This case study examines the recent update and completion of the Regional Travel Demand Model (RTDM) for the AMBAG region. The model recently underwent a significant overhaul and was completely re-estimated using local survey data from the California Household Travel Survey (CHTS). An integral component to the upgrade process was the implementation of advanced practice techniques such as population synthesis to drive a disaggregate trip generation and choice modeling to aid in better alignment of housing to job location. The new approach also helps meet and exceed the requirements of the Strategic Communities Initiative in the State of California. The adoption of the advanced practice methods in the AMBAG RTDM stops short of the full adoption of an activity-based approach yet allows for a richer resolution to be introduced into the modeling process in an attempt to provide increased model sensitivity to land use changes and 4D measures (Density, Diversity, Design, and Destinations). In addition, this new modeling approach improves the model's capabilities in dealing with the diverse and disparate jobs and housing mix in the AMBAG region by better aligning home locations with appropriate employment. The new model represents a pragmatic and cost-effective approach for introducing more behavioral and lifestyle realism into the modeling process while not incurring additional survey cost above what is typically provided in California. The discussion will conclude with examples of model applications and sensitivity analysis that assisted in the decision making process for various local initiatives.