Management Consulting

Services Provided: Model Development, Model Sensitivity Testing, ActivitySim Implementation, Model Results Dashboard  

Insight supported the implementation of the ActivitySim model – an advanced, open-source activity-based transportation model – for the Twin Cities area. Insight supported the project during both phase 1 and phase 2 of the model development. During phase 1, Insight performed four different sensitivity tests. These tests included: (1) a Vehicle Miles Traveled (VMT) base tax scenario, (2) adding a new transit project in the system, (3) an increased telecommuting scenario, and (4) a Transportation Network Companies (TNC) cost change scenario. Insight was able to perform the above sensitivity tests and develop a report within a three-week timeframe. Insight also developed the model summary dashboards using the ActivitySim visualization tool for all the scenarios. These allowed MetCouncil staff to become more familiar with the inner workings of the model and also informed the team of the adjustments needed to the model parameters and procedures to improve its readiness for phase 2 implementation. 

During the phase 2 implementation of ActivitySim, Insight reviewed the transit model implementation in Cube Voyager and helped improve the representation of transit travel in the model. In addition, several test model runs were performed to help the team find errors and issues in the model setup - leading to successful implementation of the phase 2 model.    

Services Provided: Commuter Rail, Travel Demand Forecasting, Special Markets Ridership Forecasting, Calibration/Validation

Insight is the lead ridership forecasting firm for a multi-rail project in Orlando assisting, assisting the Florida Department of Transportation District 5 (FDOT-D5) and the Sunshine Corridor Partnership. The Sunshine Corridor Partnership is a team of agencies and companies working together to expand rail in Central Florida. The Partnership consists of FDOT-D5, four counties, the City of Orlando, BrightLine (a private inter-city passenger rail company), Universal Studios, as well as additional stakeholders and agencies.  

The Partnership seeks to introduce both commuter and inter-city rail to the Sunshine Corridor. Insight conducted a ridership study to evaluate demand for proposed commuter rail service in the Sunshine Corridor. The proposed SunRail commuter rail extension would link Orlando International Airport (OIA) with the Orange County Convention Center (one of the nation’s largest) and serve the International Drive business district, Universal Studios, and potentially Walt Disney World. This corridor includes six of the world's 12 most-visited theme parks, more than 70,000 hotel/resort rooms, nearly 90,000 jobs, and the nation’s eighth-busiest airport.

Insight developed customized models for the corridor’s airport passengers and major attractions. A regional Simplified Trips on Project Software (STOPS) transit model estimated average weekday commuter ridership. An air-passenger mode-choice model, calibrated with a 2023 Air Passenger Survey, assessed ground-access options to and from OIA for residents and visitors. A third model estimate transit ridership to the region’s theme parks.

Services Provided: Household Travel Survey Processing, Trip Generation, Trip Distribution, Mode Choice Model, Sensitivity Testing 

Insight is serving as a subconsultant to assist the Houston-Galveston Area Council (H-GAC) with maintaining and updating its four-step travel demand model while providing critical technical support for model calibration, validation, sensitivity analysis, and user training. These efforts ensure the model remains an accurate and reliable tool for regional transportation planning and policy evaluation. Initially, Insight’s key activities focus on updating the freight matrix using Replica data. Insight is coordinating with the team to acquire and integrate this data, developing freight trip tables, and performing high-level checks in key freight activity zones such as ports and warehouses. This process emphasizes quality assurance and control (QA/QC), ensuring accuracy in representing freight movement. Deliverables include a technical memorandum documenting the trip table creation process and QA/QC results, laying the groundwork for informed freight-related decision-making. 

Insight is supporting the calibration and validation of the travel demand model. Insight is summarizing data from household travel surveys, Replica, and other sources like ridership and parking data to calibrate model components including trip generation, trip distribution, mode choice, and highway/transit assignments. Recommendations for improving calibration and validation processes are provided, enhancing the model’s accuracy and reliability. Insight is also leading the sensitivity analysis process by coordinating with H-GAC to define four distinct scenarios for testing. This includes adjusting model inputs and parameters, investigating unexpected results, and proposing model updates to refine outputs. The findings from these tests will be summarized in a comprehensive sensitivity analysis report detailing scenario assumptions, results, and insights. 

Finally, Insight will focus on equipping H-GAC staff with the knowledge and tools needed for effective model use. Insight is contributing content to the model user guide, detailing model inputs, setup, execution, and troubleshooting procedures. Additionally, training materials are being developed for a six-hour session tailored to H-GAC staff. This training aims to enhance staff competency in navigating the model, running simulations, and interpreting results, empowering the agency with improved operational capabilities. 

Services Provided: Ridership Forecasting, Demand Model Development and Application, Modeling in EMME, Uncertainty Analysis

Insight is providing travel demand modeling and data analytics support for the Link21 Program, jointly led by Bay Area Rapid Transit and the Capitol Corridor Joint Powers Authority. The keystone of the Link21 program is a new transbay rail tunnel connecting Oakland and San Francisco. 

The primary task of this project is developing and applying the Link21 model, a state-of-the-art modeling platform that reflects the latest modeling techniques. Insight has supported the calibration of this model in two ways: (1) creating transit and highway volume datasets and developing scripts that produce easy-to-understand validation workbooks that compare observed to estimated volumes, and (2) running multiple sensitivity tests that “stress test” the model’s ability to predict change. 

Insight led the model application stage of this project. Insight updated the model to reflect the region’s long-range infrastructure projects (PBA50) and travel behavior strategies, including substantial investments in transit infrastructure, telecommuting patterns, density-based increases in parking costs, a regional distance-based transit fare system, and an extensive expansion of roadway tolling. Insight coded the project’s alternatives (approximately three dozen alternatives), developed ridership forecasts to support the Business Case for the project, and modeled uncertainty tests to evaluate the project’s ability to withstand significant long-term changes in environmental and travel behavior. 

Insight also assisted project management tasks by developing multiple Quality Plans (including the Travel Demand Modeling and Network Coding Quality Management Plan) and coordinating with the program’s Planning & Engineering and Business Case Teams regarding the project’s alternatives and performance metrics.