Developing a Business Process and Logical Data Model to Support a Tour-based Travel Demand Model Design for TxDOT

(PI: Chandra Bhat, CoPIs: Karen Lorenzini, Edgar Kraus, Ipek Sener, and Andy Mullins)

The changing modeling needs over the past few years, spurred by the evolving policy contexts of transportation planning, have led the planning community to explore tour-based and activity- based modeling paradigms as an alternative to the traditional trip-based modeling paradigm. As a leading travel model practitioner, the TxDOT-Transportation Planning and Programming Division (TxDOT-TPP) sponsored an earlier study to synthesize tour-based modeling approaches in the country and identify potential benefits and costs of transitioning to this emerging modeling paradigm in Texas. Based on the results of the study, TxDOT-TPP is now moving forward to develop a business case (justification and need) and logical data model, including step-by-step actions and procedures to support the design and development of a tour-based travel model. This plan will not only justify the need for tour-based models, but also proactively identify potential challenges and constraints that may arise in implementation, and provide pathways to address them. It also will address the need to continue to operate trip-based models in parallel with tour- based where needed or required, and assess any impacts of tour-based modeling on the Technological Services Division (TSD) of TxDOT.