ATTACHMENT_A-_Ripon_Circulation_Memo_2020-12-20.pdf
PDF 3 MB Posted
- Attached to
- Congestion Relief Alternative for SR99
- Solicitation number
- 2026-RFP-009
- Issued by
- San Joaquin County, California
About this file
This memorandum, prepared by Aaron Silva and Mark Thomas on December 20, 2020, evaluates traffic mitigation measures for the City of Ripon in partnership with the San Joaquin Council of Governments (SJCOG). The document analyzes 10 potential strategies designed to reduce regional cut-through traffic that diverts from congested SR 120 and SR 99 corridors through local Ripon roads during evening peak hours (2:00 to 7:00 PM). The mitigation measures range from near-term, low-cost solutions including an all-way stop at Ripon Road and Highland Avenue (cost unspecified), advanced signal detection west of Ruess Road ($8,000-$10,000), and speed surveys ($10,000), to mid-term improvements such as special timing coordination at multiple Main Street intersections ($50,000 per intersection) and a traffic signal at Main Street/2nd Street/Stockton Avenue ($500,000). The memorandum also identifies long-term, regionally-significant improvements including a southbound SR 99 auxiliary lane, bridge widening over the Stanislaus River, and SR 99/SR 120 interchange Phase 1 improvements, though these are noted as unlikely to be City-led projects.
The analysis projects that a combination of near-term measures (options 1 through 5) could add approximately 4.6 minutes to local road routes, making the mainline freeway route more attractive to commuters. The document indicates that the study was prompted by navigation applications such as Waze and Google Maps directing drivers to bypass highway congestion, with the goal of achieving a greater travel time differential between mainline and local routes. No pricing information, set-asides, incumbent contractors, or funding sources are specified in the memorandum. The document concludes that implementation of these measures requires further planning and engineering studies to confirm feasibility, with near-term solutions identified as candidates for low-cost deployment while long-term improvements involving Caltrans and SJCOG oversight would require prioritization and additional coordination.
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MEMORANDUM
To: Ryan Niblock, SJCOG
Cc: Kevin Werner, City of Ripon
From: Aaron Silva, Mark Thomas
Date: December 20, 2020
RE: Regional Cut Through Mitigation in the City of Ripon
The purpose of this memorandum is to evaluate 12 mitigation measures that will reduce the amount of regional cut‐through traffic through the City of Ripon. Vehicles during the evening peak hour leave the congested SR 120 and SR 99 corridor and use Ripon Road to access SR 99 at the Main Avenue interchange.
Background Ripon Road is an east‐west roadway which stretches from Airport Way to Ruess Road where it changes name to West Main Street. As West Main Street it continues west until it diverts at South Stockton Blvd to Main Street and crosses over the Main Street interchange. Full freeway access is provided at existing Main Street interchange which is a tight diamond (L‐1) configuration on the south on/off‐ramp and partial cloverleaf (L‐7) configuration on north on/off‐ramp. Existing Main Street passes over SR 99 with five lanes, no shoulders, and a varying width sidewalk on the west.
Ripon Road experiences cut‐through traffic from SR 120 via Airport Way, Union Road, and Main Street to the Main Street interchange at SR 99. This cut‐through traffic occurs during the evening peak period (2:00 to 7:00 PM) and is a direct function of traffic conditions on eastbound SR 120 and the single lane on‐ramp onto southbound SR 99. Incidents on eastbound SR 120 were also found to be a cause of diversion onto Ripon Road / Main Street. The nine mitigation measures identified will be looked at in depth in this memorandum.
Approach Vehicles leave the mainline freeways as a result congestion and navigational applications such as Waze. In the existing condition the travel time on SR 120/SR 99 is slightly shorter than through the City of Ripon. A large volume of vehicle still prefers the free‐flowing route along local roads despite the longer travel times. The identified mitigation measures in this memo are designed to accomplish two things: 1) increase travel times along the local route and/or 2) decrease the travel times on the mainline freeways. The goal is to achieve a greater differential in travel time between mainline travel and local roadways.
