INTEGRATING ASSESSMENT OF THE ECONOMIC BENEFITS OF TRANSPORTATION IMPROVEMENTS IN PROJECT-LEVEL ALTERNATIVES ANALYSIS

Meiwu An, Pikes Peak Area Council of GovernmentsMaureen Paz de Araujo, HDRTim Roberts, City of Colorado Springs

PROJECT OVERVIEW

1. Fillmore Street: Interstate 25 to Centennial Blvd

2. Fillmore/Chestnut/Interstate 25 Intersection

Fillmore Street experiences significant congestion and queuing during peak periods

Traffic flows will increase in the future

Morning and evening peak hour queuing extends far up the “Hill”

Pavement condition and inadequate shoulders are unsafe for pedestrians and bicyclists

rough pavement surface and lack of sidewalk is daunting to pedestrians and bicyclists

Steep grades, narrow shoulders and …

I-25 EA Approved Interchange ConceptSingle Point Urban Interchange (SPUI)

Today’s Signals

What Are the Project Benefits?

Improves Traffic Operations Helps boost economic development opportunities

along the corridor Constructs missing infrastructure Enhances transit operations and facilities Minor reduction in Vehicle Miles Traveled

ALTERNATIVES

Alternative 3

Benefit Estimate Congestion reduction: vehicle hour traveled(VHT)

savingsComparison between no-action and alternative scenarioRegional VHT differenceTraffic operational improvement

Conversion to dollar benefitsCategorize VHT savings by truck/car, on-clock/other trip Input to TREDIS (Transportation Economic Development

Impact Software)

Benefit Cost Analysis Project benefits

Travel time savings for road usersVehicle operation cost savings for road usersEnvironment benefits for public (air quality)Reduced travel time variability

Project costDesign Right-of-way acquisitionConstruction costsMaintenance costs

Benefit Cost Analysis Travel time saving for road users

Value of time by trip purposeVehicle occupancyCar and Truck variables

Accident cost savings (not included)Reduce potential for accidentsReduce cost to users

Alternatives

Vehicle Operating Cost Savings

Time & ReliabilitySavings

Value of Personal Time Savings

Logistics Cost Savings

Environment Benefits

Total Cost

Benefit Cost Ratio

Alternative 1 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A

Alternative 2 6.5 4.6 60.6 0.1 0.3 16.2 4.46

Alternative 3 2.4 1.7 22.0 0.1 0.1 7.1 3.66

Alternative 4 5.8 4.1 54.1 0.1 0.3 9.2 7.00

BCA Results

Analysis Period: 2015-2035

Proposed Action

Easily be integrated with CDOT’s Preferred Alternative Signalized intersection with the realigned Chestnut

Street requires raising of Fillmore Street Coordinate with CDOT to acquire necessary Right-of-

Way (2 Gas Stations) Feedback from Parker Street residents has been in

support of the cul-de-sac Minimum of 3 Parker Street homes as part of acquisition

Conclusion Public/social investment TDM and traffic operation analysis Delay savings benefit The results consistent with

expectations Technical information is one measure

Questions & Discussion

Thank you