Section 1 – Background + Purpose
A Transportation Impact Analysis (TIA) is a technical document developed by transportation professionals to evaluate how development projects, land use plans, and infrastructure projects could affect the transportation system. The City of Manhattan Beach typically requires a TIA for discretionary planning projects under the following conditions:
- Development Projects and Land Use Plans: Expected to generate a net increase of 110 or more daily vehicle trips.
- Transportation Projects: Expected to induce additional vehicle miles traveled (VMT) by increasing vehicle capacity, or if a TIA is mandated by ordinance, regulation, resolution, court order, or other public agency requirement.
According to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), cities, counties, and public agencies are obligated to assess whether land development and transportation projects may significantly impact the environment. Transportation impact is one key area evaluated under CEQA. Traditionally, transportation impacts were assessed by measuring potential automobile delays at intersections, congestion on highway segments, and whether these delays exceeded certain thresholds, known as Level of Service (LOS) analysis.
In 2013, Senate Bill 743 (SB 743) was enacted, changing how transportation impacts are measured under CEQA. Effective July 1, 2020, transportation studies under CEQA must now focus on vehicle miles traveled (VMT) rather than traditional LOS metrics. VMT measures the additional miles driven that a proposed project would generate. If a project results in excessive vehicle travel, it may be deemed to have a significant transportation impact. This shift was made to align CEQA transportation studies with statewide efforts to reduce greenhouse gases, curtail suburban sprawl, promote infill developments, and foster multimodal transportation networks.
The formal adoption of SB 743 requirements into CEQA Guidelines occurred on December 28, 2018, along with the release of the Governor’s Office of Planning and Research (OPR) "Technical Advisory on Evaluating Transportation Impacts in CEQA." Section 15064.3 of the updated CEQA Guidelines identifies automobile VMT as the most suitable metric for analyzing transportation impacts in land use projects, mandating its use for all agencies by July 1, 2020. While SB 743 also applies to transportation infrastructure projects, agencies are allowed some flexibility in choosing performance measures for these projects, provided they align with CEQA Guidelines Section 15064.7 and are supported by substantial evidence.
On May 15, 2018, the City of Manhattan Beach adopted the Manhattan Beach Mobility Plan, an update to the Circulation, Neighborhood Traffic Intrusion, Parking, and Bicycle Networks chapters of the Infrastructure Element in the General Plan. The Mobility Plan aims to create a balanced, safe, multi-modal transportation system that meets the needs of all users, including motorists, pedestrians, bicyclists, children, seniors, people with disabilities, movers of commercial goods, and public transportation users. This plan marks a shift from an auto-centric approach to more holistic concepts like Complete Streets and Living Streets, as outlined in California's Complete Streets Act (AB 1358) and the Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG) Regional Transportation Plan/Sustainable Communities Strategy (RTP/SCS). The City's Mobility Plan also emphasizes reducing VMT by encouraging biking, walking, and public transit to help lower greenhouse gas emissions and promote public health.
The TIA Guidelines directly support the goals and policies within the City’s General Plan Mobility Plan, including:
- Goal I-1: Develop a balanced, safe, and efficient multi-modal transportation system that meets the mobility needs of all community members, including children, seniors, and persons with disabilities.
- Goal I-2: Direct commuter traffic primarily onto arterial and collector streets to protect other roads from cut-through traffic.
Additionally, these guidelines support key state and regional goals such as:
- The California Global Warming Solutions Act (AB 32),
- The Sustainable Communities and Climate Protection Act of 2008,
- The California Complete Streets Act (AB 1358),
- The SCAG Regional Transportation Plan/Sustainable Communities Strategy (RTP/SCS),
- The Los Angeles County Metro Long Range Transportation Plan (LRTP).
The purpose of these TIA Guidelines is to establish a consistent review process for evaluating transportation impacts of development projects, land use projects, and infrastructure projects. This ensures alignment with the City's vision of creating a safe, accessible, well-maintained, and connected multimodal transportation network as outlined in the Mobility Plan. The guidelines are also designed to integrate and implement the latest state and local land use policies, goals, and requirements. Finally, they ensure compliance with CEQA Guideline revisions (California Code of Regulations Section 15064.3) and OPR’s Technical Advisory.
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