04.11.22 TAB Agenda 6 NSMP Pine St, WhittierC I T Y O F B O U L D E R
TRANSPORTATION ADVISORY BOARD
AGENDA ITEM
MEETING DATE: April 11, 2022
AGENDA TITLE: Public hearing and TAB recommendation regarding Neighborhood
Street Management Program (NSMP) Pine Street/Whittier Complex Projects
PRESENTER/S:
Erika Vandenbrande, Director of Transportation and Mobility
Valerie Watson, Transportation Planning Manager
Gerrit Slatter, Principal Transportation Projects Engineer
Nathan Pope, Senior Transportation Planner
Veronica Son, Transportation Engineer
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
The Whittier Complex Neighborhood Speed Management Program (NSMP) Project is intended
to reduce vehicle speeding, enhance neighborhood livability, and improve public safety. This
project (which includes Mapleton Ave., Pine St., and Spruce St. between 20th St. and 28th St.)
aligns with the city’s Vision Zero goals and Transportation Master Plan goals of making travel
safe and comfortable. The intent of bringing this project to TAB is to solicit feedback and
finalize the design for the project so that it is ready once funds to construct the project become
available.
The project was the top project in the 2019 Neighborhood Speed Management Program (NSMP)
project cycle and was prioritized for planning in 2021 and installation in 2022. However, due to
the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent impacts to the department’s budget, the project was
postponed, and staff did not begin the planning process until 2021.
Staff initiated the Whittier Complex Project in early summer 2021. The first community meeting
reviewing existing conditions and discussing issues in the neighborhood was held in the Whittier
Schoolyard on August 11, 2021. A second neighborhood meeting was held on December 1,
2021, to review vertical and horizontal traffic calming options based on stakeholder and
community engagement, asking residents for feedback on the potential options in different
locations.
Staff, with consultant support, began developing the Whittier Complex Project recommended
design after the second neighborhood meeting. This design reflects comments and polling
responses from the second neighborhood meeting, an online comment form, and emergency
response and maintenance clearance requirements. The recommended design was presented to
the community at a final virtual neighborhood meeting on March 29, 2022.
04.11.22 TAB Agenda 6 NSMP Pine St, Whittier
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BACKGROUND:
The Neighborhood Speed Management Program (NSMP) was established in 2017 to address
speeding issues on local and collector neighborhood streets. The purpose of the NSMP is to
support the community’s safety and neighborhood livability goals as outlined in Boulder’s
Transportation Master Plan (TMP). The program also supports Boulder’s Vision Zero goal by
proactively reducing the risk of severe crashes and improving bike and pedestrian comfort by
reducing vehicle speeds on neighborhood streets.
The NSMP provides education, enforcement, and engineering tools to address speeding issues in
Boulder neighborhoods. All neighborhood residents that apply to the program are eligible to
receive education and enforcement tools. These tools include the placement of six mobile radar
speed displays (called “speed trailers”) on neighborhood streets on a weekly rotation, yard signs
with slogans like “Slow Down, Take It Easy” and “Be Aware, Drive With Care,” and the
coordination with the Boulder Police Department’s Photo Radar Enforcement Program.
The NSMP has an annual application review and project prioritization cycle, and eligible
applications are scored and ranked according to the criteria detailed in the NSMP Program
Guidelines. Projects are also categorized into two project tracks: simple and complex projects.
Simple projects are typically on local streets and not on Critical Emergency Response Routes
(CERR), which are the routes the fire department uses in responding to emergency calls. Simple
projects are also lower cost, normally $15,000 or less, and do not create noticeable traffic
diversion to adjacent streets.
Complex projects, conversely, are generally located on a collector or higher-volume local streets
and are identified as CERR. Staff anticipates that complex projects may cause traffic impacts on
adjacent streets and includes those considerations in the planning process. The other major
difference between complex and simple projects is the engagement requirement to create a traffic
calming plan; complex projects require three neighborhood meetings to assess alternatives and
designate a concept plan, a public hearing proceeding a TAB recommendation on the plan, and a
City Council briefing on the Call-Up Check-In agenda. This process can take an entire year,
which means that complex projects are projected to take two years from concept to construction.
