4.11 traffic and transportation - government of new jerseynew meadowlands stadium project...
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New Meadowlands Stadium Project Preliminary Environmental Impact Statement 4.11 Traffic and Transportation
This section describes existing and proposed traffic and transportation characteristics, on-site
circulation, parking conditions, transit service, pedestrian circulation, and air navigation within
the vicinity of the Project Area of the New Meadowlands Stadium Project.
Traffic, circulation, parking and pedestrian safety are major concerns for the NJSEA, the Project
developers, and the surrounding communities. Although the Stadium Project is replacing the
current stadium, one objective of the Project is to improve the safety and efficiency of the
transportation system by improving and reorganizing the on-site roadway network and parking
lots on the West Site, and facilitating the management of Sports Complex traffic operations
during game events. The traffic and transportation studies of the Stadium Project have taken
into account previous studies completed for redevelopment of the East Site (TRC Raymond
Keyes Associates, 2004), the Railroad Project (NJSEA, 2005) and for the region in and around
the Meadowlands Sports Complex area for the NJDOT and the NJSEA (Edwards & Kelcey, Inc.
2004). Several major regional transportation projects being implemented by others are already
underway with funding in place. These regional transportation projects include:
The Rail Spur from Secaucus, which is under construction and scheduled to open in
summer 2008 that will substantially reduce automobile trips to the Sports Complex
during major sports and entertainment events;
NJ Turnpike Interchange 16W improvements that will eliminate current traffic weaving,
thereby improving egress and access to the Sports Complex;
Route 3 East bound flyover and ramp improvements that will add lanes, thereby
eliminating weaving on the current flyover;
Route 17 and Paterson Plank Road mainline improvements; and,
Route 17 Intersections improvements that will enhance traffic flow at six intersections.
It is anticipated that these regional highway improvement projects will reduce overall vehicular
travel times to and from the Meadowlands Sports Complex. Furthermore the proposed
doubling of the number of lanes entering and exiting the Sports Complex from regional
roadways will significantly reduce queues and spillback that adversely affects the regional
adway system as well as non-sports complex related traffic flows. ro
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New Meadowlands Stadium Project Preliminary Environmental Impact Statement In addition to these regional transportation projects, the Stadium Project will improve on-site
related parking areas and on-site traffic circulation. These Project-related improvements will
facilitate traffic flow in the surrounding area, ease congestion and back-ups on local roadways
and within the West Site itself, and provide ample, well-marked parking through the following
steps:
Implementation of an improved wayfinding signage systems within the West Site
and on adjacent off-site roadways to provide clear access and well defined travel
paths to and from the Sports Complex parking areas;
Creation of new internal loop roads that move traffic more efficiently within the
West Site and link more directly and effectively to the local and regional road
systems (e.g., Interchange 16W) to facilitate better traffic flow and speed patrons
through areas that have in the past been bottlenecks;
Reconfiguration of existing surface parking areas to provide adequate parking supply
and designate specific parking areas for each arrival route in order to direct patrons
to specific parking areas; and,
Reconfiguration and addition of Sport Complex toll plazas (parking fee collection) -
both physical and virtual – to reduce queuing and related congestion.
The Stadium Project’s Parking and Transportation Management Plan, submitted as part of the
NM Stadco June 2006 Master Plan, calls for the implementation of enhanced traffic and parking
management strategies to facilitate more efficient use of the parking areas by: (1) increasing
the number of pre-paid parking passes to foster faster throughput of vehicles at toll plazas, (2)
implementation of directed parking within the lots themselves, (3) increasing awareness and
communication to patrons through team website and email communications, and (4)
implementation of formalized shared parking plans with the NJSEA and related venues at the
Sports Complex to coordinate user requirements on a 365 day per year basis.
The analysis and summary of existing and proposed traffic conditions presented in this section
is based on the Traffic Study prepared by Vollmer Associates, LLP (Vollmer) for the New
Meadowlands Stadium Project (Vollmer, 2006a) (Appendix G). The Traffic Study was prepared
in accordance with current NJDOT regulations and criteria identified in the New Jersey State
Highway Access Management Code (N.J.A.C. 16:47). Proposed transportation improvements
that require significant improvements and access to State roads require a Major Access Permit
from the NJDOT. A Major Access Permit from the NJDOT will be required for the modification
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New Meadowlands Stadium Project Preliminary Environmental Impact Statement of existing access points to and from state highways associated with the Stadium Project (see
Section 6.2.12). A Scope of Study was submitted to NJDOT in August 2006 for review and
approval. Additional traffic analyses are anticipated to be performed as part of the ongoing
NJDOT review process. Traffic and parking data may be updated accordingly.
The analysis and summary of parking, pedestrian circulation, and transportation management
presented in this section is based on the Parking and Transportation Management Plan also
prepared by Vollmer Associates (Vollmer 2006b) (Appendix H). This plan presents an Event
Parking Analysis, Shared Parking Analysis, Parking Management Plan, Transportation
Management Plan and Pedestrian Circulation Plan.
4.11.1 Existing Conditions
4.11.1.1 Roadway Network
The HMD contains a number of major roadway arteries that connect to nearby urban
areas, including New York City. The roadways in the vicinity of the Meadowlands Sports
Complex and Project Area are shown on Figure 2-2. These roadways include:
NJ Turnpike Western Spur – The Western Spur of the NJ Turnpike is a major
north/south interstate highway consisting of two to three lanes per direction. In
the vicinity of the Project Area, Interchanges 16W and 18W provide connections
to NJ Route 3 and the Meadowlands Sports Complex roadway network.
NJ Route 3 – NJ Route 3 is a major east/west, limited access State highway,
consisting of three to four lanes per direction. In the vicinity of the Project Area,
NJ Route 3 has major interchanges with NJ Route 17, NJ Route 120 and the NJ
Turnpike Western Spur.
NJ Route 120 – NJ Route 120 is a north/south State highway consisting of three
lanes per direction between NJ Route 3 to the south and Washington Avenue to
the north. Grade-separated interchanges are provided at its crossings with NJ
Route 3, the Meadowlands Sports Complex and Washington Avenue/Paterson
Plank Road, where it continues to the west as Paterson Plank Road.
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New Meadowlands Stadium Project Preliminary Environmental Impact Statement
Paterson Plank Road (NJ Route 120) – Paterson Plank Road is a divided
east/west arterial roadway connecting NJ Route 17 to the west. The section of
Paterson Plank Road adjacent to the Project Area is designated as NJ Route 120,
and provides direct access to the Meadowlands Sports Complex.
NJ Route 17 – NJ Route 17 is a north/south urban principal arterial in the vicinity
of the Sports Complex. The roadway consists of primarily three travel lanes in
each direction, and turns are accommodated by a combination of jughandles at
signalized intersections and grade separated interchanges. The roadway serves
to connect NJ Route 3 near its southern terminus to major area roadways such
as Route 46 and Interstate 80 to the north.
These roadways, which serve the Project Area and the Meadowlands Sports Complex,
provide a direct link to other major highways in the region including the Garden State
Parkway, NJ Route 495, and Interstate Highways 95, 78 and 80.
4.11.1.2 Traffic
Existing traffic volumes and operations in the vicinity of the Project Area have been
extensively evaluated recently by several traffic studies including the Traffic Impact
Study for the Meadowlands Xanadu Redevelopment Project completed by TRC
Raymond Keyes Associates in 2004, and the Meadowlands Regional Transportation
Analysis prepared by Edwards & Kelcey, Inc. in 2004 for the NJSEA and NJDOT
(Edwards & Kelcey, Inc. 2004; TRC Raymond Keyes Associates, 2004). Based on the
recent existing traffic volume counts from these two completed studies, it was
determined that no additional traffic volume counts were needed for the Stadium
Project Traffic Study. Instead, the Stadium Project Traffic Study relied on these two
previously completed studies to establish baseline conditions for selected intersections
and ramps under “no build” and “build” conditions for the years 2010 and 2013
(Vollmer, 2006a). Vollmer developed 2010 and 2013 baseline conditions for the Stadium
Project Traffic Study using the volumes that will be generated by the Meadowlands
Xanadu Redevelopment Project, other regional projects, plus adding 2% per year for
Route 120 (Principal Arterial) and 1% per year for Route 3 as background growth to
obtain the 2010 and 2013 volume projections. The “no build” baseline conditions are
presented in Section 4.11.2.2.3 below and indicate current traffic volumes and levels of
service without any redevelopment or new development from the Stadium Project.
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New Meadowlands Stadium Project Preliminary Environmental Impact Statement
4.11.1.3 Parking
Currently, the NJSEA has numerous parking lots for the venues that currently exist on
the Meadowlands Sports Complex property, including Giants Stadium, the
Meadowlands Racetrack and Continental Airlines Arena (Figure 2-3). In general, events
are currently scheduled at the Sports Complex so that there is ample parking for the
events. For major events at the existing stadium when all lots are at or near capacity no
other events are scheduled. Stadium events with more than 50,000 people in
attendance generally require parking on the East Site, which will be reserved for
Stadium use through agreement with the operators of the Meadowlands Xanadu
development. These events include NFL games (20-25 times per year) and four to
seven non-NFL events per year (college football games, concerts, international soccer
games, etc.). Parking for regular and post-season football games generally utilizes every
striped space, as well as non-striped spaces and unpaved areas.
The Event Parking and Transportation Management Plan prepared by Vollmer for the
Stadium Project identifies that before construction of the Meadowlands Xanadu
Redevelopment Project, the Sports Complex had a total of 27,736 striped spaces:
22,207 striped spaces west of Route 120 (West Site) and 5,529 striped spaces east of
Route 120 (East Site) (Vollmer, 2006b). The total supply of striped spaces for NFL
games up to and including the 2004 season was 27,736 (22,207 on the West Site and
5,529 on the East Site). Based on analysis of 2004 and 2005 NJSEA event parking
records, a peak parking demand of 29,700 occurred on a Saturday NFL game day in late
December. When demand exceeds supply (typical shortfall of approximately 2,000 –
3,000 spaces), all vehicles are accommodated by directing them to unstriped spaces
within parking lots, unpaved areas, and along internal NJSEA roadways against curbs.
4.11.1.4 Public Transportation
Northern New Jersey is served by a comprehensive system of buses and commuter rail
lines primarily operated by NJ Transit, the third largest provider of bus, rail and light rail
transit in the nation. Its system links major points in New Jersey, New York and
Philadelphia. NJ Transit operates over 2000 buses, 711 trains and 45 light rail vehicles.
The NJ Transit system includes 236 bus routes and 11 rail lines providing 223 million
passenger trips each year (NJ Transit, 2006).
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New Meadowlands Stadium Project Preliminary Environmental Impact Statement
Currently, the only direct mass transit service to the Meadowlands Sports Complex is
by bus. Three NJ Transit bus routes service various points throughout the Sports
Complex including the following:
NJT Route #164
This route runs from Midland Park, New Jersey to the Port Authority Bus
Terminal (PABT) in New York City. This route runs hourly between New York
and Midland Park stopping at the Meadowlands Sports Complex between
the hours of 8:00 am and 6:00 pm on the weekdays, and 7:00 am and 10:00
pm on the weekends. Within the Sports Complex, stops are made at the
following locations: opposite the Racetrack, Giants Stadium between Gates
A and B, and the west end of the pedestrian bridge to Continental Arena (see
Figure 2-3). The #164 does not enter the Sports Complex during football
games, soccer games and other special events during which the #351 (see
below) is in service.
NJT Route #351 (Special Event Service)
This route runs from the PABT directly to the Meadowlands Sports Complex.
This route exclusively serves major events at the Sports Complex including
Giants and Jets Football, Devils Hockey, Nets Basketball, Red Bulls Soccer,
major concerts, and some horse racing events. The #351 does not serve all
bus stops within the Sports Complex for each event. For events at Giants
Stadium and Continental Airlines Arena, service from New York begins two
hours in advance of the event, and return service begins immediately after
the event ends, and continues for up to 30 minutes. Stops are located at
Gate D (Giants Stadium) and Parking Lot 20 outside of Gate C (Continental
Airlines Arena) (Figure 2-3). For night racing events service to and from the
Racetrack runs two or three times an evening, depending on the day of the
week. Sunday and daytime service runs twice daily, to and from the
Meadowlands. The Racetrack stop is located in Parking Lot 5 (Figure 2-3).
NJT Route #703
This route runs from Haledon, New Jersey to the Meadowlands Complex on
30 to 60-minute intervals between the hours of 10:00 am and 12:00 am on
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New Meadowlands Stadium Project Preliminary Environmental Impact Statement
weekdays, 7:00 am and 12:00 am on Saturdays, and 11:00 am to 7:00 pm on
Sundays. The #703 stop is located in Parking Lot 5.
In addition to NJ Transit, two private bus companies provide limited service to the
Meadowlands Sports Complex which includes the following:
Academy
Service to and from the Meadowlands Sports Complex and adjacent areas to
the PABT are provided every half hour during the AM and PM peak Monday
through Friday. This service does not run on weekends, nor does it provide
convenient times for attending evening events at the Complex. Stops are
located at Meadowlands Plaza, the Meadowlands Sheraton Hotel, the
Meadowlands Park and Ride, and the Sports Complex (Lots 9C and 11C)
(Figure 2-3).
DeCamp
Limited service operates from West Caldwell and West Orange to and from
the Meadowlands Racetrack seven days a week. On weekday evenings, one
run is provided to the Racetrack from each location, along with one return
trip. On Saturday, two runs to the Racetrack are provided from West
Caldwell and one from West Orange – one return trip is provided to each
town at 11:30 pm. Sunday service is limited to one trip to and from the
Racetrack for both West Caldwell and West Orange.
In addition to bus service to the Sports Complex, the NJSEA provides on-site shuttle
bus service during certain events. Prior to and after certain events at Giants Stadium
and the Arena, the on-site shuttle buses transport patrons from distant parking areas to
the event building.
4.11.1.5 Pedestrian Circulation
Pedestrian circulation within the Meadowlands Sports Complex is provided through the
parking lots with pedestrian walkways and the pedestrian bridge that crosses over NJ
Route 120 and connects the East Site (Continental Airlines Arena) with the West Site
(Giants Stadium and the Meadowlands Racetrack). Fencing and pavement markings
within the Meadowlands Sports Complex define pedestrian paths and direct pedestrians
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New Meadowlands Stadium Project Preliminary Environmental Impact Statement
to the most secure path. Under current conditions, there are a number of
pedestrian/vehicle conflict points where large numbers of pedestrians need to cross the
roadways. This results in congestion and safety concerns for both pedestrians and
motorists. These concerns will be alleviated by the reorganization of the internal
circulation roadways and enhanced definition of appropriate pedestrian travelways.
4.11.1.6 Air Navigation
The Stadium Project is located approximately 1¼ miles southwest of Teterboro Airport
and is located within a zone around the airport where height restrictions apply. Air
traffic to Teterboro Airport consists primarily of corporate and private jets accessing
northern New Jersey locations as well as commercial and air freight operations. There
are approximately 200,000 plane movements at Teterboro Airport annually (PANYNJ,
2006).
In accordance with Part 77 of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulations, height
limitations for buildings and construction equipment have been promulgated for objects
which might affect navigable airspace for areas in proximity to airports. The Project Area,
due to its proximity to Teterboro Airport, has building height restrictions.
4.11.2 Impacts and Mitigation
4.11.2.1 Traffic Study Methodologies
Various traffic studies were conducted in relation to the development of the Stadium
Project. The Stadium Project Traffic Study includes study locations in accordance with
the Major Access Permitting process conducted for NJDOT, which focuses on non-
game day impacts to roads under NJDOT jurisdiction. Above and beyond the
requirements of the New Jersey Highway Access Management Code (N.J.A.C. 16:47),
Vollmer also conducted a study of operations inside and around the Meadowlands
Sports Complex, coordinated studies with the traffic and parking studies of the
developer for Meadowlands Xanadu, and prepared various analysis of specific
conditions as requested by the NJTA and NJSEA. These specific condition studies
included analysis of game day for NFL games and analysis of peak non-game days
(concert at Stadium or other peak multi-use days). These studies also included internal
circulation and intersection analyses, internal signal warrants, pedestrian circulation,
plaza and revenue control operations, and Interchange 16W and Route 3 ramp
operations.
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New Meadowlands Stadium Project Preliminary Environmental Impact Statement
Game day analyses focused on pre-game arrivals and post-game departure patterns and
duration. Pre-game analyses included elimination of internal conflict points, clear
parking assignments and improvements to Stadium toll plaza operations. Post-game
analysis included estimating the time for vehicles to leave the Sports Complex parking
areas. Non-game analyses included internal impacts caused by the multiple users of the
Sports Complex and the proposed internal traffic patterns changes.
