MICROCOMPUTER TECHNOLOGY AND TRANSPORTATION PLANNING
The paper describes the authors experiences in the application of microcomputers to transportation planning. The purchase of two burroughs B-20 microcomputers by the Policy Planning Branch of the Ministry of Transportation and Communications was also taken as an opportunity to review the traditional transportation models to assess whether a new approach could be developed appropriate to todays needs. After review of the existing approach and its perceived deficiencies in the context of the present transportation goals of the Ministry, it was decided that a process was required which was more flexible, where the results and their relationship to assumptions would be readily explainable to decision makers, and which would permit rapid testing of different options relating to specific issues. The approach adopted replaced most of the mathematical modelling used previously with a process based on discussion and judgemental feedback. The authors consider it to have been successful in meeting most of the original objectives although it is too early to assess whether the technique will gain widespread acceptance. In particular they consider that it promoted a fuller understanding of the transportation trade-offs and issues by both the project staff and their contacts outside the Ministry. The use of the microcomputers permitted fast turn around of feedback and the iteration of results. The system proved easy to use and software development time was minimal. A substantial cost saving was realized compared to using a mainframe computer. Use of other software, mainly word processing, permitted substantial time savings in the production of the final report. Limitations of the micro were the computation time required to run programs for large zone systems and the non-transferability of software.
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Availability:
- Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/issn/08268193
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Authors:
- Dalton, P M
- Wong, Jianhui
- Publication Date: 1985-9
Media Info
- Features: Figures; References;
- Pagination: p. 51-57
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Serial:
- TRANSPORTATION FORUM
- Volume: 2-2
- Publisher: Transportation Association of Canada (TAC)
- ISSN: 0826-8193
Subject/Index Terms
- TRT Terms: Information processing; Land use; Mathematical models; Microcomputers; Modal split; Traffic assignment; Transportation planning; Travel demand; Trip distribution
- Geographic Terms: Ontario (Province)
- Subject Areas: Highways; Planning and Forecasting; Public Transportation; I72: Traffic and Transport Planning;
Filing Info
- Accession Number: 00455027
- Record Type: Publication
- Files: TRIS
- Created Date: May 31 1988 12:00AM