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Creating a Statewide Modeling System in Virginia

Creating a Statewide Modeling System in Virginia. Presentation for the 11th TRB National Transportation Planning Applications Conference May 7, 2007. Outline. Overview of Modeling in Virginia Creating the Virginia Transportation Modeling (VTM) System Implementation of VTM System

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Creating a Statewide Modeling System in Virginia

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  1. Creating a Statewide Modeling System in Virginia Presentation for the 11th TRB National Transportation Planning Applications Conference May 7, 2007

  2. Outline • Overview of Modeling in Virginia • Creating the Virginia Transportation Modeling (VTM) System • Implementation of VTM System • Lessons Learned

  3. Travel Demand Modeling in Virginia: 1960-Early 1990’s • 1960-1970’s: • Extensive Survey Work and several 3 and 4-step models created. Models run on mainframe computers. • 1980’s: • Models switched from Mainframe to MINUTP and TRANPLAN software. • Technical Transportation Planners wear many hats including Travel Demand Modeling • Early 1990’s: • Decline in VDOT in house modeling capability as many technical transportation planning staff knowledgeable about travel demand modeling move on to other jobs or retire. • Modeling Needs begin to increase significantly.

  4. Travel Demand Modeling in Virginia: Mid 1990’s – Early 2000’s • Modeling Needs Continue to Increase • Air Quality Conformity • Transit, Toll, and Freight • Seven new models • Number of Models maintained by VDOT more than doubles • Number of VDOT Staff doing modeling work decreases • Many problems with consultant led modeling projects

  5. Travel Demand Modeling in Virginia: Early 2000’s - Present • 2003: • Creation of New VDOT Central Office Modeling Group • 2004: • Modeling Group begins work on VTM Modeling System • 2005: • VTM Model User’s Group Created • 2006: • VTM Modeling System Policy & Procedures Manual Completed • Implementation of VTM Modeling System begins • Most models moved to a common software platform and format: CUBE Voyager • State/MPO Modeling Staff increase after several years of decline • Modeling needs continue to increase

  6. VDOT Central Office

  7. Why Did VDOT Decide to Create a Statewide Model System? • Efficiency • Consistency • Easier to Maintain and Train • Quicker Turnaround on Model Requests • Technically Defensible • Move Towards Best Practice • Large Model Regions: Advanced 4-Step • Small Model Regions: Basic 3 or 4-Step • Renewed focus on Project Level Forecasting

  8. What type of Modeling System to Create? How comprehensive should it be? How high should standards be? How standardized do models need to be? How to balance needs between small and large urban areas? How to make system flexible to handle future needs?

  9. Development Process • Initially: Limited Outreach • VDOT Central Office Modeling Staff • Eventually: Collaborative Effort • VDOT Central Office Modeling Staff • VDOT Central Office Planning Staff • VDOT District Modeling Staff • VDOT District Planning Staff • Planning District Commissions • Metropolitan Planning Organizations • Creation of Virginia Transportation Modeling (VTM) User’s Group

  10. Virginia Transportation Modeling (VTM) System • Comprehensive Minimum Guidelines & Standards • All Urban Area models • Full Range of Travel Demand Modeling activities: Inputs to Analysis • Some Standardization • Software • Acceptable Procedures • File Names • Transportation Network Attributes • Higher Standards for Large vs. Small Model Regions • Acceptable vs. Recommended Practice • Maintain some Flexibility • Guidelines vs. Standards • Possible to go above and beyond minimum guidelines & standards

  11. Existing Travel Demand Modeling Regions

  12. Future Travel Demand Modeling Regions

  13. Policies and Procedures Manual

  14. Examples from Policy and Procedures Manual: TAZs

  15. Policy and Procedures Manual: Mode Choice

  16. Policy and Procedures Manual: Guidelines for Cutline Analysis

  17. Policy and Procedures Manual: Dynamic Validation

  18. Implementation Process • Work in Progress: • Improving Land Use Forecasting Process • Moving all models to common software format: Citilabs CUBE Voyager Catalogs • Transportation Network Standardization • Linking Transportation Networks with GIS and State Traffic Databases • Multi-year Effort • Five Year Plan: FY 2007 – FY 2012 • Large Data Collection Efforts Planned • NHTS Survey Add-Ons Statewide • External Station Surveys

  19. Lessons Learned • It takes a Village • Collaborative Effort Needed • Partnership: VDOT, Planning District Commissions, MPOs, and State Universities • Extensive Outreach and Education about Travel Demand Modeling Needed • Rome was not built in a day • Initial Efforts were too Ambitious • Do not overextend Staff Resources • Measuring Expectations • Balancing Development vs. Application Needs • Coordination with Air Quality Conformity schedules • Coordination with CLRP and Corridor Study schedules

  20. Questions?

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