4.11.2.1.1 Traffic Modeling Methodology
The methodology for completing the Traffic Study for the Stadium Project relies on two
previous traffic studies for the baseline conditions to evaluate traffic impacts and levels
of service that would result from additional primary trips generated by the Stadium
Project. The two previous studies include the Traffic Impact Study for Meadowland
Xanadu Redevelopment Project completed by TRC Raymond Keyes Associates in 2004,
with supplemental information provided in June 2006, and the Meadowlands Regional
Transportation Analysis prepared by Edwards & Kelcey Inc in 2004 for the NJSEA and
NJDOT.
These two previous traffic studies noted above are complementary. The Meadowlands
Xanadu Redevelopment Project Traffic Impact Study focuses on the internal roadway
system and direct access to the East Site of the Meadowlands Sports Complex, while
the Meadowlands Regional Transportation Analysis study is a regional study that takes
into consideration a wide range of proposed development and transportation
improvements in the surrounding Meadowlands area. Both of these studies analyzed
conditions in 2009 and included the site-generated traffic from a number of planned
developments in the region including:
Meadowlands Xanadu Redevelopment Project;
• EnCap/Meadowlands Golf Redevelopment Project (Phase I)
Highland Cross;
• Millennium Homes Equinox 360 (Route 3 Redevelopment);
• Paterson Plank Redevelopment District;
• Avalon Bay Communities Apartment Complex (Demasse Cadillac Site);
• Riverside Court (Baker Housing);
• Lowes Development;
• Allied Junction; and
• Chubb Avenue Site.
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New Meadowlands Stadium Project Preliminary Environmental Impact Statement
Vollmer selected the years 2010 and 2013 to assess traffic conditions since 2010 is the
estimated construction completion date for the new Stadium and Giants Training
Facility, and 2013 is identified as a target construction completion date (or later based
on market demand) for the Ancillary Development that is expected to generate
additional trips onto the area roadway network. The Giants Training Facility component,
which is expected to be completed in 2008, is predominantly a replacement of existing
facilities and is therefore not anticipated to generate a significant amount of new traffic
onto the roadway network. Therefore, traffic conditions for the year 2008 when the
facility is anticipated to be operational were not analyzed.
The 2010 and 2013 baseline (“no build”) conditions for the Stadium Project Traffic Study
were developed by Vollmer using the Meadowlands Xanadu 2009 build volumes and
adding 2% per year for Route 120 (Principal Arterial) and 1% per year for Route 3 as
background growth to obtain the 2010 and 2013 volume projections. The “no build”
conditions for these two study years assume that the Stadium Project is not
constructed. The 2010 “build” condition includes the completion of the Giants Training
Facility and new Stadium. The 2013 “build” condition represents full build-out of the
Stadium Project including the Stadium, Giants Training Facility and Ancillary
Development.
4.11.2.1.2 Study Locations
The study locations to evaluate the “no build” baseline and projected traffic (“build”)
conditions for the Stadium Project were selected based on the TRC Raymond Keyes
Associates and Edwards & Kelcey Inc traffic studies noted above, as well as three
additional Vollmer-selected locations. The study locations are listed in Table 4-11 and
shown on Figure 4-22.
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New Meadowlands Stadium Project Preliminary Environmental Impact Statement
Table 4-11
Study Locations for the New Meadowlands Stadium Project Traffic Study
Location Description TRC / Xanadu Study Locations
1 NJ Rt. 120 SB b/w N. Connector Rd On-Ramp from W. Peripheral Rd Off-Ramp 2 NJ Rt. 120 SB b/w W. Peripheral Rd On and Off-Ramps 3 NJ Rt. 120 SB and Southern On-Ramp from W. Peripheral Rd 4 NJ Rt. 120 NB b/w E. Peripheral Rd On-Ramp and Paterson Plank Rd Off-Ramp 6 NJ Rt. 120 NB and Off-Ramp East Peripheral Road 7 Washington Ave and Paterson Plank Rd 8 Washington Ave SB and On-Ramp from NJ Rt. 120 EB (Paterson Plank Rd) 9 Washington Ave NB and On-Ramp from NJ Rt. 120 EB (Paterson Plank Rd) 10 NJ Rt. 120 NB Off-Ramp to NJ Rt. 120 WB and N. Connector Rd 11 Paterson Plank Rd and Ramp to NJ Rt. 120 WB (Paterson Plank Rd) 12 NJ Rt. 120 NB and Ramp from NJ Route 3 EB Service Road 13a NJ Rt. 120 SB Ramp to NJ Rt. 3 EB 13b NJ Rt. 120 SB Ramp to NJ Rt. 3 EB (proposed merge w/ Rt. 3 mainline) 14 NJ Rt. 3 EB Service Road Off-Ramp to NJ Rt. 120 NB 15 NJ Turnpike Interchange 16W and S. Connector Road 16 NJ Route 120 SB Ramp to NJ Rt. 3 WB 17 S. Connector Rd & W. Peripheral Rd 18 E. Peripheral Rd b/w S. Arena Rd and S. Connector Rd 19 S. Connector Road and Ramp from NJ Rt. 3 EB Service Rd 20 E. Peripheral Rd and N. Connector Rd / N. Arena Rd 22 N. Connector Rd and HOC Blvd 24 S. Connector Rd Ramp to NJ Turnpike 18W
Edwards & Kelcey, Inc. Study Locations (External Study Locations) EK1 NJ Rt. 120 and NB NJ Rt. 17 Ramps EK2 NJ Rt. 120 and Murray Rd EK3 NJ Rt. 120 and Gotham Pkwy
Vollmer Study Locations (External Study Locations) V1 Paterson Plank Rd and Berry’s Creek Rd V2 NJ Rt 120 and SB NJ Rt. 17 Ramps V3 NJ Rt 3 WB and Ramp G Entry / Ramp X Exit
Source: Vollmer, 2006a
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New Meadowlands Stadium Project Preliminary Environmental Impact Statement
4.11.2.1.3 Peak Period Determination
Game day peak hours were not assessed for the external roadway network since the
future game day condition will generate fewer vehicle trips than the existing stadium.
This is because the reduction in trips due to the new rail service will more than
compensate for trips generated by a slightly larger stadium and proposed Ancillary
Development. During game events, the Ancillary Development is expected to generate
a greatly reduced number of primary vehicular trips, since those uses will primarily
provide amenities for game attendees. A combined 2,300 additional trips are estimated
during the peak period on game days to account for the new Stadium and Ancillary
Development. However, the rail link is expected to reduce peak period automobile trips
by approximately 3,650 trips (NJ Transit figure; subject to change). This results in a net
reduction of approximately 1,350 trips. In addition, the weekday morning peak hour
was not evaluated because the Stadium Project generates considerably less traffic
during the morning peak hour than the evening and Saturday peak hours.
The majority of visitors to the Stadium Project are anticipated to arrive/depart the site
during the evenings and on weekends. The analysis periods for the Stadium Traffic
Study include the following periods which are similar to those that were assessed for
the two previous traffic impact studies completed by TRC Raymond Keyes Associates
and Edwards & Kelcey Inc.:
PM Highway Peak Hour (weekday evening - 4:30 to 5:30 PM);
PM Continental Airlines Arena Event Peak Hour (weekday evening -7:15 to
8:15 PM); and
Saturday Continental Airlines Arena Event Peak Hour (weekend afternoon -
3:15 to 4:15 PM).
These time periods represent the worst case scenarios for traffic conditions within the
study area since they include Continental Airlines Arena events that do not occur every
weekday or every Saturday throughout the year.
4.11.2.1.4 Capacity Analysis Methodology
To determine the effect of additional trips on the roadway network within and in the
vicinity of the Project Area that will result from the construction of the Stadium Project,
a level of service analysis was completed utilizing the methodology presented in the
2000 Highway Capacity Manual published by the Transportation Research Board and the
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New Meadowlands Stadium Project Preliminary Environmental Impact Statement
associated Highway Capacity Software, version 5.2 (Vollmer, 2006a). Additional
simulation and queuing modeling was performed when needed to further review
operations at specific locations both on and off site.
The 2010 and 2013 “build” condition volumes and levels of service used in the Stadium
Project Traffic Study assume that all the mitigation measures (i.e. roadway
improvements) proposed by the Meadowlands Xanadu Redevelopment Project are fully
implemented as well as various transportation improvements that have been committed
to by NJDOT and the NJTA. Specifically, these projects include:
NJTA Interchange 16W / Route 3 Improvements;
Additional Route 120 Southbound to Route 3 Eastbound Flyover (NJDOT);
Meadowlands Xanadu Redevelopment Project Access / Circulation
Improvements;
Paterson Plank Road Widening (NJDOT); and,
NJ Transit Rail Station and associated Railroad Project Roadway
Improvements.
The “build” conditions also assume that the roadway improvements proposed as part of
the Railroad Project will be in place. However, in order to develop a conservative
estimate of traffic impacts the “build” conditions in the Stadium Project Traffic Study
did not take any credit (i.e., reduction in trips) for any decrease in automobile trips due
to the operation of the rail project for non-game day conditions.
4.11.2.2 Traffic Impacts
Traffic analysis was performed for peak traffic hours identified in Section 4.11.2.1.3 for
the various Project components. Peak hour traffic volumes were identified and the level
of service was calculated for the study locations presented in Table 4-11 as described
below.
4.11.2.2.1 Trip Generation
To determine the amount of additional trips to the roadway network and Project Area,
Vollmer consulted the Institute of Transportation Engineers (ITE), Trip Generation
Manual, 7th addition. Because the ITE Trip Generation Manual does not include
estimates for some of the uses planned on the Project Area, estimates were made
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New Meadowlands Stadium Project Preliminary Environmental Impact Statement
based on operational characteristics. The following provides a description of how the
trip generation estimates for the various uses for the Stadium Project were calculated.
Trip types are broken into four categories called primary, internal, linked, and pass-by
trips. These categories are defined below as well as the methodology applied to the
Traffic Study.
Primary Trips: Primary Trips are newly generated between external sources and
the project development. For instance, someone driving from their home to
their job is a primary trip, the driver is getting into his/her car for the specific
purpose of traveling to work.
Internal Trips: In performing a traffic analysis not all trips come from external
sources. Trips from nearby locations also occur and are considered internal trips.
These internal trips are usually deducted from external trips in the modeling
process. A portion of the trips associated with the Hall of Fame Museum,
sponsorship/clinic space, and Health and Fitness space in the Stadium Project
buildings are anticipated to come from existing traffic already at the Sports
Complex for other purposes (i.e. employees and athletes). A 25% internal trip
credit was assumed for the Hall of Fame and 10% for the sponsorship/clinic
areas. These trips were removed from the total trip generation in the modeling
process.
Pass-by/Link-diverted Trips: A pass-by trip is where a driver diverts from his
original travel path and makes a stop at a particular use on his way to a final
destination. A link-diverted trip is similar to a pass-by trip except the driver
modifies his original path to make the stop. A portion of the trips associated with
the proposed development, particularly the retail components of the Stadium
and Ancillary Development, will be pass-by or link-diverted trips. Studies have
shown that over 40% of retail trips can be pass-by and link-diverted trips. The
Meadowlands Xanadu Redevelopment Project Traffic Impact Study utilized a
25% pass-by percentage for the evening peak hour. Vollmer utilized the same
25% pass-by percentage for the evening peak hour, as well as the PM
Continental Airlines Arena Peak Hour Event and Saturday Continental Airlines
Arena Peak Hour Event for the Stadium Project Traffic Study.
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New Meadowlands Stadium Project Preliminary Environmental Impact Statement
For traffic modeling purposes certain land use categories with related trip generation
codes were assigned to specific components of the Stadium Project as follows:
Ancillary Development: The Ancillary Development is planned to include a mix
of uses as described in Section 2.0 and the exact composition of the program is
not yet defined. Thus, the ITE Land Use Code 820-Shopping Center was
therefore used to determine the number of trips for this land use. The standard
ITE shopping center rate using the fitted logarithmic curve is used to estimate
trips. In order to be conservative, no trip reductions were taken for expected
links between the East Site and the development of the Stadium Area, although
some is likely to occur. However, a 25% pass-by factor was used to account for
trips already on the adjacent highway system.
Meeting/Banquet Facilities in the New Stadium: It is assumed that there will
be up to 300 events per year accommodating up to 120,000 attendees per year
for the meeting and banquet facilities proposed as part of the Stadium Project.
The average size of each event would be approximately 400 people with the
assumption the maximum size would be up to 700 people. Most of the banquet
events would be scheduled during the evening periods and would have minimal
effect on weekday PM peak hour traffic. It is anticipated that large banquets
would be coordinated with other events at the Sports Complex.
Meetings would typically be scheduled during the workday, and therefore most
attendees would be expected to depart during the PM peak period. A worst case
scenario is assumed with overlapping events – a large daytime meeting with 100
guests and a large evening banquet with 700 people.
Health and Fitness Area in the Ancillary Development: ITE Land Use Code
720 (Medical/Dental Office) was used to estimate trip generation for this
component, which is envisioned as a mix of health and fitness services including
physical therapy, sports medicine, and sports rehabilitation. While an ITE code is
not available to directly reflect this use, Code 720 was selected since it provides
a conservative estimate and a relatively comparable use. A total of 124 external
trips are estimated to be generated by this facility during the peak weekday PM
hour of which 42 vehicles would be entering and 82 vehicles would be leaving.
No credit has been taken for linked or pass-by trips; however, a 25% credit was
applied for internal site trips (users of the facility who are already at the Stadium,
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New Meadowlands Stadium Project Preliminary Environmental Impact Statement
i.e. athletes and employees). This facility is envisioned to be located in Pod “B”
of the Ancillary Development.
Stadium Offices: The Stadium Offices will replace current office facilities in the
existing stadium and are not anticipated to add new trips to the roadway
network.
Giants Training Facility: The Training Facility would accommodate players,
coaches, and support staff. Because the Project Area already has this use, no
new trips are anticipated to be generated.
Giants Training Facility Expansion: It is assumed this facility will be used as
medical office/clinic (ITE Code 630). While the exact operation is not known at
this time, to maintain a conservative analysis for trip generation purposes, it was
assumed that this facility could be open to the general public on non-game days
for patrons to visit specialist doctors and participate in rehabilitation services for
sports related injuries.
Indoor Practice Facility at the Giants Training Facility: The indoor practice
facility would accommodate players, coaches, and support staff. Because the
Project Area already has this use, no new trips are anticipated to be generated.
Hall of Fame Museum in the New Stadium: ITE does not have trip generation
rate for a museum-type use. Estimates identify that approximately 135,000
people would visit the museum annually. Approximately 40,000 visitors are
expected to visit the museum during home games. Approximately 60% of the
95,000 non-game day visitors are expected to visit the museum either on a
Saturday or Sunday under the assumption that is when most families have the
most “leisure” time to visit the museum. The remaining 40% of the non-game
day visitors would be spread out over the remaining days of the year.
Subsequently, an average of 146 visitors is expected to visit the museum each
weekday. Because most of the museum trips are likely to be combined with
other event-related trips or other activities at the Sports Complex, this facility is
expected to have a minimal impact on the total trips generated by the Stadium
Project. However, as a conservative measure, approximately 10% of the visitors
were assumed to arrive during the peak PM hour while 20% were assumed to
leave during the same period.
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Table 4-12 identifies the total trips generated by each of the Stadium Project
Components.
Table 4-12
Trip Generation Estimates – Total Trips
PM HIGHWAY PEAK
4:30-5:30 PM PM CONTINENTAL
AIRLINES ARENA EVENT PEAK
7:15-8:15 PM
SATURDAY CONTINENTAL
AIRLINES ARENA EVENT PEAK 3:15-4:15 PM
IN OUT TOTAL IN OUT TOTAL IN OUT TOTAL Training Facility Expansion
117 116 233 0 0 0 0 0 0
New Stadium Mixed Use Space
147 159 306 141 118 259 207 225 432
New Stadium Hall of Fame Museum
11 22 33 0 0 0 49 99 148
New Stadium Meeting / Banquet Facilities
70 111 181 298 15 313 12 35 47
Ancillary Development Pod A Mixed Use Space
490 531 1021 469 391 860 878 561 1439
Ancillary Development Pod B Mixed Use Space
278 301 579 266 222 488 439 281 720
Ancillary Development Pod B Health & Fitness Area
42 82 124 0 0 0 78 58 136
TOTAL 1155 1322 2477 1174 746 1920 1663 1259 2922 Source: Vollmer, 2006a
The trip generation estimates for net new trips attributable to the proposed
development are based on a combination of the ITE trip generation estimates, internal
trips, pass-by and link-diverted trips, and are presented in Table 4-13.
