Transport Plan
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TRANSPORT PLAN For the construction and operation of a Photovoltaic (PV) Facility in Dabenoris, South Africa Prepared for: Alternative Energy Solutions (Pty) Ltd PO Box 4939 Tygervalley, South Africa 7536 9142667 By: DB9 Consulting, PO Box 50398, Cape Town 8002 1 TRANSPORT STUDY Transport Study / Traffic Accommodation Plan (TAP) for the complete route between the point of departure to the point of delivery of the components. That route has not yet been finalized as the source of the components has not yet been finalised. However, it is currently assumed that the components will be delivered to Cape Town, which is the closest harbour. 2 Contents 1. INTRODUCTION ..............................................................................................................................................4 2. LOCATION OF THE PROPOSED VOLTAIC POWER GENERATION FACILITY ......................................................5 3. EXISTING ROAD NETWORK AND TRAFFIC CONDITIONS .................................................................................6 3.1.1 National Route 14 (N14) & Pella intersection SANRAL “N14-1 138,6E”..........................................8 3.1.2 Pella – Goodhouse road (PELLA ROAD) .............................................................................................9 3.1.3 Abnormal loads .............................................................................................................................. 10 3.2 EXISTING TRAFFIC CONDITIONS ............................................................................................................ 11 4. THE PROPOSED AES RENEWABLE ENERGY PHOTOVOLTAIC POWER GENERATION FACILITY..................... 12 4.1 Connection to the Grid .......................................................................................................................... 13 4.2 Centralised Control Facility and Security .............................................................................................. 13 4.3 Hours of operation ................................................................................................................................ 13 4.4 Access to the proposed facility.............................................................................................................. 13 5. TRAFFIC GENERATION AND DISTRIBUTION ................................................................................................. 14 5.1 Traffic generated ................................................................................................................................... 14 5.2 Trip distribution ..................................................................................................................................... 16 5.2.1 Peak hour traffic generation .......................................................................................................... 16 6. TRAFFIC IMPACT STATEMENT ..................................................................................................................... 18 6.1 Traffic implications of the proposed development ............................................................................... 18 6.2 Location of access point ........................................................................................................................ 18 6.3 Road safety ............................................................................................................................................ 18 6.4 Condition of road surfaces .................................................................................................................... 19 6.5 Driver distraction ................................................................................................................................... 19 6.6 Liaison with road authorities ................................................................................................................. 19 7. RECOMMENDATIONS .................................................................................................................................. 20 ANNEXURE A ................................................................................................................................................... 21 3 1. INTRODUCTION Alternative Energy Solutions (Pty) Ltd PO Box 4939 Tygervalley, South Africa 7536 (hereafter referred to as AES) is the primary project developer of a photovoltaic power generation facility. AES appointed EIMS consultants to carry out an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) in terms of the National Environmental Management Act (NEMA), (Act No. 107 of 1998) as amended in 2010, for the construction and operation of the photovoltaic power generation facility and associated infrastructure. AES then appointed DB9 Consulting Pty (Ltd) to undertake a specialist transport study for the proposed facility. This Transport study addresses the following traffic and transportation related implications of the proposed photovoltaic power generation facility: Existing traffic volumes on the N14 & Pella Road passing the site Acceptability from a traffic safety point of view of the location of the entrance/s to the proposed facility Safety of drivers from possible visual distraction from the photovoltaic panels, given the surrounding context (not applicable, distance from Pella Road min. 1.3km for North site, 2km for West site, 6km from South site) Risk posed by construction and operational vehicles Limitations of this Transport study Based on existing volumes of traffic, recommendations for mitigation measures for traffic impacts, including: o Mitigation of visual distraction (see above) o Avoidance of accidents o Other recommendations 4 2. LOCATION OF THE PROPOSED VOLTAIC POWER GENERATION FACILITY The proposed photovoltaic power generation facility is planned to be located to the west of Pella in the Northern Cape. The site is located adjacent to the Pella - Goodhouse road (hereafter referred to as Pella Road) as shown in Figure 1 (Letter “A”) below. Figure 1: locality map 5 3. EXISTING ROAD NETWORK AND TRAFFIC CONDITIONS 3.1 Description of the potential traffic routing During construction the materials and equipment will be routed to the site as follows: Cape Town Harbour, onto the N1 freeway, then turning onto the N7, thereafter onto the N14. (750km)From the N14, after about 700km turn left into the Pella Road, then travelling west, back towards Goodhouse. This routing is shown on local and regional aerials in Figure 3. Figure 2: Cape Town harbour to N7 6 Figure 3: N7 to Pella road 7 3.1.1 National Route 14 (N14) & Pella intersection SANRAL “N14-1 138,6E” Photo 1: National Route 14 (N14) and the Pella intersection National Road 14 (N14), a national route, extends in a west - east direction as it passes the Pella intersection. A site visit was undertaken on 11 March 2013 and the following observations were recorded along the N14 and Pella intersection during this site visit: Horizontal and vertical alignment of N14: Straight before the intersection and straight to the east and west of the intersection. Flat vertical alignment on both sides of the intersection. Road width: N14 is 7.0m wide made up of 3.5m lanes with small shoulders. Photo 2: National road 14 (N14) past Pella intersection, towards Upington 8 Condition of the road surface: Asphalt surface in excellent condition as road has recently been resurfaced and remarked. Services: Telephone line ± 6m from the edge of the N14 along Lighting and street lighting: None. Street furniture: Very minimal road signs; warning, information and regulatory signs. Public transport activity and facilities: very few. Pedestrian activity and footpaths formal and informal: None. Speed limit: N14: 120km/h Vegetation: Low level sparse brush, very few trees Evidence of animal activity: None 3.1.2 Pella – Goodhouse road (PELLA ROAD) The Pella - Goodhouse route extends from National Road 14 (N14) past the town of Pella and then continues for about 60km north then west past the Dabenoris Farm without any settlement or towns along the road. A site visit was undertaken on 11 March 2013 and the following observations were recorded along the Pella Road during this site visit: Straight gravel road 6 – 8m wide. Straight, tarred for a few kilometers and thereafter a gentle gravel road before straightening up again curving and ever changing slightly, with gentle curves, dips and hills. No flooding had been observed. Photo 3: Pella Road towards Goodhouse 9 Road level: The natural ground is flat and the Pella Road is constructed approximately at ground level on both sides, varying along the route. Drainage: Natural. Condition of the road surface: gravel surface in good condition. Services: Electrical power line ± 4m from the edge of the Pella Road along the east side of Pella Road. Lighting and street lighting: None. Street furniture: Very minimal road signs; warning, information and regulatory signs. Public transport activity and facilities: None. Pedestrian activity and footpaths formal and informal: None. Speed limit: Pella Road: 80km/h Vegetation: Low level sparse brush, no trees Evidence of animal activity: None (only past Dabenoris going west, back on the way to Springbok. Existing access: None. Sight distances from existing access point: Good in all directions, no restrictions. 3.1.3 Abnormal loads AES has confirmed that there will be one (1) or two (2) abnormal loads and all other loads will conform to normal load height and weight restrictions. All other