Keeping Up With GrowthBismarck-MandanAs the Bismarck-Mandan area continues to experience significant growth, there are increasing demands for modeling analysis to support this growth. In addition, the existing regional travel demand model must be updated to account for the growth and corresponding changes to the transportation network. ATAC worked with the Bismarck-Mandan Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) and their consultant, Ulteig Engineers, for developing the MPO's long-range transportation plan to improve how the current model treats additional traffic generated by new development. Concerns were raised due to unusually high north-south traffic volumes forecasted by the model initially, especially along State Street in Bismarck. ATAC devised several strategies for addressing the high forecasted traffic volumes as an alternative to a full model revamp. One of these strategies consisted of increasing the level of resolution of the future transportation network by supplementing the network with additional elements. The results of the analysis clearly showed the success of this strategy as the previously high north-south traffic volumes were distributed on more routes. Therefore, initial concerns blamed on potential model shortcomings were alleviated without having to conduct a timely and costly model overhaul. ATAC is currently assisting the Bismarck-Mandan MPO with the U.S. 83 corridor analysis in Bismarck. Several revised development plans, including major shopping centers, are being considered. ATAC is looking at future traffic projections from new development under various transportation network configurations. This work is expected to be completed late this summer. MoorheadTo help minimize growing pains, the City of Moorhead is in the process of updating their growth plan. The city is expecting approximately 4,000 acres to be developed over the next 25-50 years with the majority of the development consisting of residential housing. This plan addresses a wide range of issues associated with development including utilization of existing infrastructures, establishment of parks and open spaces, and storm water facilities. The plan also serves as a guide for future development and helps to maintain the community's goals and quality of life. ATAC assisted the Fargo-Moorhead Council of Governments and the City of Moorhead in estimating future traffic forecasts. The metropolitan travel demand model was used to estimate potential traffic generated from the 4,000 acre development. These forecasts help in understanding the implications of the development to the roadway network. Grand Forks/East Grand ForksThe Grand Forks/East Grand Forks Metropolitan Planning Organization (GF/EGF MPO) is embarking on a new long-range transportation plan. The GF/EGF MPO saw this as an opportunity to examine the current metropolitan travel demand and identify potential model updates. The current model uses the TRANPLAN (TRANsportation PLANning) software, one of the basic components of Citilabs software suite. The new model will be upgraded to a more powerful software platform utilizing Citilabs TP+ (Transportation Planning Plus), a transportation planning package that provides a high level of functionality and flexibility. ATAC will work closely with the GF/EGF MPO on implementing other model enhancements, including examining trip generation rates and implementing new traffic analysis zone structures. After the model has been updated, ATAC will conduct a thorough calibration for the 2005 base year. At that time, the model will be used to support scenario analysis for the longrange transportation plan. |
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