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Home My WebLink About2004-04-22 Traffic Engineering Peer Review-VAI 10/17/2003 16:01 6038930733 MHF DESIGN PAGE 04 10 Transpotlation Engineers&Planners $Vi e B314ngiand Business Center Drive Andover. MA 01810.1066 Office 978.474.8800 Ref: 3992 nax 978.688-6508 October 8,2003 RFC"t11ED. Mr. Kara R,Dubay,P.E. OC 1 1 G 2003 MHF Design Consultants, Inc. 103 Stiles Road, Suite One MypU`,,,a„_�„"'ItatsIn Salem,NH 03079 Re: Traffic Engineering Peer Review Services Proposed CVS Pharmacy North Andover,Massachusetts Dear Karl: Vanasse & Associates,Inc. (VAI)is pleased to submit this proposal to provide Traffic Engineering Peer ,Review Services relative to the proposed CVS Pharmacy to be located on the northeast cornier of the intersection of Turnpike Street (Route 114) at Peters Street in North Andover, Massachusetts. Our proposed scope of work includes a detailed review of the Traffic Impact Assessment prepared for the subject project and associated site plans for conformance with Town of North Andover .Planning and Zoning Regulations with respect to vehicle and pedestrian access and circulation, as well as state standards for the preparation of Traffic Impact Assessments (TIAs) and accepted Traffic Engineering and Transportation Planning practices, A, review of oft-site vehicle and pedestrian circulation, queuing, and delivery and emergency vehicle access will also be completed in conjunction with our work effort. The results of our review will be summarized in a letter or technical memorandurn, as appropriate, submitted to the Town for use in reviewing the proposed project, We have also included the attendance at two Planning ,Board hearings to present our findings and answer questions from the Board and applicant. The table below lists the expected work elements for the Traffic Engineering peer Review_ Element Task 1.0 Iaitial Investigation and Meetings-Not Required 2.0 Traffic Engineering Peer Review-Enclosed 3.0 Project and Public Meetings-,Enclosed i Ref: 3992 November 11, 2003 Mr. Karl Dubay MHF Design Consultants, Inc. 103 Stiles Road Salem, NH 03079 Re: Professional Review Comments Proposed CVS Pharmacy North Andover, Massachusetts Dear Mr. Dubay: Vanasse & Associates, Inc. (VAI) has completed a preliminary review of the proposed CVS Pharmacy retail store to be located off Salem Turnpike (Route 114), in North Andover, Massachusetts. Our review focused on the project's conformance with Town of North Andover Planning and Zoning Regulations with regard to impacts on the transportation infrastructure and on-site vehicle and pedestrian circulation, as well as the Massachusetts Environmental Policy Act (MEPA)1Executive Office of Transportation and Construction(EOTC)guidelines for the preparation of Traffic Impact Studies (TISs)and accepted Traffic Engineering practices. In completing our review, the following plans and documents were evaluated: ...... ... ... . ......... _........ ... ......... ._.. ..... • Traffic Memorandum, Proposed CVS Pharmacy, North Andover,Massachusetts; Vanasse Hangen Brustlin; October 2, 2003. • Site Plans, Proposed CVS Pharmacy, North Andover, Massachusetts; Vanasse Hangen Brustlin; October 3, 2003. VAI also performed a site visit to observe general conditions within the project site with regard to on-site vehicle and pedestrian circulation and access to the development, as well as to review existing conditions and traffic operations along Route 114 in the vicinity of the project site. Findings In general, we found that the Traffic Memorandum was prepared in a professional manner and in general accordance with accepted engineering standards. The following additional information is requested in order to demonstrate that the proposed retail development can be accommodated on the adjacent roadway network in a safe and efficient manner. The requested additional information is summarized below and detailed herein as a part of our review. Traffic Memorandum • The study area assessed in the Traffic Memorandum consisted of the intersection of Salem Turnpike with Peters Street and Haverhill Street. Two proposed driveways serving the project Mr. Karl Dubay November 11, 2003 Page 2 site were also incorporated into the Traffic Memorandum. • The study area evaluated in the Traffic Memorandum evaluates the impacts associated with the proposed project on one intersection, Salem