Application of Gtamodel V4.0 to a Range of Transit Scenario Analyses
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Application of GTAModel V4.0 to a Range of Transit Scenario Analyses by Matthew David Austin A thesis submitted in conformity with the requirements for the degree of Master of Applied Science Department of Civil Engineering University of Toronto © Copyright by Matthew David Austin 2016 Application of GTAModel V4.0 to a Range of Transit Scenario Analyses Matthew David Austin Master of Applied Science Department of Civil Engineering University of Toronto 2016 Abstract This thesis investigates the use of GTAModel V4.0, an activity- and agent-based integrated operational travel demand model recently developed at the University of Toronto. It uses the model to analyze a wide variety of transit policy scenarios in order to evaluate the effectiveness and appropriateness of the use of the model at various scales of policy impact. Some of these policies were chosen in order to examine their impact on affordable transit improvements in a study area – South Etobicoke and the corridor connecting it to Downtown Toronto. The thesis illustrates that, while GTAModel V4.0 allows for new analysis of transit congestion and fare structures, the general scale of appropriate policy scenarios is unchanged from previous models. Additionally, it provides suggestions for potential TTC improvements for the study area including a new express branch and targeted headway improvements, and offers observations on some planned and under-construction projects. ii Acknowledgments I must first acknowledge the support of two scholarships that supported me financially during my thesis work: the Ontario Graduate Scholarship (OGS) and the NSERC Canadian Graduate Scholarship (CGS). I’d like to thank my supervisor, Prof. Eric Miller. It has truly been an honour to work with him and I cannot stress enough my gratitude for the trust he has placed in me and for the professional opportunities that our work together has provided. I’d also like to thank Prof. Amer Shalaby for offering his time to be the second reader on this thesis. Thank you to my colleagues, past and present, working in and alongside TMG: Trajce Nikolov, Monika Nasterska, David King, Peter Kucirek and especially James Vaughan. We’ve been through many adventures together and I owe them a major debt of gratitude for what they’ve taught me about transportation modelling (and other things). Thank you to my good friends, Alec Knowles and Graeme Pickett. The three of us met on the first day of grad school and I am forever grateful for that. They helped get me through what was, at times, a struggle. Mainly, though, I thank them because they each did the same in their theses and it would be rude of me not to. Finally, I would like to thank my wife, Kaori Austin. Her hard work on her own graduate studies has been an inspiration and she has always helped push me towards the finish line. Ever willing to listen to my ranting about my work, she still has no idea what my thesis is about. And nor do I about hers. iii Table of Contents Abstract ........................................................................................................................................... ii Acknowledgments.......................................................................................................................... iii Table of Contents ........................................................................................................................... iv List of Tables ............................................................................................................................... viii List of Figures ..................................................................................................................................x List of Appendices ........................................................................................................................ xii Chapter 1 Introduction .....................................................................................................................1 Introduction .................................................................................................................................1 Background ..........................................................................................................................1 Motivation and Existing Analysis Tools..............................................................................1 Research Objectives .............................................................................................................2 Document Structure .............................................................................................................3 Chapter 2 Literature Review ............................................................................................................5 Literature Review ........................................................................................................................5 Demand Modelling ..............................................................................................................5 2.1.1 The Four Step Model ...............................................................................................5 2.1.2 Activity-Based Modelling ........................................................................................7 2.1.3 Integrated Operational Travel Demand Models ......................................................8 2.1.4 Integrated Land Use and Transportation Models.....................................................8 Transit Network Problems (TNP) ........................................................................................9 Chapter 3 Software Descriptions ...................................................................................................12 Software Descriptions ...............................................................................................................12 Software Interaction ...........................................................................................................12 Emme .................................................................................................................................13 iv 3.2.1 Project Elements ....................................................................................................13 3.2.2 Emme Desktop .......................................................................................................14 3.2.3 Emme Modeller .....................................................................................................14 3.2.4 Tool Development and the Emme APIs ................................................................14 3.2.5 TMGToolbox .........................................................................................................15 XTMF ................................................................................................................................15 GTAModel V4.0 ................................................................................................................16 3.4.1 Calibration and Validation Data ............................................................................16 3.4.2 Model Algorithm ...................................................................................................17 Chapter 4 Case Study Introduction ................................................................................................28 Case Study Introduction ............................................................................................................28 Transit in Toronto Today ...................................................................................................28 4.1.1 GO Transit .............................................................................................................28 4.1.2 TTC ........................................................................................................................29 Study Area .........................................................................................................................31 4.2.1 Road Network ........................................................................................................32 4.2.2 Transit Network .....................................................................................................33 Gardiner Expressway .........................................................................................................34 Opportunities......................................................................................................................34 Chapter 5 Methodology and Workflow .........................................................................................36 Methodology and Workflow .....................................................................................................36 Summary ............................................................................................................................36 Scenario Typology .............................................................................................................39 5.2.1 Route Modification ................................................................................................39 5.2.2 Operational Changes ..............................................................................................39 5.2.3 Fare Structures .......................................................................................................39 v Proposals and Precedents ...................................................................................................40