07.12.21 TAB Agenda 9 - VZIP
CITY OF BOULDER
TRANSPORTATION ADVISORY BOARD
AGENDA ITEM
MEETING DATE: July 12, 2021
AGENDA TITLE:
Vision Zero Innovation Program Briefing and TAB Feedback
PRESENTER(S):
Erika Vandenbrande, Director of Transportation and Mobility
Natalie Stiffler, Deputy Director of Transportation and Mobility
Devin Joslin, Principal Traffic Engineer
Gerrit Slatter, Principal Transportation Projects Engineer
Ryan Noles, Senior Transportation Planner
Jenny Godwin, Transportation Planner 1
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
This memo provides a status update on the ongoing planning, design, community engagement,
implementation, and evaluation of the Vision Zero Innovation Program (VZIP). In addition, the memo
summarizes plans for the proposed Group II projects for which TAB feedback is requested. Many of the
proposed Group II projects are focused on implementing treatments along seven Neighborhood Speed
Management Program (NSMP) complex corridors, as well as various pedestrian crossing locations.
To accelerate progress toward Vision Zero, the city is using a portion of its Vision Zero funding to make
innovative, quick-build improvements to our streets, with emphases on corridor traffic calming and
increasing pedestrian comfort and visibility at crossing locations. Additionally, the VZIP takes a holistic
approach to fulfill multiple needs identified through existing city programs, accessibility goals, as well
as community requests.
The initial group of selected treatments (“Group I” projects) were installed beginning in Fall 2020.
Group I project installations, in some cases delayed due to COVID-19 impacts and supply chain issues,
will continue through Fall 2021. In addition, new treatments have been identified (“Group II” projects)
for installation throughout 2021. Before and after installation, staff will collect data and community
feedback to evaluate the treatments’ effectiveness. This data will help staff understand the effectiveness
of a variety of low-cost solutions that can further the city’s Vision Zero goals through continued crash
reduction. The evaluation is also being used to inform and potentially expand the toolbox of traffic
calming treatments that can eventually be used elsewhere in the city.
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BACKGROUND:
The VZIP was developed primarily to support traffic calming and pedestrian crossing treatment projects
and serve as a way to evaluate the effectiveness of various treatments comprised of primarily paint,
flexible delineator posts, and/or rubberized curbs. The projects generally fall into one of three
categories: curb extensions, crossing treatments (pedestrian refuge islands, hardened centerlines, etc.),
and traffic calming (pinch points, chicanes, etc.). These Vision Zero treatments offer low-cost solutions
aimed at mitigating speed-related crashes and crashes involving vulnerable road users by increasing
corner clearances, shortening crossing distances, and slowing vehicle speeds for both turning and
through traffic. The installation locations have been identified through various studies/programs and
community input.
Due to their quick-build nature, proposed improvements do not include significant changes to the
number or configuration of through/auxiliary lanes but may involve minimal removal of parking, often
formalizing code-required no-parking distances near intersections, crosswalks, or fire hydrants. The
outcomes of a typical treatment installation generally are narrower travel lanes, tighter curb radii, shorter
crossing distances, and improved corner sight triangles. Art, where installed in conjunction with
treatments, enhances the aesthetics and contributes to placemaking and a sense of community.
For implementation, the projects have been divided into two groups. Group I projects were implemented
starting in Fall 2020, and Group II projects are planned to be implemented throughout 2021.
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT:
Since the last memo update to TAB in March 2021, the project team has continued gathering input on
installed treatments from the community via yard signs, which link to an online questionnaire in both
English and Spanish.
So far, we have received 38 responses. Key findings include:
Most of the feedback has been positive, with users noting an improvement in comfort level after
the treatments were installed.
Most notably, respondents felt more visible while crossing and observed reduced vehicle speeds
and increased yielding compliance.
A desire for more education on-site to explain the benefits of different treatment types.
Making sure all modes are accommodated with delineator installation, such as at curb extensions
(e.g., wheelchair and bike access).
A desire for additional neighborhood outreach prior to installation.
In April, staff, members of the consultant team, and neighborhood representatives conducted field visits
along the seven NSMP complex corridors selected to receive interim traffic calming treatments. The
field visits allowed staff to gain resident perspectives, better understand key issues, as well as brainstorm
and briefly test out potential treatment options using traffic cones. Virtual Neighborhood Forums to
review and discuss the conceptual designs prepared for the Group II projects are planned to be held on
July 21st and 29th.
