Thank you to the residents who attended our Neighborhood Watch meeting last month. The meeting was very informative and provided several tips on how to keep our neighborhood safe.
You can read the highlights from the meeting on our website and by clicking here.
A response from the City of Aurora on some
safety concerns in Wheatlands…
This is in response to your safety concerns and pedestrian crossing request at the intersection of Powhaton Rd and Wheatlands Pkwy/Langdale Ct.
Powhaton Road is classified as a minor arterial roadway with a 4-lane section, posted speed limit of 40 mph, and on-street bicycle lanes in this area. South of Powhaton Rd, Wheatlands Parkway is a collector roadway with a 2-lane section, posted speed limit of 35 mph, and on-street bicycle lanes. North of Powhaton Rd, Langdale Ct is a local roadway with a posted speed limit of 25 mph and on-street parking. The intersection of Powhaton Rd & Wheatlands Pkwy/Langdale Ct has 4-legs with stop control on Wheatlands Pkwy only. There are currently curb ramps present on all four corners of the intersection but there are no striped crosswalks.
With respect to the request to provide an enhanced pedestrian crossing Powhaton Rd at this location, staff reviewed this intersection to see if it is eligible for additional enhancement. To mark an uncontrolled (unprotected) crosswalk, staff considers certain criteria including such items as: the average daily traffic on the roadway, the posted speed limit, the distance to the nearest crosswalk or other protected crossing point, pedestrian volume and concentration, crash data, and width of roadway to be crossed.
Staff previously collected traffic volume, pedestrian, and speed data the week of January 18, 2021 and the week of August 23, 2021 on Powhaton Rd and on Wheatlands Pkwy to evaluate this area for a pedestrian crossing. Data collected showed that the prevailing speed (the speed at which 85% of vehicles are traveling at or below) on Powhaton Rd was 46 mph in the westbound direction and 42 mph in the eastbound direction. Since the traveled speeds are above 40 mph and roadway width is more than 4-lanes wide with turn lanes and no median refuge, it was determined that this location is not eligible for an unprotected crossing.
Traffic volume and crash data was also reviewed to determine if this location meets criteria for a traffic signal or all way stop control, which would provide a protected pedestrian crossing at this location. The City uses criteria to determine where traffic signal control is warranted per the methods specified by the federal Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD). A review of the volume data determined that warrants are not currently met for a signalized or stop controlled crossing. Staff also reviewed the last three years of crash data along Powhaton Rd and found that there was only one crash at this intersection in this timeframe. This crash involved a vehicle that ran the stop sign and was not pedestrian related.
Because of the reasons noted above, staff does not recommend enhancements to this crossing location or changes to the intersection control at this time. Additional enhancements may encourage more pedestrians to use this location but will not offer adequate protection from the high volumes and speeds of vehicular traffic.
It should also be noted that the developer of the YMCA property in the southwest corner of the intersection prepared a Traffic Impact Study (TIS) prior to their opening in 2019. The TIS studied projected opening day as well as future year 2040 traffic conditions at this intersection to determine what type of intersection control would be needed. The TIS determined that a traffic signal is not expected to be warranted at this location, even in the long-term scenario.
In addition, City staff checked the sight distance at Ider St and Powhaton Rd and verified that it does meet City criteria. Sight distance is adequate for southbound vehicles turning onto Powhaton Rd.
We do have a marked crossing planned for Wheatlands south of Powhaton at Kewaunee, but not at Powhaton.
Please let me know if you have any questions.
Thank you,
Carlie
Carlie Campuzano, PE, PTOE
preferred pronouns: she/her/hers
Traffic Manager | City of Aurora
