Application of Travel Demand Microsimulation Model for Equity Analysis

Abstract

This paper describes the application of a state-of-the-art, tour-based travel demand microsimulation model to estimate impact on mobility and accessibility on different populations to support development of a countywide transportation plan. Equity analyses based on traditional travel demand forecast models are compromised by aggregation biases and data availability limitations. Use of the disaggregate (individual person-level) San Francisco, California, tour-based microsimulation model made it possible to estimate benefits to and impact on different communities of concern on the basis of individual characteristics, such as gender, income, automobile availability, and household structure. The concepts and policy context of equity analysis in transportation are presented. Identifying communities of concern and relevant measures of transportation system performance are outlined. The San Francisco model structure is described, and the results of the equity analysis are presented.