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Home My WebLink About18 - Traffic Impact Study - RSVP Motel Event Center RSVP Motel Event Center Traffic Impact Study Bozeman, Montana Prepared For: Logjam Presents 134 West Front Street Missoula, Montana 59802 September, 2018 130 South Howie Street Helena, Montana 59601 406-459-1443 RSVP Motel Event Center Bozeman, Montana i Table of Contents A. Executive Summary ...................................................................................... 1 B. Project Description ........................................................................................ 1 C. Existing Conditions ........................................................................................ 1 Adjacent Roadways .............................................................................. 2 Traffic Counts ........................................................................................ 3 Whittier School ...................................................................................... 3 Hourly Traffic Volumes .......................................................................... 4 Level of Service ..................................................................................... 6 2017 Bozeman Transportation Plan Recommended Projects ............... 6 Planned MDT Road Projects ................................................................. 7 D. Proposed Development .............................................................................. 7 E. Trip Generation and Assignment ................................................................ 8 F. Trip Distribution ........................................................................................ 10 G. Event Traffic Impacts ................................................................................ 11 H. Impact Summary & Recommendations .................................................... 13 List of Figures Figure 1 – Proposed Development Site ...................................................................2 Figure 2 – Hourly Traffic Volumes North 7th & Peach Street ...................................5 Figure 3 – Hourly Traffic Volumes Main Street & Peach Street ...............................5 Figure 4 – Project Site Plan .....................................................................................9 Figure 5– Trip Distribution .......................................................................................10 Figure 6 – Recommended Improvements ...............................................................14 List of Tables Table 1 – Historic Traffic Data .................................................................................4 Table 2 – 2016 Level of Service Summary ..............................................................6 Table 3 – Trip Generation Rates .............................................................................8 Table 4 – Event Loading Traffic Comparison ..........................................................11 Table 5 – Event Unloading Traffic Comparison .......................................................12 RSVP Motel Event Center Bozeman, Montana Abelin Traffic Services 1 September, 2018 RSVP Motel Event Center Traffic Impact Study Bozeman, Montana A. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The RSVP Motel Event Center is a 1,500 seat concert and special events venue proposed just south of the existing RSVP Motel in Bozeman, MT. At maximum usage the event center could add an additional 996 vehicle trips onto the surrounding road network. However, most of these trips would occur well outside the normal peak traffic periods for the existing road network and the event center traffic flow will remain below existing peak flows on these roadways for both current and future road conditions. No geometric roadway improvements will be necessary with this project. The developers should work with the City of Bozeman to install an actuated pedestrian signal at Villard Street as recommended in the 2017 Bozeman Transportation Master Plan. The developers should also coordinate with the City to improve the intersection and corridor lighting on the adjacent road network to improve safety. The developers should work with the Streamline Bus Service to provide a bus shelter adjacent to the venue once a bus route in this vicinity is established to promote transit service to the site and should avoid planning events which would interfere with school traffic and school parking needs. B. PROJECT DESCRIPTION This document studies the possible effects on the surrounding road system from a proposed music and concert venue east of North 7th Avenue in Bozeman, Montana. The document also identifies any traffic mitigation efforts that the development may require. The site is located between Short Street and Peach Street (Durston Road). The project would be developed to include a 1,500 seat music/special events venue on 0.5 acres of property adjoining the existing RSVP Motel. Based on the City of Bozeman Subdivision Regulations, the developers must study all effected intersections within ½ mile of the proposed development, which includes the intersections of North 7th Avenue with Durston Road/Peach Street, Short Street, and Main Street to the south. C. EXISTING CONDITIONS The proposed development property currently consists