Anatomy of Traffic Safety Columbia County Bureau of Transportation Safety Revised: 11/3/16
Characteristics of the County and the Road Network Columbia County is a metropolitan county within the Madison metropolitan area according to the U.S. census. It is also adjacent to the Beaver Dam and Baraboo urban clusters. 27.76% of the county s population live in urban areas. Adams County is to its northwest, Marquette County is to its north, Green Lake County is to its northeast, Dodge County is to its east, Dane County is to its south, and Sauk County is to its west. The Wisconsin River forms a valley and travels along the county s western boundary in the northwest and the southwest, and in the west central part of the county the river is not along the western boundary and it has a large bend. On the west side of the river is the town of Caledonia, which is directly connected to the rest of the county by three bridges. The Fox River meanders through northern areas of the county. There are 50 lakes in the county, including Lake Wisconsin, a reservoir along the Wisconsin River. Others include Mud Lake, French Creek Lake, Swan Lake, and Park Lake. Significant natural areas include the Dells of the Wisconsin River, the Baraboo Range, French Creek Wildlife Area, Pine Island Wildlife Area, Peter Helland Wildlife Area, Gibraltar Rock, Swan Lake Wildlife Area, and the MacKenzie Center. Three Interstate highways enter the county from the south in a concurrency: I-39, I-90, and I-94. I-39 is designated as a north-south highway, and I-90 and I-94 are designated as east-west highways. They travel through rural areas of the county in the town of Arlington and the town of Dekorra, and then cross the Wisconsin River. Near the Baraboo River in the town of Caledonia, I-39 diverges from I-90/94. I-39 continues to the north, bypassing Portage, and I-90/94 heads to the northwest and exits the county. To the west, I-90/94 carries traffic to and from Lake Delton, Wisconsin Dells (outside of Columbia County), and Mauston. I-90 carries traffic to and from La Crosse, while I-94 carries traffic to and from Eau Claire and Minneapolis/Saint Paul (MN). To the north, I-39 carries traffic to and from Endeavor, Westfield, Stevens Point, and Wausau. South of Columbia County, I-39/90/94 carries traffic to and from DeForest, Windsor, and Madison, after which I-39/90 continues toward Illinois and I-94 continues toward Milwaukee. United States Highway (USH) 151 is designated as a north-south freeway traveling from southwest to northeast across the southeastern corner of the county bypassing Columbus. USH 151 carries traffic between Sun Prairie and Madison to the south and Beaver Dam, Waupun, and Fond du Lac to the north. USH 51, a north-south highway, travels through Arlington, Poynette, and Portage. North of Portage, USH 51 is concurrent with I-39 as the highways exit the county. To the south, USH 51 travels to DeForest, Windsor, and Madison. State Trunk Highway (STH) 16 travels from northwest to southeast through Wisconsin Dells, Portage, Wyocena, Rio, Fall River, and Columbus. STH 16 is concurrent with USH 51 from Portage south to a point due west from Wyocena. STH 60 travels from east to west across the southern portion of the county through Lodi, Arlington, and Columbus. STH 60 is concurrent with USH 51 from Arlington east for about two miles. In Columbus, STH 16 and STH 60 become concurrent as the highways exit the county to the east, with both highways heading toward Lowell, STH 16 continuing toward Watertown and Oconomowoc, and STH 60 heading toward Hartford. To the west, STH 60 heads toward Sauk City,
Prairie du Sac, and Spring Green. STH 13 and STH 23 enter the county in a concurrency with STH 16 from the west, connecting Wisconsin Dells to I-90/94 outside of the county. In Wisconsin Dells, the concurrency of the three highways splits, with STH 13 heading north toward Adams, Friendship, and Wisconsin Rapids, STH 23 heading east toward Endeavor, Montello, and Fond du Lac, and STH 16 traveling southeast through the county as mentioned. To the west, STH 23 heads to Lake Delton, Reedsburg, and Spring Green, while STH 16 travels alongside I-90/94 to Lyndon Station and Mauston. STH 33 travels from east to west, traveling through Portage. To the west, STH 33 travels to Baraboo, and to the east it travels to Fox Lake and Beaver Dam and connects with a highway that carries traffic to and from Waupun. STH 146 begins at STH 33 in the town of Randolph north