Travel Demand Modeling Working Group

Travel Demand Modeling

Working

Group

Chris O'Neill, CDTC, Chair

John Sterbentz, BMTS, Co-Chair

Travel demand modeling and forecasting is a core function of transportation planning. MPOs rely on their models to produce forecasts for long range transportation plans, corridor studies, air quality conformity, project analyses, and more. New York State DOT uses forecasts produced by MPOs for project development and maintenance and protection of traffic plans. Local communities use these forecasts to understand land use impacts, including traffic impact of specific site development.

Travel demand modeling is a rapidly evolving field, with the introduction of activity-based models, microsimulation models, improved graphic interfaces, and other techniques. This working group facilitates communication among modelers at New York’s MPOs and NYSDOT as they continually work to improve the state of practice.

Modeling

NYSDOT

Engineering Division-

Office of Environment

Modeling & Technology Section

Technology

NYMTC

Data and Modeling

Forecasting

FHWA

Travel Model Improvement Program (TMIP)

Modeling Working Group Goals

Facilitate a network of colleagues to encourage sharing of ideas and questions about
modeling on an informal basis throughout the year.
Hold a minimum of four meetings per year with at least one as an in-person meeting.
Invite partners from NYSDOT and other agencies to meetings to present and discuss
data and modeling applications.
Evaluate data needs that are applicable to other Working Groups, including facilitating
data coordination among the MPOs and with NYSDOT.
Share interesting modeling application practices at each in-person meeting to spur creative thinking throughout the modeling community towards the broader use of existing and potential tools.
Share best practices related to post-processing activities such as air quality and greenhouse gas (GHG) emission modeling/estimation.