UNIVERSITY OF RIZAL SYSTEM

COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING
Civil Engineering Program
Morong, Rizal

​
CE13
TRANSPORTATION ENGINEERING

Narrative Report
TRAFFIC IMPACT ASSESSMENT

Submitted by:
Jerusalem, Febie N.
Lugtu II, Reynaldo R.
Madarang Jr., Grover S.

Submitted to:
Engr. Von Cyrell San Jose

February 21, 2025

 TRAFFIC IMPACT ASSESSMENT/ TRAFFIC IMPACT ANALYSIS AND STUDIES

Traffic Impact Studies (TIS), also called Traffic Impact Assessments (TIA) or
Traffic Impact Analyses, are crucial for understanding how new developments or zoning
changes affect existing traffic and road networks. They quantify the changes in
transportation demand, considering factors like trip generation, mode shifts, and traffic
delay, ultimately helping decision-makers determine project feasibility and necessary
infrastructure improvements.

A TIS analyzes the impact of a proposed project's traffic on the surrounding road
network. This involves evaluating how the project's traffic will integrate with existing
traffic flows and identifying potential bottlenecks or congestion points. The goal is to
minimize disruption and ensure smooth traffic operation. This is particularly important in
areas with increasing private vehicle usage, like Indian cities, where new developments
can significantly strain existing infrastructure.

Traffic Impact Studies (TIS) serve several key purposes related to development and
transportation planning:

●​ Development Approval: TIS helps determine if a proposed project (like

rezoning or a new subdivision) fits within the capacity of the current road system.
Essentially, it asks, "Can the roads handle the extra traffic?"
●​ Building Permits: Before construction can begin, a TIS ensures that the new
building won't create excessive traffic congestion. It's a check to prevent
overloading the local roads.
●​ Access Granting: TIS informs decisions about where and how a development
should connect to existing roads. This ensures safe and efficient access points
that minimize traffic disruption.
●​ Planning Evaluation: TIS are used to assess the broader traffic implications of
zoning changes or land use plans. They help planners understand the long-term
cumulative effects of development on the transportation network.
●​ Special Tax Districts: TIS can justify the need for and help secure funding (e.g.,
through special tax districts) for transportation improvements required to support
new development. It provides data-driven evidence for infrastructure
investments.
TRAFFIC CONGESTION ASSESSMENT

Urban traffic congestion is a major global issue, worsening over time. The
traditional solution of building more roads is often impractical due to political, financial,
and environmental constraints. Therefore, effective traffic control techniques and
information systems are essential to boost road capacity and improve traffic flow.

Traffic control encompasses managing vehicular and pedestrian traffic around

disruptions like construction zones or accidents, prioritizing the safety of everyone
involved. It also includes using technology like CCTV to monitor traffic and provide
real-time information to manage congestion.

Traffic congestion and mobility costs are pressing concerns for planners,
decision-makers, businesses, and the public. Efficient transportation impacts everyone,
driving the search for solutions that enhance mobility, boost economic productivity, and
protect the environment. While new roads can offer temporary relief, they often lead to
increased car use in the long run, discouraging public transport and ultimately
exacerbating congestion. Furthermore, building new roads in urban areas is
increasingly difficult and expensive due to limited space, environmental concerns, and
community opposition. This analysis specifically examines how the traffic generated by
proposed developments will impact the surrounding road network.

❖​ IDENTIFICATION OF SITE CONTEXT AND ROAD IDENTIFICATION

Road networks are designed hierarchically to optimize traffic flow. Major roads (arterials)
are meant for through traffic and shouldn't provide direct access to individual buildings
or local streets. Mixing through traffic with local access creates congestion and unsafe
intersections, reducing the capacity of the main roads.

Road classification considers several factors: existing and planned land use, overall
travel demand, how people and goods move (by different modes), traffic safety, and
environmental impact. Accurate traffic impact studies require identifying major road
types (arterials, sub-arterials, and collectors) because they are most crucial in
determining how a new development will affect traffic.
TABLE 1. Road Identification and Distance from Proposed Project

Site Name Distance from the

proposed project
Nearest Arterial
Road
Nearest Sub Arterial
Road
Nearest Railway
Station
Nearest Bus Station

❖​ TRAFFIC SURVEY

A traffic survey is a systematic way of collecting data about traffic characteristics.

This data is essential for understanding current traffic conditions and predicting how a
new development might affect the transportation network. They provide a snapshot of
existing traffic conditions (volume, speed, types of vehicles, etc.) before the
development is built. This data helps traffic engineers predict how much traffic the new
development will generate and how it will impact roads, intersections, and other
infrastructure. If the TIA reveals potential problems, the survey data helps in designing
solutions like road improvements, traffic signal changes, or alternative transportation
options.

