The Columbus Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (CAMPO) is seeking a new travel demand model.
The Columbus Board of Works voted to approve a contract with Lochmueller Group for the work. The cost of developing the new model is $60,000, with 80% being covered by MPO funds, said CAMPO Director Laura Thayer.
Travel demand models analyze data to determine outcomes of transportation planning, and the Indiana Department of Transportation mandates that they have one, she explained.
She said that the organization is in need of an update because the software platform they’re using for their current model is being retired.
Lochmueller Group built CAMPO’s first travel demand model and was the only one to respond to the advertised project, Thayer said.
“They’re very familiar with what our needs are,” she said. “For example, I think we have a pretty amazing travel plan model, because we have a bike-ped travel component, and we have just a lot of creativity in the model.”
She added that there will be opportunities for public input as the model is built.
