I-205 Corridor Reconnaissance Study
As part of a multi-disciplinary engineering study led by the Oregon Department of Transportation to evaluate conditions on the 26-mile I-205 freeway in the Portland metropolitan area, DKS Associates prepared the traffic engineering analysis for the corridor, involving and examination of mainline operations as well as each of the 20 interchanges (including three freeway-to-freeway and three state highway interchanges). This reconnaissance analysis provided a detailed understanding of existing corridor operations, including an assessment of daily and hourly traffic volumes, peak hour (a.m. and p.m.) mainline freeway capacity (reporting both volume-to-capacity and level of service for basic mainline, merging, weaving, and diverging movements), ramp intersection capacity and vehicle queuing (using Synchro at all interchanges), access spacing, crash analysis, alternative mode use in corridor, travel pattern analysis (using EMME/2 select link, GIS and O-D tools), historic demand analysis, travel speed analysis, 24-hour demand profiling, and documentation of planned and programmed corridor improvements. Similar analysis was conducted for the future 2030 horizon year to assess how conditions would change over time. Using the knowledge gained from this effort, DKS participated in a workshop to develop improvements to enhance corridor operation, including an assessment of the future use of the I-205 right-of-way envelope and its ability to address urban ramp spacing constraints on freeway performance (including auxiliary lanes, collector-distributor roadways, braided ramps, flyover ramp configurations, and direct-connect ramps for future managed lane concepts). In producing the final report for this project, DKS departed from common practices and developed an innovative graphics-based format to simply and quickly convey large amounts of information to the user.

I-80/Ashby/Shellmound Interchange SPSR
DKS provided the traffic analysis required to determine the effectiveness of reconstructing the Ashby/Shellmound interchange on I-80 in the Cities of Emeryville and Berkeley. The assignments for DKS include travel forecasting for the future year alternatives using the Alameda Countywide model in EMME/2, assessment for the potential impacts on the freeway segment between Powell St. and University Ave. with the proposed alternative interchange modification, and assessment of the impact on adjacent arterial roads, using SYNCHRO. DKS utilized SIDRA to analyze roundabouts at the interchange and to define the approach queuing into study area intersections

Roundabout Feasibility Study - Napa
DKS Associates prepared a feasibility study for a roundabout at the junction of two state highways and the driveway to a high-profile winery. Analysis included comparison with a signalized intersection, and considered an adjacent railroad grade crossing and fire station, right of way availability and utilities. The client subsequently contracted with DKS to prepare project initiation documents and preliminary engineering as a forerunner to detailed design.

I-880 Operation and Safety Study
DKS led a study for the Alameda County Congestion Management Agency (ACCMA) to explore opportunities to enhance the operations, safety, and appearance of the northern segment of I-880. The study area encompassed the portion of I-880 between 98th Avenue and the junction with I-980. The project included a detailed assessment of the operational, design, safety, and visual characteristics of this segment. The recommended projects were defined in sufficient detail to facilitate implementation in a short timeframe. The work included preparation of conceptual drawings, photo-simulations, and cost estimates.

Berkeley Saltwater Pipeline Traffic
Berkeley Saltwater Pipeline Distribution System. DKS Associates prepared traffic impact analysis and traffic control plans for the installation of a saltwater fire control pipeline in downtown Berkeley. The pipeline alignment travels along several of the most congested arterials in the City. Berkeley Saltwater Pipeline Distribution System, City of Berkeley. DKS designed traffic control plans for the construction of an underground pipeline system and prepared the traffic and circulation section of the environmental document. DKS was responsible for identifying impacts to traffic flow during construction, maintaining traffic flow, preparing traffic control plans, and preparing new signal timing plans to mitigate any impacts. The proposed pipeline alignment travels along several of the most congested arterials in the City.

Vallejo Solano Bikeway Project
DKS Associates has been retained by the City of Vallejo to design a bike path between Admiral Callaghan Lane and a frontage road south of American Canyon Road. The project is intended to extend on the north side of Columbus Parkway and east of the improvements of Interstate 80. The project will extend along the public right of way for the entire length. The project will lie within the boundaries of Vallejo and an unincorporated portion of Napa County. Along Route 80 the project will be within the jurisdiction of Caltrans for design review and approval. The project will be designed in accordance with Caltrans Design Standards. The City of Vallejo commissioned DKS to design a bicycle path to extend from Columbia Parkway along I-80 to the northern boundary of Solano County. This project crosses Caltrans right of way, and municipal boundaries. The project also crosses fragile soil zones which have been subject to sliding.

