Staff and Responsibilities
Members and Responsibilities
Members and Responsibilities
Transportation Policy Committee
Technical Advisory Committee
MPO Staff 

  

 

   Introduction  
 

Demographics such as population, household income, household size, and employment play a key role in transportation planning process.  Changes in these demographics have a direct impact on travel behavior and travel patterns.  Travel patterns and behavior help in estimating demand for travel which in turn provides the information to project on what transportation improvements would be required for the next 20-year planning horizon.

The study area consisting of: Nueces and San Patricio counties had an estimated population of 380,783 in 2000. The region consists of 1,873 square miles with a population density of 203.30 residents per square mile.
 
 
   Travel Demand Forecasting  
 

The MPO provided the Texas Department of Transportation, Transportation Planning and Programming Division, the employment and population data for the base year 2005, forecasted year 2035, and the existing transportation network to validate and calibrate the travel demand model for the two-county area (Nueces and San Patricio Counties).  The model is calibrated through an iterative process where the data is adjusted until assigned traffic volumes match counted volumes. 

The 2005 Base Year Model is capable of replicating existing traffic volumes and Vehicle Miles Traveled (VMT).  The forecast model 2035, assumes that by providing the base year model with forecasted demographic data and forecasted highway systems, the MPO can estimate travel demand on the future system.  Once the Travel Demand Model is validated, forecasted demographics and network improvements can be used to validate the base year trip rates, trip length, frequency distributions, and roadway speed and capacity values.  

The Travel Demand Model is a valuable tool because it provides data that will help public officials and the MPO to make decisions on which projects and road improvements should be developed in the area, not only a long term, but also a short term for the Transportation Improvement Program.  The travel demand model is also a valuable tool in helping to:

  • Identify major employment centers

  • Establish and improve zoning and land use policies

  • Establish and improve utilities’ systems.

  • Encourage economic development

  • Analyze traffic impacts due to new development

  • Analyze travel patterns
 
   Updates  
 

The MPO staff plans to update population, employment, and network data every five years to facilitate the decision making process and the public’s understanding of the transportation infrastructure development process. The Corpus Christi MPO in cooperation with Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) and the Texas Transportation Institute (ITT) in the next five year period will be reviewing the demographic data and its preparation to enhance the confidence in the data and its output results in the form of travel demand model. 

As stated earlier, population forms the basis of estimating trips.  For accurate simulation of existing travel demand, demographic information is compiled for a reasonable size unit called the Traffic Analysis Zone (TAZ).  An in-depth analysis of demographic trends was done to estimate the base year and the future years' trip generation to estimate the transportation system needs for the future.

The Maps below respectively show population and total employment by TAZs for the year 2006 and 2035.  The MPO, in cooperation with the City of Corpus Christi, developed the 2005 base year and 2035 population and employment data projection to be used in the Travel Demand Model currently being processed by the Texas Department of Transportation in Austin.

For data and map information contact MPO Transportation Planner Victor Mendieta. 
 
 
 

2006 Population Map

2006 Total Employment Map

  
   
 

Adobe Acrobat Maps (click on maps)

  
 

2035 Population Map

2035 Total Employment Map

  
   
 

 Adobe Acrobat Maps (click on maps)

  
   
 

5151 Flynn Parkway, Suite 404     Corpus Christi, Texas  78411     Tel: 361.884.0687     Fax: 361.884.8529     Webmaster   Copyright 2005

  
     

The MPO is required to perform transportation planning activities within this area.  However, in 1995, the MPO decided to include the entire two-county area (Nueces and San Patricio) and a small portion of Aransas County (within the Aransas Pass city limits) to collect demographic, employment, land use and street classification data.  The reason for doing it was to analyze the regional impact of population and employment and to be ready if the area is designated as a non-attainment area for the ambient air quality.  Subsequently, the Texas Department of Transportation required the identification of total transportation needs in Nueces and San Patricio counties as part of the Texas Metropolitan Mobility Plan.
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Introduction
Travel Demand Forecasting
Updates
2006 Population and Total Employment Maps
 2035 Population and Total Employment Maps

Quick List of Population and Employment Maps

 

Corpus Christi MPO Area Population and Employment - 2006 to 2035 
CORPUS CHRISTI, TEXAS
According to the 2000 Census, Texas grew from 16,986,510 in 1990 to 20,851,820 in 2000 reflecting an increase of 23 percent growth. During this same time period, the study area had an increase from 349,894 persons to 380,783 persons which reflected an 9 percent change.