of a 0.5-acre parcel located east of North 7th Avenue between Short Street and Peach Street on the site of the existing commercial property of Tom’s Floor Store. The surrounding area is comprised of a variety of commercial and residential areas. Whittier Elementary School is located just east of the site. The school district also maintains a 32-space parking lot west of 6th Street just south of the prosed events center which is marked as school parking only. The topography in this area is flat. See Figure 1 for a location map of the proposed development. RSVP Motel Event Center Bozeman, Montana Abelin Traffic Services 2 September, 2018 Figure 1- Proposed Development Site Adjacent Roadways North 7th Avenue is a north/south principal arterial street. North of Beall Street the road has a five-lane cross-section with raised center medians. The road provides access to the commercial and light-industrial areas along the corridor. The posted speed limit is 35 MPH. The road has a paved width of 88 feet with on-street parking and sidewalks on both sides of the roadway. The intersection of North 7th Avenue with Peach Street, Mendenhall Street, and Main Street are currently signalized and the intersection with Villard Street currently has a marked crosswalk. Traffic data from MDT suggests that the roadway carries 14,000 VPD. Peach Street/Durston Road is a two-way, paved east/west collector roadway that extends east from North 7th Avenue. To the west of North 7th Avenue the route is known as Durston Road. East of North 7th Avenue the road has a paved width of 40 feet with bike lanes and on-street parking on the north side of the roadway. The posted speed limit is 25 MPH. All cross-streets with Peach Street are STOP controlled. The roadway currently has an actuated pedestrian crosswalk (RRFB) at 5th Street adjacent to Whittier School. Traffic data from MDT suggests that the roadway currently carries 6,000 VPD. Short Street is an east/west local road that connects North 7th Avenue with Whittier School Proposed Event Center Location Whittier School RSVP Motel Event Center Bozeman, Montana Abelin Traffic Services 3 September, 2018 to the east. The road has a paved width of 36 feet with sidewalks and on-street parking on both sides. The road has a posted speed limit of 25 MPH. The intersection with North 7th Avenue is controlled with a STOP sign and the intersection with 6th Street is uncontrolled. Traffic data collected by ATS suggests the roadway currently carries 200 VPD. 6th Avenue is a north/south local route that extends from Peach Street to Villard Street. The road has a paved width of 34 feet with sidewalks and on-street parking on both sides. Adjacent to Whittier School the road has posted parking restrictions limiting parking to 2 hours from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM with some sections of bus only parking. Villard Street is an east/west local road that extends east from North 7th Avenue into the residential areas to the south of Whittier School to the east. The road has a paved width of 34 feet with on-street parking on both sides. The intersection with North 7th Avenue is controlled with a STOP sign. Traffic data collected by ATS suggests the roadway currently carries 1,100 VPD. Traffic Counts The traffic data used for this report was collected on the surrounding road system by MDT over the past ten years and by ATS in the summer of 2018. The data collected by ATS included daily traffic data for Short Street and Villard Street. Additional data for the adjacent roadways was obtained from MDT including directional AADT traffic data for North 7th Avenue and Peach Street and weekday and weekend intersection turning movement count data for North 7th Avenue and Peach Street. Historic traffic data was also collected for North 7th Avenue and Peach Street from the Montana Department of Transportation. The data for these locations is presented in Table 1. Unlike other major corridors in the Bozeman area, traffic volumes in this area have not increased significantly in the last ten years. Whittier School Whittier School is located just to the east of the proposed development site. The school currently has 280 enrolled students and 60 faculty and staff. Regular school hours are 8:00 AM to 3:30 PM. The school produces approximately 530 vehicle trips per day based current rates from the ITE Trip Generation Manual (1.89 trips per student). RSVP Motel Event Center Bozeman, Montana Abelin Traffic Services 4 September, 2018 Table 1 – Historic Average Daily Traffic Data Location 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 N 7th Ave S of Peach/Durston #16-3B-057 14,980 15,250 15,500 15,500 15,410 14,530 14,550 14,580 15,133 13,560 N 7th Ave N of Mendenhal #16-3B-056 13,570 13,810 14,420 14,420 15,000 16,450 13,010 13,570 14,241 14,478 N 7th Ave N of Peach/Durston #16-3B-058 18,080 18,410 18,500 18,500 17,030 18,100 16,770 17,460 17,973 17,685 Peach St E of 7th Ave #16-3B-045 6,570 6,700 6,140 6,120 6,490 6,110 8,390 8,610 8,711 6,000 Hourly Traffic Volumes ATS reviewed traffic data from MDT to evaluate how traffic patterns change in this area through a typical day. The data used for this analysis was from continuous intersection traffic counts conducted by MDT along 7th Avenue at Peach Street and at Main Street in September of 2015 and 2016. This data included