-- Key Findings ---- Key Findings --

Using ACS Data in Transportation Planning ApplicationsUsing ACS Data in Transportation Planning ApplicationsDaytona Beach, FloridaDaytona Beach, Florida

May 10 -11, 2007May 10 -11, 2007

ParticipantsParticipants

State DOTsState DOTsAASHTOs CalTransAASHTOs CalTransFL DOT GA DOTFL DOT GA DOTIA DOTIA DOT NY DOT NY DOT VA DOT WI DOTVA DOT WI DOTMN DOT TX DOTMN DOT TX DOT

MPOsMPOsAtlanta Atlanta (ARC)(ARC) Oklahoma City Oklahoma City (ACOG(ACOG)) Detroit Detroit (SEMCOG(SEMCOG) Daytona Beach ) Daytona Beach (VCMPO)(VCMPO)Hartford Hartford (CRCOG(CRCOG) Minneapolis ) Minneapolis (MetCouncil)(MetCouncil)Houston Houston (H-GAC(H-GAC) San Diego ) San Diego (SanDAG(SanDAG))

San Francisco San Francisco (MTC(MTC)

AcademiaAcademiaTexas TTITexas TTIUniv. of Iowa Univ. of Iowa Univ. South Florida CUTRUniv. South Florida CUTR

ConsultantsConsultantsAECOMAECOMAlan PisarskiAlan PisarskiCambridge SystematicsCambridge SystematicsLouis Berger GroupLouis Berger GroupMKC AssociatesMKC Associates

FedsFedsFHWAFHWAFTAFTARITA / BTSRITA / BTSRITA / VopleRITA / VopleCensus Census BureauBureau

Two Half DaysTwo Half Days40 Participants40 Participants4 Key Note Speakers4 Key Note SpeakersSeven Case Study ModulesSeven Case Study Modules 1. Population Estimates

2. Demographic Indicators and Trends3. Workers and Employment Data4. Travel Time, Mode Split, Modeling, Flows5. Transit applications and New Starts6. Dealing with Geography7. Open Discussion and Comments

Update on CTPP ProgramUpdate on CTPP ProgramWrap-up Presentation and Discussion Wrap-up Presentation and Discussion

General FormatGeneral Format

Key FindingsKey Findings

Strong Demand for Strong Demand for Transportation Transportation Data ProductsData Products from Census from Census DataData– CTPP 2000 is widely used – Sample size is large (compared to local surveys)– Response rates are high – There is no “direct” cost for the data for local

applications

Strong Support for Transportation Data Strong Support for Transportation Data Products from ACS Products from ACS – Standardized national resource

Uncertainty has SurroundedUncertainty has Surrounded Transportation Data Products Transportation Data Products – Funding for the ACS has been uncertain – Funding for the ACS transportation data

tabulations has been uncertain– Funding for the next National Household Travel

Survey (NHTS) has been uncertain Understanding the American Community Understanding the American Community

SurveySurvey– In the early stages of understanding the nature of

the potential applications of the ACS

Key Findings (cont’d)Key Findings (cont’d)

ACS a Critical Source of Zone-to-ZoneACS a Critical Source of Zone-to-Zone Flows Flows

– Unique characteristics of the CTPP 2000 – Fundamental to calibrating regional models– ACS sample and data suppression raise concerns

about ACS flow data for smaller geographies – Could LEHD On-The-Map data and ACS data be fused

to develop a richer understanding of trip distribution?

ACS and TransitACS and Transit– Sample size limits transit applications of ACS NOW– Transit benefits from ACS use in regional model

calibration and policy analysis– “Usual mode” versus “actual mode” requires

caution when using the ACS transit mode data

Key Findings (cont’d)Key Findings (cont’d)

Administrative IssuesAdministrative Issues– Array of participants creates uncertainty regarding

roles and responsibilities – No clear institutional or legislative mandate – Need for partnership commitment from the states,

MPOs, regions, US DOT and AASHTO to serve as the forum for coordination of actions, decisions, and communications

Key Findings (cont’d)Key Findings (cont’d)

ACS Evolution and Integration with Other Data SourcesACS Evolution and Integration with Other Data Sources– Research and applications experiences will need to be

developed and shared – Resources are required to support the ongoing

evolution of ACS applications to extend its value and support the planning community

Key Findings (cont’d)Key Findings (cont’d)

Training/Capacity Building with ACSTraining/Capacity Building with ACS– Web-based products may be useful to

complement hands-on training– User community has benefited from “on-demand”

CTPP 2000 technical support Framing and Communicating ACS resultsFraming and Communicating ACS results

– Different ACS applications have different requirements in terms of accuracy and precision

– Users benefit from using multiple data sources, multiple analysis methods and integration of finding with theoretical and anecdotal linkages to the topic being addressed

Key Findings (cont’d)Key Findings (cont’d)

Next Steps in SecuringNext Steps in Securing Transportation Transportation Data ProductsData Products from ACS from ACS– AASHTO establishing a ACS board of directors – Need consensus work program including:

technical tasks prioritization identification of critical dates and deadlines assignment of responsibility establishment of communications protocols staffing for execution

Key Findings (cont’d)Key Findings (cont’d)

ACS is Part of the Knowledge Foundation for Sound ACS is Part of the Knowledge Foundation for Sound Planning and Policy AnalysisPlanning and Policy Analysis– ACS remains critical to transportation planning– Cost for this data are increasingly modest in

contrast to infrastructure costs that have risen dramatically

– The need for well informed decisions is even more critical in an era of tight resources

Key Findings (cont’d)Key Findings (cont’d)