Appendix D Traffic Impact Statement for SACE PV Project2 Reduced.Pdf
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Appendix D-2 TRAFFIC IMPACT STUDY / ASSESSMENT Blank Page TRAFFIC IMPACT STATEMENT FOR A SACE RANGER SOLAR PV PLANT ON PTN 3 OF THE FARM BAUWERSKRAAL, NO 234, UITENHAGE November 2014 Prepared for: South African Clean Energy Solutions Limited Prepared by: Engineering Advice and Services (Pty) Ltd (041) 5812421 i Traffic Impact Statement DOCUMENT CONTROL SHEET CLIENT REF: SOUTH AFRICAN CLEAN ENERGY SOLUTIONS LIMITED PROJECT NAME: SACE RANGER SOLAR PV PLANT ON PTN 3 OF THE FARM BAUWERSKRAAL, NO 234, UITENHAGE DOCUMENT TITLE: TRAFFIC IMPACT ASSESSMENT DOCUMENT FILE REF: F:\1160-1169\1162\Reports\REP001 - Traffic Impact Statement For SACE PV Project.docx Version 1 JK Charlton Candidate Technician Compiled by November 2014 (201220247) CGA Hastie Pr Tech. Eng November 2014 Reviewed by (Director) (200070122) Amendments made by Version Compiled by Reviewed by (Director) Amendments made by DISTRIBUTION: 1) Original : Client – SACE – Mr D Kruger 2) Copy : CEN – Ms Lucille Behrens 3) Copy : 4) Copy : 5) Copy : EAS File 1162 REP001 – SACE Ranger PV Solar Plant November 2014 ii Traffic Impact Statement CONTENTS Page DOCUMENT CONTROL SHEET i Contents ii List of Figures iii List of Tables iii List of Annexures iii 1. Introduction 1 1.1 Background 1 1.2 Objectives of the Study 1 1.3 Methodology 1 1.4 Study Area 2 2. The Development and Environs 2 2.1 Current and Proposed Land Use Rights 2 2.2 Overview of Development and Environs 2 3. Data Collection 4 3.1. Existing Road Network 4 3.2. Existing Traffic Volumes 4 4. Road Condition and Safety Assessment 5 4.1 Road Condition Assessment 5 4.2 Road Safety Assessment 5 5. Trip Generation and Distribution 8 5.1 Trip Generation 8 5.2 Trip Distribution 8 6. Capacity Analysis 9 7. Proposed Access Arrangements 10 8. Road Category and Condition 10 9. Potential Impacts 11 9.1 Impacts 11 9.2 Impact Assessment 12 10. Proposed Mitigatory Measures 17 10.1 Road Surface Measures 17 10.2 Traffic Safety Measures 17 11. Management Actions 18 12. Conclusions 18 13. Recommendations 20 14. References 20 REP001 – SACE Ranger PV Solar Plant November 2014 iii Traffic Impact Statement LIST OF FIGURES Figure 1: Locality Plan 3 Figure 2: Peak Hour Traffic Volumes 4 Figure 3: Existing Condition Assessment and Traffic Safety Problems 7 Figure 4: Peak Hour Traffic Volumes after Development 8 Figure 5: Access Arrangements 19 LIST OF TABLES Table 1: Level of Service definitions for Vehicles (Highway Capacity Manual (9) method) ............................ 9 Table 2: Results of Intersection Capacity Analysis – 2014 Existing and After Development .......................... 9 Table 3: Rural Road Categories by Traffic Volume ........................................................................................... 10 Table 4: Generic table for rating of impacts ....................................................................................................... 12 Table 5: Impact Assessment: Additional traffic volumes .................................................................................. 13 Table 6: Impact Assessment: Generation of dust ................................................................................................ 13 Table 7: Impact Assessment: Traffic safety impact due to construction traffic ............................................... 14 Table 8: Impact Assessment: Deterioration of public road network during construction phase..................... 14 Table 9: Impact Assessment: Road and intersection capacity (additional traffic loading) ............................ 15 Table 10: Impact Assessment: Traffic safety impact due to additional traffic ................................................ 15 Table 11: Impact Assessment: Deterioration of public road network .............................................................. 16 Table 12: Impact Assessment: Generation of dust ............................................................................................ 16 LIST OF ANNEXURES A - Historical and peak Hour Traffic Volumes B - SIDRA Capacity Analysis – Existing and After Development REP001 – SACE Ranger PV Solar Plant November 2014 1 Traffic Impact Assessment 1. INTRODUCTION 1.1 BACKGROUND Engineering Advice & Services (Pty) Ltd was appointed by South African Clean Energy Solutions Limited during October 2014 to conduct a traffic impact assessment as part of the Environmental Impact Assessment conducted for the proposed development of a Photo Voltaic Solar Power Plant on Ptn 3 of the Farm Bauwerskraal, No 234, Uitenhage on the northern boundary of the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality. 