The Application of Simulation and Visualisation in the Study of Sustainable Mobility

Richard Laing, David Gray and Caroline Hood, The Robert Gordon Univeristy

Behavioural change is often cited as being central to the adoption of sustainable modes of transport. This might include the realisation of modal shift (i.e. travel by mass transit or by active travel, rather than by car) across a community, and holds the potential to unlock significant economic, health and environmental benefits. The research team has studied the potential impact of targeted levels of modal shift, within the context of an urban area where levels of cycling are low in comparison with other regions, but where levels of travel to work and school by foot are already high. We explore how this can connect with policy formulation and support, and explore how digital methods can be utilised to capture key data, and how this might be visualised to enhance communication and understanding through simulation and visualisation.