City of Syracuse

Traffic Studies (Dept. of Public Works)

Transportation Impact Studies (TIS) may be required when changes in land use, new development, or site access are proposed. A TIS evaluates the effects that a change in traffic volumes or travel patterns will have on the transportation network.

A TIS may be required for a project that is expected to result in 100 or more added (new) trips during the adjacent roadways peak hour or the development’s peak hour. The TIS should include a site plan and capacity analysis of existing, future no-build and future build conditions. The TIS must use the latest version of SYNCHRO, and must include all site access points and all signalized intersections that are expected to see an increase of 100+ vehicles per hour.

All traffic impact study (TIS) scopes should be reviewed and accepted by the City prior to start of study to determine study area and what specific analysis may need to be included (shown below).

Depending on type of development or location, the TIS may include some or all of the following:

		>	data used should be at the most 3 years old (maybe more recent depending upon location) and should be collected on Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday during a typical week (no holidays/school is in session/no major construction in area) but this may change based on type of development
		>	existing, future (design year) no-build and future analysis – all known development in area should be included in future analyses
		>	gap analysis
		>	queuing analysis
		>	sight distance analysis for access points
		>	accident analysis
		>	inclusion of mode share/internal capture/pass-by credits
		>	bike/pedestrian/transit considerations (counts at all intersections/accommodations)
		>	parking considerations (gain/loss, assessment of access and control, etc.)
		>	proposed on-street regulations noting loss of on-street parking, loading zones or relocation of bus stops
		>	mitigation recommendations, if necessary
		>	must submit electronic SYNCHRO files (signal timings/phasings should be requested if part of the City’s interconnect system but should also be field verified)

Additional information can be found in the Transportation Impact Analyses for Site Development from the Institute of Transportation Engineers.

For questions please contact Neil Milcarek-Burke, Transportation Planner, at (315) 448-4742 or NMilcarek-Burke@syrgov.net.