Traffic Impact Analysis of Tonsley Precinct Development, Adelaide

This thesis presents a traffic impact analysis (TIA) for the Tonsley Precinct development in Adelaide, focusing on trip generation, traffic management, and queue estimation. The study acknowledges traffic congestion as a significant issue, leading to economic costs, air pollution, and potential accidents. It explores existing knowledge of congestion in the Tonsley area and employs SIDRA intersection modeling and computer simulation as analytical tools. The research aims to analyze the impact of traffic on the Tonsley Precinct, considering financial and environmental implications, and proposing strategies to mitigate congestion. The analysis incorporates data from SCAT details and Infra Works modeling to assess the traffic flow within the precinct and its connection to major outer roads. The thesis also reviews relevant literature and research methodologies to support its findings and recommendations.

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CIVIL ENGINEERING THESIS
By Name
Course
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Institution
Location
Date

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Table of Contents
Introduction......................................................................................................................................2
Existing knowledge of congestion...................................................................................................5
Research, Aims, and Objectives......................................................................................................6
Project Scope...................................................................................................................................6
Structure of Thesis...........................................................................................................................7
LITERATURE REVIEW................................................................................................................8
Impact of Traffic Congestion – (Economy and accidents)..............................................................8
Financial Implications.....................................................................................................................9
Environmental Implications...........................................................................................................10
Strategies to Solve Congestion......................................................................................................10
How SIDRA can help Congestion.................................................................................................12
Computer Simulation as an Analytical Tool.................................................................................13
SIDRA Intersection Modelling......................................................................................................14
Microsimulation related studies.....................................................................................................15
Traffic Modelling and Microsimulation........................................................................................16
References......................................................................................................................................17
Introduction

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Traffic Impact Analysis (TIA) is a vital part in transportation to understand the information to
determine and judge the movement for upcoming road development (Wagner, 2010). One of the
major problems on the roads is traffic congestion. Traffic congestion can result in many hazards
and problems, these including delayed travel time which leads to economic costs, air pollutions
due to the vehicle are stopping and going, and this can also lead to accidents (Bhatta, 2010). If
major traffic congestion is found, drivers will intend to look for alternative routes to reach their
destination; this could lead to congestion on side roads, one lane closure and slip lane queues
extending to the main road. This is resulting in a delay of movement of goods and services come
to the market. It can also affect the fuel consumption budget of the motorists (Australia, 2014, p.
654). For when the vehicle in the traffic jam, the engine consumes fuel, and that is a wastage of
fuel for it was not intended for that purpose.
In case a road is broad in on end while there is the narrow end, it can result in slow movement of
automobiles when they reach the area. It can happen another the road is closed one lane for
utility works, thus creating traffic congestion. The complete closure of one road makes the
nearby road to be used alternatively by motorists that leads to traffic congestion on that road. It
may inconvenience the motorists and the pedestrians using the same roadway (Rao, 2012).
The Traffic Impact Analysis is (TIA) is the tool that utilized to ensure development effects are
properly mitigated Tonsley Precinct grows in quite manageable and sustainable way. Tonsley
Precinct Impact Analysis will be used to make knowledgeable decisions concerning preliminary
plat, rezoning, site plan, and for particular important applications (Glasson and Therivel, 2013).
The Traffic Impact Analysis will safeguard Tonsley is capable of: Identifying in advance
whichever potential contrary effects to the current transportation network; guarantee adequate
measures are provided for the intended development. Assisting in private and public sector

