Development of SimSmartMobility simulation tool for innovative mobility solutions

Ever more traffic information is becoming available and is increasingly used in the form of mobility services such as a parking app or a traffic speed advisory service. TNO, TU Delft and the Connecting Mobility programme (of the Ministry of Infrastructure and the Environment) are to develop an open platform and simulation tool for Smart Mobility, called "SimSmartMobility". This will provide fast insight into accessibility of a particular city or region, for example.

A first prototype of the SimSmartMobility simulation tool will be completed at the end of 2016. A declaration of intent to that effect was signed on 11 August.

Smart Mobility is the use of information and communication technology for innovative mobility solutions with the aim of improving accessibility, safety and liveability. Collecting, processing and exchanging this information can make both the vehicle and the roadside systems (traffic lights, traffic information systems) smarter. Mobility services are developed on the basis of this information too, which users can utilise via their car or smartphone.

During the early stages of its development, the SimSmartMobility simulation tool should provide some insight into the potential of Smart Mobility services. Paul van de Avoort, Director of TNO Mobility and Logistics explains: "Simulations can be used to vary the number of people using a particular service, the percentage of users that adhere to the advice given or the configuration of a service, for example. The effect these variations have on traffic can then be calculated."

Hans van Lint, TU Delft Professor of Traffic Simulation and Computing: "The unique thing about SimSmartMobility is that it is based on scientific research into driving and travel behaviour. Much is still to be discovered about the effects of Smart Mobility and that new knowledge will now be automatically incorporated into a tool for both road users and the industry. It is a fantastic step forward."

Marja van Strien (Connecting Mobility): "The open platform and the simulation tool will help government managers and policy makers to make well-founded policy and/or investment based decisions. For example, the choice to implement Smart Mobility services and/or other measures, the sites at which they can best be used and the potential scenarios."

The intention is for the market parties, knowledge institutions and government bodies to jointly develop and release the tools and knowledge to both provide and obtain insight into the effects of Smart Mobility. Close cooperation will therefore be sought with all these parties over the coming period. To enable further development, the cooperating parties have expressed the intention to work on this together until at least 2019.

With this cooperation and the development of the tool, TNO, TU Delft and Connecting Mobility seek to contribute to the accelerated development of Smart Mobility services at national and international level. They also aim to strengthen the Netherlands' position as leader in this developing field. Besides benefiting government bodies, the development of the tool will also offer Dutch market parties and knowledge institutions an opportunity to promote their knowledge in this field.

Provided by Delft University of Technology