1. Purpose. Whenever a traffic impact study is required, it is anticipated that the study will enable the Borough to assess the impact of a proposed development on the local transportation system. Its purpose is to ensure that proposed developments do not adversely affect the transportation network and to identify any traffic problems associated with access from the site to the existing transportation network. The study’s purpose is also to delineate solutions to potential problems and to present improvements to be incorporated by the developer in the proposed development.
2. Definitions. ON-SITE IMPROVEMENT - All street improvements constructed on the applicant’s property, or the improvements constructed on the property abutting the applicant’s property necessary for the ingress and egress to the applicant’s property.
3. Applicability.
A. A traffic impact study (TIS) shall be required for all subdivisions or land development that at build-out are projected to generate 20 or more two-way “trip ends” in the development’s peak hour, or 200 average daily two-way trip ends. Calculation of the number of trip ends shall be done in accordance with the latest edition of the publication titled Trip Generation, published by the Institute of Transportation Engineers, or upon traffic studies conducted within the last 5 years at comparable developments.
B. The Borough Council, at its discretion, may require the preparation of a traffic impact study for any other subdivision or land development or other major change of use of property.
C. The boundaries of the study area to be analyzed shall include those existing and proposed streets and intersections which may be affected by the proposed subdivision or land development, as determined by the Borough Engineer.
4. Traffic Impact Study Contents.
A. General site description. The site description shall include the location, proposed land uses, acreage, construction staging and completion date of the proposed subdivision or land development. Types of dwelling units shall be included for residential developments and gross and usable floor area for non-residential developments. A brief description of surrounding land uses and other proposed land developments within the study area shall be provided. A study area map shall also be included.
B. Transportation facilities description.
(1) The study shall describe the proposed internal transportation system, including vehicular, bicycle, pedestrian and other intermodal circulation, all internal roadway widths and rights-of-way, parking conditions, traffic channelizations and any traffic controls within the site.
(2) The study shall describe location and design of proposed access, including sight distance limitations and distance from adjacent driveways and intersections.
(3) The traffic impact study report shall describe the external roadway system within the study area. Major intersections in the study area shall be identified and mapped. All existing and proposed public transportation services and facilities within the Borough limits shall be documented. Pedestrian and bicycle facilities on abutting properties shall also be documented. All proposed or approved roadway improvements within the study area shall be noted.
C. Existing traffic conditions. Existing traffic conditions shall be documented for all streets and intersections in the study area. Traffic volumes shall be recorded for existing average daily traffic, existing peak hour traffic and for traffic during the development’s peak hour. Complete traffic counts at all intersections in the study area shall be conducted, encompassing the peak hours of the development and roadway. A volume capacity analysis using the procedures of the current Highway Capacity Manual and based upon existing volumes shall be performed during the peak hour(s) of the development and for all roadways and major intersections in the study area. Levels of service shall be determined for each location.
D. Transportation impact of the development. Estimation of vehicular trips to result from the proposal shall be completed for the peak hour(s) of both the street system and the development. The current Highway Capacity Manual shall be followed in making such estimates. These generated volumes shall be distributed to the study area and assigned to the existing streets and intersections throughout the study area. Documentation of all assumptions used in the distribution and assignment phase shall be provided. Traffic volumes shall be assigned to all access points. Pedestrian volumes shall also be calculated, if applicable. If school crossings area to be used, pedestrian volumes shall be assigned to each crossing. Any characteristics of the site that will cause unusual trip generation rates and/or traffic flows shall be noted.
E. Analysis of transportation impact. The total future traffic demand based on full occupancy of the proposed subdivision or land development shall be calculated for the existing and proposed streets and intersections. This demand shall consist of the combination of the existing traffic expanded to the completion year through the use of an accepted background growth rate, the development-generated traffic, and the traffic generated by other proposed developments in the study area. A volume/capacity analysis shall also be conducted using the total future demand and the future roadway capacity. If staging of the proposed development is anticipated, calculations for each stage of completion shall be made. For projects on state roads for which a volume/capacity analysis is required by PENNDOT, a complete copy of such report as is filed with PennDOT shall also be filed with the Borough. The future demand analysis shall be performed using the peak hour(s) for all streets and major intersections in the study area. The Borough Engineer may also require this analysis to be conducted for the peak hour(s) of the development. Volume/capacity calculations shall be completed for all movements at major intersections. Levels of service for all streets and intersections shall be listed.
