MODUMFinal Recommendations and Results

This project has received funding from the European Union’s Seventh Framework Programme for research, technological development and demonstration under grant agreement no 288205.

Models forOptimisingDynamicUrbanMobility

MODUM addresses the environmental footprint in the trans-

port sector by developing a new approach for pro-active

demand-responsive management of traffic.

This approach enables energy-efficient multi-modal transport

choices accommodating dynamic variations, minimising the

environmental impact and improving the quality of life in ur-

ban environments.

MODUM IN A NUTSHELL

MODUM – Models for Optimi-sing Dynamic Urban Mobility

Project type: Specific Targeted Research Project (STREP)

Programme: 7th EU Framework Programme

Objective ICT-2011.6.6 Low carbon multi-modal mobility and

freight transport

Project coordinator:

Transport & Mobility Leuven

Griet De Ceuster

+32 16 317730

griet.deceuster@tmleuven.be

Central contact:

Transport & Mobility Leuven

Sven Maerivoet

+32 16 317733

sven.maerivoet@tmleuven.be

IMPRINT

MODUM – Models for Optimising Dynamic Urban Mobility

Final Brochure; December 2014

Text: Dr. Sven Maerivoet, Transport & Mobility Leuven

Design & Layout: FGM-AMOR Forschungsgesellschaft Mobiliät -

Austrian Mobility Research

Pictures: Page 2-3: i-stock; p. 4-8: FGM-AMOR; p.9 left: H.Schiffer, p.9

right: i-stock, p.10 left: Eltis-Plus; p.10 right: i-stock, p.11: FGM-AMOR

The sole responsibility for the content of this document lies with the

authors. It does not represent the opinion of the European Communi-

ties. The European Commission is not responsible for any use that may

be made of the information contained therein. MODUM is funded by the

European Union in the FP7 programme.

This project has received funding from the European Union’s Seventh Framework Programme for research, technological development and demonstration under grant agreement no 288205.

2

BACKGROUND & MOTIVATIONTransport congestion problems contribute around 70% of pollutants to urban

environments. The transport sector by itself consumes up to some 30% of the

total energy in the EU. These figures suggest that if Europe is to reduce its CO2

emissions by making an efficient use of energy while improving the quality of life

in European cities, novel approaches for the optimal management of urban trans-

port complexity must be developed and adopted in the transport sector.

MODUM addresses the environmental footprint in the transport sector by develop-

ing a new approach for traffic management. To that end, it employs the multi-agent

system paradigm, which is used in a novel setting, i.e., for distributed coordination

and forecasting (of, e.g., travel times) by means of self-organising virtual ants. In

addition, multi-modal solutions are provided through a noticeboard and bidding

approach using real-time data and declared destinations.

Urban transport and related congestion

problems contribute to up to 70% of CO2-

emissions in urban environment. Addition-

ally, the transport sector consumes about

a third of the total energy need in the EU.

These figures suggest that if Europe is to

reduce its CO2 emissions by making an

efficient use of energy, new approaches

for optimal management of the complex

urban transport must be developed and

adopted.

MODUM addresses the environmental

footprint in the transport sector by de-

veloping a new approach for pro-active

demand-responsive management of traf-

fic to enable energy-efficient multi-modal

transport choices accommodating dy-

namic variations, minimising the environ-

mental impact and improving the quality

of life in urban environments.

3

THE MODUM APPROACHIn practice, this translates into a tool that commuters can use for their daily

mobility. Whether or not they use bicycles, private cars, or a combination of

public transport, MODUM can provide with the greenest or fastest alternative

to reach their destinations. Moreover, the provided routing advice also takes

dynamic conditions into account, such as unexpected disturbances typical of

urban environments. In addition, the MODUM framework provides local admin-

istrations with a tool to obtain more insight into the traffic dynamics of their

cities. At anytime, the application provides the current state in the network,

based on information from available traffic detectors. In addition, MODUM also

provides information on transport links where no explicit measurements are

made, by means of cleverly interpolating the traffic conditions using a calibrated

microscopic traffic flow model.

MODUM will consider commuters, in

combination with both private and public

transport, facing dynamic conditions such

as unexpected disturbances that are typi-

cal for urban environments.

MODUM addresses the environmental

footprint in the transport sector by devel-

opinga new approach for traffic manage-

ment. To that end, it employs the multi-

agent system paradigm, which is used in

a novel setting, i.e., for distributed coor-

dination and forecasting (of, e.g., travel

times) by means of self-organising virtual

ants. In addition, multi-modal solutions

are provided through a noticeboard and

bidding approach using real-time data

and declared destinations.

