TRANPLAN and GIS support for agencies in Alabama

47866840NTIS Invoice #22016;NTIS Order #:PB2001108594PDFResearch PaperUTCA-99328Computer modelsTravel demandTravel demand managementGeographic information systemsEducation and trainingSoftwareTraffic forecastingAlabamaUniversity Transportation Center for AlabamaAnderson, M. D.University of Alabama. Dept. of Civil and Environmental EngineeringUniversity Transportation Center for AlabamaAlabama. Dept. of TransportationNTL-GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEMS-GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEMSNTL-PLANNING AND POLICY-PLANNING AND POLICYNTL-PLANNING AND POLICY-Travel DemandUS Transportation CollectionTravel demand models are computerized programs intended to forecast future roadway traffic volumes for a community based on selected socioeconomic variables and travel behavior algorithms. Software to operate these travel demand models is currently available to all 12 of the state's Metroplitan Planning Organizations, provided by the Alabama Department of Transportation. unfortunately, many planners and engineers responsible for maintaining and operating these models have received little formal education regardinh the model development, basics of transportation planning within the Four-Step Urban Transportation Planning Process, calibrating and validating the model, and using the model for traffic forecasts. the two main objectives of this work were to provide training to interested Alabama cities on travel demand models and GIS and to enhance the interface and documentation to facilitate easier use of the integrated environment