traffic impact assessment - oberon council · 2016. 11. 1. · traffic impact assessment pine hill...

ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT PINE HILL UNIT TRUST

Appendix 10 Pine Hill Quarry

Report No. 941/01

A10-1

Appendix 10

Traffic Impact

Assessment

(Total No. of pages including blank pages = 46)

* A colour version of this Appendix is available on the digital version of this document

PINE HILL UNIT TRUST ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT

Pine Hill Quarry Appendix 10

Report No. 941/01

A10-2

This page has intentionally been left blank

Pine Hill Unit Trust ABN: 539 499 667 62

Pine Hill Quarry

Traffic Impact Assessment

Prepared by

Constructive Solutions Pty Ltd

September 2016


Traffic Impact Assessment Pine Hill Quarry

Report No. 941/01

Traffic Impact

Assessment

Prepared for: R.W. Corkery & Co. Pty Limited 62 Hill Street ORANGE NSW 2800

Tel: (02) 6362 5411 Fax: (02) 6361 3622 Email: [email protected]

On behalf of: Pine Hill Unit Trust ABN: 53 949 966 762 48-54 Gilholmes Rd OBERON NSW 2787


Prepared by: Constructive Solutions Pty Ltd PO Box 1498

TAMWORTH NSW 2340


September 2016


Pine Hill Quarry Traffic Impact Assessment

Report No. 941/01

2

This Copyright is included for the protection of this document

COPYRIGHT

© Constructive Solutions Pty Ltd, 2016 and

© Pine Hill Unit Trust, 2016

All intellectual property and copyright reserved.

Apart from any fair dealing for the purpose of private study, research, criticism or review, as permitted under the Copyright Act, 1968, no part of this report may be reproduced, transmitted, stored in a retrieval system or adapted in any form or by any means (electronic, mechanical, plate copying, recording or otherwise) without written permission. Enquiries should be addressed to Constructive Solutions Pty Ltd.



Report No. 941/01

CONTENTS Page

3

COMMONLY USED ACRONYMS ............................................................................................................. 5

1. INTRODUCTION .............................................................................................................................. 9

1.1 BACKGROUND ..................................................................................................................... 9

1.2 SCOPE OF REPORT .......................................................................................................... 12

1.3 CONSULTATION ................................................................................................................. 12

2. THE SURROUNDING ROAD NETWORK .................................................................................... 13

2.1 INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................................. 13

2.2 ROADS ................................................................................................................................ 13

2.2.1 Blenheim State Forest Roads ................................................................................. 13

2.2.2 Lowes Mount Road ................................................................................................. 15

2.3 INTERSECTIONS ................................................................................................................ 16

2.3.1 Project Site / Quarry Access Road ......................................................................... 16

2.3.2 Black Bullock Track / Lowes Mount Road Intersection ........................................... 17

2.4 TRAFFIC VOLUMES ........................................................................................................... 20

2.4.1 Current and Forecast Traffic Volumes .................................................................... 21

2.4.2 Quarry Operational Traffic....................................................................................... 21

2.5 ACCIDENT (CRASH) DATA & QUARRY INCIDENT RECORDS ....................................... 22

2.6 SIDRA INTERSECTION ANALYSIS ................................................................................... 22

3. ASSESSMENT AND RECOMMENDATIONS ............................................................................... 24

3.1 ROADS ................................................................................................................................ 24

3.1.1 Blenheim State Forest Roads ................................................................................. 24

3.1.2 Lowes Mount Road ................................................................................................. 26

3.2 INTERSECTIONS ................................................................................................................ 27

3.2.1 Project Site / Quarry Access Road ......................................................................... 27

3.2.2 Black Bullock Track / Lowes Mount Road Intersection ........................................... 27

3.3 DRIVERS AND HEAVY VEHICLES .................................................................................... 28

3.4 SCHOOL BUS SERVICES .................................................................................................. 28

