Solano/Napa Travel Demand Model Phase 1
DKS is the prime consultant developing a travel model for the Solano and Napa Counties. This model is a new model that merges each county’s prior model and MTC, SACOG and San Joaquin County COG regional models. The model has been developed in the CUBE/TP+ software. The model has more traffic analysis zones and network than currently exists in each of the two county models. In addition, networks and a super-regional distribution are developed, merging data from the Sacramento region, the San Joaquin County and the rest of the Bay Area. Each roadway has been realigned to match GIS mapping, and new layers for TAZs have been created.

SJCOG Ramp Metering & HOV Lane Study
For the San Joaquin Council of Governments, DKS is leading a multi-disciplinary team to conduct a major assessment of ramp metering and HOV lanes as part of a regional approach to managing the freeways in San Joaquin and Stanislaus Counties. Because much of the commute travel from the two counties is bound for work destinations in the Bay Area and Sacramento, the project will include participation from representatives of those areas and the analysis will incorporate their plans and analyses. The assessment will include consideration of six different freeways or highways in the two counties. For each, the team will evaluate existing and projected future traffic volumes, vehicle occupancies and travel speeds to determine whether either ramp metering or HOV lanes are appropriate management tools. The examination of HOV lanes will also include consideration of High Occupancy Toll (HOT) lanes as a mechanism for optimizing the utilization of HOV lanes and as a mechanism for generating revenue for the region. A significant element of the project will be education and training key stakeholders on the potential benefits of ramp metering and HOV lanes and the methods for determining when and where they are appropriate. The main product of the project will be a comprehensive master plan for ramp metering and HOV lanes.

El Dorado Highway 50 Corridor Study
DKS Associates evaluated the impact of extending the Highway 50 HOV lane to the El Dorado Hills area of El Dorado County. After examining the forecast traffic volumes from a variety of sources, DKS identified a set of network and forecasting issues that would need to be resolved before reliable forecasts could be produced.

I-5 Bellingham Fwy Master Plan - Phase 1
The I-5 Fairhaven to Ferndale Freeway Master Plan will be conducted in 2 phases. Phase I will include the analysis of existing and future (2035) baseline and operational deficiencies. Phase II will include the development of the I-5 Fairhaven to Ferndale Freeway Master Plan and the development of an Interchange Justification Report for ramp or interchange improvements to be determined in Phase II. The freeway Master Plan will be conducted after the assessment of the corridor problems are completed based upon existing and future conditions.

Site Planning and Design Services - Babcock Ranch Transportation Planning
DKS Associates was part of a multi-disciplinary team that developed a conceptual plan for a new community in southwest Florida. The new development will be designed to have the least possible ecological and environmental impact. The Babcock Ranch Development will include roughly 20,000 housing units and over 5 million square feet of commercial, office and institutional uses. The development will occupy approximately twenty percent of the historic 92,000 acre Babcock Ranch. The remaining eighty percent will be preserved as natural wilderness under the ownership of the state. DKS provided assistance in the design of the transportation system with emphasis on minimizing the need for vehicle trips and trips into or out of the development.


Metro South Corridor Project - Portland
The South Corridor Project focuses on evaluating busway, BRT and LRT alignments throughout the Portland metropolitan area. The project encompasses six different public jurisdictions with over 90 affected intersections. Evaluation of these intersections includes transit signal priority, queuing analysis, motor vehicle operations, pedestrian/bicycle operations, safety implications and preliminary design input. To help assess future traffic operations, an integration of the EMME/2 regional travel demand model, Synchro and VISSIM was implemented. Arcview/GIS applications were used to help assess non-motorized modes of travel.

U.S. 101 North Corridor Study - VTA
For the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA), DKS is part of a team examining potential near-term and long-term improvements to an eight-mile segment of US 101 in northern San Jose. The focus of DKS's effort is the operational analysis of the freeway system and adjacent intersections. This analysis is being conducted using a combination of the CORSIM simulation model software and TRAFFIX analysis package. A base year freeway corridor model was developed in CORSIM and calibrated to existing conditions. This model will be used to evaluate potential near-term improvements. In addition, outputs from VTA's travel demand model are being used to develop 2025 traffic forecasts that will be coded into the CORSIM and TRAFFIX models to evaluate possible longer-term improvements. These improvements may include the construction of new interchanges and overcrossings that may significantly alter travel patterns in the study area.

