AgdaPkt 2017-04-03 Joint SA PFA - Laserfiche WebLink

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19 number of project trips that would pass through it and the intersection’s level of service. A recent transportation impact study report (1629 Main Street, TJKM 7/19/16) substantiates this assessment and established an LOS of B in the AM and PM peak hours in all analysis scenarios. Additional recent analysis, the November 2016 Existing Conditions Memorandum #3: Transportation, shows that the intersection currently operates at LOS C during the AM peak hour and LOS B during the PM peak hour, and that the proposed project is projected to add approximately 45 vehicles during peak hours. This will increase impacts at the intersection, but operation will continue to be at acceptable levels (LOS D or better). (See March 15, 2017 Hexagon letter.) (d) Appellant’s Contention: The City applied improper trip reduction rates to calculate project trip generation. The City should have used results from the “MXD” model based on updated input variables. (Appeal, p. 13.) City Response: Analysis of traffic conditions and impacts may properly be performed pursuant to various alternative models and methodologies. There is no one model or methodology used universally by the transportation profession, and the City retains discretion to determine how to best perform the analysis. Using trip generation rates published by the Institute of Transportation Engineers (ITE), is one acceptable approach. These rates are based on data gathered from across the United States. Thus, for example, when evaluating the trips generated by an office building, ITE draws upon data from suburban office parks along with urban buildings and thus will typically overestimate the trips generated by an office building in a dense, mixed-use downtown like Redwood City. The Mixed-Use Trip Generation (MXD) Model is a newer approach to estimating vehicle trips. The model was developed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), in collaboration with ITE, using multiple data sources from various regions and whose results were validated with specific projects. It is generally considered to more accurately estimate trips generated by a development in a mixed-use environment. The MXD model has been validated and is being used by multiple agencies throughout the country. The MXD Model can be used to modify ITE calculations. The Model makes adjustments to ITE’s standard trip generation rates acknowledging that the standard rates are largely based on data from isolated sites that are accessible only by car. More specifically, the MXD Model is used to estimate the internal capture of trips within large (over 5 acre) mixed-use developments as well as walking and transit use for trips starting or ending in mixed-use developments. The MXD model was used for the DTPP EIR to provide a more accurate estimate of trips generated by Downtown-uses because the area is compact, pedestrian oriented, and has a mix of land uses close to public transit (Caltrain and SamTrans service), shopping, employment, and community services. For the DTPP EIR, ITE’s standard trip generation rates were first used to estimate total trips generated by development within 8.A. - Page 19