The US Route 1 Corridor from the Route 1 Branch Interchange by Carnegie Road to the intersection of Route 1 and Bakers Basin Road, located in Lawrence Township, New Jersey, is a critical arterial roadway that has experienced significant issues relating to congestion, safety, and accessibility. The goal of this project is to redesign the corridor to increase safety, reduce speeds, and enhance pedestrian accessibility. Traffic simulation software such as VISSIM was used to analyze existing and expected vehicle and pedestrian volumes. The corridor’s average daily traffic count reached 57,085 vehicles. A traffic count was done at the Route 1 and Bakers Basin Road intersection at peak rush hour time. The data from the site visit traffic count was found to be 4% less than the NJDOT’s traffic count. Three alternative designs were used in the decision process of the design. Alternatives 1 and 2 included two proposed traffic signals at the Route 1 branching interchange, a proposed roundabout along the Route 1 corridor intersecting Bakers Basin Road, and a proposed signalized intersection along the corridor on Bakers Basin Road. The only difference between alternatives 1 and 2 was a proposed two-lane roundabout instead of the proposed turbo roundabout respectively. Alternative 3 includes two proposed traffic signals at the Route 1 branching interchange, two proposed roundabouts along the Route 1 Corridor intersecting Greenberg Road for one and Bakers Basin Road for the other, and a proposed signalized intersection along the corridor on Bakers Basin Road. Alternative 3 served the best chance to better the main goal of safety and connectivity. Alternative Design 3 is the safest alternative due to the implementing of two roundabouts to slow down the corridor. Even though the corridor is being slowed down, the roundabouts will keep a constant movement of traffic, therefore increasing the traffic flow. The engineering cost for the fall semester was $23,000.00 with the estimated engineering cost for the spring semester being $18,000.00 bringing the total cost of the Redesign of Route 1 Corridor at Bakers Basin Road to $41,000.00.
Fall Semester Presentation: