(A) Access to streets.
(1) Generally. All proposed subdivisions and land developments shall have adequate and safe access to the public street system.
(2) Frontage.
(a) Any lot created under this chapter shall have frontage and access onto either:
1. A public street (which may be required to be improved as necessary under division (L) below); or
2. A private street constructed to the same standards as a public street and that has a permanent system to ensure adequate maintenance.
(b) If a residential lot is adjacent to two streets, it shall only have vehicle access onto one street. Such limitation shall be stated on the plan.
(3) Private streets and an existing lot. A pre-existing lawful lot of record that abuts an existing private street that does not meet township standards may have access for a single principal use onto such private street, but no new lot shall be created with access onto such street.
(4) Access for emergency vehicles.
(a) Suitable access for emergency vehicles shall be provided within all subdivisions and land developments, including adequate clear width, and including access to reach all principal buildings. Driveways shall be designed to be accessible to emergency vehicles. Driveways that are greater than 100 feet in length and that provide access to a principal building shall have a ten-foot minimum horizontal clearance, a 12-foot minimum vertical clearance and be designed to accommodate the weight of a fire engine with a 73,000 pound aggregate vehicle weight.
(b) Where an access is limited to use by emergency vehicles, the following standards shall apply:
1. A township-appointed method shall be used to restrict access by non-emergency vehicles, with such construction detail submitted to the township;
2. One coordinated emergency accessway may be shared by adjacent developments;
3. Existing or proposed utility easements or rights-of-way should be considered for use an emergency accessways;
4. The applicant shall provide evidence that the design of the emergency access will be able to accommodate the weight of emergency vehicles; and
5. Such access should be offered for review by the local fire company.
(B) Streets and topography. Proposed streets shall be adjusted to the contour of the land to produce usable lots and reasonably sloped streets. See the street grade regulations in division (F) below.
(C) Street continuations.
(1) Stub street right-of-way.
(a) Where deemed necessary by the Board of Supervisors for efficient movement of traffic, a subdivision or land development shall include the extension of a street right-of-way to the boundary line of the parcel proposed for development to provide for an eventual extension into the adjacent tract for efficient circulation of traffic throughout the area. If a stub street is constructed, see division (I)(4) below, which addresses temporary turnarounds.
(b) The township may require that a concept sketch be submitted showing that the proposed stub street is at a logical location to link with an adjacent parcel.
(2) Widening. Where a subdivision or land development abuts or contains an existing street of inadequate cartway or right-of-way width, additional right-of-way and/or cartway width shall be required conforming with Table 154.163: Design Standards for Streets. See division (L) below concerning right- of-way.
(D) Intersections.
(1) Generally. The centerlines of streets shall intersect at right angles except where the Board of Supervisors grant a modification under § 154.007 after finding that a right angle intersection is not feasible. In such case, the intersection shall be at as nearly a right angle as possible, with an absolute minimum angle of 75 degrees.
(2) Alignment of street intersections.
(a) No more than four legs of streets shall intersect at one point, regardless of the names given to each street.
(b) Where a proposed street or access drive intersects an existing cross street, such proposed street or access drive shall be aligned with any street intersecting on the other side of the cross street.
(c) If a proposed street cannot intersect at the same location as a street on the other side of the cross street, then the proposed street shall be offset by the following minimum distances from the nearest intersection of streets:
1. One hundred and fifty feet along a local street;
2. Four hundred feet along a collector street;
3. Eight hundred feet along an arterial street; and
4. Measurement: the minimum distances of this division (D)(2)(c) shall be measured between the points where the centerlines of the rights-of-way of the intersecting streets intersect with the centerline of the cross street.
(3) Curb lines. At street intersections, curb lines shall be rounded by arcs with the radii listed below, whichever is most restrictive. The right-of-way shall be maintained at least ten feet from the inside of the curb line or edge of pavement. A larger radius may be required by the township where necessary for trucks or buses (such as off-site intersections) or by PennDOT.
