Skip to main content

Modelling public transport in the era of intelligent transport systems

A new textbook, Modelling Public Transport Passenger Flows in the Era of Intelligent Transport Systems, explains for the first time how the effect of ITS technologies on passenger behaviour in public transport can be modelled. The textbook is the result of four years of intensive research and exchange, the results of which were presented and discussed at the TransITS Conference at the end of May. Over 140 participants from research, public transport providers and associations, the software industry and l
December 16, 2015 Read time: 3 mins
A new textbook, Modelling Public Transport Passenger Flows in the Era of Intelligent Transport Systems, explains for the first time how the effect of ITS technologies on passenger behaviour in public transport can be modelled.

The textbook is the result of four years of intensive research and exchange, the results of which were presented and discussed at the TransITS Conference at the end of May. Over 140 participants from research, public transport providers and associations, the software industry and lobby groups representing transport users attended the conference in Paris.

Under the framework of the TransITS COST Action programme funded by the European Union, researchers from 21 European countries investigated which available ITS developments could be used to benefit public transport and in what ways. They examined how modern technologies can be included in transport models in order to provide decision-makers with a solid basis for investing in implementation.

The results were brought together in an English-language textbook aimed at a broad audience that includes practitioners, decision-makers, researchers and students.

Modelling Public Transport Passenger Flows in the Era of Intelligent Transport Systems also offers practitioners ready-made formulae. "The book takes a detailed look at different models of passenger behaviour and explains the effects of different ITS technologies", says Dr Klaus Nökel, vice president product management and software development at PTV Group.

"Real-time public transport operational management, public transport prioritisation and dynamic passenger information – the use of intelligent transport systems at all levels is fundamentally changing the ways in which public transport is planned and modelled", says Nökel.

The book, which runs to almost 650 pages, shows them how the use of public transport will change over the coming years; how to create a seamless door-to-door mobility experience for passengers; and how to make the design of public transport provision more sensitive to demand by using planning tools and real-time technology.

Edited by Professor Guido Gentile of the Sapienza University of Rome and Dr Klaus Nökel, vice president product management and software development at PTV Group, the will be published in January 2016. Both editors will be present at the 856 Transportation Research Board (TRB) 95th Annual Meeting held in Washington, DC from 10-14 January 2016 at Walter E. Washington Convention Center.

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • Delivering dynamic traffic info with real time data and online modelling
    October 8, 2013
    PTV Group and its Japanese partner Kozo Keikaku Engineering (KKE) will take advantage of the ITS World Congress in Tokyo to present proposals for real-time traffic solutions, including efficient transportation systems, inter-modality and traffic management. The greater Tokyo conurbation is the world's largest metropolitan area and, although around 80 per cent of travel is by public transport, subject to notorious traffic congestion.
  • PTV Group provides software for the next European transport model
    February 4, 2016
    PTV is to provide its modelling software PTV Visum and associated professional services as part of the task to develop the European TRIMODE project, a comprehensive multimodal transport model that covers in detail all freight and passenger transport movements across Europe. The project also includes the economic structures that generate this transport demand and the energy and environmental impacts that it creates. TRIMODE is intended to become a robust, fully operational and integrated modelling system
  • PTV wins first ITS contract in Russia
    April 25, 2012
    Russian company Tolltec is currently implementing ITS technology to optimise the high traffic volumes on the 115km-long St. Petersburg's ring motorway that stretches around the whole city. As part of this project, PTV software, including the company's TrafficCountManagement and VISSIM, is part of the ITS technology used for St. Petersburg's ring road.
  • Multi-operator, multi-mode integrated travel information
    February 1, 2012
    David Crawford looks forward to the completion of Stockholm's JustNu project. End-2010 is the target date for delivery of the final stages of Stockholm public transport authority (PTA) Stockholms Lokaltrafik (SL)'s ambitious JustNu (Right Now) integrated travel information system. Installation began in 2004, and the result will represent a large-scale and highly exportable solution to the need for harmonisation of traveller information in urban regions with multiple transport operators.