THE CENTER

ANNUAL
REPORTS
2007
2008
2009

 

CENTER RESEARCH PROJECTS

COMPLETED

Innovation in Government: Workforce Practices

Prioritizing Highway Construction

Transit Forecasting

WORK IN PROGRESS

Transportation Forecasting: Travel Demand And Project Costs

In a period of severely constrained resources, transportation policy-makers must be particularly careful to insure that plans for new or improved infrastructure are based on reliable forecasts of utilization and costs.  This research project has three phases: an analysis of the past performance of forecasts for surface transportation infrastructure in the United States, a consideration of the reasons for generally poor forecasting performance, and proposals for improving forecasting.  The first phase is complete, and the findings have been published.  The second phase is being completed as of November 2009.  The third phase is beginning. 

Mega-Regions and Transportation

This project considers whether the concept of ‘mega-region’ – a large region encompassing several metropolitan areas – is useful in understanding travel patterns and, in particular, whether new multi-jurisdictional institutions might be desirable to address problems presented by such new travel patterns.  Data collection and analysis is underway.  Preliminary analysis of data indicates that, in general, travel patterns do not change dramatically as metropolitan areas agglomerate into ‘mega-regions’. 

Innovation In Government: Workforce Development

This project explores methods at the level of state departments of transportation for improving workforce recruitment, training and motivation.  Phase 1 has been completed, and a report is available describing various methods already in use.  Phase 2 is underway and is examining the workforce planning issues associated with downsizing and outsourcing.