3.5 PEDESTRIAN AND CYCLIST ACTIVITY ............................................................................ 28

3.6 CUMULATIVE TRAFFIC IMPACTS..................................................................................... 28

3.7 MITIGATION SUMMARY ..................................................................................................... 29

4. REFERENCES ............................................................................................................................... 30

............................................................................................................................................ 31

ANNEXURE A LOWES MOUNT ROAD – TRAFFIC COUNTS .................................................... 33

ANNEXURE B EXTRACT FROM THE QUEENSLAND FORESTRY ROADING MANUAL (2014) ................................................................................................................................ 37



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TABLES

Table 1 Turn Treatment Lengths .............................................................................................................. 18

Table 2 Estimated Sight Distances for Turn Manoeuvres ........................................................................ 20

Table 3 Existing and Forecast (Year 10) Traffic Volumes ........................................................................ 21

Table 4 Forecast Maximum Quarry-Related Daily Traffic Movements .................................................... 22

Table 5 Quarry Operation (Maximum), Current Traffic and Combined Traffic Volumes .......................... 22

Table 6 Quarry Operation(maximum), Forecast Traffic (Year 2026) and Combined Traffic Volumes ............................................................................................................................. 22

Table 7 Summary of Mitigation Measures ................................................................................................ 29 FIGURES

Figure 1 - Locality Plan ............................................................................................................................. 10

Figure 2 – Proposed Layout and Access ................................................................................................. 11

Figure 3 – BAL Intersection Treatment .................................................................................................... 19

Figure 4 – Crash Data .............................................................................................................................. 23

Figure 5 – Proposed Quarry Access Road Formation ............................................................................. 25

Figure 6 - Truck Warning Sign ................................................................................................................. 26

Figure 7 – T Intersection Warning Sign .................................................................................................... 26 PLATES

Plate 1 – Black Bullock Track ................................................................................................................... 13

Plate 2 - Glenmore Road .......................................................................................................................... 14

Plate 3 – Former Fire Trail ....................................................................................................................... 15

Plate 4 – Lowes Mount Road ................................................................................................................... 16

Plate 5 – Proposed Quarry Access to the Quarry Access Road .............................................................. 17

Plate 6 – Lowes Mount Road/Black Bullock Track Intersection ............................................................... 18

Plate 7 - Property Access on Lowes Mount Road south of the Intersection ............................................ 18

Plate 8 - Sight distance to the north along Lowes Mount Road ............................................................... 20



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COMMONLY USED ACRONYMS

AADT Average Annual Daily Traffic

AUL

BAL

BAR

BB

CHL

Auxiliary left turn lane

Basic left turn lane

Basic right turn lane

Double unbroken lines

Channelised left turn lane

CHR Channelised right turn lane

DoS

LoS

MR

RMS

SIDRA

TMP

Degree of Saturation

Level of Service

Main Road

Roads and Maritime Services

Signalised and un-signalised Intersection Design and Research Aid

Traffic Management Plan



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Executive Summary This Traffic Impact Assessment (TIA) has been prepared for R.W. Corkery & Co. Pty Limited

on behalf of The Pine Hill Unit Trust to assess traffic-related impacts of the proposed Pine Hill

Quarry (the Proposal). The report has been prepared to support an Environmental Impact

Statement (EIS) for the Proposal.

The Pine Hill Unit Trust (the Applicant) propose to develop a quarry on Lot 267 DP 757068 of

the “Pine Hill” property (“the property”) to supply gravel materials for road sheeting, road base

and other construction projects in the local area. The property is located in between two

sections of Blenheim State Forest (SF), approximately 5.5km north of Oberon, via Lowes

Mount Road and Gilholmes Road. The Applicant proposes to haul quarry products between

the Quarry and Lowes Mount Road using roads within the Blenheim SF.