Simple projects require staff to propose a traffic calming plan at a neighborhood meeting and
gather feedback prior to a public hearing and TAB recommendation – the process to plan and
install a simple project typically takes under one year.
Every year projects are added to the complex and simple projects lists and prioritized for
planning and installation. During the 2019 NSMP project cycle, the top-ranked complex project
was Pine St. between 20th St. and Folsom St. Additionally, another project on Pine St. between
Folsom St. and 28th St. ranked eighth on the list (there were two separate applications and
petitions for these sections of Pine St.) The top-ranked simple project that year was Spruce St.
between 24th St. and Folsom St. After reviewing the project rankings and hearing from residents
through a public hearing, TAB prioritized Pine St. between 20th St. and Folsom St. and added
the eighth-ranked Pine St. and top-ranked Spruce St. simple project to the scope of the prioritized
complex project (Attachment A). Staff originally scheduled planning for the Whitter Complex
Project to begin in Spring 2020. However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent
impacts to the department’s budget, the project was postponed until 2021.
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Staff kicked off the Whittier Complex Project in early summer 2021. Based on discussions with
Transportation Operations staff, the scope of the project was extended to include Mapleton Ave.,
Pine St., and Spruce St. between 20th St. and 28th St. due to anticipated traffic diversion the
potential installation of additional traffic calming on Pine St. Staff and consultants began an
existing conditions analysis, assessing conditions in the study area and collecting updated speed
and traffic volume counts (Figure 1).
This updated collection showed slightly lower 85th percentile speeds compared to the qualifying
collection conducted in 2019; the highest 85th percentile speed on Pine St. west of Folsom was
31 mph (down from 33 mph in 2019). On Pine St. east of Folsom St., the highest 85th percentile
speed was 32 mph (down from 35 mph in 2019), though it should be noted that buffered bike
lanes were installed between the first and second data collections. Traffic volumes also appear to
have decreased between 2019 and 2021 by roughly 10%. These differences in speeds and
volumes may be influenced by changes in travel patterns due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which
would be consistent with other streets in the city studied by the Transportation and Mobility
Department.
The existing conditions analysis also reviewed crashes (Figure 2) between January 2015 and
January 2021. During this period there were 246 reported crashes: 27 crashes involved people
bicycling, 2 involved people walking, and 8 resulted in severe injuries all of which involved
people bicycling. All the severe injury crashes except for one occurred on Folsom St. or 28th St.
In total, 51% of crashes during this period were at intersections, and the rest were mid-block, at
driveways, or in parking lots. Additionally, 80% of crashes occurred during daylight hours, and 5
crashes (2%) involved people driving under the influence.
Figure 2: Bicycle, Pedestrian, and Severe Crashes Jan. 2015 – Jan. 2019
Figure 1: July 2021 Speed and Volume Data Collection
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The most common reported crash causes during this period were: careless driving (27% of all
crashes), failed to yield ROW (19%) and followed too closely (13%). The intersection of Pine St.
and Folsom St. was the most intense crash location in the project area and included three left-
turn hook crashes and three were right-turn hook crashes (turning vehicles crashing into straight-
moving bicycles). It is important to note that the intersection of Pine St. and Folsom St. is slated
for a traffic signal improvement project through the Highway Safety Improvement Program to
address this severe crash problem. Similarly, 28th St. will be reconstructed with federal funding
and will likely include improvements that will eliminate left-turning crashes.
Once this data was compiled and analyzed, staff held the first community meeting in the Whittier
Schoolyard on August 11, 2021. The meeting was attended by roughly 30 participants and was
an in-person, outdoor event. Feedback from the meeting participants included both issues and
ideas for traffic calming devices. For example, participants highlighted visibility issues on Pine
St. east of Folsom St. and suggested adding traffic circles to the intersections of Pine St. and 26th
St. and 27th St. Participants also highlighted locations where they observed speeding, where they
experienced a close call, where it was difficult to cross the street, and where it felt unsafe to walk
or bike. Comments from the meeting are shown below in Figure 3.