both weekday data and weekend data for the Peach Street Intersection. The results of this analysis are shown in Figures 2 & 3. The figures show that traffic volumes in this area vary considerably throughout the day. Morning traffic volumes at the intersections peak around 8:00 AM on weekdays. Traffic volumes then decrease for several hours before rising to another peak around noon. Traffic volume increase through the 3:00 hour to reach a daily peak at 5:00 PM. Volumes then decrease rapidly into the evening. By 7:00 PM traffic volumes are less than the morning peak traffic periods and by 10:00 PM traffic volumes are just 20% of the daily peak flow rates. Weekend traffic volumes peak around noon and are generally lower than weekday traffic volumes. RSVP Motel Event Center Bozeman, Montana Abelin Traffic Services 5 September, 2018 *Based on Traffic Data Collected by MDT in September 2015 & 2016 A similar trend exists at the intersection with Main Street although traffic volumes along the main street corridor do not have a morning peak and noon and evening peak traffic periods tend to be similar. Traffic volumes on Peach Street are significantly lower than those on Main Street or North 7th Avenue but follow the same general trends. *Based on traffic data collected by MDT in August 2016 and September 2017. 0 500 1,000 1,500 2,000 2,500 3,000 Figure 2 -Hourly Traffic Volumes North 7th & Peach Street Weekday Weekend 0 200 400 600 800 1,000 1,200 1,400 1,600 1,800 2,000 Figure 3 -Hourly Traffic Volumes Main Street & Peach Street Main Street Peach Street RSVP Motel Event Center Bozeman, Montana Abelin Traffic Services 6 September, 2018 Level of Service Level of Service for the adjacent major intersection was obtained from the 2017 Bozeman Transportation Master Plan (BTMP). The BTMP contains current and projected traffic operations information for most major roadways and intersections within the Bozeman area including the intersections of North 7th Avenue with Durston Road/Peach Street and Main Street. These are the only two major signalized intersections that could be potentially affected by the proposed development project. Table 2 shows the existing 2016 LOS for the AM and PM peak hours from the BTMP. The table shows that these existing intersections along North 7th Avenue are currently operating within acceptable limits. No recommendations were included in the BTMP for modifications to these intersections. However, the PM peak-hour LOS at the intersection of North 7th & Peach Street is nearing LOS D and has been identified by MDT for intersection improvements. Table 2 – 2016 Level of Service Summary AM Peak Hour PM Peak Hour Intersection Delay (Sec.) LOS Delay (Sec.) LOS North 7th & Peach Street 28.1 C 32.7 C North 7th & Main Street 14.4 B 12.7 B 2017 Bozeman Transportation Master Plan Recommended Projects The BTMP does contain a variety of recommended traffic and pedestrian facility improvement along the North 7th Avenue corridor. However, most of these projects would have limited influence on the proposed project. These projects include: TSM-20: N. 7th Avenue and Mendenhall Street Revise the northeast quadrant at the intersection of North 7th Avenue and Mendenhall Street to provide a short right-turn bay for westbound to northbound turning vehicles. Estimated Cost $120,000. This project could improve peak-hour traffic flow at the intersection of North 7th Avenue and Mendenhall Street but would provide little impact on traffic conditions near the proposed events center. SPOT-11 Pedestrian Hybrid Beacon West Lamme Street and N. 7th Avenue This project supports the formalization of a bicycle boulevard along Lamme Street. Lamme Street is an existing high bicycle and pedestrian use street. This crossing point at North 7th Avenue is currently difficult and RSVP Motel Event Center Bozeman, Montana Abelin Traffic Services 7 September, 2018 limits the east-west potential of the route. With the 4-lane cross section with no median, a rapid flashing beacon would not be visible enough with the two approach lanes in each direction. A Pedestrian Hybrid Beacon is recommended with a bulb-out on the NE and SW corners for bicyclists to enter and use the pedestrian signal. Estimated Cost $50,000 to $75,000. This project would improve pedestrian traffic flow across North 7th Avenue but is located more than 1,000 feet from the proposed events center and would not be necessary for the events center due to other existing and proposed pedestrian improvements closer to the site. SPOT-43 RRFB N 7th Ave and Villard St Add a pedestrian crossing and Rectangular Rapid Flash Beacon (RRFB). Estimated Cost $20,000 to $30,000. This project would improve pedestrian mobility across N. 7th Avenue and is one block from the event center. This project could be utilized by the attendants at the events center. A full discussion of recommended pedestrian improvements is included in Section G. Planned MDT Road Projects The Montana Department of Transportation currently has a planned road improvements project at the intersection of North 7th Avenue and Durston Road/Peach Street. This project (UPN 9313000) will include widening on Peach Street to create separate through/right and left-only lanes for westbound traffic. Adding these turn lanes will allow modifications to the existing signal timing at the intersection to eliminate