Type of Street | Minimum Radius of Arc at Intersection of Pavement Edge or Curb Line (in feet) |
Any street within an industrial district or that provides truck access to an industrial district | 55 |
At least one arterial street, other than above | 40 |
At least one collector street, but no arterial street, other than above | 30 |
Local streets, other than above | 15 |
(E) Access management.
(1) Where a subdivision or land development abuts or contains an existing or proposed arterial or collector street, the township shall require:
(a) The minimization of the number and length of driveway cuts or street intersections onto an arterial or collector street, which may include requiring the use of shared driveways between adjacent uses or lots;
(b) The restriction of ingress and egress involving left-hand turns onto or off of the arterial or collector street with township-approved medians, signage and/or other devices to prevent unauthorized turns;
(c) The prohibition of driveways from individual dwellings entering directly onto an arterial or collector street. If there is no alternative to this, each driveway entering onto an arterial or collector street shall have adequate turnaround space for vehicles provided within the lot so that vehicles do not back onto the street; and/or
(d) The construction of a rear street to link driveways from two or more business lots to reach a more appropriate access point onto a more heavily traveled road.
(2) All access to commercial and office lots within a subdivision or land development shall use internal access and shared driveways to the maximum extent feasible, as opposed to separate driveway access to roads from individual uses and lots.
(3) See § 154.172 concerning access connections between commercial use parking lots.
(4) A maximum of one access shall be permitted per lot onto any one arterial road. A maximum of one additional access point may be permitted if the applicant demonstrates through a capacity and circulation analysis that an additional access point is necessary to accommodate traffic to and from the site and can be achieved in a safe and efficient manner, or where specifically required by PennDOT.
(5) Lawful existing commercial lots that do not limit vehicle access to defined driveway locations shall be brought into conformance with this chapter and the driveway width requirements of the zoning ordinance as a condition of a new subdivision or land development approval or where such change is required under a state highway occupancy permit.
(6) Unless specifically required otherwise by the township or PennDOT, where a property fronts on two or more roads, access shall be obtained from the lowest functional classification road.
(7) See maximum driveway slope at approaches to a road in § 154.171.
(9) See sight distance requirements in division (H) below.
(10) The installation of a non-traversable median may be required along an arterial road where in the opinion of the Township Engineer in conjunction with Penn DOT (where relevant), the median is needed to reinforce the prohibition of left turns to or from a driveway. The placement, type and design of the median barrier shall be in accordance with the most recent edition of Penn DOT Publication 13M, Design Manual Part II or its successor standard.
(11) For minimum use driveways (as defined by PennDOT), the radii shall be a minimum of 15 feet. For low volume and medium volume driveways (as defined by PennDOT), the radii shall be a minimum of 25 feet. For high volume driveways, the minimum radii shall be as approved by the Township Engineer. In all cases, the radii shall be designed to accommodate the largest vehicle expected to frequently use the driveway. Except for joint driveways, no portion of a driveway radius may be located on or along the frontage of an adjacent property.
(F) Street design standards.
(1) Minimum street design standards.
(a) Minimum street design standards shall be as shown in Table 154.163, unless PennDOT establishes a more restrictive requirement along a state road.
(b) Rear or side alleys, where approved, shall have a minimum cartway width of 16 feet for two-way traffic and 12 feet for one-way traffic.
(2) Shoulders: in addition to the cartway widths stated above, any street that does not have curbs shall include appropriate eight feet wide shoulders along each side of an arterial street, six feet wide shoulders along each side of the cartway of a collector street and four feet wide shoulders on each side of the cartway of a local street.
(a) See construction standards in division (K) below.
(b) If the shoulders are paved, they shall be separated by a stripe from the travel-lanes.
(3) Horizontal curves shall connect street lines that are deflected in excess of two degrees. Vertical curves shall be used at changes of grade exceeding 1%. The length of the vertical curve shall be determined by the required sight distance specified in Table 154.163. Vertical curves shall be calculated following the latest published standards of PennDOT. Horizontal curves shall be calculated based upon the following AASHTO formula:
R
min
= V
2
/ 15*(0.01e+f
max
).