The TIA has been prepared in accordance with the NSW Roads and Traffic Authority’s (RTA)

(2002) Guide to Traffic Generating Developments (now Roads and Maritime Services), the

Austroads Road Design Guide, and addresses relevant matters raised by the RMS and the

Oberon Council in their contribution to the Secretary’s Environmental Assessment

Requirements (SEARs) for the Proposal.

The scope of the TIA is to address traffic-related impacts on the existing access road within the

Blenheim SF and the intersection with Lowes Mount Road, in accordance with the RTA’s

Guide to Traffic Generating Developments, and the specific matters nominated by the Oberon

Council.

An appreciation of the existing traffic situation on local roads to be accessed by the proposed

development was gained by examining the existing road network, reviewing recent traffic

volumes on the existing road network and liaising with relevant stakeholders. These aspects

are discussed in this TIA.

A range of mitigation measures have been identified to accommodate the traffic generated by

the Proposal. If the mitigation measures proposed are successfully implemented, it is

anticipated that the impacts to traffic and other road users would be successfully mitigated.



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1. I N T RO D U C TI ON

1.1 BACKGROUND

The Pine Hill Unit Trust (the Applicant) propose to develop a quarry on Lot 267 DP 757068 of the “Pine Hill” property (“the property”) to supply gravel materials for road sheeting, road base and other construction projects in the local area. The property is located in between two sections of Blenheim State Forest (SF), approximately 5.5km north of Oberon, via Lowes Mount Road and Gilholmes Road (refer Figure 1).

The location of the proposed Pine Hill Quarry (“the Quarry”), which would encompass a final area of approximately 4.5ha, occurs at the southern boundary of “Pine Hill” property on Lot 267 DP 757068 with Blenheim SF (referred to as the Project Site, see Figure 2).

The Applicant proposes to haul quarry products between the Project Site and Lowes Mount Road using roads within the Blenheim SF. The alignment of the preferred route of the “Quarry Access Road” through Blenheim SF is identified in Figure 2.

This Traffic Impact Assessment (TIA) has been prepared in accordance with the NSW Roads

and Traffic Authority’s (RTA) (2002) Guide to Traffic Generating Developments (now Roads

and Maritime Services), the Austroads Road Design Guide, and addresses relevant matters

raised by the RMS and the Oberon Council in their contribution to the Secretary’s

Environmental Assessment Requirements (SEARs) for the Proposal.

The scope of the TIA is to address traffic-related impacts on the existing access road in the

Blenheim SF and the intersection with Lowes Mount Road, in accordance with the RTA’s

Guide to Traffic Generating Developments, and the specific matters nominated by the Oberon

Council.

An appreciation of the existing traffic situation around the Project Site was gained by

examining the existing road network, reviewing recent traffic volumes on the existing road

network and liaising with relevant stakeholders. These aspects are discussed in this TIA.

Pine Hill Quarry ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT


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Figure 1 - Locality Plan



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Figure 2 – Proposed Layout and Access



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1.2 SCOPE OF REPORT

This TIA has been prepared to support an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the

Proposal for the Pine Hill Quarry, prepared by R.W. Corkery & Co. Pty Limited, in accordance

with Part 4 of the Environmental Planning & Assessment Act 1979 (EP&A Act). The TIA

assesses the traffic-related impacts of the Proposal on the surrounding road network that

would be affected over the life of the Proposal. This report assesses traffic-related impacts in

accordance with the RTA’s Guide to Traffic Generating Developments, and the specific

matters nominated by the RMS and the Oberon Council.

1.3 CONSULTATION

Consultation with the Oberon Council, has been undertaken and is detailed below.

The Works and Engineering Director, Mr Chris Schumacher, was consulted during a site

meeting at Lowes Mount Road on 26 April 2016, and subsequently in June 2016. A summary

of Council’s concerns that should be addressed in the traffic assessment are provided below.

That the proposed access does not impact on the safety of road users on Lowes

Mount Road, including the school bus.

That there is sufficient sight distance from the proposed access along Lowes

Mount.

