Before initiating any Traffic Impact Analysis (TIA), the project proponent is required to coordinate with the City of Fountain Valley’s Planning Department and Public Works Department. This coordination will establish a tentative schedule for reviewing and processing the TIA and ensure alignment on key aspects of the study. Initial discussions will address critical issues, the scope of development, and the boundaries of the study area. During this meeting, the proponent must submit a detailed site plan for review. City staff will provide input on several specific areas, including:
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Defining the general study area boundaries.
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Project access points and circulation.
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Approved developments in the vicinity for cumulative analysis.
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General Plan build-out traffic volumes.
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Appropriate trip generation rates for the proposed project.
Coordination with the City Engineer and/or Public Works Director is also necessary to discuss detailed and technical aspects of the analysis before formal submittal. Key topics of discussion will include:
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Assumptions for trip distribution and assignment.
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Identification of intersections and roadway segments requiring capacity analysis. At a minimum, intersections where the project generates 51 or more trips during AM or PM peak hours must be analyzed. This threshold may be reduced at the discretion of the City Engineer or Public Works Director for intersections operating at Level of Service (LOS) “E” or “F”.
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Assumptions for intersection capacity analysis.
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Screening potential for project-level Vehicle Miles Traveled (VMT).
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Assumptions for VMT analysis.
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Inclusion of a Transportation Demand Management (TDM) Plan to mitigate traffic impacts and encourage alternative transportation modes.
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Special considerations for pedestrian circulation, access, parking, and on-site circulation.
The content and level of analysis required will vary based on the scope of the project and its location within the city. The TIA document must be organized as follows, with each section containing the specified minimum information:
1. Executive Summary
The Executive Summary must present a concise overview of the study area, key findings, and proposed improvements. This section is intended to provide decision-makers with a clear understanding of the TIA’s outcomes and recommendations.
2. Introduction
a. Site Location and Study Area Boundaries
This subsection should briefly describe the proposed development and its geographical location. It must also outline the mutually agreed-upon study area limits, defined by the applicant, their engineer, and the City.
b. Existing Land Uses and Project Proposals
The current site conditions and the proposed project must be described in detail, including specific land use proposals.
c. Committed and Proposed Developments in the Vicinity
Projects contributing traffic to the study area, including approved and proposed developments with submitted applications, must be identified. A brief description of these projects and their traffic-related impacts should be included.
d. Existing and Proposed Roadways and Intersections
The roadways and intersections within the study area should be described, highlighting their roles in circulation and project access. Key elements to include are the number of lanes, driveway locations, ultimate right-of-way, intersection geometrics, bus stops, bike lanes, sidewalks, and traffic controls.
A vicinity map summarizing this information must be included, showing the project site, study boundaries, existing lane configurations, traffic controls, and other pertinent features.
3. Methodology and Thresholds
This section must detail the methodology used to calculate LOS and VMT. If applicable, it should include criteria for screening projects from project-level VMT analysis, impact thresholds for VMT, and deficient LOS operations for roadways and intersections.
4. Trip Generation
Trip generation calculations should use the Orange County Traffic Analysis Model (OCTAM) and/or ITE rates, as directed by the City. If these rates are insufficient, alternative documented sources (e.g., SANDAG) may be used with prior approval. A summary table must list land use types, generation rates, land use units, and resulting AM peak, PM peak, and daily trip ends generated by the project.
5. Trip Distribution and Assignment
This section must describe the methodology and assumptions used to determine the distribution and assignment of vehicle trips. A graphic illustrating project distribution percentages and travel directions must be included. All assumptions must be approved by the City Engineer or Public Works Director prior to inclusion in the final report.
6. Existing and Projected Traffic Volumes
Traffic volume data used for existing conditions must be no more than two years old. Raw data from external sources must be included in the appendix. Five scenarios should be evaluated (as required by the City Engineer):
a. Existing Conditions
Traffic conditions based on data collected within the last 24 months.
b. Existing Conditions + Approved and Pending Projects
Existing traffic conditions with ambient growth and traffic from approved and pending developments (project opening year without the proposed project).
c. Existing Conditions + Approved and Pending Projects + Project
Existing traffic conditions with ambient growth, approved and pending developments, and the proposed project (project opening year with the proposed project).
d. General Plan Development
Traffic conditions based on the build-out of the City’s General Plan and circulation system. OCTAM build-out projections will be used for this analysis.
e. General Plan Development + Project
Cumulative traffic conditions based on General Plan build-out and the proposed project.
For projects constructed more than two years after existing conditions data collection, an annual ambient traffic growth factor (e.g., 1% per year) must be applied. Interim analyses may also be required for phased projects to evaluate impacts for each phase.
7. Traffic Signal Warrant Analysis
Unsignalized intersections operating deficiently must be identified, and a signal warrant analysis must be conducted to determine if a traffic signal installation is warranted.
8. Site Access Analysis
This analysis must address all aspects of site access, including driveway placement, vehicular circulation, pedestrian and bicycle access, and compliance with City standards.
9. On-Site Parking Analysis
The parking analysis must evaluate the adequacy of proposed on-site parking facilities, considering parking demand and compliance with City parking requirements.
10. Active Transportation and Public Transit Analysis
This section must assess pedestrian, bicycle, and public transit facilities within the project’s study area. Consideration should be given to existing infrastructure, gaps in connectivity, and opportunities for improvement.
11. LOS Improvements and Recommendations
Recommendations for improving LOS must be presented, including:
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Proposed intersection improvements.
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Proposed roadway segment improvements.
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Categorization of improvements based on inclusion in an adopted fee program.
12. Vehicle Miles Traveled (VMT) Analysis
This section must present the project’s VMT per person or employee for all scenarios, as well as the project’s impact on VMT. Data should be summarized in tables, and mitigation measures must be proposed for any identified VMT impacts. If the project qualifies for screening from VMT analysis, this must be documented.
Appendix
The appendix must include the following supporting materials:
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Approved scope of work.
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Traffic counts.
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Intersection analysis worksheets.
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VMT and TDM calculations.
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VMT and TDM mitigation calculations.
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Signal warrant worksheets.
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