HomeMy WebLinkAbout155 - Vision Triangle Memo
BOZEMAN, GREAT FALLS, KALISPELL & SHELBY, MT | SPOKANE, WA | LEWISTON, ID | WATFORD CITY, ND | MEDIA, PA
406.586.0277
tdhengineering.com
234 East Babcock Street
Suite 3
Bozeman, MT 59715
MEMORANDUM
Date: February 7, 2023 TDH Job No.: B22-007
To: Cody Flammond, PE - City of Bozeman Engineering Department
From: Cody Croskey, PE
Subject: 5th & Main Residences
Vision Triangle Departure Supporting Information
The purpose of this memo is to demonstrate how the proposed departure from the Street
Vision Triangle standard for the 5th & Main Residences project can be accomplished
without jeopardizing the public’s health, safety, and welfare while still meeting the intent of
the standard.
The proposed building will be located at the northeast corner of the intersection with
storefront block frontages immediately adjacent to N. 5th Avenue and Main Street to satisfy
the B-3 zoning district form & intensity standards which are in-line with the City’s growth
policy. The corner of the building at the ground floor is planned to be pulled back outside of
the street vision triangle in accordance with the standard. The upper floors, however, will
overhang the street vision triangle and a single column must come down within the street
vision triangle to support the upper floors in a structurally safe and reliable manner. The
departure request is for the encroachment of this single column.
A departure from the Street Vision Triangle standard was identified with the original site
plan application materials for this project in accordance with BMC 38.400.100.E as the 5th
and Main intersection is controlled by a traffic signal and Main Street is an MDT urban
route. We also understand from previous correspondence during the Concept Review
process that the City Engineering Department will likely support a departure from the Street
Vision Triangle at this intersection for the following reasons:
(i) The intersection is signalized.
(ii) The sidewalk width is adequate to allow sighting of pedestrian traffic by
motor vehicles.
(iii) The encroachment and conditions at the intersection are consistent with
other signalized intersections on Main Street.
The following sight distance analysis is provided in accordance with MDT and AASHTO
design standards to demonstrate how the proposed street vision triangle encroachment can
exist without significantly impeding or obstructing the view of the traveling public at this
intersection.
t dhengineering.com
PAGE NO. 2 FEBRUARY 7, 2023
Methods for determining Intersection Sight Distance (ISD) requirements at traffic-signal
controlled intersections are provided in the Montana Traffic Engineering Manual developed
by MDT, which uses gap acceptance design based on the criteria and theory presented in
AASHTO’s A Policy on Geometric Design of Highways and Streets.
Because this intersection is signalized in all directions, the controlling movement for sight
distance at the northeast quadrant is a south-bound right turn from the minor road (N. 5th
Avenue) onto Main Street heading west. The driver of the vehicle on the minor road must
have sufficient clear sight distance of oncoming traffic to the right to make a safe departure
in a right-on-red scenario.
The attached exhibit shows the resulting intersection sight distance triangle required at this
corner with a posted speed limit of 25 MPH following the Montana Traffic Engineering
Manual Section 28.9.2. The proposed building and support column will not obstruct the
required sight distance triangle, and the sidewalks are sufficiently wide to allow pedestrians
to see and be seen before attempting a crossing using the existing pedestrian signals.
Please let me know if you have any questions or require any additional information.
Sincerely,
Cody Croskey PE
Civil Engineer
TD&H ENGINEERING
J:\2022\B22-007 Tracy Sub Block D\DOCUMENTS\REPORTS\Vision Triangle\5th & MAIN VISION TRIANGLE MEMO.DOC
UPUPUPUPUPUPMAIN STREETN 5TH AVENUE
ALLEY5TH & MAINRESIDENCESBUILDINGDESIGNED BY:QUALITY CHECK:JOB NO.FIELDBOOKDRAWN BY:DATE:B22-007 EX-1 SIGHT DISTANCEREV DATE NOT FORCONSTRUCTION
REVISION
5TH & MAIN RESIDENCES
BOZEMAN, MONTANA
INTERSECTION SIGHT DISTANCE EXHIBIT B22-0072.7.23.DWGSHEETEX-1CJCEngineering
234 E. BABCOCK ST., SUITE 3 • BOZEMAN, MONTANA 59715
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