Manage Analysis Inputs
Analysis module parameters are variable input assumptions used to localize analysis and test technology or policy-based targets into the future. Parameters can be varied by scenario, allowing you to test different configurations of assumptions in concert with land use alternatives. Each module comes loaded with a set of default assumptions, which can be changed based on your own data sources.
Analysis Module Parameters Manager
The Analysis Module Parameters Manager is accessed via Manage mode. You can use the manager to view, edit, and export parameters. Click the Analysis Modules tab to open the manager.
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View of the Analysis Module Parameters Manager
Along the left side of the screen you'll see a list of the analysis modules. Selecting a module brings up its parameters, grouped by type, with values for each scenario organized into columns. At the top right of the screen are controls to access methodology documentation and export a table of parameter values for the current module.
Parameters
Hovering over the names of the parameters and/or parameter group names (for example, Residential Building Electricity Use Rates) brings up their descriptions. The unit for each parameter is indicated alongside the parameter name. The default units may not be edited.
Parameter Values
Upon project creation, all modules are populated with default values. Defaults are the same for all scenarios, including the Base Scenario. The values may represent data differentiated by climate zone, region, or state, or may apply nationally. For more information about the default parameters used for specific modules, refer to the analysis module methodology documentation.
You can edit any parameter values by double-clicking them and entering new values. If edited, parameter values show up in blue text. Values can always be reset back to the defaults, by group (as shown below for Residential Building Natural Gas Use Rates). Values can also be copied from one scenario to another, by group, using the Copy Values control.
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Energy Use module parameters
Values must be saved to be applied. Updating values will render any existing analysis runs for the affected module and scenario(s) out of date.
Policy Scenarios
Scenarios may be used to compare the impacts of technological or policy-based changes alone—for example, you may compare the energy use impacts of compact growth coupled with parameters to reflect modest improvements in energy efficiency as compared to strong improvements in energy efficiency as supported by aggressive policy targets.
From this screen, you can create a new scenario as a copy of an existing scenario using the Duplicate scenario option. This will duplicate the land use and analysis module parameters of the selected scenario. From there, you can edit parameters to differentiate the scenario.
Module Dependencies
While all modules are run independently, some modules rely on output from other modules. For example, carbon emissions are calculated based on energy use, water use, and transportation. In this and other cases, the parameters management screen will contain links to the other modules.
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Module dependencies are noted where applicable
Set Analysis Module Parameters
Enter Manage mode by clicking the Manage mode button
in the Mode bar. The Manage mode screen appears.Click the Analysis Modules tab, if it is not active already. The Analysis Module Parameters Manager appears.
Analysis Module Parameters Manager
Select a module from the list at left. The parameter screen for the module appears.
Double-click on values to edit them. Manually enter or adjust values as needed. Edited values appear in blue text.
Editing parameter values
Click Save to save your edits. Otherwise, click Discard to revert values to their previous state.
Run (or re-run) the analysis module to see results. Changing the analysis parameters of a scenario renders any previous analysis as out of date. The module must be run again to apply the new parameters.
To save a copy of the analysis assumptions, click the Export button
in the upper right corner of the screen. An Excel spreadsheet containing the current module's analysis parameters for all scenarios is downloaded to your computer.
Reset parameter values back to their defaults
Hover over the header for a group of values in a scenario and click the Expand menu button
that appears.Select Reset to defaults. The selected group of parameter values are reset to the defaults.
Resetting parameters to use default values
Click Save to save your edits. Otherwise, click Discard to revert values to their previous state.
Copy parameter values between scenarios
Hover over the header for a group of values in a scenario and click the Expand menu button
that appears.Select the scenario from which you want to copy values. The group of parameter values from the selected scenario are copied over.
Copying parameter values from one scenario to another
Click Save to save your edits. Otherwise, click Discard to revert values to their previous state.
Analysis Module Parameters
Land Consumption
Minimum Dwelling Unit Density – Expressed in dwelling units per acre. A residential density threshold above which land is considered to be developed or "consumed."
Minimum Employment Density – Expressed in jobs per acre. An employment density threshold above which land is considered to be developed or "consumed."
Energy Use
Residential Building Electricity Use / Natural Gas Use Rates
Electricity rates are expressed in kilowatt-hours (kWh) per household, per year by housing type. Natural gas use rates are expressed in therms. Housing types, as specified in Building and Place Types, include:
Single-family detached, large lot – Refers to lot sizes over 5,500 square feet.
Single-family detached, small lot – Refers to lot sizes under 5,500 square feet.
Single-family attached – Refers to townhomes, rowhomes, and other single-family attached unit types.
Multifamily – Refers to apartments and condominiums in multi-unit buildings.
