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HomeMy WebLinkAboutTraffic Review 4/8/1997 r ; Trvmm b!;pri"o l falm i" Ea3�I1oI I fee Y IIIq, Ref . No. 97005 April. 8 , 1997 s. . Kathleen Bradley Colwell , "town Planner North Andover Planning Department, 146 MAN Street, North Andover, MA 01845 Rol Stop L p r t r Traff';i Rc`�VD Dear Ms . Colwell : Per your request ,, Ea j F"c AssociaL es, Tnc . hasi completed an annotated review of the TIAS for the proposed Stop & Mop supc_.r8t.ore , This review supersedes the original doc:umcnt., which was submitted to the Town on March 26 , 1997 , it is, based on two subsequent =Uings with DJ , as follows : (1) siLe visit to view weekday peak ho7:i r traffic peraLions on Friday, March 28 , 1 97 ;; and ( ) meeting t JK offices on Monday, jp i l 7, 1997 Lo discuss Rajec Associates, Tnc comments eats in original review rr:,port. (as submitted on March 26 , 1997) . A copy of the annotated review is attac.hcd for your consilder tion .; 1 will be available to discuss these findings at the April , 1997 meeting of the Planning Board . Please feel free Lea contact me i you have any ues L ions in the inLer i_m, Paul J ! Hake: President att., C , ➢ ermuL J. Kelly I l;ycm Inc 1 I I aromN,sp-ar'Lsti.ion 'Etlri+:a YflirtilBdJiMi;p ;e W p¢,q""mr"i„q; tyr e STOP L �. IP SUIRIBE . T _�..°' TRAP IT11111"..-IMPATT AND ACCESS....-STUDY REVIEW I . PRO999T DESCRIPTION Tha.e, project site (757 Turnpike Street) conLai.t s a 15, 000 square foot, (SF) florist building, 22 , 000SP of greenhouse space, V „ DDDSP^ of independent office area, and a 2, 100SF qa,s station . The fIo s � cLa s rlo�r�i t .1�t/c�r�t�e��.hl��ol_��e ����� �.��, �����caL:�e{;�. �;.� �'" "fir de.Ti center, the office building is occupi.ed. by N . R . R. Construction, and the case station is operated as a Getty facility . Access/egress to the former two eases is provided via each of Lhree full -movement (all turnspermitted) driveways directly off Turnpike Street (Houte 114 K The south crnmost driveway is also known as i c Lays ;Road.. `h"'h El jurisdictional 8taLus (local or private) of McIsy Road is uncertain . o.ou.o_8s/e reess to the Getty 8LaLi_on :is provided via two independent (serving only the Wa ��aa station) full-movement drive ways directly if Turnpike Street ,as well as a sil.n ,le full rrovemcnL driveway veway direcLly cuff McLay Road . The raox hwern driveway Lour- the the Cetty stat.ic)n is oriented approximately positc� Llie:, full- movement driveway ay serving Jefferson office Park . Turnpike 8treet (Route 11. ) in the study area is under the jurisdiction of the Commonwealth of M aslsachusetl s . Al other stud area roadways, are under local jurisdiction . "1,he site, located entirely wiLhin Lh.e Town of North ,.rloi.c,vez—i. Massachusetts, in oriented adjacent to and west of Turnpike LreeL ,. approximately 1 , 000 Met north of the si.gn ali`cd Turnpike SLreet,/? i.l l ow Street/Mill Road intersection. The development parcel also abuts Willow Street a,lo g the w esLer '1 edge of the property, the Jasmine Plaza retain, development along the northern property edge, and The Willows Condominium complex on the south. The total area within these boundaries is 5 . 72 acres ,. The frontage of the projecL 8it,e is along the Turnpike Street boundary. The proposed sed roject includes r_h:o demolition of the existing uL ay " s Florist building and yzeenhrouse space an-well as the N. E . R. ",onsLruction office building . Subsequent construction wwao_aaaloi ft Hay ,A =;mead Hduttes, Inc. 175 Huvemddl! ° 4.rr,.^,,m ;:w' rma a o,w•;m,y„ I°vFVA II h'1 8,1a.(& a "AIBJI SU7 „r887' Fax V4501:3�N 5E57 1103 -2 - include a single struc€ ure3 containing a 64 , 257SF supermarket and 12 , 827 F of associated mezzanine office/warehouse Mace (for a project total of 77, 084SV of grass floor aro.a) The existing Getty station will remain in its current form, including driveway Tocation and service capabilities . A total of 301 parking spaces are planned for the new uses, replacing the 87 spaces currently serving McLay' s (50 spaces) and N .E .R . Construction (37 spaces) . According Lo i.nfolmation presented in the proponent ' s Traffic Impact and Access Study (TIAS) , the project: would be served by three: ful.i - movement driveways (McVay Road directly off Turnpike street and two driveways dire Mly off Willow Street in the rear of Lhe property) - Under this plan , the proponunL would install and construicL a fully actuated traffic signal at the Turnpike. Street f McLay Roud interscct:i-on . The signal would