Zia Station Live Train Stop Simulation Report - March 2015

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ZIA STATION LIVE TRAIN STOP SIMULATION STUDY March 2015 Prepared for the City of Santa Fe By the Santa Fe Metropolitan Planning Organization

Transcript of Zia Station Live Train Stop Simulation Report - March 2015

  • ZIASTATIONLIVETRAINSTOPSIMULATIONSTUDY

    March2015PreparedfortheCityofSantaFe

    BytheSantaFeMetropolitanPlanningOrganization

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    TableofContentsEXECUTIVESUMMARY...............................................................................................................................................1BACKGROUND...........................................................................................................................................................3LIVETRAINSTOPSIMULATIONDATACOLLECTION...................................................................................................5TRAINANDGATEOBSERVATIONS...........................................................................................................................10TRAFFICOBSERVATIONS..........................................................................................................................................11BlueTOADTRAVELTIMEANALYSIS.......................................................................................................................17CONCLUSIONS.........................................................................................................................................................17RECOMMENDATIONS..............................................................................................................................................18

    ListofTablesTable1TrainsObservedaspartoftheStudy.........................................................................................................6Table2AverageGateDownTimesunderExistingandSimulatedStopConditions............................................11ListofFiguresFigure1VISSIMSimulationModelOutput.............................................................................................................4Figure2AM15minuteVolumesbyApproach......................................................................................................5Figure3PM15minuteVolumesbyApproach.......................................................................................................6Figure4VideoCameraPlacement.........................................................................................................................7Figure5ScreenshotofvideofacingEastboundZiaRoad......................................................................................8Figure6ScreenshotofvideofacingSouthboundStFrancisDrive........................................................................8Figure7BlueTOADDeviceLocations...................................................................................................................9Figure8ZiaRoadQueueLengths.........................................................................................................................12Note:Texthighlightedinblueindicatesahyperlinktodownloadthereferenceddocument.

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    EXECUTIVESUMMARYFollowingthecompletionofatrafficstudythatevaluatedtheimpactsoftrainsstoppingatZiaStationontheStFrancisDrive/ZiaRoadIntersection,theNewMexicoDepartmentofTransportationinMay2014gaveapprovaltoopenthestationwithconditions.ThetrafficstudyidentifiedthepotentialforprolongedtrafficbackupsparticularlyattheeastboundleftturnmovementonZiaRoadandthesouthboundrightturnmovementonStFrancisDrive.ThepurposeoftheLiveTrainStopSimulationStudywastodetermineifopeningofZiaStationwillcreatesignificanttrafficdelaysforprolongedperiodsattheintersectionofStFrancisDriveandZiaRoad.TheLiveTrainStopSimulationwasstructuredtomakeobservationsoftrafficconditionsonweekdaysbetween7:00AMand6:00PMwhentrainsstoppingatZiaStationwouldcoincidewiththehighertrafficperiods.Duringweekone(January1216,2015)observationsunderexistingconditionsweredocumented.Duringweektwo(January2023,2015)observationswithtrainsstoppingatZiaStationweredocumented.Videocameraswereusedtocaptureconditionsanddatasuchasgatetimesandqueuelengthswereextractedfromtherecording.TheLiveTrainStopSimulationwasstructuredtomakeobservationsoftrafficconditionsonweekdaysbetween7:00AMand6:00PMwhentrainsstoppingatZiaStationwouldcoincidewiththehighertrafficperiods.Atotalofthirteen(13)trainspassedthroughtheZiaStationeachday.Seven(7)ofthosetrainswerestoppedatthestationduringthistimeperiod.Ofthetrainsthatwerenotstoppedatthestation,two(2)areExpresstrainsandfour(4)areDeadheadtrainsthatarestoredatthesidingbetweenZiaandRodeoRoadsduringthedayandwouldnotstopatthestationifitweretoopen.ConclusionsTherewasnoconsistentpatternofvehicledelayscausedbythetrainstoppingattheZiaStation.Additionally,therewasnoprolongedperiodoftrafficdelaysobservedfollowingatrainstoppingatthestation.Delaysappearedtobemoredependentonwhereinthesignalcyclethetraintriggeredthepreemptionandthequeuepresentwhenthegatescamedown.ThetimingofthearrivalofplatoonsofvehiclesfromtheadjacentsignalsonZiaRoad(YuccaRd)andStFrancisDrive(SiringoRd)alsoappearedtoimpactthelengthofthequeuesanddelays.Underexistingconditions(notrainsstopping)thegatesacrossZiaRoadremaineddownonaveragefor1minute15seconds.WhenthetrainsstoppedatthestationthegatesacrossZiaRoadstayeddownforupto3minutes.TheworstqueuesobservedonZiaRoadextendedtoaroundCandeleroStreet(approx.800ft).Thislengthofqueueoccurred4timesoutthe17observedtrainstops.Itoccurredonceeachforthe#509(@7:25AM)and#506(@8:49AM)andtwiceforthe#515(@4:25PM).Intheseinstances,thedelaytovehiclesatthebackofthequeuewasanadditional5minutesafterthegatescomeup.TypicalqueuesonZiaRoadwereobservedtoGalisteoStreet(approx.300ft)orlessandclearedwithinthefirstorsecondsignalcycleafterthegatescameup.Intheseinstances,thedelaytovehiclesatthebackofthequeuewaslessthan3minutesafterthegatescameup.FortherightturnonStFrancisDrivesouthbound,generallythequeueswerecontainedwithintheturnlaneandwereclearedwithinthefirstcycleafterthegatescameup.Ononeoccasionthequeueappeared(clarityofrecordingunclearatthatdistance)tohavebackedupintothemainlinelanesforabriefperiod(approx.500ft).Thisqueuequicklydissipatedwithintwosignalcycles.Basedonvisualobservationsoftheothermovementsattheintersection,theredidnotappearanymajorimpacts(i.e.excessivequeuesordelays)asaresultoftrainsstoppingattheZiaStation.

