Memo/Traffic Analysis of Hennipen co. Temp storage proposalBENSHOOF & ASSOCIATES, INC.
TRANSPORTATION AND LAND USE CONSULTANTS
7901 FLYING CLOUD DRIVE, SUITE 119 / EDEN PRAIRIE, MINNESOTA 55344 / (612) 944 -7590 / FAX (612) 944 -9322
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July 28, 1989
M E M O R A N D U M
TO: Mr. Steve Mielke, City of Hopkins
FROM: Mitch Wonson`
RE: Traffic Analysis of Hennepin County Temporary Ash
Storage Proposal
REFER TO FILE: 89_34 -46
PURPOSE AND BACKGROUND
The purpose of this memorandum is to present the findings of our
review of the traffic implications of the Hennepin County ash
storage proposal. The proposal is to store ash from the Hennepin
County incinerator at the public works site for a temporary
period of approximately four months. At the end of the time
period, the ash will be relocated to a designated landfill in
Medina.
Through discussions with County staff we understand that key
aspects of the proposal which are germane to analysis of the
traffic implications include:
deliveries will be made in combination tractor /dump
trailers similar in operating characteristics to typical
tractor /trailer combination vehicles
• the average number of deliveries will typically be in a
range of 10 -15 vehicles per weekday, with a maximum
number of 20 vehicles on any given day
• no additional employees will be required at the public
works site to accommodate the ash disposal, thus
generating no new empoyee trips
ash disposal trucks will be routed via T.H. 169/
CSAH 3 /5th Ave. /3rd St. South to the existing access
point off 3rd St. just west of the main building complex
At this time details concerning the number of trips
generated and times of operation for relocation of the
ash to Medina have not been finalized. Specifics of this
asPect of the proposal are dependent In great part on the
processing time required to load and unload the vehicles
transporting the ash.
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Mr. Steve Mielke
ANALYSIS
-2- July 28, 1989
Key aspects of the public roadways serving the site include:
. CSAH 3 is a designated minor arterial with major
signalized intersections at 5th Ave. South and T.H. 169.
Based upon Hennepin County traffic data, average daily
traffic is approximately 27,000 vehicles on CSAH 3. The
intersection with 5th Ave. South operates at a level of
service D during the PM peak hour.
. 5th Ave. South and 3rd St. South are collector roadways
with average daily volumes of approximately 6,500
vehicles. The T intersection of these roadways has three
way stop control and two lanes on each approach. During
the PM peak hour the intersection operates at level of
service A.
The route to be utilized by Hennepin County trucks
currently accommodates a significant number.of com-
bination vehicles from both the existing Hennepin County
site and adjacent industrial /warehouse users.
The ash storage vehicles will be combination (tractor /trailer)
type vehicles. This type vehicle currently operates from the
Hennepin County facility. The route designated for use is
designed to accommodate this type of vehicle. As such, the
public roadway system can accommodate the type of vehicle
proposed to transport ash.
The number of delivery trips generated by the proposal is
limited, with a maximum of 40 trips (20 in /out) on a daily basis
and 6 trips during the peak hour. These volumes represent
limited increases in traffic on the adjacent public roadway
system ranging from .1% to .6% on a daily basis on CSAH 3 and 3rd
St. respectively. At the intersections of CSAH 3 /5th Ave. 5. and
5th Ave. S. /3rd St. S., the addition of proposal traffic does not .
affect existing levels of service or delay. Based upon these
findings, it is considered that the traffic generated by
transporting ash to the public works site can be effectively
accommodated on the public roadway system. It is recommended
that Hennepin County continue to refine the traffic signal system
along CSAH 3 to ensure effective operations at the intersection
with 5th Ave. with particular emphasis on the westbound left turn
movement.
Mr. Steve Mielke -3- July 28, 1989
An alternative route to the site, T.H. 169 to 2nd Ave. South, is
not proposed to be utilized by vehicles transporting ash. While
this route could effectively accommodate the proposed vehicles,
it likely is not desirable given adjacent residential land uses.
As such, it may be appropriate for the City to designate the
proposed route via CSAH 3 as the only route for transporting ash.
As noted, the specific details concerning traffic generated by
relocation of the ash to Medina have not been finalized. The
potential traffic implicataions of this relocation can be
controlled through a traffic management plan. The management
plan could include controlling the number of vehicles generated
by time of day. If necessary, restrictions could be placed on
trip generation during the morning and evening peak periods
(those time periods during which traffic impacts would be
greatest). It is recommended that the City require approval of a
traffic management plan for this phase of the proposal as a
condition of overall project approval.
CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
The proposed temporary ash storage will generate a limited amount
of traffic, with vehicle types similar to those currently on the
roadway system. Based upon our analysis of the traffic volumes,
characteristics of the adjacent roadway system, and traffic
patterns proposed, we conclude that the public roadway system can
safely and effectively accommodate proposal traffic subject to
adherence to two conditions:
1) the CSAH 3 -route be designated as the only route to be
utilized for access to /from the public works site
2) a traffic management plan for relocation of the ash be
approved by the City