Studies
City of Staunton – STARS Intersection Safety Study
October 2020
Est Completion Date
November 2021
Locality
Staunton
District
Staunton
Contact
Adam Campbell, PLA
540-332-9067
Study Overview
The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) in collaboration with the City of Staunton, the Staunton-Augusta-Waynesboro Metropolitan Planning Organization (SAW MPO), BRITE Transit and ATCS consulting, is conducting a transportation study on ten (10) intersections within the City of Staunton that are indicated as having safety and pedestrian accessibility needs.
The study intersections are listed below along with the associated Potential of Safety Improvement (PSI) ranking. PSI is a VDOT safety evaluation tool that compares the number of crashes at an intersection over a 5-year period to the expected number of crashes based on intersection characteristics (traffic volumes, roadway geometry, and roadway classification). The higher the discrepancy between expected and actual crashes, the higher the PSI ranking.
- Johnson Street and New Street (signalized): #94 PSI
- Johnson Street and Augusta Street (signalized): Pedestrian Safety Need
- Johnson Street and Central Avenue (stop sign): Pedestrian Safety Need
- Frederick Street and Augusta Street (signalized): #161 PSI
- Beverley Street and New Street (signalized): #99 PSI
- Beverley Street and Augusta Street (signalized): #20 PSI
- Beverley Street and Lewis Street (signalized): #23 PSI
- Beverley Street and Jefferson Street (signalized): #121 PSI
- Beverley Street and Hays Avenue (signalized): #159 PSI
- Beverley Street and Grubert Avenue (signalized): #116 PSI
The goal of this STARS (Strategically Targeted Affordable Roadway Solutions) study is to identify improvement recommendations to address safety needs and improve non-motorized access at the study intersections, while also considering overall aesthetics to enhance the historic downtown. Final study recommendations will be considered by the city for advancement through state transportation funding programs.
Benefits of Study Recommendations
- Improve intersection safety for all users while maintaining acceptable traffic operations.
- Enhance non-motorized accessibility and connectivity with consideration of on-street bicycle facilities and pedestrian crossing improvements.
- Intersection aesthetics and gateway enhancements.
- Recommendations will consist of strategic short-term and long-term transportation improvement projects that can be prioritized by the city and phased over time relative to available funding.
Study Documents
Summary of Study Process and Improvements being Considered
(City Council Presentation, June 2021)
Study Timeline
- Study kickoff meeting was held October 2020, with supporting traffic data collected in November 2020.
- Field review of the study intersections conducted in January 2021 and study team meeting to discuss existing conditions, including crash analysis was held February 2021.
- Study team meeting to discuss projected future corridor conditions and review developed draft improvement alternatives was held May 2021.
- Study update provided to Staunton City Council at their June 17, 2021 work session to present the draft improvements under consideration by the study team.
- An online public input survey to present the needs and recommendations of the study intersections for public feedback was conducted in August 2021. Public comments are currently under review by the study team and will be utilized to develop the preferred improvement alternatives at the study intersections. Additional public outreach will be conducted once a final draft of the study report is completed this fall.