The Total Site Generated Trips for the “build” condition for 2010 and 2013 for the peak
hours studied were calculated by adding the New Trips and Pass-By Trips. The detailed
distribution of these trips is presented in the Traffic Study in Appendix G. Note that the
NJDOT Access Permit Process is underway and minor changes to the trip generation
and assignments may result based on NJDOT comments.
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Table 4-13
Trip Generation Estimates – New Trips
PM HIGHWAY PEAK
4:30-5:30 PM PM CONTINENTAL
AIRLINES ARENA EVENT PEAK
7:15-8:15 PM
SATURDAY CONTINENTAL AIRLINES
ARENA EVENT PEAK 3:15-4:15 PM
IN OUT TOTAL IN OUT TOTAL IN OUT TOTAL Training Facility Expansion
117 116 233 0 0 0 0 0 0
New Stadium Mixed Use Space New Trips
109 121 230 109 86 195 153 171 324
New Stadium Mixed Use Space Pass-by Trips
38 38 76 32 32 64 54 54 108
New Stadium Hall of Fame Museum
11 22 33 0 0 0 49 99 148
New Stadium Meeting / Banquet Facilities
70 111 181 298 15 313 12 35 47
Ancillary Development Pod A Mixed Use Space New Trips
362 403 765 362 284 646 698 381 1079
Ancillary Development Pod A Mixed Use Space Pass-by Trips
128 128 256 107 107 214 180 180 360
Ancillary Development Pod B Mixed Use Space New Trips
190 213 403 205 161 366 332 174 506
Ancillary Development Pod B Mixed Use Space Pass-by Trips
128 128 256 61 61 122 107 107 214
Ancillary Development Pod B Health & Fitness Area
42 82 124 0 0 0 78 58 136
TOTAL 1155 1322 2477 1174 746 1920 1663 1259 2922 Source: Vollmer, 2006a
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4.11.2.2.2 Trip Distribution
The trip distributions for the Stadium Project were based on the trip distribution patterns
identified by TRC for the Meadowlands Xanadu Family Entertainment/Retail component
since the Xanadu Project and Ancillary Development of the Stadium Project will draw
patrons from a similar “catchment area”. The Xanadu Project anticipates drawing
patrons from a 40-mile radius of the Project Area, while the proposed Ancillary
Development of the New Meadowlands Stadium Project anticipates drawing patrons
from a 20-mile radius. The 2000 census data was reviewed and indicates that
approximately 75% of the total population within a 40-mile radius of the Project Area is
located within 20 miles of the site. Consequently, the trip distribution patterns for the
proposed Ancillary Development are expected to be similar to the Xanadu distribution.
Table 4-14 identifies the trip generation patterns that were used for new trips entering
and leaving the Project Area.
Table 4-14
Overall Trip Distribution
Approach Percent Route 3 To/From the East
21%
Route 3 To/From the West
18%
NJTPK – 16W 16% NJTPK – 18W 28% Paterson Plank Road (Route 120) 16% Washington Ave (CR 503) 1% Total 100% Source: Vollmer, 2006a
4.11.2.2.3 Traffic Volume and Capacity
The traffic volumes for the 2010 and 2013 “build” conditions are derived by adding the
Total Site Generated New Trips to the 2010 and 2013 baseline traffic volumes for each
of the peak hour study periods. These volumes represent the anticipated traffic volumes
at any given point in the Project Area for the respective time period and build years. The
volumes are detailed in the Traffic Study provided in Appendix G.
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A Level of Service (LOS) analysis was completed for the Stadium Project to provide a
measure of operation of the study area locations presented in Table 4-11. The analysis
provides a means to measure the operation of an intersection, weaving area, merge
area, etc. by assigning a letter grade (A through F) to the operation based on an
appropriate measure of effectiveness for that analysis point. The following are
measures of effectiveness for various infrastructure components:
Unsignalized Intersections – LOS are based on average delay, with a delay of
less than 10 seconds for a designated LOS ‘A’ and a delay of greater than 50
seconds for a LOS ‘F’.
Signalized Intersections – LOS are based on average delay, with a delay of
less than 10 seconds for a designated LOS ‘A’ and a delay of greater than 80
seconds for a LOS ‘F’.
Weaving Areas – LOS are based on vehicle density within the weave area,
expressed in passenger cars per mile per lane (pc/mi/ln). A weaving density
of less than 10 pc/mi/ln is considered a LOS ‘A’ and a density of over 43
pc/mi/ln is a LOS ‘F.”
Merge/diverge Areas – LOS for merge/diverge areas are similar to weaving
areas and are based on vehicle density in passenger cars per mile per lane.
A density of less than 10 pc/mi/ln is considered LOS ‘A’ and a density of over
35 pc/mi/ln is considered LOS ‘E.’ LOS ‘F’ occurs in a merge / diverge area
when demand exceeds the lane capacity.
The LOS for the “no build” baseline and “build” 2010 and 2013 conditions for the
Stadium Project for the selected peak hour periods and studied locations based on the
type of roadway study location are presented in Tables 4-15, 4-16 and 4-17. The
resulting increases in delay and densities, in general, are minor with the construction
and operation of the Stadium Project.
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PM Highway Peak Hour
Table 4-15 provides a comparison of the 2010 and 2013 “no build” to “build” traffic
conditions for the PM Highway Peak Hour. A review of each of the locations reveals
that the LOS does not change for each of the study locations when comparing “no-
build” to “build” conditions. At the two intersections (Locations 20 and 22) which
operate at a LOS ‘F’ in the “no build” Condition, the overall intersection delay decreases
with the implementation of the proposed Project. These intersections are internal
intersections created as part of the Xanadu redevelopment and further refinements by
the Xanadu Project may further reduce the delay at these intersections.
PM Continental Airlines Arena Event Peak Hour
Table 4-16 provides a comparison of the traffic conditions for the PM Continental
Airlines Arena Event Peak Hour. No changes in LOS between “no build” and “build”
conditions were found, except for the following locations:
At Location 13 (NJ Route 120 SB Ramp to NJ Route 3 EB) the 2013 LOS
decreases from a ‘B’ at 19.7 pc/mi/ln to a ‘C’ at 20.0 pc/mi/ln, which is a less
than 2% increase in operational density.
The intersection at Location 17 (South Connector Road and West Peripheral
Road) is projected to operate at a LOS ‘F’ during this period. This is primarily
due to the influx of Arena patrons that are directed to park on the West Site
of the Sports Complex once the East Site is filled. This condition would only
occur during major Arena events and traffic control at this location will be
supplemented with parking and traffic management staff to minimize delays.
At Location 20 (East Peripheral Road and North Connector Road / North
Arena Road) the intersection operates at a LOS ‘F’ under both the “no build”
and “build” conditions. There is an increase in overall intersection delay
under the “build” condition. This location is an internal intersection on the
Arena site which could operate under these conditions during peak Arena
events. Its operation will likely be supplemented by parking and traffic
management staff to minimize delays. Also, further refinements by the
Xanadu Project may further reduce delay at these intersections.
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Saturday Continental Airlines Arena Event Peak Hour
Table 4-17 provides a comparison of the traffic conditions for the Saturday Continental
Airlines Arena Event Peak Hour. There is no change in LOS between “no build” and
“build” conditions, except for the following locations:
At Location V3 (NJ Route 3 WB and Ramp G Entry / Ramp X Exit) the LOS
reduces one grade from a LOS ‘C’ to a LOS ‘D.’ While some additional
congestion will be present at the LOS ‘D’ condition, the weaving section will
still operate acceptably. It is also worthy to note that this analysis assumes a
peak Saturday Arena event that does not occur every week.
At Location 17 (South Connector Road and West Peripheral Road) a similar
condition occurs in the PM Continental Airlines Arena Event as described
above. The overall intersection operates at a LOS ‘E’ during the Saturday
Continental Airlines Arena Event peak hour, primarily due to patrons from the
Arena site parking on the West Site of the Sports Complex.
At Location 20 (East Peripheral Road and North Connector Road / North
Arena Road) the intersection operates at a LOS ‘F’. As stated above, this
intersection is an internal location within the Arena complex and will likely be
supplemented by parking and traffic management staff to minimize delays
during peak events. Also, further refinements by the Xanadu Project may
further reduce delay at these intersections.
4.11.2.3 Parking and Transportation Management
To further improve traffic conditions in and around the Project Area, NM Stadco will be
implementing a series of on-site infrastructure improvements. As identified in the Event
Parking and Transportation Management Plan completed by Vollmer for the Stadium
Project, these improvements will facilitate traffic flow in the surrounding area, ease
congestion and back-ups on local roadways within the Project Area and Sports Complex,
and provide ample well-marked parking (Vollmer, 2006b) (Appendix H). The
reconfiguration of the Project Area results in changes to access, internal circulation, and
parking location/allocation and control. The intent of the Parking and Transportation
Management Plan is to maximize site circulation during non-game days, and maximize
arrival and departure conditions for game days. This is accomplished by making major
roads two-way during non-game days, and implementing traffic management plans for
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game days and peak usage days. An effort was also made to minimize the amount of
traffic traveling through the East Site on game days.
New Roadways and Infrastructure Improvements
To facilitate traffic flow and provide easy ingress and egress to parking and toll plaza
areas, the Stadium Project includes the following internal site road improvements (NM
Stadco, 2006):
Realignment of the North Access Road and reduction of Plaza B toll booths
to reflect reduced traffic flows (existing six lanes reduced to five lanes);
Construction of a new Inner Loop Road connecting the north Access Road
with the 16W Interchange;
Construction of a new Middle Loop Road separating permit from general
admission parking flows;
Construction of a new West Peripheral Road from the North Access Road to
the Stadium Club Road providing two-way traffic flows; and,
Demolition and redevelopment of existing road structures not in service post
development.
Berry’s Creek Road and Valet Road will generally remain in their current configurations.
Valet Road will connect to a new Middle Loop Road and Inner Loop Road as well as a
realigned North Connector Road.
The Turnpike’s 16W interchange will connect to a new stadium gateway. The gateway
includes a new four-way intersection and Inner Loop Road. The intersection will be
signalized during non-game days, with Inner Loop Road approaches receiving the
majority of the green time through the intersection to minimize potential impacts to the
16W traffic ramp. The Stadium Club Road will be modified to a 4 lane two-way road.
During game days, approaches will be modified through traffic management into one-
way operation in the peak direction. The result will allow most 16W traffic to access
16W directing instead of the circuitous route currently traveled around Routes 120 and 3
back to 16W.
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A way-finding sign plan and internet web page will also be implemented for game and
non-game day scenarios. Approach and on-site color-coded signs are proposed to help
navigate the site efficiently. For non-game day, way-finding signs will direct traffic to
the various destinations within the Sports Complex. For game day, the way-finding
signs will direct patrons to various color-coded parking zones on the Sports Complex.
The plan allows patrons to access any parking zone from any arrival route. It will also
indicate the best parking zone for each route based on ingress and egress patterns.
These proposed roadway improvements and way-finding signage will provide improved
circulation and organization that is sensitive to the Meadowlands Racetrack, Continental
Airlines Arena, NJ Rail Facility, Meadowlands Xanadu Redevelopment (East Site
development) and the new Stadium. These new roadways will organize the vehicular
flow into and out of the parking lots on Stadium event days, as well as allow for efficient
and conspicuous thru-traffic, connecting the regional roadways on the north and south
as well as the east and west. These improvements, along with several regional
infrastructure improvements being implemented, will help improve game day access,
ingress/egress, and mitigate non-game day impacts due to regional development and
traffic growth. Further, the roadway and parking lot configuration will afford flexibility to
allow NJSEA staff to adjust strategies to increase parking activity as special event needs
dictate.
Parking Lot Reconfiguration
In order to respond to the shift from the proposed configuration of the Project Area (i.e.
reconstruction and relocation of stadium and training facilities), parking lots have been
redesigned to radiate around the Stadium and Ancillary Development. Event parking will
be managed in the future so that lot fill patterns and space utilization are maximized.
The overall goals of the parking and operation plan are to: provide fans with more direct
and easier access to the Stadium parking lots than is currently available; to ensure that
parking is both planned and coordinated so as to maximize parking efficiencies; reduce
traffic congestion in both ingress and egress scenarios; and reduce spillback of vehicle
queuing that adversely affects the surrounding roadways and non-sports complex
related traffic flows.
The development of the New Stadium includes a reorganization of the existing parking
lots within the existing perimeter road system of the West Site to coordinate with the
new vehicular circulation network proposed. By implementing a number of internal road
circulation improvements including the introduction of both an inner and middle loop
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road system west of the Stadium, the NJSEA will be provided with coordinated parking
facilities to allow for enhanced traffic flow management including control and separation
of both permit and non-permit parking areas, thereby speeding up entry and egress
times for events. Permit parkers will be allocated parking spaces within the inner loop
road and middle loop road to the west and south of the Stadium, while general
admission parking patrons will be directed to the area between the middle loop road and
western loop road and outlying parking areas beyond, including Lot Y, the Paddock Lot,
the new DOT lot, the Ramp Lot, Stable Gate lot, and the Xanadu site parking. Shared
parking obligations will be fully satisfied within designated areas.
Game Day Parking Management
The Parking and Transportation Management Plan examined the availability of parking
spaces during the construction and operation of the Stadium Project. During the
construction phase of the Stadium Project various parking areas will be lost and gained.
The greatest shortfall of spaces is expected to occur during August 2008 through
January 2009 (Vollmer, 2006b). This construction period coincides with the NFL season
resulting in an estimated demand of 29,700 parking spaces. A temporary shortfall of
over 7,000 spaces during this period will require off-site solutions. Employees and
permit parkers may be accommodated off-site. This would reduce on-site demand by
some 2,100 vehicles. The resultant shortfall of spaces is anticipated to be
accommodated by use of on-site unstriped spaces and additional off-site parking.
A shared parking analysis was completed by Vollmer to estimate parking demands for
the Stadium Project along with overall parking demand and supply for the future
Meadowlands Sports Complex including the East and West Sites (Vollmer, 2006b). The
shared parking analysis was completed in accordance with the Urban Land Institute’s
Shared Parking for determining the appropriate parking supply for a mixed-use
development. Shared parking is the use of a parking space by vehicles generated by
more than one land use. The shared parking methodology incorporates time of day and
seasonal factors to identify peak combined parking demand.
At full build out of the Stadium Project with an 82,500 seat stadium an estimated
demand of approximately 31,000 parking spaces are identified (Table 4-18). There are
approximately 27,400 proposed striped spaces for NFL games after the Meadowlands
Xanadu Redevelopment and proposed Stadium Projects are constructed (approximately
23,300 spaces on the West Site and 4,100 spaces on the East Site dedicated to football
events). Compared to the demand of 31,000 spaces, there will be a shortfall of 3,600
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New Meadowlands Stadium Project Preliminary Environmental Impact Statement
spaces. Additional potential parking lots include 400 spaces in the DOT lot near Plaza J,
200 spaces in the 16 W ramp lot and an estimated 350 spaces in the Stable Gate Lot
(950 spaces total). In addition, future demand is estimated to be reduced by up to 3,650
parking spaces on NFL game days due to the proposed NJ Transit Rail Facility. If the full
anticipated utilization of the rail line is realized and parking is obtained in the additional
lots, there will be a surplus of approximately 1,000 spaces. It is estimated that up to 700
vehicles could be accommodated in unstriped spaces as necessary, resulting in a total
surplus of 1,700 spaces. Since it is assumed that patrons of the Ancillary Development
during NFL events will be football patrons as well, if patrons arrive on site solely to visit
the Ancillary Development, their parking demand would need to be accommodated
within the 1,700 space surplus.
Table 4-18
Future Supply and Demand Summary NFL Parking Spaces
Existing Spaces
New Meadowlands Stadium Full Build Without Ancillary
Development
New Meadowlands Stadium Full Build
With Ancillary Development
(December Saturday) Maximum NFL Demand 29,700 31,000 31,000 Full Rail 0 -3,650 -3,650 Updated Demand 29,700 27,350 27,350 Striped Supply 27,700 26,900 28,400 Unstriped Spaces 2,000 700 700 Total Potential Supply 29,700 27,600 29,050 Shortfall/Excess +0 +250 +1,700* *Although expected to be minimal, up to 1,600 spaces may be utilized by Ancillary Development patrons not attending the NFL event. Source: Vollmer, 2006b
In addition to the approximately 4,100 spaces designated for football and parking on the
East Site, there will also be an additional 8,500 striped spaces provide for Meadowlands
Xanadu Project parking. During peak demand days, such as Saturday games in
December, the estimated Xanadu parking demand can reach about 12,500 vehicles. To
mitigate for the shortfall in striped spaces, the Xanadu Project proposes offsite parking
for employees and aisle valet operations in the Xanadu designated lots. On non-NFL
game days, a portion of the Xanadu parking will be accommodated on the West Site.
