National Highways has launched a review of innovations in transport modelling, together with a survey to gather information and opinions from the sector.
A consortium led by WSP and Mott MacDonald was commissioned to carry out the review and 'identify and prioritise modelling, analytical and computational innovations to support better policy and investment decisions and future-proof these against emerging challenges'.
The consortium said: 'The horizon scan aims to unearth innovation without yet linking it to either existing frustrations experienced by modellers in National Highways, or their anticipated future challenges.
'Such innovations may come from (international) excellence within transport modelling itself, or by learning from other disciplines tackling similar simulation or computational problems. To help this process, we have identified a pyramid (pictured above) of transport modelling building blocks, and innovation may occur in any of these.'
Those working on the review include Tom van Vuren, a chartered transport planning professional, regional director for UK and Europe at Veitch Lister Consulting, visiting professor at the University of Leeds and a board director of the Transport Planning Society.
'We are interested in innovation related to three areas of interest: 1. Transport modelling and analytics tools that modellers use in practice; 2. Philosophies and implementation methods on which models are based; and 3. 'Under the Hood' technologies, the computers and architecture on which models run,' he said in a social media post.
'We would be grateful if you would complete the survey with your ideas about making our transport models better, faster, more robust.'
