Analysis of Napa County’s Growth and its Developing Transportation Concerns

1. Analysis of Napa County’s Growth and its Developing Transportation Concerns .Linda Romero, Antonio Castro Napa Valley College, Napa, CA ABSTRACT Napa County is known for its plantations and luxurious wine productions that attract tourists. Since the county’s development during the mid-1800s to present day, the county has experienced periods of population and business growth. Such expansions have occurred while the transportation infrastructure to support them has hindered; therefore, creating transportation issues. Usually, the transportation infrastructure hinders due to environmental concerns and cost. Currently, one particular transportation corridor that needs attention is the connection between American Canyon and the City of Napa. One possible solution to this transportation crisis is to add an additional lane on both sides of the existing road.  Another potential solution is to create an alternate route parallel to the present one. The main focus of this research is to examine the county’s historical expansion and the development of the transportation infrastructure. In addition, the investigation looks for a solution to the traffic congestion issues that currently exist between the City of American Canyon and the City of Napa, specifically Highway 29. Also, the research considers the environmental impact of possible transportation solutions. The environmental concerns include the alterations of natural landscape and vacant space land for development usage. The findings of the research can help direct the future planning and development of Napa County in terms of proper sizing of its transportation infrastructure during periods of expansion and impact to natural resources. While expansion is something inevitable, in most cases it affects the environment; and forms transportation issues when the infrastructure remains unchanged. However, it is the job of civil and a transportation engineers to find a solution that considers all aspects, and is an acceptable compromise to all. INTRODUCTION METHODS CONT. FINDINGS CONT. • The City of American Canyon is to be found approximately 40 miles northeast of San Francisco. To the north, Napa City and vineyards. The southern border is the northern boundary line to the City of Vallejo. Easterly, is the Sulphur Springs Mountain Range, and the Napa River runs westerly. • American Canyon was integrated in 1992; it is the second largest City in Napa County. Its size is approximately 4.0 square miles. • Although, Napa County is the least populous of the nine Bay Area regions, due to costly living expenses. However, it is being impacted by surrounding county growths given to its central location. • The majority of the County’s population growth is between the cities of Napa and American Canyon. • The table on the left demonstrates the demographics in the State of California, Department of Finance for American Canyon. • The table to the right projects the estimated increase in Single-family household numbers for the upcoming twenty years. • Figure of Hwy 29 bisecting Napa County, from google.com • State Route 29 is a state Highway route that runs in the north-south direction. It has four lanes, two lanes apiece. It bisects Napa County. • For American Canyon, to the south it links to SR 37 and I-80. • The highway serves commuter and industrial traffic passing between the Counties of Napa, Sonoma, Solano, and Lake County. • The majority of trips made into Napa are work related. Daily there is roughly 13,000 workers coming into Napa. Annually there is approx 4.7 million trips made pertaining to Napa’s wineries and restaurants. • Trips departing Napa are also related to work. Roughly a day there is 20,000 Napa residents who work out of the county. • For the year 2030 30,000 automobiles are foreseen to commute into and out of the county for a daily basis. Collector Streets- draw together and direct traffic between (local streets) residential, (arterials) commercial and industrial areas. Two lane facility with speed limit of 30. Capacity of 12,000. (Danrose DR, Donaldson Way, Elliot Drive, Green Island RD, James RD, Napa Junction RD, Rio Del Mar, Wetlands Edge RD, Broadway, Eucalyptus DR) Local Streets- low daily traffic volumes of less than 2,000 and speed limit 25 to 30mph. Standard Cross-Section: Arterial- roadway of four lanes, with a 140-right-of-way, with cross section, bike, sidewalk lane. Collector- Two types: 1) one-lane with a 74-foot-right-of-way, includes parking. 