Memorandum
Date: June 9, 2023
To: Councilwoman Amanda Sawyer and Staff
Perry Edman and DOTI Staff
From: Sydney Provan and Charlie Alexander
Subject: Uinta Way Traffic Calming Study Recommendations
DN23-0761
Introduction
The Lowry Community Master Association, in collaboration with Denver City Council District 5
Councilwoman Amanda Sawyer and the Department of Transportation and Infrastructure, hired
Fehr & Peers to study traffic concerns on Uinta Way. Similar partnerships were formed previously
for traffic calming studies along 6th Avenue, 8th Avenue, and Dayton Street.
The study limits are Uinta Way from 11th Avenue to Lowry Boulevard. The aim of the study was to
understand community traffic concerns on Uinta Way, collect data to better understand issues,
and to develop conceptual designs for low-cost recommendations that the city can build as DOTI
work orders.
Study Process
Fehr & Peers has completed the study in three steps listed in the following diagram. Each step
included a community meeting where Fehr & Peers introduced the project and presented data
collection results and study recommendations.
During each step, Fehr & Peers sought feedback from a working group before presenting the
material to the public for community input. The working group included Councilwoman Sawyer,
District 5 staff, the Lowry Community Master Association, and a representative from DOTI. After
presenting to the working group, information was presented to the broader community. An
attachment to this memorandum includes the second presentation that summarizes the results of
the data collection and analysis and a community survey that was conducted. Below is an outline
of the three steps that made up this study’s process:
- In the spring of 2023, Fehr & Peers prepared a community survey. The survey was
distributed to community members through the Lowry Community Master Association,
Facebook, flyers, and newsletters. The survey received 112 responses and asked questions
pertaining to challenging crossing locations, speeding, sight distance, and other potential
concerns on Uinta Way. - On May 4, 2022, Fehr & Peers collected traffic, bicycle, and pedestrian counts at key
segments and study intersections. Fehr & Peers also completed field observations on
April 27th and May 13th, 2023. Fehr & Peers also completed a 5 AM parking inventory on
Tuesday, May 9th, 2023, and a 9 AM parking count Saturday, May 13th, 2023, while there
was a large event going on at the park and open space adjacent to Uinta Way. Lastly, Fehr
& Peers analyzed crash data from May 1st, 2020, through April 30th, 2023 (the last three
years at the time of study). - Following our presentations of these draft recommendations to the project working
group and community members, Fehr & Peers will prepare conceptual designs and cost
estimates for low-cost improvements to address concerns. Fehr & Peers has also noted
some recommendations for higher-cost, long-term improvements that the city may
investigate in the future.
Recommendations for Improvements
The following section includes a summary of the recommendations for each location and the
justification for those recommendations. Conceptual designs and cost estimates will be provided
for each recommendation once the recommendations are finalized.
Recommendations were made for the intersections of Uinta Way and:
• 11th Avenue – curb extensions
• Ulster Way – curb extensions, pedestrian refuge islands, and advanced yield striping
• 8th Avenue – curb extensions & pedestrian refuge islands
• 6th Avenue – redo markings and signing for consistency and MUTCD compliance
• 5th Avenue – marked crosswalk, curb extensions, & pedestrian refuge islands
• Midblock crosswalk between 1st Avenue and Academy Place – curb extensions &
advanced yield striping
• Lowry Boulevard – redo markings and signing for consistency and MUTCD compliance
Crossing improvements were not recommended for the following intersections because they are
already within 300 feet of an enhanced crossing:
• Trenton Street (within 300 feet of 11th Avenue signal)
• 1st Avenue (within 300 feet of midblock enhanced crossing)
• Academy Place (within 300 feet of midblock enhanced crossing and does not have
existing curb ramps)
11th Avenue
The intersection of 11th Avenue and Uinta Way is an existing 4-leg signalized intersection where
27 pedestrians were counted crossing the intersection during a 2-hour AM peak period and 22
were counted in the PM peak period. Community survey responses identified this intersection as a
challenging location for crossing Uinta Way due to driver speeds on both 11th Avenue and Uinta
Way and the speeds at which drivers take turns in the intersection. Due to an existing bike lane on
11th Avenue, there is not sufficient space on the 11th Avenue legs of the intersection for additional
treatments. However, the curb-to-curb width of Uinta Way (the southern leg of the intersection) is
about 42 feet with two 16-foot travel lanes and one 10-foot left turn lane.
