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What are Municipalities Already Doing in the MAPC Region?

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Map of Municipalities in MAPC that require Transportation Studies and TDM measures

Many municipalities in the MAPC region already require Transportation Studies and TDM measures in their ordinances/bylaws as part of mitigation measures.  The map highlights representative municipalities that require Transportation Studies and/or TDM measures in the MAPC region.  Read more about the measures by choosing one of the municipalities below the map.

 

Bellingham

  • Transportation Study: Transportation Impact and Analysis Study
  • Transportation Demand Management: TDM in Subdivision’s Rules and Regulations
  • Case Study: Dunkin Donuts Northeast Distribution Warehouse
  • Description: The Town of Bellingham requires the preparation of a Transportation Impact and Analysis Study (TIAS) for any project that will generate 25 or more vehicle trips in any single hour of the day.  Specific criteria for the preparation of the TIAS is delineated in the Town’s Subdivision’s Rules and Regulations.

Boston

  • Transportation Study: Transportation Access Plan
  • Description: The City of Boston requires the preparation of a Transportation Access Plan for Large Projects.  The Transportation Access Plan is required to propose measures to mitigate any adverse impacts on the transportation network reasonably attributable to the proposed project.

Braintree

  • Transportation Study: Traffic Study
  • Transportation Demand Management: TDM in Bylaw
  • Case Study: Lenox Farms
  • Description: The Town of Braintree requires the preparation of a Traffic Study for any project that will generate 50 or more new trips during the peak hour of the development.  The Traffic Study has specific criteria for measures to mitigate traffic impacts.
  • Prior to granting a Special Permit or a Site Plan Review, the Special Permit Granting Authority determines whether there will be adequate capacity on all impacted streets and may require implementation of mitigative measures.  Specific TDM measures are outlined in the bylaw.

Brookline

  • Transportation Study: Transportation Studies for Major Impact Projects
  • Description: Town of Brookline requires the preparation of Transportation Studies for Major Impact Projects which are required to include mitigation measures.

Cambridge

  • Transportation Study: Parking and Transportation Demand Management (PTDM) Ordinance
  • Transportation Demand Management: Cambridge’s Special Permit Transportation Indicators
  • Description: The City of Cambridge has a Parking and Transportation Demand Management (PTDM) Ordinance that requires developers to submit a PTDM plan for development projects that meet certain criteria.  Read more about the programs and the Parking and Transportation Demand Management Planning Ordinance (Chapter 10.18).
  • A specific set of indicators is followed to determine whether a proposed project will have a substantial adverse impact.  In making its findings, the Planning Board considers the proposed mitigation efforts proposed, their anticipated effectiveness, and other information that identifies circumstances or actions that will result in a reduction in adverse traffic impacts.
  • Mitigation efforts may include, but are not limited to, TDM plans; roadway, bicycle and pedestrian facilities improvements; measures to reduce traffic on residential streets; and measures undertaken to improve safety for pedestrians and vehicles.

Danvers

  • Transportation Demand Management: Bylaw Section 4 – Site Plan Approval
  • Case Study: Certification of Action: Site Plan Approval – Partner’s Health Care (100 Endicott Street), and Special Permit and Site Plan Approval – Danvers State Hospital (50 Hathorne Avenue)
  • Description: Danvers requires the preparation of a Community Impact Assessment (CIA) for all structures larger than 20,000 square feet and all projects that include a drive-through.  Mitigation measures that address the project’s traffic impacts are required.

Hanover

  • Transportation Study: Development Impact Statement
  • Description: The Town of Hanover requires the preparation of a Development Impact Statement for projects that require site plans and special permits.  The ordinance specifies the establishment of mitigation funds.

Holliston

  • Transportation Study: Traffic Impact Report with a Roadway Mitigative Measures component
  • Other: Regulations for Site Plan Review
  • Case Study: Casella Transfer Station
  • Description: The Town of Holliston requires a traffic impact assessment report for any non-residential subdivision or any residential subdivision proposing fifteen or more homes.  A Roadway Mitigative Measures component describing all proposed mitigation measures is required.  Holliston requires a cash payment towards the implementation of traffic calming for development projects as well as a tonnage fee for roadway improvements. The Regulations for Site Plan Review State require a Traffic Impact Report if 100 or more vehicle-trips per day are to be generated by the proposal.

Lexington

  • Transportation Demand Management: Transportation Demand Management Policy Bylaw
  • Other: Planned Development Zoning Districts
  • Description: The Town of Lexington’s Transportation Demand Management Policy Bylaw focuses on meeting transportation needs by a variety of measures that affect the demand for, and use of, various modes of travel.
  • Planned Development Zoning Districts for large-scale commercial and residential developments are established by the Town.  A zoning district applies to only one site.  A developer may include improvements to mitigate the impacts of the proposed development such as:
    • Construction of different types of public infrastructure, such as traffic signals, or
    • Specific programs that serve the future occupants of the area such as transportation systems management programs.

The restrictions and improvements are voluntarily offered by the applicant. They are not regulatory restrictions imposed by the Town.

Littleton

  • Other: Policy on Pedestrian and Traffic Mitigation
  • Description: The Town of Littleton has a Policy on Pedestrian and Traffic Mitigation which is used as a backup if mitigation is not proposed as part of a project.  The Town requires receipt of funds prior to the issuance of an occupancy permit.  Usually the funds are placed in a sidewalk fund.

Wellesley

  • Other: Project of Significant Impact Review (PSI) Review, and Zoning Bylaw Section XVIA –Project Approval
  • Case Study: Linden Square Redevelopment
  • Description: The Town of Wellesley requires a Project of Significant Impact Review (PSI) for projects that create at least 10,000 square feet of new floor area or at least 15,000 square feet of area that will be changing in use.  Construction projects are required to comply with Zoning Bylaw Section XVIA –Project Approval.  This bylaw requires the preparation of a Municipal Systems Impact Analysis of which Traffic, Pedestrian and Bicycle safety is a component.

Woburn

  • Transportation Study: Traffic Impact Assessment
  • Transportation Demand Management: Ordinance with a Traffic Safes and Infrastructure Fund, and required to participate in a TMA and implement TDM programs
  • Description: The City of Woburn has an ordinance which is intended to ensure that the City’s infrastructure is upgraded and maintained in a responsible manner consistent with State and Municipal laws and is designed to ensure that major developments bear a proportionate share of capital facilities costs.  The ordinance contains a Traffic Safes and Infrastructure Fund which enables a project proponent to make a contribution equal to three percent of the total costs of a development project.  The proponent is also required to participate in the regional or local TMA and implement TDM programs.