the existing side-street split phase operations (eastbound and westbound traffic are currently given separate signal phases). The change in operation will allow both eastbound and westbound traffic movements to flow concurrently with appropriate protected left-turn actuated signal phases and will significantly improve the overall traffic flow at the intersection. This project will likely be constructed in 2020 or 2021. D. PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT The development currently under consideration for this site includes 0.5 acres of land located east of North 7th Avenue and north of Short Street which would be developed into a concert and special events venue. The venue would include 12,843 S.F. of gross floor area and would connect to the existing RSVP motel building to the north. The venue would have a 1,500 seat capacity and would host 7-9 concerts and 1-2 private events per month on both weekdays and weekend days. Special events would typically have 150 attendees and five employees. Concerts would typically have RSVP Motel Event Center Bozeman, Montana Abelin Traffic Services 8 September, 2018 approximately 800 attendants and 20-25 employees. Concerts will typically open doors at 7:00 PM with shows starting at 8:00 PM. Concerts will generally end between 10:00 and 11:00 PM. The RSVP Motel Event Center site plan is shown in Figure 4. Parking for the events center would mainly be accounted for off-site. The events center will make arrangements with the Bozeman School District to use the off-street parking lot just south of the property outside of school hours (32 parking spaces). Additional arrangements will be made with the adjacent businesses to provide after-hour parking for the events center. The development would also include parking for up to 105 bicycles. The site includes a drop-off loop on the eastern side of the building. The remainder of the parking needs will be supplied be the available on-street parking on North 7th Avenue, Short Street, and 6th Street. E. TRIP GENERATION AND ASSIGNMENT Generally a trip generation analysis for a development project is created using the trip generation rates contained in Trip Generation (Institute of Transportation Engineers). However, no specific trip generation rates exist for a concert or special events center within the manual. This is mainly due to the intermittent and high variable use patterns that can be created by this type of venue. In order to produce a trip generation information for the RSVP Motel, ATS reviewed information from the Federal Highway Administration manual Managing Travel for Planned Special Events which contains specific information vehicle use patterns for events and concerts. The manual suggest that the typical vehicle occupancy for special events ranges from 2.1 to 2.8 occupants per vehicle. For the purposes of this report a vehicle occupancy rate of 2.5 was used. Information from the BTMP suggest that approximately 15% of commuting traffic within the community of Bozeman is done by pedestrians, bikes, or transit. Based on this information, the trip generation for the various uses of the event center can be calculated using the equations in Table 3. Table 3 – Trip Generation Calculations Attendees Non-Vehicle Attendees (15%) Total Vehicles (2.5 Veh. occupancy) Total Vehicle Trips Private Events 150 150 x (.15) = 23 (150-23)/2.5 = 51 102 Concerts Maximum 1,500 1500 x (0.15) = 255 (1,500-255)/2.5 = 498 996 Concerts Typical 800 800 x (0.15) = 120 (800-120)/2.5 = 272 544 RSVP Motel Event Center Bozeman, Montana Abelin Traffic Services 9 September, 2018 Figure 4 - Project Site Plan RSVP Motel Event Center Bozeman, Montana Abelin Traffic Services 10 September, 2018 Generally these events will create only two trips per vehicle, one approaching the site before the start of an event and one leaving at the end of the event. The vehicle trips for the 5 to 25 employees hosting an event will likely be throughout the day and can generally be discounted due to the variable hours of the events and offsets from the existing land uses (retail flooring) on the property. Typical traffic patterns for the events center will include vehicle loading of a maximum of 500 vehicles (typically ~270) prior to an event (7:00 to 8:00 PM) and maximum unloading traffic flow of 500 vehicles at the end of an event (10:00 to 11:00 PM). F. TRIP DISTRIBUTION The traffic distribution and assignment for the proposed subdivision was based upon the existing ADT volumes along the adjacent roadways and the peak-hour turning volumes. The strong grid network in this portion of Bozeman will allow drivers to exit the area along a variety of different routes. Traffic is expected to distribute onto the surrounding road network as shown on Figure 5. Figure 5 – Trip Distribution 6 th Av e n u e Short Street 10% Concert Venue Peach Street 15% 20% 30% No r t h 7 th Av e n u e 25% RSVP Motel Event Center Bozeman, Montana Abelin Traffic Services 11 September, 2018 G. EVENT TRAFFIC IMPACTS Using the trip generation and trip distribution numbers, ATS evaluated the traffic impacts from the events center on the surrounding road network. In this particular case it is more valuable to review the overall traffic impacts based on the traffic loading along the major road network compared to the existing traffic flow patterns. The events