1.2 OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY In broad terms, the purpose of the traffic assessment is to determine the extent and nature of the traffic generated by the proposed development, to assess the impact of this traffic on the operation of the associated road network, and to devise solutions for any problems identified. The following key elements, inter alia, are addressed in this traffic impact assessment: . The suitability and safety of proposals for access to and egress from the site, . The capacity of the existing and future road network within the influence radius, . The impact of traffic generated by the proposed development in terms of traffic safety, operations and road condition, and . The road upgrading/management measures required to mitigate the identified impacts. In general, this report serves to satisfy the Department of Economic Development, Environmental Affairs and Tourism of The Eastern Cape Province (Cacadu Region), the Department of Transport of the Province of the Eastern Cape and the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality that the traffic impact of the envisaged development is within acceptable limits and that the suggested mitigation measures conform to the standards and parameters set by these authorities. 1.3 METHODOLOGY The approach followed in conducting the traffic impact assessment was in accordance with TMH 16 Volume 1 - South African Traffic Impact and Site Assessment Manual (1). Given that the proposed development is accessed from a gravelled surfaced provincial district road (DR01940 – Hillwacht Road) and that existing traffic volumes are minimal and related to existing farms along the route, the methodology used was as follows: . DR01940 was visually assessed in terms of surface condition (using TMH 12: Standard Visual Assessment Manual for Unsealed Roads (2)) and traffic safety considerations (using the South African Road Safety Manual (3)); . Present traffic flow patterns were obtained and the affected intersections analysed, where after recommendations were made on the present need for road upgrading, without taking the proposed development into account. Traffic volumes generated by the proposed development were determined; . The distribution of the generated trips was estimated where after the generated traffic was assigned to the surrounding road network; . Once again, the functioning of the affected intersections was analysed and recommendations made on the need for road upgrading taking cognisance of the proposed development for the development planning horizon. REP001 – SACE Ranger PV Solar Plant November 2014 2 Traffic Impact Assessment . The location of the access point was assessed in terms of traffic operations and safety; . Potential impacts were assessed in terms of operation, traffic safety and road condition for both construction and operational phases of the development, making use of the generic terms of reference in the Draft Basic Assessment Report (4); . Taking cognizance of the proposed development generated traffic volumes, recommendations were tabled to ensure that the road remains in an acceptable operational condition in terms of both road surface condition and traffic safety; . By taking into account the major findings of the study, conclusions were made regarding the financial responsibilities of the affected parties for the required road upgrading/management measures. 1.4 STUDY AREA Given that daily traffic volumes generated by the proposed Photo-Voltaic Solar Plant development are relatively low, and that the road network in the area carries low volumes of traffic daily, the study area was restricted to DR01940 between the R75 and the site access point (M306). View of road from R75 2. THE DEVELOPMENT AND ENVIRONS 2.1 CURRENT AND PROPOSED LAND USE RIGHTS The NMBM Spatial Development Framework (5) indicates that Farm 234/3, Uitenhage falls within an area outside of the urban edge designated for agricultural purposes. The NMBM Rural Land Use Management Policy (6) indicates that permitted uses within the zone include inter alia agriculture. However, it is noted that the area is classified as having severe limitations making it generally unsuitable for cultivation and limiting its use to pasture and range, woodland or wildlife food and cover. The site is currently zoned for agriculture purposes. A portion thereof will be suitably zoned to accommodate the proposed use. 2.2 OVERVIEW OF DEVELOPMENT AND ENVIRONS The site is located approximately 6.5 km outside the urban edge for the NMBM to the north of DR 01940 approximately 3.5km from the R75 and is surrounded by land which is predominantly used for agriculture (crop farming as well as range land for livestock and game), The development comprises of a solar array area (approx. 9.5ha) with a solar panel tracker mounting system and a 11kV distribution system to connect to the existing transmission line. The location of the site is indicated on Figure 1 overleaf. REP001 – SACE Ranger PV Solar Plant November 2014 R