HSIP Road Safety Assessments:

Bridge Road

I-664 Eastbound on Ramp

Suffolk, Virginia
Prepared for:
City of Suffolk- Traffic Engineering

Prepared by:

April, 2014

Robert M Greenwood
2014.04.16 13:01:01 -04'00'

TABLE OF CONTENTS
1.0

INTRODUCTION ........................................................................................................................3

2.0

STUDY AREA AND METHODOLOGY ...........................................................................................4

3.0

EXISTING CONDITIONS/ OBSERVATIONS ...................................................................................4

3.1
3.2
3.3
3.4
4.0

GEOMETRIC CONDITIONS ......................................................................................... 7

TRAFFIC CONTROL DEVICES ...................................................................................... 9
TRAFFIC CONDITIONS................................................................................................ 9
CRASH ANALYSIS ....................................................................................................... 9

ROADWAY SAFETY ASSESSMENT ............................................................................................11

4.1
4.2

SAFETY ISSUES AND CONTRIBUTING FACTORS ...................................................... 11

RECOMMENDED IMPROVEMENTS ......................................................................... 14

APPENDIX
APPENDIX A: Crash Diagram

City Of Suffolk: HSIP Bridge Road

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1.0 INTRODUCTION
The original Road Safety Assessment (RSA) report for this intersection was prepared July, 2012.
The City has requested an updated RSA of this intersection. This RSA report will provide
updated crash diagrams and field notes. Additional information, such as turn movement
counts, speed data and survey supplied by the Consultant or the City are also included in this
updated report.
The Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users
(SAFETEA-LU), authorizes federal surface transportation programs for highways, highway
safety, and transit. SAFETEA-LU has continued to be funded and is a core program for highway
safety improvements structured to make significant progress in reducing highway fatalities and
injuries.
In response to SAFETEA-LU, the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) has developed a
Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP) that involves identifying high-crash spots or
corridor segments. This program requires analyses of crash trends and existing conditions, in
order to prioritize and schedule improvement projects. The City of Suffolk as part of VDOTs
HSIP has begun Roadway Safety Assessments (RSA) of several key corridors within the city. This
report provides an outline of the RSA conducted. The report includes recommendations to
improve safety at this high-crash location. It is important to note that the recommendations
outlined in this report represent a listing of improvements that could potentially be
implemented. Due to financial limitations placed on the Commonwealth and the City of Suffolk,
inclusion of safety recommendations in this report does not constitute a commitment or
guarantee for implementation.
The recommendations outlined in this report are organized into one of three categories. These
three categories are, short term, intermediate term, and long term safety improvements. The
short term category is comprised of improvements that could be implemented by local or state
forces. Examples of these types of improvements include cutting back of foliage to improve
visibility, replacing signage, adjustments to signal timings, modification or upgrades to
pavement markings etc. The Intermediate term category consists of improvements that are
candidates for funding under (HSIP). These proposed countermeasures included safety
improvements that may not be within the Citys ability to correct using existing manpower or
funding sources. Long term safety improvements may be identified and documented; however,
they are not the primary focus of this RSA. Improvements in the long term category are
generally more extensive in nature, and therefore are not normally good candidates for state/
local forces or HSIP funding. Improvements in the long term category will require more
extensive planning and design before implementation can be considered.

City Of Suffolk: HSIP Bridge Road

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2.0 STUDY AREA AND METHODOLOGY

The project study of Bridge Road (Route 17) at the I-664 eastbound On-ramp was requested by
the City of Suffolk because of the severity of crashes at this intersection.
A field investigation of the study area was conducted by URS. The Road Safety Assessment for
the study area was conducted and observations included geometric conditions and roadside
features, traffic control devices, intersection visibility/ sight distance, traffic conditions and
behaviors of both motorists and non-motorized road users. Observations also included
pedestrian user interaction in and around the roadway location.
Information used to complete this RSA includes the following:

FR-300 police crash reports (from 01/01/2011 through 12/31/2013)

Crash diagram (from 01/01/2011 through 12/31/2013)
Field survey and mapping was performed by PMI
Traffic turning movement counts were provided by the City, and
Traffic speed study was provided by the City

3.0 EXISTING CONDITIONS/ OBSERVATIONS

The location analyzed for this report includes the un-signalized intersection of Bridge Road and
I-664 Eastbound On-ramp in the City of Suffolk Virginia. Bridge Road at this location is an
arterial roadway with a posted speed limit of 45 mph. The I-664 Eastbound on-ramp from
Bridge Road eastbound is currently posted with an advisory speed limit sign at 25 mph.
Photographs 1, 2, and 3 show the approaches to the on-ramp.

