CURRENT PROJECT TOPICS: TRAFFIC

In phase one, a traffic study is conducted to evaluate existing and future traffic and safety conditions. By reviewing existing traffic movements, existing problem areas are identified. Future traffic projections are then added to a future road network without improvements to the I-435/I-35/K-10 interchange area. Other regionally planned improvements to the highways and supporting roadways are also included in the analysis. By looking at the area with no improvements the future analysis provides an understanding of what future traffic problems can be expected without any changes to the interchange area. Once interchange improvements are identified, a traffic analysis is performed to ensure that the proposed design meets the needs of motorists in 2040.

An origin destination study was completed in mid-November 2008 to understand current traffic patterns of those drivers that use the interchange area. This was achieved through video collection of traffic volumes on the highway within the interchange. The video data is used to ensure that the traffic model is replicating existing traffic movements to analyze existing problems.

In order to develop solutions that will work well into the future, traffic projections are developed for the year 2040 to ensure that the recommendations provide safe and efficient travel for all motorists. Traffic projections are based on historical trends, Mid-America Regional Council’s travel demand model and local community models from Lenexa, Olathe and Overland Park. The projections are reviewed by a technical team to gain concurrence and consensus on the traffic projections.