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TRAFFIC IMPACT STUDY REQUIREMENTS AND PROCEDURES <br />Policy Issues <br />In recent years, the traffic impact study (TIS) has become increasingly popular as a <br />means of assessing the impact of a proposed development or land use change. The TLS <br />can assist local officials and developers to determine the relationship of a specific <br />project to a long -range transportation plan; identify short term needs regarding access, <br />circulation, and traffic operations; and provide a basis for determining measures that <br />would mitigate the impact of a project. A TIS should provide sufficient data to assess <br />both immediate and long -term consequences of a project. <br />During the development approval process, traffic often arises as an issue. In some <br />instances, there is concern regarding a project's impact on intersection and road <br />capacity, safety, or traffic increases in nearby communities; in other cases, traffic is <br />used as grounds for opposition to a project instead of other, less tangible factors such <br />as density or land use. In either case, the TIS provides a means of objectively <br />evaluating the impact of a proposed project's traffic on the existing and planned <br />roadway system. It can be used by staff in evaluating the project and formulating <br />recommendations and by planning boards and elected officials to aid in decision - making. <br />It can even be used as a legal evidence to support (or attack) a decision approving or <br />denying an application for rezoning or other development approval. <br />Because TIS's are prepared by different firms and individuals, developments vary in size <br />and traffic characteristics, road networks vary in complexity, and different <br />communities have different concerns and expectations, the studies may vary <br />considerably in format, analyses, and application. It is, therefore, desirable to provide <br />for uniformity in TIS requirements, technical approach, and review. <br />Kimley -Horn and Associates, Inc. has reviewed the existing Orange County ordinances <br />related to the TLS and has recommended several changes. The TIS requirements are <br />addressed in both the subdivision regulations and in Article 13 of the county code, in <br />virtually identical formats. The proposed changes are shown as applied to Article 13, <br />but should also be applied to the subdivision regulations except where noted. <br />37 <br />