TRANSPORTATION

The purpose of this Interchange Operational Analysis Report is to document the operational benefit from the improvements proposed for the State Road (SR) 8/Interstate-10 (SR 8/I-10) and SR 111/Cassat Avenue interchange near mile marker (MM) 357 along SR 8/I-10 as part of the SR 8/I-10 from I-295 to I-95 PD&E Study in Duval County, Florida. The project‘s goal is to improve traffic flow through merge and diverge areas and weaving segments through capacity improvements by widening SR 8/I-10 and identifying vital interchange improvements.

This IOAR summarizes the recommended improvements at the SR 111/Cassat Avenue and SR 8/I-10 interchange and their added benefit to traffic operations. Within the study area of the SR 111/Cassat Avenue at SR 8/I-10 interchange, the following deficiencies have been identified during Existing Year (2016) conditions and will be addressed as part of this project:

• Congestion and excessive queue lengths at ramp terminal intersections impacting mainline traffic patterns. Currently, eastbound and westbound ramp approaches operate at their near maximum capacity. With the increase in future volumes, it is anticipated that the ramp approaches will fail to operate at acceptable LOS, and the queues will extend beyond available ramp storage length that could deteriorate mainline traffic operations.
• Mainline capacity is insufficient, particularly near merge and diverge locations causing further congestion. The deficiencies found in the Existing Year (2016) analysis are anticipated to worsen with increased traffic volumes by Design Year (2045). Without adequately addressing the deficiencies through the SR 8/I-10 from I-295 to I-95 PD&E Study, queue lengths and delays will increase, causing a rise in crashes. Traffic forecasting for the purpose of this IOAR were completed utilizing the Northeast Regional Planning Model Activity Based Model (NERPM ABM) with the base year of 2010 and the horizon year of 2040. For the purposes of this study, the analysis years included Existing Year (2016), Opening Year (2025), and Design Year (2045). Traffic operational analyses were completed using SYNCHRO version 9 (SYNCHRO) and HCS 2010 (HCS) softwares.

The deficiencies found in the Existing Year (2016) analysis are anticipated to worsen with increased traffic volumes by Design Year (2045). Without adequately addressing the deficiencies through the SR 8/I-10 from I-295 to I-95 PD&E Study, queue lengths and delays will increase, causing a rise in crashes.

Traffic forecasting for the purpose of this IOAR were completed utilizing the Northeast Regional Planning Model Activity Based Model (NERPM ABM) with the base year of 2010 and the horizon year of 2040. For the purposes of this study, the analysis years included Existing Year (2016), Opening Year (2025), and Design Year (2045). Traffic operational analyses were completed using SYNCHRO version 9 (SYNCHRO) and HCS 2010 (HCS) softwares.

This IOAR evaluates a No-Build Alternative, Transportation System Management and Operations (TSM&O) Alternative, and the Build Alternative. The Build Alternative is recommended as it provides acceptable Level of Service (LOS) through the Design Year (2045) at the ramp terminal locations, reduces delay times at the study area intersections when compared to the No-Build Alternative, and shortens expected queue lengths that cause potential spillback onto SR 8/I-10. The TSM&O Alternative improvements considered for this project include coordination of existing signal systems along SR 111/Cassat Avenue and signal optimization. The Build Alternative consists of the following modifications:

- Two additional general purpose lanes in both directions (eastbound and westbound) along SR 8/I-10 between SR 111/Cassat Avenue and I-95
- Additional right turn lane from SR 8/I-10 eastbound off-ramp to southbound SR 111/Cassat Avenue • Additional through lane along southbound SR 111/Cassat Avenue between the SR 8/I-10 ramp terminal intersections
- Additional left turn lane from eastbound Lenox Avenue to northbound SR 111/Cassat Avenue
- Removal of right turn storage bay from northbound SR 111/Cassat Avenue and a westbound receiving lane along Lenox Avenue for the intersection of SR 111/Cassat Avenue at Lenox Avenue to eliminate the need for additional right of way for the improvements