Our recommendation is to narrow both the northbound lane entering the intersection and the
southbound receiving lane on Uinta Way by adding painted curb extensions with plastic
delineators on both the east and west sides of Uinta Way at the intersection. These curb
extensions are intended to slow right turning vehicles entering and exiting Uinta Way as well as
slowing cars as they approach the intersection from Uinta Way.
Ulster Way
The intersection of Ulster Way and Uinta Way is a three-leg intersection with side street stop
control on Ulster Way (west leg of intersection). There are existing marked crosswalks and
pedestrian crossing signs on both Uinta Way legs of the intersection (north and south legs). The
24-hour traffic and speed counts conducted for this study found that this segment of Uinta Way
has a daily traffic volume of about 4,000 vehicles/day and an 85th percentile speed of 37 MPH. The
posted speed on Uinta Way is 30 MPH. Uinta Way in this section is a three lane roadway without a
raised median (two travel lanes and a two-way left turn lane). According to Denver’s Uncontrolled
Pedestrian Crossing Guidelines this intersection meets the level C requirements (Pedestrian Hybrid
Beacon or Signal) because the 85th percentile speed is greater than 35 MPH.
In the short term, and in accordance with treatments permitted by the Uncontrolled Crossing
Guidelines, it is recommended that painted curb extensions and with plastic delineators be
installed on all legs of the intersection and painted pedestrian refuge islands with plastic
delineators be installed on the Uinta Way legs of the intersection in order to narrow the crossing
distance for pedestrians on all legs, provide a visual narrowing of the roadway to help slow traffic
approaching the intersection, slow turning vehicles, and to enable two-stage crossings for
pedestrians. Additionally, it is recommended that advanced yield lines be painted on Uinta Way
ahead of the two marked crosswalks with the intention of improving driver compliance with
yielding to pedestrians in the crosswalks.
In the long term, it is recommended that DOTI monitor the effects of these short term treatments
on traffic speeds to determine whether a greater device (RRFB or PHB) is necessary.
8th Avenue
The intersection of Uinta Way & 8th Avenue is an existing 3-way stop controlled intersection.
Community input identified this intersection as a challenging location for pedestrians crossing
Uinta Way and in particular many comments noted that cars often do not comply with this stop
sign and do not stop for pedestrians trying to cross.
Our recommendation is to implement painted curb extensions with plastic delineators on all legs
of the intersection as well as painted pedestrian refuge islands with plastic delineators on the two
Uinta Way legs of the intersection. These improvements are intended to slow traffic approaching
the intersection, make pedestrians more visible, shorten the crossing distances for pedestrians on
all legs of the intersection, and achieve higher levels of stop compliance for pedestrians.
6th Avenue
Uinta Way intersects 6th Avenue at a roundabout. Community input identified this intersection as
a challenging location for pedestrians crossing Uinta Way to the Westerly Creek Trail, Lowry
Sundial, and Great Lawn Park.
Our recommendation is to implement marked crosswalks (and associated signs), dashed white
extensions of the circulatory roadway edge lines at the entries, and white circulatory roadway
edge lines within the limits of the splitter islands, and to redo signing at the roundabout for
consistency in the application of one-way (R6-1)/directional (R6-4)/circulation (R6-5) signs.
In regards to marked crosswalks, roundabouts are not specifically addressed in Denver’s Traffic
Signal, Sign and Pavement Marking Standards; however, roundabouts may be considered similar
to the typical pavement markings at a signalized intersection, which include marked crosswalks.
Additionally, these crosswalks directly serve the Westerly Creek Trail, Lowry Sundial, and Great
Lawn Park. Our interpretation of the Uncontrolled Pedestrian Crossing Guidelines is that by directly
serving a trail and park, these crossings meet the guidelines without meeting the latent demand
score or minimum pedestrian volume threshold. Either way, the maximum peak hour pedestrian
crossing volume was 16 pedestrians per hour on the south crosswalk from 5-6 PM. The latent
demand score is 12.5 (7.5 points for activity generator destination, 5 points for connection to bike
network).
