Transportation models are used to forecast travel behavior and patterns, and thus to aid decision makers in developing transportation plans and making investments. Quantity and quality of data are critical to effective modeling. However, data accessibility has been a major and persisting challenge facing transportation modelers. Indeed, it is not unusual for data preparation to take up over 70% of the total modeling effort.
The goal of this project is to develop a modeling information portal that meets the data and information needs of the Florida modeling community. Specific objectives included (1) developing a web portal that serves as a gateway to modeling data and information for Florida's transportation modelers; (2) developing a web-based GIS system capable of data visualization, data conversion, and data uploads and downloads; and (3) identifying existing data sources and attributes and integrating them into the GIS system. In addition, this project also includes a special task to develop a new Florida Standard Urban Transportation MOdel Structure (FSUTMS) "launcher" that works with Cube Voyager.