22-55 Traffic

What is the increased projection of accidents and spills which could occur by the increase in truck traffic at the four intersections/corners described above?

As previously described in comment responses to the Town dated May 11, 2016, traffic increases due to the proposed 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 along Route 100, including the Pascoag Main Street, South Main Street and Church Street corridors. These roadways are inclusive of the two intersections on Pascoag Main Street and two horizontal curves previously described.

Crash rates were calculated for Route 100 in Burrillville.  The crash rate for a roadway segment represents the number of crashes that occur per million vehicle miles traveled.  The crash 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 crash rate would remain consistent in these phases and the increased traffic is likely to result in approximately one additional crash during the construction phase with the highest level of trip generation and approximately one additional crash 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 (number of crashes per million truck miles traveled)
  •  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 the ammonia, water, and oil trucks described in the January 2017 memorandum. 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 70 vehicles per day of truck traffic.  The increase of risk for a serious spill is 0.01% which is very low.