Following feedback about the existing conditions and traffic calming ideas discussed at the first
community meeting, staff and consultants began work on high-level alternatives for the Whitter
Complex Project. This included two types of traffic calming: vertical and horizontal devices
(Figure 4). The purpose of showing vertical and horizontal options in the same or nearby
locations was to provide options for mixing and matching these two project types across the
project area. Staff held a second neighborhood meeting virtually on December 1, 2021 to review
these options and ask residents for feedback. More in -depth discussion of these options can be
found in the Whittier NSMP Complex Project Update from the December 13, 2021 TAB
meeting.
Figure 3: Neighborhood Meeting 1 Feedback, August 2021
04.11.22 TAB Agenda 6 NSMP Pine St, Whittier
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Generally, feedback from the meeting and the online comment form showed that participants felt
vertical devices like speed humps and speed cushions, as well as the aprons on the existing
traffic circles, would provide the most speed reduction. Raised intersections were also favored
but the costs of installing these devices are generally too great for the NSMP budget. Participants
also responded favorably to pedestrian refuge islands and the installation of high-visibility
crosswalks (the latter would need to be warranted through Transportation Operations’ Pedestrian
Crossing Guidelines. Figure 5 shows polling feedback from the second neighborhood meeting.
Staff and consultants began developing the Whittier Complex Project recommended design
(Figure 6) after the second virtual neighborhood meeting through early 2022. This design reflects
comments and polling responses from the second virtual neighborhood meeting and an online
comment form, as well as emergency response and maintenance clearance requirements. The
recommended design was presented to the community at a final virtual neighborhood meeting on
March 29, 2022.
Figure 5: Neighborhood Meeting 2 Participant Polling Results, December 2021
Figure 4: Neighborhood Meeting 2 Vertical (Orange) and Horizontal (Blue) Devices, December 2021
04.11.22 TAB Agenda 6 NSMP Pine St, Whittier
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A total of 15 participants attended the third and final virtual neighborhood meeting. Participants
were informed of the project background and then reviewed the concept design, providing
feedback through an online poll. Generally, participants felt positive about the design concept,
with 80% to 93% responding that they “liked” or “strongly liked” the design for each street
segment. A Question-and-Answer session with key staff was held after the presentation.
Participants voiced questions about the use of speed cushions vs speed humps and how the
project would be maintained. Several participants also expressed frustration that the NSMP and
the Whittier Complex Project have been paused and were interested in alternatives to see the
project through detailed design and construction.
TAB ACTION REQUESTED
Staff is seeking a recommendation from TAB to finalize the recommended design of the Whittier
NSMP Complex Project so that it can be implemented when funding is available.
NEXT STEPS
Following direction from City Council earlier this year and findings from the recently released
Vision Zero Boulder: Safe Streets Report staff have adjusted the city’s crash mitigation strategies
to focus on high-traffic arterial streets instead of local streets. Due to this shift in focus, funding
and resources for the NSMP have been redirected to plan and design a subset of key arterial
streets. Following the April 11, 2022 meeting and Board recommendation, staff will place the
Whittier NSMP Complex Project on hold until funding and resources can be identified to move
the project forward. When these are identified, staff will resume the project design approval
process by asking City Council to consider the design as part of its Call-Up Check-In agenda.
Should Council approve the project at that stage, then staff will begin the final design and
engineering to install the project.
