UTCM Final Technical Reports
Some documents are made available in PDF format. You will need Adobe Reader to view them. 
2009
A Guide to Transportation Funding Options: Phase 2
Tina Geiselbrecht and Richard T. Baker
[PDF, 524K
]
10.23.2009
This project is a continuation of a project that provided a one-stop shop website, A Guide to Transportation Funding Options (http://utcm.tamu.edu/tfo), detailing transportation funding options and their applicability in an easy-to-use format. The first phase of this project compiled information on transportation funding options for highway funding. This subsequent phase provided similar information for other modes of transportation including transit, rail, aviation, and ports. The information is presented in a format that is user friendly and easily accessible via the Internet for anyone interested in project financing methods.
Mileage-Based User Fees – Defining a Path toward Implementation (Phase 2): An Assessment of Technology Issues
Michael Bomberg, Richard T. Baker and Ginger Goodin
[PDF, 599K
]
10.23.2009
This report reviews technology options for a mileage-based user fee system in the state of Texas. The report assesses the range of possible mileage-based user fee system architectures. These architectures are considered at the logical level (i.e., the flow and transformation of information from raw data describing roadway use to an end bill) with the goal of demonstrating how the process flow of each architecture affects its ability to meet key policy objectives. The report also explores issues related to payment, enforcement, the deployment of on-board units in vehicles, and the potential for technology enabling a mileage-based user fee to be a platform for other value-added services. Finally, the report concludes by identifying key policy questions for Texas that must be addressed before pilot programs can be developed.
Estimating the Benefits of Managed Lanes
Mark Burris and Sunil Patil
[PDF, 2.1M
]
09.30.2009
Stated preference (SP) studies developed to estimate travelers’ value of travel time savings (VTTS) on managed lanes (ML) may underestimate the VTTS. This study investigates survey design strategies and differentiating the VTTS for ordinary and six common urgent situations faced by the travelers in an attempt to improve on VTTS estimation. An internet based survey for travelers on Houston's Katy Freeway was used to collect data for this study.
[ Top ]
A Special Topics Course on Intelligent Transportation Systems for the Zachry Department of Civil Engineering of Texas A&M University
Kevin Balke and Robert Brydia
[PDF, 9.4M
]
08.31.2009
With Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS), engineers and system integrators blend emerging detection/surveillance, communications, and computer technologies with transportation management and control concepts to improve the safety and mobility of the surface transportation system. Individuals responsible for developing, deploying, and managing ITS projects need a solid foundation not only in transportation engineering concepts and principles but also systems engineering, communications, and technology. This project developed a special topics course on the planning, design, and implementation of ITS projects for transportation management. This course is a graduate-level survey course in which students are provided with the basic knowledge and concepts needed to plan, design, and implement an ITS project that can be deployed in the field.
[ Top ]
Improving Mobility Data and Benefit Estimation Procedures
Tim Lomax, Shawn Turner, David Schrank, Bill Eisele and David Ellis
http://mobility.tamu.edu
[PDF, 4.7M
]
07.31.2009
Congestion is a problem in America’s 439 urban areas, and it has gotten worse in regions of all sizes. There are many congestion problems but there are also many solutions. The most effective strategy is one where agency actions are complemented by efforts of businesses, manufacturers, commuters and travelers. The best approach to selecting strategies is to identify projects, programs and policies that solve problems or capitalize on opportunities. The strategies must address the issue that the problems are not the same in every region or on every day – the variation in travel time is often as frustrating and costly as the regular “daily slog” through traffic jams. The 2009 Urban Mobility Report clearly demonstrates that all the solutions are not being implemented fast enough.
[ Top ]
Transit Services for Sprawling Areas with Relatively Low Demand Density: A Pilot Study in the Texas Border’s Colonias
Luca Quadrifoglio, Shailesh Chandra and Chung-Wei Shen
[PDF, 1.05M
]
02.28.2009
The colonias along the Texas-Mexico border are one of the most rapidly growing areas in Texas. Because of the relatively low-income of the residents and an inadequate availability of transportation services, the need for basic social activities for the colonias cannot be properly met. The objective of this study is to examine the potential demand for an improved transportation service and evaluate the capacity and optimum service time interval of a new demand responsive transit “feeder” service within one representative colonia, El Cenizo. We present a comprehensive analysis of the results of a survey conducted through a questionnaire to evaluate the existing travel patterns and the potential demand for a feeder service. The results from the subsequent simulation analysis showed that a single shuttle would be able to comfortably serve 150 passengers/day and that the optimal headway between consecutive departures from the terminal should be between 11-13 minutes for best service quality. This exploratory study serves as a first step toward improving transportation services within these growing underprivileged communities, especially for those with demographics and geography similar to our target area of El Cenizo.
[ Top ]
2008
A Systems Approach to Risk Reduction of Transportation Infrastructure Networks Subject to Multiple Hazards
Mauricio Sanchez-Silva and David V. Rosowsky
[PDF, 3.6M
]
12.31.2008
In this project, researchers developed a model transportation infrastructure network that can be used to design efficient risk management strategies that ensure acceptable system performance (e.g., in terms of expected damage or recovery times) when subject to individual, simultaneous, or sequential threats, either natural or man-made. This study explores the performance of infrastructure networks using a systems approach; that is, networks will not be traditionally modeled as a collection of separate elements, but rather as a dyanmically interacting whole. This project develops new analytical methods built on a hierarchical structure of the system that focuses on the interaction and dependencies between components. These methods are used to characterize and model the emergent properties of the entire system. This project integrates analysis of network performance with that of individual network components. The transportation network of Texas is used as an illustrative example of some parts of the model.
