Abstract
This study aims to improve Indiana’s travel demand modeling practices by incorporating locally collected trip generation data and emerging e-commerce travel trends into INDOT’s planning framework. The research focuses on two primary objectives. First, it enhances trip generation procedures for high-impact land uses in Indiana, including warehouses, fast-food restaurants, gas stations, and truck stops. This effort includes reviewing existing ITE land use categories, prioritizing land uses for phased data collection, and developing improved trip generation equations that incorporate Indiana-specific independent variables and adjacent traffic conditions. Second, the study develops models to capture the transportation impacts of rapidly evolving e-commerce behavior. A statewide survey of Indiana residents is used to examine online and in-store shopping patterns, delivery preferences, return behaviors, barriers to e-commerce adoption, and sociodemographic influences on consumer choices. These data support the development of agent-based models to simulate microfreight travel demand and estimate outcomes such as vehicle miles traveled and the potential benefits of alternative fuel delivery vehicles. The study’s findings will support updates to Indiana’s Statewide Travel Demand Model and improve INDOT’s ability to forecast traffic impacts from new developments. By integrating local land use data and e-commerce-related travel behavior, this research provides a stronger foundation for infrastructure investment decisions, more accurate travel demand forecasts, and more sustainable transportation planning in Indiana.
Keywords
travel demand modeling, trip generation, e-commerce, agent-based modeling, vehicle miles traveled, online shopping behavior
Report Number
FHWA/IN/JTRP-2026/25
SPR Number
4906
Sponsoring Organization
Indiana Department of Transportation
Performing Organization
Joint Transportation Research Program
Publisher Place
West Lafayette, Indiana
Date of Version
2026
DOI
10.5703/1288284318707
Recommended Citation
Tumula, R. R., Yin, Z., Cai, H., & Gkritza, K. (2026). Development of Indiana-specific trip generation procedures and models of e-commerce demand: Implications for INDOT’s travel demand modeling and investment planning (Joint Transportation Research Program Publication No. FHWA/IN/JTRP-2026/25). West Lafayette, IN: Purdue University. https://doi.org/10.5703/1288284318707
SPR-4906 Technical Summary