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New Meadowlands Stadium Project Preliminary Environmental Impact Statement
Non-Game Day Parking Management
During non-game days, the peak parking demand for the Ancillary Development was
estimated to be 5,000 spaces. During non-game day shared parking days, all 5,000
vehicles generated by the Ancillary Development will be able to park on the West Site.
Vollmer prepared an independent shared parking analysis to determine peak parking
demand with the Ancillary Development during events using actual arena and Stadium
event parking data provided by the NJSEA (Vollmer, 2006b). The combination of events
includes a Nets game and a Seton Hall game at the arena and four high school football
games at the Stadium. Demand was adjusted to reflect a realistic combination of
simultaneous events. The peak Nets demand and peak Seton Hall demand, for example,
would not occur in the same hour, since most of the patrons from the afternoon event
would leave the site before the evening event patrons arrive. Estimated parking demand
on the West Site would be approximately 19,300 spaces. This assumes that there
would be a supply of 10,900 spaces on the East Site. Under the peak demand scenario,
which would occur at most once a year on a December Saturday, there would be a
surplus of over 3,500 spaces on the West Site. Proposed demand for peak and typical
overflow days is presented in Table 4-19.
Table 4-19
Peak Day Parking Demand
Typical Non-Game Day
(Weekend)
Peak Hour Non-Game Day (Dec Saturday)
Saturday Game in Late
December Xanadu Traffic 6,800 6,900 8,500 NFL Traffic 0 0 4,100 Arena Event 4,100 4,100 0
East of
Route 120 Subtotal 10,900 10,900 12,600 NFL Traffic 0 0 23,250 Xanadu Spillover 1,900 3,500 0 Arena Spillover 1,750 1,400 0 Racetrack Event 2,500 2,500 0 Flea Market 1,000 1,000 0 Ancillary Development 3,950 5,000 1,600 Xanadu Employees 2,000 2,000 0 Non-NFL Stadium Event 1,750 3,900 0
West of Route 120
Subtotal 14,850 19,300 24,850 TOTAL DEMAND 25,750 30,200 37,450 Source: Vollmer, 2006b
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New Meadowlands Stadium Project Preliminary Environmental Impact Statement
NM Stadco, NJSEA, the Meadowlands Xanadu development team, NJ Transit and other
State and local agencies must work together to design, coordinate and implement a
Project Operating Plan (POP) that meets the needs and has the approval of all the
Meadowlands Sports Complex parties and constituents. The POP will address the
responsibilities, processes, and procedures for managing the site circulation and
parking, both with and without events.
4.11.2.4 Public Transportation
It is anticipated that the public bus service currently provided by NJ Transit to the
Meadowlands Sports Complex will continue and may be increased to accommodate
additional demand that will result from the Ancillary Development. In addition, a new rail
line connecting the Meadowlands Sports Complex with the rest of the NJ Transit rail
system is currently under construction.
The Meadowlands Railroad and Roadway Improvement Project will construct a new 2.3-
mile railroad alignment with associated rail station and roadway improvements. The rail
line will spur off of the Pascack Valley Line and terminate at a rail station centrally
located between Giants Stadium and Continental Airlines Arena. The project was
developed by the NJSEA and will be operated by NJ Transit upon completion expected
in the year 2008. This new rail line is expected to be used by 9,600 patrons on NFL
game days, according to NJ Transit estimates (subject to change).
The rail service will be operated by NJ Transit commuter rail equipment that would
consist of diesel locomotives hauling commuter coaches in a push-pull configuration.
Travel times from the Frank R. Lautenberg Rail Station at Secaucus Junction to the
Meadowlands Sports Complex would be approximately eight minutes. The Secaucus
Junction Station lies approximately 2.5 miles south of the Sports Complex. This
intermodal rail station serves as the interconnecting node for all NJ Transit rail lines
serving northern New Jersey including the Main, Bergen, Port Jervis, Pascack Valley,
Northeast Corridor, Jersey Coast, and Midtown Direct Lines. Rail passengers will also
be able to interface with Amtrak’s Northeast Corridor line.
4.11.2.5 Pedestrian Circulation
Safe pedestrian circulation through the parking lots within the Meadowlands Sports
Complex is achieved by providing designated pedestrian walkways. To improve
circulation between the East Site and West Site of the Sports Complex, connections to
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New Meadowlands Stadium Project Preliminary Environmental Impact Statement
the existing pedestrian bridge will be enhanced. Well-defined pedestrian walkways will
improve operations by segregating vehicles from pedestrians where possible and
providing high visibility crossings where necessary to alert motorists and pedestrians to
potential conflicts. During the Stadium Project construction phases, high fences with
appropriate signage will be constructed to direct pedestrians around construction areas.
The Stadium Project will alter and improve pedestrian circulation with walkways
designed to further organize and direct pedestrian flow from the parking lots to the
Stadium’s east and west entrances, to the pedestrian bridge over Route 120, and to the
racetrack and paddock areas. The walkways will be designed to minimize the crossing
of vehicular and pedestrian traffic, improving the existing conditions and providing a safe
and effective path of travel.
One of the key components to improved pedestrian flow will be to arrange most parking
aisles radial to the major destinations with pedestrian corridors arranged to collect and
distribute pedestrians throughout the Project Area (Figure 4-36), minimizing the need for
major pedestrian roadway crossings since most pedestrians will be walking with or
against the flow of traffic instead of perpendicular to it. The Parking and Management
Plan proposes that during game days, some internal roads be closed to vehicular traffic
to create pedestrian and tailgate zones to further minimize pedestrian / vehicle
interaction. Also during game days, shuttle bus service is proposed for patrons parked
in remote lots.
Fans parked on the East Site will use the existing pedestrian bridge, which terminates at
the stadium rail plaza (Figures 2-9 and 4-38). Fans arriving by way of the NJ Transit
trains can either walk to the east plaza entrance at the Stadium or they can walk to the
“Football Plaza” and on to the southeast plaza (Figure 4-32). On non-game days,
pedestrians will use the same infrastructure and follow the same circulation patterns.
4.11.2.6 Air Navigation
The Stadium Project is located approximately 1¼ miles southwest of Teterboro Airport
and is located within a zone around the airport where height restrictions apply. As
discussed in Section 6.0, the FAA is required to be notified of structures greater than
approximately 150 feet above ground level for review as navigation obstructions, or
potentially lower elevations when in the path of runways. It is anticipated that the
height of the new Stadium, estimated to be approximately 200 feet above grade, will
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New Meadowlands Stadium Project Preliminary Environmental Impact Statement
require the completion of the FAA Notification process. Additionally, during each
construction phase, a notification application will be submitted to the FAA for cranes
and any other tall temporary construction equipment exceeding the height limitation.
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New Meadowlands Stadium Project Preliminary Environmental Impact Statement
4.12 Air Quality
4.12.1 Existing Conditions
4.12.1.1 Criteria and Standards
The USEPA has identified six criteria pollutants of national concern: carbon monoxide
(CO), sulfur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5),
lead (Pb), and ozone (O3). These pollutants are generated by mobile sources
(automobiles, trucks, buses, etc.) and stationary sources (factories, operating
equipment, etc.).
Carbon monoxide is the most commonly occurring air pollutant consisting of a colorless,
odorless, poisonous gas formed when carbon in fuels is not burned completely. It is a
by-product of motor vehicle exhaust, which contributes over 50% of all CO emissions
nationwide (NJDEP, 2003). In cities, automobile exhaust can cause as much as 95% of
all CO emissions and high levels of CO often coincide with morning and afternoon rush
hours.
Sulfur dioxide is a colorless gas and is odorless at typical ambient concentrations. Fuel
combustion sources emitting SO2 include coal-fired plants, electrical utility plants, non-
ferrous and iron ore smelters, petroleum refineries, transportation sources, and steel
mills. In addition, residential, commercial, and industrial space heating contributes to
SO2 emissions.
Nitrogen dioxide is a highly reactive gas that forms in the air through the oxidation of
nitric oxide (NO). Nitrogen Oxides (NOx) includes NO, NO2, and other oxides of
nitrogen, which aid in creating O3, PM, haze, and acid rain. Most NOx is emitted as NO
and is readily converted to NO2 in the atmosphere. The major contributors of NOx
emissions are high temperature combustion processes such as those occurring in cars
and power plants.
Particulate matter consists of both solid particles and liquid droplets suspended in the
atmosphere. PM can range in size from 70 micrometers (pinhead size) to less than 1
micrometer in diameter. PM can be emitted from the incomplete combustion of fuels
used to power vehicles, stationary equipment and various manufacturing operations, or
it can form in the atmosphere from gaseous emissions such as SO2 and oxides of
nitrogen (NOx). PM is often categorized by the size of the particulate matter. The
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New Meadowlands Stadium Project Preliminary Environmental Impact Statement
human respiratory tract will usually trap particles above 10 micrometers before they
reach the lungs. An inhalable particulate is defined as a particle with a diameter of less
than 10 micrometers (PM10), which are more harmful to human health. Particles less
than 2.5 micrometers (PM2.5) are referred to as fine particulate matter.
Lead is a naturally occurring metal and is also produced by a variety of human activities.
Historically, the most significant contributors of Pb emissions are motor vehicles and
industrial facilities. Additional sources of Pb emissions include the combustion of solid
waste, windblown dust from weathered lead base paint and cigarette smoke.
Ozone occurs naturally in the upper atmosphere where it shields harmful ultraviolet
rays. However, at the ground level it is considered an air pollutant. Ground level O3 is
created when NOx and volatile organic compounds (VOCs), also referred to as
hydrocarbons, react in the presence of sunlight and heat. This reaction typically occurs
downwind from the emission source, impacting areas well beyond the emission source
up to several hundred miles downwind.
In accordance with the requirements of the Clean Air Act (CAA), last amended in 1990,
the USEPA has established National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for these
six criteria pollutants (40 CFR Part 50). In addition, the NJDEP has established New
Jersey Ambient Air Quality Standards (NJAAQS) for these pollutants. Table 4-20
presents the NAAQS and the NJAAQS for the six criteria pollutants identified by
USEPA. Figure 4-23 shows the location of the New Jersey air monitoring stations in
relation to the Project Area.
The NAAQS and the NJAAQS include both primary standards and secondary standards.
The primary standards are intended to protect public health, including the health of
sensitive populations such as asthmatics, children and the elderly (USEPA, 2006a). The
secondary standards are designed to protect public welfare, including protection against
decreased visibility and damage to animals, crops, vegetation and buildings (USEPA,
2006a). These standards are based on comprehensive studies of available ambient
monitoring data, health effects data and material effects studies. The CAA requires that
the USEPA review scientific data every five years to ensure that the NAAQS effectively
protect the public health.
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Table 4-20
New Jersey and National Ambient Air Quality Standards and Regional Monitoring Data
Maximum 2nd High Pollutant
Averaging Period
Type of Standard
New Jersey Standard (a) NAAQS (b) 2002 2003 2004 2005 2002 2003 2004 2005
Monitoring Location(i)
3-hour Secondary 0.5 ppm 0.5 ppm (c) 0.052 0.059 0.047 0.050 0.048 0.055 0.047 0.045 Primary 0.14 ppm 0.14 ppm (c)
24-hour Secondary 0.10 ppm -
0.037 0.034 0.030 0.033 0.026 0.034 0.028 0.029
Primary 0.03 ppm 0.03 ppm
Sulfur Dioxide (SO2)
12-month Secondary 0.02 ppm -
0.007 0.009 0.008 0.008 - - - -
Jersey City
24-hour - 150 g/m3 110 89 68 69 72 61 54 66 Inhalable Particulate Matter (PM10)
12-month Primary and Secondary - 50 g/m3 28 32 27 30 - - - -
Jersey City
24-hour - 65 g/m3 (e) 82 46 41 43 38 (f) 40 (f) 35 (f) 40 (f) Fine Particulates (PM2.5)
12-month Primary and Secondary - 15 g/m3 (e) 13.7 14.1 13.2 14.2 - - - -
Newark
1-hour 35 ppm 35 ppm 4.5 4.6 4.6 5.8 4.4 4.0 4.1 4.8 Carbon (CO) Monoxide 8-hour
Primary and Secondary (d) 9 ppm 9 ppm 3.6 3.0 3.2 3.0 2.8 2.9 3.2 2.8
Jersey City
Primary 0.12 ppm 0.12 ppm 1-hour
Secondary 0.08 ppm 0.12 ppm 0.143 0.107 0.115 0.122 0.135 0.105 0.097 0.120
Ozone (O3) 8-hour
Primary and Secondary
- 0.08 ppm (g) 0.105 0.098 0.088 0.100 0.101
(h) 0.085
(h) 0.082
(h) 0.091
(h)
Teaneck
Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2)
12-month Primary and Secondary
0.05 ppm 0.053 ppm 0.028 0.028 0.024 0.026 - - - - East
Orange
Lead (Pb) 3-month Primary and Secondary
1.5 g/m3 1.5 g/m3 0.11 0.04 0.12 0.16 0.06 0.02 0.06 0.03 New
Brunswick Note:
(a) New Jersey short-term standards are not to be exceeded more than once in any 12-month period except where noted. NJ has AAQS for Total Suspended Particulates – Primary 12 month geometric mean = 75 ug/m3, 24 hour average = 260 ug/m3, Secondary 12 mouth geometric mean = 60 ug/m3, 24 hour average = 150 ug/m3.
(b) National short-term standards are not to be exceeded more than once in a calendar year except where noted (c) National standards are block averages rather than moving averages (d) National secondary standards for carbon monoxide have been rescinded (e) The 98th percentile of 24-hour values for a year may not exceed this level (f) Value is 98th percentile of 24-hour values for the year (g) Fourth highest value in a year, rounded to the nearest 0.01, may not exceed this level (h) Value is fourth maximum. (i) See Figure 4-23 for monitoring locations.
Sources: NJDEP, 2003; 40 CFR Part 50 and N.J.A.C. 7:27-13; USEPA, 2006b
New Meadowlands Stadium Project Preliminary Environmental Impact Statement
Pursuant to Section 107 of the CAA, the nation has been divided into air quality control
regions to provide for the attainment and maintenance of the NAAQS. If an area meets
the NAAQS, then the area is called an attainment area. The Project Area is within a
region classified by the USEPA as attainment for SO2 and Pb. Areas that do not meet
the NAAQS for one or more criteria pollutants are designated as non-attainment areas
for that pollutant. For O3, CO, and PM non-attainment areas, the CAA sets detailed
requirements for controlling emissions based on the seriousness of the attainment
problem in a specific area. For example, five categories of O3 non-attainment areas are
established ranging from "marginal" to "extreme."
4.12.1.2 Existing Air Quality
Air quality in New Jersey has significantly improved since the passage of the CAA in
1970 (NJDEP, 2003). Figure 4-24 shows air pollution trends from 1969 through 2003 for
the six criteria pollutants of concern for the State of New Jersey. These improvements
are the result of aggressive pollution control programs implemented in New Jersey as
well as regional emission reduction strategies involving other states.
Regional Sources of Emissions
Air quality within the Project Area, as well as the overall HMD, is directly affected by the
extensive transportation network and numerous industrial facilities in the region. Mobile
source air emissions within the HMD are generated primarily by automobile and truck
traffic traveling along major roadway arteries including the New Jersey Turnpike, NJ
Route 17, US Route 1 & 9, NJ Route 3, US Route 46, Interstate Route 80 and Interstate
Route 280. While the contribution of on-road mobile source emissions to air pollution
remains significant, the USEPA estimates that from 1989 to 1998 national emissions from
mobile sources decreased 24% for CO, 26% for VOCs, and 30% for PM10, because of state
and regional implementation of control measures on air pollutants (USDOT, FHA, and FTA,
2006). New Jersey is following this national trend (see Figure 4-24). The North Jersey
Transportation Planning Authority, Inc. (NJTPA) has modeled total CO emissions to be
approximately 825 tons per day for 2006 (approximately 300,000 tons per year) in the
Northern New Jersey Maintenance Area that consists of Bergen, Essex, Hudson,
Passaic and Union Counties (NJTPA, 2005).
