FY2026 Work Program

Bolster agency research and analysis in demographics, economics, real estate development, transportation, economic opportunity, and other areas, using observed data and predictive models. Perform key analytical functions for the long-range plan including development and tracking of key indicators, socioeconomic and land use forecasts, and scenario modeling. Reflect and advance industry best practices in use of data resources in line with agency capacity and priorities.

The Socioeconomic and Land Use Analytics (SLUA) program area includes new and ongoing data analysis in support of the long-range plan. DVRPC strives to deliver value to the region's land use, environment, economic development and opportunity, and transportation network by: collecting and assessing data, identifying its importance and relevance, and disseminating the results of that research through reports, web applications, presentations, and other means. The SLUA program develops, maintains, and applies tools to forecast regional population and employment. This program area also supports the Office of Long-Range Planning’s scenario planning efforts, and the use of indicators to track progress on the vision and goals set in the region’s long-range plan.

Research and analysis is based on data available through multiple sources. Publicly available sources from federal statistical agencies (including the U.S. Census Bureau, the Bureau of Labor Statistics, and the Bureau of Economic Analysis) provide key information. The program area monitors developments of data policies at these agencies that may impact analysis for DVRPC and its partners. Proprietary sources of data for program analysis may be acquired by purchase or subscription such as the CoStar commercial real estate database and/or macroeconomic forecasts. Other data sources may be developed in-house or in collaboration with partners, such as DVRPC’s five-year aerial photography-based land use data, real estate development pipeline data, and other sources. The program enhances knowledge of available data sources and their appropriate uses at DVRPC.

The SLUA program coordinates with Travel Trends and Forecasting staff on model development as necessary, including data needs for DVRPC’s activity-based transportation demand model. Completion of this project may require the purchase of materials, supplies, and other services.

1. Work with the Office of Travel Trends and Forecasts to review NextGen UrbanSIM model and competing Land Use Models and determine which model will best meet DVRPC's future land use modeling and socioeconomic forecasting needs.
2. Research the state of the practice in population and employment forecasts from MPOs around the country, including land use and other modeling opportunities. Draft a white paper reporting on results from research and outlining a proposed forecasting methodology going forward.
3. Create a minor redesign of the Tracking Progress Indicator Dashboard so it aligns with the new board-adopted Update: Connections 2050 Plan including replacement of Planning Area trends with Development Intensity Zones (DIZ) trends and improved user interface. Consider new indicators relevant to the new Update: Connections 2050 Plan’s goals and recommendations from DVRPC subject matter experts.
4. Regularly update each indicator as data becomes available, and explore ways to incorporate Transportation Performance Management (TPM) targets. Share data from Tracking Progress publicly through the DVRPC Data Catalog.
5. Host meetings of, and coordinate with, the Socioeconomic and Land Use Analytics Committee (SLUAC) as needed.
6. Coordinate with the Office of Planning Innovation to funnel data requests to appropriate web and staff resources.
7. Respond to socioeconomic and other data requests from planning partners, media, and public.
8. Monitor developments and policy changes at statistical and planning partner agencies; and participate in collaborative efforts of peer agencies and partners.
9. Assist with documentation of the long-range plan as well as responses to public comments received on the draft publication.

1. White paper: State of the Practice in Population and Employment Forecasting.
2. Updated Tracking Progress website and indicator data, including updates to Tracking Progress data in the DVRPC Data Catalog. 
   

State, county, and municipal levels of government; transportation agencies and transit operators; and businesses and residents of the region.