Puget Sound Regional Council (PSRC) Travel Model Development and Refinement
DKS completed an update to the trip distribution and mode choice components of PSRC's travel demand model for the Puget Sound region to meet the requirements of ISTEA and the Clean Air Act; plus address local policy issues. This effort has added a number of features relatively new to transportation modeling practice, including: Inclusion of walk and bicycle trips within the destination and mode choice models. Destination choice with inclusive values of the multimodal choice set (logsums) instead of values of a single mode such as auto travel time. Market segmentation of destination and mode choice, including household stratification by income, workers, persons and auto ownership. Application with a feedback mechanism that seeks to maximize the consistency between the travel times that govern destination and mode choice, and those resulting from traffic assignment. The new model was estimated from a panel survey of 1400 households. DKS was Prime Consultant, responsible for developing the new model structure and estimating its parameters, while Rao Associates was responsible for developing the EMME/2 macros to implement the model and documenting the new models flow. In a previous project (1993/94), DKS and RAI updated PSRC's trip generation model for the Puget Sound region. That $80,000 effort by DKS and RAI included examination of the current practices in trip generation modeling, data needs for model development, development of the model structure, and the implications for further model development. A sophisticated cross-classification model structure was implemented that classifies households by persons and workers per household. The trip generation rates include walk and bike trips as well as those by auto and transit modes. The trip generation model involved analysis of a cross-sectional survey of 3500 households.

Washington County Transportation System Plan
DKS Associates was retained by Washington County to assist them in updating their 1988 Transportation System Plan. The study considered both urban and rural transport systems including 2,700 miles of roadways, bike facilities, pedestrian trails and sidewalks, and transit routes. In the urban area, forecast demands for 2020 was evaluated to develop a balance system of capacity expansion and demand management techniques to bring the long-range plan performance that were acceptable to Metro and Washington County. Freight mobility was an integral element and motivated new concept for Intelligent Transportation System including incident monitoring, priority lanes, and expanding local facilities to relieve regional routes. The rural plan system focused on safety improvements and priority for roadway maintenance, especially rural resource site such as forestry, mining, and agriculture. The financing strategies extended beyond conventional channels to identify new opportunities for meeting system priorities.

Elk Grove - Rancho Cordova - El Dorado Connector
DKS Associates was prime consultant to SACOG for this project, with subconsultants The Hoyt Company and LandPeople. The goals for the study were to work with a wide array of stakeholders in the Connector corridor to define the purpose and need for the Connector, and to develop a set of conceptual alternatives which would be the subject of further study and environmental analysis. A Stakeholder Advisory Committee including representatives of over 50 community, business, environmental, civic, and farm organizations was formed, and a series of five workshop-style meetings were held. The workshops were designed to elicit input on stakeholder concerns about mobility in the corridor, expected benefits of the Connector, and preferences on project features. In addition to the transportation features of the project, the Connector is intended to include open space preservation features. The results of this outreach were documented thoroughly in a study report along with recommendations on next steps. The report was presented to the SACOG Board of Directors in Fall 2004.

Maricopa Association of Governments (MAG) Regional Transportation Plan
DKS Associates worked with HDR Engineering to prepare an update of the Phoenix Area's Regional Transportation Plan (RTP). Under contract to the Maricopa Association of Governments (MAG), the consulting team evaluated the transportation needs of the region for the next twenty years. The plan that the team developed identified the multimodal infrastructure investments, operating costs and maintenance costs necessary to maintain mobility for the regions residents and visitors. The plan included a financial element that defined how the plan would be funded. It is expected that the RTP will lead to the identification of a project list that can be used for a renewal of the County's ˝ cent sales tax for transportation, which is due to expire in 2005. A county-wide referendum on an extension of the sales tax was passed in 2004.

Puget Sound Travel Demand Management and Land Use Effectiveness Review
To support two major corridor studies in the Puget Sound (Seattle) region of Washington, the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) sponsored an extensive project to review the effectiveness of travel demand management (TDM) and land use strategies in reducing the long-term demand for vehicle trips in congested corridors. The Trans Lake Washington Study examined the need for capacity improvements in an east-west direction over Lake Washington while the I-405 Study examined north-south capacity needs on the east side of Lake Washington. In the Travel Demand Management and Land Use Effectiveness Review, DKS used a series of case studies to provide information needed to evaluate a set of potentially applicable strategies. The data generated by the case studies were used to refine analytical tools developed by DKS Associates staff for the evaluation of TDM and land use strategies. The tools were used to evaluate the TDM and land use strategies being considered for the Trans-Lake and I-405 corridors. From the analysis a recommended set of strategies were developed, and the potential trip reduction effect was assessed for each corridor. The project produced an innovative method for assessing TDM and land use potential for trip reduction in major corridor studies and the tools that resulted from it.

Peninsula Corridor Ramp Metering
This study examined the potential benefits and impacts of ramp metering along US 101 and the northern portion of I-280 through San Mateo County. The study included analysis of impacts to both the freeway and arterial system using the countywide EMME/2 travel demand model to develop forecast traffic volumes, the application of the FREQ simulation model for freeway analysis, and application of TRAFFIX software package for intersection analysis.

