AstraZeneca Corporate Headquarters
Traffic Study

Wilmington, New Castle County, DE

Traffic Planning & Design, Inc. (TPD) was selected by newly formed AstraZeneca to perform the Traffic Impact Study for the proposed expansion of their existing Corporate Headquarters and Research & Development Facilities in New Castle County, Delaware. The proposed AstraZeneca expansion is 2,000,000 square feet and will employ over 4,800 additional employees. The site will be located on the southwest corner of the Concord Pike (Route 202) and Powder Mill Road (Route 141) intersection. The traffic study included a comprehensive analysis of the U.S. Route 202 and Route 141 corridors and incorporated current and projected highway improvement plans by DelDOT.

The study area for the project exceeded forty intersections throughout the region and included the Interstate 95 ramps. TPD conducted an enormous data collection effort of over twenty-five intersections in less than two weeks. TPD also worked closely with DelDOT personnel on their network traffic model, which projected (turning movement) volumes throughout the study area. Several traffic redistributions were done in response to proposed alternatives for the Alternate Route 141 with an interchange at U.S. Route 202.

TPD analyzed level of service and signal coordination for study area intersections using HCS 3.1c for opening year and for five year and ten year projections. Access to both the existing and future sites was analyzed and recommendations concerning the flow of internal circulation were made. A bridge across Route 141 between the sites as well as temporary and permanent signalization were deemed necessary at identified access points. TPD also contributed to the completion of the level of service waiver application and mitigation agreement with New Castle County and testified at public hearings.

Upon completion of the traffic impact study, TPD was hired to conduct a parking study, design signal permit plans, and pending authorization to design the bridge across Route 141 connecting the two AstraZeneca sites. For the parking study, TPD compiled and utilized data supplied by AstraZeneca, and coordinated with the site engineer for accurate measurements and sizes of existing and proposed parking garages. TPD also suggested and identified transportation strategies including a employee shuttle for more convenient and efficient mobilization to and from the parking facilities and onsite buildings.

Close coordination and communication with DelDOT continued with the design and approval of two temporary signal permit plans to be utilized during the construction phases of the expansion of AstraZeneca. Furthermore, completion of the plans designed by TPD contributed to the cost estimates calculated in accordance with future county budget projections. Future permanent signal permit plan designs for intersections on Route 141 as well as necessary bridge work are pending.

The multi-project responsibilities included the preparation of the following:
· Extensive Data Collection and Organization
· Preliminary Traffic Impact Study
· Coordination with DelDOT and New Castle County
· Input to DelDOT regarding data for network traffic model
· Recommendations regarding site access
· Input regarding various scenarios for the Alternate Route 141
· Extensive analyses and calculations of levels of service for study area intersections
· Final Traffic Impact Study
· Testifying at public hearings
· On-site parking study
· Suggestions and strategies for internal circulation and employee mobilization
· Design of two temporary signal permit plans