Swept Path Analysis: Designing for Safe and Practical Vehicle Access

When designing a new development, it’s essential to make sure that vehicles can safely access and move around the site. Ensuring safe access to and movement within a sitef or cars, delivery vans, refuse vehicles, and fire tenders is critical. At Ripple, we use Swept Path Analysis, also known as Tracking Assessment, to help our clients get the access and layout right from the start.

What is Swept Path Analysis?

Swept Path Analysis is a technical process that analyses how different types of vehicles move when they turn. It helps us check if vehicles can safely get into and out of the site, navigate through internal roads, enter car parks, service yards, or make tight turns at junctions.

For example, we can model how a large refuse vehicle turns into a site entrance, how it navigates through the internal layout, or whether there’s enough space for a fire tender to get close to a building in case of an emergency. It’s all about checking that everything works safely and efficiently, before the design is finalised.

How We Use Swept Path Analysis

We prefer to be involved early in the design process, reviewing draft layouts and highlighting any pinch points. If a layout doesn’t work for larger vehicles or there’s a risk of vehicles crossing into oncoming lanes, we’ll advise on adjustments you might need to make. That might mean widening a road, repositioning a building, or adjusting the turning area.

Fixing Issues Early Saves Time and Money

Engaging with us early means we can help fix potential design issues before the site layout is locked in. Waiting until the planning stage can lead to delays, especially if changes are needed to satisfy the local authority’s highways team. Our input helps streamline this process by identifying issues early and proposing practical, cost-effective solutions.

Supporting Planning Submissions

Once the layout is finalised, often referred to as the design freeze, we produce detailed drawings showing our Swept Path Analysis of the site. These are included in our transport submissions to the Council, clearly showing that the design allows for safe vehicle movement, particularly for larger vehicles like fire tenders and refuse vehicles.

Councils want to see that your scheme works in practice, not just on paper. Our work gives them the confidence that your site is safe and accessible.

How Ripple Can Help

Ripple supports developers, architects and planners with expert advice on site access, movement, and layout design. Our Swept Path Analysis helps ensure your development is ready for planning.

Get in touch with us today to discuss your project and find out how we can help.