F. Conclusions and recommended improvements.
(1) For existing intersections in the study area, the study shall determine specific improvements which would provide a level of service and delay no worse than conditions without the subject development in the completion year.
(2) For new intersections that are established to serve as access to the proposed development, any through movements on any impacted roadway within the study area showing a Level of Service D or better shall be considered acceptable. All other movements at intersections on any road within the study area shall be considered acceptable. Specific recommendations for improving unacceptable intersections and movements shall be listed.
(3) Improvements listed may include street and intersection design and improvements, traffic signal installation and operation, traffic signal timing, and other improvements.
(4) For unsignalized intersections where the traffic impact of the development causes the side street approach to degrade to a level of service F, the intersection shall be evaluated for a signal warrant.
(5) Actions to facilitate use of public transportation and improve service shall be included.
(6) The listing of recommended improvements for both streets and transit shall include, for each improvement, the party responsible for the improvement, a preliminary cost estimate and funding of the improvement, the phase of development during which the improvement must be completed, and the estimated annual maintenance cost. Any roadway improvement which requires increased right-of-way shall be identified.
(7) The Borough Council shall review the traffic impact study or have its own consulting Traffic Engineer review the impact study at the applicant’s expense, to analyze its adequacy in solving any traffic problems that will occur due to the subdivision or land development.
(8) The Borough Council may decide that certain improvements contained in the study are required for preliminary plan approval and may attach such improvements as conditions to the plan approval.
(9) For projects on state roads, upon the submission of the preliminary access plans or highway occupancy permit to PENNDOT, the applicant shall submit a copy of such plans along with attached subdivision or land development plans to the Borough. Approval of a site access plan by PENNDOT does not guarantee final approval of the subdivision or land development by the Borough.
5. Preparation, Review and Escrow of Costs.
A. The preparer of the traffic impact study shall be a professional engineer with experience in preparation of traffic impact studies. At the time of filing preliminary or final plans for subdivision and/or land development, for which a traffic impact study is required, the applicant shall pay a separate filing fee to be established by resolution by Borough Council.
B. Upon receipt of such study, the Borough Engineer shall, as part of the initial review of the study, calculate an estimated cost of study review, and include such estimate in the first review letter. The applicant shall be required to pay into escrow a sum equal to the estimated cost of study review before any further action may be taken by the Borough Engineer in review of the study. Failure to pay such sum into escrow in timely fashion shall result in disapproval of the study, and any fees due for work associated with the first review letter shall remain due and payable.
C. Such estimate shall include the reasonable and necessary charges incurred by the Borough for review of the study by the appropriate professional consultants, including the Borough Engineer. Such charges shall be reasonable and in accordance with the ordinary and customary charges to the Borough for such services, and may not be based on hourly rates in excess of those charged by the Borough Engineer in his or her staff as set forth in the retainer agreement between the Borough and the Borough Engineer, for services for which reimbursement from applicants is not sought.
D. The Borough shall deduct from the escrow each month the current and/or outstanding charges for study review by the Borough Engineer and staff, shall send a statement each month to the developer setting forth the amount of such deduction and the services for which such deductions were made. Any dispute over the amount of such review fees shall be resolved according to procedures set forth in 53 P.S. Section 10503 (1), or its successor.
E. If, after completion of a portion of the study review, the Borough Engineer determines that the cost of review is likely to exceed the original escrow amount, then the Borough Engineer shall calculate such amount, and shall notify the applicant directly in writing, and the applicant shall, within 7 days of receipt of the Borough Engineer’s letter, supplement the escrow in the additional amount determined by the Borough Engineer. Failure of the applicant to do so shall result in the disapproval of the study. If, after review of the study is completed, any funds remain in the plan review escrow, such funds shall be returned to the applicant only if the study is disapproved. If the study is approved, such funds shall be credited to the Municipal Engineer Review Fee escrow described in Part 3 of the Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance.
(Ord. 614, 5/11/2015)