Median Improvements and Beautification From Gulf State Park to the Florida Line

Orange Beach, AlabamaMarch 29, 2016

Project Sponsor:

Alabama Department of Transportation

Southwest Region

Project Design Team:

Alabama Department of Transportation:

Vince Calametti, P.E.

Gonzalez-Strength & Associates, Inc.:

James Brown, P.E.

Skipper Consulting Inc.:

Darrell Skipper, P.E.

Project Limits

Project Limits:

Alabama Highway 182

from the Orange Beach City Limits

to the Florida State Line

Project Concerns:

Safety: both traffic and pedestrian

Traffic Capacity

Traffic Speeds

Pedestrian & Bicycle Accessibility

Existing Roadway Cross Section

Project Goals:

Enhance Roadway Safety for the traveling public

Balance the needs of the pedestrian/bicyclist,

consumer/beachgoer, and the roadway user

Enhance the aesthetics along the roadway corridor

Create a gateway to the City of Orange Beach as well as to the

Alabama Gulf Coast

Alabama Highway 1822012-2014 Crash Facts:

Total Crashes:

227 Total Crashes

49 injury crashes

4 Fatalities

Pedestrian Involved Crashes:

8 Crashes

6 Injuries

2 Fatalities

At the Average Intersection:

Approximately 72% of all Crashes involve Left Turning Traffic

Of the left turn crashes: 47% are related to Left turns from the side street 39% are related to left turns from the main street

Conflict Point: A conflict point is the point at which a

roadway user crossing, merging with, or diverging from a road or driveway

conflicts with another roadway user using the same road or driveway.

Intersection Conflict Points

Median U-turn/Indirect Left Turn Concept

Reduces crashes by reducing intersection conflict points Anticipated 35% reduction in crashes

Reduces Crash Severity by reducing the number of crossing crashes.

Does not limit Property access from any direction

Alabama Highway 182at

Palm Pointe Centre

Existing Configuration:

39 Conflict Points

Future Configuration:

3 Conflict Points

92% Reduction in Conflict Points

Simplifying the driving tasks by limiting the number of conflicts results in fewer collisions, improves safety, and reduces

congestion.

• Signalized Median U-turns

• Concept has been utilized successfully in other areas of the state with roadways of various traffic volumes

• Traffic signals will be simple with 2 phases

• Pedestrian crossings will be signalized

Project U-turn Locations

Project Cross Section

Alabama Highway 182 at Alabama Highway 161

• Left turn onto SR161 from Eastbound SR182 is prohibited

• An additional westbound right turn lane added

Alabama Highway 182 at Alabama Highway 161 – East of the intersection

• Truck u-turn location

• Dual eastbound u-turn lanes

• Ability to turn left into the Boat Launch or the Cotton Bayou Beach Access

• Dual right turns westbound extend for access onto SR161

Alabama Highway 182 east of Loop Road

• Traffic Signal will be installed at all u-turn locations

• Standard u-turn location

• Trucks are prohibited

• U-turns provided for both directions

Alabama Highway 182 west of Loop Road

• Traffic Signal will be installed at all u-turn locations

• Standard u-turn location

• Trucks are prohibited

• U-turns provided for both directions

Pedestrian/Bicycle Access:

• 8 Existing Signalized Pedestrian Crossings

• 14 Future Signalized Pedestrian Crossings

• Pedestrian Locations identified by Orange Beach were utilized in determining crossing locations

• Public Beach Access Locations

• Emergency Beach Access Locations

• Areas of Pedestrian Safety

• Intersections & crosswalk locations will be lighted

Traffic Counts were utilized from:

• Memorial Day 2014 & 2015

• August 2015

• Spring Break 2016

Traffic has grown at a 1% growth rate over the most recent 10 year period

Level of Service - Traffic Capacity is expressed as a Level of Service on a Scale of “A” (highest quality service) -”F” (jammed conditions). In general a “D” or better is considered acceptable during peak traffic conditions.

Project Concept has been designed to accommodate the following scenarios: Holiday check in/check out rush Weeknight dinner rush

Traffic volumes are projected to grow at a 1.75%/year rate 35% traffic growth can be accommodated (20 years)

Traffic Capacity analysis indicates the concept would provide an acceptable Level of Service (“D” or better during peak periods)

Traffic Simulation Software was used to model what future conditions would look like with future traffic volumes and lanes in place.

The traffic model includes the following conditions:

• A typical summer evening dinner rush (Friday night)

• Future traffic volumes including 35% traffic growth over existing traffic volumes

• Proposed roadway lanes in place

All Traffic Signals will utilize mast arms in lieu of span wire for a “cleaner” appearance

Currently there is a project by others underway to place overhead power lines underground

There will be low growing plantings placed in the median.

There will be trees/other plantings to be placed along the outside of the roadway

All curbing to be used is designed to be traversed by Beach Mouse

Intersection & Roadway Lighting will utilize LED technology and will be “turtle friendly”

How will my customers reach my business?

How will this impact my business?

How will trucks get to my business?

Can a firetruck make the u-turn?

What will this do to my travel time?

How will Customers Reach My Business? Wayfinding - signals will be numbered.

Example: Pigeon Forge, Tn.

How will this impact my business? Economic studies show business owners reported an increase or no change

in their customer traffic when median u-turns were constructed.

How will trucks get into my business? Truck u-turns have been strategically located to provide truck access as

needed.

Surveys of business owners in other locations indicate the majority felt no inconvenience to truck deliveries at their business.

Can a Firetruck Make the u-turn? YES! Each u-turn location is sized so that a firetruck can make the u-turn

movement as needed.

What will this do to my travel time? Simpler traffic signals = more green

Phase 1 – Fall 2016

Remainder of the project to be constructed in multiple phases

Phase 1 Project: Consists of Area from east of Cotton Bayou Beach Access to just

west of Loop Road/Wal-Mart Construction will begin on or about October 2016. Construction is scheduled to be completed by Spring/Early

Summer 2017

The balance of the project is planned to be constructed as multiple phases completed during off-peak tourist seasons.

The City of Orange Beach is working to develop a landscaping plan.

Thank you for your interest in this project!

Median Improvements and Beautification From Gulf State Park to the Florida Line