What Are the Requirements for a Trip Generation and Distribution Description?

The Trip Generation and Distribution Description includes an estimate of the number of trip ends for each mode of travel (passenger vehicle, truck, walking, cycling, transit, etc.).  Trip generation estimates for all modes should be based on the character of the proposed development and the surrounding neighborhood, available regional data, and accepted national resources.  Passenger vehicle trip generation data from the current edition of the Institute of Transportation Engineers’ (ITE) Trip Generation should be used unless more appropriate data is available. 

If more than two truck trips per day are anticipated, include a detailed estimate of the number, vehicle size, and time of day of truck trips. The applicant will need to explain why the particular data and estimates used most accurately forecast the trip generation of the proposed development.

For proposed developments in industrial/manufacturing areas include a base trip generation in accordance with ITE 110 (General Light Industrial) development.  Staff may require and/or the developer may present a second scenario based on a different classification if it would more accurately reflect the proposed development.  The trip generation listed should reflect a reasonable ‘maximum traffic effect’ scenario under allowed zoning.

Trip distribution estimates should be based on historical data, existing and future traffic characteristics, vehicle tracking, available modeling data, and origin-destination data as available.  Estimates must be provided for all modes of travel.

If used, estimates of pass-by, internal, diverted-linked, and other types of trips should be based on commonly accepted standards (such as ITE), characteristics of the proposed development, its location on the transportation system, and other factors.  The applicant will need to explain how the calculations and estimates used most accurately forecast the trip characteristics of the proposed development.

The trip generation and distribution description need to include a review of existing Pedestrian and bicycle facilities that would be used be people to and from the proposed development, adjacent to the development, and potential connections to adjacent properties.  Each likely route should be reviewed for the adequacy of the facility to meet needs reasonably anticipated with the proposed development.  This includes identifying a safe walking route (and any needed improvements to that route) to school for residential developments within a half mile of a school or within the school district designated walk zone boundary.

City staff will review submitted trip generation and distribution descriptions. Revisions may be required to accurately (in staff judgement) reflect the anticipated trip generation and distribution of the proposed development.