Building a Master Road Network for Paso del Norte
In fiscal year 2013, researchers with CIITR recommended a combination of methods and technologies for creating a transportation master-road network and traffic analysis for the Paso del Norte region. An integrated road network would be compatible with the various modeling platforms used by other transportation professionals in the field. Working with reliable and updated information, the integrated road network would improve regional and local travel-demand estimations, ensuring a better utilization of both, time and resources. For fiscal year 2014, researchers determined the best way to develop a regional Origin-Destination (O-D) matrix that complemented the master road network. In order to do so, the research team conducted a literature review and an analysis on the various origin-destination data collection techniques. They considered the cost, advantages and disadvantages of each method. The researchers determined that the most appropriate methods include a combination of traffic counts, information from local travel demand models and the use of computer based iterative O-D calibration tools.
For more information contact David Galicia at (915) 532-3759 or [email protected].
DTA-Based Congestion Mitigation Strategies for El Paso
In most cases, road construction is designed to alleviate congestion by providing additional lanes of travel. Unfortunately, the road-construction project itself usually increases the congestion problem — at least until the new lanes are available. How the construction project is conducted will determine the severity of the problems. In the El Paso area, one planned capacity-improvement project involves the widening of Interstate 10 between US 54 (Patriot Freeway) and Zaragoza Road. Researchers compared numerous alternative-construction scenarios with different lane-closure configurations and schedules to determine which procedure would have the least negative impacts. Researchers used DynusT, an open-source mezoscopic dynamic traffic assignment (DTA) model, to predict each scenario’s traffic pattern changes and impacts. As a result of the analysis, recommendations were made as to which construction scenario is preferable. Researchers found that the DTA-based tool could also be used for other construction projects to determine which intersections and corridors will be impacted the most. Anticipating problems, traffic-control measures could be improved at those locations during the construction process.
For more information contact Geza Pesti at (979) 317-2829 or [email protected].
Risk-Based Toll Revenue Analysis for the Loop 375 Border Highway West Project
Construction will begin next year on a toll road in El Paso designed to provide commuters with an alternative to Interstate 10. At a cost of $800 million, the nine-mile, Loop 375 Border Highway West project should alleviate some of the congestion in the region, provide better connectivity for motorists and provide additional infrastructure to accommodate future growth. But, as with any toll road, how do officials know what to charge to ensure that people will use the facility? CIITR researchers are currently developing an innovative risk-analysis toll-revenue modeling methodology to identify the variables that affect financial performance of toll road projects and provide a more realistic probability-based estimate of future traffic revenues. The researchers have been asked to conduct a test of the methodology using the Border Highway Project as a case study. After examining numerous variables — speed, capacity, toll rates, population and employment density along the corridor, and many others — researchers will assess the suitability of the methodology for investment-grade traffic and revenue studies. Faced with a growing population, tight budgets and little-to-no room to build high-occupancy vehicle (HOV) lanes, the El Paso region is considering a flexible carpooling program to alleviate congestion and environmental concerns. This research project included a literature review to analyze the leading flexible carpooling systems around the country, including those that use smart-phone applications that do not require pre-arrangement measures by users. Following a survey, researchers discovered a strong interest among area-college students in the use of a dynamic carpooling system. The project examines how other flexible carpooling systems are operated and financed, and documents their strengths and weaknesses. In order for such a system to be successful at area-college campuses, researchers point out that an aggressive publicity campaign and the use of various communication channels would be crucial.
For more information contact Ipek Sener at (512) 407-1119 or [email protected].
Sharing the Road in El Paso: An Examination of Flexible Carpooling Systems
Faced with a growing population, tight budgets and little-to-no room to build high-occupancy vehicle (HOV) lanes, the El Paso region is considering a flexible carpooling program to alleviate congestion and environmental concerns. This research project included a literature review to analyze the leading flexible carpooling systems around the country, including those that use smart-phone applications that do not require pre-arrangement measures by users. Following a survey, researchers discovered a strong interest among area-college students in the use of a dynamic carpooling system. The project examines how other flexible carpooling systems are operated and financed, and documents their strengths and weaknesses. In order for such a system to be successful at area-college campuses, researchers point out that an aggressive publicity campaign and the use of various communication channels would be crucial.
For more information contact Gabriel Valdez at (915) 532-3759 or [email protected].
Technical, Institutional and Financial Structuring of the Corredor Pacifico Project
The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) hired the consulting services of Castalia-TTI partnership to recommend a technical, institutional and financial framework for the implementation of the project Corredor Pacífico (CP), as well as an action plan for implementing the recommended structure, a regional integration project aimed at developing a 2,700-kilometer highway corridor from Panama to Puebla (Mexico) as a Public-Private Partnership (PPP). To achieve this goal, Castalia and TTI first evaluated the existing technical, institutional and financial resources previously developed by the IDB and complemented these studies with recommended strategies and necessary analysis for a successful implementation of the Corridor. TTI was responsible for leading the technical component of the project, which included:
- independent assessment of transport and traffic demand
- projections,
- independent assessment of project costs, and
- develop an action plan and scope of work for future preliminary technical studies.
Based on the preliminary assessment, CIITR researchers developed a three-stage implementation plan for the financial, institutional and technical structuring of the Corredor Pacifico PPP. The plan included the necessary studies; preliminary structuring and additional steps to follow; project duration recommendations; estimated costs; and suggested leading institutions for the successful completion of each stage.
For more information contact Rafael Aldrete at (915) 532-3759 or [email protected].