The following special studies or reports to be developed by qualified professionals may be required to support and justify subdivision and land development proposals as required by this chapter and Chapter 295, Zoning, of the Township Code.
A.
Purpose. A transportation impact study (TIS) is intended to enable
the Township to assess the transportation impacts of a proposed development
or redevelopment. Specifically, its purpose is to:
(1)
Ensure a safe and efficient transportation network for all users,
including transit users, pedestrians and bicyclists.
(2)
Identify any transportation problems that may be created in
the existing transportation system as a result of the proposed development.
(3)
Identify solutions to potential problems and to present mitigation
improvements to be incorporated into the proposal or into the transportation
systems within the study area.
(4)
Assist in the protection of air quality and the conservation
of energy and to encourage the use of alternative transportation modes.
(5)
Ensure that TIS submissions to the Township are consistent with
the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) "Policies
and Procedures for Transportation Impact Studies," last revised November
25, 2013, or subsequent revisions. (Transportation Impact Study Guidelines
Strike-Off-Letter 470-0904 and Transportation Impact Study Related
Highway Occupancy Permits Strike-Off-Letter 494-13-13, or as amended.)
B.
ALTERNATIVE TRANSPORTATION MODES
CAPACITY ANALYSIS
HIGHWAY OCCUPANCY PERMIT (HOP)
LEVEL OF SERVICE
MAJOR INTERSECTION
OFF-SITE TRANSPORTATION IMPROVEMENTS
ON-SITE TRANSPORTATION IMPROVEMENTS
PUBLIC TRANSIT
ROUNDABOUT
SCOPING MEETING
STUDY AREA
(1)
(2)
TRAFFIC CALMING
TRANSPORTATION IMPACT STUDY (TIS)
TRIP
TRIP GENERATION RATES
WARRANTS FOR TRAFFIC SIGNAL INSTALLATION
Transportation-related definitions. As used in this section, the
following terms shall have the meanings indicated:
Those modes of moving people or goods that do not require
a single-occupancy motorized vehicle, generally including bicycles,
pedestrian facilities, e-scooters, bike-shares and transit systems
such as buses, trains, trolleys, clean renewable-energy shared-ride
shuttles, etc.
Intersection approach capacity is the maximum rate of vehicular
flow that can pass through an intersection under prevailing roadway,
traffic, and signalization conditions. The analysis compares the actual
or projected traffic volume to the intersection capacity and results
in a volume/capacity (v/c) ratio.
The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) regulations
governing the access and occupancy of state highway, per 67 Pa. Code
Chapter 441, Access to and Occupancy of Highways by Driveways and
Local Roads. PennDOT has regulatory authority to ensure the location
and design of access driveways and local roads to state highway rights-of-way
in order to preserve safe and reasonable access. Montgomery County
("county") also has regulatory authority over certain roadways within
the county and has established criteria for HOP applications.
Level of service (LOS), as described in the current Transportation
Research Board's Highway Capacity Manual, is a qualitative measure
of the operational conditions within a traffic stream and their perceptions
by motorists. Six levels of service (A through F) are defined for
each type of facility, with LOS "A" representing the least congested
operating conditions and LOS "F" representing a breakdown in operating
conditions. Levels of service are defined in terms of average delay
per vehicle for signalized and unsignalized intersections. "Level
of service drops" are those future conditions that result in a negative
change in intersection or approach lane level of service, i.e., LOS
D changes to LOS E in future conditions.
The intersection of any arterial or collector street with
any other arterial or collector street as defined by PennDOT's Functional
Classification Map, the municipal highway classification document
or the equivalent document of adjacent municipalities, where appropriate.
Transportation-related improvements which are generally not
contiguous with the property being developed and not required as an
on-site improvement but are found by the TIS analysis to be necessary,
partly or wholly, as a result of the proposed development.
All improvements on or adjacent to the development site in
the public right-of-way required to be constructed by the owner/developer
pursuant to any ordinance, resolution or requirement of the Township
and the PennDOT or county highway occupancy permit (if applicable).
The Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA)
is the provider of most public transit services throughout Montgomery
County. Other local public transit providers operate in some communities.
An circular intersection design, per NCHRP Report 672, Roundabouts,
An Informational Guide, Second Edition, or as amended, that may be
considered as an alternative to new or expanded signalized intersections.
A meeting with PennDOT may be required to determine the parameters
of the transportation impact study required for a PennDOT highway
occupancy permit (HOP). A municipal scoping meeting will also be required
prior to the commencement of the TIS to coordinate agreement on municipal
conditions and expectations. County officials will also need to be
involved whenever a county-owned roadway will be included in the TIS.
The study area shall be defined at the municipal/PennDOT
scoping meeting but, at a minimum, shall include all development site
access locations, any intersections immediately adjacent to the development
property as well as all major intersections within 1/2 mile of all
development access locations. Additional intersections may be added
per the scoping meeting. The study area should also identify all transit
routes and transit stops within 1/2 mile of the proposed development
and the location of sidewalks and pedestrian crossings.
Proposals that will generate more than 1,000 new average daily
trips shall expand the study area to include major intersections within
one mile of the development access locations.
All intersections identified in the study area should be examined,
even if the intersections are located outside of the Township. (Municipalities
cannot request improvements for study intersections beyond the municipal
border; only PennDOT has this authority.)
The combination of mainly physical features that reduce the
negative effects of motor vehicle traffic use, alter driver behavior
and improve conditions for nonmotorized street users. Traffic-calming
features are not traffic control devices, but rather physical parts
of a roadway's design characteristics.
A study of the transportation network and conditions surrounding
a proposed change or expansion of land uses, conducted to identify
the transportation impacts of the proposed land use change or expansion
and any possible mitigations needed to offset those impacts.
A one way trip into or out of the site, and not what is commonly
referred to as a "round trip."
The total number of trips to and from a study site per unit
of land use, as measured by parameters like dwelling units, floor
area or acres. The most current edition of the Institute of Transportation
Engineers (ITE) "Trip Generation Manual" shall be referenced to determine
the specific rates.
A series of tests which identify the minimum vehicular traffic
or pedestrian volumes or other criteria necessary for installation
of a traffic signal. The warrant criterions are available in the current
and PennDOT approved Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices, or
PennDOT's Traffic Engineering Manual (Publication 46).
C.
Preparation of study. The transportation impact study shall be prepared
by a qualified traffic engineer and/or transportation planner with
the cost borne by the applicant. The procedures and standards for
the transportation impact study are set forth below.
D.
Municipal scoping meeting. A municipal scoping meeting may be required
to ensure that the parameters used in the TIS accurately reflect municipal
conditions and expectations. The applicant should confirm the need
for a municipal scoping meeting prior to submission. The scoping meeting
will address the number and locations of proposed access points, project
schedule and phasing, study area and additional intersections to be
included in the analysis, specific ITE trip generation land use codes,
pass-by volumes, modal splits, any trip adjustments to be used, and
other area developments and programmed roadway improvements to be
included in the future conditions analysis as well as potential opportunities
to implement transportation demand management (TDM) activities. Agreement
on all scoping parameters shall be obtained prior to initiation of
the transportation impact study. The municipal scoping meeting may
be held in conjunction with the PennDOT or county scoping meeting.
E.
Applicability.
(1)
Transportation impact study requirements shall apply to state,
county and local roadways. Coordination with PennDOT or county HOP
managers should occur as appropriate.
(2)
A transportation impact study shall be submitted with all development
proposals that generate 50 or more trips during the site peak hour,
or 500 or more trips per day, regardless of the proposed land use.
A TIS may also be required for zoning map or text amendments, special
exceptions, variances, and/or any other pertinent proposal, or as
required by the Township.
