Planning & Zoning Commission (linked)

TRAFFIC IMPACT AND ACCESS STUDY 
Proposed  
Waterford Central  
Residential Development 
Willetts Avenue, Waterford, Connecticut 
PREPARED FOR 
Sig Con Associates, LLC 
606 Post Road East #320 
Westport, CT 06880 
PREPARED BY 
100 Great Meadow Road 
Suite 200 
Wethersfield, CT 06109 
860.807.4300 
March 17, 2023 


Proposed Waterford Central Residential Development | Traffic Impact and Access Study 
 
 
i 
Table of Contents 
Table of Contents 
 
1 
Introduction ................................................................................................................. 1 
1.1 
Project Description .................................................................................................................... 1 
1.2 
Summary of Findings ............................................................................................................... 2 
1.3 
Study Methodology .................................................................................................................. 2 
2 
2023 Existing Conditions ............................................................................................ 3 
2.1 
Study Area .................................................................................................................................... 3 
2.1.1 
Intersections ............................................................................................................ 3 
2.1.2 
Roadways ................................................................................................................. 4 
2.2 
Crash History and Analysis ..................................................................................................... 5 
2.3 
Traffic Count Data...................................................................................................................... 7 
3 
2024 Future Conditions............................................................................................... 8 
3.1 
2024 No-Build Conditions ...................................................................................................... 8 
3.1.1 
Background Traffic Growth ............................................................................... 9 
3.2 
2024 Build Conditions .............................................................................................................. 9 
3.2.1 
Site Access and Parking ...................................................................................... 9 
3.2.2 
Site-Generated Traffic ......................................................................................... 9 
3.2.3 
Trip Distribution and Assignment ................................................................ 11 
3.2.4 
Intersection Improvements ............................................................................. 11 
4 
Traffic Operations Analysis .......................................................................................12 
4.1 
Method ........................................................................................................................................ 12 
4.2 
Signalized Intersection Capacity Analysis ...................................................................... 14 
4.3 
Unsignalized Intersection Capacity Analysis ................................................................. 16 
5 
Conclusion ..................................................................................................................18 
 
Appendix ....................................................................................................................... 1 

Proposed Waterford Central Residential Development | Traffic Impact and Access Study 
 
 
ii 
List of Tables 
List of Tables 
Table No. 
Description 
Page 
Table 1 
Crash Analysis Summary ....................................................................................................... 6 
Table 2 
Trip Generation Summary .................................................................................................. 10 
Table 3 
Regional Trip Distribution .................................................................................................. 11 
Table 4 
Signalized Intersection Capacity Analysis Summary ................................................ 15 
Table 5 
Unsignalized Intersection Capacity Analysis Summary .......................................... 17 
 
List of Figures 
Figure No. 
Description 
 
Figure 1 
Site and Study Intersection Location 
Figure 2 
2023 Existing Conditions – Peak Hour Traffic Volumes  
Figure 3 
2024 No-Build Conditions – Peak Hour Traffic Volumes  
Figure 4 
Site-Generated Trip Distribution  
Figure 5 
Site-Generated Trips  
Figure 6 
2024 Build Conditions – Peak Hour Traffic Volumes 
 

Proposed Waterford Central Residential Development | Traffic Impact and Access Study 
 
 
1 
Introduction 
 
Introduction 
Vanasse Hangen Brustlin, Inc. (VHB) has been retained by SigCon Associates, LLC to conduct 
a Traffic Impact and Access Study (TIA) for Waterford Central, a residential development 
adjacent to Waterford Woods, located on Willetts Avenue in Waterford, Connecticut. A traffic 
impact statement was conducted by VHB in August 2020 for Phase 1 of Waterford Woods 
for the development of 98 residential units, a study in February of 2022 for Phase 2 for the 
development of 106 additional residential units was additionally completed. For this project, 
VHB has evaluated existing traffic operations in the area previously and has reassessed the 
impacts of Waterford Central based upon the new development plan and summarized the 
results in this report. 
1.1 Project Description 
The proposed project is an adjacent development to Phases 1 and 2 of Waterford Woods 
apartment complex which included six residential buildings containing a total of 204 units 
with a variety of one-bedroom and two-bedroom units and 313 parking spaces.  
Waterford Central, which abuts Waterford Woods on the east, is proposed to include 216 
units with a variety of one- and two-bedroom units available. Additionally, parking is 
expected to be approximately 305 spaces. Waterford Central will utilize the same site 
driveway access to Willetts Avenue as Waterford Woods and will be connected via an 
internal driveway. 
The proposed site plan of the proposed development is included as part of the submittal. 
This traffic impact and access study analyzes the traffic impacts on Willetts Avenue that can 
be expected by the proposed Waterford Central development. 

Proposed Waterford Central Residential Development | Traffic Impact and Access Study 
 
 
2 
Introduction 
1.2 Summary of Findings 
The traffic impacts of the project were examined during the study area’s weekday morning 
and afternoon peak hours at three existing intersections. An analysis of existing conditions 
was conducted for the study area in 2023 to compare to the future scenarios. A no-build 
condition for the year 2024 (the year the project is expected to be completed) was 
developed to create a base future condition without the project, incorporating background 
traffic growth. A build condition for the year 2024 was developed to evaluate future 
transportation conditions with the project constructed. The following are key findings of the 
TIAS: 
 
The proposed Waterford Central development is expected to generate 
approximately 85 (20 entering, 65 exiting) new vehicle trips during the weekday 
morning peak hour, and approximately 107 (67 entering, 40 exiting) new vehicle 
trips during the weekday afternoon peak hour.  
 
The signalized study intersection under 2023 Existing and 2024 No-Build weekday 
afternoon conditions operates with queuing on the northbound approach (Willetts 
Avenue). Widening of Willetts Avenue to provide an additional exclusive left-turn 
lane on the northbound approach is proposed. 
 
Under 2024 Build Conditions, the signalized study area intersection with the 
geometric improvements to the intersection is expected to operate at overall LOS B 
with reduced queuing on the Willetts Avenue approach. 
 
The unsignalized site drive intersection operates acceptable at LOS C or better 
during all peak hours in the 2024 Build conditions. 
 
1.3 Study Methodology 
This traffic study was conducted in three stages. The first stage involved an assessment of 
existing traffic conditions in the study area and included an inventory of roadway geometrics 
and observations of traffic flow. In addition, daily and peak period traffic counts were 
collected in October 2022. A safety review of the study area intersections was performed. 
In the second stage of the study, future traffic conditions both with and without the project 
were estimated and analyzed. This study assessed specific travel demand forecasts for the 
project, and the estimated background growth unrelated to this project. 
The third and final stage involved conducting traffic analyses to identify both existing and 
projected future roadway capacity and demand. From this information and other factors, the 
likely traffic impacts associated with the project can be determined. This analysis was used as 
the basis for determining if any resulting roadway improvements or measures would be 
required in support of the site-generated traffic.