he interconnected with the existing Willow Street/Mil .t. road signai and -would also include an Opt~icom preemption system for emergency vehicles . Tn addition, the p.roponenL would re-configure the cxistinq three-Lane cross section of Turnpike Sheet in the study area to a five Lane section, including a left turn lane: into the site . This driveway would be for primary use by patrons of the facility; but it would also be available to small delivery and service vehicles (such as vans and two-axle trucks) . It would be designed to suit spowifi.catiun2 of the Ma sac:hu8et:ts Highway Department; (MM . The remaining existing two site driveways cuff Turnpike Street would be closed. one of theL driveways off pillow Street (approximately at the- midpoint of Lhe rear of the superstore) would be for exclusive use by trucks (especially tractor trailers) taking deliveries to the store . The other driveway (approximately at Lhe 3iorthwest earner of the property) would be for use by patrons of the facility and small delivery vehicles (such as vans and tutu-axle trucks) - 11 . OVERVIEW The TITS, mated February 1997 , was prc_pared by Dermot J . Kelly Associates , Mc . (DJK) of Andover, MassachusetLs . The analysis contained therein was generally conducted in accordance with traffic study gui.deiines of the Massachusctts Highway Departmcnt ARD) , the Institute: of Transportation Engineers ( ITE} , and Lhe AmeYic:an Association of. State Highway and Transportation Officials VASHTO) . 3i)ataiied review of the TIAS has nevertheless resulted in the identification of a few issues which should he addressed in order to maximize the: efficiency and safety of traffic flow . Representatives of Hajec Associates, Inc . and DJK have met once to discuss the traffic issues of Lhe proposed project . In addition to a copy of the 'T TAS, Hajee Associates is in receipt of a large: scale (I .inch - 40 feat) Conceptuul Access Plant for the site and a Traffic Signal Progression Plan for nhe otudy area . All of this information has been used in the review process . Ill . SIS The traffic count data used in the TIAS were taken directly from counts conducted during December 1996 and January 1997 . There was no consideration given to the seasonality of the count data . December and January are typically below average months, in terms of traffic volume . The potential effects of seasonal volume adjustments an the results of the study should be discussed. DJK has acknowledged that the months (December and January) during which traffic count data was collected fow the TIAS are typically lower than average (by ahouL 71) months, from a traffic volume sLandpoint . A sensitivity analysis of operating conditions at the Sito Driveway/Turnpike Street intersection has subsequently been provided by IMK. Using PM peat hour volumc condiLions that are increased by 71, LhA analysis shows Ole level of service to be well wiLhin acceptable 8Landards. A sensitivity analysis of weekend peak hour conditions should also be compleLed. Analysis of the No-Build and Build alternatives was conducLed using a horizon year of 2002 , or approximately five years beyond the date of Lhe Existing Condition analysis . The W-Build Alternative included a compounded annual background traffic growth factor QW as well as trips associated with specific planned projects in the area . Development of the Build Alternative consisted of superimposing site-generated trips onto the study area roadway network . These methodologies are consistent with traffic otudy guidelines of the MHD . No further work on these aspects of the TIAS is suggested. The TIAS estimates site trips using average trip-making rates for a supermarket, based on information presented in Trip Generatiop , a report published by the Institute of Transportation 2nginc=8 (and most recently updated in 1991 ) . The supermarket raLes published by ITF and used in the TIAS are conservatively high when compared to empirical data from other Stop & Shop sites . The origin of the empirical Wa, however, A riot known . Rates for sites in locations having similar characteristics (such as average daily and peak hour traffic past the site , market area populaLion, and surrounding land uses) should have been used in the comparison . The net effect of thio sitmation is that the raLe difference presented may be a "red herring" . The origin of Lhe empirical data should be presenhed, including Lhe following elements ; -4 - (1 ) location of store; { } size and type of store; (3) name of frontage roadway serving each store; and (4) average daily and peak hour traffic past each store . pefiniLive information on the first three items has been presented Lo Ubj ec Associates, Inc. by DJK. This inf ormat iolr confirms that the "comparison store" is appropriately ho ogcneous, relative to these eiciants (including the presence of rotor lanes, two in cac'h dirc:c:tion, for through traffic on Lhe frontage roadway) . DJK has also provided are estimate of average daily Lraffic volume past the comparison More. This volume compares sufficiently with the subject site to support homogeneity. The csLi..matc should still he verified with actual data . A comparison of peak hour volumes past each site should also 8KII he complct.ed. * The supermarket trip generation data published by ITE and used in the proponent' s traffic: report does nOt typically account for same of the ancillary services that would be found iri and around the proposed su.persLor'e {such as pharmacy, bakery, banking, florist , and bottle rCLUr.n) . It is likely that inclusion of any of these uses will increase the trip generation rate nt the site . The type and extent: of plans for any ancillary uses within and around the More should be outlined and their impact on trip generation discussed. The planned ancillary uses are outlined in the TIAS, and have been fuxther discussed (from a trip generatiop standpoint) in meeLings heLween repTesent:ati.ves of Hajec: Associates, Inc . and DJK. The daily and peak hour trip rates for the comparison store, which is intended as a proLoL:ype for the proposed More, arc less than half of Lhe ITT rates which were: used in the TIAS . Tous, even though the ITE rags typically do not include ancillary uses, Lhexe is sufficient inherent conservatism demonstrated within the ITE information. No further work on this aspect of the TIAS is suggested at this time . * It is assumed that 251 of the vehicics using the site would be attracted from the existing tr. afLic stream on Turnpike Street . Thi a methodology is c:onsist;eDt wiUh standard traffic engineering principles, including MHD guidelines . Tn fact., it is acknowledged that. this 251 level of yas8-by" trigs is conservatively low and that ashore realistic estimate: of this traffic component is on the order of at Least. 401 . No further -5- nowk on this aspect of the sLUdy is ;uggemed. The trip di.s tribut i.on f ass i.gnmeM was based on retail Market data, which includes population densities, competing opportunities, and areas of employment for a distance of five miles around the site . The directional split and travel corridor assignment of new trips patronizing the supermarket was developcd according to a gravity-type model . Only the final results of the trip chi stribuLion f assignment were presented in the TTAB . The methodology used is senoitivc to input variables (such as what weight factors , if any, were assigned to each market element , what compcLing opportunities were considered, what travel corridors wore used to access/ egress Lhe study area , what de8ign.ation of population center was used, and the specific cor idor assignment of traffic associated with population areas and employment centers) . This back-up information should he provided. it should be readily available since it was needed to complete the gravity model as stated 1_n the TIM. Some of the infoymation was provided in the TIAS Appendix. The remairing necessary in.foumaLion on L.hls issue has subsequently Men provided by DJK. No further work on this aspect of the study in suggested. * Pass-by trips were properly assigned to the roadway network travelling in the same diroc:tion as when they approached the site . No further work on this aspewL of the Mudy is suggested. To be eonsistcnL with typical methodology and MHD guidelines, accident data for the most recently avuilabl.e the ee year period should have been presented for study area roadways and i.ntersection8 . it would knave facili.tate.d a safety axial. sis of the area . Powever, Pajec Associates, Inc . Ws been informed b WK Lhat the local police department has written a letter- of support for the project . No further work on this aspect of the study is Buggc Med. TV-- police correspondence should be conoidered in lieu of the aforementioned data. DUK has subsequ ntl.y provided two year accident data for the study section of 'ruunpike Street: . The. TTAB does not include a sight distance evaluation for Lhe Turnpike Street f SiLe Tnr ivcwa intersections . k�aj ec Assoc:iaLes, inc . has conducted such an analysis as ParL of Lhis review. The required