of Cambria and heads south through Cambria to STH 16 just west of Fall River in the town of Fountain Prairie. STH 22 begins at the east end of the USH 51/STH 60 concurrency in the town of Leeds east of Arlington and heads north through Wyocena and Pardeeville before heading to Montello and Wautoma. STH 44 begins at STH 22 in Pardeeville and heads east then northeast. STH 44 is briefly concurrent with STH 33 for one mile in and near the community of Marcellon, and then it heads northeast toward Kingston, Markesan, Ripon, and Oshkosh. STH 73 travels near and along the eastern border of the county, entering and exiting the county three times, traveling through Randolph and Columbus. To the north, STH 73 travels toward Princeton and Neshkoro, and to the south it heads toward Marshall, Deerfield, and Edgerton. STH 89 begins at STH 73 in Columbus and heads south toward Waterloo, Lake Mills, and Fort Atkinson. STH 127 begins at STH 16 on the northwest side of Portage and it travels through rural areas in the town of Lewiston and the town of Newport before ending at STH 16 just east of Wisconsin Dells. STH 78 begins at the junction of I-39 and I-90/94 in the town of Caledonia and heads southwest toward Merrimac, Prairie du Sac, Sauk City, Black Earth, and Mount Horeb. STH 113 travels across the southwestern corner of the county, traveling through Lodi. To the south, STH 113 carries traffic to and from Dane, Waunakee, and Madison. To the north, the highway crosses Lake Wisconsin on the seasonal Merrimac Ferry, and then travels to Merrimac and Baraboo. STH 188 begins at STH 113 at the Merrimac Ferry in the town of West Point northwest of Lodi and heads southwest along the Wisconsin River into Dane County. Doylestown, just north of STH 16, is along County Trunk Highway (CTH) A, which connects to STH 16 between Rio and Fall River in the town of Otsego and STH 146 in the town of Courtland south of Cambria. It is also along CTH Z, which connects with STH 146 in the town of Fountain Prairie. Friesland is northeast of Cambria, northwest of Randolph, and just north of STH 33. It is along CTH EF, which connects with STH 33 in the town of Randolph. There are 1,738 miles of roadway in the county, including 278 (16.0%) miles of state roads, 357 (20.5%) miles of county roads, and 1,103 (63.5%) miles of local roads. In 2015, there were 23,340 autos, 4,166 cycles, 5,530 trailers, and 32,884 trucks registered in Columbia County. VMT in 2015 was 1,009,837,835.
Municipalities Incorporated municipalities account for 55.6% of the county s population. The city of Portage is the largest municipality in the county, followed by the city of Columbus, the town of Lodi, the town of Pacific, and the village of Poynette. 91.2% of the population of Wisconsin Dells reside in Columbia County, 6.6% reside in Sauk County, 2.2% reside in Adams County, and an unpopulated section of the city is in Juneau County. 26.0% of the population of Randolph reside in Columbia County, and the rest live in Dodge County. An unpopulated section of Columbus is in Dodge County. The following table 1 includes 2015 population estimates for the municipalities within the county as of January 1, 2015. For municipalities in multiple counties, the table only includes the population that resides in the county. Place Name Final Estimate 2015 T Arlington 808 T Caledonia 1,403 T Columbus 650 T Courtland 530 T Dekorra 2,327 T Fort Winnebago 823 T Fountain Prairie 895 T Hampden 580 T Leeds 774 T Lewiston 1,232 T Lodi 3,307 T Lowville 1,012 T Marcellon 1,103 T Newport 588 T Otsego 695 T Pacific 2,714 T Randolph 772 T Scott 916 T Springvale 525 T West Point 1,983 T Wyocena 1,683 V Arlington 825 V Cambria 765 V Doylestown 294 V Fall River 1,713 V Friesland 355 V Pardeeville 2,110 V Poynette 2,531 V Randolph 469 V Rio 1,062 V Wyocena 755 C Columbus 5,042 C Lodi 3,071 C Portage 10,281 C Wisconsin Dells 2,435 COUNTY POPULATION 57,028 1 1 Source: Wisconsin Demographic Services Center
Emergency Medical Services Columbia County has two designated trauma centers. Divine Savior Healthcare in Portage is a level III trauma center and Columbus Community Hospital in Columbus is a level IV trauma center. Not having access to a level I or level II trauma facility within Columbia County gives residents a lesser chance of receiving the best possible outcomes from crash incidents. University of Wisconsin Hospital and Clinics in Madison, a level I trauma center, is 40 miles away from Portage, the county seat.
