Decision Support Tools - Thematic Research Summary - Transport ...

Recommendations for further research concerning the developed European transportnetwork model consist in (TRANSTOOLS, 2008):• Optimisation of the software codes and data flows in order to reduce runningtimes;• Improvement of its user-friendliness;• Improvement of its modelling capability by extending the network, estimatingmatrices for intra-zonal traffic, providing links to other models (e.g energy models,environmental models, etc.), including neighbouring countries (near Europe),improving modelling air and sea transport modelling, including containerisation,enhancing links to national models, including generation and attractioninformation, making it possible for users to change model parameters.As to transport modelling in the New Member States, a number of bottlenecks have beenidentified, which further research could help to overcome (MOTOS, 2007):• lack of reliable, adequate and up-to-date information and data (there is lowavailability of high-quality data and a non-uniform structure of initial data),especially socio-economic data;• lack of qualified personnel for using and developing transport models;• Lack of applicable professional software/programmes and lack of resources forpurchasing the software;• Lack of standard types of transport models, which sometimes results in a lack ofinterest in transport modelling.Concerning innovative urban transport and mobility, research has made the followingrecommendations (NICHES, 2007):• In spite of the progress made in understanding the impact of measures to tackleurban transport problems, there is still a lack of adequate decision support tools.Therefore the improvement of assessment methodologies and creation of practicaldecision support tools is recommended.• It is also recommended to strengthen research on relations between urbantransport measures and urban development and land use planning.• Low birth rates and increasing life expectancy will result in new mobility patternsand demand. So it is advised to better understand the impact of demographicchange on urban transport.• Research is required to better understand patterns of urban freight traffic.• Even though behavioural aspects play a crucial role in transport and mobility,research is much more focused on technology, underestimating these aspects.Understanding can be enhanced by involving experts in social and behaviouralpsychology, economy, law, political and planning science and health science.Thematic Research Summary: “Decision Support Tools” Page: 58 of 74Transport Research Knowledge Centre