Seattle LRT Central Link
DKS is the prime traffic engineering consultant for the Central Link LRT project in Seattle. DKS is performing the traffic design and operational analysis for 40 at grade signalized LRT intersections. A wide range of intersection control is utilized for LRT on this corridor ranging from gated crossings to at-grade signalized intersections to signalized pedestrian crossings. The design includes: placement of automobile and LRV traffic signals; signal system interface with the rail detection; management of pedestrians at the LRT intersections; the communication backbone for the traffic signal interconnect system and CCTV. A total of 250 plan sheets have been prepared with plans, specifications and estimates in five line segment contract document sets. In addition, DKS performed a detailed analysis of various controller technologies available or in production for operating both LRV and motor vehicle traffic signals. This analysis included the evaluation of the following: priority functions, recovery schemes, phase allocation and detection options. DKS completed an exhaustive analysis of traffic signal controller technology, software, firmware and equipment for Sound Transits light rail system including options and strategies for transit (rail and bus) signal priority. Controller technologies evaluated included 170, 2070 and NEMA controllers. The evaluation included hardware, software and signal management systems from the following vendors: Peek, Eagle, McCain, Naztec, BI Tran Systems, Gardner Systems, Wapiti Micro Systems, VS Plus and the Los Angeles Department of Transportation.

Union Pacific Railyards Redevelopment Plan
Union Pacific Railyards Redevelopment Plan Under contract to the City of Sacramento, DKS Associates is providing analysis of the transportation impacts associated with the redevelopment of the Union Pacific Railyards in the Curtis Park area of Sacramento. DKS Associates has been responsible for the forecasts of peak hour and daily traffic volumes associated with the project, analysis of potential traffic impacts, and development of mitigation measures. We have worked closely with the project Working Group, which is comprised of City, Regional Transit, railroad, and neighborhood representatives. Our efforts have included the evaluation of various land use and circulation / access alternatives.

Piedmont Signal Design Evaluation/Grand Avenue Traffic Calming and Bike Facilities
DKS Associates was the responsible firm for developing alternatives to address City Council concerns regarding safe pedestrian crossing at key intersections across Grand Avenue and traffic speeds along the length of Grand Avenue. DKS Associates worked with City staff to develop several alternatives for pedestrian crossing and for traffic calming along a two-mile segment of Grand Avenue in the City of Piedmont. These alternatives had to be implemented within the existing curb-to-curb right of way. The alternatives included additional striping and a concept plan to replace two travel lanes on the arterial and replace them with two bike lanes and a two way left turn lane.DKS developed a cross-section that created left turn pockets at intersections, and class II bike lanes for the entire 2 mile segment under study. These alternatives were analyzed with relationship to cost, pedestrian/ bicyclist safety, and operations (particularly impact on movement into and out of fronting residences and businesses). DKS prepared conceptual plans of these alternatives for presentation to City Council and citizens.

Embarcadero Bike Trail and Pedestrian Access Improvements
Version 1 For the City of Oakland, DKS prepared preliminary and final design of the Embarcadero Bike Trail, a Class I, Class II and Class III bikeway improvement that will interconnect residential and business areas. The route extends three miles along mixed commercial and industrial land uses from Jack London Square, a regional transportation and shopping hub along the waterfront, to Fruitvale Avenue, an arterial collector with existing Class II bike lanes. Complicating the design are several railroad grade crossings that are diagonal to the bike path, heavy truck traffic on the Embarcadero, and existing on-street diagonal parking. Our design includes separation of the bike lanes from vehicle and pedestrian circulation to provide a safe and efficient route for bicyclists whose primary purpose is transportation (commuting) as well as an attractive destination for recreational users. A major element of the project was DKS's role in community meetings with bike interests and land owner interests. Version 2 DKS was the prime consultant for the City of Oakland on the preliminary and final design of Bike lane and pedestrian improvements for a 1.5 mile stretch of the Bay Trail which extends from Jack London Square to Fuitvale Avenue. The design challenge for this project was crossing 8 rail spurs that crossed the embarcadero at an oblique angle. DKS developed a plan to provide 90-degree crossing for all of the tracks that remained. We also recommended and were successful in reducing the number of rail crossings along the bike route. Pedestrian improvements included realignment of the Embarcadero, reconstruction of pedestrian barriers, and redesign of the parking configuration in the Embarcadero Cove area to allow for angled on street parking with a bike lane on the opposite side of the street. Other traffic calming measures included lane reduction to a single travel lane on 23rd Street between the Embarcadero and Park Street. Version 3 DKS prepared preliminary and final design to upgrade a three mile segment of the Embarcadero along the waterfront of the City of Oakland. Primary focus of the project was to improve pedestrian and bicycle circulation supporting the Bay Trail Improvement program. The bicycle facilities included Class I, Class II and Class III bikeway improvements that interconnect residential and business areas. The project extended through mixed commercial and industrial land uses from Jack London Square, a regional transportation and shopping hub along the waterfront, to Fruitvale Avenue, an arterial collector with existing Class II bike lanes. Complicating the design were several railroad grade crossings that crossed diagonally to the bike path, heavy truck traffic on the Embarcadero, and existing on-street diagonal parking. Our design included street widening, separation of the bike lanes from vehicle and pedestrian circulation to provide a safe and efficient route for bicyclists whose primary purpose is transportation (commuting) as well as an attractive destination for recreational users. The project is complete and operational. A major element of the project was DKS's role in community meetings with bike interests and land owner interests.