what is a TA?

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Site last updated 08/11/07

What is a Transport Assessment?

A Transport Assessment is statutory document which accompanies a planning application, and is used by planning authorities and highways authorities (and if necessary the Highways Agency) to determine whether the impact of a new development on the transport network is acceptable. It allows the local planning authority to decide whether to grant planning permission on the basis of transport issues. The Transport Assessment should identify what measures may be required to deal with the predicted transport impacts and to improve accessibility and safety, especially for pedestrians, cyclists and public transport users.

In March 2007, the Department for Transport published the new Guidance on Transport Assessment. It is important to note that this replaces the previous guidance on Transport Assessment, 'Guidelines for Traffic Impact Assessment', published by the Institution of Highways and Transportation in 1994.

The need for, and scope of, a Transport Assessment for new developments is determined primarily through discussion with the relevant local authorities. However, if an assessment is required, there are two levels:

· Transport Statement - for developments which have a relatively small transport implication; and

· Transport Assessment - for developments which have significant transport implications.

Both documents should include:

Existing transport conditions:

· Walking and cycling routes and facilities

· Existing public transport services and infrastructure

· Operation of local road network

· Traffic surveys

· Accident history on local road network

Development details:

· Type and size

· Parking (total, disabled, cycle/motorcycle)

· Vehicular, pedestrian and cycle access

· Servicing arrangements and emergency vehicle access

Trip generation and distribution:

· Calculation of the likely number of trips to and from the development by each transport mode, throughout the day

· Determination of which routes will be used to access the site

Additionally, a Transport Assessment should include:

Public transport, walking and cycling assessments:

· Assessment of whether the current public transport services and walking and cycling infrastructure have sufficient capacity to accommodate the additional trips created by the development

· If these are not sufficient, new facilities/services should be provided as part of the development proposals

Proposals (in the form of a Travel Plan) to reduce the number of trips to the development:

· Measures to reduce the need to travel (e.g. home working or internet shopping)

· Measures to encourage the use of more sustainable travel options rather than single occupier car journeys (e.g. walking, cycling, public transport, car sharing)

These types of measures are more important than highway improvements, in mitigating the impact of the development.

Traffic Impact Assessments:

· Assessment of whether the road network has sufficient capacity to accommodate the resIDUAL vehicular trips created by the development (following consideration of all feasible measures to reduce the number of trips to the development)

The above requirements are not exhaustive and there may be a need for additional information and assessments, depending on local circumstances. The key issue is that the scope of any Transport Statement or Transport Assessment should be agreed at the pre-application stage between the appropriate authorities and the developer.

Design & Access Statements are a compulsory part of planning applications and compliment a Transport Assessment. They cover every aspect of the development, not just the architectural design. Click here for further information.