Studies

Actionable insights for context-sensitive transportation solutions

Gorove Slade is at the forefront of integrating multimodal perspectives into transportation planning and engineering, recognizing the critical role of diverse modes of transport in enhancing mobility. Our studies are designed to provide actionable insights, supporting a mix of context-sensitive transportation options. This holistic approach anticipates future changes in the transportation landscape, promoting long-term sustainability and efficiency.

Our commitment to crafting win-win outcomes on every project is what truly sets us apart. We don’t just solve transportation challenges—we envision and implement strategies that benefit all stakeholders, from local jurisdictions to national transportation networks. By advocating for solutions that enhance accessibility, reduce congestion, and promote sustainable growth, Gorove Slade is advancing transportation and engineering services that meet the needs of our clients and the communities we serve.

The Gorove Slade
Approach

Every project, no matter how small or large, should have a clearly defined set of goals. These goals and the guiding principles derived from them should be the main drivers of the analysis. We bring this mentality to our studies by first ensuring that we understand your overall vision for the project, then crafting specific goals and objectives before tailoring our data collection and analyses to match those objectives. We do this to make sure the studies performed develop the appropriate solutions for each project’s context and vision.

  1. Collect and Analyze Current Conditions: We begin by understanding the existing transportation landscape.
  2. Problem Identification and Forecasting: Through detailed analysis of potential scenarios, we pinpoint current challenges and predict future demands.
  3. Solutions Development: Our team devises strategies to mitigate these issues, recommending the most feasible and effective solutions

Traffic &
Transportation
Studies

At Gorove Slade, our reputation as a nationally recognized leader in traffic and transportation studies is built on a foundation of expertise, innovation, and a steadfast commitment to promoting mobility and practical, sustainable solutions. For us, transportation studies are more than a check-the-box requirement: they are a means by which to facilitate a conversation around transportation needs that balance a high level of technical expertise with actionable mitigations designed to meet the requirements of the project goals.

Our team of skilled planners and engineers has prepared thousands of traffic analyses, setting the standard for excellence across a variety of study types. Our comprehensive portfolio includes:

  • Traffic and Transportation Impact Studies
  • Urban Area/Multi-modal (auto, pedestrian, bicycle, transit) Transportation Studies
  • Corridor Studies
  • Central Area and Major Activity Center Studies
  • Traffic and Travel Volume Studies
  • Roadway Capacity Studies

Trip Generation
Studies

One of the basic building blocks of many transportation analyses is trip generation – understanding the projected vehicular and person-trips generated by a proposed project. Gorove Slade uses a mixture of historical trip generation rates published by the Institute of Transportation Engineers (ITE), mode split data derived from site-specific Census data, and trip generation surveys and counts from our own library to calculate an estimated new multi-modal trip generated by a project or development. For unique land uses, Gorove Slade can perform trip generation counts and surveys at comparable locations using ITE methodologies and standards.

Engaging with us early in the process ensures a clear understanding of the potential vehicle trip impacts on site driveways and the local transportation network and helps more accurately anticipate the level of study that may be required. With this information, Gorove Slade can help understand regulatory requirements and needs during due diligence, avoiding surprises later in the entitlement process.

Transportation Forecasting

Transportation Forecasting empowers clients with accurate predictions and strategic insights into future transportation needs. Leveraging advanced modeling techniques and extensive industry experience, our team forecasts travel demand, mode choice, and traffic patterns to inform critical decision-making processes.

Our forecasts provide invaluable guidance for optimizing transportation systems and enhancing community mobility, whether for urban development projects, transit planning initiatives, or infrastructure upgrades. With a commitment to precision and innovation, Gorove Slade delivers tailored forecasting solutions that drive sustainable, efficient, and resilient transportation networks.

Mode Split
Survey Studies

Mode Split Survey Studies are a specialized service designed to analyze travel behavior and preferences within communities. Through meticulous data collection and analysis, our team assesses the proportion of trips made by various modes of transportation, such as cars, public transit, walking, and cycling.

By understanding the mode choices of individuals and identifying trends, we offer valuable insights for transportation planning and policy development. Our Mode Split Survey Studies enable clients to make informed decisions regarding infrastructure investments, transit service improvements, and sustainable transportation initiatives, ultimately promoting efficient and equitable mobility solutions tailored to the needs of diverse communities.

Advanced Analysis

Transportation engineering and planning are inherently complex, with numerous competing priorities and objectives across varying project scales and focuses. Addressing these challenges often requires advanced strategies, and that is precisely where Advanced Analysis lives. Advanced Analysis offers a comprehensive suite of tools designed to solve even the most intricate transportation problems. While based on established methodologies, these tools allow us to perform deeper, more refined analyses of complex transportation issues.

