TRB Special Report 288 finds that
"… there is no single approach to travel forecasting or set of procedures that is "correct" for all applications or all MPOs. Travel forecasting tools developed and used by an MPO should be appropriate for the nature of the questions being posed by its constituent jurisdictions and the types of analysis being conducted."[5]
The objective of the TMIP Travel Analysis Toolbox (the Toolbox) is to provide access to a range of travel analysis related tools and serve as a reference resource for the selection and application of analytical tools and quantitative methods to support transportation planning decision-making. The goal of the Toolbox is not to identify or create a single-or even a set of-ideal tools, but rather to provide processes, information, and examples to encourage agencies to select the appropriate tools and methods based on their analytical needs.
Over the course of the 2012-2013 reporting period, the Toolbox work plan was refined to further delineate the program's goals, objectives, and products. A finalized Toolbox work plan has been outlined and initial work orders will commence in the coming fiscal year.
The Toolbox will be a critical resource for the TMIP Community, providing information on existing tools and quantitative methods used in travel analyses and developing new tools and methods for future application.
[5] METROPOLITAN TRAVEL FORECASTING: Current Practice and Future Direction, Transportation Research Board, 2007, Page 3.