center will generally not produce a significant amount of peak-hour traffic. Special events traffic will generally occur throughout the day with little traffic effecting the surrounding road network during peak hours. Evening concert events will also not add a significant mount of traffic to the adjacent roads and intersections during the existing peak traffic use periods. Typically concert/event traffic will flow into the area (500 vehicles for major concerts) between 7:00 PM and 8:00 PM and this traffic will then flow from the events center in the late evening (10:00 to 11:00 pm). Traffic will distribute onto the surrounding road network in a variety of directions with approximately half of the traffic (250 VPH) flowing through the intersection of North 7th Avenue and Peach Street. The remaining vehicles will flow to and from the site using alternative routes at a rate of 50 to 150 VPH. Comparing the maximum traffic volumes expected from the events center to the maximum current traffic flows on the adjacent roadway suggests that traffic conditions around the events center during maximum loading and unloading will be well below current existing peak traffic flows within the area. A breakdown of this information is shown in Tables 4 & 5. In general, peak traffic flows with the events center traffic will be 30% below current peak-hour traffic volumes during event loading and 70% below current peak traffic volumes while unloading. Current traffic flow patterns and intersection operations are acceptable during peak traffic conditions and the area intersections are configured to maximize traffic flow for a variety of use patterns. Therefore no intersection modifications will be necessary to support traffic loading and unloading from the events center. Table 4 – Event Loading Traffic Comparison Existing Peak- Hour Flow Rate (5:00-6:00 PM) Existing Flow Rate Loading Period (7:00 to 8:00 PM) Loading Period Site Generated Traffic Total Loading Period Traffic With Events Center N 7th & Peach Intersection 2,574 VPH 1,511 VPH +250 VPH 1,761 (68% of Existing Peak- Hour) N 7th Main & Intersection 1,737 VPH 1,112 VPH +125 VPH 1,237 (71% of Existing Peak- Hour) Peach Street 650 VPH 369 VPH +75 VPH 444 (68% of Existing Peak- Hour) Villard Street 96 VPH 48 VPH +50 VPH 98 (102% of Existing Peak- Hour) RSVP Motel Event Center Bozeman, Montana Abelin Traffic Services 12 September, 2018 Table 5 – Event Unloading Traffic Comparison Existing Peak- Hour Flow Rate (5:00-6:00 PM) Existing Flow Rate Unloading Period (10:00 to 1100 PM) Unloading Period Site Generated Traffic Total Unloading Period Traffic With Events Center N 7th & Peach Intersection 2,574 VPH 471 VPH +250 VPH 721 (28% of Existing Peak- Hour) N 7th Main & Intersection 1,737 VPH 392 VPH +125 VPH 1,237 (30% of e Existing Peak- Hour) Peach Street 650 VPH 133 VPH +75 VPH 208 (32% of Existing Peak- Hour) Villard Street 96 VPH 21 VPH +50 VPH 71 (74% of Existing Peak- Hour) Some roadway modifications are recommended with the development of the events center to improve pedestrian flow to and from the site and to improve safety. The BTMP suggests adding an actuated pedestrian signal (RRFB) at the existing crosswalk on North 7th Avenue at Villard Street (SPOT-43) to meet current pedestrian demands. Although there are existing traffic signals to facilitate pedestrian crossing at Main Street, Mendenhall Street, and Peach Street, it is likely that drivers walking to the site from the residential area to the west and from on-street parking areas will choose to cross North 7th Avenue between Villard Street and Peach Street. Since a pedestrian crossing beacon is already recommended at Villard Street in the BTMP, it is recommended that this RRFB be installed before completion of the events center. It is not recommended that any other midblock pedestrian crossing be developed between Peach Street and Villard Street (total separation distance 900 feet). Additional pedestrian crossings along this section of North 7th Avenue will potentially increase vehicle/pedestrian conflicts and will not improve pedestrian safety. Forcing pedestrians to cross at fewer locations creates fewer conflict points and helps drivers focus on specific pedestrians crossing locations. Most of the other intersections in this area currently have exiting crosswalks created for Whittier School. These crosswalks should be sufficient to meet pedestrian needs on the other roadways adjacent to the site. It is also recommended that the events center work with the City of Bozeman and MDT to improve the intersection and corridor lighting along North 7th, Peach Street, Short Street, and 6th Avenue. The City of Bozeman has already requested that the developers install overhead lighting at the intersection of 6th Avenue and Short Street and intersection and corridor lighting already exists at most of the nearby intersections. With the event center primarily hosting evening events, adding additional overhead lighting to intersections and street corridors will significantly improve safety for both drivers and pedestrians within the area. Some care should be taken to limit corridor lighting in residential areas. The recommended area for improved intersection and corridor lighting is shown in Figure 6. RSVP Motel Event Center Bozeman, Montana Abelin Traffic Services 13 September, 2018 Although the