Adopt Resolution #21-302 Authorizing Feasibility Study for Flashing Yellow Arrow Improvements to Signal System at Sunwood Drive and Ramsey Boulevard/CSAH 56 Intersection

Purpose:
The purpose of this case is to adopt Resolution #21-302 authorizing a Feasibility Study for Flashing Yellow Arrow Improvements to the signal system at the intersection of Sunwood Drive and Ramsey Boulevard/CSAH 56. 
 
Background:
In December 2009, after extensive testing, the Federal Highway Administration authorized use of flashing yellow arrows nationwide. A study conducted by the National Cooperative Highway Research Program determined that drivers had fewer crashes with flashing yellow left-turn arrows than with traditional yield-on-green signal configurations. 
 
Flashing yellow arrow traffic signals feature a flashing yellow arrow in addition to the standard red, yellow and green arrows. When illuminated, the flashing yellow arrow allows waiting motorists to make a left-hand turn after yielding to all oncoming traffic and to any pedestrians in the crosswalk. Oncoming traffic has a green light. Drivers must wait for a safe gap in oncoming traffic before turning. When not illuminated, signals with flashing yellow arrows work the same as traditional signals.
 
Flashing yellow arrows offer more opportunities to make a left turn than with the traditional three-arrow, red, yellow and green indications. They also provide traffic engineers with more options to handle variable traffic volumes. A flashing yellow arrow signal has the same meaning it always has: left turns may proceed with caution after yielding to oncoming traffic. In the past, flashing yellow arrows in Minnesota were only used when the entire traffic signal was in flash-mode. Use of the flashing yellow arrow has been shown to have several benefits including minimizing delays and enhancing safety by reducing driver errors.
 
The majority of newly installed traffic signals are constructed to allow flashing yellow arrow operations, though sometimes the flashing yellow arrow heads are not immediately installed. The flashing yellow arrow may be used at any intersection at any time but the most typical use will be at intersections and times-of-day that have lower volumes, lower speeds and other favorable conditions. Retrofitting existing signals to include flashing yellow arrows can be costly and are typically only done on a limited basis, when necessary.
 
Attached is two-page brochure produced by the Minnesota Department of Transportation with additional information on flashing yellow arrows. 
 
2022 Proposed Anoka County Flashing Yellow Arrow (FYA) Upgrades
Anoka County typically budgets up to $200,000 each year to add flashing yellow arrow operations to their 200+ existing signal systems across the County, most of which were not constructed to accommodate FYA operations since they were constructed before FYA operations existed.
 
In 2022, Anoka County proposes to construct FYA improvements to their signal systems at 14 intersections in the City of Coon Rapids as follows;
•           CSAH 52/109th
•           CSAH 52/Quail Creek
•           CSAH 78/113th
•           CSAH 18/131st
•           CSAH 18/133rd
•           CSAH 116/Rose St.
•           CSAH 116/Heather St.
•           CSAH 116/CR 18
•           CSAH 116/Jay St.
•           CSAH 51/91st
•           CSAH 51/101st
•           CSAH 51/Egret Blvd.
•           CSAH 51/105th
•           CSAH 51/109th
 
Anoka County is employing SEH, Inc. to prepare feasibility studies to evaluate the use of FYA operations at each of these intersections, including estimating costs to modify each signal system to include FYA operations, and to prepare plans and specifications for constructing the required FYA improvements. Anoka County expects to receive final studies for each intersection in early 2022 to allow construction to occur in the summer/fall of 2022.
 
Anoka County is not proposing to complete FYA improvements to any signal systems in the City of Ramsey in 2022.
 
FYA Improvements at Sunwood Drive & Ramsey Boulevard/CSAH 56
During the regular City Council meeting on September 22, 2020, the City Council received a request from a resident to install FYA’s at the intersection of Sunwood Drive & Ramsey Boulevard/CSAH 56. The resident stated that he frequently waits at this signal system to turn left when no vehicles are approaching from the other direction.
 
In 2017, the City of Ramsey worked with Anoka County to install FYA improvements at the intersection of Armstrong Boulevard/CSAH 83 and Sunwood Drive/147th Avenue. To start this process, Anoka County instructed the City to hire SEH, Inc. to complete a feasibility study for modifying the signal system to include FYA operations, including estimating costs to modify the signal system to include FYA operations and to prepare plans and specifications for constructing the FYA improvements. The cost for this study was $1,700.  The current estimated cost to complete a feasibility study for one intersection is around $1,800 if counts are available, and $3,500 if SEH, Inc. must collect traffic counts. Staff can provide traffic counts so the $1,800 estimate is valid.
 
If Council directs Staff to pursue this, Staff will direct SEH to submit a proposal to study the feasibility of modifying the signal system at the intersection of Sunwood Drive and Ramsey Boulevard/CSAH 56 to add flashing yellow arrow operations.  If the proposal states they can complete the work at a not-to-exceed cost of $1,800 Staff will direct SEH to begin the work and begin working with Anoka County to add this work to Anoka County’s 2022 FYA improvement projects, pending all required future City Council approvals.  

No notifications are required for this case.

Alternative #1 – Motion to adopt Resolution #21-302 authorizing SEH, Inc. to complete a Feasibility Study for Flashing Yellow Arrow Improvements to the signal system at the intersection of Sunwood Drive and Ramsey Boulevard/CSAH 56.
 
Alternative #2 – Motion of other.  
 

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/Bunker Lake Boulevard and Sunwood Drive this fall/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 provides traffic counts. The Public Improvement Revolving Fund is proposed to fund the study, and any improvements approved by the City Council in the future. 

The Public Works Committee discussed this at their regular meeting on October 19, 2021, and recommended City Council approval to authorize a feasibility study for flashing yellow arrow improvements at the intersection of Sunwood Drive and Ramsey Boulevard/CSAH 56.  They also recommended working to upgrade one signal system with legs on a City street per year to include FYA operations until all systems have FYA’s.
 
Staff recommends alternative #1.  

Adopt Resolution #21-302 authorizing SEH, Inc. to complete a Feasibility Study for Flashing Yellow Arrow Improvements to the signal system at the intersection of Sunwood Drive and Ramsey Boulevard/CSAH 56.