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• 21. [Article] The Impact of EMME-2 on Urban Transportation Planning: A Portland Case Study

  The impact of interactive graphics and an improved multimodal transportation planning software package on the urban t ransportation planning process and organization responsible for the planning is assessed. ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: The Impact of EMME-2 on Urban Transportation Planning: A Portland Case Study Author: Dueker, Kenneth, Rao, Rishinath L., Cotugno, Andy, Lawton, Keith, Walker, Richard Year: 1985 The impact of interactive graphics and an improved multimodal transportation planning software package on the urban t ransportation planning process and organization responsible for the planning is assessed. The focus is on the results of applying the new technology, which allows the planning organization to increase capacity to conceptualize and evaluate alternative courses of action. This emphases on the results of planning raises the likelihood of changes in the way transportation decision making occurs. An advanced interactive graphics system for urban transportation planning process was adopted by the Metropolitan Service District (METRO) of Portland, Oregon, a Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO). In September 1983, METRO's Transportation Planning Department acquired a state-of-the-a rt software program called EMME/2 (a bilingual acronym for Multimodal Equlibrium) which runs on a super microcomputer. EMME/2 is an interactive graphic method for highway and transit planning. This program aids transportation planning by graphically plotting, in a map format, detailed inforrmation a bout travel flows. It provides graphic display quickly to aid in the interpretation of heretofore voluminous amounts of difficult to assimilate data. The new system is saving time and cost, but more importantly it is improving analysis by allowing more opportunity to interact with the results of analysis . It is also changing the character of work. The quicker turnaround time for analysis has created a demand for short-range studies, i.e . more traffic management applications. Finally, interorganizational impacts are occurring. Other agencies in the region are becoming active users of the system. Title: The Impact of EMME-2 on Urban Transportation Planning: A Portland Case Study Author: Dueker, Kenneth, Rao, Rishinath L., Cotugno, Andy, Lawton, Keith, Walker, Richard Year: 1985 The impact of interactive graphics and an improved multimodal transportation planning software package on the urban t ransportation planning process and organization responsible for the planning is assessed. The focus is on the results of applying the new technology, which allows the planning organization to increase capacity to conceptualize and evaluate alternative courses of action. This emphases on the results of planning raises the likelihood of changes in the way transportation decision making occurs. An advanced interactive graphics system for urban transportation planning process was adopted by the Metropolitan Service District (METRO) of Portland, Oregon, a Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO). In September 1983, METRO's Transportation Planning Department acquired a state-of-the-a rt software program called EMME/2 (a bilingual acronym for Multimodal Equlibrium) which runs on a super microcomputer. EMME/2 is an interactive graphic method for highway and transit planning. This program aids transportation planning by graphically plotting, in a map format, detailed inforrmation a bout travel flows. It provides graphic display quickly to aid in the interpretation of heretofore voluminous amounts of difficult to assimilate data. The new system is saving time and cost, but more importantly it is improving analysis by allowing more opportunity to interact with the results of analysis . It is also changing the character of work. The quicker turnaround time for analysis has created a demand for short-range studies, i.e . more traffic management applications. Finally, interorganizational impacts are occurring. Other agencies in the region are becoming active users of the system. Close

• 22. [Article] 2014 Transit Oriented Developments Survey

  This report presents results from surveys of residents at several transit-oriented developments (TODs) in Portland, Hillsboro, Tigard, and unincorporated Clackamas County. The research complements our ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: 2014 Transit Oriented Developments Survey Author: Dill, Jennifer, McNeil, Nathan Year: 2015 This report presents results from surveys of residents at several transit-oriented developments (TODs) in Portland, Hillsboro, Tigard, and unincorporated Clackamas County. The research complements our previous survey work for Metro done at eight TODs in 2010 and 11 TODs in 2007. Title: 2014 Transit Oriented Developments Survey Author: Dill, Jennifer, McNeil, Nathan Year: 2015 This report presents results from surveys of residents at several transit-oriented developments (TODs) in Portland, Hillsboro, Tigard, and unincorporated Clackamas County. The research complements our previous survey work for Metro done at eight TODs in 2010 and 11 TODs in 2007. Close