(a)
The anticipated number of peak hour trips and trips per day
shall be determined using the current edition of ITE's "Trip Generation
Manual," most recent edition, as amended. The proposed use or development
shall be identified using the appropriate ITE land use code. The appropriate
ITE land use code shall be agreed upon at the municipal scoping meeting.
(b)
For comparison purposes, the following ITE identified land uses
would generate approximately 50 trips during the site peak hour, or
500 trips per day. This is not an all-inclusive list of ITE land use
codes:
(3)
Any subdivision or land development application whose site,
in the opinion of the Board of Commissioners, has a significant impact
on traffic flow and safety may be required to perform a TIS.
(4)
An application which requires a TIS shall not be considered
complete until the transportation impact study is submitted to the
appropriate review body in accordance with the provisions of this
section.
(5)
Waiver or modification.
(a)
The Board of Commissioners may waive or modify the requirement
for a TIS, the extent of the study area, or any of the requirements
and standards of this section as they pertain to local roadways, provided
that such waiver or modification will not be contrary to the public
interest and that the purposes of the impact study are adequately
served.
(b)
In considering a waiver or modification, the Board of Commissioners
may consider such factors as the location of the subject property,
its proximity to intersections and major roadways, the size and intensity
of the proposed subdivision or land development, the number and location
of proposed access points to the subject property, the nature of the
use proposed, and the advice of the Township Engineer or Traffic Engineer.
(c)
Township officials may not waive or modify state or county requirements
pertaining to a TIS. Proposed developments with frontage on state
or county roadways shall coordinate with the appropriate jurisdiction
for any waiver or modification to the TIS or HOP requirements.
F.
General requirements and standards.
(1)
Site description. The site description shall include the size,
location, existing and proposed land uses, construction staging, and
completion date of the proposed land development. If the development
is residential, types of dwelling units shall also be included. The
general site description shall also include probable socioeconomic
characteristics of potential site users, if available, to the extent
that they may affect the transportation needs of the site, e.g., number
of senior citizens. A brief description of other major existing and
proposed land development within the study area shall be provided.
(2)
Transportation facilities description. The description shall
fully document the proposed internal and existing external transportation
system.
(a)
The map/graphic/description shall include proposed internal
vehicular, bicycle, and pedestrian circulation, all proposed ingress
and egress locations, all internal roadway widths and rights-of-way,
parking conditions, traffic channelization, and any traffic signals
or other intersection control devices at all intersections within
the site.
(b)
The report shall describe the entire external roadway system
within the study area. Intersections in the study area shall be identified
and illustrated. Use of aerial photographs to help illustrate the
external transportation system is recommended. Any existing and proposed
public transit services and facilities within a one-half-mile radius
of the site access locations shall also be documented.
(c)
All future highway improvements for which State funding has
been obligated or that are approved for other local developments,
shall be indicated. This information shall be obtained from the Pennsylvania
Department of Transportation's Transportation Improvement Program
or Twelve-Year Highway and Bridge Program, Montgomery County Planning
Commission and from the Township. Roadway improvements associated
with surrounding proposed development that are proposed but not approved
shall be noted but shall not be included in future conditions analysis
unless otherwise indicated by PennDOT, the county or the Township
at the scoping meeting.
(3)
Existing transportation conditions. Existing transportation
conditions shall be measured and documented for all roadways and intersections
in the study area and shall include:
(a)
Current average daily traffic volumes, peak highway hour(s)
traffic, and peak development-generated hour(s) traffic.
(b)
Manual turning movement counts (including vehicular, bicycle
and pedestrians and public transit vehicles) at all study intersections,
encompassing the peak highway and development generated peak hour(s),
with dates when any and all traffic counts were made included as a
technical appendix to the report.
(c)
Traffic count data shall not be greater than three years old
but shall be updated if traffic volumes or patterns have changed significantly.
If appropriate, counts shall be adjusted for school and/or other local
seasonal peak traffic volumes, as identified at the municipal scoping
meeting.
