Application of Analysis Tools to Evaluate the Travel Impacts of Highway Reconstruction with Emphasis on Microcomputer Applications

The objective of this report is to provide guidance to highway agency officials on the use of available analysis tools to evaluate the travel impacts of major highway reconstruction projects. A process for travel impact evaluation is outlined. Guidelines on the selection of appropriate analysis tools are presented. Specific recommendations are made for three project scenarios (minor capacity reduction, partial closure, total closure). Five categories of available analysis tools with potential application to the evaluation process are reviewed: network-based highway and transit planning models, quick-response estimation techniques, highway capacity analysis procedures, traffic simulation models, and traffic optimization models. Corridor traffic management planning efforts in five cities (Pittsburgh, Boston, Philadelphia, Detroit, and Minneapolis) are also reviewed.