As part of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) assessment process, the City of Calimesa requires Transportation Impact Analyses (TIAs) to consider not only vehicular traffic, but also potential effects on active transportation and public transit facilities. This includes evaluation of pedestrian, bicycle, and transit access and safety.
A significant impact may be identified if a project conflicts with adopted policies, plans, or programs supporting these modes of travel, or if it would otherwise reduce the performance, connectivity, or safety of pedestrian, bicycle, or transit facilities. Accordingly, every TIA should assess whether the proposed development is inconsistent with relevant transportation plans or compromises non-automobile travel modes.
To ensure a thorough and consistent approach, the City of Calimesa outlines a standardized Transportation Impact Study format, consisting of the following key sections:
-
Executive Summary
A concise summary of significant impacts and the recommended mitigation measures, presented in a tabular format. -
Introduction
This section outlines the purpose and objectives of the TIA, including a description of the project location (with a vicinity map), site layout, land use and zoning designations, and opening year assumptions. -
Methodology and Impact Thresholds
Description of methods and thresholds used to assess transportation impacts, including level of service (LOS), Vehicle Miles Traveled (VMT), and other performance metrics. -
Existing Conditions
This section describes the current transportation infrastructure and usage. It includes:-
Roadway network and traffic control features
-
Traffic volumes (AM/PM peak hour and Average Daily Traffic)
-
LOS at key intersections and roadway segments
-
Inventory of bicycle, pedestrian, and transit facilities, supported by maps and tables
-
-
Project Traffic Analysis
Evaluation of the project's trip generation, distribution, and assignment. Includes peak-hour turning movement projections and ADT estimates. -
Opening Year (Background) Conditions
Compares traffic conditions in the project’s opening year with and without the project. Includes analysis of committed infrastructure, approved developments, and expected LOS impacts. -
Cumulative Year Analysis
Similar to the opening year analysis but projects conditions to a longer-term cumulative horizon. Accounts for regional growth and model forecasts to identify long-term infrastructure deficiencies. -
Traffic Signal Warrant Analysis
Assessment of whether new traffic signals are justified based on future traffic volumes. -
Site Access Analysis
Review of proposed access points to ensure safe and efficient vehicle, pedestrian, and bicycle movement into and out of the site. -
Safety and Operational Improvements
Identifies areas where safety concerns or traffic operations warrant improvements beyond typical capacity enhancements. -
Active Transportation and Public Transit Analysis
Evaluates how the project affects pedestrian, bicycle, and transit facilities and whether it supports adopted transportation goals for mode shift and connectivity. -
Improvements and Recommendations
Summarizes necessary infrastructure upgrades and separates recommendations by whether they are covered under an existing impact fee program. -
Vehicle Miles Traveled (VMT) Analysis
Includes VMT estimates for project scenarios, identification of significant VMT impacts, and feasible mitigation strategies such as Transportation Demand Management (TDM) measures. -
Appendices
Contains technical documentation, including the approved scope of work, traffic counts, LOS worksheets, VMT and TDM calculations, and other relevant supporting data.
This structured format ensures a comprehensive and consistent evaluation of transportation impacts and supports transparent CEQA review and decision-making processes.
Our Services are available throughout City of Calimesa with Zipcodes 92320