Delivering a transport scheme is a complex undertaking, costly and long in the making. Seeing the potential effects and problems in advance is therefore critical to its success. Modelling and simulationgive us a virtual laboratory in which to test different scenarios and identify the best solution.
What Traffic Modelling Can Do
Traffic modelling is a scientific tool that allows current and future traffic flows to be forecast using mathematical and statistical methods. It lets us quantify the effect on traffic of schemes such as a new road, a new junction or an extension to a public transport line. Our services include:
- Macro modelling: We build large-scale models covering an entire city or region in order to examine how the transport system behaves as a whole. Models of this kind support the strategic decisions taken in transport master plans.
- Micro modelling and simulation: We produce detailed simulations of a single junction, a road section or a small area. Modelling the behaviour of vehicles, pedestrians and cyclists individually gives a realistic visual analysis — well suited to detailed questions such as signal optimisation or car park access arrangements.
- Dynamic modelling: We analyse the effects of dynamic events such as congestion, queueing and collisions as they unfold, and establish the best way of responding to them.
The Advantages of Simulation
The main advantages simulation brings to transport projects are these:
- Reduced risk: Problems and risks can be identified in a virtual environment before any costly infrastructure investment is committed.
- Greater efficiency: Comparing design options and proposed solutions lets us identify the one that improves traffic flow most and keeps delay to a minimum.
- Stakeholder engagement: Presenting a scheme's effects visually helps decision-makers and the public understand and assess it.
- Sustainability: Analysing the environmental effects of proposed solutions — air pollution and fuel consumption — supports greener, more sustainable decisions.
With current software and technical infrastructure, we bring your project into the virtual world so that you can see the future today and take the right steps now. Get in touch to model the effects of your scheme on the transport system and find the best solution.