Commercial Building Electricity Use / Natural Gas Use Rates
Electricity rates are expressed in kilowatt-hours (kWh) per square foot, per year by building use type. Natural gas use rates are expressed in therms. Building use types, which correspond to employment subsectors as specified in Building and Place Types, include:
Other retail
Retail services
Restaurant
Accommodation
Office services
Wholesale
Medical Services
Education
Arts and entertainment
Transportation/Warehouse
Public administration
Adjustment Factors
Adjustment factors are multipliers that are used to adjust total energy use calculations up or down. The factors may be used to broadly calibrate the energy use calculations to local data, or express broad shifts in energy use into the future. A factor of 0.8, for example, is the equivalent of reducing calculated energy use by 20%. The factors can be set by sector and fuel type, including:
Residential Electricity
Residential Natural Gas
Commercial Electricity
Commercial Natural Gas
Water Use
Residential Indoor Water Use Rates
Rates are expressed in gallons per capita, per day by housing type. Housing types, as specified in Building and Place Types, include:
Single-family detached, large lot – Refers to lot sizes over 5,500 square feet.
Single-family detached, small lot – Refers to lot sizes under 5,500 square feet.
Single-family attached – Refers to townhomes, rowhomes, and other single-family attached unit types.
Multifamily – Refers to apartments and condominiums in multi-unit buildings.
Commercial Indoor Water Use Rates
Rates are expressed in gallons per employee, per day by employment subsector. Distributions of employment by subsector are specified in Building and Place Types, including:
Retail services
Restaurant
Accommodation
Arts and entertainment
Other retail
Office services
Education
Public administration
Medical services
Wholesale
Transportation/Warehouse
Construction
Utilities
Manufacturing
Extraction
Military
Agriculture
Reference Evapotranspiration
A measure of water loss to the atmosphere for a "reference crop" of turf grass. Expressed in inches of water per year, this value varies by climate and is used to determine outdoor water use.
Adjustment Factors
Adjustment factors are multipliers that are used to adjust total water use calculations up or down. The factors may be used to broadly calibrate the water use calculations to local data, or express broad shifts in water use due to improved efficiency or conservation into the future. A factor of 0.8, for example, is the equivalent of reducing calculated water use by 20%. The factors can be set by sector for indoor water use and outdoor landscape irrigation (outdoor water use):
Residential Irrigation
Commercial Irrigation
Residential Indoor
Residential Outdoor
Walk Accessibility
Walk Speed – Expressed in miles per hour. The default value is 3.
Retail Location – A number n used to calculate the nth nearest retail location. The default value is 5.
Transit Accessibility
Service Start Time – The Transit Accessibility module accounts for service according to transit schedule data, incorporating services meeting the start and end time parameters specified. The default start time is 7 am.
Service End Time – The Transit Accessibility module accounts for service according to transit schedule data, incorporating services meeting the start and end time parameters specified. The default end time is 10 pm.
Walk Speed – Expressed in miles per hour. The default value is 3.
Retail Location – A number n used to calculate the nth nearest retail location. The default value is 5.
Transportation
School Trip Factor – A multiplier to estimate school trips.
Truck VMT Factor – A multiplier to estimate commercial truck travel relative to total passenger vehicle VMT.
Annualization – A factor indicating the relationship between daily and annual VMT. The default is 350.
Emissions
Transportation GHG Emission Factors
Fuel Economy – On-road average fuel economy, in miles per gallon.
Fuel CO2 Equivalent Emission Rate – Carbon dioxide-equivalent emissions per gallon of fuel, in pounds per gallon.
Transportation Air Pollutant Emission Factors
Nitrogen Oxide – Emissions in grams per mile.
Particulate Matter 10 – Emissions in grams per mile.
Particulate Matter 2.5 – Emissions in grams per mile.
Sulfur Oxide – Emissions in grams per mile.
Carbon Monoxide – Emissions in grams per mile.
Volatile Organic Compounds – Emissions in grams per mile.
Energy Use GHG Emission Factors
Electricity CO2 Equivalent – Carbon dioxide-equivalent emissions per megawatt-hour of electricity, in pounds per gallon.
Natural Gas CO2 Equivalent – Carbon dioxide-equivalent emissions per therm of natural gas, in pounds per gallon.
Water Supply GHG Emission Factors
Indoor Water Use – Electricity use associated with the transport, treatment, and distribution of water and wastewater, in kilowatt-hours per million gallons of indoor water use.
Outdoor Water Use – Electricity use associated with the transport, treatment, and distribution of water, in kilowatt-hours per million gallons of outdoor water use.
Household Costs
Water Use Costs
Residential Water – Cost per thousand gallons, in dollars.
Energy Use Costs
Residential Electricity – Retail cost per kilowatt-hour, in dollars.
Residential Natural Gas – Retail cost per therm, in dollars.
Transportation Costs
Auto Fuel – Retail cost per gallon, in dollars.
Auto Ownership and Maintenance – Cost per mile for auto ownership and maintenance.
Fuel Economy – On-road average fuel economy, in miles per gallon.
Risk and Resilience
Sea Level Rise – Indicates input data used: NOAA Sea Level Rise.
Wildfire Risk – Indicates input data used: USFS Wildfire Hazard Potential (U.S. outside California); CALFIRE Fire Hazard Severity Zones (in California).
Flood Risk – Indicates input data used: FEMA Flood Hazard Areas.