From: 	Tom Errico <thomas.errico@tylin.com>
To:	"Knowland, Rick" <RWK@portlandmaine.gov>
CC:	David Margolis-Pineo <DMP@portlandmaine.gov>, Katherine Earley <KAS@portlandmaine.gov>, Jeremiah Bartlett <JBartlett@portlandmaine.gov>, "Jeff Tarling (JST@portlandmaine.gov)" <JST@portlandmaine.gov>, Bruce Hyman <BHYMAN@portlandmaine.gov>
Date: 	Wednesday, June 18, 2014
Subject: 	IMT Expansion - Final Traffic Comments

Rick ‑ The following is a status update of my May 19, 2014 comments and is reflective of responses provided by the applicant dated June 6, 2014.

1.       The traffic signal plan includes special signal phasing for Nova Seafood.  I would suggest that a City agreement with Nova Seafood be crafted related to traffic operations and a memorandum of understanding and for traffic control.
Status: The applicant shall be required to provide a draft agreement that specifies maintenance, traffic signal, pavement marking and signage requirements for review and approval.  The City suggests that this be a three‑party agreement (City/State/Property Owner).

2.       The driveway apron material at Nova Seafood does not meet City standards and a waiver will be required.
Status: The City supports a waiver from their technical standards for driveway apron material given pedestrian and truck movement conflicts.  DPS requests that the driveway apron material be concrete with a color tint (to be determined in the future prior to construction) and be designed to accommodated heavy truck loads.

3.       Several of the driveways on Commercial Street (IMT, Nova Seafood, and Gray Bar) do not meet City width standards and thus waivers will be required.
Status: For the IMT Driveway, which is proposed to be 100 feet wide, the applicant has provided a "auto‑turn" graphic for a WB‑67 truck.  Reviewing the graphic, I believe the driveway can be narrowed, although not substantially. I would also like to understand more about the truck characteristics before rendering a final decision on the driveway width. Additionally, understanding right and left‑turning movements for these large trucks will be helpful.  If most are turning left and destined to the Fore River Parkway and the Veterans Bridge, there may be an opportunity to narrow the driveway on the easterly edge, which may also have a positive impact on the design of the crosswalk.

I have reviewed the "auto‑turn" graphics for the Nova Seafood site and I support a waiver for driveway width given site operations and that it is an existing business with unique truck access/egress requirements.

The applicant has provided a "auto‑turn" analysis for one of the Graybar Driveways. The applicant shall provide a similar analysis for the second driveway and provide specific truck delivery information before approval of the widths can be provided.

4.       Several of the driveways on Commercial Street do not meet City corner clearance and separation standards.
Status: Both the Nova Seafood and Graybar driveways currently do not meet corner clearance standards and conditions will not worsen with the proposed project. Given site constraints and access and egress needs for large trucks, I support a waiver from the City's Technical standard.

5.       The City is requesting that truck parking on in‑bound Commercial Street be prohibited for to be specified distance in advance of the Beach Street intersection. The City will provide this restriction length.
Status: Trucks shall be prohibited from parking along Commercial Street from the new STOP bar at the signalized intersection to a point westerly of 200 feet.  The applicant shall provide recommendations on how this prohibition will be regulated via signs or other measures for review and approval.

6.        The applicant should investigate the provision of a bicycle lane on Beach Street departing the intersection.
Status: The applicant has noted that adequate shoulder spaces is provided on Beach Street and no action is required.  I concur with their response.

7.       I am concerned about traffic operations and congestion during peak time periods, particularly when the special Nova Seafood traffic signal phase is actuated.  The applicant should investigate the ability to limit the traffic signal phase during peak time periods.
Status: Specific information needs to be provided by the applicant that helps the City understanding specific constraints to implementing time‑of‑day restrictions.

