Case Studies

Case Study 1: Urban Transport

This case study will be using a policy analysis module for public and private urban transport (using as a core a four-step modelling system) that is being developed for the Attica Area in Greece. Using this policy module as a base,  we will develop different policy scenarios, regarding to pricing, infrastructure, level of service provided,  and account for differences in  travel-behaviour decisions, in order to forecast the effect on the transport system of many new EU policy measures (such as promotion of Green transport alternatives).

Case Study 2: Air Transport

This case study is about the design and dimensioning of Airport Terminals using dynamic micro-simulation tools. The current techniques for designing and dimensioning of airports terminals are essentially done either using formulae provided by international bodies (such as: ICAO or IATA) or based on average values – common sense – from other locations. Yet, often these techniques fall short, either because they do not fit into the specificities of the airport, or because they only provide value for peaks periods (which represent a very short period of time). New dynamic micro-simulation techniques, such as: agent based modelling or discrete event, are being increasingly explored. These techniques are characterised by, firstly, modeling the individual behaviour of each person and, secondly, having a spatial dimensions. They are therefore far more reaching and complete in the sense that they enable to test different people’s behaviours (e.g. : leisure, business, groups, eldery, youngster, etc) and different layout configurations.

This case study will apply micro-simulation tools to the design and dimensioning (e.g.: area for check in, area for security, waiting areas, corridors, etc) the passenger processing in the New Airport of Lisbon. As the New Airport of Lisbon is still under project, the model will be calibrated using data from the current Airport of Lisbon.

Case Study 3:  Maritime Transport

In this case study, a simulation tool will be applied, which was developed in the frame of previous research, with the aim of modeling the costs that show up when a maritime vessels calls at a seaport. The simulation is built up in a modular way, taking into account different port compositions, and different combinations of characteristics of vessels and cargo. It deals with out-of-pocket costs and time costs, to arrive at a total cost picture from the point of view of the supplier/operator, the user, and the wider society. An application is made to the Port of Antwerp, but, depending upon data availability, other applications can be made too.

Case Study 4:  Singapore Road Network  - Traffic Simulator

The goal of this case study is to get students familiar with MITSIMLab, a microscopic traffic simulator to use it as tool to analyse the impacts of policy implementations. MITSIMLab is a micro-simulation laboratory capable of modelling the “real world” conditions on a traffic network.

Suggested policies to be tested:

  • Congestion pricing
  • Dedicated bus lanes
  • V2V communication
  • Parking lane disruptions
  • Changing speed limits on certain links

Case Study 5:  Multimodal Transport

A multimodal problem case study (including rail, truck and maritime) will be developed and distributed at the beginning of the course. Groups formed by four-five students, will work on the case study implementing the knowledge acquired by the material learned during each day of the course. The groups will then present their results and compete for the best case award the last day of the course.