Questions and Answers
What is the primary reason for the proposed improvement of U.S. 1A in Harrington?
What percentage of the town’s retail sales is related to tourism?
What are the primary goals of the project?
Which factor contributes to the high accident rate on U.S. 1A near the town center?
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Which of the following is NOT a measure of effectiveness for the project?
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What is the average daily traffic on U.S. 1A?
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What criteria will be used to evaluate the displacement effects of the project?
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What proportion of the population of Harrington lives within the study area?
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Which alternative bypasses the town to the south and includes a new bridge?
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Which alternative makes use of the existing U.S. 1A road with improvements?
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Study Notes
Situation Definition
- Proposed relocation of a 3.3-mile section of U.S. 1A in Harrington, Maine, aiming to enhance road safety and efficiency.
- Harrington's population is 553, with 420 within the study area and 350 in the town center, showing recent population decline due to limited jobs.
- The economy is primarily based on agriculture and fishing; environmental concerns are pivotal due to potential impacts on livelihoods.
- Town's retail sales are 20% tourism-related, suggesting economic vulnerability tied to travel accessibility.
- Average daily traffic is 2,620 vehicles, with 69% as through traffic and 31% as local traffic.
Problem Definition
- Maine Department of Transportation targets high accident rates on U.S. 1A, exacerbated by a narrow bridge and inadequate road alignment.
- Goals include reducing the accident rate and increasing average speed.
- Effectiveness measures: accident rate, travel time, and construction cost, while also considering environmental impacts such as noise and air quality.
Search for Solutions
- Four alternatives to current routes proposed plus a “do-nothing” option:
- Alternative 1: Bypass south of Harrington with a new bridge.
- Alternative 2: Upgrade existing U.S. 1A with a new bridge.
- Alternative 3: Connect to U.S. 1 west of Harrington using the recent Route 1 Bridge.
- Alternative 4: Combine U.S. 1 with a new bypass around town.
Analysis of Performance
- Alternatives evaluated based on travel speeds, accident factors, and costs.
- Existing road speed is 25 mph; Alternative 1 and 4 potential speed is 55 mph, while Alternatives 2 and 3 show speeds of 30 mph.
- Current accident factor is 4 times statewide average; after implementation, could drop to 0.6 (Alternative 4) or 1.2 (Alternative 1).
- Costs range from $1.18 million (Alternative 3) to $1.58 million (Alternative 2).
- Considerations include residence displacement, traffic volume, and environmental impacts (air quality, noise).
Evaluation of Alternatives
- All alternatives improve travel time; Alternative 1 is best followed by 4.
- Accident rates show Alternative 4 the best, followed by 1, 3, and 2.
- Cost Efficiency: Doing nothing is least costly, but significant improvements justify project initiation. Alternative 3 is cheapest with viable improvements.
- Alternative 1 offers improved safety over Alternative 3 for a slight cost increase.
- Air quality and noise levels improved significantly with Alternatives 1 and 4 due to reduced congestion.
- Minimal residence displacement for Alternatives 1 and 4 versus higher impacts for Alternatives 2 and 3.
Choice of Project
- From a cost perspective, Alternative 3 is preferred for travel and safety enhancements.
- If funding allows, Alternatives 1 or 4 may be pursued for their superior community impact profiles.
- Community feedback will be integrated into the project's design to mitigate environmental and societal effects.
Specifications and Construction
- Alternative 1 adopted for construction, involving a new bridge and road linking U.S. 1A to U.S. 1.
- Required documentation includes design plans, construction cost estimates, and project bidding details.
- Contract awarded to the lowest bidder, with construction oversight by the Department of Transportation post-completion.
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Description
This quiz explores the fundamental concepts of transportation planning through the example of a rural road relocation project in Harrington, Maine. Participants will learn about key definitions and processes involved in planning and implementing transportation projects.
