SWUTC Research Project Description
Developing a Methodology for Projecting Intercity Commuting
University: Texas Southern University
Principal Investigator:
Carol Lewis
Center for Transportation Training and Research
(713) 313-7924
Project Monitor:
Alan Clark
Houston Galveston Area Council
Houston, TX
Funding Source: USDOT
Total Project Cost: $85,000
Project Number: 600451-00043
Date Started: 10/1/12
Estimated Completion Date: 9/30/13
Project Summary
Project Abstract:
Texas agencies are investigating passenger rail options in several corridors connecting people between the state’s major cities. Popular thinking is that there is commuter travel between a number of these markets. In specific, Austin to Houston and Dallas to Houston rank as highly desirable connections to be made by passenger rail. This research seeks to assess existing methodology, and then modify, develop and test a methodology to determine the volume and frequency of commuter travel between these markets.
Project Objectives:
The goal of this research is to determine the most suitable methodology to project intercity commuter travel. Specific objectives will be to project intercity travel between Houston and Austin and Houston and Dallas.
Task Descriptions:
Task 1:
Conduct a literature review of methodologies used in previous intercity assessments, within and outside Texas. Also, investigate new techniques that may update the previous strategies to determine intercity travel demand.
Task 2:
Compare the characteristics of the city pairs designated for this analysis and identify similarities and differences that might render models identified in task 1 suitable or not.
Task 3:
Conduct surveys and interviews with selected Austin, Houston, Dallas companies, chambers of commerce, activity center associations or economic development groups that may have knowledge about intercity travel to ascertain a baseline for business types, travel patterns and other relevant information about intercity commuters.
Task 4:
Identify a methodology/model to apply as part of this research to project intercity travel.
Task 5:
Collect data input needed to conduct the model.
Task 6:
Apply the data and conduct the model analysis to project the travel volumes. Synthesize and reduce the outputs.
Task 7:
Finalize the report.
Task 8:
Prepare for and participate in SWUTC Megaregions’ Conference
Implementation of Research Outcomes:
Texas agencies are investigating passenger rail options in several corridors connecting people between the state’s major cities. Popular thinking is that there is commuter travel between a number of these markets. In specific, Austin to Houston and Dallas to Houston rank as highly desirable connections to be made by passenger rail. There has been significant study of corridors linking Austin, Dallas and San Antonio; but little research considers the State Highway 290 corridor that would link Houston to Austin. A tool to project the commuter travel between these cities would be beneficial for Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPOs) and local transit authorities. This research assessed existing methodologies, and then modified, developed and recommend for testing a methodology to determine the volume and frequency of commuter travel between these markets.
Products developed by this research include:
New Method: A new Sketch Planning Method to predict intercity travel was developed.
Paper: A Methodology to Predict Intercity Commute Volume: Focus on Texas Megaregion Communities, Holmes Hassell and Carol Lewis, TRB 15-4890.
Impacts/Benefits of Implementation:
There are many communities interested in less costly ways to predict travel than the traditional process, known as the 4-step, which is time and financially intensive. Also, only small numbers of planners are adept at its use. The Sketch Planning method developed by this research has potential to provide reasonable projections more expediently.
The researcher will pursue a demonstration of the Sketch Planning method of demand estimation, particularly to be applied to the corridor connecting Houston and Austin, Texas. Decisions about connecting this corridor by regional rail could be advanced.
Web Links:
Final Technical Report