Overview
There is neither a national nor an international standardised definition of multimodality. As a consequence, research studies regarding multimodal traffic behaviour cannot be compared and therefore correlations cannot be found. Introducing a workable and accepted definition of multimodality within the professional world and based thereon an operationalization is not only reasonable but necessary. Unrelated to the chosen definition in many countries evidence of increasing multimodal mobility behaviour has been found. Based on, in Austria already realised mobility studies such trends and developments are only restrictively derivable. It is to be assumed though that based on a newly conducted, nationwide mobility data acquisition, conclusions about current multimodality in Austria should be possible.
A monitoring system, that is to be developed within the OPERMO study shall be able to describe and evaluate multimodality and be used in prognostic relevant traffic models. Thereby multimodal supplies and route chains, combinations of modes and which access is chosen frequently or not, can be illustrated. Always considering changes in user traffic behaviour the monitoring systems should be able to produce and evaluated already existing technologies and integrate them in the transportation system. This new information can serve as basic principles for new solutions regarding traffic planning and management, settlement development and information and communication technologies.
Based on the outcomes of the newly conducted, nationwide mobility data acquisition suggestions for improvements regarding comprehensible illustrations of multimodality in prospective mobility data acquisition are to be made. These are going to imply possible upgrades of data acquisition methods and tools including information and communication technologies in order to, for example improve the influence of access by possessing an appropriate communication tool. A later application in traffic models will be considered while developing well-grounded methods of the monitoring system within the OPERMO study. The purpose is to get consolidated findings about operationalization of multimodality in traffic models in order to superiorly be able to describe the current situation. A better understanding and description of multimodality lead to a better understanding of how to predict multimodality. This basic approach will lead to possible increased demands of various modes within one day or within a single route chain and to a better understanding of possible technologies series appraisals.