I-90 Center Roadway Operations and Traffic Analysis Study
The Washington State Department of Transportation sponsored an analysis of the I-90 corridor in the Central Puget Sound region of Washington. The purpose of the corridor study conducted by DKS was to assess the best use of available corridor infrastructure to support transit, HOV and mixed-flow traffic for the next 25 years. I-90 within the corridor study area links the City of Seattle with the island community of Mercer Island and communities on the east side of Lake Washington. The roadway currently operates with three mixed-flow lanes in each direction and a two-lane, reversible center roadway that operates in the peak direction. The center roadway is available to transit vehicles, HOVs (2+) and anyone entering the freeway from Mercer Island in the peak direction. Funding has been secured to add an HOV lane in each direction in the outside roadway. The objective of the corridor project was to assess the mobility and safety effects of alternative operating scenarios once the new HOV lanes area added. The alternative operating scenarios included continuation of the existing operation, operation of the center roadway as HOT lanes, and reserving the center roadway for exclusive use by transit vehicles. The project used the regional travel model to assess the long-term demand by mode and the simulation model VISSIM to assess the impact of each operating scenario on travel times by mode.

University District/Downtown Transportation Improvement Plan, Spokane, WA
DKS is preparing a comprehensive assessment of all modes of transportation in downtown Spokane, outlining an action plan for future transportation improvements. Numerous issues are being addressed including one-way/two-way street circulation, pedestrian crossing enhancements, downtown bicycle lane development, traffic signal coordination refinement, angle parking, freeway ramp access/circulation, transit signal priority and congestion management. A comprehensive inventory of all travel modes was completed, documenting motor vehicle, transit, pedestrian, bicycle and freight needs in GIS (ArcView) format. Travel forecasts for 2030 utilizing Visum are being refined for the downtown setting. Coordination with numerous public agencies and stakeholders is underway. Alternatives and action plans for pedestrian, bicycle, transit, freight and motor vehicle improvements will be developed and screened from an environmental perspective. Traffic signal timing enhancements are being evaluated (utilizing Synchro) and performance of transit priority will be considered.

Puget Sound Regional Transportation Plan Update
The Puget Sound Regional Council (PSRC) selected DKS to lead a team to help update their Regional Transportation Plan, Destination 2030 and to respond to new federal planning requirements developed in SAFETEA-LU. This will include new RTP elements on operations and management, safety and security. The DKS Team will provide a wide range of assistance in planning, engineering, cost estimation, environmental assessment, and outreach facilitation. The team will assist PSRC in planning for all modes of passenger travel and modes for freight movement as well. The DKS Team will provide assistance in identifying the locations, magnitude and duration of congestion and developing multi-modal solution strategies. The DKS Team will use its state-of-the-art modeling and simulation tools to evaluate alternative solution strategies and assist PSRC with the facilitation of regional decision making. The team will help PSRC develop tools to evaluate the benefits and impacts of strategies that cannot be analyzed with the regional model including demand management, system management and ITS strategies. The DKS Team will also help PSRC develop performance measures to use in evaluating alternative plan elements. The work of the DKS team will lead to the development of an updated RTP and a supporting Environmental Impact Statement.

Station Square Redevelopment Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
DKS was responsible for developing the transportation improvement plan for the redevelopment of Station Square near downtown Pittsburgh. Station Square is a major mixed-use entertainment center which includes office, retail, hotel and restaurant/ night club uses. The Redevelopment Plan for Station Square proposes a dense, walk-able urban environment with a mix of employment, civic and housing facilities and new entertainment facilities. A new Harrahs Casino forms an important anchor point of this environment, which will include over 1,200 residential units on the eastern end of the site. Station Square has an extensive transportation infrastructure, being served by light rail train service, public and private bus transit, two incline railroad lines, water taxi and a riverfront bicycle trail. DKS prepared the traffic analysis for submittal to the City of Pittsburgh, worked closely with the site architects and engineers to finalize a development plan and participated in the public review hearings.

With this plan in place, the city will now focus on winning a sixth Super Bowl.

SACOG Model Design and Update Study
DKS was prime consultant for a three-part project for the Sacramento Area Council of Governments (SACOG). Part one was a detailed analysis of SACOs 2000 Household Travel Survey and preparation of a report on travel behavior in the Sacramento region. Part two was an update of the SACMET travel demand model, using the 2000 household survey. Part three was a detailed design of SACOGs next generation of forecasting models. For this third part, DKS partnered with Mark Bradley, John Bowman, Keith Lawton, Doug Hunt and John Abrams to prepare a comprehensive design for an integrated land use-transportation model.

