The problem

Transport policy-makers use the results of models to do such things as forecast transport flows and assess the outcomes of different policy scenarios. Unfortunately, from a European policy-making perspective, there are a number of problems with current transportation models. This raises the need to build on and refine the latest state-of-the-art research in developing and combining pan-European models. This would be a logical extension of current and past modelling exercises, such as those performed in the IASON, TIPMAC, SCENES and TEN STAC projects.

Overview:

TRANS-TOOLS aims to produce a European transport network model for both passenger and freight transport, as well as intermodal transport, which overcomes the shortcomings of current models. Reflecting European diversity, different models will continue to be used at different levels for different purposes. But it is useful to set up an IPR free model on the basis of the best available knowledge, building on the modelling experience of the consortium partners.

The project will:

• Include intermodality issues for passenger and freight transport
• Provide full coverage of Central and Eastern Europe
• Integrate information on logistics and the freight chain
• Examine the effect of local congestion on long-distance traffic
• Produce a state-of-the-art European Transport Network Model

Contribution to policy development:

The TRANS-TOOLS model will:

• Help policy-makers to make sound judgements about alternative transport investment options
• Allow comparison of the effectiveness and efficiency of policies that aim to stimulate regional development with those that seek to ease such problems as congestion
• Give European policy-makers a greater understanding of how international and national traffic patterns relate to each other

Project deliverables

• Model specification and calibration results – January 2006
• TRANS-TOOLS software, complete with user and technical documents – June 2006
• Three transport scenarios for 2010, 2020 and the longer-term – August 2006
• Final conference on project results – August 2006

Dissemination

• Publications, presentations at scientific conferences and other events – Ongoing
• Creating and updating project website – Ongoing
• Final conference – August 2006
• Four-page leaflet to present project in non-technical terms – April 2005 and updated later in the project cycle
• Final plan to show how results will be exploited and disseminated – August 2006

Technical information

Project acronym: TRANS-TOOLS
Project’s official full title: TOOLS for Transport forecasting ANd Scenario testing
Research priority: 3.2. The development of tools, indicators and operational parameters for assessing sustainable transport and energy systems performance (economic, environmental and social)
Specific webpage: http://www.inro.tno.nl/transtools/index.html
Proposal/contract no: 502644
Start date: 1 October 2004
Kick off meeting: 18 October 2004
Completion date: 30 September 2006
European Commission scientific officer: Peter Vis

Coordinator:
Name: Netherlands Organisation for Applied Scientific Research
Abbreviated name: TNO Inro
Address: PO Box 6050,
NL-2600 JA Delft
Country: The Netherlands
Tel: +31 15 269 6900
Fax: +31 15 261 2403
Website: http://www.tno.nl/

Partners

Name: NEA Transport Research and Training
Abbreviated name: NEA
Country: The Netherlands

Name: TRT Trasporti e Territorio
Abbreviated name: TRT
Country: Italy

Name: University of Karlsruhe
Abbreviated name: IWW
Country: Germany

Name: Christian-Albrechts University, Kiel
Abbreviated name: CAU
Country: Germany

Name: Joint Research Centre
Abbreviated name: JRC
Country: Spain

Name: Technical University of Denmark
Abbreviated name: DTU/CTT
Country: Denmark

Name: Institute for the Study of Integrated Systems
Abbreviated name: ISIS
Country: Italy