Module Code: XJCV208101
Module Title: Transport Planning and Modelling 1
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Assessment Information:
There are 12 pages to this online assessment.
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plus one hour for scanning and uploading).
This assessment is worth 50% of the overall module mark.
All questions are worth the marks as shown.
Answer ALL questions.
You should keep to the word limit for each answer. These limits are as specified in the
question.
Answers to Question 1 must be typed in Microsoft Word, and indicate the number of
words you have written.
Answers to parts of Question 2 and 3 with a word limit must be typed in Microsoft
Word, and indicate the number of words you have written.
Candidates are expected to make reasonable assumptions about any data not provided
in the questions. In such cases, any assumed information must be stated clearly in the
answers provided.
The deadline for submission of your assessment is 09:00 to 15:00 on Thursday
8 June 2023 (UK time).
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Page 1 of 12 Turn the page over
Module Code: XJCV208101
QUESTION 1.
(a) Describe any three major transport problems you have noticed while travelling from the
university in Xipu campus to Jiuli campus during the last term. (Maximum 300 words)
[9 marks]
(b) Map out any one of the problems to the vicious cycle of transport planning and describe
how transport policy could help addressing the issues involved. (Maximum 300 words)
[10 marks]
(c) Describe the systems analysis approach to transport planning with a particular focus on
resolving the problem described in Q1(b) above. (Maximum 300 words)
[10 marks]
(d) Discuss the implications of neglecting road maintenance. (Maximum 200 words)
[4 marks]
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Module Code: XJCV208101
QUESTION 2.
(a) A traffic data collection exercise is conducted by two observers on a motorway section of
500m in Germany where there is no speed limit. Observer A is located on the south
end of the section while Observer B is located on the north end. Northbound traffic
is being observed. Each observer records the time a vehicle passed the point he/she
is positioned. Eight vehicles have been observed as listed in Table Q2.1 and the data
recorded by the observers are depicted in Table Q2.2.
Two aerial photos of the 500m road section have been taken at the beginning and end of
the 25-second observation period. The locations of the vehicles in the photos obtained
are measured and recorded in Table Q2.3.
Table Q2.1 List of vehicles observed
Number Description
(1) Pink Mini
(2) Green Mazda
(3) Orange Audi
(4) Blue Honda
(5) Black BMW
(6) Purple Toyota
(7) Cyan Nissan
(8) Red VW
Table Q2.2 Data recorded by observers
Observer A at the south end Observer B at the north end
Time Vehicle Description Time Vehicle Description
0 (4) Blue Honda 5 (1) Pink Mini
5 (5) Black BMW 10 (2) Green Mazda
10 (6) Purple Toyota 12 (3) Orange Audi
15 (7) Cyan Nissan 15 (5) Black BMW
20 (8) Red VW 25 (4) Blue Honda
Table Q2.3 Positions of vehicles from south end in the aerial photos
At t = 0 sec At t = 25 secs
Position (m) Vehicle Description Position (m) Vehicle Description
420 (1) Pink Mini 500 (4) Blue Honda
220 (2) Green Mazda 400 (6) Purple Toyota
120 (3) Orange Audi 200 (7) Cyan Nissan
0 (4) Blue Honda 100 (8) Red VW
Page 3 of 12 Turn the page over
Module Code: XJCV208101
(i) Based on the information from the observers and the aerial photos, present the
trajectories of the traffic in a time-space diagram. Indicate clearly in your diagram
the time-space window for the data collected. State your assumption(s).
[4 marks]
(ii) An additional Observer C, located 110m north of the south end with a radar gun,
has been placed to observe the flow and speed of traffic throughout the observa tion period. Demonstrate in your time-space diagram the traffic flow and headways
that might have been observed by Observer C. Explain their meanings and their
relationship. Estimate their values as observed by Observer C and prove this rela tionship.
[4 marks]
(iii) Based on the data collected by Observer C, estimate the time-mean speed and
space-mean speed. Comment on the difference between the two estimated values
and recommend which estimate should be used to assess the current performance
of the system. Explain your reason(s). (Word limit = 100 words)
[5 marks]
(iv) An aerial photo of the 500m section was taken at t = 15 seconds. What would be
the spacing and density observed in this photo Explain their meanings and their
relationship. Demonstrate their observed values in your time-space diagram and
prove this relationship.
[4 marks]
(v) Estimate the average speed, flow and density considering all the data collected in
your time-space window identified. Verify the fundamental relationship between
average speed, flow and density with your analysis.
[4 marks]
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Module Code: XJCV208101
(b) A 3m-long inductance loop detector is installed to collect traffic data on an arterial road.
A dataset as shown in Table Q2.4 was collected during a 24-hour period.
