Travel Demand Model Support Agreement ExtendedIn addition to supporting travel demand modeling for metropolitan areas across North Dakota, ATAC has been working on refining these models and providing training to local agencies. An agreement to provide that support was extended to 2006. "The ultimate goal of the travel demand modeling support program is to develop a resource for transportation planning suited for small to medium sized urban areas," says Ayman Smadi, ATAC director. "We want to give transportation planners a decision-making tool that provides responsive and accurate answers while minimizing their investment of resources." Partners in the agreement with ATAC include:
ATAC specialists will work on refining models to make them more accurate for local conditions. They will also incorporate new technology and techniques into the models and provide training to transportation professionals. "As a university center with ties to local, state and national transportation professionals, ATAC is uniquely positioned to serve as a neutral source for modeling expertise and advice," Smadi says. In its role as a support center, ATAC helps metropolitan areas select and develop models and customize them for their use. Specialists advise planners on how to best structure the model and what data to use to obtain the most accurate results. They also compare results from the model with traffic counts and other field data to ensure accuracy. ATAC staff are also experts at collecting data and advising traffic planners on how to collect data that will be most useful in modeling systems. They also stay abreast of technical developments such as new, upgraded or enhanced software. In some cases, ATAC staff will assist partners with special studies focusing on specific areas or travel corridors or major construction projects. "We take our role as a support center very seriously," Smadi says. "We want to be flexible in our service to help our partners get the most out of their investment in these modeling systems." Bringing Technology HomeATAC often serves as an advanced technology scouting service for local transportation professionals. "Our staff frequently attends conferences and trade shows to meet new vendors and stay abreast of new technology," says Kate Miner, an associate research fellow with ATAC. "When we see technology with potential for application in the region, we try to arrange meetings or demonstrations." The center hosted demonstrations of the Smart Zone portable traffic management system in Fargo and Bismarck in the summer of 2003. The system, marketed by ADDCO, Inc., of St. Paul, Minn., is a portable traffic management system. It collects traffic data via sensors, monitors traffic flows using video cameras, and updates drivers with real-time information using a dynamic message sign. The center also facilitated demonstrations by OFS Communications, a fiber-optic technology company that NDDOT employees had seen at the ITS America trade show. Representatives from OFS explained the capabilities of various fiber-optic products, criteria for selecting them for ITS applications, outlined construction and design issues, and offered suggestions on what to look for in contractors. |
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