Findings and Conclusions

Findings and Conclusions

ST. LOUIS DOWNTOWN ACCESS, CIRCULATION &

TRAFFIC STUDY

Study Area Map

Goals & Objectives

Identify measures to improve motorist’s access and vehicular movement throughout the CBD, while enhancing the safety and attractiveness of Downtown to pedestrians and making street-level retail more attractive and safe for customers.

Emphasis on addressing changes proposed by the Downtown CBD Streetscape Plan and to respond to specific issues raised for this evaluation.

Study Guidelines

St. Louis Downtown CBD Streetscape Plan “Street Hierarchy” vs. Functional

Classifications Proposed Conversion of Several Streets

Downtown Development Plan

Stakeholder Survey Results and Identification of Primary Issues

Stakeholder Survey

Primary sources of frustration are signal operations, unnecessary delays and obstructions;

Strong desire for peak period parking restrictions, more aggressive enforcement and consistent street patterns;

Competing emphases between access to/from the CBD (a concern of the existing office uses) and mobility within the CBD (a concern of the up and coming residential & commercial developments);

Priorities for improving circulation and/or decreasing delay include simplified signal operations and more liberal regulations.

Vehicular Access To & From CBD Improved Traffic Operations Improved Circulation: 1-Way Vs. 2-Way Pedestrian Accommodations On-Street Parking Treatments, Loading

Zones & Cab Stand Observations Evaluation of Key Landmarks

Study Elements

Vehicular Access To/From CBD

To/FromHighway 40

(I-64)West

To/FromI-55/70/64

East(Illinois)


To/FromI-70 West


To/FromI-55 South

& I-44 West


To/From North City, Midtown / CWE and

South City


Anticipated Changes in Vehicular Access

To/From the CBD

Due to the New

Mississippi River

Bridge


Signal Coordination & Simplified Phasing: Advanced Traffic Management System (2006) Upgraded signal equipment & fiber optic

communications. Optimized signal timing for priority corridors. Fewer stops, less delay, improved traffic flow. Simpler – two phase – operations for motorists and

pedestrians. Increased flexibility in the use of the system

(special events, sporting event, different flashing modes, etc.)

Improved Traffic Operations


Improved Traffic Signal

Operations

Operational & Regulatory Enhancements: Modification of “Flashing” operations

─ Inner core signals flash ~7:00 p.m.─ Arterial signals flash ~10:00 p.m.

Allow LTOR at One-Way Streets─ Maneuver is already common-place.─ Not currently allowed in Missouri;

legislative action is required.─ Would require aggressive public

education.


Operational & Regulatory Enhancements: Standardization of RTOR

─ Perceived lack of consistency in application & enforcement.

─ Contributes to delay and disrupts circulation.─ Some RTOR restrictions will be warranted.─ Restrictions could increase pedestrian

conflicts.─ Promote countermeasures to reduce

pedestrian conflicts (small radii, curb bulbs, signage).


Modification of Traffic Control: Spruce & 11th – Potential signalization and

lane modifications. Walnut & 11th – Potential signalization. Walnut & 9th – Potential signalization. Walnut & Tucker – Potential signalization. 4th & Locust – Pedestrian signal

enhancements. Broadway & Locust – Pedestrian signal

enhancements and turning restrictions.


Miscellaneous “Spot” Improvements: Pavement markings to reinforce lane

utilization and provide improved guidance.

Addition or clarification of dual left-turn lanes and dual right-turn lanes at selected locations.

Modifications of Memorial Drive at Pine, Chestnut, Market and Walnut to reduce conflicts, improve compliance, improve efficiency and reduce confusion.



Recommended

Modifications Along

Memorial Drive

Proposed Streetscape Modifications

Tucker Boulevard Reconfiguration: Eliminates “extra” lanes (two southbound, one

northbound). Provides obvious streetscape and “calming”

benefits. Will require extensive signal, striping and signage

modifications and restrictions of peak period parking.

Could facilitate two-stage pedestrian crossings (with refuge) and improved signal timing along Tucker.

Reconfiguration can be accommodated.


Tucker Boulevard Streetscape Treatment

Vision for CBD:

Two-way streets to address concerns

about access, mobility and vitality.

Improved access, circulation and

convenience for street-level retail.


Existing Street

Patterns


Recommended Street

Conversions:Downtown

Streetscape Plan

Circulation: 1-Way vs. 2-Way

Existing Circulatory Patterns: Odd number of north-south streets creates

an imbalance. Street grid is interrupted in several locations. Temporary closures exacerbate conditions. Consecutive southbound streets (Broadway

& 6th) results in poor circulation. Lack of complement to eastbound Walnut. Some landmarks are located on blocks with

non-complimentary orientations (Laclede Gas Bldg).


One-way flow improves capacity, reduces delay and allows more efficient signal operations.

One-way flow affects retail operations, creates more adverse travel, increases turning movements and can be confusing to visitors.

