Developing a regional travel demand modelling strategy to support transportation planning in New Brunswick Regional Service Commissions

Abstract

Regional Service Commissions (RSCs) in New Brunswick have been mandated to support regional transportation planning and service delivery. However, a systematic and standardized approach for understanding and forecasting travel demand across the regions does not currently exist. This study investigates travel demand modelling approaches and determines a strategy to support regional transportation planning for RSCs, using the Southeast Regional Service Commission as a case study. The research reviews guiding documentation, transportation planning practices, modelling frameworks, and examines case studies to understand how regional travel demand models support planning and investment decisions. Based on these findings, a simplified regional travel demand model using elements of the four-step modelling framework was developed and further tailored to address post-secondary students’ travel. The results provide a strategy to support transportation planning and illustrate how such models can improve understanding of regional travel patterns and support data-driven transportation planning and services for RSCs in New Brunswick.