What is the ITE Trip Generation Manual?

The ITE (Institute of Transportation Engineers) Trip Generation Manual is the industry-standard reference that provides empirically derived equations and average rates for estimating vehicle trips produced by various land uses. It is based on thousands of trip-count studies across North America.

What is the independent variable (IV)?

Each ITE land use has a specific size metric used in the regression equation — called the independent variable. For residential uses it is usually dwelling units (DU); for retail it is gross floor area (GFA) in 1,000 sq ft (KSF); for office it is GFA in KSF; for warehouses it is GFA in KSF. The tool labels the correct unit for each selected land use.

Are these figures exact or estimates?

These are estimates based on average or regression-derived ITE rates. Actual trip generation can vary with local transit access, mixed-use interaction, shared parking, and site-specific factors. A licensed traffic engineer should confirm figures for formal permit submissions.

What edition of the ITE manual do these rates come from?

The rates used here are based on ITE Trip Generation Manual, 11th Edition (2021) weighted averages and fitted equations. Always verify against the current edition for formal studies.

What does the directional split mean?

Directional split describes the share of trips entering versus exiting the site during a peak hour. For example, a residential use in the AM peak typically has more vehicles exiting (residents leaving for work) than entering.

Trip Generation Estimator

Name: Trip Generation Estimator
Availability: InStock
Author: Nham Vu

Select an ITE land use code, enter the size, and instantly get AM peak, PM peak, and daily vehicle trip estimates.

Land Use Parameters

Land Use Group

Land Use Code (ITE)

Size / Intensity

Select a land use and enter its size to see trip estimates.

Daily Trips

—

vehicles/day

AM Peak

—

vehicles/hour

PM Peak

—

vehicles/hour

Directional Split

Period	Entering	Exiting	Total

Trip Volume Comparison

Estimates based on ITE Trip Generation Manual, 11th Edition average rates and regression equations. Results are for preliminary planning only — consult a licensed traffic engineer for formal studies.

Summary

Select an ITE land use code, enter the size, and instantly get AM peak, PM peak, and daily vehicle trip estimates.

How it works

Select a land use code from the ITE Trip Generation Manual (e.g., Single-Family Residential, Shopping Center).
Enter the independent variable — dwelling units, gross square footage, or acreage depending on the land use.
The estimator applies the ITE regression equation or average rate for that land use.
AM peak-hour, PM peak-hour, and average daily trip counts are displayed instantly.
Review the directional split (entering vs. exiting) for each peak period.

Use cases

Traffic impact studies for development applications.
Preliminary site planning to gauge infrastructure needs.
Rezoning analysis to compare trip generation between land use alternatives.
Transportation demand management studies.
Quick sanity-checks on consultant-prepared trip generation tables.
Class exercises and self-study for civil engineering students.

Frequently Asked Questions

Last updated: 2026-07-26 · Reviewed by Nham Vu