TRANSPORTATION PLANNING AND MOBILITY DIVISION INSTRUCTIONAL AND INFORMATIONAL MEMORANDUM

VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

TRANSPORTATION PLANNING AND MOBILITY DIVISION

INSTRUCTIONAL AND INFORMATIONAL MEMORANDUM

GENERAL SUBJECT:

Corridor Planning Studies – Arterial Management Plans

NUMBER:

IIM-TMPD-2.0

SPECIFIC SUBJECT:

Process for Conducting Planning Studies

on the Arterial Preservation Network

DATE:

7/13/17

SUPERSEDES:

APPROVED: Marsha Fiol

State Transportation Planner

Approved ______7/13/17______

EFFECTIVE DATE

 These instructions are effective as of July 13, 2017.

BACKGROUND

VTrans, Virginia’s Multimodal Transportation Plan for 2040, designates certain major highway

facilities as Corridors of Statewide Significance (CoSS). In addition to the CoSS system, there

are other highway facilities that are needed for statewide connectivity. These highways are

functionally classified as Principal or Other Principal Arterials, and like the CoSS, are

intended to accommodate long distance movements of people and goods. The viability of this

system (the CoSS and the other Principal Arterials) is very important for Virginia’s economy as it

provides both interstate and intrastate connectivity.

Arterial Preservation Network

The Arterial Preservation Network includes segments of selected facilities that are part of the

CoSS system or are functionally classified as Principal or Other Principal Arterials. Those

roadway segments selected for the Arterial Preservation Network are identified as follows:

 “Mobility Preservation Segments” (MPS) – These are segments of arterial roadways

outside of urban areas (population of 50,000 or more) that serve a critical long

distance mobility function where no parallel Interstate/freeway route exists. VDOT’s

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focus on these highway segments will be to preserve the mobility by minimizing the

delays for through traffic whenever access changes are proposed.

 “Mobility Enhancement Segments” (MES) – These are segments of Arterial roadways

inside of urbanized areas (population of 50,000 or more) where there may be

opportunities to improve traffic flow without major widening. These (MES) segments

often experience significant traffic growth due to the adjacent land development and

travel delay due to the proliferation of entrances and traffic signals that serve adjacent

land uses. MES segments generally also serve multiple modes of travel.

This Arterial Preservation Network is shown on a statewide map at this link.

PURPOSE/SCOPE/REQUIREMENTS

The primary function of the Corridors of Statewide Significance (CoSS) as well as the

facilities that are classified as Principal Arterials is to serve long distance travel. In order for

these corridors to continue serving this function, the ability of long distance travelers and

goods to move safely and efficiently must be preserved and given priority over local access.

The Commonwealth Transportation Board (CTB) has expressed the following goals for the

Arterial Preservation Network:

1. Preserving the capacity on the MPS;

2. Enhancing the capacity on the MES;

3. Improving the operating efficiency;

4. Reducing the number of existing traffic signals; and

5. Minimizing the number of new traffic signals on these same facilities.

The purpose of this policy is to carry out the goals of the CTB through the development of

Arterial Management Plans (AMP). The AMPs will include detailed studies of the existing

conditions and operations of a corridor, soliciting input from stakeholders, gaining locality

input to plan innovative and cost effective solutions to improve safety, operations, and

mobility. The procedures outlined in this document shall be used when developing AMPs and

other corridor studies on the Arterial Preservation Network; however, these procedures

should also be used for corridor studies on Other Principal Arterials and Minor Arterials that

are not part of the Arterial Preservation Network that are important for regional connectivity

and mobility.

Planned improvements shall minimize delay for through traffic without compromising the

safety for local drivers and other road users. Current access and future access points must

be evaluated, planned, and designed to minimize conflict points and delay for through traffic

and provide safe access to adjacent land development. This policy is intended to preserve

the Commonwealth’s transportation investments by guiding the development of Arterial

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Management Plans (AMP) that will allow localities and the Department to better manage and

balance system performance with local access needs.

