TRAFFIC :: TRAFFIC STUDIES FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What is a traffic study? A traffic study is prepared to determine development impacts related to streets, traffic, and circulation. Either of two studies may be required by the Development Services Department: a Traffic Impact Analysis or a Traffic Circulation Analysis.
Traffic Impact Analysis (TIA) - provided to assess the near-term and long-term effects of specific development activity on the roadway system in a comprehensive manner. Development activity may include rezoning, platting, development plan approvals, Thoroughfare Plan amendments, and annexations. Traffic Circulation Analysis (TCA) - provided to determine how a development's traffic relates to existing traffic on internal and adjacent roadways. A TCA can be required during the same stages of the development process as a TIA, or it can be required at the time of building permit, driveway permit, development plan, or certificate of occupancy. A TCA is smaller in scope and magnitude than a TIA and focuses primarily on localized impacts.
How long is the process? After receipt of development proposal by the Transportation Department, five working days are generally needed to determine if a study is necessary. Ten working days are normally required to review a completed study after submittal. A more complex study may require more review time.
What fees are involved? The Transportation Department does not currently charge a fee to review a traffic study.
Who is responsible for traffic studies? The Transportation Department may require a traffic study from the applicant as a part of the development review process to adequately assess the impacts of a development proposal. The applicant is responsible for coordination with the Transportation Department to determine the scope of the report and to assess the traffic impact issues associated with a proposed development.
Who may prepare a TIA or TCA? A TCA must be prepared under the direction of a licensed professional engineer in the State of Texas. A TIA must be prepared under the direction of a licensed professional engineer with sufficient transportation engineering experience to assess traffic impacts. All traffic studies must be approved by the Department of Development Services prior to acceptance by the City.
When is a TIA required? A Traffic Impact Analysis is typically required for any development proposal expected to generate 5,000 or more vehicle trips daily, as calculated using the most recent version of the Institute of Traffic Engineers' (ITE) Trip Generation Manual, or any other generally accepted traffic engineering criteria. For a rezoning case, the trip generation of the proposed zoning must increase by 1,000 vehicle trips daily over the current zoning. The study may be required during any of these stages of the development process:
Rezoning; Development Plan Review; Platting; Annexation; or Thoroughfare Plan amendment.
If required for a rezoning or a platting procedure, the document must be submitted and accepted by the Transportation Department a minimum of 15 days prior to the scheduled Planning and Zoning Commission action.
Additionally, the Department of Public Works may require a Traffic Impact Analysis if anticipated development may cause severe impacts on the roadway system or nearby residential neighborhoods.
A Traffic Impact Analysis is not required of the owner if the proposed development action is initiated by the City.
When is a TCA required? A Traffic Circulation Analysis may be required at all stages of the development process, when the following conditions are present:
Rezoning - less than 5,000 but more than 500 daily trips generated. Platting - less than 5,000 but more than 500 daily trips generated. Development Plan Approval - all cases. Building or Driveway Permit - all cases (except individual single family residential, single unit townhouse or duplex permits). Certificate of Occupancy - when the new use is expected to increase existing traffic by 20 percent or more; and this increase is 500 trips or more; or if the site's existing driveways create operational or safety problems.
Forms, Schedules, and other Resources Following is a list of information, forms and schedules referred to in the previous text, as well as other resource materials. This information is available from the Department of Public Works on the second floor of the City Hall, or call (817) 459-6550 if not specifically mentioned.
Subdivision Rules and Regulations - Section 5.02 Traffic Study Procedures Traffic Circulation Analysis Guidelines Traffic Impact Analysis Guidelines Zoning Case and Traffic Study Submittal Cut-off Schedule (Available at the Development Services Desk)
If you would like to request a copy of our Traffic Study Procedures, Traffic Circulation Analysis Guidelines, or Traffic Impact Guidelines, please contact the Department of Public Works at (817) 459-6550.