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 2.30          Routine Highway Condition Inventory

 

In 2005, CDTC completed its annual Albany County conditions review and also completed the every-second-year survey of non-state federal aid roads.  Discrepancies in the link lists were addressed and the survey data base was shifted to a GIS system.  A summary of 1995-2003 surveys was published and used in the New Visions 2030 update.

 

The annual review of Albany County's conditions will occur in 2006.  The every-second-year survey of non-state federal aid roads will be completed in 2007.  The every-fourth-year sample survey of non-state, non-federal aid roads (local roads) will be undertaken in 2008 (2008-10 UPWP).  Results will be posted to the web site.

 

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.