Capability: Traffic Modelling
Demand for transport is constantly changing, whether it be through development of business and housing, or new transport infrastructure and traffic management schemes.
Traffic models can help to objectively answer important questions, such as:
QTP can assist with answering these questions, allowing informed decisions to be made about whether and in what form development or infrastructure should proceed.
Example of QTP Service
Historically, transport planning in Christchurch has been based on relatively coarse strategic traffic modelling, supplemented with detailed and costly project models being developed for most transport planning studies. Christchurch City Council recognised the potential benefit of a single model covering the whole of the city, at an appropriate level of detail to identify the likely operational performance of transport schemes and development impacts. QTP led the development of the CAST traffic model, identified as an example of best practice by the peer reviewer.
The CAST model is the largest traffic simulation model in New Zealand. QTP's attention to detail, depth of knowledge and adoption of innovative practices in the building of the model has yielded a very accurate modelling tool that in the right hands can be applied expediently and robustly to inform transport decisions.
The CAST model has since been used to prioritise the District Plan capital programme, to appraise road schemes, the impact of major resource consents and potential changes to the District Plan. It has also been used by CERA as the basis of informing the development of the transport networks identified within the Christchurch Central Recovery Plan.
QTP have also developed an innovative Strategic Cycle Model, based on CAST, which provides an objective method of appraising the potential demands for, and benefits of alternative cycle facilities (both location and type).
Our development of the CAST Safety Interface allows the safety implications of transport schemes or development to be identified across the city.
Together, this suite of modelling tools provides an unprecedented basis to efficiently, robustly and consistently inform decision making on transport in Christchurch.
Traffic models can help to objectively answer important questions, such as:
- What is the potential impact of land use development and/or transport infrastructure on traffic patterns ?
- How will this affect levels of congestion on the road network ?
- What measures may be appropriate to mitigate potential adverse effects ?
- How can infrastructure projects and packages be designed to maximise benefits ?
QTP can assist with answering these questions, allowing informed decisions to be made about whether and in what form development or infrastructure should proceed.
Example of QTP Service
Historically, transport planning in Christchurch has been based on relatively coarse strategic traffic modelling, supplemented with detailed and costly project models being developed for most transport planning studies. Christchurch City Council recognised the potential benefit of a single model covering the whole of the city, at an appropriate level of detail to identify the likely operational performance of transport schemes and development impacts. QTP led the development of the CAST traffic model, identified as an example of best practice by the peer reviewer.
The CAST model is the largest traffic simulation model in New Zealand. QTP's attention to detail, depth of knowledge and adoption of innovative practices in the building of the model has yielded a very accurate modelling tool that in the right hands can be applied expediently and robustly to inform transport decisions.
The CAST model has since been used to prioritise the District Plan capital programme, to appraise road schemes, the impact of major resource consents and potential changes to the District Plan. It has also been used by CERA as the basis of informing the development of the transport networks identified within the Christchurch Central Recovery Plan.
QTP have also developed an innovative Strategic Cycle Model, based on CAST, which provides an objective method of appraising the potential demands for, and benefits of alternative cycle facilities (both location and type).
Our development of the CAST Safety Interface allows the safety implications of transport schemes or development to be identified across the city.
Together, this suite of modelling tools provides an unprecedented basis to efficiently, robustly and consistently inform decision making on transport in Christchurch.