Traffic & Transportation Assessments and Audits
Supporting appropriate development across Gisborne, Hawke’s Bay & the Eastern Bay of Plenty
Engineering Outcomes provides professional traffic engineering and transportation planning services that support developments and community facilities throughout Gisborne, Hawke’s Bay, and the eastern Bay of Plenty.
Our assessments focus on how transport networks interact with proposed developments and we pride ourselves on practical, evidence-based solutions tailored to meet local authority and NZ Transport Agency requirements.
Whether you are preparing a resource consent application, planning a development, reviewing transport safety and accessibility or moving an over-dimension load, we can provide experienced advice and robust reporting to support your project.
Our Traffic & Transportation Assessment Services
Traffic Impact Assessments (TIA)
We prepare detailed Traffic Impact Assessments, also commonly referred to as Traffic Effects Assessments or Integrated Transportation Assessments (ITA, with larger projects), for a wide range of developments and land-use activities.
These assessments help determine the effects of a proposed development on:
- The safety of all road users, especially at the connection points to public roads
- Access arrangements to ensure clear passage for all vehicles and an orderly layout
- Parking demand
- Pedestrian and cyclist movement and safety
- Nearby intersections and transport infrastructure – both their safety and capacity.
Our work often includes traffic monitoring (usually with digital video using custom kits that we have developed), intersection analysis (usually computer-based using SIDRA software), preliminary design using specialist terrain modelling and access design software, vehicle swept path and manoeuvring analysis using specialist vehicle tracking software, intersection capacity analysis also using specialist software, speed measurements, sight distance evaluation from first principles, crash searches and analysis and the use of available data including traffic volumes and ground (terrain) data (either LiDAR or topographical data obtained from the ground). Our reports are prepared to support resource consent applications and are designed to meet the expectations of councils (via their district plans) and the NZ Transport Agency. We pride ourselves on producing technical reports that non-specialists and lay people can understand while covering off all the key points. We use the most up-to-date software for both analysis and presentation.
Safe-System Audits
Safety is a critical component of any transport project. When necessary, we undertake safe-system audits that assess, and compare measures and options for improvement or transport infrastructure and road environments. We identify the measures and options then score those against recognised safety principles and the safe-system guidelines.
We almost always carry out primary research to inform the scores applicable to the various measures including, where possible, wide-area searches of crash histories at similar sites.
Travel Planning
- Surveys of current uptake of active travel modes, including barriers and opportunities
- Accessibility of public transport and associated parking
- Education initiatives, including skills training and hazard identification
- Alternative drop-off and pick-up arrangements and park-and-ride options
- Parking management strategies
- Action plans, ongoing monitoring, and future updates
Over-dimension loads
We transport companies and/or their clients to determine whether over-dimensioned loads can move through a specified road corridor and what is necessary to ensure adequate clearance between the vehicle/load and obstacles in the road corridor. The usually involves a combination of vehicle customisation in our vehicle tracking software, ortho-rectified aerial photography and site work including manual surveys or 3D scanning.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Traffic Impact Assessment?
A Traffic Impact Assessment evaluates how a proposed development may affect surrounding roads, intersections, parking, and transport networks. It is commonly required as part of a resource consent application.
What is the difference between a TIA, Traffic Effects Assessment, and ITA?
These terms are often used interchangeably depending on the council or project type or scale. All involve assessments of the transport effects of a proposed development.
When is a traffic assessment required?
Traffic assessments are commonly required for subdivisions, residential and commercial developments, education facilities, marae churches, industrial sites, and other projects that are not permitted by district plans as-of-right.
Why might I need a Safe-System Audit or Travel Plan?
These are often specified in consents and/or in requests for further information after a consent application has been lodged.
Don’t the roading authorities know what over-dimension vehicles can move along their roads?
Generally not. The clear spaces available in road corridors vary over time and the authorities simply do not have accurate or up-to-date information on them. They generally let the associated risks sit with the transport operators.
Contact Dean to get started
Have a transport, traffic, or infrastructure project you would like to discuss?
Whether you are at the early planning stage or require detailed technical advice for a current project, the team at Engineering Outcomes is here to help. Contact us today to discuss your requirements and find practical, evidence-based transport solutions tailored to your project.