(a) Intent and Purpose. A Traffic Impact Study (TIS) is a document that analyzes the impact of a specific development to the area roadway system, identifies any improvements necessary to maintain a satisfactory level of service, and addresses potential safety concerns. The Traffic Impact Study will also help to determine the appropriate location, spacing, and design of the access system for the proposed development to ensure compliance with the access management regulations set forth in this Zoning Code as well as evaluate the internal circulation and connectivity systems of the proposed development to provide safe and efficient internal traffic flow and access to/from the adjacent and nearby roadway system.
(b) Traffic Impact Study Applicability. A Traffic Impact Study will be required when any of the below conditions are met:
(1) A proposed development generating 100 or more trip ends (entering plus exiting traffic) in the highest peak hour.
(2) A change in the use of an existing parcel whereas the new use will generate 100 more trip ends in the highest peak hour.
(3) At the discretion of the City Engineer, uses generating less than 100 trips in the hour but whose access location or generated volumes could still have a detrimental impact to the operation of the adjacent roadway.
(4) Where the proposed development is near a location that has experienced a high number of vehicular accidents.
(c) These trip ends shall be calculated using the latest edition of the Trip Generation Manual as published by the Institute of Transportation Engineers.
(d) The City Engineer may require the applicant to provide counts from a similar development in the absence of available information from the ITE Trip Generation Manual. Any data other than that derived from the ITE Trip Generation Manual must be approved by the City Engineer prior to its use in any Traffic Impact Study.
(e) Traffic Impact Study Contents. Prior to commencing the preparation of a Traffic Impact Study, the preparer shall contact the City Engineer to determine the scope of the study. Traffic impact studies shall include analysis of the typical weekday morning and afternoon peak hours, unless otherwise modified by the City Engineer. The City Engineer may require other hours of analysis based on the characteristics of the proposed development. The Traffic Impact Study shall include the following contents:
(1) Title Page.
(2) Development name and location.
(3) Name of applicant.
(4) Name and contact information of preparer.
(5) Date.
(6) Purpose and study objectives.
(7) Description of proposed development.
(8) Summary of Area Conditions.
(9) Study area boundaries.
(10) Study area land uses.
(11) Description of existing roadway network (lane usages, lane widths, traffic control devices, speed limits, etc.).
(12) Location of proposed site access (reference exhibit).
(13) Evaluation of sight distance from proposed access.
(14) Existing traffic volumes.
(15) Accident experience (when requested).
(16) Summary of trip generation calculations referencing the most recent edition of the ITE Trip Generation Manual.
(17) For phased developments expected to take longer than 5 years, include trip generation calculations for each phase and for full build-out.
(18) Proposed distribution of site-generated trips onto the adjacent roadway system.
(19) Background traffic projections based upon anticipated growth within the study area. Traffic shall be projected to the opening year of the development and the future design year. The future design year shall be defined as the opening year plus 20 years. Traffic shall also be projected for the completion year of each phase of the development, if applicable.
(20) Level of Service, Capacity Analysis - According to most recent edition of the Highway Capacity Manual (HCM). Analysis shall be performed for both "no-build" and "build" conditions in the project's opening year, future design year and for completion year of each phase of construction, if applicable.
A. Unless otherwise approved by the City Engineer, the level of service (LOS) for the "build" scenario shall be LOS D for each intersection movement. In areas where the "no-build" LOS is D or worse, the base level of service must be maintained or improved after the development.
(21) Turn Lane Warrant Analysis - Per the ODOT Location and Design Manual, Volume One.
A. If needed, turn lane lengths shall be calculated per the ODOT Location and Design Manual, Volume One.
(22) Traffic Signal Warrant Analysis (when applicable) - Per OMUTCD.
(23) Conclusions and Recommendations.
(24) Appendices section which, at a minimum, shall include the following items:
A. Site plan clearly indicating the proposed access and internal circulation design.
B. Traffic Volume Data.
C. Computer Analysis Summaries.
D. Other relevant information utilized to support the findings of the Study.
(f) General Traffic Impact Study Provisions.
(1) Traffic Impact Studies shall be prepared under the supervision of a registered professional engineer in the State of Ohio with training and experience in traffic engineering (operations and safety analysis experience).
(2) Generally accepted principles of traffic engineering, roadway design transportation planning, and site design as outlined in the ODOT L&D Manual, the Ohio Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices (OMUTCD), the ODOT Traffic Engineering Manual, AASHTO - A Policy of Geometric Design of Highways and Streets (Green Book), ITE Trip Generation Manual, ODOT State Highway Access Management Manual, and the Transportation Research Board Access Management Manual shall be used in preparation of the Traffic Impact Study. Any deviation from those principles shall require supporting documentation.
(Ord. 01-2018. Passed 1-18-18.)