|
Project Home
Study Area Map
Purpose & Need
Project Description
Evaluation Process
Alternatives Considered Environmental Analysis Documents Supporting Agencies |
|
Future Traffic Conditions
Future (2020) traffic conditions presented here represent the No-Action conditions. The future (2020) No-Action traffic conditions are determined using the projected 2020 traffic volumes and assume the completion of the Early-Action projects (Projects 1 through 7). Traffic Volumes Traffic volumes are measured in terms of daily and peak hour. Daily traffic volume measurements include a total twenty-four hour volume, while peak hour volumes include only a one-hour period (typically the morning and evening “rush hour”). Each measurement has different uses. The maps below show the projected 2020 AADT volumes and projected 2020 peak hour traffic volumes for various segments within the I-25 Corridor and US 85 Corridor. Traffic volumes within the I-25 Corridor and US 85 Corridor are projected to continue to increase. Future 2020 traffic volumes are projected using the DRCOG regional travel demand model. The only improvements assumed within the study corridor for this analysis are the Early-Action projects (Projects 1 through 7). For more information on the DRCOG model and the other models, click here: DEIS, Chapter 3, 'Travel Demand' . Future Traffic Conditions Most of the I-25 and US 85 roadway segments will be operating at an unacceptable Level of Service (LOS) by the year 2020. Without improvements, LOS for I-25 deteriorates from a majority of B's and C's in 1998 to a majority of D's, E's, and F's in 2020. Freeway segments from Surrey Ridge north to C-470 are projected to fail during the northbound a.m. peak period and southbound p.m. peak period. In addition to poor LOS in 2020, the failing LOS is projected to last for more hours than the current peak period. The existing peak period along I-25 lasts approximately 3 hours. The peak period is expected to double by 2020. The LOS for US 85 deteriorates to almost failing conditions for all segments during the peak period in 2020. Not only is the operation worse during the peak period, but the peak period also lasts longer in 2020. The tables below show the future 2020 LOS for each segment of I-25 and US 85 within the EIS Corridor. For detailed information regarding the LOS rating system:
Level of Service |
|
I-25 Future (2020) Freeway Segment Conditions
US 85 Future (2020) Roadway Segment Conditions
• Annual Average Daily Traffic The annual average daily traffic (AADT) is the volume of traffic traveling on a roadway on a typical (or average) day of the year. The traffic volume can be displayed by travel direction or both directions combined. Traffic volumes along the I-25 Corridor are projected to increase between 32 and 70 percent (depending on location) by 2020. As shown on the figure, the AADT driving on I-25 in 2020 between Plum Creek Parkway and Wolfensberger Road, is 79,300, while 144,800 vehicles drive on the segment between Lincoln Avenue and C-470. These volumes can be compared to the 1998 volumes of 60,250 (32 percent increase) and 85,100 (70 percent increase), respectively. Traffic volumes along US 85 are projected to increase between 12 and 36 percent by 2020. The AADT volume between Meadows Parkway and Happy Canyon Road is 18,000 vehicles, whereas 42,100 vehicles are projected on the segment between Blakeland Drive and Norwood Drive. These volumes can be compared to 13,200 (36 percent increase) and 37,600 (12 percent increase) vehicles that traveled the corridor in 1998. • Peak Hour Traffic Volumes Peak hour volumes occur during the hours experiencing the largest volumes of traffic on a given roadway segment. Peak hour volumes were projected for the AM and PM (“rush”) hours. Peak hours represent the worst case traffic conditions and are used in the design of a roadway in terms of required laneage (capacity). The projected 2020 northbound a.m. peak hour volume between Schweiger and Lincoln Avenue is 7,700. This figure can be compared to the existing (1998) peak hour volume of 2,908, an increase of approximately 144 percent. The projected 2020 southbound p.m. peak hour volume between Blakeland Drive and Norwood Drive is 2,200 vehicles. This figure is a 73 percent increase from the existing (1998) p.m. peak hour traffic of 1,214 vehicles. • Traffic Variation Similar to the existing traffic variation, future traffic also varies by time of day. The variation may be slightly different. As traffic volumes grow, peak periods expand. Without additional capacity, the current three-hour p.m. peak period will approximately double by 2020. |
Last Updated: 07.07.2008 04:13 PM
This is a Colorado Department of
Transportation 
Project
Website!