Study Area
For the purposes of analysis, Caltrans has divided the Hwy 17 AMP study area into nine segments based on Traffic Analysis Zones, which consider population and traffic flow characteristics. Get to know Highway 17 and the different access points and conflict points by clicking through different segments of the study area map (Sections A-I) below.
- STUDY AREA
- A
- B
- C
- D
- E
- F
- G
- H
- I
We want to hear from you! After reviewing the Study Area Map, we encourage you to map your comments .
Study Area
Highway 17 study area is a 7.1 mile stretch of Highway 17 beginning in the City of Scotts Valley at Granite Creek Road interchange and extending north to Summit Road at the Santa Cruz-Santa Clara County border. This section has been prioritized as having the most need because it has no control of access, meaning traffic flow may be interrupted by intersections and driveways.
This stretch of highway serves approximately 54,500 vehicles per day and experiences congestion in the peak periods. By 2040, it is projected to serve 75,000 vehicles per day and will experience significant congestion without improvements.
Segment A
Granite Creek Road to Timber Ridge Lane
Segment A begins at the Granite Creek Road interchange and ends at Timber Ridge Lane in City of Scotts Valley. This segment is 0.75 miles in length, completely divided with a median barrier.
Northbound
- Neighboring Addresses 1 : 101+
- Approx. Local Trips per Day 2 : 1,001+
- Access Points 3 : 3
- Conflict Points 4 : 4
- Conflict Points/Mile: 5.33
Southbound
- Neighboring Addresses 1 : 101+
- Approx. Local Trips per Day 2 : 1,001+
- Access Points 3 : 1
- Conflict Points 4 : 0
- Conflict Points/Mile: 0
Segment B
Timber Ridge Lane to Post Mile 6.9
Segment B begins at the Timber Ridge Lane intersection and ends at Post Mile 6.9, approximately 0.2 miles north of the Crescent Drive (North) intersection. This segment is 0.7 miles in length, approximately 0.5 miles (67.7%) physically divided with a median barrier.
Northbound
- Neighboring Addresses 1 : 76-100
- Approx. Local Trips per Day 2 : 501-1,000
- Access Points 3 : 4
- Conflict Points 4 : 30
- Conflict Points/Mile: 42.857
Southbound
- Neighboring Addresses 1 : 11-25
- Approx. Local Trips per Day 2 : 101-250
- Access Points 3 : 6
- Conflict Points 4 : 48
- Conflict Points/Mile: 68.571
Segment C
Post Mile 6.9 to Post Mile 7.8
Segment C begins at Post Mile 6.9, approximately 0.2 miles north of the Crescent Drive (North) intersection, and ends at Post Mile 7.8, just north of Jarvis Road. This segment is 0.9 miles in length, approximately 0.7 miles (75.1%) physically divided with a median barrier.
Northbound
- Neighboring Addresses 1 : 76-100
- Approx. Local Trips per Day 2 : 501-1000
- Access Points 3 : 5
- Conflict Points 4 : 19
- Conflict Points/Mile: 21.111
Southbound
- Neighboring Addresses 1 : 0-10
- Approx. Local Trips per Day 2 : 51-100
- Access Points 3 : 4
- Conflict Points 4 : 8
- Conflict Points/Mile: 8.889
Segment D
Post Mile 6.9 to Sugarloaf Road
Segment D begins at Post Mile 7.8, just north of Jarvis Road, and ends at the intersection with Sugarloaf Road. This segment is 0.9 miles in length, approximately 0.85 miles (94.7%) physically divided with a median barrier.
Northbound
- Neighboring Addresses 1 : 0-10
- Approx. Local Trips per Day 2 : 0-50
- Access Points 3 : 3
- Conflict Points 4 : 6
- Conflict Points/Mile: 6.667
Southbound
- Neighboring Addresses 1 : 0-10
- Approx. Local Trips per Day 2 : 0-50
- Access Points 3 : 5
- Conflict Points 4 : 10
- Conflict Points/Mile: 11.111
Segment E
Sugarloaf Road to Glenwood Cutoff
Segment E begins at Sugarloaf Road and ends at the intersection with Glenwood Cutoff in Santa Cruz County. This segment is 0.4 miles in length, approximately 0.3 miles (75.3%) physically divided with a median barrier.
