Integrated Transport Model for Thuringia - Research and Scientific Support

Knowledge of historical, existing and future transport structures is crucial when it comes to transport policy and infrastructure planning. In this regard, the Integrated Transport Model for Thuringia is an important analysis and planning tool. From a quantitative perspective, the model deals with how transport services and the underlying transport infrastructure are used to move people and goods from one place to another whilst mapping their interdependencies.

The Integrated Transport Model for Thuringia, developed at and run by the Transport and Spatial Planning Institute, embodies a cross-modal approach to research and planning. It is based on many years of research collaboration between the University of Applied Sciences Erfurt and the Thuringian State Office for Building and Transport. The Thuringia transport model can be used to provide solutions to problems relating to network planning and to assist with small-scale analyses. It is also used for teaching purposes in the Master's degree program. Current transport issues are addressed in Master's, Bachelor's and project work.

This transport model, which operates on a trip-end approach, is based on a comprehensive, community-specific structural database. In addition to socio-economic parameters such as population figures, jobs, places in schools and economic data, it also provides land use information such as industrial/commercial areas or points of interest for calculating transport demand. As a starting point, the traffic distribution model is based on the evaluation and application of data taken from MID (mobility in Germany) and SrV (system of representative traffic surveys). Apportionment calculations are carried out using commercial transport planning software.

Based on the results of this transport modelling, it is possible to draw conclusions about traffic loads, passenger numbers and a large variety of parameters for private and public transport and to provide recommendations for decision-makers. The project is currently being expanded to include bicycle traffic with the aim of providing a nationwide bicycle model as a research and planning tool.

The main fields of activity in the area of transport modelling are:

• developing and maintaining analyses and forecasts for motorized individual transport
• making passenger forecasts and optimizing regional rail transport service planning
• analyzing and forecasting European road freight transport
• conducting accessibility analyses for motorized individual transport and public transport
• providing ongoing academic support for the state's road infrastructure planning
• performing economic evaluations and decision-making procedures (Federal Transport Infrastructure Plan, Guideline for Integrated Network Design)
• staging Thuringia's basic network/supply data for private and public transport.