Development of a decision support system for the design of transport infrastructure

(VSS2000/339)

IVT staff

Michael Bernard
Prof. Kay W. Axhausen

Client

VSS
Swiss Association of Road and Traffic Experts

Duration

16/12/2002-30/06/2005

Keywords

Dimensioning of transport infrastructure, design traffic, demand and
capacity, dimensioning concepts

Abstract

Since their emergence in the 1930s, transport planning and engineering have
developed a range of concepts which help planners to design networks and
road infrastructures. 30th-hourly volume, peak 15-minute period, average
daily traffic etc. Parallely, though not integrated in these approaches,
several economically oriented evaluation concepts, such as the cost-
benefit analysis, have been conceptualised. Aim of the project is the
development of a modern dimensioning concept for transport infrastructure.
The concept shall suitably consider the variability of travel demand as
well as as the infrastructure's capacity. The underlying methodology
evaluates user costs (time and operational costs) and operator's costs
(investment and maintenance) appropriately and will furthermore match the
requirements of traffic safety, the environment and and political measures.
The concept will be based on the latest findings about the evaluation of
traffic related impacts on the environment and the society. The working
method of the project is the iteration of theoretical developments of
approaches, practical testing of case studies, discussion of the
feasibility with practians and the relevant expert commssions.

Aim of the project is the development of a modern dimensioning concept for
transport infrastructure. The concept shall suitably consider the
variability of travel demand as well as as the infrastructure's capacity.
The underlying methodology evaluates user costs (time and operational
costs) and operator's costs (investment and maintenance) appropriately and
will furthermore match the requirements of traffic safety, the environment
and and political measures. The concept will be based on the latest
findings about the evaluation of traffic related impacts on the environment
and the society. If necessary, special concepts for sub-tasks of transport
engineering are deduced from the overall approach. The results will go into
in a fundamental update of the norm SN 640 016 "design traffic".