DG XI of the European Commission has recently completed a detailed analysis of ways in which Member States consider transport and related environmental impacts induced by local development projects. ERM was commissioned to assist in this process. The main objectives were to: (1) document the requirements and methods currently in use through case studies; (2) define best practice guidelines for assessing and considering environmental impacts; and (3) identify mitigation measures to reduce induced traffic. The study considered practice in nine Member States - Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, Sweden and the UK. It also identified mitigation measures in use around the world. The extent to which traffic issues are taken into account in developing land use strategies and assessing impacts at project level varies considerably between Member States; the case studies provided an interesting cross-section of practice. The guidelines set out a recommended approach to assessing and mitigating induced traffic to assist all those involved in the planning process in effectively managing impacts from traffic.
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