The Commonwealth Transportation Board has approved a Process for Studying Corridors of

Statewide Significance (CTB Policy on CoSS - page 3-116).

The CTB’s policy is the guidance document for corridor studies on the Corridors of Statewide

Significance (COSS) and developing Corridor Master Plans for the COSS. This IIM is

intended to give further instructions for the development of AMPs and other corridor studies

on the Arterial Preservation Network.

The following documents contain instructions and guidance on various elements that may be

incorporated in the AMPs and other corridor studies:

 Appendix A of the Road Design Manual – with emphasis on laying the foundation for

Context Sensitive Solutions (CSS) - Common Sense Engineering (CSE) and Context

Sensitive Solutions to Transportation Challenges (IIM-LD-235) and Practical Design

Flexibility in the Project Development Process - Fundamentals of Common Sense

Engineering (IIM-LD-255).

 Appendix F of the Road Design Manual (access management, intersections,

entrances, and crossovers)

 Requirements for Signal Justification Reports (SJRs) For New and Reconstructed

Signals (IIM-TE-387)

 The Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) and the Virginia Supplement

to the MUTCD.

 When Main Street Is a Highway: Addressing Conflicts between Land Use and

Transportation (VTRC Report 17-R13) – December 2016, Kayleigh M. Roy and Peter

B. Ohlms

 Improving Collaboration and Consensus Building in the Coordination of Access

Management and Land Use in Corridor Planning (VTRC Report 15-R20) – June 2015,

Roger W. Howe

 Traffic Operations and Safety Analysis Manual (TOSAM)

Based on the CTB’s goal of eliminating traffic signals where possible, all AMPs and corridor

studies on the Arterial Preservation Network shall evaluate existing traffic signals and

consider the following:

 Can existing traffic signals feasibly and reasonably be consolidated using access

management or local road changes to allow traffic to access the signal at the

consolidated location?

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 If existing signals are to remain, can the signal be feasibly and reasonably redesigned

to reduce the number of signal phases and maximize the amount of green time

allotted to the major street? This will involve the consideration and evaluation of

Alternative Intersection/Interchange (AI/I) designs.

 Can the existing traffic signal feasibly and reasonably be eliminated, as per Part 4B of

the Virginia Supplement to the MUTCD? Signal “removal” could constitute simple stop

sign installation, or conversion of the intersection to a non-signalized Alternative

Intersection/Interchange (AI/I) configuration such as a roundabout or a Restricted

Crossing U-Turn (RCUT).

 VDOT’s Junction Screening Tool (VJuST) should be used where applicable to

evaluate and screen feasible Alternative Intersection/Interchange (AI/I) configurations.

PROCEDURES

A corridor study may be initiated in several ways. Typically, a request for the study is sent

from a locality or regional planning organization (MPO/PDC) to the District

Engineer/Administrator/Planning Manager. After reviewing the request, the District

Engineer/Administrator/Planning Manager will forward the request to the Transportation and

Mobility Planning Division. Arterial Management Plans are often initiated by TMPD in

coordination with the respective district(s). The corridor study process starts by establishing a

study team. The CTB members that represent the District or the area are ex-officio

members of the study team, will be notified of the schedule and study progress and

any related meetings to facilitate their participation and involvement.

The study team shall be comprised of the following internal and external representatives and

are expected to attend all meetings (pending availability):

VDOT Study Team Members

 District Planning Manager (usually the VDOT project manager)

 Residency — Resident Engineer/Residency Administrator or ARE-LU

 District Traffic Engineering and/or Regional Operations

 District Location and Design

 Central Office Transportation and Mobility Planning

External Study Team Members

 Affected Localities

 Regional Planning Organizations (MPO/PDC)

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The study team should also include the following representatives based on study needs:

VDOT

 District Environmental

 District Right of Way

 Central Office Traffic Engineering (required at the appropriate stage if a new traffic

signal is proposed)

 Central Office Location and Design (required at the appropriate stage if new crossover

is proposed or a new/modified access is proposed on a Limited Access Facility.

