Co-presenters: Becky White & Scott Cothron, P.E. Southern District Annual ITE Meeting Charleston, SC March 31, 2008

1. SR 216 Safety Study:
The Benefits of Public Involvement
Co presenters:
Becky White & Scott Cothron, P.E.
Southern District ITE Annual Meeting
Charleston, SC
March 31, 2008
Sain Associates, Inc.
Birmingham, Alabama

2. The Community Setting
SR 216 Birmingham
Tuscaloosa
Sain Associates, Inc.
Birmingham, Alabama

3. The Corridor
Project Limits:
CR 59/ Lock 17 Road, east of Brookwood
to Interstate 20/59, east of Lakeview
(16 Miles)
I-20/59
CR 59/Lock 17 Road
Sain Associates, Inc.
Birmingham, Alabama

4. SR 216 Corridor Safety Study
Why do a safety study?
 SR 216 originally designed in 1939
 Design followed existing topography
 Not designed with today’s standards
 $1.8 million allocated for study and safety
improvements
Sain Associates, Inc.
Birmingham, Alabama

5. SR 216 Corridor Safety Study
What methods should we use
for the safety study?
 Traditional Method - Analyze Data
 Non-traditional Method - Public’s Input
Sain Associates, Inc.
Birmingham, Alabama

6. SR 216 Corridor Safety Study
Traditional Study Method
 Gather Data
(Volumes, Speeds, Crash Frequency)
 Review Crash Data
 Site Visit (Road Safety Audit/ Review)
Sain Associates, Inc.
Birmingham, Alabama

7. SR 216 Corridor Safety Study
Volumes and Characteristics
East of County Road 59 (Near Brookwood):
4,000 Vehicles Per Weekday (9% Large Trucks)
Near Interstate 20/59 Interchange:
10,800 Vehicles Per Weekday (4% Large Trucks)
Traffic Growth: 5% Per Year
Sain Associates, Inc.
Birmingham, Alabama

8. SR 216 Corridor Safety Study
Recorded Crash History
(2003-2006)
Year Crashes
2003 42
2004 23
2005 31
2006 24
Total 120
Fatality Crash Rate is 3 times the
Statewide Average Fatality Crash Rate Sain Associates, Inc.
Birmingham, Alabama

9. SR 216 Corridor Safety Study
Crash Frequency by Age
(Years 2003 – 2006)
30
25
20
Frequency
15
10
5
0
16 - 18 19 - 23 24 - 30 31 - 40 41 - 50 51 - 60 61 - 70 70 +
Driver Age
Most Crashes in 16 to 18 Years of Age Category Sain Associates, Inc.
Birmingham, Alabama

10. SR 216 Corridor Safety Study
Primary Traffic Safety Issues
Multiple
Curves
Absence of
Left Turn Lanes
Limited
Sight Distance
Difficult
Passing Areas

11. SR 216 Corridor Safety Study
LOCATION IMPROVEMENT COST
"S" curve at Texas Creek Add guardrail and shoulders $280,000
Curve East of Milldale Road Add guardrail and shoulders $280,000
Rock House Rd./ Woodland Lake Dr. Add left turn lanes $1,300,000
Alabama Junction Road Add left turn lanes $1,300,000
Connie Rd Add EB left turn lane $1,300,000
"S" curve at Texas Creek Improve horizontal and vertical curvature $2,600,000
Crisstown Road Improve vertical curvature $700,000
Gilbert Tommie Road Improve vertical curvature $700,000
Straight section West of Milldale Road Add passing lane and improve vertical curvature $7,300,000
Straight section West of
Add passing lane and improve vertical curvature $7,300,000
Rock House Rd./ Woodland Lake Dr.
Straight section West of LBJ Road Add passing lane and improve vertical curvature $4,900,000
APPROXIMATE TOTAL COST $28 Million
Current funding allocation is $1.8 million.
Sain Associates, Inc.
Birmingham, Alabama

12. SR 216 Corridor Safety Study
VID216ITE.AVI
Sain Associates, Inc.
Birmingham, Alabama

13. SR 216 Corridor Safety Study
Involving the Public
 Interviewed Civic Leaders, Police, &
EMS responders
 Talked to Affected Families
 Two Public Meetings
Sain Associates, Inc.
Birmingham, Alabama

14. SR 216 Corridor Safety Study
Sent Letters Asking for Input
 Government Officials
(Brookwood, Lakeview, Tuscaloosa County)
 Mayors
 Council Members,
 County Commissioner
 School Representatives – Brookwood High
 Franklin Family
Sain Associates, Inc.
Birmingham, Alabama

15. SR 216 Corridor Safety Study
Franklin Family
Sain Associates, Inc.
Birmingham, Alabama

16. SR 216 Corridor Safety Study
Brad Franklin Brooke Franklin
Sain Associates, Inc.
Birmingham, Alabama

17. SR 216 Corridor Safety Study
Public
Meeting #1
August 21, 2007
Sain Associates, Inc.
Birmingham, Alabama

18. SR 216 Corridor Safety Study
Public
Meeting #2
August 23, 2007
Sain Associates, Inc.
Birmingham, Alabama

19. SR 216 Corridor Safety Study
Sain Associates, Inc.
Birmingham, Alabama

20. SR 216 Corridor Safety Study
Sain Associates, Inc.
Birmingham, Alabama

21. SR 216 Corridor Safety Study
Sain Associates, Inc.
Birmingham, Alabama

22. SR 216 Corridor Safety Study
Sain Associates, Inc.
Birmingham, Alabama

23. SR 216 Corridor Safety Study
Public’s Input
Advocating Improvements in General Straightening Curves
Enforcement Needed Young Drivers in Corridor
More Funding Needed Better Roadside/Guardrails
Turn Lanes Needed Sight Distance at Gilbert Tommie
Passing Lane(s) Needed Connie Road Sight Distance/ROW
Presence of Coal Trucks in Corridor Curves at Texas Creek
Lighting Improvement Needed Consistent Speed Limit Needed
Short Distance Passing Zones Rock House Road Sight Distance
Emergency Vehicles Can’t Pull Over School Zones Needed
Rumble Strips Needed
Sain Associates, Inc.
Birmingham, Alabama

24. SR 216 Corridor Safety Study
Contact:
Becky White bwhite@sain.com
Scott Cothron scothron@sain.com
Sain Associates
244 W. Valley Ave. Ste. 200
Birmingham, AL 35209
(205) 940-6420
Sain Associates, Inc.
Birmingham, Alabama