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    ThetestedsignalmitigationwhichchangedtheexitphasetoprovideagreenimmediatelytoZiaRoadeastboundleftturnafterthegatescameupmeantthatthismovementreceivedthegreenabout1minutesoonerthanitdidwhentheexitphasecontinuedtogivegreentoStFrancisDrivemovements.Becauseofalackofconsistentpatterninvehiclesqueues,itwasdifficulttodeterminetheeffectivenessofthischange.ThepotentialdownsideofthisexitphasingmeantthatZiaRoadeastboundandwestboundthroughmovementshadtowaitawholecycle(approx.2minutes)afterthegatescameupuntiltheyreceivedthegreen.BasedonobservationstheworstcaseobservedwerequeuesintheeastboundthroughlaneonZiaRoadextendingbacknofurtherthanGalisteoStreet.ThechangeinexistphasemeantthatthesouthboundrightturnonStFrancisDrivereceivedashorterinitialgreenafterthegatescameupthanunderexistingconditionsafterthegatescameup.Thisdidnotcausemajordelaysandundermostconditionsthisqueueclearedwithinthisfirstcycle.Gateoperationswhiletrainswerestoppedinthestationdidnotalwaysoccurasplanned,i.e.gatestoremaindownforthedurationthetrainwasstoppedinthestation.Duetothelocationoftheislandsensor(detectstrainspresence)therewereinstanceswhenthegatescameupprematurely.Fornorthboundtrainsthismeantthegateshadtocomebackdownbeforethetraincouldproceedthroughthecrossing.Thisdidnotappeartocauseanysafetyissuesforvehicles,butdidappeartodelaytrainsexitingthestationastheyhadtowaitforthegatestofullycomebackdownbeforeproceedingthroughthecrossing.Inconclusion,basedontheobservations,theopeningofZiaStationwillnotcauseprolongedperiodsofdelaysattheintersectionofStFrancisDriveandZiaRoad.RecommendationsIfZiaStationistobeopenedtoNewMexicoRailRunnerExpressservice,inadditiontotherequirementsbyNMDOTintheirMay2014Letter,thefollowingrecommendationsaresuggested.

    WorkwithRioMetroRTDtoidentifytheappropriategateoperationfortrainsstoppingatZiaStation. ExplorethefeasibilityofaddingathirdleftturnlanetotheeastboundapproachofZiaRoad. Reviewtheeffectivenessofthechangeinexitphaseandexplorethefeasibilityofprovidingdifferent

    exitphasesbytimeofdaytobestmeetdifferingtrafficdemands. Explorecreatingatwostagepedestriancrossings(havepedestrianscrosshalftheroadwayatatime)of

    StFrancisDrive.

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    BACKGROUNDThelocationoftheZiaStationwasoriginallyapprovedbytheSantaFeMetropolitanPlanningOrganization(MPO)TransportationPolicyBoardinDecember2007.ConstructionoftheStationPlatformbyNMDOTwascompletedin2008,buttodatehasnotbeenopenedfortrainservice.InJulyof2010MPOStaffwasrequestedtoconductapublicprocessontheopeningofZiaStation.IncoordinationwithCityStaffaconceptualplanofinfrastructureimprovementsneededtofacilitatetheopeningofthestationwasdevelopedandinMarch2011aPublicInputmeetingwasheld.Approximately250peopleattendedthemeetingandmajorityofattendeesexpressedadesireforthestationtobeopened.InAugust,2011theSantaFeCityCouncilpassedResolution201145directingstafftosubmitarequesttotheNewMexicoDepartmentofTransportationtoopentheZiaStationforNMRailRunnerExpressservice.Aspartofthatresolution,staffwasdirectedtoprepareanImpactFeeCreditAgreementwithZiaStationLLC(adjacentpropertyowner)fortheconstructionoftheinfrastructureimprovementstofacilitatetheopeningofthestationandtoenterintoaLicenseAgreementwithZiaStationLLCfortheuseoftheZiaStationinfrastructurebytheCityofSantaFe.AlsoinAugust,2011,theCityCouncilpassedResolution201144whichaddedtheZiaStationInfrastructureImprovementstotheCityofSantaFeImpactFeesCapitalImprovementsPlanandlimitedtheinfrastructureimprovementstoconstructionofadropofffacilitywithparkingforpersonswithdisabilitiesandsidewalkimprovementsonZiaRoad.InNovember2011theCityCouncilapprovedtheConceptualPlanfortheinfrastructureimprovementstosupporttheopeningoftheZiaStationandinDecember2011thenCityManagerRobertRomerosubmittedaletterofrequesttotheNewMexicoDepartmentofTransportation(NMDOT)forthemtoapproveopeningZiaStationtoNewMexicoRailRunnerExpressservice.Duringthe2012StatelegislatureHouseMemorial45andSenateMemorial41werepasseddirectingNMDOTandtheMPOtoconductatrafficStudyattheStFrancis/ZiaIntersection.InanApril2012letterNMDOTnotifiedtheCityManagerthatitwasdeferringmakingadecisiononopeningthestationuntilafterthecompletionoftherequestedtrafficstudy.ThestartofthetrafficstudywasdelayeduntilAprilof2013duetoongoingconstructionactivitiesinthearea.InFebruary2014theTrafficStudy(ZiaPlatformVISSIMAnalysis,StFrancisDriveIntersectionOperationsAssessment)wasfinalizedandprovidedtotheStateLegislature,MPOandtheCity.Thetrafficstudyconcludedthatunder2013trafficconditionsTheanalysisindicatesthatalltheintersectionswilloperateatacceptableLOSandnosignificantintersectiondeteriorationwhencomparedtotheconditionwithoutZiaStationopen.AMPOandCityStaffreviewoftheTrafficStudyidentifiedsomeissues(trainstoptimesandsignalphasing)withtheVISSIMTrafficSimulationModelusedtogeneratetheconclusionsofthetrafficstudy.TheNMDOTcoordinatedadditionalcorrections/refinementstotheVISSIMTrafficSimulationModelfromFebruarythroughAugust2014thatultimatelyresultedinanAddendumtothetrafficstudybeingproducedinAugust.InaMay2014letter,NMDOTapprovedtheopeningofZiaStationprovidedthedesignandconstructionofthestationimprovementsarecompletedandsevenadditionalconditionsaremet.MPOandCityStaffmetwiththeCityManagerinMayof2014andbasedontheinformationfromthetrafficstudyandworkontheaddendum,theyfeltthattherewaspotentialforsignificanttrafficbackupsparticularlyrelatedtotheeastboundleftturnmovementonZiaRoadandthesouthboundrightturnmovementonStFrancisDrive(SeeFigure1).ItwasrecommendedthatthebestwaytodeterminetheextentandimpactofanybackupscausedbytrainsstoppingatZiaStationwastoconductalivesimulationwithtrainsactuallystoppingatthestationattheirscheduledstoptimes.TheCityManagerconcurredandthelivesimulationswereinitiallyscheduledtooccurinAugust2014,afterthePublicSchoolswerebackinsession.