Figure 6: Recommended Design Concept – Whittier Complex Project, Pine St. West
04.11.22 TAB Agenda 6 NSMP Pine St, Whittier
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ATTACHMENTS:
Attachment A: 2019 NSMP Complex and Simple Project Lists
Attachment B: Whittier NSMP Complex Project Recommended Design
04.11.22 TAB Agenda 6 NSMP Pine St, Whittier
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Rank Street Name First Cross Street NameSecond Cross Street Name85th PercentileSpeed LimitAverage Speeding Vehicles Per Day (ASV/D)Speed/Volume Cross ProductSpeed Related CrashesCrash PointsSidewalk PointsBike Route PointsActivity Generator PointsTOTAL POINTS1Pine St. 20th St. Folsom St. 33 25 4300 103 0 0 0 2 4 109219th St. Iris Ave. Kalmia Ave. 37 30 4300 90 0 1 4 4 4 1033Linden Ave. Broadway 4th St. 38 30 2900 70 0 1 2 4 2 7949th St. College Ave. Baseline Rd. 30 25 2900 44 2 11 4 0 4 635Glenwood Dr. 29th St. 30th St. 33 25 1900 46 1 6 1 2 4 596Spine Rd. South Orchard Creek Dr. White Rock Dr. 35 30 2100 32 0 0 2 4 6 447Gillaspie Ave. Table Mesa Dr. Armer Ave. 30 25 1500 23 1 5 2 2 8 408Pine St. Folsom St. 28th St. 36 30 1500 27 1 5 1 2 4 399Aurora Ave. 35th St. Mohawk Dr. 35 25 900 27 0 0 2 2 6 3710Glenwood Dr. Glenwood Ct. Eastwood Ct. 30 25 1600 24 0 0 1 2 4 3111Kalmia Ave. 26th St. 28th St. 30 25 1200 18 1 5 1 2 4 3012Quince Ave. 15th St. 19th St. 29 25 700 8 0 0 3 2 6 1913Twin Lakes Rd. Brandon Creek Dr. Brandon Creek Dr. 31 25 400 7 0 0 1 0 6 1414Mohawk Dr. Morgan Dr. Inca Pkwy. 31 25 300 5 0 0 0 2 6 1315Darley Ave. Lehigh St. Hartford Dr. 29 25 200 2 0 0 2 2 6 1216Palo Pkwy. 30th St. Ridgeway St. 29 25 200 2 0 0 1 2 4 9179th St. Grape Ave. Forest Ave. 28 25 200 2 0 0 2 2 2 81Spruce St. 24th St. Folsom St. 31 25 2000 36 0 1 1 0 4 422Pawnee Dr. Apache Dr. Sioux Dr. 30 25 400 6 0 0 1 0 8 153Persimmon Dr. Avocado Rd. Avocado Rd. 25 20 300 5 0 0 1 0 2 84South 40th St. Table Mesa Dr. Broadway 28 25 200 2 0 0 1 0 4 75Evergreen Ave. 6th St. 8th St. 29 25 200 2 0 0 2 0 2 66Ithaca Dr. Darley Ave. Emerson Ave. 29 25 100 1 0 0 1 2 2 67Avocado Rd. Persimmon Dr. Lemon Pl. 25 20 200 3 0 0 1 0 2 68Avocado Rd. Lemon Pl. Avocado Rd. 24 20 200 2 0 0 1 0 2 59South 44th St. Table Mesa Dr. Hanover Dr. 29 25 100 1 0 0 1 0 2 421 st St. Edgewood Dr. Floral Dr. 27 254th St. Forest Ave. Hawthorn Ave. 27 25Ludlow St. Toedtli Dr. Knox Dr. 26 25Pine St. 9th St. 11th St. 25 25Seminole Dr. Illini Wy. Cherokee Wy. 25 25Hancock Dr. Eisenhower Dr. Harrison Ave. 23 25Avocado Rd. Orange Dr. Avocado Rd. 22 20Blueberry Cir. Cinnamon Cir. Cinnamon Cir. 22 20Blueberry Cir. Strawberry Way Guava Pl. 22 20Blueberry Cir. Cinnamon Cir. Guava Pl. 22 20Cinnamon Cir. Blueberry Cir. Blueberry Cir. 22 20Orange Dr. Avocado Rd. Avocado Rd. 18 2033rd St. Arapahoe Ave. Arnold Dr. 32 3047th St. Valmont Rd. Edison Ave. 30 30South 32nd St. Dartmouth Ave. Ash Ave. 27 25Morgan Dr. Mohawk Dr. Pitkin Dr. 27 25Cherry Ave. 7th St. 10th St. 25 25Dellwood Ave. Broadway 