Tools

The Texas Revenue Estimator and Needs Determination System (T.R.E.N.D.S.)

T.R.E.N.D.S. Model website

The T.R.E.N.D.S. Model is just one of the many tools made available through TTI research.

The T.R.E.N.D.S. Model provides transportation planners, policy makers and the public with a web-based tool to forecast revenues and expenses for the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) for the period 2010 through 2035 based on a user-defined level of transportation investment. The user, through interactive windows, can control a number of variables related to assumptions regarding:

  • statewide transportation needs,
  • population growth rates,
  • fuel efficiency,
  • federal reimbursement rates,
  • inflation rates,
  • taxes,
  • fees, and other elements.

The T.R.E.N.D.S. model also includes a sub-model that allows MPOs to project to potential impact of local-option fuel taxes, VMT fees and registration fees. The output is a set of tables and graphs showing a forecast of revenues, expenditures and fund balances for each year of the analysis period based on the user-defined assumptions.

2030 Committee Texas Transportation Needs Report

In May 2008, Texas Transportation Commission Chair Deirdre Delisi, at the request of Texas Governor Rick Perry, appointed a volunteer committee of 12 experienced and respected business leaders designated as the 2030 Committee. The Committee’s charge was to provide an independent, authoritative assessment of the state’s transportation infrastructure and mobility needs from 2009 to 2030.

The Committee developed goals for the report, as follows:

  • Preserve and enhance the value of the state’s enormous investment in transportation infrastructure.
  • Preserve and enhance urban and rural mobility and their value to the economic competitiveness of Texas.
  • Enhance the safety of Texas’ traveling public.
  • Initiate a discussion on strategic rebalancing of transportation investments among infrastructure, mobility and non-highway modes to anticipate future needs.

The 2030 Committee provided guidance and direction to a nationally renowned research team of transportation experts at the Texas A&M Transportation Institute (TTI) at The Texas A&M University System; the Center for Transportation Research at The University of Texas at Austin; and the University of Texas at San Antonio. Staff at the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) and the state’s metropolitan planning organizations provided input and support for the research team.

2010 Annual Urban Mobility Report

TTI prepares the definitive national study documenting congestion costs and trends, the annual Urban Mobility Report. The 2010 Urban Mobility Report paints the most accurate picture yet of traffic congestion in the 439 U.S. urban areas. Thanks to the wealth of speed data provided by INRIX, a leading private-sector provider of travel time information, the current report offers a greatly enhanced picture of congestion on a city-by-city basis.The report was prepared by TTI researchers David Schrank and Tim Lomax.

Transportation Conferences

As a leading higher education-affiliated transportation research program, TTI organizes and sponsors a variety of transportation conferences, events and meetings throughout the year. These events provide a forum to share best practices in various transportation modes, such as ports and waterways, aviation and freight movement. State and national experts provide the latest information on transportation safety issues at the only statewide traffic safety conference in Texas. Motorcycle safety and teen driver safety initiatives are also addressed, in addition to other topics, such as intelligent transportation systems.