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3 <br /> Rural two-lane undivided highways are classified by NCDOT as `other major <br /> thoroughfares' if they are a US or NC route and `minor thoroughfares' or `rural two-lane <br /> highways' if they are a secondary/local route. Within the Piedmont area of North <br /> Carolina, LOS D Standards for these types of roads is generally between 14,300 and <br /> 16,500 vehicles per day, depending primarily on lane width and speed limit. NCDOT <br /> tables providing more detailed information are provided in Attachment 2). <br /> The NCDOT Driveway Manual states that a TIA may be required for developments with <br /> an estimated trip generation of 3,000 vehicles per day or greater. A TIA may also be <br /> required by NCDOT for: <br /> • Proposed accesses within 1,000 feet of an interchange; <br /> • In the vicinity of a high accident location; <br /> • On a major arterial roadway; <br /> • Where there is involvement with a median crossover; <br /> • Where highway improvements are in the Transportation Improvement Program <br /> (TIP): <br /> • If there is involvement with an active roadway construction project: or <br /> • At the discretion of the District Engineer. <br /> Improvements more restrictive than NCDOT's are unlikely to meet the warrants under <br /> the NCDOT Driveway Manual due to the study threshold being so much higher than <br /> Orange County's. <br /> Existing Development Conditions <br /> There are three basic types of subdivisions within the UDO: Exempt (by statute), Minor <br /> and Major. Minor and Exempt subdivision development is much more prevalent in <br /> Orange County than Major subdivisions. From 2008-2015 the average lots per year for <br /> Major, Minor and Exempt subdivisions were 25.43, 46.38, and 57.25, respectively, and <br /> admittedly part of the recession years. TIAs are required by the UDO according to the <br /> location and size of subdivision, as well as the type of development application required. <br /> All of the Minor and Exempt subdivisions will continue with only the requirement of a <br /> NCDOT driveway permit, with no warrants being met for improvements. These <br /> subdivisions are prevalent in the County compared to the larger subdivisions. <br /> The TIA threshold within urban areas in Orange County is 3.75 times more restrictive <br /> than the state. Orange County has made revisions to lower the threshold for required <br /> TIAs within rural areas. This might be informative to the evaluation of a development <br /> request, but will likely not accomplish required improvements because NCDOT will not <br /> enforce TIA recommendations in conflict with the Driveway Manual, and when there is <br /> capacity on the roads. We will continue to work with NCDOT to institute improvements <br /> acceptable to their guidelines and that of the County. <br /> 3 <br />