(4) All approaches to intersections shall have a leveling area not greater than 4% grade for a minimum distance of 25 feet, measured from the nearest edge of cartway of the intersecting street. Vertical curves near an intersection on a local street may be reduced to a 20 mph design speed if a stop condition will be utilized.
(5) The minimum grade of any street gutter shall be 1.0%.
(6) A minimum tangent of 100 feet, measured from edge of cartway, shall be required between a curve and a street intersection.
Table 154.163: Design Standards for Streets (All Dimensions in Feet Unless Specified) | |||
Type of Street: | |||
Design Specifications | Arterial | Collector | Local |
Table 154.163: Design Standards for Streets (All Dimensions in Feet Unless Specified) | |||
Type of Street: | |||
Design Specifications | Arterial | Collector | Local |
Cartway width: | |||
- w/curbs on both sides and no on-street parking | 30 | 30 | 26***** |
- w/curbs on both sides and on-street parking on 1 side | 34 | 34 | 30***** |
- w/curbs on both sides and on-street parking on 2 sides | 36 | 36 | 36 ** |
Cartway width without curbs and without on-street parking (plus shoulders if required by division (F)(2) above, plus turning lanes as determined to be needed by the Board of Supervisors or PennDOT) | 24 to 32 | 24 to 30 | 22***** |
Maximum grade**** | 6% | 8% | 10% |
Minimum centerline radii for horizontal curves | 500*** | 300 | 200 |
Minimum grade | 1.0% | 1.0% | 1.0% |
Minimum sight distance* | 500 | 300 | 200 |
Minimum tangent between reverse curves, measured along the street centerline | 200 | 100 | 100 |
Plus acceleration/deceleration lane width (where determined to be needed by the Board of Supervisors or PennDOT) | 11 | 11 | NA |
Right-of-way width | 80****** | 60****** | 50 |
* These standards are for road sight distance, not clear sight distance at intersections. Horizontal sight distances shall be measured from a point 3.5 feet above the road surface to a point 6 inches above the road surface, and shall be based upon standards of PennDOT | |||
** A local residential street serving only single-family detached dwellings may have a minimum cartway width of 26 feet for portions of a cul-de-sac street that ultimately will not serve more than 200 average weekday trip-ends. This reduction shall not apply to a cul-de-sac street that may be extended in the future to serve additional traffic | |||
*** Larger radii may be required as determined to be needed by the Township Engineer or PennDOT. The township may approve a reduced horizontal curve requirements if the applicant proves that the curve would not typically cause vehicles to cross the centerline and if such reduction if proven to be necessary because of the unique conditions of the property | |||
**** Up to 400 feet of length of a local street may have a maximum grade of 12% if the township determines a less steep grade is not feasible | |||
***** A 32 foot wide minimum cartway width shall be required abutting a development of townhouses or apartments. In addition, a minimum of 0.5 additional parking space per dwelling shall be provided for overflow parking | |||
****** As may be established by PennDOT along a state road | |||
(7) Second access to development: any subdivision or land development of more than 25 dwelling units shall have at least two means of vehicle access into the development. The second means of access may be limited to emergency vehicles, provided the applicant proves the access will be properly designed for its intended purpose. See division (A)(4) above regarding emergency access.
(8) Boulevard entrance: where the Board of Supervisors determine that additional measures are needed to make sure that a street entrance to a subdivision or land development will not be obstructed, the Supervisors may require that a boulevard-type of street entrance be used. The intent is to separate entrances and exits so that both sides of the street are unlikely to be obstructed at the same time. This shall include a one-way entrance of at least 20 feet width and a one-way exit of at least 20 feet width, separated by an island at least ten feet in width, with a right-of-way width of 70 feet.
(9) See division (L) below regarding improvements to existing streets.
(G) Street crown.
(1) With the exception of alleys and divided streets, streets shall be constructed with a center crowned cross-section with a minimum slope of 2% and a maximum slope of 4% from the street centerline, unless required otherwise by PennDOT for a state road.
