Canadian municipalities are recognizing the merits of conducting formal traffic management reviews of proposed development plans to avert potential traffic calming concerns, particularly during the planning process. In the year 2000, staff of two municipalities in the west of the Greater Toronto Area separately resolved to systematically troubleshoot development plans to prevent or mitigate potential transportation operational impacts from being built into development. They recognized that draft planning of subdivisions was lacking in traffic planning and impact assessment reporting while servicing studies and storm water management planning was well established. Recognizing the different technical complexities and planning requirements associated with the various stages of development approval, a two-tiered traffic management review process was developed. The development review guidelines herein place an emphasis on traffic equal to servicing studies, stormwater studies and noise studies to achieve a balanced assessment of all planning criteria. This is not a 'recipe' for how to prepare a subdivision plan so that traffic safety and efficiency are maximized. Instead, the document guides staff and proponents to principles and considerations that are essential when developing modern street systems.
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