HomeMy WebLinkAbout2005-11-15 Traffic Response To TEC - VAI MEMORANDUM
TO: Mr. Kevin R. Dandrade, P.E., PTOE FROM: Mr. Robert D. Vanasse, P.E.
Transportation Engineering and Mr. Shaun P. Kelly
Construction, Inc. Vanasse R Associates, Inc.
10 New England Business Center Drive 10 New England Business Center Drive
Suite 107 Suite 314
Andover, MA 0 18 10 Andover, MA 01810
(978) 474-8800
DATE: September 16, 2005 RE: 4480
SUBJECT: Proposed Walgreen's Retail Center
North Andover, Massachusetts
Response to Comments -Traffic Engineering Peer Review
Vanasse and Associates, file. (VAI) has prepared this memorandum in response to the August 31, 2005
peer review letter issued by Transportation Engineering and Construction (TEC) in their review of the
above referenced,project. To facilitate the review of this memorandum, a response to comment format
has been used which identifies each individual comment.
Traffic„Study
Comment No. 1: "The project area studied within the report is sufficient to identify specific
impacts from the proposed development."
Response: No response required.
Comment No. 2: "The study includes data for the weekday evening and Saturday midday peal
hours, which is normally appropriate for retail developments. Since specific
tenants have not been identified for the 11,385 sf retail area, it is difficult to
ascertain the appropriateness of the time periods selected for analysis. If the site
proposal includes a large donut/coffee restaurant, it would be appropriate to
expand the analysis to include the weekday morning peak hour."
Response: VAI concurs with the peer review consultant that a donut/coffee restaurant
would exhibit traffic characteristics dissimilar to the analyzed use of the site.
While such a use would also draw predominantly from existing traffic flows
along the corridor (pass-by trips), the peaking of restaurant activity would occur
during morning hours. Were such a use proposed, additional analyses would be
submitted to the Town for review to ensure that morning traffic operations were
assessed.
Comment No.3: "The trips associated with the proposed Walgreens was based on empirical data
that is more conservative that the corresponding ITE rates. This is a more
accurate way of determining a local trip generation rate. As mentioned above, it
is difficult to accurately project the traffic associated with the other proposed
retail area Without a better understanding of the intended use(s). The trip
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generation assessment that was prepared used only the average rates for trips
rather than the more conservative fitted curve equation.
The following is a summary of the trip generation rates for the undefined
shopping center portion of the site that should be considered by the
Planning Board: Trip Generation Comparison—Shopping Center(ITE Land Use
Code 820)."
ITE Average Rates ITE Fitted Curve Rates
Time Period (used within VAI Study) (Recommended)
Weekday Evening Peak Hour 42 149
Saturday Midday Peak Hour 56 211
Response: The use of the fitted curve equation to estimate trip generation is not an
appropriate measure for a project this small in size. It is common industry
knowledge that the equation is not appropriate for small plazas]. The LUC 820
is a general retail category that is often used to calculate the trip generation of
larger shopping centers and regional malls. For a project of this size, the
equation overstates traffic generation, as evidenced by the Saturday trip
generation rate resulting in 211 trips, which exceeds the rate for all 124 sites that
were sampled to create the equation. Overall, the projected trip generation is
appropriate for the site and, as we previously stated, should a donut shop with a
drive-thru be considered as a tenant, an updated traffic study would be
completed.
Comment No. 4: "The traffic study does not describe the frequent occurrence of queuing on
Route 114 eastbound, traveling tip the hill past Waverly Road. The singular
through lane significantly limits capacity and often has rolling queues back to
Market Basket Plaza and 1-495 (toward Lawrence). The existing conditions
analyses should be calibrated to match this existing trend."
Response: VAI concurs that mainline queuing along the Route 114 corridor often results in
inefficient traffic progression, resulting in longer delays than the analysis would
otherwise suggest. The Eaglewood project, as mitigation for their project's
traffic impact to the corridor will implement a coordinated traffic signal system
along Route 114, including the intersection of Route 114 and Waverly Street.
As discussed in subsequent sections of this memorandum, proponent-sponsored
mitigation measures will also serve to enhance traffic flow along this portion of
Route 114.
