Planning

Whatcom Transportation Model

Whatcom Council of Governments (WCOG), as the designated Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO), is responsible for the development and maintenance of the travel demand model for the region. The transportation model simulates vehicle and truck flow on regional highways and forecasts future demand using a four-step process (Trip Generation, Trip Distribution, Mode and Assignment). The software platform used in the development of the travel demand model was emme/2. However, the travel demand model software was converted to TransCAD in 2007 due to its comprehensive modeling tools and seamless GIS integration.

 

2008 Household Survey

WCOG selected Nustats to conduct the North Sound Household Travel Survey for the regional demand model update to estimate the travel patterns in the region.

The household travel survey will be used to estimate trip rates, trip length frequency distribution, modes of travel, and time of day among other travel behavior characteristics needed in the travel demand model. The results of the survey as well as the 2008 base year demographics, transportation network, and counts will be used to calibrate and validate the travel demand model. Afterwards, the model will be used for various applications and products such as the regional transportation plan.

The travel demand model can be used for scenario testing by adjusting variables within the model and comparing the results. Examples of variable that can be used for sensitivity testing are household, employment and the transportation network.

More information about the household survey

 

Uses of a regional transportation model

Examples of the results in the model that can be used when comparing scenarios are vehicle miles travelled, vehicle hour travel, volume, and travel time. If the transportation network or land use is modified, the results can be compared between scenarios and someone in a policy role can determine the impacts on vehicle miles travel or any other outputs from the travel demand model.

In addition, the outputs from the travel demand model can be use for further analysis with other tools such as traffic operations models and air quality models.

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  • Next CTAG Meeting

    August 25 MEETING CANCELLED. Next meeting September 22, 2010 from 4:30pm - 6:30pm at the WCOG Conference Room.

  • Next TTAC Meeting

    August 26, 2010 from 10:00am - 12:00pm at the WCOG Conference Room.

  • Next Policy Board Meeting

    October 13, 2010 from 3:30pm - 5:00pm at the WCOG Conference Room.

  • Employment Access and Coordinated Human-Services (EACH)

    EACH Transportation Plan stakeholders are invited to help improve transportation and access for people with special needs. Next meeting in April - contact Ellen Barton for more details.

314 East Champion St. Bellingham, WA 98225 | phone: 360-676-6974 | fax: 360-738-6232 | email: wcog@wcog.org | Policies
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