II. SURVEILLANCE
TASK 2.16 Microcomputer
Model Refinement
During 2001-02, CDTC purchased an
advanced software package to allow CDTC to move from its TMODEL2-based modeling
system. Initial efforts with the new
VISUM software are already underway.
During 2002-03, work included creation and calibration of a 500-zone
VISUM transitional model replicating the geographic detail of the TMODEL2
model. In 2004-05, refinement of the
transitional model to the full Census 2000 geographic detail (900 zones) has been
completed, still using the old STEP model trip generation and trip distribution
formulations. Products of CDTC's
enriched NHTS 2001 have been received in part; these will be reviewed for use
in refining the VISUM model. The NHTS
information will be the basis for recalibrating the trip generation and trip
distribution models for the new VISUM representation.
In 2004-05, ITC, the vendor/consultant
for VISUM and VISSIM, assisted CDTC in both development of the regional model
and in training for the microsimulation, VISSIM. ITC is developing a post-processor for VISUM
to replicate CDTC’s STEP model emissions and user cost modules.
CDTC staff continues development of
skill and experience with both VISUM and VISSIM. VISSIM is being used on both the Colonie
Route 7 and East Greenbush Route 4
TASK
The every-second-year survey of
non-state federal aid roads will be completed in 2005. The every-fourth-year sample survey of
non-state, non-federal aid roads (local roads) was undertaken in 2004. Annual review of
TASK 2.25 Collection of Transportation Planning Support Data
CDTC continues to use interns for
extensive data collection.
These general tasks will continue in
2005-06, increasing the Capital District's base of locally-generated travel
data and travel relationships. A small
consultant budget is included to allow for specialized traffic studies (in
addition to routine and special counts by NYSDOT and its consultants.) The consultant effort may include speed
monitoring and speed-delay data collection.
In 2003, CDTC collected speed and
delay data on NY5 for both the BRT and NY5 ITS signal project upon completion
of the ITS implementation. In 2004-05, additional data was collected after
traffic signal prioritization was implemented and travel time savings of the
new system was documented. Further
monitoring will seek to assess the impact of transit signal prioritization.
Comprehensive transit ridership data
collection has been undertaken by CDTA in 2004-05 both through automated
passenger counting equipment and through on board surveys. The BRT study included detailed boarding and
deboarding information on the NY 5 corridor.
TASK 2.28 Census / Household Travel Survey
CDTC transferred $175,000 of its funds
to NYSDOT for use in the 2001 National Household Transportation Study (NHTS)
allowing for approximately 1600 data samples in the Capital District. This saved CDTC approximately $50,000 from
estimates made for the cost of a locally-administered household travel
survey. It will also allow for
consistency in data with the national data base and allow for maintenance of
Capital District travel parameters through tracking of national trends. Along with this approach, CDTC will
tentatively plan to repeat the large scale sample again in 2010.
CDTC’s analysis of the 2001 NHTS data
for the Capital District has largely confirmed the trip generation relationships (derived from the 1983
data) used in CDTC’s STEP model. This
provides CDTC with some time to explore trip chaining relationships as the
primary rationale for updating the trip generation models in VISUM.
During 2002-03, CDRPC
reviewed its population projections and estimates against initial rollout of
2000 Census counts. In 2004-05, 2040
forecasts were prepared to help guide New Visions work. Estimates were refined for TAZ's and
projections updated for minor civil divisions.
Alternative growth scenarios were prepared by CDRPC as part of New
Visions 2030. CDRPC plans to pursue an
effort to refine regional economic and demographic indicators for ongoing
monitoring of conditions.
TASK 2.29 Regional Geographic Information System
This task is designed to
permit the continued creation, modification, conversion, and maintenance of map
features and data in conjunction with CDRPC’s NYSDOT-based regional GIS
effort. CDRPC will continue to process
and manipulate data and clip the information specific to the Capital Region and
the communities within its jurisdiction.
For 2005-06, CDRPC will
continue to incorporate parcel-level data and high-resolution orthophotography
for the entire region and add this information to data coverages on the GIS.
The CDTC staff continues to make its
own contributions to the regional GIS.
Numerous GIS applications include the regional trails map, scenic byways
maps, bike and pedestrian crash data maps and support mapping for various
studies including the TDP effort.
CDTC's Civil Rights and Environmental
Justice work will continue to be a major GIS product of 2005-06, along with
Safety Management System work. GIS is
also playing a larger role in the New Visions 2030 / New Visions for a Quality
Region effort than was possible in the previous New Visions processes.
TASK 2.31 Traffic Volume
Report
CDTC
continues to maintain a web-available report.