Development Plan Transportation Changes

The following sections discuss some of the intersections that are shown to be experiencing long peak period delays or that have been identified by the Town of Chapel Hill and/or the North Carolina Department of Transportation for pedestrian safety concerns.

Manning Drive at Fordham Boulevard

The University has provided new traffic signal timings for this intersection, yet this intersection continues to experience the worst delays and peak period queues of the intersections immediately adjacent to the campus. The University prepared traffic signal plans in coordination with staff of the Town of Chapel Hill and NCDOT to upgrades at this intersection as well as at the adjacent intersection of Old Mason Farm Road at Fordham Boulevard. The proposed upgrades included crosswalk markings, wheelchair ramps, countdown pedestrian signals, pedestrian push-buttons, a new, larger pedestrian refuge island, and warning signs with flashing beacons for approaching drivers on Fordham Boulevard. The intent of these improvements is to provide a safer environment for pedestrians crossing the streets at each intersection. The improvements have been completed.

US 15-501 at Europa Drive/Erwin Road

At the time of data collection for the 2007 TIA Update, the intersection of US 15-501 at Europa Drive/Erwin Road was still operating as a conventional intersection. However, during January 2008, this intersection was converted to a synchronized street (formerly referred to as a superstreet), which, according to the staff of NCDOT, has improved traffic flow on 15-501. The synchronized street section of US 15-501 at Europa Drive and Erwin Road was fully operational when traffic data was collected in the fall of 2013 and is still operating as a synchronized street in 2017.

All of the individual intersections that make up the synchronized street section are operating at LOS C or better.

Although the synchronized street at this location has improved traffic flow in this section of the corridor, a Major Investment Study (MIS) concluded that the size of the problem along 15-501 requires a large-scale integrated multimodal solution.

South Columbia Street at Cameron Avenue

This intersection marks the north end of the South Columbia Street-Pittsboro Street one-way pair. It experiences a high volume of pedestrian and bicycle traffic and results in traffic queues along Cameron Avenue to Raleigh Street and South Columbia Street. The Town and NCDOT coordinated on a project to implement special traffic signal phasing at this intersection which includes a pedestrians-only phase. The intent of the new traffic signal phasing is to provide a safer environment for pedestrians crossing the streets at this intersection. The new phasing for this intersection was in operation during the collection of traffic data for the 2017 update of the development plan traffic impact analysis study.

Some unsignalized intersections are experiencing long delays on the minor approaches. These intersections are discussed below:

Country Club Road at Battle Lane/Boundary Street

This intersection was the subject of a special study during the analysis for Modification No. 1 of the UNC-Chapel Hill Development Plan. An outcome of that study was the implementation of measures to control the movement of pedestrians in the vicinity of this unsignalized intersection. Town staff has indicated that Town may wish to coordinate with the University to revisit the study of this intersection to determine the need for further upgrades. During discussions prior to the 2011 TIA update, staff of the Town expressed a desire to assess if peak period conditions merit additional improvements. Although some movements have experienced increased volume since 2007, no additional improvements are recommended at this time. The University will continue to monitor conditions at this intersection. In the past, staff of the Town of Chapel Hill has suggested the addition of an exclusive westbound left turn lane at the intersection of Country Club Road at Raleigh Street. Due to the complexity and constraints of this improvement (impacts on existing stone walls, adjacent property, and trees) it was determined that the assessment of these options be postponed.