Berkeley-Charleston-Dorchester Council of Governments (BCDCOG) Peer Review

Appendix D Documentation Provided to Panel Members by BCDCOG

1. TransCAD version 6 model files:
   1. Model scripts in GISDK
   2. All model input files - TransCAD geographic files of TAZs and networks, input parameter files
   3. Model outputs from 2010 base and 2035 E+C scenario
   4. Model run instructions
2. BCDCOG TransCAD Model Documentation 2005 (PDF file): comprehensive description of BCDCOG's model setup in TransCAD. Prior to this, BCDCOG model platform was in TRANPLAN. At this stage, model framework was based on a traditional 4-step process without a mode-split module and time-of-day capability
3. CHATS User Guide (PDF file): describes the next major model enhancement to include a mode split module and time-of-day analyses. A technical report from this process was also submitted (title: CHATS Model Technical Report)
4. 2010 Forecasting Methodology (word file): BCDCOG utilizes a hands-on land use allocation model to derive TAZ-level household and employment forecasts, which form the basis of model socio-economic data inputs. This document describes the process in detail
5. DATA DICTIONARY NEW NETWORK (EXCEL spreadsheet): Detail field description of the highway network geographic database. This includes all fields after mode split module was implemented
6. BCDCOG Model Stream (word file) : sequence of GISDK scripts
7. Running the BCDCOG Model - Individual Steps (word file) : instruction set to run transit skims manually from TransCAD interface
8. BCDCOG TransCAD Model User's Guide (word file) : An updated set of instructions to run the model (update from the 2005 file in item #b) to cover -
   1. New utilities in the interface - to report transit ridership forecast by each fixed route, to create socio-economic data input with CommunityVIZ
   2. Detailed step-by-step instruction to update TAZs and network geographies
   3. Tips on model trouble-shooting
   4. Guidelines to post-process link level forecasts where necessary (separate word file titled "BCDCOG Model Output Guidelines")
9. BCDCOG_2012_Update_Letter (PDF file): With Census 2010 data release, model base year socio-economic data input was updated from 2008 to 2010. As of the date of this document (03/30/15), this is latest set of SEData TAZs for the model - Base Year (2010), Interim Year (2015), Horizon Year (2035). Model was calibrated with this new set of base year data, with some changes in model parameters. This PDF memo lists all these updates. A technical addendum lists a more detail description on the input parameters (separate PDF file titled "BCDCOG_2012_Model_Change")

U.S. Department of Transportation
Federal Highway Administration
Office of Planning, Environment, and Realty
1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
Washington, DC 20590

June 2015

FHWA-HEP-15-041