Travel Demand Modeling Software Evaluation

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Travel Demand ModelingSoftware Evaluation
for The City of Irvine
By Transpoly Consulting Inc. (TCI) 23615 Maple
Springs Drive Diamond Bar, CA 91768 April 2006
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Presentation Outline

• Project Objectives
• The Citys ITAM Models
• Software Evaluation Methodology
• Overview of Modeling Software Packages and Their
  Use
• Software Evaluation Criteria
• Software Comparison
• Recommendations for Software Transition Plan
• Future Work and Conclusions

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Project Objectives

• Have an overview of modeling software packages
  and their use in transportation agencies
• Evaluate the Citys modeling environment and
  develop a software transition plan for the new
  ITAM system
• Provide recommendations of future tasks for the
  implementation of the transition plan

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The Citys ITAM Models

• Traffic modeling/forecasting is an important task
  to identify needs for the improvement of the
  Citys infrastructure. It produces information
  needed for the development of the Citys Capital
  Improvement Program (CIP) and Strategic Business
  Plan (SBP).
• The ITAM system is used to forecast future
  traffic volumes for base year, 2010, 2025, and
  post 2025.
• The rapid assessment of the ITAM model suggests
  that the City should conduct modeling software
  evaluation and select a new software platform for
  ITAM.

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Software Evaluation Methodology

• Conduct literature review on experience and
  lessons learned from modeling software
  transitions, particularly the transition from
  TRANPLAN to other advanced software platform.
• Define a list of software transition options.
• Develop a set of criteria for software
  evaluation, group them into three categories
  (Must have, Desirable, and Nice to have)
  based on their importance to the City.
• Compare software transition options using the
  criteria

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Software Evaluation Methodology
For Example, Criteria 1 Compatible with the
Citys Computer Environment Importance Must
Have, Rank of 5 TRANPLAN A scale of
8 Contribution 5 8 40 Points
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Transportation Modeling Overview

• Transportation Modeling Techniques
• Move away from four-step modeling approach and
  step into travel behavior-based modeling approach
• Incorporate GIS technologies into transportation
  modeling software to forecast traffic conditions
  on the actual shape of transportation networks.
• Transportation Modeling Software Packages
• UTPS - TRANPLAN, EMME2, TRIPS - TransCAD, Cube

