Research Needs Statement
A Typology of Integrated Transportation and Land Use Models
Background
The development and adoption of transportation planning and forecasting techniques have evolved quickly since the first models were developed in the 1950s.
While recognized as important, land-use planning and forecasting techniques have been developed and adopted more slowly. At the same time, there is increasing interest in such methods. They are seen as critical to more accurate estimates of future transportation demand as well as for improved environmental analysis in transport and land-use planning. Legislation is being adopted (e.g. California SB 375
(2008), Oregon SB 1059 (2010)) providing further impetus to consider land-use and transportation together.
A surprising number of different techniques, methods and models have been developed over the past fifty years with the aim of integrating transportation and land-use modeling. These tools differ considerably in their complexity, requirements (data, expertise, etc.) and resource implications. They range from relatively simple GIS approaches (e.g. I-Places, UPlan) to complex urban economic models (e.g. UrbanSim and PECAS). Each of these tools has different capacities and differs in the extent to which transport-land-use interactions are captured and in their spatial detail. The more complex the model, the greater the requirements for data, expertise and overall budget. Presently, there are few examples of complex models being applied actively in policy analysis, although there are many that will be shortly.
MPOs vary in size, their needs with respect to integrating transport and land-use planning, and critically, the resources they can devote to such efforts. Given the many options and their related characteristics, evaluating the different tools available is challenging. Importantly, some MPOs are using several models as completementary approaches to different aspects of the land use and transport planning problem (e.g. regional economic flows, parcel-based allocations, scenariobuilding). These complementary features suggest the advantages and disadvantages of specific approaches.
Objective
The objective of this research is to develop a typology of integrated transportation and land-use models for use in regional planning appropriate for different sized
MPOs and agencies. In particular it will build on the work of Miller, Kriger and Hunt
TCRP Report 48 (1998). They provided an analysis of integrated modeling, methods available and the ideal long-term direction for models and development to take. At the time, there was relatively little experience with the ideal complex models being advocated and none applied in policy analysis. Since such models are now coming
“on-line” for policy analysis, there is an opportunity to evaluate the successes,

weaknesses and costs involved for the entire range of integrated planning approaches. Given the varied resources and requirements of different sized MPOs and agencies, there is likely to be no “one size fits all” model or modeling approach appropriate for all of them. As such, there is a need for research that aims to provide recommendations on what type of approach is most suitable given different circumstances, requirements and resources.
Proposed Research
In order to develop a useful typology of integrated transport and land-use models appropriate for different MPOs and agencies, the following is required.
1.
A survey and update of the different approaches that are available and that have been applied to integrate the planning of transportation and land-use.
2.
A classification of the approaches in terms of capabilities, theoretical approaches and requirements (data, computational and human resource, expertise).
3.
For each class, a few examples of the use of these approaches that would include: the institutional context (e.g. size of MPO or agency), to what purpose the approach was adopted, what the results of the exercise(s) were, what the resource implications were, and the degree to which the example was considered successful by the stakeholders.
4.
The development of a typology that would serve as a recommendation for what type of approach is most appropriate in what circumstances.
5.
Further recommendations on the best ways MPOs or agencies can achieve their integrated transportation and planning goals.
Project Duration: 1 years
Project Budget: $100,000