DVRPC forecasts future travel patterns using a well-tested travel modeling process. The Travel Improvement Model (TIM) is a package of computer programs that simulate how people make travel choices. Data on land use, demographics, current travel patterns and the existing transportation network are combined with mathematical models to forecast the effects of population growth, new transportation projects, and other developments on travel patterns. Such model outputs include trip rates, origins and destinations, highway traffic volumes, congestion levels, and transit ridership. Outputs are used to inform policy decisions, evaluate scenarios, identify transportation needs, and guide infrastructure investments.
It is vital to have a firm understanding of the region’s current travel characteristics in order to produce reasonable forecasts of future roadway and transit travel. Travel modeling informs long-range plans, highway traffic studies, air quality conformity demonstrations, Federal Transit Administration (FTA) New Starts programs, and transportation studies for member governments. The travel forecasting models are guided by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and FTA.
2026 Household Travel Survey
DVRPC strives to keep its travel simulation models up to date to ensure accurate travel forecasts. DVRPC is currently conducting a Household Travel Survey in partnership with the South Jersey Transportation Planning Organization (SJTPO) of residents in the DVRPC region and southern New Jersey counties.
Learn more about the Household Travel SurveyModel Development
DVRPC develops and updates a variety of transportation and land use models to estimate the impacts of future projects and current trends on the region. This includes both conventional four-step models and activity-based models.
Travel Demand Models
Travel demand models are used to estimate the outcome of proposed projects or practices. Whether it is an operational change such as installing dynamic message signs, or an infrastructure project such as building a new road or rail line, these models allow planners to anticipate the resulting changes in travel behavior.
TIM 2.x
TIM 2 is DVRPC's current four-step travel demand model, used for many planning and design applications: highway alternatives analysis, transit alternatives analysis, air quality conformity analysis, long-range strategic planning, facility design, economic analysis, and others. TIM 2 is a best-in-class 4-step travel demand model. Architecturally, TIM 2 runs via a combination of Python scripts and the VISUM transportation planning software package by PTV AG. Approximately every five years, TIM 2 is extensively validated against numerous data sources to ensure that it accurately represents current travel behavior in the DVRPC region. When calibrating and validating TIM 2, the emphasis is on ensuring that the model reflects observed travel behavior – the various choices that are made on a daily basis by millions of individuals in Greater Philadelphia.
TIM 3.x
Many new travel demand models use the activity-based paradigm. DVRPC has also developed an activity-based model, designated as TIM 3.
Land Use Model
UrbanSim is a land use model that allocates forecasted growth to small geographic areas in the region. It simulates individual decision-makers—such as households, employers, and real estate developers— within the regional real estate market, while incorporating interactions between land use, transportation, the economy, and the environment.
DVRPC uses UrbanSim LLC’s UrbanCanvas cloud-based, census block-level platform. As a key input, DVRPC creates a regional development pipeline of proposed, planned, and permitted development projects. The platform allows for data sharing with DVRPC’s planning partners for their review and comments on both data inputs and model outputs. DVRPC utilizes UrbanSim for scenario planning, population and employment forecasting, and other regional analyses.
PTV Modeling Platforms
VISUM is the current software platform for DVRPC's regional transportation model. It is the tool used to generate, maintain, and edit the network model and data elements which are used by the demand model. It is also the primary tool for sequencing the many interdependent steps of the demand model itself. As of 2026, VISUM 2023 is the software version used by DVRPC for its TIM 2 and TIM 3 travel models. TIM 3 also uses a version of the open-source Daysim software, customized for DVRPC by RSG.
VISSIM
VISSIM is microsimulation software used to model at high resolution, down to the scale of individual vehicles and pedestrians. Micro-simulation is a method for evaluating the localized impacts of proposed improvements such as adding lanes, reconfiguring intersections and ramps, or the potential impact of new development.
More information about PTV modeling software can be found at www.ptvamerica.com.
Air Quality Conformity
Transportation conformity demonstrates that the transportation projects included in a region's long-range plan (LRP) or transportation improvement programs (TIP) are consistent with air quality goals established in state implementation plans (SIPs) for achieving the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS).
Learn more about conformity by visiting the Air Quality webpage.
Household Travel Surveys
Household travel surveys are used to obtain information about work and non-work trip generation, trip distribution, modal split, and average vehicle occupancy. Updated household travel information can be used for modeling purposes as well as transportation planning projects such as high occupancy vehicle lanes, bicycle, and pedestrian studies, and traffic control studies.
2026 Household Travel Survey
DVRPC is undertaking a household travel survey in 2026.
2012-2013 Household Travel Survey
The previous household travel survey was conducted in 2012 and 2013. Administered by AbtSRBI, it was designed to expand upon and update the travel data used in transportation planning during the previous decade. Household and travel data was collected from 9,235 households from July 2012 through September 2013. Detailed information on the survey can be found in the report, 2012-2013 Household Travel Survey for the Delaware Valley Region. You can also download survey data, which is housed in DVRPC's Data Catalog.
This data has been cleaned to remove personal information in order to protect survey participants.
2000 Household Travel Survey
The 2000 household travel survey was conducted from March through December 2000 by NuStats for DVRPC and the South Jersey Transportation Planning Organization (SJTPO). SJTPO represents Salem, Cumberland, Atlantic, and Cape May counties. Detailed information on the survey can be found in the report, Transportation for the 21st Century Household Survey Travel Survey Results for the DVRPC Region. You can also download survey data.
This data has been cleaned to remove personal information in order to protect survey participants.
Regional Transit Surveys
Onboard Transit Survey
The Office of Modeling and Analysis conducted a transit onboard survey of all SEPTA, PATCO, and Pennsylvania transportation management association (TMA) transit routes within the DVRPC region. The survey was a paper mailback form, and was conducted in December 2010 through fall 2011. You can also download survey data or by visiting the Data Catalog.
This data has been cleaned to remove personal information in order to protect survey participants.