CEQA Assessment - Active Transportation and Public Transit Analysis
The California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) aims to ensure that projects consider the environmental impacts they may have on public infrastructure, including transportation systems. In the context of the City of Pomona, the Active Transportation and Public Transit Analysis evaluates the effects that a proposed development may have on public transit, pedestrian, and bicycle facilities. This analysis is essential to assess whether a project supports the City's goals for sustainable, multimodal transportation, reducing reliance on single-occupancy vehicles, and ensuring safety for all users.
Criteria for Evaluating Impacts
To determine whether a project has a significant impact on active transportation or public transit, the following criteria are used:
- A significant impact occurs if the project conflicts with adopted policies, plans, or programs that support public transit, pedestrian, or bicycle facilities. Alternatively, if a project decreases the performance or safety of such facilities, it may also be considered to have a significant impact.
The Transportation Study (TS) must evaluate whether the project aligns with existing policies or plans regarding public transit or active transportation. This evaluation should consider how the project may either improve or hinder the performance or safety of these facilities and make a determination of whether the development has the potential to conflict with current or proposed infrastructure that supports walking, biking, and transit use.
Key Sections of the Transportation Study (TS)
The Transportation Study submitted to the City of Pomona is expected to cover specific areas related to the transportation impact of the project. Each section of the study provides critical information necessary for evaluating the project’s potential transportation effects. The study format includes the following sections:
1. Executive Summary
The executive summary is a concise presentation of the main findings of the transportation study. It provides an overview of the project, including a brief discussion of the project's potential to generate traffic and Vehicle Miles Traveled (VMT). The summary should also highlight key mitigation measures proposed to address any negative impacts identified. This section should provide a snapshot of deficiencies related to roadway Level of Service (LOS) and proposed improvements to address those issues.
2. Introduction
The introduction offers a detailed description of the study's procedures, providing an overview of the proposed project site and the study area's boundaries. It should describe both the existing and proposed site uses and outline the current and future roadways and intersections within the study area. This section must be supported by exhibits, including:
- A regional map showing the location of the project within the larger area.
- A site layout map illustrating the location and structure of the proposed development.
3. Project Description and Location
Building on the introduction, this section provides a more comprehensive description of the project. It should present a detailed development scenario, highlighting the specific location and nature of the project, including site plans, project density, adjacent roadways, on-site parking availability, and proposed internal traffic circulation. This section should also provide other relevant descriptors, such as the total square footage, the number of rooms or units in the development, and other critical details about the project.
4. Methodology and Thresholds
This section should outline the methodologies used to evaluate LOS and VMT. It should identify the screening criteria used to determine whether the project requires a full VMT analysis. Additionally, the thresholds for determining significant impacts should be clearly defined. These thresholds are based on the City of Pomona’s LOS standards for roadways and intersections and are used to assess the level of transportation impact the project may generate.
5. LOS Analysis
The Level of Service (LOS) analysis provides a comprehensive examination of how the project may affect traffic operations in the surrounding area. Key components of this analysis include:
- Traffic Generation Forecast: Estimating the number of trips generated by the project.
- Traffic Distribution and Assignment: Analyzing how these trips are likely to be distributed across the road network.
- Traffic Analysis: Evaluating the project's impact on existing and future traffic operations and identifying any required improvements to maintain an acceptable level of service.
6. On-site Parking, Access, and Circulation Analysis
This section focuses on analyzing the on-site parking supply, ensuring there is enough parking to meet the needs of the project without creating adverse effects on the surrounding road network. It also evaluates the access and circulation of vehicles within the project site, ensuring smooth and safe traffic flows within the development, with appropriate ingress and egress points.
7. Active Transportation and Public Transit Analysis
This section specifically addresses how the project will impact active transportation modes (walking and cycling) and public transit. The analysis should evaluate whether the project aligns with adopted policies, plans, or programs related to active transportation and public transit. The study should:
- Assess existing pedestrian and bicycle facilities in the area and evaluate how the project would affect their performance and safety.
- Consider whether the project improves or hinders public transit access and efficiency.
- Determine if the project enhances connectivity for walking and biking or provides new infrastructure for these modes.
The project’s potential to either increase or decrease the safety and efficiency of active transportation and public transit systems should be clearly assessed. If a project is found to conflict with or reduce the performance of these facilities, it may require mitigation measures to address the identified impacts.
8. Vehicle Miles Traveled (VMT) Analysis
In accordance with Senate Bill 743, the TS should provide a detailed analysis of the project’s impact on VMT. The analysis should include:
- Project VMT per service population: Evaluating the vehicle miles traveled generated by the project and comparing it to baseline and threshold conditions.
- Project effect on VMT: Assessing how the project impacts VMT at the regional level.
The VMT analysis should be presented in tabular form and should outline the Tier 1 and Tier 2 traffic analysis zones (TAZs) affected by the project. The analysis must also include a detailed description of the process used to isolate project-generated VMT and the methodology used to assess the project’s effect on regional VMT. If the project meets the City's screening criteria for VMT, this should be documented, and any potential VMT mitigation measures should be proposed.
9. Appendix
The appendix contains supplementary materials that provide additional details supporting the main report. If the report is too extensive to include in its entirety, these materials may be provided separately. Typical appendix materials include:
- VMT and Transportation Demand Management (TDM) calculations.
- Traffic counts and LOS calculation sheets.
- Accident diagrams for locations with high accident rates.
- Sketches of proposed roadway improvements.
- Any other relevant information necessary for the City's review of the transportation study.
Conclusion
The CEQA Transportation Study for the City of Pomona plays a critical role in ensuring that proposed projects are evaluated for their impacts on the surrounding transportation systems, including active transportation and public transit. The study process involves a thorough assessment of the project's potential to affect walking, cycling, and transit use, along with an analysis of its impact on vehicle miles traveled and roadway performance. Through this process, the City can determine whether the project aligns with regional and local transportation goals, and whether it supports a more sustainable, multimodal transportation network.
Mitigation measures, when necessary, are recommended to address any adverse effects on the transportation infrastructure, ensuring that the project contributes positively to the overall transportation system. The TS format and requirements provide a comprehensive framework for evaluating a project's transportation impact, helping decision-makers in Pomona ensure that development projects enhance mobility, safety, and environmental sustainability for all users.
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