T.F. Green Airport Improvement Program - FEIS Chapters - PVD

T.F. Green Airport Improvement ProgramEnvironmental Impact Statement and Final Section 4(f) Evaluation4.5 Surface TransportationThis section presents the methodology of the traffic analysis and describes the Baseline Condition for surfacetransportation within the T.F. Green Airport Project and Study Areas. 1844.5.1 MethodologyThe methods used to conduct the Baseline Condition assessment followed standard industry practice fortransportation evaluations. The Surface Transportation Study Area and key intersections for the surfacetransportation analysis were established based on the potential area of influence for any airport-related action.Peak hour traffic volume data was collected at the key Surface Transportation Study Area intersections, along thefreeway segments, and at key ramp junctions. Field reviews were conducted to visually observe weekday peakhour traffic operations, to inventory geometry and physical conditions, and to record signal timings whereappropriate. Annual and monthly historical traffic data for roadways in the area were reviewed to ensure that thedata were not taken during a historically low month for the traffic demands through the area. A traffic operationsmodel was used to evaluate how the transportation infrastructure handles the peak hour demands.Surface Transportation Study AreaThe Study Area, shown in Figure 4-14, was established based on the potential area of influence of impactsresulting from any airport-related action. It includes the roadway system surrounding the Airport, includingAirport Road, Post Road (U.S. Route 1), Jefferson Boulevard, and Main Avenue (State Route 113) as well asRoute 37 and Airport Connector.4.5.2 Affected EnvironmentThe existing roadway network in the vicinity of T.F. Green Airport is described and evaluated in this section,along with an inventory of public parking areas, a summary of the historical occurrence of vehicular crashes,and an overview of public transportation, bicycle facilities, rental car, and limousine services. This section alsodocuments Baseline Condition off-airport traffic flow patterns, traffic operations, and safety issues at the keyintersections, freeway segments, and ramps in the vicinity of T.F. Green Airport. The focus of this assessment isoff-airport transportation infrastructure and not on-airport infrastructure needs.4.5.2.1 Regional ContextT.F. Green Airport is located in the City of Warwick, six miles south of the City of Providence, Rhode Island.Major roadways around T.F. Green Airport include Airport Road to the north, Sandy Lane and WarwickAvenue to the east, Main Avenue (State Route 113) to the south, and Post Road (U.S. Route 1) to the west.Regionally, the Airport is accessible from several roadways including I-95 at Interchanges 13 and 14, I-295, PostRoad (U.S. Route 1), and State Route 37. The on-Airport terminal roadway, Terminal Loop Road, extends fromthe Airport Connector and connects with Post Road. The Airport Connector from I-95 at Interchange 13provides direct access to the Airport from the highway. Vehicular traffic to the Airport uses either the AirportConnector (approximately 70 percent) or Post Road (approximately 30 percent).184 Surface Transportation is not regularly evaluated as a separate category under FAA Order 1050.1E, Appendix A but in this FEIS was evaluated asseparate because of the substantial proposed changes to the roadway network under some alternatives.Chapter 4 – Affected Environment 4-27 July 2011\\mawatr\ev\09228.00\reports\FEIS_Final_July_2011\PVD_CH04_Affected_Env_JUL_2011.doc