The existing delays on mainline are generated by the SR 99/SR 120 interchange and heavy volumes on SR 99 combined with slower merging traffic at local interchanges. Many drivers choose to exit at Airport Way, Union Road, or Main Street in Manteca to take local roads to bypass the congestion on SR 99 and SR 120 (routes shown in green).
Mitigation Measures Descriptions of the short and long‐term improvements are provided below. A combination of these mitigation measures could be implemented to discourage the regional cut‐through traffic that occurs during the PM peak period.
1. All‐way stop on Ripon Road at Highland Avenue Ripon Road / Highland Avenue is an existing two‐way stop‐controlled intersection in the north and southbound directions. Ripon Road currently has two lanes in the eastbound direction, one westbound, and a left turning lane with no intersection control.
This measure would provide stop control on Ripon Road at the Highland Avenue intersection. This intersection does not currently meet the warrants for all‐way stops. Implementation will involve coordination with San Joaquin County.
2. Advanced Detection Ripon Road west of Ruess Road The City implemented special timing at this intersection to build in additional delay for cut‐ through traffic. The current detection for the Ruess Road traffic signal is 500’ east of the intersection.
This measure will add advanced detection on Ripon Road (west of Ruess Road) which will be used to activate the special timing plan that will monitor speeds and queues on eastbound Ripon Road. By placing detection further west on Ripon Road, the special timing plan can anticipate incoming traffic and adjust the signals control traffic more efficiently.
The cost to implement detectors west of Ruess Road would be approximately $8,000‐$10,000.
3. Special Timing Main Street/ Jack Tone Road.
Main Street / Jack Tone Road is an existing signalized intersection with two lanes in the eastbound direction, one westbound, and a left turning lane.
This measure will create a special timing plan at the Main Street/ Jack Tone Road intersection which will provide additional green time for eastbound left‐turn movements, adding delay for through movements.
The additional green time for left may encourage vehicles to take Jack Tone Road (45mph) to access SR
99. Implementation of this measure will require traffic signal hardware and software upgrades.
Additional signage on Jack Tone may be required to restrict right turns on side streets during peak hours to prevent cut through at adjacent neighborhoods.
4. Special Timing Main St/ Robert Ave/ Wilma Ave
Main Street / Robert Avenue is an existing signalized intersection with two lanes in the eastbound direction, two westbound, and a left turning lane. Main Street / Wilma Avenue is an existing signalized intersection with two lanes in the eastbound direction, two westbound, and a left turning lane. There are two through lanes in the northbound direction, one southbound and a left / right turning lane.
The special timing implemented at Main Street / Jack Tone Road can be coordinated with Main Street/Robert Avenue and Main Street/ Wilma Avenue to provide reduced green time for eastbound through traffic. This special timing plan will increase the effectiveness of the improvements at Jack Tone Road. The cost to implement a special timing plan and traffic signal coordination will be approximately $50,000 per intersection. This includes adjusting traffic controllers, ped push buttons and interconnect.
5. Traffic Signal Main Street/ 2nd Street/ Stockton Avenue The existing intersection of Main Street/ 2nd Street/ Stockton Avenue is an all‐way stop that meets the warrant for a signalized intersection. The existing lane configuration is single lane in all directions of travel with a right turning lane in the east / westbound lanes.
Geometric changes may be required at the intersection for vehicle off tracking and turn pockets. A traffic signal will provide more control over the movement of traffic onto Main Street interchange. The cost to implement these improvements is approximately $500,000.
6. Southbound SR 99 Auxiliary Lane The southbound on‐ramp at the Main Street/SR 99 interchange recently had ramp meter equipment installed.
The ramp meter is not currently active but would provide a significant benefit to the operations of SR 99, thus reducing the impact of cut through traffic. In addition to the ramp meter, the addition of an auxiliary lane will help congestion on mainline SR 99. Slower moving traffic merging onto the freeway creates slowdowns on SR 99. The construction of a 1,500’ long auxiliary lane will require pavement widening and drainage improvements on SR 99.
This mitigation measure would have one of the most significant benefits, however is unlikely to be a City led project.
7. Southbound SR 99 Bridge Widening over Stanislaus River Extending the southbound auxiliary lane across the Stanislaus River would further reduce mainline congestion.
