Road expansion is the most expensive and least effective way to attack traffic congestion. This in true in general and in Jackson in particular. A more effective and less expensive approach is to maximize the capacity of intersections, junctions and interchanges that create existing traffic queues. This objective can be accomplished by:
1. Upgrading the signaling system such that traffic light cycles are adjusted in response to actual traffic conditions
2. Adding a turn lane where turning is a major bottleneck
3. Longer term, reconfigure the entire junction (e.g.: into a roundabout).
Any of these measures can eliminate congestion. Indeed this has been our experience at the Y Intersection since WYDOT implemented the first two measures in the Fall of 2017. Since then, the bottleneck at the Y has been alleviated.
However, two new bottlenecks have emerged on WY22: the T at 390 (westbound traffic) and Spring Gulch Rd (eastbound traffic). Both of these intersections would benefit from measures to increase their capacity, initially with upgraded signaling, and longer term by conversion to roundabouts.
Congestion Reduction Strategies by Category
Smart Signaling
Teton County and WYDOT should employ smart signaling to address and reduce traffic congestion at the Y Intersection and other traffic intersections in Town and along Highways 89 and 22. This technology is cost effective and easy to implement.
Traffic signal timing cycles in Teton County are now manually adjusted a few times per year at most. A smart traffic signal system continuously monitors, learns, predicts, and responds to traffic demands with optimal signal timing for prevailing conditions. Known as adaptive signaling, it uses radar, video, or wires embedded in the pavement to gather information about how many cars, and at what speed, approach an intersection. The red or green light signal duration is then adjusted in real-time to optimize traffic flow. Used on at least 50% of Utah state highway intersections, smart signaling is a proven technology with proven results.
Learn more:
Odds of hitting a red light in Utah? Just 1-in-4 (Salt Lake Tribune – Dec. 2013)
How Smart Traffic Lights Could Transform Your Commute (Time Magazine – May 2015)
The Traffic Lights of Tomorrow Will Actively Manage Congestion (CityLab – Sept. 2014)
Y-Intersection Reconstruction
Before new capital road projects are proposed, WYDOT, with the support of the County and Town, must first redesign and completely overhaul the Y Intersection. While the 2017 “temporary” improvements to the Y intersection have reduced some traffic congestion, a more permanent and complete solution must be implemented that enables the intersection to properly accommodate all vehicles using WYO22 and WYO89. Public comment voiced prior to the adoption of the ITP makes abundantly clear that the community wants a permanent fix to the Y before new or expanded roads are considered.
Vehicles should be kept on the state and federal highways and not diverted to rural areas where residents live and our schools are located. RGC firmly opposes efforts to build new roads to create “bypasses” and “shortcuts” that would enable thousands of commercial and private vehicles traveling on Highways 22 and 89 to avoid the Y Intersection and drive through rural neighborhoods and dense school zones.
“The Y intersection is an important regional multimodal facility and a gateway into Jackson. Reconstruction will fully accommodate the needs of all modes (motor vehicles, bus transit, bicycle and pedestrian), including future high capacity bus transit needs, such as signal prioritization. The PEL study identified four workable design options and concluded that this intersection would have the highest priority for improvement of all the elements studied in the PEL for the WY-22 and WY-390 corridors. It is also identified as a high priority project in Section 7 of the Comprehensive Plan.”
—From Page 30 of the 2015 Integrated Transportation Plan
Roundabouts
Understand why a roundabout is a good option for Y intersection reconstruction:
Y Intersection Roundabout Study / “The Solution” – Nov. 2010
Diagrams from: Wallwork Y Intersection / Roundabout Presentation – April 2015