Advanced Simulation and Performance Measurement in the BNMC-CDB North Area

Greater Buffalo Niagara Regional Transportation Council (GBNRTC) Erie and Niagara Erie and Niagara County’s Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) A Cooperative Association of Area Governments and Agencies

Development Agencies, Business/Industry Community Groups, and General Public Federal and State Agencies Partners in the MPO Process Associated with:

MPO Responsibilities Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) is a Local Policy- making and Planning Body Primary Responsibility is Planning and Programming Transportation Improvements Within the Region Is Present in all Urbanized Areas Over 50,000 in Population Is the Region’s Policymaking Organization Responsible for Prioritizing Transportation Initiatives Advanced Modeling and Simulation Capabilities Support Technical Analysis of Transportation in the Region

Strong Analytical Tools Available Transportation Modeling

Modeling Process 4-Step Regional Model Mesoscopic Model Microscopic Model

Operational Analyses as well as Project Development Freeway Closure Plan and Major Incident Impact Scenarios

BNMC – CBD North Study Impetus Substantial growth in and around the BNMC and North CBD area Desire to maximize accessibility, minimize new parking and accommodate all modes Study examines impacts of existing and proposed land use and developmental changes in the Buffalo North CBD area, encompassing the Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus and surrounding neighborhoods, on transportation facilities accessing the area and also internal circulation Team identifies potential facility improvements and operational integrated management opportunities Result would include creation of an action plan to address the regional and local traffic impacts of at least the following developments occurring over the next 3-5 years:

Some Key Growth Drivers UB School of Medicine (phase 1) Children’s Hospital Medical Office Building (Conventus) RPCI Clinical Center Innovation Center 2 Catholic Health New parking garage ( spaces) Potential new housing in the vicinity

Multijurisdictional Traffic Impacts As a result of the this rapid growth, the minor arterials of Michigan Avenue and Best Street in the adjacent Fruit Belt neighborhood will experience significant increases in daily traffic Impacts will also extend to NYSDOT facilities in the region, especially adjacent arterials and the Route 33 Kensington Expressway.

Approach Assemble full buildout scenario included peripheral development Auditing the existing conditions of the street infrastructure Model/simulate traffic in the subarea affected by BNMC Coordinate a study team of BNMC, NYSDOT, City of Buffalo and GBNRTC (MPO) Team reviewed issues and forecasts to establish context for improvements Developing a matrix of recommended improvements including roadway, streetscape, bike/pedestrian access, traffic calming, operational and infrastructure improvements for traffic impact mitigation Coordinated plan for improvements will include timing, funding, and design/engineering approaches and schematics

Technical Specifications BNMC Microscopic Simulation Model constructed to reflect a 1.6 sq mile area in the Northern CBD of Buffalo. The model is comprised of 271 nodes (junctions & intersections) and 348 segments (stretches of road connecting each node). A sub area extraction was performed within the Regional Model to encompass the study area specified for more extensive modeling. This extracted portion of the regional framework is utilized in creation of the microscopic model. The microscopic simulation model carries over all characteristics of the regional derivation, along with the corresponding traffic and travel patterns. The extracted trips from the regional framework go through an Origin-Destination Matrix Estimation process to reflect local data obtained within the defined area.

Technical Specifications Continued The micro-model consists of a higher level of detail and refinement. This pertains to infrastructure geometrics (lane specifications, intersection configuration, etc.), and operational conditions (signal timing plans, tolling, etc.). An intricate level of traffic simulation is also associated with the visual representation of traffic. This involves incorporating driving behavior and vehicular parameters (lane changing, gap acceptance, car following, headways, look ahead distance, etc.). A base year model for both the AM and PM peak periods is being used as the basis for assessing future traffic growth and proposed project alternatives. The AM & PM Peak Periods have been determined as 7:00am to 10:00am and 3:00pm to 6:00pm. The model has been developed through use of the Caliper TransModeler simulation software (Version 4.0, Build 5616). This platform meets all FHWA guidelines for traffic simulation software and was calibrated to attain the specified criteria. The AM Peak Period BNMC Micro-Simulation Model was calibrated to represent the 110 automated traffic reader counts located within the study area. 13 traffic count sites were located along NY-33, which also include the ramps connecting the Expressway. 97 traffic counts were located within the interior of the model on principal arterials, minor arterials and city streets.

Some Objectives Identified Improving the efficiency of the transportation system through improvements to arterials and freeway interfaces which provide direct access to and from the downtown Medical Campus and northern portion of the CBD, as well as creating greater connections between transit and other various modes. Reducing the impacts of traffic on the surrounding urban and residential environment by alleviating congestion, facilitating the use of alternative modes, and enhancing the landscape/greenery of the corridors – all of which will work together to reduce potential air and noise pollution from increased traffic. Reducing the need for costly future investments in public infrastructure by taking a proactive approach to traffic impact mitigation while major developments continue to take place on the Medical Campus.

Measures of Effectiveness (MOEs) for Performance Evaluation Existing and Future in 26 study area corridors Levels of service Travel time Volumes Delays Stopped time Number of stops Queuing and spillback

Kensington Expressway 2013 AM Peak

Kensington Expressway 2020 AM Peak

Michigan Avenue 2013 PM Peak

Michigan Avenue 2020 PM Peak

Current Conditions and Buildout Conditions – Three MOEs

Current Conditions and Buildout Conditions – Three More MOEs

Next Steps Recommend Set of Alternatives to Test Simulate and Report on Performance Develop Improvement Plan and Implement Subsequent Performance Monitoring Possible Integration with Regional Performance, Use of NPMRDS Simulation Tool Continuing Availability as New Development Emerges