Figure 1: Study Area

City Of Suffolk: HSIP Bridge Road

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Photograph 1: Westbound Approach to the On-Ramp on Bridge Road

Photograph 2: Eastbound Approach to the On-Ramp on Bridge Road

City Of Suffolk: HSIP Bridge Road

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Photograph 3: Southbound view of the On-Ramp

Photograph 4: Eastbound view of the On-Ramp

City Of Suffolk: HSIP Bridge Road

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3.1

GEOMETRIC CONDITIONS

The intersection of Bridge Road and I-664 Eastbound on-ramp is an un-signalized intersection
within the City of Suffolk. Bridge Road is a four lane divided roadway. The I-664 Eastbound
on-ramp is a single lane ramp. Eastbound Bridge Road has access to the on-ramp from a curved
slip lane that merges onto the ramp under yield control. Westbound Bridge Road has access to
the on-ramp by executing a left turn from a median break on Bridge Road. There is a left turn
storage lane at the median opening.
Bridge Road at this intersection is horizontally straight. There are no vertical curves through the
intersection. Four-foot paved shoulders are provided for Bridge Road eastbound only, prior to
the intersection. Bridge Road eastbound and westbound (after the intersection) has soft
shoulders. The I-664 eastbound on-ramp has standard paved shoulders on both sides of the
ramp. The slip ramp alignment follows a small radius.
Lane use at the intersection consists of the following:
Bridge Rd. eastbound: 2 through lanes, and 1 right-turn slip lane
Bridge Rd. westbound: 1 left-turn lane, and 2 through lanes
No pedestrian accommodations are currently present at this intersection.

City Of Suffolk: HSIP Bridge Road

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City Of Suffolk: HSIP Bridge Road

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3.2

TRAFFIC CONTROL DEVICES

Pedestrian accommodations are not currently present at this intersection. Intersection and
roadway lighting are not provided at this intersection or approaching this intersection from any
direction. Snowplowable raised pavement markers (SRPMs) are present at this intersection and
on the eastbound and westbound approaches.
Bridge Road is posted at 45 MPH. Pavement arrow markings are present for the left and
through lanes on the westbound approach only. ONLY messages are not present.
Bridge Road eastbound slip lane to I-664 eastbound on-ramp is posted for 25 mph (Advisory).
Bridge Road eastbound slip lane to I-664 eastbound on-ramp has a single Yield sign posted to
the right side of the approach. The Yield sign is visible within approximately 300-feet of the
merge. (This measurement was taken prior to the spring season and therefore there was no
foliage on the trees).
3.3

TRAFFIC CONDITIONS

Traffic demand at this intersection is moderate to light during off peak hours. The peak hour
intersection volumes (AM and PM) are approximately 1900 vehicles. During the off peak hours,
the intersection volumes vary between 1100 and 1400 vehicles per hour.
The AM peak hour occurs between 7am and 8am. During the AM peak hour, a significantly high
number of left turn movements were counted (725 vehicles). The PM peak hour occurs
between 5pm and 6pm. During the PM peak hour, the number of left turn movements is 410
vehicles.
A speed study was conducted for the eastbound direction of Bridge Road in the vicinity of the
intersection. The study revealed the 85th percentile speed were 57 mph, (12 mph over the
posted speed limit).
There was no pedestrian activity noted at this intersection during field visits.
3.4

CRASH ANALYSIS

Police crash reports (FR-300s) for years 2011 to 2013 were provided by the City of Suffolk and
used for analysis. There were two (2) injury crashes at this intersection between 2011 and 2013
and one (1) fatalities reported. The numbers of crashes in years 2011 to 2013 were 5, 6, and 3
respectively.
There were 9 left turn crashes between 2011 and 2013 at this intersection. There was 5 left
turn crash in 2011, 3 in 2012 and 1 in 2013. There is a significant increase in the number of left
turn crashes from the previous study performed in 2012. The crash analysis period was 2008 to
2010 and there were 5 left turn crashes. The numbers of left turn crashes over the current
study period reflect decreasing crashes each year.
A crash diagram is provided at the end of this report in the Appendix.

Total Crashes - 14
Injuries - 2
Fatalities 1
Leading Types: Left Turn- 9, Rear End- 2, Sideswipe- 2

City Of Suffolk: HSIP Bridge Road

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Table 1: Crash Summary

Year
2011
2012
2013
TOTAL

AM
(6-10)
2
1
3

Peak
PM
(3-7)
3
1
4

Off
Peak
2
3
2
7

Light Condition
Dawn/
Day
Dark
Dusk
1
4
3
1
2
1
1
1
4
3
7

Pavement Condition
Dry

Wet

5
6
1
12

2
2

Misc

Rear
End
1
1
2

Type of Collision
SideswipeAngle
same dir.
5
3
1
1
1
9
2

Severity
Animal

Fatal

Injury

1
1

Property
Damage
4
4
3
11

TOTAL
by Year
5
6
3
14

% Type of Collision
7%

14%

14%
Rear End
Angle
Sideswipe- same dir.
Animal

64%

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4.0 ROADWAY SAFETY ASSESSMENT

4.1

SAFETY ISSUES AND CONTRIBUTING FACTORS

The following is a summary of observed intersection issues and factors that may potentially
contribute to vehicle crashes at this location or have the possibility of creating a safety concern
along Bridge Road in Suffolk Virginia.