As of 2015, there are 224 emergency medical technicians (EMTs) in Columbia County operating out of 11 different EMS providers. A complete list of emergency service providers is listed below. Emergency Service Provider Number of EMTs ARLINGTON EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICE 18 CAMBRIA COMMUNITY AMB SVC 10 DIVINE SAVIOR EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICE 64 Divine Savior TEMS UNIT 4 FRIESLAND FIRST RESPONDERS 13 LODI AREA EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICE 23 PARDEEVILLE DIST AMB SERVICE 29 PORTAGE FIRE DEPARTMENT FIRST RESPONDERS 2 POYNETTE DEKORRA EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICE 30 RANDOLPH AMBULANCE ASSOCIATION 16 RIO AMBULANCE SERVICE 15 TOTAL 224 There are 3.93 EMTs per 1,000 persons in the county, compared to 3.85 EMTs per 1,000 persons statewide.
Economic Profile Manufacturing Accommodation and food services Retail trade Health care and social assistance Other services (except public administration) Construction Transportation and warehousing Wholesale trade Professional, scientific, and technical services Finance and insurance Real estate and rental and leasing Information Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting Industries not classified Columbia County by Employment Sector 0.0% 5.0% 10.0% 15.0% 20.0% 25.0% 2 Major employers in the county include American Packaging Corp. in Columbus, Best Painting Service, Columbus Community Hospital, and ENERPAC in Columbus; Associated Milk Producers Inc., Cardinal FG Co., Cascade Mountain Ski Area, Columbia Correctional Institution, Divine Savior, Lexington Logistics LLC, Northwoods Inc. of Wisconsin, Penda Form, Poly One Corp., Saint-Gobain Corp., Spectrum Brands, and Walmart Supercenter in Portage; Christmas Mountain Village, Dells Boat Tours, and Great Wolf Lodge in Wisconsin Dells; Del Monte Foods in Cambria; Everbrite LLC in Pardeeville; Fall River Group Inc., Robbins Manufacturing Inc., and Schumann Printers Inc. in Fall River; and Poynette Area Schools in Poynette. 3 2 Source: County Business Patterns, 2014 3 Source: Major Employers. Wisconsin s WORKnet. Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development.
Columbia County s unemployment rate has been similar to the state s unemployment rate for the last decade. Unemployment Rates, Columbia County & WI, 2006-2015 10.0% 9.0% 8.0% 7.0% 6.0% 5.0% 4.0% 3.0% 2.0% 1.0% 0.0% 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 Columbia County Wisconsin 4 5 Workers who Reside in Columbia County Work in: People who Work in Columbia County Reside in: Columbia County 13,773 Columbia County 13,773 Dane County 10,147 Dane County 1,669 Sauk County 2,246 Marquette County 1,451 Dodge County 1,079 Dodge County 1,184 Marquette County 302 Sauk County 1,176 Jefferson County 160 Adams County 577 Green Lake County 95 Green Lake County 292 Juneau County 78 Juneau County 247 Adams County 70 Fond du Lac County 86 Milwaukee County 56 Jefferson County 75 Others 710 Others 747 Commuters to and from Dane County likely use I-39/90/94 or USH 151, and they may use USH 51, STH 113, or some county highways. Commuters to and from Marquette County likely use I-39, and some may use STH 22. Within Wisconsin Dells, commuting traffic to and from Sauk County may take STH 13/16/23. Otherwise they may use I-90/94, STH 33, or STH 78. Most commuters to and from Dodge County likely use USH 151 or STH 33, and they may use STH 16/60. 4 Source: Unemployment rates, not seasonally adjusted. Bureau of Labor Statistics. 5 Source: American FactFinder, Geography Area Series: County Business Patterns 2013 Business Patterns - http://factfinder.census.gov/faces/nav/jsf/pages/index.xhtml
