The requirement for detailed transport assessment has become an integral part of the land planning and development process. Recently published guidance on transport assessment has increased the level of detail required by approving authorities when assessing impacts for both strategic and local proposals.

SMA has extensive knowledge and experience in the field of transport assessment and has undertaken travel demand, accessibility and sustainability assessments and traffic impact appraisals for a wide range of private and public development proposals, major capital projects and infrastructure improvements schemes.

We have the capacity to undertake large area multi-modal and micro-simulation modelling of transport networks, as well as the analysis of the impacts of travel demand at a more local level. Projects range from small residential developments to new settlements and town centre management schemes. We have also represented developers, objectors and planning and highway authorities at Examinations in Public and Planning Inquiries and Appeals.

Travel Planning

The government now requires that a Travel Plan be prepared to support all significant planning applications that will generate a transportation impact on the local environment. A travel plan can be prepared for any residential, employment, retail, school and/or leisure development.

A Travel Plan is a scheme which comprises a package of measures to encourage the use of alternative sustainable travel modes to private, single occupancy, car journeys.

Travel Plans offer benefits to those involved directly in the Travel Plan as well as the wider community, through contributing to the relief of parking and road congestion problems; improving public transport links; improved road safety and an enhanced physical environment from improved levels of air and noise quality.

Stuart Michael Associates (SMA) has a comprehensive background in the preparation of Travel Plans involving the assessment of local travel demand, accessibility and sustainability, as well as the analysis of behavioural travel patterns and resources to develop mapping of public transport and safe walking and cycling routes. SMA has prepared a number of Travel Plans for residential, workplace, school and leisure developments in varying locations from inner urban areas to remote rural locations. We have experience in assisting the implementation of Travel Plans through the Travel Plan Coordinator role.

Travel plans have been prepared for large mixed developments, such as South Leighton Buzzard which comprises 1,536 residential homes and is complemented by employment, community and leisure facilities. This has involved the development of an Exemplar Sustainable Transport Scheme and SMA is taking the lead role in the implementation of this Residential Travel Plan through the position of Travel Plan Coordinator.

Find out more about SMA's Transport capabilities:

• Transport Modelling - including microsimulation

• Travel Plans

• Cycling and Walking