[Ord. 1005, 5/23/2011]
Due to the need to better define the impacts of a proposed project
upon the community and surrounding environment, Hatboro Borough may
require the preparation of special studies in accordance with this
Part.
[Ord. 1005, 5/23/2011]
1.
Purpose. This study and report will be used to assess the effect
of a proposed subdivision, land development, or zoning change on the
transportation system in Hatboro Borough. The purpose of the study
is to ensure that proposed developments or zoning changes do not adversely
affect the transportation network, to identify any traffic problems
associated with site access, to determine traffic problems on Borough,
county or state streets in the vicinity of the proposed project and
to determine where future streets are required. The study also will
assist in the protection of air quality, the conservation of energy,
and the safety of the motoring public. The study will also present
specific determination of necessary traffic control signing (i.e.,
stop signs, speed limit signing, warning signs, no parking signing,
etc.), conforming to applicable commonwealth regulations and applicable
Hatboro Borough requirements.
2.
Conduct of Traffic Management Study. The traffic management study shall be prepared by a qualified engineer and/or transportation planner with previous traffic study experience. The requirements, procedures, and standards for a traffic management study are set forth in Subsection 4.
3.
LEVEL-OF-SERVICE
MAJOR INTERSECTION
QUEUE ANALYSIS
STUDY AREA
TRIP GENERATION
VOLUME/CAPACITY ANALYSIS
WARRANTS FOR TRAFFIC SIGNAL INSTALLATION
Definitions.
This evaluation is defined in the latest version of the Highway
Capacity Manual, Special Report 209, operational conditions within
a traffic stream (or at an intersection approach). Level-of-service
is indicated by speed, travel time, freedom to maneuver, traffic interruptions,
comfort and convenience, and safety. Six levels of service are defined
for each type of traffic facility, ranging from A to F. Level-of-service
"A" indicates free flow; level-of-service "B" indicates stable flow;
level-of-service "C" indicates stable, but inhibited flow; level-of-service
"D" indicates high density, restricted stable flow; level-of-service
"E" indicates operation at or near capacity; and level-of-service
"F" is indicative of flow breakdown.
Any intersection, where traffic generated by the proposal
will have a significant effect on the flow of traffic through the
intersection. Where doubt exists, the qualified traffic engineer and/or
transportation planner shall seek guidance from the Borough and/or
the Borough Engineer prior to the submission of the study.
This procedure includes the average queue and maximum queue
of vehicles which will be observed in each traffic stream and intersection
approach, measured in both feet and vehicles. Various statistical
and/or computer models may be applied.
This area will extend along all borough, county, and state
roads serving the development and will extend to all major intersections
along all roads within 1/2 mile of the site involved. Where doubt
exists, the qualified traffic engineer and/or transportation planner
will seek guidance from Hatboro Borough and/or the Borough Engineer
prior to the submission of the study.
The total count of trips to and from a study site per unit
of land use (i.e., acres, dwelling units, etc.) as established by
the most recent edition of the Institute of Transportation Engineers,
Trip Generation Report. For land uses not listed in this report or
if information is determined through a small sample size, the qualified
traffic engineer and/or transportation planner shall seek guidance
from Hatboro Borough or designee prior to the submission of the study.
This procedure compares the volume of a traffic facility
to its capacity. The procedure described in the latest version of
the Highway Capacity Manual, Transportation Research Board, Special
Report 209, shall be followed.
This is a series of warrants which detail the minimum traffic
volume, pedestrian volume, or other criteria necessary for the installation
of a traffic signal. These criteria are contained in the most recent
edition of the manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices for Streets
and Highways, by FHWA.
4.
General Requirements and Standards for a Traffic Management Study.
A traffic management study shall follow the outline in Subsection
4A and include information as contained in Subsection 4B.
B.
Traffic Management Report Guidelines. The report made after the study
shall be in the following format and contain the following information
unless any part of the following requirements are specifically waived
by Hatboro Borough:
(1)
Introduction. The objective of this section is to clearly identify
the land use and transportation setting for the site and its surrounding
area.
(a)
Site and Study Area Boundaries. A brief description of the size,
location, general terrain features, proposed land uses, construction,
staging, and completion date of the proposed land development. If
the development is residential, types of dwelling units, and number
of bedrooms shall be included. Also, the description shall include
probable socioeconomic characteristics of site users with respect
to transportation needs of the site (i.e., number of senior citizens).
(b)
Existing and Proposed Site Uses. The existing and proposed uses
of the site shall be identified in terms of type and zoning classification
category.
(c)
Existing and Proposed Nearby Development. A complete description
of the existing land uses in the vicinity of the site, as well as
their current zoning, proposed uses for adjacent land, other major
existing and proposed land development.
(d)
Existing and Proposed Roadways and Intersections. The description
shall contain full documentation of the proposed internal and existing
external transportation system. This description shall include proposed
internal vehicular, bicycle, and pedestrian circulation, all proposed
ingress and egress location, all internal roadways (widths and rights-of-way),
parking conditions, traffic channelization, and any traffic signals
or other intersection control devices at all intersections within
the site.
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Also, locations for all signing (i.e., speed limits, etc.) shall
be shown and verified.
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The report shall describe the entire external roadway system
within the study area. Major intersections in the study area shall
be identified and illustrated. All existing and proposed public transportation
services and facilities within a one mile radius of the site shall
also be documented. All future highway improvements within Hatboro
Borough and the study area, including proposed construction and traffic
signalization, shall be noted. Improvements cited within the most
recent Hatboro Borough Comprehensive Plan shall be referenced. Improvements
from the Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission's three-year
Transportation Improvement Program and PennDOT's twelve-year
State Transportation Improvement Program (TIP), within Hatboro Borough
and the study area, shall also be noted. Any proposed, or in-place
roadway improvements due to proposed surrounding developments shall
be noted.
