PA Turnpike Interchange Study at WELSH ROAD WELSH RD

STATION PA Turnpike Interchange Study at WELSH ROAD WELSH RD

dDELAWARE VALLEY "REGl!.rpc 01 Where Do You Live, Work, or Play? PLANNING COMMISSION

- I ~ " ... - , •. .,,. .-...._ WARRINGTON WARMINSTER UPPER SOUTHAMPTON ,; f~t"'~~1;,,1.~,..~""""..._""'"' ·.,,,11 ,-, t,-,~~ ~~ _,.~Jt ,. t JL~.--..;,,fo=f.':...

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263 Imagery Source: Southeastern PA Regional Task Force W S 611 UPPER MORELAND (2017)

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1 M i le LOWER MORELAND /1 2 611 M sh Rd i Wel le Proposed CRASH DATA DESCRIPTION Interchange

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339 Morris Rd WHITPAIN CHELTENHAM WHITEMARSH SPRINGFIELD STATION PA Turnpike Interchange Study at WELSH ROAD WELSH RD

dDELAWARE VALLEY "REGl!.rpc 02 Project Background PLANNING COMMISSION

PROJECT OVERVIEW PROJECT SCOPE

NEW, WlDBNEiDOR R.ECONSTRUCfED As part of Montgomery County’s 2015 Turnpike Corridor Reinvestment Project, the county identified a need for PAVEMENT PHASE 1 (2017 - 2018) MILL&.. OVERLAY fJ:tl:i-./;t1:8 PAVEMENTREMOVAL NEW OR RECONSTRUCTED seven new or modified PA Turnpike (I-276) interchanges. The construction of new interchanges at these A project steering committee was STRUCTURE locations would increase PA Turnpike access for many communities and support economic formed, traffic counts and field NEW RETA[NJNG WALL revitalization. data were collected, and a base network of roads within the study Several municipalities have expressed support for these new interchanges, while also articulating concerns area was prepared in traffic about potential traffic impacts. DVRPC is studying two of the proposed new interchanges at Welsh Road in simulation software. Upper Dublin Township and Henderson Road in Upper Merion Township. PHASE 2 (2018 - 2019) The purpose of the PA Turnpike Interchange Study is to: Traffic operational modeling will be conducted, deficiencies in the • Identify the potential impacts of the proposed new interchange on local traffic; transportation network will be identified and solutions modeled.

• Identify areas where trafﬁc congestion may increase as a result of the proposed new interchange; and Future scenarios will be shared with ~ ~.R ll../NfZfJMEN'T .PJtQIEC7 PO'fEAi7TALM!LSH GOAD (7-'A tfJ) lNTliRCWANOB the steering committee and the UP.PENOUBllN J UH.iK ,VOJM'LANJ) 7VJAAISH/P.5'

Boles Smyth Associates Inc. • Develop recommendations to ease trafﬁc congestion on local roads. public and ﬁnalized in a report. lmaglnalion • Engfrtoering • E•c•llenc•