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    Figure1VISSIMSimulationModelOutput

    Source:ZiaPlatformVISSIMAnalysisAddendum

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    InearlyAugust2014theFederalRailAdministration(FRA)suspendedtheQuietZones(abilityfortrainstotrainstopassthroughstreetcrossingsatnormalspeedwithoutsoundingtheirhorns)throughoutSantaFeuntilsafetyofalltherailcrossingscouldbereviewed.TheRioMetroRTDinstitutedflaggingoperations,whichmeanttrainswereflaggedthroughthecrossingsat15mph,resultingintrainsrunningoffschedule.TheschedulingofthelivetrainstopsimulationwaspostponeduntiltheQuietZoneswerereinstated,whichoccurredinmidDecember2014rightbeforetheschoolsbrokefortheirwinterbreak.ThelivetrainstopsimulationwasfinallyconductedduringtheweeksofJanuary12through23rd,2015.

    LIVETRAINSTOPSIMULATIONDATACOLLECTIONTheLiveTrainStopSimulationwasstructuredtomakeobservationsoftrafficconditionsonweekdaysbetween7:00AMand6:00PMwhentrainsstoppingatZiaStationwouldcoincidewiththehighertrafficperiods.Duringweekone(January1216,2015)observationsunderexistingconditionsweredocumented.Duringweektwo(January2023,2015)observationswithtrainsstoppingatZiaStationweredocumented.Theprimaryfocusofthelivetrainstopsimulationwastoobservetheimpactsofstoppingthe#509and#506trainsduringthemorningpeakperiodandtheimpactsofstoppingthe#515,#517and#512duringtheafternoonpeakperiod.Figures2and3showthevolumesforthefourintersectionapproachesin15minuteincrementsforthemorningandafternoonpeakperiodsandtheintervalwheneachtrainpassesthroughthecrossing.ThesefiguresshowthestoppedtrainsattheZiaStationoccuroutsideofperiodsofpeakvolumesforthecriticalapproachesofeastboundZiaRoadandsouthboundStFrancisDrive.

    Figure2AM15minuteVolumesbyApproach

    Source:March12,2013TurningMovementCount

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    Figure3PM15minuteVolumesbyApproach

    Source:March12,2013TurningMovementCountDuringtheelevenhourstudyperiodbetween7:00AMand6:00PMthirteen(13)trainspassthroughtheZiaStation.IfZiaStationweretoopen,seven(7)ofthosetrainswouldstopatthestationduringthistimeperiod.Ofthetrainsthatwouldnotstopatthestation,two(2)areExpresstrainsandfour(4)areDeadheadtrainsthatarestoredatthesidingbetweenZiaandRodeoRoadsduringtheday.Table1providestheapproximatetimethetrainsactivatethegatesacrossZiaRoadandenterthestation.Thescheduledtrainsweretypicallywithinacoupleofminutesofthesetimeseachday.TheDeadheadtrainshadalittlemorevariabilitywitharangeofabout5minuteseithersideofthetimelisted.

    Table1TrainsObservedaspartoftheStudy

    Train#(Direction)Approx.TimeatStation

    StoppedatStation?(Yes/No) Comments

    #509(Southbound) 7:25AM YES #102(Northbound) 7:36AM NO EXPRESSTRAIN#102DH(Southbound) 8:11AM NO DEADHEADTRAIN#506(Northbound) 8:49AM YES #506DH(Southbound) 9:22AM NO DEADHEADTRAIN#510(Northbound) 11:00AM YES #511(Southbound) 1:11PM YES #515DH(Northbound) 3:40PM NO DEADHEADTRAIN#515(Southbound) 4:25PM YES #101DH(Northbound) 4:40PM NO DEADHEADTRAIN#101(Southbound) 5:15PM NO EXPRESSTRAIN#517(Southbound) 5:40PM YES #512(Northbound) 5:55PM YES

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    Duringweekone(TuesdayJan13throughFridayJan16)observationsweremadeunderexistingconditions,i.e.notrainsstoppingandnoalterationstothetrafficsignal.Duringweektwo(TuesdayJanuary20throughFridayJanuary23)trainswerestoppedatZiaStationandapotentialmitigationmeasure(changeintrafficsignalphasing)wastested.Trainswerestoppedfortheduration(approx.60seconds)theywouldifthestationwasopen,butnopassengersgotonoroffthetrain.ThecurrenttrainscheduleaccountsfortrainsstoppingatZiaStationsotherewasnoimpacttothescheduleatotherstops.AsmentionedtheprimaryfocusofthedatacollectionandobservationsweretheeastboundleftturnmovementonZiaRoadandthesouthboundrightturnmovementonStFrancisDrive.Twovideocamerasweresetuptorecordtrafficconditionsbetween7:00AMand9:30AM,10:45AMand1:30PMand3:30PMand6:15PMoneachday.Periodicvisualobservationsweretakenoftheothertwoapproaches(westboundZiaRoadandnorthboundStFrancisDrive).Figure4showsthelocationcapturedbythetwovideocameras.Figures5and6providescreenshotsfromthecollectedvideo.

    Figure4VideoCameraPlacement

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    Figure5ScreenshotofvideofacingEastboundZiaRoad

    Figure6ScreenshotofvideofacingSouthboundStFrancisDrive

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    BlueTOAD(BluetoothTraveltimeOriginationandDestination)deviceswerealsodeployedatfour(4)locations.ThesedevicesdetectanonymousMACaddresses,wirelessidentificationsusedtoconnectBluetoothtechnologiesonmobiledevicesinvehiclessuchasphones,headsetsandmusicplayers.Thesystemcalculatestraveltimethroughanalysisofsubsequentdetections.ThelocationsoftheBlueTOADdevicesarelistedbelowandshowninFigure4.