Two-way flow provides improved mobility and access, reduces confusion and provides calming benefits.


Conversion of existing one-way streets

will… Increase visibility & convenience for street-

level retail and reduce confusion for visitors. Will adversely affect signal operations,

reduce capacity and cause more congestion. May cause loading, parking maneuvers and

turning movements to disrupt flow and may adversely affect access to some parking facilities.


Evaluation of Streetscape Plan:Conversion of 8th Street “Natural” two-way spine for Downtown. Enhanced circulation in vicinity of Laclede Gas,

U.S. Bank Plaza and improved access to new Highway 40 ramps at Gratiot.

Consistent with Ballpark Village modifications. Cross-section will pose capacity constraints. Potentially significant transit impacts.

APPROPRIATE


Evaluation of Streetscape Plan:Conversion of 9th and 10th Street Enhanced circulation in vicinity of Old Post Office

and Renaissance/Mayfair. Conflicts with access at Highway 40 and disrupts

access to I-70. Conflicts with SBC garage ramps. Adverse impact on Metro Bus operations Requires 8 signal modifications.

INAPPROPRIATE


Evaluation of Streetscape Plan:Conversion of 11th Street Enhanced access to loft district and retail. Relatively lightly traveled. Safety/alignment concerns at Spruce/Highway 40

off-ramp and offset intersection with Market Requires up to 8 signal modifications. Can be accommodated north of Market.

APPROPRIATE (with limitations)


Evaluation of Streetscape Plan:Conversion of Walnut Street Enhanced access to Ballpark Village and Pavilion. Relatively lightly traveled. Limitations at Memorial. Requires up to three new signal installations and

modifications of four others. Requires enforcement of double parking and

elimination of some parking near Tucker.

APPROPRIATE


Evaluation of Streetscape Plan:Conversion of Locust Street Enhanced access to Old Post Office and retail. Relatively lightly traveled. Potentially significant impact on Metro Bus operations. Limitations at Broadway and Tucker and it isolates

Olive as a one-way street. Narrow width near 6th and 7th would require elimination

of parking/stopping and potentially some widening.

INAPPROPRIATE (but viable)


Consideration of Additional Alternatives:Evaluation of Pine Street as Two-Way Westbound leg of “couple” with Chestnut. Important freeway access route. Concentration of parking facilities results in

heavy commuter flows. Intersections with Memorial, 4th & Broadway

aren’t conducive to two-way, and blockages at garages and loading docks would be too disruptive.

INAPPROPRIATE


Consideration of Additional Alternatives:Conversion of Olive Street Enhanced access to Old Post Office. Complements potential conversion of Locust. Closure of Locust at Broadway creates increased

demand for a westbound street. Potentially significant impact on Metro Bus

operations. Significant constraints (lane restrictions) from 9th

through 6th would require elimination of parking/stopping/loading and potentially widening.



Consideration of Additional Alternatives:Conversion of 6th / 7th Street Enhances access to Metropolitan Sq., Laclede Gas and

U.S. Bank (corrects existing problem with consecutive SB streets) and improves circulation west of Broadway.

Relatively lightly traveled corridors. Potentially significant impact on Metro Bus operations. Significant constraints (lane restrictions) from

Washington through Pine would require elimination of parking/stopping and potentially some widening.




Alternative Circulatory

Plan

Pedestrian Accommodations

Evaluate maintenance needs of existing pedestrian equipment.

Standardize & update pedestrian signal heads with pedestrian friendly equipment.

Provide pedestrian signals at all signalized intersections.

Simplify pedestrian operations at signalized intersections.

Provide supplemental signage to reinforce the requirement for motorists to yield to pedestrians.


Provide ADA compliant accessibility ramps at each intersection.

Install audible pedestrian heads for the visually impaired where specific needs have been identified.


Treatment of Pedestrian Barriers: Narrowing of crossings of Tucker Boulevard

and provision of a pedestrian refuge. Enhancing the signalized crossings of Market

Street. Elimination of pedestrian/vehicle conflicts at

Memorial Drive. Elimination of pedestrian/vehicle conflicts on

Broadway at I-64 westbound.

Treatment of On-Street Parking & Loading Zones

Establish more consistent regulations.

Provide more aggressive & consistent enforcement of regulations.

Consider additional angled parking on 11th Street.

Provide short-term parking in the vicinity of street-level retail or convenience oriented uses.

Remove peak period parking restrictions on Market Street.


Additional on-street parking

recommended at specific locations.

Discourage parking on Washington

Avenue during peak traffic periods.

Consider alternative methods of parking

control (e.g., Pay & Display systems).


Provide more aggressive enforcement of loading zones regulations.

Restrict parking and provide commercial loading zones adjacent to Metropolitan Square.

Prohibit on-street loading during peak periods along 8th Street.

Enhance Poplar Street to accommodate potential closure of Spruce Street east of Broadway.

Establish cab stands at designated locations.

Findings and Conclusions

Documents

Transcript of Findings and Conclusions