The Strathclyde Integrated Transport Model (SITM) is a four-stage multi-modal model with detailed link and junction assignments which has been developed over a number of years by Strathclyde Passenger Transport (SPT). The current version, SITM4 , has been developed from earlier versions and has a base year of 2001. SITM4 covers the west central Scotland area encompassing East & West Dunbartonshire, North & South Lanarkshire, Glasgow, East Renfrewshire & Renfrewshire, Inverclyde, North, South and East Ayrshire and part of Argyle & Bute.
SITM uses TUBA for economic evaluation of road and public transport scenarios having either fixed or variable matrices. The model encompasses the strategic road network and extensive public transport network, with all rail and most bus services represented. It has a comprehensive network of walk links associated with the transport network to ensure accurate modelling of modal split. Travel demand is defined by purpose and car availability, with park & ride and crowding effects via optional sub-modules. The effects of changes in land use and economic growth rates on transport demand can also be analysed through interaction with the DELTA model that has been developed by the David Simmonds Consultancy.
Sources:
SITM has been developed from an extensive database of survey material including origin/destination interviews, counts, household interviews and behavioural surveys, covering all transport modes and journey types. The zoning system and networks for SITM have been used as the basic building blocks for other models such as the Transport Model for Scotland (TMfS, see Section 17.2.16) and for other local models, ensuring compatibility and easy transfer of information.
Data Availability:
SITM can provide traffic forecasts on all principal routes on the public transport network throughout the SPT area for a twenty year forecast period. Information from different modelling stages within SITM can be extracted for use in more detailed scheme appraisal processes. The model incorporates 1,059 zones, 20,000 links and 1,000 modelled junctions.
Data sources utilised in development of the model include:
Information from these various datasets is available.
Format of the Data:
SITM is based on the SATURN suite for modelling the road network and the TRIPS suite for the public transport network. Output from the model can be produced in a variety of ways, including text or spreadsheet format.
Data Use:
SITM has been developed primarily to assist the analysis and planning of developments in the Public Transport network. To enable this, however, a robust road network and modal split model are key elements of the model, together with modules to take account of parking, park & ride and crowding. SITM can be used to test different road and public transport schemes or policy initiatives as well as local transport strategies. In addition, the model can be used to analyse the transport demand consequences of different land-use and economic growth assumptions, particularly in combination with other modelling systems in SPT.
SITM can be used at a strategic level feeding traffic data etc. into local area models for more detailed scheme appraisal.
Data Access:
SITM is operated by SPT and is primarily a transport planning tool. SPT, however, can provide data from the modelling process or commission specific tests for other organisations. Requests, however, have to be part of the managed process within SPT and any data requirements or modelling work required should be discussed with SPT at the earliest stage, in order that they can be scheduled into the work programme.
Cost:
Modelling work or data provision will be costed on an individual basis. Exchange of data with other local authorities will normally be free of charge, but where staff time is required to undertake work for a specific local project, or provision of data or a service for a commercial company is requested, there will be a charge made. Charges may be discussed directly with SPT.
Contacts:
The SPT contact for the Strathclyde Integrated Transport Model is:
Neil Sturrock, Policy & Strategy Department, Strathclyde Passenger Transport,
Tel. 0141 333 3745; Fax 0141 333 3284
Email neil.sturrock@spt.co.uk
