The CTPP is a State DOT-funded, cooperative program that produces special tabulations of American Community Survey (ACS) data that have enhanced value for transportation planning, analysis and strategic direction. Additionally, the program provides universal access to that data, funds and conducts research, and provides training and technical assistance to the transportation planning community, all to increase understanding of the needs of the traveling public in support of policy and programming decision making.
This free 1.5 day training is chiefly aimed at data users at MPOs and States but also appropriate for local planners, consultants, and students. It is designed for anyone who is required to work on travel behavior, demographics, long range planning, congestion management, travel forecast, air quality analysis.
Participants will engage in discussion, practice analytical skills through exercises, learn to navigate the CTPP software, and leave with a better understanding of what transportation data are available and what are the avoidable pitfalls to using them. Participants will receive invaluable access to information and resources that they will use again and again.
Laptops are provided for 20 attendees. Additional attendees will have to bring their own laptops. If you have preference of using your own laptop or the 20 laptop slots are already taken, please register as BYO Laptop.
Agenda
- 4/4/17: 12:30 pm to 4:30 pm
- 4/5/17: 8:30 am to 4:30 pm
Day 1 is an afternoon session, so lunch will not be provided. Day 2 is a full day session and lunch will be provided, free of charge.
This event is approved for 10 AICP CM credits.
Subjects Covered
Understanding and Dealing with Data Issues
- In-depth, ongoing discussion optimally resulting in better, smarter data users
Transportation Data and How to Get It
- CTPP, ACS, JTW—What do these acronyms mean? What agencies collect and produce these data? How accurate, current, reliable are they?
What Kind of Data Is Collected and Where Is It?
- Commutes, Tours, Modes. Websites, Search engines, Hard Files—What’s out there, how is it found, how is it acquired?
Census and CTPP Geography, Understanding It, Using It
- Custom geography for planning applications
CTPP Data Access Software
- A hands-on, follow-along, in depth, tutorial: Attendees will create a profile of an area using many features of the CTPP Data Access Software
Instructors
Penelope Weinberger is the full time Census Transportation Planning Products Program Manager at the American Association of State Highway Transportation Officials. Penelope has held this position since 2008. Before CTPP, Penelope worked for five years for the Texas Transportation Institute on FHWA's the Travel Model Improvement Program. Penelope started her transportation career at Cambridge Systematics, and is a graduate of the University of Illinois at Chicago.
Ed Christopher is an independent transportation planning consultant who retired from the Federal Highway Administrations Resource Center in December, 2015. Ed has a B.A. in Political Science and Masters of Urban Policy and Planning with a transportation specialty from the University of Illinois at Chicago. Ed joined FHWA in 2001. Before then, he was with the Bureau of Transportation Statistics for 2-1/2 years. Prior to BTS, Ed was the Director of Information Services at the Chicago Area Transportation Study (CATS) for 20 years. Ed has worked extensively with the 1970, 1980,1990 and 2000 Census Transportation data products as well as the ACS equivalents.
Special thanks to:
- the CTPP Program, AASHTO, and FHWA for providing this free training
- the Community College of Philadelphia for hosting the event
- DVRPC for lunch