Publications: Transportation Studies (Southwestern Pennsylvania Commission)

Route 30, Unity Township Land Use and Transportation Initiative

Topic: The goal of this study was to provide Unity Township with the proper tools to effectively manage development and preserve the transportation capacity of the Route 30 corridor. The purpose was to develop tools with a strong chance of being easily implemented in the short term in Unity Township, while also offering a model for other areas in the Commonwealth.

Summary: This study, conducted for SPC in 2001 by URS Corporation and McCormick, Taylor and Associates, recommends the following strategies, fully described in the report:

Coordination with PennDOT
Concurrent review of Highway Occupancy Permits
Context-sensitive design applications with future PennDOT projects
Traffic signal improvements
Interconnection of signals
Coordination of future signals
Evaluation of traffic signal timing (cycle length) once every 5 years
Replacement of current traffic signals with LED signals
Access management ordinances
Overlay zone along Route 30
Driveway standards
Access between developments
Access inside developments

When you click on the image to your right, the Route 30, Unity Township Land Use and Transportation Study will open in PDF format. In order to view the report, you must have Adobe Acrobat Reader installed. If you don’t have Acrobat Reader, it’s available as a free download from Adobe.

In order to view the report, you must have Adobe Acrobat Reader installed. If you don’t have Acrobat Reader, it’s available as a free download from Adobe.

Buffalo Township Land Use and Transportation Initiative

Topic: This study analyzes current and projected land use and transportation conditions in Buffalo Township, Butler County. It addresses the relationship between transportation and land use policies and proposes an action plan to facilitate development while preserving quality of life.

Summary: This study, conducted for SPC in 2002 by Graney, Grossman, Ray, Colosimo & Associates and Herbert, Rowland & Grubic, Inc., recommends the following strategies:

Land Use

Amend the township Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance in several specific ways related to cul-de-sacs, streets, pedestrian systems, and lots.
Create an overlay zoning district to regulate development along three major roads.
Consider creating a new Conservation Residential zoning district.
Consider creating a new Traditional Village overlay district for the targeted growth area at the Routes 228 and 356 intersection.
Begin a full comprehensive plan update, possibly in agreement with an adjacent municipality.
Examine the option for an impact fee ordinance.
Re-examine sign regulations.

Transportation

Work for intersection improvements at key locations, including turning lanes and signal improvements, as specified in the report.

To obtain a copy of this report, please contact SPC at (412) 391-5590 or e-mail comments@spcregion.org.

The Buffalo Township Land Use and Transportation Initiative; Available by request only. Call Prue Larson at (412) 391-5590 x305 or e-mail plarson@spcregion.org.

Available by request only. Call SPC at (412) 391-5590 or e-mail comments@spcregion.org.

Route 51 Land Use and Transportation Initiative

Topic: The study area covers the Route 51 corridor through Elizabeth and Forward Townships (in Allegheny County), Rostraver Township (in Westmoreland County), and Perry Township (in Fayette County).

Summary: Objectives of this study, conducted for SPC in 2005 by Herbert, Rowland & Grubic, Inc. and Graney, Grossman, Colosimo & Associates, were to:

Preserve operation of the Route 51 corridor
Maintain and enhance the character of these communities
Provide opportunities for growth within the communities

Study recommendations include the following strategies:

Access management
Impact fees
Intersection improvements
Traffic impact studies
Traffic signal optimization
Safety enhancements
Traffic signal interconnection
Smart growth techniques
Intergovernmental cooperation

When you click on the image to your right, the Route 51 Land Use and Transportation Initiative will open in PDF format (15.7 MB). In order to view the report, you must have Adobe Acrobat Reader installed. If you don’t have Acrobat Reader, it’s available as a free download from Adobe.

In order to view the report (PDF Format, 15.7 MB), you must have Adobe Acrobat Reader installed. If you don’t have Acrobat Reader, it’s available as a free download from Adobe.

Route 30 Master Plan

Topic: The Smart Growth Partnership of Westmoreland County (SGPWC) has initiated a process with local planners and community stakeholders to flesh out a vision and plan for a 40-mile stretch of the historic “Lincoln Highway” that connects the historic small cities and growing suburbs east of Pittsburgh to the scenic Laurel Highlands.

