Centro Development Transportation Analysis

WGI completed the transportation planning, traffic engineering, and circulation planning for new mixed-use development in East Austin. WGI reviewed transportation and development plans in the area. The project team helped plan the development’s driveway locations and curbs for pick up/drop-off operations for Transportation Network Company (TNC) vehicles. We reviewed the site plan for general operations, including commercial loading and trash pick-ups.

WGI created a Transportation Demand Management (TDM) Plan for the site, working with the developer to select TDM measures that would best reduce single-occupancy vehicle trips specifically to the project’s land uses and location. With these anticipated reductions in mind, WGI performed a traffic operations analysis of the adjacent area, making recommendations for improvements nearby by intersections and traffic signals to improve traffic flow efficiency and increase the safety of all roadway users. The team also completed a walking audit of the surrounding area to determine necessary pedestrian, bicycle, and transit improvements for the area and the development; this review led to the closure of a road that served only 400 vehicles per day, which was re-envisioned as a pedestrian paseo connecting a rail station and a busy commercial corridor. Additional improvements included new ADA facilities, micromobility staging areas, and improved pedestrian connections to/ from nearby transit stops and stations.

Project Highlights:

• In addition to the paseo space, a vacated alley currently splitting the site between was integrated into the project. Skybridges crossing over this area will enable larger contiguous leased spaces for the building’s tenants. These are significant improvements for the Plaza Saltillo MetroRail station’s transit-oriented development district and will compliment the increased foot traffic from the surrounding area’s multifamily growth.