A transportation impact analysis (TIA) is a specialized study that evaluates the effects of a development’s traffic on the surrounding transportation infrastructure. It is an essential part of the development review process to assist developers and government agencies in making land use decisions involving various development reviews. The TIA helps identify where the development may have a significant impact on safety, traffic and transportation operations, and provides a means for the developer and government agencies to mitigate these impacts. Ultimately, the TIA can be used to evaluate whether the scale of development is appropriate for a particular site and what improvements may be necessary, on and off the site, to provide safe and efficient access and traffic flow.
A. Scoping Meeting: A mandatory scoping meeting is required prior to beginning the TIA to discuss the requirements and strategies for a TIA specific to the site and the proposed development.
B. Memorandum of Understanding (MOU): An MOU, documenting the understood scope of the project, shall be prepared by the transportation consultant. The MOU shall be signed by the applicant and the town, and agreed upon by the NCDOT District Engineer if access to a state road is involved, before the consultant can begin work on the TIA.
5.14.1 APPLICABILITY
A. TIAs may be required as part of a conditional zoning or master plan approval as determined by the Administrator.
B. The following table identified the level of analysis required, if any, for different types of development proposals:
Level of Study Required by Development Type: | Residenti al | Office | Hotel | Industrial | Commerci al Center | Other |
None | Under 50 lots/units | Under 50,000 sf | Under 100 room | Under 150 employees | N/A | Under 100 peak hour trips |
Standard TIA | 50-500 lots/units | 50,000 – 350,000 sf | 100-500 rooms | 150-1,000 employees | Under 100,000 total sf | 100-500 peak hour trips |
Enhanced TIA | Over 500 lots/units | Over 350,000 sf | Over 500 rooms | Over 1,000 employees | Over 100,000 total sf | Over 500 peak hour trips |
Because of the limited arterial roadway network in Lillington, all developments proposed along NC Highway 210, US Highway 421 and US Highway 401 are required, at minimum, to complete a standard TIA when expected gross trip generation of 500 total trips or more both entering and exiting the site in a 24-hour period, and/or 50 total trips both entering and exiting the site during either the AM or PM peak. | ||||||
5.14.2 STANDARD TIA REQUIREMENTS
A standard TIA includes the following elements:
A. Abstract or Summary: Summarize description of proposed development, location, traffic generation, existing and future conditions (level of service), and recommended improvements. The report should not exceed two pages and preferably limited to one page.
B. Description of Development: Describe acreage included in development, existing and proposed land use, existing and proposed zoning, proposed density (number of houses, square feet of development, etc.)
C. Study Area: Generally, ¼ mile to ½ mile from each proposed site access along roads accessed by the site. This area may, in a few cases, be greater if the site is on a road with no intersections within that distance.
D. Site Location: Include location map showing site in relation to major streets and at least one-mile radius from site.
E. Traffic Generation: Indicate number of trips generated by site daily, AM peak hour, PM peak hour (AM peak hour may be omitted for retail uses which are not expected to generate significant traffic volumes during this period). Indicate internal or pass-by traffic generation if appropriate. For rezoning, indicate traffic generation under existing zoning as well as proposed zoning. Indicate source of trip generation rate, land use code, and units used to derive generation.
F. Trip Distribution: Indicate percentage distribution of trips, by direction, within study area and method used to obtain.
G. Access Location(s): Location of planned streets or driveways and access to existing streets. Indicate other streets or driveways within study area, including those across the street. Indicate coordination with NCDOT where appropriate.
H. Existing Road and Traffic Conditions: Street laneage and classification, traffic control devices, existing daily traffic volumes within study area. Show traffic volumes and level of service of signalized intersections and proposed site access points within study area during AM and PM peak hour (PM only for retail). Include work sheets or computer printouts showing counted traffic volumes and level-of-service. Illustrate in figure(s) showing peak hour volumes, lanes, and level of service. For unsignalized intersections, show level-of-service for individual movements. Discuss transit service if applicable. Discuss accident history, if appropriate.
I. Planned Improvements: Discuss and describe any planned road improvements in the study area which could affect future traffic. Note whether project is shown on any applicable transportation plan, or NCDOT TIP.
J. Future Conditions: Same as for existing conditions, plus site traffic assigned to driveways or access points, for condition with full build-out of project, at build-out year. Include growth in background traffic due to other approved developments or to general growth in area. May show more than one phase, if project is to be phased. Discuss any conflict with other driveways or streets, queuing problems, potential safety problems.
K. Pedestrian Facilities: Indicate location of existing and proposed sidewalks and crosswalks, internal pedestrian paths.
L. Recommended Improvements: Indicate improvements required for access points and signalized intersections within study area to operate at acceptable level of service (D or better). These may include site access, internal site circulation, signalization, signal modification (retiming, additional phases), lane modifications or additions, or street widening. A signal warrant study is not required but may be included as supporting documentation where a traffic signal is requested. Note: showing recommended improvements does not necessarily indicate responsibility for improvement. Report may indicate which improvements are due to development and which are due to existing problems or other growth in traffic, and may suggest responsibility of developer or of other parties for improvements. Proposed improvements should be shown schematically on figure.
M. Engineer's Seal: All TIAs are to be prepared and sealed by an engineer registered in the State of North Carolina and specializing in traffic or transportation, with experience in preparing TIAs.
5.14.3 ENHANCED TIA REQUIREMENTS
An enhanced TIA includes all of the elements of a standard TIA plus the following:
A. Study Area: Generally, from one to three miles from each proposed site access along roads accessed by the site. The extent of the study area should be discussed with town staff prior to initiating the TIA.
B. Internal Circulation: Review internal circulation patterns and note recommended changes.
C. Trip Distribution: Use of a computer model for distribution may be desirable for major projects.
D. Future Conditions: Projects in this category, other than perhaps shopping centers, are likely to be phased. It is desirable to show conditions at end of planning period (generally 20-year or horizon used in transportation plan).
E. Recommended Improvements: For major projects, these may involve changes to the transportation plan. The project may include the construction of portions of streets within or adjacent to the site.
5.14.4 IMPROVEMENTS MAY BE REQUIRED
Based on the findings of the analysis, if a proposed development does not meet the applicable service level standards, the applicant shall be required to upgrade the facilities in accordance with the adopted level of service program. Mitigation measures may involve strategies other than roadway construction or other physical improvements such as changes to traffic signal timing or phasing, and transportation management strategies.
5.14.5 PAYMENTS-IN-LIEU OF IMPROVEMENTS
The town may, at its discretion, accept either mitigation measures to be completed by the developer or a fee paid to the town in lieu of mitigation. The fee shall be equal to the costs of the required mitigation measures, as determined by the Administrator. A combination of mitigation measures and payments-in-lieu of dedication may be permitted. Payments-in-lieu of dedication shall be approved as part of the subdivision or site plan.
(Ord. passed 2-14-2017; Ord. passed 2-15-2022)