Transport Assessment – what it is and why we do it Tom Rye, Professor of Transport Policy and Mobility Management Transport Research Institute Edinburgh Napier University

The changing face of TIAs/TAs Was… Traffic Impact Assessment of a new development Vehicle trips only catering for predicted trips Was… Traffic Impact Assessment of a new development Vehicle trips only catering for predicted trips Now … Transport (Impact) Assessment of a new development All trips by all modes managing predicted trips Now … Transport (Impact) Assessment of a new development All trips by all modes managing predicted trips

Why this changed approach to Transport Assessment?

Key Elements of a TA Extract: Transport Assessment and Implementation: A Guide, Scottish Executive, 2005

Thresholds for TA (UK) Extract: Transport Assessment and Implementation: A Guide, Scottish Executive, 2005

TA Process Trip generation Mode share Travel Plan Monitoring Assignment Junction Analysis Internal site design Car parking

Trip Generation and Mode Share How many people will travel to a development, by which modes? Survey existing developments Build databases Databases give average trips and mode share per 100 sq metres Examples: TRICS – (trial version available) TRAVL – Mode share – influences impact of development on transport network How many people will travel to a development, by which modes? Survey existing developments Build databases Databases give average trips and mode share per 100 sq metres Examples: TRICS – (trial version available) TRAVL – Mode share – influences impact of development on transport network

Parking Clear link between: Parking at and around development and Mode share and so impact of development on network Better practice: Maximum parking standards Parking related to public transport accessibility Managed parking on site On-street controls around site Clear link between: Parking at and around development and Mode share and so impact of development on network Better practice: Maximum parking standards Parking related to public transport accessibility Managed parking on site On-street controls around site

Trip distribution, assignment, junction assessment Distribution Where do people who use development come from – from which directions? Are they making a special trip or just passing by? Both affect impact of development on network Assignment – which routes people take locally to reach development? Assessment – impact of new traffic on junctions near development? Distribution Where do people who use development come from – from which directions? Are they making a special trip or just passing by? Both affect impact of development on network Assignment – which routes people take locally to reach development? Assessment – impact of new traffic on junctions near development?

Influencing mode share Managing how people travel to/from development How? Site location Thinking about accessibility by all modes Parking (charging?) Site layout Improve alternative modes Travel Plans (MM/TDM built in from planning stages) If fewer people travel by car to development, puts less strain on existing road network, fewer new roads needed BUT – key part of TA can be new/improved junctions to access development Managing how people travel to/from development How? Site location Thinking about accessibility by all modes Parking (charging?) Site layout Improve alternative modes Travel Plans (MM/TDM built in from planning stages) If fewer people travel by car to development, puts less strain on existing road network, fewer new roads needed BUT – key part of TA can be new/improved junctions to access development

Entrance closer to pedestrian routes Developer paid for new junction and pedestrian crossings Supermarket close to very frequent bus routes Entrance/exit from car park not on main road Car park behind building Entrance closer to pedestrian routes Developer paid for new junction and pedestrian crossings Supermarket close to very frequent bus routes Entrance/exit from car park not on main road Car park behind building Some of these ideas in practice

MM measures – could be part of TA

What has MM as part of TA achieved? Allowed developments to go ahead that otherwise would not Reduced traffic impacts of new developments (and so cost to developers) Improved accessibility for all Allowed developments to go ahead that otherwise would not Reduced traffic impacts of new developments (and so cost to developers) Improved accessibility for all

Example - Sihlcity, Zurich

Sihlcity, Zurich – key data aream241’990 construction period volume of investmentMio. €600 rental revenue p.a.Mio. €30 total rentable area (without parking)m297’000 rentable area for shopsm241’000 rentable area for servicesm224’000 rentable area for culture, cinema, hotelsm219’000 rentable area shopping, fitness / wellness, apartments, stocksm213’000 number of working places2’300 visitors per day (average between and 30.06)19’000 number of parking spaces850

Sihlcity, Zurich: Accessibility with different modes

Sihlcity, Zurich - requirements to obtain planning permission, 2002 Public transport: financial contribution to extended PT and new PT stops 600 bike parking spaces “recreational quality” guarantee for pedestrians Developer paid for new access ramp to main road Parking limited to 805 PP and 50 P+R Trip quota: limit on monthly car trips generated by development Home delivery service defined in the area specific land use plan of Sihlcity and agreement between investor/ground owner and environmental association Achieved: 90% trips non-car Public transport: financial contribution to extended PT and new PT stops 600 bike parking spaces “recreational quality” guarantee for pedestrians Developer paid for new access ramp to main road Parking limited to 805 PP and 50 P+R Trip quota: limit on monthly car trips generated by development Home delivery service defined in the area specific land use plan of Sihlcity and agreement between investor/ground owner and environmental association Achieved: 90% trips non-car