Table Q2.4 Traffic data collected by inductance loop detector
Description Time Period Car traffic ( ˉL = 5m) Non-car traffic (ˉL = 8.5m)
Flow Avg coverage time Flow Avg coverage time
(veh/h) over the loop (sec) (veh/h) over the loop (sec)
AM Peak 07:00–10:00 1586 2.329 121 3.522
Interpeak 10:00–15:00 960 0.515 406 0.936
School Peak 15:00–16:00 1790 0.756 559 1.169
PM Peak 16:00–18:30 2369 1.176 225 1.763
Off Peak 18:30–07:00 519 0.497 320 0.778
(i) Estimate the average speed, flow and density within each time period on the arterial
road.
(ii) Estimate the free-flow speed, jam density and maximum flow for this section of the
arterial road based on the observed data. State clearly your assumption(s) in your
estimation.
(iii) Plot the three q k v (Flow-Density-Speed) curves in proper order based on your
estimated values of the free-flow speed, jam density and maximum flow. Label in
your graphs the free-flow speed, jam density and maximum flow where appropriate.
(iv) Estimate the speeds and densities when an observed flow is 1700 veh/h. Comment
on the traffic conditions from a driver’s point of view. (Word limit = 100 words)
[12 marks]
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Module Code: XJCV208101
QUESTION 3. The Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) is connected to the Hong Kong
Central Business District (CBD) by an Airport Express Rail Line (AEL) with four stops in total
along the line, as illustrated in Figure Q3.1. Apart from AEL, a multi-modal network has
been developed over the years to ensure that all residents, visitors and tourists have good
connections to the HKIA. Tsing Ma bridge is an iconic infrastructure within this network.
Maintaining the efficiency of this multi-modal transport network is vital for air passengers
& employees at the airport, and most importantly, the economic growth of the Hong Kong
Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) of China is dependent on it.
The construction works of a third runway (3RS) started in August 2016. Work is expected
to be completed by 2024, after which the airport will use all three runways. The Transport
Department would like to ensure that enough capacity and services must be provided in this
multi-modal network to support the anticipated growth in demand for all trips travelling to
and from the HKIA.
HK
Airport
Tsing Yi
Kowloon
HK CBD
Ma
Wan
Tsuen
Wan Tuen
Mun
Airport Express
O
N
S
Ferry
Bus
Tung
Chung
Bus
Tunnel
Crossing
Tsing Ma
Bridge Highway
Metro
Tunnel
Crossing
Highway
Sunny
Bay Nam
Cheong
Olympic
Highway Airport Express Rail Line
Bridge Crossing
Tunnel Crossing
Ferry service
Bus service
Metro
Public Transport Links Road Links
Arterial
Arterial
Arterial
L
Lai King
Figure Q3.1 Overview of Multi-modal Transport Connections to HK International Airport
Page 6 of 12 Turn the page over
Module Code: XJCV208101
(a) A transport consultant has been commissioned by the Transport Department to look at
planning the road network of major links connecting the suburbs near the HKIA, with
population size as shown in Table Q3.1. A hypothetical road network representing the
study area is as shown in Figure Q3.2.
Table Q3.1 Population size
Zone Name Population size
A HK CBD 8,000
B Kowloon 10,000
C Tsing Yi 5,000
D Tsuen Wan 4,000
E Tuen Mun 5,000
F HK International Airport n/a
1
5
7
10
3
4 2
6
D
F
B
A
9
8
C
6
5
2
2
2
2
2
4
8
5
10
7
13
18
15
22
E 2
HK International Airport
(HKIA) Highway
Bridge Crossing
Tunnel Crossing
Road Links
Arterial
Centroid connector
Figure Q3.2 A hypothetical highway network connecting HKIA
Note that in Figure Q3.2, all links are two-way and the travel time in minutes are the
same for both directions as indicated on each link.
Page 7 of 12 Turn the page over
Module Code: XJCV208101
(i) Draw the minimum path tree for trips from all other zones to the airport, using the
template in Figure Q3.3. Determine from your minimum path tree the travel time
matrix from Zone {A, B, C, D, E} to the airport.
1
5
7
10
3
4 2
6
D
F
B
A
9
8
C
E
Figure Q3.3 Minimum path tree & traffic assignment template
[3 marks]
(ii) Assume all work trips are by car. Estimate the work trip matrix for the current
10,000 work trips from Zone {A, B, C, D, E} to the airport based on a Gravity
model. State your assumption(s).
IMPORTANT – The calibrated n value for a Gravity model for work trips by car
is assumed to be 1.XY, where XY are the last two digits of your Leeds Student
Number. For example, if your Student Number is 12345678, the n value for your
submission should be 1.78.
You MUST write down your student number and the applied n value before the
start of your calculations. This n value applies to both Part (ii) & (iii) of Q3(a).
