Two sets of TransCAD files are provided: mb2020.* and Taz.*. The first contains the GIS layer of the coded transportation network; the second contains the Traffic Analysis Zone (TAZ) layer (demographics and trip data). The first task is to create a TransCAD map file and to validate the zone system and network structure. This 2020 data set does not correctly represent either the 2000 or the 2020 Miasma Beach area (see Figure 1); it merely provides a starting point to build the correct 2020 network representation, as detailed in the steps below.

GIS/Modeling Concepts: Why so many files with similar names? To efficiently manage information pertaining to a layer, a GIS separates the information into multiple files, all of which are required to generate the Miasma Beach network in TransCAD. If you move to a new working folder, copy all files to the new folder.

1.1 Create Base Miasma Map

Construct the TransCAD file that contains the GIS data for the draft 2020 Transportation System T and the Activity System A.

1.1.1 Open a Geographic File
Go to File / Open. In the File Open dialog box, select the folder where you placed the Miasma Beach TransCAD data set (MB2020.zip, that contains MB2020.* and Taz.*). Select Geographic File under the List Files of Type. You should see MB2020.DBD and TAZ.DBD in the file box. Select MB2020.DBD and click OK.

A "stick" network should be displayed. The network does not display end or intersection points. To see them, go to Map / Layers. In the Layers dialog box, under Layers in Order of Display, select Nodes (it is hidden now) and click the Show Layer button. Close this dialog box.

1.1.2 Add Another Layer
Go to Map / Layer again. Click the Add Layer button. In the File Open box, open the Geographic File of TAZ.DBD. You should now see the TAZ layer being added to your map. Some parts of the TAZ layer may be displayed outside of the window. Go to Map / Scale and on the Map Scale dialog box, select Show the Entire Layer of TAZ and Selection Set All Features.

Examine the Map
Examine the map and compare it with Figure 1. Familiarize yourself with this map and the characteristics of the various link, node, and zone attributes.

1.1.3 Save the Map
After you set up the display of the map to the way you want (which should be labeled properly), go to File / Save As. In the Save As dialog box, select the folder where you store your files. Select Map File under the List Files of Type. Type in MB2020 under File Name for your map and click OK.

1.2 Network Updates

The input 2020 map has been incorrectly coded. Update the network to reflect the base 2000 network as well as network improvements planned in 2000 that have been implemented and must be reflected in the base 2020 network. Your network should match that depicted in Section 1.6. This may involve deleting links, adding or updating links, and/or moving centroids. Select Highways/Streets as the Working Layer to implement all network corrections identified below. Use Tools / Map Editing to adjust link attributes.

For a video example of how to edit a line network, click HERE

1. 1st Street: a collector street from Mountain Ave to Coast Hwy
2. 2nd Street: a local street between Mountain Ave and Miasma Blvd (new)
3. 2nd Street: a local street between Miasma Blvd and Coast Highway
4. 3rd Street: a local street from Miasma to Coast
5. 4th Street: a local street from Mountain to Miasma (new)
6. 4th Street: a major arterial from Miasma to Coast (update)
7. 5th Street: a local street from Coast and Miasma


8. Mountain Ave is a collector street west of 1st Street
9. Mountain Ave is a local street between 1st and 2nd
10. Mountain Ave is a local street east of 4th (new)
11. Miasma Blvd is a major arterial west of 4th Street (update, new from 3rd to 4th)
12. Miasma Blvd is a local street east of 4th Street
13. Coast Highway is a major arterial from 4th Street to ES 7 (update)
14. Coast Highway is a local street from 2nd Street to 4th street
15. Coast Highway is a collector street from 1st Street to 2nd street (update)


16. Centroid 1: is located 0.25 miles west of the western end of Mountain Blvd
17. Centroid 2: is located 0.25 miles west of the end of Coast Highway (update)
18. Centroid 3: connects to the midpoint of Coast Highway between 2nd and 3rd streets (update)
19. Centroid 4: connects to 2nd Street 0.5 miles north of Miasma Blvd (update)
20. Centroid 5: is located 0.25 miles east of the eastern end of Mountain Blvd
21. Centroid 6: connects to the midpoint of Coast Highway between 4th and 5th streets (update)
22. Ext Sta 7: is located at the eastern end of Coast Highway
23. Ext Sta 8: is located at the Western end of Miasma Blvd (update)

Verify that your network, including all link characteristics, matches the Section 1.6 network.