44

In summary, MODUM provides on the one hand commuters with up-to-date

multi-modal travel information, and on the other hand it provides local adminis-

trations with a means for more efficient traffic management within their cities.

All in all, this leads to improvement of the quality of life in urban environments.

In order to accomplish all of this, MODUM is composed of various interrelated

core components. As already mentioned, there is a microscopic traffic flow

simulator at the heart of the application. In itself, it provides a complete view

of traffic conditions on the transport network. Additionally, it is queried by two

other services: one of them is responsible for gathering information on the fast-

est and greenest routes throughout the transportation network, including not

only private road traffic but also public transportation (such as buses, trams,

metro, and trains). The other service is centred around predicting road traffic

travel times for short periods of up to 30 minutes to 1 hour into the future. The

interaction of these three components makes MODUM truly an innovative player

in the field of personal mobility assistance, as it not only calculates for example

the fastest commuting route, but it also takes into account the predicted travel

time in the future.

While the mathematical computation engines are working behind the screens,

the entire MODUM system is accessed by a commuting end-user via both a

website and a mobile app. Registration of commuters wishing to use the app

can be done via a supporting website. It also serves them with a personal

dashboard to track their mobility behaviour, CO2 emissions, et cetera. The app

itself then equips users with an easy-to-use method to ask routing advice for

the fastest and greenest routes, depending on users’ specific preferences for

transport modes.

MODUM has undertaken a requirements

capture for low-carbon and efficient mo-

bility by means of three qualitative stud-

ies. They each rely on a different research

technique, namely (1) a survey for collect-

ing critical incidents, (2) a two-round Del-

phi study, and (3) a series of focus group

interviews at different locations. The tri-

angulation of these studies has provided

an in-depth understanding of current

commuting behaviour and practices in

addition to the factors that influence such

behaviour.

In MODUM scientific objectives push the

state-of-the-art in the area of pro-active

traffic control and deliver new knowledge

in the area in terms of models and re-

quirements (demand and supply side).

The prototype of the MODUM system

provides an implementation of an optimi-

sation approach to traffic management,

which is capable of dynamically adapting

the overall flows of traffic to unexpected

disturbances in order to minimise carbon

emissions within an urban complex envi-

ronment.

5

FINAL RESULTSOF MODUMMODUM not only provided a useful app for commuters and an informative sys-

tem for traffic managers, it is also backed by dedicated server infrastructure

that can be deployed anywhere. The software implementation of the synthe-

sised approach focuses on the telecommunication challenges of a realistic

demonstrator. MODUM’s prototype was validated by staging real-life experi-

ments, which were evaluated by the relevant traffic management structures

within the traffic control centres. In addition, the MODUM project also created a

structured evaluation framework which was used in the deployment stages of

the application. This evaluation framework is novel, in that it is essential to en-

sure that the right validation methods and assessments will be properly carried

out in order to have robust and clearly interpretable results at the end. Further-

more, the evaluation methodology is based on the CONVERGE and MAESTRO

project guidelines for technical assessment, adapted to the specific nature of

MODUM supports city councils in their

efforts to minimise the harmful effects

of urban traffic: MODUM helps traffic op-

erators to manage urban traffic more effi-

ciently, and MODUM helps city councils to

support their citizens with environmentally

conscious multi-modal routing informa-

tion.

The “package” that MODUM offers to city

councils basically comprises of two parts:

the MODUM Integrated Simulation Model,

and the MODUM applications for mobile

phones and in-car devices.

MODUM’s innovative modelling approach

allows traffic operators not only to get an

instant overview of the current traffic situ-

ation on the city’s whole road network, but

it also provides them with a forecast of the

traffic development on the city’s streets.

MODUM enables traffic operators to better

anticipate the effects of interventions and

the consequences of incidents, and thus to

manage urban traffic more efficiently.

6

the MODUM system. The framework consists of two major evaluation levels:

one dealing with the evaluation of the models used for the MODUM application,

and another one that puts the focus on the assessment of the application in

terms of technical performance, expected impacts, and user acceptance.