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New Meadowlands Stadium Project Preliminary Environmental Impact Statement
An inventory of major industrial sites (stationary sources) within a 6-mile radius from the
center of the HMD was performed in 1995 as part of the SAMP DEIS for the HMD
(USACE and USEPA, 1995). The SAMP DEIS inventory identified 13 sites with CO
emissions greater than 50 tons per year. Individual site CO emissions ranged from 735
to 2,900 tons per year, with total emissions of 6,500 tons per year. Similarly, 31 sites
were identified with NOx emissions greater than 50 tons per year. Individual site NOx
emissions ranged from 52 to 46,000 tons per year, with total emissions at 75,000 tons
per year.
Air Monitoring Data
The background air quality for the HMD can be characterized based on existing ambient
air quality monitoring data collected by the NJDEP. Criteria pollutant concentration data
are collected at several NJDEP monitoring locations throughout the state and are
summarized annually (NJDEP, 2003). Table 4-20 provides a summary of the ambient air
quality data collected by the NJDEP at designated air monitoring stations in northern
New Jersey from 2002 through 2005 compared to the NJAAQS and the NAAQS, and
can be considered as being representative of the Project Area and surrounds.
The NJMC is currently conducting an air quality monitoring and modeling program to
evaluate the potential exposures to air toxic pollutants emitted from sources in and near
the HMD (NJMC, 2006b). The program is intended to measure the background levels
for residential areas within and immediately adjacent to the HMD, for workers, and for
visitors to the HMD who utilize the recreational facilities and areas. Both measurement
and modeling activities are being conducted to examine these potential exposures.
The preliminary findings of the NJMC air monitoring and modeling program are
presented in Studying Baseline Quality of Ambient and Personal Air within the New
Jersey Meadowlands District: 2006 Annual Report (NJMC, 2006b). The report provides
a description of the results from a summer 2005 intensive personal sampling and the
long-term stationary sampling program that was conducted during the second year of
the three-year project. The results of the summer intensive personal sampling, which
focused on VOCs, indicate that aromatic sources (with the exception of benzene) are
primarily mobile emissions while the halogenated compounds are the result of
evaporative emissions. The NJMC report notes that the VOC concentrations measured
in the HMD are similar to the concentrations measured in urban centers in New Jersey.
Samples are continuing to be collected and analyzed for PM2.5 mass, elemental carbon,
organic carbon, trace metals, and VOCs as part of the NJMC long-term sampling
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New Meadowlands Stadium Project Preliminary Environmental Impact Statement
program. The NJMC report concludes that the sampling performed to date indicates
that the concentrations of these pollutants in the HMD are at the same magnitude as
measured in other urban areas of New Jersey.
A NJDEP approved Air Quality Monitoring Plan for the Meadowlands Xanadu
Redevelopment Project, which includes the establishment and operation of two
permanent air quality monitoring stations, is in the process of being established at the
East Site of the Meadowlands Sports Complex (Langan, 2006g). The two proposed
permanent monitoring stations will monitor PM2.5, NOx, and VOCs. Currently, a
temporary air monitoring station has been established to monitor PM2.5. This temporary
station approved by the NJDEP is not an official State monitoring station. The
temporary station has been monitoring PM2.5 since March 2005 and has recorded levels
of PM2.5 below the 24-hour NAAQS of 65 μg/m3, with some variable periods of elevated
PM2.5 concentrations (Langan, 2006g). High PM2.5 concentrations are believed to be
influenced by a combination of environmental factors and construction activities. The
temporary station has had an annual average of 31.87 μg/m3, which is above the
NAAQS of 15 μg/m3. It is expected that the annual average will be above the NAAQS
based on the 2003 USEPA’s Guidance on Non-attainment Area Designations for PM2.5,
since the monitoring station is located in a metropolitan area (USEPA, 2003). According
to the USEPA document, metropolitan areas generally have higher background
particulate concentrations that exceed 15.0 μg/m3.
Attainment Status
The Project Area is located within the New Jersey-New York-Connecticut Interstate Air
Quality Control Region, which has been designated by the USEPA as an O3 and PM2.5
non-attainment area (USEPA, 2006c; USEPA, 2006d). The New York – Northern New
Jersey – Long Island Air Quality Control Region has been designated by the USEPA as a
moderate non-attainment area with respect to the O3 ambient air quality standards and,
therefore, is required to meet the NAAQS by year 2010. To control O3 levels, New
Jersey has focused on reducing emissions of hydrocarbons (VOCs) and NOx from
various emissions sources such as petrochemical facilities, stationary combustion
sources and mobile sources. To reduce PM2.5 emissions and meet NAAQS the NJDEP
is examining several primary sources of fine particulate matter including on-road mobile
sources (such as diesel-powered trucks and buses) and non-road mobile sources (such
as construction equipment).
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New Meadowlands Stadium Project Preliminary Environmental Impact Statement
The New York – Northern New Jersey – Long Island Air Quality Control Region was
previously designated as a non-attainment area for CO; however, New Jersey was
officially declared as having attained the CO standard and classified as a CO
maintenance area in 2002 (USEPA, 2002). CO concentrations in New Jersey have not
exceeded the NAAQS 1-hour standard since the late 1970s. Typical 1-hour maximum
concentrations in New Jersey in recent years have been less than 12 ppm, well below
the 35 ppm NAAQS standard.
4.12.2 Impacts and Mitigation
It is anticipated that the construction and operation of the Stadium Project will not
adversely impact air quality; although some minor increases in vehicular traffic may lead
to increases in mobile source emissions. There are no proposed major stationary
sources that could emit significant quantities of pollutants associated with the Stadium
Project. Air emissions from construction, stationary, and mobile sources are discussed
in the following sections. A CAA conformity determination is not required for the
Stadium Project since it does not involve any federally sponsored or approved activities,
nor are any roadway improvements proposed that might impact the regional
transportation conformity evaluations.
4.12.2.1 Construction Source Emissions
Air emissions from construction equipment used to construct the new Stadium,
buildings, practice fields, parking facilities, roadways, and other site structures will be
temporary and minor and will not result in any significant air quality impacts. Additional
temporary and minor emissions will be generated by construction workers traveling to
and from the site. To limit the amount of SO2, PM, NOx, and CO emitted into the
atmosphere during construction, all construction equipment utilizing combustible
engines will be equipped with required emission control devices. A Diesel Emissions
Management Plan will be implemented to reduce emissions from on-site construction
related equipment. The Plan will include a PM exhaust emission reduction goal of 35%
for off-road/construction vehicles and be implemented during the construction phases of
the Stadium Project. The Plan will include the use of low-sulfur diesel fuel for operation
of on-site construction equipment.
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New Meadowlands Stadium Project Preliminary Environmental Impact Statement
The generation of airborne dust will be an air pollutant of concern during the
construction phase of the Stadium Project. Dust generation is associated with
excavation, leveling, grading, loading, unloading, and similar activities resulting in the
disruption of the existing land surface. Vehicles traveling on unpaved areas can also
cause airborne dust. The emissions of fugitive dust particles will be limited and
controlled through implementation of soil erosion and control measures that will be
designed in accordance with county and state regulations. In addition, on-site dust
control measures will include wetting of road surfaces, watering, regular sweeping of
road surfaces, covering of storage piles, and implementation of low on-site construction
vehicle speeds limits. Contractor specifications will be developed to require that
appropriate steps are taken by the contractor during construction to control dust and
manage stockpiled material.
4.12.2.2 Stationary Source Emissions
The stationary sources that will be installed at the new Stadium will replace stationary
sources at the existing stadium. It is anticipated that the replacement equipment (i.e.
boilers, HVAC systems, and emergency generators) will be similar to the existing
equipment but the new equipment is expected to be more efficient than the existing
systems. New boilers used to support the proposed facilities associated with the
Stadium Project will be constructed in compliance with applicable state and federal
requirements. All necessary NJDEP air permits for the Project’s stationary sources will
be obtained prior to installation (see Section 6.2.13).
4.12.2.3 Mobile Source Emissions
The NJDEP and USEPA identify CO as the primary pollutant of concern when assessing
potential air quality impacts from motor vehicle exhaust. Increased concentrations of
CO can be expected in places where large numbers of motor vehicles are present
including crowded intersections where traffic delays are common during peak (traffic)
hour periods.
Game Days
The new Stadium will be replacing the existing stadium and is not expected to generate
additional traffic or associated mobile source emissions during game days (see Section
4.11.2.2). The Railroad Project will reduce automobile traffic to the Meadowlands
Sports Complex during game days. It is estimated that 9,600 patrons will use the new
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New Meadowlands Stadium Project Preliminary Environmental Impact Statement
rail facility to access the Sports Complex during football games, resulting in a reduction
of approximately 3,650 automobiles (Vollmer, 2006b). The Stadium Project includes
infrastructure improvements within the West Site of the Sports Complex to facilitate
traffic flow to the surrounding roadway network and improve movements within the
Sports Complex. New major and minor roadways will organize the vehicular flow into
and out of the parking lots during Stadium events and allow for efficient thru-traffic,
connecting the regional roadways on the north and south as well as the east and west.
A Parking and Transportation Management Plan has been developed for the Stadium
Project to optimize arrival/departure conditions during game days (Appendix H). Regional
transportation improvements are planned by other developers and state agencies,
including the Route 3 Ramp Improvements at Interchange 16W and at Route 120, will
further improve traffic conditions. It is anticipated that these regional improvements will
facilitate traffic movements and serve to improve air quality in the region. The Stadium
Project in addition to planned roadway improvements to be performed by others are
expected to reduce traffic delays and, therefore, no significant changes to mobile
source air emissions are anticipated during game days and other Stadium events
compared to existing conditions. A mobile source analysis has not been performed on
game days since an overall decrease in automobile trips is projected compared to
existing conditions.
Non-Game Days
The Traffic Study concluded that the Stadium Project will have minimal impacts on the
anticipated levels of service (LOS) of nearby roadways on non-game days, provided the
improvements planned by other developers and state agencies are implemented as
planned (see Section 4.11). However, the additional traffic generated by the Stadium
Project, mostly due to the new Ancillary Development, will contribute additional mobile
source emissions including CO and NOx compared to current conditions. The Ancillary
Development, and to a lesser degree the Meeting/Banquet Facilities and Hall of Fame
Museum in the new Stadium, is expected to generate greater vehicular traffic than
current minimal levels on non-game days as a result of these new facilities and their
anticipated year-round attraction (see Section 4.11.2.2.1). The new Giants Training
Facility will also generate additional traffic compared to the current training facilities due
to proposed size expansion. Therefore, a mobile source analysis was performed for
non-game days to assess potential air quality impacts. A summary of the mobile source
analysis of the anticipated increases in traffic on non-game days is presented below. A
mobile source analysis involves detailed air quality modeling of traffic on various
roadway segments and is also referred to as a microscale CO Hot Spot analysis.
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New Meadowlands Stadium Project Preliminary Environmental Impact Statement
Locations for Model Analysis
The appropriate locations to model representative air quality analyses were determined
according to NJDEP’s procedures (NJDEP, 2004b). Locations impacted by the Stadium
Project were generally excluded from detailed air quality modeling if it had a LOS of A,
B, or C. If a location has a LOS of D, E or F, then a microscale CO hot-spot analysis was
performed.
A total of 28 locations potentially affected by the Stadium Project were analyzed for
their LOS for the full build-out year of 2013 (Section 4.11) (Appendix G). These locations
were studied under three peak hour conditions (i.e. PM Highway Peak Hour, PM
Continental Airlines Arena Event Peak Hour, and Saturday Continental Airlines Arena
Event Peak Hour) (Tables 4-15 through 4-17), resulting in a total of 84 scenarios to be
analyzed for LOS. Of the 28 locations impacted by the Project, the LOS at nine
locations/peak hour conditions was determined to be at D or lower. Therefore,
microscale CO hot spot analyses were performed at locations 8, 13b, 14, 16, 17, 18, 20,
22 and V3 (see Tables 4-21 and 4-22, and Figure 4-25). The 2010 build condition was not
examined since the 2013 build condition represents the full-build out of the Stadium
Project, while the 2010 build condition only represents a portion of the Project.
Microscale CO Hot-Spot Analysis
A microscale CO hot-spot analysis was conducted to determine the maximum modeled
1-hour and 8-hour CO concentrations at the nine locations selected in the screening
process (see Figure 4-25). For each of these nine locations, the analysis was conducted
only for those peak period conditions with a LOS of D, E or F as determined in the traffic
study for the 2013 build condition (see Section 4.11). The microscale CO hot-sport
analysis was conducted in accordance with the guidance provided in the following:
NJDEP Air Quality Analysis for Intersections (NJDEP, 2004b);
USEPA Guidelines for Modeling Carbon Monoxide from Roadway Intersections
(USEPA, 1992); and
User’s Guide to CAL3QHC Version 2.0: A Modeling Methodology for Predicting
Pollutant Concentrations Near Roadway Intersections (USEPA,1995).
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Table 4-21
2013 Microscale Hot-Spot Analysis Results for 1-Hour Maximum CO Concentration
Background
Concentration (ppm)
Modeled Concentration (ppm) Total Concentrationa
(ppm) NAAQS (ppm)
NAAQS Exceeded?
Location Description
PM Highway
Peak Hour
PM Arena Event Peak Hour
Saturday Arena Event Peak Hour
PM Highway
Peak Hour
PM Arena Event Peak Hour
Saturday Arena Event Peak Hour
8 Washington Avenue SB & On-Ramp from NJ Route 120 EB (Paterson Plank Road)
5.0 2.1 - - 6.9 - - 35 NO
13b NJ Route 120 SB Ramp to NJ Route 3 EB (proposed merge w/Route 3 mainline)
5.0 3.3 - - 8.1 - - 35 NO
14 NJ Route 3 EB Service Road Off Ramp to NJ Route 120 NB
5.0 - 1.4 - - 6.2 - 35 NO
16 NJ Route 120 SB Ramp to NJ Route 3 WB 5.0 1.2 - - 6.0 - - 35 NO 17 South Connector Road & West Peripheral
Road 5.0 - 1.2 1.3 - 6.0 6.1 35 NO
18 East Peripheral Road between South Arena Road and South Connector Road
5.0 - 1.3 - - 6.1 - 35 NO
20 East Peripheral Road and North Connector Road / North Arena Road
5.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 6.9 7.0 7.1 35 NO
22 North Connector Road and HOC Boulevard 5.0 2.6 2.1 - 7.4 6.9 - 35 NO V3 NJ Route 3 WB and Ramp G Entry / Ramp
X Exit 5.0 5.3 - 4.1 10.1 - 8.9 35 NO
Note: a Maximum modeled CO concentration plus maximum background CO concentration. (-) Indicates that analysis was not required because LOS for peak condition was A, B or C.
4-131
4-132
Table 4-22
2013 Microscale Hot-Spot Analysis Results For 8-Hour Maximum CO Concentration
Background
Concentration (ppm)
Modeled Concentration (ppm)
Total Concentrationa
(ppm) NAAQS (ppm)
NAAQS Exceeded?
Location Description
PM Highway
Peak Hour
PM Arena Event Peak Hour
Saturday Arena Event Peak Hour
PM Highway
Peak Hour
PM Arena Event Peak Hour
Saturday Arena Event Peak Hour
8 Washington Avenue SB & On-Ramp from NJ Route 120 EB (Paterson Plank Road)
2.8 1.5 - - 4.3 - - 9 NO
13b NJ Route 120 SB Ramp to NJ Route 3 EB (proposed merge w/Route 3 mainline)
2.8 2.3 - - 5.1 - - 9 NO
14 NJ Route 3 EB Service Road Off Ramp to NJ Route 120 NB
2.8 - 1.0 - - 3.8 - 9 NO
16 NJ Route 120 SB Ramp to NJ Route 3 WB 2.8 0.8 - - 3.6 - - 9 NO 17 South Connector Road & West Peripheral
Road 2.8 - 0.8 0.9 - 3.6 3.7 9 NO
18 East Peripheral Road between South Arena Road and South Connector Road
2.8 - 0.9 - - 3.7 - 9 NO
20 East Peripheral Road and North Connector Road / North Arena Road
2.8 1.5 1.5 1.6 4.3 4.3 4.4 9 NO
22 North Connector Road and HOC Boulevard 2.8 1.8 1.5 - 4.6 4.3 - 9 NO V3 NJ Route 3 WB and Ramp G Entry / Ramp
X Exit 2.8 3.7 - 2.9 6.5 - 5.7 9 NO
Note: a Maximum modeled CO concentration plus maximum background CO concentration. (-) Indicates that analysis was not required because LOS for peak condition was A, B or C.
