Metropolitan Council Travel Demand Model

NOTE: This repository is currently under development and is not yet in a fully functional state. Please check back for future updates.

Overview

The Metropolitan Council Travel Demand Model is an activity-based travel demand model that simulates daily travel choices made by individuals, including decisions related to work, school, shopping, dining, and other activities. The model is used to evaluate future transportation conditions and forecast the mobility impacts of transportation investments.

The model consists of multiple components:

• ActivitySim (Python 3): Activity-based modeling framework used to simulate individual and household travel behavior.
• Cube Voyager: Used for auxiliary models, network skimming, and traffic assignment processes.

Structure

The model repository contains the code and configuration files needed to run the Metropolitan Council Travel Demand Model. Input data files are maintained separately and must be downloaded before running the model.

Prerequisites

Before running the model, users must have the following installed:

• Operating System: Windows: Some components of the model rely on Cube Voyager, which is only supported on Windows.
• Python environment manager: Miniconda (recommended) or Anaconda
• Cube Voyager 6.5.1: Required for network skimming and assignment processes. A valid Cube license must be obtained separately.
• Git: Required to clone the model repository.

Additional software dependencies are included in the provided Conda environment file.

Getting Started

1. Create a Working Folder

Create a folder where the model repository and input files will be stored.

Example: C:\Models\MetC_Model

2. Clone the Repository

Open Anaconda Prompt or Command Prompt, navigate to the working folder and clone the model repository:

cd <your/working/path>
git clone https://github.com/Metropolitan-Council/metcouncil_abm.git

After cloning, the repository folder should be: metcouncil_abm

Navigate to the model repository folder:

cd metcouncil_abm

3. Create the Python Environment

Create the ActivitySim environment using the provided environment file:

conda env create --name asim131 --file source/environment.yml

Activate the environment:

conda activate asim131

4. Prepare Model Input Files

This step downloads the required model input files which are not on GitHub, reviews the input file settings, and copies downloaded files to their required locations for running ActivitySim.

Note: This step only needs to be completed once after downloading the input data. It can be skipped for subsequent model runs unless the input files are replaced or updated.

4.1 Download Model Input Files

Contact the Metropolitan Council to request access to the required input files. Download the model input files from the project SharePoint site and place the input folder inside the model repository: metcouncil_abm.

4.2 Review copy_input.bat

The copy_input.bat file contains the names of the downloaded input files and the commands to copy them into the appropriate model folders.

• If you are using the input files provided by Metropolitan Council staff, no changes are required in this file. It is recommended to use the provided files for the first model run.
• If you are using modified input files or files with different names, open copy_input.bat using a text editor and update the input file names accordingly. Save the changes after updating the file.
• A detailed description of the files referenced in copy_input.bat is provided [here].

4.3 Execute copy_input.bat

After reviewing copy_input.bat, run the batch file once. This will copy the input files to their required locations and prepare the model input structure based on the current model setup.

To run the file:

copy_input.bat

5. Update Parameter File

The second configuration file is set_parameters.bat. This file contains the model parameter settings, as well as the paths to input files and other model configuration files.

For a base year model run, no file path changes are required. Review the parameters in the file and update any values as needed based on your local setup or model run configuration.

To update the file:

1. Open set_parameters.bat using a text editor.
2. Review and update the required parameters.
3. Save the changes after completing the updates.

For future year or scenario model runs, additional updates may be required. Follow the instructions provided [here].

A detailed description of the parameters and file paths included in set_parameters.bat is provided [here].

6. Run the Model

Before running the model, make sure you are still working in the asim131 Conda environment created in Step 3.

To verify and activate the environment if needed:

conda activate asim131

Then, run the model with the batch file

met_council_model.bat

More Information

Contact Dennis Farmer (dennis.farmer@metc.state.mn.us) at the Metropolitan Council for questions regarding the overall model.

Cube Voyager can be purchased from Bentley

More information about ActivitySim can be found at the ActivitySim Website.