Pavement in the vicinity of this intersection is

showing signs of deterioration. Pavement at the
entrance to the on-ramp (Picture 4-1) and
pavement in the middle of the intersection is
showing signs of wear.

Picture 4- 1

There is considerable shoulder erosion in the

vicinity of the intersection. The right shoulder on
the westbound side of Bridge Road (Picture 4-2)
has a 3 drop off.

Picture 4- 2

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The median crossover at the I-664 on-ramp has an algebraic grade differential of 11.8%
over 8 to 10 feet. The truck with trailer (Picture 4-3) and the passenger vehicle (Picture
4-4) provide a visual illustration of the grade differential in the median crossover.

Picture 4- 4

Picture 4- 3

The right turn slip ramp from eastbound Bridge Road onto the I-664 on-ramp is
controlled by a single Yield sign posted on the right hand side of the ramp. The Yield
sign is occluded by a stand of trees as the motorist enters the slip lane and only
becomes visible at 300-feet from the sign. Picture 4-5 was taken when the trees did not
have foliage. The posted advisory speed for the slip ramp is 25 mph. There are no
Yield Ahead sign for this approach. Figure 3 depicts a plan view of the roadway
geometry of the intersection and illustrates the Yieldsign occlusion.

Yield Sign

Picture 4- 5
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The interchange lighting at I-664 and Bridge Road was removed by or before November
2011. This intersection is unlighted in the evenings and with the slip ramp located 530feet from the median crossover, a left turning vehicle may have difficulty determining
whether an eastbound vehicle on Bridge Road is exiting via the slip lane or continuing
eastbound on Bridge Road towards the intersection.

Bridge Road has a posted speed limit of 45 mph. A speed study was performed by the
City for the eastbound direction of Bridge Road. The speed study revealed an 85th
percentile speed of 57 mph. The eastbound slip ramp point of divergence is located 530feet from the median opening for left turns from westbound Bridge Road onto the I-664
on-ramp. According to the VDOT Road Design Manual - Appendix G: Access
Management Design Standards for Entrances and Intersections, the intersection sight
distance for a 45 mph roadway needs to be at least 580-feet. The intersection sight
distance for a 55 mph roadway needs to be at least 710-feet. The current sight distance
from the median opening exceed 710-feet. However, as noted in one crash report, the
driver making the left turn from the median opening reported that they presumed that
the eastbound Bridge Road vehicle was exiting onto the I-664 slip ramp and could not
complete the left turn movement and the eastbound vehicle could not stop prior to the
crash. Figure 3 depicts a plan view of the roadway geometry of the existing intersection
and illustrates the non-complaint intersection sight distance for making a left turn
movement.

Figure 3
City Of Suffolk: HSIP Bridge Road

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4.2

RECOMMENDED IMPROVEMENTS

The following is a summary of the suggestions to improve safety and potentially reduce the
number and severity of accidents at this location. As mentioned in the introduction, suggestions
for safety improvements have been categorized into short, intermediate, and long term
recommendations.
Short Term
Conduct shoulder restoration along the ramp to I-664 and along the southbound side of
Bridge Road.

Repave intersection to improve pavement quality.

Install a second Yield sign to the left of the approach on the eastbound I-664 slip ramp
with Yield line pavement markings. The second Yield sign will not be occluded by the
tree branches.

Install Yield Ahead signs on the eastbound I-664 slip ramp.

Intermediate
Provide roadway lighting along Bridge Road from the west side of the I-664 overpass,
westbound approximately 1100-feet. (Budgetary estimate for PE - $ 20,000;
Construction $ 80,000)

Reconstruct the median crossover to remove the 11.8% crossover grade. (Budgetary
estimate for PE - $30,000; Construction $ 135,000)
Stormwater requirements for this recommended work are not clearly defined
and may impact the budgetary estimate.

Long Term
Reconstruct the eastbound slip lane on-ramp to accommodate a design speed of 55
mph. The reconstruction envisioned is to extend the exit location on Bridge Road
approximately 200-feet west of its current location.

City Of Suffolk: HSIP Bridge Road

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APPENDIX

City Of Suffolk: HSIP Bridge Road

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APPENDIX A: Crash Diagram

City Of Suffolk: HSIP Bridge Road

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