The standard of the intersection of the existing access road in the Blenheim SF

and Lowes Mount Road.



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2. T H E S U R RO UN D I NG R O AD N E T W OR K

2.1 INTRODUCTION

The Applicant proposes to haul quarry products between the Project Site and Lowes Mount

Road via a Quarry Access Road which utilises roads within the Blenheim SF. The alignment of

the preferred route through Blenheim SF is identified in Figure 2.

2.2 ROADS

2.2.1 Blenheim State Forest Roads

The roads of Blenheim SF to be incorporated into the Quarry Access Road include Black

Bullock Track, Glenmore Road and a section of former fire trail from Glenmore Road to the

northern boundary of Blenheim SF / Project Site access point (see Figure 2).

Black Bullock Track and Glenmore Road are formed access tracks that are used for forestry

operations including planting, weed spraying and logging, as well as occasional public access

for recreational purposes. These tracks are typically approximately 6.0m wide or greater

between side drains, where they exist (see Plates 1 and 2).

Plate 1 – Black Bullock Track



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Plate 2 - Glenmore Road

The existing forest roads are a low speed environment (60km/h or less).

The final 100m section of the Quarry Access Road, between Glenmore Road and the Project

Site, follows a former fire trail separating plantation pine (west) from a patch of remnant native

forest (east) (see Plate 3). There is currently no road formation with construction required to

allow access between Glenmore Road and the Project Site.

The topography falls to the west, however as the alignment of this section of road occurs along

the top of a natural ridge line, there is only limited natural drainage to the west.



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Plate 3 – Former Fire Trail

2.2.2 Lowes Mount Road

Lowes Mount Road is a local road that provides a north-south road link between Oberon to the

south and Tarana (via Mutton Falls Road) to the north. Lowes Mount Road, adjacent to the

intersection with the Black Bullock Track, consists of a sealed surface that varies from 6.6m

wide to the north of the intersection, to 6.8m wide to the south of the intersection, with no line-

marking and unsealed shoulders each approximately 0.5m wide (see Plate 4). The regulatory

speed limit is 100km/h.

Generally, the pavement is in good condition. No evidence of pavement failure or deterioration

was observed on the road within 200m in each direction of the intersection with the Black

Bullock track. However, there is some evidence on the road surface of potholes that have

previously been repaired. In the vicinity of the Black Bullock Track intersection, delineation on

Lowes Mount Road is provided by guide posts only.

There are two existing property accesses on Lowes Mount Road in the vicinity of the Black

Bullock Track intersection, approximately 23m to the north and south of the intersection.



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Plate 4 – Lowes Mount Road

2.3 INTERSECTIONS

2.3.1 Project Site / Quarry Access Road

The proposed access to the Project Site will form a T intersection with the fire trail section of

the Quarry Access Road (refer Figure 2). This access point (see Plate 5) does not currently

exist and will require design and construction.



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Plate 5 – Proposed Quarry Access to the Quarry Access Road

2.3.2 Black Bullock Track / Lowes Mount Road Intersection

This intersection has a T-intersection configuration, with Lowes Mount Road as the priority

road. There are currently no advanced warning signs for the intersection on Lowes Mount

Road. Two property accesses are located approximately 23 metres north and south of the

intersection on the western side of Lowes Mount Road (refer Plate 6 and Plate 7).

The posted speed limit for Lowes Mount Road is 100km/h. The Black Bullock Track is a low

speed environment forest access road (60km/h or less).

The configuration of the intersection is a simple T intersection with no treatments provided for

left or right turn movements in either direction.

It is arguable whether an intersection treatment is currently warranted as the intersecting road

(Black Bullock Track) may be considered to be equivalent to a property access. However, if

the assumption is made that it is a public road, the required configuration of the intersection for

current traffic volumes is Basic Right Turn Treatment (BAR)/Basic Left Turn Treatment (BAL)1.

The associated lengths of the turn treatments and requirements in accordance with Austroads

(2010)1 are shown in Table 1.

