Are models misused, or misinterpreted?

In the last issue we covered a new report by Yaron Hollander, a former Transport for London modelling manager, looking at ten misuses of transport models. This is one of a selection of responses from within the modelling community

Tom van Vuren, divisional director, Mott MacDonald

27 November 2015

Tom van Vuren is divisional director of consultant Mott MacDonald and a visiting professor at the Institute for Transport Studies, University of Leeds.

Of course Yaron was seeking publicity and feedback with his provocative report title; and that is not in itself a bad thing. The misinterpretation (rather than misuse) of transport models is something that should concern the whole of the transport planning profession, and not just modellers. We can do better and Yaron makes some good suggestions. I particularly like the idea of a discussion about possible outcomes that were not modelled, which could include the demand responses or future...