A Commercial Movement Modelling Strategy for Alberta’s Major Cities

In recognition of the expected benefits to transportation planning, a system for modelling commercial movements is being developed in a joint effort involving the Cities of Edmonton and Calgary and Alberta Transportation. This effort includes an extensive set of surveys considering commercial movements. Interviews were conducted at business establishments and with vehicle drivers in the two urban areas in order to provide observations of relevant behaviour required for establishing a more complete understanding of the nature of this component of travel and for model development and calibration. The system of models incorporates a novel agent-based micro-simulation framework, using a tour-based approach, based on what has been learned from the data. It accounts for truck routes, responds to truck restrictions and related policy and provides insight into commercial vehicle movements. All commercial vehicle types are represented, including light vehicles used for commercial purposes (pick-ups, vans and passenger cars), heavier single unit and multi-unit configurations and fleet vehicles (such as police cruisers, garbage trucks and government service and maintenance vehicles). This modelling system is being incorporated within the two EMME/2 models covering the Calgary and Edmonton Regions, with the micro-simulation processes being done in external Java applications. Some initial model results are available.