From Walton Sun
More than $62 million in improvements are needed to properly accommodate the volume of traffic on County Road 30 A, a report from the Genesis Group said.
January 2006 concluded the Genesis Group?s 12-month study of CR 30A, the only other east/west route in South Walton besides U.S. Highway 98. During the course of the analysis, six segments of the coastal road were monitored.
Using numbers based on current population, anticipated projects and vacant land, Genesis looked at different variables along CR 30A that would affect traffic patterns, Ben Chandler, Genesis transportation planner, said.
To integrate public needs and perceptions concerning the road, more than 900 personal surveys were sent to area residents, followed by one month of technical meetings and public input series.
?The study was its own endeavor while at the same time reviewing traffic concurrency procedures,? Chandler said.
?We thoroughly enjoyed working on this,? Debbie Dantin, project manager of the CR 30A study, said.
The Genesis Group suggested a host of short and long-term improvements for CR 30A.
?We looked at current design standards and how to provide recommendations for standardizing some of the design features,? Chandler said.
Some of the recommendations made for the welltraveled road included consistent sign standards, consistent pavement markings and crosswalk standards, warranted turning lanes and roundabouts.
?Roundabouts are a better alternative (to traffic signals). They allow increased capacity and reduce the overall delay,? Dantin said.
One of the most critical elements to controlling traffic is the continued push for public transportation, such as trolleys, she added.
Some of other suggestions for more pedestrian friendly elements along CR 30A included bicycle lane installation and sidewalks and trails.
?A good portion of this can be paid through private/public partnership,? Chandler said, suggesting developers incur some of the costs.
Dantin hopes some of the changes will, ?complement the scenic corridor designation. We?re trying to balance environmental issues with the scenic corridor.?
?There is always going to be traffic because it?s a popular destination,? Chandler said. ?These are suggestions to more efficiently mover traffic.?
The Genesis Group is also working a on a traffic concurrency study for the county, which will help reevaluate current currency regulations.
More than $62 million in improvements are needed to properly accommodate the volume of traffic on County Road 30 A, a report from the Genesis Group said.
January 2006 concluded the Genesis Group?s 12-month study of CR 30A, the only other east/west route in South Walton besides U.S. Highway 98. During the course of the analysis, six segments of the coastal road were monitored.
Using numbers based on current population, anticipated projects and vacant land, Genesis looked at different variables along CR 30A that would affect traffic patterns, Ben Chandler, Genesis transportation planner, said.
To integrate public needs and perceptions concerning the road, more than 900 personal surveys were sent to area residents, followed by one month of technical meetings and public input series.
?The study was its own endeavor while at the same time reviewing traffic concurrency procedures,? Chandler said.
?We thoroughly enjoyed working on this,? Debbie Dantin, project manager of the CR 30A study, said.
The Genesis Group suggested a host of short and long-term improvements for CR 30A.
?We looked at current design standards and how to provide recommendations for standardizing some of the design features,? Chandler said.
Some of the recommendations made for the welltraveled road included consistent sign standards, consistent pavement markings and crosswalk standards, warranted turning lanes and roundabouts.
?Roundabouts are a better alternative (to traffic signals). They allow increased capacity and reduce the overall delay,? Dantin said.
One of the most critical elements to controlling traffic is the continued push for public transportation, such as trolleys, she added.
Some of other suggestions for more pedestrian friendly elements along CR 30A included bicycle lane installation and sidewalks and trails.
?A good portion of this can be paid through private/public partnership,? Chandler said, suggesting developers incur some of the costs.
Dantin hopes some of the changes will, ?complement the scenic corridor designation. We?re trying to balance environmental issues with the scenic corridor.?
?There is always going to be traffic because it?s a popular destination,? Chandler said. ?These are suggestions to more efficiently mover traffic.?
The Genesis Group is also working a on a traffic concurrency study for the county, which will help reevaluate current currency regulations.
