AG 1992 12 21 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

APPENDIX II. Estimates of Average Daily Traffic The traffic produced by the projected future land uses in the plan area was estimated on a daily basis. An estimate of the average daily traffic (ADT) was made for each land use polygon in order to begin to study the effects on the transportation system from the gradual development of the area. The following is a brief description of the methodology employed and examples of the results. A similar estimation of water and sewer needs was made and the description of that methodology and results precedes this one in Appendix I. It would also be possible to make estimations of school age population using the projected land use, and that project may be explored at a later date. Traffic numbers were generated from the "Future Land Use Map" that is included in this plan. General land uses were further defined so that traffic generated per acre could b determined using Institute of Transportation Engineer equations: (see Appendix III for trips/acre). Refinements to the future land use projections were made for these estimation purposes only and are not intended to replace the future land use projections included as part of this plan. The original estimates of average daily traffic using land use and acreage were too high and required adjustment. Comparisons between existing land uses and traffic counts showed that projected counts were too high, seemingly because the estimation method assumed that all land was usable. The acreage figures were then adjusted using the same ratio that was employed for the residential water and sewer estimates (see Appendix I). Average daily traffic was recalculated based on the assumption that only 35% of the gross acreage would be effectively used. The calculations resulted in an individual ADT being estimated for each land use parcel and the counts indicated that further study is warranted. As an example, the estimated ADT for the property at what will be the northwest comer of the intersection of the Kings Grant Parkway and U.S. 29 exceeds 25,000 ~ps per day produced. While this still appears to be an overestimate, it far exceeds the existing count of 15,500 on U.S. 29 currently. Staff will continue to work on methods to distribute the projected traffic to explore its effect on the road network, but there are certainly implications that should be addressed in this plan. The implications of this traffic study as it affects this plan fall within four categories. The first is that results reinforce the need to study possible transportation improvements in this area immediately. A second implication is that it is important to look at the effects on the transportation system for all major land use proposals and to scrutinize planned improvements. The third category is alternative methods of transportation. Specifically all of these items are addressed in this plan. It is recommended that improved methods and modes of transportation be studied and these estimations indicate why this is needed. A final implication of this traffic study is less direct and will necessitate an addition to the plan draft. This is to reinforce the role of mixed use, or planned unit developments in lesser6ng the transportation burden. By creating centers in wkich people Eve, work, shop and meet their recreation needs all in close proximity, one can lessen both the produced traffic and the length of trips. A passage detailing how mixed use developments fit within the projected land uses and meet the goals of the overall plan has been added to the introductory part of the recommendations section. WESTERN AREA PLAN DRAFT 4 PAGE 26