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Use of Modeling Software Packages
(Source The Urban Transportation Monitor, 2001)
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Modeling Software Transition
Floridas Experience The Florida Statewide
Model Task Force developed an approach for
software evaluation It first developed a list
of transition options and a set of criteria for
the software evaluation. It then evaluated
these options against the criteria TransCAD was
selected to replace TRANPLAN in 2003. Cube was
selected in 2004 to replace TransCAD due to
reasons not released to the public.
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Modeling Software Transition
ARCs Experience ARC switched its modeling
software from TRANPLAN to TP to Cube The
ARCs Program Manager recommended Any agencies
with needs to convert from TRANPLAN-based models
to something else should go with
Citilabs NCTCOG and NCDOTs Experience The
North Central Texas Council of Government
(NCTCOG) and the North Carolina DOT were
successful in transitioning from TRANPLAN to
TRANSCAD
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Modeling Software Transition
SCAGs Experience SCAG selected TransCAD to
replace TRANPLAN in 2005 and now is in the
process of transitioning its TRANPLAN models into
those in TransCAD. TransCAD-based regional
models will be available in other platforms for
use by other agencies OCTAs Experience OCTA
selected TransCAD to replace TRANPLAN for the new
OCATM system in 2003. Conversion from
TRANPLAN-based models to TransCAD-based models
is a time-consuming task. It almost takes OCTA
two years to develop highway network using
TransCAD. OCTA uses TRANPLAN for daily tasks
and TransCAD for new model development.
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Modeling Software Options
Null Option Keeps the TRANPLAN-based ITAM
models as they are Cube Option Use Cube to
upgrade the existing ITAM models and develop
the new ITAM system TransCAD Option Use
TransCAD to upgrade the existing ITAM models
and develop the new ITAM system
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Modeling Software Criteria
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Software Comparison
Two phases are recommended for software
transition for ITAM models Phase I Wait and
see Phase Look at the software transition
within two years The focus of this phase is to
upgrade the existing TRANPLAN-based ITAM
models and to meet the OCTAs model
consistency requirements Phase II Look at the
software transition after the OCTAs new regional
model The focus of this phase is to develop
a new ITAM system that meets the OCTAs
consistency requirements
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Software Packages to be Evaluated
TRANPLAN 9.2 Currently used in the existing
TRANPLAN-based ITAM models Cube 4.0 Most
up-to-date version TransCAD 4.8 Available
for this project
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Software Evaluation for Phase I
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Software Evaluation for Phase I
Criteria 1 Compatible with the Citys Computer
Environment TRANPLAN Runs under Windows XP.
One limitation TRANPLAN DOS 8.3
Windows XP Full Name May cause difficult in
exchanging modeling data Scale 8 Cube Fully
compatible with Windows XP Scale
10 TransCAD Fully compatible with Windows
XP Scale 10
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Software Evaluation for Phase I
Criteria 2 Support the Citys GIS
System TRANPLAN Does not have GIS capabilities
for the direct and data access levels of
support. Scale 0 Cube Incorporates GIS
functions of ArcGIS In Cube. With GIS
functions, Cube can build transportation
networks from ArcGIS shapefiles, edit modeling
networks, and modify shapefiles data structure,
etc. Scale 10 TransCAD Combines GIS and
modeling capabilities in a single environment.
It has limitations with respect to data sharing
with the Citys GIS system. It only supports data
sharing through shapefiles Scale 9
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Software Evaluation for Phase I
Criteria 3 Support Other Business Areas in the
City TRANPLAN Modeling results from
TRANPLAN-based ITAM system cannot be
geographically aligned with data used by other
business areas. Scale 5 Cube Supports
geographical overlays with data used by other
business areas. However it requires conversions
of TRANPLAN model data Scale 9 TransCAD Support
s geographical overlays with data used by other
business areas. However it requires conversions
of TRANPLAN model data Scale 9
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Software Evaluation for Phase I
Criteria 4 Support OCTAs Subarea Modeling
Framework TRANPLAN The current TRANPLAN-based
ITAM models are certified to meet the OCTAs
modeling consistency requirements Scale
10 Cube Sensitivity test runs specified by OCTA
may be required because Cube is different from
the software packages used by OCTA. Cube is
fully compatible with TRANPLAN since both
packages come from the same vendor. Scale
9 TransCAD Same as the OCTAs software. However
conversions from the existing TRANPLAN-based
ITAM models to those in TransCAD are
required. Scale 10
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Software Evaluation for Phase I
Criteria 5 Compatible with OCTA Modeling
Software TRANPLAN Fully compatible with the
OCTA modeling software Scale
10 Cube Sensitivity test runs specified by OCTA
may be required because Cube is different from
the software packages used by OCTA. Cube is
fully compatible with TRANPLAN since both
packages come from the same vendor. Scale
9 TransCAD Fully compatible with the OCTAs
modeling software Scale 10
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Software Evaluation for Phase I
Criteria 6 Support Conversions of TRANPLAN
Databases and Highway Networks into the New
Platform TRANPLAN No conversions are
needed. Scale 10 Cube Conversions are easier
since Cube and TRANPLAN come from the same
vendor. Scale 9 TransCAD Model conversions
from TRANPLAN to TransCAD are not easier than
those from TRANPLAN to Cube since TransCAD and
TRANPLAN come from different vendors. Scale 8
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Software Evaluation for Phase I
Criteria 7 Network Editor TRANPLAN NIS is an
old and obsolete network editor. Cannot overlay
with other geographical maps. Cannot represent
the actual shape of transportation
networks Scale 5 Cube Relies on ArcGISs GIS
functions for network editing Can overlay with
other geographical maps Can represent the actual
shapes of transportation networks using ArcGISs
GIS functions. Scale 9 TransCAD Transportation
modeling tasks are performed in the GIS
environment. Can overlay with other
geographical maps Can represent the actual
shapes of transportation networks Scale 10
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Software Evaluation for Phase I
Criteria 8 Highway and Transit Path
Builder TRANPLAN Has powerful highway and
transit path builders Scale 10 Cube Has
powerful highway and transit path builders
Scale 10 TransCAD Has powerful highway and
transit path builders Scale 10
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Software Evaluation for Phase I
Criteria 9 Matrix and Link Calculators
TRANPLAN TRANPLAN has powerful matrix
utilities to handle up to 200 matrices in a
matrix file Scale 9 Cube Cube can handle
large-scale matrix operations and
calculations. Scale 10 TransCAD Cube can
handle large-scale matrix operations and
calculations. Scale 10
