When developments of any scale are planned, deciphering the regulatory car parking requirements, minimum design standards and how best to maximise valuable parking space for a project, can often be a major headache.
That's where a traffic consultant comes in.
One of the key roles of a traffic consultant (or traffic engineer) is to determine accurately the number of parking spaces are required (for cars, bicycles, motorcycles and more), the layout/design needed to ensure compliance and overall functionality of a carpark within a building or development, increasing the likelihood of the project being approved.
Traffic consultants also assist in matters related to non-car based transport including bicycles, End of Trip (EoT) facilities, pedestrian and bicycle connectivity and other transport-related strategies that may aid you in any facet of negotiating the planning system.
Additionally, a traffic consultant's recommendations can help you implement targeted, cost-effective solutions that deliver a strong return on investment (ROI). Their insights can guide you towards smart, effective transportation strategies that benefit your organisation or the community for the long term.
The role of a traffic consultant will depend on the stage of the project. Still, the overall goal of a traffic consultant is to ensure a development's compliance with local guidelines, standards and current practice required for authority approval.
A traffic consultant will work with project architects/managers/planners/developers to help secure planning permits for developments in a cost effective and timely manner, balancing the ROI of providing car parking with reducing car parking to achieve better traffic outcomes, through a thorough traffic engineering assessment.
Why is a Traffic Engineering Consultant Valuable To A Project?
They have the potential to save your project time and money and value-add.
For developments where providing car spaces can mean more construction, costly excavation and/or mechanical car parking installations, traffic consultants will help sensibly justify the reduction in parking where practicable, and in turn, could reduce the financial impact of the development and increase the Return On Investment (ROI).
A key role of traffic engineering consultants is to ensure development traffic that is generated onto local streets is mitigated to an acceptable level and/or appropriately managed so they continue to perform as efficiently as possible.
This can include Local Area Traffic Management Studies (LATMS), both on behalf of Councils and developers, particularly where there is a cumulative traffic impact of new and upcoming developments (think Cremorne, Box Hill, Cheltenham etc.).
This includes an assessment of parking and/or traffic within a defined area to see if any potential engineering measures would be beneficial to the area, such as:
• Introduction or changes to parking restrictions;
• Additional parking provided for defined user groups;
• Traffic calming devices such as road humps and slow points; and
• Turn restrictions, intersection upgrades, signalised intersection changes (phasing, priority etc).
They maximise safety and efficiency.
When it comes to traffic efficiency and ensuring the safety of drivers, pedestrians, cyclists and other road users, the expertise of a traffic engineering consultant can be invaluable. Traffic consultants possess a deep understanding of traffic engineering principles, traffic analyses, and data-driven solutions to address complex traffic-related challenges.
By engaging a traffic engineering consultant, businesses and communities can benefit from a comprehensive understanding into the optimisation of traffic networks, reducing congestion, driver behaviours and patterns and enhancing overall transport safety. These professionals utilise advanced modelling techniques, traffic simulations, and data analysis to identify problem areas and develop tailored strategies for improvement.
From conducting thorough site assessments to implementing innovative traffic management systems, traffic engineering consultants play a crucial role in creating safer and more efficient road networks. Their expertise can help ensure informed decisions are made, resources are allocated effectively, and the project is compliant with relevant regulations and standards.
Investing in a traffic consultant's services is a smart decision that can pay dividends in the form of time savings, cost reductions, and improved transport efficiency. By tapping into their specialised knowledge, you can navigate through various traffic challenges with ease and ensure your project is approved without unnecessary delay.
If you would like to see how a traffic consultant can bring your next project to life, get in touch with us today. Call 1300 757 016 or contact us online now.