Testing and demonstration was done in two cities that served as candidates

for field trials. These cities were Nottingham in the United Kingdom, and So-

fia in Bulgaria. Both cities were specifically chosen as they are at two ends

of a spectrum: Nottingham has a rich traffic management infrastructure with

real-time video support and active intervention, and is thus characterised as a

mature traffic management environment. Sofia on the other hand, has, in com-

parison with Nottingham, very little active traffic management. Traffic lights are

controlled independently through local controllers and the strategy for dealing

with incidents is reactive, rather than proactive. The absence of any significant

level of coordinated traffic management infrastructure, coupled with the ef-

forts underway to deploy new infrastructure and the availability of GPS logging,

characterises Sofia as a more immature traffic management environment. Both

cities provide a well-suited range of testgrounds for the MODUM application. In

addition, the consortium was also in contact with Coventry, leading to another

project in which parts of MODUM are used, such that the flexibility of MODUM’s

proposed solution for deployment in other cities is addressed as well.

The main results from the MODUM project show that it is feasible for a city to

provide such an app, thereby directly tying into the needs of daily commut-

ers who wish to more efficiently organise their personal mobility. The fact that

public transport information can be seamlessly integrated within the application

framework is a huge bonus for systems that provide routing advice.

MODUM helps to support environmentally

conscious transport decisions

Based on the innovative modelling ap-

proach, MODUM offers routing informa-

tion highlighting the most environmentally

friendly routes. Applications developed

within the MODUM project allow access-

ing this information also via mobile and

in-car devices. This enables city councils

to help their citizens to plan their urban

trips more ecology-minded.

Software implementation of this synthe-

sised approach focuses on the telecom-

munication challenges of two realistic

demonstrators: the city of Nottingham

(UK) and the city of Sofia (BG). The devel-

oped prototype was validated by staging

real-life experiments in Nottingham and in

Sofia, which the relevant traffic manage-

ment structures within the traffic control

centres of these cities evaluated.

Objectives of the MODUM field trials

The purpose of the MODUM field trials

was twofold: On the one hand the aim of

the field trials was to test the application

in a “real-world” scenario and get the as-

sessment and feedback of the test users

and the city councils’ staff. On the other

hand the objective of the field trials was

to get an indication of the impact potential

of the MODUM application with respect to

reduction of carbon emissions and dura-

tion of journeys in urban centres.

7

Furthermore, MODUM allowed commuters to a priori determine the perform-

ance of their trips, by serving them with up-to-date real-time information in one

single view, something that hitherto was not easily possible. Given the number

of trips made by the field trial users within the projects, we can state that the

app is both stable and userfriendly, two very important characteristics for suc-

cessful apps, leading to a higher user retention rate.

The impact of the MODUM application will only be significant if it is to be im-

plemented on a wider scale. There are two aspects involved here, one is how

using the MODUM system by a broader user base within a city will lead to more

global effects, and the other one is how the MODUM system can have benefits

by expanding it to other European cities.

A traveller that has the MODUM system to his avail, will be better informed than

some other travellers and has an advantage compared to them. Increasing the

penetration of the MODUM system within the population will naturally lead to

more informed drivers. If everybody uses the MODUM system, then it stands

to reason that this will lead a system optimum of traffic load on the network.

The main reason is because the app is predicting traffic conditions for the near

future, and it does this for all the MODUM-equipped travellers in the system.

As such, the system will continuously try to generate the best/greenest routes.

If all users were (1) to choose the same cost function and (2) always follow

the advice of the MODUM app, then the system will settle near an optimum. In

this respect, the MODUM system provides a new method for nearing a system

optimum, while still remaining based on dedicated routing advice to individual

travellers. It thus bridges the gap between traffic operators and individual trav-

ellers, by means of enabling more optimal routing and traffic control.

The main results from the MODUM project

show that it is feasible for a city to provide

a useful app, thereby directly tying into

the needs of daily commuters who wish

to more efficiently organise their personal

mobility.

The MODUM app system is predicting

traffic conditions for the near future and

provides the fastest and greenest routes.

The MODUM system provides a new

method for nearing a system optimum,

while still remaining based on dedicated

routing advice to individual travellers. It

thus bridges the gap between traffic op-

erators and individual travellers, by means

of enabling more optimal routing and traf-

fic control.

8

When an expansion of the MODUM system to other European cities should oc-

cur, we need to be aware of the different legislative, financial, and social frame-

works in various cities that can lead to possible barriers for the implementation

of typical pilot and demonstration projects in a European context. Nevertheless,

there is an inherent scalability in the solution that the MODUM system provides.

This is because, as already explained, we deployed the system in two cities that

are quite different in their characteristics with respect to the environment for

traffic management. Because of this, it should be possible to expand the as-

sessment results to most other European cities in a scaling up.

