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i=rewert Traffic Impact Study <br /> 2.0 STUDY METHODOLOGY <br /> Traffic impacts related to the proposed project were evaluated for both compliance with applicable <br /> regulatory documents and environmental significance as defined in the California Environmental Quality <br /> Act(CEQA).The CEQA analysis was conducted in accordance with the CEQA Transportation Analysis <br /> Guidelines finalized in September 2020 by San Joaquin County.As of July 1, 2020, intersection level of <br /> service (LOS) can no longer be used to determine significant CEQA impacts. However, a local traffic impact <br /> study was conducted to determine consistency with San Joaquin County plans and standards. This non- <br /> CEQA analysis was conducted based on the Traffic Impact Study Guidelines for San Joaquin County, dated <br /> November 2008, as updated. <br /> 2.1 VEHICLE MILES TRAVELED <br /> This study evaluates project-related VMT as outlined in the adopted San Joaquin County VMT <br /> methodology, as outlined in the CEQA Transportation Analysis Guidelines. <br /> The Governors Office of Planning and Research (OPR) Technical Advisory(December 2018) provides <br /> guidance to analysts and local jurisdictions for implementing VMT as a metric for determining the <br /> transportation impact for land use projects.The OPR guidelines state that for analysis purposes, "VMT", <br /> refers to automobile VMT,specifically passenger vehicles and light trucks. Heavy truck traffic is typically <br /> excluded. <br /> The County guidelines include a screening process that describes scenarios in which a project would be <br /> exempted from a VMT analysis requirement, including screening by project type and maps identifying low- <br /> VMT areas. Since the screening criteria mentioned above do not apply to this project, a qualitative VMT <br /> analysis was prepared. <br /> 2.2 LEVEL OF SERVICE ANALYSIS METHODOLOGY <br /> Although Level of Service (LOS) is no longer relevant to CEQA, LOS can be used to determine conformity <br /> with an adopted general plan or congestion management program. LOS is a qualitative measure that <br /> describes operational conditions as they relate to the traffic stream and perceptions by motorists and <br /> passengers.The LOS generally describes these conditions in terms of such factors as speed and travel <br /> time, delays,freedom to maneuver,traffic interruptions, comfort, convenience, and safety. The operational <br /> LOS are given letter designations from A to F,with A representing the best operating conditions (free- <br /> flow) and F the worst(severely congested flow with high delays). Intersections generally are the capacity- <br /> controlling locations with respect to traffic operations on arterial and collector streets in urban areas. <br /> Signalized intersections <br /> The study intersections under traffic signal control were analyzed using the 6th Edition Highway Capacity <br /> Manual (NCM) Operations Methodology for signalized intersections described in Chapter 18(HCM W1 <br /> Ed.).This methodology determines LOS based on average control delay per vehicle for the overall <br /> intersection during peak hour intersection operating conditions. Control delay includes initial deceleration <br /> delay, queue move-up time, stopped delay, and final acceleration delay.The average control delay for <br /> Page 18 <br /> TJKM <br />