zia station live train stop simulation report - march 2015

ZIASTATIONLIVETRAINSTOPSIMULATIONSTUDY

March2015PreparedfortheCityofSantaFe

BytheSantaFeMetropolitanPlanningOrganization

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TableofContentsEXECUTIVESUMMARY...............................................................................................................................................1BACKGROUND...........................................................................................................................................................3LIVETRAINSTOPSIMULATIONDATACOLLECTION...................................................................................................5TRAINANDGATEOBSERVATIONS...........................................................................................................................10TRAFFICOBSERVATIONS..........................................................................................................................................11BlueTOADTRAVELTIMEANALYSIS.......................................................................................................................17CONCLUSIONS.........................................................................................................................................................17RECOMMENDATIONS..............................................................................................................................................18

ListofTablesTable1TrainsObservedaspartoftheStudy.........................................................................................................6Table2AverageGateDownTimesunderExistingandSimulatedStopConditions............................................11ListofFiguresFigure1VISSIMSimulationModelOutput.............................................................................................................4Figure2AM15minuteVolumesbyApproach......................................................................................................5Figure3PM15minuteVolumesbyApproach.......................................................................................................6Figure4VideoCameraPlacement.........................................................................................................................7Figure5ScreenshotofvideofacingEastboundZiaRoad......................................................................................8Figure6ScreenshotofvideofacingSouthboundStFrancisDrive........................................................................8Figure7BlueTOADDeviceLocations...................................................................................................................9Figure8ZiaRoadQueueLengths.........................................................................................................................12Note:Texthighlightedinblueindicatesahyperlinktodownloadthereferenceddocument.

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EXECUTIVESUMMARYFollowingthecompletionofatrafficstudythatevaluatedtheimpactsoftrainsstoppingatZiaStationontheStFrancisDrive/ZiaRoadIntersection,theNewMexicoDepartmentofTransportationinMay2014gaveapprovaltoopenthestationwithconditions.ThetrafficstudyidentifiedthepotentialforprolongedtrafficbackupsparticularlyattheeastboundleftturnmovementonZiaRoadandthesouthboundrightturnmovementonStFrancisDrive.ThepurposeoftheLiveTrainStopSimulationStudywastodetermineifopeningofZiaStationwillcreatesignificanttrafficdelaysforprolongedperiodsattheintersectionofStFrancisDriveandZiaRoad.TheLiveTrainStopSimulationwasstructuredtomakeobservationsoftrafficconditionsonweekdaysbetween7:00AMand6:00PMwhentrainsstoppingatZiaStationwouldcoincidewiththehighertrafficperiods.Duringweekone(January1216,2015)observationsunderexistingconditionsweredocumented.Duringweektwo(January2023,2015)observationswithtrainsstoppingatZiaStationweredocumented.Videocameraswereusedtocaptureconditionsanddatasuchasgatetimesandqueuelengthswereextractedfromtherecording.TheLiveTrainStopSimulationwasstructuredtomakeobservationsoftrafficconditionsonweekdaysbetween7:00AMand6:00PMwhentrainsstoppingatZiaStationwouldcoincidewiththehighertrafficperiods.Atotalofthirteen(13)trainspassedthroughtheZiaStationeachday.Seven(7)ofthosetrainswerestoppedatthestationduringthistimeperiod.Ofthetrainsthatwerenotstoppedatthestation,two(2)areExpresstrainsandfour(4)areDeadheadtrainsthatarestoredatthesidingbetweenZiaandRodeoRoadsduringthedayandwouldnotstopatthestationifitweretoopen.ConclusionsTherewasnoconsistentpatternofvehicledelayscausedbythetrainstoppingattheZiaStation.Additionally,therewasnoprolongedperiodoftrafficdelaysobservedfollowingatrainstoppingatthestation.Delaysappearedtobemoredependentonwhereinthesignalcyclethetraintriggeredthepreemptionandthequeuepresentwhenthegatescamedown.ThetimingofthearrivalofplatoonsofvehiclesfromtheadjacentsignalsonZiaRoad(YuccaRd)andStFrancisDrive(SiringoRd)alsoappearedtoimpactthelengthofthequeuesanddelays.Underexistingconditions(notrainsstopping)thegatesacrossZiaRoadremaineddownonaveragefor1minute15seconds.WhenthetrainsstoppedatthestationthegatesacrossZiaRoadstayeddownforupto3minutes.TheworstqueuesobservedonZiaRoadextendedtoaroundCandeleroStreet(approx.800ft).Thislengthofqueueoccurred4timesoutthe17observedtrainstops.Itoccurredonceeachforthe#509(@7:25AM)and#506(@8:49AM)andtwiceforthe#515(@4:25PM).Intheseinstances,thedelaytovehiclesatthebackofthequeuewasanadditional5minutesafterthegatescomeup.TypicalqueuesonZiaRoadwereobservedtoGalisteoStreet(approx.300ft)orlessandclearedwithinthefirstorsecondsignalcycleafterthegatescameup.Intheseinstances,thedelaytovehiclesatthebackofthequeuewaslessthan3minutesafterthegatescameup.FortherightturnonStFrancisDrivesouthbound,generallythequeueswerecontainedwithintheturnlaneandwereclearedwithinthefirstcycleafterthegatescameup.Ononeoccasionthequeueappeared(clarityofrecordingunclearatthatdistance)tohavebackedupintothemainlinelanesforabriefperiod(approx.500ft).Thisqueuequicklydissipatedwithintwosignalcycles.Basedonvisualobservationsoftheothermovementsattheintersection,theredidnotappearanymajorimpacts(i.e.excessivequeuesordelays)asaresultoftrainsstoppingattheZiaStation.

