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Guidelines and Procedures for Transportation Operational Assessments City of Cypress

APPLICATION OF GUIDELINES AND PROCEDURES

A Transportation Operational Assessment ("transportation assessment") is required for proposed developments expected to generate 50 or more vehicle trips during the morning (AM) or afternoon (PM) peak hour. The estimated traffic volume should primarily be based on trip generation rates from the latest edition of the Trip Generation Manual published by the Institute of Transportation Engineers. Alternative trip rates derived from empirical or site-specific studies may also be acceptable, particularly for tenants with atypical land use. Approval of such derived trip generation rates must be obtained from the City Traffic Engineer before use.

The following conditions determine when a transportation assessment is required:

  • A projected trip generation of 50 or more vehicle trips during the AM or PM peak hour.

  • The project generates 25 or more peak hour trips through any single signalized intersection.

  • The proposed development involves truck terminals or warehouse-type uses.

  • Smaller projects or unique land use combinations requiring assessment at the discretion of the City Traffic Engineer.

The transportation assessment focuses on evaluating the existing transportation network and analyzing the project's potential impact. It provides recommendations for safety improvements and integration with the built environment. The assessment must be conducted under the supervision of a registered Traffic Engineer, Civil Engineer, or certified Transportation Planner. Before beginning the assessment, the analyst and project applicant must coordinate with the City Traffic Engineer to define the study area, assumptions, and methodologies. Larger projects may require traffic modeling, subject to the City Traffic Engineer's discretion. These details must be documented in the Transportation Assessment Scoping (TAS) form (Attachment A) and submitted for approval before the assessment begins.

City staff reserves the right to grant exemptions or modify requirements for specific projects. Additionally, the City Traffic Engineer may determine that the City will conduct the transportation assessment instead of the applicant.

TRANSPORTATION OPERATIONAL ASSESSMENT REPORT CONTENT

A. Cover Page The cover page must follow the template provided in Attachment B. It must include the project name, address, date, and the preparer’s contact information. The cover page must be signed and stamped by the preparer.

B. Executive Summary The executive summary should briefly outline the project description, the scope of the transportation assessment, key findings, and proposed mitigation measures for any identified deficiencies.

C. Project Description The transportation assessment must include a comprehensive project description, covering the following details:

  • Project site location, address, and major cross streets.

  • Proposed land use size (square footage or residential unit count) and any net changes.

  • Expected project buildout and occupancy year.

  • Any phased development plans or unusual site conditions.

  • Transportation demand management strategies proposed for the project.

Maps and figures must include:

  • A site vicinity map showing study locations and the project site, including major roads.

  • A project site plan illustrating proposed buildings, pedestrian pathways, driveways, parking areas, loading zones, and easements.

D. Transportation Circulation Setting

  1. Existing Project Site

    • Describe the current site, including size, land use, surrounding properties, and existing site access.

  2. Existing Roadways and Intersections

    • Identify street classifications, lane configurations, curb widths, right-of-way dimensions, on-street parking availability, and median types.

    • Provide details for all study intersections, including lane configurations, control types, and relevant traffic features.

  3. Traffic Counts

    • Traffic counts should be no more than one year old unless approved by the City Traffic Engineer.

    • If recent traffic counts are unavailable, new counts must be collected by a qualified firm.

    • Turning movement counts must include vehicles, pedestrians, and bicycles.

    • Data collection must occur on mid-week days (Tuesday-Thursday) during school sessions, avoiding holidays and unusual conditions (e.g., construction, detours).

    • Peak hour is determined based on the highest one-hour period from four consecutive 15-minute intervals.

Figures and maps required:

  • Street map indicating study area, traffic control measures, and lane configurations.

  • Diagrams displaying AM and PM peak hour traffic volumes at study intersections.

  • Raw traffic count data worksheets in the report appendix.

E. Site Access and On-Site Circulation Analysis

The assessment must analyze site access and internal circulation, including:

  • Number and location of project access points.

  • On-site stacking distances for drive-through lanes, including maximum queue capacity.

  • Shared access points with adjacent properties.

  • Turn restrictions at site driveways.

  • Adequate sight distances at driveways.

  • Driveway and drive aisle widths.

  • Additional operational characteristics as determined by City staff.

  1. Truck and Service Vehicle Circulation and Access Review

    • Projects involving trucks, service vehicles, passenger loading areas, or valet/drive-through facilities may require additional analysis.

    • The review may examine vehicle maneuverability, on-site loading, and queue management.

    • This requirement will be determined case-by-case by the City Traffic Engineer.

F. Active Transportation Network Review

The study must evaluate potential impacts on public transit, pedestrian, and bicycle infrastructure. The pedestrian inventory should include a review of:

  • Sidewalks and their widths.

  • Marked and unmarked crosswalks.

  • Crosswalk design (solid, parallel, continental, school crossings, etc.).

  • Pedestrian push-button availability.

  • Curb access ramps and tactile warning strips.

  • Curb extensions and pedestrian-friendly amenities (benches, street trees, lighting).

Bicycle infrastructure should include:

  • Existing and proposed bicycle facilities in the study area.

  • On-site and adjacent bicycle racks/parking availability.

  • Any additional bicycle amenities planned for the project.

Transit facility analysis should summarize:

  • Bus stops, transit stations, and facilities within a half-mile (2,640 feet) of the site.

  • Transit routes, service hours, peak period headways, route numbers, and service providers.

Figures and maps required:

  • Map displaying public transit routes and stops.

  • Map of existing and planned bicycle routes.

  • Diagram of pedestrian infrastructure within a quarter-mile (1,320 feet) of the project site.

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