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GROUP I PROJECTS UPDATE:
The status of each Group I project is listed in the table below. As can be seen, the Group I projects are
nearly complete, except for a few art installations, as well as the speed kidney on Cherry Ave. near 9th
St. and the hardened centerline on Baseline Rd. at Mohawk Dr., which are planned for installation in
summer/early fall 2021. Of note, these projects experienced delays due to supply chain, contractor, and
artist scheduling challenges.
# Name Description Status
1 9th St & Cherry Ave
[NSMP]
Speed kidney and crosswalk Crosswalk installed;
speed kidney to be installed
summer/early fall 2021
2 26th St & Spruce St
[Community Cycles /
community request]
Curb extensions and artistic
crosswalks
Installed
3 King’s Ridge/Wonderland
Creek Path [community
request]
Crosswalk Installed
4 Grove St and 17th St
[Neighborhood GreenStreet
Program]
Curb extensions and artistic
crosswalk
Curb extensions installed;
art to be installed summer/early
fall 2021
5 Grove St and 18th St
[Neighborhood GreenStreet
Program]
Curb extension Curb extension installed;
art to be installed summer/early
fall 2021
6 23rd St & Canyon Blvd
[Neighborhood GreenStreet
Program]
Curb extension at northeast corner Installed
7 Aurora Ave & 38th St [High
Peaks/BCSIS) [BVSD]
Curb extensions, striping, and
signing
Installed
8 Aurora Ave & 39th St [High
Peaks/BCSIS) [BVSD]
Curb extensions, striping, and
signing
Installed
Note: Information in brackets represents the source of the proposed treatment.
Staff and consultant team members meeting with Glenwood Drive
residents in April 2021
Staff and consultant team members testing out potential treatment
options with cones on Palo Parkway
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# Name Description Status
9 Aurora Ave & Gilpin St
[High Peaks/BCSIS)
[BVSD]
Curb extensions, striping, and
signing; signal timing upgrades
Installed
10 Baseline Rd & Mohawk Dr
[Safe Streets]
Hardened centerline (east leg) TBD; staff working to resolve
vendor supply chain/distribution
issues
11 Grinnell & Viele Channel
Path [NSMP]
Median island Installed
Note: Information contained in brackets represents the source of the proposed treatment.
An updated map of the Group I projects is included as Attachment A.
GROUP II PROJECTS UPDATE:
Seven corridors eligible for future Neighborhood Speed Management Program (NSMP) complex
projects are the primary focus of the Group II projects. Selected NSMP corridors include Aurora Ave,
Darley Ave, Glenwood Ave (two segments), Mohawk Dr, Palo Pkwy, and Quince Ave. These locations
were selected from the current NSMP complex project list for VZIP interim traffic calming treatments
since the speed limit was reduced from 25 mph at the time the streets qualified for the NSMP to 20 mph
because of the “20 is Plenty” project.
The VZIP interim treatments planned to be installed are not necessarily representative of the final
complex projects each of these corridors will receive once prioritized for an eventual capital project
through the NSMP. Staff will share graphics illustrating the below treatments during the July
presentation to TAB. A total of 27 treatments are planned to be installed along the seven NSMP
corridors, as summarized below:
Aurora Ave (35th St to Mohawk Dr) – 5 treatments
o 35th St – traffic circle and curb extensions
o 36th St – median islands and curb extensions
o 37th St – median islands and curb extensions
o 39th St – median island (east leg)
o Evans Dr – curb extensions, marked/signed crosswalk (west leg)
Darley Ave (Lehigh St to Hartford Dr) - 4 treatments
o Lehigh St – painted curb extensions and flex post centerline
o Lehigh St to Judson Dr – median island and curb extensions
o Judson Dr – curb extension
o Hartford Dr – median island and curb extensions
Glenwood Dr (Folsom St to 28th St) - 3 treatments
o Arnett St – curb extensions (west leg)
o Eastwood Ct – curb extensions
o Glenwood Ct – curb extensions
Glenwood Dr (28th St to 30th St) - 3 treatments
o 29th St – curb extensions
o 29th St to 30th St – two pinch points
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Mohawk Dr (Aurora Ave to Baseline Dr) - 4 treatments
o Pitkin St to Inca Pkwy – pinch point/flex post centerline
o Inca Pkwy – median island and curb extensions
o Talbot Dr N – median island and curb extensions
o Talbot Dr S – median island and curb extensions
Palo Pkwy (30th St to Ridgeway St) - 3 treatments
o Paonia St/Angelovic Ct – curb extensions
o Palisade Dr/Hauptman Ct – median island (west leg)
o Howe Ct – curb extensions
Quince Ave (15th St to 19th St) - 5 treatments
o 15th St to 17th St – two pinch points
o 17th St – curb extensions (north leg)
o 17th to 19th St – chicane
o 19th St – curb extensions
The number of proposed treatments along each corridor was determined using best practices for spacing
of traffic calming devices related to the desired speed profile. Typical device spacing ranges between
250 to 325 feet to achieve a speed profile of 20 mph.
