Comparing Methods for Estimation of Daytime Population in Downtown Indianapolis, Indiana

Abstract

This paper compares two new methods for estimating daytime population against two existing models within downtown Indianapolis in Marion County, Indiana. The two existing models consist of the 2009 USA Daytime Population model created by ESRI and the LandScan Global Population Project developed by the Oak Ridge National Laboratory. A parking study of downtown Indianapolis, as prepared by the City of Indianapolis, Division of Metropolitan Development, is the basis of the first new method of estimating daytime population. The second method is a direct count of the daytime population using a methodology previously developed. Additionally, these four population estimates will be compared when applied to a scenario involving a hypothetical toxic gas plume.