Project: Enhancing Urban Planning in Elsenham, Essex
Location: Elsenham, Essex
Client: Ardent Consulting Engineers
Key Outputs:
Microsimulation model (TAG compliant)
Network & junction performance comparisons
Journey time impact assessment
Video preparation
Innovation:
This project showcased our ability to adapt to unique challenges. We developed custom behaviour and logic to model priority control and on-street parking, ensuring that our model accurately reflected the real-world conditions.
This case study exemplifies our approach at Modelling Group: combining our technical expertise with innovative solutions to tackle practical challenges in transport planning. It highlights our ability to create models that are not only technically sound but also useful in real-world applications, from feasibility assessment to construction planning.
The Challenge:
The proposed development of 130 dwellings in Elsenham, Essex, presented a unique challenge. It was crucial to understand the potential impacts on the local road network and to ensure that the development would integrate seamlessly into the existing infrastructure.
Our Approach:
Modelling Group was commissioned to develop a microsimulation model to test the impacts of the proposed development. We created a new baseline model within Mountfitchet and conducted a range of future year scenario tests to determine the impacts on the local road network.
The area featured a large amount of on-street parking, which required us to develop custom behaviours and bespoke logic to replicate the priority control as observed on-street. The interactions between the junctions were also a concern locally, and the visual outputs from VISSIM were key in demonstrating the future year performance.
The Outcome:
Despite Uttlesford District Council being placed in “special measures” by the Government in 2022, our comprehensive planning and modelling helped secure planning permission from the Planning Inspectorate in June 2023.