8.       A sidewalk waiver has been requested and a review of the supporting information will be performed.
Status: The applicant has documented that two sidewalk waiver criteria are met for the project and are based on prior IMT and New Yard applications.  Given these prior decisions, specifically that an alternative route on the opposite side of Commercial Street will serve pedestrian activity in this area and that a signalized crossing will be provided at the IMT Site Driveway/Beach Street intersection, I support a waiver from providing a sidewalk along the property frontage.

9.       A granite curbing waiver has been requested and a review of the supporting information will be performed.
Status: DPS is reviewing this waiver request.

10.   The applicant should provide information as it relates to use of the proposed traffic signal by existing IMT traffic.   I believe there will be overall site traffic and safety benefits if all IMT traffic has the ability to use the traffic signal.
Status: I understand the security constraints, as noted by the applicant, but I would suggest that the applicant provide an overview of the entire site and whether the layout could be modified to allow for an internal driveway connecting the existing IMT facility and the new signalized entrance that avoids going through the fenced area of the chassis yard.

11.   A construction management plan has been prepared.  Additional information will be required as it relates to specific traffic, pedestrian, and bicycle impacts during construction.
Status: The applicant has noted that the contractor will be responsible for development of a construction management plan. Site plan standards require applicants to prepare a plan in conjunction with site plan approval.  The applicant is required to developed a conceptual management plan that should indicate how construction will occur on Commercial Street.  The plan should note how vehicular traffic, pedestrians and bicyclists will be maintained during construction and should note any peak time period restrictions for construction activity (The City has arterial time restrictions). It may be necessary that some construction activities occur at night to avoid impacts to traffic flow.

12.   At the planning board workshop, there was discussion about the provision of a driveway entrance west of the project site for future development access and egress.  The applicant should provide information in support of that driveway if that is to be included in the project approval.
Status: The applicant has indicated that this is not part of the project application and therefore no further action is required.

13.   The City does not support the use of pavement markings to delineated pavements areas for use by large trucks.
Status: The applicant has suggested the use of cobblestones for the truck apron areas and I find this material, in general, to be acceptable. DPS shall review the product information and design details and provide approval.

14.    The phasing for the intersection does not appear to be NEMA compliant.  Please revise with Commercial Street as the main street, assuming an east‑west phasing structure.
Status: The plans have been revised and I have no further comment.

15.     The phasing sequence should begin with Commercial Street and end with Nova Seafood (currently designated as Phase 9).
Status: The plans have been revised and I have no further comment.

16.     The peak hour cycle length seems unusually long for an intersection with this type of geometry, going as long as 150 seconds during the PM peak hour.  Discussion should be provided as to why shorter cycle lengths cannot be achieved.
Status: The applicant has indicated that this cycle length is necessary for providing optimal level of service conditions. The long cycle length is related to the long Nova Seafood signal phase.  Given this requirement, I find their response to be acceptable.  I would note that the City can monitor traffic conditions and incorporate signal timing adjustments in the future.

17.     The pedestrian timing does not appear to provide sufficient crossing time, particularly for Commercial Street.  Please confirm use of a standard 3.5 feet per second pedestrian crossing time from curb to curb.
Status: The plans have been revised and I have no further comment.

18.     Given the sight distance issues for this intersection, the all‑red clearance times should likely be extended.
Status: The plans have been revised and I have no further comment.

19.     The City's technical standards are in the process to migrating to infra‑red video detection as a requirement.  The City now requires that either the cameras used with the VIP processors be the FLIR FC series or that the solution be based on the FLIR TrafiSense cameras.
Status: The plans have been revised and I have no further comment.

20.     Please specify four‑inch conduit to provide additional future wiring capabilities.
Status: The plans have been revised and I have no further comment.

21.     Please provide one‑piece pedestrian poles.
Status: The plans have been revised and I have no further comment.

22.     All pole bases, pull boxes and controller conduits should be sealed to prevent access by rodents and other small animals.
Status: The plans have been revised and I have no further comment.

23.     Please confirm the method of advance notification when the Commercial Street westbound approach is red to account for minimal sight distances passing by Nova Seafood.
Status: The applicant has added a supplemental signal head and I have no further comment.