Types of Traffic Surveys

●​ Traffic Volume Counts:

○​ Counting the number of vehicles passing a point on a road during a
specific period.
●​ Turning Movement Counts:
○​ Recording the number of vehicles making different turns (left, right,
straight) at an intersection.
●​ Speed Studies:
○​ Measuring the speed of vehicles on a road segment.
●​ Origin-Destination (O-D) Surveys:
○​ Determining where vehicles are coming from and going to.
 ●​ Travel Time Surveys:
○​ Measuring the time it takes to travel between two points.

Methods of Conducting Traffic Surveys

1. Manual Counting
●​ Observers record vehicle or pedestrian movements at a specific location.
2. Automated Traffic Counters
●​ Sensors and cameras automatically count and classify vehicles.
3. GPS and Mobile Data Tracking
●​ Analyzes real-time movement patterns from mobile devices.
4. Drones and Aerial Surveys
●​ Captures real-time traffic movement from an aerial perspective.
5. Roadside Interviews and Surveys
●​ Drivers or passengers are stopped and asked about their travel routes and
purpose.
6. Video-Based Surveys
●​ Cameras record traffic activity for later analysis.

❖​ PEAK HOUR TRAFFIC, CAPACITY ANALYSIS AND FUTURE PROJECTION

1. Peak Hour Traffic:

Peak hour traffic refers to the period of the day, week, or year when demand for a
particular service or resource is at its highest. This could apply to website traffic,
network usage, customer service calls, road congestion, or any other system
experiencing fluctuating demand. Identifying peak hours is crucial for capacity planning
and resource allocation.

Measuring Peak Hour Traffic

●​ Traffic Counters & Sensors: Automated systems detect vehicle flow at specific
points.
●​ Manual Surveys: Observers record vehicle counts at intersections or road
segments.
●​ GPS & Mobile Data: Analyzing real-time movement patterns of drivers.
 ●​ CCTV & AI Systems: Camera-based technology tracks vehicle movement for
detailed analysis.

The most common metric used is the Peak Hour Factor (PHF), calculated as:

A lower PHF indicates a high concentration of traffic in a short period, highlighting

congestion problems.

2. Capacity Analysis:

Capacity analysis is the process of evaluating the ability of a system to handle a

given workload. It involves comparing the system's current capacity to the expected
demand, particularly during peak hours.

●​ Types of Capacity Analysis:

a.​ Current Capacity: Assessing the current resources and infrastructure
available to handle the workload.
b.​ Peak Capacity: Determining the maximum workload the system can
handle without exceeding acceptable performance thresholds.
c.​ Future Capacity Needs: Projecting future demand and determining the
necessary capacity to meet that demand.

Capacity Calculation

Roadway capacity is often assessed using the Level of Service (LOS) concept,
which categorizes road performance from LOS A (free flow) to LOS F (severe
congestion) based on parameters like speed, delay, and vehicle density.

●​ Traffic Volume (vehicles per hour, vph) – Number of vehicles passing a point
within an hour.
●​ Roadway Capacity (vehicles per hour per lane, vphpl) – Maximum vehicles a
lane can accommodate under ideal conditions.
●​ Volume-to-Capacity Ratio (V/C Ratio) – Measures congestion levels

○​ V/C < 0.85: Roadway operating efficiently

○​ V/C = 0.85 - 1.0: Approaching capacity limits
3. Future Projection:

Future projection involves forecasting future demand and capacity needs based
on historical trends, growth patterns, and other relevant factors. This is essential for
proactive capacity planning and ensuring the system can meet future demand.

Importance of Future Projection:

○​ Proactive Planning: Anticipating future needs allows for proactive

investment in infrastructure and resources.
○​ Strategic Decision-Making: Informed decisions about scaling the system
and allocating resources.
○​ Budgeting and Forecasting: Accurate projections are crucial for
budgeting and financial planning.

Methods for Future Traffic Projection:

1.​ Historical Data Analysis:

○​ Uses past traffic trends to predict future patterns.
2.​ Growth Factor Models:
○​ Applies population and economic growth trends to estimate traffic
demand.
3.​ Land Use and Development Planning:
○​ Forecasts based on new residential, commercial, and industrial
developments.
4.​ Simulation Models:
○​ Uses AI and computer-based models to simulate different traffic scenarios.
5.​ Travel Demand Models:
○​ Consider factors like commuting patterns, transit options, and vehicle
ownership.

Implications of Future Traffic Projection:

●​ Infrastructure Expansion: Plans for new roads, bridges, or flyovers to

accommodate growth.
●​ Traffic Control Strategies: Implementation of intelligent traffic signals or
congestion pricing.
●​ Sustainability Measures: Promotion of public transport, cycling lanes, and
pedestrian-friendly zones.