The problem

Modelling the effects of policy changes and social and infrastructure developments on transport systems is a difficult but crucial task. There is a lack of consistency in the methods used in different European countries, and this has been made even more significant by recent EU enlargements. To plan an integrated future for European transport, it is crucial to develop common modelling methods based on careful analysis of user needs and the main challenges in transport modelling in the newer Member States.

Overview:

MOTOS will define common good practice principles for national and regional transport modelling, to develop a standardised approach for use across the expanded European Union.

The project will:

• Identify the needs of transport modellers and the policy-makers and others who use the models
• Identify and describe best practices in transport modelling and the integration of national and regional models to develop EU-wide solutions
• Produce a handbook for setting up, enhancing and linking regional and national transport models

Contribution to policy development:

• MOTOS will produce methods to quantify the impact of new transport policy initiatives across the expanded EU.
• It will result in data to improve forecasting and enhance the quality of investment decisions.
• It will deliver improved insights into complex interactions among transport changes across different sectors, countries and regions.

Project deliverables

• Review of user needs in transport modelling – December 2006
• Review of the state of the art and best practice examples – January 2007
• Common best practice principles – February 2007
• Handbook on transport modelling – April 2007
• MOTOS final conference – May 2007

Dissemination

• Website carrying all MOTOS’ products – from July 2006
• Electronic newsletters – from June 2006
• Contacts established through a users workshop and steering group of users – from August 2006
• The MOTOS Handbook on transport modelling – available from April 2007
• MOTOS final conference – May 2007

Technical information

Project acronym: MOTOS
Project’s official full title: Transport Modelling: Towards Operational Standards in Europe
Research priority: Forecasting and developing innovative policies for sustainability in the medium and long term
Specific webpage: http://www.motosproject.eu
Proposal/contract no: 022670
Start date: 1 June 2006
Kick off meeting: 8 June 2006
Completion date: 31/06/2007
European Commission scientific officer: Istvan RITZ, Istvan.RITZ@ec.europa.eu

Coordinator:
Name: Goudappel Coffeng BV
Abbreviated name: Goudappel
Address: PO Box 161, 7400 AD Deventer
Country: Netherlands
Tel: +31 570 666222
Fax: +31 570 666888
Website: http://www.goudappel.nl

Partners

Name: Netherlands Organisation for Applied Scientific Research (TNO)
Abbreviated name: TNO
Country: Netherlands 

Name: Centre for Traffic and Transport, Technical University of Denmark
Abbreviated name: DTU
Country: Denmark     

Name: Research Institute for Transport Economics P.P.
Abbreviated name: OBET P.P
Country: Poland         

Name: Transman Consulting for Transport System Management Ltd
Abbreviated name: TRANSMAN
Country: Hungary

Name: Kungliga Tekniska Högskolan
Abbreviated name: KTH
Country: Sweden       

Name: SUDOP PRAHA a.s.
Abbreviated name: SUDOP
Country: Czech Republic

Name: Transport Research Institute, Vilnius Gediminas Technical University
Abbreviated name: VGTU
Country: Lithuania