Tips, Trips, and Traps
of TransCAD Modeling
LSA Associates, Inc.
September 2001
North Carolina MPO
Conference
Agenda
Why Model?
Why Jurisdictions Convert
to TransCAD?
The Transportation Model
GIS Developers Kit
Applications
Why Model?
Why do we model the
transportation network?
Why Model?
To consider the effects of land use,
transportation, and air quality
To determine infrastructure needs, costs,
and timing as growth occurs
To analyze land use and transportation
alternatives
To provide a consistent platform for travel
forecasting
Required by the federal government for
metropolitan areas
The History of Travel
Forecasting
Aggregate Models
50s
60s
and
70s
80s
and
90s
00s
5
Few zones
Major highway planning only
Computers available to large agencies
Computer chip technology advances
Federal government sponsorship
Travel behavior surveys widespread
Basic transit capability
Shift to microcomputers
More zones
Detailed transit and HOV models
Windows-based
More disaggregation and detail
GIS-based models
Microsimulation
Why Jurisdictions
Convert to TransCAD?
Why are agencies
converting their travel
models to TransCAD?
Why Convert?
Some widely-used older
modeling software are no
longer being supported a new
modeling platform is required
Limited capabilities in
Graphics
Memory
GIS
Network size
Number of TAZs
TransCAD Users
There are many states in
America that currently use
TransCAD
Geographic Information
Systems
A GIS-based
transportation model
Compatible with
other GIS tools
Spatial Analysis
ArcView
Shape Files
9
TransCAD
*.dbd Files
Why TransCAD?
10
A powerful modeling software that can enhance the
modeling process
Windows-based menus that are intuitive to
manipulate
A GIS software with transportation modeling
capabilities
No internal size limitations
Scenario manager for easy file management
Ability to easily analyze intermediate results
Mapping and visualization tools designed for GIS
and transportation applications
TIP: Choose a powerful computer!
The Transportation
Model
What is involved with a
travel demand model?
Modeling Process
Socioeconomic
Data
Trip Generation
How many trips?
Roadway
Network
Trip Distribution
Where will they
go?
Transit
Network
Mode Analysis
Traffic
Assignment
12
Roadway
Volumes
What mode?
Transit
Assignment
Performance
Report
What route?
Transit
Ridership
Identify needs
Alternatives
analysis
TransCAD Inputs
Easy to understand file
structure
13
No restrictions on file
names, locations, etc.
File names are easy to
change in the model
structure with the
scenario manager,
created in GISDK
TransCAD Outputs
14
Checking intermediate modeling
results is easy in TransCAD
Identifying results from an
individual project area allows
detailed study of the project
Performance module allows
consistent reporting of results
Data and Databases
Geographic data
Network data
Attribute data
TransCAD model data
15
Socioeconomic data
US Census data
Jurisdictional boundaries
Zip codes
Railroads
Water Features
Tiger Streets Files
16
17
Networks
18
Networks are GIS databases
Conflation to GIS distances and
shapes
Foundation for traffic counts,
performance, transit, and any other
data
Multi-year network capability
TIP: Keep raw count data and
adjustments in traffic count database
Networks
Transit
Routes
Traffic
Counts
Roadway
System
GIS Networks
Performance
Air Quality
Project
Selection
(TIP/RTP)
19
Time of Day
Volumes
20
21
Traffic Analysis Zone Data
22
Zonal areas used in modeling trips
Ability to incorporate census data
Used for summaries and reports
Used for visually verifying data
Socioeconomic Data
23
Interface with popular GIS platforms
Land use to socioeconomic conversion
using TransCADs GIS tools
Visual representation of land use and
socioeconomic data
TAZ coverage provides foundation for areabased data and is easily modified
TIP: Socioeconomic sub-model can use a
Fratar process coded in GISDK
Socioeconomic Data and
TAZ Structure
1998
Socioeconomi
c Data
Area Type
2020
Socioeconomi
c Data
GIS TAZ
Structure
Performance
and Air Quality
Area based
Indexes
Terminal
Penalties
24
K Factors
25
Trip Generation
26
Robust cross classification production model
Unlimited trip purposes
Production allocation and attraction
allocation models
TIP: Include all modeling steps in TransCAD
using GISDK, without compromising model
structure. This ensures a full running model
from start to finish.
