US Hwy 6 Collector-Distributor Ramp Improvement - Stolfus and Associates
758
portfolio_page-template-default,single,single-portfolio_page,postid-758,bridge-core-3.1.3,,vertical_menu_enabled,qode_grid_1300,side_area_uncovered_from_content,footer_responsive_adv,qode-content-sidebar-responsive,qode-overridden-elementors-fonts,qode-theme-ver-30.4.2,qode-theme-bridge,disabled_footer_bottom,qode_header_in_grid,qode-portfolio-single-template-5,wpb-js-composer js-comp-ver-7.3,vc_responsive,elementor-default,elementor-kit-933

US Hwy 6 Collector-Distributor Ramp Improvement

About This Project

 

Background

  • US Hwy 6 from I-25 west to Perry Street was recently reconstructed (US 6 Bridges project)
  • Observed congestion and safety concerns at westbound merge of the collector-distributor (C-D) ramp and mainline US Hwy 6
    • Traffic on the C-D often backs up during the afternoon rush hour
    • Stop-and-go traffic on the C-D increases the likelihood of traffic crashes

 

Challenge

  • Physical constraints limit the potential for additional downstream capacity on US Hwy 6
  • The need to maintain all freeway ramps results in operational complexity along the collector-distributor ramp and mainline

 

Solution

  • Conducted a traffic study to identify potential improvement options
  • Calibrated a micro-simulation traffic model to existing conditions and used the model to test improvement scenarios
    • It was determined that removal of a portion of the channelizing barrier and lengthening of the merge area would significantly benefit traffic flow
  • Modeled the safety impacts of the planned improvement
    • The number of vehicle conflicts (and potential crashes) is significantly reduced by virtue of improvements to traffic flow

 

Outcome

  • Stolfus & Associates, Inc. was ultimately tasked with designing the improvement and as of Spring 2019 it is in process of being constructed
  • Ultimately, this project is expected to improve safety and mobility for relatively low cost and with very little disruption