Summary: A coalition of business and municipal officials work collaboratively with each other and with PennDOT to ensure that the U.S. Route 30 of the future is characterized by:

A consistent approach to land use regulation that enhances economic activities, balancing the historic character and rural beauty of the highway while respecting individual property rights;
The use of the latest technology to intelligently move people and goods safely;
An appropriate mix of commercial, industrial, residential, agriculture, open space and other vital land uses that underlie a great quality of life;
A multi-modal approach, including transit, air, and rail freight to accommodate the movement of people and goods efficiently;
A network of parallel road systems that provides choices for local residents and for the convenient flow of through traffic, including the tourist traveler; and
Well-maintained surface, landscaping and traffic control systems that work together to enhance the motoring experience.

Click here to visit the Route 30 Master Plan website.

Click the image to go to the Route 30 Master Plan website.

Transportation Studies

SPC has been involved in several transporation planning studies which have recently concluded. Information about these studies be found on a series of web sites and/or PDF files. Click on the titles below for more information.

Cubbage Street/Prestley Street Access Study

Summary: Michael Baker Corporation recently completed a transportation study for SPC analyzing traffic flow, safety, access, and community impacts along Cubbage and Prestley Streets in Carnegie Borough and Collier Township, Allegheny County. The study also included a detailed analysis of truck access between the Lane Road industrial business area and Interstate 79. A total of nine improvement alternatives were developed as part of the study. These alternatives focused on reducing traffic volumes on Cubbage Street, particularly truck traffic, and improving access to the Lane Road industrial area. The potential benefits and impacts of each alternative were presented, along with cost estimates for each option.

To obtain a detailed copy of this report, please contact Project Manager Doug Smith. Detailed information has been excluded from the web version of this document in order to keep the file size manageable.

View an executive summary and brief synopsis of the Cubbage Street/Prestley Street Access Study by clicking the image above. In order to view the report, you must have Adobe Acrobat Reader installed. If you don’t have Acrobat Reader, it’s available as a free download from Adobe.

U.S. Route 19 Land Use Study

Topic: The goal of this study was to identify ways to preserve the operational effectiveness of U.S. Route 19 from the Allegheny/Washington County line to Oak Springs Road in Washington County, through the implementation of various transportation and land use management techniques.

Summary: This study, conducted for SPC by Wilbur Smith Associates, analyzed historic, current, and projected land use and development patterns in Peters, North Strabane, and South Strabane Townships and identified the transportation impacts associated with these land use patterns. The study identified existing and projected transportation deficiencies in the corridor and provided a menu of potential management options to help address these issues.

To obtain a full copy of this report, please contact Project Manager Doug Smith. Certain figures and appendices have been excluded from the web version of this document in order to keep the file size manageable.

View the U.S. Route 19 Land Use Study by clicking the image to the right. In order to view the report, you must have Adobe Acrobat Reader installed. If you don’t have Acrobat Reader, it’s available as a free download from Adobe.

In order to view the report, you must have Adobe Acrobat Reader installed. If you don’t have Acrobat Reader, it’s available as a free download from Adobe.

Labelle Area Transportation Study

Topic: Current and future travel demands, and existing and proposed transportation infrastructure in the area of the new State Correctional Institution in Luzerne Township, Fayette County.

Summary: This study analyzed access and mobility issues in the vicinity of SCI-Fayette including the travel patterns of prison employees, visitors, and freight haulers, as well as local traffic. The study looked at issues relating to the Fredericktown Ferry, the last of three original ferries crossing the Monongahela River between Washington County and Fayette County, and one of only a few cable-operated ferries still in use in the United States. It also considered the impacts of proposed roadway improvements and land use patterns in the area.

To obtain a copy of the information contained in the Appendices of the report, please contact Project Manager Doug Smith. This information has been excluded from the web version of this document in order to keep the file size manageable.

View a copy of the LaBelle Area Transportation Study by clicking the image above. In order to view the report, you must have Adobe Acrobat Reader installed. If you don’t have Acrobat Reader, it’s available as a free download from Adobe.