Trip Generation
Incorporate land use data
Detailed trip purposes
Distance-based allocation
models
Special generators
27
Universities
Hospitals
Amusement parks
Event centers
Malls
Government installations
28
Trip Distribution
29
TIP: Geocode survey data
in house to determine trip
lengths
Desire lines between TAZs
and districts
TRIP: GISDK standard
gravity evaluation
procedure does not
correctly apply K factors in
version 3.6
Friction factors calibrated
curves versus lookup table
Mode Analysis
30
Customized nested logit and
multinomial logit models
TIP: Dont be limited to
standard TransCAD procedures,
create exactly what you want
with GISDK
Distance-based bike and
pedestrian equations
Nested Logit Structure
Person Trips
Motorized
Non-Motorized
Drive Alone
DA Non Toll
Non HOV Non Toll
DA Toll
Shared Ride
SR2 Non HOV
SR2 HOV
Auto Passenger
SR3 Non HOV
SR3 HOV
Non HOV Toll
Auto Express
Express
Non HOV Non Toll
HOV Non Toll
Transit
Urban Rail
Auto Local
Walk Local
Urban Rail
Commuter Rail
Commuter Rail
Non HOV Toll
HOV Toll
Express
HOV Non Toll
31
Walk Express
HOV Toll
Traffic Assignment
Time of day
User defined volume-delay equations
Speed post-processing
Speed feedback
32
AM peak congested speeds
Off peak freeflow speeds
All or nothing, capacity constrained
assignments with comparison
TransCAD Transit
Capabilities
33
Walk access vs drive access
Unlimited number of modes
Unlimited number of variables
Stops dependent upon individual
routes
Transit Assignment
34
Transit boardings by stop, by route,
or by mode
Drive or walk access assignment
Transit flows by link
Transit line volumes
Validation
35
Screenlines GIS line layer created
quickly
TRIP: One way links confuse the
built-in screenline analysis
functions
36
Model Conversion Process
Existing Model
TRIP: The base converted
model is not ready to go!
TIP: Develop performance
reporting capabilities
early.
TRIP: TransCAD uses
different distances this
may affect model results.
TRIP: Need to adjust for
software differences.
Performance Reporting
Initial Model
Conversion
(Caliper or LSA)
Network Conflation
and Model Replication
Model Enhancements
Calibration / Validation
37
GIS Developers Kit
The endless possibilities
with the TransCAD
programming language
TransCAD Scripting
Capability
39
GISDK is the TransCAD programming language
Allows for complete automation of the modeling process
unique to each model
Eliminates user error by programming all steps and
variables in a model run
Similar to programming in C++ (with different syntax and
commands)
Use the programming editor of your choice to create and
edit the GISDK script
TIP: Boxer Software is a good (and inexpensive)
programming editor
Model User Interface
40
The dialog boxes that
run the whole model
Reduce errors by
eliminating
point/click/type
commands
GISDK is the key
to programming
the model
TransCAD Dialog Boxes
41
Custom user
interfaces created
using GISDK
Fully automates the
model procedures
including file names,
variables, and
summary reports
TIP: These really
help the consistency
and accuracy of the
model!
Scenario Manager
42
Created using
GISDK
Manages all
files related to
each alternative
GIS Developers Kit
(GISDK)
43
Program exactly
what we want
TransCAD to do
Allows for any
mathematically
sound method
or procedure
Not confined to
standard
TransCAD
procedures
Full dialog box
customization
Performance Reporting
The possibilities available
for performance reporting
Performance Module
45
Provides consistent and convenient summary reports
Created with GISDK
Customized to the clients needs
Analysis tool for
troubleshooting
model runs
Facilitates
calibration and
validation
TIP: Create EARLY
in modeling
process!
