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4 <br /> MPO Board 10/9/2019 Item 8 <br /> •0r0 <br /> \ 0 Vhb. <br /> To: DCHC MPO Date: October 1, 2019 Memorandum <br /> Project#: 38587.01 <br /> From: Don Bryson Re: NC 54 Supplement <br /> INTRODUCTION <br /> In response to the findings of the NC 54 West Corridor Study,the analyses summarized in this memorandum were <br /> requested to better understand and explain traffic patterns associated with the portion of NC 54 between 1-40 in <br /> Graham and Old Fayetteville Road in Carrboro. Although the focus of the additional analyses is the eastern (Orange <br /> County) end of the corridor,the study area was expanded to provide more regional context, and to more directly <br /> address West Main Street and the NC 54 Bypass to the east. <br /> The analyses in this memorandum address specific questions, supplementing the NC 54 Corridor Study. The NC54 <br /> Corridor Study provides more detailed documentation of underlying assumptions,traffic data, analytical <br /> methodology, and findings related to existing conditions, demand forecasts, and evaluation of alternatives. <br /> Some of the major issues addressed in this memorandum include: <br /> • Origins and destinations of traffic using this portion of NC 54 <br /> • Traffic forecasts <br /> • Traffic impacts of the proposed widening on other roads <br /> • Transit options, including: <br /> o Park-and-ride lots <br /> o Potential options for UNC-CH and hospital employees <br /> CORRIDOR TRIP ORIGINS AND DESTINATIONS <br /> According to the latest data (2017) available from the NCDOT traffic count program, average annual daily traffic <br /> (AADT) on NC 54 ranged from a high of 23,000 veh/day at the western end of the study area (just east of 1-40 in <br /> Graham)to a low of 6,400 veh/day near the county line (just west of Mebane Oaks Road/Saxapahaw Road). From <br /> that point eastward AADTs increase to a high of 15,000 just west of Old Fayetteville Road, the eastern end of the <br /> study. This pattern indicates that only a portion of the NC 54 traffic at Old Fayetteville Road consists of"through" <br /> trips (defined as vehicles travelling the entire length of the corridor from 1-40 to Old Fayetteville Road). Even if all <br /> 6,400 veh/day at the county line were through trips, only 43%of the traffic approaching Old Fayetteville Road could <br /> be defined as trips traveling the entire length of the corridor. Analysis of travel patterns suggests a much lower <br /> percentage; many of these 6,400 trips having origins or destinations along the corridor or intersecting roadways <br /> such as NC 119, Mebane Oaks Road, Orange Grove Road, and Bethel Hickory Grove Church Road. NC 54 collects and <br /> connects traffic between these dispersed trips ends. <br /> The following sections summarize analyses performed to help identify sources of traffic on this portion of NC 54. <br /> Venture 1 <br /> 940 Main Campus Drive, Suite 500 <br /> Raleigh, INC 27606-5217 <br /> P 919.829.0328 <br /> Page 1 of 12 <br />