(2) An alley may have an inverted crown.
(H) Clear sight triangle; minimum sight distance.
(1) Clear sight triangle.
(a) See the clear sight triangle requirements in the zoning ordinance.
(b) In addition, the township may require that such clear sight triangle be elongated where a new street or driveway will enter onto an arterial or collector street. Such clear sight triangle shall be designed to keep an area free of sight obstructions that is equal in length along the arterial or collector street to the clear sight distance that would be required under PennDOT sight distance requirements. Such clear sight triangle may be required regardless of whether a state road is involved.
(2) Sight distances.
(a) An applicant for access for a new street or driveway onto a township street shall prove that the new access would meet the same PennDOT sight distance requirements as if the street was a state road. See § 441.8 of PennDOT highway occupancy regulations, or its successor sections, including the safe stopping sight distance table.
(b) If the applicant proves to the township that it is not possible to meet the desirable sight distances that are stated in PennDOT regulations, then the intersection shall be located at the point of maximum sight distances that are achievable within the street length of the property and shall meet the minimum required safe sight distances set forth in such PennDOT regulations.
(c) In the event that the applicant proves to the township that the minimum required safe sight distances cannot be met, then the Board of Supervisors may require one or more of the following:
1. Require that the intersection be located at the point where maximum sight distance can be achieved;
2. Restrict turning movements into or out of the intersection (such as no left turns into or out of the intersection);
3. Require the installation of a right turn acceleration or deceleration lane;
4. Require the installation of a left turn standby lane;
5. Require that the horizontal or vertical alignment of the street be altered;
6. Require an alternative form of access, such as a shared driveway with another lot, or access onto a different street; and/or
7. Deny approval of the plan on the grounds that the minimum safe distance requirement cannot be met and that therefore public safety cannot be adequately protected, and/or that any restrictions on turning movements would not be practical or would have adverse impacts upon other properties and streets that may be used for turnarounds.
(d) In the event that turning movements from an intersection are to be restricted, the applicant shall provide a detailed design of the proposed intersection and an engineering analysis of the anticipated impacts resulting from such restricted turning movements. The design and analysis shall be prepared by a professional engineer with expertise in traffic engineering, and shall address the following:
1. The impacts on other lots and streets within the vicinity that may be used by motorists for turnarounds;
2. The impacts on public safety, considering sight distance and types of vehicles; and
3. The provision of appropriate methods to ensure compliance with the turning restrictions, such as channelization, alignment and signage. Such methods meet applicable standards of PennDOT.
(I) Cul-de-sac streets.
(1) Cul-de-sac streets shall be permitted with a maximum length of 1,000 feet. Cul-de-sac streets shall be provided with a turnaround with a minimum paved radius of 50 feet to the face of the edge of the cartway. The radius of the right-of-way line return between the bulb and stem of cul-de-sacs shall be a minimum of 150 feet. The curb line or pavement edge radius shall be a minimum of 160 feet.
(2) The circular right-of-way of the cul-de-sac shall maintain a minimum ten feet width between the edge of paving and the edge of the right-of-way. The circular paving of the cul-de-sac shall be connected to the approach paving by an arc having a radius of not less than 50 feet.
(3) The Board of Supervisors may permit acceptable alternative turnaround designs where adjustments are needed because of topography.
(a) The turnaround shall have a sufficient radius to allow movement by school buses, snow plows and delivery trucks, even if a vehicle is parked along the side of the cartway. To accomplish this, a 45-foot radius turnaround shall be required as part of an alternative design and a 24-foot wide paved cartway shall be provided.
(b) Where a landscaped island is approved in the center of the cul-de-sac, any curbing should be of a mountable design to provide better access for emergency vehicles. The township may require the establishment of a homeowner association to maintain any landscaped island.