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ThetestedsignalmitigationwhichchangedtheexitphasetoprovideagreenimmediatelytoZiaRoadeastboundleftturnafterthegatescameupmeantthatthismovementreceivedthegreenabout1minutesoonerthanitdidwhentheexitphasecontinuedtogivegreentoStFrancisDrivemovements.Becauseofalackofconsistentpatterninvehiclesqueues,itwasdifficulttodeterminetheeffectivenessofthischange.ThepotentialdownsideofthisexitphasingmeantthatZiaRoadeastboundandwestboundthroughmovementshadtowaitawholecycle(approx.2minutes)afterthegatescameupuntiltheyreceivedthegreen.BasedonobservationstheworstcaseobservedwerequeuesintheeastboundthroughlaneonZiaRoadextendingbacknofurtherthanGalisteoStreet.ThechangeinexistphasemeantthatthesouthboundrightturnonStFrancisDrivereceivedashorterinitialgreenafterthegatescameupthanunderexistingconditionsafterthegatescameup.Thisdidnotcausemajordelaysandundermostconditionsthisqueueclearedwithinthisfirstcycle.Gateoperationswhiletrainswerestoppedinthestationdidnotalwaysoccurasplanned,i.e.gatestoremaindownforthedurationthetrainwasstoppedinthestation.Duetothelocationoftheislandsensor(detectstrainspresence)therewereinstanceswhenthegatescameupprematurely.Fornorthboundtrainsthismeantthegateshadtocomebackdownbeforethetraincouldproceedthroughthecrossing.Thisdidnotappeartocauseanysafetyissuesforvehicles,butdidappeartodelaytrainsexitingthestationastheyhadtowaitforthegatestofullycomebackdownbeforeproceedingthroughthecrossing.Inconclusion,basedontheobservations,theopeningofZiaStationwillnotcauseprolongedperiodsofdelaysattheintersectionofStFrancisDriveandZiaRoad.RecommendationsIfZiaStationistobeopenedtoNewMexicoRailRunnerExpressservice,inadditiontotherequirementsbyNMDOTintheirMay2014Letter,thefollowingrecommendationsaresuggested.

WorkwithRioMetroRTDtoidentifytheappropriategateoperationfortrainsstoppingatZiaStation. ExplorethefeasibilityofaddingathirdleftturnlanetotheeastboundapproachofZiaRoad. Reviewtheeffectivenessofthechangeinexitphaseandexplorethefeasibilityofprovidingdifferent

exitphasesbytimeofdaytobestmeetdifferingtrafficdemands. Explorecreatingatwostagepedestriancrossings(havepedestrianscrosshalftheroadwayatatime)of

StFrancisDrive.

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BACKGROUNDThelocationoftheZiaStationwasoriginallyapprovedbytheSantaFeMetropolitanPlanningOrganization(MPO)TransportationPolicyBoardinDecember2007.ConstructionoftheStationPlatformbyNMDOTwascompletedin2008,buttodatehasnotbeenopenedfortrainservice.InJulyof2010MPOStaffwasrequestedtoconductapublicprocessontheopeningofZiaStation.IncoordinationwithCityStaffaconceptualplanofinfrastructureimprovementsneededtofacilitatetheopeningofthestationwasdevelopedandinMarch2011aPublicInputmeetingwasheld.Approximately250peopleattendedthemeetingandmajorityofattendeesexpressedadesireforthestationtobeopened.InAugust,2011theSantaFeCityCouncilpassedResolution201145directingstafftosubmitarequesttotheNewMexicoDepartmentofTransportationtoopentheZiaStationforNMRailRunnerExpressservice.Aspartofthatresolution,staffwasdirectedtoprepareanImpactFeeCreditAgreementwithZiaStationLLC(adjacentpropertyowner)fortheconstructionoftheinfrastructureimprovementstofacilitatetheopeningofthestationandtoenterintoaLicenseAgreementwithZiaStationLLCfortheuseoftheZiaStationinfrastructurebytheCityofSantaFe.AlsoinAugust,2011,theCityCouncilpassedResolution201144whichaddedtheZiaStationInfrastructureImprovementstotheCityofSantaFeImpactFeesCapitalImprovementsPlanandlimitedtheinfrastructureimprovementstoconstructionofadropofffacilitywithparkingforpersonswithdisabilitiesandsidewalkimprovementsonZiaRoad.InNovember2011theCityCouncilapprovedtheConceptualPlanfortheinfrastructureimprovementstosupporttheopeningoftheZiaStationandinDecember2011thenCityManagerRobertRomerosubmittedaletterofrequesttotheNewMexicoDepartmentofTransportation(NMDOT)forthemtoapproveopeningZiaStationtoNewMexicoRailRunnerExpressservice.Duringthe2012StatelegislatureHouseMemorial45andSenateMemorial41werepasseddirectingNMDOTandtheMPOtoconductatrafficStudyattheStFrancis/ZiaIntersection.InanApril2012letterNMDOTnotifiedtheCityManagerthatitwasdeferringmakingadecisiononopeningthestationuntilafterthecompletionoftherequestedtrafficstudy.ThestartofthetrafficstudywasdelayeduntilAprilof2013duetoongoingconstructionactivitiesinthearea.InFebruary2014theTrafficStudy(ZiaPlatformVISSIMAnalysis,StFrancisDriveIntersectionOperationsAssessment)wasfinalizedandprovidedtotheStateLegislature,MPOandtheCity.Thetrafficstudyconcludedthatunder2013trafficconditionsTheanalysisindicatesthatalltheintersectionswilloperateatacceptableLOSandnosignificantintersectiondeteriorationwhencomparedtotheconditionwithoutZiaStationopen.AMPOandCityStaffreviewoftheTrafficStudyidentifiedsomeissues(trainstoptimesandsignalphasing)withtheVISSIMTrafficSimulationModelusedtogeneratetheconclusionsofthetrafficstudy.TheNMDOTcoordinatedadditionalcorrections/refinementstotheVISSIMTrafficSimulationModelfromFebruarythroughAugust2014thatultimatelyresultedinanAddendumtothetrafficstudybeingproducedinAugust.InaMay2014letter,NMDOTapprovedtheopeningofZiaStationprovidedthedesignandconstructionofthestationimprovementsarecompletedandsevenadditionalconditionsaremet.MPOandCityStaffmetwiththeCityManagerinMayof2014andbasedontheinformationfromthetrafficstudyandworkontheaddendum,theyfeltthattherewaspotentialforsignificanttrafficbackupsparticularlyrelatedtotheeastboundleftturnmovementonZiaRoadandthesouthboundrightturnmovementonStFrancisDrive(SeeFigure1).ItwasrecommendedthatthebestwaytodeterminetheextentandimpactofanybackupscausedbytrainsstoppingatZiaStationwastoconductalivesimulationwithtrainsactuallystoppingatthestationattheirscheduledstoptimes.TheCityManagerconcurredandthelivesimulationswereinitiallyscheduledtooccurinAugust2014,afterthePublicSchoolswerebackinsession.

