FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE JUNE 9, 2011

For more information: Alicia Clark, Corporate Communications Specialist

925-977-3241 a.clark@fehrandpeers.com

A Better Method to Estimate Traffic Generated by Mixed-Use Developments

WALNUT CREEK, CA. -- Sustainable developments including mixed-use, infill, and transit oriented developments (TODs) are becoming increasingly popular. Conventional methods overstate the number of vehicle tips they generate, and therefore understate their transportation and air quality benefits. The new MXD (mixed-use development) method by Fehr & Peers accurately captures the trip-reducing benefits of mixed-use development projects, and is used throughout the U.S. to help developers, public agencies, and the public to quantify these trip reductions. Current methods of traffic impact analysis, which rely on rates and adjustments from the Institute of Transportation Engineers (ITE), are believed to understate the traffic benefits of mixed-use developments (MXDs) and potentially overstate potential roadway impacts because they don’t fully account for the interactions between land uses or the surrounding built environment. A national study for the US EPA, performed by a team composed of Fehr & Peers and academic researchers developed a new methodology to more accurately predict the traffic impacts of MXDs. The study evaluated household travel surveys from 239 mixed-use developments in Seattle, Portland, Sacramento, Houston, Atlanta and Boston and found statistical relationships between site characteristics and the amount of vehicle travel generated in and out of the site. MXDs were found to reduce traffic impacts relative to single-use suburban development, due to the following key factors.

• Diverse on-site activities that capture a large share of trips internally. • Placement within walkable areas with good transit access that generate high shares of walk and transit

trips. • Central locations that reduce trip lengths.

The potential vehicle trip reductions from MXDs were significant enough to demonstrate that conventional trip generation methods could exaggerate roadway impacts and the need for mitigation including higher impact fees, exactions, and negotiated payments than should be the case. These factors could also contribute to potentially discouraging development of otherwise desirable projects. ABOUT FEHR & PEERS Fehr & Peers is one of the only ENR 500 firms to focus exclusively on transportation planning and traffic engineering services to public agencies, institutions, and private companies. Projects include local traffic and parking studies, major regional transportation plans, and traffic engineering design, with expertise in all forms of transportation. The firm has earned a reputation for successfully completing complex and controversial projects on time and within budget. Fehr & Peers’ mission is to empower every employee to develop effective and innovative transportation solutions that improve communities. www.fehrandpeers.com.

###