Navigating the Future of Transportation with SEMCOG's Multimodal Tool

In a world where transportation demands are continuously evolving, the competition for space on our roads has never been fiercer. Urban planners and transportation professionals face the challenge of accommodating diverse travel modes within limited right-of-way areas. Enter SEMCOG's Multimodal Tool, developed by Blue Raster in partnership with Fehr & Peers and the Southeast Michigan Council of Governments (SEMCOG). This innovative digital planning tool is transforming how communities plan, design, and evaluate complete streets for autos, freight, pedestrians, bikes, and transit.

Understanding the Multimodal Tool

The Multimodal Tool was designed with clear objectives in mind:

Address Growing Competition: It helps local communities manage the increasing competition between different travel modes for the limited space within the right-of-way.
Clarify Project Limitations: The tool assists users in understanding what is allowed for each project within different road jurisdictions.
Prioritize Modes Efficiently: It provides a framework for communities to collaborate with SEMCOG and the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) to prioritize travel modes on specific corridors or districts while adhering to operational standards.

With these goals, the tool supports county and local jurisdictions in Southeast Michigan, various stakeholders, community organizations, and staff from SEMCOG and MDOT. It can be used for state, county, and local roads within Southeast Michigan, promoting a balanced and inclusive approach to transportation planning.

The Four Steps of Using the Multimodal Tool

Step 1: Modal Network Viewer

The first step involves using the Modal Network Viewer. This feature allows users to:

View geospatial modal networks and tiers
Identify project corridors
Review modal priorities
Determine land use contexts

This comprehensive map view helps planners understand the existing transportation landscape and plan accordingly.

SEMCOG Multimodal Transportation Planning Tool

Map-centric landing page starts the project set up process

Step 2: Project Setup and Street Builder

Once a street segment is selected from the map, information stored in the GIS features is imported into the project set up panel. This information informs project set up and cross-section design to best accommodate the prioritized travel modes. The tool integrates Streetmix, an open-source technology that allows users to design their street cross-sections with ease. This step ensures that the design aligns with the specific land use context and serves all users effectively.

Project set up panel is populated with modal network information

Drag and Drop Components to Design a Complete Streets Cross Section

Step 3: Project Scoring

After designing the street cross-sections, the tool provides a level of service by mode, enabling users to evaluate how well the design meets the needs of all travelers. This scoring system is crucial for ensuring that the final design is not only functional but also equitable and efficient.

User's Inputs are Reflected in the Scoring and Cross Section Design Sections

Step 4: Share Your Project

The final step is sharing the constructed street segments with the wider team. Users can export their designs as printable PDFs or share them via a link. This feature fosters collaboration and ensures that all stakeholders are on the same page.

PDF Report of Scoring Summary based on User Input

Why This Tool Matters

The Multimodal Tool aids analysis and decision making around larger discussions covering economic development, livability, environmental sustainability, safety, and equity in local communities. By providing a structured approach to multimodal planning, the tool supports these broader goals and helps communities thrive.

Behind the Technology

The Multimodal Tool was built using cutting-edge technologies to ensure robust performance and usability:

ArcGIS Maps SDK for JavaScript: An application development framework used to develop rich mapping and spatial analysis applications for web.
React and NodeJS: These technologies provide a seamless user interface and efficient back-end processing.
Streetmix: This open-source software allows users to construct detailed street segments.
PostgreSQL: Databases handle the complex data management required for GIS analysis and transportation planning.

Join the Future of Multimodal Planning

The demands on our roads are evolving, and so must our approach to transportation planning. By leveraging advanced technologies, GIS, and a collaborative framework, SEMCOG's Multimodal Tool offers a promising solution for the challenges facing today's transportation professionals.

Learn more about how the Multimodal Tool can transform your transportation planning efforts and sign up for a demo today!