Simulation-based analysis of a load-oriented driving ban in Darmstadt

In many places, traffic-limiting measures can already be observed in urban areas. In addition, due to increasing environmental requirements and growing public attention, extensions of traffic-limiting measures are increasingly being discussed. In the course of this, driving bans and in particular truck transit bans represent a “popular” means of reducing urban traffic pollution. Traffic-limiting measures are often only considered from the point of view of environmental protection. However, it is unclear how exactly driving bans affect business processes and key performance indicators (e.g. transport planning and costs) of affected companies and how the affected actors (e.g. transport companies) react to these bans.

The research project “Simulation-based analysis of a load-oriented driving ban in Darmstadt” investigates the potential and effects of a dynamic load-oriented driving ban for the entire Darmstadt region using an agent-based simulation model. The concept under consideration is intended to block certain roads or urban areas from heavy goods traffic for reasons of air pollution in a load-oriented and time-limited manner. The research gap to be addressed by this research project consists for the first time in researching the innovative concept of dynamic load-oriented truck transit prohibition and the entrepreneurial reactions to it. In addition to general requirements, traffic effects and a rough estimate of the emission effects of such an intelligent transport system, the project will therefore examine in particular the effects on business processes and their relevant target values, which have so far mostly been ignored in research, and thus the future and competitiveness of Darmstadt as a business location.