Understanding traffic flow in Public Transport Hubs with Hub Dynamics
How does a large-scale modification of a public transport hub or a major timetable change affect the ridership of buses or streetcars? What is the impact of more rides, longer rolling stock or more passengers on the traffic flow? Hub Dynamics makes effects of changes and possible bottlenecks transparent. Hub Dynamics simulates public transport traffic flow in conjunction with other traffic and looks at the actual situation instead of the planned travel times. This provides insight and action perspectives.
What is Hub Dynamics?
Hub Dynamics (previously known as SimbusPro) is a Vissim simulation tool developed by Goudappel to visualise what happens in and around public transport hubs. Hub Dynamics provides realistic simulations that offer insight into bus or streetcar movements, taking into account the other traffic flows around the station, such as pedestrians, cyclists and car traffic. Depending on the issue, Hub Dynamics can also be used for analyses that focus on modes other than public transport vehicles.
Hub Dynamics makes simulations using various data sources such as timetables and deviations from these, based on data from NDOV. In addition, we use data sources that we develop at Goudappel ourselves such as traffic models, OmniTRANS Spectrum, the walking flow model and data related to traffic lights (VRI).
In addition to simulations of the current situation, Hub Dynamics also makes predictions. By simulating based on designs, data on future timetables and comparable stations, and expert knowledge. This also makes it possible to gain insight into future situations at public transport hubs.
Example application of Hub Dynamics at the bus station of Schiphol Airport
What can Hub Dynamics be used for?
- Testing and comparing designs: Hub Dynamics maps the effects of different designs for a new public transport hub on its operation. For example, what is the effect of a different stop layout on a bus station? And what happens when additional transport services such as coaches are added to a public transport hub? Hub Dynamics can be used to test and/or compare designs.
- Comparing timetables: Simulations can also be used to provide insight into the effect of timetable adjustments on the operation of a public transport hub. Either in advance (predictive) or afterwards (insight into actual effects).
- Understanding bottlenecks: Simulating traffic flows at a station reveals where it gets stuck and why. What problems do buses and streetcars encounter and what causes them? What causes delays? But also, what problems do buses and streetcars create for other traffic flows?
- Provide insight into the effects of modifying the traffic network: When something changes elsewhere in the traffic network, how does this affect the situation in public transport hub?
Hub Dynamics can make simulations for these and other conceivable situations that produce (moving) images, tables and graphs. Even 3D simulations are among the possibilities.
What makes Hub Dynamics special?
- We simulate at a high level of detail, allowing us to include important elements such as a crosswalk or parking garage.
- Hub Dynamics simulates the actual situation rather than the planned driving times. Deviations from the timetable are included to show a realistic picture.
- We simulate not only current but also future situations.
- Hub Dynamics takes length of equipment into account, allowing us to determine the effect on bus station operations if a bus line starts running with different equipment, such as articulated buses instead of “normal” buses.
- Hub Dynamics produces beautiful visualisations: moving images, also possible in 3D. These help to gain support among involved stakeholders because they paint a clear picture of the situation.
- We take interactions with other modes of transport into account and aren't limited to a station-only view, but include surrounding areas in the simulations.
- We use our own reliable data sources, making the data collection process efficient. In addition, we can add specific data and customer knowledge.
From insight to advice for an efficiently functioning public transport hub
Hub Dynamics provides insight together with a clear and practical action perspective. Putting emphasis on seeing public transport hubs as part of the city with surrounding infrastructure and traffic flows that influence one another. To provide you with the best advice, we therefore not only use experts in the field of public transport and public transport hubs, but also designers and consultants with extensive knowledge of walking flows, traffic safety and traffic management. Together, we ensure that your public transport hub functions as efficiently as possible. Helping you use the available space, time and resources as optimally as possible.
Projects in which Hub Dynamics was applied
