Redesigning an Urban Midblock Section to Improve Safety and Level of Service: Case Study in the Niagara Region

Abstract

Providing safe and complete streets that fit road users of All Ages and Abilities (AAA) with optimal traffic flow along urban built-up areas can often be challenging. Increased access points along midblock sections between busy intersections result in higher travel speeds, jaywalking, and delays. This paper evaluates a case in the Niagara Region, where the main corridor, Regional Road 20 (Lundy’s Lane) between Montrose Road and Kalar Road, is being accessed for improvements. This corridor has many different factors, including multiple nursing homes, a secondary school, tourist accommodations, and local businesses. The alternative solutions included: implementing a road diet with a cyclist facility, two-way left-turn lanes, adding pedestrian crossing and numerous other minor improvements (Alternative 1); and implementing partial road expansions along the corridor to add in pedestrian refuge islands, partial channelized left-turn lanes, and additional minor improvements (Alternative 2). The best alternative was chosen through evaluation using four criteria: safety, traffic operations, cost, and environmental impacts. Each criterion was given a corresponding weight, and the best alternative was chosen through a weighted scoring method. Sensitivity analysis is also conducted for the weights and the proposed growth rate for the 2041 design year. In this regard, Alternative 1 showed the best fit with evaluation criteria. A detailed design of this alternative was created using AutoCAD, and PTV Vissim and Synchro were used to analyze the impact on traffic operations along the midblock section.