GMNS: Workshop

September 14, 2025

01:30 PM – 03:00 PM at Thomas H. Swain Room

Treat Yo' Self and Specify Yo' Network

Building and maintaining transportation networks for travel models is often time-consuming and error-prone. This workshop introduces the General Modeling Network Specification (GMNS), a standardized, human- and machine-readable format developed by the Zephyr Foundation with support from FHWA. GMNS enables easier sharing of routable road network files across platforms and agencies.

Participants will also explore Network Wrangler 2.0, an open-source Python tool that simplifies network editing through “Project Cards” - standardized, human- and machine-readable text files that describe proposed changes to roadway, transit, pedestrian, or bicycle infrastructure. The tool automates network updates, supports scenario management, and facilitates collaboration across agencies and software platforms.

This hands-on workshop will guide participants through building GMNS- and Network Wrangler-ready travel model networks from scratch using open-source data. Attendees will learn how to create network scenarios with Network Wrangler and perform network analysis with GMNS standard networks, including transit accessibility evaluation. Live demonstrations will showcase how these tools streamline network development and scenario management for regional transportation planning.

The Google Colab notebook to build a San Francisco network can be found here: https://tiny.cc/SF_netwrangler