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Figure1VISSIMSimulationModelOutput

Source:ZiaPlatformVISSIMAnalysisAddendum

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InearlyAugust2014theFederalRailAdministration(FRA)suspendedtheQuietZones(abilityfortrainstotrainstopassthroughstreetcrossingsatnormalspeedwithoutsoundingtheirhorns)throughoutSantaFeuntilsafetyofalltherailcrossingscouldbereviewed.TheRioMetroRTDinstitutedflaggingoperations,whichmeanttrainswereflaggedthroughthecrossingsat15mph,resultingintrainsrunningoffschedule.TheschedulingofthelivetrainstopsimulationwaspostponeduntiltheQuietZoneswerereinstated,whichoccurredinmidDecember2014rightbeforetheschoolsbrokefortheirwinterbreak.ThelivetrainstopsimulationwasfinallyconductedduringtheweeksofJanuary12through23rd,2015.

LIVETRAINSTOPSIMULATIONDATACOLLECTIONTheLiveTrainStopSimulationwasstructuredtomakeobservationsoftrafficconditionsonweekdaysbetween7:00AMand6:00PMwhentrainsstoppingatZiaStationwouldcoincidewiththehighertrafficperiods.Duringweekone(January1216,2015)observationsunderexistingconditionsweredocumented.Duringweektwo(January2023,2015)observationswithtrainsstoppingatZiaStationweredocumented.Theprimaryfocusofthelivetrainstopsimulationwastoobservetheimpactsofstoppingthe#509and#506trainsduringthemorningpeakperiodandtheimpactsofstoppingthe#515,#517and#512duringtheafternoonpeakperiod.Figures2and3showthevolumesforthefourintersectionapproachesin15minuteincrementsforthemorningandafternoonpeakperiodsandtheintervalwheneachtrainpassesthroughthecrossing.ThesefiguresshowthestoppedtrainsattheZiaStationoccuroutsideofperiodsofpeakvolumesforthecriticalapproachesofeastboundZiaRoadandsouthboundStFrancisDrive.

Figure2AM15minuteVolumesbyApproach

Source:March12,2013TurningMovementCount

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Figure3PM15minuteVolumesbyApproach

Source:March12,2013TurningMovementCountDuringtheelevenhourstudyperiodbetween7:00AMand6:00PMthirteen(13)trainspassthroughtheZiaStation.IfZiaStationweretoopen,seven(7)ofthosetrainswouldstopatthestationduringthistimeperiod.Ofthetrainsthatwouldnotstopatthestation,two(2)areExpresstrainsandfour(4)areDeadheadtrainsthatarestoredatthesidingbetweenZiaandRodeoRoadsduringtheday.Table1providestheapproximatetimethetrainsactivatethegatesacrossZiaRoadandenterthestation.Thescheduledtrainsweretypicallywithinacoupleofminutesofthesetimeseachday.TheDeadheadtrainshadalittlemorevariabilitywitharangeofabout5minuteseithersideofthetimelisted.

Table1TrainsObservedaspartoftheStudy

Train#(Direction)Approx.TimeatStation

StoppedatStation?(Yes/No) Comments

#509(Southbound) 7:25AM YES #102(Northbound) 7:36AM NO EXPRESSTRAIN#102DH(Southbound) 8:11AM NO DEADHEADTRAIN#506(Northbound) 8:49AM YES #506DH(Southbound) 9:22AM NO DEADHEADTRAIN#510(Northbound) 11:00AM YES #511(Southbound) 1:11PM YES #515DH(Northbound) 3:40PM NO DEADHEADTRAIN#515(Southbound) 4:25PM YES #101DH(Northbound) 4:40PM NO DEADHEADTRAIN#101(Southbound) 5:15PM NO EXPRESSTRAIN#517(Southbound) 5:40PM YES #512(Northbound) 5:55PM YES

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Duringweekone(TuesdayJan13throughFridayJan16)observationsweremadeunderexistingconditions,i.e.notrainsstoppingandnoalterationstothetrafficsignal.Duringweektwo(TuesdayJanuary20throughFridayJanuary23)trainswerestoppedatZiaStationandapotentialmitigationmeasure(changeintrafficsignalphasing)wastested.Trainswerestoppedfortheduration(approx.60seconds)theywouldifthestationwasopen,butnopassengersgotonoroffthetrain.ThecurrenttrainscheduleaccountsfortrainsstoppingatZiaStationsotherewasnoimpacttothescheduleatotherstops.AsmentionedtheprimaryfocusofthedatacollectionandobservationsweretheeastboundleftturnmovementonZiaRoadandthesouthboundrightturnmovementonStFrancisDrive.Twovideocamerasweresetuptorecordtrafficconditionsbetween7:00AMand9:30AM,10:45AMand1:30PMand3:30PMand6:15PMoneachday.Periodicvisualobservationsweretakenoftheothertwoapproaches(westboundZiaRoadandnorthboundStFrancisDrive).Figure4showsthelocationcapturedbythetwovideocameras.Figures5and6providescreenshotsfromthecollectedvideo.