Northbound
- Neighboring Addresses 1 : 26-50
- Approx. Local Trips per Day 2 : 251-500
- Access Points 3 : 2
- Conflict Points 4 : 13
- Conflict Points/Mile: 35.500
Southbound
- Neighboring Addresses 1 : 101+
- Approx. Local Trips per Day 2 : 1,001+
- Access Points 3 : 2
- Conflict Points 4 : 13
- Conflict Points/Mile: 35.500
Segment F
Glenwood Cutoff to Post Mile 9.8
Segment F begins at the intersection with Glenwood Cutoff and ends at Post Mile 9.8, approximately 0.4 miles north of Laurel Road. This segment is 0.7 miles in length, with just under 0.7 miles (98.6%) physically divided with a median barrier.
Northbound
- Neighboring Addresses 1 : 101+
- Approx. Local Trips per Day 2 : 1,001+
- Access Points 3 : 2
- Conflict Points 4 : 4
- Conflict Points/Mile: 5.714
Southbound
- Neighboring Addresses 1 : 0-10
- Approx. Local Trips per Day 2 : 0-50
- Access Points 3 : 1
- Conflict Points 4 : 2
- Conflict Points/Mile: 2.857
Segment G
Post Mile 9.8 to Post Mile 10.9
Segment G begins at Post Mile 9.8, approximately 0.4 miles north of Laurel Road, and ends at Post Mile 10.9, approximately 0.3 miles north of Glenwood Drive. This segment is 1.1 miles in length, approximately 1.0 mile (93.1%) physically divided with a median barrier.
Northbound
- Neighboring Addresses 1 : 0-10
- Approx. Local Trips per Day 2 : 51-100
- Access Points 3 : 4
- Conflict Points 4 : 8
- Conflict Points/Mile: 7.273
Southbound
- Neighboring Addresses 1 : 51-75
- Approx. Local Trips per Day 2 : 251-500
- Access Points 3 : 3
- Conflict Points 4 : 15
- Conflict Points/Mile: 13.636
Segment H
Post Mile 10.9 to Post Mile 11.9
Segment H begins at Post Mile 10.9, approximately 0.3 miles north of Glenwood Drive, and ends at Post Mile 11.9, approximately 0.5 miles north of Old Santa Cruz Highway. This segment is 1.0 mile in length, approximately 0.5 miles (50.4%) physically divided with a median barrier.
Northbound
- Neighboring Addresses 1 : 26-50
- Approx. Local Trips per Day 2 : 501-1,000
- Access Points 3 : 7
- Conflict Points 4 : 32
- Conflict Points/Mile: 32
Southbound
- Neighboring Addresses 1 : 26-50
- Approx. Local Trips per Day 2 : 501-1,000
- Access Points 3 : 6
- Conflict Points 4 : 28
- Conflict Points/Mile: 28
Segment I
Post Mile 11.9 to Summit Road
Segment I begins at Post Mile 11.9, approximately 0.5 miles north of Old Santa Cruz Highway, and ends at Summit Road near the Santa Cruz-Santa Clara County Line. This segment is 0.7 miles in length, completely divided with a median barrier.
Northbound
- Neighboring Addresses 1 : 101+
- Approx. Local Trips per Day 2 : 1,001+
- Access Points 3 : 1
- Conflict Points 4 : 0
- Conflict Points/Mile: 0
Southbound
- Neighboring Addresses 1 : 101+
- Approx. Local Trips per Day 2 : 1,001+
- Access Points 3 : 2
- Conflict Points 4 : 2
- Conflict Points/Mile: 3.063
- Neighboring Addresses: An estimate of addresses within a 3 mile buffer of the highway segment. (Source: Santa Cruz County GIS; Map made by Caltrans)
- Approximate Local Trips per Day: The average daily trips of households and businesses (Institute of Transportation Engineers (ITE) Trip Generation Manual 8th Edition. (2008). Retrieved from: http://www.ite.org/tripgeneration/trippubs.asp )
- Access point: An entrance to the highway
- Conflict point: An area where two vehicles’ paths can either cross, merge, or diverge.
Conflict Points
Conflict point describes an area where two vehicles’ paths can either cross, merge, or diverge. An entrance to a highway (access point) can have one or more conflict points. Each conflict point is a location associated with increased levels of roadway accidents. The diagrams below show an example of how the installation of a physical barrier reduces conflict points.
