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 the coming year, refinement of
the transitional model to the full Census 2000 geographic detail (900 zones)
will take place. Products of CDTC's
enriched NPTS 2001 sample are expected during the coming year; these will be
reviewed for use in refining the VISUM model.
TASK
The most every-other-year survey of non-state federal
aid roads was completed in 2001. This
will be repeated in 2003. 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 2003-04, 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 will include speed
monitoring and speed-delay data collection.
CDTC's add-on to the State University of New York at
In 2002, CDTC collected speed and delay data on NY5 for
both the BRT and NY5 ITS signal project.
Additional data will be collected upon completion of the ITS
implementation.
Comprehensive transit ridership data collection was
included in CDTC's 2002-03 FTA Planning Grant; this effort may rollover to
2003-04.
TASK 2.28 Census / Household Travel Survey
CDTC's new Traffic Analysis Zone (TAZ) set was used by
the Census Bureau in conjunction with the 2000 Census. The new TAZ set numbers
approximately 900 rather than the traditional 471. This was completed in conjunction with the
Census Bureau's "TAZ-UP" process.
CDTC also participated in the Census Bureau's "WORK-UP" effort
to better define addresses for places of work for the 2001 Journey to Work
files.
CDTC transferred $175,000 of its funds to NYSDOT for use
in the 2001 National Personal Transportation Study (NPTS) allowing for
approximately 1800 data samples in the Capital District. This will save CDTC approximately $50,000
from estimates made for the cost of a 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 in 2005 through tracking of national trends. Along with this approach, CDTC will
tentatively plan to repeat the large scale sample again in 2010. Initial results of both the Census
journey-to-work data were received in 2002; zonal-level information and the
NPTS data are expected in 2003.
During 2002-03, CDRPC reviewed its population
projections and estimates against initial rollout of 2000 Census counts. Estimates were refined for TAZ's and
projections updated for minor civil divisions.
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 2003-04, 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 included drafts of the regional trails map,
scenic byways maps, bike and pedestrian crash data maps and support mapping for
various studies.
CDTC's Civil Rights and Environmental Justice work will
continue to be a major GIS product of 2003-04, along with Safety Management
System work. GIS will also play 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.