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https://nap.nationalacademies.org/catalog/27432/critical-issues-in-transportation-for-2024-and-beyond

TCM ANALYST 1.0 AND USER'S GUIDE. INTERIM REPORT

Since the passage of the 1990 Clean Air Act Amendments (CAAA), transportation planning has increased its focus on the air quality impacts of transportation improvement projects. Transportation control measures (TCMs) are possible tools for improving regional air quality as defined in the CAAA. TCMs are a collection of actions previously grouped into two categories: transportation system management (TSM) and transportation demand management (TDM). The TCM Analyst computer package was prepared to provide a tool for evaluating the effectiveness of TCMs on a regionwide basis and is intended to be used by transportation engineers and planners. Traditionally, three broad categories of methodologies have been employed for TCM analysis: comparison with other areas, computer-based modeling, and sketch-planning tools. Comparison with other areas involves a simple application of the observed changes in travel activity due to TCM implementation in another area to a local scenario. Computer-based modeling involves using complex simulation tools traditionally employed in transportation planning and traffic engineering. Sketch-planning tools involve simple manual or computerized methods and fall between the two previously described methods in complexity and formality. The TCM Analyst is a sketch-planning tool that combines elements of the methodologies developed by Systems Applications International (SAI) for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the San Diego Association of Governments' (SANDAG) TCM Tools program into one spreadsheet-based evaluation tool. The software uses the Microsoft Excel spreadsheet environment as a platform for TCM analysis. The TCM Analyst can be used to estimate the travel and emission effects of selected TCMs and can also evaluate their cost-effectiveness. Eleven TCMs are included for evaluation in the TCM Analyst: (1) telecommuting, (2) flextime, (3) compressed work week, (4) ridesharing, (5) transit fare decrease, (6) transit service increase, (7) transit plazas, (8) parking management, (9) HOV lanes, (10) traffic signalization, and (11) intersection improvements. Emission changes are evaluated for both the carbon monoxide (CO) and ozone emission seasons. Additionally, three analysis tools are included to help determine the effects that specific inputs have on the estimated benefits of a TCM.

  • Supplemental Notes:
    • Research study title: Air Pollution Implications of Urban Transportation Investment Decisions.
  • Corporate Authors:

    Texas Transportation Institute

    Texas A&M University System, 1600 E Lamar Boulevard
    Arlington, TX  United States  76011

    Texas Department of Transportation

    Research and Technology Transfer Office, P.O. Box 5051
    Austin, TX  United States  78763-5051

    Federal Highway Administration

    1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
    Washington, DC  United States  20590
  • Authors:
    • Crawford, J A
    • Rao, K S
    • Krammes, R A
  • Publication Date: 1994-11

Language

  • English

Media Info

  • Features: Appendices; Figures; References; Tables;
  • Pagination: 110 p.

Subject/Index Terms

Filing Info

  • Accession Number: 00711820
  • Record Type: Publication
  • Report/Paper Numbers: FHWA/TX-94/1279-7, Res Rept 1279-7, TTI: 0-1279
  • Contract Numbers: Study 0-1279
  • Files: TRIS, USDOT, STATEDOT
  • Created Date: Sep 28 1995 12:00AM