HomeMy WebLinkAbout08/20/1996, C-13 - UPDATE OF CITY TRAFFIC FORECASTING MODEL - MINUTP council " gim
j acEnda RepoRt
CITY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO
FROM: Michael D. McCluskey, Public Worts Direr r -
Prepared By: Al Cablay, Public Worts Manager
SUBJECT: Update of City Traffic Forecasting Model - MINUTP
CAO RECONIlVIDVDATION
1) Approve the Request for Proposals for "Traffic Model, Specification No.400-%11-551."
Estimated cost: $70,000.
2) Authorize the CAO to award an agreement for services to the recommended consultant,
if the cost does not exceed the approved amount.
DISCUSSION
Overview
The City's current Traffic Forecasting Model, MINUTP, was last calibrated in 1992 and is now
due for an update. In anticipation of this update, project approval was obtained and funding
secured through the Capital Improvement Project process. Because current in-house staff is not
able to apply the time necessary to learn and modify the system to address the concerns that have
been discovered, the process proposed in the model update includes addressing the problems
discovered and providing programming, documentation, and training to make it possible for staff
to better use the model for its intended use.
The process being proposed is a Temn approach which will consist of
■ A private traffic engineering-planning firm experienced in the application of traffic
forecasting modeling, specifically MINUTP for public agencies, to act as the Pfimmy
modeling consultant;
■ The private modeling-consultant currently being used by SLOCOG to update the regional
model to supplement or team-up with the Primary consultant to act as a Secondwy
modeling consultant;
■ A Cal Poly engineering graduate student experienced in the use of MINUTP modeling
software to assist the consultant team in data collection, assembling and input;
■ City in-house transportation personnel - Public Works Manager, Traffic Engineer,
Principal Transportation Planner and Traffic/Transit Technician.
Council Agenda Report- NENM
Page Two
Background
Originally the City's traffic forecasting model was installed utilizing in-house staff. Their tasks
included the gathering of necessary data, development of the modeling area, and the network
creation. Since that time the staff members who were responsible for the traffic model left City
employment and, shortly thereafter, staff learned of several problems with the traffic model
which have negated its usefulness. Most recently, these problems have come to light as various
engineering firms have attempted to use the City's model to prepare traffic engineering studies
for private development projects (such as the Project Study Report for Prado Road/101
Interchange).
The present situation is that there are no staff members knowledgeable in the workings of the
model as it exists. Staff believes that this is an opportunity to both update the present model and
provide training to transportation personnel - all as part of one project. Finally,in order to insure
validity - all traffic models require some form of re-calibration about every 4 to 5 years. It is
most common for models to align themselves with "external" changes, such as a regional traffic
forecasting model (SLOCOG also uses M STM software for its regional traffic forecasting and
is in the process of updating their model) and this project is also designed to provide that link.
Project Objectives and Workscope
There are two phases proposed for the model update:
Phase I
■ Review of the existing model's network Traffic Analysis Zones (TAZ), nodes, arterial
links, centroid connectors, external/cordon stations and trip/distribution data .
■ Preparation of a report outlining the current model's advantages/disadvantages which will
serve as a basis on how the updated-final version of the model will now operate.
■ A customized module is to be included in the updated software which will allow for
Level of Service (LOS) calculations to be performed at 30 pre-selected intersections for
PM Peak hours .
Phase II
■ Extensive and in-depth instruction will be conducted and "hands-on" training shall be
provided to City transportation staff to insure system proficiency and use.
■ Development of a final Executive Summary report that will document all of the actions
taken to update the model. This summary will also inventory the refinements made to the
data for re-calibration and provide the basis for any assumptions made in validating the
model.
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Council Agenda Report- MINUTP
Page Three
CONCURRENCES
The Circulation Element lists under Section 7.8 "The City will maintain a computerized tmffic
model of the city's circulation system and cooperate with the Regional Transportation Agency
(RTPA) in maintaining a traffic model for San Luis Obispo County."
FISCAL EMPACT
Estimated Budget
Costs:
Combined Design Services = $70,000 (Ma)dmum)
(1) See page E-7 of the 1995/97 Financial Plan: $35,000 of this project is budgeted out of
Traffic Impact Fees and the other $35,000 from the General Fund
405-9611-520-551 $35,000.00
400-9611-520-551 $35.000.00
$70,000.00 Total
SPECIFICATIONS ON FILE IN THE COUNCIL OFFICE
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