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Independent elementary, middle and high schools have special transportation needs that are significantly different from many public schools.
Unlikely most public schools, private schools draw students from a wide geographic area that may cross jurisdictional boundaries. Some residents find it objectionable to have in their local neighborhood an independent school that attracts students from around the region.
Walking or bicycling to school is an option for only a few students enrolled in private schools. Some private schools offer private bus service; most do not. Most students are driven to school by their parents or guardians.
During most times of day, schools have few transportation impacts. During short periods of time, however, schools typically generate intense traffic impacts, as students are dropped off in the morning and picked up in the afternoon. Student safety is of paramount importance.
Wells + Associates has provided the following services to these schools:
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Site selection |
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Site layout/campus planning |
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Preparation of the transportation elements of campus master plans |
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Transportation impact studies |
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Preparation of Transportation Management Plans (TMP), including carpool, shuttle bus, variable class times, monitoring, and compliance plans |
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Drop-off/pick-up lane design and operating plans |
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Queuing and dwell time studies |
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Parking demand studies |
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Parking lot and garage design |
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Parking operations plans |
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Shuttle bus plans |
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Speed studies |
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Justification of variances from local zoning requirements, as appropriate |
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Traffic signal plans |
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Signing and pavement marking plans |
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Maintenance of traffic plans |
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Expert witness testimony |
The ideal school site has the following attributes:
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Safe, efficient, adequate vehicular access, egress, and on-site circulation systems |
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Direct connections to principal neighborhood, collector, or arterial streets |
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Safe, secure, direct pedestrian and bicycle connections |
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No significant vehicle-pedestrian conflicts |
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High carpool and bus use |
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Adequate, well-organized, well-managed parking for faculty, staff, students, and visitors |
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Adequate parking and traffic for sporting and other special events |
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Segregated pedestrian, bus, auto, and service/delivery vehicle systems |
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Well conceived plan for traffic and parking management during sporting and special events |
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Good emergency vehicle access |
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Appropriate traffic control devices and pavement markings |
Few school sites are ideal. Common problems are:
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Inadequate drop-off/pick-up lane capacity: queues spill over onto adjacent public streets |
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Vehicle-pedestrian conflicts on public streets and the school site, which pose safety hazards |
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Inadequate parking: faculty, staff, student, and visitor parkers spill over into adjacent residential neighborhoods and parking lots |
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Poorly organized or poorly managed parking |
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Objectionable traffic impacts in residential neighborhoods |
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Under-utilization of school bus capacity |
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Low average auto occupancy: parents form too few carpools |
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Spillover traffic and parking problems during special events such as back-to-school night, performances, sporting events, charitable events, and graduation |
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