night distance for ambient conditions is 400 feet . There is more than 400 feet of sight distance on either side of each driveway. No further work cart --6- this aspect of the study is suggested. The TIAS does not include a summary of project--related percentage increases in daily and peak hour volumes on Tarnpike. Street . This information should be provided prior to a decision can the project . Aajec Associates, Inc . has performed work on this issue, in lieu of information from the pT penent . Traffic increases resulting from the operation of the superstore would he appropriately mitigated. based on current': improventent plans . No further work on Lhis aspecL of. the. Mudy is suggested, as long as current mitigation plans remain A effect . The T IAS includes a traffic signal warrant analysis for the proposed primary site driveway intersc:ctian with Turnpike Street (McLa Road/Turnpike Street) . The analysis correctly sows several warrants arc: satisfied. Further details of improvement plaits at this location, including signalization, are discussed laLe.r, in this report . No further work are thin aspect of tho study is suggested. * Level of service (LOS) calculations were properly completed, in terms of input data and assumptions . These calculations were c:ondacted for L.he weekday evening as well the Saturday midday peak hours , to be con8ist.ent with expected peak periods of commuter and store traffic . Following c Qmpletion of the project and includi.nq proposed mitigation, all vehicle . movements except turns from Jasmine Plaza would operate within acc_epLable standards (LOS D or hettcr} . it should be noted that the jasmine. Maza turns operate deficiently under existing traffic flow and driveway design conditions . All turns into Jasmi.Ve Pluza from the: public: roadway ('rurripi e Ureet) , however, currently operate acceptably and will continues to do so in the future, with or without the proposed superstore . No further work on this aspect of the study is suggested. * The timing of truck deliveries to the site i8 are important safety consideration. Truck arrivals and departures should be discouraged during peak periods of study area commuter (vehicle) traffic as well as site (vehicle and pedestrian) traffic . The proponent should commit to a delivery schedule that does not interfere with these times . DOK has indicated Lhat the majority of Slop & Shop Bruck deliveries are typically made during Lhe eaTly morning as well as during oL-her off-peak tr.of fic periods. { F This schedule should be verified during the local permiLting process . * McLay Road would serve as the primary driveway for the aiUe . YLs jurisdictional status should be verified and explained. DJK has indicated that McLay Road is a private way, with access rights included for the on-site Getty station. Thus, Lhe Getty station is entitled to input and review (arid ultimately approval.) of plains for this roadway. The Getty station is in acceptance of Lhe current plans . No further work on this aspect of the project is warranted at Lhis tame . Any subsequent change in design and usage plans for McLay Read, however, will need to be reviewed {and approved} by the appropriate representative of the Uetty facility in order for the: project to proceed. IV. ACCESS AMELLNATIVES The best access scheme for the proiCCt is a single , signalized, full-movement primary driveway on Turnpike Street . An effort should be made to provide a separ-aLe driveway for trucks . Any secondary driveways should, if at all possible, be located on roadways either than the high volume frontage roadway (Turnpike Street) . This scheme is recormriended for the following reasons , * to obtain Maximum possible distance from the: Jasmine Plaza driveway; * to ro ect area traffic conflicts with trucks; and * to be consistent with Lhe recent MHD trend toward curb- cut consolidation. This recommended location and nuntber of driveways is generally c ansistem with that prescnLed in the TIAS . V. INTERNAL LOT LAYQUT./C1RQ1-TNFION The number of parking spaces proposed (301) exceeds the requirements of ITE by 37 spaces on a Saturday and by 80 spaces on a weekday. The proponent should verify that the number provided is also in accordance with local standards . A total. of 312 spaces is now proposed, in order to comply with local standards. No further work is suggesLed on this issue, assuming that the proposed number of spaces remains consiMeM with local standards . 