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6-1 Traffic

With the increase in traffic through densely settled areas, what is the increased risk statistically of accidents and risk of a hazmat spill?

RESPONSE 6-1

 

As part of the traffic study, traffic increases due to the proposed Clear River Energy Center (“CREC”) were estimated for both the construction phase (for which we used the construction phase that generates the most trips) and for the post-construction operational phase when the plant is fully constructed.

Crash data was provided by the Town of Burrillville for the following locations on Route 100:

  • Pascoag Main Street
  • South Main Street
  • Church Street

Crash rates were calculated for Route 100 in Burrillville.  The accident rate for a roadway segment represents the number of accidents that occur per million vehicle miles traveled.  The accident rates were then applied to the projected traffic conditions for the construction phase and the operational phase of CREC.   Assuming that the roadway and adjacent conditions do not change, and that only the traffic volumes are increased, the accident rate would remain consistent in these phases and the increased traffic is likely to result in approximately one additional accident during the construction phase with the highest level of trip generation and approximately one additional accident per three-year period during the operational phase.

To estimate the increased risk of a traffic-related hazmat spill as a consequence of the added traffic from the CREC, methodology based upon research conducted at the New Jersey Institute of Technology was utilized.  The formula utilizes the following components:

  • SS-The serious spillage rate, which was calculated based upon crash and traffic data to be 0.0017
  • RL-The length of roadway
  • AADT-The annual average daily traffic volume
  • %HV-The percentage of heavy goods vehicles

 

Applying the formula to the existing conditions on Route 100 between the Glocester/Burrillville Town line and the intersection of Church Street at Wallum Lake Road, the current probability of a serious spill is 0.22%.  When the CREC is complete and operational, the added truck traffic will consist of a low volume of ammonia (approximately one delivery every two weeks) and oil trucks, which are only expected to be needed for a couple of days of the year when temperatures necessitate.  With the increased truck traffic from the operational condition of the CREC, the probability of a serious spill does not increase and continues to be 0.22%.

During the construction phase with the heaviest volume of traffic, the probability of a serious spill increases to 0.23% with an estimated additional 69 vehicles per day of truck traffic.  The increase of risk for a serious spill is 0.01% which is very low.

RESPONDENT:

 

 Maureen Chlebek, McMahon Associates

DATE:

May 11, 2016