West Bound Total 134 105 239 Mid Valley Lane 10 10 20 Chris Hale From: Harbert -- CDOT, Kent <kent.harbert@state.co.us> Sent: Wednesday, August 02, 2017 11:10 AM To: Chris Hale Cc: Larry Halonen Subject: Re: Traffic Study Assumptions Chris, Thank you for checking in before proceeding with your analysis. My comments are in red below. Thanks, Xent T. Kent Harbert, PE Access Engineer CDOT Region 3, Traffic and Safety Residency 222 South 6th Street, Room 100, Grand Junction, CO 81501-3794 Phone: 970.683.6279 Cell: 970.812.6768 Kent.Harbert@State.CO.US 1 WWW.codot.gov 1 www.cotrip.org On Mon, Jul 31, 2017 at 3:14 PM, Chris Hale <chris mountaincross-eng.com> wrote: Kent: Thanks for speaking with me the other day. Here are my assumptions and requests for the Level 2 traffic study that we discussed. As you remember, the intersection is with Mid Valley Lane (Garfield CR 262) and Highway 6 between Silt and New Castle: The last time that traffic counts were performed by Garfield County on Mid Valley Lane was in 2002. These counts will be used. Current counts need to be used. We typically limit the window to two or three years. - OTIS has counts for Highway 6 east of Peach Valley Road at station ID 100296. I was going to use this for the study. Technically, this location (MM 102.27) is associated with Sta 100294 (MM 99.232 - MM 104.429). However, since Sta. 100294 is within Silt near the 1-70 spur road and Sta. 100296 is on the rural section between Silt and New Castle, I concur that Sta. 100296 can be used. 1 I would use the growth factor from OTIS to bring the 2002 counts on Mid Valley to 2017 and also for the 20 year background traffic growth. N/A - Directional traffic is 57% toward the peak which is pretty balanced so 1 was going to use a 50% to 50% split of right and left turn movements. The directional distribution for this venue will not be consistent. It will depend upon where the wedding parties are from. If most of the guest arrive from the east they will use the New Castle exit. If from the west they will use the Silt exit. Both scenarios should be analized. There is only one driveway to the east within 1000' feet of the intersection with Mid Valley Lane. The overpass bridge across I70 to the River Frontage Road is just outside of the 1000' radius and would not contribute significantly so it will remain unevaluated. I concur. A statement to that effect in your report will be sufficient. - Mid Valley lane intersects to the north with Peach Valley Road. It is assumed that only those headed to New Castle would use this road so only 10% leaving the event will be assumed to use Peach Valley Road to the north. From Google Maps the travel time via Peach Valley Road is longer, assume that all the traffic will use US 6. - Since the proposed use is a reception center, a Church would seem to be a similar type of use. I would like to use the ITE study #560 for Church. 1 would also ask if 1 could use the 7th Edition since that is the volume that we have. From reading the descriptions of the latest versions, no updates have been made to the "Church" studies so this would still be current in that respect. Land use #560 appears to be appropriate. Include a justification within your report. Use the current edition of ITE. - The reception center has a capacity of 300 people. According to the Owner, an event of this size is very rare. Typical events are 100 to 150 people. I would base the traffic on a Church of 125 seats. 1 would be okay with going with 150, the upper end of the typical event. That is only half of the capacity. The reception center will have peak traffic that does not coincide with typical commuter traffic peaks. So the adjacent background traffic will be estimated as half (50%) of the design hourly volume percentage of AADT. Instead of an arbitrary reduction compare the event times with the traffic count distribution. It may behoove you to do some actual counts, especially if the events will a weekend. The traffic station counts are made on weekdays which may be higher. if the actual volumes (times the 20 -year factor) are low enough some of the auxiliary lane requirements may be waived, per SI -IAC §3.5(5). - Highway 6 behaves as a frontage road in this location so that will be the road category used for determining auxiliary lanes. This section of US 6 is classified as RA. Also include in your report any recommendations for operational or safety improvements to the intersection. Please verify if you are in agreement with the above assumptions. Thanks in advance. Sincerely, MOUNTAIN CROSS ENGINEERING, INC. 2 Chris Hale, P.E. 826 1/2 Grand Avenue Glenwood Springs, CO 81601 Ph: 970.945.5544 Fx: 970.945.5558 3