Transport consultancy Steer Davies Gleave has recently won, in partnership with DeltaRail, a contract to deliver the next generation of rail demand forecasting software to ATOC, the voice of the UK rail industry.
Many of those involved in the UK rail industry will already be familiar with the MOIRA model which has been used over a number of years to assess impacts of timetable changes as part of franchise bids, business case and strategic planning.
Following industry consultation a specification for a new enhanced model was developed which, in addition to retaining the existing MOIRA methodology for assessing timetable changes, includes modeling of crowding and fares and economic benefits.
The new software is due to be published in March 2010.