Advance analysis is particularly valuable for projects that deal with oversaturated conditions, complex multimodal interactions, coordination of regional transportation initiatives, innovative and unconventional designs, and the handling of extensive data sets. 

Here are the key services provided by our Advanced Analysis team. This list is not comprehensive, as the field of transportation is continually evolving, just like our toolkit.


  • Traffic Simulation (VISSIM and SimTraffic): Microsimulation models are one of the most effective tools transportation engineers use to evaluate future changes to transportation networks. Unlike other assessment methods, microsimulation models excel at analyzing congested conditions, unorthodox networks, and multimodal interactions.
  • Travel Demand Modeling (CUBE): Major transportation and development projects often have far-reaching impacts. Travel demand modeling enables transportation planners to assess expected changes in traveler behavior on a regional scale and over extended time horizons.
  • Geospatial Analysis (ArcGIS): Mapping software allows planners to study transportation network components based on physical and operational characteristics, as well as their spatial relationships. This service is most often used in projects where non-motorized travel is common or prioritized.
  • Data Analytics: While data is collected for nearly every transportation project, some projects require extensive information from diverse sources. Large datasets, such as those tracking traveler origins and destinations or parking demand, can become unwieldy. Data analytics helps identify trends within these datasets, providing insights that lead to more informed transportation improvements.
  • Predictive Safety Analysis (ISATe, IHSDM, HSS): Safety is of paramount importance to transportation professionals. In addition to analyzing crash history, predictive safety analysis evaluates the effectiveness of transportation design improvements in reducing future crash likelihood, based on established research.
  • Visualization (Remix): Effectively communicating analysis results and recommendations is a critical step in transportation engineering and planning. Visualization tools enable us to present key information clearly and efficiently to clients, reviewing agencies, and the public.

Signal Warrant
Studies

A Traffic Signal Warrant Study is prepared to ensure that implementing a traffic signal provides a needed net positive benefit to an intersection. The warrant study looks at several measures associated with a potential need a traffic signal will address. The Signal Warrant process in Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) is referenced, which includes three vehicular volume-based warrants along with warrants that consider other factors such as the number of pedestrians, presence of a school crossing, the historical crash occurrence, coordination of signals along a corridor, intersection of major roadways, and the presence of a grade crossing.

Gorove Slade has completed hundreds of warrant studies. Our team of engineers will collect all necessary data, perform an evaluation, and prepare a study/report for submission to a local jurisdiction. A successful warrant study is based on sound data, looks comprehensively at all evaluation criteria, and evaluates not only whether a signal will improve conditions but also ensures that, equally importantly, the implementation of a signal will not result in any detrimental effects. Only after that evaluation is complete is it appropriate to determine if a signal is “warranted.”

Corridor Studies

Corridor studies are a crucial planning tool that unveils the intricate relationship between roadways and land use. In traffic flow theory, there’s a delicate balance between access and mobility. Mobility gauges how seamlessly individuals can journey between destinations, while accessibility measures the ease of interaction with those destinations. Highlighted mobility in a corridor, characterized by faster speeds and fewer interruptions, translates to reduced access and vice versa.

At Gorove Slade, we craft context-sensitive solutions tailored to your community’s needs. Our approach integrates a comprehensive analysis of existing and future land use patterns and an understanding of the corridor’s operational dynamics. By leveraging transportation planning principles and conducting thorough data collection, we empower localities to manage access, alleviate congestion, and enhance safety. Our solutions aren’t limited to personal vehicles; they encompass all modes of travel, including bicycles, pedestrians, and public transit.

A corridor study encompasses a range of essential components, from data collection and stakeholder engagement to safety analysis and capacity assessment. Whether it’s part of a broader small-area plan or a focused initiative aimed at reducing accidents, we deliver tailored strategies to meet your objectives. Partner with Gorove Slade to unlock the potential of your corridors and foster vibrant, connected communities.

Pedestrian / Bicycle Level of Service

Pedestrian/Bicycle Level of Service (PLOS/BLOS) is critical to transportation studies. It involves assessing the quality and comfort of walking and cycling facilities to ensure safe and accessible environments for pedestrians and cyclists. Our methodology evaluates sidewalk width, pavement condition, bike lane presence, and intersection design to identify areas for pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure improvement. Incorporating PLOS/BLOS assessments into our transportation studies provides valuable insights to enhance the overall pedestrian and cycling experience, contributing to safer and more sustainable transportation networks.