Highway Network Development
The development of the network involves identifying major roadways to be included in the model, mapping those roadways, and collecting and developing data required to code the network.
A base year and a forecast year network are required. The base year network includes roadways and conditions as they exist in the base year. The forecast year network will include the existing base year network plus modifications to the network that reflect the planned regional network enhancements that will be included in the long-range plan or Metropolitan Transportation Plan (MTP). In subsequent model runs other network changes may be included for alternative analysis.
Network Preparation
The computerized network of the regional roadway system, zone centroids, and centroid connectors is developed cooperatively by TPP, the MPO, and the local TxDOT district office. TPP develops the computerized network based on STRATMAP geography which is used is used as the alignment to conflate travel demand model networks and post street names on the base and forecast year networks.