We define traffic and transport survey requirements and prepare clear survey briefs to support transport assessment, access design and planning submissions. Our role is to ensure that the data collected is appropriate to the site, proportionate to the scale of development and aligned with local highway authority expectations and industry standard guidance.
Well-scoped surveys provide a strong foundation for all subsequent transport work. Getting this right at the outset avoids wasted cost, delay and rework later in the process.
What are traffic and transport survey requirements and briefs?
Traffic and transport survey requirements and briefs set out what data needs to be collected, where, when and how. This includes defining the type of surveys required, their duration, locations and methodology, as well as any specific authority requirements.
Survey briefs are typically used to instruct survey companies and to demonstrate to planning and highway authorities that baseline data will be robust, representative and suitable for assessment purposes.
We typically carry out this work of part of the pre-application scoping process, though briefs can be prepared independently to gather early informative data. Our survey requirements and briefs are tailored to the site and proposal and typically include:
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Identification of required survey types
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Survey locations and extents
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Duration and timing of surveys
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Methodology and data formats
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Peak periods and sensitivity considerations
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Alignment with assessment scope and methodology
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Authority-specific survey expectations, license requirements and costs
The value of well-defined survey requirements lies in ensuring that the right data is collected first time. By aligning survey scope with the scale of development and the likely level of assessment, we help clients avoid over-surveying on one hand and data gaps on the other. This reduces abortive cost, protects programme and ensures that subsequent Transport Assessments, Transport Statements or technical notes are built on a reliable baseline. Clear survey briefs also reduce the risk of challenge from highway authorities and provide confidence that assessment outputs will be robust and defensible.
Types of surveys we specify
As part of our survey requirements and briefs, we identify the most appropriate survey types for the site and proposal. This may include:
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Manual Classified Counts (MCC) for detailed junction turning counts and vehicle type data
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Automatic Traffic Counts (ATC) to capture daily and hourly traffic flows and speed data on links
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ANPR surveys to understand routing, journey times and origin–destination patterns
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Parking surveys to assess demand, accumulation and compliance
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Pedestrian and cycle counts, including crossing movement surveys
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Queue length and saturation flow surveys to support junction capacity assessment
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Bus and public transport surveys where service frequency or usage needs to be understood
Survey selection is driven by what evidence is genuinely required, ensuring data collection is targeted, proportionate and suitable for assessment.
When survey requirements and briefs are needed
Traffic and transport survey requirements are commonly defined:
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Prior to commissioning traffic surveys
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As part of pre-application scoping
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Before preparing Transport Assessments or Statements
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When updating or supplementing existing data
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For constrained or sensitive highway locations
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Where authority requirements are specific or nuanced
Early clarity on surveys supports smoother progression through planning.
Our approach
We take a clear, proportionate approach to survey scoping:
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Review the site, proposal and assessment requirements
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Identify the minimum data needed to support decisions
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Define survey scope, locations and methodology
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Prepare clear, concise survey briefs
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Support liaison with survey companies and authorities as needed
Our focus is on collecting data that genuinely informs assessment and decision making.
Who we support
We prepare traffic and transport survey requirements and briefs for:
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Residential developments
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Commercial and employment sites
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Retail and leisure schemes
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Education and healthcare projects
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Energy and infrastructure developments
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Strategic land and site promotion
Our experience across England, Scotland and Wales provides strong understanding of varying survey expectations and practices.
Need help to define traffic and transport survey requirements?
Get in touch and we will set out clear, proportionate survey briefs to support your project.
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