[ Top ]
Graduate Certificate in Transportation Planning
Forster Ndubisi and Eric Dumbaugh
[PDF, 210K ]
12.13.2008
This project developed and implemented a graduate Certificate in Transportation Planning at Texas A&M University. The certificate program meets the growing need in transportation workforce development for students with a broad, interdisciplinary foundation as well as specialized instruction tailored to building expertise in three critical areas: Transportation Systems Planning, Transportation and Urban Design, and Transportation Policy. The certificate was developed through a partnership of three academic units at Texas A&M and researchers at Texas Transportation Institute. The Transportation Planning Certificate Program is an option for any graduate student at Texas A&M with an interest in transportation.
[ Top ]
Impact of Reconstruction Strategies on System Performance Measures: Maximizing Safety and Mobility While Minimizing Life-Cycle Costs
Ivan Damnjanovic, Andrew J. Wimsatt, Sergiy I. Butenko and Reza Seyedshohadaie
[PDF, 799K ]
12.08.2008
The objective of this research is to develop a general methodological framework for planning and evaluating the effectiveness of highway reconstruction strategies on the system’s performance measures, in particular safety, mobility, and the total cost of network rehabilitation. Transportation networks are characterized by uncertainty that stems from different sources and transportation planners should consider risks involved in uncertainty in model parameters. In this research, Conditional Value at Risk (CVaR) is used to quantify and measure the risk in pavement performance and travel demand. First, a method of constructing risk-based rehabilitation policies for a network of pavement facilities that ensures a specific quality level is introduced. Second, to enhance network mobility, several optimization models to minimize travel time for all paths connecting the same origin and destination pair is presented. Finally, to improve network safety during capacity expansion decisions, two models are presented to reduce accident rate by changing the ratio of flow to the link capacity to reduce injury and fatal accidents and property damage accidents.
[ Top ]
Nationwide Examples of State and Local Funds for Mass Transit
[PDF, 6.7M ]
12.04.2008
One of the transportation challenges facing Texas is the identification of adequate funding for mobility projects. During the 80th Texas Legislature, several proposals were made to address mass transit funding for the metropolitan areas of the state. The chairman of the Texas Senate Committee on Transportation and Homeland Security requested Texas Transportation Institute update previous research on national examples for funding regional transit and provide additional information on regional rail projects. The research is presented in this paper documenting nationwide examples for funding mass transit and regional rail. The research findings provide background information for members of the Senate Committee as they consider and make decisions for funding mass transit in Texas.
[ Top ]
Feasibility of Mileage-Based User Fees: Application in Rural/Small Urban Areas of Northeast Texas
Richard Baker, Ginger Goodin, Eric Lindquist and David Shoemaker
[PDF, 598K ]
10.31.2008
This study explores the application of mileage-based user fees, or vehicle-miles traveled (VMT) fees, as an alternative to the fuel tax in rural and small urban areas. The purpose of the study is to identify the issues associated with implementation of a potential new transportation funding system so that public and political concerns in rural communities can be addressed.
[ Top ]
Regional Coordination Workshop
John H. Overman, Linda Cherrington, Jeffrey Arndt, Suzie Edrington, Ryan Taylor, Laura Higgins, Carol Lewis and Gwen Goodin
http://www.regionalserviceplanning.org/coordination/workshops/07_23-24_2008/
[PDF, 3.0M ]
10.06.2008
There is a demonstrated need for outreach, education, training and technology transfer for transportation professionals involved in regional human service transit coordination. This project provided training and technology transfer based on recent research efforts to improve regional coordination and transit services.
The purpose of the Regional Coordination Workshop was to improve effectiveness of transportation service, generate efficiencies in operation, enhance customer service and satisfaction, and encourage cooperation and coordination through use of technology. The sessions used themed learning tracks and covered the topics of effective partnerships, coordinated planning, technology, marketing/outreach, and public involvement.
The Regional Coordination Workshop was held on July 23 and 24, 2008, in Austin, Texas, and was attended by 172 participants from a variety of agencies and organizations involved in regional human service transit coordination. Regional Coordination Workshop materials and presentations can be found on the project web site.
[ Top ]
Partnering to Promote Workforce Development for the Transportation Profession
Raghava Kommalapati, Judy Perkins, William Stockton, Robert Benz, and Deborah Jasek
http://www.pvamu.edu/sti
[PDF, 2.7M
]
08.31.2008
A multi-university/agency partnership among Prairie View A&M University, (PVAMU), Texas Transportation Institute (TTI) and Texas A&M University (TAMU) aims to produce high quality transportation professionals from underrepresented groups. This partnership strengthens the existing FHWA-sponsored Summer Transportation Institute (STI) in existence at PVAMU since 2000, a proven program for attracting bright young minds for summer experiences during high school. This seed grant augments the current STI program at PVAMU by improving the curriculum, tracking graduates, increasing marketing efforts and developing a second year STI experience called STI Scholars.
[ Top ]
A Guide to Transportation Funding Options
http://utcm.tamu.edu/tfo
[PDF, 513K
]
04.30.2008
Phase I of an on-line guide to transportation financing. This Guide is intended to serve as a concise reference for decision-makers. It simply and clearly explains financing options across all levels of government. Phase I covers highway funding options. A review of all other modes of surface transportation will follow in future phases. The Guide is housed on the UTCM web site and maintained by the UTCM.
[ Top ]
2007
Urban Mobility Report 2007
Timothy J. Lomax & David L. Schrank
http://mobility.tamu.edu/ums/archive/report_list.stm#2007
[PDF, 760K
]
09.18.2007
The nation’s most definitive analysis of mobility and traffic congestion on freeways and major streets in 85 cities, produced annually by TTI and used widely in research and development of transportation and mobility solutions. UTCM provided funding for expanding the 2007 report to include additional reports and data.
[ Top ]
