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Home My WebLink AboutPACKET Town Board Study Session 2019-01-08 Tuesday, January 8, 2019 TOWN BOARD 5:30 p.m. – 6:45 p.m. STUDY SESSION Board Room 5:15 p.m. - Dinner 5:30 p.m. Benefits of Roundabouts. (Mark Johnson, PE & Design Consultant) 6:35 p.m. Trustee & Administrator Comments & Questions. 6:40 p.m. Future Study Session Agenda Items. (Board Discussion) 6:45 p.m. Adjourn for Town Board Meeting. Informal discussion among Trustees concerning agenda items or other Town matters may occur before this meeting at approximately 5:00 p.m. AGENDA 1 2 PUBLIC WORKS Report To: Honorable Mayor Jirsa Board of Trustees Through: Town Administrator Lancaster From: Greg Muhonen, PE, Public Works Director Date: January 8, 2019 RE: Benefits of Roundabouts Objective: Provide the Town Board with an overview of the history, benefits, and challenges associated with using roundabouts for roadway intersection traffic control. Present Situation:  20 fatalities occur daily because of intersection car crashes in the United States, most commonly at stop-controlled and signalized intersections.  Traffic speeds and congestion are commonly seasonally high at major roadway intersections in Estes Park. Improved intersection control is needed in many locations.  The Town of Estes Park has no employees trained or equipped to maintain traffic signals. Proposal: There are three roundabouts under design for installation in Estes Park. CDOT plans to build a roundabout in 2020 at the Wonderview/MacGregor intersection. The Town plans to build a roundabout in 2020 at the US36/Community Drive intersection. Central Federal Lands Highway Division proposes to build a roundabout at the Moraine/Crags intersection in 2022. Advantages:  Roundabout control has been documented to provide: o 90% reduction in fatalities o 76% reduction in injuries from intersection crashes, o 35% reduction in intersection crashes.  While initial construction typically exceeds the cost of stop signs and traffic signals, the life-cycle costs are typically 60% less than a traffic signal. 3  Pedestrian crossings of the approaching roadways are shorter and safer than crossing at signalized intersection.  Reduced idling, hard stops, and start-up acceleration at roundabouts reduces air and noise pollution emission from cars and is kinder to the environment.  Agency experience with roundabouts documents many users who are initially skeptical of roundabouts become avid supporters after observing and experiencing roundabout operation.  Driver decision-making at a roundabouts is simplified where only one, instead of several, other-driver movements must be processed when entering an intersection. Simply—“Do I have a clear gap on my left to enter the roundabout?” Disadvantages: Unfamiliar drivers may experience apprehension when entering a roundabout for the first time. This is beneficial, as the driver is typically fully engaged in driving and not sharing their attention with the cell phone or other distractions. Action Recommended: n/a Finance/Resource Impact: The local match funds for the Moraine roundabout have been provided by CDOT. CDOT has also budgeted for the full construction cost of the Wonderview roundabout. The Town has budgeted $690k of local funds and $720k of CMAQ grant funds for the design and construction of the Community Drive roundabout. Level of Public Interest The known level of public interest in this item is moderate. Attachments: None Click on this link to a preliminary copy of consultant presentation slides 4 January 22, 2019  Social Media Archiving & as a Public Record Under State Statute  Discussion of Legal Services  Building Department Operations February 12, 2019  Presentation and Discussion of a Complete Streets Policy   Stanley Park Master Plan  2019 Street Improvement Plan February 26, 2019  EPIC Update  Stormwater Management Program & Utility  E-Bike Policy March 12, 2019  Update on Film Center Plans  Downtown Estes Loop Quarterly Update March 26, 2019  Removing 500 Foot Limit for Liquor Licenses  “Open Space” Designations on previous zoning maps  Introduction to Water Rates Study Process June 11, 2019  Downtown Estes Loop Quarterly Update September 10, 2019  Downtown Estes Loop Quarterly Update Items Approved – Unscheduled:  Estes Park Housing Authority Project on Highway 7 – Part II  Discussion with Town Prosecutor  Review of County Wasteshed Master Plan Items for Town Board Consideration: None Future Town Board Study Session Agenda Items January 8, 2019 5 6