    StFrancisDrive/RodeoRoad StFrancisDrive/ZiaRoad StFrancisDrive/SiringoRoad ZiaRoad/YuccaRoad

    Figure7BlueTOADDeviceLocations

    SignalPhasingandCyclesForthepurposeofthisdiscussionthefollowingdefinitionsareprovided:

    AsignalPhaseisagroupofmovements(RightTurn,Through,LeftTurn)thatreceiveagreensignalatthesametime.

    ACycleisthecompletionofallthemovementsbeingservedviaphasesonce. PreemptionisasetofPhasesthatareactivatedbythetrainasitapproachesthecrossing. TheExitPhaseisthesetofmovementsthatisservedafterthetrainhasclearedthecrossingandthe

    gateshavebeenraised. Aqueueisalineofvehicles.

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    UnderexistingconditionswhenatrainisapproachingZiaStation,fromeitherdirection,wellinadvanceofthecrossingittriggersthesignaltogointopreemption.Thischangesthegreensignalstoyellow,thenredforthemovementsbeingservedatthetimeofpreemption(italsoendsthewalksignalifactivatedonanypedestriancrossings)andagreensignalisgiventoallmovementsontheeastboundZiaRoadapproachtoallowvehiclestoclearthetrackspriortothegatescomingdownacrossZiaRoad.Oncethegateshavecomedown,thesignalchangestogivethegreenlighttoStFrancisDrivenorthboundandsouthboundforthedurationofthetimethegatesaredown.Oncethetrainhasclearedtheintersectionandthegateshavecomeuptheexitphaseisactivated.UndertheexistingconditionstheexitphasecontinuestoprovidethegreensignaltoStFrancisDrivenorthboundandsouthboundforanadditional40to60seconds.Undertheunmitigatedtrainstopconditionthepreemptionoccursasundertheexistingconditions.WhenthetrainisstoppedinthestationthegatesaresupposedtoremaindownacrossZiaRoaduntilthetrainleavesthestation.DuringthistimeStFrancisDrivenorthboundandsouthboundreceivedthegreensignal.UnderthemitigatedsignalconditiontheexitphasewaschangedfromprovidinggreentoStFrancisDrivetoprovidinggreentoeastboundandwestboundleftturnsonZiaRoadandsouthboundrightturnsonStFrancisDriveafterthegatescomeup.

    TRAINANDGATEOBSERVATIONSTheexistingconditionswereobservedonWednesdayJanuary14,ThursdayJanuary15andFridayJanuary16.SignificantsnowfallwasforecastonTuesdayJanuary13sodatacollectionactivitiesweresuspendedonthisday.TheSimulatedStopconditionswithexistingtrafficsignalphasingwereobservedonTuesdayJanuary20.TheSimulatedStopconditionswithmitigatedtrafficsignalexitphasewereobservedonWednesdayJanuary21andFridayJanuary23.SchoolswereclosedforthewholedayonThursdayJanuary22duetosnowsodatacollectedonthisdaywasnotincludedintheanalysis.Table2summarizestheaveragetimethegatesareactivatedattheZiaRoadCrossingforeachtrainforexistingconditionsandwiththetrainstopping.Theaveragegatetimewasmeasuredfromwhentherailcrossingflashinglightswereactivateduntiltheywentblankoncethegateswereraisedafterthetrainhadclearedthecrossing.Theaveragetrainstoppedtimewasmeasuredfromwhenthetrainwasobservedtocometoacompletestopinthestationuntilitwasobservedtobeseenmovingawayfromthestation.Forscheduledtrainsunderexistingconditionsthegatesweredownbetween68secondsand80secondsonaverage.WiththeDeadheadtrainsthegatesweredownforslightlylongerbetween76secondsand103secondsonaverage.Typicallythedeadheadtrainsaretravelingslowerthroughthecrossingduetotheproximityofthecrossingtothesidingsouthofthecrossing,resultinginalongerdowntime.UndertheSimulatedTrainStopconditionstherewasadifferenceinobservationsbetweennorthboundandsouthboundtrainsstoppingatthestation.Forsouthboundtrainstheaveragegatedowntimerangedfrom115secondsto141secondswithtrainstoppedtimesinthestationaveragingbetween40secondsand52seconds.Thevariationsintimeswereobservedtoberelatedtohowquicklythetrainwasabletoenterandcometoastopatthestation.Thiswaslikelyduetotheunfamiliarityofthetrainengineersatstoppingatthestation.Fornorthboundtrainsthegateactivationtimewasaround184secondswithtrainstoppedtimesaround52seconds.Thedifferencesbetweenthegatedowntimesfornorthboundandsouthboundtrainswasobservedtoberelatedtohowthetrainsweredetectedwhileinthestation.Twosensorsarelocatedwithinthetracksoneither

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    sideoftheZiaRoadcrossingwhichcreateswhatiscalledanisland.Whenatrainiswithintheislandthetrainisdetectedandthegatesremaindown.ThelocationoftheislandsensoronthesouthsideofZiaRoadisjustnorthofthestationplatform.Inmostinstancesthetrainsstoppedinthestationwerenotwithintheisland.Thismeantthatthegateswouldcomeupwhilethetrainswerestillinthestation.Forsouthboundtrainsthisresultedinashorteraveragetimethegatesweredown.Fornorthboundtrainsthismeantthatasthetrainleftthestationtheywouldentertheislandandreactivatethesignalpreemptionandthegateswouldcomebackdown.Thisslowedthetrainsexitfromthestationasithadtowaituntilthegateswerefullydownbeforeproceedingthroughthecrossing.Acoupleofnorthboundtrainsdidstopatthestationwithintheislandandthegatesremaineddownuntiltheyclearedthecrossing.Intheseinstancesthegatetimewasmeasuredaround180seconds.