External

 Federal Highway Administration (FHWA)

 Department of Rail and Public Transportation

 Regional & Local Transit

 Stakeholders – (ex. civic groups, National Park Service, large employers,

transportation advocacy groups, etc.)

The corridor study team should begin by establishing a corridor vision and goals which

support the safe, efficient, and effective movement of people and goods. Engaging local

governments throughout the process is critical in two important respects:

1) to ensure that local objectives regarding access, mobility, economic development,

and aesthetic standards are considered and included appropriately in a

cooperative way that helps further statewide goals, and

2) to ensure that the CTB’s statewide goals in VTrans are reflected in local

comprehensive plans and land use decision-making.

The study team should meet at regular intervals to discuss key topics at the various stages of

the corridor study.

The Corridor Study Process Flow Chart (FIGURE 1) highlights the five main steps in the

corridor study process. These five steps are based upon the CTB Policy on CoSS Studies

(page 3-116), as previously referenced in this document. The study team will ensure that

input is captured from localities and stakeholders, and that all participants are working

constructively toward solutions that respect the legitimate goals of all involved.

 STEP 1: Pre-study activities

Pre-study activities include: (a) establishing the corridor study team including a

technical work group, (b) gathering information from the Locality’s land use plan,

recently approved land rezoning or site plans, prior statewide planning efforts, such as

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VTrans and the Surface Transportation Planning process, that should be presented

through informative visual displays; (c) focusing specific analysis at the broad corridor

level and at some key geographic areas within corridor; and (d) establishing the

groundwork for participation in the study, including local and stakeholder participation.

 STEP 2: Corridor Vision and Planning Framework

The Corridor visioning involves the collaborative efforts of VDOT, the Locality, DRPT,

and other stakeholders to apply the statewide goals of VTrans to the specific corridor,

and developing potential strategies that respect the Locality and stakeholder

objectives. Additional input will be sought through meetings with individual or groups

of stakeholders and through public meetings in accordance with the Public

Participation in Virginia’s Transportation Planning and Programming Process

guidebook.

 STEP 3: Technical Analysis

The technical analysis must ensure that an appropriate evaluation of the traffic

demand and operations is made for a particular location or area. The level of the

analysis will be based on the intensity of current and future traffic demands. Technical

analyses will include the collection of traffic data in accordance with the Traffic

Operations and Safety Analysis Manual (TOSAM), conducting field reviews and

stakeholder interviews, analysis of existing conditions (e.g. land use, crash analysis,

access conformance as per VDOT’s Access Management Regulations, traffic

operations), and development of traffic volume forecasts consistent with regional or

statewide forecasting procedures. Regardless of the methodology used, all traffic

forecasts developed for the corridor study must be recorded in the Statewide Planning

System by contacting VDOT Transportation and Mobility Planning Division. The

analysis will identify all issues that need to be addressed and resolved. Alternatives

will be developed, analyzed and evaluated in accordance with TOSAM, with emphasis

on creative, cost effective and context sensitive design solutions.

Common Sense Engineering and Context Sensitive Designs will be employed in the

consideration/evaluation of alternatives. Alternatives should optimize the existing

roadway capacity through methods such as operational improvements, access

management, Alternative Intersection/Interchange (AI/I) designs, turn lanes, and

technology/signal operation improvements to facilitate mobility at existing signals as

well as Transportation Demand Management (TDM) before recommending additional

capacity through roadway widening. TDM strategies include but are not limited to

Park & Ride Lots, transit, bicycle/pedestrian facilities, and employer outreach for

flexible work schedules and telework opportunities. New signals at currently non-

signalized intersections shall be evaluated in accordance with IIM TE-387 and the

Virginia Supplement to the MUTCD. Results of these evaluations will be shared with

stakeholders at public meetings.

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 STEP 4: Coordination and Study Completion

Coordination efforts include workshops and meetings with local governments and

stakeholders to explain the technical analysis and the preliminary recommendations

for the corridor. The study team must facilitate the discussions on solutions to ensure

that the input from all participants is considered in developing the final

recommendations. The corridor study will then be documented in the form of an

Arterial Management Plan.

