Guidelines for Conducting Level-of-Service (LOS) Assessments for General Plan Consistency
The City of Fountain Valley provides specific guidance for conducting Level-of-Service (LOS) assessments to ensure compliance with its General Plan Consistency requirements. The scope of LOS assessments is determined by the City Engineer on a project-by-project basis. The results of these analyses are used for project approvals but should not be included in CEQA documents to disclose transportation impacts.
Level-of-Service (LOS) Analysis Procedures
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Scope of Analysis:
LOS analysis is conducted for identified mid-block segments, intersections within the study area, and all proposed project access points. -
Methodology:
- Intersection capacity calculations should use the Intersection Capacity Utilization (ICU) method unless otherwise directed by the City Engineer.
- The Highway Capacity Manual (HCM) methodology may be required in addition to ICU analysis for intersections under Caltrans' control, with prior written approval from the City Engineer.
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Traffic Signal Operations:
- Minimum clearance intervals of 0.05 seconds are used with a lane capacity assumption of 1,700 vehicles per hour for both through and turn lanes.
- Right-turn lanes may be included in calculations if there is a minimum of 19 feet of clearance and no peak-hour parking restrictions.
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Pedestrian Considerations:
Pedestrian adjustments are required for intersections with more than 100 pedestrians during peak periods, following Chapter 16 of the latest HCM guidelines. -
Acceptable LOS Standards:
Per the City’s General Plan, intersections and roadway segments must meet a volume-to-capacity (V/C) ratio of 0.90 (LOS D) after improvements. -
Future Traffic Conditions:
Analyses must include current vehicular volumes, future projections, and the effects of proposed improvements. Calculations showing the impact of improvements on LOS should be summarized using graphical representations. -
Signal Justifications:
New traffic signal installations must be justified based on warrants in the Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) or its California Supplement. -
Access Evaluations:
Proposed intersections with arterial streets must be evaluated for capacity, spacing, queuing, and pocket lengths. -
Fair-Share Contributions:
Applicants must contribute to required improvements proportionally when their projects create deficiencies in LOS.
Transportation Effects and Systems Improvement
- Intersections operating at LOS E or F (V/C Ratio > 0.90) with project traffic require improvements to meet acceptable standards.
- Proposed improvements to mitigate deficiencies must address:
- Location and nature of improvements, summarized with exhibits.
- Volume/capacity calculations for proposed changes.
- Feasibility of implementation, including costs and right-of-way acquisition.
- Consistency with design standards and timing of implementation.
A detailed summary, including tables, maps, and phased improvement schedules (if applicable), must be provided.
Site Access Analysis
A comprehensive evaluation of site access and circulation must include:
- The number and spacing of access points.
- Signalization and queuing at driveways.
- Shared access arrangements and turn restrictions.
- Adequate sight distance and pedestrian connections.
Residential and commercial projects with privacy gates must include stacking analyses and demonstrate adequate interface with arterial networks.
On-Site Parking Analysis
Projects must meet Fountain Valley Municipal Code Chapter 17.34 requirements for parking. Parking studies are required to justify deviations from code or to support reciprocal parking arrangements. If the parking code does not specify rates for certain land uses, additional documentation is needed to justify the proposed rates.
In all cases, the parking analysis must confirm that supply is sufficient to meet projected demand.
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