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
lsa.ftcollins@lsaassoc.com

Tips, Trips, and Traps

of TransCAD Modeling
Presented by LSA Associates, Inc.
September 2001
North Carolina MPO Conference
Fayetteville, NC