SR 05:276 - Laserfiche WebLink

The specific plan for the new portion of Vineyard Avenue through the Vineyard Corridor Development includes a new elementary school adjacent to Vineyard Avenue with a new traffic signal just east of the school site. Vineyard Avenue is being designed as a 2-lane rural roadway with a 12-foot wide travel lane and a 6-foot bike lane in each direction. Because there are few driveways or intersections near the school, travel speeds will probably be between 45 and 50 mph. Relatively heavy commuter traffic volumes and a significant amount of school related traffic will occur near the school site during the morning commute period. There is a need for some form of traffic control at the school to facilitate the heavy left and right turn movements coming to and from Vineyard A venue during the peak student drop-off and pick -up times. As a result of the research and design work that has been performed for the Valley Avenue project, staff now recommends that a similar Traffic Roundabout design concept be incorporated into the Vineyard A venue design on either side on the school. This design will address the most common traffic concerns that arise at every school site. These roundabouts will calm traffic approaching the school, passing by the school, and leaving the school. Computer simulations of traffic flow near the school indicate that the roundabouts will result in lower traffic speeds and shorter traffic backups than would occur if a traffic signal were built at this location. The same simulations show that access to and from the school is significantly improved with the roundabout design concept. City Traffic Staff has discussed the roundabout design concept with School District staff. After reviewing the roundabout plans and comparing the computer simulations of traffic driving on Vineyard with the traffic signal and roundabout design options, the School District has agreed to use the roundabout design to calm traffic near the school site. SR:OI:171 Page 5