1 Austroads Guide to Road Design Part 4A, Figure 4.9.



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Plate 6 – Lowes Mount Road/Black Bullock Track Intersection

Plate 7 - Property Access on Lowes Mount Road south of the Intersection

Table 1 Turn Treatment Lengths

Turn Treatment Lane Actual Length Required

Basic Left Turn Treatment (BAL) 0m 53.0m

Basic Right Turn Treatment (BAR) 0m 117.5m

The layouts of the required BAL and BAR treatments are illustrated in Error! Reference source not found..



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Figure 3 – BAL Intersection Treatment



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The Safe Intersection Sight Distances (SISD) for the intersection in accordance with Austroads (2010) are shown in Table 2. As the required SISD for the existing intersection is not achieved to the north (see Plate 8), the Extended Design Domain (EDD) SISD2 for the intersection is also considered and provided.

Table 2 Estimated Sight Distances for Turn Manoeuvres

Turn Manoeuvre

Estimated Sight Distance Speed Limit (km/h) SISD

SISD (EDD) North South

Left or Right from Black Bullock Track on to Lowes Mount Road

205m 250m 100 234m 208m

Plate 8 - Sight distance to the north along Lowes Mount Road

The following information is provided for the assessment of the EDD SISD in Table 23.

An Observation Time (OT) of 1.5s is appropriate as Lowes Mount Road carries

less than 1 000 vehicles per day (Table A8, p. 178).

There are two sets of EDD SISD calculations provided, one for ‘norm’ base case

and one set for ‘truck’ base case (see p. 179). The ‘truck’ base case is most

appropriate.

Minimum EDD SISD for 100km/hr speed zone is 219m (Table A12, p. 183).

This reduces to 208m on application of a reduction of 11m based on a 4%

gradient on approach (refer Table 3.3, p.22).

2 Austroads Guide to Road Design Part 4A, Table A9.

3 Referenced Tables and page numbers are for the Austroads Guide to Road Design Part 4A.



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2.4 TRAFFIC VOLUMES

2.4.1 Current and Forecast Traffic Volumes

Traffic volume data for Lowes Mount Road was obtained from counts undertaken by the

Oberon Council. The count was undertaken in August 2016 utilising a tube counter. No traffic

volume data is available for the Black Bullock Track. The count for Lowes Mount Road is

shown in Table 3. The traffic count data is presented in Annexure A.

Table 3

Existing and Forecast (Year 10) Traffic Volumes

Existing Traffic (2015) Forecast Traffic (2026)

Road Site

Light Vehicle

(LV)

Heavy Vehicle

(HV) Total

Light Vehicle

(LV)

Heavy Vehicle

(HV) Total

Lowes Mount Black Bullock Track Intersection

279 49 328 340 60 400

Black Bullock Track Assumed data 10 2 12 12 3 15

Table 3 summarises the current and estimated forecast traffic levels for Lowes Mount Road.

Forecast growth was extrapolated to 2026, in accordance with RMS requirements to provide

10 year traffic growth projections. An average annual growth estimate of 2% per annum has

been assumed.

2.4.2 Quarry Operational Traffic

Forecast traffic volumes have been calculated for Lowes Mount Road and estimated for the

Black Bullock Track (see Table 3). The following information is provided in relation to vehicle

movements associated with operations of the proposed quarry.

Products would be transported from the Quarry by road registered trucks, with the predominant arrangement being 30t Truck and Dog. Smaller capacity rigid trucks would also be used for some haulage.

Hourly, daily and weekly truck movements would vary, however, the following represents the maximum rates.

8 movements (4 truckloads) per hour.

60 movements (30 truckloads) per day.

300 movements (150 truckloads) per week.

Traffic volumes will generally be less than this, with many weeks where there are no truck

movements.

Expected maximum light and heavy vehicle daily traffic volumes are listed in Table 4 based on

the assumptions outlined above. Note that this is a maximum quarry traffic scenario and not

the average expected daily traffic.