 STEP 5: Project Advancement and Implementation

Many of these activities occur after the formal corridor study is incorporated into an

Arterial Management Plan for this MPS or MES.

o Local government activities include adopting the Arterial Management Plan,

revising local comprehensive plans, and identifying possible local sources of

funding.

o Regional agency activities include updating regional planning documents (e.g.,

Constrained Long Range Plan, Rural Long Range Plan), and identifying any

possible regional funding options.

o State –VDOT/DRPT activities include the incorporation of the AMP (after Local

adoption) in state planning documents (e.g. VTrans), updating the Statewide

Planning System, identifying state and federal funding options, performing

detailed location studies, and ultimately, project construction and/or

improvements to highway, transit and rail services. State implementation may

also include non-construction recommendations, such as new policies, rules or

procedural changes.

These represent the broad steps for the development of corridor studies and AMPs along the

Arterial Preservation Network; however, each study should be designed for the unique

characteristics of the study corridor. If there is an existing safety need, the corridor study

should follow the Fundamentals of Common Sense Engineering as outlined in IIM-LD-255. In

cases where a study corridor is relatively undeveloped but is anticipated to develop or is

planned for redevelopment based on the future land uses identified in the locality’s

Comprehensive Plan, the corridor analysis must consider those planned land use changes.

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A key point illustrated by the flow chart is the involvement of local governments and other

stakeholders in the development of an effective corridor management plan and investment

strategy.

The corridor study team will meet with the elected leaders and Locality staff early in the

process in order to reach an understanding of corridor interests and to capture local priorities.

These might be special meetings or regular meetings of board or planning commissions or

transportation committees. The goal is to engage local officials throughout the corridor study

process. Beginning at the initiation of the study, the study team should encourage

communication with elected leaders and collaboration specifically where special issues, such

as congestion relief, unique safety needs, historical and cultural resources or specific growth

pressures exist.

Specific recommendations are likely to be adjusted throughout the study to reflect technical

and planning considerations, changing needs and conditions. The study team should use

area maps with overlays as well as other displays that may be needed for the participants to

clearly understand the issues and impacts.

It is important that VDOT and local study team representatives keep all stakeholders

informed and seek common ground to achieve transportation goals. The study process must

be designed to maximize the constructive cooperation of all involved. This cooperation will

promote buy-in to the plan which is critical for implementation and effectiveness.

The technical processes and procedural steps for corridor studies are well-established and

documented in NCHRP Report 435, Guidebook for Transportation Corridor Studies. See

FIGURE 2 for A Typical Corridor Study Flow Chart on the technical process. Using the

Figure 2 flow chart as a guide, the Study Team will meet with stakeholders to develop the

study outline and scope of work to address the long term planning vision as well as any

issues that may be unique to the corridor.

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REFERENCES

Sources

 Access Management Regulations

 Access Management Spacing Exceptions/Waivers, IIM-LU-501

 Arterial Management Plan Methodology Report (DRAFT)

 Arterial Management Plan Methodology – Toolbox of Alternatives (DRAFT)

 Arterial Preservation Network Map

 Context Sensitive Solutions (CSS) - Common Sense Engineering (CSE) and Context

Sensitive Solutions to Transportation Challenges, IIM-LD-235

 CTB Policy on CoSS (page 3-116)

 Improving Collaboration and Consensus Building in the Coordination of Access

Management and Land Use in Corridor Planning (VTRC Report 15-R20) – June 2015,

Roger W. Howe

 Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD)

 NCHRP Report 435: Guidebook for Transportation Corridor Studies

 Practical Design Flexibility in the Project Development Process - Fundamentals of

Common Sense Engineering, IIM-LD-255

 Public Participation Process for Transportation Planning and Programming Requirements

for Signal Justification Study Reports (SJRs) For New and Reconstructed Signals,

IIM-TE-387

 Review of Comprehensive Plans and Comprehensive Plan Amendments, IIM-LU-100

 Review of Rezoning Proposals, IIM-LU-200

 Review of Site Plans and Subdivision Plats, IIM-LU-500

 Rural Transportation Consultation Processes

 Traffic Operations and Safety Analysis Manual (TOSAM)

 VDOT’s Junction Screening Tool, (VJuST)

 VDOT Road Design Manual, Appendix A and F

 Virginia Supplement to the MUTCD.