Hatboro Pennsylvania Turnpike Corridor Reinvestment Project 0MCPC STUDY AREA - - - , Montgomery County Planning Comm 1ss1on The proposed new FullSystem Investment ("FullBuild") Southeastern Pennsylvania Interchanges Welsh Road Mill Rd Gibral tar Rd This scenario would provide three new interchanges at Henderson Road, Lafayette Street/Ridge Pike, and PA-63 Welsh Road; 19.So/o add east bound off and east bound on ramps at the current Virginia Drive interchange, and construct a new Commerce Drive 41,650 New Trips interchange will connector ramp at the Fort Washington interchange. It would modernize the PA-611 Willow Grove interchange and the Valley Forge interchange by providing direct ramps to First Avenue in the King of Prussia Business Park both from the Turnpike and the provide connections to 2040Volume Schuylkill Expressway. Current Volume 263 2042 (No Action) 389,300 Current Dally Volume = 389,300 430,900 I-276 from three points 2040 Volume (No Action) ~ 430,900 (+10.7% increase over Current) UPPER MOREtAND 2040 Volume (Full Build) = 516,200 (+19.8% increase over No Action) on Welsh Road, and I 2040 with Full Build Design and Construction HORSHAM New Trips Each Day: 42,650 from the Prudential Cumulative Revenue : $481 Million Cost Design and Construction Cost: $232 Million I business campus. / Welsh Rd ;-.-- - --:-- - -;,,}-=;;:.::::- • 49,000 ------t 57,500 "'I UPPERDUBLIN WILLOW GROV E Several major roads Wi/ 1w, /fV ~ 1/! LANSDALE / (Exit 343) ..____ _., / ~I \--- -• ,-• i ,,, 1202911_ _,._... 45,800 ' ', I ••._; I - ,r=~;---.-~-- 7 and intersections t -, I I I I I I - -: ·-~ .---+---~ I I , 1- - , ...... \"., I ' I \ ,>-- I +-r- -+ - -1 44,000 11,400 ', I I I I ' I __ .._ .. \ I I / I .... T,'I' I ,"" ...... / ---- o ..-•"._. t I I I _. .... --1 \ , I ., ' -• I_J I 1I ( I l)I I ..,_,. •-~ I I I 1; ., ., ' ., ., ' ---t 6,800 connecting to Welsh ' -~ •• r_...__..,_ --+--,. J I ,' > --l ..} ..... VIRGINIA DRIVE t---7•-.,.' '/ I -. .. .i.T .. - ~'r-· 1 -.._ / ' ( ',c' L-r- •,.--+--+ I ., ~..---1 ' ' • I ',._, J I I ~-,J ' ABINGTON (Modin,d Exit 340) _., I 7" - .--- •---, 1-- ., ' ' , I -- '•--• • • -~ .. ,__., I - I .t ,_ ' ' -.. ' .... ' ' Road will be evaluated .,. g : / I 1 .,----1 ' 2024 ..,~•( • I. ' ' I --t·+-. ---• 1 I y 24,700 , ... _.:... __ I , I •--" 1 -• ,- 1 .,.T / ' l -T-..---- I I I / I I I ; \ - -'"- I ' , 1 I I I / 1 r-- ... _l_J. ___ ., .,"---- _...... ' J ' .. _,.,/_:,___ I --4 (- : ' \ .,,._t_ for potential trafﬁc I ., \ ' ' I I / I ' ..._.,.,..-+-i ,1,.- ... -..... , ...... ------:'--.., ,---.._I •- ,._,, I J : ! I I- -,,.1 I ~ ', 21,500 24,800 WELSH ROAD '- I I I I ' I I "--c ' - J : , ,"...,", ,,. impact. Due to time 1 ~--l (Potential Exit 342) ·,' I ; I , '.1t.,..T .. T - I ~ 1"-... ' -t •- -·- ' \ I- - ... - ... _ ' ' 17,700 ' ' , ' I I ..__.,_ ..-.,_ - ~- Tl I •-' ---t' ' ·,,.---t J I I I I , , I NORRISTOWN ' ' , 1 I I I -- • --r-T-1---4. (Exit 333) 63,200 constraints, a number ' ' ' , I I I I I I I I ' LAFAYETTE /RIDGE ' 1 .,.. .. .l .. --t I • ---1 I I ~ -.., ' .. _..,.#o (Potemlai'Exit 311) 'I '\ r•~ ,' ,· Q '--f 1--.L-..L -,-r.L-1 -1-..! 87,000 55,500 ' f ----~ I I I I -·- _,.__ ,1 ' - J -.- • / / FORT WASHINGTON -, , , ___'' ...._ ~.,.,, --• 70,600 of major roads west of ~ '-----' : r--r-r-- (Modified b:\ 338) 2017o- ---'--,--i-..:..--, ' ""'!-----" ,""',:i::.....,..-, .~ l---+-c_....:..+-""--- --11100,r,r------1r.-'-'.f-:----t"--'r--....,. VALLEY FORGE ' ' 1- ... ' ' ' C.'f.; ! ; ,,j,' _ -- , ,' 't, .. _, ' ~-1-----1 the interchange are ' ' I , I t I I ,-"-, ,'' I ' I .. I ' I ' ·- ,.- l I I I / I .,.' I / / ·0 I 81..,600 ' I ""'!'._,~ ! ~-...tt.l-- ...... ' ,,,, I ' ' ~- 88,800 recommended for MID-COUNTY future study as part of 0 ½ 1 2 >-----+-----+------< Miles N ' ' 20,6,00 Welsh Road a supplemental project Network• Nod e Ne1work Link Pending OVRPC Microsimulation Network Sot.-1rce: DVRPC Co n1roct Supplemen t w , s