• 23. [Article] Using Empirical (real-world) Transportation Data to Extend Travel Demand Model Capabilities

  Real-world traffic trends observed in PORTAL and INRIX traffic data are used to expand the performance measures that can be obtained from Portland Metro's travel demand model to include the number of hours ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Using Empirical (real-world) Transportation Data to Extend Travel Demand Model Capabilities Author: Mauch, Michael Year: 2013 Real-world traffic trends observed in PORTAL and INRIX traffic data are used to expand the performance measures that can be obtained from Portland Metro's travel demand model to include the number of hours of congestion that can be expected during a typical weekday and travel time reliability measures for congested freeway corridors. Title: Using Empirical (real-world) Transportation Data to Extend Travel Demand Model Capabilities Author: Mauch, Michael Year: 2013 Real-world traffic trends observed in PORTAL and INRIX traffic data are used to expand the performance measures that can be obtained from Portland Metro's travel demand model to include the number of hours of congestion that can be expected during a typical weekday and travel time reliability measures for congested freeway corridors. Close

• 24. [Article] Piloting Portland's MultiModal Arterial Performance System

  Shaun will present on the recently completed pilot demonstration of multimodal arterial performance measures for the Portland metro region, as part of the larger regional concept of operations. Treatments ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Piloting Portland's MultiModal Arterial Performance System Author: Quayle, Shaun Year: 2013 Shaun will present on the recently completed pilot demonstration of multimodal arterial performance measures for the Portland metro region, as part of the larger regional concept of operations. Treatments include a permanent bike count station on the Springwater Trail, permanent truck classification stations, Bluetooth travel time stations, as well as leveraging existing transit and signal controller data to paint a picture of the collective modal transportation system. Title: Piloting Portland's MultiModal Arterial Performance System Author: Quayle, Shaun Year: 2013 Shaun will present on the recently completed pilot demonstration of multimodal arterial performance measures for the Portland metro region, as part of the larger regional concept of operations. Treatments include a permanent bike count station on the Springwater Trail, permanent truck classification stations, Bluetooth travel time stations, as well as leveraging existing transit and signal controller data to paint a picture of the collective modal transportation system. Close

• 25. [Article] Measuring What We Value: Using Performance Measures to Achieve Goals

  Performance measures are commonly used in transportation planning, but how effectively are public agencies using them, and to what ends? Metro, ODOT and many cities use performance measures to evaluate ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Measuring What We Value: Using Performance Measures to Achieve Goals Author: Rall, Chris Year: 2016 Performance measures are commonly used in transportation planning, but how effectively are public agencies using them, and to what ends? Metro, ODOT and many cities use performance measures to evaluate investment choices and monitor progress. Drawing from Transportation for America’s report Measuring What We Value, and some of the most cutting edge examples of performance-based planning around the nation, Chris' presentation will step back to consider what makes a performance-based planning approach effective at achieving an agency’s goals. Title: Measuring What We Value: Using Performance Measures to Achieve Goals Author: Rall, Chris Year: 2016 Performance measures are commonly used in transportation planning, but how effectively are public agencies using them, and to what ends? Metro, ODOT and many cities use performance measures to evaluate investment choices and monitor progress. Drawing from Transportation for America’s report Measuring What We Value, and some of the most cutting edge examples of performance-based planning around the nation, Chris' presentation will step back to consider what makes a performance-based planning approach effective at achieving an agency’s goals. Close

