Traffic & Transport
Active Transport Assessments
An active transport assessment shows how a development supports walking, cycling and access to public transport — increasingly expected in planning applications.
What it is
An active transport assessment examines how well a development provides for people walking, cycling and using public transport — the pedestrian and bicycle connections, end-of-trip facilities, safe crossings, and access to nearby services and transport. Planning policy increasingly expects developments to reduce car dependence and support sustainable travel, and this assessment provides the evidence.
When you need it
You need one where planning policy or a council requires walking, cycling and public-transport provision to be addressed — commonly for medium- and larger-scale residential, mixed-use, employment and education developments, and wherever bicycle parking rates or active-transport connections are a condition or a policy expectation. It often accompanies a TIA.
Who requires it
Councils and state agencies (through planning policy) require active transport to be addressed; developers, town planners and architects commission the assessment to demonstrate it.
What Arcvia assesses
Pedestrian and cycling connectivity to and through the site; safety and quality of walking and cycling routes and crossings; proximity and access to public transport; bicycle parking and end-of-trip facilities (against the applicable rates); and opportunities to genuinely support walking, cycling and public-transport use.
What you receive
An active transport assessment report setting out the provision and connectivity, demonstrating compliance with the applicable rates and policy, and recommending practical improvements — evidence a council can rely on and a plan that improves the development.
Standards, guidelines & authorities
Referenced to the relevant planning scheme provisions (including bicycle facilities requirements — in Victoria, Clause 52.34), relevant Austroads active-transport and cycling guidance, and applicable Australian Standards for pedestrian and bicycle facilities. We confirm the applicable references at scoping.
Information we need for your fee proposal
The site address; the proposed development and use; the surrounding walking, cycling and public-transport context (or we can assess it); any council requirement; and your timeframe.
Our process
- Scoping — confirm the policy requirements and the development.
- Fee proposal — scope and fee in writing.
- Assessment — connectivity, facilities and compliance review.
- Report — findings and recommendations.
- Support — respond to council questions.
Frequently asked questions
It's an assessment of how a development supports people walking, cycling and using public transport — the connections, crossings, bicycle parking and facilities that reduce reliance on driving. Councils increasingly expect it as part of demonstrating good, sustainable design.
Often yes — planning schemes set bicycle parking rates for many uses (in Victoria, under Clause 52.34), and the assessment confirms what your development needs and how to provide it well. We calculate the requirement and advise on practical, compliant provision.
It's a distinct focus, but the two often sit together — a TIA looks at vehicle traffic and parking, while an active transport assessment looks at walking, cycling and public transport. For many developments we prepare them as a coordinated package.
Demonstrating genuine walking, cycling and public-transport provision supports the planning case, can support lower car-parking rates in well-connected locations, and aligns your project with council and state policy — all of which can smooth assessment.
Related services
- Car-Parking Demand AssessmentsA car-parking demand assessment works out how much parking your development actually needs — and provides the evidence to support a rate different from the standard planning requirement.
- Traffic Impact Assessments (TIA)A traffic impact assessment is an engineering report that shows how a proposed development will affect the surrounding road network — and what, if anything, is needed to make it work safely.
- Transport Planning and AdvisoryStrategic transport advice — from early feasibility and options to policy input and expert review — that helps clients and authorities make sound, defensible decisions.
Sectors & locations
Servicing Victoria and Queensland.
Representative work
Have a project that needs a clear way forward?
Tell us about your development and we'll set out the scope and fee in writing.