5 * The proposed dimension of parking spaces (9' X Is ' ) is consi.gtenL. with that suggested in reference 1. i.teraL.ure by Lhe Urban Land Institute (IJLl) . Tt also meets or exceeds Beds Lhe- specifications ac:cepLed at most other recent retail dove) copment a in the Town . No furLher work on this asPec]t of tbe- study is suggested. * Handicapped spaces are ideated acceptabiy, proximate to the doors of the store , 'file proponent should verity Ll at the number of these spaces meets local. requirements. DJK has indicated Lhat the number of handicapped spaces complies with local requirements . No furLher work is suggested on this issue, assuming that the proposed number of handicapped spares remains conGistent with local standards . The turning radii of each driveway are adequate to serve the type of vehicle expected . No further work on this aspcct of the study is suggested. * No allowance is made for access to the Getty station from McLay Road, or tar egress from the CeLty station to the }tone . These movelnents aye pr.evenLed by a median along tne- primary driveway (McLay Road) . An evaluation of the operational and safety effects of pe=itting these movements should be conducted. Representatives of Hajec; Associates, Inc. and DJK have discussed this issue . It is agreed Lhat peak hour rnnve:ments Lo/from the gas station are insi.gnificant, from a traffic operations standpoint . This condition would be true independenL of the- status of the proposed Tnedian. The proponenL- is prepared to consLruct a median that would pexntiiL or prohibit access to McLay Road, whatever is deemed suitable- b Lhe Town, affected pax'ties, and the SLate. - j T"rMPrPGMdc Vt_w y 'PAWo1 rl Ref . No. 9700 Ms . Kathleen Bradley oTw l..l , Town Planner North Andover' Planning epartm ent. Community Development a Services NbrLh Andover, MA 01845 Bear Ms . Colwell : This correspondence is—to acknowledge our telephone conversation on Monday, March 24 , 1997 , duri n.g which lame agreed to a one day, u_axLemrsion of the deadline for submittal Df the above—reference report .. The extension was requested to allow a cone week review e period fromt. Lhe actual eats of receipt of this, proponentR5 traffic study. This study was obtained from the Town one day after receipt, of the signed contract for the work . A one week review period was stipulated in. Lh e contract„ The new deadline for submiUal of the review report is Wednesday, March 26 , 1997 . Haje ,:. Associates, Tnc. does plan to include an evaluaLion of the internal lot layout, parking area design, and vehicle c_'i..rcu. Tatii.on in the review report . This work , although beyond the scope of the contract , is considered integral to Lhre review, It will be conducted without; extra, cast to the Town, in appreciation of the To n' s understanding in agreeing to the schedule extension . T. appreciate your buwi_x'we::;s and look forward to continuing working with th7 the North Andover Planning Department . Please contact me if you have any questions „ s cere ly yours , . W T'au1 J. Hajec President Im 1 1VIA D 1 S„40 i Mm"Wrimmkmir F"oip Omr.c=uw iy anzz PI;anniiiM n Ref , No . 97005 Ms . KaLhleeD Bradley Colwell , Town Planner o Lh Andover Planning Department Community Development & services 116 Main StreetNorth Andover, �MA 0184-5 Re : Stop arm Shgp Superst rq "Traf f i.c Reyjq Dear Ms . Cal wel l : II jac As8ociates, Inc . has completed a review of the: Traffic Tmp act and Access Study (T"IAS) for the proposed Stogy, & Shop superstore The review e focused on : data collection, traffic volumes, levels of service, sight, cli staa-ac , Lrip generation/di..stagy' .but ion, driveway deAgn/location, internal lot layout , parking area design, vehicle circulation and mitigation . The €in inns caf this e val.m. at ion are attached fOf your consideration . T will be available to discuss these finding finding8 at the April 1, 1997 meeting of the Planning Board , Please feel free to contact me i. you have any qucUions in the interim . simcerely yours, Paul J . IIIj E. President att . i CC : Dermot J. Kelly Inc. WX q°xWM) 557 1 1W9i5 r Ttl"t'Nn.xpniri,radurlun Fir igm,uii is mu WW P'ir uoo'MVug STOP 4-SHOP SUPERSURU-1 E' E 1,C Ill PAC7E" .. ACCESS A 1Y REVIEW 9UNMARY OF FINDINGS:, The project site {7!"