Arlington Cambria Columbus Doylestown Fall River Lodi Pardeeville Portage Poynette Randolph Rio Wisconsin Dells Wyocena Towns Total (By Liq. License) In 2013-2014, there were 208 licensed liquor establishments in the county. The following is a table of license type by municipality. Establishments within a municipality but outside the county are not included in the table. Class A beer (offsale) Class A liquor or Class A beer/class A liquor (off-sale) Class B beer only (on/off sales) Class B beer (on/off sales) and Class C wine Class B liquor or Class B beer and Class B liquor AB 1 2 2 1 3 1 1 4 15 AL or ALB 1 6 1 5 4 6 3 4 1 2 1 6 40 BB 1 5 7 13 BB & CW BL or BLB 1 4 6 1 12 2 2 12 1 5 5 4 29 6 4 3 15 1 36 125 others 1 1 1 3 Total (By Municipalities) 3 3 22 1 6 12 10 42 10 8 5 29 2 55 208 CODE AB AL ALB BB BL BLB CW DESCRIPTION Beer for sale off-site (convenience stores, grocery stores) Liquor for sale off-site (drug stores, wineries) Beer, wine, or liquor for sale off site Beer for sale on-site Liquor for sale on-site (winery) Beer or liquor for sale on-site (bars, supper clubs) Wine for sale on-site (restaurants) (usually in conjunction with BB)
Liquor Licenses in Columbia County, 2013-2014 0.0% 20.0% 40.0% 60.0% 80.0% Liquor Licenses in Wisconsin, 2013-2014 0.0% 20.0% 40.0% 60.0% 80.0% AB 7.2% AB 8.4% AL or ALB 19.2% AL or ALB 16.1% BB 6.3% BB 6.1% BB & CW 5.8% BB & CW 3.6% BL or BLB 60.1% BL or BLB 64.6% others 1.4% others 1.2% Population Change Between April 2010 and January 2015, the Wisconsin Demographic Services Center estimates that the county has experienced 2,916 births and 2,298 deaths. 423 more persons are estimated to have moved away from Columbia County than have moved to the county during this time period. Overall, the county saw its population increase by 195 persons during this time period. The American Community Survey (ACS) projects that the median age of Columbia County is 41.9 years old as of 2014, which is older than the statewide median age of 38.8. 6 The ACS also estimated in 2014 that 15.4 % of Columbia County residents were ages 65 or greater, greater than the state average of 14.4%. 7 An aging population is more vulnerable to significant injuries in vehicle at any speed. 6 Age and Sex. U.S. Census Bureau, 2009-2014 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates 7 American Community Survey 5 year estimates, years 2009-2014
Median Age, Columbia Co. & Wisc., 2010-2014 44.0 42.0 40.0 38.0 36.0 34.0 32.0 30.0 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 Columbia County 40.7 40.9 41.3 41.7 41.9 Wisconsin 38.1 38.3 38.5 38.7 38.8 % of Population 65+, Columbia County and WI, 2010-2014 16.0% 15.5% 15.0% 14.5% 14.0% 13.5% 13.0% 12.5% 12.0% 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 Columbia County 14.3% 14.4% 14.7% 15.0% 15.4% Wisconsin 13.4% 13.5% 13.7% 14.1% 14.4% Financial Impacts of (2010-2014) In the years 2010-2014, there were on average $78,064,314.20 in total costs, including estimated medical costs, estimated other costs, and estimated quality of life costs annually. An estimated 293 years of life were lost as a result of annually. in which alcohol or drugs were a contributing factor resulted in $20,714,199.40 in total costs and 148.6 years of life annually. 8 8 University of Wisconsin-Madison, Center for Health Systems Research & Analysis, Wisconsin CODES Project: Wisconsin CODES Report Builder Custom Reporting System accessed on 10/20/2016
