Agenda - 05-15-1990 (2) - Laserfiche WebLink

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anticipated increase in traffic volumes. The extension of Pittsboro Street and the subsequent one -way pairing with Columbia Street would provide the best reasonable solution to the current congestion problem that will significantly worsen over time. one -way pairs are significantly better for traffic operations. They allow for increased capacity without widening the roadway or increasing the speed of traffic. A one -way street has a higher capacity than a two -way facility of the same width. A one -way pair will have as much as 50% to 80% more capacity than two two -way streets. Travel time is generally improved with one -way pairing, where a decrease of 10% to 50% is normal. Safety is also enhanced, as studies have shown that conversion of two -way streets to one- way streets reduces the total number of accidents by as much as 10% to 15%. Further, one -way streets with major intersections signalized provide sizeable gaps in the traffic stream for safer crossing by pedestrians and vehicles at other cross streets and driveways. This is particularly important in the University area, where there is heavy pedestrian traffic crossing both Pittsboro Street and Columbia Street at numerous locations daily. The one -way pairing would also improve the efficiency of signalization at the Columbia /Franklin intersection. Signalization at this location currently must accommodate all automobile turning movements with protected phases and also allow for heavy pedestrian movements. The elimination of one -way direction of traffic would benefit both pedestrian and vehicle movement. Coordinating the timing of the traffic signals along a one -way street allows continuous progression of traffic. This provides an effective method for controlling speeds. Signs posted along the roadway would inform drivers of the speed for which the signals are set. Finally, the increased capacity provided by one -way streets may make parking feasible on one or both sides of the roadway, at least during a portion of the day. Transit access through the heavily used Columbia Street corridor would be enhanced through the continued use of the western most travel lane for the southbound transit vehicles. This ,contra -floW' lane, between Rosemary and Cameron, would not require new construction and would maintain direct southbound transit service in the Columbia Street corridor. As the alternative analysis shows, there are no other options for major diversions of traffic traveling to and from the town center, the UNC campus and the North Carolina Memorial Hospital. The proposed one -way pairs will not provide a total solution to travel demands. The use of alternative forms of transportation, such as public transit, bicycles, and carpools will be encouraged. However, it is unlikely that a mode split between 2.14