Figure4VideoCameraPlacement

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Figure5ScreenshotofvideofacingEastboundZiaRoad

Figure6ScreenshotofvideofacingSouthboundStFrancisDrive

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BlueTOAD(BluetoothTraveltimeOriginationandDestination)deviceswerealsodeployedatfour(4)locations.ThesedevicesdetectanonymousMACaddresses,wirelessidentificationsusedtoconnectBluetoothtechnologiesonmobiledevicesinvehiclessuchasphones,headsetsandmusicplayers.Thesystemcalculatestraveltimethroughanalysisofsubsequentdetections.ThelocationsoftheBlueTOADdevicesarelistedbelowandshowninFigure4.

StFrancisDrive/RodeoRoad StFrancisDrive/ZiaRoad StFrancisDrive/SiringoRoad ZiaRoad/YuccaRoad

Figure7BlueTOADDeviceLocations

SignalPhasingandCyclesForthepurposeofthisdiscussionthefollowingdefinitionsareprovided:

AsignalPhaseisagroupofmovements(RightTurn,Through,LeftTurn)thatreceiveagreensignalatthesametime.

ACycleisthecompletionofallthemovementsbeingservedviaphasesonce. PreemptionisasetofPhasesthatareactivatedbythetrainasitapproachesthecrossing. TheExitPhaseisthesetofmovementsthatisservedafterthetrainhasclearedthecrossingandthe

gateshavebeenraised. Aqueueisalineofvehicles.

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UnderexistingconditionswhenatrainisapproachingZiaStation,fromeitherdirection,wellinadvanceofthecrossingittriggersthesignaltogointopreemption.Thischangesthegreensignalstoyellow,thenredforthemovementsbeingservedatthetimeofpreemption(italsoendsthewalksignalifactivatedonanypedestriancrossings)andagreensignalisgiventoallmovementsontheeastboundZiaRoadapproachtoallowvehiclestoclearthetrackspriortothegatescomingdownacrossZiaRoad.Oncethegateshavecomedown,thesignalchangestogivethegreenlighttoStFrancisDrivenorthboundandsouthboundforthedurationofthetimethegatesaredown.Oncethetrainhasclearedtheintersectionandthegateshavecomeuptheexitphaseisactivated.UndertheexistingconditionstheexitphasecontinuestoprovidethegreensignaltoStFrancisDrivenorthboundandsouthboundforanadditional40to60seconds.Undertheunmitigatedtrainstopconditionthepreemptionoccursasundertheexistingconditions.WhenthetrainisstoppedinthestationthegatesaresupposedtoremaindownacrossZiaRoaduntilthetrainleavesthestation.DuringthistimeStFrancisDrivenorthboundandsouthboundreceivedthegreensignal.UnderthemitigatedsignalconditiontheexitphasewaschangedfromprovidinggreentoStFrancisDrivetoprovidinggreentoeastboundandwestboundleftturnsonZiaRoadandsouthboundrightturnsonStFrancisDriveafterthegatescomeup.

TRAINANDGATEOBSERVATIONSTheexistingconditionswereobservedonWednesdayJanuary14,ThursdayJanuary15andFridayJanuary16.SignificantsnowfallwasforecastonTuesdayJanuary13sodatacollectionactivitiesweresuspendedonthisday.TheSimulatedStopconditionswithexistingtrafficsignalphasingwereobservedonTuesdayJanuary20.TheSimulatedStopconditionswithmitigatedtrafficsignalexitphasewereobservedonWednesdayJanuary21andFridayJanuary23.SchoolswereclosedforthewholedayonThursdayJanuary22duetosnowsodatacollectedonthisdaywasnotincludedintheanalysis.Table2summarizestheaveragetimethegatesareactivatedattheZiaRoadCrossingforeachtrainforexistingconditionsandwiththetrainstopping.Theaveragegatetimewasmeasuredfromwhentherailcrossingflashinglightswereactivateduntiltheywentblankoncethegateswereraisedafterthetrainhadclearedthecrossing.Theaveragetrainstoppedtimewasmeasuredfromwhenthetrainwasobservedtocometoacompletestopinthestationuntilitwasobservedtobeseenmovingawayfromthestation.Forscheduledtrainsunderexistingconditionsthegatesweredownbetween68secondsand80secondsonaverage.WiththeDeadheadtrainsthegatesweredownforslightlylongerbetween76secondsand103secondsonaverage.Typicallythedeadheadtrainsaretravelingslowerthroughthecrossingduetotheproximityofthecrossingtothesidingsouthofthecrossing,resultinginalongerdowntime.UndertheSimulatedTrainStopconditionstherewasadifferenceinobservationsbetweennorthboundandsouthboundtrainsstoppingatthestation.Forsouthboundtrainstheaveragegatedowntimerangedfrom115secondsto141secondswithtrainstoppedtimesinthestationaveragingbetween40secondsand52seconds.Thevariationsintimeswereobservedtoberelatedtohowquicklythetrainwasabletoenterandcometoastopatthestation.Thiswaslikelyduetotheunfamiliarityofthetrainengineersatstoppingatthestation.Fornorthboundtrainsthegateactivationtimewasaround184secondswithtrainstoppedtimesaround52seconds.Thedifferencesbetweenthegatedowntimesfornorthboundandsouthboundtrainswasobservedtoberelatedtohowthetrainsweredetectedwhileinthestation.Twosensorsarelocatedwithinthetracksoneither

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sideoftheZiaRoadcrossingwhichcreateswhatiscalledanisland.Whenatrainiswithintheislandthetrainisdetectedandthegatesremaindown.ThelocationoftheislandsensoronthesouthsideofZiaRoadisjustnorthofthestationplatform.Inmostinstancesthetrainsstoppedinthestationwerenotwithintheisland.Thismeantthatthegateswouldcomeupwhilethetrainswerestillinthestation.Forsouthboundtrainsthisresultedinashorteraveragetimethegatesweredown.Fornorthboundtrainsthismeantthatasthetrainleftthestationtheywouldentertheislandandreactivatethesignalpreemptionandthegateswouldcomebackdown.Thisslowedthetrainsexitfromthestationasithadtowaituntilthegateswerefullydownbeforeproceedingthroughthecrossing.Acoupleofnorthboundtrainsdidstopatthestationwithintheislandandthegatesremaineddownuntiltheyclearedthecrossing.Intheseinstancesthegatetimewasmeasuredaround180seconds.