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entities in the timely identification of traffic operations related issues, including but not restricted
to traffic signals, access locations, and extra factors facilitating transportation. Supporting long-
term design solutions which foster in control advance of transportation set-up stable with the
Comprehensive Plan of the local government and community vision (Buchanan, 2015, p. 82).
Traffic impact analyses are becoming more popular to pre-develop current and future scenarios
for the transportation network, this helps improve the flow and infrastructure. A new pre-
developed structure such as commercial, institution, shopping centres and any new usage of land
need TIA to predict what the traffic flow would be. Typically, in realistic environment traffic
flow vary by the time within the day, using the surrounding areas traffic volume TIA can be used
to predict future impact analysis for the development area.
Flinders University has invested in the Tonsley Innovation District which aims to operate a
learning environment, commercial buildings, and a residential property development. The
residential development is called the Tonsley Precinct it is located 11.8 km from Adelaide CBD
and 6 minutes' drive from Marion shopping centre. It is the main attraction in the Tonsley
innovation district, and this village offers a 21st century modern way of living. The land size is
approximately 11 hectares, and it is projected to accommodate around 850 homes and 1,200
residents. Tonsley innovation also has a high commercial and educational use (Bull, 2015, p.
873).
The research method was profound by the literature review and the guidance of this thesis
supervisor. The aims will be presented and addressed throughout this thesis. The research
procedure includes getting the SCAT details for each of the corresponding intersections, second
to use SIDRA intersection to construct a model for all corresponding intersections and run

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SIDRA to find the worst scenarios and traffic management to suit the best design and to develop
a model on the software Infra Works.
Fig 1: Tonsley innovation area
Figure 1 shows the Tonsley innovation area and the square that is shown is where the Tonsley
Precinct will take place. This report objective is to traffic analyse and manage the roads that will
be contained within the precinct and the connection to major outer roads.
The proper understanding of this development needs to be acknowledged, if the purpose of this
development isn't considered, then the resolution of producing an economical, environmental
friendly design would not be satisfied. It is a fact when a new development is underway there
would be new traffic generated which will cause a volume increase to the surrounding routes and
new routes (Downs, 2013, p. 71).

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Existing knowledge of congestion
The traffic congestion at Tonsley has been a big problem for commuters. It is frustrating for a
commuter to spend unexpected more time on the road which can lead to time lose. Road network
and public transport have failed to keep pace with the progressing growth in the economy in this
vicinity. Using motor vehicles has caused many passengers to spend more time in the traffic jam
because it slows the efficient movement of vehicles (Ison, 2011, p. 782). These are the causes of
traffic congestion in Tonsley precinct:
A great number of cars on the roadways resulting in insufficient mass movement possibilities or
other motives. Blockage and merger caused by the obstacles on the roads which can result from
any of the following: Works on the road, an accident, narrowing down of the road, closure of the
lane because of utility works or double parking.
Other causes of traffic congestion in Tonsley precinct include occasional malfunctioning of the
traffic lights. Lack of sufficient green time. Too many pedestrians are crossing not allowing cars
to move or turn. Many trucks on the road resulting to insufficient rail freight prospects.
Overdevelopment in this region with an already overcrowded transit system and insufficient road
system. Unreliable travel time. Too many traffic checks on the roads.
The blame of traffic congestion is laid on the drivers, traffic official, the ministry of
transport and pedestrians. Sometimes the drivers continue using private cars even
when the public transport is the right choice. The reason being people tend to what
is sensible for them. Not only that but also aggressive drivers who want to overtake
or overlap. Furthermore, the department of traffic is blamed for intentionally
making Traffic lights without considering enough time for either green or red which

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are automatically working. Sometimes the traffic officers may stop the motor
vehicle near school zones for children to cross the road while the traffic light is
green and that reduces that can lead to traffic congestion. However, the ministry of
transport is blamed when it does not have long-term plans for every road. The
ministry of transport is to increase road capacity as the motorists’ increase so that
to avoid traffic congestions. Even some roads have been widened, but unnecessary
roundabouts can lead to slow transit (Jane, 2011, p. 720).
Research, Aims, and Objectives
The main aim of this research is to investigate and analyse the impact of traffic on the Adelaide
Tonsley precinct. In order to achieve the main aim of the research, various specific objectives
were set to assist in the achievement of the main aim. Some of them include; Analysis of the trip
generation, estimation of time per trip queue, and to analyse the traffic management.
Project Scope
This project is carefully crafted to cover the impact of traffic on the Adelaide Tonsley precinct.
The research strictly focusses on the topic of the research such as to determine the causes of
traffic congestion in Adelaide Tonsley precinct, the financial and environmental implications of
traffic and what are the solutions to the traffic congestion. Various techniques will be used that
relate to the study of traffic such as the use of SIDRA. With that, the research is tied to using the
materials that relate directly to the topic of the research.
Structure of Thesis
This thesis contains the following chapters.

