Trinity Parkway

Alternate Access Analysis

North Central Texas
Council of Governments
January 21, 2016

Purpose of Access Analysis

Evaluate the potential deferment of access points at the north and
south end of the Trinity Parkway (i.e., IH 35E / SH 183 interchange,
IH 45 / SH 310 interchange) for Phase 1
Evaluate which cross street ramps should be constructed as part of
the Phase 1 Trinity Parkway project

Overview and Assumptions

The project is currently proposed to be constructed in two phases:
o Phase 1 - A 4-lane facility (with limited auxiliary lanes and some cross street
ramps)
o Phase 2 - Ultimate buildout to include 6 main lanes, auxiliary lanes and all
ramps as shown in the FEIS design schematic

Travel modeling was based on 2035 networks so the results could be

compared to the FEIS
Park access as shown in the FEIS would remain the same and could be
augmented by additional access as proposed by others
Phase 2 of the Trinity Parkway will be included in 2040 network of
Mobility 2040 and could not be widen until the 2040 timeframe
3

Baseline Alternative 1
Prior to evaluating changes in ramping, a 4-lane Trinity Parkway was
modeled
Vehicle Miles Traveled (VMT) decreased by almost 22% from the
6-lane FEIS design*
Estimated cost reduction: $203 million (14%)

* VMT relates directly to revenue

Process for
Evaluating
Ramping

Inventory of Cross Street

Ramps & Group in
Married Pairs

Evaluate Cross Street Ramps

Based on Weighted Criteria:
Volume (2035) - 50%
Costs - 25%
Visual Impacts - 25%

Reduce Number of Ramps to

Cross Streets & Evaluate
Traffic Impacts

Analysis Ramping at North &

South Ends (SH 183 / IH 35E &
IH 45 / SH 310 Interchanges)

Travel Demand Runs

All ramps (14 pairs) (Alternative 1)
No ramps (Alternative 2)
Top 7 ramp pairs (Alternative 3)
Top 4 ramp pairs (Alternative 4)

Travel Demand Run

Alternative 5

Results of Cross Street Ramp Analysis

Alternative 3

Alternative 4

Included 7 pairs of ramps (top ranking/scoring

cross street ramps in order):

Included 4 pairs of ramps (top ranking/scoring

cross street ramps in order):

1. Inwood / Hampton Rd. NB Entrance and SB Exit

1. Inwood / Hampton Rd. NB Entrance and SB Exit

2. Riverfront Blvd. / Corinth St. NB Exit and SB Entrance

2. Riverfront Blvd. / Corinth St. NB Exit and SB Entrance

3. Sylvan Ave / Wycliff NB Exit and SB Entrance

3. Sylvan Ave / Wycliff NB Exit and SB Entrance

4. Lamar Blvd. NB entrance and SB Exit

4. Lamar Blvd. NB entrance and SB Exit

5. Houston / Memorial NB entrance, SB exit

6. Commonwealth Dr. / Irving Blvd NB exit and SB
entrance

Estimated cost reduction: $336 million (23%)*

VMT decreased by 25% from the 6-lane FEIS design

7. Woodall Rogers Freeway NB entrance and SB Exit

Estimated cost reduction: $276 million (19%)*

VMT decreased by 22% from the 6-lane FEIS
design
* Cost reductions includes $203 million for reduced mainlanes
6

Results of Ramping at Major Interchanges

No deferment of ramps at IH 45 / SH 310 are recommended
The recommended configuration for IH 35E / SH 183 interchange:
o Direct connection ramps to/from SH 183 mainlanes: Build both 2-lane connections
as shown in the schematic. A more detailed traffic (LOS) analysis to ensure no
bottlenecks would occur.
o Connections to/from the SH 183 managed lanes: Do not build part of Trinity Parkway
Phase 1. The SH 183 Phase 1 design shows the managed lane exits at Carl Road (4
miles west) and Empire Central (4,000 feet west). The future phases of the SH 183
managed lanes should be coordinated with Phase 2 of the Trinity Parkway.
o Direct connection ramps to/from IH 35E: Build both 1-lane connections shown in
schematic

Had a minimal change (0.4% increase) to VMT

7

Observations
Change from 6-lane to 4-lane facility results in 22% drop in VMT (Alternative 1)
Even with no ramps to local cross streets (Alternative 2), traffic volumes indicate that the
Trinity Parkway is still warranted because the parkway is a reliever facility
The number of cross street ramps do not significantly affect VMT; therefore, there could
be fewer cross street ramps constructed in Phase 1
Some ramping to local streets is needed to allow egress in the event of an incident
Elimination of SH 183 managed lanes connections does not significantly affect VMT
Drivers are using IH 35E to access the Medical District not the Trinity Parkway (this
impacts current proposals of ramps locations)
There should be 4 pairs or less of ramps to cross streets

