1. 1 Association of Metropolitan Planning Organizations Travel Modeling Working Group Ronald Milone Principal Transportation Engineer National Capital Region Transportation Planning Board 11 th TRB National Transportation Planning Applications Conference Session 3A: The Benefits of Belonging May 7, 2007

2. 2 Presentation Format: -Background on the AMPO Travel Modeling Work Group -Observations on the question: How does ‘best practice’ get promoted?

3. 3 AMPO Travel Modeling Work Group Background: -Established in 2002 -Mission: To promote communication and understanding among MPO analysts regarding: - Methods currently used in application - Preferred modeling methods and techniques - Guidelines for acceptable practice & standards - Research and development needs

4. 4 AMPO Travel Modeling Work Group Composition: -‘Core’ Group: MPO Modelers - Small, Medium, Large - ‘Friends’ with a stake in the regional modeling process - FHWA, FTA, EPA, Consultants, Software Vendors - Collegial discussions on common challenges

5. 5 AMPO Travel Modeling Work Group Meeting Arrangements: - Bi-annual meetings - Focus on one or more technical themes at each meeting - Central meeting locations in the U.S., rotating MPO hosts - Limited reimbursement opportunities for lodging / air travel - Informal “roundtable” discussions

6. 6 Promoting Best Practice at MPOs is Challenging - No ‘one-size-fits-all’ solution - Transportation issues vary - Staff resources vary - To what extent is the ‘modeling problem’ really a ‘data problem’? -Meaning of ‘best practice’ varies depending on area size and nature of policy challenges - Best practices are often dependent on software vendors to accommodate new methods

7. 7 Why are MPOs Interested in Collaboration on Modeling Practices? -  Federal TMIP program has been cut back  Legislative requirements are considerable; staff capabilities and technical resources are limited  New questions are being asked, such as time-of- day tolling proposals  Interest in sharing experience in implementing new methods  Potential legal challenges to modeling

8. 8 Lessons Learned… -  Frequent discussion and collaboration is essential for improving methods  Academic research has not adequately addressed MPO needs  MPOs need to conduct and share their own research practitioner issues and needs  AMPO Travel Modeling Work Group is currently planning to establish a web site to share MPO research products and experience  The benefits of this forum are clear