Modeling Data and Resources

Surveys and Data

The models that make up the regional travel demand model are estimated, calibrated, and validated using observed data, supplemented by professional judgment when necessary. Here are some of the major sources of observed data:

• Census data
• 2000 Census Transportation Planning Products (CTPP)
• American Community Survey (ACS)
• 2007/2008 COG/TPB Household Travel Survey (HTS), documented here. This also has a Baltimore component;
• Transit on-board surveys
• 2008 Metrorail Survey
• 2008 Regional Bus Survey
• 2007-2008 On-Board Survey of Maryland Transit Administration (MTA) Riders, which would include users of MARC train service
• 2005 Virginia Railway Express (VRE) Passenger Survey
• 2005 COG/TPB Commercial Vehicle Survey (in addition to non-freight commercial vehicles, this survey also included some truck counts)
• State and local government traffic counts
• 1994 COG/TPB Auto External Survey
• 1996 COG/TPB Truck Internal Survey
• 1996 COG/TPB Truck External Survey

Web Resources

• Association of Metropolitan Planning Organizations (AMPO)
• AMPO Travel Modeling Work Group.  This web page includes a “Knowledge Base of Travel Modeling Resources and Research from MPOs,” including from COG/TPB.
• Institute of Transportation Engineers (ITE)
• Transportation Research Board (TRB) of the National Academies
• U.S. Census
• U.S. DOT Travel Model Improvement Program (TMIP) and its TMIP Online webpage