Like the approach taken with the Group I projects, new opportunities submitted by the community and
staff, as well as pedestrian crossing treatments are also being considered. A hybrid funding and
implementation approach is being taken with pedestrian crossing treatments in that staff is leveraging
multiple funding sources/programs to make improvements. VZIP funding is being set aside for curb
extensions using paint and flexible delineator posts and funding from other program budgets is allocated
to upgrade or install curb ramps and street lighting. The use of VZIP funds allows staff to deliver more
pedestrian improvements than we otherwise would be able to do with our typical limited budget. Of
note, Neighborhood GreenStreets enhancements have been removed from Group II projects
consideration because staff is planning to implement these separately from VZIP in 2022.
The new opportunities and pedestrian crossing treatments that are planned to be installed as part of
the Group II projects are listed below:
New Opportunities
9th St & Balsam Ave (artistic crossing treatment) (east leg)
9th St & Cedar Ave (artistic crossing treatment) (east leg)
19th St & Yarmouth Ave (artistic crossing treatment) (south leg)
Spine Rd & Chaparral Ct (paint & post curb extensions and pedestrian refuge island)
Spine Rd west of Chaparral Ct (paint & post curb extensions and pedestrian refuge island)
14th St & Mapleton Ave (paint & post curb extensions) (tentative - still being explored)
20th St & Grove St (paint & post curb extension) (tentative – still being explored)
Other hardened centerline locations (1 or 2 additional) still being explored
Pedestrian Crossing Treatments
9th St & Cascade Ave (paint & post curb extensions, signed/marked crosswalk, streetlight)
(north leg)
10th St & University Ave (signed/marked crosswalks, median islands) (east and west legs)
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Folsom St & Hawthorn Ave (signed/marked crosswalk with ADA ramps and paint & post
curb extensions) (north leg)
An important lesson learned from the Group I projects is that the feasibility of installing a project at a
particular location is often unclear until a detailed design is prepared. Staff continues to do its due
diligence with respect to evaluating Group II designs against a variety of considerations, such as utility
locations, fire department access, and ability to perform street sweeping and snow/ice removal, which
may influence the final installations.
A map of the proposed locations for Group II is included as Attachment B. As noted on the map, some
locations are still tentative and being explored in more detail.
Timeline
The VZIP is expected to extend through the end of 2021, as shown in the timeline below:
NEXT STEPS:
Next steps include installing remaining Group I projects (including art elements), as well as bringing
draft designs of Group II treatments to the community for review, finalizing designs, and installing the
treatments this year.
Staff will return to TAB with a brief update on the neighborhood engagement in August 2021.
QUESTIONS FOR TAB:
1. Do you have any additional feedback or questions about the Group I projects?
2. Do you have any additional feedback or questions about the proposed Group II projects?
ATTACHMENTS:
Attachment A – Group I Projects Map
Attachment B – Group II Projects Map
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Sources: Esri, HERE, Garmin, Intermap, increment P Corp., GEBCO, USGS, FAO,
NPS, NRCAN, GeoBase, IGN, Kadaster NL, Ordnance Survey, Esri Japan, METI,
Esri China (Hong Kong), (c) OpenStreetMap contributors, and the GIS User
Community
0 1 20.5 Miles
¯
Attachment A
0 1 20.5 Miles
¯
Attachment B
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