Summary Reports
The summaries are
customized using
GISDK and
summarize the
model data in
many ways,
including
46
Facility Type and
Area Type
Capacity Analysis
Congestion Delay
Air Quality
Emissions Results
Applications
TransCAD applications for
the transportation
planning and analysis
process
Land Use and TAZ
Overlay
Land
Use Map
TAZ Map
48
Land
Use
and
TAZ
Overlay
I-25 Socioeconomic Data
Analysis
49
1998 Data
2020 Data
Land Use Data
I-25 Corridor Analysis
50
1998 Data
2020 Data
Land Use Data
Supply and Demand
Analysis
51
Demand
Supply
Difference
Colorado Springs
Alternatives Analysis
52
Buffer Analysis
Mile Buffer
53
Travel Time Buffers
Traffic Impact Analysis
54
Trip Distribution for a proposed
development
Traffic Impact Analysis
55
Site Selection / Geocoding
56
Fire stations
School sites
Park
locations
Site Selection / Geocoding
57
Travel Sheds / Critical Link
Analysis
58
Identify users of a specific facility
Analysis for Adequate Community
Facilities Ordinances and road fee
programs
GIS-Based Transportation
Improvement Programs
Agency
59
Project
Fundin
g
Amoun
t
Anaheim
Lincoln Avenue
Signal
Coordination
$52,910
Anaheim
State College
Blvd @ SR-91
$150,000
Buena
Park
Artesia Blvd @
1-5 Interchange
$132,795
Costa
Mesa
Fairview Road
$29,846
Irvine
Bicycle Program
$67,200
Transit Planning and
Operations
60
Strategic transit
planning
University transportation
planning
Corridor planning
Market identification and
productivity
Management and
placement of capital
assets
Land Use /
Transportation / Air
Conceptual level analysis of LUTRAQ
Quality
relationship
Comprehensive plan updates
Triggers population vs. VMT growth
Air quality and emissions inventory
On-road mobile emissions estimation
61
Stationary and mobile sources
Mobile5
Nonattainment area
Energy and fuel consumption
Air Quality Analysis
62
Link-based emissions
Zone-based emissions (i.e. cold starts,
evaporate VOCs, etc.)
Air quality conformity determinations
Redesignation and classification issues
Integration with gridded urban airshed
modeling
Integration with Mobile5
Land Use /
Transportation / Air
Quality
63
Available from the performance summary report
for the Fort Collins Nonattainment area
Integrated Air Quality
Modeling
EPA Mobile/Part
Emissions
Models
(speeds, vehicle miles
of travel, time of day,
)
(temperatures, fuel
characteristics,
emission factors, )
Emission Factor (grams
per mile)
TransCAD
Travel Demand
Model
80
70
60
50
40
30
20
10
0
3
9 15 21 27 33 39 45 51 57 63 69 75
Speed (mph)
Emissions from
On-Road
Vehicles
64
GIS-Based Emissions
Inventories
Link-based
emissions
Gridded Overlay for Region
Zonebased
65 emissions
Intersection Analysis
Intersection Flow
Diagram Volumes from
TransCAD
Traffic
Counts
NCHRP 255
Process
Synchro
Intersection
Analysis
66
SimTraffic
2D
Animation
VISSIM 3D
Animation
TransCAD Turn Movement
Forecasts
67
68
SimTraffic MicroSimulation
69
VISSIM Micro-Simulation
70
VISSIM Micro-Simulation
71
VISSIM Micro-Simulation
72
VISSIM Micro-Simulation
73
VISSIM Micro-Simulation
74
VISSIM Micro-Simulation
75
VISSIM Micro-Simulation
76
VISSIM Micro-Simulation
77
Construction
Management
78
Modify signal timing in response
to construction closures
Future TransCAD
Applications
79
Interactive MPO Project Prioritization and Funding
Allocations
Traffic Impact Studies: Cumulative improvements
and impacts, time of day project distributions
FHWA TDM Model
Mixed Use Activity Center Trip Generation &
Distribution
Bicycle Assignments
Transportation Corridors
Pavement Management
LSA Associates, Inc.
132 West Mountain
Avenue
Fort Collins, CO 80524
970.494.1568
[email protected] Tips, Trips, and Traps
of TransCAD Modeling
Presented by LSA Associates, Inc.
September 2001
North Carolina MPO Conference
Fayetteville, NC
