ALT ERNAT I VE S TO W I D E N I NG LITHIA PINECREST 4.4 Overall Summary of Performance Each of the seven alternative sets and the E+C model results were compared to the E+C+LP model results to determine if an alternative set could provide a benefit to the overall network wide performance over the full widening of Lithia Pinecrest Road. Table 5 and Table 6 compare the volume and V/C results of roadway segments within the study area during the AM and PM peak, respectively. In these tables, the V/C ratio of each of the alternatives is compared to the E+C+LP model and color coded based on the significance of the percent change. These can also be seen graphically on Figures 45 and 46, which show a comparison for the following eight different roadway segments within the study area: Bloomingdale Avenue (US 301 to Kings Avenue) Bloomingdale Avenue (Kings Avenue to Bell Shoals Road) Bloomingdale Avenue (Bell Shoals Road to Lithia Pinecrest Road) Bell Shoals Road (Bloomingdale Avenue to Fishhawk Boulevard) Fishhawk Boulevard (Bell Shoals Road to Lithia Pinecrest Road) Lithia Pinecrest Road (Lumsden Road to Bloomingdale Avenue) Lithia Pinecrest Road (Bloomingdale Avenue to Fishhawk Boulevard) Lumsden Road (Brandon Parkway to Lithia Pinecrest Road) In the AM peak period, westbound Bloomingdale Avenue experiences no significant change under almost all alternatives. The exception is Alternative Set 1, due to the diversion of vehicles up Bell Shoals Road. For all alternatives, the most significant positive changes occur on Fishhawk Boulevard and Lumsden Road, which is where the majority of widening projects occur. Because the E+C+LP model involves widening Lithia Pinecrest Road from 2 to 4 lanes, the V/C ratio for this roadway is significantly reduced. This results in the Alternative Sets without Lithia Pinecrest Road widening to operate at a higher V/C ratio along Lithia Pinecrest Road. However, Alternative Sets 5, 6, and 7 utilize the uneven Lithia Pinecrest Widening improvement project, which allows for the
V/C ratios on Lithia Pinecrest Road between Fishhawk Boulevard to Bloomingdale Avenue to remain similar to the full widening of Lithia Pinecrest Road alternative. In the PM peak period, eastbound Bloomingdale Avenue (from US 301 to Kings Avenue) and southbound Bell Shoals Road (from Bloomingdale Avenue to Fishhawk Boulevard) experience no significant change under any of the initial seven alternatives. For most alternatives, the most significant positive changes occur on Fishhawk Boulevard, Lumsden Road, and Bloomingdale Avenue (from Bell Shoals Road to Lithia Pinecrest Road). As is the case with the AM peak period, the widening of Lithia Pinecrest Road under the E+C+LP alternative reduces the V/C ratios along Lithia Pinecrest Road. This results in the Alternative Sets without Lithia Pinecrest Road widening to operate at a higher V/C ratio along Lithia Pinecrest Road. However, Alternative Sets 5, 6, and 7 utilize the uneven Lithia Pinecrest Widening improvement project, which allows for the V/C ratios on Lithia Pinecrest Road between Lumsden Road to Bloomingdale Avenue to improve significantly over the E+C+LP alternative. Key observations of these results include: Widening Fishhawk Boulevard is necessary to accommodate the increased traffic that will utilize Bell Shoals Road after the widening project is complete. Widening Fishhawk Boulevard may also see a shift in traffic onto Fishhawk Boulevard away from Lithia Pinecrest Road, allowing improved operations on Lithia Pinecrest Road, south of Bloomingdale Avenue. Lithia Pinecrest Road is a congested roadway and requires some combination of widening and alternative north-south roadway enhancements to improve overall flow throughout the network. Due to the uneven AM and PM volume splits along Lithia Pinecrest Road, a full widening from Fishhawk Boulevard to Lumsden Road is not necessary. However, strategic widening associated with the peak direction of travel is more beneficial and less costly. In addition to widening Lithia Pinecrest Road, other north-south roadways can be
Summary Report
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