Assessment of local models and tools for analyzing smart-growth strategies.

164606119PDFTech Reporthttp://worldcat.org/oclc/164606119/viewonlineCaliforniaCalifornia. Dept. of Transportation. Division of Research and InnovationDKS AssociatesUniversity of California, Irvine. Institute of Transportation StudiesUniversity of California, Santa BarbaraUnited States. Federal Highway AdministrationUS Transportation CollectionThere is a growing interest in California in \ue2\u20ac\u153smart-growth\ue2\u20ac? land- use and transportationstrategies designed to provide mobility options and reduce demand on automobile-oriented facilities. This study focuses on models and tools available for use by cities andcounties in California for assessing the potential effects of smart-growth strategies.The majority of regional agencies and local jurisdictions in California currently use aversion of the Urban Transportation Modeling System (UTMS), commonly referred to asthe \ue2\u20ac\u153four-step travel demand model.\ue2\u20ac? This study provides a review of the steps in theUTMS process to identify where sensitivity to smart-growth strategies may be limitedduring the modeling process, and suggests ways that improvements could be made.The greatest degree of modeling smart-growth sensitivity was found among UTMSmodels used by larger Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPOs) or CongestionManagement Agencies (CMAs). Several larger MPOs in California are alsoimplementing new types of models, such as activity-based travel models or integratedland use/economic/transportation models. Some local jurisdictions also already useadvanced models or travel demand models with high levels of smart-growth sensitivity.The report suggests that if local jurisdictions are already using models with \ue2\u20ac\u153moderate\ue2\u20ac? to\ue2\u20ac\u153high\ue2\u20ac? levels of smart-growth sensitivity, they should continue to enhance their models