Traffic and transport models

Traffic and transport models are used to describe and analyze the future design and function of the transport system, inform decision-makers and develop a deeper understanding of cause-and-effect relationships in the transport system.

VTI develops models for all modes of transport in both passenger and freight transport. This includes modeling of passenger and vehicle movements, their interaction with each other and the infrastructure, as well as behavioral patterns that affect and are affected by the function of the transport system. We also apply several models in practice in investigations and research projects.

VTI’s knowledge of model development is often used in national and international development and research projects. In particular, we contribute to the Swedish Transport Administration’s planning and control processes through ongoing research and development work.

Examples of project areas:

• Modeling of traffic processes, such as simulation of:
  – Road traffic (RuTSim)
  – Stations in public transport (pedestrian traffic and bus movements)
  – Self-driving and connected vehicles
  – Traffic effects of ITS in the vehicle and integrated into the infrastructure
  – Pedestrian traffic (PTSP)
  – Bicycle traffic
• Models of the distribution of trips in space and time
• Cross-modal modeling of travel demand and behavior,
• Multimodal, large-scale network simulation tools (e.g. MATSim)
• Network models (all aggregation levels, different modes of transport, all time scales)
• Models for coordinated planning of railway maintenance and traffic
• Statistical (data-based) modeling
• Multi-agent simulation.