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Collaborative Topics 

OMSC participants collaborate on a variety of technical topics.  Current focus areas and technical resources are listed below.  For more information, see our current work plan.   

Climate Friendly and Equitable Communities (CFEC)
  • In 2023, the OMSC will convene a working group to serve as a sounding board as state agencies prepare analysis guidelines to help local agencies comply with new CFEC rules.  The OMSC's work will be focused on technical issues related to model development.  (The OMSC does not have a policy advisory role.)
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​Greenhouse Gas (GHG)

  • On December 1, 2021, the OMSC's Greenhouse Gas Subcommittee posted a final report that includes suggested improvements to transportation-related GHG analysis tools and data. 

 

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  • Oregon Greenhouse Gas Modeling and Analysis Tools Report, prepared by ODOT in 2018, gives an overview of current analysis tools, capabilities and limitations.  See this document for additional literature references.  An extensive appendix provides links to national GHG modeling tools and resources, plus information on Oregon's GHG scenario planning and target setting process.​

  

  • The Oregon Global Warming Commission's 2018 Biennial Report to the Legislature for the 2019 Legislative Session describes the state's GHG goals, current trends and consequences, including the role of the transportation sector.  

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Emerging Technologies
(Including Mode Share and Mode Choice)

  • The OMSC's Technical Tools Subcommittee has an Emerging Tech Working Group that maintains a list of known literature on the impacts of emerging technologies.

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​Activity Based Modeling

  • Traditionally, regional travel demand models in Oregon have been "trip-based" models, which simulate the behaviors of groups of households.  Transportation agencies are beginning a shift toward "activity-based" models (ABMs), which simulate the choices and travel behaviors of individuals, allowing for greater detail and accuracy in transportation forecasts. 

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  • Transitioning to ABM models would improve our ability to answer questions about the potential benefits of biking, walking, and taking transit, as well as allow more detailed evaluation of the effects of things like pricing, car sharing and self-driving vehicles.  However, ABM models are more complex and data intensive than traditional trip-based models, and the transition will require considerable effort.  Working together on this topic, OMSC participants can build upon each other's knowledge and experience.

 

  • ODOT recently implemented an ABM for the Medford and Grants Pass region, and Oregon Metro has developed an ABM covering the Portland region.  

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  • ODOT is also representing Oregon in a national pooled fund effort to develop an activity-based modeling framework, "ActivitySim".  OMSC participants are collaborating to leverage this national partnership and agency experience as other ABM models are developed.  

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  • For more on ABM models, see ODOT's brochure.

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​Freight Modeling

   

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​Travel Behavior Data

  • The OMSC's Travel Survey Subcommittee is coordinating collection of travel behavior data across the state.  Learn more here.

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  • The Oregon Modeling Users Group (OMUG) has had several prior presentations on third-party passive data opportunities.  See our presentation library .

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