About the Modeling Task Force

Mission: Promote quality modeling practices within the Region by:

  • Providing guidance to SCAG's Regional Modeling Program,
  • Coordinating the Region's various modeling programs, and
  • Providing a forum to share model related information and new ideas.

Purpose:

Pursuant to 42 U.S.C., 7506c and Section 40460(b)(2) of the California Health and Safety Code, SCAG is responsible for regional transportation modeling. SCAG is also responsible for preparing the Socio-Economic Data (SED) projections and the travel demand forecasts used in the development of the Regional Transportation Plan (RTP), the Regional Transportation Improvement Program (RTIP), and the associated conformity findings. In the early 1973, the Modeling Task Force was created in order to encourage local agency input into the modeling process. The group was composed of representatives from SCAG, LARTS, local cities and counties, and other relevant agencies such as transit districts. The Modeling Task Force reviews technical decisions concerning the development and application of the Regional Model used to forecast travel and analyze the transportation impacts on air quality. The Task Force provides technical input and consultation throughout the planning process.

Functions:

The Modeling Task Force serves as a technical and advisory forum to discuss regional modeling practices. The following is a list of specific interest areas:

  • Model Improvement Program - The Regional Model's methodologies, inputs and parameters are continually upgraded to keep the model up to date and consistent with state of the practice modeling approaches. The Modeling Task Force provides a forum to explain the proposed changes and to keep members updated on the Model's status. More importantly, it also provides members an opportunity to review proposed changes and provide feedback on the model improvement program.
  • Model Consistency - Many agencies within the SCAG Region operate modeling programs including; SCAG, Caltrans, transportation commissions, subregions, transit agencies, counties, and cities. A primary goal of the Modeling Task Force is to work in concert to standardize model inputs and methodologies to reduce conflicts caused by the use of inconsistent modeling results.
  • Program Coordination - Throughout the Region funds are very limited for developing and maintaining transportation models. Through the Task Force, agencies cooperatively develop their work plans to help eliminate duplication of effort and promote teaming on joint work projects.
  • Model Assumptions - SCAG is responsible for developing two major work products: the Regional Transportation Plan (RTP) and the Regional Transportation Improvement Program (RTIP). The Modeling Task Force is asked to review and recommend the model inputs, model assumptions, and model methodology used in the modeling of these important products.
  • Conformity - The Modeling Task Force reviews the inputs, assumptions, and methodology used to model regional air quality and determine conformity. The Modeling Task Force also serves as the mechanism to perform interagency consultation for the technical assumptions used in the determination of conformity.
  • Information Sharing - The Modeling Task Force provides a forum for members to share information, introduce new model methods, and review new products.
  • General Coordination - Coordinate the activities of the Modeling Task Force with other SCAG committees, such as the Conformity Working Group and with external groups, such as Caltrans Statewide Model Information Sharing Group.
  • Problem Resolution - The Modeling Task Force serves as a vehicle for resolving regional technical modeling issues.

Meetings:

The meeting dates for the entire calendar year will be set at the beginning of the calendar year. Meetings will be held the third Wednesday of every other month (meetings during November and December may be postponed due to conflicts with the holidays). The Chair Person may request a special meeting or designate a technical working group to investigate and resolve major issues. Agendas, minutes, and copies of background materials, shall be prepared and distributed to participants on the Task Force mailing list.

Composition of the Task Force:

The Modeling Task Force may include staff representatives from each of the following entities:

  • The Southern California Association of Governments
  • The California Department of Transportation
  • The Federal Highway Administration
  • The Federal Transit Administration
  • The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority
  • The Orange County Transportation Authority
  • The Riverside County Transportation Authority
  • The San Bernardino Associated Governments
  • The Ventura County Transportation Commission
  • The Imperial Valley Associated Governments.
  • Transit operators
  • The California Air Resources Board
  • The Environmental Protection Agency
  • The South Coast Air Quality Management District
  • The Ventura Air Pollution Control District
  • The Mojave Desert Air Quality Management District
  • The Imperial county Air Pollution Control District
  • The Antelope Valley Air Pollution Control District
  • Cities
  • Counties
  • Subregional Agencies

Environmental organizations, business groups, and the general public, may also attend, make comments at, and otherwise participate in Modeling Task Force meetings.

Chair Person:

The Chair Person of the Modeling Task Force will be rotated through the County Transportation Commissions and Caltrans at the beginning of each calendar year. The rotational order will be determined alphabetically, based on county name, with Caltrans serving last.