The deliverable that will be available for download soon reviews the main aspects of the PHOEBE framework, which includes the methodology, technical developments related to transport modelling. In a second step, the assessment of the tools and support materials that are required to use the PHOEBE tools will follow.
The PHOEBE experts have been busy at work exploring the methodological and technical approach that the project will follow and is the basis for developing the PHOEBE framework. They gained an overview through desk research and review of the body of knowledge related to road safety and transport modelling, as well as online stakeholder surveys and focus groups to understand the current uses and practices of road safety assessment and microscopic simulation of traffic on urban road networks, and the extent to which they inform decision making in urban road planning and management.
The review of the state-of-the-art covered the main components of PHOEBE, including, among others, road safety assessment, traffic microsimulation, human behavioural models, modal shift and induced demand in over 300 research papers. The online survey and focus groups captured the gaps and needs of transport managers, practitioners and authorities in the three pilot cities of Athens, Valencia and West Midlands and beyond.
The deliverable 1.1 – SoA and end user needs review is available as a preliminary version here.
Summary of review findings
The findings of this state-of-the-art review brought to light the gaps in science and policy that are currently present. Additionally, the review shed light on the crucial connections between traffic simulation, road safety assessment, and the role of human behaviour models in enhancing the credibility of both; this ‘triangle’ is an important part of the basis of PHOEBE methodology. The PHOEBE framework includes several intersecting components that need to be enhanced, upgraded and interlinked to achieve the scientific objectives of the methodological framework and result in a usable and efficient policy support tool.
The review confirmed that the iRAP Star Ratings are a suitable road safety assessment methodology to meet the needs of the project. In order to enhance the understanding about the process and structure of these Star Ratings among the consortium members, an internal workshop for PHOEBE partners took place recently, which gives an excellent overview of this matter. This method incorporates individual models for VRUs and is applicable across all regions and road types (including urban road networks). However, Star Ratings provide static safety ratings. Speed and flow variables from traffic simulation models will be incorporated to allow for dynamic safety prediction and a better representation of human behaviour.
Mode choice
Another behavioural aspect that is being assessed by PHOEBE is the mode choice or modal shift of users, which also has an impact on the network-level safety of a city. Understanding modal shift and induced demand is critical in understanding the changes in the network flow and speed and their impacts on safety in the transport system. Modelling the mode choice (MC) phenomenon and forecasting the Modal Share and Modal Shift (MS) is integral to modelling travel demand. It was also concluded that there is a lot of experience in developing such models for urban areas, but not for sustainable modes of transport (other than public transport), micromobility and automated mobility. The inclusion of some new modes, particularly micromobility, will be essential for the PHOEBE Framework’s capacity to forecast the uptake of new modes of transport.
Stakeholder consultations
The survey questionnaire and focus groups wanted to assess different aspects of the PHOEBE framework from the end-user perspective, resulting in a Needs Statement. The survey was disseminated online with 50 participants who spent around 20-30 minutes individually to answer various questions related to behavioural models, data collection methods, modal shift data, socioeconomic models, road safety assessment and microsimulation. The focus groups had in total 19 participants from 15 different cities in various sessions that followed a dedicated script and process to grasp the perceptions and experiences of the daily work, needs and capabilities while working with road safety assessment and simulation.
The Needs Statement highlights, amongst other things, that several challenges exist, including differing organisational structures related to knowledge and practice in the cities and some deficiencies in the current tools, such as the limited incorporation of modal shift options (especially with new emerging mobility solutions). Furthermore, VRUs and new mobilities need to be integrated not only into tools but also within the organisational knowledge and practice. The new emerging data sources are costly to collect and process, and the lack of human resources with relevant training and knowledge may be a barrier to exploiting these new data. The Needs Statement covers three elements of strategic goals, decision support and daily practice, as well as methodological needs.
Key Messages & Conclusions
Based on stakeholders’ needs and literature review, a conceptual design of the PHOEBE methodological framework will be drafted on the basis of the following design principles (among others):
- Mode choice and modal shift models are the first steps to be taken to simulate traffic and safety impacts.
- Fusion of road assessment and traffic simulation: the strong inter-relationship between traffic simulation and road safety assessment is at the core of the PHOEBE methodology.
- Incorporation of human behaviour models to enhance the credibility of traffic simulation and enrich the predictions of road safety outcomes.
The results presented in this deliverable are just the beginning of work to be undertaken by the PHOEBE partners. They will continue exploring how the PHOEBE framework can move beyond the state-of-the-art and integrate traffic microsimulation and road safety assessment in an innovative and useful way. And you can follow the work and next steps here and on our social media channels (Twitter & LinkedIn).