Transportation & Traffic Impact Assessments

Such assessments range in scale from small residential subdivisions to large commercial developments and major roading projects. These may be undertaken as part of an application for resource consent, a notice of requirement or a district plan change. They may be undertaken on behalf of a developer, a roading authority, a local authority or submitters. Typically, larger assessments involve close collaboration with other consultants across a range of disciplines.

In all cases the principles are the same, to identify and evaluate potential effects upon the efficiency and safety of transportation facilities. This may involve assessments of:

  • patterns and volumes of travel demand
  • traffic volumes and conditions
  • intersection delays
  • access efficiency and safety
  • parking supply and demand
  • servicing arrangements
  • provision for public transportation
  • provision for walking and cycling
  • safety of all road users
  • opportunities for travel demand management
  • disability access and parking provision
  • district plan compliance.

Transportation Policy & Strategy Development

Advice is provided to local and regional councils in the development of transportation strategies and policies, including the revision and preparation of district plan controls. This may require a review of current trends in demographic, economic and transportation indicators and the alignment of policy with relevant legislative requirements at the national level.

Expert Witness

The presentation of evidence to hearings is a logical extension of undertaking the transportation assessments described above. The objective is to provide credible, clear and impartial evidence  to assist the hearing panel. To do this, evidence must be based upon robust analysis and assumptions distinguishing facts from interpretation. Such evidence is prepared for:

  • land-use and subdivision consent hearings
  • district plan change hearings
  • the Environment Court
  • the High Court
  • Boards of Inquiry
  • Land Valuation Tribunal.

 

Peer Review

Peer reviews are frequently undertaken of transportation impact assessments completed by others, some requiring the preparation of statements of evidence. Reviews are also provided of technical and economic assessments, particularly the development and application of transportation models. The approach taken is to question every aspect of an assessment and to work in a constructive manner with the analyst to resolve issues which are identified.

Economic Evaluations

Assessments are undertaken of the economic costs and benefits associated with transportation projects, consistent with the requirements of the Economic Evaluation Manual (EEM).

Project Management

Larger projects may be managed on behalf of a local authority or private sector client. This typically involves the coordination of a number of consultants across a range of disciplines with a structured process of monitoring and progress reporting.

Survey Design, Implementation & Analysis

Surveys of transportation patterns, traffic movements and parking demands are often required to provide factual information to support an assessment. These may involve the engagement of survey staff and/or contractors to install recording equipment. Such surveys are carefully designed to ensure that representative and reliable information is collected. Subsequent analysis is applied to extract the results of relevance to the assessment. 

Hearing Commissioner

Tim is a qualified hearing commissioner, having completed the Making Good Decisions programme administered by the Ministry for the Environment.