24.   It is my understanding that the Nova Seafood driveways will be restricted such that the easterly driveway will be an entrance only and the westerly driveway a exit only driveway. The plans do not reflect this.
Status: The applicant should include signs and pavement markings that support the one‑way access/egress conditions for review and approval.

25.   There are areas of roadway pavement that appear to be located outside the public right‑of‑way. An agreement on maintenance may be required.
Status: The applicant shall provide a draft maintenance agreement for review and comment.

26.   The applicant should note the material for the Nova Seafood island.
Status: The applicant has provided the detail and I find the material to be acceptable.

27.   The applicant should provide details for the area between the sidewalk and the Nova Seafood island.
Status: The applicant has indicated that this area will have cobblestone material. I find this material to be acceptable. I have no further comment.

28.   The left‑turn bay shadowed island is depicted as paint.  The applicant should investigate other material treatment for longevity purposes.
Status: The City supports the use of paint in this area. I have no further comment.

29.   During Casco Bay Bridge openings, traffic may be backed up into the new traffic signalized intersection.  The applicant should note whether there are any provisions for this scenario from a traffic signal perspective.
Status: No special provisions have been identified and therefore I have no further comment.

30.   The bicycle lane on the outbound side of Commercial Street continues to the limit of work, while the in‑bound bicycle lane begins at the point where the left‑turn lane is starting.  The applicant should note why the in‑bound bicycle lane can't start at  the project limits.
Status: Within the project limits along Commercial Street, a formal bicycle lane should be continuously marked and signed as appropriate. The plans should be revised to reflect this.

31.   The direction sign that note Casco Bay Bridge 500 Feet is being removed.  This removal should be confirmed by City staff.
Status: A condition of approval shall be included that notes signage for the project is subject to change with final recommendations from the City to be provided prior to construction.

32.   The plans illustrate that the sidewalk at the corner of the Nova Seafood building will not need to be reconstructed.  Given that the curb is being relocated, the sidewalk will need to be upgraded.
Status: The applicant has agreed to make this change and revised plans will be reviewed for approval.

33.   The length of curbing at the Nova Seafood driveway is being eliminated. Justification on this change shall be provided.
Status: I have reviewed the "auto‑turn" graphics and given Nova Seafood's site needs, I have no further comment.

34.   A fire hydrant is located in the middle of the sidewalk east of the easternmost Nova Seafood driveway.  It would be beneficial if this hydrant could be relocated.
Status: No further action is requested of the applicant on this issue.

35.   The plan replaces an existing Casco Bay Bridge 500 Feet sign with a sign that notes Casco Bay Bridge (right) and Fore River Parkway (through).  City staff should determine if this replacement is acceptable.
Status: A condition of approval shall be included that notes signage for the project is subject to change with final recommendations from the City to be provided prior to construction.

36.   It was my understanding that the bicycle lanes were going to have dashed line treatment through the intersection.  The plans do not depict this.
Status: Enhanced pavements markings shall be provided in the subject area and final approval of the details  shall be provided prior to construction..

37.   The applicant should confirm that adequate illumination will be provided at the two crosswalk locations.
Status: The applicant has noted that the traffic signal mast arm support will include light fixtures and provide adequate illumination.  I have no further comment.

Additional Comment

*         DPS requests that the shared use path along Commercial Street within the project limits consist of brick material meeting city standards and the width be reduced to 8‑feet. A revised plan that meets this directive shall be reviewed and approved by DPS.

If you have any questions, please contact me.

Best regards,

Thomas A. Errico, PE
Senior Associate
Traffic Engineering Director
[T.Y. Lin International]T.Y. Lin International
12 Northbrook Drive
Falmouth, ME 04105
207.781.4721 (main)
207.347.4354 (direct)
207.400.0719 (mobile)
207.781.4753 (fax)
thomas.errico@tylin.com<mailto:thomas.errico@tylin.com>
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