Traffic Impact Studies in Mississauga

Understanding the Transportation Requirements for Your Development

A Transportation Impact Study (TIS) evaluates how a proposed development will affect the surrounding transportation network and identifies the improvements needed to accommodate future travel demand. In Mississauga, this assessment considers more than vehicle traffic: it examines transit, pedestrians, cyclists, road safety, site access and circulation, and opportunities to reduce reliance on single-occupant vehicles.

Transportation assessments support the City’s development approval process by demonstrating how a proposed development can integrate safely and efficiently with existing and planned transportation infrastructure. The required scope depends on the development’s size, anticipated travel demand, location and surrounding traffic conditions.

What Does the TIS Process Involve?

1. Screening and Scoping

The process begins with the City’s Pre-Study Consultation Checklist to determine the appropriate assessment. Depending on anticipated impacts, the requirement may range from no additional transportation study to a focused Access Review or a comprehensive Transportation Impact Study. The consultant confirms the study area, analysis periods, future assessment years, data requirements and methodology with City staff before undertaking the detailed analysis.

2. Reviewing Existing Conditions

The consultant documents existing and planned road networks, intersections, traffic controls, transit services, sidewalks, cycling infrastructure, parking and site access. Traffic counts, turning movements, collision records, queue observations and other field data may be collected where required. Planned developments and transportation improvements are incorporated to establish realistic future background conditions.

3. Forecasting Travel Demand

The study estimates the number of person trips generated by the proposed development, their distribution across the network and the travel modes used. Forecasts account for the development’s land uses, relevant peak periods, surrounding growth and appropriate assumptions about walking, cycling, transit and vehicle travel.

4. Evaluating Impacts and Developing Solutions

Existing and future conditions are analyzed to identify congestion, capacity constraints, access conflicts, sightline deficiencies and other operational or safety concerns. Depending on the scope, the assessment may recommend intersection improvements, turning lanes, traffic-control measures, access modifications, pedestrian connections or other on-site and off-site improvements. Construction-related transportation impacts must also be considered where relevant.

5. Reporting and Implementation

The consultant prepares a technical report documenting assumptions, methods, findings, recommended mitigation measures and implementation requirements. Supporting data and applicable checklists accompany the submission. Recommendations may include funding responsibilities, development phasing and monitoring measures to ensure transportation improvements and demand-management initiatives are implemented effectively.

What Makes Mississauga’s TIS Requirements Distinctive?

A tiered assessment framework: A full Transportation Impact Study is generally triggered for developments outside the Official Plan’s Downtown designation that are forecast to generate more than 100 peak-hour person trips. Smaller developments may require an Access Review where location, operational or road-safety conditions warrant further assessment. The City retains discretion over the final scope.

A Transportation Demand Management Plan (TDMP): Mississauga requires a TDMP as part of a complete development application. Proposals generating fewer than 100 new peak-hour person trips generally require a TDM Statement describing proposed measures. Developments generating 100 or more trips generally require a more detailed TDM Scheme, including projected trip reductions and plans for future monitoring and evaluation. More detailed measures may also be required for smaller developments, depending on site circumstances. Strategies can include improved cycling facilities, transit-supportive design, ridesharing and parking management.

A Pedestrian Circulation Plan (PCP): A PCP is required as part of a complete application for all development proposals. It illustrates how people access and move through the site and connect to surrounding sidewalks, transit and neighbourhood destinations. Particular attention is given to accessibility, direct pedestrian routes, safe crossings, separation from vehicles and missing pedestrian links.

Location-specific safety and access reviews: The screening process considers factors such as higher-speed boundary roads, restricted sightlines, nearby driveways or intersections, documented collision or operational concerns, proposed drive-through facilities and potential impacts on transit operations. These factors can trigger an Access Review even when a development generates relatively few trips.

Coordination with other road authorities: Developments near roads under the jurisdiction of Peel Region or the Ministry of Transportation of Ontario (MTO) may require additional or separate transportation assessments. Early coordination helps identify these requirements and avoid duplication or delays.

Plan Ahead for Development Approval

Early transportation consultation can help developers identify required studies, refine site access and circulation, integrate pedestrian and cycling connections, and establish realistic mitigation and implementation strategies. Confirming the study scope with the City before beginning detailed analysis helps streamline the application review process.

Reference: City of Mississauga — Transportation Impact Study Terms of Reference and Guidelines. Study requirements depend on the application, development characteristics and site conditions.

Our team has in-depth expertise at conducting these assessments. Contact us today to find out how we can help with your project.