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Within the study area, US Route 30 is a three-lane highway with five signalized intersections. To the west, US Route 30 has been improved to a five-lane section. To the east, US Route 30 is a three-lane roadway. Within the study area, US Route 30 carries 21,800 to 26,200 vehicles per day. To the west, the five-lane section carries similar high volumes while to the east, US Route 30 carries considerably lesser volumes of traffic. Traffic increases during peak seasons and on weekends to nearly 32,000 vehicles per day at the western end of the study area, with even greater volumes on the five-lane section.
Detailed level of service (LOS) analyses were performed to evaluate traffic operations at four signalized intersections and two representative roadway segments between the signalized intersections. (Note: there is no data on the fifth signalized intersection within the study area, the intersection of US Route 30 and PA Route 772, since the signal was installed in February 2002). For more information on LOS analyses, click here.
Two of the four signalized intersections currently operate at LOS B or C. The intersection of US Route 30 and PA Route 896, and the intersection of US Route 30 and PA Route 41 both operate at LOS D. The highway segments operate at LOS D or E. Moreover, during the weekend peak period conditions deteriorate dramatically, as revealed in travel time studies.
This analysis is based on Average Annual Daily Traffic (AADT) volumes. During peak tourist seasons, volumes increase substantially and, therefore, levels of service decline accordingly.
Origin and Destination Surveys
During past summers, project staff were along local roadways conducting Origin and Destination surveys. As the name suggests, this traffic survey asks drivers who are in the project study area where their trip began and where it will end. It also gathers other detailed information (e.g., trip purpose and frequency, type of vehicle). click here for more.
Non-Motorized Vehicles
Lancaster County’s transportation system is unique in that it includes a significant number of bicycles and horse-drawn vehicles used for transportation purposes. Many of these users are members of Old Order Mennonite and Amish societies who do not believe in owning and operating automobiles.
According to the Lancaster County Planning Commission, in a recent four-year period there were seven crashes between motor vehicles and carriages on US 30. This, despite the fact that US 30 is not a principal route for non-motorized vehicle travel. Only four roads in eastern Lancaster County experienced a higher number of crashes, and all (PA 340, PA 741, PA 772, and PA 896) are more heavily traveled by the Plain Sect. Congestion on US 30 is causing more motorists to divert to PA 340 and PA 741, which are the major east-west routes for horse-and-buggy travel in the area, raising concerns for the safety of these travelers.