How Much Does a Traffic Impact Study Cost?
A traffic impact study (TIS) typically costs $5,000 to $25,000+, depending on project size, intersection count, and jurisdiction requirements. Small retail or office projects need a focused study of nearby intersections; large developments, warehouses, and anything generating significant truck traffic need full modeling with mitigation design. Most cities require one above a trip-generation threshold — commonly 100 peak-hour trips.
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What triggers the requirement
Jurisdictions set trip thresholds in their development code — exceed it and the TIS is a permit condition. ITE trip generation rates estimate your project's peak-hour trips by land use. Warehouses and distribution centers almost always trigger studies because of truck percentages; a 500,000 sq ft warehouse can generate hundreds of daily truck trips that reshape nearby intersections.
What the study contains
Existing traffic counts, trip generation and distribution for the project, level-of-service analysis at study intersections for existing, background, and build-out conditions, and mitigation: turn lanes, signal modifications, roundabouts, or fair-share payments toward planned improvements. The traffic engineer coordinates with the city early on scoping — the study area and methodology must be agreed before the counts start.
Cost drivers and timeline
Intersection count is the main cost driver — each additional signalized intersection adds analysis and mitigation design. Truck-heavy uses need classification counts and turning-template analysis. Timeline: 4-8 weeks for the study, plus city review cycles. Mitigation construction (a new turn lane, signal upgrade) can cost $100,000-$500,000+ — the study fee is small next to the improvements it may require.
The bottom line
Budget $5,000-$25,000+ for the study; the mitigation it identifies (turn lanes, signals) is the real cost. Scope the study area with the city before starting counts.
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