Draft Environmental Impact Report - California Off Highway Vehicle ...

3.1 Transportation and Traffic
On-Site Circulation
Larkin Road provides direct access to Clay Pit SVRA. The SVRA is served by one access road
located approximately 1 mile south of SR 162 and 1,000 feet east of the Airport Park/Larkin Road
intersection. Paved approach tapers are provided on Larkin Road at the SVRA access road. The
access road is controlled by a stop sign at the approach to Larkin Road. No left‐turn channelization
is provided on Larkin Road at the existing entrance to Clay Pit SVRA.
The paved access road into Clay Pit SVRA extends for a short distance into the park and leads to a
parking area, picnic tables, and restrooms in the northeast corner of the site. The access road is
gated to restrict vehicles from entering the park after hours. Beyond the parking area, internal
vehicle circulation consists of informal open terrain across the entire site.
Existing Operations
Figures 3.1‐2 and 3.1‐3 display the existing peak‐hour volumes calculated for the intersections
and roadways studied for this analysis. Traffic counts were conducted in April 2010 and consisted
of roadway counts during a 24‐hour period and intersection counts during the peak hours. Traffic
at the intersections was counted in 2‐hour intervals to isolate the volumes for the weekday p.m.
peak hour and Saturday afternoon peak hour. Counts were conducted during clear‐weather
conditions.
The quality of traffic flow through intersections and on individual roadway segments is described
in terms of operating levels of service (LOS). LOS is a qualitative measure of traffic operating
conditions whereby a letter grade, A through F, corresponding to progressively worsening
operating conditions, is assigned to an intersection or roadway segment. Table 3.1‐1 presents the
characteristics associated with each LOS grade.
Tables 3.1‐2 and 3.1‐3 summarize existing peak‐hour intersection and roadway LOS in the study
area. As shown in Table 3.1‐2, all approaches to each of the stop‐sign controlled intersections are
designated satisfactory, LOS A through C, during both the weekday and Saturday peak hours. The
unsignalized intersections convey acceptable peak‐hour volumes, and thus traffic signals do not
need to be installed. Similarly, the signalized SR 162/SR 99 intersection is designated satisfactory,
LOS B, during both the weekday and Saturday peak traffic hours.
The Larkin Road access to Clay Pit SVRA currently experiences satisfactory LOS A to B operations.
The relatively low volume of existing traffic turning left into the site does not warrant left‐turn
channelization on Larkin Road.
Table 3.1‐3 summarizes existing peak‐hour operations on the roadways in the study area. As
shown, all study area roadways experience satisfactory LOS A through C operations during the
weekday and on Saturday.
Clay Pit State Vehicular Recreation Area
February 2012 3.1-4 Draft EIR