• 26. [Article] Trail Planning & Community Service Curriculum

  The objective of this project was to develop a new trail planning curriculum and conduct a regional trail research project in the Portland metropolitan area. The curriculum was created for a community ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Trail Planning & Community Service Curriculum Author: Weigand, Lynn Year: 2010 The objective of this project was to develop a new trail planning curriculum and conduct a regional trail research project in the Portland metropolitan area. The curriculum was created for a community service-based, University Capstone course at Portland State University (PSU), with Metro (regional government) as the community course partner. Project goals included: Expanding opportunities for undergraduate students to study trail design and planning for transportation and recreational walking and bicycling; Providing practical application of knowledge to a trail planning project through research and data collection on trail use; Raising awareness of bicycle and pedestrian travel among students in disciplines other than planning and engineering; Fostering continuing involvement and interest in regional bicycle and pedestrian travel and trail development; Conducting research on the amount and type of use of identified regional trails to demonstrate their value in the regional transportation network; and Providing a model for trail planning and research curriculum. Title: Trail Planning & Community Service Curriculum Author: Weigand, Lynn Year: 2010 The objective of this project was to develop a new trail planning curriculum and conduct a regional trail research project in the Portland metropolitan area. The curriculum was created for a community service-based, University Capstone course at Portland State University (PSU), with Metro (regional government) as the community course partner. Project goals included: Expanding opportunities for undergraduate students to study trail design and planning for transportation and recreational walking and bicycling; Providing practical application of knowledge to a trail planning project through research and data collection on trail use; Raising awareness of bicycle and pedestrian travel among students in disciplines other than planning and engineering; Fostering continuing involvement and interest in regional bicycle and pedestrian travel and trail development; Conducting research on the amount and type of use of identified regional trails to demonstrate their value in the regional transportation network; and Providing a model for trail planning and research curriculum. Close

• 27. [Article] Three Bridges

  In the last decade, three important new bridges in the Portland area were the subject of intense discussion and analysis: the Tilikum Crossing, the Sellwood Bridge and the Columbia River Crossing. One ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Three Bridges Author: Liberty, Robert Year: 2015 In the last decade, three important new bridges in the Portland area were the subject of intense discussion and analysis: the Tilikum Crossing, the Sellwood Bridge and the Columbia River Crossing. One of those bridges is completed, the second is under construction and the third one was canceled. As a Metro Councilor, Robert Liberty was involved in the decision making process for all three projects. The way in which those projects were analyzed and presented to the public revealed to him a great deal about the many weaknesses in the way we make major transportation investment decisions. Those insights are the topic of his seminar presentation. Title: Three Bridges Author: Liberty, Robert Year: 2015 In the last decade, three important new bridges in the Portland area were the subject of intense discussion and analysis: the Tilikum Crossing, the Sellwood Bridge and the Columbia River Crossing. One of those bridges is completed, the second is under construction and the third one was canceled. As a Metro Councilor, Robert Liberty was involved in the decision making process for all three projects. The way in which those projects were analyzed and presented to the public revealed to him a great deal about the many weaknesses in the way we make major transportation investment decisions. Those insights are the topic of his seminar presentation. Close

• 28. [Article] Webinar: Development of a Pedestrian Demand Estimation Tool

  Why model pedestrians? A new predictive tool for estimating pedestrian demand has potential applications for improving walkability. By forecasting the number, location and characteristics of walking trips, ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Webinar: Development of a Pedestrian Demand Estimation Tool Author: Clifton, Kelly Year: 2016 Why model pedestrians? A new predictive tool for estimating pedestrian demand has potential applications for improving walkability. By forecasting the number, location and characteristics of walking trips, this tool allows for policy-sensitive mode shifts away from automobile travel. There is growing support to improve the quality of the walking environment and make investments to promote pedestrian travel. Despite this interest and need, current forecasting tools, particularly regional travel demand models, often fall short. To address this gap, Oregon Metro and NITC researcher Kelly Clifton worked together to develop this pedestrian demand estimation tool which can allow planners to allocate infrastructure based on pedestrian demand in the Portland, Oregon metropolitan area. The tool is also designed to be replicable, so that other metropolitan areas can adapt the model to begin estimating pedestrian demand in their cities. This webinar will provide an overview of how the tool functions as well as a framework for applying this method in other cities. Title: Webinar: Development of a Pedestrian Demand Estimation Tool Author: Clifton, Kelly Year: 2016 Why model pedestrians? A new predictive tool for estimating pedestrian demand has potential applications for improving walkability. By forecasting the number, location and characteristics of walking trips, this tool allows for policy-sensitive mode shifts away from automobile travel. There is growing support to improve the quality of the walking environment and make investments to promote pedestrian travel. Despite this interest and need, current forecasting tools, particularly regional travel demand models, often fall short. To address this gap, Oregon Metro and NITC researcher Kelly Clifton worked together to develop this pedestrian demand estimation tool which can allow planners to allocate infrastructure based on pedestrian demand in the Portland, Oregon metropolitan area. The tool is also designed to be replicable, so that other metropolitan areas can adapt the model to begin estimating pedestrian demand in their cities. This webinar will provide an overview of how the tool functions as well as a framework for applying this method in other cities. Close

