Traffic Impact Study Guidelines

description

Managing TransporTaTion and infrasTrucTure

Traffic impacts (and how to mitigate them) are an important consideration for any community when a significant development is proposed. Public policy makers, citizens and developers all have a stake in understanding and responding to additional demands on the transportation system. All share the common interest of a well functioning network. A properly developed traffic impact study can provide the factual basis for good decision making and facilitate the timely implementation of necessary improvements. A traffic impact study should answer the following fundamental questions: What are the existing traffic conditions, future conditions without the development, and future conditions with the development in place? Can the existing and planned transportation system accommodate the additional traffic generated by the planned development? Are roadway system improvements needed beyond those already programmed or included in the local transportation plan? What needs to be done in the immediate vicinity of the site to meet the access needs of the development?

A committee of the Institute of Transportation Engineers (ITE) completed a Recommended Practice for Traffic Access/ Impact Studies in 1991. This recommended practice continues to be the standard for most studies of this type. It is intended to provide guidance and encourage consistency in planning site access, on-site circulation and parking layouts, and off-site improvements for proposed developments. In accordance with ITE guidelines, a typical traffic impact study report would include the elements shown in the following outline: Introduction Base Traffic Condition Site Traffic Generation Site Traffic Distribution Non-Site Traffic Projections Traffic Assignments Review of Site Plan Discussion of Future Traffic Conditions Summary of Findings and Recommendations

Traffic impact studies are sometimes conducted by or for public agencies to address the impact of major community facilities. The more typical role of local government, however, is to establish guidelines and follow through with reviews of studies for proposed private developments. In many communities, traffic impact studies are a standard part of the development review process. The requirements for traffic impact studies are established by ordinance, typically within the section of the zoning ordinance that identifies administrative procedures and requirements. ITE recommends traffic impact studies for any development generating more than 100 new daily trips (roughly 160 homes or 10,000 square feet of retail space), or for developments that are located in sensitive areas with respect to transportation system operations or safety. Smaller developments are often required to perform a more limited review, sometimes called a traffic operations analysis.

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Managing TransporTaTion and infrasTrucTure

The technical procedures to be followed in conducting the traffic impact study can be established by the local community in the form of an applicants guide (sometimes adopted by the plan commission as part of its rules and procedures) or reference can be made directly to the current version of the ITE Recommended Practice. A meeting with community planning staff should be held at the outset of the study to agree on coverage area, assumed background conditions, time frame and other issues related to the study. Due to the need for specialized tools and techniques for trip generation and assignment, and because of the need to conduct capacity analyses and other technical studies, traffic impact studies should be prepared by professional traffic engineers with registration in the State of Indiana. It would be preferable (but not mandatory) for reviewers to have the same professional credentials.

relevant statutes
IC-36-7-4: Local Planning and Zoning

capacity recommendations
Traffic impact study requirements can be established by any community by adopting the Recommended Practice of the Institute of Transportation Engineers by reference. The traffic impact studies themselves should be prepared by qualified registered professional engineers.

guidelines / considerations for implementation

Traffic impact study requirements provide the opportunity for the plan commission and other local decision makers to become informed regarding anticipated future conditions and potential correction of deficiencies. They do not establish specific network improvements to be provided or define responsibilities for implementation (public or private).

example ordinances
No example ordinances are available for this tool.

example studies
No example studies are available for this tool.

Helpful references and Links

Applicants Guide to Traffic Impact Studies, INDOT: This document provides guidelines for traffic impact studies on INDOT facilities. It also contains useful information for local use. Created in 1993, its purpose was to establish a standard way to approach and carry through traffic impact studies. It contains a large amount of information on the subject, including qualifications, procedures, meetings, warrants, trip distribution and analysis, and more. It also has a very detailed bibliography and a sample report outline. [http://www.in.gov/indot/files/tia_app.pdf] Best Practices for Traffic Impact Studies, Oregon Department of Transportation: This document contains detailed analysis information about the processes involved in a traffic impact study. It also has relevant information about rationale and processes, as well as case studies, guidance letters and other pertinent information in the appendices. [http://www.oregon.gov/ODOT/TD/TP_RES/docs/Reports/BestPracticesforTraffic.pdf]

Traffic Impact Study Guidelines

Managing TransporTaTion and infrasTrucTure

Transportation Impact Analyses for Site Development: An ITE Proposed Recommended Practice: Published in 2006 by the Institute of Transportation Engineers (ITE), it provides guidance for preparing and reviewing traffic impact studies. It covers a breadth of information regarding traffic impact studies and distills complex subjects into important concerns. [http://www.ite.org/emodules/scriptcontent/Orders/ProductDetail.cfm?pc=RP020C]

Helpful contacts
INDOT Steve Smith ssmith@indot.in.gov or Daniel Buck dbuck@indot.in.gov 100 N. Senate Ave. Room IGCN 755 Indianapolis, IN 46204 Phone: (317) 232-5533 ITE List of Consultants List of transportation consultants, searches can be performed by name, location and/or specialty area. Institute of Transportation Engineers 1099 14th Street, NW, Suite 300 West Washington, DC 20005-3438 (202) 289-0222 http://www.ite.org/directories/consultants.asp Indiana Planning Association List of Consultants This resource lists numerous private consulting firms that offer planning services. Some of the most common tasks performed by consultants are the formation of comprehensive plans, corridor studies, zoning ordinances, and other development plans and regulations. The resource is only available to Indiana Planning Association members. Indiana Planning Association PO Box 44804 Indianapolis, IN 46244 (317) 767-7780 http://www.indianaplanning.org

other possible funding sources

No other funding sources have been identified for this tool.

program objectives and issues addressed

Traffic Impact Study Guidelines

Growth management Transportation/ Infrastructure planning Transportation circulation Corridor planning Sprawl Public safety

Managing TransporTaTion and infrasTrucTure

see also
Areawide Thoroughfare Plan Comprehensive Corridor Plan Design & Construction Standards for Infrastructure Traffic Calming Plan & Policies