(4) No street shall dead-end without an approved turnaround at the end of the street. Temporary stub streets shall be required to include at least a temporary cul-de-sac, if the stub would be longer than 150 feet or serve more than two dwellings or lots. In such case, the temporary cul-de-sac land area that is excess shall revert to the adjacent landowners after the turnaround is no longer used. Areas of a temporary cul-de-sac turnaround that is within a proposed street extension shall be constructed to public street construction standards. Areas outside of such street extension shall be constructed with a minimum of six inches depth of compacted PennDOT Type 2A aggregate or better.
(5) The maximum cross slope on the circular part of a cul-de-sac shall be 6%.
(6) A cul-de-sac street shall serve a maximum of 25 dwelling units or 250 trips per weekday for nonresidential uses. See also division (F)(7) above.
(7) A snow storage easement shall be established at the end of the cul-de-sac, which shall provide for proper drainage as the snow melts. This easement shall be located so that a snow plow can push snow relatively straight from the street to the far end of the cul-de-sac. This snow storage easement shall be located clear of any driveways, mail boxes and electric transformers, and have a minimum width of 40 feet. The snow storage easement shall not obstruct any inlet, and any curbing shall be depressed at the easement. The required curb reveal shall be determined in the field by the Township Engineer.
(8) The township may require that a cul-de-sac street near the edge of a subdivision or land development include provisions to allow the street to be extended in the future onto an adjacent tract. This shall include provisions for a public street right-of-way to the edge of the tract. In such case, the construction costs to extend the street shall be borne by the adjacent developer in the future.
(J) Maintenance of a non-public street. As a condition for final plan approval, the developer must enter into a legally binding agreement which shall state who is to be responsible for the improvement and maintenance of any street not approved to become dedicated in the future. If an association of property owners is to be made responsible, such association must be legally organized according to a timetable approved by the township.
(K) Street design and construction standards.
(1) Generally. Streets (and alleys where provided) shall be graded, improved and surfaced to the grades and dimensions shown on plans, profiles and cross-sections submitted by the developer and as approved by the Board of Supervisors and shall meet applicable township standards.
(2) Right-of-way grading.
(a) The right-of-way shall be graded according to the cross-section submitted by the applicant after it has been approved. The excavation shall be backfilled and suitably compacted to the satisfaction of the Township Engineer.
(b) The finished street surface shall be crowned in conformance with the township specifications.
(c) A proper super-elevation (banked curves) shall be provided on arterial and collector streets when required by the Township Engineer.
(3) Grading beyond right-of-way.
(a) The subdivider or developer may be required to grade beyond the right-of-way line in order to provide continuous slope from the right-of-way line to the existing/proposed elevation of the abutting property.
(b) Such grading beyond the right-of-way shall generally maintain the original directions of slope except where stormwater runoff designs dictate changes.
(c) Approved plans, either preliminary or final, showing proposed grading, shall be binding upon all future lot owners, unless altered by written permission from the Board of Supervisors.
(d) In no case shall the required street grading extend onto an adjoining property with a different landowner, unless the other adjoining property owner gives a written agreement to the developer to accomplish such work. A copy of such agreement shall be provided to the township.
(4) Trench excavation. All trenches excavated within the cartway of an existing or proposed public street or right-of-way shall be mechanically compacted with backfill acceptable to the Township Engineer. See also federal occupational and safety regulations for trenching.
(5) Drainage. Drainage of streets shall comply with the township stormwater management ordinance.
(6) Street construction standards. All street pavements shall comply with the provisions of this section, except that PennDOT shall determine the required cross-section for a state road.
(a) All materials, construction procedures and other specifications shall be in conformance with the PennDOT Publication 408.
(b) A six inch minimum compacted depth stable sub-base shall be provided, using PennDOT Type 2A aggregate or better, unless the township pre-approves an alternative sub-base. The sub-grade shall be properly rolled and crowned.
1. The township may require a greater depth where necessary considering the conditions of the sub-grade. Materials that are unsuitable, wet soils and soils subject to frost-heave shall be removed and replaced, drained or otherwise stabilized to handle anticipated loads.
2. The township may require field and/or laboratory testing of the sub-grade, particularly if on-site shale is proposed to be used.
