TRAVEL ESTIMATION PROCEDURES FOR QUICK RESPONSE TO URBAN POLICY ISSUES

Abstract

This report presents the findings of an investigation of the ability of travel estimation procedures to provide information which can respond quickly to urban policy issues. Perhaps the most significant material in the report are descriptions and evaluations of 34 models and procedures which should prove useful to transportation planners in selecting available techniques appropriate for quick response to policy issues. This project identified urban transportation planning issues requiring a quick response on the part of responsibile agencies. Questionnaires, on-site visits, as well as a review of pertinent reports, were used to determine current needs. In addition, the project reviewed and evaluated current and emerging techniques as to their ability to respond rapidly to the issues identified. It was found that an effective and responsive transportation planning process must be capable of rapidly providing estimates of the values of criteria used in the evaluation of multi-modal facility and service alternatives. These evaluation criteria include service, impacts and costs at less than the regional scale. It was found that emphasis has shifted away from long-range regional capital facility planning to providing short-range highway and transit improvements at sub-regional scales. Land use is a major issue and no longer can be treated as a fixed input to the transportation planning process. No one existing travel estimating technique was found to be completely adequate in responding to all of the many questions being asked. A quick, efficient four-step transportation planning computer process to provide for improved response to some of the current issues was recommended. Additionally, a policy oriented non-network specific procedure is needed to evaluate system changes and policy changes from a nominal condition. Development of manual methods are recommended to support project level and service changes in meeting quick response needs. The need for new disaggregate techniques which can deal with the non-work travel market was also emphasized.

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