10th St. 25 25Darley Ave. Broadway Toedtli Dr. 25 25Lincoln Pl. College Ave. Euclid Ave. 24 2516th St. Iris Ave. Hawthorn Ave. 23 25Dakota Blvd. Front Range Blvd. Pierre St. 23 2518th St. Dellwood Ave. Cedar Ave. 22 25Attachment A: 2019 NSMP Complex and Simple Project ListsSimple ProjectsDoes Not Qualify for Engineering per ≥ 3 mph Threshold: New 2019 ApplicationsDoes Not Qualify for Engineering per ≥ 3 mph Threshold: Reevaluated 2018 ApplicationsAttachment A04.11.22 TAB Agenda 6 NSMP Pine St, Whittier Page 8 of 13
R = 19’
Existing
Speed Hump
Existing
Speed Hump
Pine St
Mapleton Ave
21st St22nd St23rd St24th StMapleton & 24th
Proposed
Speed Hump
Pine St
20th St28th StFolsom StMAPLETON AVENUE
20th to 24th Street Mapleton & 23rd
Retrofit Existing Traffic
Circle with Raised 2” Apron
R = 19’
0 ft 200 ft100 ft 150 ft50 ft
Spruce St
Mapleton Ave
MAPLETON AVENUE, WEST20th to 24th Street
04.11.22 TAB Agenda 6 NSMP Pine St, Whittier
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Pine St
Mapleton Ave
23rd St26th StFolsom StPine St
20th St28th StMapleton Ave
0 ft 200 ft100 ft 150 ft50 ft
FOLSOM STREET
Pine Street to Mapleton Avenue
Spruce St Folsom StFolsom & Pine
Proposed Hardened
Centerline
Mapleton, west of 27th
Proposed
Speed Hump
FOLSOM STREETMapleton Avenue to Pine Street
04.11.22 TAB Agenda 6 NSMP Pine St, Whittier
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0 ft 200 ft100 ft 150 ft50 ft
Pine & 23rd
Retrofit Existing Traffic Circle
with Raised 2” Apron
Pine, east of 22nd
Proposed Speed Cushion
Pine, west of 22nd
Proposed Speed Cushion
Pine & 21st
Proposed Median Refuge
Island East of 21st Street
ExistingExisting
Refuge IslandRefuge Island
25’25’
Shift TaperShift Taper
25’25’
Shift TaperShift Taper
Pine, 20th to Folsom
Proposed Buffered Bicycle Lane
10’10’5’5’8’8’
2’2’
ExistingExisting
Refuge IslandRefuge Island
PINE STREET, WEST
20th to 24th Street
04.11.22 TAB Agenda 6 NSMP Pine St, Whittier
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Pine St 26th St27th St28th StFolsom StMapleton Ave
Pine & 26th
Proposed Median
Splitter Islands
0 ft 200 ft100 ft 150 ft50 ft
Pine & 21st
Pine, west of 26th
Proposed Speed Cushion
Pine & 21st
Pine, west of 27th
Proposed Speed Cushion
PINE STREET, EAST
Folsom to 28th Street
Pine St
Spruce St20th St28th StFolsom StMapleton Ave
04.11.22 TAB Agenda 6 NSMP Pine St, Whittier
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0 ft 200 ft100 ft 150 ft50 ft
SPRUCE STREET, WEST
20th to 24th Street
25’
Shift Taper
25’
Shift Taper
Existing Refuge
Island
Existing
Buered Bicycle
Lane
Pine St
Spruce St20th St28th StFolsom StMapleton Ave
Pine St
Spruce St20th St21st St22nd St23rd StSpruce & 21st
Shorten shift tapers
approaching refuge islands.
Pine & 21st
Spruce, east of 22nd
Speed cushion.
Pine & 21st
Spruce, east of 23rd
Speed cushion.
25’25’
SPRUCE STREET, WEST20th to 24th Street
04.11.22 TAB Agenda 6 NSMP Pine St, Whittier
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