Road Safety Audits (RSA)

APPENDIX A
RSA CASE STUDIES

RSA NUMBER 1

ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION:
RSA OF IMPROVEMENTS TO CLEAR LAKE AVENUE AND DIRKSEN PARKWAY

Project: improvements to roadways and intersections in a commercial area adjacent to an interchange
Planned Improvements:	access consolidation and construction of two new service roads dual left turn lanes at existing intersection realignment of local road new signalized intersection
Project Environment:	urban	x suburban	rural
Project Design Stage:	conceptual (0 to 30%)	x preliminary (40 to 80%)	advanced (over 80%)
Project Cost:	< $100,000	$100,000 - $1,000,000	x >$1,000,000
Project Owner:	Illinois Department of Transportation
Road Safety Audit
Date of RSA:	8-10 February 2005
RSA Stage(s):	x design stage	x RSA of existing roads
RSA team:	staff from Federal Highway Administration Resource Center, Federal Highway Administration Illinois Field Office, Illinois DOT, and Opus Hamilton

PROJECT BACKGROUND:

Clear Lake Avenue connects the I-72/I-55 interchange east of Springfield, Illinois, with downtown Springfield. Dirksen Parkway intersects Clear Lake Avenue just west of the interchange. Views of Clear Lake Avenue and Dirksen Parkway are shown in FIGURE A.1. In addition to functioning as major arterials, both roadways provide access to adjacent commercial properties.

The intersection of Clear Lake Avenue and Dirksen Parkway was designated a high accident location for six consecutive years (1998 through 2003), and the intersection of Hill Street and Clear Lake Avenue was designated a high accident location in 2003. In response, the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) developed plans to upgrade Clear Lake Avenue between Dirksen Parkway and the I-72/I-55 interchange. The scope of the planned improvements, shown in FIGURE A.2, included:

access consolidation and construction of two new service roads intersecting Clear Lake Avenue at a new signalized intersection east of Dirksen Parkway;
realignment of Hill Street (a local road) to intersect Clear Lake Avenue at new signalized intersection;
dual left turn lanes on all legs of the intersection of Clear Lake Avenue and Dirksen Parkway, and dual right turn lanes on the southeast corner of the intersection.


Clear Lake Avenue (looking west toward intersection with Dirksen Parkway)	Dirksen Parkway (looking south toward intersection with Clear Lake Avenue)

FIGURE A.1 VIEWS OF RSA SITE (ILLINOIS DOT RSA)

The image shows the design drawing for the audited project.

FIGURE A.2 RSA PROJECT (ILLINOIS DOT RSA)

KEY RSA FINDINGS AND SUGGESTIONS:

The key findings and suggestions of the RSA are summarized in TABLE A.1.

TABLE A. SUMMARY OF SELECTED SAFETY ISSUES AND SUGGESTIONS
ILLINOIS DOT RSA
SELECTED SAFETY ISSUE (Number and Description)		RISK RATING	SUGGESTIONS
1	The new signalized Hill Street intersection will be about 650 feet from the signalized intersection of Dirksen Parkway and Clear Lake Avenue.	C	coordination of adjacent signals “Do Not Block Intersection” signs signing and signal displays to enhance intersection conspicuousness
2	The realigned Hill Street can be expected to accommodate commercial driveways, which may be located on back-to-back horizontal curves.	C	raised medians to prohibit left turns inclusion of service roads along Hill Street measures to regulate driveway design and location
3	Queued, turning, and parking vehicles around the closely-spaced intersections at Clear Lake Ave. and the south service road may interfere with each other.	D	restricted turning movements relocation of service road intersection relocation of specified parking stalls in parking lot confirmation of pavement strength
4	Drivers exiting the interchange onto Clear Lake Avenue encounter a new urban driving environment with slower speeds and greater potential for conflicts with stopping and turning vehicles.	--	“Gateway” treatment: curb and gutter drainage landscaping treatments more conspicuous signing visitor pull-out (if space permits)
5	Opportunities for interim improvements	--	clearer signing for eastbound traffic improved signing at raised medians accommodation of high demand at Hill Street intersection review of permitted left turns improved pedestrian facilities interim access management improved signal visibility (eastbound)

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Program Contact

Becky Crowe
Program Manager
rebecca.crowe@dot.gov
804-775-3381

Training
Heather Rigdon
RSA Program Support
Heather.Rigdon.ctr@dot.gov
703-676-6828

Technical Assistance
K. Craig Allred
Transportation Specialist
craig.allred@dot.gov
720-963-3236

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