The project proposal is a large Planned Unit Development (PUD) known as Amberly. This project site is located just north of the previously approved Cary Park PUD and proposes land-uses that will complement the live, shop, and work in the same neighborhood concept which land planners refer to as a "Multi-Use or Traditional Development." The proposed development would include approximately 6,243 residential units, 270,000 S.F. of retail space, 125,000 S.F. of office space, over 42 acres of park/recreational areas, and an elementary school site. Of the total residential units (6,243), 32 percent or 1,975 units are planned to be age restricted (elderly housing).

Access for this future development will be provided via a new roadway (Amberly Drive) to be constructed through the project site. This new roadway will provide connectivity to/from the Cary Park PUD, through Amberly ending at a new intersection with O’Kelly Chapel Road. Effectively, this new roadway will provide a spine roadway through the site, and serve as the major circulation element for traffic generated by the project.

Regional access to the project will be provided by NC 55, Green Level/Durham Road, Carpenter Fire Station Road, and the proposed Panther Creek Parkway (through the Panther Creek PUD) site which is not yet an approved development. Planned in the future by the NCDOT, the Western Wake Expressway is proposed to be constructed in the immediate area of the site, and is planned to terminate at NC 55, but also provide a limited cross-section roadway through the adjacent Panther Creek PUD terminating at Panther Creek Parkway. When constructed and reasonable access obtained, this future Expressway would provide excellent regional access for traffic generated by Amberly. For study purposes, both the Western Wake Expressway and the Panther Creek Parkway have been assumed to be partially in place by the planning horizon of the project.

Existing conditions have been gathered for the following six intersections, which make up the project study area as directed by Town of Cary staff:

• Green Level to Durham Road at O’Kelly Chapel Road;
• O’Kelly Chapel Road at Alston Avenue;
• NC 55 at Alston Avenue/Petty Farm Road;
• NC 55 at Good Hope Church Road;
• NC 55 at Carpenter Fire Station Road; and,
• Carpenter Fire Station Road at Green Level to Durham Road.

This study area is located within the Northwest Transportation Zone, which requires that peak-hour volumes utilize a 90-minute average peak in accordance with the Town’s APFR Ordinance 01-012. Traffic volume data within the study area has been obtained for the weekday AM (6:30 - 9:30 AM) and PM (3:30 - 6:30 PM) peak periods. From this data, peak-hour multipliers of 0.938 and 0.937 were developed for the AM and PM peaks, respectively, which have been utilized within this report as required by the ordinance.

To represent Future 2010 traffic volume conditions within the study area, the Existing traffic flow volumes were upwardly adjusted to account for normal traffic growth and any other currently approved projects within the study area.

Discussions with Town of Cary staff indicate that an annual growth rate of 5 percent per year is to be used for traffic on NC 55 and 10 percent per year for all other volumes. These growth rates were applied to the Existing peak-hour traffic volumes to estimate Future 2010 conditions without the proposed development. It should be noted that, in addition to the normal annual growth in traffic, traffic associated with the Cary Park development was included in the 2010 No-Build traffic volumes.

Within the defined study area NC 55 is programmed to be widened from its current two-lane cross-section, to a divided four-lane facility by the NCDOT. This improvement is planned to be completed by 2003/2004, and will extend from US 64 through the study area to I 40. Included with this project is the re-alignment of O’Kelly Chapel Road between Green Level/Durham Road and NC 55 to improve access and provide sufficient separation between this intersection and the future Western Wake Expressway interchange at NC 55. Additionally, the existing north approach of Alston Avenue at O’Kelly Chapel Road will be relocated opposite Green Level/Durham Road to form a four-legged intersection.

Two other roadway projects are planned; the first is the Wake Expressway, which is planned to end at NC 55 via a grade-separated interchange. South of NC 55, the Wake Expressway is expected to continue as a two-lane facility terminating at Panther Creek Parkway (proposed) via an at-grade intersection.

The second roadway project planned is Panther Creek Parkway which will extend from Green Level to Durham to the Wake Expressway (proposed by the Cary Park PUD), then extend to NC 55 (proposed by the Town).

Site-Generated Traffic

For this project, the Institute of Transportation Engineers (ITE) Trip Generation manual was utilized to estimate project trips generated by the proposed facility.

Based on this information, the proposed development can be expected to generate a total of 42,470 (two-way) vehicle trips on a weekday daily basis, of which a total of 2,997 trips (867 entering, 2,129 exiting) are expected during the weekday AM peak-hour. During the PM peak-hour, 4,044 trips (2,394 entering, 1,650 exiting) can be expected.