    Table2AverageGateDownTimesunderExistingandSimulatedStopConditions

    Train#(Direction)Approx.TimeatStation

    Ave.GateTime

    (Existing)Stopped?(Yes/No)

    Ave.GateTime

    (Stopped)Ave.TrainStoppedTime

    #509(Southbound) 7:25AM 69secs YES 141secs 52secs#102Exp(Northbound) 7:36AM 79secs NO #102DH(Southbound) 8:11AM 80secs NO #506(Northbound) 8:49AM 68secs YES 182secs 54secs#506DH(Southbound) 9:22AM 76secs NO #510(Northbound) 11:00AM 75secs YES 186secs 53secs#511(Southbound) 1:11PM 74secs YES 115secs 40secs#515DH(Northbound) 3:40PM 103secs NO #515(Southbound) 4:25PM 76secs YES 140secs 46secs#101DH(Northbound) 4:40PM 93secs NO #101Exp(Southbound) 5:15PM 76secs NO #517(Southbound) 5:40PM 74secs YES 118secs 44secs#512(Northbound) 5:55PM 80secs YES 184secs 51secs

    TRAFFICOBSERVATIONSThefollowingdescribestheobservationsofexistingandtrainstopconditionsforeachoftheseven(7)trainsthatwouldstopatZiaStationifitweretoopen.TheintersectionofGalisteoStreetandCandaleroStreetwereusedarelandmarksfordescribingthelengthsofobservedqueues.Figure8showswheretheseintersectionsareinrelationtotheStFrancisDrive/ZiaRoadIntersection.

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    Figure8ZiaRoadQueueLengths

    #509Southbound(@7:25AM)TrainObservations ExistingConditions

    ZiaRoadLeftTurn01/14,01/15/,01/16Queueclearedwiththepreemptionphaseofthegateactivation,meaningthattherewerenoqueuedvehiclesatthetimethegatescamedown.The57vehiclesinthequeuewhenthegatescamebackupcompletelyclearedwithinthefirstcycle.StFrancisDriveRightTurn01/14NoObservations,videodidnotrecordfortheZiaRoadapproach.01/15,01/162vehiclesqueuedwhenthegatescamedown.46vehicleswerequeuedwhenthegatescamebackupandcompletelyclearedwithinthefirstcycle.

    WithTrainStoppedZiaRoadLeftTurn01/203vehicleswerequeuedfollowingpreemptionwhenthegatescamedown.Thegatesremained

    downwhileinthetrainwasstoppedinthestationfor2minutes24seconds.18vehicles(aroundGalisteoStreet)werequeuedwhenthegatescamebackupandcompletelyclearedwithinthefirstcycle.

    01/21Therewasnoclearanceofvehiclesduringpreemptionand8vehicleswerequeuedwhenthegatescamedown.Thegatesremaineddownwhileinthetrainwasstoppedinthestationfor2minutes50seconds.ThequeuethatdevelopedwhilethegatesweredownextendedbacktoaroundCandeleroStreet.Itrequiredthreecyclesofthesignals(approx.5minutes)forthelastvehicleinthequeueatthetimethegatescameuptocleartheintersection.

    01/230vehicleswerequeuedfollowingpreemptionwhenthegatescamedown.Thegatescameupafter1minute48secondswhilethetrainwasstillstoppedinthestation.12vehicleswerequeuedwhenthegatescamebackupandcompletelyclearedwithinthefirstcycle.

    StFrancisDriveRightTurn01/20,01/21,01/23Between0and2vehicleswerequeuedinthislanewhenthegatescamedown.57

    vehicleswerequeuedwhenthegatescamebackupandcompletelyclearedwithinthefirstcycle.

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    #506Northbound(@8:49AM)TrainObservations ExistingConditions

    ZiaRoadLeftTurn01/148vehiclesqueuedfollowingpreemptionwhenthegatescamedown.Around14vehiclesqueued

    whenthegatescamebackupandcompletelyclearedwithinthefirstcycle.01/15,01/16Queueclearedwiththepreemptionphaseofthegateactivation,meaningthattherewereno

    queuedvehiclesatthetimethegatescamedown.Thosevehiclesinthequeuewhenthegatescamebackupclearedwithinthefirstcycle.

    StFrancisDriveRightTurn01/14,01/15,01/16Between1and6vehiclesqueuedwhenthegatescamedown.Between4and7

    vehicleswerequeuedwhenthegatescamebackupandcompletelyclearedwithinthefirstcycle.

    WithTrainStoppedZiaRoadLeftTurn01/206vehiclesqueuedfollowingpreemptionwhenthegatescamedown.Thegatesremaineddown

    (approx.3mins)whilethetrainwasinthestation.WhenthegatescameupthequeuewaseastofCandeleroStreet.Itrequiredthreecyclesofthesignals(approx.5minutes)forthelastvehicleinthequeueatthetimethegatescameuptogetthroughthesignals.

    01/216vehiclesqueuedfollowingpreemptionwhenthegatescamedown.Thegatescameupwhilethetrainwasinthestationforapproximately50seconds,whichallowed13vehiclestocleartheintersection.Thewestboundexitgatestuckhalfwayupandthenwentbackdownwhengateswentbackdown.WhengatescameupforsecondtimethequeuewasaroundGalisteoStreetanditclearedwithinthefirstcycle.

    01/231vehiclequeuedfollowingpreemptionwhenthegatescamedown.Thegatescameupwhilethetrainwasinthestationforapproximately11seconds,whichallowed5vehiclestocleartheintersection.Whenthegatescameupthesecondtimetherewerearound10vehiclesqueuedandclearedwithinthefirstcycle.

    StFrancisDriveRightTurn01/205vehiclesqueuedwhengatescamedown.14vehicleswerequeuedwhenthegatescamebackup

    andcompletelyclearedwithinthefirstcycle.3vehicleswereobservedleavingtherightturnqueuewhenthegatesweredownandcontinuedsouthonStFrancisDrpresumablytomakearightturnatSawmillRoad.

    01/210vehicleswerequeuedwhenthegatescamedown.Whenthegatescameupwhilethetrainwasstillinthestationall5vehiclesinthequeuecleared.Whenthegatescamebackupforthesecondtimeall5queuedvehiclesclearedwithinthefirstcycle.

    01/234vehiclesqueuedwhengatescamedown.Whenthegatescameupwhilethetrainwasstillinthestation4vehiclesinthequeuewent.Whenthegatescamebackupforthesecondtimeall9queuedvehiclescleared.2vehicleswereobservedleavingtherightturnqueuewhenthegatesweredownandcontinuedsouthonStFrancisDrpresumablytomakearightturnatSawmillRoad.

    #510Northbound(@11:00AM)TrainObservations ExistingConditions

    ZiaRoadLeftTurn01/14,01/15/,01/16Queueclearedwiththepreemptionphaseofthegateactivation,meaningthatthere

    werenoqueuedvehiclesatthetimethegatescamedown.Thosevehiclesinthequeuewhenthegatescamebackupcompletelyclearedwithinthefirstcycle.

