Traffic Impact Analysis Regulations

Coordinating State and Local Transportation Planning

What's New

The Traffic Impact Analysis Regulations were the result of legislation championed by Gov. Timothy M. Kaine and unanimously approved by the 2006 General Assembly. The original final regulations took effect July 1, 2007. They are being implemented throughout Virginia in phases over 18 months.

VDOT Commissioner David S. Ekern established a technical committee of local government, private sector and VDOT representatives to review the regulations, implementation process and feedback received since spring 2007. The revised regulations  (PDF, 116 KB) are based on recommendations from this committee. Technical Committee members   (PDF, 17 KB)

The revised regulations took effect June 30, 2008.

Details

Traffic Impact Analysis Regulations Administrative Guidelines   (Word, 2 MB) This document provides guidance on the details of §15.2-2222.1 of the Code and its supporting regulations that establish the rules, procedures, and deadlines for VDOT’s review of local government comprehensive plans/plan amendments and traffic impact analyses for certain rezoning applications, site plans and subdivision plats. The "Administrative Guidelines" is subject to revision during implementation of the regulations.

The regulations are being implemented over 18 months in phases of three VDOT districts each. The Northern Virginia, Salem and Richmond districts began implementation on July 1, 2007. Culpeper, Staunton and Fredericksburg districts began implementation on Jan. 1, 2008.

Information sessions for the VDOT districts in the final implementation group – Bristol, Lynchburg and Hampton Roads – were held in March 2008. Information sessions presentation   (PDF, 750 KB) Implementation in those districts begins July 1, 2008.

Detailed training sessions   (PDF, 22 KB) for those directly involved with the implementation of the regulations have been held in VDOT’s nine districts.

VDOT’s phased implementation plan includes extensive educational and outreach opportunities for local and private-sector stakeholders. During the implementation process, VDOT continues to consult with the Policy Advisory Committee and the new Technical Committee.

Additional information and updates will be made available on this Web site.

Forms/Checklist

VDOT Responses to Land Development Proposals

As required by the regulations, VDOT has responded to comments from localities. Those responses can be found in our LandTrak system.

Contacts for VDOT residencies implementing Chapter 527 now are here.

Background

Chapter 527 of the 2006 Acts of Assembly added § 15.2-2222.1 to the Code of Virginia. The amendment establishes procedures by which localities submit proposals that will affect the state-controlled transportation network to the VDOT for review and comment. The chapter also directs VDOT to promulgate regulations to carry out the provisions of the statute.

The statute intends to improve how land-use and transportation-planning decisions are coordinated throughout Virginia by establishing standardized methodologies (definitions, analytical methods, etc.), procedures for analyzing transportation impacts and providing that information to citizens and policymakers.

Purpose

Specifically, the proposed Administrative Process Act (APA)-exempt regulation, Traffic Impact Analysis Regulations (24 VAC 30-155), sets forth procedures and requirements governing VDOT’s review of and submission of comments regarding comprehensive plans and amendments to comprehensive plans, rezoning proposals, and subdivision plats, site plans and plans of development and the accompanying traffic impact analyses.

The regulation also identifies when those documents must be submitted, and the documents and information that must be submitted to VDOT to facilitate the required review and submission of comments. The regulation also establishes the scope and nature of the review and a schedule of fees to be paid upon submission of a proposal to VDOT for review.

This regulation will provide additional information to assist policymakers and the public in planning, land-use and transportation decisions that promote enhanced quality of life for all Virginians.

The regulation includes standards for when traffic impact analyses must be submitted to VDOT for different types of development proposals as well as what must be contained in the analyses.

More Information

The draft regulations were developed with a Technical Advisory Committee and a Policy Advisory Committee, including representatives from local governments and other stakeholder groups, convened by the Secretary of Transportation.  As indicated to the Policy Advisory Committee, in particular VDOT anticipated the bicycle, pedestrian and transit aspects of the regulation to undergo thorough review and possible revision. 

• Letter to policy advisory committee from Secretary Homer (PDF, 377 KB)
• Letter to Commissioner Whirley from Secretary Homer (PDF, 400 KB)

Though exempt from the APA, VDOT published the draft regulations to solicit input as the regulation is finalized. VDOT collected and considered comments on all aspects of the regulation.

• Public comments (PDF, 90 KB)

A public hearing to discuss the regulations was held on Monday, Sept. 25, from 5:30 to 7:30 PM in VDOT’s Central Office Auditorium at 1221 E. Broad Street, Richmond.

• Presentation from public hearing (PDF, 90 KB)
  
• Meeting audio (MP3, 3.25 MB)
  

Chapter 527 also requires that VDOT submit a report to the Governor and the General Assembly by Dec. 1, 2006, identifying the costs of conducting the reviews required by the chapter and recommending a reasonable fee schedule for such reviews. The fee schedule proposed in the draft regulations was intended to provide a basic framework upon which to solicit comment. The final fee structure is informed by the cost report. 

• Chapter 527 Final Fee Report (PDF, 485 KB)

A presentation was made to the Commonwealth Transportation Board at its Dec. 14, 2006 workshop. 

• Meeting audio (MP3, 92 MB)
  
• Workshop agenda (PDF, 60 KB)
  
• Chapter 527 technical overview (PDF, 80 KB)

Final modifications were approved by Gov. Kaine and took effect June 30, 2008.

VDOT received several comments regarding the proposed changes to the regulations.  A summary of the comments and VDOT’s response are available here.