MCU14/0106 Appendix D - Traffic Impact Assessment

                                                                                                 Traffic Impact Assessment
                                                                                                    Noosa Civic Expansion



Table 5-3      Projected Population Growth




The Noosa region has historically been subject to a relatively limited population growth (1.4% - 1.7% per
annum) compared to the rates shown elsewhere in Queensland (2.0% - 2.2% per annum). The projected
population growth rate of the Noosa region is predicted to halve to 0.8% per annum by 2036.
Having considered the above data sources and the interpolated results, in order to provide a robust and
conservative assessment, a linear growth rate of 1.5% per annum has been utilised for background traffic at
all intersections within this assessment. Note that internal intersections and movements within Noosa Civic
are not factored at population growth as these volumes are based on traffic generation forecasts of the
development.

5.4      Committed Development
Relevant committed approved development has been included as background traffic. Of relevance to the
subject site is the proposed Masters Home Improvement (Masters) store development to be located on
Hofmann Drive (MCU12/0051). Traffic generation from that site, as identified in the Traffic Impact
Assessment Report prepared by Cambray Consulting 27 April 2012, has been added to the 2018 and 2028
background traffic volumes. It is noted that the distribution of the Masters development traffic to external
intersections has been extrapolated, as the scope of the Masters report excludes key intersections identified
as part of the assessment in this report.

5.5      Assessment Criteria
The performance of each study intersection was analysed including and excluding project traffic using
SIDRA Intersection 6.0 (SIDRA). SIDRA is an industry recognised analysis tool that estimates the capacity
and performance of intersections based on input parameters, including geometry and traffic volumes, and
provides estimates of an intersection’s Degree of Saturation (DOS), queues and delays. Simplistically, DOS
is a measure of the proportion of traffic entering an intersection relative to the intersection’s capacity. Table
5-4 provides the TMR defined DOS thresholds for intersections.

Table 5-4      TMR Thresholds for Intersection Performance
Level of Service Description                                            Degree of Saturation (DOS) Threshold
Signalised intersections                                                      less than or equal to 0.90
Roundabouts                                                                   less than or equal to 0.85
Priority controlled intersections                                             less than or equal to 0.80
Source: Guidelines for Assessment of Road Impacts of Development, TMR

The guideline notes that a DOS exceeding the values indicated in Table 5-4 indicates that an intersection is
nearing its practical capacity and upgrade works may be required. Above these threshold values, users of
the intersection are likely to experience rapidly increasing delays and queuing.




J13041                                                    Cardno                                           December 2014
Prepared for QIC Noosa Civic Pty Ltd                                                                            Page 20