Mobility in Grand Junction

Researchers from the Texas Transportation Institute have monitored urban mobility levels in many of the largest urban areas nationwide, during which they have refined a method that can be used in smaller areas and even at the individual roadway level. This study measured the Travel Rate Index, a performance measure for monitoring mobility levels that can be the basis for improving the existing transportation system and, subsequently, result in faster travel, more reliable transportation, and better and cheaper travel options. The Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) sponsored the research to test this method in Grand Junction in October 2000, and the analytical results are presented in this report. Together with CDOT, local agencies in Grand Junction selected seven arterial street corridors. These agencies set up a data collection plan to obtain all the needed travel time data and traffic counts from each corridor used in the study. This study was the first to apply the methodology in the field in a small urban area. The researchers found that the data collection plan is critical to the study process. They point out that individuals performing the data analysis must do an inventory of existing data resources, and must schedule pre-collection and post-collection meetings. Future studies would need detailed traffic counts, and local feedback on raw data and findings. The analysis is most useful at the corridor level, not on a segment-by-segment basis. The data gathered for this particular analysis could be used in further studies as well.