Colin buchanan

Colin Buchanan has recently been awarded a commission by Stoke-on-Trent City Council to produce a new four-stage multi-modal model of North Staffordshire.

The model will replace an existing TRIPS-based highway assignment model which has been in continual use for over 15 years. The new model will be developed in Cube Voyager and the study will involve a complete review of the existing highway network coding, the creation of a public transport network and new trip generation, distribution and mode choice functions. The study also includes a substantial programme of data collection including public transport and roadside interviews which will be undertaken in the coming weeks.

The model is intended to be used for a variety of purposes including the appraisal and economic assessment of major highway and public transport schemes, traffic impact assessments for new or expanded developments, the assessment of traffic management schemes and to support the planning process. The first application of the new model is likely to be an appraisal of a proposed high quality bus scheme, with the aim of securing funding from central government.