Robert Peccia & Associates will be producing numerous informational displays about existing transportation conditions and
findings. Many of these products will be in graphical form to make it easier for you to review and understand. The
following topics are available at this time:
Study Area
This map shows the City of Whitefish and those portions of Flathead County included in this 2007 Transportation Study.
Note that the entire city of Whitefish is contained within the study area boundary as well as minor portions of Flathead
County surrounding Whitefish. The Transportation Plan study area boundary mimics the City’s 2007 Growth Policy study area
boundary.
Study Area Boundary (Figure 1-1)
Functional Classification System / Major Street Network
Average daily traffic volumes within the study area are shown in these maps. Traffic volumes were collected in 24-hour
periods throughout the community. This data is expressed in the form of Average Daily Traffic Volumes and is shown on
the map. This map is color coded to match the Corridor Size map. Therefore, all streets that are shown in green (volumes
under 12,000 vehicles per day can be handled by a two-lane road.Urban areas within Montana have what is known as a Federally
approved "functional classification system". The Federally
approved functional classification system for the Whitefish urban area is highlighted in various colors on the following
maps. No local access streets are included on this functional classification system. In addition to the Federally
approved functional classification system, many urban areas also have their own street classification network. This is
the case for the community of Whitefish. Their classification system is also shown on graphics presented herein, and is
referred to as the "Major Street Network". Streets generally fall into four (4) urban roadway classifications, all of
which are shown on the following graphics. These urban roadway classifications are:
- Principal Arterials
- Minor Arterials
- Collectors
- Local Streets
Urban Minor Arterials carry vehicles quickly from place to place connecting the principal arterials, but access to adjacent land use has a higher priority.
Collectors link local access streets to the arterial network. Speeds are generally lower than on arterials and access to adjacent land uses has a high priority.
The primary purpose of Local streets is access to adjacent land uses. Speeds are intended to be lower and access to and from driveways is frequent.
The Federally approved functional classification system includes all streets, other than local streets, that are used by the public to get from place to place within the study area.
Functional Classification System (Figure 2-1)
Enlarged Functional Classification System (Figure 2-2))
Traffic Volumes
Average daily traffic volumes within the study area are shown in these maps. Traffic volumes were collected in 24-hour periods throughout the community. This data is expressed in the form of Average Daily Traffic Volumes and is shown on the map. This map is color coded to match the Corridor Size map. Therefore, all streets that are shown in green (volumes under 12,000 vehicles per day can be handled by a two-lane road.
Existing (2003) Traffic Volumes (Figure 2-3)
Existing (2003) Traffic Volumes (Figure 2-4)
Corridor Size
These maps show the number of lanes on each Major Street Network link. The number of lanes refers to the number of continuous lanes. Turn pockets, either left or right, do not count as an additional lane. A five-lane facility has a continuous two-way, center-turn lane. A three-lane facility has either a continuous two-way, center-turn lane, or is a one-way street with three through lanes of traffic
Corridor Size Figure (Figure 2-5)
Enlarged Corridor Size figure (Figure 2-6)
Traffic Signal System
Whitefish has 7 traffic signals at it busiest intersections to help guide and direct traffic. These maps show the location of the existing traffic signals.
Traffic Signal System Map (Figure 2-7)
Enlarge Traffic Signal System Map (Figure 2-8)
Past Area Transportation Planning Projects
The following maps show the past transportation planning projects that have been recommended in the Whitefish area.
Past Area Transportation Planning Projects (Figure 2-11)
Enlarge Past Area Transportation Planning Projects (Figure 2-12)
Non-Motorized Transportation Facilities
The City of Whitefish Bicycle and Pedestrian Path Masterplan was used to develop these maps to document the locations of existing bicycle and pedestrian trails within the study area, as well as any proposed bicycle and pedestrian facilities.
Non-Motorized Transportation Facilities (Figure 2-13)
Enlarge Non-Motorized Transportation Facilities (Figure 2-14)
