§ 48-535. Definitions.

The following words, terms and phrases, when used in this article, shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this section, except where the context clearly indicates a different meaning:

Alley (narrow public or private street) means a way through the middle of a block giving access to the rear or properties.

Arterial street (a roadway with greater than 10,000 vpd) means a level of functional classification and city roads will be listed on the official Functional Classification Map, annually updated.

Capital improvements means any asset that increases the service capabilities of a public facility or work or materials applied to an existing asset that restores that asset or infrastructure to a "like new" condition, and improves the performance and reliability levels of the asset beyond the capabilities of the original installation, or performs a duty or service that was not previously provided. A capital improvement plan is commonly known as a CIP.

Collector street (a roadway with between 4,000 and 10,000 vpd) means a level of functional classification and city roads will be listed on the official Functional Classification Map annually updated.

Commercial driveway means any private entrance, exit, ramp, tunnel, bridge, side road, or other vehicular passageway to any property used for commercial purposes, except a farm or a dwelling house not exceeding a four-family capacity, and leading to or from any public road on the state highway system.

Destinations means:

(1)

Stores;

(2)

Restaurants;

(3)

Schools;

(4)

Banks;

(5)

Offices;

(6)

Other places of employment;

(7)

Daycares;

(8)

Residential community facilities (i.e., pools, tennis courts, clubhouse);

(9)

Hospitals or health facilities;

(10)

Churches and other places of worship;

(11)

Recreation and parks facilities;

(12)

Privately-owned recreation facilities;

(13)

Entertainment venues;

(14)

Transit facilities; and

(15)

Other related locations.

Driver means every person who drives or is in actual physical control of a vehicle.

FHWA means the Federal Highway Administration.

Functional classification means a listing and map which identifies which roads are major arterial, minor arterial, and collector.

GDOT means the Georgia Department of Transportation.

LOS (level of service) means a quantitative and qualitative measure of how well traffic flows on a given street or highway. The term "level of service" includes such factors as highway width, number of lanes, percentage of trucks, total traffic volume, turning movements, lateral clearances, grades, sight distance, capacity in relation to volume, travel speed and other factors which affect the quality of flow. The term "level of service" is typically summarized by letter grades described as follows:

(1)

Highway levels of service, per 15-minute flow period and intended for application to segments of significant length per direction per the Highway Capacity Manual 2000.

a.

Level "A" means nearly free-flow conditions with low traffic volumes, high speeds and free-flow conditions. Passing demand is well below capacity. Drivers are delayed no more than 40 percent of their travel time by slow-moving vehicles. A maximum flow rate of 490 pc/h total in both directions may be achieved with base conditions. Speeds are at or above the posted speed limit may require strict enforcement.

b.

Level "B" means nearly free-flow conditions with light traffic volumes, minor speed restrictions and stable flow. The demand for passing to maintain desired speeds becomes significant and approximates the lower boundary of the LOS B. Drivers are delayed in platoons up to 55 percent of the time. Service flow rates of 780 pc/h total in both directions can be achieved under base conditions. Above this flow rate, the number of platoons increase dramatically. Speeds are still very near the posted speed limit.

c.

Level "C" means nearly free flow conditions, moderate traffic volumes, where speed and maneuvering are restricted to a limited degree by the amount of traffic. This results in noticeable increases in platoon formation, platoon size, and frequency of passing impediments. Although the flow is stable, it is susceptible to congestion due to turning traffic and slow-moving vehicles. Percent time-following may reach 70 percent. A service flow rate of up to 1,190 pc/h total in both directions can be accommodated under base conditions. Speeds are still near the posted speed limit.

d.

Level "D" means a condition with heavy traffic operating at tolerable speeds and restricted maneuverability, although temporary slowdowns in flow may occur. The two opposing traffic streams beginning to operate separately at higher volume levels, as passing becomes extremely difficult. Passing demand is high, but passing capacity approaches zero. Mean platoon sizes of five to ten vehicles are common, although speeds of 40 mph can still be maintained under base conditions. Turning vehicles and roadside distractions cause major shock waves in the traffic stream. Motorists are delayed in platoons for nearly 85 percent of their travel time. Maximum service flow rates of 1,830 pc/h total in both directions can be maintained under base conditions.

e.