The implemention of the MODUM system

in other European cities is possible since

the MODUM system is scalable and trans-

ferable to other contexts.

1

4 2

3 0

TRAFFIC CONGESTION DATA SIMULATOR

MULTI-MODE DECISIONSUPPORT TOOL FOR

TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT

REAL TIME TRAFFIC PREDICTION TOOL

USER REQUEST

ROUTE & MODESUGGESTION

TRAFFIC UPDATES

TRAFFIC UPDATES

TRAV

EL T

IME

FORE

CAST

(PER

OIDI

C)

ROADSIDE SENSORS

FLOATING CARS

I WANT TO GO FROM A TO B

THE MODUM SYSTEM

USER REQUEST AND ROUTE SOLUTION

OPTIMISED TRAVEL TIME FORECAST

9

THE FUTURE OF MODUMFor starters, MODUM provides two distinct products: an Integrated Simulation

Model (including an interface for traffic operators) that provides software that

models the current and near-future traffic situation on the city’s road network

based on sensor data and floating car information, and calculates routing infor-

mation based on this modelled traffic situation. In addition, MODUM provides

applications for mobile phones and for mobile (in-car) devices.

The primary target group for MODUM’s products are city councils. Although

road users are not a direct target group for MODUM, they are in itself the target

group for the city councils. These latter may buy the “MODUM package” (i.e.,

the aforementioned products). It is then up to them to see how they will make

the outcomes of the implementation of this “MODUM package” accessible to

their citizens. For example, city councils may provide their citizens with access

MODUM provides 2 products: (1) an In-

tegrated Simulation Model and (2) appli-

cations for mobile phones and for mobile

(in-car) devices.

The primary target group for MODUM’s

products are city councils. They have sev-

eral options how to implement the “MO-

DUM package” in thier city and make it

accessible to their citizens. The MODUM

implementation in the test cities of Sofia

and Nottingham can be transferrred to

other European cities.

1010

to MODUM via a website and/or by offering the MODUM apps. This has already

proven to work partially in the case of Sofia, where the MODUM consortium

coordinated together with Vivacom – Bulgaria’s largest telephone company – to

mass-distribute the MODUM app and attract potential commuters to use the

app.

In general, the MODUM system provides various benefits for each of its users.

It helps to reduce travel times, pollution, and traffic jams. In addition it also al-

lows better traffic control in real time by giving traffic information for the whole

city road network. Without MODUM, information is limited to sensor data and

covers not the whole road network. Note that the involved mobility and transport

operators (in Nottingham and Sofia) have a great deal of experience in terms of

investigating professional applications, pilots in the industry, and internal fine-

tuning of operations at the forefront. Nothing can be more convincing to other

stakeholders than systems already implemented in the real world, together with

key individuals speaking the voice of the traffic and transport operators and

having experienced impacts from research. This combination is the overlooked

element for convincing marketing in many technology-driven seller push ap-

proaches.

The MODUM system can help to reduce

CO2-emissions in urban environment. The

transport sector still consumes about a

third of the total energy need in the Eu-

ropean Union. MODUM can help to de-

crease the negative effects of individual

mobility for cleaner and better cities.

The MODUM system provides various

benefits for each of its users. It helps to

reduce travel times, pollution, and to avoid

traffic jams. Furtehermore it allows better

traffic control in real time.

The lessons learned from the MODUM

project can help cities to implement such

a system. Nothing can be more convinc-

ing to other stakeholders than systems

already implemented in the real world,

together with key individuals speaking the

voice of the traffic and transport opera-

tors and having experienced impacts from

research.

11

Project partners:

Austrian Mobility Research FGM-AMOR, AT

KU Leuven, BE

MUSAT Sofia, BG

Nottingham City Council, UK

Nottingham Trent University, UK

Sofia Centre for Mobility, BG

Technolution B.V., NL

University of Manchester, UK

The sole responsibility for the content of this document lies with the authors. It does not represent the opinion of the European Communities. The European Commission is not

responsible for any use that may be made of the information contained therein. MODUM is funded by the European Union in the FP7 programme.

This project has received funding from the European Union’s Seventh Framework Programme for research, technological development and demonstration under grant agreement no 288205.

For additional information about MODUM, please visit: http://modum-project.eu/

MODUM supports city councils in their efforts to minimise the harmful effects of urban traffic:

MODUM helps traffic operators to manage urban traffic more efficiently, and MODUM helps city councils to support

their citizens with environmentally conscious multi-modal routing information.

MODUM – Models for Optimising Dynamic Urban Mobility