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High Risk Rural Roads High Hazard Location Report

Pearson Road

Town of New Haven

August 4, 2009

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Pearson Road High Hazard Location Report

Definitions A High Hazard Location can be a spot such as an isolated curve or an isolated intersection. A high hazard location can also be a segment such as the section between two spots or a short section (up to 1 mile) that contains a series of highway features such as several curves or intersections. The process selected to review a high hazard location is the Road Safety Audit Review process. A Road Safety Audit Review (RSAR) is a formal examination of an existing road in which an independent, multi-discipline team (the Audit Team) reports on potential safety issues. “Independent" means that the members of the team will not be directly involved with the location being audited. In addition to the Audit Team, a RSAR involves the following key players: Local Coordinator, Local Input Team and Responsible Entities. The Local Coordinator is either a representative of the Town/City or the local regional planning commission. His/her role is to put a Local Input Team together, aggregate traffic and safety information, lead the commencement meeting and follow-up with local responsible entities. The role of the Local Input Team is to provide a local perspective at the commencement meeting. It is composed of representatives from the community such as Selectboard Members, Police, EMT, VAOT District, and Other Local People. The Audit Team is responsible for performing a site visit, identifying safety issues and coming to a consensus with respect to possible guidance. Responsible Entities are any groups who own a roadway feature or who are responsible for making an improvement or initiating further studies. These could include for example, the VTRANS Design Section, the Local Town, the Police or the Local RPC/MPO. The role of the Responsible Entities is to assess the viability of the suggestions provided by the Audit Team and provide a written response to the Audit Coordinator, to schedule and/or perform the improvements if deemed necessary and to follow-up with the audit or local coordinator when the project is completed. Finally, the Audit Coordinator is the person responsible for setting up the audit and other meeting dates, to put the audit team together, to facilitate the post inspection meeting and the completion meeting, and to prepare the audit report. RSAR Process The RSAR process is composed of several steps as shown in the diagram below. The process starts with a Commencement Meeting between the Local Input Team and the Audit Team. The purpose of the meeting is for the Local Input Team to present community concerns to the Audit Team. A Site Inspection is then performed by the Audit Team. Members from the Local Input Team can accompany the Audit Team to further explain concerns. The site visit involves the identification of safety deficiencies as seen in the field. The Audit Team will usually drive through the location of interest to “get a feel” for the area, traveling through each approach in the case of intersections. The team is to then drive at a slower posted speed to make observations. If

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needed, the team will also walk the location. Following the site inspection, the Audit Team holds a Post Inspection Meeting. It is during this meeting that the team members discuss their observations and identify safety issues. The team is to reach a consensus on the importance of each safety issue mentioned. Only those issues for which a consensus is reached are included in the RSAR findings. The final RSAR report (Written Report) is finalized following the Completion Meeting during which the issues identified by the audit team are discussed with the Local Input Team and Responsible Entities. The meeting is to be constructive and foster dialogue between the parties involved. The Written Report identifies safety concerns and proposes guidance. These issues and solutions are presented in a tabular format associated to each Responsible Entity for ease of reporting. The Responsible Entities are to provide a Written Response on every finding of the Written Report as to its implementation. The Responsible Entity is not obliged to implement the findings in the Written Report. However, the reasons for not implementing a finding should be documented (e.g. physical constraints, excessive cost, environmental constraints, etc.).

Figure 1 - ROAD SAFETY AUDIT PROCESS

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The RSAR herein covers physical features which may affect road user safety and it has sought to identify potential safety hazards. However, the audit team points out that no guarantee is made that every deficiency has been identified. Further, it should also be understood that the adoption of the guidance in this report should improve the level of safety of the facility but not necessarily remove all the risks. Location The location of this RSAR includes the segment of Pearson Road from Campground Road to the Rattlin’ Bridge. The review of this location targeted the approach area of the Rattlin’ Bridge, with minor review of the intersections of Campground Road and Twitchell Hill Road along Pearson Road.

Figure 2 – Location Map

Purpose of the RSAR This RSAR was conducted as part of the Agency of Transportation’s Transportation Planning Initiative in conjunction with the High Risk Rural Roads Program (HRRR). Two Rivers – Ottauquechee Regional Commission (TRORC) selected the location pursuant to the prioritization process established by TRORC with the intent of identifying hazardous location on rural local roads

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RSAR Team The Road Safety Audit Review Team included the following representatives from the Vermont Agency of Transportation (VTrans). James Cota, District 5 Project Manager (VAOT) Dan Newhall, Traffic Safety (VAOT) Brian McAvoy, Traffic Design (VAOT)

RSAR Team Coordinator The road safety audit review coordinator was: Nancy Avery, Traffic Design & Safety (VAOT)

Local Coordinator The local coordinator: Richard Kehne, Addison County Planning Commission (ACPC)

Local Input Team The following people from the local community were present at the Commencement Meeting: Roger Boise New Haven Selectboard/ Co-Road Commissioner Pat Paquette, New Haven Selectboard/ Co-Road Commissioner Katie Reilley Town of New Haven Staff Commencement Meeting

The commencement meeting was held at the New Haven Town Offices on Tuesday, June 25, 2009 at about 1:00 pm. Following introductions, Nancy Avery described the HRRR program, reviewed the key steps in conducting a RSAR, and explained what the expectations that were to be accomplished during the day’s site visit. After the overview, the local members provided the following information for audit team’s review. • Rick Kehne provided crash data for the segment of highway that was to be reviewed – 4

crashes resulting in injury, 4 crashes resulting in property damage and 2 crashes resulting with unknown information.