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Table 4

Forecast Maximum Quarry-Related Daily Traffic Movements

LV HV Total

Lowes Mount Road and Black Bullock Track 8 60 68

Current and forecast combined traffic volumes are shown in Table 5 and Table 6 respectively.

Table 5

Quarry Operation (Maximum), Current Traffic and Combined Traffic Volumes

Current Traffic Additional

Quarry Traffic Combined Traffic Combined

Total

Road LV HV LV HV LV HV (LV & HV)

Lowes Mount Road 279 49 8 60 287 109 396

Black Bullock Track 10 2 8 60 18 62 80

Table 6

Quarry Operation(maximum), Forecast Traffic (Year 2026) and Combined Traffic Volumes

Forecast Traffic Additional

Quarry Traffic Combined Traffic Combined

Total

Road LV HV LV HV LV HV (LV & HV)

Lowes Mount Road 340 60 8 60 348 120 468

Black Bullock Track 12 3 8 60 20 63 83

2.5 ACCIDENT (CRASH) DATA & QUARRY INCIDENT RECORDS

Crash data was obtained from the NSW government Centre for Road Safety website. The data

obtained plotted crashes on Lowes Mount Road between 2011 and 2015. The crash data is

provided in Figure 4. The crash data shows that there have been no reported crashes on

Lowes Mount Road, in the vicinity of the proposed access to the quarry at the Black Bullock

Track intersection.

2.6 SIDRA INTERSECTION ANALYSIS

Due to the low existing and forecast traffic volumes on Lowes Mount Road and the Black

Bullock Track, a SIDRA intersection analysis is not required.



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Figure 4 – Crash Data



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3. AS S E S SM E N T AN D R E C OM M E N D AT I O NS

The following subsections review the impacts resulting from the anticipated forecast traffic on

the roads of Blenheim SF and associated intersection with Lowes Mount Road. Discussions

relevant to the recommendations for impact mitigation or other controls are also included,

where appropriate.

3.1 ROADS

3.1.1 Blenheim State Forest Roads

The general alignment of the Black Bullock Track and Glenmore Road is considered suitable

for the additional traffic from the proposed Quarry. However the width and pavement of the

roads should be upgraded for the proposed quarry traffic. Forestry Corporation (NSW) has

advised that published standards for forestry roads are not available, and that standards for

road upgrades are considered on a case by case basis. In lieu of a Forestry Corporation

standard, the Queensland Forestry Roading Manual (2014) has been used to determine an

appropriate road standard. An extract from the manual is provided in Annexure B. It is

recommended that the road through the forest is upgraded and maintained in accordance with

Road Standard B of the Queensland Forestry Roading Manual (2014), i.e. a 5.5m wide gravel

pavement over an extended road formation.

It is understood the Applicant is negotiating a commercial agreement with NSW Forestry

Corporation for the use of Blenheim SF roads. This agreement is to include construction,

upgrades and maintenance of the roads to be incorporated into the Quarry Access Road

based on Road Standard B of the Queensland Forestry Roading Manual (2014). Figure 5

presents the indicative cross-sections for the three sections of road which form part of the

Quarry Access Road, namely:

Section 1: Black Bullock Track.

Section 2: Glenmore Rod.

Section 3: Fire Trail.

Further description of the proposed design and maintenance of these sections of the Quarry

Access Road is provided in the EIS for the Proposal (RWC, 2016).

Maintenance including regular watering and grading would be required during haulage.



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Figure 5 – Proposed Quarry Access Road Formation



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3.1.2 Lowes Mount Road

The general alignment and typical section of Lowes Mount Road are considered suitable for

the additional traffic of the Proposal.

The approaches along Lowes Mount Road from the north and south toward the Black Bullock

Track intersection require additional warning signs to slow approaching traffic. It is

recommended that truck entering signs (refer Figure 6) and T intersection warning signs

(Refer Figure 7) be erected on Lowes Mount Road on both approaches to the Black Bullock

Track intersection.