Traffic generated by the site will be primarily distributed to and from NC 55 and the Western Wake Expressway with lesser proportions to and from Alston Avenue, Yates Store Road, and Morrisville Carpenter Road.

As a result of this project, traffic volume increases at the "front door" study area intersections (O’Kelly Chapel Road at Green Level to Durham Road/Alston Avenue, and Green Level to Durham Road at Carpenter Fire Station Road) are expected to be significant (ranging from approximately 60 to 160 percent) as compared to 2010 Future conditions without (No-Build) the proposed development. Much of the project traffic is projected to pass through these intersections. The impact of the project on NC 55 intersections is less significant given the large volumes of traffic already utilizing NC 55.

The Northwest Transportation Zone requires a minimum Level-of-Service standard of a D based on the 90-minute average peak. Under Existing conditions, traffic operations at the study area intersections along NC 55 are unacceptable (LOS F) while the other study area intersections operate very well (LOS B or better) during both the weekday AM and PM peak hours.

Under 2010 No-Build conditions, all intersections on existing roads are expected to operate at LOS F during one or more peak hours. These unacceptable traffic conditions arise from the anticipated annual growth in traffic in the area as well as the addition of the Cary Park traffic volumes.

With the addition of project related traffic, the poor operations at all intersections will be exacerbated. Each of the site roadway intersections (with one exception) also are projected to operate at LOS F during one or more peak hours.

As part of the proposed development plan, new roadways will be constructed to provide access to/from the development. The key link accessing the development will be a new four-lane roadway designated Amberly Drive that will traverse through the site in primarily a north/south direction between Carpenter Fire Station Road and O’Kelly Chapel Road. Connector roadways will be constructed between Amberly Drive and Green Level to Durham Road. Access to most of the PUD will be provided via Amberly Drive and these connector roadways. Other access drives will be provided for the school, recreation area, and residences located on the southern portion of the PUD. These access drives will intersect New Hope Church Road and Yates Store Road.

Access drives and new or existing roadways located on opposite sides of Amberly Drive and other site streets should be aligned insofar as possible to prevent undesirable offsetting situations. Exclusive left- and right-turn lanes should be provided in the vicinity of cross streets and drives to minimize impedance arising from slowing and left-turning vehicles.

It is expected that traffic signals will be necessary to provide acceptable conditions at the intersections of Amberly Drive with Carpenter Fire Station Road and with the south connector road. At the Carpenter Fire Station Road intersection, the site plan indicates a channeled westbound right-turn lane. Given the projected large turning volumes, a separate southbound left-turn lane and northbound right-turn lane should also be provided. At the south connector road, separate westbound right- and left-turn lanes should be provided. At O’Kelly Chapel Road, stop control is anticipated to be adequate, but a separate northbound right-turn lane should be constructed to accommodate the projected turning volumes.

The termini of the north and south connector roads at Green Level to Durham Road are expected to require signalization. Also, Green Level to Durham Road should be widened to provide a 4-lane section with adequate capacity and departure lanes for dual turn lanes between NC 55 and Carpenter Fire Station Road.

Off Site

Review of the intersection analyses indicates that the combination of background traffic growth, the Cary Park development, and the proposed Amberly PUD project has an impact on all of the study area intersections. Most are expected to operate at LOS F by the planning horizon (2010) with or without the Amberly PUD, and signalization is expected to become necessary at most intersections to provide acceptable operations. For the purposes of this study, the widening of NC 55 to a four-lane divided section has been assumed for 2010 conditions. Specific recommendations deemed necessary to mitigate the impact of the background growth and the Amberly PUD project are provided below.

• Four-lane divided from Green Level Church to NC 55.

• Four-lane divided from Amberly Drive to the Western Wake intersection (two-lane divided between Green Level to Durham and NC 55 to be provided by Cary Park and the Town).

• Four-lane divided from Amberly Drive to NC 55.

• Four-lane divided from Amberly Drive to NC 55.

• Four-lane from NC 55 to Panther Creek (two-lane to be provided by others).

• Four-lane divided from Yates Store Road to County Line.

• NC 55 to be widened to provide two through lanes in each direction as indicated in the TIP;
• Dual northbound left-turn lanes and a single southbound right-turn lane should be provided on NC 55 (This implies two westbound departure lanes on O’Kelly Chapel Road which should be constructed as a four-lane section between NC 55 and Green Level to Durham Road);
• Dual left-turn lanes and a separate right-turn lane should be provided on O’Kelly Chapel Road; and
• Provide traffic signal control.