New Meadowlands Stadium Project Preliminary Environmental Impact Statement
Baseline data for the background concentration used in the analysis was taken from
NJDEP guidance. The results of the analysis are shown in Tables 4-21 and 4-22. The
results indicate that the Stadium Project will not cause the 1-hour or 8-hour CO NAAQS
to be exceeded. The maximum modeled 1-hour CO concentration for 2013 for the nine
studied locations is 5.3 ppm at location V3. Using a persistence factor of 0.7 to convert
the modeled 1-hour CO concentration to an 8-hour concentration yielded a maximum
modeled 8-hour CO concentration of 3.7 ppm at location V3. Adding the maximum
modeled CO concentrations with the appropriate background CO concentrations
resulted in a total 1-hour maximum CO concentration of 10.1 ppm and a total 8-hour
maximum CO concentration of 6.5 ppm at location V3. The total 1-hour maximum CO
concentration of 10.1 ppm at location V3 is less than the NAAQS of 35.0 ppm. The total
8-hour maximum CO concentration of 6.5 ppm at location V3 is less than the NAAQS of
9.0 ppm. All other studied locations had lower 1-hour and 8-hour CO concentrations
compared to location V3. The results of the air quality microscale analysis conclude that
the emissions from mobile sources, as well as from any related construction activity,
will be in compliance with all NAAQS and Federal Conformity Rules. Therefore, the
Stadium Project is in conformance with the latest New Jersey and National Ambient Air
Quality Standards.
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New Meadowlands Stadium Project Preliminary Environmental Impact Statement
4.13 Noise
4.13.1 Existing Conditions
4.13.1.1 Background
Noise is defined as any loud, discordant, disagreeable, or unwanted sound or sounds.
The sound generated by proposed or existing facilities may become noise due to land
use surrounding the facilities. When lands adjoining an existing or proposed facility
contain residential, commercial, institutional or recreational uses, noise can be a matter
of concern to residents or users of adjacent lands (NYSDEC, 2001).
The standard measurement unit of noise is the decibel (dB), which represents the
acoustical energy present. The A-weighted decibel scale (dBA) is commonly used to
measure noise levels because it has been shown to provide a good correlation with the
human response to sound (Harris, 1991). The faintest sound that can be heard by a
healthy ear is about 0 dBA, while an uncomfortably loud (deafening) sound is about 120
dBA.
The dBA scale describes a noise level at just one moment; however, very few noises
are constant. Therefore, other ways of describing noise over more extended periods of
time have been developed. The Leq, or equivalent sound level, is a single value of sound
which includes all of the varying sound energy in a given duration (i.e., one hour). Leq
levels are often used in the evaluation of vehicular traffic and construction related noise.
Other noise descriptors include the statistical L90 and L10 levels. The L90 is the noise
level exceeded 90 percent of the time and is often considered the background or
residual noise level. It is representative of the lower range of noise levels without the
contribution of intrusive noises, such as passing trains, cars, aircraft, etc. The L10 is the
noise exceeded 10 percent of the time and is a measurement of intrusive noises, such
as aircraft overflights.
4.13.1.2 Noise Standards, Criteria, and Guidelines
Although not applicable to the Stadium Project, the State of New Jersey Noise Control
Code (N.J.A.C. 7:29-1) limits noise generated by an industrial or commercial facility,
when measured at the property line of any residential use, to no greater than 65 dBA
during daytime hours (7 am to 10 pm) and 50 dBA during nighttime hours (10 pm to 7
am). These limits apply to continuous noise generated by a facility, but do not include
public roadway noise. The Stadium Project is defined as a commercial use under the
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New Meadowlands Stadium Project Preliminary Environmental Impact Statement
New Jersey Noise Control Code. Residential uses are defined as private residences and
include commercial living accommodations (e.g. hotels).
The ability of the average person to perceive increases in noise has been documented
by various government agencies and research institutions, such as the USEPA, Federal
Highway Administration (FHWA), and the International Standards Organization (ISO). In
general, an increase of 3 dBA or less is considered to a barely perceptible change, while
an increase of 10 dBA is perceived as a doubling of the sound (Bolt, Beranek and
Newman, Inc, 1973).
The ISO has developed a scale for estimating community response to increases in noise
levels (Table 4-23). This scale relates changes in noise levels to the degree of
community response and permits direct estimation of the probable response of a
community to a predicted change in noise level.
Table 4-23
Community Response to Increases in Noise Levels
Change
(dBA) Category Description
0 None No observed reaction
5 Little Sporadic complaints
10 Medium Widespread complaints
15 Strong Threats of community action
20 Very strong Vigorous community action
Source: ISO, 1969
4.13.1.3 Existing Noise Levels and Sensitive Receptors
The existing noise environment in the Project Area is almost completely dominated by
vehicular traffic noise from the surrounding network of highways and roads, including
the New Jersey Turnpike, NJ Route 3, NJ Route 120, and local roadways. Other
ambient noise sources include aircraft from Teterboro and Newark Liberty International
Airports, a natural gas metering station, and some natural sounds (gulls). Noise is also
generated during events held at the various venues on the Sports Complex including
Giants Stadium, the Continental Airlines Arena, and Meadowlands Racetrack.
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New Meadowlands Stadium Project Preliminary Environmental Impact Statement
An ambient noise monitoring program was conducted in 2004, which documented
existing noise levels at three locations near the Meadowlands Sports Complex (NJSEA,
2004). The monitoring locations, which are depicted on Figure 4-26 and listed in
Table 4-24, included:
Hotel at Sheraton Plaza Drive near N.J. Turnpike entrance ramp;
Paterson Plank Road entrance to Continental Airlines Arena; and
Golf Range at eastern end of Paterson Plank Road.
The three monitoring locations are in close proximity to the Stadium Project Area. Two
of the three locations are adjacent to the roads which will be impacted by the Stadium
Project. The third location describes an area un-impacted by the Project. Since these
locations include existing traffic conditions and the existing operations of the Giants
Stadium, Meadowlands Racetrack, and the Continental Airlines Arena, the data
collected from these locations were used to estimate the existing ambient noise levels
in the vicinity of the Project Area. Individual random sampling days were chosen and
noise levels were measured with precision integrating sound level meters. The meters
measured sound levels constantly during the sampling period, with subsets of the data
being stored over ten minute intervals (NJSEA, 2004). Table 4-25 presents a summary
of the measured noise levels at the three monitoring locations. Table 4-26 presents a
summary of the measured hourly Leq levels.
Table 4-24
Distance of Noise Monitoring Locations from Project Area
Monitoring Location Distance from Stadium Project Area
(ft)*
Sheraton Plaza Drive 2,500
Paterson Plank Rd Arena Entrance 3,500
Golf Range at Paterson Plank Rd 4,500
*Distance from center of site.
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New Meadowlands Stadium Project Preliminary Environmental Impact Statement
Table 4-25
Measured Ambient Noise Levels During Monitoring Periods
Measured Noise Levels (dBA) NJ Noise
Control Code Limit (dBA)
Peak Weekday PM Period
(4 pm-6 pm)
Peak Weekday PM Period
(6 pm-8 pm)
Saturday Event
(12 pm-4 pm)
Daytime
(7 am-10 pm)
Monitoring Location
Leq L10 L10 Leq L10 L10 Leq L10 L10 --
Sheraton Plaza Drive 63 60 65 65 62 66 60 56 62 65
Paterson Plank Road
Arena Entrance
58 48 60 54 49 57 51 44 53 65
Golf Range at
Paterson Plank Road
56 53 57 56 53 58 55 52 56 65
Source: NJSEA, 2004
Table 4-26
Measured Hourly Leq Levels
Measured Sound Levels Peak
Weekday PM Period
Peak Weekday
Event Saturday Event Monitoring
Location 4pm-5pm
5pm-6pm
6pm-7pm
7pm-8pm
12pm-1pm
1pm-2pm
2pm-3pm
3pm-4pm
Sheraton Plaza
Drive 63 63 67 63 60 59 60 60
Paterson Plank Rd
Arena Entrance 52 61 55 53 53 50 51 50
Golf Range at
Paterson Plank Rd 56 55 56 56 54 55 55 55
Source: NJSEA, 2004
The highest noise levels were measured during the weekday periods. The noise levels
during Saturday events were consistently lower than those measured on weekdays at
each location. Maximum ambient levels (Lmax) at all locations were in the range of 80 to
84 dBA due to passing aircraft and trucks. As shown in Table 4-25, the measured Leq
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New Meadowlands Stadium Project Preliminary Environmental Impact Statement
noise levels were highest at the Sheraton Drive location, the location closest to the
Project Area.
According to the NMJC Existing Land Use Map (Figure 4-27), there are no residential
uses or other sensitive noise receptor, such as hospital or schools within 0.8 miles of
the Project Area. The closest residential area is 0.8 miles away from the site, which is
in the Town of Secaucus (Oak Lane and Acorn Road) and is separated from the Project
Area by the New Jersey Turnpike and the Hackensack River. The Secaucus High
School located on Mill Ridge Road is approximately 1.2 miles to the southeast of the
Project Area. The Meadowlands Hospital Medical Center located on Meadowlands
Parkway is approximately 1.1 miles south of the Project Area. Several commercial living
accommodations are located near the Project Area and include:
Sheraton Hotel – Route 3 East Service Road, East Rutherford;
Homestead Suites – Route 3 East Service Road, East Rutherford;
Hampton Inn – Paterson Plank Road, East Rutherford;
EconoLodge – Washington Avenue, Carlstadt;
Red Roof Inn – Meadowlands Parkway, Secaucus;
Meadowlands Plaza Hotel – Wood Avenue, Secaucus; and
Racetrack Dormitory – Paterson Plank Road, East Rutherford.
The location of these facilities is shown on Figure 4-26. In addition, a future hotel is
proposed as part of the Meadowlands Xanadu Redevelopment Project. This hotel is
proposed to be located north of the Continental Airlines Arena, approximately 500 feet
east of the Project Area.
4.13.2 Impacts and Mitigation
4.13.2.1 Construction Noise
The construction of the New Meadowlands Stadium Project will involve the following
general phases:
Site preparation;
Excavation;
Foundation laying (without pile driving);
Foundation activities (with pile driving);
Building construction; and
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New Meadowlands Stadium Project Preliminary Environmental Impact Statement
Exterior finishing and cleanup.
The equipment utilized will differ from phase to phase. In general, heavy equipment
(bulldozers, dump trucks, cement mixers, cranes) will be used during excavation,
foundation laying, and demolition activities. Construction noise is primarily generated by
the diesel engines which power construction equipment and from foundation activities.
Pile driving typically will generate the greatest noise during construction activities.
Noise levels of some typical construction equipment are presented in Table 4-27.
Table 4-27
Noise Levels of Major Construction Equipment
Equipment Type Noise Level at 50 Feet
(dBA) Pile Drivers 105
Trucks 91
Front Loaders 79
Graders 85
Bulldozers 80
Pickup Trucks 60
Backhoes 85
Concrete Mixers 85
Source (BBN, 1971; NYSDEC, 1974; NYPA, 1987)
Using the typical noise levels generated by major construction equipment, an average
noise value can be estimated for each phase of the construction of the New
Meadowlands Stadium Project (BBN, 1971). Each construction phase will involve
various pieces of construction equipment in varying proportion based on the phase of
construction. The average noise level value at an approximate distance of 50 feet from
each activity is presented in Table 4-28.
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New Meadowlands Stadium Project Preliminary Environmental Impact Statement
Table 4-28
Typical Site Average Noise Levels At 50 Feet
from the Construction Activity (dBA)
Construction Phase Noise Level at 50 Feet (dBA)
Site clearing 84
Excavation 89
Foundations (without pile driving) 78
Foundation Activities (with pile driving) 105
Building construction 85
Exterior finishing and cleanup 89
Source adapted from: BBN, 1971
The Project Area is approximately 270 acres in size. The actual sound levels that will be
experienced offsite will be a function of distance from the noise source. As such, no
one single area will be exposed to the same sound levels over an extended period of
time during the construction phases as different parts of the site are developed.
Construction noise levels resulting from the Stadium Project were estimated for the
three noise monitoring locations, commercial living accommodations (racetrack
dormitory and nearby hotels), and the closest residential area using the average noise
level for each construction activity, the distance from the Project Area (Table 4-24), and
a noise attenuation factor of 6 dB(A) per doubling of distance (MC2 System Design
Group, 2006). To determine the future noise levels at each receptor location (noise
monitoring locations, commercial living accommodations, and residential areas) during
construction, the additive effects of the construction noise combined with the
background noise in each location was considered. According to the USEPA’s
“Protective Noise Levels” guidance, the difference between the construction noise
associated with the Stadium Project and the background noise levels determines the
additive affect of the noise. For example, if the construction noise is 1 dB or less below
than the background noise levels in a receptor location, it will result in a 3 dB increase in
background noise levels (NYSDEC, 2001). If the construction noise is more than 10 dB
less than the background noise levels, it will have no effect on the background noise
levels. Conversely, if the construction noise is 1 dB or less above than the background
noise levels the future noise levels will be 3 dB greater than the construction noise. No
existing background noise data was available for the seven commercial living
accommodations or the closest residential area; therefore, background data from nearby
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New Meadowlands Stadium Project Preliminary Environmental Impact Statement
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monitoring locations within similar background noise sources (i.e. roadways) were used.
The projected combined background noise and construction noise level at each receptor
location is presented in Table 4-29.
The projected construction noise levels at the studied locations are generally in the
range of, or below, existing daytime Leq noise levels, except for pile driving activities
(Table 4-29). As a result, the estimated future noise levels are generally only 1or 2 dB
greater than the existing background noise levels. The temporary pile driving during the
first part of construction of each proposed building (i.e. Stadium, Giants Training Facility,
Ancillary Development) would be the loudest activity and would result in noise levels 1
to 23 dB higher than existing background noise levels at these locations.
The closest residential area is located 0.8 miles from the Project Area and is separated
from the Project Area by the New Jersey Turnpike and the Hackensack River. The
noise from pile driving activities would be approximately 66 dBA at the residential area
located 0.8 miles from the Project Area and may cause modest temporary disturbances
to this residential area. In addition, the projected sound levels presented in Table 4-29
are estimated outdoor noise levels. A building (house) would provide significant
attenuation for those who are indoors. Sound levels can be expected to be up to 27 dBA
lower indoors with the windows closed (USEPA, 1974).
Although the racetrack employee dormitory and hotels are located within a mile of the
Project Area, these facilities do not represent typical residential uses. Peak occupancy
of hotels and the dormitory usually occurs in the nighttime hours when there would be
no construction activities occurring.
The equipment utilized during each phase of construction is not generally operated
continuously, nor is the equipment always operated simultaneously. There will,
therefore, be times when no equipment is operating and noise will be at ambient levels.
Functional mufflers will be maintained on all equipment to mitigate and reduce exhaust
noise. In addition, pile driving activities will be limited to the daytime hours of 7am to
7pm.
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Table 4-29
Projected Combined Background Noise and Construction Noise Levels at Receptor Locations
Projected Combined Construction Noise Levels and Background Noise Levelsf
Receptor Location
Existing Measured
Daytime Leqa
Distance to Receptor
(feet)bSite
Preparation Excavation
Foundation Activities with Pile Driving
Foundations without Pile
Driving Building
Construction
Exterior Finishing and
Cleanup Sheraton Plaza Drive 59-67 2,500 60-67 60-67 71-72 59-67 60-67 60-67
Paterson Plank Road Arena Entrance 50-61 3,500 52-61 54-62 68-69 51-61 52-61 54-62
Golf Range at Paterson Plank Road 54-56 4,500 55-56 55-57 66 54-56 55-56 55-57
58-62
56-57
61-67
60-67
55-62
55-62
60-67
59-67
Sheraton Hotel 59-67c 2,000 60-67 61-67 73-74 59-67 60-67
Homestead Suites 59-67c 2,300 60-67 61-67 72-73 59-67 60-67
Hampton Inn 50-61d 3,000 52-61 55-62 69-70 51-61 53-61
Econolodge 50-61d 3,200 52-61 55-62 69-70 51-61 53-61
Red Roof Inn 59-67c 4,600 59-67 60-67 66-70 59-67 59-67
Meadowlands Plaza Hotel 59-67c 5,100 59-67 59-67 65-69 59-67 59-67
Racetrack Dormitories 50-61d 2,000 54-62 58-62 73 51-61 55-62
Closest Residential Area 54-56e 4,200 55-56 56-57 66 54-56 55-57
a Range of measured noise levels during the monitoring programs at Sheraton Plaza Drive, Paterson Plank Road Arena Entrance, and Golf Range at Paterson Plank Road. Other locations assigned background from monitored locations (See Table 4-26)
f Projected combined existing noise levels and construction-related noise (estimated resultant noise levels)
d Ambient data from Paterson Plank Road Arena Entrance location e Ambient data from Golf Range at Paterson Plank Road
c Ambient data from Sheraton Plaza Drive location
b Distance from center of Project Area
New Meadowlands Stadium Project Preliminary Environmental Impact Statement
During construction, pile driving activities for the new Stadium may take place over a
period of 12 to 18 months. Additional pile driving activities will be necessary for the
other buildings, including the Giants Training Facility and Ancillary Development.