Figure 6 - Truck Warning Sign

Figure 7 – T Intersection Warning Sign

Guideposts should be maintained as a priority to ensure there is adequate delineation.

Maintenance of vegetation approaching the intersection will be required to ensure adequate

sight distance is maintained.



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3.2 INTERSECTIONS

3.2.1 Project Site / Quarry Access Road

The proposed quarry access will form a T intersection with the constructed section of the

Quarry Access Road (over the former fire trail) (see Figure 2). Access to the Project Site does

not currently exist and requires design and construction. It is understood this will be negotiated

between the Applicant and Forestry Corporation and the proposed design and maintenance of

this section of road is presented in the EIS (RWC, 2016). This includes:

clearance of regrowth pine and other vegetation.

a 6m to 7m formation with 200mm of compacted gravel base.

a 1V:4H fill batter stabilised with grass or equivalent artificial stabilizer.

resheeting and compaction completed of the gravel formation as required (prior

to, during and following each production campaign) (see also Figure 5).

The existing forest road is a low speed environment (60km/h or less). It is recommended that

an unsealed gravel intersection is designed and constructed with geometry suitable for the

turning paths required for the largest heavy vehicle that is expected to access the quarry, and

that safe intersection sight distance of 123m is achieved by clearing of vegetation where

required.

3.2.2 Black Bullock Track / Lowes Mount Road Intersection

The existing intersection is described in section 2.3.2. The required configuration of the

intersection for the estimated future and Quarry traffic volumes is for a BAR/BAL treatment.

(Austroads Guide to Road Design Part 4A, Figure 4.9) The current configuration has no turning

treatments provided and will require upgrading. It is recommended that bitumen sealed

BAR/BAL intersection treatments are designed and constructed to the dimensions provided in

Table 1. It is also recommended that a stop sign be installed on the Black Bullock Track leg of

the intersection.

For the turn manoeuvres utilised by haulage vehicles associated with the proposed Quarry, the

available sight distance of 205m to the north for vehicles turning from the Black Bullock Track

on to Lowes Mount Road is less than the SISD required by Austroads. However, the available

sight distance is within 3 metres of the required SISD when the Austroads provisions for

approach gradient and Extended Design Domain are applied. The sight distance is considered

to be acceptable when considering the following factors.

Intersection and truck turning signs have been recommended on Lowes Mount

Road.

Haulage from the Quarry will be on a campaign basis, meaning that no additional

traffic will be using the road for extended periods of time. Additional temporary

signs, similar to those used during forestry haulage operations, are

recommended for use during haulage.

A driver’s Code of Conduct is recommended that clearly outlines the expectations

of the truck drivers, their responsibility whilst operating the trucks, and the safe

use of the Lowes Mount Road intersection.



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It is also recommended that the location of trees within the road reserve are considered in the

design of the upgraded intersection and any trees that may obstruct sight distance be removed

during construction.

3.3 DRIVERS AND HEAVY VEHICLES

The drivers of heavy vehicles need to be suitably qualified and experienced. Records

pertaining to these requirements need to be kept. In addition, it is recommended that a driver’s

Code of Conduct be developed. The code of conduct will clearly outline the expectations of the

truck drivers, their responsibility whilst operating the trucks and the consequences of not

adhering to a suitable code of conduct.

A suitable system for identifying the weight of loads and the associated Gross Combined Mass

(GCM), Gross Vehicle Mass (GVM) and axle combination limits should also be implemented to

ensure the trucks are not overloaded, which could consequently impact on the associated road

pavements and braking distances. All laden trucks entering or leaving the Quarry need to be

covered to prevent loose materials falling from the truck body.

The above measures should be incorporated into a system of auditable procedures,

inspections and records which can be used to validate compliance with the driver’s Code of

Conduct and inspection regimes.

