City of Walnut Creek Transportation Impact Analysis Guidelines
1.0 Introduction
The City of Walnut Creek has established the Transportation Impact Analysis (TIA) Guidelines to outline the procedures and requirements for preparing traffic impact studies associated with new development projects. These guidelines serve as a structured framework to ensure a comprehensive and consistent approach to evaluating transportation impacts while allowing flexibility for unique project conditions. Rather than rigid rules, these guidelines act as a checklist to help study preparers cover essential aspects of transportation analysis while maintaining professional judgment and creativity.
A Traffic Impact Study (TIS) should be a self-contained document that presents a clear, data-driven analysis based on industry standards and best practices. It should be detailed enough to allow peer consultants or City staff to replicate the findings using the provided data and methodologies. The study’s primary purpose is to objectively assess the potential transportation effects of a proposed development and recommend appropriate mitigation measures if necessary.
The objectives of these guidelines are as follows:
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Provide direction on when a TIS is required for a development project.
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Ensure consistency and uniformity in assessing transportation impacts.
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Identify TIS requirements early in the project planning phase to prevent delays.
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Establish assumptions, data needs, study scenarios, and methodologies before starting the TIS.
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Promote early coordination between project applicants and City staff to streamline the TIS process.
Walnut Creek is centrally located within Contra Costa County and shares borders with the neighboring cities of Concord, Pleasant Hill, and Lafayette, as well as unincorporated communities in the county. The city is well-connected through major transportation infrastructure, including Interstate 680 and State Route 24, as well as key arterial roads designated as Routes of Regional Significance. These routes operate under performance objectives set by the Contra Costa Transportation Authority’s (CCTA) Central County Action Plan. Additionally, the city benefits from Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) rail service and the County Connection bus network, which together support regional mobility and transit accessibility.
Given Walnut Creek’s complex transportation network, the TIS must consider the impacts of proposed developments on all travel modes, ensuring alignment with the City’s General Plan goals. These goals emphasize a balanced and sustainable transportation system that accommodates various users and travel needs. Key transportation priorities include:
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Coordinating development with available transportation resources.
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Minimizing congestion on regional roadways.
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Enhancing mobility for residents of all ages and abilities across all city areas.
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Protecting residential neighborhoods from excessive through traffic, speeding, and non-residential parking overflow.
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Promoting safe and convenient pedestrian and bicycle travel throughout the city.
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Increasing public transit use and enhancing service access to key destinations such as employment centers, schools, shopping areas, and recreational sites.
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Implementing Transportation Demand Management (TDM) strategies to reduce dependence on single-occupant vehicles and mitigate peak-hour congestion.
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Supporting a pedestrian-friendly Downtown and improving bicycle connectivity within and through the Downtown area.
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Developing a comprehensive shuttle system to serve Downtown residents, shoppers, and employees.
By adhering to these guidelines, the City ensures that new developments contribute to an efficient, safe, and multimodal transportation system while balancing growth and sustainability objectives.
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