[Ord. No. 74-1977, § 301A, 7/12/1997; Ord. No. 2-2000, § 3, 9/26/2000]
All residential developments or subdivisions containing 20 or
more dwelling units or residential lots and all nonresidential developments
(with the exception of agricultural development) that generate 50
or more new peak hour trips shall provide studies and reports in accordance
with the requirements of this section. All applicants with developments
that do not meet the above stated criteria shall submit the information
required in Subsection 2D.
1.
The applicant is responsible for assessing the traffic impacts associated
with a proposed development that meets any condition set forth above.
The Township will review the applicant's assessment and supply available
data upon request to aid the applicant in preparing the study. The
applicant shall be responsible for all data collection efforts required
in preparing a traffic impact study including peak period turning
movement counts. In addition, the applicant is responsible for ensuring
that any submitted development plans meet the minimum state and local
standards for geometric design. The study shall be conducted by a
professional engineer licensed by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
and having specific training in traffic and transportation engineering.
The study shall be prepared according to Pennsylvania Department of
Transportation guidelines and Pennsylvania Department of Transportation
sources must be referenced in the study. Upon submission of a draft
study, the Township may review the data sources, methods and findings
and provide comments in written form. The applicant will then have
the opportunity to incorporate necessary revisions prior to submitting
a final study.
2.
Traffic impact study contents. A traffic impact study prepared for
a specific site development proposal shall follow the basic format
shown below. Additions or modifications should be made for a specific
site, when appropriate. This basic format allows for a comprehensive
understanding of the existing site, future conditions without the
proposed use and the impacts associated with the proposed development
plan. Following is a brief narrative for each section of a traffic
impact study:
A.
Introduction. This section identifies the land use and transportation
setting for the site and its surrounding area.
(1)
Site and study area boundaries. A brief description of the size
of the land parcel, general terrain features, legal right-of-way lines
of the highway, and the location within the jurisdiction and the region
should be included in this section. In addition, the roadways that
afford access to the site and are included in the study area should
be identified. The exact limits of the study area should be based
on engineering judgement and an understanding of existing traffic
conditions at the site. In all instances, however, the study limits
must be mutually agreed upon by the developer, its engineer and the
Township.
(2)
Site description. This section should contain a brief narrative
that describes the proposed development in terms of its function,
size and near and long term growth potential. This description should
be supplemented by a sketch which clearly shows the proposed development
within the site boundaries, its internal traffic circulation pattern
and the location and orientation of its proposed access points.
(3)
Existing and proposed site uses. The existing and proposed uses
of the site should be identified with reference to the applicable
zoning classification or classifications of the site. In addition,
identify the specific use upon which the study is premised, since
a number of uses may be permitted under the existing ordinances.
(4)
Existing and proposed nearby uses. Include a complete description
of the existing land uses in the vicinity of the site as well as their
current zoning. The applicant should also state the proposed uses
for adjacent land, if known. This latter item is especially important
where large tracts of underdeveloped land are in the vicinity of the
site and within the prescribed study area. The Township will provide
information to the applicant regarding proposed subdivisions and land
developments of which the Township has knowledge and which shall be
included in the study by the applicant.
(5)
Existing and proposed roadways and intersections. Within the
study area, describe existing roadways and intersections (geometries
and traffic signal control) as well as improvements contemplated by
government agencies.
B.
Analysis of existing conditions. This section describes 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:
(1)
Daily and peak hour(s) traffic volumes. Provide schematic diagrams
depicting daily and peak hour(s) traffic volumes for roadways within
the study area. Turning movement and mainline volumes are to be presented
for the three peak hour conditions (a.m., p.m. and site generated).
Mainline volumes are only required to reflect daily traffic volumes.
Include the source and/or method of computation for all traffic volumes.
Non-site traffic counts shall be based on actual counts not more than
two years old. Traffic may be required to be counted seven days per
week during, or adjusted to reflect the months of June through September
in areas that are seasonably affected by the local tourist industry.
(2)
Volume/capacity analysis at critical points. Utilizing techniques
described in the most current version of the Transportation Research
Board Highway Capacity Manual, highway capacity software, or derivative
nomographs, include an assessment of the relative balance between
roadway volumes and capacity. Perform the analysis for existing conditions
(roadway and geometry and traffic signal control) for the appropriate
peak hours.
