VICENZA, Italy - "The Vicenza Garrison is conducting a traffic and parking assessment to better meet the needs of our community as well as ensure the traffic patterns are in compliance with Italian law," said Maj. Brian G. Mumfrey, director of Emergency Services and Provost Marshal.
The survey will provide a collection and analysis of traffic data that will help the command determine the most effective traffic patterns and parking plan within Caserma Ederle, Villaggio, the Longare site, Torri warehouses and Lerino.
"This is being done because our installations fall on Italian bases and to better ensure we are in compliance with the Italian Road Code," Mumfrey said. He also noted that a similar study was conducted in 2012 for Caserma Del Din prior to the occupation of the new facility. In fact a comprehensive traffic survey had never been done for the other installations in Vicenza.
"The study will provide an analysis of the characteristics of the existing road network considering aspects such as traffic volumes, type of traffic during peak hours in specific areas, horizontal and vertical road signings, as well as parking availability," said Giorgia Pretto, the civil engineer technician who is following the $278,200 contract for engineering services on behalf the Master Planning Division of Public Works.
Explaining how data was being collected, Pretto said traffic meters were used to count the number of vehicles circulating on a daily basis. The surveying crew also relied on GPS equipment and total robotic stations for a systematic on-site review of the road network. The combined equipment helped them verify the correct position of buildings and the road geometric configuration with the existing reference plan.
To give an idea of the magnitude of the work, she said that more than ten kilometers of roads were surveyed at Ederle, three kilometers at Villaggio, and approximately seven kilometers in the other sites measuring and geo-tagging distances, heights and angles all along the way.
According to Pretto, the traffic and parking study will have, in its first part, the necessary information to prepare a baseline layout with recommendations for changes in roads, sidewalks and signings considering the existing situation. In the second phase of the contract expected to be submitted by May 2015, the indications resulting from the survey will be proposed as a design for future construction of new intersections and roundabouts needed to optimize traffic flow in critical areas.
The study shall be in accordance with Italian and U.S. regulations including AT/FP antiterrorism standards and ADA standards for accessible design.
For the purpose of better traffic management and control, changes to be implemented "will to allow the Military Police to better enforce Army Regulatory and Policy guidance and support the Carabinieri in traffic enforcement," said Mumfrey.
Ultimately, the survey will help the MPs duly address current traffic challenges, such as "individuals who continue to exceed the posted speed limits, failure to stop completely at intersections, talking or texting with mobile devices while driving or the non use of seatbelts by all vehicle occupants and illegal parking, i.e. against the flow of traffic, exceeding the posted time allotments for short term parking, parking overnight in unauthorized locations or double parking," he said.
"I was very fortunate to be assigned to this project and excited to bring in my technical skills in land surveying, especially because of the positive and lasting impact the results the traffic study will have on our community", said Pretto.
A preliminary report is expected by the end of this month. After that, a review process will start to determine the way ahead for improving traffic management and parking on post.
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