Discrete Choice Modeling: Training and Technology Transfer

(PI: Chandra Bhat)

Dr. Bhat serves as the PI for this ongoing North Central Texas Council of Governments (NCTCOG) funded project. NCTCOG has been using the 4-step trip-based concept for travel modeling for the last 20 years. The travel model is used as an effective and objective tool for regional planning, project planning and analysis, understanding the travel patterns, and a decision making tool serving variety of users. However, the complexity of the questions that the model is being used for is increasing. If Activity-based (AB) modeling concepts can provide more realistic results and increase the capability of the model in type and depth of questions that it can answer, there will be an opportunity for implementation of these new modeling concepts in the Dallas-Fort Worth regional model. The primary objective of this project is to investigate the viability of employing an advanced travel modeling approach to improve the current travel modeling procedures in the Dallas Fort Worth region. As part of this ongoing project, efforts are underway to conduct extensive validation and sensitivity testing efforts.