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                        Aquetong/Windy Bush Roads RSA; Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission


            
            In This Section
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                2.0 FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
The following represents the findings and recommendations of the Aquetong/Windy Bush Roads Road Safety Audit.

***CORRIDOR-WIDE ISSUES***
	SAFETY ISSUES
			REMEDIAL STRATEGIES
			LEVEL OF EFFORT
			POTENTIAL SAFETY BENEFITDrainagePoor drainage or the lack of a proper drainage system in the corridor has resulted in a number of safety issues. Potentially resulting in sheeting across roadway during inclement weather.
				Edge of roadway eroded due to wash out.
				Swells need to be cut back, near S curve east of Sugan Road
				Pipes are clogged, some are not visible (due to debris)
			Conduct a comprehensive drainage study for the corridor to identify specific issues and long term solutions. Consideration should be given to additional pipes and new parallel drainage systems
			High
			HighIn the short term: clean clogged pipes and remove debris from the drains.
			Low
			HighIn addition, where possible excavate and fill in with ballast (rocks).
			Medium
			HighEdge Lines and Edge Drop-offsLack of edge of pavement delineation is consistent through the corridor. In addition, edge drop-offs are consistently evident. This is a result of the poor drainage control.
			Install edge line as appropriate throughout the corridor to guide motorists and prevent run of the road crashes.***PennDOT should consider minimum 9.5 foot lanes as a safety measure***
			Low
			HighFixed objectsNumerous fixed objects were observed in the clear zone. These included trees (large and small); boulders (many used for landscaping by property owners and, stone headwalls (approx. 3 feet above the ground)
			All fixed objects in the clear zone should be removed. Initial clearing should be at least four feet from edge of travel.***Many trees along the corridor were already marked for removal***
			Medium
			HighNarrow roadway widthRoadway width throughout the study area on Aquetong and Windy Bush Roads varied between 9 and 10 feet
			Any widening of the roadway may require additional right of way. Given the roadway geometry travel lanes should be at least 12 feet wide in the 40 MPH zone with a shoulder width of at least 2 feet.
			High
			HighVegetationTrees and shrubs obstruct the view of many signs throughout the corridor and interfere with sight lines
			Trimming trees and brush
			Low
			HighCenterline DelineationThe corridor is shadowed during the day due to the canopy of trees and extremely dark at night, a result of the lack of street lighting. Coupled with narrow pavement width.
			Install raised pavement markers (RPM) the length of the corridor to keep the motorist in his travel lane. Installation of centerline rumble strips to assist in the prevention of crossover head-on collisions were examined but the narrowness of the travel lanes negates this treatment.
			Medium
			HighSpeed LimitGiven the geometry of the corridor, the set speed limit of 45 MPH may be excessive
			***A speed study was conducted by PennDOT; as a result, the speed limit will be lowered along Aquetong Road from River Road to Sawmill Road to 35 MPH***
			Low
			HighPassing ZonesThere are too many passing zones in the corridor given the narrow lanes and edge drop offs which are not forgiving if motorist overcompensate while passing.
			Eliminate passing zones
			Low
			HighSignsNo “Share the Road” signs.
			Install “Share the Road” signs throughout the corridor so motorists are cognizant of other users.
			Low
			HighConstruction signs located along Aquetong Road with no construction being conducted
			Remove or cover construction signs at times when there is no work being conducted on the roadway.
			Low
			HighNo name plates for advance intersection signs
			Add street name plates to advance intersection signs
			Low
			HighAdd advance signs for hidden driveways as appropriate
			Low
			HighPavement MarkingsSeveral intersection approaches with stop control do not have stop bars
			Install stop bars to intersection approaches as appropriate
			Low
			HighSight LinesLimited sight lines
			Maximize sightlines around curves by cutting back embankment and removing trees.
			High
			High

