Traffic Impact Study Guidelines

Definition of a Traffic Impact Study

Traffic impact refers to the effect a certain type or magnitude of development will have on the surrounding transportation system. A Traffic Impact Study (TIS) provides a way of assessing the adequacy of the existing or future transportation system to accommodate additional traffic generated by a proposed development, redevelopment or land rezoning. It will also assist in determining what improvements will be required to the roadway system in order to maintain a satisfactory level of service.

Requirements for a Traffic Impact Study

A traffic impact study will be required to support a development or redevelopment proposal under the following situations:

• When a proposed development is expected to generate 100 or more vehicle trips, in total (inbound and outbound) during the morning or afternoon street peak hour;
• When a specified large amount of land use is being rezoned and expected to have a transportation system or community impact;
• When a proposed development will occur in a sensitive area (environmentally, or in areas where traffic concerns currently exist or are anticipated);
• At the discretion of the City of Brandon Engineer, Engineering Department.

The proponent should contact the Engineering Department early in the planning process to apprise the Department of the proposed plans and obtain a determination on whether a TIS will be required and the specific parameters.

Purpose of a Traffic Impact Study

A Traffic Impact Study will indicate the effects of a proposed development on an existing or future roadway system. It is also the intent of the TIS to recommend necessary geometric or operational improvements to the roadways in order to satisfactorily accommodate additional traffic at a reasonable level of service, consistent with the City’s level of service guidelines.

A traffic impact analysis shall constitute an essential part of the development review process. Specifically, a TIS will address the following:

• Identify the additional traffic contribution of a particular site development to existing roadway system traffic loads;
• Provide a credible basis for estimating roadway improvements attributed to a proposed development to maintain a satisfactory level of service (LOS);
• Ensure that the proposed plan, and the associated traffic, is compatible with the existing and future transportation policy of the City of Brandon.

Contents of a Traffic Impact Study

A Traffic Impact Study shall be prepared under the supervision of a qualified and experienced transportation engineer, licensed in the Province of Manitoba. The exact parameters for a TIS required for a specific proposal will follow the guidelines identified in Appendix D.1 of the Brandon Area Road Network Development Plan, and any additional specific features as set out by the Engineering Department for the City of Brandon.

Proponents Role

It is the responsibility of the proponent (developer and/or owner or the owner’s designated agent) to have a TIS prepared by a qualified and experienced transportation engineer licensed in the Province of Manitoba. Following completion of the report, the TIS shall be submitted to the Traffic Section of the Engineering Department for review as well as the Planning Department in conjunction with the development application.

Three copies of the final report, sealed by a Professional Engineer registered in the Province of Manitoba, as well as a PDF digital copy must be submitted.

City of Brandon Role

The City’s role will be to:

• Provide a generic guideline for conducting the traffic impact study;
• Supply readily available data and relevant reports;
• Review the submitted report thoroughly and objectively;
• Approve or reject the TIS in a timely fashion;
• Circulate (if necessary) the TIS to other City Departments, Utility Organizations, or external agencies.

Costs

All costs associated with the preparation of a TIS shall be borne by the applicant.

Traffic Impact Study Overview


Guidelines for the Preparation of a Traffic Impact Study