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COPY - NCOOT <br />During the 1960 -1970 and 1970 --1980 periods, the annual growth <br />rates were both 3.4 %, which was larger than overall growth rate <br />for North Carolina. This reflects the attractiveness of Orange <br />County and the surrounding region, which includes the major cities <br />of Durham and Raleigh, and the growing area of Research Triangle <br />Park. <br />Within the county, the largest population increase has been <br />in the township of Chapel Hill during recent decades, as shown in <br />Table 2. However, the largest annual growth rate occurred in the <br />Eno township during the 1970 -1980 period. Arterial and collector <br />roads will form between the areas where a large population <br />increase has occurred. <br />Land Use <br />How land is used in a given area will determine the amount <br />and type of traffic generated to this area. Watersheds are one of <br />the topographical factors that constitutes a major part of Orange <br />County. Even though these watersheds-exist as sub- basins, <br />recognizing the impact of the roads on these watersheds is <br />imperative. The amount and type of runoff from the roads are the <br />major factors involved in this impact. The chemicals existing in <br />the runoff will affect the watersheds, according to the amount of <br />chemicals that are filtered through the ground before reaching the <br />sub- basins. Therefore, reducing the amount of runoff from these <br />roads is one of the objectives in a thoroughfare plan. <br />In the urban areas, industrial /commercial areas generate a <br />large amount of traffic from the residential areas.. Therefore, a <br />thoroughfare plan should provide safe and adequate roads to allow <br />traffic to move freely and safely. The same applies to historic, <br />cultural, and recreational areas. <br />Traffic <br />The number of registered cars is one factor considered in <br />determining the major effects on average daily traffic volumes <br />(ADT) and movements. As shown in Table 3 and Figure 4, a <br />significant increase occurred in the number of registered vehicles <br />in Orange County. The graph in Figure 4 was derived from dividing <br />the total population by the total number of vehicles registered <br />for the years shown. This graph shows the transition from a non - <br />automobile oriented society to one that is heavily dependent on <br />the automobile. This change occurred from the 1940's to present <br />day; however, the greatest change occurred during the period <br />between 1940 and 1950. This change occurred because of the <br />following: <br />14 <br />