Table2AverageGateDownTimesunderExistingandSimulatedStopConditions

Train#(Direction)Approx.TimeatStation

Ave.GateTime

(Existing)Stopped?(Yes/No)

Ave.GateTime

(Stopped)Ave.TrainStoppedTime

#509(Southbound) 7:25AM 69secs YES 141secs 52secs#102Exp(Northbound) 7:36AM 79secs NO #102DH(Southbound) 8:11AM 80secs NO #506(Northbound) 8:49AM 68secs YES 182secs 54secs#506DH(Southbound) 9:22AM 76secs NO #510(Northbound) 11:00AM 75secs YES 186secs 53secs#511(Southbound) 1:11PM 74secs YES 115secs 40secs#515DH(Northbound) 3:40PM 103secs NO #515(Southbound) 4:25PM 76secs YES 140secs 46secs#101DH(Northbound) 4:40PM 93secs NO #101Exp(Southbound) 5:15PM 76secs NO #517(Southbound) 5:40PM 74secs YES 118secs 44secs#512(Northbound) 5:55PM 80secs YES 184secs 51secs

TRAFFICOBSERVATIONSThefollowingdescribestheobservationsofexistingandtrainstopconditionsforeachoftheseven(7)trainsthatwouldstopatZiaStationifitweretoopen.TheintersectionofGalisteoStreetandCandaleroStreetwereusedarelandmarksfordescribingthelengthsofobservedqueues.Figure8showswheretheseintersectionsareinrelationtotheStFrancisDrive/ZiaRoadIntersection.

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Figure8ZiaRoadQueueLengths

#509Southbound(@7:25AM)TrainObservations ExistingConditions

ZiaRoadLeftTurn01/14,01/15/,01/16Queueclearedwiththepreemptionphaseofthegateactivation,meaningthattherewerenoqueuedvehiclesatthetimethegatescamedown.The57vehiclesinthequeuewhenthegatescamebackupcompletelyclearedwithinthefirstcycle.StFrancisDriveRightTurn01/14NoObservations,videodidnotrecordfortheZiaRoadapproach.01/15,01/162vehiclesqueuedwhenthegatescamedown.46vehicleswerequeuedwhenthegatescamebackupandcompletelyclearedwithinthefirstcycle.

WithTrainStoppedZiaRoadLeftTurn01/203vehicleswerequeuedfollowingpreemptionwhenthegatescamedown.Thegatesremained

downwhileinthetrainwasstoppedinthestationfor2minutes24seconds.18vehicles(aroundGalisteoStreet)werequeuedwhenthegatescamebackupandcompletelyclearedwithinthefirstcycle.

01/21Therewasnoclearanceofvehiclesduringpreemptionand8vehicleswerequeuedwhenthegatescamedown.Thegatesremaineddownwhileinthetrainwasstoppedinthestationfor2minutes50seconds.ThequeuethatdevelopedwhilethegatesweredownextendedbacktoaroundCandeleroStreet.Itrequiredthreecyclesofthesignals(approx.5minutes)forthelastvehicleinthequeueatthetimethegatescameuptocleartheintersection.

01/230vehicleswerequeuedfollowingpreemptionwhenthegatescamedown.Thegatescameupafter1minute48secondswhilethetrainwasstillstoppedinthestation.12vehicleswerequeuedwhenthegatescamebackupandcompletelyclearedwithinthefirstcycle.

StFrancisDriveRightTurn01/20,01/21,01/23Between0and2vehicleswerequeuedinthislanewhenthegatescamedown.57

vehicleswerequeuedwhenthegatescamebackupandcompletelyclearedwithinthefirstcycle.

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#506Northbound(@8:49AM)TrainObservations ExistingConditions

ZiaRoadLeftTurn01/148vehiclesqueuedfollowingpreemptionwhenthegatescamedown.Around14vehiclesqueued

whenthegatescamebackupandcompletelyclearedwithinthefirstcycle.01/15,01/16Queueclearedwiththepreemptionphaseofthegateactivation,meaningthattherewereno

queuedvehiclesatthetimethegatescamedown.Thosevehiclesinthequeuewhenthegatescamebackupclearedwithinthefirstcycle.

StFrancisDriveRightTurn01/14,01/15,01/16Between1and6vehiclesqueuedwhenthegatescamedown.Between4and7


WithTrainStoppedZiaRoadLeftTurn01/206vehiclesqueuedfollowingpreemptionwhenthegatescamedown.Thegatesremaineddown

(approx.3mins)whilethetrainwasinthestation.WhenthegatescameupthequeuewaseastofCandeleroStreet.Itrequiredthreecyclesofthesignals(approx.5minutes)forthelastvehicleinthequeueatthetimethegatescameuptogetthroughthesignals.

01/216vehiclesqueuedfollowingpreemptionwhenthegatescamedown.Thegatescameupwhilethetrainwasinthestationforapproximately50seconds,whichallowed13vehiclestocleartheintersection.Thewestboundexitgatestuckhalfwayupandthenwentbackdownwhengateswentbackdown.WhengatescameupforsecondtimethequeuewasaroundGalisteoStreetanditclearedwithinthefirstcycle.

01/231vehiclequeuedfollowingpreemptionwhenthegatescamedown.Thegatescameupwhilethetrainwasinthestationforapproximately11seconds,whichallowed5vehiclestocleartheintersection.Whenthegatescameupthesecondtimetherewerearound10vehiclesqueuedandclearedwithinthefirstcycle.

StFrancisDriveRightTurn01/205vehiclesqueuedwhengatescamedown.14vehicleswerequeuedwhenthegatescamebackup

andcompletelyclearedwithinthefirstcycle.3vehicleswereobservedleavingtherightturnqueuewhenthegatesweredownandcontinuedsouthonStFrancisDrpresumablytomakearightturnatSawmillRoad.

