Traffic emissions before and after development based on traffic impact assessment

Traffic impact assessment evaluates the traffic conditions in the vicinity before and after the completion of a new development as new development will generate additional vehicle trips on the road and contribute to a rise in traffic emission. Thus, this study aims to evaluate the impact of the proposed development in Nibong Tebal, Penang, on the existing road network and identify the necessary improvements to ensure all intersections perform satisfactorily. Additionally, the impact of the proposed intersection’s design on fuel consumption and traffic emissions will also be investigated. During morning and evening rush hours, six hours manual vehicle counts were conducted at ten intersections. The collected data is then analyzed to determine the performance of the intersection. The level of service, based on the delay and ratio of volume over capacity of a turning movement, is used as the performance indicator for intersections. This study revealed that the reduction of delay time of more than 100 seconds at signalized intersections can significantly reduce fuel consumption and traffic emissions. In conclusion, a well-designed intersection will facilitate traffic movement and reduce traffic emissions which will eventually reduce the quantity of greenhouse gases released into the atmosphere that contribute to global climate change.