HEND ERSON ROAD LEG~ D phase. • ---(Potcntio! Exit 329) 104,0' Qally Volu e (Full Bulld }.,.- '204) Dail Volume , (No Action) p / STATION PA Turnpike Interchange Study at WELSH ROAD WELSH RD

dDELAWARE VALLEY "REGl!.rpc 03 Study Area Description PLANNING COMMISSION

1. Bloir Rood Corridor & Intersection lmptovements 2. Copodty &Multimodol lmprovemen15 3. Corridor Frber Op1idSignol Upgrades&. Coordination 4. Eoston Rood (PA61l)ITS lmprovemen1s. 5. 1•276 Interchange ol Willow Grove Modifications New Rd 6. 1-ll6 lnterchonge ot Welsh Road .. .I 'fl «ra.,.... ,..,,.n , 7. Bridge Rehob at Willow Grove lnter,::hange Gibraltar Rd 8, New Sidewalk Along Dresher and Witmer Roods Gibraltar Rd 9. SidewolkAlang Bloir MillRood 10, SignoVlns!all Fiber Optic on Dtesher Road 11. Welsh Road Resurfacing 12.-16. New Trollic Si9r1ol 17.Si9no l Upgrades 18. Pedeslfior1Crossing Upgrode or1dRoodw0y n«@ ..., .. ,,.,,.n» Widening for Me.lion lnstollotion ,.__-,,. 19. New Trail 20. Blair Mill Rood Resurfacing (2019) W!ttt;, I 21.Welsh Rood Widening: Extend Eos1boundThrough-lone ~r~~~"'- l------22. Right-t um lone Improvements; Channelized Righ1-1urn CommerC<:!Ave.

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0 ,;, .. e• "' ff • Moreland Rd ~ ~ 63 _ _ _ ,,, ---~w~•~'~"~'~'--1,_ .,.. ..__ 63 u• ~

Welsh Rd Welsh Rd Moreland Rd 1------463 1-_;;==--- "' ., ,, " ... ·- I ' Pro os ~ 0 Location of p ed • C' Interchange . ~ " ··.... .~ • ~ A''

Agrin,h,.,,e - M ining Sing le-Fomily Detached I. 104 Wilmer Rood 6. Hihon Hotel \L Sto1ion ol Willow Grove 2. 20QW;1mer Rood Apartments 7. Hor5hc,m Villoge 12. Regenq ot Upper DtJblin Bridge Repoir/ Replocement - Commercia l - Recreation - Transportation - Wo1cr 0 ¼ ½ 1 3. 2405 Maryland Rood 8. Lofts on Dovisville Rood 13. The Promenade o r Upper Dublin 0 ¼ ½ 1 • C 0 ¼ ½ 1 N ~ E Miles N ' E " 4 ' 0 Roadway New Co po city Community - Multifamily Utility - Wooded ,----1----.------, 4, Asplundh Cancer Center 9. Philadelphia Freedom Volley YMCA 14. Wowo, Chick-fil-A, Bonk Miles ~ z Miles 0 • • (!• Proposed Transportation V<,cont 5. Fairfield Inn 10 . Prudential Tract - BT Dreshertowl'I, LP 15. Westgate (Strip Moll & Medical Building) z Signol/lTS lmprovemen1s - Industrial - Row Homt Source: DVRPC(2015) Source : DVRPC. MCPC, Ho,sl1

LAND USE DEVELOPMENT NEARBY TRANSPORATION PROJECTS

Land use surrounding the proposed new interchange is A number of significant developments have been approved in The Welsh Road interchange is one of many transportation characterized by a mix of residential and commercial uses. recent years. This map shows recent and upcoming improvements proposed for the study area to improve traffic South of I-276 and surrounding the commercial core, developments with at least 50 residential units, or at least flow, safety, and transportation choice. Resurfacing and signal single-family homes are the most common use, with a number 50,000 square feet of commercial space (office or retail), as operations are planned for Welsh Road. Modifications to the of multifamily developments near Welsh Road. North of I-276, well as some smaller developments. Two major developments Willow Grove interchange, along with ITS improvements along commercial uses are more abundant, including several large line Welsh Road north of I-276 and would be directly accessible the PA 611 corridor, will improve traffic operations and increase employment and shopping centers. Industrial uses are also from the proposed interchange: The Promenade at Upper efficiency in the Willow Grove area. Intersection improvements accessible from the existing Willow Grove interchange. Dublin and Regency at Upper Dublin. Several additional and signal upgrades will improve travel and safety on Blair Mill developments will bring new residential units and commercial Road and Dresher Road, and sidewalk and trail connections on The proposed new interchange would provide a faster route to square footage to Dresher Road, Dreshertown Road, Blair Mill Blair Mill and Dresher Road will improve pedestrian comfort I-276 for residents. Additionally, it would provide more direct Road, and Commerce Avenue. and safety. connections to employment and shopping centers for customers and employees, potentially reducing cut-through traffic on local Future residents, employees, and customers traveling to and Together with the proposed new interchange, these residential streets. from these new developments would likely utilize the proposed transportation improvements will ensure safe and efficient travel new interchange, reducing the potential impact of the new for the surrounding communities. Understanding land use is critical to modeling transportation developments on local streets. behavior, as residential, commercial, and other uses generate Proposed transportation projects are added to the model along different numbers and types of trips. The land use category and number of residential units and with new developments to better understand how traffic will commercial square feet are used to determine how much new operate in the future. traffic will be added to local streets due to these new developments. STATION PA Turnpike Interchange Study at WELSH ROAD WELSH RD

