What Should a Traffic Impact Analysis Cost in Texas? A Practical Pricing Guide for Small-to-Mid Developers
Developers often receive wildly different TIA quotes for similar projects. One firm may quote $5,000 while another quotes $20,000 or more for what looks like the same study.
Pricing differences usually come down to scope and overhead — not drastically different technical work. This guide explains what drives pricing, realistic cost ranges, where unnecessary markup appears, and how to evaluate proposals fairly.
What You're Actually Paying For
A TIA fee covers several technical components. Understanding them helps you evaluate whether a proposal is fairly scoped:
- Trip generation and traffic forecasting
- Intersection operations analysis
- Existing traffic counts
- Synchro, HCS, or Vistro modeling
- Coordination with city staff or TxDOT
- Revision rounds
- Senior PE review and final seal
Pricing changes most based on the number of intersections analyzed, future scenarios modeled, TxDOT involvement, and how aggressively the study is scoped up front.
Most Small Projects Don't Need a Massive Study
Many smaller Texas developments only require one of the following — not a full regional TIA:
- A traffic memo
- A focused trip generation analysis
- A limited intersection review
In smaller municipalities, requirements are often determined during staff review rather than by a published code threshold. Some firms overscope smaller developments by default — applying large-project templates to projects that don't warrant them. Proper scoping can significantly reduce engineering costs, revision cycles, and entitlement delays.
Typical TIA Price Ranges in Texas
Traffic Memo / Small TIA: $3,500–$6,500
- Small retail pads
- Low-unit developments
- Limited driveway access projects
Standard TIA: $7,500–$15,000
- Subdivisions
- Multifamily
- Small commercial centers
- 100–300 peak-hour trips
Full TIA with TxDOT Coordination: $15,000–$35,000+
- Larger commercial projects
- State highway access
- Multiple intersections
- Off-site improvement discussions
Large Mixed-Use / Master-Planned Developments: $35,000+
- Phased analysis
- Corridor-level modeling
- Extensive agency coordination
Where TIA Pricing Gets Inflated
Many cost differences between proposals come from overscoping, not technical necessity. Common sources of inflation include:
- Excessive intersection analysis — analyzing intersections beyond what the city actually requires
- Future scenarios added "just in case" without confirming they're required
- Large-firm overhead rates built into every line item
- Open-ended hourly revision billing with no cap
- Heavy project management layering on straightforward studies
Questions to Ask Before Approving a Proposal
Three questions worth asking any firm before you sign:
- 1"Is this fixed fee or time-and-materials?" Fixed fee is usually preferable for smaller TIAs — it removes your exposure to open-ended revision billing.
- 2"How many intersections are being analyzed?" Ask why each one is included. A good engineer should be able to explain the city requirement behind every intersection in the scope.
- 3"Did you meet with the city to confirm scope?" Scoping meetings often eliminate unnecessary work before it gets built into the proposal.
The Cheapest TIA Can Become the Most Expensive
Poorly scoped studies — whether over- or under-scoped — create downstream costs. A study that misses what the city actually needs can trigger resubmittals, redesigns, delays, and additional engineering fees that dwarf the original savings.
The most expensive proposal is rarely necessary for small projects. But neither is the one that cuts corners. The goal is a right-sized study that gets approved efficiently.
What to Send When Requesting a Quote
To get an accurate fixed-fee proposal, include the following in your request:
- Site address and parcel ID
- Site plan or concept
- Land use type
- Unit count or square footage
- Access points if available
- Desired submittal timeline
Why Smaller Developers Work With Atlas
Atlas Engineers focuses specifically on small-to-mid developments in growing Texas communities. We provide:
- Fixed-fee pricing with no open-ended revision exposure
- Right-sized studies instead of overengineered scope
- Early coordination with agencies to reduce review delays
- Efficient entitlement support from engineers who know how city planning departments actually work
Need pricing for a TIA or traffic memo?
Atlas provides fixed-fee proposals within 3 business days for projects across Texas. Send your project address, site concept, and anticipated timeline and we'll get back to you.
- Email: rguerra@atlasengineers.org
- Phone: (210) 416-1354
Not sure where your project lands?
Send us the site location and a quick description of what you're building. We'll review it and point you in the right direction within 48 hours — no charge, no commitment.