TMIP Services
The Travel Model Improvement Program (TMIP) was created to advance the state of the practice of travel modeling and planning analysis. To that end, TMIP provides a variety of services to academics and professionals in the fields of travel modeling and planning analysis.
Seminars and Training
TMIP serves as a clearinghouse for courses on transportation planning analysis. TMIP develops and delivers seminars and training on a variety of topics including:
- Data Collection and Analysis Methods
- Land Use Forecasting
- Travel Demand Forecasting
- Mobile Source Emission Estimation
For more information, visit the Conferences and Courses section of the TMIP web site.
E-mail List
The TMIP E-mail discussion list is subscribed to by about 700 members of the travel forecasting profession from around the globe. Users post issues or questions to the list starting discussions among the membership. Many hot topics in analysis and modeling are initially vetted through the list.
To subscribe to the list, go to the E-mail Lists section of the web site.
Technical Assistance
TMIP offers limited individual technical assistance, available by contacting the TMIP staff.
- Peer Reviews – Sarah Sun (sarah.sun@dot.gov)
- Training and Clearinghouse – Penelope Weinberger (penelope.weinberger@dot.gov)
- E-mail List – Gary Thomas (g-thomas@tamu.edu)
- TRANSIMS – Fred Ducca (fred.ducca@dot.gov)
- Data Issues – Elaine Murakami (elaine.murakami@fhwa.dot.gov)
- GIS Issues – Mark Sarmiento (mark.sarmiento@dot.gov)
- Research Issues – Brian Gardner (brian.gardner@dot.gov)
- Transit Issues – Nazrul Islam (nazrul.islam@dot.gov)
- All Other – Sarah Sun (sarah.sun@dot.gov)
Research
The TMIP Program has conducted a large amount of travel analysis research since its inception approximately 10 years ago. Research serves long-term and short-term needs both to improve current planning tools and create completely new approaches to planning analysis. Research publications are available through the TMIP clearinghouse.
TRANSIMS
TMIP sponsors the research and development of the TRansportation ANalysis and SIMulation System (TRANSIMS). TRANSIMS is the next generation of travel modeling, microsimulation and air quality analysis tools. Through TMIP the planning community can stay up to date on the development and delivery of TRANSIMS products.
For more information, visit the TRANSIMS section of the TMIP web site.
Clearinghouse
One of the most important functions that TMIP carries out is making information and knowledge available to the planning community. The TMIP clearinghouse is a resource for planning analysis research, case studies and best practices documentation generated both by the TMIP program and by others. The clearinghouse site also highlights new documents of interest, making it an excellent resource for keeping abreast of developments in the field. Electronic and printed reports are available free of charge and are available through the web site.
To order printed documents, or to browse the electronic collection, go to the Clearinghouse section of the web site.
Peer Review Program
Planning agencies can use peer reviews to ensure that technical processes they are applying or developing meet the agency's needs, meet the standards of professional practice, and/or meet Federal, state or local planning requirements. Peer reviews of travel forecasting and data collection procedures are crucial to planning agency model development and improvement efforts.
TMIP supports peer reviews by assisting agencies in panel assembly, logistics, and funding for travel. Planning agencies may submit an application through USDOT field offices to the TMIP Peer Review Program by contacting Sarah Sun of the Federal Highway Administration.
Peer Reviews: Status and Reports
Peer Review Panel Functions and Organizations
Peer Exchanges
TMIP sponsors peer exchanges, which are facilitated discussions on a focused topic relating to planning analysis. These exchanges are very effective in disseminating techniques being used by those leading the profession on a particular subject. The information is conveyed not only to the participants, but also to others in the profession through the documentation of the peer exchange.