1.2.1 Delete Links
To delete a link, go to Tools / Map Editing (set the Working Layer to Highways/Streets). The Map Editing tool box appears. Select the Delete button and click on the link to be deleted (e.g., (1) above). The color of the link changes and the Red Light and Green Light buttons appear in the Map Editing tool box. Be sure you've selected the correct link, and select the Green Light and the change will be saved with the link being removed from the map (if you've selected the wrong link, click the Red Light and the change will not be saved). Note: Be careful to select only the link section desired -- you may need to split a link first.

1.2.2 Add Links
To add a section of 4th Street between Coast Highway and Miasma Blvd, first "split" the current link to add a node where the new link will connect.

Joining Links: Select the Join Line button and click on both links to join them into a single link. As long as there are no node penalties or turn prohibitions, you can leave old nodes (they may be of use in the future).

Click on the Split Line button. Click on the midpoint of Mountain Blvd. between 2nd and 4th Streets. This should split this segment to two 1 mile stretches. Click on the info tool and then click on Mountain Boulevard between 3rd and 4th to adjust H_DIST as necessary. Repeat for other required split links. Select Add Line in the Map Editing toolbox and add links (single click on the start node, drag the mouse (a dash line appears) to the desired end node and double click). Click on the new line and fill in link attributes as appropriate. Follow the same procedure to add other sections, as required.

1.2.3 Move Centroid
To change the centroid location, split the section of Coast Highway between the added section of 2nd Street and 3rd Street at the midpoint (0.5 miles west of 3rd Street). Then add a line from the new split point to Centroid 3. Use the Pointer Tool (arrowhead) to drag the centroid to a point 0.25 miles north of the new split point. Use the Info Tool to edit this new line to match the attributes of other centroid connectors. Finally, delete the old connector.

1.2.4 Edit Link Attributes
To change attributes of network links, use the Info Tool. To change node numbers, you must select the node layer and open a node data view.

1.3 TAZ Updates

The TAZ.* files contain information regarding the traffic analysis zones in Miasma Beach, including demographic data. The zonal information stored in this TransCAD network is incomplete, you must fill in a few entries. Set TAZ as your working layer, and open the dataview.

VIDEO: For a video on how to edit an area network, click HERE.

Make the following updates/corrections:

1. For Zone 2, change the Population (POP) value from 0 to 1550
2. For Zone 5, change the Other Employment (EOTH) value from 0 to 50
3. For Zone 5, change the Total Employment (ETOT) value from 0 to 150
4. For Zone 6, change the Household Income (HHInc) value from 3800 to 38,000
5. For Zones 1-6, increase Household Income by 50 percent to reflect income growth from 2000 to 2020
6. For External Stations 7 and 8, set area (AREA) to 0 (they're doors, not TAZs)

1.4 Formulate Attributes

After network editing is complete, calculate the free flow travel time for both directions of each link. It is easier to do this task in a Dataview (a spreadsheet-like table that displays data for the entire layer) than using the Info tool because all links must be updated, not just a few.

1.5 Enhance Miasma Map

Select Color Themes. With the Highway/Streets layer active, select the Color Theme Map Wizard. Select Link_Type under Field and List of Values under Method, then select the Styles tab to select colors. Use the link color theme from Table 1. You may also select line styles that will also distinguish link types. Label at least one link on each street with its name (Hint: Use Layers dialog Box).

VIDEO: For a video tutorial on how to make make a color themed map, click HERE.

1.6 Print Miasma Map

After you have verified that your network is correct, print the final map layers and generate reports documenting all data for inclusion in the interim report. Note that link ID alone is not suitable means to identify links in a table. Please include A-Node, B-Node, and/or link name.

1.7 Prepare Task 1 Documentation

Please label the first section Introduction and provide a brief summary of the prior Miasma Beach transportation study, including what planned improvements were actually implemented in the intervening 10 years. Label subsequent sections Chapter 1 through Chapter 6, corresponding to defined project work tasks. The last section should be labeled Summary and Recommendations.

Prepare Task 1 documentation, including TransCAD maps and tables. Append a project Glossary containing at least four key terms from the Task 1 analysis (the Glossary will be extended in each subsequent task). Use graphic capture and rendering tools. Follow Format Guidelines in the preparation of this document. This material will be submitted as part of the first Interim Report (see Task 2).

Video Summary:

• Building a map
• Editing a line layer
• Editing an area layer
• Formulating atributes
• Start and end nodes of a link
• Color themed maps