• NC 55 to be widened to provide two through lanes in each direction as indicated in the TIP;
• Separate northbound and southbound left-turn lanes should be provided on NC 55;
• A separate southbound right turn lane should be provided on NC 55;
• Separate eastbound and westbound right-turn lanes should be provided on Panther Creek Parkway and Good Hope Church Road, respectively; and
• Provide traffic signal control.

NOTE: There are Future plans to construct the "McCrimmon Parkway" which is essentially an extension of the Panther Creek Parkway (as shown in the graphics). The geometry for this intersection should be revisited with the planning of this parkway.

• NC 55 to be widened to provide two through lanes in each direction as indicated in the TIP;
• Dual northbound left-turn lanes, a single southbound left-turn lane and a single southbound right-turn lane should be provided on NC 55 (This implies two westbound departure lanes on Carpenter Fire Station Road which should be widened to a four-lane section between NC 55 and Green Level to Durham Road);
• Two through lanes in each direction should be provided on Carpenter Fire Station Road;
• Dual eastbound left- and right-turn lanes should be provided on Carpenter Fire Station Road
• Dedicated westbound left- and right-turn lanes should be provided on Carpenter Fire Station Road; and
• Provide traffic signal control.

• As noted above, Carpenter Fire Station Road to be widened to a four-lane section between Amberly Drive and NC 55;
• Green Level to Durham Road should be widened to a four-lane section between NC 55 and Green Level Church Road as described earlier;
• Separate left-turn lanes should be provided for all approaches to the intersection;
• Separate right-turn lanes should be provided for the northbound and southbound Green Level to Durham Road approaches and the westbound Carpenter Fire Station Road approach; and
• Provide traffic signal control.

• Green Level to Durham Road should be widened to a four-lane section between NC 55 and Green Level Church Road as described earlier;
• Separate left-turn lanes should be provided for all approaches;
• A separate right-turn lane should be provided for the southbound Green Level to Durham Road approach;
• Dual eastbound and westbound through lanes with a shared right-turn should be provided on the South Connector Road and Panther Creek Parkway approaches, respectively. Sufficient merge distance should be provided for westbound traffic departing on the South Connector Road to achieve lane balance; and
• Provide traffic signal control.

• O’Kelly Chapel Road should be widened to a four-lane section between NC 55 and Amberly Drive as noted earlier with shared right-turn lanes for each approach;
• Green Level to Durham Road should be widened to a four-lane section between NC 55 and Green Level Church Road as described earlier;
• Separate left- and right-turn lanes should be provided for the northbound Green Level to Durham Road approach and the southbound Alston Avenue approach;
• A separate left-turn lane should be provided on the eastbound O’Kelly Chapel Road approach;
• Dual left-turn lanes should be provided on the westbound O’Kelly Chapel Road approach;
• Provide traffic signal control.

• The eastbound approach should be constructed with an exclusive left-turn lane and a shared left/through lane (or, alternatively, with dual left-turn lanes and a separate through lane). Dual northbound departure lanes should be provided of sufficient merge length to achieve lane balance;
• Dual southbound right-turn lanes and a separate left-turn lane should be provided on the Western Wake Expressway approach; and
• Provide traffic signal control.

It is evident that the recommended improvements will result in acceptable operating conditions at most intersections. The exception is at the intersection of NC 55 with Carpenter Fire Station Road. The projected traffic volumes at this intersection are sufficiently large that the recommended improvements will not provide sufficient capacity during the critical peak hour. With the expected phase two widening of NC 55 to a six-lane section, it is expected that conditions will drastically improve.

a Delay in seconds-per-vehicle.
b Level-of-Service.
c. Assumes NC 55 is widened to 4-lane divided highway.

1. For unsignalized intersections, delay is representative of critical movement/approach.

a Delay in seconds-per-vehicle.
b Level-of-Service.
c. Assumes NC 55 is widened to 4-lane divided highway.

1. For unsignalized intersections, Delay is representative of critical movement/approach.
2. For signalized intersections, Delay is representative of overall intersection.

May 8, 2002

• Be advised that the Projected Number of Additional Students is only a rough approximation. The actual number of students will vary depending on several variables, such as dwelling unit type, number of bedrooms, dwelling size, and other factors. A more definitive estimation will be done at the time of site plan submittal, which is when the applicant is required to secure a Certificate of Adequate Educational Facilities from the Wake County School System.

Since the applicant is proposing to provide funding to meet the Schools APF as allowed under the PUD provisions in the UDO, site and subdivision plans will not have to obtain certificates in the future.