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

T.F. Green Airport Improvement ProgramEnvironmental Impact Statement and Final Section 4(f) Evaluation5.6.2 Significance Thresholds and Additional AnalysesThe surface transportation analysis considers impacts of Alternatives B2 and B4 as defined in the FAA’sthresholds of significance defined under social and socioeconomic impacts, and also conducts other additionaltraffic analyses to gain a full understanding of roadway and airport access conditions.5.6.2.1 Finding: No Significant Surface Transportation ImpactsThe significance threshold for surface transportation (which is listed under the social and socioeconomicsignificance thresholds), in accordance with the FAA Order 1050.1E, is when an action would cause disruption inlocal traffic patterns that would substantially reduce the level of service of roads serving the Airport andsurrounding communities (Table 5-6). Alternative B2 and Alternative B4 would not result in significant surfacetransportation impacts since neither would cause a substantial reduction in the Level of Service (LOS) 357 of roadsserving the airport and its surrounding communities. The results show that there would be no freeway segment,ramp merge and diverge area, or freeway weave segment capacity constraints on the Airport Connector or Route37 and that there would be no locations that would degrade to LOS E or LOS F as a result of Alternative B2. UnderAlternative B2, there would be no substantial reduction in the LOS of roads serving the Airport and itssurrounding communities. Alternative B2 would improve traffic circulation surrounding the Airport, specificallywith the Fully Relocated Airport Road and the Airport gateway improvements on Post Road.For Alternative B4, the results show that there would be no freeway segment or ramp merge and diverge areacapacity constraints on the Airport Connector or Route 37 and that there would be no locations that woulddegrade to LOS E or LOS F as a result of Alternative B4. Under Alternative B4, there would be no substantialreduction in the LOS of roads serving the Airport and its surrounding communities. Alternative B4 also wouldimprove traffic circulation surrounding the Airport, specifically with the proposed improvements toAirport Road and Main Avenue, and the Airport gateway improvements on Post Road (U.S. Route 1).5.6.2.2 Additional AnalysesIn addition to the LOS analysis conducted to identify significant impacts, the surface transportation impactassessment considered parking, public transportation, and bicycle transportation at the Airport and its surroundings.5.6.3 MethodologyThis section summarizes the methods used to assess the No-Action Alternative and Alternatives B2 and B4. Thefollowing regulations and standards were consulted to identify appropriate methodologies for the surfacetransportation analysis:• Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) 55 FR 42670 (October 22, 1990) amended by policy FR Doc. 98-3460(February 11, 1998)• Transportation Engineering Handbook, James Pline (ed.), 5th ed. Institute of Transportation Engineers:Washington, D.C.357 The term “level of service” (LOS) is used to denote the different operating conditions that occur under select traffic volume loads. It is a qualitative measurethat considers a number of factors including traffic demands, roadway geometry, speed, signal operations, travel delay, and freedom to maneuver. Thelevel of service designation is an index ranging from A to F, with LOS A representing the best operating conditions and LOS F representing the worstoperating conditions.Chapter 5 - Environmental Consequences 5-119 July 2011\\mawatr\ev\09228.00\reports\FEIS_Final_July_2011\PVD_CH05_Environmental_Cons_JUL_2011.doc