Considering the projected combined background noise and construction noise levels in
Table 4-29, the existing average and maximum ambient noise levels, and the lack of
adjacent residential development, no significant long-term noise impacts are anticipated
during construction in the Project Area.
4.13.2.2 Operational Noise
The new Stadium and Giants Training Facility will replace existing facilities and are
therefore not considered new noise sources. The operation of these replacement
facilities are expected to have noise levels similar to the existing stadium and should not
significantly affect the existing noise levels in the vicinity of the Project Area presented
above in Tables 4-25 and 4-26.
The operation of the proposed Ancillary Development, including vehicle parking, heating,
ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems, and emergency generators will be
additional noise sources. This additional equipment will be new, efficient, and will be
evaluated during detailed design of these facilities with regard to equipment placement
and need to incorporate noise control such as shielding, barriers, screening, etc. to
minimize noise impact from the additional equipment.
4.13.2.3 Mobile Source Noise
The predominant noise source in the vicinity of the Project Area is the traffic on the
adjacent network of highways (New Jersey Turnpike, Route 120, and Route 3) and local
streets (Paterson Plank Road). Noise levels associated with vehicular traffic are a
function mainly of traffic speed, vehicle mix (automobile, medium trucks, heavy trucks)
and volume. The Traffic Study prepared for the Stadium Project, which evaluated the
potential impacts of the Project combined with other planned development and
transportation improvement projects, concluded that the Project will not contribute to a
significant impact to the local roadway network (Appendix G). It is anticipated that
vehicular traffic from the Stadium Project will not result in significant noise impact as
well. As such, the Stadium Project is also not anticipated to have a significant impact on
existing noise levels in the surrounding area. Therefore, no mitigation is needed or
proposed.
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4.14 Socioeconomics
This section presents a summary of the projected economic and fiscal impacts resulting from
the construction and operation of the Stadium Project. A full report detailing this analysis is
available in Appendix I (CSL, 2006). Since the Stadium Project is a replacement project of the
existing Giants Stadium and on-site training facilities, the discussion includes the current
impacts from the operation of the existing Giants Stadium and the training facilities as well as
the impacts from the Stadium Project.
In addition to these redevelopment plans at the site, the Jets will be developing a new off-site
training facility in Florham Park, New Jersey. Because the new Training Facility operations
represent a draw upon Jets’ revenues generated at the Stadium, this analysis also assesses
socioeconomic impacts associated with the facility’s development and operations to present a
conservative, accurate portrait of benefits within the Stadium Project.
The future Ancillary Development component of the Stadium Project was studied separately,
and is discussed in Section 4.14.3. As a note, the Meadowlands Xanadu Redevelopment
Project is separate and distinct from the Stadium Project, and is not examined in this analysis.
Section 4.14.2 presents Convention, Sports and Leisure International’s (CSL) analysis of
socioeconomic impacts from the new Stadium and training facilities. A summary of the
projections is presented below (in 2010 dollars).
CONSTRUCTION PHASE
Construction Jobs – During construction of the new Stadium and training facilities,
construction expenditures and related direct, indirect and induced economic impacts1
will create 12,200 temporary full and part-time jobs.
Tax Revenue – During construction of the new Stadium and training facilities, tax
revenues to New Jersey from construction and associated direct, indirect and induced
economic activities are estimated to be $64.7 million.
Total Economic Activity – The construction of the new Stadium and training facilities
will generate approximately $1.2 billion in direct, indirect and induced spending in New
Jersey.
1 Definitions for direct, indirect and induced economic impacts can be found in Appendix I, pages 19 and 20. Associated economic impacts in this chapter refer to direct, indirect and induced impacts.
New Meadowlands Stadium Project Preliminary Environmental Impact Statement
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OPERATION PHASE
Private Dollars Invested – The ownership families of the New York Giants and New
York Jets are expected to invest over $1.2 billion for the construction of the new
Stadium and training facilities. In addition to a $1.1 billion development cost for the
Stadium, the Giants’ ownership families or their affiliates are planning to invest over $70
million on the construction of new training facilities on the Sports Complex, and the
Jets’ owners are planning to invest over $50 million on the construction of new training
facilities to be located in Florham Park, New Jersey.
Permanent Jobs –The operation of the new Stadium and training facilities and
associated direct, indirect and induced economic impacts will support approximately
12,450 permanent full and part-time jobs. Approximately 6,910 full and part-time jobs
currently exist by reason of the operation of Giants Stadium and the training facilities
and associated economic impacts. Therefore, an increase in 5,540 new permanent full
and part-time jobs will be realized from operation of the new Stadium and training
facilities and their associated economic impacts.
Tax Revenue – The operation of the new Stadium, training facilities and associated
direct, indirect and induced economic impacts are projected to generate approximately
$66.5 million in annual State tax revenues. Current operations of Giants Stadium,
training facilities and associated economic impacts generate approximately $34.2 million
each year. Therefore, an annual increase in approximately $32.3 million in State tax
revenues is expected from operation of the new Stadium, training facilities and
associated economic impacts.
Total Economic Activity –The operation of the new Stadium, training facilities and
associated direct, indirect and induced economic impacts will generate approximately
$938.2 million annually in total direct, indirect and induced spending in New Jersey.
Current operations of Giants Stadium, training facilities and associated economic
impacts generate approximately $526.7 million annually in spending. Therefore, an
increase in approximately $411.5 million in total direct, indirect and induced spending in
New Jersey is expected from operation of the new Stadium, training facilities and
associated economic impacts.
New Meadowlands Stadium Project Preliminary Environmental Impact Statement
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4.14.1 Existing Conditions
4.14.1.1 Demographic and Socioeconomic Conditions
Please refer to Appendix I for a detailed report of demographic and socioeconomic
conditions in the HMD, including data on population, household income, corporate base,
employment, housing, consumer spending, cost of living and the local economy.
4.14.1.2 Community Facilities
4.14.1.2.1 Overview
The HMD was created as an amalgam of the "meadow" portions of 14 municipalities in
Bergen and Hudson Counties. The residential communities and town centers of these
municipalities were not included in the HMD lands, and therefore community facilities
are generally found outside of the NJMC, with the exception of residential and
community facilities constructed after the establishment of the HMD.
Community facilities include public or publicly-funded faciliities, such as police and fire
protection, hospitals, emergency medical response, and schools. The following
describes the various community facilities that are located within the Borough of East
Rutherford where the Project Area is located, and specifically those associated with the
Meadowlands Sports Complex. As appropriate, facilities and services outside of East
Rutherford but within the County and/or the HMD that may serve larger portions of the
County or HMD are also discussed. Within and around the HMD community facilities
are often located at the peripheral boundaries of the HMD. This is due to the relatively
small residential populations that are located within the HMD and because of the need
to adequately service the resident populations.
4.14.1.2.2 Police Protection
The Bergen County Police Department, which is comprised of 80 officers, provides
police coverage for Bergen County residents. The Department is located at 66 Zabriskie
Street in Hackensack, approximately 5 miles north of the Project Area. The Department
patrols all of Bergen County roadways and properties and provides support services for
municipal police departments (NJSEA, 2005).
New Meadowlands Stadium Project Preliminary Environmental Impact Statement
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The East Rutherford Police Department (ERPD) provides coverage within the Borough
of East Rutherford. Their headquarters is located at 312 Grove Street. With a force of
34 members, the Department serves a resident population of approximately 18,000 and
a daytime population of approximately 25,000 while patrolling 40 miles of roads and
portions of two state highways.
The primary responsibility for providing police services on the Meadowlands Sports
Complex, including the Project Area, currently belongs to the New Jersey State Police
(NJSP) Sports Complex Unit. Police from East Rutherford are summoned on occasion
for assistance. The Unit operates out of three substations within the Sports Complex.
The Unit maintains a close liaison with NJSP Troop B and Troop D in the coordination of
traffic in and around the Sports Complex. Additionally the Unit is responsible for the
investigation of criminal activity at the Sports Complex (NJSEA, 2005).
4.14.1.2.3 Fire Protection
The East Rutherford Fire Department currently has over 80 volunteer Fire and
Emergency Management Service professionals that serve the community from three
stations located at 312 Grove Street, 50 Herman Street and 107 Carlton Avenue. The
service area includes all of East Rutherford as well as several southern Bergen County
municipalities. East Rutherford is also within the service area of other southern Bergen
County municipalities. The closest East Rutherford fire station is approximately three
miles from the complex (NJSEA, 2005).
The NJSEA Fire Department provides first response fire protection at the Meadowlands
Sports Complex. The Department operates one station, which is situated just west of
the intersection of Route 120 and Paterson Plank Road. The station has two pump
trucks with 750-gallon water capacity, one truck with 500-gallon capacity and one truck
with 90-gallon capacity. The trucks also have foam capacity. The station has eight full-
time and nine part-time fire fighters and operates on a 24 hours per day, seven days per
week basis with a two-person crew per shift that is expanded during events at the
Sports Complex (NJSEA, 2005). The surrounding municipal fire departments, including
the East Rutherford Fire Department, are also available to assist the NJSEA Fire
Department, as necessary.
New Meadowlands Stadium Project Preliminary Environmental Impact Statement
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4.14.1.2.4 Hospitals and Emergency Medical Services
Four hospital facilities are located in or adjacent to the HMD. Two of these are located
in Secaucus approximately eight miles southeast of the Project Area. These hospitals
include the Meadowlands Hospital and Medical Center (230-bed facility), which is
located on Meadowlands Parkway, and the Meadowview County Hospital (400-bed
facility), which is located on County Avenue. The Hackensack University Medical Center
is a 614-bed facility located on Prospect Avenue in Hackensack. The West Hudson
Hospital is a 250-bed facility and it is located on Bergen Avenue in Kearny, just outside
of the HMD.
The East Rutherford Volunteer Ambulance Corps building is located at 312 Grove Street.
Typically a three-person crew will work 12-hour shifts. The primary emergency hospital
used by the Ambulance Corps is the Hackensack University Medical Center. This
Center serves as the Acute Care Medical Center for the area and it is located
approximately four miles north of the Ambulance Corps building.
The NJSEA provides first response emergency medical service (EMS) for emergencies
on the Meadowlands Sports Complex. The EMS facility is located on the Sports
Complex and includes four ambulances, three carts and two scooters. The facility is
staffed by licensed nurses and operates from 5:30AM to 12:30AM on a daily basis and
during events. A doctor is also present at the EMS facility during events.
4.14.1.2.5 Schools
Within the Borough of East Rutherford there are two public schools in general proximity
to the Project Area: the Henry P. Becton Regional High School (grades 9-12), located off
of N.J. Route 17, which is part of the Carlstadt-East Rutherford Regional School District,
and Lincoln Elementary School (grades K-4) which is located on Washington Street.
4.14.1.3 Economic and Fiscal Impact Estimates from Current Operations of Giants Stadium and Training Facilities
Existing economic and fiscal impacts related to the current operation of Giants Stadium
and on-site training facilities were estimated by CSL based on the historical operations
of Giants Stadium and the New York Giants and New York Jets football clubs, as well as
discussions with teams and the NJSEA, industry trends and averages, and CSL’s
knowledge of the sports, entertainment and leisure industries. Since the Stadium
Project is a replacement project for the stadium and on-site training facilities, the
New Meadowlands Stadium Project Preliminary Environmental Impact Statement
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impacts from current operations are needed to understand the incremental impacts
from the Stadium Project. Details on the study can be found in Appendix I.
For purposes of this analysis, the impacts reported herein have been adjusted
downward from gross potential impacts to impacts that are estimated to occur only
within the State of New Jersey. For example, certain expenditures are estimated to
occur outside the State such as NFL league assessments, NFL revenue sharing and
goods and services that are provided from out-of-state sources.
The estimated economic and fiscal impacts are presented for a single, average year of
operation and a cumulative 30 years of operations. All impacts are statewide estimates
for the State of New Jersey and are presented in millions of 2010 dollars, unless
otherwise stated. The existing ongoing operations impacts are presented in 2010
dollars as a means to compare to impacts generated by the Stadium Project, which is
assumed to be completed in 2010.
Impacts associated with the Meadowlands Xanadu Redevelopment Project have not
been accounted for in the projected impacts from current facility operations or the new
Stadium Project, as the Xanadu development is a separate and distinct development
project.
Table 4-30 presents a summary of the existing impacts that current operation of Giants
Stadium, the New York Giants, and the New York Jets are estimated to have on the
State of New Jersey. Definitions of the terms used in this analysis can be found in
Appendix I.
Annual economic impacts generated to the State of New Jersey associated with the
current operation of Giants Stadium, the New York Giants and the New York Jets
includes $276.3 million in direct spending, $526.7 million in total output (total direct,
indirect and induced spending effects), $291.8 million in personal earnings and 6,910 full
and part-time jobs associated with spending effects. Total annual fiscal impacts are
estimated to be approximately $34.2 million.
The 30-year cumulative impacts from the current operation of Giants Stadium and its
tenants on the State of New Jersey from 2010 to 2039 are estimated to include $13.1
billion in direct spending, $25.1 billion in total output, $13.9 billion in personal earnings
and 6,910 full and part-time jobs. Annual fiscal impacts are estimated to be
approximately $1.6 billion.
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Table 4-30
Summary of Economic and Fiscal Impacts to New Jersey Due to Current Operation of Giants Stadium and Training Facilities
$ Millions
30-Year
Annual (1)30-Year
Cumulative Net Present
Value (1)
Economic Impacts: Direct Spending $276.3 $13,146.4 $5,318.3 Total Output (2) $526.7 $25,060.2 $10,137.9 Personal Earnings $291.8 $13,884.7 $5,617.0 Jobs - (FT & PT) 6,910 6,910 6,910 Fiscal Impacts: Sales Tax $11.0 $521.6 $211.0 Personal Income Tax 9.2 $435.9 $176.4 Corporate Income Tax 5.3 $254.4 $102.9 Ticket Tax 7.5 $357.7 $220.2 Lease Payment 0.0 $0.0 $0.0 Special Fee 0.9 $27.5 $12.6 Hotel Tax 0.3 $16.2 $6.6 Total Revenues $34.2 $1,613.3 $729.6 (1) 2010 dollars.
(2) Please refer to Appendix I, pages 19 and 20, for definitions on total output and other economic impacts.
Note: Net present value impacts assume a 6 percent discount rate.
The present value of the 30-year impacts include $5.3 billion in direct spending, $10.1
billion in total output, $5.6 billion in personal earnings and 6,910 full and part-time jobs
associated with spending effects. Annual fiscal impacts are estimated to be
approximately $729.6 million.
These impacts serve as the basis in determining the incremental impact associated with
the New Meadowlands Stadium and training facilities.
New Meadowlands Stadium Project Preliminary Environmental Impact Statement
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4.14.2 Incremental Construction and Operations Impacts: Stadium and Training Facilities
Potential economic and fiscal impacts resulting from the construction and operation of
the Stadium Project that includes the new Stadium, and Giants and Jets training
facilities have been estimated based on an analysis by CSL. Economic impacts
associated with the future Ancillary Development (520,000 gross leaseable area square
feet of ancillary retail, dining and entertainment space) are discussed in Section 4.14.3.
Since the Stadium Project is a replacement project for the stadium and on-site training
facilities, not all impacts to New Jersey will be new. The analysis contained herein
provides an estimate of the incremental impacts associated with the construction and
operations of the Stadium Project.
4.14.2.1 Overview
The Stadium Project is a means for ensuring extensions to the Giants’ and Jets’ leases
and retaining the teams’ presence at the Meadowlands. It is estimated to have the
following incremental benefits to New Jersey, in 2010 dollars:
During construction, the Stadium Project will generate $1.2 billion in direct,
indirect and induced spending in New Jersey. Construction expenditures and
associated economic impacts are estimated to support an additional 12,200 full
and part-time jobs during the construction period, and generate $64.7 million in
tax revenues to the State.