(d)
Transportation analyses based upon existing volumes shall be
performed for the a.m. and p.m. peak highway hour(s) and the peak
development-generated hour(s), if different from the highway peak
periods, for all roadways and intersections in the study area. Saturday
peak hour analysis shall be included when warranted. Conditions shall
be evaluated for each location by approach lane and intersection in
accordance with traffic engineering software and techniques as stipulated
in PennDOT's Publication 46 (2-12), Traffic Engineering Manual, (or
as updated) The analysis shall include volume/capacity ratios, levels
of service, average vehicle delays, queue lengths, current sight distances
and safe stopping distances at all proposed access locations. Signalized
intersections experiencing levels of service E or F and v/c ratios
equal to or greater than 1.0 shall be noted as deficient. Unsignalized
intersections with levels of service D, E or F shall be noted as deficient.
Queue analyses shall be provided for existing conditions at unsignalized
intersections and gap analyses shall be provided as identified at
the scoping meeting.
(e)
Reportable and nonreportable crashes over a five-year period.
Reportable crashes, as defined by PennDOT, include those with injuries
or substantial damage, requiring a tow.
(4)
Impact of development.
(a)
Estimation of vehicular trip generation to result from the proposed
development shall be completed for the a.m. and p.m. peak highway
hour(s), the peak development-generated hour(s), if different from
the a.m. or p.m. peak hour, and the twenty-four-hour average weekday.
Saturday peak-hour trip generation shall be completed for commercial
and retail developments.
(b)
These generated volumes shall be distributed to the study area
and assigned to the existing roadways and study area intersections.
Traffic volumes and turning movements shall be assigned at all proposed
access locations and all intersections in the study area. Documentation
of all assumptions used in the distribution and assignment phases
shall be provided. Pedestrian volumes shall also be calculated, if
applicable. If school crossings are to be used, pedestrian volumes
shall be assigned to each crossing. Transit volumes shall be assigned
to currently available public transit services as applicable.
(c)
Note any characteristics of the development, the general site
or study area that may cause particular trip generation, distribution
or modal split modifications.
(d)
Note development features that are planned to reduce trip generation
rates and document transportation demand management (TDM) assumptions.
Noted TDM practices may be included in the conditions of approval
if listed in the TIS.
(e)
Note the general increase or decrease in pedestrian and other
nonmotorized or alternative transportation trips which may be generated
by the development, including the potential need for on-site traffic-calming
measures.
(5)
Analysis of impact.
(a)
The total future traffic shall be calculated and shall consist
of the existing traffic volume expanded to the project completion
year using an annual background growth factor plus the development-generated
traffic and the traffic generated by other developments in the study
area as identified at the PennDOT or municipal scoping meeting.
(b)
The annual background growth factor for overall traffic volumes
shall be determined using PennDOT's growth factors calculations unless
enough local ADT volume data is available to establish more accurate
average traffic volume changes over the past five years. The background
growth factor should be established at the municipal scoping meeting.
The background growth rate should be applied to the current ADT and
turning movement volumes to forecast background traffic volumes for
the development opening year and any successive phase completions.
All assumptions used to revise trip distribution should be provided,
i.e., other major developments that will change current traffic patterns.
(c)
Future transportation conditions shall be analyzed using the
same techniques as used for the existing transportation conditions.
Future conditions without the proposed development traffic ("future
without") shall be provided for all study area intersections and shall
include background traffic growth and traffic from other local proposed/approved
developments as agreed to at the scoping meeting. Only those roadway
improvements that are programmed, with obligated funds, to be completed
prior to the opening year of the proposed development shall be included
in the future without analysis. Diagrams illustrating LOS, v/c ratios
and average vehicle delay in seconds shall be provided for each study
area intersection/turning movement for future without conditions.
[1]
A second future conditions analysis shall be conducted that
includes the proposed development traffic ("future with"). Roadway
improvements proposed to be constructed by the developer prior to
the opening date of the development can be incorporated into the analysis.
