Modelling review mis-interpreted

In our last issue we published responses from a number of transport modellers to the DfT’s recent audit of regional and sub-regional transport models. LTT this week invited report author Denvil Coombe to respond

19 March 2010

Denvil Coombe is an independent consultant who was commissioned by the Department for Transport to assess the suitability of regional transport models for use in the DaSTS studies. He has been involved in transport model development throughout his 40 year career and has also made many contributions to the Department’s guidance on modelling and appraisal

My review for the Department for Transport of Regional and local strategic modelling and appraisal capability appears to have been mis-interpreted, by some at least. This article is an attempt to straighten the record.

My comments respond to LTT’s original coverage of the report in the 19 February edition and to the contributions from four experts and the letter from 11 experts in the 05 March edition.

My remit was to advise on the robustness of regional and major urban...