Level "E" means considered at capacity, a condition of very heavy flow, very little if any freedom to maneuver, and reasonably low speeds. Under Level "E" the traffic is unstable and short stoppage may occur. Traffic flow conditions have a percent time-spent following greater than 85 percent. Even under base flow conditions, speeds may drop below 40 mph. Average travel speeds on highways with less than base conditions will be slower, even down to 25 mph on sustained upgrades. Passing is virtually impossible at LOS E and platooning becomes intense, as slower vehicles or other interruptions are encountered. The highest volume attainable under LOS E defines the capacity of the highway, generally 3,200 pc/h total in both directions. Operating conditions at capacity are unstable and difficult to predict. Traffic operations seldom reach near capacity on rural highways, primarily because of lack of demand.

f.

Level "F" means a condition of extremely heavy flow, with frequent stoppage, significant queuing at constricted points and very slow speeds. It is an unstable traffic condition under which traffic often comes to a complete halt. Volumes are lower than capacity and speeds are highly variable.

(2)

Stop controlled intersection levels of service, per approach per the Highway Capacity Manual 2000.

a.

Level "A" means the average control delay of 0—10 seconds per vehicle (s/veh).

b.

Level "B" means the average control delay of 10—15 seconds per vehicle (s/veh).

c.

Level "C" means the average control delay of 15—25 seconds per vehicle (s/veh).

d.

Level "D" means the average control delay of 25—35 seconds per vehicle (s/veh).

e.

Level "E" means the average control delay of 35—50 seconds per vehicle (s/veh).

f.

Level "F" means average control delay of greater than 50 seconds per vehicle (s/veh).

(3)

Signalized intersection levels of service, per lane per approach per the Highway Capacity Manual 2000.

a.

Level "A" means the average control delay of 0—10 seconds per vehicle (s/veh).

b.

Level "B" means average control delay of 10—20 seconds per vehicle (s/veh).

c.

Level "C" means the average control delay of 20—35 seconds per vehicle (s/veh).

d.

Level "D" means the average control delay of 35—55 seconds per vehicle (s/veh).

e.

Level "E" means the average control delay of 55—80 seconds per vehicle (s/veh).

f.

Level "F" means the average control delay of greater than 80 seconds per vehicle (s/veh).

Local streets (roads with volumes of less than 4,000 vpd) means a level of functional classification and city roads will be listed on the official Functional Classification Map annually updated.

Maintenance means work that is done regularly to keep equipment functioning properly or a neat, orderly appearance.

(1)

The term "maintenance" includes:

a.

Potholes;

b.

Resurfacing;

c.

Roadside trash pickup;

d.

Signal/sign/striping repairs;

e.

Parks;

f.

Community buildings;

g.

Grass cutting;

h.

Shoulder repair; and

i.

Streetlight bulb replacement.

(2)

The term "maintenance" does not include:

a.

Major damage due to auto crashes or natural disasters;

b.

Equipment damaged during construction projects;

c.

Private roads; or

d.

Private entrance gates.

Mitigation means to cause to become less severe, to alleviate congestion. The LOS minimum standards contained in this definition shall be used for impact assessment and mitigation analysis. (Reference GRTA DRI Technical Guidelines.)

(1)

Major arterials: LOS C.

(2)

Minor arterials: LOS C.

(3)

Collectors and others: LOS C.

Motor vehicle means every vehicle that is self-propelled.

New trips means the total vehicle trips, minus pass-by trips, minus internal trips, if applicable.

Owner means a person, other than a lienholder or security interest holder, having the property in or title to a vehicle. The term "owner" includes a person entitled to the use and possession of a vehicle subject to a security interest in or lien by another person but excludes a lessee under a lease not intended as security except as otherwise specifically provided in this title.

Pass-by trips means vehicle trips which are made by traffic already using the adjacent roadway and entering the site as an intermediate stop on the way to another destination.

Peak hour means:

(1)

7:00 a.m. to 8:00 a.m., 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. or the highest four, 15-minute increments within such time period for the a.m. peak hour; and

(2)

4:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. or the highest four, 15-minute increments within such a time period for the p.m. peak hour.

