Virginia Transportation Modeling and Accessibility Program

Projects

Smart Scale

Evaluating the congestion scoring measures for a new facility in Smart Scale process requires the use of a regional travel demand model. If other improvements exist (such as widening an adjacent roadway), the congestion limits should include all network segments that have been impacted. Impacted segments include any roadways that vehicles may shift to/from in response to the new facility. The total Vehicle Hours Traveled (VHT) for both No-Improvement and Improvement scenario is summarized. For standalone new facility, only links in the regional network operating below the speed limit in No-Improvement scenario with greater than 10% reduction of traffic in Improvement scenario are identified. The total difference in VHT for these links is calculated. The proposed design or posted speeds and number of lanes of the new facility are required to conduct the new facility analysis.

Hampton Roads Crossing Study

Year 2040 travel demand forecasts were developed using the Hampton Roads Travel Demand Forecast Model. A travel demand forecast model is a set of computer‐based mathematical relationships that attempts to capture the interaction of travel activities and choices made by a population in a specific region given a proposed network (e.g., highway, transit, etc.) and demographic or land use inputs (e.g., population, employment, etc.). The Hampton Roads model was provided by the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) in August of 2011, and included updated truck forecasting methodology.