ATAC Expands Program for Transportation PlanningBy Ayman Smadi The Advanced Traffic Analysis Center recently entered into an agreement with the Bismarck-Mandan MPO, the Fargo-Moorhead Metro COG, the Grand Forks/East Grand Forks MPO, and the North Dakota Department of Transportation to support their transportation planning models. One role of MPO's is to develop, maintain and update transportation plans to guide them in making transportation and land development decisions. Transportation planning is the key component of building a transportation system which supports the goals of the community--safety, mobility and quality of life. Economic development and environmental factors are also considered. Due to a shortage of qualified staff able to develop and operate transportation models at the NDDOT and MPO's, ATAC has become involved in the process of transportation planning modeling. Within the next five years, North Dakota's MPO's are going to perform a major transportation planning model enhancement. The primary focus of the collaboration will be to support modeling needs in North Dakota utilizing the Fargo-Moorhead MPO as the starting point of the effort. During the summer, ATAC held a stakeholder meeting where modeling issues and the partnership agreements were discussed. The program was endorsed by respective MPO Policy Boards and the agreement was finalized and signed in October. The overall goal of the team is to develop a resource for transportation planning modeling suited for small-to-medium size cities. ATAC will support the MPO transportation planning model improvements and ensure consistency across North Dakota in travel demand modeling. It will explore potential applications of new modeling tools or systems and facilitate greater institutional cooperation by providing a neutral source for modeling expertise. The agreement will also provide training opportunities to develop and improve transportation planning models and increase the number of qualified civil engineering students to fill transportation planning positions in North Dakota. Birst Elected to TCFM Board
"I enjoy being involved with the Transportation Club since its members are from a variety of transportation backgrounds, thus broadening my knowledge of transportation," Birst said. For over 60 years, the Transportation Club has been serving the F-M community with a forum to discuss current transportation issues, gather and socialize with business associates throughout the transportation field. Each year, the group sponsors scholarships for local college students who are pursuing degrees in the area of transportation. Monthly meetings are held where speakers discuss transportation topics of interest. Birst believes meeting with the club is a great way to network and gain exposure for organizations. Birst is an associate research fellow who has been with UGPTI/ATAC since 1996. |
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Shawn Birst has been elected as a board member for the Transportation Club of Fargo-Moorhead. He will serve as the industry service and education representative for a three-year term.