�7 Turnpike Street ) contains a �15 , 000 square foot (SY) florist building,, , 000SY of greenhouse space, 7 , 000S ~a'. of independent office area, and to 2 , 100SF Baas Ual .ion . The f lcari L reenhouse uses are operuLed as McL aye' s Florist & Garden Center, the office building is occupied by N .E .R. Construction, and the gas station .1s operated as a Getty facility . Access/egress t the. formamel, two eases, is provided via each of three full-movement (all turns permitted) driveways directly off Turnpike: Street (Route 114 ) . The souL,hernmost drivinway is also known as McLay Road . The jurisdictional status (local or private) of McLayr Road is uncertain. Access/egress to the Getty station is provided via two independent (serving only the gas sL,at::ion") full -movement driveways di.i c e_,-t lyr off 'Turnpike Street Lu w, el .1 sF. a single ful I.-mmcoverN enL driveway directly off McKay Rou . The northern driveway a for the Llie Getty n is oriented movem nt driveway�� �^erv:ing effe:�. son Offieexm�;Paarl�] l�a��i.te theiull - Turnpike Street (Route 1.14) in Lhe study area under the jurisdiction of the� mmnn ea ltl-i of Massachusetts . All other study area roadways are under local jurisdiction . oEhc site, located enti i.-el.v within Lhe Town, of NorLll Andover, Massachusetts, is oriented acljaa inn.L to and went of Turnpike Street, approximately 1 , 000 feet north of the signalized Turnpike street/Wiil °a Street/Mill Road intersection . 71.e hevelo menL. parcel aa.l c, abuts Willow Street aJV.c)nig the western edge of the prop rLy the Jasmminin Plaza ret:ai.l development aTonq the norther' property edge, and The Willows Condominium complex on Lhe south. The: total area within these boundaries is 5 . 72 acres . The frontage of the project, site is along Lhe Turnpike StrowL. boundary . The proposed projccL includes the demolition.'n of the existing 'cLay ' s Florist building and reerahouive space as well us the J' .F . R . Construction office building . Subsequent construction won1d s._zvvei.vrx.,, cVIAA wwamaa 0 VL (MWO 9r1n7-9sBR7 - - include a single structure containing a 64 , 2578P supermarket and 12 , 827SF of as5oc:iated mezzanine officefwarchouse space (for a project. total of 77, 084.SF of gross floor area) The existing Getty station will rema .n in its current form, including driveway location and service capabiliLiea . A total of 301 parking spaces are planned for the nc.w uses, replacing the. 87 spaces currently serving McLay' s ( 50 spaces) and N . E. R . Construction (37 spaces) . According to information presented in the proponenL ' s Traffic Impact and Access Study MASI , the project would be served by three ML-movement driveways (McLay Road directly off Turnpike Street and two driveways directly off Willow Street in thu rear of Lhe property) . Undcr this plan , the proponent would install and construct a fully actuated traffic signal at the Turnpike Street/McLay Road intersection . The Signal would be interconnected with the e istirg Willow StrueL.f ill Road signal and would also include an Opti.com preemption system for emergency vahicles . III addition, the proponent would re-configure the existing three-lane cross section of Turnpike SLieeU in the study area to a five lane seenion, including a left Lurn lane into the site . This Wiveway would be for primary u8e by patrons of the facility: buL. it would also be available Lo }mall delivery and service vehicles (such as vans and Lwo-axle trucks) . It would be designed to snit specifications of the MaEsachusctLs Highway Department (MHD) . The remaining existing two site driveways off Turnpike Street would be closed , One of the driveways (off M.l low Struct (approximately at the midpoint of the rear of the superstore.) would be for exclusive use by L.ruck (especially tractor trailers) making deliveries to the store , The either driveway (approximately at the northwest corner of the property) would be for use by patrons of the faciliL.y and mall delivery vehicles (such as vans and two-axle trucks) . 11 . OVERVIE T The TIAS, dated February 1997, was prepared by Dermot J . Kelly Associates, lnc . (DJKJ of Andover, MassachusetM The analysis contained therein: was generally conducted in accordance with traffic study guidelines of the Massachusetts Highway Department (MHD) , the InstiLut.e of Transportation Engineers (ITS,) , and Lhe American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AA HTO) , Detailed review of the TIAS has neverLheles; resulted in the identification of a Aw issues which should be addressed in order to maximize the efficiency and safety of traffic flow . Rcpresentatives of. Hajee Anspc:iates, inc . and DJK have met opce to discuss Lice traffic issues of the propc8ed project . In addition to a copy of the TIAS , Hajec Associates is in receipt of a large scale {1 inch = 40 feet) Conceptual Access Flan for the site and a Traffic Signal Progression