• Per Town of Newhaven

- Twitchell Road repaved (new topcoat) in 2007. - Rattlin’ Bridge reopened 2009 (about a week before this site visit). Replacement

due to flooding funding provided by FEMA ($150,000 for paving, sub-base, new culvert)

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• The Road Foreman noted recent crash after bridge reopening by a local teen misjudging the curve just prior to the bridge. Better delineation is desired.

• Down hill approach to bridge from Twitchell Road is winding - better delineation is

desired. New pavement, ditch and drainage work has occurred in this area recently.

• Delineation for the steep hill does not inform the traveling motorist what the roadway conditions entail.

Note: The weather was sunny, the temperature was in the low 70s and the pavement was dry. AADT = 480 near Campground Road; AADT = 498 near Twitchell Road; AADT = 341 near Rattlin’ Bridge (AADT supplied by ACPC) (Town notes that AADT should be higher once local traffic realizes the bridge has reopened to through traffic) Posted Speed Limit on Pearson Road is 40 MPH. 85th percentile recorded by ACPC just north of bridge on straight-away = 38 mph Speed study performed south of Campground Road but equipment failed to record necessary information.

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Road Safety Audit Review Observations

Instructions The next section of the RSAR Report contains a table that displays observations and guidance by responsible entities. The safety issues in the first column have been identified through this road safety audit review. For each observation, the audit team suggests the guidance listed in the column titled “strategy” as a possible remedial solution. Note that these concerns are not listed in any particular order of importance. Each responsible entity is to fill out the last three columns for the strategies that have an X under their name. Please indicate in the appropriate column if you agree to implement this measure and if not, support your decision by writing a reason in the last column. Responsible entities are not obliged to follow the findings of the RSAR report. However, the reasons for not implementing a finding should be documented (e.g. physical constraints, excessive cost, environmental constraints, etc.). A written response should be submitted by each entity to the audit coordinator as soon as possible.

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Observation

Tow

n of N

ew H

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Strategy Decision

Agree/Reject

Planned Completion

Date Comments

Location #1 – Intersection with Campground Road and Pearson Road

Problem #1 Warn approaching traffic on Pearson Road of the intersection with Campground Road.

X

Immediate Action Install Intersection warning signs for both approaches to the intersection with “Advance Street Name” plaque. Remove non- compliant sign in northbound direction

X

Immediate Actions Install “Yield Ahead Symbol” sign for traffic approaching intersection Campground Road and corresponding “YIELD AHEAD” pavement markings.

Problem #2 Warn approaching traffic on Pearson Road of the intersection with Campground Road.

X

Immediate Actions Replace “Yield” sign up upsize. Install on 2 posts. Install corresponding “Yield” pavement markings (triangles).

Written Response for the Town of New Haven:

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Observation

Tow

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Strategy Decision

Agree/Reject

Planned Completion

Date Comments

X

Immediate Actions Install a “Double Arrow” sign across from the intersection of Campground Road and Pearson Road to warn motorist that there is cross traffic on Pearson Road.

Location #2 – Intersection with Twitchell Hill Road and Pearson Road

Problem #1 Warn approaching traffic on Pearson Road of the intersection with Twitchell Road.

X

Immediate Actions Install “Intersection Warning” signs for both approaches to the intersection with “Advance Street Name” plaque. Remove non compliant sign in northbound direction

Problem #2 Warn approaching traffic on Pearson Road of the intersection with Campground Road.

X

Immediate Actions Install “Stop Ahead Symbol” sign for traffic approaching intersection Campground Road and corresponding “STOP AHEAD” pavement markings.

Written Response for the Town of New Haven:

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Observation

Tow

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Strategy Decision

Agree/Reject

Planned Completion

Date Comments

X

Immediate Actions Replace “STOP” sign with 30”x30” and corresponding “STOP” pavement marking and “STOP Bar”.

Location #3 – Curve approaching Rattlin Bridge Problem #1 Provide additional delineation in area of newly replace culvert.

X

Immediate Action Install 6”x8” delineators with posts spaced evenly on either side of the highway the length of the culvert area.

Problem #2 Define right-of-way strategies for traffic approaching from both direction of one-way bridge.

X

Immediate Action Establish a yield condition on the New Haven side of bridge with proper warning “One Lane Bridge” and regulatory signs: “Yield – To Oncoming Traffic”, “Bridge Weight Limits” and corresponding “Yield Line” and pavement markings. On the Weybridge approach, install corresponding warning and regulatory signs. Install double yellow centerline approaching for both sides of bridge.

Written Response for the Town of New Haven:

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Observation

Tow

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Strategy Decision

Agree/Reject

Planned Completion

Date Comments

X

Immediate Action Install additional delineators along newly installed guardrail at half the existing spacing. Relocate Large Arrow to a point on backside of pull-of area.

Problem #3 Provide additional delineation for curve just prior to the bridge.

X

Install white edge line along both sides of the roadway at least 200 feet prior to curve leading up to bridge. Dash left edge line along pull-off area on right leading to bridge.

Written Response for the Town of New Haven:

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Appendix A Sketch

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Appendix B Material Sheet

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Appendix C From State Standard E-193 Pavement Marking Details

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Appendix D

Yield Pavement Marking Details

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Appendix E Sign Design from the Standard Highway Signs Book 2004 edition

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Appendix F Vermont Specific Sign Designs

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W16-8

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VR-017

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Appendix G Standardization of Sign Location

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