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

T.F. Green Airport Improvement ProgramEnvironmental Impact Statement and Final Section 4(f) Evaluationon this portion of the Terminal Loop Roadway during peak periods. Insufficient site distance could contributeto safety concerns on the terminal roadways;• The lack of available right-of-way and location of structural supports for the upper level departure roadwayconstrain capacity improvements at the existing signalized intersection;• The substandard weave distance between the short-term parking lot exit and the intersection conflicts with themovement of re-circulating traffic;• Extended queue lengths on the loop roadway impair the performance of the short-term parking lot exit lanesand plaza, creating extended queues in the short-term parking lot;• The insufficient weave length between the intersection and the terminal curb front adversely affects safety; and,• Recirculating traffic on the Terminal Loop Roadway system has the potential to create an unsafe condition,particularly with drivers unfamiliar with the Airport and its environs.Without improvements to the system of roadways that provide access to the terminal area for the traveling public,non-airport related local traffic patterns would continue to be impacted by the Airport's operation, traffic flowsand peaking characteristics and ultimately negatively impact vehicular movement on area roadways. Specifically,the current traffic conditions (categorized as unstable traffic flow with traffic demand approaching or at roadwaycapacity) are expected to deteriorate further in the future. Delays would become more pronounced and would besustained over a longer period of time. A progressive failure in traffic conditions would exacerbate delays alongthe southern portion of the Terminal Loop Roadway.2.3.2.6 Parking FacilitiesThere are two types of public parking facilities at most airports in U.S., including T.F. Green Airport: short-termand long-term parking. Short-term parking generally consists of vehicles parking for less than five hours andusually includes acquaintances picking up or dropping off air passengers. Long-term parking is for longer stays,including overnight parking and is generally less expensive on a per-hour basis than short-term parking.Passengers that drive to the Airport themselves and employees working a minimum of eight-hour shifts typicallywould park in long-term parking areas. Currently, most T.F. Green Airport employees park in the long-termparking areas; however, some park in the short-term area. A total of 591 on-airport short-term parking spaces areavailable in Hourly Lot D (surface lot directly across from the passenger terminal). This is adequate for theshort-term parking needs of T.F. Green Airport throughout the planning period with the 2010 FEIS No-ActionForecast. 87To maintain efficient and convenient air transportation, which includes the ease of use and access associated withautomobile parking, RIAC must consolidate Airport employee parking in the long-term parking area. Therefore, theemployee parking demand must be considered with passenger demand to determine long-term parking requirementsat the Airport. Table 2-11 shows the anticipated long-term parking requirements at T.F. Green Airport using a ratio of2.5 passenger parking spaces per 1,000 annual passenger enplanements, and a ratio of 0.5 employee parking spacesper 1,000 passenger enplanements (consistent the 2002 T.F. Green Airport Master Plan Update). 88 Based on the87 T.F. Green Airport Master Plan Update, Landrum & Brown, Inc., 2002, Page III-42.88 Ibid, Page III-45.Chapter 2 – Purpose and Need 2-35 July 2011\\mawatr\ev\09228.00\reports\FEIS_Final_July_2011\PVD_CH02_P&N_JUL_2011.doc