The Malta Environment and Planning Authority has changed the transport impact assessment requirements for major developments, in a change which it said better addresses the Maltese situation whilst reducing bureaucracy at the same time.

Since the Planning Authority's inception in 1992, Traffic Impact Statements (TIS) have had to be submitted with developments which meet certain criteria.

But when this requirement was drawn up, there was no local traffic data to draw on, and consequently, UK thresholds were utilised instead, with little consideration for local situations.

Lucien Stafrace, who manages MEPA's Transport Planning Unit, explained that while TIS helped MEPA assess the impact of major developments, a couple of problems emerged.

The criteria, he explained, were inconsistent in terms of the volume likely to be generated. For instance, the same 1,000-square metre threshold applied for various commercial uses, even though a number of uses - supermarkets and restaurants in particular - were found to generate far more traffic than others, such as warehousing.

Mr Stafrace added that as a result of the criteria that had been established, relatively small developments would require a TIS, even though this would ultimately prove to be unnecessary.

As a result of the reform, TIS have now become Transport Impact Assessment; the change in name reflects a greater emphasis on issues that are not solely related to the use of private cars or even solely mechanised transport, and to highlight the need to address impacts and not simply state what they will be.

The new thresholds, based on the collection of local data that has occurred in the past two decades, are based on the generation of around 100 vehicle movements in an hour during peak traffic times.

In many cases, the thresholds have actually been increased. For residential projects, the threshold has been increased from 50 to 75 units, and the 1,000m² threshold for commercial use has been increased to 2,000m² for offices, 4,000m² for industry, and 8,000m² for warehousing.

On the other hand, the threshold was reduced to 500m² for supermarkets and restaurants.

Mr Stafrace, however, added that the reform also aimed to address the reality that smaller developments in certain areas - including areas close to major traffic junctions and areas with insufficient parking - create a larger impact.

In such cases, he explained, Simplified Transport Statements will be introduced, which would be studies requested to address specific issues of concern.