TDOT MODEL APPROVAL POLICY

DRAFT POLICY  TDOT MPO MODEL APPROVAL POLICY

RESPONSIBLE OFFICE  STATE OF TENNESSEE  DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION  LONG RANGE PLANNING DIVISION (DIVISION PROCEDURE)  SYSTEMS PLANNING AND POLICY OFFICE

Authority  TCA  If any portion of this policy conflicts with applicable state or federal laws or regulations, that portion shall be considered void. The remainder of this policy shall not be affected thereby and shall remain in force and effect

PURPOSE  Provide a formalized, clearly understood, standardized format process for all Tennessee MPO’s for use in their transportation plan updates that will be consistent with FHWA regulations.  Promote effective and efficient development and use of MPO transportation models  Sets requirements for development and use of MPO models  Coordinates modeling efforts at the MPO level  Certification by TDOT is the end product of this model approval process

Application  Apply to all Tennessee MPO’s, recognizing the fact that all MPO’s do not have the same resources  Allow TDOT to review MPO models for their accuracy  Process will involve clearly understood MPO model documentation  Helps achieve consistency within the state  Ensures that models are defensible if cited in litigation  Review process based on TNMUG’s, Minimum Travel Demand Model Calibration and Validation Guidelines for State of Tennessee  All MPO models must meet minimum guidelines in order to be certified  Model certification is the end product of the model approval process  Certification means that TDOT has reviewed all stages of model development and the model that is the result of this process has been approved for use in MPO Long Range Plans and Air Quality Analysis

PROCEDURE  MPO (or consultants) provide TDOT with model developmental outline  TDOT will review in a timely manner  TDOT will review any updates to existing and future models  TDOT will maintain a file of all “official” MPO models

CERTIFICATION REVIEW  Reasonableness Checks for:  Socioeconomic Data  Travel Survey Data  Network Data  Trip Generation  Trip Distribution  Mode Split  Trip Assignment  Travel Model Performance  Model Interface

ARBITRATION of DISPUTES  Final resolution of disputes concerning data, procedures, or modeling methods will be made by the Director of Long Range Planning

DOCUMENTATION  All phases of model development will be documented in electronic and written format and kept at MPO offices and TDOT

CERTIFICATION CERTIFICATION  If all procedures in this process are completed and accepted by TDOT Systems Planning (Modeling Section) staff, the model will be certified as acceptable for use in the MPO’s Long Range Transportation Plan.