A STATEWIDE DYNAMIC TRAVEL DEMAND FORECASTING MODEL DEVELOPMENT SYSTEM

The North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) has found that having a statewide modeling process/database, in contrast to a statewide model is a more efficient means for developing project specific travel demand forecasting models. This statewide modeling process is actually a statewide Dynamic Travel Demand Forecasting Model Development System. At the heart of the Statewide Dynamic Travel Demand Forecasting Model Development System is a suite of five core computer programs which access three databases. The databases are: 1) modified Census TIGER Maps; 2) Census STF 1B block statistics; and 3) continually updated State Department of Employment data files. The five core computer programs are: 1) FastNet, an automated network builder; 2) FastZone, an automated zone builder and zone connector; 3) FastEmp, an automated employer geocoding system; 4) WinSynth, an external-external trip table estimator; and 5) TripGen, a spreadsheet trip generation model which links FastZone, FastEmp, and WinSynth project files. For each NCDOT project, all data files are linked by way of a project folder system. The NCDOT databases and library of programs reside on a local area network and are accessible by more than 70+ planning branch employees. This paper reviews the technical issues involved in the creation of a Statewide Dynamic Travel Demand Forecasting Model Development System. The paper will also review a case study where the software and databases were used to develop a bypass analysis project model.