Comment No. 5: "The traffic volumes collected as part of the Walgreen study (performed in late
July/early August 2005) do not compare well with the data that was collected as
part of the Eaglewood traffic impact and. access study in 2003. This report,
which was previously reviewed by VAI, shows a drop in westbound Route 114
traffic between 2003 and 2005 by approximately 300 vehicles per hour. This
1 New England Chronicle.'trip Generation Small Shoppilig Centers. Niarch 1996
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difference in traffic raises a question about the accuracy of the traffic counts
and/or the need to evaluate other factors that may have led to such a significant
drop in traffic. TEC recommends that VAI perform all additional traffic count at
the intersection of Route 114/Waverly Road after Labor Day to reconfirm the
traffic volumes."
Response: All traffic volumes compare favorably with the exception of the one Route 114
westbound through movement. VAI will have traffic counts recollected
following Labor Day to validate the accuracy of the prior data. Any fluctuation
of this volume will not change the recommendations of the study.
Comment No. 6: "The report briefly describes the method used to estimate the distribution of
traffic to and from the site, which is based on existing travel trends in the area.
However, there was no backup information provided within the appendix, These
calculations should be submitted for review."
Response: Backup data utilized to derive the trip distribution patterns for the store are
provided as an attachment to this memorandum. The trip distribution patterns
were based on observed traffic flows and calibrated for account for similar
competing uses within the study area. Specifically, the presence of existing CVS
and Brooks's pharmacies to the east are expected to intercept trips from this
direction, due to the convenience of avoiding a number of signals along the
corridor. As such, less traffic to/from the east is expected. If the CVS/Brooks
were not located cast of the site, then additional trips would have been assigned
to/from the east.
Comment No. 7: "TEC believes that a more significant volume of traffic will be accessing the
proposed development from the east along Route 114. This will increase the
volume of traffic making a left turn from Route 114 'westbound to
Waverly Street for access into the site. This will put an additional strain on
capacity for the eastbound through movement, ultimately worsening the queuing
situation on Route 114 eastbound. This can be confirmed or dismissed with
additional supporting materials submitted by VAI."
Response: See Response to Comment No. 6.
Comment No. 8: "The right-turning traffic exiting from the site onto Route 114 eastbound is
projected to operate at Level of Service F with delays in excess of 50 seconds
per vehicle. This does not reflect small gaps in traffic that will be created by the
adjacent traffic signal and is likely conservative."
Response: VAI concurs that the delay that will be exhibited by vehicles turning right from
the proposed site driveway onto Route 114 is likely overstated. VAI's
experience with unsignalized intersections indicates that Highway Capacity
Manual (HCM) often overstates actual delays observed in the field.
Furthermore, the presence of the downstream traffic signal will create some gaps
in traffic that exiting motorists will utilize.
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Comment No. 9: "The TIAS shows unmitigated impacts to the signalized intersection of
Route 114/Waverly Road. The northbound approach worsens in both its
volume-to-capacity (v/c) ratio and average delay per vehicle. It is important to
mitigate capacity impacts since the Route 114 corridor is an important local and
regional arterial. If traffic impacts are not mitigated appropriately for each
project along Route 114, it will likely draw more traffic over to the
Massachusetts Avenue/Salem Street corridor and ultimately impact other areas
of town."
Response: VAI has consulted with MassHighway and the Town's peer review consultant
relative to potential enhancements to the Route 114 corridor. The project
proponent has agreed to fund up to $5,000 to monitor traffic after the opening of
) aglewood Shops and Walgreens in order to recornmend optimal signal timing
changes and implement any changes, if approved by MassHighway. In addition,
the proponent is committed to reserving land for MassHighway necessary to
accommodate a widening of the corridor in the future. A 10-foot shoulder is also
proposed between Waverly Road and the site driveway and this measure will
help to minimize the impact of right-turning traffic into the site driveway.
Comment No. 10: "The impacts at the intersections of Route 114/Route 133 and Route 133/
Waverly Road/High Street are expected to be minimal."
Response: VAI concurs that impacts at the intersections of Route 114/Route 133 and
Route 133/Waverly Road/High Street are expected to be minimal.
Comment No. 11: "The queuing information was not summarized within the report. This
information should be provided as a summary to evaluate the impacts of the
queues, knowing that the queues for movements with a v/c ratio greater than
1.0 may be understated."