Crash Statistics in Columbia County by Type, 2011-2015 Averages Average Total Fatal Average Non-Fatal Injury Average Alcohol or Drug- Related Fatal Average Alcohol or Drug Related Non-Fatal Injury Average Speed Related Fatal Average Speed Related Non-Fatal Injury Average Inattention- Related Fatal Average Inattention- Related Non- Fatal Injury 9.0 286.0 4.2 27.4 2.2 99.6 2.6 94.4 Columbia County % of that were 0.6% % of alcohol or drug related to all 46.7% % of speed related to all 24.4% % of inattention related to all 28.9% Wisconsin % of that were 0.4% % of alcohol or drug related to all 48.5% % of speed related to all 28.2% % of inattention related to all 18.1%
Location of in Columbia County by Road Type, 2011-2015 Total Fatal Total Non-Fatal Injury Alcohol or Drug- Related Fatal Alcohol or Drug Related Non-Fatal Injury Speed Related Fatal Speed Related Non- Fatal Injury Inattention -Related Fatal Inattention - Related Non-Fatal Injury Interstate Highways 6.7% 16.5% 4.8% 10.2% 18.2% 22.9% 7.7% 14.4% US/State Highways 55.6% 44.9% 52.4% 38.0% 27.3% 29.3% 53.8% 54.9% County Highways 24.4% 17.8% 38.1% 28.5% 45.5% 27.1% 15.4% 10.0% Local Roads 13.3% 20.8% 4.8% 23.4% 9.1% 20.7% 23.1% 20.8% Driver Possible Contributing Circumstances for All in Columbia County, 2011-2015 Driver Possible Contributing Circumstances for All in Columbia County, 2011-2015 Driver Possible Contributing Circumstances for All in State of Wisconsin, 2011-2015 FAILURE TO CONTROL 24% INATTENTIVE DRIVING 21% INATTENTIVE DRIVING 22% FAILURE TO CONTROL 17% SPEED TOO FAST/COND 16% FAIL YIELD R-O-WAY 16% FAIL YIELD R-O-WAY 10% SPEED TOO FAST/COND 12% DRIVER CONDITION 6% FOLLOWING TOO CLOSE 9% FOLLOWING TOO CLOSE 5% DRIVER CONDITION 5% OTHER CATAGORIES 16% OTHER CATAGORIES 20%
Fatalities and Incapacitating A Injuries by Age and Gender 70 Fatalities and Incapacitating Injuries by Age, 2011-2015 4000 Fatalities and Incapacitating Injuries by Age, State of Wisconsin 2011-2015 60 3500 50 3000 40 30 20 2500 2000 1500 1000 10 500 0 4 & 5-14 15-2425-34 35-4445-5455-6465-7475-84 85 & under over 0 KILLED A-INJURY KILLED A-INJURY Fatalities and Incapacitating Injuries by Gender, 2011-2015 Fatalities and Incapacitating Injuries by Gender, State of Wisconsin 2011-2015 Female 35% Male 65% Female 41% Male 59%
Fatalities and Incapacitating A Injuries by State and Place of Residence Fatalities and Incapacitating "A" Injuries by State of Residence, 2011-2015 Fatalities and Incapacitating "A" Injuries by Place of Residence, 2011-2015 WI, 90% MN, 2% IL, 4% MI, 1% Other, 3% Local*, 59.6% Non-Local, 40.4% *Local is defined as persons with addresses that have ZIP codes fully or partially within Columbia County. Safety Equipment Usage in Passenger Cars and Light Trucks during, 2011-2015 Belted Unbelted Fatalities and "A" Injuries 71.5% 28.5% Statewide Safety Belt Use Rate 90.0% 88.0% 86.0% 84.0% 82.0% 80.0% 78.0% 76.0% 74.0% 88.4% 84.7% 85.8% 82.4% 79.0% 79.9% 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016
