A modeling framework for impact assessment of urban transport systems

An integrated software tool environment is presented, and a methodology is proposed for the operational support of the local authority, for analysis of the impact of transport measures in terms of network energy consumption and pollutant emissions. It is based on work done by the European Union within the save program (specific, actions for vigorous energy efficiency-Slam project (supporting local authorities methodology). As background, the Slam project is described, with the principal aspects and needs of environmental and traffic network management. The central section defines a methodology able to support technicians in recognizing the traffic asset and decision makers in evaluating interventions on urban transport infrastructures or technological systems. The role of the different models and their interactions with the transport telematics services currently active on the Florence (ItaIy) network is discussed. Finally, the procedure for calculating the traffic impacts on energy consumption is described with the help of a test case, the evaluation of a dedicated bus corridor in Florence. (C) 1999 published by Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.