event center is not currently on the Bozeman Streamline Bus routes, the developers should work with the Streamline Bus Service to provide a bus shelter adjacent to the venue once a bus route in this vicinity is established. The developers should also work with the Streamline Bus Service to help provide transit to the venue for major events. The event center should also take care to avoid planning events which would interfere with school traffic and school parking needs. Long Range Traffic Projections The 2017 Bozeman Transportation Master Plan projects traffic conditions on roadways throughout Bozeman through 2040 and takes into account all anticipated land development projects which are expected to occur in this area of Bozeman over the next 25 years. The Bozeman Transportation Master Plan suggests that average daily traffic volumes along north 7th Avenue and Peach Street will increase by 25%-32% by 2040. The Bozeman Transportation Master Plan anticipates that the Main Street intersection will function at LOS B in 2040 and Peach Street will function at LOS D. However, these projections do not include the MDT planned improvements for the intersection of North 7th Avenue and Peach Street which will allow the intersection to operate at LOS C through 2040. With the additional traffic volume growth on the surrounding road system, peak traffic volume from the events center will still be at or below the current peak traffic volumes. All intersections in this area should continue to function at acceptable LOS through 2040 with the proposed events center. H. IMPACT SUMMARY & RECOMMENDATIONS At maximum usage the RSVP Motel Event Center could add an additional 996 vehicle trips onto the surrounding road network. However, most of these trips would occur well outside the normal peak traffic periods for the existing road network and the event center traffic flow will remain below existing peak flows on these roadways for both current and future road conditions. No geometric roadway improvements will be necessary with this project. The developers should work with the City of Bozeman to install an actuated pedestrian signal at Villard Street as recommended in the 2017 Bozeman Transportation Master Plan. The developers should also coordinate with the City to improve the intersection and corridor lighting on the adjacent road network to improve safety. The developers should work with the Streamline Bus Service to provide a bus shelter adjacent to the venue once a bus route in this vicinity is established to promote transit service to the site and should avoid planning events which would interfere with school traffic and school parking needs. RSVP Motel Event Center Bozeman, Montana Abelin Traffic Services 14 September, 2018 Figure 6. Recommended Improvements Improve Intersection and Corridor Lighting Install Actuated Pedestrian Beacon (RRFB) 130 South Howie Street Helena, Montana 59601 406‐459‐1443 October 5, 2018 Matt Hausauer C&H Engineering 1091 Stoneridge Drive Bozeman, MT 59718 RE: RSVP Event Center Traffic Impact Study Addendum Dear Matt, The City of Bozeman has requested additional information regarding the traffic impacts from passenger drop-offs at the RSVP Events Center. The City would like to know if there will be sufficient area to support drop-off and ride-sharing services for events. According to the Traffic Impact Study, a standard concert event will draw approximately 272 vehicles to the site. Since the project does not propose to create a large parking lot for the events center, all parking will need to be accommodated in leased lots adjacent to the site or on-street. This will likely lead to drivers dropping off concert attendees near the site and parking elsewhere, or utilizing ridesharing services. It is possible that half of the vehicles going to the site will be drop-offs (approximately 140 vehicles). The areas available for drop-offs will include the existing bus loading area along the east side of 6th Avenue adjacent to Whittier School (eight drop-off spaces). The venue also propose to create special signing for the north side of Short Street to designate the area for drop-offs only (six drop- off spaces). In total, 14 drop off spaces will be available for the concert venue. Turnover for drop-off and riding sharing spaces will be rapid. It is likely that pick-up and drop- offs will require approximately two minutes or less for each vehicle to park, unload or load passengers, and leave. With 14 available drop-off spaces, all 140 drop-off vehicles could deliver or pick-up passengers in approximately 20 minutes. It is expected that venue loading will take approximately one hour and unloading of the venue will take approximately 30 minutes. Based on this information, it is likely that the 14 provided drop-off/ride sharing spaces will be sufficient to serve the events center. Ultimately the traffic patterns around the site will be driven by a variety of factors such as parking availability, event size, and weather conditions. Patterns of use will also likely change over time as attendees learn the best ways to travel to and from the events center. It will be desirable to monitor traffic patterns and parking conditions around the events center and make changes to the available drop-off/ride sharing areas as needed. Sincerely, Bob Abelin, P.E. PTOE Abelin Traffic Services, Inc.