• 29. [Article] Webinar: Investigations in Transportation: Partnering Industry Professionals and Elementary Teachers in a STEM Unit of Study

  Investigations in Transportation was an elementary school partnership and curriculum development project, engaging STEM professionals in school-based design projects. Fifth-grade students in two Oregon ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Webinar: Investigations in Transportation: Partnering Industry Professionals and Elementary Teachers in a STEM Unit of Study Author: Biskupic Knight, Carol Year: 2016 Investigations in Transportation was an elementary school partnership and curriculum development project, engaging STEM professionals in school-based design projects. Fifth-grade students in two Oregon communities teamed up with transportation professionals from ODOT to redesign their school parking lots, resulting in better traffic flow and increased capacity. The immersive learning experience received overwhelmingly positive feedback from students, teachers and administrators. This webinar will demonstrate how the Portland Metro STEM Partnership was facilitated to bring transportation education into elementary school classrooms, offering students unparalleled access to STEM professionals working in their communities and to real-world applications of engineering principles. Title: Webinar: Investigations in Transportation: Partnering Industry Professionals and Elementary Teachers in a STEM Unit of Study Author: Biskupic Knight, Carol Year: 2016 Investigations in Transportation was an elementary school partnership and curriculum development project, engaging STEM professionals in school-based design projects. Fifth-grade students in two Oregon communities teamed up with transportation professionals from ODOT to redesign their school parking lots, resulting in better traffic flow and increased capacity. The immersive learning experience received overwhelmingly positive feedback from students, teachers and administrators. This webinar will demonstrate how the Portland Metro STEM Partnership was facilitated to bring transportation education into elementary school classrooms, offering students unparalleled access to STEM professionals working in their communities and to real-world applications of engineering principles. Close

• 30. [Article] Building Planner Commitment: Are California’s SB 375 and Oregon’s SB 1059 Models for Climate-Change Mitigation?

