Our work underlies the current UK Department for Transport advice on the use of variable demand modelling for highway (and other) projects. This advice was based on condensing a long history of research into the use of such models, plus the development of new models to assess the effects of the advice. The resulting written guidance was user-friendly and helpful to both experts and non-experts with different levels of understanding of modelling approaches. This work is summarised in the WebTAG website (www.webtag.org.uk).  

Individual elements of the appraisal process have been looked at, including studying the impacts of road pricing on user groups, how trips might vary and the reduction in travel time. In addition, TRL has been involved in the development and maintenance of some of the appraisal software and currently maintains the COBA appraisal software.

TRL has also undertaken auditing of a number of publicly funded schemes, including audits of the modelling underpinning rapid-transit schemes in Merseyside, the West Midlands and Cambridgeshire, and the economic and environmental appraisal of highway bids for TIF innovation funding. Such audits lead to a greater understanding of who's benefiting and disbenefiting from schemes and why.

TRL’s modelling capability can be extended to include the explicit modelling of specific age groups so that the impacts of public transport schemes (e.g. concessionary schemes) can be better understood, as well as the long-term impact of an ageing population structure. 

For assessing the impact of new highway infrastructure, TRL can include the use and analysis of a variety of data collected in different forms, including traffic modelling, roadside interview data and journey time data. Implicit in this is an understanding of the sampling implications inherent in these techniques.

Case Studies

Evaluation and Assessment of Policies and Schemes

EUROSCOPE (1996-1999) and ROMANSE (1998-2000)
TRL was Evaluation Manager for Hampshire County Council, evaluating the impact of a range of intelligent transport system schemes and planning cross-project analysis and reporting of evaluation results for the European cities in the project.

ENTRANCE (1995-1999)
TRL evaluated the impacts of intelligent transport systems on transport and the environment in Hampshire, demonstrating a variety of initiatives including public transport priority, teleworking, car parking guidance, alternative fuels for buses, route guidance and real-time information for bus passengers.

Strategic Analysis of Costs and Benefits for Policy Development

Costs and benefits of ITS (1995-1998)
In a project on the potential benefits of intelligent transport systems, TRL assisted the Chief Scientist’s Unit in the Department for Transport by developing an approach to assessing the potential costs and benefits of such systems. This approach was then used to evaluate the costs and benefits of a comprehensive range of systems and services, both stand-alone and supported by a common intelligent transport system infrastructure. The analysis included sensitivity testing for a range of options based on different assumptions about future developments affecting the market for these services. The results were used to inform policy decisions on government support for future systems and services. 

ROSEBUD (Road Safety and Environmental Benefit-Cost and Cost-Effectiveness Analysis for Use in Decision-Making) (2002-2005)
TRL has been involved in improving the use of cost-benefit analysis by local authorities in transport decision-making across Europe, making the techniques more accessible to non-technical local officials.

ITS benefits database (2003-2004)
In a project for the US Department of Transportation’s ITS benefits database, TRL identified published case studies of evaluation of intelligent transport systems across Europe and verified that the quality of results was suitable for inclusion in the database.

Generic Business Cases

Controlled Motorways business case (1998-2007)
Working on behalf of the Highways Agency, TRL helped to develop the business case for Controlled Motorways. We designed and implemented the collection of data along the M25 looking at traffic and safety impacts and undertook a benefit analysis (in partnership with Mouchel). Working with Faber Maunsell, we produced a generic business case for rolling out Controlled Motorways to other sites across the country, including the M20. Currently, the Highways Agency has identified a potential site between junctions 4 and 7 for the introduction of a Controlled Motorway scheme. Other work has involved the estimation of both the safety and the congestion-relief benefits of the MIDAS automatic queue protection system on motorways.

Real-time passenger information (RTPI)
TRL performed research for the Department for Transport drawing together a knowledge base of the effects of RTPI on bus services and travel patterns (patronage, modal split). Its aim was to identify the main effects from an economic point of view and to establish their magnitude, or their expected range.

TRL collated information to develop a business model for use by bus operators and local authorities to build a case for investment. The study aimed to identify the mechanisms that should be included and the economic effects of the mechanisms, and to highlight areas of insufficient knowledge where further research is required.

If you're interested in learning more about the topics covered in this section, or you can't find what you're looking for and would like to talk to someone in detail about a specific topic, please complete the enquiry form at the foot of this page - one of our experts will contact you as soon as possible.