Project Summary
Problem Statement: In an effort to cost effectively understand and plan for active transportation investments, OCTA has partnered with ITS-Irvine to develop, apply, and evaluate an approach to modeling active transportation. Local transportation agencies have typically relied on traditional travel demand forecasting models that focus on highway and roadway improvements to optimize vehicular traffic. These models and are not optimized for evaluating newer active transportation strategies aimed at addressing current State of California policies such as reducing vehicle miles traveled and greenhouse gases emissions. Such strategies include: changes in the composition and mix of land uses, new sidewalks, roadway speed reductions, increased number of bus stops, greater intersection density (crosswalk frequency), and new bicycle lanes. Traditional travel demand forecasting models need to be modified to better address new active transportation strategies.
Proposal: ITS-Irvine researchers have been invited by OCTA to develop, apply, and evaluate an approach to modeling active transportation. The developed active transportation model will support efforts to understand the travel behavior impacts of active transportation improvements. The active transportation model will help OCTA prepare strategies to meet State of California requirements to reduce household vehicle travel and greenhouse gases emissions as part of SB 743.
ITS-Irvine researchers will start by examining OCTAM (OCTA’s own regional travel demand model) to evaluate its potential for modification or incorporation into a new active transportation model. Depending on their findings, the ITS-Irvine researchers will either modify OCTAM or develop an alternative approach beyond the traditional travel demand model. After the active transportation model is developed, the ITS-Irvine researchers will apply the model to multiple case studies and future projects to evaluate active transportation improvements.
Expected Impact and Benefits: The proposed research will directly support the State of California’s efforts to reduce household vehicle travel and greenhouse gases emissions (pursuant to AB 32, SB 375, and SB 743) as well as reduce criteria pollutants and their negative health effects (California and Federal Clean Air Acts). The results of this work will be used to compare the travel benefits of future active transportation projects, and may also be helpful to the State in the administration of the Active Transportation Program.
