Incorporating Land Use and Transport Interaction Models to Evaluate Active Mobility Measures and Interventions in Urban Areas: A case study in Southampton, UK

Abstract

New transport strategies, which aspire to create sustainable and resilient cities, prioritize active and public transport modes. This paper investigates the differences in accessibility, mobility and activity patterns as a result of radical road space allocation changes. To do so, the TRANUS Land Use and Transport Interaction model is utilized. Also, the city of Southampton is selected as a case study and four scenarios inspired by the city's ongoing or planned active travel initiatives are the “Business as Usual” (BAU) scenario, the “Southampton Cycling Network” (SCN) scenario, the “Traffic Calming” (TC) scenario, and the “Combined” scenario, which involves the simultaneous deployment of both test scenarios. In the SCN scenario, the proportion of bicycle trips has noticeably risen, whereas in the TC scenario, public transport usage is maintained. Meanwhile, the Combined scenario significantly diminishes the appeal of private motorized transport over the long term. Regarding the impacts on activities, urban sprawl and the creation of new urban centres are observed in all scenarios. Interestingly, the SCN and combined scenarios have similarities in land use effects, but this happens because accessibility increases in peripheral zones in the former, whereas it reduces in central zones in the latter.