Response: VAI has reviewed the impact of project-related traffic on vehicular queuing.
Project related queue impacts are minimal, resulting in maximum queues, which
are observed for only a few minutes during peak hours, to increase by two or less
vehicles.
Comment No. 12: "This project will require review under the Massachusetts Environmental Policy
Act (MEPA) based on the number of new parking spaces required and the
number of new trips generated by the development program."
Response: The proponent is preparing an Environmental Notification Form (ENF) for the
project which will be filed with the Executive Office of Environmental Affairs
(EOEA)Office of Massachusetts Environmental Policy Act(MEPA).
Proposed Site Plan
Comment No. 1: "The site proposal includes two full-movement access points to Waverly Street
and one right-in/right-out access point onto Route 114 eastbound. The site is cut
into the hillside and will require 6-7% slopes into the site. There is a steep slope
along the northeastern edge of the site, starting at the back of the existing public
sidewalk on Route 114,"
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Response: No response required.
Comment No. 2: "The site frontage on Route 114 does not consider any widening of the roadway.
The widening of Route 114 is absolutely critical to more efficient travel up the
hill east of the site. TEC witnessed slow climbing rates for heavy vehicles
traveling east. The presence of a busy right-in/right-out driveway in this location
will further affect the capacity for traffic traveling up the hill. It will also be
difficult to control westbound left-turns into this driveway without a raised
median along Route 114. T1 C recommends that the Planning Board require
widening of Route 114 to accommodate two eastbound travel lanes in front of
the site prior to approving the right-in/right-out driveway. This will require a
retaining wall along this slope. Since this roadway falls under the jurisdiction of
MassHighway, it will ultimately require concurrence from MassHighway's
District 4 Office."
Response: See Response to Comment No.9.
Comment No. 3: "Widening on the Route 114 eastbound approach to Waverly Road (on the
Lawrence side of the intersection) will ultimately require an additional travel
lane in order to more efficiently serve the existing and future levels of traffic.
However, it appears that there are constraints in the existing right-of-way that
will require future land takings by MassHighway as well as wetland constraints
further down the hill. While this improvernent would mitigate any impacts to the
intersection, it appears that it will require modifications to the Boston Market
site (outside the State Highway right-of-way and on private property within the
City of Lawrence)."
Response: VAI concurs that construction of a second eastbound through lane on Route 114
at Waverly Road would require land not controlled by the proponent or
MassHighway.
Comment No. 4: "There is a minor potential for cut-through traffic for traffic traveling
northbound on Waverly Road, turning right onto Route 114, when long queues
are present on Waverly Road."
Response: The proposed site layout has been designed to discourage cut-through traffic by
not providing a direct drive aisle between the Waverly Road entrances and
Route 114 exit.
Comment No. 5: "The site plans show 158 new parking spaces based on the Town of North
Andover's regulations for 5 spaces per 1,000 square feet of gross building area.
This amount of parking should be more than adequate for the intended amotrnt of
retail space on the site."
Response: VAI concurs that the proposed parking supply will meet the demand for the
facility.
Comment No. fi: "There is no defined pedestrian access between Route 114 driveway and the
store entrances. If an on-site sidewalk is introduced to link these two areas, it
will also assist pedestrian movements from outlying parking areas."
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Response: Pedestrian access is provided via Waverly Road and a new sidewalk will be
provided along the site frontage. The existing grade makes a direct pedestrian
connection to the site difficult. This issue should be reviewed with the Planning
Board.
Comment No. 7: "The proposed drive-thru area for the pharmacy can accommodate four vehicles
before impacting the internal drive aisle. The proponent should supply
drive-thru traffic data to confirm that this vehicle storage area is sufficient to
accommodate the expected queue."
Response: VAl has collected traffic count data at a number of existing Walgreen's stores in
New England. Use of the pharmacy drive-though is minimal, resulting in
approximately 2 to 11 entering and exiting vehicle trips during peal; hours.
Average observed queues were approximately typically on the order of two
vehicles, which can be adequately accommodated within the proposed
drive-through aisle. Traffic count data is provided as an attachment to this
memorandum.
