Transport Assessment an Overview of the Process

a presentation by

Alistair GregoryWYG Technical Director

28th February 2013

email: alistair.gregory@wyg.com tel: 0116 234 8000

Why & What is a Transport Assessment?

Why? – To advise the planning decision makers and highway authorities.

What? – A study to identify the transport implications of proposed development, land-uses or infrastructure.

• Examines all modes of transport (not just car trips).• Seeks to improve accessibility to, and use of sustainable transport.• Identifies mitigation to deal with residual vehicle trips.

Most commonly prepared by developers in support of planning applications, but also by public sector scheme promoters. Forms part of the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) process.

Key Policy & Guidance

Planning Policy:•National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF)•Regional Spatial Strategy (RSS)?•Local Plan/Local Development Framework (LDF)•Local Transport Plan (LTP)•Local Transport Bodies (LTB)

Guidance:•‘Protocol for Dealing with Planning Applications’ – Highways Agency•‘Guidance on Transport Assessment’ – DfT /DCLG•‘Delivering Travel Plans through the Planning Process’ - DfT /DCLG•Design Manual for Roads & Bridges (DMRB)•Manual for Streets & MfS2•Local (e.g. 6C’s Design Guide)

Transport Statement or Assessment?

Transport Statement (TS) – for developments with relatively smalltransport implications

What does “small transport implication” mean?Current guidance suggests……

• 50 to 80 residential dwellings.• 1,500 to 2,500 sqm office floor area.• Less than 30 two-way vehicle movements in any hour.• Scope usually limited to first point of entry to the public highway

(i.e. the site access junction)

Transport Statement or Assessment? Cont..

But impacts are relative and site specific, and depend on:

• Extant planning permissions.• Local conditions.• Availability of sustainable travel.• Environmental considerations.• Junction/network capacity.• Parking availability.

The final decision is at the discretion of the highway authority.

Transport Assessment (TA) – Required for all developments:

• With significant transport implications (> 30 vehicles/hour).• Not in conformity with adopted development plan.• Proposing 100 or more car parking spaces.• Likely to increase the risk of accidents.• In traffic ‘sensitive’ locations.• Not accessible by sustainable transport.• Generating significant freight/HGV movements.• Within or adjacent to an AQMA.

Transport Statement or Assessment? Cont..

Travel Plan (TP)

What? - Package of site-specific initiatives to increase the availability and choice of sustainable travel modes to/from a development.

Why? - To influence people’s travel behaviour towards more sustainable options, or help reduce the need to travel. To benefit the environment.

When? – Submitted with planning applications likely to have significanttravel implications (see thresholds for TS/TA).

Transport Assessment - Process

Scoping & Pre-Application Consultation

The first (and probably the most important) stage of the process:

• Outlines development proposal.• Summarises available information.• Confirms study methodology.• Identifies likely impacts and extent of the study area.

Good practice to agree the scope of the study before commencing.

Transport Assessment – Process Cont…

Key stages/contents of a TA:

‘Industry Standard’ Tools

Traffic Growth:

• TEMPRO – ‘Trip End Model Presentation Program’.• NRTF – ‘National Road Traffic Forecast’.

Trip Generation:

• TRICS – ‘Trip Rate Information Computer System’.• GENERATE/TRAVL – London only.

Transport Modelling – Basic Types

Modelling Software – Tools of the Trade

Single Junctions – PICADY/ARCADY/LINSIG

Modelling Software Cont…

Local Networks – TRANSYT

Strategic Networks – SATURN/VISUM

Land Use Models – LLITM, DATM etc…

Modelling Software Cont…

Micro-Simulation - VISSIM/PARAMICS

Model Development

Micro-simulation Model Example 1

Micro-simulation Model Example 2

Micro-simulation Model Example 2

The End

Thank you for Listening

Any Questions?

WYG Transport Executive Park

Avalon WayAnstey, Leicester, LE7 7GR

email: alistair.gregory@wyg.com tel: 0116 234 8000