1 Perspectives on Collaboration Presentation to Travel Demand Modelling in the GTHA Organizational Structure and Regional Collaboration Systems Analysis and Forecasting Office

2 Benefits of Collaboration Provides for opportunity to be borderless – Travel patterns and needs are not limited to any one geography Offers reduced costs for data collection and data sharing Enables state of the art planning and investment tools that are grounded on a consistent foundation for any level of analysis In the Greater Golden Horseshoe, Growth Plan has established our planning framework The Greater Golden Horseshoe Model is the Provincial tool that applies that framework at the macro level

3 Current Project Applications GGH model provides a common modelling framework and travel forecasts for the ministry, agency and municipal studies The GGH Model is currently in use to support: Metrolinx RTP, Benefit Case Analysis and ongoing Metrolinx Assignments Niagara-GTA, GTA West EA, 407 East Extension, and Highway 407 Transitway Environmental Assessments Provide GGHM outputs under different network options to consultant team for subsequent analysis and tailored results for Economic Evaluations Provincial Highway planning, design and investment prioritization Peterborough & Simcoe Area Studies Opportunity study of Dedicated Truck lanes on 400 Series Highways Infrastructure Ontario Highway 407 East Revenue Analysis Regions of Halton and Niagara in their planning needs MTO continues our commitment to work closely with GTHA municipal agencies to incorporate critical assumptions in their municipality e.g., population and employment allocations, road and transit projects, etc.

4 Role of GGHM in Regional Planning GGHM is designed as a regional forecasting platform to support MTO and other provincial agencies in their demand forecasting needs GGHM is NOT designed to replace other modelling efforts that currently exist in different municipalities within GGH GGHM is a strategic forecasting tool and not designed to replace the project level forecasting in a detailed planning/implementation phase Provides the starting point for more refined modelling GGHM can provide the regional travel context so municipalities can focus their resources on planning within their regional boundaries Provide layer of inter-regional flows that can act as references to other models Provide layer of zonal base flows from outside to internal GTHA Provide layer of estimated inter-regional truck flows

5 Ongoing Coordination between Agencies GTHA municipalities have a long history of co-operation in data collection through TISC, TRADMAG. TTS and Cordon Counts good examples of pooling resources to deliver a product that is of common benefit A new working group was set up last year to promote co-operation in data collection for Active Transportation in GTHA Produce an inventory report on the AT database available in the GTHA A working group was set up to develop the 2006 road and transit networks for the GTHA Last year the GTHA Modelling Group was re-convened with the following objectives: Sharing of planning data Sharing modeling related knowledge and experience Working co-operatively on issues that are of common interest to members

6 Enhanced Co-operation Major participants in the transportation forecasting and modelling business include public sector, consultants and academic interests. Each has a distinct role to play: Public Sector – provide day to day modelling support and establish future development needs to support upcoming priorities Consultant Industry – provide expertise and advice to clients as well as resources for product delivery Academic – to conduct leading edge research and develop insight in upcoming trends through contact with world wide academics and other practitioner The co-operation between different players should not be limited just to product delivery but more on knowledge and skill transfer so the general modelling standard within the GTAH can be improved.

7 Enhance the Role of Research in Modeling Applications Academic sector can be leading edge in the development of new approaches and methodologies Universities are well positioned to undertake research and make connections with worldwide experts that are part of their community The role of academic-consultant in project support should be considered as they can provide products, approaches or services that might not be available from consultants Academic sector can engage more widely on research initiatives that other agents and promote their application

8 Today’s Discussion Common objective to improve the travel demand forecasting standard within the GTHA – open to addressing individual needs Challenge to balance immediate modelling needs with that of research timelines Further work needed to establish regional gaps and objectives – distinguish between funding and modelling gaps Build on strengths, a forum of exchanges of ideas, knowledge and experience that is inclusive to all parties Tradmag Modelling Working Group Wikispace Reduce barriers that prevent flows of planning data and modelling output between practitioners