TRANSIMS: Applications and Development Workshop
April 8–9, 2010
Travel Demand Modeling for a Small sized MPO Using TRANSIMS
Mohammad Sharif Ullah
Champaign County Regional Planning Commission
1776 E Washington Street, Urbana, IL 61802
Phone: 217 328 3313 Ext 124
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
List of Authors
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Mohammad Sharif Ullah, Senior Transportation Engineer, CCRPC, Urbana, IL
Asadur Rahman, PhD student, IIT, Chicago, IL
Rita Morocoima-Black, Planning & Comm. Development Director, CCRPC, Urbana, IL
Ahmed Mohideen, Travel Demand Modeler, Cambridge Systematics, Tallahassee, FL
Abstract
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Travel demand modeling is an important tool in the transportation planning process. It enables us to evaluate the future of our transportation system and identify problem areas proactively, thereby focusing our resources on the most efficient ways to solve future transportation problems. Transportation planning agencies, such as Departments of Transportation (DOTs) and Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPOs) have been using travel demand modeling techniques for a long time. However, the current travel demand models require significant resources for development, maintenance, and application. Most small MPOs do not have the necessary resources to provide for travel demand modeling in their regions. The initial and maintenance costs of commercially available tools for travel demand modeling are not affordable for most small sized MPOs. Furthermore, the expertise and the staff time required to develop, maintain, and apply travel demand modeling are typically not within the reach of these MPOs. To encourage these small MPOs to develop and maintain a travel demand model, an effective tool needs to be introduced which would be less taxing on financial and labor resources. This tool should also be able to provide the necessary functions required by the small sized MPOs to run their transportation planning process.
This study sought to determine whether TRANSIMS would be able to provide the necessary tools to achieve the functional requirements of travel demand modeling for small sized MPOs. It also explored other resources needed for implementing a travel demand model in TRANSIMS and also the accuracy of the results. Furthermore, the study looked into issues and opportunities in implementing such a model. A travel demand model was developed for a small sized MPO using TRANSIMS. The model was calibrated and validated and the results were analyzed. The study documented issues, advantages, and future opportunities for small sized MPOs in developing a travel demand model using TRANSIMS. The findings of the study would provide a better understanding of the TRANSIMS tools and also will be a valuable input to the Illinois Center for Transportation's research project on creating a travel model users' group for small and medium sized MPOs in Illinois. The outcomes of the study would encourage the small sized MPOs in Illinois to consider TRANSIMS as a viable alternative to other travel demand modeling packages which are commercially available in the market.
Biography
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Mohammad Sharif Ullah
Transportation Engineer
Champaign County Regional Planning Commission, Urbana, IL.
MSc in Civil Engineering (Transportation)- University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL, 2004.
BSc in Civil Engineering - Bangladesh Univ. of Eng. & Tech., Dhaka, Bangladesh.
Travel Demand Modeling, Transportation Planning, and Traffic Engineering
Asadur Rahman
PhD Student in Civil Engineering
Illinois Institute of Technology, Chicago, IL
Transportation Planning Intern
Champaign County Regional Planning Commission, Urbana, IL
MSc in Civil Engineering (Transportation)- Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo, MI, 2009.
BSc in Civil Engineering - University of Dhaka, Dhaka, Bangladesh, 2007.
Travel Demand Modeling, Transportation Planning, and Traffic Engineering
Rita Morocoima-Black
Planning & Community Dev. Director
Champaign County Regional Planning Commission, Urbana, IL
MSc in Civil Engineering (Transportation)- University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, 1998.
BSc in Urban Planning - Universidad Simon Bolivar, Caracas, Venezuela, 1984
Travel Demand Modeling, Transportation Planning, and Traffic Engineering
Ahmed Mohideen
Travel Demand Modeler
Cambridge Systematics, Tallahassee, FL
Transportation Engineer
Champaign County Regional Planning Commission, Urbana, IL
MSc in Civil Engineering (Transportation)- University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, 2003.
BSc in Civil Engineering - Anna University, Madras, India, 2001
Travel Demand Modeling, Transportation Planning, and Traffic Engineering