Zot & Go Transit Co. conducted a traffic impact and intersection improvement project. This study is conducted at two intersections near UC Irvine, namely California Ave & Innovation Dr and California Ave & Academy Way. These intersections are chosen as they have a big impact as gateway access points for a proposed 2,500+ unit housing development near the UCI Research Park. This will create additional future traffic from a nearby cumulative research building project. The problem discussed in this project is that future growth is expected to increase all kind of traffics, including vehicle, pedestrian, and bicycle demand along California Ave. This will worsen congestion, delays, and intersection operations. The project is important because both intersections failed to achieve the minimum acceptable Level of Service D during future opening-year conditions. This will cause drivers, pedestrians, cyclists, UCI users, and nearby residents, to experience greater delay and reduced transportation efficiency.
Zot N Go Transit Co.
Summary
Technical Approach/Methodology
The problem is tackled by conducting a traffic impact study, forecasting future traffic volumes. The intersection performance is also being evaluated and recommended operational improvements were given. Existing traffic data was collected using StreetLight data, while future trip generation was estimated using the ITE Trip Generation Manual, 12th Edition. A 2% ambient growth rate for opening-year conditions was used and analyzed multiple traffic scenarios, including existing conditions, existing plus project, opening year without project, and opening year with project. Later, the intersection performance was evaluated using Highway Capacity Manual (HCM) 7th Edition methods through Synchro software. The result of this will be in the form of Level of Service (LOS). For California Ave & Innovation Dr, the team also performed a CA MUTCD traffic signal warrant analysis to determine whether a new traffic signal was needed. These methods will help to identify where congestion would occur and what improvements could help reduce the congestion occured and bring the intersection back to acceptable operating conditions.
Outcomes
A complete traffic study and preliminary design for intersection improvements has been done. These included existing and future traffic volume exhibits, LOS analysis results, traffic signal warrant analysis. An improvement alternatives, proposed traffic signal design for California Ave & Innovation Dr, signing and striping plans, recommended signal timing were also suggested for California Ave & Academy Wy. One of the conclusion is that California Ave & Innovation Dr should be improved with a new traffic signal, which would decrease congestion and improve the opening-year LOS from F to C, while California Ave & Academy Wy should receive a westbound right-turn overlap and southbound U-turn restriction that improves the LOS from E to D. The total estimated cost for all improvement is approximately $485,125, with the project schedule estimated at about 49 weeks.