Nick LaCroix, PE PTOE

Nick has over 20 years of multi-disciplinary experience leading traffic engineering, municipal engineering, site development, and road design projects.  He has performed as the project manager and lead engineer for numerous traffic analyses ranging from large freeway interchanges, corridor studies, commercial site developments, large scale industrial and manufacturing facilities, campus transportation studies, and non-motorized/pedestrian studies. Traffic engineering expertise includes transportation planning, campus planning, traffic impact studies, corridor plans, crash analyses, maintenance of traffic plans, signal timing optimization, traffic calming, parking studies, pedestrian safety, and non-motorized facilities.

Nick has experience utilizing multiple traffic engineering software packages, including Synchro/SimTraffic, VISSIM and Transmodeler.

Nick has completed numerous traffic engineering projects throughout Michigan and Indiana in his career. A representative list of projects where Nick has served as the project manager and/or lead traffic engineer is shown below.

54th Street Corridor Study - Wyoming, MI

The 54th Street corridor study included the analysis of 54th Street from Clyde Park Avenue to the US-131 interchange.  The study included an analysis of the existing operating conditions, including a crash analysis at the 54th Street intersection with the US-131 southbound off-ramp. An existing origin-destination study and queuing analysis was also performed at the entrance driveway to the Meijer site and the westbound approach to Clyde Park Avenue.  Several alternatives were developed to improve operations along 54th Street, including reconfiguring the existing Meijer Driveway to oppose the US-131 southbound off-ramp and form the 4th leg of the signalized intersection.  Conceptual graphics of the recommended alternative and geometrics were also developed.    

Woodward Avenue Widetrack Loop Two-Way Conversion Study - Pontiac, MI

This study included a comprehensive traffic analysis to examine the conversion of the existing Widetrack Loop surrounding downtown Pontiac to two-way operation in order to improve connectivity between the CBD and adjacent neighborhoods.  Tasks included the development of a detailed Transmodeler microsimulation model to project the shift in traffic patterns after the conversion to two-way operation.  O-D data surrounding the study area was collected using wireless technologies to aide in calibrating the existing conditions Transmodeler microsimulation model.  Using the model outputs and capacity analyses, conceptual geometrics were developed, capital and operational improvements were identified, cost estimates were developed for the preferred alternatives, and the results were summarized in a final report and presented to stakeholders.

I-96/Cascade Road Interchange Study - Grand Rapids, MI

As part of the I-96/Cascade Road interchange reconstruction project, an interchange feasibility study was completed.  Two interchange configurations were analyzed, including a partial cloverleaf and a Diverging Diamond Interchange (DDI).  Conceptual geometrics for both options were developed, including a comprehensive traffic analysis, traffic simulation with VISSIM software, and cost estimates.  MDOT selected the DDI concept, which was the second DDI in Michigan.  The preferred concept utilizes two bridges to carry Cascade Road over I-96 providing for better geometrics at the crossovers as well as construction staging benefits as one bridge can be constructed over I-96 while the existing bridge is maintained. 

I-94/Portage-Kilgore Interchange Analysis - Kalamazoo, MI

An interchange feasibility study was completed at the I-94/Portage-Kilgore interchange to determine the best interchange configuration.  Several alternatives were developed to improve the interchange, including a Diverging Diamond Interchange (DDI), Single Point Urban Interchange (SPUI), and roundabouts. The analysis included developing detailed microsimulation models of the interchange alternatives using VISSIM software.  Conceptual plans and cost estimates were also developed for each alternative for consideration by MDOT Southwest Region.

US 131/Wealthy Street Interchange Study - Grand Rapids, MI

The US 131/Wealthy Street interchange study focused on short-term improvements that could address numerous complaints related to peak-hour traffic congestion, particularly the northbound off-ramp.  Tasks included data collection, preliminary analysis of over ten options, and detailed analysis on several alternatives selected by MDOT.  A final report was developed that included the traffic analysis results, conceptual geometric plans, and cost estimates for the selected alternatives.      

