Traffic Generated by Mixed-Use Developments—Six-Region Study Using Consistent Built Environmental Measures

TLDR

Current traffic impact analysis methods underestimate the benefits of mixed‑use developments, leading to higher exactions and discouraging such projects. This study develops a more accurate methodology for predicting the traffic impacts of mixed‑use developments. Using standard protocols, the authors identified MXDs in six metropolitan regions, pooled household travel survey and GIS data with consistently defined variables, and applied hierarchical modeling to estimate internal trip capture, walking and transit use, and external vehicle trip lengths. Mixed‑use developments with diverse on‑site activities capture many trips internally, while smaller walkable MXDs generate significant walk and transit trips, and centrally located MXDs produce shorter vehicle trips, all of which reduce traffic impacts compared to conventional suburban or outlying developments.

Abstract

Current methods of traffic impact analysis, which rely on rates and adjustments from the Institute of Transportation Engineers, are believed to understate the traffic benefits of mixed-use developments (MXDs), leading to higher exactions and development fees than necessary and discouraging otherwise desirable developments. The purpose of this study is to create new methodology for more accurately predicting the traffic impacts of MXDs. Standard protocols were used to identify and generate data sets for MXDs in six large and diverse metropolitan regions. Data from household travel surveys and geographic information system (GIS) databases were pooled for these MXDs, and travel and built environmental variables were consistently defined across regions. Hierarchical modeling was used to estimate models for internal capture of trips within MXDs, walking and transit use on external trips, and trip length for external automobile trips. MXDs with diverse activities on-site are shown to capture a large share of trips internally, reducing their traffic impacts relative to conventional suburban developments. Smaller MXDs in walkable areas with good transit access generate significant shares of walk and transit trips, thus also mitigating traffic impacts. Centrally located MXDs, small and large, generate shorter vehicle trips, which reduces their impacts relative to outlying developments.