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Introduction; which introduces the dissertation to the reader and it contains a summary of the
entire paper. In this chapter, there are aims and objectives of the research, significance of the
research, the scope of the research and the research.
Literature review; this chapter reviews the various studies that have been conducted by various
scholars regarding the impact of traffic on the Adelaide Tonsley precinct are reviewed to get a
deeper understanding of the whole concept regarding the impact of traffic on the Adelaide
Tonsley precinct. In this chapter, various subtopics are used regarding the impact of traffic on the
Adelaide Tonsley precinct.
Research Methodology: This chapter discusses the various techniques that were used to gather
the data. various techniques and approaches that were used are discussed in details
Results and discussions; In this chapter, the findings of the research are presented, for instance,
the causes of the impact of traffic on the Adelaide Tonsley precinct.,
Conclusion; this chapter summarizes the entire dissertation. It gives a summary of what has
discussed in this dissertation. It also presents the main findings of the research and gives
recommendations on how the challenge can be solved.
References; This section contains all the materials where the data in the dissertation was obtained
from.
LITERATURE REVIEW
This chapter is the summary of literature research by previous researchers which is connected to
the resolution of this study. It is essential to conduct a TIA study for any new development to
assessment upcoming traffic circumstances that can probably happen from any new development

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for instance commercial, residential, industrial and extra forms of land users. It is essential to
recognize the existing traffic factors to rub in the course of TIA (Lipson, 2014, p. 72).
Impact of Traffic Congestion – (Economy and accidents)
There are different ways the traffic congestion affects supply chain of goods and services in
different perspectives of the economy. The impacts of delays because of high rates of non-
recurring traffic incidents and much severity of back up results; rerouting of traffic patterns
(Moses, 2015, p. 762).
The traffic impacts have both spatial and time characteristics that successively lead to business
effects. These business effects are distinctively grouped into Delivery of freight which involves
the size of the market and fleet size. Business scheduling which includes time of delivery and
configuration of all operations (Currie and Walke., 2011.). How the business is operated that,
include cross-docking, and inventory management. Travelling and compensation of the worker
which involves worker schedule reliability and time or cost. Relocation of the business for
instance moving outside the major markets, and shifting the production elsewhere. Connection
arrangements of the worker to access air, bus and sea terminals (Nielsen, 2011, p. 112).
Each of the above business impacts affects the chains of supply differences differently as they
vary from one industry to another, that affect the affected firms to mitigate congestion expenses
through work-related operational changes, as well as resulting local economic competition in
different ways (Wang, Quddus and Ison,2013). The results of the competitiveness can be
designed by channelling supply chain effects into a set of major changes deliver access to the
market, access to labour, scales of production and the cost of avoiding risk.

