News Release

Metropolitan travel forecasting

Peer-Reviewed Publication

National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine

Public officials make decisions on major investments and new policies for our metropolitan transportation systems using information from computerized travel forecasting models. These forecasting models came into use during the planning of the Interstate Highway System and large urban rail systems in the 1950s and 60s. Since then, the scope of transportation planning has been greatly broadened to include such complex options as “smart growth,” congestion pricing, advanced traffic management systems, and freight planning. At the same time, there has been an increase in requirements that transportation agencies must meet due to such laws as the Clean Air Act. METROPOLITAN TRAVEL FORECASTING: CURRENT PRACTICES AND FUTURE DIRECTION, a new report from the National Research Council's Transportation Research Board, finds that travel forecasting models in current use are not adequate for many of today’s necessary planning and regulatory uses. The report examines what improvements may be needed and how federal, state, and local agencies can achieve them.

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Reporters can obtain copies of the report by contacting the National Academies' Office of News and Public Information at tel. 202-334-2138 or e-mail rhouston@nas.edu. Advance copies will be available to reporters only beginning at noon EDT on Monday, June 25. THE REPORT IS EMBARGOED AND NOT FOR PUBLIC RELEASE BEFORE 9 A.M. EDT ON JUNE 26.


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