Sustainability in the business field Traffic Software
Traffic planning, modelling and simulation
To solve traffic and transportation problems it is not sufficient to create concepts which focus on the optimisation and capacity expansion of single transport modes. Methods which cover all transport modes increase the efficiency of the entire system, provided that they take structural residential and economic criteria as well as different spatial levels into account. It is therefore important to consider all means of transport and the corresponding interfaces.
For example, PTV's transportation experts involved in the "Arrive" cooperation project combined the individual models for motorised private transport and public transport by creating a multimodal travel demand and travel time model for the Munich region. This new model in VISUM allows transportation experts to analyse, forecast and assess the impact of settlement development and infrastructure measures on traffic. Moreover, the system shows how the different measures in private and public transport influence each other. PTV thus makes a significant contribution to sustainable traffic and transportation development within the region.
Both traffic modelling and simulation play an important role in future-orientated traffic planning. Cost efficiency, avoidance of errors and optimised planning and implementation - a look into the future offers many advantages.
VISSIM is therefore the ideal tool for transportation planners and traffic engineers who want to test different traffic scenarios before implementation. It assists them in finding a solution which takes traffic and transportation quality, safety and costs into consideration. An increasing number of decision makers and public authorities are choosing VISSIM which combines traffic engineering expertise and state-of-the-art presentation options to convincingly show how effective a projected measure might be (e.g. the construction of a new road or the introduction of a new tram line). VISSIM therefore offers the unique opportunity to integrate citizens into the decision-making process.
With the introduction of the pedestrian simulation option, all transport modes (pedestrians, cyclists, public and private transport) can now be taken into account. Top priority is given to safety and high quality standards in traffic systems for pedestrians. Today's tools can help bring about walkable cities and a clean environment.
The PTV Vision software suite assists transportation planners in implementing future-orientated concepts for road and rail.
Public Transport (PuT)
Traffic planning concepts which focus on measures covering all transport modes can contribute to a significant shift of motorised private transport to public transport and the use of bicycles. Good services for pedestrians and cyclists as well as public transport services maintain the mobility of people who manage life without a car and make life in urban areas (but also rural areas) more attractive. However, the services must be offered at an affordable price. They also have to meet the travel demand.
Public transport operators and service providers who use the traffic and transportation planning software PTV Vision can significantly improve their service quality, provide more travel information and offer their services at affordable prices. Cost-benefit analyses allow users to offer attractive services while ensuring cost efficiency.
Since transportation services and the current traffic infrastructure are decisive factors for the use of transport modes, various measures, such as acceleration methods in public transport, the construction of park and ride facilities or cycle paths, might be the starting points for a shift of traffic from the road to alternative modes. Travel demand modelling and simulations provided by PTV assist transportation professionals in choosing and investing in the right solution.
To implement area-wide traffic calming measures and a settlement and land use strategy in harmony with public transport, it is sensible to use the rail network as basic structure for regional settlement. New settlements should not devour too much space and be based on a good public transport network by focusing on both improved traffic and urban planning. This closes the circle of multimodal traffic and transportation concepts for whole regions.
PTV assists public transport operators and transport associations in implementing sustainable public transport concepts.
Traffic Management/ITS
To ensure sustainable traffic management, planners now use new integrated concepts, including electronic traffic management systems and environmental zones. The most promising way to minimise CO2 emissions is to continuously reduce traffic jams in cities and communities. In addition to intelligent telematics applications, «Car to Car» and «Car to Infrastructure» communication will ensure that the road remains an attractive means of transport.
Telematics applications in the field of motorways are indispensable for modern traffic and transportation concepts. In conurbations, they are integrated into complex interurban systems. Public transport plays an important role in this field as it helps to relieve congestion. The goal of sustainable mobility can be achieved if the interaction between motorways, city streets and public transport is taken into consideration and the traffic volume is flexibly influenced.
As part of the Dmotion project, PTV has developed a strategy-conform traffic management system for Greater Düsseldorf which integrates different transport operators. By connecting the traffic management centres of the City of Düsseldorf and the federal state of North Rhine-Westphalia, it is now possible to provide a comprehensive report on traffic conditions in this area. Moreover, traffic will be diverted or road users are advised to use alternative routes with the help of dynamic traffic signal system and variable direction signs. Traffic management ensures that traffic keeps flowing and helps to reduce CO2 emissions.
PTV assists cities and entire regions in implementing comprehensive traffic management systems.
