Martin Kagerbauer

mobiTopp – A Modular Agent-based Travel Demand Modelling Framework

Abstract mobiTopp is an agent-based travel demand modelling framework designed in a modular fashion, so that exchange of individual modules is easy. This offers the possibility to start with quite simple models and implement the system in practice while at the same time providing the opportunity to develop more sophisticated models for research that can eventually be transferred into practice. Also, practical experience with the system can drive the need for further research. So the system helps bridging the gap between research and practice. The paper presents a detailed overview of mobiTopps structure and its modules. The practical applicability for large-scale simulations is demonstrated by an example of a study involving about 2.5 million agents.

Analysis of PAPI, CATI, and CAWI Methods for a Multiday Household Travel Survey

Abstract Purpose — In this chapter the three household travel survey methods PAPI (paper and pencil interview), CATI (computer-assisted telephone interview), and CAWI (computer-assisted web interview) are compared in order to show well-known and new methodological effects. Methodology/approach — The survey concept in the Stuttgart region with the three methods (PAPI, CAPI, and CAWI) offers the possibility to analyze the differences between these methods. This approach offers various possibilities to compare the subsamples and to evaluate the effects of the different survey methods in order to ensure a high data quality. Findings — The results show a clear tendency that retired people prefer the CATI design instead of CAWI, while younger persons prefer the CAWI design. The PAPI design seems to cover all parts of the population to the same extent and also achieves the same response levels as CATI and CAWI. Originality/value of chapter — The three different survey methods within one survey allow on the one hand methodological analyses without distortion of results by different framework conditions. On the other hand the CATI and CAWI survey methods are relatively new in the field of multiday surveys especially in Germany.

Modeling Week Activity Schedules for Travel Demand Models

Activity schedules are an important input for travel demand models. This paper presents a model to generate activity schedules for one week. The approach, called actiTopp, is based on the concept of utility-based regression models and stepwise modeling. In contrast to most of the existing models, actiTopp covers the time period of one week. Few models have covered one week; thus, the activity generation approach of this simulation period is rare. Analysis of weekly activity behavior shows stability between different days (e.g., working durations). Hence, the model explicitly takes these aspects into account, for example, by defining time budgets to spread durations within the week. For model estimation, the study used data from the German Mobility Panel (MOP). This annual survey collects representative data on the travel behavior of the German population. The data from 2004–2013 provide more than 17,500 activity schedules for one week, with more than 450,000 activities. Selected results are shown for the model application to 2014 MOP data, which the study used for validation purposes. The mean value of activities per person and week show a difference of 0.3 activity. To evaluate the model, the study used Kolmogorov-Smirnov tests with a significance level of α = 0.001. For the activity type distribution of the 2014 sample, the analysis could not reject the null hypothesis of equality of the distribution of the model and the survey data at this significance level.

Collaborative Management of Intermodal Mobility

Throughout the world societies are changing, so is mobility behavior. People are increasingly using multiple modes of transport; not only different modes for different trips but also combined use of different modes within one trip can be observed. Furthermore decisions for certain modes on specific trip stages depend on situational context (e.g. current traffic) and individual preferences. This trend can be supported by collaboration of mobility and service providers. Therefore information systems need to provide real-time data about traffic, provider status (of several mobility providers) and possible transfer points to enact context sensitive route adjustment. Alongside with customer preferences traffic flow can be optimized on individual and public level. In this article we strive to highlight challenges associated to this scenario. In addition we will present an architecture for intermodal information systems that offers services for individual planning, real-time route adjustment and provider cooperation.

Large-Scale Application of a Combined Destination and Mode Choice Model Estimated with Mixed Stated and Revealed Preference Data

The diffusion of new modes of transportation, such as carsharing and electric vehicles, makes it necessary to consider them along with traditional modes in travel demand modeling. However, there are two main challenges for transportation modelers. First, the new modes’ low share of usage leads to a lack of reliable revealed preference data for model estimation. Stated preference survey data are a promising and well-established approach to close this gap. Second, the state-of-the-art model approaches are sometimes stretched to their limits in large-scale applications. This research developed a combined destination and mode choice model to consider these new modes in the agent-based travel demand model mobiTopp. Mixed revealed and stated preference data were used, and new modes (carsharing, bikesharing, and electric bicycles) were added to the mode choice set. This paper presents both challenges of the modeling process, mainly caused by large-scale application, and the results of the new combined model, which are as good as those of the former sequential model although it also takes the new modes into consideration.

Welche Anforderungen sollen Elektrofahrzeuge erfüllen

In der Diskussion um die Marktfahigkeit von elektrisch angetriebenen Pkw ist einer der dominierenden Aspekte die heute noch geringe Reichweite dieser Fahrzeuge im Vergleich zu Fahrzeugen mit Verbrennungsmotor. Nutzer haben sich an die nahezu 1.000 km Reichweite ihrer benzin- und dieselgetriebene Pkw gewohnt und stehen der Anschaffung eines Elektro-Pkw aus zum Teil berechtigten und zum Teil eher psychologischen Grunden skeptisch gegenuber. Demgegenuber steht der industriepolitisch und okologisch motivierte Wunsch der Bundesregierung, bereits in den nachsten Jahren eine signifikante Anzahl elektrisch angetriebener Fahrzeuge auf die Strase zu bringen.

Microscopic Demand Modeling of Urban and Regional Commercial Transport

Abstract Commercial transport is an intrinsic part of the evaluation of traffic volumes. However, it is often limited to freight transport, and while this is a significant element, it disregards the share of trips contributed by plumbers, electricians, care services, and the like. These businesses add a significant part to the commercial traffic volume, especially in urban areas. The reasons, commercial passenger transport lacks behind are wide-ranging, one of the leading causes being difficulties in gathering sufficient data. In this paper, we present a microscopic approach to model commercial travel demand, including but not limited to freight traffic, based on data from a national survey and open data. We differentiate between vehicles of businesses that have a fixed daily schedule, with only small variations of their trip purposes and vehicles of businesses that can predict their daily schedules only to a certain degree. The latter have varying trip purposes and decide on a short-term base if and what sort of trip is to be pursued. Vehicles with fixed daily schedules include plumbers, electricians, care services, and delivery trucks. Due to our database, we produced a model for these vehicles exemplary for delivery by determining the number of trips for a day and assigning destinations to those trips afterward. We also take the number of private trips into account, laying the foundation of being able to incorporate the commercial transport model into a passenger transport model. We show that our model can overcome the lack of regional data. Based on generic data, the application of our approach shows promising results for the urban and regional commercial travel demand of a model region. By basing our model on generic data, we introduced an opportunity to model commercial travel demand not only in one model region but also for other urban areas in Germany and possibly in various areas in Europe, assuming that structural data is similar.

Carsharing - ein neues Verkehrssystem!

Die Bedeutung von Carsharing als Verkehrsmittel nimmt zu. Insbesondere in grosstadischen Bereichen ist Carsharing Teil der stadtischen Mobilitat, Tendenz steigend. In Deutschland ist die Anzahl an Carsharing-Nutzern und der in den Carsharing-Systemen angebotenen Fahrzeuge in den letzten Jahren stetig gestiegen und Prognosen bestatigen diesen Trend.