dDELAWARE VALLEY 0 REGl!.rpc 04 Microsimulation Modeling PLANNING COMMISSION

DVRPC REGIONAL TRANSPORTATION MODEL IMPORTANCE OF LOCAL KNOWLEDGE SCENARIO DEVELOPMENT

DVRPC uses a well-tested regional travel demand model Input from members of the public, local officials, and Four scenarios will be modeled using microsimulation. Each to simulate the travel behavior of people in the 9-county other project stakeholders is crucial throughout the scenario will be evaluated for LOS and other performance region. This model is used to inform forecasts for future traffic modeling process. measures to determine the impact of the proposed new patterns, long-range planning efforts, local traffic studies and interchange, identify areas in need of improvements, and other transportation planning work. Feedback shared at public meetings and through project develop congestion mititgation strategies at key intersections. surveys helps DVRPC project teams better understand local The model is guided by Federal Highway Administration issues and concerns, and ensure that traffic simulations regional travel local traffic guidelines and industry standards, and model forecasts are realistically portray local conditions. DVRPC also partners demand counts approved by the DVRPC Board. with member governments and other stakeholders to continuously update and improve the regional and microsimulation models based on local growth and '' EXISTING CONDITIONS ' / development projections. ' -, ' ' ... f SCENARIO ,. ,1: ..•- -· ' What does local traffic look like now? ' .

-, l .. ' ., ', • .t,' • '· ' , population and '- >. growth from new \ PERFORMANCE MEASURES employment growth projections developments >_ The microsimulation process produces a number of • ,, . ' . ·' . - ' - f performance measures that help us understand trafﬁc .. ,-..=.i.:._._.-~-"'~ ...,r-:;;;- --,-~ . -- ' .:": ~ :.~-- ....,. ·,r ,._>A..: -+....,J: :t..~ .... (_-: --~ - .. ,_-.f-j! l'\ conditions. -~ :..... ~-_-, ..:, i-¼, .;.,._ .. ~ • "4-:--t: . ' : ~ . ' ~~;-- . -.;_-- NO BUILD SCENARIO 'v '~~ -~I- ' - f ,,-.,..,-.., • :..;,~--r, ' ... -~ ' "-ik_ What will trafﬁc look like in 2045 if the ' q-;.'"'"·-1-. Volume is the total number of vehicles approaching an . . ,. - y :; . ,. .~~ intersection from a given street segment in a given time period. proposed interchange is not built? ,

.- ., ' ~ Delay is the average amount of time, in seconds, that it takes proposed new ., a vehicle passing through an intersection beyond what would > _.,,••, ,. interchange )r ~ ·-_ .... >- ...... be experienced in a free-flow condition. ' '. -~ ' • . '- ' • ' . ., -' • < < . , ' ~ '~ > l . - -,,, . ·' Queue Length describes the lineup of vehicles waiting to • .Jt~- .. ' r ...:J-~ ' • enter an intersection due to a red light, stop sign, or other I • ,J • , > obstruction. It is the distance between the intersection and the BUILD SCENARIO • furthest vehicle waiting to enter. What will traffic look like in 2045 if the proposed interchange is built? Level of Service (LOS) values are letter grades assigned to WHAT IS MICROSIMULATION MODELING? various degrees of delay. An LOS of “A” corresponds with free-, changes to local or near free-flowing conditions, while an “F” score corresponds streets to mitigate Micosimulation is a method for evaluating the localized with a breakdown in traffic flow. congestion impacts of proposed improvements to the transportation system, such as the proposed new interchange at Welsh The goal in traffic operations is not to achieve an LOS of Road. Regional model outputs are calibrated using current A, but to create conditions that maintain stable traffic local traffic counts. By modeling the future traffic in the study flow that typically is achieved within the LOS range of A BUILD WITH IMPROVEMENTS SCENARIO area with and without the proposed improvement, we can to C. If existing conditions are LOS D or lower the aim How can changes to the local street estimate how the improvement will affect traffic flow. should be to improve conditions to achieve a C or better. network improveimprove traffictraffic flow? STATION PA Turnpike Interchange Study at WELSH ROAD WELSH RD

dDELAWARE VALLEY 0 REGl!.rpc 05 Existing Conditions PLANNING COMMISSION

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New Rd New Rd .,, '" Gibraltar Rd F Gibraltar Rd jo.22111:====:,! G~/b~c~al~ta~c~Rd!!:===== , ,

