VISUM goes environmental

To avoid traffic-related pollution, it is important to know the source and amount of pollutants emitted. PTV has developed a new method, which it has integrated into its VISUM transportation planning tool, that calculates all relevant pollutants and therefore enables traffic planners to address environmental issues while using traffic planning tools.
February 2, 2012 Read time: 2 mins
To avoid traffic-related pollution, it is important to know the source and amount of pollutants emitted. 3264 PTV has developed a new method, which it has integrated into its VISUM transportation planning tool, that calculates all relevant pollutants and therefore enables traffic planners to address environmental issues while using traffic planning tools.

Thomas Haupt, member of the Board of Directors of PTV, therefore emphasises: "The EU-Directive on emission levels urgently requires traffic-related measures in order to conform to the limit values, in particular those for NO2 levels. The new module now provides planning security and an officially recognised method for the calculation of pollutants."

Over ten years ago the environmental agencies of Germany, Switzerland and Austria pooled their resources to compile a comprehensive database of emission factors. Recently the handbook of emission factors (HBEFA) underwent a major revision. The emission factors were updated to take into account new engine concepts and emission standards, and the traffic situations for which emission factors are published were re-structured more systematically. Moreover Sweden, Norway and France joined the consortium, so that the revised HBEFA is on its way to becoming a truly European standard. With those recent developments, HBEFA perfectly complements VISUM for emission modelling.

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • PTV aids big data analysis in traffic
    March 19, 2015
    PTV Group has introduced a smart visualisation tool which it says has been developed for big data in traffic-related projects, a powerful GIS tool aimed at supporting GIS specialists and transportation professionals alike. PTV Visum Data Analytics combines map data with any traffic-related input and spatial information and visualises all data, allowing users to understand their networks in order to develop smart strategies and solutions. PTV Visum Data Analytics assists in getting started with graphical dat
    Read More
  • Reducing congestion essential to help buses meet EU NOX targets
    August 15, 2014
    Tailpipe data firm Emission Analytics has issued a warning to bus and vehicle fleet owners planning to retrofit their vehicles with nitrogen oxide (NOX) reducing equipment, as stringent real-world analysis is need to ensure they meet the EU emission targets. The firm says the Department for Transport (DfT) support for local authorities with up to £500,000 of funding from its £5 million Clean Vehicle Technology Fund is a positive step. However, the methods by which it monitors the NOX produced needs to be
    Read More
  • Will the European Electronic Tolling System serve its purpose?
    February 3, 2012
    ASECAP's Kallistratos Dionelis asks whether, despite the best intentions at the policy level, the European Electronic Tolling System can ever hope to serve the customer in the way it is intended to. Reality doesn't just happen. In many ways, reality is created. We first create or produce a reality and then we consume it; this takes time and has a cost that needs to be covered.
    Read More
  • Trials show fuel savings with connected vehicle technology
    December 16, 2015
    American and European trials point to fuel and emissions reductions. A trial by University of California-Riverside (UC-Riverside) has shown connected vehicle technology has the potential to reduce fuel consumption (and therefore emissions) by up to 18% compared with an uninformed driver.
    Read More

Highlighted Content