Plan for the study area . All of this information has been used in the review process . I 11. DATA COL gCTION AID TEC ;[CALGNAT_-YS I S The traffic count data used in the TIAS were taken direcAy from counts conducted during December 1996 and January 1997 . There was no consideration given to the seasonality of the count data . months in terms of traffic volume . The potential effects of seasonal volume adjusLment EFIe I,e:Sults of the study shou3d be discussed. Analysis of the No-Build and Build alternatives was conducted using a horizon year of 2002 , or approximately five years beyond Lhe date of the Existing Condition analysis , The No-Build Alternative included a compounded annual background traffic growth tacLor (1%) as well as trips associated wiLh, specific planned projects in the area. . Development of the Build Alternative consisted of superimposing site-ycnerated trips onto the study area roadway network . These methodologies are consistent with traffic 8Ludy guidelines of the MHD. No further work on these aspecLs of the TIAS is suggested. The TIAS cs,Limates site trips using average trip-making ratos, for a supermarket, based on information presented. in Tri Ge.npratig_q, a report published by the In of Transportation Engineers (and most recently updated in 1991 ) . The supermarket rates published by ITE and used in the TIAS are conscfvaLively high when compared to empirical data from other Stop & Shop sites . The origin of the empirical data, however, is not known . Rates for sites in locations having similar characturisti.(_, CE,.��; (56 W"U'V_ _(T 7 5E. T�R­S i r e, S I ................................................. ...... � ruck .-`........................... ZiE............................... T -112-215 .......... GO uses) MUM—Rive been used Tie net rn.6­1­1111.Z­7`1�7T,,q` L f E6 Ji E rate dif ferenA presented may be a "red herringn . The origin of the empirical data should be presented, including the following elements; (1) location of store; (2) size and type of store; (3) name of frontage roadway serving each store; and (4) aveyaqe daily K� W and peak hour traffic past each storm. The supermarket trAp generation data published by ITE and used in the pr portent' s traffic report does not typically account for some of the ancillary services that would be found in and around the proposed superstore (such as pharmacy, bakery, banking, florist, and bottle reti)rn) . J, Wi I I increase Lhe trIp, r,t,RQQo Me . The type Oans for any ancillary uses within and around Lhe store should be outlined and their impact on trip generation discussed. It is assumed that 25% of the vehicles using the site would be attracted from the existing traffic stream on Turnpike Wreet . This methodology is consistent with standard traffic engineering principles , including MHD guidelines . In fact , it is acknowledged that this 25% level of "pass-by, trips Ls conservatively to and that a more realisLic estimate of this traffic componcnt is an the order of at least 40% . No further work on this aspect of the study is suggested . The trip distribution/assignment was based on retaill market dada, which include5 population densities, competing opportunities, and areas of employment for a distance of five miles around the site . The directional split and travel. corridor assignment of new trips patronizing the supermarket was developed according to a graviLy-type model . only the final results of the trip distribution/assignment were presented in the TIAS . Th - methodol, used is sensitive to inEHI,ypplables (such as what weight factors, if anX ;21C 0 marKe1 ME7 i; s'CEZ_ 'i;4siqned tF-e-a M, --k" t T'Ja _7Z_1if"_'T ­`­­�. ............. ..............................................................................H.................................... ite......cen :er was the speci tic corridor assignment of traf KHMA) 1 -AM"p k-�ilp I foratation shoal i...........be prov'I'd �E...............f" iild­16 'rea,d i 1 y available since it was needed to complete gravity model as stated in the TIAS . Paa8-by trips were properly assigned to the roadway network travelling in the same direction as when they approached the: site . No further work on this aspect of the study Q suggested., Z) To be consistent with typical methodology and MHD guidelines, accidgnt data. for the mos reconLl available Lhree- pgIlpf,should have been ElresunLed for, study 509-r-o-a''dways and E­wnul'a Havc Zi.............. Rajec Associates, Inc . has been informed by DJK that the local police department has wriLLen a letter of 0 