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------t D !------~ "'"'".'.'""?!!'•• Commerce Ave Commerce Ave Commerce Ave

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Rd Rd Welsh Moreland Rd Welsh orcland Rd Welsh Ad Moreland Rd -- -1,, 1------1.C >-= =< .1=....;.;==--1'.,7======" 63 0 63 --. ~ ...- ..-···- .. " ,•· ...·· . .. .' Location of Proposed location of Proposed ' g Locatton of Proposed . ' Interchange ' Interchange '' ~ • Interchange ... / -..•· f ~• ···-··· ·•. g ·•. --·· 0 41" •

Unstoble Stobie a nd Predictab le ,c,nd 0.75 0.25 0 Unpred ictob ll" 0 7 12 17 0 ¼ ½ I 0 ¼ ½ 1 • " Average Annual 0 ¼ ½ 1 1@@@1@ 1 1 Morning (8-9AM) Miles N ' E f- --- +- --- f------4 Miles N ' E Crashes per Mile f----+----+------, Miles N ' E ©0 So urce: PennDOT(2012-2017) Intersection Level of Service So urce: DVRPC Source: DVRPC Crash Rate by Predictable, w , s w , s b ut Approach ing Morning Peak (6- lOAM) Speed Ratio Penn DOT RMS Segment w ' s Unstable * * *

LEVEL OF SERVICE SPEED RATIO CRASH RATE

The above map shows intersection-level LOS during the A street segment’s AM peak speed ratio is the average speed From 2012 to 2017, Moreland Road and Easton Road morning peak (8-9 AM), on a typical congested weekday. Most of drivers during the morning peak compared to the observed experienced the highest average annual crashes per mile, as intersections along Welsh Road operate at a stable and speed on the same roadway during times with no traffic well as the segment of Blair Mill Road approaching Welsh Road. predictable level of service. The exceptions are Dresher Road congestion. Old York Road, Fitwatertown Road, and a portion of Welsh and Fitzwatertown Road, which are approaching unstable. Two Road also experienced a high number of crashes. intersections along Easton Road currently operate at an A value of 1 means that drivers can drive at their desired unstable and unpredictable level of service. speed and are not slowed down by other vehicles. A value of Recommendations for the study area will take crash rates and 0.75 means that drivers are traveling at 75% or less of their related safety issues into account. As the future scenarios are developed, existing LOS provides a desired travel speed due to moderate traffic congestion. useful benchmark for understanding traffic operations. Values less than 0.5 mean that drivers are traveling less than half of their desired speed due to traffic congestion. The lower the speed ratio, the more significant the slowdown.

DELAY (SECONDS DESCRIPTION OF LOS PER VEHICLE) TRAFFIC OPERATIONS During morning peak hours, drivers currently experience the lowest speed ratios near the Willow Grove interchange. NEXT STEPS A _<10 Moderate slowdowns also occur on Welsh Road southbound >10-20 STABLE AND B PREDICTABLE between Jarettown Road and Dresher Road, and east of • Complete Existing Conditions scenario (PM peak). C >20-30 Welsh Road on Dresher Road and Blair Mill Road. • Model No Build scenario. PREDICTABLE, BUT • Model Build scenario. D >35-55 APPROACHING UNSTABLE By identifying existing traffic slowdowns, speed ratios help • Identify areas with future congestion. identify streets that may be sensitive to future traffic growth. • Develop recommendations to mitigate future congestion. E >55-80 UNSTABLE AND Significant slowdowns in future scenarios can be addressed • Share findings with public. F >80 UNPREDICTABLE when developing recommended improvements. • Summarize findings in a written report (fall 2019). STATION PA Turnpike Interchange Study at WELSH ROAD WELSH RD

dDELAWARE VALLEY 0 REGl!.rpc 06 Feedback PLANNING COMMISSION

How do you believe the proposed new interchange would impact your commute or daily travel? What do you believe are the possible beneﬁts of the proposed new interchange?

Do you have any remaining questions or comments about the PA Turnpike What concerns do you have about the proposed new interchange? Interchange Study at Welsh Road?