Traffic modelling

We identify the benefits of new transport projects TRAFFIC MODELLING

MOE Tetraplan is often responsible for analysing future traffic flows when the social importance of major investments in new infrastructure is to be illustrated.

A new tunnel connection between Denmark and Sweden is on the drawing board. More specifically, linking Helsingør with Helsingborg, since both sides of the strait see the benefit of an additional fixed connection.

The plan is still at a very early stage, where two different options are being assessed in order to give politicians the best possible basis for making a decision. The options being studied are a connection just for vehicles and a road connection combined with a rail connection for passenger transport. This requires a comprehensive analysis of the expected number of vehicles and public transport travellers. MOE Tetraplan is responsible for this task on the Danish side. This involves using the The Danish National Transport Model, which has been designed to analyse traffic movements at the national level and to and from our neighbouring countries.

Our calculations will of course be used to assess mobility and possible bottlenecks. But they must also provide data for a socioeconomic analysis of different pricing scenarios for a fixed connection, where we will, for instance, look at how different pricing will affect the traffic on the fixed connection and the Øresund Bridge.

As Marie points out, the calculations in the traffic model are very extensive. As an illustration, it takes an entire week for a powerful computer to calculate each scenario.

A shorter distance to work? The traffic model calculations are used for an additional exercise, when assessing the overall benefit of such an investment. It makes good sense to map out, to what extent the scenarios in question will increase the accessibility to businesses, tourist attractions and educational institutions. Businesses can acquire better access to manpower, while it will give students easier access to a larger selection of educational institutions. It is not the first time that MOE Tetraplan is testing its abilities in this discipline. In the past the department has helped the Danish Road Directorate assess how a possible expansion of the Central Jutland motorways would match the needs of businesses and tourist attractions.

It is important to point out that accessibility must be understood from both sides. A business likes to be close to its workers, but on the other hand, workers also like to have as many businesses as possible to choose from. That is why we analyse both aspects, concludes Marie Bangsbo Andersen.

Marie Bangsbo Andersen Consultant Transport Planning Copenhagen

Improvement in access to labor as a result of new motorways in central Jutland.

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