Travel Demand Modelling

Offering world-class expertise in developing travel demand models to understand travel behaviour and predict future travel demand at urban, regional and national levels

Research, commentary, and events

  • Electric vehicle at charging station, photo by scharfsinn86 J&K/Adobe Stock

    Project

    Identifying patterns and factors affecting adoption of electric vehicles across the UK

    Researchers examined patterns of electric vehicles adoption across the country to help locate areas where investment in electric repair and servicing skills is needed.

    01 Mar 2021

  • Traffic on the streets of London

    Project

    Developing a New Transport Demand Model for the London Area

    With rising populations in London leading to higher demand on road and transport networks, Transport for London asked researchers to develop a new strategic travel model for London, which will be used to develop strategic land use and transport policy scenarios to assist with future investment in London’s transport systems.

    01 Mar 2021

  • Rush hour on the A38(M) urban motorway at Aston, Birmingham, UK.

    Project

    A review of induced travel demand

    Through an extensive literature review, researchers found evidence that road capacity improvements result in induced travel demand, but most of the evidence came from large metropolitan areas outside the UK. More evidence from local studies would be helpful to ensure induced travel demand is properly accounted for in appraisal of capacity improvements to the UK's Strategic Road Network.

    28 Nov 2018

  • Project

    A New Transport Model for South East Wales

    RAND Europe researchers developed models capable of predicting levels of transport demand in South East Wales in response to a range of different policy options and in light of demographic changes.

    18 Sep 2018

  • Container ships in a port at sunset

    Project

    Improved connectivity would benefit China's BRI

    Trade routes developed as part of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) aim to promote regional cooperation in Asia, Europe, and Africa. Improving multimodal transport infrastructure and connectivity in the BRI region would likely benefit all partners, and rail improvements would have the greatest impact.

    08 Aug 2018

  • AutoNOMOS self-driving car drives during a presentation in Zurich, Switzerland, May 12, 2015

    Commentary

    What If Autonomous Vehicles Actually Make Us More Dependent on Cars?

    Cities across Europe are taking steps to become increasingly car free. Mayors, supported by their officials and planners, should start leading a debate now about how self-driving vehicles can best serve the needs of residents and visitors, and help deliver wider goals for their cities.

    19 Jun 2018

  • H.C. Andersens Boulevard - January Evening in Copenhagen

    Project

    Quantifying travellers’ willingness to pay for a tolled tunnel in central Copenhagen

    Stated choice experiments helped researchers quantify the willingness of car and van travellers to pay to use a proposed new tunnel to cross to and from Amager in central Copenhagen. The results from this study will inform the Danish Road Directorate's proposed new infrastructure.

    21 Mar 2018

  • Project

    Updating the UK National Car Ownership Model

    The UK car ownership model was known to over-predict car ownership in dense urban areas, particularly London. In re-estimating the UK's current car ownership models using more recent data, researchers made improvements to the model specifications.

    22 Dec 2017

  • Class 395 "Javelin" high-speed train operated by Southeastern, at Ebbsfleet International

    Project

    Understanding the Demand for Rail Travel in the UK

    An analysis of the National Travel Survey allowed researchers to quantify the impact of external socio-economic factors on rail demand. Application of the improved models for forecasting purposes requires the collation of socio-economic and demographic forecast data at an appropriately granular level.

    27 Apr 2017

  • An approximate view of the London Commuter Belt showing commuter towns and the main road and rail links into the city. Urban areas in and around London are grey.

    Project

    Developing a New National Transport Model for the UK

    At the request of the Department for Transport, RAND Europe and Atkins are updating the UK's national transport model using current datasets. The project team may also suggest further enhancements to improve the forecasting functionality and/or consistency of the model.

    15 Mar 2016