3. The township may require compaction tests, with the township’s costs reimbursed by the developer.
(c) A four inch minimum compacted depth 25 mm Superpave hot mix asphalt base course shall be provided. This depth may be decreased to three inches if the depth of the sub-base is increased to eight inches.
(d) For local streets, a one and one-half inch minimum depth nine and one-half mm Superpave hot mix asphalt wearing course shall be provided. Such depth shall be two inches for a collector street and three inches for an arterial street.
(e) Where shoulders are required, PennDOT “Type 3” or better shoulders shall be provided on each side of the travelway.
(f) All street construction materials shall be certified in writing by the supplier as meeting PennDOT or township specifications as applicable. The township may require that a developer provide testing results for paving materials.
(7) Sub-drains. In poorly drained areas, suitable sub-grade drains or parallel drains may be required by the township. Sub-grade drains shall conform to PennDOT Publication 408 and shall be provided with a suitable outlet.
(8) Alleys and shared driveways. alleys and shared driveways serving more than one lot shall be constructed with a five-inch minimum compacted depth stone sub-base, two-inch minimum compacted depth bituminous base course, and a one and one-half inch minimum compacted depth surface course. Shared driveways shall only be allowed under the conditions of § 154.171(E). If a shared driveway is more than 250 feet long, it shall include at least one nine-foot by 20-foot layby area for every 300 feet that allows one car to wait while another car proceeds.
(9) Guide-rails.
(a) Streets shall be designed with geometric features that minimize the need for guide-rails. Guide-rails shall only be installed where the result of striking an object or leaving the roadway would be more severe than the consequence of striking the guide-rail.
(b) Guide-rails shall be installed by the developer where necessary to meet the guide-rail standards in the PennDOT publication entitled Guidelines for Design of Local Roads and Streets or where otherwise required by the Board of Supervisors. Guide-rails shall meet the construction standards of PennDOT Publication 408 and PennDOT Standards for Roadway Construction.
(10) Street inspections: the entity constructing a street shall provide the Township Engineer with a minimum five business days’ advance notice before the start of initial construction of improvements and a minimum two business days’ advance notice before the following street construction is accomplished so that an inspection may be scheduled:
(a) Excavation of the road site;
(b) Preparation of the road sub-grade;
(c) Installation of the road sub-base;
(d) Compaction of the base course; and
(e) Installation of paving material.
(L) Required transportation improvements.
(1) Purpose. In recognition of §§ 503(2)(ii) and 503(3) of the Municipalities Planning Code, being 53 P.S. §§ 10503(2)(ii) and (3), this section is primarily intended to ensure that streets bordering a subdivision or land development are coordinated and of such widths and grades and in such locations as deemed necessary to accommodate prospective traffic and to facilitate fire protection and to ensure that the access into and out of subdivisions and land developments is sufficiently safe.
(2) Process. This division (L) shall be carried out through determinations of the Board of Supervisors, after considering any recommendations of the Planning Commission, the Township Engineer, the applicant, the applicant’s professional representatives, any comments from PennDOT that may be provided regarding a state road and any professional traffic studies that may have been submitted.
(3) On-site/abutting traffic improvements. If, in the determination of the Board of Supervisors, there is a reasonable relationship between the need for an “on-site improvement” and the traffic created by a proposed subdivision or land development, the applicant for such subdivision or land development shall be required to complete the needed improvement or fund his or her fair share of the cost of such transportation improvement and to dedicate sufficient street right-of-way for needed improvements.
(a) Widening of abutting street. An applicant for any land development or subdivision shall be required to widen, pave and improve any abutting street and provide additional right-of-way as needed to meet current township standards.
(b) Existing streets with insufficient right-of-way.
1. Where a public street exists with a right-of-way of less than the width required by this section, then as part of any new subdivision or land development, additional right-of-way shall be dedicated to bring the adjacent street segment into conformance. For example, if a street has a 33-foot wide right-of-way, and a 50-foot wide right-of-way is required, and a subdivision only involves one side of the street, then the applicant shall dedicate eight and one-half feet of additional right-of-way so that there is at least 25 feet of right-of-way from the original centerline of the street.