5th Avenue
The intersection of Uinta Way & 5th Avenue is a four-leg intersection with Uinta Way as the north
and south legs, 5th Avenue as the west leg, and the entrance to the Machebeuf High School
parking lot as the east leg. The intersection is stop controlled on 5th Avenue and the parking lot.
Uinta Way at this intersection is a three lane roadway without a raised median. Community
members identified this as a challenging location for crossing Uinta Way and expressed specific
concern about the safety of the crossing for students accessing Machebeuf High School.
The 24-hour traffic and speed counts conducted for this study found that this segment of Uinta
Way has a daily traffic volume of about 6,600 vehicles/day and an 85th percentile speed of 40
MPH. The posted speed on Uinta Way is 30 MPH. The only existing marked crosswalk at this
intersection is across the High School Parking lot entrance. In accordance with the Uncontrolled
Pedestrian Crossing Guidelines the south leg of the intersection is appropriate for a marked
crosswalk because it is more than 300 feet from the nearest enhanced crossing, the volumes on
Uinta Way are greater than 1,500 vehicles/day, there are existing curb ramps, and the crossing
connects directly to a school. This intersection meets the level C (PHB or Signal) requirements in
the Uncontrolled Pedestrian Crossing Guidelines. Were the street to have an 85th percentile speed
of 35 MPH, it would meet the level A (markings and signing) requirement.
In the short term our recommendation is to implement a painted pedestrian refuge island with
plastic delineators on the south leg of the intersection and, if possible, painted curb extensions
with plastic delineators on the south leg of the intersection. These improvements are intended to
slow traffic approaching the intersection, make pedestrians more visible, and shorten the crossing
distances for pedestrians on all legs of the intersection. If these improvements succeed in
reducing vehicle speeds, the crosswalk can be marked as a level A device.
In the long term it is recommended that DOTI monitor the effects of these short term treatments
on traffic speeds to determine whether a greater device (RRFB or PHB) is necessary.
Midblock Crossing (between 1st Avenue and Academy Place)
This location is an existing, marked, mid-block crossing between 1st Avenue and Academy Place
that connects a shared use path on the west side of Uinta Way with the Great Lawn Park and
sports field on the east side of Uinta Way. Community input reported drivers not stopping for
pedestrians crossing at this location. The 24-hour traffic and speed counts conducted for this
study found that this segment of Uinta Way has a daily traffic volume of about 6,600 vehicles/day
and an 85th percentile speed of 40 MPH. The posted speed on Uinta Way is 30 MPH. According to
the Uncontrolled Pedestrian Crossing Guidelines this crossing meets the level B requirements
(RRFB).
In the short term we recommend painted curb extensions with plastic delineators around the curb
ramps on both sides of Uinta Way and advanced yield lines be added before each crosswalk.
These improvements are intended to slow traffic approaching the crossing, make pedestrians
more visible, and shorten the crossing distances for pedestrians.
In the long term it is recommended that DOTI monitor the effects of these short term treatments
on traffic speeds. If traffic speeds are not reduced after installation of the short term
improvements, it is recommended that DOTI evaluate implementation of an RRFB at this location.
Lowry Boulevard
Uinta Way intersects Lowry Boulevard at a roundabout. Community input identified this
intersection as a challenging location for pedestrians crossing the street and as a difficult location
to navigate by car.
Our recommendation is to implement white circulatory roadway edge lines within the limits of the
splitter islands, and to implement signing changes at the roundabout:
• Turning movement signs as the primary notification of the mandatory lane turning
movements (on the multilane approaches) per MUTCD Figure 2B-23
• Pedestrian warning signs on both sides of the street at both multilane approaches
• One-way (R6-1) and directional (R6-4) signs for eastbound Lowry Boulevard
• Yield signs on both the right side and in the splitter islands on both multilane approaches
Attachments
• Community meeting presentation documenting community survey, data collection, and
analysis
• Uinta Way Count/Speed Data Collection
Editor’s Note: LUN was a stakeholder and collaborator in the study process for Uinta Way. Several LUN members took part in all the internal stakeholder meetings and public meetings held from February to June 2023.