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<br />Traffic Impact Study 16 <br />New Brighton Exchange Update <br />the future, it is recommended that once the New Brighton Exchange is fully constructed <br />new counts be collected, and signal warrants be run for these intersections to better <br />determine when a signal would be needed base d on volumes. <br /> <br />If a signal were in place at one of these locations, it is possible that some traffic will <br />divert to that location to utilize the signal to turn onto Old Highway 8, thereby increasing <br />the side street volumes by some margin bringing them closer to meeting the four- and <br />eight-hour warrants. Making side street connections in the eastern developments to <br />allow for vehicles going to/coming from different parcels to use either 14 th Street or <br />Central Park Boulevard would encourage this type of traffic routing. <br /> <br />If a signal were to be installed, Old Highway 8/14th Street would still be the <br />recommended location. This is for several reasons; the results shown in Chart 4, the <br />signal warrant results showing it being the closest to meeting four-hour warrants, as <br />well as the ability for more areas on the east side of Old Highway 8 to access this <br />intersection if drivers desire to utilize a signal. Based on the road layout shown in Figure <br />3, this signal would be accessible to any location on the west side of Old Highway 8. A <br />signal at Old Highway 8/Northwest Parkway, the location of the second longest queue <br />lengths in Chart 4, would not be as beneficial since there is limited usability for <br />development to the east. Additionally, based on signal spacing guidelines from MnDOT, <br />which have been adopted by Ramsey County, Central Park Boulevard and 14th Street <br />have adequate spacing from the signal at 10th Street, but Northwest Parkway is just <br />below the 1/4 mile recommended spacing. <br /> <br />It should be noted that with the increase in development, there is anticipated to be an <br />increase in pedestrian activity in the study area. Adding a signal will provide pedestrian <br />crossing phases which aid in increasing pedestrian connectivity in the area. If that is a <br />priority, it could be a reason to justify a signal before fully warranted based on vehicle <br />volumes. <br />c. Old Highway 8 Corridor Analysis <br />While many factors contribute to a road feeling congested, the two biggest factors are <br />volume, how many vehicles are using the road, and capacity, how many vehicles the <br />road can accommodate a day. Transportation professionals use these pieces of <br />information to create a ratio of volume to capacity. For example, a road with a volume <br />to capacity ratio of 1.0, where the traffic demand is nearly equal to the traff ic supply, <br />will feel congested to motorists. <br /> <br />Below is a guide of the daily traffic volume capacities of different types of roads <br />published in the Draft New Brighton 2040 Comprehensive Plan Update and based on <br />Ramsey County and Anoka County daily capacities. If the Average Daily Traffic (ADT) <br />volume on a roadway is well below the daily capacity, then it is considered un- <br />congested. If the daily volume reaches 80% of the daily capacity, the road is almost <br />congested, and if the daily volume is over the daily capacity the road is congested. <br />• 2 Lane Roadway = 10,000 to 12,500 vehicles per day <br />• 3 Lane Roadway = 20,000 vehicles per day