2. Where a state road is involved, and PennDOT does not wish to accept the additional right-of-way, then the right-of-way shall be offered to the township. If the township does not wish to accept the additional right-of-way on a state or township street, then the record plan shall state that the right-of-way shall be reserved for dedication in the future if needed.
(c) Exceptions to requirements. Such improvements shall be required unless the Board of Supervisors determine:
1. The subdivision or land development does not create any need for the improvement;
2. A modification is granted under § 154.007; and
3. PennDOT specifically refuses in writing to allow such improvement to a state road in the foreseeable future.
(d) PennDOT standards. Any improvement to a state road shall meet all PennDOT standards.
(e) Fee in lieu of street improvements. Where this chapter would require a widening of a street and/or the construction of curbing, and where the applicant desires to not complete such improvements, and where the applicant proves to the satisfaction of the Board of Supervisors that such widening and/or curbing is not essential at that location at the present time, then as a modification under this chapter, the Board of Supervisors may offer the option of a fee in lieu of the widening or curbing.
1. The Township Engineer shall provide a review of the need for and cost of the widening or curbing to the Board of Supervisors. The fee shall be equal to 80% of the estimated costs of the street widening and/or curbing, unless another fee is established by resolution of the Board of Supervisors.
2. If the Board approves a request of the applicant to pay the fee in lieu of the street widening or curbing, then such fee shall only be used for public street or curbing improvements within the township. Such funds do not necessarily need to be used on the street where the requirement was modified.
3. Such funds do not need to be kept in a separate bank account and are not escrow accounts, but should be identified as part of a road improvement account.
4. A waiver may be approved in any case, but such fee shall only apply for a land development or a major subdivision.
(4) Types of required traffic improvements.
(a) The following shall be the definition of ON-SITE IMPROVEMENT, (unless this definition is amended by state law): 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 or egress to the applicant’s property.
(b) On-site improvements may include, but are not limited to, a new or upgraded traffic signal, land dedication to improve an abutting intersection, realignment of an abutting curve in a road or the widening of the abutting cartway and right-of-way.
(5) Funding. In place of completing a required street improvement as a condition of final approval, an applicant may enter into a legally binding development agreement with the township for the applicant to fund the improvement, or his or her fair share of such improvement, as determined by the Board of Supervisors.
(6) Staging. Any completion or funding of a required improvement may occur in stages in relationship to the stages of the development, if so stated in a legally binding development agreement and/or as a condition of final plan approval.
(M) Traffic impact studies.
(1) Purposes. To enable the township to assess the impact of a proposed development on the transportation system. To ensure that proposed developments do not adversely affect the transportation network. To identify any traffic problems associated with access from the site to the existing transportation network. To delineate solutions to potential problems and propose improvements to be incorporated into the proposed development.
(2) Applicability.
(a) A traffic impact study shall be required for any subdivision or land development that at build-out after completion of all phases is projected to generate 250 or more average daily trip ends. TRIP ENDS shall mean the total number of trips both entering and exiting the proposed development. These projected trip ends shall be based on the latest edition of the publication titled Trip Generation, published by the Institute of Transportation Engineers, or upon traffic studies conducted within the last five years at comparable developments that are acceptable to the Township Engineer. The ITE land use codes shall be stated.
(b) If a development is proposed to be submitted in phases, the initial traffic study shall consider a reasonable estimate of the likely development in later phases, in addition to the current phase.
(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. If there is any dispute as to whether existing and proposed streets and intersections may be affected or not, the final discretion shall rest with the Township Engineer or designated Traffic Engineer.
(d) In lieu of submitting a traffic impact study, under the provisions of § 154.007, the Board of Supervisors may approve a modification to accept a fee from an applicant to be put towards the cost of a larger more comprehensive traffic study or to accept a developer making an improvement to a street that otherwise would not be required by the township or PennDOT. For a larger traffic study, the township shall have the authority to select the consultant or forward the funding to the county or PennDOT to conduct a study.