  California’s Sustainable Communities and Climate Protection Act (SB 375) and the Oregon Sustainable Transportation Initiative (SB 1059) have made them the first states in the nation to try and reduce greenhouse ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Building Planner Commitment: Are California’s SB 375 and Oregon’s SB 1059 Models for Climate-Change Mitigation? Author: Bartholomew, Keith, Proffitt, David Year: 2017 California’s Sustainable Communities and Climate Protection Act (SB 375) and the Oregon Sustainable Transportation Initiative (SB 1059) have made them the first states in the nation to try and reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions using the transportation-planning process. Evaluating how these pioneering laws have changed local planning processes – as well as plans themselves – in each state provides insight into the laws’ effectiveness at changing development patterns in a way that reduces GHG emissions, without waiting decades to see the effects in the built environment. Both states’ laws require metropolitan planning organizations (MPOs) and the municipalities that comprise them to plan development scenarios that reduce per capita GHG emissions from private automobiles. The emissions-reductions targets for each metro are determined through negotiation with state agencies and are updated periodically. Planning researchers (Burby et al., 1997) categorize laws like these as state planning mandates because they require local-level governments to incorporate state-specified goals into their plans. A host of empirical studies (Berke & French, 1994; Bunnell & Jepson, 2011; Burby & Dalton, 1994; Burby & May, 1998; Burby, 2005; Burby et al., 1993; Dalton & Burby, 1994; Hoch, 2007; May, 1993) suggest that the structure of state planning mandates, particularly the way their “carrots” and “sticks” encourage full adoption of the mandate’s goals and objectives or allow for just minimal compliance, are key to their success in changing development patterns. This is because greater planner commitment tends to result in higher-quality local plans and better plan implementation (Alterman & Hill, 1978; Berke & French, 1994; Berke & Godschalk, 2009; Berke, 1996; Brody & Highfield, 2005; Brody, 2003; Laurian et al., 2004; Talen, 1996), effectively acting as a multiplier that increases the plan’s influence on the built environment and other development outcomes. Therefore, we believe that evaluating the degree to which state planning mandates in California and Oregon have changed local planning documents and practices is the best available indicator of how the mandates will influence development patterns in the future. Furthermore, tracing how the mandates affect decisions made by local planners informs the suitability of California and Oregon’s planning mandates to serve as a model for policy in other states, or at the national or international scale. This study fits the NITC themes of taking long-term action on transportation emissions and climate change and integrating multimodal transportation and land use. We employ content analysis to evaluate SB 375 and SB 1059’s influence on regional transportation plans (RTPs) produced by MPOs. Conducting content analyses of RTPs approved before and after the planning mandates took effect will produce scores that allow us to compare how much the plans have changed due to the laws. It will also allow us to group MPOs based on their performance and identify characteristics of the metro areas they represent that predict their scores. For instance, some RTPs may shift from a weak focus on emissions reduction to a strong focus, while others may have a strong focus both before and after the planning mandates took effect. Building case studies in this way will allow us to ascertain which aspects of the laws are working as intended and which are not, and answer whether the laws can serve as models for climate change-mitigation policy. Title: Building Planner Commitment: Are California’s SB 375 and Oregon’s SB 1059 Models for Climate-Change Mitigation? Author: Bartholomew, Keith, Proffitt, David Year: 2017 California’s Sustainable Communities and Climate Protection Act (SB 375) and the Oregon Sustainable Transportation Initiative (SB 1059) have made them the first states in the nation to try and reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions using the transportation-planning process. Evaluating how these pioneering laws have changed local planning processes – as well as plans themselves – in each state provides insight into the laws’ effectiveness at changing development patterns in a way that reduces GHG emissions, without waiting decades to see the effects in the built environment. Both states’ laws require metropolitan planning organizations (MPOs) and the municipalities that comprise them to plan development scenarios that reduce per capita GHG emissions from private automobiles. The emissions-reductions targets for each metro are determined through negotiation with state agencies and are updated periodically. Planning researchers (Burby et al., 1997) categorize laws like these as state planning mandates because they require local-level governments to incorporate state-specified goals into their plans. A host of empirical studies (Berke & French, 1994; Bunnell & Jepson, 2011; Burby & Dalton, 1994; Burby & May, 1998; Burby, 2005; Burby et al., 1993; Dalton & Burby, 1994; Hoch, 2007; May, 1993) suggest that the structure of state planning mandates, particularly the way their “carrots” and “sticks” encourage full adoption of the mandate’s goals and objectives or allow for just minimal compliance, are key to their success in changing development patterns. This is because greater planner commitment tends to result in higher-quality local plans and better plan implementation (Alterman & Hill, 1978; Berke & French, 1994; Berke & Godschalk, 2009; Berke, 1996; Brody & Highfield, 2005; Brody, 2003; Laurian et al., 2004; Talen, 1996), effectively acting as a multiplier that increases the plan’s influence on the built environment and other development outcomes. Therefore, we believe that evaluating the degree to which state planning mandates in California and Oregon have changed local planning documents and practices is the best available indicator of how the mandates will influence development patterns in the future. Furthermore, tracing how the mandates affect decisions made by local planners informs the suitability of California and Oregon’s planning mandates to serve as a model for policy in other states, or at the national or international scale. This study fits the NITC themes of taking long-term action on transportation emissions and climate change and integrating multimodal transportation and land use. We employ content analysis to evaluate SB 375 and SB 1059’s influence on regional transportation plans (RTPs) produced by MPOs. Conducting content analyses of RTPs approved before and after the planning mandates took effect will produce scores that allow us to compare how much the plans have changed due to the laws. It will also allow us to group MPOs based on their performance and identify characteristics of the metro areas they represent that predict their scores. For instance, some RTPs may shift from a weak focus on emissions reduction to a strong focus, while others may have a strong focus both before and after the planning mandates took effect. Building case studies in this way will allow us to ascertain which aspects of the laws are working as intended and which are not, and answer whether the laws can serve as models for climate change-mitigation policy. Close