Comment No. S: "The proposed drive-thru for the retail area has a significant storage area for
queued vehicles since the area behind the building is one-way. The site plans do
not show an area for a menu board, if that is appropriate for the intended use of
the retail space."
Response: Should the retail space be utilized as a restaurant, additional information would
be submitted to the Town, including a revised site plan indicating the location of
the menu board, pickup window, and necessary pavement markings and signage
for the drive-through aisle.
Comment No. 9: "The site plans should be supplemented with a truck delivery plan shoving the
turning characteristics for heavy vehicles within the parking lot area and behind
the building."
Response: An Autoturn plan depicting truck movements to and from the site has been
included as an attachment to this report.
Distribution:
RDV, FGH, SPK, File
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Trip Distribution Calculations -Walgreen's - N. Andover, MA
Weekday Evening Peak Hour Entering Volumes
Existing Adjusted Percent Average Say
Route 114 west of the site: 1156 1156 38.4% 40.3% 37%
Route 133 west of the site: 685 685 22.7% 21.4% 19%
Waverly Road north of the site: 302 302 10.0% 10.5% 10%
High Street south of the site: 245 245 8.1% 7.4% 8%
Route 114 east of the site: 1363 477 15.8% 14.2% 14%
Route 133 east of the site: 422 148 4.9% 6.2% 7%
Total 4173 3013 100% 100.0% 95%*
;Plus 5 % tolfrom High Street
Saturday Midday Peak Hour Entering Volumes between Waverly Road and
Route 114 to the east
Existing Adjusted Percent
Route 114 west of the site: 915 915 42.2%
Route 133 west of the site: 436 436 20.1%
Waverly Road north of the site: 237 237 10.9%
High Street south of the site: 146 146 6.7%
Route 114 east of the site: 775 271 12.5%
Route 133 east of the site: 471 165 7.6%
Total 2980 2170 100%
Drive Thru Window Use_Walgreen's Stores
Weekday Evening Count
Agawam, Massachusetts Torrington, Connecticut Chicopee, Massachusetts
Start Time Entering Drive Thru Percent Entering Drive Thru Percent Entering Drive Thru Percent
3:00 25 0 0.0% 11 2 18.2% 15 0 0.0%
3:15 12 4 33.3% 21 3 14.3% 13 0 0.0%
3:30 21 0 0.0% 12 0 0.0% 19 0 0.0%
3:45 18 0 0.0% 12 0 0.0% 13 1 7.7%
4.00 20 3 15.0% 11 0 0.0% 7 0 0.0%
4:15 18 1 5.6% 11 1 9.1% 13 0 0.0%
4:30 24 3 12.5% 10 0 0.0% 21 1 4.8%
4:45 20 1 5.0% 8 1 12.5% 16 0 0.0%
5:00 14 0 0.0% 12 0 0.0% 16 2 12.5%
5:15 18 2 11.1% 17 1 5.9% 17 1 5.9%
5:30 21 1 4.8% 7 1 14.3% 13 0 0.0%
5:45 15 2 13.3% 14 0 0.0% 13 1 7.7%
Total 226 17 7.5% 146 9 6.2% 176 6 3.4%
Peak Hour 76 6 7.9% 47 2 4.3% 70 4 5.7%
Saturday Midday Count
Agawam, Massachusetts Torrington, Connecticut Chicopee,Massachusetts
Start Time Entering Drive Thru Percent Entering Drive Thru Percent Entering Drive Thru Percent
11:00 10 1 10.0% 15 0 0.0% 0
11:15 18 2 11.1% 16 0 0.0% 0
11:30 24 3 12.5% 19 1 5.3% 0
11:45 20 1 5.0% 22 0 0.0% 0
12:00 15 0 0.0% 14 0 0.0% 0
12:15 18 3 16.7% 14 0 0.0% 0
12,30 20 0 0.0% 10 0 0.0% 0
12:45 19 1 5.3% 14 0 0.0% 0
13:00 25 2 8.0% 15 0 0.0% 0
13:15 19 3 15.8% 6 0 0.0% 0
13:30 16 1 6.3% 14 0 0.0% 0
13:45 26 5 19.2% 14 0 0.0% 0
Total 230 22 9.6% 173 1 0.6% 0 0 0
Peak Hour 86 11 12.8% 69 1 1.4% 0 0 0