Mixed-Use Local Centre Traffic Impact Assessment & Parking Strategy

Author/Project Engineer:  Brent Hodges (Senior Associate)

Overview

Quantum Traffic was engaged to provide traffic engineering advice for a proposed mixed-use development within the Taylor Local Centre in Canberra’s rapidly growing Gungahlin district.

Located on Block 1 Section 60 and bounded by Robin Boyd Crescent, Grenfell Avenue and Langmead Street, the currently vacant CZ4 Local Centre site is proposed to accommodate a supermarket, supporting retail tenancies and residential townhouses above a single-level basement car park.

The proposal forms part of the evolving Taylor Local Centre precinct and seeks to deliver a walkable, transit-supportive neighbourhood activity centre integrated with surrounding public infrastructure and future urban growth.

Quantum Traffic’s Role

Quantum Traffic provided comprehensive Traffic Impact Assessment (TIA) services to support planning approvals for the proposed development.

Our scope included:

• Preparation of a Traffic Impact Assessment in accordance with ACT planning requirements.
• Parking supply and parking demand assessment under ZS2 Commercial Zones Specifications.
• Review of basement parking layouts and access arrangements.
• Assessment of bicycle parking and end-of-trip facilities.
• SIDRA intersection modelling of surrounding road network performance.
• Operational review of internal circulation and access efficiency.
• Assessment of shared parking opportunities within the Taylor Local Centre precinct.

The project required a balanced approach that considered not only statutory parking requirements, but also how the centre would function operationally within a growing mixed-use urban environment.

Technical Approach

A key focus of the assessment involved understanding how parking demand would operate across the mixed-use development and surrounding public parking network.

Rather than relying solely on theoretical peak parking generation assumptions, the assessment considered:

• Empirical parking demand data.
• Shared parking principles.
• Linked trip behaviour between retail uses.
• Public parking utilisation within the local centre.
• Active and sustainable transport opportunities.
• Future growth within the broader Gungahlin district.

Traffic modelling was undertaken using SIDRA Intersection software to assess the operational performance of key surrounding intersections and access points under future development traffic conditions.

This allowed the project team to demonstrate both network functionality and the appropriateness of the proposed parking outcomes within the context of a contemporary mixed-use local centre.

Outcomes & Project Benefits

The assessment concluded that the proposed development could operate efficiently and safely while integrating effectively with the surrounding transport network and public parking infrastructure.

Key outcomes included:

• Confirmation that parking demands could be accommodated through a combination of on-site and nearby public parking.
• Support for a reduced reliance on excessive on-site parking provision.
• Demonstration that surrounding intersections would continue to operate at excellent levels of service.
• Negligible impacts on queue lengths and intersection delays.
• Reinforcement of walkable and transit-supportive planning objectives within the local centre.

Importantly, the assessment supported the strategic intent of the Taylor Local Centre by encouraging efficient land use outcomes while leveraging existing transport and public parking infrastructure.

Challenges & Solutions

One of the primary project challenges involved reconciling parking requirements with the mixed-use nature of the proposal and the availability of surrounding shared public parking.

Mixed-use developments often experience complementary peak parking demands, where retail, supermarket and residential uses generate demand at different times throughout the day.

Quantum Traffic addressed this by:

• Applying empirical parking demand analysis.
• Assessing linked trips between retail uses.
• Reviewing surrounding public parking supply and accessibility.
• Demonstrating operational functionality through traffic modelling.
• Clearly documenting how overall parking demands could be satisfactorily accommodated without adverse network impacts.

This evidence-based approach provided confidence that the development could function effectively while aligning with broader ACT planning objectives focused on sustainable and efficient urban centres.

Experience in Mixed-Use & Local Centre Developments

Quantum Traffic regularly provides traffic engineering and parking advice for mixed-use developments, supermarkets, activity centres and commercial precincts across Victoria, New South Wales, Queensland and the ACT.

Our experience includes:

• Traffic Impact Assessments.
• Parking demand assessments.
• SIDRA and microsimulation modelling.
• Basement access and circulation review.
• Shared parking assessments.
• Sustainable transport integration.
• Expert witness and planning tribunal support.

We regularly work alongside developers, architects, planners and government agencies to deliver practical and commercially informed traffic engineering outcomes.