Integrated transportation and land use policy analysis for Sacramento, California

Several transportation policy scenarios being discussed in the Sacramento, California, region were examined in detail by using an integrated set of transportation and land use models. The scenarios examined included a light-rail transit system, high-occupancy-vehicle lanes, and a highway beltway. These scenarios were compared with a baseline forecast that included built and committed transportation facilities out to the year 2020. The model systems used were the METROPILUS land use modeling system and the MINUTP transportation modeling package currently in use by the Sacramento Area Council of Governments. The model packages were linked in such a way as to allow an equilibrium adjustment process to be calculated within each of the 5-year time periods between the 1990 base year and the 2020 forecast horizon. The results of these analyses show small but significant differences in the outcomes of the several scenarios examined. Overall the results are consistent with expectations and illustrate the robust applicability of the method of approach, while at the same time raising some interesting questions as to exactly what issues might be encountered if any attempt were made to implement these scenarios in the region.