The criteria provided pertain to assessing whether a project would substantially increase hazards due to geometric design features or incompatible uses. These criteria are used to evaluate the safety and compatibility of project access and its potential impact on traffic safety. Here are the key factors considered:
Factors for Assessing Geometric Design Hazards:
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Pedestrian Activity: The amount of pedestrian activity at project access points.
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Visibility: Design features and physical configurations introduced by the project that affect the visibility of pedestrians, bicyclists, and vehicles entering and exiting the site.
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Bicycle Facilities: Consideration of the type of bicycle facilities the project driveway(s) crosses and their level of utilization.
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Physical Conditions: Evaluation of physical conditions on the site and in the surrounding area, such as curves, slopes, walks, landscaping, or other barriers that could create safety hazards for pedestrians, bicyclists, or vehicles.
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Proximity to High Injury Network: The project's location or project-related changes to the public right-of-way concerning their proximity to the High Injury Network or areas covered by Safe Routes to School programs.
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Incompatible Uses: Identification of any conditions, including the approximate location of incompatible uses, that could substantially increase transportation hazards.
Factors for Assessing Queuing Impacts from Freeway Off-Ramps:
To evaluate the potential for vehicle impacts leading to unsafe vehicle queues from a freeway off-ramp:
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Queue Length: If the project is forecasted to add two or more car lengths to the ramp backup extending to the freeway mainline.
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Speed Differential: If the speed differential between vehicles on the off-ramp and those on the freeway mainline is 30 mph or more.
These criteria help traffic engineers and planners assess whether a project's design features, access plans, and potential impacts align with safety and compatibility standards. If a project triggers these criteria, further analysis and mitigation measures may be necessary to address safety concerns.
Please contact us if you need help preparing a transportation assessment report for a development project in the City of Los Angeles LADOT.