2) one two-lane with a 68-foot right-of-way, includes a landscaped median. Minor – roadway of two lanes with a 64-foot right-of-way, with parallel parking. • With just Flosden Rd. acting as a parallel route and bypass; the 2030 traffic volumes will not receive adequate support to redirect all vehicles. • Intersections still exceed the LOS Expectations entrance resulting with the obligation of converting SR 29 to a six- lane facility after all. • The first table compares the present AM peak-hour speeds, to those of a 4-lane SR-29 and 6-lane SR-29, including the road segment adjustment. • The second table illustrates the same comparison, but instead for PM peak-hour-speeds. • After all build-out extensions and intersection alterations to the network, there will still be major malfunctions on SR 29. Change in Single Family Households by Sub-area in Napa County 2007 to 2035 FINDINGS • Presently, the northbound travel during AM peak-hour and the southbound travel during PM peak-hour conditions are below acceptable operations as shown on the diagram below, • Existing AM and PM peak-hour intersection traffic volumes are illustrated by turning movement in the figure below from the Citywide Circulation Study. • Existing Peak-Hour Intersection Traffic Volumes. Figure 9 from Citywide Circulation Study • The County and Caltrans have generally favored a six lane highway through American Canyon as it is their goal to “move volume”. • The City has generally favored a four lane roadway, one that is more community orientated, with a bypass. • For year 2030 travel demand north/south through American Canyon will increase by sixty percent. • In order to provide adequate peak- hour capacity in the north-south of SR 29: • For a parallel facility to SR 29 the extension of Newell Drive from American Canyon Road to Green Island Road, as a four- lane arterial is required. • Deviln Road- future plans are to include a southerly extension to connect with Green Island Road. This connection will require the construction of a bridge across Fagan Creek. This extension is vital for the future circulation going in and around the industrial northern area of Green Island Road. Intersections will share a southbound left-right single-lane, westbound left-turn pocket and also a turning lane. • Commerce Boulevard presently is extended from Eucalyptus Dr./ Wetlands Edge Rd. to the south of Green Island Rd. It will potentially be an industrial street extension as a standard major collector. • Therefore, Green Island Rd. will require amplification from Commerce Blvd. as a minor arterial to SR 29, • along with other modifications of other local and arterial city intersections. • Future street intersection adjustments RESULTS/CONCLUSION • Through this research analysis, the goal is to mitigate the negative impacts of the activity along SR 29, on American Canyon. • By putting together a well developed approach, it will aid traffic circulation issues so that it will meet the Level of Service Standards. • Through the done research analysis, the future possible resolution will be to widen SR 29 to six lanes, along with extending and connecting inter-city roads that will function as a detour and or interchange route to alleviate traffic on Highway 29. METHODS REFERENCES LOS (Level Of Service)- is a qualitative measure of traffic operating conditions. An intersection and or roadway section is presented by a letter grade from A to F, signifying progressive worsening traffic conditions. • State of California, Department of Finance, E-5 Population and Housing Estimates for Cities, Counties and the State, 2001-2009, with 2000 Benchmark. Sacramento, California, May 2009. • “Citywide Circulation Study Report for City of American Canyon, “Omni-Means Engineers & Planners. September 26, 2008. <http://www.ci.americancanyon.ca.us/Departments/Community_Development/Citywide_Circulation_Study_Administrative_Draft_Report.pdf> • “Napa's Transportation Future.” Napa County Transportation & Planning Agency. April 2009. <http://sites.google.com/site/napastransportationfuture/> The table on the left demonstrates the speed range for each LOS letter grade by Street Class Road Types Road Types: Freeways- are limited access designed facilities to grant high-speed regional mobility, speed limit should range from 50 -65mph. Interchange spacing 1mile or greater. (I- 80) Highways- are controlled facilities whose junctions with cross streets are characterized by intersections. Speed limit range from 40 to 55mph. (SR 29, SR12 to north, SR 37 to south) Road Types: Freeways- are limited access designed facilities to grant high-speed regional mobility, speed limit should range from 50 -65mph. Interchange spacing 1mile or greater. (I- 80) Highways- are controlled facilities whose junctions with cross streets are characterized by intersections. Speed limit range from 40 to 55mph. (SR 29, SR12 to north, SR 37 to south) Arterial Streets- in the Circulation Element are defined within the community as the principal system for traffic flow. Speed Range of 30 to 45mph. Maximum capacity of 30,000 vehicles/day. A four- lane facility. (American Canyon Road, Flosden Road) • 1- American Canyon Rd and Donaldson Way Road Segment, • 2-Rio Del Mar to Napa Junction Rd Road Segment. • 3-Napa Junction Rd to South Kelly Rd Road Segement. • 4- The American Canyon Road & South Kelly Road, State route segment. AKNOWLEDGMENTS • Mr. Antonio Castro ( Advisor) • Mr. Jose Hernandez (MESA Director of Napa Valley College • The Dwight David Eisenhower Transportation Fellowship Program