(3)
Level of service at critical points. Based on the results obtained
in the previous section, levels of service (A through F) are to be
computed and presented. This section should also include a description
of typical operating conditions at each level of service. The recommended
level of service analysis procedures detailed in the most recent edition
of the Transportation Research Board Highway Capacity Manual must
be followed. This source must be referenced in the study.
C.
Analysis of future conditions without development. This section describes
the anticipated traffic volumes without the proposed development or
subdivision request. The future year(s) for which projections are
made will be specified by the Township and will be dependent on the
timing of the proposed development.
(1)
Daily and peak hour(s) traffic volume. Clearly indicate the method and assumptions used to forecast future traffic volumes in order that the Township can duplicate these calculations. The schematic diagrams depicting future traffic volumes will be similar to those described in Subsection 2B(1) in terms of location and times (daily and peak hours).
(2)
Volume/capacity analysis at critical locations. Describe the
ability of the existing roadway system to accommodate future traffic
(without site development). If roadway improvements or modifications
are committed for implementation, present the volume/capacity analysis
for these conditions.
(3)
Levels of service at critical points. Based on the results obtained
in the previous subsection, determine levels of service (A through
F).
D.
Trip generation. Identify the amount of traffic generated by the
site for daily and the three peak hour conditions (a.m., p.m. and
site generated). The trip generation rates used in this phase of the
analysis shall be justified and documented to the satisfaction of
the Township. The trip generation rates used for the proposed development
activity must be from the latest edition of the Trip Generation Manual
by the Institute of Traffic Engineers (ITE). This source must be referenced
in the study.
E.
Trip distribution. Identify the direction of travel for site generated
traffic 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 the Township can replicate these results.
F.
Traffic assignment. Describe the utilization of study area roadways
by site generated traffic. The proposed traffic volumes should then
be combined with anticipated traffic volumes from Subsection 3 to
describe mainline and turning movement volumes for future conditions
with the site developed as the applicant proposes.
G.
Analysis of future conditions with development. This section describes
the adequacy of the roadway system to accommodate future traffic with
development of the site.
(1)
Daily and peak hour(s) traffic volumes. Provide mainline and
turning movement volumes for the highway network in the study area
as well as driveway and internal circulation roadways for the appropriate
time periods.
(3)
Levels of service at critical points. As a result of the volume/capacity
analysis, compute and describe the level of service on the study area
roadway system.
H.
Highway capacity evaluation. All highway capacity evaluations shall
consider the overall intersection level of service and delay, and
evaluate each approach and movement to identify any substantial values
which need to be improved.
I.
Recommended improvements.
(1)
In the event that the analysis indicates unsatisfactory levels of service will occur on study area roadways, a description of proposed improvements to remedy deficiencies should be included in this section. These proposals would not include committed projects by the state and local jurisdictions that were described in Subsection 1 and reflected in the analysis contained in Subsections 2B and C.
(2)
The proposed development access or driveway shall be designated
to provide level of service C or better in the design year. Off-site
intersections affected by the proposed development should also provide
a minimum level of service C for the future design year with the development.
Improvements shall be proposed to provide future off-site intersections
level of service of at least C for the design year. In the event that
the intersection/driveway accesses which are the subject of the study
do not meet warrants for a traffic control device in accordance with
the standards of the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation or
cannot be improved to achieve a level of service C due to existing
physical limitations, the proposed future intersection with development
shall provide no deterioration of level of service beyond what is
projected for the future no-build condition.
(a)
Proposed recommended improvements. Describe the location, nature
and extent of proposed improvements to assure sufficient roadway capacity.
Provide preliminary cost estimates, sources of funding, timing and
likelihood of implementation for the proposed improvement.
(b)
Volume/capacity analysis at critical points. Another iteration
of the volume/capacity analysis will be described which demonstrates
the anticipated results of making these improvements.
(c)
Levels of service at critical points. As a result of the revised
volume/capacity analysis presented in the previous section, present
levels of service for the highway system with improvements.
J.
Conclusion. The last section of the report should be a clear concise
description of the study findings. This concluding section should
serve as an executive summary.