    StFrancisDriveRightTurn01/14,01/15,01/16Between0and6vehiclesqueuedwhenthegatescamedown.Between6and13

    vehicleswerequeuedwhenthegatescamebackupandcompletelyclearedwithinthefirstcycle.

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    WithTrainStoppedZiaRoadLeftTurn01/200vehiclesqueuedfollowingpreemptionwhenthegatescamedown.Thegatesremaineddown

    (approx.3mins)whilethetrainwasinthestation.WhenthegatescameupthequeuewasaroundGalisteoStreet.Itrequiredtwocyclesofthesignals(approx.3minutes)forthelastvehicleinthequeueatthetimethegatescameuptocleartheintersection.

    01/210vehiclesqueuedfollowingpreemptionwhenthegatescamedown.Thegatescameupwhilethetrainwasinthestationforapproximately25seconds,whichallowedall9queuedvehiclestocleartheintersection.Whengatescameupforsecondtime7vehicleswerequeuedandclearedwithinthefirstcycle.

    01/231vehiclequeuedfollowingpreemptionwhenthegatescamedown.Thegatescameupwhilethetrainwasinthestationforapproximately23seconds,whichallowed9vehiclestocleartheintersection.Whenthegatescameupthesecondtimetherewere5vehiclesqueuedandclearedwithinthefirstcycle.

    StFrancisDriveRightTurn01/204vehiclesqueuedwhengatescamedown.17vehicleswerequeuedwhenthegatescamebackup

    andallbut2clearedwithinthefirstcycle.3vehicleswereobservedleavingtherightturnqueuewhenthegatesweredownandcontinuedsouthonStFrancisDrpresumablytomakearightturnatSawmillRoad.

    01/210vehicleswerequeuedwhenthegatescamedown.Whenthegatescameupwhilethetrainwasstillinthestation6vehiclesinthequeuecleared.Whenthegatescamebackupforthesecondtime10ofthe16queuedvehiclesclearedwithinthefirstcyclewiththeremaining6clearinginthesecondcycle.2vehicleswereobservedleavingtherightturnqueuewhenthegatesweredownandcontinuedsouthonStFrancisDrpresumablytomakearightturnatSawmillRoad.

    01/234vehiclesqueuedwhengatescamedown.Whenthegatescameupwhilethetrainwasstillinthestation7vehiclesinthequeuewent.Whenthegatescamebackupforthesecondtime10ofthe14queuedvehiclesclearedwithinthefirstcyclewiththeremaining4clearinginthesecondcycle.

    #511Southbound(@1:11PM)TrainObservations ExistingConditions

    ZiaRoadLeftTurn01/144vehiclesqueuedwhengatescamedown.8vehicleswerequeuedwhenthegatescamebackup

    andallclearedwithinthefirstcycle.01/155vehiclesqueuedwhengatescamedown.16vehicleswerequeuedwhenthegatescamebackup

    andallbut2clearedwithinthefirstcycle.01/16Therewasnoclearanceofvehiclesduringpreemptionand11vehicleswerequeuedwhenthegates

    camedown.ThequeuewasaroundGalisteoStreetwhenthegatescamebackup.Itrequiredtwocyclesofthesignals(approx.3minutes)forthelastvehicleinthequeueatthetimethegatescameuptocleartheintersection.

    StFrancisDriveRightTurn01/141vehiclequeuedwhenthegatescamedown.7vehicleswerequeuedwhenthegatescamebackup

    andcompletelyclearedwithinthefirstcycle.01/150vehiclequeuedwhenthegatescamedown.2vehicleswerequeuedwhenthegatescamebackup

    andcompletelyclearedwithinthefirstcycle.01/164vehiclesqueuedwhenthegatescamedown.Whenthegatescamebackup16ofthe18queued

    vehiclesclearedwithinthefirstcyclewiththeremaining2clearinginthesecondcycle. WithTrainStopped

    ZiaRoadLeftTurn01/200vehiclesqueuedfollowingpreemptionwhenthegatescamedown.Thegatesremaineddown

    (approx.2mins30secs)whilethetrainwasinthestation.Whenthegatescameupthequeuewas

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    aroundGalisteoStreet.Itrequiredtwocyclesofthesignals(approx.3minutes)forthelastvehicleinthequeueatthetimethegatescameuptogetthroughthesignals.

    01/210vehiclesqueuedfollowingpreemptionwhenthegatescamedown.Thegatescameupafter1minutes22secondswhilethetrainwasinthestation.Therewas1vehiclequeuedwhenthegatescameupandclearedwithinthefirstcycle.

    01/23TherewasnoclearanceofvehiclesduringpreemptionandvehicleswerequeuedtoaroundGalisteoStreetwhenthegatescamedown.Thegatescameupafterapproximately2minuteswhilethetrainwasinthestation.WhenthegatescameupthequeuewasaroundCandeleroStreet.Itrequiredthreecyclesofthesignals(approx.5minutes)forthelastvehicleinthequeueatthetimethegatescameuptogetthroughthesignals.

    StFrancisDriveRightTurn01/200vehiclesqueuedwhengatescamedown.7vehicleswerequeuedwhenthegatescamebackup

    andcompletelyclearedwithinthefirstcycle.01/211vehiclewasqueuedwhenthegatescamedown.6vehiclesinthequeuecleared.6vehicleswere

    queuedwhenthegatescamebackupandcompletelyclearedwithinthefirstcycle.01/232vehiclesqueuedwhengatescamedown.11vehicleswerequeuedwhenthegatescamebackup

    andcompletelyclearedwithinthefirstcycle.#515Southbound(@4:25PM)TrainObservations ExistingConditions

    ZiaRoadLeftTurn01/14NoObservations,videodidnotrecordfortheZiaRoadapproach.01/154vehiclequeuedwhenthegatescamedown.8vehicleswerequeuedwhenthegatescamebackup

    andcompletelyclearedwithinthefirstcycle.01/167vehiclequeuedwhenthegatescamedown.ThequeuewasaroundGalisteoStreetwhenthe

    gatescamebackup.Itrequiredtwocyclesofthesignals(approx.3minutes)forthelastvehicleinthequeueatthetimethegatescameuptogetthroughthesignals.