Diagrams illustrating LOS, v/c ratios and average vehicle delay in
seconds shall be provided for each study area intersection/turning
movement for total future with traffic conditions.
[2]
A table shall be provided illustrating the existing, future
without and future with conditions for all intersections within the
study area, by lane group and identifying the LOS, delay in seconds,
v/c ratios, and queues for each lane group. The table should note
any changes to the roadway that have been included in the future without
and future with analyses. Queue length studies for unsignalized intersections
shall also be conducted for existing, future without and future with
conditions and displayed in graphics and/or a table and noting future
without and future with improvements.
(d)
All analyses shall include a.m. and p.m. peak highway hour(s)
and peak development-generated hour(s), if different from the highway
peaks, for all roadways and intersections in the study area. All access
points and pedestrian crossings shall be examined as to the appropriateness
of installing traffic signals or other traffic control measures based
on the current and PennDOT-approved edition of the Manual of Uniform
Traffic Control Devices. Roundabouts may be considered as an alternative
to additional traffic signals, if approved by both PennDOT and the
Township.
(6)
Conclusions and recommendations.
(a)
Future levels of service (LOS), average vehicle delay and v/c
ratios shall be listed for all intersections and turning movements.
Signalized intersections showing a level of service E or F and v/c
ratios equal to or greater than 1.0 shall be considered deficient.
Unsignalized intersections with levels of service D, E, or F shall
be noted as deficient.
(b)
Level of service drops shall be identified for both future without
and future with conditions. Level of service drops shall be identified
by approach lane group.
(c)
Specific recommendations for the elimination of level of service
drops below LOS D resulting in the future with analysis shall be listed
and shall include internal circulation design, site access location
and design, external roadway intersection design and improvements
including the potential for use of roundabouts, traffic signal installation
and operation including signal timing, transit design improvements,
and any pedestrian improvements needed to support nonvehicular mobility
associated with the development proposal.
(d)
All physical roadway improvements shall be illustrated and overlain
on aerial photography to show the extent of the construction impacts.
(e)
Signal timing revisions and/or signal equipment upgrades shall
be evaluated for any intersection with a level of service E, or F,
but a volume/capacity (v/c) ratio less than 1.0. Warrants for signalization
or other traffic control measures shall be examined for unsignalized
intersections with levels of service E or F based on the current and
PennDOT approved Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices or the
current PennDOT Traffic Engineering Manual.
(f)
Existing and/or future public transit service shall also be
addressed and any transportation demand management techniques proposed
with the development shall be identified. A listing of all actions
to be taken to encourage public transit usage or other transportation
demand management techniques for development-generated trips and/or
improve existing service, if applicable, shall be included. Any proposed
transit service improvements should be coordinated with SEPTA or the
appropriate local transit provider and should conform to SEPTA's current
Bus Stop Design Guidelines.
(g)
Proposed transportation system improvements should be consistent
with municipal comprehensive planning or other plans referencing overall
mobility and/or transit services, as well as any traffic calming policies
adopted by the Township.
(7)
Implementation of recommendations. The applicant shall be required
to implement the on-site transportation improvements necessary to
mitigate the future with deficient traffic conditions as noted in
the TIS unless modified or waived by the municipal officials. Off-site
transportation improvements found to be necessary by the TIS may be
included in an alternative transportation program through agreement
with the applicant, the Township and PennDOT or the county, as applicable.
The municipal officials may have an independent review done of the
applicant's transportation impact study, at the applicant's expense,
to make a final determination of the improvements that must be implemented.
(8)
Additional coordination with PennDOT or the county may be necessary
to ensure compatibility between the proposed transportation improvements
and highway occupancy permit requirements. All communications with
PennDOT or the county regarding the HOP or other transportation related
issues associated with the proposed development shall be copied to
the Township.
A.
The stormwater management report shall be a self-contained report with all calculations and design elements. All plans showing the proposed storm sewer construction must be accompanied by a complete design prepared by a registered engineer currently licensed in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. The reports and hydrologic calculations shall be based upon Chapters 290 or 291 of the Township Code, as applicable, and shall contain the following elements:
B.
