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| Surface Transportation Efficiency Analysis Model (STEAM) | User Manual |
The Surface Transportation Efficiency Analysis Module (STEAM 2.0) was developed in order to provide an analytical tool for estimating impacts of multi-modal transportation alternatives in a system planning context. Cost-effectiveness evaluation of alternatives is a complex process requiring close interaction among planning professionals, decision-makers, and citizens. Such assessments require an understanding, estimation, and comparison of the wide range of impacts transportation alternatives typically generate. A variety of economic, financial, social, and environmental impacts must be assessed and tradeoffs made to present decision makers with good information.
This user manual provides the reader with a full understanding of the STEAM 2.0 software and a detailed explanation of each option incorporated in the analysis. It is organized as follows:
Chapter 2: Overview of STEAM 2.0. This chapter provides a general description of the STEAM 2.0 analysis including the model objectives, structure of the software, and analytical procedures that are incorporated in the benefit-cost analysis.
Chapter 3: Input and Output Files. This chapter explains in detail the concept of "market sectors" in relation to the STEAM 2.0 analysis and provides a description and layout of each of the market sector input files required by the model.
Chapter 4: User Interface. This chapter covers the user interface of the STEAM 2.0 software. Areas discussed include: installation of the program, defining market sectors, changing parameter values, estimating run time, performing investment analysis, and viewing results.
Chapter 5: Getting Started with STEAM 2.0. This chapter provides a step-by-step guide on performing a basic user benefit analysis in STEAM 2.0.
Appendix A: Sources of Default Parameter Values. To assist the STEAM 2.0 user in understanding how he or she may use STEAM 2.0 with travel demand output, a case study is provided and explained in this appendix.
