Travel Demand Model
North Jersey Regional Transportation Model-Enhanced
In 2008, the NJTPA completed a major upgrade to the region’s travel demand model (read about the previous version here), producing the North Jersey Regional Transportation Model-Enhanced (NJRTM-E). This model was developed with NJDOT and NJ TRANSIT and fully incorporates the multi-modal nature of the transportation issues facing northern New Jersey. The model is comprehensive and powerful enough to be used by all major transportation agencies in the region. The NJTPA and partner agencies use the model for air quality conformity analyses and various long-range planning studies.
In 2011, the NJTPA completed a first revalidation of the NJRTM-E. In 2015, the model was further refined to improve its transit reporting capabilities and ability to estimate external trips entering the NJTPA region. In June 2018, the NJTPA validated the NJRTM-E up to a 2015 base year, expanded the zonal system structure and updated some of the model’s components.
In 2023, the model was validated and updated to a base year of 2019. Applications of the 2023 model will begin in 2024. In the meantime, the data and documentation below reference the most recent official model executions and the 2018 validated model.
The NJRTM-E is available on request to consultants and transportation professionals.
Characteristics of the NJRTM-E
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Platform: A standard four-step model, the NJRTM-E runs on Citilabs software products CUBE (as an interface), and Voyager with additional applications used for reporting.
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Zonal System: There are 2,712 traffic analysis zones (over 1,600 of these are in the NJTPA region). The model now includes all of New York City and Long Island, portions of southern New Jersey, portions of southern New York State, and portions of eastern Pennsylvania.
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Highway Network: Within the NJTPA region, the highway network includes most arterials (major and minor) with most 500 level and 600 level county roads. Most collector or local roads are not included. Outside the NJTPA region, the highway network is more schematic, generally representing major regional roadways.
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Purposes: The model covers eight trip purposes:
- Home-Based Work Direct (trips between home and work with no intermediate stops)
- Home-Based Work Strategic (trips between home and work with one or more intermediate stops)
- Home Based Shopping (trips between home and shopping destinations)
- Home Based Other (all other trips that either begin or end at home)
- Work Based Other (trips based at work, other than those associated with the trip from or to home)
- Non-Home-Non-Work (all other trips that have neither origins nor destinations at home or work)
- Airport Trips (trips to or from Newark airport)
- University Trips (trips to or from regional colleges and universities made by students)
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Modes: Six travel modes are considered for most trip purposes (seven for the Home Based Work trip purpose):
- Single-Occupant Vehicle (SOV)
- 2-Occupant Vehicle (HOV-2)
- 3-Occupant Vehicle (HOV-3)
- 4 or More-Occupant Vehicle (HOV-4+)—only for Home Based Work
- Public Transit-Walk Access
- Transit-Drive Access
- Trucks (not specified by trip purpose)
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Public Transit Network: The transit network includes NJTRANSIT rail and bus network, some private bus lines, and ferry services.
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Trip Generation: The model considers population, household (differentiated by the presence of children and/or retirees) and income data.
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Highway Assignment: There are four separate networks for the time periods in the model (including expanded peak hour periods):
- AM Peak (6:00am–9:00am),
- Midday (9:00am–3:00pm),
- PM Peak (3:00pm–6:00pm), and
- Night (6:00pm–6:00am).
For further information, contact Brian Fineman at (973) 639-8408 or [email protected]
Model Data
Model Documentation
Model Presentations