Peak-hour trip generation study means a study by a qualified professional of one or more actual developments of similar land use and development characteristics which provides empirical data on the actual number of trips entering and exiting said development during the a.m. and p.m. peak hour. A peak-hour trip generation study shall consist of a.m. and p.m. peak hour traffic counts by direction (entering and exiting) on at least three separate weekdays if the study is based on only one similar development, or at least one a.m. and p.m. traffic count for three different actual developments. The results of actual traffic counts from peak-hour trip generation studies may be adjusted to discount pass-by trips as provided in this article.

Private streets means roadways constructed to Fulton County or city standards but owned and maintained by a private entity (typically a homeowners' association).

(1)

Necessary easements for ingress and egress for police, fire, emergency vehicles, and all operating utilities shall be provided.

(2)

Should the city, ever be petitioned to assume ownership and maintenance of the private streets prior to formal dedication of their streets as public, they must be brought to acceptable city standards subject to the approval of the public works director.

(3)

The term "private road or driveway" means every way or place in private ownership and used for vehicular traffic by the owner and those having express or implied permission from the owner, but not by other persons.

Public or private property means the right-of-way of any road or highway; any body of water or watercourse or the shores thereof; any park, playground, building, refuge or conservation or recreation area; and residential or farm properties, timberland or forest.

Public streets means rights-of-way used for access owned and maintained by the federal, state, or local government.

Professionally accepted means published by the Institute of Transportation Engineers, or prepared by a qualified professional under work supervised by the city, or prepared by a qualified professional; and accepted by the city engineer.

Qualified professional , for purposes of conducting traffic impact studies as may be required by this article, means a registered professional engineer with experience in traffic engineering. For purposes of conducting peak hour trip generation studies, the term "qualified professional" means a registered professional engineer with experience in traffic engineering, or another professional approved by the transportation engineer based on education and experience to conduct such trip generation studies.

Reserved rights-of-way means the potential right-of-way reserved for expansion or new right-of-way including, but not limited to, the calculation of total allowable density and the determination of building setbacks and buffers. In conjunction with the conveyance of any parcel affected by a reserved right-of-way, the developer shall retain the right to require the parcel owner to dedicate the reserved right-of-way to the city (at no cost or expense to the city) in the event that traffic demand warrants an expansion, the Transportation Master Plan shows such new location roadway, or is required as a condition of rezoning.

Right-of-way means the right to pass through property owned by another, as with a highway; to take precedence in traffic.

Sidewalk means that portion of a street between the curb lines, or the lateral lines of a railway, and the adjacent property lines, intended for use by pedestrians, and further defined by section 48-562.

Significant-engineering certification means that substantial and commonly accepted engineering standards are met. The term "significant-engineered certification" includes, but is not limited to, the following engineering standards being met:

(1)

Roadside Design Guide;

(2)

ITE Handbook; and

(3)

MUTCD guidelines.

Subdivision .

(1)

The term "subdivision" means:

a.

All divisions of a tract or parcel of land into two or more lots, buildings, sites, or other divisions for the purpose, whether immediate or future, of sale, legacy, or building development;

b.

All division of land involving a new public road or a change in existing public roads or new drives, driveways, accessways, or changes that require access to the state right-of-way;

c.

Resubdivision; and

d.

Where appropriate to the context, relates to the process of subdividing or to the land or area subdivided.

(2)

The term "subdivision" does not include the following:

a.

The combination or recombination of portions of previously platted lots where the total number of lots is not increased and the resultant lots are equal to the standards of the municipality; or

b.

The division of land into parcels of five acres or more where no new street is involved.

Traffic impact study means an analysis and assessment, conducted by a qualified professional, that assesses the effects that a discretionary development proposal's traffic will have on the transportation network in a community or portion thereof. Traffic impact studies vary in their range of detail and complexity depending on the type, size and location of the proposed development.

Trip means a single or one-directional travel movement with either the origin or destination of the trip inside the study site. (Institute of Transportation (ITE): Trip Generation). Since person-trips are sometimes used within an analysis, all "trips" in this article will be assumed to be vehicle movements and the phrase "person trips" will be used to differentiate between those two measures.

( Ord. No. 16-07-278 , § 1, 7-11-2016)