In 2001, this team of international experts conducted several symposiums with local planners and engineers to identify user needs for land use and travel forecasting. The user needs forums resulted in literally hundreds of specific comments on the current SACOG forecasting tools, desired capabilities of the next generation of tools, and limitations or characteristics to be avoided in developing the new tools.

To meet those needs, our team recommended replacing the 4-Step SACMET travel model with a new standards model option that involves a state-of-the-art integrated land use/travel model. The team defined a phased process for the model design, development, calibration, implementation and validation.

SACOG Activity-Based Travel Model Development
DKS is the prime contractor for the Phase 2 implementation efforts of a new activity-based travel demand model for the Sacramento Area Council of Governments (SACOG). Phase 1 of that process, conducted by Mark Bradley and John Bowman, involved the estimation of the Population Synthesizer (PopoSyn), the Long Term Choice Simulator and the Person Day Activity and Travel Simulator (DaySim) components of the new standards model.

Phase 2, headed by DKS, will complete the calibration, validation and integration of the model components in CUBE/Voyager. DKS efforts include implementation of a new airport access and commercial vehicle models in the forecasting tool. In addition to model validation, DKS will also assist SACOG in preparing initial travel forecasts to test the models performance.

SACOG intends to use the new activity-based travel model in the development of the 2007 MTP and the 2007 SIP. The 2007 MTP will be the first to incorporate the land use/design principals of the successful Blueprint process. With its current 4-step forecasting tools, it has been difficult for SACOG to capture all of benefits that these principals would have on travel behavior. The new activity-based travel model should help SACOG evaluate the impacts of the Blueprint.

Placer Parkway Project Study Report and Tier 1 EIS
DKS was prime consultant for an alternatives analysis for a new 17-mile long freeway connector from SR65 to SR99 in Placer and Sutter Counties. Subsequent to that study, DKS prepared a Project Study Report that defined the scope, schedule and estimated cost of the environmental and engineering studies that would be necessary for adoption of a route and preservation of a right-of-way. DKS is currently conducting the transportation analysis for a Tier 1 EIS on the Parkway. DKS has worked with FHWA and Caltrans in an extensive consultation process with EPA and other Federal/State resources agencies to define purpose and need and alternatives in a modified NEPA 404 process. DKS is also conducting a unique technical analysis of the growth inducement impacts of the new connector using the MEPLAN software.


DNA Corridor AA/EIS and South Sacramento Phase 2 Corridor PE/EIS
DKS is conducting the transportation analyses for two potential FTA New Starts projects within the Sacramento Regional Transit District (RT) service area: the South Sacramento Phase 2 Corridor and the Downtown/Natomas/Airport or DNA Corridor. DKS has provided travel demand modeling, transit ridership estimation and traffic analysis for a series of LRT and BRT alternatives in these corridors. DKS has used the SUMMIT software to estimate the mobility benefits for theses LRT projects following FTA criteria. DKS has also conducted detailed traffic forecasts and analysis near each rail crossing and LRT station. Due to the City of Sacramento's concerns over the impact of in-street LRT on traffic flow/delay at a freeway interchange and commercial area, DKS developed detailed VISSIM simulations of several alternative alignment/traffic control alternatives.

Mt Baker Area Freeway Master Plans
DKS is completing two Freeway Master Plans (FMPs) for the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) in the Mt Baker Area in northwest Washington. The FMPs will provide a detailed evaluation of existing freeway operations and geometric/safety problem areas on I-5 in Whatcom and Skagit counties. Future forecasts for 2035 will be developed to determine future demand and travel needs in the corridor. DKS will develop solutions and strategies to address existing and future needs on I-5 and to prioritize transportation investments in this critical corridor.


Alaskan Way Viaduct
DKS was hired by the Seattle City Council to assess the ability of downtown surface streets to accommodate a significant increase in buses and surface vehicles. The study evaluated the effects of significantly more vehicular traffic on surface Alaskan Way and the potential diversion of auto traffic to the downtown street grid. To better understand the impacts of removing the Alaskan Way Viaduct, DKS conducted an extensive analysis of what happened in other communities where elevated highways have been torn down. In addition to evaluating the capacities of surface streets and transit operations, DKS conducted an analysis of the potential feel and green space of the waterfront with the proposed alternatives. This included an evaluation of vehicular volumes on similar facilities and the ability of the street system to provide a pedestrian friendly environment. Kyoto and environmental issues were also addressed. The City’s EMME/2 model was used to evaluate the projected household and employment growth in the downtown subareas and in communities dependent upon the Alaskan Way Viaduct for travel such as West Seattle, Ballard, Queen Anne and Magnolia.
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