This mitigation measure would have one of the most significant benefits, however is unlikely to be a City led project.
8. Speed Surveys on Ripon Road Completing speed surveys along Ripon Road will allow the City to collect speed data which can be used to identify adjustments that need to be made along the corridor. Ripon Road is currently signed at 35 mph and may need to be reduced to 25 mph in the Historic Ripon side of West Main Street. Additional signage and radar speed indicator signs may be used to reduce speeds. Speed Surveys typically cost $10,000.
9. Truck Route Signage to Jack Tone Road The current truck route ends at Jack Tone Road and directs trucks north to SR 99. Additional signage along West Ripon Road / West Main Street can help clarify the limits of the route. Requiring trucks to use Jack Tone will reduce the percentage of trucks cutting through the City to access SR 99. The cost to implement is based on the number of signs added to the corridors.
10. SR 99/SR 120 Interchange Phase 1 Improvements Caltrans and SJCOG are working on a SR 99/SR 120 interchange that will add new auxiliary lanes, upgrade existing bridges, construct additional connector lanes, ramp upgrades, new signals, and lighting. The existing interchange causes delays on SR 120 and many drivers choose to exit at Airport Way, Union Road, or Main Street in Manteca to take local roads. The project will provide traffic congestion relief and improve operations of the interchange, making the mainline travel the most efficient for commuters. The project is in the PA/ED phase and is considered to be a long‐term project.
Analysis Fehr & Peers performed a preliminary analysis to quantify changes in travel time via SR 99, Airport Way, Union Road, and Main Street for each mitigation measure summarized below.
PM Peak Period (3:00 PM to 7:00PM) Average Travel Times (Minutes) from Eastbound SR 120 (west of Airport Way) to Southbound SR 99 (Stanislaus River Bridge)
Improvement Scenario SR120/SR99 Ripon via
Airport Way Ripon via Union Rd
Ripon via Main St
Distance 10.1 Miles 11.8 Miles 11.6 Miles 11.6 Miles
Existing Travel Time 20.0 Δ 23.5 Δ 23.6 Δ 22.8 Δ
1. All‐way stop on Ripon Rd/Highland Ave
20.0 ‐ 24.5 +1.0 24.6 +1.0 23.8 +1.0
2. Advanced detection at Ripon Rd west of Ruess Rd
20.0 ‐ 24.2 +0.7 24.3 +0.7 23.5 +0.7
3. Special timing at Ripon Rd/Jack Tone Rd
20.0 ‐ 25.1 +1.6 25.1 +1.5 24.4 +1.6
4. Special timing at Main St/Robert/Wilma Ave
20.0 ‐ 23.9 +0.4 24.0 +0.4 23.2 +0.6
5. Traffic signal at Main St/2nd St/Stockton Ave
20.0 ‐ 24.4 +0.9 24.5 +0.9 23.7 +0.9
6. SB 99 Auxiliary Lane 15.0 ‐5.0 21.8 ‐1.7 21.8 ‐1.8 21.1 ‐1.7
7. SB 99 bridge widening over Stanislaus River
12.5 ‐7.5 20.5 ‐3.0 20.6 ‐3.0 19.8 ‐3.0
8. Speed Surveys on Ripon Rd 20.0 ‐ 23.4 ‐0.1 23.5 ‐0.1 22.7 ‐0.1
9. Truck route signage to Jack Tone Road
20.0 ‐ 23.3 ‐0.2 23.4 ‐0.2 22.6 ‐0.2
10. SR 99/SR 120 Phase 1 improvements
17.5 ‐2.5 23.0 ‐0.5 23.1 ‐0.5 22.3 ‐0.5
A combination of mitigation measures 1 through 5 could add an additional 4.6 minutes to the local road routes and could be near‐term solutions.
Next Steps Implementation of these mitigation measures will take further planning and engineering studies to confirm their feasibility. Some measures can be performed in the near‐term as a relatively low‐cost solution. Improvements to SR 120/SR 99 will require the prioritization and oversight from Caltrans and SJCOG.
Sincerely, MARK THOMAS
Aaron Silva, P.E.
Project Manager
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