01/210vehicleswerequeuedwhenthegatescamedown.Whenthegatescameupwhilethetrainwasstillinthestationall5vehiclesinthequeuecleared.Whenthegatescamebackupforthesecondtimeall5queuedvehiclesclearedwithinthefirstcycle.

01/234vehiclesqueuedwhengatescamedown.Whenthegatescameupwhilethetrainwasstillinthestation4vehiclesinthequeuewent.Whenthegatescamebackupforthesecondtimeall9queuedvehiclescleared.2vehicleswereobservedleavingtherightturnqueuewhenthegatesweredownandcontinuedsouthonStFrancisDrpresumablytomakearightturnatSawmillRoad.

#510Northbound(@11:00AM)TrainObservations ExistingConditions

ZiaRoadLeftTurn01/14,01/15/,01/16Queueclearedwiththepreemptionphaseofthegateactivation,meaningthatthere

werenoqueuedvehiclesatthetimethegatescamedown.Thosevehiclesinthequeuewhenthegatescamebackupcompletelyclearedwithinthefirstcycle.

StFrancisDriveRightTurn01/14,01/15,01/16Between0and6vehiclesqueuedwhenthegatescamedown.Between6and13


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WithTrainStoppedZiaRoadLeftTurn01/200vehiclesqueuedfollowingpreemptionwhenthegatescamedown.Thegatesremaineddown

(approx.3mins)whilethetrainwasinthestation.WhenthegatescameupthequeuewasaroundGalisteoStreet.Itrequiredtwocyclesofthesignals(approx.3minutes)forthelastvehicleinthequeueatthetimethegatescameuptocleartheintersection.

01/210vehiclesqueuedfollowingpreemptionwhenthegatescamedown.Thegatescameupwhilethetrainwasinthestationforapproximately25seconds,whichallowedall9queuedvehiclestocleartheintersection.Whengatescameupforsecondtime7vehicleswerequeuedandclearedwithinthefirstcycle.

01/231vehiclequeuedfollowingpreemptionwhenthegatescamedown.Thegatescameupwhilethetrainwasinthestationforapproximately23seconds,whichallowed9vehiclestocleartheintersection.Whenthegatescameupthesecondtimetherewere5vehiclesqueuedandclearedwithinthefirstcycle.


andallbut2clearedwithinthefirstcycle.3vehicleswereobservedleavingtherightturnqueuewhenthegatesweredownandcontinuedsouthonStFrancisDrpresumablytomakearightturnatSawmillRoad.

01/210vehicleswerequeuedwhenthegatescamedown.Whenthegatescameupwhilethetrainwasstillinthestation6vehiclesinthequeuecleared.Whenthegatescamebackupforthesecondtime10ofthe16queuedvehiclesclearedwithinthefirstcyclewiththeremaining6clearinginthesecondcycle.2vehicleswereobservedleavingtherightturnqueuewhenthegatesweredownandcontinuedsouthonStFrancisDrpresumablytomakearightturnatSawmillRoad.

01/234vehiclesqueuedwhengatescamedown.Whenthegatescameupwhilethetrainwasstillinthestation7vehiclesinthequeuewent.Whenthegatescamebackupforthesecondtime10ofthe14queuedvehiclesclearedwithinthefirstcyclewiththeremaining4clearinginthesecondcycle.

#511Southbound(@1:11PM)TrainObservations ExistingConditions

ZiaRoadLeftTurn01/144vehiclesqueuedwhengatescamedown.8vehicleswerequeuedwhenthegatescamebackup

andallclearedwithinthefirstcycle.01/155vehiclesqueuedwhengatescamedown.16vehicleswerequeuedwhenthegatescamebackup

andallbut2clearedwithinthefirstcycle.01/16Therewasnoclearanceofvehiclesduringpreemptionand11vehicleswerequeuedwhenthegates

camedown.ThequeuewasaroundGalisteoStreetwhenthegatescamebackup.Itrequiredtwocyclesofthesignals(approx.3minutes)forthelastvehicleinthequeueatthetimethegatescameuptocleartheintersection.

StFrancisDriveRightTurn01/141vehiclequeuedwhenthegatescamedown.7vehicleswerequeuedwhenthegatescamebackup

andcompletelyclearedwithinthefirstcycle.01/150vehiclequeuedwhenthegatescamedown.2vehicleswerequeuedwhenthegatescamebackup

andcompletelyclearedwithinthefirstcycle.01/164vehiclesqueuedwhenthegatescamedown.Whenthegatescamebackup16ofthe18queued

vehiclesclearedwithinthefirstcyclewiththeremaining2clearinginthesecondcycle. WithTrainStopped

ZiaRoadLeftTurn01/200vehiclesqueuedfollowingpreemptionwhenthegatescamedown.Thegatesremaineddown

(approx.2mins30secs)whilethetrainwasinthestation.Whenthegatescameupthequeuewas

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aroundGalisteoStreet.Itrequiredtwocyclesofthesignals(approx.3minutes)forthelastvehicleinthequeueatthetimethegatescameuptogetthroughthesignals.

01/210vehiclesqueuedfollowingpreemptionwhenthegatescamedown.Thegatescameupafter1minutes22secondswhilethetrainwasinthestation.Therewas1vehiclequeuedwhenthegatescameupandclearedwithinthefirstcycle.

