The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink About2022-9-27 MDOT SHA Response TRAFFIC CONCEPTS, INC. • • • • Traffic Impact StudiesFeasibilityTraffic Signal DesignTraffic CountsExpert Testimony September 27, 2022 Ms. Sutapa Samanta. P.E. Acting Metropolitan District Engineer MDOT State Highway Administration District 4 – Baltimore and Harford Counties 320 West Warren Road Hunt Valley, MD 21030 RE:Traffic ImpactStudy –Point by Point Letter Mitchell Property Warehouse Development – MD 159 Revised Traffic Impact Study Dated June 2022 MDOT SHA 21APHA021XX Harford County TIA 63502021, version 2 T/C 3762 Dear Ms. Samanta: We are addressing your July, 18 2022 comments with this point-by-point response letter. MDOT SHA Comments and conclusions: th 1.Trip Generation – The revised trip generation utilizes ITE Trip Generation Manual 11 Edition Land Use 155 (High-Cube Fulfillment Center Warehouse – Non-Sort). In the Manual for Land Use 155, trip generations are provided for both “sort” and “non-sort” facilities. ITE indicates a “sort” facility ships out smaller items, requiring extensive sorting typically by manual means, and a “non- sort” facility is a fulfillment center that ships large box items that are processed primarily with automation rather than through manual means. The developer utilized the significantly less conservative non-sort facility trip generation to calculate trips rather than a sort facility of the same size. (See table below to see a comparison.) Based on the number of parking spaces called for (3,773 parking spaces and 2,178 trailer parking spaces for a total of 5,951 spaces), it appears more likely the developer plans for it to operate as a sort facility. Therefore, we require the developer to provide more detailed information as to the type / operation / employees expected at the proposed facility. Until this information is provided to us, we cannot provide detailed comments on the analysis and mitigation proposals in the TIS. The Mitchell Property developer has provided Harford County and the MDOT SHA with additional information concerning the proposed use. In its letter dated August, 16, 2022, MDOT SHA has agreed that the proposed use is a non-sort warehouse as described in the TIS. Changes have been made to the site plan to reflect the non-sort warehouse use, reduced car and truck parking, and the expected peak employee shifts. The TIS incorporates the agreed upon revised trip generation based upon ITE Trip Generation Manual 11th Edition Land Use 155 (High-Cube Fulfillment Center Warehouse – Non- Sort). 7525 Connelley Drive • Suite B • Hanover, MD 21076 • Phone (410) 760-2911 Ms. Sutapa Samanta. P.E. September 27, 2022 Page 2 of 5 2.Adequacy of Roadway Network - Since it is anticipated a much larger quantity of trucks and passenger vehicles will be using the state roadway network (MD 543, US 40, MD 159, MD 7, etc.) in the area because of the proposed development, the developer will be required to determine whether the existing roadways’ pavement design is adequate especially due to the increase in truck volumes. This comment appears to be derived from the MDOT SHA assertion that the project is a warehouse “sort” facility. However, with new information provided to MDOT SHA, the MDOT SHA has agreed that the proposed use is a traditional “non-sort” warehouse. The truck trips as shown in the traffic study and listed below were determined with the ITE, th Trip Generation Manual 11 Edition. The truck trips are typical for the use and size of the proposed warehouse development. The road classifications and existing peak hour percentages of heavy vehicles for the State roadways are also summarized in the table below. These roads are designed by the MDOT SHA in consideration of the expected volumes and truck percentages. While the traffic impact study addresses APFO based upon volume capacity, not pavement design, Traffic Concepts feels that the levels of service from the intersections studied would be the best evidence that the MDOT SHA’s road design is adequate to support the proposed trips from this project. The traffic impact study includes the heavy truck percentages as noted in the table below. AM PM IN OUT IN OUT High Cube Fulfillment Center Warehouse ITE LUC 155 (Non-sort Facility) 5,200,000 gsf 632148 324 508 Trucks Trips (30%) 19044 97152 Passenger Vehicles (70%) 442104 227356 STATE CLASSIFICATION Peak Hour % of Heavy Trucks ROADWAY (from SHA data –see attached) MD 543Minor Arterial12% US 40Principal Arterial 10% MD 159 (Old Minor Arterial No Data Available Philadelphia Road) MD 7Minor Arterial No Data Available MD 132Minor Arterial 5% MD 22 Principal Arterial 5% MD 715Minor Arterial No Data Available MD 159 (Perryman Major Collector 15% (see attached traffic count Road)conducted by TCI) ______________________________________________________________________________________ 7525 Connelley Drive • Suite B • Hanover, MD 21076 • Phone (410) 760-2911 • Fax (410) 760-2915 Ms. Sutapa Samanta. P.E. September 27, 2022 Page 3 of 5 3.Truck Percentages – MDOT SHA understands the County’s comment on truck percentages to be used in analysis; however, we recommend looking at actual site generated truck volumes to total future traffic volumes to determine if the 10% truck percentage rate should be extended beyond the specific roadways mentioned. If trip generation is revised based on other comments, recommend reviewing truck percentages after volumes are revised. The original traffic impact study scope of services required the developer to use the Harford County warehouse rates that were developed by County engineers using existing warehouse facilities located on the Perryman Peninsula. The scope of services did not specify that the truck trips must be determined separate from the passenger car trips. The MDOT SHA officials were present at this meeting. After the traffic study was submitted for review, County and MDOT SHA reversed the former trip generation decision and stated all new site trips would be generated with ITE data. The ITE data includes a heavy truck rate percentage. The use of the ITE Trip Generation Manual complies with the Harford County APFO. Therefore, additional changes to the trip generation, as stated in the current revised traffic study are not warranted. Nonetheless, Traffic Concepts counted the existing traffic volumes on September 7, 2022 starting at 6AM for a period of 24 hours along Perryman Road (south of the MD 159 roundabout). The existing truck trips make up 15% of the total vehicles on Perryman Road during the morning peak hour (note that the evening peak hour is lower at 13%). Therefore, the TIS has been revised to include 15% heavy vehicles for the Perryman Road peninsula. Please note that the peak hour percentage of heavy vehicles included in the attached revised TIS include those noted in the chart above under comment #2. 4.MD 159 and Spesutia Road - On page 38, the analysis of MD 159 and Spesutia Road indicates a traffic signal is warranted based on only Warrant 3 (Peak Hour Warrant). A complete traffic signal warrant analysis should be conducted and included in the next submission using ITE trip generation time of day distribution. Traffic Concepts performed a complete traffic signal warrant analysis for this intersection, which is included in the attached revised TIS. As noted in the analysis, a traffic signal is not warranted at this intersection under the existing or the full build out traffic conditions. However, in order to alleviate any concerns that MDOT SHA may have regarding this intersection, the Developer agrees to prepare an updated traffic signal warrant analysis after occupancy of each building. If the analysis shows a traffic signal is warranted, the Developer will design and install the traffic signal upon MDOT SHA and Harford County approval. In addition, and in order to mitigate the traffic impacts associated with the proposed development, the Developer proposes to revise the geometry of this intersection. The existing right turn lane from Spesutia Road to MD 159 will be widened and channelization markings added to encourage right turning traffic to flow without stopping, which does not exist today. Also, the existing small median along southbound MD 159 will be removed to provide a wider left turn lane for trucks turning into the private property across from Spesutia Road. This lane will also be extended to provide a longer queue area for trucks without blocking southbound vehicles along MD 159 passing through the intersection. The existing channelized median on the private leg of the intersection will be cut back to improve the turning radius for large vehicles ______________________________________________________________________________________ 7525 Connelley Drive • Suite B • Hanover, MD 21076 • Phone (410) 760-2911 • Fax (410) 760-2915 Ms. Sutapa Samanta. P.E. September 27, 2022 Page 4 of 5 entering the property. Field observations show that these intersection modifications will improve the flow of traffic and shorten delay times for the left turning vehicles from northbound MD 159 and eastbound Spesutia Road. A conceptual mitigation plan has been included in the revised TIS. 5.MD 159 and Chelsea Road - On page 39, the analysis of the intersection of MD 159 and Chelsea Road indicates a traffic signal is warranted based on only Warrant 3 (Peak Hour Warrant). A complete traffic signal warrant analysis should be conducted and included in the next submission. Traffic Concepts performed a complete traffic signal warrant analysis for this intersection, which is included in the attached revised TIS. A signal warrant analysis was conducted for the existing and future traffic volumes. Warrants are not met for the existing traffic conditions. However, the future volume test determined that Warrant 1 (Eight-Hour Vehicular Volume), Warrant 2 (Four-Hour Vehicular Volume), and Warrant 3 (Peak Hour Volume) are satisfied. Alternatively, and in order to mitigate the traffic impacts associated with the proposed development, the Developer proposes to revise the geometry of this