The region needs a robust analytical infrastructure to support informed and coordinated transportation decision-making.  The MPO should invest in comprehensive data and analysis tools that reflect the relationships among transportation, land use, and travel behavior.  Better performance evaluation is also needed to assess whether projects achieved their mobility, safety, environmental, or other objectives, creating a “feedback loop” that will inform future investment decisions.

Currently, MPO staff base their analysis on a transportation survey that was conducted in 1991, and on application of a computer model that has difficulty accounting for smart growth land use patterns, secondary land use impacts, and pedestrian and bicycle facilities.

Improvements to the region’s travel demand model are critical for more effective transportation planning.  A revised or new model should have the capacity to account for the density, diversity, and design of new development; it should also be able to estimate the potential for “induced demand” that may arise as a result of construction.  CTPS and MAPC have long agreed on the need for revisions to the model, and CTPS is now actively planning for an entirely new travel modeling system.  Development of this model should be guided by an independent committee that includes MAPC and experts from academic institutions, research centers, and the private sector.  

A new transportation survey is fundamental to a revised travel demand model.  Thanks to advocacy by MAPC and CTPS, the Department of Transportation (MassDOT) is currently negotiating with a private sector consultant to conduct a statewide household travel demand survey.  This effort should be fully funded and, like the travel demand model, would benefit from an independent committee to provide advice on survey design and analysis.  

A comprehensive database of development projects under construction, planned, permitted, or simply envisioned would also help to support proactive transportation investments.  

The MPO should also develop a project performance measurement so that each project can be assessed as to whether it had the intended effect on the efficiency, safety, and environmental impacts of the region’s transportation system.  This information will provide a mechanism to incorporate lessons learned into future design, construction, and operation.  

3.a    The Unified Planning Working Program (UPWP) should include support for an independent committee to advise the adoption of a new travel demand model  

3.b    MassDOT should maintain full funding for the statewide transportation survey and convene an independent committee to support survey implementation

3.c    MAPC should create and maintain a comprehensive development database

3.d    The MPO should implement transportation performance measures to assess the effectiveness of transportation investments

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