Turnpike at .Peters Street and Haverhill Street. Traffic volume data was available for adjacent intersections on .Peters Street and Salem Turnpike. At a minimum, key intersections on each side of tine proposed site driveways should be evaluated to assess the project's impacts. In particular, the nearby key intersections of Peters Street and Route 125 and Salem Turnpike and the Eagle Tribune driveway. • Back-up data should be provided relative to the seasonal adjustment calculations. • Traffic volumes within the study area were projected to 2008, representing future conditions on the roadway network. In developing the future year traffic volume projections, specific development by others expected to be completed within the time horizon and general Historic traffic growth trends were reviewed. A background traffic growth rate of 1.0 percent per year was used to develop the future traffic volume projections presented in the study. This historic traffic growth rate is consistent with other studies completed in the area. • The methodology used in the development of the future condition traffic volume networks without the project (No-Build) is appropriate and follows accepted Traffic Engineering standards. Back-up data should be provided relative to the identified background projects and their trip distribution and assignment. ......... ......... .. .. • Traffic volumes expected to be generated by the proposed project were developed utilizing trip generation statistics published by the Institute of Transportation Engineers (ITE) for a similar land use as that proposed. ITE Land Use Code (LUC) 881, Pharmacy/Drugstore with Drive-Through Window, with the independent variable of gross square footage equal to 15,018 gsf used to develop the traffic characteristics of the project. Data for the Saturday daily and midday peak hour time periods was interpolated based on a review and comparison of ITE LUC 820, Shopping Center. This assessment yields a conservative generation for the Saturday time periods. • The trip generation assignment assumed a pass-by percentage of 25 percent. This assignment is consistent with EOEA/EOTC guidelines. It should be noted that based on ITE data, average pass-by rates for pharmacies could be as high as 49 percent during the weekday evening peak hour. • Project related traffic was assigned to the study area roadways and the study intersections based on a review of existing traffic patterns and an evaluation of appropriate gravity model data. The methodology used in developing the trip distribution pattern for the project and the resulting trip assignments appears to be reasonable. Back-up data should be provided relative to the trip distribution gravity model for verification. C:1Docutnt:ms anti Setlin2slpdunfurdlLocal Settings\Temporary ftnmet FilesOLK101K.Dub:ty I11103.doc - Mr. Karl Dubay November 11, 2003 Page 3 • The 2008 Build condition traffic volume networks were developed by adding project generated traffic volumes to the respective No-Build traffic volume networks. The Build condition traffic volume networks are developed appropriately. • An evaluation of on-site vehicle and pedestrian circulation should be completed with regard to the proposed development and adjacent tenants. This analysis should include a plan depicting the turning and circulation requirements for delivery vehicles entering, exiting and within the site along designated delivery routes. • The addition of project related traffic to the study area roadways and intersections was shown to result in an increase in motorist delays, volume-to-capacity (v/c) ratios over anticipated future conditions with the proposed project (Build conditions) at the intersection of Salem Turnpike at Peters Street and Haverhill Street. No mitigation or responsibility for mitigation has been identified at this intersection. Mitigation should be identified along with any right- of-way constraints. By identifying improvements that will increase capacity, the town of North Andover will have a valuable planning tool to use to assess the project's impacts, as well as other projects along the Salem Turnpike corridor. • Vehicle queues were not presented in the report and should be tabulated. Concern is for v/c ratios exceeding 1.0 (capacity) and queues exceeding storage provisions and affecting capacity. Additionally,vehicle queues on the Peters Street approach to Salem Turnpike