 Virginia Travel Demand Modeling Policies and Procedures Manual

 VTrans Official CoSS map

 VTrans Reports

 When Main Street Is a Highway: Addressing Conflicts between Land Use and

Transportation (VTRC Report 17-R13) – December 2016, Kayleigh M. Roy and Peter B.

Ohlms

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Statute References: Statutes for Authority as Well as Application of the Policy

Powers and duties regarding the Board (CTB):

§ 33.2-210. Traffic regulations; penalty.

§ 33.2-214. Transportation; Six-Year Improvement Program.

§ 33.2-214 (A). To monitor coordination of such rail and public transportation plans with

highway programs.

§ 33.2-214 (B). To coordinate the planning for financing of transportation needs. To allocate

funds for these needs the Board shall adopt a Six-Year Improvement Program.

§ 33.2-214 (E). (Review of local transportation plans regarding their consistency with state

plans). To integrate land use with transportation planning and programming, consistent with

the efficient and economic use of public funds. The Board shall notify the locality of such

inconsistency.

§ 33.2-214.1. Statewide prioritization process for project selection.

§ 33.2-214.1 (2) Candidate projects and strategies shall be screened to determine whether

they are consistent with the assessment of capacity needs for all corridors of statewide

significance, regional networks, and improvements to promote urban development areas

undertaken in the Statewide Transportation Plan.

§ 33.2-215. Policies and operation of Departments.

§ 33.2-353. Commonwealth Transportation Board to develop and update Statewide

Transportation Plan.

§ 33.2-370. High-priority projects program.

§ 33.2-370 (A). “High-priority projects" means those projects of regional or statewide

significance, such as projects that reduce congestion or increase safety, accessibility,

environmental quality, or economic development.

§ 33.2-371. Highway construction district grant programs.

§ 33.2-371 (B). Highway construction district grant programs. To fund projects and strategies

to address a need in the Statewide Transportation Plan.

Powers and duties regarding the Commissioner of Highways:

§33.2-225. Liaison duties with other organizations.

§33.2-241. Connections over shoulders of highways for intersecting commercial

establishment entrances.

§33.2-245. Comprehensive highway access management standards.

§33.2-242. Replacing entrances destroyed in the repair of construction of highways.

§33.2-1004. Subject to compliance with applicable federal regulations, the Commissioner of

Highways shall establish a plan for identification and acquisition of rights-of-way that may be

needed within the corridors designated on the Statewide Transportation Plan.

Counties, Cities and Towns (locality planning requirements)

§15.2-2222.1. Coordination of state and local transportation planning. The locality shall

submit such plan or amendment to the Department of Transportation if such plan or

amendment will substantially affect transportation on state-controlled highways.

§15.2-2223. Comprehensive plan to be prepared and adopted; scope and purpose.

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§15.2-2223 (B.3) The transportation plan and any amendment shall be consistent with the

Commonwealth Transportation Board’s Statewide Transportation Plan, Six-Year

Improvement Program, and the location of routes.

§ 15.2-2223 (B.4) Prior to adoption of the transportation plan or any amendment the locality

shall submit such plan or amendment to the Department.

§ 15.2-2223.1. Comprehensive plan to include urban development areas. Any locality may

amend its comprehensive plan to incorporate one or more Urban Development Area(s).

§ 15.2-2224. Surveys and studies to be made in preparation of plan; implementation of plan.

§ 15.2-2230. Comprehensive Plan to be reviewed every five years.

§ 15.2-2232. Legal Status of the Plan. Each local government through which one or more of

the designated Corridors of Statewide Significance traverses, shall, at a minimum, note such

corridor or corridors on the transportation plan map.