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(2)
Analysis of Existing Conditions. This section shall describe
the results of the volume/capacity analysis to be completed for the
roadways and intersections in the study area under existing conditions
as well as any data collection efforts that are required.
(a)
Daily and Peak Hour Volumes. Schematic diagrams shall be presented
depicting existing traffic (ADT), the weekday peak highway traffic
hour(s) and peak development generated hour(s), and the Saturday peak
traffic hour. All documentation must be contained in the report. Turning
movement and mainline volumes shall be presented for all peak hour
conditions (weekday a.m. peak, weekday p.m. peak, weekday site generated
and Saturday peak) while only mainline volumes are required for ADTs.
Source and method of computation must be included. The turning movement
counts must take place on a Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday and shall
be completed in normal driving conditions when school is in session
(i.e., counts shall not be performed in inclement weather or icy/snowy
conditions). The morning peak period counted shall be 7:00 a.m. to
9:00 a.m. and the afternoon peak period counted shall be 4:00 p.m.
to 6:00 p.m.
(b)
Volume/Capacity Analyses at Critical Points. A volume/capacity
analysis based upon existing volumes shall be performed during the
weekday and Saturday peak traffic hour(s) and the peak development
generated hour(s) for all roadways and major intersections in the
study area.
(c)
Levels-of-Service at Critical Points. Based on the results obtained
in the previous section, levels-of-service are to be computed and
presented in schematic form. Included in this section shall also be
description of typical operating conditions at each level-of-service.
(3)
Analysis of Future Conditions Without Proposed Development.
This section shall describe the anticipated traffic volumes in the
future and the ability of the roadway network to accommodate this
traffic without the proposed development. The future year(s) for which
projections are made shall be development completion year unless reported
otherwise by Hatboro Borough. Factors used within this section include,
but are not limited to, background traffic growth expansion and traffic
generated by other proposed developments as well as associated improvements.
(a)
Daily and Peak Hour Traffic Volumes. This section shall clearly
indicate the method and assumptions used to forecast future volumes
in order the Borough personnel can duplicate these calculations.
(b)
Volume/Capacity Analyses at Critical Points. The ability of the roadway system to accommodate future traffic (without the proposed development) is to be described in this section. If roadway improvements or modifications are committed for implementation, the volume/capacity analysis shall be presented for these conditions. Periods of analysis shall be presented for these conditions. Periods of analysis shall be the same as those previously performed in Subsection 4B(2).
(4)
Analysis of Future Conditions with Proposed Development. This
section describes the adequacy of the roadway system to accommodate
future traffic with development of the site.
(a)
Trip Generation. The estimation of vehicular trips to result
from the proposal shall be completed for average weekday, average
Saturday, peak traffic hours during the weekday a.m. and p.m. peak
traffic hours, the weekday peak development generated hour and the
Saturday peak hour. These development generated traffic volumes shall
be provided for the in-bound and out-bound traffic movements as estimated
and the reference source(s) and methodology followed shall be documented.
Any characteristics of the site which may cause particular trip generation
problems shall be noted.
(b)
Trip Distribution. The direction of approach for site generated
traffic will be presented in this section for the appropriate time
periods. As with all technical analysis steps, the basic method and
assumptions used in this work must be clearly stated in order that
Hatboro Borough officials may replicate these results.
(c)
Traffic Assignment. This section describes the utilization of
study area roadways by site generated traffic. The proposed traffic
volumes to describe mainline and turning movement volumes for future
conditions with the site developed as proposed. Traffic volumes shall
be assigned to individual access points. If school crossings are to
be used, pedestrian volumes shall be assigned to each crossing.
(d)
Daily and Peak Hour Traffic Volumes. Mainline and turning movement
volumes shall be presented, in schematic form, for the highway network
in the study area as well as driveways and internal circulation roadways
for the appropriate time periods (identified previously).
(e)
Volume/Capacity Analyses at Critical Points. A volume/capacity
analysis shall be performed for the appropriate peak hours for future
conditions with the site development as proposed.
(5)
Recommended Improvements. A description of proposed improvements to remedy deficiencies shall be included in this section. Improvements shall be identified which would replace capacity and/or return pre-development levels of service conditions. Alternative improvement scheme shall be presented for post-development traffic volumes to operate at a minimum level-of-service "D" and level-of-service "E" and in no circumstance leave post-development levels-of-service at unacceptable conditions (level "F"). These recommendations shall separately identify committed projects of governmental agencies which were described and independently identified in Subsection 4B(1)(d).
(a)
Proposed Recommended Improvements. This section shall describe
the location, nature, and extent of proposed improvements to assure
sufficient capacity. The listing of recommended improvements shall
include, but not be limited to, the following elements: internal circulation
design, speed limit, stop and no parking sign locations, site access
location and design, external roadway and intersection design and
improvements, and traffic signal installation and operation including
phasing and timing. All physical roadway improvements shall be shown
in sketches. This listing shall also include, for each improvement:
preliminary cost estimates, funding source, timing and likelihood
of the improvement implementation, and the party responsible for the
improvement.
(b)
Volume/Capacity Analyses at Critical Points. Another iteration
of the volume/capacity analysis shall be presented and described which
demonstrates the anticipated results of making recommended improvements.
(c)
Levels of Service at Critical Points. Based on the results obtained
in the previous section, levels-of-service for the study area with
improvements shall be provided.
