When a Traffic Impact Study (TIS) shall be prepared as part of the Site Plan, it shall meet the following requirements and include the following items:
(a) Description of the Site, Surroundings, and Study Area. Illustrations and a narrative shall describe the characteristics of the site and adjacent roadway system (functional classification, lanes, speed limits, etc.). This description shall include surrounding land uses, known or planned development in the vicinity which could influence future traffic conditions, special site features and a description of any planned roadway improvements. The study shall define and justify the study area selected for analysis.
(b) Description of the Proposed Development. A description of factors such as the number and types of dwelling units, the gross and usable floor area, the number of employees, and shift change factors. Intended phasing or future expansion shall also be noted.
(c) Description of Existing Traffic Conditions. Traffic counts: Existing conditions including existing peak-hour traffic volumes (and daily volumes if applicable) on street(s) adjacent to the site. Existing counts and levels of service for intersections in the vicinity, which are expected to be impacted, shall be provided. Traffic count data shall not be more than two (2) years old. Further, the description of existing traffic conditions shall include:
(1) Traffic counts shall be taken on a Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday of non-holiday weeks.
(2) Roadway characteristics shall be described and illustrated, as appropriate. Features to be addressed include land configurations, geometrics, signal timing, traffic control devices, posted speed limits, average running speeds, and any sight distance limitations. Existing levels of service shall be calculated for intersections included within the study area.
(3) Existing driveways and potential turning movement conflicts in the vicinity of the site shall be illustrated and described.
(4) The existing right-of-way shall be identified along with any planned expansion of the right-of-way.
(d) Background Traffic Growth. For any project requiring a Traffic Impact Study, the analysis shall include forecasted traffic at the date of construction completion and within a subsequent 20-year period. Forecasted traffic volumes shall take into account expected traffic flow from adjacent vacant property. Assumptions regarding future surrounding land use and growth in traffic volumes shall be approved by the City of Maumee before submission of the traffic impact study.
(e) Trip Generation. Forecasted trip generation of the proposed development for the a.m. (if applicable) and p.m. peak hour and average day shall be calculated. This forecast shall be based on the data and procedures outlined in the most recent edition of Trip Generation published by the Institute of Transportation Engineers (ITE), or other recognized data source for a comparable use.
(1) Any trip reduction for pass-by trips, transit, ridesharing, other modes, internal capture rates, etc., shall be based both on ITE findings and documented survey results acceptable to the City of Maumee. The community may elect to reduce the trip reduction rates used.
(2) For projects intended to be developed in phases, the trip generation by phase shall be described.
(f) Trip Distribution. The projected traffic generated shall be distributed (inbound v. outbound, left turn v. right turn) onto the existing street network to project turning movements at site access points and nearby intersections where required.
(1) Projected turning movements shall be illustrated in the report.
(2) A description of the application of engineering methods for determining the distribution shall be attached (trip distribution model, market studies, counts at existing driveways, etc.).
(g) Impact Analysis. Level of service or "capacity" analysis at the proposed access points using the procedures outlined in the most recent edition of the Highway Capacity Manual published by the Transportation Research Board shall be provided. Before and after capacity analyses shall be performed for all street intersections where the expected traffic generated at the site will comprise at least five (5) percent of the existing intersection capacity.
(h) Access Design/Access Management Standards. The study shall include a map and description of the location and design of proposed access (driveways or new street intersections) including: any sight distance limitations, dimensions from adjacent driveways and intersections within two hundred fifty (250) feet on either side of the main roadway, data to demonstrate that the number of driveways proposed is the fewest necessary, and support that the access points will provide safe and efficient traffic operation.
(i) Other Study Items. The Traffic Impact Study shall also include the following:
(1) Need for, or provision of, any additional right-of-way.
(2) Changes that should be considered to the Site Plan layout.
(3) Description of how the proposed Site Plan conforms to thoroughfare policies described in the City of Maumee Comprehensive Plan.
(4) If the use involves a drive-through facility, the adequacy of the queuing area shall be evaluated.
(5) If a median crossover is desired, separate analysis shall be provided.
(6) If a traffic signal is being requested, the applicable traffic signal warrants shall be provided along with an analysis of traffic progression along the roadway through coordination with other signals.
(7) Description of site circulation and available sight distances at site driveways.
(8) Description of opportunities to define pedestrian circulation to and from the site and any anticipated impact relative to existing or planned bike/walking trails and/or dedicated bike lanes in roadways. The weight and relative importance of such considerations shall be proportional to the size of the proposed development and proximity of existing or planned bike or walking trails and/or dedicated bike lanes. Consideration shall also be given to accommodating transit as a mode of transportation when the proposed development is located along a bus route.
(j) Mitigation/Alternatives. The Traffic Impact Study shall outline mitigation measures and demonstrate any changes to the level of service achieved by these measures. Any alternatives or suggested phasing of improvements shall be described. The mitigation measures may include items such as roadway widening, turn lane geometries, changes to signalization, elimination or combination of access points, or reduction in the proposed intensity of use. Any applicable local or State agency shall review proposed mitigation measures. The responsibility for construction and timing of roadway improvements shall be described.
(k) Qualifications. Preparer: The preparation of a thorough Traffic Impact Study requires extensive background and experience in traffic analysis. The person responsible for the preparation of the Study shall meet the following requirements:
(1) Any Traffic Impact Study involving roadway or traffic signal design work shall be prepared by, or under the supervision of, a registered engineer (P.E.) with specific expertise in traffic engineering.
(2) The Traffic Impact Study shall include a resume of the preparer responsible for the report. The Traffic Impact Study may also include relevant experience of the preparer's firm. The study shall also be signed and sealed by the preparer.