intersection to create a Maryland T style intersection. The primary delays of this intersection are left turns from northbound MD 159 onto Chelsea Road. The proposed Maryland T improvement mitigates the delays and results in an acceptable level of service. A conceptual mitigation plan has been provided in the revised TIS. 6.Perryman Road - Comment #3 mentioned the need to encourage vehicles coming to / leaving from site to use Canning House Road (AKA Roadway A), and the response indicated the assignment pattern has vehicles taking that route. However, the comment also requested information as to mitigation and calming measure to ensure trucks do not use Perryman Road. Please provide a response for this as well. Canning House Road (Road “A”) will be signed in a way to discourage heavy truck traffic from using the residential portion along MD 159. Multiple, multilingual "No Truck Turning” signs will be posted in intervals along relocated Canning House Road before the proposed intersection at MD 159. These signs will meet AASHTO standards. In addition, “No Truck Turning” signs will be posted at the intersection of Canning House Road and MD 159. A detailed signing plan will be prepared and included with the final plans. The Developer will instruct each tenant that all trucks are required to be routed along Canning House Road and truck traffic on MD 159 is prohibited. 7.Proposed MD 715 at Woodley Road (extended) signalized intersection has been removed from the study by the developer. Harford County staff requested the removal of this Capital Improvement Project from the traffic study including the intersection of MD 715 @ Woodley Road. 8.Queuing Analysis – Please confirm the queuing analysis and storage lengths required considered the longer lengths of trucks due to the high truck percentage. The queuing analyses conducted with the HCM and the SimTraffic program accounted for the heavy truck percentages. ______________________________________________________________________________________ 7525 Connelley Drive • Suite B • Hanover, MD 21076 • Phone (410) 760-2911 • Fax (410) 760-2915 Ms. Sutapa Samanta. P.E. September 27, 2022 Page 5 of 5 9.To aid in the review of futures submissions, any differences between the last submission and the current one should be made obvious to the reviewer. For example, italics or highlights could be used to indicate any revisions to the text. The attachedrevised TIStext changes areitalicized. 10.Between the original TIS and the current revision, many of the key intersections were renumbered. To be consistent, any future revisions must use the same key intersection numbering as in this revision. If a key intersection is removed from the study, please make a note of it on each applicablesheet. The attached September 2022 revised TIS uses the same key intersection numbering as the June 2022 TIS revision. 11.Exhibits 2B, 3B, 7B – The intersection #18 label in the line diagram should be replaced by labels for Intersections #18a and #18b in the figures to correspond with the volume figures. The stated exhibits are revised in the September 2022 TIS revision. 12.Since no legend is on Exhibit 3B, provide label for proposed Canning House Road. The current label only shows that Canning House Road is beingrelocated at MD 159 but does not demonstrate that the northeast portion of the roadway being proposed and does not currentlyexist. Exhibit 3B has been revised to demonstrate the northeast portion of the roadway is proposed and does not currently exist. Sincerely, TRAFFIC CONCEPTS,INC. Mark Keeley, PTP Project Manager MKeeley@traffic-concepts.com Attachments: Truck Count Data Revised TIS ______________________________________________________________________________________ 7525 Connelley Drive • Suite B• Hanover, MD 21076 • Phone (410) 760-2911 • Fax (410) 760-2915 24-HOUR CLASSIFIED COUNT SUMMAR Y LOCATION:MD 159 (S. of MD 159 Roundabout)COUNTY:HARFORD COUNT BY:CAM DATE:SEPTEMBER 7, 2022 WEATHER:OVERCAST/RAIN DAY:WEDNESDAY NB MD 159SB MD 159 TOTAL NB & SB ALLHVALLHVALLHV% HV TIME HOURLY 1884030733 6:00-7:00 AM 4957315% 2394015133 7:00-8:00 AM 3907319% 1473614738 8:00-9:00 AM 2947425% 1524514141 9:00-10:00 AM 2938629% 1554514651 10:00-11:00 AM 3019632% 1843517959 11:00 AM -12:00 PM 3639426% 1734918558 12:00-1:00 PM 35810730% 2004219045 1:00-2:00 PM 3908722% 2435022549 2:00-3:00 PM 4689921% 3833925348 3:00-4:00 PM 6368714% 2642318937 4:00-5:00 PM 4536013% 2853123937 5:00-6:00 PM 5246813% 1603117029 6:00-7:00 PM 3306018% 1042611422 7:00-8:00 PM 2184822% 1273413130 8:00-9:00 PM 2586425% 82258825 9:00-10:00 PM 1705029% 95249019 10:00-11:00 PM 1854323% 73204218 11:00 PM - 0:00 AM 1153833% 70283517 0:00-1:00 AM 1054543% 29183316 1:00-2:00 AM 623455% 72205222 2:00-3:00 AM 1244234% 80343613 3:00-4:00 AM 1164741% 1072910818 4:00-5:00 AM 2154722% 1002423938 5:00-6:00 AM 3396218% 371278834907967202158422% 24 HR TOTALS TRAFFIC CONCEPTS, INC. 7525 CONNELLEY DRIVE, SUITE B HANOVER, MARYLAND 21076 410 760 2911 (FAX) 410 760 2915 E-MAIL TRAFFIC@TRAFFIC-CONCEPTS.COM M:\\3762