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Appendix: Traffic Intensity Factor Guidelines

Traffic Intensity Factor

The Traffic Intensity Factor Guidelines (TIF) provide a useful tool to help determine the likely traffic generation associated with particular activities, to determine whether an activity will require resource consent. You are able to submit an alternate traffic intensity for a proposed activity as assessed by a suitably qualified Transportation Engineer. The Traffic Intensity Factor which has been determined for each Zone (refer to Part B – Land Use) is based on an assessment of what traffic effects are appropriate in the Zone. If your activity complies with the Traffic Intensity Factor set for the Zone then it is a Permitted Activity. If it is unable to comply then a resource consent will be required to assess the likely effects that the traffic generation may have on surrounding land uses and on the roading network.

The Traffic Intensity Factor Guideline provides a means of assessing the likely traffic effects from a particular new activity before an activity establishes on a site. The TIF is based on the average typical daily one-way vehicle movements for a particular activity. Consequently, in any particular example, it may not represent the amount of traffic that is actually generated by a land use. Appendix 24f sets out the Traffic Intensity Factor which has been calculated for a variety of activities.

Note 1: The Traffic Intensity Factor (TIF) does not apply to, or limit, existing activities and does not limit future increases in traffic generation from a site unless:

  1. this is the subject of a condition in a resource consent; or
  2. the effect of an increase in traffic is such that the scale, intensity, or character of the activity changes, in which case existing use rights under section 10 of the RMA no longer apply.

Note 2: A TIF has been worked out for a limited number of activities. If there is no TIF in Appendix 24f for the activity that is being considered, the TIF for the activity in Appendix 24f that is closest in scale, intensity and character to the activity being considered can be used. In cases where there is uncertainty then Council may request that a Traffic Impact Assessment Report be prepared by a suitably qualified Transportation Engineer to determine the likely traffic generation associated with an activity to confirm the activity status.

Note 3: Having established the TIF for a particular activity from Appendix 24f, reference must be made to the rules for the Zone in which the activity is to be located. The rules state the TIF for the Zone. If the TIF for the particular activity, as listed in Appendix 24f, is less than the TIF for the Zone, the activity is permitted. If it is greater than the permitted TIF for the Zone, the activity is considered a Restricted Discretionary Activity. In considering a Restricted Discretionary application, the Council will restrict the exercise of its discretion to the consideration of those matters listed under the relevant Traffic Intensity Rule in the Zone Chapters.

Example: A motel with 6 units has a TIF of 18. If it is proposed in the Residential Zone, which has an allowable TIF of 20, it is, in terms of traffic intensity, a permitted activity.

Note 4: A vehicle travelling to a site = one vehicle movement. A vehicle travelling to a site and then leaving to go elsewhere = two vehicle movements.

Note 5: Where there is more than one activity on a site the TIF is calculated separately for each activity, then added together. This not only applies where there are two or more new activities proposed, but also means that if an existing activity on a site has a TIF of, e.g. 20, and the Zone permits a TIF of 40, any new activity may have a TIF of 20 before it is subject to a resource consent .

Land Use Activity Traffic Intensity Factor
(based on average daily one-way vehicle movements)
Residential 
Dwellings 7 per unit
Home Occupations 10 per non residential employee
Pensioner Housing 2 per unit
Boarding Houses 2 per 2 persons accommodated
Casual Accommodation 
Home Stay/Bed & Breakfast 2 per 2 persons accommodated
Camping Grounds/Motor Camps 3 per unit and/or 2 per camp site
Motel 3 per unit
Tourist Hotel 2 per rooms
Retail 
Shops (including TAB facilities) / Shopping Centres 70 per 100m2 GFA
Supermarkets 100 per 100m2 GFA
Garden or Hire centres 50 per 100m2 space open to public
Building Supply Outlets 30 per employee
Service Stations with Shop 500 per 100m2 GFA shop
Vehicle sales, repair, service 20 per 100m2 GFA
Office and Commercial 
Commercial / Office 10 per 100m2 GFA
Restaurants/Bars 
Fast Food with Drive-In 200 per 100m2 GFA
Restaurants, Bars, Cafes 60 per 100m2 GFA
Industry 
Industrial Units 5 per 10m2 GFA
Distribution Centres 4 per 100m2 GFA
Bulk Warehousing 4 per 100m2 GFA
Contractors depots 4 per 100m2 GFA
Port/Sea Terminal 4 per 100m2 GFA
Health and Education 
Hospitals 50 per 100m2 GFA
Retirement Facility 2 per bed
Healthcare Services 50 per 100m2 GFA
Educational Facility 30 per staff member
Child Care Facility 100 per 100m2 GFA
Recreation 
Boat Ramps 200 per ramp
Gymnasiums 50 per 100m2 GFA
Tennis, Squash, basketball, badminton 50 per court
Golf courses 300 per course
Cricket, football, hockey 100 per playing field or 60 per 100 spectator seats
Places of Entertainment 2 per every person facility is designed for
Places of Assembly 2 per every person facility is designed for
Other buildings for Social, Cultural or Recreational purposes (including Grandstands) 2 per every person facility is designed for Marinas 2 per berth
Rural 
Farming No specific intensity factor provided. Each activity must demonstrate compliance with the limits of the subject zoning (i.e. 60 movements per site in the Rural Zone).
Forestry No specific intensity factor provided. Each activity must demonstrate compliance with the limits of the subject zoning (i.e. 60 movements per site in the Rural Zone).

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Download pdf version Appendix: Traffic Intensity Factor Guidelines

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