EMME: Strategic Transport Models
The Wellington Transport Analytics Unit own and operate a range of transport models on behalf of partners. These models can be split into two types – strategic, regional transport models and local operational transport models.
The models provide the evidence base to design and evaluate policy interventions and support the development and assessment of transport projects
Wellington Public Transport Model (WPTM) – 2011, 2013, 2018
Wellington Transport Strategy Model (WTSM) -2001, 2006, 2011, 2013 and 2018
About
The strategic transport models operate using the EMME software platform
EMME is a multi-modal transport planning software that is used worldwide. The Wellington Transport Analytics Unit have two models that have been developed in EMME – Wellington Transport Strategy Model (WTSM) and Wellington Public Transport Model (WPTM)
The software combines “off the shelf” functionality with the ability to develop a bespoke 4-stage strategic transport models (trip generation, trip distribution, mode split, assignment) to fit local data sources and analytical requirements.
INRO | Emme (inrosoftware.com)
What’s New in Emme 4.6 (inrosoftware.com)
The strategic modelling tools provide a regional representation of travel patterns, and are used for design and evaluate policy interventions and to support the assessment of transport improvement options.
The models are as follows:
- Wellington Transport Strategy Model (WTSM) – a 4 stage demand model that is the central tool for demand forecasting
- Wellington Public Transport Model (WPTM) – a more detailed public transport model for the development and assessment of public transport schemes
- Wellington Traffic Assignment Model (WTAM) – a more granular traffic model for the assessment of traffic interventions and impacts”
- Wellington Cycle Model (WCM) – a GIS based cycle model for the assessment and development of cycle improvements within the Wellington Region
These models were last updated over the period 2020 to 2023 with the purpose being improve and add functionality, refresh behaviour assumptions and identify known weaknesses to develop a set of tools that can be used for the strategic assessment of transport investment and policy.
Timeline
The Wellington Regional Transport Analytical Tools were updated over the period 2020 to 2023 with the purpose being improve and add functionality, refresh behaviour assumptions and identify known weaknesses to develop a set of tools that can be used for the strategic assessment of transport investment and policy. The regional modelling suite at completion of this project consists of:
- Wellington Transport Strategy Model (WTSM) – a 4 stage demand model that is the central tool for demand forecasting
- Wellington Public Transport Model (WPTM) – a more detailed public transport model for the development and assessment of public transport schemes
- Wellington Traffic Assignment Model (WTAM) – a more granular traffic model for the assessment of traffic interventions and impacts”
2018
2017
Hutt City AIMSUN model was developed.
2016
Wellington City AIMSUN model was developed to provide a meso-scopic and micro-simulation modelling tool for Wellington City to help with the assessment and evaluation of Let’s Get Wellington Moving.
2013
The most recent update of the model involved an update to the base year of WTSM and WPTM to 2013.
2011
WTSM was updated using estimates from the 2011 Census (which was postponed due to the Christchurch earthquakes). A new public transport assignment model, Wellington Public Transport Model (WPTM) was developed in 2011 to provide a more granular representation of PT demand, using Snapper data and rail survey data, and was used for the Wellington PT Spine Study.
2006
WTSM was updated to a new 2006 baseline using Census data, with revised forecast models developed.
2001
The Wellington Transport Strategy Model was initially developed in 2001, using Household Travel Survey data collected at that time as a the key data source to understand household characteristics, travel patterns and behaviours.