During annual operations, the Stadium Project will generate $411.5 million
annually in incremental new direct, indirect and induced spending in the State.
Facility operations and associated economic impacts are estimated to support
5,540 new full and part-time jobs and generate $32.3 million in tax revenues to
the State each year.
Over 30 years, the operations of the Stadium Project are estimated to generate
$22.1 billion in cumulative direct, indirect and induced spending in the State.
Operations and associated economic impacts are estimated to support 5,540 full
and part-time jobs and create $1.9 billion in State tax revenues.
The remainder of this section presents the detailed results of the incremental
construction and operations impact estimates associated with the Stadium Project.
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4.14.2.2 Population
The Stadium Project does not involve residential land uses and will therefore not result
in direct impacts on the local residential populations or demographic conditions.
However, it is likely that the population within the region will increase to some extent as
a result of new employment and spending opportunities to be created by the Project.
4.14.2.3 Construction Economic and Fiscal Impacts: New Stadium and Training Facilities
Construction expenditures (i.e. buildings, tangible personal property, professional/legal
fees all related to project development) and related economic impacts constitute large,
one-time impacts to the economy. In total, the Stadium Project is estimated to cost
approximately $1.2 billion2, excluding the planned Ancillary Development. It is
anticipated that the Stadium Project construction expenditures will occur over the next
several years with completion expected in 2010.
Table 4-31, on the following page, summarizes the estimated cumulative construction
impacts to New Jersey associated with the Stadium Project in 2010 dollars.3
Of the estimated $1.2 billion in construction expenditures, approximately 50 percent, or
$610.0 million is estimated to occur within New Jersey. As a result, the one-time
economic and fiscal impacts estimated to be generated in New Jersey by the
construction of the Stadium Project include $1.2 billion in total output, $583.8 million in
personal earnings and 12,200 full- and part-time construction-related jobs and jobs
generated by direct, indirect and induced spending associated with the Project.
Construction expenditures will also create tax revenues to the State of New Jersey. It
is estimated that the construction of the Stadium Project will generate approximately
$64.7 million in direct, indirect and induced sales and personal income tax revenues to
New Jersey. Additional state and local taxes may be generated but have not been
quantified in this analysis.
2 Stadium construction costs are estimated at $1.1 billion. The Giants Training Facility is estimated at an additional $70 million, and the Jets Training Facility at $50 million. 3 In estimating construction impacts, it was assumed that materials will comprise 55 percent of project costs and labor will comprise 45 percent of project costs. Further, it was estimated that 50 percent of materials and labor would be spent in New Jersey. These assumptions are based on extensive conversations with construction companies familiar with stadium construction.
New Meadowlands Stadium Project Preliminary Environmental Impact Statement
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Table 4-31
Summary of Economic and Fiscal Impacts to New Jersey from
Construction of New Meadowlands Stadium and Training Complex $ Millions
Giants Jets Training Training Stadium Complex Complex Total Economic Impacts - 2010 Dollars Direct Spending $550.0 $35.0 $25.0 $610.0 Total Output (1) $1,116.7 $71.1 $50.8 $1,238.6 Personal Earnings $526.4 $33.5 $23.9 $583.8 Jobs - (FT & PT) 11,000 700 500 12,200 Fiscal Impacts - 2010 Dollars Sales Tax $26.6 $1.7 $1.2 $29.5 Personal Income Tax $31.7 $2.0 $1.4 $35.1 Total Tax Revenues $58.3 $3.7 $2.7 $64.7
(1) Please refer to Appendix I, pages 19 and 20, for definitions on total output and other economic impacts.
4.14.2.4 Operational Economic and Fiscal Impacts
The ongoing operations of the Stadium Project represent a source of recurring beneficial
impacts to the State.4 The ongoing economic impacts of the Stadium Project were
estimated based on information provided by the New York Giants and New York Jets
regarding their projected operations in a new Stadium, the NJSEA, industry trends and
averages, and CSL’s knowledge of the sports, entertainment and leisure industries.
Table 4-32 summarizes the estimated annual operating impacts associated with the
Stadium Project, including a comparison of these impacts to the impacts that are
estimated to be generated by the current Giants Stadium and current Giants training
facilities in 2010 dollars.
4 In the interests of presenting a conservative analysis, potential revenue associated with Super Bowl games has been excluded from the analysis.
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Table 4-32
Summary of Annual Economic Impacts to New Jersey
From Operations of New Meadowlands Stadium and Training Complex $ Millions (2010 Dollars)
Annual Impacts ($ Millions) Giants Jets Training Training Stadium Complex (1) Complex Total Total Stadium Project Impacts: Direct Spending $363.7 $63.5 $63.5 $490.7 Total Output (2) $692.8 $122.8 $122.8 $938.3 Personal Earnings $391.0 $74.6 $74.6 $540.2 Jobs - (FT & PT) 9,050 1,700 1,700 12,450 Less Existing Impacts from Current Operations: Direct Spending $204.8 $59.6 $12.0 $276.3 Total Output (2) $388.4 $115.2 $23.2 $526.7 Personal Earnings $207.7 $70.0 $14.1 $291.8 Jobs - (FT & PT) 5,000 1,590 320 6,910 Incremental Impacts of Stadium Project: Direct Spending $158.9 $3.9 $51.5 $214.3 Total Output (2) $304.4 $7.6 $99.6 $411.5 Personal Earnings $183.2 $4.6 $60.5 $248.3 Jobs - (FT & PT) 4,050 110 1,380 5,540 (1) Giants existing training facility is part of Giants Stadium.
(2) Please refer to Appendix I, pages 19 and 20, for definitions on total output and other economic impacts.
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Total gross annual direct spending associated with the Stadium Project is estimated to
be approximately $1 billion annually in 2010 dollars. Of this amount, $490.7 million, or
about 50 percent, of gross annual direct spending is estimated to be net new spending
occurring within the State. The remaining spending is anticipated to either occur
outside the state (NFL league assessment, NFL revenue sharing, etc.).
While the Stadium Project is anticipated to generate $490.7 million in net new annual
direct spending, the existing Giants Stadium and training facilities are estimated to
generate $276.3 million in direct spending based on historical operations, projected in
2010 dollars. As a result, the incremental direct spending associated with the Stadium
Project is estimated to be $214.3 million, representing a 78 percent increase in
spending impacts over current impacts (in 2010 dollars). At this level, the incremental
spending impacts associated with the Stadium Project generate $411.5 million in total
output (total of direct, indirect and induced spending effects), $248.3 million in personal
earnings and 5,540 full and part-time jobs associated with the operation of the facility
and its economic impacts.
Table 4-33 summarizes the estimated net new annual fiscal impacts associated with the
Stadium Project operations, including a comparison of these tax impacts to the tax
impacts that are estimated to be generated by the current Giants Stadium and current
Giants training facilities in 2010 dollars.
As depicted in Table 4-33, the Stadium Project and associated direct, indirect and
induced economic impacts are estimated to generate approximately $66.5 million in tax
revenues annually with the majority of these impacts derived from sales, personal
income and ticket taxes. Existing tax revenues generated by Giants Stadium, the Giants
Training Facility and associated economic impacts is estimated at approximately $34.2
million. As a result, the incremental tax revenue associated with the Stadium Project is
estimated to be $32.3 million, representing an estimated 94 percent increase in tax
revenues generated to the State.
Appendix I presents an analysis of 30-year cumulative economic and fiscal impacts of
the Stadium Project, training facilities and associated economic impacts.
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Table 4-33
Summary of Annual Fiscal and Other Revenue Impacts to New Jersey From Operations of New Meadowlands Stadium and Training Complex
$ Millions
Annual Impacts ($ Millions) Giants Jets Training Training Stadium Complex (1) Complex Total Total Stadium Project Impacts:(2) Sales Tax $14.9 $1.1 $1.1 $17.0 Personal Income Tax 6.0 9.5 9.5 $24.9 Corporate Income Tax 3.7 0.0 0.0 $3.7 Ticket Tax 14.4 0.0 0.0 $14.4 Lease Payment 5.0 0.0 0.0 $5.0 Special Fee 1.0 0.0 0.0 $1.0 Hotel Tax 0.4 0.0 0.0 $0.4 Total Revenues $45.5 $10.5 $10.5 $66.5 Less Existing Impacts from Current Operations: (2) Sales Tax $9.8 $1.0 $0.2 $11.0 Personal Income Tax 4.3 4.8 0.0 $9.2 Corporate Income Tax 5.3 0.0 0.0 $5.3 Ticket Tax 7.5 0.0 0.0 $7.5 Lease Payment 0.0 0.0 0.0 $0.0 Special Fee 0.9 0.0 0.0 $0.9 Hotel Tax 0.3 0.0 0.0 $0.3 Total Revenues $28.3 $5.8 $0.2 $34.2 Incremental Impacts of Stadium Project: (2) Sales Tax $5.1 $0.1 $0.9 $6.1 Personal Income Tax $1.7 $4.6 $9.5 $15.7 Corporate Income Tax -$1.6 $0.0 $0.0 -$1.6 Ticket Tax $6.9 $0.0 $0.0 $6.9 Lease Payment $5.0 $0.0 $0.0 $5.0 Special Fee $0.1 $0.0 $0.0 $0.1 Hotel Tax $0.1 $0.0 $0.0 $0.1 Total Revenues $17.2 $4.7 $10.3 $32.3 (1) Giants existing training facility is part of Giants Stadium.
(2) Figures reflect taxes generated through operations, direct, indirect and induced spending. Please refer to Appendix I, for an explanation of how direct, indirect and induced economic impacts are calculated.
It is important to note that the impacts presented in this report do not specifically
account for any potential displacement. With the operations of any public assembly
facility, the phenomena of “displacement” will take place to some extent. Specifically,
this refers to the fact that some portion of the spending generated by the facilities or
tenants may have otherwise taken place on some other entertainment activity in the
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State of New Jersey if the Stadium and training facilities were not built or the Jets and
Giants were to relocate to another market. While this displacement of spending may
take place to some extent, it is important to note that:
Entertainment spending that may take place without the existence of the
facilities or tenants may occur outside the State of New Jersey such as at
facilities in New York or Pennsylvania.
Spending taking place on other items, instead of facility- or tenant-related
spending may be on goods and services taxed at a lower rate.
A significant portion of professional major event and sports franchise revenues
are generated from national sources, such as television broadcast rights, visiting
team ticket revenue, league merchandise agreements, league sponsorships and
other league revenues, all of which are directly related to the presence of the
teams and would not occur without their presence.
4.14.3 Incremental Construction and Operations Impacts: Ancillary Development
The future Ancillary Development component of the Stadium Project was studied
separately by CSL (see Appendix I). The ground lease and related Project documents
will set forth the terms for construction and operation of the Stadium Project, including
that the Meadowlands Xanadu Developer's occurrence shall be a condition to the
proposed Ancillary Development described above in Section 2.2 (including, without
limitation, retail stores and restaurants), to the extent such concurrence is required by
the terms of existing agreements between the NJSEA and the Meadowlands Xanadu
Developer.
At full build-out, comprising 520,000 square feet of retail, dining and entertainment
establishments, the Ancillary Development is estimated to have the following
incremental benefits to New Jersey, in 2010 dollars:
During construction, the Ancillary Development (at full-build out) will generate
$507.6 million in direct, indirect and induced spending in New Jersey.
Construction expenditure and associated economic impacts are estimated to
support 5,000 full and part-time jobs during the construction period and generate
$26.5 million in tax revenues to the State.5
5 In estimating construction impacts, it was assumed that materials will comprise 55 percent of project costs and labor will comprise 45 percent of project costs. Further, it was estimated that 50 percent of materials and labor would be spent in New Jersey.
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During annual operations, the Ancillary Development will generate $372.9 million
annually in incremental direct, indirect and induced spending in the State.
Facility operations and associated economic impacts are estimated to support
4,840 new full and part-time jobs and generate $28.9 million in tax revenues to
the State each year.
Over 30 years, the operation of the Ancillary Development is estimated to
generate $17.7 billion in cumulative direct, indirect and induced spending in the
State. Facility operations and associated economic impacts are estimated to
support 4,840 full and part-time jobs and create $1.4 billion in tax revenues.
Again, the impacts presented in this section do not specifically account for any potential
displacement of spending that may have otherwise taken place on some other
entertainment activity in the State of New Jersey if the Ancillary Development was not
built.
Please refer to Appendix I for a detailed analysis of the economic and fiscal impacts
associated with the construction and operations of the Ancillary Development.
4.14.4 Impacts on Community Facilities
4.14.4.1 Public Services
A Public Safety Standard Operations Plan has been developed for the New
Meadowlands Stadium and the Ancillary Development (NM Stadco, 2006). This plan
was completed by a committee of representatives from local stakeholders including
representatives of NM Stadco, the NJSEA, the NFL, the Meadowlands Xanadu project,
the NJSP, New Jersey Office of Counter Terrorism, the New Jersey State Turnpike
Authority, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Department of Homeland Security,
the United States Secret Service, and various county and municipal representatives.
The Public Safety Standard Operations Plan outlines the agreement reached for public
services that would be provided for the Project Area. Detailed below are the various
terms for police, fire, and emergency medical services that have been agreed upon to
service the needs of the Project Area (NM Stadco, 2006).
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4.14.4.1.1 Police
The New Jersey State Police main office at the Meadowlands Sports Complex during
non-event days is located within the Meadowlands Racetrack. They will also establish
and maintain an office within the New Meadowlands Stadium for game day event
support. They will deploy a sufficient amount of troopers and supervisors to the Project
Area during event and non-event days to maintain security.
The ERPD is headquartered in East Rutherford and will be establishing a substation at
the Meadowlands Xanadu site. The ERPD will provide officers to the Project Area as
requested by the NJSP.
The Bergen County Police Department will coordinate all requests for assistance from
the NJSP by activating the county-wide Rapid Deployment Force, which can supply up
to 150 additional officers, as well as a response by HazMat Teams, Bomb Squads,
canine units, SWAT Teams, and mounted units.
NM Stadco will also deploy an adequate number of security personnel to patrol the
Project Area on a daily basis throughout the entire year.
4.14.4.1.2 Fire Protection
The NJSEA Fire Department will continue to service the entire Project Area from its
current fire station location on the Meadowlands Sports Complex. The East Rutherford
Volunteer Fire Department (ERVFD) will continue to provide support services to the
Project Area, as needed from its three fire stations.
4.14.4.1.3 Emergency Medical Services
Emergency Medical Services for the Project Area will continue to be provided by the
NJSEA Medical Department and EMS personnel for day-to-day operations and events.
An NM Stadco Security Group will be responsible for the day-to-day patrolling of the
lease areas within the Project Area. Basic first-aid kits and automated external
defibrillator (AED) units will be located in all security vehicles and security stations.
The Security Group will be immediately dispatched to any reported sick or injured
person within the lease area. After assessing the scene according to all applicable
safety and security policies and procedures, the Security Group personnel shall notify
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the NJSEA Medical Department, NJSEA EMS, the East Rutherford EMS, and additional
mutual aid EMS units, as necessary. The NJSP will also be dispatched to calls for EMS
within the Project Area meeting specific requirements outlined within the Public Safety
Standard Operations Plan.
4.14.4.1.4 Impacts
Given that the Stadium Project is a replacement project, impacts to local, county and
state police, fire, and emergency services are expected to be minimal. The Stadium
Project is not expected to generate significant new demands on these facilities that
currently serve the HMD and Meadowlands Sports Complex. East Rutherford will
continue to receive statutory authorized Payments In Lieu Of Taxes (PILOT) on land and
improvements. The PILOT payments are shared among the municipalities in the HMD
in accordance with a formula administered by the NJMC. Given this statutory
mechanism to provide a source of municipal revenues on property that is otherwise tax
exempt, no mitigation is proposed or required.
4.14.4.2 Schools
The Stadium Project is not proposing to directly introduce a residential population into
the Project Area or surrounding region. As a result, the Project will not result in
significant increased school enrollment or the need for additional bus service. There
may be some modest additional population increases in the surrounding residential
areas due to the projected increase of 5,540 full- and part-time jobs, some fraction of
which may be held by new residents of the surrounding communities.
4.14.4.3 Environmental Justice
Executive Order No. 96, signed on 18 February 2004, addresses environmental justice
and directs state agencies to consider the health and environmental impacts of their
decision-making on low income and minority communities. As documented in previous
studies completed by the NJSEA, there are no low-income or minority populations
located in close proximity to the Project Area (NJSEA, 2004; NJSEA, 2005). Therefore,
there will be no impacts to such populations as a result of construction or operation of
the Project.