    StFrancisDriveRightTurn01/142vehiclesqueuedwhengatescamedown.19vehicleswerequeuedwhenthegatescamebackup

    andcompletelyclearedwithinthefirstcycle.01/151vehiclesqueuedwhengatescamedown.21vehicleswerequeuedwhenthegatescamebackup

    andcompletelyclearedwithinthefirstcycle.01/162vehiclesqueuedwhengatescamedown.8vehicleswerequeuedwhenthegatescamebackup

    andcompletelyclearedwithinthefirstcycle. WithTrainStopped

    ZiaRoadLeftTurn01/20QueuearoundGalisteoStreetfollowingpreemptionwhenthegatescamedown.Thegates

    remaineddown(approx.3mins)whilethetrainwasinthestation.WhenthegatescameupthequeuewasaroundCandeleroStreet.Itrequiredtwocyclesofthesignals(approx.3minutes)forthelastvehicleinthequeueatthetimethegatescameuptogetthroughthesignals.

    01/21TheTraindidnotstop.NewtraincrewwasassignedtothetrainduetoearliermechanicalissuesandhadnotbeeninformedaboutstoppingthetrainatZiaStation.

    01/23QueuearoundGalisteoStreetfollowingpreemptionwhenthegatescamedown.Thegatesremaineddown(approx.3mins)whilethetrainwasinthestation.WhenthegatescameupthequeuewaseastofCandeleroStreet.Itrequiredthreecyclesofthesignals(approx.5minutes)forthelastvehicleinthequeueatthetimethegatescameuptogetthroughthesignals.

    StFrancisDriveRightTurn01/206vehiclesqueuedwhengatescamedown.29vehicleswerequeuedwhenthegatescamebackup

    andclearedwithinthefirstcycle.Thisqueuemayhavebrieflyqueuedintothemainlinetravel

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    lanes.1vehicleswereobservedleavingtherightturnqueueandcontinuedsouthonStFrancisDrpresumablytomakearightturnatSawmillRoad.

    01/21TheTraindidnotstop.NewtraincrewwasassignedtothetrainduetoearliermechanicalissuesandhadnotbeeninformedaboutstoppingthetrainatZiaStation.

    01/232vehiclesqueuedwhengatescamedown.14vehicleswerequeuedwhenthegatescamebackupandallbutoneclearedwithinthefirstcycle.

    #517Southbound(@5:40PM)TrainObservations ExistingConditions

    ZiaRoadLeftTurn01/14Noobservations,videodidnotrecordfortheZiaRoadapproach.01/155vehiclequeuedwhenthegatescamedown.14vehicleswerequeuedwhenthegatescameback

    upandcompletelyclearedwithinthefirstcycle.01/162vehiclequeuedwhenthegatescamedown.9vehicleswerequeuedwhenthegatescamebackup

    andcompletelyclearedwithinthefirstcycle.StFrancisDriveRightTurn01/142vehiclesqueuedwhengatescamedown.19vehicleswerequeuedwhenthegatescamebackup

    andcompletelyclearedwithinthefirstcycle.01/151vehiclesqueuedwhengatescamedown.21vehicleswerequeuedwhenthegatescamebackup

    andcompletelyclearedwithinthefirstcycle.01/162vehiclesqueuedwhengatescamedown.8vehicleswerequeuedwhenthegatescamebackup

    andcompletelyclearedwithinthefirstcycle. WithTrainStopped

    ZiaRoadLeftTurn01/202vehiclesqueuedwhengatescamedownfollowingpreemption.Thegatescameupafteraround1

    minutes30secondswhilethetrainwasinthestation.Therewere8vehiclesqueuedwhenthegatescameupandclearedwithinthefirstcycle.Thewestboundexitgatestuckhalfwayupandlightskeptflashingwhilevehiclesmovedthroughintersection.

    01/211vehiclequeuedwhengatescamedownfollowingpreemption.Thegatesremaineddown(approx.2mins25secs)whilethetrainwasinthestation.Whenthegatescameuptherewere12vehiclesqueuedthatclearedwithinthefirstcycle.

    01/23TheTraindidnotstop.StFrancisDriveRightTurn01/203vehiclesqueuedwhengatescamedown.17vehicleswerequeuedwhenthegatescamebackup

    andclearedwithinthefirstcycle.01/21Couldnotmakeoutthelengthofqueueduetoheadlightglarewhenthegatescamedown.9

    Vehiclesclearedwiththefirstcycle.Afurther29vehiclesclearedwiththesecondcycleandleftnoqueue.

    01/23TheTraindidnotstop.#512Northbound(@5:55PM)TrainObservations ExistingConditions

    ZiaRoadLeftTurn01/14NoObservations,videodidnotrecordfortheZiaRoadapproach.01/153vehiclequeuedwhenthegatescamedownfollowingpreemption.6vehicleswerequeuedwhen

    thegatescamebackupandcompletelyclearedwithinthefirstcycle.01/16Therewasnoclearanceofvehiclesduringpreemptionand10vehiclewerequeuedwhenthegates

    camedown.ThequeuewasaroundGalisteoStreetwhenthegatescamebackupandcompletelyclearedwithinthefirstcycle.

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    StFrancisDriveRightTurn01/145vehiclesqueuedwhengatescamedown.8vehicleswerequeuedwhenthegatescamebackup

    andcompletelyclearedwithinthefirstcycle.01/15Couldnotmakeoutthelengthofqueueduetoheadlightglarewhenthegatescamedown.17

    vehiclesclearedwithinthefirstcycleafterthegatescamebackup.01/161vehiclequeuedwhengatescamedown.13vehicleswerequeuedwhenthegatescamebackup

    andcompletelyclearedwithinthefirstcycle. WithTrainStopped

    ZiaRoadLeftTurn01/20QueuejusteastofGalisteoStreetwhengatescamedownfollowingpreemption.Thegatescame

    upafteraround1minutes30secondswhilethetrainwasinthestation.Noleftturnvehicleswentthroughtheintersectionduringthe22secondsbeforethegatescamebackdown.Thegateswereeffectivelydownfor3minutesandthequeuewaspastGalisteoStreetwhenthegatescamebackupandrequired2cycles(3minutes)forthelastvehicleinthequeueatthetimethegatescameuptogetthroughthesignals.