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Traffic congestion can lead to road accidents. Offcourse it plays a major role in automobile
accidents. As the number of drivers increases to take the road while fewer new roads are built, it
creates a situation whereby more drivers are sharing less confined space. Consequently, this is a
creation of a significant increase in automobile accidents that are caused by congested roadways.
The badly equipped infrastructure to handle increased traffic and population can lead to road
accidents. This also happens due to increased coupled with unsafe driving behaviours that are
creating a surge in the number of automobiles accident deaths. If the number of automobiles is
increased day by day and the roads remain the same; this creates a situation whereby even
aggressive drivers may use the pedestrian pavements because they fear delays in the traffic jam
during rush hour, hence may cause an accident by knocking a pedestrian. The traffic congestion,
as well as dangerous behaviours in rush hour in addition to extra busy hours of the day, are
common grounds of automobile accidents (Philis, 2017, p. 70).
Financial Implications
Time far spent can be proportional to revenue earned. Actually for instance if the time of
delivery of goods and services increases, the cost increases too. There is some fuel consumed
during the traffic jam which increases unnecessary expenses (Anas and Lindsey, 2011). It is
approximated that delays and longer travel times in Greater Adelaide have been causing the loss
of one billion dollars annually since the year 2011, and it is expected to reach four billion dollars
by 2031.In some instances, a freight automobile is paid by the hour. Therefore, it will need a
firm to pay for the time delay in the traffic jam for the service delivery or goods. Chronic jams
increase the cost of delivering goods and services to the consumer (Martin, 2016, p. 619).
Currently, cab operators are paid hourly for services and good delivery. Let us say if the time
travel from one destination to another is one hour and the car carrying a worker delays for one

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more in the traffic jam; the worker will also pay for the extra hour in a jam. The delays in the
traffic jam have financial implications for the road users. When an automobiles delays in the
traffic jam, some workers reach late for work, and this leads to the loss of substantial revenue to
the firms and workers (Weisbrod, 2011, p. 338).
The drivers can waste some fuel and time due to traffic jams, during rush hour traffic delays and
busy times of the day. Two-thirds of the incurred cost of fuel is as the result of wasted fuel and
time which can be spent somewhere for economic activity.
Environmental Implications
Transport and traffic jam, especially automobiles can cause many detrimental effects on the
environment. It is not a surprise to discover the areas with the highest number of automobiles on
the road has the highest levels of air and noise pollution. Cars are among the major pollutants in
the world nowadays. The slower moving automobiles cause more pollution than the fast-moving
vehicle. The effects of automobile pollution are major for people living in the urban centres. The
emissions from the motor vehicles are dangerous to human beings like nitrogen oxide, carbon
monoxide, and sulphur dioxide. Sulphur diode and carbon dioxide can lead to acidic rain. The
pollutants can cause damage to the respiratory surface and respiratory diseases. Carbon dioxide
is the contributor to climate change by increasing extra heat from the sun. The traffic jams create
high noises that originate from the engines, hooting and movements and the noise can hurt the
eardrums (Underwood, 2016, p. 18).
Strategies to Solve Congestion
Traffic congestion can be easily solved. These are some of the ways it can be solved:

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Increasing the load capacity; If the roads were lanes have become small to accommodate the
number of automobiles, the road needs to be expanded for easy movement to reduce traffic
congestion. This will reduce the amount of time of travel, cost and time.
Efficient use of traffic lights; To control movements of motor vehicles and pedestrians,
functional traffic lights are needed for quick, reliable and timely programmed to ease congestion
on the busy roads (Transport, 2017, p. 72).
Connectivity; More new roads are to be constructed which can connect to the right location to
replace longer roads routes hence congestion.
Closure; Some round-about can be closed to increase the flow of vehicle, thus reducing
congestion. Minimise road checks and control. When there are many traffic roads check and
controls, congestion increases due to time spent at the traffic checks and controls. If they are
minimised, there is a reduction in the traffic jam.
Proper training for the drivers and traffic control officers; If the driver is to be trained and the
traffic officer, they will avoid crashes and follow the right signs and signals to avoid the traffic
jams.
Encourage commuters to use public transport; If more people are encouraged to travel to use
public buses rather their private cars, the traffic jam will be reduced. Use of the train; When the
train is moving across the city, it will carry a greater number of passenger. So if commuter uses
it, instead of the private car, congestion will be minimised in the city (Terrill, 2015, p. 54).
Other strategies on how to reduce the traffic congestion include; Proper planning of ongoing road
construction on the same road used by motorists. The law to be enforced to deal with traffic
offender by fine, imprisonment and re