In order to develop effective transport policies, reliable statistical data and modelling tools are needed to estimate future developments and support the decision-making process. This can help in assessing needs for transport infrastructure and evaluating the likely effects of policy actions.

Many models of the transport system require knowledge of the sources and destinations of passengers and goods, structured in 'origin-destination' matrices. However, data on origins and destinations are often not available, at least publicly, particularly for international flows. This has become a problem in Europe with the reduction in customs/border controls as part of the Single Market developments. Also, data are often inconsistent between countries, which creates difficulties in assessing policy towards international traffic and the Trans-European Transport Network. Therefore, new methods are needed to derive these origin-destination matrices.