could block the proposed CVS driveway. Review of the SYNCHRO capacity analysis worksheets indicates that the Peters Street shared through1light turn movement queue is expected to be 213 feet to 278 feet during the respective weekday evening and Saturday midday peak hours. • Preliminary design plans should be prepared for recommended improvements in order to evaluate the extent of the improvements and impacts to adjacent properties. No Highway Plans have been provided for review. • Detailed sight-distance measurements (stopping sight distance and intersection sight distance) were not provided in the report. Sight distances should be evaluated for the site driveway intersections at Salem Turnpike and at Peters Street. Site Plan • A truck delivery plan should be prepared for the site depicting proposed truck routes. The plan should include an evaluation of the turning and maneuvering requirements for delivery vehicles using AutoTurnOc or similar computer model. • All signs and pavement markings within the project site should conform to the requirements of the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD)t. Proposed centerline pavement markings should consist of double yellow lines. iManual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices(MUTCD);Federal Highway Administration;Washington,DC;2001. C;\DpcunVnIS nud Sc¢in^_WonfoidV-ocnl SeaingslTemporary fntemet Fles%OLKlO1K.Dumy 111103.dnc i Nlr-. Karl Dubay November 11, 2003 Page 4 Suminary VAI has completed an initial review of the proposed retail development. The information reviewed was found to have been prepared in a professional manner and in general accordance with accepted engineering standards. As detailed above, additional information and analyses have been requested with regard to the planned future build-out of the development. Following receipt of the requested additional inforrrration, we will complete our review of the planned development, No significant capacity improving measures have been identified for the intersection of Salem Turnpike at Peters Street and Haverhill Street, which currently is projected to be impacted by the project. Mitigation measures should be identified, knowing that right-of-way will be required, so that the town of North Andover has a planning tool to use to assess this project. The Traffic Memorandum also states that pleasures could be implemented to help alleviate impacts with potential queuing at the site driveway on Peters Street. These measures are in all likelihood required to prevent queues from blocking through traffic on Peters Street. We appreciate the opportunity to assist the Town and the project proponent in evaluating the proposed project. If you should have any questions regarding our initial review,please feel free to contact me. Sincerely, VANASSE&ASSOCIATES, INC. Kenneth P. Cram,P.E. Associate KPC/rla cc: RDV,File CADOcuments and Settines\dunfordVL cai SettingslTemporary lntemet Fles504KIOW-pulpy 111103.doe Date: December 23,2003 5 Project No.: 08475 • Seasonal Traffic Variations \\\03475\dots\memosWraf peer response 12-19-03.doc U U ti H `� II II _ ...........................:................_ ...... .'� 5 3 5 SECTION I-CONTINUOUS COUNTING STA TION MONTHL Y A VERA GE DAILY TRAFFIC STATION 502-NORTH ANDOVER-RTES.114:AND 125-NORTH OF THE ANDOVER BY-PASS YR JAN FEB MAR 'APR MAY JUN 97 38,299 39,9D3 39.702 40,575 41 793 41,188 39,8 8L AUG SEP OCT •3% NOV DEC YEAR 3% 4% 6°/ 0% ° 40,177 41,704 43,324 39,830 39,769 40,507 98 37,057 41,050 k1,245 43,153 5�0 5% 2% -3% 2°/ o 5% 2% 41,72D 43,15D 41,761 40,892 40,568 42,644 42,421 42,29/4 41,49/6 99 1% 1% 4% 39,046 41,365 42,188 2% •3°l 43,788 42,734 44,700 40,614 41,006 42,620 42,406 41044 40,536 41,B37 00 36,868 37,643 39,054 4°� 2% 11% 1 fl% 12% 4i,000 42,694 44,023 40,146 42,725-) 43,295 46,906, 45,053 40,401 41,651 01 41,441 40,64/3 39,679 42,94/2 43,356 44,464 46,805 5fl19% , 52,fi09 43,086 40 3 o ° /0 19/o` 22°/n "8% ^10°/n -12% -Ls 5-1 31 35,695 43,481 r� F SECTION I 17-ALICS=ESTIMATED DATA PAGE 1 OF 1 MADT Date: December 23,2003 y Project No.: 08475 • Background Development Traffic Volume Networks \\\03475\dots\memos\Traf peer response 12.19-03.doc acre e,0S5,i:,i,�.:z-icsieu'es';5�=1?.c c 5!9'3wy3 - SO Si—c—mahzed I, (ersectioza ' �a - f, T �. 5 i Wa veriy Road z Total 4U5 t3(p 5y 1 Cotuit Sfreef OD 2nd Sitef riV& z . 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