Design of stormwater control structures.
(1)
Calculation. The quantity of runoff shall be computed using
the following methods for stormwater control structures:
(a)
NRCS Soil Cover Complex Method (TR-55 or TR-20 or commercial
equivalent) for drainage areas up to 100 acres.
(b)
NRCS Soil Cover Complex Method (TR-20 or commercial equivalent)
or one of the hydrologic methods implemented in HEC-HMS or HEC-1 for
drainage areas over 100 acres.
(c)
A rational hydrograph method (Modified Rational or Universal
Rational) may be used for any site equal to or less than 10 acres.
(d)
Other methods as approved by the Township Engineer.
(2)
Assumptions. The following assumptions shall be used in the
appropriate stormwater computational method:
(a)
Design runoff hydrographs shall be based upon the most current
PennDOT regional twenty-four-hour rainfall depths or NOAA Atlas 14
data.
(b)
NRCS Type II distribution shall be used to establish the rainfall
distribution for stormwater management hydrologic analysis.
(c)
The NRCS dimensionaless unit hydrograph "k" factor of 484 shall
be used for both pre-and post-development stormwater analysis unless
a different value is found to be more appropriate based upon watershed
analysis.
(3)
Stormwater volume control design shall be based upon a two-year,
twenty-four-hour storm event.
(4)
Stormwater peak runoff control design shall be based upon the
one-, two-, ten-, twenty-five-, fifty-, and 100-year twenty-four-hour
storm events.
C.
Water quality control.
(1)
Demonstration that the design capture volume is completely removed
and 90% of the disturbed area in a site is drained through a water
quality BMP; or
(2)
Computationally demonstrate compliance with the water quality
standard by estimating pollutant loadings for the proposed development
and pollutant load reductions by selected BMPs.
(3)
Post-development pollutant loadings shall be computed based
upon the land cover classifications and loading rates in the Pennsylvania
Stormwater Design Manual or other sources provided by the Township
Engineer.
D.
Stormwater conveyance design. The storm drainage system consisting
of storm sewer pipes, swales, and open channels shall be based upon
the following design standards:
(1)
Design frequency. All stormwater facilities shall be designed
to transport a twenty-five-year-frequency storm. Provision must also
be made to transport a 100-year-frequency storm so that surface waters
will not damage property or flood roads, and that the 100-year-frequency
storm shall be transported to the appropriate stormwater management
facility.
(2)
The rate of runoff in conveyance systems shall be computed using
the following methods for stormwater control structures:
(3)
Rain fall intensities in the most recent edition of the Pennsylvania
Highway Design Manual Part 2 shall be used (PennDOT).
(4)
Rational method coefficients shall be based upon the Pennsylvania
Highway Design Manual Part 2 or the recommendation of the Township
Engineer.
(5)
Hydraulic design computations for stormwater conveyance systems
shall follow appropriate methods provided in the NRCS National Engineering
Handbook, Part 640, Hydrology, the Federal Highway Administration's
Urban Drainage Design Manual, HEC-22, PennDOT Design Manual Park 2,
the Pennsylvania DEP Stormwater Best Management Practices Manual,
or other technical manuals as recommended by the Township Engineer,
and shall be submitted in a manner acceptable to the Township Engineer.
Inlet design data shall be submitted on a separate sheet, on the standard
PennDOT design form or similar form acceptable to the Township Engineer.
F.
The stormwater management report shall be prepared and submitted
in coordination with a stormwater authority having jurisdiction in
the Township, if any.
A.
Projects affecting or potentially affecting historical or archeological
sites identified on the Township's cultural resources survey shall
be subject to the review and recommendation of the Township's Historical
Commission. The Historical Commission will review any site as qualified
above which is proposed for development for potential archeological
or historical site impact and may recommend one of the following actions:
