Home

Training on TransCAD Software

image

Contents

1. WARNER TRANSPORTATION CONSULTING Page 3 Training on TransCAD Software Training Completion Report Training Content This section summarizes proceedings of each training day Monday April 23 1 Introduction The course began with an introduction about the training objectives and a some examples of how TransCAD could be of use to the Ministry of Transportation and the Public Investment Capacity Building Program The first session included an overview of the standard 4 step transportation model process and a brief discussion of the history of transportation planning tools leading up to the realistic transportation models allowed by TransCAD 2 Creating and Manipulating Maps Throughout the course we worked with TransCAD maps and data for the Baku region This first session focused on basic mapping skills essential for preparing model inputs and for presenting model results Students opened and moved around the Baku map We discussed the concept and types of geographic layers We zoomed in and out at different parts of the map set the scale added a legend added a symbol bookmarked a particular geographic area for example Central Baku or the Absheron Peninsula and copied a TransCAD map into a Word document In the guided example conducted with the trainer students zoomed in put a symbol added a label and recorded the latitude and longitude for the ITMC where the training occurred Students subsequently did the
2. 3 Did you help to prepare data for the Baku model or help guide the yes _ no _ unsure model development 4 How well do understand the standard four step travel demand good limited forecasting process understanding understanding 1 2 3 4 5 5 How well do you understand transportation modeling with TransCAD 1 3 4 5 6 Have you used TransCAD as a general Geographic Information yes _ unsure System such as for displaying data on thematic maps 7 Have you used other Geographic Information Systems for example yes _ unsure ArcView If yes which program 8 How important are each of the following 5vYF a Using TransCAD to develop and maintain a more detailed geographic very not database of roads and other transportation facilities in Baku or the important important Absheron Peninsula 1 2 3 4 5 b Applying new data and techniques to the existing Baku model so as to provide better transportation forecasts 1 3 4 5 c Expanding the Baku area transportation model to cover all of Azerbaijan 1 2 3 4 5 d Developing new transportation models for local areas other than Baku e g Ganja 1 2 3 4 5 3 e Using TransCAD for facility location problems for example locating fire stations so that every building in Baku is within five minutes of a station f Using TransCAD for geographic analysis for example finding the 1 2 4 5 share of residents within a five minute walk of a Metro station WARNER TRANSPORT
3. the training is to let the students have an opportunity to work with TransCAD This would also help the overall mission of providing the Azerbaijan Public Investment Capacity Building Project with a tool for forecasting the effects of transportation system or land use changes The starting point for these efforts should be the TransCAD model that Marc Warner developed for Baku This uses the transportation and land use TAZ files prepared by prior consultants ROM and WSP Finland but both of these input files have considerable need for improvement The students can make these changes following the steps outlined below Warner Transportation Consulting has sent all the computer files needed to run the TransCAD model for Baku The user s guide to run the model is an annex to this report We have also attached a second memo Options for acquiring added TransCAD licenses This recommends that the Ministry re activate its one TransCAD license that expired in October 2011 The renewal does not cost any money but does require an annual quick e mail to the Caliper Corporation The memo also recommends that the Ministry acquire some added less expensive Caliper products that would allow the students to use their TransCAD skills for development of geographic layers and databases without requiring the cost of a full TransCAD license that includes the capabilities to run the model Here are suggested follow up activities to ensure sustained results of th
4. to convert the production attraction format of trips to an origin destination format The second transformation one that does require a user defined input is the split of the full day trips into smaller time periods We looked at a graph of the hourly distribution of trips by trip purpose and considered whether it was reasonable for Baku We then opened the hourly table lookup file and showed how to change the distribution 10 Future Trends Affecting Transportation Planning Bakhtiyar Namazov presented information showing the very rapid growth of auto ownership in Baku over the past ten years and showed how these rates have differed across the region He discussed expectations of changes to this growth rate in coming decades 11 Traffic Assignment WARNER TRANSPORTATION CONSULTING Page 9 Training on TransCAD Software Training Completion Report We looked at the standard BPR function set up in TransCAD and showed examples of how estimated speeds drop with increasing volumes of passenger car equivalents or if changing the rates of parameters used in the formula We discussed some advanced techniques to include intersection delays if the data permits it Friday April 27 12 Comprehensive Examples The trainer installed a fully working TransCAD model for the Baku region on each computer Students used the TransCAD model interface to determine the input files and run the program for the 5PM to 6PM time period Upon run completio
5. training or as follow up efforts Each is sent along with this report 1 Lesson Plans and Hand out Notes 2 The compilation of training materials handouts relevant and comprehensive reference materials and any other materials created during the training as a WARNER TRANSPORTATION CONSULTING Page 16 Training on TransCAD Software Training Completion Report result of group works practical exercises or other assignments Note that we have sent the English language version of this material Students received these handouts translated into Azerbaijani 3 User s guide for the Baku TransCAD model Warner Transportation Consulting has also sent the full set of electronic model files needed to run the Baku TransCAD model 4 Options for TransCAD purchases memo Other material developed as part of the course are included in this document WARNER TRANSPORTATION CONSULTING Page 17 Training on TransCAD Software Training Completion Report The training team members including names surnames and titles Primary trainer Marc Warner Ph D President Warner Transportation Consulting Inc Supporting instructor Bakhtiyar Namazov Farman Ph D Assistant Professor Azerbaijan Technical University Administrative support Shahin Isayev Project Manager E S Consulting WARNER TRANSPORTATION CONSULTING Page 18 Training on TransCAD Software Training Completion Report The trainees 1 Saleh B d lov
6. we then estimate the total share of employment that is for retail jobs say 25 percent we can then create a formula to distribute these jobs proportionally and relative to the total employment in the respective zones e Check the transit route coding Look carefully at the transit route layer use the Transit route browser toolbox and recode the bus routes as necessary Check the headways and fares for the buses and metro Check the bus stop locations too Get the traffic counts Baku has sensors in the roads that record the number of vehicles the speeds and the composition of vehicles cars trucks at about 300 locations Find a way to aggregate this data into hourly segments and then average them by month This will be the basis for establishing that the TransCAD model can correctly replicate observed traffic flows Calibrate the model There will be a need to adjust parameters such as for trip generation rates or for mode choice Students should have a general understanding of how these parameters can affect the results but the actual choice of values and how to implement them in TransCAD are advanced topics beyond the subjects presented in the course The Ministry may also want to develop TransCAD maps for urbanized areas other than Baku WARNER TRANSPORTATION CONSULTING Page 15 Training on TransCAD Software Training Completion Report Certification Mechanism for evaluating absorption of the training con
7. ATION CONSULTING Page 20 Training on TransCAD Software Training Completion Report 9 Which of the following would you like to test with the existing or refined TransCAD based models a New highways or added highway lanes 1 2 3 4 5 b Increased road capacity because of synchronized traffic lights or other intersection controls 1 2 3 4 5 c New stations or changing service levels on the Baku Metro 1 2 3 4 5 d New fares service levels priority facilities or regulations affecting bus or marshrutka services P a E gt a Dl E Ce E i New patterns of land use or changes to population or auto ownership 1 2 10 Do you have any other comments that would help in the development of the TransCAD training course Thank you for your response Please send the completed survey to Bakhtiyar Namazov at escon info gmail com WARNER TRANSPORTATION CONSULTING Page 21 Training on TransCAD Software Training Completion Report Sample certificate issued to students o SERT F KAT CERTIFICATE Bu Sertifikat t sdiq edir ki 9 9 9 This is to certify that Sevil sg nd rova Sevil Isgandarova 2012 ci ilin 23 27 aprel tarixl rind TransCAD proqram t minat m vzusunda ke irilmi t limd i tirak etmi v t lim kursunu Q na tb x s viyy sind bitirmi dir attended and participated in the training cou
8. Credit No 4595 AZ The Ministry of Education of the Republic of Azerbaijan Training on TransCAD Software 06 90 aZ Q 2 2 0 La ja a wh TRANSPORTATION CONSULTING NC 177 Riverside Drive 221 OA mu iste WARNER June 20 2012 Northampton MA 01062 413 585 5026 Training on TransCAD Software Training Completion Report Contents EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ni la sa Y la Leek 2 TRAINING DELIVERY METHODOLOGIES 00 A ADE 3 TRAINING CONTENT E E lees 4 M nday ADI Za a a a ass 4 Tuesday Abrib24 sss s s d Bss s s a ds diia 5 V ednesday ApriP25 A evi A EE A See ee nb di bere Aaa y si 6 Th rsdey APril 26 ev oneed a s s ia iaia 8 Friday April ZT rer eee oS ot da GE AA A LAS A A A 10 EVALUATION FINDING AND FEEDBACK BY TRAINER S 11 CHALLENGES AND DIFFICULTIES ENCOUNTERED DURING THE TRAINING 11 LESSONS LEARNED AND RECOMMENDATIONS 0ccccoccccconncnna cananea nana n nana r nn nn nr anar r anna 12 FOLLOW UP AND SUSTAINABILITY da 13 CERTIFICA TON 1 e dr LA A 16 a A A A Ad AA 16 THE TRAINING TEAM MEMBERS INCLUDING NAMES SURNAMES AND T TTLES 18 THE TRAINEES A ad ot 19 PRE COURSE SU
9. RVEY OF PARTICIPANTS dada 20 SAMPLE CERTIFICATE ISSUED TO STUDENTS 888 8888889333 22 Annexes sent separately e Lesson Plans and Hand out Notes The compilation of training materials handouts e User s guide for the Baku TransCAD model Options for TransCAD purchases memo WARNER TRANSPORTATION CONSULTING Page i Training on TransCAD Software Training Completion Report Executive Summary Training Title Training Goal and Objectives Training Dates Training Target Group Short Training Summary Training on TransCAD Software The training program aimed to provide the selected transportation specialists with practical knowledge and appropriate professional skills in TransCAD software in order to use it effectively and productively with a focus on transportation planning and forecasting April 23 to 27 2012 The target group was specialists from the Azerbaijan Ministry of Transportation including e Traffic engineers e Traffic organization specialists Engineers of Intellectual Management Transport Systems e Faculty members of the higher education institutions on relevant subjects or qualifications The actual class had 17 students The course relied on demonstrations and guided hands on exercises to give students experience with the type of TransCAD procedures they would most likely use Students developed these skills by wor
10. Saleh Badalov 2 Anar H s nov Anar Hasanov 3 Anar Mustafayev Anar Mustafayev 4 Anar R stemov Anar Rustamov 5 Mirh mid Ba rov Mirhamid Baghyrov 6 Rical brahimli Rijal Ibrahimli 7 Emin M cidov Emin Majidov 8 B hruz M mm dov Bahruz Mammadov 9 Co qun M mm dov doshgun Mammadov 10 1 Nazim liyev Nazim Aliyev 11 1 Samir M h rr mov Samir Maharramov 12 brahim liyev brahim Aliyev 13 s d liyev Asad Aliyev 14 Sevil sg nd rova Sevil Isgandarova 15 Ya ar Eyyubov Yashar Eyyubov 16 Tural R sulov Tural Rasulov 17 ingiz R himov Chingiz Mustafayev WARNER TRANSPORTATION CONSULTING Page 19 Training on TransCAD Software Training Completion Report Pre course survey of participants Here is a copy of the survey distributed several weeks prior to the beginning of the course The 12 responses received are in Azerbaijani Training on TransCAD software pre course survey of participants Please take a moment to answer the following questions Your answers will help to guide the course development and thus ensure that the course is as useful as possible Your prompt response is much appreciated Name 1 Do you now have access to the TransCAD software 2 Have you used the TransCAD based Baku Metropolitan ye _ no _ unsure Transportation Model
11. WSP Finland for the Baku region and discussed whether the modeled area and TAZ boundaries were consistent with good modeling practice The students did a guided exercise of breaking the 1 9 kilometer TAZ along the Baku waterfront into two zones so as to separate the seashore park from the Sea Port Hotel and the site of the planned Crescent Hotel Students created the new zone boundaries and modified the TAZ data We looked at the zonal attributes that TransCAD calculated for the new zones Was this reasonable for all zones Students noted that population density was a variable requiring recalculation The reported 6900 residents of the seashore TAZ essentially the waterfront park also highlighted data with room for improvement 5 Creating and Modifying Road Networks WARNER TRANSPORTATION CONSULTING Page 5 Training on TransCAD Software Training Completion Report We opened and examined the TransCAD road layer prepared by ROM and used by WSP Finland in the Baku regional analysis We discussed the line layer the road segments the node layer the intersections and the data in both The trainer highlighted one way roads overpasses tunnels and dualized roadways such as Heydar Aliyev Avenue We also discussed the lines coded on the road layer that are not real roads TAZ centroid connectors but that are necessary for transportation modeling We discussed the sources for road information such as capacity determinants and free flow spe
12. also have been more suited for a second specialized course rather than a group of 17 students getting their first introduction to TransCAD A more appropriate division may have been as follows Introductory course for people who will help to develop the TransCAD model inputs working with TransCAD maps and geographic layers e creating and editing road links and transport route including intersections and bus stops e creating and modifying transportation analysis zones e developing the database associated with these layers e overview of the 4 step transportation model Advanced course for people who will develop the actual TransCAD model e choosing the parameters and formulas for each model step trip generation trip distribution mode choice and traffic assignment e techniques for model validation and calibration e programming in GISDK The current course touched on all of these items but for many of the students even the basic theory of mode choice and the other model steps may have been more information than they needed or cared to know This division would have allowed more time to develop student confidence with the standard TransCAD tasks regarding the model inputs while leaving the advanced topics about the model to a second course WARNER TRANSPORTATION CONSULTING Page 12 Training on TransCAD Software Training Completion Report Follow up and sustainability The key suggestion to ensure sustained results of
13. d then using the logit formula to estimate the shares of this trip assigned to each mode as a function of the relative utilities For which trips could you skip the mode split step in the regional model After some prodding the group understood that goods movement trips cannot use bus metro or walk The model could assign these directly to trucks The class examined TransCAD s mdl tool showing the structure and coefficients of the mode choice formulas as set up by the trainer for the Baku model Note that we did not have access to any mode split formulas that ROM or WSP Finland may have applied in the earlier Baku transportation studies Thus the formulas developed by the trainer were those that seemed reasonable although they did not rely on survey data or actual bus and metro boardings needed for proper calibration We ran the mode choice step and looked at the car transport and walk mode shares between different zones and inner Baku and as calculated for the region as a whole Students then doubled the bus and metro fares from 2 to 4 manats re ran the mode split formula and compared the results The trainer expected that the walk share should have risen more than it did but the general consensus among the students was that they would not have walked even ten minutes more to save 2 manats 12 Production Attraction to Origin Destination and Time of Day Transformation The trainer very briefly explained the reasons why TransCAD has
14. data on average household income in each TAZ If not can we add data on private cars owned by residents in the TAZ Ideally we would have data as follows TAZ total population 1 person households 2 person households 4 or more person households 0 car households 1 car households 2 car households 3 or more car households O 0 0 WARNER TRANSPORTATION CONSULTING Page 14 Training on TransCAD Software Training Completion Report Check the TAZ level employment data Check the total employment listed in the TAZ file for each zone The current data set includes this but the model gains added precision if we can divide employment by at least retail and non retail employment Retail employment the number of people who work in stores and shops is the key factor that the model uses to generate shopping attractions This distinction is important as 20 employees at a store or supermarket will generally attract far more home based trips that would 20 employees at an office If the data is not available from official records then create a selection set of zones that you know have major retail centers then another selection set of zones with medium retail activity and then a third set of zones with neighborhood retail activity Add a data field column in the TAZ layer for retail type Mark the major retail zones with a 1 the medium zones with a 2 and the neighborhood retail zones with a 3 If
15. e trainings e Review the transportation network Look closely at each link Use thematic maps to highlight each link type Does this look right Make sure that the roads like Heydar Aliyev and other road that function as highways are coded correctly Roads that cross the highways should not have intersection nodes that would allow turns to and from the highway Code walkways that cross the roads For example a walkway over or under Heydar Aliyev could be set as a link with link type code 10 walk link TransCAD will let travelers walk on link type 10 but would preclude cars from driving on them Eventually you may want to use the road layer developed by the Koreans for the Baku traffic monitoring program TransCAD can easily read the shape file although you would almost certainly have to adjust the bus lines to ensure that the bus route alignments and stops still make sense The road file used by the Koreans also has the street names a useful attribute now missing from the road layer used in the Baku TransCAD model e Account for parking issues Do a survey of streets where parked cars routinely block a traffic lane There seems to be a lot of these in Baku and this would reduce the WARNER TRANSPORTATION CONSULTING Page 13 Training on TransCAD Software Training Completion Report capacity of the road below that rate for the unimpeded road Create a new geographic layer and database for off street parking spaces Check the de
16. eds and why this information mattered to the regional model We used TransCAD s feature display settings to show the road layer with different width and colors according to the road s functional classification thereby distinguishing highways and other big roads from minor roads In a hands on exercise the students added a bridge across the harbor with appropriate connecting roads They revised the road layer database to include the bridge name and attributes about lanes capacity and free flow speeds In a second exercise students converted two parallel roads south of Teymur Aliyev into one way roads going in opposite directions We also set up the road layer to allow TransCAD to find the shortest path between any two points selected by the user from all the nodes in the modeled region We did tests with the shortest path determined by distance and by travel time and showed how these can differ 5b Determinants of Road Capacity and Speed Bakhtiyar Namazov assistant professor at the Azerbaijan Technical University spoke about the determinants of capacity and speed for roads in Azerbaijan This included a description of free flow speeds based on certain design characteristics and the performance functions that then estimate how travel speeds change in response to higher vehicle volumes and the number of trucks in the traffic flow He presented information about various exceptions such as delays caused by weaves where highway entrances and e
17. for the Baku model and looked at the trip length distribution chart for different trip purposes a map showing commute HBW travel flows for trips into central Baku and an orientation ratio for a particular downtown zone We discussed if these made sense and discussed enhancements that could improve model accuracy parking costs and terminal times further division of certain trip purposes by income group consideration of transit times Thursday April 26 We lost a half hour this morning as the trainer tried to install an updated TransCAD model for the Baku region on the student computers The model did not run and he gave up the effort He later discovered this to be a problem with a file naming convention that was not a problem on the trainer s computer This problem affected the students ability to run the full model but they could still run model steps individually 9 Mode Split The trainer described the place of mode split in the four step transportation modeling process and discussed with class input the types of trip and traveler characteristics that would influence someone s choice of modes cars public transport or walk The trainer presented a simple mathematical mode split example for one trip purpose between two TAZs to illustrate the basic concept of calculating a single WARNER TRANSPORTATION CONSULTING Page 8 Training on TransCAD Software Training Completion Report utility value for each mode choice an
18. formulas applied to the region as a whole We modified the trip Quick Response Method to treat the airport as a special generator In the discussion of trip purposes the trainer prompted the class to think about the components of non home based trips and why these are important After some prodding the class identified that a large share of the trips that are not produced or attracted to someone s home are goods movement trips by truck WARNER TRANSPORTATION CONSULTING Page 7 Training on TransCAD Software Training Completion Report Finally in this session we discussed the value of enhancing the TAZ data to include data on average household incomes the percent of households owning an automobile or the number of occupied hotel rooms in each zone Each of these would add to precision in the model s ability to estimate the number of trips generated We discussed how planning agencies and consultants elsewhere have collected or estimated this type of data 8 Trip Distribution We discussed the place of trip distribution in the model process and the typical approach the gravity model used in transportation planning for linking trip productions and trip attractions The trainer presented the mathematical formula gave a simple example of how it works and highlighted the assumptions used in the standard 4 step model application round trip travel use of auto times for impedance We ran the trip distribution step as a group exercise
19. he software Challenges and difficulties encountered during the training The training went slower than 1 thought it would 1 had to drop elements such as overlays and buffers to ensure that we had enough time on issues of greater importance Students occasionally focused on some ancillary detail and may have missed the bigger point For example 1 created a thematic map with the intent of really highlighting that the data 1 got from WSP Finland could not possibly be right We got so hung up on the simple task of matching the thematic map color scheme that the point about the specific data was lost The course also had to overcome a challenge that arose before the training began 1 had expected that I would be able to get the full set of files that previous consultants developed for the TransCAD model of the Baku region This was not the case 1 received the road layer the TAZ layer and the transport route system only two weeks before the course began and nobody has been able to locate any model files used in the earlier consulting work My sense now is that the earlier consultants ROM and WSP Finland never actually had the data they felt they needed to develop a proper TransCAD model and they thus developed an abbreviated four step model without TransCAD s full functionality For training purposes however 1 did need a model with all the parts operational the model would have to yield a forecast even if the forecast were not particularly l
20. ikely I might have used a completed and validated model from another urban area but this would have undermined the value of working with the road transport and land use files in the context WARNER TRANSPORTATION CONSULTING Page 11 Training on TransCAD Software Training Completion Report most familiar to the Azerbaijani students Given this situation 1 hastily built a Baku model The model worked by the time the course began but some of the interfaces and code had room for improvement 1 am sure 1 would have caught and fixed the problem 1 encountered on Thursday morning of the training had 1 had more time in fact 1 fixed this issue that night and got the model working properly on the student computers on Friday Finally in this section the class had to deal with the fact that I did not speak Azerbaijani and the students who with only a single exception seemed to speak very little English It was not possible for example to provide translation of the TransCAD user s manual into Azerbaijani I cannot speak highly enough though about the excellent translator assigned to the class Mr Nadir Saracli was not only able to convey information back and forth between the students and myself but he also quickly mastered the elements of TransCAD and was able to help the students with the material that we covered He was a pleasure to work with Lessons learned and recommendations Some of the material even when skimmed to basics may
21. king with geographic maps and data and a TransCAD model developed for the Baku region WARNER TRANSPORTATION CONSULTING Page 2 Training on TransCAD Software Training Completion Report Training Delivery Methodologies The training methodology included the following Guided practice of structured examples using the Baku TransCAD model as a base Supporting discussions emphasizing the why in addition to the how For each model step we discussed what the step does how it fits in a systematic modeling process and why it is important to use the right data and formulas We discussed good modeling practices based on examples from the Baku model and others Independent practice of steps relevant to particular lessons Participants would work either individually or in small groups at a computer with TransCAD availability Handouts in Azerbaijani These were mostly step by step instructions with illustrations for using TransCAD but also flowcharts of model processes and tables and charts of model parameters or travel patterns from other urban areas Question and Answer sessions at the end of each day and informally throughout the day to allow trainees to make sure they have understood what they have learned Note that the course used a TransCAD model developed for the Baku area throughout the course and within each of the hands on exercises Class participants could thus see the material within a familiar context
22. mographic data in the land use TAZ file How did ROM or WSP Finland get the population data used at the model s TAZ level It is clear that the population s too low The Baku region has much more than the 2 4 million people reported in the model What is the correct total for the Absheron Peninsula and which TAZs should have the added population If the true population data is not available by TAZ you can vvork vvith grovvth rates for each rayon We did something like this as a class exercise on Friday morning In that case vve increased population by 25 percent for all TAZs vvithin 10 kilometers of the May 28 metro station If you have a sense of the grovvth rates by rayon then you can assign a rate to each rayon and then factor up the respective TAZs by this rate In any case you will have to review the distribution of population at the TAZ level The earlier consultants seem to have found a population estimate for the Rayon and then applied that to all the composite TAZs based only on each TAZ s share of the total area The result of this calculation is an assignment of close to 7000 residents in the geographically largest TAZ in Inner Baku the shoreline park actual population 0 Revlevv and improve the demographic data in each TAZ based on other planning documents collected by other agencies or based on information from direct observations or aerial photos Find information about household incomes or auto ownership Is there
23. n about 10 minutes for the single travel assignment hour the students opened specified output files and recorded key statistics about total vehicle hours and vehicle kilometers traveled total trips by each mode and the road link with the worst traffic congestion measured by the volume to capacity ratio Students then set up and tested various changes Each of the changes required the students to use techniques learned in previous sessions of the course The first test for example suggested that the population reported in the database for Baku was too low Students then had to raise the 2010 population in all TAZs that are within ten kilometers of May 28 Metro Station by 25 percent and raise the population of all other zones by 5 percent Subsequent tests included adding road detail to the modeled region around Mashtaga introducing a new bus service between Sumgayit and Turkan raising bus fares by 25 and metro fares by 40 setting the seaport as a special generator and converting Heydar Aliyev Avenue to a bus only facility Students had time to figure out on their own how to make each of these changes The trainer the translator Nadir Saracli and other students helped out when called upon 13 Final Material In the last hours of the class the trainer showed the GISDK TransCAD programming language code for the Baku model He talked again about the value of further data collection to make the Baku model more precise and then de
24. quayit than in any point in Baku Students considered whether this looked right We also created and examined a thematic map showing population and employment using a bar chart at the center of each TAZ Was this a good map No there is too much overlap of the bar charts and is thus not clear We then aggregated the data from the 1539 TAZs into the much smaller set of rayons The students agreed that showing the data with a thematic bar chart at the rayon level was much more reasonable Tuesday April 24 3 Mapping Your Own Data and Spatial Analysis continued We finished up a few points planned for Session 3 that we did not get to on Monday This included using TransCAD to compile statistics on a data set and the various TransCAD techniques for selecting features from a geographic layer Students used the Baku map and TransCAD s Select by Circle tool to select TAZs within a fixed distance of a certain point They also used the Select by Condition tool to find TAZs where the population forecast for 2025 was more than 50 percent higher than the population listed for 2010 Also as part of this lesson the trainer briefly discussed the TransCAD features of overlays and buffers and showed examples of their use and of their usefulness We did not spend further time as initially planned on developing these as a hands on student exercise 4 Creating and Modifying TAZs and Other Area Layers We examined the TAZ boundaries used by ROM and
25. r dependence on different types of population and land use data and highlighted the benefits of knowing information about the types of activity within each TAZ a McDonalds restaurant for example attracts many more trips than does a transportation planning firm with the same number of employees The trainer showed examples of trip generation rates used in models of US urban areas and contrasted this with findings from other regions around the world The class did a hands on exercise applying TransCAD s Quick Response Method for trip generation using common US rates and applied to the limited TAZ level data for Baku Note that we did not have access to the model process files or parameters that ROM or WSP Finland may have used in trip generation analysis They do not seem to have compiled any data about retail shopping activity by TAZ We used a simple formula to estimate retail employment as a function of total employment in the zone Students opened the trip attraction rate file modified the rates and then re ran the trip generation step The class created and examined thematic maps of the results of trip generation After some prodding students recognized that the zone with Heydar Aliyev Airport had to attract far more trips than the model s trip generation step suggested The trainer then used this as an example of the need to treat certain zones as special generators where the trip productions or attractions deviate significantly from the
26. rse on the TransCAD Software conducted on April 23 27 2012 and completed the course on Satisfaction level Siz g l c k i l rinizd u urlar arzulay r q We wish you good luck in your future endeavors Bakhtiyar Namazov WARNER TRANSPORTATION CONSULTING Page 22
27. scribed how the work we have done over the course for Baku could also apply to other urbanized areas throughout Azerbaijan He showed how TransCAD provides built in geographic layers with cities major roads and railroads that can help with this effort WARNER TRANSPORTATION CONSULTING Page 10 Training on TransCAD Software Training Completion Report Evaluation finding and feedback by Trainer s The pre course survey suggested that the material covered in the class both the use of TransCAD and the nature of travel forecasting models in general was new to almost all of the students Given this starting point 1 assume that the students gained significant knowledge in these areas It is also apparent by the efforts of the students on Friday that the students had generally gained a familiarity and competence with changing the land use and transportation system files needed for a TransCAD model run These are the most common tasks that you would expect of someone using TransCAD in the Ministry of Transportation There were only a couple of cases where 1 looked over a shoulder on Friday and was disheartened to see a student making a basic error for example trying to draw a new road on a map by using TransCAD s free hand drawing tool when he should have been using the TransCAD geographic layer editing tool The attitude of the students overall seemed excellent Each student was punctual and many stayed after class to continue to work with t
28. se tasks alone or in groups of two or three for a particular station of the Baku Metro 3 Mapping Your Own Data and Spatial Analysis The trainer presented examples of thematic maps created with TransCAD and we discussed the type of theme that would be most appropriate to show different types of data such as traffic volumes change in population or passenger boardings at bus stops by time of day Through guided demonstrations and independent exercises students created their own thematic maps In one example they linked population data to the Transportation Analysis Zone TAZ layer and created a new formula for population density An unexpected outcome here was to discover that some of the computers had TransCAD loaded with the default distance unit as miles and some with the default distance unit as kilometers After some confusion about the cause of different answers we revised all the settings to show distances in kilometers Note that the data used in the course for the Baku regional model came from files prepared by ROM consultants in 2005 and then used in a subsequent consulting effort by WSP Finland One point of the exercises was to highlight where improved WARNER TRANSPORTATION CONSULTING Page 4 Training on TransCAD Software Training Completion Report data accuracy could lead to a more precise forecast of travel flows The population density exercise for example showed far greater population density in much of Sum
29. tent Students had projects requiring them to apply the new knowledge and skills they had gained These hands on exercises occurred after each session The projects on the final day of the training called for the application of a more comprehensive set of TransCAD skills The trainer and the translator observed the approach and provided assistance where needed The certificates at the satisfaction level represent participation in each of the hands on exercises for practicing TransCAD skills and complete attendance at each training session over the five days of the class Factors serving for recognition of the certificates at a larger scale in the international arena There are no established international standards for TransCAD training Students receiving the certificate however should know the following e effective and efficient techniques for modifying the TransCAD road or transit network to test a proposed change in the transportation system methods to update or enhance the current and future land use data and to modify the boundaries of transportation analysis zones to model a larger region or to account for land use distinctions the general approach of the four step regional transportation model e 5 techniques for conveying and evaluating results from each stage of the transportation model such as through the use of selection sets and thematic maps Annexes The following are separate documents used in the
30. xits are close together Wednesday April 25 6 Creating and Modifying Transit Bus and Metro Networks The class opened the Baku map and added the route system layer showing the area s bus and Metro routes We discussed how TransCAD represents transit alignments node to node route paths designation of bus stops or rail stations and route data such as frequency fare and speed if on separate right of way from auto traffic The transit routes were those coded in 2005 by ROM consultants It was WARNER TRANSPORTATION CONSULTING Page 6 Training on TransCAD Software Training Completion Report apparent to several students that many of the alignments and data for many of the routes were no longer if ever valid We did a guided demonstration of using TransCAD s route editing tools to realign a portion of a bus route and to add new bus stops We also used the editing tools to create a new hypothetical transit route across the modeled region We created a transit network and used TransCAD tools to find the best transit path between various pairs of nodes throughout the region 7 Trip Generation We discussed the role of the trip generation step in the transportation modeling process the definition of productions and attractions and the benefits of accounting for distinct types of trip purposes typically commute trips home based non work trips and non home based trips We discussed different trip generation formulas and thei

Download Pdf Manuals

image

Related Search

Related Contents

Samsung WA16A2Q3 Manual de Usuario  TAFCO WINDOWS NU2-013S-W Installation Guide  Konica Minolta Q-M200 Digital Camera User Manual  Thermo-Sorb  Raypak 53 User's Manual  20cm  PRODUCT SPECIFICATION    

Copyright © All rights reserved.
Failed to retrieve file