***LOCATION SPECIFIC ISSUES***
	SAFETY ISSUES
			REMEDIAL STRATEGIES
			LEVEL OF EFFORT
			POTENTIAL SAFETY BENEFITAt Covered Bridge RoadCovered Bridge Road is skewed at the intersection with Aquetong Road. Additionally, there are no pavement markings at the Covered Bridge Road approach.
			Use pavement markings to soften skew allowing easier access to Aquetong Road especially for left turning traffic
			Low
			HighUtility pole to the west of the intersection on Aquetong Road obstructs sight lines.
			Relocate utility pole
			Medium
			MediumRail fence west of intersection on Aquetong Road next to parking lot is in Right of Way.
			Relocate fence outside Right of Way.**Fence will be removed as part of new development**
			Low
			LowAt Rockwood PathTree to the west of the intersection blocks sight lines for Rockwood Path approach traffic
			Remove tree
			Low
			HighBetween Rockwood Path and Wagner Road (private road)“Curve ahead” (W1-2) sign is too far from the actual curve and is faded
			Upgrade sign (W1-2) and relocate closer to curve
			Low
			Medium“Slow Curve Ahead” pavement markings are too far from curve and are wearing out
			Add pavement marking legend closer to curve and repaint existing ones.
			Low
			HighEastbound “No Passing” (W14-3) sign knocked down
			Replace sign (W14-3)
			Low
			HighHidden driveway at the curve
			Install advance warning sign for driveway.
			Low
			HighNight time driving difficult due to the darkness which could makes negotiating the curve difficult.
			Install lighting on curve
			Medium
			MediumIllegal speed limit sign is installed within the ROW eastbound before the curve
			Remove sign
			Low
			LowBetween Wagner Road (private road) and Old Windy Bush RoadJunction sign is blocked by tree limbs
			Trim tree limbs
				Relocate street name sign to the post assembly of “Stop Ahead” (W3-1) sign
			Low
			HighCut off sign posts are protruding out of the ground
			Remove posts
			Low
			MediumAt Old Windy Bush Road“Stop Ahead” sign is blocked by vegetation
			Trim vegetation
			Low
			HighAt Windy Bush RoadSign clutter, potentially confusing to motorists
			Remove or consolidate signs as appropriate
			Low
			MediumWestbound approach to intersection, poor sight distance which is made worse by vegetation
			Cut away vegetation to improve sight distance
			Low
			HighNortheast, northwest and southwest corners of intersection has unprotected drainage holes that lead to pipe
			Install protective grates
			Medium
			HighWindy Bush Road between Old Windy Bush and Aquetong Road“Intersection ahead” sign on northbound side of the road is blocked by vegetation
			Trim vegetation
			Low
			HighNo advance street name sign for the Aquetong Road intersection
			Install advance “Aquetong Road” sign (W16-8)
			Low
			MediumOld Windy Bush Road at Windy Bush RoadDrainage hole on the southeast corner
			Install protective grate
			Medium
			MediumUtility pole lying on the ground at the southeast corner of the intersection.
			Remove pole
			Low
			LowBetween Windy Bush Road and Sugan RoadAquetong Road is an S-curve in this area with post mounted warning signs only
			Add “Slow Curve Ahead” pavement markings in both direction
			Low
			HighVegetation on the westbound side of the road conceals the edge of pavement
			Cut back vegetation
			Low
			HighEdge drop off in this section of roadway is pronounced as a result of poor drainage
			***Currently a PennDOT project to excavate and fill with rocks.***
				This is a temporary fix and in the long term proper drainage should be installed including pipes
			Medium
			HighReflector poles are in poor condition. Reflector strips have been stripped from the poles and many are down in the drain.
			Replace with chevrons (W1-8)
			Low
			HighAquetong Road westbound curves while Sugan Road continues straight ahead, there is no directional signage.
			Add graphic directional signage with road names
			Low
			HighAt Sugan RoadAt Sugan Road the intersection is on the
				curve and very wide. Additionally, travel
				lanes are not delineated.
			Add dashed double centerline and single edgeline through intersection. This will alleviate driver confusion
			Low
			HighCurve needs to be delineated
			Add large warning arrow (W1-6) on the curve for eastbound Aquetong Road traffic
			Low
			HighBetween Sugan Road and Solebury Mountain RoadOversized drainage pipes installed by property owners at driveways are unprotected hazards in the clear zone. Some pipes include headwalls.
			Install appropriate drainage pipes according to regulation.
			Medium
			HighWindy Bush Road between Aquetong Road and Pidcock Creek RoadOpen pipe culvert on the side of the road result in unprotected curb drop off.
			Widen road to 12-foot lanes with paved shoulder to eliminate open pipe culvert that parallels the road.
			Medium
			HighProperty owners have installed a variety of drainage pipes and sizes at driveways. They are unprotected hazards in the clear zone and some pipes include headwalls.
			Install appropriate drainage pipes according to regulation.
			Medium
			HighPipes at property owners driveways are clogged with debris
			Clear pipes to prevent flooding on the roadway
			Low
			HighGuide rail needs to be updated
			Replace guide rail with upgraded end treatments.
			Medium
			High
      
  Book traversal links for 2.0 FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
      ‹ Aquetong/Windy Bush Roads RSA; Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission
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                    3.0 CONCLUSION ›
                
                Book:Aquetong/Windy Bush Roads RSA; Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission
              2.0 FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
                3.0 CONCLUSION
                Appendices U.S. DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

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