Recommendations
Create an Alternative 4B with:
4-lane Trinity Parkway
Include ramp pair at Lamar Blvd.
Include 3 pairs of ramps west of IH 45:
o Inwood / Hampton Rd. NB Entrance and SB Exit
o Riverfront Blvd. / Corinth St. NB Exit and SB Entrance
o Sylvan Ave / Wycliff NB Exit and SB Entrance

Include access ramps to/from SH 183 mainlanes, IH 35E, and IH 45

Defer access ramps to/from SH 183 managed lanes
Potential cost savings: $336 million (23%)
9

Backup Data

10

Trinity Parkway Alternative Access Evaluation

1/18/2016

Number of Lanes
Speed (mph)
Number of Local Ramp Pairs
Number of Access Connections at SH 183/IH 35E
1
Costs
Estimated Project Costs (millions)
Potential Cost Savings (millions)
Change in Project Costs from the FEIS
VMT
Corridor VMT (daily, 2035)
Change in VMT from FEIS
Performance
Cost Benefit (Dallas County)
Cost Benefit (12-county MPA)
4
Ratio of Cost Reduction and Change in VMT
Sensitivity Analysis
Change in VMT due to reduction to 4 lanes
Change in VMT if all local ramps are removed
Change in VMT if connections to SH 183 managed
lanes are deferred

FEIS
6
55
14
6

Alt 1
4
55
14
6

Alt 2
4
55
0
6

Alt 3
4
55
7
6

Alt 4
4
55
4
6

Alt 5
4
55
7
4

$1,461
$0
0.0%

$1,258
$203
-13.9%

$1,089
$372
-25.4%

$1,185
$276
-18.9%

$1,125
$336
-23.0%

$1,145
$316
-21.6%

828,305
0.0%

646,815
-21.9%

588,208
-29.0%

646,134
-22.0%

617,898
-25.4%

648,425
-21.7%

4.14
4.74
na

4.13
2.95
0.63

4.19
2.84
0.88

4.36
3.14
0.86

4.50
3.24
0.91

4.51
3.26
1.00

-21.9%
-9.1%
0.4%

Notes
1. All costs based on 2013 costs shown in FEIS.
2. Reduction in cost of mainlanes from Commonwealth to Lamar.
3. Reduction in cost at SH 183/IH 35E interchange and local ramps along the parkway.
4. The best alternative is determined by dividing the percentage reduction in cost divided by the percentage reduction in VMT; the largest result is the best alternative.

11

159.0

SH 183

18.8

285.3
47.5

6-Lane Parkway (FEIS)

IH 35E
20.2

DNT
316.7

49.0

135.5

Access: per FEIS and schematic

Speed: 55 mph
= 2035 Average weekday volumes/per thousand

303.4

2.8

Commonwealth 6.4

144.7

11.4

IH 35E

0.0

12.8
0.0

100.5

120.6
3.6
7.4

Hampton/
Inwood

2.7
5.0

338.8

126.6
10.8

Sylvan

1.4
Woodall

1.1

11.4

9.7
249.8

10.1

57.3

104.4
IH 30

Commerce

205.0

375.2
217.9

5.9
5.9

3.4
2.4

Houston

98.5

Jefferson

0.0
9.8

IH 45

Corinth

319.1

185.9

122.4
0.1

0.0 14.2

1.3

80.5

3.3 128.1

5.1

35.5

4.4

US 175

IH 35E

19.9

168.9

MLK

4.0
18.7

29.9

160.0

Lamar

12

SH 183

Parkway Ramp Evaluation Ranking

IH 35E

X = Ramp Pair Ranking

DNT

Commonwealth

6
IH 35E

1
Hampton/
Inwood

10

Note: The Dallas Dream Team recommended

ramp pairs 9 and 10 highlighted in yellow

3
8
Sylvan

13

Woodall

IH 30

Commerce

5
Houston
Jefferson

11

IH 45

12

14
Corinth

319.1

US 175

IH 35E
Cedar Crest/
MLK

4
160.0

Lamar

13

147.8

SH 183

14.5

305.4
38.3

Access Alternative 1

IH 35E

16.7

Number of Lanes: 4
Cross Street Access: 14 ramp pairs at Commonwealth, Inwood/Hampton, Sylvan,
Continental, Woodall Rodgers, Jefferson-Memorial, Riverfront/Corinth,
Cedar Crest/MLK, and Lamar
Speed: 55 mph
= 2035 Average weekday volumes per thousand

