Abstract
We developed a passenger transport model for the North of France and used it to discuss the impacts of some policies focusing on the limitations of polluting gas emissions and congestion. The model is calibrated for the North of France and includes both urban and intercity trips. Four transport modes are considered: walking, biking, public transport and private cars. To some extent, the combination of these modes is possible. The model is calibrated to match mode shares and the dynamic of congestion along a full day. The simulations are conducted within the MATSim framework. We evaluate the impacts, on traffic flows and polluting gas emissions, of two pricing reforms: free public transport and road pricing in city center of Lille (the main metropolitan area in the study region). Free public transport yields a significant modal shift towards public transport, resulting in a reduction in the usage of private cars. The road pricing scheme we have considered results in similar impacts but with limited magnitude. Overall, a significant reduction in congestion and emissions of pollutant gases can be obtained by applying convenient pricing reforms. Since we use an agent-based model, we are able to identify the specific location of the main impacts on the network.
Highlights
Urban and regional transport systems are important topics in public policies
We report the main steps involved in the construction of a multimodal transport model for the North of France
In the absence of road pricing, free public transport should reduce congestion external costs and emissions insofar as it reduces the usage of the private cars
Summary
Urban and regional transport systems are important topics in public policies. Reducing the levels of congestion and polluting gas emissions is the main objective underlying most reforms debated in recent years. Other technical difficulties are related to the management and organization of large datasets and the analysis of complex simulations outputs These difficulties may partly explain why Sustainability 2022, 14, 1535. The objective of this research is to develop a transport simulation model and use it to identify transport policies that can reduce the levels of congestion and emissions of pollutant gases. We keep the process as transparent as possible and adopt a modular approach allowing us to add new components progressively to the model We hope that this methodology facilitates the deployment of transport simulation models for other regions and cities. Multimodal trips are possible as users can combine two or more modes for a single trip This model is one of the first transport simulations in France to be conducted at the regional scale.
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