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This paper focuses on analyzing traffic facilities for an intermediate time frame. There are two methodologies examined in this work, the first uses extrapolated, historical traffic count data and the second uses an urban transportation model. Using several intersections within Huntsville, Ala., as case study intersection locations, this paper applies both methodologies to forecast near-future traffic and compares the forecasted results with the actual traffic counts to determine which methodology better replicated actual volumes. The results of this work indicate that a properly validated and applied urban transportation planning model has the ability to provide more accurate traffic forecasts to support the traffic engineering analysis decision than the commonly used extrapolated traffic trends. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Describes the development and availability of desktop geographic information system (GIS)-based model for urban transportation planning. Applications of GIS in model development; GIS model development methodology; Steps in developing transportation network model.

This paper examines a new methodology to predict external trip exchanges in small urban communities. The paper documents a study performed on several small communities in Alabama and includes a video surveillance data collection methodology, data analysis, model development, and test versus existing models. The new model presented in this paper is shown to provide more accurate results when compared to existing models and demonstrated transferability to a similar city. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]