Traffic Impact Analysis Methodology and General Plan Consistency for the project in city of Lake Elsinore

6.0 GENERAL PLAN CONSISTENCY ANALYSIS

6.1 Required Methodology

A. Intersection Analysis

The City of Lake Elsinore mandates the use of the Transportation Research Board’s Highway Capacity Manual, Sixth Edition (HCM6) or the most recent edition for intersection analysis. Both signalized and unsignalized intersections must be assessed in accordance with HCM methodologies. Exhibit C outlines the default input parameters for software analysis, which must be strictly followed. In cases where Exhibit C does not provide specific values, the engineer should refer directly to HCM6 or the most recent release.

The City allows the use of all microsimulation software for intersection analysis as long as the methodologies align with HCM6 or later standards.

To maintain acceptable traffic operations, the City generally requires that peak-hour intersections operate at Level of Service (LOS) D or better. Intersections operating at LOS E will be considered acceptable only within the Main Street Overlay and Ballpark District Planning Districts to support economic revitalization efforts. However, intersections operating at LOS F will be deemed deficient across all areas.

While most intersections do not require analysis with existing traffic signal timing, there are specific corridors where such analysis is mandatory, including:

• Railroad Canyon Road-Diamond Drive (between Lakeshore Drive-Mission Trail and Grape Street-Summerhill Drive)

• Central Avenue (between Dexter Avenue and Riverside Street)

For intersections under Caltrans jurisdiction, the agency may require the use of existing traffic signal timing in the analysis. Traffic signal timing documentation for City intersections can be requested if needed.

B. Roadway Segment ADT Analysis

In certain situations, an Average Daily Traffic (ADT) analysis of roadway segments may be required. This is particularly relevant when intersection analysis is not the primary factor or when evaluating long-term planning or buildout conditions. Roadway segment LOS shall be determined based on daily vehicle-to-capacity (V/C) ratios rather than peak-hour through-traffic ratios.

Capacity values for roadway segments are listed in Table 1: Daily Traffic Volume Capacity Values, while LOS criteria are defined in Table 2: Daily Level of Service Criteria.

Table 1: Daily Traffic Volume Capacity Values

Table 2: Daily Level of Service Criteria

Segments operating at “Potentially Exceeds Capacity” levels may be considered acceptable if adjacent intersections operate within acceptable LOS during peak hours. Segments classified as “Deficient” must be improved by adding additional through lanes.

C. Freeway Analysis

The City and Caltrans may require freeway operation analysis if a proposed project is located within one mile of a state highway or impacts freeway facilities experiencing congestion. Caltrans should be consulted during the scoping phase to determine specific freeway analysis requirements. HCM6 methodologies must be used for freeway facility analysis.

D. Additional Traffic Analyses

The City or other agencies may require additional analyses, such as:

• Queuing Analysis (to evaluate vehicle stacking at intersections and driveways)

• Traffic Signal Coordination Analysis

• Truck Turning Movement Analysis

These analyses ensure that projects comply with the City’s General Plan transportation policies.

E. Study Area Requirements

The minimum study area should include any intersection of a “Collector” or higher classification street where the proposed project adds 50 or more peak-hour trips, within a maximum 5-mile radius from the project site. Roadway segments requiring analysis must include all segments where 500 or more daily project trips are expected. The City or other agencies may require modifications to this requirement based on local conditions.

F. Analysis Scenarios

1. Subdivisions, Design Review, Conditional Use Permits, etc.

Projects must analyze traffic under the following conditions:

• Existing Traffic: Traffic counts must be recent (within one year) and conducted on standard weekdays (Tuesdays or Thursdays) while school is in session.

• Project Completion: Project-generated traffic is added to baseline volumes to assess completion-year conditions.

• Cumulative Analysis: Includes traffic from approved or proposed developments and determines whether mitigation through impact fees (e.g., TUMF) is necessary.

• Project Phasing: Large projects developed over multiple years must analyze traffic impacts at each phase.

2. Land Use General Plan Amendments or Specific Plans

Projects requiring a General Plan Amendment, Specific Plan, or Zone Change must conduct a Buildout Analysis to determine whether the Circulation Element can accommodate projected traffic at the target LOS.

G. Future Traffic Forecasts

1. Background Traffic for Development Approvals

All approved projects within the study area must be accounted for in cumulative traffic analysis. The City may also include pending applications and apply an ambient growth rate of 2% per year to reflect general traffic increases. Future traffic conditions at the project’s opening year must include:

• Existing traffic

• Ambient growth rate application

• Traffic from approved developments

• Project-generated traffic

2. Buildout Studies for General Plan Amendments and Specific Plans

Traffic projections for Buildout Scenarios should utilize the City of Lake Elsinore’s traffic model. This model provides base traffic volumes for roadway segments and intersections. For large-scale developments, the City may require a focused model run to refine projections. The following project types may be subject to this requirement:

• 1,500 dwelling units or more

• 25 acres or more of commercial land use

• 150 acres or more of industrial land use

• Any project generating 15,000 or more daily trips

These studies ensure that the General Plan’s transportation network can accommodate long-term growth and that additional improvements are planned accordingly.

Our Services are available throughout City of Lake Elsinore with Zipcodes 92532