support for the project , No further work on Lhis aspect of the study in suggested. TQ-, Ld be ................................................................................................... shoul ,gggpIdeved in lieu of the iforementioned data mm ............. The TIM does not include a sight distance evaluation for the Turnpike Street/Site Driveway intersections , Hajec Associates, Inc . has conducted such an analysis as part of this review. The required sight distance for ambient conditions i8 400 feet . There is more Lhan 400 feet of Bight distance on either side of each driveway . Nb further or on - 5- thin aspect of the study is suggested. The TIAS does noL include a summary of project-related pezcentage increases in daily and peak hour volumes on Turnpike Street . This information should be provided prior to a decision on the proiect . The TIAS includes a traffic signal warrant analysis for the proposed primary site driveway intersection with Turnpike Street (McLay Road/Turnpike Street) . The analysis correctly shows several warrants are satisfied. Further details of improvement plans at this location, including signalization, are discussed later in this report . No further work on this aspect of the study in suggested. Levcl of service (LOS) calculations, were properly completed, in termG of input data and assumptions . These calculations were conducLed for the weekday evcning as well the Saturday midday peak hours , to be consistent with expected peak periods of commuter and store traffic . Following completion of the project and including proposed mitigation, all vehicle movements except turns from Jasmine Plaza would operatq within acceptable standards (LOS D or better) . Tt should be noted that the Jasmine Plaza turns operate deficiently under existing traffic flow and driveway design conditions . All turns into Jasmine Plaza from the public roadway (Turnpike Street ) , however, currently operate acceptably and will. continue to do so in the future , with or without the proposed superstore . No further work on this as of the study is suggested. The timing of Lruck deliveries to the site is an important safety considcraL ion . Truck arrivals and "�=res should be tucy area commuter (vehicle) discoii.raqed di-tring peak. perloirl's............o7T_W­­ ' J ............................................. E 1... 75ii') Ey, ...... . ............;19' lwnl a8 SI ................ na . Tff]C" pxoponent should commit to a delivery schedulemay that does not Us" interfere with thew times. McLay Road would serve as the primary driveway for the siLe . Its urisdictional status should be verified and.............. 1W ACCESS TERNATIVES The best access scheme for the project is a single, signalized, Q,'Jvewar_.0n 'TurnpikyTjQrQQ . At QfforL should be made to provide a separate driveway for trucks . IQY secondary driveways should , i,f at a."Ll. I:iossible ' be, located on roadways other than the high-volume frontage roadynay Murnpike. Street ) . This scheme is recommended for the following reasons : to obtain maximum possible distance from the Jasmine Plaza driveway; to proLecL area traffic from conflicts with trucks; and to be consistent with the recent, MHD trend toward curb cut consolidation . 7his re-coiiwiended location and number of driveways is generally consistent with that presented in the TIAS . V, INTERNAL LOT LAYOUTWIRCULATION The number cif parking spaces proposed (301) exceeds the requirements of I E by 37 spaces on a Saturday and by SO spaces on a weekday, Me proponent should verify that the number provided is; also in accordance With local sLand and s, The proposed dimension of parking spaces (9' X 18 ' ) is consistent with LhaL suggested in reference literature by the Urban Land In8Litute (ULM . it also meets or exceeW the specifications accepted at most other recent retail. developments in the Town. No further work on this aspect of the study is suggested. Handicappcd spaces are located acceptably, proximate to the doors of Lhe store . The proponent should verify that the number of these spaces nteets, local requirements ., The turning radii of cach driveway are adequate to serve the type of vehicle expccted . No further work on this aspecL of the study is suggc8ted. No allowance is made for access to the Getty station from Mc hay Road, or for egress from the Getty station Lo the store , These movements are prevented by a median along the primary driveway (McTray Road) . An evaluation of the pperaLional and safety effects of permitting these movements should be conducted.