AITPM Technical Forum – SA Branch The SA Branch was particularly fortunate to secure the time of Bill Gehling, who is currently working in the United States, but was on a short visit to his home town of Adelaide. Approximately 22 people turned up to hear Bill’s presentation. Bill is currently involved in a project to develop a travel mode simulation model. This involves the collection of data on the factors that influence the decision choices that individuals make when determining their travel mode, which included walking, cycling, public transport (bus and train) and private vehicle. It attempts to take into account behavioral issues and why people choose the relevant travel modes. Although based on New York data, Bill has found that the information can be extrapolated to other urban locations by attributing information and characteristics for similar groups of people. The simulated results were subsequently verified by survey. This showed that although minor differences were obtained (as might be expected) the patterns produced by the simulation modelling were in fact, very close to those obtained by survey, with the predicted modal choices being strongly supported by the surveyed data. Data is still being collected ands assessed, and as the development of the model is only in its early stages, the results are extremely encouraging. It can be assumed that if (when) the model is fully developed, it could be used as a planning tool to assist in ensuring that projects and new developments are in keeping with a broad range of government policies that will lead to greater use of public transport and other sustainable transport modes. Bill’s presentation was both interesting and informative, and
was an excellent example of how a predictive simulation model could
be used to reinforce and encourage greater use of sustainable modes
of transport. |
Sept. 2005 : Simulation Modelling Tools for Walking and Cycling : Bill Gehling July 2005 : Transit Strategies - Neil Smith - Dorens Transit Bus Rapid
Transit : |