Lima & Associates - Multimodal Transportation Planning Studies

Multimodal Freight Analysis Study

Client: Arizona Department of Transportation as sub to Wilber Smith
Location: Statewide Arizona

Lima & Associates conducted an inventory of the existing conditions on the State Highway system rail network, making use of the statewide railroad GIS database that the firm developed as part of the 2006 Statewide Railroad Inventory and Assessment project for ADOT. The highway network serving the state was described in terms of major routes relating the commercial centers and industry clusters within the state to each other, and to external market areas. Existing highway characteristics such as number of lanes and surface conditions, including the identification of known operational and safety deficiencies, were evaluated and depicted on GIS maps. Existing rail freight facilities and services, together with railroad corporate plans for improvements, were described. Lima conducted interviews with Union Pacific and BNSF Railway representatives and with several area freight customers and documented the results. Lima also assisted in the preparation of graphics and spreadsheets for inclusion in technical memoranda and the final report.

A regional transportation plan was prepared for the 2015 and 2030 planning horizons in and surrounding the metropolitan planning area of the Central Yavapai Metropolitan Planning Organization (CYMPO). In addition, a program of short-range projects was developed for 2010. For the regional plan, Lima & Associates coordinated with the key stakeholders in the planning area throughout the study. Lima developed a new TransCAD travel demand model to replace the existing TRANPLAN model. The 2004 socioeconomic and transportation conditions were updated based on input from the 2000 Census and local jurisdictions. The current model street network and Transportation Analysis Zone (TAZ) system was also updated. Using the new TransCAD travel demand model, the future socioeconomic and transportation conditions were assessed for the years 2015 and 2030. Alternative modes were also assessed as part of the overall plan update. A draft final plan was prepared in accordance to requirements for an MPO transportation plan, reviewed by the Technical Advisory Committee (TAC), and presented at public open houses. Based on input from the public and stakeholders, the draft final plan was revised and presented to the CYMPO Executive Board, Prescott City Council, Prescott Valley Town Council, Chino Valley Town Council, Yavapai-Prescott Tribal Council, and Yavapai Board of Supervisors.

Lima & Associates conducted an update of the 1999 Verde Valley Transportation Study Update and the 2000 Verde Valley Transit Study. Year 2000 Census data was used to identify changes in area demographics and travel characteristics, and the Traffic Analysis Zone (TAZ) system was reviewed and modified as needed. The Lima Team developed a new TransCAD model using the 1998 TRANPLAN model as a base and validated the model using 2002 average traffic counts, and annual trip generation variables. Year 2010 population and employment data were estimated using the 2002 data as a base, and the 2002 network was upgraded to contain all the committed roadway improvement projects for the short-term scenario. Future socioeconomic and network conditions were assessed for the year 2025. Traffic assignments for 2025 were made and improvement analysis performed. The Transportation Plan and Program outlined in the 1999 Verde Valley Regional Transportation Study Update final report was reviewed and components updated based on the findings of this project. The recommendations of the 2000 Verde Valley Transit Study were also reviewed and updated as needed, and path, trail, and bicycle plans were developed for the study area.