Traffic Studies

Traffic impact studies are required for some proposed development projects.

• Studies ensure compliance with California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).
• Studies also help the City maintain an efficient roadway network and provide adequate mobility per the City of Sacramento General Plan Policy.

What constitutes a traffic impact study?

A traffic impact study is a technical analysis that provides the following information:

• Identifies potentially significant traffic impacts
• Identifies possible mitigation measures for those impacts
• Identifies and evaluates any changes to the circulation network proposed by a development
• Evaluates how the project elements will affect traffic operations, in context of site design, driveway locations, turn movements permitted to and from the project site, locations of nearby traffic signals, and potential to create unsafe conditions.

Traffic impact study results are also used to identify and assist in the design of specific transportation improvements like roadway and intersection design required with a project. These improvement requirements are incorporated into the conditions of project approval.

A traffic impact study might be as simple as a preliminary analysis to a full fledged impact analysis. The level of details is generally governed by potential for significant impacts, and type of CEQA document, i.e. a Negative Declaration or an Environmental Impact Report.

Is a traffic impact study needed for every project?

No. A traffic impact study is required when a proposed development project has a potential to create significant transportation-related environmental impacts, create a hazard to public safety, or the project could substantially change the off-site transportation system (including facilities for vehicles, buses, light rail, pedestrians, bikes, etc.)

How does the City perform the traffic impact study?

Depending on the scope of the study and workload situations, the City conducts the study either internally or through the use of on-call consultants.  The City's use of on-call consultants ensures timely selection of a consultant, and helps in maintaining the integrity of the process.

Professional Master Service Agreement

In March 31, 2009, City of Sacramento approved a Master Services Agreement for Traffic Impact Studies On Call Services with the following traffic consultants:

1. AECOM consultant
2. DKS Associates, Inc
3. Dowling Associates, Inc
4. Fehr and Peers Associates