Transportation Engineering
Nitsch Engineering recognizes the importance of the traffic and transportation elements of a project. Since all development generates traffic in the form of cars, trucks, pedestrians, and bicycles, knowing how to efficiently and safely process and direct this traffic is critical to the success of the site. Nitsch Engineering engineers initially undertake a site assessment in the form of studies (described below), where underlying issues are identified and preliminary solutions are developed. These issues may be site access, geometric constraints, parking, circulation, roadway or intersection capacity, or intersection operation. Through the course of project development, these preliminary assessments are refined into final strategies to mitigate project impacts.
Traffic Impact Studies
Nitsch Engineering performs traffic studies, which assess and quantify the impacts of a project on the surrounding roadway network and area intersections. An initial baseline investigation starts with understanding existing traffic conditions and identifying safety and capacity deficiencies. These studies are completed according to state or local guidelines and can result in a comprehensive mitigation package that offsets project impacts and improves traffic operations in the surrounding roadway system.
Construction Phasing and Traffic Management
Construction phasing and traffic management are critical components to the success of any type of construction project, whether it be a building project or an intersection, roadway, or bridge redesign. Nitsch Engineering’s transportation engineers have extensive experience in preparing construction phasing documents and traffic management details, including work zones, signage, roadway marking, and modification of traffic controls.
Site Access Feasibility Studies
Nitsch Engineering is experienced in conducting traffic and transportation feasibility studies to assess site access for communities and private entities. Before a site is developed, a feasibility study may be conducted to determine the initial on- and off-site issues, and identify optimum access and egress conditions. Our staff regularly develops recommendations, conceptual designs, and alternatives based on in-depth knowledge of the baseline conditions and permitting constraints.
Parking Studies
To help communities and developers that are looking for ways to optimize on- and off-street parking facilities, Nitsch Engineering's transportation engineers will undertake parking studies in downtown areas, campus settings, and suburban communities. Our staff has helped municipalities and developers create plans that meet both community and business objectives, and can develop the means to make parking facilities more efficient while evaluating the benefits of metered, un-metered, or shared-use spaces.
Traffic Signal and Intersection Design
The safe and efficient passage of vehicles, pedestrians, and bicycles is critical in the development of transportation infrastructure. Nitsch Engineering’s traffic engineers understand that the nodes of the roadway network – intersections – must be designed with all road users in mind. Following an initial assessment, we develop intersection designs that address deficiencies and improve safety for all road users, and determine the best use of signs, pavement markings, and other traffic control devices. Our staff is knowledgeable in signal design, including emergency preemption, video detection, coordinated operation, and other technological advances, including the latest computer modeling technologies. We provide construction observation services for new signal installations, investigate existing signal operations to determine optimal timing and phasing, and review designs for conformity to accepted State and Federal standards.
Roadway and Bicycle Path Design
Nitsch Engineering has worked on numerous roadway and bicycle path projects throughout New England. We have extensive experience with the design approval processes of MassHighway and Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR), and are familiar with both MassHighway and Federal highway design standards and guidelines.
Transportation Funding Programs
Obtaining transportation funding can be a confusing process of documenting project needs, compiling baseline information and filling out paperwork. Nitsch Engineering's transportation staff has experience with the funding programs administered by the Executive Office of Transportation (EOT) and MassHighway. Nitsch Engineering helps our clients navigate this process by identifying all potential sources of design or construction funding for projects, assisting in providing information to the appropriate funding agencies, and acting as an advocate for our client's projects.
Pedestrian Studies
With pedestrian injuries increasing every year, it is critical to identify ways to make roadways and travel paths safe for both vehicles and pedestrians. Nitsch Engineering can perform studies to quantify pedestrian activity, determine desired paths, locate critical crossing paths, and identify conflict points. We will provide advice and suggest infrastructure improvements that are sensitive to the surrounding area. Improvements may include traffic calming measures, audible or count-down pedestrian signals, new or relocated crosswalks, sidewalks, and raised crosswalks.
Traffic Calming
As urban sprawl increases and cut-through or diverted traffic spreads to nearby neighborhoods, traffic calming studies are often conducted as a means to identify solutions for reducing traffic in these sensitive areas. Using professional traffic engineering guidelines, Nitsch Engineering develops mitigative measures that satisfy local, state, and neighborhood criteria.
Master Plans
The transportation elements of a municipal or institutional master plan are critical for future vibrancy, safety, and growth. In the initial planning process, Nitsch Engineering will measure traffic, pedestrian, and bicycle volumes; review circulation, access, signing, and traffic operations; and quantify parking conditions to develop an existing condition base so that deficiencies and safety and capacity issues can be identified. We will project future traffic, parking, and circulation needs, and develop a transportation plan that meet the client's goals and budget.
Municipal Consulting (Peer Reviews) and Technical Assistance
Nitsch Engineering has been retained by many municipal Planning and Zoning Boards to advise them on various development proposals that are before the local boards. These "peer reviews" typically encompass traffic operations and impact, pedestrian safety, on- and off-site circulation, and truck activity, and often result in a better project for the community. Nitsch Engineering also provides technical on-call assistance in a number of areas, including proper use of signing, traffic signals, pavement markings, and traffic control devices.
Expert Witness Services
Nitsch Engineering can provide expert witness services in cases involving transportation and traffic issues. Senior Nitsch Engineering staff assists clients and attorneys in presenting the facts before the appropriate local officials, judges, and regulatory agencies. Our analyses and testimony will be based on municipal, state, or Federal traffic engineering guidelines and applicable standards. Issues covered in our testimony may include accident cases, abutter impacts, geometric design issues, and safety measures.
Contact Fayssal J. Husseini, PE,Transportation Department Manager, at (617) 338-0063, x256 with any questions regarding Nitsch Engineering's traffic and transportation engineering capabilities, experience, or services.
"As the traffic engineer… you showed flexibility and accuracy in adjusting assumptions for the preliminary traffic analysis…. Moreover, you fortified the team with your enthusiasm and conceptual ideas more expansive than those of a typical traffic engineer."
— Principal
Architerra, Inc.