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Software Evaluation for Phase I
Criteria 10 Easy to Use Customized
Scripts TRANPLAN Developers need to know
control file specifications for traffic models.
These specifications are not easy to
learn. Scale 8 Cube Cube has a scripting
language similar to that of TRANPLAN. But it has
a flow-chart type wrapper to help developers
develop traffic models. With the wrapper,
developers concentrate more on the logic of
traffic models, not on the detail of scripting
programs. Scale 9 TransCAD TransCAD has the
GIS Developers Kit (GISDK) to help developers
create and customize transportation models.
However it is not easy to learn the GISDK
language Scale 8
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Software Evaluation for Phase I
Criteria 11 Wrapper or Transportation
Modeler TRANPLAN Does not have the
transportation modeler Scale 0 Cube It has a
flow-chart type wrapper to help developers
develop traffic models. Scale
10 TransCAD Does not have the transportation
modeler Scale 0
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Software Evaluation for Phase I
Criteria 11 Wrapper or Transportation Modeler
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Software Evaluation for Phase I
Criteria 12 Capital and Maintenance Costs
TRANPLAN The City currently uses TRANPLAN for
the ITAM models. No capital costs are required.
CM costs are small Scale 10 Cube The
implementation costs required for the transition
of the TRANPLAN-based ITAM models into Cube
models are much higher than the purchase costs
of Cube. Capital Cost 9000/license Scale
8 TransCAD The implementation costs required for
the transition of the TRANPLAN-based ITAM
models into TransCAD models are much higher
than the purchase costs of TransCAD. Capital
Cost 9995/copy Scale 8
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Software Evaluation for Phase I
Criteria 13 Technical Support
TRANPLAN The owner of TRANPLAN is changed from
UAG to Citilabs. Citilabs stops further
development of TRANPLAN. Support is limited.
Scale 7 Cube Cube is the flag ship
product of Citilabs. Support is
sufficient. Scale 10 TransCAD TransCAD is the
core product of Caliper Incorporation Support
is sufficient. Scale 10
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Software Evaluation for Phase II
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Software Evaluation for Phase II
Criteria 1 Compatible with the Citys Computer
Environment TRANPLAN Runs under Windows XP.
One limitation TRANPLAN DOS 8.3
Windows XP Full Name May cause difficult in
exchanging modeling data Scale 8 Cube Fully
compatible with Windows XP Scale
10 TransCAD Fully compatible with Windows
XP Scale 10
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Software Evaluation for Phase II
Criteria 2 Support the Citys GIS
System TRANPLAN It cannot convert
TransCAD-based modeling results easily and put
them as inputs into the new ITAM system Scale
0 Cube All the OCTAs TransCAD-based modeling
results need to be converted first and put them
into Cube Scale 7 TransCAD The modeling
software is same as that for the OCTAs regional
models. However modeling results need to be
further processed so that they can be used in
ArcGIS. Scale 9
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Software Evaluation for Phase II
Criteria 3 Support Other Business Areas in the
City TRANPLAN TRANPLAN does not have GIS
capabilities. Scale 0 Cube The OCTAs
TransCAD-based modeling results need to be
translated into Cube Scale 8 TransCAD The
OCTAs TransCAD-based modeling results can be
directly used in the new ITAM models Scale 10
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Software Evaluation for Phase II
Criteria 4 Support OCTAs Subarea Modeling
Framework TRANPLAN The support to the OCTAs
modeling framework is limited. Scale
5 Cube The support to the OCTAs modeling
framework is limited. Scale 7 TransCAD It
fully supports the OCTAs modeling
framework Scale 10
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Software Evaluation for Phase II
Criteria 5 Compatible with OCTA Modeling
Software TRANPLAN The compatibility is
limited. Scale 5 Cube The compatibility is
limited. Scale 7 TransCAD It is fully
compatible with the OCTAs modeling
framework Scale 10
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Software Evaluation for Phase II
Criteria 6 Support Conversion of TRANPLAN
Databases and Highway Networks into the New
Platform The conversions of TRANPLAN databases
and highway networks into the new platform is not
necessary. This criteria should be deleted.
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Software Evaluation for Phase II
Criteria 7 Network Editor Criteria 8 Highway
and Transit Path Builders Criteria 9 Matrix and
Link Calculators Criteria 10 Easy to Use
Customized Scripts Criteria 11 Wrapper or
Transportation Modelers Same as those for Phase
I
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Software Evaluation for Phase II
Criteria 12 Capital and Maintenance Costs
TRANPLAN The City currently uses TRANPLAN for
the ITAM models. Significant costs are required
to convert the OCTAs TransCAD-based model
results. Scale 5 Cube The costs for the
development of the Cube-based ITAM models is
higher than those for the TransCAD-based
models. Scale 8 TransCAD The costs for the
development of the TransCAD-based ITAM system
is lower than those for the Cube-based
models Scale 10
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Software Evaluation for Phase II
Criteria 13 Technical Support
TRANPLAN Support is expected to be less than
that in Phase I. Scale 5 Cube Cube is the
flag ship product of Citilabs. Support is
sufficient. Scale 10 TransCAD TransCAD is the
core product of Caliper Incorporation Support
is sufficient. Scale 10
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Recommended Transition Plan
Phase I Cube option is preferred The Cube
option has the highest points of contributions in
support of the Phase I model improvements. The
City can take advantages of the TRANPLAN-TransCAD
conversions done by the OCTA. Phase
II TransCAD is preferred The TransCAD option
has the highest points of contributions in
support of the Phase II model development. The
OCTAs modeling results can be directly used by
the TransCAD-based new ITAM system
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Future Work
For Phase I Model Improvement Convert existing
TRANPLAN models into Cube Improve the modeling
highway network for traffic modeling and
forecasting Improve model input
databases Improve the post-process reporting
and displaying capabilities For Phase II Model
Development Have quarterly or yearly meetings
with OCTA Evaluate TAZ boundaries, modeling
networks and databases developed by the OCTA
for the new OCTAM models Evaluate the modeling
results step-by-step produced by the new OCTAM
system
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Conclusions

• The ITAM system plays an important role in
  identifying needs for the improvements of the
  Citys infrastructure.
• The rapid assessment of the existing ITAM system
  indicates the City should develop a new ITAM
  system powered by a new software package.
• This project conducted a study on modeling
  software evaluation for the City.
• This project recommends that the Cube option
  should be selected for Phase I model improvements
  and the TransCAD option for Phase II model
  development.

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Any Questions?