The regional travel demand model, known as the TPB model, developed by the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments (MWCOG) is the source model for the Loudoun County model. The Loudoun County model was created by adding more detail to the Loudoun County portion of the model and reducing the detail in the remainder of the jurisdictions included in the model, so that the model data set is similar but is focused on Loudoun County. The added detail consists of a larger number of smaller, more detailed traffic analysis zones (TAZs), which are the unit of analysis for land use in the model, and a more detailed roadway network – for example, including not only the major facilities in the county but also the network of “minor arterials” and “collectors” that serve travel within the county. Many of the model components, such as the formulas for calculating trips on the basis of household characteristics, are derived from the regional model. However, the model uses data about Loudoun county households to perform these calculations, including data from the latest land use data and planning assumptions available. The data used to update the Loudoun County model in 2006 are listed in the “Summary of CTP Udpate_Process Scope and Data.pdf” memo on the documents page of the website.

The Loudoun County model was validated in 2006 as detailed in the memorandum available on the documents page: “Loudoun_Model_Evaluation_Report_Final_NOV06.pdf” The standards for model validation are available on-line from FHWA at http://tmip.fhwa.dot.gov/resources/clearinghouse/124

Further information on the TPB model can be found on the MWCOG website at http://www.mwcog.org/transportation/activities/models/ . Also, information about how the travel model and travel data are used in regional air quality planning can be found on the MWCOG website at http://www.mwcog.org/transportation/activities/quality/

Beginning in 2006, Loudoun County began the process to update the current Countywide Transportation Plan (CTP) which is a companion document to the Revised General Plan. Together these two documents give policy guidance on land and infrastructure development and direction for new area plans. The CTP also helps to inform residents and employers of the County's approach to addressing mobility needs and how the future transportation system may impact a specific neighborhood or property. The draft version of the CTP does include a chapter on Transit and Commuter Services.

This new Transit Plan (LCTP) once completed will shape public transportation infrastructure, investment and alternatives for the next 20 years. As Dulles Rail to Loudoun County becomes a reality, and the transit oriented developments of Moorefield Station and Loudoun Station get underway, there is a critical need to look at deployment of transit infrastructure including park and ride lots and the potential for intra-county service to serve rail.

Presently, there are references in the draft CTP to the more detailed Loudoun County Transit Plan (LCTP) that will be developed in 2008. The draft CTP is available on the website www.loudounctp.com for further details. It is expected that the CTP will be adopted before the Loudoun County Transit Plan is completed. The final Loudoun County Transit Plan (LCTP) will in effect add detail as referenced in the CTP to the three phases of transit services planned for Loudoun County.

A Comprehensive Plan review is required every 5 years per VA State Code (15.2-2230), and the prior CTP is dated 2001.  Given the rapid growth in Loudoun County since 2001, an update appeared prudent.  In October, 2005 the Loudoun Board initiated an amendment to review and update the Countywide Transportation Plan and approved funding for this effort in January 2006.  In June 2006, the Loudoun Board awarded the contract to revise the CTP to the firm of Michael Baker, Jr., Inc.

Michael Baker (the Consultant) was charged to perform four key tasks:

• Update the County’s transportation model using the most current Board-approved population and employment data (Round 7.0) to develop 2030 traffic estimates on Loudoun roads including 14 major corridors.
• Utilize 2030 traffic demand estimates to determine future traffic congestion.
• Make recommendations on major road corridors including buildable improvements, transit and travel demand strategies to address congestion.
• Prepare draft amendments to the CTP text and maps

• The CTP identifies the long-range transportation needs of the County, including the policies and the identified improvements that should be implemented over time as the county grows, and particularly as development requests are considered and processed.
• An important role of the CTP is to identify transportation corridors and improvements that should be taken into account as development occurs in the county, so that long-term transportation needs are able to be accommodated in the future with as little disruption as possible.

• Additional widening to the Route 7, Route 9, Route15, Route 28 and Route 267 (Dulles Greenway) corridors.
• Secondary road widening on Route 606, Loudoun County Parkway, Route 860 Extended, Route 600.
• New Road alignments including the Hillsboro Bypass between Route 9 and Route 7, Riverside Parkway and Route 860.
• Expanded bus service and HOV lanes

• Appendix 2 of the 2007 CTP Draft text lists priority projects in high, medium and low categories.
• High priority projects include widening and completing interchanges on Route 7, Route 28, Route 7/15 Leesburg Bypass, Route 50, Route 606, Loudoun County Parkway, safety improvements on Route 15 in the Lucketts area and conducting a number of feasibility studies to address long-term needs in several corridors.

• The conceptual corridors are corridors where a transportation need and/or demand has been identified, but where further study is needed to identify the best improvement and its location.
• These corridors would be studied in detail for feasibility, alternatives, and evaluation of impacts and effectiveness.

• The transportation needs analysis, further developed through analysis of a variety of 2030 alternatives, demonstrates both congestion and travel demand in these corridors exceeding the 2001 CTP improvements.
• Some indication of the need and the type of anticipated solution belongs in the draft plan as a starting point, subject to discussion and further refinement through the Public Hearing, Planning Commission, and Board of Supervisors review processes.

No.  Much of Alternative 3, with some adjustments and qualifiers, was recommended to the TLUC at their April 30th  meeting. These recommendations were subject to discussion at the meeting and some additional analysis after the meeting.  There are numerous differences between Alternative 3 and the draft CTP, and the draft CTP is the standing set of recommendations that is being offered for review and comment.