[3 marks]
Page 8 of 12 Turn the page over
Module Code: XJCV208101
(iii) The opening of the third runway is expected to generate extra 5,000 job opportuni ties to the airport in addition to the existing 10,000 jobs. The HKSAR Government
is considering building a new housing development to house up to 5,000 new resi dents in either Zone D (Tsuen Wan) or Zone E (Tuen Mun) to accommodate the
anticipated increase of population in the study area. It is assumed that the zonal
population size of the selected site will increase by 5,000, while the population of
all other zones remain to be the same as shown in Table Q3.1. As a result, the
number of future work trips that will be travelling to the airport by car from Zone
{A, B, C, D, E} needs to be re-estimated. The Government would like to select
the site such that the total travel time to work for the 15,000 work trips can be
minimised. What would be the total travel time for the work trips to the airport
for each case Which site would you recommend to the government State your
assumption(s). (Word limit = 100 words)
[5 marks]
(iv) Based on your answers in Part (iii), perform All-or-Nothing assignment of the
15,000 work trips to the road network for the two cases. Present your steps and
results using the templates in Figure Q3.4. Determine the traffic flow carried on
Tsing Ma Bridge (Link 3–5) for the two cases from your results.
[5 marks]
Page 9 of 12 Turn the page over
Module Code: XJCV208101
1
5
7
10
3
4 2
6
D
F
B
A
9
8
C
E New Housing
1
5
7
10
3
4 2
6
D
F
B
A
9
8
C
E
New Housing
Figure Q3.4 AON traffic assignment template
Please repeat the use of the template as required
Page 10 of 12 Turn the page over
Module Code: XJCV208101
(b) There are three public transport options available for air passengers travelling from
the Hong Kong’s Central Business District (CBD) to the Hong Kong International
Airport (HKIA), as illustrated in Figure Q3.5:
Option 1 Airport Express Line (AEL) The Airport Express Line is a direct ser vice between HKIA and the Hong Kong Central station located in the CBD.
Option 2 Tung Chung Line (TCL) + Bus The Tung Chung Line (TCL) is a
local metro line which connects the Hong Kong Central station to Tung Chung
station, which is very close to the HKIA, where passengers can change for a
bus to get to the HKIA terminal.
Option 3 Ferry to Ma Wan + Bus There is a ferry service connecting the CBD
with Ma Wan. This service has been designed for commuters from Ma Wan
for work trips to/from CBD. As Ma Wan is located along the highway route
through Tsing Ma Bridge, there is also a direct bus service which the resi dents/visitors at Ma Wan can take to the airport.
HK
Airport
Tsing Yi
Kowloon
HK
Central
Ma
Wan
S
Ferry
Bus
Tung
Chung
Bus
Airport Express Line (AEL)
Ferry service
Bus service
Public Transport Links
Tung Chung Line (TCL)
4
8
14
20
23
7
6
O
N
L
3
3
2
2
5
5
Airport Express Line (AEL)
Tung Chung Line (TCL)
Figure Q3.5 Public Transport Network for the Hong Kong International Airport
The travel time (in minutes) on each link on the public transport network are as shown
in Figure Q3.5. Assume that the time for both directions are the same as indicated on
the link. From a stated preference survey, a Logit model was calibrated with the utility
function as shown in Equation (1).
Page 11 of 12 Turn the page over
Module Code: XJCV208101
Uk = Ak 1.5 × V OTk × t
AE
k V OTk × t
IV T
k 2.0 × V OTk × t
T F
k 0.07Ck (1)
where
Ak – mode specific constant for mode k
V OTk – Value of time ($ per min) for mode k
t
AE
k
– access/egress time (mins) for mode k
t
IV T
k
– in-vehicle time (mins) for mode k
t
T F
k
– transfer time (mins) for mode k
Ck – out-of-pocket cost ($) for mode k
Table Q3.2 Model parameters for different modes of transport
Mode Ak Value of time t
AE
k
t
T F
k Rail/Ferry Fare Bus Fare
($/hr) (mins) (mins) $ $
AEL 1 18 5 n/a 110 n/a
TCL + Bus 0 15 5 10 27 5
Ferry + Bus 0 15 10 10 27 35
(i) Option 1 + 2 Only Assume that there are 10,000 air passengers per day in total
travelling from the HK Central station to HKIA. Estimate the modal split between
the AEL & TCL, and the corresponding revenues for the railway and bus companies.
[4 marks]
(ii) Option 1 + 2 + 3 Assume that all three options are available for the 10,000 air
passengers. Estimate what might be the mode shares on the three modes.
Currently it has been observed that air passengers travelling from the CBD have
been using only Option 1 & 2 as two viable public transport options. Discuss the
interpretation of your results as compared to this observation. Explain what might
have been the reason(s) for this observation. (Word limit = 120 words)
[7 marks]
(iii) Option 1 + 2 + 3 + Ma Wan free shuttle A theme park located in Ma Wan
is considering offering free bus shuttle services for their visitors to attract visitors to
Ma Wan before travelling to the airport the next day. Any visitors who come to the
theme park and stay overnight at their accommodation can take a free bus from
the ferry pier to the theme park on arrival and a free bus to the airport on their
departure. Survey results have shown that the mode specific constant Ak = 2.5
for this new option. Estimate the new mode share & revenue for the ferry service
and estimate how many visitors of the theme park may use this new free shuttle
bus service. Explain the reasoning of your method of analysis and state clearly your
assumption(s). (Word limit = 120 words)
[7 marks]
Page 12 of 12 End.