01/23TherewasnoclearanceofvehiclesduringpreemptionandvehicleswerequeuedtoaroundGalisteoStreetwhenthegatescamedown.Thegatescameupafterapproximately2minuteswhilethetrainwasinthestation.WhenthegatescameupthequeuewasaroundCandeleroStreet.Itrequiredthreecyclesofthesignals(approx.5minutes)forthelastvehicleinthequeueatthetimethegatescameuptogetthroughthesignals.


andcompletelyclearedwithinthefirstcycle.01/211vehiclewasqueuedwhenthegatescamedown.6vehiclesinthequeuecleared.6vehicleswere

queuedwhenthegatescamebackupandcompletelyclearedwithinthefirstcycle.01/232vehiclesqueuedwhengatescamedown.11vehicleswerequeuedwhenthegatescamebackup

andcompletelyclearedwithinthefirstcycle.#515Southbound(@4:25PM)TrainObservations ExistingConditions

ZiaRoadLeftTurn01/14NoObservations,videodidnotrecordfortheZiaRoadapproach.01/154vehiclequeuedwhenthegatescamedown.8vehicleswerequeuedwhenthegatescamebackup

andcompletelyclearedwithinthefirstcycle.01/167vehiclequeuedwhenthegatescamedown.ThequeuewasaroundGalisteoStreetwhenthe

gatescamebackup.Itrequiredtwocyclesofthesignals(approx.3minutes)forthelastvehicleinthequeueatthetimethegatescameuptogetthroughthesignals.


andcompletelyclearedwithinthefirstcycle.01/151vehiclesqueuedwhengatescamedown.21vehicleswerequeuedwhenthegatescamebackup


andcompletelyclearedwithinthefirstcycle. WithTrainStopped

ZiaRoadLeftTurn01/20QueuearoundGalisteoStreetfollowingpreemptionwhenthegatescamedown.Thegates

remaineddown(approx.3mins)whilethetrainwasinthestation.WhenthegatescameupthequeuewasaroundCandeleroStreet.Itrequiredtwocyclesofthesignals(approx.3minutes)forthelastvehicleinthequeueatthetimethegatescameuptogetthroughthesignals.

01/21TheTraindidnotstop.NewtraincrewwasassignedtothetrainduetoearliermechanicalissuesandhadnotbeeninformedaboutstoppingthetrainatZiaStation.

01/23QueuearoundGalisteoStreetfollowingpreemptionwhenthegatescamedown.Thegatesremaineddown(approx.3mins)whilethetrainwasinthestation.WhenthegatescameupthequeuewaseastofCandeleroStreet.Itrequiredthreecyclesofthesignals(approx.5minutes)forthelastvehicleinthequeueatthetimethegatescameuptogetthroughthesignals.


andclearedwithinthefirstcycle.Thisqueuemayhavebrieflyqueuedintothemainlinetravel

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lanes.1vehicleswereobservedleavingtherightturnqueueandcontinuedsouthonStFrancisDrpresumablytomakearightturnatSawmillRoad.

01/21TheTraindidnotstop.NewtraincrewwasassignedtothetrainduetoearliermechanicalissuesandhadnotbeeninformedaboutstoppingthetrainatZiaStation.

01/232vehiclesqueuedwhengatescamedown.14vehicleswerequeuedwhenthegatescamebackupandallbutoneclearedwithinthefirstcycle.

#517Southbound(@5:40PM)TrainObservations ExistingConditions

ZiaRoadLeftTurn01/14Noobservations,videodidnotrecordfortheZiaRoadapproach.01/155vehiclequeuedwhenthegatescamedown.14vehicleswerequeuedwhenthegatescameback

upandcompletelyclearedwithinthefirstcycle.01/162vehiclequeuedwhenthegatescamedown.9vehicleswerequeuedwhenthegatescamebackup

andcompletelyclearedwithinthefirstcycle.StFrancisDriveRightTurn01/142vehiclesqueuedwhengatescamedown.19vehicleswerequeuedwhenthegatescamebackup




ZiaRoadLeftTurn01/202vehiclesqueuedwhengatescamedownfollowingpreemption.Thegatescameupafteraround1

minutes30secondswhilethetrainwasinthestation.Therewere8vehiclesqueuedwhenthegatescameupandclearedwithinthefirstcycle.Thewestboundexitgatestuckhalfwayupandlightskeptflashingwhilevehiclesmovedthroughintersection.

01/211vehiclequeuedwhengatescamedownfollowingpreemption.Thegatesremaineddown(approx.2mins25secs)whilethetrainwasinthestation.Whenthegatescameuptherewere12vehiclesqueuedthatclearedwithinthefirstcycle.

01/23TheTraindidnotstop.StFrancisDriveRightTurn01/203vehiclesqueuedwhengatescamedown.17vehicleswerequeuedwhenthegatescamebackup

andclearedwithinthefirstcycle.01/21Couldnotmakeoutthelengthofqueueduetoheadlightglarewhenthegatescamedown.9

Vehiclesclearedwiththefirstcycle.Afurther29vehiclesclearedwiththesecondcycleandleftnoqueue.

01/23TheTraindidnotstop.#512Northbound(@5:55PM)TrainObservations ExistingConditions

ZiaRoadLeftTurn01/14NoObservations,videodidnotrecordfortheZiaRoadapproach.01/153vehiclequeuedwhenthegatescamedownfollowingpreemption.6vehicleswerequeuedwhen

thegatescamebackupandcompletelyclearedwithinthefirstcycle.01/16Therewasnoclearanceofvehiclesduringpreemptionand10vehiclewerequeuedwhenthegates

camedown.ThequeuewasaroundGalisteoStreetwhenthegatescamebackupandcompletelyclearedwithinthefirstcycle.

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andcompletelyclearedwithinthefirstcycle.01/15Couldnotmakeoutthelengthofqueueduetoheadlightglarewhenthegatescamedown.17

vehiclesclearedwithinthefirstcycleafterthegatescamebackup.01/161vehiclequeuedwhengatescamedown.13vehicleswerequeuedwhenthegatescamebackup


ZiaRoadLeftTurn01/20QueuejusteastofGalisteoStreetwhengatescamedownfollowingpreemption.Thegatescame

upafteraround1minutes30secondswhilethetrainwasinthestation.Noleftturnvehicleswentthroughtheintersectionduringthe22secondsbeforethegatescamebackdown.Thegateswereeffectivelydownfor3minutesandthequeuewaspastGalisteoStreetwhenthegatescamebackupandrequired2cycles(3minutes)forthelastvehicleinthequeueatthetimethegatescameuptogetthroughthesignals.

01/21NoTrainhadcomeby6:15PMwhenthevideorecordingended.01/23TheTraindidnotstop.StFrancisDriveRightTurn01/201vehiclesqueuedwhengatescamedown.23vehicleswerequeuedwhenthegatescamebackup

andclearedwithinthefirstcycle.01/21NoTrainhadcomeby6:15PMwhenthevideorecordingended.01/23TheTraindidnotstop.

