Combining macro-level and agent-based modeling fot improved freight transport analysis

Abstract

of case studies

Case study 1. EastWest Transport Corridor (EWTC) The EastWest Transport Corridor (EWTC) is a land-bridge for transport between China/Russia through the Southern Baltic Sea further towards the United Kingdom. In a simulation study, we have analyzed transports in the geographical area called the EWTC region. The purpose of the study was to estimate current and forecasted future transport volumes in the EWTC region, and to assess the possible impact of three transport policy and infrastructural measures, which may contribute to greener transport in the region.

In the study, the macro-level model TRANS-TOOLS was used to estimate the freight demand between a number of geographical zones in the EWTC region, and the agent-based model TAPAS-Z was used to estimate logistical choices. The output from the two models was analyzed in common in order to generate total transport flows differentiated on for instance transport mode and transport routes.

In the study, the approaches conducting supplementary sub-studies and integrating macro-level and agent-based modeling were used. TAPAS-Z is an agent-based model that integrates macro-level functionality. Separate studies with TRANS-TOOLS and TAPAS-Z were conducted in parallel, and the results from the two models were analyzed in common.

Case study 2. Railway capacity Hallsberg-Mjölby Within a project referred to as “business economic consequences”, the Swedish Transport Administration recently decided to analyze a set of infrastructure investments for increasing the railway capacity between Hallsberg-Mjölby (Banverket, 2009; Trafikverket, 2011). Hallsberg-Mjölby is an important railway connection, especially for freight transport between southern and northern parts of Sweden. In a simulation-based study, referred to here as “the HM study”, we have analyzed

the probable impact of an increased railway capacity between Hallsberg-Mjölby, by studying transport in the geographical region.

In the study, we used two versions of Samgods which have been developed in order to study railway capacity restrictions. The two versions were used to study total flows in the region with and without capacity restrictions in the railway network. The agent-based model TAPAS has been used study transports in detail in a specific relation in the region.

In this study, the suggested solution conducting supplementary sub-studies was represented since the different models were used in parallel and in different ways contributed to analyze the benefits of increased railway capacity between Hallsberg and Mjölby.

Concluding remarks The work presented in this abstract was conducted in a project called Combination of macro-level and agent-based models for improved impact analysis on the transport system financed by the Swedish Transport Administration. In the project we have identified three principles for how to combine macro-level and agent-based models, which mainly have been evaluated and applied in two case studies. Hence, we have shown that it is possible to combine macro-level and agent-based modeling in order to improve freight transport analysis.