NAU Bike and Pedestrian Traffic Evaluation

Client name: Dennis Ross McCarthy, NAU Capital Assets and Services (dennis.mccarthy@nau.edu)

Team Name: RRMK Consulting

Names of Members: Ryan Begay, Ramon Gamez (leader), Mario Gorman, Kailong Li

Team contact info:    

 Ryan Begay <rb269@nau.edu>,

 Ramon Gamez <rag64@nau.edu>,
 Mario Gorman <mwg7@nau.edu>,
 Kailong Li <kl522@nau.edu>

Description: C:\Users\bnb\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\Temporary Internet Files\Content.Outlook\2C90101C\teampic.jpgFrom left: Mario Gorman, Ryan Begay,Ramon Gamez, Kailong Li.

Problem Description

NAU’s Capital Assets and Services Department is requesting the services of an engineering firm to evaluate all the pathways and bikeways on campus. They are asking for an evaluation of signage and striping to meet standards set by state and federal bodies, and identification of areas along pathways that may cause safety issues, with a consultation on how to improve those areas.

The capstone team will not be able to fully complete the project in the time given. The team will break down all the paths on campus and choose a number of paths to inspect based on client input and the amount of time available to the team.

 

Description of Final Product

The final product will be a report containing the following materials:

·         Listing of relevant criteria for pathway regulation compliance

·         Campus map with all paths broken into sections

·         Field notes taken during inspection, with a summary of findings

·         Photographs taken during inspection

·         Results of a public online survey to be conducted

·         Table of rankings for each section inspected, with explanation of ranking system

·         Set of plans for a design of safety improvements for one section of path

·         Cost estimate for design above

Scope of Work

The following scope of services describes the proposed work and deliverables for the project. The primary tasks are listed and broken into sub-tasks below:

Task 1 – Project Management

Task 2 – Research

Task 3 – Field Investigation

Task 4 – Improvement Design

Task 1 – Project Management

1.1 Project Development Meetings

Project Development meetings will take place between the design team and the client to review the status of the project up to the point of the meeting. The meetings will also allow for a dialogue between the team and the client to identify and resolve any potential issues with the project. Meetings will take places at the end of each task, and whenever else necessary. In addition, the team will send periodic email updates to both the client and technical advisor every 2 weeks.

Deliverables: Meeting minutes, notes and agendas

1.2 Technical Coordination Meetings

Technical Coordination meetings will take place between the design team and the team’s designated technical advisor. These meetings will help guide the design team through any technical issues they may have through the course of the project. These meetings will typically take place every 1-2 weeks.

Deliverables: Meeting minutes, notes and agendas

 

1.3 Internal Team Meetings

Team meetings will take place at least once a week between all team members. These meetings will ensure that each team member is actively working on any task assigned to them

 

Task 2 – Research

2.1 Regulation Research

The team will investigate and document the relevant regulations for bikeway and pedway design as written in the Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) and AASHTO Green Book, along with other requirements applicable to bikeway and pedway design set by NAU, local, state and federal agencies, such as ADA requirements. By studying these regulations, the team will be able to establish base criteria for inspection for the paths on campus.

Deliverables: Listing of relevant criteria for compliance

 

2.2 Pathway Breakdown

The team will break down all the pathways on campus into sections and classify them as being a bikeway, pedway or bike/pedway. Paths will be broken down primarily based on logical breaks in the network of paths on campus. These sections will be catalogued and be included on a map of campus created using AutoCAD. The map will be based on a base map of campus to be provided by the client. These sections will be referenced throughout the project. The team will create the map entirely based on existing information; no new surveying will be done as part of this project.

Deliverables: Campus map w/ paths broken down sent on 24”x36” paper and electronically

 

Task 3 – Field Investigation

3.1 Detailed Path Inspection

The team will meet with the client to determine the types of paths to be inspected based on the map created in Task 2.2. Paths will be inspected for their adherence to regulation, based on the criteria developed in Task 2.1. In addition, paths will be inspected for any other criteria the client specifies before the inspection begins. The team will also have the opportunity to make additional comments with regards to the condition and safety of each path based on engineering judgment as the inspection takes place. Potential problems to be inspected for include:


·         Sight distances

·         Confusing signage/striping

·         Obstacles on/near path

·         Missing or inadequate barriers

·         Heavily deteriorated path surfaces

·         Ponding


Deliverables: Meeting with client with agenda and minutes, report summarizing inspection, all original field notes and photos taken during inspection

3.2 Public Survey

The team will conduct a survey on campus to see what the campus population wants to see improved. The survey will take the form of a short questionnaire, distributed by the team to students on campus via e-mail. This survey will help provide the team with insight on what the campus population wants to see improved.

Deliverables: Report summarizing results of survey, all original responses to survey

3.3 Violation Severity Ranking

The team will develop a ranking system to determine the level of inadequacy of each section of path, based on the results of the inspection and the survey. Each section of path will be ranked according to the severity of its inadequacy. This ranking will help the team decide which areas to design improvements for. The criteria for ranking and their weighting will be explained in detail.

Deliverables: Table of rankings for all paths inspected, explanation of ranking system

Task 4 – Improvement Design

4.1 Design Location Decision

The team will meet with the client in order to decide which sections of path to design improvements for. The sections will be determined based on the rankings developed in Task 3.3, time constraints and additional input from the client.

Deliverables: Meeting with client, with minutes and agenda

4.2 Pathway Design

The designs that the team will create will vary depending on the improvements that need to be made. All designs will include a detailed plan view of the section of path being improved based on the campus map developed in Task 2.2, with all recommended modifications noted. If new construction (i.e. barrier installation) is required by a design, detailed drawings of the new construction will be provided as a part of the design. Elevation views of important details will also be provided.

Potential improvements include the following:

·         Tree and Bush Trimming/Removal

·         Light installation

·         Drainage improvements

·         Striping addition/modifications

·         Barrier installation

·         Obstacle removal

·         Signage addition/modification

·         Repaving/resurfacing

The project will not include any designs for improvements for any areas other than those specified by the team for this project.

Deliverables: Set of plans sent electronically and on 24”x36” paper

4.3 Cost Estimate

The team will include a cost estimate for the implementation of the designs created in Task 4.2. The cost estimate will include both material and labor costs for every improvement the team designs.

Deliverables: Cost estimate