Agenda - Public Works Committee - 10/19/2021

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Observations: Below are a few other concerns and questions that have been raised regarding FYA improvements in the City of Ramsey. Hours of FYA Operations Over the last year or two one or more Planning Commission members have questioned the need to turn flashing yellow arrow operations off during rush hours. Anoka County does not routinely evaluate signal systems to determine if FYA's can be operated all hours of the day. Their standard process for evaluating FYA operations is to monitor all new FYA operations for a period of several years after FYA improvements are made,then to review crash data and traffic volumes to determine if FYA operation modifications are warranted. In general,most signal systems with FYA operations do not permit FYA operations during rush hours. Typically,the only intersections where FYA operations are permitted during rush hours are at intersections with low traffic volumes and low posted speed limits. City Staff will continue discussing options for allowing 24/7 FYA operations at signal systems in the City of Ramsey with Anoka County Staff. FYA Operations at Sunwood Drive and Bunker Lake Boulevard/CSAH 116 The new signal system at this intersection will be equipped with FYA improvements,but as of today the County is not certain which legs will utilize FYA operations and/or what the timing of the FYA operations will be where FYA operations are utilized. In summary, a significant number of left turning traffic crashes are not anticipated and sight distance is good so it is anticipated that FYA operations can be utilized at this intersection during several hours of a typical day. Below are recommendations from the County's consultant related to time of day FYA operations for both roads. • CSAH 116-Due to higher posted speeds on CSAH 116,FYA operations are not recommended for CSAH 116 during peak traffic periods. During non-Trunk Highway 10 impacted traffic periods,their consultant is recommending that the signal system operate with protected left turns between the hours of 6:00 am- 9:00 am and also between 3:00 pm and 7:00 pm. During Trunk Highway 10 construction,their consultant is recommending that both CSAH 116 approaches operate with protected left turns for all hours between 6:00 am- 10:00 pm due to much higher anticipated traffic volumes on CSAH 116 and higher posted speeds. •Sunwood Drive- If the County implements FYA operations for Sunwood Drive,these should be able to be operated all hours of the day given lower traffic volumes and lower posted speeds. Alternatives: Alternative#1 —Motion recommending City Council authorization to hire SEH,Inc.to analyze the feasibility of modifying the signal system at the intersection of Sunwood Drive and Ramsey Boulevard/CSAH 56to add flashing yellow arrow operations. Alternative#2—Motion of other. Funding Source: The final construction cost for the FYA modifications to the signal system at Armstrong Boulevard& Sunwood Drive/147th Avenue was $29,760. The estimated average cost to modify an existing signal system to include FYA operations is $20,000 to $50,000. Plans and specifications would be required to advertise for bids for construction of any FYA modifications,which would require future City Council approval. Costs to prepare plans and specifications for the FYA improvements at Armstrong Boulevard& Sunwood Drive/147th Avenue were around$6,500. Traffic volumes and patterns will likely change after the grade separation improvements occur at CSAH 56/Ramsey Boulevard&Highway 10 in 2024/2025, and after a signal system is installed at CSAH 116/13unker Lake Boulevard and Sunwood Drive this fal/winter. These improvements will also likely have an impact on FYA operations at Sunwood Drive&CSAH 56/Ramsey Boulevard,which may result in a future Anoka County request to modify the FYA improvements. This will be addressed as part of the study. The estimated cost for studying the feasibility of adding FYA operations to this intersection is $1,800 if the City