Option #1C Proposal To Reduce Cut-through Traffic

And Improve Traffic Flow By NOT Dead-ending

Windsor Parkway Updated to Version #1C3 – “1½-lane” traffic circle permits graceful traffic overflow when traffic backs up.

Updated to include new Option #1BNS (added on next to last page) Gordon Certain August 1, 2013

Revised August 2, 2013

Option #1B – Selected by Sandy Springs City Council (highlighted lot lines)

Problems with Option #1B Backyard property will be taken from residential condominiums

for road right-of-way.

Old Windsor Parkway will be dead-ended, isolating existing businesses.

o With dead-ending, access to Walgreens during afternoon rush encourages (requires) cut-through traffic except for northbound Roswell traffic coming from Atlanta.

o With dead-ending, access to Popeyes during afternoon rush encourages (requires) cut-through traffic in some cases (customers from Windsor Parkway).

Access out of Meadowbrook neighborhood is made even more difficult.

What is Option #1C? Old Windsor Parkway is NOT dead-ended.

Backyard property is NOT taken from residential

condominiums. No additional business landowners are affected. Land already owned by Sandy Springs is used more effectively.

Access out of Meadowbrook neighborhood is made somewhat easier.

Added stacking space for northbound Roswell Road traffic is made available.

No additional traffic signals or stop signs are needed. A traffic circle of the type and diameter currently in use on North Decatur Road in Emory Village is proposed.

Option #1C3 improves on #1C and #1C2. It adds a second lane in only part of the traffic circle – traffic can back up from Roswell past Hedden Street but without the complexity of a two-lane traffic circle.

Does #1C Use More Land?

Yes and No.

o Condominium land taken under Option #1B is left undisturbed. o Option #1B left much right-of-way abandoned and unused. o The triangular parcel behind Popeyes and the church, already

rendered useless by Option #1B, is fully utilized by #1C. o An additional sliver of Popeyes site (east end) is needed.

Is #1C Worth It? Cost not clearly higher or lower.

o More paving is obviously involved. o But land acquisition is likely to be easier since fewer parcels are

being acquired and impacted businesses are experiencing less damage. Lawyers may get less work.

o Reduced congestion and increased convenience has value. Benefits are clear.

o Condo owners are protected. o Existing businesses get accessibility benefits over #1B. o Meadowbrook cut-through traffic is not increased; may decline. o Since eastbound cars will turn off Roswell earlier, more stacking

space is available at the Windsor Parkway traffic signal for true northbound traffic.

Any downside? o Some drivers are initially uncomfortable with traffic circles. o It’s a change. People don’t like change. o Needed design expertise may not be available from CoSS.

Emory Village - N Decatur Rd. Shows traffic circles do work.

Before Now Five traffic signals; long waits. No traffic signals; shorter waits.

Capacity: Traffic volumes on N Decatur probably exceed Windsor Parkway. Emory’s circle connects to 5 streets; Windsor just to 4. Both circles have the same diameter. Appearance: Would the Windsor Circle look as treeless and formal as the Emory Village circle? No, it shouldn’t. Emory Village is a retail and institutional area. The Windsor Circle should be greener and more neighborhood-friendly.

Are There Options to #1C? #1B - Stick with #1B.

o Advantages: Already approved by City Council. Implements requirements of GRTA. Improves Roswell Road traffic flow. Lines up with Gateway entrance.

o Disadvantages. (See page 2.)

#2 – Route Windsor Parkway through Popeyes site o Advantages: Reduced impact on residential condos. Accessing

Walgreens might be easier; accessing Popeyes would no longer be an issue. Good for funeral home and keeping historic church maintained.

o Disadvantages. More expensive. Contrary to City Council vote. Less northbound stacking space on Roswell Road. Gateway entrance would need redesign to line up with Windsor Parkway.

Options to #1C? - continued #1D - Don’t dead-end Windsor; Install four traffic signals in place of traffic circle.

o Advantages: Better than #1B for business access and cut-through traffic.

o Disadvantages. Traffic delays will result from signals and left turns compared to #1B and #1C. Delays may be bad enough to encourage cut-through traffic. Traffic signals not friendly to neighborhood area.

Options to #1C? - continued #1E - Don’t dead-end Windsor; Install stop signs on Old Windsor Parkway and Jolyn in place of traffic circle.

o Advantages: Better than #1B for business access and cut-through traffic.

o Disadvantages. Stop signs cause traffic backups. Accidents more likely. Traffic delays will result compared to #1B and #1C. Delays will be bad enough to encourage cut-through traffic. Traffic engineers would likely want to route new Windsor through condo backyards to keep traffic speed higher.

Options to #1C? - continued #1F - Don’t realign Windsor Parkway intersection.

o Advantages: Cheap. No new problems accessing Walgreens and Popeyes. Good for church & funeral home.

o Disadvantages. Contrary to City Council vote and GRTA direction. Traffic delays will result in whole area because of added Gateway traffic. Delays will be bad enough to encourage cut-through traffic. Gateway entrance wouldn’t line up with Windsor Parkway.

Options to #1C? - continued

#1?? - Please give me details and we can add them to our list.

gcertain@comcast.net or NorthBuckhead@yahoo.com.