PMSS Project Details

Project ID:	FHWA-PROJ-11-0047
Project Name:	Analysis of Network and Nonnetwork Impacts Upon Traveler Choice: Improve Modeling Accuracy for Better Transportation Decisionmaking
Status:	Active
Contact:	Last Name: Lochrane First Name: Taylor Telephone: 202-493-3293 E-mail: taylor.lochrane@dot.gov
Organization:	Federal Highway Administration - Turner-Fairbank Highway Research Center (TFHRC)
Office:	Office of Operations Research and Development
Team:	Trans Ops Concepts and Analysis Team
Roadmap/Focus area(s):	Travel Modeling
Project Description:	Although advancement in technology has made it easier to collect traveler choice data, it is still difficult to capture attitudes, motivations, influences, and the context within which choices are made. The primary objective of this project is to advance our understanding of choices made by travelers under various factors in network and nonnetwork conditions and the impact of traveler choices on the operations (e.g., recurrent and nonrecurrent congestion) and safety (e.g., mode switch on inclement weather) of the transportation system and design effective interventions (e.g., Active Transportation and Demand Management strategies) to improve system performance. At the conclusion of this work, a suite of traveler choice data and adjustment factors will be available to incorporate and enhance the existing transportation analysis tools. This project will also serve as a lead and encourage States and local agencies and the rest of the transportation community to develop and use national and regional traveler choice data and adjustment factors to improve their transportation models and forecasts. Four key deliverables will be generated from this study: (1) A synthesis of current research and practices to be published as an independent report.(2) A final report that will capture the effort of all activities and future research direction.(3) An inventory of traveler choice datasets collected.(4) Proven procedures to incorporate traveler choice adjustment factors in a selected numbers of transportation analysis tools.
Laboratories:	Not Applicable
Start Date:	June 1, 2011
End Date:	April 30, 2013
Funding Amount:	$413,671.00
FHWA Program Name:	Surface Transportation Congestion Relief Solutions
Goals:	The primary objective of this research study is to advance our understanding of choices made by travelers under various factors in network and nonnetwork conditions and the impact of traveler choices on the operations and safety of the transportation system.
Project Type:	Offsite
Background Information:	Data not yet available
Test Methodology:	The test approach is to: (1) Review the current state-of-the-art traveler choice research. (2) Analyze the gap between “where are we now” versus “where we want to be” on this topic. (3) Select scenario specific examples for indepth traveler choice analysis and collect data. (4) Develop methods and demonstrate procedures to incorporate traveler choice adjustment factors in several transportation analysis tools.
Other Information:	Data not yet available
Partners:	Jack Faucett & Associates; Role(s): DKS Associates Transportation Solutions; Role(s):
More Information URL(s):
Fieldtest:	Data not yet available
Expected Benefits:	Accurate traveler choice data that realistically emulates people’s decisions regarding route selection, mode choice, and time of departure will improve forecasts for various transportation applications. At the conclusion of this study, it is expected that a suite of traveler choice data and adjustment factors will be available to incorporate and enhance the existing transportation analysis tools.
Deliverables:	1. Name: Task 2 Synthesis of Current Traveler Choice Research Product Type(s): Research report Description: Task 2 deliverable on the Synthesis of Current Traveler Choice Research. This deliverable will be submitted for publication as an independent report. The objective is to have this available for the 2013 Transportation Research Board conference to spread the word on current practice and gaps of traveler choice research. Audiences: Academics, Federal Highway Administration, Operations researchers, Researchers, State departments of transportation, State highway agencies, Traffic engineers Secondary Audiences: 2. Name: Task 3 Gap Analysis: Workshop and Survey Results Product Type(s): Research report Description: The purpose of Task 3: Gap Analysis of Existing Resources and Knowledge versus Desired Results, is to analyze and characterize the gap between where we are now versus where we want (and need) to be on the topic of travel behavior. Audiences: Researchers, Operations researchers, Academics Secondary Audiences: 3. Name: Task 6.1 Final Report Product Type(s): Research report, Support, Draft standard, specifications, or guidelines Description: The deliverable is a detailed report documenting all research efforts, findings, and recommendations. The final report will summarize the results from Tasks 2 and 3 (referring interested readers to the Task 2 and Task 3 reports for more information) and provides detailed descriptions of the results of Tasks 4 and 5. Audiences: Researchers, Federal Turner-Fairbank Highway Research Center staff Secondary Audiences: 4. Name: Task 6.3 Inventory of Datasets Product Type(s): Support, Data Description: To the extent applicable, we will produce inventories of datasets, one for each scenario. Each inventory of datasets used in scenario model and simulation runs. Audiences: Academics, Federal Turner-Fairbank Highway Research Center staff, Operations researchers, Researchers
Related URL(s):
Project Findings:	Data not yet available
FHWA Topics:	Research/Technologies--FHWA Research and Technology
TRT Terms:	Travelers Simulation Operations Research Highway Traffic Control Traffic Forecasting Route Choice
FHWA Disciplines:	Operations
Subject Areas:	Operations and Traffic Management Research Planning and Forecasting