Roads authorities (VicRoads or Local Councils) will request you to submit a Traffic Impact Assessment (TIA) for most Planning Permit applications where the development is expected to generate traffic volumes that are expected to alter the existing operations of the surrounding network. If you are handling your Planning Permit application through an Architect or a Builder Designer, they may also receive a document called Request For Information (RFI) once your Planning Permit application is lodged, which will request a Traffic Impact Assessment or a Car Parking Demand Assessments (for minor developments) to be submitted. Traffic Impact Assessments also known as Traffic Reports are often requested for developments starting from as little as 3 or more townhouses/units to larger developments such as multi-unit residential developments, commercial, retail or even industrial developments. As a rule of thumb, larger the development, higher the chance of your council requesting a Traffic Impact Assessment. 

While the general idea is to capture direct transport engineering impacts resulting from developments such as increased congestion or road safety risks, there are a significant number of assessments a traffic engineer undertakes when preparing a Traffic Impact Assessment. A RedSquare traffic engineer preparing a TIA looks at various factors including;
  • Potential adverse impacts on local community and amenities;
  • Network wide operational impacts especially at nearby key intersections;
  • Road safety issues resulting from your development;
  • Alignment of your development with current and future government strategies and objectives;
  • Impacts on various modes of transport such as cyclists, pedestrians and public transport;
  • Compliance of your development with local planning schemes; and
  • Future proofing for upcoming changes in the road network. 
By covering the above topics and several other topics, a traffic engineer develops a Traffic Impact Assessment including the following components;
  • Description of existing conditions of the surrounding road network;
  • Description of the proposed development and its relevance on the transport network;
  • Identification of key stakeholders;
  • Review of applicable Planning Scheme clauses and Australian Standards;
  • Car parking assessment against Planning Scheme clauses and Australian Standards;
  • Traffic generation;
  • Traffic distribution;
  • Traffic assessment;
  • Review of internal road layout - applicable for larger residential developments and retail developments;
  • List of impact mitigation measures where required; and
  • Integrated transport review.
When a comprehensive Traffic Impact Assessment is accompanied with a Planning Permit application, there is an increased probability of your Planning Permit application getting approved without much hassle. RedSquare Traffic's experienced traffic engineers are able to assist you throughout this process from start to finish. Give us a call today to find out how to get one arranged. 

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Key Output(s): Traffic Impact Assessment (TIA) Reports, Access Designs, Car Parking Layout Designs