(e) Prior to preparing a traffic impact study, the applicant is requested to meet with the Township Engineer and township staff, with officials of PennDOT and Lehigh Valley Planning Commission invited.
(3) Traffic impact study contents.
(a) Site description. This section shall include the location, proposed land uses, acreage, construction staging and completion date of the proposed land development. Types of dwelling units and number of bedrooms shall be included for residential developments, and gross and usable floor area for nonresidential developments. A brief description of surrounding land uses and other proposed land developments within the study area shall be provided. A study area map should also be included.
(b) Transportation facilities description.
1. The study shall describe the proposed internal transportation system, including vehicular, bicycle, bus and pedestrian circulation, all internal roadway widths and rights-of-way, parking conditions, traffic channelizations and any traffic controls within the site. If the site will be served by public transit, the study shall describe any benches, shelter or transit signs that will be provided.
2. The study shall describe location and design of proposed access, including sight distance limitations and distance from adjacent driveways and intersections.
3. The report shall describe the external roadway system within the study area. Major intersections in the study area shall be identified and mapped. Any proposal for bus or van service shall be described. Pedestrian and bicycle facilities on abutting properties shall also be documented. All proposed or approved roadway improvements within the study area shall be noted.
4. The report shall list the proposed timing of maj or road improvements, including the Lehigh Area Transportation Improvement Program.
(c) Existing traffic conditions.
1. 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 for the peak hour(s) of all roadways and major intersections in the study area. Levels of service shall be determined for each location.
2. The study shall include information on traffic crashes in the study area for the previous five years, if such information is available from PennDOT or the township.
(d) Traffic 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. Acceptable source(s) and methodology shall be followed. 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. Safety issues for any pedestrian crossings shall be described. Any characteristics of the site that will cause trip generation rates that vary from the ITE Manual shall be noted.
(e) Analysis of traffic 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. To assist in determining the background growth rate, the annual PennDOT traffic report shall be considered. A volume/capacity analysis shall also be conducted using the total future demand and the future roadway capacity. This analysis shall be performed using the peak hour(s) for all streets and major intersections in the study area. The Township 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.
1. The study shall consider the year when the development will be complete, as well as a time period afterward.
2. The study shall describe the method that is used to allocate the direction of trips.
3. As applicable, the study shall analyze traffic signal warrants, traffic signal optimization, turn lane analysis and queue analysis.
(f) Conclusions and recommended improvements.
1. Any movements on streets and intersections within the study area showing a Level of Service D or worse, based on the latest edition of the Highway Capacity Manual, shall be considered deficient. Specific recommendations for the elimination of these problems shall be listed. Unsignalized intersections shall be evaluated for a signal warrant. Highway capacity evaluations shall consider not only the overall intersection level of service, but also each approach and movement to identify any substandard values which need to be improved.
2. All locations where the level of service for the completion year of the development is deficient without the proposed development, the study shall determine improvements which would provide a level of service and delay no worse than conditions without the subject development. These improvements may include street and intersection design and improvements, traffic signal installation and operation, traffic signal timing and other improvements. The study shall also provide an analysis to determine improvements which would eliminate all deficient levels of service.
3. Actions to facilitate use of bus or van service and carpooling should be included, if applicable.
4. 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, and the phase of development during which the improvement is proposed to be completed. Any roadway improvement which requires increased right-of-way shall be identified. The study should estimate the applicant’s fair share of the costs of the needed improvements.
5. The traffic impact study may be used as a basis for a township requirement under division (L) above or another section of this chapter.
6. Improvement plans shall not be submitted to the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) before they are submitted to the township. Approval of a site access plan by PennDOT does not guarantee approval by the township.
(g) Preparation and review. The preparer of the traffic impact study shall be a professional engineer or transportation planner. The developer shall reimburse the township for reasonable fees and expenses incurred by the Township Engineer or Traffic Engineer for the review of the developer’s traffic impact study and plans.
(h) Data sources and methodology. Data sources and methodology shall be described in the report.
(Ord. 127, passed 3-18-2010)