Development of data-driven methodology for description of the demand for public transport

Planners currently lack methods to study detailed public transport travel patterns. There is also a tendency of new ticket systems offering declining opportunities to obtain detailed data of demand for public transport. Moreover, there is increasing complexity in demand due to rapidly changing external factors. However, the need for attractive public transport is expected to increase with increased urbanization, which requires the supply to adapt both in time and space. The proposed project aims to develop new methods for describing demand in a detailed way in threedimensions – time, space and population. The latter dimension is important for addressing societal goals linked to justice and inclusion, but data is often hard to obtain. The project is intended to utilise a design-scientific framework through coproduction between participating researchers and officials at four regional public transport authorities (Västtrafik, Skånetrafiken, Region Värmland, Region Uppsala and Region Östergötland) in a user group setting. Participating organizations also provide data concerning supply and trips, which in combination with external datafrom a mobile operator and Statistics Sweden forms the basis for method development. The methodology is continuously validated with the help of a secondary empirical data source on travel demand (dedicated travel survey).