2014-2016 Grant Participation Alcohol Occupant Protection Speed Columbia County Sheriff's Office $25K, 77.1% liq. $5K, 68.3% liq. $8K, 66.7% liq. Columbus Police Dept Fall River Police Dept Lodi Police Dept Portage Police Dept Poynette Police Dept Randolph Police Dept Rio Police Dept Wisconsin Dells Police Dept $14.9K, 97.3% liq. $6.8K, 87.1% liq. Wyocena Police Dept Columbia County Sheriff's Office Columbus Police Dept Fall River Police Dept Lodi Police Dept Portage Police Dept Poynette Police Dept Randolph Police Dept Rio Police Dept Wisconsin Dells Police Dept Wyocena Police Dept 2014 2015 $10K, 94.8% liq. 2016 Columbia County Sheriff's Office Was Eligible (spring) Was Eligible Columbus Police Dept Was Eligible (spring) Was Eligible Fall River Police Dept Was Eligible (spring) Was Eligible Lodi Police Dept Was Eligible (spring) Was Eligible Portage Police Dept Was Eligible (spring) Was Eligible Poynette Police Dept Was Eligible (spring) Was Eligible Randolph Police Dept Was Eligible (spring) Was Eligible Rio Police Dept Was Eligible (spring) Was Eligible Wisconsin Dells Police Dept Was Eligible Was Eligible (spring) Was Eligible Wyocena Police Dept Was Eligible (spring) Was Eligible Columbia County Sheriff's Office Columbus Police Dept Fall River Police Dept Lodi Police Dept Portage Police Dept Poynette Police Dept Randolph Police Dept Rio Police Dept Wisconsin Dells Police Dept Wyocena Police Dept 2017
Columbia County Sheriff s Office received a summer festival event grant in 2014, 2015, and 2016. It also participates on the Sheriffs Traffic and OWI Patrols (STOP) Task Force with five other sheriff s offices. The Columbia County OWI Task Force consists of the Wisconsin Dells Police Department, Columbia County Sheriff s Office, Lodi Police Department, Portage Police Department, and Randolph Police Department. The Columbia County Speed Task Force and the Columbia County Seat Belt Task Force consists of Wisconsin Dells Police Department, Columbia County Sheriff s Office, Lodi Police Department, Fall River Police Department, Portage Police Department, and Wyocena Police Department. In 2015, the Wisconsin Dells PD and Lake Delton PD OWI Task Force consisted of Lake Delton Police Department, Wisconsin Dells Police Department, Columbia County Sheriff s Office, Columbus Police Department, and Lodi Police Department. Agency Mobilizations 2014-2015 Columbia County Sheriff's Office 2014 Alcohol Crackdown 2014 Booze and Belts 2014 CIOT 2015 Drive Sober 2015 Booze and Belts Columbus Police Dept Yes Yes Yes Yes Fall River Police Dept Yes Yes Yes Yes Lodi Police Dept Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Portage Police Dept Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Poynette Police Dept Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Randolph Police Dept Yes Yes Yes Yes Rio Police Dept Yes Yes Wisconsin Dells Police Dept Wyocena Police Dept Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 2015 CIOT The Wisconsin State Patrol participates in all three mobilizations each year. Law enforcement agencies in Columbia County should participate for the chance to win an equipment grant. TraCS Participation Columbia County Sheriff's Office TraCS 10 Columbus Police Dept TraCS 10 Fall River Police Dept TraCS 10 Lodi Police Dept TraCS 10 Portage Police Dept TraCS 10 Poynette Police Dept No Randolph Police Dept TraCS 10 Rio Police Dept TraCS 10 Wisconsin Dells Police Dept TraCS 10 Wyocena Police Dept TraCS 10
Agencies Reporting Fatal and with Incapacitating A Injuries, 2010-2014 COLUMBIA COUNTY SHERIFF 149 COLUMBUS POLICE DEPARTMENT 9 LODI POLICE DEPARTMENT 4 PORTAGE POLICE DEPARTMENT 21 POYNETTE POLICE DEPARTMENT 7 WISCONSIN DELLS CITY POLICE DEPARTM 4 WISCONSIN STATE PATROL 35 WYOCENA POLICE DEPARTMENT 1 TOTAL 230 These agencies could work together to coordinate their enforcement to arrive at a strategy to prevent serious from occurring. Contact Information RPM Joe Davis (608) 598-9668 Joseph.DavisSr@dot.wi.gov SPM Tina BonDurant (608) 709-0077 Tina.BonDurant@dot.wi.gov