DNT

317.2
39.3

108.8

0.08

Commonwealth 1.8

10.3

110.7

11.2

IH 35E

0.002
0.0

89.3

10
Hampton/
Inwood

2.7
6.9

1.8

3
332.1

96.1

4.5

7.7
Sylvan

Woodall

X = Ramp Pair Ranking

101.9

0.72 7.0

6.8
0.8

13
257.9

6.0

81.5
56.8

IH 30

Commerce

223.0

380.1
207.0

1.9

81.5

1.9

3.2

1.7

Jefferson
Memorial

11

80.0

0.0

6.3

294.5

14

182.9

98.2
0.1

0.0 11.8
Corinth

IH 45

12
0.9

68.5

3.4 104.1

IH 35E

2.6

38.3

3.5

US 175
17.6

161.9

Cedar Crest/
MLK

1.8
16.7

34.2

145.3

Lamar

14

160.6

SH 183

13.3

294.6
27.9

Access Alternative 2

IH 35E

12.7

Number of Lanes: 4
Cross Street Access: 0 ramp pairs (only access at SH 183/IH 35E and IH 45)
Speed: 55 mph
= 2035 Average weekday volumes per thousand

DNT
333.1

27.3

X = Ramp Pair Ranking

81.3
Commonwealth

81.3
IH 35E

101.3

81.3

Hampton/
Inwood

336.3

81.3
Sylvan

243.9
Woodall

60.0

81.3
IH 30

Commerce

227.8

390.9
211.1

81.3
81.3

Jefferson
Memorial

IH 45
191.1

81.3

308.2.1

Corinth

48.9
41.6

81.3

IH 35E

US 175

16.2

160.2

Cedar Crest/
MLK

16.2

40.0

144.1

Lamar

15

148.1

SH 183

15.0

305.2
38.9

Access Alternative 3

IH 35E

16.1

Number of Lanes: 4
Cross Street Access: 7 ramp pairs - Commonwealth, Inwood/Hampton, Sylvan,
Woodall Rodgers, Jefferson-Memorial, Corinth, and Lamar
Speed: 55 mph
= 2035 Average weekday volumes per thousand

DNT
316.9

39.4

109.3

0.08

X = Ramp Pair Ranking

Commonwealth 1.9

11.2

111.3

11.7

IH 35E

101.9

88.5

6.9

Hampton/
Inwood
Sylvan

7
Woodall

330.6

99.3

3.9

9.7
7.4

246.1

82.2
56.4

IH 30

Commerce

223.8

378.7
212.3

1.8

82.2

3.8

76.5

Jefferson
Memorial

2
9.7

IH 45
183.8

100.0

13.8

2.1

38.7

Corinth

310.6

66.0

100.0
US 175

IH 35E

17.5
Cedar Crest /
MLK

160.9
1.4

16.4
35.0

144.8

Lamar

16

147.0
SH 183

16.5

301.8
34.6

Access Alternative 4

IH 35E

Number of Lanes: 4
Cross Street Access: 4 pairs of ramps - Inwood/Hampton, Sylvan, Corinth, and Lamar
Speed: 55 mph
= 2035 Average weekday volumes per thousand

16.8

DNT
321.5

33.3

X = Ramp Pair Ranking

101.3
Commonwealth

12.7

101.3

11.9

IH 35E

NCTCOG Staff Recommendation

Include 3 pairs of ramps west of IH 45 plus ramps at
Lamar (4 pairs total)
Eliminate access to/from SH 183 managed lanes
Provides lane balance at SH 183 and IH 35E
Probable benefit ratio greater than 1

102.2

76.7

2.7

Hampton/
Inwood

1.8

335.0

81.2

Sylvan

241.0
Woodall

Note: The Dallas Dream Team recommended

ramp pairs 10 and 12

81.2
57.5

IH 30

Commerce

223.8

379.0

Ramp pairs 9 and 10 vs. 1, 2, 3, (4)

81.2
212.0

Jefferson
Memorial

81.2

2
9.0

183.4

102.6

12.4

67.8

102.6

2.6

38.7

Corinth

308.9

3 > 10
2 > 12
Plus 1

IH 45

IH 35E

US 175
161.7

17.9
Cedar Crest /
MLK

1.5
16.9

34.7

145.6

Lamar

17

148.8

SH 183

16.1

305.8
38.3

Access Alternative 5

IH 35E

16.1

Number of Lanes: 4
Cross Street Access: 7 ramp pairs - Commonwealth, Inwood/Hampton, Sylvan,
Woodall Rodgers, Jefferson-Memorial, Corinth, and Lamar
Eliminated direct connections to/from SH 183 tolled managed lanes
Speed: 55 mph
= 2035 Average weekday volumes per thousand

DNT
316.6

40.0

110.5

0.1

Commonwealth 2.5

10.9

113.1

12.8

IH 35E
89.3

X = Ramp Pair Ranking

101.7

3
6.9

Hampton/
Inwood
Sylvan

Woodall

330.9

99.8

3.6

78.0

9.6
246.6

82.1
56.6

IH 30

Commerce

223.8

380.1
211.8

2.0

82.2

3.9

76.3

Jefferson
Memorial

2
9.7

IH 45
184.0

99.7

13.7

2.2

38.9

Corinth

310.7

65.9

99.7
US 175

IH 35E

17.5
Cedar Crest /
MLK

160.9
1.4

16.3
35.0

144.7

Lamar

18