METROSIM is an operational large scale computer simulation model that uses an economic approach to forecast the interdependent effects of transportation and land use systems and of land use and transport policies at the metropolitan level. METROSIM is used to evaluate transportation projects and travel related changes, land use controls, employment growth scenarios, income growth and other polices or forecast changes.
METROSIM can be used to obtain quantitative forecasts of travel flows, employment changes, congestion levels, new construction of residential and commercial buildings, land use changes, etc. The user can specify land use constraints and zoning regulations in the model. The user can also obtain benefit-cost ratios for projects or policy interventions simulated by METROSIM.
METROSIM can produce a one-shot long run equilibrium forecast for transportation and land use in a metropolitan area, or METROSIM can operate in annual increments and produce yearly changes to transportation and land use from the existing situation until convergence to a steady state is achieved.
General Info
Strengths:
• It is a model firmly rooted in economics and recognizes how market forces operate in shaping and changing land use
• It is very rapid on the computer and does not rely on approximate solutions.
• It deals explicitly with land use policy and land use change<BR>
Resources
User Input Requirements:
This model requires the following user input:
• CTPP elements 1, 2, and 3, and Bureau of the Census STF1A and STF3A files.
• Transportation network's link-node description in MapInfo, ArcInfo, or other format.
• Land use by type of land use desired in the model.
• If available, regional input/output model
• If available, land and property values by zone and land use type. Please note that file formats are not important because files can be easily converted from one format to another.
Equipment Needs:
METROSIM requires a 300 MHz or higher computer (PC, MacIntosh, or Sun Sparc) with 128 MB of RAM, color monitor, Fortran or C programming language compilers, Excel or Access for data management, SAS or SPSS statistical analysis software, and ArcInfo or MapInfo. It can be adapted to any operating system, but UNIX is preferred.
Limitations:
• Currently does not have a GIS interface but that can be easily developed at a small fee.
Staff Requirements:
No technical land-use experience is required-only general computer experience is necessary. Participation of the model developer is necessary for its use.
Software Cost:
$20,000-$30,000To run the software: $2,500 for three initial runs or negotiable. Full reports are included.To maintain the model software: User support for $5,000-$10,000/yearTrain to use the software: $10,000 one time
