Development approvals

    Traffic impact assessments in British Columbia

    A traffic impact assessment shows a municipality how a development will affect the surrounding road network and what, if anything, is needed to accommodate it. We prepare TIAs to each municipality's terms of reference and, where a provincial highway is involved, BC Ministry of Transportation and Transit requirements.

    Traffic engineering drawings being reviewed at a desk

    Three stages of a traffic impact assessment

    Start with the level of analysis your project needs.

    1. 1

      Pre-Application Traffic Note

      A concise pre-application traffic analysis that gives you and your planning consultant a clear picture of site access, trip generation and likely municipal requirements before full design.

      What's included

      • Site access and intersection geometry assessment
      • Trip generation estimates (ITE rates, BC-adjusted)
      • Peak-hour traffic conditions summary
      • Preliminary parking demand analysis
      • Key issues and risks summary
      • Recommended next steps and scope estimate

      Fee credit: The full fee of this Traffic Note credits toward your Traffic Impact Assessment if you proceed.

      Request a Traffic Note
    2. 2

      TIA Scoping Memo

      A structured scoping memo covering intersection counts, study area, analysis horizons and deliverables, so you can issue an RFP or brief a consultant knowing what the municipality will ask for.

      What's included

      • Development scenario and land use review
      • Study area delineation (intersections and corridors)
      • Traffic count and data requirements list
      • Analysis horizons and background growth assumptions
      • Deliverable checklist aligned to municipal guidelines
      • Estimated TIA scope and fee range
      Request a scoping memo
    3. 3

      Traffic Impact Assessment

      A complete Traffic Impact Assessment prepared to the municipality's terms of reference and, where a provincial highway is involved, BC Ministry of Transportation and Transit requirements. Prepared and sealed by a Professional Engineer registered with Engineers and Geoscientists BC.

      What's included

      • Existing conditions analysis (counts, geometry, operations)
      • Trip generation and distribution (ITE and local adjustments)
      • Future traffic forecasting with background growth
      • Signal warrant and intersection operations analysis
      • Site access design and queuing assessment
      • Parking supply and demand analysis
      • Engineer-sealed report, drawings and summary tables

      Fee credit: The Pre-Application Traffic Note fee is credited in full. Data and analysis from your Traffic Note are retained for the full assessment.

      Request a proposal

    Indicative fees

    Reference ranges for typical studies. Your fee is confirmed in writing before work begins.

    All fees are in Canadian dollars and exclude applicable taxes.

    ServiceExpected fixed fee
    Pre-Application Traffic Note, Standard site$1,000
    Pre-Application Traffic Note, Complex site$2,000
    Full TIA, Small (1–3 intersections)$4,000–$10,000
    Full TIA, Medium (3–6 intersections)$10,000–$20,000
    Full TIA, Large (6+ intersections)$20,000–$35,000+

    Frequently asked questions

    What is a Traffic Impact Assessment (TIA)?
    A Traffic Impact Assessment (TIA) is an engineering study that evaluates how a proposed development will affect the surrounding road network. A TIA documents existing traffic conditions, forecasts future traffic, identifies impacts and recommends mitigation measures. It is prepared and sealed by a Professional Engineer registered with Engineers and Geoscientists BC.
    When do I need a TIA for my development?
    A TIA may be requested for rezoning, development permit and subdivision applications, particularly where a project generates significant vehicle trips, changes access, or may affect nearby intersections or a provincial highway. Requirements vary by municipality; use our Traffic Study Checker or contact us with your site details.
    What is the difference between a Traffic Note, a Scoping Memo and a full TIA?
    A Traffic Note is an early look at access, trip generation and likely municipal requirements before you apply. A Scoping Memo sets out the study area, counts, horizons and deliverables the municipality will expect. The full TIA is the sealed study submitted with your application.
    What information do you need to start?
    The site address, the proposed land uses and sizes (units, floor area or seats), the site plan with access locations, and any comments or terms of reference from the municipality.
    What is the Pre-Application Traffic Note credit?
    When you commission a JADE Pre-Application Traffic Note, the full fee you paid credits toward your Traffic Impact Assessment if you proceed. Site data, trip generation calculations and intersection assessments from your Traffic Note can be used in the full assessment, so you do not pay twice for the same groundwork.
    Do you deal with provincial highway referrals?
    Yes. Where a development is referred to the BC Ministry of Transportation and Transit, we prepare the referral letter or traffic study the Ministry asks for.
    What affects the schedule of a traffic study?
    Three things: the scope the municipality asks for, when traffic counts can be taken (school terms and seasonal patterns matter), and the municipality's own review cycles. We confirm scope and fee in writing, and agree the schedule with you before any work starts.
    Do you handle municipal coordination and resubmissions?
    Yes. We can coordinate technical questions with the reviewing authority and support responses and resubmissions within the agreed scope.

    Check your municipality's requirements

    Use our checker, or tell us about your project and request a proposal.

    Traffic Study Checker Request a proposal