3.4 SCHOOL BUS SERVICES

There is currently a school bus service along Lowes Mount Road. Currently pick-up and drop-

off occurs at approximately 8:00am and 3:30pm.

It is recommended that liaison with the school bus operator occurs prior to construction and

operations of the proposed Quarry and that any agreed mitigation measures are included in

the driver’s Code of Conduct.

3.5 PEDESTRIAN AND CYCLIST ACTIVITY

There was no pedestrian or cyclist activity witnessed during the site inspection. Given the rural

location and narrow shoulder width the road is generally considered to be unsuitable for

pedestrians and cyclist activity.

If at any time during the life of the Quarry pedestrian and cyclist activity increases,

consideration will need to be given to the available shoulder width, speed limit and potential

other related pedestrian facilities.

3.6 CUMULATIVE TRAFFIC IMPACTS

There are no known cumulative traffic impacts that are likely to affect Lowes Mount Road.

Based on the RMS guidelines, background traffic growth of 2% has been taken into

consideration and Lowes Mount Road is considered to be able to accommodate the estimated

cumulative traffic for the 10 year period considered.



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3.7 MITIGATION SUMMARY

A summary of proposed mitigation measures is provided in Table 7 for the Quarry Access

Road and the Lowes Mount Road intersection.

Table 7 Summary of Mitigation Measures

Location Recommendations Responsibility

General A suitable Code of Conduct should be developed for drivers of heavy vehicles including subcontractors where applicable.

The Applicant

All truck loads should be covered to prevent loose materials falling onto the roadway or the creation of excessive dust.

The Applicant

A system for identifying the weights of loads and the associated GCM, GVM and axle combination limits should be implemented to ensure mass limits are not exceeded

The Applicant

Monitor whether any pedestrian and cyclist activity occurs and ensure the requirements in the Code of Conduct are reinforced.

The Applicant / Oberon Council

Lowes Mount Road

Install truck entering signs on Lowes Mount Road on both approaches to the Black Bullock Track intersection.


Install intersection warning signs on Lowes Mount Road on both approaches to the Black Bullock Track intersection.


Ensure delineation is maintained along Lowes Mount Road in liaison with GTCC.


Quarry Access Road

Upgrade the existing forest access roads in accordance with the standards described in section 3.1.1 of this report.

The Applicant

Regular watering and grading of the road during haulage. The Applicant

Design and construct a suitable access from the proposed quarry to the upgraded forest access road.

The Applicant

Quarry Access Road / Lowes Mount Road Intersection

Upgrade the existing T intersection to provide bitumen sealed BAR/BAL turning treatments in accordance with Austroads 2010


The location of trees within the road reserve are considered in the design of the upgraded intersection and any trees that may obstruct sight distance removed during construction.


Install a stop sign at the Black Bullock Road leg of the upgraded intersection.


Include the requirement for all truck drivers to stop at the stop sign on the Quarry Access Road before entering Lowes Mount Road within the driver’s Code of Conduct and visually monitor driver behaviour and encourage compliance with the intersection controls.

The Applicant

Liaise regularly with the school bus operator to ensure any issues are included and addressed in the driver’s Code of Conduct.

The Applicant



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4. R E F E RE N C ES

Austroads (2010) Guide to Road Design – Part 4A: Un-signalised and Signalised

Intersections.

Roads and Traffic Authority (RTA) (2002). Guide to Traffic Generating Developments.

RW Corkery & Co. Pty Limited (2016). Environmental Impact Statement for the

Proposed Pine Hill Quarry. Prepared on behalf of Pine Hill Unit Trust.



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Annexure A Lowes Mount Road – Traffic Counts

Annexure B Extract from the Queensland Forestry Roading Manual (2014)



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Annexure A

Lowes Mount Road – Traffic Counts



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Annexure B

Extract from the Queensland Forestry

Roading Manual (2014)



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traffic impact assessment - oberon council · 2016. 11. 1. · traffic impact assessment pine hill...

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