Regional Traffic Model
TRAVEL DEMAND FORECASTING MODEL
A Travel Demand Forecasting (TDF) model is a computer program that simulates traffic levels and travel patterns for a specific geographic area. Using this data, the model performs a series of calculations to determine the amount of trips generated, the beginning and ending location of each trip, and the route taken by the trip. The model's output includes projections of traffic volumes on major roads, and peak hour turning movements at certain key intersections. The TDF model is a valuable tool for preparing long-range transportation planning studies, like the Regional Transportation Plan. The travel model can be used to estimate the average daily and peak hour traffic volumes on the major roads in response to planned population and employment growth, changes in transportation infrastructure, policy assumptions, and provides a consistent platform to analyze different land use and transportation scenarios.