Details
Type: Bulletin
Topic or Program: Access Management
Final Number: AM13-07(B)
Effective Date: 05/15/2013
Updated Date: 08/24/2017
Signature on File: Larry McKinley, Access Management Program Manager
Purpose
The purpose of this Technical Services Bulletin is to explain administrative rules OAR 734-051-3030(4)-(6) pertaining to ODOT’s authority to require a traffic impact analysis (TIA) as part of the approach road permitting process.
Definitions
- OAR 734-051
- Oregon Administrative Rule Chapter 734 Division 51.
- ORS
- Oregon Revised Statutes.
- Annual average daily traffic (AADT)
- Highway traffic volumes as reported in the most recent edition of the transportation volume tables published annually by the department at:
http://www.oregon.gov/ODOT/Data/Pages/Traffic-Counting.aspx
- Average daily trips (ADT)
- The total of all one-direction vehicle movements with either the origin or destination inside the study site that includes existing, primary, pass by, and diverted linked trips and is calculated in accordance with the procedures contained in Trip Generation, 8th Edition: An ITE Informational Report; and Trip Generation Handbook, 2nd Edition, both published by the Institute of Transportation Engineers (ITE). Adjustments to the standard rates in the ITE publications for mode split may be allowed if calculated in accordance with Transportation Planning Rule and the ITE procedures. Adjustments to the standard rates for multi-use internal site trips may be allowed if calculated in accordance with ITE procedures and if the internal trips do not add vehicle movements to the approaches to the highway.
Background/Reference
OAR 734-051-3030(4)-(6) implements ORS 374.314, the statute pertaining to ODOT’s authority to require a TIA in the approach permitting process. The statute reflects the objective of the 2011 Legislative Assembly and stakeholders who worked to develop SB 264 to reduce the cost of TIA to applicants, especially to small business owners. The statute also reflects the general desire of stakeholders and the legislature to shift more of the responsibility to ODOT to perform traffic analysis at thresholds below those cited in the statue. While the statute restricts ODOT’s authority to require a TIA of the applicant, it does not restrict ODOT’s authority to perform a TIA with its own staff or a consultant when it decides that the circumstances warrant.
Another statute that contains an important provision related to TIA is ORS 374.312(7)(b). It states that “unless waived by the department, a request for a deviation must include a TIA provided by the applicant that addresses a request for deviations from the spacing, channelization or sight distance standards….” This statute is reflected in OAR 734-3030(4)(a). The statute and rules authorize ODOT to require, or waive the requirement for a TIA when an applicant requests a deviation, regardless of whether or not the thresholds in ORS 374.314 are exceeded.
Explanation
Except when an application includes a request for a deviation from spacing, sight distance, or channelization standards, the department is prohibited from requiring a TIA for the following ADT and AADT thresholds (only through and left turn lanes are counted in determining the number of highway lanes):
- ADT is less than 401.
- ADT is 401 or more but less than 1,001 and the highway meets any of the following criteria:
- A two-lane highway with 5,000 or fewer AADT.
- A three-lane highway with 15,000 or fewer AADT.
- A four-lane highway with 10,000 or fewer AADT.
- A five-lane highway with 25,000 or fewer AADT
The department has the option to require a TIA when the thresholds above are exceeded.
In addition to the thresholds above, the department will generally not require a TIA in the following circumstances (even though not prohibited by statute or OAR 734-051):
- When a request for a spacing deviation does not present any safety or operations concerns as set forth in OAR 734-051-4020(3).
- The applicant proposes and the department approves channelization to address the channelization standard set forth in OAR 734-051-4020(2)(b).
- The department determines that a request for a sight distance deviation can be approved without a TIA.
Staff needs to review explanations and background in the technical bulletins on safety and operations concerns, channelization, and sight distance when deciding whether a TIA is needed and for what purpose.
Responsibilities
Department staff in the following positions are responsible for carrying out the guidance in this Bulletin as it relates to their assigned duties and authority:
- Region Managers
- District Managers
- Region Access Management Engineers
- Development Review Coordinators
- Access Management Coordinators
- Permit Specialists
Action Required
Implementation of this Technical Bulletin upon the effective date.
Special Instructions
If problems or concerns develop in implementing this Bulletin or further clarification is needed, contact the Access Management Program Manager.