Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) Travel Model Peer Review Report

1.0 Introduction

1.1 Disclaimer

The views expressed in this document do not represent the opinions of FHWA and do not constitute an endorsement, recommendation or specification by FHWA. The document is based solely on the discussions that took place during the peer review sessions and supporting technical documentation provided by the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT).

1.2 Acknowledgements

The FHWA wishes to acknowledge and thank the peer review panel members for volunteering their time to participate in the peer review of the Arizona Statewide Travel Demand Model (AZTDM) and for sharing their valuable experience.

The Peer Review Panel Members were:

• Chad Baker, Chief of Statewide Modeling, California Department of Transportation
• Jim Benson, Senior Research Engineer, Texas Transportation Institute
• Fred Ducca, Director of Transportation Policy Research Group, University of Maryland
• Karen Faussett, Statewide Model Specialist, Michigan Department of Transportation
• Greg Giaimo, Manager of Travel Demand Modeling, Ohio Department of Transportation

Brief biographies for each of the peer review panel members are presented in Appendix C.

1.3 Report Purpose

This report summarizes the results of a peer review of the AZTDM. The peer review was supported by the Travel Model Improvement Program (TMIP), which is sponsored by FHWA. The peer review of a travel model can serve multiple purposes, including identification of model deficiencies, recommendations for model enhancements, and guidance on model applications. Given the increasing complexities of travel demand forecasting practice and the growing demands by decision-makers for information about policy alternatives, it is essential that travel forecasting practitioners have the opportunity to share experiences and insights. The TMIP-supported peer review provides a forum for this knowledge exchange.

1.4 Report Organization

This report is organized into the following sections:

• Overview of the AZTDM modeled region and ADOT's roles and responsibilities for travel demand forecasting - this section gives an introduction to the demographics, land use and transportation characteristics of the region, ADOT's planning responsibilities, and their goals for the peer review.
• Overview of modeling at ADOT - this section provides a brief historical context of travel modeling at ADOT, including past and current model versions and ADOT's current model improvement program.
• Discussion of the AZTDM - this section provides a summary of the topics posed by ADOT during the peer review for which ADOT sought specific insight and guidance from the peer review panel.
• Peer review panel response - this section provides the peer review panel's comments and recommendations to ADOT.

In addition, the report includes four appendices:

• Appendix A - list of peer review participants
• Appendix B - peer review meeting agenda
• Appendix C - biographies for each of the peer review panel members
• Appendix D - summary of the current AZTDM