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. The conversion from TMODEL2 to VISUM continues
successfully. Highway networks for a new
900-zone system established for the 2000 Census has been coded into VISUM. 2001 NHTS and 2000 Census data are being
examined to confirm trip rates and trip lengths; indications are that underlying
travel behavior (adjusted by socio-economic characteristics) has not changed
substantially since CDTC’s 1983 home interview survey, lessening the urgency of
conversion. Conversion to VISUM will
continue in two tracks – one as a continued refinement of the peak-hour based
STEP model and one as an exploration of a multi-hour, trip chain model. The latter will not replace the peak-hour
model until all calibration and validation is completed – during the coming two-year
period.
CDTC continues to gain experience with
the micro-simulation tool, VISSIM. The
East Greenbush US 4 Linkage study was the first Linkage study to use the
products of VISSIM modeling. Recent
consultant work for NYSDOT demonstrating a high-end visualization application
of VISSIM will be pursued for CDTC use in helping meet SAFETEA-LU requirements
for visualization tools.
TASK
In 2005, CDTC completed its annual
The 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 2006-08, 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.
During 2005-06, CDTC collected extensive data on
pedestrian and bicycle accommodations on the region’s priority bike and ped
network. Bicycle LOS (BLOS) was
calculated for the system.
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.
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. (See
New Visions 2030 discussion.)
During 2006-08, CDRPC will update zonal
employment estimates and forecasts for use in the New Visions process. Differences between these numbers and those
produced statewide by Global Insights for NYSDOT will be documented and
addressed with NYSDOT.
During 2006-08, CDTC will also explore the
merit of purchasing additional samples in a planned 2008 National Household
Transportation Study. If pursued, a UPWP
budget amendment would be required to transfer to NYSDOT the resources for the
additional sample.
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 and CDTC’s NYSDOT-based regional
GIS effort. CDRPC and CDTC staff will
continue to process and manipulate data and clip the information specific to
the Capital Region and the communities within its jurisdiction.
For 2006-08, CDRPC and
CDTC staff 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.
As a member of the NYS GIS
Coordinating Body, CDRPC will continue to participate in meetings and dialogue
with GIS users statewide in developing policies and protocol regarding the
distribution of data.
CDTC's Civil Rights and Environmental Justice work will
continue to be a major GIS product of 2006-08, 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.
Efforts in 2005-06 have included scanning hundreds of paper copies of
detailed traffic counts. Upgrades to the
web-based data file are planned for 2006-08.
TASK 2.33 Employment Projections
CDRPC will prepare
a new set of employment projections by Minor Civil Division and selected
traffic analysis zones. CDRPC will work
with CDTC to develop and appropriate strategy, including a review of the
previously prepared employment projections, in order to update the projections
based on CDTC forecast needs.