BlueTOADTRAVELTIMEANALYSISTheBlueToadtraveltimedataturnedouttobeoflimiteduse.ItwasinitiallyintendedtoprovidedtraveltimedatainbothdirectionsbetweentheZiaRoad/YuccaRdandStFrancisDr/SiringoRoadIntersection.ThelimitedsamplesizeonZiaRoad,andthewaythetraveltimerouteswerestructuredinthesoftwaremeantthatthedataoutputswereheavilyinfluencedbytraveltimesonStFrancisDrive(whichhadalargersamplesize)makingitdifficulttoisolateanyimpactsfromthetrainstopswithinthedata.TheBlueToadvendorconductedsomelimitedanalysisofthecollecteddataandreporteda1015%increaseintraveltimeswithin510minutesafteratrainwasscheduledatthestation.Itwasdecidedtorelyonthevisualobservationsobtainedfromthevideorecordings,ratherthanspendadditionalresourcesontryingtoextractfindingsfromthecollectedBlueToaddata.

CONCLUSIONSTherewasnoconsistentpatternofvehicledelayscausedbythetrainstoppingattheZiaStation.Additionally,therewasnoprolongedperiodoftrafficdelaysobservedfollowingatrainstoppingatthestation.Delaysappearedtobemoredependentonwhereinthesignalcyclethetraintriggeredthepreemptionandthequeuepresentwhenthegatescamedown.ThetimingofthearrivalofplatoonsofvehiclesfromtheadjacentsignalsonZiaRoad(YuccaRd)andStFrancisDrive(SiringoRd)alsoappearedtoimpactthelengthofthequeuesanddelays.Underexistingconditions(notrainsstopping)thegatesacrossZiaRoadremaineddownonaveragefor1minute15seconds.WhenthetrainsstoppedatthestationthegatesacrossZiaRoadstayeddownforupto3minutes.

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TheworstqueuesobservedonZiaRoadextendedtoaroundCandeleroStreet(approx.800ft).Thislengthofqueueoccurred4timesoutthe17observedtrainstops.Itoccurredonceeachforthe#509(@7:25AM)and#506(@8:49AM)andtwiceforthe#515(@4:25PM).Intheseinstances,thedelaytovehiclesatthebackofthequeuewasanadditional5minutesafterthegatescomeup.TypicalqueuesonZiaRoadwereobservedtoGalisteoStreet(approx.300ft)orlessandclearedwithinthefirstorsecondsignalcycleafterthegatescameup.Intheseinstances,thedelaytovehiclesatthebackofthequeuewaslessthan3minutesafterthegatescameup.FortherightturnonStFrancisDrivesouthbound,generallythequeueswerecontainedwithintheturnlaneandwereclearedwithinthefirstcycleafterthegatescameup.Ononeoccasionthequeueappeared(clarityofrecordingunclearatthatdistance)tohavebackedupintothemainlinelanesforabriefperiod(approx.500ft).Thisqueuequicklydissipatedwithintwosignalcycles.Basedonvisualobservationsoftheothermovementsattheintersection,theredidnotappearanymajorimpacts(i.e.excessivequeuesordelays)asaresultoftrainsstoppingattheZiaStation.ThetestedsignalmitigationwhichchangedtheexitphasetoprovideagreenimmediatelytoZiaRoadeastboundleftturnafterthegatescameupmeantthatthismovementreceivedthegreenabout1minutesoonerthanitdidwhentheexitphasecontinuedtogivegreentoStFrancisDrivemovements.Becauseofalackofconsistentpatterninvehiclesqueues,itwasdifficulttodeterminetheeffectivenessofthischange.ThepotentialdownsideofthisexitphasingmeantthatZiaRoadeastboundandwestboundthroughmovementshadtowaitawholecycle(approx.2minutes)afterthegatescameupuntiltheyreceivedthegreen.BasedonobservationstheworstcaseobservedwerequeuesintheeastboundthroughlaneonZiaRoadextendingbacknofurtherthanGalisteoStreet.ThechangeinexistphasemeantthatthesouthboundrightturnonStFrancisDrivereceivedashorterinitialgreenafterthegatescameupthanunderexistingconditionsafterthegatescameup.Thisdidnotcausemajordelaysandundermostconditionsthisqueueclearedwithinthisfirstcycle.Gateoperationswhiletrainswerestoppedinthestationdidnotalwaysoccurasplanned,i.e.gatestoremaindownforthedurationthetrainwasstoppedinthestation.Duetothelocationoftheislandsensor(detectstrainspresence)therewereinstanceswhenthegatescameupprematurely.Fornorthboundtrainsthismeantthegateshadtocomebackdownbeforethetraincouldproceedthroughthecrossing.Thisdidnotappeartocauseanysafetyissuesforvehicles,butdidappeartodelaytrainsexitingthestationastheyhadtowaitforthegatestofullycomebackdownbeforeproceedingthroughthecrossing.Inconclusion,basedontheobservations,theopeningofZiaStationwillnotcauseprolongedperiodsofdelaysattheintersectionofStFrancisDriveandZiaRoad.

RECOMMENDATIONSIfZiaStationistobeopenedtoNewMexicoRailRunnerExpressservice,inadditiontotherequirementsbyNMDOTintheirMay2014Letter,thefollowingrecommendationsaresuggested.

WorkwithRioMetroRTDtoidentifytheappropriategateoperationfortrainsstoppingatZiaStation. ExplorethefeasibilityofaddingathirdleftturnlanetotheeastboundapproachofZiaRoad. Reviewtheeffectivenessofthechangeinexitphaseandexplorethefeasibilityofprovidingdifferent

exitphasesbytimeofdaytobestmeetdifferingtrafficdemands. Explorecreatingtwostagepedestriancrossings(havepedestrianscrosshalftheroadwayatatime)ofSt

FrancisDrive.

zia station live train stop simulation report - march 2015

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