Lincoln Avenue Corridor Study - Goshen, IN

The City of Goshen commissioned the Lincoln Avenue corridor study to analyze the impacts of reducing the number of vehicular travel lanes to accommodate a new bicycle facility.  The study included a one-mile segment of Lincoln Avenue from Indiana Avenue to 8th Street, including six signalized intersections and several unsignalized intersections.  Existing operating conditions were evaluated, including a crash analysis along the corridor, as part of the study to establish the base conditions. Several bicycle facility alternatives and roadway cross-sections were then evaluated and compared to make recommendations for a preferred alternative.  Optimized signal timings and conceptual graphics were also developed for each alternative.

University of Michigan Hayward St. Pedestrian Crossing - Ann Arbor, MI

An evaluation of an existing mid-block crosswalk located on the UM North Campus was completed due to ongoing complaints.  Tasks included collecting vehicular speed and volume data, pedestrian data, and site geometrics.  A final report was developed outlining recommendations to increase pedestrian safety at the mid-block crosswalk.    

8th Street Cycle Track - Traverse City, MI

As part of a larger utility project, the City of Traverse City desired to reconstruct the existing 4-lane roadway as a 3-lane cross-section with a cycle track.  In addition to reviewing and confirming the previous traffic analyses along the corridor with updated traffic data, detailed plans and specifications were developed to implement the new cross-section.  These plans included detour sheets, maintenance of traffic plans, permanent pavement markings and signage for the roadway and cycle track, several mid-block crosswalks with Rectangular Rapid Flash Beacons (RRFB), and signal timing optimization. 

University of Michigan North Campus Non-Motorized Master Plan Update - Ann Arbor, MI

In order to increase pedestrian safety on the UM North Campus, a non-motorized transportation plan was developed. Tasks included a review of non-motorized elements of the North Campus, campus wide traffic and pedestrian data collection, pedestrian safety review, and developing a list of approximately 50 recommendations for immediate, mid-term, and long-term improvements.   

M-44 from Wolverine Blvd to Myers Lake Ave - Kent County, MI

As part of the M-44 reconstruction project, a transportation management plan was developed to determine impacts the project may have on the surrounding roadway network. The project included a partial closure of M-44, requiring traffic to be detoured.  The mobility analysis resulted in recommendations to modify existing signal timings along the detour route and potentially install a temporary traffic signal.  The TMP also included travel time calculations, a crash analysis and safety review, transportation operations plan, performance assessment plan, and public information plan.  

Robinson Road Maintenance of Traffic Plans - East Grand Rapids, MI

Maintenance of traffic plans were developed for review and approval by Kent County and the City of East Grand Rapids as part of the Robinson Road watermain lining project.  MOT plans were developed to maintain two-way traffic along Robinson Road throughout construction by shifting and narrowing lanes within the existing pavement cross-section.  The MOT plans were developed to meet MDOT, City, and Kent County Road Commission standards and submitted to KCRC for review and approval prior to implementation. 

Stadium Blvd Reconstruction - Ann Arbor, MI

As the Stadium Blvd reconstruction project was anticipated to have significant impact to the surrounding roadway network, a comprehensive traffic modeling and microsimulation study was completed to determine the impacts of a full closure of Stadium Blvd and Main Street in Ann Arbor.  Over 30 intersections were evaluated with recommendations being developed to mitigate the impact of the detoured traffic.  Recommendations included temporarily restriping existing roadways to add capacity, signal timing adjustments, and prohibiting turn movements.

General Motors Assembly Plant - Arlington, TX

The existing GM Arlington assembly plant site was undergoing a major expansion project impacting existing parking lots within the site. Tasks included the evaluation of existing and future parking demand within the site for 3,000 GM employees and 650 construction workers present on the site.  An evaluation was completed to quantify the change in parking demand resulting from staggering work shifts. Recommendations were also developed to expand existing parking facilities onsite to address the parking impacts related to the construction project.