A methodology for deploying VISEVA-W/VISUM for large area goods transport modelling

Abstract

State of the art of commercial freight transport models is the combination of VISEVA-W and VISUM, both developed by PTV AG. However, VISEVA-W is designed to model urban or regional areas and is not intended for areas of the size as Germany. The paper explains a methododolgy on how entire Germany can be modelled by making use of the transport modelling tools VISEVA-W/VISUM. Furthermore, it will be shown how two common indicators - tonne kilometers and vehicle kilometers - can be obtained. The principal key of the method is a parallel modelling structure. While each model part shares the same equal behavioural groups, they simulate specic activities of these groups. Vehicle kilometers are directly displayed in VISUM. The indicator tonne kilometers was achieved by multiplying the trip matrix by vehicle type with an average fillrate of this vehicle type and the distance matrix of the network. The paper shows the application of the method for the entire area of Germany in the year 2007. The method is suitable to modelling Germany with VISEVA-W/VISUM, as a comparison of the results with empirical data from 2007 revealed. The method produces reasonable results. Recommendations for improvement are discussed in the conclusion of this paper. The key message is, the existing tool set VISEVA-W/VISUM is applicable for modelling freight transport on national level.