Traffic study lays out parent loop, separate bus loop and sidewalk priorities for Runlet site

Rebecca Brown of Greenman‑Pedersen presented the Runlet site traffic study to the Concord School District building committee Feb. 5, outlining existing circulation problems, proposed parent and bus loops, parking capacity, and prioritized pedestrian improvements.

Brown summarized existing conditions as mixed parent, teacher and bus traffic entering a single access aisle and described a proposed redesign that separates buses into their own loop and creates a dedicated parent loop with around 23 stacking spaces. “There will be quite an improvement to the traffic circulation where there will be a dedicated parent loop, here at the front of the school, that will provide substantial stacking distance so we can fit 23 vehicles here within this parent loop,” she said.

Why it matters: Separating buses from parent traffic and adding clear queuing reduces congestion, improves arrival/dismissal safety and limits queue spillback onto South Street. The plan also aims to meet zoning parking requirements while providing additional on‑site spaces for events.

Key findings and recommendations: - Parking: Brown said the combined sites currently provide about 205 marked spaces plus some informal parking; the proposal increases on‑site parking to 305 spaces, exceeding minimum zoning requirements for classrooms and most events, though very large events (graduation) may still require off‑site shuttling. - Queuing and pickup: Observations recorded a peak site queue of 49 vehicles and 74 parents picking up on campus during one afternoon observation; the proposed layout aims to keep queue lengths on site and clear traffic within about seven minutes after dismissal. - Turning paths and sightlines: The team found a sight‑line issue at the proposed Conant Drive driveway but reported that adjusting driveway striping avoids the need for an easement. Brown recommended formalizing Cornell Street as a one‑way route to accommodate bus turning radii and striping Cypress to force buses to the left where vegetation limits sight lines. - Pedestrian infrastructure: Overlaying the city’s 2021 sidewalk priority plan with walk‑zone mapping identified Noyes Street and Springfield Street as high priorities for sidewalks; Brown recommended RRFB pedestrian beacons at key crossings and updating faded or non‑compliant school zone signage so signage complies with MUTCD standards. - Crossing guards and interim measures: Brown recommended retaining crossing guards (particularly on South Street) even with RRFBs in place to assist pedestrian safety during events and peak travel times.

Costs and responsibilities: Brown said immediate necessary items (driveway signage, school flasher assemblies and crosswalk restriping directly fronting the school) typically are included in the school construction budget while off‑site sidewalks and larger corridor work are often city‑funded; committee members noted a $1,000,000 contingency line in the current cost estimate for traffic improvements.

Constraints and unresolved issues: The study team and committee discussed alternatives to eliminate all bus/parent crossing points but concluded most alternatives create at least one conflict; limited frontage on South Street prevents adding multiple separated driveways. Committee members raised concerns about McKee Square — a nearby, high‑traffic area scheduled for separate improvements — and urged interim safety measures.

What’s next: The consultant will add requested bicycle treatments to the report, the district will coordinate with the city on funding and jurisdiction for off‑site sidewalk work, and the committee requested refined cost items as part of the 60% estimate update.

No formal vote was taken.