Travel Demand Model Documentation
The Kootenai Metropolitan Planning Organization (KMPO) was formed in 2003. The first KMPO traditional four-step travel demand model for the AM Peak Hour and the PM Peak Hour was developed by KMPO staff and PTV of America in 2003.
The typical gravity demand model is called a four-step model and is based upon Trip Generation, Trip Distribution, Mode Choice, and Route Assignment. Mode choice is made up of private cars, public transit such as buses, and/or non-motorized travel. The KMPO model is currently a three-step model, having only one mode choice which is private vehicles. This mode choice feature is planned to be expanded upon in the future adding other mode choices.
The model was updated by HDR, Inc. in 2007, by KMPO staff, with assistance from Eco Resource Management Systems Inc. and PTV of America, in 2010, and by KMPO staff, with the assistance from PTV Group, in 2016 and 2018.
In 2023, the Kootenai Metropolitan Planning Organization (KMPO) completed the update of their 2020 Travel Demand Forecasting Model.
The model update and validation was performed with guidance and assistance from PTV Group. KMPO contracted with PTV to calibrate the model. The 2020 model update is expected to re-validate the 2018 existing base year model to reflect current conditions in Kootenai County, based on the 2020 land use and transportation network.
The KMPO 2020 Travel Demand Model Documentation outlines the updates made to the KMPO travel demand model, including methodology and enhancements.
The Kootenai Metropolitan Planning Organization (KMPO) Board approved the 2018 update to the 2016 Travel Demand Model on January 9, 2020.
KMPO staff performed the model update calibration/validation with guidance and assistance from PTV Group. The 2018 model update is expected to re-validate the 2016 existing base year model to reflect the conditions of the 2018 transportation network and land use.
This report is focused on the updates to the KMPO travel demand model, including methodology and enhancements. The majority of the modeling components were left as they were in the 2016 model. The KMPO 2018 Travel Demand Model Documentation outlines the changes that have been made.
In 2018, the Kootenai Metropolitan Planning Organization (KMPO) completed the update of their 2010 Travel Demand Forecasting VISUM Model.
KMPO staff performed the 2016 model update calibration/validation with guidance and assistance from PTV Group. The 2010 KMPO base model was updated to become the 2016 KMPO base model. The majority of the 2016 modeling components were left as they were in the last update. This documentation outlines what has been changed since the last 2010 model update.
The 2016 KMPO model update is expected to revalidate the 2010 existing base year model to reflect the most current conditions. Basic technical information about the 2010 KMPO VISUM model is provided in the “Kootenai County (KMPO) – 2010 KMPO Base Calibration Travel Demand Model Update Documentation.” This report is focused on the 2016 KMPO travel demand model update, including methodology and enhancements.
In 2007, Kootenai County updated the 2007 KMPO Travel Demand Forecasting VISUM Model. This 2010 update has improved the previous 2007 base model.
The KMPO Model provides the existing 2010 AM and PM peak hour traffic volumes and is used as a base model to project future traffic forecasts for the AM and PM peak hour traffic in the Kootenai County-wide area.
KMPO staff performed the 2010 model update calibration/validation with some guidance and assistance from PTV America, Inc., and Eco Resource Management System Inc. The 2007 KMPO base model was updated to become the 2010 KMPO base model. The majority of the 2007 modeling components were left as they were in the last update. This documentation outlines what has been changed since the last 2007 model update.
Travel demand forecasting models update the existing base year model every year or every other year or every five years depending on the land use growth and transportation improvements in the modeling area. This is because the traffic volume on streets and roadways change due to the changes in the land use and the transportation system.
The 2010 KMPO model update is expected to re-validate the 2007 existing base year model to reflect the most current 2010 conditions. In addition, since the 2007 version, the 2010 KMPO model application added some enhancements that were found necessary to improve the 2010 KMPO model and forecasting capabilities.
In 2005, Kootenai County developed the 2005 KMPO Travel Demand Forecasting VISUM Model. The KMPO Model provides the existing 2005 AM and PM peak hour traffic forecasts and is used as a base model to project future AM and PM peak hour traffic in the Kootenai County-wide area.
No matter how well validated an existing travel demand forecasting model is, public agencies (or model owners) update the existing base year model every year or every other year or every five years depending on the land use growth and transportation improvements in the modeling area. This is because the traffic on streets changes due to the changes in land use and transportation system.
The 2007 KMPO model update is expected to re-validate the 2005 existing base year model to reflect the most current 2007 traffic conditions. In addition, during the previous 2005 KMPO model application some enhancements were found necessary to improve the 2007 KMPO model accuracies and forecasting capabilities.
Basic technical information about the 2005 KMPO VISUM model is provided in the “Kootenai County (KMPO) – 2005 Transportation Model Documentation.” This report is focused on the 2007 KMPO travel demand model update, including enhancements.
Working with KMPO technical staff, HDR was consulted to provide the on-call modeling services on the 2007 KMPO model update, including enhancements, which are addressed in the following nine sections in this report:
1. KMPO Model Graphic User Interface (GUI)
2. AM/PM Peak Hour Trip Generation Update
3. 2007 KMPO Land Use Update
4. 2007 KMPO Auto Network Enhancements
5. AM/PM Peak Hour Trip Generation
6. AM/PM Peak Hour Trip Distribution
7. AM/PM Peak Hour Traffic Assignments
8. AM/PM Peak Hour Traffic Screenline Validation
9. Model Limitations and Improvements
More detailed technical specifications and model update descriptions are provided to assist the KMPO model users in their understanding of the model applications, data input and output, and validation results.
In Spring 2005, the Spokane Regional Transportation Council (SRTC) contracted with NuStats to conduct a Household Travel Characteristics Study, commonly referred to as the household travel survey. The goal of this survey was to create a database containing accurate information on trips, trip characteristics, household characteristics, and person characteristics for a representative sample of households in Spokane and Kootenai Counties. These data will be used to update travel demand forecast models, to identify Transportation Improvement Plan priorities, and to inform other transportation planning and policy needs of the counties. NuStats designed the survey, managed data collection, processed and geocoded the data, provided quality control and assurance, analyzed the survey data, and created the weighting, and expansion factors.
2005 Spokane-Kootenai County Regional Travel Survey
Land Use Maps
Federal Functional Classification
Data Requests
KMPO modeling and mapping/GIS services are available to KMPO members. If you are requesting services on the behalf of an agency (i.e. plan update, TIA, etc.), a request in writing is needed by the agency contact, before requests will be approved. To request modeling or mapping/GIS services, email kmpo@kmpo.net. Please include your name, company/agency, and a detailed description of the request in the body of the email.