    01/21NoTrainhadcomeby6:15PMwhenthevideorecordingended.01/23TheTraindidnotstop.StFrancisDriveRightTurn01/201vehiclesqueuedwhengatescamedown.23vehicleswerequeuedwhenthegatescamebackup

    andclearedwithinthefirstcycle.01/21NoTrainhadcomeby6:15PMwhenthevideorecordingended.01/23TheTraindidnotstop.

    BlueTOADTRAVELTIMEANALYSISTheBlueToadtraveltimedataturnedouttobeoflimiteduse.ItwasinitiallyintendedtoprovidedtraveltimedatainbothdirectionsbetweentheZiaRoad/YuccaRdandStFrancisDr/SiringoRoadIntersection.ThelimitedsamplesizeonZiaRoad,andthewaythetraveltimerouteswerestructuredinthesoftwaremeantthatthedataoutputswereheavilyinfluencedbytraveltimesonStFrancisDrive(whichhadalargersamplesize)makingitdifficulttoisolateanyimpactsfromthetrainstopswithinthedata.TheBlueToadvendorconductedsomelimitedanalysisofthecollecteddataandreporteda1015%increaseintraveltimeswithin510minutesafteratrainwasscheduledatthestation.Itwasdecidedtorelyonthevisualobservationsobtainedfromthevideorecordings,ratherthanspendadditionalresourcesontryingtoextractfindingsfromthecollectedBlueToaddata.

    CONCLUSIONSTherewasnoconsistentpatternofvehicledelayscausedbythetrainstoppingattheZiaStation.Additionally,therewasnoprolongedperiodoftrafficdelaysobservedfollowingatrainstoppingatthestation.Delaysappearedtobemoredependentonwhereinthesignalcyclethetraintriggeredthepreemptionandthequeuepresentwhenthegatescamedown.ThetimingofthearrivalofplatoonsofvehiclesfromtheadjacentsignalsonZiaRoad(YuccaRd)andStFrancisDrive(SiringoRd)alsoappearedtoimpactthelengthofthequeuesanddelays.Underexistingconditions(notrainsstopping)thegatesacrossZiaRoadremaineddownonaveragefor1minute15seconds.WhenthetrainsstoppedatthestationthegatesacrossZiaRoadstayeddownforupto3minutes.

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    TheworstqueuesobservedonZiaRoadextendedtoaroundCandeleroStreet(approx.800ft).Thislengthofqueueoccurred4timesoutthe17observedtrainstops.Itoccurredonceeachforthe#509(@7:25AM)and#506(@8:49AM)andtwiceforthe#515(@4:25PM).Intheseinstances,thedelaytovehiclesatthebackofthequeuewasanadditional5minutesafterthegatescomeup.TypicalqueuesonZiaRoadwereobservedtoGalisteoStreet(approx.300ft)orlessandclearedwithinthefirstorsecondsignalcycleafterthegatescameup.Intheseinstances,thedelaytovehiclesatthebackofthequeuewaslessthan3minutesafterthegatescameup.FortherightturnonStFrancisDrivesouthbound,generallythequeueswerecontainedwithintheturnlaneandwereclearedwithinthefirstcycleafterthegatescameup.Ononeoccasionthequeueappeared(clarityofrecordingunclearatthatdistance)tohavebackedupintothemainlinelanesforabriefperiod(approx.500ft).Thisqueuequicklydissipatedwithintwosignalcycles.Basedonvisualobservationsoftheothermovementsattheintersection,theredidnotappearanymajorimpacts(i.e.excessivequeuesordelays)asaresultoftrainsstoppingattheZiaStation.ThetestedsignalmitigationwhichchangedtheexitphasetoprovideagreenimmediatelytoZiaRoadeastboundleftturnafterthegatescameupmeantthatthismovementreceivedthegreenabout1minutesoonerthanitdidwhentheexitphasecontinuedtogivegreentoStFrancisDrivemovements.Becauseofalackofconsistentpatterninvehiclesqueues,itwasdifficulttodeterminetheeffectivenessofthischange.ThepotentialdownsideofthisexitphasingmeantthatZiaRoadeastboundandwestboundthroughmovementshadtowaitawholecycle(approx.2minutes)afterthegatescameupuntiltheyreceivedthegreen.BasedonobservationstheworstcaseobservedwerequeuesintheeastboundthroughlaneonZiaRoadextendingbacknofurtherthanGalisteoStreet.ThechangeinexistphasemeantthatthesouthboundrightturnonStFrancisDrivereceivedashorterinitialgreenafterthegatescameupthanunderexistingconditionsafterthegatescameup.Thisdidnotcausemajordelaysandundermostconditionsthisqueueclearedwithinthisfirstcycle.Gateoperationswhiletrainswerestoppedinthestationdidnotalwaysoccurasplanned,i.e.gatestoremaindownforthedurationthetrainwasstoppedinthestation.Duetothelocationoftheislandsensor(detectstrainspresence)therewereinstanceswhenthegatescameupprematurely.Fornorthboundtrainsthismeantthegateshadtocomebackdownbeforethetraincouldproceedthroughthecrossing.Thisdidnotappeartocauseanysafetyissuesforvehicles,butdidappeartodelaytrainsexitingthestationastheyhadtowaitforthegatestofullycomebackdownbeforeproceedingthroughthecrossing.Inconclusion,basedontheobservations,theopeningofZiaStationwillnotcauseprolongedperiodsofdelaysattheintersectionofStFrancisDriveandZiaRoad.

    RECOMMENDATIONSIfZiaStationistobeopenedtoNewMexicoRailRunnerExpressservice,inadditiontotherequirementsbyNMDOTintheirMay2014Letter,thefollowingrecommendationsaresuggested.

    WorkwithRioMetroRTDtoidentifytheappropriategateoperationfortrainsstoppingatZiaStation. ExplorethefeasibilityofaddingathirdleftturnlanetotheeastboundapproachofZiaRoad. Reviewtheeffectivenessofthechangeinexitphaseandexplorethefeasibilityofprovidingdifferent

    exitphasesbytimeofdaytobestmeetdifferingtrafficdemands. Explorecreatingtwostagepedestriancrossings(havepedestrianscrosshalftheroadwayatatime)ofSt

    FrancisDrive.